Thumbnail for Hardwick, MA Board of Selectmen Meeting 3/27/23

Hardwick Selectmen: Policy Adoption, Project Updates, Property Discussions

Original title: Hardwick, MA Board of Selectmen Meeting 3/27/23

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

March 28, 2023

Duration

1h 13m

Decisions

9 recorded

Action Items

23 assigned

Summary

This meeting of the Hardwick Board of Selectmen covered a range of municipal matters, including the unanimous adoption of a revised personnel policy and approval of Mayflower software for the Assessor's office. Discussions also focused on ongoing sewer project updates, including pre-construction details and legal budget concerns, and the deferral of ARPA funding decisions for a .gov email conversion and a Highway Garage shower pending further investigation and updated financial figures. The Board also addressed two denied sewer abatement applications, scheduling them for re-review, and began discussions on a proposed acquisition of the "Music Camp property" by Fish & Game, requesting more information on their plans. Emergency fire line repair was approved using ARPA funds.

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Discussion Highlights

Review of agenda items, including old business, sewer commission matters, new business, ARPA funding, and committee reports.
No updates available for Church Street Properties; Building Inspector to provide an update.
Planning Board Solar Bylaw Review Changes received no modifications or suggestions from the Selectmen.
Sewer abatement applications from Mr. Sabaj and another applicant were denied due to incomplete paperwork and lack of required usage history; both were rescheduled for the April 3rd meeting.
Discussion on a proposed compact tractor purchase for the Sewer Superintendent, considering ARPA funds or retained earnings.
Acknowledgement of Mike Dugan's pro bono contributions to pump and motor changes.
Pre-construction meeting for the sewer project discussed boring tests, generator lead times, building design, and high legal budget concerns.
USDA's stringent stance on legal funding for the sewer project was noted.
Personnel policy, a two-year overhaul, was presented, including updated retiree health insurance, classification plan, and reinstated longevity benefits.
Routine approval of Mayflower Software for Assessor's state recertification.
Appointment of John Petraglia to the Historical Commission for a term ending June 2025.
Discussion regarding converting the town's email domain from .com to .gov for enhanced security, with cost concerns and a deferral for further investigation.
Emergency repair of a fire line on Upper Church Street was approved for ARPA funding.
Consideration of a new shower installation at the Highway Garage, deferred pending updated ARPA funding balance.
Town Administrator's report covered pre-construction meeting, equipment bids, ARC rates, Lori Stevens meeting, in-person meetings, RFPs for oversight, and the new Director of Rural Affairs position.
Update on Town Hall boiler damage due to flooding, mold discovery, and insufficient Green Community Grant funding for the boiler.
CDBG grant rejection due to late submission, with DHCD reconsidering the Summit Road rehab portion.
Meeting with National Grid discussed street light options for savings.
Green Community Grant pivoted to other energy-saving measures (doors, insulation) due to the boiler cost exceeding the grant cap.
Discussion about Fish & Game's proposal to purchase the "Music Camp property" for open space and wildlife management, raising concerns about tax revenue loss and property cleanup.
Clarification on Green Community funding eligibility related to the solar bylaw.
Details on the "Music Camp property" tax delinquency and disrepair.
State land acquisition payments ("cherry sheets") were clarified as small, non-negotiable amounts per acre.

Transcript (11,356 words)

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

00:00:00
The Board of selectment meeting for March 27 2023 to order at 6 33 items on the agenda Pledge of Allegiance visitors comments old business Church Street Properties
00:00:18
Recommendation for planning board solar bylaw review changes other old business Sewer Commission meeting a sewer abatement B superintendent report see sewer project pre-construction meeting discussion five new business Personnel policy approval
00:00:37
For adoption Mayflower software for assessor other new business appointed John Patrick hopefully I said that correctly to Historical Society term 2025 discussion interval relative to arpa funding committee reports miscellaneous correspondence KP law price increase
00:00:56
Town Administrator report signatures and approvals Joseph J orzalak Memorial Day ceremonies contract seleckman Roundtable and adjournment hopefully I hit everything Nicole that was on the agenda yes I'm sorry there is one correction it's not the Historical
00:01:14
Society but it's the historical Commission okay John got it yeah on the meeting John we're doing our best with the name okay so um if you wouldn't mind
00:01:33
Joining me with the Pledge of Allegiance the flag is behind Nicole I pledge allegiance to the flag the United States one nation invisible
00:01:55
Thank you any comments from visitors about anything that is not on the agenda this evening Noel Nicole I can't see if anybody has hands up nobody out here
00:02:15

