Thumbnail for 10/15/24 - Hardwick, MA Select Board Meeting

Hardwick Select Board Addresses Conservation, Fiscal Strategy, and Community Operations

Original title: 10/15/24 - 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

October 15, 2024

Duration

1h 4m

Decisions

6 recorded

Action Items

12 assigned

Summary

The Hardwick Select Board meeting on October 15, 2024, covered a range of municipal issues, beginning with a detailed discussion on a conservation restriction request from the East Quabbin Land Trust, emphasizing perpetuity clauses and public access. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to developing a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) policy for tax-exempt organizations, driven by concerns over the increasing tax burden on residents and the need for equitable sharing of service costs. The Town Administrator provided a comprehensive update on a new, transparent budget process for FY26 and reported on various town initiatives, including grant applications, infrastructure projects, and departmental staffing. The board also approved trick-or-treating hours, polling locations, and election warrants, and discussed the necessity of an event form for liability purposes. The meeting concluded with updates on town services, a recycling center leak, and a Poinsettia delivery program.

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Discussion Highlights

A conservation restriction request for a 90-acre parcel adjacent to the Patrell Hollow Preserve was presented by the East Quabbin Land Trust.
The conservation restriction document has been reviewed by the Land Trust's attorney and the state attorney, but not yet by Town Counsel.
A board member questioned the 'perpetuity' clause in the restriction, noting that other agreements often have review periods.
The perpetuity requirement for conservation restrictions is mandated by Massachusetts General Law (Section 32 of Chapter 184) and IRS tax code for donor tax benefits.
The document's allowance for green energy is for 'on-site use only,' not commercial development, and farming is not anticipated on the conserved land.
The conserved property will have full public access during daylight hours for activities like walking and hunting.
The East Quabbin Land Trust's 'rents' income ($58,000-$59,000) from their 2022 Form 990 comes from renting fields, a farmhouse, an apartment, and a country store building, on which they pay full property taxes.
The Land Trust makes small financial gifts to Hardwick and is currently discussing this year's contribution.
The four listed events per year (e.g., agritourism) in the conservation restriction are 'model language' from the Commonwealth, not specifically anticipated for this wooded property.
All legal bills for matters sent to Town Counsel are being tracked.
Mill Greenery representatives were absent from the meeting, and the board will await further information from them.
The Town Administrator provided a preliminary budget update, outlining a new, more transparent and formal process for FY26, starting early with worksheets and individual department meetings.
The 'All Boards Account' will be broken out so each department is responsible for its own expenses, allowing for clear tracking.
The town is exploring establishing a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) policy for tax-exempt organizations.
Research into other towns (Boston, Cambridge, Northampton) revealed they have implemented similar PILOT policies to address the financial burden of tax-exempt properties.
Tax-exempt properties, which constitute 33.43% of Hardwick's property, shift the tax burden to remaining taxable parcels, increasing tax rates for residents and businesses.
The primary goal of the PILOT policy is to ensure equitable sharing of the cost burden for town services among all residents, businesses, and non-profit institutions.
The proposed PILOT structure would base payments on a percentage of the non-profit's assessed assets, not the full tax rate, with tiered agreements for new organizations.
Mass General Law 121:6A allows towns to negotiate PILOTs when tax-exempt organizations redevelop land, undertake new construction, or significant renovations.
The town needs revenue to fund essential services (fire trucks, police, roads, DPW, staff) and provide decent wages to prevent attrition, as the current burden cannot be sustained by 1,500 taxpayers alone.
The discussion focused on tax-exempt entities, particularly Eagle Hill, and their contribution to town services, noting that new staff housing at Eagle Hill is not currently paying property taxes.
Past payments by Eagle Hill were confirmed, approximately $26,000 annually, which shifted to property taxes on other properties they owned.
Transparency regarding non-profit contributions is crucial for public awareness.
The Select Board, with legal support, would approach tax-exempt entities once a PILOT policy is in effect, and the board (three members) would approve such a policy, not a town-wide vote.
Tax-exempt entities are not exempt from all regulations, including zoning.
The board discussed the importance of requiring a 'form' for events held in town, primarily for liability and insurance purposes, to ensure proper coverage and communication with town departments.
A proposal was made for the Parks & Recreation department to sponsor community events to ensure coverage under the town's insurance policy, protecting individual organizers.
The Town Administrator reported on meeting with one phone company for quotes to replace the defunct phone system, with another quote expected next week.
The Town Administrator attended the monthly construction project meeting for the sewer project.
The Town Administrator met with the Finance Committee Chair regarding the FY26 budget and Special Town Meeting.
Two Expressions of Interest for MVP grants were submitted: one for a potential grant writer and another for solar panels on the elementary school/shelter roof.
A walkthrough of the Townhouse was attended as part of the $95,000 Townhouse Improvement Grant.
Bi-weekly financial management team Zoom meetings are continuing to prepare for the budgeting process and ensure team alignment.
A grant strategy meeting was held with various department heads to prioritize grant applications due to limited resources.
A post-award webinar was attended for the MLCGP (State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program) Homeland Security Grant, received by Lt. Landeen, to transition town systems to .gov domains.
The Town Administrator attended the Finance Committee meeting and presented free cash policies from other communities for review.
The Town Administrator participated in discrimination and harassment in the workplace training.
One internal candidate was interviewed for the Assistant Chief Operator position at the Wastewater Treatment Plant; an external candidate did not show up.
Two new hires started in the Highway Department; one declined the offer, and the position is being re-advertised.
An individual turned down a CDL job position.
A meeting was held with John Perset from Hub Insurance regarding property and casualty insurance for FY26, with Hub Insurance believing they can find savings for the town.
The Board of Health Chair and Select Board Chair met to discuss potential changes to the Health Department.
The Town Administrator attended the MMA Legislative Breakfast and a Zoom meeting with the Massachusetts Association of Regional Schools and the Select Board Chair.
The recycling center was toured, and the swap shop was visited; a board member was encouraged to visit the swap shop.
The recycling center roof is leaking, despite materials being available for repair, and the recycling center lacks WiFi, as does the Town House.
The Town Clerk from Millbury provided training on various licenses (liquor, class 2, class 3) to the Town Administrator and executive assistant.
John Paul DePree, a wastewater treatment operator, was recognized for achieving his 5C license, the highest license for wastewater treatment.
John O'Donnell is stepping down from the Recycling Committee.
Sympathy was extended for the recent passing of Emily Bangs, the town's historian.
A presentation was given to the Board of Health by the Ware, Hardwick, etc. Regional School District (WHRSD) regarding services, with concerns raised about the estimated cost of approximately $34,000 based on citizen population rather than a service-based model.
A concern was raised regarding a reservoir supplying hydrants in Gilbertville, which is experiencing rapid water loss, rendering hydrants on the far side of the river in Chicopee non-functional.
Pelham contracts with the Amherst Fire Department for services, as Pelham does not operate its own fire department.
A reminder was issued for the annual Poinsettia delivery program, which provides Poinsettias to residents over 75 years old, relying entirely on donations and volunteers.

Transcript (11,734 words)

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

00:00:00
I pledge allegiance to the flag United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all thank you any visitor
00:00:19
Comments this quiet night out there visitors okay Cynthia Europe up great thank you for seeing me um the land trust is working on several conservation projects this year in the town of Hardwick um and I'm here tonight about the first of them and
00:00:38
I will be back as they are prepared this property is a 90 acre parcel that is directly adjacent to our patol Hollow preserve property so it's got Frontage on Lucas um sorry Hardwick Lucas and ceski Road um you know not not the whole
00:00:56
Corners but but 90 Acres there that's going to be added to petrol Hill reserve and the Conservation Commission has agreed to hold the conservation restriction on it so that it would retain it uh in its current generally current open and um wooded State and in order to do that in order to
00:01:15
Accomplish that a conservation restriction document is here so um the request of the select board this evening is to approve the conservation restriction as it works in the Commonwealth the town um select board is asked to approve every private conservation restriction that happens uh showing just
00:01:35
Demonstrating that conservation of land is in the best interest or or has public benefit um and so that's what the request is for you this evening any questions or discussion I
00:01:53
Questione um one Justine did this contract get reviewed by legal no it has not I was thought you were going to just present about it what you were looking for tonight um well it has been reviewed by legal maybe not by Town Council if if the Conservation Commission I mean I did

