Moretown Selectboard - September 21, 2026 [MS]

[music] All right, we'll go ahead and get going. Um, by the way, is anyone um good with um computers? We're just trying to get this full screen up here. Do you know as far as Zoom very >> I've been I don't usually [clears throat] >> I don't usually it's uh the software >> oh Carol do you mind? Thank you. >> Is it just national? >> Yeah. Is that what it was? >> I don't know if that can work. >> What's going on? I was just trying to get this full screen this cuz I know Joshua's going to have some shar >> I'll probably be there. >> Yeah, she won't be there. >> I know >> who did this. >> She's the younger one. >> That did take care of it. >> I saw the f >> [snorts] >> Oh yeah, I think they had Yeah, we weren't there but they were there. >> We went to >> We had a wedding. >> So the kids were there but we weren't there so kids got to experience all the >> Sasha. Did you pull up the email? >> I did. The emails pulled up with the attachments. >> Okay. [clears throat] So while Carol's going around with that, we'll start the meeting. It's Moretown Select Board. It is Monday, September 21st, 2026. We're here at the uh John Hogu meeting room. Salute to John. Um so we're going to start right off with public comments in anyone public comments. Travis, anything? John, you have something later. You >> Yeah, I got some I think I'm on the agenda. >> Yes, you are at 6:25. Um so let's go ahead. We'll move on. We've got Joshua Schwarz with the Mad River Valley District Planning District. Um and he's got a couple people that came from both uh FTON and weightfield select board. So you guys want to introduce yourselves? >> Sure. [clears throat] >> Yeah. Chuck Martell from the face select board and also on the steering committee for the uh planning district from the ways of the select board and also on the steering committee for the member district. >> Excellent. And of course Josh if you guys all want to pull up to the table. Sure. >> Got a roll up. >> Roll up. So there is a class >> you can go back and say God >> those guys [laughter] >> I know it's like classes and when I went to when I saw the big screen that real fast >> got we got a an owl >> works well most of the time sometimes it gives us A little >> Yeah. Yep. >> A little problem, but >> Hey, Carol. I didn't see you sitting back there. >> Yep. Quickly, I'm going to join the Zoom and then I can share it directly. >> How's it going? >> Yeah, we go around. Does everyone know everyone here? >> I'd love a just >> Good to see you. >> Yeah, good to see you guys. Michael Brown, >> Chuck Martell. >> Nice to meet you. >> Yeah, nice to meet you, too. >> Callie, >> Kelly. >> Hey. And Callie's also the treasurer in Berlin. [clears throat] >> Oh, okay. So, she keeps us in line whenever starts to go down. You can't do that. [laughter] Which is good. Used to have John for that. You know, he was pretty good about that stuff. Not that we really do, but [laughter] it's good to have someone that really knows the rules and brilliant. recording permission to share. >> Would that be something else? >> It's kind of scary, but you can get out of there. >> Oh gosh, I don't know. I feel sick about it, you know. Just >> I can't read the articles. [clears throat] >> I think we go. >> Hi everybody. [laughter] >> Yeah. You want to get back to the corner? >> Okay. [snorts] Thank you for the opportunity to be here. Um, so my name is Joshua Schwarz. I'm executive director of the Mad River Valley Planning District. Um uh my uh understanding uh is that Sam on the select board had a request um for the plane district to come and to chat about local options matches and um the M Valley Plane District has some familiarity over the last couple of years in particular uh and supporting our the towns within the jurisdiction of the plane district war and FA um and understanding what are local option taxes um what are the opportunities uh what are the the different pieces of the puzzle. Um and uh and all three towns um Weightsville Horn and FAC have considered Weightsville move forward um and passed local options tax this past year. So um so I was going to provide sort of a a quick who is the plane district and then second um what are local options taxes and and the ways in which they've been understood in our community and how they're they're being applied. >> Perfect. Well, thank you for coming in. Sam will be joining us. He's actually online now and he'll be coming in live. He's just coming from his business. >> Awesome. >> Um, great. Uh, so real quickly, uh, so who is Mad Valley Planning District? Um, uh, so the Matter Valley Planning District was created in officially in 1985 as a Union Municipal District. Um, which is a essentially a municipality without taxing authority for a very particular purpose. In this case, planning. Um the Matter Valley planning district's jurisdiction is face faced in Weightsfield and Warren. Um uh there's a steering committee. Uh and both Dave and Chuck are members of said steering committee, vice chair and secretary pre uh treasurer. Um, and on that steering committee is a select board member and a planning commission member from each of the member towns as well as a representative from the Chamber of Commerce. Uh, a non- voting representative from Sherwish Resort and an exofficial representative from the Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission. So those are essentially my bosses uh and uh and I with my co-orker Franny Hog um serve as the staff. Uh the plane district was really created uh at a time uh to address challenges and change that was happening in the Matter Valley specifically centered around Sugarbush um and Sugarbush's growth and development and uh the the expressed need and interest to have a multi-town approach uh to address those challenges and it was actually an idea of the director of the central Vermont Regional Planning Commission to create this entity and so CVRPC as I said are an ex official representative and um So there's definitely times where there's overlap between what CBRPC does and Matter Valley Plane District does and we just communicate with each other to make sure uh that all works. Back in the day I worked at Central Regional Pling Commission uh from 2003 to 2006 and I've been at the Matter Valley Plane District since 2008. Um so that is sort of generally the structure and who the Matter Valley Plane District is. Um uh our work uh is in a variety of different ways but it's but it's really within the larger container of of collecting analyzing and communicating data um uh in a in beyond just singular municipal boundaries to understand and address the different challenges. Um so we support so we do a data um report every year analy data report which is something that was uh put created in that 1985 time frame. Um uh and uh we also support our towns and their individual municipal planning functions as well as do multi- town planning projects. Um many of those those projects aren't always within the boundaries of just weightfield and facing and there's been multiple times during my tenure uh where Morttown was a part of some of that work. So we we did some postirine um uh visioning and um uh and analysis of vulnerabilities and identification of ways to become more resilient in a project with the EPA and um USDA real um the EPA and FEMA um and we've worked on a handful of different projects across boundaries that the uh trail head kiosk project and there's a kiosk right over here that that's also part of one of those multi- town efforts. So, that's who the plane district is, but I'm here to talk specifically um about local options taxes. Um so, overall um a local options tax is a 1% tax uh that can be added to existing state sales, meals, alcohol, and or room taxes. Um uh and there are loads of exemptions um to things that are how that are part of underlying that aren't taxed, but items that are taxed are included and can be included in local options tax. Over 50 Vermont municipalities fund a variety of different things [clears throat] through the local options tax. Um on the right is a is a snippet from the Department of Tax's website uh that identifies [clears throat] um all the different communities in the state of Vermont that have a local options tax. Um uh and so municipalities so these different categories of sales, meals, um alcoholic beverages and room tax um municipalities can can elect uh all or a portion of those. And that's why there's different colors. And if you see the map legend, it says sales, meals, alcohol, and rooms. And one part that's a little bit confusing is that meals and alcohols can't be separated. They're they're together. Um so so this 1% on top of the underlying state taxes within these categories to generate local revenue. Um uh as I said there are 50 Vermont municipalities um uh the number was 38 um earlier this year and then at town meeting uh this past year 12 more communities um uh enacted some version of the local options tax including the town of Wesfield. Um approximately 20% of the state municipalities now have a local options tax. Um and that comprises about what I looked at last 60% of the statewide population live within those 20 municipalities. Um uh local op taxes because we're a diligent state. Um the municipalities can only do the things that the legislature grants municipalities the authority to do. Uh and they were given that authority uh in 1991. Manchester was the first municipality in the state to to pass a local options tax. Um so um I'll keep on going forward. Um so this is just zooming in a little bit on on what I shared just a moment ago. Um where we are are at identifying what the underlining tax is, what that 1% is and and what it would be for is in communities that have passed the local options tax. Um the department of taxes handles the administration and the collections um of these taxes. They do um have a a essentially $6 per return, but after that fee, the department of taxes uh sends 75% of the local options tax revenue back to the municipalities. So they retain 20 25% minus the return fee um and uh and and and write a check quarterly to the municipalities for 75% of that amount. Um that 25% is used as part of the pilot program, the payment in the low of taxes program that the state of Vermont uh has. That amount of 75% was 70% um until somewhat recently um the legislature changed that percentage from 7030 to 7525. [clears throat] Keep on Sam here. Sam, >> how you doing? >> All right. Thanks for coming and joining us. >> Yeah, I've been listening. >> Great. Um, look, quickly like what is the effect on businesses and individuals? The local options tax is a destinationbased tax, meaning it's based on the location where a purchaser takes possession of an item. um uh and once implemented, businesses that charge the LOT um uh with the municipality, they they essentially send that information as part of their their their general tax revenue to the state and the state um process it and as I said provide a quarterly payment back to send municipalities. Um, so really why uh or I mean well well I guess this slide gets to what are municipalities doing with them but it's really the other side of that is why um uh but municipalities are doing a variety of things and it's really it's a funding source that every municipality I mean one of the one of the charges of a municipality amongst or select board amongst many things uh is to um raise funds to address community needs and spend that money to address to to deal with those needs. And so this is the same kind of structure um uh and the same type of authority that the select board would have and utilizing those funds. They are not limited um uh at