Select Board - Regular Meeting

Pledge of Allegiance. Would you like to lead us? Good. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. First item is the minutes from March 19th. It's only going to be the non-public. Okay. I'll make a motion to approve the non-public minutes from March 19th, 2026.

I'll second. Motion by Dawn, second by Steve S. Uh, any discussion on the minutes? Hearing none. All those in favor? I opposed abstensions. It's 5-0. And the consent agenda, please. Sorry, whoever's reading it. Yeah, you got a schol. It's sort of sort of the VP's job.

Yeah. I'll make a motion to approve the consent agenda for April 2nd, 2026. Accounts payable payment manifest 2025, dated 32626. Accounts payable payment manifest 2026 dated 32626. Accounts payable AC payment manifest uh NHRS and Harper's dated 32326. Accounts payable special payment manifest dated 32026. Payroll payment manifest dated 32626. Seasonal two water sore warrant effective 1125. Quarter two water sore warrant effective 32526. Land use change tax of for map lot number 109030001 in the amount of $9,000. Land use change tax for map lot number 217133-00001 in the amount of $10,200. Removal of veterans credit $750 as Matt lot number 109041 no longer qualifies. Removal of Veterans Credit $750 as map lot number 116-061 no longer qualifies. Resignation of Scott Severn from the planning board. tax supplement warrant for alternate

assessment on math lot number 115-034 in the amount of $18,560.50 50s nomination for renewal of health officer appointment for Michael Lass. Appointment of Jeremy Fiser moving from alternate to regular planning board member through March 13, 2029. Appointment of Scott Surn to the capital improvements program committee through March 13, 2029. Transfer from general fund to the trans transfer station revolving fund in the amount of 15,42742. Transfer from the general fund to the conservation commission fund in the amount of $27,716.70. Transfer from the general fund to the EMS fundraiser fund in the amount of $196.55. Transfer from the general fund to the police detail revolving fund in the amount of 15,264.54. Transfer from the air compressor fund to the general fund in the amount of $447.3. Transfer from a water department's operating fund to the general fund in the amount of 125,16725. Transfer from the store department's operating fund to the general fund in the amount of 300 two,376.78.

Removal of veterans tax credit $750 from math lot number 14-067 as it no longer qualifies. Removal of elderly exemption $75,000 from map lot number 114-067 as it no longer qualifies. Approval of new application for veterans credit for map lot number 114-067 in the amount of $750. Approval of new application for elderly exemption for map lot number 114-067 in the amount of $75,000.

Second. Nice job, Scott. Yes. Okay. Uh any items on the consent agenda that anyone wants to uh discuss or pull out? I just want to point out two things for you on all of those transfers. Those are 2025. Those are closing up the 2025 transfers. Um so that is um I want to point out for you. The transfer station, that's the revenue that we changed with the Warren articles. We're moving that over. And then the conservation commission, that was their 50% that is moving over from the change use tax. Yep.

Um so that clean that cleans up those funds for 2025 and then we'll start 2026 um probably another few weeks. All right.

The other thing I'll point out, you will not you don't have a manifest from this week. um they fixed some accounts for us and I couldn't run a manifest so I'm going to have to run one tomorrow and I'll be in touch with you. Um I'm paying half of the school payment from February because we owe them February and March. So I'm doing that I talked to the treasure the person over there their treasur our treasurer and she said is any thing will help. So, I figured half a payment would be good and then we're going to re-evaluate where we are once we get our bond payment for April in. So, okay. Yep.

I have a question on why the CIP appointment is before us. It's a subcommittee of the planning board. It's before us. We can't um So, we researched that it is a subcommittee of the planning board. However, there's no proof of how when it was established and how they were appointed. So, we've been appointing them. Okay. Just just see what um I believe that the planning board also discussed it. Um but we've been doing the appointment here because we've gone back to try to research it and we can't. Okay. And that's what the attorney said just do it. Just do it. Okay. All right. Any other discussion? I guess it says signature one, two, three, four, five. Okay. Sorry,

Christina. I know you said, you know, half the payment to the school to kind of keep everything moving along. Yeah. And I know that there's been obviously just uh a bunch of work done to get all the reports. So, are they able to do sort of a cash flow report between now and soon? No. No. We'll be talking about that. Okay. All right. There you go. All right. Uh all those in favor of the consent agenda, please say I. I. Those opposed to abstensions that's 50. Thank you. All right. Takes care of that. Uh sess use department updates.

We're back. Y back. Okay. Um in your folders under number four, there's a couple of items. I I put their department I don't know what else. Joanne will give you other updates, I'm sure, but I put their department data summary in there. Um so just to explain what we're doing um we've talked about having departments in more um for updates. So at the yesterday's department meeting we signed people up and they're going to be for what we're the plan is in the future March, April, May.

Um so and then again August, September, October right before budget. So, um, we we're signed up through the rest of the year for a department, so they still can come in on off weeks if they have a purchase order that they have to get done. But, so Julian was already scheduled to come, so we set her up to do her update the same night. Also in your folder is a document on why why does 1978 matter? And that it's going to talk about the zoning amendment and the lead. You can start. So again, that's that's why Mike is is still here um this evening. We attended a training

sometime last year in regards to um a law change that went into effect in July of 2024. Y July 1, 2024. Yeah. in regards to basically like lead safety and um with the state and the EPA involvement and everything. And interestingly, right before that training, I had received a call from was it the EPA that called us in regards to TTCC? Yes. And the HHS. Yeah. Yeah.

Um in regards to work being done inside and that they were there was some concerns in regards to the interior work in such an old building and was there remediation taking place to protect the lead dust and all of that. This came to us because we were on the paperwork for the grants or No. Well, I think because of the building the land use permit or Okay. At that time it was the land use department certificate of zoning right. Gotcha. And EPA basically told us that we're the local

we're like the the local boots on the ground. Yeah. Just like septics. Same thing. The state makes the rules and then it's up to you to enforce them. Well, but so so okay. So I this is where I I definitely have a bunch of questions about this. Mainly because it's not so much that the law changed in 1978. Totally get that. But as you pointed out earlier, we don't have a building inspector. We don't intend to have a building inspector. Right. I'm trying to understand like what truly are they saying we have to do? Like what are the things that we have to do? So

because because that's to me it's like they may say, "Hey, you got to do it." I'm also perfectly okay telling them a little bit of okay we don't have that type of department but it's not it's not from a building inspect it would be that's from like health so it fall on like the health department which um again it's basically it it's that's what it is it's health public health at the end of the day that's what they're that's what they're after um so this is from a mental perspective Hold on before we go down that rabbit hole. Joanne had some other which may which may get into

Right. So, so I pulled So, it came to me I guess from a a question that John had. Yeah.

Here in regards to why we added this to the zoning amendment. We added J any renovations or ordinary repairs to structures built prior to 1978 and so forth. Again, this was something we weren't capturing. We had no idea what the age of different structures were. Now, my house was built in 1880. If I decide to scrape my house and repaint it, there are certain steps we're supposed to do. EPA can come down. Mike would get contacted to say, "Hey, it's been brought to our attention. in his house isn't properly mitigating the lead dust and it's going into the soil or they're close to the river or there's kids near a playground, all of that. So, it was a it's a mechanism for us to be able to start capturing that and treat it. Um, it says renovation rules are stricter for pre978 buildings. Any work that disturbs paint, sanding, demolition, window replacement triggers federal requirements. Um, the EPA contractors are supposed to be lead safe certified and special containments and all of that. So, it's more the way we're looking at it is it's more of educating and communicating to the public that if you own a structure that predates 1978, there may be certain things you're required to do or you should be doing. um the contractor doing the work um is supposed to follow certain things. Now, are we going to follow up and police behind them? No. But we have a responsibility to educate them to say, "Hey, you as a homeowner, Joanne Bailey,

if you're going to scrape and or renovate your kitchen, more than likely your kitchen was put in before 1978. These are the things that you should be aware of. Um, and so that's that's why we so I guess what I'm getting at is um, so then what? So we're collecting a a so so twofold. First one is is all right, we know enough about the inventory that's in Bristol. How many of our buildings are actually pre-1978? Because I would say to you a significant percentage is there. Are there? Yeah. Right. Yeah. probably north of 75% is sort of my guess.

Didn't I do like 58 I think 58% like 58%. I think we did. And then so we're because we're collecting because basically what we're saying is if the way that the the way that the amendment was written, if your building is pre78, you need to come hold a permit.

Not necessarily. Not necessarily. It's just it's to get them in here. What's the project? And then then again then we educate. It's not necessarily means that they have to get a permit but it gets them in here and depending on what it what it is like from a homeowner standpoint. If you own your own own your home you can you can do whatever. If it's a rental then you have to follow the RP. You have to do these things.

And if it's a new rental then you have to get a learning certificate at the end of it. And in the zoning ordinance under that section, it does say J any renovations or ordinary repairs to structures prior may require. And then it goes on to say ordinary repairs to structures that were constructed after 1978 may um may be made without a certificate of zoning compliance. Um, but again, it's as Mike just said, it's it's to get people in here or to call to say, "Do I need to do this?" Because if we don't have it,

what's going to require people, and listen, I don't want to monopolize this, but like here are my my own personal like this is John speaking. Um, I don't want anybody feeling like they got to come ask our permission to maintain their homes. Now, that doesn't mean we don't need to follow whatever's the the applicable laws are. Right. Okay. So, right. So, this right. So, I'm not I'm not saying we don't follow the laws. What I'm saying is if Bristol doesn't have a building department, we don't intend to create a building department.

Doing things that the feds or the state are supposed to uh be the ones the enforcement. So like a state building inspector, we need to basically put them on notice to go, okay, you have responsibilities in this regard, right? Like like so they're not going to congratulations. But like there's a whole lot of reasons why we end up in in these circular conversations because we assume that they're not going to be they're not going to take on their responsibility because it's at the end of the day if they're the building department and they have to make sure that my house is safe and they're the ones that can come down and say you didn't build the code. I just don't want us in a position where we're now all of a sudden because 58 58%

58% 58% of the properties here are before 1978. We now have tasks and things we have to do that we're not intending to do. So that's that's where that's exactly how it So the problem is the planning board put this on Warren article. It's passed and it's part of your zoning ordinance. So for us to say we're not enforcing it or we're not going to do whatever the education plan is, that's not right either. They they chose to put this on a war, but we just have to decide how far you're enforcing it. One, and two, if there's a fee related to it, right?

But but it go but it goes somewhat, I think, to what you were saying earlier, like the concern about taking on rentals and taking on some of this stuff goes to what's the workload, right? So if we're inappropriately taking on a workload that is somebody else's responsibility because we're not we don't have that department that puts us in a bad spot. But it's not a code issue. It's a health issue that the leg falls under health. Yep. So we have a health department. So from that standpoint if there is a violation then it's going to be we and we have an obligation in in public health. And to Christina's point, we have a duly warranted article, a warrant article that was passed by, right?

