Good evening everyone. Today is Tuesday, February 24th, 2026. It's 6:32 p.m. This is the finance committee meeting. And I'd like to call the meeting to order with the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance. >> Pledge allegiance to the flag of the
United States of America and to theublic indivisible and justice for all. Under Mass General Law, chapter 30A, section 20F, this meeting is being recorded. On March 28th, 2025, Governor
Healey signed into law a bill which extends the temporary provisions pertaining to open meeting law to June 30th, 2027. Specifically, this further extension allows public bodies to continue to hold meetings remotely without a quorum of the p public body physically present at
a meeting location and to provide adequate alternative access to remote meetings. This language does not make any substantive changes to the open meeting law other than extending the expiration date of the temporary provisions regarding remote meetings from March 31st, 2025 to June 30th,
2027. All right. Well, welcome everyone. >> I'm going to um going to announce who our finance committee members are since we have to do that since we're remote. Um so we've got Christopher Thrasher,
Hugh Morton, Cindy Brown, Ellie's, Gary Carrero, and myself, Karen Rouse. And I'm not seeing I know Nancy Stanton Cross said she would be joining but I don't see her right now. So she's
presently not here and Duncan Law is not here tonight and Zach Lubru is not here tonight. So um that is everybody so far. So when Nancy comes in we'll just record her time. Well good evening everyone. Um we were
uh the first item on our agenda is to continue to talk about our budget fiscal 27. We did have two town departments. The the plan was to talk about the beach first, the town accountant and then move on to Diamond. Um but I do not see
uh Sean Leech from the beach department here. And I do not see Nicole, our town accountant, here. Uh, so we can move right on to number three. I think I think we have several
diamond folks here that um I'll let um Cindy, maybe you can let us know who your contact is and and I I think you might have asked them to come for seven, but they seem to all be here. So, if they're all here, >> we can certainly start with them. Yeah,
I'm I'm glad that they did uh they did decide to join um when meeting began. So, Paul Jennings, I'm going to let him uh tee it off. Paul is the Westport representative to the um Diamond Board. Um he's been a member of that board for
some time. Uh up for reelection this year, as a matter of fact. Um so, I'm going to let Paul introduce the people from uh Diamond. >> Hi. Hi, everyone. >> Hello. We have uh Brian Bentley, the superintendent director of Diamond. Uh
do we have Melissa? I I'm not seeing Melissa. >> I am here. Thank you. >> Okay. Melissa, she's the director of finance. And is uh Leslie? >> I I don't I don't see her, Paul. I know. I >> She is there. She She is up on the upper top screen.
>> There we are. >> Oh, okay. She's the assistant superintendent director and soon be superintendent director as soon as when Brian retires at the uh January
December 31st January 1st. >> So I know you you invited us in. It's been a while since uh I I actually been before the finance committee. Um, we have uh Melissa who can hopefully answer
any questions that you have. Um, I know you're looking for figures for the um for the town meeting, correct? >> Yes. Yes. So, our assessment for the coming year and then to give us kind of an update on your construction and where
you stand on your budget for your construction and how that's going to play out. Melissa, it was great. Melissa did send us some material earlier today. So that's uh helpful that we can follow along. Is there any way Melissa, if you're going to discuss that, can you
share that on your screen? >> Um let me see if I can hold on one second please. So, let me see if I can sh this. >> This is one of those super helpful days that we have the ability to have remote meetings, right?
>> Yes. >> Yep. That's great. Thank you. >> Okay, perfect. No worries. >> Sorry. Just bear with me for one second. I have to put this side by side. Okay. >> All right. So, this is just the um the
budget based off of the numbers that we received from um the Department of Education. Um so, the assessments to the um town of Westport will total uh 2,459,514.
And that comprises of um our regional transportation of $28,572 um and the 366,575 for the bond that we have. Um I did send over a copy of the debt schedule which
will um is the final schedule and will continue um there will be no changes to that going forward. And then our foundation budget of $2,63,368. >> Do you know how much of an increase that was from the prior year?
>> Yes. >> So it looked like there were uh three additional students. Um, so this year for Westport it looks like it was 109 students and it was an increase of $170,784. >> Okay. Thank you.
>> You're welcome. >> So So ju just educate me a little bit. So, so we're saying that we had three additional students from Westport at 170 odd,000
uh in total increase is is is am I hearing that correctly or am I missing the point? >> Yes, that is the overall increase from 26 to 27. Yes. But is it attributed just to the students or is that also increased costs
>> that that u there are three factors that come into it. It's the property value um the income which is based on the state tax returns filed with department of revenue and the revenue growth within Westport >> within for three students. Is that what I'm hearing?
>> That is correct. Yes. So, we're looking at a at a cost of 55 doing cocktail math. $55,000 per student uh additional students to go to Diamond Vogue.
>> Let me just doing that same math as you. Um you said about 18,000 is that we said or 19? No, I I No, what I what I what I thought I heard you say and and again I could be wrong that there was an additional increase of $170 some odd
thousand with the increase of three additional students. If that's the case, we're looking at 558,000 per additional student to go to Diamond. >> That is correct. Yes. >> Okay. So, well, I think what I I I think
the what my question kind of piggybacking off of what Al asked was that if if no additional students had had attended diamond if it was the same amount and the the three additional, we wouldn't have had an increase
year-over-year of our annual assessment. you would have um and again this is all because of the department revenue and the department of ed and how they calculate out the um the assessments and again it's based on
also based on relative >> so so getting back to Al's point it would it's not just because we had three students that it went up 170,000 >> correct I mean the three students does contribute to it but the other factors also play a part into that so regardless
whether you had three students or not that you would see some sort of increase. >> There would have been an increase. Okay. >> Absolutely. Yes. >> Um just uh if I could it it's it's roughly about 18,900 per student
>> to go to Diamond. That's basically what it what it it it comes out to >> roughly. >> Yes. >> So let's call it 20 just for round numbers, Paul, if you don't mind. So, we've got $60,000 of the additional three new students, which means that we
have $110,000 of assessments, quote unquote, other than uh you know, students, per se. Uh, >> right. >> Okay. >> Yep. Yep. Yep. And and like Melissa said, that actually is not set by
diamond. That's actually done by the Department of Revenue. >> Correct. and and with the department of revenue, it is also based on what the uh members of Westport are filing on their tax returns. That that all plays into effect.
>> And unfortunately unfortunately some of us have painfully gone through that exercise with the Department of Revenue to try to figure out how chapter 70 is is calculated. And so Donald at the Department of Ed um
is putting out a um webinar that I am looking to review to get a better to dive deeper into how how they calculate that out. But there's a lot of factors for all around between minimum contribution and everything like that.
>> Okay. >> Yeah. I'm just trying to understand that. So >> absolutely understand. and and and over my years I I I've questioned this with the department of revenue and basically they told me it's based on the
community's um ability to pay. >> Yes, >> correct. >> That is correct. >> Y and if anybody could ever figure out that formula, you would be you would be like the world champion on Jeopardy.
Okay? Because it is an enigma wrapped inside a puzzle. It is. >> It has been since they created it. Uh so your question is well founded. Unfortunately, we don't have an exact answer >> because they don't have one.
