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Board of Selectmen Meeting 08 17 2026

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to you publicly
and we can freely assemble and gather
and but we also thank you that you've
given us servants that have dedicated
their time for the betterment and the
the benefit of our community.
But we pray uh a special prayer this
evening that you would be you would give
guidance and wisdom to all those present
that the thoughts
that are thought and the matters that
are discussed would be for the benefit
and for the betterment of this
community. But most of all we pray that
it would be a glory to your name. We ask
this in Jesus name. Amen.
>> Amen. Amen.
>> Thank you Joel.
>> Use all the help I can get tonight.
>> Well, don't we all?
>> Yes. [clears throat]
We've been fighting in this
trying trying new things and
not having all the instructions.
>> So, what's on the agenda for tonight?
Well, we have
there's supposed to be an update from
town administrator. I don't think he's
here. So, then we have a
>> domestic acceptage agreement with town
at Jaffrey, a round table, a nonpublic
>> about it.
Jason's [clears throat] coming, but he's
a little little late.
>> Yeah, I just I'm on my way out anyway.
Yeah, we usually we'll do the pledge in
about one minute here. And
>> um
and Jack asked me to sit in while he's
not here. Okay.
>> And you are doing it on public. He told
me to ask should I stay or leave?
>> Uh I think I think we'll do I'll do the
minutes on
>> Okay. And you'll be able to get back to
him.
>> Yeah.
>> So I will leave when you're done. And
then typically what he does is he just
gives me those and I types them up.
>> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
That works for me.
>> All right.
Well, I don't know where Lou is.
>> I can go grab it.
>> You don't mind. We're going to get
started.
Good evening, Lou.
What do you think?
>> Well, should we get started with the
pledge?
>> Should we start with the pledge?
>> Absolutely.
Pledge algiance to the flag of the
United States of America and to the
republic for it stands one nation
indivisible with liberty and justice for
all.
Thank you.
>> I didn't catch his
>> Joel.
Well,
um Jason is going to be coming in a
little later. He's
about 30 minutes. He said it might be
here around 5:30.
And so, did he talk to you, Lou, about
who's doing the agenda or anything?
>> No.
>> Okay.
>> I've just been doing payroll.
>> Okay. Well, typically
from what I understand is seniority is
the one that supposed to lead the
meeting, but you can you can opt out and
I will start with a few things.
>> Go for it.
>> It's fine. Okay.
All right. Um
the first thing was we have to talk
about the agreement between the town of
Jaffrey and it's regarding the
acceptance
of domestic accepted
from the town of Newswitch New
Hampshire.
I was brief on this briefly. Um,
number one, it's basically saying the
town of Jaffrey will accept domestic
septage originate originating in the
town of Newswitch at the Jaffrey
wastewater treatment facility.
Um, I'm understanding that this is
something that's been going for a long
time.
>> I never heard of it before.
>> Okay. I believe that it's for our town
people to be able to bring sewage there.
is domestic septage is defined as other
liquid or solid material moved from a
tank sess pool portable toilets
uh marine sanitation device or similar
treatment works that receive only
domestic sewage
says domestic septage does not include
liquid or solid material move from a
septic tank accessible or similar
treatment works that receive either
commercial waste water or industrial
waste water and does not include grease
removed from grease traps at a
restaurant or establishing such device.
So, it's basically a residential
agreement.
Um,
>> may I ask if is this something that
we've had it before? because I've been
here um almost five, six years and I've
never run across one of these agreements
for this.
>> Yeah. Um I don't know the history of it,
but I do know I was briefed by Jason
that this has been an agreement that we
have as a town
signed to be able to bring our stuff to
Jaffrey. So,
>> has anybody else from the public heard
of it? Does it cost anything?
>> Um,
I don't believe so, but I don't know the
answer to that. It's uh,
it gives us a receipt accepted shall be
limited to Monday through Friday, normal
business hours, 7 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
excluding recognized town holidays.
The town of Jaffrey reserves a right to
reject any and all subjects it deems
objectionable for any reason. included
not limited to waste that causes
interference with the wastewater
treatment process.
Um reserves they also J town of Jaffrey
reserves the right to limit daily
quantities accepted
uh based on operational constraints
determined by their operator. is
understand understood that the haulers
are required to contact
the Jaffrey wastewater treatment plant
the day before any anticipated
discharge.
Um
there is so it does say the town of
Jaffrey reserves the right to establish
appropriate charges for septage
disposal. These charges will be assessed
directly to the septage hauler
delivering the septage waste and may
change at any time during the period of
disagreement.
number 10 either party reserves the
right to to terminate this agreement for
any reason with written 30-day notice to
the other party.
And number 11, it says, "This agreement
shall be valid for a period of five
years beginning September 1st, 2026.
Extension of this agreement
shall be proceeded by a written request
to the town of Jaffrey no later than 6
months prior to the 5-year expiration
date."
>> Okay, I can understand why I don't Yeah.
don't know. So, it was Yeah, exactly.
>> So,
That's an old one.
>> Okay. On an old one for Origin of Waste
from New Whips, which as of 10159 is 75
cents per gallon.
>> I don't know what their rates are now,
but
>> it sounds like it's up to the individual
res
tank pump, then they can pay the company
will charge them whatever they're
charged.
