Bethel Selectboard - August 24, 2026 [BS]

uh call the meeting to order and approve the agenda. We have a motion move to approve as >> second. All in favor? I >> All right. So, Ben has not joined yet. Jordan will not be here tonight. And uh Christina Fabiano as a chair. >> Is she? I don't see her. Oh, there she is. >> There she is. Tina. All right. Okay. I was making sure. >> Planning Commission Christina Fabiano, the chair of fiscal year 26 municipal resolution of municipal planning grant motion to adopt municipal resolution. We saw that in our Y. >> That's nothing different than what we've done before, >> right? No, but Tina has >> she can tell you a little bit about it and then um but if you want to make your motion before she discusses. >> Well, let's make the motion. We can move after >> I move to to >> Yeah. Whatever. >> Adopt. >> Second. >> All right. It's all yours. >> Hi everyone. Thank you. So, for the record, I'm Christina Fabiano, chair of the planning commission. Um, I'm here tonight to request your authorization to apply for the state's fiscal year 2027 municipal planning grant and to adopt the required municipal resolution. Our current objective is to secure this funding to assist with our comprehensive town plan revision which needs to be updated and adopted by 2028. As you know, a current state approved town plan is vital. It keeps our town eligible for critical state funding and grants. Updating this plan requires professional consulting, public outreach, and data collection, and this grant will help cover those exact planning expenses. The application window opens on October 1st, and the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development requires this formal resolution signed by a majority of this select board to accompany our submission. Therefore, I respectfully request that the select board adopt the fiscal year 2027 municipal resolution for the municipal planning grant and to authorize the town to move forward with the application. Thank you for your time. I'm happy to answer any questions that you might have. >> So, Tina, the municipal planning resolution I have is says FY26 up in the top. Okay. >> So, would you want me to just put 27? >> Yeah, I think so. I think it's the same exact um form. Um, >> and then I just had a question was on the form. So, you need to sign it, which you're probably aware of, and then I need to sign it. And then at the bottom, it says that we're supposed to designate someone as a grant administrator, the person with the overall administrative responsibility for the miss planning grant, program activities related to the application, and any subsequent grant agreement provision. So, is that also me or would that be someone from Two Rivers? >> I think it's two. I think one is you. If there's two fields, one is you and then one is who is assisting us ultimately from Two Rivers. >> All right. So, we I can ask them that question. I can shoot that to them. >> Then, um you're away, but you I'll leave it. You can just come to the office sometime to sign it, right? Because we need your signature on the first page before we submit it. >> Did you know that? >> Oh, I'm sorry. Did you Was that to me? >> Yeah, you you have to sign it yourself. So, I'll leave it out front in the office for when you get back. You can swing in and just see Alice and sign it. >> Excellent. Can do. >> Okay. Perfect. And just to explain too, we're going to um Two Rivers is going to help with the municipal planning grant. So, and they'll help with the town plan as well. Okay. We need to change the motion to uh fiscal year 27. >> Yep. move as amended. >> Second. >> Okay. All in favor online. Yeah. Okay. All right. So, here you go. Pass that around. You can get I put wrote your names the three names on there already so you can sign. Thank you so much, Tina, for coming. >> Thank you all. >> You have some support here, too. We got Dana's here and Eric Webb is here and Mr. Greenberg's here. So, you've got you got backup. >> Perfect. Thank you. And I appreciate it. >> Sure. >> Okay. All right. Uh continue discussion of the local auction uh tax with local business. >> So, I do want to say that I've heard from um Thank you. We've heard from Bethl Mills. That's a no. They're not in favor. I saw Dave Samborn from the sandwich shop. That's a no. He's not in favor. I spoke to Josh Tracy today from Tracy's Plumbing and Heating. He's not in favor. And Justin's here, but they had also said the same thing before. Well, it's Oh, babes. I heard from Babes. Um, well, you've heard from Babes before and they weren't in favor. >> No, he's not in favor either. So, yeah, I'm just trying. I think that's >> Brad. I haven't heard from Brad and >> he's not in he's not around this week but >> Okay. Yeah, we did. Oh, he is not. Oh, you already know. Okay. Because we did send out or I sent out emails to everybody that the businesses that I could and then we put it on front porch forum and Facebook. But so it looks like the ones are here are so >> would you like to say anything else? Come up to the mic and Yeah, I also say we're not. >> I'm Justin Mel owner. Well, past owner mechanical and yeah, we're definitely not favor our business for sure. We would, you know, in town right off the bat. Anyone who did any kind of work is going to pay more. But it's going to hurt us outside of here too because we get a lot of material delivered to our shop that we would be paying tax on to the tune of, you know, $1.5 million or so roughly gets delivered to our shop over here roughly. >> Yeah. >> That's a lot of tax money that we're then going to have to overcome when we're competing with people in Stockbridge on an install or any anywhere but here. We're going to be at a disadvantage right off the bat to try to get that job. