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Hardwick Select Board Addresses Mary Lane Funds, Infrastructure, and Governance

Original title: 08/25/25 - Hardwick, MA Select Board Meeting

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

August 25, 2025

Duration

50m

Decisions

5 recorded

Action Items

23 assigned

Summary

The Hardwick Select Board convened to discuss a range of municipal issues, including a detailed update on the Mary Lane Endowment funds, which remain on hold with efforts to identify a new non-profit beneficiary and locate additional restricted funds. Significant attention was given to local infrastructure, addressing resident complaints about deteriorating cell service and recurring failures of the Rattlesnake Hill Road generator, prompting investigations into maintenance contracts and potential upgrades. The Board also approved sewer abatements, accepted committee resignations, reviewed an updated list of capital needs, and received a comprehensive Town Administrator's report covering various projects, personnel updates, and ongoing efforts to codify town bylaws and address issues with SMOC. Financial oversight concerns were raised regarding Town Council legal bills, and actions were initiated to address a property liability at 8-10 Lower Road.

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Discussion Highlights

Mary Lane Endowment funds, approximately $800,000 in 'seed money,' have been on hold since October 2023, awaiting a new non-profit beneficiary.
The Mary Lane funds are for 'restricted use' for a hospital named Mary Lane; dissolving the fund is considered 'pretty much impossible.'
Bank of America has not yet made a decision regarding the Mary Lane funds, making an August disbursement to avoid IRS penalties unlikely.
A 'secret executive session' held by the Ware Select Board reportedly hindered their cause in the Mary Lane fund process.
Communication has been established with Emily Grabell, Chief of the Charities Division, who promised notification when a petition is filed regarding Mary Lane funds.
Mary Lane Endowment funds must go to a non-profit entity, not a for-profit urgent care facility.
Land restrictions are in place for the Mary Lane property due to significant community effort.
The 'Friends of Mary Lane' group has formed a new non-profit called 'Mary Lane Health' and is undergoing the 501c3 application process.
'Mary Lane Health' sent a letter of intent to Baystate to acquire the property for $1.
Baystate denied 'Mary Lane Health' access to the historic Weatherbee buildings for a tour.
Baystate now claims they will try to save the Weatherbee building, which was noted as ironic given previous actions.
A federally qualified health center canceled their meeting after the Ware Select Board's 3-1 vote to support Baystate.
Efforts are ongoing to locate a 'missing $10 million' by reviewing old records and original wills.
Baystate has stated they will not put healthcare in Ware if the Community Foundation of Western Mass gains control of the Mary Lane money.
Baystate had only promised up to three primary care physicians, with expansion to urgent care contingent on the success of primary care.
Residents reported poor and worsening cell service in the center of town, affecting both Verizon and Xfinity users, including inability to make calls from home or use home alarm systems.
The cell tower at the Rod & Gun Club was originally intended to provide coverage for Hardwick and parts of Petersham.
The generator at Rattlesnake Hill Road, which powers the well serving 24 dwellings, failed during a recent power outage, not for the first time.
Highway Superintendent Marty fixed the generator and reported it 'all set' after contacting East National, the maintenance company.
Disappointment was expressed with East National, the company paid monthly for maintenance, as Highway Superintendent Marty is frequently called upon to fix issues.
Only one sewer abatement application is allowed per fiscal year per property.
Two sewer abatement applications were discussed, including one for a property with an apartment above a laundromat that has been closed for approximately five years.
A question was raised regarding whether vacant commercial buildings still hooked up to the sewer system should be required to pay a minimum contribution.
Several resignations were announced from the School Committee, Youth Commission, Senior Packet, and Quabbin Regional School District.
An updated list of capital needs, compiled by Mr. Korzik from various departments, was provided for review and future planning.
Key capital needs identified include roof replacement for the barn in the center of town and addressing inefficient heating/cooling systems and broken windows in the municipal office building.
Any project exceeding $25,000 must go through the Capital Planning Committee and Finance Committee.
An electrical problem in the Treasurer's office causes fuses to blow when multiple appliances are used simultaneously.
The Hardwood Rod & Gun Club's application for a new manager (Michael Krobier) revealed the club had not properly filed paperwork with the ABCC for over 25 years, which has now been corrected.
The Town Administrator's report included removal of trees behind Town Hall, installation of a new railing downstairs, review of meeting room equipment security, a walk-through for the Memorial Park planning project, the Town House exterior project being out to bid, bi-weekly financial management planning, and implementation of a new procurement form for goods/services over $9,999.
Active advertising for Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator, Highway Equipment Operator, Police Officer, and Van Driver positions is ongoing.
An offer for a Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator was declined due to a pay cut.
Assistant Treasurer Collector, Felix, has started and is a positive addition.
Meetings were held with Senator Durant's office, Police, Fire, Building Inspector, and Board of Health regarding complaints about SMOC (South Middlesex Opportunity Council).
Issues with SMOC include a lack of accountability when residents/officials call and the absence of an innkeeper's license requirement in town bylaws.
Discussion with General Code and the Town Clerk regarding codifying town bylaws, which is a larger project than anticipated, with General Code also recommending addressing gaps in current bylaws.
The town currently has no certified bylaws, only unofficial ones.
Recognition was given for work on the MVP grant and for assistance with administrative tasks in the Treasurer Collector's office.
A letter from the Town Clerk of Ware thanked Hardwick for lending voting equipment for a special election.
A high Town Council legal bill for July, totaling $2,300, was noted, including $1,675 for work related to a 'Page building' and $1,475 for addressing a resident's complaints, raising concern against the $25,000 annual budget.
The board is working to address complaints regarding the shared Senior Center with Barre, hoping for improved communication with Barre's newly appointed Town Administrator.
A temporary construction fence at 8-10 Lower Road has an 'open hole' that poses a liability to the town.
The Building Inspector has issued a cease and desist order for 8-10 Lower Road; the landowner recently received insurance money for the property.
The process of borrowing for a new fire truck is underway; the town currently has three fire trucks, but one is not operational.
A 40-foot shipping container has been delivered to the Elementary School to facilitate moving items from the 'white building' to prepare it for sale.
The recent fair was completed successfully.

Transcript (9,474 words)

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

00:00:00
I've called this meeting to order and we'll start with the pledge of allegiance.
00:00:10
>> Thank you. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
00:00:34
Visitors comments.
00:00:37
>> Yes, ma'am.
00:00:38
>> Yep. Just come up here so I can see you.
00:00:41
Hi. I'm Sydney Allen Borsier from the town of where I just wanted to come in and give a quick update on what's going on with Mary Lane. There's um I know there's a lot of confusion, misinformation that's gone gone around.
00:00:53
Endowment funds have been on hold since, and I'm going to go quick if that's okay. If you have questions, just let me know.
00:00:59
>> Um, endowment funds have been on hold since October 23. There's about 800,000 right now in seed money immediately available for whenever they find out who's going to be the next beneficiary.
00:01:11
It is very much restricted use, and that's one of the the miscommunication that's going on, thinking that we can just dissolve it and split it up between towns and all that. very restricted use forever. The it has to be used for a hospital forever named Mary Lane. The money goes to

