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Select Board Meeting - August 19, 2026

Video

We're gonna get started. Uh, welcome
everyone to our Wednesday, August 19th,
uh, meeting of the Planefield Select
Board.
>> Y,
>> we're going to start with the approval
of our minutes.
>> And, um, thank you, Steve. So, like kind
of putting these together from from some
notes.
>> Everybody sent me their notes, which is
great. You know, I used a very broad
brush, but I think I got it.
>> Well, I I think you did, too. I didn't.
But did anyone have any uh because Steve
wasn't here, I wanted to really look
through it and make sure we we got it
okay, but it looked it looked good to
me.
>> All right. Would anyone like to make a
uh
>> I move that we
approve the minutes as amended.
>> As presented.
>> As presented. Sorry.
>> We didn't even amend them.
>> I second it.
>> All right. All this in favor.
>> All right. There. I wasn't even sure if
like the whole like sending you emails
to change things constituted an
amendment.
>> Oh,
>> yeah. No, it's it's okay when when that
happens and I just make them.
>> It's okay.
>> Yeah. I think we're good.
>> If it's the substance of it, I think it
matters. But if it's
>> Yeah. If it's just commas and which, you
know, I keep a bag of those and use them
in some places don't use them and
others.
>> All right. Do we have any public comment
this evening? Maria.
Um,
in reviewing the expenditure summary
through August 16th, I noticed a few
specific line items that have already
exceeded their annual budget or show
unusual activity. I'm asking these
questions to ensure transparency
and to understand how these overages
will be balanced across the overall
operating budget moving forward. So the
first one is the legal expenses on line
4153.
The $8,000 budget shows $8,977.50
expended, leaving a negative balance of
$97750.
What specific issues cost us to reach
the legal budget so early in the cycle?
And what is the projected year-end legal
cost?
And then I have two more questions after
that. Okay. Planning and zoning line
4191. This line is budgeted at 3,000 but
shows $3,353.50
expended.
>> That's my
>> So is 35350 available? Will this require
a line item transfer from another
department?
And then under library expenses line
4550,
this shows 1,227.21
expended against a zero line budget.
Why are these expenses hitting a zero
outline budget instead of the designated
library budget account?
So these are just some questions. I have
other follow-up questions.
>> I don't know that we have answers for
you uh tonight. I think you have a brief
answer. I mean, I can talk some free,
but I mean I mean we're just
>> some of the legal budget is you, Maria.
>> Oh, really?
>> Well, it's because we have to consult
town attorney because of from your memos
and so he charges us for that.
>> Okay.
>> So, that's that's
>> the one that started this.
>> No, we're not doing that. You ask what
the expenses are and that's what they on
the plan.
>> Who else did are we suing?
>> So, it's not about suing. There's an
awful lot of reasons. We talked to an
attorney. We're not going to go we're
not going to go deep into this. And it's
an wait, Maria, listen to me. Stop. It's
an operational decision, too. How the
budget gets spent. As long as we're all
within the budget, the select board does
not do the day-to-day deciding of what
gets spent where. I mean, certainly
we've approved the line item. These are
questions we may have at some point. I
knew what the legal ones were for, but
so you can ask the questions. We'll
answer them as best we can tonight. But
does the money come from the unassigned
budget that to pay off this or
>> No, it comes from the total approved
budget. We have 1,232,792
or No, we have 3,182,516
to spend. And any of those uses above,
as long as the total doesn't exceed 3
million, what I just said, it's fine.
>> Yeah. Well, okay. the the line items are
simply our best estimate of where that
money will be spent. The only thing the
selectman are held to is the 3,200,000
>> and towards the end of the year
sometimes if things get overspent we
have to make decisions on other line
items you know.
>> So so what I understand is you do check
every month every line item variances on
a monthly basis.
>> No I mean yes I look it over but
>> Okay. Yeah.
>> And then the transfer are handled
by how
>> there's no transfers. We let the we let
the expenses show go where they go. And
as long as the budget isn't overspent on
the bottom, that gives the voters the
best information. They see that we
estimated 8,000 for legal and we and we
spent 11.
>> You never know what's going to happen
during the year.
>> Absolutely.
>> Because if someone were to sue us, we we
don't know that at town meeting that
that's going to happen. We still have to
pay um our legal fees. Okay. Did you
have another question?
>> Yeah. on the high expenditure lines like
with highway and streets
>> it's already at 61% spent that's 537,552
and40
>> are we on track for seasonal winter
expenses without exceeding that total
allocation or
>> yes
>> okay great and then um
>> there's about a third of the year left
>> there okay so there's administrative
purpose of the blank one item 455
listed under general fund expenditure.
What What is that?
>> Which Which line?
>> It says 4555.
>> Right. It that's a legacy account that
goes it's blank. Do you see where it's
there's
>> Yeah.
>> So that's that's a little garbage that
came in with the accounting um trans the
accounting conversion to the new system.
Those 4550 and 4555 are both the
library. Remember it used to be two
different libraries. There was the
Planefield library. There was the
Meridan Library. Now it's just a
library. And so that $1,200 has to do
with payroll. And it was inadvertently
sent to the Meridan Library. We with our
new payroll system. We noticed it in the
first couple of weeks. So that those two
when you add those two expenditures up,
Maria, they go against the library
budget of $73,000.
So both 4550 and 4555 are libraries. And
so they it is the library department. It
used to be broken into Planefield and
Meridan. Now it's just library, but you
add the two together. Their their their
target is 73,000.
>> And the planning and zoning thing though
over
>> that's the master plan.
>> Yeah. Yeah. That's why I raised my hand
saying it's my fault because I'm the one
who kept insisting that the charts go
back to the planning commission so that
they were done. Right.
>> Right. And so that
>> so it's a legacy.
>> Well, no. It's the master plan for the
town.
>> Oh. So, we have to hire some of that
work out and those people pay it. And
that project is now complete and you
know, we were $353
$353 off.
>> We've got a few people.
>> I mean, so I think we were okay.
>> That's pretty good on that budget. I
think
>> other questions. Uh, well, you had I
sent something last week, so I I just
want to make sure that I I've been going
through the document section and I found
one and I I wrote everything up on it.
So, hopefully you
>> you have it in front of you. It's that
docu. It's 26 pages.
>> And you have it.
>> So, the So, the board has it.
>> Okay. Okay. Thank you. That's us.
>> That's us.
>> Okay. Other questions?
Okay, thank you. Any other We've just
had a few people join us. I don't know
if we're in our public comment section.
So, if you've joined us and have public
comment to this would be the time.
Apparently, they've just joined us.
We'll give you a minute.
Mike and Michael and Nancy.
Okay. Well, then we will move on with
our defendant reports.
Who wants to go first today? Chief, I'll
give it to you.
>> So far for the month of August, we have
85 calls for service. We deployed our
speed feedback device six times. Uh we
currently have loaned our speed trailer
to Cornish PE for the Cornish fair so
they can utilize that for pedestrian
traffic over there. So we're helping
them out with that.