>> That's normally how it is. They'll give
a price
>> to pump your tank and
>> that usually includes the fees to
>> discharge.
>> Um
I don't
see anything wrong with signing this or
agreeing to it.
>> I'll make I'll make a motion to accept
the uh the agreement.
>> I'll second that.
>> All in favor?
Hi.
>> Hi.
>> So, we'll probably just get a final
copy. Get all three signature
or there two. I mean, so
um
there's one here. I guess we both could
sign these.
>> Yeah, they would just copy. So, you
could each have one, but we only need
one signatures.
We can just give them more enjoy that
one.
>> Yes.
There we go. All right.
Yeah.
So,
updates from the town administrator.
Jack was not able to be here tonight.
>> He didn't have anything for me to
>> disclose [clears throat] or say.
so number five, we will we will end up
going into a round table discussion
maybe a little more when Jason gets
here.
did anybody Lou did you hear anything
about the patriotic committee wanting to
uh I think they're trying to do like
some fireworks or something in the
evening or in the fall. Have you heard
anything?
>> I haven't heard anything. Is this
specific to this this time period? Uh,
it's for 2026 and it comes up like I
guess.
>> Oh, so it's an annual thing.
>> Okay. And can you read that off to me?
>> Um, this was just something Jason had
told me that um the patriotic committee
was
I think they were looking for funds or
something about
>> So they can
>> Yeah. So yes, they do they want to do
because
in July the
the money from the default budget did
not all this money did not get put over
correctly originally. So we went through
and that's corrected. They do have
$4,000 in there and they wanted to use
that I believe to do fireworks
in August around not part of the autumn
fest but in that same time frame when
people are around and I do know they
took some place that wasn't the park
because that was kind of the problem. I
think before they really didn't know
they not safe to do it there. They
didn't have to be okay to do it there
but they did find some place else to do
it. I'm just not sure what they said.
>> So, they were looking to see if you guys
were okay of doing that. I do think it
was maybe $5,000 all together, but
positive.
>> And I don't know where they were
planning on getting the other
>> Well, they shouldn't asking for money.
>> I don't know if they were or they were
looking, you know, doing
>> I think it was
like I think it was supposed to be
approved up to 4,000, but
>> yes,
>> they haven't they haven't used the money
yet. So, but yeah, I agree. There's a
there is a default. They would have to
figure it out.
>> Wait till Jason comes. I think so. I
just wanted to kind of get a discussion
going with that. Um,
>> I did talk to Sean on Friday. He said
>> they would like to do it, but he
understands if
>> You know,
>> he just would throw it out there because
they haven't been able to do it,
>> right?
>> Yeah. Um,
so just kind of jumping into a to a
round table. um a few things from the
DPW.
Um I know that Peter was
looking at um I think they did order or
are in the process of ordering that
furnace.
>> The furnace.
>> And so it did get accepted as the the
>> I don't know, but they um they are
waiting. Have you heard anything from
the trustees on if they approved the
>> They did approve it already.
>> Okay. Okay. Because I know there's one
it was set for 27,000
and then we voted and went to 30 to get
the bigger.
>> Do you know what I can't remember what
Peter put in originally?
>> It's 27.
>> 27.
>> We have a meeting on Wednesday. Okay.
>> So, I will bring that I'll talk to Peter
tomorrow and I'll do up another forum to
do that.
>> Yeah. So, I don't see that they're not
going to.
>> But I don't want to speak for them
either.
>> They have the funds and
>> Yeah, they have the funds. They approved
it no problem before. So, um
>> I will bring all of that and have it
>> I'll redo the paperwork for that.
the I haven't got the update on the uh
the road.
Um, we're still working on
trying to see if we can trim those
branches or those bushes back. I know
the mirror thing was kind of a nogo, but
um maybe we could trim some further back
on that entrance and see if we can get
it cleared a little little more. Um,
>> they may have done that recently. I can
see.
>> Okay. I
>> I looked the other after I heard this. I
did look and I had no problem staying
down the road. So,
>> okay.
>> And they were doing a lot of work right
in that area. So, maybe they just did
trim it on their own. I don't know
>> how far back it was before though.
>> Okay. I lost something in there. What
are we talking about?
>> The fair road. You know how we were
trying to put the mirror.
>> Um and
>> Yeah. Okay.
>> I was just talking to Peter and we were
talking about
>> right
>> to trim that back. I wasn't sure if it
had been trimmed back yet or not.
>> they worked over for the one at the end
of my road.
>> They did. Yeah. Yeah. The mirror did.
>> Yeah. Um
I did speak with Peter about you know
the the budget and the things you know
with um
trying to make sure that we
are watching our dollars spent
>> and he seems he knows he's aware that
it's close on a lot of accounts or
things are creeping up. um he feels
pretty confident that
it that we will be okay. But again, I
just kind of reminded him that hey, you
know, if the town ends up having a
emergency repair that we kind of want to
be able to
not run things all the way to the to the
max if we can help it out of the town.
>> Yeah, I know that um they've been
schedule of working four days a week, 10
hours a day.
>> Mhm.
>> And but I also noticed that there's a
lot of other projects going on.