[00:00:00] I've called this meeting to order and [00:00:03] we'll start with the pledge of [00:00:04] allegiance. [00:00:10] >> Thank you. I pledge allegiance to the [00:00:13] flag of the United States of America and [00:00:15] to the republic for which it stands, one [00:00:18] nation under God, indivisible, with [00:00:22] liberty and justice for all. [00:00:34] Visitors comments. [00:00:37] >> Yes, ma'am. [00:00:38] >> Yep. Just come up here so I can see you. [00:00:41] Uh, hi. I'm Sydney Allen Borsier from [00:00:43] the town of where I just wanted to come [00:00:44] in and give a quick update on what's [00:00:46] going on with Mary Lane. There's um I [00:00:49] know there's a lot of confusion, [00:00:51] misinformation that's gone gone around. [00:00:53] Um, endowment funds have been on hold [00:00:55] since, and I'm going to go quick if [00:00:56] that's okay. If you have questions, just [00:00:58] let me know. [00:00:59] >> Um, endowment funds have been on hold [00:01:01] since October 23. There's about 800,000 [00:01:04] right now in seed money immediately [00:01:06] available for whenever they find out [00:01:08] who's going to be the next beneficiary. [00:01:11] It is very much restricted use, and [00:01:14] that's one of the the um [00:01:15] miscommunication that's going on, [00:01:17] thinking that we can just dissolve it [00:01:20] and split it up between towns and all [00:01:22] that. very restricted use forever. The [00:01:25] it has to be used for a hospital forever [00:01:27] named Mary Lane. The money goes to [00:01:29] support that hospital and the money is [00:01:31] supposed to go to that property forever [00:01:33] to be used as a hospital. It would be [00:01:36] pretty much impossible to dissolve that [00:01:39] because first of all the town of would [00:01:42] have to no longer exist. You know, all [00:01:44] those kind of factors. You can possibly [00:01:47] find a new bene beneficiary repurposing [00:01:50] it for the intent. Um, Bank of America [00:01:53] has not made a decision yet. The um that [00:01:58] secret executive session meeting that [00:02:00] the wear select board had um really hurt [00:02:04] their cause if anything. Um the the base [00:02:08] Bank of America wanted to make [00:02:10] dispersement before the end of August [00:02:12] otherwise they're penalized by the IRS. [00:02:15] It doesn't look like that's going to [00:02:16] happen. Um, thank goodness I have a [00:02:19] pretty good relationship with Emily [00:02:21] Gerbralt, the charities division's [00:02:23] chief. So, I had an email with her last [00:02:26] week. She promises that she'll actually [00:02:28] let me know when they do file a [00:02:30] petition. Um, they have no all [00:02:32] obligation to let any of the third party [00:02:34] beneficiaries know anything. Um, only [00:02:37] the interested parties, which would be [00:02:39] Bay, State, Bank of America, and um, the [00:02:44] AG's office. Another thing that everyone [00:02:46] needs to realize is that these endowment [00:02:49] funds must go to a nonprofit. It can't [00:02:52] go for a forprofit [00:02:54] um urgent care kind of a thing. It has [00:02:56] to go to a nonprofit. The land, everyone [00:03:00] knows that we got the land restrictions [00:03:02] over there. And I just wanted to point [00:03:03] out that the wear residents work very [00:03:06] hard. A lot of hours went into that. the [00:03:09] proposal, dotting the eyes, crossing the [00:03:11] tees. The planning board, they did a lot [00:03:13] of restructuring, new definitions, and [00:03:16] the poor town moderator was a huge, um, [00:03:19] town meeting, 540 people, something like [00:03:22] that. Um, another thing with the land, [00:03:26] um, and I'll kind of go with two things. [00:03:29] The friends group has now formed a new [00:03:31] nonprofit called Mary Lane Health. I [00:03:33] gave you a, um, a business plan there. [00:03:36] Um so we are a nonprofit still going [00:03:38] through the 501c3 process. Um our we [00:03:42] have actually sent a letter of intent to [00:03:45] um Bayate. Uh this plan a draft of this [00:03:49] was given to Bay State back in February. [00:03:51] They know very much so that this [00:03:53] residents want to take over the property [00:03:56] and the letter of intent for a dollar [00:03:58] because that is what Bay State was going [00:04:01] to give it to um West Mass Development. [00:04:04] Uh so they very much know and then even [00:04:06] recently another letter of intent. Um we [00:04:10] tried to get a tour of the historic [00:04:13] buildings and there was this big thing [00:04:15] we were trying to put through article 33 [00:04:17] to get an easement onto the property. We [00:04:19] were not trying to take ownership. We [00:04:21] simply wanted a two-year easement so [00:04:24] that way people who were trying to work [00:04:26] with developers and get this going could [00:04:29] have access to the buildings to be able [00:04:31] to look at it with potential buyers and [00:04:34] they denied us. Um, so that was [00:04:37] interesting because they said they would [00:04:38] never never uh deny anyone access to the [00:04:41] buildings for a tour. [00:04:42] >> Excuse me. Who said who said no? [00:04:45] >> Basting. [00:04:46] >> Okay, thanks. Yeah, we tried to see but [00:04:48] the stores and the weatherbe um the [00:04:51] purpose was to get a current conditions [00:04:53] report to at least and it was it was [00:04:56] Warren, it was Brookfield, it was um um [00:05:00] >> Beluretown, Hardwick. Yeah, it was [00:05:02] everybody. We got a little bit of [00:05:03] everybody. We had about seven people uh [00:05:06] in the construction industry that were [00:05:07] going to go in and tour. And we thought [00:05:09] that having this done would also relieve [00:05:12] the residents to say, "Yeah, I don't [00:05:14] think we can save it." or yes, we can [00:05:17] save it. It would be nice if we could [00:05:19] get a resident um opinion, but [00:05:21] unfortunately they would not allow us in [00:05:23] there. Uh right now, Bayate it says [00:05:26] they're going to try to save the [00:05:27] Weatherbe, which is ironic because they [00:05:30] took out the buildings and they started [00:05:31] to take apart the Capola, but they say [00:05:33] they're going to try. We have a business [00:05:36] plan. Um we are working with um [00:05:39] developers but we can only go so far at [00:05:42] this point in potential um um providers. [00:05:45] We can only go so much so far right now [00:05:48] because number one we need to get [00:05:50] control of the money. We need that seed [00:05:52] money to go ahead and get um the [00:05:55] property secured and protected. Uh we [00:05:58] want to acquire the property from Bay [00:06:01] State. If, let's say, we took the [00:06:03] property, we have to give them fair [00:06:04] market value, but they're a nonprofit, [00:06:06] therefore they should roll that money [00:06:08] right back into the community, so I see [00:06:10] it as a wash. That's kind of the [00:06:12] negotiation thing that we'll try. Uh, so [00:06:16] yeah, we're really really pushing that [00:06:18] new healthc care is all on hold. We had [00:06:20] Caring Health who was really interested. [00:06:22] They were out here for the fourth time, [00:06:24] a federally qualified health center. And [00:06:27] once they found out that the select [00:06:29] board had put that 3:1 vote to support [00:06:33] Bay State, they canled our meeting uh [00:06:36] which was for us to tour their [00:06:37] facilities. So again, they've been out [00:06:39] here four times. They were really [00:06:41] excited, etc. So they canled um but [00:06:44] again once we get control of those [00:06:47] funds, we could then start to move [00:06:49] forward. Um and that's pretty much about [00:06:53] it. I just wanted to give kind of a [00:06:54] summary of what's going on. Um, and [00:06:57] again, anybody is willing that wants to [00:07:00] help out. We look for help. We've got a [00:07:02] lot of