First, good evening everyone. My name is Laura Shiffren and I will call the joint meeting with select board and board of health
here first. um on June 17th, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. actually doing preliminaries first as the joint is at 605 and then announcement. Um roll call
Veronica Ke present present present. Would you all join me in the pledge of allegiance, please? I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic
for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, liberty and justice for all. I'd like to thank all of our veterans and all of those serving now around the world.
Um, we're praying for everyone. We also would like to thank our emergency response people and all their families for their service. The meeting is being recorded and will be uploaded to YouTube. Is anyone else
recording the meeting? You see none in there. He's right in front of Okay. Uh additions, deletions to the minutes.
I would like to move 5.11. I'm sorry. 12.11 to um right after our joint meeting with the board of health. So after 2.1 if it pleases the board.
Yep. 1.5. I would like to move the meeting minutes of April 8th, 2025 to the June 24th meeting if everyone is okay with that. Thank you. Okay. Um,
okay. I can take that now because we have three minutes. Okay. So, three minutes. If you look at 3.2 Uhhuh. and 3.138. It looks like we're appointing you twice to town properties.
Um. Um, can we I I can discuss that when we get to it. Okay. Because I had a whole discussion at department heads today. Same question with 3.4 and 3.5.
Why are we appointing two people for the select board to MRPC? Typically, it's just the alternate um to MRPC. And I don't think that's supposed to be um so I I would just take out the and
MRPC from 3.4 and I think we're good. Um select board is the alternate correct. So to MRPC to MRPC and we only have one yet it looks like the alternate is separate the the
appointment of representative to MJTC and I think it's supposed to be NPO not MRPC sorry okay so So it's MO on foot but and it's usually um and the okay
and they they are both for alternate alternates correct the planning board they are both for alternate okay because um Beth Baxton goes to MJTC okay and that can remain like that I I
we do not know who planning board is going to appoint that is true but that's their issue right we we appoint so I would have 3.4 for appoint select board representative as alternate to NJTC
and MO right effective and then the next and then I'm good with 3.5 right okay I just wasn't sure about that okay Christian would you like to call your meeting to order
6:05 uh 6:05 p.m. joint meeting with the select board um and the water health um roll call. Dr. Christian Ramen Ramire is present. Todd Arnold present.
Yeah, we're ready. Uh so um the purpose that the that the board of health requests the joint meeting is to present um for its for its vacancy Mr. Charles Paul Serene um for the remaining u vacancy on the board of health. Um we
voted um last week to present him um as our candidate as our candidate for the vacancy on the board of health since he's been he has worked with us before um before Todd coming here. I think having a member that that knows what's
been going on and what we've been working with will be a great asset and also will help us train Todd in in his new role as um as member of of the board of health. Thank you. Um I agree since he was on
when we started the pay as you throw. So he was on last year. So any other questions or comments from Hearing none. All those in favor? Well, we need a motion, don't we?
Um, I make a motion that we appoint Charles P. Paul Serene. Sorry, Charles. To the board of health. A second. Okay. And I think we have had discussion from you anyway. And nobody has any questions. I think we're pleased. Are we
ready to vote? I am. I am. Okay. Uh, Veronica Kelly. Yes. Chess floor. Yes. Dr. Ramirez. Yes. Yes. Okay. Thank you, Paul, for volunteering.
Charles, sorry. Which do you like to be? Do you like Charles? I don't know why I was calling you Paul. I usually go by Paul, but legally my name is Charles. Paul.
Okay. So, we have legally appointed you as Charles. Thank you. And thank you for your efforts. Thank you all. And can I get a motion to um close the um the the board of health joint meeting at
68 p.m.? Can I get a motion? I will make a motion to end the board of health meeting this evening. I second it. All in favor say I. I.
I'm sorry. You have to do roll call because Todd is um removed. So it's a roll call name and vote. Oh, Christian Roman Ramirez I. And Todd Arsenalds I
Thank you very much. Have a good evening. Do you want to adjourn? Yeah. Make a motion to adjourn the joint meeting with board of health. And I will second that at 6:08 p.m. Sorry. 68. Okay. Any further comments? Hearing none. Roll call. Veronica Kelly. Yes.
Kelly. Yes. Flori and yes. Thank you very much, Todd. You can stay if you want. Um, okay. We can now go on to we, as we noted, 4.11.
Did you call? Yes. Well, I thought I did them both. Okay. Because I stated both in that time and then I said that was at 6, but then at the joint was at 605. Got it. I said all those words.
Just me. Okay. I know I said all those words. Okay. Um yes. So we have uh it was agreed that we could take 4.11 to review approved just request for an
exemption as a special municipal employee with a financial interest as a board of the water commissioners out of order. Okay, Jessica, do you want to come up?
and do you want to speak? Um, so I contacted ethics just to make sure everything was on the up and up because I plan on moving over to the water department sometime in July. I wanted to make sure that it was still legal for me to be on the board of water commissioners as I will be a water
department employee. And so I called ethics and I sent you the email that I received from ethics. Um, the long and the short of it is she wanted me to fill out the GLC 268A section 20D disclosure by
municipal employee of financial interest in a municipal contract as required by that law. Um, back in February 20th of 2024, um, the board of selectmen, the then the
then board of selectmen voted to make the board of water commissioners special municipal employees. So, I filled out this form saying that if I was directly benefiting financially from a decision that the board was going to make that I
would recuse myself because I have a financial interest in it. But as the board of water commissioners, we have nothing to do with the personnel of the water department. Um, that is why I'm asking for the exemptions so that I can continue to serve on the board of water
commissioners while working for the water department. Does that make sense? Any questions from the board? Um, do you have uh did you consult with town council to confirm that the water commission does not participate in or have any official responsibility for the
activities of the water department? I did not because from what I've seen over the years, the water commission absolutely does have participate in or have official responsibility for and so with
that I have a concern and because of that I I would have liked to have seen what council said but I can't agree to this um is my feeling on that. I I think that it would be I I know that the water
commission right now has only two of you. Correct. Yes. Um and so that is a concern, but at the same time, I wouldn't want you to be in a position or us to be in a position where we have approved something that
may not be the best way to go and could result in ethics violations further down the road. I just don't think it's a good idea to serve on a board where you are governing your um financials,
your your salary essentially and the work that you do. Yeah. Um don't have a lot of personal experience with waterboard yet. So in that regard, I'm not going to
state what I think about that. I do know that this is not the first time that I've seen like I I know of this form in town. So in that regards I know other people have had to fill us out for positions. Correct. And typically it's not because
they are overseeing the position that they serve in. Typically it's because they do something else on the side and they want to disclose that they do that. Um,
that's the way I've seen it done before. As far as I know, the water department um employees are governed by the union contracts and which we have nothing to do with obviously as a board of water commissioners. That's with the employees and the select board, not with the water
commissioners. That is true. There are times where there are temporary um employees hired that are um and that's discussed uh with the commission. There are times where work that gets done is discussed
with the commission. Um and recommendations made and I just see that you would be reducing yourself all the time. That's all. So, and if that Can I just ask was the vacancy posted?
It's not posted as of yet. So, I have to agree with uh Veronica to get at least get legal opinion. And I think I would feel better if there was three versus just the two of you. One can't run the board,
right? Unfortunately, if I'm not saying that you guys should I'm not swaying the voters say that you should vote in any kind of way, but um time is ticking for me and I need and I'm supposed to start at the water department. So, if it's a no vote, then I will have to resign on
my board so that I can have a job. So, that's that is my endgame and I'm just saying that to you because I'm being transparent, but you absolutely vote the way that your heart and your mind is telling you to vote. So that's all I'm saying
because if as soon as I give a resignation, I have to wait 30 days to start in the water department per ethics. So if that's going to be what you guys I can't wait on town council at more time because then it's just going to be pushing into July and there's too many unknowns for me. So I will
definitely be handing in my resignation tonight with Harrison if that's the case. Just so everyone's on the same page. And then the water commission doesn't have they have to post anyway.
They have to post. How would that help? Why wouldn't they have already posted, right? We got the resation. I'm not sure. I have not heard from Todd on that.
Um may I ask since it's an elected um board with people resigning um we we don't we're not scheduling another election? No. Only this if somebody resigns in the select board would there be another
election? You would appoint until the next um annual town election. Right. Exactly. Can I ask like do do you want to continue serving on I would love to be able to continue serving but it's up to this board.
No, I was I wasn't sure if your intention was to until other people or I would like to finish out my term which ends um Nathan was up this April. So then I'm up the following April next.
So 2027. I really think we need a legal opinion and I think that that have you talked to Todd? I mean you're on the commission together but they can't talk outside.
They can't same as usual violation. You know David could have posted I know it's frustrating. David could have posted as a superintendent as well. He didn't need permission. Well, typically it comes from the board because it's the board and he has suffered the chair would have done. Um,
so at the last meeting, at the last meeting, right before our meeting, we were just notified of the resignation from Nathan Malawa. So, we have not had another meeting since then to say anything. I think that
as soon as you took the resignation that night um that Todd could have posted the next day. So that's Sabrina. Yes, Sabrina. I believe the last I heard the the resignation was not signed. So it wasn't
valid at the time. It wasn't it wasn't stamped in. It wasn't it was not signed. We did not have a wet signature. Typically in the past we need an actual signature because anybody could email from anybody's email theoretically that they resigned from whatever board. So past practice has
always been a wet signature. Got it. And I don't think we've had that. I asked Harrison this morning and I do not believe that we have that wet signature from Nathan yet. And here and here he is.
I just want to state for the record the reason the position like the resignation hasn't been processed. We did not receive a signed resignation. So that's the hold up right now. It wasn't actually signed. Yeah, Jessica just stated that. All right. Sorry.
All right. Thank you. Thanks for confirming. Yeah. Um my only other question is it possible to approve until legal? I mean, temporarily. I'm just asking
until I I'm looking through my emails now because I think Cali um had did reach out to town council regarding it and I'm just trying to see if there was a do we have that? I don't remember seeing. No.
Do you understand my question? Yeah. Okay. Um, and then revisit, you know, that's just because I don't I understand we don't I mean I we don't have a board of water commissioners that can meet. Does that
put them in a Yes. They can't meet. They can't meet. And I just I feel like that's a board that could have an emergency circumstance under which so it said here that um town council actually uh recommended that Jess um
seek out an opinion from the state ethics commission. Yep. So and they said it was okay. Well, as long as they they said consult with town council. So it's like a catch 22. Um,
so technically she is saying consult with town council if I was going to fill out the 20C disclosure form, which I did not. This is the 20D exemption. The 20C does not require I come before you guys for the
exemption. the 20D does. What's the 20? What's the difference between the C and the D? Um, the 20 C is very specific. I'm not 100% sure,
but I figured it would be better and more open and transparent if I did the 20D. But yeah, town council just says to um you know, have you talked to the state ethics commission? Um and you know, they've given their opinion, so I think
I think we're probably covered because that's what town council recommended. Well, we we do. I read this differently. I don't read that ethics says, "Oh, good. You can do this." That's not what I'm reading. I what I read from ethics is these are the
forms and um it doesn't in other words I don't see them blessing you is what I'm saying um they're just saying fill out these forms and
I mean is this advice I mean it is I talked to Kelly about it. She said uh get what I talked to um the staff attorney state ethics commission about in writing which you then have my email saying uh I believe I spoke with you on
the phone last night about becoming water department employee accounts manager while serving on the elected board of water commissioners. I just want to make sure I have it straight and then basically said verbatim what she told me. I just want to make sure I'm not forgetting anything. And then she then wrote, "Yes, you are correct. You
may use the 20D disclosure form and exemption to serve as an elected member of the towns and board of water commissioners and also as a towns and water department employee. The select board will need to vote to authorize your 20D exemption. If please note, if the water commission
does not participate or have any official responsibility for the activities of the W, then you may use the 20C exemption to serve in both positions. 20 C will not require you to obtain authorization from the select board and all I would have to do with that is file the disclosure with the
town clerk. So, it's the if does not participate in and I'm a negative. Would you feel more comfortable if she just filed with the town clerk and then it's
out of our hands? The 20C. um unless the water commission is participating in doing any sort of um guidance with the water department. If that's the case, then you need the 20D
because we do vote on the budget, right, as the board. So, we vote on the budget, but it's not specifically, you know, my salary, but it's it's included. It's included. Um
the the 23D Jess is that the 20d exemption is that the uh special employee? Yes. Okay. Special municipal employee is anyone who
in a town of under 10,000 can get designated as that. Um, probably the safer one to go to, but I'd be I'd be a little bit afraid to do
the other one because somebody could file a complaint and then you have to defend it and all that. Um,
I I would I mean, town council knows what the water department does and doesn't do. Um, I'd see what town council has to say. Make a pending town council's recommendation or something.
So, we have to ask him again because he's saying to go to a state. Well, he's saying we go to ethics, but ethics isn't saying ethics doesn't know, hasn't given a decision actually exactly what you do. My only concern would be somebody could say, well,
you're the superintendent's boss and you want to work for the superintendent. I'm really not because the select board votes um to hire and fire the superintendent, not in terms of evaluation, who evaluates? The select board. It's hired by the
town, not by is not it would be the under [Music] the select but the way we don't even see the we don't even see the review the way I understood like in my ethics training that this form is particularly
because of these situations in small towns where the people who like we have people that serve on multiple boards we have people that like that's true that's very like that's why we have this forms. It's so towns like ours where you
have people who can't like are putting a lot of themselves into things can do that. So that's seen where ethics u can turn around and say well you filed the form but oh well.
Um so I don't think that's a end all be all. I I understand the reason for it. Um, and I I am more comfortable doing it when it is this as opposed to this.
As far as the relationship between the board and the employee, I'm more comfortable with this than with this because I mean in town we've had select board members who are employees. We have, haven't we? Yep. Yes. And I don't think that's the best plan,
but it was allowed. Yeah. So I just I select board that oversees the police, you know, and the job of the chief while the chief is the boss of the wife that
has been disclosed to the town clerk and was okay. Yeah. And so I just I mean I I'm I'm think I just you know I understand that it's not it's not a good practice. If it were me,
and I'm not telling you what to do, I would resign and take the job that I want. Yeah, that's what I would do. As a select board member, I am not comfortable blessing it because I don't want it to come back to the select board saying, "Oh, well, you've allowed this, you
know." Um, and in this town that happens frequently. Yeah. Um, and so although the purpose for the form is legitimate, what I have seen in practice, it's not
something that I would recommend doing. That's vote. Is there motion? Do you want me to make a motion? Yeah, make a motion. Um, I make a motion to approve Jessica
Bailey's request for exemption as a special municipal employee with the financial interest as a board of water commissioner. There's a second. Any further discussion besides what we've already said?
Roll call vote. No. Yes. That's okay. Thank you very much for your time. I appreciate it. Thank you. [Music] Thank you.
So, now we're at 3.1. uh appoint Anna Bowen as summer intern to the water department effective start date July 7th 2025. I make a motion to appoint Anna Bowen as summer intern to the water department
with effective start date 7725. Is there a second? Any discussion? They have another employee. Okay. Roll call. Oh, Veronica. Yes. Yes. Lori. Yes.