>> Well, as my father used to say, a camel is a horse designed by a committee. >> That's that's a good way of saying it. I like that. >> All right, folks. We have um someone's that's got their hand up for a question. But before we go um before we go on to
that, I Sean Leech, I did see you just joined. Um we did have you scheduled right at 6:30 to start your budget, but since you weren't here, we moved on to Diamond. So if you're able to stay after this presentation, we'll get to you next. Um and if I if you have to go,
then we can reschedule you. So sorry about that. Um, so Gary, you've got your hand up. >> Yeah. Um, thank uh thanks for dying coming in. We, as mentioned, it's been a while since we've had them come in. I thought it would been a a good invite to
have them here because they're a big piece of this budget um part of the town's budget. So, a couple of questions I have. Um, what are the trends with, um, enrollment? Do are we seeing that increase go down um, over the last 10
years? And what is the projection for I guess the next two or three years? That's my first question. I don't if somebody has that information. >> Mr. Jennings, would you like me to take that? >> Sure. Go ahead, Brian. >> Uh the pro the projection for enrollment is that it is increasing over the last
let me just go back to the last four years. um the that I've made it every year I've made the attempt and it has been successful with the committee's help to bring in 385 grade nine students and then maintain them and that's the
key students would come to diamond and they would at like grade 11 they they'd leave and we don't want that. So we opened it up to bring in students from grades 11 and 12 into diamond. They can transfer in so long as they have a
vocational background. We have been successful with that. So our enrollment has increased. Uh the enrollment for this particular assessment uh the assessment numbers was set at um 1480 students uh which is high because we
we're maintaining that the projection with the new school will give us more space and it will allow us to bring in even more students as we start growing this next year that's coming up. We're going to be maintaining of our numbers
that we have, but then as we settle into the new building, knowing where we have the room in the shops, the rooms in the academic classrooms, that is going to start to grow. The capacity of the new building is set at 1,500 students with the aortionment of that number being
done by the charter. So, I believe that Westport, I could be wrong on this number, but for round numbers, it's about Oh, I want to say maybe >> 5.3. Thank you, Paul. That's that's not round. That's very exact. So that 5.3%
for Westport will still continue. Uh that's not going to go down. So we are still well sought out. Give you an example. This year we had 877 applications for 3 and what will be hopefully 385
grade nine spots. So that shows the interest that's there in Diamond and that the students of the uh region and Westport are definitely interested in coming to us. So I hope that your question. >> Yeah. So you're saying 1480 for fiscal
27. Is that where you >> No, 1480 was for 26. 27 is 1508. >> So what does what was it for 25? Does anybody have that information? um not not at my fingertips. I'm sorry
for that. >> Let me see if I can get that for you. Hold on one second. >> Okay. So, I think the other the other and this is more of a thought I think more than anything else for our committee is that when we talk about schools and we talk about education, it's really inclusive of diamond. I know
a lot a lot of times we talk about, you know, the schools and all we're talking about is our own schools. But as far as the budget is concerned, when we wrap that up and show that as far as the total budget, we have to include diamond because that's a big piece that is a big piece of this and and sometimes you know
we we we say well you know the schools here in in town where you know we can't fund them to the capacity that we can't we have to or we should but I think we all have to keep in mind that it's you know uh this is all one big number when it comes down to education including diamond.
Yes, I am just trying to pull up the file. Um, so just bear with me, please. >> And for Diamond, we we do present to you that's the minimum contribution. We don't ask anything more than what we absolutely need in order to run the
school. Uh, that that's how we maintain uh uh pretty pretty much in my opinion fiscal uh acuity when uh figuring out a budget. So, so, uh, I guess while she's looking for the number, one last question I had was, uh, the building is now what I would say, how what
percentage complete would you say is the building? >> I want to put it at approximately 70%. >> Okay. So, uh, they're looking you're looking to bring in students for the fiscal 27 calendar year. >> You are correct. Yes. We will the
building will not be done in its entirety for everything, but the building for the shops and the academic classrooms will be completed and will be opened this upcoming school year. The remaining year plus that's left on the on the project is for our athletic
fields and the demolition of the existing building. >> So on day one on day one you'll be able to bring in the full complement of 14 whatever that number is give or take. >> Yes, you are correct. Yes. Okay. >> Okay. So, I was able to pull up the
numbers um on the Department of Ed website and in FY25 it was 100 six 116 students and FY24 is 117. Um but those numbers are also inclusive of the LPN
students. >> Okay. Is is it a lottery system as uh VO is or is it is it >> Yes, it it's it's a lot it's a lottery system that's going to be taking place live on March the 16th in our auditorium and also it will be live streamed. Yes.
>> Okay. So, does that add the capacity to bring in more students in your opinion or I mean it it limits the amount of students that you probably can take in one year with the lottery system. Correct. >> The lottery will be for the grade the grade nine applicant students. it is
with them. Uh so that's the major uh number that's coming in. The numbers of the students existing in the building uh will remain and for those who want to transfer into the building as grade 10 students uh that also will be a lottery type system. Um but the lottery that's
happening on March 16th uh is going to be for the grade nine students that are entering our building. those ones. We have we have 877 applications for that for the ining class. Yeah, I always I always consider Diamond a resource for this community
and and you know um it I think that the more we can be in partnership with with the school uh I think we can even more enhance our own uh you know our own school system and not to say that it's not a great school system because it is but I think sharing resources sharing uh
whatever we can even though you're not in our town you're still part of the whole package of education I think in our >> Mr. Carrerero, we may not be in your town, but definitely you are in our town and so we definitely want you there. >> Absolutely. Thank you.
>> Thanks, Gary. Um, before we go on, uh, Nancy, I see Nancy Stanton Cross, I see, joined our meeting. Nancy, do you have a just for our minutes, do you have a time that you joined us because I didn't notice when you came in.
Just so we can mark ours down. uh 650. >> Thank you so much. Appreciate it. All right. Um Al, you have your hand up for the question, so go ahead. >> Yeah. Just I remember a couple of years ago at a town meeting, there was an an impassioned
uh plea for for funding Diamond Vogue, and I'm not opposed to Diamond Vogue. I I mean, I I think it's great. But one of the things that that that stuck out was how many people were going to how many students were going to leave Diamond
Vogue, go into a trade. That was that was the selling point. Do we know how many people actually leave Diamond Vogue and then go into the trade that they are that we're paying
for and are pardon me and and going into um you know well you get my point. I don't need to say anymore. >> Yeah. >> Yep. >> Brian, do you have those uh >> Leslie you have them?
>> Yep. I can answer. So when when people think directly into a trade, just to clarify, there are all of our career pathways, all 18 of them. Some you can go immediately from high school and jump right into education. But if you want to
become an electrician or a plumber, mind you, you still go into the workforce, but you're still required to do two or three additional years of education. And some of our trades do uh require additional schooling in order to go into, for example, our health services,
our medical assistants. They're expected to get associates degrees in order to get their final lensure. But straight out of the trade, about 58% of our students go directly right to work. Another 27%
get additional training and some go on to foyear colleges. If that answers your questions, Mr. Lee. Yeah, I I don't need to bore down too quickly, but but you know, or or too deeply. I I just uh um I mean, anecdotically, I I know at least
six Westport cops that went to Diamond Vogue and then never went into the trade that they were going to four-year school. That's anecdotal. I'm not beating up anybody. I'm just saying that
that, you know, as as a as a taxpayer and and you know, town finance uh committee, we want to make sure that every kid that goes into a vocational school does something with it. Now, if they
want to go to to college, I mean, four-year college, great. I I I've got no problems with any of it. But is that what we're really paying for? That's kind that's the essence of of my question. >> Well, Mr. Le, if I may, I I I hear you
and I've heard this before and I understand your question. I know if a student goes into carpentry and he ends up being a lawyer, wait a minute, we didn't send him to Diamond to be a lawyer. We sended him to Diamond to be a carpenter. Um, but yet at age 14, we're
grooming them to be successful in the workplace, whatever that is, and successful community people. So I look at it as all right these students who went to Diamond and ended up on the Westport Police Force and by the way you're not alone Swansea Somerset and
Fall River. Thank goodness I if I go through a red light someone will recognize my name and let me go. But that part aside um that we recognize them as being vital to the community. No, they didn't go into the trade that they went to. I remember uh John who was
on the police force there was a student of mine way back when he was a machinist uh and he became a very successful Westport police officer but yet he gave back to the community but he always touted himself as I'm a proud Diamond graduate. Um so I understand your
question but Diamond builds more than just carpenters, auto mechanics, autocolision people. They also build the character of someone who's good in the community, can service the community. Uh, and we call this transferable skills
wherever they go. They have learned the skill of communication. They've learned the school of the skill of community and they've learned the skill of giving back. Um, do we wish that they would stay in their trade? Sure. U, but unfortunately, life takes them in
another direction upon graduation. I hope that answer your question. I know that that does complet that that answers it completely and I couldn't agree more that pardon me. When you're 16, 17 years old, what the heck do you know? I mean,
I went into college when I was 18. I was going to be the next Jacqu Kustoau. I was going to be a marine biologist. And where did I end up? So, you know, I I know that things twist around, but I'm just looking right now at the pure numbers of dollars that go from a
student to Diamond as opposed to into um uh Westport High School, for example. And that's that's kind of my focus right now. But I I'm I'm I'm with you on, you know, life gives you twists and turns.
