Thumbnail for Hardwick, MA Board of Selectmen Meeting 1/22/24

Administrative Actions, Licensing Reviews, and Infrastructure Updates

Original title: Hardwick, MA Board of Selectmen Meeting 1/22/24

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

Meeting details

Date

January 23, 2024

Duration

1h 7m

Decisions

10 recorded

Action Items

17 assigned

Summary

The Hardwick Board of Selectmen addressed a range of municipal matters, beginning with the interim Fire Chief's salary and approving several sewer abatements. Key administrative decisions included approving a pump station color scheme, renewing GIS and cyclical inspection services, and approving past meeting minutes. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the reconsideration of an alcohol license and a Class 2 used car license for Affordable Cars, involving extensive debate on compliance, property conditions, and legal interpretations, ultimately leading to a conditional renewal for Affordable Cars. Departmental updates covered construction, property issues, town clerk activities, and the Town Administrator's report on state funding and upcoming projects. The board also discussed enrollment projections, the sale of town property, scheduled a Personnel Committee meeting, set budget deadlines, and planned repairs for the Old Town Hall.

Browse meeting notes

Now viewing

Discussion Highlights

The interim Fire Chief's salary was set at a prorated rate of $21,000 for FY2024, including call pay, with a plan to revisit the salary and potentially draft a contract in July for the new fiscal year.
Four sewer abatements were reviewed and granted for various properties.
The color scheme for the pump station on 32A was approved as "Autumn Brown" with "Flat Black" louvers, doors, and trim.
The annual Map GIS maintenance service agreement with CAI Technologies was accepted for $2,100, with an additional $20 per building for building footprints if necessary.
Mayflower Evaluation cyclical inspection services for 2025 were accepted in the amount of $17,800.
Meeting minutes from January 8th, 2024, were approved.
The board is reconsidering an alcohol license application due to errors identified by the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABC), including an abbreviated name and unanswered questions.
Extensive discussion occurred regarding the Affordable Cars Class 2 license renewal, including disputes over the hearing type, public concerns about being a "good neighbor" and car counts, the applicant's claims of compliance with inspections, and the legality of a 30-day license.
The applicant for Affordable Cars confirmed two businesses (auto repair and used car sales) operate on the property and presented documentation for a special permit covering both.
Concerns were raised about trash and cleanliness at the Affordable Auto location, which the applicant stated they were working to address.
Legal counsel advised the board that it cannot refuse to issue the used car license but can impose any reasonable conditions, including a car limit for the car sales operation.
Department updates included ongoing construction projects, frequent alarms at the Wheelwright Pump Station, plumbing issues at the Lanier Property, and the Building Inspector's absence from a scheduled meeting.
The Town Clerk reported on smooth census and dog license renewals, mandatory in-person voting for primaries, and the availability of nomination papers.
The Town Administrator provided updates on USDA communications, upcoming Route 2A roadwork, a public meeting for the Patra Hollo Dam removal, positive news for rural communities from the MMA conference, and a recent meeting with school administration.
Enrollment projections indicate a decline of 5 students, while needs related to raising children are increasing.
The Capital Planning Committee is progressing with the sale of town buildings (old school) and planning an auction for old material and equipment.
A Personnel Committee meeting was scheduled to address existing policy contradictions regarding time, vacation, and sick days, as well as evaluations.
The deadline for budget submissions was set for February 16th.
Updates on Old Town Hall repairs included completed attic work, ongoing eaves issues, and a plan to proceed with investigating repairs for settled stone slabs/steps, pending cost assessment and funding.

Transcript (10,924 words)

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

00:00:01
We pledge allegiance to the flaged AL to the flag of the United States of America to the Republic for it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for
00:00:20
All all right okay let's see visitors comments affordable cars is on the agenda a little bit
00:00:38
Later um any other visitors comments okay uh new business we can have a discussion about the enter of Fire Chiefs salary he's here good
00:00:58
Evening how are you good how are you good so so um this isn't about a contract yet but we need to pay you yeah so uh I I spoke with Jess the other day and I actually kind of deferred the the
00:01:17
Payroll payment for for myself and whoever gets pointed to the deputy position just until we talk with the select board have any you have any suggestions um I mean my my suggestion would be is1
00:01:36
17,7 left in the fire chief salary account um I would like to keep along with with that of course but that would be the last half of the year that's correct at his at his original salary that's
00:01:56
Correct what's highlighted was what was already paid for this I thought we had kind of discussed bringing him in a little bit lower well you know if Ray went out after Decades of service U Josh is just
00:02:16
Coming in as the inter of chief that makes sense you want to throw a figure out there
00:02:36