the municipal level, but most municipalities are using them for a variety similar things. Reducing the reliance on the property tax, investing in capital um uh and infrastructure projects. Some municipalities are specifying that they're um trying to reduce debt, um supporting municipal services, building reserves, um a variety of things with aging infrastructure and um inflation, um property tax, uh sensitivity, unpredictable federal and state support. Uh that's those are a lot of the reasons why municipalities have been moving in this direction, utilizing this as a um as a source. Um, one of the other is is yeah, as I said, reducing reliance on property taxes, uh, and having the broad share of those that are utilizing the services in the community, um, being part of paying for the infrastructure. Um, the here are some specific examples of of municipalities. most municipalities are are doing some sort of um like best practice generally is is identifying um some policy uh and and h having a policy and a direction um uh for that for that funding. Um you know most communities want confidence that these this new funding source is not just business as usual that it's being used for a particular purpose. Some of those are narrow like St. Albins's I I met with the city manager in St. Alvin a couple years ago and he was talking about the community pool was the project that they focused their local options tax um uh project on initially and then they've used it for other things since then and others um are broader capital projects Weightsfield municipal infrastructure and capital projects being a big part of that um and then a little bit more context and background just a little bit more [clears throat] timing and the role the plane districts played um that there have been re recent changes to Vermont law that streamline the process for communities to implement local option taxes. He used to require a charter and a charter change um um until somewhat recently and that's one of the reasons why I think the large number of of LTS that have passed um as well as the increase of the municipal share of LT revenue up to 75%. Um, in light of those changes and understanding the challenges that we're hearing from the communities and the three towns that were born and faced in, the plane district staff conducted um a study and an analysis of our meals, rooms, alcohol, and retail sales tax receipts from the department of taxes um from 2020 21 to 2024. So, in that period of time to try to understand what the potential impact would be on our community. Uh, and then we followed up with a town specific analysis for Weightsfield and Warren. I'll get to FaceTit in a moment [laughter] because it's tricky and it there's a connection to Mtown that makes it tricky. But >> but that analysis was the Vermont Department of Taxes. They post and make available reports on retail, meals, rooms, and alcohol sales receipts on its website. Uh, this is um looking for 2021 to 2024 stacked graph. Blue is retail sales, orange is meals. uh gray is alcohol and yellow at the top is rooms. And this is the total in-person retail meals, alcohol, and rooms sales um in Wesfield um by each of those years. Um do note this publicly available reports do not include online sales. That would also be subject to a local options tax. But retail makes up, as you can tell, the vast majority of of Weightsfield's um uh um yeah, of the revenue. I mean, and actually I just wrote it down because in Weightsville's example, 64% of was retail, 21% meals, alcohol, six in rooms at 9. Um so we we we took that data um uh and and identified what that 1% would be um and then 75% of that 1% and we we deducted the processing fee at a particular um rate and came with an estimate that in-person local options tax revenue in Weightsville would be $465,000 based on 2024 data. Um and and again looking back um things generally they went up for a while kind of leveling um but in that range. Um we also um did an analysis of um uh of what the online piece would be. The department of t taxes does not release online um sales uh data. Actually they don't collect that data until locales taxes pass in the community. So we did an analysis of approximately um I can't remember six or eight different communities um that to try to understand what percentage so communities that pass LOTS and what percentage were um online and it was averaged based on the the sample we had about 32% or so of their total sales tax um 32% more was online so 32 so that added a fair amount and so Wesville's estimate for local options tax uh revenue is is closer to $600,000. U but I'm just showing how we did did this particular um analysis. >> What's your annual budget? >> Um 2 8 million. Is that >> I think that sounds right. Yeah. >> So that's a nice >> Yeah, it it it is close to Yeah. 20% above that. So yeah, but as uh if you look at our ballot language um which the voters passed, we >> it's actually on the next >> Yeah. >> Sorry. Yeah. [laughter] So we so we raised we passed the local options tax for uh for the purpose of funding capital investments, capital reserves and debt service to finance municipal infrastructure and capital projects um because we felt that that is what we were looking at as our big needs for the next um several years. And so we wanted to be uh you know laser focused on that and communicate that to to the people voting on it. >> Yeah. Well, you just hit the key point. So awesome. Um thank you. And yeah, the local launch options tax passed the town meeting at 2:1 this past year. It was implemented on July 1st. Um and quarter one um check from the department of taxes of the L&T revenue going to the municipality is expected in November. So forward to that. Um I've put together a bunch of different uh resources and I provided to Sasha via email the PDF of this. Um but the Vermont Department of Taxes has a lot of really great information um on local office taxes overall about local options tax finder guidance specifically for municipalities. Um I even brought a copy of a of of a sheet that has a list of all of the items that are general guidelines on sales tax, what's what's taxable and what's exempt. um um which is a fairly um extensive list as well as a copy of the um the FAQ and support for municipalities. The Vermont Leads of Cities and Towns also has a variety of of resources and I've also included Weightsfield's website um uh includes both a copy of the LOTE memo that I provided that my office provided to to the town of Watesfield as well as slides of their public meeting and infra infrastructure summit uh that they did as well as that article and some other supported documentation. So these are, you know, here's a community that's next door that's been um [clears throat] uh exploring all of this. Um and at the risk of taking too many steps forward, you know, I mean this is a very initial conversation, I mean the question is like okay, so what is the what is the potential revenue in Morttown? Um uh and one of the challenges uh with the department of taxes sales data uh is they only provide the data for um when there are essentially a threshold of of businesses within a specific category. Um so in FAC's example um the data only has sales. Uh the alcohol data is not available. And the reason why it's not available is they don't meet the minimum threshold of number of businesses uh to to to make it anonymous and the department of taxes has that number at 10. So there's been times where there were 10 places that served alcohol and facing and we have that data for those years and then um other times where there hasn't. So that data is available. Um so within those categories um uh essentially there's incomplete data sale as as I showed before in the weightsfield example 60 plus% of their total revenue was sales um and that tracks with a lot of communities but every community is slightly different so the only data that is available for Morttown and same with with FA is the sales data because there are more than 10 businesses um and this is the sales data on the left from 2016 to 2025. Um well, the graph of it to the left and the numbers to the right. Um the first is what the retail sales again this direct within the department taxes of what the sales have been from 2016 2025. Um as well as doing a really quick what's 1% [clears throat] what's 75% of 1%. That's not again this is just a really quick analysis and this is sort of how we approached this work for the other towns. Um but but that's you know in the most recent year the 42,000 number is the estimated revenue from an LG again with a big asterisk and I just did it really quick because I thought it it could be useful for the conversation but um uh and and it's similar in in phased >> absolutely I was going to ask this does not include on online sales right >> that is correct this is in >> regular retail sales correct yeah >> yeah we're having the same well we because Josh was doing a lot of the work for us trying to gather the data, but um I think we're about in the same place that you folks are. We're kind of looking at it. We really don't know if there's enough revenue potential there to justify doing anything. [clears throat] Trying to find some hard data to to make the decision has been difficult for us. You know, you you folks had some good numbers to [snorts] work with and uh ours look very similar to yours. As a matter of fact, the latest data that I saw. So, I don't know where we're going to go with that, but um it'd be nice to get some more hard data, you know, and we've got like Mad River Glenn and Sugar Bush, and there's ways they process their revenue that we're not quite sure of. And so, we we got to take a look at that as well. So, we're at the very beginning stages, too. >> Of of the 50 towns that have adopted, where would you say this this lands like this 42,000? I mean on the lower end of the 50 because the 50 are destination communities and essentially most of Chitten County, >> right? >> Um uh and the department of taxes. So the question of of what are the projections? Again, this is me just taking these numbers and figuring out what 75% of that is. That's a very crude way. Um but but that's the data that's available. And the other way uh the department of taxes is in the beginning of a of a process where they are [clears throat] doing a methodology based on population. So they are looking at the communities kind of I think kind of getting to what what you're suggesting or what I'm hearing is they are taking the revenue from all the now 50 communities and previously it was 30 32 or 38 um and and so they'll have a new sample size by November December and they are they're sort of cutting the numbers and identifying based on population now population isn't the perfect way because in population you could be a small town and and have a destination like Madlin or [clears throat] or um and Sugar Bush and Mount Ellen or a community that doesn't have um an attraction of that sort. So, it's not a per perfect uh but it's another way and a new methodology that I think is going to be refined and be be much better after the these additional communities uh revenues come in. Um, but I found the Department of Tax to be really helpful and staff there as a you know there's questions about like okay so here's this scenario and how does this work and it they've been very very supportive. I'm happy to share any contacts and individuals with the town if you're interested. >> Question Sam >> I think more questions that two to one can you talk to me about the process you guys went through to get to that result? Yeah. So, I think I don't know if you mentioned the Tri Valley effort, but basically there was a a a discussion