Thumbnail for Hardwick, MA Board of Selectmen Meeting 11/13/23

Hardwick Board Addresses Tax Rate, Fire Apparatus, and Licensing

Original title: Hardwick, MA Board of Selectmen Meeting 11/13/23

These meeting notes are AI-generated and unofficial. They are provided for convenience and are not official Town records or approved municipal minutes. Verify all details using the source video and official Town documents.

Meeting details

Date

November 14, 2023

Duration

43m

Decisions

11 recorded

Action Items

10 assigned

Summary

The Hardwick Board of Selectmen convened to address several key municipal matters, including the unanimous adoption of a single tax rate for FY2024 as recommended by the Assessors. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the urgent need for a new fire truck, with discussions revolving around funding through a debt exclusion and the necessity of public informational meetings. The Board also approved an all-alcohol restaurant license for Whistle Stop, accepted a grant for the Cultural Council, and created a new clerk position for the Planning and Zoning Boards. Resignations from two town committees were acknowledged, and the December meeting schedule was finalized.

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Discussion Highlights

The Board of Assessors recommended a single tax rate of $12.62 per $1,000 valuation for FY2024, citing minimal benefit for residential taxpayers and significant increases for commercial/industrial properties under a two-rate system.
The Electric Vehicle Incentive Program for charging stations was discussed, with grant funds covering the town's $2,000 cost and existing stations already meeting ADA compliance.
An $11,400 grant for the Hardwick New Braintree Cultural Council was accepted, adhering to town bylaws for grants over $5,000.
The RFP for an unspecified project had a minor correction regarding 'design bid build' and clarification that the schedule was not included as it was already established between DPC and USDA.
The current Engine 1, a 1987 Pierce Arrow, is 25 years old and technically out of service per NFPA standards, with approximately $30,000 spent on it recently and further repairs exceeding its value.
A Pierce Ascendant Quint (ladder truck with pump and tank) is proposed to replace Engine 1, confirmed to fit the fire station building and under the bridge.
The proposed new fire truck costs $1,643,364, with a 5% price increase anticipated after January 1st.
Funding for the fire truck is proposed via a debt exclusion, requiring a town meeting and ballot vote, as the cost cannot be absorbed into the current operating budget without exceeding the 2.5% levy limit.
A 20-year loan for $1.7 million at a 5.6% interest rate would cost an estimated $105 per household per year.
A new fire truck could positively impact homeowner's insurance rates for residents and improve the town's overall ratings, which could aid in securing future grants.
The old Pierce engine, while not fully legal per OSHA-adopted NFPA standards, can still function as a pump but requires exhaust repair, valve work, and new rear tires.
The 2006 tanker recently experienced an issue where its pump would not engage, despite a flashing light indicator, though the problem could not be reproduced back at the station.
Repairing the old Pierce engine would be expensive and would push the department over budget.
The Fire Department can currently operate with two engines, with the Pierce engine potentially kept as a third-line backup for heavy-duty situations.
The department is pursuing grant opportunities for new apparatus, including the 2023 AFG grant, for which a denial has not yet been received.
The current Fire Chief's term ends on December 25th, with a suggestion to appoint Josh as interim Chief for six months to assess his performance.
A public hearing was held for Whistle Stop's application for a new all-alcohol restaurant license for their location at 248 Main Street, Gilbertville, including an adjoining train car.
Whistle Stop plans to initially serve drinks for dinner inside the restaurant, with future train rides requiring a license amendment.
Kim Anjo from the Gilbertville Library spoke in favor of Whistle Stop's license, noting neighborly relations and expressing interest in future collaborations.
The Planning Board Clerk and ZBA Clerk positions share similar filing requirements, leading to the creation of a combined position.
Edward Kelly submitted two letters of resignation, effective immediately, from the Board of Trustees of the Library and the Council on Aging.
The Board decided to hold only one meeting in December, on the 11th, to handle annual renewals.

Transcript (6,830 words)

Lightly cleaned for readability. Each timestamp opens the video at that point.

00:00:00
Start with the Pledge of Allegiance can I just make sure that we're on should I just make sure that we're on before we start you want to get going well you can make sure we're on okay sorry everybody we can go on with the pledge
00:00:19
Yeah allegiance to the flag of the United States of America to the Republic for it stands one nation under God indivisible with liy and justice for all right I would like
00:00:39
To put visitor comments off for a couple of minutes we have a tax classification hearing scheduled for 6:30 that's the that's what we want to read is on the no read this right there yeah the
00:00:58
Hardwick select board will hold a tax classification hearing on Monday November 13th 2023 at 6:30 p.m. at the municipal office building 307 Main Street Gilbertville on the issue of tax allocation among the property classes
00:01:17
For the fiscal year 2024 anyone wishing to be heard should appear at the time and date designated above that's it leave it to the assessors so the board of assessors pending final
00:01:36
Certification of the fiscal 24 tax rate by the Department of Revenue hereby recommends that the board of Selectmen retain one rate for all classes of property the board feels that the relatively small benefit to the residential taxpayer that could be
00:01:56
Achieved using two tax rates is not warranted considering the dramatic inre increase in taxes to be paid by the commercial industrial personal property taxpayer Hardwick is large largely residential community that simply does
00:02:16

