Town Council - Regular Meeting

Moving to the agenda, adoption of the agenda. Salute. Motion made and seconded. Is there any discussion, any changes to the additions to the agenda? Hearing none, those in favor of accepting the agenda as presented, signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed, nay. So adopted. agenda item 3 approval of minutes regular meeting of May 26, 2026.

Move to approve those minutes. Second.

Motion made to approve and second the minutes from May 26, 2026. Is there any discussion, any errors or omissions noted? Hearing none, those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed, nay. So approved. We have a public hearing on the Neighborhood Assistance Act application from Epic Arts.

Good evening, Elizabeth 9, representing epic arts 27 Skinner street. Thank you for having me. And again, I have to start off by saying, thank you again for last year's approval of the grant. We've been busting out with windows, so we can officially say the back of the building on the 2nd floor has complete windows. Nice new windows, energy efficient windows. We're starting now with a little bit money left over from that. to do the first floor which has no windows they're all boarded up um so we're starting on that which is really really nice so and i want to thank kathy i always have to because she you know being in the trenches at epic she always reminds me it's coming up again the application's coming up again honestly i'd miss it with everything i feel like we're doing down there um so a huge thank you um to her too so we're going again for another grant this time around um Taking a break from windows and we're going for electric and doors. So we have those old beat up. I don't even know my husband's here steel doors that lets critters in sometimes and whatnot. So we took a break from windows and that's what we're going for this year. Hopefully with your guys approval and and all that. Yeah, and that's all I have to say. That's what we're doing. We're just plugging along. Without this grant, it wouldn't look the way it does. And you know the way it looked, too. But all these improvements through this energy-efficient grant, I mean, the things that we're doing, just insulating and lighting, LED lighting, all sorts of stuff. So we're excited about it. So I don't know if anybody has any questions. But, or if I'm supposed to ask that, but that's what we're doing this time around. Um, so, yeah, and we're going for 40,000 just to let, you know, to, you can get up to 150. we've never found that many. Donors the board of directors is wants to branch out because epic desperately needs a new electric system. But we're going for 40 and the board's working on a couple more donors. Right now we have Eversource, CNG, Kinetic Care, and they're hoping to at least lock in with one new donor this time around. So thank you.

Any questions? Comments? Is there anyone else who would like to speak on behalf of Epic Arts and their Neighborhood Assistance Grant? Very none. We will move on. We have a presentation by Congress representatives from Congress and Joe Courtney's office to the town of East Hampton of a document entered on the congressional record in honor of Nikki O'Neill.

Good evening town council and it's nice to see many of you again and to be in East Hampton where I grew up for the record. My name is Matt Reich. I have the privilege of working for Congressman Joe Courtney as his district scheduler and average liaison based here in our knowledge office. The congressman this evening is in Washington, D. C. while they're in session and I'm being someone who grew up here in town and knew Nikki personally and. was a family friend, along with former Governor O'Neill. This is very much an honor and a privilege to represent and present this evening. Like so many people in East Hampton and really across Eastern Connecticut, the Congressman was very saddened to hear about the passing of Nikki, as it's no surprise. I think she had thousands of friends, and the Congressman considered himself very honored and lucky to be among those very fortunate people. and in recognition of her sharp wit her years of service to the state alongside the love of her life that was governor bill o'neill he wanted to there are never enough words to remember and pay tribute to nikki but in an attempt to do so the congressman put into the congressional record in memory of Nikki, a tribute to her life, her achievements, and everything that really that she meant to so many people here in the community. For those who may not know what the congressional record is, it's the official record of proceedings and debates of the United States Congress. It's been an ongoing body of records since 1873 and continues into this day as they're holding session and going forward. This submission is something that is really reserved for people who have made a tremendous impact here in the second district and their achievements, their work will live on in so many of our memories. And that is by far and large can be said about Nikki O'Neill. And so the Congressman was very honored to be able to submit this into the Congressional Record that reads in part, when Governor Grasso resigned due to ill health, Bill took over to finish out her term, and Nikki wholeheartedly committed herself to serve as First Lady alongside him. Although she left her years of formal teaching behind, in this new role, she visited schools across the state, encouraging children to read and attend career days, school plays and concerts. Her decade and a day of service as First Lady of Connecticut was marked by her consistent leadership in civic, cultural, and charitable efforts, and that is held true very much as First Lady of our state and in the remaining years of her life, and now continues, I think, with all that she's imparted on us. And so I think the opportunity for on behalf of the congressman to be able to present this to the town of East Hampton to chair D Markham in representing the town. And we're also very thankful to town manager Dave Cox for his interest in having this displayed here in the town hall. and to carol morris in representing the channel historical society so that may be preserved and archived along with other artifacts and memorabilia remembering the o'neills who i think for many of us were family as well as friends so thank you for this opportunity and thank you chair markham

Thank you.

Yes. Certainly honored to have the presentation. And we will treat it with a lot of respect and certainly love for lady that was very close to many of us in this town. Moving along in our agenda. I'm 6 public remarks Sir anyone who would care to take public remarks this evening.

Robert Baer, 108 Middletown Avenue. I just want to start off with saying Epic Arts is amazing. My daughter went there. She loved it. And I want to say congratulations to most of the farm commission that made it on. But I have one problem. There was a board that was disassembled for many reasons. And we filled this whole place with people's thoughts on those members. And you guys took action and disassembled the board. One of those members on video personally laughed at my farm. And you guys put him on a farm committee. Not quite sure how that happens. It's on video so we can all watch the video. He personally is one of them laughing out loud about a farm in East Hampton. But yet he manages to make it on the farm commission. The amount of knowledge that is already on that commission is amazing. And it's kind of a big black eye to them, to everybody that made it, because nobody's going to take them serious because you guys put somebody that's taken off of a commission and put on a farm board. I mean, it's kind of a smack in the face, personally to me and my family and the other members that are on that board. So there's gonna be other complaints. I know I've already talked to someone in the commission. I don't understand. You guys want us to respect you and everything. And then you guys go and do that. How can you say you support a farm when you're on video laughing at one? That's not right. I know all you guys know that. And I'm sure everybody has seen that video by now. That is a big smack in the face. and i i don't understand how you guys allowed that thank you

Karen R. Johannesmeyer, 16 Penny Corner Road, Portland, Connecticut, also a member of the East Hampton 3rd Connecticut Regiment of Fife and Drums. On behalf of the entire world of Fife and Drum volunteers, we have an unmeasured debt of gratitude to Governor O'Neill and his wife, Nikki, for having Yankee Doodle made the state song. It makes a world of difference when you do stuff like that. And we sure got a boost out of that. And we thank them forever.

