Waterbury Municipal Meeting - September 9, 2026 - Edward Farrar Utility District

So, call the meeting of the Edward Perau Utility Committee to order here for Wednesday, September 9th, 2026 here in the Steel Room. And uh first up is to approve the agenda. Any additions or modifications or >> seems fine to me. >> Do you have an extra packet? >> Yes. Did you not get one? I'm sorry, Skip. I assume you want me to add your notes about the uh correction. >> Yeah, when we get the minutes, I'll be >> Oh, that's for the minutes. Okay. Sorry about that. >> Yep. No, that's okay. So, a motion in order to approve the agenda asended. >> Second. >> Motion has been made and seconded to approve the agenda as presented. All those in favor say I. I. >> Opposed. Motion passes. I see I already plunk the spelling type spell check. I didn't have manager and I got Joe's name wrong in there. Left off an A. >> And for the record, just an I at the end of Gracie's name. >> And no L tech. >> Oh. >> And inside. Yeah, if you want to be picky. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> All right. My daughter's dog is named Gracie. >> It's a good dog. >> Um, and I don't see any members of the public. I invited Joe. He's on the public. >> Yeah. >> Does anyone on the screen have anything you want to say or hearing none. Um, moving right along. I had on here an introduction to new town manager for those of us who haven't met her. Um, >> and uh, you know, welcome. And uh we meet at 4:30 and as you can see here and you can stay as long as you like. We don't have any hard question for you. So um I don't you have anything? >> No. So Gracie's been with us what couple weeks now. >> Um >> in my third week. >> In her third week. Um and getting we're had our first staff meeting today. Um >> horrible. That's horrible. we she's having one-on- ones with the staff that works in the building and others, meeting all the commissions and all the folks who do work around here. Um, she will I we're getting used to how things work. You'll see like today I'm providing the E5 board with material for the meeting at the meeting, not six days ahead like the select board has requested you do for them. So, these guys are a little more lenient. They know they can take things as they roll with them. So, um, no, uh, she's come in and we still have some tours to do. We're going to tour the water facility, the wastewater facility, all of the roads and stuff like that. Um, but she's already finding out there's not when we set these things up, there's not time typically, and we we've run out of, you know, run out of time, but, uh, I'll leave it to her to take it away. >> So, home is what, Iowa? >> Yep. Iowa. So, um, I lived in Iowa on and off pretty much my whole life and, um, I have about a decade of public administration work, mostly at the state level. Um, but with that, I've, uh, taken care of grants that were $24 million a year. I did rural development in my free time. Um, I've always been really passionate about rural communities. And I've gotten the question repeatedly, why Vermont? Um, and the answer is me and my husband knew we wanted to leave Iowa. And while there is multiple reasons, a good example is it's 96 degrees there today. >> And that's not happening here. So um there's other reasons too, but uh the heat was definitely one of them. Um but as we kind of explored our options, we felt more and more loved with Vermont and was just charmed by Waterbury during the uh hiring process. So I'm feel very lucky to be in this position. Are >> you still in shock about the landscape or >> uh shocked? No. In awe. Yes. Um but I came here with my husband and my son who's 21 and then my four dogs. So, right now, >> four. Yep. >> One gets to come to the office. >> Two. You might see. Uh, the other two, uh, they they're bad dogs, but I couldn't just do work and then lay at my feet. They'd be a little more demanding of my time. Um, but they're all Pyrenees rescues. So, u, if you want to see pictures, I have pictures. Otherwise, Fridays, you might see them around the office. >> What are their names? Uh, so, uh, Simon, Cthulhu or Lulu, uh, Riker and Moira. So, >> yeah. >> And they've they've adjusted. >> They're in heaven. They are just thrilled to be here. So, >> well, they probably don't like the hot weather. >> No, they they want to live outside. Uh, they haven't seen a fox. Not that we didn't have foxes out there, but like we never saw them. Uh, and they're just thrilled to be here. So, as have I. >> So, so far, how do you find your job? >> I'm really liking it. >> No, seriously. >> What else can you say? Right. >> Well, I mean, I do have a contract, so barring something, I guess I could be pretty honest, and I am. So, I'm really excited for Sunzilla tomorrow. Oh, >> yes. >> I have an outfit. Um, I'm excited to donate blood uh for the fire department on Friday. So just really excited to become a part of the town. >> Is that Friday? >> Yeah. >> John Malf got some right. He's >> I can't make it. >> Oh, good. Well, yeah. >> Where do you Where do you live? >> Where do you live? >> So, right now I'm in Barry. Um, so we have a short-term rental there and then our plan is to buy in Waterbury uh in the spring. So, after mud season is what everyone tells me. >> Good luck. We wish you >> wish you very well. Just >> Yeah. Yeah. It's tough, but >> doable. I mean, with some time. >> That's right. >> So, and that gives us time to figure out where exactly and yeah, figure out how I can be uh not Woody's neighbor because he's in Ducks, but >> yeah, >> find who I want my neighbors to be. >> In Ducks, you got some good neighbors. That's a good news. >> Yeah. Well, welcome and good luck and let us know how we can help you. >> Of course, >> obviously you get you get a sense as time goes on just what we're focused on and how we operate and how we relate to the town or don't. We do. I'm only joking. But, uh, we wish you all the best and we're really excited about you you mean here. >> I appreciate it. And I know Woody's excited that slowly he'll have to do less and less of my job. >> Yeah. Been handing off stuff almost daily. >> Well, you've got the best public manager. >> 100%. >> To assist you. >> Yes. >> If you want to know something about Waterbury, >> he hear his dad know it. Uh I have been amazed at how many times a name comes up and he's like, "Oh, that person lives here or their sister does this and all that." So, >> well, absolutely true. Woody's fantastic. But Skip is being a little modest as well. >> He knows. >> Well, the other day somebody said to my daughter, um, "Give my best to Woody." And she had no idea what they were talking about. >> Are you serious? It took her a while to figure it out. >> They don't know your nickname. >> Well, they do, but they they were like >> not common. >> Oh, okay. >> It was a odd contact. >> Mine is that they said, "Give my best pearl." Nobody >> name just as introduction. I have not met you. I'm Natalie Sherman since we started in 2018. >> Prior to that, I was with the village of since just before I came in 2000. >> Oh, wow. >> Bob, you wanna >> give a little introduction. Bob's a transplant too from many years ago. >> 1978 was the first town small population I ever lived in. I went to the town court, get a hunting license, I got a pistol license, Washington DC. How about that hunting license? Yeah, I've been on the board for 26 years. >> And we have one member missing, Cindy Parks, the fifth member of the board. Um he's an engineer for the state of Vermont. >> I want to apologize for inter >> Well, I already like her because she told me this morning I didn't have to go to her meeting this >> and we met Rick West. I've been on commission now for three years. Um my prior to that I've been for 14 years on planning commission uh before we split the development review function of planning commission uh from the commission and put it in the development board. So we were planning in sight review. Um my my background is in utility regulation. So >> there you go. >> Awesome. All right. Anything else? Anybody wants that? If not, >> you free to stay or leave. Um, next up is the minutes of July 8th and August 8th. Last month we didn't have the August meeting minutes. >> No, you didn't have the July minutes. Right. >> Um, and I uh read the August minutes after I was doing the agenda, there was one item I was going to expand upon, which was the when the select board um invited us to their meeting, I declined it because Our open meeting law requires our meetings to be warned that more than two of us are going to be somewhere else in the same meeting and talking about business. We're also have a >> so that it wasn't warned. So I just declined that we wouldn't go because it was much more but that we if they had something they want us to talk about which would get closer to budget time >> um and they said we would warn it and talk about it on the budget. So, um, is that added to those minutes, Ky, or >> No. Uh, your your rules that you presented last week said I do not need to change the original minutes. I just need to make a note in the current minutes. >> Okay. >> At least that's my understanding. >> That sounds about right. Um therefore I move that we accept the meetings at the minute the minutes of the meetings of January July 8th and August 12th I submit >> with the >> additional comments >> with the comments that will show up in these the minutes for this meeting >> regarding >> yes I forward those to Ka >> you want to repeat that Again, >> I I had three people talking, so I don't know what you want. >> I think I think just the motion to accept the minutes as presented with your call. >> I wanted to talk about financial reporting. >> We're not ready. >> Is that on there? >> Yeah. >> Okay. It's there on a diagonal >> on the on which >> 535. >> I'm looking at >> minutes. >> Oh, you're looking at agenda. Okay. >> We're not there yet. >> Skip. The question that I'm the reason I'm hesitating to present the motion as you had suggested is because of what Kaia just said, which is that the minutes according to our procedures on the minutes, the minutes of August 12th don't need to be changed. We just note in the minutes of this meeting that you've made those comments. >> How would somebody who read those minutes know that it was >> If you want the minutes changed, let's Okay, then fine. Well, but I we always thought they were drafts until approved by the board. >> Right. >> So, the board could approve changes. >> Yes. >> It doesn't matter. >> No, no, but I'm happy to do it however you want. Okay. That that's fine. But Ka was just pointing out that what we that >> it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter. >> I think to Ka's point, that's when there are if someone sees minutes prior to approval and want I mean after approval and wants to make a change. We never change minutes. We haven't approved the July 8th yet. In order to approve it, we will approve it with a edit. I think that's appropriate because she hasn't posted them. They're not finalized yet. So, she still can edit the July 8th minutes and then they become final. And if somebody wants to change it after that, we >> Okay. >> We don't change. We we go to the current conversations. >> You make the motion. >> Okay. >> Let me take out everything I've got. Okay. So, let's uh um I make a motion to approve the July 8th minutes with the um additional comments supplied for the uh under the joint meeting with select board item >> with the board. You did. You have those to to include. Did you receive a note from Skip to >> Yes, I've got that. >> Right. >> So, I've got his change that he requested. >> And then I've got Natalie's made a motion to approve the July 8th minutes with the additional comments applied for the under the joint meeting with the select board item. >> Yeah. It would be adjustment to the Yes. >> Is there a second? >> Most been made and seconded to approve if we July 8th. >> It's not July 8th. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Sorry, that's wrong. It's all wrong. It's the July 12th minutes. >> Well, they're August 12th. August 12th. So, sorry >> it's So, let's go back to July 8th. Do we want to approve those? >> Oh, sorry. >> No, I just hit a key that just took my whole screen away. Okay, there we go. >> Natalie approved the August 12th minute. Um, yes, that would correct >> with the additional comments supplied. I'm going to say uh supplied uh >> relating to the >> joint meeting with select board as provided by Skip Fus. >> We're usually watching more. >> We don't usually get into this first guy. I've s in a a board or two meeting but that happens. >> So you >> so my motion is on August 12th with those adjustments. >> The motion has been seconded. So a motion has been made and seconded to approve the August 12th minutes with the additions to the item relative to the select board invite for the commission. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Those opposed. Motion passes. Now we need to check July 8th minute. I move that we approve the minutes of July 8th. Motion. Motion has been made. Second to approve the minutes of July 8th. All those in favor say I. >> I. opposed. Motion passes. Next up is um invited Joe Camarada, the co-chair of the housing task force um to uh speak to us about the chip program um that the select board and me and uh Joe spent a lot of time on as to how it could be used to facilitating housing Woody and I went to a meeting what must be two years ago town. They were looking at trying to use that >> thing. I think Joel has made a second career out of the housing passports. >> He's uh really dug into it and understand it well as anybody I know. So, and I'm looking to learn too about how >> to be. So, it's your show there, Joe. So, are you logged into Can I Can I enable sharing? >> Sure. If Gracie knows how to do that, my co-host, >> you should be allowed to share that. >> And will the folks on Zoom see this? >> Joe, I was proud that I just could figure out how to hook this up. Now you want me to share something. So >> baby. >> Yeah, baby steps. Okay, >> so first of all, thank you for um my name. I would chair that housing. We're going to talk about the chip, not CHIP. CHIP is the 1970s TV shows. But CHIP stands for community and housing. Okay. And really it's a program that allows uh future tax for what I want to do is start by just talking real quickly about the housing know about it. Um then I'll introduce uh the the program. We'll show a an illustrated example of how it works and then I'll conclude with some next steps or even first steps things that we should be thinking about right now for any projects. U first of all the housing task force we've been around for about seems like a long time right. Uh anyway, we were formed uh out of the the call for the housing task force was in 2018, although it wasn't actually formed until a couple years ago and really had two objectives. One was to ensure the availability of city decent and affordable housing for current future residents and then specifically to create housing in locations that integrity in neighborhoods are increasing. So really they kind of focus on not. So um the town itself has taken a number of steps recently to increase affordable housing. So in July of 2024 based on the work of the planning commission they pass what they call unified development process and that allows both small scale and housing kind of down here is the in the village area going out towards you know um in August of that year the select board approved the housing trust fund that could be used to help close the financial gaps for long-term affordable housing and they funded that uh trust fund with proceeds from the local auction house in winter of 2025. What just the current money? So $75,000 there was 100 I'm going to talk about what happens$175. I'll talk about that other 100 next. Okay. Uh the winter we held a program in housing task force called building better water fair education series where we reached out to individual property owners um and tried to give them knowledge and for community small scale housing but people build an ad or a duplex or things like that. And then in November last year they launched a program called the waterberry housing program. This was a takeoff of the so-called rehab program at the state level that offered money for construction of a new housing unit in exchange for a commitment to 41 housing. So we offered $30,000 grants uh three of those plus there was a $3,000 administration through the down street. So that $1,000. So it was funded with $175. It's still 75. >> So you're talking about money that went to Marshall. No, no, no. Down the street there program there were three AUs that were developed right here. >> And in those ADUs that were developed, there's five. Um, one of the things I could just say is that, you know, when we've really lo on the daily, it's not that we're not building, we're permaning about 305 should be enough to not >> those are permits of just building but not permits for single family, multif family But and if we look especially at this big family and most of those are up center most of those are seven figure sale prices you know um so why I really like the chip program you'll see through this is there is a big emphasis on how to make um this everyone should know infrastructure determines where we where where we develop I mean if we're developing outside of where we have water and sewer then we're talking about getting into septic systems and that's a whole set of complexity right so um what the state did is they looked at how to grow their their infrastructure with this program it really fits in nice with the planning direction that we have as a so we want to concentrate our growth near existing infrastructure we want to align the incremental costs to the development that's actually created and then we want to protect system users. We want to make sure that we're testing our capacity, not overloading our system. We'll talk about how CHIP and the process that's being used actually ensures that we we meet those shorts. So essentially what it says is the municipality may use a portion of future property tax growth from a defined housing site uh to repay infrastructure that makes the housing possible. That repayment happens both from the state and the municipality. So I'll walk through that about who contributes what to that. So it's not so let's talk about what it's not. It's not a general infrastructure we're doing work, right? It's actually very specifically project based. It's not a townwide tiff district. Maybe you have heard these tax increment financing, but we can get a lot of that. We got grants, you build infrastructure, and hopefully where you build it, they will come. It's not that easy. Um, and what it really is is you you have a developer who's interested in developing a site and then we're looking at creating infrastructure at that at that site. So, a really good example is there's a property that's available right now um for sale. It's 50 acres or so at the end of the past the parking lot on street. It's the old historic Brookside right up there. >> It's 100 acres. Right. >> I'm thinking about >> Okay. But it's that's the first. So the sewer end the water the sewer end parking right. So if you were to think about doing any place there the question would be can I bring? Okay. So let's we'll kind of walk through and see how this project to happen. But the idea is that it's really kind of led by it's project opposed to just so let me just give a real simple example of how tax incremented financing looks. So when you have a lot and say it's an empty lot right then it has a pre tax has a tax revenue right as that lot gets developed over time that increments that increases till the construction right so what chip does is it captures that increase in the tax revenue and it uses that increase in the tax revenue in order to fund infrastructure. So from a tax point of view, so from a municipality point of view, right, let's say the maximum 20 years, let's use 20 years as a time. So chip start to chip end here is 20 years, right? Then the tax revenue for water would stay at the level it is now for those 20 years. after that 20 years it would go up to whatever the market whatever the difference between that assessed value and what pre value will be captured in order to repay the infrastructure I'll walk through an example but that's the whole idea about tax you're going to walk through an example but um the pre devel development value of the property and thus the tax revenues associated with itself will change over those 20 years. Do you account for that some expected change? >> So, so if I've got a piece of property that's paying say $7,000 in taxes and the increment as the value of that property goes up is say $3,000. >> Okay. >> Yeah, that is a good question. I don't know. >> You don't. Okay. >> I should have said in the very beginning, I am not a chip expert. >> Okay, that's fine. >> I'm just a guy. But that's a good question because like you said, whatever it is now, it's just going to go. So, I would