[00:00:00] um start with the Pledge of Allegiance [00:00:04] can I just make sure that we're on [00:00:06] should I just make sure that we're on [00:00:07] before we start you want to get going [00:00:09] well you can make sure we're on okay [00:00:11] sorry [00:00:17] everybody we can go on with the pledge [00:00:19] yeah allegiance to the flag of the [00:00:22] United States of America to the Republic [00:00:26] for it stands one nation under God [00:00:30] indivisible with liy and justice [00:00:36] for all right I would like [00:00:39] to put visitor comments off for a couple [00:00:43] of minutes we have a tax classification [00:00:46] hearing scheduled for [00:00:49] 6:30 that's the that's what we want to [00:00:51] read is on [00:00:53] the no read this right there yeah the [00:00:58] Hardwick select board will hold a tax [00:01:01] classification hearing on Monday [00:01:02] November 13th [00:01:05] 2023 at 6:30 p.m. at the municipal [00:01:08] office building 307 Main Street [00:01:12] Gilbertville on the issue of tax [00:01:15] allocation among the property classes [00:01:17] for the fiscal year [00:01:19] 2024 anyone wishing to be heard should [00:01:22] appear at the time and date designated [00:01:26] above that's [00:01:28] it [00:01:30] leave it to the assessors [00:01:33] so the board of assessors pending final [00:01:36] certification of the fiscal 24 tax rate [00:01:40] by the Department of Revenue hereby [00:01:43] recommends that the board of Selectmen [00:01:45] retain one rate for all classes of [00:01:48] property the board feels that the [00:01:51] relatively small benefit to the [00:01:53] residential taxpayer that could be [00:01:56] achieved using two tax rates is not [00:02:00] warranted considering the dramatic inre [00:02:03] increase in taxes to be paid by the [00:02:06] commercial industrial personal property [00:02:10] taxpayer Hardwick is large largely [00:02:13] residential community that simply does [00:02:16] not have enough commercial industrial or [00:02:19] personal property base to make [00:02:22] classification [00:02:23] worthwhile the protm tax rates are as [00:02:27] followed if we retain a single rate it [00:02:31] will be [00:02:34] $12.62 if we shift the rate according to [00:02:37] the MH general laws the residential tax [00:02:41] rate would drop down to [00:02:44] 1202 and the commercial industrial [00:02:47] personal property would go up to [00:02:52] $18.93 per ,000 of valuation [00:02:58] exactly oh [00:03:05] discussion obviously this the assessors [00:03:08] are in support of this yes we Rec we're [00:03:11] recommending it to the board is [00:03:15] Selectmen do I make the motion within [00:03:17] the hearing I can't make a motion so if [00:03:20] you would No I um you close it yeah the [00:03:23] hearing you got to close it uh this [00:03:26] hearing is closed3 at 6:33 I would make [00:03:30] a motion to accept the single tax rate [00:03:33] as recommended by the Assessors for 1262 [00:03:36] for the fiscal year [00:03:38] 2024 I'll second it [00:03:41] discussion all in favor I [00:03:45] I thank you thank you thank [00:03:51] you watch it at risk we have another um [00:03:56] public hearing but that's not scheduled [00:03:58] till 6:45 [00:04:00] uh we can be late but we can't be [00:04:02] early um visitors [00:04:11] comments okay um new [00:04:16] business the contracts execution for the [00:04:20] um electric vehicle incentive program [00:04:23] for the charging stations you have it in [00:04:24] your packet it was what you approved um [00:04:28] you know before I went out for this [00:04:29] Grant and so I just need some [00:04:36] signatures and the grant will cover our [00:04:39] cost yeah there was like $22,000 that we [00:04:41] had to pay I don't see [00:04:44] this packet it wasn't in [00:04:47] the okay [00:04:50] it's it's oh yeah [00:04:54] okay 10 pages right here I got [00:04:58] it [00:05:00] um this he can [00:05:03] sign and then this too which is um just [00:05:09] you know saying that we have Ada which [00:05:11] we already do because the stations are [00:05:12] already there it's just replacing [00:05:28] them [00:05:49] 1113 there's that one thank [00:05:58] you [00:06:10] thank you the next Grant is in your [00:06:13] packet the hard Hardwick New brain tree [00:06:16] cultural Council it's just that it's in [00:06:18] our bylaws that you accept any Grant [00:06:20] over $5,000 awarded to the town so I [00:06:23] have to do all of this [00:06:24] electronically um and I can handle it uh [00:06:29] but I just need you to accept the award [00:06:31] of $11,400 [00:06:34] I would make a motion to accept the I'm [00:06:38] just looking it's right there oh there [00:06:40] it is okay to accept the grant that was [00:06:43] given to the Hy new rry cultural Council [00:06:46] in the amount of $11,400 through the [00:06:49] local cultural Council [00:06:52] program second it any [00:06:58] discussion all in favor hi [00:07:03] hi we have a RFP to look [00:07:12] at it should [00:07:15] be oh no the RFP that's why I printed [00:07:19] all that out for you so you have sorry [00:07:21] I'm sorry that's okay no I was just [00:07:22] making sure I wasn't losing the money no [00:07:24] there was a small correction that I [00:07:27] found U uh the uh about the middle of [00:07:31] the first paragraph has been awarded as [00:07:34] a design bid build it's really a design [00:07:37] build bid [00:07:40] probably well I think we design it then [00:07:42] we bid it then we build it oh okay so [00:07:45] that's correct this isign