I just wanted to bring something up that I knew was going on for a while. It's been in an online newspaper or whatever. Currently, what's the town's name? Haynes and Tree Farm is up for sale. And there's been some talk around town about how it's going to be handled. But no, there's a town council member that's involved in it. I'm not looking to bring that up. I'm just bringing up the issue at hand. I'm sorry, the topic at hand, not an issue. I was at a POCD meeting when Julia Hodge offered for the public to come in about open space. And we talked about buying parcels, or at least part of parcels that went for sale. And it was talked about, and I've been a resident in town for a couple years. I've been around town a long time, though. And I hear stories about people that have been here for a long time about things how, like, the, so that turned into Seven Hills. People reached out for the town or someone to buy. It never happened. The parcel where there was the airship off of Clark Hair Road. People said, oh, maybe we can, you know, have an open space there for that. As I understand, this can't, it doesn't really happen. of that concrete of a open space fund or program. As I understand, the entire parcel is around $1.2 million. That sounds very daunting to the average taxpayer paying their bills and whatnot. When you take a step back, though, for a municipality, that's not too unheard of, especially something that's such a vast cultural value to the town, a vast ecological value being the Lake Watershed area. When you look at costs like that, especially when you bond it in a note of $1.2 million, 20, even 30 years, definitely there's a lot of possibilities there. One other thing I had brought up, and others have too, in regards to open space in general, is it's not a bad idea if the town starts buying open space, turns around, and loses it. Are we going to make a huge profit? No. But I know a lot of people who run an entire maple syrup business off of losing land, They just missed that land from Eversource that's covered in maples. Now, this one parcel is not covered. Obviously, it's not covered in maples. And similarly with others of the area of where Hazen is. My point is, there's a lot of options there. If the town owns a large forest, could you write a clear cut and sell lumber? You know, the clear costs are there. Like, actual clear cut, not a developer clear cut where everyone's gone except for one tree and they said, oh, look, I did a clear cut. Anyways, I think if this did somehow go through the process and come to referendum, I think there would be a lot of support by the taxpayers. I think when people are dodging potholes and throwing their hands up in the sky, if they knew that which is in the town we're going to conserve areas like this, it would be heavily valued. It's something that's a little easier to put up with the delay in some of the other projects in town. That's all I have. Thank you very much for your time.

Leonard Johnson, 21 Long Crossing Road. But this is about the public utilities administrator job description. The revisions need to emphasize the managerial aspect and minimize the operational requirements put our town at risk. Something vital is missing. We need technical engineering expertise to identify substandard designs on proposed water and sewer system plans so our town does not inherit infrastructure that performs poorly and is expensive to maintain or replace. whether we create an additional town position or hire consultants, someone needs to, quote, have the rate payers back, end quote, to prevent rate hikes that could have been prevented. Thank you.

Thank you. too interesting concept before he's there to, to mindset and protect the

Bill Herrick, 7401 Oaks. I know our referendum, our budgets went down during the referendum. I have just questions. What guardrails do we have in place to keep our budgets online for the different departments? Is it something the town council or the town manager is responsible for that?

Are you asking it like effective like July 1?

Yeah, just like during the course of the year. I mean, basically to make sure people don't overspend budgets during the course of the budget season.

That gets reported to the Board of Finance every month, and that's under the purview of the town manager.

And how about the Board of Education side of that?

That would be the Board of Ed, I'm assuming, gets their monthly reports, and that's overseen by the superintendent.

Superintendent.

but we see them monthly also.

I'm getting that report.

The question is just going back is, you know, and it's like, I know you guys probably know a lot of these numbers, but I could only go back like three years where we actually had actual expenditures. So it goes back to 22, 23. And I hate to attack like the superintendent. I know the superintendent wasn't here in some of these years. So the school budget $415,000 over budget 22, 23. 23, 24, $802,000 over budget that year. 24, 25, $550,000 over budget that year. I know we go as a thing to present a referendum to the town to vote on things, but we're giving them a budget that basically they're just spending what they would have spent if we didn't cut it. And... I mean, I don't know what the recourse is on stuff like that, but I mean, if I had a business and I was doing that. Most likely somebody would probably lose their job. You know, you can't have budgets that went over by 1 and a half million dollars in 3 years and. with no recourse. And I know the superintendent, you weren't here for at least two of those three years, all those years. And I don't know what the budget figure for the 25, 26, because we haven't ended 26 yet of how we're doing this year, but it just seems like we overspent by 1.5 million, just in the education's the part of it. And unfortunately, other town departments take a hit on that because they're doing their job and keeping their budgets in line. And then we have to end up making up that shortfall so somebody else's budget basically gets hit in the town. But that's the main thing I said is looking at that and it's just there's got to be better accountability. And maybe when 26 comes to an end, we're going to be more online. But you can answer if you have it.

Well, if I've given the opportunity, I've given the opportunity to all that, but I just don't know.

For the most part, it is special ed mandates that we are required by the state to spend money on or to take care of the children

But if that's in your budgets, then that has to be explained to the taxpayers. Because what good does it do by cutting a budget $500,000 and then they just spend the $500,000?

But we can't control when students come into the district every year. We have to pay them.

I think maybe you'd have a better thing just to show how many kids came in. There might be data like that out there.

So we, the Board of Education, even I think just three dates, my time here in this district, we provide quarterly financial reports to the town council. So there are ongoing reports that are given to town council and Board of Finance as it relates to the operation over the course of the fiscal year. So just in terms of where are those updates, how are people able to hear it or see it, those reports are provided over the course of the fiscal year. And I think that predates, I know since I've been here, we've done those. So there is ongoing, on a monthly basis, the Board of Ed also receives financial updates regarding where our current position is financially.

I think that's great. I'm glad to hear you say that. As a taxpayer, I think it would be good to, if they get that quarterly report and we are over budget, to let the taxpayers know that and the reason why, instead of getting a surprise at the end of the year that the Board of Education was $800,000 over budget. It doesn't look good for the superintendent. I think the taxpayers would like to know. Thank you. I don't want to take any more of the opinion and stuff.

For anyone else would like to make a book marks or comments at this time. Sir anyone online. Closing agenda item. We have someone.

Yeah, it's Juliet. I just wanted to remind everybody that the visioning session is tomorrow night from 6 to 8 at the Memorial School in the gymnasium, so I hope everybody can attend.

Thank you. That's for the POCD.

Yes, yeah, I didn't know if somebody already announced it jointly. Just in case. We hope to see, you know, as many boards and commission members there and as many of the public as we can get. Thank you.

Thank you. Is there someone else on?

Hello.

Hello. Hello. Hi, Rebecca Harvey, Flanders Road. I just want to kind of second what Rob Baer got up and said about Bar Massey being put on the farm board after that video that we all saw. I love everything that the gentleman just said about transparency within the budgets and kind of letting the public know a little bit. more throughout the year, even though I do know that the reports go to specific departments, maybe posting that within the manager's report might be something good. A question for, if anybody can answer this, the POCD visioning session is tomorrow. Is that going to be zoomed from Memorial or do you have to be present to see it? Can you guys answer that?

