I pledge allegiance to the United States of America >> and to theublic one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.
>> Thank you. Time is 6:33. This meeting is being held remotely in accordance with the governor of Massachusetts March 28th, 2025 order suspending certain provisions of the open meeting law GL chapter 38 section
20 allowing remote and hybrid meeting options for public bodies through June 30th, 2027. This meeting is >> I can't hear anything. >> You can't hear anything? I'm gonna
>> Okay. So, now you should be able to hear. >> I can hear you now. >> All right. We can hear you. So, the first item um on the agenda is approval of the minutes of December
11th, 2025. Do I have a motion? >> So move. >> Second. Second. >> I'll second. >> Second. >> Okay. Um Hugh >> Hugh Morton.
>> I >> Mark. >> Mark. >> Mark Schmidt. I >> Deborah. >> Deborah Chely. I Dale. >> Dale Weber abstains. Tim Kaitton. >> Tim Kaitton.
>> I thought he said he wouldn't attend. >> He's got mute on. Tim's got mute on. >> Well, we have >> Tim wasn't at the meeting, so maybe he's going to abstain. I suppose I should have abstained, but >> have you read the minutes?
>> Yes, >> that's that's all you need to do. Uh, Betty Slate, I that unanimous approval of the minutes for January 8, 2026. Do have a motion. >> I move to approve those minutes.
>> Is there a second? >> Second. I didn't hear >> Dale Weber second. >> Dale Weber second. Okay. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, we shall vote. Hugh. >> Hugh Morton. >> I. >> Mark. >> Mark Schmid. I
>> Deborah. >> Deborah. >> You're muted. >> Deborah. >> Yes. Deborah Shelf the I. I couldn't get to the button. Sorry. >> Dale. >> Dale Weber. I >> Tim Gumpy.
>> Tim Gillespie. I >> Tim Kaitton. >> Not available. Buddy Slade. I that is unanimous. So we sent around the funding sources for the FY27 town meeting projects. Uh
it I got a response from Nicole the accountant today that it's okay. We have the money. Um, so this will be on the warrant uh for May 5th. Uh, are there any questions about it?
>> Okay. May I have a motion? move. >> No, we're working on the um the funding sources for FY27 town meeting. >> H24.
>> Can you move that, Tim? >> Yes, I move that. >> Move that. >> Okay. Is there That's Tim Glasby. Second. >> Morton. >> Hugh Morton. Second. Any discussion? Okay, we'll vote for
each person. Hugh >> Hugh Morton. I >> Mark >> Mark Schmid I >> Deborah >> Deborah Chelsea I >> Dale >> Dale Weber I >> Tim Gillespie. >> Tim Gillespie I
>> Betty Slade I Tim Kaitton. No response that's unanimous. Okay. So, um, we did not do the handout, so we can't review it. And so, like in past years, uh, Deborah and I are asking
that, um, you give us authority to write and approve the, uh, meeting, town meeting handout. Um, it has to be finally approved by the town men moderator, but um I don't think we'll
have a meeting before the um meeting before the uh town meeting. So, do I have a motion to to give us authority to write and approve the handout? So move
>> to delegate the authority to approve the town meeting presentation to um Miss Slade and Deafi. >> Second. >> Is there any discussion?