But but then it means it's not really bad what I'm going to say. But we we should have been talking about this at their public hearing and before it hit the warrant and now it's hit the warrant. We're talking about it after trying to decide what we're going to do. Right. Just let's be clear. I'm not trying to say that. I'm trying to decide what we're going to do, but like right now we have something that says they can pay for a permit and when I read through it, right? Like so I know this May, right? Right. But so like the May side of it is if we if we have a personal opinion again,

if we have a task, then we need to charge a fee to basically make sure we're covering the things that we got to do. I just it I don't want to feel like we're in a position where we're saying on one hand we don't want to have a building inspector at the building department and then we've got this other way where we're going hey now we can hit 58% of our properties with a fee because you need to get a permit but we don't do anything for it again doing something for it I want like like I'm not I'm not saying I don't want to have fees I'm saying I want to make sure that it it lines up we have something we got to do

the responsible And I I don't know if I'm going to articulate this correctly, but I'm just going to throw this out there. So Joanne Bailey, I want to do a project. I look at the zoning ordinance or I look at the COC application and it tells me, okay, any renovations or ordinary prior requires may require a COC. I'm going to come in here and I'm going to start filling it out. Mike's gonna get involved and Mike's gonna go, "Oh, your house is pre 1978."

Yep. It's 1880. Okay. What are you doing? I'm gonna have my house scraped and painted and everything. Okay. He's the health officer now. He's going to say, "Okay, are you aware there's health concerns with that? There are certain steps as a homeowner you have to do." We're not following up with them as an enforcement perspective after. We're just saying, you know, because pre78 there's also pre80 there's asbestous issues. There's other issues too that we need to make sure are being mitigated. So, it's just an awareness for him

to be able to educate that applicant. It may not require a fee. You know, what I'm doing, it might not even require a COC, but it initiates that conversation. Okay. So, all right. So, we'll let you know how it goes. If it's creating a burden, we'll we'll certainly come back to the planning board and go, you know what, we added something that we really didn't need to. But I don't really think um I don't really think it is. Otherwise, we would have I would have been a lot louder during the planning board sessions and saying, you know, hey,

it's not an issue. Why are we creating an issue? Um, so again for both you and Mike, seriously, thank you. Absolutely. I know that I cause a lot of stir when I start some of these questions. I take Tums before I listen. But listen, that's better. Most people take Pepto-Bismol, so that's good. That's I take the chewy. Yeah. I mean, at the end of the day, I I just believe accountability swings both ways. And the way that we need to hold people accountable to things, they get to hold us accountable to sort of how this stuff flows. I believe the same thing is it comes from all of these entities that want to just say, "Hey, guess what? You now need to do this because we said so." Yeah.

I kind of go, "Wait a minute. Hold on a minute." Right. Like like who's the responsible party? You are now what are are you a risk? Oh, yeah. I am an inspector and an assessor technically, but he went through the small training. Right. Yeah. more for more for education than than to do it because again that it would the cost to the town is it's not I can tell you an anecdotally I know that you know in in talking with contractors they're acutely aware of this uh and some will say oh I don't work on old houses they don't want to deal with it they're just not

you know so there are definitely the the information is out there you know there's always going to be someone who's going to do it anyways some plan. Well, right here, this this booklet, it's the law. You know, anybody that's disturbing anything, a contractor that's going to work on it is supposed to provide this to the homeowner. You know, there's certain due diligence on behalf of the the person doing the work.

Hopefully, quick question. I probably should know this. Are we requiring that they get their per lead permit, their federal permit, or is it a state permit to do the lead work for like a New Brunswick property? Are we required that as far as our zoning compliance permit or certificate? So, no, they have to at the end when they're ready to rent, they have to get anything pre pre,

right? So, anything after July 1st, 2024, if say I I decide, oh, you know what? I'm going to rent my house. Uh, now I and it's pre that built pre-1978, then I have to get a lead safe certificate before I can rent it. Um, and that's kind of where that came in also is if we have them coming in from the COC, then that would be something yes that I would require to have on file. Um, and then just from the state standpoint, you require to have we're right before they have

and for example, we have I mean we have more than just this one example, but we had an example where a property owner came in I think to planning board. They had to do an amended site plan because they were adding a another rental unit into a barn. Um, so they were increasing their apartment size. Now, their house was a five unit house. It was predate, but for that one unit, they would need that. Thank you. Yeah. Anything else for Mike? I don't He can leave for the Yeah. Thank you, Mike. But I'm sorry. Do you have anything else to add under your updates? Yes. Department? Yes. Sorry. I didn't want

No. Have a good night. So, Mike Mike's portion is he doesn't need to I mean, you're willing you're willing to stay. I'm good. Looks like it's 30. That's right. Critique me in the morning. Yeah. All right. Um, thank you.

Just to just to run down some updates um to the board. Um, obviously Mike and I um are part of the enforce we're the enforcement team. we drive around in the the Ford Explorer um and you know when things are brought to our attention or we're on a routine basis now where we're going different parts of the town and just checking things out um I will give the board an update fee flags um in front of BHOP hopefully they're no longer there they were there today they were there earlier hopefully I spoke to her what time did I spoke 2:00 maybe I spoke spoke to her I think about three. Okay.

So, she said she was going to remove them, but we sent a letter to the property owner that went unanswered and then I've been trying to reach Behop. The manager wasn't there. Um, I finally got in touch with her. So, those things are addressed. Um, obviously you guys know about the Reval abate. Um, we received about 14 abatement applications. Those have been turned over to the assessor to review based on her review and recommendations that will be coming back to you guys to to look at. Only 14. Yeah, I'm surprised that that low number. Good.

Um all the all the all the pickups there have been a couple given after that we've we've been told I'm sorry we can't accept it, you know. Um all the pickups um have been completed by the assessing company. All the data entry is being finalized. Yeah, I I know they were we got the list of properties and I'm like, "Oh god, they're going to think we're Yeah. Um

but um so that's taken place." Um, one thing we recently learned with the zoning ordinance updates on an annual basis in the past for years and years, we've always been submitting them to Grafton County Registry to be recorded and we're charged, you know, for the first page and then a lower charge for every subsequent page. We don't have to do that. So, we're saving about $500 not to have it recorded. Um we still do send it to the um OPD um office of planning and development. So they have it on record. Obviously Cheryl keeps an original copy. We have an original copy. It's posted online. People can see it. So

So that's kind of curious. What what why I didn't know we actually did that to begin with to be perfectly honest, but like but what made us begin to do it and why why did we Well, we we reached out to NHMA um to legal and just to say is this a required step, you know, because it's a process. Yeah. Yeah. Um and they're like, "No, why?" Like why are you doing that kind of thing? And the registry didn't never said, "Hey, what are you doing?" Okay. No, they took the took the $500 instead. Thank you.

Um mapping updates. Um I think you'll have the agreements to sign from CI. Um once those get Yep. they'll get signed, we'll start to see some activity with our new mapping layers, which is going to be exciting. Um is exciting. Another thing I've I've done with um we tried it with the planning board. Scott participated in it. We did a little training last workshop meeting. It was a Jeopardy game. It was good. We actually had the Jeopardy board and um so we're starting to do that with the different boards and commissions.

So who is Scott 7? I didn't. Yeah. So for 100 for 100. There you go. All right.

Um if you've stopped into the land use office in the front lobby, you'll see a TV there. It's not for us to stay on top of judge duty or anything. We actually have on um a loop, you know, vintage pictures of Bristol. But we had it installed so that we can cast to it when people come in and want to see their map and their property cards. We actually cast to it. So, that's a kind of a cool upgrade. Um, the last thing I have um are credits or exemptions. Um, charitable exemptions. You'll be getting that list um from

Yeah, I'm sorry. I didn't give it to them yet. Oh, okay. So on an annual basis, um organizations that um feel that they're eligible or are eligible for either charitable, educational, or religious exemptions are required to fill out certain forms, an A9 and an A12. Um there's a couple that have fallen off. Well, one is a brand new falloff upward bound Youth Development, Bristol Hill. Yep. Y

they will no longer be receiving the exemption. Um it's been removed from all three tax cards. Um Midstate Midstate has filed their paperwork. Um, but a portion of Midstate is an interior room in Midstate is going to be a pharmacy, for-profit pharmacy. So, we've carved out that square footage and they will get a tax bill on that um interior square footage. You look like you want to ask something.

Yeah. And when we talked about this last in particular to Midstate, it I think it was Plymouth that they that Midstate took them to court because Plymouth tried to help figure out because it's not like they it's not like 100% of the Midstate constituents that go to Midstate are in that scenario of because they are for profit, right? like at the end of the day, but they have a certain percentage of their of of their patients that in that category, but no one's I don't think anybody's been able to figure out sort of what that right percentage is, right? Is that this isn't that low? Okay.

They were taking um so midstate they tried to charge them fully for their taxes. They didn't give a percent. Oh, yeah. Yeah. And so, and then it it is difficult to determine what that percent would be of out of that. This is different. This is another business going into Midstate that is in chair. Yeah, it's general pharmacy. They're going to know. Yeah. Um and lastly, the other Do you should I be talking about the um or no, we might want to wait and let them start up to the chair. Okay. Um Yeah. Okay. Good. Good. Um so Jane's going to stay for the next item as well, but

Yep. Yep. Which leads us into the Masonic Lodge um application for reconsideration in not the right words, but you know, and this is the night for me to recuse myself. No, totally fine. Since I may want to speak, you want I'm actually going to go in there. You want to sit on the hot seat? All right. Uh no. Okay. Oh, come on. All right. I brought my lawn. And Mr. Chair, can we just remind people to identify themselves? Yep. Uh let me bring back up the There are three documents in your folders. Um under number

five. Don't worry, my colleague here is going to be handing out so you can all follow along with me. I think we've all we have gotten their folders already. Okay, we've got it all. The whole document though. That's much thicker. But yeah, good for the good for the record. Thank you. What you said mean they have. So I work uh I work for the federal government. So uh I uh I appreciate your use of paper. Yes.

There goes another tree right there. We'll grow. We'll grow another meetings like this and you see people like I didn't get the file. I didn't get the I can't open the file. It's like here it is. So, so welcome. Uh, just for uh public public knowledge, uh the um the Mason property had come up on the list of items that we were reviewing in 2024 for uh tax exempt status uh for the coming year of 2025. Um, we didn't have documentation at the time. Um, and we uh did not include it uh or we did not approve it uh as as a nonprofit in terms of tax property taxes to the town of Bristol.

There was also a court case that the assessor recommended that we do not um give them the exemption based off of the court case. based off the court case and based off of the information that we didn't we didn't have.

Right. Right. So, uh, we're back, uh, reviewing those, uh, those letters, uh, those, um, uh, organizations and, uh, we actually have the letter in front of us, uh, from the Union Lodge Masonic Association, uh, with the required and asked for documentation. Um, at least that's the that's my understanding of it, but I will give it to give you the floor to fill in any blanks.