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Right off the bat, >> right? Because >> if it's enough money for me, >> we'll move. >> Yeah. >> We'll move shop. >> For $150,000 every year and then we're going to grow from there. I'll move shop where I put that money in my pocket, not the towns. >> And I'm sorry to say that, but that's that's the reality. >> Yeah. >> So, >> we were just looking for Yeah. Because you'd have to pass that cost along to your course was >> already a percentage below any competitor, especially commercial roof. the margins aren't that big. >> You get into some of the big work we're doing, the margins aren't there. It's like, oh, 20%, it's not funny. You know, we're working 3 and 4% margins. >> That's a great already taken a big chunk right off the bat. >> So, >> that's a really good point. I'm glad that you brought that up because we were Dave Eddie and I were just reviewing um town garage estimates and you're right. They're they're not playing with a big margin. >> Not big margin. There's a lot of competitiveness. It's it's there's not a lot of movement, you know, on the job. It just gets the world, right? >> Yeah. Oh, that's that's a really good point. I'm glad that you brought that up. >> Anyway, that's kind of my >> before we run away, could I ask you a couple questions? >> Yeah. >> Um, >> so you get most of your material delivered to you and then you you lug it to where >> we do. Yeah. Because as we saw in the beginning when we were looking at this, there's a lot of counts us around us that do the LT already. So if you're doing any work in Woodstock, it doesn't matter whether you have it delivered here or there. The tax has to be paid. >> So okay, >> but just >> I just curious, >> we would certainly have to look at how we got deliveries, where we would take them, you know, cuz if we're in those towns, we're already competing in that same market. puts the counter or not. If we get it delivered here, it's going to put us outside. >> So, >> right. I mean, how not? >> So, if it's See, I don't understand that because if the if the wholesaler delivers to me, >> but the actual retail buyer is Joe Schmo in Stockbridge. >> Well, taxically buy them, but the homeowner isn't buying it, but we are. >> Yeah, that makes sense. So when you're buying income from us, if you will. >> Yeah. So if he had a job, say, well, we'll just pick um Royal. We know Royaltton does not have the local option tax. So if he had a project in Royaltton and he had the stuff delivered to Royaltton, he wouldn't pay the LOT. But if he has it delivered here, which he does, because he would need to know that he had all of his pieces, parts, and fancy equipment before he went to do the install. You have everything bought and paid for >> prior to going to your job. >> Correct. All the stuff that we bought, we buy for the customer. >> Yeah. >> And again, you're right. It's not all the jobs that we do, but it's certainly a big chunk of our business that we do is all even a lot of our commercial stuff has to come here. Even though you think the job site we're we're taking huge deliveries sometimes trying to figure out how to store it, you know. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Yeah. Exactly. One of the other issues and I remember if you were here last time we were talking about it was specifically Bethl Mills. Their issue is you know if they where they deliver to. >> So that becomes they need to look at a map because you could live in Bethl but have a Randolph mailing address. And so it adds >> there's a lot of there's a lot of labor out there for my supplers really. I mean they're going to they're but it is going to cost them more labor too having to figure out that I'm sure they do that all the time anyway. It's not but you know it is going to cost >> for other towns but not here. Yeah. just added. >> No, >> but that's good. That made sense. >> Thanks. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> I would add that two pass. >> Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh. Okay. Sorry. >> Is it true that one of the benefits of hopes is that this will um this will get money from people Right. Yep. That is we did a during the Bethl for all when we did that we did a zip code survey. So the I that the hope was that if that stands you know the same then then basically Bethl residents would not be paying 100%. Like you pay 100% of property taxes but if there was a local option tax then maybe Bethl residents would pay 60%. And or 40% not the whole enchilada. >> So just a point of >> opposite perspective that when we do work or Anybody who does a business on their own, >> yeah, >> they are going to it's definitely going to discourage them from using a better contractor >> because they have to choose us for an outfit or grand >> not currently. >> Okay. >> But deliveries are there. >> Yeah. >> And they wouldn't have to pay for extra person. Why might I choose that outfit? It doesn't feel very businessfriendly business. >> It's like people going to West Lab, right? So they can sales tax. Sure. >> And so if we want to have people local >> Yeah. >> businesses. >> Yeah. The whole thought was because you know obviously the state is broke or whatever you know they like to say to us. So we were just this was an avenue that's presented and the states has so obviously so the state has to we give have they get their 25%. Don't you worry they get their pound of flesh. So and then it's a percentage per you know filing but because our only option is for non- tax revenue. This was just an opportunity for us to look at where maybe as a Bethl resident, you wouldn't be on the hook for 100% of it. You'd be on a portion because when we did the zip code survey, people from other towns and other states were paying would be paying for a portion of it. So, uh that's it was just one of those options to try to look at because otherwise it's property tax is is it. So the thought was certainly um Ben, we talked about it was you know trying to look at it as you know tax um what was the word you used Ben? Not tax rebate tax >> tax relief. >> Tax relief. Thank you. Um and you know trying to use the money that we would collect from lo to maybe offset property taxes or put it towards you know capital funds that sort of thing. So, you know, everybody's looking for money, right? >> But