[00:00:00] the [00:00:02] um [00:00:03] Board of selectment meeting for March 27 [00:00:05] 2023 to order at 6 33 [00:00:10] um items on the agenda Pledge of [00:00:13] Allegiance visitors comments old [00:00:16] business Church Street Properties [00:00:18] recommendation for planning board solar [00:00:21] bylaw review changes other old business [00:00:24] Sewer Commission meeting [00:00:26] uh [00:00:27] a sewer abatement B superintendent [00:00:30] report see sewer project [00:00:31] pre-construction meeting discussion five [00:00:34] new business Personnel policy approval [00:00:37] for adoption Mayflower software for [00:00:39] assessor other new business appointed [00:00:43] John Patrick [00:00:44] hopefully I said that correctly to [00:00:46] Historical Society term 2025 discussion [00:00:49] interval relative to arpa funding [00:00:51] committee reports miscellaneous [00:00:53] correspondence KP law price increase [00:00:56] Town Administrator report signatures and [00:00:58] approvals Joseph J orzalak Memorial Day [00:01:02] ceremonies contract seleckman Roundtable [00:01:04] and adjournment [00:01:06] hopefully I hit everything Nicole that [00:01:09] was on the agenda yes I'm sorry there is [00:01:12] one correction it's not the Historical [00:01:14] Society but it's the historical [00:01:16] Commission [00:01:18] okay [00:01:24] John got it yeah on the meeting John [00:01:26] we're doing our best with the name [00:01:29] um okay so um if you wouldn't mind [00:01:33] um joining me with the Pledge of [00:01:34] Allegiance the flag is behind Nicole I [00:01:37] pledge allegiance to the flag [00:01:40] the United States [00:01:46] one nation [00:01:49] invisible [00:01:55] thank you [00:01:57] any [00:01:58] um comments from visitors about anything [00:02:00] that is not on the agenda this evening [00:02:09] Noel Nicole I can't see if anybody has [00:02:12] hands up nobody out here [00:02:15] okay [00:02:16] so um we'll move on then to Old business [00:02:20] Church Street Properties Nicole do we [00:02:22] have an update on those no bill cantel [00:02:25] our building inspector was going to go [00:02:26] out last week he comes [00:02:29] so I'm hoping to [00:02:31] from him tomorrow on what he thinks the [00:02:34] capital committee also met today and [00:02:37] um Eric Fleming was going to [00:02:40] well we had some questions as to [00:02:43] ownership or [00:02:44] um responsibility as we all have been [00:02:46] talking so it's still on the Forefront [00:02:48] but I don't have enough [00:02:49] [Music] [00:02:51] okay [00:02:52] um can you remind me to bring up the [00:02:54] capital committee when we get to the [00:02:56] select men's Roundtable in case I forget [00:02:58] I'll make a note also [00:03:01] um [00:03:04] okay [00:03:06] um anything else on the Church Street [00:03:08] property so you'll continue to keep this [00:03:10] on the agenda and give us an update okay [00:03:12] yes [00:03:15] um letter B recommendation planning [00:03:17] board solar bylaw review changes is [00:03:19] anyone gonna speak to this from the [00:03:22] planning board tonight Nicole or [00:03:25] no this was you guys were going to [00:03:28] review it and recommend any changes if [00:03:31] you had any [00:03:32] um from the last meeting we it was [00:03:34] presented to you I think the meeting [00:03:36] before and and so just if you had any [00:03:39] updates or recommendations or changes I [00:03:42] went through the entire thing [00:03:43] and I didn't say anything so I don't [00:03:45] know about you because then they'll have [00:03:47] public hearings about it [00:03:52] I didn't have anything either Rob did [00:03:54] you have any suggestions or changes for [00:03:56] the um [00:03:58] solar by [00:04:01] no except my nails all right [00:04:04] okay [00:04:05] so um Nicole can you rep back to the [00:04:09] planning though that we did any changes [00:04:12] or suggestions [00:04:16] for purposes of um [00:04:19] following the process is the next step [00:04:21] that they'll have their public hearings [00:04:23] now that we've reviewed it and [00:04:26] um [00:04:28] or I guess in an agreement with moving [00:04:31] it forward [00:04:34] okay yep I start their public hearing [00:04:36] process okay great thank you [00:04:40] uh anything under other old business [00:04:47] I [00:04:49] um [00:04:52] with me [00:04:56] foreign [00:05:05] nothing is cooperating okay well [00:05:10] I'll reach out to [00:05:12] um if I can get it to cooperate by the [00:05:14] time we move through I will bring it up [00:05:16] under segments Roundtable but I had a [00:05:18] few notes on some things but I can't [00:05:20] load them so [00:05:22] um [00:05:23] so as is customary what we are doing is [00:05:26] putting Sewer Commission excuse me Sewer [00:05:29] Commission business [00:05:34] so under our Sewer Commission meetings [00:05:37] sewer abatements do we have any to [00:05:39] address Nicole [00:05:41] so in your packet there is a letter [00:05:43] um from Mr sabaj he did he didn't have [00:05:47] the appropriate paperwork so it was [00:05:50] rejected the application was rejected [00:05:52] for the abatement so the second page is [00:05:55] the usage history from this is what he [00:05:59] submitted he didn't submit the um [00:06:03] 12 months like the only one that was [00:06:06] approved did submit all 12 months but it [00:06:09] shows the energy usage and then Angie [00:06:12] hand wrote in [00:06:13] um [00:06:15] you you know the usage from the ones [00:06:17] that you approved so January was nine [00:06:20] February was ten march was nine April [00:06:22] was 10 March was 10 June [00:06:25] April May June was eight so as you can [00:06:28] see the use is between 10 and 0 on the [00:06:32] one that you approved and then the [00:06:33] kilowatts on the history on this one [00:06:35] were between [00:06:37] um 187 with the lowest being 51 I [00:06:42] believe so [00:06:43] the usage you know wasn't consistent [00:06:45] with not being uh with it being vacant [00:06:49] so that was just a little comparison for [00:06:52] you to make your decisions [00:06:58] oh you know what's not in here though [00:07:00] the full application [00:07:02] right [00:07:10] is this something that we can [00:07:13] um [00:07:16] we can do next month's [00:07:18] we're still in the fiscal year and I'll [00:07:21] give you everything next month [00:07:23] so um we have a meeting coming up on [00:07:25] April 3rd and then we have a meeting on [00:07:27] April 10th are we thinking we would [00:07:29] address this on April 10th or April 3rd [00:07:32] so typically it's the second meeting of [00:07:34] the month that is the sewer meeting [00:07:35] right so we keep them kind of in line I [00:07:37] was thinking of [00:07:38] April 24th [00:07:40] um but hopefully we have all the [00:07:43] information for Monday the 3rd and since [00:07:45] that would be a sewer meeting we if I I [00:07:47] can get it to you by then because we do [00:07:49] have the application it just wasn't [00:07:50] included in this packet [00:07:52] okay [00:07:54] all right so if you could put it on the [00:07:56] agenda for April 3rd sure great [00:08:00] the second one is um the second [00:08:02] application you have in your packet [00:08:04] excuse me um [00:08:08] was submitted and subsequently denied [00:08:12] because they also did not provide any [00:08:15] backup information as required [00:08:18] um in the application process on page [00:08:20] two [00:08:21] but the applicant said they've never had [00:08:23] to do that before and they don't [00:08:26] should have to do it now and still want [00:08:29] their abatement [00:08:31] and the amount [00:08:34] paid is on there I don't have can we put [00:08:37] this on the third two I'm sorry I'll be [00:08:38] a little more detailed [00:08:41] it's okay because I can't access any of [00:08:43] my meeting materials right now [00:08:45] so if I if you don't mind just uh [00:08:49] allowing me to give it to you for the [00:08:51] Third [00:08:52] that would be great [00:08:54] Nicole and [00:08:56] um sorry Kelly [00:08:59] you're okay with that [00:09:02] yeah I'm fine with that I mean I think [00:09:05] that it provides 12 months worth of [00:09:07] bills and they need to provide 12 months [00:09:09] hotels but we can we address it next [00:09:11] Monday [00:09:13] yeah and if that's the protocol I mean [00:09:16] that's the protocol [00:09:17] um I think you said he's not had to do [00:09:19] it before is that what [00:09:22] I'm hearing what the applicant said I [00:09:25] haven't had to do this before was very [00:09:27] adamant and so it's not my decision you [00:09:31] know I just thought I'd bring it in [00:09:32] front of you again [00:09:33] um we did reiterate that they are [00:09:36] required to submit everything that's on [00:09:38] the application and you know without it [00:09:41] being submitted it has to be denied so [00:09:44] we we [00:09:46] um [00:09:47] we did relay that information and then [00:09:49] the applicant was adamant that we bring [00:09:52] in front of the Sewer Commission again [00:09:59] I'm sorry Rob go ahead [00:10:01] I believe that we required that last [00:10:04] year I mean I unless they didn't apply [00:10:07] last year [00:10:08] because we were pretty adamant about [00:10:10] that last year's as you as you'll share [00:10:13] exactly several were denied because they [00:10:15] they didn't provide the required [00:10:18] information [00:10:25] but I think [00:10:26] sorry [00:10:27] I'm sorry if it's if it's part of our [00:10:30] procedure and that's part of what is [00:10:33] included in the package for us to review [00:10:35] abatement