people who uh talk or complain, [00:07:06] have ideas, but nobody's really fallen. [00:07:09] We need workers. We need people to help [00:07:11] out. Uh, we're still looking for that [00:07:13] missing $10 million. will be uh going [00:07:17] into the records of the Hardwick and [00:07:19] Gilbert Gilbertville libraries now [00:07:21] looking for anything old, looking for [00:07:23] old original wills. The attorney [00:07:25] general's office says that that money [00:07:29] could have been transferred over to [00:07:30] Springfield or whatever legally because [00:07:33] it was not restricted. My argument was, [00:07:35] okay, it was unrestricted for Mayor [00:07:37] Lane. That doesn't mean unrestricted for [00:07:39] Springfield, but there's a disagreement. [00:07:42] But if I can prove that they were [00:07:43] restricted funds, for example, the [00:07:45] Timothy Page fund was restricted. Um, so [00:07:50] I have to find the wills and that's what [00:07:52] I'm trying to do. [00:07:54] >> That's it. [00:07:55] >> Good. What do you think's next? [00:07:57] >> Get the money. Get the money. I keep um, [00:08:00] you know, doing everything I can to get [00:08:03] control over to the um, Community [00:08:06] Foundation of Western Mass. set up a [00:08:08] donor restricted donor advisory [00:08:11] committee and then start to work towards [00:08:13] the intent of the will, which is getting [00:08:15] something back over on their property. [00:08:17] If uh if the foundation gets control of [00:08:21] the money, Bay State says they will not [00:08:23] put healthc care in that town. Period. [00:08:26] So that means they'll walk away. Keep in [00:08:28] mind, everybody's, oh, we're going to [00:08:30] lose that healthcare. Bay State has only [00:08:32] promised to put in up to three primary [00:08:36] care physicians. They have not committed [00:08:39] to uh um convenient care or urgent care. [00:08:44] If the primary care is successful, then [00:08:47] they would expand to those services. And [00:08:50] when people complain, oh, we don't want [00:08:51] to lose that. Well, you have to ask [00:08:54] yourself, are you ready to give up your [00:08:56] own primary care now to go with a new [00:08:59] primary care to support that new [00:09:01] facility wherever it may end up being? [00:09:03] And that and a lot of people don't have [00:09:06] the love for Bay State anyway. Um, so, [00:09:09] you know, them becoming successful is [00:09:12] not very likely and there would go our [00:09:14] seed money. So, you know, that's where [00:09:16] we are. If they walk away, then we have [00:09:18] the seed money and we can move forward. [00:09:20] So, that's the next step. But constantly [00:09:23] we're keeping the ball going on any [00:09:26] avenue we possibly can. [00:09:29] >> Okay. [00:09:31] >> Thank you very much. [00:09:33] >> Thank you [00:09:36] so [00:09:42] excuse me. Is there a website or [00:09:44] anything you have that you might want to [00:09:46] put out to the public so people can [00:09:47] reach out to you? [00:09:48] >> Friends of Mary Lane right on Facebook. [00:09:50] Friends of Mary Lane on Facebook. [00:09:51] >> Friends of Mary Lane. Yeah. Yep. All [00:09:53] right. [00:09:54] >> And um you can um message me and I'll [00:09:57] give give you more. Sometimes I can't [00:09:58] put too much information on there [00:10:00] because we've got all kinds of eyes [00:10:02] watching. Yeah. [00:10:02] >> Um but anytime people want an update, [00:10:05] we're ready and willing. [00:10:06] >> Right. But also if somebody wanted to [00:10:08] volunteer and help you out, that would [00:10:10] how they reach out to help us find that [00:10:12] $10 million and Yeah. [00:10:13] >> Okay. [00:10:14] >> All right. Thank you. All right. [00:10:20] All right. Uh, more visitors comments. [00:10:26] >> Well, yes. Uh, [00:10:29] you voted to let them put another thing [00:10:32] on the cell tower at the Ren Gun Club, [00:10:36] but we don't seem to have good service [00:10:39] in the center of town yet. Um, the [00:10:42] farmers market people were having [00:10:45] trouble this weekend. No, it's always [00:10:47] been bad. [00:10:48] >> Yeah, it's always been bad, but they [00:10:50] keep putting up things. Why Why aren't [00:10:52] they helping us? [00:10:54] >> I don't know about I don't I don't [00:10:56] remember anything with I mean, I know [00:10:58] about the tower up at the rotten gun. [00:11:00] >> Yeah. [00:11:00] >> I don't remember talking about it here [00:11:04] in a year. [00:11:05] >> Well, yeah, they were going to put [00:11:07] another company was going to put another [00:11:09] piece on and [00:11:12] I'm just saying it hasn't approved. [00:11:15] >> Yeah. Well, [00:11:17] who figures? [00:11:19] >> Maybe it's going towards Barry or [00:11:22] something. [00:11:24] >> Well, and I I think uh Lisa Cohen and [00:11:27] her husband had some kind of a pocket [00:11:30] hotspot or something, so there was good [00:11:33] coverage during the fair. [00:11:35] >> I did. Yeah. [00:11:36] >> But uh well, I don't know. I mean, we're [00:11:40] going to be dealing with something. Uh [00:11:43] put the hard work riding gun tonight. [00:11:46] But I don't know if that'll come up. I [00:11:48] don't know if they'll be here, but I'll [00:11:50] I'll find out. [00:11:51] >> Okay. Thank you. [00:11:54] >> Yeah, I know. It's hard to get out. [00:11:57] Are you referring to like the Wi-Fi [00:11:58] equipment you have at like the townhouse [00:12:00] and stuff like that? [00:12:02] >> No, it general general. [00:12:05] >> Yes. I can uh if my power goes out, I [00:12:10] can't call from my house, which is [00:12:13] around the corner. I can go up to the [00:12:15] parking lot of the townhouse and maybe I [00:12:17] can call uh National Grid, but other [00:12:21] times like when I wanted to call about [00:12:23] the townhouse alarm, I have can't stay [00:12:25] in and do the things on the alarm system [00:12:28] because I won't have cell phone service [00:12:30] to talk to the people. [00:12:32] >> Okay. [00:12:33] >> Is and like I said, they [00:12:37] >> on the weekend it was [00:12:38] >> is that happening with all the uh [00:12:40] providers or I know I have Verizon. and [00:12:43] I don't get a signal up there. So, [00:12:45] >> um I have Xfinity. [00:12:48] >> Okay. [00:12:49] >> I have Verizon and I can talk to people [00:12:52] in town hall, but if I go out in my car [00:12:54] and make a call, I can't I'll drop every [00:12:56] call. [00:12:56] >> Yeah. [00:12:57] >> And that's from sitting here sitting [00:12:58] over there. [00:13:00] >> That's what I service. [00:13:01] >> It seems like the service has gotten [00:13:03] worse. [00:13:03] >> Yeah. [00:13:05] It's because they're upgrading to 5G and [00:13:08] it's reducing the range versus like the [00:13:10] four. [00:13:12] >> I don't know. [00:13:12] >> I have no idea. [00:13:14] >> That was the whole purpose for putting [00:13:16] that cell phone tower there at the was [00:13:19] to cover Hardwick Center in parts of uh [00:13:23] Peterstown, [00:13:26] >> right? cuz I was in on the uh when the [00:13:30] tower was asking for a permit from the [00:13:33] planning board. That was their purpose [00:13:36] was to provide coverage to areas that [00:13:38] didn't have any. [00:13:40] >> We reach out to just ask the the owners [00:13:43] of these cell phone towers what's the [00:13:45] status of their equipment. Is everything [00:13:46] working? Is everything up to date? [00:13:50] who well I have to go through I'd have [00:13:52] to go through the rott and gun club find [00:13:54] out who they deal with who owns the [00:13:57] tower and then whoever owns the tower [00:14:00] rents [00:14:01] >> right [00:14:01] >> space [00:14:01] >> space for different providers [00:14:04] >> Verizon or whatever yeah I used to be [00:14:06] able to use my phone at the fire station [00:14:09] and now can't [00:14:11] SOS only [00:14:13] >> so [00:14:15] >> well we'll look at that and I was [00:14:17] wondering about