Board of Selectmen - Regular Meeting

Good evening everyone. I'll call this regular board of selection meeting to order for February 2nd at 5:30m. Uh at the table we have selectman John Misham, selectman Jim Lampos and our clerk Jen Datam. And we have members of the press and public here. Moving on to information items for communications and correspondence. Um the only thing that I have um of note is that I did hear from deep that they have a plan going forward with the private beach associations and that they should be in touch with me in the next week and I'm [clears throat] eager to hear what our plans are.

Okay. Um I would Do you have anything? Yeah, I had a couple phone calls right before the meeting complaining about the large sign at the First Congregational Church not being in compliance with the historic district policy. Okay. I didn't see it this morning. I think they just put it up. Well, I know that the historic district sometimes leave sign allow signs for 30 days, but I don't know. So, they really should call um historic send an email to historic district. I suggested that. Yes. Okay, Jim, anything? Um, just a couple of letters about appointments expressing their opinions.

Okay, that's time for public comment. Is there anyone in the audience who has public comment? I do. Okay.

Um, I brought a copy from Jen. So, this can go in the minutes because obviously my email does not. This is a followup to the two emails that I sent regarding appointments. Um, first of all, I am here to comment on a recent appointment made by the board of selectmen. I'm Judith Reed, 35 Ben Franklin Road, Old Lime. First, I would like to say it is an honor and a privilege to serve on any board, committee, or commission for the town of Old Lime and should be treated as such. At the last electman's meeting, a person who is threatening the town, several elected officials, and volunteers in our town with a lawsuit was appointed to a position. I am one of those people named in the potential lawsuit. The town has already spent thousands of dollars in legal fees regarding this dispute and the potential lawsuit. I for one feel bullied and threatened and don't think this person should be appointed to serve on any board, committee or commission until the dispute is settled and or the threat of the lawsuit is withdrawn. I do not think the decision to appoint this person is in the best interest of the town and it has already cost the town thousands of dollars. I was told that one reason this person was appointed was because there were no other applicants. Really? Is that a reason? What's the urgency? Out of respect for your fellow elected officials, volunteers, and taxpayers, please leave this seat open rather than appointing the person who is threatening many of us with a lawsuit.

If you don't have any volunteers, I will submit an application. Also, I have a question. What is the status of the dispute over Chan Heg landing? It's been almost three years since that large public meeting when so many people expressed concern and the fact that they would use that that landing. I for one have been encouraged not to even go near it along with anyone else who was named in this potential lawsuit. I would appreciate it if you did not move forward with that person's appointment. Thank you. Respectfully submitted.

Thank you. Is there anyone else in the audience? Mr. Barnes. Yes, ma'am.

For the record, Michael Barnes, 451 Shore Road. Um, as many of you know, my name is Michael Barnes. I'm a lifelong resident here of Old Lime, a local business owner and a father raising my children here in the same community where I was raised. I have served as an alternate on the zoning commission now for 5 years. And I'm here tonight to speak directly about my record and my commitment to this town. There's been some characterization um from the chairman that I had stalled the commission's work during the phase one zoning rewrite. I want to set the record straight. What has been termed stalling was actually a rigorous line by line review of over 30 new terms and definitions introduced into our zoning regulations. As a commission, we are presented with the stand with a standard dictate dictated by a hired consultant who does not live in our town. I felt it was my primary responsibility as a reme as a member to review every single one of these definitions with a fine tooth comb. Any change to our town's zoning definitions carries the risk of significant unintended consequences for property owners. I was not in a position to stand by and simply rubber stamp a generic template that I had legitimate concerns that required addressing during our working sessions. The phase 2 zoning rewrite is starting after next month and my seat at the table is now more important than ever. We only get one good chance to craft these phase 2 regulation changes which will be considerable modifications to our town's framework for future generations. We need proactive leadership, people who are have proven they will show up, engage in discussions and ensure everything is reviewed properly rather than pushed along for the sake of time constraints. This is a critical time frame that requires active members, not people just sitting and observing, just taking up seats on an important commission. My service to Old Lime has always been based on merit and community impact, not political labels. I'm an unaffiliated voter and I've had the privilege of being appointed to this commission both under Democrat and Republican leadership. Furthermore, I am currently the only business owner on the commission who operates properties servicing the general public and this

gives me a real life perspective on how these regulations move from page to practical reality for our residents. In a recent discussion, the chairman Paul Riselle suggested that I can't read the room and that the commission should operate as a unified front. I funnally disagree with that mindset. The purpose of this commission is to represent diver diverse voices, not to provide a unified front for the chairman. I have the right and the duty to hone in on issues that others might overlook, and I will not be quiet just because others are ready to move on before the work is done correctly. I've also challenged leadership when I felt we are deviating from legal advice in settled matters behind closed doors. I am a voice of reason with five years experience on this commission and 20 years experience in land use. I am not a yes man. I have put in the hours. I have the skin in the game and I'm committed to ensuring our zoning laws serve our people. And I respectfully request your support for reappoint this evening. Thank you.

