Calais Selectboard - August 24, 2026 [CS]

So, we're going to call the meeting to order. Um, and uh, if anyone could just let me know if you have any agenda changes, everything all set? Um otherwise sorry for the lack of video on screen but we are going to move ahead with uh since our audio is okay. So the first um item on the agenda is the listister errors and emissions and John and Kobe are here. >> Everything's okay now. >> The errors and omissions have been fixed. There were two errors and there was one uh there was one data station. >> Okay. >> And so those are changes to the green list. >> Okay. >> Uh great. And do we have any questions Jamie about these? >> Are those forms that we have to sign off on or not? >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. There's a form here, >> right? And what it does is it decreases the grand list value by how? 43. >> 40 if you add them up. >> Yeah. One of them didn't have an impact. >> One of them was one of them. >> Okay. Um any any questions or discussion? >> Any of you have questions? >> Yeah. >> I'm very comfortable back with the same lunch again. >> Yeah. Okay. Thank you. Hi. >> Um, so we need to approve this before we sign it. Right. Okay. So, um, can I get a motion to approve the errors and omissions report? >> We need a second. >> Thank you. All those in favor? >> I. Okay, that is done. >> Great. >> Great. Thank you very much. Appreciate it. Um, the next item is the Adamant Community Trust. Um, and Liz, I think you're on to chat with us about that. >> Um, yeah, I can chat about that. So, um, Skipper and I are both part of this group. Um, what do you have questions that you want me to answer or should, um, do you just want like a brief overview of what this is all about? >> I think the overview would be helpful. Um, uh, we do have, uh, a background email that folks, I believe, have had a chance to look at. Um, So yeah, background would be helpful. Sure. Where? >> Yep. >> Um so so Adomia came across the um village initiative trust and Skipper, you can feel free to jump into whenever you've got other things to say. when we were when we were initially looking for more funding for um for our barn which we're renovating right now. And um to back up a little bit, we had started a few years ago in the village of Adamant talking about do we want to create a trust because the music school owns most of the property in Adamant and we were worried like what if the music school goes under then what happens? Do they sell it to just a private investor? you know, what if the town can come up with a way to have an envelope of funds that we can then use to purchase parts of the music schools? Should that, you know, should that be a thing that needs doing? And then that conversation kind of ended. So, we we've started to pick up this conversation about starting a village community trust when we started looking at our barn and the infrastructure needs that it has. Um, and the village initiative trust or the village trust initiative is a program. It's a multi-year program that is offered through um I think it's through the Vermont Historical Preservation People and they they offer if if a town is selected, they offer um educational activities and sources of funding and a lot of like brainstorming to help a village come up with projects that could feed into a trust. Um sorry, I'm it's been a long day. I'm kind of losing my words. Do you Skipper, do you want to jump in? >> Yeah. Hi, I'm I'm Sarai also. >> Sorry to confuse everyone. Um uh it it's there's a group of us that just have been talking since we started renovating the barn and and we're excited to continue um developing the the Adamant Community Arts >> um center which was started a while ago um but bringing it um into life more um to to just be a place to to receive funding and to apply for grants and um yeah, we have we just have infrastructure needs like Liz said. Um you know, the co-op uh needs some some handiwork and some funding to to come up to speed, >> right? And it's I think too it's it's about the co-op and the barn, but it's also about um the future of Adamant really as a viable village because it is really the village really is owned mostly by one landowner. Um and so it's it's a little complicated in that it's a group of us from the co-op who are interested in following up with the village trust initiative, but it's not just for the co-op. sort of blossomed from the co-op into more of a communitywide discussion. Um, the reason we reached out to you all as a select board is that one of the criteria for applying is a is a letter from you guys saying that yes, we think it would be a good idea um if Adam were awarded this opportunity. >> Okay. Yeah. And I think um one of the things that um stopped us and wanted made made us want to come and you know hear more from you was the letter states after reviewing the project details and the village trust initiative program details we strongly support your right. So we felt like we didn't have the information um on what your what your intention was, what the idea is and sort of what um what alignment with this and just just another just friendly amendment the village trust initiative is is a a initiative of the preservation trust of Vermont but with VCRD they do with Vermont um Vermont community foundation >> right so there there's a there's a whole collaboration there that happens um So yeah. So um you know the the question around the project details is what I'm still a little bit stuck on. >> Mhm. >> Um yeah. Well, it's a it's a good question because it sort of spans like it it stemmed out of this idea of where can the co-op get more funding to complete our barn restoration project. And then then when we found this opportunity, the group of us who've been meeting um started revisiting this idea of starting a community trust, an adamant community trust, um not just for securing funding for a barn because the co-op itself is not is not a nonprofit. So we can't accept donations and you know have the donors have tax write offs like we um we can't do that. So we can't and that means also we can't accept grants really for anything to do with the co-op. So the co-op started wondering how we could partner with this a currently existing 501c3 within the community of Adamant called the Adamant Community Arts Center. Um which is inactive. It exists but it's inactive. Um, so the idea that we're having right now is to is to turn well the acronym is called AAC for Adamant Community Arts Center is to turn AAC as a 501c3 into um into the envelope that could accept funds and education as a trust, >> a village trust. And so it really it really expands um this vision of like you know the co-op is the community hub of Adamant but there's also the community center of adamant there's also all the music school possibilities um you know it it feels like it's it's a really important time to think about like this re this extended future of Adam and what that might look like in the next 20 or 25 years and and then to also really if we are awarded this opportunity to really come together as a community and not just as the co-op, but invite all community members in in Adamant to really envision and work towards um what we collectively want the vid the village of Adamant to, you know, to look like in 25 years or 20 years. >> One of the questions ask the timeline for the application. When do you need a letter come up? >> The the application's due September 8th. >> Yeah. >> So, is there a a written description of what you're uh proposing that we can take a look at? >> Yeah. Do you have a the proposal? Is there a proposal for this process? >> Sure. Yeah. >> Yeah. There's there's a bunch of qu application questions that we've had to answer. >> Okay. that we could if you're interested we could send them the questions and our answers along to you. >> Yeah, we don't have that. Correct. I >> No, >> I haven't seen that. No, just >> we're working on it. >> Um, yeah, I guess that would be I I would want to see that, but we're not going to meet before the 8th, >> are we? I mean I don't see nothing >> any but I don't see any >> downside you know it's like sometimes you there can be unforeseen >> consequences of being designated a historic village or something and then it changes things >> would it help to temper the language of the letter a little bit to say that you >> not that you've reviewed all the details of the proposal but Yes, I think the that's actually where I was headed for sure. Um, Krie, that the the the letter is just a little more um of a statement than we're probably ready to make since we haven't seen the details and you know that that whole piece. So, um do we want to do some editing while we're sitting here? >> No. >> No. Um I don't either. Um, I mean I >> during a break I could edit it and have you look at it before we leave tonight. >> I also feel like we could just take out the first half of that sentence just like we strongly support this group advancing this project. >> Yeah. >> Or just take out strongly. Yeah. >> We support this project. >> Um I the I don't I don't know that the project identified by this group aligns with our town's goals. That's another that's another place where I mean it probably does but you know um I just want to be anyway I think um car your suggestion is correct that if we do some um editing to the language that we'd be able to submit this for to you all back before the 8th so that you could submit your application on time. Is that or do I have an agreement with >> Yeah. the board member, Mr. Chairman? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Um Okay. So, we are we can we could approve the letter with um edits, expected edits, or do we approve it later? Sorry. >> No, I was just checking to make sure I have an editable version and seems like I did. So I I what I got was um removing the phrase about review the the plan project details. Yeah. >> And remove the word strateg. >> Yeah. >> What is the role? I mean is this it says the select board is committed to collaborating with the project team and support its successful implementation. So is there an expectation of of further involvement if you were to be selected for this by the select board? >> I don't think there's necessarily a you know any any other further collaboration with the select board. It was it was honestly it was a it was a template letter that the DTI gave to us to pass to you guys. >> Um which we did amend a little bit because there was even stronger language. We felt like well we don't need to really go that far. But um >> but honestly I can't >> I I don't foresee really the select board having much to do at least you know if we are selected at least in the early stages um in this project. >> Okay. Now I understand why if I mean if Okay. So, um I think it's much more like the select board looks forward to collaborating >> should it be awarded. Um >> uh >> I think that >> right so I think there's just a couple places where so that first paragraph I think we're clear. the second paragraph. Um um I I don't think the first sentence I think we should take out the first sentence because I'm not sure. It's not that it isn't aligned with that goal, but I'm not sure how we >> we haven't seen it. But I mean yeah don't have information. I mean at this stage sort of the project is created the creation of the trust. >> Mhm. >> And then the trust as it evolves over time can grow and assume it would have a a board or something that would decide how sort of what what separate projects the trust takes on. Is that like a reasonable understanding? Yes, I would say that that's a reasonable understanding. >> This is the idea of like creating a community trust is a fabulous idea. >> I agree with you. I just um I don't I just don't want a letter to to indicate that we're in lock step with this and ready to commit resources or imply that. And I think um you know there's been you know this like this is what Greensboro did. This is like there's precedent >> uh I'm not sure I I'm not as familiar with one at the you know a village level but um but I'm sure that's what they're you know they're providing technical assistance and funding and support to create a routine free. So um yeah so I I guess uh yeah other so if you have any if you don't have any other edits that's what I would I would suggest is what we suggested already for paragraph one paragraph two maybe just delete the first sentence and just say we believe it and then just say the um the select board, you know, looks forward to collaborating with the project team if it's successful. And I think the last last paragraph's fine. >> For the collaborating sentence, >> I would say the select board is looks forward to the select board looks forward to collaborating with the project team as and supporting its successful implementation. Got it. >> Others thoughts that sounds good. Thanks. While we work through this, appreciate your um patience. Um I think we'll uh what we'll do is um approve this with the edits discussed. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Can I get a motion to approve the letter to the village trust initiative in support of the Adamant Community Trust? >> With edits as identified. Sorry. >> With edits as identified. >> Second. All in favor? >> I >> I Thank you. All right, I think we're good, folks. Thank you. >> Thank you so much. >> Thank you. >> Good luck with it. Let us know what happens. >> Okay, thanks so much. Bye-bye. >> All right, bye bye. >> All right, 620 on the nose. Um, all right. Curb, we've got two curbcut applications. Um the first is uh for Ledge Hill Road. Um has the >> Connelly is here. >> Um Kelsey's news people and she and Tom her husband have already applied for and received one cur permit. Now they'll be going for the second one which will be towards the east side of Lech Hill Road where they plan to build in a little while. But go ahead there. >> Nice to meet you. And so John and I then uh took a look um and meets the specific need at least >> and the call was that an issue at all the culvert um >> no the only issue is installation the road crew installed the first curve um uh culvert and they're not probably going to be available for a little while >> so >> and that here that's not Yeah, we're trying to figure out timing in that anyway. So, um the issue is the curb cut is there now. The culver that's there now is an old stone one, >> right? >> So, we can't really bring any heavy equipment over it right now. So, we're just trying to figure out we're meeting with a logging truck to see can they come over it or not? If not, then what can't log until we get the new covered. >> Okay. So, we'll basically just keep doing what we're doing um until we can either find somebody to put a Duke over in or if it's late in the fall and they can do it, then we'll do it then. >> Okay. >> All right. Have you all had a chance to look at this? >> Question two applications. One was an original and one was it different or in the application? >> You mean the it's labeled original layout? >> Yeah. >> Versus what is the other version? >> There's Well, there's a sketch drawing that we snuck into your box, but I thought it was a little small. So then we put the bigger picture with it. So >> Oh, in the application. >> In the application. But the box the wording would have might have been a little too small for you. So I got it. Okay. >> Thank you. You're right. >> Try to fit in that box. >> Yes. Got it. >> So there is no change to it. >> Yeah. Okay. Yeah. >> Thank you. >> And does the um the existing uh covert that needs to get pulled out is that that's not in the same location of where the culvert needs to be? >> It is. It is. Okay. >> Yeah. So, the curb cut from talking to John and the crew, they they were suggesting a 30 foot 30 foot curb uh cover. >> Uhhuh. >> In order to put that in, the old stone one would have to be removed because it it would hit up into that anyway. >> Okay. >> So, there's a telephone hole and there's a culvert that goes across ledgeill. >> Yeah. >> So, we can't go further down. So starting at where that cover comes across ledge going 30 ft in gets you kind of where the old stone one is. So the idea would be to remove the stone one and put a new 30 foot across. >> Okay. And do we understand that the removal of the old one is is on the >> owners? Yeah. >> Right. And that that coordination will happen with the road crew. They can put in the new one >> if if we end up doing the work. Yeah. >> Okay. So yeah, can be determined. >> Yeah, we we've talked to group and nobody thinks it's historical or anything else. They remember when they put it in, we asked those questions just to make sure. So it was putting put in back when they uh opened or opened up Ledill to the north side, >> closed the old little T section that was there. We put in for that. >> Okay, >> great. Well, I don't have any other questions. Do other members of the board have de >> I think um we would be moving to approve >> my I don't want to read into Christy. Are we moving to approve? Yes. >> So um I need a motion to approve um the application for the 00 Lill Road curb cut. We get a motion. >> So move. >> Thank you. All in favor? >> I Great. That passes. So that's all set. >> Thank you. Um always glad to have people moving in and building homes. So thank you for doing that. Appreciate it. >> We've got one more coming in a couple of months. >> We look forward to seeing you. Um great. So the other one is for the Maple Corner community store. And so that means that we're going to have discussion, but Jamie will be recusing herself from the um any vote, which we might have to delay. So we'll have to let's talk about that. >> Yeah. >> Since um >> Do you have a better sense? Well, last I heard, we haven't heard from Hans when he's available, except that it's supposed to be soon. >> We don't meet again for 3 weeks, which puts us >> 14. >> September 14, >> right? We have two people out tonight is the issue. >> I I mean what I was going to say before is that if we had um we can have discussion and then um we'd have to table it but and not vote. But if it became an issue for you all timingwise that we would maybe have a >> special meeting >> special meeting online. >> Yeah. >> I mean that that would be the option, right? >> You can't really there's not really another way around it. um given our schedule >> 48 hour right >> and it will take us just a matter of >> yeah exactly >> it seems like a reasonable back >> reasonable if he ends up able needing to do the work sooner than three weeks >> so um I I don't I don't know if um I didn't hear any uh questions passed along from Jordan on this application and I think it was discussed fairly well in the couple meetings ago went out of time here but >> is there anything you want to add to the um in your general manager role to