>> And I'm wondering
what their overtime is like. Of course,
I could look it up.
>> Yeah, their overtime has been not very
much. It's more than nothing. Um, and I
did speak with him about um possibly
offering um the volunteer
hour hours for maybe reducing down to 35
on some people if they wanted to. and he
seemed to think that it may work better
in the fall between
not plowing, you know, there's not
enough snow to do anything, but yet our
summer projects are complete.
>> Yeah. Transitional.
>> Yeah. He seemed to think that that might
be a time frame that it could be a
volunteer thing to
>> the employees. And yeah,
>> you know, I stressed to him that this
isn't the town coming and saying, "Hey,
you know, you can't work 40 hours, but
it'd be a volunteer thing." And he said
there may be some people that would
>> Yeah. We do have some roads that were
paved last year, and I guess they
they're due for a top coat.
>> This year.
>> So, we know that they're going to
>> Well, I guess those are done by the
contractors.
>> They do have other projects that they're
working on. But
>> he just seemed to say that when uh
projects finish up and there's no snow,
they're kind of prepared for the snow
and there's kind of a little bit of a
>> transition there. And I thought that was
a good thing when he he was thinking of
that. He said that might be the time
frame to
>> try
>> okay
>> try to cut down on some hours if it's
possible.
another
round table discussion was does anybody
know mayor do you know if we have a
contract with the cleaning?
>> We do know.
>> So that is just a [clears throat]
>> I reached out to her and it was going to
be a month or two kind of trial period
both sides and then we were supposed to
give her a contract but that never
happened. Okay.
>> So, she is not on contract,
>> but she is or they are cleaning every
week, right?
>> They clean every week here and the PD
gets cleaned every week. The other two
buildings do not get cleaned.
I was thinking or we were thinking as a
board and I think it might have came
from you guys that could we cut back
that every two weeks versus
>> every other week or something.
>> Yeah. In the winter it might be like,
you know, depending on but
we may need a new vacuum up here if we
do it. That's the only thing that
we as the employees up here would ask
for is just a vacuum that works. Um so
we can just do things that they need to
in between the weeks.
>> In our own offices and because Yeah.
>> I think
I mean, I think that would be a good
thing to just
start going every two weeks on that.
>> Yeah, Jack was going to email last week
and then
>> Yeah. Come winter time, we may have to
go to weekly,
>> Or as as needed,
>> but since we've cut some traffic coming
in into the back area,
>> You know, then the the part that like
the lobby itself, you know, probably
needs to be done once a week or so.
So, who handles
uh getting a hold of them or changing
that?
>> Jack was going to vacation now until
>> Well, I think
>> I'll be in tomorrow, right?
>> I can talk to her.
>> Is Jack going to be here tomorrow?
>> No, he's not vacation until se till
September.
>> So, I can talk to Mariah if you want me
to and feel her out.
>> Yeah. Yeah, I think that would be fine.
>> and is that police station too or just
up here?
>> I haven't talked to the chief that they
I I would probably
>> talk to them too.
>> Yeah. And just see cuz if he's like in
agreement then
>> Well, because Jackie is leaving and she
was the one who did it. So
>> Oh, yeah.
>> They're
>> So we were paying her to do it.
>> We were paying her to do it, right? So
yeah, I will talk to him too.
>> Yeah, I definitely run it by to see what
he's saying.
I think that's about all I have for the
DPW. Do you have anything on
any of your liaison or
I have a couple things but we'll go
we'll talk about that in nonpublic
session.
All right. Um,
that is all I got for right now as far
as the um
the updates
back in my notes. I guess
you we have any updates on the on it.
>> I just want to make sure that you folks
got the email I sent you on potential
cost savings that came from the FAC.
>> Okay. So, I just we need some feedback
on that because we're laying in the
budget numbers for 2027 now.
>> So, if you can let us know on that. And
the other thing that's still an
extremely
frustrating, it's almost debilitating at
this point issue is the BSNA.
>> They acknowledge there's errors in the
structure of the software and everything
else. But what really needs to happen
and the only person that has the data
that we need is really Carlen as the
treasurer. And we really need to if we
pin her down to write down all the
accounts and where that money is
supposed to be moved to. BSNA's offered
to help us straighten that all out. Um I
was hoping Jack would take the lead on
this and get this all nailed down.
That's not going to happen. I'm offering
to step in if you guys anoint me to to
help because the burden's fallen all on
this lady right here,
>> you know, and she's supposed to use the
financial system, not fix the thing and
the software behind it. Um, so
>> hands are tied until we get
>> so we're in a bit of an extremist. up
until we know what needs to go where,
which I am meeting with Carlen weekly to
try to go over, you know,
push and
move it along a little bit. But, um,
>> it may help to have a third party in
there, not just have Mary trying to nail
down the revenue side along with Carl.
Just
>> is Nancy helping at all? What?
the only one that knows.
>> Nancy helps Carlen do when when she does
transactions and so forth, but Colleen's
the only one that knows where these
revenue accounts are supposed to be,
>> where the money is supposed to be. And
>> it's kind of scary.
>> Is Carlen going to be here tomorrow?
>> Yeah. And
>> if you don't Yeah, if you don't mind,
I'll talk to her.