Michael, could you just can you just give that to Jen? Makes sense. Yes. Thank you. Is there anyone else in the audience who would like to say anything? Okay. Before we move on to

Sorry. Is there anyone online who would like to say anything? You can raise your hand. You can unmute yourself. Is there anyone there? Okay. I don't I think everybody is happy tonight not to say anything. All right. Before we move on to approval of minutes, there is one application that I would like to act on and that is um Jackie Moos. I'd like to add that underneath appointments. Make it a at the very end for sound view commission. She's an alternate. She forgot to get her application in. She did come in last week and she did talk to Vicki and put it in. So, I would choose an alternate, but we could just take that at the end of So, can I have a motion to add that to the agenda?

I'll make a motion to amend the agenda under new business to add Sound View Commission. Thank you, John. Thank you, Jim. Okay. All those in favor of adding Sound View appointment to the calendar, please signify by saying I. I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Motion passes. Thank you. Okay. Before we move on, do we have to did we miss a uh special uh board of selectman meeting uh minutes for January 12th? I did I miss it? Uh we have two for the 5th, one for the 16th, one for the 20, and two for the 26th, but um we had a meeting on the 12th, I believe.

Yeah, I do have I do have the minutes for the 12th here. I may have missed it when I was Yeah, I just want to see if I cleared you and I probably did. Well, you do have it. Thank you, John. So, can we have a motion to add that as well?

I will make a motion to amend the agenda to include the approval of minutes for the special board of selectman meeting on January 12th. Second. Any discussion? Okay, hearing none, I'll call for a vote. All those in favor of adding the special board of select mini minutes for January 12th to the agenda, please signify by saying I. I.

I. Any [clears throat] opposed? Any abstensions? Motion passes. Thank you. All right. So, let's start with January 5th. um board of selector minutes. [clears throat] Um and I have a motion for acceptance of those minutes. I'll make a motion to approve the January 5th regular board of selection meeting minutes. I'll second any discussion on January 5th, 2026. Anybody?

No changes. No changes. I didn't see any goodness. Okay. [clears throat] All those in favor of accepting the minutes for January 5th, 2026, please signify by saying I. I. I. I. Any opposed? Any abstension? Motion passes. Thank you. Let's move on to January 5th at 12:30. Sorry, we didn't take these in order, but um this was a special board of select budget review meeting. Um can I have a motion to accept these minutes? I make a motion to accept the special board select and budget review meeting minutes January 5th, 2026. I have a second. I'll second. Okay. Any discussion? Yeah, there's just a couple typos in here.

Okay. Uh the meeting was called to order, not ordered at 12:30. Thank you. First line. And uh under attendance the following budgets were discussed not will be. Okay.

Any other? No. Anything? Jim? No. Okay. Making with those corrections, Jim. Um we approve these minutes. Call for a vote. All those in favor of approving these minutes with the two corrections noted, please signify by saying I. I. I.

Any opposed? Any abstensions? Motion passes. Thank you. Okay. Next up, [clears throat] January 12th at 12:30 p.m. It was a special board of selectman budget review meeting. Okay. Are there any changes? We need a motion. I'll make a motion to approve these minutes. Second. Anything that anybody saw out of order? Did not. No.

Okay. All for a vote. All those in favor of accepting the minutes of the January 12th special board of select and budget review meeting, please signify by saying I. I. I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Motion passes. Thank you. Next one is the special board selected meeting January 16th. It was a virtual meeting. It lasted two two minutes. Is to approve the warning for the town meeting. Can I have a motion to accept those minutes? I'll make a motion to accept the minutes. Thank you, John. I'll second. Thank you, Jim. Any further discussion? Hearing none, I'll call for a vote. All those in favor of approving the minutes for January 16th at 10:30 a.m., please signify by saying I.

I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Motion passes. Next one was on January 26 on um these went in that printed out today. John, the the ones for January 26th, the special. Yes. Okay. All right. So, and we have a motion to approve the special meeting minutes.

I'll make a motion to approve the special board select many budget hearing minutes from January 26th. Second. Any discussion? Hearing none. Call for a vote. All those in favor of approving the special board of selectment budget hearing minutes for January 26, 2026 signify by saying I. I. Any opposed?

Any [clears throat] abstensions? Motion passes. The next one is the board of selectmen minutes for um January 26 at 5:30 p.m. I do have a change on here about halfway down under new business under a there's a missing heading for economic development commission which should be just before there are two motions made for oh let's see um under affordable housing there's one two three motions and then economic development should be where Mr. Lampost um select nominated Mr. Bmpton and um yeah in that one place for alternate three economic and we appointed Jim Jeff Harland too.

That's not there. I'm not seeing it. No. Well, we point. Yeah, it's down towards the bottom. The one I read today. It's uh it's right here department.

Okay. Are we Is it But so EDC is down below, but it's not um called out as EDC. Sorry, it's the wrong place, Jen. It's the one underneath conservation. Gotcha. Okay. Um, economic development should be there as a header. John, that's above Maline Longfellow. Yes. Just below conservation commission. You're saying here, right?

Right. Yep. I didn't see anything else. Anything else from anyone else? No. Okay. Can I have a motion to um approve the minutes with the economic development commission header added to the minutes? I'll make a motion to approve the minutes of the regular board of selectman meeting of January 26 through the addition of the economic development commission header under new business. Second.

Okay. Any further discussion? Hearing none. Also vote. All those in favor of approving the minutes for January 26th, 5:30 regular meeting, please signify by saying I. I. Any opposed? Any extensions? Motion passes. Thank you.