the application? >> I don't think necessarily. I mean, this feels like the it's sort of the one place on our property that we can or the two ways on our property that we can add parking. >> Um, so like the next logical step. >> Um, >> um, can you help me understand uh, you know, the extended I understand the the slots that are going against the grass sea area. Yeah. >> Um the extending, you know, removing the place where the old gas tank was. >> Yeah. >> How does that end up helping? >> Well, >> help me understand how you're going to manage that. You know what I mean? To generate more parking. >> It's it's a good question and some of it will be trial and error. But what happens now, you know, five years ago, there were very visible curves across a stretch. >> Yeah. >> You know, almost I don't know if I put it in here, but 25 plus >> feet long and maybe 10 feet wide. And that was all grass inside granite curves. >> And nobody parked in that area. And then over the last I don't know what five t years people have naturally been driving or the curbs have been sinking and cars have been driving onto the grass naturally >> and no no flowers have been planted >> right and no flowers been planted and now what we find is it's just kind of a hazard. M >> you know people park with their tire up on the cement thing in the middle and people trip on the curbs that are still sticking up out of the driveway. So I think beyond the added parking removing that whole thing is a benefit to the safety of the parking lot. I think it's still a little bit of a question, you know, when you have that long of a stretch, how you delineate parking lot from road edge. Right. Right. And I think you can the roads got some curve to it and the parking lot's got some curve to it. So I think you can grade it in such a way that there's a little bit of a drainage swale that's a visible line between the two that probably just has to be you know maintained every couple of years and re regraded reurfaced or shape. >> Mhm. Um, we bought temporarily we bought some, you know, the sort of three or four foot orange, not cones, but posts >> with a a water heavy water base >> with ropes between them. So my thought is that once like when we do the work, we'll put those out sort of delineating a few of the spots >> and then we might even temporarily paint some lines on the gravel >> to get people used to the traffic pattern. Of course, those tools aren't useful in the winter, >> but um but it would at least get people sort of trained into a new parking layout, >> and see how people respond to, >> right? >> Right. There's an element of people are going to do what people do. And with gravel, there's just no way to have painted car parking spots that that last long. >> Okay. >> Great. Well, Christy, do you have any questions at all? >> No. I think Jamie has explained it. Um and I think the board has previously said we're generally a sport. Um the story needs more parking and the road crew is okay with the changes. >> Yeah. And these these were fine. It was the the concern was the other idea about going up that hill. The the other thing I'll just put out there is we have not yet received the quote for the the bigger project the sort of turning lawn into parking spaces. Um and I don't read the grass there yet. >> So I don't I don't have any idea what it's going to be. Um but I would my guess we have a board meeting like the first Tuesday of the so coming up soon. Um, my hunch is if it's way more expensive than we think, the the four new parking spots and the retaining wall might get pushed till next year, but that we'd probably do the removal of the center island anyway. >> Um, which sort of in my mind, the curb cut application is really for the removal of the central >> center. >> Yes. part and the other parking is added bonus we'll get to when we can afford it. >> Okay. >> We're hoping to do it this fall, but we haven't fully committed to it. >> Okay. >> Okay. Good. Uh any anything further >> based on that? for me. Um, >> and yeah, I mean, if the timing works out, I'm certainly willing to, you know, get together on a quick emergency meeting. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> It would just be a special meeting that needed warning. So, we just have a, you know, two days to the extent you can figure that into your planning. I'm hoping we'll get the um well the plan is to get the quote by the end of the month and then make a final decision >> the last Tuesday >> the first Tuesday in September. Um, so as soon as we see the quote and have a good idea, we'll we'll let you know if it and Hans's time we'll learn Hans's timeline. >> Um, if the works if if he's like if we're going to do it this year, we have to do it. >> Yeah. >> The first week of September or something, then we'll >> let you know that. >> Well, I think you can, you know, share with the board that there's general approval of this and um that it wouldn't, you know, wouldn't be a concern, but Okay. So, we're going to table that for now. Um, and move on. >> So, thank you for that. >> Um, thank you, gentlemen. Uh, anything. So, now we're going to move to the Northeast Kingdom broadband use of rightaway applications. Um, I understand, is it Jeff that's here? >> Jeff. Jeff with a G. Jeff. >> Yes, there's two Jeff's here tonight. >> Yeah, double Jeff. Jeff, is it Dodge? >> Dodge. >> Yep. Um, is the installer who John Stafford and I spent a good chunk of last Wednesday morning with driving around. It was quite an education actually. >> I'm sure >> and um reviewed the sites that resulted in the updated uh application that you have before you. So, and just as a reminder, most of these projects were approved by Select Boore back in 22, I believe. >> Yes. and then that permit expired and so they're here to um apply again and that some there's been changes from the original. >> Great. Um one thing I'll just say is I'm sorry that you're seeing a still image. We are having a little technical difficulty. So hopefully you can hear us fine but the video is not currently working. >> Yes, we can hear we can hear fine. >> Thank you. Uh okay. So we and thank you also for the modifications. U made based on the conversations with our team. I think that's um made um that's great. >> Looks like he's starting. >> Okay, great. >> Oh yes. Well, hi. >> Hi. >> I just had to speak nicely about it. >> Okay. So, um so I think Christy and Jamie, do you do we have any questions? I think uh K's memo shared um the background on what changes were made um which seem prudent. Um otherwise we're looking and and I don't know um Jeff and Jeff if you have anything you want to add currently to what we're discussing. >> Um I don't have anything to add as far as the details of this um just as far as the logistics. Um, I did have our accounts payable team send a check for the permitting fees for each of these to you. I'm not sure if you've received it yet, but it is if you haven't yet, it is in the process and you should be receiving it soon. But other than that, everything um on my from my end is up to date on this. >> Okay, great. Um, good. Uh, I really appreciate um the having included the previous minutes. That was helpful. Um, so thank you for that. >> Great. Yeah. >> Any questions um Chrissy or Jamie on this? Have you had a chance to look at it? It's a lot. It's a lot. >> Well, but I did see that changes were made based on this consultation. >> Significant changes were made to the biggest project, the Moscow Woods back. So, >> and we appreciate that because sounded like that was a good >> back and forth. It was a real meeting. >> Yeah, of course. Thank you for meeting with us out there and making this work for both of us. That was that was an excellent meeting. >> So, thank you. >> Agreed. I think the changes were definitely for the better. Um, you know, it'll be it'll be a a lighter touch when we go through there. So, that's a good thing. >> Nice. Like that. >> Anything else? No. Bill. >> Yeah. >> A pro fiber group here. >> Is that what you would show people for? Is that Moscow? What is that still going to happen? >> Still going to happen. Yeah. They're going to use the utilize the poles that exist. Um Moscow. Oh, and Leilge. >> So ledge instead of digging, they're going to use the telephone poles that are there. >> Yeah. Yes. >> And and then on Moscow, will they be going down or will they be using the poles? >> There combination. They're using the poles that exist, but there aren't poles. There are gaps in the poles on both ends >> both to the north of you or to the east of you and to the west >> because we're going to be putting in more electrical line there. So, I don't know about the timing if that works or not. >> Yeah, I don't think we discussed that. Jeff in there. just so happens we have some folks that are um building off of Moscow Woods and Ledge Hill and they're going to be um installing couple poles on Moscow. >> There's two to three poles depending on from the Chowski property up to ours and then up our driveway and then across Ledge Hill to um there and then potentially from ours over to forms down. So, there's going to be potential polls coming around. >> And do you know the timing of that project? >> Uh, we're supposed to be meeting with the electrical Mike's supposed to come, I think, in a week or two. He just needed he needed a look at the driveway, the rough in driveway we have to tell us what trees need to come down