Ben has his hand up. >> Go ahead, Ben. >> And no, I'm sorry. I I'm having trouble. I can't hear from the mic that's over um by the audience. >> Oh, okay. So, I'll let >> I haven't been able to hear uh some of the commentary, but I'm hoping maybe you could kind of paraphrase what the concerns are. >> Sure. the concerns that um Mel Mechanical that Justin was talking about or that he because they work in such narrow margins three or 4% that he feels that the local option tax because they take possession of everything here in Bethl is going to make him so he's not as competitive and it's going to cut into his profit margin. Is that a good recap? Okay. And is that is that the case that uh a business has to pay the local option tax themselves on materials before the consumer does? >> That's my question. >> I believe so. Do you know the answer to that, Kirk? >> Yeah, we believe so. Yes, because they're taking possession of it and he paid sales tax on his invoice. Now, yes, he would turn around and charge his customer, but to his point, that percent that he's charging his customer could be the difference in what's making him get the job or not get the job. >> Worse. Worse. Yep. No, I was just curious if that uh that's how it worked. >> Yep. >> I think that's a fair point. >> Another quick question because it just came to me. What is the difference between you taking material in and Lang taking a truckload of lumber in? >> Lang doesn't pay tax on it until he sells it. So Lang can get as much delivered here as he wants. He's not paying tax on that. So it goes out his door. >> Okay, there's a good point. >> Only tax on one sale, which is not him. >> Okay, so Ben, I'm not sure if you heard Justin. He answered Dave's question >> and said >> and said that the the difference between Mel Mechanical's business and Bethl Mills is that Lang when he doesn't pay sales tax when he takes possession of it. He takes he pays sales tax when it goes out the door. And that's different for Mel Mechanical. >> Gotcha. Either way, it's they're both still paying sales tax on what they receive. >> Yes. >> Got it. We also have a choice, right? And I'm sorry, I don't want to jump the line if there's anyone else queued up. >> No, go ahead. A choice. What? >> Uh, we have a choice what we apply the local option tax to, right? So, we could exclude sales tax uh on on hard goods, right? >> You could. Yep. you could just have sales tax on rooms and meals. Um, so it would be like, you know, Airbnbs, uh, food. So you can, yes, you could exclude sales tax, which takes out, you know, the bigger, um, you know, alcohol, soda, you know, any of those sort of things that people buy at the convenience store level. So, but yes, you could. And did uh I know you list off all the businesses at the beginning that were not in favor. Did they articulate their reasons why other than just no? >> Well, we've heard from Lang, you've seen his their email that Claudia did and you heard from Babes. The only one um I did hear from Sandwich Shop Dave Samborn. He just said he was against it um and didn't really go into a lot of detail. just I think he my assumption is that it's he just feels it's not very businessfriendly but he he didn't really elaborate just said no and Jed spoke to Brad Andrews at Mills Hardware and he also said no did he give you any more information Jed >> another tax >> and the paperwork >> yeah okay >> goes a long way and worried of people going elsewhere for the product Did you hear Jed's response? >> Yeah. Well, Jed's got a microphone, so >> All right, good. >> Um, no, these are all fair points. And, you know, I'm I'm starting to go the other way, right? Because it sound like a great idea that we were, you know, providing tax relief um by having uh out ofers or or even folks from other towns kind of contribute to this local option tax. But if it's if the if the if the businesses are now having to pay that tax as well on their goods, they're they're not really it is cutting into their their margins, right? It's not like they're just passing that tax on. They're they're actually they're paying it as well. Um, so maybe maybe it's even better that we are the sort of the haven from the this local option tax rather than being another adopter, right? We might be the only town that doesn't have it at some point. And wouldn't that be cool? >> Yeah, that's that's a good point, Ben. That's that's a really valid point. And like I said, you don't have to make it, you know, you will in the end you, the five of you will make a decision whether or not you're going to put it on the warning for the residents to vote at town meeting or not. You could choose not to do that. So >> that's all we're doing really >> anyways just giving them the town's going to vote. Yeah, they either say and but you have the choice of whether or not you put it on the warning. And last time we put on the warning, I think it made it to called the question and it was it was a it was hard. It was a really one of those two minute, you know, questions that Tommy didn't ask. >> No, no. It was a resounding move. >> Yeah. So, we do know that Royal Tennis is working on it because they want they're hoping it passes so they could pay for their share their bridge. >> Rand's working >> and Randolph's working on. So, maybe Ben's right. >> So, that's my next question. Look at the crystal ball. >> Yeah. >> And everybody around us adopted adopts it. >> Yeah. So, >> then we then we become the most business friendly town in the area. Right. >> That's right. Then so then we could become the most business friendly town. We just need to elect some new legislators to go there. There's quite so much damn tax in the state as it is. >> Okay. You can tell her that or you just did >> just just maybe there any more discussion on the uh local tax. Just a reminder, Jean Cross, I think I've said this before, but a a sales tax is equally implied that 1% of that $10 purchase is equally applied to all persons regardless of their ability to pay to pay. Not everybody who lives in Bethle is uh