>> Sure, it does. And we hope that wherever that student goes uh whatever their path may be that they become very successful in that. Uh and hopefully they would thought that they went to diamond. Yes, I went in there to be a plumber but look
at me today I am a and whatever it is and I meet those students out in the community when I go out to eat in different places. Uh they're always willing to tell me their story. Uh the other day a young lady who was in our facilities maintenance shop. She was a waitress in one of our local restaurants
telling me, "I'm never going back to school ever again." Well, lo and behold, she's in her second year at Bristol Community College and she can't wait to complete something in psychology. I told her, "Hope you get to use it." Um, but but this is what happens uh with our students. And I think you hit it right
on the head. You're 16, 17 years old. You're not sure. But I do agree with I do agree with your philosophical statement that is if we're paying X amount of dollars for a student to go to diamond u Westport wishes that they would stay in that trade or could put something out there in that trade. I
understand that. Uh we look at it a little differently because we want them to be successful. >> Thank you. Good explanation. Thank you. >> Uh Cindy, go ahead. You've got uh your hand up. Um could you tell me a little
bit about how your programs have evolved over um over time and particularly with the anticipation of you know a larger building giving you more flexibility to perhaps expand a little bit on some of
the trades that you already have or in include some new new types of trades that uh perhaps were not uh you weren't physically able to to address in the past. Can you can you talk a little bit about that? >> Sure. Actually, Miss Brown, what I'll do
is that the one with the newest set of eyes in our building who has made an impact is our current assistant superintendent principal, uh, Leslie Wackasar, and she's on. Uh, so I'd like her to respond to that because she comes from another vocational school and she knows what was there, but she is seeing
what's at our school. Leslie, if you would. >> Yes. So Cindy, under our current uh MSBA agreement, we cannot start any chapter new chapter 74 programs until completion of the project. But what we have done is
we have aligned all of our vocational programs to what we call the labor market analysis, which basically gives the blueprint for the state of Massachusetts and projections over the next 10 years. I've set some eyes on um some areas of growth or expansion um
between we have a our um for example we have our web um oh I went blank programming and web um development but yet ISS and networking and cyber security are a hot and demand
trade and is going to be as you know you get uh notifications of internet hacks all the time so that's a great opportunity for us to expand band. Uh we also too have seen a huge increase in the amount of students that are required
um plumbing, electrical in HAC especially as we switch to the new types of energies. Um so our teachers are very involved in in um increased professional development in these particular areas. a lot of them are required for their own
lensure to go out and uh seek additional um learning to make sure that they're current in their trades. Um so those are some of the ways where our physical space has really tightened us on the amount of things that we can do inside
our school currently that we'll be able to expand on. and we continue to work out in the community and look for these opportunities of of being able to expand and do things beyond the school's walls. Um, which I know we've been very active
in Westport um with the amount of community work that we've done. Uh, that's one note that I did write down is is I maybe think that I should give Mr. Jennings, just some some updates too to send to the town of Westport just so that you see how active we are in your
community. Um, you might not know um all the work that our diamond students are doing. Well, people were >> people were very passionate at at town meeting when we had the when we had the debt exclusion for uh for the construction and people were very
passionate and very much in favor of supporting the uh continuing to support the community. The parents and many of the former students turned out to make sure that they showed their continued um support. So um thank you for your uh
thank you for your answer. >> No problem. Thanks, Cindy. Hugh, you've got your hand up. >> Yeah, thank you. I just want to say that I'm not so sure the divergence
to police officers is that bad a thing. It's once in a diamond and focusing in my view blue collar work rather than crucifist or things that are seem attractive but aren't really all that
vocational, shall we say. So, beliefs are hands-on working with the world and that's a different version of plumber electricity if you will but I think it's still a valuable route into a valuable area
I'm not objecting what we said previously just saying I think it is better than it looks like as a distinction being made >> thank you Hugh Does anyone any other questions or comments for our diamond folks?
>> Um only only that I I just think they're do doing a great job. Um you know all in all I mean are there warts? Yeah. Are there warts in Westport? Dartmouth go down the list of course. But uh but all in all, once the Westport, for example,
got rid of the local vocational programs, the future farmers, the mechanics, the uh uh the shop program, that that gap had to be filled and it's been filled consistently for a number of
years, pardon me, with with with Diamond Voke and and and so you know, these are questions and unfortunately they can be tough questions from a finance committee, you know, and and uh I will I will admit that. But I I think that
you're doing a great job. >> Thank you, Louise. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> All right. I don't see uh any other questions or comments. Um, does anyone from Diamond have anything else that they'd like to share with us
as part of their presentation or highlight anything or did we hit on the the key topics? >> Oh, I think you hit the key topics and I mostly >> I do invite everyone to the uh we are going to be having a ribbon cutting open house and hopefully that you can all
make it to see what the new diamond and the new future will be of vocational education in this area and Westport being part of it. Uh Karen, can I just ask one thing um before before we sign off with Diamond is that I I think we should have this conversation every
single year. I think that it's something that is important >> um you them being uh our our regional school. Uh and also if in fact they can put some kind of presentation going forward that shows trends that shows um you know enrollment things that we've
asked for tonight. uh that could be just put in like a you know five minute slide presentation so that it's it's on it's on um TV that people can see it um town meeting members if they had questions can ask uh when they go to town meeting I think it's just helpful to have it
>> y >> I already wrote it down >> thank you >> y I'm making a note of that myself >> okay thank you very much >> go ahead >> yeah I just want to tee off on what what Gary just said I I think we should also
include a presentation for Bristol Aggie because we do support Bristol Aggie directly or indirectly. So, uh it it it wouldn't be a bad idea whether it's every year, every two years, whatever it might be to to have them come in as
well. >> All right. Well, >> sounds good. >> Yeah, sounds good. Well, I'd like to thank uh everyone from from Diamond to come here. Um, again, it was helpful to have it as a virtual presentation tonight. Um, and we all uh we all
support what Diamond does and so uh we appreciate you're offering that service to to our Westport students. So, thank you again for coming in and um have a safe commute home. Have a great night.
>> Thank you. Thank you very much. All right. So, um, back to our budget presentation. So, we have our the beach committee was, uh, on the list and Sean Leech is still here. So, Sean uh, wants
to say hello. I think we can talk about the beach, which I am very happy to talk about the beach. >> I all I want to do is talk about the beach. I think everybody that only thought on their mind is the beach right now. >> That's it. Just the beach.
>> Okay. So, the beach committee, we voted on a budget. I don't know if you want me to share my screen or you you have it there in front of you. >> It'd be great if you could share it, Sean. That'd be helpful. >> Okay. So, let me >> And pictures would be good, too.
Nice warm fuzzy pictures of >> Yeah. Lifeguard running down the beach, Sean. I mean, I know of the snow. >> It's not letting me share my screen. >> Uh, we may have to give you permission.
Um, you should be able to. >> Okay, here we go. >> As our diamond folks didn't >> There we go. >> I I apologize for being late. I kept typing in an I where there's a J. >> Oh, no worries. Well, we were we we were trying to honor you first up and then
you weren't here, so we didn't want to stare at each other for forever. So, thanks for hanging out. >> Okay. So, uh you know, we we have at the beach, we have an an enviral position of
uh where we work at a calendar year uh for budget wise actually as opposed to uh the typical budget year. In other words, our calendar year where we taking our revenue begins January 1st, ends December 30th,
uh unlike the other things. So, what you see here, and I don't know if I can zoom in a little bit, is the budget that was voted on by the committee uh for the past year. >> There you go. That's better.
>> Okay, there we go. Okay. And it included the following item. I'll slide it over. uh basically uh salaries, overtime incentive at $101,100 uh expenses and there's a lot of expenses and I'll explain uh the vehicle
repair and maintenance expense. Uh we're basically coming down uniforms gasoline oil that type of thing coming down to uh 60,750 for request of 161,850 which of course is going to be coming out of our
enterprise number. Uh that was what we we bumped it up since then to increase uh a couple of the line items and one of them was the the biggest one basically was the vehicle repair and maintenance. I'll
explain that. Uh we were looking at getting purchasing a new vehicle uh through the capital improvement. Uh and then we found out the highway department has a cemetery department has a vehicle that's not being used and is sitting back there, but it needs work.
It's only got 69,000 miles on it. So, we thought the best in the best interest, we would take that vehicle and just repair it. So, that's why you see a $5,000 vehicle maintenance repair thing. And rather than spending 40
$50,000 on a truck, uh you think that was a more uh a better way of doing it basically. Uh some of the other items that stand out, the 25,000 that you see here, it's for professional services,
that includes uh the dumpster, the port of John's, and also includes what we're trying to fix now is a $12,000 fee to Ottabbon Society for monitoring the birds on the beach,
which uh we we feel is unreasonable. So, we're working on that. So anyway, the request is for 16650 and there's some items here that I want to point out that are not included in our budget that we're still paying for.
