Thumbnail for 3/24/25 - Hardwick, MA Select Board Meeting

Hardwick's Financial Health, Budget Challenges, and Key Initiatives

Original title: 3/24/25 - Hardwick, MA Select Board Meeting

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

Meeting details

Date

March 24, 2025

Duration

1h 35m

Decisions

14 recorded

Action Items

26 assigned

Summary

The Hardwick Select Board and Finance Committee convened to address the town's challenging financial outlook, marked by discrepancies in free cash, significant increases in retirement and health insurance costs, and a "bare bones" budget. Key discussions included strategies for revenue generation, the transition of the Town Clerk to full-time, and the reallocation of funds for seasonal help. The board also advanced plans for a Special Town Meeting on April 24th to vote on updated zoning bylaws, including solar regulations, and approved polling hours for the May 3rd election. Progress was noted on the long-standing police station project, emphasizing the need for unified planning and grant pursuit. Additionally, a conservation restriction on Prouty Road was discussed, and the Calvin Page Building RFP moved to executive session for negotiation.

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Discussion Highlights

The town's financial status is estimated to be "about break-even" or "about balanced" based on current assumptions, though several items require further clarification.
A reported free cash figure of $71,000 was identified as a "big problem," with a $77,755 discrepancy requiring finalization and review by the new Treasurer.
Significant budget increases are attributed to retirement costs, including a $100,000 increase in Worcester Regional Retirement due to past reporting errors, which will be a recurring annual cost.
The town is operating on a "bare bones" budget, struggling to pay electric bills, and faces critical decisions regarding tax increases or new revenue sources.
Uncontrollable expenses, such as insurance, retirement, and IT, are rising, and the town's financial trajectory is deemed unsustainable long-term.
A previously unfilled "lower labor" position was removed, and $5,000 was reallocated to fund seasonal help for summer months.
The municipality is unable to switch property and casualty insurance providers due to a history of high claims, necessitating continued engagement with the current provider, Maya.
Past claims include two building leaks, a boiler issue, a $400,000 mold and asbestos claim in the basement, and motor vehicle crashes.
An anticipated 19.92% increase in health insurance costs was reported, prompting an investigation into joining other groups or districts to potentially reduce expenses.
Contractual increases are expected, with efforts to raise clerical staff wages to a "marketable rate" to improve competitiveness for recruitment.
The regional school budget increased by 3.77%, which the Town Administrator found manageable and stated she would not request further cuts.
Clarification was provided that the school budget did not decrease by $1 million from the previous fiscal year's actual spending, but from its initial budget proposal.
The debt exclusion for FY26 increased significantly from $9,000 to $27,000 or $28,000.
Local receipts are under review, with a significant amount of previously uncashed checks from prior building inspectors processed this year.
The Planning Board is undertaking a "monumental task" of updating zoning bylaws in two phases, with a Special Town Meeting proposed for their adoption.
All Special and Annual Town Meeting warrant articles typically undergo review by Town Counsel to ensure correct wording for voting.
Public hearings for the zoning bylaws received a "small amount of input" from approximately a dozen people, leading to "very modest changes."
The Building Inspector had questions about the language in the proposed bylaws, though some board members noted his limited participation in the drafting process.
The board decided to await the state's forthcoming model Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) bylaw before incorporating ADU definitions into local bylaws, as the state will allow ADUs "by right everywhere."
Proposed solar facility bylaws have been updated to reflect recent state-level changes, including battery energy storage systems, and require consistency with the Town's Master Plan and Open Space and Recreation Plan.
Concerns were expressed about rushing the adoption process for new regulations, citing insufficient time for review and potential complications.
The Attorney General (AG) reviews bylaws after town meeting approval and can reject parts that are not allowable or were not properly discussed at public hearings.
Warrant articles are amendable on the Town Meeting floor, but amendments must be within the scope of the article and have been discussed at a public hearing to be valid for AG review.
The Police Department raised concerns about various avenues being discussed for a new police station, including the "old mill building" (Streeter building), and external discussions occurring before internal decisions are finalized.
The town previously declined an independent review of the police department project, returning the responsibility to the board.
The old police station was reaffirmed as unsuitable, and transparently sharing information with the public about the new project is considered important.
The need to secure funding for the new police station, specifically mentioning USDA rural grants for safety and security, was discussed, noting grant applications haven't been pursued since 2017.
A Conservation Restriction (CR) on Mr. Leeland's private property on Prouty Road was discussed, aligning with the 2013 Hardwick Open Space Plan to preserve rural/historic character and protect open space/farmland.
Public access on the Prouty Road CR was a key discussion point, with the owner and a speaker agreeing that an active working farm is not a suitable location for public access.
The 8 additional acres under consideration for the CR lack existing public trails, and public access could damage hay fields, increase insurance costs, and interfere with cattle operations.
The Prouty Road property will remain on the tax roll under Chapter 61A as an active agricultural operation.
Only one proposal was received for the Calvin Page Building Request for Proposal (RFP), with the $5,000 bid offering considered too low.
The Planning Board office has been painted and re-carpeted, and a storage closet was cleaned out, creating an extra room.
Quotes for the Town Hall front door were lower than expected, and parts have been ordered.
The first audit is complete and will be available for board review; a second audit is now required due to receiving over $750,000 from a federal agency.
Contract discussions with employees have concluded, and draft contracts for the board will be presented at the next executive session.
Kevin Landine was recognized for his work handling training and issues related to the new phone system, panic buttons, and security deficiencies.
Chief Ayotte was recognized for successfully addressing a long-standing issue with the fuel pump behind the Highway Garage, which had not been serviced in 25 years.
A citizen, Ann, presented a complaint regarding a builder's work on a property, providing pictures and a map for follow-up by "Paul."
A safety concern was raised about a "fire loss" property on a "lower roadway" where temporary orange protective fencing had fallen down, creating a safety hazard.

Transcript (17,606 words)

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

00:00:00
All right. Um, call need to order at 66. Now what? Now we have a joint
00:00:21
Session with SL.
00:00:26
Did you send this to the other members of your board? I saw you earlier last week. I didn't. No. I did a couple copies.
00:00:36
This is the balance sheet. No, this is hers. But I'll talk. Thank you. Thank you.
00:00:54
This is the one that was in this one.
00:01:03
It's colorful. Thank you.
00:01:06
[Music] Very pretty. It's easy for me to follow.
00:01:10
Now, don't be uh distracted by the pretty colors. It's not so pretty.
00:01:16
[Music] Speaking about the numbers and the colors. The [Music] numbers. Yeah.
00:01:27
You guys want to start going through?
00:01:29
Yeah, I'm just trying to pull something off.
00:01:31