been build [00:07:47] okay and uh I didn't know if uh we [00:07:52] should be looking for a schedule from [00:07:54] them it seems like they don't have [00:07:56] anything to say about the [00:07:58] schedule well whoever we hire well the [00:08:02] schedule's already already been put [00:08:04] together between DPC and USDA though [00:08:07] right so want to get rid of that number [00:08:10] six why why put it in our RFP oh gotcha [00:08:16] yes I mean all the rest of it speaks to [00:08:20] yeah various aspects of their company or [00:08:23] job yeah they're not they wouldn't be [00:08:27] looking at that [00:08:32] well we're a little short-handed but you [00:08:34] want to move forward send this to uh [00:08:36] lead legal and have them take a peek at [00:08:39] it um yeah then and then we could fill [00:08:42] in the the question marks with the dates [00:08:44] once we have their input yeah I'm good [00:08:47] with that excellent [00:08:50] yeah the only good thing that came out [00:08:52] of the time [00:08:54] change not being able to sleep yeah I [00:08:57] hear you [00:09:02] and our clock is on um so it's 6:39 we [00:09:07] still have a few minutes before the yeah [00:09:10] I have a no I just noticed that someone [00:09:14] hasn't re corrected our wall oh that's [00:09:17] right I keep meaning to get [00:09:19] there okay uh well discussion new fire [00:09:25] truck H lot of money [00:09:30] ask to come up here [00:09:33] better [00:09:37] come this is just a a brief summary of [00:09:41] some of the NFPA chapters on preventive [00:09:44] maintenance on fire apparatus that are [00:09:47] in service [00:09:54] currently said yeah Josh do you want to [00:09:59] just sit up here for the conversations [00:10:00] it's better for the uh yeah me AIO AIO [00:10:04] get the rest of my paperwork together [00:10:05] here and uh so I printed all of the [00:10:07] things out that you sent to us okay you [00:10:10] did yeah [00:10:12] yeah more there [00:10:20] same okay so we need a new fire track [00:10:23] yeah so this has kind of been in the in [00:10:25] the running for quite a few years now um [00:10:29] engine one is a 1987 Pierce um arrow is [00:10:34] actually technically by NFPA out of [00:10:36] service it's supposed to be out 20 at 25 [00:10:38] years old um over the last few years we [00:10:43] put probably about $30,000 into it um it [00:10:48] still has some outstanding repairs that [00:10:49] need to be done an exhaust system Etc [00:10:52] which I've been told outweighs the U [00:10:55] cost of the vehicle so that was uh in [00:10:58] our last kind of letter we had sent on [00:10:59] the board uh believe that was April [00:11:02] maybe I believe it was April April May [00:11:05] um so yeah so we've been having this [00:11:07] conversation for a while it's needed um [00:11:11] so I've been speaking with Andrew [00:11:12] hillsman at Allegiance fire rescue in [00:11:14] Walpole um about transitioning to a [00:11:17] pierce ascendant Quint which is a ladder [00:11:21] truck with a pump on it in a tank so [00:11:23] that would be able to replace engine one [00:11:25] and take over as our first newe piece of [00:11:27] apparatus does it fit in the building [00:11:29] it'll fit in the [00:11:31] building almost happened so I'm just [00:11:35] yeah on the back just making sure on the [00:11:37] back of that information we sent this [00:11:39] the spect dra rings on everything [00:11:42] that we have a demo out as well [00:11:46] and so you saw that it would fits in the [00:11:49] station and it fits Under the Bridge [00:11:51] Under the Bridge good too Santa will be [00:11:54] happy yeah now how do we how do we fund [00:11:57] it what's the cost um so the cost that I [00:12:02] have right now is [00:12:04] 1,643 [00:12:09] 364 big and that that number is that [00:12:12] number is good until January 1st and [00:12:14] expecting another like 5% increase [00:12:17] January one yeah 5 [00:12:20] 20 yeah um I guess it will be the 20 [00:12:23] yeah we've been we've been kind of back [00:12:24] and forth with this with um the afg [00:12:26] grant for the last couple of years about [00:12:29] pricing four years ago when I started [00:12:32] with this this truck was like 800,000 [00:12:34] and the market and Co and all that as as [00:12:36] you know with all the construction cost [00:12:38] of raw materials is up just astronomical [00:12:41] amount what would they need to secure it [00:12:42] like the first years um I'm not sure [00:12:46] exactly um like you know to lock in a [00:12:49] price they would need something some [00:12:51] sort of money right yeah and then it [00:12:53] might say on the I [00:12:56] don't the [00:12:59] depending on the only way to afford this [00:13:02] is to go to a debt exclusion there's no [00:13:04] way we can add this to our budget and [00:13:06] still be under 2 and a half for all [00:13:07] operating needs it's just not there so [00:13:09] we'll have to have a town meeting so [00:13:10] we'd have to have a town meeting for [00:13:12] debt exclusion and uh the average I did [00:13:16] a 1.7 million and a 5.6% interest rate [00:13:19] this actually I don't know where I saw [00:13:21] 5.6 but I saw it somewhere I think [00:13:23] that's probably average usdaa doesn't do [00:13:26] these types of loans or or the financing [00:13:29] the pool of money isn't big enough for a [00:13:31] USDA loan which we could um we would be [00:13:35] um eligible for but this amount is too [00:13:38] high and they're at 4.5% so the going [00:13:41] rate is probably I [00:13:44] know