[00:00:00] I pledge allegiance to the flag United [00:00:03] States of America and to the Republic [00:00:06] for which it stands one nation under God [00:00:09] indivisible with liberty and justice for [00:00:12] all thank [00:00:15] you any visitor [00:00:19] comments this quiet night out there [00:00:23] visitors okay um [00:00:25] Cynthia Europe up great thank you for [00:00:28] seeing me um the land trust is working [00:00:31] on several conservation projects this [00:00:33] year in the town of Hardwick um and I'm [00:00:36] here tonight about the first of them and [00:00:38] I will be back as they are prepared um [00:00:41] this property is a 90 acre parcel that [00:00:45] is directly adjacent to our patol Hollow [00:00:48] preserve property so it's got Frontage [00:00:50] on Lucas um sorry Hardwick Lucas and [00:00:53] ceski Road um you know not not the whole [00:00:56] corners but but 90 Acres there that's [00:00:59] going to be added to petrol Hill reserve [00:01:01] and the Conservation Commission has [00:01:03] agreed to hold the conservation [00:01:05] restriction on it so that it would [00:01:06] retain it uh in its current generally [00:01:09] current open and um wooded State and uh [00:01:13] in order to do that in order to [00:01:15] accomplish that a conservation [00:01:17] restriction document is here so um the [00:01:20] request of the select board this evening [00:01:22] is to approve the conservation [00:01:23] restriction as it works in the [00:01:25] Commonwealth the town um select board is [00:01:29] asked to approve [00:01:30] uh every private conservation [00:01:32] restriction that happens uh showing just [00:01:35] demonstrating that conservation of land [00:01:37] is in the best interest or or has public [00:01:40] benefit um and so that's what the [00:01:42] request is for you this [00:01:47] evening any questions or [00:01:51] discussion I [00:01:53] questione um one Justine did this [00:01:57] contract get reviewed by legal no it has [00:02:00] not I was thought you were going to just [00:02:03] present about it what you were looking [00:02:04] for tonight um well it has been reviewed [00:02:07] by legal maybe not by Town Council if if [00:02:10] the Conservation Commission I mean I did [00:02:11] forward it to them so if the [00:02:13] Conservation Commission didn't have it [00:02:14] reviewed by Town Council but it's been [00:02:16] reviewed by our our attorney by the [00:02:18] state attorney um you know of the [00:02:21] Commonwealth so it has been reviewed by [00:02:24] by um some legal councel maybe not Town [00:02:28] Council right mam chair [00:02:31] um when do you absolutely need this byy [00:02:33] because I would I would like to run it [00:02:35] by Our Town [00:02:36] Council if that's the board's [00:02:40] pleasure these are pretty for proor [00:02:43] aren't they they are and it follows the [00:02:45] model the model language that's out [00:02:48] there there are no special terms and [00:02:49] conditions that were um added into this [00:02:52] conservation restriction and none of the [00:02:55] conservation restrictions that we're [00:02:56] doing in Hardwick this year have any [00:02:58] particular reserved rights or anything [00:03:00] different um than the [00:03:04] model it it can be reviewed by T I mean [00:03:07] it year end date is when it has to be [00:03:10] recorded which means it needs to be [00:03:11] signed by the select board sent in to [00:03:13] the Secretary of Energy environmental [00:03:14] Affairs gotten back and recorded So if [00:03:16] you would like to review it that's of [00:03:18] course pleasure yes and I guess I'll [00:03:22] come back and hopefully I'll have other [00:03:23] ones for you which would be very all the [00:03:25] similar language um sorry it's just new [00:03:28] me [00:03:30] okay yeah I mean we have done these [00:03:32] before but I'm okay with it you know um [00:03:36] we have done it before we have y but [00:03:39] that's totally well I do have questions [00:03:42] about some of the language that you used [00:03:44] okay um like one of the ones is a very [00:03:47] strong legal term about per petuary for [00:03:50] forever perpetuity perpetuity yes it's [00:03:54] forever so other conservation agreements [00:03:58] they have you know the town use this in [00:04:00] 25 years or 50 years cuz you don't know [00:04:03] what the town might need in 25 or 50 [00:04:07] years from this moment but with your [00:04:10] restriction just that [00:04:12] language it would never possibly happen [00:04:15] anything could possibly happen that [00:04:17] that's cor if the town needed that land [00:04:19] for something well keep in mind that [00:04:20] this is this is land that's owned by the [00:04:22] East cin Land Trust um the con the [00:04:24] Conservation Commission is going to hold [00:04:26] the conservation restriction so the [00:04:28] request at this point of this El board [00:04:30] is to just acknowledge um based on uh [00:04:33] it's it's written right in here that the [00:04:35] um section 32 of [00:04:37] chapter4 and the Massachusetts laws that [00:04:39] there is public benefit to conservation [00:04:41] land so it this in no way does the town [00:04:45] have any right to do any development or [00:04:48] make any changes even if this wasn't a [00:04:50] per a permanent conservation restriction [00:04:52] so um the what you're talking about is a [00:04:56] deed restriction where where the current [00:04:59] owner can put a restriction on it and [00:05:01] then that current owner is the one that [00:05:03] has to maintain or renew it every 30 [00:05:05] years is the typical time frame for it [00:05:09] um the format for this is set up based [00:05:11] on Massachusetts General law it's [00:05:14] nothing that the eastpa land trust has [00:05:15] done differently or separately or any [00:05:18] unique and in order to meet the um terms [00:05:22] of the of the tax code it has to be [00:05:25] Perpetual so that's the way the IRS has [00:05:27] set up the rules is that for [00:05:30] conservation for the the donor so the [00:05:33] land has been donated to us the donor in [00:05:35] order to receive a tax benefit it has to [00:05:37] be in perpetu okay um I further [00:05:42] questions um as far as are you going to [00:05:45] develop this land in any way shape or [00:05:47] form like put in solar rays or anything [00:05:49] like that CU there is a section in there [00:05:52] that you have like you could do [00:05:54] 20% um yeah if you read that paragraph [00:05:57] that would allow for green energy for [00:05:59] Onsite use only so it is not um open for [00:06:04] commercial development where it would [00:06:06] just go into the grid and nothing be [00:06:07] used and because this is a wooded area [00:06:10] um we are not anticipating doing that [00:06:12] what you're reading is kind of template [00:06:15] language and so we've leave the template [00:06:18] language in because that's the mo you [00:06:20] know the model stuff that all the [00:06:22] conservation restrictions say Our [00:06:24] intention as an organization is to [00:06:26] manage it similarly to what we do with [00:06:28] the rest of Patra Hollow preser the 136 [00:06:30] Acres that's adjacent to it which is [00:06:32] wooded and trails and then has that [00:06:35] small field along the frontage and is [00:06:38] any of it going to be farming or [00:06:40] anything like that this particular 90 [00:06:42] acres is all wooded so I wouldn't [00:06:43] anticipate it um kind of some of the [00:06:46] stewardship issues that it has there's a [00:06:47] whole bunch of invasive plants like [00:06:49] along hardwood Road a lot of work should [00:06:51] do any F that's right [00:06:55] ining right next to my house so I know [00:06:57] what she's talking about yeah so [00:07:00] um that's more along the lines of the [00:07:02] stuff that we would be doing but not [00:07:04] anticipating because if if we wanted to [00:07:06] promote farming um this wouldn't be the [00:07:09] parcel to do it on there's other [00:07:11] properties that would be better suited [00:07:13] okay um do you rent this [00:07:16] land like do you rent it out to the [00:07:18] public or does the public have full [00:07:20] access to this land um there's a public [00:07:22] access paragraph in here so the the [00:07:24] public has full access to the full [00:07:25] access I like at any [00:07:28] time um well I think it's like daylight [00:07:30] hours Dawn to dust kind of I mean [00:07:32] regular stuff but all of our properties [00:07:34] are open for hunting um not that fishing [00:07:37] would be great in the little stream but [00:07:39] you know all of those opportunities for [00:07:41] walking and things are open yep all [00:07:46] right [00:07:48] um if you're more comfortable having it [00:07:51] reviewed because it's new to that's [00:07:53] that's just me yeah we certainly can and [00:07:56] we can review it at our next meeting I [00:07:58] have one other question like I looked at [00:08:00] your form 990 in last year you took in [00:08:03] rent of like 58 or $59,000 and I was [00:08:07] wondering what that was that was in 2022 [00:08:10] cuz I couldn't find [00:08:12] 2023 um well 2023 has just been finished [00:08:15] so I can get that to you if you'd like [00:08:17] yeah if you send it to Justine in um the [00:08:20] rent well I mean I have to go back and [00:08:21] look but we rent our Fields so what's [00:08:24] probably showing you said 5900 no I I I [00:08:28] believe I read it as 59,000 yeah so the [00:08:31] things that we rent out and we pay [00:08:33] property taxes for are we have a house [00:08:36] in the fur off farmhouse on Church [00:08:38] Street