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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.
The Hardwick Board of Selectmen convened to address several key municipal matters, including the approval of a single tax rate for FY23 following a public hearing. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to a contentious discussion regarding the contract with the Leicester Regional Public Health Coalition, with Board of Health members expressing strong dissatisfaction and a perceived lack of support from town administration. The Board also approved minutes, authorized a letter concerning the horse racing location, received updates on the 2022 audit, and appointed a new member to the Master Plan Community Development Advisory Committee. Discussions also covered the Town Administrator's proposal for radio appearances to disseminate town information and various community highlights.
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November 5th to order at 6 31 I'll just read through the agenda briefly call to order Pledge of Allegiance visitors public hearing at 6 30 p.m the board of Selectmen will hold a classification
Hearing on Monday December 5 2022 at 6 30 at the municipal office building 307 Main Street Gilbertville on the issue of tax allocation among the property classes for the fiscal year 2023 minutes August 16 2022 August 29 2022 September 29 2022 October 3 2022 and
October 4 2022 all the business approval of letter to applicant regarding vote for horse racing location other old business new business review Lester contract for Board of Health Services great Meadowbrook Farm disclosure of chairman chairwoman Queen's General Law
Chapter 268 section 23 B 3 disclosure form other new business water warrant December billing 2022 audit update update 2023 audit committee appointment procedure discussion and or vote relative to arpa
Funding committee reports Town Administrator report signatures and approval selectman Roundtable and adjournment first I am on the agenda Nicole you drove a flag behind you so if everyone could [Music] rise and pledge allegiance
I pledge allegiance students to the flag of the United States one nation under God indivisibility Injustice For All thank you everyone
Before we get started are there any visitor comments on anything that is not on the agenda Nicole has you muted so if you can raise your hand
Nicole I don't see any hands or is due no okay so the next item on the agenda is the public hearing Nicole I didn't see in our package the notice I need to read for the public hearing I can read it it should
It should have first 15 on your packet is it the um the memo from the board of selectman yeah the board of assessors from the board of stocksmen okay so this is to the board of selectman from the board of assessors a decided dated December 5 2022 tax classification
The board of assessors pending final certification of the FY 23 tax rate by the Department of Revenue hereby recommends that the board of Selectmen retain one tax rate for all classes of property the board feels that the relatively small benefit to the residential taxpayer that could be
Achieved using two tax rate is not warranted considering the dramatic increase in taxes to be paid by the commercial industrial personal property taxpayer Hardwick is a largely residential community that simply does not have enough of a commercial industrial personal property base to
Make classification worthwhile the pro-temporary tax rates are as follows single tax rate 13.30 shift tax rates residential 12.69 commercial industrial personal property 19.95
So we will open the hearing at 6 35 . Jen would you like to speak to the board about the the tax classification well guess that that
If we do do a ship in the tax it would be quite a burden on our very small percentage of commercial industrial and personal property taxpayers so the recommendation is just to retain one tax
Rate across all classes of property foreign or Rob any questions or concerns we've always historically done a single tax tax classification across um all
Classes of property so this would be if we were to go to the ship tax rate that would be a change and what we've historically done that's all I was going to add to Julie I'm all set
Any other discussion before I close the hearing hearing none I will close the close the hearing at 6 36. and I will entertain a motion to approve the single tax rate of 13.30 as proposed
By the board of assessors in their memo to the board of selectman dated December 5th 2022 and as discussed by Jen in this meeting I would make a motion just as you said Julie
Okay it's been moved and seconded any other discussion on the single tax rate classification of 13.30 it's one thing I need to add we're under two and a half by eighteen thousand
By by eighteen thousand where is it I did have the right I'm so I'm so sorry I don't have the right amount but we're under two and a half by eighteen thousand and some
Last year we were under by seven thousand that's good news it's better than being over right it is 18 000 seems like quite a bit but actually it isn't you know seven thousand is a hands
Breath 18 000 is just comfortable yeah I I would agree with that Jen thank you thank you for all your hard work John you're very welcome thank you all of you since we are in a virtual meeting I do need to call the roll
So this is to approve the motion as uh was made and seconded Kelly Rob hi and Julie is an eye as well so the motion carries thank you Jen thank you
The next item on the agenda is approval of minutes we have minutes of August 16 2022 August 29 2022 September 29 2022 October 3rd 2022 and October 4th 2022.
Julie I'm sorry I did have to take the October minutes and the September minutes out because they just I you you weren't going to approve them so I did go over them with Angie today so they'll be ready for the next one and
It really wasn't uh detailed enough that I thought you would even retain approving okay so it's just the August sorry that's okay I did see it I didn't see them in there but I thought maybe I missed them so I thought it was me yeah we are approving the August 16 2022 and August 29th 2022 minutes is
That correct yes okay Kelly or Rob did you have any corrections or I do okay so on August 16 2022 throughout the minutes it says how I motioned or seconded but I'm not listed in attendance okay we may just want to update that
That was everything that I saw thank you thank you Kelly now that was the only thing I caught
Rob any adjustments or Corrections okay as far as I can remember it's good okay so um why don't we do the minutes individually so I'll entertain a motion to approve the minutes of the board of Selectmen
For August 16 2022 with the correction of including Kelly as in attendance I'll make a motion as stated by Julie quink second it's been moved and seconded so uh any other discussion on the minutes with the
Corrections so I will um call the role to approve the August 16th minutes Kelly aye Rob aye and Julia's I motion carries now I'll entertain a motion to
Approve the August 29th 2022 minutes I'll make a motion as stated by Julie quink we'll consecuted in any other discussion hearing none I will call the roll Kelly
Aye Rob hi and Julie is an eye motion carries okay so we will have the um updated minutes through October 4th for the next meeting Nicole yes and hopefully more hopefully up to
Current that would be great so there was a question in the chat that I will answer there's a long a lag time in the minutes because we're trying to get back on track with minutes we realize that there we're a little bit behind in approving minutes so we are trying to get those back on track the meetings are
Recorded and I believe the recorded meetings are posted on YouTube so anything that would be in the minutes you should see uh posted on our channel the minutes are just a uh am I correct nickel that the minutes are just a written or like a synopsis of what happened
Really the only thing that needs to be in minutes are votes right okay so we are trying to get back on track thank you it's a good question next item on the agenda is old business is there any other old business that we need to discuss
I think the only thing I would bring up which is has been on past agendas is the Town Administrator review we've sort of been delaying that because of the meat of some of the other stuff that is sort of come before the board
With the other board members permission we have the um public information session on the 19th so perhaps we can do Nicole's review uh in January are you guys okay with that
Yeah I think that would be good okay so Nicole could you make sure that this gets on the first agenda for January yeah thank you any other old business that we need to address
Okay under new business we have review the luster contract for the Board of Health Services Nicole do you want to oh I'm sorry I missed something under old business I apologize approval of letter to applicant regarding vote for horse racing location
Kelly and Rob did you have a chance to review the letter I did what was this draft Ed with the assistance of Town Council yes okay Kelly Rob any questions comments
Concerns on the letter no I had brought up at the last meeting that you know we added the other events that had happened and that seems to that's happened I think I'm outside with
Okay so I need I think we need a vote of approval for this letter could be sent to the gaming Commission and also so Nicole are we also sending a copy of
This to so the letter is required by the applicant so the gaming commission has us write this letter but the applicant it's part of their submission so I did speak with the gaming commission and you know that was
Sort of like the process so there is a correction to the letter I just actually saw it the date of the vote is incorrect it should be January 7th of 2023 oh yep oh
I'm gonna make that mistake for a while that's okay and um it's okay that this um this doesn't need to be signed by the chair or a member of the board of selectment it can be signed by you we can authorize you to sign it yes okay so in our motion
I think we have to authorize you to sign it as well as the approval of the letter are we ready for a motion on this
I guess I can make it I move that we send this letter to the applicant and the Gaming Commission and allow Nicole to sign it on our
Behalf second so it's been moved and seconded any other discussion I think the only thing that we'll that Nicole will make the correction for the date within the second page
Okay hearing no other discussion I will call the rule for the vote Kelly bye Rob and Julie is an eye there was a question in the chat about where the uh where the letter is
Available Nicole has a copy of the letter and once it's corrected and signed she certainly you can certainly request it from her okay sorry about that I missed that on her old business
So under new business sorry Nicole you were started to talk about the review of the Leicester contract for Board of Health Services I think we've um all been copied on
Sorry one second foreign you've all been copied on the correspondence coming from we've all been copied on the contract
[Music] yeah you've also been copied on the uh correspondence that the board has received from I believe we have been forwarded three of them Nicole is that correct
Yes one of which is sorry I'm just trying to find all of them in the pocket one of them is from
Francis dagel who is from the Board of Health in Leicester we also have correspondence from John Samick from the winery and we have correspondence from
Flipping through all of the pages here from is it it's coming through its king glass
Not sure who that is I think his name is Mike or something like that but I I don't know who he is okay and then and then we also have correspondence from Stan and from Judy Cohn
And also correspondence from Laurie Micah on behalf of Jason garrelatis Jaeger latest Contracting so in the I'm not sure I see Judy I'm not sure if Stan is on
Nicole do we know if Stan is on I see a stand I'm not sure if it's our Stan uh hi Stan hi Stan and Judy so we're in receipt of your
Note I believe just today or stated the fifth so we just received this today about your wish to terminate the contract with the Leicester Regional Public Health Coalition and the Ima
It's your belief that the contract is not being Met has never been fully met I know that we do have three letters that have come with concerns about the current situation in the town and it
Looks like you've gone piece by piece through the contract and sort of um details your position relative to each of the items in the the contract Nicole does it make sense to
Have I guess sort of seeing all the corresponds that we've received to have a meeting with Francis and Lester to talk about the Coalition and the project I'm presuming based on the contract that we can't just back out of the contract if the board
Were inclined to because it's Grant funded is that correct well I'm not positive about that but I certainly wouldn't recommend this I'm just sort of looking at the contract so the contract says we can terminate by either party
Or no reason on 30 days written notice do we have any sense that Lester is well is wanting to terminate this contract I know we're hearing we've got correspondence from Stan and Judy that they would like to they would propose that we terminate the contract have we gotten anything from Lester on their
Side indicating they want to terminate the contract Lester does not want to terminate okay Kelly Rob any comments concerns questions that you think we
Need to have answered well I guess I'll just maybe if my two cents as I read through all of this the best that I could I know we got Stan's letter a little bit late so I probably haven't thoroughly I will admit to not have thoroughly have gone through that as of right now
I'm certainly concerned about the letters that we're receiving I and I only heard good things about you know Lester's input here so I'm concerned
You know this this was a a great Grant opportunity for the town and this potentially could go for more years than it was actually written for am I correct Nicole it was for three years and it could be extended for three additional years that's exactly right right and so
You know um just from a standpoint of it it's hard to get people that want to volunteer and you know run for these positions we see that every day and so my fear would be if we were to think about canceling this contract I don't know
Where you know where we would stand with all of the inspections that they do so so I guess I have some concerns about that I obviously agree with you Kelly I'm concerned that we don't have
These have the on the board for some of the more in depth stuff that the Board of Health provided unless there's more Health can provide us with but I think we definitely need to have a conversation everybody needs to get into
A room and you should be willing to get into a room and discuss this all right that's I don't know the best way to do it if it's at a public meeting or take one
Person out of each group and kind of sit down and discuss it which might be a little easier and have it as a open forum gives gives people a little more chance to talk freely and not feel like they're being watched or persecuted
So sorry Rob no go ahead so Stan um you're on the the call I mean are um if so I would I would make the proposal that we try to schedule a meeting with your concerns
With Lester and if that includes Stan in well you'd have to have a posted meeting if both of you were there so I I would make the suggestion that we have a member from the board of Selectmen perhaps a member from the Board of Health Nicole
And uh we ask representatives from Lester to attend and work through some of your concerns or at least discuss some of your concerns or or questions
Stan any thoughts on that yeah I'd like to see the letters that you're referencing before I decided to do anything else Nicole can certainly provide those to you they are
Public information through the board of selectman's office so Nicole can forward those to you and and perhaps we can I I don't want to let this sit too long from either your perspective or their perspective you know certainly if we can we
Understand that we've got a lot in front of us all boards have a lot in front of us but if we can get that meeting together and you know have the conversation sooner than later so if Nicole can get those to you and through Nicole you can reach out
Nicole will schedule a meeting Kelly or Rob do you do you have a preference on which one of us Judy I see your hand up I'll be with you in a second Kelly Rob do you have a preference on which one of us attends would you want me to attend or either one of you want to attend I'd be happy either way
Are you proposing that we go to a group meeting with Lester as the next step well I well so I think In fairness you should read what is in the correspondence that we have received if you haven't received and
Been copied on it that you should be copied on it and you should have a chance to read it I do I I sort of proposed that we have a conversation with your concerns relative to the Coalition and what you feel is
Them being provided my understanding and Nicole Nicole has I believe pulled some of the other communities that are in the Coalition and they seem to be happy with the service and so I just sort of if there are wrinkles that we can iron out and as
Kelly mentioned sort of continue on with this that you know it would be sort of meaningful to to try to move forward that way if there's a way we can repair what isn't working for us you know I certainly don't want to
See you know the complaints or the correspondence come through and you know I if there's a way we can resolve it it would be appreciated I believe you were copied on I'm just going to look at the correspondence stand I believe you were
Copied on you were copied on the correspondence with Lester I don't believe you were copied on the correspondence that came from John samek so Nicole can you make sure
That gets sent over and also from King glass and also from Jason garrelatis please and then once Stan has had the opportunity to review it and Judy as well or other the Board of Health has
Had the opportunity to review it why don't we connect with you know the board's permission uh we can connect whether it's myself or Kelly with Stan and Nicole and Lester and sort of get that dialogue going get the meeting set
Up you know I I want to express a concern I have right now that I feel like me personally and the current Board of Health is under a bit of a Witch Hunt by the selectman and administration
At your October meeting there were some very strong slanderous comments made were recorded and reported in the newspaper and upon a public records request them on upon my part absolutely nothing was
Provided to support anything that was said in that meeting so now we have the second meeting where the agenda is very broad it's a Leicester contract and we provided I asked for more d
Ork D did not received deals what that agenda would topics were and if there was more to discuss and Judy and I proactively provided information which is now not being Incorporated in this meeting now I understand that it may for some of you have come late
Because of your work schedules and I understand that but it's still something we tried to do to provide information for this meeting and the one person on the list of complaints so I'm assuming that what you're presenting
Are complaints not um compliments I don't know who that person is but I am very familiar with three of the complaintance let's say if that's what they are and their situation
And I can assure you if we want to discuss this in a public forum there will be support on our part for problems that the Board of Health has had to face to deal with situations in town
And what's disappointing to me extremely so is that there's actually no felt poor the Board of Health by the Selectmen and the administrative support you have completely no support in fact the
Feeling is mostly one form of attack or doubt or challenge in one way or another all the time so I think you should know that that's very
Disappointing and hard to deal with you talk about not having volunteers and you are not supporting your Board of Health agreement that signed
But you signed is nothing more than an offer by the town of Leicester to provide services not unlike what we can acquire through local Health agents like we have helping
Us right now it is not a Board of Health agreement it's not a Regional Board of Health each town has an independent contract and all the contracts are not the same some towns one town gets special services for what they negotiate
The town of Leicester has been very astute in seeking grants at very creative to find a way to pay for their staff the staff that I we interface with are not the Board of Health of Lester you have restaurants a couple of times in
This call the Board of Health of Leicester that is not who we are dealing with that is not who signed the contract that not there's a group called staff and that staff is paid for by the grant that staff is comprised of
A health coordinator the health agent officer and a health director an epidemiologist and a public nurse it has never achieved the stopping level they committed to
It is mostly never on time with a project which frustrates many people we mitigate that by working with the coordinator in Leicester mostly on very friendly terms to
To try to find out where information is exchange information and to get the projects completed Health director of lrphc
Approximately not responded to 72 percent of my communication with them okay that's from records of my email correspondence and that's not including phone calls not returned voice message not returned and not being able to talk
To him because his voicemail box is full so the situation is more closely related Judy and I feel to what we've shared with you and we've been very gentle to just highlight key points that we think should be considered
Affect the work when they when this whole idea was brought forth there was a letter of tent is what was in this case in most contracts were
Seen a letter of intent so people know the spirit of what they're entering into in this case they call it a municipal initial statement commitment that Municipal statement of commitment said that we would cooperate
With lead municipality to ensure compliance and scope of service for public health excellence in the program for shared services there has been from almost day one a lack of cooperation
And not a lack of willingness to cooperate in our part but troubles with cooperating let's put it that way the other part that we agreed to as an intent in the letter of commitment was that use of funds under this program were only
To augment rather than replace current Municipal funding for public health staff or services this was addressed several times by me with Nicole Parker particularly when we were coming upon the budgeting season several times
Nicole was fiercely against Judy or I appointing any support which is our role to appoint support it is our role to appoint agents clerks Physicians
Board of Health I brought to the attention that the way the Board of Health money is accounted for is inappropriate it's not wrong it's inappropriate funds this is a pay-as-you-go service meaning if we don't do anything unless someone asks us
To do something our fees are set to pay for the support we require our responsibility to make sure that is the case and that is how we operate the way the accounting is set up on this fees come into the town for people
Paying for a service from the Board of Health and those fees are then moved into the general funds they are not retained in the Board of Health to pay for the services necessary to provide that support on top of that presumably your group or the
Administrator acting on their own I don't know how this happens cut the health agent budget by 50 percent in the last at the last town meeting the last warrant by 50 with no involvement by the forward of Health no prior
Discussion no invitation to comment on how the Board of Health is functioning and what it means to provide services to town so I'm going to stop there but my feeling is this whole inquiry that has been proceeding now for months
Is completely out of line completely out of line you either do not understand how the Board of Health functions and should function or you have a vendetta of some sort against the Board of Health maybe personally against me or personally against Judy I just don't understand the
Motivation of these discussions like this is the practical matters here when you have installers working in town that that argue with you because they are not providing inspection records of their work and demand certificates of Appliance without
Inspection records I don't think it's the board of Health's job to provide that certificate of compliance when you have a health director who who's cooperating who tells you in an email please describe to me the situation for which you need my support
So because I am very busy I am he's so busy please provide it to me so that I can prepare for this conversation and prior to that consulted with the lawyer of Massachusetts associated with health court to see if I was doing something
Wrong and she said no you are not but you should involve the other people supporting you so I contacted Francis Daigle requested his support and he replied in an email saying write it down send me what you need to discuss I am very busy too busy to to to react I need
To see what you're talking about so applying to his request providing him in great detail on what the matter was so he could be prepared so we could have an effective call I get a response of retaliation that's unbelievable it is unbelievable and I'm assuming you don't have full
Exposure to the situation but it's unbelievable to me it is unbelievable to me that your first line of action is to call a meeting to bring everyone together when we haven't even suggested reviewing the concerns you've recently
Said the meeting with your Board of Health that is unbelievable so that's where I'm going to stop clearly a problem it's a clearly administrative problem it's a problem involves lack of knowledge it's a problem of with not enough people
Operating at the same level of understanding and it's a big problem with the town Administration not supporting the Border Health period thank you Stan so certainly understand your concerns
And I want to sort of speak to the meeting where this came up initially that you referred to and it was not the intent of the board to discuss it at that point but one of your fellow board members was in the meeting and pursued the conversation and so it
Wasn't the intent to pursue it at that time it did come up it was only for the administrator to to it was in the administrator's report and uh to to the board and so I understand how you feel and I understand the concern
So what I what I would suggest then I think it makes sense at some point to meet with the coalition to discuss your concerns and in in prior to that happening as I was
Saying I asked Nicole to forward you the correspondence and then to have a conversation about the correspondence and then meet with Lester I I think your concerns bullet pointed concerns should go to Lester they should be aware of what the
Concerns are with the agreement and perhaps there is some way to make this work so that you do get the support that you need that would be the goal obviously we don't like to see as you likely don't like to see these issues or concerns raised but the the
Matter of the matter of fact is that anyone in a public office is going to have these things come through if someone doesn't alike doesn't like what your position is or doesn't like your approach very often very few and I think that that's we're seeing more of that
Is there a approval or Applause for a job well done in any of these situations so I would ask that as I mentioned Nicole Ford the correspondence to you to the board so that you can see what's come before us and let's try to come up
With a resolution where there is some support for what you need but they're also meeting what has been spelled out in the agreements that were signed that's where I'm coming from from the standpoint Stan yeah so two two just two brief comments with what you just said
First of all the the fact that that uh meeting we're referring to in October continued on when it was not your intent to discuss it I appreciate that but it's not the fact that it continued on as the issue the fact that's the issue is things that
Were said were slanderous and defamatory and have no backing so that's the point second is that you have um uh received our input I think if you would like to speak the Lesser you should
