Thumbnail for Hardwick, MA Board of Selectmen Meeting 7/24/23

Key Discussions on Town Staffing, Bylaws, and Financial Management

Original title: Hardwick, MA Board of Selectmen Meeting 7/24/23

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

July 25, 2023

Duration

48m

Decisions

3 recorded

Action Items

10 assigned

Summary

The Hardwick Board of Selectmen meeting on July 24, 2023, focused on critical town operations, including the ongoing accountant staffing challenges and potential solutions involving former staff and new models. Significant attention was also given to addressing the severe staffing shortages within the Department of Public Works, with plans for recruitment and compensation review. Other key discussions involved the consolidation and management of the Morris Scholarship Fund, proposed updates to Planning Board bylaws, the adoption of the Mullen Rule for board member participation, and the implementation of mandatory hearing recordings for all adjudicatory boards. The meeting also included the appointment of election workers and updates on various town projects and grant applications.

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Discussion Highlights

Ongoing efforts to resolve the town's accountant staffing situation, including the potential return of former accountant Lori Delolio and concerns regarding the current accountant's responsiveness.
Exploration of a hybrid accounting model utilizing an an external firm for higher-end tasks and an internal part-time Accounts Payable clerk.
Critical importance of timely year-end closings for grant funding and free cash certification.
Discussion on the internal clerk's workload and the need for greater delegation from the accountant.
Development of contingency plans for the accountant role, including extending the current firm's services and considering other external options.
Consolidation and restructuring of the Elizabeth Morris Scholarship Fund into principal and expendable interest accounts at Unibank.
Review of proposed Planning Board bylaw updates, including those for short-term rentals and accessory dwelling units.
Consideration and recommendation for the official adoption of the Mullen Rule to allow board members to participate in hearings after reviewing recordings.
Proposal to mandate video or audio recording of all adjudicatory hearings for due process and board member review.
Addressing critical staffing shortages within the Department of Public Works, including recruitment challenges and the need for competitive compensation.
Concerns regarding the Blue Heron project, with the Superintendent reiterating his opinion against hiring them.

Transcript (7,797 words)

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

00:00:00
Pledge of Allegiance today so we're just going to call us to order you guys want two more flips aside from the United States of America to the Republic for which it stands elimination
00:00:18
Under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all [Music] so uh let's go to the first item which is uh discuss the accountant situation
00:00:37
Have we talked to anybody so I reached out to Markham again today who apparently hasn't heard from her and legal team yet we just were offered to have Lori delolia who was our accountant that worked for Markham before come back to us exclusively
00:00:57
But there is a contra there is a clause in her contract that doesn't allow her to so we just want to get that removed from her contract and no yeah it says she will not right it's for competing in there the one that wants to go so so she said that
00:01:18
She told me this evening like an hour ago that she's okay with us moving in that direction so Lori is more time Tanya so I'm just waiting to get the final you know in writing that she's allowed to do it and then Lori will help us
00:01:36
And I have reached out to two other towns for shared accounting Princeton uses mostly the other one that you had before Eric Eric pincher yeah and I looked at their budget and they only paid 49
00:01:55
000 but they also have a clerk an AP Clerk for like 20 000 so maybe that might be you know a better way if we have our own AP clerk like a part-time clerk that just does all the AP and then we possibly get a firm to do a higher ed
00:02:13