the uh generator at um [00:14:21] Rugles Hill Road that was out when power [00:14:26] went out and Marty fixed it. [00:14:29] >> But I don't want it to rest on Marty. [00:14:32] He's got enough to do. We pay somebody [00:14:34] to do that. Have we been in touch with [00:14:37] them? [00:14:38] >> So I did call Marty, the highway [00:14:40] superintendent, and he was in contact [00:14:42] with them. And so he was he actually had [00:14:45] come out before I had even called him to [00:14:47] check in with him. Um, so he was in [00:14:50] contact in communication with the [00:14:52] company. Um, and as far as I know, based [00:14:55] on what I've heard from him, [00:14:56] everything's good. It's working. [00:14:57] Everything's all set. That's how I left [00:14:58] it with him. [00:14:59] >> Right. Well, that's not the first time [00:15:01] that's happened. [00:15:02] >> Now, what generator was that? [00:15:04] >> It runs the well. [00:15:05] >> The well at the in hardwood. [00:15:07] >> Yeah. [00:15:08] >> Okay. That's what I thought it was [00:15:10] referring to. [00:15:10] >> Yeah. So when the power goes out, it's [00:15:13] supposed to kick in so that [00:15:16] >> 24 [00:15:17] >> dwellings, 24 buildings have water on [00:15:20] that system, come out if there's no [00:15:22] power. So [00:15:25] >> yeah, [00:15:26] >> East National came to collect or drop [00:15:29] off a specimen container at my house [00:15:32] because they do that periodically for [00:15:34] testing. And I asked him about it and [00:15:36] they said there was a part needed [00:15:41] and [00:15:43] they sent something to Marty but he [00:15:46] didn't get it and he said he was going [00:15:48] to the man said he was going to work on [00:15:50] making sure but [00:15:54] >> Okay. So we're working through Marty [00:15:56] which I don't have a problem with. [00:15:58] >> When I talked to him he said everything [00:15:59] was all set. So I just took that at what [00:16:02] it was. [00:16:03] >> Right. [00:16:03] >> Yeah. But I'd like to express our [00:16:06] disappointment in the company that we're [00:16:08] paying to make sure this happens. Never. [00:16:10] >> Who is the vendor? Do we know? I don't [00:16:12] know. I mean, I I know there is one. I [00:16:14] can't tell you who. [00:16:15] >> What? East National. [00:16:17] >> There you go. East National We [00:16:21] >> Right. We get bills regularly. So, [00:16:25] and this has happened before. [00:16:27] >> Mhm. [00:16:28] >> Yeah. So, [00:16:29] >> all right. [00:16:29] >> Is this something you'd like me to reach [00:16:31] out to Marty and have him show me this [00:16:33] generator and see what the issues have [00:16:34] been? [00:16:35] >> Cuz I mean, this is right up my [00:16:37] >> Yeah. [00:16:38] >> my wheelhouse, per se. [00:16:40] >> And I can give you other vendors that [00:16:43] would, you know, maintain it or look at [00:16:45] the contract and say, "Hey, maybe we put [00:16:47] it out to bid again and we bring in a [00:16:49] different generator contract that will [00:16:50] maintain it and just see if the thing's [00:16:52] exercising." It should be exercising at [00:16:54] least once every seven days. Right. [00:16:55] >> I know we test ours in wheel every few [00:16:59] every couple months or so just to make [00:17:01] sure everything works. [00:17:03] >> You're speaking as water district. Yeah. [00:17:05] >> In wheel, [00:17:06] >> right? [00:17:07] >> Okay. So, it's kind of what we do. [00:17:09] >> We we're it up there. But [00:17:12] >> and uh Marty's the person that's been [00:17:15] doing the maintenance and everything [00:17:17] there or he's just [00:17:19] >> just in this case he called on him. [00:17:22] >> He's the person. He's the person. [00:17:24] contact person for [00:17:26] >> this company should be tested. [00:17:28] >> I don't know. [00:17:29] >> We're paying them to maintain the outfit [00:17:31] and Marty's there when it goes bad and [00:17:35] he fixes it. But again, we're paying [00:17:38] somebody to do that. So, they're [00:17:39] escaping. [00:17:40] >> So, Mr. Chair, do you want me to wait [00:17:41] until I hear from Bill before I contact [00:17:44] them? Like, do you want to go out in [00:17:45] there and look and see and talk to Marty [00:17:47] before I contact them? Like what do you [00:17:49] I just want to [00:17:50] >> Yeah. I mean I'll send me Marty's number [00:17:53] or whatever or have Marty reach out to [00:17:54] me. I'll give you my number. [00:17:56] >> Yeah. [00:17:56] >> And I'll just go out and look at it and [00:17:59] just ask them when's the last time they [00:18:01] came out. Change the oil, change the [00:18:02] filters, change, you know, [00:18:04] >> cuz they should be doing that once a [00:18:05] year and and find out what what has been [00:18:07] the issues, [00:18:08] >> right? Standard maintenance and then [00:18:10] periodic starting [00:18:11] >> when's the batteries been changed and [00:18:13] stuff like that, [00:18:13] >> right? You know, those should be done [00:18:15] every 5 years or even three cuz if it's [00:18:17] an emergency generator, [00:18:18] >> right? [00:18:19] >> Stuff like that. [00:18:20] >> Well, good. And you have one out in the [00:18:22] back that uh may have to try, [00:18:25] >> right? [00:18:25] >> And plug in. We haven't started that up. [00:18:28] >> And then we'll look at who's we know [00:18:31] who's supplying it, but we'll look at [00:18:32] their contract and maybe we'll bring in [00:18:34] a different vendor, right? Change. [00:18:37] Good. Okay. [00:18:42] >> Okay. [00:18:45] Uh, meeting minutes. Approval of minutes [00:18:48] for the May 27th meeting. [00:18:51] I've read through them. I'll make a [00:18:53] motion to approve minutes as written. [00:18:56] >> I'll second the motion. [00:18:58] >> All in favor? [00:18:59] >> I. [00:19:01] >> Sewer commission. [00:19:03] We have abatements. [00:19:05] Okay. So, I I this is one of the things [00:19:08] I had a question on. [00:19:09] >> Sure. Um the two the two that are in [00:19:12] front of us. Is this their first [00:19:14] abatement? Because it says only one [00:19:16] abatement application is allowed per [00:19:17] fiscal year. [00:19:18] >> Oh yeah. Yep. Per per fiscal year. Yes. [00:19:21] Um have they applied for them in the [00:19:23] past? I know the first one has in the [00:19:25] past. I don't know about the second one. [00:19:27] Um but yeah, we make sure we keep track [00:19:29] of that. Um [00:19:32] >> so cuz it says right here abatement [00:19:35] exemption $77155. [00:19:38] Yeah, [00:19:39] >> but on the back. So, is that is that [00:19:42] this [00:19:43] or cuz I'm looking at this bill and it's [00:19:45] $1,15728. [00:19:49] >> That seems like a yearly, [00:19:51] >> right? Well, for two for two. So, [00:19:55] >> so the first one that you're referring [00:19:57] to, the residence has been vacant. Um, [00:19:59] that's why there's an abatement for that [00:20:00] one. [00:20:01] >> Yep. [00:20:01] >> And for the second one, the apartment [00:20:02] over the laundromat is a single family. [00:20:04] The abatement is for the apartment. And [00:20:06] the laundromat closes it closed for [00:20:07] about 5 years. That's why there's an [00:20:09] abatement for that one. [00:20:11] >> Okay. [00:20:12] >> And yes, it's they only get one a year. [00:20:16] >> Okay. [00:20:19] >> Well, if it's a if it's an empty house, [00:20:22] >> but it's a like it's a business. One's a [00:20:25] business like a commercial business. [00:20:27] >> And then this laundromat. [00:20:29] >> Yeah. But that's been out of service for [00:20:32] years. [00:20:33] >> Do I have the apartment out? They're [00:20:35] talking about the apartment over the [00:20:36] wardro map. [00:20:37] >> Okay. [00:20:38] >> And nobody is that because that's [00:20:41] >> occupied. [00:20:41] >> Occupied. Okay. [00:20:46] >> Did it. [00:20:47] >> So it's occupied. So they should have a [00:20:49] bill. [00:20:50] >> They should have a bill, but they [00:20:52] shouldn't be paying