>> Okay. Q >> Q more than I >> Mark >> Mark Schmid I >> Deborah >> Debra >> Deborah I >> Dale >> Dale Weber I >> Tim Gillespie >> Tim Gillespie I
>> Tim Gaiton there Betty Slade I that is unanimous. Okay. So, other than the list of bills, we just have we're not going to look at the
liaison guidelines tonight. And the reason for that is that um we had a really productive talk with Chris Vitali. Is it Vitali? >> Vitali. Vatelli yesterday afternoon
about an hour and um coming to agreement about how he wants things handled. Uh and it will be much simpler guys that he how he wants it handled. He does not want any of the private projects to
go through any kind of procurement. He wants people to do th those by themselves the the project managers with the help of the liaison. Uh he said he will take responsibility for specific projects that he suggests
and to let Michelle Reposa take hers and so forth and so on. Um he is he agrees the way that we've um designated uh the different organizations is private and public. So WA is private and the
American Legion is private which we had designated. So um we are going to revise the guidelines to include include that. So we're skipping that. Um
just I'm going to go to the list of bills and then we'll come back to I bet shouldn't do that. Eddie, do you want to mention the prevailing wages, which was a really important part of that because we don't have to follow those prevailing wages because he's
designating these projects now not as public projects. So, we don't we had a discussion about whether or not, you know, the wages were okay and he agreed that they were. >> We've not been requiring um prevailing
wages and he agreed that's correct. This this these are big deals, guys. very pleased. Uh so let's go over the um the projects that are outstanding. And
um the first one is the FY15 town hall annex phase 4. And I found out that there's um $28122 in that budget. And that is Tim
Gillespy's um uh project. Tim, can we sweep that? >> Yeah, let's sweep it. >> All right. The town records phase 4. Um I am
recommending that we sweep it. I can consider that as finished. I won't be continuing. So I'll sweep that one. That's FY17 town records. Um FY19 COA
historic preservation isn't in here, but they have 60 cents in their budget, so we would like to sweep that. Um then we have the town hall annex rear recreation area. That's a recreation
project FY21. Tim, there's $5511 in that. What do you want to do with that? >> Well, we're we're gonna do one more project which is going to be closing in >> and I'm going to do that project >> and I can't do it.
>> That's okay. >> All right. um gravestone repair. Uh this the historic gravestone restoration FY22 that's an ongoing project. It's over
many years. Uh there is uh 25,000 left in it and we would like to retain that money and use it for the future gravestone repair. Uh it's they didn't do very much last
year in gravestone repair in Westport, but they these Troy Rebello and Todd Batista have formed a company. So they're doing private projects um outside of Westport, including in Dartmouth. And I was told
yesterday that that project was uh the example followed by Dartmouth in a historic preser uh gravestone preservation. That's upside down. That came in wrong. You were right. Go back, Tim. Go back to
where you were. >> I can't. >> No, no, that was it. Go. This This is what we're look we're doing right now. >> All right. All right, I got to try to figure out how to >> rotate it. >> I don't know if you can,
>> but I'm reading them. That's the important thing, I think. >> Um, the Samford school project. John is not here, but he went to the um to the American Legion today and the project is complete.
So, um, he said it really looks nice. We're just waiting for the final bill. This has been a complicated project in many ways. Uh so that takes care of that. If there's any money left, we will we will sweep it.
Uh the town farm apartment again that has um that has $3,150 in it. We discussed it yesterday with uh Chris uh
and he and told him that this this this whole handling of the town fire department really needs to be clarified because it's first you know many years um Geraldine Milum on her own um took
care of that she actually did the work etc. And since she was on the historical commission, the historical commission kind of took responsibility um after she died and Tony Milum has been following up he and but that that's
just not an appropriate way to handle this and Chris agreed. So he's going to take responsibility for that. So I'm we're not going to do anything about that. Um the town playgrounds, Tim Gillespie,
>> um 25 there's there is um 180 no FY20 wait yeah yeah 300 350,000 in that >> that is yet to be extended
>> an ongoing project started >> oh it okay well there's another town playgrounds project FY26 the bsentennial so they're the two Betty
demolishing one of the existing sites and then restoring the >> I'm not seeing where these numbers are. >> You aren't seeing it. You are not seeing
it because you don't have it. I just got it this afternoon. >> Oh, >> just came in this afternoon. I just sent it to you, Tim. I sent it to your email. I just sent it >> to us. >> I just emailed it to Tim. He could put
it on the screen. >> Let me see if I can find it. >> I don't see it on my email. >> Yeah, I just emailed it. Um, who else can show their screen? Anybody else have that permission? >> I don't have it on the I don't have it
separate. >> I have a separate document that I could send to the whole group. Want me to do that? I'll just send this to the whole group. Mail. All right. I'm going to just send this to the same group that got the packet
from Maria. Everybody has it. Yeah. Tim, >> there are two projects. the town playgrounds which is the one >> the annex and then the bsentennial park
and there's money in both of them but I thought that the town playgrounds project the the one in um annex was finished >> I think that is true
>> I think that you are going to use that 350,000 for the bsentennial. >> Yeah, that's right. We're over money. >> So, you have 600,000 for the bsentennial park.
>> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Does everybody understand that? We were we were given a grant >> that was significant and we had leftover money that we intended and it was understood by the people that granted us
that money whatever it was go towards by Centennial. >> Yes. That was in the grant agreement anyway in the in the plan that it would have been for the two playgrounds. >> Correct. Correct. >> Correct. So, nothing's going on with the
two of them is what you're saying >> at this point. >> That's correct. >> Okay. And uh it's it's um Dana who's running the projects, right? Dana is the project
manager. >> That >> significant. Yeah, I guess that is correct. Um, I'll be with some of that stuff. I'm gonna be with
you. >> So, I will as long as >> Okay. The next project um is Hugh Morton FY26 the WA senior league. No money has been used
for that. What is the status you? >> As far as I know what's going on now is the pickle ball and that's we contributed to that as I recall but it's also private fundraising going forward.
I know. No, this is the senior league. Last year's project >> for 150,000. They already had a 100,000 >> and this is the for the one playing field, >> right? >> That's the one you're talking about.
>> No, I was telling you I know I'll check on that. The other one is the there's a I'm not sure it is officially a group but there there's a number of people who talked to us about creating pickle ball courts there and we made a grant toward
that. I think it was 200 but I would need to check on that. the the estimated figure was somewhere around five. I think they were raising and working on raising the difference and I'll check >> but you that project has not been
approved at town meeting. We're only talking about the old project. So what I'm asking about now is just the senior league when they came in and I guess you're saying it hasn't started. Not as far as I know, but I'll check on it.
>> Could you check on that for let us know. >> Okay. The um bike and walking path, the north scenic uh feasibility study of 12,000 that is Dale Weber's project.
>> Yeah. Yeah. >> Wow. >> I seem to be echoing. I'm sorry. I checked with Gale Gale Rogers and said,
"As for the current, >> do you have another computer near you or a phone?" >> I have a phone. Maybe I should try that. Huh? >> No, no, no. I'm Why you're echoing with another >> Oh, no. No.
>> There. Is that better? Whoa. Is that better? >> No, >> it's not better. Uh, just a second. Deborah, what are you saying? >> Betty, it might be because you have two devices. >> Yeah, that's what I was saying. There two devices.
>> It's It's your second device is causing the echo. >> My device? >> Your second device? Because the Tim audio >> her, not for others. >> It's getting an echo on mine, too. Can hear it.
I'm not near on >> Let me go see if Frank has a phone on. >> This is not working. >> Tim, I guess because we She's right. When you have a second device around,
you get an echo. I'm not getting it, but most of the others are. >> What? Um I'm not sure what you're referring to. You're not hearing the echo. >> I do. I hear that echo.
>> Is that better? >> That's the kind of thing. It's different from your echo. >> All right. >> But it's all >> what you're asking me to do. >> Deborah, even before we went into the phone, she had that on
her. I got an a notice that there was an echo on Dale's project. Oh, >> so echoing. >> Am I still echoing? >> No. >> No. Not what not what it was.
>> What did you do? >> I uh the Frank's phone was on. I turned it off. >> Oh, okay. >> It's better everybody. >> Don't hear any echo. >> I still I've heard an echo from you, Tim, the whole time.