then I I think that it'll [00:10:38] continue to be denied unless they I mean [00:10:41] it's very clear in the application on [00:10:44] what's required [00:10:46] so [00:10:47] um [00:10:49] I think just a reiteration presumably [00:10:51] they have the [00:10:53] um [00:10:57] required for the application process so [00:11:01] um [00:11:02] it certainly can be applied and they [00:11:05] have all the information [00:11:07] okay [00:11:10] I'll have more detail next week [00:11:14] okay anything else under the sewer [00:11:16] abatements [00:11:18] no [00:11:19] uh do we have is Scott joining us for [00:11:22] the superintendent's report [00:11:26] I can't my screen is very tiny on my [00:11:28] phone so I cannot see everybody [00:11:31] hi Scott [00:11:33] good evening yes I'm here [00:11:36] um did you want to go through your [00:11:37] superintendent's report [00:11:39] yeah [00:11:40] thank you [00:11:42] so we still have a lot of alarms at the [00:11:45] wheel right Pump Station [00:11:47] um that we're continuing to be [00:11:49] frustrated by hopefully the warmer [00:11:51] weather will put a stop to them like it [00:11:53] usually does [00:11:55] um we did change a motor out on one of [00:11:58] our aeration tank mixers in Gilbertville [00:12:01] that was all done in-house [00:12:04] we had a [00:12:05] actual gearbox rebuilt by eers Mike [00:12:09] Dugan [00:12:10] and once again he's charging us only for [00:12:12] parts no labor [00:12:14] no delivery no other charges [00:12:19] so if you see him uh out and about you [00:12:21] should [00:12:22] tell them thank you [00:12:28] we did have a pre-construction meeting [00:12:30] at the Old Town House on the 22nd [00:12:34] and we are preparing for chlorian season [00:12:36] which starts April 1st [00:12:44] and working to get the uh the Force main [00:12:49] pumping as good as we can [00:12:51] floors have been dropping [00:12:53] slowly so we've been doing what we can [00:12:55] to try to get those rates up [00:13:04] pretty much all I have [00:13:07] thank you [00:13:08] on looking at your report [00:13:11] um under the proposals Nicole are we [00:13:13] considering this for [00:13:15] um [00:13:16] Scott's request for or recommendation [00:13:20] that we should purchase a compact [00:13:22] tractor with loader Mower and brush hog [00:13:24] are we considering that in our budgeting [00:13:26] process [00:13:28] no not yet I don't know what Scott did [00:13:31] you put it in your budget [00:13:33] I did put it in my budget but last time [00:13:35] we brought it up which was a month ago [00:13:37] you [00:13:38] and our funding for this [00:13:41] for them so what I was thinking to [00:13:44] alleviate I'm not sure about the um [00:13:47] I'm not sure about the revolving fund [00:13:50] with arpa I was thinking about [00:13:53] requesting [00:13:55] leases and things like that to alleviate [00:13:57] FY 24's [00:13:59] um [00:14:00] for for the town side I'm not sure about [00:14:03] the [00:14:05] um [00:14:05] I'm not sure about arpa and Enterprise [00:14:07] funds so I I don't have any of that [00:14:11] information for you right now [00:14:13] can we can we can meet that on our [00:14:17] um [00:14:19] probably not our April 3rd meeting [00:14:21] because we're gonna a little heavy on [00:14:23] our April 3rd meeting now but can we put [00:14:24] this on our April 10th meeting [00:14:27] to [00:14:29] make sure that this fall side and we [00:14:32] talk about it during the budgeting [00:14:33] process whether it's [00:14:35] out of Enterprise [00:14:36] retained earnings or it's out of arpa [00:14:39] that's just kind of kept up there summer [00:14:47] I thought everything earnings it has to [00:14:49] be its own article on the town warrant [00:14:52] correct [00:14:57] I believe so yeah [00:14:59] write anything at a return retained [00:15:01] earnings yeah [00:15:05] so we'll take a look and see [00:15:07] um so options appear to be [00:15:10] there are severeign [00:15:13] funding and we'll find out if the arbor [00:15:15] funding is a possibility [00:15:20] thank you Scott any questions for Scott [00:15:27] I'm good I'm just I'm curious God how [00:15:30] many times that Mike Eagan has done that [00:15:34] for you guys [00:15:36] he helped us out quite a few times both [00:15:38] in wheelwright and in Gilbertville [00:15:41] but changing out Palms changing out [00:15:42] borders [00:15:44] um especially changing out the gearboxes [00:15:47] for the uh aeration tank mixers in [00:15:49] Gilbertville that's a heavy [00:15:52] complicated job and he's never charged [00:15:54] us anything for it [00:15:56] and now that he's actually putting uh [00:15:58] now that he's actually rebuilt the [00:15:59] gearbox he is going to charge us for [00:16:02] parts of course [00:16:03] yeah [00:16:05] yeah that's really nice [00:16:07] yeah it's really incredible [00:16:10] can we make sure so [00:16:13] um Nicole can we put this on our [00:16:16] um radar and also just to [00:16:19] um [00:16:20] make sure that we do something for Mike [00:16:22] relative to this I'll touch base with [00:16:25] you but can just keep it on my radar [00:16:26] please [00:16:30] um they'll just put Bill Cole just put [00:16:32] something in [00:16:33] the chat meeting on day Bill [00:16:35] historically we've had a meeting on [00:16:37] Election Day [00:16:40] um it's okay to have a meeting on [00:16:41] election day that will be my last [00:16:43] meeting [00:16:44] and whoever is elected will uh pick up [00:16:47] uh at that point after [00:16:54] and just as an as an aside Julie [00:16:56] I did shut off the chat [00:16:58] you know just to be consistent with our [00:17:00] Roberts Rules of Order if somebody wants [00:17:02] to [00:17:03] something we should have them [00:17:05] or sorry I should have shut it off in [00:17:07] the beginning that's okay [00:17:09] um [00:17:10] so if you do we certainly want to hear [00:17:12] what you have to say if you have [00:17:15] please read Nicole I unfortunately can't [00:17:18] see you because I'm doing a meeting for [00:17:19] my phone but please raise your hand in [00:17:21] Nicole uh will let me know so we can [00:17:23] recognize you [00:17:26] thank you Scott unless we have any more [00:17:29] questions or information that we need [00:17:31] from Scott we can release Scott [00:17:36] thank you Scott [00:17:37] thank you [00:17:39] Scott [00:17:41] another [00:17:45] oh right okay [00:17:48] I'm juggling the agenda here so thanks [00:17:50] for keeping me on track so the next item [00:17:52] is the pre-construction meeting [00:17:54] discussion [00:17:56] I'm not sure [00:17:59] yeah I can let you know I I am it's in [00:18:01] my report too but like we can Discover [00:18:03] it now [00:18:04] um it was Wednesday March 22nd with DPC [00:18:07] Richard [00:18:08] USTA Scott Marty and me [00:18:11] um [00:18:12] groundbreaking was supposed to happen in [00:18:14] September but DPC was requesting that [00:18:17] returning do some boring testing testing [00:18:19] soon to understand what type of rock and [00:18:21] ledge they're looking at [00:18:23] um we're charity stated that he can get [00:18:24] some Machinery to the location and [00:18:26] perform some testing in May [00:18:28] discussion over a lead time for [00:18:30] generator its ship date is approximately [00:18:32] April of 2024 they're looking into [00:18:35] options such as rental as the completion [00:18:37] needs to be done you know [00:18:39] the entire project needs to be done to [00:18:41] be done with 2024 so we don't want to [00:18:42] hold that up the building will arrive [00:18:45] prefabricated and we'll have renderings [00:18:47] of the exterior from the vendor soon I [00:18:49] actually have a meeting with the vendor [00:18:51] and DPC tomorrow morning at nine [00:18:54] um just a virtual meeting to go over [00:18:55] some uh you know what it should look [00:18:58] like and they understand that it should [00:19:01] have the look of a Sugar Shack [00:19:03] like it belongs there [00:19:05] um and then there was discussion over [00:19:07] the legal budget and it's running really [00:19:08] high I uh told USDA that it was really [00:19:13] due to the location change and all of [00:19:15] the [00:19:16] um the extra legal work that needed to [00:19:19] be done and you know hopefully that um [00:19:23] you know it should just be status quo [00:19:25] going forward where they just do um sort [00:19:27] of [00:19:28] the typical legal research Deeds or [00:19:32] whatever to have you for the rest of the [00:19:34] project [00:19:36] um Joe said he was going to send me an [00:19:37] email hoping that [00:19:38] [Music] [00:19:39] um [00:19:40] KP law would just agree to you know not [00:19:44] really raise the whole thing is that [00:19:47] it's running hot the legal budget is [00:19:49] running High because of all the extra [00:19:50] stuff that we did you know over the past [00:19:52] year [00:19:53] um and that we don't forecast that same [00:19:57] um you know speed of spending going [00:19:59] forward so [00:20:01] um hopefully KP law will just agree the [00:20:04] underwriting wasn't written to include [00:20:06] legal uh USDA stated that they don't [00:20:11] necessarily they'll pay it potentially [00:20:13] but the but if they continue to see this [00:20:15] growth like that then the owner which [00:20:18] they call us will have to start coming [00:20:21] up with some of that legal funding [00:20:24] um [00:20:26] so that was the meeting [00:20:29] for that I have you know the rest of my [00:20:31] USDA in my report [00:20:33] but that was the meeting that we had it [00:20:35] went really well everybody you know