These items are the departments that work directly and can take out of the enterprise fund, town clerk, accountant, etc., etc., etc. Last year's was a total of $11,499. that doesn't show up on our budget, but we still pay this fee and it's going to
increase next year. Uh so we're looking at, you know, basically a total ticket price here of about $191,000. uh our revenue for the past I'm going to
call it calendar year because our biggest our biggest revenue comes between January 1st and July 1st last year fiscal year 25 was that figure was $148,379 after July 1st the sticker fees came in
at $18,695 for a total of 166974 And I will tell you that it doesn't take any mathematician to realize that when you bring in about 167 and we're spending 191, we've got a problem.
Uh so this year we raised the sticker fees for seniors $10 and raised the regular fee five $5 which if we sell the same number of stickers as last year
would make up the shortfall I guess we're calling it uh between the 191 and the 169 we're requesting right now. that last year was the first year that we sold more senior passes than regular passes. About 53% of the
passes we sell now are senior passes. >> And I think that's because I I bought one and I'm a senior now. So that there hopefully towing the line. We do have several hundred,000 in our enterprise fund to do things and we've been using
it uh kind of very conservatively. Uh, we used it in the past. We put up a new fence. Uh, we put up uh, uh, new lights. We bought a section of beach, which was a bargain uh, for about $10,000. We
picked up 100 ft of beach. And this year, we're looking at security cameras that need to be replaced down there. Uh, and I've been working with uh, Lewis pretends at the police department to get a price as to what we're going to need to raise that. So,
in the long run, we're going to be breaking even. We're we're keeping our head above water hopefully depending on what revenue is this year. Uh but we're in the near future, I foresee that the expenses will outpace the revenues uh
unless there's a severe jump. To give you an idea, uh during the pandemic, we were selling 4,400 beach passes. Prior to the pandemic, we were selling 2,700 passes. Right? Last year, we were in the 3,900 range.
So, we're predicting that 3,900 seems to be a good figure for what we're expecting for next year's passes. Again, it's hard to judge the revenue if it last year, we had an extremely hot summer, so we had a lot of passes that came in kind of late. this year if we
have anything that goes like it's we're having right now. Uh we might not sell any beach passes. So, uh it's kind of a hit and miss situation, but we're kind of monitoring, but right now we're expecting to at least cover the cost for this year.
>> Sean, I got a question for you on that. So you you I know we we hear in every department, right, that expenses are outpacing the revenue and but your committee has the ability to raise the revenue to to be able to offset that. So
I'm just curious, why did you not raise the beach fees a little more to make sure you're covered? >> Uh there's two reasons. One is everybody gets upset when we raise it a little bit. That's what but
I think when we found out when we first took the first big jump and I think it was four years ago we took the first big jump we saw a decrease in beach passes uh and that was because we thought and we don't know we don't have this informal information where somebody may
have two beach passes at the household they only bought one you know they said you know mom and dad only need one for the car they're not supposed to be there at the same time so why don't we just take one car to the beach. Uh we also think that there was a lot of
lot more sharing basically of beach pass cars so to speak. But I also think that you know raising the revenue we're going to get to a point of no return where if we let's say we raised it to you know we charge $200,000 for beach pass we sell
one beach pass could be covered for the year but that doesn't mean anybody be using the beach. Uh what we're trying to do is make it a a family-friendly beach that's affordable. We don't offer a lot of services. We offer lifeguards seven days between uh second Sunday, second
Saturday, excuse me, in June to Labor Day. Uh and we offer the port of John's and basically a dumpster for trash. Uh but not much more than that. Uh I think our biggest problem as the cost of
lifeguards goes up and significantly that seems to be the one cost that we can't really control. >> Yeah. >> Uh I would like to say you know yeah can we raise the 25 everybody $25 and I think we would see a drop off significantly
in the number of passes being sold. My wife just from the other room said yeah she wouldn't buy hers. So, uh, we're trying to keep it so at least we we get a little bit I don't want to say profit, but a little bit above the expenses every year. And we
don't want to turn it into every year we raise it $10, every year $5, too. Uh, maybe we get to a point where we do raise it significantly. We are probably the best bargain in town by far when it comes to uh the value here, the cost and the value. And we're significantly lower
than most other beaches in the area uh for year round, but they don't differentiate. They also have non resident passes uh at a lot of those beaches, too. So, I don't that that ex that isn't even an
option. We don't think uh a non-resident pass is a good idea in any way, shape, or form because we don't have enough parking for the residents. So, uh it's a good question and I don't know what the breaking point would be on the
amount you could charge where you start losing revenue. >> Yeah, I don't know that answer either. And it I I think it's you you got to play with the sensitivity a little bit. And in some cases it might not be the
end of the world if a couple of passes aren't renewed because then it helps solve some of the parking issues, right? So, not that you want to price somebody out from using the service. I don't mean that at all. But um but I think it seems like you want to be able to make sure
you're generating enough revenue to pay the lifeguards their fair fee and we all know that the cost of lifeguards continue to go up and um so so I think it's an ex it's explanatory that that
the price goes up. Um >> yeah, >> I get it. It's a tough it's a it's a tough tough juggle. So, I get that. >> One of the things we're exploring is uh the $50 fine for parking illegally at
the beach or even on the road doesn't deter anybody anymore. Uh people are more than happy to pay $50 because to go to Horseneck Beach on July 4th weekend, an out of state plate would have to pay $45 to go to Horseneck Beach. So, for $5
more, they can pull in the cherry and web and not have to worry about it. and a it's much better beach. So, we're working with the police department. We've had meetings with Chris Don. We had meetings with the new town administrator uh on increasing the fees and taking a portion of that revenue as part as part
of our stuff. If we raised it to $200, do we take $50 of that and put it into the beach committee uh or whatever? Uh you know, we're exploring that as just another possible means of revenue.
Great. Thank you, Sean. Um, Hugh's got his hand up, so go ahead, Hugh. >> A couple of thoughts. One is, have you, just for analytical purposes, I don't mean for bridg accounting, more permanent long-term, let's say,
nonrecurring expenses versus recurring. For instance, you bought a parcel of land for 10,000. That's fine. I have no objection to it. I'm just saying that's probably doesn't happen every year and just for
analytical purposes rather than really for budgeting see how it works out over time. Obviously the longer life stuff is once you got it, you've got it. And the other thing was as far as non-resident
or whatever, what do you do for beef classes for summer people who are not landowners? Okay. So, the eligibility for beach passes are town resident. You can be a renter, a leaser, or you know, homeowner
and andor taxpayer. So, you can be a non-resident taxpayer. You can own a summer cottage. You're paying taxes on something in West. You're allowed you're eligible for beach pass. >> So, just playing renter without an
ownership interest, you're not eligible. >> No. If you're a renter and you have uh you show up on the census and your car says Westport, Massachusetts on its registration and your license as Westport, Massachusetts, >> yeah, >> you allowed to get a beach pass.
>> Yeah. But I'm saying if that's not the case, because if you are a temporary summer resident, you don't have registration either. It's just for your home of winter residency, I would say. Fall River, Dam, whatever. >> Yeah. I'm just wondering whether there
could be a class in that case uh resident non-resident if you will at a somewhat higher price with the theory that that's likely to be a more prosperous group.
