Thumbnail for Hardwick Board of Selectmen Meeting 3/28/22

Municipal Operations, Financial Strategy, and Infrastructure Planning

Original title: Hardwick Board of Selectmen Meeting 3/28/22

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

March 29, 2022

Duration

1h 38m

Decisions

4 recorded

Action Items

31 assigned

Summary

The Hardwick Board of Selectmen addressed several critical municipal matters, including the upcoming public outreach meeting for Zen Acres Farm, approving two new alcohol licenses, and initiating a search for an in-house accountant to enhance financial management. Significant discussion focused on the interim appointment of Jessica Crawford as Collector, the ongoing issues with the current IT provider leading to a new bid process, and the proposed transition to the Vadar financial system. The meeting also covered updates on ambulance services, the town audit, and the critical state of the Hardwick Water District, alongside discussions on the future of vacant town-owned properties like the Page Building.

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Discussion Highlights

Numerous questions have been raised regarding the proposed Zen Acres Farm (marijuana cultivation facility) at the former Great Meadow Brooks Farm on Upper Church Street.
Signing a Host Community Agreement (HCA) only allows a developer to proceed with the permitting process; it does not constitute project approval.
The Board clarified that approving an alcohol license application means submitting it to the ABCC, which then makes the final decision, with notification expected within approximately 30 days.
Board members expressed positive sentiment regarding the Old Furnace General Store business opening and the proposed kayak rentals.
The Town Administrator proposed posting an accountant job description to explore an in-house financial position, potentially reducing reliance on outsourced services.
Concerns were raised about the current external accounting service (Malanson) not providing a dedicated, immediately available resource, emphasizing the need for someone "on their toes."
The ideal in-house accountant candidate would be a certified government accountant with experience in municipal finance and VADAR software.
The Collector position is currently vacant, and the Department of Local Services (DLS) strongly recommends combining the Treasurer and Collector roles, confirming it is common practice and not illegal.
The current Treasurer, Jessica Crawford, is already performing Collector duties without compensation, with other staff also assisting.
Compensating Jessica Crawford as interim Collector would reduce reliance on the external service provider ("Sarah's company" / Muni Finance), leading to cost savings.
Concerns were raised that combining both full-time Treasurer and Collector roles might be too much work for one person, necessitating a clerk position.
The current "Camera" system for the Collector's office is inefficient and time-consuming, while the new "Beta" system is significantly faster.
The transition to the Vadar financial software system is contingent on town meeting appropriations and offers cloud-based integration of all financial modules.
Significant dissatisfaction with the current IT vendor, Peragus, was expressed due to unresponsiveness, lack of knowledge, and increasing costs.
The town can terminate the Peragus contract with 30 days' notice.
The transition to a new IT provider is acknowledged to be potentially difficult and not always seamless, requiring a thorough evaluation by the new vendor.
The Town of Ware notified the board that their ambulance services would be terminated on June 30, 2022.
Confidential mediation with USDA is ongoing and progressing well, with an answer expected soon.
A YouTube channel for viewing meetings has been created and is live, with past meetings available.
The DEP denied a PFAS initial monitoring waiver application for the Hardwick Water District due to the detection of PFAS contaminants in a January 2022 sample.
The Hardwick Water District is reportedly in significant disrepair and requires substantial work, but funding is an issue, and new meters are needed.
The Hardwick water system is self-sufficient but serves a limited number of users (12-15) and does not qualify for grants due to high home values.
There is confusion regarding billing for services and who is responsible for managing the Hardwick water system.
The Page Building's roof is in poor condition, and a community group has expressed interest in contributing funds for repairs.
Numerous reports on vacant town-owned properties have been commissioned and paid for over the years but are currently unused.

Transcript (16,290 words)

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

00:00:15
One nation under god indivisible with liberty and justice for all before can everybody on zoom hear me yes yes okay i just want to make sure we were having a problem the other night before we get going and move forward
00:00:35
To anything i wanted to take a minute to address there's been a lot of questions around the zen acre farm going um that would be the marijuana facility that is proposing to go into what used to be um great meadow brooks farm
00:00:53
Eric fleming's old farm that knows that upper church street so anyone that has questions
00:01:13
You know a freak out in the land or what they're going to do i know there's been a lot of emails going around and we obviously don't have all those questions those answers for you so their meeting is going to be thursday the 14th or the 16th fourth april 14th 14th so thursday night it's gonna be at
00:01:32
The elementary school at six pm so i would encourage everyone that has questions to please attend they they're very happy to have this meeting this is a process just so that everyone understands the process the host community agreement has to come in
00:01:51
Front of the select board before anything can happen and us signing on it doesn't mean oh they're gonna they're gonna do what they're what they're proposing to do it doesn't mean that it means that they can go forward with the process of going to the planning board getting any special permits they
00:02:09
May need you know going through all the legal aspects of that the conservation gets involved they need to be on board with whatever they're doing kind of areas like that so this is a very big process it's not just us signing a host community