Yes. So, thank you. So, if you read the uh the cover sheet here, um, well, first off, my name is Ryan Alonso. I'm the author of this and I represent Union Lodge Masonic Association. So, that association operates 61 Pleasant Street. Everyone knows the building. And this this uh this group we are 501c2 uh and we represent and we are filled with all of our board members are from now four different organizations union lodge 79 uh sahagan chapter of order of eastern star cardigan lodge number 30 which is the oddfellows and the enterprise rebecca lodge 46 which is Rebecca's. So all four organizations make up ULMA, Union Lodge Masonic Association and the members are all volunteers. We all have 9 to5 or we're all retired and not one piece of that building is for profit. So all these organizations, whatever money comes in goes straight back out to the community. um for uh the association any money that comes in goes straight to operating costs, oil, you know, uh for heat, electric, internet, things like that. So, we do I have a whole list as you can see on page two of what we do for the community. So, we give we give money, we do the free breakfast, the breakfast with Santa. So, if you've been in the town long enough, you've done something over at the Masonic Lodge, even on Halloween. And one of the big things we provide which we don't really do have anything to do with it's our property that does it for us is our parking lot. So we are private property and our parking lot is utilized by the tenants of certain uh homes around their

apartments as well as the library and uh the post office as well. So it's like almost like a public parking lot. And um on the winter months like uh this this winter uh it's a overflow for all that extra snow. So our building does provide that free of charge to all the taxpayers. So the reason why I'm here tonight is back in October we received the first tax bill of 0 which we thought was absolutely fine. For the past number of years we've been tax exempt. We're tax exempt. uh and uh we figured nothing of it. Then in December, December 23rd, we received a tax bill, a first tax bill of $9,798 due on February 4th. Now, we were able to scrape that money together and and pay it. However, it created a significant financial hardship on all four organizations because as I stated there, it's all volunteer and every money, every dime that comes in goes straight to bills or straight back to uh the uh community. So, that was a very significant hit, financial hit on all of us.

Would that have been the full full year? Full year. Yeah.

Oh, that would be the full year. Okay. So, the reason why I'm here tonight is to talk about that year and possibly maybe getting that money back because we do provide significant public service including that parking lot and moving forward, you know, so fiscal year 27, fiscal year 28. So I did provide in this package a uh an abatement package a um what's it A12 A9 you know pursuant to RSA 7223 and 70 uh chapter or section 5 but I want we want to discuss with the board here you know about getting the money back for 2026 and what should we do moving forward for 27. We have a couple of ideas, options, but we want to hear from you all first.

Okay, Mr. Chair, Joanne might be able to answer going forward in 2027 what um there is a statute that has changed for 2027. Well, in in researching this um and again I reached out to the assessor um and I did provide two links um to Christina on the court cases. Um, the town of Oipi and the town of

I missed sharing. I'm sorry. of the town of Oipi and the town of Alton were found to they have been granting the Masonic Lodge the charitable exemption and they were found to be sorry I read this wrong but keep they were found it it was it was done in error they said and it was actually taxpayers brought agreements to the town

saying interesting that you know now their exemption is being spread across other taxpayers. So BTLA require those two towns to basically do another reassessment of the town. Um so it was significant. There was a house bill um which I read wrong. Sorry, but Joan can explain it. Yeah. So there there was a house bill um that has and I'm learning these terms in expedient legislate in expedient legislate which it's where bills go to die when well this bill died

when they won't vote no they wanted it said this bill was house bill 1324 an act exempting the land and building of masonic lodges and associations from property taxations Um, it was killed.

Yep, I read that wrong. Sorry. So, and it referenced under section 7223 C and H where it said originally um organizations that are specifically listed are allowed this exemption and Masonic Lodges is not listed. Yeah, Mr. Chair. Yep. And I just add on to absolutely done. Thank you.

You probably remember too since you've been on the board with the history uh mine's even longer that like Oipy Bristol has has done the same and given an exemption. Uh I'm not sure what their those towns had for an agreement, but it's always been the agreement with the usage of the parking lot and also uh emergency need for meetings etc like that the building itself. So that was the uh the agreement traditionally in Bristol and because of those four cases and uh the uh the additional paper the actual paperwork is now being required

right we got caught up in this situation now because right yeah I thought that there was anou created back on uh when Michael Pone was town administrator have not been able to find any record of it?

Uh there there is some records and it's in this package from June 2005 where uh Union Lodge Masonic Association versus Town of Bristol. Um there's a BTLA docket number in here. Um an agreement came it uh uh between Town of Bristol withdrew its denial of the exemption status. So it granted us exemption status and then we uh then ulma pulled their appeals from the superior court from county superior court. So right I understand that but that's a specific but but doesn't no there is I couldn't find any mou but that's been

the discussion for all these years and that's why and that's why I figured early uh in 2020 well I should say late in 2025 Octoberish when we got the first bill it says zero. Okay. What status quo? And then all of a sudden we got that $9,000 bill. Yeah. Did it come in October? Were we late or July? July. Yeah. Yeah. Possibly. Sorry, not nitpicking. I just I just Yeah, I'm new to this position. No, no, that's that's fine. I Yeah. Yeah. Possibly moving forward with that portion. Consider Yeah, you might consider them when you

Yeah. So, and and I remember when we when we discussed this on the on the board um and unfortunately Don wasn't there to provide some of the the background when I was not on Yeah. Yeah. You're not on the board or you were not that that there was probably a year that I was Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. That's I know. I think you might not have been here. I think you were not here. Oh. Oh. Before that night. Okay. Oh, I thought you I thought you I think it was a um a couple meetings later that came up and you had said that you wished you would have been here when they made that decision. Okay, that's right. So, not not throwing anything on you, but

um so yeah. So, what we had as a board what we had was a situation where we had and I think we had asked had we asked for information. Um, so I I can just say from a process perspective, I have followed Christina's footsteps. I send out a letter. Yeah, Les can attest. I think she receives one, too. Um, but I send out a letter with the two forms based on their type of exemption. So, the Masonic Lodge, I think I sent it to Mr. Vayden. I did not receive it. So, okay.

Um, but yes, I send out the A9's and the A12s. um and indicate the dates that both are received. Charitable require both. Religious only require the A9. So that's not an abatement form. Yeah. So one's due in April, one's due in June. But

Right. Right. So as a board, what we were looking at is our understanding of a letter that had gone out had not received any backing information. We made the decision based on that that it didn't meet the requirements because it didn't have the didn't have the paperwork. Subsequently, I know Don worked on getting all that stuff together. Um, and we have it. And what would be the the process? Would we just vote on whether we whether you're going to continue the exemption or not? Yeah. So, um, doesn't sound like it's actually several probably. First one is

well I think the first one is whether we're going to whether we're going to um continue and correct yeah and then and then there is an abatement process although I don't know timewise but it's only yeah so there'd be an abatement process which we would then uh review separately consider but I I just want this gentleman to understand that I think you thought you filed an abatement for that the A9 and the A12s are not abatement applications. Okay. So, well, do you have a business card later so you can fill me in or can you tell me now which which forms it is? A9 and the A12.

Oh, no. There's the Oh, yeah. The question would be we can't accept at this point, right? However, could um I don't know if you're in the original letter you sent. I don't know if if it's clear enough that you're that's what you're asking for. We could use the letter, but we'd have to I'd have to read through and see exactly what you're asking in the letter. And I I I can I can provide an updated letter as well saying, you know, we can extend it. Oh, you can. Okay. Right. Yeah. It's very timeensitive. Okay.

It's statutory. So, but there may be enough in this that says that's what they were asking for. So, I can read we can read through the original letter. As long as it says that, we can treat it. also be something that could be addressed moving forward in an MOAU where it could be made. I guess we'd have to run it through legal or something, but made whole over time or something. Yeah. Yeah. I'm just we're just really looking for, you know, now the uh this fiscal year trying to get that money back and then moving forward, you know, if it's a wrong form, you want a different form, just tell me. Well, the thing that we the thing that we can address tonight is moving forward.

Okay. Um the the other issue I think is a little more complex because of the the timeline is is statuto. It's not that we can just say okay yeah bring us the application for abatement. Um because that wouldn't follow the state state law on the on the time frame. But I'm thinking there's a way that we can we can deal with that and and we do have other options too which we could do because as stated you know it was a financial blow to absolutely get it. Um what I would say is I think we're

I think we're more than willing to work with you to the extent that we're we're able to. We I think Yeah. Right. Yeah. Right. Um, and that's why I said I think that can be addressed in the in theou because we should have one on file. Sure. Yeah. I I assume at least the the files I can access to we don't have anything. But that doesn't mean it wasn't purged at some point. But Right.

And we we would be and we would be immenable to uh uh to to go in with theou for the parking lot no tax you know agreement. So yeah, we would be we'd be okay with that. And you all already have my information, so feel free to email me and uh call me. Okay. So at this point, I guess I would accept a motion to approve the tax exempt status. Do you want to around it before you? Oh yeah. No, we got But you got a motion motion where you speak. Yeah.

Okay. You want to make a motion? Let's go. Let's see. Um, all it has to be is a motion to accept the to acceptance like tax status. We might sorry interrupt. We might be able to use this because it does say regarding Union Lodge Masonic Association tax abatement application. But inside the letter, it doesn't talk about it, but it does say at least in the title. We can talk to the assessor and just make sure. Okay. Okay. All right. So, motion by Scott. Yeah, I'll second. It's fine. Second by John. Any discussion?

Um All right. So, I guess I really want to try to make sure I understand this when So, because when we and you weren't here that night, Don, I don't believe that when we kind of went through this. Number one, I think we were challenged with okay, we didn't have the documentation to understand the status. And then two, as much as I appreciate what you're saying about the parking lot, it seems to me when we think about the town of Bristol at the moment, it's we're saying sometimes the library folks use the parking lot. We have a sign up. What's that? So, we've installed a sign in their parking lot that says it's open to the public until six. Right.

Okay. All right. Very cool. I'm just I'm I'm cuz at the end of the day if we decide to say we are are allowing them to have the distinction then we are distributing the $10,000 roughly or 9,000 whatever it is we're distributing that against the rest of the town right like same reason why I was asking the question earlier about mid-state like like I want I want to appropriately recognize when we have charitable things going on and not just distribute it because it's expedient it to do it a certain way, right? Okay. So, so we have signs that we put up. So, it's the So, for us, it's really the parking lot and I know you guys do a bunch of other things like the breakfast and things that you are open to the public are on, right?

Yeah. Um, so we also um So, sorry, I was asking we plow as well. Um, and then there's something it's also snow storage down there. Okay. Yeah. So pal, there's snow. We have a sign that allows them day daytime parking. Okay. There's something with the state and your and there's a drain that runs through your property as well, but I can't. So, okay. Yeah. That would that would affect the value of the property, not so much the the charitable status of it really, but okay. Um,

plus the building is available for uh meeting space. There's been several times planning where in the past there's been there when they through the old building they couldn't fit everybody in. In the last page that and you referenced it earlier of the 2006 letter. I'm kind of curious if we know is it still the state of New Hampshire where it said in the bottom of the last paragraph 80% of lodges are not given tax exempt status in New Hampshire. Is that still the case? I guess I'm trying to like like for us I can see a lot of reasons why it would be a good thing.

Okay. So, I'm not arguing that point, but at the same time, if 80% of the communities are in a position where they're not granting that status, does that make us more of an outlier or something that's aligned? As far as uh uh the if the 2006 stats are still current, um I would say uh I do not know. Um, so this was part of this was part of that court case back in uh initiated in 2005. So that was just part of that docket. Uh, as far as current numbers and how many I can get that information to you all. Um, but I don't

just for me personally, I would I find that interesting, right? Because if we're on the let's just say it was 50/50 and we were on the side of okay, yes, granted. Yeah, then I'm probably more okay with it. If if it's 80% still is not, then I'm I'm probably leaning the other way to Yep. Mr. Y to answer that question, the uh it depends on the town with the anmasonic building.