for the whole [00:20:53] laundromat because that's not [00:20:54] functional, [00:20:55] >> right? [00:20:55] >> So it depends on how they [00:20:57] >> they've been assessed. If they're [00:21:00] assessed as a laundromat, then I I just [00:21:03] want to make sure that We didn't um [00:21:05] we're giving them a second datement. [00:21:08] >> I could assure you that we're not cuz we [00:21:09] it's our it's we use obviously, you [00:21:11] know, we use Vadar. It's all in the [00:21:13] system. So, we know like when the last [00:21:14] time they got in a when the last time [00:21:16] they got build, everything. So, they [00:21:18] they have not. [00:21:20] >> Okay. [00:21:22] And then I you know like a question. So [00:21:25] if a business, a commercial business, if [00:21:28] that building's sitting there, is there [00:21:30] anything in our sewer regulations where [00:21:32] they have to contribute a minimum to the [00:21:34] sewer? Even though they don't rent out [00:21:36] their building, they're still hooked up [00:21:37] to sewer. [00:21:38] >> So an empty an empty building that's [00:21:41] hooked up to sewer. [00:21:43] >> Well, I I've always thought of it as a [00:21:45] betterment. I mean, it has value, [00:21:48] >> right? You know, if somebody has two [00:21:50] apartments that they rent and one is [00:21:53] rented all the time and then one is not [00:21:55] rented but still, you know, advertised [00:22:00] as available [00:22:02] and I don't we didn't know how to handle [00:22:04] this very well. [00:22:06] It shouldn't because it's possible. It's [00:22:09] it's part of the value of the property [00:22:11] that it's hooked up that it could run [00:22:14] and sore. So, [00:22:17] we've gone around and counted uh [00:22:20] electrical meters to see how many of [00:22:22] these apartments actually are [00:22:24] functioning, you know, because they went [00:22:26] away for to Florida and they haven't [00:22:29] been back this year. And it can get [00:22:31] pretty complicated, [00:22:34] but I don't think we have anything for [00:22:37] written up. You know, that would be like [00:22:40] the betterment of coming down the hill [00:22:41] from [00:22:44] the center of Hardwick. If you're on a a [00:22:46] lot that's now available to hook up to [00:22:50] sewer that your property is more [00:22:52] valuable, [00:22:53] >> right? There's a betterment that the [00:22:54] assessor could apply to that, right? [00:22:56] >> Because there's sewer on the street that [00:22:57] you can connect to. [00:22:58] >> Right. Right. [00:23:01] >> Should be this way, too. [00:23:03] So [00:23:07] what you're saying then is that maybe [00:23:09] there should be some sort of [00:23:13] >> a minimum [00:23:14] >> minimum [00:23:14] >> that that whether you own a building and [00:23:17] if it's completely vacant but you're [00:23:18] hooked up to sewer whether you rent that [00:23:21] or not they still should be contributing [00:23:23] something to the sewer infrastructure [00:23:25] >> because you could rent it tomorrow right [00:23:27] yeah [00:23:30] >> I mean maybe it's something in the [00:23:31] future to revisit. [00:23:33] >> Yeah, [00:23:34] >> I think that [00:23:37] I I I would be agree agreeable to that [00:23:40] too. [00:23:40] >> Yeah. [00:23:41] >> Okay. [00:23:43] >> Mr. Chair. [00:23:44] >> Yes, ma'am. [00:23:45] >> Do you want me to add another review of [00:23:47] the sewer rights to maybe like the [00:23:48] second meeting in September or [00:23:52] >> future meeting or whatever? [00:23:54] >> Yeah, let's look at it again. When are [00:23:57] these bills [00:23:59] due? A quarter. Yeah. [00:24:02] >> So, there's no one sense waiting for the [00:24:05] >> No, I would not recommend that cuz then [00:24:08] they would be late. [00:24:10] >> So, make a motion to approve the sewer [00:24:14] abatement for 2022 Joselyn Road, [00:24:16] Gilbertville, and a sewer abatement at [00:24:19] 126 High Street, Gilbertville. [00:24:21] >> I'll second. All [00:24:22] >> in favor? [00:24:28] >> Resignation [00:24:31] from the school committee and a [00:24:33] resignation from the youth commission. [00:24:36] >> You'll see in your packet uh there's two [00:24:38] resations. One from Wendy Bolognese from [00:24:41] the youth center and then one I can't [00:24:44] remember this person's name. [00:24:47] >> No, not Jenna. No, not Jenna. [00:24:51] >> Emily Carrier. [00:24:52] >> Yes. Thank you. [00:24:54] >> Oh, this is from the [00:24:57] >> Regional School District resignation. [00:25:00] Yeah. [00:25:03] So, I will um advertise those vacancies [00:25:11] motion to uh accept the resignations. [00:25:14] >> So, move. [00:25:16] >> I'll second it. All [00:25:18] >> in favor? I [00:25:19] >> I [00:25:23] discuss vote on updated list of capital [00:25:26] needs. Do we have that? [00:25:28] >> Yep. It's in your packet. Um, so Mr. [00:25:30] Corors dropped this off to every [00:25:32] department. Um, so the one that is in [00:25:35] your packet is like the select word/mun [00:25:37] municipal. Um, [00:25:40] I went around and kind of asked some of [00:25:42] the departments, you know, where their [00:25:43] head was. A couple you'll see cross off. [00:25:45] You'll see like my handwriting. This is [00:25:47] a this will definitely be, you know, [00:25:49] cleaned up. Yeah. [00:25:50] >> Um, but I we don't expect you to vote on [00:25:54] anything or do anything tonight. We [00:25:56] could put it on maybe the next meeting [00:25:57] if you want to think about anything or [00:25:58] like the timing of anything, but I just [00:26:00] wanted to put it on your radar because [00:26:01] it was dropped off from Mr. Parson. [00:26:04] >> I didn't think it was done yet. [00:26:06] >> No, just just something to think about. [00:26:08] >> And these are listed in uh priorities. [00:26:12] So number one is the [00:26:14] >> this Yes. But if you if you're like, [00:26:16] okay, well the renovation or the flood, [00:26:18] whatever, you think that's more [00:26:19] important, then you know, maybe you [00:26:22] think it should be done in the second [00:26:23] year rather than the or whatever. So [00:26:25] just something to think about. [00:26:27] >> Yeah, Mr. Corsic has a core app so that [00:26:31] uh each department lists what they want [00:26:34] in order of importance and it also goes [00:26:38] across future years. So some things, you [00:26:42] know, we can't do for 5 years and other [00:26:44] things we've already got done, putting [00:26:48] the roof on the barn in the center of [00:26:51] town. [00:26:52] >> Yes. some hard work and uh and the trees [00:26:54] coming down that was another thing that [00:26:57] we decided we should look at. [00:26:59] >> So according to our town bylaws, [00:27:01] anything over $25,000 has to go through [00:27:03] capital planning. So it wouldn't be like [00:27:05] replacing this table, but it would be [00:27:07] like replacing the roof. So um anything [00:27:10] very big that can't be, you know, taken [00:27:12] out of our operating on a yearly basis [00:27:14] that has to have money set aside. Um [00:27:16] that should go through the capital [00:27:17] planning committee and finance [00:27:18] committee. Um [00:27:21] just [00:27:23] Okay. [00:27:25] [Music] [00:27:26] >> All right. I was just wondering out of [00:27:28] this list, do we know what what is [00:27:31] costing the town the most money and [00:27:32] maintenance so use that as a priority to [00:27:36] say, "Hey, let's spend this money and [00:27:37] fix this so we'll save on those [00:27:39] maintenance dollars." That's the kind of [00:27:41] conversation that we have looking at the [00:27:44] Rebels Hill Road School. [00:27:47] >> Mhm. [00:27:48] It's costing it's not costing us [00:27:50] anything except that we're one of our [00:27:53] assets is deteriorating until we get a [00:27:55] new roof on it. [00:27:56] >> So [00:27:58] that kind of thing we have we do look at [00:28:00] what what is it costing us. The [00:28:03] buildings are kind of it's not it's