>> Yes, that's right. because he's on I'm he's on my speaker phone. >> Oh. Oh, okay. Okay. >> I'm hearing her better. How about you? Okay. Start again just quickly. >> Okay. >> Real quick in case it goes south again. As for the current CPC fund for the
northern scenic greenway. >> We are moving through Serpentid for an RFP for feasibility from an aerial view. then we have some time to get the report before the um because they're also applying for other money through the
mass trails grant um for the bikeway. So that's what she had to say. She they didn't apply for anything through this round and she was talking about perhaps the next round but no plans yet in that regard. So that was
my report from her. >> Okay. >> Okay. the Westport Range. Tim Kaitton is here, but I we're not hearing him. Tim, you have um
you know, you're muted. >> Well, anyway, I don't think that there there has been any activity with the uh Graange. I've been in touch with um Cindy Wilson. Unfortunately, Cindy is moving away.
Um, which is um sad. Um, but um they have plans. They I know they've been doing things that they haven't been charging for. Um they haven't come to the point where they've asked for any money. So, I know that I know that
there's that much going on. And I I will ask Tim Kaitton if he will follow up with um Cindy Wilson. Um the last is the um Hollen Hall.
It had 298,000. They sent out the um uh RFP for the part of the project that will come under the 298,000
Um they've worked with Kitwise. Uh they've been raising um funds very well. It's um they they only need about uh 150,000 or less now to do both the
inside and the outside. Um and all the ADA. So um we have some from a private grant. They have 98,000. Um we had one individual who gave 150,000
personal gift. Uh and there's a lot of um memorials and different things like that that are are coming in. So that project is moving very well. Um >> Eddie, can I just add
oops am I echoing now? I don't know what to do. >> Yes, you are. >> We either lose Tim Gillespie or Echo. So, let's try. >> Right. So, as you said, the the RFP went
out on on the 4th of February and then uh two days ago there was the site tour for the contractors who were who were sent uh the RFPs. And apparently I think all of them replied that they did want
they were interested. And so their proposals are due on uh March 4th. And uh I just want to say one thing on this. Uh is it Laura who sent out the uh
RFP that? >> Yes. >> The the invitation basically. And uh I just I like the way she did it. She she started off there's a lot letter to each one but each contractor but it said due to your strong local reputation and
excellent reviews the Westport Point United Methodist Church so forth. So I just thought that was nice. I thought that you know it showed respect and uh and admiration some you know for their work and uh I mean I've seen a lot of
invitations to bid and they just go out and they say hey you want to bid you know come to this meeting and uh and that's it but I thought uh I like that and uh I don't know what Tim thinks but I think I I thought that was a very nice
way to invite contractors. >> She um She's been getting a lot of help from Kitwise too on this and you. We appreciate it. I I think that it's going to be an excellent project. >> Yeah.
>> Okay. The last thing is the list of bills. >> Betty, one more thing. Did in terms of the sweets Yes. >> You know, there's >> I believe there's unspent funds from the
town hall project. Did we take care of that before? >> That is being that is being reconsidered by um Tim by uh Chris. He's saying that he thinks he can use some of those
funds. So, the ones that the town hall project and the apartment project are now being reviewed by him to see what he wants to do with it. >> Okay. >> Yeah. So, so I know, you know, we
approved $265,000 and 150 of that was for electrical work, the um installing the heat pumps and they spent that and that's been paid, I think. And the other piece of it was 100 originally there was 115,000 for
exterior uh work on the main building and the garage which was painting and stairs and landings, handicapped accessible railings, 115,000. They actually ended up only doing a little
bit. They did $8,700 to the ent to fix up the entry doors. So there's like there should beundredundred What? >> 6,216 available. >> I couldn't hear that. What?
>> There's $16,216. >> Yeah. So, >> if he wants to use those funds, >> as long as they're in line with our original uh approval, the work that they requested originally, that's fine.
>> Yes. He said that he would get back to us. Okay. Okay. Mark, are you the um >> you're the liaison with that? >> You're the liaison in that project, aren't you? >> So, yeah,
>> we'll include you in the next discussion >> with it with him. Okay. This yesterday that came up, but it wasn't supposed to be what we were talking about. That came up. Okay, >> Betty. >> Betty. Betty. Betty.