[00:00:15] one nation under god indivisible with [00:00:18] liberty and justice for all [00:00:23] before [00:00:25] can everybody on zoom hear me [00:00:28] yes yes okay i just want to make sure we [00:00:30] were having a problem the other night [00:00:32] um before we get going and move forward [00:00:35] to anything [00:00:36] i wanted to take a minute to address um [00:00:39] there's been a lot of questions around [00:00:41] the zen acre farm [00:00:43] going um that would be the marijuana [00:00:46] facility that is proposing to go into [00:00:49] what used to be um great meadow brooks [00:00:52] farm [00:00:53] eric fleming's old farm [00:00:55] that knows that upper church street [00:01:10] so anyone that has questions um [00:01:13] you know a freak out in the land or what [00:01:15] they're going to do [00:01:16] i know there's been a lot of emails [00:01:18] going around and we obviously don't have [00:01:21] all those questions those answers for [00:01:22] you [00:01:23] so [00:01:24] their meeting is going to be thursday [00:01:26] the 14th or the 16th fourth april 14th [00:01:30] 14th so thursday night it's gonna be at [00:01:32] the elementary school at six pm so i [00:01:34] would encourage [00:01:36] everyone that has questions to please [00:01:38] attend [00:01:39] um they they're very happy to have this [00:01:41] meeting [00:01:42] um this is a process just so that [00:01:45] everyone understands the process [00:01:47] um the [00:01:49] host community agreement has to come in [00:01:51] front of the select board before [00:01:52] anything can happen [00:01:54] and us signing on it doesn't mean [00:01:56] oh they're gonna they're gonna do what [00:01:58] they're what they're proposing to do it [00:02:00] doesn't mean that [00:02:01] it means that they can go forward with [00:02:04] the process of going to the planning [00:02:06] board getting any special permits they [00:02:09] may need [00:02:10] you know going through all the legal [00:02:12] aspects of that the conservation gets [00:02:14] involved they need to be on board with [00:02:16] whatever they're doing [00:02:20] kind of areas like that so this is a [00:02:22] very big process it's not just us [00:02:24] signing a host community [00:02:28] so that the time can maybe get revenue [00:02:30] if they are going to come into town and [00:02:32] do a business in [00:02:34] and we town [00:02:35] you know and that's public knowledge i [00:02:37] mean i think it got posted on did it get [00:02:40] posted onto the web page i know it was [00:02:42] asked what the host [00:02:54] um [00:02:55] and [00:02:55] legally [00:02:57] if the town's zoning and bylaws [00:03:00] allow such a business to happen [00:03:03] we have to be diligent [00:03:05] you know the town could possibly get [00:03:07] sued if we didn't entertain that or you [00:03:10] know have that conversation with them so [00:03:11] the whole process [00:03:13] is you know it's not just sign on the [00:03:15] line [00:03:27] um but i hope that at least [00:03:29] anyone that's [00:03:30] got questions please go to that meeting [00:03:32] because they will be there [00:03:34] and we you know they did reserve the [00:03:36] elementary school because i think a lot [00:03:38] of people have questions and they gotta [00:03:39] want to be there so save that date put [00:03:41] that date in your calendar because we [00:03:43] won't be having a conversation or [00:03:45] signing anything tonight or voting on [00:03:47] anything [00:03:48] so just everyone understands that [00:03:52] okay thank you thank you very much [00:03:54] perfect [00:03:58] no yes [00:04:09] if anyone has anything else that um that [00:04:12] they'd like to comment on before i go [00:04:14] into a couple of public um hearings [00:04:17] it's ann barnes and i would like to [00:04:20] hi i would like to thank marty for [00:04:22] getting the hanging gutter off the page [00:04:24] building it's been hanging for a while [00:04:27] and now it's gone [00:04:29] perfect marty [00:04:30] thank you ann for acknowledging that i [00:04:32] didn't see that the other day i'll have [00:04:34] to i did not notice that it was down so [00:04:36] that's good [00:04:39] anybody else [00:04:43] okay so then persuade it to [00:04:45] massachusetts general law chapter 138 [00:04:47] section 15 the border sector will hold a [00:04:50] public hearing on march 28th at 6 30 in [00:04:53] the municipal office building 307 [00:04:56] main street gilbertville for a new [00:04:58] all-alcohol package store license [00:05:01] from dc [00:05:03] tf corp dba old furnace general store [00:05:06] located at 1839 lower road a copy of the [00:05:11] application is available at the town [00:05:12] administrator's office [00:05:14] at the municipal office building 307 [00:05:16] main street bills [00:05:28] amber do you want to tell us a little [00:05:30] bit about what's going on and just kind [00:05:31] of explain [00:05:33] explain the business [00:05:41] i'm going to be opening um [00:05:43] what used to be obviously clover hill um [00:05:46] it's now [00:05:47] uh old furnace general store [00:05:49] and it's going to be a convenience store [00:05:53] i applied for [00:05:55] the [00:05:56] alcohol permit [00:05:58] our license i am planning on opening the [00:06:02] ice cream window again as well [00:06:04] um and i think [00:06:07] that's pretty much the main um the main [00:06:09] things that that i'll be doing i [00:06:11] am planning on trying to do some [00:06:14] kayak and new rentals as well um [00:06:16] obviously that would be seasonal [00:06:18] um [00:06:20] that's about it [00:06:23] okay [00:06:24] does anybody have any questions um in [00:06:27] the audience [00:06:28] julie rob [00:06:29] anyone [00:06:38] i don't i guess i just this is an [00:06:40] overall question nicole so this is a new [00:06:42] license [00:06:43] um [00:06:45] how many licenses will we have available [00:06:47] after issuing these licenses [00:06:49] i'm not i can't tell you that right off [00:06:51] the top of my head but there are several [00:06:53] available [00:06:55] okay so we have sufficient licenses [00:06:57] available to grant this license yes [00:07:00] so there's different licenses there's [00:07:01] package store and then there's [00:07:02] restaurant and um there were there were [00:07:05] so many that i didn't even like [00:07:07] look to see if we were at the cap [00:07:08] because there's so many open licenses [00:07:12] and we have um we have all the paperwork [00:07:14] in place [00:07:16] i have it here i don't know if anybody [00:07:18] wants to see it i [00:07:20] review them i've been doing this for a [00:07:21] long time and i um have been [00:07:25] speaking with amber about it she it's a [00:07:27] complete application [00:07:29] um [00:07:31] she you know did it really the uh she [00:07:34] filled it out completely [00:07:36] so [00:07:36] the only thing i thought was that she [00:07:38] should [00:07:39] maybe be advised to go to the planning [00:07:41] board [00:07:42] um either for a waiver or for a site [00:07:44] plan amendment [00:07:46] um but [00:07:47] other than that it's [00:07:49] it's it's fine here for this board [00:07:51] so that doesn't affect what we have to [00:07:53] do for this [00:07:54] no this it never does so it never [00:07:57] affects i i just recommend [00:07:59] that when you know [00:08:01] just so she knows her parameters on [00:08:03] where what she can do [00:08:06] you know that she should just reach out [00:08:07] to them and you know it's on the record [00:08:09] here that we're advising you to reach [00:08:10] out to the planning board to either to [00:08:12] show them what you're doing now you say [00:08:14] you want to do kayak rentals or [00:08:15] something like that it might be [00:08:16] expanding so just reach out to them to [00:08:19] see if you should go in front of them or [00:08:20] even just get a waiver of sight plan [00:08:24] okay we'll do [00:08:27] i have anyone here ready for you guys so [00:08:33] amber when's the anticipated opening [00:08:37] um hopefully june 1st [00:08:40] it kind of it's kind of dependent on how [00:08:42] everything's um moving forward with all [00:08:44] the different boards and everything that [00:08:46] i need to [00:08:48] go through to get the opening done [00:08:58] it would be nice to have somebody back [00:08:59] in there [00:09:01] yeah thank you [00:09:03] i'm looking forward to [00:09:04] opening [00:09:05] and the kayak rental sounds fun actually [00:09:08] with the landing right there across the [00:09:09] street so if that you know if that's [00:09:11] possible that would be that would be fun [00:09:15] yeah i think that it would be a [00:09:17] good thing to be able to do there [00:09:20] cool [00:09:21] does anybody else have any questions [00:09:24] comments before i close the hearing [00:09:29] it's so funny [00:09:31] could you [00:09:32] hi could you just um reiterate again [00:09:35] when that zen [00:09:37] farm meeting is i came on a couple [00:09:39] minutes late oh sure nicole um it's [00:09:42] thursday [00:09:43] april 14th [00:09:45] make sure i have the date right [00:09:47] elementary school at um at 6 pm [00:09:52] it is posted on our webpage too on the [00:09:54] calendar [00:09:58] okay anybody else [00:10:00] regarding this though [00:10:08] um [00:10:09] moving forward if you if [00:10:11] the board um if you guys approve [00:10:14] the application what [00:10:16] ends up being that's moving forward [00:10:20] so that it gets submitted to the abcc [00:10:22] and they they then make a year a for you [00:10:26] it has to come from us [00:10:28] so we submitted on your behalf [00:10:31] okay and then [00:10:32] yeah relatively 30 days actually will be [00:10:35] will both be notified you and in the [00:10:38] town gets notification if there's [00:10:40] something you know and then if there's [00:10:41] something missing they'll reach back out [00:10:42] to us [00:10:44] they're pretty they're pretty thorough [00:10:46] about you know keeping good uh [00:10:48] communication open [00:10:50] with both the town and the applicant [00:10:55] all right thank you very much you're [00:10:56] very welcome [00:10:59] all right there's no further comments or [00:11:01] questions i'm going to close out this [00:11:03] hearing [00:11:07] 641 [00:11:09] 641 okay um [00:11:19] i will make a motion that we um [00:11:25] approve the new all alcohol [00:11:29] package store license from dctf corp dba [00:11:33] old furnace general store [00:11:35] located at 1839 lower road [00:11:41] second though [00:11:42] all those in favor [00:11:44] julie yes [00:11:46] rob yes [00:11:48] yes [00:11:50] okay [00:11:52] so we will submit that on your behalf [00:11:54] amber and um you'll stay in touch and [00:11:57] then yeah um rob or julie can one of you [00:12:00] come down and sign we can't submit this [00:12:02] until we have two signatures on it [00:12:06] i can [00:12:07] okay great thanks [00:12:10] thank you all for your time i appreciate [00:12:11] it [00:12:12] thank you good luck amber thank you [00:12:15] good luck have a good night [00:12:16] thank you [00:12:18] it was well [00:12:19] okay [00:12:20] that being said [00:12:22] uh it's 6 42 and i will [00:12:26] open the second public hearing for [00:12:28] slaying it to mass general law chapter [00:12:30] 138 section 12 the board of selectmen [00:12:34] will hold a public hearing on march 28th [00:12:37] 2022 at 6 42 municipal office building [00:12:41] 307 [00:12:42] main street gilbertville mass for an all [00:12:44] new for a new all alcohol restaurant [00:12:47] license [00:12:48] from hardwick crossing inc located [00:12:57] municipal office building 307 [00:12:59] main street gilbert film [00:13:02] okay [00:13:04] um [00:13:10] do you want to tell us a little bit [00:13:11] about what you're doing yes um do you [00:13:13] want to come up so that like the folks [00:13:15] on zoom can hear you guys too maybe just [00:13:17] sit on the corner there [00:13:19] we'll face it your way so they can see [00:13:21] you [00:13:22] so we uh we're reopening dumb roman [00:13:25] country club as hardwood crossing [00:13:27] country club um we're applying for our [00:13:29] liquor license for [00:13:31] the golf course the restaurant and bar [00:13:33] area [00:13:34] for [00:13:36] yeah the golf course so [00:13:42] does anybody have any questions or [00:13:44] comments [00:13:56] what's the anticipated opening [00:13:58] time [00:13:59] um [00:14:01] we're undergoing construction right now [00:14:02] we're hoping to open the bar [00:14:04] area for the end of may uh beginning of [00:14:07] june but [00:14:08] it might be a little later than that and [00:14:10] then the golf course itself will be open [00:14:12] um and first week of july is what we're [00:14:14] hoping for [00:14:16] great [00:14:17] thank you [00:14:18] is there a restaurant [00:14:20] or is there soothing there will be [00:14:22] restaurant space so that's on phase two [00:14:24] of the uh the restoration for [00:14:27] the clubhouse so currently working on [00:14:29] the [00:14:30] main clubhouse with the um bar the whole [00:14:33] bar area [00:14:39] yeah so there's a bar area [00:14:41] restaurant area um so like family [00:14:46] like a bar area yes [00:14:50] yeah this is what we're hoping for [00:14:54] any other comments [00:14:56] questions [00:15:07] nope [00:15:08] and um all their paperwork is the same [00:15:24] hearing [00:15:34] i will make a motion to [00:15:36] approve [00:15:38] the new all alcohol restaurant license [00:15:41] from [00:15:42] harda crossing inc located at 262 lower [00:15:45] road [00:15:51] a second that all those in favor [00:15:56] julie yes [00:15:58] rob yes [00:16:00] kelly yes [00:16:02] so same process as i explained earlier [00:16:04] we submit this on your behalf to the [00:16:06] abcc and then they'll notify us if they [00:16:09] need anything additional or you know [00:16:11] whether it's a yay or a name from them [00:16:13] they're very good to communicate so [00:16:15] okay [00:16:16] so good luck [00:16:18] thank you [00:16:19] great name for your business yeah i do [00:16:22] like that i do like [00:16:24] didn't you you wanted to name it [00:16:26] hardwood golf course [00:16:30] of course [00:16:40] there is i did i did discover that once [00:16:42] upon a time funny [00:16:45] you as well thank you very much [00:16:48] okay so let's get on to [00:16:51] is there anyone here [00:16:53] no okay um [00:16:54] so discussion [00:16:56] um [00:16:58] some old business um the accountant job [00:17:01] description collector position combined [00:17:03] with treasurer [00:17:05] um a vote on appointing jessica crawford [00:17:08] to the collector position [00:17:11] uh do you want to oh in a clear position [00:17:13] for finance these are just some old [00:17:14] things that are ongoing do you wanna um [00:17:17] talk a little bit more about that and [00:17:19] then see what we can do about things [00:17:22] so i submitted a accountant job [00:17:25] description to you guys um [00:17:28] i would love to put it out there just to [00:17:30] see if we get any qualified applicants [00:17:33] um internally um we really need somebody [00:17:37] here [00:17:38] all the time having the accounting [00:17:40] services is fine having an in-house [00:17:43] employee is just so much more important [00:17:45] um [00:17:46] you know just for everyday work and [00:17:50] and you know the milestone things like [00:17:52] the budget that's not in their contract [00:17:54] so they don't help with and you know [00:17:55] once in a while i'll need a report or a [00:17:58] pivot table or something like that that [00:17:59] accountants do that [00:18:01] you know took me like six hours how to [00:18:03] learn to do a pivot table that i forgot [00:18:05] how already so you know [00:18:08] the services are going up to 80 000 so i [00:18:10] thought [00:18:11] why don't we just throw it out there and [00:18:13] see if we get any qualified applicants [00:18:15] for less than that [00:18:16] um [00:18:17] and uh [00:18:19] you know all the [00:18:20] agencies that we're currently working [00:18:22] with [00:18:23] are fine with that um you know [00:18:26] going with an in-house versus accounting [00:18:28] services so [00:18:29] with your approval i'd love to just put [00:18:31] this job out there and see if we get any [00:18:33] qualified applicants [00:18:35] so i'm going to chime in really quick [00:18:37] too because when i first [00:18:39] you know looked at this and i thought oh [00:18:41] you know we've got so many things on the [00:18:42] table right now um and we do need [00:18:45] there are changes that need to be made [00:18:47] and where i do believe that we're [00:18:48] trucking along and making them and [00:18:50] you know to better the town and i don't [00:18:53] disagree with seeing seeing what's out [00:18:56] there um [00:18:57] you know it may be that we don't get any [00:18:59] bites back and you know [00:19:02] we won't be able to move on it right now [00:19:03] but i think it's worth [00:19:05] i personally think it's worth putting it [00:19:07] out there [00:19:08] you know posting it and see what happens [00:19:11] and then [00:19:12] it gives options if nothing else i i [00:19:14] feel like um [00:19:16] it is difficult that someone isn't in [00:19:18] this building to help the rest of the [00:19:20] financial team [00:19:22] or nicole or you know even the assessor [00:19:25] for that matter [00:19:26] um [00:19:28] i think if everyone was in the same [00:19:29] building [00:19:30] um it would only make it stronger [00:19:33] you know at the end of the day [00:19:35] so that's just my two cents so you guys [00:19:37] uh rob julie your thoughts [00:19:42] um [00:19:43] so i'm gonna be the one who's gonna i [00:19:46] don't know i just [00:19:47] i don't disagree i'm all for seeing [00:19:50] what's out there my concern is that [00:19:52] we've got just as you said kelly we've [00:19:54] got a lot going on [00:19:56] and [00:19:58] that position [00:19:59] so i guess my um [00:20:02] my thought process is we've got to have [00:20:05] somebody who is on their toes [00:20:07] um we can't afford at this point in the [00:20:10] situation that we're in to have someone [00:20:12] learning on the job [00:20:14] because of what [00:20:16] um [00:20:18] where we're at in the demand for [00:20:20] information [00:20:21] so [00:20:22] i realized that you know molinson is a [00:20:24] little bit more expensive or is [00:20:26] expensive based on what we've paid in [00:20:28] the past [00:20:29] um [00:20:30] i'm also very [00:20:33] cautious that we need somebody who is [00:20:34] going to be [00:20:36] on their feet immediately with the [00:20:38] information so if we can find somebody [00:20:41] like that and we don't lose [00:20:43] track and we're on [00:20:46] pace with where we need to be i don't [00:20:48] have a problem revisiting it [00:20:50] my concern is that we've done this in [00:20:52] the past in the historic history of that [00:20:54] position [00:20:56] we've [00:20:57] had folks who were not uh the best fit [00:21:00] and not properly trained in that [00:21:02] position [00:21:03] and it's been detrimental for the town [00:21:05] and it is even more critical now in the [00:21:07] situation that we're in that someone is [00:21:10] qualified and able to hit the ground [00:21:11] running [00:21:12] agreed i think we could [00:21:14] truly only look at [00:21:16] very experienced applicants or [00:21:19] i would really only want to look at a a [00:21:21] certified government accountant [00:21:24] somebody who knows vadar somebody who's [00:21:26] you know very experienced in municipal [00:21:29] finance so you know i i'm right there [00:21:32] with you 100 [00:21:34] i just think that it's it's pr it could [00:21:36] be a good time for us to go out right [00:21:38] now um [00:21:40] before we sign a new contract with [00:21:42] malanson and they're fine they're fine [00:21:44] that's what they are for eighty thousand [00:21:46] dollars so [00:21:47] um [00:21:49] you know so i i'm just hoping that we [00:21:51] maybe we're going to get somebody [00:21:55] i think as an additional oh [00:21:58] sorry as an additional follow-up [00:22:00] um anyone in that position um anyone who [00:22:03] is going to go for a position [00:22:05] like that is going to want to make a [00:22:07] decent [00:22:08] salary [00:22:10] especially with those credentials so [00:22:13] my guess would be we're still going to [00:22:15] be paying a sig [00:22:16] a position like that is going to command [00:22:18] a significant salary [00:22:20] so i think we need to be prepared for [00:22:22] that [00:22:24] i agree and i think what we're paying [00:22:26] melanson right now [00:22:27] um we could be competitive [00:22:30] and that and and have that person in [00:22:32] house [00:22:34] i i you know i do i do believe that [00:22:37] um [00:22:38] you know i guess [00:22:39] but we don't know unless unless we put [00:22:41] it out there i guess is my thought [00:22:42] either [00:22:43] um [00:22:44] and maybe we don't get what we're [00:22:47] looking for and you know then we'll you [00:22:50] know we'll know the landscape correct [00:22:52] yeah yeah rob i'm sorry i said your name [00:22:55] now twice and [00:22:56] i cut you off i'm sorry [00:22:59] no no you guys just finished your [00:23:01] thoughts um [00:23:03] i would [00:23:05] i'm pretty hesitant on this one because [00:23:07] uh i feel like if we go through the [00:23:09] motion [00:23:10] we have to be prepared to [00:23:12] move forward [00:23:14] do we have time [00:23:16] with everything going on [00:23:18] to even start you know put a thing out [00:23:21] there and not interview where we got to [00:23:23] interview people that are we think [00:23:25] possibly [00:23:27] or have the credentials we're looking [00:23:29] for [00:23:30] um [00:23:34] i i think that you know if we put it out [00:23:37] there [00:23:38] i think nicole's qualified to weed out [00:23:40] or you know weave through [00:23:42] um i don't want to sound you know but um [00:23:46] and you know even [00:23:48] before we even consider you know [00:23:50] in-person interviews [00:23:52] i mean i think that's what you did with [00:23:53] the [00:23:53] the collector so um [00:23:57] again and and if we're thinking about [00:23:59] this for the for the upcoming fiscal [00:24:01] year then we do have to act on it [00:24:04] and [00:24:06] we don't know unless we unless we put it [00:24:08] out there [00:24:09] and [00:24:10] i i [00:24:11] personally i'm in i'm in favor of trying [00:24:13] it [00:24:14] and and seeing where it lands [00:24:17] and i think we [00:24:19] know how you know we know how to get [00:24:21] through the storm we've been through [00:24:22] we've been through a few in the past [00:24:24] year so i think we're all fully capable [00:24:27] doing it [00:24:30] yeah but we also have two people right [00:24:32] now that do the work in that position [00:24:36] because it's not only the accountant [00:24:38] it's her assistant [00:24:40] so there's more than two yeah [00:24:43] there's a whole there is a hole [00:24:47] we're not just getting one person we're [00:24:49] getting a team of people that [00:24:51] have an understanding of the regulations [00:24:56] that is true i i i just want just to [00:24:59] consider and if you don't do it now i [00:25:01] mean it's completely up to you [00:25:03] um that i'm taking this time to do this [00:25:05] because i feel like it's the best option [00:25:09] well you know it's it's an important [00:25:11] part of us leading and and um [00:25:15] and managing the town and yeah we have [00:25:17] lansing we have a few people that work [00:25:20] it's minimal [00:25:21] we don't have anybody that's dedicated [00:25:23] to us [00:25:24] they'll get back to me within a few [00:25:25] hours when i want something they [00:25:27] absolutely well sometimes it's in an [00:25:28] hour sometimes it's the next day [00:25:30] um [00:25:31] i just feel like there might be somebody [00:25:34] that would be willing and [00:25:36] you know i know [00:25:38] the salary would need to be competitive [00:25:40] too but this is a very small town with a [00:25:42] very small budget and it's it's not like [00:25:45] um you know the accountants in in cities [00:25:48] and i will say again i just left bummer [00:25:50] and the account there with a 45 mil to [00:25:53] 50 million budget with 12 thousand [00:25:55] people is making six seventy thousand so [00:25:57] i think um you know that we could be [00:26:00] competitive with something with with [00:26:02] that [00:26:06] if we salary like between 60 and 70 [00:26:09] depending on qualifications [00:26:11] and then have somebody here dedicated to [00:26:13] us to hardwick 32 hours a week [00:26:20] i don't think i'm i don't think i'm [00:26:21] arguing my point well um [00:26:24] because [00:26:26] now i guess [00:26:27] i it's a lot it's a lot extra work for [00:26:29] me too so as as we talk about the things [00:26:31] that are coming up and things that we're [00:26:33] doing and things that are on the plate [00:26:35] and things that we have been doing [00:26:37] a good accountant will streamline a lot [00:26:40] yeah and uh [00:26:42] for all of us it's really a lot of work [00:26:43] right now so i can't imagine that having [00:26:46] an in-house account would be more work i [00:26:48] think that would be i think that would [00:26:49] help all of us out all of us but even [00:26:52] you know [00:26:54] when it comes to [00:26:56] budget meetings and finance i mean there [00:26:58] would be an account at all of these [00:27:00] meetings the accountant would be working [00:27:01] every day with the collector and the [00:27:03] assessor [00:27:04] and i you know i would even propose that [00:27:06] we would move the assessor i mean i'm [00:27:09] sorry the treasure collector downstairs [00:27:11] and have the accountant with them [00:27:13] probably in the planning board or [00:27:14] something like that move them up [00:27:16] and then everybody's down here you know [00:27:18] all together working cohesively [00:27:21] um [00:27:22] and daily you know and again dedicated [00:27:25] to us to our to hardwick where malanson [00:27:28] they're an accounting service that [00:27:31] serves many towns [00:27:43] i mean i don't have a problem if we want [00:27:45] to advertise for it [00:27:46] again i just want to be sure we have the [00:27:48] right candidate and i want to be sure [00:27:51] you know we follow through [00:27:52] um i also want to be sure that um [00:27:56] those folks that were [00:27:58] you know that are key stakeholders in [00:28:00] this are aware that we're doing this [00:28:03] so i don't want this to be a surprise to [00:28:06] anybody involved [00:28:09] it's not [00:28:11] okay i i want to be up front on that yep [00:28:15] i checked with all of everybody and i've [00:28:18] been discussing it with the town staff [00:28:20] you know that how how great it would be [00:28:22] if we had our own in-house clearly they [00:28:23] didn't need to be qualified i understand [00:28:26] your reservations and hesitation due to [00:28:29] past practice but i can assure you that [00:28:31] anybody that i brought to you would [00:28:34] probably be able to just start off