just [00:28:07] it's not just a question what we could [00:28:09] get for them if we manage to sell them [00:28:13] >> but our the quality of our assets [00:28:16] deteriorating. So that's another thing. [00:28:19] And then, you know, when the highway [00:28:22] superintendent puts in for another [00:28:24] truck, then we look at the cost of that [00:28:28] and see how important it is for them. So [00:28:32] yeah, we we look at it that way. I don't [00:28:35] see I don't see the graph right here, [00:28:41] I guess. Okay. [00:28:41] >> Yeah, this is mostly around the [00:28:43] municipal office building. Um, I think [00:28:46] from my experience it heating and [00:28:48] cooling is kind of weird and maybe some [00:28:49] of the windows because it in the winter [00:28:52] time I I mean it cost us a lot to heat [00:28:56] and some offices are going to be [00:28:58] boiling. You go into another office and [00:29:00] it's you're just comfortable. So it's [00:29:02] it's very inefficient that way. [00:29:04] >> Sure. [00:29:04] >> Feel like that might be something. [00:29:05] >> It's an ancient heat system. Yeah. But I [00:29:08] also don't know like I know last year or [00:29:11] before I got here the prior town [00:29:13] administrator uh was working on a [00:29:15] weatherization project through green [00:29:17] communities. So I know some of the [00:29:18] windows got sealed but I'm not sure if [00:29:20] all of them did. Right. [00:29:21] >> So that might be some of it too. [00:29:23] >> Okay. [00:29:24] >> And that's what's coming up at the old [00:29:26] town hall. It's new windows. [00:29:29] >> New storms and repair of the interior. [00:29:33] Um the ones that have broken glass and [00:29:36] some of the wood uh and maybe get them [00:29:40] so they stay up with the the sticks. [00:29:42] >> Yeah. So that repair of the windows [00:29:44] would be big. The sticks work [00:29:49] especially when you pull it out and you [00:29:50] don't get clear enough. [00:29:52] >> Yeah. Um, and that would help enormously [00:29:56] for the cost of heating the place, even [00:29:58] though it doesn't get heated to, you [00:30:00] know, 70°, but [00:30:02] enough to keep it from freezing. [00:30:04] >> Yeah. [00:30:06] >> Another thing that was added, um, cuz I [00:30:08] went around and kind of talked to some [00:30:09] of the department heads. I know the [00:30:11] electrical in the treasurer's office [00:30:12] that I was hoping one of our select [00:30:14] board members could come look at. Um, [00:30:17] the electrician, [00:30:18] >> what is the issue? So if she plugs in [00:30:21] too many things, she blows a fuse [00:30:26] >> and it's just that one office [00:30:28] >> like she can't have the AC on and then [00:30:31] like other things in that same area. [00:30:33] Well, yeah. [00:30:33] >> Yeah. Can't run an AC, run a microwave. [00:30:36] >> Yeah. [00:30:37] >> And [00:30:38] >> and a weld pump [00:30:41] or computer. Yeah, I can take a look at [00:30:43] it. [00:30:43] >> So I mean I can add [00:30:44] >> volunteer some time. How's that? All [00:30:46] right. [00:30:47] >> Got two projects now. Well, three. [00:30:49] >> I'd do it, but it would be pointless. [00:30:53] >> No problem. I'll give you a status [00:30:55] update. I'll go see Jen, [00:30:57] >> see what she needs. [00:30:58] >> Alyssa. [00:30:59] >> Oh, Alyssa. Oh, the All right. I was [00:31:01] thinking the assessor. [00:31:02] >> Yeah. Um and then maybe while you're [00:31:04] here, you could also kind of maybe look [00:31:06] at the um exit sign situation. [00:31:09] >> Sure. [00:31:14] >> No, I did not. I didn't bring [00:31:17] it up. [00:31:18] >> Using people to their strengths, you [00:31:19] know. [00:31:20] >> Yeah. [00:31:23] >> All right. Okay. Um, so we'll get an [00:31:26] update on this. [00:31:28] >> Yeah. Yeah. We'll have another meeting [00:31:29] and I'll drive it to [00:31:32] >> Do you want me to add it to the next [00:31:33] meeting or maybe or what do you what do [00:31:36] you want? [00:31:37] >> Uh, let's leave it until I I'm sure I [00:31:39] have it in hand. [00:31:40] >> Okay. Then we can put it on. [00:31:45] All right. Um, [00:31:48] discussion and vote on hardware and gun [00:31:50] club change of manager. [00:31:53] >> Okay. [00:31:53] >> This was improperly submitted by them [00:31:56] originally, right? [00:31:58] >> Correct. [00:31:58] >> Mhm. And now it's all squared away. [00:32:00] >> Yes, it is. Our attorneys have looked at [00:32:02] it. It went through their attorney. Um, [00:32:04] everything is here. Everything's great. [00:32:06] It just it didn't have to be um as [00:32:09] complicated, I think. Um, however, [00:32:12] everything is finally done now and it [00:32:13] just needs a vote from the board. [00:32:17] >> So, what's what's the issue? I'm going [00:32:20] to play ignorant here because I'm not I [00:32:21] I went through this stuff. I wasn't [00:32:24] really sure exactly. [00:32:26] >> Oh, sure. So, they came in um back in I [00:32:30] want to say around March, don't hold me [00:32:31] to that, but around March to change [00:32:32] their manager and we our [00:32:36] >> Yes. Mhm. [00:32:36] >> So, our office had submitted it to the [00:32:39] ABCC because whatever the board decides [00:32:41] to do, we have to submit everything to [00:32:42] the alcohol commission. The alcohol [00:32:44] commission contacted my assistant and [00:32:46] said that they have not um [00:32:51] properly submitted their paperwork in [00:32:52] over 25 years. So, we could not change [00:32:56] their manager because there was steps [00:32:57] that they needed to take on their end. [00:33:00] Um they didn't even really have them [00:33:01] listed as a business or um operating as [00:33:05] a business. So, um, they had a little [00:33:07] work on their end that they had to do. [00:33:10] >> And now that's all done and [00:33:12] >> Yes. [00:33:12] >> all in place. [00:33:13] >> Yes. [00:33:14] >> Everything's all set. [00:33:16] >> Yes. [00:33:19] >> So, would you like a motion? [00:33:21] >> I would. Jeff, you have like questions? [00:33:23] >> No. [00:33:24] >> I I I think I understand what I read for [00:33:26] now. [00:33:27] >> Okay. [00:33:29] Make a motion to approve Hagert Broad [00:33:31] and Gun Club application for a new new [00:33:34] manager. [00:33:36] Michael, is it Michael R. Grever? [00:33:38] >> Gravier. Yeah, [00:33:40] >> okay. [00:33:41] >> I'll second. [00:33:43] >> Further discussion. [00:33:47] >> All in favor? [00:33:48] >> I. [00:33:49] >> Thank you. [00:33:52] >> An administrator report. [00:33:57] >> Um, so the trees behind town hall have [00:33:59] been removed. [00:34:01] Um, [00:34:03] Peter, as you all know, is my better [00:34:06] half, um, put up a railing, um, with [00:34:09] help from Sleman Tinker because the [00:34:11] railing was hanging off by a thread, uh, [00:34:13] the one that goes down the downstairs [00:34:16] here. [00:34:16] >> I appreciate that. [00:34:17] >> So, that has been repaired. [00:34:18] >> What's Peter's last name? [00:34:20] >> Kusalo. [00:34:22] >> Yeah. [00:34:24] >> Um, he's probably, if he's watching the [00:34:25] meeting, he's probably going to kill me [00:34:26] for bringing him up, but um, [00:34:28] >> hi, Peter. [00:34:31] And thank you. And thank [00:34:32] >> Thank you. [00:34:34] >> I met with our YouTube operator Rick [00:34:37] Degan and the town clerk. Uh we met on [00:34:39] the meeting room equipment more for like [00:34:41] a security reason and because um there [00:34:45] was some concerns from some residents [00:34:48] and staff about the uh monitor being on. [00:34:51] Um so we just kind of wanted to walk [00:34:52] through um the security of the of the [00:34:56] equipment. So, we did that and he is [00:34:58] super helpful and um has kind of been [00:35:02] the go-to for anything um related to the [00:35:05] equipment. [00:35:07] I attended a walkthrough of the memorial [00:35:09] park planning project with CMRPC. This [00:35:12] was a project that was started um