pays property tax. they may indirectly be rented etc. But the it's an unfair tax when you in general and it's just something that people need to be aware of when if and when such a tax is done. >> JJ Ben did put a note in here just to remind people that um food and clothing are >> not our exception. He just wanted >> Yep. >> Okay. I think everybody's all set for this. All right. We now open the meeting to public comment for stuff that is not on tonight's agenda. >> Hi. Um, can you hear me? Um, I'm Ellie Griffin and I have a question. And I have just a question as a Bethl resident. This is just a question from a Bethl resident. Um a little bit ago, um the town was mowing on Roy Hill Road. Now, North Road, you go up and then you turn left on Royalton Hill Road. And they were mowing. But I my question is why did they only mow part of the road? They didn't mow the whole road. They're out up there mowing when they mowed the whole road. And plus, I live off of Royal Hill Road. So, my street is a left turn called East Street. And if they had mowed the whole road and then they could turn on East Street and there was just this amount of mowing needed on East Street. But of course they didn't finish doing Royal Hill Road and so they didn't even do East Street. So I'm just curious of why would you have a job and not complete the job? I mean, if I rated the job, I'd give them a C minus on the job. And so I and I noticed in your town report that in 2425 you saved $1,000 in mowing. I can't there's no figure for this year. And you got budgeted $18,000 for mowing. So what are you going to complete the job? Are you going to um um mow some more or? >> Yep, I can tell you. So, normally we hire we've hired a contractor in the past and and um he last year and this year he did not have people to run all of his roadside mowers. So, he did a state contracts and wasn't doing local. So, last year we rented a roadside mower and um we were only able for the price to only rent it for a month. So, we did what we could. We were able to rent it this year for two months. Um we had a couple breakdowns with it, so it had to go back to the rental agency and come back. And um it's it's not a job that we like. We would prefer to to you know to pay someone else to do it that that's what they do. So um it's the roadside mo has gone back. They hit pretty everything they could within the time frame that they had it. So he was aware of your um complaint about East Street. I think you might have mentioned it to AJ or somebody somebody told AJ anyways he he knew about it um and why they didn't complete North I just I don't know if he just ran out of time that day or what the situation was but it is not we are really praying that next year we can put it back out. The savings last year was just coincidence because we budget we take what they normally charged us and then each year I add like a small percentage to it like maybe 3% that's how I get the number because we're never really sure what he's going to charge us depends on fuel etc etc but we're really hoping that he has a full crew next year because when we had it done with a professional guy he did a great job and he made two passes and it was lovely so yeah it wasn't wasn't the Thanks for answering my question. >> You're welcome. You're welcome. Any other public comment? All right, seeing none, we will head into the fire department's request to hold a parade at noon starting at the school parking lot ending at Bethl Mills. All invited to participate. And this is during Forward Fest. >> Yep. So it's October 3rd. >> Yep. October 3rd and so I need a motion >> use of the tail road >> second >> any discussion I just want to let you know what the route is because it's pretty short so they're going to go from the school to Bethl Mills and then once they get to Bethl Mills they will you know when they go head back to the school they'll follow regular traffic patterns they're just going to do it just for that little bit so they're looking uh so certainly contact Josh Tracy if you're interested. They're looking for kids to walk in it, ride their bicycles or you know kind of do a get as many people interested as they can um this year. So >> I am curious um we we don't >> we require sort of schematics and uh you know insurance and all sorts of planning for coin drops but not for a parade. Actually, you guys, I don't know if you you haven't done a parade since I've been here, but normally no, especially because the fire department, he'll have people staged. He's already reached out to the sheriff's office and has two cruisers. Um, so, you know, I'm not too worried because they know what they're doing. They're firefighters. So, plus two, like I said, he already reached out to the sheriff's office and has two cruisers. So, he'll have somebody in front and somebody, you know, behind. So, >> so what's >> when we let people use the roads for bike races and stuff like that, we don't get too >> Okay, that's fair. Yeah, we didn't do it for the 5K, right? >> Yeah. I'll tell him if something happens, it's on him. >> Okay. I was just curious. There's a reason we did things a little bit differently between the coin drop and the parade. But, >> yeah. Oh, it makes sense. There will be a coin drop that morning as well. >> Yeah, we'll do that later. >> All right. All in favor of uh authorizing the use of the town roads. >> I post carries. Uh resignation of Brad Andrews from the developmental review board and uh fence viewer. Motion to accept with thanks and so much gratitude. Brad's been on the DRB for quite some time now. Um he was on when I was on the planning commission. >> I think six years. I looked back town reports to see when he was on. So >> he was on there for a while. So many kudos to Brad for >> um all he's done for the DRB. >> Motion to accept many things. >> Second. Motion to accept. Second. >> All right. Any discussion? >> All right. All in favor? Opposed? All right. Number three, request of Bailey Gin to be appointed to the DRB. Motion to appoint. >> Second. >> Any discussion? I think