and wear okay so we and we pay [00:08:40] full property taxes on that property um [00:08:43] we rent the second floor of the [00:08:44] apartment build or the building that [00:08:46] we're in our offices are so we we do not [00:08:49] pay rent on where our offices are [00:08:50] because that's directly related to our [00:08:52] mission but the apartment upstairs we [00:08:54] pay full property taxes on that and we [00:08:56] also own the kitchen um The Country [00:08:58] Store building and Peters [00:09:00] okay and we receive rental income from [00:09:03] that and so and and again in Peter Sam [00:09:05] we pay full property taxes on all of our [00:09:07] buildings okay okay and do you [00:09:10] contribute to property taxes and HRA we [00:09:13] have made small gifts and actually we're [00:09:15] talking about what kind of gift we're [00:09:17] going to make um this year but yes we do [00:09:20] we do make small gifts okay that's [00:09:24] it I'll make sure this gets uh sent to [00:09:26] council tomorrow so like we can get this [00:09:28] on yeah because I did email it to you so [00:09:30] you have it I I have one other question [00:09:32] um you have events listed like four [00:09:35] events per year for this property in [00:09:38] this maybe it's a template contract that [00:09:40] you have um like AGR tourism four events [00:09:44] um is that enough for you like as far as [00:09:48] like doing fundraising or educational [00:09:50] things or anything like that yeah so [00:09:53] those four events again that's that's [00:09:55] the model language um that that the [00:09:58] Commonwealth puts out um we don't [00:10:00] actually anticipate running any AGR [00:10:02] tourism events on this particular [00:10:04] property um but it it does provide that [00:10:07] flexibility in the future should [00:10:09] anything like that be needed because [00:10:11] we're not talking about putting you know [00:10:13] Farm fields or any of agricultural [00:10:16] things doing an Agri tourism event [00:10:18] really doesn't apply um that would only [00:10:21] apply in other properties where you're [00:10:23] you know you're going to have people [00:10:24] pick pumpkins or go for hay rides or [00:10:26] mazes or other things like that just so [00:10:29] this property is all wooded so it [00:10:31] doesn't [00:10:32] really again it's model language that we [00:10:35] you know you just carry through in order [00:10:37] to allow some flexibility in the future [00:10:39] because as you said it is in perpetuity [00:10:42] right okay sorry I may a Miss I [00:10:45] misunderstood you when you wanted to [00:10:46] come before the board and I apologize I [00:10:48] thought you just presenting to the board [00:10:49] I'm sorry um no no but um if if we can [00:10:54] move this forward and then know that the [00:10:56] other CRS I will email them to you as [00:10:58] soon as I get approval from the state [00:11:01] they will all be following the same [00:11:02] basic model so you won't need to perfect [00:11:05] yeah you you won't need to go through [00:11:06] Council again um you know the things [00:11:08] that change are you know the address and [00:11:10] the names and and that kind of stuff but [00:11:12] the Conservation Commission has agreed [00:11:14] to hold the CRS on all the other Parcels [00:11:16] as well thank you so we've been working [00:11:19] collaborative collaboratively with them [00:11:21] all right fantastic [00:11:24] than how are you can we keep track of [00:11:27] what it's going to cost to send this to [00:11:28] council want to have a look at it yep I [00:11:30] keep track of all our legal bills okay [00:11:33] thank [00:11:33] you uh Hy Mill Greenery but don't appear [00:11:37] to be here so I think we can just let [00:11:40] that sit to see what happens after our [00:11:43] you know meeting sure they're working [00:11:45] you can't talk to them if they're not [00:11:47] here right right and um you know they [00:11:49] were here the previous meeting right um [00:11:53] and [00:11:54] um it it would appear that they're [00:11:57] trying to get it reinstated and then can [00:11:59] move forward from them so until we have [00:12:01] more information on that then you know [00:12:03] it is what it is so nothing really to [00:12:06] say [00:12:07] there all right uh vote on [00:12:09] trick-or-treating [00:12:11] hours so I spoke to Lieutenant landine [00:12:15] um he said historically the town is done [00:12:17] 5 to 8 um and what I didn't know until [00:12:19] today is that uh the town is [00:12:21] historically done at the Saturday fourth [00:12:23] before Thanksgiving before Halloween um [00:12:26] so that would be Saturday the 26th [00:12:28] correct yeah yeah and that's what um cuz [00:12:31] that they coincide that with the trails [00:12:33] of treats or whatever yeah so all right [00:12:36] I would take a motion for that for [00:12:38] October 26 from 5: to 8:00 [00:12:41] p.m. I'll make a [00:12:44] motion um make a motion for the holiday [00:12:48] trick-or-treating hours from 5: to 8 on [00:12:50] the [00:12:52] 26th you don't have to second it I [00:12:54] always abstain from this oh second it [00:12:57] all in favor I [00:13:04] hios you can say AOS okay um vote on [00:13:08] polling locations so I [00:13:12] assume take a motion for that I vote [00:13:16] move that we uh set up the elementary [00:13:18] school gymnasium as the polling [00:13:23] location motion all in favor I I [00:13:27] I the November 5th state election [00:13:30] warrant which I have here um just to [00:13:34] have the board [00:13:38] sign do we need a moot do we need a [00:13:40] motion to yeah approve and whatever I [00:13:44] move that we approve the warrant for the [00:13:46] 2024 state election second any [00:13:52] discussion all in favor all [00:13:59] cor right uh Town Administrator budget [00:14:04] update so I just wanted to have a [00:14:08] preliminary conversation with the board [00:14:11] um I did already speak to the department [00:14:13] heads at the department head meeting um [00:14:15] I have been meeting with Mr colos from [00:14:17] the finance committee um and we're going [00:14:19] to do the budget a little bit [00:14:20] differently this year than it's been [00:14:21] done a little bit in the past I'm going [00:14:24] to be putting together binders uh for [00:14:26] the select board and for the finance [00:14:28] committee so everyone has all the same [00:14:31] information all the budget requests from [00:14:33] all the Departments with my [00:14:34] recommendations and then a column for [00:14:36] the select board and finance committee [00:14:38] recommendations um we're starting it [00:14:41] early because that's going to take a [00:14:42] little extra work so that's why I'm [00:14:43] talking about it in October because [00:14:45] we're already putting together the [00:14:46] worksheets for it um but we want to get [00:14:50] it started you know after right after [00:14:52] Thanksgiving so I just wanted the board [00:14:54] to be aware of you know the process is [00:14:56] starting now um I have been working with [00:14:58] with Mr Co Ross from the finance [00:15:00] committee he's been really great um and [00:15:02] we're just we're just looking to have [00:15:03] more of a formal process and also to um [00:15:07] to try to mitigate any irregularities uh [00:15:10] that I've come across in my 4 months [00:15:13] um and and possibly um change some [00:15:18] accounts to make things more transparent [00:15:20] um for example I think I've been pretty [00:15:22] vocal since I've been here about the all [00:15:24] boards account um Mr coros and the [00:15:27] finance committee is on board with me [00:15:29] with this but I want to break it out and [00:15:30] have every Department be responsible for [00:15:33] their own expenses that way we know how [00:15:35] much each department is actually [00:15:37] spending if it's all in the all boards [00:15:39] account it just doesn't look very [00:15:40] transparent and we don't actually know [00:15:42] how much each department is using from [00:15:43] it um so things like that I just wanted [00:15:46] um to update the board if the board had [00:15:48] any comments or questions or [00:15:50] concerns that's [00:15:52] great be your last budget [00:15:59] is good CU we we weren't really included [00:16:02] yes theast much better thank you so yeah [00:16:06] just to be up you know all on the same [00:16:09] page as it moves through the whole [00:16:12] process um I mean we didn't see the [00:16:14] budget last year until May April end of [00:16:16] April May I mean as a board that's not [00:16:19] not it's our own fall too but this this [00:16:24] definitely it wasn't it wasn't me not [00:16:26] asking I can tell you that on a very [00:16:29] regular basis I can assure you as long [00:16:31] as I'm here that will never happen yeah [00:16:33] so that's good [00:16:35] um are we going to meet with [00:16:38] Finance yes so um I did talk to the [00:16:41] finance committee chair and that is on [00:16:44] next it's not the next one he he wanted [00:16:46] to wait one more so it's it's going to [00:16:48] be the first meeting in November okay um [00:16:51] but I'm what I'm also going to be doing [00:16:52] is I'm going to meet with all the [00:16:53] Departments ahead of time uh to find out [00:16:55] what it what from their point of view [00:16:57] what it actually takes to run their [00:16:58] Department [00:16:59] um so that way I want them to get more I [00:17:01] want them to have more Authority and [00:17:03] more um involvement in their in their in [00:17:06] their process and um start with that and [00:17:10] then you know with my recommendation