sort [00:20:37] of sort of met and uh [00:20:40] they all work together so USDA has [00:20:42] worked with their charity before I don't [00:20:43] think DPC and Richard have worked [00:20:45] together before but they're all familiar [00:20:47] with the process [00:20:48] and how much more stringent USDA is now [00:20:50] than they have been over the past you [00:20:52] know two decades they were a lot [00:20:55] um [00:20:55] less strict in spending than they are [00:20:58] now but now these over these [00:20:59] Underwriters and and loan officers [00:21:02] really look [00:21:03] basically to the penny so [00:21:05] um it was a good meeting overall I think [00:21:08] um we're moving forward and and the [00:21:09] project is moving forward [00:21:12] it was nice to meet them all [00:21:15] I met Steve from USDA so it was a nice [00:21:17] meeting [00:21:21] Kelly around me [00:21:23] questions from the precon meeting for [00:21:25] Scott is there anything you want to add [00:21:27] he left [00:21:29] okay [00:21:32] can still see him he's still here no I'm [00:21:34] still here but Nicole [00:21:36] Nicole sorry [00:21:39] I'm good [00:21:42] Rob [00:21:46] I'm good [00:21:48] okay [00:21:49] great thank you [00:21:52] um under new business we have the [00:21:53] Personnel policy approval for adoption [00:21:55] so let's give you a little primer I'll [00:21:57] give our audience a little primer for [00:21:59] this [00:22:00] um I think we've been working on this [00:22:02] for [00:22:04] um the committee I'm working on this for [00:22:06] over two years if I'm [00:22:09] thank you [00:22:12] um and it is basically a complete [00:22:14] overhaul of the Personnel policy to make [00:22:17] sure it's appropriate with current laws [00:22:19] and what we're actually doing and what [00:22:21] we want to do for the um Town employees [00:22:25] um Kelly did a um [00:22:28] so just to give you a little history [00:22:30] this project started when Faye was still [00:22:33] working for the town and they created a [00:22:36] document that we [00:22:38] um which was a blend of some existing [00:22:41] policies and maybe some recommended [00:22:45] policies that we implement [00:22:47] and what it was was a document that was [00:22:50] very badly formatted [00:22:53] and um not because of any issue with say [00:22:56] but it was just sort of putting [00:22:58] documents together and format wise it [00:23:00] was a mess [00:23:01] Kelly so we met over two years the [00:23:04] Personnel committee and at the end came [00:23:07] up with a good draft and Kelly retyped [00:23:10] the entire thing [00:23:13] um thank you Kelly and [00:23:16] um and Nicole has sort of joined us at [00:23:20] the end of the process but we've sort of [00:23:22] gone through and she's gone through with [00:23:24] us and made some meaningful [00:23:26] suggestion um [00:23:28] and so I believe [00:23:32] there are a few formatting things that [00:23:34] still need a little bit of correction [00:23:37] um I'm not sure I saw your comments [00:23:40] um [00:23:41] earlier [00:23:43] um [00:23:44] so are we prepared to actually adopt the [00:23:47] Personnel policy tonight do you think [00:23:49] we're good in format or should we delay [00:23:52] the till the 10th [00:23:55] um the last [00:23:56] the last email that came through with [00:23:59] revisions [00:24:00] um addressed my comments earlier on the [00:24:03] day so [00:24:05] um I haven't picked up on anything else [00:24:07] and there was just a couple of numbering [00:24:09] you know formatting things [00:24:12] I don't know if anyone else has had a [00:24:14] chance though [00:24:16] look through it [00:24:20] I think we probably should try to move [00:24:21] it forward and [00:24:23] I mean if if we do find some more we'll [00:24:26] Amanda [00:24:27] as we go it's a living [00:24:30] right and I think the I think the [00:24:32] foundation of it everything that's in it [00:24:34] is um is good at this point like Rob [00:24:37] said maybe you know maybe we find a [00:24:39] couple of yeah minor [00:24:42] um [00:24:44] um I'm totally drawing a blank for [00:24:48] formatting issues but I don't think [00:24:51] that's a reason to not vote vote it [00:24:53] thoroughly I've spent a lot of time [00:24:54] doing it [00:24:57] and so [00:24:58] um what we talked about is once what [00:25:00] this uh approval once the Personnel [00:25:03] policy has been approved by the board [00:25:06] um that Nicole will make sure that [00:25:08] there's some type of kickoff meeting to [00:25:11] make sure that all the employees have [00:25:12] the new policy and understand what's in [00:25:15] the policy because there are some really [00:25:16] some good benefits for Town employees [00:25:21] um things that were in the old policy [00:25:23] but an example is longevity or in the [00:25:26] old policy but never really enforced or [00:25:32] employees weren't made aware of it so [00:25:36] um [00:25:37] once we approve this if that happens [00:25:39] tonight Nicole [00:25:41] um you're prepared to have sort of a [00:25:43] kickoff meeting with all of the [00:25:44] department heads and interested people [00:25:46] to [00:25:48] um go through the Personnel policy and [00:25:50] sort of explain [00:25:51] what the um [00:25:54] you know [00:25:56] what should be happening from a [00:25:58] department standpoint and all the things [00:26:00] that we should be tracking [00:26:03] this Tuesday we have our department head [00:26:05] meeting where I will be [00:26:07] um Distributing copies to all the [00:26:10] department heads hopefully for all the [00:26:12] employees because I would really like to [00:26:14] see the um [00:26:16] the acknowledgment form signed and sent [00:26:19] back to put in everybody's um [00:26:22] um [00:26:24] what is IT personnel file so yeah you [00:26:28] know so Tuesday I plan on doing that and [00:26:31] um you know I can explain some of the [00:26:32] changes I I don't plan on going through [00:26:34] at all they can sort of go through it [00:26:36] and then once they do and understand it [00:26:38] all they can acknowledge it I think the [00:26:41] biggest thing that changed is retiree [00:26:43] health insurance [00:26:44] um the classification plan is in there [00:26:46] now the updated classification plan [00:26:47] because we just updated it last year it [00:26:49] hadn't been updated since 2014 [00:26:52] um and the longevity is back [00:26:55] but I think other than that it's [00:26:57] standard standard policy [00:27:02] existence already [00:27:07] Robert Kelly any other comments on the [00:27:10] personal policy [00:27:15] would you like a motion [00:27:17] I would love emotion [00:27:19] I will make emotions [00:27:21] [Music] [00:27:24] policy [00:27:27] 2023 [00:27:29] um with the understanding that any [00:27:32] Financial [00:27:34] um impacts [00:27:36] do not take effect until the new fiscal [00:27:39] year July 1 of 2012 [00:27:44] . [00:27:47] okay so [00:27:49] um I'm very excited that we're able to [00:27:51] finally move this forward up two years [00:27:53] I'm getting a little excited I know it's [00:27:56] it's nice to see a positive thing move [00:27:58] forward so any other discussion on the [00:28:00] Personnel policy [00:28:04] hearing none I will call the roll Kelly [00:28:08] yes [00:28:10] Rob [00:28:11] yes [00:28:12] and Julie is a yes so [00:28:16] motion carry we have a new adopted [00:28:18] Personnel policy effective March uh 27th [00:28:22] of 2023. Nicole can you just make sure [00:28:24] the document reflects that it was [00:28:26] approved by the board on March 27th [00:28:29] yes thank you [00:28:31] [Music] [00:28:33] okay [00:28:36] um next item on the agenda is the [00:28:38] Mayflower software for assessor this is [00:28:40] something that we routinely do [00:28:44] um for the state recertification [00:28:49] any questions on this [00:28:54] I'm good [00:28:58] built into the budget Jen does a really [00:29:00] good job of building all this into her [00:29:02] budget sure [00:29:08] I'll make a motion if Rob salsa [00:29:11] awesome [00:29:14] um I would make a motion to accept the [00:29:17] Mayflower evaluation quote for FY 20. 24 [00:29:21] State recertification [00:29:25] I believe the amount is thirteen [00:29:27] thousand five hundred dollars [00:29:30] second time [00:29:34] so it was moved and seconded any other [00:29:36] discussion on [00:29:39] motion [00:29:42] hearing none I will call for a vote uh [00:29:45] Kelly [00:29:46] yes [00:29:47] Rob [00:29:49] yes [00:29:50] and Julie is a yes to the motion carries [00:29:52] thank you [00:29:56] anything else under other new business [00:29:58] other than the appointments [00:30:05] okay so uh um [00:30:09] we [00:30:10] um [00:30:12] so Nicole for the historical Commission [00:30:16] have um [00:30:18] have we have they four to [00:30:22] approve the recommendation to approve [00:30:26] um [00:30:27] John to the commission yes my much like [00:30:30] the senior center [00:30:31] um you know it's in person or verbal so [00:30:34] uh Emily Bancroft called me and said [00:30:37] that they met Anne that they would like [00:30:39] to recommend him to be appointed to the [00:30:41] historical Commission [00:30:44] and it looks like this is a two-year [00:30:46] term ending in June of 2025 is that [00:30:49] correct yeah this is the the [00:30:51] last vacancy for that [00:30:55] for that [00:30:58] Kelly [00:31:01] questions on them [00:31:06] so in a motion [00:31:08] I would make a motion to appoint John [00:31:12] petraglia to the historical commission [00:31:16] or term ending June 30th 2025. I hope I [00:31:20] pronounced that right [00:31:22] a second