At this time though I don't have any more conversations to have with Lester I don't have uh personally an interest I don't have the time or the energy to continue working around and talking around behaviors and actions that are not in
Line with our purpose and mission for the Board of Health and Hardwick and this this is not going to be the first meeting if that happens we've already had this meeting with Judy and I and Francis Chan Nicole once already and the topic was exactly the same
Excuse me and the the agreement of how to proceed was what we would all agreed was appropriate and yet you know what here we are again so I think if you all need to learn more about doctor and how it functions about the
Agreement that that you entered into you know I think you should take the time to do that however you well and we will I will provide you information and opinions as I always do and I will try to prepare professionally as we try to do for this meeting but
I don't know what more to say uh they are not a Board of Health they are a staff that provide that is willing to provide services paid for by a grant and they've offered those services to towns if they want to use them most towns do not use them to the extent that Hardwick tried to most towns take
That a la carte for a food inspection or for a title V project but they don't lean on them or lean into them as heavy as we did when we started this Judy and I were very new to the board Tech's actually you know he was a great contributor and I can't he's he's not
With us so you can have to take my word in this he was very skeptical of entering into this and we pursued ahead anyways because we knew Tex was also not be working on the board much more much longer and and Judy and I were new we need
And we thought we needed this help well we've learned how the board of Health's function how the laws function we've met people and we have an outstanding Health agent working for us right now Rich Stevens from Barry incredible amount of
Experience that he could just do our learning and he has a network he's extended to us to access and we don't really require the support that Lester offers theoretically and what they
Actually deliver we don't require it and it's not actually helping us a great deal it's holding us back from developing as a board of health so Stan Judy has her hand up so just I would say to you um Stan perhaps Kelly and Rob are you okay with
But first of all Nicole please send those letters to I did not realize Stan was not not copied on those so please make sure that they have all the correspondence I would make the suggestion that we that we we meet with Lester and see
And and I mean I think your document I I honestly it came late Stan so I too I understand didn't have a chance no and I'm not I'm not criticizing I'm just making a comment no I I don't understand that I didn't have a chance to review it so why don't we take your letter
Signed by yourself and Judy under advisement I will work with Nicole she'll make sure she gets you the documents the two pieces of um I think the two that came to us that you didn't receive I will Circle forward with Lester and um also be in touch with some of
The other communities that are under the Coalition and see how they function understanding how you're functioning and and see what services how they're interacting with them and then let's revisit the issue so I guess let's do some more information do some more
Research and discussion and then if we fail the board feels a need to meet with Lester we will we certainly would like you to be part of that because if there is some value there if they can provide some value maybe it's it's I'm not sure I just hate to scrap this whole thing there's got to be
Some value there for you I would think and if we can make it work but let's do a little bit more research and certainly willing to talk with you or Judy and sort of talk about these letters that have been received and if if the spirit of interaction
Continues the way it has been for months and I'm including our own stration if it continues that way then then the Board of Health is just going to do what it needs to do to be compliant and to do the job but the
Interactions that are becoming contentious and into interfering we're just going to have to find a way to not participate in those that just can't continue but well I'm not I'm not there shouldn't be an adversarial I don't want there to be an
Adversarial relationship with this board I mean we should all be able to work together and understand understanding the understanding loud and clear what you what you said and loud and clear your position on it and I again I apologize it went that
Way the first way that wasn't the intent but understand how you feel I mean I I'm trying I'm trying to build the bridge here stand to try to make it work so that you don't feel unsupported the board doesn't feel unsupported I'm doing the best at trying to to bridge that yeah I would offer your
Suggestion and please just a suggestion don't worry about rigid pay attention to what we said what we feel the mission of the Board of Health is fine if you want to get behind that
Thank you Stan Judy did you want to say something and then we'll move on from this issue yes I I want to be extremely brief I think it's a matter of loyalties in the town of Hardwick
To their own and I think that we have been second rate in considering our relationship with an outside group that is neither a board of health or
Or it's not even close to us and in terms of the theory of our government the Board of Health has a particular powers to preserve and protect the health of the people of the Town they're
In there are a few other states in the United States that have every local Board of Health for every town has strong powers and and and this Regional concept goes counter
To those powers and personally speaking I have been unable to function because of the noxious interactions between uh us and Lester and I think the First Act of the select
Board would be to talk to the Board of Health and yeah a manual psychner so that's the way communication is the best way to look at any problems as far as the problems themselves Stan
And I have already addressed them and and put them before you today so that's it thank you Judy yeah oh one more thing we are poised to do great things for the
Town of hard work when it comes to health to make sustainable agriculture among the people that farm and work here to preserve our forests from
Destruction and cutting that we've seen of late and to preserve our water from others despoiling it and and coming in and stealing our Resources by development and and processes that
Are found to be destructive of ecosystems so I'm working on a theoretical level I've been studying Public Health since this began since I began and I'm halfway through my tenure and I don't intend to to
Run again because I'm 82 years old but I can tell you it's so exciting where we can go and I suggest that we not spend time reviewing and researching and meeting with all the parties as Stan said we've
Already done it that we can we can provide a Board of Health and all the services and do it great I I have no uh qualms about that with on our own because of the powers that are
Invested in Boards of Health so I'm very hopeful that's it you're welcome thank you Judy so I I think the reason and um we did try to have a meeting we did ask to have a meeting with the
Board one time prior but you know I think that was in on the heels of the October meeting Stan and I I think there was um very unfriendly time probably probably not some clarity and I hear you loud and clear I think the board's perspective in
Looking at it is certainly to be supportive but also we've signed an agreement so we have a we have a binding agreement with with the Coalition and that's sort of my more important Julie I'm sorry for interrupting but more important the
Intent now that intent by your own actions has not been upheld so tent is the basis of the whole exercise and the agreement that you call binding is constructed with a mutual 30-day exit
There's no more binding than 30 days I'm not suggesting it's binding Stan or what the legality of it is but I think we've signed something that we just have to be sure if the board you know whatever way the board decides on this that we understand what
You know what our responsibilities are so so I guess Kelly and Rob any thoughts on this but here's how I would make the suggestion we proceed just to reiterate Nicole they need the documents that we've received any other documents that come in can we please make sure they're copied on them
If they aren't uh cc8 on it and we will reach out to other communities under the Coalition so we can gather some more information on how they're functioning we will get advice on the agreement we've signed and
We can revisit this issue at a future meeting and if we feel hurt here loud and clear that you don't want to be involved with the meter I'm meeting with um the Coalition or Lester or whoever it is that you know we need to meet with and who the appropriate people on
Their end are hear loud and clear that you don't want to be involved we can move forward with a representative from our board and meet with them and if it's appropriate we can share your concerns and we will be back to the subject
Kelly and Rob does that sound okay Nicole yeah I'm I'm fine with that I think that if you know if it's learned regardless I think you know we should Express them to Lester if they're not doing what they should be
Doing you know that's that is a concern I agree yeah I agreed Kelly and I I think the our Board of Health in some ways should be involved with a discussion Leicester so that we don't get the facts mixed up
We have a I understand you got we were written a couple letters from each person but it only tells a small portion of what's going on there and I'm sorry it's it's one of those things sometimes you just have to do you have to stand up for yourself and stand
Is correct and his actions are true which I I don't know I don't know what's truly going on out there I know there's a lot some complaints and some issues but I believe that Stan should be part of this and and stand up for what he believes he's doing correctly and
And let us understand between the two of them where the issue is I mean we're trying to listen we're trying to be supportive but I mean I I appreciate that Rob I just want to I have to share I'm getting exhausted by defending myself
For enforcing the health code Mass general laws acting as a board of health that requires standards to be met Title Five compliance and people just not enjoying that
And I'm sorry if they don't enjoy it and I don't think we've been unreasonable in working with anyone to work through the problems that arise that then require attention to get to the point where compliance is achieved that's a primary function of the board
Operating to address the uncomfortable situation stop what shouldn't be happening and proceed to closure that brings everything in compliance bottom line that's what it kind of is about
And so my concern is that maybe some people aren't used to that maybe other people just don't want to be in that situation and they find it uncomfortable but it doesn't change
The purpose of the Board of Health and what we're supposed to be doing so I encourage you to find out what you need to find to out to understand the situations I'm quite I'm quite confident
That that when you're ready there's not a problem I feel with our position and our behaviors not maybe to quote Judy in a way we're not maybe winning a popularity contest but I don't think we're doing things wrong
Thank you so we will follow up and we will revisit the issue after we've sort of gone through the steps that I've outlined thank you both for being on the meeting and for speaking I appreciate it thank you
Anything else on the Leicester contract okay next item on the agenda is great Meadowbrook Farm discussion of chairwoman quinks General Law chapter 268a section 223 B3 disclosure forum have you both received a copy of the
Disclosure form so I'm quickly going to read the disclosure which is on file with the town clerk it's a as I said a disclosure of the parents of conflict conflict of interest as required by chapter General
Law chapter 268 a section 23 B3 in my position as chair Board of the selectman for the town of Hardwick the issue is and I this again the disclosure is public information I'm chair of the
Harvard Board of selectman as described in more detail below I oversaw the public hearing process for an application filed by Commonwealth equine and Agricultural Center LLC I will just refer to them as CIA going forward seeking approval of horse racing track at the great Meadowbrook Farm property
Pursuant to General Law chapter 128a section 13A seek applied to the Harvard Board of Selectmen for approval of the location of a horse raising track of the great mother book Farm property at 228 Barry Road and my role as chair of the Boris selectman I oversaw the public hearing process for this application after the
Close of the public hearing I ultimately voted to approve the location of the horse race track on about November 9th 2022 based on the statutory procedures in general Law chapter 128 a section 13A the question of whether to approve the location of a horse race track at the great Meadowbrook property they will be
Subject to a town-wide special election ballot question on January 7 2023.
After the close of the aforementioned aforementioned public hearing process before the board of Selectmen and all votes that I took related there to ciac applied to the quebag hills Chamber of Commerce to become a member I am the treasurer of financial liaison and a board member of the quebok hills Chamber
Of Commerce I've been involved with the chamber as a board member since November of 20 2005. during my time on the board I've served as chairperson twice and had various other responsibilities Hardwick is one of the 15 towns that has served by the chamber at no time while I oversaw the Board of selecton Public
Hearing process was I aware that ziac intended to apply to be a member of the chamber recently after the close of the bore seleckman's public hearing and any voting related there too the executive committee for the Chamber of which I'm a member admitted siac as a member of the chamber
Proposal to admit siac as a member came from the chamber CEO I played no role in the decision to admit siac as a member in addition I understand that CX to be involved as a sponsor for the chambers annual dinner in December but the executive committee voted to deny their sponsorship I abstained from that vote
As a member of the executive committee we're tasked with reviewing new members and taking action relative there to approval and declination of new members I'm responsible for the approval of the new member's membership in the chambers software and the related accounting for payments and billing
Approval of the membership is done with executive committee approval I've abstained from all boats relative to CX membership in the chamber in addition of abstain from any votes approval on CX sponsorship or involvement with a dinner at the direction of the president the board after a successful vote to admit
Siac as a member I handled the administrative end of including siac as a new member in the software used by the chamber this is the same process I do for each new member after they are approved I've had no contact with them relative to the membership approval of processing I'm not required to have contact with
Siac in my capacity as a member of the board of the Chamber of Commerce or in any administrative functions I perform in addition I'll not be attending the annual dinner or any other forms event that seek is sponsoring or holding as a member of the chamber prior to the vote of the town on January 7 2023 or at any
Time thereafter while review of nucx permit applications is required by any Municipal Boards of the town of Hardwick to the extent that seek May file an application before the board of Select and future I intend to consider each application on its merits and takes its action as in the best interest of the
Town in full compliance with the law my position on the board of the chamber which has several hundred members of which CAC has won will not impair my ability to objectively and fairly carry on my duties as a chair of the board of selectman brother Kelly any questions or concerns
On my disclosure you're muted Kelly no I did read it thoroughly and appreciate the disclosure
There is a question I will entertain the question it is respectful and concerning any of the facts that were mentioned Lauren
Lauren do you have a question she doesn't appear to be muted Nicole she's not muted
I'm looking for her Lauren do you want to put your question in the chat since we can't hear you looks like the chat was disabled
Nicole can you reinstate the chat yep so as Lauren if you want to type your question in the chat since we can't hear you so again the disclosure is filed on
With the town clerk and um as I said in my disclosure I believe that I can act fairly independently my involvement with the chamber should have no impact on moving the process forward
Lauren we'll come back to you if you want to type you still have your hand oh it looks like it's to me she wrote it to me okay what is the process for a business being accepted into the chamber I know that is outside of your scope of work on this
Board just curious I think that would be a question that you probably should ask of the chamber president and the CEO it's as I mentioned in my disclosure that's an approval process that happens for that group on the executive committee of which
I'm a member and as I mentioned I have abstained from all votes relative to to this situation certainly you can feel free to if you want to reach out to Nicole I can have Nicole give you the contact
Information on who you might reach out to directly to inquire okay so let's move on from that any other new business
Okay next is the water warrant December billing apparently and Rob did you have a chance to look at that in your pack up
Any questions on that or anything but any edits or I just haven't I just for my memory snake did we vote to increase the rates yet no no so these are not these are except
The 13.0125 supposed to be per gallon but we're actually charging per cubic foot so we're we're gonna revisit that once the equipment and once we start doing all that right correct yes yes the meters
Have been ordered you know thinking it would have been nice maybe to have Revisited that before these bills went out so it should probably be on our radar sooner than later for the next yeah I get I guess I thought maybe we
Would do that before the thrilling went out well I I did have to send the billing out so no yeah it's totally understandable yeah but I'll get that more on my front burner here looking at the rates I know Angie already did a whole she surveyed a lot of towns already okay yeah it'd
Probably be good to us maybe the beginning of the year I'm not looking to add any more for the remainder of December but so um we need to approve the water warrant for December and the amount of seven thousand nine hundred ten dollars
32 cents I would make a motion to approve a water warrant billing in the amount of seven thousand nine hundred and ten dollars and 32 cents per the attachment of all the
The users second that any other discussion Harry none I will call the roll Kelly aye Rob hi and Julie is I motion carries
Thank you I have the actual warrant that needs to be signed I don't know if there is meat or or if you could come in I can stop down tomorrow
You need two signatures Nicole yes I can try to get there and sign if I'm not able to get there I'll just call you and authorize you to sign on my behalf
Let's bring to you too whatever whatever you think okay foreign
Thank you next item on the agenda is the 2022 audit and update on the 2023 audit do we have the audit report Nicole for the 2022 audit I asked for it digitally and I've only got it so far in book form so I only have it
Physical so if you want to look in the in the box when you come in the mailbox put them there can they give us electronic copies they did not I asked them for it and I'm waiting for it okay so I think I think I think once the boards had a chance to review it
Since it is a public document that we should have copies electronically available so if we can get it electronically that would be great yeah I asked for it to give to you guys but I just got these on Thursday afternoon so they didn't send they haven't
So that one's here look so that's great and then the next one should be done definitely by the end of the year the Auditors are coming in this week so is the accountant and they've got almost everything because it's been submitted throughout the year knowing that we had to get this
Audit done by the end of the year so everything's looking good thank you oh I'm sorry Zoom is so Zoom is so hard Zoom is hard because it's hard to know when to when to speak and when someone's
Finished so I apologize it would be good if we could get them bless you it would be good if we could get the the uh Auditors to come before the board of Selectmen so that once we've had the opportunity to review the report typically in these situations there's an
Exit interview that happens with the board of governance so um if they could come to uh perhaps one of our meetings in January and review the 2022 audit and presumably they'll have a draft or final that we could review for 20
So it would be the 2021 that they've done because we've just finished June 30 of 22 so that would be the 22 audit that we're looking at right yeah okay yeah 21 22.
June July of 22 so we have we would have just stuck but yes it's July of 22 should be done by the end of this year yes I mean June 30 20 22. right okay great
So maybe we can put that on a future agenda when when it's set can I run up anything more on that no okay next on the agenda committee appointment procedure I know that there are folks who are
Interested in volunteering on various committees and I know some folks have reached out already and just wanted to put it on the agenda so that it you know for those folks that are interested in being involved on a committee or board
That we sort of talk about what the procedure should be so everyone's aware and um I guess thoughts would be I guess my thought would be uh Kelly and Rob is that there's a letter of interest that goes to the Town Administrator and she brings that forward just as she does for other appointments and such for
The board to appoint to a particular committee I know there's some interest in the master planning committee and just sort of making sure that we're addressing those and getting back to the folks that are interested in lettering letting them know that we're um you know we'll take
It under advisement and consider the appointment Nicole have you received other letters of interest for other committees there's not okay I know we have someone who is interested in uh joining the master planning committee we do a vacancy on
That committee there's a letter there was a an email request that came in from Lisa condo to be appointed to the master planning committee Kelly and Rob do and Nicole confirmed we have a vacancy
Kelly and Rob are are you prepared to appoint Lisa to the master planning committee or do we want to take it under advisement and address it at the next meeting I it's my belief that she would make a great addition to that committee the
Committee has not met in several years and she wants to bring that back and have some serious conversation about the town's master plan she has an extensive background in marketing that's what she does you know for her everyday job and she's volunteered
Throughout the years within the town as well so I would be willing to make an appointment but you know it's a poor decision Nicole are we prepared with the I'm sorry what are we prepared with the term of what that appointment would be for how long
I know there was some confusion on the dates of the staggered dates of the terms
Maybe if we're not prepared to vacancies one and one is up in 2023 one's up in 2024.
So that would be a June 30th of each of each year so why don't we make the appointment for
Then we want to make the appointment for the 2023 with the event with the thought that perhaps the committee would meet and um we did appoint them at our annual appointment so that the committee would meet and those that aren't interested in still being on the committee we you know
We would be able to consider other letters of interest if there is anybody I have a place to start I think if people are reaching out to volunteer we certainly I think we should welcome them and
You know giving like this one you know this position would just be through you know June 30th that gives like you said the chance for the committee to to meet and you know maybe light some fires metaphorically that is
Rob yeah these these seats are empty so if someone's willing to do it see let's put them on somewhere okay oh my God you're still here okay
So procedurally those that are interested in being in committees or boards please submit a letter of interest to Nicole and we can uh we can I see it
A comment in the chat about what the open positions are we can certainly put those together for a future meeting now typically on the on the town website yes I'm just going to say that when the town census goes out at the beginning of the year the town clerk typically inserts them in that as well
And so look there if you're interested in any particular vacancies on boards and committees and we certainly can entertain letters of interest and as they come in a point to uh point to vacant positions this question in the
Chat relative to replacing people who don't respond if the community isn't meeting regularly it's hard to understand who's not interested and who's going to so I think for these committees like the master planning committee who haven't met in a long time calling a meeting and figuring out who
Is still wanting to be involved we've reappointed them but that doesn't necessarily mean they're going to be active so I think once there is some interest in these committees start meeting again we'll know if there are future vacancies that we can seek letters of interest for hopefully that answers the question so
Again recap get your letter of interest into Nicole look for vacancies on the town website and as Kelly mentioned please answer your census surveys and uh the town clerk will forward those to us so that we'll know uh to follow up
Anything else on the committee appointments so um let's actually are we prepared to appoint Lisa to one of the vacant positions on the master planning committee I would love to so go ahead how about it okay I would make a motion to appoint Lisa Condit to I want to make
Sure I'm saying it right the master committee plan am I saying that correctly master plan Community Development advisory committee I'm not right here okay I would make a a motion to appoint Lisa Condit to the master plan Community Development advisory committee for the
Term that would end June 30th 2023 seconds it's been moved and seconded any other discussion hearing none I will call the roll Kelly aye Rob
And Julie is an Isn't So motion carries Nicole can you please reach out to Lisa and let her know of her appointment and ask her to go before the Town Clerk and be sworn in yeah so if I could just add two that when Ryan and I were talking about how people go about and requesting to be on
A board or a committee that they send a formal letter in and then they also list you know maybe some experience on why they think they would be best fit for this position just thinking that there may be more than one that would be interested so we would be able to place them where their best fit
You know also we have somebody who right who has a lot of experience and municipal government and then somebody that doesn't maybe they would be better fit for a master plan committee which is a severe undertaking I I think that's a great
Suggestion hey the next item anything else with regard to that before we move on okay uh discussion interval relative to arpa funding I think that's just a close placeholder Nicole I don't think we have
Anything else to talk about okay committee reports um we have just a couple of things to mention and it might be in your report Nicole so if I'm stealing your thunder I apologize we have a oh boy my paperwork is all
Mixed up we have a report from the fire department just a reminder that December 18th at 11 A.M the fire department is going to be having a Santa ride on the fire truck around the common to will right and then through Gilbertville burning permits are available you can get them at the fire station Monday or
Wednesday night after 6 30.