yeah if you go to 10 it give you a [00:13:47] percentage [00:13:49] and maybe that's what you saw yeah 5.5 [00:13:52] whatever it was um it comes out to about [00:13:55] for 20 years it was [00:13:57] $105 per year per household so double [00:14:01] that if we did a 10e um but I believe I [00:14:05] this is the only way we'll be able to [00:14:06] fund it is to go to Deb exclusion right [00:14:09] so it have to go to a v your opinion on [00:14:11] a lease I mean I'm just curious you know [00:14:14] why well I don't like leases [00:14:18] myself what would the what would a lease [00:14:20] be per year you're still you're still [00:14:21] looking at that same amount of money [00:14:23] though would have to go to a debt [00:14:24] exclusion because we been borrowing just [00:14:27] to make the lease payments of course [00:14:29] yeah well that's it the payments are [00:14:31] just too high for us to be able to put [00:14:34] in our operating budget what it [00:14:36] was no because even 164,000 a year puts [00:14:40] us over two and a half of course it does [00:14:42] that so yes we thank you so it' be [00:14:45] better if we just went out you know for [00:14:48] of the grent we've gone absolutely [00:14:50] nowhere you know so far yeah 8 10 years [00:14:54] whatever it's [00:14:55] been well we need the truck and if we [00:14:57] ordered it today we'd get it in what 3 [00:15:01] years um yeah that's 18 month lead time [00:15:05] on a new build um but there's a [00:15:09] possibility of a demo model depending on [00:15:12] when funding is secured we may be able [00:15:14] to finagle a little bit cheaper uh demo [00:15:18] model the problem is they build them and [00:15:20] use them until somebody wants to buy [00:15:22] them so you kind of have to have the [00:15:23] capital up front in order to secure the [00:15:25] the demo model um and then they and do a [00:15:28] little changing to to outfit our needs a [00:15:31] few months ago when we were talking to [00:15:33] they did have a demo available and that [00:15:35] was uh 1.4 something something I don't [00:15:38] remember the exact number we still need [00:15:40] to go to town meeting so if we're going [00:15:44] on I understand that's gone right now do [00:15:47] we have money to secure [00:15:49] it because setting up a town meeting is [00:15:52] going not we'll have to do some [00:15:54] education out there tell people what [00:15:57] we're doing right so if January for it [00:16:02] January 1 we turn into pumpkins we need [00:16:05] to do something between now and then [00:16:08] maybe do we have use arpa for this no we [00:16:12] don't we don't have any more arpa and if [00:16:15] you're talking putting down the first [00:16:18] $400,000 payment you got to have the [00:16:20] town meeting first yeah we don't have [00:16:22] that that we can't put a deposit on [00:16:23] something without that debt exclusion [00:16:25] all right well we better we have to have [00:16:27] that meeting [00:16:30] oh absolutely so so we can't do anything [00:16:33] until we've had the meeting right yes so [00:16:36] when's the meeting yeah and what we can [00:16:39] add with that as well is that even [00:16:42] though the price per household like you [00:16:44] said would go up insurance and whatnot [00:16:47] having a newer vehicle and whatnot that [00:16:49] would also help with homeowners [00:16:50] insurance for everybody in town as well [00:16:53] obviously the closer to the station live [00:16:55] the better you know and whatnot it would [00:16:57] be but it would help the taxpayers in [00:16:59] town with their homeowners insurance [00:17:01] with the ratings that we have and [00:17:02] whatnot which would also help us in [00:17:04] future grants as well because it would [00:17:06] bring up all of our ratings in order to [00:17:09] do that as well so I mean that's one [00:17:11] thing over years that bother my mind we [00:17:13] talking with DJ when he was there you [00:17:16] know four or five time with money [00:17:20] for cuz boy I would think just in the [00:17:25] savings and insurance for him would be [00:17:29] a lot of [00:17:30] money a lot of goodies well that's a [00:17:33] good point right to bring up for the for [00:17:35] the people for the town meeting for the [00:17:36] residents possible that amount per [00:17:39] household again speculating could you [00:17:42] know might it would offet a little bit [00:17:45] I'm not sure I would use that as your [00:17:46] selling point I worked in insurance for [00:17:48] years so I'm not sure I would use that [00:17:50] as your selling point absolutely it is [00:17:52] definitely a but you're only talking 20 [00:17:54] it's helping our rating as a town yes [00:17:57] but I don't know I make promises that [00:17:59] it's going to correct that households [00:18:01] will actually see that huge savings yeah [00:18:05] yeah it's only 20 or $30 they' have to [00:18:07] reach out probably to their agents and [00:18:09] say look hey my town just got a new fire [00:18:11] truck and then maybe the company would [00:18:13] be willing to look into it you really [00:18:15] get to yeah um I'm fine with trying to [00:18:19] set up a meeting and put something on [00:18:20] the [00:18:21] calendar um you want to have another [00:18:24] special well we have to you got to or [00:18:28] yeah or wait until the annual [00:18:31] um but a Deb exclusion is that a vote [00:18:35] like is that a town Town vote 2/3 as far [00:18:39] as I is [00:18:42] it Town vote we can't decide yeah we [00:18:46] need to we need to