there's a letter in the packet and he's been to >> three meetings >> like right two meetings. Yep. >> Yep. >> There you go. Hey, there that's like 90% of the battle right there. >> That's great. >> Is he Is he in attendance? >> Uh, he is not in attendance. No. >> All right. >> Any more here? He could probably answer it. >> Ben, did you have a question? >> Uh, nope. No. I just wanted to ask ask him why he was interested. Probably Dana's been pressuring him into it. >> That makes sense. Yeah. >> Is that why he was wearing his sling? >> Yeah. >> Dana Dana said he encouraged him to uh consider joining and his wife has already joined the planning commission. So >> he's a friend of Dana is a friend of mine. >> There's no actual signature on here. Dana, there's no actual signature here. Did he actually write this? >> All right. Motion to appoint been uh moved and seconded. Is any more discussion? >> All in favor? >> I opposed. All right. Uh select board approval of annual municipal checklist for municipal controls part one and two. Master approve the initial checklist, please. >> Second. >> Uh, any discussion? >> I got questions. >> Okay, you go ahead. >> I got >> uh we don't do any petty cash in the office. >> No. He asked if we did petty cash and I said no. >> And it says that the town manager approved salary and wage rates but I could have sworn that was part of our budget. >> It is. It's part of the budget but I mean as far as the breakdown like you approved the overall budget. So but just because you've approved say 3% doesn't mean every employee gets 3%. So, >> okay. Well, I thought we we approved each individual wage in the budget. That's not true. >> No. >> Okay. Got it. Thank you. Uh and then part two, section two, question one. There's no response. >> Oh, maybe I missed one. Part two, section two. Whoops. Hang on. I got the wrong page. Oh, yeah. Are billing collection and posting performed by separate employees or departments? Oh yeah, I had a question about that. Billing collection I posting are they performed by separate employees? Kind of yes and no. Um Alice bills but she also, you know, takes in the money but I'm the delinquent tax collector. So I guess I would just say yes to that. Then I'll fill that one in. >> Sure. >> And I could put a little explanation beside that. But thank you. I think I was still mulling it over. >> And the only other question I had, I know you put NA next to uh the credit card policy, but in the absence of one, wouldn't that be a no? >> Uh could be. I just said, yeah, it could be. We all say no. I just didn't want him to think that we had a credit card. >> Gotcha. >> But we didn't have a policy. So that's why I wrote NA. We don't have a credit card. I didn't want them to think we had one. We had a credit card and we didn't have a policy for it. >> Sure. >> That's why >> I don't know who reads this at the state. I know it goes to the treasur's office. So I just >> I mean to answer the question, we don't have a credit card policy. >> Yeah, exactly. Right. >> That's all I had. >> Okay. Thank you. >> And then need to sign. The select board chair needs to sign. Okay. Any other questions? >> All right. All those in favor? >> Opposed? All right. >> Yes. You No, you need to sign or is that like why are you like get that? >> No, you just need to sign those. >> All right. Sports uh request for a coin drop on Saturday, October 3rd on Pleasant Street from It's going to be from 8 until noon because of the parade. I just got that change approved today from Jordan. I texted him because I'm like, I can't have you collecting money when the grade's trying to leave the school. So, he said, "All right." He said that we could do 8 to noon. >> Motion to approve. >> All those in favor? >> I drop. >> Yeah. >> Did you have any questions, Ben? Thought I heard you say so. >> No. No. No. We'll let him we'll let him have the the hand and then you just need to sign right there. So, yeah, I did text Jordan today to make sure that was going to be okay with him and he said, "Yeah, he hoped people still came and I said, "Well, they're going to be parking for the parade, so you might he might do really well." >> A little extra. >> Yeah, he might do really well. >> Should charge for parking. Yeah, >> that's right. Exactly. So, he's all set for that. >> All right. And that is uh placement of political science policy update. >> So we had a policy before and then Dree before she moves she's trying to get through all the rest of the policies. So I gave you the original and then her replacement policy so you could see what the changes were. >> Okay. A motion for this, right? >> Yep. >> Second. >> Any discussion? I'm just curious if there was any difference. I the only thing I could really discern was that signs need to be removed immediately after an election. Is that the only change? >> Well, I put in the whole policy. Um the original, it's marked original. And then this one, some of it she just felt was redundant, so she was just trying to cut it down. I think the whole, you know, what they can be fastened to, that sort of thing is all really much the same. >> That's I agree. >> Yeah. I think she was she's been really good about trying to condense policies for us so they're a little more manageable and and again some of it is as you can see is um defined by state statute >> but this so this was really just a review. It wasn't sparked by anything. >> No no it was not. No. Um, in the past, I think there wasn't a policy when we did the last one. And around, you know, November, sometimes people get a little out of hand and start putting signs everywhere. Um, >> so this was to kind of just let people know you can't put them on trees and utility poles and and they're not allowed on town property because if they are, then we have to remove them. And but just a reminder for everybody, the triangle is not ours. That's the state. So if you're trying to take signs off from there, there's no >> state can >> the state can but we can't. So um so yeah, it was more of an issue around I think the