[00:00:00] All [00:00:08] right. Um, call need to order [00:00:11] at [00:00:17] 66. Now what? Now we have a joint [00:00:21] session [00:00:23] with SL. [00:00:26] Did you send this to the other members [00:00:28] of your board? I saw you earlier last [00:00:31] week. I didn't. No. I did a couple [00:00:33] copies. [00:00:36] This is the balance sheet. No, this is [00:00:37] hers. But I'll talk. Thank you. Thank [00:00:40] you. [00:00:54] This is the one that was in this one. [00:01:03] It's colorful. Thank you. [00:01:06] [Music] [00:01:07] Very pretty. It's easy for me to follow. [00:01:10] Now, don't be uh distracted by the [00:01:13] pretty colors. It's not so pretty. [00:01:16] [Music] [00:01:20] Speaking about the numbers and the [00:01:21] colors. The [00:01:22] [Music] [00:01:24] numbers. Yeah. [00:01:27] You guys want to start going through? [00:01:29] Yeah, I'm just trying to pull something [00:01:30] off. [00:01:31] Okay. Wi-Fi the reserve fund blocked out [00:01:35] just because we're not we haven't been [00:01:37] using our reserve fund. Oh, no. Uh that [00:01:40] just it's usually a separate article and [00:01:42] um I don't know why it's there and I [00:01:44] don't know why it's a pretty box, but [00:01:47] yeah. Okay. So, um, Justine in finance [00:01:53] committee has been working over the last [00:01:55] couple of months just going through and, [00:01:58] uh, getting a good handle of kind of [00:02:01] where the budgets are initially coming [00:02:03] out. Uh, Justine has put together some, [00:02:07] uh, TA recommendations. Um, we've we've [00:02:10] discussed most of those. We haven't [00:02:13] agreed on anything quite yet. [00:02:17] uh put together the balance sheet. You [00:02:19] guys are all familiar with our balance [00:02:21] sheet. I just got it done before I got [00:02:23] here. So, it is in draft form. I will [00:02:26] get that to Justine uh after [00:02:28] tonight. Um as it stands right now, um [00:02:33] we are uh based [00:02:35] on a lot of assumptions, we're about [00:02:38] break even. So, we're about balanced. [00:02:42] However, uh we have some um we have a [00:02:45] few things in here that we need to get [00:02:47] some clarification on. Free [00:02:50] cash is not has not been certified or [00:02:53] has to be reertified. We have we have a [00:02:56] number. I'm just not comfortable with [00:02:58] it. I don't know if it's the accurate [00:02:59] number. Can you give me a range of where [00:03:01] it's in? 71,000. [00:03:03] Okay. That would be a big big problem. I [00:03:05] know. Okay. Um what happened to the free [00:03:10] cash certification that we were working [00:03:12] with? We were living in 120 130 last [00:03:15] year. No, when we got through um when we [00:03:19] after the town meeting Mhm. I think free [00:03:22] cash came in at some we were thinking [00:03:25] about 120 130s was the number. So after [00:03:29] the annual Yeah. So, some of that money [00:03:31] was the phone system. Some of it was a [00:03:33] replenishing your reserve fund. And what [00:03:35] was the other thing I missed? [00:03:38] Um, there was something else. Yeah, I [00:03:40] don't remember. But that was last year's [00:03:43] free cash. This this free cash didn't [00:03:46] get certified until October. Yeah. And [00:03:49] that was up to 120s. I remember. [00:03:52] Um, like I said, I'm [00:03:54] not confident in that number. I want our [00:03:57] new treasurer to do her thing. As you [00:03:59] know, she's very very bright. I'm not I [00:04:01] don't trust that number. So, that's why [00:04:02] I have a hard time defending it. All [00:04:04] right. The number that we've got in the [00:04:06] balance sheet now is [00:04:08] 161. So, whatever number we have off of [00:04:12] that is going to be we're going to make [00:04:14] up that'll be that'll drive it to a [00:04:16] negative. I I don't have your sheet, so [00:04:19] I don't know. I know that I have a [00:04:23] So, that's a number we have to we have [00:04:24] to we have to get nailed down. [00:04:28] I know we're off by 77,000 right now. [00:04:30] We're off by 77,000. Yes. Okay. 77,000. [00:04:34] It's It's right here on the sheet that I [00:04:36] gave you. $77,755. [00:04:48] Mhm. Okay. [00:04:51] Well, we'll start with that. [00:04:57] No, not yet. [00:05:03] So, I'll hand it over to you. [00:05:06] Okay. [00:05:10] Um Um So, we have we're struggling. Uh [00:05:15] as I'm sure you have the same [00:05:17] conversation every year. I'm probably [00:05:19] going to echo what your last two town [00:05:21] administrators said. We are operating at [00:05:24] a bare bones operating budget. I have [00:05:27] departments right now that can't pay [00:05:28] their electric bills. Um, we have to [00:05:32] really think as a town if we we either [00:05:35] want to keep the character and the [00:05:36] integrity of the town and keep things [00:05:38] the way they are, which would require [00:05:41] raising taxes or we need to figure out [00:05:43] ways to bring in revenue. But going down [00:05:46] this road and the trajectory and working [00:05:48] with our accountant and our interim [00:05:50] treasure collector and seeing what 5 [00:05:52] years I really looks like this isn't [00:05:55] sustainable. And I just wanted to say it [00:05:57] publicly and I wanted to say it um in [00:05:59] front of both boards. Um we are working [00:06:02] extremely diligent to put together a [00:06:04] budget that is balanced. I've been [00:06:06] working with Jen who is incredible and [00:06:09] incredibly [00:06:11] knowledgeable. Um but when it comes to [00:06:14] things like we can't control like things [00:06:16] like insurance things like um retirement [00:06:20] things like that you know it you know [00:06:24] there everything is going up um and [00:06:26] we're just we're not keeping up and I [00:06:28] just I really wanted to say that [00:06:29] tonight. I really wanted to say it with [00:06:31] both of you present and Jen is there [00:06:33] anything I'm missing? Well, I think you [00:06:36] said it all, but I think the [00:06:38] 77,000 over is not a bad number at this [00:06:43] point. I think we can work on that to [00:06:47] get it under two and a half. [00:06:52] Do you have any suggestions? [00:06:56] I mean, I want We're looking at local [00:06:58] receipts and stuff. There are things [00:06:59] that we can do and they're still coming [00:07:02] in. Yeah. you know, so we got a couple [00:07:06] of months yet before. So, I'd like to um [00:07:10] So, I've been talking about this balance [00:07:12] sheet that we need to get online. I just [00:07:14] got your sheet, so I was able to get it [00:07:16] plugged in. Okay. Um we really need to [00:07:19] we really need to go off of that. You're [00:07:21] coming in tomorrow. You [00:07:23] can there's a seat up here if you want [00:07:25] to have a seat. We'll be able to review [00:07:26] that tomorrow. Um I don't um so there [00:07:30] are some definitely some some big budget [00:07:32] increases that we need to talk about. [00:07:35] Can you talk about the [00:07:37] um the uh retirement? Um cuz Michael [00:07:42] doesn't know what that uh what what [00:07:44] transpired there. All right. So we had a [00:07:47] $100,000 increase in a western regional [00:07:49] retirement. [00:07:51] Um, a couple years ago, the town was not [00:07:54] giving the correct I'm trying to be very [00:07:56] vague, give the correct information to [00:07:58] the retirement systems, which means we [00:08:00] weren't being calculated correctly with [00:08:01] the amount of people that we have [00:08:03] working. That got fixed 2 years ago. So [00:08:06] now our Worester regional retirement [00:08:08] number is $100,000 more. However, it is [00:08:11] what it should have been all along. So [00:08:13] this isn't like one big increase, then [00:08:15] it's going to go away and be small [00:08:16] again. No, it's going to be about this [00:08:18] size every year, fluctuating obviously a [00:08:21] tin a little bit depending [00:08:22] on things, but it's but that's this is [00:08:25] going to be the now the number. So [00:08:26] that's why it's a big increase this [00:08:28] year. Um because unfortunately there [00:08:30] were some errors that were made in the [00:08:32] reporting a couple years ago. [00:08:42] Um I was working with Oh, sorry. [00:08:50] What's the [00:08:51] time? It's under Yeah, right there. [00:08:54] Okay. From 250. [00:08:56] So 230 to 3 230 to 360. Yes. Y [00:09:02] and that's something that we're going to [00:09:04] have to plan for every year [00:09:05] approximately that number because that's [00:09:08] with the correct information with the [00:09:10] staff that we had that we should have [00:09:11] had all along. [00:09:14] Okay. So, um, there there's been a [00:09:17] decision made in this in this budget to [00:09:20] to take the cliff down for full time. [00:09:22] Yes. And where where we what are we [00:09:24] paying for that? What how we going to [00:09:25] pay for that? [00:09:27] Okay. I tried to build it in the best I [00:09:29] can. That's I mean, again, going back, [00:09:32] we're 77 over. We can I think we can [00:09:34] make it work. Um, but we did I when I [00:09:36] did my recommendation, I put him in full [00:09:38] time. I understand. What I did do [00:09:41] though, um, is all along, um, in the [00:09:44] town clerk's office, there was $1,000 [00:09:46] for a part-time town clerk. I did remove [00:09:49] that. [00:09:52] Um, and again, like I was trying to make [00:09:55] cuts everywhere that I could that I [00:09:57] could see. I mean, I did make a little [00:09:58] bit within the youth center, you know, [00:10:00] here and there where I could see I did [00:10:02] in highway. Um, there was a lower labor [00:10:05] position that has never been filled [00:10:06] since I've been here. Um, what I did is [00:10:09] I removed that which would also remove [00:10:10] that person's benefits and I put money [00:10:13] $5,000 for seasonal help so we can get a [00:10:15] mower or a weed whacker, whatever to do [00:10:18] that type of work in the summer months. [00:10:20] Um, just trying to try to be creative. I [00:10:23] was working I'm still working on our [00:10:25] insurance. Unfortunately, we are not [00:10:27] going to be able to switch our property [00:10:29] and casualty insurance because our [00:10:30] claims are too high. [00:10:32] Um, so we are going to be with Maya [00:10:35] again. um because no one provider will [00:10:38] come even close to what they're what [00:10:40] we're paying Maya. So um where I thought [00:10:42] that I could find some savings, I didn't [00:10:45] understand um how bad our [00:10:49] um our claims were from previous years. [00:10:53] Um so that's not going to make a [00:10:54] difference. Um what what are we doing to [00:10:58] uh manage loss control? Have we have you [00:11:00] guys talked about that? I haven't talked [00:11:03] about that here. I've tal I I've talked [00:11:05] about it in other places. I mean, we I [00:11:09] mean, you talk about like safety [00:11:10] trainings and stuff like that. Well, [00:11:11] yeah. We have to we have to limit our [00:11:13] our if we have a lot of losses, a lot of [00:11:16] claims, we have to understand what's [00:11:18] driving those claims. I know what they [00:11:20] are. We had um a leak to this building [00:11:22] twice. Uh we had a something was wrong [00:11:25] with a boiler several years ago, which [00:11:26] had to get fixed. Um another big one was [00:11:29] the it was about a $400 claim was the [00:11:31] mold and asbestous in this basement. Um, [00:11:34] so I know aging buildings. Aging [00:11:36] buildings and um, yeah, some motor [00:11:39] vehicle crashes here and there. Um, but [00:11:42] yeah, actually with preventative ranges. [00:11:46] Yeah. Yeah. [00:11:49] Okay. All right. Who else is um and I'm [00:11:51] still working on my um health insurance [00:11:55] um and I'm not fully comfortable to come [00:12:00] here with a plan, but I am investigating [00:12:02] all of our options. [00:12:06] How much is are we over on the health [00:12:08] insurance? We are expecting a [00:12:11] 19.92% increase in our health insurance [00:12:14] and is that on [00:12:17] market should be [00:12:20] And I understand like everywhere is [00:12:22] seeing a huge increase in health [00:12:23] insurance. Um and that is still [00:12:25] unacceptable. So I'm working with either [00:12:28] other groups and other to see last year [00:12:31] too. Yeah. To kind of see if we can [00:12:33] because we only have 16 people on health [00:12:34] insurance to kind of see if we can join [00:12:36] another group hopefully save some cost [00:12:38] there. But again I'm I'm I don't want to [00:12:40] go into detail until I have something [00:12:41] more concrete to share. But it is [00:12:44] something that we are [00:12:47] investigating. M and we have contractual [00:12:50] increases um even just you know [00:12:53] increases to get some of the clerical [00:12:55] staff up to a marketable rate. Um if [00:12:57] someone retired or left um we wouldn't [00:12:59] be able to fill it at the current rate [00:13:00] which we've discussed in personnel. Um [00:13:03] so just incrementally bringing some of [00:13:05] these positions up to um you know if if [00:13:08] they could work here go work at [00:13:09] McDonald's for the same amount of money [00:13:10] why would they work here? [00:13:15] Is the school number a real number yet? [00:13:17] the school. Yes, they came back at a [00:13:19] 3.77. I'm very happy about. Yeah. Um [00:13:22] Pathfinder is a $35,000 increase because [00:13:24] we have two additional kids going there [00:13:26] than we did last year. How many less [00:13:28] students um or more students do we have [00:13:31] going? We have less less by four. So [00:13:34] that's by four. By four. [00:13:38] Okay. So So essentially it's going up [00:13:41] more because we have less students. Are [00:13:45] you talking about Pathfinder? Yes. 305 [00:13:46] was last year. Regional regional was 305 [00:13:49] last year. So our increase is 3.77 and [00:13:53] for me um anything under four is is [00:13:56] manageable because they have all the [00:13:57] same increases that we do. They have the [00:13:59] insurance. Yeah. I just I just we but [00:14:02] we're assessed on a per student rate and [00:14:05] that means we've got less students. So [00:14:07] that so we should start at less. [00:14:11] I mean I'm not complaining this year [00:14:13] compared to some of the other towns. [00:14:14] never happens cuz their budget's always [00:14:16] going to increase just like ours does. [00:14:18] Yeah. But they're working at less. But [00:14:21] I'm wondering if if you remember the [00:14:22] last time we had this, the one thing [00:14:24] that was unknown was they school bus re [00:14:27] um reimbursement reimbursement. Yes. And [00:14:30] that's where they didn't have the [00:14:32] number. So they were assuming there was [00:14:34] it wasn't going to be 100% reimbured. [00:14:36] And that's why one of the things that we [00:14:38] were able to get a better number on [00:14:40] after they found out how much they were [00:14:42] going to get for the sign plus [00:14:43] reimbursement. So, could that be [00:14:45] possible that that would happen again [00:14:47] this year? [00:14:48] No, they they haven't said anything [00:14:50] about that. Um, I think the 3.77 is [00:14:53] pretty what they were going to do. So, [00:14:55] there are two towns in the district that [00:14:56] were had an over 8% increase. So, they [00:14:59] were going to kind of go back and look [00:15:00] because 8% is huge. Um, but they have [00:15:03] more students. I Well, one of them does, [00:15:05] one of them does not. Um, but I I think [00:15:09] I think I don't think they're really [00:15:10] going to They made a million dollars in [00:15:12] cuts. Um, I went to all their budget [00:15:14] meetings except one. Um, so I, you know, [00:15:17] I was, you know, look, you know, [00:15:18] reviewing their process, but there I [00:15:22] mean there are some towns in the [00:15:23] district that have a higher that have an [00:15:26] increase in one one town only one town [00:15:29] and that was New Brain Tree had more [00:15:31] students. The rest had less. The rest [00:15:33] had less. Wow. Did So, the budget went [00:15:36] down a million dollars from the previous [00:15:38] fiscal year. No, from their first budget [00:15:40] proposal. Oh, yeah. That's not a That's [00:15:42] not a decrease. Those aren't cuts. [00:15:44] So, yeah, that have a conversation with [00:15:47] I know. I mean, like we [00:15:49] did. Yeah. Maybe you should because [00:15:52] there's a there's a lot of money there [00:15:54] that the state's not funding back to [00:15:56] that and the state's running had a [00:15:58] negative as well. It's all these local [00:16:01] communities. Yeah. So, [00:16:03] It's tough. Do you guys feel pretty [00:16:05] comfortable with that number? Well, I'm [00:16:06] pretty sure that they don't have a lot [00:16:07] of money that they're working with on [00:16:09] their end as well to sit there and say, [00:16:11] "Okay, we're down four students. We want [00:16:13] 80 grand back." Cuz 20 grand per [00:16:15] student. [00:16:17] Okay. It's just not there. You just [00:16:20] You're more than welcome to have a [00:16:21] conversation with me, you know, and [00:16:23] they'll be more than willing to be [00:16:25] transparent. Go show you everything and [00:16:26] show you the numbers. Yeah. No, we [00:16:29] should [00:16:33] on it. We sat down with I'm just saying [00:16:35] the numbers aren't good. Just like these [00:16:36] numbers aren't that great right now. [00:16:38] Yeah, those numbers on her aren't that [00:16:40] great either. I mean, I obviously I'm [00:16:42] the town administrator. I'm a big [00:16:44] advocate for Hardwick. I am not [00:16:45] comfortable asking for anything less [00:16:47] considering I was at all the meetings. I [00:16:49] saw the work that they did and I saw the [00:16:51] cuts that they made and I see what other [00:16:53] towns are going through. We got to be [00:16:54] careful about saying cuts. So, if the [00:16:57] budget was 40 million last year and they [00:17:00] go up this year, it's not a cut. Now, if [00:17:03] they say, "Oh, our initial budget's 43 [00:17:06] million and we're going to go we're [00:17:08] going to sell at 42 and they say we cut [00:17:10] a million dollars." They didn't cut a [00:17:11] million dollars. So, we have to just be [00:17:14] careful on the terminology. That's all. [00:17:17] From their first proposal, they made [00:17:18] cuts. And again, like go to their [00:17:21] meetings. I went to all but one. I'm I'm [00:17:23] not going to go to them and ask them to [00:17:25] make You don't you don't need to cuz I [00:17:27] because I'm comfortable with what they [00:17:28] proposed. All right. Well, [00:17:32] what's next? Um any what else do you [00:17:34] want to discuss? What else is driving [00:17:37] What else is driving this this thing up? [00:17:40] That interest. [00:17:42] Yeah, let's look at that interest. That [00:17:44] exclusion [00:17:47] that exclusion is excluded. [00:17:51] What's the interest? Let's let's talk [00:17:53] about the interest just so we can get [00:17:56] That number [00:18:05] 43,000 is very interest. [00:18:17] So [00:18:18] interest down at the bottom. Yeah. [00:18:21] interest went [00:18:23] from 15 to 12, [00:18:28] right? Cuz everything else is debt [00:18:30] exclusion. 8 to 12. Yeah, that's not up. [00:18:35] Okay. Cuz the debt debt exclusion comes [00:18:37] off the budget. [00:18:39] Oh, okay. I know that from Lori. Do you [00:18:41] remember that? [00:18:43] I think she had done the math when he [00:18:45] was sitting at the table. Okay, I see. [00:18:47] Yep. That was the um the maturing debt [00:18:49] went from 9 to 27 27 28 28. Yeah. Right. [00:18:54] Right. That's a big increase. Yum. [00:18:57] Increase right there. We sat down with [00:18:58] the town accountant um Jen and myself [00:19:00] and um these were the numbers that the [00:19:03] town accountant had given us um for this [00:19:05] for FY26. Any big questions I can [00:19:08] definitely take back to her. I'm going [00:19:09] to see her on Thursday. Um we have our [00:19:11] joint finance meeting. So um yeah. No, [00:19:14] she answered all our questions when when [00:19:16] we asked her. Okay. She she was at a [00:19:19] meeting with a couple days [00:19:22] ago. So, we're good [00:19:25] there. All right. Well, we I think we [00:19:29] meet on the 7th, April 7th. I think [00:19:33] you're right. Yeah. Yeah. So, we FinCom [00:19:37] needs some time now to go through now [00:19:39] that we've got um the balance sheet put [00:19:42] together. We can [00:19:44] Can you forward that to all of us? Yeah, [00:19:45] I forwarded the draft to just so we can [00:19:49] see what your [00:19:51] but there's a lot of we have to I need [00:19:52] the free cash number. That's the piece [00:19:54] that's going to be big. We're going to [00:19:56] be discussing that Thursday. Thursday [00:19:59] during our joint finance meeting [00:20:02] with myself. [00:20:05] Oh, you guys are talking Thursday. Okay, [00:20:06] great. Great. All right. Will you have a [00:20:08] number then? No, but I'll try. When When [00:20:13] do you think we can? When do you think [00:20:14] we'll have a number? I need to talk to I [00:20:17] need to talk to Sarah. I don't want to [00:20:18] give you a time and be wrong. So, I can [00:20:21] I'll let you know when I know how I'll [00:20:23] text you and let you know when I know. [00:20:25] Is it in April? Yeah. [00:20:28] Okay. [00:20:30] Yeah. That number is I just don't want [00:20:32] to say Thursday and No, I'm just saying [00:20:34] if I if we can have it by next meeting, [00:20:36] that'd be perfect. I'll try. Okay. Yeah. [00:20:38] Yeah. Also, what I'm doing is um looking [00:20:41] into overlay surplus. Okay. See if we [00:20:45] can find some money there. Yeah, cuz the [00:20:48] overlay I think we have what 35,000 [00:20:51] 60 something,000. [00:20:54] But I need to get the final numbers from [00:20:56] the treasurer. Yeah. And then maybe we [00:20:59] could use some of that. We've done that. [00:21:01] Yeah. Good. Okay. Yeah. Like like I [00:21:04] said, I think we can also bump up local [00:21:06] receipts. Um we had um a massive amount [00:21:09] of um checks that had to be cashed this [00:21:12] year um with our building inspector that [00:21:14] were not cashed from [00:21:16] prior inspectors. Um so I think there [00:21:19] there's things there that we can look [00:21:21] at. So um we're really we're really [00:21:23] trying we're trying to be you know we [00:21:24] are being frugal. We are trying to be [00:21:26] responsible. [00:21:27] Um I I can't say enough where uh what [00:21:31] people are working how how they're [00:21:33] working and we're we're trying to bring [00:21:34] efficiency [00:21:38] Excellent. All right. Um, when do you [00:21:41] think you'll have a estimated local [00:21:43] receipt [00:21:45] number one? Yeah, you do have a Yeah, [00:21:48] it's ongoing. It is on I mean, it is [00:21:51] ongoing till the end of the year. I [00:21:53] mean, I get it monthly, so I can [00:21:54] definitely Well, we got to we got to [00:21:56] come up with a projection. We got to we [00:21:57] got to forecast out. It's better to be [00:21:59] conservative. Yeah. And that's what I [00:22:02] did initially is I looked at the last [00:22:03] three years and and kind of estimated [00:22:06] and be conservative, but like I said, I [00:22:08] think we can bump it up. But once we get [00:22:10] to the end of this month, um, and I get [00:22:12] that number again, like I, you know, I [00:22:13] showed you um the closer we get, the [00:22:16] more accurate it is. So, I think at [00:22:18] least another month, um, we can project [00:22:20] something more reasonable. Okay. [00:22:24] All right, that sounds good. Does anyone [00:22:26] else have any Does New Brain Tree have [00:22:28] their police budget yet? No, they [00:22:31] weren't going to finish their police [00:22:32] budget until this board of selectman [00:22:35] signed the union contract, which I [00:22:37] believe they're doing tonight. Okay. [00:22:42] So, all right. Anything else? [00:22:46] No. April 7th. [00:22:52] Y anything for us? [00:22:57] Wish us luck at least. Yeah, I will for [00:23:00] sure. And um thanks for your service. [00:23:04] Yeah. Can I say one more thing? [00:23:06] Appreciate it. I could not do this [00:23:08] budget without Jen. I'm just being [00:23:10] honest. She's an absolute gem and rock [00:23:15] and the smartest person [00:23:19] in all the knowledge. All the [00:23:26] knowledge. Thank you, Jen. motion to [00:23:30] motion to adjourn the finance committee [00:23:32] meeting. [00:23:34] Okay, we're done. Okay, thank you guys. [00:23:37] Thank you. Thank good [00:23:45] [Music] [00:24:14] Uh, any visitor comments? [00:24:19] Good. Okay. Um, discussion and vote on [00:24:22] the New England [00:24:24] Police. You want to say that word again? [00:24:26] Benevolent Benevolent Association local [00:24:28] 72 [00:24:30] contract. Um so we negotiated back and [00:24:33] forth with the police union and came up [00:24:37] with an agreement in executive session [00:24:39] prior to this meeting. So the contract [00:24:42] has to be voted for in open session [00:24:46] and I can make the changes um [00:24:49] and that we've discussed. Correct. Y if [00:24:52] um you want to vote pending the changes [00:24:54] that were made sign and then we'll sign [00:24:56] it when it's approved. I'd like to move [00:24:58] that we sign this contract with the [00:25:00] amendments we made. I'll second it. [00:25:03] Okay. All in favor? I I Thank you. Uh [00:25:08] discussion and possible vote on special [00:25:11] town meeting. [00:25:16] Hi. [00:25:17] Hi. Hi. um it's planning board and um as [00:25:21] I'm sure a lot of you know we're in the [00:25:23] process of updating our zoning bylaws [00:25:26] which has proven to be a monumental [00:25:29] task. Um it's been taking a lot longer [00:25:32] than we anticipated which is why we are [00:25:35] we're doing it in two phases. Um, so we [00:25:40] submitted, just to recap the process, we [00:25:44] submitted to you um the proposed changes [00:25:47] on January 13th. [00:25:50] Um, we I don't think received any [00:25:54] feedback. So, we went ahead and we filed [00:25:57] the notice for the public hearing on [00:25:59] January 17th. We held our public hearing [00:26:03] on February 11th at the townhouse. Um, [00:26:07] we [00:26:08] voted at that townhouse public hearing, [00:26:11] we did some fine tuning. We voted to [00:26:15] cement that on March 11th. So now today, [00:26:20] um, Justine, I think you got them from [00:26:24] Bill. Um, the warrant articles that [00:26:26] we're proposing, the next step is to [00:26:28] have a special town meeting. [00:26:30] Um, we would like to shoot for Thursday, [00:26:34] April 17th, if that's something that's [00:26:38] within your purview to do. So, if that's [00:26:41] something you are okay with, that's the [00:26:44] date we're looking to have it. We just [00:26:46] want to keep the momentum going, um, [00:26:50] because if we [00:26:51] wait, you know, beyond what we're [00:26:54] supposed to, we have to start the [00:26:56] process over again. Um, [00:26:59] what's the deadline? [00:27:03] Um, well, we have to have them I don't [00:27:06] know how long it needs to be. You have 6 [00:27:09] months from the date of your public [00:27:11] hearing to make a recommendation. But we [00:27:13] do have some projects pending. So, we [00:27:15] would like to kind of get these going. [00:27:19] Okay. Uh, Ryan, any feedback on that? [00:27:21] It's It's your fault. It's your fault. [00:27:24] But do those dates work that because [00:27:26] they had originally mentioned the 15th. [00:27:28] So the 17th is much more advantageous. [00:27:30] Okay. I had mentioned, excuse me, we al [00:27:32] we also wanted to do it at the townhouse [00:27:34] just anticipating at least a small group [00:27:36] of folks and um we were told that that [00:27:39] was available for that evening also. [00:27:42] Okay. um the place it stands now having [00:27:46] we we put together the articles with [00:27:48] input from all of us and of course the [00:27:51] current document and uh it's very much [00:27:53] like what we gave to you before then we [00:27:56] got um we ran that by the attorney [00:27:59] general not for content review but just [00:28:01] talk to her about how to how to present [00:28:04] this and then we drafted all of that and [00:28:08] uh read it by Ryan today and um Eric and [00:28:12] And today I I printed and shared I [00:28:15] didn't print I shared uh a PDF version [00:28:17] of what we were looking for with [00:28:20] Justine. And I think I think she's of [00:28:22] the opinion that it should go [00:28:24] by legal review for the formatting I [00:28:27] guess of the it typic any special town [00:28:29] meeting or annual town meeting typically [00:28:31] gets reviewed by town council for just [00:28:33] to make sure that the wording [00:28:35] is we're covering our own with the [00:28:37] wording the the wording of the war and [00:28:40] not the content the the artic well and [00:28:44] just that the articles are worded [00:28:46] correctly for vote you'd like to vote [00:28:47] on. Yeah. Okay. Yeah. Well, we were a [00:28:50] little confused cuz we hadn't heard that [00:28:51] before and uh one member of the [00:28:53] committee talking to councilman anyway [00:28:56] said didn't feel that was necessary. So, [00:28:58] we just went with run using standard [00:29:01] format running it by Ryan that we do [00:29:03] typically have review town I mean any [00:29:06] yeah any annual town meeting or special [00:29:08] town meeting gets reviewed. Okay. So, um [00:29:11] I would add that while hopefully that is [00:29:14] out for review or will be imminently the [00:29:17] council I don't think is a big job in [00:29:20] reviewing it, but that's up to them. How [00:29:22] many articles are on the warrant? [00:29:24] There's six six articles. Um the warrant [00:29:28] is lengthy because we went with the [00:29:31] format of including the full bylaw with [00:29:35] the changes in the articles which of [00:29:39] course don't have to be actually read [00:29:41] but they have to be available [00:29:43] theywhere but but what I wanted to say [00:29:46] is that um talking to Ryan today it [00:29:50] became clear that [00:29:52] um [00:29:54] that it could be on the 17th with voter [00:29:58] registration day happening on the 7th of [00:30:02] Monday. Um, and it would simply have to [00:30:06] be posted the [00:30:07] two two weeks prior to the 17th, which [00:30:11] gives frankly this board sometime [00:30:14] uh, a week possibly uh, to receive back [00:30:18] hopefully an approved warrant and [00:30:23] um, and then simply vote to do the [00:30:26] meeting and and I know it would be a [00:30:27] special meeting. Yeah, we'd have to have [00:30:29] an additional meeting to but it would [00:30:31] it's just that that Madam Chair. Yeah. [00:30:35] Um I did also talk to Ryan today. I also [00:30:38] talked to our building inspector and he [00:30:39] had a couple questions about some of the [00:30:41] language. Um and I personally uh would [00:30:45] feel better if we did this at the annual [00:30:48] town meeting. It falls within the time [00:30:50] frame. I think that um it it you know be [00:30:55] more transparent to do it that way. I [00:30:57] feel like this is just very rushed and I [00:30:58] appreciate all the work that they've put [00:31:00] into this. I also just don't think that [00:31:03] um there's a lot of thought to the [00:31:05] indirect cost like you know people's [00:31:07] time and and sending it to a warrant to [00:31:09] council twice in like a month period. It [00:31:12] just to me doesn't Well, so my next [00:31:14] question was [00:31:15] you wondering why you don't want to do [00:31:17] it at the annual town meeting. Well, [00:31:20] it's not that we are opposed to it. Um [00:31:23] it's just we've been working on this for [00:31:25] years. We had a moratorum in place for [00:31:28] one year of solar four years ago. 40 [00:31:31] years ago. Yes, you were on the board. [00:31:33] And so it's just been taking so long and [00:31:36] we can't even get through the whole [00:31:38] thing this time. So we were just [00:31:40] thinking we're already so overdue [00:31:44] um that we just wanted [00:31:47] to get it done. And it this just seemed [00:31:50] like a simple streamlined way to get it [00:31:54] done. But I mean obviously it's your [00:31:56] call. [00:31:58] We did also mention at when we presented [00:32:01] the proposals to this board that we'd be [00:32:04] having a hearing on it which we did. You [00:32:06] know all posted and advertised and [00:32:08] talked up some and we got a little [00:32:11] feedback from half a dozen persons who [00:32:13] were at that meeting. Um made a few very [00:32:16] modest changes in what we're proposing. [00:32:19] we don't anticipate but who knows um a [00:32:23] lot of discussion about it or amendments [00:32:25] or whatever it could could happen but we [00:32:28] frankly felt that it didn't need to be a [00:32:32] uh to load up the agenda at the at the [00:32:36] at the annual meeting frankly where [00:32:38] there will be lots more to talk about [00:32:41] but we just wanted to keep it simple [00:32:44] and I I don't know I haven't heard [00:32:46] anything about and we didn't hear [00:32:48] anything in the drafting of all of this [00:32:50] and the working of it from Mr. [00:32:52] Stringham. So I don't know what he would [00:32:54] be raising now or what would be reviewed [00:32:56] but that would be content stuff of the [00:32:58] bylaws that we have have proposed and [00:33:01] considered and had the hearing on and [00:33:03] looked at all kinds of towns on it's I [00:33:05] don't know what that would be. It's the [00:33:06] first time hearing [00:33:07] anything today. Yeah. You mentioned [00:33:10] about your definitions about accessory [00:33:12] dwelling unit ADUs and the state has [00:33:15] basically ruled on that and I was [00:33:17] wondering have you included that the [00:33:20] state's definition into these by No, we [00:33:22] have not and what we've said throughout [00:33:24] was that we are going to address the [00:33:27] ADUs probably heavily leaning on the [00:33:30] very soon to be uh released state model [00:33:34] bylaw for ADU. We in fact stayed away [00:33:36] from the ADU. We were going to do that [00:33:39] before before the state even moved on [00:33:41] and suggesting what the town consider [00:33:43] allowing certain ADUs in town. In the [00:33:46] meantime, last year the town said or the [00:33:48] state said they're going to be allowed [00:33:50] by right everywhere. We're comfortable [00:33:52] with that. We're aware, but we we we're [00:33:55] going to wait until we see what their [00:33:57] final language is and the model bylaws [00:33:59] and that will be in the second batch. It [00:34:01] really has nothing to do with this one. [00:34:03] some definitions about dwellings, but [00:34:06] that's nothing about the ADUs. Well, the [00:34:09] it defines the ADU, the accessory [00:34:12] dwelling unit per the state, and your [00:34:15] definition is different from the state's [00:34:17] version according to Paul. And he he [00:34:20] concerns. Yeah, he had some, but that's [00:34:22] why they had public hearings. Well, and [00:34:25] also, don't we get the the building [00:34:26] inspector's input on these? But that's [00:34:28] why they had public hearings. Yeah, [00:34:30] we've asked him come to he's welcome at [00:34:32] our meetings any time and he has come. [00:34:34] It made it sound like he gave this [00:34:36] information. It's made it sound like [00:34:38] that he's I I look forward to talking to [00:34:40] him about that because he didn't [00:34:41] participate in the process. That is not [00:34:43] what's in here now. We we had only [00:34:46] accessory dwelling in use. We added to [00:34:49] the words a building we added or [00:34:52] structure. See definition of structure. [00:34:53] That's it. There's nothing in here about [00:34:55] accessory dwelling units. We left in [00:34:58] what the town has had for many years, [00:35:00] the definition and the use of accessory [00:35:04] apartments. We were going to change that [00:35:06] if we were going to bring bring in the [00:35:08] accessory dwelling. We decided let's [00:35:10] handle accessory dwelling units and the [00:35:13] state's totally clear about it and took [00:35:16] out any suggested and considered changes [00:35:19] about accessory dwelling units. They're [00:35:20] not in there. Solar has also changed a [00:35:23] lot in the last 6 months at the state [00:35:24] level. Yeah, I I think I mean I really [00:35:27] think it should be reviewed, but I mean [00:35:29] when we kept up with all of those [00:35:31] changes. [00:35:32] Yes, of course. How many people came to [00:35:35] the public hearing? We're about six. All [00:35:38] All of the six of us plus uh uh maybe [00:35:42] six more. So, this isn't out to the town [00:35:45] yet. Really? [00:35:48] People haven't had a public information [00:35:51] meeting or anything like that. We had at [00:35:52] our regular that's what they did. [00:35:55] Yep. Yeah. We did it in the townhouse [00:35:58] with the slideshow and and we publicized [00:36:01] everything. We had more copies [00:36:03] available. There was like I said just a [00:36:05] very small amount of input. So did you [00:36:08] change any of the language regarding the [00:36:10] solar facilities? Was it that I had [00:36:12] asked you from our current bylaws from [00:36:15] years ago? No. the question there with [00:36:17] the master plan steering committee and a [00:36:19] couple other things that I had asked a [00:36:21] while back when you came in front of us [00:36:24] the the mention that that I mean I can [00:36:29] read it to you but the the mention again [00:36:31] this is content but not not uh the [00:36:34] formatting or procedure but the question [00:36:37] that we had or I think you raised was um [00:36:41] about citing them on um public public [00:36:46] lands or open space or whatever. We we [00:36:49] left in the language that says you can [00:36:52] certainly read it if you want to go [00:36:53] there. We left in the language to do [00:36:56] with the master plan and there was one [00:36:58] reference what we [00:36:59] proposed says additionally the solar [00:37:02] energy facilities these are large solar [00:37:05] energy facilities shall be consistent [00:37:06] with community planning documents [00:37:08] including but not limited to the town's [00:37:10] master plan and open space and [00:37:12] recreation plan. [00:37:15] And my question was the planning board [00:37:17] handles solar arrays. You guys handle [00:37:19] the planning. So our master plan [00:37:21] steering committee we have that approved [00:37:23] what every 10 years. So I was wondering [00:37:26] how would that affect somebody wanted to [00:37:28] do so. But what it would mean in my [00:37:31] opinion is that the planning board as [00:37:33] they decided on any conditions or [00:37:35] whether to permit a certain to allow a [00:37:37] certain application would would take [00:37:40] into consideration the town's planning [00:37:42] documents. If they wanted to do one like [00:37:44] I might have said you before they [00:37:46] they're proposing it doing on a baseball [00:37:48] field or on prime agricultural soil or [00:37:51] something else. uh it we would think [00:37:54] that there was a question about whether [00:37:57] that was the suitable place for that [00:37:59] particular project or possibly condition [00:38:01] in some ways. It is language that's in [00:38:04] other towns that has been approved. So [00:38:06] right but also on a state level the [00:38:08] state has approved solar and they have [00:38:10] their guidelines and exactly language. [00:38:13] One of the key reasons that we needed [00:38:15] needed to update this because the state [00:38:17] has basically said no unreasonable [00:38:20] regulation for solar facilities are [00:38:22] allowed and in fact we actually had to [00:38:24] add battery energy storage systems. Our [00:38:28] original bylaws were so antiquated they [00:38:30] didn't even like talk about that and so [00:38:33] we that's something we need to have in [00:38:36] here. So we added that in here. I mean, [00:38:39] we we did do a lot of changes and we've [00:38:41] been keeping up with what the state [00:38:44] requires and we always take into [00:38:47] consideration the master plan, open [00:38:49] space, all that stuff. The planning [00:38:50] board, that's how they always operate [00:38:53] and people that's why we have public [00:38:54] hearings so people can come and they can [00:38:57] talk about their concerns and we can [00:38:59] turn those concerns perhaps into [00:39:01] conditions. We've always operated that [00:39:03] way. Okay. You're totally right that the [00:39:05] the the legal landscape or the state [00:39:08] requirements about solar and battery [00:39:10] storage too have have been evolving very [00:39:13] fast and our old before the moratorum [00:39:19] bylaws there were there was no such [00:39:21] there were no large energy right storage [00:39:24] or electric you know solar power solar [00:39:28] facilities. So we we brought in language [00:39:30] from other towns that that have been [00:39:33] approved giving the town we felt some [00:39:37] ability to permit or not or condition [00:39:40] different proposals that come in in [00:39:42] order to not have [00:39:44] happen what happens what has happened in [00:39:47] other towns which is where something [00:39:49] comes in there's no ability to control [00:39:51] or condition it. just gets done, you [00:39:54] know, much to the detriment of the [00:39:57] dissatisfaction of many of the [00:39:59] residents. And so, just to be clear, um, [00:40:02] until these are officially do adopted, [00:40:04] we are dealing with the [00:40:06] 2018 regs. Mhm. And so, if we have [00:40:10] projects coming in, we have to go by the [00:40:13] 2018 regs until we can go through and [00:40:16] get this approved at town meeting. [00:40:20] Okay. [00:40:23] Any [00:40:25] other? It's been proposed for April [00:40:29] 17th. Um, but we we do have to get it [00:40:33] reviewed. [00:40:34] Um, and we have to have a special should [00:40:38] have a conversation with the building [00:40:40] inspector. I just think it's too rushed. [00:40:51] May I may I say one thing more on that? [00:40:54] Um in terms of the content what what he [00:40:57] addressed that I already said is not [00:40:59] what's in here. But if he or anyone else [00:41:02] has questions about the content um first [00:41:05] they could have been brought up at the [00:41:07] hearing or sooner. Um but secondly they [00:41:10] those things are what go to the attorney [00:41:12] general if if it's passed at the town [00:41:15] meeting. the new bylaw changes go to the [00:41:18] attorney general who then might say like [00:41:21] if we if we were saying you cannot have [00:41:23] an accessory accessory dwelling unit at [00:41:25] over 600 square feet they would come and [00:41:27] they they'd say no that's not true it's [00:41:29] 900 ft and you can't do this and if [00:41:32] there's something in there about [00:41:33] anything that is not [00:41:37] allowable then they would be rejecting [00:41:40] that single part of the of the approved [00:41:44] language in all fairness Paul, he's not [00:41:46] here tonight, but he did have a [00:41:49] conversation with us and he made it [00:41:50] sound like he did attend your, you know, [00:41:52] planning board meetings and he gave some [00:41:54] input. To what extent that is, I don't [00:41:56] know, but he is building inspector in [00:42:00] this town. We should be taking his input [00:42:02] for his role. He's only parttime, right? [00:42:05] And he's part time. He's here on