about passing a um a tri town local option tax seven years ago, >> 2018 to 2018 20. Um and that was a little convoluted. It it had kind of some details TBD about exactly who would make the decisions of the money that was raised if it passed across all all the towns. But in any case, Weightsfield voters at that time defeated it. Um, and you know, as we went through the next 5 years, I started on the select board in in um, 2025. We were looking at our fixed costs and our infrastructure costs that were going to happen. Um, almost certainly the voters had already approved um, a wastewater bond. We knew we needed a new town garage. We knew we were having bridge issues. Um and we were also, you know, looking at these these situations where we had many visitors coming in, big ski weekends, um lots of people passing through leaf peeping season. Um and you know, when they spend money in town, we don't get uh a great >> um because we because of the Dylan rule and you know, most Vermont town's historical reliance on property taxes from residents. um and and business owners or property owners who live there. Um and we said if we and there was a an estimate of you know the mix of dollars that would uh constitute this revenue. Um and in Weightsfield it was I think 18% um or it's an estimate. So but um only less than a quarter would be paid for by residents. Um, so you know, a significant amount of dollars coming from people who drive on our roads, who come and and use our our facilities and our, you know, stay at our ins andbs and drive-thru. Um, and that would help contribute to the infrastructure that is so badly needed and we knew was coming. Um, so basically we restarted the effort in 2025. Um I have to shout out the planning district for providing so much of this uh data estimation and and research that um underpinned the kind of discussion. Um, as we started and we had several uh public forums and then we had a infrastructure summit that we opened to the community where we explained and discussed what was coming down the pike for our um for our fixed costs and and then we met again and approved the the ballot language um and took it to the voters on town meeting day and this year. Um, and you know, we put the information out there of of what we had learned and uh people were very engaged and we were we were very pleased that it passed because it it will allow us to fund some of this stuff without raising property taxes to the extent that we would have otherwise had to. Um, and another reason we liked it, um, is that it is, you know, the Vermont sales tax in general is a is a not very regressive tax in that it excludes, um, most groceries, clothing, medicine, [snorts] um, and medical equipment. Um, gasoline is not the sales tax, it's the gas tax. So, the local option tax doesn't apply to that. Um, and a whole other category which Josh has the information on. So it is, you know, really on if someone is on a fixed income and having trouble making ends meet, a lot of those categories that they really need to live are not subject to this. So it's actually not uh raising their expenses by a significant amount. Whereas if we had to, you know, tax the grand list to pay for this, >> everyone pays. Um and so that was kind of our thinking on on really kickstarting this even without participation from our other neighboring towns. One other aspect was the huge growth in the number of towns that passed this um I think alleviated uh o over the last you know three or four years even I think it was at 20 towns 3 years ago um waterberry passed it and um you know even some of the kind of Rutland and Addison County neighbors that you might not that better think are more sized like Moretown or based in um you know Brandon Past it. Um, so a lot of our commercial neighbors, um, were beginning to do this and I think that that helped. Um, you know, this is we wouldn't be the only one in kind of this part of of [clears throat] the state. Um, and that helped as well. >> Did that answer your question or I might have had a hole in it. >> No, I don't think so. >> Yeah. And I'm glad you talked about the non-regressive nature of the tax, too. That was an important thing to make sure everybody understood. >> Yeah. Yeah. I think that was a big push back back when 2018 whenever that first round of the LOT discussion came up there were a lot of push back based on the fact that you know those items would be taxed and >> Yeah. or the concerns that they would >> Yeah. Sure. Yeah. >> Yeah. So to do like shortterm if uh shortterm rentals are included in this >> they are. So then you then need to have a which also is for a safety reason because then for you know them being these rentals being up to code right that's part of the registry for short-term rentals two different subjects but >> you still got to have before you can put include that in this tax lo you got to get this the registry together of getting people to >> think points like the the online platform would do Yeah. So, >> we we don't have any short-term regulation, short-term [clears throat] rental regulation currently. Um, >> we're we're discussing it. Uh, but >> basically that these business these businesses submit their tax returns to the state. They they charge rooms. >> There you go. >> So, part of the attractiveness of this is that there's not a lot of uh administration on the town level necessarily. Um, you know, you can do a short-term rental registry if you want for other reasons. Health health and um, you know, safety, fire code stuff, but, um, that's not required for this purpose. Yeah. >> Yeah. There you go. >> Yeah. Can cannabis is is, you know, included. Um, you have that. Um, but yeah, basically captures anything that is already subject to the Vermont, >> right? >> The three buckets, right? I I like to think of it as three buckets because that's what that's the number of buckets that you can choose, the number of boxes you can put on the ballot. >> So, any downside to it? I mean, I mean, obviously there's going to be probably some local acquisition from businesses or such, but we had um some good support from businesses. Um, you know, I'm sure there were some that that didn't want to do it, but >> I think especially people who live in town and saw the argument that they would be paying more in property taxes if this didn't go through because, you know, that 80% of of whatever we're raising is coming from from visitors, whether it's our town neighbors or out of state visitors. Um and then there was Morristown which passed um the lot on town meeting day as well. They have a a good website if it's still up. Um and they did a they commissioned a uh a research paper by John Carr who's a economist and I can't remember the name of his outfit but um he you know looked at like does this does that 1% on these kind of non-core um you know groceries medicine uh the stuff that is taxed does it affect consumer behavior or business um experience? And his conclusion was that it's dimmin it's reasonably dimminimous especially if you have most of your commercial neighbors you know all of Jenden County at this point has a local option tax and Montilier Berry Berlin Waterberry now field um and so you know that that [clears throat] the effect if any is very small was his conclusion and you know we haven't got our first quarterly payment yet we're excited [laughter] >> checks in the And just another note um of what we did, we we the ballot item passed, but also from the floor at town meeting, we uh passed a an item that allocated the first year's receipts to various reserve funds um to kind of preund some of the needs we knew we were having because we we haven't yet built the wastewater system. We haven't yet uh bonded for the town garage and we haven't yet bonded or got it designed for a new bridge. So, um you know, we wanted to say the this is where the money is going to go for the first year and then after that we'll we'll deal with it again at town meeting. >> Very good. questions any >> um it's not I it's not a question that can be answered here and I brought it up to Sam and uh I guess my biggest question is like rights field is like and this is not pointed at you like Weightsville is a very different town than Moretown and so I'm just wondering like I would just be interested to know like what percentage would be paid by people who live here because it's like you know like you're like that's great for you guys that it's like 18% right that's like a pretty good wins but >> again an estimate Oh yeah. Or you know a good estimate. Yeah. I just uh I don't know. I was trying to make a list of all the businesses in Morttown. It's like not that long. >> Yeah. >> Um so that's just my curio and this is you know >> Yeah. not as familiar with the the more kind of business mix, [clears throat] but uh I guess my thinking on it and you know, I had this thought experiment where um if I thought it was going to be paid at least, you know, 25 or 30% from people who weren't residents, then it might it might start to get worth it for me because um then you're raising dollars that otherwise would have to be raised by property taxes. As long as you can have a marginal advantage, then it it start starts to make sense. I think you can look at a mix of communities around the state and probably that number varies from, you know, a a Stow or a um, you know, a a really resort community versus Wfield is a little more mixed. We don't actually have a resort in our um in our actual town. So, we're not getting kind of the on mountain stuff, but we're the valleys downtown, right? So, um, we do get a lot of just people coming through, um, and shopping there, >> but I think it's a really good question and >> yeah, you know, I mean, it's like, uh, I'm not against it. I'm just curious, you know, cuz like we don't have any restaurants. We don't have any >> cafes. We don't have, >> you know, we have, I don't know, we have Stewarts, Bike Express, Aashan, Super Thin Sauce. What else? Dance studio. Well, we have people doing wedding venues and >> that's what I'm wondering. Fall under flower places and >> $15,000 for a venue. What do they pay in tax? >> 1% >> 1% of that 15 grand. >> Yep. It's a big line item >> cuz what that cuz what they pay like rooms and meals on that or something on the like Okay. >> So, we have three of those. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Yeah. So, that's to think more to think more more. I'm just curious. Yeah. So, yeah. Can you talk >> what was the methodology that you used to come up with the percentage [clears throat] estimate for weight scale? >> Um yeah, so it's it's it's in the report I can I'll talk about real real briefly because I can go deep into it. But we went through these different um the different categories and and and said okay so if we're talking about you know we can start with lodging the vast majority of lodging 98% 90 the high 90% is going to be visitors um uh we we looked at I can't remember the numbers right now but we sort of broke down each of those different c categories um and talked to the chamber of commerce first um talked to the town and and we were like, do these numbers seem to be representative? But breaking them into smaller pieces and then having that conversation um and so those percentages are all in that paper of of where those estimates came from and it's you know we had the same conversation with Warren and those numbers are a little bit different in Warren and they are way too and it was more of a more of a dialogue. >> That's super helpful. Thank you. Yeah. >> Chuck, anything else? You >> No, you know, as I said, we're about at the same spot that you are, and my [snorts] board is waiting to see what the numbers could look like, and we haven't really got to that point yet. So, um I I think if I can speak for them, I I think the issue is, you know, if if it's going to be a small amount of money, is it worth all the effort that's going to be involved? like you folks went through all of the the uh meetings with with the public and the businesses and that kind of thing. Um so I I think we got to assess that and see if it is worth our while to do that. So >> um we still got a ways to go >> and and essentially we took we spent a year working with the department of taxes like pleading with them to release the data for for this purpose in these other categories. Imagine the the the sales data specifically in you know um alcohol meals um rooms and facing and uh and no [laughter] but but we tried a variety of angles for a long time trying to make that see see if that that information could be released again for this particular purpose either as part of a larger number or some way but um but the there was no progress and so now that The rubber taxes is creating a new methodology. Um, as more communities pass a launch tax and more data is is is available across more different types of municipalities of different scale and type. Um, there might be ways that they can even cut it not just based on population. They might be able to say, "Okay, well, here's the population community, but here's a community that's a little bit more like your community." Um, uh, for from the sales tax info that they already have. and and I I think that that's going to I'm waiting to see what comes later this year. >> So, if Mark kind of had the appetite to go forward on something like this, um is [snorts] it is it you that we talk to or who do we >> So, I really the Department of Taxes has a lot of information in Vermont le cities and towns. um VLCT. So, one of the things linked there was um on the resources page, VLCT in August uh had a um had a webinar about this. Had somebody from the Department of Taxes there did a full full presentation. Um uh but it's um and and that's actually where we where where Chuck actually learned about this new methodology. So, things are starting to evolve, but there between the Department of Taxes and VCT, there are a lot of supports there. Um but to be honest, I mean I I think you know again I want to speak on behalf of [laughter] for Dave or the town of Wesfield, but um I mean it was about having some data, having some information, having a dialogue and um and and having a ballot item. >> Yeah. And you know, we had several engaged members of the select board looking into this too. But one of the great things about being a planning district town is that we have, you know, we make a payment every year and we have an expert researcher um who can can really go to bat for us, you know, with the department of taxes or or, you know, bounce ideas off us, give us things to think about um and really kickstarted the process. Um so, you know, we appreciate that. Again, >> now you'll be able to pay with pay him with the LLC. Yeah, [laughter] >> you're municipal infrastructure, right? [laughter] >> I don't know if it really fits, but that wasn't wasn't the discussion. >> No, [laughter] but I like Yeah, I appreciate you thinking out of the box stuff. >> All right. Well, I think that's really good stuff. I think as a board we need to discuss this um probably even maybe later trying to other business or new business. Um, but I've really enjoyed uh your your presentation, all of you. >> Yeah. Thank you for your time. >> Yeah. And I will say too, uh, and I probably speak for both of us here, but if you do have any questions or any information you need >> as you're going along, feel free to call us, too. We're more than happy to help out and maybe learn something from your research as well, you know. So, >> yeah. >> Yeah. Yeah, I think there was Joshua provided some nice links there that has >> kind of a jumping off spot where you can get in trouble and then start asking questions. >> Yeah. And I mean and with the town of Wesville, I mean I I did the analysis and the research and the projections originally, but it's been really great to see the town of Weightsville is really owning this uh and and engaged in and doing uh doing the work of implementation. And um two months ago I did a presentation uh my second presentation uh to the Warren select board and Josh Curtis from the select board in Wheatville was there and it was really great to have you know one of one community thinking about it and hearing from another community and sort of sort of navigating and and and and there's a lot of experience here. So >> yeah, and I, you know, we're neighbors. >> I forgot one step in my answer to your question of of our process was the select board formed a subcommittee with two select board members on it and several uh person from the planning commission and a couple of business owners um to kind of think through what we wanted to explore and present to the full select board. So that was I forgot that step. >> Do you do you know when you expect your first check? It just be nice to know uh in November. Um the quarter closes at the end of October. Um so right July, August, no, sorry, it closes at the end of September. I was off a month and then it takes them, I guess, about a month to process everything >> and got us a check. >> Yeah. >> It just be great to know like are you 20% under, 20% over? >> Believe me, I'm very curious. We're all very curious and we're all very curious, but also we're going to try not to jump to too many conclusions because there is so much seasonality in this. You know, we we don't we're not completely sure which of these seasons will just be the highest. >> And I was just actually hearing on the news today how revenues were down for the first month anyways. Um [snorts] >> yeah. >> So >> yeah, I know the Canada stuff is is being tough on many of our local businesses. the gas gas prizes. So, >> oh yeah, but you got a good start. Well, gentlemen, I appreciate you coming to our meeting. I know board meetings have enough of them, but another one. >> Good to see you. >> Take care. Yes. >> Thank you very much. >> Appreciate that. >> Thank you, Josh. That was really good. Thank you. >> Yeah. Thanks for coming in. >> John and Karen, come on. Roll on up. >> Come on down. >> I hate when I look at this. FY26. We're not in FY20. [laughter] >> We're in 27. >> It feels like in in in uh >> in high school like All right. The board of discipline. Not that I've never Not that I've ever had that happen. >> I was going to say, [laughter] >> hey, wish I could say the same. So, how are you folks doing? >> Doing okay. >> Good. You enjoy your Morfest? >> Morfest was fabulous. >> Was it? It was. >> It was. I mean, they have to have that weather every year. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. How do they pull that off? That's what they did. >> That it was really, >> you know, somebody said, "How many people are in Morttown?" I'm like, 1700. They're like, "Half of them are here." >> Yeah. It's good. >> It was really good. >> Yeah. No, it was a good time. >> I was down at a at a a 90th birthday party in Connecticut, so Oh. So, >> well, happy birthday, John. >> Yeah, thank you. [laughter] Thank you. >> I thought I I think I think I'm looking pretty good >> for 90. >> For 90. >> Yeah. I just just hiked Mount Mansfield today. >> Good. >> Well, actually, on a side note, Steve Steve uh McGill, his dad turned 90 three weeks ago and he hiked up Camel. >> Did he really? >> Yes. >> Wow. >> That's quite a >> Yeah, that's I don't think I'll be doing that when I'm 90. >> Yeah. But so you guys are here to discuss the local hazard mitigation plan, >> right? >> Yeah. >> I could also just say um >> relevant to the last conversation. I I did did a ton of work on those issues back in the day. So >> also >> so you'll be on that little subcommittee. >> Happy to [laughter] >> I already got one. Sam's one. Karen. All right. >> Go ahead. >> All right. I'm on. All right. It's a local hazard mitigation plan. It it is a plan that's required by FEMA and to have a plan that's updated every 5 years or so and uh it's technically every 5 years, but it never really happens just because of the the the review process that it takes. That said, uh we're close to updating our previous plan, which was in 2020. and we we got a draft done and and I apologize for I look back on my email and I had dates all over the place. So So we submitted a plan in in November November 26 uh 2025 and we didn't get comments back from Vermont emergency management till July. and our our grant that we have from FEMA. Well, it's technically from from the state, but it's it's using FEMA money is is going to be ending at the end of of uh November. So, I wrote an email to the M to ask them to hurry up in a nice way. I think I copied everybody on that and it seems to me that that they're going to be responsive and and get us final comments. That said, one thing I got clarification from Vermont emergency management is is they did provide us comments in July. We we uh responded to those comments. So, uh they feel pretty comfortable that any other comments they have are going to be nonsubstantive in nature. So, but one of the major steps that's that's needed to to get the ultimate approval from BEM and FEMA is is to have the adoption of the plan by the select board. So, uh so that's what we're we're we're asking today. So, so this plan kind of just talks about what our short-term and long-term goals are to mit mitigate our our our local hazards. And for us primarily it's it's uh fluial hazards, erosion, uh stream erosion and flooding. But you know there's others in there now with with the with the global warming with with fires and drought. But but the major ones that we identified were were were the flooding and erosion and and and I know the town has already has got policy with with with the with the with the road crew about improving on on culverts and bridges. And in fact, I know that they're doing work on River Road uh over by Hog Hollow. Looks like they're going to start that in in a few weeks. So So that is all part of the plan. And and when we were incorporating the plan, we we talked to Martin. We coordinated with with not only Martin and Ray, but we we also uh talked with with Stefan and talked about some >> and those were those we saw all those I I forgot what page it was like five or six and you had a number of those roads that were identified and such and it was like fire department or road crew and then there were some that looked like we had already done. Is that right? Are those the highlighted ones? >> Right. Right. that because what we had to do is is we had to show improvement from okay we we had a plan that was approved in 2020. So we we basically had to show we wanted to to show that we're making progress. >> We're actually doing what we say we >> exactly exactly and and so yeah we did submit that plan I think to you back at back in November. It's the exact same plan. We made a few revisions. They're pretty minor compared w with the comments that we received from from from BEM. >> We did add in this year invasives. You know, that was not in the last plan. Really? >> What part was that? >> Invasive invasives. >> Invasives, right? >> Yeah. And did everyone get a opportunity? Sasha did send that out that John had sent. Did everyone get an opportunity to take a look at that? >> I just wanted to make Yeah. >> Okay. So, so, so there was another document that that I attached in my email and that was the the formal adoption and and that is uh that was put together by our consultant that uh but it's basically language that FEMA