for us to come out. But he wants to do it all because I said just do the road because we we've given hey, we'll pay for the road part and then next year do the driveway. But he wants to do it all as one project. Um, so we have to kind of wait for that. >> So you might consider instructing them to hold off on that one till last until we can see how this develops and how we might be able to utilize these pools. >> Right. What's your what's your proposed time frame for these projects? Um Jeeoff, I don't know if you have a more specific time frame than I do, but my answer would be um we're looking at doing this, you know, sometime before the end of the construction season, and I don't know exactly when that is for you guys. Um, of course, >> you guys control that end time. Um, and we Jeff, if you have anything to add to this as far as the specifics, I think that we're we don't have anything on the calendar right now. Um, we're looking to get this permit cleared and work it into where it does fit in. >> Yeah, I I think it's kind of we didn't want to put the cart before the horse kind of situation. Um, >> so yeah, once once everything's approved and the fact that there's new poles going in that they might be a player, you know, the other polls are older. They're they're comm's polls. So I would think any any electrical pole is going to be an upgrade from that. So we we'll probably maybe want to try to jump on those polls and get permission. Um, so that might be something we want to wait on. Just my opinion. >> There'll be no polls on ledge. >> No. Okay. Yeah. Just Moscow would. Yeah. >> Just Moscow. Yeah. They're going to go up Moscow up our driveway and across ledge, but we're not putting any poles on a ledge. >> Yeah. Not a problem. Yeah. L ledges. Ledge is all set for us to jump on. >> Yeah. That's all above ground any or aerial anyway. >> Yeah. And then am I remembering right that you go down sort of the center of a travel lane is where it's buried as opposed to the ditch. >> I um so the under so what I took out of that meeting um the ride out meeting was that we on Moscow Woods for the underground we were going to stay on the west side of Moscow Woods Road and I think all the way up all the underground is on the west side of that road. Right. Correct. >> And is that in the travel route or is that in the ditch? >> No, we'll be off the edge. >> Okay. >> Off the edge of of of of the travel zone. Yeah. >> On the west side. Yeah. >> Correct. >> Does that answer your question? >> Yeah, I think mostly it's but it's not interfering or needing to redo with like all the extensive >> ditch work. Yeah, that that Yeah, we're just above the rip wrap because that was part of the issue was we don't want to mess with that because who knows how deep it is. I I know it's very deep. >> That was my question. >> Yeah. No, that's a good one. Yeah, we're above that. We're above that trouble zone. So, yeah. >> Good. >> They are in different places. So, >> yeah. >> Um, you know, we talked about that, Jeff. you know, tries to to actually go around them where possible because that's obviously place that's going to need to be dug eventually. >> And I'm also sort of wondering about duration or logistics of road closures, like if if the way the work's happening, it would stay open one lane >> or if we're looking at like three or four days of the road closed. No, we would um we would we would get a flagging company and just just close one lane down and have flaggers at each end. >> Cool. Can you guys just I don't know if this is a brief I I want it to be brief so you can tell me that's involved but >> do you have do you have examples or evidence that like this kind the way you're burying this is working fine with the maintenance of dirt roads the way we have to do them here and you know given given the dirt road structure that we have and that edge of that of those those ditches with the rip raft Have you had positive experience so far with that installation and also duration? >> Yeah, as far as Yeah, as far as I know, any underground that we've done, we we've it's definitely been positive. Um, you know, we're doing it a bit different than how it was done in the past to where a lot of it was direct bury. It was very shallow. >> You know, we're trying to come in here and maintain a minimum of 3 to 4 foot >> um and compact everything when we leave. Um, so that way it's, >> you know, because we don't want to damage any more than anyone else wants to damage and we don't want to impede on the road. Um, >> and uh, especially when I was working there with NRTC, I saw the floods happened and I saw the the problems that happened, especially on Moscow. So, um, yeah, that's the last thing we want to do is is be the problem child in the area. But, um, you know, everything we're doing is fairly new as far as depth and and and where we're putting it. So, to be honest, we're I haven't heard anything bad yet. So, >> I would also like to add that we've had this exact situation in a couple other towns where you do have that road, you have steep areas that are prone to flooding and have been washed out in the past and have that rip wrap down the side. And you guys are requesting that we do exactly the same thing that they've asked us to do. So, >> um, the decision tree is, I think, right on with the experience of other towns and what they're what they've seen and what they're asking us to do. >> Great. Great. Okay. Really helpful. Thank you. That's great. All right. Uh, so any other questions before? >> Okay. I know we have um Jordan's um has said that he's he's in support of this. So, okay. So, um I need a motion to approve um the applications to bury fiber optic conduit in town right away in five locations as well as the adjusted um location pole locations that are um articulated in the application. >> So, move second. >> All in favor say I. Hi. Great. All right. >> Can I ask one more Can I ask one more question? Um, yes. So, as far as getting a signed approval of this, how does that process work on your end as far as signing off on this, getting us a copy of it so we can send it to um, you know, our crews that knowing that this is something that we can move forward on? >> I can help you with that. We'll get gather signatures tonight and I'll get them out tomorrow. >> Okay. So, we don't have to wait for the next uh select board meeting to get that. We can get that in the interim in between the two. >> Yeah. >> Yes, you can. You'll have it. Yes. Yeah. Yeah. We have a quorum for this. We just didn't have it for the other um action. >> Okay. >> We're all set. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Awesome. I appreciate you getting this on the agenda and thank you very much. >> Yeah. Well, thank you for the extra time to work this out. It's really helpful. >> All right. >> Yep. Have a great evening. >> Yeah. >> All right. Great. >> Okay. Um, great. So, now we are at the school district update. We're going to start that a little bit early for everyone if you're here to me. >> Yeah. Yeah. Great to sit here or >> if you'd like or you can come closer if you'd like, which whatever feels comfortable. >> Yeah. So, I'm Elizabeth Brown. I'm one of the school board members. Um Daniel and Michelle are the other two board members and I've never given an update. So I'm curious as to what y'all would like to hear about just kind of what's going on with the school board or the start of the school year or all of the above. What are you thinking? >> Um it's really all the above. We we just are we do sort of a regular check and this is part of a regular process that we do with the um the school district to understand what the issues that are before the the um board and um anything coming down the pike that we might need to be aware of. >> Um question the opportunity for questions from the select board members. >> Great. Well, normally I can't make Monday nights because I teach college courses on Mondays. So I'm excited to be here. It's nice to meet you guys. Um, >> so I think there's quite a few things on the school board's mind and on our docket for discussion and conversation. Um, we are in the process of searching for a superintendent and that search has um kind of concluded with our two candidates withdrawing from the pool. Um and so the next step is that our um steering committee will be meeting with our interim superintendent um Jen Miller Arsenal and um Alicia at EMS Alicia Lifford at EMS um to determine next steps. Um, typically what happens in a school district when they don't have an a superintendent moving into the school year, they bring in an interim person and often bids those are retired superintendents that have worked for many years. And so, uh, two names came forward for that possibility. Um, and I believe that the steering committee would be meeting soon to discuss that. Um, and then share their recommendation with the board. So, um, there isn't a an end in sight in that we're not really sure what's going to happen next, but the next step is it's moved from the superintendent um screening committee to the steering committee of the board to to move forward with it. >> Okay. Yeah, the screening committee is is now out of out of a job. Is that >> No. Yes. The screening committee is that um it we haven't decided exactly when, but it will be sundown. Um and um and then once we begin the process to search for a superintendent that is not interim um we would reinvite