Monday. [00:42:06] So, I, you know, I think we should be [00:42:09] taking it into consideration and not [00:42:10] just discarding. [00:42:12] We we have asked his his input and on [00:42:15] some things he he has been helpful. We [00:42:18] talked to him about the lighting [00:42:19] regulations and he's had some thoughts [00:42:21] about that. We we talked to him about um [00:42:25] you know signage and other things that [00:42:27] are not in this badge of bylaws. Um [00:42:30] what's in here um hasn't [00:42:33] been he hasn't had [00:42:36] anything to say to us though he is of [00:42:39] course the enforcement agent of all of [00:42:41] this. So everywhere in here that it [00:42:43] says, you know, shall be inspected by [00:42:47] the building inspector, that would [00:42:48] involve him. Mhm. But that's about [00:42:52] standard. [00:42:59] Any suggestions? [00:43:03] We can table it for two weeks or we [00:43:06] could put it just on for the annual town [00:43:09] meeting cuz two weeks is going to be [00:43:12] another two weeks or 3 weeks before we [00:43:13] have a special meeting and we're talking [00:43:16] the end of April versus it's another [00:43:18] month at that point. [00:43:21] I mean just costwise I mean it's not [00:43:23] like we're swimming in money. Good. On [00:43:26] that point please. Yes. What what is the [00:43:30] cost question? We talked about that [00:43:32] earlier when we said could we have we [00:43:34] thought of even have it in this room. [00:43:35] Then we talked about the townhouse. [00:43:37] There's not um for a special town [00:43:40] meeting in the [00:43:41] townhouse. Are are we looking at any [00:43:44] expense? What are we looking at? I'm [00:43:45] going to pay a check-in person. A [00:43:47] check-in person. Right. So you don't [00:43:50] anticipate more than like 20 people [00:43:52] showing up in the townhouse is [00:43:53] sufficient? No, it's like pro probably [00:43:56] hopefully more than that, right? But and [00:43:58] so why wouldn't you want to do it at the [00:44:00] annual town meeting while everybody's [00:44:02] there so people can, you know, speak up. [00:44:07] We'd like them to be in place. [00:44:10] I don't understand the rush at this [00:44:12] moment in time. You've dragged, you [00:44:14] know, it's gone a very long process and [00:44:17] another month isn't going to make a [00:44:18] difference to the process. [00:44:24] But but that's just my opinion. [00:44:31] I don't know how we'd review it and turn [00:44:33] it around and be able to post it um 2 [00:44:36] weeks prior to April 17th. No, the 17th [00:44:40] is too close. It is too close. then to [00:44:44] push it [00:44:46] off if we reevaluate on the 14th. Now [00:44:50] you're talking at least 3 weeks out from [00:44:54] there or or a solid two and I I don't [00:44:58] disagree that we could just do this what [00:45:00] the town meeting is June 7th. Yes. Is [00:45:03] that what the proposed date is at this [00:45:04] point? [00:45:06] Could we could we just please ask the [00:45:08] town clerk for the [00:45:11] timetable that it was explained to me [00:45:13] today and why the 17th is doable if the [00:45:17] warrant is signed [00:45:21] by whatever it has to go up two weeks [00:45:23] ahead. Correct. And so I'm I'm concerned [00:45:26] that if we send it out for review from [00:45:29] town council how long it's going to take [00:45:31] them to get it back to us. We need to be [00:45:33] able to sign it next week. That's [00:45:36] correct. So that it can get posted by [00:45:37] the third. [00:45:39] So Madam Chair, if May I Yes. So your [00:45:42] next meet when is your next meeting [00:45:43] going? So it's not going to be the [00:45:46] seventh. Okay. [00:45:48] You know, if if it came back and you had [00:45:52] a quick meeting just to sign the [00:45:54] warrant, you could do the 7th and you [00:45:57] know, you could make it for the 24th, [00:45:59] which is still a Thursday. keeps me out [00:46:02] of the week of the election and also [00:46:04] gets it to the AG quicker. I mean, but [00:46:06] again, this is, you know, it's it's your [00:46:08] call. Um, they can petition if you guys [00:46:11] refuse. So, I mean, from my [00:46:15] standpoint, they whatever you decide to [00:46:18] do, they're going to do. Thursdays work [00:46:21] best. I'd try I'd asked to stay away [00:46:23] from May 1st because I've got the [00:46:24] election on May the 3rd. Yeah. So, I I [00:46:27] think that given what you're talking [00:46:29] about, if you're worried about reviewing [00:46:31] things like that, I still think the 24th [00:46:33] could potentially be doable if it comes [00:46:36] back because that will give you time to [00:46:38] review it. Two weeks time is the 7th. I [00:46:40] know you're meeting on the 14th, the [00:46:42] 2nd, and the 4th, but that is a a [00:46:46] alternative. I'm off on the [00:46:48] 24th if that matters. [00:46:58] Yeah, that's probably not a huge deal, [00:46:59] but thank you for reminding us of that. [00:47:05] [Music] [00:47:07] Um, does that does that make more sense [00:47:11] to not rush it as much if I mean if they [00:47:14] petition it, if we say no, then then [00:47:16] we're back we're coming back to you know [00:47:18] what I mean? I I don't want to I don't [00:47:20] want it to become a you know [00:47:24] Well, I I really think you should get [00:47:26] the building inspector's input on this [00:47:28] bill and make whatever you know [00:47:30] amendments to this document that he [00:47:32] recommends that are are changed on a [00:47:34] state level like the correct definitions [00:47:36] to things. Um, we we have done that in [00:47:41] respect to all of the bylaws that are [00:47:44] being proposed to be amended now. And [00:47:47] the time to do that would solely be uh [00:47:50] in advance of a hearing. If we if he [00:47:53] says, "Oh, I've got this other idea. You [00:47:55] should do ADUs now or something. We're [00:47:57] going to have to again not just draft [00:48:00] the proposal, give it to you, have it to [00:48:02] come back to us, do the hearing again, [00:48:04] go through the whole time again." [00:48:07] Um, so I I don't know. And it's a [00:48:10] content question. As I said, it's not a [00:48:12] it's not a question about the format, [00:48:14] which is what we ran into today with [00:48:16] needing the warrant itself, which was [00:48:20] prepared, but the warrant needs. It's a [00:48:23] question about the formatting of the [00:48:24] warrant, not the content of the [00:48:27] articles. May I? Yeah. Go ahead, Ryan. [00:48:30] Uh, Mr. clerk. [00:48:32] Um, if we could have a town meeting in [00:48:36] here, we've done that before. Uh, it [00:48:40] would [00:48:40] the article the warrant be amendable on [00:48:45] town meeting floor? Well, it would, but [00:48:48] it would have to obviously be within the [00:48:49] scope of what the article is is, right? [00:48:53] And at the same time, it also has to be [00:48:55] what was discussed at the public [00:48:56] hearing. So there could be something [00:48:59] that and I don't want to get into [00:49:01] hypotheticals, but there could be a [00:49:03] scenario where something is [00:49:05] amended at town meeting and the AG looks [00:49:09] at it like, nope, not going to count [00:49:12] because it wasn't addressed at the [00:49:13] public hearing. But, you know, all of [00:49:15] the articles are always amended. And so [00:49:17] I I would have to submit that. Excuse [00:49:20] me. Not they're not always amended. [00:49:21] They're always amendable. Amendable. [00:49:23] Thank you very much. So if it was [00:49:26] something that the attorney general [00:49:27] didn't like, they're just going to not [00:49:30] approve, right? So these things with the [00:49:33] building inspector could certainly have [00:49:35] a conversation and find out whether or [00:49:37] not it's amendable to and and amendable, [00:49:41] not amendable, amendable, agreeable, um [00:49:44] to have that verbiage or whatever the [00:49:46] concerns are. And it may actually be [00:49:49] okay with the attorney general. The only [00:49:50] way we're going to find out is when we [00:49:52] send it to them, you know, and that has [00:49:54] to happen after a meeting. 30 I have 30 [00:49:56] days after the meeting to submit to [00:49:58] them. And I understand where Bill's [00:50:01] coming from with the annual more people, [00:50:03] etc. I, you know, I look at it, they've [00:50:06] had the public hearing on it, and they [00:50:08] only had six people that come out. So, I [00:50:09] think the general public is kind of [00:50:10] like, yeah, we're okay with this. You [00:50:13] know, we're doing this, we're doing [00:50:14] that. But again, that's that's my way of [00:50:17] looking at it. you might have a [00:50:18] different viewpoint also putting it on [00:50:21] the annual we'll be there you know we [00:50:22] might potentially be there a while this [00:50:24] is 57 pages long you know so those are [00:50:28] the other things to to consider but I [00:50:30] don't my own opinion you know again it's [00:50:33] it's your warrant if the 17th can't be [00:50:36] met I certainly think the 24th could be [00:50:39] if if your board is agreeable to it and [00:50:42] voter registration the day before the [00:50:43] election board [00:50:46] we need we need an extra meeting. That [00:50:48] means an extra meeting. Um [00:50:51] so we're looking between the 14th and no [00:50:53] the it's got to be posted on the 10th. [00:50:55] Correct. Yeah. So you can have your [00:50:57] meeting on the 7th in two weeks time. Um [00:50:59] finance committee is at just not around [00:51:02] but these two or you can always do it at [00:51:04] any other time if you so you know if you [00:51:07] want to I'll meet you on the 7th. I can [00:51:09] I can't do the seventh. I can do the eth [00:51:10] though. I can do Tuesday. Eth is the Nan [00:51:13] training at 6:00 if you What if we do [00:51:16] early like five? Yeah. It's just a [00:51:18] signing, correct? Yeah. Well, you're [00:51:20] voting and sign. Yeah. And signing it. [00:51:23] Is that just two of us? Yeah. You're [00:51:26] you're That's fine. You guys do But are [00:51:29] you okay with that if we Okay. Okay. Do [00:51:31] you may I ask this? Do you have any idea [00:51:33] how long something a review from legal [00:51:37] is just talking about not the content [00:51:38] but the form? How long? Correct. You [00:51:40] just you never know with them because [00:51:42] we're not there only they they cover [00:51:43] multiple towns. So, I hate to say that [00:51:45] they'll get it back in a day or two and [00:51:47] have it take over a week to get back [00:51:48] from them. It just, you know, we'll tell [00:51:51] them that it's urgent to that we have a [00:51:54] meeting, but I've dealt with them before [00:51:57] where it can take a while to get [00:51:59] something back. I mean, something you [00:52:01] think that's going to take a day or [00:52:02] half. Yeah. It's just just we're not [00:52:06] their only client. Yeah. They they [00:52:07] cover, you know, a ton of other towns. [00:52:10] So, I just I I want to be mindful of [00:52:12] that and not say that we could get it [00:52:14] back in a day or two and have that not [00:52:16] be the [00:52:17] case. So, if you're okay with the 24th, [00:52:20] it sounds like we can meet on the 8th to [00:52:23] vote on that. So, it's just pushing it [00:52:25] off a week to make sure we have enough [00:52:27] time. [00:52:31] The the warrant um the the date on the [00:52:35] warrant would have to change obviously. [00:52:37] That's fine. that that's the uh the [00:52:41] location could be the same. And yes, I [00:52:43] believe that. And is the 24th okay for [00:52:46] the townhouse? Do you know? Uh I don't [00:52:49] know off hand. I don't I think it does. [00:52:51] Are we just going to do it here? [00:52:54] No. Just talking about we've had town [00:52:56] meetings right here. Well, we've had [00:52:58] some meetings here. You know, we got a [00:52:59] capacity, I think, of 32 for this. We [00:53:02] have more like 60 at the town. I would [00:53:06] feel better doing it at the house just [00:53:08] in case. I agree. I would hate to go [00:53:09] through all that and then have it not be [00:53:10] able to happen because of over capacity. [00:53:13] Is the date you want? The 24th. Okay. [00:53:16] Okay. Yeah. Yep. So, just a week after. [00:53:19] Okay. Okay. We Does that give us a [00:53:23] little bit more time to have it reviewed [00:53:24] and Yep. Okay. [00:53:33] You want to make a motion for that? [00:53:37] How would I put it? [00:53:39] You make a motion for a special town [00:53:41] meeting on April 24th. Got it. I move I [00:53:43] move that we have a special town meeting [00:53:45] on April 24th at at the town. At the [00:53:48] town house at what time? At what time do [00:53:50] you guys want? 6:00. 