Moretown Selectboard - September 8, 2026 [MS]

All right, we're everyone all set here. >> All right, welcome everyone. It is the Moretown Select Board. It is Tuesday, >> recording in progress, >> September 8th. Uh we're here at 79 School Street at the John Hog meeting. Salute to John as we always do, right? Um so we're going to go ahead and start with public comment. Let's just see we have a lot of people out here. A raise of hands. How many people can public comment today? >> All these. All right, you can take it. >> All right. Well, I had to write it down so I wouldn't forget. everything I wanted to say. >> Nothing. I don't know if you if you could announce your presence. >> I'm Stevenson. I'm the library director. I'm kind of here in my capacity as a town hall committee member. So, the first thing I just want to do is recognize the service of everyone in this room. So many of you are volunteers basically and you're doing your best to make this town run. So, I really appreciate that. And I also want to say that as an employee these past 10 years, I have done my best work, my best to work within the town's existing systems and processes, both as library director and committee member. However, I'm finding I can no longer do that in good conscience with conscience with the current process for the town hall project. Since 2017, when the select board first invited the library to move into the town hall, I've been involved in some way in the project. There is now nearly 10 years of information on hand from robust community engagement and input on what the building should be used for to a complete set of construction documents outlining a basic renovation project to keep the building standing and functional for all residents. We have made at least six formal presentations to the board and community about the project, countless other meetings like this, and have included information report nearly every year. This past spring, when it became clear that a funding plan was needed for the now shovel ready project, the finance committee was asked to weigh in. Without prior involvement by the members or understanding of the work done to date on the project beyond one meeting that we had together, the recommendation at the June 15th select board meeting was made to refrain from a bond vote until FEMA questions were answered. As a Morttown resident and a taxpayer, I definitely understand this difficult situation that the town is in and the lingering uncertainty and rising costs and the pressure that really puts on everything. I get it. I pay taxes here, too. It also seems somewhat shortsighted to me to delay as we can no longer ignore the needs of the building and the price tag for fixing it also continues to escalate. At that June meeting, my understanding from the discussion was that the finance committee and the town hall committee would work together to explore and gather information on funding packages so that we could be ready for a bond vote in early 2027. So far, despite repeated requests, the finance committee has refused to meet until they are directed to do so by the select board. And so here we are now in September, still without a clear understanding of next steps and a very real possibility of missing the necessary timeline to get that vote out. It is very frustrating and disheartening to me to think that all of the hard work done by over 20 volunteers, past and present, on the town hall committee. All the money we've spent to date will be in vain due to this apparent lack of commitment and collaboration. I believe it is time for the select board to get more involved in officially supporting and moving this project forward. The town hall committee has more than done the work requested. Since 2021, we have reached out to the community, determined the needs of the building and found a path to address them with a bare bones project that takes care of all of the deferred maintenance and accessibility and life safety issues. In my view, the next step is for you to raise awareness, share your and provide information on the project for the community. Then present a bond vote which allows informed residents to weigh in and make a choice about the building. It is my hope that the importance of having a space to gather in and build community will be recognized and that without and that without that space we become not much more than a collection of roads and have to drive other places to find that community connection. Either way, I think it is time to let the community decide. While I'm no longer going to serve in my capacity as town hall committee member, I'm hopeful there will be new community members that who will join that will feel passionate about the building and help you move the project forward. I'm happy to be a resource for anyone and will certainly share my perspective with friends and neighbors on the importance of preserving this community asset that has been at the heart of Morttown for nearly 200 years. So, thank you for your time. Thank you, Cody. Um, and thank you for the time you put in both um as an employee at the library and your time on the committee. And I'm sorry that you're frustrated. >> Thanks. Appreciate it. Well, I just to one thing that's a little frustrating is that we've tried to get a meeting with the finance committee and it even brought it up at our 818 select board meeting that saying we were trying to and then it was after that that I still asking if we could have a meeting and I was informed by Cheryl Lynn that the select board had to direct the f more town finance committee to meet And I went, "Well, okay, but we we discussed it on the 18th and then unfortunately it's not." And then she said, "Well, it has to be in the meeting." I said, "Unfortunately, it's not in the 818 meeting." Um, and so now it's just a whole bunch of other weeks have gone by, you know, without having this meeting. And um one of the things that we did as a town hall committee was we met with uh some folks in Warren and just to see how did we go about bonding you know a $10 million bond for the for a new garage and you know they gave us some very informative stuff I won't one of them was that meeting with the uh Vermont the general in the city was meeting with the um Vermont bond bank was really a good first step to do and we got to do that with the finance committee I would assume. So if we can come out of this meeting with at least a direction that we can re you know meet with the finance committee to start to work on how we could do this I think that would be a good you know which is what we said back in June >> and I'm not aware of any other committees that can't meet unless they're directed by to meet so it's just it's just it's a to work together and then we aren't really getting to work together. >> Can I clarify something? >> Finance review committee is a committee that was put together to make recommendations to this board on finances. Linda Hazard volunteered to give her time not as a finance review committee person but to work with you guys as grants. Finance review committee doesn't work on grants or anything like that. >> No, we don't there's no grant or right now. We have one we're waiting to hear about. >> The town hall committee was formed to make recommendations to the select board on the town hall. It's the same idea. >> I mean, it was great. Yes, Love Linder has helped us going forward, but the point was just to see what we could figure out with the finance committee and, you know, knowing what they know about town finances and what it would take and again meeting with the Vermont Bond Bank and stuff like that just to see what it would be, you know. >> So, why don't we um I'm not trying to push you off Cory, but we have the agenda. We have a little business coming up which should be within a half an hour here. >> That's great. I have to go to the trustees meeting and I have so >> resigned. So hopefully somebody out there listening or here tonight is excited to uh you know cheerlead this project through. I just after almost 10 years I think to be done for a while. >> I understand. >> Yeah. >> I can appreciate what you've done your stuff. >> Thanks. >> Thanks Cory. Chris did you have anything Chris? I have Can I get one and a half pounds of the big stuff >> and then a half pound of >> the garlic? Yeah, no problem. >> All right. After I went home on Sunday and checked >> Oh, for real? >> I did. >> All right. Now, great. Unique garlic. This guy is the best seed going. But anyways, all right. So, um any is there any other um uh public comments? I guess just connected to what Fory was saying, the we're doing a lot of work on how to communicate the project to the public and to the Morttown community and having that bond piece in place. It affects our messaging. It affects how we position it to the community. And so we really do have movement on on that piece of the puzzle. And not only that, with our capital campaign as well, you know, we will we have fundraised, which you know is how we did the last phase of the construction documents and the construction manager. But um and we will continue to do that, but we're, you know, we're kind of waiting to hear about the $400,000 grant and, you know, just trying to like at least get the conversation going what it what it could look like or what we could do with move on, you know. >> Um, so >> I know we're waiting. We're going to hear FEMA updates in the next thing here. >> Yeah. So, >> is there anyone uh public comment there? >> All right. So, let's go ahead and move in. Thank you again, Corey. Thank you. >> And uh Ray, why don't you >> Chris, >> did you want any more test updates? I'm sure like we will meet again more test. Everything's on track for Saturday. Yeah, maybe just >> we need a couple of volunteers to help with parking >> parking volunteers. >> So, we've got over 25 volunteers for day of and >> 25 vendors. So, it's pretty full. >> 25 how many vendors? >> 25. >> No kidding. >> Yeah. What type of vendors do you have? >> Um I wish I have this with me. Um so >> it doesn't have to be like food. >> Yeah. So, um like living tree lines will be there. Cider Press, um, Highlanders Lacrosse, um, Little League, PTO, Friends of Eco, >> historical society, the Planning Commission, the stream table. I mean, >> we'll have a more table. >> We have a Waterberry River >> stream table. >> Stream table to find their revitalization project. >> Our bake off. >> What is there a theme for the bake off this year? story book eats. So, it's based on, you know, it's like um Harry Potter's favorite dessert, like from a book. So, it might be like a book themed dessert. >> Very cool. >> So, it'll be a full a full ring of vendors. >> That's good. >> Well, good. Thank you for for all the time you're putting in and doing. >> Sometime we came in under budget on the fireworks when every other town seemed to get priced out of fireworks. We went under by $1,500. >> So, right. >> I think we're coming well under budget this year as well. So, >> good. I know the music. >> And there is a budget. So, even better. All right. Well, thank you very