Okay. Moving on to appointments for affordable housing. So last week we had some discussions and one of the things that um Katie Balaga tells boards and we as we go through um don't start naming chairs or anything before appointments are made because your board could change. And um so I had some discussions with some of the members of the affordable housing commission and I guess there were some changes that there were some decisions made prior to our appointments. Um and should um we follow not follow what they've sort of done then we're going to be at a loss for some chairs for the affordable housing commission. sub. Um, what I would like to do is to we have one permanent member position left and I would like to move that we name Shawn Mastriion to that position because of the fact that he and Sheila Ripple will serve as co-chairs.

I will second. Any further discussion? I I think Sean should be moved up from alternate to the permanent seat. Okay. Okay. All those in favor of moving Sean into the permanent seat with the I just got to make sure that we get you in the right seat. Regular regular four. Regular four. Thank you. And that would be a term from 2123 to 131 2026. This is 26. I'm sorry that's wrong.

This is 229. Sorry, it's gone. The short term, [laughter] thanks for your service, Sean. This is a print out from Dick. So I was just gonna say she was thinking more about vacation when she sent her this. So three-year position 212026 to 1312029 signif all those in favor I I

any opposed any abstensions motion passes okay now we have one now we have alternate one position available it is a position that has a one-year term left. It's a three-year term and it will renew in 2027. So, this would be to fulfill the term ending on 1312027. And we have a recommendation for Mr. Gertie to [clears throat] join the committee uh from Jen Miller and Fred Venton. So, can we have a motion from Mr. Gertie to take that alternate spot? Make a motion to nominate Kent Gertie as an alternate for affordable housing commission.

I'll second. Any further discussion?

Hearing none, call for a vote. All those in favor of appointing Mr. Gertie to fulfill the alternate one position for the next year, please signify by saying I. I.

I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Motion passes. Moving on. The next one that we're going to do is the Parks and Recreation Commission. We have um a number of applications for this. We have eight applications this year and three of those are returning members. And you have a letter from the current chair's recommendations. Do I have any motions? These are all permanent positions. Um I will tell you that I had a conversation with um Mr. Dunn and one of the things that we talked about was

it's very hard to get new people onto this commission because people tend to stay and maybe it would be nice if we offered some alternate positions just so that new growth and people were joining on. There are a lot of times when some of these people are not at meetings and um due to their schedules between their children, their coaching etc. So it would behoove us but this would be an ordinance change and it would be something we could consider in the future. So and he was agreeable to that. Seven. Um, are there any motions for this particular um board commission?

Yeah, I'll make a motion to nominate Brendan the Kever. Do you want to do it? Is all three because I think their terms all are their terms all the same. I think they they're the same. They're all the same. Do you want to do it? I'd rather There's a lot of applicants. I'd rather do it individually. So, you want to nominate Brendan McKver. Okay. I'll second. Thank you, John. Thank you, Jim. Any further discussion? Hearing none, call for a vote. All those in favor of naming Brenda McKver to a three-year term on the Parks and Rec Commission, please signify by saying I. I.

I. Any opposed? Any extensions? Motion passes. Okay, we have two more positions to fill. Anybody want to take a stab at one? I'd like you to nominate Ryan Lee for a regular position on parks and Okay. Do I have a second? Second. Jim, John, thank you both. Any further discussion on that?

Brian and Brandon have served for many years on parks and rep and they very committed. Um, I'll call for a vote. All those in favor of appointing Ryan Lee to the uh park and rec commission for a three-year term signify by saying I. I. Any opposed? Any abstension? Motion passes. Okay, we have one more spot. Anybody? Are we going to take this one down and just wait on me for a while?

I'll nominate Bob Dunn for parks and recre. Okay, Jim, John, thank you both. Okay. Um, any further discussion? Okay. I'll I'll raise the elephant in the room, I guess. No, I I'll say it too. You can raise it and then I'll tell

I mean, you know, Bob, we've received letters. Bob is a controversial figure. Uh he's served on the board for a long time. His uh he's very dedicated. He's a good man. He's very intelligent. Um his demeanor could use some work. Um so this is this is a hard one because a lot of people would like to make room on that board. Um, and they've expressed that to us from both sides of the aisle. Um, but you know, Bob has served us very well and I I would hope that if we appoint him, he works on his approach to fellow commissioners and to members of the community. [clears throat]

And I had a conversation with Mr. Don and explained the same thing. We'd appreciate his service, but I would appreciate it if his decorum at a meeting um that he should not be calling out members of the community when he's upset with and just deal with it on a one basis and um made him aware that I would be paying attention. So, all those in favor of naming Bob Dunn to uh another permanent position, please signify by saying I. I. I. I.

Any opposed? Any abstensions? Motion passes. Next one up, planning commission. We have three vacancies for alternates and we have three applications. These are all three year one-year terms for alternates. So we could do it as a group because there are only three. I'd like to nominate Deb Zardki, Chris Chair, and Harold Thompson to the planning commission. Second, Jim, John, thank you both. Any further discussion?

Although these are the only three, I believe these are all excellent uh candidates for various reasons. Okay. I agree with that. Anything else? No. All those in favor of naming uh Deb Zarki, Christopher Kirk, and Harold Thompson to a one-year alternate position on planning commission signify by saying I. I. I.