imagine it's got to be some way to come out. >> Okay. Because what you're really trying to do is capture the incremental value that comes from the infrastructure instead of the develop, >> right? But you don't want to you don't want to you don't want to give away so much money. In other words, for 20 years in nominal terms, that's one thing. But in real terms, that's huge issue. Yeah. >> And infrastructure, boots, roads, and things. >> Yeah. So, I'm gonna that we'll get to it. But yeah, infrastructure. I mean, obviously waste water here, but it includes all kind of infrastructure. It lighting. It may even be able to improve public places like parks and things like that if they're part. >> So, so that would that monies would be used to pay the developers and the infrastructure costs. Is that >> would be used to pay back a loan for the infrastructure costs. who carries out the >> okay several possibilities does the tax I'm jumping ahead but is is that incremental revenue that tax is it ever enough to cover the full infrastructure costs that's a question I mean that's a good question this program was just launched in on January and we're just now at the state level they created because a lot of this is also the state. >> Yes, I hope so. >> Um, so I don't know if we know that and I don't know if there's actually one that's expanding. The projects that I know, interestingly enough, have come out as >> I know that the current soon to be retired state auditor looks unfavorably upon tax increment fin. He's not even going. >> Okay, this is >> so attention. Let's talk a little bit about the affordability. This is like Okay, so the the the increment is paid actually both by the state and by the state will pay up to 85% of that increment. you know, put it back into a fun. This is coming out of the education. Um, the municipality of course because of that grant piece of that and they can they can allot what 85 to 100% of that increment infrastructure. Okay. Um the amount that's actually given though depends upon affordability. So you see it sorry it's a little bit affordable rental. So if you go for an affordable rental affordable owner now by affordable here they mean less than 80% of area income rentals less than 120 owners. So at least 15% of you need to meet that criteria. like they don't meet that criteria then the payment is only at the seven cost. Okay. Um you can also pay moderate income home ownership which is important up to 150% at least 25% of the units and then the 85%. Okay. So the amount that the state is willing to use to repay that really depends upon the proportion of affordable housing that it can do. And by the way, these must be primary residences. All the people that are there for rental or home ownership have to have a primary rental. I want to be clear on one thing. Um the property owners are paying the full amount of property tax. We're only talking about how how parts of that tax are going to be used. Yeah, I want say that the state is paying you mean the state is taking state is taking part but that money is paying for infrastructure but the money went to the state now it's coming back >> state paying the bill but the owner >> the owner pay the owner pay >> just like any other >> the owner when we went through this the owner pays that incrementing line every year I wanted to be clear on that point yeah >> right No, the only break they're getting is that there's infrastructure for this property. >> Yes. They've saved some >> well the fact that the property can be developed. Yeah. Yes. >> All right. So everybody there that this is how the affordability equation comes into here and why it's important from affordability perspective to look at this. So I I put this slide together but I wanted to show this but would you share the slides? Well, well, Skip has it. >> Okay. >> So, you can still I'm sorry, but >> that's all right. >> What I wanted to show is on the left hand side is what I would call a base case, right? So, and the base case is that 15% of the units must be approved. And for that 15% of the units, right, the state will pay 80% 85% of the taxes to repay the loan. Okay. 85% of the municipal tax increase will also be used to pay. The developer will be the one who carries the loan for the infrastructure. The infrastructure will be private not maintained by municipal and then the zoning is by local now that's a base case. Now what I'm trying to explain here is that there are a number of levers that exist at our municipality level that could be used in order to increase the number percentage of units that are let me walk through and this isn't recommendation not going to dis all one time it's really just an example so you understand the flexibility okay so let's say that waterberry wanted to Okay, I want not just 15%, I want 30%. I want an additional 15%. And I want to focus on middle not. So I want rentals up to 100% of AMI of ownership. Now for that I can say 100% of the municipal tax actually increase how much money the municipality themselves could carry because tax I mean the the rates the municipality much much the municipality could accept the infrastructure to maintain it on an ongoing basis. See if the m the municipalities will take then it becomes part of a conduit some right but the municipality say we will maintain that roads the wastewater system on an ongoing basis and then there's also a possibility this comes with the zoning act if you put a zoning overlay because there's waste water there now it allows a zoning overlay the density so you could actually put up to five sorry five per so this is important I don't know if you can ever use all of them at one time, but but these are the various levers that the has in order to convince incentivize the developer to increase the proportion of your house. Um so the question that brought up of potentially eligible capitals wastewater water and storm water access to site roads sidewalks crossings uh also direct provider services um project sorry direct project services these all kind of fit into the things that can be funded ship. Um what can be funded is actual the operating costs for that infrastructure of course. >> Yeah they need to be this fun. Okay. >> Let me give an example. This is just a fictional example of a nice place called country, right? It it it basically without the public wastewater systems with the having septic, they could do approximately 12 to 16, but with 1200 foot extension of the sewer system, um they could do 36, right? So that would mean that at least nine of those must be nine of those 36 must be Um, and let's say that there was a 1.6 million system. This kind of gives you an example of how the money, right? just makes a little bit better. >> Yeah, that helps. Both of those does help. >> So, the original taxable value is uh $500,000. The estimated value is 9. So, the increase is not 8.5, right? This gives you the municipal rate and then the state's education rate. And then you can see here if we just assume the 85% that on an annual basis uh about 15,000 in constant nominal term I'm >> yes that's fine. Um, right. But, uh, it's if you were to take that and then say, I have this income stream for, um, 20 years, that would mean you would have this being 1.7. >> Does that include financing cost? >> That has to include financing >> in that. >> Yeah. Yes. Okay. >> Um, and so therefore, your estimate of 1.6 six would work. So these are just kind of back of the envelope is gives you an idea of of how the money thing gives you an idea is that a big chunk of it right it's it's coming it's coming from you know giving it back to back >> which is >> you know is short-term perspective crazy longterm perspective, right? Because if you get additional from a short-term perspective though 20 years from now on this particular product but yes once you get rolling but >> so I just wanted to kind of give you a sense um so let's talk a little bit about kind of how do we get started on this >> um I think you know one of the things that's going to be important looking at um as it comes to the project review. I mean what's going to be important is that I mean you're going to need to verify at the housing task force meeting the chip always tells us infant build we have right you're going to need to to look at that I mean because again hardware is where's the top you're going to have to make sure that any type of capital for the application for each project and then you're going to need to think about ownership dies are clear you know maintain it how's that going right and the other thing I just want to suggest is you should think of any other additional work before we start giving before the first project is us. I think we should be prepared for it to come and say what other things would we have as a as >> I think in terms of and you know crazy a lot of this is something I need to talk about. So I started to and I think we stress this again is >> they got to really assess their readiness. You got to assess it from step financial knowledge, infrastructure knowledge. Are are you ready to definitely should clarify the rel between the town with regards to not to creating a chip application. Um we talk about regard to what creating. So the one of the things I didn't talk about was that the municipality is the one that needs to apply. Well, this is the municip this is this is very interesting. Yeah, the mun this EUD is its own municipality. This gets this gets really very interesting >> because number two gets really >> well number we definitely want to clarify the roles and also we want to differentiate amongst all the infrastructure because some of the infrastructure is not our responsibility. So, so this will be a really interesting >> just because of the way we're set up, it'll be a little more complicated, but yeah. And so, as a consequence, all I would say is number three should be I think the town should define its own ordeal and accept it criteria. >> So, it's not just EA. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. No, that's a good good point, Tom, because we've, you know, we went back to that example before where I showed you all of the governance that the town has, >> right? the most of most of them are the towns, >> right? And I you know I guess my message here comes to the end is that developers should understand what we're investing. >> I mean my concern is that we're going to get hit with something we're not going to be ready for it. We're gonna turn it down and then the developers are gonna say I'm gonna >> that part about capacities said and every flood we get our waste water flow is going down >> created and there's untold water capacity in the way you calculate it but we if the town was really interested they could for a contract with EPUD a certain reserve capacity that would be set aside that they could use that would be part of this >> well that's one way of going about >> criteria that they could depend on list >> that's one way of going about it but and and that's happy to think about it that or some other approach but what it what seems to me is absolutely necessary and it's been something I've been thinking about in the last year or so is um it'd be we ought to spend some time thinking and it's this room obviously relates directly to it and Woody I know does think about this um what is what do we think the long-term forecast for the use of water and sewer really look like in order to set aside a reserve amount we'd have some idea what we actually think is going to happen and just having some sort of uh outlook and maybe we have one that I'm just not aware of about how we would use our existing surplus I don't even want to call it surplus capacity existing capacity and what a forecast any sort of range of forecasts mean for new you know new investment I'm I I think that would be really helpful in in order to answer some of the questions that Joe has asked. >> Yes. And Woody can attest, I can remember uh what 10 or 15 years ago, we were thinking of having to limit connections waste water because of the chemical oxygen demand that we had. We were stuck to getting that and then we got the phosphorus removal that came in and it's tertiary treatment and all that's gone away. which is good. >> So we've gone from not having capacity to we have more than half of the capacity and you look at what the growth we've kind of experienced in the last it's pretty our flows go up pretty slow >> more efficiently. We've made this sewer system more tight. >> Exactly. >> Yeah. I mean, you're in general, you're probably growing a lot slower than housing in Waterberry because a lot of that housing in Waterberry is happening center. Um, one of the things that the task force is looking to do right now is to to run a project that says what infrastructure adjacent areas are most amenable to if you can think of your infrastructure off of anywhere, right? Um but what we're trying to understand is if we had we could put a pin on the map and say develop here where we part of that has to do with just geography planes all of those things come into play. Um the zoning bylaws come into play a little bit. Of course you can change the zoning bylaws, right? You know, but then the infrastructure costs will also. Did you just said something that suggested that uh the chip program will not fund housing in flood pins? Is that you didn't mean that? No, I said part of what we're have to look at and be saying where is the best place? >> Where's the best place? And that could be it. I mean the answer could be yes that's developable >> but the way you said it is the difference. >> No you take those things into consider when we think about this project we have to take geography into consideration. We have to take infrastructure into consideration. >> I didn't think that that would be anyway the Vermont League of Cities and Towns has done a lot of really great work in terms of making this whole program more approachable. A lot of this material that I should be coming from go through that sometime because I do think you know it's going to be the municipality they need to think about what's the process who runs that process who coordinates it right you know I have I can talk to the board about this and I do want to talk to them at a high level and say you got to be clear about what you're willing to accept what you're not willing to accept but I think once the cruises come in your office, you know. >> Yeah. And what that information is a readiness done assessment talk about. >> Yeah. >> Are you expecting that, not to use an obvious metaphor, are you expecting a flood of applications? >> Um, not a flood of applications. No. Um, so I mean the two projects that the town is looking at right >> I don't know whether the >> no no sewer on Woody Avenue >> it's close enough but >> right so that could be yes that could be the project that comes >> there's no sewer on the avenue itself >> no the sewer for high streets runs behind the high streets houses and Whistle Mountain has one that ties into the school, right? >> So, it's it's just okay. >> It's still a capacity issue for us. So yes, >> the biggest advantage to a developer is that there's significant infant >> right that you know they're going to have to pay back with a loan or something and that this would help but you look at Stanley Watson pretty small infrastructure. So are are you here today to urge us to start thinking about the immediate thing is we're dealing acceptance criteria. >> Okay. And you're going to say the same thing to the select with this. Are you going do you have uh do you have any how do I put it? Can you help us do that? Are there >> we certainly have our ideas and these folks have been around for 30 some odd years. They they know what to but I dissect you to say but when I presented it's like that's a great idea we we count we test the housing task force for coming up with a document for us to to review and improve. Right. So >> kind of like Joseph in this amazing tech. >> So it's going to come back. >> Yes. And of course what we'll be thinking about more is those various levers what kind of affordable housing how much we'll be thinking more about that. I don't know that we have technical knowledge to go through to discuss. >> No right but we can always I can always sit down and kind of >> well has any other have any other municipalities developed their review acceptance criteria? I don't know because the LCT is just but again there are projects that have made it up to this date but the ones that I know about I mean are so so I've been looking for ones that have to look at >> and my concern and listening to this with the time is do we have enough administrative capacity here at the library to put the effort into this and make it work. I think we're pretty personnel like in terms of staffing and things over the years. So, is is there really a enough to make it work and spend the time on >> Well, you can imagine with any state program, there's a flood of consultants who are raising their hands saying, "I can help you with that." Um, and I did hear this morning I met with Wineburger from Westfield Homes and he said that the Vermont Community Foundation is starting to make some money available. So, I'll keep you updated on that. >> But you're right. I I think it's still an issue with that capacity not capacity capacity and how >> okay you know and also I working on this task force we tried to promote AB things and kind of slow progress but 51 South Main Street is just kind of boiling up and stuff and uh I heard an apartment where the applicant got accepted at 51 South Main Street. He saves $300 on his monthly rent. >> That's great. >> So, the owners renovated it and raised the rent looking for, you know, somebody that can move in and they make more money. So, you didn't really gain any >> affordable housing. Just moved. Yeah. So, but let's see. >> How many ADUs did we sort of add? >> Well, we had a three with our >> three, >> but they're only for five years, right? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. You can't make it perfect, too. >> By the way, this isn't imperfect. This is only by those compliments on the affordability. >> Could be a good thing. >> Joe, could I get you just to flip back to like the first or second screen? There was something I was looking at for my notes. I think it was on the first screen. H. >> Oh, >> was there a screen before that? >> Maybe it was the second one. >> No, it was that for uh page two, >> was it? >> No, one before. Thank you. >> Well, the reason people build >> because money doing that. All you really have to do is have a subsidy financing financial support system that makes it comparably profitable to build small houses. >> Thank you. >> 10 acre lot more money have fewer cost. I was going to ask you, so how does the rule work? If uh somebody goes and bills for a project that's a mile out of town, somebody two miles out of town wants to put would hook up to it. Did they compensate the first person who I mean they handed it over to us at a certain point still can they get compensated for you know we don't do that. >> No. Yeah. >> In other words, >> you'll build it and we'll maintain it. >> Well, right. But if somebody else comes in avenue case, so I build I build an extension and it cost $200,000 and somebody else comes along and extends from my extension two years later. Does that is there not some means of of that person now covering part of the cost of buying the first extension? That's how actually how it works in the >> fact we had that exact problem with the water line going down by where the flea market was. >> Question is once if they build it and they maintain ownership of it, they can control it. >> They can do whatever they want. >> But once we maintain ownership of it, we get our money on our redemption fee. But none of that goes to the previous the builder. >> Right. Right. In the electric side, there's actually a line extension policy that allows for that. It goes for like eight years. It depends on >> Yeah. >> But that's fair enough. Okay. >> See, water gives and water tanks. You didn't like us setting the different rate per hour. >> I still don't like and we'll talk about that at another time. And here we we're not going to let you collect any money from extending your connecting off here. >> Is there a public policy reason not to know reason? >> There'd be a there'd be a public policy reason in fact to enable the first extending extender to recover some money for just what you were saying. >> He doesn't have to turn it over to us. But if he does, >> but if he does, >> there you go. Okay. >> The other complicating thing in the housing is conversion to the Airbnbs. >> I don't know. We found out where the next is. I know you and Cheryl have been discussing how they finally get information out, but we have to get better information. >> Yeah. So, Cheryl is working on it, but she's in the very beginning stages of where it's been. So, hopefully we can update soon. >> But I think besides I mean certainly we have to think about project we might get a project that Yeah. That'll be a different thing over