Anything else on committee reports I think that was the only report I saw Nicole it is and he just formally came in I mean verbally came in and told us this yesterday last week I tomorrow is supposed to be the department head meeting so I don't have any reports
I missed part of that so I'm going to turn my video off because I'm having internet issues I missed what you said but I got I just said he came in verbally okay to let us know I don't have any other department head reports where tomorrow is our our meeting great thank you
Next we're on to the Town Administrator report okay so let's start with USDA the new location for Pump Station environmental review is nearly complete endangered species review and today actually and I haven't heard anything
So I'm thinking that the review period will close and we will move forward we're working on the easement documents and the language with our engineering firm and our in our and our attorneys and a survey team because we're that we're getting a
Partial survey uh they were out last week surveyors so that should that's moving along and we're also working on rates and betterments with our cap hopefully we'll have them soon we do have to have a town meeting for it so that's really what we want it's sort of
Going in conjunction with proceeding USDA wants us to have basically that in place before we really start construction I don't know how feasible that is but they're very understanding USDA has has been extremely understanding and even today I called them because
This is not in my report but it was just because today I called uh we have a ban the bond anticipation note due I think it was in March or April but it was about 72 000 and just to you know to be able to be able to it and um USDA has
Given me the go ahead to use the state funding to actually get rid of our debt so once these are coming due we are we are getting rid of them with the funding that we have in place right now that's really exciting
I didn't be interesting so that was really exciting to hear that the 2021 audit is complete we just we just went over that and we set up an email where people can submit questions and comments and information regarding the proposed horse
Track location it is horse racing info at townofhardwick.com it's on our website on Facebook in the where River news and The Gazette and I'm hoping to get it out onto the radio which brings us to my next Point I was approached by where 97.7 nope
Nah sorry not where w-a-r-e right 97.7 and I used to do this in my last Town one Wednesday a month they would have Town manager slash administrator in the morning to kind of kind of let everybody know what's going on in the community and
Okay I so I have been approached by them at the station to go on it doesn't necessarily have to be on a Wednesday morning when the other administrators managers are on but
It can you know they've they asked me to come on today but I obviously needed to get my permission from you guys first so I didn't get back to them yet on on getting on there but I think that it's a great idea for us to get all kinds of information out there you know to for everything that's
Going on in the town whether it's something contentious or something good new business or something like that you know I think it's kind of like another platform to get information out there so with your permission I would like to
Go on to the radio occasionally and um and kind of update because I know that there are Hardwick residents that that listen I didn't at first because when I was listening to it and I got into Gilbertville I lost service I lost the radio station but I um apparently
You can still listen on the AM station and they do have a big following from Hardwick so I think it would be a good idea for me to go on there and let people know what's going on what do you guys think so I would just ask that people in the
Chat be respectful please I understand we all have our opinions about things but please be respectful my opinion can we shut the chat off again [Music]
But it's my personal opinion I agree okay Nicole can you please shut it off if you have if you want to say something please feel free to raise your hand and the chair will recognize you so I so I guess as I've said uh several times
I don't have I don't have an issue with it as long as it's fact-based I I don't I'll just be blunt I don't want it to be a form for horse racing discussions I want it to be and I just I'd like it to be positive about what's positive happening in Hardwick
The Poinsettia deliveries which was huge and a great spirit builder for a lot of people in town be included and all of the positive things the grants we're applying for all of that kind of stuff I I would really not want the horse race discussion to
Monopolize the conversation although you might be led in that direction I don't know if you will or won't I I think that war is very fair on news informative so but I think it would really be a way to highlight the all the positive things that are happening at Hardwick I'm all for it as long as it's
Fact-based I would definitely have to second that the to be honest when I first read your report I went oh God I'm not going to lie because I had a reporter from the TNG call me this afternoon and I just kindly said I
Would call her back that's probably not going to happen but at any rate because you do get sucked into things and I think right now with everything you know some of the things that are going on I would not want to fun that way that way completely agree I agreement simply you know
Things that are happening in town functions that are happening in town then you know again I would be fine with that but I think it's a fine line that that needs to be that needs to be locked
Rob any thoughts on yeah I think Nicole the colorful I would I would hope again we just got to be careful using
Your judgment on walking into the sun of things that aren't resolved in the community but I mean truly your decision how you wanna handle some of the questions so so why don't we do it this way why
Don't we do it on a trial basis see how it goes and if it's something that's positive and is of such you know provides positivity for the community I'd say it continues but let's do it on a let's see how it goes we also don't want you to be in a situation where you're putting an
Uncomfortable situation with questions or such so why don't we um give it a try and happy to listen in when it happens and no for that matter I mean you know if there's I mean if there's other messages that we
Can get out through that Avenue I mean we're always looking to be transparent and put as much information as we can out there about what's happening in the town it would be a great way for us around Harvard Fair time to highlight the Harvard fair and really provide positive things so I I would say let's try it on
Test basis and see how it goes I would agree with that like just looking at some of the things in the new news on um Nicole's report like these would be great things like the Whistle Stop and the friends of the Stone Church you know the wineries celebrating their anniversary like those are great things
My my concern is more for how some the questions that may be posed I guess so I you know I agree with that let's see how it goes can I respond Julie I think she's Frozen again so
Loser oh no she's down there no she's still she said she was kicked off oh
I just put her in the waiting room and hopefully bringing her back I see her again I'm so sorry
Technology is frustrating so I missed half of that so I apologize I think Kelly just agreed with you that it should be done in a trial basis and advice you could just maybe explain a little further that I did do this in my last town and
It was always you know things mostly good that's going on there I talk about the things that things are so great I I I'm glad to hear Rob thank you and that you have confidence that I know when and what to say
As far as an open uh Forum like that typically it's 15 minutes so it's 8 45 to 9 and it's just like the town of managed administrator minute and we we he says what do you want to say I I have I'll tell him what I'm going to talk about and he'll tell me a
Question It'll ask and I've been looking to do this way before the horse race track came okay honestly I thought about this when we got all of the money back from USDA I thought I was really excited about it and I wanted everybody to know that we were back on track so I thought
And I was listening to it one day and and then I lost service like I said when I got into Gilbertville but now that you know I I know that more people listen to it even my assistant listens to it and I would maybe be a different diet Dynamic that would listen to it but I
Think that again that's exactly what I would talk about Kelly the things that are in my report right now are exactly what I would be letting the community know all of these great things that have that are happening I think Hardwick has a lot of great things going on and I think that it would be definitely a
Highlight so with that I will let you know uh if I'm when I go on and if you want to listen in it'll be 8 45 in the morning whenever whatever day that happens and then I do represent Hardwick that is literally my job and
I feel like I do it to the best of my ability I don't have to live here this is my career and this is what I am hired to do is to is to Port Hardwick the entire town of Hardwick and only Hardwick so just want to let everybody know that that is what is what so moving on then
So yeah just a comment Nicole we um we we believe that you'll do the best for the town please don't take that as a criticism it's a um it's a commentary on uh we're all we've all been put in situations as of late where we've been questioned on things
Even in the most innocent situation as delivering poinsettias so just want you to be feel supported and just know that um you know in the spirit of being fact-based we know you can handle that judions are hand up so
Let's get through Nicole's report Duty and then we can get back to your question if that's okay just so we can keep going through the report okay okay so the street lights I've I've been approached by some residents in town that they have street lights out here street lights out there so I
Reached out to our national grid liaison and she's looking into it right now to see exactly well I said can you shed some light no pun intended on why the sunlights are out and then probably like to see them on so
She's getting back to me so if anybody has any street lights out that maybe I'm not aware of I know there's a lot in Gilbert though some on Hardwick road so if there's something near your home that you would like me to address please let me know you can call me or email
And then I was looking at the where River news and there were some really great things that were uh in the in on the front page really of of the um paper so I thought I would highlight it here Joe's jackets his kids winter clothing they serve over 400 they served over 400 people last year
And now they're just doing children because they were overwhelmed so you can contact Joe's jackets at gmail com to see how you can help or donate the Hardwick Winery is celebrating 25 years of business so congratulations to the Samick family and all the staff there and the great things that they do
And the people they attract to our town friends of the Stone Church hosted buck and Beyond and they have many events constantly uh you can contact friends of thestonechurch.org for more information Whistle Stop has their certificate of occupancy they got it at the end of last week so they should be having a a soft
Opening soon so keep your eyes peeled for cars in the driveway I don't think they want to have a big grand opening right now but they're working on getting all their food in they've hired their staff they want to expand already they want to bring a car in and have dinners and then they'll use this car to do some
Sort of holiday rides up and down the track here right here in Gilbertville going to vary so there's a lot of fun things happening I didn't uh the planning board is holding a public hearing for a class two located at 435 Lower Road on December 13th and we'll need to be holding a public
Hearing too as well for a class 2 license but I haven't been approached by them I was just noticed that that planning board is having and then Nicole can you just clarify for the record what a Class 2 licenses just so people it's a used car used car license thank you so the the planning
Board is is going to approve the not the license but the like a site plan I think they waived it but um they have they're going to do their approval and I was noticed well but all of the boards were noticed so I'll be looking for that we'll be having to have that
And then I have ongoing things that you know just aren't fully completed yet I don't know if you want me to go over this this is something that we have they're ongoing but I I guess I will say something about the town hall I was a pro I was I sent sent an
Email on Friday by the Reconstruction team that and an email today by our insurance company that we will be getting a check soon and so I know he was having problems getting a flooring company to come in I I asked around and gave them some local names
I just was afraid I lost you again Julie so so that should be happening soon hopefully we'll have our town hall back and everybody will be back in their own space before too long because it's Def crowded and it's a disaster so we're all looking forward to that happening
And so I don't know that I want me to go over any of the stuff that's ongoing if you guys spread it or not unless it's kind of like Rob have any questions and just um as in just making sure that your Town Administrator report gets uploaded to the website so anybody has the ability
To look at what we're talking about Kelly I Rob any questions on any ongoing items I don't have any questions I brought up I'm all set thank you great thank you Nicole thank you sorry about my internet
Anything for signatures approvals that you need for us Nicole I actually need one signature from you I the board of the Conservation Commission had some things that needed to be sent out certified so I paid for it so I can't sign for myself so I just need you
To sign it's the 30 reimbursement but I'll leave it in the Box I guess for whenever you're around can you just email it to me and I can certainly sign it oh yeah sure sure okay yep I'll handle that I just want to make sure there's nothing you need to do is
There anything in the selectman's Roundtable that we want to address so Nicole there was some mention of an event for the town employees is that still happening December 8th yes we're having a little potluck for Holiday where where is that happening here
Okay I'm gonna be standing around so Kelly and Rob any issue with the board sending something for the employees for their potluck not at all okay so I'll coordinate that
That would be great just let me know what you need is that okay Rob yes please I'm on it thank you I just wanted to say in the slackman Roundtable huge shout out to Kelly for doing the poinsettias
I I'll be honest in a time where I'm feeling sort of beaten down a little bit and maybe some of the other board members are and maybe some of you are on the zoom also as well as Nicole having the ability to deliver poinsettias is a definite bright spot and um thank you to Kelly for continuing
That tradition I will tell you I did go to Joan Ralph's um Widow and delivered a poinsettia and I've been delivering every year since you've been doing it and I hear the story and she is so happy that the town is sort of carrying on Ralph's Legacy so kudos to you
And also you know in terms of Christmas on the common and sort of moving that forward it'd be really nice to see if we can get a lot more participation in that going forward so Nicole can we put that on our radar and figure out you know how we support those
Organizations that are doing it and safely can attract more organizations to make it a a bigger it's it's such a positive for the town and it's such a good thing that happens so thank you to Kelly and it was it was a good it was a good a good day
So we do have a couple hands up oh Kelly did you want to say something well I just want to add that I want to thank everyone we had 25 volunteers for deliveries and over 27 donations came in this year and in the past I've closed that Gap in this year we have extra funds
Over 500 to put towards next year's 0.5 delivery so thank thank you everyone like it I really truly mean that because that's one of the happy things that I love to do me too and I I think it's I think it's
Great so thank you thank you Kelly and a huge shout out to Mimi's too and um through the cookie sale and everybody who participated I think that's what makes hardwood a good place so so I robbed that I cut you off
You're you're cutting out a lot so for crazy internet World here so we do have two hands up we have Judy and Lauren again not sure what your comments are in relation to but would just ask if
You're respectful about it we do want to sort of we've been on this for a little bit so we do want to wrap up the meeting but if you have something that you want to say that's contribute to the meeting halfway to quickly hear that beautiful where I before I call for a motion to adjourn
Judy oh yeah thank you very much um number one I want to give a shout out also to a couple other people that did some great work like maybe Liz Riley who did the food bank for the Thanksgiving and Christmas coming up I know personally I made 30 pies that went out to uh Jimmy ayotte's for the
For his his uh less fortunate group and another 27 that went out to uh to um the food bank so they could have fresh pies and my grandson came in from New York to make that happen so I just you know it's really really a little upsetting that
We're a little self-servings here that we don't look at what the rest of the town is doing to participate in what's you know what we're doing for this town so while I believe and I'm Kelly thank you thank you thank you thank you but let's look a little bit broader and see whatever one else is doing because a lot
Of people are doing some really great things I just wanted to mention and by the way I'm not a great pie baker but you know they gotta love whatever I gave them because I gave them what I got so the next thing I wanted to say is I actually believe and I believe in my heart as a business owner myself Nicole
Is not the best representative anything regarding the horse race and the reason I'm saying that is her comment should be no comment no comment and the reason is three things number one we're in the middle of a vote you guys don't need to
Be in turmoil period you do not need a misstep number two baby marriage in the baby carriage comment last week was condescending as happy so so this is easier this is this
Was my turn no to me that was a serious misstep this was a serious mistake when we went to be respectful what I understood no comment
Why not just no comment we've said we've we've asked Nicole to say the fact so the per wait a minute wait wait Julie last week you said and I we have this on tape you said we don't have enough information to answer these questions yet you're saying Nicole can go out
There and just say whatever she wants even though you just said you don't have the answers to all the questions all right Judy you're gonna be muted this is not respectful it's not
Respectful I'm saying isn't it easier to just say no comment so Judy I'm talking about the facts not specifically about the horse racing facility you're putting those words in my mouth facts about anything that is happening sewer whatever is happening with all that I
Said when it comes to the horse racing I said can't we just say no comment what's your third point my third point is I know this is a tough job for everybody and this is a tough time so I hope we can all have a good
Holiday and the comments Lauren I know we couldn't hear you before and I think the chat's disabled can you are you able to unmute yourself and speak
Nicole can you this enable the chat for her because I'm not sure why we can't hear her Lauren the chat's enabled so if you could put your concern or question in the chat
I'm not sure why we can't hear you I apologize
Nicole did you see so Lauren's comment was when they repaved they didn't put the crosswalk back in front of get up and dance who's in charge of that Nicole can we do we know the answer to that or can we follow up I think the answer is I think the answer is Lauren that's the first lift on the
Pavement that's not the final pavement they've only done the first lift for the winter I believe there's going to be another layer that happens rob you might know the answer but I think there's going to be another layer if you look at the sidewalks the sidewalks are temporarily paved for the winter because
They weren't going to be able to finish the final pavement so I think they're going to be another layer on top of that and all of the crosswalks and all of the street markings will be put in at that point am I right in that Rob the they should put temporary crosswalks but typically wait for at least two
Weeks because the oil of the fresh asphalt will actually cause so we could follow up with Marty to see if yeah and make sure they do that before before it gets to to wait for them to do
That okay people are still line painting so it should be able to get done great thanks Rob all right anything else to discuss before I entertain a motion to adjourn
Ing on I will entertain a motion to adjourn motion to adjourn all right so we need to call the roll that's already I'm showing there's no discussion uh called Nicole Kelly hi I'm Rob Julie is an i and the meeting is
Adjourned at 8 27. thank you everybody for attending thank you Nicole everybody