Um we had an elderly citizen who fell
outside her home this month and she was
outside overnight for 18 hours. Oh, no.
>> This is why I feel that it's important
as a public safety announcement that if
you're elderly and you can get a life
alert, that would be in your best
interest to avoid situations like that.
>> But where I was going to say you have to
wear
>> unfortunately this month, Planefield
suffered a fatality motor vehicle
accident. Um, I can't stress enough how
happy I am New Hampshire State Police
stepped up. Uh, there are so many moving
parts. They're trained in so many facets
of accident reconstruction and all that
that they, you know, were able to take
over the investigation to make sure that
it was done correctly because that's all
they do all the time. They train in
that. We don't have the skills to do
that. So, I'm very grateful that New
Hampshire State Police took that over.
um appreciate plane fire responding as
fast they did. Cornish rescue uh even
Lebanon sent an officer at the initial
start of the incident and left them
there to assist with everything that was
going on. So when it when the chips are
down and you need mutual aid, it's nice
to see that the communities come
together and help out in times of need.
unfort, you know, unfortunately it was
not the ending we hoped for, but I just
want to point out that the people
involved in this incident were not
Planefield residents. So, it seems to
think, you know, our Planefield
residents respect our community. I just
wish people motoring through our
community respect our community as much
as we do. Um clearly speed and alcohol
were a factor in this incident and
unfortunately the gentleman succumbed to
his injuries and uh it's just an
unfortunate incident.
>> That's my update.
>> Chief, was the truck that got hit was it
out of River Oak
>> coming out of Rivero trying to go north?
Yes.
>> And this guy's coming at 100 milesPH
down.
>> Yeah. Down.
>> Put things in perspective. The operator
who was 18 years of age operating under
the influence was doing about 120 m an
hour. The legal limit in New Hampshire
is 0.08. He was a 22.
>> Seems like a combination of two very
poor choices. You might make one or the
other, but in this case mean both.
>> But it wasn't the intoxicated driver
that died.
>> No.
>> No. It almost never is. He's the best
off out of the three of them.
>> His life.
>> He just doesn't. That's so sad.
>> That's No, there's tragedy all around
this one.
>> I mean, we can put there's the speed
limit over there was 40 miles an hour
>> and
>> yeah, you can't
>> you can make it two miles an hour if
you're drunk and going 100. I mean, the
truck was just pulling
>> and that stretch of road is windy where
you get to that intersection and it's
just
>> awful. Awful. And you know, Chief Elder
and I were just saying we've had so many
incidences of bad accidents right there
on that far corner and
>> we just don't why it's weird.
>> I can think of others.
>> You know,
>> I think bad actors get to the Playfield
line, they get past 11 and dump and and
visually it changes. Pike is gone
>> and it's just a place to hammer on it
and they do. And those corners are worse
than you think they are. They they eat
you up.
>> Um we've you know we all know about the
accidents we've had on what locally you
call Burwick's corner but there's nobody
left that knows that it's Burwick. Um
but it is uh yeah we've had some I mean
12A has changed so much in our lifetimes
here at this table. I mean the number of
cars that comes through it's just the
the commuting circle around Lebanon has
gotten so much larger. People just all
day long you know they're they're go and
all hours of the day. Right. Yeah, I
don't think this kid was commuting
anywhere, but yes.
>> No, no, but I mean it's just
line after line.
>> If you're in Windsor and you work in
Lebanon and you don't want to go all the
way to White Ribbon, so you take back
those you take 12. I mean, I mean, I I
don't spend time on 120 like I do 12A. I
can't imagine 120 is as busy. 12A is
>> traffic. Is it get pretty busy, too?
traffic counts are like 24 2500
>> uh gone 120 and 3,700 on 12A
>> and 12A used to be around 3,000 about 20
years ago
>> or even less. Um, but that's
>> yeah, that's what we're seeing and
>> and there's I don't know what we can do
about it for our community with the
state controlling those arteries, but
>> there's there is a different attitude.
There's been traffic calming groups in
town over the years
>> that initially ran into really strong
headwinds of any kind of modification.
But if you look at what other
communities are doing on Route 10 on on
other major state arteries, I think
there might be hope for doing something.
I think it only happens if you have
community driving it,
>> right? I think
>> I think 40 miles an hour is appropriate
for that road that that for 12A if
people stick to it.
>> They don't.
>> Normally a lot of traffic on there tends
to be 45 to 50. I take it every morning
to work and that generally seems to be
the but it seems safe. But if you're
going to do 120, you're not on the
autobond
set yourself up for
>> and it's just amazing on 12A the like
green, yellow, red doesn't mean anything
anymore. When it when your light goes
green, you got to watch because there's
two more coming, you know, at every
intersection up there. It's just it's it
is we have to get used to it. It's not
Boston, but it is different. It's
different. It's just different.
Yeah. It'll be interesting with the
commuters though when the bridge is out
which will be soon the one very dry
bridges.
>> Yeah. So people going down 12A may not
may may find a different
>> and may decide they like it
>> but yeah I know you guys had a very
>> that's going to be something. Yeah. So
thank you for all that all of that.
>> I'm going to go with you. Yeah. So, I
mean, just to add to that, so because I
needed three ambulances, I just want you
to appreciate when
how much we pay Lebanon for the
ambulance service. We had their entire
ship was in playing field. They had
three, all six of them were there. So, I
had to call them back up and then we had
the one ambulance from Windsor that came
up
>> and because I knew that Lebanon
ambulances, that's why I called the
Cornish right away. So, actually the
Cornish deputy was running the pump on
our truck because he was closer. We
didn't have any fire gear. So before the
fire truck showed up, he says, "I'll
take the phone."
>> And he took him in cuz cuz I ended up in
an air pack. So So he took him in for a
while.
>> You're all really amazing. And I know
it's sort of what you train to do, but
it's I'm sure it's extremely
>> extremely difficult.
>> The next night we had another accident.
>> We're actually training.
>> Oh, I knew that. Yeah, cuz my son still
gets the alerts and he go, "Where's
another one?"
>> Yeah. Um, so that one after we were
loading them into the ambulance when we
realized that the truck actually went
right in behind the welcome to corner
sign. So we're on the corner side of the
line.
>> Take them out. Take them out.
>> So as soon as the ambulance left, we
turned it back over to Cornish, but you
know, they they came up and and we um
took off. But yeah, both of those
>> Was that speeding again?
>> No. Um that was in the downpour.
>> Wednesday night and he had a coffee pit
and lost track of the road and
>> Yeah,
>> that was a single car one. Yes. So this
truck with a snowmobile trailer on it.
Yeah. And the lady signed off and went
home and by the time she made it to the
hospital she had cracked vertebrae
fractured sternum as well. So but she
didn't want to go originally.
>> Oh
>> we have all that adrenaline going right.
>> So we're up to 113 calls for the year.
>> Stop.