there. So the town would need to designate this Kelly property or whatever you're there as an area that they wanted develop housing in which would trigger the beginning of >> well there need would need to be a developer come and buy that my option on it and I want to develop housing here and then start to lay out the housing plans and then come to the town and request a check project for the infrastructure and town >> and then come for the same >> well I mean that's yes for the same but the guys have to talk about process I mean you want to have a coordinate coordin that's one thing right but I'm only just saying again because we are a separate municipality have to be aware that property got property that's for sale. So, >> oh, Netflix would certainly qualify as a major I don't know what it would cost to get the sewer down. For that to happen, for us to extend the sewer in that fashion, it means that we would be expanding our municipal municipal. >> We don't we don't have to we can serve outside the district, >> water and sewers like >> if we really want if you like. Yeah. We're already serving water, I understand, but we we have yet to serve as in the village ch. Okay. >> Put it in. It's not any >> Oh, so that we don't have So there's not an impetus then for us to expand our bound. We can still do we can >> I can still serve without >> Okay. >> The old village cher you had to be in the village. >> But would we but under those conditions would we ever take ownership of the infrastructure? >> Yeah. >> Do we own any infrastructure outside our municipal? >> The water lines are outside the water plant. >> That's true. And just that's true but they >> and the district the wastewater system was outside the village till we expanded. Yeah, that's that's fair. I just >> We can own property outside. >> I I know that. Yeah. No, I just want to be >> Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Fine. >> If you wait till the end of the meeting, we may have water at say a week. >> I have questions. Um could actually say that again. Can we do the Can we write the paper? for for the infrastructure to get paid back because right now it's the developer could set up that a developer could do it, the municipality could do it or a sponsor >> and the payback would be from the state's tax. >> We could we just never done that. There was nothing to prevent us from designing a sewer line and bonding for it. Yeah, it would be require the vote bond vote >> if we bonded for it. >> You don't really have to. Yeah, >> you don't have to bond for it, >> right? >> Necessarily, >> but then you're risking. >> Yes. >> You know, we build it and who's going to connect your money. >> That's why it has to be it has to be there needs to be a good amount. >> Oh Absolutely. That's why we always let the development because he's got the best interest in >> selling his houses and getting his money back. >> Yeah. I'm not necessarily interested in becoming, you know, that but yeah, >> so they're still looking at Stanley Watson as possibly a tip project. I don't think there's any discussion about I mean I I don't think Stanley Watson said it was I mean there's less wastewater infrastructure going some things like that but you know I didn't realize that the so that depending on how that could be function So now you know when chips is next. >> Thank you. Any questions? >> So when are you speaking to the sliporn again? October >> the same presentation. >> Uh I won't go through all but I'll probably go through that last slide. >> Yeah. >> Joe graciously stayed for this meeting because he's going on vacation tomorrow. Good. Good to meet you. >> Um, next up was job descriptions. Job description for the uh the fun district clerk and treasures that money had put together. >> I think I only did a clerk one for you. >> Yeah, only the clerk. Yeah. >> Did you just do this or you kind of >> off the top of your head or you work on it or >> um >> We saw this last time. Last >> No, I don't think we did. I think I did it right after last meeting and may have sent it out quickly. >> Oh, okay. I think I had read it the minute. >> Yeah, I just it was fresh on my head. And a lot of it is similar to what a town clerk does obviously. >> Yeah. So to try to put some framework towards with the description to put this out like it sounds pretty like wildly a lot and there are a lot of responsibilities but the time to do everything isn't all at once and it's kind of random. So there's there's kind of framework from a perspective for someone to look at a better look at what time commitment being a part time would be as needed. What what could that look like? It's very cumbersome to try to do that in posting, but it easy to come up with, you know, typical elections, you know, election years. um annual meetings. So those are these are the repeats that are surefired timelines that have to be available for education >> just to help break it down to make it more >> I try calling three other cls in the region if >> it's the And >> the 200 hours a year at concentrated times to >> Yeah. And when there's a special bond vote, we're posting all of the notices and arranging the meeting and attending the meeting that accumulates into a span of two weeks or and two weeks time of attention things like that. So >> yeah, I think it's very difficult to put time commitment on it. realize you've been operating without a clerk for five months. >> They would have been on vacation. >> How often you vote on the annual is annual >> but if something special comes up it's obviously special. Um as you know some of your elections are 25 people some more. Yeah. So um yeah >> but still that that that process is it runs a course >> of preparation days the actual voting day yeah how much time during the um absentee ballot I don't know that month and then being available for mail and all of that >> plus yeah >> oh yes that's such a little point to Smith, >> which when we get to the RFP, we talked about some of those things, they might recommend we change in our chart, >> not requiring the clerk and treasure to be um a district, right? authorized the commissioners to hire someone to do. Um, do you want to do some comments and try to expand a little bit on this about the duties and then >> Yeah, I wouldn't mind doing that. >> Worth advertising it. Um, >> yeah, that $3,000. Well, the longer we wait, that $3,000 is 3,000 for six months versus 3,000 for year. That's another thing. $3,000 is pay for your ass. What you're asking them to do? Well, we might realize we have to raise >> that's that's fine. But, um, yeah, I'm ready to I'm ready to have it, you know, posted with with with whatever Natalie and Woody work out. >> Maybe to bring I could try to map out a few little things and I can talk to you. >> Just Well, it's it's in there. It's at the bottom. >> The last one. >> What is it? >> Yeah, but I I don't need to see it again in order for it to be posted. That's what you're asking. These are >> um you know it could be it could be posted and said we could also add um a part of posting any certainly in an interview we'd be discussed we'd have to be prepared to discuss a little bit of these nuances of timelines but if we come up with something that we could add to um provide a estimate. >> Well, we are charging you to do that. >> Great. Mold this over death. Okay. >> A couple sentences on the treasure. What are we >> Oh, treasure >> expecting to do. Well, treasure is a little bit well >> that has timelines too, but that's a little more concrete of tasks. Well, these are all tasks, too. Trevor has a monthly, you know, bank statement, you know, reviews and quarterly statements. >> So, we looking for this person to be the oral treasur or we're going to advertise. I would imagine we would have I see myself I see a treasure being we have the opportunity to look at someone that specifically with accounting you know background >> and you know we get lucky if somebody wants to do both we can smash them together but I think treasurer >> let me write up a treasurer one and we'll we'll do that one and I'll write up a combined Yeah, >> look at that. I mean, as I said, we're 9,000, so I think we need that. >> So, is Bill still doing all >> Bill's doing some treasure stuff? Yeah. >> How does that work with um pay? Is it a hourly? >> He differentiates his time between town. Okay. So, you'll work on treasure and additional comments about >> and the combined blood. It's not like it's urgent. Sorry. So, did you get that file? >> Well, there's no motion, right? >> No motion. >> Well, no, but Woody is gonna >> Bill will write up the treasurer's description along with a combined clerk treasurer job description. >> Yes. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Corrections to the EU annual report. >> Yeah. So Bob has >> couple pages. >> Yeah. And we handled >> and that that is a spreadsheet >> type looking thing. >> Do you want to explain what you done and how I guess my question how does this differ from what's in the annual report now? Well, the annual report didn't have the water and the uh oversight page 22, 23, and 24. So um then we had um there's this erratic system of naming the United Fund United Fund this United Fund that the U and then there was money that was grinded out of the balances saying to water and sewer. Now, water and sewer isn't anything except water and sewer counts. And if you search the budget for the water and sewer, the money that came out of water and sewer didn't show up there. And what it did show up was in the change in the balance of accounts. If you knew what you're looking for, you could find it. And I u but it this here that woke up to it points to the fact that the out the water insurer is gone to fund balance accounts accounts. Um, so do you type all this yourself? No, I went through a couple of uh renditions. The uh I guess Woody type the it was however Microsoft Word formatted document got me and some people like to use more features of word like Exactly. So, but I I bought it to a standstill there and there's one or two editorial changes that are made to the written narration number so they fit into the bill space and not number. Um, >> but everything's this you're good about this. Yeah, the >> what do you and Woody does too. >> I haven't reviewed it in completely, but the big takeaway I had was that the village report misses page three, >> right? >> You know, which is, you know, $1.5 million or so. >> Bob seems to be concerned about >> Yeah. and I was able to finally track down uh first quarter 26 uh annual reports annual reports