recommends that that you say and it's basically saying that you guys prove the plan. you're going as a town, we're going to do everything we can to to to uh implement the things that we said we're going to do in the plan to to the best of our ability and that any that there could any minor changes, we'll make those minor changes. And so what that does is is by having that plan updated when if we have another disaster that make ensures that we we're going to be getting the FEMA if there's a declared disaster we'll be getting a contribution not only from the state but from the from the feds. So it's it's it's a good thing. The it's it's a good thing. Uh the the one thing that I I asked for clarity on and and I got from our consultant is is we submitted this back in 2025, you know, and and it's taken us this long to to get approval, but I don't want us to have to do another plan in 2030, right? And so what what they said is that the clock will will tick uh we'll start the five-year clock will tick once once it is approved by by FEMA and and dem. But the fact that we submitted the plan, if we were, god forbid, [clears throat] have another another flood, we're still we're we're eligible because we we've we put in our plan. >> Good. >> So, so that's that's that's good. So, that's Did I miss anything else? >> The ask [laughter] what are you asking them to do? Oh. Uh, so, so we need you to adopt the to to there's that certificate to to fill that out and and adopt the plan. So, so I think that would require a motion and also filling out that form so I can we can submit that to VM. That could be either Sasha sending it to him or he can send it to me and I can send it to >> Right. We can probably Yeah, that I think that was the first attachment >> documents. >> Yeah. >> What's that? >> I have it in the pile of documents. Okay. So, yeah, it's already already there. Um, yeah. I think the only thing when I was reading that, just wanted to clarify, it's not something I mean, we we're going to certainly try to to do that and stuff, but there's no penalties for not, I guess, doing right. I mean, you're not held >> no >> to those projects that we have to >> if the I I think that the the next time we were working on the plan, we would address whether we >> updated ideally they they would like us to be able to do all of those, but you know, that's not realistic. >> Okay. That's what I Yeah. >> Yeah. >> And we're working on it. I mean, we're doing million. I think when you're going down, I was impressed to see a we've done I think it was four or five of them that we had knocked off from last time. Um so um anyone else have some questions? >> This is what every but every five year you know whenever the clock starts ticking five years from then from that time another one of these has to be updated. >> Well you know who knows what's going to happen in five years with uh with how things are going FEMA but that's generally >> that's how it works >> how it works >> and and that's so that has to be on someone's radar you know it's >> that's what that's that's what the planning commission is for. That's what we do. I know but you guys you know there'll be the next generation of plan you know you know that that has to be somewhere that it comes up in the town. >> I'm sure that kind of mechanism. >> No no no you're right. I mean that's something we have to make sure that just like the town plan. Okay here here are these required plans that we have to make sure we're we're updated on. >> Yeah. Yeah. system that we >> and we have an expert chair now and whoever did that to make sure that you know we're on top of those things >> and zoning administrator. >> Yeah. And zoning administrator. Oh, and I I do want to thank everybody's help with that on on the planning commission that worked on in the subcommittee which Bob Blit and Karen and then also uh we had had a consultant uh seam seam solutions. Is that >> Seam C? and and and also uh Carol as always, you know, she was great support. So, and then also with with Cherylyn help helped us uh keep track of the money. So, >> good. >> So, >> good team effort by us. >> Yes. >> So, unless there's any other questions, I'd uh move to adopt the local uh hazard mitigation plan uh for tonight by John and Karen. >> Thank you, Cali. Any other questions for us on this? All right. All in favor vote I. >> I. >> I. All right. So, we got it in the pile to sign and we'll make sure Sasha gets it off. Thank [clears throat] you very much for your help. We look forward to hearing uh back when they officially uh FEMA or the run emergency management in FEMA get it taken care of. >> Okay. >> Shoot. We could vote on the the new the person who was volunteering to be on the planning. >> Oh, yeah. Do you want to hear? >> It's It's Yeah, it's not on the agenda. >> Yeah, I think [laughter] it should be on the agenda. >> Yeah, we should probably put that on the agenda. >> Yeah, we're delighted that that Garrett's agreed to do this. He's got a fantastic skill set for the kinds of issues we're facing. So, >> yeah. >> Good. Well, thank you for for hitting him up there at the How many beers did you get into him before he said yes? >> [laughter] >> I think I almost I said the biggest thing is we end on time. >> Yeah, >> we took his keys. [laughter] >> Oh, good. All righty. Well, thank you very much. Appreciate you doing it. >> Thank you. >> And we may tap you Karen um for your knowledge on the the local option tax stuff. >> I think that's something that >> you know we need to discuss. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Good. >> Thanks very much. Is it is it a mustd do for having a sub committee? Do you have to have >> No, you don't. >> You don't have to. >> No. No. >> It's the selection. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> To help work on it. Exactly. >> You do have to have a vote at the >> Yeah. >> Which is it seems it used to be obviously had to go to the legislature for um >> the charter. >> Charter. Right. >> Right. Right. Now you don't. and and they were and I have to say because I can't help myself that they were very reluctant the Ways and Means Committee is very reluctant to approve those charters and um now that it's not in their hands anymore. It's just a much easier >> Yeah. seems like it's >> and you know it's 45 50,000 is not a ton but >> it's about 5% of our budget and then you know next year could [clears throat] be 8% you know >> that's all your um utility bills Amazon sales all that kind of stuff that lands in your town. >> So >> yeah interested to see >> what's numbers look like after a couple quarters. Yeah, >> which people don't realize they're probably paying it anyway because like for me I have a Monture zip code. So if I don't put the last four on my zip code >> it's 1%. >> So that is a big issue when we share middle six shares. >> Yeah. I had to redo my tax system. I couldn't use system anymore. >> Yeah. >> The um Yeah. The tax department needs to figure out the municipal boundaries because they've been going by a zip codes and that's an issue for a lot of towns. >> But >> yeah, >> that thank you all for doing what you're doing. >> Thank you. >> All right, guys. >> You'll be [clears throat] done in 5 minutes, right? >> Skip a couple rooms tonight. >> Maybe we should start ending on time like we're playing. [laughter] >> Yeah. Sorry. Where are we? Senator Bernie Sanders looking for him. All right. >> Is everyone good? Everyone need a break? We're all all good. All right. So, discuss uh discussion on the historical roof. So, >> so we can put it on hold because um we're getting another uh we're going to get another quote for for uh seeing if maybe coating the the the existing roof, the existing metal roof could be an option and we could save some money that way. So, uh stay tuned. >> All right. So, >> but I mean did just to and then we can discuss the two biders. >> Right. Well, we've got um someone else has been going to come in and look tomorrow. Is that it? Um so, we've contacted there's another firm that's going to look. >> Who is that? >> Um three mountain three some Yeah. Three mountain. >> Good. >> So, we'll have >> three at least, [clears throat] >> right? And discuss [snorts] the options that that they have. >> Sure. >> Um so, yeah. So last meeting, just kind of recircle for everyone, we had voted on this and then one, there was a little questions and then we found the um uh the guy that was going to be awarded the the the job hadn't paid his taxes. It was delinquent from last year. And so we had there was a motion a couple years ago. Um so it's in our uh anyways, we don't give out contracts to people who are delinquent, but I think understanding is we and this was I we were about Jim was about to tell him and he did it without he had done it before we even told him you know so it was interesting it was funny that it just turned out that way >> but so his his bid is still valid and then we vote on >> No we'll have to >> No no no no mean like not the motion >> still keep him in the pile >> right he's still in the pile that >> be sealed bib >> yeah we'll just send him in have them sealed bib >> yeah and uh that's all needs to be done and if we can do that have it for the next meeting if that works. >> Yeah, that' be good. I hope to have the the price on coding it and then we'll have the the the two the two prices I have. One of one needs adjusted. So >> I don't I think the uh the other one will be much higher than we'll see. >> But just to have another bid. >> Yeah. Yeah. Great. Oh god. You can jump in anytime you want with these facilities. [laughter] >> All right. >> Um, yeah. And then I just wanted to have it on there, the building facilities to talk about what we just did and that we're still uh we're working on getting trying to get some stuff done at the fire station. Um, and then Sasha, did you print all those papers I sent you about with the town for the town garage? >> Yeah. So I I have a a pile here somewhere maybe. >> No. >> But anyways, um you know of the whole process for at least for the dehumidifier, >> right? >> So um I went through all my folds, you know, and found I got prices for various stuff that DNK had recommended and then this one was like the least the least of of all the choices. So, I just wanted to, you know, have Sasha printed it and then I can forward it to you by email as well, but just to give to Cherylyn so she has it as backup for the auditors. >> Okay. Yep. Good. >> So, there was that. And then, like I said, um working on getting some prices for the the uh town garage and then the fire station. And then, of course, is you know, we're going to try to regroup on some of the town garage stuff. Um Thank you. um for especially once we get the dehumidifier going then we will start to look at you know doing some work there. I did note that Martin did some of the grading which was an issue with the tanks having to be lower and the water hitting the building and >> was there last week excavated or something. >> So uh that's all part of the program. But I still wonder if while we're moving forward and maybe this won't be for tonight, but thinking if there's is there a way or a number or do we ever want to consider that we would have like a not to exceed number where if we had one one or two contractors or you know in town or someone we know was reliable. Oh yeah, come and just fix these five clab boards and you know you know that you don't need you know below $5,000 we can authorize you know right doing the work cuz unless and then when we get an update unless eventually we have a town administrator >> who could maybe do part of his job to get all these but for just some volunteers trying to track down