Yeah. Uh, for instance, there's many that aren't in in a position where it's advantageous that the parking would help the public or anything like that or there's no particular reason where the the building is more than just used used by the sign associations.

Uh, that's true. Bristol Bristol is unique in the spot where the building and the parking lot are available and you utilized by the town. Uh Portsmith is similar to that. They have a large parking area. Then there's also on the other side of the gamut, there's buildings like the one in Nshawa where they actually it's a very large building downtown and their first floor they rent out to retail uh space and then going back to the midstate where a portion of it is now retail space. They pay taxes through the ground fees. So it it it depends on the out on the situation of the building in the town. Okay. And since 2006, we've had many uh lodges in the state uh closed down. So those numbers are probably different for today's standards.

Some consolidation. Yes. Yeah. All right. Any Yep. The only thing that I would ask is um I think we should probably make sure we run this by the town's attorney because I don't want us to put us ourselves in a position where we put said we're going to do this exemption and then find out we we shouldn't have done it. Not saying that I've had that opinion either way, but I just don't want us to get into that spot where we're doing something we shouldn't be doing. So um what I'm reading here it it's not clear but it doesn't it says theou doesn't matter in an exception right however memoou aside

which is which can be an entirely different matterou aside I guess what I'm looking at is um we didn't have information to qualif that would base us to make a decision that they qualify, but now we do have that information going forward. You do, but the assessor is still recommending to deny it. That letter was from 24. She sent it again and followed up and said her opinion has not changed with the information that was shared.

So, um that's my I'm not saying to deny it. I'm not saying to approve it. I'm just saying I think we should just make sure that we have the ability to do that by the statute. Okay. So, anything done or not done tonight isn't going to affect the next billing which doesn't come out until June. Correct. Um May, June, but we should be able to get an answer by April 16th. And we have to Would we have by what? By April 16th. next your next meeting which is be which would give them and don't we but don't we have to have the answer by April 15th no May 15th May 15th May 15th is when so it's not the same as like

right the in this packet I have the necessary forms so so should you but I did email um Christina two links of court recent court cases that might be help and the attorney may come back and give us examples that say this is when you can qualify them under that and they find that that is what they're doing. I just want to make sure that we're not just I think it's a great thing we are we are working with them. We're using the parking lot. I just don't want to put us in a position where someone else could come back and say to us, okay, so we should probably just draw your motion

or should we just table? We can table it. make a motion to table the I'll definitely second that cuz I'm thinking the same thing. All right. And we will have an answer for you by the end of our next meeting in two weeks. If if and I don't know whether the assessor knows this or not, but I think it would be interesting to understand the updated status of how lodges are, you know, roughly in New Hampshire, right? They don't have to be a perfect number, but like how are most towns treating the lodges? I did try to search and it's there's no number you could find. It's it's it's different. It's different for every logic. Hold on. All right. So, we have a we have a motion to table it.

Yeah. Um I think that's non. Well, you want to say you maybe you shouldn't say table. Maybe you should say motion to continue to April 16th. T because isn't table mean it's done? You'd have to take it off the table. Yeah. So either way. Okay. Motion to continue until the next April 16th. Yeah. Sure. Yes. All right. All those all those in favor I what I would suggest is it would be good to know um what documents some other towns have. Yes.

That those towns are are approved as non as a non the nonprofit status. Right. So cross reference what you what you have here with what I don't know Franklin I don't know how Franklin does it or Franklin closed their lodge that building yeah Franklin did get tax exempt because I was talking down there and they did have it but they didn't have a building association because through the city of Franklin they wouldn't allow it because a building association can't be charitable even though everybody in the building is. So that's Oh yeah. I don't know what the what the difference on that one was, but

I'll ask him for examples. Yeah. Um when I talk to Sean as well. So all right. Well, thank you. I mean, so u you won't see me in two weeks um because I'll be on traveling for my normal job. Uh but um uh but my colleague here will be representing me. Um and and um you'll be well represented. But yeah, this is essentially kind of the the options we're looking at either filing the correct paperwork and just being approved by the town or an option forou with the parking lot but then all else fails you know we have to generate that 9,000 a year so and is p a private lot so maybe start charging for parking but that doesn't help anyone right

so right so thank you all so much for your time all right uh well we'll be ind uh I will gather as much in well the three of us will gather as much information we can be uh for I think we just so you know I think we all want to get to the right decision correct um we just we have to dot our eyes and cross our tees like you do of course all right so anything for more for me no sir thank you for coming in tonight thank you much appreciate

you're I think you're off Join us, Don. Welcome back, Les. Welcome back to the room. Not sure if I missed it or not. You need You need to sit at the microphone. Doc, super interesting. You go if you go into co-pilot on Masonic lodges and tax exempt status. That's what happened. Super interesting, isn't it?

Where's co-pilot? Co-pilot. If you look under your apps, I did I did find it. All right. Let's give Les the attention that she deserves. Well, then they can keep on doing what they do. All right. So, we're we're talking about uh TTCC and Town of Bristol partnership with Kelly Park TTCC project.

So, as most of you are aware, we purchased 90 Lake Street, but that was the former Kathleen's Cottage. And our plan is our plan has been for three years to have a full-size gymnasium and additional program space. So, over the years, we've talked about the gym being the one thing we absolutely need and hopefully a senior center component or different things like that. So, everything's up in the air. We own the property finally, so we're abing the park. We're really excited about that. It's a perfect spot. It was painful and right now they're using it for batting cages. So, if you see a lot of activity there, it's the batting cages for baseball and softball, and that's why there are people in and out of the building.

So, I went in there. It's cool. You can use the building the way you I stopped in there the other day cuz I saw Chris there and I I was there for a half an hour there. Like, it was awesome. Oh, yeah. It was amazing. Yeah. So, we had some ideas, too. So,

Oh, I'm sure the baseball ideas are never ending. Um, but anyway, it's great. It's very exciting. We're thrilled to have the building. So, but now starts the real work towards coming up with the money. We did we've received 1.5 from Shaheen that we can start drawing down next week. Um, we've received confirmation of 1 million from Goodlander. Um, we have not seen the paperwork yet, but hopefully we just applied for another million from Shaheen. And then we know once we get started because we Dan and I went over to the Newport Community Center and that was brand new and they had a lot of big donors for naming rights on rooms and things like that. So we're going to go all in on figuring it out. We had a very generous donation to purchase the property. So that made a big difference so we don't have to use our Shaheen funds to do that. Uh, so we met with we've been talking to Lakes Region Planning and they wanted to help us with the project. They've helped us with a couple other things and they were interested in helping with this by doing and I keep calling it a shred. I don't know that that's what they call it anymore, but it's like a planning and getting public feedback. and they were very interested in having us collaborate with the town of Bristol because of Kelly Park. So have more of a master plan for our property as well as how that can benefit Kelly Park which we would be all about anyway cuz we use Kelly Park and and it's been a good relationship back and forth. So we had our first meeting with them and we toured the property. We discussed the potential uses and we gathered some feedback. Um

they now want to do planning meetings. So the first one they're recommending and this is um it's Glenn Trune. I don't ever say his name.

Yeah. From Brown uh he's with Lakes Region Planning. Tim Andrews is with Brownfields and Mark Westa is EDR. He's a landscape environmental design and research with a company. And so they do this through their grant money. So it won't cost us anything for us to collaborate on it. And so they'd like to start with a meeting in June where we meet at the property open to the public to tour the property and then we'll retire into one of the areas in there and they'll talk about okay what does the community want to see in a building like this? Um because we want to make sure we get plenty of feedback from the community so that we're supported. So far, we've had incredible support towards the project, but now we want to know what does the community need the most for us to include in that building. So, and with Kelly Park. Um, so then that would be anformational meeting that we would have with them. Then they'd want to meet a follow-up meeting in July and they'd want, you know, the town involved from the Kelly Park aspect as well as the center for our building piece. Then July, that would be July. And then they've talked about, we said, let's put anformational table. We'll be a lot further along at old home day so that we can get that feedback as well. Show people where we're at that we're working together on it. And then at the final meeting would be in September with the select board and our board at the center to hear their results. So they will come up with some designing that we can use as we go out to the public. They won't do the final design. We've met with one group of com uh company so far and we're going to go out to bid of

course for design and the build. But so this is came to us through lakes region planning as something that would be helpful. It's a reminds me of the charet that we did for Kelly Park where you all got together. Bless you. Bless you. At the old town hall, we get incredible feedback. We've implemented a lot of what that group came up with. Um, and it it just makes sense. One of the things that we're thinking from the Kelly Park and in nothing is written in stone until we have all the public hearings and and discuss it. But one potential use would be um in touring the Newport Center. They have a baseball field right there by their center and they've built their concession, their kitchen in their building so that it serves from the park side and it then it serves for their gym side

which was really efficient. Dan and I were both impressed with that. And then the other piece that I've been thinking about with Kelly Park is if we had bathrooms at that end of the building as well, the bathrooms would be available as whenever the sun was open instead of what we have now where we can't leave them open all the time. Um, so that that would kind of be a win-win for all of us. I dropped a couple pictures into the main folder. Oh, no. I just dropped them in now, so you might have to refresh, but they're at the bottom of the list.

It's like a mockup. I don't It's not a permanent design or anything, but it's just a mockup, a couple of them. So, we had had a design done for the property uh 171 North Main when we were looking at that property. And what came of that was it wasn't going to be the parking. We wouldn't have enough parking there. So, and we really wanted to be on the park. So, we have talked to Dead River. We've talked to everybody along that stretch to see if anybody was ready to move on and and this happened to come. Took a few years, but it happened to come together. So, um that that's kind where we're at. The second one won't let you open it, but you can see one of them under under what?

Try the main one. Go all the way to the bottom. The first one of the list, and there's a it says center mockup. for this hot tub or one of the two. Oh, now you guys have upgraded to a snack tray. Yeah. Whatever. Little bowls. You to come back. I got it the wrong time. Yeah. You want to get back on the board now, right? See what the future brings. Last you said about um preserving the old building, the the original house. Hopefully that's still in the plans. So everything is on the table. Of course,

my when the this group walked it, they were starting to get concerned about the setbacks that if with the full-size gym and additional program space, whether keeping that building would infringe on using that setback area that for an area of our building. Um, as you know, I've said many times publicly that I'd be all for keeping it. Some of the board agrees with that. Um, we do know that there's asbestous that has to be dealt with in that building. Um, it's and lead paint as we heard earlier cuz 1978.

Yeah. Yeah. I we had it we had it looked at for asbestous. We haven't had the lead paint. No, believe me. I know. We've just gone through this. Of course. Yeah. Um, so yeah, that is the hope that we could preserve that building, but as I've been told repeatedly, you can't put it out there that that's going to happen until we have all of this feedback and see what's going to happen, right? Yeah. No, no guarantee, but at least the goal we would. Yeah. I mean, I I would love to see us. Let's make sure we freeze it. Other thing that was thrown out was that if we can't keep that building that we use those bricks for a walkway. Okay.