>> We have explored that and had several discussions over years uh regarding that and the what it boils down to is uh number of beach passes. >> Mhm. uh per as against number of parking spaces
>> and the ability of how do you monitor someone who's temporary? We did have some situations where people were uh visiting uh ministers uh that type of thing here for four or five months and they want to get a beach pass, but they
don't really rent, they don't really lease and they're, you know, they're they're licensed as Connecticut or something like that. And the question is where do you draw the line of non-resident resident? And we've been
pretty good about tolling the line about taxpayer or resident. >> Yeah. So using that example that would seem clearly being non-resident therefore ineligible. So I don't try to second guess what
you're doing. I'm just saying that if it is you have an ownership interest that's fine. You got a you got a registration or whatever. If you don't you don't. Other than that, you're talking about as
a dip in the number of passes, which in the same should mean a a lack of pressure, lesser pressure on parking spaces. So, with a higher price for the out of town or semi out of town, let's
say, reduces that usage, maybe that's positive, not negative, >> right? I mean, I guess we could explore again I think it's a it the problem not the problem the major component here is the town clerk issues
beach passes >> as you you know you do it online you go online you get your beach pass you do put your information in he sees that you're a resident boom you get kicked out in two days >> you already got your pass in the mail uh the question comes into you know everybody says I'm renting you know
drift road from May to September this year and and next year somebody else is renting and the next year someone else is renting and how do you monitor you know if they're actually renting
because one of the things we ask for and we we we try to give as many peach passes as many people as we can. One of the things we ask for is just proof. have a landlord, have whoever you're renting it from come to us with an agreement that says you
are renting from May to September. This is what you're doing and we'll consider it. Our concern is, well, yeah, now I want my brother-in-law who's going to come visit us in July 4th weekend and then be from Idaho and then, you know, the sister-in-law, we want a beach pass
and, uh, that's where it becomes, okay, we're running out of spaces because >> last year we had some problems because of the way the weather was last year. Uh, very warm, Fourth of July weekend was spectacular. Uh, and it was just there weren't enough
parking spaces. a cherry uh basically cherry web lane was just clogged with cars parked illegally and legally uh and it becomes a small problem for the police department and andor of any emergency services. I mean Trish Bogard has a bears a bunch of love that too. So
>> yeah, >> I'm sorry revelation for you thought about it. I was just saying if there's some way to monitor that or to protect the the u full-time Westport residents
and get a little more revenue out of the the more temporary people, shall we say, that would be a positive. >> Yeah, I don't disagree. I think one of the things we did see because uh
uh senior citizen pass have gone up, senior citizens tend to not stay at the beach all day. >> Like to walk the beach in the morning or in the evening or for a couple hours. So there's a big benefit to senior citizen passes. Uh you know, they may have the family there one weekend the summer or
something like that, but we find that mostly, you know, it's more transient during the day. uh you know, stay for six hours like a family of four would. Uh but I I think it's not a bad idea to try to raise revenue because we're really
I don't want to turn this into every year we raise a $5. I don't want to turn this into the state of Massachusetts and raise taxes every year. I want I want you know people were upset this year because we raise you know but I think with the big jump I mean you can
see fiscal year 23 45,000 and then you look at what we're asking for this year 90,000. That was only five years ago. >> Yeah. >> Pay the lifeguards. That's double the
cost. That's our biggest problem here. >> We had >> I don't know I don't know if they have what Bakers charges. I know Elvin Rock is 500. >> Yeah. both which is a bargain but and I don't mean they're the same in any lots of different ways but just if you look
at the le the rest of the landscape you may find that you're with both best intentions underneath the market on a realistic basis. Yeah, I I I think you know Elvin Rock
has obviously the pavilion and other things to offer too. Uh and it's se severely limited. Uh we are a public beach for public facility and I believe you know that one of the things about owning land or property in Westport gives you the ability to have is go to
this beach. Uh and I always like it when I see people using the beach. uh has been very used very frequently in the last couple of years. It's been, you know, something that everybody loves recreationwise and I I don't want to turn it some
people have asked, you know, I don't want to turn into a private beach club where only some people can afford to do it and other people can't. >> I agree. I'm just saying not that necessarily it's a model, but it simply gives you an idea well what people were paying or willing to pay. Remember the
dollar isn't worth what it used to be. >> No. No. that that that's what I mean about the $50 fine for parking illegally. >> I've se I've stood there when police officers are go up to people getting out of their car and unloading and they ask how much the ticket $50 said, "Okay, all
good for all day." Yep. So, you know, they don't care, you know, and what happens is I'll get the phone call from the person who didn't get the the call and, you know, and didn't get the the the parking place and wants to know why this person from New York parked there
without a sticker, but they got a ticket on the car. Why don't we tow it? >> Because that would be a deterrent. I think you just the police don't want to tow it. I think raising a $200 getting a chunk of that for the revenue, you know, >> just for the living. My lights are
blinking, so I may disappear at any minute. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Mine are too. >> Yeah. Mine are mine are flickering. I haven't lost power, but I can't get out of my driveway either. Uh my our plow guy lost the brakes on
his plow and we've got three feet of snow >> in the lane way and uh we're not going anywhere anytime soon. >> I'm in the same boat. I think a lot of people are in the same boat that the the equipment is broken down. >> Yeah.
>> Yep. Go ahead, Cindy. You've got a question and then Al. >> Yeah. So, piggybacking off of what you mentioned earlier, Sean, about speaking with the select board about increased uh fees for parking and perhaps more aggressive towing. On that same vein, I
mean, you know, the number one complaint that people always have is that there's never enough parking there, and we get that. And, you know, your resources are limited as to how much you could certainly expand the parking. So, if you can't expand the parking, why can't the
uh there be a much more um vigilant way to keep people from parking illegally, particularly on the weekends? So, why can't you have someone stationed at Cherry and Web, whether it be a police officer or, you know, just someone at
the gate, so to speak, saying, "Where's your where's your sticker? Oh, you don't have one? I'm sorry. You cannot park here." I mean to pay someone on Saturday and Sunday to do that to allow more people to attend I think would certainly
be a step in the right direction. I know that costs money too, but do you see I mean I'm sure your committee has talked about that. I mean what's the pros and cons to that? >> Okay, so we've talked about that. That's discussed with this disabilities
committee having a parking lot attendant uh with also a little way of getting handicapped people to the beach and right >> one guy one guy or girl uh >> perform the task of sitting there and monitoring what comes in. The bigger problem is in this world of
uh entitlement and other people. If you ask a 20- year old kid to yell at some guy getting out of an SUV that you can't park here, you don't have a beach pass, it's it's going to get ugly quickly. Uh and the fear is something bad will
happen. >> It's it's just the world we live in, unfortunately. Because I've sat there and I've said, "Yeah, you don't have darking past." And the first thing out of out of somebody's mouth is, "Well, who made you king?" >> Right? >> Who the hell are you? You know, and you know, it's like they don't care because
once they're in the spot, >> it's parked. You can yell at them, you can throw things at them, they won't move. >> Right. >> To your expenses, Sean, a gentleman in blue standing there might deter an uh an
inappropriate behavior. It could cost some money, but I you might make it up in the parking tickets. >> Yeah. I I Yeah, that's I mean because we used to deputize, you know, people to go down and write tickets. The police department, you know, they do God's work
down between East Beach, Beach Avenue, and here, uh Terry and Web, they're monitoring all the time, but they can't be there 247. >> Yeah. And and they do the best they can, but people just ignore the police now.
>> A couple of years ago, there's a guy who broke tickets as a volunteer. Yeah, >> I think he survived. >> Yeah. Well, that was Tim St. Michelle, but then Keith Pitier, it was getting it was getting pretty ugly on East
Beach. Uh people were getting very uh belligerent about that. And you know, it it it just gets ugly real quick. It spirals ugly real quick. I know that. And the fear is something's going to happen to somebody.