folks to apply for that screening committee. >> Yeah. >> Was there any reason for the withdrawal that is sharable? >> Nothing that's sharable. Um both candidates did withdrawal at different times in the in the process. So >> um yeah. So unfortunately it didn't end up the way that we had hoped it would. But I think there's always, you know, there's always reasons for everything. Um, and I have confidence in our steering in our screening in our steering committee um that they will have some really good conversations. And I really think the biggest piece is thinking about what are the needs of our district this year um because the state has essentially put a moratorum on superintendent staying longer than a year. So regardless of who we hired, it would be for a year. >> Wow. and then we would because of everything that's happening um with the merging and the ceases and all that stuff. So um so in some ways it would have been an interim anyways but um we were really trying to look at her as somebody that would come in for a year and do kind of a year-to-year renewable contract. Um so now we're pivoting a little bit to interim and then hopefully we'll begin the search shortly after that's all settled. >> Okay. >> Yeah. and hopefully we'll have more time to do the search this time around. There's a lot of meetings during summer. Um we had a vote as you guys are aware of amendment vote uh that did pass. Um and yeah, that was the vote. Um there's no real update from that other than how the vote ended. >> Um and then school is starting on the 26th for everybody which is really exciting. and staff came back. All the staff came back today, including um support staff, etc. Um and they had their kind of come all together today. I wasn't able to go because I have my kiddos at home with me. Um but yeah, so they'll start on the 26th and um everybody's doing really well. I think all the schools are excited to get started. Um they've got resources in place. We've got a new principal at Callus um who's wonderful. Her name is Katie Treale. So, if you have the opportunity to meet her, I encourage you to reach out. She's also a new Callus resident. Um, she just moved here, so that's exciting. And then our former um principal, Jared Weiss, has moved to um the middle school, so he'll be the middle middle school principal there. And then we also have an interim high school principal. So, lots of new faces and lots of really good new energy, which is exciting. um you know and with that comes lots of questions, wonders, worries. Um but I've had the opportunity to connect with some of the leaders um in the school and I feel really good about you know their excitement and their passion and their experience. So um we're in a good place. Yeah. Any questions for me? >> Have you all met since the amendment vote? >> We have. Yes, we've had I think one board meeting since the amendment vote. There really has not been a lot of discussion um around it other than it had passed. Um I suspect that more discussion will occur as budget season arrives. That is one thing that we're kind of bracing ourselves for is budget season because all all arrows point to really looking at a very challenging budget season this year for us >> um as a district. And so really making sure that I know many board members are really thinking about you know what are the out of the box things that we can do to preserve programming and preserve student outcome. Um but it is something that I I know not just the board the administration has on their mind all the time. So I think it's going to be a very robust budget season. Um and I encourage residents to come out and share their thoughts and their ideas because it's really really important. And yeah, so >> wonderful. Uh, any questions? >> Um, I actually don't know the final number for Tara Elementary School, what the what the number of students is or the >> That's a great question and I I can get back to you on exact. I know that there's been some new students that have come in and some that have left recently um have moved or relocated. Um, but I will say that the numbers are fairly stable, if not slightly higher than they were last year. Um, that tends to be Callus's trend to be honest with you. I've been here now for six years and I really haven't seen a significant drop in enrollment in Callus specifically. So, I would guess >> in total it's a it's when you look at class to class. >> Yes. Right. Right. >> And you're doing the prek to >> Yeah. So prek and K are currently at the MES this year. >> Um and so uh Callus Elementary has in first grade through sixth grade. And uh so they have a let me see if I can get this right. They have a one two a third grade. Well one, two, and three are kind of the lower school and then four, five, six are the upper school. And they're kind of doing a co-eing model this year. Um, so, um, the classes are all kind of they're not, um, blended. They're not all blended classes, but they're definitely shared classes where certain teachers are teaching certain subjects and kind of supporting that way. Um, so it'll be an interesting year. Um, I have twin twins who are in third grade and very excited about their what, fourth, fifth year at Callus. So, they went to prek there as well. So, so yeah. So, I would say I would say probably um without prek and without kindergarten we're probably about 80. Um but I came up in my >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Thanks for having me. >> Thanks. I'm so glad it worked out that you could be here tonight. >> Yeah. I can actually make this. So, >> yeah. But I and I >> Oh, I sorry to interrupt. Um I just wanted to share and and thank you for your service. You're really difficult >> and it's here. >> It's going to remain difficult for a while, >> but um >> not to add to it, but just for your information as a person who helps collect the taxes, >> the level of concern this year about property tax rates, >> yes, >> is is much higher than it has been in the past. pretty high in the past. >> But I'm really hearing a lot of people say that they're feeling pushed to their limits. >> Yeah. >> And that's a theme that's coming through. And so just important for you to know because I always tell them 70% of the tax bill is is on the education side. >> Yeah. It's it's really tricky. I think it's a it's a funky tax formula in my opinion. I come from Southern California, so it's a very different system alto together. But um yeah, now I can I can share that the board we all think about those numbers very carefully. Yeah. >> Um and we also have the spending threshold that is set by the state. >> Um and that's going to go down over time and so it's going to be like I said it's going to be a robust >> budget season. But yes, I I wholeheartedly hear you and I think it's something that's on our minds all the time. Um, and I think we're also feel, at least I'm feeling as a board member, I've only been on the board, this will be my second year, so I'll be in the board for a total of two and a half years because I came in to cover some of these. Um, but we're starting to see more and more how important it is to speak up at the legislative level level as opposed to just local because there's so much that's happening and people are being affected by >> the decisions that we're making. So, >> absolutely. >> Yeah. >> Right. >> Yeah. Well, I I ki, thank you for speaking up because I completely concur. You know, thank you um to you and the others for serving. It's it's a lot of work and u a lot of emotional engagement um over the last bit um here. So, we're glad to be um moving on from that, but but I'm sure there's more more to come in terms of just challenging issues that we're facing as a community as a whole. For sure. >> So, so thank you. And what I say to people all the time is please reach out to me. Please reach out to our board chair. We want to hear from our constituents. We want to hear people's concerns. It is it is a big job. It is a lot of work. There is an emotional investment in it. But a big piece of it for me is making sure that I can hear directly from my constituents because I have my own ideas that they have. Sometimes they're different than mine. And so I want to make sure that I'm >> giving the voice of our community the best. >> Yeah. >> Right. Thank you guys. So, thank you. Thank you. >> for dinner. >> Okay. Enjoy that. >> Thank you. Thanks a lot. I don't know if you signed in, Elizabeth. Okay. All right. Thanks so much. >> Thank you. Yes. >> Okay. Well, we are a little ahead of schedule, but um I don't see any public for public comment. So, >> Michael Miller, maybe. >> Oh, Michael Miller. Is Michael Miller wanting to make a public comment? Hearing none. >> Um, good. Do does anyone else in the room want to make a public comment? First, please draft is the updated bus. >> Thank you. Um, >> okay. So, I I guess what I would just say, we're going to move on to reports and um I am prepared to do the friends town hall report. Um, if we do end up Oh, I'm sorry. I thought I was seeing somebody pull in. Um so on this uh the friends of house I was I was we had we hadn't had a meeting for for some um for a month or so um but um we had a great meeting last week um at which uh Jim Ventresca was voted in as a new board member as was um Ryan uh Ryan whose last name I know, Ryan Edwards. Okay. Ryan Edwards, who is um an architect that's worked on a couple of important