>> So it's eight for August. So there's the
those two motor vehicle crashes. Um we
sent our UTV headed for Cornish
Claremont line. Um but the subject went
out through the ATV trails into
Claremont. So we got turned around and
we had five fire alarms.
Um so they call for August. Um I did win
the rescue jack for vehicle SW okay
>> stabilization. So that was $520 plus the
9% fee. So there we now have two sets of
rescue jacks for 560 680. Um I did an
oil in burner inspection Monday. Um,
they haven't got the windows in yet over
at the school, but they want me to come
do the fire safety walkthrough yet. So,
they claim they're going to open school
on time, but they still don't have
windows in yet. It's currently covered
in plastic, but I allowed them to start
moving furniture back in. Um, Sergeant
Deedro and I met with um anyway about
the emergency operation plan for a
couple hours on Thursday because it had
been long enough that their staff had
changed and they hadn't met with anyone
in the town since Tony was chief. So
long been a while
>> at least 3 years. Um so there's going to
be more to go on that. We discovered
that they actually have the gayway
frequency on the emergency that can talk
to them.
>> Right.
>> The fire department doesn't. So when we
get reprogramming we're going to put
that in.
>> Um they're going to send over the plan.
So we haven't actually seen their plan
yet. We just talked about it. Um
Brad and I um Bev stopped by the town
hall and the fire alarm panel was in
trouble. So Eric called me and I went
down and I called Brad and um we ended
up calling Vermont Life Safety and I
drove to Vermont and got a new card and
we put the card in and it was fixed
before the end of the day.
>> So that's all still in limbo because we
don't have permission to do the grant
work yet because that whole system's
going to get replaced. But um that
worked its way through. Um
one of the AT&T boosters for the mayor
and fire department doesn't work. We've
tried it in Planefield. We've tried it
>> Meridan. We've tried So we tried
different networks and GPS and stuff. I
don't know where that is, whether Rob is
going to send it back
>> or whether it's down here at the Meridan
station. Jordan, it's not in Blanefield
anymore. But I'm sitting right beside
the one that worked.
>> Probably a faulty.
>> And have you moved the one that works
around to know if it works everywhere?
To know that it's the device?
>> No, we haven't done that. But only one
light ever comes on. that the GPS signal
one doesn't come up either. And if you
put it right right in place of where the
one that is working,
>> yeah,
>> is and we try we traded out the power
supply. We traded out the GPS antenna.
>> It's probably a faulty
>> and they called to make sure it was
still activated. So anyway, that's
that's working.
Um I think Bill's been talking to you
some about upgrades to the Merida Fire
Station. He's got quotes for some new
flooring and stuff. I know. Uh he told
me it was in the works and I was
expecting a call so I have not talked to
him yet. He said he let Liz was on it
was what I the last time.
>> Yeah. So the Meridan Association has
some money to redo the meeting room. So
they're going to you know the projector
on the ceiling doesn't work. So they're
going to get a TV and redo the
countertops and the flooring and the
lighting and stuff. So that's
originally Bill pushed it on me and I
pushed it back onto him and said your
station.
>> So he's he's going to be working with
Brad because it is a town facility.
>> Um
I haven't heard I wasn't in town for
touch a truck on Saturday but I I heard
there was at least 100 people there.
>> Wow. It was it was good.
>> It was good.
>> Highway highway had a truck. Cassella
brought the one of them one of the
lifters. Sharky helicopter came.
>> Yeah, right. That was the helicopter, of
course, is going to trump all that
stuff, right?
>> And last night, one of town lines big
kabotas was still sitting in the back.
I got a key.
>> A truck. Never mind. Touch it.
>> Yep. So, um that's at the corners. We
That's why we're training last week.
This year the parking lots all have
letters and they can have big letters by
them versus you know Ox trailer and all
those local names. So we um measured out
to see like in the bare ground say the
snowmobile
clubhouse there went up and fire where
and we can't pull the truck all the way
in to make sure that our hoses were
going to reach. And so we met with them
to talk about if there's a car fire in
specific parking places because big
trucks aren't necessarily going to go up
up the road. So, and we met with them to
try to pre-plan some of that,
>> right?
>> Um, yep. And then spirit day is coming
up in two weeks or a week and a half.
>> Next Saturday.
>> When you um we'll hold your
reimbursement check here.
>> Um, so stop and pick it up next time
you're going, but it'll be ready for the
jacks to I mean, we could mail it to
you, but by the time it goes to
Connecticut, it could be 11 days before
you get it.
>> I'm over here. So it's I put a note on
it to to give the check to Steve. I'll
it'll be it'll be where we you can find
it if you come in.
>> So Marboro Mass, they wanted a banker's
check. So I went to the bank and took
one out of my own account, get reimbured
here. That was the easiest way to do it.
>> I can swing 520 bucks for watch. Um
yeah, I think that's about it.
>> That's a lot. Thank you.
>> Yeah, thanks.
>> Hi everybody. Um this weekend is our
resource room and food pantry. So we'll
be open Friday and Saturday um from 9:00
to 10:30. Our New Hampshire Feeding New
Hampshire grant is going great. We've
been working with McNamera Dairy and
Edgewater Farm for that um fresh
vegetables and milk. And then um as we
transition into fall, we'll be doing
more apples through the apple orchard
which will be great.
August lunchon is the combined special
Malar Fund sponsored lunchon which will
be next Thursday at the Langwood Barn in
Cornish. So, that'll be fun. Bloods is
catering. We have right now 79 guests um
registered with reservations. So, it'll
be fun. We're going to do a walk through
tomorrow to make sure we have enough
seating. Um, kind of kind of see what
the the weather's going to be, but
>> Bruce is on call to bring over picnic
tables if we need them, which is great.
Um, Tund Truck was a great success. For
the first time that they did it in town,
there was about 110
people. Everybody had a great time. The
the placement of everything was
wonderful. A lot of great community
spirit and the church felt more um
involved with the community, which is
good because sometimes they want to be
involved, but people see a church and
they don't want the religious thing. But
they're really putting themselves out
there and it's wonderful. And they
>> and their parking lot was perfect.
Right. Right. You know, I mean, big
heavy trucks on asphalt. Exactly what
you want. Not not the used field
>> in the back, which was great in the
back. So then people and the kids were
safe being out there. So yeah, it worked
out wonderful.
>> Um, as Bruce was saying, school is on
schedule to start next Wednesday. Buses
will be out at 7:10. Um, we're ready to
go. So, I did check in with um Amanda
today so that I can do Blackhawk
Breakfast Club and um our snack program
will be ready to go for Wednesday. Um
spirit day is set for Saturday the 29th.
Keep our fingers crossed for good
weather. That is ready to go and well
organized. Um and as a reminder, we are
doing the telephone directory update. Um
everybody should have gotten a beautiful
postcard in the mailbox um as a good
reminder. So, um, we are sticking tried
and true to that deadline because we'd
like to have it in everybody's hands by
November.