Um 3.2 reappoint as planning board representatives. Um I think um well these aren't the exact
We're not quite sure, I don't think, who the who all the people are going to be on the town properties committee, but um the motion was was put here by Jody
basically going by the current members and thinking that the current members were going to um all say yes or be appointed by the charter related committees or boards.
We don't have the feedback from all the boards yet and so I don't know who planning board is going to appoint to town properties although you don't have to be on the board to actually represent the board or fill that charter position.
So, I'm going to ask at this point in time to move this to June 24th, which still gives us time to approve whoever before July 1st. And maybe other people will volunteer to
be on the town properties committee. I will just give you a little background. Um, in the last couple of years, the town properties committee has been very active. At one point we had 50 plus properties
and by that I mean just parcels of land, not just buildings, but parcels of land that the town owned. In the last two three years, we have recommended to the select boards to
either sell or transfer. Transfer to housing trust, transfer to conservation or sell. And we're maybe half now of what we had.
So, I'm going to say somewhere between 25 and 30 properties still to review. Um, we met yesterday but did not have a quorum to meet. So, we did discuss. Colby was in from conservation.
He has the list. He has um stated that he would go through the lots um and the available properties and come back to our next meeting. um
hopefully by the first week in July with those recommendations. So, we'll have conservation feedback already. But, but Colby isn't the conservation member on the committee. It's Kevin Smith. It's Kevin Smith. Colby came down to
speak with us as the conservation agent agent. Okay. Not as not for the conservation commission. Okay. He has he does live in town and he has um been appointed to zoning, right? Which is great. They talked about this at their meeting
last week and he said he would come to our meeting. He didn't come and present because he said there was a lot of properties that he thought and so I said, "Oh yeah, that was before our MMA." Yeah. I wanted to listen to that meeting. She was there. So I got off the meeting.
found out on Friday, we can all be at that meeting as long as we don't talk, right? There's no deliberation rate. That is correct. Okay. But we got that open meeting law violation put to us that went to town council and
had to be answered by today. Um which we what did answer today and um he agreed with MMA that we can all be there as long as we don't deliberate. So hopefully that's going to um diffuse
some of the open meeting law violations we've gotten as long as we're not deliberating. Any resident can be at a meeting and observed. Okay. So you're good with that to be moved to the 24th. That's 3.2.
Yeah. Okay. All right. Uh 3.3 was I'm sorry. Was there any other part of that aside from you that we wanted to do in 3.2? No, we're going to move it all. All okay. Because we really want uh Jod's been as
yesterday. Jody has been instructed to um contact all of those that would be appointing and even today I brought it up in today's department head meeting and uh even asked Jim to of Highway because that's been really the only position that has not been filled per
the charter. So anybody could do it. any interested party might be able to represent Highway because you have history and I'm trying to explain to everybody that it's not a heavy lifting job where the goal is to
get rid of all of our properties or unused buildings, okay? And get them either on the tax rolls or as we spoke at the forum on Saturday, which I will bring up later. Um,
so and to all of you listening out there, it's really a good committee and and that has a goal and we would like to get some more properties on the tax roles. Uh, the only time you would be meeting after we finish that task will
be once we acquire other properties through tax title or forclosure, whatever. Okay. So you're looking probably at maybe once a year or twice a year after that.
Um 3.3 reappoint Patricia Jamala Jamala thank you to the conservation commission. Yay effective July 1st 2025 for a three-year term to expire June
30th 2028. I move that we reappoint Patricia Jamillo to the Conservation Commission effective 7012025 for a three-year term to expire 6:30 2028. Yes, I would ask to move that as well to the
next meeting. Um the approval from the commission has not been received for appointment. Oh, they did they did vote on it. Do you need an official at the last meeting? Not that I know of.
Okay. They just my email. I don't Yeah. I mean, they did vote on it at that meeting. They did. Yes. Okay. Do you need to see received official?
Yeah. Um, let me look at their agenda. Oh, thank you. Do they have volunteer forms on there or something? They have to be appointments for but it
wasn't was submitted before them. It wasn't submitted before the meeting. It was submitted before the meeting. Okay. So, they didn't vote on it. Oh, they didn't. Oh. Um I it's on their
agenda though any it's on their agenda when they met on the 11th last week I was there yeah for her for that for um Patricia I would move it to the next one and then
okay still gives her the same term July 1st so that there was so we had a motion and a second right so we'll withdraw the motion Right. And move 3.3 to June 24th.
All right. And here's the 3.4 appoint select board representative to MJTC and MPO as alternate as an alternate effective July 1st, 2025 with a term to
expire June 30th, 2026. Is there a motion? Um, I move to appoint SEO representative um to MJTC and NPO as an alternate effective 701 2025 with the term set to
expire 6:30 2026. Who wants to do that? Can someone explain what MJTC and MO both are? Transportation. Yeah, they're subcommen of MRPC. I've done MJTC before. I don't mind
doing it. Um, no is kind of the same thing. Sometimes the only thing about Yeah, they do a little bit more than MJTC and they often times the document that MJTC develops based on things
coming in gets sent to them for approval typically or gets pulled into their documents somehow. Excuse me. What is the MRP? Is that what MO? It's supposed to be NO. NRPC is not
It's not supposed to be NRPC. It's supposed to be NPL. Oh, thank you. Yes, it's crossed out. But if you would like to do it, I'm good with I mean, I'm good.
So, you're going to do it? Sure. All right. So, so the alternate member would be and I will second that. Okay. So, um Beth is Beth goes to NJTC. So, she represents
planning board. Planning board's got the representative. Select board is alternate if they can't make it. And the um and Beth then the planning board rep is the voting member. The alternate is not the voting member even
if the voting member cannot attend. They're just there for to discuss participation. And it's worth going to listen. Yeah. I was the planning board rep before I became a selectman to that committee. And when I went to
the first meeting, I thought, what am I doing here? It's a lot. And and no, I thought I had no idea that it had anything at all to do with me, but it does. So, it's definitely worth going. So, when I was chair of MRPC, so for the
last two years, I've been to all three. Oh, wow. But I but I was going for MRPC, not Townson. So Beth and I might be on the same meeting kind of thing. It's very interesting. I mean, it's
everything's learning. Yeah. Question. And how big are these boards or the pretty there's a whole region. So every town every town there can be 21 25 to 50 people on one of those meetings.
So, um, and we used to meet in person at MRPC. I think MJTC is still doing remote and usually it's Wednesday afternoons at 2:30 or it used to be. Yes, now they're remote. But I'll tell you, they have more more attendance with
the remote. Yes, I think that's true. And is a quorum still needed to hold a meeting? Yes. But with that many people, you got it. Yeah. Yeah. It's really not been an issue not the last two years anyway. Got it.
All right. So, I seconded that, right? Yes. All right. Um, we've had discussion. Any further discussion hearing? None. Roll call. Um, Veronica. Yes. Yes. And we're shipping and yes.
Okay. So 3.5 appoints select board alternate member. Oh, it says member um as MRPC alternate effective July 1st, 2025 with a term to expire June 30th,
2026. Um, I move to a point cycle member as MRPC alternate effective 70125 with a term to expire 6:30 2026. And that would be I can do that if you but if you want to
do it is it all? It's the same um same group. It's not the same group of transportation. Um I get the MRPC emails so I've been
so yeah you could um because you again it's the alternate position not the planning board position which we don't know who who that is yet. So it's only when the planning board can't attend technically. I mean you want to I I'm glad to give it up.
I don't really know. I mean, I've done it for a long time and I know a lot of the people and I enjoy it, but it's it's really it's the alternate. So, you don't have to primary. Yeah. Do you attend every You don't attend every meeting.
I I did years. Yeah. Okay. Good to know. But you can't vote. Not as the alternate. But I I have a different if if the two of you can't because there were times
that let's say Chaz attended, okay? And I and I was attending. I was the only one that could vote. The alternate could not. But if I wasn't there, the alternate can vote in town. Oh, yes. It's just that the
the primary is there. They can't. Okay. All right. Just like they count for the quorum too if the the other person from correct. So my only other question is then how frequent are these meetings? Once a month. Once a month and those are Thursday nights.
Yeah. First Thursday of every month. 700 p.m. Sorry. Now you could always check one out, you know. Um or if planning doesn't appoint somebody right away to start that July
1st. They're not meeting in July either. I know that their first meeting is going to be in August. So they're okay. I mean no first Thursday is fine. That it's good. That is okay. Okay. Super. I'm happy to be replaced.
Planning board is u already appointed for RPC. Who appointed? I mean who got appointed? Are we disappointed? I think you're right. I think I was meeting too. I think you brought that to our last meeting.
Yeah. I can't remember everything. There's just just too much. It's like strobe lights. Yeah. And he's been very participatory in planning. So, um that's great. I'm not sure um
I'm sure that he'll look into it. It seems that he is doing a lot of reading and catching up on things and and when he's asking questions, you can tell that. So, was there a second? Did I second that? Because I will second that. Okay.
We still on Valerie Goodrich. Valerie for MRPC alternate. Okay. Um, any further discussion? Hearing none. Roll call. Veronica. Yes. Yes. Yes. Thank you very much.
You're welcome. Okay. 3.6. Appoint Darlene Sedano as associate member to the zoning board of appeals effective July 1st, 2025 with a term to expire June 30th, 2026. Is there a motion?
I make a motion to appoint Darlene Sedano as associate member of the zoning board of appeals ZBA effective 7012025 with the term set to expire 6:30 sorry I just thought that's 2025 is there a second
any discussion has been on zoning forever for decades and so now she's just stepping into and and now she's on um she was elected to assessors. So she's going to fill in for associate
which is great. Um any more discussion hearing? None. Roll call. Veronica. Yes. Yes. Lorship. Yes. Congratulations Darlene. Thank you. 3.7
appoint town representative to the RCC regional coordinating council. So, I have I am supposed to get together with Elise on this to see if she can come up with someone that she would recommend. And I have not yet got a chance to meet with her. Vacations in time. So, if we can move this to 624, that would be
great. Okay. What does that do? I have to sit with the lease and go. I pulled it all up and sent it to her, but we just I want to sit down and make sure I understand the whole So, I don't want to speak on it until Oh, I've had I haven't had enough time to
coordinate on this I had ever heard. It's a voluntary coalition of representatives of human service agencies, state agencies, transit authorities, regional planning agencies, consumers, advocates, and other stakeholders
to discuss the transportation needs of older So in the area so it's it's very broad I it's so I I emailed them for like an example
of who they would and I haven't heard back like what sort of person I think a lot of um council on aging directors are yeah the representative but I'm not sure I don't want to speak for at least on that so
they they it's cha A9, have you seen emails from them of it? You have it's that consortium that has put this together and they they suggested people that could be part of it.
Um, and so anyway, and Beth and I got senior even though it's hard to you have to go through to really understand the senior the Yeah. Yeah. It's not the name doesn't indicate.
Okay. Right. It Yeah. The the community engagement associate health equity partnership of North Central Mass. So it's the health equity partnership and they've been holding meetings and you know there have been uh
surveys that have gone out asking about transportation etc. Okay. I feel like I I'm I don't feel comfortable serving as that because I don't feel like I have enough. No. And I I think it really How is that different than MART?
Oh, it's not MART because it isn't the but MART is like LRA Martin and LRG organization. Right. This is a a private organization. A private organization. Right. And it it started kind of out of Haywood
Hospital or something like that. Gardner. And Gardner. Yes. And they, you know, all got all the smaller towns together. They've just done this. It isn't really a municipal entity. Okay. As such, but it affects the
municipalities. So, all right. And it was launched by Health Equity Partnership of North Central Mass. Okay. So, and it would be a bon hybrid format. If anybody listening is interested, they
can get in contact with me. Okay. Typically on the third Tuesday of the month and that's one that I can do. So, okay. 3.8 Mary return as animal control officer to the police department
effective July 1st, 2025 until June 30th, 2026. Is there a motion? I move to reappoint Mary Matrono, sorry for the pronunciation, as animal control officer to the police department effective 712025 until 6:30 2026. Second.
Any discussion hearing? None. Roll call. Veronica. I Good. I Laura Shipper I 2.9 Appoint Harrison Maya as parking clerk to the police department effective June July 1st 2025 until June 30th 2026.
I move that we appoint Harrison Moyette as park and clue to police department effective 7125 until 6:30 2026. Second. Okay. Any discussion hearing? None. Roll call. I
Okay. 3.10 10 reappoint Lieutenant Christopher Peach, Sergeant George Rei, Sergeant David Phillips, Sergeant Jeffrey Giles as agents of the licensing authority to the police department
effective July 1st, 2025 until June 30th, 2026. Is there a motion? I move that we reappoint Lieutenant Christopher Peach, Sergeant George Ry, Sergeant David Phillips, Sergeant Jeffrey Guiles as agents to the licensing licensing
authority to the police department effective 712025 until 6:30 2026. Is there second? Second. Any further discussion? hearing none. We'll call the kel I g I
3.11 reappoint James P. Sartell as the chief of police keeper I guess it's keeper of the lock up and agent for the licensing authority effective July 1st
2025 until June 30th 2026. Is there a motion? I move that we reappoint James P. Sartell as the chief of police, keeper of the lockup and agent for the licensing authority effective 701 2025 until 6:30 2026.
Second. Any further discussion? Seeing none. Roll call. Veronica. Valich. I shipper 9. 3.2. Reappoint full-time officers of the Townson Police
Department effective July 1st, 2025 until June 30th, 2026 as follows. James Sartell, Chief of Police. Christopher Peach, Lieutenant. George Reedi, Sergeant David Phillips, Sergeant Jeffrey Giles, Sergeant Mark Francis,
Officer Michael Marshan, Officer Christopher Low, Officer Eric Oika, Monica, Monica, Officer Christopher Tucker, Officer Dylan Sylvester, Officer Alexto,
Officer Daniel. Okay. Daniel Marshall. Officer Andrew Romano. Officer. Is there a motion? I move that we reappoint full-time officers of the towns and police department effective 71 2025 until 6:30
2026 as follows. James Sartell, chief of police. Christopher Peach, Lieutenant. George Reedi, Sergeant. David Phillips, Sergeant. Jeffrey Giles, Sergeant Mark Francis, officer. Michael Marshand, officer. Christopher Laauo, officer.
Eric Monaco, officer. Christopher Tucker, officer. Dylan Sylvestri, sorry, Dylan, officer. Alex St. Stelado, officer. Daniel Marshall, officer. And Andrew Romano, officer. Second. Any further discussion?
Roll call. Yes. Yes. Yes. Um appoint 3.13. Appoint Lori. We can make it Laura. Um
Shiffron as at large member of the town properties committee. And yes, I would like to do that. That means that we appoint Laura Shiffren as an atlarge member of the Towns and Properties Committee. Um, and I second that. Any further
discussion? Do we have a volunteer response form? Do we need one? I didn't fill one, but I thought I saw one for you for 10 properties. There was one in the beginning for that for the other just alter it to at large
instead of um Yeah, because I'm not I don't want to take away from any of the departments. Okay. So it's planning wants to do something else. Town properties committee planning as opposed to planning board rep just put at large
and I'm good. It looks like Jody probably put those in for everybody in the one motion. That's what I think happened. So okay. All right. I I I do want to see that through.
Make the motion. I did make the motion. And did I second it? No. Second. Maybe you did. I thought she did. Sorry. And I did say Laura Shiffren. Um any further discussion? I want to do everything legal now.