that [00:31:25] okay so we have a motion that's been [00:31:27] seconded any other discussion on the [00:31:29] appointment [00:31:31] hearing none I will call for a vote [00:31:34] Kelly [00:31:35] yes Rob [00:31:43] you're muted [00:31:47] sorry yes [00:31:51] SOB appointment carries [00:31:54] um Nicole can you just let John know [00:31:57] that he should [00:31:58] um go in front of Ryan to be sworn in [00:32:01] yes we'll write a letter [00:32:03] thank you pass this hand up Julia [00:32:06] Bill yes thank you I just thought I'd [00:32:09] mention that John petrallia with a soft [00:32:12] G [00:32:13] and Ginger [00:32:15] to uh on the brick house right on [00:32:17] Gilbertville Road [00:32:19] oh thank you [00:32:22] I know who they are I'm just not sure [00:32:23] how to pronounce their name [00:32:25] good to know thank you Bill [00:32:28] thanks for um [00:32:30] it just you know sort of someone who [00:32:32] gets mail that says Julie oink or Julie [00:32:34] quack [00:32:35] appreciate someone who assists us with [00:32:38] pronunciation so [00:32:41] um sorry John if we we butchered your [00:32:44] name a little bit [00:32:45] um [00:32:47] anything else under new business [00:32:54] okay [00:32:56] um Nicole do we have anything under [00:32:59] um the discussion interval relative to [00:33:00] arpa funding [00:33:02] we do it in your pocket oh sorry [00:33:06] go ahead [00:33:07] in your packet you have first and first [00:33:10] of all a um [00:33:13] a [00:33:14] a quote from liftoff that's changing us [00:33:17] to dot gov [00:33:18] um again we were recommended to do this [00:33:21] for safety it's much safer for [00:33:23] municipalities to be [00:33:25] to be a cyber attacks as.gov than.com [00:33:28] and to do this for the annual for the [00:33:32] licenses [00:33:33] 8 460 dollars [00:33:37] thirty five hundred dollar one-time fee [00:33:40] so I'm hoping you know to pay for it [00:33:42] this year and we'll be able to put it in [00:33:44] next year's budget [00:33:45] to be able to budget for annually in our [00:33:48] I.T budget [00:33:50] but to you know we don't have it for [00:33:52] right now so if we could [00:33:55] um [00:33:56] you know pay for it out of arpa right [00:33:58] now and then we can budget for it going [00:34:00] forward [00:34:02] so annually it's eighty four hundred [00:34:04] dollars [00:34:06] yeah it's we you we paid um like 4 000 [00:34:11] to a company called net posters [00:34:14] and so that was for the town of [00:34:16] hardwork.com [00:34:18] so it's more expensive for the dot gov [00:34:20] as everything else [00:34:23] ow [00:34:30] do you think that I'm able to budget [00:34:33] this equally [00:34:35] with what we're looking at right now for [00:34:37] a budget [00:34:39] yeah the budget is very very tight [00:34:41] um [00:34:42] we don't have to save.com that is an [00:34:46] option [00:34:47] uh it is very unfortunate that we can't [00:34:50] even absorb four thousand extra dollars [00:34:52] in our budget I mean I I'm looking at [00:34:55] another one for the fire emergency that [00:34:57] we had that was under four thousand [00:34:58] dollars that we we first we are it's [00:35:02] just so unfortunate we can't even Pat a [00:35:04] little bit of our budget to be able to [00:35:06] pay four thousand dollars for a fire [00:35:07] emergency [00:35:08] um you know I don't I hope [00:35:11] nothing like this happens after arpa [00:35:13] funding is run out Runs Out [00:35:15] or we're able to possibly you know have [00:35:17] some better Revenue to be able to pay [00:35:19] for these things right now over the past [00:35:22] few years I'm very lucky that we have [00:35:23] this Federal funding [00:35:27] oh go ahead sorry I mean perspective [00:35:31] Nicole is this something that we can [00:35:34] um [00:35:36] take a look at What's the timing on this [00:35:38] what is the what is the timing on when [00:35:40] this conversion should happen or [00:35:44] um [00:35:45] is this something that needs to happen [00:35:46] ASAP or is this something that we can [00:35:50] well the net Hoster bill is due is past [00:35:53] due so I guess we have to just hurry up [00:35:56] and pay that bill we might have to [00:35:58] um well we can just I'm sure they'll [00:35:59] wait till the next warrant but [00:36:01] um so there's there's that and we can [00:36:03] stay [00:36:04] our emails can stay.com our website is [00:36:08] already.gov [00:36:11] so this is Jessica the emails [00:36:15] sorry this is just to the conversion for [00:36:18] email yes yeah it's going to be hosting [00:36:21] our emails [00:36:23] for example we should hold off until we [00:36:25] really see what our budget is going to [00:36:27] be [00:36:28] absolutely can I asked him that I I said [00:36:30] you know [00:36:31] I don't 8 400 a year [00:36:34] for a small budget you know for the town [00:36:37] side budget not the school side budget [00:36:39] but you know uh it might be too much and [00:36:41] he said you can stay you can stay.com [00:36:43] just let me know [00:36:45] just again recommended by our insurance [00:36:47] companies recommended by the federal [00:36:49] government so that's why I bring it to [00:36:51] you but we can absolutely stay.com [00:36:54] just a little more vulnerable [00:36:56] but I will say I email people [00:36:58] constantly you know constantly reminding [00:37:01] them to look at the sender of their [00:37:02] email making sure that it looks [00:37:05] legitimate if not they'll forward it to [00:37:07] our I.T so I do try to remind people you [00:37:10] know sometimes it looks absolutely [00:37:12] legitimate and then you look at the [00:37:13] sender and it's not anywhere near [00:37:16] legitimate so [00:37:19] so it looks like Nicole when you look at [00:37:21] this it looks like it's actually [00:37:22] licensing for office 365. [00:37:25] is that what this is [00:37:30] um hold on let's see [00:37:32] because if you look under the [00:37:34] um [00:37:36] 8460 it's Office 365 plan G3 plan G1 and [00:37:43] exchange [00:37:45] okay so I guess it's all of it it's [00:37:48] email plus all of our office [00:37:51] um now why don't I get some more why [00:37:54] don't I um see maybe we don't go without [00:37:57] 365 we could just go with exchange or [00:37:59] something I don't know if it's a whole [00:38:01] bundle you know because that's what we [00:38:03] have now [00:38:05] so um so I believe Marcus had [00:38:10] um [00:38:10] Marcus Hayden haddick had um asked to be [00:38:13] part of like the technology thing I [00:38:16] think he's like [00:38:17] I I don't know and I don't want to speak [00:38:19] but but maybe somebody who has some [00:38:21] technology experience do you think we [00:38:24] could reach out and just have them [00:38:27] yeah sorry hey Julie this is this is [00:38:30] Carol's and see uh Marcus's Marcus's [00:38:33] wife [00:38:33] um I actually just messaged him about [00:38:35] that and I I just kind of give him the [00:38:37] heads up that we were talking about it [00:38:38] because he's not able to make the call [00:38:40] but [00:38:41] um I'll let him know that that was [00:38:42] brought up and see if there's any kind [00:38:44] of work around because he did work with [00:38:46] a couple of town governments in the past [00:38:48] so [00:38:49] maybe just [00:38:51] um I I knew I thank you cara I do know [00:38:53] he has that experience and maybe just [00:38:56] um I don't know just maybe pick his [00:38:57] brain Nicole and see if there's a way [00:39:00] understanding that the dot gov is a a [00:39:03] good way for us to go to make sure we're [00:39:04] secure but [00:39:07] um and presumably you know liftoff is [00:39:09] giving us what we need to have but it [00:39:12] may be just a like a [00:39:15] okay [00:39:19] sort of yeah sure that I can always ask [00:39:22] um Paul from CM Geeks too for some more [00:39:24] information on it [00:39:25] okay that'd be great but if you if we [00:39:28] could tap into Marcus as well I know [00:39:29] he's been willing to help in the past [00:39:31] certainly to float it to him and see [00:39:33] what his thoughts are that'd be great [00:39:36] thanks Cara [00:39:39] so let's um let's defer this perhaps to [00:39:42] our April 3rd meeting or our April 10th [00:39:44] meeting if we can [00:39:46] um and then if we need to push it [00:39:47] forward we can at that point [00:39:52] okay [00:39:54] um sorry sorry no go ahead Nicole the [00:39:57] next um invoices are for the fire [00:39:59] emergency that we had talked about [00:40:02] um of [00:40:03] fire [00:40:05] line [00:40:06] uh started to leak or went whatever I [00:40:10] don't want to say leak I don't know what [00:40:11] leak means but it started to um [00:40:15] go into the street and it was just going [00:40:17] everywhere so they had to do an [00:40:20] emergency fix and [00:40:22] um the total comes to 3859.31 [00:40:31] oh I I see the 1560 is there something [00:40:36] I don't see anything else either [00:40:41] Jason you're there's the ejp [00:40:44] there's too many voices from them [00:40:47] we don't have those [00:40:52] we just have the the [00:40:55] um statement from Jason garalitis [00:40:58] I have it [00:41:00] I don't ah um [00:41:03] so [00:41:06] I can send you these two invoices but [00:41:09] they are [00:41:10] from ever in Prescott [00:41:14] somebody's just talking I don't know [00:41:15] yeah um you just make sure everyone's [00:41:17] muted please Nicole and everybody make [00:41:19] sure they read it I they are now yeah [00:41:25] I'll forward you these [00:41:27] and have been in your packet uh there [00:41:29] are two what two from ejp one is for [00:41:32] 256.40 [00:41:34] and the other one is for two thousand [00:41:37] dollar 2042 and 91 cents and then with [00:41:41] Jason garrelatis Contracting with it for [00:41:44] 1560 the total comes to 38 59 31. [00:41:54] foreign [00:42:08] or are you looking for us to does this [00:42:12] something that needs to get on tonight's [00:42:16] it could be [00:42:19] yeah all right I mean this is an [00:42:21] emergency work that's already happened [00:42:22] we kind of have to pay bills [00:42:25] okay yeah I'm okay and we haven't seen [00:42:28] it but Nicole has it so as long as you [00:42:30] guys are comfortable that's fine [00:42:35] I'm fine with it [00:42:37] Nicole can you just give us the amount [00:42:39] again of the total [00:42:41] 3 [00:42:43] 859.31 cents [00:42:49] is Rob okay with that [00:43:03] um and I would make a motion to approve [00:43:05] Opera funding in the amount of [00:43:08] 3859.31 cents [00:43:10] for the [00:43:12] um water main line break that happened [00:43:16] on [00:43:17] I believe it was upper Church Street [00:43:20] it was a fire line actually [00:43:24] it was yeah on Church [00:43:29] intersection a second then [00:43:31] okay so it's been moved and seconded any [00:43:34] other discussion on it [00:43:40] carrying on I will call for a vote Kelly [00:43:44] yes [00:43:46] Rob [00:43:47] yeah [00:43:49] and Julie is a yes so [00:43:52] um [00:43:54] emotion carries [00:44:00] um and you'll send those to us Nicole [00:44:01] just so we have that right after the [00:44:04] meeting I'll scan them in and send them [00:44:05] over [00:44:08] okay [00:44:11] uh what happened they're in my packet so [00:44:14] okay [00:44:18] um [00:44:19] anything under committee reports sorry [00:44:22] I'm not done oh okay go ahead [00:44:26] so I have another [00:44:27] um [00:44:28] I have in your packet hopefully you have [00:44:30] Comcast business service order agreement [00:44:33] but [00:44:35] I was it just dawned on us that we could [00:44:38] probably use the peg funding [00:44:41] so we could buy all these phones uh [00:44:45] through the peg fund instead of having [00:44:46] to use arpa [00:44:48] so I can just disregard that request [00:44:53] um and the next and the last is a shower [00:44:58] for the DP um for the highway garage [00:45:03] and the total do you have that in your [00:45:05] pocket [00:45:06] yes we do [00:45:09] so you'll see the quotes and uh what the [00:45:13] plumber intends to do and the lowest bid [00:45:16] came in at 86.50 [00:45:21] they're asking [00:45:23] to not take the 86.50 though they're [00:45:26] asking if they can have PB we provide [00:45:29] the services because it looks like it's [00:45:30] for a bigger shower [00:45:34] at a hundred [00:45:37] and ten dollars more [00:45:42] do we know if that's what they [00:45:45] want [00:45:47] um [00:45:50] oh I see yeah he says he in the in the [00:45:54] memo it says if they can use um PVE [00:46:07] Yep they're looking for 87.60 [00:46:11] for a 36 by 36 inch Corner Neo angle [00:46:16] fiberglass shower where the three-proof [00:46:18] surrounding door [00:46:24] yeah [00:46:26] it looks [00:46:28] looks like one didn't show up and then [00:46:32] they did get two other tools okay [00:46:37] 87.60 [00:46:50] Kelly and Rob [00:46:52] bie [00:46:55] thoughts or questions [00:47:03] I'm okay [00:47:05] well Mario's talked to me about it [00:47:07] already so [00:47:09] I guess I understand what he's trying to [00:47:10] do [00:47:15] so what are your thoughts on this [00:47:23] something we want to entertain tonight [00:47:24] or defer to a lot our next meeting or [00:47:33] what do we have left in that account [00:47:37] in arpa [00:47:40] 546 979. [00:47:46] it's not after we just uh [00:47:51] and we just took three thousand two [00:47:54] thousand [00:47:54] and then yeah 50 for the chipper [00:47:58] is that out of there yet Nicole [00:48:01] um [00:48:02] I feel like that's the same number we've [00:48:04] been using [00:48:07] it could be that the chipper isn't out [00:48:09] yet I I asked for these numbers I didn't [00:48:12] see them so I can't answer that I don't [00:48:15] know exactly what's out [00:48:18] maybe we should get a updated number on [00:48:20] that [00:48:21] before we [00:48:23] make more decisions [00:48:25] is that a thought [00:48:31] yeah I think that makes sense because it [00:48:33] doesn't sound like we're clear on this [00:48:35] yeah [00:48:46] so can we put this can we reach out to [00:48:48] Marty and just confirm what they're [00:48:50] looking for and just put this on one of [00:48:52] our [00:48:52] upcoming meetings [00:49:09] is that okay Nicole yep got it okay [00:49:12] sorry my internet's in and out so I [00:49:15] apologize I don't always hear what is [00:49:18] being said [00:49:19] um [00:49:20] anything else under arpa funding [00:49:28] uh committee reports [00:49:32] I'll have those the next time because [00:49:33] Tuesday we meet [00:49:37] okay thank you [00:49:39] uh miscellaneous correspondence kpla [00:49:41] price increase I think that's in our [00:49:43] pack up killing Rob have you a chance to [00:49:45] look at that [00:49:54] any questions [00:50:00] I don't have any I mean just like [00:50:03] everything it's going up [00:50:07] it is [00:50:08] yeah [00:50:13] uh okay Town Administrator report [00:50:19] yes [00:50:21] so we went over the uh pre-construction [00:50:23] meeting [00:50:25] the equipment for project two is out to [00:50:28] bid we'll just stay out there until the [00:50:29] notice to proceed from USDA has occurred [00:50:31] our cap is working on rates we have a [00:50:34] date of April 3rd for a meeting with [00:50:36] Laurie Stevens she's putting together a [00:50:38] PowerPoint presentation that should [00:50:41] correlate with her detailed report so [00:50:43] it's really easy to understand [00:50:46] um I haven't I asked her if she would be [00:50:49] ready by then and she says I hope so so [00:50:51] I tentatively set a meeting I will call [00:50:53] her tomorrow to make sure that she will [00:50:55] be ready to present on April 3rd and [00:50:59] yeah [00:51:01] and um [00:51:04] [Music] [00:51:06] we'll be able to meet here in person [00:51:10] um [00:51:11] and then I'm still worked researching [00:51:14] those rfps for oversight I've sent you a [00:51:16] few I haven't gotten any feedback from [00:51:17] any of you yet so if you could I I've [00:51:20] sent you three [00:51:22] um [00:51:23] if you could give me some direction and [00:51:24] some feedback that would be great [00:51:28] um I attended a meeting with Governor [00:51:29] Healy and lieutenant governor Kim [00:51:31] Driscoll on Friday March 10th in [00:51:33] Deerfield [00:51:35] um there are approximately 30 of us the [00:51:37] governor's office announced the creation [00:51:38] of director of rural Affairs the intent [00:51:41] is to serve as an advocate for Rural [00:51:43] communities this is the first time that [00:51:45] a staff is dedicated to rural policy we [00:51:48] don't know yet uh [00:51:50] who it will be or where the office will [00:51:54] be but they have dedicated 130 000 for [00:51:57] this position and hopefully we'll have [00:51:59] some sort of liaison [00:52:01] for Rural policy there was a lot of us [00:52:04] from Stam were there [00:52:07] so that's good news because at least it [00:52:09] shed some light on the rural community [00:52:14] um the town hall boiler update all of [00:52:17] the walls had to come down in the board [00:52:18] of selectment I mean sorry that's it's [00:52:21] just a Board of Health conservation [00:52:23] office the entire wood floor needed to [00:52:25] come up in the play group room the the [00:52:28] small amount of mold and treasure [00:52:29] collector's office it's all encapsulated [00:52:31] right now and there's this fan going [00:52:34] disruptive for them and it's unfortunate [00:52:35] but we're doing the best we can the [00:52:38] subfloor even needed to come up [00:52:40] they had a floating floor and then a [00:52:42] subfloor and then the hardwood [00:52:43] underneath and even the hardwood may [00:52:44] have to come up [00:52:48] um [00:52:49] it's not ideal but we're making the best [00:52:50] of it and I'm trying to reassure [00:52:52] everyone that you know it's temporary [00:52:53] and and we'll be back and it'll better [00:52:56] be better than ever when it is done [00:53:00] um we okay so the Green community Grant [00:53:03] cap I was hoping to do for a boiler and [00:53:05] it's now at two hundred thousand dollars [00:53:08] and the the boiler will be approximately [00:53:10] a million dollars so I'm looking for [00:53:12] other grants and funding sources I've [00:53:14] reached out to BEC and RJ McDonald for [00:53:16] repairs in the meantime or [00:53:18] so it doesn't happen again unfortunately [00:53:20] if everybody doesn't know we had a flood [00:53:23] in October and the day before we were to [00:53:25] put our last flooring in we had we had [00:53:28] walls done we had ceiling Sun we had [00:53:29] flooring done we were going to put our [00:53:31] foyer floor in and then the day before [00:53:34] that happened we had a flood all over [00:53:35] again in a different Zone that gave [00:53:38] worse damage and damaged other places [00:53:41] that weren't damaged before so [00:53:44] um it's just been quitted quitted [00:53:46] nightmare but were hopefully by the time [00:53:50] by the time here it's like really nice [00:53:52] and more modern and it's going to be [00:53:54] comfortable [00:53:55] [Music] [00:53:57] um so I was informed that CB the cdbg [00:54:00] grant that where was the lead Community [00:54:01] I was rejected for not