You need to be present because it is an interactive session. So there are stations to go to for that.

Okay, but will it be recorded or Zoomed in anyway? No. Okay, and then the other thing was, it seems to be that there is a little bit of a discrepancy with the... with the different um ways that departments are zooming their meetings so for instance you guys it's a click of a button zoom opens up you're able to join you're able to view it on youtube when say for instance the planning and zoning committee is having their meeting you actually have to register for that meeting um if you want to join after you can't register because that link voids out. It's not live on YouTube. If you're phone crashes or you lose connection via Zoom and you get kicked out of that meeting, you can't re-register and there's no way to rejoin. It happened to me once last week during the planning and zoning meeting. There were numerous residents that weren't able to join it. So I'm wondering if there's a way that maybe Kathy can help these other departments set up their Zoom links or That way the town is using a standard procedure and everything's available all the time for everyone because it's very frustrating when you get like lost out of a meeting and you can't get back in.

Yeah, I couldn't get it either. Yeah.

Oh, and just one more thing. I kind of wanted to make a comment about special ed. So I did have some really low numbers because I was looking at only one portion of the enrollment sheets. But something that I'm noticing and I'm still waiting for Mr. Van Tassel for you to get me get back to my email about those special ed numbers. But I am seeing that the state average is about 10, maybe a little over 10. 10 to 15% for special education. Is there a reason that East Hampton is actually approaching closer to a 20 to 25% mark of our students being special ed? And with that being said, I kind of just want to see if we're having students that are coming into the district that are enrolling as special education when they're joining us, Or if this is if we're seeing kind of like an uptick in special education during certain grade levels or during certain assessment periods or if they're creating IEPs that maybe they might not need and things like that. So I just kind of wanted to throw that out there when we were talking about special ed and that driving our budget up. We might want to look into kind of all of these other parts of that as well. And I'm all done. Thank you.

I. Valerie Baker, Lena Lane, I agree with Rebecca. Since Mr. Van Tassel is here, I had a few thoughts on the school budget where cuts might be warranted. The fact that we have four schools in such a small student population does not make sense. And I'm sure what, 20, 25, 30 years ago, it may have made sense to have four schools, but now three schools would be fine. We don't need four. I would like to put forth the idea that the school district meet but not exceed state national standards. For example, as Rebecca highlighted, Our special ed population is unusually high. The national average is 15%. What's going on? Why is that? I think that needs to be analyzed and justified. I would also like to encourage Mr. Van Tassel to avoid the mistakes your predecessors have made, which is to essentially engage in emotional blackmail of students, teachers, and parents by saying, well, if we don't get the request that we made initially, it's a cut. It's not a cut, it's a lower reduction, a lower increase. And if we don't get what we asked for, we're going to cut popular programs and we're going to cut popular teachers. Instead of doing that, may I suggest that you take some attrition from people who are retiring and also evaluate your teaching staff. I'm sure most of the teachers are wonderful. I hear nothing but good things. But our reading and our math proficiency scores do not tell me that those children are being educated appropriately or adequately. might be wise to evaluate those proficiency scores by teacher and let the teachers go that have low proficiency scores. We're paying to educate our children for their future. There are age-related hurdles that they need to meet. If the teachers aren't getting it done, they need to be let go. And finally, I would also again, suggest that separate communications to the parents of students without including the rest of the town are inappropriate and really can't continue. Thank you very much.

Just to be fair, he did not send out any announcements during the budget, so. Right. You did not send out any as it had been done in the past.

Is there anyone else who would care to make public remarks? Move on the agenda. Item seven, bids and contracts.

No bids or contracts today.

Agenda item eight, resolutions, ordinances, policies, and proclamations.

None of those.

Agenda item nine, continued business. A, subcommittee reports and updates. Do we have any subcommittee reports or updates?

Jack? I just want to mention that the America 250 Committee and really Kevin Burnham, who really isn't on the committee but has volunteered, is preparing a float for the Middletown parade on July 4th representing East Hampton. Historical Society is helping, Kevin Wright is involved, but Kevin Burnham is taking the lead and it should be a great time and he'd probably welcome any help people can give him in either building it or participating.

Anyone else? Committee? Subcommittee? No?

No.

Moving on. Continued business 9B review and possible action on Neighborhood Assistance Act application from Epic Arts.

So as you discussed a little bit earlier and had public remarks from and others related to this. Remember, the program is, as I have mentioned before, a program where businesses in Connecticut get a tax reduction in order to give a donation to a local nonprofit. Epic Arts, as you heard, has used this many, many times. The process works is that the local municipality entertains any applications that come in, approves applications and sends those forward to the program. So you are asked, as was described earlier, to approve the application from Epic Arts for submission to the Neighborhood Assistance Act program.

Mr. Chair, I'll make a motion that we approve the application for the Neighborhood Assistance Act program from Epic Arts.

Second. Motion made and seconded. Is there any discussion? Any comments?

I'd like to comment that, you know, it's kind of a win-win-win. You know, it's an old factory building that they've been living in for a long time. And upgrading that building, but better than that, taking care of children and helping them with performance.

Great program. Gives young members of our community something to do. So very glad to have them here serving our community.

Any further discussion? If not, all the vote goes in favor of the resolution.

Aye.

Opposed, nay. So carried and adopted.

Thank you. We'll send that in.

Agenda item 9B. fiscal year 2026 budget discussion regarding reconsideration process and potential reductions.

So I'll just stand here and remind you and the public of how this sort of goes along. The budgets both go back to the Board of Finance for its consideration. There has been discussion among the chairs, as I understand it, for the three bodies, the Board of Finance, the Town Council, and the Board of Education. uh there has been a decision to call a tri-board meeting for uh this thursday so two days from now here uh in this room right here in this room um for discussion about the budget and what the goals are for revisions to that before it goes back to the public for referendum Planning and zoning, or rather planning and zoning. The Board of Finance rather would then entertain any changes that need to be made, make those determinations and forward another recommendation to the council and would follow that same process. So we would look to have a fairly robust conversation on the 11th. There will be a public comment period followed by a discussion of the bodies to try and identify what comes next. So that's kind of the plan for the next couple of days on the 11th. On the budget and those revisions.

Thank you.

We're anticipating. A calendar through the 2nd referendum. Where the board, the board of ed actually met. Larry Agranina, Last evening for the finance is going to be on the 15th of June town council take action on the 23rd of June. Larry Agranina, And the referendum with the 14th of July.

Okay. And that timing, the timing from when the town council moves to the referendum is set by statute, right?

This is required, it's like the time. New business discussion and consideration of a temporary mill rate.