Okay. Yes. Yes. Yes. Thank you. 3.14 Appoint seasonal summer recreation 2025 program staff to the recreation
department effective start date June 17th 2025. That's today as follows. Cameron Moore new hire as summer rec counselor. Jack Murphy, Shannon Kelly, Asher Shine,
Greta Hur, um Brady Sheldon. Brea's in there twice. Huh? Brady Sheldon twice. Oh, twice. Yeah. Heidi Belheimer, David Rahula, Abel
Leuke, Alana Rudi rehires, Wyatt Galant as lead sports and activities counselor. Rehire Kimberly Casperian, Evan Shine as junior operations
assistant supervisory position and rehires. And it's so great to see like familiar names because you know their parents that's a beautiful thing.
Um is there a motion? Um before I make the motion I have a quick question. When I make the motion is it does everybody want me to read out or is it okay to say as stated by the chair or would you like me
to read the names again? I think you can just say so moved. You can say so moved. So moved. That's mind saying their names again, you know, and I I like to at least say it the fine so that we're acknowledging absolutely the people and I'm also happy to read them if you
ever want to. That's fine. Okay. Say is there right now I'm happy to read that. Is there uh any other discussion? I I second the motion. You so moved. I second. Okay. Yeah.
Any other discussion? Uh, no. No. Okay. She moved. You seconded. And roll call. I la. Thank you.
3.15. Reappoint fire department staff effective July 1st, 2025 until 6:30, 2026. Would you like to read them all? Sure. Give you a break. Is there a motion? Um, yes. I move that we reappoint fire
department staff effective 701 2025 until 6:30 2026 as follows. Full-time personnel. Um, Gary Shepard, chief. James Kirk, assistant chief EMTA. Michael Grimley, operations captain
EMTTB. Ronald Pruchi, operations captain EMTTP. Cameron Malooki, operations lieutenant, EMTTP. Thomas Hall, firefighter, paramedic. Jeffrey Cormier, firefighter paramedic.
Greg Gallop Gallota. Galota. Um, firefighter EMTB. Hannah Barbati, firefighter EMTB. Rean Christopher, firefighter EMTA. On call predium personnel
Shaina Appel Chaplain Jason Bian Borman I didn't even know we had chap every Well, I mean I I just Yeah. Okay. Um Jason Borne, firefighter EMTB. Drew
Brassard, firefighter paramedic. Sam Bulio. I don't know if I always pronounce the wrong firefighter. Richard Carlson, Lieutenant Nicole Carter, child passenger safety technician. Tyler Carter, firefighter EMTB. Jeffrey
Cormier, deputy emergency management director. Trevor Desardens, firefighter. William Elliot, emergency management director. Eric Fellows, photographer/social media manager. Greg Galoda, Lieutenant EMTB.
Sam Gera, firefighter EMTB. Randy Gerard, firefighter. Wanda Goodwin, firefighter. Brian Harkkins, firefighter, paramedic. Robert Hayes, firefighter paramedic. Brett King, deputy chief.
Chris Klene, Lieutenant EMTV. David Langton, firefighter. Clay Landry, firefighter paramedic. Joseph Lennox, firefighter paramedic. Mitch Marbid, firefighter, paramedic. Michael Marshand, firefighter. Brian
Mayer, firefighter EMTV. Michael Meadows, firefighter. Andrew Maku, firefighter. Eric Monica, firefighter paramedic. Jonathan Moore, Lieutenant EMTB. Steven Mongelli, firefighter. Benjamin Namira,
firefighter paramedic. Kevin Penna, sorry, lost it. EMTB. Jacob Relloo, firefighter. Andrew Seammens, firefighter paramedic. Andrew Shepard, firefighter. Benjamin Simmons, firefighter paramedic. Michael Sudano,
firefighter. David Stevens, Lieutenant. Joseph Toki, firefighter EMTB. Michael Barasco, Barasco, firefighter EMTB. So, me for the discussion.
Thank you all very much for serving this community. Um roll call and I thank you. Okay, meeting business 4.1
review discuss request for signage meeting hall gallery committee. Sabrina, were they going to come to the meeting? 4.1. You just have to keep going to the back. Yeah, you have it.
shut up. Okay. Um, do you want to read that into the record, please? Okay. Um, so this is a mail that we received. Hi Sabrina, am I I'm on the Townsen meeting hall
committee. It was suggested that I approach you on how to bring an idea we have to the board of select run. We would love to have and gallery added to the signage on the front of the building in the same lettering as is there now. There is space between the current meeting hall sign below the current
meeting hall sign. We are unsure who originally did the signage on the building but Gary Shepard may. I have tried to reach out to him with no response. It has been hard to know there is a gallery in the space without this signage and we think it would add a little recognition to it. Any help is appreciated. Thank you Kim King,
chairman of the meeting hall gallery committee. Um I didn't know we had a gallery. So I can I mean we do I can probably talk. Yeah. Yeah. There are different shows. I think
it's a good idea as part of the library, you know, like that space. They So they are separate from the library or senior center. They're not in charge of the meeting hall, but they are in charge of all the senior center. Yes. In between the two. So they're in
charge of all the art. Yeah, they're in charge of all the artwork that is hung up in there's a hallway between the library and senior center and within the meeting hall and they do have some great artists that come in. It's they have some really nice stuff there and they have,
you know, openings and local artists. I have been to openings at my home gallery and so they they do great work. Yeah, there's some great work that can be up there at times and I encourage people to walk through even if there's events going on. not private parents
yet. I think it's a good idea. So, um but it's it's at the senior center. Um like what do we have to do with that? We
we they are a committee of the town, the meeting hall gallery committee and let me look and see. So, so and the meeting hall usage is governed by meeting hall policy which um the library holds a calendar of but this is the
gallery is separate. So it's almost like the use of the meeting hall is one policy but what gets hung in the meeting hall is this group. So it's actually two separate things. I know and I there may be a policy even a
meeting hall gallery policy. There is a committee. Uh there is a committee. Um probably you didn't send a photo of the sign. So I'm not um it's basically if you look you go it says I probably have a picture of my phone somewhere. It says library and
then it says let me on the outside. Yes. Okay. I know the meeting hall sign. Yeah. On the outside because we were just there. Saturday. So I actually I I understand what that
looks like. And they want to add the word the words and gallery. Um uh is it underneath it or right next to it? It doesn't really say, but they're
looking to add those the Amberand sign. I mean, I don't have a problem with it, but I think it's a good idea. I don't have a problem with it. Is there My question is paying for it. Should we have a problem with it?
I like I said, I don't have a problem with it, but paying for it. That's a question. Yeah, that's my question is is how do they have funds? I mean, I'm happy to reach out to Kim and ask if she has a suggestion and if
she has a if they have a manner. I know they do have some I don't want to speak on her behalf. They do have some capabilities, but I'm not sure if it would include that type of expense, but I'm happy to reach out to her and ask. I know Kim from being in the library trustees of
her. You could probably make a motion that um contingent on you know if it's free then do it but if it does cost if it does cost money then maybe uh be further discussion. Okay. So um
is there a motion? I make a motion to approve for signage on the meeting hall to include and gallery contingent upon funding or uh how would you like that? Is that okay? Um yeah, I think so. Contingent upon um
non-municipal funding or um funding outside of the the general budget. Yes. determining who's going to pay for it. The price and who's paying maybe somebody donated it.
Yeah. Okay. So, um I will make a motion to you should have a price and and whatever to um recommend and gallery be added to the towns and meeting hall side in front contingent upon um
funding decision by the meeting gallery committee. Got that all Sabrina? I will second that. Okay. Any further discussion? Hearing none roll call
I sorry and I'll contact him and I'll just update you all in committees or something. Okay. So the next um I didn't know if we were doing approving
but this is uh they do approve proposals for pest control. this. Sure. Um, so, uh, at the moment we currently have, uh, Monus Pest control who does, um, the the
pest control here at town hall, uh, at the police station as well as the library senior center. Their contract is, uh, about to expire at the end of June. And um you know this is certainly taking into account the recent select
board's decision to ban um second generation roadendicides from all town um owned buildings. Um so they do have a uh alternative um plan in place to accommodate that. Um
they have two proposals. One is a monthly uh visit to the various buildings. The other proposal is every other month. And we also have a proposal from a um company up in New Hampshire
called Armored Pest Management and they have provided a quote and they are they would be coming quarterly to to do the uh the rebaiting of the the traps
in the buildings. Um, Monachus is a local town um, business town and I know we're pretty big on towns and
first um, so I think the monthly Massachusetts um, proposal Um it's a little on the pricey side and I had spoken to Monusive
and they thought quarterly was not frequent enough. U monthly is better but they could work with um every other month in terms of frequency coming here um you know to rebate the traps and you know
take a look at the buildings. Um, and as I mentioned before, Armored Pest is quarterly. Um, they are a little bit cheaper and they have a yearly fee as well for the senior center.
Yeah, they uh they they provided a quote for uh for all three uh buildings that I mentioned. [Music] And then the okay so the senior center is separate the fire the police is separate
and town hall is separate so it's three um separate buildings and Nelson I know we've had some issues they come and go I don't know if I'm quarterly seems very spread out
yeah I I feel like it is it's you know especially if you know if they're finding things. Yeah. And it seems like it seems like it comes in waves from what just in talking with them in that meeting at the building it comes you know there's a peak and then it dies off for a little bit and yeah so I think orally you know you'll
not be able to get enough visibility if there is an issue. Um if there's no issue that's great but um if it happened to be you know during that time frame then you want to know about it potentially for three months.
Um so those are kind of um what's on the table. U Monetus monthly, monus every other month or quarterly with armored pest. What do we have budget for this? Um,
see one second. facilities has um 6,000 budgeted for um pest control and uh the police department they they have their own
separate budget for that. And what is the total for MC monthly versus by monthly? Uh Monus monthly the total for all three buildings is 10,365. um every other month is 7245
and uh armored which is doing quarterly is 5550 um when you say the but those aren't for everything because they have yearly fees as well things they only do
yes the it's spring of um uh building. So the does the library pay for there separately as well? Uh no uh it's that's under facilities. So the library and town hall and town hall are facilities.
Correct. And police pay for that and police is separate from the 6,000 under facilities. Correct. Correct. Do you know what police has budgeted for? Uh let me see if it's question. Yeah. I see if it's baked into something
else in it. I just want to make sure. So, not did you suggest these two? I'm trying to figure out what this goes to. That was a pictures that Monus had taken when they were doing a walk through to provide us with that code. They they
located areas outside the building that um pest could infiltrate inside the building. So, um I've I haven't had a chance to send it to facilities yet. So, I'll send it to them and they can go around and see what they can do to some
of those. Some of this looks like um from wood to be replaced. Uh yeah. Or, you know, Yeah. Or they'll they'll fill it in with um you know, foam or something.
The second police. I know they account for it, but it's baked into I think their professional services line. So, let me see if I can find out. I guess the question is is it close to a
thousand because then the five monthly that's what I'm thinking too. Yeah, I agree. Especially I mean I I having been at that meeting with MPC they they were very accommodating for the changes with the second generation size and coming
out here and really bringing in people to take a look. So and they've been doing it for at least five years. I think that um to um we'll see how this goes. See what they
their results are in two months versus the one month and then I'm sure if they come up with gez they haven't had anything or whatever then maybe change to quarterly. Yeah.
Might be seasonal too. I mean you know it might be but they'll know that when they do it. Yeah. I mean I I mean it's currently monthly, right? Correct. Yeah. So I even just think going from monthly to bimonthly is a big move. Yeah, I do too. I wouldn't I would not want to go to the other one.
Um yeah, Monusa thought it was a was a it was a decent compromise. You know, you you certainly want to have eyes on it as frequently as possible. Um monthly is the better option, but obviously more pricey as well. Um, my monthly I think
is a good compromise between the options. Are there agree individual treatments the same price and the sprays the same price? So the sprays are um they're once a year and they are um what are they spraying
for? There's spring for um around the foundation which will get rid of most of the the insects. Um and then they'll also spray around uh the the eaves of the roofs which is really for
um which is usually for bees and things of that nature, you know, things that would um nest up there. So those sprays are once a year. And are they the same price for each? Uh yeah, the spray is is the same
from each vendor. That's what I mean. Oh, no. I think that the spray's there's a rebating fee. Are they the same? Oh, if you're you're comparing fee to fee.
Yeah. I think it's less for a more piece for the mar foundation 975. These are 1,200 and 1300 Massachusetts and um the uh every other
month. Is there a motion? We lost it somewhere. You're on 4.2. Sorry. Um, I move that we approve the proposal for bimonthly um control from pest control
pest control from Mount Chet Regional Pest Control Inc. and I will second that. Any further discussion? None. Roll call. Yes. Yes.
Yes. Thank you to Massachusetts. Appreciate their assistance and cooperation. Yeah. And their work on the when the change came out. Yeah. Um 4.3 discuss approve the towns and
digital equity plan finals June 25th. June 20. Oh. Wasn't this where you were um finding the needs of all the departments? Do I have the wrong digital thing I'm talking about?
No. So, uh various town departments uh got together with um MRPC and we kind of it was like a round table discussion figuring out. Was it all the departments? No, it was um it was
council on aging um the wreck department and it was Kieran who is our um grand library Stacy. Oh yes, that's right. Yep. Because that's probably the biggest entry point for internet access in town.
Oh, is the library. Yeah. Okay. Um, so you know there were certain things that um we could do to sort of expand the digital equity as well as education
in town. Um, and there was actually a grant that we're trying to go after, but I think we got a grant for it. Well, I think the problem was is she said in the presentation that um the federal funding for this program because a digital
digital equity plan is might no longer be available. So there was grants doesn't look like it. It so they were there was a certain grant that was specifically and it seems like it was really good. I mean just from American library it was going to
really help a lot. It was a lot of money for a a town our size, but I haven't I could check in and see if they've heard an update on that. But having that plan is always good because now you have a plan that's been voted on. So, um I want to say you kind
of put it on the shelf for now and then when there's a a grant up opportunity that comes along, you can then show them that we actually have an approved plan in place. So, you can go. I know it helps organizations too. probably the council on aging library to
apply for their types of grants to also have this especially if it con considers technology you know like um I know there's a lot of talk about adding more access outside of that facility because people from their cars to access the internet and it it barely reaches
that's how I did the meeting yeah and there is I know there's some outdoor space that's going to be revamped at the library there'll be tables there it would be nice if people could sit there because we don't have broadband across town So having that access at some facilities
had trouble at my own office right next door. Serious. That's Verizon. Wonder what the DSL Verizon. It's DSL though, right? It's
DSL. I And I can't even tell you what I've gone through with Verizon. They are now saying I owe them money for a modem that which was wireless that never worked and every single month I need to call
them and spend at least an hour on the phone and they say, "Oh yes, I see your due credit." Yes. And I don't this isn't working. And then I get a collection notice. It's crazy. And where's all my my time is not gotten
back. Anyway, okay. So, um she don't want to hear about my law. That's okay. You have to interest this. Um I move that we approve the towns and digital equity plan final um from June 2025.