verify with Ryan on [00:18:48] that the town meeting and then the [00:18:50] ballot vote right right doesn't matter [00:18:53] the order [00:18:55] yeah yeah so it's a ballot [00:18:59] elction something like like a like what [00:19:01] we had to do for the horse [00:19:03] track [00:19:05] right right it's just a secret vote yeah [00:19:08] of the [00:19:09] ballot all right well um we may want his [00:19:13] input on when is yeah cuz he has to be [00:19:16] for vo registration and he's not here [00:19:20] tonight is he [00:19:22] no so we have um uh no clear idea this [00:19:28] January one date might be we might not [00:19:31] make it yeah I'll uh I'll reach right [00:19:34] out to Andrew hillsman tomorrow uh and [00:19:36] and get back to you on what we would [00:19:38] need for an amount of money to lock in [00:19:40] that price I don't know yeah and then [00:19:42] see if can extend that yeah that if [00:19:45] we're trying maybe they're if we're [00:19:46] willing to move forward he's been [00:19:48] fantastic working with me for the last [00:19:50] four years I mean the thing of it is [00:19:52] that you have to make it clear we can't [00:19:54] you can't can't guarantee anything [00:19:56] correct completely understand you know [00:19:58] you got to get out there and start [00:19:59] talking to people and spreading the word [00:20:02] that this is going to come forward and [00:20:04] you need their support for this yeah we [00:20:06] need some informational meetings out [00:20:08] there so that I mean not a campaign but [00:20:11] you have to tell people what we're doing [00:20:14] and why and uh and I would just reach [00:20:16] out to Ryan and see what days work for [00:20:19] him but of course the the what and the [00:20:20] why is right there we're out of [00:20:22] compliance yeah I mean that's the bottom [00:20:24] line it's very it's not safe and we [00:20:25] can't afford it in our budget we'll be [00:20:27] over a have to try to fund it otherwise [00:20:30] so you do a a motion and then that we [00:20:34] proceed with this I would make a motion [00:20:36] that we proceed with this with a meeting [00:20:38] and whatever it needs to happen and that [00:20:41] Nicole's going to reach out to Ryan and [00:20:44] you guys can coordinate find out what [00:20:46] happened a date just keep in mind the [00:20:48] holidays try to be mindful of that maybe [00:20:51] we can ride the you know the uh good [00:20:55] feeling and the gift giving stuff [00:20:59] yeah y like the first week of December [00:21:01] maybe or I don't know I'm going to I'm [00:21:05] seconding motion perfect thank you then [00:21:07] the tole along with all this just a [00:21:09] little bit information I mean a lot of [00:21:12] people [00:21:13] bring all in favor I oh I'm sorry I [00:21:17] thought you did that they bring up that [00:21:19] NPA is dis standard which it is for all [00:21:22] manufacturers fall but also and if yeah [00:21:26] OSHA has adopted all of NFPA standards [00:21:30] now so not only we have to follow NFPA [00:21:33] we have to follow Allan standards [00:21:36] sure all right what do we do with the [00:21:39] old anent sell it get then in the [00:21:43] meantime because I've asked the board [00:21:45] for their opinion how much money you [00:21:48] want to put into that thing it it needs [00:21:50] work it needs it does it sitting there [00:21:52] and need some work it's not quite legal [00:21:54] but can it respond as a as a pump [00:21:59] of course of course but something [00:22:02] happens [00:22:04] right but if you had to set up a long [00:22:07] line it could be you know an engine [00:22:09] every thousand yeah it's not dead yet [00:22:12] but right need an exhaust there's some [00:22:15] other valve work it needs some of that [00:22:18] needs tires on the rear yeah okay front [00:22:20] tires are [00:22:21] good well so do you need repair now to [00:22:25] keep it or can we see how this goes [00:22:29] oh well no because it's going to be 18 [00:22:30] months before yeah they're going to need [00:22:32] to do something that was my question [00:22:35] unless you can secure the demo and then [00:22:38] they're they're aware that once it's [00:22:40] approved if it does get approved that we [00:22:42] need a piece of apparatus quickly yeah [00:22:45] okay we you know we needed it years ago [00:22:48] um so he's as soon as we get the go [00:22:50] ahead he's he's chopping the bit to to [00:22:52] get a truck to us so how are the other [00:22:54] two what's the tanker still good um [00:22:58] yeah engine two is going to be the next [00:23:00] one that's a 1998 um that's starting to [00:23:02] show its age unfortunately as well um [00:23:05] that's been our first new piece since so [00:23:07] it's almost years in '98 and engine [00:23:11] sorry the tanker is a [00:23:13] 2006 so that's and that's an attack [00:23:16] truck if it needs to be correct yeah [00:23:19] that that truck we had to about was that [00:23:21] Sunday a week or so ago and they had [00:23:25] issues with it hopefully Wednesday [00:23:28] they're going to take a look at it the [00:23:30] hope I hope will is supposed to come up [00:23:32] and stick his computer line they had an [00:23:34] issue with it when they're trying to [00:23:36] pump with it and what you do is you put [00:23:38] the pump in the air and you put back [00:23:39] your transmission which put F to the [00:23:41] pump and then you'll get a read out on [00:23:43] the dash for what gear it's and was [00:23:45] supposed to be in Port and the light was [00:23:47] flashing [00:23:49] on and was not going into gear to [00:23:53] pump and they F fired it around with it [00:23:55] and then tip came on with it they were [00:23:58] in a drill and wear they came home and [00:24:00] it we got back to the station we [00:24:02] couldn't reproduce it it worked [00:24:05] fine so I asked will to come in throw [00:24:08] his computer on it see if the computer [00:24:10] will bring up something right you know [00:24:13] that something malfunctioned or [00:24:15] something or he's also going to check my [00:24:18] batteries and you know do I have maybe [00:24:21] there's three batteries in that thing so [00:24:23] I have one battery that's bad maybe and [00:24:25] we're doing with low voltage that white [00:24:28] would uh sh or I won't know that until [00:24:34] Wednesday all right well try to [00:24:36] hopefully hopefully it's all good cuz if [00:24:38] not then what that send it up to State [00:24:41] Line Mac or the whis or [00:24:45] something more [00:24:46] money well it's an expensive M and then [00:24:50] and then still the bottom line is or do [00:24:52] you want to do it into do [00:24:56] one fix it or just [00:24:59] keep Hing down the [00:25:01] road I think you got to keep it [00:25:03] rolling I don't know yeah bad money [00:25:07] after I will add in that though if we do [00:25:10] with repairs that it will need we will [00:25:12] be over budget yeah I mean that's it's [00:25:16] inevitable yeah especially if I pay out [00:25:18] in my account regardless we're going to [00:25:20] be with the repairs that any of our [00:25:22] trucks need we will be open budget so I [00:25:25] just do want to so we can roll with two [00:25:27] engines now you guys can roll up two [00:25:30] engines now and leave the pier in the [00:25:35] barn for now unless it really gets [00:25:40] really heavy duty most [00:25:42] try try what to try to limp along until [00:25:45] we can see what bur oh yeah for [00:25:49] sure so you good you know it's your [00:25:52] third line and by then you've already [00:25:55] called Mutual Aid so that's your for [00:26:00] sure it's a great truck oh it's a nice [00:26:03] truck it's you the body from the other [00:26:06] truck it's Beauty I had it Airborne once [00:26:10] perfect you're on TV [00:26:14] remember this [00:26:17] is Page all right well we'll U get this [00:26:20] rolling and we move as fast as we can [00:26:24] and hopefully you know you will'll talk [00:26:27] it up you guys talk it up and uh explain [00:26:30] what we're doing it's not frivolous it's [00:26:33] way overdue [00:26:34] so and I assume because that's going to [00:26:37] be coming up soon the next go around [00:26:40] with grants go ahead and go with it yeah [00:26:43] I'll try everything for sure [00:26:45] absolutely if I can help in any way [00:26:48] please let me know I know I say that all [00:26:50] the time but no I'm going to make sure [00:26:52] that you guys are working together on [00:26:54] this next Grant and get it we'll try [00:26:57] that too cu cuz we're going to have to [00:26:59] fix or replace the next engine yeah that [00:27:02] engine [00:27:04] too sorry to [00:27:06] say good and the equipment Grant you [00:27:09] guys got that email right I'd love to [00:27:11] help you with that make sure we get some [00:27:14] of the turnout gear or something [00:27:15] whatever you guys need I have no idea so [00:27:17] I don't know if it's worth going to the [00:27:20] grant r or not and the last go not well [00:27:23] not last year but the year before it [00:27:25] cost us [00:27:26] $2,500 [00:27:28] no I think we can try it we can try it [00:27:30] in housee Nicole has some resources that [00:27:33] are yeah she's she's been digging away [00:27:37] at Grant there was three or four [00:27:39] different people that helped us out [00:27:41] going over that with that last year I'm [00:27:43] sure work on it again this year and [00:27:47] applied we we still haven't gotten a [00:27:49] denial letter from 23 afg Grant so there [00:27:53] is still a chance probably Slimmer [00:27:56] closer to the end here but never still [00:27:58] haven't got a denial the letter yet so [00:28:00] we're we're hopeful to maybe get that [00:28:01] too so you never know the last uh cuz [00:28:04] you couldn't look at it I can look at on [00:28:05] my phone every now and again the last [00:28:08] time any money was put out in the gr [00:28:10] system was [00:28:11] 920 nothing since [00:28:16] then well you know they they might be [00:28:19] ready releasing the flood waters yeah [00:28:22] who knows what te's doing they could be [00:28:24] sitting up for some other reason right [00:28:26] now if it through then we'll cancel this [00:28:29] and proceed [00:28:32] Yeah by [00:28:35] two [00:28:39] fouron million half while we're on the [00:28:43] topic of the fire department and [00:28:45] everything like that is it um I know [00:28:48] your time is coming coming December 25th [00:28:51] to an end and so I'm curious as to if [00:28:55] we're going to form a committee or have [00:28:57] some discussion I've had discussions [00:29:00] with the chief and the deputy chief okay [00:29:03] and I think the best bet is to go with [00:29:07] Josh stepping into the [00:29:09] chief um and I think that needs to be a [00:29:12] board decision for six of course for 6 [00:29:15] months and see how that works and uh I [00:29:20] mean I really hesitant to try to find [00:29:22] somebody out of town I know there some [00:29:26] interest I'm worried about losing the [00:29:28] volunteer