In memory of the building. But I don't know. Everything is I I have to leave everything on the table. Plus, I'm retiring at the end of the year. My is going to go downhill from there. Don't blame me. It'll be interesting to see what the planners can do. I keeping that in mind. I love I love the history of that building. Yeah. But so we'll see. And it worked out really kind kind of nice because the company um that we met with he was all about historical building. So he was like, "Oh, this is amazing. This would be great to keep." And I'm like, "Yes, somebody in my corner." But So is there a timeline on taking down that building? Are you going to keep it up until everything's finalized?

We'll keep it up at least through the summer because we'll probably use it this summer, parts of it for one of the camps. Um, and as baseball will probably continue to use it for batting cage until then, but there'd be a lot of work. It is just mammoth in there. It just goes on and on and on. And right now, we're keeping the heat down very minimally. Um, they have four there foursource accounts, so it's not cheap to keep the building open. So, um, go ahead. Yeah. So, one other thing we pointed out that we noticed and we didn't maybe I don't know if it was brought up on your side.

Um, is it possible to um get the backside cleaned up like a long absolutely is that going to happen immediately? Is there plans for that immediate? Cuz we thought maybe so we were we already started making arrangements like throwing bouncing ideas and we're like this is a community project. Yes. No, it is. So, it was Yeah. like volunteer driven just to get that cleaned up immediately and then absolutely that way they'll be ready for this softball and baseball season and that way there's access there. Oh, I see what you're saying. The fence and the

It appears there's already access. I've heard that the middle school some of the middle school youth are using that as a hangout place which I never thought would happen but now I'm going to have to start riding over there and Yeah. Um some cameras. Yes. Have you had any discussion with um O'Reilly's? There have been discussions with because there's a big piece in the back of that

with some potential. Scott Detad has had some conversations with them. There is the potential of maybe them being willing to let us gain access back there as well. Um so that is definitely on the table to discuss. I mean, you know what I would what I would say is you could do a you could do a boundary line adjustment with them and they could take a charitable donation. Yes.

Of the of the property. Well, and the other thing that I'm thinking on the town's benefit is it appears that that property does go out into the roadway of Kelly Park, which we kind of went back and forth when we were told that, but it appears by the survey that it actually did. Y I think this would be a great time to clean that lot line up so that the town has Yep. all of that property and and yeah, it looks like while we're all working really well together, we might as well get it done. Yeah, absolutely. Yeah. So, so yeah, I definitely cleaning it up is going to happen now that the snow is off the ground.

Yeah. Um lots of exciting plans. The number one thing people have said they want is a pool. Yeah. And it's it's impossible. We've talked to the other rec departments that have just built centers. That was the same thing in their communities. And it's just not feasible to indoor pools are very nice but Yeah. Very expensive. Yeah. They need a splash pad. Yeah. Yeah. For in the summer time forever. Like out in the summertime, the kids have a splash pad, right? Some way to cool off. And

so they do it where where I grew up in SWorth. They do have a splash pad now up at Pines up at the Pines uh park which is their center. But uh we used to have a concrete pool. Oh yeah. Yeah. That sloped down from four sides and they filled it every day with with the coldest water imaginable and then drained it. But uh yeah, it was all it was all cement like rough cement like Oh yeah. like um like the sidewalk, how it's kind of washed, that washed texture, lots of abrasions. Yeah.

The new market put in a pretty decent size splash pad. Um and they have it open to anyone from anywhere can come. Yeah. And they don't charge because of if they charged it opens them up to the liability. But what I learned was they have to test it every four hours. They have to do testing and chemicals. Wow. And so it changed everything for them. So like yeah, I'm not interested in doing something that big. But

but yes, so those were the those are the things I just wanted to kind of have us all in the loop on what's going on. Um I don't know a time frame. We're meeting next week as a board. Uh we're going to start talking about making some announcements about succession planning and we'll be discussing what our timeline is on this as well, especially now that the money's available to draw down, right? Pretty amazing. Yeah, it is. Yeah. Going be a lot of work. Yep. It's going to be cool though.

It is. It'll be good. It'll be good. Definitely going to be cool. Um, sorry. I'm That's okay. I'm daydreaming with the um the lots. Yeah. The possibility of what you could gain. Oh, you're really drawing lines. Well, and I keep going back to Walter Wearing budget meetings on how passionate he was about there's nothing for the seniors and how badly he wanted it to be the fire station. And I remember sitting there thinking, I really can't say anything right now because we haven't purchased the property, but we believe that should happen as well. I mean, we have over 200 pickle ball players registered,

right? Yeah. A lot of people asking we need more court space. Well, especially I mean there's obviously a lot of discussions about school consolidation, stuff like that specifically because the po the population changes from a schooling perspective, right? I mean there's no doubt that there is more folks retiring here in town. Mhm. Right. So yeah, having some programming that way would really be helpful. It would be great. It really would. And I've been I've discussed it with Gail Shaw from Plymouth Senior Center because they had the Bristol office, but it wasn't they didn't really have a lot of programming space. They could use the big room.

So we're on the same page as to the potential for what we could do. The other big thing is daycare. Of course, yeah, we wouldn't want to do it, but there might be an opportunity. Does it open up Does it open up the option for an expansion of the summer camp or not?

Certainly does. Oh, absolutely. It would be It could be because right now we're running four separate camps and one's a Bristol Elementary. We'd move them out of Bristol Elementary, I would think, and move Well, definitely not. and then move them over to that property. Um I'm not sure that we would need a lot more space than that for cuz we have one at Slim Baker, one at the center. Yeah. Two at Slim Baker, one at the center. So yeah, it definitely will open up a lot of possibilities for us be able to utilize that space with camp. Do you guys still have an agreement or do you have an agreement with the new USA Bridgewater to use their school? Is that still you still using that?

Yeah, actually Terry called when this was all happening and just said you guys are good forever no matter what happens. So we have keys for that and the schools have been amazing. I mean we're in just about every school. Yeah. So we've been lucky. Okay. So, we'll be looking for um we'll be looking for Did you have a date in June? We didn't pick a date. We were just saying June would be a good start. So, once our board meets, we can throw out some potential and we can It's not like there's nothing to do in June,

right? I know. But, but we can help get the word out, too. Yes. Yeah. Yeah. We'll make sure that we're all spreading the word and Yeah. Yep. Great. This is exciting. This is It is exciting. Yeah, it is. Yeah, we're psyched. All right. Thank you. Thanks. It's good seeing you. Thank you. I know. I miss you guys. Back anytime. See you, kids. If you want to cruise by the snow, I just want All right. Thank you. Good night. See you. project requirement discussion.

Yeah, I'm gonna let I would like to let John spearhead this, but there is um so I can tell I'll tell you my part first. So, you missed it. All Sean said, as soon as he said that, he went all. So, I could hear his eyes were rolling. So, 7A, they're pretty much the same document. just one's fillable and one's um not fillable. Um what John has been asking for since he started on the board and since I keep refusing to do until the board votes on it. Um so is a project requirements document that talks about specifications on projects. Um so I will let

John explain that.

Okay. So so here's the bottom line. We need to upgrade the video in this room, right? So for remote participation, all that other stuff, okay? And it's the same thing when you consider the public safety building when we did that one. Okay, we put in two TVs, we put in a bunch of stuff, we spent, I think, I don't know, 17 grand putting a bunch of stuff in over there. Okay, I don't believe over there actually meets any of our requirements, but because we don't actually document our requirements, we don't all agree. Now, you know, you guys know I do technology stuff all day, okay? So, like we can go back and forth and make it a technology discussion, but I don't think that's where I don't think that adds a lot of value. What adds value is do we agree on the requirements? Cuz then once we agree on the requirements, the solution starts to show what what it is like. So I can either articulate to you guys that when you look at this video and audio in this particular room, it I don't think it helps us when we have remote participation. I don't think it helps us address um anybody that any of our constituents that that don't live in town but maybe want to listen in or get involved in a meeting. That's why I think we need to upgrade this. So late, but but in the same vein, I want us to agree that we all say, "Oh, you know what? That is something that we should spend time on and work on." Well, there's no good way for me to articulate that to you other than saying, "Hey, I want to have a technology discussion about why this tech is behind the times." That doesn't add any value. The value is do we agree that this text should be updated so that that way we have better remote participation in meetings and then we have a better way of recording and dealing with um all that cuz like right now we have a proposal that puts a second camera up behind Dawn. So the second camera

would capture that table. We have cameras, a device under the TV, and like there's a bunch of ways for us to talk about it. But really the the real question is is do we agree that we should update the video and audio in this room to have better participation in meetings? That's really the question. But unless we fill something out to kind of explain a project, there's no good way to agree on that. So, so there's two things you have to as a group if you could decide whether you want a file form like this to be used. I will let you know that I'm not at the department heads history and there's a lot of concerns about adding another document for them to fill out. However, um they one of the biggest things that they would like is they really want some guidance on when and why it would have to be filled out. And some of the example I might have given them yesterday was um a vehicle purchase. But um concerns were cuz if you set a dollar amount, they're going to be filling them out for salt and sand. And they said, "Well, we're going to have to have rules with this because I don't think that salt and sand should be something that you have to justify spending money on." But um but that's that's what I'm asking this group to decide if they all feel we should be doing this form. You all feel they all you all feel that we should be doing a form like this for and what types of circumstances

and honestly you the form can be simpler. I mean literally it was uh we went into AI and said hey give me a form that does these things and tells me this stuff and then we actually took the quote from the video unit and fed it also in and said hey fill out the form for us. I had to refeed it today for some reason it didn't save it for me. Yeah. Yeah.

But so they're also under number seven. There is the meeting room sound improvements quote. Um that cost is still under negotiation. Um but we encumbered 22,000 from last year to be able to do this project. So and then there's also what John just explained was there's a I did take the quote dropped it into AI with the form and said fill this in for me and that's what it came up with. Um, that's also in your folder. It would have to be update. It would have This was just straight. I just dropped it in and printed it for your meeting.

Yeah. I mean, I guess the other thing is is like for me anyways, um, let's, you know, talk about capital purchase. Let's talk vehicles for a second, right? We know we want to replace a fire truck, right? We know we need to do orders at a certain time. I think there's always going to be questions around okay yeah it might be in the plan that way okay it's and it's based on time but I think usage is another thing altogether like how many you know h how many calls does it need to go on how many miles should it do just whatever we think the appropriate justifications are for saying we need that asset you know the technology stuff in particular I feel particularly strongly that we should make sure we agree and not because of a particular technology discussion but more because sometimes you can get end up in rabbit holes you know and it leads into oh I want to have this software and I want to have this system and I want to go in that direction and I I I think almost like the conversation we were having earlier about the 1978 stuff it's more about the how do we how do we make sure we're signing up for things appropriately that we want to make sure we're spending the taxpayer money on.

Anyways, so that's what it is. Where would the form go after someone fills it out to me? And I and it would come to the SL. So I think it's maybe not the level of detail that's on here, but I think it's very reasonable. If you're going to ask to spend someone's money, explain it and explain it well. So, but for what though? What is there a limit? Right. I So, I think I think setting a dollar amount is going to be difficult. I think things that are like you always need sand and salt,

right? There should be a list of things that you always need to do. They're routine standard process where it's doesn't have to go through this. But if it's something new and big, whatever we think big means, right? doing big be anything you're not doing on a continual basis. Yeah. Yeah. Ongoing and continual capital. It's not like we need to fill out the form to buy gasoline this month for all the cars. No, but it could be a repair on engine. That's $15,000. No, but that's that's one of their concerns that came up. So I I think but that's not a project.