>> Yeah. Don, I know that you've never been in a barroom, but I have, and the bars have figured out pretty quickly how to get bouncers. Um, and so maybe that would be something. The the other the other thing, too, and I I would like to
advocate for the elderly people, and I'm including my mother in this. She and her friend would go get a cup of coffee, drive down to East Beach, and just sit there for 15
minutes or so. And no, this is not a revenue stream. It's probably just the opposite. But is there a way of thinking about those people that just want to sit there for 15 or 20 minutes and not have
a u 50 or $75 um sticker? >> I I I can honestly say that if you do that any weekend but Fourth of July weekend, you're probably going to be okay because >> if you if you stay in the car, they they
generally will not tick. in the car. >> Exactly. We have never had a problem with the cops or anybody else, but it's still that line of legal, illegal. So, I I'm just tossing that out for, you know, for the beach committee to just consider
something like that for the future. That's all. >> Yeah. I mean, I mean, be East Beach is uh it's kind of a different animal. There's a lot of people who don't who park there, I'll call it illegally. They don't have Beach Pass, but we know what they're doing. It's 95 degrees in Fall
River. They picked up the pizza up at at the Village Pizza and they're sitting there watching sea goes fly by and boats go in the canal and right >> not for an hour or so or a couple of fishermanmen, you know, sitting on the back of a tailgate truck just throwing a line in the water. >> I don't have anybody who's enjoying the
beach. I don't have a problem with that. You you can tell who they are. It's more or less the people that when you see, you know, 10 sports cars and five motorcycles and they're racing down the street, >> then then we have a problem. Uh, you know, and I don't know how you solve
that particular thing. Again, I don't mind people pulling in. There are a lot of handicap people who don't get beach passes because, excuse me, it's pretty inaccessible. Turning road is inaccessible. Um, >> right. But they will go one I talked to
one gentleman who was a Vietnam war. He was you know quadriplegic and you know his wife brings him there and he gets out of the van and they sit there. They put a little mat out and he sits there in the wheelchair and looks out on the ocean. Doesn't have a beach pass because he feels he shouldn't have to pay for one because there's no handicap spots
there. >> No no no handicap access. He's a Westport resident. And I said, "Well, we got to do something about that because that's a perfect example of somebody who should should get a beach pass. and say, you know, I can sit here and I have a
handicap spot, you know, uh there's a lot of that. I mean, East Beach is the one of the few beaches you can just pull right in, look out at the ocean, >> you know, and just, you know, enjoying the view and listen to the radio, whatever you do. >> It might be some connection through the
veteran's office, some kind of sticker or placard for disabled veteran in that case. Well, we're working with the disabilities committee. Uh Martin, I talked to Martin the other day and one of the things
we're looking at is a shuttle type thing to get people out on the cherry cherry web because Martin walked out there last year. He struggled. He couldn't walk but >> and he forgot how beautiful it was. And also because of East Beach, it is a very it's basically handicap accessible
because you can pull in and get out of your van, but you have to have the room to do it. And on a busy weekend, there's no room between cars to pull a handicap band in. >> And it's hard to mark or have a handicap spot. You have to have hard ground. You can't have cobble,
>> right? >> And we were thinking about issuing placers for people, you know, not just veterans, but people who, you know, they're town residents and they're handicapped and they have a right or a reason to go to the beach. Uh >> yeah, I was using veterans only because
there is a veterans officer. >> Yeah, but yes, you're right. That didn't mean that restricted in general. I guess that was >> I mean I I would have no problem giving away, you know, because there the amount of people we give away passes to people who have caregivers.
Uh if you remember Selena Howard, she was blind. She had a caregiver who used to take her out to the beach. We would give passes to the caregiver so she could go to the beach. And we do that all the time. You know, we have maybe half a dozen people who have caregivers that bring them to the
beach and they just want to go to the beach and they can't drive >> because at some point a lot of people lose their ability to have a driver's license. >> Yeah. Like like my mother Yeah. You wouldn't want her to drive to the beach.
>> Well, that's Yeah, that's it. So, >> I'm sure you've been talking about all this stuff that we've been you've already thought of a lot of it, but so I appreciate your patience. >> Oh, no, no problem. I I apologize for being late. I just had a problem with the meeting codes for some stupid
reason. So, apologize. I'm going be a g weight, but uh I I think we're going to run into, you know, the bottom line is as costs escalate and we're going to do something about the autobond cost, but uh as costs escalate,
you know, it's going to come to a point where you cut services and the only services we have is lifeguards. >> Yeah, >> we had a great year last year. We didn't have any no deaths, couple injuries. Uh
broken leg, a couple other things, but uh we have a very good headed lifeguard and a very good crew. Uh they seem to be doing very well. We do get complaints occasionally, but uh we're talking 20-year-old kids also, but
I think, you know, we're doing the best we can, but every once in a while, you know, the costs just escalate. The state has already up the ante. Steve sent me a text message about a week ago about the state upping Yante with incentives and
other things uh which we can't really match. >> Sean, I've got one quick question for you. um remember you came in last year and I I don't remember now if it was a reserve transfer a reserve request or a
transfer because it had come to us after town meeting that that you had some expenses that you hadn't collected your new revenues >> that that was an unanticipated that was the autobond it was $12,000 we came for 13 change I can't remember the
exact figure >> but there was a $12,000 hit that we took that we had to pay upfront last year typically they and it and it hit us again we're a calendar year thing so they wanted the money up front rather than billing us after the
fact we had a $12,000 hit which we've built in now >> you know we didn't expect that we expected to be on this year's budget so now we're >> it was 13,000 and I don't know the exact number but it was uh a transfer out of
the health I think Yeah. And is that >> so is that something that you that then the town gets reimbursed for in are you putting it in in the new budget to reimburse the town for last year or or
is the town not getting reimbursed for it because it was kind of a cash advance almost? >> Yeah. I Well, we did not put it in to reimburse the town. put it in to pay for what will be uh we we'll get a bill in
in the next month or so from Autobond for $12,000 for service. Typically, they build us after they did it. So, it was in the next fiscal year. Like, they would build us in September. So, it would be in the next fiscal year after July 1st. Last year, they hit us twice in July and then in January
>> on the same fiscal year >> and we were caught off. >> There's nothing. So, there's nothing to reimburse the town for last year. Right. Okay. >> No. And we're going we're going out because it's over $10,000. We're going out to bid now to a couple other people
to monitor because at $12,000 for a 12week season, not even that birds, that's $1,000 a week is costing us. And that seems a little high to me considering that they never nest on Beach Avenue. They only nest at Charian
Web. So, there isn't a lot of leg work or anything. It just we just feel like it's a little expensive. Uh, we're required to do it, but All right, that answers that. >> All right. Well, anything else for Sean? Then we can let him be free. Not that
you're going anywhere, but you can be free. >> Just eating dinner, that's all. >> Well, Sean, thanks for coming in. We appreciate your um >> No, no, thank you. Sorry about being late. I I thought tonight we had you slated for for for first, but we but
glad you got to stay. So, thank you. Okay. >> All right. Have a good night. >> You too. Thank you. >> All right. Thanks. >> Thank you, Sean. >> All right. Um Okay. So, um the next items we have
on the agenda are our standing fiscal 27 budget and town meeting warrant. Um the select board was scheduled to review and approve the budget on Monday, but due to the closing of town hall, they're uh
going to be meeting on Thursday to approve that. So, um it we don't have an approved budget yet, but uh the town administrator did forward to us his the the final draft.
um kind of putting all the all the things we had talked about last week in number in numbers. So now we uh have have access to it. So if anybody had any questions uh we've got what we what we have there. Um did anyone have any
questions or Chris did you need to highlight anything that as you crunch through the numbers did anything else different pop up for you that you'd need to highlight to us? Uh yes, good evening. Um no, I mean just
I guess reiterating our conversation. So um you know as we talked about um you know with the uh revenue assumption adjustments uh certain aotment went to the school to help close the uh the gap
that was there. on the town side. Um you know what is being proposed uh and discussed for Thursday is the addition of one full-time police officer. Um you know just because of the recruitment time frame. The salary that's in there
is not for the full year. Um you know so uh you won't see I guess the full impact of that on the police line until we get to the uh um FY28 budget. Um but that has been put in there. Um you know the
other thing that I would say you know as terms of a noted change uh is there is a separate um let me see what I have it called. I apologize did not have it directly up in front of me right now. Just want to make sure I use the right
uh language. Um so there is a secondary line um for personnel cost. Um, you know, I think uh kind of piggybacking on some of the discussion from last week, I know we had
talked about the capital stabilization article and we also um there was discussion with regards to um you know upcoming retirements, upcoming contract renegotiations for non-UN
personnel. um as well as you know other uh expected uh assumptions as we go into future f uh future fiscal years with regards to um you know staffing costs. So that line item uh is there within the
budget to allow the town to um have those funds that we anticipate will be needed so for personnel expenditures going forward. So, uh I think those are really the two highlights um as well as the revenue updates um from the previous
draft which was sent over to the group. But happy to answer any questions on that. Um like I said, the board was planning to approve this on Monday, but uh uh best laid plans. So, uh they'll be meeting on Thursday evening. So, um,
assuming that there are no changes made at that meeting, this will be likely the numbers that, uh, you're working with going forward. >> Terrific. >> Yeah. >> Are you doing an in-person meeting Thursday? Are you think you're ready for
it? >> Yes. So, I am uh, so offices are going to be closed tomorrow. I made the call about an hour ago. Um but uh now that we're in a little bit of a better place uh with our main roads, yeah, >> I am very confident that we can get open
for Thursday and have that in person meeting. >> Perfect. Perfect. >> Good. Um well, and thank you for putting it in the the format that I I usually transfer uh all the detail into that summary. So,
I appreciate you're doing that. That was helpful for me. So, thank you. I like to see it in kind of a traditional >> little bit of a P&L format to really look at revenues first and expenses. So, thank you. Thank you for putting that in that format. That's helpful. >> You're welcome. I hope I did the right
thing. >> Yeah. No, you did great. I think you did great. And then, um you've got the free cash tab that you loaded up. So, thank you for that. So, uh all the information's here and we'll just um we'll see where we go. We'll see where
we get it final. Does anyone have any questions for Chris on this at all? >> No. Okay. And I just so and I I had asked Chris um this question through an email earlier. So I just want to just highlight so in
this fiscal budget in one of the line items there's $150,000 for the old high school expenses. >> That's correct. the high school expenses are in excess of that, but there is still some warrant articles with some
dollars that are still available to fund the difference. So, the total costs of the old high school are not justund 150,000 that's in the budget. So, it is being supplemented by some older Warren articles that were funded with some
balances remaining. >> That's correct. we haven't um at least in the last fiscal year really need to tap into those two articles. Um so what we have budgeted um you know largely has satisfied it. However um you know
year-over-year it has fluctuated a little bit. So, you know, I'll monitor that. But I do do anticipate um for the FY27 budget that we would exceed anything from what we have budgeted as well as those outstanding
articles. We should be perfectly fine. >> Great. >> That was really my only question that I had. I just wanted to just raise that to everyone so you got to hear it too. So, if you looked at the number and saw that >> Karen Gary has his hand up. >> Oh, go ahead Gary. Sorry.