but from that I could back into the year. >> Oh good. So the um before I I said that this is this is the right thing. I wanted to see if it actually has some. >> So >> well I'm just I I'll take a closer look at it but it looks fine to me. I would make one change. No, no, you no. It's actually It's actually correct, but because it's EUAD, it gets confusing. The last sentence in the last paragraph before all the numbers says, "Please call the municipal manager if you have questions." The manager of Ephunic, yes, but I would say district manager so that it becomes clear. >> Is that okay? >> That's great. >> Absolutely. Thank you. Is that what was in the annual report that year? >> Well, let's change it anyway. >> Well, no, but I was curious whether >> Yeah, I don't know. >> But thank you very much, Bob, for doing this. >> Yeah, I know. Reports are so tiny. Yeah, >> people hate reading. >> Oh, you mean the actual >> last fall was a difficult time. Okay. >> You got enough room for EU district manager. >> Well, that would if that's the case, you want to say EU manager. You don't want to say eudion. Is that what we need? Well, there's a part of the job is what we're going to do is now >> it says in here what we're going to do is publicly notice it and have >> that public notice be what would that look like? Isn't it like a standard? >> Those are pretty expensive. >> In our paper of choice, which was the Times Artist. >> So So this is being noticed um I guess it I guess you want to be broad, but you know the people that came to our meeting were you know whatever 15 people or something. >> They We could instruct Ka just to mail one to every that might be cheaper than putting a notice or >> or we could >> send it to everybody who came to the annual meeting >> and post it on our website >> and >> actually don't we have a problem here? Article one of our annual meeting is to act on the reports of the officers of the Edward Flora utility district. Does that mean that any amendment to the report has to be approved by the voters? >> I it may somebody say so. How about that? >> Okay. Well, um I I'm all for making the report available, saying these are corrections to the annual report, but we want to ask ourselves whether at some point or another this needs to be voted on by the by, you know, we can wait until the next annual meeting to do it. But the first article says to act on the reports. >> So, >> and they acted on reports that were we're not now trying to adjust >> because they voted. >> Yeah. Yeah. We can't change. >> But we can't change. So we need So we could actually wait right till next. >> Well, we should get it out there and say and say these are amendments to the annual report uh >> for public review and they will be acted on at our next annual meeting. >> If somebody says we think we should have a special meeting, then we'll take that up. But >> I think the short call to our attorney. >> Yes. That's good. >> Yeah, please. >> Very good. That's >> That'll save Kai having people. >> There were only 15 people there as Natalie said. >> Easy peasy. I can do that in the next hour. >> We'd still have to back. But yes. >> All right. >> So, if you make the phone call >> Yep. >> But otherwise, >> great. And you've got the >> Yes. Thank you. >> So, Bill, you're going to make a phone call to the lawyers. >> Yes. >> And report at our next meeting, I guess, would be >> to find out the best way or required way to make an amendment. >> Say that again, Rick, or Skip. >> Find out the best way to make an amendment to the information in the report. It does go correctly. >> Thank you very much. >> So, at this point, there's no motion being made for anything. Okay. Got it. >> We want to amend it. >> Okay. We're a little bit behind schedule, but I want to get out by seven because >> yeah, >> just want you to know >> 50 What happened 50 years ago today? Does anybody know what happened 50 years ago today? >> What's the date? September >> 9th. 1976. About two hours ago. 50 years ago. is when they landed on the moon. >> It's when I met the woman who would want to become my wife. >> So, we've got a little date. We have a we have a date. >> I didn't expect you to. >> And now everybody who's gonna listen to Peg Access is going to know. >> It's a little >> Some of these are going to be quick. I'm not particularly sentimental, but this was nice. >> Next up was the draft RFP. >> Yeah, >> Kathleen Ram Ramsey. >> Ramsey. >> Um, >> she used to be a town manager. >> No, it's it's we had the name wrong. >> It was a former manager in middle. >> Yes. Which is, by the way, where I met my wife 50 years ago. Oh, are you going? >> No, we're going to the black. >> Um, >> so we had met with her and I first um emailed with her and things. She thought we wanted to look at a merger study >> and I quickly shared that it wasn't a merger study. We've been down that road many times and I shared the annual report for the village for 2018 and all the times we she caught right on and as you can see in the background of the RFP that she summarized that pretty well. I think she caught on really we met >> two weeks ago with him. >> Yeah. >> And within a day or sooner we had the revision and she understood what this I felt like she really got it. >> So I'm I'm very happy with the >> Yeah. Did you read through it or >> Yeah, it's good. Um he's got a narrow path. You know, we talked about uh you know, two issues. One was the voter issue that we've kind of heard that people using water outside the district don't get to vote and that's a legal reason because they're not in the district. Plus, we vote on water and sewer issues. They don't use the sewers. So >> could kind of clarify that in other words. We just talked about the clerk treasure position that the restrictions that they live in the village that Jim Barlo had said if we want to hire a treasure that lives outside the village the way the charter is, we'd have to hold a special district meeting and get the voters that or we could change the charter which uh would take that restriction off and that would say that the commissioners could hire a clerk and treasurer not to put the pay in the $3,000 so that they would look at recommending those changes to the charter to make the district to be not necessarily more efficient but more effective. it easier to deal with. There were a couple of things that we talked about and having a uh you know short public meeting to let people make comments and stuff too. And >> that's great. >> She did follow up with a couple of emails to Rick and I about uh whether you put in a budget for the proposal or you don't. She used AI to run off the advantages and disadvantages of putting the budget in there. Um because if you put the budget in, there are people that are going to max it out anyway. Those that don't. So she suggested in a follow-up email a range of 10 to 20,000 to do the study which gives somebody who wants to be a little more creative they can use more you know funds to do what they want or somebody can you know it get so so I don't know where you folks are whether you would let Rick and I work with Kathleen to kind of make any comments and things and changes to this. And uh there's a VLTC website that it can be posted on where she gave us a list of what five potential consultants who could do this. One is Karen Horn which longtime legislative employee that has a consulting business two or three others that were local. So um there may be others. Yeah. I mean, you put it out there and anybody could see. So she would help us post it in a time frame to do it proposed when I don't know whether you want to who to authorize Rick and I to work with the BLTC to get the R&P posted and I would suggest we do the 10 to$20,000 budget. I like having a budget range, but I I'd actually make the range I'd make the top end of the range higher. I would >> I don't know what the fee is or >> but go with 20. If somebody comes back and says everything you're asking for really cost 30, I think we remember that. But but I >> past experience shows whatever you put for the top number, most of your RFPs are coming in close. >> That's right. Of course. Does that apply to construction projects? >> Well, if you if you say we're putting out an RFP for up to, you know, 30,000, right? You get a lot of RFPs in the 29 and change. >> Fair enough. >> So, do you think you shouldn't do a range? >> No, I think you got to have something in there to let people know what level of >> effort they got to put into it. >> Have you had experiences with RFPs or >> uh Yeah, quite a bit. In fact, um it's definitely interesting because typically what I found on the state side and this is not building projects or anything. Uh it is more like a vendor uh RFP and stuff like that. Um is we would get a range within what we put. Um we never got someone who would submit above because they thought that was disqualifying. Um, but some would try to pitch as low as they could, hoping that that's what our main criteria was cost. Um, and then some people definitely wanted to milk the cow and normally we'd have one or two in the middle that seemed to be a good fit. Um, but >> recommendation to give a range. >> Yeah, I would definitely give a range. If you guys are willing to go up to 30, I would maybe say 10 to 25. um that would give you more range to get somebody who has higher skills, more creativity. >> I think some of the I think I think some of the legal background stuff and some of the financial stuff just will take a little bit more time. That's that's a lot. >> Yeah, that's another thing she did to look at our what she call it financial >> picture. But she did also say that this was are we agreeing that this is a planning study planning oriented um scope of work rather than a deta not a detailed legal or engineering study >> but there is certain >> and legal the person has to understand that we're a municipality >> right and they've got that so >> So do you want to just pass >> 10 to no >> 10 to 25. >> Okay. We would keep the >> Our motion at the annual meeting was it comes out of our >> so that whatever we pay that's where >> you want to move then you authorize Rick and I to work with Kathleen Ramsey to get the RFP posted with a range of 10 to 25,000. Was there anything in the original >> just so did you did you get that ty >> Was there anything in the original motion that said >> oh you mean the annual report the annual number >> where did we go two years ago because that's when the motion was made >> it's not the most recent >> that's not that one >> did we talk about