and [00:17:12] then yours ultimately so and then by by [00:17:14] that meeting in November will we see [00:17:17] like the sheets what they look like yeah [00:17:20] like what you're what you're presenting [00:17:22] to the Departments I've sent them to the [00:17:23] finance committee chair but I can [00:17:25] absolutely send them to all of you yeah [00:17:26] that would be good y [00:17:30] that's my budget update right now so are [00:17:32] you going to give them a like the all [00:17:34] Bo's money that's allocated I think it's [00:17:37] like 50 Grand or something a number yes [00:17:40] so are you going to have the accountant [00:17:42] like kind of do a summary report or are [00:17:44] you going to how are you going to go [00:17:45] about allocating this to each and every [00:17:47] department so I pulled with the town [00:17:50] account and I pulled the FY 24 what um [00:17:53] what was spent out of that account I [00:17:55] can't tell with everything what was each [00:17:57] department but there are some things [00:17:58] that I can have some sort of an idea [00:18:00] yeah some sort of idea so I'm going to [00:18:02] use that as a framework and then with my [00:18:04] conversations with each department to be [00:18:06] like okay well how much do you how much [00:18:08] do you think and there's going to be [00:18:09] some trial and error like it's not going [00:18:10] to be perfect this the Departments are [00:18:11] going to know what they put to all [00:18:12] boards because they're putting that on [00:18:14] their turnovers like they know what has [00:18:18] been you know expensive to all boards [00:18:21] yeah well they should yeah exactly so y [00:18:24] that that would be helpful right is all [00:18:27] like each individual board going to have [00:18:28] special code so let's say it's being [00:18:32] allocated but you do a report and you [00:18:33] say okay this expense was Board number [00:18:36] whatever 652 yep you know example and [00:18:39] say Town Administrator is 655 yeah so it [00:18:43] will be salary expenses and Professional [00:18:45] Services okay yeah that way for each and [00:18:48] every board each department each [00:18:50] department y [00:18:53] okay yeah most boards and committees [00:18:56] don't have budgets [00:18:59] well is the accountant going to be able [00:19:02] to do all this yep so I I have bi-weekly [00:19:06] meetings with the finance team with the [00:19:07] account and the treasure collector and [00:19:08] the assessor and we've already met Once [00:19:11] on This and she's already started um so [00:19:14] okay yep so again like I know there [00:19:16] probably going to be some trial and [00:19:17] errors first year um but hopefully after [00:19:20] this year going forward we'll have a [00:19:22] streamline process that the town can [00:19:24] follow for years and years and years [00:19:25] Beyond this board and Beyond me okay yep [00:19:28] all right excellent thank [00:19:30] you okay I'm just going to back up [00:19:32] because you guys walked in a little late [00:19:34] and missed visitors comments so I don't [00:19:36] know if you had no that's okay I just [00:19:39] didn't know if you needed or wanted to [00:19:41] just your as good citizens okay that's [00:19:42] all I just wanted to make sure perfect [00:19:46] good thank you all right um discussion [00:19:50] on board and payment in Li of taxes [00:19:53] otherwise known as pilot [00:19:57] policies so um Bill do you want to yeah [00:20:01] you no absolutely not okay that's [00:20:05] great um basically you know we talked [00:20:09] about establishing policies stuff like [00:20:11] that at our last meeting and I was doing [00:20:16] some research and then I came across [00:20:18] payment of taxes that other towns are [00:20:21] doing so then I did a more like a very [00:20:25] deep dive into it saying well why are [00:20:27] other towns able to do this and we're [00:20:30] not well so or why aren't we doing it or [00:20:34] why aren't we doing it okay yeah and so [00:20:38] after researching and [00:20:40] everything I you know I I recommend that [00:20:43] we do create a policy and I [00:20:48] mean if you don't mind I'll read this [00:20:51] okay on behalf of the select board in [00:20:53] the residents of Hardwick I present this [00:20:55] draft payment in Le of taxes pilot [00:20:58] policy polic for [00:21:00] consideration right this pilot policy [00:21:03] will benefit all the residents [00:21:05] businesses and tax exempt organizations [00:21:07] in the town of [00:21:09] Hardwick I want the people to understand [00:21:12] that when you take a taxable parcel and [00:21:15] you remove it and that partial becomes [00:21:17] tax exempt the tax levy for the town [00:21:21] isn't [00:21:21] reduced that that property is now shared [00:21:26] amongst the remaining taxable part [00:21:30] okay instead so it shifts the burden to [00:21:32] all the remaining taxable Parcels to [00:21:34] make up the difference okay in most of [00:21:37] these tax exempt organizations we get no [00:21:41] money from no pilot as of right now and [00:21:44] so the primary goal of the town is to [00:21:47] have the cost burden of providing [00:21:49] Services borne by and shared among all [00:21:52] the residents businesses and nonprofit [00:21:56] institutions to the extent that is [00:21:58] possible POS and [00:22:00] reasonable the select board seeks to [00:22:02] establish a forward-thinking payment in [00:22:04] Le of taxes pilot policy that Fosters a [00:22:08] partnership between tax exempt [00:22:10] organizations in the town this policy [00:22:13] aims to ensure that tax exempt or [00:22:16] organizations benefiting from town [00:22:18] Services contribute [00:22:21] equitably while also encouraging those [00:22:24] nonprofits to invest in the growth and [00:22:26] sustainability of our small small [00:22:28] beautiful rural town [00:22:32] so I you know I created like an overview [00:22:36] of you know to give an overview of [00:22:38] pilots and then then a pilot policy [00:22:41] itself that we could send a legal and [00:22:44] say here you go here we put a a lot of [00:22:48] work together and and save them many [00:22:52] many hours to create this and say here [00:22:55] here's a a template and from what I [00:22:58] understand KP law whenever you Google KP [00:23:00] law and you Google um pilot programs [00:23:03] they come up as the number one attorney [00:23:05] in the state so and they're Our Town [00:23:07] Council so this is something that [00:23:10] shouldn't cost the town a lot to [00:23:13] implement and so basically it's going to [00:23:17] be based on assets of that nonprofit how [00:23:21] much property do they own the assess [00:23:23] value and and so it would be a [00:23:27] percentage of that that it wouldn't be [00:23:29] the full rate and then also with like [00:23:32] new say tax exempt coming in to [00:23:36] town let's say their assets are under a [00:23:38] million bucks we work out an agreement [00:23:41] with them where it would be less it [00:23:42] would be something okay we start out at [00:23:44] 25% but over the next 5 years it's going [00:23:47] to go up and so it's a working [00:23:50] partnership so it's [00:23:52] not properties keep coming off the tax [00:23:55] roll and the expense of everybody else [00:23:58] is burdened with that and our tax rate [00:24:00] keeps going up and up and up there's got [00:24:03] to be some type of balance and just so [00:24:08] everyone knows Boston Boston has [00:24:10] implemented this uh Cambridge has [00:24:13] implemented this and and Northampton [00:24:17] Northampton was concerned in [00:24:19] 2015 that 22% of their property has [00:24:24] already been bought up by tax exempt [00:24:26] organizations 22% [00:24:28] right now currently Hardwick is at [00:24:58] with their budgets and Cambridge with [00:25:00] their budgets they have you know a [00:25:02] billion dollars almost they're concerned [00:25:05] about emergency services for fire [00:25:08] ambulance schools stuff like that that [00:25:13] these organizations do not contribute to [00:25:15] and it falls on the [00:25:17] taxpayer and so if a town like or a city [00:25:20] like Boston is concerned about you know [00:25:23] how they're going to cover their [00:25:24] Emergency Services it should be a [00:25:27] warning to small rural towns to say Hey [00:25:31] you know you got to do something cuz we [00:25:32] don't have the budgets of Boston and [00:25:34] stuff so that's why I recommend we do [00:25:37] this send it to Legal have them work out [00:25:40] a template have them work out a policy [00:25:42] which shouldn't cost the town much money [00:25:44] to do and then at our next meeting you [00:25:48] know hopefully we have it by then or the [00:25:50] following meeting and already yeah [00:25:53] they're already [00:25:55] work legal already looking at this yeah [00:26:00] um I personally I love the idea of [00:26:03] this I don't know how it would [00:26:08] be receip it's not even that I don't [00:26:12] believe that you can force anybody to go [00:26:13] into a pilot well here's the two [00:26:15] different things so I I wonder about [00:26:18] that um obviously the state is not going [00:26:21] to enter a pilot program with us and [00:26:23] they they will they already have [00:26:25] actually yes on certain property but not [00:26:28] other [00:26:30] agencies it's being talked about right [00:26:33] this kind of thing is being talked about [00:26:35] the town surrounding quad which would be [00:26:39] pilot of a point MH and if I could jump [00:26:43] in uh when I was selecting [00:26:47] earlier U Jen and I went to Eagle Hill [00:26:51] because they would be the [00:26:53] big [00:26:55] um [00:26:56] nonprofit and we came up with Jen came [00:27:00] up with [00:27:01] a formula it was how much they [00:27:08] used uh Emergency Services you know [00:27:11] sanding of Roads things like that uh and [00:27:15] how much that would be if they had been [00:27:18] paying residential [00:27:19] tax U and uh and the and PJ agreed to a [00:27:26] a figure he wouldn't call he wouldn't [00:27:28] agree to call it a pilot program he [00:27:32] wanted to do it as a gift right but he [00:27:35] was agreeable to you know giving us some [00:27:39] money again I I don't know how we can [00:27:42] force they do pay their property taxes [00:27:45] now based on the value of the [00:27:49] property when it was first taken but not [00:27:54] not the campus only the the houses the [00:27:57] houses [00:27:59] correct can I ask a question weow to ask [00:28:02] questions while you guys are talking [00:28:03] it's up to the [00:28:05] chair AC the once we're done y I will [00:28:09] just a second [00:28:10] sorry well one thing I want to bring up [00:28:13] to you Mass General law [00:28:15] 595 talks about the tax [00:28:18] exemptions okay and when an organization [00:28:23] acquires a piece of property and their [00:28:24] tax exempt for that [00:28:26] property well chapter [00:28:31] 1216a is when that organization that tax [00:28:34] exempt organization redevelops that land [00:28:37] and does new construction or renovation [00:28:40] tears down a building and builds a bunch [00:28:42] of houses or a new building that opens [00:28:46] the door for the town to negotiate a [00:28:49] pilot policy because the planning board [00:28:54] is supposed to review and say what is [00:28:56] the stress going to be put on Town [00:28:59] Services what what is the impact of this [00:29:01] for police what is the impact for fire [00:29:04] what is the impact for S what is the [00:29:06] impact for school okay [00:29:09] and and those services are not free to [00:29:13] anybody absolutely okay and what's the [00:29:15] impact to our infrastructure as far as [00:29:17] roads clearing the snow sanding I mean [00:29:21] everything you know what I mean and [00:29:23] these are the services that I'm talking [00:29:24] about and and [00:29:28] I don't know what you know just [00:29:30] basically going forward just because an [00:29:32] organization has developed something and [00:29:34] has it in place doesn't mean that [00:29:37] shouldn't have been done in the past but [00:29:40] us realizing it now from this point [00:29:43] forward we can Implement a pilot program [00:29:47] yeah I again I I'm just saying we we can [00:29:49] we can idea we just have to get them to [00:29:52] agree well right to to a certain degree [00:29:56] yes but they're using our town services [00:29:58] and this is something that they would [00:29:59] want to benefit from I mean we need a [00:30:02] fire truck but technically this town [00:30:04] needs two fire trucks yeah I mean to be [00:30:06] you know yeah so the reservoir right and [00:30:11] and [00:30:13] so that's that's what drove me to this [00:30:16] other towns are doing this and the state [00:30:18] the state is actually P tried to pass [00:30:21] legislation on this you know it's a [00:30:24] serious topic it it very much is [00:30:26] especially for a small communities yes [00:30:29] like 100% And we need Revenue the town [00:30:32] of Hardwick needs revenue and it needs [00:30:33] to come from somewhere and I'm not [00:30:36] singling out any particular tax exempt [00:30:39] entity I'm trying to I actually want to [00:30:42] attract more you know that that are [00:30:44] willing to work with Hardwick the way [00:30:46] the Hardwick wants it to be yeah I agree [00:30:50] so we get we'll get this back from legal [00:30:53] mhm again I I think the only glitch is [00:30:56] getting them to agree it has to be an [00:30:58] agreement we can't go in and it's volunt [00:31:02] issue right but at the same time we we [00:31:04] can negotiate if we Implement there are [00:31:07] certain things that once we have a [00:31:10] policy we can actually sit down with [00:31:12] every single tax ex hope they be willing [00:31:15] to work with us yes and they they got to [00:31:17] understand the needs of the town they [00:31:18] need they need fire they need police oh [00:31:21] yeah no everyone does you know they need [00:31:23] roads that are paved they need a DPW [00:31:26] they need a staff they need you know you [00:31:28] know people in the town hall can't [00:31:29] continue to work at minimum wage and you [00:31:32] know what I mean they're going to make a [00:31:34] decent wage or else these people are [00:31:35] going to leave yeah and it's going to [00:31:37] impact the town even greater so and [00:31:40] these are all services let's see what [00:31:42] what Town Council says and um we'll move [00:31:44] from there see what their comments are [00:31:47] and but uh har so my question [00:31:50] was and I I don't mean to Target Eagle [00:31:54] Hill but aren't they the biggest user [00:31:58] of our police and you know with all [00:32:02] those kids up there I'm sure the fire [00:32:05] department gets called if a smoke alarm [00:32:07] goes off or they do or blah blah blah [00:32:10] I'm just curious do they actually Bill [00:32:13] them if it's more than a certain number [00:32:15] of nuisance calls they're being built do [00:32:19] they they used to do they I'm not sure [00:32:21] that that's yeah I don't know anything [00:32:23] about that I don't know anything about [00:32:24] that either think it's been a long like [00:32:27] that I think yeah I don't think they've [00:32:28] been built I don't think I will say I I [00:32:32] don't know how frequent the calls have [00:32:34] been as of lately either cuz I you know [00:32:38] just look into that and like all the new [00:32:41] housing they're building for staff yeah [00:32:43] there six new houses up there well [00:32:46] there's six that were built over this [00:32:48] past year but there's a another whole [00:32:49] area there another six or eight I think [00:32:52] so and that is non- tax they are they [00:32:55] paying taxes on those houses cuz that's [00:32:58] on their [00:32:59] property well see this is the thing when [00:33:03] they're developing that land this is [00:33:05] something that should have been [00:33:06] negotiated with the select board or it [00:33:08] can still be negotiated with the select [00:33:10] board because you say staff right and [00:33:13] it's housing how many people have [00:33:15] families up there and their kids are [00:33:17] going to attend our school system at 20 [00:33:19] grand ahead well I know one that does [00:33:21] cuz I pass on Monday Wednesday and [00:33:22] Friday while he's waiting for the [00:33:25] bus yes Luke so I I think that this is [00:33:29] a an issue that is I'm glad bill that [00:33:33] you brought it to the Forefront I think [00:33:36] it's not just Eagle it's not I look we [00:33:40] all love the land trust I've got [00:33:42] property in chapter [00:33:43] 61a We cannot put the burden of all the [00:33:47] taxes on the people of gilber I mean and [00:33:50] that's essentially what we're doing I [00:33:52] think as a town and even as Eagle Hill I [00:33:55] think that there's got to be some I I [00:33:57] think that there's got to be someone to [00:33:59] negotiate a little bit on behalf of the [00:34:00] select board with all of these entities [00:34:03] and I don't think it's unachievable and [00:34:05] I think it's a good idea you know I [00:34:07] think I think it can be done but there [00:34:11] are two things Eric you're right you [00:34:14] guys did make meet with PJ and you did [00:34:16] and you you made some some steps towards [00:34:20] that but I believe that that was never [00:34:21] really fallen through like they never [00:34:24] really did make those payments yes they [00:34:26] did 100% us to be around $26,000 a year [00:34:30] until they started paying property taxes [00:34:33] on their properties that they own in [00:34:36] town okay then I believe it shifted to [00:34:39] that value correct and and and you know [00:34:41] that's the kind of thing CU I remember [00:34:42] that when I was back on the some of [00:34:45] these nonprofits are actually doing a [00:34:47] better job than everybody thinks but [00:34:48] it's got to be pretty transparent and [00:34:50] and it's got to be aware people in town [00:34:52] have got to be aware because there's a [00:34:53] lot of people who are like oh that place [00:34:56] up there and and they did you know they [00:34:58] did make those payments so so I I think [00:35:01] this is a good idea I think it would [00:35:03] bring transparency I mean that's the [00:35:05] reason I'm here I not and and but I I [00:35:08] think that if you could I think it would [00:35:09] be worth reaching out maybe this is the [00:35:12] way to do it but somehow I mean I think [00:35:15] it's a right right time to do it too I I [00:35:19] think that I think and I believe it's [00:35:21] the attorney did you tell me the the [00:35:23] attorney that is doing this like this he [00:35:25] this is what he does that's reviewing it [00:35:28] did you tell me that KP laws is if you [00:35:32] Google KP law they come up as like the [00:35:34] number one attorney in the state [00:35:37] by and the other thing is aren't there [00:35:39] some state laws that kind of mandate new [00:35:42] I thought that there were some newer [00:35:44] laws that that were designed to help [00:35:47] towns with this issue right I mean not [00:35:50] that's why I referenced chapter [00:35:53] 1216a