projects here in Cal and elsewise. Um who's an architect uh who's also donated significant time and um expertise. So, um, we're really happy to have him on and he's also on the, uh, historical, >> what is it called? >> Committ historical >> historical. No, it's the it's the >> commission. >> Historical commission. Thank you. Um, so that is terrific. Um, so I'm really pleased. We've got um essentially three new board members since um in the last six months. So, I'm really happy about that. Um, NY's, uh, play was in June. Um, uh, great, um, full houses, um, success by most measures. Um, six performances. They didn't, um, feel that there were any issues, um, and had things back in good order after, um, after the, uh, play. So, um, and she was proactive about, um, reaching out to committees who had meetings here during rehearsals and was encouraging, um, Chris to do the same. Um, the piano's been tuned, um, and deemed a real good piano. Um, uh, let's see. Um, one of the reasons that we were excited about having Ryan Edwards join the board was to um get a bigger um get a better handle on the long-term plan for the the cultural center and use of the building and what what would need to be done because um any um sort of the conversation around what kind of fundraising should we then be doing? or kind of um effort should be made for the building um centers on sort of what what's the end goal. So that's part of the thinking of bringing um Ryan on to help think that through uh and be um both realistic but also aspirational at the same time of what what should this building look like to be a cult a cultural center that they've um tried to identify and um and be able to set some um sort of phases in motion of what that would be. um which is why they decided not to do the um to try to kind of insulation in the interim. Um upcoming events, there's a concert, Steve Owens. Uh there's a wedding uh reception here um already and Nancy's daughter and um Chris's play is going to be in the October time frame and then it'll then there'll be a closure for the season. Um there's, you know, they've brought the legal um requirements up to speed in terms of the IRS nonprofit registration or, you know, form for um the website domain as well as the secretary of state's um registration. So things are a little more tidy and higher performing, I would say. Um there's a regular meeting. We did miss um July, but it was basically, you know, everyone was on the holiday. Um and I think just a generally a very positive um forward motion for the for the um for the group. I don't I haven't heard any feedback about um scheduling and how that's going. Um, and Tegan's not here, but um, Meadow, I don't know if you have any experience with folks calling for use of the town hall. And has it been going okay in terms of coordination? >> Yeah, anybody who's who's come across either my email or phone, I've directed them to the form to fill out on the website. um with regard to the people who already have calendar items are just like editing those calendar items. So it's pretty easy to edit the calendar now. >> Yeah. >> Where we have it. So right this feels pretty smooth on my side. >> Right. >> That all sounds very positive. Thank you. >> Yes. I think it's in good shape. >> And they was at the play and I thought they did a really good job sort of with some of the wire cleanup and >> Okay. So, if you haven't been upstairs, Yeah. >> Looks >> it looks really good. >> Yes. >> I I skipped right over that. That that there was a concerted effort >> before was it before Scots. Well, before before there was a memorial, but then um and then another push um to really tidy things up and paint and um >> and and so forth and uh install the curtains for some um better experience for the um attendees and so forth. So I think >> pass on our appreciation. >> Thank you. Absolutely. >> Yeah. Really nice. >> No. They I mean Nancy in particular did a lot of work and and they also just coordinated Arty with like they just did a great job coordinating um up there as well. So it's good. >> So yes, >> great. Uh so town clerk, we don't have Keegan here and I >> anything. Are you aware of any issues that >> uh not that I know of. Um we just got through the election. Um I think that we had talked about that last time a little bit. >> Yeah. I'm mostly in the office. I've been focused on uh tax stuff, assistant treasurer stuff. >> Um it's been really slow in the vital records department. But I think that after the wave of fact processing starts to calm down a little bit, uh we're looking ahead toward scanner, um that that projects on the horizon sometime. >> Mhm. >> But uh yeah, everything else it was pretty pretty status quo. There's really much to report. >> Okay, thank you. Oh, >> chugging along. All right. Uh, town administrator update or report. >> So, the main thing I wanted to talk about, the grainiest thing I think is the um possible assigning some of the general fund balance towards the FEMA fund. >> So, we expect to have a deficit because the reimbursement is 90% FEMA, 7 and a half% state. At least that's that's the plan. Um and uh so the lead auditor asked the question, would you like to set while you have some general fund balance, would you like to set some aside? You'd be restricting it, right? Could change that under the select board, but it'd be a you know, it'd be a a step towards preparing for the eventuality of having to transfer funds to to zero out the FEMA fund actually. And I'm hoping that that'll be in the next year. We FEMA is now assigned the last project um you know construction project uh meet. So their final project what they call a project is um just the reimbursement categories is management costs. That's the the last thing to go. So they'll pay us for Toby's time and the time that I spent and the like. Um and we expect that will happen within the next few months because there's nothing else to do. Um, and then I have really don't have a bunch of idea about how long the state will take for their reimbursement, but they go fast. So, um, I'm hoping we'll have everything within a year and then be making a decision about zeroing out the full amount. And currently, we estimate it to be around $90,000. So, something between zero and 90. If you'd made the decision, I think you could verbalize it tonight. Then we could do a formal transfer at the next meeting and have it warmed. But this would allow Rick to start preparing the financial statements >> for the final audit. >> So he requested that in within a week or 10 days something like >> in order because you want it so that will take care. >> Yep. And it's not affecting our cash. >> It's just moving money from one place to another. >> It's just >> Yeah. say that >> it our >> it's an important bounty issue. >> It is important. Yeah. Yeah. >> Yeah. So, um it what it means is that our the general fund balance that we have been looking at is not as quite as robust as but it's but it's still well above the target. >> Right. >> I think it makes sense to do it in stages rather than that. >> Yeah. you know, as you said, rather than like a year from now, right? Oh, 90, >> right? >> Something like that. >> Yeah, I think that's that's wise to get ahead of him. >> Okay. >> Yeah. I didn't have any questions about it. So, do we need to stay an amount? >> If you want to specify an amount and then we can do a formal warned um 45 >> half or what do you half? >> That would be my recommendation. So that would be >> great. >> Okay. >> So we'll we'll get that prepared. And then the only other things I wanted to say were just scheduling items. So the housing group is going to meet for the first time on September 8th at 5:30. So if one or two of you would like to attend, I'll be there. But uh um just wanted to offer that up as getting getting that conversation going. >> Okay. >> And then town fairs on October 7th. both Meadow and I are planning on going if you're interested. Um, and then the leadership, the Vermont Community Leadership Summit looks particularly good this year and Tegan's going with somebody or with you. >> Yes. >> Yeah. Here you go. >> Yeah. I thought it was um there's two in particular workshops that I thought were pertinent. One was about rural housing >> development. Y >> um and one was about repurposing former school buildings. >> Um and I thought it would be good to >> unfortunately there's two workshops at the same time. >> So I can't go to both of them. >> Well, I'm sort of hoping Tegan will go to one and I'll go to the other. So again, if you'd like to be registered, just let us know. >> Those deadlines are coming up. >> Um, is the housing group meeting here? >> It's going to be at the office. >> At the office. Okay. >> And you said that's the 8. >> I'll be out of town. >> 5:30. >> 5:30. Wait. We should >> we should make sure we're not all showing up. >> Right. >> Right. Right. >> Right. And I will not be able to I mean I'm interested but not if other people want to attend because it tastes >> I will let you know as >> if anybody else tells me that they want to come but sounds like it's widely available and obviously there'll be more meetings. >> Yes. Okay. Um, all right. Moving right along. Um, the FY28 budget work. Sorry. Thank you for continuing >> to move us on this path. >> Yeah. >> Like we're looking at two things. One is the an updated capital budget which frankly we've got so much in the pipeline currently. not really contemplating a lot of additional, but there is some the new items for fiscal 28 that we put in here are a $25,000 allocation for the Moscow Woods Bridge, which should be more, but that's seems like a starting point. And then this wasn't originally in there, but the county road repaving. Um, it's probably about a $50,000 uh item and when I had it just in in in fiscal 29 at 50, the total just jumped up. It didn't it didn't see it wasn't a very um smooth transition. So that was the reason for moving a portion of it in there. None of this has to be set to tonight. That makes sense. I split the 15 to 225. So the fiscal >> bore some of it, >> right? that that sort of presupposes a reserve fund to put to park it in >> which which I hate to recommend any more reserve funds. >> But you're >> but I got a great idea for a reserve fund >> which is a highway infrastructure which would capture bridges, culverts and repaving. >> And you put the Moscow woods in that thing. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I mean the all you could have a dedicated fund for Moscow was bridge >> is highway capital fund specifically >> equipment >> for equipment. >> I was just wondering >> you could propose repurposing that fund to include infrastructure. That's another >> would that fund has been approved by voters, >> right? >> So even you you can't change that. >> That's up to them. >> Do you know what there I mean are there is there a norm that we are we're we're against at this point in terms >> I my sense is that we're on the high end. >> Yeah. on the high end in terms of having the number of funds, >> this number of different reserve funds. >> Yeah, >> that's my sense. But that's just a gut reaction. >> And and I think for the average residents like what is all this, you know? >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Much >> we could look at consolidation maybe of some of them >> like the town office and the town hall. Do those those need to be separate? Maybe not. >> The garage one now, too. >> Anyway, >> that's probably a different conversation. But getting back to the the budget, it, you know, that presupposes we have a place to park both of those allocations if we were to do that. >> The Moscow Woods bridge and >> reserve funds have to be created by voters, right? So it would be a a warned item to create it and then a separate warned item to add to it. >> Yes. >> At a town >> at town. >> Right. Right. >> Yeah. Is there is it um fair to ask at some point um Ki if there's a mean or for you to consider andor investigate whether others other towns do this of of having like the the infrastructure projects as well as equipment in one. >> Yeah. Why don't I do a little research on >> just to see I mean I can see why it might make sense to keep the equipment separate just because >> what >> I mean I can see why it would make sense to actually keep them separate but >> right >> deplete your fun >> we should take a holistic look I would all all >> right >> well and I and I I think I you know I very much appreciate what you're doing here with um these suggestions, but are we in a situation where we can do that is a qu, you know, >> where we can afford >> where we can afford to do this >> Moscow Woods. >> That's the point of this exercise. >> Yes. >> I I don't see how we can afford not to start socking away for Moscow Woods. >> Yes. >> County Road is is a more of a question, >> but even Moscow Woods, like how much is the right amount, >> right? Yeah, >> this is >> a big it's a big for us. >> Million project a start. >> Yeah, >> we're saving for the match is what we're trying to do, >> right? >> Okay. U was was there something else? Oh, the the other new item in here is the loader. And so I mean what this is just the first sort of step in actual numbers on the budgeting and >> I can plug in these things into the annual budget. We see see what things look like. But >> the loader is an example of something that could be put off. But let me bring you the numbers on what we spent on maintenance of that loader in the past few years. I know last year was >> was very high. Uh, >> so at some point, we've all had Subarus, right? At some point, it's worth getting a new one. >> Yeah. >> Or switching away. >> Um, uh, so, uh, in terms of the loader though, um, the new cost is that, have you, is that the actual new cost? >> So, the loader is another example. I split that first payment into two years. So what what what this complates actually is is purchase making the first full payment 29. >> Yeah. >> But that is based on um forget where that number came from. We haven't gotten a quote but I think we well I think we have got but it's been a little while need to verify that. I just wonder, you know, how much more that might It just seems like equipment costs are going to be. >> Yeah. >> Continuing to >> Yeah. So, let me verify that. But >> just to give you a sense where this is heading. >> Yep. >> Thank you. >> 2010. So, that's the second oldest in our fleet. The old grater is that old grater is an EMT. >> Imagine how many How many roads at rated with that? >> Yeah. How many miles? >> Amazing. >> Okay. >> So, I guess you know you questions. Do you do you see think there's anything's missing or or could be adjusted before using this as a starting point for the annual budget? We'll be re revisiting those items. >> Well, sorry, just quick the Curtis Pond is the bond paying. >> Yeah. So, that's that we're locked in on. >> Yeah. >> And the coverts don't have any numbers against them. Don't have any planning, >> right? I I could pull those out. Um Yeah, that's sort of like that one. This has been evolving, but that's sort of eventually we'll have a master inventory of all the pieces of capital. >> Yeah. >> That we need to plan for. And >> if they're not in this plan, they live somewhere else. But eventually, we want everything to be in a plan, right? >> Yes. Yeah. No, I appreciate them being there, but we're we're continuing to acknowledge that we can't do anything about it. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> All right. >> And the reserve fund that's listed there. I'm lying. Oh, it's the garage. Excuse me. Got myself garage. >> Yeah. Again, that's just sort of I know. I know. You got to do something. Was there anything from the East Fire Department meeting that >> right >> translated into this? >> I was just say that it's that they talked about a new truck in the next >> couple years and so I was >> it looks like the old truck is only three years left. So we might assume that that'll essentially be >> you know I I want them to tell me and you know that's we keep going around in circles that you been part of that conversation where >> the capital budget needs to show us how they're actually going to pay for those things and it goes there's this >> severe deficit that they show on their budget and that's that's not what we're going to do. That is just not going to happen. >> So what is the plan? And I've tried to say it in many different ways. If if you think as the fireman you're going to come to the towns and ask us to help pay for capital items, we need to know as soon as possible, like years in advance, >> right? >> And um the but the other thing is they have this source of revenue that is uh you know the from insurance monies that's significant. It's over 200,000 a year and been growing. um and that um you know is there for them to purchase equipment and it's a steady stream >> as long as we can run our EMS service. So so that needs to be you know reflected in the home >> and in a way that we >> and yeah it doesn't seem they've >> I think you've said it three different ways and it's not it's not >> coming through. Uh the last meeting, Troy Sackington sort of committed to working with me or whatever. >> Think you heard what I say and I followed up with it as well. >> Okay. >> So, here's what we're looking for. >> Okay. >> Yeah. But anyway, good point. If >> if we need to plug in a fire truck or something, >> right? They were saying that >> they were >> they >> they're starting to look good. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. that like like our plow trucks, they're often two or three years out. >> Yes. And can they fund that out of their cash flow, >> right? >> You know, not paying for it in one fell swoop, but financing over time >> presumably. >> Yeah. So, I'm telling >> I don't know what to put in here until I get a perfect answer. >> Yeah. >> So, >> but the financing piece just isn't in there the last part of the presentation. >> That's the puzzling thing. It's like Yeah. just extend it out. >> Yep. >> I'm going to plunk down three, you know, $500,000 or $750,000, >> right? There's no reason to, >> even if you can. >> So, um Yeah. So, sounds like >> Well, that's one to watch. >> Yeah, >> absolutely. >> Okay. >> Um >> the other item for tonight was the messaging, >> right? if you folks got a chance to look at that, but it's a draft and >> um presumably would be a new um page on our website or incorporated into and we don't really have a budget page. So, this new that we direct people to, but also the kind of language we want to use for front porch forum posts and otherwise um to help people understand how the budgeting process works. there is a process and how they can engage with it if they want to goals. >> The only one of the things that jumped out at me is just the the first paragraph last sentence um where it says um and voters at town meeting approve the budget for the following fiscal year. I just think we shouldn't presume they're going to approve it. >> Okay. in that language >> consider and vote on >> voters voters are that town meeting and presents it to the voters >> for consideration whatever something to >> present some some deference >> just yeah it is their job um our department sheriff and >> so Um, I was wondering about the distinction you make about community partners, other community partners and then you talk about the local nonprofit organizations are invited to submit requests. >> That's the service appropriations. >> Right. So the um can we use the language that appears in the So I'm not sure who the other community partners are, but I think then the next sentence is referring to the social service organization um line item. Yeah. Right. >> Yeah. Right. >> So I just want >> just just mimic the language in the >> Yeah. >> the um application >> just Yeah. So that it's so that it it's clear that it's the same thing. I I guess yeah to be approved for that. >> Okay, good. >> Um well, yeah, do you mention that there's a committee that looks at those requests also? >> Well, it's it's listed down in the against 121426. It says in the calendar, sorry, >> services appropriations committee. >> Yeah. >> So that's what I saying like we want to use the same language so that >> um >> Okay. >> So social services. So for social services organizations may submit requests which are reviewed by the a committee >> right >> so yeah makes sense that's part of the process and I think people want that and appreciate that got to ask for it. >> Well, we'll um you know, this is what the community a few community members had asked for. So, we'll we'll see how >> Yeah. >> how people decide to put this. >> I think we would want something like this on the website anyway. Yeah, any future resident could go on techn >> and this timeline is is really helpful. >> Yeah, >> like the optimism of the December 28th >> budget. I'm not sure. >> Okay. Um, anything else? Sorry. Any >> Okay. Um, >> so we're moving on to administrative um and possible action items. So, um, approval of the minutes of July 27th, August 6, and August 13 select board meetings. Um, Christie was not at August 13th. Is that accurate? I was well I was here for July 27th and not the August 10th and 13th. >> Okay. >> I know. >> So now well I'm just thinking about it in terms of I'm >> great for you. I'm happy for you. Um no but uh in terms of approval we usually have the person who wasn't there recused. No >> not to worry about that. Okay. >> See why >> I personally feel fine. Did Did everyone read through the minutes? >> Yeah. I did. >> Do you have any questions or concerns or changes? >> One tiny typo. >> Okay. >> July 27 >> on page two. Um I'm talking about the planning commission. Um I think it's Vicky Arthur, right? I think her name is misspelled. Last name. >> You got it. Thank you. >> Thank you. All right. Um If we're all set, then we'll need a motion to approve the minutes of July 27, August 10, and August 13. So move second. >> All in favor, I >> Thank you. Board orders. Um, please let's let's make sure we've looked through these. Um, we've got um payroll tax, payroll warrant, AP warrant. And does anyone have any questions on that? And I believe Ki included the GL we missed, isn't it? >> Oh, the journal entries. >> Yeah, >> that's that's coming up. That's in a couple items. >> Okay. Okay. Thank you. Um yeah, so any questions on the words as they were presented? >> No. Can we get a motion to approve the board and sign the board orders? >> So moved. Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Great. Thank you. Um and next up is approving an employee leave request. >> Yeah. So I'm requesting we reconsider Tyler Ster who yay had a little baby girl and his wife. Congratulations. >> Holly met her the first time. Adorable. Um >> nice. >> They um Tyler's planning to take three weeks off and he had requested to be able to use some of his sick leave for um maternity leave and that's not explicitly allowed in the policies. It's not explicitly not allowed. It's not the common arrangement in in my experience. Um, I did ask Larry Mopin from the union about this and he said his response was this doesn't come up. >> Nobody has newborns. >> Um, but there certainly they would be happy to have Tyler be able to utilize some of his leave. And um, I think it would be a small financial I mean really we'd be paying out the funds the money anyway. It's just we're foregoing a little bit of productivity theoretically down the line. It's it's it's a small thing for the town and I think it's a big thing, you know, a bigger thing for for them personally. So, I think it' be a nice nice thing for the town to do to offering to convert two or three weeks of this weekly to try to >> I think it's a nice gesture and not get outside. I don't think we're going to run into this on the ways. >> I'll just agree. Did he make the request? >> He did. Okay. And he wants to use the sickly. >> Yeah. >> Knowing that like if he got sick later, he might Yeah. >> not have it. >> Yeah. So, yeah, >> seems pretty healthy and he's got a lot of sick. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> And and just for like we we did chat about this earlier um this issue and since it wasn't in the agreement, we were at first feeling that we should just let it lie and not um approve it. But um further consideration was merited in this case. We think we think uh you know it was it it's a really good idea and it's a it's prudent and and well well invest you know strong investment for our community. >> Yeah. >> So great. So can um I have a motion for approval of the employee leave request as stated by CI moved. Um let's be clear about what we're doing. >> Okay. Uh we are permitting our um employee who requested sick leave requested to be using sick leave as part of >> I can't specify an up to amount >> extend up to 3 weeks um up to three weeks uh is approved for paternity for >> family yeah >> sounds those >> and a second. Thank you. All in favor? >> I >> I congratulations. >> Yeah. Okay, I'll pass that along. >> Thank you for clarification. Uh Christy appreciate it. Um and on to the journal entry. Has everyone had a chance to look through the riveting on it? I told I was so excited. I told the auditor, "We're doing it. We're doing just like you said." And he goes, "Oh, is it leading to good discussions >> this is a lifelong account basically? >> Yeah. I don't feel like I have any questions really. >> Do others. >> We're moving money around. Sorry. What's going on?" Yeah, I think this is the batch that included the interest allocations. >> There were a lot of interest. >> So at the end of the year as inspected by the auditor, we aortion the interest that we earned from the bank in our checking account >> to all the fund >> based on the average size of the fund. So each when you get that due to from report each month, they log that. Then I average it over the course of the year and I take >> its percentage of the overall fund balance and and uh >> give it that amount of interest. >> So fun to see we have all those interest. >> Yeah. >> It's going to increase as a result. >> Yeah. Now that we've got some investment. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Well, that's great. Thank you for doing that. can report we had a good discussion. >> We can report back that we had a discussion. >> I will move that we approve the journal entries for July. >> Second. >> All right. All in favor? >> I wait a second. >> I know. >> Oh, >> wait a second. What? >> No, I do approve, but they should be the July 2026 journal entry. Oh, >> is it written as well? >> Doing that >> in the agenda. >> Oh my goodness. Yeah. >> Well, fiscal year, right? >> Okay. Ah, >> we circle back to Adamant before we >> Yes, please. Thank you. Um, I was just curious why this letter says I like who's signing it. >> Oh, I think it's written. approved one person to sign it on their >> I should say we right >> on behalf of the select board we are pleased or it's saying on behalf of so >> right >> it's written as if we approved ki or somebody to sign it >> right >> on behalf of the select >> oh I see that's just how it's written I >> is that going to be you then you want whatever you What are we Is everyone happy with the edits? >> It's fine. >> Yeah. >> Yes, it is fine. Um, we're just not Are we just We could submit it. We >> You don't have to sign it, >> right? I mean, I think I think we should authorize Krie to sign that letter on behalf of the select board and >> Okay. >> So, you are so authorized. >> Do we have We don't make >> Oh, is that a motion? I think there's >> Okay, I will second motion that we authorize K to sign the letter as edited. >> Great. Um, all in favor? >> I >> lovely. Good luck to that. >> Curious. Uh, okay. The next item is the East No Play Department um which um the the primary business is uh discussion of a contract. So we would if there is to be discussion then we would need to enter into executive session which we do have updates to discuss. So, I would like to ask for a motion to um enter into executive session under one state 313A1A to discuss our contract. >> I would make that motion and invite Har to join us. >> Thank you. >> Not a second on a second. >> Thank you. All in favor, please say I. All right. Bye.