prior [00:35:15] to my arrival with the prior town [00:35:16] administrator and her prior assistant um [00:35:19] part of the CDBG program. So, it's going [00:35:22] to be a study of the memorial park and [00:35:24] funding mechanisms and how we can [00:35:26] improve it. Um, [00:35:29] so we went up to bid on the townhouse [00:35:31] exterior project. As Ann um knows, [00:35:35] we held our bi-weekly financial [00:35:37] management planning zoom. [00:35:39] Uh we have a department head meeting on [00:35:41] Thursday and we're going to be [00:35:42] implementing a new procurement for a [00:35:44] procurement form for goods and services [00:35:46] for $9,999. [00:35:48] Um it's very similar to the one that we [00:35:50] had in wear and it's just so we make [00:35:53] sure that everyone's following the [00:35:54] proper procurement regulations. [00:35:57] We're advertising for a wastewater [00:35:59] treatment plant operator, a highway [00:36:01] equipment operator, a police officer, a [00:36:03] van driver, and we're almost done with [00:36:05] the town, but um so we have been looking [00:36:07] for those positions. We held an [00:36:10] interview for a wastewater treatment [00:36:11] plant operator and a truck driver and [00:36:14] and actually the MR driver never showed [00:36:16] up. Um, but we've been trying to fill [00:36:19] those positions. We did make a offer to [00:36:21] a wastewater treatment plant operator [00:36:23] who declined the job because it would [00:36:24] have been a pay cut. [00:36:27] Um, the assistant treasure collector [00:36:29] started, Felix. Um, he has been a [00:36:32] fantastic breath of fresh air. Um, a [00:36:35] very calming presence. Um, so we're very [00:36:38] excited to have him. [00:36:40] Um, [00:36:42] >> oh, do we have a question? [00:36:43] >> No, no, I said nice. [00:36:45] >> Oh, okay. [00:36:46] um had a call with the chair of the [00:36:48] library board of trustees. Um had a call [00:36:51] with town council on various complaints. [00:36:53] Um facilitated a meeting with Senator [00:36:55] Durant's office, the police department, [00:36:57] fire department, building inspector, [00:36:59] board of health on we've been receiving [00:37:01] uh complaints about smok. [00:37:04] So we are going to have a follow-up [00:37:05] meeting with that pretty soon. [00:37:09] >> Yeah, I do. And I had a question. Did [00:37:11] you happen to Mr. Chair? [00:37:13] >> Yeah. [00:37:13] >> Okay. Did you happen to talk about [00:37:15] possibly the pilot program and bringing [00:37:19] it up to Smok all the emergency calls [00:37:21] and services that they use from our [00:37:24] town? [00:37:25] >> Yes. And now and so what we did bring up [00:37:28] is the fact that we don't um we have [00:37:31] some holes in our bylaws. Um so we don't [00:37:35] we don't make them [00:37:37] apply for an inkeeper's license so that [00:37:39] to kind of hold them accountable. We [00:37:41] have other things. Um, [00:37:44] so we're working on some proposed bylaw [00:37:46] languages that changes that we need for [00:37:48] other things. Um, but we ha we are [00:37:50] compiling a list of the service calls. [00:37:52] So that's why I said yes and no. [00:37:54] >> Okay. So you're getting all that from [00:37:56] police, fire, ambulance, everything. [00:37:58] >> Yes. [00:37:59] >> And even sort even Scott [00:38:01] >> cuz I know he's had to clean out a few [00:38:03] lines. There been issues there. [00:38:05] >> Oh, that's like I didn't even think of [00:38:06] him, but I know the building inspector [00:38:08] has also um had to go out there a few [00:38:10] times. Okay. All right. Great. [00:38:12] >> And Smok controls the Windsor. [00:38:14] >> Yes. [00:38:15] >> Yes. So, and Smok is some kind of quasi [00:38:19] state [00:38:21] agency. [00:38:22] >> The problem is is when residents or town [00:38:25] officials call, they don't get a person [00:38:28] um on site or it's someone it's like a [00:38:31] it's a person that lives there. Um so [00:38:34] there's no one kind of holding them [00:38:35] accountable. So um we're working at it [00:38:38] from all different angles. [00:38:41] Okay. [00:38:44] >> So, um I had a call with general code [00:38:48] and the town clerk on codifying the town [00:38:50] bylaws. Um it looks like it's going to [00:38:52] be a bigger project than even I thought. [00:38:55] Um but general code is has worked with [00:38:57] most of the surrounding towns including [00:38:59] Barry. Um I don't think they've worked [00:39:01] with where but they've worked with like [00:39:03] half the towns of Massachusetts. And it [00:39:04] looks like what they would do is I don't [00:39:07] have a proposal from them yet. They said [00:39:09] it would take a week or two is it looks [00:39:11] like that they will go through and [00:39:13] codify our bylaws and our zoning bylaws, [00:39:15] but they'll also make recommendations on [00:39:17] where our gaps are because as most of [00:39:18] you know, we have some serious gaps in [00:39:21] our bylaws. Um, [00:39:24] >> right now, I'm sure you guys are aware, [00:39:26] we have no certified bylaws. We only [00:39:28] have unofficial bylaws [00:39:31] and it's always good. I'm not saying [00:39:34] that's right. [00:39:35] >> Right. But it's something that we needed [00:39:37] to address. Yep. [00:39:40] >> Um I had my wear radio interview. Um I [00:39:43] attended a Massachusetts Municipal [00:39:45] Association webinar on foundations of [00:39:47] crisis communications. [00:39:49] Um so in the my recognition section, I [00:39:52] actually want to recognize chairman [00:39:53] Volheim. [00:39:56] Um for [00:39:57] >> recognized recogniz you heard not to [00:40:01] recognize. Um, we were working on the [00:40:03] MVP grant which we were awarded. Um, so [00:40:06] I want to recognize him for that, but I [00:40:08] also want to recognize him for the many [00:40:10] days of stuffing envelopes in the [00:40:12] treasure collector's office. [00:40:16] >> Good job. [00:40:17] >> Yes. So, [00:40:18] >> thank you. No problem. [00:40:20] >> Anytime. [00:40:23] >> Um, so I got a letter in the mail from [00:40:26] the town clerk in where that I wanted to [00:40:29] read. Dear Miss Kiano, I am thankful [00:40:32] that I was able to borrow some of the [00:40:34] town of Hardwick's voting equipment last [00:40:36] week after we unexpectedly found out [00:40:37] that we would not be able to utilize the [00:40:39] auditorium in the town hall where voting [00:40:41] equipment had been set up for the [00:40:43] special town election on August 12th. [00:40:44] Run on sentence. Sorry, I'm out of [00:40:46] breath. [00:40:47] Um, [00:40:49] some quick phone calls, a lot of action [00:40:52] allowed us to continue with the planned [00:40:54] election rather than having to go to [00:40:55] court and ask for permission to postpone [00:40:58] in view of the crisis that had hap [00:41:00] happened and forced us to evacuate. [00:41:03] One quick telephone call to Ryan Witos, [00:41:05] the town clerk, and I was able to borrow [00:41:07] the box that holds tabulator. Ryan made [00:41:09] a call to the school and the box was [00:41:11] ready for pickup within a matter of an [00:41:13] hour. On Thursday, the same black box [00:41:15] was returned by DPW staff members to the [00:41:17] Hardwick Elementary School where it is [00:41:19] stored. Once once again, clerks working [00:41:22] together in an emergency situation. I [00:41:25] hope that if a similar situation were to [00:41:27] occur, we can be of the same help. [00:41:28] Sincerely, Nancy Tallet. [00:41:32] >> That's very nice. [00:41:33] >> Yeah. Um and then just my days off. Um [00:41:36] but one other thing I wanted to bring to [00:41:38] the board's attention. Um, I know it's [00:41:40] extremely early, but uh we're in a uh [00:41:43] just talking about the budget. We're in [00:41:45] a good place with all of the accounts [00:41:47] except one. And I'm concerned because [00:41:50] we're only one month into the fiscal [00:41:52] year when