right [00:35:55] Redevelopment and stuff like that so [00:35:57] that's [00:35:58] when I don't know the details on Eagle [00:36:00] Hill when they acquired that property [00:36:02] was it a single structure and now what [00:36:05] is it [00:36:06] todayi okay [00:36:08] so that's just an example corre they [00:36:12] have all the construction and they have [00:36:14] to get their permits right but but at [00:36:15] the same time who knows if the planning [00:36:18] board was aware that this is even a [00:36:21] possibility cuz a lot of people think oh [00:36:23] they're tax exempt they're tax exempt [00:36:26] they're they're exempt from everything [00:36:27] well they're not exempt from everything [00:36:29] I think they're exempt from zoning [00:36:31] they're not [00:36:33] yeah well they they're not exempt from [00:36:36] zoning if you look it up you can Google [00:36:38] it but this is why we have KP law and we [00:36:42] have KP law review this they they come [00:36:45] up as the best attorney in the state so [00:36:47] hopefully we get somebody that does this [00:36:50] every day and says okay this is what you [00:36:52] do but basically all I'm trying to do [00:36:56] here is say hey where All in This [00:36:58] Together yeah and we need we need fire [00:37:01] trucks we need Emergency Services we [00:37:04] need to support our schools we need to [00:37:05] support our roadways we need to support [00:37:07] our sewer how are we going to do that [00:37:09] we're not going to do that on the backs [00:37:11] of 1500 people in [00:37:15] properties not when I mean I don't know [00:37:18] about you but I've never had to call [00:37:19] Emergency Services my house I've lived [00:37:21] here for 12 years you know what I mean [00:37:24] and so but other people are getting [00:37:28] and may you know we pass aiv if we pass [00:37:32] a policy we could easily start [00:37:37] to say go into ask Emergency Services [00:37:40] ask the police how many times have you [00:37:43] gone to the all the tax exempt entities [00:37:46] we want to report and if they're not [00:37:47] tracking it they need to start tracking [00:37:50] I wrote a [00:37:51] note yeah so we'll see what they say and [00:37:54] we'll just we'll keep having this on the [00:37:56] agenda so that we can [00:37:58] yeah keep working on this but I think [00:38:00] Leal should review it and I think we [00:38:03] should continue the conversation and [00:38:05] yeah that's it ready with Council so I'm [00:38:08] we're open to negotiate and is it the [00:38:10] select is it you three that approach [00:38:13] these nonprofits well it would but I [00:38:15] would think with with Town Council you [00:38:18] know I I'm not a lawyer I'm not going to [00:38:20] try to negotiate you know we would need [00:38:23] we would need legal but abely if you had [00:38:25] a program if you had this in effect [00:38:28] already yes corre that's what I mean [00:38:29] then you approach these entities that [00:38:32] are y so you as a select board would [00:38:35] approve the policy the policy correct [00:38:38] right that would be a start that would [00:38:39] be the three of you approving it not not [00:38:41] a town voter no just yeah just as a [00:38:44] policy [00:38:46] y okay yeah no it's a good it's a good [00:38:48] idea um we also had the board [00:38:52] policy um right which I've been working [00:38:56] on this I kind of got like so I've just [00:38:59] been working on this right now that's [00:39:01] fine good no that's do you want me to [00:39:03] put it on the next meeting or hold off [00:39:04] for a couple meetings yeah just hold off [00:39:06] for a couple meetings okay but if we [00:39:08] hear back from legal on this on this [00:39:09] then we can keep I think this is this [00:39:12] more important and I think we did have [00:39:13] the discussion on the board policy and I [00:39:15] think we're all in agreeance we don't [00:39:17] have to jump the gun on on so on certain [00:39:19] votes we basically we coming before the [00:39:21] board for the first time it's for [00:39:24] discussion only you know so you know [00:39:26] unless it's something exua then we can [00:39:29] deal with that then all right so the [00:39:31] next um item is the special event form [00:39:35] um thought we had asked other folks to [00:39:37] be here it was I was expecting a whole [00:39:40] bunch of people yeah okay um so I [00:39:44] guess you can put it off and yeah I I'd [00:39:47] like to make a couple of comments [00:39:48] because I've thought a lot about it and [00:39:50] had some discussions with Justine too [00:39:53] that [00:39:54] um I truly believe that this form is [00:39:58] necessary whether or not we we tweak it [00:40:00] or not and this is my two sons I do [00:40:02] think it's important that we have this [00:40:04] form for you know people I think for our [00:40:09] liability for the town it's important um [00:40:12] you know we're considering new avenues [00:40:16] for different insurance and it's [00:40:18] actually been a question uh you know [00:40:20] because we need to cover the town's [00:40:22] liability you know for to protect the [00:40:25] town um you [00:40:28] if something were were to happen at one [00:40:30] of these events and the insurance had to [00:40:32] step in they probably question why we [00:40:34] didn't have a form of this nature or of [00:40:37] some [00:40:38] nature uh I get you know the small [00:40:42] groups that are trying to do for the [00:40:44] kids or you know for a community thing I [00:40:48] I think that you know I think we can [00:40:50] work with these folks as necessary but I [00:40:54] think it's important to keep that form [00:40:57] in [00:40:58] place I'll get off my soap box now oh [00:41:00] that's that's fine um you know so [00:41:03] whether or not we want to tweak it a [00:41:04] little bit or but uh I do think it's [00:41:08] important right you know and not [00:41:10] everything is going to apply to everyone [00:41:13] that that's understandable and I think [00:41:14] that's what we were trying to get across [00:41:16] at the last meeting um we had some [00:41:20] passionate moms I get that bend in those [00:41:22] shoes I get it I get it but [00:41:25] um yeah just think it's important that [00:41:28] you know our responsibility is to the [00:41:31] town yes I I think that um I was just [00:41:35] thinking kind of about the common you [00:41:37] have a common the the [00:41:40] historic way I mean if you looked at [00:41:42] historic rules and how the town is [00:41:45] supposed to create a common it's for [00:41:48] Gatherings so I guess the question or at [00:41:50] least I would put [00:41:53] forth the small town in the nature of it [00:41:56] all right you don't want to you [00:41:58] certainly don't want to prohibit [00:42:00] Gatherings right and and I hear you [00:42:02] saying that um but I do actually think [00:42:05] that there might be some specific Town [00:42:07] bylaws about the Comon that someone [00:42:11] allows you to have Gatherings on the [00:42:13] comment um yeah the um the fair brought [00:42:16] that up her email so I would encourage [00:42:18] the town to maybe look into that yeah [00:42:22] one of the comments on it was that that [00:42:24] there was a vote years ago about she she [00:42:28] was specifically mentioning the fair y [00:42:30] oh yeah but it could have been that it [00:42:32] was for Gatherings and so that's why we [00:42:34] had suggested so okay parks and wreck [00:42:38] can sponsor these events now you're [00:42:40] covered by our policy right yeah so that [00:42:44] there's no you know if something were to [00:42:46] happen God forbid right while Mary Joe [00:42:49] put the event on so that all the kiddos [00:42:52] could be H you know we don't want that [00:42:54] to happen either you know we don't want [00:42:56] that person to be I mean we're just [00:42:59] we're looking out for the community and [00:43:02] you know and obviously the town like we [00:43:04] have to do that yeah never to for like [00:43:06] forbid people from R events [00:43:09] like not yeah yeah we're not the fun [00:43:12] police no how do you my kids used to [00:43:15] call me that but I'm not [00:43:20] promise how do you see the farmers [00:43:24] market yeah again like that's another [00:43:27] I mean we're right to F Community we are [00:43:30] so would say I don't even know who I [00:43:33] don't even know who organizes that I [00:43:35] think you need to look at the bws and [00:43:37] the laws associated with the common [00:43:39] because there's a lot of Commons and and [00:43:42] not only that but I think that your [00:43:43] liability insurance may already cover [00:43:46] cover all that and I think [00:43:49] um you know obviously this came about [00:43:52] because there was a big event happening [00:43:54] in town [00:43:55] and all the didn't know about it you [00:43:58] know and the the right coverage and this [00:44:01] that and the next thing wasn't going to [00:44:03] happen because no one really knew about [00:44:05] it so I don't want to say that it's [00:44:08] geared towards those bigger events I'm [00:44:10] not you know CU I don't want to be [00:44:12] pointing fingers well you have to but [00:44:14] you don't I just think it's good to have [00:44:16] that boyera plate you know form just so [00:44:19] that you know the PD knows or the fire [00:44:21] department knows that something's going [00:44:23] on even if it is the the [00:44:25] trick-or-treating just so that they're [00:44:27] aware of course they're probably aware [00:44:29] but this just puts it on everybody's [00:44:31] radar to keep people safe smart you know [00:44:34] so I think