So the council is asked to consider establishment of a mill rate to be used in lieu of a completed budget to allow for billing of residents for taxes to cover expenses as the upcoming year begins. Later in the month, you'll be asked to approve a monthly budget for July. As I described in my memorandum that accompanies the agenda, The way the process works is that when you consider state statutes in our charter, if there is no budget, the town council has the authority to set a mill rate to be used for tax bills. Once a budget is set, our charter assigns that responsibility to the Board of Finance. So we are here asking the council to do that so that bills could be sent for some sort of an interim rate until such time as there's a new budget and the final rate can be established. In my memo, I talked about 2775, which would generate, which based on the original grand list would have generated the same amount of taxes as was collected by the town last year. The Board of Appeals has finished its work and has reduced the grand list somewhat by just over $2 million. So I will stand here and tell you that a mill rate of $27.79, so that's a $0.04 impact of those changes, $27.79 would net the town the same amount of taxes it collected last year on motor vehicles, personal property, and real estate. 2779. There still are other processes in place about appeals, but those numbers aren't known and there's no way to predict them. So we'll have to deal with that as time comes.

So the 2775 is based, you have a 2775 and a 2579. So you're saying the 79 is less than $2 million? Correct. Is that solely from the appeals?

Yes. That's the changes related to Board of Appeals this year.

And that does not take into account the almost $2 million in property from the veterans exemption?

That was already dealt with in the grand list that was generated after the reval was completed. So these are the amendments that were done by the Board of Appeals after they heard appeals in March, April.

So it's not true to last year. It's true to last year with the state changes.

I don't know what you mean by that.

Well, because I understand removing the... the ones from appeal.

This is the current grand list. Okay. Doing the math to generate the same taxes as we generated last year. It's not last year's grand list at all. It's this year's grand list as amended.

But in the past, we've, and this is only because of the revalve, but in the past when it hasn't happened, except for last year, it is, we typically in the past used the prior year's mill rate for the start of the next one. And again, that was, so that's quite a bit different than taking the current grand list with all the changes, because in any one of those years, there would be modifications to the grand list as well. Whether there'd be items that came on the grand list, off the grand list in those prior years. Now, instead of taking last year's actual adjusted mill rate, we're modifying it by all kinds of things, which is artificially inflating the mill rate that the people haven't approved yet. Or maybe take the last year's,

Well, the last year's mill rate was in 30s.

I understand that. In the past, if it was 30 last year, we would not be taking in the past, except for last year's vote to increase or temporary for the billing purposes. All prior ones, they just use the prior year mill rate and move forward. There was no consideration of ups and downs in the ground list. It was the prior year mill rate is what was built and then the adjustments were done in January after the bill was done. This is going and taking the last year's mill rate and converting it based on the current year's grand list. That's very different than what has been done historically in the town of East Hampton.

The grand list is entirely different.

Because you had properties coming on, you had properties going off. That was not something that was taken into account when setting the temporary mill rate.

But your proposal would generate a lot more revenue than even...

I don't think Mr. Hintz is suggesting we're going to use $39.71. I think what he's suggesting is that when we did the initial math based on the grand list before it was modified by the Board of Appeals, the figure was 2775 that would have been the matching number. It's the best number we could come up with to last year's figure.

That is applying to take the 2 million in property that was not included last year. Because you shouldn't be including any of the add-ons to the grand list or subtractions from the grand list if you're going to do a true year-over-year mill rate comparison. Because this is actually increasing the tax burden to the taxpayer before they voted on it. I believe.

If it raises the same amount of tax dollars, it's not increasing. the tax paid by the taxpayers.

But it's taking into account all the things that have come off. So if, let's just say, as Tom Andrews said, we removed $4 million from property. That means that $4 million is being spread out by the rest of the taxpayers, which means that they are going to be paying more than they would have under last year's scenario before they even vote on it.

That's true because of reval anyway. That's true because of reval anyway. You've got to raise the exact same amount. That's what we've always tried to do. And that's what we've always done.

Actually, it hasn't because we've always used a prior mill rate. And if there was any tax changes, those would have been just at the prior year's rate. It wasn't adjusted for any current year rate. rebails or any houses that were developed in the time, any properties that got a lower rebail, they got knocked off, whether it be from disabled or whatever, we simply took the prior mill rate and moved that forward. We didn't say it's going to generate X amount of revenue, more, less, or whatever. We used the prior year because that's what the taxpayers had approved.

Wow. And any natural growth in any natural growth in the grand list would have created extra revenues that weren't that, you know, so the six tenths, eight tenths of a percent of natural growth that occurs in the grand list based on new construction would be quote, move revenue into the town in that scenario as well. And while that's certainly in the number that we used to try and achieve to try and calculate what the grand list would have been, or rather the mill rate would have been for last year. It gets eliminated, that growth gets eliminated in this calculation. Whereas in the past, it would have been just added on to the amount of monies collected. But I mean, the council can do what it wants, can pick a number it wants. We can try to go back and figure out what the several hundred thousand dollars that gets added for veterans exemptions.

Yeah, Dave, just a question. Of the $2 million adjustment we're talking about, how much of it had to do because of the reval, being people.

I don't know the answer to that. The Board of Appeals handles those. I mean, I'm sure that they were all concerned about their revalued price, of course, and had enough information to convince the Board of Appeals that in some of those cases to reduce their figure.

Yeah, see, Ted, in your argument, if we didn't have a reval, I would agree with you. Right. if we didn't have a reval, but because we did and everything was thrown askew, I think this is the right way to go. This is the fair way to go. It resets a new value for this year's tax. So again, if we didn't have reval, I see what you're saying. I understand what you're saying. And I would agree with it, but not in a year of revaluations. At least that's how I see it. I think that's fair.

I think with the rebound puts us in a difficult situation to try to figure out the calculation of where we should leave it. At the end of the year, everybody is going to pay what they owe based on what they vote on. I know right now it could be a little bit off, but given all of these moving parts, I think trying to figure out exactly what that number is, is difficult and we should just try to go as close as possible and move forward. So.

Other comments? We have a motion.

What was the new number, Dave? 27...

If you wanted to take that into account, it was 2779.

Yeah, I think that's the right thing to do because it was re... Everything was jockeyed, recalculated, re-ratcheted for new valuations, whereas other years, that didn't happen. And again, I see your point. So I would make that motion.

Second. 2779. Yes.

Comments? All for vote. Those in favor of temporary mill rate being 27.79. Aye.

Opposed, nay.

Adapt to the temporary mill rate. It's not perfectly.

Thank you. We'll move ahead with that. Residents will see that bill in the normal course of events. Once there is a final budget, people will see a normal tax bill. They'll have the same options that they always do, pay it all, pay it half, whatever. Once a budget is established and the Board of Finance holds the meeting to consider that new mill rate, they'll have to decide what the difference is and how that would be addressed. Their option would be to change the mill rate and send a supplemental tax bill for the balance or hold on that and figure some other course of action out, but they'll have to decide that once a new budget is determined.