it like did we just must be in there a refresh of what we said there's >> we don't remember the discussion No, I don't know. But in this annual report, this one, didn't we discuss it? >> I should be able to pull it up right now. >> That's it. That's the most >> Well, it's the last minutes are in here. >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. We'll take a look. Take a look in the minutes of that meeting. See if I can find it faster than >> everybody. >> Out of curiosity, you guys have a >> district would create an RFP anticipates a budget of roughly $25,000. >> I'm not saying. >> Oh my god. Touche. >> Okay. It says the motion was for roughly $25,000. >> Very good. >> So want to say 10 to 25. >> Yeah, that's that's roughly. Yeah, we're going rough on the low end. Lower. >> It means that we could say 30 if we wanted to. >> Okay. >> So, is there a second? >> Wait a minute. You haven't even made the first motion. >> No, you made it and Bob said short. That's No. >> No. >> Speaking of speaking, we were hoping you were talking. >> Nope. I was not. >> Okay. >> We offer up. Yes. >> You want me to repeat it? >> I need somebody to make the motion. >> I move that we authorize to continue working >> and Rick and Rick >> to continue toward the contract. $25,000 for the high level governance financial standards. >> Second that. >> Yes. >> Okay. Well, let's see what what you got. Bob moved that we authorize to continue working Skip and Rick to continue working to award on a contract of 25,000 for the highlevel governance of EUD. >> I needs it needs a little work. >> Yeah, I >> to prepare in >> the RF with the assistance of VLCT an RFP for >> I was wondering >> you got that >> now the book's balance I don't think I still don't think we've given Kyle what she needs I >> I it's three people making a motion I cannot make sense out of any of Yes. >> So, >> so let's start again. >> Who's making the motion first? >> I move that authoriz. >> Yes. >> To prepare and issue an RFP. >> Okay. Stop there. So Bob moved that we authorize Rick and Skip to negotiate to prepare to issue. Which is it? >> Just >> to prepare. >> To prepare >> and issue >> to prepare and issue >> an RFP. >> An RFP. Yeah. >> Now Bob will finish for the high level governance and financial scan. Scan >> scan. We're here on >> Okay. >> of the Edward. >> Okay. >> We want to include the dollars. >> No. >> You're going to make it happen. >> We know what we know what the voters agreed to. >> Yeah. And you said >> yes. >> Okay. >> So Bob move that we authorize Rick and Skip to prepare and issue an RFP for the high level governance and financial scan of the Edward Ferrari Utility District. Natalie seconded. >> The motion has been made and seconded that you just heard. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Those opposed. Motion passes. >> Thank you. >> That's great progress. >> Well, this this person is really good. you guys. >> So, if you were here early, the quick update on the uh attorney general letter is we haven't heard anything and I told Woody today I put his phone number on because I made up a letterhead for Ed. I didn't want to put my phone on. So, would he at least have a >> cell phone connected to there? So, So we haven't heard anything. >> Okay. >> And not for today, but we should discuss that we should have a we should have our own kind of letterhead. I mean >> we should also talk about something we originally spoke of our presence on the town website which is totally fine but we should maybe make ourselves a little think about making ourselves a little bit more defined on the website so people are less confused perhaps >> that come out of the high level government >> it might >> yes we should have our really should have our own website that's linked to the terms shared town. >> Well, no, we're not. We are the people are part of the town, but the municipality is the municipal. Okay, we both have to pick that up time. >> Yeah. >> Next item schedule for 6:20. And if you look at the clock, you are >> amazing. >> Amazing. Okay. >> The schedule for the next meeting on the activities in the water. I don't know what these freaks you about our mountain biking trails being >> all over the waterhed. We're we're we're going through a public process to to decide whether we're going to change our policy, our current policy about on public access to the waterways. We have 500 acres of which >> 400 lang however many are in Stow and they've been historically used without sanction. I mean sanctioned both sides of the word there for recreational purposes that have now uh have have grown in such a way that there are real risks to quality. So we've got a process going on in which we've hearing from state and local and other folks about these issues about the science behind it about natural resources >> yada yada yada our third public informationational session is ready to go. I'm going to give you two dates and you get to decide. Here's where we stand. Cindy and I have met with David Mir. We put together a basic outline agenda for the evening uh which will include and here's the purpose of the third session. It's to hear from the public in general and municipal water users in particular um about their about what their concerns are. Okay. And we will hear from people who because I've gotten emails. We'll hear from people who really care about water quality and we're going to hear from people who really care about using the land for recreational purposes. We're going to hear from forest parks and recreation on how they deal with these issues. We're going to hear from uh well I can't call them should be hearing from still land trust about how they address these guys and what they and and we'll hear from them as well as to so what they think could happen. Uh, and we're going to hear from uh BM BMBA, the M Mountain Biking Association. I've got a call into them now. They haven't responded yet. Um, and the idea is we will not have long presentations from these folks. We'll keep them to un 10 minutes or less. tell us what they think, what they know, where they think we ought to go with our process and our policy and so on. Our current policy, by the way, is that the land is not >> it's formally off limit um while we go through this process. U and we're going to ask in our announcement for this and I've got a grant wording for it. Uh we're going to ask for specifically from folks if there's science that you know about that we don't know about on these issues to our attention. So we want to you know sort of give homework assignments in that sense uh to not only our speak not only our invited speakers but we're going to open up to the public as well. Okay and just hear from folks we'll give 40 minutes a shot. David Mir as you have seen is really good at this. Um, and at the end of it, we will then march off and decide what we're what our next steps are going to be. And there'll be some people will give us ideas about next steps and we'll have some of our own. In any case, that's what we got planned. And you get to choose the date, October 21st or 22nd, Wednesday or Thursday. Third week in October. Both nights are open at the fire department. I spoke with Gareth. >> Dylan on Wednesday. Show up to you. >> Do you have a preference, Woody? >> I don't think so. >> What? >> I have a preference. >> What is it? >> 21. I just >> That's my preference, too. >> That's for Wednesday. That's Wednesday. >> You care? I gotta give you I don't know. the uh sorry if you're picking a day and I get a nephew getting married. >> Well, the Wednesday is probably the better choice if they >> see Let me know, but I'll go with 21 for now. >> Y >> Cindy was open to both days as well. That's it. >> So, you have to pick the date. You're waiting for >> Well, we're going to go with the 21st unless Bob tells me in the next 24 hours or 48 hours that that's not the date. >> It's a good tentative. It's It's a nearly final date. >> What are you gonna let >> you couldn't do this one? Well, I'd have to cancel something that I would not really like to cancel, but you know, this is like having a date. >> I was going to say it sounds like a date. >> Yeah, it's a date. It's a date with all my We get together these gals. It's the Delichi group. Dinner group, make dinner. And >> Damichi. Really? >> Delichi. >> Oh, Damichi. I just was wondering how D >> We do it once a month, but like there's lots of months that comes apart. We we'll go with the 21st unless unless Bob has a really scandalous suggestion. >> Talk to your wife. >> Will you not tomorrow? >> Yeah. Oh, yeah. And I'll add >> Okay. Um, we'll do that. I will I'll work with Woody and we'll put we'll post things on front porch forum about it. We'll get the agenda set. It'll have to be worn, but and it'll put there for our next meeting. So, we've got a little bit of time. >> So, you can put in the minutes that the commissioners agreed to hold the next watershed meeting on the 21st. You have a time. >> 6:30. >> 6:308. >> So, okay. Thank you very much. >> Thank you for working on that. Jeez. Um, East Wind. Yeah. Take take one pass it down. >> Oh, and we'll need to get we need to get Orca for that. So, we'll make sure we call you folks. But if you remember, >> Woody, do you have another copy or no? Okay. >> Yeah. So, the East Wind project, as you may remember, um we had discussed going down Route 100. Um McDonald has provided us with a price which I provided you with. Um >> is that the change order price? >> Yeah, it's a >> PCL. >> It's Yep. four. It's this sheet right here. 418 231. >> Yeah, >> roughly. >> They don't go with roughly. That's what the cost is. Yeah. >> They don't deal with roughly. But um >> yeah, we've got the money in the grants in the leftover from what we've done so far. They would need you to authorize me to sign this change order to get the work progressing. We have most of the permits in hand with the exception of the waste management division sign off of the petroleum contaminated area near the soco station. Um they're we're set to do some drilling up there soon to see what we're getting into. Um and then it comes down to kind of availability of the contractor if they think they can get this done this year. Um that would be great if we could. >> Okay. So just make sure I Oh, was >> we're now extending the line southward. How far to >> uh about the cabin annex? >> That's what I thought. Right. >> Just before it, you know, from Sokco you get up to the >> go across Sco and I think we go to the cabin driveway. >> Okay. And so it's there for anybody who wants to hook up