much. If there's nothing else, then we'll move on on the agenda. Um Ray with FEMA stuff. You guys all set? And we have Callie's online by the way. Um or get the number. So, >> okay. So, um, guess I'll start off talking about, um, Lover's Lane. The last time we were here in early May, um, when we decided whether we're going to go with a bridge or fix the road, um, and we decided that night to go ahead with fixing the road. Um, FEMA came back and wanted to review putting the using a stone fill uh, repair job rather than the um, soil nail thing. And this review now has gone on for 3 months. But this weekend, uh, I think we're close to an agreement. They sent the final documents, I hope, over today. Um, so it looks like we're going to have roughly uh $2.5 million to fix the road uh and that would include the soil nail uh uh design. U so and um whatever the project comes out to be dollar-wise, it will be paid. Whatever goes over under it's like an exact amount. whatever we can verify is what will get paid. So, um a major part of that or is is the detour. What do we do while the roads being uh repaired? Uh and there's uh money for a temporary bridge. We try to get one from the state. Uh the state says they didn't they don't have one. So, we put out a bid uh for a temporary bridge um based on having it put in by the 1st of December and taken out, you know, uh the construction period right now is something like March to October. But um my concern and I looked at the road, the temporary road that we have now with with Martin and Caleb Dean who happened to be over there at the same time. Uh I wanted to look at it with Martin, make sure that we we need to fix that road up on the premises that we may not have a bridge until March. So um and so they're they're working on that. Um, but I'm I'm very hopeful that we'll have a bridge up before then, that we don't have to take our chances with the existing uh detour or fix that was done. Um, the fix that was done has been held up remarkably well. It was just a quick fix and it's been, you know, as you know, three years. >> Yeah. >> So, um, that's the lever's lane part of things. Is there any questions about the lever lane? I still don't understand where the where the funding is coming from for the for the temporary bridge. >> It's it's it's going to be part of the the FEMA it's part of the FEMA obligation obligated project. It's part of the 2.5 million. All right. We have uh I'm guessing there's $150,000 in there for the temporary bridge. And did they drop the other two million that was supposed to be for >> They did. They did. At this point, they they lowered what the numbers they were talking back about in May have come down by over a million dollars. Um, but we've been going back and forth. Uh, the the Vermont emergency management people have been really good. It's the FEMA people have a hard time understanding that we just cannot put 6,000 yards of rock in the Wii River. It's there's no way we're going to get a permit for that. And that's the kind of the big hangup or what has been the big hangup. And but that's not where that's not where we're at. Uh we've got uh we have a design engineer which uh I'm going to suggest this little clipboard tonight that we go forward with and that would be Auto Creek Engineering um to get a get a final design in um >> and I'm sorry is there less money because the estimate for the repairs were reduced or are they just giving us less money and the town has to come up with the remainder? the number. Okay. So they have two um portions to repair the to pair the road back to the existing condition and the mitigation number. Yeah. >> Okay. So when we were using the number in May, we were saying at that time we cannot re we cannot repair the road back to the existing condition because we can't get a permit for that. Yeah. >> And so the repair should have been 2 and a half million should have included the nail the soil nails at that point. And then the mitigation was on would be on top of that. Okay. So they still are not convinced of that although they're it's not over yet. Uh they reduced that down to one six 1.6 million roughly to repair the road back to the existing condition. still thinking about putting the stone nail. Okay. >> Okay. >> And roughly 900,000 for the soil nail. So, we're at 2.5 million, which I believe based on their estimates will work for the project. Um, we were hoping to have more money to obviously do more work. Um the big item is not the not the slope going down the river. It's the upside slope, right? >> Yeah. >> The go slope going down the river. It's pretty visible. Uh and not, you know, the damage is pretty visible. The upside slope is not as visible, but it's there, right? So, >> and just one more question. The permit for the river, is that a state or a federal permit for putting that? >> That' be a state. >> That's a state. Okay. Although I guess it they're not really sure if we uh if the uh core of engineers would get involved with that many yards of rock. >> Okay. >> But basically when we approached the state about what the FE will want to do, they said there's no way that they're going to allow 6,000 yards of stone be put in the river and push the river down to water earth. >> Y >> which um that's their Nice. >> And then you think the construction will be March to October of 27? >> Yeah. >> So, okay. >> Aside from the cutting of the trees. >> Yep. >> Because of the bats, the trees, whatever clearing we have to do has to happen between, I believe, November 1st and April 1st. >> Yep. So, we're hoping to have a plan together and get that done so the project's not delayed. >> It's just a federal requirement. Anytime there's federal funding involved, you have to you have to if you're removing trees, even if you're not near a known hibernacula or anything, it's got to be in that window because then the bats would be dormant and somewhere else. So, yeah. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. >> Um, this might be a simple question. Um, but like where the slope field is like right under the power line basically, right? >> Okay. and all that's going to get nailed, but like is there something the power company could do to like let the vegetation grow up but not be impeded? I mean, I understand it's probably like highly erodable soils, but like it's got to be connected to the or I don't know. When I rode my bike through there last time, I was like, this has to be connected to the fact that there's no vegetation right here. >> I I think that's a valid question. Yeah. I have not approached them. >> Yeah. Like I just wonder if you know they've got their own regulations and but you know I just low growth stuff. >> Yeah. I just wonder if they could do something there or if maybe that wouldn't even help. I don't know. >> Yeah. I mean you know >> most of the slope failure as you can tell is right in that way. >> Right. >> Where there's no trees. >> Yeah. >> So that's slugs lane. >> That's lane. Um so uh this past last week we had uh the bids out for River Road. Uh we had several bids and um we're our engineer Pat Ross Engineering is recommending we go with Kingsbury. Um I don't know Tom if you have this as part of your paperwork there but if you decide to go forward with that if you could sign that decide to go to Kingsbury. >> Yeah. and it all feels included with that. But um so the plan on River Road would be uh if we if you decide to work to Kingsbury, which we hope we do, um they would probably shut down River Road for about a week in early October to get that cover in. There's no there's no way to build a detour there. Um, so, um, the town has purchased the culvert separately on that one because because of the schedule. It's a 12t diameter cover that we wanted to make sure we had. And >> I think um, did everyone get the recommendations? >> Um, any questions on the recommendations at all? >> All right. So if there's no question for >> because we weren't going with the low bidder, we're going or the highest score was the recommended one, right? >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. There were So the bits ranged um from the slowest looks like 410,000 all the way up to 723,000. And um based I actually I think there was one more one that was lower than that. There >> waters waters >> waters at 410. No >> waters was 372 originally and then was 410 >> right. Um but based on the the scoring um and that's why I wanted those those uh recommendations sent out to you guys so you had an opportunity to take a look through it. um because it was not the uh the lowest bid. Um but if you have some questions actually certainly ask Ray, but the reasoning behind uh is really based on quality of work. Uh and we've had experience with the two other lower biders and it just hasn't worked out. So that certainly factored in to Kingsbury Construction. They're right down the road um as well. So that's good. Um, so I'd make a motion to accept uh the Kingsbury construction bid of $418,770 um for the project. >> Second. >> And that's uh River Road Culbert um 2.04. Thank you, Cali. Any other discussion on that? All in favor I. I. >> Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. And Anything else right now? Uh, Mountain Road, I put the list out. Uh, we're on schedule to close the road tomorrow, roughly around 9:00. Um, and have it open uh in a week's period. Uh we're quite hopeful that if we don't hit any ledge when we're digging that the culver the road may be open by the weekend but you know we're we're being conservative in our posting that it may take a week if we run into ledge. But uh it's not that deep a culvert. Um so we're really hopeful and there's a culvert already there that we're replacing. So we're we're only going another 2T deeper than the culvert that's there. So, we're hopeful that uh it goes in fast and gets it back open. >> I believe that >> we we did put the message boards up. They've been up now for almost two weeks. >> So, um people should know >> communication's been out there. I've seen it myself. So now what was the comment I saw posting or an email or something with the is the kids are going to walk >> if if uh so if during the day if if if the bicyclists are if kids need or not necessarily the bicyclist but if if kids need to go from one side of the comfort to the other we we can we can make arrangements to somehow make that happen. But we're basically saying, you know, no bicyclists, no cars. >> But if you know, the kids have to go across to get a car to go down to the school, well then, you know, do something. >> So, and the contractor is aware of that. So, I think I think we're think we're in good shape for that. Um, okay. The other question. Okay. We talked about um Lovers Lane. I don't have a contract for Otter Creek Engineering, but uh it it came down to Otter Creek and um uh Stantech and um we decided that Otter Creek was the best one for this project. Um, I'm still working on some of the words of the contract to get that done, but uh I don't know if you what I'd like to say is um if we could make a motion to have one of the select boards sign the