That's maintenance or like that's muzz's point. That's exactly what that is. I think it's like to me it feels like it's like okay we're making a change or an upgrade and we're impacting operations cuz it's I want to know that we've thought through okay we're buy okay we're going to buy potentially a camera and a camera and we but we're going to change how this room functions right if we were to go with that K doesn't need those cam those you know cuz those cameras are about I think eight or 10 years not only that they're years like they can they don't won't need those anymore. It be a different board. These punky microphone things that are sort of hanging here that you know are make life challenging. That'll disappear. There'll be one mic in the middle, you know. So like but having the the the in-depth technical discussion I don't think adds the value. It's more like okay yeah we all agree that this is a project that's worthwhile. So anyway,

do we have feedback for people who joined online how bad it is? That's awful. Okay. Former select board member. Yeah. Mr. Brown Carol. Yeah. Some of that also is is is depends on their side too, what they have for Wi-Fi or internet. But it is awful because my internet is fairly good at home and I have to crank the I mean in the end eight or 10 years is a lifetime. Yeah. Yeah. Right. So we know improvements made. Um are the questions are these those types of question? We're trying to make it a generic document for any kind of project.

Yeah, I think it's a worthy thing like you like you said if you're a I think it it gets it provides a justification. It also creates a parameter, right? said, "Okay, this is this is what we're looking at." Um, I would streamline it as much as you think is possible. I think we can get down to two pages to be honest. Yeah. I mean, it's, you know, I mean, you know, Yeah. Right. And then if there are follow-up questions, we can address those, right? Yeah. And it was it was um Ben's thought one I'll throw Ben under the bus if he's listening, but thought was that he

under the fire truck. No, it's actually good comment. But um one of the things that's come out in my discussions and goals and evaluations with these department heads is how long sometimes it takes for the board to approve something. They come one week and you there are a lot of questions and you have to do a lot of research or you have to come back with answers when this might help in those situations for Ben. Yes. And that he has to come back two weeks later and sometimes it takes a month before we prove him to go forward with something. So, um, where this might give you everything you need up front. You might be able to make a decision that night, right, was way one of the comments Ben made during the department. Tell him he can attach a spreadsheet. He'll be very happy with that.

He can attach a spreadsheet to his. Well, you know what's good? We can have him tell co-pilot to create a spreadsheet for him. He will not be happy with that. He likes to create his own spreadsheets, but also this may slow some requests down, right? And prevent them because you have to think about it now to fill out the form and bring it, you know, and turn it in. Yep. You leave it, they go, I'm not ready to do this yet. I don't understand this answer or that. I can't, you know, but it's not ready. It might help everybody really. Yep. Yeah. It's a good boilerplate so they come in prepared because sometimes we're asking for questions.

So, So that if you guys are okay with it, between Christine and I, we can take another step, streamline the thing down. We'll finish filling it up for this room and then I can come and kind of go through it with you in depth as that project and then we kind of see. I'd like to also write up like some general rule, guidance rules with it so you can you can formally approve them and then we can use it to put up with the document. So

cool. Very cool. All right. Um TA report at your discretion.

Um if you want the I the number eight is the TA info. Um there's a lot in there. Um there are 15 items. Um you can either read the report or go take a look at the items. some of it. I think Julian touched base on the feather sign, but um there are different invitations in there. Um I don't know if there's anything specific you have questions about. Um I will point out there is um Oh, I think I might have written down below. Now I have to look. Um actually yes. So um I will point out for John because um one of the concerns have been brought up. It was in Camelite acres of a of a seller hole that had um caved in. Um that final order went out but there's also an email update under number 13. So I didn't realize it was on here twice. So number one is the final order that went out and then number 13 is the email update that they're getting a quote to um from a contractor to pursue like the property is going to go up for sale. pursue options for them either to fill it in or

so. Wait a minute. Are we talking like a historic hole or we talking um No. Um it was an installed I think there used to be a a building and then it was taken down and then it was capped and since then holes have gone into the cap and now it's caved in. Okay, I got you.

Um, under number seven, there is an invitation to a stakeholders meeting with the school district. Um, I received the invitation to attend. I'm going to plan on attending. Um, you can read the email. Um, this might be something that seems might be something also in your discussion on Monday. It sounds like this is in the same avenue as your discussion on Monday. Yeah. Holy crap. Do we know who did the damage the bike path? Oh yeah, that's the other thing. Oh, yeah. Yeah, that Are you in the info? Yeah. Yeah, I'm

I was going to bring that up. Actually, I saw it on the way over tonight. I saw the other Oh. Um, so yeah. Um, we think we know. I'm going to reach I reach out tomorrow to who I think it may be. The only people that I've seen in that area um is the cable or the fiber. Yeah. Um they were there a few times this winter because when I was coming into work, I saw them parked there. There had been a wire that snapped in that area. I never saw the vehicles down on the path, but that was discovered um and this morning. I wonder if a truck ended up down there from perspective and then maybe some It looks like truck tires definitely. You see?

Well, it looks like we might get our seepage problem fixed up and down. That's right. Because it's the bubble up hole right there. It's gone now. But um I don't know if there's anything else to point out there, but Yeah. Like path damage. Yeah. under info.

Well, and there's a funny thing under info 15. That's our this month's icebreaker. We call it the department heads. You can see if you can answer those those things if you want, but you don't have to do it right now. Um, I can tell you the team that won was and they had they can't pick their teams. They have to draw to pick their team. So the team that drew was Chuck uh Chuck, Ben, and Chris, and they won. So Oh, wow. I don't I don't know if you have any other questions in info. So that's like that's like the perfect width for dies. Yeah, that's Oh, yeah. It's You can tell it's a heavier truck. Y

the bike path. Yeah. I mean, in the in folder. Yeah, we we did also have to change what we call one of our holidays. I was looking down at the infos rather than the bike path. You had to change what? We also had to change one of our holiday titles. There's a letter in there and we did look into it and there is a statue. So, President's Day will no longer be called President's Day. It'll be called Washington's birthday. All of our other holidays are correct and we know we can't change them. So, huh? There's a statute that if you adopt the holidays of under the federal rules, there's an art and there's an

what they do with Lincoln because the whole reason it was presidents was because they were trying to celebrate Lincoln's at the same time. So no more Washington. It's Washington's birthday. So that's the only one we had to change. So Columbus Day was already Yeah. They were concerned about I think that letter was concerned more about Columbus and Christmas. Indigenous people day. Yep. So, we fixed it going forward, but friends of Yes. Did they show up with a and a caddy? They Sorry. All right. Sorry. All right.

Uh, the child report TA report discussion. Um, I had to add a few things because it's been um under number Shoot. I guess I should open it. Number one is our in is our normal recognition of employees. Um I have to fix it. I thought I had it programmed, but um on the website, but I must have stopped my program, so I'll fix it. But congratulations on another year with the town of Bristol. We're grateful for your continued dedication, positive attitude, and the quality of work you bring to the town each day. In the fire department, we have Kevin McCaffrey. He's been 12 years. Jeff Ford is 22 years. Um, in the police department, Michael Greer is 2 years. Um, Christopher Bean is 19 years. In the Tom Clark Tax Collector's Office, Carrie Nyberg is four years. And in the water and sewer department, Jesse Lamos is 27 years. So,

wow. Um, under TA number two, there is I wanted to get your input. Um we are p getting the beach signs updated. Um now these are the Cummings Beach sign, the Ara sign and then Cummings Beach has other entrance exit signs. So under number two um beach design concept design options. I don't know if you want to just vote on. I can tell you what the I did run this by department heads and what their vote was, but if you look at the shape options, I don't know if you guys have a preference. Classic arch, the pictures are in there. Um, but I don't know if you have a preference.

I like B. So, so did everybody else. So, that's the reason. Come on. I think the other ones with those sharp edges, I think it's not going to last. is going to look like crap.

I just want to pull this up so I can circle your votes. Um, so design option and shape options B. Um, and the reason we're getting this going technically this this was approved by um to bring um in the during the budget season, right? Um, in order for us to get them in and ready to go before the beach opens, we did have to pay the 50% deposit already, but we wanted to get this mock this going forward. So, and he's guaranteed that they will have them installed. Um, on the design options, any preference on So, the design options are the paint the painting. The only um my recommendation is not the full painting because some of these signs have plants in front of them. So, it kind of defeats the purpose to have a full painting. But I don't know what you're and I don't think anybody really was um whether framed or header at either beach.

Sorry. So, what was the consensus? So, I don't think there was on this one. I think um either B or C was the choice because some of the the signs are behind bushes. Yeah. So, the fold didn't make sense. Yeah. I I like B. Yeah, I'm good. B works.

And then the which uh landscape um would you prefer? He's recommending Cummings would be the beach and Avery Krauss would be the kayak, but majority of the people like the kayak. Um, but we could make them both the same or two different ones. It's I think we have the lon on the the big one. Mhm. Yeah. Good with his recommendations.

Yeah. Whatever. And the last uh I guess almost last um entrance and exits. Um overall everybody wanted the waves. It didn't make sense if we're tying everything in not to make it tie in. Those plain ones look awful don't look blah. So you good with that? Yeah. That's going to be nice. And that and the only place that has the entrance and exit is coming. So um and that's it. And so we'll get that back to him. Are these going to be hand painted or printed? Yeah, they're all there. What? Um, we had quote it during the budget.

Right. No, I didn't know if he was going to print it and like have it printed or everything was painted. I'm just I think he's hand painting. Yep. And he's going to treat them like he So, he's going to do the treatment like he's he's actually replacing the boards. The boards we aren't going to get them any use out of what's there very much longer. So, um, he is replacing the boards. He's going to treat them like it, um, with treatments just like we talked about for the the sign he did for the new found lake. But this will now tie all of the beach and the lake all together. Perfect.

Because somebody did raise a concern that we went away from our standard. we spent a lot and um the concern that was raised was a former SLO board member felt that we we paid a lot of money to have the mockups and stuff done um and to switch to the new town seal and guidelines and then when we did the new found lake we left those guidelines. Yeah. So I feel like if we tie them all in together that's the sorry I felt like if you tie them all in together that might help. that. Yeah. Yeah. Okay.

Um TA number three. Um Joanne kind of alluded to these are the two agreements. They're slightly over the threshold. If you put the two together for um the town administrator approval, so I brought them if you couldn't um have any questions about them. These are what are getting us started on this the projects that we talked about during budget season. there's a data up and application migration um and then the add-on services which include the dynamic sales ratio layer the property card linking and advanced queries. So

um if somebody has any additional questions otherwise I need a motion a motion to do what to sign these. So yeah to authorize the no these you okay yeah motion to approve the um the two GIS contracts

so moved second okay moved by Don second by Scott Grin any discussion all those in favor say I I I those opposed abstensions. Thank you. Um just for the public, the road ban postings have been updated um as of March 30th. Um they are lifted on all town roads except for Hlockbrook Road and Hemp Hill Road. Yeah. The bands will stay on those roads a little longer. Nobody wants to be on Humphill anymore.