Second. Any further discussion? Um I would just like to thank all the town employees who worked on this because it was a lot of work and I think everybody I talked to who worked on it said it was a really really productive group to work with. So if anybody's wondering working with groups, talk to
those people about how it worked because they all seem to have really positive experiences. People from our town. Yeah, that worked on this. Maybe they'd like to join our economic development. Talk about that in a little bit. Um,
okay. Uh, there was a motion. Did we vote? No. Nope. We had discussion. Roll call. Yes. Chess. Yes. And then my only question is Sabrina, can this is this on the website? I think it should.
It is I believe the um common period therap [Music] then I'll ask make sure it gets posted on the library website and stuff too. Yeah. And I'm sure that it's not gonna because
some of the pages are upside down, but that's just the way the printer works. Okay. But when Yeah. But I mean, when it goes on the website, it's just going to be page by page. Right. Right. Because it'll be the PDF
that gets posted, not the not the Okay. 4.4. Uh, discuss, approve. You guys voted, right? Y. Okay. Yeah. Did we vote? We voted. But, uh, roll call. Veronica. Yes. Yes.
And Laura Shiff. Yes. To our digital plan. Sorry. Maybe I wasn't paying attention. We made sure and I I encourage everybody to go look at it once it's online, too, because there may be other groups that can use this,
right? Yeah. Um, a lot of things that we get from MRPC if we get in the grant program and that's what you have to watch for all the time whenever Karen sends out those emails. Oh, maybe we can do this,
you know, and that's where Karen is it comes in. Okay. Absolutely. Um, and that was the other thing. I was really surprised that certain people that I thought would have come to the economic forum were not
there. I would have gone, but I was out of town. Is it because maybe it was on a Saturday and then we do things on Saturdays before we had we but the last time we had the housing thing here in the great
hall and we had the same thing Poppy and Donuts like cuz um MRPC brings it um we had at least 10 roundts and most of the focus was housing. I think this this past weekend was a lot
of graduations. Oh, that could be hard. I thought um 4.4 discuss approved fiscal year local regional transit authority LRTA agreement.
So this is um something the the council on aging senior center um is looking for us to sign. It's an annual agreement with the low regional transit um authority. We um we had town council
take a look at it. Um they said that in general they didn't have any issues with it. Um but they also realized that this is probably an agreement that uh multiple cities and towns sign. Um, so
they had some things that they said, "Oh, you know, maybe you can ask to have changed, but I don't think they're probably going to be um amanable to it being changed because there's at least like 10 other towns that have to sign
similar agreement." Um, yes, that um the recommendations are not in the packet yet. I believe I I didn't uh No, I didn't forward the the email from town council this morning,
but but yeah, but they basically said uh they generally have no issues with the agreement. Um there were a few things they highlighted that we can ask to get changed, but um given that this is the same agreement we had before,
yeah, that we signed year after year, um there's probably not a lot of wiggle room. Um, so I I think it's uh safe for us to sign. And let me just see if it's myself or it's you. It's me. It is you.
So, um, I remember signing it last year. Um, so I'm I think it's okay to to sign. I want to talk about Mark, too, since we're doing LRA. Um, I mean, I'm I'm not opposed to
signing this, and I do think it's similar to what I've seen before. Um, but it would be good to see what town council said, just for the record, for one, on this. And we are we use L,
we the town, we use LRTA for the senior center, we use MART for the bus that was coming on call that is stopping. Correct. Right. Yeah. Um and we had to get accepted to March
and we were accepted to March in 2022. I know that because I was the one that advocated for the town. Our transportation group um advocated for more because of MBTA communities. We are
an MBTA community because of our prox proximity to Shirley and the rail line that marked services. We are not an MBTA community because of LRTA yet our transportation was all
regional. So, we had no way of getting people. If if LRTA was going to transport us, they were going to transport us to the train and walk, not to a train that's closer. Um, so it's just the way things have
fallen out historically. So, we are currently members of both LRTA and MART. You think it should stay that way if they allow it? I think so. cuz you don't know what's going to happen in the future. The towns that were in March have to
vote for us to be accepted and we did get accepted. Would the board like me to print out the email for review before voting? Yes, please.
Thank you. It's not No, they just had a few comments and um you know when Sabrina Prince you guys can take a look at some of the comments they had. Um,
and then there was the question about the reporting of the monies because we got that bus. We we used um the there's $25,000 that's allocated for MBTA for each town that has
transportation going to it. And so the marked bus was free to anybody in Townsend um the first year for all the years because we used the 25 the 25,000 covered that service.
Um I don't think it was this year. Uh, I don't know if it was or not this year, but I know that the first year it was. And we had put 25,000 into the budget, but we didn't need it for I think it was FY either 23 or 24, whatever. Probably
FY 24. Um, so I'm just curious as to I haven't followed that since I quipping since I didn't rerun for selectman the last time. So, I'm I'm curious where all that stands. And then I saw the email that
came in saying you need to report on how this money was used. Um Oh, I didn't see that from Mart. It No, it comes from the state. Do you know? Yeah, it was recently. It was while I
was on vacation. I forwarded it to Nelson. Yeah. And I think Sabrina um had a touch base with the accounting office to I'm not even sure accounting knows um see here
and and really I haven't followed that um this time around. Do you know who the email went to? Did it go to all of us or just I don't know. It it came from the state and I think it was blind CC to a whole bunch of people. Yeah. Um
so we got $25,000. Um the $25,000 it's not like the town gets it. It's used by March for the town um for towns and Okay. So it isn't part of our budget.
No, not anymore. The first year we did it, we didn't we weren't aware that we, the select board and the TA were not aware that towns were granted that funding. When did I send that to you, Nelson?
Uh, it was over the weekend, I think, or maybe municipal dispersements. 2024 municipal dispersements. Yeah. Um, and who did it go to? Dear municipal official. And it's probably
because I would It should have gone to I don't know who it went to. Um, because it's a BCC from the state. Um, and but I got it recently. Your municipality received a financial
dispersement from the Transportation Infrastructure Enhancement Trust Fund issued by the Massachusetts Department of Public. utilities. This is based on the number of ride share trips that started in your municipality and calendar year 2024.
Um anyway, and I know that we filled this in before. Additionally, each city or so it's for the ride share and there was a dispersement and we had to account for that. And there are people that call
these ride share agencies because they need to and there's a 20 cent dispersement or some such. Additionally, each city or town that has received a cumulative total distribution from the fun of more than 25,000 since it last report must
submit a report. So, I I know that we have done this in the past and um I don't even know if Katie was the accountant when we did this before. Um using this for reporting is posted in
the final section of our 2023 ride share data report. But but I do know that we had to file this report and that it has been filed in the past. I don't remember all the details of it. So, looking at Townsen, we uh
the dispersement was um only $229. And in the email, it says municipalities that receive less than 3,000 may choose not to file a report. Okay. In which case, the the division will record those funds as banked for future
use. Okay. I don't think that we have ever had a lot of usage and I'm pretty sure it's been in use longer than 2024 and this year. So any reports that I heard
it's like the last few months there were no calls because they used to have a schedule and they stopped the schedule because they weren't getting usage. Right. Um and then they made it on call on call. Yeah. Right. which was the way to do it.
I mean, we were hoping they had some the first year of people going to Fitsburg to the train station and that wasn't 24. That might have been 23. 23. Yeah, we It started
after I did not rerun. It started that June and it was probably It was that winter between June and April where we got accepted to Mar. We set up the schedule. We hoped to set it up so that people that were going to Fitsburg State
who didn't have transportation or you could get down to the inner modal center and you could get a bus out to the mount or you know to Lemonster to the Mount campus there or if you were working in Boston. That was what the thought was
and we didn't know this was because the um community services coordinator said there was a a need for it that people had requested it. Oh. And so it started in June of 23 would have been when it started. That would
have been the initial run. So that's fiscal year 24 and then fiscal year 25. And we were able to offer it for free because of the funds that were available from the state. We didn't have to charge people.
Well, this year when it was on call, I think it was like a$125. That might be I don't know. Still cheaper than Uber, right? It was on call. Yeah. So anyway, but I think it's good to have especially for the future. So, I
wouldn't want our marked connection to be lost. And I know that Eric took care of every all whatever paperwork needed to be signed. It was Eric that did that to
allow everything to happen. If it stops completely coming here for a while or whatever, I think a notice would be coming to the town. You would be getting a notice from Mart. Um, let me see here.
Because now that we're talking about it, I think um Beth Faxton had reached out to you and me uh regarding um well this was the this shuttle program. That's not is it?
Yes, it is. It is. Okay. So what's the date on that? Uh April 29th. Veronica, I mean, Beth said, um, it's ending June 2025,
right? Um, and if I remember correctly, to your point, there's very little demand for it. It's um, even though it's on like on call, they're barely getting any people
calling to schedule um, rides. Now, I don't know if if it's expiring, if we lapse, do we is it very difficult to get back into it? Um, is there a cost
to continue I guess offering services? there shouldn't be to if we just want to stay on like on an on call basis and don't take us off the program because
depending on what happens with MBTA and should there be any development towards the south side of townsen there being may be more usage then right
oh and you actually replied to uh did I you did it was on the same today. Um because I I knew this sounded familiar because you know we had kind of briefly talked about it. I'm I'm just wondering is there anybody attending the MART advisory board? This
is going to select my anyway. Um well I only heard about it because of I was everything I did with MRPC and was there getting reports. his reports at NJTC and if he if he has
anything to report. They had some issues with some of the buses. So, there were quite a few hearings and meetings about he had a couple of accidents and why they had the accidents and all that other stuff. So, you heard a lot from George and Holly.
Um, okay. just just just put that I just want to yeah just to have that out there so that we don't lose the mark connection. I think it's important to keep that. Thank you. I'm going to this um
LRTA agreement and looking at the red line that uh was it Adam? Was it Adam? So, in this first one, I'm a little confused because it says we recommend striking
the automatic renewal provision, but it says not automatically agreeing agreeing to a new contract, unless I'm missing something. I think there must be in in this
contract an automatic renewal from year to year. And I think the red line is I thought had to do with the paragraph we recommend striking. Okay. So 4 A. Yep. Um page five. Services of the
agency town shall commence on July 1st 2025 will continue until July 1st 2026. This agreement will automatically renew on July 1st of each year. I kind of agree with that. It's striking it. But so the question I think
why what would you give it up? Well, I guess it's because you don't know what the terms of renewal would be. I guess it would be okay to automatically writing if everything stays the same. Yeah. I guess I guess the question,
Nelson, is is if this is being signed by all these towns, us bringing changes to it, is it gonna I mean, have they already signed it? Would they have to go back to all those towns again to get them to resign it? It's like another regional thing. Yeah. So, I think it's pretty
boilerplate um language that um it there's it isn't expected that each town would come back with their own red line and then that's the version that's signed. I I think it's what you especially bunch of these towns are already signed it for this year because I think it's what you see is
what you get. Um again, you know, to the town council's point, they generally don't really have any issues with the agreement, but being um lawyers, they always want to sort of tighten up the language or or protect the town even further. Um but
we've signed this every year in the past. Yeah, correct. So, um I I I don't think I'm signing at the moment. at the moment will be a big risk on our part. Problem with requesting the documents that they refer to or with the looking
into the insurance just to know I mean they're just bringing it to your attention. That's a COA cert certificate of insurance and then under the annual FTA
certifications and insuranceances fast recommend requesting copies of the documents but I agree with it's a regional document that I don't think we want to get out of since Oh No, we want to use this. We
absolutely want to have this. But I I agree with the certificate of insurance just making sure that that we have we have what we need. Right. Is there a motion?
I move that the board approve the 526 L regional transit authority LRTA agreement. Is there a second? Um I will second it with providing the ability for Nelson to be the signator. Oh yes.
So it has been seconded with Nelson being the signator. Any further discussion hearing? None. Roll call. Yes. Chess shipping. Yes. Okay. 4
August. Can we also review June and July? June. We're in June. Yeah, I know. But Okay. All right. We're meeting tomorrow at 6 here.
5 at 5 here. Y and uh the 24th next Tuesday. That's the auditors
or we have I have the 24th as the fincom select board a the audit report with Roselli. Is that happening or is that not happening? Um no replies so far other than the treasure collector.
Oh I think um no reply from the auditor for that appointment. uh because we we do need to have the audit report reviewed
with reselli and that was the date that the audit committee had suggested I think it was in March when we last met to set that up. Um wasn't there have been an email about that too with Don
there? I believe there was. Yeah. I mean I don't know if there's one more recently but I know that there was one back in March April time frame and that that was the date that we had put as a joint meeting. So I have 6:15 auditors fin select
624 624 correct at 6:15. Yep. At 6:15. Yes. The time is 65. 6:15 is Yeah. Yeah. Yesterday past Sunday. So I guess question is is that happening?
Follow up. Okay. What are the dates in July that we have the first and the 15th? Was there something else that we might need different?
I'm good with the first and the 15. You are and I am. Okay. So if if next week is not the audit report, we need to have a date for the audit report that works for
the other member of the audit committee and the fin column and the auditors. So So how are we putting that together? How will we know?
has been composted for the audit yet. Have we? No. Well, we've not posted. Yeah. No. No. I was They had I know Dun Smith has post all the meetings. I think um get the date from the auditors first. Yeah, I think that's the most
and then we get we'll work around that. Yeah. I'm I'm good for all of July and um neither of them decided to come yet either. the thing hasn't posted that meeting about audit either. So,
okay. Um, yeah. So, we need to hear back from the editors. We'll reach out for some. So, we have that meeting either, right? I may have that meeting either, right? Yeah. Yes, we have stuff.
Oh, yeah. Yeah. No, I know that. Yeah. Before the end of the month. Absolutely. Um, and then right now it's the 1st and the 15th in July and hopefully we don't need any other
meetings, but we don't know, right? Um, August would be the 5th and the 19th. Okay. September, you've got the 2nd and the 16th. Any conflicts there?
What are the dates? The second and the 16th. Second and the 16th. The second works for me. The 16th. I will probably be out of town, but I will see if I can remote. And the 16th
16th is I mean I could pro it probably be maybe remote but on the 16th as well. You said you had a problem on the 16th.
Yeah, I do. Um Okay. I won't be around the 23rd. Um, how about the 30th? I can do the 30th. Yeah, that'd be better. That would be better, too. So,
wait. So, this for September. So, you meet on the 2nd and then the 30th. Yeah. Um, could you I mean, we don't always have to do it on a Tuesday. I just think four weeks a
What about the 9th and the 30th? And then it's going to be four weeks since the last one between the 5th and the 19th. I I have the same issue with the So, uh, how long are you um away for?
Um, around September 16th. Or we don't have to We don't have to have all three of us. That's true. If you guys can do the 23rd, you can do the 23rd. I'm not going to do it. I can probably do the 16th, but I'll be
remote. You know, why don't we leave it right now and I'll confirm if I can do that. Okay. I just need to confirm one thing. Okay. All right. It It's It's months away. Okay. October 7th should be good and the
21st should be good. Work Vegas around the meetings. the end of the month. Now I'm not sure about November. Well, 2nd is election day according to
the calendar. So, we probably aren't going to meet that day. Fourth, you mean? Um, November 4th. That's not a big election day. It's more like a midterm. It's not a presidential election. We've never been able to meet
on an election day because they wind up using this room as Yeah, that's right. Yeah. Whatever. Yeah, that's a good point. Um, you could meet on the 5th or 3. I don't mind Wednesday,
but there's probably going to be planning board. Oh, they meet on the first Monday and I'm not sure which. Yeah, first and third and I forget which one is um water commissioners. I think we need on a Monday.