>> Yeah. I think I think a path forward I
think I've said this several times now
is I think the best plan of attack would
be to
somebody whether it's Mary or you guys
or committee or somebody needs to write
or identify all the things that need to
be done in order to fix that way there
we can appoint people or
you know I I know the town doesn't want
to spend a lot of money which we will
try to be mindful of but we do need
help.
>> So again
>> BSNA we spent time right
>> two weeks ago like
>> on a Friday we were in here with
>> when we came back from lunch it was we
needed the one answer and the only
person who had those answers is Carlen
and she wasn't here.
>> So we're at the point where we need to
know where these revenue accounts are
supposed to be. if we could just get a
list, I keep saying, of the account
number it's in and where you want it to
be.
>> And BSNA will help us. So, we worked on
moving. We're going to move away from
the dut froms a little bit more and I'm
waiting to get all we need one more
account number for the escrow ones, but
like that's not even in the SNA. So,
they're willing to do all you know, set
up the banks, do all those accounts,
>> but I'm still waiting for them.
So, um,
Friday will be two weeks. He said if we
get them to him within two weeks, he
will do that, but then he's going to be
tied up. So,
>> that's the Yeah.
>> So, if we could just get from her,
>> how much what account it's in, where it
needs to go, what, you know, that kind
of thing, BSNA and the two of us, I
mean, I have no problem calling them. I
just don't have all the time to do it
when I'm doing it, you know.
>> And you don't know where these revenues
are supposed to.
>> No. So I don't know the answers to
those. The only person that does is
Carlen,
>> So I
>> So you had started out saying it is BSNA
and things weren't working and now I'm
hearing that it's
>> they're much more cooperative. They
acknowledge it's an issue. They've
helped us. They've done some stuff, but
now they need to know where we want
these revenues moved from what account
to and then they they will do that for
us and help us. Yeah.
>> So, it's not even forcing Colleen on
BSNA to do these transactions. It's just
a list of from here to there and maybe a
no is to purpose of the funds or
something and to set up the escrow
accounts in the bank, but that's it. And
and once that's straight, then we then
we doing the revenues correctly
hopefully the first time. into the US.
>> So, we've made some progress, but now
we're
kind of at an impass till we get all
that revenue information.
>> I'll work with Carlen.
>> Okay. Good.
>> Tomorrow
and um and then
>> are you available?
>> So, I have a dentist appointment and
I can come in here
some free time maybe next week.
>> Um then if we can get a list of what we
want to do.
>> We just want to get it done as soon as
possible this week because if that guy's
window of availability shutting it down
numbers I just I'll follow up with that
tomorrow and
>> person that she typically works with was
on vacation last week she said. So she's
supposed to be back. If not, I'm going
to call the other person that we deal
with over at TT and find out the
detailers and
>> get those over to him so we can at least
get those set up because that's half the
problem that they're not in our system.
yeah.
Well, it sounds like I mean we've moved
a little bit versus where we were a
couple weeks ago or a month ago, I would
say.
>> So, and
the BSNA seems like we're not going to
have to do
other things still as far as catching
up.
>> This is just this is just fixing the
revenue. we still would have to look at
if we're going to purchase, you know,
cash receivables, you know.
>> So, basically, I did reach out to
another software company just to find
out things.
>> And it was the one that is out of New
Hampshire that many smaller municipal
towns in New Hampshire use. And he
basically said the SNA is phenomenal.
It's probably larger than, you know,
they do larger cities, towns, whatever.
But
>> anywhere we would try to go if we tried
to switch anything, and not that we
were, but
>> a what if scenario.
>> You need to have this stuff straightened
out first because nobody else can
>> take on that and do that. and he
basically told Jack like get what you
need for BSNA. Whatever modules you
need, you need the whole system. You
can't have half a system like we have.
Well, and yeah, so we would probably
want to write write up uh
what those or you know, I'm not saying
the town's going to vote and say yeah,
but we might want to be prepared to know
what that cost is or
>> I haven't. Yeah, but we need to figure
out what we're what we need first in
terms of where does this money go and
>> right,
>> you know, and how many how many
different sections or
sub routines are we looking at here?
>> Additional modules.
>> Uh cash receipts and accounts receivable
too.
>> So two front two front end.
>> And did they quote them here? What was
that? Do you remember ballpark the
number was
>> you have
>> because I've heard like the software was
like 70,000 and then I heard you know
>> that may have been an initial
>> I thought it was more around eight or 10
>> closer to 15.
>> And then is there a subscription each
month that we have to pay to have
everything
>> maintenance cost?
every year we do.
>> And can you buy a module or a plan that
you have basically
24 hours a day access to a specialist?
>> They do sell software will they will. So
I do have a connection now with well the
person that did the training but another
>> person that seems I have confidence in
seems to really know what he's doing
with the whole thing
>> and they've been receptive to
>> and they're doing a lot of the behind
the scenes type stuff um
>> because that's where we
>> need everything
>> or you can see
some of it's BSNA some of us.
>> I agree.
>> So like
>> see,
>> are there any other towns in the area
that don't use PSA?
>> That what
>> that use PSNA?
I've heard of a few. Lebanon does, which
Jack said, and Hinsdale does as well. Um
and yes, I
we'll reach out, but it's hard to
till we knew what we were doing or
whatever. I will reach out to somebody.