6:30. The hearing [00:53:54] the hearing the meeting we had said 6:30 [00:53:57] on the war. 6:30. Okay. at the [00:54:00] townhouse. [00:54:02] I'll second it. Thank you. All in favor? [00:54:05] I I [00:54:09] Okay. Uh discussion and vote on polling [00:54:11] hours and election warrant. [00:54:16] Madam chair, you have a warrant in front [00:54:18] of you that I prepared for you. Uming [00:54:23] Yes. Okay. Okay. [00:54:26] And I would recommend it's a Saturday. [00:54:29] It's our second Saturday election. [00:54:31] People can vote by mail. I've already [00:54:32] got a whopping 22 that want to vote by [00:54:35] mail. Um at the present time, we'll have [00:54:38] three contested races, but that won't be [00:54:40] official until April the 1st. That's the [00:54:41] day to object to fraud. Y um I'm [00:54:44] recommending uh 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. [00:54:46] I can go up there earlier in the morning [00:54:48] to set up. I think 8 hours is plenty of [00:54:50] time on a Saturday for people to vote. [00:54:53] They can still vote absentee the day [00:54:54] before if they're unexpectedly going to [00:54:55] be out of town. Okay. And there's also [00:54:58] again vote by mail. So everybody has [00:55:01] ample opportunity to vote if they so [00:55:02] choose. You good? Good. Will they move [00:55:06] it? [00:55:10] Madam Chair, I move that we [00:55:15] um notify and warn the inhabitants of [00:55:18] town Hardwick that there will be a [00:55:20] chance to vote for town officials on May [00:55:24] 3rd from from 10 to 6 at the elementary [00:55:29] school elementary school. And I'll [00:55:31] second the motion. Okay. All in favor? [00:55:33] All right. [00:55:35] Thank you. Thank you. [00:55:40] I'm telling you, it's a problem lately. [00:55:45] Okay. Oh, okay. Uh discussion on capital [00:55:48] planning committee and the police [00:55:50] station planning. Yes. Um so I I had [00:55:55] Justine add this to the um to tonight's [00:55:58] meeting kind of I heard some concern [00:56:01] from from the police department. about [00:56:04] um different avenues that are being [00:56:06] discussed during during the meetings. Uh [00:56:10] uh I think one was the the old mill [00:56:13] building and and I wasn't at your [00:56:14] meeting so I'm just I'm verbalizing what [00:56:17] I what I heard. Um and then maybe you [00:56:21] know back downstairs and um I don't know [00:56:25] what else. Um, at any rate, um, I guess [00:56:30] I wanted to have a conversation to maybe [00:56:33] think more on how we could actually get [00:56:37] some funding in for the building that we [00:56:40] did purchase for the facility. Um, and [00:56:44] see if there's any avenues for that. And [00:56:46] I don't anyone can add anything to it. [00:56:48] Lower room. Correct. Yeah. The old the [00:56:51] old um, streeter building. Is that what [00:56:54] it's called? [00:56:56] So, [00:56:57] um I just wanted to I guess maybe just [00:57:00] bring that to your forefront. So, yeah. [00:57:01] Uh just I think if there was anything [00:57:04] that I could add to that, it's been 9 [00:57:07] years since the town loaded the B [00:57:09] Streeter. So, there's obviously a [00:57:11] problem with the Streeter building. [00:57:14] Well, I think it's it's funding. It's [00:57:16] finding the funding to actually go. I [00:57:18] think it still is. So, so it could be [00:57:20] another nine years. So the question [00:57:22] becomes what do we do if we were to look [00:57:24] further down the line? What do we do in [00:57:27] 5 years or 10 years? Do we stay in New [00:57:29] Brainree for that long? Do we go do we [00:57:32] move back to to Gilbertville? It was the [00:57:36] number one requirement for a new police [00:57:40] relocation from the police department. [00:57:44] uh is is nine years ago was the town [00:57:49] thought that the street building was the [00:57:51] best solution. Yeah. Is it today? I [00:57:53] think that we were just kicking the [00:57:55] tires because no matter what if you [00:57:56] bring it if you bring it to a town hall [00:58:00] floor, somebody's going to brave. Did [00:58:02] you think about this? Agreed. Yeah. So I [00:58:05] just I guess I just wanted to circle [00:58:06] back because I know we had the [00:58:08] conversation before and you know we [00:58:10] weren't in favor of you know making a [00:58:12] new committee for you know for that one [00:58:15] purpose. I mean it should be something [00:58:17] that we're all discussing. Um so I just [00:58:21] we haven't taken any decisions. We will [00:58:23] let the conversation flow because I [00:58:25] think this was three meetings so far and [00:58:27] at three meetings it just sounds like a [00:58:29] very difficult decision to make no [00:58:31] matter what. I I I I don't disagree. I [00:58:33] think if I were to circle back after [00:58:35] after listening to everybody, we would [00:58:37] probably circle back to moving is some [00:58:40] taking some action to move back here. [00:58:42] The question is where when and how do we [00:58:45] do it and how do we fiscally how how do [00:58:47] we well fiscally Yeah, fiscally know [00:58:50] what we're going to do before we can [00:58:51] find out what we need for money. I think [00:58:54] the biggest the biggest stalemate in [00:58:57] that discussion was the streeter [00:58:59] building was like [00:59:02] correct me if I'm wrong 87 the initial [00:59:05] the square feet and there was you know [00:59:08] that might be bigger than what you need [00:59:10] bigger than we need so the question is [00:59:12] do you make it 4200 square ft use a [00:59:15] streeter building or find a new location [00:59:17] for 4200 because what do you do with [00:59:19] 8700 with all the extra space with all [00:59:22] the extra case. Uh does that mean it's [00:59:24] uh consolidation, relocation, [00:59:27] renovation? I mean, or leasing the [00:59:30] building? I think in the next couple of [00:59:33] meetings we're going to probably circle [00:59:34] back to your building. Okay. But we just [00:59:37] wanted the process because we know we're [00:59:39] going to face those challenges down [00:59:42] floor. Yeah, fair enough. I think Yeah. [00:59:44] Um I just want to add one thing. I [00:59:46] think, you know, one of the concerns, at [00:59:48] least that I had was, you know, [00:59:51] something came to light today that [00:59:52] there's people, you know, going out and [00:59:54] talking to other police departments and [00:59:55] whatever. And I just want to I I think [00:59:58] it just would make more sense if we [01:00:00] were, you know, [01:00:03] like one hardwick like this is this is [01:00:05] what we want to do and this and be [01:00:07] everyone be on the same page. You know [01:00:08] what I mean? Because when we have when [01:00:10] we're hearing things that our people are [01:00:11] out talking to other police departments [01:00:13] and maybe I'm not sure representing her [01:00:16] no like we I just feel like we all need [01:00:17] to be nobody from the capital I know [01:00:19] that I know that I know that I just No [01:00:21] one from capital planning is doing that. [01:00:23] Yeah. And well we can't control that. No [01:00:25] I know. I just if we want the same page [01:00:28] I just feel like that might mitigate [01:00:29] some of those. Yes. I'm sorry. Yeah. [01:00:31] Some of some of the people doing their [01:00:33] own homework per se behind the scenes if [01:00:36] Yeah. We're trying to be sensitive also [01:00:37] to police departments and that's why we [01:00:39] brought it to you guys said do you want [01:00:41] to do you want to have an independent [01:00:43] review of this or and you kicked it back [01:00:45] to us which is fine I mean it's fine [01:00:48] it's I don't think we needed another [01:00:50] committee and I agree with you I wish [01:00:52] you didn't kick it back to us because [01:00:54] it's really a headache I know it's okay [01:00:58] it's okay we'll do it but it's it's a [01:01:00] little painful right now it really is [01:01:03] I'm not sure and there's and I think [01:01:04] there's a lot of emotions involved from [01:01:07] everyone in that. So yeah. Okay. I just [01:01:10] wanted to make sure that we were [01:01:13] communicating and just being open about, [01:01:16] you know, I think they cringed a little [01:01:18] bit at the thought of going back [01:01:19] downstairs into that area that's [01:01:22] probably not safe for them to be back. [01:01:23] No, but you can see how that someone [01:01:25] might say, "What was wrong with the old [01:01:28] station?" We know what was wrong. We [01:01:29] listened to an hour and a half [01:01:30] presentation by the police department [01:01:33] explaining why it wasn't. But you know [01:01:35] what? We don't want Not everybody knows [01:01:36] that. Yeah. No, that's Yeah. Good. Okay. [01:01:39] I'm glad we I think it's good to put it [01:01:41] out here. Everybody knows what's [01:01:43] perfect. Anyone else have anything on [01:01:45] that? Well, I think we should consider [01:01:48] finding finance for the school uh for [01:01:51] the police station as far as the USDA [01:01:53] offers those rural grants for the, you [01:01:56] know, safety and security. Um and loans. [01:01:59] Yeah. Loans. [01:02:01] Nothing's been done since 2017. We [01:02:03] bought the building. Yeah. But as far as [01:02:04] I know, nobody's applied for grants or [01:02:06] tried to secure. Yes. Well, maybe we [01:02:09] should reconsider. I think that's what [01:02:11] it's been a while. I think the question [01:02:13] is what do you what are you going to [01:02:14] apply for? Right. No, the the top line [01:02:18] is for a police station, right? All [01:02:20] right. How big? How long is it going to [01:02:24] take? Yeah, [01:02:26] the the financing process is probably [01:02:28] going to be the limiting factor, but the [01:02:30] question is we don't want the town to [01:02:32] say we don't want that once we find out [01:02:35] what we want, right? The question when [01:02:38] can we afford it and and how long will [01:02:40] that take for us to get the finances to [01:02:42] afford your plan? Absolutely. [01:02:45] Absolutely. and we and Janet Pierce from [01:02:47] Central Mass Regional Planning was here [01:02:49] to listen to that conversation at the [01:02:51] last meeting and and it was very [01:02:53] fruitful because it's also on the list [01:02:56] that Justine is working with. I think we [01:02:58] have a grant writer working so it's [01:03:00] really awesome. We're it's on the list [01:03:04] number one priority. Perfect. I just [01:03:06] wanted it to come back to you know so [01:03:08] like I said we talked about it before. [01:03:10] So absolutely we should do this more [01:03:11] often. We should we should have that [01:03:13] conversation. It's process of [01:03:15] elimination is what we've been doing [01:03:17] with this specific problem is trying to [01:03:20] okay how would it be this way or what [01:03:23] would it be that way? We need to know [01:03:25] what we're asking for. Well and until we [01:03:27] figure it out then you know like you [01:03:29] said we can't apply for anything until [01:03:31] we know exactly what what we're asking [01:03:32] for what we're asking for. So that makes [01:03:34] sense. Yeah. And then we go and try to [01:03:36] look for grants and Sure. Exactly. add [01:03:38] one thing. Um, so something else because [01:03:40] I'm intimately in the budget right now. [01:03:43] Um, and I did mention earlier that we do [01:03:45] have some departments that like can't [01:03:47] pay their bills right now. So even if we [01:03:49] do get a new police station and that's [01:03:51] what I want and I think the town [01:03:52] deserves it, but how are we going to pay [01:03:54] for that too cuz that's going to be an [01:03:56] added expense. So it's like being we [01:03:58] have to be proactive and look at not [01:04:00] just oh here there's a great building [01:04:02] because we don't what's it going to cost [01:04:03] exactly going forward to run and [01:04:05] everything. And I I I will say one thing [01:04:07] about the streeter building. I think [01:04:08] it's an excellent place for a police [01:04:11] station and I think it's room also room [01:04:12] for them to grow. So it would be 30 plus [01:04:15] years that they have this beautiful they [01:04:17] would have a facility. Yeah. So not just [01:04:19] okay it fits them now but okay what is [01:04:21] that what is it going to look like 30 [01:04:22] years from now 60 years from now. Um one [01:04:25] last thing I think I might mention [01:04:26] though is if we let's just say we we [01:04:29] plan this out and it's five or six or [01:04:31] seven years from now. There'll be [01:04:32] phases. How long can you stay in New [01:04:35] Brainry? That's up to the select board [01:04:37] for both towns to work on. If we decide [01:04:39] that we can get money, when would that [01:04:41] happen? Do we have the plans? There may [01:04:44] be this may be a long phased project. [01:04:47] So, it's it's worth going through the [01:04:49] pain because sooner or later we're going [01:04:52] to have to deal with Well, and do it [01:04:53] once, not Yeah. Yeah. Right. And not [01:04:56] fast. Let's not try to, you know, put [01:04:59] band-aids on things. [01:05:00] We don't need another roof to fix in [01:05:02] this town. And that's where the streeter [01:05:04] building is going to be in 10 years. [01:05:06] Yeah. [01:05:08] Okay. Fair enough. All right. Well, [01:05:10] thank you for staying for that. I [01:05:12] appreciate that. Okay. Vote to sign the [01:05:15] Hardick Pond Preservation Association [01:05:17] support letter. Yep. So, there's a copy [01:05:19] of it in your packet and I have it [01:05:20] tonight for you to sign. I'll put it in [01:05:22] your signed folder. Um, but it's what we [01:05:24] talked about um at the last meeting. If [01:05:28] you are comfortable with it, it's here [01:05:29] to sign. [01:05:31] I would move that we sign the hardwood [01:05:34] pond preservation association support [01:05:37] letter. I'll second the motion. Okay. [01:05:39] All in favor? I I [01:05:43] uh discussion and vote on retiree health [01:05:45] insurance policy. So um prior to this [01:05:48] meeting, we had our personnel committee [01:05:51] meeting and [01:05:53] um it was voted on there from by the [01:05:56] personnel committee [01:05:59] um that we approved the health insurance [01:06:02] eligibility eligibility policy for the [01:06:05] town retirees [01:06:07] um which in essence um covers them until [01:06:10] they hit Medicaid aid. M so we've [01:06:14] previously voted at town meeting to [01:06:15] cover them and then this um this will go [01:06:19] in our personnel policy. [01:06:22] So a motion [01:06:25] [Music] [01:06:27] make a motion to vote on the retiree [01:06:29] health insurance policy to accept it. [01:06:32] Second. [01:06:34] All in favor? I will be in here for [01:06:38] after meeting. Okay. uh discussion go on [01:06:41] prrowdy road property conservation [01:06:43] restrictions behind me everyone sorry [01:06:46] great to see you all again busy meeting [01:06:48] no it's been really interesting to [01:06:50] listen to um there's always so much [01:06:53] going on in everyone's municipality so [01:06:56] uh I wanted to come back tonight you had [01:06:57] asked u Mr. Tinker to consider a couple [01:06:59] of additional things. And I thought for [01:07:01] folks that might be new in the room um [01:07:03] and for you all as well to just kind of [01:07:06] restate some of the purposes of this [01:07:08] conservation restriction. Um and so this [01:07:11] conservation restriction in particular, [01:07:13] as a reminder, is over a private [01:07:15] individual's property um and being held [01:07:18] by a conservation organization, which is [01:07:20] the trustees who I represent. Um and [01:07:23] there's key components to the [01:07:25] conservation values for this. So, one of [01:07:27] the ones that I I think is really key in [01:07:30] listening to your discussion on um the [01:07:33] finance committee too, I was really [01:07:35] struck by listening to that discussion [01:07:36] of of our rural character and what do we [01:07:38] do to preserve that and when you're [01:07:40] looking at your budgets. Um and I know I [01:07:42] said this in the last meeting, but this [01:07:44] conservation restriction really has a [01:07:46] private individual, Mr. Leland, [01:07:48] contributing to the goal of that 2013 [01:07:51] Hardwick open space plan. So