[00:00:00] Pledge of Allegiance today so we're just [00:00:02] going to call us to order [00:00:06] you guys want two more flips aside [00:00:12] from the United States of America to the [00:00:16] Republic for which it stands elimination [00:00:18] under God indivisible with liberty and [00:00:22] justice for all [00:00:25] [Music] [00:00:28] so uh let's go to the first item which [00:00:31] is uh discuss the accountant situation [00:00:37] have we talked to anybody [00:00:39] so I reached out to Markham again today [00:00:44] um who apparently hasn't heard from her [00:00:46] and legal team yet we just [00:00:48] um were offered to have Lori delolia who [00:00:52] was our accountant that worked for [00:00:53] Markham before come back to us [00:00:54] exclusively [00:00:57] um but there is a contra there is a [00:00:58] clause in her contract that doesn't [00:01:00] allow her to so we just want to get that [00:01:03] removed from her contract and [00:01:05] no [00:01:09] yeah it says she will not right it's for [00:01:11] competing in there the one that wants to [00:01:13] go so so she said that um [00:01:18] she told me this evening like an hour [00:01:20] ago that she's okay with us moving in [00:01:22] that direction so Lori is more time [00:01:25] Tanya so [00:01:28] I'm just waiting to get the final [00:01:31] um you know in writing that she's [00:01:33] allowed to do it and then Lori will help [00:01:35] us [00:01:36] um and I have reached out to two other [00:01:38] towns [00:01:39] for shared accounting [00:01:42] um Princeton uses [00:01:45] um [00:01:47] mostly the other one that you had before [00:01:49] uh Eric Eric pincher yeah and I looked [00:01:53] at their budget and they only paid 49 [00:01:55] 000 but they also have a clerk an AP [00:01:58] Clerk [00:01:59] for like 20 000 so maybe that might be [00:02:03] you know a better way if we have our own [00:02:05] AP clerk like a part-time clerk that [00:02:07] just does all the AP and then we [00:02:09] possibly get a firm to do a higher ed [00:02:13] stuff yeah because it would be lower [00:02:15] because they quoted a lot more than they [00:02:18] quoted 78 right but it's simple we're [00:02:21] paying but more than yeah right and and [00:02:23] the thing is that you know they don't [00:02:25] have to do the AP clerk work that they [00:02:27] probably pay their employees a lot more [00:02:30] so that might be feasible but I think [00:02:32] that we're in pretty good shape right [00:02:34] now as long as I get that answer from [00:02:36] Tanya [00:02:37] um I do have a couple of other [00:02:38] accountants and and finance directors [00:02:41] that do work in the Commonwealth that [00:02:43] would be willing to also you know kind [00:02:44] of bridge the gap so Jen knows a lot [00:02:48] about your own closing for accounting [00:02:51] so if I think another week or so we'll [00:02:54] we'll have a definitive answer on Lori [00:02:57] which I hope because she knows our [00:02:58] sisters [00:02:59] that's Tuesday exactly so they need to [00:03:02] get an answer yes so she didn't hear [00:03:06] back I'll reach out again tomorrow to [00:03:08] Tanya to hopefully just be done with [00:03:10] that and then be able to use it to offer [00:03:12] to stay on one month she didn't case but [00:03:14] she did offer to stay on for one month [00:03:16] but I did I do believe that that was [00:03:18] just for um warrants yeah yeah just to [00:03:21] just to kind of get us through yeah [00:03:26] okay [00:03:27] so where do we stand with our urine [00:03:29] closing stuff are we are we ready to go [00:03:32] are we [00:03:33] how far off are we for having everything [00:03:35] ready to close from last year Well I so [00:03:40] Jessica's posted she's up to date [00:03:44] um through May [00:03:46] um and [00:03:48] um Jen is also pretty much there she's [00:03:52] doing everything she can we were it was [00:03:54] recommended by Dior that we don't wait [00:03:56] till the end of the year and start and [00:03:58] putting things so hopefully [00:04:00] um Melanson at the time was doing that [00:04:02] but um I have to re I did reach out to [00:04:05] Elizabeth to see about that but I [00:04:07] haven't heard back she is our current [00:04:08] accountant [00:04:10] um but I so I've I have asked her [00:04:12] several things that I need to follow up [00:04:14] on [00:04:15] um and where they're at with your end is [00:04:17] definitely one of them [00:04:19] well it's pretty important to our grants [00:04:22] right absolutely make sure we stay on [00:04:24] top of it absolutely that was something [00:04:26] they really hammered us each year that [00:04:28] I've been here thus far we've closed [00:04:30] earlier and earlier so I'm really on top [00:04:32] of them to make sure that they're [00:04:34] getting that all done so we can then get [00:04:35] our free cash certified Etc [00:04:38] thank you [00:04:42] did uh and the account firm get a reason [00:04:45] why they wanted to step away this [00:04:47] quickly [00:04:49] um not necessarily uh they did you know [00:04:52] put a little bit of blame on our staff [00:04:55] um but I really believe that they have [00:04:59] become they've gotten overwhelmed now [00:05:01] that Markham has acquired them and [00:05:03] everything is different and they lost [00:05:06] some employees not just glory and I [00:05:09] think without telling us they're [00:05:11] overwhelmed I think they're overwhelmed [00:05:13] when I don't get answers back for two [00:05:15] weeks from things that I've asked for [00:05:18] um I don't know if they're not [00:05:20] trained and capable to do it or if they [00:05:22] are too busy that they're not getting [00:05:24] back to me you know all of the Town year [00:05:27] end I mean I'm sorry the town meeting [00:05:29] everything that happened at town meeting [00:05:31] like I will keep asking where are did [00:05:34] you put it in stabilization what is our [00:05:36] current amount what do we we need to sit [00:05:38] down we need to know what's exactly an [00:05:40] art bug what's been allocated I haven't [00:05:42] been able to [00:05:43] um to get anywhere with that so they [00:05:46] come out since Lori left no and this [00:05:49] Elizabeth I was told by Tanya is in [00:05:51] Florida so we weren't getting a safe [00:05:53] visit this month so [00:05:56] um [00:05:57] you know I I don't [00:06:00] I don't think that it's our town staff [00:06:03] that makes them want to walk away so [00:06:04] quickly because that's what I was told [00:06:07] when I when I spoke