>> Is is Mike involved in that again?
>> Of course.
>> We are not gonna let him go.
>> There he is.
>> Um, so yeah, everything everything is is
moving forward. Um, I want to just
piggyback a little bit about what Chief
Gutsfeld said about the medical alert.
um very very critical piece of equipment
for those that are aging in place and
especially those living independently.
Um we we got very lucky with that
medical call. Um and she has a wonderful
group of friends and family around, but
um it could have gone really bad. Really
bad.
>> Yeah. in a different season, it would
have been.
>> Well, if we had just had rain and a
little bit of chilliness,
>> that much better.
>> Yeah. So,
>> 18 hours is a long time to lay there.
>> All through the dark into the dawn
>> next morning.
>> And you know where she lived,
there's people all around, but even if
she yelled the AC units, it just
>> Anyway, very we were very lucky. But
yes, medical alerts. We do have
wonderful scholarship programs. So if
anybody is ever in financial need,
reach out because we can make it happen.
>> Great.
>> Thank you.
>> You
join yourself.
>> Yeah. Um so water departments pulling
away at the three grants. They're all
sort of happening little bits at a time.
Um, I swapped uh a meter with Frank uh
at the condos at the Westgate condos
last week and we found a little drip
that wouldn't stop and so we had to
order some parts. But we did a notice um
yesterday, day before and we're going to
have a short outage tomorrow where we
put some new pieces in. That meter and
one that Frank gave yesterday are the
last. We've got 89 in place out of a
total of 119. Two of which aren't going
to get swapped because the buildings are
going to get demolished at some point.
Um, so all that's left is the Spruce
Park co-op and still have hopes of
putting together a project with them to
do it in one fell swoop. Um, and and
they are hoping for that too. They've
just have us a bunch of stuff on their
plate except it's approved already and
so it's it's just a matter of time. Um,
actually had a thought about being able
to tackle there is a newer set of of
units there, 11 or so. um that we're
putting in the '9s and we might be able
to swap those meters. The whole idea was
the existing installs where the meters
are isn't where we want meters. We want
to do more complete of an upgrade for
the plumbing there and and they're on
board with that idea. Just not ready to
do it yet. For us at the water
department, it's there are now five
meters that are aged out and not
working. and we estimate those and
that's okay for a while but really not
right over time. And so the question is
can they reassure us that they're
getting their act together for maybe a
project next year or do we start
whittling away at the ones that we could
swap out just to get the total number of
dysfunctional ones um out. It's only
there's half a dozen now. Um one is the
whole house is getting replaced so
that'll get in the normal course of
things get a new meter. Um, so anyway,
but after a year and a half or a little
more, we've got 2/3. I had hoped to do a
third each year and I'm a little ahead
of schedule with that. And so I real
feel very good about that. And of those
um I think about 75% are auto reading
and so I don't have to go around or
meter reader doesn't have to go around.
So it take the last time which at about
50% it took me two hours to do the read.
It used to take four uh when we paid Ben
dry for it. He said that's about how
long it took. Um and so it's all been to
the good. Eventually we'll get there.
But in the meantime, that much more
accuracy, that much more lead free
equipment, that much more eyes on our
lead service, you know, looking for lead
service lines, which we found absolutely
none. So that sort of running its
course, but I feel really good about the
progress there. Um, and so Frank and I
are going to finish that repair tomorrow
and then we'll our focus, my focus will
be on on the mobile home park. Um, for
as far as meter conversions, um,
Barry Hill, I picked up some replacement
glass. I don't remember when we were
there. All the things were boarded up
from the vandalism number of years ago.
At that time, I had ordered some glass.
One piece had come in and the others
were on order. I've since picked up a
total of four and now am in the process
of replacing those pieces of glass. Also
replace the lock hardware on the build.
So very soon I'll be able to actually
use a door to get in as he goes to a
window with plywood over it. Um and I'm
set to go waiting on Richie to set the
piece of steel and put the peers in.
Everything is is as close as I can get
it to having him set the steel on so
that I can then put things together. So
hopefully when he gets a little bit of a
break in his schedule, he's gotten a
couple of watch outs and other things
that have just taken priority. So it's
sitting there ready to go. My goal is to
get that access safer to the second
floor
at least starting on a on a clean out
set of dumpster runs and stuff. But
first things first, got get a place
easily accessible.
>> The stairs were sketchy.
>> They're Yeah, they are.
>> They are. They are structurally
I I'm comfortable going up and down
them, but you are absolutely the
railings need to be in place and
everything else and it's just not there
yet, but we'll get there. Um, let's see
what else. I've been working on a bunch
of different things in preparation for
um the IT upgrades of the office. So,
working with our IT services provider,
Sagaro, and finalizing phone count
because this is a computer upgrade,
software upgrade, bringing us up to
current uh Windows versions and
migrating our phones from analog and
comat, I mean, our existing phone lines
to to a computer VO based system uh
wherever we can and breaking the cord
with Comcast over time. We just learned
in the last week that Hub 66, who has
been promising up up and down that they
would be done by the end of September,
has gotten an extension their whole
program and they're now working
diligently against a March 31st
deadline.
>> Oh my.
>> It's really irritating.
>> It's interesting though in terms of and
I agree. I mean, Peter Martin stopped in
this afternoon. He was going to write
something for connect corn issue just to
update the communities. But we had a
resident call who was upset that the
town's linemen had smoked a bunch of
cigarettes and left them in their
driveway.
>> Well, there people on Bean Road hanging
fiber.
>> So, so they're on Bean Road coming TDS
is also switching over to fiber.
>> So, it's the TDS whatever they want.
>> See, everybody's TDS.
>> Well, that's Yeah, they they will get
the franchise. they've been awarded
unless they don't perform, but they've
now just been given an extension in
which to perform. So, they don't lose
that franchise until a deadline goes
>> No, but a lot of customers are going to
go to the other fiber on the pole,
>> right? In those areas where there's
multiple vendors on a pole and so and
and I'm looking at this building saying,
well, if Hub 66 is going to be six
months, who will who will bring fiber to
our door at a comparable cost? And if
that's the case, TDS does have access to
these bowls.
>> And the cost is the question.
>> Well, TDS doesn't need the hub.
>> That was the benefit. And that may be
the ruling factor because it does amount
to hundreds of dollars a month.
>> Um, if we can break the cord with
Comcast and and
>> I really would like Hub 66 to come
through. I'm really annoyed that they've
been
>> just telling us a line for so long. I'm
far more. I think it did require an
extension from the feds. That's clearly
something.
>> Yeah, but that means they keep telling
us somebody asked,
>> right? Well, we've certainly told lots
of people September and now that's not
true.
>> Anyway, so in so we won't be able to
complete all of the things that we'd
like to be able to do with the phone
system, but we will be getting um new
phone capabilities at far reduced cost.