Any opposed? Any abstensions? Motion passes. Okay. Now we get to the water policing control authority commission. So I want to say that one of the things to the three of you that I think you need to have a joint meeting between the board of selectmen and the WPCA or maybe try to do it at a half an hour before their regular meeting just to sort of help them set course because there's going to be a lot of things coming down the pipe for them [clears throat] and they are going to have to work together to determine the path that we're going to take and we're going to work with them. Jim, I know you've had extensive history with this commission over the last year, year and a half, and I know that you've lived a sewer dream, but it's not going away. We voted in the referendum, but they will be coming to us with their plans, and we are going to have to work together to find our reach, our path. So I just wanted to let you know that I once we get these appointments made I will alert all three all of them not just the people who are appointed but those on the committee. So do we have any motions for those people that are currently on the committee? We actually have a lot of vacant spots. I'd like to nominate Brian Cornell to the regular seven position WPCA.

I have a second that he's he's the current alternate. Correct. He is correct. And he's been almost every single movement. So he is no he's knowledgey. Um okay. So we have a first and a second. Any other discussion on for Brian? Call for a vote. All those in favor of appointing Brian Cornell to a 4-year position on the WPCA as a regular in regular seven Jen. Signify by saying I I I I.

Any opposed? Any extension? Motion passes. Okay. So that opens up alternate one as well. Okay. Then we still have regular eight and regular nine to fill and we have other people that have applied. I would like to nominate Susan Wei um to um the regular eight position for a 4-year term. Um, Susan has a background in public health and has worked with deep on some of these orders before. So, I think she'd be a asset to this community, this committee.

I second. Okay. Susan Jim, any further discussion? Hearing none, uh, call for a vote. All those in favor of naming Susan Meaning we to the regular eight position, please signify by saying I. I. I. I. Any opposed? Any extensions? Motion passes. Okay. Now we have a regular nine position. Nominate John Grande. Okay. I'll second. John, do you know him?

No. Yeah.

Okay. So, all those in favor of any further discussion, Jim?

Um I I do know John Grandandy. He's an excellent guy. He'd be excellent on this committee. He's great neighbor. Um my only thought is that uh we have Sallyanne Widowitz who is from area B. Um and we have two people from Portland Avenue already that's Dennis and Mary and John would make a third and we have Brian who's from area B and Sally would be the second from that area. So I could go either way. Um, so I think they'll all be excellent, but um I I may only for the purpose of balancing out geographic representation uh favor Sallyanne for regular and John for

and how are we [clears throat] looking for uh minority representation? I think are we all set for minority representation? I believe we are. We have a lot of Well, we have a D. John is an R. Yes, John. John's an R. So, we have So, Randy Nixon's an R. Dennis is an R. Dimmitri is an R. John Flick is an R. [clears throat] Rob is a Democrat. Rob's a Dem. Mary's a Dem. Brian's a Dem. and Dennis. Dennis is an R

R. So, we're good. We have um we need two third we can only have 2/3 of a majority on a board that is more than nine or more than nine. So, we have 12 here. We actually can appoint them all. I mean, those that have applied. Um, I don't I don't know the sound view area and those people that live in it. I mean, I know the people that live there, but I'm not sure. I don't know John, but I would assume that basically anyone that lives anywhere is looking out for everybody.

So, yeah. Um, I think the most important thing is that we have people that are living down there that are representing the people that live there. So, I'd be certainly fine with John being on the regular position. I was just bringing that up. Okay. Thank you. Um, so all those in favor of uh appointing John Randy to the regular nine position for a four-year term, please signify by saying I.

I. Any opposed? Any extensions? Motion passes. Thank you both. All right. Now we have Now we have two alternate positions and we have two um people left, Laura Parent and Sally and Voltawitz. And these positions are well's position would be filling in filling the rest of Brian's position at alternate one. And I would like to I'm going to appoint that Laura Parent fill the rest of Brian Cornell's position expiring on 31 2028. It's an alternate position.

I'll second. Any further discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor of appointing Laura to the alternate one position expiring 1312028, please signify by saying I.

I. Any oppose? Any extensions? Motion passes. And then we have alternate three and alternate three position which would be [clears throat] expiring in four years of 2030. Um, I would like I would motion to appoint Sally um Wowitz Witzwitz wiits. Um, can I have a second? I'll second.

Any further discussion? Okay, hearing none. All those in favor of naming Sarah Sally Widowitz to the alternate three position for a four-year term expiring in 2030, please signify by saying I.

Any opposed? Any extensions? Motion passes. Next up is zoning. And thank you all. We've had conversations and communication from the chair. So we have three alternate positions. We have recommendations from the chair and yeah the first alternate position it's remember these are all one-year positions. So

um like to nominate Mary Gardner Copa as an alternate to the zoning commission. I'll second Any discussion? She's a current alternate. She is. Yes.

And Mary has been extremely helpful in doing a lot of the um press releases and um media releases for the zoning commission over the last few months. She spent a lot of her own time doing this and working with Craig Bernady and Eric Nap on this. So, I think she's an excellent um worker and she really commits to the process. So, all those in favor of appointing Mary Gardner Copela to alternate one position for one year signify by saying I I I I. Any opposed? Any Simpsons? Motion passes.

Okay. Alternate two position one-year position. Nominate Robert Antoniac. A second for Mr. Antoniac. There's no second. That motion dies. The next Can I have another motion for another one of our applicants? Perhaps naminate Michael Barnes. I'll second. Any further discussion?