[00:00:01] uh we pledge allegiance to the [00:00:04] flaged AL to the flag of the United [00:00:08] States of America to the Republic for it [00:00:12] stands one nation under God indivisible [00:00:16] with liberty and justice for [00:00:20] all all [00:00:26] right [00:00:28] okay let's see visitors [00:00:34] comments affordable cars is on the [00:00:36] agenda a little bit [00:00:38] later um any other visitors [00:00:43] comments okay uh new [00:00:48] business we can have a discussion about [00:00:51] the enter of Fire [00:00:52] Chiefs [00:00:54] salary he's here good [00:00:58] evening how are you good how are you [00:01:03] good so [00:01:05] uh so um this isn't about a contract yet [00:01:10] uh but we need to pay you yeah so uh I I [00:01:14] spoke with Jess the other day and I [00:01:15] actually kind of deferred the the [00:01:17] payroll payment for for myself and [00:01:19] whoever gets pointed to the deputy [00:01:22] position just until we talk with the [00:01:23] select [00:01:25] board have [00:01:27] any you have any suggestions um I mean [00:01:30] my my suggestion would be is1 [00:01:36] 17,7 left in the fire chief salary [00:01:39] account um I would like to keep along [00:01:42] with with that of course [00:01:46] but that would be the last half of the [00:01:48] year that's [00:01:50] correct at his at his original salary [00:01:53] that's [00:01:56] correct what's highlighted was what was [00:01:58] already paid for this [00:02:04] I thought we had kind of discussed [00:02:06] bringing him in a little bit lower well [00:02:09] um you know if Ray went out [00:02:12] after Decades of service U Josh is just [00:02:16] coming in as the inter of chief that [00:02:18] makes [00:02:22] sense you want to throw a figure out [00:02:28] there [00:02:36] I'm but you were going to put something [00:02:37] together but and send it to [00:02:40] me I was aware of that last we had [00:02:43] talked we had discussed that before but [00:02:46] that was more involving like with the [00:02:48] contract and then we have to talk about [00:02:50] whether or not you know where the funds [00:02:52] are going to be allocated if the goes [00:02:54] down and whatnot so it was a little bit [00:02:55] more complicated than [00:02:57] just and I I didn't think we'd be [00:03:00] writing a contract yeah [00:03:04] yeah yeah I was going to put a letter [00:03:06] together for the board for the last [00:03:08] board selectman meeting since I wasn't [00:03:10] able to attend but I had done that since [00:03:13] we deferred it to [00:03:16] today and uh I did reach out to the town [00:03:19] of new brancher uh Chief lender over [00:03:21] there is around $22,000 a year uh he [00:03:24] hasn't renegotiated a contract in about [00:03:26] six or seven years at this point he's [00:03:28] been there a while too yeah um and then [00:03:31] Chief how who also has a similar call [00:03:33] volume to Hardwick and oam he's at [00:03:36] $33,000 a year and he gets paid for [00:03:38] calls as well on top of the Celler he's [00:03:40] also been there well uh he's only been [00:03:43] there for well maybe four or five years [00:03:46] now I don't know the exact date off the [00:03:48] top of my head [00:03:57] but I mean I just I have a hard time [00:04:00] with bringing you right in at what Chief [00:04:03] Walker was making after you know a lot [00:04:06] of years okay um just my just kind of my [00:04:12] accounting background and my [00:04:13] professional background [00:04:18] um I mean I to be honest I was thinking [00:04:21] more like between 20 and 22 for an [00:04:24] annual mhm so then they would you know [00:04:27] PR rate based on what was left [00:04:35] so what would that [00:04:38] be well it would depend on how many [00:04:40] weeks are left in the payroll Cycles [00:04:42] you're saying $177,000 a year oh I said [00:04:45] between like 20 and [00:04:47] 22 [00:04:50] 21 and that was my thought when the all [00:04:53] for started going down uh that would be [00:04:57] 40 well I mean so so I don't know how [00:05:00] many more payroll Cycles there are I [00:05:01] don't either we've probably missed a [00:05:03] couple and since it's it's a leap year [00:05:06] so there's a few extra days so to be [00:05:07] able to figure out [00:05:09] exactly um Jess could probably figure [00:05:12] that out do that not here you I mean [00:05:14] that's just that's my two cents and [00:05:17] unfortunately Rob isn't here to chime in [00:05:19] too [00:05:20] so well I'd rather figure it out [00:05:28] tonight [00:05:35] and uh how much have you been making [00:05:38] What's happen as a deputy uh the deputy [00:05:40] salary was uh increased last year to [00:05:42] $1,400 a year and I was going toay calls [00:05:45] on top of that yeah so about 100 calls [00:05:48] of $23 an hour and Ray was still getting [00:05:53] calls he was not no so he [00:05:56] wasn't so what if we went down would you [00:06:00] know he could get paid for his [00:06:03] calls that be agreeable yeah agree and [00:06:07] see and then you know we can revisit it [00:06:10] with the new FC from July yeah yeah yeah [00:06:12] and at that point you're to that did we [00:06:15] do we did 6 months correct right so at [00:06:17] that point you're close to that interim [00:06:20] period anyway see how it's going yeah [00:06:24] and if it's going we'll get together [00:06:26] ahead of time and write a [00:06:28] contract uh bring it up [00:06:32] to real time okay works for me is that [00:06:36] okay then [00:06:38] y all [00:06:41] right well you want a motion [00:06:44] yes um so I would make a motion to base [00:06:47] the interim fire chief salary at a [00:06:51] pro-rated rate of 21,000 for the fiscal [00:06:56] year by 24 and that he can and get paid [00:07:00] for your for your calls yeah okay um and [00:07:04] I'll second [00:07:05] it all in favor I [00:07:09] all do POS a quick question just in [00:07:12] regards to that so there will be [00:07:15] possibly extra I don't say extra but [00:07:18] money that's not allocated anywhere in [00:07:20] the [00:07:21] salary where would that be [00:07:24] going it probably just come out labor [00:07:26] would it just go into labor I don't know [00:07:29] what the question is yeah so for the for [00:07:31] the the additional uh monies for the [00:07:34] chief for calls just the fire labor [00:07:39] account fire labor or general fund or [00:07:43] the or the chief salary because they'll [00:07:45] be leftover money in that budget because [00:07:47] you're not going to use all that 17,000 [00:07:50] so yeah yeah when you're putting in you [00:07:53] mean your time and there's a call yeah I [00:07:55] would use that okay [00:07:57] yeah all right thank you very much thank [00:08:00] you appreciate [00:08:08] it okay sewer [00:08:12] abatements they're in your packet this [00:08:14] is the back up here we have four four of [00:08:17] them [00:08:26] yeah you want packet [00:08:30] can you hand me Rob packet these a [00:08:32] couple of pages aren't pulling up on on [00:08:34] this [00:08:36] link the first two but I don't See's [00:08:39] after that okay [00:08:47] yeah they're different amounts because [00:08:49] they are different whether um somebody [00:08:52] only yeah okay so somebody was just [00:08:55] getting an abatement on one of their um [00:08:58] edus or uh on all and you have all the I [00:09:04] have everything here all this stuff yep [00:09:07] y this one I've got them all [00:09:11] okay do you want more yes please okay um [00:09:15] I would make a motion to grant [00:09:17] abatements for [00:09:19] 5458 Mechanic Street for [00:09:22] 21438 for 92 High Street [00:09:27] 32157 for 441 Main Street [00:09:32] 21438 and for 41 Church Street [00:09:37] 21438 I'll second it do we need to talk [00:09:41] about it [00:09:43] anymore all favor hi hi do you mind just [00:09:47] signing each [00:09:51] one all [00:09:54] sign one yeah [00:09:58] unfortunately [00:10:08] new pump station color [00:10:19] scheme now I did have a career as a [00:10:28] painter [00:10:32] I did hear from [00:10:34] Cynthia yeah she responded to [00:10:37] all what' she say she wanted it [00:10:44] darker I don't [00:10:46] disagree it said that last [00:10:49] week she said we prefer it to blend into [00:10:52] the woods as much as possible instead of [00:10:53] being more visible a darker paint color [00:10:56] Autumn Brown would do that alternative [00:10:59] ly if you wanted it to look like a barn [00:11:00] and the tile red color with white trim [00:11:02] seems to be the most often used colors [00:11:05] color scheme for barns around here it's [00:11:07] not eqt's first choice but is an [00:11:10] alternative to make the building fit [00:11:12] into Community [00:11:18] aesthetic yeah the I was going to say [00:11:21] Royal Brown here off the color guide [00:11:24] which well this is for the this is for [00:11:26] the building I think the other one was [00:11:28] for