[00:00:00] November 5th [00:00:01] to order at [00:00:04] 6 31 [00:00:07] um I'll just read through the agenda [00:00:09] briefly call to order Pledge of [00:00:11] Allegiance visitors [00:00:14] public hearing at 6 30 p.m the board of [00:00:17] Selectmen will hold a classification [00:00:18] hearing on Monday December 5 2022 at 6 [00:00:21] 30 at the municipal office building 307 [00:00:23] Main Street Gilbertville on the issue of [00:00:25] tax allocation among the property [00:00:27] classes for the fiscal year 2023 [00:00:30] minutes August 16 2022 August 29 2022 [00:00:34] September 29 2022 October 3 2022 and [00:00:38] October 4 2022 [00:00:40] all the business [00:00:42] approval of letter to applicant [00:00:44] regarding vote for horse racing location [00:00:45] other old business new business review [00:00:49] Lester contract for Board of Health [00:00:51] Services [00:00:52] great Meadowbrook Farm disclosure of [00:00:54] chairman chairwoman Queen's General Law [00:00:56] chapter 268 section 23 B 3 disclosure [00:01:01] form other new business water warrant [00:01:04] December billing 2022 audit update [00:01:07] update 2023 audit committee appointment [00:01:10] procedure [00:01:12] discussion and or vote relative to arpa [00:01:14] funding committee reports Town [00:01:16] Administrator report signatures and [00:01:19] approval selectman Roundtable and [00:01:21] adjournment [00:01:23] first I am on the agenda Nicole you [00:01:25] drove a flag behind you so if everyone [00:01:27] could [00:01:27] [Music] [00:01:28] um [00:01:29] rise and pledge allegiance [00:01:33] I pledge allegiance students to the flag [00:01:35] of the United States [00:01:41] one nation under God indivisibility [00:01:46] Injustice For All [00:01:48] thank you everyone [00:01:52] um before we get started are there any [00:01:54] visitor comments on anything that is not [00:01:56] on the agenda [00:02:03] Nicole has you muted so if you can raise [00:02:06] your hand [00:02:13] Nicole I don't see any hands or is due [00:02:15] no [00:02:17] okay [00:02:20] um so the next item on the agenda is the [00:02:22] public hearing Nicole I didn't see in [00:02:24] our package the notice I need to read [00:02:27] for the public hearing [00:02:28] I can read it it should [00:02:31] it should have first 15 on your packet [00:02:33] is it the um the memo from the board of [00:02:37] selectman yeah the board of assessors [00:02:39] from the board of stocksmen [00:02:42] okay so this is to the board of [00:02:43] selectman from the board of assessors a [00:02:45] decided dated December 5 2022 tax [00:02:48] classification [00:02:50] the board of assessors pending final [00:02:52] certification of the FY 23 tax rate by [00:02:55] the Department of Revenue hereby [00:02:56] recommends that the board of Selectmen [00:02:58] retain one tax rate for all classes of [00:03:00] property the board feels that the [00:03:02] relatively small benefit to the [00:03:03] residential taxpayer that could be [00:03:04] achieved using two tax rate is not [00:03:07] warranted considering the dramatic [00:03:09] increase in taxes to be paid by the [00:03:10] commercial industrial personal property [00:03:13] taxpayer Hardwick is a largely [00:03:15] residential community that simply does [00:03:17] not have enough of a commercial [00:03:18] industrial personal property base to [00:03:20] make classification worthwhile the [00:03:23] pro-temporary tax rates are as follows [00:03:25] single tax rate 13.30 shift tax rates [00:03:29] residential 12.69 commercial industrial [00:03:34] personal property 19.95 [00:03:38] so we will open the hearing [00:03:41] at [00:03:43] 6 35 [00:03:48] . Jen would you like to speak to the [00:03:50] board about the um [00:03:52] the tax classification [00:03:54] well guess that that [00:03:57] um if we do do a ship in the tax [00:04:01] um it would be quite a burden on our [00:04:04] very small [00:04:06] percentage of commercial industrial and [00:04:09] personal property taxpayers so the [00:04:12] recommendation is just to retain one tax [00:04:15] rate across all classes of property [00:04:19] foreign [00:04:24] or Rob any questions or concerns we've [00:04:28] always historically done a single tax [00:04:30] tax classification across um all um [00:04:35] classes of property so this would be if [00:04:37] we were to go to the ship tax rate that [00:04:39] would be a change and what we've [00:04:40] historically done [00:04:43] that's all I was going to add to Julie [00:04:48] I'm all set [00:04:55] um any other discussion before I close [00:04:56] the hearing [00:05:01] hearing none [00:05:03] um I will close the close the hearing at [00:05:05] 6 36. and I will entertain a motion to [00:05:09] approve [00:05:11] the single tax rate of 13.30 as proposed [00:05:15] by the board of assessors in their memo [00:05:18] to the board of selectman dated December [00:05:20] 5th 2022 and as discussed by Jen [00:05:24] um in this meeting [00:05:26] I would make a motion just as you said [00:05:29] Julie [00:05:33] okay it's been moved and seconded any [00:05:35] other discussion on the single tax rate [00:05:38] classification of 13.30 [00:05:41] it's one thing I need to add [00:05:44] um we're under two and a half [00:05:48] by eighteen thousand [00:05:54] by by eighteen thousand [00:05:57] where is it [00:06:00] I did have the right [00:06:05] I'm so I'm so sorry I don't have the [00:06:07] right amount but we're under two and a [00:06:09] half by eighteen thousand and some [00:06:13] last year we were under by seven [00:06:16] thousand [00:06:21] that's good news it's better than being [00:06:22] over right [00:06:23] it is 18 [00:06:26] 000 seems like quite a bit but actually [00:06:28] it isn't [00:06:30] um you know seven thousand is a hands [00:06:34] breath 18 000 is just comfortable yeah [00:06:37] I I would agree with that Jen [00:06:40] thank you thank you for all your hard [00:06:43] work John you're very welcome thank you [00:06:46] all of you [00:06:49] um since we are in a virtual meeting I [00:06:51] do need to call the roll [00:06:53] um so this is [00:06:54] um to approve the motion as uh was made [00:06:58] and seconded [00:07:00] um [00:07:01] Kelly [00:07:03] Rob [00:07:05] hi [00:07:06] and Julie is an eye as well so the [00:07:08] motion carries [00:07:10] thank you Jen thank you [00:07:15] the next item on the agenda is um [00:07:18] approval of minutes we have minutes of [00:07:19] August 16 2022 August 29 2022 September [00:07:23] 29 2022 October 3rd 2022 and October 4th [00:07:28] 2022. [00:07:30] Julie [00:07:32] um I'm sorry I did have to take [00:07:35] the October minutes and the September [00:07:37] minutes out because they just I you you [00:07:39] weren't going to approve them so I did [00:07:42] go over them with Angie today so they'll [00:07:45] be ready for the next one and [00:07:48] it really wasn't uh detailed enough that [00:07:50] I thought you would even [00:07:53] retain approving okay so it's just the [00:07:56] August sorry that's okay I did see it I [00:07:58] didn't see them in there but I thought [00:08:00] maybe I missed them so I thought it was [00:08:01] me yeah we are approving the August 16 [00:08:05] 2022 and August 29th 2022 minutes is [00:08:09] that correct yes okay Kelly or Rob did [00:08:13] you have any corrections or I do okay um [00:08:16] so on August 16 2022 throughout the [00:08:20] minutes [00:08:21] um it says how I motioned or seconded [00:08:24] but I'm not listed in attendance [00:08:26] okay we may just want to update that [00:08:33] um [00:08:36] that was [00:08:38] everything that I [00:08:40] saw [00:08:44] thank you thank you Kelly [00:08:49] now that was the only thing I caught [00:08:58] Rob any [00:09:00] adjustments or Corrections [00:09:02] okay [00:09:03] as far as I can remember [00:09:05] it's good [00:09:07] okay so um why don't we do the minutes [00:09:10] individually so [00:09:12] um I'll entertain a motion to approve [00:09:14] the minutes of the board of Selectmen [00:09:17] for August 16 2022 with the correction [00:09:20] of including Kelly as in attendance [00:09:24] I'll make a motion as [00:09:26] stated by Julie quink [00:09:29] second [00:09:30] it's been moved and seconded so uh any [00:09:33] other discussion on the minutes with the [00:09:35] corrections [00:09:36] so I will um call the role to approve [00:09:39] the August 16th minutes Kelly [00:09:43] aye Rob [00:09:46] aye and Julia's I motion carries [00:09:50] um now I'll entertain a motion to [00:09:53] approve the August 29th 2022 minutes [00:09:58] I'll make a motion as stated by Julie [00:10:00] quink [00:10:03] we'll consecuted in any other discussion [00:10:07] hearing none I will call the roll Kelly [00:10:11] aye Rob [00:10:12] hi and Julie is an eye motion carries [00:10:18] okay [00:10:20] um so we will have the um updated [00:10:22] minutes through [00:10:24] October 4th for the next meeting Nicole [00:10:27] yes and hopefully more hopefully up to [00:10:30] current that would be great so there was [00:10:33] a question in the chat that I will [00:10:34] answer [00:10:35] um there's a long a lag time in the [00:10:38] minutes because we're trying to get back [00:10:40] on track with minutes we realize that [00:10:42] there we're a little bit behind in [00:10:43] approving minutes so we are trying to [00:10:45] get those back on track the meetings are [00:10:47] recorded and I believe the recorded [00:10:49] meetings are posted on YouTube so [00:10:51] anything that would be in the minutes [00:10:54] um you should see uh posted on our [00:10:56] channel the minutes are just a uh am I [00:10:59] correct nickel that the minutes are just [00:11:00] a written [00:11:02] um [00:11:02] uh or like a synopsis of what happened [00:11:05] really the only thing that needs to be [00:11:07] in minutes are votes [00:11:08] right okay [00:11:10] so we are trying to get back on track [00:11:12] thank you it's a good question [00:11:15] um [00:11:16] next item on the agenda is [00:11:19] um old business is there any other old [00:11:21] business that we need to discuss [00:11:25] I think the only thing I would bring up [00:11:28] um which is [00:11:29] um has been on past agendas is the Town [00:11:31] Administrator review [00:11:34] um we've sort of been delaying that [00:11:36] because of the meat of some of the other [00:11:38] stuff that is um [00:11:41] uh sort of come before the board [00:11:43] um with the other board members [00:11:45] permission [00:11:46] um we have the um public information [00:11:49] session on the 19th [00:11:51] uh so perhaps we can [00:11:54] um do Nicole's [00:11:56] um review uh in January are you guys [00:11:59] okay with that [00:12:01] yeah I think that would be good [00:12:03] okay so Nicole could you make sure that [00:12:06] this gets on the first agenda [00:12:09] um [00:12:10] for January [00:12:12] yeah thank you any other old business [00:12:15] that we need to address [00:12:21] okay [00:12:23] under new business we have review the [00:12:26] luster contract for the Board of Health [00:12:28] Services Nicole do you want to [00:12:30] um [00:12:31] oh I'm sorry I missed something under [00:12:34] old business I apologize approval of [00:12:37] letter to applicant regarding vote for [00:12:38] horse racing location [00:12:41] um Kelly and Rob did you have a chance [00:12:44] to review the letter [00:12:45] I did [00:12:51] what was this draft Ed with the [00:12:53] assistance of Town Council yes okay [00:12:57] Kelly Rob any questions comments [00:12:59] concerns on the letter [00:13:02] no I had brought up at the last meeting [00:13:05] um that you know we added the other [00:13:07] events that had happened and that seems [00:13:09] to [00:13:10] that's happened [00:13:15] I think I'm outside with [00:13:20] okay [00:13:22] um [00:13:23] so I need I think we need a vote of [00:13:25] approval for this letter [00:13:27] could be sent to the gaming Commission [00:13:32] and also [00:13:34] um [00:13:34] so Nicole are we also sending a copy of [00:13:38] this to [00:13:39] um [00:13:42] so [00:13:44] the letter is required by the applicant [00:13:47] so the gaming commission has us write [00:13:49] this letter [00:13:51] um [00:13:51] but the applicant it's part of their [00:13:53] submission so I did speak with the [00:13:55] gaming commission and you know that was [00:13:58] sort of like the process so [00:14:01] um there is a correction to the letter I [00:14:03] just actually saw it [00:14:05] um the date of the vote is incorrect it [00:14:07] should be January 7th of 2023 [00:14:10] oh yep [00:14:15] oh [00:14:19] I'm gonna make that mistake for a while [00:14:21] that's okay [00:14:23] um and um it's okay that this um this [00:14:26] doesn't need to be signed by the chair [00:14:29] or [00:14:31] um a member of the board of selectment [00:14:32] it can be signed by you we can authorize [00:14:34] you to sign it yes okay so in our motion [00:14:38] I think we have to authorize you to sign [00:14:40] it as well as the approval of the letter [00:14:48] are we ready for a motion on this [00:14:56] uh I guess I can make it [00:14:59] um [00:15:00] I move [00:15:02] that we [00:15:03] send this letter to [00:15:06] the applicant and the [00:15:11] Gaming Commission [00:15:13] and allow Nicole to sign it on our [00:15:16] behalf [00:15:18] second [00:15:20] so it's been moved and seconded [00:15:22] um [00:15:23] any other discussion [00:15:27] I think the only thing that we'll uh [00:15:29] that Nicole will make the correction for [00:15:31] the date within the second page [00:15:35] um okay hearing no other discussion [00:15:38] um I will call the rule for the vote [00:15:40] Kelly [00:15:42] bye Rob [00:15:45] and Julie is an eye [00:15:50] there was a question in the chat about [00:15:52] where the uh where the letter is [00:15:54] available [00:15:55] um Nicole has a copy of the letter and [00:15:59] once it's [00:16:00] corrected and signed she certainly you [00:16:02] can certainly request it from her [00:16:07] okay [00:16:09] um sorry about that I missed that on her [00:16:10] old business [00:16:12] um so [00:16:14] um under new business sorry Nicole you [00:16:16] were started to talk about the review of [00:16:17] the Leicester contract for Board of [00:16:18] Health Services I think we've um all [00:16:21] been [00:16:22] um copied on [00:16:25] um [00:16:34] sorry one second [00:16:42] foreign [00:16:47] you've all been copied on the [00:16:48] correspondence coming from [00:16:51] um we've all been copied on the contract [00:16:54] um [00:16:55] [Music] [00:16:56] yeah [00:16:57] um you've also been copied on [00:17:00] um [00:17:03] the uh correspondence that the board has [00:17:08] received from [00:17:10] I believe we have been forwarded three [00:17:12] of them Nicole is that correct [00:17:15] yes [00:17:17] um [00:17:18] one of which is [00:17:21] um [00:17:29] sorry I'm just trying to find all of [00:17:31] them in the pocket one of them is from [00:17:34] Francis dagel [00:17:36] uh who is from the um [00:17:40] Board of Health in Leicester [00:17:44] um we also have correspondence from uh [00:17:48] John Samick from the winery [00:17:50] and we have correspondence from [00:17:58] flipping through all of the pages here [00:18:05] from [00:18:06] um [00:18:11] is it it's coming through its king glass [00:18:16] not sure who that is I think his name is [00:18:18] Mike or something like that but I I [00:18:20] don't know who he is okay [00:18:23] and then [00:18:25] um [00:18:30] and then we also have correspondence [00:18:31] from Stan and from Judy Cohn [00:18:36] and also [00:18:38] um correspondence from Laurie Micah on [00:18:40] behalf of [00:18:42] um [00:18:43] Jason garrelatis Jaeger latest [00:18:45] Contracting [00:18:47] um [00:18:49] so in the I'm not sure I see Judy I'm [00:18:53] not sure if Stan is on [00:18:55] um [00:18:57] Nicole do we know if Stan is on I see a [00:19:00] stand I'm not sure if it's [00:19:02] our Stan uh hi Stan hi Stan and Judy [00:19:07] um [00:19:08] so [00:19:09] um [00:19:12] we're in receipt of your [00:19:15] um note I believe just today [00:19:18] um or [00:19:19] stated the fifth so we just received [00:19:21] this today about your wish to terminate [00:19:24] the contract with [00:19:27] the Leicester Regional Public Health [00:19:30] Coalition and the Ima [00:19:34] um [00:19:36] it's your belief that the contract is [00:19:39] not being Met has never been fully met [00:19:42] um [00:19:44] I know that we do have three letters [00:19:47] that have come with concerns about the [00:19:51] current situation in the town and it [00:19:54] looks like you've gone piece by piece [00:19:56] through [00:19:58] um the contract [00:20:00] um and sort of um details your position [00:20:04] relative to each of the items in the the [00:20:06] contract [00:20:08] um [00:20:09] Nicole does it make sense to [00:20:12] um [00:20:13] have I guess [00:20:15] sort of seeing all the corresponds that [00:20:17] we've received to have a meeting with [00:20:20] um [00:20:20] Francis and Lester to talk about the [00:20:24] Coalition and the project I'm presuming [00:20:27] based on the contract that we can't just [00:20:29] back out of the contract if the board [00:20:31] were inclined to [00:20:33] um [00:20:34] because it's Grant funded is that [00:20:36] correct [00:20:39] well I'm not positive about that but I [00:20:41] certainly wouldn't recommend this [00:20:43] I'm just sort of looking at the contract [00:20:45] so the contract says we can terminate [00:20:48] um by either party [00:20:50] um or no reason on 30 days written [00:20:52] notice do we have any sense that Lester [00:20:54] is well is wanting to terminate this [00:20:55] contract I know we're hearing we've got [00:20:58] correspondence from Stan and Judy that [00:21:00] they would like to they would propose [00:21:02] that we terminate the contract have we [00:21:04] gotten anything from Lester on their [00:21:06] side indicating they want to terminate [00:21:08] the contract Lester does not want to [00:21:10] terminate [00:21:12] okay [00:21:18] um [00:21:18] Kelly Rob any [00:21:22] comments [00:21:23] concerns questions that you think we [00:21:25] need to have answered [00:21:28] um well I guess I'll just maybe if my [00:21:30] two cents as I read through all of this [00:21:32] the best that I could [00:21:34] I know we got [00:21:36] um Stan's letter a little bit late so I [00:21:38] probably haven't thoroughly I will admit [00:21:40] to not have thoroughly have gone through [00:21:42] that as of right now [00:21:44] um [00:21:46] I'm certainly concerned about the [00:21:48] letters that we're receiving [00:21:50] um [00:21:53] I and I only heard good things about you [00:21:58] know Lester's input here so [00:22:01] I'm concerned [00:22:03] um [00:22:04] you know this this was a a great Grant [00:22:06] opportunity for the town and this [00:22:09] potentially could go for more years than [00:22:11] it was actually written for am I correct [00:22:14] Nicole [00:22:15] it was for three years and it could be [00:22:17] extended for three additional years [00:22:18] that's exactly right right and so [00:22:22] you know um just from a standpoint of it [00:22:25] it's hard to get people that want to [00:22:28] volunteer and you know run for these [00:22:30] positions we see that every day and so [00:22:33] my fear would be if we were to think [00:22:36] about [00:22:37] um [00:22:39] canceling this contract I don't know [00:22:41] where you know where we would stand with [00:22:43] all of the inspections that they do [00:22:46] um so [00:22:47] so I guess I have some concerns about [00:22:49] that [00:22:53] I obviously agree with you Kelly [00:22:56] um I'm concerned that we don't have [00:22:59] these [00:23:00] have the on the board for some of the [00:23:02] more in depth stuff that [00:23:05] the Board of Health [00:23:07] provided unless there's more Health can [00:23:09] provide us with [00:23:13] but [00:23:15] I think we definitely need to have a [00:23:16] conversation everybody needs to get into [00:23:18] a room and you should be willing to get [00:23:20] into a room [00:23:21] and discuss this [00:23:24] all right [00:23:28] that's [00:23:30] I don't know the best way to do it if [00:23:32] it's at a public meeting or take one [00:23:36] person out of each group and kind of sit [00:23:38] down and discuss it which might be a [00:23:40] little easier [00:23:42] and have it as a open forum [00:23:46] gives gives people a little more chance [00:23:48] to talk freely and not feel [00:23:50] like they're being watched or persecuted [00:23:58] so um [00:24:01] sorry Rob [00:24:02] no go ahead so Stan um you're on the the [00:24:07] call I mean are um if so I would I would [00:24:10] make the proposal that [00:24:13] um we try to schedule a meeting with [00:24:15] your concerns [00:24:17] um with Lester [00:24:20] um and if that includes Stan in well [00:24:23] you'd have to have a posted meeting if [00:24:25] both of you were there so I I would make [00:24:28] the suggestion that we have a member [00:24:29] from the board of Selectmen perhaps a [00:24:32] member from the Board of Health Nicole [00:24:35] um [00:24:36] and uh we ask representatives from [00:24:39] Lester to attend and work through some [00:24:42] of your concerns or at least discuss [00:24:44] some of your concerns or or questions [00:24:56] Stan any thoughts on that [00:25:02] um [00:25:03] yeah I'd like to see the letters that [00:25:06] you're referencing before I decided to [00:25:08] do anything else [00:25:10] Nicole can certainly provide those to [00:25:12] you they are [00:25:15] public information through the board of [00:25:17] selectman's office so Nicole can forward [00:25:19] those to you and and perhaps [00:25:21] um [00:25:23] we can [00:25:24] um I I don't want