I did try a couple of times, but I
>> No, I was just curious if there was
anybody out there. I have my glasses.
>> So there's an annual fee for for cloud
and so forth.
>> Okay. So the financial management both
modules. So the cash receiping and the
accounts receivable was 4260.
the data conversion
set up to get those two set up
was400.
there's there's some project management
support and stuff in there for 1225
for implementation and setup. So
>> the grand total about 15,000. So, so
what's the project management? You know,
it's it doesn't sound like it's
>> it's [clears throat] setting things up.
Um working with the account,
>> analyzing the customer processes to
ensure all the critical components are
addressed, creating and managing the
project schedule in accordance with the
customer's existing processes and needs,
planning, scheduling, training
>> around any planned process changes
included in that. Uh central point of
contact customer, project leaders,
developers.
That's what it is.
>> Well, I think at some point we should
probably look as a town into
getting these verses. I I don't know
that we would be able to
switch something for cheaper than that.
>> No. you know, the initial thing.
>> It sounded good, but
>> So, I don't know. I mean, it might need
to be
>> try to put it in the budget or
something, but
I think we would need it
to move forward.
>> To get our
2025 audit.
>> Yeah, that's the
Well, they're not going to come back
until we get this stuff
>> until the 2025 stuff is done and then
>> Then we'll be all pros by the time we
hit 26. So,
>> I'll do it.
>> Good evening.
>> I will step down.
>> You sure?
>> Yep. We were just I'll just give you a
brief update. Uh we went through
the septage agreement. Lou and I signed
it.
we were just having a round table
about the BSNA software.
>> Ah, where's that at?
>> Well, uh,
>> you can [laughter]
you can Joe can give me an update. It's
fine. I mean, we've talked through the
week. They they need they basically need
the revenue accounts.
>> Yeah. From the treasurer.
Once they have that, they can
start uh making the accounts in the
software.
Um and then we were just discussing that
in order for the town to kind of move
forward with the SMA and that they need
a couple modules, cash receipts thing.
And so I just pulled them to possibly
get
quotes or we kind of came up with a
budget number of like 15,000.
>> That was the quote that we
>> That was the quote.
>> It was it was the quote. Yeah.
>> I can tell you
>> that's a challenge,
>> Although we did get a little bit of
advice from the finance advisory
committee on potential savings.
>> And then from Mary this past week. Did
you guys talk at all about the
>> We didn't. I just kind of We got to the
end of the financial software the deal
and then you were here
>> and then I came.
>> Yep.
>> Good evening, Mr. Moderator.
>> How are you, sir?
>> And
I'm not sure if we've met, have we?
>> I don't believe we have. Just here to
observe Cali Hoff 19 Main Street.
>> Oh, okay. Welcome.
>> So, did you come here with uh [sighs]
something on your mind?
>> I just wanted to remind you that we have
an election in 3 weeks day after Labor
Day
>> primary.
And how's the uh voting machine purchase
coming?
>> Has there been any
>> I haven't heard from you.
>> Have Have we received a request for
authorization
to for the purchase of that voting
machine
>> uh from who?
>> Well, who purchased it or leased it? Was
that the BOS that purchases the voting
machines?
>> Yeah,
>> I was not aware of this. It's good that
I asked.
>> Um I mean I think it comes out of a
different budget line. It comes out of
the moderator's budget line or the tr
maybe the supervisors. I'm not sure.
>> Come out of the clerk or the
>> or the town clerks
>> supervisors.
All right. So, that's something we need
to pursue. But as it stands now, we
still have two machines.
>> We have two machines, but I don't know
that we own the second one.
>> Right.
>> Right. I remember we leased it because
of
>> But we did vote on that,
>> didn't we?
>> I my remembrance is we voted to buy and
purchase instead of leasing
and that was months ago.
So
you have any recollection, Mr. Alvarez?
>> That was in my mind. That was in my
mind.
>> I'm pretty sure we just made
>> Yeah. I thought we went ahead and we we
purchased one and we were leasing a
second.
>> But we would need
>> No, we I remember we had one.
>> We were leasing a second one and we were
saying the cost of the lease
from my memory was
going to be like we lease it twice and
we could buy it or something like that.
>> That's correct. Yeah, I I did remember
that.
>> And so as a board, I remember I don't
have the notes with me, but I do
remember we voted to purchase the voting
machine.
>> That was this year.
>> My And then where it goes from there,
you're saying that it would have been
the board would because would contact
who to get the invoice information.
I I could certainly facilitate that.
>> That would be appreciated if you have
the information. If not, we'll just
we'll do what we have to do to
>> I guess the question was where you were
going to find the money to do it.
>> It was was it not in that line that was
let me pull up BSNA?
There was a there was a line that you
had for what was it? Voter registration
>> and we were going to pull it from there
if I recall.
>> I just started in March
>> under your advice.
>> You don't remember this or
>> Well, no, I I I do remember it. I just
didn't know.
>> Well, you're just checking my memory.
>> It had happened
that it was authorized to happen.
So we can get that rolling this week
then.
>> Sure.
>> Awesome.
>> Who should I send that to?
>> If you could just send it to TA and then
BCC.