doing these building repairs and trying to get two three prices you know Look, I it's almost it's winter. >> I hear you. I know. It's It's >> It's hard to do. So, it's just something to think of. I know. I don't think we've finalized the purchasing policy thing. So, >> no, we have we have some of that on the uh some we have that on the agenda tonight just to start that discussion and we're going to have Cheryl in in the next meeting over that do that. There's because we have um FEMA stuff that we need to um kind of adhere to and then there's probably other things that don't fit under the FEMA like the clab boards the four clouds the light something you know [clears throat] >> can't have two separate policies >> you really want to go with the one that I mean FEMA is going to cover that it's going to cover all your state grants that's what they're going to look like at a single audit and if you're not following and you're single on it, then you don't get grants. >> That's what it is. >> Is there any um >> in those policies um for what Don's talking about? Are there any way? >> I haven't seen any of it. >> No, most towns don't because it's it's easier to be with that most restrictive policy and follow it because then you're doing it for everybody all the time and it's just the same >> process. compliant all the time. >> They're like, "We need the wall painted. We need three I'm right." Like, so you're like, "We need the wall painted. We need three prices on getting the wall painted." >> Yep. >> Yeah. Because they look back like >> the town is going to have a single audit. So, they're going to look back and they don't just look at in FEMA money. They look at all your grants. Every single thing. >> Not just the grants. to look at everything works done correctly. >> Mhm. >> So, >> and then like the auditors like it clear because um we had the discussion with our auditors at one point in time. >> So, I guess maybe this would be a good spot to actually talk about we just had an audit and so we just got the results back on the audit and it came back uh flawless. So there were no recommendations and I think in my time here on the board which has been significant at this point I think there's always been one or two little things that you need to do different interchange just very small but no recommendations this year so good job both Cherylyn and Sasha um and everyone else that kind of keeps us doing the right things and I know it's uh going to be frustrating and I think we all we all know that but um I is when we're, you know, we're dealing with these other other people's money, we got to do it the way it um is asked. So, um, that's actually good segue or maybe we're already talking about it, but, um, the policies if I think these were sent out to you, um, or you have them online, so why don't we take some time, if you haven't already, um, spend some time going through them and maybe you can find some areas where you can make some recommendations, um, or or ask is this particular where if you go through there are um different procedures for different things. So I think if we take a look through them you might find something that u may or may not work but we'll have Cheryl in in next meeting to talk about them um as well. All right, Sasha, speaking of bids, um we did have we put out for bid the blower uh for the greater and that was approved on town meeting day and we get how many back? >> Two. >> Two bids back. All right. Um, sorry. The first one look from the Alamo Group and it's uh net price is 10,900 and it's the Buffalo Turbine KB7. And the other one is from uh Finch Turf. It is um the same thing. So, uh, apples to apples. And this is 12,000. So, um, unless there's any, uh, questions, concerns, I would go ahead and, uh, we move with the 109. Right. All right. So, I move to uh go ahead and accept the bid from the Alamo Group uh for the Buffalo Turbine KB7 um blower for the uh second. >> Thank you, Mike. Um all in favor. >> Was there any questions? >> One question I have about the grater is um what did they name it? >> I voted yesterday. >> Yeah. Right. Right. I was just going to bring that up. >> Oh, the pal's still going. >> You can still vote till Saturday. >> All right. >> I like to serve um >> scrapes lot. >> Yeah. >> Blade Runner is great. Blade Runner. >> How are you? >> Blade Runner was >> I'm not going to tell you guys how I voted. [laughter] >> What was the other one? >> I voted. I'm not going to tell you how I voted. >> Oh, why not? >> Uh >> is there another >> We'll see. Uh yeah. says scrapes a lot. >> Uh, Blade Runner and Smooth Operator. >> Smooth operator. That's right. >> That one has less to do with the greater I feel like. >> So, we know you didn't vote for that one. I think you're right. >> Election [laughter] security, >> but it was Yeah, it was in the in front forum yesterday. I think it was go back to yesterday. >> Yeah, there's a link vote. Yeah. cast your vote. >> Sasha, did you vote? >> No, I haven't. I realized you could still do it. >> Yeah, we just go on front porch porn. >> Yeah, because there's only like 100 votes or that's what it said for yesterday's front porch. It's [clears throat] close, too. >> Yeah, it's [laughter] a tight race. >> Ideally, Ideally, it makes the front page of the Valley Reporter. I hope so. So, maybe we should reach out to them and circle them in on it. >> Yeah. Hey. Yeah. All right. Uh Sasha, what do you got for reports here? >> Um I haven't had much feedback about budgets yet. As always, Martin's going to be last. Um >> let them know that if they don't get it back to you by the end of October or what what time did we get >> by the beginning of September and you're [clears throat] towards >> All right. So maybe give them towards the end of the month and if they're not, we're just going to give them a budget. We'll give them Yeah. >> Okay. >> Would be the just the flat budget from last year. Aside from Martin. I mean, Martin, too. >> Well, I see it at 5:00 this evening, Chris Stevenson sent one. >> See, Chris is on this stuff. >> There you go. I haven't looked at it yet, but I'm just seeing you sent it in. >> Yeah. Just something like assuming if you don't get it to us by the end of the month, you just probably want a flat budget. because I'm thinking um well one we want to get that because we want to do our um have you say day right >> and I think there may be some things you know this year where we going to be able to bring up to people right do we want to I mean >> we want to have a rough draft of the budget >> right have that rough draft of the budget but and that's where even articles and things like that I think there's some things or even in the budget um >> you know fireworks or things like that. You know, people were talking about, you know, what does that costing you? What are those type of things? So, um there may be more discussion. So, that way if we can have that, have a good um have your say day. So, I because I think there's even depending on what else we you know with town hall, town other things, you know, there may be other things that we want or not and that would be a good day to discuss those. >> Sashi, >> um in your pile of stuff, There is a [clears throat] correspondent from Paula Woods for that [snorts] committee and I think she wants some followups maybe by the next meeting if you guys. >> All right. >> And where is that? It's in the >> It's in their pile of like minutes and >> Okay. Yeah, we got that in. >> Yeah. >> She just wants us to dissolve the committee. >> I think that's what she said. >> All right. Yeah. So, we'll take a look at that. And uh um I have not read that at all. >> Okay. So, >> all right. >> I have. >> All right. Mike, how about yourself? >> Um I think the only thing I had is to follow up if there is a date for the finance review committee to meet at the last meeting, right? We said they should meet with the friends of library. >> Yep. or the town hall committee, I think. Yeah. So, was wondering if that was >> I I talked to Linder uh [clears throat] Hazard at the Moore Fest cuz I sent out that email. Unfortunately, it didn't go out till Friday, but it's, you know, it's on the radar. She's been busy with school just starting and different things going on and um hopefully it'll be shortly. But I'll follow up follow up again this week, you know, see if we can get something scheduled. >> Good. Sam, how about you? >> Uh no, I'm I'm delayed on getting the meeting scheduled with Kathleen to talk about a town administrator, but I did shoot out that email today. >> Good. So hopefully we'll meet within the next few weeks. Um and I was pleased to see how the local a tax presentation went. That was fun to have those guys here information. Looking forward to continuing that conversation. >> So how do what does everyone feel about trying to take a next next step forward on this? And I think that would probably be just gathering the data. Um, to Mike's question, I think that that was a very >> I mean like the rooms one is like a no-brainer, right? But that's probably only a portion of the like I just Yeah. I just want like does is that in the 5 million, right? Or it must be, you know, >> right? Oh, yeah. And so to me, that's like a no-brainer because probably almost no one from Morttown is renting a room in Mortown. >> So, yeah, I mean, yeah, it's worth finding more about. I mean, >> is is there does the county have a list of businesses? [clears throat] >> The state the state the town like he said the tax department I think would be >> that's where that list came from I think is he said more town. >> Okay. >> So he got a list from the state of Vermont. >> All right. I'll start reaching out. >> I mean I think that because there are you know there's a fair amount of home businesses too. >> Mhm. >> You know. >> Yeah. I I do I I completely agree with the general sentiment that like we don't want to just be adding a tax on top of more town residents. That's not the point here, right? We need to make sure that we feel like a fair percentage is coming from out of town. >> I mean because like and it would be nominal. So, but like I have to buy like most of my equipment like from somewhere else, right? Because there's no forestry stores. So like like I'd be paying 1% on that, but it's like not that it's pretty, you know, >> the stuff that you're having shipped in. >> Yeah. Yeah, cuz I can't buy it anywhere the stuff I want or need or >> um but it's pretty nominal in reality. >> Yeah, [snorts] probably be less than the increase in your tax bill if >> Oh, probably. Yeah. Yeah. >> So, I'll I'll keep >> Yeah. Sam, if you want to [snorts] kind of start that and then maybe we can talk offline and and maybe you can talk with David and say, "All right, how should I structure this?" And so this that committee they were talking about, I think Karen would be great to have it, you know, you don't want to get too much to begin with. So maybe the two of you were to collaborate a little bit to put a plan on how to move forward. >> Yeah, I think that's a great idea. >> That'd be good. >> Anything else, Sam? >> No, I mean my just general feeling is that we're sort of swinging in this direction where more and more towns are doing it. So every year we're not doing it. It's just sort of revenue we're leaving on the table. Yeah, I just urge us to all be prepared to act as quickly as we feel is responsible. >> Yeah, I think um there's really not too too many reasons to drag our feet on this and then uh people can make a decision fairly quickly. Um, and I think especially when we look at um the debt that we have, the debt that we have coming in um or coming down down the pike, um I think it might, you know, could be as