to let this sit too [00:25:27] long from either your perspective or [00:25:29] their perspective [00:25:30] um you know certainly if we can we [00:25:33] understand that we've got a lot in front [00:25:35] of us all boards have a lot in front of [00:25:37] us [00:25:38] um but if we can get that meeting [00:25:40] together and [00:25:42] um you know have the conversation uh [00:25:45] sooner than later so if Nicole can get [00:25:47] those to you and through Nicole you can [00:25:49] reach out [00:25:51] um Nicole will schedule a meeting Kelly [00:25:53] or Rob do you do you have a preference [00:25:55] on which one of us Judy I see your hand [00:25:57] up I'll be with you in a second [00:25:59] um Kelly Rob do you have a preference on [00:26:02] which one of us attends would you want [00:26:04] me to attend or either one of you want [00:26:05] to attend [00:26:07] I'd be happy either way [00:26:10] are you proposing that [00:26:13] we go to [00:26:15] a group meeting with Lester as the next [00:26:17] step [00:26:19] well I well so I think [00:26:22] um In fairness you should read what is [00:26:24] in the correspondence that we have [00:26:26] received if you haven't received and [00:26:28] been copied on it that you should be [00:26:30] copied on it and you should have a [00:26:31] chance to read it [00:26:33] um [00:26:33] I do I I sort of proposed that we [00:26:37] um have a conversation with your [00:26:39] concerns relative to [00:26:43] um the Coalition and what you feel is [00:26:46] them being provided my understanding and [00:26:49] Nicole [00:26:50] um Nicole has [00:26:52] I believe pulled some of the other [00:26:54] communities that are in the Coalition [00:26:56] and they seem to be happy with the [00:26:59] service [00:27:00] um and so I just sort of if there are [00:27:02] wrinkles that we can iron out and as [00:27:05] Kelly mentioned sort of continue on with [00:27:07] this [00:27:08] um [00:27:10] that you know it would be sort of [00:27:12] meaningful to to try to move forward [00:27:15] that way if there's a way we can repair [00:27:17] what isn't working for us [00:27:20] um you know I certainly don't want to [00:27:23] see [00:27:24] um [00:27:25] you know the complaints or the [00:27:26] correspondence come through [00:27:29] um [00:27:29] and you know I if there's a way we can [00:27:32] resolve it it would be appreciated I [00:27:34] believe you were copied on [00:27:37] um I'm just going to look at the [00:27:39] correspondence stand I believe you were [00:27:41] copied on [00:27:44] you were copied on the correspondence [00:27:45] with Lester [00:27:47] um [00:27:52] I don't believe you were copied on the [00:27:54] correspondence that came from [00:27:57] John samek so Nicole can you make sure [00:27:59] that gets sent over [00:28:02] and also from King glass and also from [00:28:08] um [00:28:08] Jason garrelatis please [00:28:10] and then once Stan has had the [00:28:12] opportunity to review it and Judy as [00:28:15] well or other the Board of Health has [00:28:18] had the opportunity to review it [00:28:20] um why don't we connect with um [00:28:24] you know the board's permission uh we [00:28:26] can connect whether it's myself or Kelly [00:28:28] with [00:28:29] um Stan and [00:28:32] um Nicole and Lester and sort of get [00:28:34] that dialogue going get the meeting set [00:28:36] up [00:28:39] you know I I want to express a concern I [00:28:43] have right now that I feel like [00:28:45] me personally [00:28:47] and the current Board of Health is under [00:28:49] a bit of a Witch Hunt by [00:28:52] uh the selectman and administration [00:28:55] at your October meeting [00:28:58] uh there were some very strong [00:29:01] uh slanderous comments made [00:29:04] were recorded and reported in the [00:29:07] newspaper [00:29:08] and [00:29:09] upon a public records request them on [00:29:12] upon my part absolutely nothing was [00:29:15] provided to support anything that was [00:29:19] said in that meeting [00:29:21] so now we have the second meeting where [00:29:24] the agenda is very broad it's a [00:29:27] Leicester contract and [00:29:30] we provided I asked for more d [00:29:33] Ork D did not received deals what that [00:29:35] agenda would [00:29:37] topics were [00:29:39] and if there was more to discuss and [00:29:41] Judy and I [00:29:42] proactively provided information [00:29:45] which is now not being Incorporated in [00:29:47] this meeting now I understand that it [00:29:50] may for some of you have come late [00:29:52] because of your work schedules and I [00:29:54] understand that but it's still something [00:29:56] we tried to do to provide information [00:29:59] for this meeting [00:30:01] and [00:30:03] um [00:30:04] the uh [00:30:07] one person on the list of complaints so [00:30:09] I'm assuming that what you're presenting [00:30:12] are complaints not um compliments [00:30:15] um [00:30:16] I don't know who that person is [00:30:19] um but I am very familiar with three of [00:30:23] the [00:30:24] complaintance let's say if that's what [00:30:26] they are and their situation [00:30:30] and [00:30:31] um I can assure you if we want to [00:30:34] discuss this [00:30:37] in a public forum there will be support [00:30:40] on our part for problems that the Board [00:30:44] of Health has had to face [00:30:46] uh to deal with situations in town [00:30:49] and what's disappointing to me extremely [00:30:53] so [00:30:54] is that there's actually no felt poor [00:30:59] the Board of Health [00:31:00] by the Selectmen and the administrative [00:31:04] support you have [00:31:06] completely no support in fact the [00:31:09] feeling is mostly [00:31:11] one form of attack or [00:31:15] doubt or challenge in one way or another [00:31:20] all the time [00:31:23] so [00:31:25] I think you should know that that's very [00:31:27] disappointing and hard to deal with you [00:31:30] talk about not having volunteers and you [00:31:35] are not supporting your Board of Health [00:31:39] agreement that signed [00:31:45] but you signed [00:31:47] is nothing more than an offer by the [00:31:51] town of Leicester [00:31:53] to provide services [00:31:55] not unlike what we can acquire through [00:31:59] local Health agents like we have helping [00:32:03] us right now [00:32:05] it is not a Board of Health agreement [00:32:07] it's not a Regional Board of Health [00:32:10] each town has an independent contract [00:32:13] and all the contracts are not the same [00:32:17] some towns one town gets special [00:32:19] services for what they negotiate [00:32:22] the town of Leicester has been very [00:32:24] astute in seeking grants at very [00:32:27] creative to find a way to pay for their [00:32:31] staff [00:32:32] the staff that I we interface with are [00:32:36] not the Board of Health of Lester you [00:32:38] have restaurants a couple of times in [00:32:40] this call the Board of Health of [00:32:42] Leicester that is not who we are dealing [00:32:44] with that is not who signed the contract [00:32:47] that not [00:32:50] there's a group called staff [00:32:52] and that staff is paid for by the grant [00:32:56] that staff is comprised of [00:32:59] a health coordinator [00:33:02] the health agent officer and a health [00:33:05] director an epidemiologist and a public [00:33:08] nurse [00:33:11] it has never achieved the stopping level [00:33:14] they committed to [00:33:18] it is mostly never on time with a [00:33:23] project [00:33:24] which frustrates many people we mitigate [00:33:28] that by working with [00:33:31] the coordinator in Leicester mostly on [00:33:34] very friendly terms to [00:33:36] to try to find out where information is [00:33:39] exchange information and to get the [00:33:41] projects completed [00:33:49] Health director of lrphc [00:33:55] approximately [00:33:57] not responded to 72 percent of my [00:34:01] communication with them [00:34:04] okay that's from records of my email [00:34:07] correspondence and that's not including [00:34:10] phone calls not returned voice message [00:34:12] not returned and not being able to talk [00:34:15] to him because his voicemail box is full [00:34:20] so the situation is more closely related [00:34:25] Judy and I feel to what we've shared [00:34:27] with you and we've been very gentle to [00:34:29] just highlight key points that we think [00:34:32] should be considered [00:34:34] affect the work [00:34:38] when they when this whole idea was [00:34:40] brought forth there was a letter of [00:34:45] tent is what [00:34:48] was in this case in most contracts were [00:34:52] seen a letter of intent so people know [00:34:54] the spirit of what they're entering into [00:34:58] in this case they call it a municipal [00:35:00] initial statement [00:35:01] commitment [00:35:02] that Municipal statement of commitment [00:35:05] said that [00:35:08] we would cooperate [00:35:10] with lead municipality to ensure [00:35:13] compliance and scope of service for [00:35:15] public health excellence [00:35:18] in the program [00:35:19] for shared services [00:35:22] there has been from almost day one [00:35:26] a lack of cooperation [00:35:30] and not a lack of willingness to [00:35:32] cooperate in our part but troubles with [00:35:34] cooperating let's put it that way [00:35:37] the other part that we agreed to as an [00:35:40] intent in the letter of commitment [00:35:43] was that use of funds under this program [00:35:46] were only [00:35:49] to augment rather than replace current [00:35:52] Municipal funding for public health [00:35:55] staff or services [00:35:57] this was addressed several times by me [00:36:00] with Nicole Parker particularly when we [00:36:03] were coming upon the budgeting season [00:36:06] several times [00:36:07] Nicole [00:36:09] was [00:36:10] fiercely against [00:36:12] Judy or I appointing any support which [00:36:16] is our role to appoint support it is our [00:36:20] role to appoint agents [00:36:22] clerks Physicians [00:36:31] Board of Health [00:36:34] I brought to the attention that the way [00:36:36] the Board of Health money is accounted [00:36:38] for is inappropriate it's not wrong it's [00:36:42] inappropriate funds this is a [00:36:45] pay-as-you-go service meaning if we [00:36:48] don't do anything unless someone asks us [00:36:50] to do something our fees are set to pay [00:36:53] for the support we require [00:36:58] our responsibility to make sure that is [00:37:00] the case and that is how we operate [00:37:04] the way the accounting is set up on this [00:37:07] fees come into the town for people [00:37:10] paying for a service from the Board of [00:37:13] Health and those fees are then moved [00:37:15] into the general funds [00:37:17] they are not retained in the Board of [00:37:19] Health to pay for the services necessary [00:37:22] to provide that support [00:37:24] on top of that [00:37:27] presumably your group or the [00:37:30] administrator acting on their own I [00:37:32] don't know how this happens [00:37:35] cut [00:37:36] the health agent budget by 50 percent in [00:37:40] the last at the last town meeting the [00:37:43] last warrant by 50 with no involvement [00:37:46] by the forward of Health no prior [00:37:49] discussion no invitation to comment on [00:37:52] how the Board of Health is functioning [00:37:53] and what it means to provide services to [00:37:56] town [00:37:57] so [00:37:59] I'm going to stop there [00:38:01] but [00:38:02] my feeling is this whole inquiry [00:38:06] that has been proceeding now for months [00:38:09] is completely out of line [00:38:11] completely out of line [00:38:14] you either do not understand how the [00:38:16] Board of Health functions and should [00:38:18] function or you have a vendetta of some [00:38:21] sort against the Board of Health maybe [00:38:23] personally against me or personally [00:38:25] against Judy I just don't understand the [00:38:27] motivation of these discussions like [00:38:30] this is the practical matters here [00:38:33] when you have installers working in town [00:38:36] that that argue with you because [00:38:39] they are not providing inspection [00:38:41] records of their work and demand [00:38:44] certificates of Appliance without [00:38:46] inspection records I don't think it's [00:38:48] the board of Health's job to provide [00:38:50] that certificate of compliance [00:38:54] when you have a health director who [00:38:57] who's cooperating who tells you in an [00:38:59] email please describe to me the [00:39:01] situation for which you need my support [00:39:04] so because I am very busy I am he's so [00:39:09] busy please provide it to me so that I [00:39:11] can prepare for this conversation [00:39:13] and prior to that [00:39:16] consulted with the lawyer of [00:39:19] Massachusetts associated with health [00:39:20] court to see if I was doing something [00:39:23] wrong and she said no you are not but [00:39:25] you should involve the other people [00:39:28] supporting you so I contacted Francis [00:39:32] Daigle requested his support and he [00:39:35] replied in an email saying write it down [00:39:38] send me what you need to discuss I am [00:39:40] very busy too busy to to to react I need [00:39:44] to see what you're talking about so [00:39:46] applying to his request providing him in [00:39:49] great detail on what the matter was so [00:39:52] he could be prepared so we could have an [00:39:53] effective call [00:39:55] I get a response of retaliation that's [00:39:58] unbelievable [00:39:59] it is unbelievable [00:40:01] and I'm assuming you don't have full [00:40:04] exposure to the situation [00:40:07] but it's unbelievable to me it is [00:40:10] unbelievable to me that your first line [00:40:12] of action is to call a meeting to bring [00:40:15] everyone together when we haven't even [00:40:19] suggested [00:40:21] reviewing the concerns you've recently [00:40:23] said [00:40:24] the meeting with your Board of Health [00:40:26] that is unbelievable [00:40:30] so that's where I'm going to stop [00:40:33] clearly a problem [00:40:34] it's a clearly administrative problem [00:40:36] it's a problem involves lack of [00:40:39] knowledge [00:40:40] it's a problem of with not enough people [00:40:43] operating at the same level of [00:40:45] understanding [00:40:47] and it's a big problem with the town [00:40:50] Administration not supporting the Border [00:40:52] Health period [00:40:57] thank you Stan [00:40:59] um so [00:41:00] um certainly understand your concerns [00:41:03] and [00:41:04] um I want to sort of speak to the [00:41:06] meeting where this came up [00:41:09] um [00:41:10] initially that you referred to and it [00:41:12] was not the intent of the board to [00:41:14] discuss it at that point but one of your [00:41:16] fellow board members was in the meeting [00:41:18] and [00:41:20] um pursued the conversation and so it [00:41:23] wasn't the intent to pursue it at that [00:41:24] time it did come up it was only [00:41:27] um for the administrator to to it was in [00:41:31] the administrator's report and uh to to [00:41:34] the board [00:41:35] um and so I understand how you feel and [00:41:38] I understand the concern [00:41:40] um [00:41:41] so what I what I would suggest then [00:41:45] um [00:41:46] I think it makes sense at some point to [00:41:49] meet with the coalition to discuss your [00:41:53] concerns [00:41:55] um and [00:41:56] um [00:41:57] in in prior to that happening as I was [00:42:00] saying [00:42:01] um I asked Nicole to forward you the [00:42:04] correspondence and then to [00:42:07] um have a conversation about the [00:42:09] correspondence [00:42:11] um and then meet with Lester I I think [00:42:13] your concerns bullet pointed concerns [00:42:16] should go to Lester [00:42:17] they should be aware of what the [00:42:20] concerns are with the agreement [00:42:23] um and perhaps there is some way to [00:42:26] make this work so that you do get the [00:42:29] support that you need that would be the [00:42:31] goal obviously we don't like to see as [00:42:35] you likely don't like to see these [00:42:37] issues or concerns raised but the the [00:42:41] matter of the matter of fact is that [00:42:44] anyone in a public office is going to [00:42:46] have these things come through if [00:42:48] someone doesn't alike doesn't like what [00:42:50] your position is or doesn't like your [00:42:52] approach very often very few and I think [00:42:56] that that's we're seeing more of that [00:42:59] um [00:42:59] is there a approval or Applause for a [00:43:02] job well done in any of these situations [00:43:05] um so [00:43:06] I would ask that [00:43:09] um as I mentioned Nicole Ford the [00:43:11] correspondence to you [00:43:12] to the board so that you can see what's [00:43:14] come before us and let's try to come up [00:43:17] with a resolution [00:43:19] um where there is some support for what [00:43:22] you need but they're also meeting what [00:43:24] has been spelled out in the agreements [00:43:27] that were signed [00:43:29] um that's where I'm coming from from the [00:43:31] standpoint Stan yeah so two two just two [00:43:34] brief comments with what you just said [00:43:36] first of all [00:43:37] the um [00:43:40] the fact that that uh meeting we're [00:43:42] referring to in October continued on [00:43:45] when it was not your intent to discuss [00:43:47] it [00:43:48] I appreciate that but it's not the fact [00:43:51] that it continued on as the issue [00:43:53] the fact that's the issue is things that [00:43:56] were said [00:43:57] were slanderous and defamatory and have [00:44:01] no backing [00:44:02] so that's the point second is that you [00:44:07] have um uh received our input [00:44:10] I think if you would like to speak the [00:44:13] Lesser you should [00:44:15] um at this time though I don't have any [00:44:17] more conversations to have with Lester I [00:44:20] don't have uh personally an interest I [00:44:22] don't have the time or the energy to [00:44:25] continue [00:44:27] working around and talking around [00:44:31] um behaviors and actions that are not in [00:44:34] line with our purpose and mission for [00:44:36] the Board of Health and Hardwick and [00:44:38] this [00:44:40] this is not going to be the first [00:44:41] meeting if that happens we've already [00:44:43] had this meeting [00:44:46] with Judy and I and Francis Chan Nicole [00:44:49] once already [00:44:51] and the topic was exactly the same [00:44:54] excuse me and the the agreement of how [00:44:58] to proceed was what we would all agreed [00:45:00] was appropriate [00:45:02] and yet you know what here we are again [00:45:06] so I think if you all need to learn more [00:45:08] about [00:45:10] doctor and how it functions about the [00:45:12] agreement that that you entered into [00:45:14] you know I think you should take the [00:45:16] time to do that however you well and we [00:45:18] will I will provide you information and [00:45:21] opinions as I always do and I will try [00:45:24] to prepare professionally as we try to [00:45:26] do for this meeting [00:45:29] but [00:45:31] um I don't know what more to say uh they [00:45:33] are not a Board of Health they are a [00:45:36] staff that provide that is willing to [00:45:38] provide services paid for by a grant and [00:45:40] they've offered those services to towns [00:45:42] if they want to use them [00:45:45] most towns do not use them to the extent [00:45:48] that Hardwick tried to most towns take [00:45:51] that a la carte for a food inspection or [00:45:54] for a title V project but they don't [00:45:58] lean on them or lean into them as heavy [00:46:01] as we did when we started this [00:46:04] Judy and I were very new to the board [00:46:06] Tech's actually you know he was a great [00:46:08] contributor and I can't he's he's not [00:46:11] with us so you can have to take my word [00:46:12] in this he was very skeptical of [00:46:15] entering into this and we pursued ahead [00:46:18] anyways because we knew Tex was also [00:46:22] not [00:46:23] be working on the board much more much [00:46:24] longer and [00:46:26] and Judy and I were new we need [00:46:29] and we thought we needed this help well [00:46:32] we've learned how the board of Health's [00:46:34] function how the laws function we've met [00:46:37] people and we have an outstanding Health [00:46:40] agent working for us right now Rich [00:46:44] Stevens from Barry incredible amount of [00:46:47] experience that he could just do our [00:46:50] learning and he has a network he's [00:46:53] extended to us to access and we don't [00:46:57] really [00:46:58] require the support [00:47:02] that Lester [00:47:04] offers theoretically and what they [00:47:07] actually deliver we don't require it and [00:47:09] it's not actually helping us a great [00:47:12] deal it's holding us back from [00:47:15] developing as a board of health [00:47:18] so Stan Judy has her hand up so just I [00:47:21] would say to you um Stan perhaps um [00:47:24] Kelly and Rob are you okay with [00:47:27] um [00:47:29] but first of all Nicole please send [00:47:30] those letters to I did not realize Stan [00:47:33] was not not copied on those so please [00:47:35] make sure that they have all the [00:47:36] correspondence [00:47:38] um [00:47:40] I would make the suggestion that we [00:47:43] um [00:47:46] that we we meet with Lester and see [00:47:51] um and and I mean I think your document [00:47:54] I I honestly it came late Stan so I too [00:47:57] I understand didn't have a chance no and [00:47:59] I'm not I'm not criticizing I'm just [00:48:01] making a comment no I I don't understand [00:48:02] that I didn't have a chance to review it [00:48:05] so why don't we take your [00:48:07] um letter [00:48:09] um signed by yourself and Judy under [00:48:10] advisement [00:48:12] um I will work with Nicole [00:48:14] um she'll make sure she gets you the [00:48:15] documents [00:48:16] um the two pieces of um I think the two [00:48:18] that