I think Mark uh Michael's done an excellent job and uh I've served on some commissions or committees with Michael and uh I think it's very important to have someone on this board that actually has to live and work by uh regulations and rules. So, I'm strongly in favor of him returning. Okay. Any further? No. Hearing none. No further discussion. All those in favor of appointing Michael Peter Johns to Michael Peter Barnes to a one-year position, please signify by saying I. I. I. Any opposed? Any abstension? Motion passes. Okay. Alternate three. Alternate three.

I'd like to nominate Jim Cordo as alternate three to the zoning commission. Okay, Jim. Jim Cordo. Okay, I'll second. I don't know, Mr. Cordo, but Jim, do you I mean, do you have anything to add?

Uh, he comes very well recommended by Mike Foliano and um several other people. uh this is housing as we move forward through the state mandates um that are coming down in HB882 I think you'd be a valuable uh conduit between zoning affordable and I'd also like to say at this time for the record um Diane Linderman applied to zoning um now Diane won her election for the board of finance but couldn't take her seat um because of minority representation um and in this situ situation. Though I'd like to appoint her, we would have to remove Mary Gardner Copa, who's the current alternate if um Diane was appointed again because of minority representation. So, I really hope that because she won her election soundly uh that Diane Linderman can be allowed to serve somewhere in this town. That being said, I'm supporting Jim Cordova for the third alter. I think Jim makes a good point by allowing people to serve and uh this is a good example because uh Mr. Cordo is already serving on affordable housing and we have other uh people that have applied um and would like to serve the town and having someone on two different commissions when we could uh open up a seat here under zoning to include someone else would would be something that I would be in favor of. Okay. Is there anything else? I will point out that this evening we need voted to put Shawn on and Sean sits on two committees too

and Mike Barnes as well. And Mike Barnes as well. So, we've got a lot of people who do double duty, but I do feel that Jim John Jim Porter would be a great conduit between affordable housing. It's a one-year position and um I don't see a problem with that. It's an alternate position. Although I do expect alternates to show up to meetings because you need to know what's going on so that if you have to vote, you know what's been said. Okay. So, any other further discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor of naming Jim Cordo as the third alternate to the zoning commission, please signify by saying I. I.

I. Any opposed? Any extensions? I'll abstain.

Okay. All right. So, then we added Jack in the honor. I do have her application if you guys would like to see it. Thank you. You're welcome.

Congratulations, Jackie. Those are applications. The city have it. Um, so um I would like to I think this is a Is this a one year? I think they're one year. I think it's a one year position. Katie, you're online. Can you just check quickly? But I believe the Sound View Commission members are a one-year position. Or is it two for alternate? Oh yeah, they're one year. I think they're one two 126 to 13127.

Yeah, it's a one year. Jim found it. Never mind. Correct. Thank you. All right. Um I'd like to appoint uh make a motion to appoint Jacqueline May to her alternate seat back on the seven view commission for the following year. Please. Um second. Second. Thank you, John. Okay. All those in favor of appointing Jack. I I

I Any opposed? Any abstensions? Motion passes. Great. All right. Now, we're on to appropriation request. And of course, mine are not going to be. That's okay. You guys have yours in them. stuck to a paper, I'm sure. I took them out to talk to somebody about them. No, I don't have That's okay. Let's have fun, right? And we have people here to talk about them. So, first up is America 250. And um by the way, so Sherah, would you like to come up and just run us through or you want to just sit there and answer questions if we have them?

You should come to the table for the sound. Um Jen would like you to come for the sound. Do you have this in front of you? No. Okay. Thanks, Cheryl. Cheryl, I know you have it in front of you. Unfortunately, for some reason, I did not my packet and I don't know why.

So, I'm going to ask you to walk us through it just really quickly. Um, I did send this to John and to Jim last week so that they'd be updated. Basically, America 250 is our celebration of the 250th anniversary. Uh Cheryl and her committee have been busy um planning uh activities and um they have now figured out a budget. Last year at budget time she did not know what would be needed. So we put in $5,000 and now they're planning many things. One of which is a townwide picnic on July 5th. And some of this funding would be for the picnic and all of its special activities that go with it. Do you want to just briefly tell us how much money you need?

Okay. Um our total uh budget planned budget for both this year into fiscal 2627 which is when July falls is a total budget of 22,400. We have in our current fiscal year budget $5,000. We are requesting for our 2627 fiscal budget $5,000. And that leaves us with an appropriation request of $12,400. This would cover a number of activities and events for the community uh for America 250. It's a one-time celebration uh and it would be remembered in the future just as the bicesentennial is uh remembered today. So it includes a townwide picnic on [snorts] July 5th as Martha said. We have subcategories such as traffic control, parking attendance, um a stage, uh live um entertainment, music, uh the basics like portaotties, uh advertising, event signage. We also have lectures and speakers planned throughout the remainder of the vice of the America 250 period. Printing of a commemorative booklet, a photo contest that will soon be announced. Banners for town hall. We hope to begin a community quilting uh

project project, thank you, program throughout the rest of this year and miscellaneous items such as a time capsule for this summer. Okay. So, basically, because of the way it falls, um she needs to be able to sign up contracts, bands, etc., and provide them. And uh this $12,400 would go before the board of finance tomorrow night as a special appropriation. It does not need to go to a town meeting. It's under $20,000 and um we just need to approve it to go to the board of finance. So could I have a motion?