right [00:28:37] away and know everything because most [00:28:39] municipalities that would be this size [00:28:42] use they are so that's the software and [00:28:44] that's you know you just jump from one [00:28:47] one town to the next with the same [00:28:48] number in the same software [00:28:51] and learning our you know learning our [00:28:53] system and and [00:28:54] and massachusetts um [00:28:58] uh municipal [00:28:59] finance they would already have that i i [00:29:02] honestly would think that we would get [00:29:04] somebody from another town [00:29:10] that's how you get these and if we don't [00:29:11] get them then then i just bring in the [00:29:14] lanson [00:29:15] contract to you [00:29:17] because finding municipal and i think [00:29:18] julie's also you know that melanson is [00:29:21] aware that we're going to post for this [00:29:22] oh [00:29:23] i've been talking to her about that but [00:29:25] once i i don't i once i get your [00:29:27] approval i will certainly reach out to [00:29:29] lori immediately [00:29:48] i think that's all i have on it i just [00:29:50] want to be sure it sounds like you've [00:29:52] thought it through i just want to be [00:29:53] sure we're um [00:29:57] we're considering everything and it [00:29:58] sounds like you you know you've talked [00:29:59] to the right people and [00:30:01] we're approaching this the correct way [00:30:06] does anyone want to make a motion to [00:30:08] approve this and allow nicole to post [00:30:11] for it [00:30:15] um [00:30:16] so [00:30:19] um i will make a motion that we [00:30:23] authorize the account job description [00:30:25] [Music] [00:30:27] and authorize its posting [00:30:34] second all those in favor [00:30:39] julie yes [00:30:41] rob no [00:30:42] kelly yes [00:30:48] thank you guys [00:30:51] so then yep so now um the next again um [00:30:54] old business is the collector position [00:30:58] so i've reached out to council and i've [00:31:00] got the language for um [00:31:02] putting it to town meeting to combine [00:31:05] them as we know from the last meeting [00:31:07] um [00:31:08] that dls will be [00:31:10] recommending strongly recommending that [00:31:12] we combine these two positions [00:31:14] especially since there's a vacancy [00:31:17] um and then we were also told by dls [00:31:20] that it's not illegal or unheard of or [00:31:23] even um [00:31:25] you know [00:31:26] it's common practice that the same [00:31:28] person is [00:31:29] um [00:31:30] speaking of the same person is the uh [00:31:33] treasure and collector you can appoint [00:31:35] the same person to be treasurer and to [00:31:37] be collectors [00:31:38] now i don't i certainly didn't want to [00:31:40] do that without having another person in [00:31:42] there because we can't expect jessica to [00:31:44] do a two full-time jobs [00:31:46] but [00:31:47] she's already doing it and she's doing [00:31:49] it for nothing so if we could appoint [00:31:51] her [00:31:51] as our interim collector and pay her her [00:31:54] hourly salary for the extra work that [00:31:56] she does with collecting [00:31:57] um you know it's it's certainly saving [00:31:59] us on uh using sarah we're using her a [00:32:02] lot less so i'm doing a lot of the the [00:32:05] processing and just because [00:32:09] which is also on this agenda um you know [00:32:11] doing the work and um posting things and [00:32:15] you know i don't know how much these [00:32:17] people oh when they come in like today [00:32:18] there's been interest she's able to get [00:32:20] into the system and tell tell them what [00:32:23] they owe she takes the check she [00:32:24] processes it posts it and i feel like we [00:32:27] should be compensating her for the [00:32:28] actual work that she's doing [00:32:31] at her hourly rate [00:32:33] this question [00:32:34] if we did this could we eliminate um uni [00:32:38] finance whatever sarah's company is [00:32:41] could we eliminate [00:32:43] using her well i i don't know because [00:32:46] again it's it's two positions down to [00:32:48] one person [00:32:50] so i think maybe i mean it would almost [00:32:53] eliminate her because [00:32:55] we can't afford no we can't [00:32:57] we definitely can't we have like twelve [00:32:59] thousand dollars left in the collector [00:33:01] um [00:33:03] so [00:33:04] this this this definitely will help a [00:33:07] lot in jessica's here we could ever come [00:33:09] up um i just [00:33:11] to be able to retain good employees [00:33:14] um i don't want to take advantage of her [00:33:17] and we can't afford sarah so [00:33:19] you know if [00:33:21] so if we're [00:33:23] you know going to vote for the combined [00:33:26] physicians [00:33:27] and if we appointed on an interim basis [00:33:30] through the end of the fiscal year [00:33:33] i mean this could kind of be like a [00:33:35] trial [00:33:36] you know a trial phase [00:33:39] for the position well no because it is a [00:33:41] lot and so until we can budget for that [00:33:44] additional person [00:33:46] um [00:33:48] you know i'm thinking [00:33:49] uh you know [00:33:50] interim [00:33:52] you know and then it'd be almost like a [00:33:54] trial you know [00:33:56] i don't want to say probationary but a [00:33:58] trial period to see [00:33:59] if you're [00:34:02] want to even continue on [00:34:04] you know in that position if you wanted [00:34:06] to do both and then it also you know [00:34:08] gives us like an idea on how it goes [00:34:12] so i would you know [00:34:14] that's my two cents [00:34:16] um [00:34:18] julie rob [00:34:23] i guess i would say the same [00:34:26] discussion about the accountant um [00:34:29] it clearly is too much work for one [00:34:31] person to do [00:34:32] um and [00:34:34] i i know that [00:34:36] you know she's doing it now [00:34:38] um but i also [00:34:41] um i just want to be sure that and i [00:34:44] also understand that we can't continue [00:34:46] to [00:34:47] you know go the way that we're currently [00:34:49] going from a financial standpoint [00:34:51] um [00:34:53] i'm okay with doing it on a [00:34:55] i would want to make the appointment [00:34:58] only till the end of the fiscal year [00:35:00] um because you know i think if if [00:35:05] the position would have to be it would [00:35:06] have to be reappointed at the new year [00:35:08] anyway just like her treasure position [00:35:11] any appointed positions get you know [00:35:13] reappointed annually right but they [00:35:15] don't typically get appointed did they [00:35:16] get up they did they typically get [00:35:18] appointed around june 30th [00:35:20] yep [00:35:21] they do okay yeah i think we did last [00:35:23] year's to be honest i think we did right [00:35:25] like the 25th or the 28th whatever the [00:35:27] meeting date was we did a whole bunch of [00:35:29] them [00:35:30] okay [00:35:31] so [00:35:32] because i here's what i think is going [00:35:33] to happen i think the demand again same [00:35:36] conversation with the [00:35:38] with regard to the accountant [00:35:40] we we um and again i'm not i'm not [00:35:44] speaking about the current position the [00:35:46] current person in the physician i think [00:35:48] any [00:35:48] one who was in that position filling [00:35:51] both shoes is gonna be it's gonna be a [00:35:53] lot of work [00:35:54] and we cannot let the ball drop on that [00:35:56] we've got to be current [00:35:59] with our [00:36:00] uh numbers [00:36:02] and making sure that everything is [00:36:03] accurate because [00:36:05] we're going to be held to a certain [00:36:07] standard [00:36:08] absolutely and um [00:36:11] you know i don't mind giving a trial run [00:36:13] to see if it's gonna work i i think [00:36:16] clearly if you're gonna have to combine [00:36:17] those positions you've that position [00:36:19] those positions have to have a clerk [00:36:21] whether it's part-time or whatever that [00:36:24] whatever [00:36:26] um [00:36:29] but i mean we can't [00:36:31] so [00:36:32] we're allowed to if we appoint her to [00:36:35] that position [00:36:37] we're allowed to use the the funds that [00:36:40] are there nicole to continue to [00:36:42] compensate her [00:36:43] yes that's what we're paying [00:36:45] sarah out of [00:36:49] um and you know and i i definitely [00:36:51] understand this too but like i said [00:36:53] she's already doing it and jen is [00:36:56] helping and i am helping and mike is [00:36:59] helping from that software that we're [00:37:01] trying to get away from it's on this [00:37:03] agenda [00:37:04] um [00:37:05] and so we're all kind of just hobbling [00:37:08] along and making it happen and we [00:37:10] understand that you know [00:37:12] what needs to go out and when it needs [00:37:13] to go out and we're all working [00:37:15] collectively this isn't a [00:37:18] long-term sustainability but until you [00:37:21] know for the next few months while we [00:37:23] transition to this you know combined [00:37:25] position and then getting a clerk which [00:37:27] i would also recommend full-time [00:37:30] um [00:37:31] then you know [00:37:33] um [00:37:34] this is this is really the best option [00:37:37] that we have [00:37:39] and you know [00:37:42] i i'm a contracted employee [00:37:44] and i'm and i'm certainly not looking [00:37:47] for extra compensation but i would [00:37:48] really like to see the staff get [00:37:50] compensated for what they're actually [00:37:52] doing [00:37:53] so so along those lines if the assessor [00:37:55] is helping with this and we're not [00:37:57] compensating her [00:37:59] yep how does this how does that all work [00:38:02] she's not really doing what jessica's [00:38:04] doing and getting into the camera system [00:38:06] and processing all the checks she can't [00:38:08] as the assessor but um you know she'll [00:38:11] she'll let us know what the process is [00:38:14] or [00:38:15] you know kind of look at when we're [00:38:16] sending out we just have to send out [00:38:18] eagle hill's next sewer bill and we're [00:38:21] all looking at the numbers together from [00:38:23] you know the camera system so she you [00:38:25] know gave a couple of comments on the [00:38:27] numbers so she's not doing like a lot of [00:38:29] physical work or a lot of work work [00:38:31] she's just sort of um [00:38:33] not necessarily she has this she has the [00:38:35] knowledge right from just being here for [00:38:38] so so long i think it's just a [00:38:40] knowledge-based help [00:38:46] jessica makes somewhere around 26 [00:38:47] dollars so it's about [00:38:50] a lot less than sarah [00:38:53] right now we're paying sarah 1 25 25. [00:38:57] um [00:38:58] rob do you want to say anything because [00:38:59] then i was going to ask jessica if she [00:39:00] wanted to come up and you know just kind [00:39:03] of speak on her own behalf [00:39:06] um [00:39:07] no i mean i think we just we got to get [00:39:10] this process started and [00:39:12] um [00:39:14] hope that we can fill the [00:39:16] clark position when we get to that point [00:39:18] that [00:39:19] make it work but absolutely the [00:39:21] appointments for the next three months [00:39:23] it helps the cash flow [00:39:26] i'm good [00:39:29] would you like to come up and speak on [00:39:30] your your behalf and [00:39:32] tell us like [00:39:34] just [00:39:34] so far what you've [00:39:37] learned [00:39:42] so um i feel like things are going well [00:39:45] um [00:39:46] a lot of it comes down to time [00:39:47] management [00:39:48] um so i feel like the biggest uh maybe [00:39:52] hurdle [00:39:53] is answering all the emails and phone [00:39:55] calls so [00:39:56] um i think sarah said that melanie could [00:40:00] stay on board maybe and help out with [00:40:02] that [00:40:03] um [00:40:04] it's like her assistant i don't know [00:40:06] what she [00:40:08] yeah i don't know what we pay her but um [00:40:11] but if not i mean i feel like that's [00:40:12] really [00:40:14] um [00:40:15] where things fall short so i feel like i [00:40:17] can keep up with everything else but [00:40:18] that takes a lot of time [00:40:20] it's getting back to people through [00:40:22] through calls and emails so [00:40:24] um [00:40:25] everyone else has been really awesome [00:40:27] and helpful and [00:40:30] yeah [00:40:31] while pitching in and being a team yeah [00:40:34] um and so [00:40:36] yeah cause it's been a couple weeks now [00:40:37] that i've been [00:40:39] she learned the collector's system the [00:40:42] camera software yeah and so she's got it [00:40:45] on her computer that will change [00:40:48] yes [00:40:51] oh my gosh so much easier so [00:40:53] um i don't want to say [00:40:55] too many negative things about camera [00:40:57] but i can say that vader is much more [00:40:59] efficient faster [00:41:06] um [00:41:23] so much time when i'm doing things on [00:41:24] radar so much faster [00:41:27] um [00:41:34] i think so right now [00:41:38] she's doing a great job [00:41:39] awesome thank you thank you for helping [00:41:42] out [00:41:43] you know [00:41:45] let's see if we can get your papers [00:41:51] anyone want to make a motion [00:42:02] so [00:42:04] it looks it seems like we need two [00:42:06] motions [00:42:07] so um [00:42:10] because we're [00:42:11] the first part is combining the two [00:42:13] positions that's not something we can do [00:42:15] that has to go to town meeting [00:42:17] right so so all we would be doing is [00:42:19] this um you know appointing [00:42:23] as an interim collector through june [00:42:25] 30th because the [00:42:28] combining the positions has to go to [00:42:30] town vote [00:42:31] special legislation so we can't you know [00:42:34] we can't make that a one you know one [00:42:36] position at this point um [00:42:39] it's just it's really just um [00:42:41] making the appointment for the other [00:42:43] position [00:42:49] um [00:42:50] so i will make the motion that we [00:42:53] appoint [00:42:54] jessica crawford um [00:42:58] as an interim [00:42:59] uh collector [00:43:01] through june 30th 2022 [00:43:06] um [00:43:08] is there anything else i need to include [00:43:09] in the motion [00:43:12] no i think that's good [00:43:13] is it well maybe just [00:43:15] at an hourly at her hourly rate okay [00:43:17] because right now [00:43:19] you're hourly but you're paid [00:43:21] right so it's like a salary yeah what i [00:43:23] had said what i had thought would be a [00:43:25] good idea would be [00:43:26] like if she's working four hours [00:43:29] in the collector's office then we'll [00:43:31] just pay her for those four hours [00:43:33] as her hourly pay out of the collector [00:43:35] budget [00:43:36] so just have to keep good tabs on your [00:43:38] time spent [00:43:40] yeah okay [00:43:42] does that make sense julie sorry [00:43:45] yeah so so i'll reveal the motion that [00:43:47] we appoint jessica crawford as interim [00:43:50] collector through june 30 2022 at her [00:43:53] current rate [00:43:55] per hour [00:43:58] the second that [00:44:00] all those in favor [00:44:03] aye [00:44:05] julius sorry yes [00:44:15] um [00:44:16] you're going to advertise for that [00:44:18] assistant like prior to so that [00:44:20] hopefully [00:44:21] starts on july 1 [00:44:23] because [00:44:24] assuming that town meeting action [00:44:25] approves it and then the legislature is [00:44:27] still going to take some time [00:44:29] you're going to have you know still [00:44:31] correct [00:44:34] would be good yep have that position [00:44:37] ready for july 1 [00:44:39] absolutely [00:44:41] it would be you know it would be you [00:44:43] know [00:44:43] so jessica and i have already i put [00:44:46] together a job description for assistant [00:44:48] administrative assistant to the [00:44:49] treasurer collector and sent it to [00:44:51] jessica so she can um add or take [00:44:54] whatever she sees fit to send back to me [00:44:56] to bring to you guys too [00:44:58] because i think um [00:45:04] is crucial it would be ideal to have [00:45:06] someone in there as soon as possible you [00:45:07] know yeah soon as possible you know [00:45:09] obviously [00:45:13] to july 1st i mean not as soon as [00:45:14] possible but july july 1. [00:45:18] okay [00:45:19] thank you ryan [00:45:21] um [00:45:24] [Music] [00:45:28] some new business we have um the [00:45:30] assistant emergency [00:45:32] management director um [00:45:35] resignation [00:45:37] christopher joy i'm not sure i'm saying [00:45:39] that correct but [00:45:41] um [00:45:43] i did forward you guys the email that [00:45:45] that eric sent [00:45:47] to the board so [00:45:49] um [00:45:51] i hope that you had a chance to see that [00:45:53] because i did [00:45:54] i meant to do it [00:45:56] like thursday or friday and i i [00:45:58] apologize that i [00:46:00] it slipped my mind until this afternoon [00:46:02] so um you know we're just looking to [00:46:04] accept his resignation [00:46:10] so i'll make the [00:46:13] notion that we accept the resignation of [00:46:15] christopher lejoy amd [00:46:20] second then [00:46:22] all those in favor [00:46:25] aye [00:46:26] rabbi [00:46:28] yes [00:46:32] okay uh the next thing is [00:46:34] the ik bid that um nicole put together [00:46:40] and you sent that oh no it is packet [00:46:44] um she did send that ahead of time and [00:46:46] then it's also in our pocket [00:46:48] um [00:46:51] so [00:46:52] we are all and i have two staff members [00:46:55] in here right now that can attest [00:46:57] nobody's happy with paragus [00:46:59] um [00:47:00] they're not responsive they [00:47:03] they're not quite knowledgeable they [00:47:05] charge us for all their time researching [00:47:07] on what to do i can go on and on but [00:47:10] none of us are happy with harvest and i [00:47:12] mean none when why had employee come in [00:47:13] last week and say can i just vent and [00:47:16] she just went up and i said you know [00:47:17] what [00:47:18] we've got to do something about this [00:47:20] and they're [00:47:22] like 2 900 a month [00:47:24] and they're going up again they said [00:47:26] we're absolutely going up so i spoke [00:47:28] with [00:47:29] the town of goshen who took over for [00:47:31] hampshire i t i spoke with the town [00:47:33] administrator there [00:47:35] and um [00:47:36] she said that just kind of out of [00:47:38] kindness to their heart they went and [00:47:40] accepted this um hampshire i.t [00:47:43] even though they were defunct because [00:47:46] they um [00:47:48] they [00:47:49] there was no other way so to allow the [00:47:51] towns to keep having this id [00:47:53] they use paragus she said they're okay [00:47:55] they're not that happy but they're okay [00:47:57] so good maybe they're great over there [00:47:58] but they're not for us they haven't been [00:48:00] since i started [00:48:01] um but [00:48:03] now it's to the point where [00:48:05] um i knew that we could get out of there [00:48:07] in 30 days this is what um i can't i'm [00:48:10] trying to think of her name over in [00:48:11] goshen but anyway [00:48:12] um she said no you just have to give [00:48:14] them 30 days notice because i thought we [00:48:15] had to stay until the end of the year [00:48:17] so this see this worked out when i did [00:48:20] the when i looked at the calendar [00:48:22] because it's got to go to commbuys and [00:48:25] goods and services [00:48:27] on the state website [00:48:29] and um [00:48:31] the next publication is march i mean [00:48:33] april 4th [00:48:34] which is next monday and the deadline [00:48:37] for submission is this wednesday which [00:48:39] is 30 [00:48:41] and [00:48:42] then [00:48:44] i would love to be able to give them a [00:48:46] notice [00:48:47] and then be done with them by april 30th [00:48:49] then april 25th we could look at bids [00:48:51] again because i'm on vacation on the [00:48:53] week the 18th [00:48:54] so [00:48:55] if we just if we just put it out for [00:48:58] three weeks [00:48:59] and [00:49:00] put it and then open them on on when uh [00:49:03] monday the 25th at night [00:49:05] and then by wednesday [00:49:08] we could make a a decision or even if i [00:49:11] look at them [00:49:12] i don't know if i recommended the [00:49:14] recommendation right we could we could [00:49:16] we could technically have somebody the [00:49:18] next day and i've reached out to a few [00:49:20] it firms [00:49:22] and they say that they can start [00:49:24] literally the next day after a a [00:49:27] an award [00:49:28] um and don't necessarily need the other [00:49:32] i.t but that it would be nice if they [00:49:34] could see what the environment is they [00:49:36] don't need it [00:49:37] um you know just in case they aren't [00:49:39] good [00:49:40] you know [00:49:41] um [00:49:44] give our notice to [00:49:46] paragus before we [00:49:48] yes [00:49:54] well i'm very confident that we would [00:49:56] have [00:49:58] good bids [00:50:00] but i mean if you guys want to if you [00:50:03] guys don't want to do that because it's [00:50:04] entirely up to you [00:50:06] and i know it may seem like a lot but [00:50:08] what we're what we're dealing with on a [00:50:10] daily basis is the reason that i'm doing [00:50:12] this because i'm going to not work i'm [00:50:14] like i wait [00:50:16] and i think we all get it because we [00:50:17] dealt with this last year [00:50:19] when we were dealing with everything [00:50:22] and everybody was complaining everybody [00:50:25] from the police department to you know [00:50:28] everyone everyone everybody [00:50:29] um and we did we did have a discussion [00:50:32] last year that we hope that we could you [00:50:34] know talk this [00:50:35] for the next fiscal year because we were [00:50:37] just trying to put the budget together [00:50:38] and have a town meeting last year yeah [00:50:40] um and i so i do think that we all [00:50:43] understand um [00:50:48] so after after enough of the um [00:50:51] you know of the [00:50:53] unsuccessful work that they do and [00:50:56] for us on a daily basis [00:50:58] um [00:50:59] i just thought that it was important to [00:51:02] just put this together and get it out [00:51:04] there like i said i've reached out to [00:51:05] some [00:51:06] who have [00:51:07] come to see our environment as well [00:51:10] and um [00:51:11] you know [00:51:13] i have confidence in them that they they [00:51:16] already said yeah we can start which i [00:51:18] can't just give it to anybody i've gotta [00:51:19] come out to bed and i've gotta [00:51:23] but i'm very confident that we would [00:51:25] have somebody ready to go [00:51:30] can i make uh can i make a comment i'm [00:51:32] sorry this is will van arsdale [00:51:38] i know some of you [00:51:39] um [00:51:41] this is [00:51:42] serendipitous it's amazing that you [00:51:45] mentioned this tonight because i am [00:51:46] having [00:51:47] a terrible time with parangus right now [00:51:51] um [00:51:52] i'm about to fire them [00:51:54] they run my [00:51:56] i.t at my house for my home office [00:52:00] and i have remote employees i don't have [00:52:02] any local employees except for one [00:52:04] part-time person [00:52:06] i have a planning board uh special [00:52:08] permit application in process right now [00:52:11] we just moved my business my engineering [00:52:14] business from natick to hardwick rob and [00:52:16] i've known each other for a long time [00:52:18] i've lived here for 13 years but full [00:52:20] time this year for the first time here's [00:52:22] my point paragus [00:52:24] has been running my i.t here for 18 [00:52:28] months and they are horrendous [00:52:31] i have two employees who are computer [00:52:33] geeks [00:52:34] who work remotely [00:52:37] but i can't pay them to do computer work [00:52:39] because i need them to do my engineering [00:52:41] work [00:52:42] and we all agree paragus is awful and i [00:52:46] found a replacement paragus will be [00:52:48] fired [00:52:49] um [00:52:50] they've cost me [00:52:51] countless hours and many dollars [00:52:54] they are a growth based [00:52:56] company okay so [00:52:58] gonna i don't i don't want to cut you [00:53:01] off well i'm not trying to be but we [00:53:03] probably shouldn't just have a you know [00:53:05] a bashing meeting on on a company um not [00:53:09] really the yeah not really the [00:53:12] you know place to do that but we get it [00:53:14] yeah we get it and we feel your pain too [00:53:16] because we're feeling we're feeling the [00:53:17] pain too [00:53:18] um my question nicole is that this [00:53:21] covers everything that needs to be [00:53:22] covered the police department [00:53:26] yes i had kevin look at it too okay yep [00:53:29] i and i have him add the um software [00:53:32] that he has okay because that would be i [00:53:35] know they run a couple of different [00:53:36] things like okay okay yes [00:53:39] um there is even [00:53:45] yeah i i do think this is a um [00:53:48] you know we did talk about it um [00:53:53] i think it's probably [00:53:56] [Music] [00:54:09] but you know we just [00:54:10] we'll keep it you know keep it real [00:54:12] that's all um [00:54:14] julie rob do you guys have any um [00:54:16] questions or [00:54:19] i guess i um speaking from my own [00:54:21] experience switching it firms [00:54:23] um and i i guess i just like to say that [00:54:25] i worked with paragus a little bit when [00:54:27] we were between administrators [00:54:30] um and you know [00:54:32] circumstances change for everybody um [00:54:34] they met the need for us [00:54:36] uh at a time when we needed them [00:54:38] so it's you know circumstances change [00:54:41] and things change so [00:54:43] um [00:54:44] there you know i would summarize our [00:54:46] comments by they're just not the best [00:54:47] fit for us right now [00:54:49] um [00:54:50] i guess i would say that they have many [00:54:52] many things that they were working on [00:54:55] things in the works like new servers all [00:54:57] of that kind of stuff i want to make [00:54:59] sure none of that information is lost [00:55:02] so to the extent that we know what needs [00:55:04] to be and i also appreciate that [00:55:06] someone's going to do their own [00:55:09] look look at when they come in [00:55:11] but i know there are a lot of things [00:55:12] that they were working on so if we are [00:55:14] going to terminate their services i [00:55:16] would want to have an exit if you if as [00:55:19] if you know what they're doing nicole [00:55:20] fine but i'd want to make sure that [00:55:22] somebody has an exit [00:55:23] interview with them and gets a listing [00:55:26] of all of their things that were in [00:55:28] process [00:55:29] so we can make sure that stuff doesn't [00:55:31] fall by the wayside [00:55:33] yeah so [00:55:34] um our monthly services are pretty cut [00:55:36] and dry like we have however many [00:55:39] licenses we have for microsoft we have [00:55:41] however many devices we have however [00:55:43] much hardware software etc so that's all [00:55:46] set that's like the regular [00:55:49] you know i t talk [00:55:51] um special projects i actually had a [00:55:54] meeting with paragus last week to go [00:55:56] over a new server that we need and [00:55:58] getting us new workstations because [00:56:00] these are so old and slow [00:56:03] and it's i mean i was