again, goal [01:07:53] one of preserving the rural and historic [01:07:55] character of the town through [01:07:56] acquisition of land or by CRS, the [01:07:59] protection of open space to meet [01:08:00] community water and conservation needs [01:08:02] and the town's farmlands are the highest [01:08:04] priority and objective four provide [01:08:07] protection of active farmland and [01:08:08] properties of prime a soils, wildlife [01:08:10] corridors, large blocks of open space. [01:08:13] Um I know a big sticking point, Mr. [01:08:16] tinker for you last time was thinking [01:08:18] about protect or public access to the [01:08:20] property and so I provided two [01:08:22] additional maps for you all to review [01:08:24] and I just want to bring those up and [01:08:25] bring a couple of pieces of attention to [01:08:27] you all. Um the first one we can look at [01:08:30] is the Harvick open space and public [01:08:32] access map in which I have starred um [01:08:35] all of all of the public access points [01:08:37] that I could see. There might be more [01:08:38] that I don't know of, but using your [01:08:40] regional tourism um website that I was [01:08:43] developed uh as well as looking at East [01:08:45] Coinb Land Trust's website, All Trails, [01:08:48] um there are quite a number of publicly [01:08:51] accessible open space lands, protected [01:08:53] open space lands, including um just a [01:08:56] few miles down the road from Mr. [01:08:58] Leland's land is the Moose Brook [01:09:00] Preserve owned by East Coin Land Trust [01:09:02] that has 3.5 miles of trails. Um, [01:09:05] something else that I want to point out [01:09:07] on this map, um, the more colorful one [01:09:10] is you'll see that there are a number of [01:09:13] other easements, both CRS and [01:09:15] agricultural preservation restrictions, [01:09:18] um, that have that hat shading. And [01:09:20] you'll notice that there's a strong [01:09:21] precedent that private ownership land [01:09:23] does not have public access for it. Um, [01:09:26] you know, and and one of the things you [01:09:28] asked for was to go and talk to Mr. [01:09:30] Leland. And we talked on the phone. I [01:09:31] was just at his house this afternoon. um [01:09:34] and both he feels and I really agree [01:09:36] that a active working farm is not the [01:09:39] location to allow um for public access [01:09:42] as as written into the document. Now [01:09:45] John reminded me this afternoon that um [01:09:49] over the course of him owning and [01:09:50] operating this farm, he has had dozens [01:09:53] of individuals come knock on his door [01:09:55] and ask if he could um if they could [01:09:58] walk on the property. during each of [01:10:00] those times he has deni not denied a [01:10:02] single person. The only times that he [01:10:05] has maybe redirected folks has been um [01:10:07] if there are folks hunting during the [01:10:09] hunting season. He said there's three [01:10:11] folks that I allow to hunt on this [01:10:12] property. They hunt on the east side of [01:10:14] the road. You know, if you're going to [01:10:15] go for a walk, you should go on the west [01:10:17] side of the road for safety. Um he's [01:10:19] also really interested in how his lands [01:10:23] really contribute to the ecological [01:10:25] benefit of the larger ecosystem. He has [01:10:27] a lot of babble links on the property [01:10:29] which are a threatened bird species that [01:10:31] need active um usually agricultural [01:10:34] fields or maintained fields in order to [01:10:37] breed. Uh and often times when I visit [01:10:39] him he always mentions like him keeping [01:10:42] an eye on those birds and the 8 acres [01:10:45] that are under consideration this [01:10:47] evening has um agricultural fields in [01:10:50] which he has seen bubble links. And so [01:10:51] also when people come in the springtime [01:10:53] he might say please avoid this field [01:10:56] because of the active um nesting birds. [01:11:00] Another thing that I think I really want [01:11:01] to point out is that you know Dr. Leland [01:11:04] has over 190 acres already in [01:11:08] conservation restriction between the [01:11:10] trustees and east club and land trusts. [01:11:12] So, this additional 8 acres, if you look [01:11:14] on the second map that I provided to [01:11:16] you, that is a zoom up of this property. [01:11:19] Requiring public access only on this 8 [01:11:22] acres doesn't make a ton of sense. You'd [01:11:24] have, you know, folks just enter 8 acres [01:11:27] and turn around. There aren't additional [01:11:29] trails uh surrounding his property. Um, [01:11:32] and again, being an active farmland, [01:11:34] we're concerned about electric fencing. [01:11:36] We're concerned about um the cattle [01:11:39] that's on site. And I think unlike where [01:11:41] I've seen other towns have conserving [01:11:44] farmland where it is just a maintained [01:11:48] field because someone mows it once a [01:11:50] year. Um you have an actual working farm [01:11:53] that is contributing to the economy of [01:11:55] this town. Dr. Billy Lynn wasn't feeling [01:11:57] great, so he wasn't able to attend [01:11:58] tonight. But I do want to introduce [01:12:00] someone to represent him, and I'd love [01:12:02] for you to introduce yourself and talk a [01:12:04] little bit about the farm and some of [01:12:06] the things that John and I have talked [01:12:07] about with this conservation [01:12:09] restriction. Okay. I'm Jame Foley. Hi. [01:12:11] I'm a working partner with John Lee Lynn [01:12:13] at the farm. Nice to meet you. And nice [01:12:16] to meet you, too. I've been to a few of [01:12:18] the meetings. It's been very [01:12:19] interesting. Very interesting. So, um, [01:12:22] the cattle we have, well, actually up on [01:12:24] that field, we use it for haland and if [01:12:26] people have public access, they're going [01:12:28] to mat down all our good hay cuz it's [01:12:31] wonderful soil up on that hill and he [01:12:33] really wanted to maintain it and keep it [01:12:35] just agriculture. So, we use that field [01:12:37] mostly for hay. Um, but we do have a [01:12:41] herd of cattle about 50. their Angus and [01:12:44] red Angus and we um rotate our um fields [01:12:47] and we um and we try to feed them with [01:12:49] our own hay and keep it going. It's been [01:12:52] very good [01:12:53] prof come by and see. It's a beautiful [01:12:56] be view from that top of the hill too [01:12:58] cuz you can see like the whole valley [01:12:59] there. It is beautiful. But we do have a [01:13:02] problem that sometimes we had someone [01:13:03] who was coming and taking some manure [01:13:05] from us when we allowed him to do it. [01:13:07] But as he did it, he matted down half [01:13:09] the hay that you get good hay. And we [01:13:11] try to get as much as we can because we [01:13:13] do end up having to buy some to feed the [01:13:15] cattle. We don't have enough. But um it [01:13:18] is a wonderful place to be. It's a [01:13:20] beautiful farm. And uh we really enjoy [01:13:23] it. Additionally, um I wanted to just [01:13:26] touch on a couple things that I heard [01:13:28] from the group that gathered here two [01:13:30] weeks ago and I just wanted to [01:13:32] um just reassess a couple of those [01:13:34] pieces. Someone asked about the [01:13:36] possibility of marijuana growing on that [01:13:39] farm and I didn't mention that the CR [01:13:41] not only requires to follow state and f [01:13:44] and local laws but also federal laws. So [01:13:46] at this point you know unless those [01:13:48] federal laws were to change. I'm not [01:13:50] sure if that person is in the room [01:13:51] tonight. Um but you know needing to [01:13:54] follow federal, state, and local laws [01:13:56] would definitely kind of hinder any [01:13:58] marijuana production at least into the [01:14:00] foreseeable future. Um, and then as Jane [01:14:04] mentioned, you know, these are really [01:14:06] wonderful agricultural soils. In fact, [01:14:08] all of the farmland available in this 8 [01:14:11] plus acres is listed as farmland of [01:14:13] statewide importance. The forests on [01:14:16] that property are prime uh forest as [01:14:19] dictated by the NRCS. Um, and then one [01:14:22] thing that I I feel like I I [01:14:24] misunderstood your question when we [01:14:26] talked last time and again thinking back [01:14:28] to a conversation with the finance [01:14:29] committee earlier this meeting. Um, you [01:14:32] Mr. Tinker asked about would this land [01:14:33] be taken off the tax roll. My I [01:14:36] misunderstood you last time. I thought [01:14:38] you were asking about tax rate and [01:14:40] that's where I said that that's up to [01:14:42] the town. Um, I confirmed with John this [01:14:45] evening that since he's been running [01:14:47] that as a farm that has been in chapter [01:14:49] 61A as this will be continued to be [01:14:52] owned by a private individual. Um, there [01:14:55] will be no reason to take that property [01:14:57] off of the tax role. uh and he would [01:15:00] continue to have that enrolled in [01:15:01] chapter 61A as that is an active [01:15:03] agricultural um operation. So just [01:15:06] wanted to clarify that because that was [01:15:08] my fault for misunderstanding your [01:15:09] question last time. Um one other thing [01:15:13] that John just wanted me to mention this [01:15:15] evening uh as he is not able to be here [01:15:18] is just the requirement piece of the [01:15:21] public access and thinking about his own [01:15:23] insurance costs. Um, again, he's more [01:15:26] than welcome to build a relationship [01:15:28] with individuals that want to access the [01:15:30] land. Um, but is concerned about people [01:15:33] being able to do so without, you know, [01:15:35] necessarily his permission. Um, and the [01:15:38] already, you guys were talking about [01:15:40] increasing insurance costs. He's seen [01:15:42] increased insurance costs for his [01:15:43] property. Um, and wouldn't like to have [01:15:45] an incident happen on his land where his [01:15:47] insurance uh for a private individual [01:15:49] would continue to go up. [01:15:51] Um, I think that's all I want to mention [01:15:54] now. I know there was lots of really [01:15:56] good discussion last time, so I'd be [01:15:58] happy to answer more questions of yours [01:16:00] or Yeah. Anyone also? Thank you all. For [01:16:02] those of you who were here two weeks [01:16:03] ago, I I really appreciated the [01:16:05] conversation. So, happy to answer [01:16:07] questions. Thank you. Do you have any [01:16:09] other questions? [01:16:13] Do you? No, you can make a motion. Okay. [01:16:18] I move that we uh grant the conservation [01:16:20] restriction on Dr. Leland's property on [01:16:24] Prowy Road. [01:16:38] Second. [01:16:41] Okay. [01:16:53] It's just going to [01:16:55] just Yeah. No, it just there's no second [01:16:58] on the motion. Okay. Can I Doesn't get [01:17:00] voted on. Come back when you have your [01:17:02] meeting on the 14th. Sure. Great. [01:17:06] Actually, it's just up to you. [01:17:10] You can certainly try. Great. Um, I do [01:17:15] have one question though if you don't [01:17:16] mind me asking. What about the future [01:17:18] buyer? [01:17:20] The future buyer is going to be [01:17:21] restricted as far as what he's going to [01:17:22] be able to do with those 8 years. Are [01:17:24] you considering him or them or whoever [01:17:27] it might be? Uh, considering in them in [01:17:31] what capacity? Well, maybe they have a [01:17:33] very large family and they want to build [01:17:35] an accessory dwelling unit. So, again, [01:17:37] it would have to comply with federal, [01:17:39] state, and local laws, which it would. [01:17:41] So, if it would, you know, that would be [01:17:43] something where our conservation [01:17:44] restriction team would review it. Um, [01:17:47] right now, as the document states, it [01:17:49] doesn't specifically say anything about [01:17:50] accessory dwelling units. It does not [01:17:52] allow for any residential or commercial [01:17:55] building. It does allow um for farm [01:17:59] appropriate uh dwellings. Um, so, you [01:18:03] know, I I don't really think it makes [01:18:04] sense to have an accessory dwelling unit [01:18:06] when there isn't a primary residence on [01:18:08] there. So, I don't think you'd really [01:18:09] get anywhere. [01:18:12] Um, you know, this is a private [01:18:14] individual and you're asking that the [01:18:16] town of Harvard overlay. No, I'm just [01:18:20] saying to consider the future buyer of [01:18:22] this property and what they want to do [01:18:24] with this property. Then I would say [01:18:26] that this isn't the choice or any [01:18:27] conservation restriction. I would say [01:18:29] this isn't the property for that [01:18:31] individual buyer. And I think the market [01:18:33] is such that individual buyers are [01:18:35] allowed to proceed with any deal that [01:18:38] they would like to to pursue. And and [01:18:40] any good realtor is going to say you're [01:18:42] not allowed to to build on this. So this [01:18:44] is much makes much more sense for a farm [01:18:46] operation than a subdivision, a builder. [01:18:49] Um you know, I think also interestingly [01:18:52] I was listening to your discussion about [01:18:53] the cost of sending children to school [01:18:56] for the town. Um, I think there's often [01:18:58] a misconception that conservation land [01:19:00] is going to negatively affect the costs [01:19:02] for a town, but there's actually been [01:19:04] studies done within the state of [01:19:06] Massachusetts using case studies from [01:19:08] across the state where there has been [01:19:11] shown that just because there's a [01:19:14] conservation value for the land and and [01:19:15] that tax rate is there from a private [01:19:17] individual, the town is then not paying [01:19:19] for uh additional costs of sending kids [01:19:22] to school, of fire and police safety, of [01:19:26] Um, [01:19:28] you know, I don't I'm not sure if Harick [01:19:29] does school busing, but there it's about [01:19:32] So, we have a we have one more thing on [01:19:34] the agenda tonight. So, but just in in [01:19:36] fairness, right? New we're at 43% owned [01:19:40] by Kelly. Let me finish, please. No. [01:19:43] Okay, fine. Because I want to say we're [01:19:46] going to have She's coming back on the [01:19:48] 14th. You don't have to come back is [01:19:50] what I'm saying. I don't want to waste [01:19:51] your time or anybody else's time. I [01:19:53] would like to just remind um the board [01:19:56] that I do only need two votes in order [01:19:58] to send this back to the states. And if [01:20:00] they