contract when I get it done rather than wait for the next meeting. Is that possible or would you guys rather see the contract before you make that motion? >> I think we should probably see the contract, but I I think we can I'm comfortable with you talking with Audit Creek and letting them know this is a situation. We just need to make sure before we sign anything that it's, you know, all those eyes and te's are dotted and crossed that it's to your um >> Okay. >> 100% specs. There's no, >> you know, >> Okay. >> Because I hate to, you know, because we're on the line for it and I I just want to make sure everything is done that way. Not that we don't trust anybody. Yeah. Yeah. Uh, no problem. >> I just So, the the last the last item and I nearly need I wanted to talk on that unless we want to, you know, it's not that difficult for three of us to I mean, >> yeah. You know what? If if something we'll talk, Ray and if it's really critical, then I can call a special meeting and three for us can do something online or something >> and just redo it with you and sign off on. Okay. >> What project is this for? >> That's the uh Lovers Lane project. >> So, the last item is a question of guard rail on Jones Brook. Uh and um Callie's probably familiar with it. U when we fixed uh Jones Brook Road, we well, let me back up. When the flood went through along Jonesburg Road, there was about a 700 foot section of road that washed out and it took out there was no guardrail there before, but there was trees along the road to, you know, so people wouldn't go off the road into the brook. So now we have this section of road um right next to the brook. There's no trees and we raised the road up about 2 feet. So, it's it's been that way since we've done the rebuild for two years, but I've had a lot of complaints about it. And I don't know if Callie's heard anything or not or how you feel about that, Cali, but uh uh >> where is it? >> Right below my house on the right side, you know, from my house down to the first culvert on the right. >> Oh, by Sarah. Yes. >> Down by Sarah. Yes. Um, so it looks like we would have enough money to do the guardrail. The guardrail is roughly $8,000 plus traffic control. So figure $10,000. Um, and I'm sorry, it's $440 ft. It's not 700 ft. So it's 440 ft of guard rail we're putting in. It wasn't there before the flood, but I'm pretty sure FEMA will pay for this considering what the flood did. And uh we've been putting off the guard railroad because it's a son of a gun in the p for snow plowing with a guard railroad area. But I've talked to Martin about it. I told him we've had I have had a lot of complaints >> about people being afraid they're going to slide off the road. >> Yeah. Yeah. It's a pretty good drop off >> with the icy road or something or snow. >> So I don't know. Cali, do you have any thoughts about that at all? I'm surprised that there's guardrails at the culvert above our house and not guard rails and that spot below your house and at the culvert that's just below my house because >> the spot down below your house is slippery in the winter coming down that hill and if you go off you're going off >> okay >> into the brook and they definitely did a lot of work around the culvert just below my house where now steep that if you're going to come down that hill and go off, you're going to go down in and I'm surprised that they put them up farther. >> I haven't heard anything. I'm surprised I haven't heard anything. >> When you say down below your house, are you talking about the box culvert, Cali, or are you talking about another culvert? >> Yeah, the one right by Herring Brook Road. >> Okay. >> But then they did the culvert up by um >> Yeah. >> pans. And that one has guardrails. >> Yeah. So, >> which is surprising because there's nothing there. >> Okay. So, and you're are you in favor of this adding guard rail to this? That's >> Yeah, I don't I don't see a problem with it. I mean, that hill when you come around the corner, even there have been times going up the hill coming back that it's slippery and if you go anywhere, you're going into the brook. >> Okay. So that sounds like a good safety issue to to also seem like we should add some where Callie's talking about. >> I certainly will go and take a look if I can reach out there or Cali or I could just take a look at it and see if we can come up with a >> Yeah, I mean I don't know. It just looks like I'm surprised that they pulver put guard rails up further and not definitely down lower, but there weren't guard rails there before, so that's probably why. >> Yeah. And as long as FEMA is paying for it, yeah, it's a safety note. I think it's >> good. And again, if you can review up above calories or below calories, whatever it was, that would be good. >> Okay. >> All right. >> Okay. >> Good. >> All right. So, um, you'll reach out to me. We'll talk about the, uh, >> creek stuff and then we'll >> from there. All right. Sasha, do you want these signed copies or and just email >> All right, so we'll go ahead and move Mike's got a date tonight at 7:14, he said. So >> going to get going. The next thing on the agenda is the truck bids discussion of the board. So we had uh I think we put out like seven seven um proposals and we got back um two different stores but three three different bits for a new ram. Um, one was a 28 26 uh and then and from stone and that these are fully equipped trucks um plows sanders what what we've uh put in the um articles here. So there was a from stone a 2026 ran 5500 uh $110,48 um the 2027 and this has to be ordered so this is where it gets a little stickier um is $108,270 so a little bit less um but we're talking they think we could get that at the end of December and then we have one for Goss cost $17,101. Um, but he thought it would be probably towards the end of February. Um, the the new order from Stone that's he really thought probably mid December, but the end of December he he would be pretty certain with. Uh, but here's the rub. Um the current truck is been in uh the shop for about 3 weeks. Um and they've got some parts ordered for it to come. Um, so, you know, right now we're looking at a couple thousand dollar bill there and then, um, it needs to be inspected in November before we would, uh, get a new truck, you know, run inspections. Um, so today I I originally was more leaning towards one of the new orders. Um, but I reached out today and spoke with uh the gentleman at at Stone discussed the bill that we have there currently uh the truck that we have there. And if we wanted to move forward with the with the 2026, they would we would just walk away from that truck. um no bill um no other thing and we would have the new one um within 30 days um >> for that price. >> For that price. >> So So we're getting nothing on trade on it though or >> Oh no, we're getting we're getting a full trade, >> right? Okay. But we walk away from the current walk away from the repair and then the potential >> repair or whatever. to use it between now. >> No, we don't. It's not running. >> Oh, I didn't know if they had fixed it yet. >> No, it's there's still parts on board. >> Oh, I see. Okay. >> And it's um there are brake parts. So, a lot of things I'd say I just run it, but brakes. >> Yeah, that's kind of >> So, my recommendation and I talked to Martin today. He's not He had a personal thing tonight to do. Um but we talked a couple different times and u we both agree that probably with the the 2026 brand new vehicle. Um it's just this year it's here on the ground and we'll have it within 30 days and we don't have to spend anything else on the truck that we have. Um >> yeah, because it could be just keeps spiraling. >> Yeah, I mean already we got a couple thousand um based, you know, on them in order for parts. Um and then if we used it and something happens and like you said has to get inspected, >> right? Has to get inspected in both places on the trade in very close in their price and because they're working on something and I don't even know what the miles on it. It's I think 9 years old and it's junk. So, you know, they gave it a junk price which is around 16,000. So, so if everyone's uh tallying questions at all, thoughts? >> No, I think that would be better. And I'm pretty sure for any new builds in 27, they're going to have um a different emissions system setup. And the first year of having a new emissions system is probably not the best route you would want to go because if there's going to be problems, that's where it's going to come out. So, you'd rather wait a couple years to see how it's going to work. So, >> yeah, I think they have the death of the Internationals and that came out. They have that issue. So, all right. Based on these conversations, I'd move that we go ahead and purchase from Stone the 2026 Ram 5500 for 110,048 um trading in the current RAM that we have. >> Second. >> Second, >> Mike. Thank you for any other uh if all in favor I >> I thank you. So Sasha, I'll reach out with him in the morning, then I'll have him contact you. Travis, not this Travis. All right. Um, you know what? So, we can knock it off. Let's jump into old business. And um, Mike, you want to move down this way, Mark? So, we can kind of >> Yep. It talked about the the library project >> the town hall called the library project but um Donna I mean I I know um >> what's that? >> No I was but I guess with Ray's update then we're we're going to see the FEMA of funds then right? >> Well it does it sounds like uh we are going to see the FEMA funds though. I mean, I think that's a that's a positive big step, >> right? Um I mean, we still have a FEMA. We're still going to have a, you know, um a match there's going to we're going to come out with, you know, $900,000 to a million dollars that we're going to have to come up with. >> Um but I think I think, you know, Cory made some good points tonight. Um, you know, I think we've, you know, we've sit on this or we have sat on this and we've talked about it and, you know, I think we're our hearts are in the right place or is mine as far as, you know, we're trying to save money and not put people out and and such. Um but you know maybe it is that time that um you know with the right communication making sure people know what they're voting for what the con what the benefits and costs are you know maybe it's out of at this point. Um so all right let the town decide what you want to do with it you know um cuz everyone has done a lot of work. Um I I 100% support it. I want that building and want it done well and and functional. >> Not do nothing. That's >> right. It's certainly not a do nothing. Um >> um I mean at least to go through the next step of seeing what working with the finance committee and seeing and and the Vermont bond bank and let's see what the you know what the number would be if if we borrow you know this much. So did you take notes from your meeting with the people and Warren you and they said that you know meet with the bond bank but what else what do you I mean you know what other things that well I did take notes I don't have that with me but what they