Yeah, I know they're Monday. I just don't remember which one. We could do Wednesday. Let's do Wednesday. The 5th. Okay. Which month is that? November. November. Oh, wait. I gota sign up for my daughter.
Roselli got back to you. Oh, you can do it on the June 24th. Yeah. Oh, okay. Good. So, then you have to let um finance know ASAP. I know.
That's Yeah, it's cutting it kind of close, but they haven't said anything. Let's cutting it kind of close. We we planned on the 24th. Well, for everyone to to be able to post um Friday, I have to remember that Thursday Thursday is
a holiday. A holiday. It's the Yeah. So So just make sure that Yeah. It's it's cutting it close to make sure everyone posts on time. I mean it's it's Well, we can just let them know tonight, right? That they need to post. They need to post.
So audit committee is just you and Don. Okay. And we'll just go over the agenda of Wednesday. Yeah. Oh, that's tomorrow. Oh my god. It's like 247. Well, you know, we can still post like
on Friday. I need to ask my daughter about November. because um there's an ALS event and uh I just have to know when that's going to be. But you could do it on November 5th.
No, I I'll be in Colorado. So, I'm just I'm just checking with her for the date. Okay. Um let's see. And then December 2nd and 16th. I can't do the 16.
the second but not the 16th. Um, can you do the 17th? Mhm. So, can we do that? Yes. Tuesday the 2nd and then Wednesday the 17th. Yeah. What month is that?
December. November. We're not quite sure, right? We potentially said the 5th and the 18th. The 18th should be fine. So, I'm just waiting on
when is schedu You were okay in October, right? We didn't have to change anything. We didn't change anything. 7th and 21st. We kept that right. September 2nd. Oh, we have the 16th. I have a question
there, but that's a remote. Oh, okay. You said it might be just you guys or the 17th is okay. Are we looking at September again? Yeah, for me that week the whole week. Um, pretty much. Yeah.
Oh, okay. Um, I'm looking at this. We could probably do um the 24th, Wednesday the 24th if that's easier
and we have all three of us. I may or may not be here. It depends on whether I'm pass or not. Okay. Um, but but but it doesn't mean that we shouldn't do it because I will find I am really good at finding. I find when I need to.
So, do you want to just keep at the 16th? I'm good either way. The 16th or the 24th, whatever works for you guys. What do you want? Is the 24th easier for you? I could do either way. If it's I mean, yeah, 24th would be better, but
then let's do the 24th because there's a possibility that I could be here. Okay. Too on the 16th I definitely won't be. Okay. And I won't be Monday and Tuesday first day, which means it starts Sunday
night. Not sure what I'm doing, but it's So, we're not doing the 16th and and the 17th didn't work or was that 17th? She's not sure at all. So 24th 24th I mean the 17th would be fine for me but
was the second okay there. The first the second is the second is okay. Yeah. And obviously if something big comes up we can two of us or whatever between there and that's fine. 24th.
So, we have three Wednesdays, one in September, one in November, and one in December. Yep. Uh, what do we say for November? The 5th, and the 18th. Okay. I I'm not I'm not sure about that
first week. The 18th is fine. I'm just not sure about when the call is. And as soon as she tells me, I'll let you know. Go back and change it to um
we have discussed the meeting dates. Um I don't know that we have to vote to approve them. No, because we'll just if we have to change them, we'll change them. Okay. Um and then
municipal transfer requests. No. Okay. So, uh yeah, this is a request that um is only um considered either the last two months of the fiscal year or the first
15 days of the new fiscal year. So um basically uh we will be looking at sort of the budget reports and seeing what sections might be over budget. Now it's
not um you don't do a transfer when there's just a deficit in a line. It's by segment. So if uh say the uh the police salary and wages line the the total for
that section was in the deficit then that's where this transfer will come into to plug that deficit. Um so that's sort of the guidelines on of when it's needed um to to make a transfer of this nature. Um at the
moment I've isolated four that need to be done. um since we have until you know the first um 15 days of the next fiscal year, there's a few that I'm holding off on because um I feel like if we vote to
make a transfer now, there's still a couple weeks where spending is going to happen. I don't want to sort of come back to you, you know, with another request. Um where's the money coming from? So you would find um line items that are um
under spent to to plug a deficit elsewhere. So um in the in the request form uh it will it specify where the transfer is coming from and where it will be going to. Okay. So these are four that you want.
Correct. And uh just and this is something that both the select board and the finance committee need to review and approve. So it needs um both um um approvals. Okay. In order for it to go through.
So um see which one is that per the charter? Um this is it's um yeah it's DOS. It's a state thing. It's what's allowed for um
for uh money management for municipalities. Okay. And this happens every year. Um because you can't be certain that things are going to fall out exactly the way you planned them. Yeah. And so this allows you to to do the um
balancing act w within reason. Right. Um I think is the first one. So we're taking the 20,000 for health insurance town share is short correct
and we're taking that from board of select that is that board of selectman wages. Yeah that's that's yeah that's under um that we don't have wages. Well that's what it's called. So, um, it's called the Boris Lechman, but what's underneath that is myself,
Sabrina, and HR and the community services coordinator. We're all under the Boris. And what is the balance in that account? Uh, there was 20,000. I I'm requesting that we transfer that full 20,000 into
the health insurance line because we don't have enough money to pay for the health insurance. correct for 25. Correct. And you know, health insurance is always a a tough one to sort of predict. And
how I like to describe it is um you know, any number of things can happen during the year. Someone could get married, they can have kids, which you know, you can't you can't either predict or ask people, oh, are you getting married or are you having kids? That
sort of thing. And people can also qualifying circumstance too, right? Like if their spouse loses health insurance, then they could request. Yeah. So in situations like that, you're going to see an increase in the cost to the town and it's a benefit that we have
to provide. So um so these things happen from time to time and um yeah, so we're predicting about a $20,000 shortfall, the health insurance line. So, we're taking this um separate motions.
Yes. Yes. Yep. Is there a motion on the $20,000 for health insurance? Um I move that the board approve a municipal reserve transfer request um for $20,000
to be transferred from US wages human resources to health insurance townshare. Do you want me to read the account numbers or No, it's okay. Now on today's date, y the vote was whatever it is,
okay, for the select uh chairman to sign. So I would second that. Okay. Um any further discussion? No. Okay. Roll call. Veronica. Yes. Yes.
And yes, I'm checking. Yes. Mhm. And today is June 17th and this I'll write the sun. Okay. Thank you. Next. Did you want to discuss the motion
first? Uh either way, whatever you want. Um you can make the motion and it's uh it's general property li. So this is insurance. Mhm. Surprise.
And is it insurance? The second general liability and vehicle insurance. General property. Oh, mine are in a different order. Oh, I'm sorry. That's okay. That's all right. Yep. Go ahead. Okay. Um
balance remaining in the appropriation uh from which transferred well amount requested is $315.64 cheap enough um to be transferred from the US wages and community service coordinator. So we we do have more money
after the 20,000. No, that was a se that was a separate one. that the one that you just voted on was the HR position. Oh, I see. Human resources. Yeah. And this is a community service coordinator. Correct. Which has that balance, but we're only
asking for the 31564 64 cents. Correct. Okay. Motion, please. Um I move that the board agree to the Sorry, what did I do last time? I I move that the board approve the
municipal reserve transfer request for $315.64 to be transferred from the US wages community service coordinator to general probability property liability and vehicle to be signed by the board chair
sign for chair 17th of June. Is there a second? Second. Any further discussion? Hearing none. Roll call. Yes. Yes. Yes. All right. The next one I have is for
$8,700. Um um so this is the um assistant town accountant salary. Um there was a a signed agreement in mid to
late June of last year that um provided a uh increase to the assistant town accountants um salary. Um but it was not accounted for in the budget because town meeting is typically in early May and this this
increase was agreed upon and signed in in June. So you know it's a valid agreement but it's not um reflected in the budget. So um if if the trend can the line is already um
you know in deficit because of you know it wasn't accounted for. Um so this is to uh you know shore up that and make sure uh it's not in deficit at the end. Did we have a discussion about this?
Yes, we did in aative session. Yes. When we were negotiating salary. I don't recall our vote being to do this. No, there was no there was no vote. Um
this was agreed upon last year. Um, Eric Eric Eric had we looked at the agreement that he signed to increase the salary for this current fiscal year. This is
legitimate. Um, and it it just had never gotten incorporated into the budget itself. Okay. And so and so we're responsible for it. the town is so
and there's not enough on that on that line to cover the salary. Sure. Um I move that the board approve the municipal reserve transfer request for $8,700
from B wages community services coordinator to accounting salary town accountant signed on June 17th by the chair seven. Any further discussion? Hearing none. Roll call.
Yes. Yes. Yes. Okay. $1,800 for border health pay as you throw expenses. Yep. Where is this coming from? again the community services coordinator. So um last year when the pay as you
throw program was sort of um being implemented um there was a need to um purchase some pay as you throw bags um sort of out of cycle. Um you know back then you know
they weren't really going through a ton. they were just selling the overflow bags which um honestly wasn't selling you know you know at a you know quick pace at all but once the pay as you throw program was announced um you know there was an
uptick in um in uh demand uh here in town. So, um, the board of health had to buy a bunch of pay you throw bags sort of to get the program up and running, which was not, you know, originally
anticipated. So, this uh, uh, transfer is sort of to account for that. So, I'm looking at the board of health um BVA and I'm trying to figure out
if they have funds within theirs. And why aren't they requesting it as opposed to you? I would have expected this to come from the board of health to cover their budget. Um I'm just, you know,
what is their balance for 2025? It's not looking good here. Yeah, it's in the negative. Um it's end of May um 2003. They're they're 95% expended at the end of May, which means they will need the transfer.
Um but but I guess the question is why isn't the board of health requesting this? Um Carl has mentioned it to me a while ago and you know what we're doing. So, I'm just sort of carrying that, you know, just um just running with it and
and finishing it up. So, I I don't have a problem doing it. Um they were going to request it anyways. Um I don't either. I'm just wonder too. They are they are um
to me if you're going to espouse transparency this should come from the board of health not the board of selectmen um because it isn't the other two I understand the board of selectman because it's
don't we have to sign it though did select have to sign the municipal transfer request yes yeah it has to be approved by us as well as finance so Nelson has given us the background and we No worry. Now the finance committee will have to find their background.
Okay. Right. Motion. Um I move that the board approve the municipal reserve transfer request of $1,800 from BH's community services coordinator to board of health pay throw expenses on June 17th to be signed by
the chair. Second further discussion hearing none call Veronica Kelly yes floor. Yes. Thank you. Um as I mentioned um there's probably going to be a few more um
coming your way. Um I think uh the June 24th meeting I don't think I'll have anything ready for you but um you know this can be done 15 days into the new fiscal year and we're
certainly meeting um on the 1st and the 15th. Um so I think I'm going to be shooting for uh having the request to you on the July 1 meeting. Good. Um I I have a question about solid
waste. Um this is after looking at what was handed out after the meeting uh last week. Um and they're having zero for solid waste um to Shaws payment to Shaws
in their thingy. uh their revenue expense lines. And if you look right here, Nelson, this is what I'm talking about. The BVA in the BVA, I there needs to be an incumbrance for those funds.
And I have a concern that there won't be enough. Uh and I think we need to is does it work the same in BDA enterprise? it we are the town is responsible for
paying for June and the bill will be in July. So typically you encumber that amount from the prior fiscal year. You know it's not wouldn't be part of I understand why it's not in the enterprise um expense.
I I want to make sure that it's encumbered so that it can be paid. And I'm looking at this and and things are are really pretty funky with trash because of everything that transpired in order to pay the schools, you know, the
school's bill last year. Um, and it it came out of trash and this was last year that was mentioned in department head meeting today and so um came from EMS to go to trash.
I'm sorry. Say that again. Go ahead with yours. Uh, in any event, it looks like we need 62,949. So, if you put that together, will we have enough? Um, 62
949* 2 125. It looks like we should. Yep. and Katie actually sent out a email to all the departments um um preparing to close out FY25 and one
of the forms she provided was the encumbrance form. So I'll talk to her as well as the board of health to make sure that they fill out that form um and provided to accounting so that we encumber um the funds necessary to pay
the June um char invoice. Okay, that's what I want to make sure happens. Okay, I was confusing the two. Sorry. I understand now. I was I was mixing two things together. It it Yeah, it and I understand what you're saying now. But it has to be in common.
I was I was trying to figure out how it was related, but now I get and actually it looks like there will be extra funds in there. Um cuz I got 125
126 and there's 139 in there now. So we'll go back to free cash. Yeah, which is good. If I could bounce back to the dates one minute. It looks like the 18th will not work.
Which which month? 11 18. So, we may have to go to we do we say the fifth because the fourth is election day, correct? Correct. Um, may have to I
I usually come back on the Tuesday. So, I may not be here in time for the meeting. So, could we just do two Wednesdays that month? The 5th and the 19th of November.
November. Yeah, I'm good with that. Okay. Just in case I think just make sure um because Cons usually meets on Wednesdays and they've been meeting in here, correct?
Yeah. So, we just need to let them know that on Wednesday. Okay. Probably use room two for me. They could probably use room too. Yeah. Room. Yeah, plenty of time.
Yeah, in advance. So, thank you. So, we're good on that. Um, are we at 4.7 now? No, we have to do the last transfer, don't we? We did last did it. Did we do that? And Nelson already has it.
Okay. The 1800. So, get that to come right away. Uh, yeah. I'll scan it, send it off to them. Um, I don't know when they're meeting next. Um, but yeah, I'll make sure they they get it right away so they
can uh put it on an agenda. Next Tuesday, right? 12.7 review approved quote from Guardian for 20 replacement laptops and docking stations. This is a continuence, right?
Cuz I thought we did it. Correct. Yep. Uh uh recently you guys had approved um for five replacement laptops and docking stations. We've since um deployed four of them. Um, so, uh, you know, it was, um, guardians
really easy to work with, you know, in terms of scheduling things with staff and which is not always easy and they're always willing to come out. Um, I I certainly like it when we can do a few in like a morning or afternoon, so I don't have to keep coming back. So, um
there's enough money in the IT budget that we can um purchase another 20 at the moment um versus dipping into FY26. This is the MIS replacement equipment then. Yes, that's what I plan to use. Okay.
Um and then, you know, we'll we'll just triage which ones are the the oldest laptops or computers that need to be replaced. Um, some are I think one is from 2013. I think it might be ancient. I think it might be Sabrina's computer in her.
Oh dear. How did that happen? Cuz we bought we used CBRLF funds, not Arpa, the one before ARPA. And we bought new we made sure that everybody had new computers. She does have a laptop.