to. >> There'll be a stop left with a valve to right continue with >> and then and so the next next property down the street is Charles. >> Yep. >> Okay. >> That would not go back to the veterinary service. Correct. >> That driveway service too. So yes, they would have home service. >> Okay. But that is not Jeff Hackman's property. Okay. Thank you. And then so this is just a line um that goes in front of the Sento station, but it's not connecting. >> Yes, it is connecting. >> It is actually connecting to the snow. We aren't able to connect it with this grant money. >> As I recall, >> we're getting we're getting the water there if they choose to connect. >> If they want to connect, that's Yes. Okay. >> Yes. We don't connect any but they pay to get their own. >> Right. So is if they want water, >> they can connect. >> Yeah. >> Well, they paid their connection. >> Right. Right. >> Got it. >> So, we'd be leaving 300,000 table with so far. But stay tuned. I We're going to find a way to spend that, too. So, >> well, don't we you said leave it on the table. It goes to the bank, right? >> No, we don't get we don't pay. >> Oh, okay. I thought there was I thought >> But there is there might be options. Maybe we go. >> Oh, that's it. Okay. Okay. >> And how long do we have to make that decision? When does the grant period >> one of these the smaller grant we have to have paid out by I think the end of this year. the other one that >> so you can make a motion that we authorize Woody to sign the change order with J McDonald to the line at a estimated cost of 418 >> 231 >> any chance Ka got that because that was a good motion and I'll just say >> you know I I thought about that, but I was sitting here thinking, "Yep, there's going to be four other voices." So, I didn't type gift. Um, I move that we authorize Woody >> authorize Woody >> to execute the change order >> with JD >> with J McDonald >> for the waterline extension down Route 100 >> extension down Route 100 >> at a estimated cost of >> 4830 >> not estimated at a cost of >> at a cost of >> Yeah. at a cost of 48. >> Well, we better say estimated. >> Okay. >> The estimate is is Yes. Have an estimated cost of $418,231. >> 182. Yeah. >> That's it. >> Rick West and move that we authorize Woody to execute the change order with JA McDonald for the waterline extension down Route 100 at an estimated cost of 418231. second. You're >> Oh, yeah. >> Yeah. >> Get it done. >> So, you've heard the motion to authorize Woody to sign the change order with J for the waterline extension at estimated cost for AP 231. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. Those are close. Motion passes. >> We've been working on the >> Thank you. >> rules and procedures for eb there and I had an amendment last time that we did about people on Zoom who wanted to speak. They needed to identify themselves with a first and last name and turn on their camera if they have one. >> Yep. >> So, I think I've got it all together in the packet. >> I may have even caught some of Natalie's finer punctuation points. >> Well, there's there's a typo. >> Yeah. So this is ready to sign at the meeting. So >> I agree. We got titles. >> Yeah. >> Oh yeah. >> The title. >> Well, under number 10, we have attendees is misspelled. There's an A at the end. And I would also say that it's the wrong font height size, but that's >> some fonts. >> Somebody stuck that in there. >> Times Argus Bar 12 >> Main Street number eight. >> I would also say Zoom attendee here's what I would say. Let me read what I for number 10. Zoom attendees who wish to speak during a board meeting, not B. I miss A, right? They uh must give their first and last names and turn their cameras on. We're all plural here if available. And turn one speak. Yeah, that's fine. >> Wouldn't it be? Yes, you could put the if if available after comfort, but it's okay. I mean, it doesn't really. That's a that's a stylistic question. >> Oh, Main Street. Number eight, Main Street. Mason Street. >> All right. Yeah. Mason Street. What? Well, who's who has this document on his or her computer? >> And you're going to correct number 12 times Argus. >> Yes, absolutely. Times Argus. Actually, it should be times dash or hyphen Argus, comma Barry, comma, Vermont. >> Period. did not do any of the punctuation on this. I did not do any of this. Didn't want I don't want to be bismerched by >> So, number 10, if you look back at the minutes of August 12th, I copied the minute, the motion, and the minutes of August 12th. We're >> That's okay. Now, now we're just making sure there's blame to go around everybody. There's no blame here at all. We're just correcting the typos. >> As the new town manager of Waterbury, uh, I accept blame for all the typos. >> It's like, yeah, exactly. But, um, without without a corrected document, I don't know what you sign. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. The type faces. >> Yeah. You need like a highlight and then >> pick a choice. Oh, no. That was because it was it was cut and paper and it doesn't change. That's >> like number one. It's all off. >> Yeah. >> Oh, that's just a the indentation. Well, after my third try, I'm ready to pass this on. Send it Send it to me. I'll take care of it. Send it to me. >> Can I Can I also nitpick that you've got page I of two. >> Yes, I agree. Give it >> Send it to me. Woody Woody Skip, I'll have it >> I will have it fixed. >> It's in your packet. >> Okay. It was on >> It's in my packet, but it's a PDF. >> No, it's >> Well, you can't change a PDF. You know what? The whole point is not to do that. >> It's impossible. >> Well, it's not impossible. >> Word. >> No. Yeah, but skip. Then all kinds of crazy things happen. So, you have to If you have it in Word, send it to me. Otherwise, I will do what you just said. You got it. Okay. >> I go with the spirit of the rule of theory. What he's trying to get across is there. Just typos. >> Am I saying that Rick Weston is making corrections >> and will Yes. Will is making typog typog is correcting typographical errors is what it is. I'm with you would accept. >> We got time. I there's no reason not to correct it. Yeah. >> At this rate, we would have never built the water. >> The spirit of the rule. We all know times Argus is the book. >> We all know Main Street is Main Street. >> Mason baders. >> I just I don't think it changes the >> No, I >> Yeah, we have time and it's a public document. It should be >> I understand. I just don't want people 100 years from now to say, "God, they couldn't spell." >> Wait a minute. I suppose people were completely in it. >> Where's Bubble? >> Yeah. >> All right, we're down to department report. >> Well, years from now, they'll look at these things where it said, "We're going to contact VLCT with an RFP, not the EFU DS." They're all gonna wonder what we're talking about. >> You wonder why I have >> I don't know what you're talking about. >> I I love it that that >> August of August of 2026 is more than a 100,000 gallons below August of 2007. What happened in August of 2007? Yeah, typically when there's some huge variation, there was a leak or there was something, >> right? But that looks good. >> We're also looking into, and I spoke with Kenny the other day about the water flows, calibration of the flow meter. It's always disconcerting when the tech comes. You can just press a few buttons and all of a sudden you're no longer your flow is no longer 300 gallons a minute. It's 375 gallons. without it's just the way and it to me that always bothered me and >> well it's the spirit DON'T >> of the rule is the flow probably was the same he's just >> exactly >> so we did have I don't know did they have the leak in uh we had a leak on my street the other day that probably after they sent this report in Yeah, Kenny sent this in to me pretty early. >> Yeah. >> Well, this is this is August though, so >> a week on high street. Well, it didn't make it down to Union Street. >> Well, the strangest part was I spent the morning, the first hour explaining to Gracie how fabulous our water system was, how we're not like Barry having leaks and more water notices. And within an hour, >> an hour, I jinxed you guys. I'm sorry. >> What happened? >> You know, just crack in the pipe. not far from where we had our one of our last weeks. So, we might have a section of pipe or something into somebody's basement. >> The last one. Yeah. Yeah. >> So, there's no wastewater report. >> Um >> that was good numbers. >> Yeah, the wastewater flows are super low. That's our >> Oh, and may I say, and I believe you've received other notes of gratitude. The tree in the dog park is gone. >> Yeah, they never messed up. They did a great job. Thank you very much. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> I know that's not a refund thing, but No, >> since I have a connection to the dog park. >> Did that get roof hit by the wind? >> Oh, yeah. >> Yeah. Came down and it took it took the whole thing where like it had to >> Did the fence get free? >> It would have locked down. It came down inside, but the rest of >> it was very >> No, nobody was there. But Karen spent a lot of time. >> Yes, we did. We found there was some money in the forward account. There used to be a for we went past the hammer. >> Yeah. >> It was a $3,000 tree. >> Yeah. >> Exactly. >> Yeah. So that last discussion wasn't on the agenda. So >> the reports look good. >> I assume I do not have to include the dog park discussion. >> That's correct. >> Okay. Thank you. >> The spirit was there. >> That's the highlight of the two. If they want to know, they can >> There you go. >> They say this commissioner wasting time. >> So, you ready to adjourn? >> Get back to the big date. >> My big date September. >> I wrote you a note asking you to talk about getting financially from the investment. >> The uh we could agree to do that. I'd appreciate >> we don't get them anyway. >> Uh I found one. Well, it it might be that it they are if they don't get mail, they could be um yeah, email or just virtual on demand. So they're they're available certainly on >> demand >> maybe they do >> that's an easy ask you just have to pull it I suppose >> I don't know >> or asked for it to be mailed to >> electronics the I think that part of the problem in the report was nobody knew about where about what the numbers want to be on that so business we're in. >> Yep. >> More expensive. >> So, you take care of >> Yeah, that that's an easy and a good one to take. >> With that, I'm ready to journ. >> Give me a second. >> I do. >> All those in favor say let's go. >> Let's go.