Moving on, new business 10B, reviewing possible action on police department general orders. General order 5.23, use of body worn and dashboard cameras.

Chief Wester is not in the room tonight. He's at home, and he will present that to you via Zoom. Apparently, we're going to just hear him.

Glad you just joined as a panelist.

Yep. Chief, I leave it to you.

Can you hear me now?

We can hear you now.

Good evening. I'm sorry I could not be there in person, but tonight before you is an existing general order, general order 5.23 use of body worn and dashboard cameras. We currently adopt the statewide model policy and the statewide model policy was recently amended by the Police Officer Standards and Training Council. The changes are in accordance with General Statute 29-6D, which was actually amended by a public act, and it took effect October 1st, but we just recently received the changes from post. Basically, the changes are outlined in red, and the deletions are striked out, and basically it allows the subject of a disciplinary investigation. The officers are now allowed to review their body worn camera footage if it's being used in that investigation. Previously, the statute only addressed reviewing such footage in connection with the use of force investigations, not disciplinary investigations. As stated before, the town adopted in its entirety the statewide model policy as all other departments are required to do. And I'm requesting these minor changes for this policy tonight.

I just have one question, if I may.

Yes, you may.

Under number two, I do like the idea that they can now view their camera if they're subject to that. But it also says to assist in a report. So if they've always been able to use it in assisting with the report, couldn't they just say that they needed to look at it? Because if you go under number one, it says in order to assist such officer with the preparation of a report. So would they have always been allowed to review their body cam?

It would appear so the way the model policy is written, but they obviously was a reason to clarify because it probably had been challenged somewhere by another agency and they wanted to make sure that the officers were allowed to review it. And that's the reason for the change.

The only other thing is that obviously it's just a typo that there's a period before the point A police officers.

What paragraph was that?

Same paragraph, two point, and then it says point A. I'll take care of that.

Thank you.

Chief, I'm looking for you. You're on Zoom.

Yes, yes.

Chief, um, Section of Roman numeral 7. Any 3. In the paragraph. Not later than 48 hours following an officer's review of. The recording under. or if the officer does not review the recording, not later? It seems like there's a word or something missing in there.

I do not have the actual statute in front of me, but I can review that and make sure it follows the model policy. That's fine.

Any other comments or questions? Doesn't quite read right.

Yeah, it doesn't. Well, there's also some typo in there, but I mean, as far as punctuation, but. Yeah, because you start with a not later than, but doesn't tell you what not later than is referring to.

At the end of the sentence, but the word under shouldn't be there.

I'll make sure it follows the model policy exactly. before I put it out.

It's expected to be is not later than 48 hours following an officer's review of the report. Or if the officer does not review the recording, not later than 96 hours following a request for public disclosure of the recording, whichever is earlier, such recording shall be disclosed, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.

Yeah, I think that's right.

So the word under, I think, goes away the first time.

That's fine. So let's vote on this.

So would you like me to make a motion to accept the general orders after it is reviewed one more time by the chief for clarification in section 7.3 of the order?

I'll second that.

Any discussion? If not, Those in favor, approval of the general order changes as signified by saying aye. Aye. Opposed, nay. So adopted.

Thank you very much. And I'll ensure that the changes are made on that, that you brought up. Thank you.

Agenda item 13.

10c review possible action relating to the updated job description for public utilities administrator thank you as i uh as i indicated uh in my memo this uh is an update to the description that was approved previously in 2023 uh to um correct some issues I think that we ran into with some of the technical requirements of the position and whether those things could actually be achieved if someone didn't walk in the door with those those items of training and in particular that's the water distribution license and the various water treatment licenses that were included as a requirement Basically, what we've done in the description is to modify it to emphasize the managerial role that this position plays in overseeing a department of people who have the technical knowledge to ensure and operate the system. So this position has reporting to it, if you will, the superintendents and the chief operators related to both the water and the sewer systems management. So that those folks are charged with having the technical training. So, for example, many of you have met Paul Cerretta. Paul Cerretta is the wastewater treatment plant operator and handles operations in the collection system as well. He has all of those licenses. We hire individuals who serve as the chief operators for the water systems. They have all of those licenses. So that's how we handle those parts of the technical review. I know that in the past we've had practitioners that have ascended to this position. Certainly they could if they had managerial prowess. We have had engineers in this position, and they are certainly capable as well, provided they have that managerial prowess and understand how utilities and municipalities work. So that's kind of the goal of the changes. If the council finds that acceptable, we'll get it finalized and work towards getting this position filled.

Questions, comments? Jack, I just wanted to comment that If the person had these extra capabilities, he could and would still be considered. It would be an advantage to him over someone who didn't have it. It's just that this expands the pool of people who would be available for the job.

It expands the pool in that it modifies the pool. It looks for people who still have the same, who have backgrounds in municipalities or utilities, but they don't necessarily have to have the technical. But as you point out, if they have the technical background, if they were an operator and came up through the ranks or they were an engineer, came in through the ranks, then that certainly would give them an advantage, yes.

I got a couple. Um, under the essential duties and responsibilities. Um, I thought from our meeting that we're not really sure what the actual, um, that the 3.9 number is under kind of scrutiny as to what we were, uh, able to do. Uh, should that be in there since we're not really sure that was what it was permanent for back in the seventies, but we've come to realize that we might not be at capacity of 3.9, uh, and GD at this point, is that something that should be modified or is it very, it's a very technical number. And I don't know if, you know, that that should be there when we're not really sure where we're at. The other thing is under the responsibility responsible for preparation of agendas and minutes, if they're under Robert's rules, isn't that the job of the chair? So they should be coordinating with the chair to do the agendas and meeting, at least the agendas, because it's technically the chair's responsibility to set the agenda. And then the only other one that I was looking at was under these non-essential duties. You've changed water and sewer commission to WPCA under everywhere else, but it's under recruits and screens candidates conducts interviews and recommends the town manager with East Tampa Water and Sewer. That should probably be changed to WPCA. I agree. And then just when it comes to public comment, And maybe this is a discussion for the WPCA meeting and not here. But who is responsible for protecting the rate payers? Is it this person? Or is it, you know, for not doing...

I would argue that there is not one single individual that is responsible for that. It is that person's responsibility. It is the responsibility of the superintendents and the other individuals that work there. It's the responsibility of the bodies that are in the oversight role. That should be part of their roles and responsibilities.

Should that be as part of the duties is to protect the ratepayers as well as the town?

What does that mean, though?

Well, I mean, you've got to come to the context of it. You can't have something that's going to have, you know, unachievable rates that are, you know, having something, you have to have some kind of balance between the facility and its rate payers. You can't just arbitrarily say we're going to increase the rates by X because we want to do Y without taking into account the financial burden of the taxpayers, i.e. the $40,000 sewer assessment fee that was presented to the council, you know, Just wondering if we should address that as part of the duties that you have to actually take care of our citizens.