want to take that up tonight, they [01:20:01] um if there Madam Chair, if you are [01:20:03] willing to second a vote in this [01:20:05] meeting, then we could proceed. [01:20:08] It's not common practice. [01:20:10] Is that the two from for me to second [01:20:14] it? [01:20:16] You can. You can if you want, but if I [01:20:18] mean if you want to vote for it, you can [01:20:19] if you you can make a motion. Yeah, you [01:20:22] can. Okay. Okay. Then I'll second the [01:20:25] motion. [01:20:27] Great. [01:20:30] Anyway, [01:20:31] we're still based on the motion, right? [01:20:33] Okay. Then I will second the motion. [01:20:37] Um, all those in favor? I I [01:20:41] No. I will happily take two signatures. [01:20:45] That's fine. [01:20:47] Um, perfect. [01:20:50] Okay. Moving on. discussion and vote on [01:20:52] request for proposal for the Calvin Page [01:21:02] building. Um you'll see in your packet [01:21:05] um we had one proposal for the Calvin [01:21:07] Page Building. It was myself, Mr. [01:21:09] Wallheim, and our assessor that uh was [01:21:12] on the committee to open and review the [01:21:16] um proposal. Um, so all that is in your [01:21:19] packet including the proposal [01:21:21] itself, the scoring sheets and [01:21:23] everything. Yeah. Okay. Um, so at this [01:21:27] given point, [01:21:28] um, can we just kind of lay out what our [01:21:31] options are? Yeah. As we're, you know, [01:21:34] as we're looking at them. [01:21:36] Um, yeah. So, you can accept the [01:21:39] proposal as is. You can ask me to go [01:21:43] back and negotiate with the with the one [01:21:45] bidder. Um, or you can vote to auction [01:21:48] it. [01:21:51] Or you can reject everything and do [01:21:53] nothing. [01:22:03] Does anybody have any input? I think [01:22:06] Justine should go back and negotiate [01:22:08] with the one. [01:22:10] Would you want to go into executive [01:22:11] session with her first to discuss why we [01:22:14] feel that way? Sure. Cuz we can do that, [01:22:16] too. Okay. Yeah. I can put that on the [01:22:19] 14th if you'd like. Yeah. Yep. [01:22:23] Are you okay with that? Sure. Okay. [01:22:28] Um, does anyone want to talk about how [01:22:31] they felt it went though to give some [01:22:34] feedback or I thought the proposal was [01:22:37] good, but the value to the their bid [01:22:40] offering of $5,000 is I mean that barely [01:22:43] covered Justine's cost to put the thing [01:22:46] together. I don't mind. We got a whole [01:22:48] building there. I would agree with that. [01:22:50] And I will say looking at the scoring uh [01:22:53] the cuz each person scored the the [01:22:56] project um that did come lower. That was [01:22:59] the one lower point was the value that [01:23:02] was put on on the building. So I think [01:23:05] that's our biggest concern um as a [01:23:07] board. I won't speak for you but speak [01:23:09] for me. No. Um I think um well you even [01:23:12] had that at a lower point. Absolutely. I [01:23:15] thought I thought it was a good [01:23:17] proposal. Yes. I think we all agree that [01:23:19] it's a great proposal. Um so I think [01:23:24] we'd like to meet with Justine and [01:23:28] Chris. Uh Madam Chair, um as part of the [01:23:31] finance committee, what um how much of [01:23:33] our budget is in how many how many [01:23:36] dollars are in the budget for 2026 for [01:23:38] that building? [01:23:42] Like maintenance for the Yeah. Is there [01:23:44] do we have a do we put any money into [01:23:46] that building? 4,000 for the white [01:23:48] building. So did it's on the capital [01:23:50] listed. Yeah. For a roof, I believe. And [01:23:54] and only to preserve the building, but [01:23:56] we did not move that forward. Yeah. And [01:23:58] we we pay to insure it cuz it's a vacant [01:24:00] building, too. Right. So insurance. Is [01:24:02] there any electricity or anything? Any [01:24:04] operating expenses that would be water's [01:24:06] been pulled out of it? There is [01:24:07] electricity. Yeah. So we're paying, [01:24:12] but it's small as well. It can't be. [01:24:15] It's not substantial. Yeah. Thank you. [01:24:17] Yeah. [01:24:20] So, are we are we okay with that to put [01:24:22] that on for the 14th to discuss? And [01:24:26] so move second. Okay. All in favor? [01:24:37] I Okay. uh approval of meeting minutes [01:24:41] from January 21st, 2025 and January [01:24:44] 27th, [01:24:47] 2025. [01:24:48] Changes I don't have [01:24:53] any motion. Make a motion to approve the [01:24:57] meeting minutes from January 21st, 2025 [01:25:00] and January 27th, [01:25:03] 2025. [01:25:06] Second, I just want to make sure No, [01:25:08] it's just those two. I just I know I [01:25:11] look at them. I just want to [01:25:17] No, I just want to make sure that um [01:25:21] Oh, yeah. [01:25:24] Yeah. All in favor? [01:25:28] I administrator report. Um so the [01:25:32] planning board office has been painted. [01:25:34] Um there we had a moving company in um [01:25:38] that helped Northern Construction do all [01:25:40] the moving. The planning board has been [01:25:42] relocated. Um it's actually looking [01:25:45] really good up there. I'm going to buy [01:25:47] like another color of paint to do now. [01:25:49] The side of the pling board is actually [01:25:50] orange. [01:25:52] So they only have no [01:25:58] paint. [01:26:02] Yes. That's good that they didn't. So we [01:26:05] got right there was a whole storage [01:26:06] closet that we went for. There was like [01:26:08] five Christmas trees, like a bunch of [01:26:10] just random boxes and stuff. So that was [01:26:12] completely cleaned out. Mostly cleaned [01:26:13] out. And that's where the planning board [01:26:15] is now. So it just needs a coat of [01:26:16] paint. But it's like, oh, we we gained [01:26:18] an extra room, which was kind of nice. [01:26:19] Oh, good. Um, as you know, we had the [01:26:21] bid opening for the Calvin Page [01:26:23] building. [01:26:24] Um, we got quotes for, since I wrote [01:26:28] this, we got quotes for the town hall [01:26:30] front door. It came in way lower than [01:26:32] expected, so the parts have been [01:26:33] ordered. Perfect. Um, working with Mr. [01:26:36] Corsick on the tree removal for behind [01:26:38] town hall. Um, so I'm excited about [01:26:40] that. Uh, we had a call with a grant [01:26:42] writer about the onetop grant. Um, had a [01:26:45] finance call, the interim treasurer and [01:26:47] the finance committee chair who just [01:26:48] left. Wow. [01:26:51] Um so I met with the towns of where [01:26:53] Warren and Blackstone on health [01:26:55] insurance to see if we combined and made [01:26:57] our own purchase group. Um there was a [01:26:59] lot of interest but just not for this [01:27:00] year because it is getting really close [01:27:02] to the end of the fiscal year. Um been [01:27:05] working with the auditors and the [01:27:06] interim treasurer to get the audit [01:27:08] finished. The audit hasn't finished. [01:27:10] However, now because we um we accepted [01:27:14] over [01:27:15] $750,000 from a federal agency, we have [01:27:17] to do a second audit. So, we're done [01:27:19] with the first one. So, I'll have that [01:27:21] for the board to look at for the next [01:27:22] meeting. Um, but now we're working on [01:27:25] the second audit. Um, [01:27:29] um, we have wrapped up contract [01:27:31] discussions with employees um, drafting [01:27:35] cont uh, contracts for the board. [01:27:38] Um, so that will be also at your next [01:27:40] meeting in executive session. [01:27:43] Um, I participated in a Zoom through the [01:27:46] Massachusetts Municipal Association on [01:27:47] Navigating Public Records and Open [01:27:49] Meeting Law. The assessor and the [01:27:50] executive assistant also took the same [01:27:52] Zoom meeting. Um, I met with the Barry [01:27:55] Town Administrator at the Council on [01:27:56] Aging Director. Um, we've just had some [01:27:58] outstanding issues. Um, so I think we're [01:28:01] definitely going to have to meet on like [01:28:02] a monthly basis. Communication. Exactly. [01:28:05] Yeah. Yeah. Good. So, we're working on [01:28:07] that. Had a call with Lieutenant Land in [01:28:10] the library on their phone system. I [01:28:12] attended the Quabin Regional School [01:28:13] District legislative meeting with [01:28:15] Senator Durant, Representative Berthium, [01:28:17] and Sleekman [01:28:18] Tinker. Had a call with Elena from [01:28:20] Senator Commer's office on the Quabin [01:28:22] bill followup and also the bill that's [01:28:25] also been going through the legislature [01:28:27] on municipal buildings. I don't know how [01:28:31] much traction it's going to get this [01:28:33] year, but it's still I mean it's been [01:28:34] going through the legislature um [01:28:36] different variations of the bill since [01:28:37] like 2019 or 2020. So, we're keeping an [01:28:39] eye on that one as well. [01:28:41] Um I did have a very good call with the [01:28:44] governor's office um via teams. Um so a [01:28:48] lot of things are moving [01:28:49] forward. Um I want to recognize Kevin [01:28:52] Leandine for handling all the training [01:28:54] and all the issues with the new phone [01:28:56] system, panic buttons and security [01:28:57] deficiencies. Um we've really been [01:29:00] testing his patience. Um so we are just [01:29:02] making him ready to be the next [01:29:05] chief. Um I also want to recognize our [01:29:08] chief um AOT. Um, so we had an issue [01:29:10] with the fuel pump behind the highway [01:29:12] garage. They had not been serviced in 25 [01:29:15] years. Um, so nothing was working [01:29:17] correctly and a lot of the parts were [01:29:19] antiquated. So he found people with the [01:29:22] parts. Um, I connected him with the DPW [01:29:24] director in Milbury who was helping him [01:29:26] with some stuff over the phone and um, [01:29:28] we have repaired the fuel pumps for [01:29:33] now. Important dates. [01:29:37] Um, we're having a townwide Narcan [01:29:40] training on Tuesday, April 8th at 6:00 [01:29:41] p.m. at the Cardiff Elementary School. [01:29:43] It is free for residents. They just have [01:29:45] to register in advance. So, it's on the [01:29:47] website. It's on Facebook. There are [01:29:48] flyers here at town hall. Um, so that [01:29:52] should be interesting. Um, our annual [01:29:55] town meeting is scheduled for June 7th, [01:29:57] 2025. Um, I also just put my upcoming [01:30:00] vacation days this year. um April 24th, [01:30:04] May 3rd through 7th, and September 2nd [01:30:07] through 4th. [01:30:10] Okay. And that is all I have tonight. [01:30:12] Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. [01:30:15] Interesting. Round table. Uh there was [01:30:19] something that kept coming up in the in [01:30:22] the email from FEMA about COVID 19. It [01:30:27] was money that the town took a small [01:30:31] amount under previous administration. I [01:30:35] had no idea what it was about neither. [01:30:38] Justine had no idea what it was about. [01:30:41] It wouldn't go away. So I tracked it [01:30:44] down and spent a wild day. Oh, you did. [01:30:47] And it's all done. Good. So we're all [01:30:49] set. Well, thank you. So now stop [01:30:51] showing [01:30:53] up. You think so? [01:30:56] Anything else? What was it? Okay. Bill, [01:31:00] I'm good. You good? Okay. You good, [01:31:04] Jenna? Um, this woman here has a [01:31:07] question. I I I had a complaint and I [01:31:11] called and I just told the gentleman [01:31:13] that called me back call. Mhm. And I [01:31:18] just told him I was going to be at this [01:31:20] meeting. Oh, Ann. Your Ann? Yes. Okay. I [01:31:23] re I returned your email. Oh, okay. I [01:31:26] this afternoon that Oh, okay. that Paul [01:31:28] had reached out to you. That's okay. I'm [01:31:30] sorry. No, that's okay. Yeah, I just had [01:31:33] bought a, you know, bought a picture of [01:31:35] what I was complaining about. Oh, so you [01:31:37] brought the pictures? Yes, I brought the [01:31:40] map. But you spoke to him already, but [01:31:43] he Yeah. No, I didn't. I called him [01:31:45] back. He called me and told me who he [01:31:47] was. Right. When I called him back, I [01:31:49] didn't get anywhere. So, I just assumed [01:31:52] I told him I would be here tonight, but [01:31:54] he's not here. Yeah. No. Okay. Okay. So, [01:31:57] did you leave a message for him? [01:32:01] I told him again about my complaint and [01:32:06] I just I had a map of Well, we can [01:32:09] certainly take those and give them to [01:32:10] him. Okay. All right. Yeah. Perfect. [01:32:12] Okay. Okay. I just had to kind of [01:32:15] explain. Do you know what this is? It's [01:32:16] so it's a it's a complaint about [01:32:22] actually lives here. [01:32:24] Oh, that's fine. Okay. This is the town [01:32:26] line where this gentleman [01:32:29] here generator. Okay. We complain about [01:32:34] it. I thought you said they went up [01:32:36] there. [01:32:38] Eric has money. If that's the range [01:32:41] that it will run the boiler and run some [01:32:44] lights. It's not going to run. [01:32:46] like [01:32:48] everything like the 50 amp or 30 outlet [01:32:52] back. How much do you get an out in [01:32:54] every room or [01:32:56] you know computers Monday? [01:33:01] All we have to do is take that generator [01:33:03] and switch over the generator and see [01:33:04] what it [01:33:09] actually and me on a Saturday afternoon [01:33:12] we'll go over to Flend it up. Okay. [01:33:14] They'll just add something to the round [01:33:15] table. Just a quick thing I just want to [01:33:17] mention on lower road where that fire [01:33:20] was if you could mention it for they [01:33:23] have [01:33:28] rooftop and the last couple weeks has [01:33:31] fallen down. So I was saying this was an [01:33:33] owner this property put up another [01:33:35] construction temporary fencing. This is [01:33:37] a more secure cuz it's a big open pit. [01:33:42] And now it's it's down to the ground [01:33:43] level where that car expense isn't [01:33:45] working. [01:33:47] Yeah. [01:33:53] I just want to let you know I visited [01:33:55] that property. What was it about a year [01:33:58] ago? Right. We talked about it and I [01:33:59] inspected it. So I'm happy to talk about [01:34:01] that and what it looked like then. I'm [01:34:04] not sure on the latest, but you can fill [01:34:05] me in. Oh, okay. And if I can be [01:34:07] helpful. Yeah. The map will show you [01:34:11] everything. [01:34:17] Oh yeah. [01:34:24] We have a motion on the table there. [01:34:28] Yes. [01:34:32] All in favor? I haven't faced or this is [01:34:38] just a signature. [01:34:57] That's okay. I was hiding here. [01:35:17] Yeah. [01:35:28] [Music] [01:35:48] I wish