working with the [00:56:05] angie channel board of health it's just [00:56:06] it's [00:56:07] it's almost unworkable [00:56:09] so i have i wanted a quote from them and [00:56:12] he said he was going to send it to me [00:56:13] the next day and i so don't have it so [00:56:16] um [00:56:17] we you know i know what we need and i [00:56:20] asked them for it and they haven't given [00:56:22] me a price for both leah so [00:56:24] um [00:56:25] we don't have anything in the works as [00:56:26] far as new servers yet but we will with [00:56:29] the new company [00:56:30] um [00:56:31] and [00:56:33] since they were looking at all of that [00:56:35] last year correct julie [00:56:37] they were but there's other issues like [00:56:39] there was an issue with the assessor's [00:56:40] office and switches in the assessor's [00:56:42] office [00:56:43] and i i'm not sure any of that stuff's [00:56:45] been resolved [00:56:46] and so i just spend there's all this [00:56:48] yeah [00:56:49] yeah so maybe that's maybe that's the [00:56:51] problem and maybe [00:56:52] you know maybe almost starting you know [00:56:54] fresh with someone coming in and just [00:56:57] you know doing an evaluation can help [00:56:59] with that [00:57:00] but i guess my point is there may be [00:57:02] some things that are not [00:57:04] apparent on the face like the assessor's [00:57:07] switch in that old switching and wiring [00:57:10] wasn't really apparent so that's maybe [00:57:12] not something somebody would notice so [00:57:14] if there are things that [00:57:16] maybe somebody wouldn't notice i'd want [00:57:17] to be sure we have those [00:57:19] no yeah i thank you and we definitely [00:57:21] are aware and when these people came in [00:57:24] i showed them what's in the planning [00:57:25] office and what's in the assessor's [00:57:27] office um and you know where our [00:57:30] equipment is and kevin was very [00:57:32] knowledgeable because he was in here [00:57:33] before you know with all this equipment [00:57:36] um and honestly this is really what they [00:57:38] do and i think all of these firms will [00:57:41] know how to migrate over [00:57:44] yeah [00:57:45] so the transition is not always easy we [00:57:47] always have great expectations about [00:57:49] what the tradition is going to look like [00:57:51] and when you sort of sit back and you go [00:57:53] god how'd we get here [00:57:54] that's i don't think [00:57:57] we can um [00:57:58] it's going to be rough the transition is [00:58:00] going to be difficult i would imagine [00:58:02] um and hopefully we find somebody that [00:58:04] can deliver the level of service that we [00:58:06] need um [00:58:09] you know because clearly paragus isn't [00:58:11] meeting what what we're looking for [00:58:13] right now [00:58:14] yeah [00:58:18] rob [00:58:22] i think you need to change all i've [00:58:24] heard is complaints so [00:58:27] but i think julie's correct you're gonna [00:58:29] have to [00:58:31] it's it's it's never smooth we all know [00:58:33] nothing nothing ever goes seamlessly i [00:58:36] will say i did work through one that was [00:58:39] pretty s [00:58:41] it was pretty good but you know um [00:58:44] also been through you know a nightmare [00:58:47] one too so i think it's just [00:58:50] if we're going to do this people need to [00:58:51] know like there's a level of patience [00:58:54] that's going to have to be involved with [00:58:55] the you know with the migration like [00:58:57] anything [00:58:59] are you okay with that [00:59:03] so yeah i think [00:59:06] i i think it's time to maybe you know [00:59:09] put this out there and see what we get [00:59:10] back [00:59:13] so i would i would take a motion if [00:59:15] anyone was willing [00:59:22] [Music] [00:59:24] um i will make a motion well [00:59:28] what is our emotion on our agenda it [00:59:30] says vote i.t bid so am i making a [00:59:33] motion to put this bid out for it [00:59:35] services [00:59:36] correct yes to be reviewed on april 25th [00:59:41] so that's my motion [00:59:53] next on the agenda is [00:59:56] vader amendments for collector software [01:00:00] so this was previously sent out to us [01:00:03] we [01:00:04] talked about it [01:00:05] um [01:00:06] previously [01:00:07] how they are willing to do this um [01:00:11] barring [01:00:12] appropriate you know appropriations at [01:00:14] town meeting [01:00:15] um you know they are willing to make [01:00:17] this transition [01:00:20] and start you know [01:00:23] start with the process [01:00:25] knowing that it has to go to town vote [01:00:27] for approval so [01:00:28] um [01:00:30] and it seems like a [01:00:32] like a no-brainer um if they're willing [01:00:34] to do that [01:00:36] you know they've worked with [01:00:37] um with us before and maybe i don't know [01:00:39] jessica do you want to add anything you [01:00:42] know i think you've spoken or been kind [01:00:45] of the [01:00:46] the person communicating with them about [01:00:49] about it so [01:00:50] yeah [01:00:52] between [01:00:53] uh [01:00:55] vader enough um so they were going to do [01:00:57] a contingency plan so that we could have [01:00:59] radar [01:01:00] soon not immediately i mean the [01:01:02] conversion takes a little bit of time a [01:01:04] month or something but um but we can [01:01:06] have it much sooner than july one um and [01:01:10] then it's contingent on [01:01:12] that being funded so [01:01:13] um [01:01:15] if for some reason we didn't have [01:01:16] funding come to you and they just pull [01:01:18] out [01:01:19] yeah we're just back to canada right yep [01:01:23] yeah [01:01:24] which i think is yeah kind of a [01:01:26] no-brainer so [01:01:27] we would have it early we wouldn't have [01:01:28] to pay until july one [01:01:30] would be up and live and working [01:01:33] yeah [01:01:39] and the sewer and water would also be [01:01:41] going into the into the uh radar system [01:01:44] oh everything would be invader [01:01:46] yes [01:01:47] and then it would be so easy for [01:01:48] accounting to get [01:01:50] see everything [01:02:03] there was a lot of there were emails [01:02:04] going back and forth about the cost can [01:02:06] we just go through the cost [01:02:08] yes so in your packet there is a little [01:02:11] spreadsheet [01:02:14] um it's colorful it's got yellow [01:02:17] at the bottom [01:02:18] unless it didn't scan code [01:02:23] um so [01:02:25] there's an attachment c property tax [01:02:27] utility in cloud so also it'd be cloud [01:02:29] based which is amazing [01:02:31] um the one-time charges are 11 350. [01:02:34] that's what we got last um you know in [01:02:36] the in the proposal but they're also [01:02:39] willing to do two three-year plans so we [01:02:42] pay 79 85 40 a year for the next six [01:02:46] years [01:02:47] and then we would come out to the total [01:02:50] the total of forty seven thousand nine [01:02:51] hundred twelve [01:02:53] um they had a couple of options there's [01:02:55] a few options um [01:02:57] doug from badar was here today and [01:02:59] there's a few options that you can [01:03:01] choose but i thought that this you know [01:03:04] zero interest over six years was the [01:03:06] best we already paid six thousand [01:03:08] dollars a year to vadar which was in [01:03:10] your last packet i didn't put it in this [01:03:12] packet but [01:03:13] i had a report for what we've paid vader [01:03:17] over the years and it's about it's a [01:03:19] little over six thousand dollars [01:03:21] and um [01:03:23] so it would be 79.85 [01:03:26] but we would have i'll get rid of camera [01:03:28] completely and like quinlan completely [01:03:30] and we would just be on vader [01:03:36] so the support is 49.90 a year so after [01:03:39] we get outside year six [01:03:42] is that what we're going to have for our [01:03:43] cost for support yes [01:03:45] for that one module [01:03:49] it's three modules [01:03:51] but it's it's us taking that 11 350 and [01:03:55] dividing it over six years [01:03:57] instead of paying the upfront cost so if [01:03:59] you see where it says total [01:04:01] the bottom has 79 85 40 all the way [01:04:04] across for six years and then the tops [01:04:06] has 23 447.40 [01:04:09] for the first year and then you see the [01:04:11] typical 48.93 a year for the next five [01:04:14] years [01:04:14] right but i guess my question is that [01:04:16] 49.90 for support is only for this [01:04:19] module [01:04:21] no this is for everything for the whole [01:04:23] for all of adar [01:04:25] so then so then i would anticipate if [01:04:28] we're doing this we should be cutting [01:04:29] the other budgets taking the support [01:04:31] definitely [01:04:33] they'll be cut completely yeah well [01:04:35] that's about my point if it's five [01:04:37] roughly five thousand dollars a year for [01:04:39] all modules [01:04:41] so that means [01:04:42] so we're either going to split this [01:04:44] because the support is included in each [01:04:46] individual budget right now [01:04:49] yeah i would love to fix that too [01:04:51] yeah i just don't want to double dip in [01:04:53] our budgets when we're looking at this [01:04:54] is my point definitely not yeah [01:04:59] so i've started to go through the other [01:05:01] line items in the budget to give to you [01:05:03] guys at the next meeting and uh because [01:05:05] i'm meeting with finance next week [01:05:07] and i already took it out [01:05:08] so [01:05:09] don't sit and add it as i should say [01:05:13] for example which is not likely but say [01:05:15] for example sometime in year [01:05:17] one through six we decide it doesn't [01:05:19] work for the collectors [01:05:21] i i can't see how we would but let's [01:05:23] just say that what are we responsible [01:05:25] for what are we liable for if we [01:05:27] terminate the contract [01:05:30] well this is an amendment to the current [01:05:32] contract so we have beta already [01:05:35] and we've had them for a long time [01:05:37] you've got to have beta you've got [01:05:38] either going to have veda or munis and [01:05:40] we can afford media so [01:05:41] um we've got to have some sort of [01:05:43] financial software so this you know if [01:05:46] it [01:05:47] which is not going to happen but if they [01:05:48] decided that [01:05:50] the collector wasn't [01:05:52] working [01:05:53] um [01:05:55] we would just probably still be paying [01:05:56] for it for six years i don't see how or [01:05:59] maybe they would let us get out of it i [01:06:00] mean they're a good local business but [01:06:03] i mean i'm bringing this to you because [01:06:06] the system doesn't work cam is not used [01:06:08] by any municipality besides [01:06:11] i i i understand i'm just asking the [01:06:13] question so that we understand if we [01:06:15] terminate the contract in that six years [01:06:17] what are we responsible for [01:06:19] so if we could just clarify that if [01:06:21] they'll let us get out of the contract [01:06:23] just so we know [01:06:24] okay so i i mean it says you know that [01:06:28] the obligations of municipality under [01:06:29] the agreement or any amendment for any [01:06:32] fiscal year subject to appropriation to [01:06:33] the municipality of funds sufficient to [01:06:35] discharge the obligations [01:06:37] crew that year [01:06:39] um [01:06:40] if for any fiscal year during the [01:06:42] agreement funds for the discharge [01:06:44] are not appropriate and authorized [01:06:47] so funds appropriate and authorized are [01:06:48] insufficient for that year the agreement [01:06:50] shall terminate immediately they mean [01:06:52] this but the municipality shall have no [01:06:54] further financial obligations under the [01:06:55] agreement [01:06:56] okay good it sounds like we can get out [01:06:58] of it yeah we just didn't fund it [01:07:03] but even if i'm not here in six years i [01:07:05] definitely do not recommend that you do [01:07:06] that [01:07:09] i think you know we've tried to push for [01:07:11] this a few times and it's been met with [01:07:13] resistance so i think um [01:07:15] i think it would help everybody [01:07:17] even just on a reporting basis [01:07:21] because i think there's a lot of um [01:07:23] reconciliation issues that happen [01:07:25] because the two systems don't speak with [01:07:27] each other [01:07:29] do we have an idea of what the cost of [01:07:31] michael quinlan is going to be to help [01:07:33] this migration because we also have to [01:07:35] factor that in [01:07:40] um [01:07:42] i'm not sure that [01:07:44] i don't think that they're gonna [01:07:46] i don't think they're gonna be [01:07:47] doing that [01:07:50] can we clarify [01:07:52] yeah of course [01:07:53] because that's an extra cost that we may [01:07:55] need to consider [01:07:56] if he's going to be consulting on the [01:07:58] because it's his proprietary software [01:08:00] we're moving from [01:08:03] so [01:08:06] i just would [01:08:07] i'd want to understand what his role is [01:08:09] going to be on this [01:08:13] i want to see vader [01:08:14] did say that they have [01:08:16] uh [01:08:17] converted from camera in the past [01:08:20] so it's something they're not familiar [01:08:22] with good [01:08:34] do we feel comfortable to vote on this [01:08:36] just as long as um you know [01:08:40] we clarify about [01:08:43] cama [01:08:46] what what is the time frame we're [01:08:47] looking at doing this [01:08:49] um now and paying for it in the new [01:08:51] fiscal year [01:08:53] yes [01:08:55] so that they can start the transition [01:08:58] yeah so i they're willing to accept the [01:09:00] payment july 1st but i think [01:09:03] i