Oh, laptop, but not a desktop. It's also old. Yeah. Yeah. So, we didn't replace desktops. We just replaced laptops. So, um with Sabrina, we're gonna
replace replace desktop and laptop with just a new laptop. Good. Yeah. And uh Guardians. So, it's portable. Yeah. You can bring it home. Yeah. Yeah. Better. Yeah. And with the docking station, it's
pretty easy to just do that. Um and uh Guardian said computers of this age have no salvage value at all. 12 years. Well, even the laptops are like, you know, around five years old. There's really no value to it. So, they're
willing to just take it away and dispose of it safely. You know, um you know, they wipe out the hard drives and things like that. So, um you know, and they don't they don't charge us anything for it. Okay. Is there a motion? I move that the board approve quote from guardian tri
replacement laptops and docking stations for 19,41460s. And can you make me sign that Nelson the town ministry has a signature and I will second that any further discussion
hearing none call yes yes ship yes 4.8 8 reading of rodents to side policy. Who would like the honor? I will do it.
Um so this is policy number five 2025. This is the first reading. Does not replace any other policy. Um 1.0 zero purpose.
Certain rodenticide products widely known as second generation anti-coagulant rodenticides or escars are used to control rats and or mice but have been clearly demonstrated to be harmful to non-target predatory species. This is causes harm to our larger
ecosystem and the secondary poisoning of natural predators of the target pests can have a counterproductive long-term impact on rodent control efforts. Whereas the town of Townsen is committed to reducing unnecessary wildlife poisonings and potential harm to pets and children, this policy aims to
specifically codify the application and use of escars at properties under the care and control of the town of Townsen. 2.0 applicability. This policy applies to all town-owned property including buildings, grounds, parks, and open
spaces, and to the extent permitted by law, including MGL chapter 12132B shall be adhered to by all town by all employees of the town of Townsend, as well as third party vendors and contractors providing services at town
owned property. 3.0 definitions. 3.1 Odenticides, a subclass of pesticides defined under the Massachusetts Pesticide Control Act, General Law, Chapter 132B, as substances or mixtures of substances intended to prevent, destroy, repel, or mitigate
rodents that are declared to be passed by the Massachusetts Pesticide Board. 3.2 two second generation anti-coagulant rodenticide. Rodenticides developed to control rodents that are resistant to first gener generation anti-coagulant
rodenticides and contain compounds that interfere with blood clotting and cause death from excessive bleeding while also remaining in animal tissues for an extended period of time. These products currently include but are not limited to those products containing
brum proionum and dathlon 4.0 use of escars. The use of escars on town owned properties is hereby prohibited as of the effective date of
this policy. 5.0 waivers. Emergency waiverss for the use of escars on town owned property may be obtained from the select board. Mergency waivers shall be restricted in time and location and shall only be granted after a well doumented request detailing a significant rodent
infestation of or of public health consequence that is already exhausted all viable less toxic integrated pest and rodent management practices 6.0 Zero public education. The town of Townsen shall periodically provide
public information and education for town personnel and the general public about roenticide hazards to the ecosystem and human health as well as information and education on integrative pest management IPM alternatives. Is there a motion?
Um, do you want a second reading? We have to do a separate meeting. Okay. So is um has town council reviewed as requested last meeting. This was reviewed by town council. Yes.
All right. So council I believe the reply was it is there. Yeah. Okay. All right. So, a second grade meeting on the 24th.
Y double comma one place. I'm reading it, you know, out loud. You catch those? Yep. Okay. 4.9 discuss and review time administrator's request to roll over unused vacation
hours. So, uh, according to my contract, um, any unused vacation time, um, not to exceed 10 days can't will automatically carry over. Um but I
haven't actually used um much vacation since I've started. So um I'm I have more than 10 days to carry over. Um the way uh the cruels work, it actually happens at the end of the month. So, um
I don't know exactly how many hours I'll end up um carrying over um beyond the 10 days that that I'm automatically able to do. Um but I think it's safe to say it would be um 20 hours or less which is
only you know half week over the 10 days. Yeah. So um any questions? So whatever. So I would uh request that you you know approve up to you know 20 hours um
over the 10 days. Yeah. To to be rolled over because anything above the 10 days um could be rolled over with approval by uh the the board. Hence why I'm requesting it. Okay. So we need a motion. I move that
the board approve the town administers's request to roll over unused vacation hours not to be more than 20 hours above the 10 days. Second further discussion well I have a question but it isn't necessarily on
that but it is on the vehicle allowance. Have you been getting that? I have um it's then why is it not where is it coming out of? So, I think they are putting it under
um it's the line right above it. It says BOS wages slash other um Oh, it's coming out of there. Yeah, it says vacation buyback and travel. So, I think they're putting they're putting it in there for sure. Why are they doing that instead of out
of the one that says vehicle allowance? I don't know either. I'll check with um the treasurer's office or accounting the accounting. Yeah. to make that change. I Well, I think it was probably set up through the treasur's office. So, just so you're getting it.
I I do receive it. Yes. Okay, good. All right. Um, so I I've seconded it, right? That was my only discussion. Okay. And I'm good. All right. Roll call. Veronica. Yes.
Chess. Yes. Thank you. 410 discuss bylaw review committee. All right. So, the bylaw review committee, at least in the old charter, was set up to review the bylaws
uh every year ending with a three and an eight, which I know sounds crazy, but that's the way it was. So, we were um in 2023,
we had a bylaw committee that was um seated per the charter. And I should go to the charter now to see what it says. Um because I'm not sure at this point, but we met, we reviewed the bylaws, we
requested funds at the um special town meeting or annual town meeting last year. So we went to the May 2024 with our recommendations. There were the the lighting bylaw. We were trying to clean that up. There were a few other things
that we were trying to clean up um and put into place and we also requested either 15 or 20,000 to work with ecode to um do a review of all the bylaws that
was turned down by the town and a lot of the um a lot of they they said everybody can review their own bylaws. That was what was said at town meeting last May, May, a year ago. Um, and we never met
again, but we weren't disbanded. Um, and then everything happened. And so my thought, and let me see what is in this charter about the bylaw review committee, is to
not see it again until 2028. Um because that is the charter or was the charter that you review every five years. Review committee. Yes. Every five years a committee gets seated to um periodic
review section 7.4. Is there anything charter and town bylaws bylaw in each year? We did we and you have to go to town meeting with them. So there were several bylaws. There was a noise bylaw that was voted down. There
were updates to the um lighting bylaw which would the idea was not to change the bylaw but to be to provide clarity but nobody wanted to do that. So we have the old bylaw which is unclear and can
be difficult to enforce because of that lack of clarity. Um I'm trying to re we made oh there was an inconsistency in something with the senior center the terms of the um of the uh people on COA
it there was a inconsistency there. Trying to remember what else there. There were four or five things that we brought forward including the please use free cash for I I guess was in special
town meeting free cash to do a review of the bylaws because the e-code people we all had um uh login for e-code to go through and we could look at any town that had e-code and we could compare the
bylaws. So we did all that. Um, and anyway, the charter says bylaw review. I'm looking at it. It's section 76 and is still in here. In each year ending in three and in each year ending in eight, the select board shall cause to be
prepared by a special committee appointed for that purpose. A proposed revision or recotification of all town bylaws. The proposed revision or re codification shall be presented to the town meeting for subsequent enactment at
the annual town meeting in the year following the year in which the committee was employed. So be 2024. So that would be 2024. And so we went to town meeting there might have been two things that passed out of everything that we brought
forward and um that was the end of it. Uh some of us were reappointed in June, but there was really nothing to be done of 24. Um I know I was one of them. I I
wasn't on the select board or anything at the time that I was seated. Um but anyway, uh so that is the um and so that's the deal. Um
so that's per the charter. Yes. Um the review of town bylaw shall be conducted in cooperation with town council or by a special counsel retained for that purpose. We we were hoping to bring forward to another town meeting
the um the ability to go to e-code, but it didn't I mean there were no funds for doing this and the town didn't uh grants to help with law revisions.
Not that I know of. I mean this is the this is what a municipality does. So because because that's what our charter says, that means now you don't seat again until 27 or 28.
No, no, we did it. We received it. So 2008 and so you would bring to the um to the town meeting 28 in May of 29. That's the way we did it. Okay. We were seated in 23. we the summer of
23 and we brought it to to 24. So 28 for 29 for 28 for 29. So there isn't an active bylaw review committee is what I'm saying.
Um Bill Katigan was the chair. Um the assistant director at the senior center was on it. Um Robert Dariion was on it. I think he was the planning board person. Um who else was on that committee?
So is it people by the charter? Does it have departments? Well, we followed with this the committee for charter review. Um there is a a select board planning board council on aging and the board of
library trustees. Shall we each appoint one person? We didn't really do that. I'm not sure how it went forward. How many members are supposed to be? Um, we had nine. I mean, we had a lot of members. I would I would think something like
that. Like I would I would personally like to see like the major departments all involved in that. I I mean like library, senior center, someone from public safety, someone just because it hits all aspects of town. I mean, not that it has to happen every time, but
um let me go to the uh um let me see governance. Um, if I go to, uh, town clerk, um, you should be able to see who was on it.
Well, it's 2025 appointed officials. How do I get to 2024? Um, bylaw review committee. It just Michael Brown, he was the energy committee, he was on. Natalie Call was on it. I was on
it. Bill Katigan was on it. Um, Robert, Robert Darion was on it. Um, on it you know, Council and Aging had someone um it was a big committee.
So, for now, there's not going to be another committee until Not if we're following the charter, right? Do I ask for clarification or on what's the request happening here?
I don't know. Maybe there was something still posted for bylaw review committee. It was still posted because it wasn't disbanded. Yeah, we were we the select board never disbanded us. So yeah, because people resigned after
town meeting people resigned. So, was it was it an oversight because of the chaotic nature of the select board that it wasn't disbanded? It it had to do with the whole trash. How are we paying for Well, then I also know we didn't have a select board for
a few months essentially. Yeah. I mean, after town meeting everything went crazy. Sorry, but it did. No, that that and we had our town um administrator resign. Nelson came on. Oh, we had an interim in between.
We had an interim in between. It just got lost in the mix. It should have been disbanded. So, is there a Is there a motion? What? I'm confused with the motion to disband the current
bylaw review committee until 2028. Um, which would be uh June of 2028. Okay. that when it usually No, no, no, no. I It took us It would be
January of 2028 that you would want to appoint. Okay. For the following 29 for the following. So, you've got the year. So, you have the year. It took us a long time and to and we had to get everything reviewed by town
council before we took it to town meeting. We had to figure out what needed to be updated and and just to clarify, there hasn't been any meetings of this group despite them not being disbanded. Not since before town meeting. And to clarify too that normally the me
like we would be interested in across the board like participation from different groups for this in the future when if people are looking at it. I would have to look and see how people how it was decided. Do you remember Sabrina
um how it was decided who was being so that's not spelled out in the charter like the town properties for the um for the charter review it's spelled out but for the bylaw review it's not it's not the select board shall cost to be
prepared by a special committee appointed for that purpose a proposed revision or recotification of all town bylaws and I know I put in a volunteer your response form and I so maybe it was June of 2023 when we did it.
Um I don't know how many Well, I'm good with uh January of 20 28 and for bringing it to the 2029 I think we were seated after the town meeting in 2023.
Great. But um okay, I can make that. Um I make a motion to disband the 2023 bylaw review committee which was not suspended due to circumstances. Second.
Any further discussion until until January of 2028 as in per the charter as in the charter second if I didn't already second it.
Yeah. And I would I would just add um that I I think all major departments should be invited to have a representative on the bylaw committee. want to I think that in 2028 I think that's a
good idea but I think in 2028 whoever board decides I'm looking at the full playlist for um for the so 1012 2023 10:30 2023
1211 108 1229 212 226 311 The Last meeting was 4:25 2024 right before town meeting. Right before town meeting and we never met again because there was no reason we wouldn't
um we would have continued to meet if that had passed but the everything just spiraled and that was that. So okay little frustrating. Any other
discussion hearing? None. Roll call. Veronica Kelly. Yes. Yes. Laura, yes. Thank you. Okay. Um, work session 5.1. Awesome.
I have just a couple updates. Um, so Valerie and I have been um kind of discussing what kind of um handout we're hoping to to give out to the voters tomorrow in a town meeting. So besides
obviously the omnibus budget, we um just had a couple um slides that um kind of um took us takes us through how we got to this point. You know, the um you know, the March special town meeting and
then the override that failed in April. And so the slides are going to the handout is going to be the slides so people can see in case they can't see. Uh yeah the screen correct. Um and you know part of the
slides would also have um you know uh the the breakdown of the the functional segments that you know we are uh you know you know uh proposing certain cuts would come from. Um but you know with
the hope that the override does end up passing which would then you know um we wouldn't have to make those reductions. So I I Valerie and I had looked it over. I you know I think it's um our packet.
Uh I'm I'm handing you guys a copy right now. Um, so I got a lot of feedback from the last town meeting that um the omnibus budget is kind of hard for
people to view and understand. So, but well, this this includes all the that was our last thing. Sorry. Okay. Thank you for um including the differences.
Yeah. So um yeah, so it it kind of like I said breaks it down by the functional segment. Um the the amounts with or without the override and you can see, you know, the the the decreases are pretty substantial, you know, to get to
a balanced budget. Mhm. Um, so I'm hoping the voters will see the the work that the select board and all the various departments have put in, you know, to to get to this point. Are are you going to talk to I'm looking
at the second slide, first page. Well, maybe it's the first slide. The bullet 625,000 override failed in April after which additional cuts were made. I I I think you need to say that the 300,000
um in the budget for trash was removed. So, however you want to say that. I mean, yeah. I mean, I don't think it has to be put inside. I just Oh, yeah. I think it needs to be talked to. Okay. Um Yeah. And you know, I I think part of
the narrative is, you know, the the override amount we have whittleled it down after every attempt to get to a more, you know, um to get to a lower amount that we're we're hoping, you know, has a
better chance of passing. And, you know, the 258 um override, yeah, that equates to about just under, you know, it's $73.52 more um for an average household a year. Yeah. For the year,
per year. So, and I think if you divide that by four, it's 133. Um, you do your math. Yeah,
it's between 18 and $19 a quarter. A quarter. Um, and this is really um, minimal and really speaks to some of what we heard on Friday at MMA.
um that it is not wise to take your free cash for school and it is not wise to put that much money into your budget
or take stabilization to do this. They really you have to have a way to get the money back. Yes. And the band-aids don't work. It really is irresponsible and not sustainable.
But so we're trying to spell it out how we got here and um so um you know feel free to take a look at it. Um we are looking to um start printing um the handouts. Um the
town clerk had printed out all the budgets already. Um so I think that kind of is set in terms I think Valerie had a wanted to tweak the format.
I mean my thoughts were just that this format was a little hard for some people because it's so small. That was my only well to see on the screen but I mean Oh yeah. No. I mean, I just know people look at it while they're in the it's it's not a big deal.
I think seeing the differences here and the highlights Oh, yeah. No, no, no. I I don't I don't I agree with you on that. It's um and this is what because you know citizens coming forward were saying like the the numbers they count numbers
that they don't they don't really mean anything to that mean participant and so just except it's a directive if somebody wants to refer to it oh it's this line number that's easy by line number line number but like the the first column
the first column yeah the the the account numbers oh no right Yeah. So I I totally understand that. But if it's already been printed, then obviously um 375 copies were already printed. Um
so um refer to that. No, but no. Um but to Valerie's point, um yeah, it could have been left out and made bigger. Okay, got it. Yep. So the handout, you know, the those slides, um I'm if there's any tweaks,
we'll make tweaks. uh we'll get them printed and stable on top of the the omnibus budgets that have already been printed and uh there there's some extra help down in the town clerk's office tomorrow. Are are are you going to
address the 411 336 that it is included in the even though it was approved it's included in the um middle sex or are you just going to let that I'm just going to leave it be if there's
a question or concern I will you know we can address it at the time but yeah yeah I agree I just know that it has been asked Yeah, there's been some confusion over that since March.