trim is that [00:11:32] right LS I think right [00:11:38] yeah what do you [00:11:40] think I thought of a tile red with [00:11:43] either a white or black trim to look [00:11:45] like a barn maybe with a small kooup on [00:11:48] top to complete the Sugar House look [00:11:50] that we were originally going [00:11:52] for I do like the Koopa I think what [00:11:55] does the C Koopa [00:11:57] cost [00:12:00] I don't [00:12:01] know probably too much looking at the [00:12:03] price of everything else maybe if the [00:12:05] town bought it later and installed it [00:12:07] themselves it will be a different story [00:12:10] for sure we can have a contest yeah can [00:12:13] make a [00:12:16] people so uh Autumn Brown [00:12:20] and and white for a trim or [00:12:27] black [00:12:39] said prefer [00:12:40] black I think that would blend in more [00:12:45] yeah white would kind of show it up [00:12:46] that's going to make it stand out [00:12:49] again and then and then you get [00:12:57] that [00:13:00] louers and doors that's it right yeah do [00:13:04] that black too yeah if you're going to [00:13:05] do the aut Brown yeah Autumn brown and [00:13:09] black or gloss black flat black yeah [00:13:12] just [00:13:13] yeah to won't last as long [00:13:21] but I think those are good [00:13:24] choices we can always talk about a c [00:13:26] them [00:13:27] after [00:13:31] I do like [00:13:32] that I have one in my house I like them [00:13:35] yeah they just [00:13:37] too gy the place up there was one on the [00:13:40] side of the road in Bel town we should [00:13:42] have grabbed [00:13:43] it we should have grabbed it's gone [00:13:46] now well um would you like to make a [00:13:49] motion all right so I would make a [00:13:51] motion for the colors of the pump [00:13:56] station on [00:13:57] 32A to to be Autumn Brown and the lubers [00:14:02] and doors and trim to be [00:14:05] black black black black black [00:14:11] lf9 second it all in favor hi [00:14:20] hi and I think it's good that we got the [00:14:23] input from East quaven yeah yeah that's [00:14:27] good yeah was their [00:14:30] link all right uh ask GIS Services [00:14:37] agreement um this is a typical agreement [00:14:41] annually that you guys sign for the [00:14:47] assessors so I would make a motion [00:14:50] to accept the proposal put forth by Cai [00:14:54] Technologies [00:14:56] for uh here for map GIS maintenance [00:15:01] service [00:15:02] $2,100 and if necessary building [00:15:05] Footprints $20 per building [00:15:10] added second [00:15:12] it all in favor I all [00:15:20] right make our evaluation [00:15:24] limited this is another normal y this is [00:15:28] for inspections okay [00:15:31] yep [00:15:43] [Music] [00:15:48] I'm [00:15:50] here oh was it it was part of the budget [00:15:53] line right yep I did see that hold on so [00:15:57] 178 the 5 Year yes right okay so I would [00:16:01] make a motion to [00:16:03] accept um the mflow evaluations cyclical [00:16:06] inspection services for 2025 in the [00:16:10] amount of [00:16:12] 17,800 second [00:16:14] it all in favor I [00:16:24] I do you want to sign them sure [00:16:32] you only only [00:16:40] um it's leg [00:16:57] advice [00:17:01] you get yeah [00:17:07] okay okay thank [00:17:11] you other new [00:17:18] business meeting minutes [00:17:24] approval that's January [00:17:26] 8th 202 [00:17:30] I'm good to make a motion if you read [00:17:32] them go ahead okay I would make a motion [00:17:35] to accept the meeting minutes from [00:17:37] January 8th [00:17:38] 2024 on second it all in favor [00:17:43] I old business that's where I was going [00:17:46] to talk about the interim fire [00:17:49] chief well got ahead of ourselves that's [00:17:52] sorry [00:17:54] sorry reconsideration Whistle Stop to [00:17:57] all alcohol license why are we [00:18:00] reconsidering so when the application [00:18:02] was sent to the ABC after the applicant [00:18:06] filled it all out um there were a couple [00:18:08] of mistakes on the [00:18:10] application um that honestly ABC said I [00:18:13] should have seen so clearly they're [00:18:15] putting a lot more ownness on us now [00:18:17] than they ever have in the past so there [00:18:19] was a couple of instances where the name [00:18:22] was abbreviated because she has a [00:18:24] nickname instead of the full name and a [00:18:27] couple of questions that seemed [00:18:28] irrelevant weren't answered that needed [00:18:30] to be answered so the ABC sent it back [00:18:33] taking no action meaning the Board needs [00:18:35] to fix these issues on the application [00:18:38] and reconsider you do have the [00:18:40] reconsideration in your packet however [00:18:43] the applicant was not able to come in [00:18:44] today to go over it with me and it's [00:18:47] really her responsibil their [00:18:48] responsibility to um make sure that [00:18:51] everything is complete so uh I said when [00:18:54] you can come in she was I had an [00:18:56] appointment at two that they didn't make [00:18:58] so um you know I just said when you come [00:19:01] in and we go through it till our next [00:19:04] meeting yeah and hopefully she'll come [00:19:05] in by then all right B you I'm good [00:19:10] okay all right Matrix I don't have any [00:19:14] of their information on them right now [00:19:17] nothing affordable cars Class 2 [00:19:25] reconsideration all right uh [00:19:28] would you like to speak to [00:19:30] this yes I would okay you're having [00:19:33] renewal hearing CCT right because under [00:19:36] your statute of renewal hearing nobody [00:19:38] in the audience out here in the public [00:19:39] can partipate with your findings so I'm [00:19:41] trying to figure out what's going on [00:19:42] today well I would want to hear [00:19:45] your uh position and then normally I [00:19:48] would ask on a on a revocation hearing [00:19:51] if I had something against us I would [00:19:53] answer it's not a yeah it's this is a [00:19:55] renewal hearing no it's just [00:19:57] reconsideration [00:19:59] as a courtesy the board issued the one [00:20:02] Monon license because the applicant was [00:20:05] not present to be able to defend his [00:20:08] position when they were all being [00:20:10] renewed so this was another courtesy to [00:20:13] the applicant for them to come in and [00:20:16] give their explanation on why they [00:20:18] should have the annual license after the [00:20:21] the last meeting when they weren't able [00:20:23] to be here to uh explain themselves to [00:20:25] you so this is a revocation hearing been [00:20:28] a different story right we would have [00:20:29] advertised it Etc [00:20:32] so well you want to meet on or ask [00:20:36] questions or yeah I guess just go ahead [00:20:40] I'm sorry if you don't mind it they just [00:20:41] asked them to come up so it's better [00:20:43] heard it with the U microphones and [00:20:46] stuff if they come up here sit in the [00:20:47] front set yeah could you come up here [00:20:49] and so that we can record [00:20:56] you I guess my concern concern is just [00:20:59] all everything we're hearing you know as [00:21:02] far as being good neighbors and the [00:21:05] amount of cars that are there um I I do [00:21:08] have concerns about renewing it I'm not [00:21:10] you know I will be very honest with you [00:21:11] I do have [00:21:12] concerns um just [00:21:16] from just all the all the complaints [00:21:18] that we we keep receiving but I'm sure [00:21:21] you're aware under the statute I passed [00:21:23] all the reifications I've done [00:21:24] everything all my inspections everything [00:21:25] has passed there's been notification [00:21:27] hearings under law has to be granted [00:21:29] unless there's a revocation hand to [00:21:31] revoke it and the law is right [00:21:33] here it's actually illegal to do the [00:21:36] 30-day license it's January to January [00:21:38] the board doesn't have the power to [00:21:39] rewrite the law the law is [00:21:45] law we just we just renew just to renew [00:21:48] no you have give the authority to renew [00:21:50] or not to renew or to limit cars but you [00:21:53] have to do a relocation of that [00:21:56] first I guess that's not our [00:21:58] understanding from our legal councel [00:22:00] there has to be revocation to revoke the [00:22:02] license otherwise going be granted [00:22:03] granted with January the second thing is [00:22:05] people from the public is violating open [00:22:07] public meeting laws according to your [00:22:09] own handbook because you do not [00:22:10] advertise this is a revocation hearing [00:22:12] you said it's a renewal hearing and [00:22:14] you're having people from the public [00:22:17] talk about our business and it wasn't [00:22:19] put in public legal notice or anything [00:22:21] else you have to do a public was it a [00:22:24] hearing it's not a hearing you can ask [00:22:26] you don't have to hearing [00:22:28] renewal