last presidential election maybe. Ben >> and same same with the school, right? That's not town property. That's school property. >> That is school property. Yeah. >> Okay. And again, the only difference I I saw I agree it's mostly the same, but there was that signs need to be removed immediately after an election was the only difference, >> right? Yep. Just because Yeah. You know, otherwise people they get left there for a while and I've you know, sometimes I think it was the last election I had several in the office that people collected because they just just sat around and they're not cheap, I'm sure. So >> there's still one on the bottom of Northro. >> Yeah. We try to give them back to people too as well after the election because they're not cheap, are they, Kurt? >> Yeah. So, >> what does that really Oh, sorry. Someone talking. >> Go ahead. >> What does this really apply to if it if they can't be put on town property or on on sign posts or telephone polls? Is this just right away that we're talking about or? >> Right. You can put them on your lawn. If you want to have political signs on your lawn, that's totally fine. This is really just preventing people Yeah. from putting them >> in um putting them on town property because obviously we are not we're non-political. We're not going to pick a side. So, it looks like we are politicking for someone if they're on town property. And the state leaves you, you know, we can't put anything on utility polls. That's against the law. It'll kind of just let people know. >> Um Yeah. And we don't want them in the right way. Blocking view. So someone goes to pull out of a street and there's a sign right there. So really just uh traffic safety too. Most people are really good about adhering to the rules. >> Got it. Yeah. I'm not trying to make a big deal out of this or anything. I'm just Yeah. >> Just trying to figure out why we would say they need to be removed immediately after an election if they can't put them on town property anyway. >> Well, yeah. Oh, I see what you're saying. That's a I understand what you're saying. Yeah. Why does it say they shall be removed immediately after an election? Um, that's a good point, Ben. It said that in the old one, too. >> You sure? Okay. >> Yeah. Yep. Well, you know what? Nobody wants to relive it, Ben. >> I just want I didn't want to make it seem like we're going to go around ticking signs out of people's yard. I don't think that's the intention, right? So, >> no. yards. It's their yard. >> Yeah, totally. Yeah. >> All right. Any more discussion? >> All right. Uh motion to adopt the political science policy update. All in favor? >> I opposed. >> All right. Uh we have the town manager support. >> So we received two grants this week that we applied for. So, one of them is $200,000 with a 10% match. That's for the structures grant um that we applied for to replace that box cover on Gilead near Winterberry. So, you know, that's been in rough shape for a while. So, we had I'd received a what they call a brick grant to get it engineered. That was FEMA money. So, we were able to get it engineered and all that, like a preliminary design, but no. Uh, but when we applied for construction money, we didn't get any. So, now we So, we applied for a structures grant from the state of Vermont VR, and that's what we got. The other one is for $50,000, which is with no match, which is nice. This is hard. This is rare. Um, we got that from the state as well. And we're going to replace guard rail on Campbrook. the part that we paved, we have to raise up that um guard rail because with the paving now, it's not the right height, but we're also have quite a bit on um camper that we have to replace. So 50,000 is going to be nice a nice boon for that budget. Um the other thing is we received two responses. Um so I told you we put out the RFQ, we received three um our three responses. Um, I removed one and we came down to two. We issued the RFP and Dave, Eddie, and I reviewed those and today we chose um, DEW. So, we're going to move forward with DU and AES uh, Northeast for the paired together. So, it's a design build project. So, which means it's open book. We, you know, you know what their percentage is, what their markup is, and then the rest of it's open book. So, I called both the contractors um today and let them know and um Dave has agreed to stay with me to help me through the um construction process. One of the things that we're going to have to talk about at a future meeting is whether or not we want to hire a clerk of the works. Um, you know, I've obviously had built buildings and and I did have to work for the works uh when we built a fire station in Bristol. Um, so but I don't know. I mean, this is just a that was not a metal building. That was a different, you know, situation. However, I, you know, neither Dave or I qualified to make sure that the specs are right on the concrete, this and that. So, we could just add maybe additional monies for certain testing to come in and things like that. But I think that's something that we need to talk about and I think it would be good to have Jordan's for sure input on that. So, um maybe I'll put that on the next agenda and we can talk about that when he's back. Maybe he has some, you know, insight to that. Um >> we don't need to search the works for >> No, we don't. We don't. I just it's something we need to think about and I want to look at um obviously the capital building fund you know the the um you know first take is 3.1 million um theirs and I he knows because I'd given him 2.8 and first I started at 2.1 and they're like no so 2.8 8 and they came in at 3.1. So, not bad. But we did say, you know, we're going to look for some savings. Uh they were they knew that. Um Dave Eddie also make a great point which was we are building a 50-year building. So, while we may not see something right now that we're going to do, we need to make sure that the structure is there in case something is for the future. So, um, but anyways, currently, so we're at very preliminary stages. I will