yeah of it so I just was [00:29:31] wondering if there was going to be [00:29:32] discussion at a board level about that [00:29:35] any time you want okay and uh if if need [00:29:38] be if the Board needs uh I'm willing to [00:29:41] do an inum Chief thing if you need to [00:29:43] need time to find a chief or whatever [00:29:45] okay so so you're aware and we link the [00:29:48] help all thank [00:29:53] you [00:29:54] okay can we maybe add that to our next [00:29:58] agenda sure to have a discussion of [00:30:05] course is your birthday on Christmas no [00:30:08] oh [00:30:09] before I think just [00:30:15] before yeah I you know when his birthday [00:30:20] is I people are here for the hearing I [00:30:25] yes yeah [00:30:27] thanks thank you very [00:30:30] much thank [00:30:34] you that or no I'll I'll uh recycle it [00:30:38] if you want but we know we have [00:30:40] digitally thank you thank [00:30:43] you thank [00:30:45] you the hardwood select board will hold [00:30:48] a public hearing on November 13th [00:30:52] 2023 [00:30:54] at at 6:30 p.m. at the myON Richardson [00:30:58] Building Municipal Building 307 Main [00:31:01] Street Gilbertville on the application [00:31:04] from Whistle Stop under mgl [00:31:08] c138 section 12 for a new all alcohol [00:31:13] restaurant license located at 248 Main [00:31:16] Street in Gilbertville any persons [00:31:19] interested in being heard should appear [00:31:21] at that time in place Bo [00:31:26] St [00:31:28] um cat why don't you come on [00:31:31] up said [00:31:34] ma' this is the application I don't know [00:31:36] if you guys want to go through it I did [00:31:38] it's [00:31:44] complete so what's what's the deal what [00:31:47] do you want to do uh eventually I want [00:31:49] to start off with drinks uh for dinner [00:31:52] and stuff inside with an adjoining train [00:31:55] and then eventually they'll be uh [00:31:58] probably train rides with drinks and [00:32:00] stuff on [00:32:03] dinner it's a building stepping stone [00:32:07] kitchen [00:32:08] extension liquor lies to go into the [00:32:11] extension probably be probably be just [00:32:14] before that so we'll ramp up into the [00:32:17] train that'll be next to it and then [00:32:18] have uh dinner and drinks and stuff on [00:32:21] the train fun so the application will [00:32:25] show that there's a train car right next [00:32:29] to the restaurant that they'll be [00:32:30] serving in if they want to start doing [00:32:33] rides that might be an amendment to your [00:32:34] license but that would be down the road [00:32:36] at baby that would be yeah I have to [00:32:37] change it cuz it it goes through [00:32:39] different towns so I'd have to change it [00:32:41] at that point but to start with we're [00:32:43] looking to do the liquor in the building [00:32:46] and out to the train car that's going to [00:32:47] be next to [00:32:48] us you built an extension or you're in [00:32:51] the process we're in the process of [00:32:53] getting the extension going Y and liquor [00:32:57] you mean uh hard liquor and beer in um [00:33:00] mixed drinks and beer and yeah this [00:33:02] isn't all alcohol so go [00:33:07] Spectrum there are plenty [00:33:10] available there's I think 12 available [00:33:13] right now so thees [00:33:16] yeah it's got to be something's wrong 14 [00:33:20] are allowed I think it's just the [00:33:22] historical amount of licenses that were [00:33:25] given just went with cuz it's certainly [00:33:28] not by [00:33:29] [Music] [00:33:31] population so this is the [00:33:34] um lla certificate this is what you guys [00:33:37] have to sign if you approve it tonight [00:33:39] it's for me to send to the ABC Y um I [00:33:42] would make a motion that we [00:33:45] approve oh do we have to close the [00:33:47] hearing yeah you close the public [00:33:48] hearing at 7:04 hearing is closed did [00:33:53] anyone did you take comments [00:33:55] I that moving right along okay he [00:34:00] following your lead okay are there a [00:34:04] comments yes ma'am hi Kimo from the [00:34:07] gilber library just wanted to speak in [00:34:09] favor of the liquor license [00:34:11] um obviously the whistle Stop's our [00:34:13] neighbor and we're ramping up our [00:34:15] programming a little bit with some new [00:34:17] activities and we're hoping to work with [00:34:18] the Whistle Stop on some fundraising and [00:34:20] some other activities um jointly so [00:34:23] we're definitely in favor of that we'll [00:34:25] be really happy to see them be open in [00:34:27] the evenings um as our patrons are going [00:34:29] back and forth so I think we could [00:34:31] really do some things hand in hand so [00:34:33] we're excited to see that they're moving [00:34:35] forward with this [00:34:38] nice anybody [00:34:41] else how soon do you plan to start [00:34:44] serving alcohol probably around [00:34:48] Christmas or just after Christmas and [00:34:50] then uh it's probably when they get [00:34:52] their license back anyway a little bit [00:34:54] and then probably you know um it'll come [00:34:56] come in you know just as a starting [00:34:59] thing right there and then as the car [00:35:01] comes in online and we do dinner it'll [00:35:03] pick up a little bit more from there [00:35:05] lunch too beer at lunch yeah beer at [00:35:07] lunch mimos is at [00:35:11] breakfast at [00:35:14] everything kind of hedonistic [00:35:19] little all right mind at the same that [00:35:22] would be great we have to vote first [00:35:25] yeah you do [00:35:27] I call for a vote can