And so that piece of the so the town
hall is is the first PD and and town
offices are the first bite at that and
we'll learn but you also get to see what
happens which bills go down how people
like
>> there's thousands to Comcast thousands
>> that that needs to go as quickly as it
can. Um
>> last time I did the ad we're paying
about 18,000 20,000 a year to Comcast
through a total of five accounts. The
thing that we we are worried about and
we need and and Brad and I have been
there's almost too many moving pieces,
right? The the service line coming into
the building is changing. The phones are
changing. All the accounting or all of
the computer software is changing, which
in an office is a million little things,
right? We have a direct connection to
the state for motor vehicles. We have
lots of functions that we use that are
set in our existing systems.
We really would like to get this done by
October because once we get into
budgeting, our stuff needs to work,
right? Once we're having budgeting
meetings, the planning board's having
its meetings, the technology just needs
to work. And so it's we're we're getting
compressed. U we've started to order
some machines. We're we're learning the
system for our new IT people and we're
in a seam right now. Mark Cohen still
helps us on a daily basis, but Cigaro
Sigaro Sigaro
>> Sagaro is is is and and we like them.
They are they are local and they are
connected with municipality. They have
some history with Lebanon. One one of
the principles was was the IT person for
Lebanon for many years and so I think
they're going to be a really good fit
for us. Uh but boy, we got a lot of
stuff just we're going to throw the
whole ball of ass up in the air and see
where it lands. But I think to the point
of selecting that particular group, it
is because they have the expertise in
the three areas that we care about and
and they are the moving pieces that we
need to have well coordinated.
>> And the other the other layer we haven't
mentioned is we're changing to.gov. You
know, federal it's a federal program,
but those people like like Brian can't
start his work until Overreach sets up
the tenant, right? I mean,
>> it's Overwatch.
>> Overwatch.
I think I think it's overreach. Yes,
that's a
>> cheat sheet.
>> They have just driven I mean they've
driven us crazy on how long it takes to
make a decision and so we're still
>> we're still waiting on the plus side.
>> Yeah. What is the plus side? Tell us.
>> They're paying for three years worth of
the of the initial licensing and stuff.
>> Yes. Overwatch does have a sweet to get
where we want to go anyway and it covers
some of those costs for so we can get
used to those costs, understand what
they really are and budget for them. And
so, you know,
>> yes, it it is a big piece of a big pile
of spaghetti that we've been into, but
I'm I'm convinced we can do it and
things will get stable, but we basically
won't have as much accomplished by
midepptember as we had hoped. But the
piece that's missing is the other
buildings converting to some of the fire
stuff and we can deal with that. And in
the meantime, their phones will and will
be able to let go of the phone chargers
from Comcast. So, you know, it's a
partial win there. Anyway,
>> progress busy stuff.
>> Lots of busy stuff and and reconciling
bills for things that should have been
changed. Getting into accounts that
nobody's gone into for 20 years,
>> right? try to change the Planefield
water tank from in Eversource with
Eversource from Planefield Village Water
District PO Box 24 Planefield to the
town of Planefield PO Box 380.
Apparently, you need an act of Congress
in 6 months. It is just insane. So, they
don't we don't get the bills and then
they get mad at us because we didn't pay
the bill.
>> Disconnect notice,
right?
>> You know, it is
>> amazing how that works,
>> right? It's been
>> But hopefully we
>> amazing. It's not electronically,
>> right? I mean, why are you getting a
paper
>> in this day and age, right?
>> It is just Yeah, it's it's been fun. Um,
I did have a couple of Richard updates.
>> Uh, were you all set, Brad?
>> Just going to sit here and laugh the
rest of the meeting.
>> They did do the repair on the all three
of the slate rooms last week. Did you
all
>> Yes, they did do that. And and there's a
check elevator text showing of the
Philip Reed tomorrow because the
elevator's on the fridge.
See, you should keep laughing. That's
the only way to look at it.
>> A concept not related to highway but but
related to facilities.
if it ever comes to fruition, a project
you'll want to have in your back of your
head and be thinking about as select
people is I think the Meridan the
library trustees are going to walk in
using Tony Newton again and say to you
what would you think of us paying for
solar on the highway garage
and you give the credit for the solar
the money that you earn to the
libraries.
Yeah, that's what I thought, too. And
so, in a sense, what they're saying is
they'd like to they'd like to buy more
solar and they'd like it to benefit the
library, but there's not a place at the
library apparently to put that much.
>> There's no good exposure.
>> So, it would become a an accounting
transaction for the town because they're
two different utility companies. They
don't talk to each other. You're not
getting any credit on your bill. And I
don't know yet how I feel about it. What
I what Tony wanted to bring the proposal
to you and I told him he needed to bring
it to the library trustees and the
library trustees need to bring it to the
board of select
>> correct
>> and so but this
>> maybe right maybe it's a savings to us
>> right so in the end
>> if you think of it as as I do through
the lens of where's the building and the
building is one function and the library
is the building's a thing the library is
a function and that isn't how we evolved
Right. Historically they had their
buildings but now we the town is running
the buildings and they run the
operations to to a certain right. It's a
well woven thing
>> but
>> the town owns all the roofs and the town
could put solar on some. It needs solar
to balance the KW that we're by
converting to heat pumps which is
absolutely a smart thing to do from an
efficiency perspective. You buy an
electric bill and if you can, the
cheapest and the most efficient way to
do all of this is if you produce your
own electricity. You can do it on some
sites, you can't do it on others. And
the fact that what Tony brings to the
table is he it his model as volunteers
just makes it almost u
yeah a decision you can't say no to
because it's so cost-effective. So the
idea is that the town garage does not
have a big electric bill, but it has a
very big southern southern facing roof
>> and we built the roof to be able to
>> we did, right? And so it is ready for it
and I would support it on the basic
concept that the town through whatever
means of accounting is paying for the
electric bill at the library. And if we
can install, it makes just as much sense
to me to install solar on the highway
roof and allocate it to a different line
item in the account. The physics are the
same. We don't buy KW from a power
company or we can sell it to them. It it
isn't quite as lucrative as if we could
produce it and not buy it from
Eversource. We still have to buy it from
Eversource. will will earn something
from New Hampshire Electric Co-op and
that's how the accounting gets done. And
so it's not as sweet a deal, but there
isn't a good place on that side of town
at the moment to put a solar array in
Eversource territory on property that we
own as a community to offset that
electric bill at Phil Green. So I think
I think there need to just be some you
know real discussions going on and then
and figure out the handing so that it is
so crystal clear because it is a little
bit complex. So we'd want it to be so
clear to everybody and to
>> have this concern. Why is the town not
being the electricity put into a, you
know, a paragraph or a chart of numbers
that you guys can digest very easily?
>> So that we can say because we're saving
money by doing this, right? That's
always
>> Well, the other thing too, thinking, you
know, bigger picture,
>> maybe it doesn't go to the Meridan
Library. Maybe it just goes into the
fund for the town that could offset
somebody else's electric bill.
>> Yeah. And I think well I think the issue
for them is the library folks want to
fund it
>> and the library.