I'd like to make a motion to approve $12,400 to for the America 250 committee. Second. Thank you both. Any further discussion? Uh looking forward to the time capsule bur go in your attic what to put in it. Absolutely. I'd just like to thank Cheryl for seeing I've seen this up close how much work she's put into this and it's a lot of work and she's been hurting us cats and uh keeping everyone on task. It's a huge task big lift and she's really taken it on. And I think the other thing is is we'd really love you'd love a few more people to join the committee because many hands make light work.

Absolutely. And if we have our full budget or once we know where the board of finance comes out tomorrow night, then we can have specific activities or things that we need people to work on. We've been a little uh reticent to announce things until we know what our budget is. Okay. Also, the town picnic, which is going to be a big budget item. uh coordinates with the national outlook. So we're part that's part of the whole national American 250 then.

Okay. Do we have um we have a motion? Correct. And we have a second and no further discussion. All those in favor of moving the appropriations request for $12,400 from the America 250 committee to the board of finance signify by saying I. I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Motion passes. Okay. Thank you.

Now, we have our facilities director here in the back of the room. Mr. Olsen is here. And the first thing up is a request for funding to fix the fence at the senior center. Um, I know that Eric has talked about this. This is the fencing that goes around the garbage cans. And during a recent storm, the latch had not been properly latched latched and the doors went and cannot be repaired. Um, so uh you have a request for

or $2,622.82 what is it? 2622.82 82. I give you the two cents but there's penny shortage. [laughter] Um, okay. [clears throat] So, he has received a quote from the fence company and we would like to move this forward to the board of finance for tomorrow night as well. There may be some discussion at board of finance as to whether it can because you and I talked about the fact there was some funding possibly in this account. There might be one of our building funds that we have

and we'll discuss that with them tomorrow night if they choose to take it out of there or if they choose to make it as a separate appropriation. Uh that includes labor. Yeah, that's everything. That's labor install. It's a better uh hinges, better latching um than what was installed when it was built uh when they did the renovation. Does it include training on how to lock it? Um, probably not, but I'll do what I did down here and put up u some signage on it and how to properly secure it. All right, Eric, who's the quote from?

Uh, Arrow Fence. We use them. Uh, same thing happened to the point when they're in the back. Uh, and they came in and that that gate is working. Server hasn't sagged. It hasn't done anything. So, happy with their their work there out of East Hampton, Connecticut. I'd like to make a motion to approve uh the request for funding to fix the fence at the senior center for $2,622.82.

I'll second. Any further discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor of um approving the allocation to move to the board of finance to fix the fence at the senior center for two I'll just say as stated by Jim. Signify by saying I. I. I. I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Motion passes. Uh, next one is also Eric White Sand Beach Gazebo. We did go out to bid for the White Sand Beach Gazbo. What do we have? Five, four bids. Five. Uh, we had one, two, five bids.

Five bids. And, um, there was quite the range. Um, and it's Weiss Construction. Weiss Construction out of Norwich. Uh they were the apparent low bidder and they were the apparent low bidder. They worked with us to bring it down even further. Yeah. Because um there were some things that we felt like public works could do the breakdown of the

current gazebo and all that to and that was savings of like $20,000. So, we felt that that was an appropriate use of our public works department and not to mention it would be a little bit of fun for them as well taking something down instead of putting something up. Um, so, um, Eric has worked really hard with Weiss Construction and Shore Engineering to come up with something that would fall within our range um, keeping it under the 20,000. and we are although we've had an appropriation this is just the cost of doing business. So, you want to give any more information that I didn't?

Uh, um, no. I mean, we, um, we've spent to date 15,000 on all the engineering which was required by deep um, all of that work. Um, and we had an estimate, this is going back two years ago, is when we started putting away money. So, you know, if we had a crystal ball two years ago, maybe we would have been a little bit better. Um, but talking with uh the the low bidder and uh the engineering firm, they were, you know, willing to work with us on some stuff as well as cut down on, you know, a little bit of their overhead, I guess, um, to get to a point where if we can have the board of finance as well as you guys approve 19,9.99, that will give us the money that we need. Uh, I did speak with the engineer today just to ask about any unforeseen. We're not renovating a building. The only unforeseen would be driving the four steel um beams into, you know, down into the uh sand, but we did do borings and they did not come across anything that they feel would be, you know, an issue. But that's the only place we would see where, you know, they were driving it down and it happened to be, you know, a boulder in a way. But he doesn't, you know, what they found, uh, he doesn't anticipate that that happening. So, I think, uh, you know, that's what we would need to get the project done.

How many feet down are they going to go? Roughly 30 feet that they have to drive them down to the bedrock. No, they it's just again, it's a calculation of it's not really this. There's really no weight, you know, it's the lateral movement. So that's why in order for the steel not to bend, it has to be that anchoring, you know, far down. So it's not like we're putting a heavy structure on it that that's why they have to get some heat. Just it's more of the wind lateral load. So unfortunately, did we get these this this uh quote in our email? I didn't see it. I could have sworn I sent you two the two from him were together in an email.

Yeah. I may just I just may have mistood legal things. I don't recall seeing numbers on it. Was it a while? Was it was Friday? Friday. Thursday or Friday. I sent it out. And I have one copy here if you wanted to look at it. Just that around. This is my working copy, but you know, we're the yellow column is where we're, you know, coming across. Yeah. No, I think I got this. So to so total would be like 194. Yeah. Down at the last two there just under 195. I know gazebo.