No, I told you. I saw that. Um, under number five, come no matter what, there's an example under number five. Um, actually this came from our new HR person, Tila. She asked me um about doing a newsletter, her employee newsletter, and I'm like, "Yes, please. Great idea." Um, we came um came up with the title the inside scoop. Um, and do not look at the content on it. Um but the titles I think are so the question I have for the board. What are your thoughts? One, two, um there's a section she put in here with a message from the board and these are planned to go out monthly.

Yeah, I like that. So um I can bring it to a meeting like monthly and say if there's any kind of message you want me to put in there. But you have any comments or concerns about any of the sections or TA did think it was nice to do the employee shout outs like um we do them at the Suckwood meeting but sometimes we wait and do them at mandatory barbecues or so.

Okay. All right. That's awesome. tell her thank you for thinking of that.

Um I I will definitely she I think she's excited. So we brought it to the department heads yesterday and they seemed really good too. Um number six. So um this was a warrant article. Um it is uh it is not um unfortunately the warrant article made it through DRRA and the town's attorney and it is not correct. Um we shouldn't have put the age limits on it. So um I talked to the town's attorney um and I've talked to Joanne. So currently we have four people who are getting it and my re um getting this exemption and I said to Joanne if they are elderly just move them to the elderly because that they'll qualify for that and we're going to have to take it case by case when we get an exemption if we get it before next year's town meeting but we should do a new law article. Um the question will the comment I made to Joanne is in the past the disabled exemption is always been slightly lower than the elderly. So when they reached a certain age they moved to the next bracket which was the elderly was higher and they still qualified. So we are going to recommend bring that back to you um to bring to town meeting um for next year.

Okay. Okay. Um, number seven, uh, I have a conference I was just signed up for. Um, I've never been to, the manager's conference, but I'm also going to the Primex risk management. Um, they are June I um, June 2nd through June 5th. You have a meeting June 4th. I'd prefer not to come back from Mount Washington, but what do you want to do about your meeting? We'll have the meeting. We can figure the meeting out. Okay. Yeah. Yeah. Do you want somebody here? We'll as we're getting closer, we'll talk about it again. Okay.

We'll see what we have on our plate, too. But I think we can I think we can make a meeting without uh without you having to be here. Just this box. Okay. All right. Just let me put on the record. I won't be able to be here on the 4th. Okay. Even Even easier. be a short might be in advance. I can make your agenda really light for that night because I'll still do your agenda. I'll still do your prep, but I can try and make it really light. Um because I don't want to be stressed out before because I I will be leaving um Tuesday afternoon. So, I have everything. We'll make it work. Yeah.

I won't be here the full day. I got to be in I got to be at a work thing. The three of us, I think, can muddle through. So, the three of you have to be here or we have to cancel it. Okay. All right. We'll make it work. Um, number eight, just to let people know that the updates to the zoning amendments are complete. Um, from the war articles there, um, there is a document that tells you where everything's been shared. They're on the website. Everything's been updated. So,

Donna did a really good job making sure it got done. Um, number nine, I wanted you to be aware of the CPACER. um press release that is being has been um it's been created by Paul um I did reach out um he's holding a public hearing in at the library but the public hearing needs to be held by the select board. Okay. So we'll still we have to schedule a public hearing and um what Paul felt was that they could hold two and it would be fine. Ours will be the official public hearing. So I'll work on it and get it scheduled for one of your meetings. I would assume that he would be reaching out to the same folks he reached out that wanted

right he wanted support from to make sure that they're at that meeting so or attempt to be at that meeting. So um are you okay if I change the May 19th one to say a public information session? Okay. Can you change that for you? Did you? Okay. Real time work here.

Look how quick he is. Yeah. So, and then we'll get one scheduled for a few. Um, and I and I read through I thought there was nothing else wrong with the press release. I just wanted you to know it was going to go out. So, um on their number 10, I need to have um most likely the chair. Um this is the auditor. Um it's our auditor letter. We have to sign it usually before they do any work. And it just pretty much says that what the auditor responsibilities are and the management responsibilities are um engagement administration timing fees. I sign under management but there's a governance signature. So I could pass that down for me. And I didn't have to ask. Sorry. School management. Okay. I put the pictures under I actually I put the bike path pictures under the wrong folder. I did have it on my list. I will reach out to that person to see though. Um is anybody going to be available? I'm going to tomorrow for sure.

Yeah, you are. Most likely they just want to make sure at least one one select board member is there tomorrow for the lunchon for the retirement. Yeah, I have it on my calendar.

Okay. Um liquor license. I was supposed to do a liquor license for tonight for the Purple Pit. Um they thought they say that they've had one in the past. I don't have a history of one ever being issued in the past for their outdoor seating. Um, and I'm wondering if it's been confused with COVID at the time because we did allow outdoor seating and things like that. So, if you are comfortable with it, I did double check with the police chief and he was fine with it. They're they're downgrading to a beer and wine license and they won't be adding any seating. It's the existing seating that they're approved for and it would only be for April 15th through November 15th. I can drop the letter and stamp your It's just a regular letter that goes to the liquor commission for them if and stamp your signatures if you're okay with that.

Yeah. But you would want to I would want you to vote on it. Okay. Okay. Didn't get it done for tonight. Sorry. Make a motion to approve the liquor license and outdoor seating arrangement for the purple pit for 2026. Second. Okay. Okay. Is there any further discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor say I. I. I. Those opposed abstensions. Thank you. All right.

Um Morings. Um I'm sorry. We're starting to get inquiry and I really need to talk to you about um I I think when former board decided it would be $1,000 on the license, that was a little exorbitant. Um I wanted so I wanted to come back and talk to you about it because um we do have to start getting that group. It's only one application but there are 21 moings four groups right that share the 21 moings but because they're coming speech it's our responsibility correct that's what I was okay

agreement the state has pushed it back to us because it is our our property that the moing but it is a court agreement we have that the moorings are there. So they're um they they paid the state a $50 fee um and the state said that we could pay we could charge them a fee. I don't know what this is going to cost what this is going to be for us and I also haven't assigned it to a department. I would like to assign it to assessing a fee per um per license per moing per moing

per moing. So they it is a moing and they get a license. We actually have to submit the application with the fees and all of the stuff that's supposed to be required um for all 21 and then the they come to us and we have to divvy those license out to whoever and we can hold them if they don't pay the town fee. But I want to make it a reasonable fee if that's what we're going to do. I just don't know what it's I don't know what kind of workload this is. We've never done it before. Yeah, I was going to say we never charge a fee. Are you looking per moing or per group? Well, the last time someone said I was I was actually about to quote him. I was kind of and I'm like, "No." Yeah.

So, is it per is it for the group or So, they do pay $50 of a license. So, that's per Yeah, but it's the That's per per. Yeah, that's the state fee. We just We need to We need to recoup the administrative costs of us doing the thing, right? So, you got to figure with the amount of back and forth cuz I mean everybody that I've ever heard of sort of managing their own moorings, it takes them hours sort of running around. So, if if we're chasing anything, we probably should budget at least probably two and a half to three hours. You figure between going to the state, filling out paperwork, going back and forth. What you think it's less than that?

I listen you think it's less. I'm just trying. Well, no. In normal situations, I would agree with you. However, in this one, I would highly suggest to let the sleeping dog lie. All you need to do is spark up another round of of the you you haven't seen the history of litigation litigation on that beach. Well, no. No, this is the state told us we could do this. But no, but but this isn't Cumins. This is a cross. This is This is Did I say Com?

Yeah. No, this is a cross. Okay, that makes all sense. Part part of the that litigation came finally to a a piece of, you know, court document where, you know, we have to allow them to have the moing and the dock. Correct.

And we have we haven't we haven't charged before and all you need to do is get one of those riled up and they will be back in court. They took us to court a few years ago because somebody came up with the grand idea that well the lake used to be down lower and the current the current um legal finding is from the current water line. So they actually own between the old water line and the new water line and all that land under there is theirs. So people can be on the beach but they can't be on our private property which is the first 10 ft of water that yeah they did take us to

that's the kind of links that this group goes to and I would say and someone is leave it alone for the sake of $2 or $300. I would highly say leave it alone. Okay. So that is I I respect what you say. However, I think there is a difference between an admin administrative fee which is perfectly reasonable and a no one wants this to be a you know screw you. We you know we're going to we're going to milk you. Yeah. I know. Um but it is a new thing that we have to do as a as a town. Yeah.

Yeah. We're administering it and and and just so I know that we're talking about Avery and not Congress. Okay. But but we still have a sit same situation over there. I think we just have to have a consistent operating model. However, however we're going to if we have we have the same situation. We thought we had it over at over there. There's nothing over there. It's just Avery Krauss. No, it's just Avery Krauss and it's because of the LEA stuff. I mean, at the end of the day, we're Yeah. Okay. Sorry. I Okay. I I I I thought we were flying. That's a wound that still stinks. Oh, trust me. I I haven't spent a dollar since since then. Comparable efforts that we charge administrative fees for now.

I think it's the only place that we have this scenario. Is that correct? Yeah, it's the only It's the only place that we do it. But like I mean you do charge so vendor permits there is a fee. You know, most people nonprofits get waved, but if they we call them the peddlers permit and the use of town property, but I mean, listen, at the end of the day, what's the use of town property use? Um, so it depends on one event versus you can do one event. I think it's $25 for one event, six month permit because sometimes you have people that are doing it all summer. I think it's 50 and a year is 100 if I remember.

But those are all things that we're instituting too. This this is by court order not by No institution. But but this but this process is not by the state for this state basically telling us we have to manage it now. And all I'm saying is we've always had to I thought no. Oh. Oh this is new. Yeah. So this I thought we've always met. So I think we did at one point because I do remember doing it. Yeah. With the laws who drive I had to I remember signing and so it was in assessing but it stopped and the state took it over and they just applied straight to the state and we were taken out of it. Now the state's pushing it back to us. Right. State. So so I guess all

that changes. All I'm saying is I'm not looking for anything absorbent. I'm not looking for us to do anything where it's like I mean it's a practical like okay it's $100 per moing seemed reasonable probably I I was I was thinking the same match better if I match the state I mean it's also the first year we may find it's going to be less work I don't think that's going to be true to be honest with you because again they're 21 matching the state and they have to do all the I just worry about I don't want our guys in the middle is really what it comes down because that's we're basically being forced by the state to be in the middle

are we get and we're going to have to send a letter like explanation letter no they know the state sent an explanation letter to them already and they know they have to come to me I have one group that's not me because I'd like to assign this to assessing yeah I I haven't talked to her yet so if she's watching I'm sorry um but yeah But they don't know that we're going to charge them a fee. Um, the gentleman who's called does know that I was coming tonight to talk. I said to talk about a fee and he pointed out that they pay $50 per morning at the state. Um I So he didn't say that they wouldn't pay a fee. Yeah. But um I I said I talked to the board first. So is the state continuing with their fee?

Yes. They still should pay the state. Was it 50 before the state fee? I don't know. I think so. I think so. I don't think that's changed. Um but um it's just that we can charge an administrator. Listen, $100 for a moing on new on new fun technically. Yeah. But still that's cheap. So is it? Yep. Yeah.

Yeah. I mean but but regardless of that, right, I I I like I fundamentally agree with you. However, to me, this is just this is a a new task. This is cost recovery and it's just just straight up what's a reasonable way to do this. We have to be in the middle now. I would I would say I would say we do 50 and in the letter we say we'll re-evaluate the time, you know, at the end of the season and may have to re-evaluate the rate. I I agree. Do you need a vote on that? You do. you would need to vote because you're setting a fee. Okay.