>> So so they they have a friends group
that wants that says we'll buy it but
we'd like the benefit to go to this
department.
>> And so if you think of it
>> there would be there would be a check
from New Hampshire Electric Co-op. Okay.
It would be the net of what the highway
department uses
minus or the what gets produced minus
what the highway uses. They have a
program to pay you for that. You get a
check each month or a credit. That's the
income, the revenue that would show up
in an accounting line somewhere. Yeah.
>> And then you have an electric bill at
Philip Reed. That's a monthly bill you
get. You can apply that and know exactly
what's come in and you can know what is
going out. So you can do the accounting
of it and be precise so that they know
the library friends whoever funds it.
>> They say yes we see this was the cost of
the rate. This is what the the highway
garage used. So we're not subsidizing
that. Now,
yeah, I think you could split that and
make a direct installation be just the
highway if you want, just divvy up the
panels on the roof. But regardless,
there is a a way to make take advantage
of that south facing roof
>> and bring revenue into the town that
offsets an expense and the investment is
somewhere between 8 and 12%.
You know, return.
It's a it's a financially smart thing.
The town just isn't in the business
typically of thinking of investments,
>> You know, you so nicely.
>> Yeah. Sorry. So, just just be thinking
about it and know.
>> I mean, the library trust just met and
and they're hiring a new director, so I
could see it could be a little while
before they they get this on their
plate. But Tony and his group, and they
did a wonderful job at the Meridan
Library and and in many places around
town, they are very enthusiastic. So
when they get when they get focused,
they want to start putting panels on the
roof tomorrow and that's just simply not
going to happen. There's a process that
has to have be followed.
>> Is there a reason why this has to be
tied specifically to the library?
>> Because they're paying for it. They're
the ones who because but because the
there's an RSA that we do not we can't
say what the library does or does cannot
do.
>> Oh the trustes are in charge of the
library. So we can't just say well we're
going to do this.
>> I think you could right because but I
don't think you
>> because you're not touching their
operation.
>> Well well but the key is they're buying
the
>> I'm not saying you want to. I'm just
>> I'm just saying the town is capable of
it. So, say it was a Warren article.
>> We want to spend x thousands of dollars
to put a solar array on the roof.
>> And the community says, "Okay, maybe.
Why would you want to do that?" Because
we have a bunch of expenses and we can
put that revenue against expenses.
>> They can ask which expenses and they can
mandate that they be targeted to a
certain thing. And if the voters pass
that, I think that's right there. Yes.
Right. They think if we bring it to town
meeting, that's exactly what I think.
Yeah. So, let's get it to go right
smoothly and see what we get. I'm happy
to work with Tony, okay, just as I did
on the last one to get the presentation
materials straightforward and simple and
clear and and he will be there to answer
whatever questions you want to ask of
him and I'm happy to to be prepared to
answer whatever else about it.
>> Okay. I mean, it sounds like a good idea
for sure, but
>> yeah, think about the building. Yep.
does for the building, what it doesn't
>> That's why we beefed up that roof so
that we could at one point.
>> Um, Richard
just wanted you to know that, uh, he's
met.
>> The roads that we've approved for paving
are are nearly ready. Baines Road,
Meridan Village Water District has been
changing out a manhole that had failed.
And so, that I think is done. Rich had a
had a catch basin for drainage water
that he had to work on. So, that's been
done. Um, the only negative news on the
paving, we we have a price. Pike will
hold to that price. They're not going to
get to us until mid-occtober.
>> So, we shoot for Columbus Day usually,
and that's mid October.
>> You know, we want it done by Columbus
Day, but both roads, they think they'll
do the whole project in one day. Okay.
>> Um, I mean, there's there's two little
spur roads. I think it's probably a day
a little more than that, but by the time
they move the PA three times, uh, but
they're done. um Main Street, which is
not us.
>> Um but you see the state has finished
its work. As I understand it, the
surface you have there now is the
surface you're going to have going
forward.
>> They're not going to pave this year.
They're not even sure they'll pave next
year. I mean, the state Ross Wood is our
contact with the state and and um he
would definitely want to let it sit a
year and have traffic compact it. It's
already sinking in a few places, you
know, even though good compaction was
done and at the moment it is not on next
year's paving schedule. Um, so that that
looks like we had open heart surgery on
Main Street. The scar will be there for
a bit. It will fade and and and and look
a little less um obvious as as it does
now, but Meridan Village is at peace
again. You can get to the post office.
You don't have to go jealous road um and
and all of that is is good. Um Rich is
touching up some grading. He has had a
very good summer with ditching. They've
done a ton of ditching. Um and they're
continuing to do that. Um he's, you
know, I think we'll at the next meeting
we'll talk a little bit about fall
grading and and what that might involve.
Um but basically he's he's got a bunch
of that stuff done. He hopes to begin in
the next couple of weeks to doing the
tree work that they can do. you know,
where every community in the state,
every property owner in the state has
dying ash trees. There's a huge one on
Bonner Road that's just trying to fall
in the middle of the road. And you know,
these things, they seem to have a very
>> thin root base that once it rots, the
whole trunk just tops over. Um, and
there they are. And it's, you know,
Granthm, give Granthm credit, 20 25
years ago or 10 years ago, whenever we
started a year in 10, the Emerald
Ashport, Granthm started a capital
reserve fund for treework. Yeah. And so
they have money set aside. The rest of
us, and including the power companies,
are going to deal with them when they're
laying on the ground, right? I mean, but
Rich is going to try to start taking
some of them down. He obviously can't do
ones around power lines, and he can't do
the ones that, you know, would be in any
danger to we'll have to hire those with
with tree work or get the electric
company to do them. Um the the truck
that's on order is supposed to be done
the end of September, which is the one
of those trucks that was paid for with a
grant for the newer diesel versus older
diesel. Um we talked about the budget
earlier. I think you know the paving is
the last big project of the year and
that's you know that's roughly we'll
spend 60 65,000 on paving. I think the
budget's fine. The one place that we
will hold some money on is on on the
road project line item because we're
going to be way over on diesel, right?
We didn't anticipate a war and Iran and
we didn't anticipate $6 diesel. We so
our diesel budget is is exhausted right
now with with one quarter of the year to
go.
>> Easy time right now once he gets done
ditching because he uses a fair amount
of fuel with that and then you know we
have the month of December basically
that stuff. But we'll go over5 to
$10,000 on diesel. I'm sure maybe more.
Um but that's just that's just the way
the budget works. I mean that's those
kind of adjustments. So we we will just
hold some money there. Um he had a
couple of little roads that he wanted to
pave. We maybe do one and hold the other
for for the next year. You know, he had
other than the little ones you approved,
he was getting prices on Tallow Hill.
There was another was it maybe Whitaker?
But I think it was it was Tallow and one
other that he had that that was was
starting that he thought he could make
some improvement on with this year's
money.
>> after Labor Day they're going back to
BD.