hearing into a revocation [00:22:31] hearing a renewal hearing is where [00:22:33] people renew the license you're having [00:22:35] people ask questions and other stuff [00:22:36] that's not a renewal hearing it's a [00:22:38] revocation [00:22:40] hearing it was never the intent to have [00:22:42] a revocation hearing I understand that [00:22:43] but that's what they're turning this [00:22:44] into because people from the public are [00:22:46] coming here people from the public are [00:22:48] talking and it says in your own statutes [00:22:50] they can't we're we're getting emails [00:22:52] often also it's not just that so my [00:22:55] concern is about being a good neighbor [00:22:58] and maybe just you know trying [00:23:01] to rectify some of the concerns correct [00:23:05] as a business own we were working on [00:23:07] that as well and um everything was kind [00:23:10] of shut down when our building was taken [00:23:14] so well we didn't shut anything down I [00:23:18] understand there's people in this roomed [00:23:20] defendant we have a court date on [00:23:21] February 9th they shouldn't even be here [00:23:22] today they have a court date in front of [00:23:24] a real judge they can go anywhere I [00:23:26] understand that but I'm saying to speak [00:23:27] on half my business that's why I'm [00:23:28] presenting it to you this is a renewal [00:23:30] hearing this is not a revocation hearing [00:23:32] they're not part of my hearing they can [00:23:33] sit here they can listen to us but [00:23:35] that's as far as I can [00:23:37] go and as far as you said yes I agree [00:23:41] with you if there's a point that needs [00:23:42] to be rectified I would Rectify it [00:23:43] immediately but I had three inspections [00:23:46] all three inpections passed with no [00:23:48] issues and like I told her what are [00:23:50] these inspections I I believe as I told [00:23:53] you to bring all of your that you have [00:23:56] from the state police [00:23:59] you guys have a copy in your done inst I [00:24:02] seen it I definitely haven't [00:24:04] seen we had officers go there and and [00:24:08] look around correct and count cars I [00:24:11] think the number of cars that you have [00:24:13] on the property is a big part of the [00:24:16] trouble it's also significantly less [00:24:18] than the last inspection from the police [00:24:20] as well yeah how many cars have you [00:24:23] gotten rid of I'm going to say around [00:24:25] 10 so how many are still there this was [00:24:28] uh how many are still from the police [00:24:31] and if there was a violation they have [00:24:33] put the violation down here and I have [00:24:34] 10 days to CCT the violation they didn't [00:24:36] find any violations on the property so [00:24:38] was not in violation of [00:24:41] anything now how [00:24:44] about I've heard that there are two [00:24:46] businesses being run M [00:24:50] here well if there's any kind of special [00:24:54] permit on this it's only for one [00:24:56] business correct [00:24:58] the special perit covers both [00:25:11] businesses this is kind of out of [00:25:15] my I've never heard of a special see [00:25:18] this covering mult when you did your [00:25:20] legal license right here it says auto [00:25:22] repair and use car business and in the [00:25:25] special license It also says the same [00:25:36] thing you say you're working [00:25:39] toward Good Neighbor stuff and yes [00:25:42] pcking this out yes between yourselves [00:25:44] all the [00:25:45] stuff there's also a significant amount [00:25:48] of trash that was bagged up and left [00:25:50] where Affordable Auto [00:25:54] right everything was done [00:25:56] legally [00:26:02] yeah for Ed bis correct and we had the [00:26:06] permits transferred to us and I filed [00:26:09] them right CU he never filed it read [00:26:11] correct I filed them right correct you [00:26:14] found them and went in and registered [00:26:17] right and I was back on the assessor's [00:26:19] office helped me find lot the [00:26:26] paperwork [00:26:28] and all the vehicles on the other side [00:26:30] which the police [00:26:32] saw bring this [00:26:38] look [00:26:44] here every book is marked where they [00:26:46] came from which customer they come from [00:26:48] where Circus provider for AAA K [00:26:50] everybody else do you run a towing [00:26:53] company yes we [00:26:56] do [00:26:59] and what's that what's the name of that [00:27:01] gy [00:27:04] carus but you're here for affordable [00:27:06] cars correct he was asking about both [00:27:07] businesses on the same property they're [00:27:10] side by [00:27:16] side and you're going to court February [00:27:20] 9th and what will that can I ask what [00:27:22] that's going to be about the landlord [00:27:25] changed the locks on the building if you [00:27:26] took thought he took my license from me [00:27:28] but he didn't for landlord tending stuff [00:27:31] so we're going to court for [00:27:34] that he's supposed to be my landlord [00:27:36] he's not supposed to be my guy that [00:27:37] comes to town hall for me bothering my [00:27:39] business I'm supposed to have quiet [00:27:41] andjoy tendency he's never bought a car [00:27:43] for me he has no incorporation of my [00:27:45] business he has no business bringing B [00:27:48] this Con here car for me all those [00:27:50] little [00:27:51] things file Court D for it that's we [00:27:56] have no Juris over that I understand but [00:27:59] you guys asked me a question so I'm [00:28:00] trying to give the answer to your [00:28:01] question that really you know but I'm [00:28:04] not trying to turn my remal hearing into [00:28:06] a [00:28:07] circus it wasn't here at the last [00:28:09] hearing but I watched it and I was [00:28:10] really upset what I saw because that [00:28:12] should never have happened at a renewal [00:28:14] hearing that was more like a revocation [00:28:16] hearing we're free-for-all every just [00:28:18] got to talk well he keeps saying hearing [00:28:19] but it's just a public meeting [00:28:22] public it says in the town bylaws that [00:28:25] you can't have anybody from the public [00:28:27] talking on a license unless it's a [00:28:29] ration there has to be a public [00:28:36] notice but to answer your original [00:28:38] question we haven't been found in any [00:28:40] violation of anything we're more than [00:28:42] happy to clean up or do whatever you [00:28:43] like us to do but we haven't been told [00:28:45] what to do and we took it upon ourselves [00:28:47] just to start getting the other cars [00:28:48] that weren't there and the insurance [00:28:50] company's out of [00:28:51] there and what's the plan now finish [00:28:54] cleaning up rest of the place [00:28:58] meaning there's only one two three seven [00:29:01] cars on gby car [00:29:04] side seven [00:29:06] seven what's the other side affordable [00:29:09] and how many are there I take a guess [00:29:11] what [00:29:14] 15 because it's my understanding that [00:29:16] the special permit has a limit for 10 [00:29:18] that's incorrect the special permit has [00:29:20] no limit it was not included in a [00:29:22] special permit somebody grew a map and [00:29:24] put a number on it which the court said [00:29:25] it doesn't matter because it's not in [00:29:27] the special permit the numbers would [00:29:28] have to be written in the special permit [00:29:30] to [00:29:30] be but we could put that on correct [00:29:35] right it would also grandfather me [00:29:38] in right but it would also grandfather [00:29:40] me in to fix the problem you can't just [00:29:41] grandfather it now say this is what it [00:29:43] is and I'm a violation of it that' be [00:29:45] unfair no no I no I would I I wasn't [00:29:48] proposing to do that wasn't proposing to [00:29:50] say we we're not going to do it because [00:29:52] you're in violation no I'm proposing to [00:29:54] say it's a stipulation of renewing it [00:29:56] right as where I was going with that and [00:29:59] our thing is if you're making us comply [00:30:01] with this I think everybody in town that [00:30:03] has a class two license should be in [00:30:05] comp compliance with [00:30:06] everything you we don't disagree right [00:30:09] you got some class two dealers out of [00:30:10] their house we don't disagree right so [00:30:13] if it's smart us it goes for you know [00:30:14] unfortunately we're hearing a lot of you [00:30:16] know I understand you're saying right [00:30:18] and so when it comes to our attention we [00:30:21] do have to we do have to try to be [00:30:23] mindful when when that's happening right [00:30:26] but you try the same roads we drive you [00:30:28] know what I'm saying like I'm sure you [00:30:29] see what we [00:30:30] see I don't get much not going to lie [00:30:34] that's in all fairness but if I drove [00:30:35] around I probably would I I get what [00:30:37] you're saying I get but our Fair Point [00:30:39] is