did was well what we actually started to do was um they did a lot of community outreach with both people in favor and people who are not in favor. So, you know, they brought people into the into the uh circle to to work on it from all angles. That was one thing they said that was important to to take the you know meet with the naysayers and also meet with people who were understood it and were in favor of it. So, that was one thing they did and of course they had you know lots of communication. They s suggested up they setting up a website for people to see you know you know what what and that's actually that's in progress. We're about to that's almost done actually. You know a whole bunch of information about the town hall project that people will be able to go to and look at you know then we can get that word out you know through front porch forum and through >> but I guess you know and I'm trying to answer my own questions here as I listen to you talk. I think that's what we have to do. But I think the critical point is our key. We do have the biggest we just need to know what it cost. >> Yeah. Right. >> Right. So >> what it would cost, you know, a tax. >> So then Right. So then that way you can get the people who are opposed and the people who are for it something to talk about. Right now it's talking about >> I don't think there's anyone that doesn't want it. you know, even if they don't no one wants to pay for it. That's the problem, >> right? >> Yeah. Yeah. I wouldn't think there'd be like much opposition on the premise of >> fixing it up. I should use it, >> right? But it is I mean, I was in there last week and I mean, like, I don't go in there all the time, but the kids go in there more than I do. I mean, it's an old building. Like, it needs, you know, >> it needs work. >> Yeah. Uh so I think or my thoughts are um and we did you know was the certainly um when we had the the committee in here um we discussed it so I guess we need to tell you to do it with you guys but and it been a little bit it's been fuzzy on our part because we haven't had the information and and I haven't pushed it I I swear you know >> maybe I should you you know, and it's just one of those things. It's like, all right, we don't have a van left right now, but we need to probably figure it out. >> Yeah. Just to at least let's see what it's, you know, we can't if December comes and then all of a sudden Yeah. Oh, yeah. We can let's figure this out. It's almost, you know, cuz it has to be ready to >> be by, you know. >> Well, yeah. And to their other point, uh, like the longer >> they right, if if we if we wanted to put a bond forward, right, the longer that it's in out in the open, so to speak, then people can educate themselves how, you know, >> cuz to put it out at the last minute, then like people don't have time to get the information >> to uh discuss it. there's not time for like the meetings like Donniey's talking about. So, I mean, personally, I feel like it at least makes sense for I didn't know that we had to direct the finance review committee, but it at least makes sense for them to meet with the town hall committee. There's no reason they couldn't meet like whenever made sense, right? To just whether >> whatever the whatever the recommendation is, right? So, at least like if they're saying no, you guys know exactly why. And if they're, you know, sell >> Yeah. >> I would assume with someone from the finance committee would meet with the Vermont Bond Bank, you know, and and see what they, you know, and talk to them about the project and to show the costs. >> So, I guess, you know, what I I guess we do the end of the day, we need the what was it going to cost? And so I'm not sure how to direct the finance committee or you guys to find that, but I think so why don't we say broadly this is we want to know what this is going to cost starting in 2028 or whatever it is >> or when the bond if a bond passes in 2027 and >> whatever it is it's this amount >> you know a year or a month per in someone's tax bill you know right And if everyone is well educated on it and like I think a good point, Mike, it has to be out there. >> It it is uh like kind of like Cory's other point about the time is like kind of scary cuz like the cost of construction is rising astronomically >> every Yeah. >> So like if like I mean look at the whole hardwood thing, right? When they bonded it the first time and then they bonded it last the second or didn't actually put the it was like twice as much for the same thing. And so it's like if we wait 5 years or seven years, >> it could be years, >> right? It could be like twice as much for the same thing and not right. We're all not going to be making twice as much, you know, unfortunately. So, uh, you know, relatively speaking. >> Yeah. No, but when you start when the numbers are like that, it's kind of mindboggling cuz like it could go up like a significant amount in a short amount of time and then, you know, Right. Uh I think when we know that you know we give people the opportunity you know even to Johnny Summers's comments at town meeting last year maybe when we really get those numbers we say all right you know let's let's build something new you know I don't know >> move the sand pit build something new >> so so I move that we um direct or whatever this is no motions here. Let's just ask the the finance committee, you guys, to get together at your earliest convenience and try to come up with what >> what it would be. >> What it would be and whether that's meeting with the bond bank or meeting with >> I don't know what it is. >> Okay. The idea is to come up with that. >> Is that fair everyone? >> Yeah. Let's let's give it a shot so that we can see where we are maybe by the end of this month, >> you know. >> Yeah. I mean, I don't know how >> No, not to say, but get an idea of some of the costs. >> Like I said, they're earlier you guys are convenient. Um or by October say or something would be a goal. Okay, sounds like a plan. I'll reach out to uh Sher. All right. Um >> I think we need to be really mindful with this also of the town's long-term debt schedule. I mean, we have a lot of debt. We have a lot of loans out when you think about that and the amount of interest on all of those loans over the course of time. I mean, you don't think about it so much when you're voting on a truck here and voting on a truck there, but you know, >> 300,000 * 4 * 6 * 12, it >> it adds up a lot in interest that people are paying that the town is not is just putting money away. So, I think in looking at adding another in essence long really long-term debt schedule on there, that's something that we really need to be mindful of. >> Well, >> and can we make a better plan for other things, >> Kelly? I think those are good points and I think as we review this or the finance committee reviews it or we present it, has to be a full picture including that stuff. Um to your point uh cuz yeah sometimes it doesn't look too bad until you look at everything. So we want to make sure we're very transparent so everyone knows what uh is going on. >> Yeah. No, Kelly. >> And I think they did a really good SK they did a really good line um I think when they came in and did a presentation there's a there was a really good chart that they gave us as the board showing you know where the loans were the interest rates when they were going to get paid off then what needs to get replaced on top of it because I also think as a town there have been times where we have put off doing replacements because of funding. and then we're at a point where we're spending more money on repairs. So, kind of that piece of getting on a schedule, making sure that we're doing those consistencies to get the better tradeins, you know, to help out with that. I just that chart was a really great chart for us to have and really look at cuz it it shows the picture. I think Mike >> Yeah, I mean it is like uh you know our total debt goes up significantly and well it goes up next year and then in 2028 again and then until 2031 when the chart runs out it's about the same level. So no it is a real thing like you're saying Cali. So >> um but I I think we should Yeah. So I completely agree. >> We have to keep that in mind. But then if we wait 10 years, it might even, you know, we should just get the picture because if Yeah. I don't know. >> We should at least have them reme, >> right? Get the picture, >> right? Figure it out. >> Because if we say we wait till, okay, this chart goes to 2031. Say we wait to 2032 and our debt schedule is still the same as it is in 2031, you know, and then we're adding it, but it's a bigger number because the building's not going to fix itself in the next seven years. Well, you'd have to do something in the next couple in the next year or two. Just even some >> right >> some some repairs for sure. >> Charman came across a grant today that would help with that. >> Great. >> Yeah, there was something. I'm just looking for it actually. cuz there's two things on that capital budget list that are not even thought about yet and we are going to have to pay on FEMA and there's that North Moretown sidewalk if that's >> well that's on here the North Moretown >> projection or >> uh well yeah project it's projected for to start 2029 >> we just did payment on that >> there's a >> yeah that's on here too yeah Don so this was for uh between $50 and $150,000 grant and this is by uh >> how much again? >> Uh this preservation trust of Vermont between 50 and $1 150,000. So it's real money. All right. So, the other thing, Kelly, what's the um name of the person that sent us the email on the uh on route two? You know, the little pole off there. Do you remember? What was that? >> Mike, you had it, too. It was the the volunteer is what I'm trying to get. >> Oh, wasn't it about Caleb Dean? >> It was Caleb Dino. >> He was in here. Yeah, we should have at least told him we were going to give him a medal when he was in here. >> Well, he was in here today, >> wasn't it? Who was uh No. >> Oh, that was Oh, okay. I don't I don't know, but I just thought that was him, maybe. >> All right. So, um I was I'm just moving along so I don't forget it. I I really I'm pleased that that woman I don't know if you saw the U email, was it Vermont >> Robert Consery? >> Yeah. Right. um just reminded us that Caleb Dean's been uh trimming and mowing and doing over everything over there. And I think um for several years he's been doing this. Anyways, it came to my mind or what I think of volunteers and um one we don't unfortunately do a very good job of recognizing some of those people. So what I wanted to do on a on a monthly basis and start with Mr. dean, but is to highlight a volunteer per month and not maybe one of the um or some of the obvious, but they're on a committee or things like that. We have a lot of people. Um the other thing I was Jim O'Neal for instance, you know, who's done a lot of um he did the railings, he did this, but um if we and it can come from the select board, um want to honor in this case Dean for doing this this mowing. We give him