>> Yes. And we're always an then they're
not anxious but but yes it's yes they
they'll and daylight become begins to
become an issue. You know it's already
darker in the morning than not not at
6:30 but but it still it still is. Um,
in your packet you had Rich's, you know,
he's got Mikey cranking out his his
monthly report that's available for
residents to look at. It's available for
um uh you know, anybody that wants to
see it. I do think um you you guys I
know had had a neighbor come in off of
Cutler Road. You've got the decisions.
They were in the packet. Yes.
>> Um I would hold off any action or
thoughts about that until the playing
board has had a chance.
>> Absolutely. and they're going the end of
September because they had the master
plan hearing Monday and they just didn't
want to have anything ahead of that.
>> Yeah. And I don't know and I'll tell you
how much action. We were happy to
listen.
>> Yeah. I'm not sure there's much there's
much to do.
>> I'm not sure how much this select board
you know we don't overision
since the last meeting and and put dust
control on it. That was I did see in
some of the previous older notes that
that was one decision the select made
and you know I continue to hope that
there'll some level of normaly will
occur with the house because it's under
control it's finished most of the
deliveries and things are done
>> you know Travis and Avery added a
residence so there is there are now two
houses where there are one um but
>> it's a very difficult case because I
understand the abut's concern that It it
never used to be like this. But most of
the use on that road has absolutely
nothing to do with the gravel pit.
Absolutely nothing to do with it. Gravel
pit is so small. I mean 25 a month. It's
not very many loads. 15 max in one day.
Um and so it's really it's a it's an
accessory pit to his business. But his
business generates a fair amount of
travis sole proprietor. He he comes and
goes every day with his with his tools
to do his trade. So, we will let the um
residents know that that's happening,
that the date's been
>> actually the abutter was in on Monday's
planning board. Okay. And and what we
basically told her, I told her was that
it's not a public hearing,
>> They would need Travis and Avery's
permission to go, but the planning board
would certainly be willing to hear from
them. It's just it's not a you're not
going to get a notice in the mail,
right? It's it's a follow-up meeting
that was set. Um and it's, you know, I
think the planning board is very open to
hearing um the concern and trying to
help any way we can.
>> Yeah. I mean, I think I think if you
know, for sake, if we can get,
>> you know, we posted the road that we
posted the road 25, we we've added, you
know, more magnesium. Um Travis and
Avery have purchased the the wearing
course for the bridge, which was one of
the conditions. It's sitting at highway.
So
>> yeah, Rich mentioned that at the he was
here and said, "Yeah, I'm getting to
that."
>> Right. So Rich is going to put that on,
but
>> and he thought maybe this past week you
would get to it or that past two weeks.
So maybe if he can make that a priority,
that would be
>> just just to get it'd be nice to have it
done by the time the planning board is
there. I'll give him that date. That'll
be a good date
because I understand, you know, he said,
"I'm going to get to I'm getting to it
this week and I know that this is a busy
time."
>> Well, and and Rich has apparently in the
highway crew, we have a great love for
fairs. Oh,
>> so this is fair season and all of a
sudden, you know, and the truth is those
guys those guys typically do not take
their vacations during the winter.
There's no we can't impose that on
they're allowed to have vacations, but
they don't take their vacations, but
they they do darn fair.
>> I think that would would go a long way.
>> Yes, I I agree. Roadside mowing going
very well on the Planefield side. Nearly
done. The state would just do a little
roadside mowing. That would be good, but
the town is is doing its share. Um, and
Rich thought that would be done. He
thought he would get to the excavation
at the annex in the next day or two.
>> Great. That would be wonderful.
>> Has he mowed over at the annex yet?
>> Not as of two days ago.
>> Yes. So, we're doing our auto
extrication set for September 13th,
Sunday morning. So,
>> so have them mow it by the 13th.
>> Oh, little before that. We're going to
move the vehicle and September. Push one
of them over to the bank and roll one on
the truck and all that stuff before we
do the training.
>> Be very fun. All right. I um
>> just thinking about
>> just got to write a note here that I'll
remember gravel a pit. Okay, good. And
so generally, you know, things are going
fine in the highway. No major no major
issues. Um and it has been
>> gez it's been a nice summer. Yeah.
>> For for work. I mean those guys we
haven't lost days or weeks due to
storms. The weather has I mean I know
the country's baking. We've been pretty
lucky in the Northeast. You know the
night
>> is not good. No, it is not. You are
someone who doesn't have to work outside
100%.
>> It is true. But I I will tell you our
badge of honor at our house is in 33
years there has never been an air
conditioner in our house. We we open
windows at night and we and we close
them during the day. But I I I agree. I
have the I'm able to sit in here. There
may be one a year from now, but but
right now there is not one. That is that
is true. All right. That's what I had
for Rich. All right. Anything from you?
>> Um,
yeah, we Hildam's been here. Um, we are
going to,
you know, we'll we'll be talking about
this more going into the fall. Playing
field is due for a revaluation in 2028.
And what you want more than anything
else, and no matter what you have to do
to make it happen, you should do would
be my advice. And I'll come to the
hearings. um is you will want George
Hildam to be involved in your next
rebound. There is no company that's
coming to Planefield to do a rebound.
There is no one in the state doing
rebal. It's horrible for small towns. Um
we should have a measuring list. It
should be a full measure and list. Um we
will send out prospectus um this fall.
George has one drawn up to other
companies. The really sad part, you've
heard me say this before, is a 30-year
relationship with Avatar, and they've
dropped us. they've dropped most of
their small downs.
>> It will be an absolute cluster for a new
assessing firm, right? Because they will
have to understand the properties of
which they have no knowledge, whereas
George and Avatar have over 30 years of
knowledge on those buildings, I think.
And and Michelle and I and Sarah, we've
been working him hard. George is down to
three towns. He's, you know, George is
is is is winding it down as well, but I
think we'll get him in here in the fall
for a meeting with you guys. I think he
and Mark, who used to work for Avatar,
is now assessor like a contract assessor
like George. Um, are considering
>> would do the playing field job.
>> Um, okay. The two of them would would do
it. They would have to hire some data
gatherers um and that sort of thing. But
if you guys can make that deal happen,
there is nobody in the state like Helen.
He he anytime you see his work, you know
how good it is. And so George is
somebody that we want to involve. And if
you can get one more rebal out of him,
>> I was going to say we'll be lucky
because I thought he'd be gone.
>> Yeah. No, I I did too, but we've been
working him hard. I haven't offered my
house to him to stay, but he um one of
the things he might like and it would it
would be to have a clerk in our office
available to help with the with the
clerical piece of a rebound. And the
person he would be very comfortable with
having do it is Michelle if she could do
it. Um she'd have to do it after hours
and it would have to be a separate
contract. Um and I don't know what the
dollars would look like, right? But if
you even if you hire an outside firm,
you get a bid that you could accept and
they would come um which no one else is
finding right now, you would you would
want George in charge of the reval. He
would be the guy that that those people
would be working for. But the the next
big thing on the horizon once we get our
computers up to date is figuring out
what the 28 reval is going to look like.