being in time [00:54:04] um they are working with DHC to try to [00:54:06] rectify [00:54:07] Friday of last week [00:54:09] did she stated that they will be [00:54:11] considering Summit Road rehab because [00:54:14] that part of the application was [00:54:16] submitted on time [00:54:22] we met with National Grid on Thursday [00:54:23] March 23rd as our meeting from the [00:54:26] previous week needed to be rescheduled [00:54:27] as we had a state of emergency storm [00:54:29] that they needed to tend to we discussed [00:54:32] street light options for significant [00:54:33] savings once we have all of the [00:54:34] information and options we'll bring it [00:54:36] to you A lot of it was so we own the [00:54:39] street lights but if National Grid owns [00:54:41] the street lights and and transfers them [00:54:43] over to LED it'd be more of a savings if [00:54:46] we keep them and transfer them to LED [00:54:48] then we'd need a third party to do the [00:54:51] maintenance so I'm still in the kind of [00:54:52] early phases but it's something that [00:54:55] you know a lot of towns are doing now is [00:54:57] really changing that's a big savings [00:54:59] that's changing to LED lighting [00:55:02] the town election is April 10th there [00:55:04] are three contested races Board of [00:55:06] Selectmen Board of Health is school [00:55:07] committee [00:55:09] and then we have our ongoing which I [00:55:12] don't want to bore everybody with unless [00:55:13] you want me to [00:55:15] um just things that have not been [00:55:16] resolved that yet that I leave as [00:55:18] ongoing that I'll put up on on the [00:55:20] website [00:55:21] as this uh report [00:55:24] so Nicole one item in your report was [00:55:27] um [00:55:28] the guardian energy can you speak to [00:55:30] that I think you want to maybe I again [00:55:32] my internet's in and out so I don't know [00:55:34] if you hit it or went over it [00:55:36] um [00:55:37] I might have okay I don't know where it [00:55:39] is right now but Guardian energy came [00:55:41] out and they were the ones that I [00:55:43] requested to [00:55:45] um give us a quote so I could write a [00:55:46] green Community grant for a new boiler [00:55:48] and I didn't realize this the program [00:55:51] has changed since the last time I [00:55:53] applied and now there's a 200 000 cap [00:55:56] which is not even gonna cover nearly [00:55:58] anything for the boiler so we pivoted a [00:56:01] little bit and they they you know they [00:56:03] take as Green community designations are [00:56:06] for is to try to [00:56:09] um you know use consume less energy so [00:56:12] they look at all of our consumption in [00:56:14] all of our buildings and see that the [00:56:16] highway the fire and US consume the most [00:56:19] so [00:56:21] um we are potentially going to get all [00:56:22] new doors the fire department will get [00:56:26] overhead doors and some insulation and [00:56:30] the highway garage will get also get new [00:56:33] overhead doors and some heat and some [00:56:34] areas that aren't heated and some [00:56:36] insulation [00:56:37] to come up to about two hundred thousand [00:56:39] dollars [00:56:42] thank you [00:56:44] Kelly or Rob any questions for Nicole [00:56:52] I'm good right now [00:56:54] Bill Cole has [00:56:57] okay [00:56:58] bill [00:57:00] yes thank you um [00:57:02] thanks to the report Nicole I raised the [00:57:04] question I wanted to ask [00:57:06] I remember the cbdg grant you explained [00:57:10] how it hadn't been filed on time and [00:57:12] part of it now you say will be [00:57:15] considered which is of course good news [00:57:17] I think in your latest report you [00:57:20] mentioned that the [00:57:22] it was going to cover it was expected to [00:57:25] cover many social Outreach programs I [00:57:28] guess those are lost for this year can [00:57:30] you tell us that's one question what [00:57:32] what did we expect to be funded that is [00:57:35] not going to be happening now [00:57:38] so pvpc Pioneer Valley Planning [00:57:42] Commission along with the Ware Community [00:57:43] Development [00:57:44] committee Department division [00:57:46] were applying for these grants I don't [00:57:49] have it in front of me exactly but there [00:57:51] was a a park I mean a parking lot in [00:57:55] where Summit road for us which included [00:57:57] infrastructure which is water and sewer [00:57:59] and some social services which was [00:58:02] Outreach to seniors Outreach to [00:58:05] low-income Outreach to [00:58:08] there were several different uh [00:58:11] components which I can absolutely get I [00:58:13] could even possibly attach it to this to [00:58:16] this report that'll be up online on my [00:58:18] Town Administrator reports [00:58:21] um so they got some of the social [00:58:23] services and Summit Road in on time it [00:58:26] was by [00:58:29] I don't remember the date exactly but it [00:58:31] was due by midnight and apparently they [00:58:33] were finishing up with the grant by 1205 [00:58:35] am [00:58:36] so some of the social and incident Road [00:58:39] got in [00:58:40] the parking lot where [00:58:42] some of the social and then the [00:58:44] administrative costs which is like 260 [00:58:46] 000 of this grant you know to pay all of [00:58:49] the staff didn't get included so [00:58:53] um dhcd said that they will reconsider [00:58:56] what did get submitted so I can't tell [00:58:59] you exactly what didn't get submitted [00:59:02] um I just know some of the social [00:59:04] services [00:59:05] didn't and then also the administrative [00:59:07] costs didn't [00:59:08] thank you may have follow-up just to ask [00:59:10] so where's Community Development [00:59:14] commission I guess it is [00:59:16] they're the ones that didn't get it in [00:59:18] and they missed out on some of what they [00:59:20] expected as well it's not just Hardwick [00:59:22] is it [00:59:23] no exactly it was Hardwick and where [00:59:27] um I had asked you know how are you [00:59:29] going to do your Outreach to Hardwick [00:59:31] once these Social Services come through [00:59:33] and they said that they would reach out [00:59:34] to me they would reach out to the senior [00:59:36] center you know that they would reach [00:59:37] out to the [00:59:38] import you know the pertinent [00:59:41] um [00:59:42] contacts that they needed to once it's [00:59:44] funded so I was going to keep up on that [00:59:46] and I still will um but [00:59:49] it's possible that they could have [00:59:51] submitted the the parking lot project [00:59:54] first and it just happened to be that [00:59:56] they submitted Summit Road first so I [00:59:58] don't know how we were lucky to be able [01:00:00] to be in the submission on time but [01:00:04] um you know so and and I don't know that [01:00:06] it was where that it was pvpc I I'm [01:00:09] under the impression that it's pvpc who [01:00:12] typically writes these grants for the [01:00:14] communities so I don't think it was [01:00:16] necessarily where I think it was pvpc [01:00:19] thank you and if I made one last [01:00:20] question you mentioned the Green [01:00:22] community funding [01:00:24] and [01:00:25] tell me if I'm wrong here I think we [01:00:27] didn't have much of that in the past [01:00:29] when we had the solar bylaw in place and [01:00:33] now I think you mentioned we're we're [01:00:36] going to be able to get some perhaps [01:00:37] because there is no solar bylaw in place [01:00:41] since the moratorium has ended is that a [01:00:44] consideration as you [01:00:46] and the planning board look at the bylaw [01:00:51] covering solar [01:00:53] actually it's the opposite you can [01:00:55] you're only eligible if you do have a [01:00:57] solar bylaw so we were not eligible last [01:01:02] um fall because we [01:01:04] Auditorium so we are now eligible [01:01:06] because the moratorium has expired [01:01:08] um and [01:01:10] um [01:01:11] I meant when we when we perhaps have a [01:01:14] new solar bylaw controlling solar [01:01:19] um will we still be eligible for Green [01:01:21] community funding at that time yes we [01:01:25] will but you're only eligible for spring [01:01:27] or fall so you can't take advantage of [01:01:29] both so we're doing now in the spring [01:01:31] we'll have to wait until next spring for [01:01:33] for the next round [01:01:35] thank you [01:01:37] and please feel free to come in anytime [01:01:39] call me anytime you know I'm here I'm [01:01:42] here to answer any of the questions all [01:01:44] day I hear too but you know if you have [01:01:46] anything that comes up feel free to give [01:01:48] me a call or come in [01:01:50] anybody [01:01:57] anything else under your report Nicole [01:02:00] no thank you [01:02:03] so [01:02:06] so the [01:02:07] um we were where does the letter that [01:02:11] we've received from Fish and Game come [01:02:13] into play is that something we need to [01:02:15] address tonight [01:02:17] uh no that's just basically for your [01:02:19] information [01:02:21] no they're looking for a letter oh they [01:02:24] are I'm so sorry [01:02:26] they are looking for a letter of support [01:02:28] from the town [01:02:34] let me just find it because now it's all [01:02:35] out of place [01:02:39] Bob I'm not sure you've even seen [01:02:42] Rob did you say game late [01:02:48] I uh I did I read it while we had this [01:02:52] meeting going on today [01:02:54] okay [01:02:56] so the fishing game is looking [01:02:59] considering [01:03:01] um [01:03:03] buying some property located along [01:03:06] turkey Street [01:03:10] um [01:03:11] it's open space uh it's natural [01:03:13] condition I I forget