our license is valid we haven't done [00:30:41] anything so there's no reason not they [00:30:42] granted at some point if there's a [00:30:43] revocation hearing and you send me a [00:30:45] letter and saying hey you did this this [00:30:46] and this fix it and I'll be honest with [00:30:49] you we had a conversation two weeks ago [00:30:50] and you said you need to fix and what [00:30:51] did I tell you if you tell me what to [00:30:53] fix I'll fix it immediately but [00:30:54] everybody says we're not in violation [00:30:56] anything so what would you like me to [00:30:57] fix [00:30:57] F I can't fix something that there's no [00:31:00] violation of and I hear what you're [00:31:01] saying just because there's hair doesn't [00:31:03] make me guilty of a crime no right and [00:31:05] that's why I'm not turning this hearing [00:31:07] when we're constantly listening to it we [00:31:09] have to at least acknowledge and just [00:31:12] correct you know and that's why I say it [00:31:14] makes me feel uncomfortable because you [00:31:16] know not going to make everybody happy [00:31:19] oh I understand this yeah and we feel [00:31:21] uncomfortable like said when I feel a [00:31:23] hearing and like you said you drove out [00:31:24] of a place and like it passed three [00:31:25] inspections and you're like well I'm not [00:31:26] happy I'm like well three people that [00:31:27] are certified to do this that it's okay [00:31:29] and you're saying it's not so it's like [00:31:30] to us you're being biased for us and [00:31:32] we're like that's weird that's how we [00:31:34] take it when we're watching a meeting we [00:31:35] like I mean you're looking for a [00:31:37] different answer which three people H [00:31:39] which three I'm assuming he means the [00:31:42] people that came out to do that's what [00:31:43] I'm saying we had we had inspections [00:31:45] from other people plus the police that [00:31:46] you sent out St Laurent and there was a [00:31:49] woman that they brought in that nobody [00:31:51] he said he had three inspections I [00:31:52] didn't want to that I don't ask him out [00:31:54] of turn what three inspections we [00:31:57] inspections when we first moved into the [00:31:58] place and every year we by who the state [00:32:01] police they come out every year yeah and [00:32:04] we pass all our [00:32:06] inspections including the one that you [00:32:08] sent up and you told you it's very odd [00:32:11] most people give a two or 3 weeks notice [00:32:13] that cop called me even though they went [00:32:14] to the wrong building and he was there [00:32:16] within 2 hours we don't to clean [00:32:18] anything up most people try to hide [00:32:20] something like a DCF visit or something [00:32:21] clean your house do whatever there was [00:32:22] nothing to clean up we weren't in [00:32:23] violation anything when our officers [00:32:26] went yeah so say there's no lead time [00:32:28] they just go right but he say most [00:32:30] people probably put them off a week or [00:32:31] two to get stuff in order and I said [00:32:32] come right now [00:32:39] yeah what do you [00:32:41] think I think this is like a storm [00:32:47] mhm I don't know how [00:32:50] to I don't know how to proceed legally I [00:32:53] don't know what's really I wish the [00:32:59] wish wish the the special permit stuff [00:33:02] the site plan review was clear I knew Ed [00:33:06] bis this goes back years [00:33:09] MH [00:33:11] so okay sir I'm going to let you speak [00:33:15] thank you Mr chairman Mr chairman uh I [00:33:18] have some information I received today [00:33:21] from the legal council I'd like to share [00:33:23] with the committee and we shared it with [00:33:26] Mr GL ask I will right [00:33:32] now this isn't Court no it's just uh he [00:33:36] wanted me to inform the uh can I ask a [00:33:39] quick question is this from your [00:33:41] attorney yes uh he's been researching [00:33:45] the property and uh basically um he's [00:33:49] come to the conclusion you can cut [00:33:51] somebody off please we have a court date [00:33:52] on February 9th we're not going to make [00:33:54] this a legal discussion today excuse me [00:33:56] Mr chairman I would speak I I agree [00:33:59] well this is way out of line for a [00:34:01] renewal hearing please sorry try to be [00:34:03] polite I'm trying that would smooth the [00:34:06] whole thing a little all right I'm sorry [00:34:08] I'm angry but the this [00:34:11] thing I think we have to take this under [00:34:14] advisement uh I'm going to wait for your [00:34:17] court hearing and see what happens with [00:34:20] that okay um you know I I haven't seen [00:34:25] this I haven't read this I will read [00:34:27] this okay um and I I I know your [00:34:32] situation too um so but I I don't know [00:34:38] I'm out of my depth here and I don't [00:34:41] want to get into I don't want the town [00:34:43] to get into legal trouble and I don't [00:34:45] want to set up a battle that's going to [00:34:48] go on and on and on I want some kind of [00:34:51] resolution so that's going to take being [00:34:55] nice so totally understand it and that's [00:34:57] why I brought you to law and says hey [00:34:59] the license has to be done if we're [00:35:00] doing something wrong we come back for [00:35:01] revocation thank you right did I finish [00:35:04] that sentence I don't [00:35:06] know [00:35:08] um yes sir could could I uh just finish [00:35:12] my thought to that c letter there to [00:35:14] explain to the top I'd rather read the [00:35:17] letter and get back to you okay all [00:35:20] right uh it is true that this isn't a [00:35:24] legal [00:35:25] hearing um I I don't think it's a [00:35:27] revocation hearing we might have one [00:35:30] down the line but I I think I have to [00:35:35] keep clean about that okay that's fair [00:35:40] okay well I'm glad it [00:35:44] suits so then their license would be [00:35:47] active I would assume their license is [00:35:50] active and we're hoping that they uh cut [00:35:54] down the number of cars that are there [00:35:55] which is pissing off people and again we [00:35:58] don't have anything clear written should [00:36:01] we set should we set a limit to that [00:36:03] then as the stipulation to the [00:36:06] license number of cars on the lot [00:36:10] MH I'd be happy to entertain a motion I [00:36:14] mean Is it feasible to get down to the [00:36:19] 10 it's feasible but I don't want you to [00:36:22] put the license in effect and come there [00:36:23] in 3 days and ask me I me violation you [00:36:25] what I'm saying no [00:36:27] no there would be I don't I have time [00:36:29] frame on 90 days yeah I mean is that [00:36:32] feasible [00:36:34] feasible specify one thing 10 cars for [00:36:37] affordable side so how many cars for [00:36:39] kesie Car Care side two different [00:36:40] businesses we're here for affordable so [00:36:41] you're only talking about affordable [00:36:43] correct I don't want to confuse things [00:36:45] but I want people saying he's talking [00:36:47] about visible [00:36:49] cars between the both yeah but 10 cars [00:36:52] is not feasible well that's why I own [00:36:55] owning business no that's why we wanted [00:36:57] to clarify is it for the entire lot for [00:36:59] both businesses or for affordable car I [00:37:02] told you 700 cars in 9 months and only [00:37:05] 53 are up [00:37:06] there and where did you put the rest of [00:37:09] them they went to insurance companies [00:37:11] everywhere [00:37:12] else and you're working on cars now yeah [00:37:16] how many cars are you working on in that [00:37:18] building there's five cars in my [00:37:20] building my truck got worked on in that [00:37:22] building sure did a lot of cars [00:37:24] did um and you State cuz you know Ed he [00:37:28] had both buildings running side by side [00:37:29] like I do right now yeah cuz you know Ed [00:37:32] yeah yeah I did all the stone workk [00:37:35] around his house he told me that all the [00:37:37] roads from the C he told me all about [00:37:38] how you guys struck them in one at a [00:37:39] time and put the foundation I don't [00:37:42] remember that part of it [00:37:44] um so and you took issue with me calling [00:37:48] your operation a junkyard correct you [00:37:51] don't think it's a junkard [00:37:54] no any vehicle that to clear title is [00:37:57] not consider [00:37:59] jump and they're all they all have [00:38:02] titles I have all right here you want to [00:38:03] see [00:38:05] them I'll [00:38:09] Trust But to answer your question I will [00:38:11] cut the cars down within 90 days but 10 [00:38:15] is unrealistic for two businesses what [00:38:18] is [00:38:19] realistic 25 cars of pain [00:38:23] book it's a towing company with four [00:38:26] partners [00:38:27] you don't have a license for that towing [00:38:29] company requires he's talking from the [00:38:32] public and we're having a conversation [00:38:35] okay um please well let's I'm sorry [00:38:39] let's visit after you go to court and [00:38:42] see what happens there and uh obviously [00:38:45] this going to [00:38:47] continue so I don't know I think my best [00:38:51] skill is some kind of diplomatic thing [00:38:54] so let's try to if [00:38:58] uh you want to make a [00:39:06] motion Mr chairman can I just say [00:39:08] something really quick sure okay so the [00:39:11] board has the jurisdiction over the used [00:39:14] car license which is affordable cars I [00:39:17] feel like if they don't have a license [00:39:20] for the auto body shop then that would [00:39:23] be a different jurisdiction that if if [00:39:26] you wanted to put uh any kind of um um [00:39:31] limit on the cars if you wanted to say [00:39:34] 10 cars then that's and if they do if [00:39:36] they don't have a site plan for the [00:39:37] other business then that's what they [00:39:39] they'll probably have to go through that [00:39:40] process but if you want to restrict the [00:39:42] cars for the for the car sales which is [00:39:46] the license that you issue entirely [00:39:48] under your verb to get them whatever [00:39:50] number you want and that was given to us [00:39:53] by our legal council okay not to not [00:39:56] issue it but you can put any any [00:39:58] conditions on it that you feel are [00:40:01] appropriate and then the other side [00:40:04] would have to get legal they don't have [00:40:07] any site plan or anything for that and [00:40:09] that would have to start through the [00:40:10] planning board site plan review which is [00:40:14] what we don't [00:40:19] have but right now our concern is [00:40:22] Affordable in that license right that's [00:40:25] what's in front of us [00:40:30] well I can't make a motion so I would [00:40:33] make a motion to allow the [00:40:38] renewal with the stipulation of 10 cars [00:40:40] on that [00:40:43] side with 90 days please with 90 days to [00:40:48] clean that [00:40:51] up how about [00:40:55] 60 [00:40:57] all right 10 cars 60 [00:41:00] days on that side and then we'll look at [00:41:03] it [00:41:06] again do second [00:41:09] and I have to second yeah I'll second [00:41:13] okay all in favor hi [00:41:17] hi thanks for coming in thank [00:41:21] you thanks for coming [00:41:25] in oh we have a sign you have no because [00:41:28] we have the conditions on it so if you [00:41:29] don't mind I'll have you guys sign [00:41:31] another time y I'll have the conditions [00:41:33] I do have the license that you see but [00:41:35] yeah we'll put the conditions [00:41:44] on committee reports there's a few in [00:41:47] there we got less this time I don't know [00:41:49] if people are on vacation or what well [00:41:51] Scott's here Scott is here that is very [00:41:54] good yep [00:41:56] clerk is here [00:42:01] sometimes either of you want to uh sure [00:42:04] yeah share with us how things have been [00:42:06] going yeah there's not a whole lot to [00:42:08] tell I mean a lot of meetings with the [00:42:09] new construction and everything going on [00:42:11] and we're back to the time of year where [00:42:13] we have a lot of alarms at the uh wheel [00:42:15] ride Pump [00:42:17] Station so that hasn't been any fun [00:42:20] but um seems to be an annual [00:42:23] thing the weather must be the weather [00:42:26] yeah temperature the cold like the cold [00:42:29] cold seems to be when there's [00:42:31] temperature swings that it gets the most [00:42:33] warm cold warm cold that's all it's been [00:42:36] yeah seem like the last two years it's [00:42:39] every January just a [00:42:43] nightmare [00:42:46] so but otherwise things [00:42:50] proceed things are chugging [00:42:54] along okay did we have have have they [00:42:58] anyone gone to the Lan's house yet yes [00:43:01] we uh I met the plumbing inspector out [00:43:03] there Friday night and we did speak to [00:43:05] Mrs lanir M and he gave her the same [00:43:10] suggestions basically that we had all [00:43:13] talked about [00:43:15] okay with no indication that the town [00:43:17] would be footing the bill for any of [00:43:19] this uh she's probably going to try [00:43:22] putting an extension on the so-called [00:43:25] sting pipe on the pipe yeah yeah and see [00:43:27] if that helps yeah that's got to be the [00:43:30] they may have two pipes on their house [00:43:33] the plumbing inspector advice starting [00:43:35] with just the front one because it seems [00:43:37] that that's where most of the odor is [00:43:39] coming from she was concerned about the [00:43:42] appearance I can't blame [00:43:45] her it could look a little strange until [00:43:48] you get used to it yeah but it's better [00:43:50] than smelling it's better than yeah yeah [00:43:54] little fingers crossed yeah [00:43:58] and the building inspector didn't come [00:44:00] no so he didn't show up just that's why [00:44:03] I asked him and Ed and Scott to go there [00:44:07] on Friday at 3:30 yep he said Friday [00:44:09] night but maybe that's night to people [00:44:10] who work 7 at [00:44:13] 3:30 I hear you I I'm with you Scott [00:44:16] okay I like to be in my comfy clothes by [00:44:18] 330 literally like [00:44:25] lunchtime well you can paint those pipes [00:44:29] you can yeah I've seen them painted camo [00:44:31] and they blend I will leave that up to [00:44:33] the home hor [00:44:35] yeah said fingers crossed but [00:44:38] um oh now I'm reading where you went [00:44:45] sorry well [00:44:48] thanks you [00:44:51] sir is your time me here censuses dog [00:44:54] license oh by [00:44:56] mail everything's going [00:45:00] smooth all [00:45:02] right I need to use i' already cleared [00:45:05] it with Nicole they'll be in person [00:45:07] voting the end of [00:45:08] February in here it's only two days like [00:45:12] early voting or the in person it's it [00:45:15] it's mandatory to have the inperson for [00:45:17] the primaries and so for the three [00:45:20] elections the um the town election i' [00:45:24] never recommend in person but I the vote [00:45:28] by meil it's just too confusing to say [00:45:30] I'm going to send you an applicate a [00:45:31] ballot for this one but not that one [00:45:33] so um but in person voting will be [00:45:37] Saturday the 24th Monday the 26th and [00:45:40] Wednesday the [00:45:43] 28th and that will be that and the [00:45:46] furnace is running nicely thank you yes [00:45:50] except not right now but we have it shut [00:45:52] off because it's night time has not been [00:45:54] any issues so uh yeah everything else is [00:45:56] good and the EV is working fine it's [00:45:58] plugged in and good sticker [00:46:04] perfect and nomination papers are [00:46:07] available so if anybody wants to [00:46:10] run come see [00:46:12] me anyone anyone the list is on the [00:46:16] website and post it out [00:46:19] there [00:46:21] what your dog did you say no no I'm good [00:46:24] with dogs I work with dog [00:46:26] I don't know if I want to be a dog [00:46:27] catcher right now that's not on the no [00:46:30] that's not on the [00:46:32] doll is though [00:46:35] huh oh [00:46:38] that's that's true we need a select sit [00:46:41] right [00:46:44] here thanks [00:46:47] Ryan miscellaneous [00:46:49] correspondence I do have one letter that [00:46:52] came in today from uh conservation just [00:46:55] in support of division of Fisheries [00:46:58] fishing game to purchase the 13371 acre [00:47:03] bascus land parcel along Peter Sam road [00:47:06] which borders an existing conservation [00:47:08] land in the Muddy Brook Wildlife [00:47:10] Management Area so this was just a [00:47:12] letter to us a cc to us you have it [00:47:15] right there just in support of of them [00:47:18] buying that [00:47:23] parcel I don't know that [00:47:28] oh you didn't get it it's just oh yeah [00:47:30] it's we have a letter from Mr St laurant [00:47:33] I will read [00:47:40] this Town Administrator report so sorry [00:47:43] I just got this done today if you don't [00:47:45] mind passing that out [00:47:48] um excuse me any surprises or you take [00:47:51] us through not at all no the USDA update [00:47:53] uh is typical it's what we get every [00:47:56] Friday um and they're kind of on hold [00:47:59] right now the project 2A is is uh going [00:48:01] to start any time and Gilbert bille [00:48:04] we're going to be going out to bid this [00:48:06] week I think this week or next [00:48:09] um there was one other thing that also [00:48:12] the Patra Hollow Dam is going to have a [00:48:16] zoom public meeting not not the Patra [00:48:19] Hollow Dam they're they they're damn [00:48:20] they can't really hold public hearing by [00:48:23] the FY F it's about the damn removal and [00:48:28] it's January 30th from 6:45 to [00:48:31] 7:25 where and it's on our website it's [00:48:33] on our Facebook for people that want to [00:48:36] attend give me that again yeah January [00:48:38] January 