to Tanya but it was [00:06:10] I mean she was wishy-washy I will say [00:06:13] that but it was the you know still being [00:06:17] behind and if that's still a problem [00:06:20] then we need to address that too [00:06:24] um so [00:06:26] she's not she she's reconciled okay she [00:06:30] works Saturdays usually [00:06:33] um and so that's why I don't believe [00:06:35] that it's our staff that's really well [00:06:37] there's two sides every story so and and [00:06:39] I don't think they're gonna say we're [00:06:41] overwhelmed we can't handle what we [00:06:44] thought we could like I said if I'm [00:06:46] asking for these things for weeks and [00:06:48] not getting an answer [00:06:50] um that aren't really complicated issues [00:06:53] but that I simply don't know the [00:06:55] software we've had issues with them [00:06:57] before you know when they were the [00:06:59] Lansing that [00:07:01] yeah I mean there are weekly on our [00:07:03] warrant because they didn't do anything [00:07:05] on the fourth of July week but I saw on [00:07:08] the fourth of July Diane was working and [00:07:10] I was communicating with her so I don't [00:07:12] know but we we literally cut our texts a [00:07:15] week late this week this month because [00:07:17] so [00:07:21] it's [00:07:22] we definitely have to stay on top of it [00:07:24] also if our clerk is working 50 60 hours [00:07:28] to get the job done we obviously have [00:07:32] another problem because she should be [00:07:35] able to do the job in the time that's [00:07:37] given if she's not able to do it in that [00:07:39] time and we have to that means we gave [00:07:42] her too much [00:07:44] I don't think she messed around up there [00:07:46] everybody says she's very professional [00:07:48] and stuff like that so does she have too [00:07:50] much on her plate well I honestly I [00:07:53] think that the training of the clerk is [00:07:56] um you know she needs to delegate more [00:07:58] responsibility to the clerk so she's [00:08:02] easing into that but really delegating [00:08:04] more the clerk should just be doing very [00:08:07] very minor things like you know so [00:08:10] that's what I think it's been she's [00:08:12] slowly trying to train her to give her [00:08:14] more responsibility [00:08:16] I think that it's I think the department [00:08:19] is running well I think could everybody [00:08:21] use more staff I think everybody could [00:08:23] like they could totally use like a [00:08:25] payroll person only but you know with [00:08:28] the small towns we do work a lot and we [00:08:30] wear many hats [00:08:33] but we don't really have [00:08:35] my employees do actually yeah [00:08:38] I don't even know I think it's around 20 [00:08:40] after like they work all the time yeah I [00:08:43] mean that's available right software [00:08:45] program people are using it correctly it [00:08:47] shouldn't that should be pretty seamless [00:08:49] I mean basically put hours in and you're [00:08:52] right everything should all that stuff [00:08:54] they tried to shift to that and there [00:08:55] was a lot of pushback so it's being done [00:08:58] by that department [00:09:00] they get time sheets [00:09:02] so they have to they're putting it all [00:09:05] in it's uh the department [00:09:07] correct yeah but [00:09:13] um [00:09:14] you know I did say let's at least put [00:09:16] the salary of employees in there and if [00:09:19] there's no vacation or no then you don't [00:09:21] need to worry about them if you haven't [00:09:22] if they've got regular time on their [00:09:24] timesheets just move along so [00:09:26] um you know [00:09:27] everything takes time and I really do [00:09:30] think that the staff there is capable [00:09:32] and it's adequate I mean again I think [00:09:35] we could all use extra help but they're [00:09:37] they're working diligently [00:09:39] um they're getting the treasurer work [00:09:41] done they're getting the collector work [00:09:42] done [00:09:44] um so and they have many many [00:09:46] interruptions all day long [00:09:49] still even when I gave her a divider so [00:09:51] people don't bother [00:10:10] the most [00:10:12] um and it is and it's it's great people [00:10:15] are coming in constantly because you [00:10:16] know the first is coming up so people [00:10:18] incoming a lot [00:10:19] um and and that's just the nature of the [00:10:22] Beast with that department [00:10:26] but I think if we don't have a [00:10:27] definitive answer about Lori by next [00:10:29] week [00:10:30] we gotta do something different whether [00:10:33] it's Eric or well I mean we still have [00:10:36] we do have them if we want to extend it [00:10:39] through uh August which in the event [00:10:41] that Lori is not allowed to do this I [00:10:44] think we would want to exercise that [00:10:45] because [00:10:47] um just to give us to get somebody that [00:10:49] knows Vadar that no you know that can [00:10:51] just jump right into the movie would we [00:10:53] do that and then maybe consider Eric for [00:10:57] September 1st [00:11:07] I'm just saying it's not me that new [00:11:11] Braintree just shifted their auditor [00:11:14] they call our [00:11:16] and Renee Gregoire is taking it over [00:11:19] but I doubt that she can help us [00:11:21] yeah [00:11:24] and then there's uh never mind [00:11:28] say Katie Tyler [00:11:31] she's not accounting she wouldn't be [00:11:34] able to she didn't share any Bell to [00:11:36] sell yeah [00:11:39] foreign [00:11:41] [Music] [00:11:58] is that permanent is that temporary like [00:12:01] what are her thoughts on that [00:12:05] um well it would be [00:12:08] temporary to permanent situation kind of [00:12:11] thing I think I mean I don't know how [00:12:13] this is going to work honestly I know [00:12:15] she knows it she's done it all right [00:12:17] um she can do it I don't know that we [00:12:19] would want [00:12:20] you know [00:12:23] I don't know I mean it's gonna have [00:12:25] we're going to have to see in the events [00:12:27] they say yes take her yeah whatever [00:12:29] we'll just let her play out right for [00:12:33] the time being see how it goes see if [00:12:35] it's working out if it's saving us money [00:12:38] um you know I really think that maybe an [00:12:40] AP Clerk is is also something that we [00:12:44] should explore because we're having [00:12:46] trouble getting the parts right [00:12:49] clerks are like yeah [00:12:51] [Music] [00:12:53] [Applause] [00:12:54] benefits unless they have two other jobs [00:12:57] that