What paragraph are you on?

I'm not. I'm trying to say going through public comment and what we just went through with the whole sewer system expansion and all of that, there should be something that the person coming into the job knows that that's not acceptable to just throw something that's going to paralyze a whole part of the community.

It is a responsibility of the WPCA all together as a group. Quite frankly, it's really not this person's responsibility at all.

What it says about the development, it does talk about expansion. And so let me just find it. So it definitely says that part of their duty is to work on expanding the water system and expanding. So where are you? I read it earlier, so bear with me.

Because rural really should stay with the WPCA as a group and certainly not with the director to determine rates. The whole board is responsible and should be responsible. and not the director.

The water system comment is in the middle of the public water system duties on the second page. Oversee and administers the town's efforts to develop and obtain funding for an expanded public water system. Is that what you're talking about?

Yeah.

So could we put the comment you make about the protection of rate payers, can that go in that first paragraph? somewhere, you know, under guidance from the Colchester-East Hampton Joint Facilities Committee, East Hampton Water Pollution Control Authority, and Tom Manager, and with due consideration for the protection of ratepayers, oversees and manages, blah, blah, blah.

I'm good with that.

We have to be working with those bodies.

Yeah, that's I just want it to be known that they're not working in a silo. They have to work.

But at times, expansion and adding users is protecting the rate payers by adding users.

But if you're not doing it in a silo, that's where...

I think, again, any of the things that you're concerned about, should be the direct responsibility of seven people on that board. They're all responsible for that.

I agree. So we're looking at this when we're talking about the rewording of the WPCA as well.

I think we should look at it there too, yes. But this person should be understanding for that purpose.

So I've used some wording, right?

I did. It's on recording. I was going to go back and listen to it. Should we look at this again next time? It was exactly the same way twice in those moments.

Does it have to be approved today or should we look at it again next time?

As long as it has that general I'm good with that, just as long as there's something in there that lets them know that they have to be responsible to the taxpayers at this level. and to the WPPA.

You used the word taxpayers. Did you do that intentionally or did you mean to say ratepayers? I'm just checking.

It could be the taxpayers on the expansion.

But we're not going there. You're the chair. Are you good with those things?

Yeah, I'm good. Depending on the wording of what David David something about the.

Well after the after the and the East Hampton town manager. And I said something to the effect of and in consideration of the duty to protect ratepayers overseas and manages high level technical.

I'll make a motion to accept the changes and get this ready for print.

Yes, second. I would just say that if the town manager could email us all the final copy in case anyone has any major issues so that we could erase, you know, let it be known before it actually goes up.

Sure. Part of the discussion. Vote. Those in favor. Opposed nay. So adopted. All right. Thank you. Agenda item 11, Town Manager's Report.

Thank you. As always, the written report is included as part of the agenda material and is part of or on the Town Manager's page as well on the website. I just want to mention 3 items, some of which are not on actually, I don't think any of them are actually referenced in here with the possible exception of the deep grant item. So, tomorrow in the morning at 10 o'clock down at 3 Walnut, which is, as I've said, a number of times behind center package. Representatives from deep, including the commissioner and others as well as some representatives from other municipalities in the state will be here as the state uses East Hampton to do its announcements announcement of those grant awards or some of those grant awards for for municipalities. I think they're talking about tomorrow, including these Hampton. You'll recall we received 250,000 to start doing the work on 3 Walnut there to clean that up because it's eventually going to be used for park and recreational purposes. I presume that the other municipalities as well are doing the same. So they'll be announcing that 10 o'clock tomorrow down at 3 Walnut if anybody wants to join. and see that. The other two items I'll mention are not on here. One is chip sealing is ongoing. You'll recall that this is the kind of icky process, but it does get better, where new oils are put down on the surface of a road. and sand or very fine gravel is put on top of that. That all gets kind of ground together and becomes a new driving surface. After a couple of weeks, the contractor will go through and sweep up the remnants that are still behind that are loose. And it creates a new driving surface. That's one of a number of surface treatments that get used by the town for preserving the life of a road. It usually is done to a road that's been crack sealed a few times, still has a good riding surface or has a restored riding surface. And then that is used to re-energize, re-emulsify, re-oil, if you will, the surface and give it a new life. So that generally lasts another five or 10 years. That work is getting done. It was done unfortunately today before we really realized the contractor was going to be in town on a couple of roads and then go beyond Waterhole and Sillimanville and down in that area of the town doing those 2 roads in the next couple of days. So that's ongoing. The last thing I'll mention is that you've heard me mention Halesbrook a few times, and we kind of closed that out. That money has finally come. We applied for those dollars six years or rather four years ago. And we finally have received from the state, the, the grant agreement for that right now it sits at about a 1.9Million dollar project. 1.7 of that is being funded by the federal government through the natural hazard mitigation plans administered by her programs rather administered by FEMA. So that's finally coming to fruition. We'll probably get to that project after design. I would imagine sometime in the calendar year 2028. But now that we have the funds, we can actually go and do the final design and get that going. Maybe we get into it in 27, but it'll depend on how design goes and what the Army Corps wants to say about the final design. and those sorts of activities. So good news there. We've got the funds to do that project. You'll recall that that's taking out three culverts that carry Halesbrook under Lake Drive. They'll be replaced with, I think it's two box culverts, so that opening will be quite large. and allow floodwaters or waters of Halesbrook to flow unencumbered into Lake Pocatapog. And we'll also allow Lake Pocatapog in high water conditions to back up without flooding the road. That's the main purpose here is to get the road out of the flood zone and prevent water from washing over the road. The little bridge that's there will go away. That'll be all integrated into the change.

How do you keep, loud traffic to go by while you're doing?

The reality is we probably don't. Unfortunately, property owners are going to have to sort of split at that and go the two other ways around the lake. That'll be kind of lousy for some.

That was an EMS issue when we did the bridge at Sears Park, and because of the travel time around for EMS, that's why they had the single lane and they did half at a time. with the last bridge or they did a cast in place or something because there was an issue with EMS.

That would be a real, that particular bridge would be a real problem because you'd have to go all the way around the lake. This is, you know, at the top of the lake, it's almost a direct split, but we'll look at that. I mean, I imagine it will be a bit of a challenge because of what's, what would go in there, but we'll work on that one part of the design.

The other question I had, and it has nothing to do with this, but I have received, quite a few calls and I've sent them all to Matt. So probably not on what roads are on the list to be done, what funding we already have for capital funds that have not been expended from prior years. I think we were behind in the budget last year and I didn't think we did all of the, we have some kind of list of upcoming roads and what the balance is in those projects.