30th yeah from 6:45 to [00:48:42] 7:25 and it's on zoom and I can send you [00:48:44] the link it's like I said it's on our [00:48:46] website and uh and on our Facebook page [00:48:49] place is near and dear to my [00:48:52] heart and uh so I attended the MMA [00:48:56] conference the annual conference this [00:48:57] weekend where there was a lot of good [00:48:59] information and a lot of good news for [00:49:01] the rural communities from uh the new [00:49:04] governor and the new Administration uh [00:49:06] they held 11 listening sessions over [00:49:09] this past summer and fall and we all [00:49:12] went I mean most every town went [00:49:14] wherever it was went to Royston and um [00:49:19] and they listened to the rural concerns [00:49:22] so you know they they're raising our [00:49:24] unrestricted government Aid they're [00:49:26] going to fully fund the student [00:49:27] Opportunity Act um that's a boost of [00:49:30] Chapter 70 with 4% increase over last [00:49:32] year chapter 90 will be hopefully uh [00:49:37] increased um you know and there are [00:49:39] other things certainly on there that are [00:49:42] are very important to us like [00:49:44] procurement thresholds and things like [00:49:46] that uh also the five admin Town [00:49:50] administrators met with the school [00:49:52] administration on Thursday um this was [00:49:55] something that we had requested since I [00:49:57] started just to have meetings throughout [00:49:59] the year to kind of get on the same page [00:50:01] and what they think is coming up what [00:50:03] they think for enrollment uh enrollments [00:50:05] due by October of the previous year so [00:50:07] they should have a good idea of where [00:50:09] we're at so we could do our budgets um [00:50:12] and so since I started we have been [00:50:14] requesting that we really haven't gotten [00:50:16] it um but we were able to get a meeting [00:50:20] with them on Thursday however not really [00:50:22] understanding until I got there the [00:50:24] school committee meeting tonight so [00:50:26] they're presenting it to the school [00:50:27] committee tonight so we didn't really [00:50:29] you know we we tried to reach out [00:50:31] throughout the school year but we didn't [00:50:32] really get any feedback so um enrollment [00:50:35] is down needs are up when it comes to [00:50:39] special needs of of the new climate of [00:50:42] of raising kids now so we'll see what [00:50:44] happens with our assessment I I didn't [00:50:46] really get a feel either way how it was [00:50:48] going I know enrollments down by five [00:50:51] students um but again just enrollment is [00:50:54] down but need is up and that's really [00:50:56] the bottom line that I got and then [00:50:58] everything else is basically just [00:51:08] ongoing signatures and approvals we've [00:51:10] been doing as we've moved [00:51:14] along select board Round Table I got [00:51:18] some stuff okay you go right ahead all [00:51:22] right the uh Capital planning committee [00:51:27] has been uh getting closer to sale of [00:51:33] buildings um we're uh I won't steal [00:51:37] anybody's Thunder but we're going to do [00:51:39] a get an [00:51:41] RFP together and start with the rugles [00:51:44] Hill [00:51:47] School [00:51:48] um this is kind of related I I'm eager [00:51:53] to get an auction going and get rid of [00:51:56] uh some of the material and equipment so [00:52:01] probably probably not till spring but um [00:52:05] you know the old [00:52:07] sander uh sweeper uh that miserable [00:52:12] Crown Vic in front of the firehouse all [00:52:16] that stuff you have a vehicle right we [00:52:18] do yeah there's some scattered vehicles [00:52:22] around and there's that box from cyc and [00:52:25] that glitch so that too uh yeah that [00:52:29] would be you know a little Revenue right [00:52:32] you know uh non-recurring but we [00:52:34] definitely want to do put the end of the [00:52:36] fiscal year yeah and how rfps on the [00:52:40] clerk of the works did do we have [00:52:42] anything to look at no we got nothing [00:52:44] back nothing back that's probably going [00:52:47] to take care of that argument I mean [00:52:50] what do you do I don't know if you don't [00:52:52] get any that's right yeah I mean I don't [00:52:55] know if we could scale it down I mean [00:52:58] you know you you leave you send it to [00:53:00] legal and they're they're going to make [00:53:03] it [00:53:04] so difficult but uh you know they're [00:53:07] also protecting the town so I don't I [00:53:09] don't know we ex session or something [00:53:14] okay uh and I'd like to have a [00:53:17] Personnel we need to have a Personnel [00:53:19] committee meeting we've been talking [00:53:21] about that for months and uh want to [00:53:23] schedule it yes [00:53:25] because there have been there have been [00:53:28] complaints I don't know how else to deal [00:53:30] with them so um I'd like to start I [00:53:34] still have an email that Scott submitted [00:53:35] originally when we were looking for [00:53:38] questions [00:53:39] old yeah yeah so you you had some things [00:53:42] that you were questioning that were like [00:53:44] kind of contradictory uh in in the [00:53:48] policy yeah and then there was something [00:53:51] about was time or vacation days or [00:53:54] something um [00:53:56] um might have been personal days [00:53:58] something there was it was some [00:54:01] yeah and then complaints that I've been [00:54:04] hearing sick days you had a question [00:54:06] about sick days yeah um yeah so I you [00:54:11] know in the states back some time now [00:54:14] cuz it was written two different ways on [00:54:15] different pages yeah yeah we were [00:54:18] talking about it we've got some cleaning [00:54:20] up to when it first came in right and we [00:54:22] have [00:54:24] evaluations that we should think [00:54:26] about um [00:54:29] so um I talked to Jen Kanda who's the [00:54:32] only person I'm sure is on the Personnel [00:54:35] committee she is um and we have to look [00:54:40] at how the rest of it is [00:54:42] constituted um she suggested that if [00:54:45] it's that if all the selectman sit on it [00:54:48] it gets a little waited for valuations [00:54:51] you mean well for personnel committee to [00:54:55] look at the Personnel [00:54:56] policy it's always been that way yeah [00:55:00] and who else and finance Committee [00:55:03] Member a member at large okay good oh [00:55:07] yeah okay so there's it's not just us [00:55:10] okay no I don't want it to be us no I [00:55:12] mean it's us Jen and and a finance [00:55:16] Committee Member Cheryl used to come to [00:55:18] the [00:55:19] meetings so we can reach out to them all [00:55:22] right let's pick a [00:55:24] date what are you [00:55:27] thinking I think January will be a [00:55:29] little [00:55:30] sudden so end of February what end of [00:55:34] February MH want to do it on a Monday [00:55:37] night want to do it during the day just [00:55:40] make people more convenient to the [00:55:43] people during the [00:55:45] day I work he'll get over [00:55:48] it I guess I don't have to be here it's [00:55:52] fine well [00:55:57] so [00:55:58] 6:00 well what we can do earlier if you [00:56:01] want to do before our meeting we used to [00:56:02] try to do that [00:56:04] mhm okay when's our when 12 and 26 so [00:56:08] you want to do like 5:00 on the 26 you'd [00:56:11] rather do that than one on than on one [00:56:13] of the off [00:56:15] Mondays it doesn't matter to me go to a [00:56:18] meeting every Monday night [00:56:21] well the fir the one before that is [00:56:23] President's Day so that's out cuz that's [00:56:25] a holiday well let's do five cuz that'll [00:56:27] be better for Jen for instance cuz she's [00:56:31] here anyway right she she leaves at 4:30 [00:56:34] oh but she'll she will she doesn't love [00:56:36] driving in the dark but well by then it [00:56:40] all right could you well four would be [00:56:42] too much right if you guys [00:56:44] are having to be here by 6:30 we could [00:56:47] do four I do you want to make four I [00:56:49] could make four yeah all right let's do [00:56:51] four okay on the 26th yeah and then cuz [00:56:54] I I I can appreciate not wanting to [00:56:58] drive it in the dark me too I don't like [00:57:01] driving home after [00:57:03] this I'll follow I don't I'll follow you [00:57:06] home you might not want to do that you [00:57:09] follow me home so sometimes I'm [00:57:11] wondering if it's the road or [00:57:13] not and um we got budget deadlines uh it [00:57:17] was suggested that we as a select board [00:57:20] specify when to um put the call out that [00:57:24] bus [00:57:25] areally do um what by end of February is [00:57:30] that ridiculous no because I've had it I [00:57:33] think it was due January 5th okay um the [00:57:37] first time whenever right after the [00:57:40] holidays so end of February mid-February [00:57:43] I would [00:57:45] say I [00:57:46] mean typically we've we've asked for [00:57:49] them [00:57:50] early in the past yeah I remember [00:57:52] February had we get in [00:57:55] um let's see what we can what happens if [00:57:59] we say uh budgets are due by February [00:58:02] 16th okay that's the yeah third Friday [00:58:05] of the month mm like that's the absolute [00:58:08] latest yep you're getting them are you [00:58:11] getting a couple couple yeah not what [00:58:13] I'm asking for but well just little [00:58:17] maybe rattle the cages well and I'm [00:58:19] happy to send an email from the select [00:58:21] board email too I know it's just [00:58:23] unfortunate that has to happen [00:58:26] so uh budgets are due that day okay by [00:58:29] 5:00 p.m. I guess I'll just put in my [00:58:31] thing oh you want to say the 15th [00:58:33] because it's Thursday and or do you want [00:58:35] to say Friday I think we're the only [00:58:37] well highway to but I think Friday F [00:58:41] people are willing to do it on Friday [00:58:42] I'll be there accepting them [00:58:46] okay what well you don't have to be here [00:58:49] you don't have to be no I just mean [00:58:50] through my email yeah okay fine yeah all [00:58:54] right all right all right and um and [00:58:56] then uh the Old Town [00:58:58] Hall uh one thing that came up in the [00:59:01] capital [00:59:02] planning [00:59:04] meeting the last [00:59:06] one uh because the U attic was getting [00:59:11] repaired the roof Rafters trusses and [00:59:14] that's that's been a wonder and happy uh [00:59:19] there is some stuff with the eaves that [00:59:21] still needs to be [00:59:23] done uh and in this conversation I said [00:59:27] that sitting there in front of that [00:59:28] building at the fair where I sit at that [00:59:31] little table and tell people where the [00:59:34] bathrooms are uh I watched easily 50 [00:59:39] people stumble on that [00:59:41] stonework the the slabs are were put in [00:59:47] to match the old [00:59:50] work um and they've settled so there's [00:59:55] that much it's not it's not even an inch [00:59:57] but much yeah so um I talked to Ann [01:00:02] about it and I talked to Randy about it [01:00:05] Randy put them in and I can imagine [01:00:09] they've been in place 20 years [01:00:12] 1996 okay so in that time there might be [01:00:16] some settling I talked to Randy he said [01:00:18] they lifted them when they did the [01:00:21] common job oh yeah and um he said he he [01:00:26] looked down in the hall and he saw [01:00:29] clay the original construction had [01:00:32] backed it up with Clay to keep water [01:00:35] from infiltrating under the stones and [01:00:40] during the construction he was standing [01:00:42] right there and I don't want to speak [01:00:44] for him but he said they took a couple [01:00:46] of buckets of it out to look at what it [01:00:48] was and then they filled it with [01:00:51] something else and he said you got to [01:00:52] get clay to do that they the architect [01:00:56] said you know thanks a lot buddy or [01:00:59] whatever and uh and and that could be [01:01:03] why they had settled in any case the [01:01:05] slabs aren't that big a deal Randy and I [01:01:09] have an idea of how to fix it um I think [01:01:14] uh I don't know if he'd be willing to [01:01:16] volunteer I know I can't charge I can [01:01:21] charge for my couple of helpers we could [01:01:24] probably get either ry's tractor or not [01:01:27] we might have to buy pin [01:01:29] Lewis's and's looking for a grant might [01:01:33] need to be uh matching so I'm just uh [01:01:38] suggesting that we proceed with this [01:01:42] will have to wait for the season but we [01:01:44] could lift those [01:01:47] stab slabs make it a smooth approach and [01:01:51] then we got the front step which is is [01:01:55] too high for me so I think it's a 10in [01:01:58] step 9 in Step do you know I don't know [01:02:01] it's too high for me now it's high it's [01:02:03] too high so to split the difference we [01:02:07] could [01:02:08] actually [01:02:09] order order a stone cut to fit and we [01:02:14] could come people could come up smooth [01:02:17] on the Portico step up on a 5 in Rise [01:02:22] take another two steps and another 5 in [01:02:25] Rise into the building so I'm going to [01:02:27] look into the costs of that and I'm [01:02:30] hoping that we got enough arpa to uh we [01:02:33] have any Opa not really no well if we [01:02:36] don't have any less than $10,000 if that [01:02:38] and some stuff hasn't been spent yet so [01:02:40] we put in several thousand doll would [01:02:44] do yeah see what it's going to cost and [01:02:47] the only the only can of worms is ADA [01:02:49] compliance is there any other ADA [01:02:51] Compliant entrance yes okay there's a [01:02:53] ramp in the because they'll just make [01:02:56] you do everything Ada once you up there [01:02:59] that's already been done there's an [01:03:00] elevator in the building entrance back [01:03:03] and there's a ramp to go in the back [01:03:06] good Jake stles and I painted the [01:03:08] railing again last year so everything's [01:03:11] fine in fact the fire escape has been [01:03:14] repaired yeah that so there's that yeah [01:03:18] so all those things if we lift those [01:03:20] slabs we can check to see if we can put [01:03:24] of clay in there I mean we can that [01:03:27] job just stopping people from stumbling [01:03:30] it it couldn't take more than two days [01:03:34] and uh and then we buy a stone to fit [01:03:37] and maybe we take a big sale and know [01:03:40] public subscription or something like [01:03:42] that but but I'd like the okay from the [01:03:46] select board to proceed at least with [01:03:49] the planning yeah I think we see see [01:03:51] what it's going to be and and make sure [01:03:53] we have appropriate funds to vote it [01:03:57] through yeah yeah well you're looking [01:03:59] for a grant yes uh Mass preservation [01:04:04] Paul Holtz wants us to apply for under [01:04:08] the emergency thing okay um I'm not sure [01:04:12] whether the [01:04:14] 10,000 or almost [01:04:16] $10,000 that we spent can be counted as [01:04:21] the match for doing the Eevees M or [01:04:27] um the uh walkway but we're going to [01:04:31] apply for it anyway and um see what [01:04:34] happens see if uh or if if he would [01:04:40] give you know half of the 10,000 back to [01:04:44] us for having done the ENT emergency [01:04:48] repair um we'll have to see how it works [01:04:50] out but we're working on on the right up [01:04:53] and f warbass is going to uh look at the [01:04:57] eaves and work on a [01:04:59] plan yeah cuz when Mr lead the uh [01:05:02] structural engineer was up there and [01:05:05] kind of signed off on the repair he [01:05:09] determined that the EES were open and he [01:05:11] said if you don't fix that you're going [01:05:12] to get something living in here so need [01:05:15] to do that perfect and I'm going to meet [01:05:17] with Noble later in the week and we're [01:05:19] going to go measure things and [01:05:22] imagine how the job would go so we'll [01:05:26] have some [01:05:28] numbers all right [01:05:30] thanks any other anything else anybody [01:05:34] anybody want to go downstairs and [01:05:37] observe how we could make that work the [01:05:41] boiler oh the [01:05:44] boiler we got uh gigged for uh the [01:05:48] boiler at the library and the boiler [01:05:51] here yeah those will those will those [01:05:53] will have to be fixed so that's [01:05:56] McDonald I hope so Gino hasn't come back [01:05:59] to me but BC did the one at the library [01:06:03] and supposedly paperwork exists it just [01:06:06] never got turned in that's easy enough [01:06:08] to fix yeah I just have it all at RJ [01:06:11] McDonald right now just I'm just jealous [01:06:14] of the people that are helping the [01:06:19] townhouse we passed I don't have any [01:06:21] help here with the spiler [01:06:25] boiler is [01:06:26] so mechanical and mundane me and Ryan [01:06:30] are constantly having manyi heart signs [01:06:33] to make sure it's okay well with the [01:06:37] townhouse I was in every one of these [01:06:39] cold days making sure the water would [01:06:41] run and the thermometer was the heat was [01:06:44] on and everything I never leave it you [01:06:47] still have that alarm light oh we have [01:06:50] that but I didn't trust it so I can't [01:06:54] see it from my house there was a time [01:06:56] where it was it was all steam something [01:06:58] blw that [01:07:00] whole Corridor when you come in the [01:07:02] front door was the floor was buckled and [01:07:05] everything oh that was before I took [01:07:07] over that was a [01:07:10] mess I see I mean I got two s pumps into [01:07:15] that yeah and we have good S pump [01:07:18] now so with the [01:07:21] ho second all in favor [01:07:30] 740 I know I just thanks thank [01:07:39] you