they're working the same way [00:13:01] I mean that might be a long-term goal [00:13:03] but I think that we need to just we need [00:13:05] to figure out [00:13:07] solid for the next couple months yes [00:13:09] right [00:13:11] yeah and if we got lowered back we've [00:13:13] find out from her after a while [00:13:15] after a couple of weeks how if she's [00:13:18] willing to go the distance yeah see if [00:13:21] that's possible [00:13:24] wow I think it's really important to [00:13:27] keep in mind too with the whole Markham [00:13:29] leaving us that [00:13:31] you know Lori wants Lori is willing to [00:13:35] come back to work for Hardwick so I [00:13:37] think that says something yeah [00:13:39] well great [00:13:42] I think by August 14th I could have uh [00:13:45] something in front of you to for a [00:13:47] permanent solution to vote on [00:13:52] good [00:13:53] that's a lot so Markham will stay and we [00:13:56] just run this through so say Lori can't [00:14:00] help us American will stay for another [00:14:02] full month [00:14:04] through August [00:14:06] so plan it would be glory Plan B is [00:14:10] marking I would possibly can sure or [00:14:13] maybe we maybe we I don't know if [00:14:16] there's an account out there we're just [00:14:17] trying to get what they want so let's [00:14:18] let's just try to say because that gives [00:14:20] us enough time for our next meeting to [00:14:23] to say okay this is this is what's [00:14:25] happened and this is okay these are our [00:14:27] next steps okay all right yeah so that's [00:14:30] something okay to you yeah yeah we have [00:14:32] to be working on it [00:14:34] until we're permanent right whatever [00:14:36] right at least we know okay the next [00:14:39] month we have coverage so I think that's [00:14:42] my my personal concern right now yes to [00:14:46] just make sure we're covered it moves [00:14:48] soft and make sure the checks get out [00:14:50] and everything else yeah [00:14:55] and then you know Jessica just needs to [00:14:58] her department just needs to focus on [00:15:00] being ready for year-end once we know [00:15:03] who's going to be actually doing that so [00:15:05] that they can absolutely hit the ground [00:15:07] roll it you know [00:15:09] yeah because if we um [00:15:12] we're gonna have to be ready right yeah [00:15:16] exactly everything [00:15:19] yeah okay [00:15:24] yeah good [00:15:26] all right thank you [00:15:28] all right uh appointment of election [00:15:31] workers [00:15:32] and solicitor if you want me to make a [00:15:34] motion sure [00:15:35] this is from Ryan um I would make the [00:15:38] motion to appoint the following people [00:15:41] for um election workers so the election [00:15:45] worker Warden Joyce power turned to 2024 [00:15:50] election worker clerk Maryland sherock [00:15:53] to 2024 election the following are just [00:15:56] election workers Nancy Lamoine Joanne [00:15:59] O'Connell Wendy bolonesi Gail ashes and [00:16:03] Frank Hanson called for 20 all until [00:16:06] 2024. [00:16:09] consecutive and any discussion all's in [00:16:12] favor all right [00:16:15] all right I saw a business Scott your [00:16:18] superintendent report please yeah things [00:16:21] are running good obviously we have uh [00:16:23] some heavy flow on Gilbert Builders of [00:16:25] the rains but nothing made [00:16:29] the Cannabis Mill is now tied into the [00:16:31] sewer system [00:16:33] I can send that to you tomorrow in an [00:16:35] email so okay we can put them on our [00:16:37] billing [00:16:40] yeah our generators uh serviced [00:16:45] which was the major service for the year [00:16:47] oil changes Etc [00:16:50] um [00:16:52] we do have Jason Gerald latest [00:16:53] interested in running now line up at [00:16:55] Eagle Hill that we [00:16:57] discussed from the air release valve [00:16:59] he's looking at starting that within the [00:17:01] next month [00:17:02] can be a big deal [00:17:05] did it give you a somewhat of a price [00:17:08] he didn't [00:17:10] I'm sure it'll be less than what you're [00:17:12] recording yeah I'm sure [00:17:18] we did take in 36 000 gallons of lychee [00:17:20] a few weeks ago [00:17:23] from the landfill [00:17:25] and all that information was submitted [00:17:27] for billing [00:17:33] that's been happening regularly for [00:17:35] years [00:17:36] is that true yeah we've been getting [00:17:38] four loads maybe every two months for [00:17:40] the last well since I've been here [00:17:47] I wasn't sure if you wanted to discuss [00:17:49] the future of little leachate was it [00:17:55] in regards to that new Casella proposal [00:17:59] it's probably premature yeah at this [00:18:01] point do you have anything from ethics [00:18:03] here [00:18:06] I already turned in my disclosure but I [00:18:09] will not be participating in anything [00:18:11] [Music] [00:18:18] and I think you all got my email about [00:18:20] blue heron my my thoughts on that [00:18:29] we have a meeting with them [00:18:31] Face to Face Tomorrow two o'clock yeah [00:18:35] is it here [00:18:42] is that here okay [00:18:45] [Music] [00:18:52] anything else Scott that's it I just [00:18:55] want to re-iterate [00:18:56] don't think we should hire Blue Heron in [00:18:58] any [00:18:59] in any aspect it was a waste of money [00:19:01] last time [00:19:03] that's their track record with us [00:19:14] this is what we have for our old [00:19:15] business [00:19:17] I don't know anything I do have a couple [00:19:19] of signatures for you but I don't know [00:19:25] just keep the signatures for the [00:19:27] warrants and then [00:19:29] um Kevin is applying for two grants and [00:19:32] needs your signature on each front page [00:19:42] speaking of Grants I'm going to hope [00:19:44] that we can get some paper [00:19:46] on my little empg [00:19:52] yeah [00:19:53] to get rid of the Town reimbursed and [00:19:56] maybe they have my numbers squared away [00:19:58] by the second week of August [00:20:01] I just need kind of a ledger a record of [00:20:04] okay I can get that for you did you give [00:20:07] me the account number I think you did [00:20:08] right yeah and I'll come in and sit I [00:20:10] think that's the only on the other side [00:20:12] I mean there's a second one but [00:20:16] no it's just it looks exactly the same [00:20:19] they're down there yeah [00:20:29] thank you [00:20:35] okay [00:20:45] Morris [00:20:47] scholarship stuff oh you know what I [00:20:49] printed out the wrong one sorry it's on [00:20:51] the new agenda [00:20:52] I