came to us that you didn't receive [00:48:21] um I will Circle forward with Lester [00:48:24] um and um also be in touch with some of [00:48:27] the other communities that are under the [00:48:28] Coalition and see how they function [00:48:31] um understanding how you're functioning [00:48:33] um and and see what services how they're [00:48:35] interacting with them and then let's [00:48:37] revisit the issue [00:48:39] um so [00:48:41] I guess let's do some more information [00:48:42] do some more um [00:48:45] research and discussion and then [00:48:47] um if we fail the board feels a need to [00:48:50] meet with Lester we will [00:48:52] um we certainly would like you to be [00:48:53] part of that because if there is some [00:48:56] value there [00:48:57] um if they can provide some value maybe [00:48:59] it's it's I'm not sure I just hate to [00:49:02] scrap this whole thing there's got to be [00:49:04] some value there for you I would think [00:49:05] and if we can make it work [00:49:08] um but let's do a little bit more [00:49:09] research and [00:49:12] um certainly willing to talk with you or [00:49:14] Judy [00:49:15] um and [00:49:17] um sort of talk about these letters that [00:49:19] have been received [00:49:21] um and if if the spirit of interaction [00:49:24] continues the way it has been for months [00:49:27] and I'm including our own [00:49:31] stration if it continues that way [00:49:35] then then the Board of Health is just [00:49:38] going to do what it needs to do to be [00:49:40] compliant and to do the job but the [00:49:43] interactions that are becoming um [00:49:46] contentious and into interfering we're [00:49:49] just going to have to find a way to not [00:49:51] participate in those that just can't [00:49:54] continue [00:49:55] but well I'm not I'm not there shouldn't [00:49:58] be an adversarial [00:49:59] um I don't want there to be an [00:50:01] adversarial [00:50:02] um relationship with this board I mean [00:50:04] we should all be able to work together [00:50:07] um and understand understanding the [00:50:11] understanding loud and clear what you [00:50:13] what you said [00:50:15] um and loud and clear your position on [00:50:18] it and I again I apologize it went that [00:50:20] way the first way that wasn't the intent [00:50:22] but understand how you feel I mean I I'm [00:50:25] trying I'm trying to build the bridge [00:50:27] here stand to try to make it work so [00:50:29] that you don't feel unsupported the [00:50:31] board doesn't feel unsupported [00:50:33] I'm doing the best at trying to to [00:50:36] bridge that yeah I would offer your [00:50:38] suggestion and please just a suggestion [00:50:41] don't worry about rigid [00:50:43] pay attention to what we said what we [00:50:45] feel the mission of the Board of Health [00:50:47] is [00:50:48] fine if you want to get behind that [00:50:58] um thank you Stan Judy did you want to [00:51:00] say something and then we'll move on [00:51:01] from this issue [00:51:04] yes I [00:51:07] I want to be extremely brief I think [00:51:10] it's a matter of loyalties [00:51:12] in the town of Hardwick [00:51:16] to their own [00:51:18] and I think that we have been second [00:51:22] rate in considering our relationship [00:51:26] with an outside group that is neither a [00:51:31] board of health or [00:51:34] or um [00:51:36] it's not even close to us [00:51:39] and in terms of the theory of our [00:51:43] government [00:51:44] the Board of Health has a particular [00:51:48] powers to preserve and protect the [00:51:51] health of the people of the Town they're [00:51:54] in there are a few other states in the [00:51:58] United States that have [00:52:01] every local Board of Health for every [00:52:04] town has strong powers [00:52:07] and and um [00:52:11] and this Regional concept goes counter [00:52:16] to those powers [00:52:17] and personally speaking I have [00:52:21] been unable to function because of [00:52:25] the noxious interactions between uh us [00:52:31] and Lester [00:52:32] and I think the First Act of the select [00:52:36] board would be to talk to the Board of [00:52:38] Health [00:52:39] and [00:52:40] yeah a manual psychner so [00:52:44] um that's the way [00:52:46] communication is the best way to look at [00:52:49] any problems [00:52:51] as far as the problems themselves Stan [00:52:55] and I have already addressed them and [00:52:57] and put them before you today [00:53:02] so that's it thank you Judy yeah oh one [00:53:07] more thing [00:53:09] we are poised to do great things for the [00:53:13] town of hard work when it comes to [00:53:16] health to [00:53:18] make sustainable [00:53:20] agriculture among the people that farm [00:53:24] and work here to [00:53:27] um uh preserve our forests from uh [00:53:31] destruction and cutting that we've seen [00:53:34] of late [00:53:35] and to preserve our water [00:53:38] from others despoiling it and [00:53:44] and coming in and stealing our Resources [00:53:48] by development and and processes that [00:53:52] are found to be destructive of [00:53:56] ecosystems [00:53:58] so I'm working on a theoretical level [00:54:02] I've been studying Public Health since [00:54:04] this began [00:54:06] since I began and I'm halfway through my [00:54:09] tenure and I don't intend to to [00:54:14] run again because I'm 82 years old but I [00:54:18] can tell you it's so exciting where we [00:54:21] can go [00:54:22] and I suggest that we not spend time uh [00:54:27] reviewing and researching and meeting [00:54:30] with all the parties as Stan said we've [00:54:33] already done it [00:54:34] that we can we can provide a Board of [00:54:40] Health and all the services [00:54:42] and do it great [00:54:46] I I have no uh qualms about that with on [00:54:50] our own because of the powers that are [00:54:54] invested in Boards of Health [00:54:57] so I'm very hopeful [00:55:02] that's it you're welcome thank you Judy [00:55:06] so I I think the reason and um we did [00:55:09] try to have a meeting [00:55:11] um we did ask to have a meeting with the [00:55:13] board [00:55:15] um one time prior but you know I think [00:55:18] um that was in on the heels of the [00:55:20] October meeting Stan and I I think there [00:55:22] was um very unfriendly time [00:55:24] probably probably not some clarity and [00:55:28] um [00:55:28] I hear you loud and clear [00:55:30] um I think the board's perspective in [00:55:31] looking at it is certainly [00:55:33] um to be supportive but also we've [00:55:35] signed an agreement so we have a we have [00:55:38] a binding agreement with with [00:55:40] um the Coalition and that's sort of my [00:55:43] um [00:55:44] more important Julie I'm sorry for [00:55:46] interrupting but more important the [00:55:49] intent [00:55:51] now that intent [00:55:54] by your own actions has not been upheld [00:55:59] so tent is the basis of the whole [00:56:02] exercise and the agreement that you call [00:56:04] binding [00:56:06] is constructed with a mutual 30-day exit [00:56:09] there's no more binding than 30 days [00:56:12] I'm not suggesting it's binding Stan or [00:56:14] what the legality of it is but I think [00:56:17] we've signed something that we just have [00:56:19] to be sure [00:56:21] um if the board you know whatever way [00:56:23] the board decides on this that we [00:56:26] understand what [00:56:27] um [00:56:28] you know what our responsibilities are [00:56:30] so [00:56:31] um so I guess Kelly and Rob any thoughts [00:56:34] on this but here's how I would make the [00:56:36] suggestion we proceed [00:56:38] um just to [00:56:39] um reiterate Nicole they need the [00:56:41] documents that we've received any other [00:56:43] documents that come in can we please [00:56:44] make sure they're copied on them [00:56:46] um if they aren't uh cc8 on it and [00:56:51] um [00:56:52] uh we will reach out to other [00:56:55] communities under the Coalition so we [00:56:57] can gather some more information on how [00:56:58] they're functioning [00:57:01] um we will get advice on the agreement [00:57:02] we've signed and [00:57:05] um we can revisit this issue [00:57:08] um at a future meeting [00:57:10] um and if we feel hurt here loud and [00:57:13] clear that you don't want to be involved [00:57:14] with the meter I'm meeting with um the [00:57:16] Coalition or Lester or whoever it is [00:57:19] that you know [00:57:20] um we need to meet with [00:57:22] um and who the appropriate people on [00:57:24] their end are [00:57:26] um hear loud and clear that you don't [00:57:27] want to be involved we can move forward [00:57:29] with a representative from our board [00:57:31] and meet with them [00:57:33] um and if it's appropriate we can share [00:57:35] your concerns [00:57:37] um and [00:57:38] um we will be back to the subject [00:57:43] Kelly and Rob does that sound okay [00:57:45] Nicole [00:57:49] yeah I'm I'm fine with that I think that [00:57:51] if you know if [00:57:53] it's learned [00:57:54] regardless I think you know we should [00:57:57] Express them to Lester [00:58:00] if they're not doing what they should be [00:58:02] doing you know that's that is a concern [00:58:07] I agree yeah I agreed Kelly [00:58:10] and I I think the our Board of Health in [00:58:13] some ways should be involved with a [00:58:15] discussion Leicester so that we don't [00:58:17] get the facts mixed up [00:58:21] we have a I understand you got we were [00:58:24] written a couple letters [00:58:27] um from each person but [00:58:29] it only tells a small portion of what's [00:58:31] going on there and [00:58:33] I'm sorry it's it's one of those things [00:58:36] sometimes you just have to do you have [00:58:38] to stand up for yourself and stand [00:58:41] is correct and his actions are true [00:58:44] which I I don't know I don't know what's [00:58:46] truly going on out there I know there's [00:58:48] a lot some complaints [00:58:50] and some issues [00:58:51] but I believe that Stan should be part [00:58:54] of this and and stand up for what he [00:58:57] believes he's doing correctly and [00:58:59] and let us understand between the two of [00:59:01] them where the issue is [00:59:04] um [00:59:05] I mean we're trying to listen we're [00:59:07] trying to be supportive but [00:59:09] I mean I I appreciate that Rob [00:59:12] I just want to I have to share I'm [00:59:15] getting exhausted by defending myself [00:59:17] for [00:59:19] enforcing [00:59:21] the [00:59:23] health code [00:59:24] Mass general laws acting as a board of [00:59:27] health that requires [00:59:30] standards to be met [00:59:31] Title Five compliance [00:59:34] and people just not enjoying that [00:59:37] and I'm sorry if they don't enjoy it and [00:59:40] I don't think we've been unreasonable in [00:59:42] working with anyone to work through the [00:59:44] problems that arise that then require [00:59:48] attention to get to the point where [00:59:50] compliance is achieved that's [00:59:54] a primary function of the board [00:59:56] operating to [00:59:59] address [01:00:00] the uncomfortable situation [01:00:03] stop what shouldn't be happening and [01:00:06] proceed to closure that brings [01:00:09] everything in compliance bottom line [01:00:10] that's what it kind of is about [01:00:14] and so [01:00:17] my concern is that maybe some people [01:00:19] aren't used to that maybe other people [01:00:22] just don't want to be in that situation [01:00:24] and they find it uncomfortable but [01:00:28] um [01:00:30] it doesn't change uh [01:00:33] the purpose of the Board of Health and [01:00:35] what we're supposed to be doing [01:00:40] so I encourage you to find out what you [01:00:44] need to find to out to understand the [01:00:47] situations [01:00:49] I'm quite I'm quite confident [01:00:51] that that when you're ready [01:00:55] there's not a problem I feel with our [01:00:58] position and our behaviors not maybe to [01:01:01] quote Judy in a way [01:01:03] we're not maybe winning a popularity [01:01:05] contest [01:01:06] but I don't think we're doing things [01:01:08] wrong [01:01:11] thank you so [01:01:14] um we will follow up [01:01:16] um and [01:01:18] um we will revisit the issue after we've [01:01:21] sort of gone through the steps that I've [01:01:22] outlined [01:01:24] thank you both for being on the meeting [01:01:25] and for speaking I appreciate it thank [01:01:28] you [01:01:32] anything else on the Leicester contract [01:01:37] okay [01:01:39] next item on the agenda is great [01:01:40] Meadowbrook Farm discussion of [01:01:42] chairwoman quinks General Law chapter [01:01:43] 268a section 223 B3 disclosure forum [01:01:49] have you both received a copy of the [01:01:51] disclosure form [01:02:00] so I'm quickly going to read the [01:02:02] disclosure which is on file with the [01:02:03] town clerk it's a as I said a disclosure [01:02:07] of the parents of conflict conflict of [01:02:08] interest as required by chapter General [01:02:10] Law chapter 268 a section 23 B3 [01:02:15] um [01:02:16] uh in my position as chair Board of the [01:02:19] selectman for the town of Hardwick the [01:02:22] issue is [01:02:24] um and I this again the disclosure is [01:02:26] public information I'm chair of the [01:02:28] Harvard Board of selectman as described [01:02:30] in more detail below I oversaw the [01:02:32] public hearing process for an [01:02:33] application filed by Commonwealth equine [01:02:35] and Agricultural Center LLC I will just [01:02:38] refer to them as CIA going forward [01:02:40] seeking approval of horse racing track [01:02:42] at the great Meadowbrook Farm property [01:02:43] pursuant to General Law chapter 128a [01:02:46] section 13A [01:02:48] um seek applied to the Harvard Board of [01:02:50] Selectmen for approval of the location [01:02:51] of a horse raising track of the great [01:02:53] mother book Farm property at 228 Barry [01:02:56] Road and my role as chair of the Boris [01:02:58] selectman I oversaw the public hearing [01:03:00] process for this application after the [01:03:02] close of the public hearing I ultimately [01:03:04] voted to approve the location of the [01:03:05] horse race track on about November 9th [01:03:07] 2022 [01:03:09] based on the statutory procedures in [01:03:11] general Law chapter 128 a section 13A [01:03:14] the question of whether to approve the [01:03:16] location of a horse race track at the [01:03:18] great Meadowbrook property they will be [01:03:20] subject to a town-wide special election [01:03:21] ballot question on January 7 2023. [01:03:24] after the close of the aforementioned [01:03:26] aforementioned public hearing process [01:03:28] before the board of Selectmen and all [01:03:30] votes that I took related there to ciac [01:03:32] applied to the quebag hills Chamber of [01:03:34] Commerce to become a member I am the [01:03:36] treasurer of financial liaison and a [01:03:38] board member of the quebok hills Chamber [01:03:39] of Commerce I've been involved with the [01:03:41] chamber as a board member since November [01:03:43] of 20 2005. during my time on the board [01:03:46] I've served as chairperson twice and had [01:03:48] various other responsibilities Hardwick [01:03:51] is one of the 15 towns that has served [01:03:52] by the chamber at no time while I [01:03:54] oversaw the Board of selecton Public [01:03:56] hearing process was I aware that ziac [01:03:59] intended to apply to be a member of the [01:04:00] chamber recently after the close of the [01:04:03] bore seleckman's public hearing and any [01:04:05] voting related there too the executive [01:04:07] committee for the Chamber of which I'm a [01:04:09] member admitted siac as a member of the [01:04:11] chamber [01:04:12] proposal to admit siac as a member came [01:04:14] from the chamber CEO I played no role in [01:04:17] the decision to admit siac as a member [01:04:19] in addition I understand that CX to be [01:04:22] involved as a sponsor for the chambers [01:04:23] annual dinner in December but the [01:04:25] executive committee voted to deny their [01:04:27] sponsorship I abstained from that vote [01:04:30] as a member of the executive committee [01:04:32] we're tasked with reviewing new members [01:04:33] and taking action relative there to [01:04:35] approval and declination of new members [01:04:37] I'm responsible for the approval of the [01:04:40] new member's membership in the chambers [01:04:41] software and the related accounting for [01:04:43] payments and billing [01:04:44] approval of the membership is done with [01:04:46] executive committee approval I've [01:04:48] abstained from all boats relative to CX [01:04:50] membership in the chamber in addition of [01:04:52] abstain from any votes approval on CX [01:04:54] sponsorship or involvement with a dinner [01:04:57] at the direction of the president the [01:04:58] board after a successful vote to admit [01:05:00] siac as a member I handled the [01:05:02] administrative end of including siac as [01:05:04] a new member in the software used by the [01:05:06] chamber this is the same process I do [01:05:08] for each new member after they are [01:05:09] approved I've had no contact with them [01:05:11] relative to the membership approval of [01:05:13] processing [01:05:14] I'm not required to have contact with [01:05:16] siac in my capacity as a member of the [01:05:18] board of the Chamber of Commerce or in [01:05:20] any administrative functions I perform [01:05:22] in addition I'll not be attending the [01:05:24] annual dinner or any other forms event [01:05:25] that seek is sponsoring or holding as a [01:05:28] member of the chamber prior to the vote [01:05:29] of the town on January 7 2023 or at any [01:05:33] time thereafter while review of nucx [01:05:35] permit applications is required by any [01:05:37] Municipal Boards of the town of Hardwick [01:05:39] to the extent that seek May file an [01:05:41] application before the board of Select [01:05:43] and future I intend to consider each [01:05:44] application on its merits and takes its [01:05:46] action as in the best interest of the [01:05:47] town in full compliance with the law my [01:05:50] position on the board of the chamber [01:05:51] which has several hundred members of [01:05:53] which CAC has won will not impair my [01:05:55] ability to objectively and fairly carry [01:05:58] on my duties as a chair of the board of [01:06:00] selectman [01:06:02] brother Kelly any questions or concerns [01:06:05] on my disclosure [01:06:09] you're muted Kelly [01:06:15] no I did read it thoroughly and [01:06:18] appreciate the disclosure [01:06:31] um there is a question I will entertain [01:06:33] the question it is respectful and [01:06:36] um [01:06:37] concerning any of the facts that were [01:06:39] mentioned [01:06:40] Lauren [01:06:50] Lauren do you have a question [01:06:58] she doesn't appear to be muted Nicole [01:07:05] she's not muted [01:07:08] I'm looking for her [01:07:13] Lauren do you want to put your question [01:07:15] in the chat since we can't hear you [01:07:25] looks like the chat was disabled [01:07:38] Nicole can you reinstate the chat yep [01:07:45] so as Lauren if you want to type your [01:07:47] question in the chat [01:07:49] um since we can't hear you [01:07:51] um [01:07:54] so again the disclosure is filed on um [01:07:57] with the town clerk [01:07:59] um [01:08:00] and um as I said in my disclosure I [01:08:04] believe that I can act fairly [01:08:05] independently my involvement with the [01:08:07] chamber should have no impact on moving [01:08:09] the process forward [01:08:16] Lauren we'll come back to you if you [01:08:18] want to type you still have your hand [01:08:23] oh it looks like it's to me she wrote it [01:08:25] to me okay what is the process for a [01:08:28] business being accepted into the chamber [01:08:30] I know that [01:08:31] is outside of your scope of work on this [01:08:34] board just curious [01:08:36] I think that would be a question that [01:08:37] you probably should ask of the [01:08:40] um chamber president and the CEO [01:08:43] um it's as I mentioned in my disclosure [01:08:45] that's an approval process that happens [01:08:48] um for that group [01:08:50] um on the executive committee of which [01:08:52] I'm a member and as I mentioned I have [01:08:54] abstained from all votes relative to [01:08:58] um to this situation [01:09:03] certainly you can feel free to [01:09:05] um [01:09:06] if you want to reach out to Nicole I can [01:09:08] have Nicole give you the contact [01:09:10] information on who you might reach out [01:09:11] to directly to inquire [01:09:19] okay [01:09:20] so let's move on from that [01:09:23] um any other new business [01:09:30] okay [01:09:31] um next is the water warrant December [01:09:33] billing [01:09:36] apparently and Rob did you have a chance [01:09:38] to look at that in your pack up [01:09:49] any questions on that or anything but [01:09:51] any edits or [01:09:57] I just haven't I just for my memory [01:09:59] snake did we vote to increase the rates [01:10:03] yet [01:10:04] no no so these are not these are except [01:10:08] the [01:10:09] 13.0125 supposed to be per gallon but [01:10:12] we're actually charging per cubic foot [01:10:14] so [01:10:16] we're we're gonna revisit that once the [01:10:20] equipment and once we start doing all [01:10:23] that right correct yes yes the meters [01:10:26] have been ordered [01:10:29] you know thinking it would have been [01:10:31] nice maybe to have Revisited that before [01:10:33] these bills went out so it should [01:10:36] probably be on our radar sooner than [01:10:38] later for the next [01:10:42] yeah I get I guess I thought maybe we [01:10:45] would do that before the thrilling went [01:10:46] out [01:10:48] well I I did have to send the billing [01:10:50] out so no yeah it's totally [01:10:52] understandable [01:10:53] yeah [01:10:55] um but I'll get that more on my front [01:10:57] burner here looking at the rates I