like a $25 gift certificate red hen uh Moretown mug uh from the that we get from the historical society. then you know we'll make some plaque or not a plaque but some kind of a certificate or something um and we'll just try to do that on a monthly basis so that we're recognizing people and one of my hopes is that once people oh I can do that or I you know just more I think more recognition recogn more we recognize people excuse me um it's good for them and it's you know it's it's deserved so I don't anyone has any thoughts on that >> just on the the timing of it. If we do once a month, are we going to burn through people too quickly? >> That Yeah, that would be my I think I was thinking more the first >> 3 months. Yeah, quarterly is probably good. The other thing >> Well, just to make a a point of just keeping it on the radar if we know of someone, you know, whether it's a month or two months apart in time, you know. >> Yeah. But let's make sure we >> some regularity feels nice against that. >> Yeah, let's do quarterly then >> and can put them in the town report too. >> Exactly. That way. And so the other thing and I forget these thoughts as I as I talk but maybe instead of redand which I think red is awesome is maybe we do um first like a certificate to um Lisa whatever the the greenhead cuisine >> right something like that and then maybe the local you know um >> and then there's who else the waterberry businesses >> well you have also uh uh right here fermentation uh Yeah. >> So, if we could do those, you know, try to keep the money in town both ways. >> Um, >> well, there were a bunch of I mean, I don't have the list with me, but there were a bunch of local Morttown folks, businesses, uh, that donated to the bingo event, you know, that, you know, right prizes. So, >> business we probably don't know about or really >> Yeah. No, there were some, you know, you know, like uh Brian Moore with, you know, gift certificate to to the for plants and there was, you know, >> Yeah. So, let's >> I have I got the I didn't I could bring the list to folks, you know. >> So, if we're all good with that, we why don't we um we'll write something out. We'll put something out for Caleb Caleb Dean. and uh >> he's got an existing relationship with red hen. So I think not being red would be a good idea. >> Okay. >> Very good. Yeah. So we'll do something something different and uh you know that recognizes it's both the business and u person as well. And Sasha and I already talked about it. She said she'd help out with the project with it as well. So >> okay, >> we can do that. >> And then in the same vein we had our 20 year employee. Is that right? >> Yes. Thank you. >> Cuz I think Yeah, >> cuz we were talking about that. I said, you know, I apologize for not recognizing I mentioned Friday. Um and then things got busy and we needed to go ahead. Um >> I don't I don't have a plan. >> Is it Is it Martin? Is that right? >> No, it is Rodney. >> Oh, Robbie. Okay. >> Rodney. Um, yeah. So, Rodney 20 years on what, the 28th? >> Yep. >> Um, put up with everyone here in town for 20 years. I mean, my god, I think he's done well. Um, and us putting up with Rodney, too. Uh, but Rodney's a great uh equipment operator, truck driver, um, and just a good person. >> Great talent asset. >> Yeah, he's just a he's a good person. That's what we we look for. Um, so yeah, let's make sure we we shout that out and if we can come up with something for for that. I think that's a good idea. >> Yeah, it' be nice to show them something. >> Yeah, that's for sure. All right. Um, so why don't we go ahead and get back to reports and communications because I still got 14 minutes based on uh, >> right? >> So Sasha, what do you got for us here? I have a email from Dick Bell tonight about his reimbursement for or his reimbursement for health officer. >> Uh he's asking for an increase this year. I don't know if that's something you guys want to do. It's normally $300. He's asking that he get $600. And I've got the email here if you guys want to see it. Why don't you go ahead and um I was going to say send that out, but please reimburse me for shells off of the channel. A few years ago, the chair asked me if I wanted to increase my reimbursement. I would like an increase to 600 a year, which is what AI which is what says IIA few a few years. I don't misspelling there. So, the chair asked me if I wanted an increase in my reimbursement. I would like an increase. I was repeating the sentence. Um, excuse I can read here, folks. It's just Anyway, if you'd like an increase of 600 a year, which is what I've been getting from the town of Ducksbury, please have the board consider this request. And this is for this year here, Sasha. >> Yes. Hasn't been paid 300 yet. And um I think that's probably I mean obviously it's 100% increase but he hasn't had um an increase forever. And um what's what's everyone's thoughts? I'm fine with it. >> And what exactly is he doing? >> He's he is the health um health officer. So he'll he goes in if we get complaints on anything, you know, we have a lot of frequent flyers that he goes to uh with garbage that are out that's out. Um when we were doing the Piaza building, he spent a lot of time in that. Um and he did, you know, orders there. Uh so he spent time at that actually at the port as well. So he's >> a lot of work. >> So yeah, there's a lot of work sometimes. I think some years it can probably, you know, waxes and wanes where you may just, you know, go and look at a few um dirty backyards with garbage and tell them to pick it up. And then there are other times when you get, you know, in the right harassed and and it's something we need and he does a good job and probably could use the money. >> Yeah. No, no. >> All right. So, I'm Sounds good. >> Is that all right? So, I move to uh increase the board the pay for the U health officer from 300 to 600 a year. Um uh starting now at 226. >> Second. >> All in favor? I >> I >> Thank you, Ash. And then I have that new Boys and King amendment to the sidewalk that I had from the last meeting. You spoke to Cherylyn about it in between. >> Yes. >> So, this was the amendment that we had that they had wanted to change. And I had um uh really wasn't clear on it, but anyways, it's a $7,000 increase, and I think I had said at the time it was much more than that. Um, and it was approved um by Ken uh looking at the amendments. So, we'll just go ahead and sign it. And >> Cherylyn's asking for permission to have a rabies clinic. We were She was thinking about here, but then thought about maybe the basement of the town hall on October 24th. that way. Rain or shine, she there's cover for for it. >> It's the first time anybody's done it, so it's a new thing for more town. >> I think it's good. I mean, it's the space. Is that the best space for it? Or would the best space maybe be the fire station, you think? >> Is this like people can come and get their dogs animals vaccinated for free or something? Or >> uh lower? >> Yeah. >> And the ar Yeah. check out. It's definitely on the fire station. I'm thinking it might be just easier >> Yeah. >> in and out. Um >> cuz you have to you better go down the stairs. >> Stairs on the side door anyway. So >> parking sort of an issue place, right? >> Um we could direct people to park here. >> Go down our new sidewalk. >> Yeah. How many people or Cherylyn's on? But >> we don't know. >> Yeah, this is the first time. >> Is this like also cuz the state's seen a big uptick or whatever or >> I don't know. She's had this vet bugging her. >> Great. Let's go. >> Yeah. >> Yep. Um Paula Woods would like to be reappointed to the DRV. >> So moved. >> Okay. >> All in favor? I >> I need to do a second. >> Don second it. >> Something wink at me. Thought that's what that meant. >> All right. Um, we had back on May 18th, you guys approved the turnout year for Steen for the fire department. We didn't get any specifics in the audit because we didn't really have an invoice at that point. I have an invoice for 21,480.37. The article was for 10 grand. Um, the motion was for capital reserve financing, I believe. And I'm just thinking that we need to have clarification on that. He could take the 148037 out of his maintenance budget. because there's plenty. Um, what would you guys like to do? >> Um, Sunny, >> um, why don't we Can you We have to make a decision on that tonight. Do you need that tonight? >> No, but I do need to pay it soon. >> Wasn't Was it two sets? Like, cuz we >> four sets. >> Yeah, four sets. So that's why it's 20, not 10. >> Yes. >> Right. >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> Because that's right. >> Yes. >> And so Sasha, the question is where do we take the money from? >> Yes. Do you want it all taken from the capital reserve to pay for it? So there's no financing >> because it's such >> But what was the 14? You talked about >> the 148037 is just it's the whole bill is 21 480 37. the 14 8037 could come out of his his line items. >> There's that much there. >> Well, remember I >> Well, he upped it at seven grand. >> Yeah, cuz I'm going to I'm going to bring that up. We have some work still we're trying to do there. Some >> All right. So, let's just hold for a couple days on that. >> Let's hear from Don and then let's you and I circle and then figure that out and then we'll present it to >> circle back to that. >> Y all right with everybody. All right, Sasha, continue, please. >> I think that's all I have for now. >> Sam, how about you? Any uh reports communications announcements tonight? >> Uh I I guess question for Sasha. I know we've talked about bringing in somebody to give a presentation about the lot tax. Uh where I thought that that was scheduled >> 9:17. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> So, that'll be the next one. We're going to look forward to that. What was it? >> It's the Oh, can you help me with the guy's title? >> It It's the people who gave the presentation in Weightsfield that was helpful to convince their select board to move forward with putting it onto the ballot of the lot tax in Weightsfield. So, he's going to put together a similar presentation. >> What is it? I'm not hearing >> the lot tax. Local >> local tax. >> Oh, yeah. Okay. Yeah. So, he's going to put together a similar presentation for us to let us know what sort of value it could bring in for the town. We're going to be presenting that in a couple weeks. >> Is he going to give us the like the breakdown cuz like the the difference between us and Weightsfield is >> we got a whole lot of this business. We don't >> like So, right. So, we're just almost like Yeah. Yeah. I mean, is he going to give us like what would potentially cuz if it's all like if it's going to be mostly more town people, we should just raise our >> budget and the same, you know, >> but it is we do >> I'm not like a he will come in and do that. That was my understanding from correspondents is that he's going to come with a little bit of an estimate for us. >> Yeah. >> So, we'll see what he says. It could it could not make sense, >> right? Oh, yeah. No, no, I'm just Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Cuz theirs was like whatever 70 whatever the numbers were. There's a big number was going to get paid by >> people out of towners. >> Yeah. People traveling into town. >> Yeah. >> Yep. And we do, you know, those people do stop in more town, too. We do have the general store, right? People are stopping and getting cash. >> There's not it's not a zero number, right? >> But it's worth it's worth. >> Yeah. No, for sure. And also would he have people often talk about like the Amazon in their tax on that and he does he um >> he can explain that too. You know, it's just any any purchase as long as it's not an excluded category would be subject to the new tax. >> So yeah, a lot of a lot of all those packages that are coming in, the stuff that people used to buy in town because we had town stores, uh we'd have a way of collecting tax on them. But I'm going to let him give >> Yeah. >> Would that would he would that also um >> be in that discussion maybe with him or some you know I wonder if you know some of the short-term rentals if that's you know I know tried to launch that and they had a whole spent a whole thing on listing all the properties and they haven't gotten people to really list and they're trying to have a tax on you know not a tax fee. >> Yeah. I think fields in the process of getting something together that they're going to present and I think it might make sense for us without resources to wait for them to go first on that and then see what they're doing. >> Yeah, >> but that does administrator which I think we should keep pushing forward. >> Yeah. Well, that's we can just jump onto that for a minute. So, >> yeah. You want to go ahead on that? Well, you know, you know, Sammy answered that he could be available to >> to meet with Kathleen Ramsay is her name from BLCT. Um, but then another email uh that she forwarded that I sent to was the um was talking about how Middle Sex, if you got a chance to read that, how they just recently hired. >> Yeah. And they actually I guess before you know they had they had formed a committee of to people to work on it and figure it out and then vent it and do you know they got the applicants made a recommendation to the board you know it's in that email. So whether we go that route maybe after we >> we're a hybrid of some of that I guess so >> at this point we need you know two folks two people from the board to meet with Kathleen. All right. And Sam, you said >> and it's a matter of, you know, >> yeah, I could make myself available depending on when it is or >> that would be awesome. Like if you could >> Yeah, >> cuz you >> It's just like an hour meeting or something or >> I'm I'm hoping so. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I mean, maybe you could I'm sure she'd come to here or you could meet her in Mont Pillia or in Middle Sex maybe, you know, at the local or something. I don't know. >> Yeah, >> something like that. >> Okay. Yeah. Know, I think that's something again. I >> mean, so you have you have her email, so you can >> Sam could probably respond to her now, right? >> Yeah. >> Yeah, >> that's that was one that you forwarded. >> Yeah. I mean, you have for Yeah. >> Okay. >> We'll figure out a time. >> Yeah. Cool. >> That'd be great. >> Nice. >> The goal there just being it's come back to you guys and let you know what we're hearing. >> Yeah. Yeah. and what she suggested how the process and stuff I would think is what she's going to do. >> Good time. Why don't we uh see how you're all set? >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, uh facilities uh Jim and I are we're trying. That's hopefully a town administrator will get further than we are, but we're getting there. So, um, the, uh, history center. So, we put in, uh, if you remember, we budgeted, I think, $12,000 to replace the roof that's shot. And I've gotten two quotes. Um and um for and the the quote that I have that I would recommend that we go with is from Solar Zachs which is Zach Mosto. So at least it's a local business. I do have another quote from Mike Gouki who I've done a tremendous amount of work roofing work and his is his um his bid is for 135 and that's a metal roof and Zach's with as with shingles and the shingles have like there's a 50ear guarantee and you know anyways we've kind of edited out that would be our recommendation to go with Zach on that um and uh he can produce the W9 and the certificate of insurance and all that. So um and I do have a a printed copy of Mike Goki's uh quote too. So we have it for the record that you know um wants to >> So that's that. And the the other piece of work that would get done there with some volunteers is behind the building. There's a bunch of brush and clean up that needs to be done. You know, just clean, you know, some, you know, we'll get bird's eye consulting down to cut some trees. >> Yeah. Work get crew down there, work hard. Yeah. And so then next year the thing to consider on that building would be probably next year would be um to look at whether we're going to you know paint it and just paint over it or spray it and whether there's lead paint and all that. I mean that's a that's another time another discussion. Um, so as far as the fire station goes right now, um, I don't any have any numbers yet, but I will tell you that we should leave some money that we put in. I think we did put seven in. I'd have to go back to look at what we put in. But, um, it's not going to cover what we need to do with the fire station. But one of the things that we we're working on is the entrance door. was, you know, >> did you Yeah. >> So, um, we're getting a price for that, which would be the new hollow metal frame and the door. And then I know there was some discussion about maybe what the hardware will be. So, we'll have to talk about that as we get, you know, a little more specific with the details. And including in that door replacement would be um oh I had a picture of it is a little roof over the door cuz the gutter way up high is not work. So you know it' be just a little slanted roof tied back you know like sort of like this kind of thing over the door and tied back like that. So, um, and then, you know, I've se Stefan's been really busy, but, um, when Jim and Zach were down there looking at some stuff there, uh, cuz Zach's got a 40ft ladder and, you know, there's still the vent in the back way up at the peak that needs there's a leak because of that, but getting up to it. They heard I think we have some pests there again. So, I'm surprised we haven't heard. You know, they think there's some squirrels up in the That's not squirrel. That's That's That's >> I don't know how to say that's how I say it. This is squirrels in our attic. I know. That's all words. >> Yeah, we all have words. Um so, we'll need to We got to work on that. And then I remember Stefan saying also that one of the garage doors Uh the motor shot. So >> I think it's already been replaced. >> Uh has he? I don't know. >> Yeah, I think so. Hasn't that been? >> I don't think so. >> I don't think we can get the door up without it, right? >> No, I think they've been opening it manually or something, but I don't know. I I'm trying to I'll get down there and meet with Stefan shortly. So, and then there's some building patching to do some of the siding and we'll see if we can I'd like to see that get done this this fall, you know, here we are in the fall, you know. And then one last uh two other items in this facilities discussion is um and I don't have all the different quotes that we've got. You know, we got uh we had uh Dubo King uh the engineer um >> Ken >> what? Not Ken, but is it is it Dubo King? No. Uh >> Art Creek. No, that they did they came and did an engineering study for us on the they came in to see what would be some of the best solutions for the moisture problem at the town garage and I'm having a you know I could try to find who it was that did that for us you know we they did it anyways in their recommendations one of the things was a really simple one instead of the adding a unit up in the ceiling and vents and this and that was just to get a dehumidification unit. And so one of the prices I got was from Gillespie to supply a mo, you know, it's a 600, you know, the specs here. >> Yep. >> But it's a mobile uh unit that you would just turn on. It has a 30ft drain line and it's, you know, it's $5,700. They they've sort of they put a filler out for when it would be available. I don't think we'd even see it till November. Um, and I, you know, I I'd like to see if we could, you know, uh, vote on that today or something cuz I'd like to at least tell them to see if they can just make the order be a while before we see it. But, um, >> and that we have the money in the budget there for >> Yeah, we put money in the budget for that. Yeah. >> Oh, yeah. It was to Boys and King. Yeah. They did this whole study about, you know, some of the solutions that we could do and this seems to be the the a solution and the least the less of the cost. I mean I got a estimate from peak at one point that was 50%. >> Yeah, I think I was remember that that was >> Yeah. And that was for adding a whole bunch of unit and electrical and you know but this would just be a plug-in unit. >> Well, I think this is it's in the budget. It's in the recommendations. I don't think there's any reasons why not. So, I'll move to uh go ahead and uh contract with Gillespie for $5797.14 for the um Quest High Efficient Dry 195 dehumidifier with 610 CFMs. >> Here we go. And I've gone over with Mark as well. >> Is there a second? >> Oh, I'll second. >> Thank you. All in favor I. I >> I. We've gone through and followed the procurement policy and purchasing policy for it. Put out all the bids, everything. >> Yeah. So, >> to everyone who needs to. >> Yes. I have uh a couple of different bids for a a couple of the of the scenarios that were outlined in in the boys king's um recommendations that I'll put together to bring to the office. >> Yeah. Yeah, cuz I think you had one at 50,000. There's all sorts of all over the place. >> All in favor? I >> I >> I. But then this is like Well, I guess it could be semi- longterm, but then eventually like we still need to >> or this could be this could do. >> This could potentially kind of fix it. >> And then from there when we're seeing that that's working, then there's a lot of other work that has to take place on the building. you know, repairs the eaves from some of the moisture damage that's, you know, rotted. The building, you know, there's some exterior siding that needs to be replaced. The building needs to be painted. There's some grading on the exterior that needs to be done cuz there's water damaging the the, you know, bottom 12 18 in of the base. You know, there's there's a bunch of stuff there for sure. But Cali brings up an interesting point that I I'd like to ask because I was looking at what Cherylyn sent us about that we need to make some uh this I guess it's based on the FEMA stuff, but this some policy purchasing it's I guess it's the purchasing policy or or is the purchasing