Yes. So I think one of the things that I would like to say is last year at port of finance although I know there was a lot of discussion about the cost of replacing it there were some board of finance members on both sides of the aisle said we've been talking about doing this for years it needs to get done and every time you move it out another year it just gets more expensive. So, if this lasts for as long as Chalker Beach has over in Sabbrook or as long as the one we have right now, we're golden. This is a good investment. [clears throat] So,

and John, I don't know since when we started this, you weren't on the board, but if we just wanted I brought some plans just going to look like that rendering, but concrete, just all concrete, easy to clean off with all the sand. Um, these are wrapped in PVC for, you know, low maintenance. It's all heavy timber. This is heavy timber for the the load. So, we didn't have to put more posts in. Um, and then they carried it, you know, right underneath there. So, at the end of the day, it's going to look it look very nice, but also serve a nice purpose and give people nice space.

And what's the size comparison to what's there? So the the what you see here concrete is the same is the same dimensions 12 by by uh 24 I believe

and it's it's as low as it could possibly be. We have to be the the bottom of the beam has to be 15 feet from sea level. The the sand right now is at four uh elevation four. Uh so that's you know you're talking about 11 ft up and then the roof pitch is as low as possible. But we did go through zoning and had a special permit already approved. The last step is the building permit which you know I'm not was waiting until we get the appropriation that will be you know there'll be no issues there. But we did go through the whole CAM process. So that's all taken care. We had a meeting, I think it was about two weeks ago with voice and they said that they would probably be the weather gets a little warmer.

We want it done by April 30th is what the stipulation was. That gives us two weeks leeway or three weeks before you know it's Memorial Day and all the track down. Okay. So, we have a motion on the floor to u move the um request for appropriation of $19,999 for the White Sand Beach Gazebo um forward to the board of finance. All those in favor signify by saying I. I don't think we have a motion. I'll I'll make a motion to approve. Sorry.

$19,999 for the White Sands Beach Gazea. I'll second it. Sorry, my chicken scratch was down at the bottom. Okay, we have a motion to approve $19,999 to move it towards the board of finance for approval for the White Sand Beach Gazebo appropriation. Uh all those in favor signify by saying I. I I.

Any opposed? Any abstensions? Motion passes. Okay. Moving on to our final budget review. So, this is the time and um Anita has updated us on the budget sheets that we had been working on for the last few weeks. Sean, if you and Sheila would just figure out a time that we can talk, that'd be great.

Yeah. Um [clears throat] as we go through um there are um no major no real major changes but just to go through check if you see anything. Anita is online so if there's any questions we can ask her. Um Anita you might want to unmute yourself now just in case we have questions. Uh, okay.

What I'd like to do is go through the budget and we don't we're not going to approve this and this is my thinking and you can tell me if you think it's wrong but um ideally what we would do is that we are moving the budget forward to the board of finance with our approval but we understand that there could be tweaks. Well, they're going to make cuts guaranteed. They always do. Um, but there could be tweaks because we're going out to bid with some projects. Things are going to change and they're very accommodating understanding that as we get more information in, they may change, but we try to do it prior to the week of the board of finance meeting so that they have the most updated information as they go forward. But um so if you could just do a little glance down the run. Um the salary committee has met and Anita you did you add you added in salaries correct? No

we added in an estimate at the bottom because it has not been approved yet by the salary. No one said it was approved. we met. I would say well they didn't make a motion but that's not that's kind of the way they do it but I will verify but there's an estimated ma amount on the the last page y

um and it excluded some stuff that was already you know certain clerks that were already put in um but there was an estimate to bring the what the total budget would be. So the budget total on the last page on page 12 is the one that you want us to refer to. Is that correct? Budget total. No, that's what I'm saying. If you the that's the estimate salaries that is not included in each department left that would bring the budget whole.

But Anita, that is the budget. It is not just the salary line. It is the entire budget estimated with the salaries that you put into place. Correct. Do you Yes. On the last page, if you see there's a 2 million number, right? I am seeing I'm looking at are we're looking at our budget sheets, not the capital. Right. So, is it on the capital? No, it's on the budget sheet, page 12. It's on page 12. And if you look uh if you look all the way down under one second, let me get there.

If you look under where it says regional school district. Yeah. You see a line that says other and 285500. Yes, that's it. that the bottom says estimate includes one new police and one new public works. Right. Okay. That that's the total budget I believe or is that just salaries? Anita, that's salaries. That's salaries that are not included above. Okay. And then the the total budget line would be right underneath it. What budget total comes to? Okay. And the budget totals, Anita, that includes salaries. Is that correct?

An estimated. Yes. That's our complete budget. Thank you.

Yes. So, an increase of 6% which does include the school budget uh as based on what the uh board of f board of education presented. They have not they will not approve it till their regular meeting in February. They did not have a meeting scheduled for this week. They they had a meeting on the books if they wanted it for Wednesday night, but they chose not to do it. So, it'll be their regular meeting that they'll pass that if they made any tweaks or whatever, but that's what they came in at at a 4.61 budget. And then um so Anita also provided with us a second sheet which is just the capital general fund budget and capital projects funds. And as you can see, we have made an attempt to go out to 3435 30 well actually 3536 trying to get a look at 10ear totals. This is a draft so we're not going to um but we have done a really we Anita the department they have put together everything that they could possibly think of. Um, and even public works came in today with a few changes which I believe are on this sheet, right, Anita?