know [01:10:59] Angie already did a whole she surveyed a [01:11:02] lot of towns already okay yeah it'd [01:11:05] probably be good to us [01:11:07] maybe the beginning of the year I'm not [01:11:09] looking to add any more for the [01:11:11] remainder of December but [01:11:16] so um we need to approve the water [01:11:19] warrant for December and the amount of [01:11:21] seven thousand nine hundred ten dollars [01:11:23] 32 cents [01:11:26] I would make a motion to approve a water [01:11:30] warrant billing [01:11:32] um in the amount of seven thousand nine [01:11:35] hundred and ten dollars and 32 cents per [01:11:37] the attachment of all the [01:11:41] the users [01:11:44] second that [01:11:46] any other discussion [01:11:49] Harry none I will call the roll Kelly [01:11:52] aye Rob [01:11:54] hi and Julie is I motion carries [01:11:59] thank you [01:12:00] I have the actual warrant that needs to [01:12:02] be signed I don't know if [01:12:06] there is meat or or if you could come in [01:12:11] I can stop down tomorrow [01:12:18] you need two signatures Nicole yes [01:12:25] um [01:12:27] I can try to get there and sign [01:12:31] if I'm not able to get there I'll just [01:12:33] um call you and authorize you to sign on [01:12:35] my behalf [01:12:37] let's bring to you too whatever whatever [01:12:39] you think okay [01:12:45] foreign [01:12:57] thank you [01:12:58] um next item on the agenda is the 2022 [01:13:00] audit and update on the 2023 audit do we [01:13:04] have the audit report Nicole for the [01:13:06] 2022 audit [01:13:10] I asked for it digitally and I've only [01:13:12] got it so far in book form so I only [01:13:14] have it [01:13:16] um physical so if you want to look in [01:13:19] the in the box when you come in the [01:13:21] mailbox [01:13:22] put them there can they give us [01:13:24] electronic copies they did not I asked [01:13:26] them for it and I'm waiting for it okay [01:13:29] so [01:13:30] I think I think I think once the boards [01:13:33] had a chance to review it [01:13:35] um since it is a public document that we [01:13:36] should have copies electronically [01:13:38] available [01:13:40] um [01:13:41] so if we can get it electronically that [01:13:43] would be great yeah I asked for it to [01:13:45] give to you guys but I just got these on [01:13:47] Thursday afternoon so [01:13:49] um they didn't send they haven't [01:13:55] so that one's here look so that's great [01:13:57] and then the next one should be done [01:14:01] definitely by the end of the year [01:14:03] the Auditors are coming in this week so [01:14:05] is the accountant [01:14:07] um and they've got almost everything [01:14:09] because it's been submitted throughout [01:14:12] the year knowing that we had to get this [01:14:14] audit done by the end of the year so [01:14:17] everything's looking good [01:14:21] thank you oh I'm sorry [01:14:25] Zoom is so Zoom is so hard [01:14:29] Zoom is hard because it's hard to know [01:14:31] when to when to speak and when someone's [01:14:33] finished so I apologize [01:14:35] um it would be good if we could get them [01:14:36] bless you [01:14:39] it would be good if we could get the [01:14:41] um the uh Auditors to come before the [01:14:45] board of Selectmen so that once we've [01:14:46] had the opportunity to review the report [01:14:48] typically in these situations there's an [01:14:51] exit interview that happens with the [01:14:52] board of governance [01:14:54] so um if they could come to uh perhaps [01:14:58] one of our meetings in January and [01:14:59] review the 2022 audit and presumably [01:15:02] they'll have a draft or final that we [01:15:04] could review for 20 [01:15:06] um [01:15:09] so it would be the 2021 [01:15:11] that they've done because we've just [01:15:13] finished June 30 of 22 so that would be [01:15:16] the 22 audit that we're looking at right [01:15:20] yeah [01:15:22] um okay yeah 21 22. [01:15:26] June July of 22 [01:15:31] so we have we would have just [01:15:36] stuck but yes it's July of 22 should be [01:15:40] done by the end of this year yes [01:15:42] I mean June 30 20 22. right okay great [01:15:47] so maybe we can put that on a future [01:15:49] agenda when um [01:15:51] when it's set [01:15:54] can I run up anything more on that [01:15:57] no okay [01:15:59] um next on the agenda committee [01:16:01] appointment procedure [01:16:03] um [01:16:04] I know that there are folks who are [01:16:06] interested in [01:16:08] volunteering on various committees [01:16:10] um and [01:16:12] um I know some folks have reached out [01:16:14] already [01:16:16] um and just wanted to put it on the [01:16:18] agenda so that it you know for those [01:16:20] folks that are interested in being [01:16:22] involved on a committee or board [01:16:25] um that we sort of talk about what the [01:16:27] procedure should be so everyone's aware [01:16:29] and um I guess thoughts would be I guess [01:16:33] my thought would be uh Kelly and Rob is [01:16:36] that there's a letter of interest that [01:16:37] goes to the Town Administrator and she [01:16:40] brings that forward just as she does for [01:16:42] other appointments and such for [01:16:44] um the board to appoint to a particular [01:16:46] committee I know there's some interest [01:16:48] in the master planning committee [01:16:51] um and just sort of making sure [01:16:53] um that we're addressing those and [01:16:55] getting back to the folks that are [01:16:57] interested in lettering letting them [01:16:59] know that we're um you know we'll take [01:17:01] it under advisement and consider the [01:17:03] appointment [01:17:04] um [01:17:05] Nicole have you received other [01:17:08] um letters of interest for other [01:17:09] committees [01:17:10] there's not [01:17:11] okay [01:17:13] um I know we have someone who is [01:17:15] interested in uh joining the master [01:17:18] planning committee we do a vacancy on [01:17:20] that committee [01:17:21] um um there's a letter uh [01:17:24] um there was a [01:17:27] um an email request [01:17:29] um that came in from Lisa condo to be [01:17:31] appointed to the master planning [01:17:32] committee Kelly and Rob do and Nicole [01:17:36] confirmed we have a vacancy [01:17:38] um uh Kelly and Rob are are you [01:17:41] um prepared to appoint Lisa to the [01:17:44] master planning committee or do we want [01:17:46] to take it under advisement and address [01:17:48] it at the next meeting [01:17:52] um I it's my belief that she would make [01:17:55] a great addition to that committee the [01:17:57] committee has not met in several years [01:18:01] and she wants to bring that back and [01:18:04] have some serious conversation about the [01:18:07] town's master plan [01:18:08] she has an extensive background in [01:18:10] marketing [01:18:12] that's what she does you know for her [01:18:14] everyday job and she's volunteered [01:18:16] throughout the years within the town as [01:18:19] well so I would be willing to make an [01:18:22] appointment [01:18:23] um but you know it's a poor decision [01:18:27] Nicole are we prepared with the I'm [01:18:29] sorry what [01:18:30] um are we prepared with the term of what [01:18:33] that appointment would be for how long [01:18:35] I know there was some confusion on the [01:18:37] dates of the staggered dates of the [01:18:40] terms [01:18:59] maybe if we're not prepared to [01:19:02] um [01:19:03] vacancies one and one is up in 2023 [01:19:07] one's up in 2024. [01:19:10] um [01:19:13] so that would be a June 30th of each [01:19:15] of each year [01:19:18] so [01:19:19] um why don't we make the appointment for [01:19:23] um [01:19:32] then we want to make the appointment for [01:19:34] the 2023 with the event with the thought [01:19:37] that perhaps the committee would meet [01:19:39] and um we did appoint them at our annual [01:19:42] appointment so that the committee would [01:19:44] meet and those that aren't interested in [01:19:46] still being on the committee we you know [01:19:48] we would be able to [01:19:50] um consider other letters of interest if [01:19:51] there is anybody [01:19:56] I have a place to start I think if [01:19:58] people are reaching out to volunteer [01:20:01] um we certainly [01:20:04] I think we should welcome them and um [01:20:07] you know giving [01:20:09] like this one you know this position [01:20:12] would just be through you know June 30th [01:20:14] that gives like you said the chance for [01:20:16] the committee to to meet [01:20:19] um and you know maybe light some fires [01:20:24] metaphorically that is [01:20:31] Rob [01:20:33] yeah [01:20:36] these these seats are empty so if [01:20:38] someone's willing to do it [01:20:40] see let's put them on [01:20:43] somewhere okay oh my God you're still [01:20:45] here [01:20:47] okay [01:20:49] so [01:20:50] um procedurally [01:20:52] um those that are interested in being in [01:20:54] committees or boards please submit a [01:20:56] letter of interest to Nicole [01:20:59] um and [01:21:01] um [01:21:02] we can uh we can [01:21:04] um I see it uh [01:21:09] um a comment in the chat about what the [01:21:10] open positions are we can certainly put [01:21:12] those together [01:21:14] um for a future meeting now typically on [01:21:17] the on the town website yes I'm just [01:21:20] going to say that [01:21:22] when the town census goes out at the [01:21:24] beginning of the year the town clerk [01:21:26] typically inserts them in that as well [01:21:32] um [01:21:34] and so [01:21:35] um look there if you're interested in [01:21:38] any particular vacancies on boards and [01:21:40] committees [01:21:41] and [01:21:43] um we certainly can [01:21:45] um [01:21:46] entertain letters of interest and as [01:21:48] they come in a point to uh point to [01:21:51] vacant positions this question in the [01:21:53] chat relative to replacing people who [01:21:55] don't respond if the community isn't [01:21:57] meeting regularly it's hard to [01:21:59] understand who's not interested and [01:22:00] who's going to so I think for these [01:22:02] committees like the master planning [01:22:03] committee who haven't met in a long time [01:22:05] calling a meeting and figuring out who [01:22:07] is still wanting to be involved we've [01:22:09] reappointed them but that doesn't [01:22:11] necessarily mean they're going to be [01:22:12] active so I think once there is some [01:22:15] interest in these committees start [01:22:16] meeting again we'll know if there are [01:22:19] future vacancies that we can seek [01:22:21] letters of interest for [01:22:23] hopefully that answers the question so [01:22:26] again recap [01:22:28] um get your letter of interest into [01:22:29] Nicole look for vacancies on the town [01:22:31] website and as Kelly mentioned please [01:22:34] answer your census surveys and uh the [01:22:37] town clerk will forward those to us so [01:22:39] that [01:22:40] um we'll know uh to follow up [01:22:45] anything else on the committee [01:22:46] appointments so um let's actually are we [01:22:49] prepared to appoint Lisa to one of the [01:22:51] vacant positions on the master planning [01:22:52] committee [01:22:54] I would love to [01:22:57] so go ahead [01:23:00] how about it okay I would make a motion [01:23:02] to appoint Lisa Condit to I want to make [01:23:06] sure I'm saying it right the master [01:23:07] committee plan [01:23:10] am I saying that correctly [01:23:12] master plan Community Development [01:23:14] advisory committee I'm not right here [01:23:17] okay I would make a a motion to appoint [01:23:19] Lisa Condit to the master plan Community [01:23:22] Development advisory committee for the [01:23:25] term that would end June 30th 2023 [01:23:31] seconds [01:23:33] it's been moved and seconded any other [01:23:35] discussion [01:23:38] hearing none I will call the roll Kelly [01:23:41] aye [01:23:42] Rob [01:23:46] and Julie is an Isn't So motion carries [01:23:48] Nicole can you please reach out to Lisa [01:23:50] and let her know of her appointment and [01:23:52] ask her to go before the Town Clerk and [01:23:55] be sworn in [01:23:57] yeah so if I could just add two that uh [01:23:59] when Ryan and I were talking about how [01:24:01] people go about and requesting to be on [01:24:03] a board or a committee that they send a [01:24:06] formal letter in and then they also list [01:24:08] you know maybe [01:24:10] some experience on why they think they [01:24:12] would be best fit for this position just [01:24:15] thinking that there may be more than one [01:24:18] that would be interested so we would be [01:24:20] able to place them where their best fit [01:24:26] you know also we have somebody who right [01:24:28] who has a lot of experience and [01:24:32] municipal government and then somebody [01:24:34] that doesn't maybe they would be better [01:24:35] fit for a master plan committee which is [01:24:37] a severe undertaking [01:24:41] I I think that's a great [01:24:45] um [01:24:45] suggestion [01:24:51] hey [01:24:53] um the next item anything else with [01:24:54] regard to that before we move on [01:24:57] okay uh discussion interval relative to [01:25:00] arpa funding I think that's just a close [01:25:02] placeholder Nicole I don't think we have [01:25:04] anything else to talk about okay [01:25:06] committee reports um we have just a [01:25:10] couple of things to mention [01:25:12] um and it might be in your report Nicole [01:25:14] so if I'm stealing your thunder I [01:25:15] apologize [01:25:17] um we have a oh boy my paperwork is all [01:25:22] mixed up we have a report from the fire [01:25:24] department just a reminder that December [01:25:28] 18th at 11 A.M the fire department is [01:25:31] going to be having a Santa ride on the [01:25:32] fire truck around the common to will [01:25:34] right and then through Gilbertville [01:25:36] burning permits are available you can [01:25:38] get them at the fire station Monday or [01:25:40] Wednesday night after 6 30. [01:25:46] anything else on committee reports I [01:25:48] think that was the only report I saw [01:25:50] Nicole [01:25:51] it is and he just formally came in I [01:25:53] mean [01:25:53] verbally came in and told us this [01:25:56] um yesterday last week I tomorrow is [01:26:00] supposed to be the department head [01:26:01] meeting so I don't have any reports [01:26:12] I missed part of that so I'm going to [01:26:14] turn my video off because I'm having [01:26:15] internet issues I missed what you said [01:26:17] but [01:26:19] I got I just said he came in verbally [01:26:22] okay [01:26:24] to let us know I don't have any other [01:26:26] department head reports where tomorrow [01:26:28] is our our meeting great thank you [01:26:32] um next we're on to the Town [01:26:33] Administrator report [01:26:36] uh okay so let's start with USDA the new [01:26:40] location for Pump Station [01:26:43] environmental review is nearly complete [01:26:46] endangered species review and today [01:26:48] actually and I haven't heard anything [01:26:50] um so I'm thinking that the review [01:26:53] period will close and we will move [01:26:55] forward we're working on the easement [01:26:57] documents and the language with our [01:27:00] engineering firm and our in our [01:27:03] and our attorneys and a survey team [01:27:07] because we're that we're getting a [01:27:08] partial survey uh they were out last [01:27:11] week surveyors so that should that's [01:27:13] moving along and [01:27:15] um we're also working on rates [01:27:17] and betterments with our cap hopefully [01:27:20] we'll have them soon we do have to have [01:27:22] a town meeting for it so [01:27:24] um [01:27:25] that's really what we want it's sort of [01:27:28] going in conjunction with proceeding uh [01:27:31] USDA wants us to have basically that in [01:27:33] place before we really start [01:27:34] construction [01:27:36] um I don't know how feasible that is but [01:27:38] they're very understanding USDA has uh [01:27:41] has been extremely understanding [01:27:44] um and even today I called them because [01:27:47] this is not in my report but it was just [01:27:49] because today I called uh we have a ban [01:27:51] the bond anticipation note due [01:27:55] um [01:27:56] I think it was in March or April but it [01:27:58] was about 72 000 and just to you know to [01:28:02] be able to be able to it and um USDA has [01:28:05] given me the go ahead to use the state [01:28:08] funding [01:28:09] to actually get rid of our debt so once [01:28:13] these are coming due we are we are [01:28:15] getting rid of them with the funding [01:28:17] that we have in place right now [01:28:19] that's really exciting [01:28:23] I didn't be interesting [01:28:25] so [01:28:27] that was really exciting to hear that [01:28:29] um the 2021 audit is complete we just um [01:28:33] we just went over that [01:28:35] and we set up an email where people can [01:28:37] submit questions and comments and [01:28:39] information regarding the proposed horse [01:28:41] track location it is horse racing info [01:28:44] at townofhardwick.com it's on our [01:28:47] website on Facebook in the where River [01:28:49] news and The Gazette and I'm hoping to [01:28:51] get it out onto the radio [01:28:54] which brings us to my next Point [01:28:56] um I was approached by where 97.7 nope [01:28:59] nah sorry not where [01:29:01] w-a-r-e right 97.7 and um [01:29:05] I used to do this in my last Town one [01:29:07] Wednesday a month they would have Town [01:29:09] manager slash administrator in the [01:29:12] morning to kind of kind of let everybody [01:29:14] know what's going on in the community [01:29:15] and [01:29:17] um [01:29:18] okay I [01:29:24] um so I have been approached by them at [01:29:28] the station to go on [01:29:30] um it doesn't necessarily have to be on [01:29:32] a Wednesday morning when the other [01:29:33] administrators managers are on but um [01:29:37] it can you know they've they asked me to [01:29:38] come on today but I obviously needed to [01:29:41] get my permission from you guys first so [01:29:43] I didn't get back to them yet on on [01:29:46] um getting on there but I think that [01:29:48] it's a great idea for us to get all [01:29:51] kinds of information out there [01:29:53] um you know to for everything that's [01:29:56] going on in the town [01:29:58] um whether it's something contentious or [01:30:01] something good new business or something [01:30:03] like that [01:30:05] um you know I think it's [01:30:07] kind of like another platform to get [01:30:10] information out there [01:30:12] so with your permission I would like to [01:30:15] go on to the radio occasionally [01:30:18] and um and kind of update because I know [01:30:20] that there are Hardwick residents that [01:30:23] um that listen I didn't at first because [01:30:26] when I was listening to it and I got [01:30:28] into Gilbertville I lost service I lost [01:30:31] the radio station but I um apparently [01:30:33] you can still listen on the AM station [01:30:35] and they do have a big following from [01:30:37] Hardwick so I think it would be [01:30:40] a good idea for me to go on there and [01:30:43] let people know what's going on [01:30:48] what do you guys think [01:30:50] so I would just ask that people in the [01:30:53] chat be respectful please [01:30:57] I understand we all have our opinions [01:30:59] about things but please be respectful [01:31:03] um my opinion can we shut the chat off [01:31:05] again [01:31:07] [Music] [01:31:14] but it's my personal opinion [01:31:17] I agree [01:31:19] okay Nicole can you please shut it off [01:31:21] if you have if you want to say something [01:31:23] please feel free to raise your hand and [01:31:25] the chair will recognize you [01:31:27] um so I um [01:31:31] so I guess as I've said uh several times [01:31:34] I don't have I don't have an issue with [01:31:36] it as long as it's fact-based [01:31:39] um I I don't I'll just be blunt I don't [01:31:41] want it to be a form for horse racing [01:31:44] discussions I want it to be [01:31:47] um and I just I'd like it to be positive [01:31:49] about what's positive happening in [01:31:51] Hardwick [01:31:52] the Poinsettia deliveries which was huge [01:31:55] and a great spirit builder for a lot of [01:31:58] people in town [01:32:00] um be included and all of the positive [01:32:02] things the grants we're applying for all [01:32:04] of that kind of stuff I I would really [01:32:07] not want the horse race discussion to [01:32:10] monopolize the conversation although you [01:32:13] might be led in that direction I don't [01:32:14] know if you will or won't I I think that [01:32:18] um war is very fair on news informative [01:32:21] so but I think it would really be a way [01:32:23] to highlight the all the positive things [01:32:25] that are happening at Hardwick [01:32:27] um I'm all for it as long as it's [01:32:29] fact-based [01:32:32] I would definitely have to second that [01:32:35] the to be honest when I first read your [01:32:37] report I went oh God I'm not going to [01:32:39] lie because [01:32:41] I had a reporter from the TNG call me [01:32:44] this afternoon and I just kindly said I [01:32:47] would call her back that's probably not [01:32:49] going to happen [01:32:50] but at any rate [01:32:52] um because you do get sucked into things [01:32:54] and I think right now with everything [01:32:56] you know some of the things that are [01:32:58] going on [01:32:59] um I would not want to fun that way [01:33:02] that way completely agree [01:33:04] I agreement simply you know [01:33:06] things that are happening in town [01:33:09] functions that are happening in town [01:33:11] then you know again I would be fine with [01:33:14] that but I think it's a fine line that [01:33:16] that needs to be [01:33:18] um [01:33:19] that needs to be locked [01:33:25] Rob any thoughts on [01:33:35] yeah [01:33:37] I think Nicole [01:33:39] the colorful I would [01:33:41] I would