>> Yeah. Um I just on the lines of the uh high school there for the 150,000. Has the committee uh the um guess it's the long is it the long-term building committee? Uh has have they come up with any solution or any kind of um where I guess where are we with it
with that building? Is that gonna have we has has there been a decision on the building or have there been so uh you know Christopher's here I know he's not necessarily wearing that hat this evening however um at least from
the select board side I know that uh Mr. Thrasher provide the presentation. There was that presentation a couple weeks ago where they went over the proposed options. Um, you know, I know the board hasn't really been able to meet to um uh I guess
discuss the presentation or the findings to talk about potential next steps just because um of the storm here. But that's really where it's at from u my seat. I don't know if uh >> so I guess the next step so the next
step in the process is is to discuss the options. I guess that's where we are. >> Yeah, I think it was left uh at that public meeting that I was going to go back to the board to just determine next steps. But Christopher, I just saw turn his camera. I don't know if he has anything else to add there.
>> Yeah, I I I uh so uh Gary, I'll be I'll be real frank with you. uh that committee ground to a halt to the point where we were really having trouble getting quorum. Um I do think there were there were c there were members that were were very dedicated trying to come up with something but uh unfortunately
ultimately there was it was clear in our last meeting before that presentation that there was not going to be a recommendation that was going to be had. Um and I in fact mentioned during the the public meeting and also to select board members. I mean, I I recommend that that committee be dissolved and
that it needs to get back to the select board to try and move this forward because right now it's uh uh unfortunately pretty stuck in the mud. >> Yeah. I mean, the only reason I'm bringing it up is because, you know, this is going on a number of years now. And I think we everybody sitting in this
room, maybe not Chris obviously, but everybody, you know, here knows that, you know, people are wondering what's going on. And the residents are wondering what's going on. I'm hearing it from residents. you know, what are we doing with the school? Uh we it seems like we keep on putting more money into that school as far as uh the costs are
concerned and you know, they have a valid question. They, you know, they they they they want to have answers on what's going on with that building. And and I think I would hope that if the if the committee reestablishes itself or can come up to some ground rules that
say, "Listen, we're going to present this to the select board. here are here are our opinions one way or another and get this thing moving. Uh we're talking about, you know, 5 years now, however long how long it's been. Uh it seems like it seems like we're just throwing
money out the window and and and I've been on this since I've been on this committee and when we built the new school, >> you know, we've got to do something with that property. We've got to and and it's okay if we decide not to do anything with that property, but I think the residents want to know what are we doing with that property? And I think again
we're now we're back in limbo again, >> you know, and I think it's right there and I know I know the committee's done a lot of work and and and it was a lot and sometimes when these committees and these these offshoots of committees develop, people don't have interest in it and you know it just fizzles out, but
I think we need to maybe look at this again. It's important. It's a big piece of I mean that's a big piece of land. That's a big big building, you know. So Gary, I just wanted to say that the one thing that I that I was pleased at least that that came out of all of the last
year or so was there there is there is a pretty comprehensive study. It has some pretty uh you know it does does show some costs associated with reuse strategies. Uh it also went over uh the costs associated with the uh with other town buildings. Um, so you know, there's
some good hard data and some good uh some good options that have been created from the study. Um, I I do think at this point it needs to go back to the select board because again, unfortunately, there was it was very clear that with the makeup of the the committee of of those who were were coming to meetings,
it it definitely uh there was not going to be a consensus reached. So, it uh it needs to go back to the select board, but uh hopefully they can take the uh the outcome and the the the details of of this study and and uh try to try to put something going forward because I I
you know, I I share the frustration of many many in town uh that that this is still going on for sure. So, here's hoping you can get moving sooner rather than later. >> Thanks, Chris. Karen, you're on mute. >> I'm muted.
>> Thanks. Um, if if no one else has any anything else on the budget at this time, Chris, thanks. Thanks so much for for jumping in and and taking hold of a very difficult budget half done half by the previous
administrator but jumping in and and uh understanding all the facets to it very quickly. So you've done a terrific job so far. So thank you. >> One quick one quick question for Chris is the warrant the warrant will be closed also on Thursday.
>> That's correct. Yes. So, we have a pretty good picture of how many articles um are going to be on the warrant. Now, the language has to go get sent off to council. So, uh some of the article language may change between uh the second draft that's going to be talked
about on Thursday and the final draft, but um at this point, there's going to be no new articles that would be added. >> Is the planning board removing the um scenic byways uh request? I believe they are, right? Yeah.
>> So, they've so they have removed that. Yeah. So, we had it in there as a placeholder and we didn't have the final language um because they still had to have the hearing on it. So, I will note that how the bylaw changes, the zoning
bylaw changes are coming in. There is individual articles. So the initial number uh we had a placeholder for one uh uh article change on the zoning side, but rather than having it be an omnibus, they have it broken up into a few. So I
think two, four, I think it's coming in as six separate articles, individual zoning amendment articles. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. You're welcome.
>> Great. Thank you. All right. If nothing else on uh we'll wrap up that agenda item. Thank you. Um let's see. So our next item is if there's any committee or layan updates from our last meeting.
Probably not since we're meet we met last Thursday. >> We're meeting so frequently that we don't have those uh those so many updates. >> Karen, um I just can I just add something? So, um, >> today I was I don't know if we call it lucky enough, but I was I was waiting
for this opportunity for a long time to, uh, go around town with, uh, one of, one of the plow drivers, and I had asked that >> for one of and I didn't realize the next storm was going to be a blizzard. So, uh, I took that opportunity and, uh, just it, you know, you don't appreciate,
I guess, you know, what what really goes on during a storm, especially a storm of this magnitude. And I would say that to to hats off to this entire group of people that run that department uh along with police, fire, and everyone that
came together, you know, in in this in this storm. Uh the number of roads that they it's incredible. We went up and down uh Reed. We went up through uh Charlotte White. We went down um uh Drift. And that loop alone took almost
an hour and 10 minutes. And this is already like the third pass that they've made. Fourth pass that they've made. And I the roads are in in incredible shape. Incredible shape for for what we went through, you know. Um and it this is when you know and you know so we look at
these capital items that we approve and I think really to get the appreciation is to really look at these this group of individuals that that do this work. You know they're looking at a salt shed back there. You know, if you look if you go down there, you'll see this the place, you know, these buildings are falling apart, just to be frank. Uh but, you
know, maybe we can look at a salt shed. You know, buy that salt when it's off season. You know, things that we can plan ahead, but uh they're going to need that new truck coming and I'm glad Chris put that in there. Uh and this is, you know, just hats off to them for for getting us through the storm. I mean,
there's stories all to be said for what went on and and you know, them pulling police cars out and pulling pulling all these emergency vehicles out. So they did an unbelievable job. >> Unbelievable. >> Well, good for you for picking the blizzard to do that.