That's a that's a project that's out
there. But George has been in the
office. He's got us mostly done um and
ready for for you know, believe it or
not, fall tax rate, right? September
one, MS1 is due. That that's the
valuations. He's been doing his reviews
as he does periodically on the
exemptions. He spent
>> most of a day with Singing Hills going
through their stuff. He's walked the KUA
campus. He understands that. Um we have
a couple that are harder locally. Yeah,
>> the Graange is a little harder to get
paperwork out of as it is every year and
the historical society. Um, and so we're
trying to, you know, get those people um
in interested in in doing the work that
they're required to do, but George does
this, you know, periodically and so he's
doing it now. Um,
we do have some models that I think
again you guys will get a little more
time hopefully in coming up to talk with
with Rob. I mean, it's it's common
knowledge now that we're going to, you
know, we're having another change in our
police department. Eric's going to be
gone sometime in early October, maybe
late September. Um and it looks Rob
Dietro's recommendation to you and to me
is that we do a contracted services for
a while.
>> Um that we hire state police will come
at $90 an hour and do directed patrols
two days a week. And so they would be
dedicated officer in our town doing
whatever assignment he's been or she's
been given. Um the county is
$100 an hour. State police is a little
bit cheaper. Um, and both those agencies
say they could fill in a day or two. I
mean, we got to come up with a model
that gives Rob a brave, right? Rob,
>> well, that's it. And and a model that
he, you know, is is clearly in charge,
>> right? the other charge, but he needs we
can answer. We've already
>> The other thing he wants to do is, which
I think is a really good idea, is to
offer a part-time
>> offer part-time shifts
>> to to certified New Hampshire, you know,
police officers, of which he thinks
there are a few around who would be
interested at an outrageous rate, be
special detail rate, $60 an hour. Um,
still cheaper than
>> health insurance, no retirement,
>> you know what I mean? So it is
>> and and the good thing about those
people if we could get some is you might
develop a relationship with an officer
who started working for you and said,
"Hey, this is a pretty cool little town.
I I might like to come and and and and
learn more about it." It's also those
officers would use our cruisers where
the other two by their own agency rules
would patrol, but they would patrol in
their cars. And I would much I mean if
we could it'd be way better to have an
officer in a planeful police cruiser.
Um, and so we are, we haven't had a lot
of discussion with you guys on it, but
Rob and I talk just about every day
about, you know, my priority for the
town. I think we know what a valuable
asset Rob Dero is, and we want him,
Officer Deo, Sergeant Dero. I told him,
what does Trish think about we just call
you Superman Deo? Um, and so he
>> it's important to us, I think, that our
solution be a solution he supports.
Absolutely.
You know, I'm not going to come up with
anything,
>> right? And so, right now, the thought is
is that we're going to use a lot of
state police and we're going to do some
contract officers and Rob will do his
50hour week and we'll see and we'll
continue to, you know, to the problem.
Keep working.
>> So, I I think you just said it's common
knowledge. It hasn't been announced in a
public session. So, so there may be
people listening who are thinking, I did
not know that. Um, it will be it will be
news to some people. So, It certainly it
certainly is circulating around. I'm
sure it is. So yes, but
>> I just wanted to acknowledge that for
the minute that no that you know people
are looking through like when was that
announced. It it has not been given a
date. I was not here on the day
>> he hasn't given an official date but you
know just so people understand he is he
does what all you parents do. He chases
his children and he's you know he's
found a place in the Carolinas that will
be closer to his son. he doesn't like
living away from his son family. I think
we can all respect that. And so that's
that's where he's headed. And um and
we'll, you know, we we will continue on.
His closing is in early November. He's
indicated October. So somewhere around
the 1 of October would be my guess. So,
so one of our September meetings, you
know, if maybe not the first meeting we
have would be nice, but to have have um
Sergeant Deedro talking about what he
his plan
>> and his he's, you know, he is as
positive about it as he can be. It's a
very different situ circumstance than
our last time. And so I think, you know,
there's not the sense of panic. I mean,
I think we we'll be fine.
>> We'll be fine.
>> Is it a thing to ask keep in session?
>> Sure.
>> Oh, yeah. I know. I was going to give
you that update.
>> I think it's on her agenda.
>> Good. We are um
>> our first candidate was was thinking
that her threequarter time job could go
full again. So, she didn't accept the
job, but we're going to use Karen
Johnson who is I think it's Marle
Bookkeeping and she does the bookkeeping
for the Meridan Library now. She she's
and she's actually she will teach us
some things about payroll and stuff.
She's very knowledgeable in payroll.
She's um in dust accounts payable for a
couple of different businesses and she's
going to start training with me right
after Labor Day.
>> Excellent. And remind me how many hours
a week we're going to use her.
>> I have told her I thought it was between
8 and 10. Y
>> she says without the phone interruptions
and things that we have in the town
office. She believes it's a 4-hour job.
>> So,
>> Oh, good for that.
>> So, and her rate is very competitive um
in terms of her her company's rate. Um
and we we also have um we're going we're
going as you guys know we're going to a
model where we're going to use a
part-time employee for cleaning of down
buildings.
>> Yes.
>> Um and that's going to take place. Um I
had a a nice conversation with our
long-term um cleaner who's been here for
years and explained why we were making
the change. They got it. They
understood. And so I think we're on a
good place there, too. And so we will we
will get the bookkeeping thing started
and uh you know that'll be an adventure
for for all of us. But I think it'll
work fine.
Okay.
>> And if she's really good, we'll see if
she wants to do a shift a week and a
police career.
>> There you go. All right. Well, that is
it. We are now going to move into a
non-public session. Um right now just
the three select board members. Bev
Wagger may be joining us at some point
who is the RHR consultant for the um pen
administrator search. Uh but we're going
in with the purposes of uh discussing
the two advisory committees um that were
forming one of residents, one of of town
employees. And so that's what we'll be
discussing and uh we will go into that
session. We will come out just to
adjourn meeting though. So we will not
be having more public session.
>> I move that we u move I move that we
>> change over into non-public session to
discuss the committees for the hiring of
a new town administrator and that when
we come out of non-public session into
public session
>> that's a beautiful
>> it will be exclusively to adjourn the
meeting. I second them.
>> You have to say everything you said.
>> Agree. I second.
>> Okay. No, I'm joking. Um, okay. So, now
we have to do a roll call vote. So, uh,
all those in in favor of Elise.
>> Elise Angelo. I
>> mean, Len I. We are now in public
session.
>> And I'm going to go because I'm not
involved in that. Um, could you just
>> No, I'll end the meeting. Is Is Bev hung
up or did you know she's late or
>> Oh, Beth was possibly not coming at all.
She gave us all the information.
>> But you guys have assignments.
>> We have assignments and um yeah, it was
like one day she had something she