policy on steroids or I'm not sure like that. Yeah, I haven't had I I I kind of read through it, but the only thing I'd like the town to consider um or at least like right now it's you got myself and Jim trying to get you know work on not even common the town hall but four buildings because even this one needs work and you know we're we're doing the best we can but then one of the challenges is is finding the people to do the work. Like in other words, I'll probably he hasn't been able to get there yet, but Spencer Doom Dumis who lives in Weightsfield who's been does doors and frames and hardware, he's been doing it for years and years, you know, a local guy. I'm sure anybody who's had any problem with their locks has called him. You know, I certainly have. But, you know, my example or then there's >> So, are you looking for approved contractors? Is that what you're saying? >> Well, I'm trying to say is that some of these smaller repairs to some of our buildings, it's going to it's just going to be more efficient and easier to try to, you know, get, you know, one person and goes, "Yeah, I can replace this door and frame you, it's going to be this much, you know, and and instead of having to get two or three prices and it just will drag on, you know, I mean, it just >> I mean, the amount of I think you >> the amount of time, you know, how much time Jim and I have, you know, Maybe when we get a town administrator someday, some of these things will end up being in that person's purview, you know, but we're, you know, just trying to do it as volunteers basically. >> Yeah. I think you talked about this winter, Donnie, that like for these like maybe not buying equipment, right? Like the dehumidifier like >> the rail like how you going to get >> $1,000 $1,000 project. It's like >> right, >> you know, like Jim went down and put a temporary railing in. You know, eventually, you know, I got him, you know, he spent four hours and he bought hundred and something dollars worth of material and I got to get him to write something up because we should reimburse him at least for for the the material. >> But, you know, just finding someone to have done that, you know, at least we got it done cuz the sidewalk was being done. I mean, you take the railing down, you know, with the new, you know, >> I think maybe uh just full review of and I mean kick that can down what a year >> many of them but uh the purchasing policy >> you know and because we have we've I mean that was established I don't know how many years ago 20 years ago things have gone up exponentially >> and our policy has stayed the same um obviously there's reasons behind those policies is, you know, trying to make sure that we're not um spending where money where we shouldn't. But I agree, we need to I think between maybe tweaking the amounts and the things that maybe have to go to what we do and also maybe um approved contractors. I mean there's you know the state has them the you know there should be all right you know a couple in each like the gas and oil you know Gillespies and suburb whatever or whatever happens to be something like that >> something that's vested or vetted um and people you know >> with some some people who are from town who you know yeah I can get that job done for you they live in more town >> you and it's going to be this much and you know you look at the numbers and the breakdown you go yeah I mean it's it's fair you know >> yeah cuz I know you know like UVM uh you know had a policy for like excavation projects under a certain amount like were no bid cuz it was like small you know so they could do what we're talking about >> yeah I mean you got to be able to act I mean to put a door in to spend you know two months Let's figure out who's going to put the tour in, you know? We just have I just, you know, boom. I just want to get it done, you know? >> Right. >> Well, I think the thing with these policies is that it is also they're put in place based on FEMA and grant funding and considering the amount of money the town's going to be looking at a single audit. And when they look at a single audit, they're not just looking at, yes, you got the money and you put it where it's supposed to be. It's that you followed the policies there and there set policies and adverse findings on a single audit are not fabulous at all. That affects all of your grant funding, not just federal, it affects your state because it's I mean the single audit is looking at all the money you have coming in. So these policies are put in place so that you are compliant with any of your grants. And if you're not and you get that adverse single finding, I mean, you're not gonna get that grant funding. >> Yeah. I think we're we're actually melding two things here. We're talking about some grant funding and some recommendations on FEMA policies and spending that way. And then just our purchase policy in general and on other issues that don't involve FEMA. So, >> but these grants look at your purchasing policies, >> right? I understand. Um, but we can have more than one policy. >> I I don't know if it can be Yeah. If it can be a thing in the policy that you're allowed to for some XM there does say in the FEMA policy thing up to a certain amount, right? I think it was $2,000 or something that you'd be that you could go ahead and do something. But, you know, any repair, most repairs we have in any of our buildings are more than that, you know. So, I mean, I I don't know. I'm just >> Right. But when FEMA's doing um audits on a on a project, they're not going and looking at or spending >> to fix a door. >> Fix a door in the fire department. Sorry. >> I don't know. But maybe Cali with Cali saying that they maybe they look at everything. I don't know. I mean it's not with that but it's also you have the policies in place. These policies go with grant applications any grant application. So these are the policies that you are following one way or another. Doesn't matter if it's grant funding or somebody fixing a lock. When they did the audit this year, they pulled they gave a list and it was mostly bigger invoices, but they did have a few different things in there just making sure that things were in check like the invoices were signed by an authority and and that type of thing just matching our purchase policy, >> right? >> Yeah. They they look at that as well like are you following following your policy? When the auditors come in, they sit down, they spend a day and they go through all of your policies. Are you following this policy for everything you do? >> Policies, it's invoices, it's everything, >> right? >> So, it's not just it's not just, you know, helping somebody out or doing this. It's following that policy you're using for everything. and everybody's looking at it, >> right? But if we update the policy and then we follow the updated policy, then we're all good moving forward. >> I would be mindful of updating the policies to make sure you're following what it has to be for everybody because if you if you've got pieces in between, it may not become compliant for something else. >> Sounds like >> which then puts you in that you're falling out of compliance for something else. M. >> So that's where, you know, >> you have to look at the FEMA policy and you probably honestly are going to want to go with the more restrictive policy >> because different agencies, different places have different regulations. And if you are stricter then that's going to help you out in a wider looking at wider things. So but it's not just it's not just the grants. It's not just FEMA. It's it's everything tied in with that. and even updating it for the smaller things that we need to do can affect the bigger things that we need to do. >> No, I certainly agree. I don't think it's a haphazard uh activity just to go in make a policy easier for us as the vend or the vendors or or or us. Um, but I think it's it's our um we should take a look and just make sure the policies are up to date and um just that they work for us. I mean, if policies aren't working for us um you know, we need to take a look at them and see, you know, how we can make them work or um or or change them as long as they comply with all federal and state guidelines to compliance. So, >> okay. Well, I'll carry on trying to at least get two prices for whatever I whatever we do, >> right? I mean, I think that's >> So, back to the roof. I mean, uh, can we go ahead with this with the roof of the history center? That's this right there. I do have two calls. I do have to get all the W9 and certificate insurance but >> right I mean because again this needs to be >> yeah that I think we're good with that we vetted it what they're going to do and they're going to add some bracing to the existing joist that Mike >> yeah I already kind of looked at it >> the the uh there is a picking the color of the shingles. I don't know if any anybody here I was going to see if Denise and Mary wanted to maybe pick them, you know. Um, and there you go. And I think it'll be nicer in uh using ash doll shingles personally, especially with the guarantee on the material for 50 years or something like that. >> I just did the same shingle in my house. >> Oh, there you go. Oh. Yeah. I mean, looks fine. I don't see anything. >> What was the other one? It was um >> 13,500. >> Yeah. For a metal roof. But, you know, this act is, you know, 12 14 $1,300 less. >> Yeah. >> So, you have any questions or thoughts? >> No, I think it makes sense to move forward with them. Oh. So, I'd like to make a motion that we uh accept the the bid from uh Solar Pack to replace the roof on the uh history center um for $12, >> $230. Is there a second? >> Thank you, Sam. Any other questions? All in favor? I >> I. All opposed. She's not there. >> Kelly voting. >> I'm gonna abstain. >> All right, John. Go ahead. >> Okay, we'll get that going. >> Anything else? >> Uh oh. Anything else? Uh the town administrator. Uh well just something to think about with the crosswalks now just done and um as I mentioned u the last meeting they these crosswalk flags. >> Mhm. >> So if you want to just look at them they're 200 it's called you could go to the website it's called see me flags.com and you can see them in live and in action. In fact, um I saw my wife use one in Wville crossing the road to meet me across the road from the library and she traffic was coming. She got the cross, grabbed one of the flags, waved it and >> people puts it on the other side. >> I think we just need it for maybe the one by the post office in the store, you know, there just come around the corner, you know. Um, and then I I have asked Cherylyn along those same lines like she is looking for it, but at some point we got to fix the radar units in the village cuz they're, you know, this one's spotty and this one I tried to get fixed, but Scott from whatever the company is, they're uh safe something. >> Work safe. He felt like that by the time they spent the month, the the time and energy to fix it, you know, what it was going to cost to fix it, it wasn't going to be worth it. It would be, you know, in the