printed out the wrong agenda for you [00:20:54] guys sorry [00:20:55] that's off my tank up this is like off [00:20:58] of with the letterhead and I mean that's [00:21:00] part of the whole business [00:21:03] because it was posted to my town [00:21:05] government yeah yeah the new one yeah [00:21:13] so it's just a summary of the what you [00:21:16] authorized before and it's been done [00:21:19] yeah I do yep thank you attached to it [00:21:23] is is a description of the original [00:21:25] terms of the endowment from Elizabeth [00:21:27] Morris for the purpose of scholarship [00:21:31] um [00:21:31] I'd describe you some things before [00:21:33] about the [00:21:35] amount of money and where it was and the [00:21:37] history of of stipends being awarded or [00:21:41] not and then I learned some had been [00:21:44] recently Nicole recovered a file that [00:21:47] showed a number of others have also been [00:21:49] given over the years so [00:21:51] um [00:21:52] you know I don't know if it's probably [00:21:53] five or six different times at awards of [00:21:55] 500 to maybe a thousand bucks have been [00:21:57] given from the Moore scholarship fund to [00:22:00] local college-bound residents [00:22:04] um the money you'll remember that there [00:22:07] was a twenty thousand dollar CD that at [00:22:09] one point must have been moved the East [00:22:11] Hampton Savings back in order to make a [00:22:12] higher rate of interest and it did for a [00:22:15] while and then they did what most banks [00:22:16] do was rolling over at a not so good [00:22:18] rate like quarter percent and so my [00:22:24] suggestion in your agreement at the time [00:22:25] was why not move that to where it's [00:22:27] going to earn a reasonable amount of [00:22:29] money [00:22:31] um so we plug and then also there was [00:22:34] another account 616 bucks at Country [00:22:36] Bank that was more scholarship interest [00:22:39] so at some point that that's just been [00:22:41] sitting there for seven years now [00:22:43] so what we did is what [00:22:48] what Jess did with my guidance a little [00:22:52] bit on your authorization was to close [00:22:53] both of those accounts out so we close [00:22:55] out 616 dollars and change from the [00:22:58] Country Bank more scholarship interest [00:22:59] account and sent it along with the full [00:23:02] proceeds of the East Hampton Savings [00:23:04] Bank CD [00:23:06] giving up the quarter percent [00:23:09] in order to get a better CD rate so that [00:23:12] was twenty thousand eight Forty Nine [00:23:13] with some interest [00:23:15] this money is divided properly into two [00:23:17] things the non-expendable twenty [00:23:19] thousand dollars a principal is first [00:23:21] given and then all the interest that [00:23:23] gets earned over time which right now is [00:23:27] 1465 so there's now two one two items at [00:23:32] unibag versus twenty thousand dollars [00:23:35] principle now on a four point six [00:23:37] percent 14 month CD [00:23:40] um I know they've got it she sent it but [00:23:42] they didn't tell us which day it was set [00:23:44] up so I can't tell you the exact [00:23:46] maturity date but it'll be late July the [00:23:48] next excuse me that's a mistake it'll be [00:23:51] late September [00:23:54] 14 minutes right late September of next [00:23:57] year [00:23:58] as a non of non-expendable principle the [00:24:00] rest of it that 1465 bucks is liquid in [00:24:03] the UniBank government money fund that [00:24:06] we use for so many things [00:24:08] that's Expendable income so [00:24:11] I'm just suggesting here that you [00:24:12] however you do such things you might [00:24:14] want to make a note that the 1465 that's [00:24:17] liquid now will still of course be [00:24:19] liquid in the spring of next year when I [00:24:21] imagine is when you want to entertain [00:24:23] applications [00:24:25] yeah and and find a deserving uh [00:24:29] student or two [00:24:31] whatever you decide at the time but [00:24:32] it'll be liquid it'll be a couple months [00:24:35] and it'll be September [00:24:38] before the 20 000 and what is it [00:24:41] obviously another [00:24:42] about a thousand bucks at that point of [00:24:44] Interest [00:24:45] when that comes in so that'll set you up [00:24:48] for the next year to do it again 1500 [00:24:51] whatever [00:24:52] so somewhere on the calendar that'll be [00:24:54] in there but thanks for doing this to [00:24:57] get this with the library and it was a [00:24:59] win pick you out so thank you now I'm [00:25:02] happy to [00:25:04] you know it's like insurance companies [00:25:07] the banks to make any more money than [00:25:10] they need to right it's a higher expense [00:25:12] that's the truth so yeah so that was one [00:25:14] thing and that's that's what I had asked [00:25:16] well I had asked Nicole if I could [00:25:18] update [00:25:19] some things here and this was one of [00:25:22] them and she thought maybe that was the [00:25:24] only one but I don't know so there I had [00:25:25] some other stuff it's more on the [00:25:27] planning board thing so if you wanted me [00:25:30] to talk about that I can like to also [00:25:32] wouldn't have too long [00:25:34] from the planning board or just from the [00:25:36] flag yeah [00:25:43] well there's there's really a [00:25:45] three things [00:25:47] only a part of it it's about it's about [00:25:50] bylaw processes really but first [00:25:54] um we're just going to say we're you [00:25:56] know we've taken up what chairman [00:26:00] walheim and the rest of the crew there [00:26:02] before at the planning board had worked [00:26:06] hard to do put together all the bylaws [00:26:08] update proposals they were sent in April [00:26:11] to the board you turned them around at [00:26:12] the time [00:26:13] planning board did not act on them [00:26:15] within 65 days or whatever it's required [00:26:18] but there were also new things to add [00:26:20] we're considering a couple other bylaws [00:26:22] over there and it's pretty soon I think [00:26:24] you'll see that there's something in [00:26:26] there perhaps about short-term rentals [00:26:28] or accessory dwelling units and some [00:26:31] more language about a couple others and [00:26:33] a bunch of typos so that kind of stuff [00:26:35] is coming back to you and in due time [00:26:38] it's been fun working with word and [00:26:41] Pages [00:26:45] the entire Personnel policy because it [00:26:48] couldn't be fixed yeah I get it anyway [00:26:51] that's that's coming along and the the [00:26:54] process as I've learned and [00:26:57] as you all would know [00:27:00] it is [00:27:02] Eric passed out to us at playing where [00:27:04] before that people refer to the process [00:27:07] is obviously one that we tend to follow [00:27:10] so this will come back to you and then [00:27:11] it comes back to the planning board [00:27:14] supposedly in 14 days and then we've got [00:27:16] 65 days to start hearings [00:27:19] and as a maximum and then [00:27:22] you do the hearings close the hearing [00:27:24] got 21 days if you need it to decide [00:27:26] that it goes to uh to the special kind [00:27:30] of meeting [00:27:31] we're zoning [00:27:33] changes require the two-thirds as you [00:27:35] know vote and other other things don't [00:27:38] except there's certain ones of the only [00:27:39] majority and this is for though that [00:27:41] this is for all the bylaws that we've [00:27:43] looked at earlier this year yes and a [00:27:46] couple more part of [00:27:48] zoning bylaw changes [00:27:52] then there's one other one which is the [00:27:54] the Mullen rule [00:27:56] which as you know is something that's [00:27:58] used by many towns that allows [00:28:02] a member of any board [00:28:06] that's specified is covered by this any [00:28:08] board member can miss one meeting but [00:28:11] not more than one of a hearing [00:28:13] and they can then come back into the [00:28:16] hearing later and vote and participate [00:28:19] and vote [00:28:21] if they've only missed one [00:28:23] but there's a pretty tight process they [00:28:25] have to do first the town has to adopt [00:28:28] the Mullen rule which is pretty [00:28:30] straightforward and yet the town never [00:28:32] has according to Ryan [00:28:34] people kind of thought it had but maybe [00:28:36] it never was there's no evidence It Ever [00:28:38] Was it's a simple thing to do and that [00:28:40] will allow whatever bores the town wants [00:28:43] to be able to use this well-oil [00:28:46] exemption [00:28:47] to do so then there's some procedural [00:28:51] things that say the [00:28:54] the [00:28:54] member who missed one has to certify [00:28:58] that they have well first they have to [00:29:00] actually see a video tape or an audio [00:29:05] tape of the proceedings or a transcript [00:29:07] of one of those it's pretty clear that [00:29:09] minutes are not enough you can't just [00:29:11] look at the minutes from the meeting [00:29:14] um [00:29:14] and then you have to testify that to the [00:29:16] town clerk at the beginning of your [00:29:17] hearing you have to say so and so is [00:29:19] here with us because they have filed [00:29:21] using their one exemption [00:29:24] for this purpose you can do this once [00:29:27] you can do this once yeah do it remember [00:29:30] yeah which has one time to do that [00:29:33] that's right yeah you can't do it a [00:29:34] second time but that of course only [00:29:36] matters if you have a hearing that [00:29:38] somebody missed and then it's continued [00:29:40] for a vote or another hearing or [00:29:42] whatever and that and the person that [00:29:44] missed the first one can't get in you [00:29:46] know unless he's done this process [00:29:49] so [00:29:50] it suggests to me that the town [00:29:54] should [00:29:55] adopt this the Mullen roll which is a [00:29:58] simple War majority thing on at a [00:30:01] meeting but it could be the same meaning [00:30:03] as we do these other bylaws [00:30:06] right yeah right [00:30:08] so my you know I'm just thinking for [00:30:10] convenience sake of expense and [00:30:11] everything might as well be rolled into [00:30:13] sort of whatever bylaws we're all ready [00:30:16] to [00:30:17] have hearings on and then vote on so and [00:30:21] Ryan thinks that's the way to do it and [00:30:27] um it suggests too that in actual [00:30:29] hearings by any this is the judicatory [00:30:31] hearings it was not just regular [00:30:33] meetings necessarily that the president [00:30:35] but in the hearings [00:30:38] um they would best be videotaped or [00:30:42] audio taped [00:30:43] or both or whatever so that a missing [00:30:47] member can use this to get back in [00:30:49] otherwise they technically can't even if [00:30:52] it's better because they wouldn't be [00:30:53] able to see the required amount of [00:30:56] information [00:30:57] and testifies so [00:31:00] that's where that is [00:31:02] and I think you'll see that I think I [00:31:04] know the planning board wants to do that [00:31:07] and it'd be your decision or other [00:31:09] boards [00:31:10] which other boards want that to cover [00:31:15] them [00:31:17] that warrant could say the whole town [00:31:20] wants to adapters that any committee [00:31:21] doing such having hearings would have [00:31:24] the same thing apply sometimes elsewhere [00:31:26] I've said there's only three people on [00:31:28] the board we don't really want to you [00:31:30] know to have that in that case I have no [00:31:33] opinion on that but you can spell it out [00:31:36] there's only a few boards that can have [00:31:38] a public hearing so that would probably [00:31:41] simplify that in the important Health [00:31:43] Center board Health conservation right [00:31:46] conservation is a commission that they [00:31:48] have public hearings but and and the [00:31:51] slight board [00:31:52] absolutely so maybe that's all that's it [00:31:54] but so it probably doesn't have to be [00:31:56] spelled out what you do unless one [00:31:58] doesn't you know what I'm saying I think [00:32:01] you can just say the town adopts this [00:32:02] for all all such hearings from Place [00:32:05] yeah and uh and that you're just going [00:32:09] to put that on with the rest of the [00:32:12] zoning [00:32:14] slightly different amendments yeah yeah [00:32:17] I mean kind of in the same thing I guess [00:32:19] we will maybe we'll sponsor it pass it [00:32:22] to you but it doesn't have to follow the [00:32:23] same thing it'll be subject to hearings [00:32:24] or a majority of two-thirds [00:32:28] [Applause] [00:32:30] we'll cover that with them and see see [00:32:33] that what you've got includes that as [00:32:36] well as the rewrites [00:32:38] three words that we're doing for them [00:32:40] and if I may [00:32:42] we went through this with a solar permit [00:32:46] process [00:32:48] that went on for years and by the time [00:32:52] we [00:32:53] got fed up with it we realized that it [00:32:56] was Moon anyway because we changed [00:32:58] members new elections really there was I [00:33:02] don't know if there were more than two [00:33:03] of us that could have said anything [00:33:05] about it because and we'd all missed too [00:33:08] many meetings this is during hearing [00:33:10] it's not just me right no it's yeah it's [00:33:13] still at my name was that that engine [00:33:16] anyway I do read that that [00:33:19] applicants performance and developers or [00:33:22] whatever that side of things they like [00:33:25] this to be in place because many a [00:33:26] hearing has been derailed because [00:33:29] we don't have Quorum people who haven't [00:33:31] missed one yet so then it doesn't even [00:33:33] it has to start over again and [00:33:35] everybody's expense so [00:33:37] it's almost most all towns have adopted [00:33:40] that are using it so you'll see that [00:33:42] when we get this stuff along to you [00:33:45] and the only other thing it's the same [00:33:48] process and I just wanted to confirm [00:33:52] to offer it the way I read it best and [00:33:55] everything you've said this is all this [00:33:56] chapter 40 section five you know in the [00:33:59] mess well it hasn't changed [00:34:01] saying what happens [00:34:04] to any zoning [00:34:07] or rezoning proposal [00:34:10] new or changed or whatever and it's all [00:34:12] the same thing it can come from any [00:34:13] number of places like in this case it's [00:34:16] going to come to the planning board come [00:34:17] to you it could come from more to [00:34:19] selecting themselves and sponsor it a [00:34:22] change it could come from an owner of [00:34:25] land they come from petitioners it could [00:34:27] come from a regional planning Authority [00:34:30] State I suppose they can force things on [00:34:33] your agenda like that but anyway they [00:34:35] any of those petitioners have the legal [00:34:37] right to [00:34:39] give give the select board The Proposal [00:34:43] obviously in specific form about this [00:34:45] piece and that piece and this is the new [00:34:47] language so I don't know who actually [00:34:49] drops all that up properly but once it [00:34:51] comes to the select board in good order [00:34:53] it seems as seems seems clear of it [00:34:56] within 14 days [00:34:58] it gets sent to the planning board being [00:35:00] disowning [00:35:02] and then the planning board schedules [00:35:04] hearings on the proposal [00:35:07] which as I imagine [00:35:09] if you're going to change something from [00:35:10] one years to another then it would [00:35:12] involve discussion about well what would [00:35:14] that [00:35:15] new use a lot and why is that a good or [00:35:18] bad idea or something I think that's [00:35:21] what the subject of the hearings would [00:35:23] be and then [00:35:25] a vote after the hearings closed [00:35:27] obviously then a bunch of days if you [00:35:30] need over one up to 90 days after the [00:35:32] vote comes that [00:35:34] the public the town meeting in this case [00:35:37] so the town meeting then votes [00:35:40] um [00:35:41] within six months after the planning [00:35:43] board holds public care [00:35:45] so [00:35:47] that seems to be the process that would [00:35:49] lead us to [00:35:50] eventually where we're going to go [00:35:51] there's certainly misunderstandings [00:35:53] elsewhere about [00:35:55] why you even have to consider them why [00:35:57] you even have to vote you know this is [00:35:59] obviously it's a it's a [00:36:02] Well's bailed out process you know you [00:36:05] gotta follow the process yeah and [00:36:07] there's certain timetables on the whole [00:36:08] thing in a circle right for any [00:36:11] landowner like I said to petition [00:36:13] whatever they want but then the process [00:36:16] the dates the hearings [00:36:21] in respect to that the planning board is [00:36:25] we've reviewed these things [00:36:26] processes we're going through them right [00:36:28] now where the with the rewrites again [00:36:32] um there will be hearings on that that [00:36:33] the planning board with its new chair [00:36:36] and so forth experience so they all are [00:36:38] will be doing and we'll be also looking [00:36:42] at the ethics stuff and making sure that [00:36:44] whatever has to be done prior to any [00:36:47] hearings like that come to the flag [00:36:50] board that that if that's taken care of [00:36:53] um [00:36:54] that's that's the process as we see it [00:36:56] so if there's anything I don't [00:36:58] understand about that then as I talk to [00:37:00] the planning board about about all of [00:37:03] this you know I'd certainly want to [00:37:05] call them anything different that you [00:37:07] all might know I know but that's those [00:37:10] are things I want to cover [00:37:16] yeah [00:37:18] spells it out pretty clearly [00:37:20] yeah you think they've come up against [00:37:22] this time or not a few times before [00:37:24] because it's all pretty exactly thank [00:37:29] you [00:37:29] thanks Phil thank you [00:37:41] Department [00:37:54] [Music] [00:38:00] so I don't know if we're gonna have to [00:38:02] offer more money to try to get some help [00:38:05] for [00:38:06] that's [00:38:08] he's been working seven days a week for [00:38:10] Less [00:38:11] over a month now [00:38:14] it pays at it so [00:38:18] where do you go to find somebody like [00:38:20] that I I suggest the tune we'll try to [00:38:23] poach somebody off of somebody else [00:38:25] because honestly right now that's that's [00:38:27] how you get people I guess they have to [00:38:30] go around and try to find somebody that [00:38:32] will want to go through and step over [00:38:35] money except of more money or you know [00:38:39] some something [00:38:40] they feel will benefit them [00:38:44] I mean some people might not be like not [00:38:47] realize he's looking for this [00:38:50] time before we run an ad [00:38:59] maybe just leave dollar values out [00:39:03] at this point I think last time with the [00:39:05] range [00:39:07] paper too [00:39:10] put it in the Telegram and Gazette and [00:39:12] yeah [00:39:15] we definitely have done that the problem [00:39:18] is that there isn't anybody because [00:39:21] we're you know the Whistle Stop had to [00:39:23] close four days a week because they [00:39:25] don't have any staff it's just hard we [00:39:27] have we have a few we have not many [00:39:29] residents that need it if we're [00:39:31] advertising in a Statewide newspaper [00:39:34] you're not going to find somebody [00:39:36] wanting to come in for the hours here [00:39:41] and it's not stupid