be, we did a video. Thank you, Finn. He did a great job for Orca. So, we're going to be releasing that. We also want to have an open house so people can see the garage. The video is scary enough, but we're going to do that as well. I'm going to start um with some numbers and try to do and do a mailer so people are aware because you'll vote that via bond vote on November 3rd. I've already talked to my bond bank and started my bond application. Um, so something to think about. Also something to think about with money from, you know, the Quimby Forest sale. What we maybe at that time were able to buy the lawn down a little bit or, you know, something like that because the interest rate on your debt that you had was like 3%. This is going to be I think around five. So, um, but we the garage is just it's it's coming apart. We actually have to stabilize one of the walls just to get through another. >> To your point, I'm sure it's cheaper to make it as we want now. >> Yeah. >> To try. >> Yep. Yeah. One of the things that we talked about was for just for one example was radiant heat. So, while radiant heat is more money upfront over the length over the you know uh life of the building, it'll be cheaper. Um so that was something that we talked about. things like that. So, just trying to um be playing and it will go in the same spot. We were very clear about that. Um it will, you know, one bay bigger, you know, towards the road. But luckily, we already had done a lot of the pre- stuff. We have fuel tank, we move the underground tank, we know where the power is, we know where sewer, water, that whole thing. Um so uh so anyways we just felt like um do just had a really good a much more detailed proposal than Russell. So anyway so that's what we're going to move forward >> propane. >> Is there any thought of doing the because that would be over the long >> term that would eliminate. >> It's something that we could look at, but just to remind you if you're not aware is that the reason that we're building exactly where we're building is that that there are portions of that which are an old dump. So, >> yeah. So, we're >> Yeah. So, we're >> we could be going through it. >> It's something we can talk about. Yep. >> Sure. And that's totally something we can talk to them about when we're in the process. >> We have a lot of questions. >> Yeah, we have a lot of questions. It's just very preliminary. But no, it's good. Actually, one of them mentioned that in their proposal, and I don't remember if it was due or Russell, but um but it was in there and I was like, Jean, it said geothermal. I thought of you as soon as I read it on Sunday. So, um so yeah, that's it was in there. So, it's something that we'll talk about for sure, but um you know, it's a long time coming. We you know, 31,000 >> how much it cost for the building 50 some odd years ago. >> Yeah. And the talk of the town garage has been on agendas for at least 10 years. >> Yeah. It's been a while. It's just it's a big nut to crack, you know, and you're just going to think about Yeah. >> Yeah. Oh, I'm sure. I mean, it's it's a it's a big nut to crack. So, >> and it's questionable if it lasts this winter. Yeah, exactly. Like I said, >> heavy wet snow. >> We were already up there. I was already up there. We were looking at it stabil and um AJ was, you know, we know there's a portion of we have to stabilize the wall. So, but the good news is the pole barn is done and the salt shed is done. So that's so at least we will have equipment storage and because the very preliminary date to finish would be November 17th or 19th and so anyway so hopefully that can go a little faster but at least they'd have a place you know right now for some equipment and working because they will work there and we'll have a trailer like a job trailer there for AJ to work out of and there's conx boxes the salt shed this and that. So, you know, they the contractor's aware it will be a working garage or facility while they're there. So, >> um you know, so I think they would demolish it in probably like April. As soon as the snow was done, they demolish. So, um you know, it'll be we'll work it out. And AJ as certainly we've already talked about prepared to, you know, look at what we need, you know, his wants and needs, right? And at this point it was pretty basic and that's what we told them when they came because they were mentioning some other places and I'm like you know that's too rich for our book. We're not we're not done that you know. So I think it'll be a really good process and we'll start to inform the voters and and um we'll be definitely voting on November 3rd. So >> I think that's all you got? I think so. Yeah. I think so. All right. Uh, next on the agenda, we have three sets of minutes to approve September uh July 27th uh August 10th and August 18th because we had a correction for the July 27th one we had. >> Yep. Are you going to do them individually or all at once? >> I don't see a problem with any of them. So, I would be willing to move the ability to move all three. >> Let's see what Ben is up to. He's shuffling papers. >> A second. >> Ben, what are you >> Yeah, I didn't see the uh the older set. Uh maybe is that in our packet? >> Yep. >> Well, that's on me then. I can't approve last emergency meeting. I wasn't there. >> Right. Okay. Yep. No Ben was No, there was no Ben and there was no >> Jordan on the 18th. Okay. Yeah, it says that on the minutes anyways. >> Joe, should we do them individually? >> I guess so. Make it easier >> for the uh July 27th 26th. Can I get a motion to approve as corrected? >> Second. All in favor of approving the Monday, July 27th uh >> you still thinking about it, Ben? You have a question? >> Is that the first one? >> Yeah. >> Sorry. >> I I approve that one. The oldest one, right? >> Yep. >> Yeah, that's the one we asked for the edits on. Yeah, I saw those. Thank you. >> Okay. And then we have the August 10th one, which I believe you were at, Ben. >> Yep. >> Yeah. >> Yep. Motion to approve the August 10th minutes. >> Okay. >> Okay. All