that's probably where we [00:44:37] stand now I [00:44:39] mean yeah I think we [00:44:42] just move forward and [00:44:47] uh see what happens I like I thought [00:44:50] we'd have more of a conversation with [00:44:52] yeah with the folks that were here last [00:44:54] night but you covered it okay work I'll [00:44:57] get off my Soap Box you said that before [00:45:00] all right I mean it this time uh meeting [00:45:02] minutes for approval September 23rd 2024 [00:45:06] and September 30th [00:45:14] 2024 you okay with it yeah okay um make [00:45:18] a motion to approve the meeting minutes [00:45:20] from September 23rd 2024 and September [00:45:23] 30th 2024 second uh any discussion [00:45:28] all those in favor hi [00:45:31] I okay how administrator [00:45:35] report um so today um actually not it [00:45:40] wasn't lie tenant it was Sandy we met [00:45:42] with another phone company to get quotes [00:45:44] to replace the soon to be defunct phone [00:45:46] system um so they're coming out next [00:45:48] week to also give us some quotes um so [00:45:51] we can have a a bunch and see um this [00:45:53] one was recommended to me by um another [00:45:55] town so um right now we're just getting [00:45:59] more information before we pull the [00:46:01] trigger on anything so [00:46:03] good um I tended the monthly uh [00:46:06] construction project meeting with the [00:46:07] engineers for the sewer [00:46:09] project um I met with the finance [00:46:12] committee chair on the FY 26 budget and [00:46:14] special town [00:46:15] meeting U I joined the MMA Capital [00:46:18] planning webinar um and the do rural [00:46:20] checken teams [00:46:22] meeting uh I had a zoom meeting with um [00:46:26] cmrpc and Mr [00:46:29] walheim regarding the MVP Grant we [00:46:31] submitted two [00:46:33] applications um or letters of Interest [00:46:36] expressions of Interest sorry [00:46:38] expressions of interest um one for a [00:46:43] potential grant writer and the other one [00:46:45] for solar panels on the elementary [00:46:47] school/ shelter roof [00:46:51] excellent no answer with that yet no [00:46:55] okay um [00:46:57] actually um I attended a walkthr of the [00:47:00] townhouse as part of the $95,000 [00:47:02] townhouse Improvement Grant with um and [00:47:05] Barnes he's [00:47:06] here nice so I talked about earlier uh [00:47:10] we're doing bi-weekly financial [00:47:11] management team zooms so my next one is [00:47:14] this week um just ahead of the budgeting [00:47:17] process and again I just it's a team [00:47:19] effort and I want make sure everyone's [00:47:21] on the same [00:47:23] page um met with fire chief police [00:47:26] lieutenant Highway superintendent [00:47:27] Library trustee and the on um Grant [00:47:31] priorities um there's a lot of Grants [00:47:34] coming out right now but we kind of need [00:47:35] to figure out you know where [00:47:38] our energy should be spent right um y I [00:47:41] don't have time and no one has time to [00:47:43] apply for you know every Grant under the [00:47:45] sun right now but um there's some really [00:47:47] good ones out right now so um that was [00:47:49] really good um to kind of see like from [00:47:51] other departments um good what they [00:47:54] think too and get there buying so [00:47:57] I attended um the mlcp post award [00:48:00] webinar uh for the homeland security [00:48:02] grant that was the grant that Lieutenant [00:48:04] landine got uh to change everything over [00:48:06] to.gov um I don't exactly know where [00:48:09] that stands right now I know our it has [00:48:11] been working with Lieutenant landine it [00:48:14] they're working on [00:48:15] it can you tell me what that [00:48:17] abbreviation stands for not a [00:48:21] chance didn't mean to put you on no I [00:48:24] was wondering the same thing I could [00:48:27] definitely look it up if you like me to [00:48:28] yeah what is it ml [00:48:32] cgp it's a new one to [00:48:36] me cpg CG g [00:48:41] c Massachusetts [00:48:44] legislative come on I'm not on the Wi-Fi [00:48:46] so out [00:48:55] there what [00:48:58] needy Bey big in bouncy yeah let's just [00:49:01] call it the state and local cyber [00:49:03] security grant program right yeah [00:49:05] logistic part Consulting Partners [00:49:08] group now I'm sorry yeah doesn't matter [00:49:13] okay anyway um I attended the finance uh [00:49:16] committee meeting um I also presented [00:49:19] them with some free cash policies from [00:49:21] other communities that they're going to [00:49:22] be looking at um I think I sent them [00:49:25] with like four or five um um so I know [00:49:27] they're going to take that up at the [00:49:28] next [00:49:29] meeting I participated in a [00:49:31] discrimination and harassment in the [00:49:32] workplace [00:49:33] training um we interviewed one candidate [00:49:37] for the wastewater treatment plant [00:49:38] assistant chief operator um who was an [00:49:41] actually an internal candidate uh the [00:49:43] external candidate um actually never [00:49:45] showed up but we have another interview [00:49:47] scheduled for tomorrow afternoon um so [00:49:51] we'll see how that [00:49:52] goes um the two new hires and Highway [00:49:55] started um one declined um and the job [00:49:58] has been re advertised um so we're [00:50:00] looking for CD the job with the CDL [00:50:03] that's the position that uh the [00:50:05] individual turn down um as I said [00:50:07] earlier I might have not I met with John [00:50:09] pet from HUB insurance on our property [00:50:11] and Casualty Insurance for FY 26 um he's [00:50:16] definitely thinking he can find us some [00:50:17] savings um so that's really good HUB [00:50:19] insurance is the uh second largest [00:50:21] public entity Insurance Company [00:50:23] Massachusetts um so that was a really [00:50:25] good meeting [00:50:28] I met with the Board of Health chair and [00:50:29] select board chair on potential changes [00:50:31] to the health department um the health [00:50:33] the health the Board of Health chair and [00:50:35] myself um not this week but next week [00:50:38] we're a meeting um with the quaven [00:50:41] health district uh their their um their [00:50:43] meeting um not to really say anything [00:50:46] but just kind of observe and see what [00:50:48] their meeting is like and um that's [00:50:51] ongoing um I attended the MMA [00:50:53] legislative [00:50:55] breakfast I also Al um attended the [00:50:58] Massachusetts Association of Regional [00:51:00] School Zoom meeting with the s word [00:51:01] chair I tore the recycling [00:51:05] center um I had never I had been down [00:51:07] there and she also um had said check out [00:51:09] the swap shop I did I did walk in there [00:51:12] um but she also said that um she would [00:51:14] love it if maybe a board member would [00:51:16] come down at some point um I go there [00:51:19] almost every other Saturday oh you do [00:51:21] okay yeah just [00:51:24] saying call just Kelly Allen [00:51:27] or tell she wanted a board member there [00:51:30] for what so I just did a walk through uh [00:51:33] she had some concern some things that uh [00:51:35] she wanted to talk about like the roof [00:51:38] um they have the materials for the roof [00:51:41] but um it's definitely leaking um maybe [00:51:44] she doesn't know that we're select board [00:51:47] members do you go there too every [00:51:49] Saturday oh really we don't go every but [00:51:51] it's like every other got to go to Phil [00:51:53] you got to get my books you know yes [00:51:57] books I I always I give my books and I [00:51:59] take some books try to yes come out [00:52:02] lighter yeah well I'm trying to help [00:52:04] them out um they have no Wi-fi so I'm [00:52:06] trying to um get them a hot spot or [00:52:08] something so that should have been in [00:52:11] our Comcast last build out every town [00:52:15] building was supposed to make sure that [00:52:17] they had internet interesting okay ien [00:52:21] Ley I'm sure she'll be in your [00:52:23] emails okay I'm almost POS positive that [00:52:27] building was on the list okay I'll check [00:52:29] that for sure I asked for the townhouse [00:52:33] to be on the list and you I mean we have [00:52:37] the capability can't afford it right and [00:52:40] they well that's so you have to pay for [00:52:42] it yeah but I don't even think they have [00:52:44] it hooked up there okay is that the [00:52:47] problem that is the problem yeah I will [00:52:49] I think that should have been in our [00:52:51] last build out okay you guys have it you [00:52:53] just got to put it into your budget [00:52:56] right yeah they won't pay for it do we [00:52:59] run a contract with concast every [00:53:02] year every five five five yeah and it [00:53:06] was just [00:53:07] done last October I [00:53:11] believe okay I will look into this this [00:53:13] is good to know thank you yeah and I [00:53:17] yeah I guess I won't bet money on it but [00:53:20] I would almost bet money [00:53:22] on um I had a call this s Bo chair and [00:53:24] town councel regarding um the Hardwick [00:53:27] mil Greenery request for new host [00:53:28] Community agreement um as previously [00:53:31] stated that is ongoing um so more [00:53:34] information to follow which [00:53:37] is um so the town clerk from Milbury [00:53:40] came out last Friday um to help train [00:53:43] myself and my executive assistant on all [00:53:45] things licenses liquor licenses Class 2 [00:53:48] class three [00:53:50] um [00:53:52] so hopefully you know that's also coming [00:53:56] get in [00:53:57] November y so that um first liquor then [00:54:00] class two and three um so those are also [00:54:02] coming ahead so um the Board of Health [00:54:05] is now taking Sharps during business [00:54:08] hours um Trish Tinker uh spearheaded [00:54:11] that um so now she has a box in her [00:54:14] office um and she's all set up so that's [00:54:16] a new service we're [00:54:19] providing um under recognition I just [00:54:21] want to thank everyone that attended the [00:54:22] open meeting law training um I'm hoping [00:54:25] everyone that attended got something out [00:54:26] of [00:54:27] it um I also want to recognize John Paul [00:54:31] De pre um who is one of our wastewater [00:54:34] treatment operators he achieved his 5c [00:54:36] license which is the highest license [00:54:38] that's great um that you can achieve uh [00:54:40] down at the wastewater treatment plant [00:54:43] um so I want to recognize him for [00:54:45] that please um important dates Senator [00:54:49] Durant and representative birum staff's [00:54:51] October office hours are um October 16th [00:54:54] which is tomorrow from 10:15 to 11:15 [00:54:58] here yes in this room [00:55:00] yep the special town meeting is being [00:55:03] held on October 17th at the Harvick [00:55:05] Elementary School at 6 p.m. um so that [00:55:07] would be this [00:55:08] Thursday we scheduled our my first [00:55:11] coffee with the Town Administrator at [00:55:15] mimes um on October 29th from 9:00 to [00:55:17] 10: so we'll see who wants to come have [00:55:19] a conversation meet me have a cup of [00:55:21] coffee fun love to hear your concerns or [00:55:25] anything [00:55:27] you just to say [00:55:28] hi um and the state election is November [00:55:31] 5th um there was one thing that I added [00:55:34] that was underneath all of your [00:55:35] paperwork um that came in after um I [00:55:38] already submitted everything but um [00:55:41] speaking of recycling John odonnell um [00:55:45] is retiring or stepping down from the [00:55:47] recycling committee um so that is at the [00:55:49] bottom of [00:55:52] you do we have to make a motion to [00:55:55] accept that that's what I don't know if [00:55:57] you accept those resignations it's more [00:55:59] of a question um they have their own [00:56:02] commission but I will make sure that it [00:56:04] is posted on the website but I just [00:56:06] wanted um the board to be aware of it I [00:56:08] don't know do you accept resignations [00:56:11] here is that something that the board [00:56:13] with regret with regret okay yeah we [00:56:15] typically [00:56:16] do [00:56:19] okay so that is everything I have okay [00:56:23] thank you um I would just like to extend [00:56:28] Sympathy for the passing of Emily [00:56:31] bankr recently she was the town's [00:56:34] historian and um will be sadly missed so [00:56:39] I just wanted to say a couple words [00:56:41] about that recognize [00:56:44] her send uh condolences to the [00:56:51] family anybody else have anything [00:56:54] for I do I attended the Board of Health [00:56:57] meeting where where did their [00:56:59] presentation for [00:57:01] services [00:57:04] um what would you like to know I mean it [00:57:07] it's definitely a Cadillac system I mean [00:57:10] they seem to really have their stuff [00:57:11] together um but the [00:57:15] cost the cost of the town will be [00:57:17] roughly [00:57:18] $34,000 y just so you know and right now [00:57:22] we do have a grant in place with Lester [00:57:25] mhm for the three [00:57:27] years so how far along are we we're just [00:57:30] in the first year yeah it just because [00:57:33] it just renewed right and so yeah I was [00:57:38] Switzerland I was neutral and you know [00:57:41] and there's something I asked a few [00:57:43] questions Something From The Far Side of [00:57:45] the Quad too right [00:57:47] another it's it's where belter town and [00:57:51] hel okay so that's what I'm thinking [00:57:53] yeah yeah yeah yeah so um I think it's [00:57:57] something to keep looking into and doing [00:58:01] our homework on but I I think we all [00:58:03] share that concerned with the cost that [00:58:06] well and I'm going to email you a couple [00:58:08] questions so you can send it to Andrea [00:58:10] about that because my con not my concern [00:58:14] but as far as she did a thing based on [00:58:17] citizen population and and that's fine [00:58:19] to give you a rough ballpark but we are [00:58:22] more service-based as far as our town [00:58:25] because you look at belter Town you look [00:58:27] at where they're developing quite a bit [00:58:29] they they have a big commercial base [00:58:31] compared to our town we're more in the [00:58:34] pelum range as far as [00:58:37] services but overall we're at they [00:58:40] projected us what [00:58:41] 9% so if we could get it down to maybe [00:58:44] you know servicewise right and look at [00:58:47] it it might be a little bit more [00:58:48] feasible yeah we could get it down to [00:58:50] like the 5 6% range yeah it would be [00:58:54] yeah I wonder if that's it could work [00:58:56] I'm just you know so I'll I'll send the [00:58:59] questions to you to ask her and just to [00:59:02] because I'm not sure 100% like as far as [00:59:04] what we provide for services I know what [00:59:06] the inspection but like what the demand [00:59:08] is in Hardwick and what is what are we [00:59:10] developing over the next year or next [00:59:13] three years versus what is Belchertown [00:59:16] developing at what is we developing what [00:59:18] is pum you know what I mean so it's more [00:59:20] of [00:59:21] a Equitable kind of cost um Andrew oh [00:59:25] sorry sorry um Andrea is more than [00:59:28] welcome to come to our board meeting as [00:59:30] well um if the board at the board's [00:59:32] request yeah I think [00:59:34] um I I think the process that we're [00:59:37] doing now is working until we get a [00:59:39] little bit more information and I know [00:59:41] they have a pro procedure that they have [00:59:43] to go through so I think until we get to [00:59:46] there right I think probably see what [00:59:50] unfolds right and also the Board of [00:59:52] Health hasn't made any type of Vote or [00:59:55] any consideration on this it was just a [00:59:57] presentation right right right can you [00:59:59] did you want to say something I did but [01:00:01] it's okay now are you sure you just say [01:00:05] it anyway [01:00:06] yeah sorry Eric [01:00:11] sorry do you have anything for the round [01:00:14] table uh I was going to worry about uh [01:00:18] the [01:00:19] reservoir that serves the hydrant on the [01:00:22] far side of the river and Gilbertville [01:00:24] but I believe it's starting to be fixed [01:00:28] okay but we're Los there's we're losing [01:00:30] water remarkably fast so um and that [01:00:35] would mean that none of the hydrant on [01:00:38] the other side of the river here in [01:00:39] chille would work so where um they're [01:00:43] going to fix a broken hydrant tomorrow [01:00:46] Marty said okay and that might they [01:00:49] can't find the leak so gotcha so anyway [01:00:52] that's critical yeah but they're on it [01:00:55] okay [01:00:57] but that's all we have okay and I was [01:00:59] just going to say that pelum hires [01:01:02] amherst's fire department they don't [01:01:05] have their own they don't so it's that [01:01:07] kind of a yeah just that was [01:01:12] yeah yeah they're small mhm did you make [01:01:17] else no not too okay um I'm just going [01:01:20] to send out my friendly happy reminder [01:01:23] that point set of season is upon us [01:01:26] if anyone can help [01:01:28] deliver um I [01:01:30] think I [01:01:33] think [01:01:35] yes yes [01:01:38] you [01:01:40] um the first Sunday in December we [01:01:43] deliver Point sets to everyone over 75 [01:01:45] in [01:01:46] time that's very nice yeah so if you [01:01:49] would like to be part of it okay um it's [01:01:52] it's all donation based and it's all [01:01:53] volunteer based so it's the first [01:01:56] weekend it's the Sunday this the [01:01:59] December 1st it's the Sunday after [01:02:02] Thanksgiving because then after that [01:02:05] this chick goes hunting for the month of [01:02:07] December and I don't want points set is [01:02:09] in my [01:02:14] house [01:02:16] so I will take any and all [01:02:20] help I think last year we delivered [01:02:24] 241 or [01:02:26] 42 so it's a good thing we're an old [01:02:31] population yes honestly [01:02:35] 20% but it's funny because I think Ralph [01:02:39] used to do over 80 and when I first had [01:02:42] Paula do those numbers I was like that's [01:02:45] not said now run me 75 and then I got [01:02:48] that list I was like we'll have righty [01:02:51] then that was a big difference yeah but [01:02:55] it's it's so good it's just everybody [01:02:57] that's involved has such a good time so [01:03:01] and occurring the same day as Christmas [01:03:03] on the common and everything makes it [01:03:06] even more fun right so hopefully there's [01:03:09] you know not a huge storm or anything [01:03:11] like that CU I don't have a contingency [01:03:13] plan so did they just show up for [01:03:15] somebody that's over 75 or does somebody [01:03:19] over 75 put in for nope I get yep we get [01:03:22] the list from the Town Park [01:03:27] so as long as it's an accurate list and [01:03:29] it's all updated [01:03:31] um not going would I don't think we've [01:03:34] had anyone ever reach [01:03:35] out that got [01:03:39] missed yeah we'll see that's all I have [01:03:43] my uh Shameless plug for nothing wrong [01:03:46] with that so [01:03:50] nice take a motion make a motion to [01:03:53] return the me [01:03:56] all in favor I [01:03:59] 734 okay that's pretty good