So Matt works real hard to make sure that the capital allotment that gets put in for the budget and the road materials budget gets used every year as much as it can. So, for example, Main Street and all of that work around that area was part of fiscal 26. So the current fiscal year that we're in. I don't know off the top of my head and I have to check with Matt whether there's other pieces that he has yet to do other roads that have to be paid. I don't think there are. So that's would be the fiscal 26 amount plus then that also covers along with road materials, cracks, crack work that was that gets done every year chip ceiling that we just talked about things of that sort are all part of that road project budget. For next year, the project area is Child's Road, Abbey, Cone, that area. That would be the work that gets done during fiscal 27. Matt has that tentatively penciled in for September, but that depends on how soon the community decides on a budget.

Wasn't there a bonding done for Root? So everything that was bonded for a few years ago, that's all been done? So there's no open capital project?

No, the roads that were bonded for a number of years ago, that was all done. Those bond funds are expended.

So there's no capital funds out there for roads. It's only in the existing budget.

It's in the capital fund. So there might be some rollover, but it's not consequential. I don't know the number off. I have to look it up. But Matt works hard to make sure that he gets as much road work as he can do with the allotment he's given every year.

Yeah, it would have been $750 last year.

Would have been... It's been going up by 75,000 every year.

And is there a place that the taxpayers can see what are the priority roads in town? Because that was one of the questions that I've gotten. Again, I just sent them off the map. Sure. I don't know that.

We haven't posted that. We have shared that in the past, but it isn't posted anywhere. And part of the reason for that is because it's a fluid list. Right. So every few years we do a an empirical review of all of our roads. And by that, I mean, all of the roads are driven and reviewed by an outside consulting firm. Their photographs are taken. The various measurements are done. And by that, I mean, what kinds of deflection are there? What kinds of degradation is there? Cracks, alligator cracking, etc. various types of degradation to the road is mapped. They are given grades on a scale of 0 to 100. On average, the town is in the high 60s and the conversation and there's of course some of the extremes always. A new road would be essentially a 99 or 100. A road that's severely degraded is going to be down in the 50s. I don't think we have anything that goes below that. The goal is to get as much of the town, to narrow that window and get the town into that upper 60s, lower 70s range where it's a good drivable surface that probably has some cracks that have been filled and is an even surface. It doesn't have potholes. It doesn't have channels where the drive lanes are, that sort of thing. He creates that list. or using that data rather, the roads get ranked. And then it becomes a little bit less empirical at that point. We start to identify classes of roads and make sure that the roads that are used the most, which suffer the most wear, we have to pay some priority attention to those. and try to blend in where we can other roads that are adjacent. That's the other piece of this. Matt tries to make sure that we do as much in an area as we can for the efficiency of the contractor to prevent remobilization costs and those sorts of things. So if we're coming out to do, that's why you're seeing Child's Road and Abbey Cone, that kind of that cool little swath in there getting done and why you saw when we were out doing uh summit street as part of the village center project we did bevin and bevin avenue tried to knock those out as well because they're immediately adjacent it also allows him as he puts that list together to go through and do advanced work so you saw the work that got done on main street last year and into this year that's all the advanced work that gets done storm sewer improvements and undergrade improvements so that we know that we're done in there and we can set everything and forget it for a little while. But why it's fluid is because unfortunately we can't predict the winter. And there are times when unpredictable things happen and a road that was down the list a year or two suffers badly in winter. There's enough water in the sub-base that when we have a freeze-thaw cycle, it falls apart. that ends up getting reprioritized and can sometimes bump a road that lasted okay through the winter. So we can make that list available and Matt does talk about those things when he communicates with folks that call him for their questions. But people just have to understand there's at some point it becomes less science and it becomes more, if you will, subjective and art to make sure that we get those things done. But we hear the message that the community gives to us that says infrastructure is important, roads are important. That's part of the reason that we had such discussions at the capital committee to commit among those that were on the board of finance and all the other parties involved to increase over time that amount that's available for road work. Remember the goal is to get to a million dollars a year available for road improvement work and we're getting closer every year.

If we could put that out there, maybe just so they could point, instead of having him get a million calls on the same topic.

We can. It'll have some words around it, but we'll put it out there.

This is not a guarantee your roads this year.

And that's a long list. There's 90 miles of roads, and they're all on there in some position. And we'll put it out there.

Any other questions, Town Manager? Thank you, David. Thank you. Agenda item 12, appointments.

No, Mr. Chair, I'd like to make a motion. I'd like to make a motion to revoke the appointment of Mark Barmasi for the Agriculture Commission. I received more phone calls, more outreach than you can even imagine. The emails, phone calls, people stopping me on the street saying that he's just not going to be the proper fit in this area. We heard Mr. Bear speak tonight, and I've heard many other people talk about this, and this might turn into a bigger concern than I thought. So that would be my motion. I'll second that.

Are you on the prevailing side of the vote?

I was. That's why I'm also doing this tonight.

Three of us sat together in the committee, Tim, you know.

I don't think he's going to be a proper fit, and I'm going to stick with that.

Okay.

Discussion?

I know that we did sit together, Rich, and had that conversation, and I've had residents reach out to me with the same concerns, unfortunately. It's a difficult situation, and I do have to agree with Tim.

I also received numerous reach-outs, people reaching out on it.

You know, when we have appointment subcommittee meetings, we get together, three of us are typically there, and we interview people. candidates, all of them, very well. We size up not just their personal characteristics and their background, but their desire to do the job and how they fit in. This is not something that we're trying to fit a hole and just throw anybody into it. This gentleman has a lot of experience, good experience. And I'll tell you, Just as not every one of the seven that we appointed knows everything about everything relative to that, the commission, the Agriculture Commission, everybody knows a little something. And in my view, Pharmacy brings very good experience in areas where others who are more hands-on relative to agriculture and what they're doing, what they can do, He brings good experience in that area. And I'll tell you, I heard Rob Barrett coming. I hear what he's saying. And I understand his feelings. And I'll tell you, Mark, and matter of fact, the rest of the commission, the past commission, really regret what was said and how it was taken. There's no two ways about it. And in my in my field, my feelings. You know, you don't continue to kick somebody. Especially when they've been put down in many cases irresponsibly, in my view. East Hampton needs all the good people on all the commissions that we have. I stick with my decision on that. And I support him. And we need to be a better community than just trying to hang somebody because of a comment which might have been misconstrued and taken out of context.

I can bring the video up.

That's it. Thank you. I hear what you're saying. I hear exactly what you're saying. Point of order. You had your say. I have mine. That's my feeling. We need to be a better community. And when somebody stumbles, at least in somebody's view, you don't continue to kick them down the road. Why can't we be better than that? Why can't we stop the poison that's in this town? That's what it is. Let's work together.

This is a discussion amongst the council, not the council and debate with those in the audience.