Okay. So, I'll make a motion that we set a fee of $50 to do the state paperwork for the moorings at Avery Cross. That that cover it I think so. For 2026. For 2026. Thank you. Yes. Second. Second by Don. Any further discussion? All those in favor? I I Thank you. We're still going to get a refund. Listen, you know what? Here's a deal. This is one of those things where nobody's going to be happy. And I'm not trying to make happy, but but this is this is not one of those deals. This is an exception. Well, because we stole it from them. That's right.

We stole their land. Two last two things that we do have public. So, um, New Hampshire DOT public information session on the 10-year plan has been set. I don't think I sent you an in invite yet, but I will. 10 times 10 plan.

It's um this is it's a listening meeting to identify public concerns, comments, and considerations for the 104 roadway improvements from School Street to Heirs Island Road. Um there will be a short presentation and larger paper role plans for members of members of the public to review and interact with. Both the engineer and DOT will be available to collect feedback and answer questions. It is scheduled for April 30th. Um the doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the meeting starts at 6:00 p.m. and we've scheduled it at the old town hall or historic town hall. So nice.

I'll send invites to you. Um, but I and we'll also get postings out. They're going to advertise it in the paper as well. Okay. And there will be specific invitations to people that are going to be affected by it. So,

um, the last thing I wanted to just touch base with you is trying to get ready in case we need a TN in the future. Not saying that we're going to, but I'm going that. Um I have Franklin Savings Bank has already taken a vote and approved us to so we had to close out the other TAN. They gave us an extension but we can continue getting extension. So um they already voted to approve us for the same amount that we had on a TAM. And when I said that I needed to go get the attorney documents done, he said no other town. Well, he says none of the towns they work with have to do that. So, I've done some research and we don't have to do it. Um the it it's recommended to do it um but to have the attorney do the to review and tell you what you can borrow up to, but we've just done it um a year ago and it sounds like we weren't doing it before that. So, I wanted to talk to the board about your thoughts about um whether we have whether you would like to go back to the attorney again to get all of those documents redone or how comfortable you feel about just the same amount of money that we've been doing we did last year and were approved to do last year. So, it it says that um it says New Hampshire law does not require review by bond council or bond attorney for each tan issuance. provided the town has valid authorization and complies with statutory requirements, which is your vote. Um, the board acknowledged that while legal review is not mandatory, municipalities commonly obtain bond council opinions as a riskmanagement practice. So, um, we can still do the same thing if that's what you want to do, but I want to get your guidance. So,

um, I I think from my perspective, we probably should do it every couple of years. If it's the same amount, it's the same thing, we're probably good, but no more than every couple years, right? That way, we don't get out of compliance since it's recommended, right? Like, yeah, because I'm not exactly sure how he does the reviews, but that'd be my perspective. Well, you have to provide a ton of paperwork and be able to also project cash flow. Yep. Um and so um if if you're okay with every other year, that would be great. Um but I just wanted to make sure

I guess the only thing I would ask you to do is is just run that by the town's attorney and say, "Hey, this is what we're thinking because we feel like we're very much in a similar spot right now." And with this kind of cadence, if we have to continue to do this behavior, does he have any other thoughts? Like what would get us in trouble? That's at least that's my two cents for interest. Okay. Yeah. I if nothing changed then why would

well spend the money this is not this is not an effort of we just spend to do it it's more like okay if it's the same institution and it's the same every like it just seems to make sense it's just a continuation okay all right is that it did you need a motion to um put that application put the application in because we may as well have it in advice. Um, you could do it pending the attorney's advice if if that is if you want me to check with the attorney and Yeah, we can do it. We can do it next time. Go ahead. Well, no, I meant you could motion pending the attorney's advice. If you wanted to do that and then I wouldn't have to come back.

Okay. Yeah, that's fine. Good. I I'll make I'll make the motion that we um approve you to do the application for the TAN pending the attorney's concurrence of our operating model of doing the paperwork every two years. That sound about right? And allow her to sign for Do you have to sign for Well, no, you all have to still sign. I just No, we still sign. Okay. You'll still have to sign but where you voted on just can come in and sign. All right. So I'll sign I'll seconded by Don. Any further discussion? All those in favor? I oppose. Abstensions. Great.

Thank you. Okay. I do not reserve the res right to call Columbbo. You do not. If I forget something, I don't care. Okay. Nice. If we do have a nonpublic, so Okay. All right. Uh, select select menu items or select board items. Start sand. Um, all right. We'll come back. Nothing. No, I think I'm good. Okay.

Okay. So, I got a few things. Number one, uh, met with Bruce today about the, um, uh, economic opportunity committee. Uh, Christine's got a couple of names of some people that have expressed some of interest. So, we're going to be trying to continue to figure out who in the community would like to kind of work on that. Uh, we talked about some of the first tasks really around trying to get a better understanding of um sort of the state positioning of things. There's a bunch of different ideas, but so more to come on that. Haven't really started anything on the all committees update that needs to be next. I'll I'll talk to Christina about it tomorrow so we can kind of figure out when to get that back on the calendar. Um the last couple of Mondays we've done the meetings with the school where the school closed, everybody knows the school had closed Bristol Elementary for the day for the structural issues. Um they approved spending $50,000 on that building to do an asbestous abatement and some structural repairs in the short term. Um last Monday they uh more or less approved doing another 300,000 on that building. So that's significant for us I think to understand sort of how they're approaching that building because they're trying to work through their process of consolidation and in that process when they're done there I think their intention is to give us back that building which you'll you know that we'll cross that bridge when we come to it but um there's a bunch of structural issues that I think everybody's is roughly aware of anyways but there's that um I'm meeting with the superintendent on Monday at 2 uh mainly because I'm trying to sort of understand some of the requirements. So, you know, almost goes to what we were talking about our documentation earlier, like okay, how do you how do you talk with everybody about the requirements and whatnot? Um cuz he laid out a plan the other night around how they look at some of the consolidation and they're waiting

they're waiting for their committee to kind of work through stuff. I mean, they were loosely talking about a five-year timeline um on the consolidation. I think it'll be interesting to see how that works uh just because of this change in students and and and just some of the things they need. So anyway, so more to come, but but you know, I'm looking to go talk with him just around what some of the needs are, how we think we get through stuff with that building. you know, he's trying I think just in the very quick conversation, I think they're open and trying to figure out are there any are there any areas with any of the towns that participate in the new found school district where we have opportunities for synergies and we may we may not. I mean, it's just just just as a as an aside for you guys. So, there you go.

That's it. He said he got a few. Yeah, that was three. Okay. He he went through and grabbed the fire. All right. I was trying. I mean, you know. Yeah. I can keep going if you like. No, that's fine. All right. I mean, strike all the ice, Sean. Done. Uh, I'd just like to mention that uh longtime county commissioner over a past and you know, no matter what, no matter what your political persuasion or thoughts are, he spent a lot of time in that position and and did a lot of, you know, public service. So, I think it's proper to recognize his his contributions. Absolutely. Thank you,

Scott. I have nothing other than just to thank Christina for all the effort she put into helping get me oriented and aligned in the right direction here. So, thank you. Do we um I notice on the uh I notice on the tax maps that and we know that the building was selling but uh visiting nurses building it's sold. It's going to be new found family dental practice or something like that. I saw the sign this morning today. There's a sign up. Can't read the small words. That's the doctor's name. It's um so it's a dental.

Okay. Um, I I had heard that. Uh, so just for the record, that's a building that was exempt is now back back on the road. Back on the on the roads. I know. According to the tax map, it is it? Huh? It was. So, it's going back on the tax ro. Yep. Um, yeah. Go ahead. There. I You just made me think that um the I can't remember where the property is. It's 22 units. They're they're starting to move forward. They're they came back to the planning board. That's uh I think it's Prospect Street or something.

So it spans from nearly Pleasant Street, one lot behind Pleasant Street up to the um existing residential apartment complex up there. Um and interestingly enough, the entrance to that is ours is across Yeah. He they've got a right of way across a piece that the town owns, which is one of those ones that the developers gave over because it was unbuildable or whatever to appease somebody back in the 80s. Uh probably

that was on our list to come talk to you about if we we thought um it would be good at this point for the board to think about. Yep. So towards that end, I did have a very brief conversation with Joanne about going in and setting a time and talking with her about that list that they provided um and the ones that make sense to offer to the public. Um which in most cases there's really only one or two yeah, you know, interested parties that would that would be interested. So, um, so yeah, we can get a few of those off the off the list. They're they're scattered. Um,

but that's that's one of them. Um, did it have any and I'll go back and look, did it have any was he talking like duplexes or was he talking uh Yeah, all duplexes. I was at the site plan for that. Yeah. So, it's it's I think it's all duplexes. I don't think there's any single families once remembered. I think it would have to be duplexes to get 22 in a townhouse. Yeah. Something that's I'm pretty sure all pretty sure it was all duplex. Good. Yeah. And there's some concerns

from abutters just about about drainage and things like that. Actually, most of the drainage went away from the people that were concerned. Yeah. When you looked at it. Yeah. Most of the drainage goes down to the to the house on the corner of the cemetery property. Yeah. And and I'm pretty sure that town water and sewer is right there is part partially into the land already. So that's that would be an easy hookup and it'll be good affordable housing for people. that. Yes. Speaking on that, like affordable housing. They're building those town houses between High Octane and Funspot. Oh, yeah. Starting at $499.99.

Yeah. My daughter's doing their electric doing the electrician. That whole area. And by the way, that's goes right back to the point I was making. Right. When you're when you're the average, right? Right. You're in the fours and the new that's the new median is not exactly a place to housing either. You know I also noticed that and I don't know if it had gone through um planning board that way but the the the two replacement I call them replacement buildings on Beach Street from the fire years ago. Yeah. Oh, they have to come back.

Okay. Cuz they're being advertised as town houses, not apartments. We have talked to him already about it because um sorry I got run my um he we've talked to him about it already because he is advertising them as two separate. You can't sell them as separate until he comes back to condominiumize them or whatever it is. So he hasn't been back in yet to do that. So all right. Um Jermaine just sent me a picture. The feather flags are gone. Woohoo. Okay. There we go. Yeah, a few people will be very happy to hear.

Um, all right. Um, think Oh, I was going to ask you about I did ask you about the the dentist office there. I think the Brown property is officially up for sale. Carol Brown. Oh, yep. Yep. Did we Did we get any Was there any peritting activity on the one that the um TTCC had sold? No. Um not yet I'm aware of. No, but that person will I I don't know if he will do anything because the person who bought it owns the property in front of it.

So I I'm thinking his thoughts are expanding what he's doing there. I had I had heard there but again so I won't I won't I had heard a rumor about some kind of building. Yeah. So I don't think he's come here yet. Okay. All right. Very good. That's all I have. So I guess public. All right. Very good. So, I'll make a motion to go into nonpublic pursuant to 91A 32 paragraphs A, B, and C. Second. All right. Um, motion by Don, second by Scott Sanrin. Uh, roll call vote. Scott Se

I. Don I. John I. Sean I. Scott I. We're in public.