Yeah. And just to clarify, we'll be asking for the override first in the special town meeting. Uh I don't know. We discussed that today. Yeah, we were actually concerning what the order would be. I mean, I don't know
if this is out of order because it's here. Well, tomorrow we It was discussed with town council and John Barrett, so the moderator. Yeah. So, I think we were going to uh ask for the uh
the the budget without the override and then um talk about the the omnibus budget first and then we would then move on to the override question itself. But the override question is in the
special town meeting and we are in so what you're planning to do is back and forth. Okay. So, we're going to go to the annual town meeting, discuss the budget, and then go to the special town meeting.
Um, no, start the special town meeting. So, we're going to open with the annual town meeting immediately, go into the special town meeting. Um, discuss and vote on the first four articles, which are the trash articles and the con. Yeah. And then you know where you are
with that. And what was the there was two on the trash, one on the console, and was another one. I think it was something from Cemetery and Parks. Oh, yes, that's right. Cemetery and Parks. And then as soon as we're done
with that, we we go back into the annual town meeting, talk about the we'll resign from that and then resume the annual and then do the budget and then resume the special. Yeah,
but that that makes sense. So the question I have would then be if the override is approved at the special do we have to go back and also contingent approve the other numbers? Um so I'm wondering can you approve both of
them contingent on or do we have to go back and forth? Do you understand my question? Yeah. we would vote on the the budget uh without the override um and then we would go into the special
town meeting to vote on the override amount itself. Now if it if the override passes that's one that's one hurdle which then will need to go to a annual special town election.
But if it doesn't pass, then we've already approved the the cut budget. Yeah. And then we're, you know, and then, you know, we have to have I guess my only question is if for any reason it does pass, do we then have to
go back and contingent on a ballot vote also approve the other numbers? If the overright passes, no, we wouldn't need to go back and discuss the budget any further at that point. Why not? Um
because we've approved a budget without the additional funding for salaries. Um we've so we have and then we're asking for an override and if that vote if you're saying
oh and okay the override then we have to go to a ballot question. Correct. Okay. So we go to a ballot question. We've already appropriated the funds, which is what the special town meeting question does. It appropriates the funds
contingent on the ballot passing. Correct. All right. So, when do we approve the budget with the override? With the override. Uh
because we've approved a budget that is without an override. Uh it would be at the conclusion of the annual the special town election then. So we would have to have another meeting
to approve the budget. If if the override passes, we have to have another town meeting to approve the the new budget with the override amount in it. Well, we're already approving,
God willing, we're already approving the small override. If we get that override, the town doesn't have to approve it again, but it does have to go to a ballot, though. Wait, wait, wait. So, we
we are approving tomorrow the the last column, correct? It doesn't have an override. with with reductions. We're approving with reductions. That's what we're voting on. Correct. That so we have approved the ballot with
reductions. Now we're going to special town meeting and we're asking to appropriate an additional sum. How do we approve the budget
with that additional sum? Which I think is what Valerie's asking. I think she and I have the same question. Yeah. Um I So if the o if the article for the override um gets passed tomorrow night, it would
go to a special town election. Correct. And ballot. Yes. Yeah. Special. Yeah. Um and when would we approve the budget with the override?
Well, does this count for anything? I mean, the the the functional segments with the amounts with the override, but we would have to approve both of them is what I'm saying.
Yes. I think we have to come back if the override question is special town meeting passes. Did Did Adam attend this meeting today? Today? Yes. Yes. Okay. So, what did he say about that? Uh because it seems to me we would have to
come back to annual town meeting and approve the budget if the ballot passes. If the BA ballot passes. So we've approved this budget the reduced budget. Assuming the override question does
pass. I think we have to go back and forth. Then we have to come back to the annual town meeting and say we need a motion to approve the budget with the over
the override passes at the ballot. That way we don't have to have another special town meeting to approve. If this doesn't pass in the special, we don't have to go back. That is correct. you have to go back to Anatomian to do
everything else. But Right. Um, no, that's a good point. Um, I'll double check with Adam to if the way you described it would be the sequence of events. Is it hot in here or is it me?
It is. Let me turn on Can you take recess for a second? All right. Recess for a few. Good. lets me eat candy. Okay, thank you all for that break. Nated Nelson, want to continue?
Um, so you bring up a good point, Veronica, about sort of the sequence of events. Let me uh touch base with Adam um to see uh what the prop the proper procedure is to um get that lined up you
know the way you describe it. Okay. um which you know would prevent a um another um town meeting to you know officially vote on the I mean I'm being optimistic that people
will see the value in supporting the the people who keep our town running keep the roads clear the library open the scenery center open the you know
arts the department has to be their right and certainly they know their departments better than we do. Um they're ready to speak to them should should they have any questions
or you know or know that you know if they're cut any more than what they're cut this is what's going to happen. We're already seeing decreases in some of the less income.
They got one guy left and they have to replace them. So that's one less person they'll have for the calls. Right. So they cut one of the shifts or whatever I have. We'll see.
Um okay. Anything else on your reports? Uh this stuff. Yep. I did have one other thing. Um the with the assistant town clerk um giving notice and resigning, we kind of
need to figure out um kind of what the interim um setup looks like down in accounting and you know what the long-term plans are. Um, now you know
the assistant town clerk. Are we talking assistant town clerk or accountant or advice? Oh, I'm sorry. What did I say? I said, yeah, yeah, but you also said the assistant town clerk signing. Oh, I'm sorry.
Which do you mean? The assistant town accountant. Okay. Oh, okay. um you know giving notice and is you know the last day is July 9th which is quickly approaching. Um so we kind of need to figure out what the the short
term looks like as well as the long term. Um, now if you recall, the the plan was always for the assistant town accountant to get some experience, get the the training and education to then be
certified to be our full-blown talent accountant, which then would negate the need for, you know, the firm that we have. Right. Um, you know, luckily we do have the firm to
sort of fall back on in the short term um this summer to uh you know, have you talked to them? I have um and I we kind of just had a a brief conversation of kind of what our
short-term needs are. Um they are pretty flexible. you know, they could honestly be our um accounting um account full-time for long term, but
I think we're looking for, you know, a person that's, you know, inhouse and in person, whereas they're mostly remote, right? Um so, you know, we have a decision to make, you know, um
I think certainly in the interim we need CB biz you know the accounting firm to uh keep things moving along keep the continuity July August and September is actually a
pretty busy time for them they have to close out the previous fiscal year and then they're they're prepping um the tax recap you know to to submit to department of revenue Um, so you know, they're willing to help
out uh with us. It will come at a cost because uh they're going to be using more manpower. What is the cost? Um they have given me a quote for July, August, and September
12,000 a month. July, August, and September 12K. Yeah. Okay. So that's times three each month I'm taking it. Right. Correct. So that's 36k. Okay. And then what about beyond that?
Um beyond that they were thinking 6,000 a month October to June 6K. And if you do Yep. And if you do that math that's basically 90,000.
Okay. And we have in the budget um we had 669 for the assistant town accountant and we had 30 for them. So that's 96973.
So we can we can do that for the year if need be. Uh, we could I I do have to um I had to confirm with them that we would be essentially getting the same level of service um for October through the end
of June. Okay. So, we should look at that. Um I here's the thing and so this is what I've seen over five years. We had um
town accountant leave. Uh we had a town accountant. She left. We had an interim town accountant and and then we had Markham which is C is so
f you know town accountant who um interim Markham and then for two years we Eric came up with the plan that we the town would train a person to become an
accountant because we made probably two offers in that time frame of accountants and um [Music] now it's chilly. Yeah. So anyway, we we interviewed and offered at the same time
that we hired our current treasurer. We were we were interviewing accountants and treasurers. I think we made two offers and they were both turned down. Um or the person had accepted maybe one was turned down and the other one was um
they took another job before we got back to them. That sort of thing. Um and so we Eric came up with the idea that we should train an accountant which we did and now we don't have that. house. Um,
so I guess I just want consistency and CBIS has been with us for now three years. They were our interim after the interim town accountant left. We had them for a year um with the support of
Lee who who does a lot of the entry data entry who's still here and has been through that whole time period. Lee has been consistent, but for the past three years, so has what is now CBiz,
and they know our accounting. So, I don't mind interviewing people. Yeah. But I don't have any faith that we offer enough money for an accountant to come
and stay. We just don't. Um, what about the idea of um somebody who's doing it part-time someplace else and maybe looking to do it full-time and
would take this part time. I had um talked to Ashby and Preple cuz every time something like this happens either on our end or on their end, we reach out to each other to see if there's any um chance of collaborating.
Um, Ashb uses CBiz as well. Um, and but they do have a a CBiz employee that comes in once every two weeks to do the warrants and that person is um in person. Um,
do they have an like we have Lee, do they have an an a person? I don't think they have. No. No. So that so is doing basically what Lee is doing then preparing the warrants. Correct. Okay. Um, and there is a virtual component to it, but there is
one person that comes in pretty much a full day once every two weeks. Um, and I couldn't remember the cost, but it wasn't it wasn't an expensive. I think it was probably in the magnitude of $75,000.
So, don't quote me on that, but it's somewhere around there. Then that's for Ashley. Um, how many hours is Lee? She is 18. a little bit less than that. I think at most she's 15 and rarely does she
ever hit that. Um that's what she's budgeted at, but I think she um it varies, but I think 15 is really the max. Is there something that she would like to do take on more
hours that she can I can ask but I I don't think she's kind of this is like a very low stress type of job. She comes in Mondays and Tuesdays just data entry u she prepares for warrant she enters
the data into um all of that. Yeah. I I just think she's in the part of her career that she's not looking to add more to her plate. I can certainly ask um but you know we are really looking for someone who would be here um
you know consistently you know versus part-time we need someone who is a certified town accountant. That's the reason for CBS because I believe a certified town accountant has to sign off on your budgets. So I and your recap. So I think that's where
the we have to think long term. You know, we could um long term have C biz as well as an assistant town accountant. Um you know, if you find the right person who I guess um is okay with just
being an assistant town accountant or you can go out and try to hire a full-fledged town accountant. Those are sort of the two paths you can you can take. I I feel um um one might be easier than the other to
find someone. I I I think to your point, finding a full-fledged talent accountant um for what we're able to afford. Um you're probably not going to see a lot of candidates out there. Um but
what does PEP do? I was just gonna ask Prol they have a full-time assistant town accountant and a part-time full accountant and the part-time full accountant um does not want to take on
any more uh hours than they currently are. So the full-time is a um certified the full time no the part time the part time yeah she is certified correct so I I think those are the two paths we
can consider and we certainly don't need to make a decision right now um but it is the option to use this for this year would be within the budget uh at the moment I I need to touch base with them to to truly um confirm confirm
that those quotes I just provided um it's it's basically all in you know that they're able to there was a a chart that Eric had um that I believe Markham provided that said these are the services and all the
services that the accountant would do and then across the top is what would be done by CBiz what would be done by the assistant town accountant and what would be done by Yeah. And it was checked off. And then the um
I would look through that and I would want to know what services they're providing. Yeah. Because I I really want to make sure that um given the the amounts they're quoting us that we we get all the services we need to to to
have continuity. Um cuz you know those three months it's it's a significant increase from their you know uh their base monthly fee cuz you know right now they're only charging us like
less than 3,000 a month you know so from three less than 3,000 to 12,000. I mean that makes sense for the doing all that work before the end of the year. Yeah. Um, no, I I understand. It's It's fine.
I mean, it doesn't seem like an unreasonable price. I am grateful that we have had Melissa consistently for three years now into her fourth year because that was the other area both the town accountant and the assistant count town accountant. We
had no continuity for probably I mean from today going back at least to 2016 2017 time frame there was no continuity. It was always changing. Even the one
that was there in 2020 she had been here for like a year or two and then she left and then she came back and then she left. I I mean it was it it was crazy. Yeah, that's all I have to say.
And we need consistency. We have that reconciliations hadn't been done. Account reconciliations hadn't been done when our current treasurer started for over a year. No one had balanced the books between accounting and treasure.
Um, and this this is not made up. Um, and Melissa spent a lot of time doing that when she initially came. So, and I'm grateful for that. Um, and so things are in a in a good place right
now and if we can keep it consistent with CBIS, I am I am okay with that. Yeah. Um, I think the only thing we would be sort of lacking and is certainly a a person here. Um, you know,
if there's any questions or concerns, you know, we have someone to sort of just go downstairs and ask that question, you know, with a virtual person, you know, everything has to be done, you know, um, via email or via the phone, which which is not necessarily a
bad thing. I'm just saying we sort of lack that, you know, personal touch, so to speak. Can we have the ability to have can we ask what it would cost to have someone here even one day a month that you know for questions and then at
the hotline right um no I can ask that um you know I I am curious since you know Ashb does have someone there you know once every two weeks you know if we had something similar uh with that saying that they
can increase the cost um would it be comparable because now this person is more hands-on and you know the other members of the CBiz team would you know back off so to speak on you know the
level engagement they would have to you know be involved in so maybe it's just sort of splitting that cost between the virtual person and uh you know inerson uh individual
But um but yeah, I I I do plan to ask if if that's something that we could um we can have a range similar to what Ashley has especially then you know make sure all departments had going to meet with them if they're here if they have questions or concerns and
right it it would be good. I mean I am assuming that at least monthly everybody is getting the report and they're reviewing it for their departments. So after it might be good to after that report goes out, you know, four or five
days later to have someone here in case they have questions. I I don't know, but I that seems reasonable. Yeah. Um but yeah, so I'll I'll work on
that, but it's something to consider. What What do we want the accounting office to look like long term? Do we try to hire a full-fledged town accountant? Do we kind of um stick with the arrangement now where we have a
assistant town accountant you know here you know 30 35 hours a week with CBiz kind of being the you know the the official town account. Is that what Katie was 30 to 35 hours a
week? Yeah, she was uh 30 and Lee was about 15. And then the the C biz rep was I it was definitely one day a week and I don't and I I don't know if that was just a few hours. I mean they would they would
do stuff behind the scenes but I think there was a certain block each week that was sort of devoted to us in terms of you know we can uh have a virtual meeting with them talk about any questions and concerns we might have. So I think there was a block dedicated to
us each each week. I think it was like a Monday or Tuesday I think for a few hours. Well what's the pleasure of the board? What would you like to see done? Do you want to see a posting for the job
or do you wanna do we just stay with the company that we know? Um if you want knows us if you want why don't I find out some more information from CBiz because I do have some followup questions to ask them
and then once I find out especially maybe that services selection that you were talking about Veronica yeah what they were what they're able to provide um I think in the short term they can provide us with yeah bless you but it's really you know starting in
October what are they able to provide to us cuz they can they can provide as much or as little as we want. Um they've said that much, you know. Um they they would not be um hurt at all if you know a few
months from now we decided to go with a full-fledged counter accountant and no longer need their services. you know, um I think they would love to keep us, but you know, I I think um they wouldn't take it personally if Okay. So, can we just get some feedback
on that next week? We'll address it again. Yeah. Yeah. And then we can I'll think about that. Sounds good. Yep. I should have more information by then. Okay. Report from board leaison government. You have anything you want to go?