to be looking at no [00:39:45] I understand we don't panic [00:39:49] what do we pay [00:39:51] I think it's like 22-ish up to 24 50. [00:39:55] for the supervisor right that's the [00:39:58] phone number [00:39:59] the other position is I think 20. [00:40:05] the labor CDL [00:40:09] [Music] [00:40:20] Hydraulics always good [00:40:24] that's [00:40:26] so let me put it like that you know [00:40:29] we're willing to train and get them [00:40:31] those things but if we get them you know [00:40:33] yeah the problem is now it's getting [00:40:36] close to Winter [00:40:37] he's got two guys basically and yourself [00:40:41] so [00:40:42] it's three of them basically trying to [00:40:44] they're going to start that drainage [00:40:46] project to bring a trip shortly and [00:40:48] that's going to tie them up [00:40:51] all right so what do we do [00:40:57] I I agree with you let's put an ad out [00:41:00] there again let's try to shake bushes [00:41:03] again and see if there's anybody [00:41:06] um well I'm kind of looking around the [00:41:09] people I know that [00:41:19] right now that [00:41:22] if you're in the private sector you're [00:41:23] doing pretty well [00:41:26] so I mean if you want to be in the [00:41:28] public sector and be guaranteed work [00:41:30] year round and that's what you want to [00:41:32] do [00:41:33] it's a little sore face [00:41:36] when Marty it really isn't no no he does [00:41:39] not here not right now [00:41:46] I I just wanted to bring it to you [00:41:48] guys's attention when it's [00:41:49] getting pretty bad there [00:41:51] and if I may [00:41:54] um you know the current employees really [00:41:56] aren't compensated well for what they do [00:41:59] the chainsaw work and the chipper work [00:42:02] and then making their own gravel I mean [00:42:04] they're really doing a lot more work [00:42:07] than an average Highway guy would be [00:42:09] doing I I wanted to make that a goal of [00:42:12] mine this year to try to bring the whole [00:42:15] department so we have a personal [00:42:18] committee meeting [00:42:19] no but we can certainly [00:42:23] yeah should we [00:42:26] you told me I'm gone Monday through the [00:42:30] 15th [00:42:33] oh [00:42:38] the second meeting in August [00:42:45] there's a tiny calendar right there [00:42:48] um is the 28th [00:42:53] we usually meet on a Wednesday [00:42:56] for personnel okay yeah 16th [00:43:00] welcome back Carter [00:43:03] that's fine [00:43:05] we're gonna do it here or Zoom or yeah [00:43:08] do we apply into the personal care it's [00:43:11] not automatic oh yeah it was in the fine [00:43:13] print buddy because you're on the board [00:43:18] whatever [00:43:27] [Music] [00:43:37] do you want to do yeah [00:43:42] I mean we could probably even do it I [00:43:44] really want to do four o'clock [00:43:46] just stay at the office that's [00:43:49] completely up to you and genuinely [00:43:51] appreciate that too I think that's what [00:43:54] I'm thinking of she like to [00:43:57] please what I mean she always [00:44:00] she always showed up with bells on [00:44:03] I'm not cold but I haven't ever sat on [00:44:06] this person [00:44:10] so far you want to do four yeah [00:44:21] all right I guess that's [00:44:23] we get that stuff out there we can maybe [00:44:26] we can ask Mario to come in and yeah I [00:44:29] mean we can start the to see the process [00:44:31] of discussion you know where [00:44:52] that's true and you've said that many [00:44:54] times and Highway are really I mean just [00:44:57] watching them over the past two years no [00:44:59] they see what they make it's like wow so [00:45:01] what they do what they're willing to do [00:45:02] yeah [00:45:04] gotta start somewhere very impressive [00:45:09] wait for the meeting [00:45:12] all of our payroll [00:45:14] how big a percentages of our budget [00:45:19] probably the highest percentage for one [00:45:22] highway from the school is school's like [00:45:24] schools yeah oh this is in school right [00:45:26] I bet it's [00:45:29] 20. it was a total budget like 25 are we [00:45:32] talking just highlights [00:45:36] oh payroll just oh just sounds we're [00:45:39] talking about how we set up this is a [00:45:41] slippery slope yeah well right that's [00:45:43] right so it's everything [00:45:50] [Music] [00:45:54] yeah salary is probably a big piece of [00:45:58] it it always is everywhere [00:46:00] even the school and they have yeah a 40 [00:46:03] million dollar budget but 38 million [00:46:05] numbers [00:46:06] bill [00:46:08] if I may uh just a couple thoughts quick [00:46:10] on uh fill in some of these spots you [00:46:14] mentioned advertising do we use the town [00:46:16] newsletter for that [00:46:18] okay [00:46:19] maybe good right and is there any [00:46:22] provision or the reality offering a [00:46:24] binders fee like some places do if you [00:46:27] send your friend in here if they get [00:46:28] fired [00:46:30] something yeah [00:46:32] sometimes that makes somebody say [00:46:35] hey look they got an offering you know [00:46:37] Head Hunters yeah yeah not professional [00:46:40] but just your friend comes in because [00:46:42] they use they sent you and then maybe [00:46:44] the submit it you know okay and these [00:46:48] guys [00:46:49] so [00:46:58] 30 years [00:47:06] okay so I'll get on that and I can get [00:47:08] on some um you know things on Facebook [00:47:11] I'll post it it's on our website all the [00:47:13] time but I'll post it back up put it in [00:47:14] the papers and do some research on you [00:47:17] know what a what a good [00:47:19] DPW person would be making [00:47:22] there's no way that we can bump up pay [00:47:25] until the next meeting right [00:47:28] unless he could find it in his budget [00:47:30] which if he doesn't replace everybody I [00:47:32] think right if he got one if he got one [00:47:35] strong you know strong candidate then [00:47:38] there's two salary items left in his [00:47:41] budget that he's not filled right now [00:47:43] right okay so there's some Wiggles with [00:47:46] that right [00:47:56] so I may or may not be at our next [00:47:59] meeting [00:48:00] and come home that day [00:48:03] so doctor from yourself [00:48:14] we typically leave early but if anything [00:48:17] happens or goes Australia then I may not [00:48:19] be here I'll keep you posted though [00:48:22] I was thinking it was next [00:48:24] was the seventh but that's not no that's [00:48:28] right it's the 14th so I may be yeah [00:48:32] just a [00:48:33] great beginning