>> I send it to Mary.
>> September.
>> Oh, okay. Yeah.
>> Till after the primary
>> and copy the letter.
Change
O S [snorts]
T
E
All right. So,
what was that? September 3rd, you said.
>> No, September 8th.
>> September 8th.
>> Polls are open from 7 to 7.
>> Unless you decide to change that.
No need,
right?
>> So, are both of the machines going to be
the same?
>> It'll be the same as the March boat,
>> What we had. That's what I want to.
>> However, I don't think we'll have both
of them in use for the primary. We'll
just have one to back it up.
>> So, it'll be available should there be a
>> correct. We'll test it out.
>> Provided we get all the squared away.
They don't give us memory cards for it.
We can't use it.
>> So regardless if we buy it or rent it,
we still have to pay for it.
>> Correct.
>> Well, no point we don't use it, then we
should return it.
>> Right. But if we're leasing it, I found
some notes here and it says that
we had rented the second machine in
March for 3500. The total cost of the
machine is7,000. Is that correct?
It says Bob said he would rent it again
for each of the other two elections this
year. It doesn't make sense to pay the
additional 3500 to own it.
It says it was not budgeted, but it's
nec necessity.
This isn't our
>> That was your personal notes.
That was
>> I didn't
>> info 2026
>> voting machine purchase discussion
>> 5126 minutes
>> probably
>> what the outcome what was the outcome of
that
>> board discuss
there's really no
just
No motion.
>> It's just a discussion.
>> So in this elections and registrations
line, there [snorts] was $14,650
budgeted
for er electronic checkin
and
>> I don't think that was ever. it wasn't
purchased as of now.
Uh balance available is 9,044
just on that one line.
>> So if we purchased it then we wouldn't
have to pay rent in November. [snorts]
>> I don't know what the lease agreement
payment schedule is, but however that
works, the sooner we purchase it, the
less.
So if it's unclear in the minutes,
>> do you have any issues?
>> With moving money in your
>> My recollection is we would have to rent
it every time we have a town election. I
don't know that we need a second machine
for primaries and general elections
because there's only one piece of paper
per voter.
>> But when we get to multiple pages, we
absolutely get
>> slammed with
going through the machine. So, it's
every March. We're going to need one to
have two machines
>> and the electronic checkin is still in
limbo at with the state.
>> So, if we have the money there, I mean,
or we could keep it there
in case we need to offset other
expenses,
>> right? if we need it each year. I just
don't see though.
>> It hurts now, but
>> we may be hurting.
>> Yeah, it hurts on election day if you
guys want a machine.
>> even with the two
>> Last March, there was a lot of grumbling
of how long How long that took?
I think the people would approve of it.
>> Being
>> If the rent is 3,500, it doesn't make
any sense to purchase.
>> No,
>> the purchase price was a You had that
written down.
>> Yeah.$7,000.
>> All right. We'll wait for Mr. Alvarez.
>> Make a motion.
So, I'm I'm new.
Could you
explain a little uh how this goes?
>> Who owns what for responsibilities
[clears throat] on elections?
>> So, um moderator is the lead election
official
>> uh supported by the select town clerk
supervisors with the checklist.
We're all sort of on the same plane and
um we open the polls at 7. We're still
negotiating when we're going to get to
set up because I'm going to be out of
town the Friday prior to Labor Day
weekend.
And usually that's when we set up is the
day prior. But obviously,
>> well, not obvious. I I don't know if we
can get in on Labor Day to do the setup.
>> Um, so I'm talking to the facilities
manager with the ceiling to see what we
can arrange. I'm trying for Saturday so
that won't interfere with people's
holiday plans.
the select men are supposed to be there
all day. If not, um, they should appoint
somebody who could be a selectman
to be a selectman pro 10.
in their place.
>> So, uh have to live in town. So, just
all the things that you have to qualify
to be a selectman.
>> And then, um they assist by helping
voters, you know, put their ballots in
the machine, helping with jams on the
machine, and you know, you can learn on
the fly for how that works.
>> Yes. where to put handc counted ballots
because some voters want them hand
counted, some ballots need to be hand
counted. Um based on how they mark them
and then in the evening we close the
polls at 7 or as close to seven as we
can. Obviously in March that was a
stretch goal. I think we closed around
we closed at 7 but the final ballots
forecast till about 7:45.
and then we begin the counting process
and reconciliation. How many ballots did
we start with? How many voters were
here? How many ballots went through the
machine? Then we have to do tallies of
any writeins. I don't know that there
will be a strong write in event this
time. Um,
there was a very strong writing event
for the last presidential primary
because Mr. Biden refused to be on the
ballot. So, we had to count hundreds and
hundreds of ballots for him. Um,
>> there's typically a very strong
hand or write in on the town vote.
>> Town vote. Yeah, definitely.
>> That we'll have
>> for March.
>> So, we'll be there. I don't know. I
think maybe the latest I've been there
is 1 in the morning.
>> I don't know till that late.
>> No, I mean by the time we're getting
home,
>> we come back here and then the town
clerk sends stuff out to the the press
and stuff like that for this for the
primary and for uh the general election.
Uh if there's any recounts, those go to
the state and the state handles that.