don't have a problem voting up but i [01:09:04] just i want to understand make sure we [01:09:06] have enough budgeted if mike quinn levin [01:09:08] is going to charge us for this because [01:09:10] he's going to probably charge us [01:09:11] currently [01:09:12] yeah [01:09:14] i just want to make sure there's enough [01:09:15] in the budget to do that [01:09:18] i can certainly find out i could have [01:09:21] earlier but i it's i can't now so [01:09:26] yeah right right [01:09:27] yeah that's true [01:09:29] there's a line item for him [01:09:32] um through the through the end of the [01:09:34] fiscal year [01:09:35] right [01:09:38] i don't have a problem making a motion [01:09:39] on it i just want to be sure that [01:09:40] there's enough and we're not caught sure [01:09:42] yeah absolutely no absolutely [01:09:51] um so [01:09:52] i will make a motion that we um [01:09:57] vote to approve the vadar amendment to [01:10:00] add the collector software [01:10:02] and to use the fix your payment option [01:10:06] with no interest [01:10:10] second [01:10:11] all those in favor [01:10:14] rob yes yes [01:10:17] uh kelly yes [01:10:35] [Music] [01:10:40] one of the last things on the agenda is [01:10:43] we were notified by the town of where [01:10:46] via [01:10:47] a letter from stuart beckley that they [01:10:50] um services will be terminated [01:10:53] on june 30th 2022 i think we expected [01:10:56] that to come [01:10:58] i know we got the [01:11:01] the chair of the ambulance [01:11:04] committee [01:11:05] his recommendation was to [01:11:08] consider [01:11:10] west brookfield [01:11:12] and um i know at our last meeting we did [01:11:15] talk about setting up a meeting with you [01:11:17] know all the time [01:11:22] okay so [01:11:24] julie asked me to set up a meeting and [01:11:26] so i set it up with [01:11:27] me [01:11:29] kevin [01:11:30] emergency management director eric [01:11:31] polheim [01:11:33] dan mccall rogowski and justice for when [01:11:36] someone [01:11:37] perfect just so everyone's in the same [01:11:39] room yeah [01:11:40] yeah because there was some issues yes [01:11:44] yeah um they were concerned about the [01:11:46] level of care and now that they do have [01:11:48] their um als then hopefully [01:11:52] you know [01:11:54] yeah we'll report back to you at the [01:11:55] next meeting [01:11:56] because we do have where till the end of [01:11:58] the year yeah yeah so um you know it was [01:12:00] good to get that letter just so that we [01:12:02] were clear on it um [01:12:04] so then you know [01:12:06] yeah i think that you know [01:12:09] have the meeting and see how it goes and [01:12:11] hopefully [01:12:12] everyone can [01:12:14] get along and play well together all [01:12:16] that good stuff [01:12:17] and we can come up to uh [01:12:19] having some decisions to vote on for the [01:12:22] new fiscal year [01:12:24] um and i the only thing else i would um [01:12:28] i would maybe reach out to dan in west [01:12:31] brookfield to put together a new [01:12:32] proposal [01:12:33] for us to review if um [01:12:36] either you know regardless [01:12:38] you know if that's going to be something [01:12:40] that we're going to consider we should [01:12:41] probably have a look at that sooner than [01:12:43] later okay he's going to propose okay on [01:12:46] the walls [01:12:47] let me have some changes he wants to [01:12:49] make i know you know it's been over a [01:12:50] year since we've seen something so i [01:12:53] think [01:12:54] does anybody else have any comments [01:12:56] about that [01:13:11] it makes sense to get an updated [01:13:12] proposal because it has been quite a bit [01:13:14] of time yeah a little bit of time has [01:13:16] passed [01:13:18] yeah i agree [01:13:20] yeah we need to work in this sorry go [01:13:22] ahead you need to work on the service [01:13:23] zone plan yeah no ems we also need to [01:13:27] make sure that um i don't know if kevin [01:13:29] is in the room i think he was in the [01:13:31] room before [01:13:32] or maybe he wasn't but we need to know [01:13:34] he's no he's not here he hasn't been [01:13:36] here um we need to make sure that from a [01:13:38] dispatching perspective that the [01:13:40] dispatch would give him enough time to [01:13:42] redo what he needs to do with this batch [01:13:45] that's why yeah i think we need to look [01:13:48] at this sooner than later [01:13:49] right now that we know you know [01:13:54] yeah i agree [01:13:55] rob do you have anything to add [01:14:00] no we just need to keep moving forward [01:14:02] with this problem [01:14:03] yeah [01:14:04] agreed [01:14:08] well hopefully um [01:14:10] you know i know west brookfield was [01:14:12] really eager to help us out um [01:14:14] in the past so i think that you know we [01:14:17] can [01:14:18] you know good things can happen [01:14:20] you know going forward i think i think [01:14:22] ware is struggling right now with [01:14:24] still the loss of mary lane and that's [01:14:27] you know done a number on them so [01:14:29] they probably have to just figure their [01:14:30] their own stuff out so [01:14:34] um [01:14:34] okay todd administrators reporting [01:14:38] um so confidential mediation is with [01:14:40] usda is ongoing it's been going really [01:14:42] well and i hope to have an answer to you [01:14:44] all very soon [01:14:46] um we are still the audit is still [01:14:49] ongoing we're assisting with [01:14:50] documentation for them um [01:14:52] i think it should be done probably [01:14:54] within the next month [01:14:56] uh youtube for viewing meetings at home [01:14:59] has been created we're still waiting on [01:15:01] the supplies [01:15:02] um so [01:15:04] so the room isn't ready yet but [01:15:06] um [01:15:08] we are up and live on youtube and there [01:15:12] we have a channel that's on our website [01:15:13] for [01:15:14] um [01:15:15] for watching [01:15:17] old uh meetings or for previous meetings [01:15:22] um i still with the town clerk um have [01:15:25] the town census on my [01:15:28] um report he would like to just make [01:15:30] sure that everybody's returning it how [01:15:32] important it is [01:15:33] um the [01:15:35] municipal vulnerability preparedness [01:15:37] tourette's we had one last thursday [01:15:39] we'll have one this thursday it was [01:15:40] really informative and enjoyable and we [01:15:43] talked about a lot of things good and [01:15:45] bad [01:15:46] and uh so i i'll have an update for you [01:15:48] at the next meeting [01:15:50] um and then the assistant emd resume [01:15:53] resigned and then level one budgets i'm [01:15:55] meeting with the fincom next monday i [01:15:58] believe next monday or tuesday and then [01:16:00] um i should have the i call it level one [01:16:03] because they're still so in working [01:16:06] session sort of budget so i don't know [01:16:08] if you guys have a specific you know how [01:16:11] so we [01:16:13] what we've done in the past is [01:16:15] everyone [01:16:16] you know [01:16:21] spreadsheet together [01:16:23] and then [01:16:25] we review it [01:16:27] um [01:16:28] it [01:16:29] so you know whether it's level funded or [01:16:32] but like we typically have looked at it [01:16:34] all salaries and everything [01:16:36] and typically um [01:16:38] people level fund their salaries to [01:16:40] start unless they're contracted and they [01:16:41] know that there's an increase or [01:16:43] anything like that [01:16:44] and um [01:16:46] and then like pretty much together like [01:16:48] last year [01:16:49] we met um [01:16:51] and most of it was zoom [01:16:53] uh with [01:16:54] fincom and the board [01:16:56] you know anyone else you know but [01:16:59] we go line by line through it [01:17:07] you know what things can be shifted okay [01:17:10] so that's kind of how the process has [01:17:12] been in the past um but [01:17:14] you know again [01:17:16] no that's what i can do and i can i can [01:17:18] give you level funded [01:17:19] um [01:17:21] salaries [01:17:22] and you know any explanation for [01:17:24] expenses and then [01:17:26] a two percent [01:17:27] raise for everybody and another in [01:17:29] another column that's yeah we did that [01:17:32] last year to see the difference yeah the [01:17:34] difference and yeah of course now all of [01:17:36] these there's every single contract just [01:17:39] about is going through negotiation so [01:17:41] that's still up in the air but um [01:17:44] we'll have to that'll be last probably [01:17:46] but yeah so i i should i'll have it to [01:17:49] you guys at the next meeting and then [01:17:51] we'll have to schedule fun [01:17:52] yep you can add them together as yep and [01:17:55] there was just one more thing [01:17:57] um i got a letter in the mail today from [01:18:00] dep [01:18:02] and it's to the water district um [01:18:07] the [01:18:08] dep drinking water program has reviewed [01:18:10] your p per and poly floral like a little [01:18:14] sub pfas right initial monitoring waiver [01:18:16] application submitted on march 16 2022 [01:18:20] i don't know who submitted that i didn't [01:18:22] submit it [01:18:23] massdep does not approve your request to [01:18:25] waive the april 22 and july 22 pfas [01:18:28] monitoring at location 10 000 well 0 1g [01:18:32] this determination is based on the [01:18:34] detection of pfas contaminants in the [01:18:36] june january 22 sample [01:18:39] so there's a contact if we have any [01:18:41] questions but i wanted to ask you [01:18:43] um [01:18:44] you know who who's who's responsible for [01:18:47] this i don't i haven't been able to [01:18:49] delve into hardwood water enough to [01:18:51] understand [01:18:53] um i don't know if east national water [01:18:56] represents us [01:18:57] because we pay them as a vendor yes [01:19:00] um [01:19:01] i i would [01:19:03] probably say we call the christine [01:19:05] and [01:19:06] just ask because tomorrow i don't you [01:19:09] know as far as like monitoring and [01:19:11] billing i know marty's helped out with [01:19:13] the like meter readings and right built [01:19:15] based off motor meetings but [01:19:18] well we were talking about that and [01:19:20] they [01:19:26] so i'll call them then i i mean i was [01:19:29] talking to marty about it and you're [01:19:30] talking about just the hardwood water [01:19:32] district and [01:19:34] um [01:19:35] you know saying [01:19:36] it's it's sort of like really in [01:19:38] disrepair [01:19:40] and needs a lot of work and there's no [01:19:43] money so [01:19:45] i don't know what we do about it but [01:19:47] something needs to be done about it [01:19:48] because we can't wait until it [01:19:50] totally collapses marty was saying that [01:19:52] we there needs to be all new meters put [01:19:54] in [01:19:55] you know i mean i don't know if it's [01:19:57] something that we deal with with um [01:20:00] with [01:20:02] the fees or with you know we don't have [01:20:05] any capital money nobody's doing so [01:20:09] so we don't i think [01:20:12] generally correct me if i'm wrong but i [01:20:13] think three years ago or two years ago [01:20:16] we increased the [01:20:19] rates and [01:20:20] it was substantial because there's only [01:20:23] so many users on [01:20:25] on the system [01:20:27] um and i know that it has been an [01:20:29] ongoing issue because it's not funded [01:20:32] it's supposed to be self-sufficient and [01:20:33] right because have you thought about [01:20:36] selling it or anything like that has [01:20:37] anything been looked at into [01:20:40] i honestly could not tell utility [01:20:43] okay i just haven't been able to look to [01:20:45] dig too deep into it i'm not yeah i i i [01:20:48] see [01:20:49] all these longer people [01:20:53] it's just i mean [01:20:55] so can you just refresh my memory which [01:20:57] one of our water things is private [01:21:00] gilbert phil and wheel right [01:21:02] okay so hardwick is one that the town [01:21:04] administers [01:21:05] correct okay [01:21:07] and i think there's 12 or 15 [01:21:10] losers i mean it's [01:21:12] yeah and marty was saying that we [01:21:13] wouldn't qualify for any grants because [01:21:16] the homes up there [01:21:18] the values are worth too much so [01:21:20] we wouldn't be able to get any grants [01:21:22] you know to pay for anything like that [01:21:24] so [01:21:25] that's something on the you know radar [01:21:29] did we potentially spin that out with um [01:21:31] gilbert valen wheelwright [01:21:33] i don't know so that's what i said [01:21:35] couldn't get rid of it give it to [01:21:37] somebody i mean they're in the business [01:21:38] of it not us right and um marty said [01:21:41] they probably wouldn't take it with it [01:21:43] in such disrepair right now [01:21:45] yeah i think we should uh and what eric [01:21:47] just mentioned using our money um [01:21:50] you know if we're doing you know for if [01:21:53] the sumo [01:21:54] yep comes back to life and we start [01:21:56] doing that it may be something to look [01:21:58] at at the same time while there's work [01:22:00] being done around there [01:22:02] because i it it has but i do know that [01:22:05] it's been an ongoing issue i [01:22:07] honestly don't know the logistics of it [01:22:09] all [01:22:10] okay i look more into it um it's just uh [01:22:14] it's not it doesn't make enough sense [01:22:16] for me to not look into it just i you [01:22:19] know i [01:22:20] i question it all the time but i don't [01:22:22] have time to look into it necessarily [01:22:23] right now but it's not um [01:22:26] it's not just [01:22:28] i'm happy to make a phone call and then [01:22:31] question the letter oh yeah i