you close it again [00:35:31] I thought we closed okay right all right [00:35:33] you [00:35:34] close I would make a motion to approve [00:35:37] the all alcohol restaurant license for [00:35:43] the Whistle [00:35:44] Stop discussion I'll second it all in [00:35:48] favor I [00:35:51] I all right this happened before you [00:35:54] know I asked sign in this p asked would [00:35:58] ask Pearl for a beer sometimes for a [00:36:00] joke and one night she brought me a [00:36:04] bass she was know I guess to give out [00:36:07] some some after dinner drinks good [00:36:14] good thank you I'm exhausted okay so [00:36:19] give me a call tomorrow okay and um [00:36:22] we'll get that signature and then I'll [00:36:24] be able to send this off to the ABC [00:36:26] thank you guys so much thank you thank [00:36:28] you good luck have a good night you too [00:36:30] thank [00:36:31] you all right um thank [00:36:35] [Music] [00:36:37] you new [00:36:40] appointment uh planning board zoning [00:36:42] board of appeals [00:36:45] clerk uh the CBA has started up and uh [00:36:49] they need a someone to take [00:36:51] minutes and [00:36:54] uh Mr kford sort of have uh asked [00:36:58] Lucinda to do that it makes sense that [00:37:01] she's um plan Clerk and zba clerk [00:37:07] because they're the same [00:37:09] files this this is actually me excuse me [00:37:13] what we're doing here is actually [00:37:15] creating the job and not appointing [00:37:20] anybody so what do you think uh I'm fine [00:37:24] okay yeah i' make a motion [00:37:28] to create the planning board zoning [00:37:31] board um board of appeals [00:37:33] clerk all second it any other [00:37:38] discussion all in favor I [00:37:43] I minutes meeting minutes [00:37:55] approval [00:37:57] not [00:38:02] that [00:38:25] yep [00:38:34] I make motions or go ahead um I would [00:38:37] make a motion to approve the meeting [00:38:39] minutes from October 16th 2023 and [00:38:42] October 30th [00:38:44] 2023 a second all in favor I [00:38:55] I [00:39:00] old [00:39:04] business other old business anything I [00:39:08] don't have [00:39:09] anything harpa discussion [00:39:18] nothing committee [00:39:20] reports in your packet [00:39:24] yeah yep [00:39:28] any other correspondents I do have two [00:39:31] letters stated November [00:39:34] 12th um from Edward [00:39:38] Kelly in res his resignation from the [00:39:42] Board of Trustees of the library and [00:39:44] from the council and aging affecting [00:39:46] affected [00:39:48] immediately so now we have openings in [00:39:51] the Council of Aging Board of Trustees [00:39:53] is an elected [00:39:55] position [00:39:57] yeah that would uh normally come up in [00:40:00] April I don't know the last uh this way [00:40:04] it could go on to April you know I mean [00:40:07] if his term wasn't up I'll have to ask [00:40:10] the chairman oh wait a minute I'm the [00:40:13] chairman um I think I think we can get [00:40:16] along without but I'll bring it up at [00:40:17] the next meeting but we should accept [00:40:19] these right yes we have to AC so I would [00:40:22] make a motion to accept um both letters [00:40:26] from Edward Kelly one resigning from the [00:40:29] Board of Trustees with the Paige Moro [00:40:31] library and the other resigning from the [00:40:33] Council on Aging both effective [00:40:36] immediately I'll second [00:40:39] it all in favor I [00:40:44] I the Town Administrator report is not [00:40:49] here select board Round [00:40:52] Table got [00:40:55] anything I brought up my two [00:41:01] cents well I'd be looking for a final [00:41:04] motion oh sorry Mr chairman do you want [00:41:08] to talk about the meetings for December [00:41:11] and how you decide yes we were thinking [00:41:13] of U skipping a meeting at the end of [00:41:15] this [00:41:16] month instead of on the November 27th [00:41:19] having it on the 4th the following week [00:41:21] and then again on the 18th because [00:41:23] Christmas would be our you can certainly [00:41:24] meet on the 4th I will not be [00:41:26] here so you should probably see if Rob [00:41:32] will I will okay I cannot do the fourth [00:41:35] we will just uh I made a commitment [00:41:38] thinking that it's nothing that you have [00:41:39] to vote on it's just something that [00:41:40] happened so um right I mean could we [00:41:43] possibly [00:41:45] just have one meeting in [00:41:48] December could have the 27th and then [00:41:52] meet in the 11th and that that' be the [00:41:54] only one or the 18th definitely have to [00:41:56] meet cuz this is when you're going to do [00:41:57] all the annual [00:41:59] renewals right gotcha well let's meet on [00:42:03] the [00:42:05] 11th and then it's 2 weeks of holidays I [00:42:07] mean then we I mean right yeah I would [00:42:12] like to take Christmas week off too so I [00:42:15] think we all [00:42:17] would um yeah I'd be open to that [00:42:20] meeting on you know keep keep our [00:42:24] November um [00:42:26] meet the [00:42:28] 11th will everything be ready for the [00:42:30] renewals on be if they don't send them [00:42:33] to us by November 30th perfect okay then [00:42:35] they and I always I even did it in my [00:42:37] last town I go to the places and be like [00:42:40] you did that last year I believe or the [00:42:41] year before I remember you doing it one [00:42:43] yeah I go after is [00:42:46] that [00:42:47] okay good perfect now ready for your [00:42:51] last motion I a motion [00:42:55] toour [00:42:57] um I'll second it all in favor [00:43:03] I beat me up