soon as this spring that might be an attachment to it. You know, I think sometimes we wait around too much and um it cost us. I think he had a really good point that it's not going to be on your essentials. Like somebody that's on a restricted income is not really going to be if they're not being frivolous with their things that they spend in town like going out to eat, it's not really going to affect those people. >> No, I think you know I think they illustrated that pretty good. Um, and if we can identify that as, you know, where it's all coming from, and you know, if it's 75% or or more coming from somewhere else, then I'm pretty happy with that. >> And here's the thing. If people are going to eat it, Applebee's, Cass, Taco, China, McDonald's, Burger King, Domino's, anything in Monier, you're paying it anyway, right? >> And you're not seeing any benefit from it at all. >> Right. >> Kelly, how about yourself? >> Okay. No, I think the local options tax is great. Um I think at one point the state was actually looking at mandating it to everybody. That was a big thing. So it was either going to be you enacted on your own or you're going to be lumped in with another town. So um coming from a town that did it and I was part of the initial vote to do it and we actually had to do a charter change because we're a charter town. So we are very locked in to what we can spend that money on. It is capital projects and like vehicle purchases. >> What do you guys raising for revenue? Do you remember what it is? >> Anywhere from $200 to $300,000 a quarter. >> Really important. [clears throat] >> But we have all the restaurants, the hotel, [clears throat] >> Walmart, Kohl's, Petco, all of that. But yeah, we we usually get between 200 and $300,000 a quarter. >> Even if the town got 20 grand, I mean, that would help some. >> You put it in high interest short-term CD and then you just keep bumping it around. You're going to earn money to be able to say, "Oh, well, we're purchasing a RAM. Guess what? We do have 100,000 in local option tax money. We can just buy it." >> Yep. >> All right. Well, good. So, Yep. >> All right. Um, what do I have? Oh, one thing I had someone a couple people brought up to me and I um is the flag. This is not town, but you have the flag over here in front of the school how tattered it is. I don't know if people have noticed that. >> Um, can we donate the town donate a flag to these guys? Um, is everyone okay with that? Um, and then just make sure that there's a procedure for taking care of the old one. >> Mhm. >> If we can make sure that happens, it's I just feel a little bit better about >> I'll get >> Yeah. >> Yep. And we'd like to buy one for the school. Um, I don't think there's really anything else. um that we need to talk about here. Uh so let's go ahead and approve the Whoops. I'm sorry, Don. Jesus, if you >> I'm sorry. >> It's okay. >> I was putting you last. >> Yeah, I said my >> um [clears throat] Well, just uh there's a sidewalk walk through on Wednesday, this coming Wednesday at 10:00. Um, I know Ken Roby sent it to myself and Ry. Uh, I was just wondering if anybody else has it on their radar, wants to go or has any thoughts that, you know, I can guess I can go and do the walkabout. But, um, I know when I did a rough walk, you know, casual walk with, uh, Ken when they, you know, we found identified some stuff and I think they've come back and fixed those. But >> I walked it um the other day. We decided to take a walk and I couldn't >> Yeah. No, it's good. They had a couple of things that they had to fix, but you know, that was we walked it like a month ago. So, >> yeah, that looks good. So that's happening on you know and then uh we're going to meet at the bottom of pony the pony farm meeting is uh I guess it's I haven't it's on Wednesday 9:30 at >> at 9 but [clears throat] um she's supposedly going to be at this walkthrough so I confirm it but I wouldn't have sent another email if not >> but while we're it's very it's interesting that all of a sudden you know that we're kind of working on the pony farm intersection right now. And um just a little update, I've reached out to uh Waistfield's uh town administrator York today actually because I think that more town should be in this discussion about with the closing of the Meadow uh the Meadow Road Bridge and how that'll impact, you know, the pony farm traffic and truck traffic and to freeze farming and how they turn onto the road and stuff. So, you know, stay tuned. I mean, that's a good thing that when we're meeting with VR at the intersection there, we can identif, you know, we're going to identify some stuff that we think needs to be corrected anyway. So, but also just to be looped into >> what Weville decides, you know, so that we can go >> uh, you know, >> because their idea was to come down and go down the hurdle road, right? apparently. No, that apparently that was one thing that was in the paper that uh the M the Defar the one you know there's no crossing the covered bridge only certain size trucks and cars can get across there but there's farming going on there and so um there was a thing in the paper that they would they've done this before apparently that they come down and they turn they take the do the swing through Hurdle Road and and then back out to get on a pony farm. >> Well, I don't know if they've done that in the past or not, but you know, depending on how long, you know, the bridge will be out for a while, >> you know, and >> depends on if they're >> if they're cutting hay or corn what the machine >> 60 trucks a day doing that or not. I know, >> right? Yeah. You know, >> it should just be, you know, just be something. We're not saying that we're like, whoa, you know, we just be nice to be in the conversation and figure it out. What did York say? Cuz they have a like they're monitoring that bridge cuz like uh a contractor of mine went over the bridge and then >> a select board member who I'm working texted me like the screenshot and was like is he over 8 tons? You know, so they're monitoring it like know >> every day, every couple days like the cell cam. >> It sounds like he just thanked me for calling and said yes. >> That's a really good idea and let's make sure that more town's part of the conversation. And I said that I was going to just bring up tonight to tell you that I thought we should be part of the conversation. >> So, yeah, you know, makes sense. >> So, we will um uh I just think going down the road just a quickie. It's been a little, you know, not to keep us here too late, but I think the select board and you know, there's plenty of people in the town who would also want to get into this initiative. But I mean, I know I've spoken a lot about the speeds on our dirt roads and what we could maybe do for that, but I can tell you there's not a person who lives in the village or on either side, even yourself. Um, the noise and the speeds going through the village of trucks and motorcycles and stuff like that, it's it's really I mean, I've had some residents call me. That's why I'm bringing it up tonight because I've had some people talk to me. more fest and people brought it up saying is there anything we that we can do and I don't know what we can do but I think that you know there's some avenues to look into and it's just something I think we should try to think about you know like I've seen color some towns have painted the crosswalks a solid color maybe we get these flags for people that those you know see me flags that weightsville put up at least at one of the crosswalks you know Um, I've even talked to residents about everybody putting up a little like a lawn sign and have, you know, bunch of lawn signs on both sides of the road just, you know, with different sayings about, you know, this, you know, slowing down. Sort of like this is a town, please slow down. Um, and then also maybe meeting with Candace White who's on the transportation committee, which you know, when I see her again, there is a bill there that I brought up before that's just kind of staying there and not coming up with bill S66 about regulating the noise from motorcycles and trucks and stuff. But um just something to think of think about as something that would be a good thing to do for the community because it's it's it's [snorts] really bad, you know. Um I don't know what we want regional planning and do a count, you know, [clears throat] a vehicle count and maybe we can then establish. >> What's that going to do though? I mean >> I don't that's I don't know. >> It's a statement. >> What? >> It's a statement. I know it's a state road >> state. >> I mean, maybe we could get, you know, get the radar, you know, see if we can get this one fixed. >> This one down here is needs to just be adjusted. >> Yeah. I mean simple nonexpensive fixes are painting crosswalks the flags which make sense you know from a state and then like >> buying a sign cuz we talked about that last year and then >> No, I had it looked at and then the guy said it would be probably leized four grand or something. >> Yeah. Well, no. And then we thought we could get a grant for it and then that's when I was wondering time you told me we got [clears throat] some funds. >> Yeah. that maybe we could use that to fix fix the radar radar flashers or whatever they're called speed. >> Can we paint the roads? Do we need permission to do that? >> I don't know. I'm going to ask actually Michelle when I see her. We can actually paint the crosswalk state to do it. >> I'm sure you don't have to get permission. >> No, I know. But I mean they just do a different color that sort of but I don't know if >> or even I mean I think the signs are great. I don't think a lot of people are trying to speed through town. >> They're just not >> they're not they're not they're just going, you know, come in. >> I think given the scientics would make a big difference or make big difference, right? >> So, the other thing is when you are standing, and this is what my driver's ed teacher told me way back when, when you're standing, cars feel like they're going by you a lot faster than they actually are. So that's another thing. >> Mhm. >> And I will tell you, I walk on Jones Brook Road. The only person who I have got the attention between Jonesburg Road and Herring Brook Road to actually slow down is I had to give them a finger. That's the one thing. And then they actually stopped and talked to me after. And I was like, you don't slow down. You are going by me at a speed that is too fast. And I will tell you, it's everyone on Herring Brook Road. >> It's everyone that lives on that road. They speed up and down at 6:00 in the morning, at [clears throat] 5:00 at night, and it is dangerous to walk with how they're driving. So, it's not just there. It's not just in the village. >> No, I mean, we have a speed. >> No, no, I said that. It's It's, you know, and it's not just our town. It's it's, you know, it's >> it's everywhere. >> How are we, Sasha, with the um the sheriff budget and stuff? Is that in his time. Maybe we could look into that, see what we our budget. I know we extended that at some point here in July. Um, >> and Don, do you is there a consensus? I mean, it's it's I guess all the time there's going to be someone speeding, but what is the worst times that we think we have here in the Is it weekends? Is it during the week? Is it just random? I uh well I certainly think it's in you know in the morning hours you know the commuter hour you know the 6 to 9 6 to 10 um and then the same at the end of the day but uh even you know during the day I mean again I hear what Cal was saying it's very hard to tell how fast someone's going unless you stand at the sand pit and >> look at the radar screen where we get our unit out again and record it Well, we do have a way of recording it, you know, but um I I'll tell you, it seems like the trucks, you know, maybe they are going 30, but it doesn't seem like it when they're coming down into town and going through the village, but only I guess only maybe having the sheriff there or something and people don't see him when he's tucked in there by the sand pit or maybe down by Hurle Road. We can just have a couple, you know, have it be a little more visible in town. >> Yeah. And the speed um I haven't seen the maybe this the speed cart into town. >> It's over by the >> It's up on 100. >> Yeah, it's over there because >> now um when Brad was here, he said that he's had a lot of >> speeding over on that side of town. Maybe that would help. Especially after school started, he wanted to see it there a little bit. >> Oh, no. I think that's good. >> I've had some folks there actually talk to me about again the noise, you know. >> But anyways, >> well, something to work on. >> Yeah, something to work on. And uh yeah, that was that's >> And you're going to check with um her on the painting and what we >> Yeah, Michelle, I'm going to just Yeah. chat with her about cuz we're going to be walking down the sidewalk so they're going to get the notice. >> Yeah. >> The vehicles coming through town. >> So then like this like the radar sign and maybe like if cuz like Yeah, we talked about it finding a grant and didn't get it. Then maybe if we don't get it, it should just go in the budget and then at least we have one next spring. >> Yeah. Then we could get it fixed, >> right? Whatever department that goes in. >> Yeah. >> So then >> Okay. So actually, why don't I um It's Scott [snorts] at U. What's the safe? >> What? >> Work safe. >> Work safe. Right. I have I'll I'll email him again and get get a price to replace it >> because I know he looked at it and he was about he was going to repair it, but then he said to repair it, you know, I might as well replace it, you know. I mean, not right >> cuz I could take it apart and then find something else and then it's going to end up costing you even more. >> Okay. So, let's get that out, please. Great. >> That's good. Done. >> That's it. Is that it? Done. All right. Um >> Oh, I have one more thing. >> Morest was great. >> It was a really good time. I thought I really >> Yeah. No, I >> The Morfest team really did amazing. >> It was well attended and people are I couldn't believe just how many Yeah. all ages of people were there. >> I I thought it was really cool how many teenagers there were there, you know, like they're roaming packs, but like it's cool to see there's not a lot of places for that age group to go and hang out and that they all decided that was a cool thing to go and do. That was really fun. >> And then even the young parents and kids and you know, I know they talk about how uh [clears throat] Vermont is aging. Not of course not me but you know uh and then you know was it's a really old [snorts] population but you looked at around in more fest the other night it was I don't know you know like maybe they should run some new stats people have moved back to Vermont they got kids they you know >> there was tons of kids everywhere >> and think of the teenagers and running out and running around so >> Mike's kids were was running around and super kids Damn, >> that's crazy. Those kids go, >> "Can can we in that note like can we have some sort of like official thank you from the select board to the committee?" >> Yeah, I'll put something out of work. >> Yeah. >> To them for sure. >> Um it's one other thing. >> Oh, yeah. There was a request by uh Louisa because you were a volunteer too to post something in front porch forum. So like if you posted something up front coach forum that would be great you know that' be good to see. So, one thing um I spoke with Ron I guess it was last Thursday or Friday whatever day it was and um Piazas have requested not Piaza but um >> Charlie >> Charlie O uh Charlie O Charlie love uh has requested that we release um some of the money that we have holding and so I want to get someone either you Don or Mike or anyone at this point uh some night take an hour or half an hour and go over and just make sure that things are uh >> he's done the stuff to do. >> Why would we release it until even part until they're done? >> Well, we want to He says he's done it all. So >> Oh, no. He thinks he's done it all. Oh, okay. >> Yeah. Um but I >> Yeah. Oh, so doing a little like walk through like we did >> and he has everything documented what you know how he's done it, what was supposed to be done and >> so >> Okay. Yeah. >> Okay. >> Does anyone So, I'll one of you guys reach out to me or >> Yeah, I mean I can do it or >> All right. Why don't you and I you and I do it >> and I'll uh we'll schedule a time here. I'll let you know some dates or times. >> Okay, >> cool. Um, where else are we here? I guess we just have um you have the sales agreement on the Ram 5500. Would you what you mean? >> I didn't know if you wanted a motion or anything because you came in and signed it and I got it back over to you. >> Yeah, I think we did. Didn't we talk about that? We didn't vote on that last time. I just didn't sign the agreement because it came in. >> But that was all done. >> Did you ever find your folder? >> Yes, I did. Oh, >> yeah. Yeah. >> Well, they started me because I'm the first culprit to take things >> and I was surprised that I didn't have it to be honest. I said, "Yeah, probably." And I didn't. So, who had it, Sasha? >> It was actually stuffed over there. >> I did not look over there. So, >> well, that's fine. I just Um, so we had a question on the the turnout gear and where we were [clears throat] going to take that. >> Yes, that's [snorts] in your pile to show you what What is this? >> What was put in the fire department budget? It's a line item for the building maintenance and there's a different item for firement. And then on the second page, it shows what has been spent out of that which isn't much. What I'm asking is you spend 14 80 and 37 cents out of that budget. >> 1,400 or 14,000? >> 1,400. >> Okay. >> Because you guys wanted the 20,000 to come out of capital, >> but there's another 14 we can take out of here. >> 14,000. Yeah. >> Yeah. I mean, I think if it's if it's in the budget, we might and there's that money available. I'd rather >> we use that um than just have it go bye-bye. So yeah, I don't think we need to move a motion on that, but just go ahead and >> and then I needed a motion to have it clear where you guys wanted that 20 grand to come from that. You do want it to come out of the capital, >> right? Yeah. So I'd move to take What was the exact amount on that, Sasha? >> It's on that page. >> Is it the 21480? >> Yeah, that's the whole for years, >> but that's not what we were taking out of the um capital reserve because we're taking was voted on at town meeting for two turnout year sets and then the other two were something a misunderstanding from last year, >> right? So, I just want to get the the right amount though. >> I just need clarity that you guys don't want to finance it. You want it to be coming out of the capital reserve, >> right? Well, we did. Do you need that amount? Probably not. So, it would make it even 20,000. >> She's taking the 14. >> Oh, the 1480. Okay. >> Simple math there. And I'm like doing my But weren't we going to take it? Okay. So, I'd move to take 20,000 out of the capital reserve fund for the turnout year. >> Second. >> Thank you, Sam. Any other discussion on that? See none. All in favor? I. >> I. All right. >> Thank you everyone for clarifying and making that. Let me try to make it Not so easy. Sam, can we get you a [laughter] long weekend? That's all right. Um, all right. So, we have some uh minutes, the 818 26 and the 9 826 um slickboard minutes. Is there a second on approval? Second. >> Any uh discussion or changes? All right. All in favor? I I >> Thank you. [clears throat] Um, any other [snorts] old business? I don't think so. Um, new business. I don't think we got anything there. Just Sam, I would throw in the new business, the the lot stuff. Um, so yeah, move forward on that. That would be a priority if you could. Um, anything else? Sasha, do you have anything else? >> I have the certificate for the adoption of the local hazard mitigation plan. And then I have a contract for Kingsbury for the guard rail that you guys approved with Ray. And then at the meeting before there was that creek engineering, >> right? just >> for lover's lane. That is basically sign >> the other >> one. >> All right. Um and we forgot to talk, but I want to make sure that you're if you could follow up because the last time for was it Caleb Dean? Is that what >> Caleb Dean? >> Right. I want to make sure that um we go ahead and follow through with that. So if you could get the the Morttown anything the swag from the historical society and then for this first time we fiddle green fiddle head >> fiddle head >> fiddle head. >> Yeah. >> Um is get you know a certificate for two meals like a so that you can get >> two meals at once you know so not a dollar amount just like talk with her and figure that out. >> Is is everyone good with that? >> And then we can either ask him in or figure out where he's at and do that. I just want to make sure that it's not even on the computer fancy um certificate. >> I'm sorry. Wait. I I on the uh approving these notes. I I I looking in my notes and forgot to bring this up, but it was my understanding that we needed to have in here unless it's not true [clears throat and snorts] to Mike bringing up the town hall committee and the more town finance committee meeting because I was told by Cherylyn that it had to be in the meeting notes that said we needed more town finance committee needed to meet with the town hall committee. you know that the select board was requesting that the >> right >> MFC meet with the town hall committee so and that was supposed to be put in the meeting notes so that she would see that and say okay now we can have the meeting unless we can just >> right we we've already done that so we've we'll >> if we have to put it in >> they are in the >> what >> it is in the minutes >> I don't see it there I just went through >> last 88. >> These right here, the 88. Last one was 98. >> I never saw it in 8:18. >> It wasn't in 818. I put it in the next one. >> 98. >> Yes. >> Which is right here. I don't see. That's what I just I remember looking at home and didn't see it. And then I looked again in here. >> Oh, yeah. It's on the Tom will ask. Yeah, it's on the top of the second page. Also ask of the meeting to be at the F FRC and law committee [clears throat and cough] >> top of page like second sentence. Yeah. >> Oh, okay. Thank you, Sasha. Thank you, Tom. I didn't or whoever it was. >> Okay. >> All right. So, let's go ahead and sign away. See start there. So, uh, so I just signed off on the, um, the, um, certificate of adoption of the hazard mitigation. There's just one signature there. And then also the priest three of us. So it has three star. It's just that's the contract that means very old one. you get in the back of the >> Oh, you know, >> this is the two. >> See, there's two pages there. Sorry. Sorry. enough to add 10 minutes. >> No good. >> Where's your daughter? Where'd your daughter go? >> Oh, uh, Emily picked her up. >> Yeah, we just Yeah, picked him up at the library and then dropped one off and then, you know, Yes. So, I guess the kids probably use the sidewalk today. Good. All right. I'd move I'd move to ajourn. >> Thank you. All in favor I >> I thank you. [music]