mean i can [01:22:33] definitely [01:22:34] i i'll call east national water to me i [01:22:38] know it's [01:22:39] it's um [01:22:40] god he used to be a conservation agent [01:22:41] palmer east national water [01:23:03] okay [01:23:12] [Music] [01:23:14] so what's this pump station that's by [01:23:16] the school oh [01:23:32] huh [01:23:34] yeah i think it might be time to do a [01:23:37] little investigating on [01:23:40] management of that [01:23:44] i'm thinking it's that east national [01:23:47] water [01:23:52] they're from palmer [01:23:54] because there was a difference [01:23:56] that's the problem [01:23:58] yeah we got a bill for something and i [01:23:59] was like whose is this i thought it was [01:24:01] waste waters [01:24:04] there it's more than just testing [01:24:07] we send out these bills [01:24:11] he helps you know he does that and it's [01:24:13] not his department but he you know [01:24:16] way back yonder he was asked to do it so [01:24:18] he does it [01:24:20] right [01:24:22] so it is definitely we need to we need [01:24:25] to address that benefit you know [01:24:28] if we're gonna be doing work down there [01:24:31] yeah upcoming then maybe that's the [01:24:33] ideal time to address it i know why we [01:24:35] have that money too i don't know if it's [01:24:37] nearly enough but [01:24:40] right who knows i don't know what kind [01:24:42] of yeah [01:24:43] is that it yeah that's it [01:24:47] oh okay you want to come up so everybody [01:24:49] can hear you [01:24:52] uh eric plumbing is coming up [01:25:04] so um there's a group of individuals [01:25:06] that would like to put some money into [01:25:09] the page [01:25:10] building paint and roof [01:25:14] so the question is how do we go about [01:25:16] that i know [01:25:17] hon stoma wanted to put a roof on it [01:25:20] years ago before he passed and um ran [01:25:23] into some [01:25:24] issues with [01:25:26] um [01:25:28] how to fund it an electrician [01:25:31] so but i think it needs to be done the [01:25:33] roof was shot the gutter got removed [01:25:48] um [01:25:53] right um yeah well so i've i'm getting [01:25:57] quotes for a roof on my at my place and [01:25:59] i've asked them to give me a quote for [01:26:01] that just so that we have an idea what [01:26:03] it would cost it's got to probably go [01:26:05] out to bid but um at least we can get an [01:26:08] idea of what what it might be because [01:26:10] everything is so damn expensive right [01:26:11] now it's crazy [01:26:13] but i did find in my file there's a [01:26:15] letter from town council about the [01:26:17] rubbish hill school it's [01:26:19] ironically dated march [01:26:21] of 2014. [01:26:23] that's exactly eight years ago [01:26:25] um and if this is about the restrictions [01:26:28] that are on the deeds for the school [01:26:30] because the town was thinking about um [01:26:33] you know or wanting to sell it and then [01:26:36] the [01:26:36] capital planning committee we had at the [01:26:38] time [01:26:39] recommended to the board of selectmen [01:26:41] that they sell the school and that was [01:26:44] well the next meeting was uh april 14th [01:26:46] so somewhere southern initiated this but [01:26:48] i think there's one of these [01:26:50] for [01:26:52] for the painting [01:26:55] we were going to put it out to bed and [01:26:57] we did it we talked [01:27:00] you know [01:27:04] um [01:27:05] so i think it would just be trying to [01:27:08] resurrect if there's a letter or just [01:27:10] asking um [01:27:11] they'll have it yeah they'll have it [01:27:13] well because the issue at that time for [01:27:16] that building was that there was a [01:27:17] writer first refusal [01:27:19] um [01:27:20] mixed her family [01:27:21] for [01:27:22] right first refusal [01:27:24] and theresa said that she they had [01:27:26] looked into that and said the town [01:27:28] council had said that that has gone [01:27:30] after so many years [01:27:32] which is the case on these three three [01:27:34] restrictions on these three deeds at the [01:27:37] end of it he says it's gone past its [01:27:39] right [01:27:40] but it would be good to have that one [01:27:42] find it all [01:27:45] improve right well i think what the time [01:27:47] is to do is sell it if they can't get [01:27:49] along with the statistics [01:27:52] so then [01:27:53] are you looking to improve it and then [01:27:55] if the time were to sell it [01:27:58] you know [01:28:04] and the other question i would have is [01:28:05] after three tries is there something [01:28:07] where you can just say we're gonna put [01:28:09] it on the market [01:28:19] i need to know what to ask [01:28:21] well it needs to be sold [01:28:22] okay so the question is how do we go [01:28:24] about that [01:28:25] um if an individual or a group wants to [01:28:28] come in and buy it i mean personally i [01:28:29] think the fair should have [01:28:31] because there's no parking and it would [01:28:32] be good for them [01:28:35] they don't want it but they don't want [01:28:36] it under the condition it's in that's [01:28:38] the problem so if it got fixed up and [01:28:40] then given to the fair for a buck can [01:28:42] you do that we can certainly laugh right [01:28:45] but i don't know that [01:28:47] that's what i meant after three tries [01:28:49] do you want to [01:28:51] maybe put an email together [01:28:53] sure with some [01:29:03] you know um [01:29:05] i was thinking that it would be good if [01:29:06] you guys put together like an ad hoc [01:29:11] voting capacity or anything [01:29:13] and take some of these town on things [01:29:15] and research them and figure out what [01:29:17] the heck we're going to do with them [01:29:20] i know [01:29:21] and then there's some non-town owned [01:29:22] buildings that need to be dealt with too [01:29:24] but at least at a minimum to [01:29:26] count on stuff so we can unload this [01:29:28] stuff [01:29:29] and and get it you know fixed up i think [01:29:31] the rebel school [01:29:33] would be quite [01:29:34] you know desirable from [01:29:41] i mean four or five years ago when we [01:29:42] took the seniors out of there [01:29:44] there's a i went into the closet [01:29:46] upstairs and the ladder that goes into [01:29:48] the attic water was pouring down and [01:29:50] that was four or five years ago [01:29:52] so what's it look like now [01:29:54] you know so i but these things we kind [01:29:57] of need to deal with them [01:29:58] um but you guys have you know got a [01:30:00] million things to do and this usda goes [01:30:02] through oh my god [01:30:05] so i that [01:30:07] i'm just throwing that out if you had a [01:30:09] group that could go around and [01:30:11] find all this kind of stuff and figure [01:30:13] out what's what and what we can do [01:30:16] and then try to make it happen advise [01:30:18] you guys [01:30:32] properties committee or something i [01:30:34] don't know um [01:30:35] i'm in a committee of my dad always [01:30:37] joked that a camel was a horse designer [01:30:43] just [01:30:44] throwing it out i just personally i [01:30:46] think there's a group of us that want to [01:30:48] see that building painted [01:30:50] and preserved [01:30:51] and again absolutely [01:31:02] rob julie what are your thoughts on this [01:31:10] no i'm here [01:31:13] um [01:31:16] i mean i guess we need to figure out [01:31:17] what to do with it [01:31:19] it's it's not gonna [01:31:20] it's not gonna deal with it itself so we [01:31:22] have to be proactive and figuring out [01:31:25] what to do with the building [01:31:27] well they're not getting any younger [01:31:28] reasons no [01:31:30] i think what he's suggesting is that you [01:31:32] know a committee be formed [01:31:34] to [01:31:35] evaluate [01:31:37] all the vacant town owned buildings [01:31:40] and see if anything can be done [01:31:43] um to preserve them or to sell them [01:31:47] uh you know i think at one point teresa [01:31:49] was working on a couple and again [01:31:52] you know with everything else [01:31:54] you know they get shuffled to the back [01:31:56] burner [01:31:57] um [01:31:58] and now they're just vacant and [01:32:01] no one you know there's no maintenance [01:32:03] being done on [01:32:04] any of them [01:32:05] so [01:32:06] the more they sit there [01:32:07] you know vacant [01:32:09] you know the worse off you know we are [01:32:12] but i i think we do have that committee [01:32:13] in place it's the capital this would be [01:32:15] something that the capital committee [01:32:17] would handle like to think [01:32:19] is that an existing committee because uh [01:32:21] years ago i used to be on that but there [01:32:23] hasn't been anything [01:32:25] active on that there hasn't but i think [01:32:27] it's a larger [01:32:28] i think it's a larger scale issue it's [01:32:31] in the buildings that we have and also [01:32:32] future buildings we're going to be [01:32:34] considering [01:32:35] so i think that would go under that [01:32:38] committee would be my opinion well [01:32:40] there's also and i've got a [01:32:41] half dozen of them i've got another [01:32:43] dozen at home of these reports that [01:32:45] we've paid for over the years to do all [01:32:47] this kind of stuff [01:32:49] and then nothing that you know they sit [01:32:51] on the shelf so what about [01:33:03] because we talked today about the [01:33:05] seatbelt uh [01:33:09] yeah this is the zoning board of appeals [01:33:11] um [01:33:12] and whether that has actually is really [01:33:15] active [01:33:16] because it's possible with some stuff [01:33:17] coming up that they may need to be [01:33:20] re-done [01:33:21] and um [01:33:23] so we could do the same thing with um [01:33:26] with going back and find it out but i [01:33:27] think that's probably a yearly appointed [01:33:30] thing whoever's on it is expired [01:33:43] so this was lucinda texts harry me [01:33:47] a couple of non-voters sherry or [01:33:51] bob martin [01:33:53] um [01:33:55] no [01:33:56] i think he's in china [01:33:58] but anyway um you know we could [01:33:59] certainly try to find a group to get [01:34:01] together and we have these reports i [01:34:03] mean we've got more so i think that's [01:34:05] the starting point right does that get [01:34:07] the group back together okay [01:34:12] i'll talk to ryan and see who who's on [01:34:16] from there i think it [01:34:18] honestly i think it's a great idea [01:34:20] because [01:34:22] they're not nothing's being done with [01:34:23] them yeah [01:34:24] you know [01:34:26] as soon as the roof goes [01:34:30] absolutely [01:34:31] rob do you have anything to add [01:34:37] just maybe uh make sure you limit the [01:34:39] number of [01:34:41] people on the committee maybe to like [01:34:42] five or something just to [01:35:13] i i think it had um the the committee [01:35:16] before had um [01:35:18] it may be larger than five because it [01:35:20] would have representatives from the [01:35:22] various [01:35:24] departments in town like there'd be a [01:35:26] member of the board of selectmen there [01:35:27] might be a member of finance there might [01:35:30] be someone on the financial team [01:35:33] um [01:35:34] so lucinda was on as an assessor texas [01:35:36] was on the school committee harry was [01:35:38] their selectmen i was a member it was [01:35:41] called member of large but [01:35:43] um [01:35:44] i may have been more planning board but [01:35:46] but that's only four there was a [01:35:48] non-voting [01:35:49] jim shanahan was there as the accountant [01:35:52] and then bob martin i don't know if he i [01:35:54] don't know if he was a member or and [01:35:56] then sherry [01:35:58] she would have been nonverbal i guess [01:36:01] anyway [01:36:02] we could we'll find out [01:36:05] yeah and then if we need to [01:36:14] um [01:36:17] and if it's all right with you i'll have [01:36:18] a conversation with the fair and say you [01:36:20] know tell them hey look if this thing [01:36:22] was fixed up would you take it [01:36:28] i mean [01:36:28] i would have to vote on that right [01:36:31] well i've been told they don't want but [01:36:33] i think it's because of the condition [01:36:35] it's not [01:36:48] you know what the heck [01:36:50] don't get me stopped [01:36:53] all right that's it [01:36:56] it's just a good starting point and um [01:36:58] it's good that you care eric [01:37:01] thank you [01:37:03] no i agree i think um you know [01:37:08] see what you find out with the [01:37:10] capitol fans [01:37:13] no no how would you see me you're just a [01:37:14] freeloader no i did a letter today [01:37:29] so that's all we got folks [01:37:32] thank you eric tonight [01:37:37] to adjourn [01:37:39] was that a motion [01:37:42] motion [01:37:43] um can i just ask a question about [01:37:45] tomorrow night before we return [01:37:47] sure [01:37:48] so um are we all remote tomorrow night [01:37:51] correct [01:37:52] yeah yeah yeah [01:37:54] yeah and i think uh nicole just sent [01:37:56] over what we need for tomorrow night's [01:37:58] meeting right before the meeting [01:38:00] okay right before this meeting she [01:38:02] emailed us what we need for tomorrow [01:38:03] night [01:38:04] okay and one more question for wednesday [01:38:06] nights meeting nicole that rob and i are [01:38:08] going to a quabbin [01:38:11] does that need to be [01:38:13] it is yeah we post it it is posted okay [01:38:16] all right [01:38:18] i didn't see it so i just want to make [01:38:19] sure [01:38:23] so i'll second the motion to adjourn [01:38:25] all those in favor [01:38:27] aye obviously julius kelly yes thank you [01:38:31] all good night [01:38:36] feel better rob