>> Yep. The next storm was the blizzard. So, you know, and and hats off to Chris for, you know, administering all this through this. You know, obviously he's only been here a couple of months, but you know, it's a blizzard. I mean, that's I guess by fire, like they say, right? But, um, yeah, I think they all
came together and did a tremendous job. >> Great. How long were you were you uh plowing? >> Uh we were out there for about an hour and a half. Um and uh yeah, it's the issue is pushing the snow back enough that it's it's already so high on the
sides of the road. You know, they can't can only go you can only go so far with a with a plow that's a three foot width plow. You can't you can't keep pushing snow. It just comes back into the road. So, um but all the main roads and Chris can probably talk about this a little more. I think they're pretty much in they're really in good shape. They are
in good shape. They did an unbelievable job. >> Yeah, I I got to drive around. I was out uh with the the fire chief for about three hours today and I did a full drive through of the town of all the main roads, looked down the side roads. Um
yeah, they they did a really good job. I mean, I went to over to the highway department when they were on one of their breaks and uh um yeah, really hats off to all of them. Um, yeah. I mean, so in terms of the roadways themselves, I think one of the things that's difficult
is, you know, they do that first pass, but then, you know, there's only certain equipment after a certain point. They need to go in there with a loader, right, to be able to lift, like Gary said, you got to lift some of the snow up. Um, and so, >> you know, you went down some streets and
it was single lane, right, for two, you know, two-lane road. So then they had to go in there, you know, two, three times. And I think now the challenge is, you know, it's a balancing act because you have to obviously open up the secondary road so people can get out of these
neighborhoods, but now you have more cars on the main roads. So if the roads aren't wide enough for the vehicles, uh it it can be very difficult to travel. So I I mean, they've done a really good balancing act. You know, the other thing
that I think um you know is also you know noteworthy about kind of their operations over the last couple days is you know we still had you know emergency calls that we were taking and so you know for some of these neighborhoods you
know our highway guys were the escorts so that they could get in and out of there. So, um I think that's another thing too where they weren't just doing road clearings, but they also had to maybe go off their normal routes so that they could handle these emergency calls
or like Gary said, you know, pull some vehicles out. So, I mean, they were really they've been all over it. They've done a phenomenal job. I you know, I Yeah, I can't say enough good things about what they're doing. Well, when you when you think about the fact that, you
know, here it is what 8 8:03 p.m. The snow literally stopped 24 hours ago, right? >> And that was, you know, right? Less than 24 hours ago. And, you know, we had areas, you know, 3 feet of snow. >> And in 24 hours, the amount that they
accomplished really was amazing given the limited amount of equipment that they have, the limited amount of staff they have. Um Jake posted a a very long message on Facebook um tonight thanking the the highway department, the fire
department, the police department for all of their efforts and to really, you know, tell people to just calm down a little bit. You know, it's it's it's a long road ahead still for to get everything clear. You know, people
forget that this was such a monumental storm and this was not a regular storm that you were going to get plowed out in four or five hours after snow the snow had stopped. So, uh I think they've done Yeah. a great job. >> Yeah. And then and you know the whole staff and you know they appreciate
everything this committee has done for them. The the capital request that we can approve and CIPC approves. So, you know, it goes a long way. It really goes a long way into putting that all back into the infrastructure. you know, we may not hopefully get another storm like this for a long, long time, but when it's needed, it's there, you know, and
that's what's important. >> Yeah. Well, I'm sure we're going to see the bill. >> We will. >> Thanks, Gary. >> All right. Thanks, Gary. Thanks for doing that. I hope they didn't let you drive.
>> No. only a passenger. >> I'd want to drive. That would be fun. >> Uh, all right. So, next item. So, uh, approved minutes. I, uh, I let's pass
over those again and I'll try to make my effort for next week. Uh, correspondence. I have no correspondence. um topics for our next agenda. I'm sure will be >> Christopher has his hand up. Go ahead, Christopher. Sorry.
>> Pardon. >> Uh yes. No worries. So, I just had a question. Um uh minutes, you know, I know we're piling up here, but I'm also curious about the uh the the recordings of the meetings. I think the last one is up there is the was the 20th. Um is
there any chance the uh the next two I think this would be the third meeting now. Is there any chance those can get posted to the uh Westport uh government TV YouTube anytime soon? >> Oh, I didn't realize they were not there. Um
you said the last one was the 20th. Wasn't that our last meeting? >> You mean January? >> No, January. >> January. Oh. Oh, >> yeah. Yeah. >> So, it's missing. So the February >> YouTube doesn't have >> So we we don't have Yeah, we don't have
the uh what was it? Let's see the third. >> You're talking about the minutes of the YouTube minutes of YouTube. >> No, I'm I'm talking about the YouTubes. I'm talking >> the minutes. >> Oh, I wasn't aware they were not up. Um I think our recording clerk, Jess, she
usually as soon as the meeting ends sends cable the the recording. So, Jess, can you do you know if that's happening still on your end? So, maybe something's on the cable end, maybe. >> Uh, yes. I did send him to Valerie. It's
just a matter of her posting it. >> Okay. >> Can you do do you mind sending Valerie a note to just ask her for the status of those so we can get caught up? That'd be great. Thank you. >> No problem. >> All right. Great. Thanks. Thanks, Christopher. I didn't realize they
weren't I did not I don't watch the movie I don't watch it again once I you know >> no worries I I had a couple people asking me so that's the only reason >> once is enough right >> replay this >> truly
>> thank you for bringing that up um uh topics for next meeting certainly will be the the select board's approved budget and then the final warrant so then we can start to to dig in on those. >> Actually, you know what? I am going to bring something up kind of on the same
vein of what Christopher was talking about. When um tonight, for some reason, I had to go to the town website to pick up the um um to pick up the link for the for this meeting. Normally, it's in my calendar. It didn't work, but anyway. So, I went
to the town website and then it took me to the finance committee folder or the finance committee section and our meetings are listed in 2025
are really the 2026 meetings. So, Jess, if you could also take a look at our page on on the town website, it's showing our meetings in 2025. And it's not dated 2026. We don't have a
a section for our meetings in 2026. >> Is it fiscal year, Cindy, or calendar? >> Okay, no problem. >> Um I I think that it's probably calendar year. Um >> yeah, I'm just looking at the uh website right now. So uh that's a change that
could is pretty easy to be done. We just have to create a new header under there. So, >> but so the ones that are listed there, Chris, right in for 2025, like the February one that that was the most re that actually took place in 2026, right?
>> Yeah. So, there's a couple, I think, boards that, you know, when they posted their most recent meeting at the start of the year, they, you know, might not just have created a new label. >> Okay. >> So, we could just create, you know, 26 label and then for the future agendas, we can, you know, just plop them in
there. That should be no problem. I'm still feeling my way around the new website. So, >> me too. It's But that's no problem. We can get that for you. >> Yeah. Great. Yeah, thanks for bringing that up, too. So, we, you know, want to make sure our our information is up to
date and transparent. So, thank you both for that. Um, okay. So, next meeting. So, shall we meet next Tuesday? >> Sure. March 3rd.
>> Yeah. >> Okay. Terrific. And then um that's great. Okay. I um motion to adjurnn. Please do. >> Just one. >> No.
>> I'm happy to say yes. I I I forgot to mention earlier. I have been trying to get a hold of Nicole, which I I think I sent you Karen a uh and and Cindy. I haven't heard from her. So, and and I
asked Susan Brighten if she could get in touch uh you know, but because I'm the liazison there. So, I just wanted to bring that up that it it's not through lack of trying. I just don't know what's going on. >> Have you heard back from Dick Brewer
yet, uh Al? No, I have not. I And and uh and I've gotten two um emails into him as well. So, uh obviously I am the radar. I mean, they are >> people are dodging you, Al.
>> I am really off the radar screen right now. >> Or maybe they're all in Florida, >> right? >> Well, they could be. Is that being moved to um accounting being moved to the next meeting? >> Can >> Well, we'll put it on the agenda and
hopefully Nicole um we can confirm with Nicole for next week to do that because that is the one budget we did not get to tonight was the town and that's our last budget uh at for all of them. I mean, I I I honestly I mean, I think we all feel
the same way that the accountants budget isn't going to move the needle of a $54 million budget considerably, but we still need to >> we still need to see it. >> Okay, that that's all.
>> So, now we've got a motion to adjourn. Did we I think we got a few seconds, right? >> Few seconds. So, >> everybody Everyone jumped at to second that motion. So I'll go into a motion to adjourn. Um Christopher
>> Christopher the rasher. I >> thank you Hugh >> Morton. I >> Cindy >> Cindy Brown I >> L >> Le I. >> Gary. >> Yes. >> I think we lost Nancy at some point. I don't know when.
>> Yes, we did. >> She's not here. >> Yeah. Yeah, I'm not sure either. And then Karen Rousey eye.