hope [01:33:42] again we just got to be careful using [01:33:44] your judgment on [01:33:46] walking into the sun of things that [01:33:48] aren't resolved in the community [01:33:50] but [01:33:51] I mean [01:33:53] truly your [01:33:55] decision how you wanna [01:33:57] handle some of the questions [01:34:01] so so why don't we do it this way why [01:34:03] don't we do it on a trial basis see how [01:34:05] it goes and if it's something that's [01:34:08] positive and is of such you know [01:34:12] provides positivity for the community [01:34:13] I'd say it continues but let's do it on [01:34:16] a [01:34:17] let's see [01:34:18] how it goes we also don't want you to be [01:34:20] in a situation where you're putting an [01:34:22] uncomfortable [01:34:23] um situation with questions or such so [01:34:26] why don't we um give it a try and um [01:34:29] happy to listen in when it happens and [01:34:33] um [01:34:33] no for that matter I mean [01:34:37] um you know if there's [01:34:39] I mean if there's other messages that we [01:34:42] can get out through that Avenue I mean [01:34:44] we're always looking to be transparent [01:34:46] and put as much information as we can [01:34:48] out there about what's happening in the [01:34:49] town [01:34:50] it would be a great way for us around [01:34:52] Harvard Fair time to highlight the [01:34:54] Harvard fair and really provide positive [01:34:56] things so I I would say let's try it on [01:34:58] test basis and see how it goes [01:35:01] I would agree with that like just [01:35:02] looking at some of the things in the new [01:35:04] news [01:35:05] on um Nicole's report like these would [01:35:07] be great things like the Whistle Stop [01:35:09] and the friends of the Stone Church you [01:35:11] know the wineries celebrating their [01:35:13] anniversary like those are great things [01:35:15] my my concern is more for how some the [01:35:19] questions that may be posed I guess so I [01:35:21] you know [01:35:23] I agree with that um [01:35:25] let's see how it goes can I respond [01:35:28] Julie [01:35:31] I think she's Frozen again so [01:35:50] loser oh no she's down there no she's [01:35:54] still [01:35:59] she said she was kicked off oh [01:36:33] I just put her in the waiting room and [01:36:35] hopefully bringing her back [01:36:46] I see her again [01:36:49] I'm so sorry [01:36:51] technology is frustrating so I missed [01:36:54] half of that so I apologize [01:36:58] I think Kelly just agreed with you uh [01:37:01] that it should be done in a trial basis [01:37:02] and advice you could just [01:37:04] um maybe explain a little further [01:37:05] um [01:37:06] that I did do this in my last town and [01:37:09] it was always you know things mostly [01:37:12] good that's going on there I [01:37:15] talk about the things that things are so [01:37:17] great [01:37:18] um I [01:37:20] I I'm glad to hear Rob thank you and [01:37:23] that you have confidence that I know uh [01:37:25] when and what to say [01:37:28] um as far as an open uh Forum like that [01:37:31] um typically it's 15 minutes so it's 8 [01:37:34] 45 to 9 and it's just like the town of [01:37:36] managed [01:37:37] administrator minute [01:37:39] and we we he says what do you want to [01:37:42] say I I have I'll tell him what I'm [01:37:44] going to talk about and he'll tell me a [01:37:47] question It'll ask [01:37:49] and I've been looking to do this way [01:37:51] before the horse race track came [01:37:55] okay honestly I thought about this when [01:37:57] we got all of the money back from USDA I [01:37:59] thought [01:38:00] I was really excited about it and I [01:38:02] wanted everybody to know that we were [01:38:04] back on track so I thought [01:38:06] and I was listening to it one day and um [01:38:09] and then I lost service like I said when [01:38:11] I got into Gilbertville but now that [01:38:14] um you know I I know that more people [01:38:16] listen to it even my assistant listens [01:38:18] to it and I would maybe be a different [01:38:20] diet [01:38:21] Dynamic that would listen to it but I [01:38:24] think that again that's exactly what I [01:38:27] would talk about Kelly the things that [01:38:29] are in my report right now are exactly [01:38:31] what I would be letting the community [01:38:34] know all of these great things that have [01:38:36] that are happening I think Hardwick has [01:38:38] a lot of great things going on and [01:38:41] um I think that it would be definitely a [01:38:43] highlight [01:38:45] um so [01:38:46] with that I will let you know uh if I'm [01:38:50] when I go on and if you want to listen [01:38:52] in it'll be 8 45 in the morning [01:38:55] um whenever whatever day that happens [01:38:56] and then I do represent Hardwick that is [01:38:59] literally my job and [01:39:02] um I feel like I do it to the best of my [01:39:04] ability [01:39:05] I don't have to live here this is my [01:39:07] career and this is what I am hired to do [01:39:09] is to is to Port Hardwick the entire [01:39:11] town of Hardwick and only Hardwick [01:39:14] so just want to let everybody know that [01:39:16] that is what [01:39:17] is what so moving on then [01:39:20] so yeah just a comment Nicole [01:39:23] um [01:39:24] we um we we believe that you'll do the [01:39:28] best for the town please don't take that [01:39:29] as a criticism it's a um it's a [01:39:32] commentary on uh we're all we've all [01:39:35] been put in situations as of late where [01:39:37] we've been questioned on things [01:39:39] um even in the most innocent situation [01:39:41] as delivering poinsettias so [01:39:44] um just want you to be [01:39:46] feel supported and just know that um you [01:39:49] know [01:39:50] in the spirit of being fact-based we [01:39:52] know you can handle that judions are [01:39:55] hand up so [01:39:57] um let's get through Nicole's report [01:39:58] Duty and then we can get back to your [01:40:00] question if that's okay just so we can [01:40:02] keep going through the report [01:40:05] okay okay so the street lights I've I've [01:40:08] been approached by some residents in [01:40:10] town that they have street lights out [01:40:12] here street lights out there so I um [01:40:15] reached out to our national grid [01:40:18] um liaison and she's looking into it [01:40:21] right now to see exactly well I said can [01:40:25] you shed some light no pun intended on [01:40:27] why the sunlights are out and [01:40:30] then probably like to see them on so uh [01:40:33] she's getting back to me so if anybody [01:40:35] has any street lights out that maybe I'm [01:40:39] not aware of [01:40:40] um I know there's a lot in Gilbert [01:40:42] though [01:40:43] um some on Hardwick road so if there's [01:40:45] something near your home that you would [01:40:47] like me to address please let me know [01:40:49] you can call me or email [01:40:52] um and then I was looking at the where [01:40:54] River news and there were some really [01:40:56] great things that were uh in the in on [01:40:59] the front page really of of the um paper [01:41:02] so I thought I would highlight it here [01:41:05] um Joe's jackets his kids winter [01:41:07] clothing they serve over 400 they served [01:41:09] over 400 people last year [01:41:12] um and now they're just doing children [01:41:13] because they were overwhelmed so you can [01:41:15] contact Joe's jackets at gmail [01:41:18] com to see how you can help or donate [01:41:22] the Hardwick Winery is celebrating 25 [01:41:24] years of business so congratulations to [01:41:26] the Samick family and all the staff [01:41:28] there and the great things that they do [01:41:29] and the people they attract to our town [01:41:32] um friends of the Stone Church hosted [01:41:34] buck and Beyond and they have many [01:41:35] events constantly uh you can contact [01:41:38] friends of thestonechurch.org for more [01:41:40] information [01:41:42] uh Whistle Stop has their certificate of [01:41:44] occupancy they got it at the end of last [01:41:46] week so they should be having a a soft [01:41:49] opening soon so keep your eyes peeled [01:41:51] for cars in the driveway I don't think [01:41:53] they want to have a big grand opening [01:41:54] right now but they're working on getting [01:41:56] all their food in they've hired their [01:41:58] staff they want to expand already they [01:42:03] want to bring a car in and have dinners [01:42:05] and then they'll use this car to do some [01:42:08] sort of holiday rides up and down the [01:42:11] track here right here in Gilbertville [01:42:13] going to vary so there's a lot of fun [01:42:16] things happening I [01:42:18] didn't uh the planning board is holding [01:42:20] a public hearing for a class two located [01:42:22] at 435 Lower Road on December 13th and [01:42:24] we'll need to be holding a public [01:42:26] hearing too as well [01:42:28] um for a class 2 license but I haven't [01:42:30] been approached by them I was just [01:42:31] noticed that [01:42:32] that planning board is having um [01:42:35] and then Nicole can you just clarify for [01:42:38] the record what a Class 2 licenses just [01:42:40] so people it's a used car used car [01:42:42] license thank you so the the planning [01:42:45] board is is going to approve [01:42:47] the not the license but the like a site [01:42:51] plan I think they waived it but um they [01:42:54] have they're going to do their approval [01:42:55] and I was noticed well but all of the um [01:42:59] boards were noticed so I'll be looking [01:43:02] for that we'll be having to have that [01:43:05] um and then I have ongoing things that [01:43:07] you know just aren't fully [01:43:09] um completed yet I don't know if you [01:43:11] want me to go over this this is [01:43:12] something that [01:43:14] um we have they're ongoing but I I guess [01:43:17] I will say something about the town hall [01:43:20] um I was a pro I was I sent sent an [01:43:23] email on Friday by the Reconstruction [01:43:25] team that and an email today by our [01:43:29] insurance company that we will be [01:43:31] getting a check soon and so I know he [01:43:34] was having problems getting a flooring [01:43:36] company to [01:43:38] um come in I I asked around and gave [01:43:40] them some local names [01:43:42] I just was afraid I lost you again Julie [01:43:45] um so so that should be happening soon [01:43:48] hopefully we'll have our town hall back [01:43:50] and everybody will be back in their own [01:43:52] space before too long because it's Def [01:43:54] crowded and it's a disaster so we're all [01:43:57] looking forward to that [01:43:59] happening [01:44:00] um [01:44:02] and [01:44:03] so I don't know that I [01:44:06] want me to go over any of the stuff [01:44:07] that's ongoing if you guys spread it or [01:44:09] not unless it's kind of like Rob have [01:44:11] any questions and just um as in uh uh [01:44:16] just making sure that your Town [01:44:17] Administrator report gets uploaded to [01:44:19] the website so anybody has the ability [01:44:20] to look at what we're talking about [01:44:23] Kelly I Rob any questions on any ongoing [01:44:25] items I don't have any questions I [01:44:27] brought up [01:44:29] I'm all set thank you [01:44:31] great [01:44:33] thank you Nicole [01:44:34] thank you sorry about my internet [01:44:38] um [01:44:40] anything for signatures approvals that [01:44:42] you need for us Nicole [01:44:44] I actually need one signature from you I [01:44:49] the board of the Conservation Commission [01:44:52] had some things that needed to be sent [01:44:54] out certified so I paid for it so I [01:44:57] can't sign for myself so I just need you [01:44:59] to sign it's the 30 reimbursement but [01:45:01] I'll leave it in the Box I guess for [01:45:03] whenever you're around can you just [01:45:05] email it to me and I can certainly sign [01:45:06] it [01:45:07] oh yeah sure [01:45:09] sure [01:45:11] okay [01:45:14] yep I'll handle that I just want to make [01:45:15] sure there's nothing you need to do is [01:45:17] there anything in the selectman's [01:45:18] Roundtable that we want to address [01:45:23] so Nicole there was some mention of uh [01:45:25] an event for the town employees is that [01:45:27] still happening December 8th [01:45:30] yes we're having a little potluck for [01:45:31] Holiday where where is that happening [01:45:34] here [01:45:36] okay [01:45:37] I'm gonna be standing around [01:45:43] um [01:45:43] so Kelly and Rob any issue with the [01:45:46] board sending something for the [01:45:48] employees for their potluck [01:45:51] not at all [01:45:53] okay so I'll coordinate that [01:45:55] that would be great just let me know [01:45:57] what you need [01:45:59] is that okay Rob yes please [01:46:03] I'm on it thank you [01:46:05] um I just wanted to say in the slackman [01:46:07] Roundtable [01:46:08] um [01:46:09] huge shout out to Kelly [01:46:12] um for doing the poinsettias um [01:46:15] I I'll be honest in a time where I'm [01:46:17] feeling sort of beaten down a little bit [01:46:19] and maybe some of the other board [01:46:22] members are and maybe some of you are on [01:46:24] the zoom also as well as Nicole [01:46:27] um having the ability to deliver [01:46:29] poinsettias is a definite bright spot [01:46:32] and um thank you to Kelly for continuing [01:46:35] that tradition [01:46:36] um I will tell you I did go to Joan uh [01:46:39] Ralph's um Widow and [01:46:42] um delivered a poinsettia and I've been [01:46:44] delivering every year since you've been [01:46:45] doing it and I hear the story and she is [01:46:48] so happy that the town is sort of [01:46:50] carrying on Ralph's Legacy so kudos to [01:46:52] you [01:46:53] um and also [01:46:55] um you know in terms of Christmas on the [01:46:58] common and sort of moving that forward [01:47:00] it'd be really nice to see if we can get [01:47:02] a lot more participation in that going [01:47:04] forward so Nicole can we put that on our [01:47:06] radar and figure out [01:47:08] um you know how we support those [01:47:13] um organizations that are doing it and [01:47:15] safely can attract more organizations to [01:47:17] make it a a bigger it's it's such a [01:47:19] positive for the town and it's such a [01:47:21] good thing that happens [01:47:23] um [01:47:24] so thank you to Kelly and [01:47:27] um [01:47:28] it was it was a good it was a good a [01:47:30] good day [01:47:32] um so we do have a couple hands up oh [01:47:34] Kelly did you want to say something well [01:47:35] I just want to add that I want to thank [01:47:38] everyone [01:47:39] um we had 25 volunteers for deliveries [01:47:42] and over 27 donations came in this [01:47:45] year and in the past I've closed that [01:47:47] Gap in this year we have extra funds [01:47:50] over 500 to put towards next year's 0.5 [01:47:55] delivery so [01:47:56] thank thank you everyone [01:47:59] like [01:48:00] it I really truly mean that because [01:48:03] that's one of the happy things that I [01:48:04] love to do [01:48:07] me too and I I think it's I think it's [01:48:10] great so thank you thank you [01:48:14] Kelly and a huge shout out to Mimi's too [01:48:17] and um through the cookie sale and [01:48:20] everybody who participated I think [01:48:22] that's what makes hardwood a good place [01:48:24] so so I robbed that I cut you off [01:48:33] you're you're cutting out a lot so [01:48:39] for crazy internet World here [01:48:42] um so we do have two hands up we have [01:48:44] Judy and Lauren again [01:48:47] um not sure what your comments are in [01:48:48] relation to but would just ask if um [01:48:51] you're respectful about it we do want to [01:48:53] sort of we've been on this for a little [01:48:55] bit so we do want to wrap up the meeting [01:48:57] but if you have something that you want [01:48:58] to say that's [01:49:00] um contribute to the meeting halfway to [01:49:02] quickly hear that beautiful where I [01:49:04] before I call for a motion to adjourn [01:49:06] Judy [01:49:08] oh yeah thank you very much um number [01:49:10] one I want to give a shout out also to a [01:49:13] couple other people that did some great [01:49:14] work like maybe Liz Riley who did the [01:49:17] food bank for the Thanksgiving and [01:49:19] Christmas coming up [01:49:20] I know personally I made 30 pies that [01:49:23] went out to uh Jimmy ayotte's for the uh [01:49:26] for his his uh less fortunate group and [01:49:30] another 27 that went out to uh to um the [01:49:34] food bank so they could have fresh pies [01:49:37] and my grandson came in from New York to [01:49:38] make that happen so I just you know it's [01:49:42] really really a little upsetting that [01:49:45] we're a little self-servings here that [01:49:46] we don't look at what the rest of the [01:49:48] town is doing to participate in what's [01:49:51] you know what we're doing for this town [01:49:53] so while I believe and I'm Kelly thank [01:49:56] you thank you thank you thank you but [01:49:58] let's look a little bit broader and see [01:50:00] whatever one else is doing because a lot [01:50:02] of people are doing some really great [01:50:03] things I just wanted to mention and by [01:50:06] the way I'm not a great pie baker but [01:50:08] you know they gotta love whatever I gave [01:50:10] them because I gave them what I got so [01:50:13] the next thing I wanted to say is I [01:50:15] actually believe and I believe in my [01:50:17] heart as a business owner myself Nicole [01:50:20] is not the best representative anything [01:50:23] regarding the horse race and the reason [01:50:26] I'm saying that is her comment should be [01:50:28] no comment no comment and the reason is [01:50:33] three things number one we're in the [01:50:36] middle of a vote you guys don't need to [01:50:38] be in turmoil [01:50:39] period you do not need a misstep number [01:50:43] two [01:50:45] baby marriage in the baby carriage [01:50:49] comment last week was condescending as [01:50:52] happy so so this is easier this is this [01:50:56] was my turn no to me [01:50:58] that was a serious misstep [01:51:02] this was a serious mistake when we went [01:51:04] to be respectful what I understood [01:51:09] no comment [01:51:14] why not just no comment we've said we've [01:51:17] we've asked Nicole to say the fact so [01:51:21] the per wait a minute wait wait Julie [01:51:23] last week you said and I we have this on [01:51:26] tape you said we don't have enough [01:51:28] information to answer these questions [01:51:31] yet you're saying Nicole can go out [01:51:35] there and just say whatever she wants [01:51:36] even though you just said you don't have [01:51:39] the answers to all the questions [01:51:45] all right Judy you're gonna be muted [01:51:51] this is not respectful it's not [01:51:54] respectful I'm saying isn't it easier to [01:51:57] just say no comment so Judy I'm talking [01:52:00] about the facts not specifically about [01:52:02] the horse racing facility you're putting [01:52:05] those words in my mouth facts about [01:52:07] anything that is happening sewer [01:52:09] whatever is happening with all that I [01:52:12] said when it comes to the horse racing I [01:52:14] said can't we just say no comment [01:52:20] what's your third point [01:52:24] my third point is I know this is a tough [01:52:26] job for everybody and this is a tough [01:52:28] time so I hope we can all have a good [01:52:30] holiday [01:52:34] and the comments Lauren [01:52:39] I know we couldn't hear you before and I [01:52:41] think the chat's disabled can you are [01:52:43] you able to unmute yourself and speak [01:52:53] Nicole can you [01:52:54] this enable the chat for her because I'm [01:52:58] not sure why we can't hear her [01:53:04] Lauren the chat's enabled so if you [01:53:06] could put your concern or question in [01:53:09] the chat [01:53:11] I'm not sure why we can't hear you I [01:53:13] apologize [01:53:32] Nicole did you see so Lauren's comment [01:53:34] was when they repaved they didn't put [01:53:35] the crosswalk back in front of get up [01:53:37] and dance who's in charge of that Nicole [01:53:39] can we do we know the answer to that or [01:53:40] can we follow up [01:53:42] I think the answer is I think the answer [01:53:44] is Lauren that's the first lift on the [01:53:46] pavement that's not the final pavement [01:53:48] they've only done the first lift for the [01:53:51] winter I believe there's going to be [01:53:53] another layer that happens rob you might [01:53:56] know the answer but I think there's [01:53:57] going to be another layer if you look at [01:53:59] the sidewalks the sidewalks are [01:54:00] temporarily paved for the winter because [01:54:03] they weren't going to be able to finish [01:54:04] the final pavement so I think they're [01:54:06] going to be another layer on top of that [01:54:08] and all of the crosswalks and all of the [01:54:10] street markings will be put in at that [01:54:12] point [01:54:13] am I right in that Rob [01:54:16] the they should put temporary crosswalks [01:54:19] but typically wait for at least two [01:54:21] weeks because the oil of the fresh [01:54:24] asphalt will actually cause [01:54:32] so we could follow up with Marty to see [01:54:34] if [01:54:36] yeah and make sure they do that before [01:54:37] before it gets to to wait for them to do [01:54:40] that [01:54:44] okay people are still line painting so [01:54:47] it should be able to get done [01:54:49] great thanks Rob [01:54:53] all right [01:54:54] anything else to discuss before I [01:54:57] entertain a motion to adjourn [01:55:03] ing on I will entertain a motion to [01:55:05] adjourn motion to adjourn [01:55:09] all right so we need to call the roll [01:55:11] that's already I'm showing there's no [01:55:12] discussion uh called Nicole Kelly hi [01:55:16] I'm Rob [01:55:19] Julie is an i and the meeting is [01:55:21] adjourned at 8 27. thank you everybody [01:55:24] for attending thank you Nicole [01:55:26] everybody