That's my feeling. And I think we ought to We really need to take a look at ourselves, all of us, because nobody up here, nobody on any board, and nobody who attends these meetings really wants the worst for East Hampton. I fully understand it. But what we have to do on these boards to be leaders is act like leaders. And what do leaders do? They bring people together, and we bring people forward together. Thank you. That's it. Ted.

I'm thinking on some of your comments about kicking someone when they're down, bringing unity. Mark has chaired the WPCA for a number of years. He allowed something to happen that should never have happened, and yes, he may regret that. What was that?

What was that?

Allowing the comments to go forward. You don't think he regrets letting the comments and laughing at one of our taxpayers?

I just want to hear what you had to say.

Okay. But is that a reason to reward him with the first opening?

Reward is not the right word.

That is the right word. Because we removed him from the board, it almost feels like... you feel obligated to put him on another board. And so the first board that comes across, you put him on.

I'm just telling you what it looks like. Well, that's reaching, quite frankly.

And I don't think, and it's my turn, because you had your turn, so it's my turn to think. I do not think that putting him on that board is going to bring unity in this environment especially in light of it was a farm that they were ridiculing. If there's something else that he made a mistake on and you wanted to reappoint, but that's a kick in the teeth to the taxpayers. That's not transparency. And I 100% disagree with your rationale.

You can't. Because just as many people who you say don't like it, I do have to tell you, I've received many, many people saying, boy, this guy got the short end of the stick. He's done so much for this town. And what can I tell you? So you just said that you're rewarding him because you had people say that he did something for the town. It's not a reward. You're Your choice of words is for and wrong.

TODD BANDUCCI- With a comment? Call for the vote. Those in favor of the motion, signify by saying aye.

Aye.

TODD BANDUCCI- Raise your hands, because I'm not sure.

I usually raise my hand.

TODD BANDUCCI- 1, 2. 1. TODD BANDUCCI- 3, 4. And I will join that.

In a post post.

Abstain. Motion passes. Certainly is unfortunate. We as a town have to go through that. Maybe it'll be a learning experience for all. Is there any other item under agenda 12 appointments? Nothing. Agenda 13, tax refunds.

Mr. Chair, I would like to make a motion return $688.42 to, it's actually just one refund tonight. Second.

Motion made and seconded. Any discussion? If not, those in favor signify by saying aye. Those nay. Refund approved. Agenda item 14, public remarks. Is there anyone who wishes to make public remarks at this time?

Robert Baer, I'm at Middletown Ave. I forgot to earlier, so I didn't have it with me. Right on the application, over to join a board or commission. Says, and I acknowledge that I have not been found in violation of any state municipality or professional code of ethics or conduct. Maybe code of ethics wasn't, but the board was removed because of their actions. So that's to do with conduct. Lower on here it says, Certificate of Accuracy. I stay under penalty of dismissal from and cause the removal from applied for commission board or committee that the information contained on this form filed with Town of East Hampton Town's manager is the best of my knowledge and belief, true and accurate. That board was removed when this room was completely full because of their conduct. Thank you.

I think inaccuracy, the commission was dismantled and the town council was appointing itself to take over the WPCA and individual members were not pointed out.

It was not for something that they did. Not for cause. It was not for cause.

Okay. Okay.

No more things for Mr. Van Tassel. Okay, I'm back. First of all, I would like to encourage you to reduce the school district budget, the $863,000 that Mr. Hins found out we could based on our declining population. I have another idea of where you can reduce your budget. There is emerging evidence and studies that show that online learning is not helping, it's rather harming children who are trying to learn so the Chromebooks can go. I would also like to suggest that if you are looking at places to reduce, please do not reduce music and the arts because there is plenty of scientific evidence that music and the arts help children perform even better in academic subjects. And you know who knows that the best? Immigrants. Their children are over the Hart School of Music every week, and they play well, and they perform well academically. And finally, I would like you to set a goal to get the proficiency scores into the high 80s, if not 90, so that you're similar to the Department of War schools. Thank you.

Is there anyone else who would like to make public remarks? We have one online.

James?

No, hello.

I wonder if he realizes he has to stand up.

We can't hear you, so you need to unmute or do something. It would be lower left probably on your screen.

I move on.

Is there anyone else in the audience who would care to make public remarks at this time? Dr. Van Tassel, did you want to make some comments? You have 30 minutes. Hold that.

You have three minutes? We know you like to talk, sir.

Okay, just to respond just I know we've got a couple of inquiries and there are certain we're having a meeting scheduled for this Thursday. I think that's probably the appropriate time to be able to get some questions, but just in terms of a few things that were raised tonight. So, 1 is in terms of on page 19 of the superintendent's recommendation to the board of education, the budget book. It actually talks about what the prevalence rates are. The prevalence rates are not. The numbers that were provided this evening, the prevalence rates are all written on page 19, which identify levels of disability and where comparisons are to to the district. And I will get those in speaking to miss Harvey. I will get those to you about page 19 does have that on there. The 2nd thing I just wanted to mention, there was a very good suggestion relevant to attrition and I feel like that's an area that we could have further conversations about come Thursday. We do have attrition that's factored into the budget. There's 160,000 dollars for turnover factor that is built already into the budget. Not anybody would be able to see that because that's within a line item, but it was a good suggestion. Attraction is factored in the vast majority. Of positions, whenever there's a vacancy, it is those positions that we're looking at reducing and of the positions reduced last year, several of those were due to the factor of attrition. So, I just want to make sure that that's noted, but there is something built as a construct within the budget that's done that. Um, I know we could talk about efficient evaluation. We could talk about proficiency scores. The proficiency scores that are noted were in the board of ads presentation to the town council and board of finance that those are exceeding state averages and actually shows you that we're at the upper end of the dirt or district comparative districts. But with that being said, there's always room for improvement. We recognize that. And then the 1 thing that I would like to correct is that my 1st year, there's a gentleman who talked about the deficit budgets. My 1st year here wasn't the budget that I built, but a budget that I did receive. There was a deficit. in that particular year but it wasn't actually the year it wasn't a budget that i had developed for it and we do report those out we will work with the town as to how better to be able to get those monthly reports for how the budget is running fiscally but i do think as i have always shared with everybody is that the transparency is not something that i shy away from it is something that i Encourage, and I will certainly be able to answer more questions on Thursday evening if more come and I would always recommend and request that people reach out to me directly. I welcome conversations surrounding these topics. Sometimes there are explanations. Sometimes there are not, but it's great feedback. So I appreciate that. And thank you for giving the opportunity to speak.

Thank you James is back.

He should be able to hear us.

That's what I mean.

That's why I'm wondering if it's an error.

An operator error.

Going twice. James, come back to our next meeting. Agenda item 15, communications, correspondence, and announcements. Many of those have been made. There are reports from the various whatever. Is James?

No, okay. You can go down. You can.

Agenda item 16, adjournment.

Motion to adjourn.

Second.

We were adjourned. Thank you.

All right. But it looks like we can. We're going to win.