So, they'll come and get our ballots
>> and take them up there. Um, there is a
quirk on the November ballot
in that there's a local
article that's being I don't know what
the right way to say it is put on the
ballot by the legislature
that affects the school district.
>> Just Menic or is this
>> No, all school districts throughout the
state. has to do with budget caps.
>> Is it a referendum question or
>> Well, it seems like
enough towns must have
voted down budget caps or put prevention
in place about people leaving and how
they're tuitioned and stuff like that.
>> Oh, I remember that question.
>> Yeah. So, it's coming back around.
>> Oh. on this ballot.
>> And I think it it comes around again, I
think. So, it's almost like, well, we
know you didn't like it, but we're going
to have you vote on it again.
>> Was there must have been a change or
something made to the verbiage.
I would assume. I don't know. Maybe they
>> Well, there was there was no burgers
proposed originally, so everybody sort
of rolled their own that said, "Well,
you know, we're not going to tuition
anybody out, but we'll tuition people
in." Um, and this is sort of looking at
it from a different angle, I think, to
do you vote to have a 10% cap on your
school district budget.
>> so it is something a little bit
different. It's not the same question
being thrown at us.
>> So, in that case, if the ballots a
recount in November, they go to the
state. But if there has to be a recount
on the budget question, it'll come back
>> Oh.
>> And I believe the select board will be
in charge of doing a recount because I
think they put legislation in place that
says if there's a school district
recount, the town does it. And if
there's a town recount, the school
district does it.
>> when I was first elected, we had a
recount for the budget
>> question only. You are you're still very
much involved in that.
>> But if I recall, it's similar on
election day. You're the boss.
>> You are the boss. Um except I from what
I've learned the selectmen have to find
a place to have elections every year.
>> Correct. I mean there's there's a list
of like 18 or 20 things that select are
responsible for with regard to
elections.
>> We sort of work on those things
together.
>> So thank you.
Good.
I can send you uh pointers to the
election procedures manual.
It details what each group or person is
responsible for. So what the moderator
is, the town clerk, the supervisors, the
selected
>> ballot clerks.
>> Well, they have it just broken down in
that way.
>> Have they updated it? They update it
regularly and especially since the
legislature was very active this year.
>> There's been a number of changes. One of
the ones that I want to put out to the
public is that you have to have a
government issued ID to register to
vote.
School IDs are no longer invalid.
>> a few people might get caught on that.
>> Yeah. So, if you
need to down to the
>> DMV.
>> DMV, right?
>> Get an ID or get a driver's license or
>> a passport would probably work as well.
>> More expensive, more complicated
proposition.
Where where would I get the
the paper or the article for the
responsibilities of each?
>> So, it's in the election procedures
manual.
>> So, if I send you a link to that.
>> I mean, it is available on the Secretary
of State's website.
>> For everybody to see.
>> But I can make sure the select can get
>> Because you should have it. Yeah. Oh,
>> You're right.
>> Yeah, I I will look at that myself.
will have a session where we test the
machines a week prior to the election
>> around September 1st.
>> Who's here at the town office?
>> I'll be here at the town office.
>> Are we required to be there or
>> No, you're not.
>> Just you?
>> The town clerk. And we get a series of
volunteers to help count the ballots.
>> So that we verify
we receive.
pack and ready to go.
Okay, I'll make a motion to purchase our
leased voting machine.
do we not exceed 7,000?
That'd be my
>> or
using the funds from
er electronic checkin
in the elections and registrations
category.
The the the motion on the floor is not
entirely clear. We don't have the hard
number on it. We have 9,000 available
fund dollars.
Does 7,000 cover do you recall or
>> it it does. I mean there's maintenance
and stuff like that that you know will
double
or we'll deal with the you know budget
committee when that comes around
>> that will oh double our maintenance line
because we have two machines.
>> All right then
cap 7,000 from that line.
>> I'll second that. 12.
>> All right. All right.
Can
Can you help? Do you send the invoice or
>> I have it right here?
>> And you took down Mary's
>> Perfect.
>> Well, thank you.
>> I thought I said it to you earlier, but
>> the invoice, did you? You're saying that
meeting in May.
>> I don't know if it was then or after our
most recent discussion.
>> That's right. We got it. We'll get it.
>> Yeah. Get it done.
All right. A smaller item
that came up this week when I was
meeting with the TA is it was voiced
that we probably don't need weekly
cleaning here at the town office.
Yeah, we just we did
>> we discussed it. We discussed it. Did
you vote on it or
>> um we didn't vote, but we I told Mary
Mary was gonna
>> um look into telling the wherever the
company is to two weeks.
>> So that's going to be done bi-weekly
now?
>> Unless we do need to vote on it, we
can't always kind of wait. Well, it was
a trial basis from what I
>> Yeah. And there is no contract
>> and no contract. So, we're going to drop
it to by week.
>> And we wanted the option of possibly
increasing
the number of cleanings during the
winter time.
go bi-weekly now, but if in the winter
it's getting really bad, we would go
back to a weekly
they were uh I think Mary's going to
check on or we could call the police
chief.
>> How about that?
>> To see if that cleaning
>> Yeah. See if they need it.