>> Who is that speaking? >> Tim Kaitton. >> Tim. >> Yes. Tim. >> Betty. Um, I talked to Cindy yesterday. And Cindy told me that the total cost so
far is $275. And that was transcribed in 5,400 pages. And um she said she put it on on the credit card, her credit card, hoping to be reimbursed.
And then as other projects, as you know, you said it earlier, you know, she's a great person, God bless her, and she's leaving. But on the other hand, um she will um they'll they'll communicate with me or
with you in terms of other stuff coming up, but she's okay right now with it. Now, >> she can she can submit that 200 something for um reimbursement. We'll pay her directly. >> Okay. I'll call her tomorrow and let her
know. >> Okay. >> Um who's going to take her place? Any idea? >> No. >> No. >> Okay. Just curious. >> Sorry. >> Okay. >> Yes. >> Betty, try turning off the the um you
put the mute on with Tim. I think that might help your echo because you're always on. You don't have your speaker off. So, you're getting a feedback loop. Every time anybody talks to you, it's coming back through >> Tim should put his >> because you're because you're talking to
Tim on a >> put on. >> Are you talking to me? >> Yes. >> Tim Gillespie, you're talking to >> Tim. Tim Gillespie, put your speaker on mute.
>> All right, put on my mute. >> Right. And now you're only coming through through Betty. And now Betty, if you go on mute, then this echo should disappear. >> But I'm >> No, not you. I'm saying the phone call you have with Tim. If you put that on mute,
we will lose the echo, I think. >> Okay. Thank you. I can't hear anything anybody's saying. >> I have to take off the mute because he can't hear. We only have one more little item. Let's get through it. Um there are
two expenditures that have been made. The American Legion Post 145 uh 4,850 and clerical expenses to Maria 122125
to 13126 to 53450. Do I have a motion to approve? >> So moved. >> Tim Kaitton for moved. Mark seconded. Mark Schmidt. Uh
Hugh. >> Hugh. Morton. >> Morton. I >> Mark >> Mark Schmid. I >> Deborah >> Deborah Chely. I >> Dale >> Dale Weber. I >> Tim Gillespie. >> Tim Gillespie. I
>> Betty Slate I Tim Kaitton >> Tim Kaitton I >> that's unanimous. Thank you very much. Uh is there any other business that anybody wanted to bring up? >> Yeah. I just wanted to mention the briefly the
>> good >> excuse me Tim >> I move we adjourn. >> Did you I think Tim Kaitton wanted to say something. No, >> I did. >> Oh, Mark did.
>> Yeah, it's okay. You can cut me off. Uh just on the Bell School, they're very appreciative of you know we author we approved the request for $49,000 and they won't start that work until after town meeting and uh they had a
very successful open house on January 17th or something and it was a good turnout and they've been very appreciative of the funding that that we've uh authorized for them and given to them. So, >> the historical preservation restriction is still sitting at the Mass Historic
Commission and the desk of Michael Steinets. >> Oh, boy. >> It's been about seven months. >> Yeah. >> But anyway, the historical commission is and the um school or the historical society have agreed already on the
conditions and so they will go through it. Um I don't don't think there'll be another meeting in March. Tim, I'll get back to you. uh March. It'll be June or July. Uh I would think um we're going to wait to July
uh for reorganization because we're going to have pro we're going to have um two new people coming on at that time and I am resigning as chair uh at that time. So um we'll probably have our meet
next meeting in July. Um, I hope you all attend town meeting. Um, and um, I hope you don't allow it to snow anymore. And I we're ready for a motion to adjurnn.
>> Tim, >> I move we adjourn. >> Second. >> Tim Gillespie does. >> Mark second. Hugh. >> Hugh. I >> Mark >> I >> Deborah >> I >> Deborah Chief I
>> Dale >> Dale Weber I >> Tim Gillespie >> Tim Gillespie I >> Tim Kaitton >> Tim Kaitton I >> Betty Slate I that's unanimous. Thank you very much everybody.