long run, it would be better to replace it. So, um I guess we need to do that with a grant probably or some some of them get some money. So, the grant and we'll probably have to put some money up as well. But, um hopefully we can get that at some point. Um then another we had was the the u giving permission to friends of the Mad River to collect native seeds. >> Mhm. >> And I didn't see anything. I I would think that would be fine, you know. >> Mike, what was she? Did you see that? >> Yeah, I responded to Sasha. Uh I just Yeah, I don't I don't see any problem. They said they're only taking a small amount anyways and >> I I don't see any issues. >> All right. Yeah. So Sasha, you can reach back out to where that wants to. Um >> I'm assuming they're just doing it for like wild flowers and stuff and >> Well, yeah, it's like it said in their email. No, and trees too. >> Oh, yeah. I think so. Yeah. I mean, >> species. Yeah. >> Um and then I don't know if we'll get this thing, but we did get an email that we're supposed to do something with the CVPC regional planet maps. I'm not sure what we're supposed to do, but we're >> Yeah, I saw that. I just saw that email and I didn't really get that deep into it, but we got to keep that on the radar apparently. >> And then to give a just a quick we we did have our meeting at Pony Farm, Mike and Martin and I um and that went well. The folks there Phil and uh >> Angie >> Angie, thank you. you know, we we you know, they've got a good understanding about what needs to happen now in terms of parking and being responsible. >> So, do you guys measure things out or what? >> No, not so much. But the next step we decided is and I've reached out to Michelle Redmond is to meet with the state because um apparently Martin was saying the state did a lot of the work there at the end of the road and over towards there, you know, the way the road comes down and at that angle and all that. And so I've reached out to Michelle Redmond. She's going to bring someone from Vermont Traffic Control. Maybe Chris Hunt is going to come as well and um we're going to meet with uh we're going to have this meeting with with Beef Trans when Martin gets back. He's going to be on vacation. So at the end of the month hopefully um we're going to meet with them >> and see what what can be done with that intersection because there's a lot more issues than just their parking there when people come onto that road and stuff. And it would be really good to be proactive about it anyways because with the Mento uh >> the Mento road bridge that being replaced and then in 2829 the state's going to be replacing the bridge here at Dallas Brook and that the the wrap is that then they're going to be using Pony Farm. Then that's why Meadow Road they want to try to get that bridge done before they do that. So, you know, it's it'll >> Well, actually, maybe with that halt going on, that'll push them to help. >> Yeah. No, that intersection. Yeah. Right. It would be smart to sort of look at at that intersection. Yeah. >> Right. Yeah. >> But yeah, we left and then they're on the same page as Martin. >> Yeah. >> So, that was and then that was the most important thing. And then we're going to meet with the state >> now. Now, we'll meet with the state. So, we'll let you know when that meeting is. >> Perfect. Thank you for getting that done, guys. And uh yeah, that's about that's about it, Mr. Mike. >> Um I don't think I have anything new except I was going to suggest some things we could take off of old business pending. >> All right. Uh I don't know. I think we could take off the whole bottom line because we just are saying we resolved pony farm parking issues parking ordinance and I think we already did the land use recreational land use policy. I think Chris crafted that like this summer. >> Y >> was the parking ordinance updated that it needed to be rewritten. >> I don't know what needs to happen with the parking ordinance. >> It needs to be updated because it wasn't it hasn't been done since 1978. All right. So, let's take a look at that. >> On there, >> and then recreational. >> Yeah, I think recreational land use policy can come off because they crafted that. We agreed to it. >> Uh, you know, I almost seem to feel I guess buyouts on Route 2 is ongoing, >> but that I think condensation of the town garage. We just solved that. Take that off the list. >> Bam. I'm here to give you an update on the bias if you're interested. >> Hey, Carol, come on down. >> Then maybe we can take that off, too. >> No, you can't take on this. >> We can take maybe the we put town garage for repairs. We probably should keep one. Well, it's fine. We can just keep it in the facility. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Okay. Um, if you've driven by, you've noticed that one house is gone and it's all nicely seated and the grass is growing up. There three Gamble Road houses are going to come down starting sometime this week. >> The one that's before the engineering company there. Those three. >> Those three. Yep. Um, Larry Westover's house has been closed on, but I don't know exactly yet when that will be. Is he taking that trailer out of there? What's happening with that? >> The trailer? What? At Larry's? >> Yeah. >> I don't know. I haven't driven by lately. >> I mean, you say closed on. I mean, the the buy >> the the town owns his house now, but the demolition hasn't been scheduled for that one. >> Do Do we know where any of these folks are going? >> I know where Larry's going. >> Larry's got a house. >> Larry's got Yeah, Larry's got a place to go. um went up there by >> Steve went to Florida and the other three were rentals. So I'm not sure where well the one was had been empty since Irene. The other two I don't know where those people moved to >> but they found their >> they there's assistance for rental relocation there. >> So those three are going down. Um, Larry's is now the town's I don't know when the demolition is. The Schaer's House is closing in December. They're moving to Pennsylvania. And then the three Douglas properties, we don't know yet if they're going to participate. >> They have what? >> Douglas properties. They have until the end of the year to decide. Um, but the other thing I wanted to let you know is I don't know if you remember that we've been in touch or the National Park Service kind of reached out to us or Bob Blahett reached out to them and we've been meeting somewhat regularly. They're kind of tying it in with a lot of um Waterberry bike path planning and they're looking at the Gamro Road property closest to the testing property as a potential put in pull out place for the river because that's got the best access going down. They put together a website. They've put together a whole bunch of information. We're going to have some of that. The planning commission is going to have some of that available at Morfest just to kind of let people know what's going on and get some feedback. But the one thing I wanted to bring to your attention to kind of keep thinking about or start thinking about is what level of maintenance the town wants to do on those properties once they are green space and what kind of coordination I should be talking to the National Park Service about with maintenance for if they do put in bike trails or river access or >> the crossont Montreal, the director of that has re, you know, called me, you know, reached out to me because he was also talking about the section that's going to be part of the whole Mad River, you know, >> right, >> path card or um >> No, that's interesting. Now that I think about it, I don't think the I don't know if the Cross Vermont Trail people have been part of these conversations. I'm surprised cuz thought I thought he said he was >> the canoe people. >> Yeah. >> Why am I not thinking? >> Because you know you come off a lover's lane and then you're on route two and there could be some opportunities to be off route two across from there, >> you know. So, >> well that's >> maybe I should, you know, reach out to him and tell him to maybe just give you a call. Yeah, I have him reach out to me and let me let me see if he's been in in with the National Park Service conversations. >> Okay. And so you were thinking like in terms of mowing or just like that type >> Yeah, that's what I'm wondering. What >> what do we want those places to look like? >> I feel like unless it's like turning into a river access, we'd almost just let it just let it grow. >> Let it grow. >> I don't know. Maybe a lot of people have Yeah, we could plant some trees like you know there are like and I don't keep super in touch with them but like there are like >> you know I think we can get trees from like branch out Burlington and you know our >> friends though and that and then there's even like some other random stuff that comes across my email sometimes. So >> we could do stuff like that. But yeah, I think we I don't know. That's just my take on it. We probably want to keep the >> keep it minimal. Yeah. And that's like part of the point too, right? Like or Yeah. >> Well, it has to be maintained as a green space. You can put parks. You can there's, you know, you can put a bench. I think there there's there there's a specific list of what you can and cannot place in terms of >> cuz then there's like already that little park on the corner and we don't really do anything there, you know? >> Right. Well, >> what's that? >> That's the state. >> That's the state. I was telling that, you know. No. Okay. So, I guess the state doesn't do anything there, >> right? actually looked the best it has in a while. I noticed a month or so ago, maybe >> back to over and >> a lot of homeless people have been hanging out there >> or unhoused people or whatever, you know, not whatever, but it's >> been a and that's in fact one of the reasons why Larry really said that he that was the kind of the straw for him is because he wasn't didn't feel safe there. So, >> well, that's that's where it's all at. >> Well, thank you very much for the update. Yeah. >> Everything else good? >> Yeah. >> All righty. All right. Mike, did you have anything else? >> No. All right. I think I'm done with that. Um, we have some documents reports um in the approve minutes, although I didn't get a chance to approve or to read those. So, we'll uh move that till next meeting. Um, and if there's nothing is there any other new or old business? So, why don't we go into executive session? Hello. >> Okay. Um, is there something else? >> No, I didn't know we were going I didn't >> Yeah, there was a >> I was just on there. >> No, there was a request um from Sasha to go into executive session for confidential employee um discussion. I would go ahead and move to do that. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Sam. Thank you. All in all in favor I >> I unless there's any other discussion. >> Do I pause the recording then? >> Yeah. Yeah. You want to shut right off? >> Okay. You going to stop it? >> Yeah, you stop cuz we'll uh come out and we will >> recording stop. Not until there will be no business or no action taken.