I have nothing. I'm not general government though. Am I? That's me. Okay. Oh, um I don't have anything to say. I think I'll do an update on a bunch of boards after town meeting. Just some stuff, little stuff compiled together. Um I did
hear from a school board member. I just reached out about the budget because obviously we're going to town meeting tomorrow and they don't have any updates on anything additional receipt for FI25. there are any changes in school committee. Yeah.
So there's no no changes that they want that they can pass on to us at this point in time. And um their cherry sheet estimates for this year. I mean it's kind of stuff was added in one area and taken from another area. And it's all online now. You can
look up the cherry sheets. I'll have Nelson send it out to you guys if you don't have it. But I can look it up. It's there was things added in some areas but taken away in other areas. So, right. It's kind of a little bit of a Yeah. So, that's the but that's hasn't been approved yet. So,
that's the estimates. So, yeah. So, they're they will let us know if anything changes and they were making adjustments, but nothing as of right now. I was looking at um reviewing the 2024 report last night. So, I just happened
to be looking in the school budget and there were things reported. I think I we talked about this in the department head u meeting, but there were things reported of new truck um repair on this with no numbers
um attached to them yet in the report. I don't remember people questioning that. Um there was also there's a I mean there's a lot of money obviously in the budget but one of the remarks today was they also just hired 26 new people. So when
they say they cut um they did cut ARPA workers they there were people that were hired during the last two three years that were not going to ever be in the budget again.
So hopefully there's some more scrutinizing next year of what they take because they take most of our money, you know, and we have to cut everything else there. I don't mind them taking the money. What I
mind is the huge increase over what we're able to afford. I understand that. And if we could substantiate, if we are able to raise the money instead of
cutting all of our departments and what we need for running the town, that would be one thing, but to keep us to two and a half and and have to go for an override, that cripples the towns.
Yes, it does. They need to be the schools get away more than two and a half. They need to be at two and a half to three, maximum three, which is apparently what they were told by the town that we had available. And so they take that, okay, so we'll take that 3%
and then we'll add another 4% to it. And we can't have that additional 4%. It has to be in the the two to 3%. The budget has to come in that much. Ours has to come in that much. And yeah,
people argue that public safety was a 7%. But 7% of four, you know, four million, right? There's no is a whole lot less than 7% of, you know, 16 million or whatever.
And we have ambulance receipts, so that offsets this. The schools don't give us any money in return. Well, we'll give you this, but then we have this that we can, you know, we're charging this, but we're going to give you this much. That doesn't happen. And people don't realize
that, including the school committee, I'm afraid. So, I think that was next year. Um, but I am certain people will be on that. All right. Um, the other thing I wanted
to bring up, well, I have two things. I wanted to bring up the economic forum that was Saturday. Was that by the way? It was um disappointing and exciting at the same time. How many people attended? Six. What?
Which was totally so different than when we did the housing one here in town hall with Karen Chapman was here at the time. And we had like 10 or 12 tables of eight and lots of conversation. And of course it was
people wanted more housing and they wanted affordable housing and that was all about that. Was it lovely? This this weekend it this is brought about because of a member of planning board caught the grant that was
available um DTA grant to work on say marketing or promotion for economic development. Okay. So, the first survey that went out and I saw it in a couple of places mostly on
on our website, but um it appeared on Facebook as well. Uh didn't get any likes, but it appeared on Facebook. And so, last Tuesday we had 23 responses.
Um by Saturday we had 46 and I ended up texting it to people and saying you know please just put if you can't come at least you know fill out the survey. So we did double that. Um the author of the
document that I had sent to you which was basically a development plan and I wanted you to go over it when you have a chance. here is um Tracy from MRPC is going to be going over it.
We came up I didn't take a picture of it, but we did come up with uh they had a board that had all of the um descriptions or adjectives for the town of Townsen on it. And many of them,
mostly everybody had the words historic, um, quaint. Um, the rail trail was brought up a lot that like the questions were like asked um, what do you think the best assets are of
towns and rail train came up a lot. It is. Um, came up. Um the band concerts came up like what would you promote in town kind of thing.
And so all of that was exciting. Um and there will be because we had such a low attendance, there will be another survey going out after this. But one of the things that came up that I really liked and I actually took a ride on Main Street afterwards, they talked a lot
about art. And the art was more about um and you'll see this in a lot of the cities where they're doing art work on blank walls and people think it's pretty. So it's
part of the pretty um aspect of it. And so, um, I drove up and down and I I saw from what they were saying like maybe three places in town where you could have something like that. Now, they're all privately owned, so obviously the
owners would have to agree to that, but would make a visible a lovely thing to drive by kind of thing. So with these words they're going to be sending out to the high schools for um or maybe have a art contest
for design to promote towns or to have in town that depicts towns. We we did an art con the land trust did an art contest at the high school. Okay. We designed they they designed
bookmarks. We turned the pictures into, we had four of them, four different ones. I should bring them in and show you. Yeah. And they did the poster for our trail work. This was probably mid teens, you know, 2015, 2016, 2017 time frame. They
did an excellent job, but they came up with a lot of great ideas of um incorporating the youth, you know, in the town to help. We're going to need growth, some growth, but also to promote the businesses in
town to make it a place that people want to come to, drive through, have dinner here. Golf, golf was brought up with the all kinds of things. Anyway, it was more of a very positive and exciting. Is the golf private or is it a public
course? That's what I thought. It used to be public. I thought it used to be public. I thought anybody could go and somebody said the other day that it is private. It's private now. changed hands. So, we did have um
a new person, a person who's visited town for many years, but now lives in town and has volunteered for a couple of our boards is on a board now and decided he wanted to come and see what he could
do to help. So, it turns out he is an engineer architect and um he's I think he's the chair of um zoning now, the new chair we just appointed. And um
I can't think of his name. It's terrible. Can't think of his name right now, but he was there. Um Patrick who authored this um was there. He was the impetus of this and the passport. Yeah.
And we um had a passion there and myself and Karen and it was just a lot of good. I mean the two hours went by really fast. I thought it was 12 to 2 because that's what the flyer said and then it was like after 12 and she said, "Oh,
we're we really should be done now and go." I said, "Why? Flyer says 2 o'clock." But it was that kind of I think if there was more me I was surprised to see that a lot of other people didn't come. There were no business people. There were no
um nobody from nobody from planning could come. So it was just myself and and Patrick and then um I just thought there might be more interest in it. Um but anyway, there's a
lot of games going on. So there there will be more coming out on this and and that will be exciting. The other thing I wanted to talk about was our experience last Friday and to share that. Um we can't sit anywhere next to each other.
No, but because and it was one of the first things I asked when I walked in there and she said, "Well, you can sit together. you sit together, but you can't you can't really deliberate. So, it worked out better, I think, that we sat
at separate tables because we got to meet more other select new select people and also different towns. They were all from different towns because I guess nobody sat together. Um, and it was also uh we had work session and then we had
um you know people speak at from each table. um to what Right. Yeah, it was really good. And so they told us um we can go to any meeting we want to go to all of us as residents and it is not
an open meeting law violation unless we deliberate. So amongst each other amongst each other we can address the chair of the board. So those are not open meeting law violations. Then I I gave that information to the board of health to
the uh department heads today. Good. We also talked about um at the department head meeting um I kind of mentioned there that there are some and you see I see it all the time where
emails are sent out for the next meeting or there's there's a survey when do you want to meet and nobody's blind copied. So it's the full board and in some instances most recent instances there have been multiple boards copied
and that's a violation and I don't think we are going to have Adam speaking to everybody here at town hall right open meeting some um yeah we're I'm hoping to try to schedule something with him because you know apparently he does
this with every so often he says think they have done it before in Townsen. It was probably about a few months. It's been a few years. If I can talk to that like I I feel like I'm pretty consistently saying, "Hey, I'm opting out.
There's two board like we don't initiate these emails, right? We don't there's a quorum of two boards on this email chain. They can be if it's blind copy, then there's no there's no way they can reply. All the problem comes in when you
have that and people inadvertently okay will reply all that's a violation right and it's m there are many boards that are doing this it's not just one or two and it's not the select board so um it's
ju it's just a a lesson you know I think it also shows the importance that we have that training yeah absolutely I think it's gotten it's it's yes very important, you know, and for all appointed and elected officials, not just the
department heads because some of these emails are coming from appointed chairs, okay? And they don't have the experience or they don't have um a staff person,
you know, to tell them differently. So, everybody's got to get involved, you know, with this and kind of get on the same page. Nobody's doing it on purpose. Um, but was al also what was discussed was um public records request and the
amount of time that is taken by the town clerk and the town administrator and now we're just going to legal, you know, and those are expensive. So whatever we're paying for legal and for um
the town clerk to work on these is wasted tax dollars because there's nothing productive about it. So having the training and just accepting that this is the way it is and this is what we have to do and just it's just as easy to do blind copy and send your email
than it is to put all the emails in there and have that as CC shouldn't be any other comments I thought it was I thought it was financial yeah there was a lot I think and I think some of my financial takeways hopefully if we do some budget
work and process processes and stuff. Oh, and goals. Goal setting. Yeah, that was a that was a big part that most we usually did that as a select board after town meeting. Did it happen the past couple years? I don't know about the past two years.
Probably not. But I know the years before that. I even have the goals that so most select words like they they were they recommend like the goals are what's used in the budget development process that goal that the selects developed in an open
meeting and we will obviously get feedback from other people is what kind of drives drives the the the year and they do not recommend you have to have a way to put if you're taking money out of stabilization you have to have
way to put it back in I I and free cash to be voted out when then we have no choice kind of thing is a very bad um thing to do. So I mean I realize that the town votes what they
want to vote but some of it is irresponsible and not sustainable and what are we going to do? I mean they had a whole outline. I I sent forwarded all of the slides to Nelson today that we got because we would have you got the
survey. I haven't done the survey, but I did end up writing to Jessica and asking her for her outline because when I went through her presentation that we got I went through it quickly today. Um I didn't see her
recommendations about the free cash and the stabilization. She absolutely had talked about that and I think I think it may be worth this board reaching out to MMA and having someone come in just to like because we've had so much term in the select board at a working meeting in
the future and just to review those best practices as I think that would be great because they do this now and they they do this like well we have I have quite a few webinars still to go over because they have something you can register for and I just register for all of
and she and you know she they they go to towns and it's part of what they do and they look through their budget processes and say these have what you could do better. This is what you know we see you doing and and they kind of have templates now at this point in time. I think we were really lucky that it was
a Devons this year. Yeah. Because people next to me were from Plymouth um Sudbury. They were from all over the state. North Adams. North Adams. They were from all over. When I did it, it was all online because it was co time. It was really good to be in person with
people. Yeah, that would be better because I think we felt I think we found out I'm thinking I found out that we were not alone. You know, we're all going through the same thing. Yeah. Yeah.
[Music] That's really good. Anyway, praying that we have a good meeting and that Can can I ask a question? Did you talk at all about the constable
um thing? Was that discussed for tomorrow? Um we Yeah, we we did. Okay. All right. Good. Yep. He's he's going to handle it. Okay. Excellent. I'm glad to hear that.
And did you have something else that you wanted to go over with us about like opening remarks tomorrow? Um um so I I think you know sort of to set the tone for
it is on tomorrow's agenda too. Oh agenda. Oh before the meeting. Oh before the meeting. Okay good. Good. We can talk. We'll talk about it then. Yeah. Oh, there. Yep. Yeah, that's perfect.
Thank you, Sabrina. [Music] Just trying to think what do I need to get you back from here. Well, we need to finish up the meeting and then Oh, god. I thought I was I really was very excited about the
economic forum and gone to that. You know, you can go again. Yes, because you're gonna have we're going to have something again. I know that the um surveys will uh continue
and so excited about the school activity and the contest and all that to bring attention. There was a woman, I don't know if she's still there, she was the graphic art teacher. She was wonderful. She was just wonderful to at the high school. At the high school. Oh wow.
Yeah. I probably have her name somewhere. Okay. So, um, gone through the reports, announcements, communications. Do you have any announce? Are there any announcements or communications?
I saw something from Gary Shepard. Did you want me to read that? I thought that was actually Oh, yeah. I can if you like and then you can Yeah, that was really nice. Yeah, I can do that really quick. and love it when people say nice people.
Yeah. You know, and how else would we know if we didn't get the letter? I know, right? So, yes, I want to do that. Okay. The warrants. Do we have them? Yeah. Oh, yeah. Okay, fine.
We're not doing executive session. We don't have anything for executive. Okay. Hello. It's not opening up. Of course not. Sometimes I think it
Can you get it? You have it letter from Gary. It's not It's not opening up. I just wanted to read it. I'll print it. Okay. Thank you. For some reason opening my fear. Sometimes I think it's like,
oh, you're at town hall, not home. Take time right there. What I didn't say when we did the 4.10 when we did the bylaw you committee, yeah, there were five volunteer forms. That's
great. Yeah, I mean it it is. Hopefully they're still here for three years. That's amazing, actually. Yeah, I I didn't realize it was still posted. I really didn't. So, um we received a letter from the
chief of the fire department. um a copy of a letter that was addressed to Michael Grimley, Captain. And it says, "Dear Captain Grimley, this was June 13th. I feel this is important to document your effort and action from December 2024 through April 2nd, 2025
during the time that you had been supporting the town of Peral fire prevention with inspection services while caring out your job as the fire operations captain for the towns and fire EMS department committing extra time and effort without complete compensation including some of your own
personal time. Although our attempt to help address the issues within the Prol Fire Department with their with their EMS were unsuccessful, your actions and character demonstrate your commitment to not only the towns and fire EMS department, but also supporting neighboring communities during their time of need with your
knowledge and experience within emergency services. Fer, the town of Pebble to recognize and knowledge your effort may reflect more on them than on you. Rest assured, if we were to expand our services, it was my intention to create a new position of deputy fire chief operations with expanded responsibility. Had this happened, I
would have encouraged you to apply for the new position as a deputy chief of fire prevention and fire operations within the town of Townsen. Notwithholding this proposal failed, it does not take away from your skill and ability, which I, as a chief of town and fire EMS department, recognize and appreciate your valuable contributions.
Sincerely, Gary Shepard, chief of department. Yeah, it was a lot of work. I think congratulations to him. He's done a great job. It's been around for a long time. Um
this is the thing. Um, this says to sign [Music] Make sure I don't take anything home I'm not supposed to take home. Um, you want to finish up the meeting?
Okay. to the announcements by our communication that we received and also I would just remind people that we still have many positions available although bylaw is not one of them perhaps you can find another thing you
can um volunteer for that we can you can assist with our next meeting is June 18th at 5:00 p.m. And I'll entertain a motion to review and
sign payroll and bills payable warrants out of session. I move that we review and sign payroll and bills payable awards out of session. Second. Any discussion hearing? None. Roll call. Veronica. Yes. Good. Yes.
Nor ship. Yes. I'll entertain a motion to adjourn at 9:57 p.m. I'll make a motion that we at 9:57 p.m. Second. All in favor? Hi.
Hi. Hi.