>> That was being done in house,
but we're not sure how much longer
that'll
>> that'll go. So,
>> we would need to,
>> but I just said that it's up to the
chief. Maybe they want to
All right.
So, I had the uh
Patriotic Commission chairman contact me
this week.
If I look on BSNA
software, he said their last meeting
they noticed that there was
funding
uh in the default budget for fireworks.
>> Spoke about that earlier.
>> Oh, you spoke about that as well.
>> We spoke of it. I didn't get a hold of
Sean, but um
>> we didn't vote on anything because I
saying we're going to kind of wait until
we see
>> and I think what the numbers were either
4,000 or 5,000 or something like that.
>> What was your thoughts?
mine was
you know if we can save
but I don't know what historically it
We have done it once.
>> Thank you.
>> Thanks.
>> We did it once.
>> At the Autumn Fest last year.
>> That was the only time.
>> What was the turnout? Was it good?
>> It was pretty decent. Did you go or
>> you?
It was a fair amount of people there,
huh?
>> Um, I didn't think it was that busy.
Did you make it?
>> I did not. I was not a resident then. I
didn't make the track, but
>> I have an opinion.
>> I wasn't a resident then either.
>> Okay. I'm not alone. Very good.
You know, they had that hot air um
balloon
out there at the time and playing with
fireworks and and those at the same
>> Well, the fireworks were up at Msenic.
>> I'm sorry.
>> They were up at Msenic. They were they
Yeah, they weren't near the hot air
balloon.
>> I don't know. Did they have that last
year? Maybe. That's wreck department
anyways.
to where we're at now
with our budget.
58%
used.
It's skinny.
Not to get off subject, but I did I did
talk at the round table about the DPW.
>> Oh,
>> I just
just to recap. It was just I did talk to
hear about the budget and things coming
up and he he thought that with a
volunteer um possible 35 hours. He
thought that it might fit better
>> for the volunteer.
>> Remember we were saying like it's not a
demand like we can maybe there's some
employees that might be like okay
>> oh yeah yeah
>> we'll go 35 hours 40. I talked to Peter
about that
>> and he said that he thought the best
spot to put that or to try to implement
that would be between we don't have any
snow yet but we're done our summer
projects and he said there's always
maybe some
you know not downtime but where we're
not
>> to give that make it as an option.
>> Yeah. So I told him, I said, "Well,
yeah, that would be
>> offer it up.
>> Try that." You know,
>> he thought they might be some
interested.
>> He said there possibly could be. Yeah.
And
>> I just stressed that, you know, this
wasn't a mandatory thing, but we were
looking at ways to
make sure we don't go over
Yeah. So,
we'll see.
Yeah, nickel and dime. $4,000. They
would like a fire work show.
>> Doesn't buy what it used to fireworks
>> It It um
isn't going to be held on a patriotic
day. it's just going to be held at the
end of Autumn Fest if they decide to do
He had asked my opinion and I was like,
well, I mean, every thousand helps.
So, I said I'd bring it to the board.
my like I said I'm I'm
do
you know I do believe in
having fireworks and you know things are
>> yeah but fireworks should be during
some type of festive
>> I agree I I was just just to be finished
so what I was trying to say is
>> as a kid or you you know, you this is
some exciting stuff sometimes and but at
the same time
when we're looking at our budget, it's
hard for me to vote for something like
that when we are pinching for pennies.
And considering that there's two festive
places between uh over at Msenic and
over at the at the park that are
basically about two or three miles
apart.
I mean how how many people are going to
go to both of them or what? You know
I I'll say no. You're not You don't
think it would be good this year?
>> That's kind of what I'm leaning towards,
>> Get back to him with the answer. And if
you'd like to come in
>> present the case.
He's certainly welcome to do that.
So there was no formal motion made to
deny it. It is the opinion of the board
that it was not a good year.
Correct.
There are some creative ways to
>> [snorts]
>> Well, I I believe they do now have
a um
they have a fund where people can donate
and that money that's donated will not
be tied to our operating budget which as
everyone knows the budget all the money
at the end of the year
unavailable.
But this fund would carry over from year
to year.
Mary told me she's just setting it up or
she found one that was set up and is
reinstituting it. So that is out there
if somebody would like to donate to the
Patriotic Commission Patriotic Purposes
Fund.
All right. Any other round table?
I'd like to go into a nonpublic session.
>> Thank you for coming.
I believe this is going to wind up our
agenda for this evening.
This coming Monday, we're going to have
hopefully our reps and senator will be
here 7 o'clock
>> week from today.
>> Y
24
>> 24 correct
>> at 7 o' and possibly our executive
counselor if he can make it and that is
I've said it before it's started a few
years back and it has been it was
instituted as a friendly exchange
between the board and our state reps
where they would bring us up to speed we
could ask questions the public is always
welcome. Um it's not um a candidates
night. It's not uh necessarily like a
structured town hall meeting where
people can come in and
it's it was first and foremost between
the board and the and the reps. But the
public as always is always welcome
except for the meeting that Lou is about
to call.
But so if you'd like to attend, you're
>> very welcome. That'll be here in the
town office.
yeah,
>> you're going to go into nonpublic. Can I
have five minutes just to unhook
everything and
>> Sure. So good night.
>> thank you, Ron. Take a five minute
break.