in favor? >> I >> And the last one we had was 8:18 2026, our uh special meeting. All those in uh Can I get a motion in a second? Motion to approve. Second. >> Any discussion? All in favor? >> This is just the three of you. So >> thank you fellas. And then and we have other communications in here. We have equity inclusion. We have all kinds of stuff. The planning commission, rec committee, the um whatever. >> Where have all the lifeguards gone? That's what um Dana had or not Dana. Yeah, it seems like it, doesn't it? Greg Hughes has written. >> Yeah, that was in there. And yeah, plenty of minutes and Yeah, exactly. >> Yeah. >> Yep. >> All right. >> Sorry. When are we uh when are we expecting the survey to end? >> August 31st. Alice is putting out a reminder. >> We're almost there. Okay. on front porch forum. >> I hope I hope a pool wins. They put a lot of energy into it in the fundraising group. >> Yeah, I last I heard it was a clear clear front runner. So, we'll find out. It'll be on the September 14th select board minutes. All the working committee will know before that. So, it'll it'll all be out before then. But, um >> I've got them scheduled the meeting yet. So, but yeah, there's still time for people to respond. So, um, obviously a lot of people have not responded, so hopefully more people. >> There was a fair amount of delinquent. >> Well, yeah. And there was delinquent bills that went out last week, so hopefully people will get those and go, "Oh, yeah, we got this, too." >> Yeah. All right. Any other business necessary to come before the board? >> I just want to say this was the neat thing to see. >> Oh, the grants. >> All the the grants and what's what's being worked on right now. what our match was for the amount of money >> spent it's pretty impressive >> yeah I try to keep it up to date I have a you know I have a spreadsheet spreadsheet I'm a but anyway so and one of them is that's the current page and then I have a whole other like another page in that spreadsheet all the stuff we have done and you know where that money came from and what the match is it's also you know you needed to track it for um because we usually take the match out of a capital fund like capital roads, capital, whatever. So, trying to make sure you have money, you know, coming and going. But yeah, we were excited about the no match for the 50,000 and then another 200 for that box. That's probably going to be bigger than that. Um, more than just our match, but 200 will take a a bite out of it. So, >> but even to see like the cost of a sidewalk project, our match is small. I know. Still >> it's amazing that it costs that much to >> it. It it it is and and I think some of it too is that is one of the grants. The bike ped grant is a three to five year grant. I'm not a big fan of those because generally what happens is you have to go through NEA. So you're looking for everything. I mean, there's wetlands and bats and arrowheads and, you know, it's just it's a lot to get through and you need an engineer to do it and and so a lot of it is I would like to see the state give us more construction money, you know what I mean? But a lot of it when you get these grants comes with these hoops. So, you pay a lot of engineering up front and then and we see that with a sidewalk project, the engineering and the, you know, construction are going to be fairly close. The other one we have is Falcon Drive. That's also the same, you know, process. But I think because we had a 30% design from Duboce and King and then we hired them again, I feel like that might be a little more manageable. But it it's tough because it takes a lot of manpower too to like the sidewalk project. We have Duboce and King. We have the construction company. Um, I paid Two Rivers because they're our municipal project manager and we had to pay GPI. We the grant required us to hire another company to be to be the on-site construction manager. So, you know, >> not a lot of construction workers. >> I'm over there the other day like losing my mind and they're like I pay all these people but you know they wanted to work on a Saturday and I said no more Saturdays. you're not working in hours that are available to you that you know you the contracts is 7:00 to 5:00 and you're getting here at 8:00 and leaving at 4:00 and and my other thing was clothing is not optional on a website. You know, I go by and people are there with no shirts on, you know, there's standards for safety and stuff. So, I don't know. I just feel like those grants are that's a lot of money to pay out that's not construction. Like I feel like we could have built if they just if we just had construction money could have built a sidewalk at Randolph for that, you know, amount of money. So I do I understand their point, but I'm also just feel like sometimes it's too much. So I guess I'm saying right away I'm not really going to be quick to write for another like bike pad grant those. They're just it's a lot, >> you know, I feel like. But but anyways, yes, the spreadsheet is just to keep you guys informed like where we're at with and um you know trying to do it kind of and that's how we do it. The supplement that's right as many grants as we can, >> right? >> And you're doing a good job. >> Well, we're trying we do what we can and that's it. I think >> no I will be here on the board. >> I did not know that. Neither will I. >> And I need to make sure that I have this because I will have my computer with me, but I'm going to be in Montana. >> So am I. >> Are you going together? >> No. I will be in >> taking your family. >> So will I? >> They're going to be at a bar on >> I will meet you guys there. >> Huh? >> Are you gonna be here on the 14th then? >> Oh, we're going out. >> No, I'm gonna meet the guys at a bar in Boseman. Oh, he's you're gonna meet the guys at a bar. >> I've got I've got three or four days. I'll be out there 15 days. We're doing Cameron. We're doing Belgrade. We're doing >> You got anything else, Ben? >> Motion to adjourn. >> So, where are you? Are you standing in Idaho?