we got a bill from town [00:41:54] council. Our town council bill is pretty [00:41:56] high. And I just wanted to bring that to [00:41:58] the board's attention. [00:42:01] >> Do you have additional information to go [00:42:03] along with that? [00:42:04] >> I do. Um, so I only have the month of [00:42:07] July. I don't have August. Um, but [00:42:12] $1,675 [00:42:15] went towards the page um building [00:42:19] getting all those documents together and [00:42:21] another uh $1,475 [00:42:24] went to um dealing with the resident [00:42:27] situation who was making various [00:42:29] complaints about town officials. Um [00:42:32] there was a couple like Kier Sarge solar [00:42:34] things in there as you know we've been [00:42:35] talking about but those are the two big [00:42:37] ones that stood out and um I just wanted [00:42:40] the board to be aware of because I [00:42:42] thought it was I thought it was crazy. [00:42:44] >> What's the budget for the year? [00:42:45] >> 25,000 [00:42:47] >> and we're at that's 2300 we just [00:42:49] mentioned. [00:42:51] >> Yeah. And that's there was other things [00:42:53] obviously that was like regular town [00:42:55] business but that those were the two big [00:42:56] ones and I just wanted the board to be [00:42:59] aware [00:42:59] >> and that's just one month. one month. [00:43:05] >> Well, hopefully things will lessen [00:43:08] >> hopefully [00:43:09] >> just when I see something that's crazy, [00:43:11] I just going to bring it up so we're all [00:43:13] on the same page. [00:43:16] >> And we met with um a woman who works at [00:43:21] the uh senior center in Barry about some [00:43:26] complaints. So, we're kind of working on [00:43:29] that. [00:43:30] Okay. [00:43:31] >> We we share their senior center by the [00:43:35] heartbeat. [00:43:37] >> What kind of complaints? [00:43:38] >> Well, probably can't talk about it. [00:43:41] >> Oh, without going into [00:43:43] >> Okay. [00:43:44] >> if it's a an employee. [00:43:47] >> But I will uh share with the board that [00:43:49] I did watch their meeting last week [00:43:50] where they appointed a new town [00:43:51] administrator. So, I'm hoping when this [00:43:53] new person starts that obviously I'm not [00:43:56] going to call her her first day, but [00:43:58] once she gets settled, I'm hoping then [00:44:00] we can start having better communication [00:44:02] with Barry because it hasn't been the [00:44:04] greatest in the last couple months. But [00:44:05] I know they they're kind of going [00:44:07] through a lot and they haven't had a [00:44:08] town administrator. Um, but again, once [00:44:10] she starts, I'm hoping um we can have [00:44:13] better communication and things will [00:44:15] improve. [00:44:18] >> Okay. um round table. [00:44:22] All I have is that we have that 40ft [00:44:26] shipping container [00:44:28] in place up against the back wall of the [00:44:32] elementary school. So that's got four [00:44:35] doors on it and the board of health and [00:44:38] emergency management will be having a [00:44:41] work weekend to move all the stuff from [00:44:46] the white building [00:44:48] to the shipping container [00:44:51] and that'll open up the white building [00:44:54] for sale. [00:44:57] Clean it out inside. [00:45:01] So that finally came in without damage. [00:45:07] That's all we got. [00:45:10] Jeff, [00:45:13] >> I don't have anything. [00:45:14] >> Okay. [00:45:15] >> Oh, can I add something? I don't want to [00:45:17] select room. [00:45:18] >> We'll have to wait now until the select [00:45:21] room round table is over. [00:45:24] >> All right. Um I have a question for say [00:45:29] the building inspector or the chair on [00:45:32] the 810 lower road. The status of a [00:45:35] construction temporary fencing on that [00:45:37] property. [00:45:39] addressed it a little while back and I [00:45:43] don't know what's going on with the [00:45:44] owners or if there's an update, but it [00:45:46] it's just a open hole and it's a [00:45:49] liability for the town. [00:45:52] Well, we talked to the building [00:45:53] inspector and he puts a cease and [00:45:57] desistish kind of thing on it, I guess. [00:45:59] And then we we're hoping that the owner [00:46:02] does it. I don't think it's I'm not [00:46:05] going to suggest that the town clean it [00:46:07] up. [00:46:10] set a bad press. [00:46:12] >> Well, we're not we're not asking we're [00:46:14] not cleaning it up like we're telling [00:46:16] him. [00:46:18] >> Yeah, exactly. Make how do we make him [00:46:21] >> give him a demand letter. [00:46:23] >> Okay. So, I have a small well just some [00:46:25] more information, little background [00:46:27] information that that was um held up in [00:46:30] court and I know that the um land owner [00:46:33] was just recently um given his insurance [00:46:37] money for the property. So, um we were [00:46:39] waiting on that. Um this happened like a [00:46:42] week ago or less than a week ago. Um [00:46:44] where he was he finally got his [00:46:46] insurance money. Um but it was in court. [00:46:49] >> All right. Even if you reach out to the [00:46:50] owner and just ask them to because if [00:46:53] you drive by there, the fence is on the [00:46:54] ground now. It was only like a 4 foot [00:46:57] like temporary. [00:46:58] >> Yeah. To hazard. [00:46:59] >> Yeah. [00:47:00] >> Just see if they'll do something. [00:47:01] >> Get an update from Paul who's been in [00:47:03] communication with the man. [00:47:04] >> Okay. Thank you. I know where he lives [00:47:08] and [00:47:10] where he lives now doesn't look much [00:47:11] better. You know, piles of things. So, [00:47:17] >> okay. I mean, I'm just saying I don't [00:47:20] know. [00:47:20] >> Yes, sir. [00:47:21] >> I raised this issue with the board. Uh, [00:47:23] you've probably received my email about [00:47:25] it. Um, the building inspector told me [00:47:28] that he had dealt with a similar issue [00:47:30] in another town and the town did the [00:47:33] cleanup and put a lean on the property. [00:47:36] Why can't we do something like that [00:47:37] here? [00:47:38] >> That's what we do. And then we wait. The [00:47:40] lean takes effect if the property is [00:47:42] sold. If the property's never sold, the [00:47:44] lean is not going to get us reimbured. [00:47:47] But [00:47:48] >> I understand that. [00:47:49] >> Um I think well think we should kick it [00:47:53] back to the [00:47:54] >> I don't know. Let's ask the owner and [00:47:56] and see see if they'll just cooperate. I [00:47:58] mean, it's a huge liability. [00:48:00] >> He hasn't been the most um I don't want [00:48:03] to say communicative. It has not been [00:48:04] easy. [00:48:06] >> No, he's a real he's a hard case, but [00:48:08] I'll go see him because I do have a [00:48:10] connection to him. So, [00:48:13] um, [00:48:14] >> can't have a conversation. [00:48:16] >> No, [00:48:17] >> that's all. [00:48:18] >> Okay. Thank you. [00:48:21] >> Anything else? I'm good. Just thinking. [00:48:25] >> Um, so we started the again, we started [00:48:29] the borrowing for the firet truck. So, [00:48:32] we're getting everything to bond [00:48:33] counsel. So, I'm super excited. [00:48:36] >> Yay. [00:48:37] >> Pretty soon we're going to have a fire [00:48:38] truck. [00:48:40] new one someday soon. [00:48:42] >> I hope we do already have a fire truck. [00:48:44] >> We have it. We don't have it. [00:48:46] >> Fire trucks. [00:48:48] >> We have three, but one doesn't work [00:48:49] anymore. [00:48:52] >> So, yeah. [00:48:53] >> Anything else? [00:48:54] >> Anything? [00:48:55] >> No, I don't have anything. [00:48:56] >> Okay. Make a motion to adjourn. [00:48:59] >> I'll second. [00:49:00] >> All in favor? [00:49:01] >> I [00:49:02] >> relatively quiet meeting. Nobody Well, [00:49:05] two people attended. Three at one point. [00:49:09] And that woman is troubled. [00:49:11] >> Yes, [00:49:11] >> I know. I've run into her before. [00:49:17] >> Well, and the fair was completed [00:49:18] successfully.