can you Kelly or [01:03:16] you you probably know this person much [01:03:19] better than I do [01:03:20] the music camp [01:03:24] so it's on Hardwick Pond and they will [01:03:27] like to um retain it as open space and [01:03:30] protect and manage the Wildlife [01:03:32] Resources provide Public Access for [01:03:34] Passive outdoor recreational [01:03:35] opportunities including Wildlife [01:03:37] observation hunting and trapping [01:03:40] um they are proposing to [01:03:44] pay the remaining real estate taxes for [01:03:46] that fiscal year in the full real estate [01:03:48] bill in the following fiscal year [01:03:50] um I guess after that they'll be on a [01:03:52] pilot program right [01:03:55] um the tax roll yeah [01:03:58] so the um if they they're hoping that [01:04:01] the Selectmen will consider providing a [01:04:02] letter of support [01:04:05] for purchasing of the property and then [01:04:07] if you you know authorize it I can just [01:04:09] put it on our letterhead and that the [01:04:12] selectman [01:04:14] you know support [01:04:16] what did the division of fish and game [01:04:19] want to accomplish [01:04:25] Kelly and robbed any thoughts on this [01:04:28] I'm abstaining okay [01:04:33] so [01:04:35] um just for purposes of factual [01:04:39] um [01:04:40] there's several buildings on this [01:04:42] property that are falling down [01:04:46] um [01:04:48] and really any different repair [01:04:51] um [01:04:51] presuming so when they're talking about [01:04:54] the 90 acres are they including do we [01:04:58] know if they're including these [01:04:59] buildings that are [01:05:02] um [01:05:04] literally ready to fall over [01:05:07] yeah it's the whole property Julie it is [01:05:10] okay [01:05:12] um [01:05:17] I mean it is [01:05:19] it's a concern to drive by there and see [01:05:21] the the buildings in disrepair [01:05:25] um do we know [01:05:28] um [01:05:30] so [01:05:31] it looks like they're clearly delinquent [01:05:35] on taxes for the property [01:05:38] um [01:05:39] do we know what their plans are Nicole [01:05:42] do we have any idea can we reach out to [01:05:44] them and just ask what their plans are [01:05:46] for the actual buildings that are on [01:05:50] there because the buildings are going to [01:05:51] need to be addressed [01:05:54] um I guess I'd like I guess personally [01:05:55] I'd like some more information [01:05:58] um I'm absolutely willing to support [01:05:59] something there because something needs [01:06:01] to happen [01:06:03] um but [01:06:05] um well I guess according to their [01:06:07] letter they're gonna [01:06:09] removed yeah they're gonna take down all [01:06:12] the buildings [01:06:15] yes this is scheduled to be removed from [01:06:16] from the site so the land is suitable [01:06:23] we just got this today so I know it's it [01:06:26] says March 1st but we just got it in the [01:06:28] mail today [01:06:33] um [01:06:36] I guess given so my opinion would be [01:06:38] that we would take it under advisement [01:06:40] and maybe discuss it on the third or the [01:06:43] 10th unless Rob you're ready to make a [01:06:47] motion to support this [01:06:51] um I I'd actually like some more time to [01:06:53] think about what they [01:06:55] do kind of going on here [01:06:57] um [01:06:58] we are losing a lot of land too [01:07:01] uh off our tax rolls just [01:07:05] property does need to be [01:07:07] cleaned I mean [01:07:09] just [01:07:12] I'd like to understand what they're [01:07:14] going to do with it that's all [01:07:16] yeah Nicole can we um can we reach out [01:07:18] to them and just have a conversation [01:07:20] with them about [01:07:21] um I I don't you know I don't think this [01:07:23] is any indication of us opposing this I [01:07:26] think we just want to have some more [01:07:28] information maybe we can have a [01:07:29] conversation [01:07:32] um yeah like an application with [01:07:34] the land agent who sent us this and just [01:07:38] get some particulars on what they're [01:07:40] what they're planning on doing [01:07:43] um [01:07:44] I mean yes it's going to come off the [01:07:46] tax rolls but right now it's they're not [01:07:48] the owner is not paying the taxes [01:07:52] it's really not on the rules for [01:07:54] purposes of our [01:07:56] um our discussion there delinquent [01:08:00] um [01:08:01] there are two payments to link but right [01:08:03] now [01:08:05] um with a third payment coming up on May [01:08:07] 1st so at some point the town May [01:08:11] ultimately and [01:08:13] I mean this prop because of tax liens [01:08:15] and such so [01:08:18] um [01:08:19] can you Rob is that okay with you if [01:08:21] Nicole reaches out and we have a [01:08:23] conversation about specific plans for [01:08:24] the property [01:08:26] oh absolutely [01:08:27] okay so Nicole can you can you arrange [01:08:30] that [01:08:31] sure I'll reach out tomorrow and then [01:08:32] I'll email you guys [01:08:34] that'd be great [01:08:37] I have a we have a couple of hands up [01:08:38] Julie Eric Fleming and Lauren [01:08:41] okay I can't see them so Eric [01:08:45] yeah so you could um reach out to [01:08:48] Cynthia Henshaw because the land trust I [01:08:50] think is somewhat involved in that it [01:08:53] might be easier to get a hold of her and [01:08:54] get an explanation [01:08:56] uh as opposed to trying to get a hold of [01:08:58] fisheries and wildlife [01:09:01] um and I also would add and I don't know [01:09:05] all the details of this but when you go [01:09:08] back to the solar question we never [01:09:11] um we only put a moratorium on on large [01:09:13] scale [01:09:15] um solar Fields not [01:09:18] a smaller scale so we still had a [01:09:21] similar bylaw in effect during the [01:09:24] moratorium I don't know if that helps us [01:09:26] or not but the fact is we did have a [01:09:30] bylaw we just put a moratorium on [01:09:34] um [01:09:34] large scale [01:09:40] thank you Eric [01:09:45] so Nicole maybe we can reach out to [01:09:47] Cynthia [01:09:48] sure I mean I have the cell phone number [01:09:50] to James McCarthy who's the land agent [01:09:52] from deficient uh fish and game so [01:09:56] so I'm happy that we reach out to [01:09:58] Cynthia I'll reach out to Cynthia [01:10:00] tomorrow and just get that perspective [01:10:02] and if you want to reach out to the land [01:10:03] agent and we can't compare notes and [01:10:05] just get some [01:10:07] um perhaps maybe either Cynthia or [01:10:09] someone can come and sort of discuss [01:10:12] that at our next meeting [01:10:14] or the third or the 10th [01:10:17] to everyone we [01:10:20] um and then you said there was another [01:10:22] hand [01:10:23] Lauren [01:10:25] Lauren can you hear me [01:10:29] we can okay [01:10:30] um so you mentioned that in their [01:10:32] proposal they said that there would be [01:10:34] pilot money is there any mention of how [01:10:35] much that pilot money would be and could [01:10:37] it be negotiated that they offer a [01:10:40] certain amount to us [01:10:42] there's no pilot money oh there's no [01:10:45] type of money there is [01:10:53] but to put this in perspective if you [01:10:56] look at [01:10:57] um [01:10:58] when we talk about this the roles [01:11:00] so you guys have an idea [01:11:02] um [01:11:03] this looks like this is about four [01:11:05] thousand dollars a year [01:11:07] and tax revenue so although it's [01:11:10] something it's you know we're not [01:11:12] talking tens of thousands of dollars and [01:11:14] they are um I think they've historically [01:11:18] been so so to put this in perspective [01:11:21] the owner of this property is not even [01:11:24] local I believe they're out of New York [01:11:28] or another state [01:11:31] um and we're already almost three [01:11:33] payments behind on this [01:11:35] um and so if you think about sort of [01:11:38] um [01:11:40] it looks like the text for [01:11:44] um [01:11:45] 2022 and 2023 totals about forty three [01:11:48] hundred dollars they're behind they're [01:11:51] potentially behind almost thirty three [01:11:53] hundred dollars of that and what that [01:11:55] equates to is our you know our financial [01:11:58] team time following up on this and if it [01:12:01] continues I think this property has [01:12:03] historically had collection issues [01:12:06] so [01:12:08] um there's sort of a when we're thinking [01:12:10] about the revenue piece that this coming [01:12:12] off the rules there's also a cost to the [01:12:14] town for continuously following up on [01:12:17] this [01:12:18] but we can get some more information [01:12:21] on on [01:12:23] the next meeting [01:12:24] and if you've driven by there clearly [01:12:26] the property is in significant disrepair [01:12:30] um some of the buildings are held up by [01:12:33] um [01:12:34] boards [01:12:37] and well can we also have a chat with [01:12:40] our building inspector relative to this [01:12:42] property as well [01:12:44] sure because I'm sure this is on his [01:12:47] radar [01:12:51] okay so we will [01:12:53] um put this on either the third or the [01:12:55] 10th agenda depending on what we come up [01:12:58] with for information [01:13:02] can I just I just can I just um [01:13:06] sure [01:13:08] um [01:13:11] I mean pilot what happens is [01:13:13] the state gives us a certain amount of [01:13:15] money from when they take our land and [01:13:17] it comes in on our Cherry sheets it's [01:13:20] really low per acre and certainly and [01:13:22] not anything that we can negotiate [01:13:24] but we do get a little bit of money when [01:13:28] the state takes Our Land [01:13:32] so no pilot and it's not negotiable