Yes. Yeah. She put those into play as well. So, Anita on the second sheet, capital general fund budget and capital project funds. I'm looking on page one under public works. I just gota open that.

That's okay. I might be missing this. But on page Okay. Public works. Yes. Oh, I see it. I see it. Never mind. It It's on page three. The the vehicles are on page three, right? because they get transferred out to fund 31 the money.

Got it. Okay. So, basically Ed is trying to replace the plows each year, getting one new plow to put on the trucks now that we've got the stainless steel bodies and everything is up and running. We'd like to replace them. You may have seen our new truck that came in last just in time for Benjamin. and um they took one of the plows that we had and put it on. So, do you want to go through this department by department? Do you want to look at it overall? How would you guys like to take this into play?

We we can I mean, if you guys have the patience for it, we can go through it piece by piece. I just have a general question. So with our capital budget, we look at the last page uh 2627 total all entries 3,452,000. Now Anita, that's our complete capital budget. Correct. 3 million. Yes. Okay. And where is that reflected in the overall budget? Is that sum of different?

Right. If you see it, it says total transfers. Total transfers means it goes into them other funds that I report out to the board of finance and that was Eric was speaking of before. Um, under the general fund, you'll see it under transfers out that is a 2,7229. Um, and then in the bottom of the budget sheets where it says capital, that is the 734 355.

And where was that transfers out? I see the transfers out transfers out. I believe it's like in the middle. One second. It's right here. Total transfers out. I think it's right here. Um, hold on. Where'd you go? No, you're on It's the other page. Total trans. Right. Yes. Um, I think that goes on to Yeah. Where does that get included in this budget? That's the question.

So, hold on. Not my transfers. No, it's transfer station. Hold on.

Yeah. Oh, right here. Transfers out. Okay. Should this number should match what you have on that other sheet. Thank you.

It's on page on it's on page 10 of capital. At the bottom you can or the regular budget you'll see the trans Sounds. Anita,

where where did we add the possible grant writer with a stipened position of like uh $2 to $3,000 for the year with some second? I thought that was I thought it was going in the selectman's office budget, but I could stipen position coordinator three-year certificate under sustainable line. Is it that one? Uh, no, but that's okay. Um,

oh, it says threeear certification is a stipen position coordinator in the notes, right? But we also talked about a grant writer. the the sustainable one was going to do the updates and that was under sustainable old line which is in my budget. But there was also Fred Behringer had brought up the possibility of hiring a grant writer on an um to help create grants and then use an incentive program. But that's one of the things that the board of finance can tinker with because

I can add it. We can put it in as a request, but they they're the ones that had mentioned it that um the grant writer would do you and both remember this. Yes. If I was upstairs in the mess room.

That was the one that I had to leave for another meeting. Yeah, they just they decided that it would be a good idea if we could do some type of an incentive program. Jim had been approached by somebody from East Lime to share, but that would put that in direct conflict between two towns go probably going for the same um grants. So, we thought of hiring a grant writer. And Pip Fred brought up that we could use an incentive, meaning it would be a stipend to get going, but if you get a grant for the town that you're saving the town money that they would get a portion of it, but this would have to be worked out with the salary committee a little bit and on the board of finance.

And how much would you like? Well, I think that we talked about was would you say it was like 3,000, three, four? It was in that it was in that range. Was somewhere in the 3 to 4,000 range as a stifen, but with the ability to earn um based on whatever grants they achieved. Um I can add it to that bottom number, the three, and then put it on the salary committees spreadsheet. That would be fine. Okay. the details would have to be worked out, okay,

with um HR and how we go about hiring and keeping track of it, etc. It wouldn't be something that would necessarily jump into play right away, but something to consider because it is an area where we could use some additional help. So, Anita, I'm looking at minus regional school district 18. Yes.

Our town budget has gone from 13,877602 to 15,1420008. Does that sound correct or in the ballpark for the regional school where I'm sorry our budget less the regional school. So take out the schools um the part of the budget that we have control over has gone from 13877602 to 15142008. Oh, one second. Does that sound correct? Uh

let me just do this. 15145009 because I just added the 3000 in for the grant writer. Okay. Oh, no. So, that's why I'm just doing it on the spreadsheet. That's why. Um,

and last year was 13877602, right? believe so. Just want to make sure I'm reading this correctly.

Um, an increase of 1,26747. Oh, wait. One of the things that we did today is we did um add into Halls Road. Um we had received a proposal from our engineers to take us from uh where we are now through the preliminary design phase getting us to permanent design 90% going out to bid working and their proposal was 173. we would have to go out to um request for other proposals because it's over 20,000. But we put in BJ was here and we put in 200,000 into the Halls Road because we know that we're going to need some additional money for construction. The $800,000 grant most likely will not be enough for construction and also to include like street lighting and things like that, benches, whatever. So, we went from 173 to 200 and added it in for next year to go on the Hall Road special account. Um, and then order finance will have to decide how they want to do that. In the meantime, we can put together the proposal and go out and request other proposals from other um engineering firms.

I think we can also phase it. I mean, sound view, we did two separate projects under two separate grants. Well, I think we have some opportunities. In fact, Grant just came across my desk the other day for lighting and um and I'll look at that and give it some consideration, but we don't really have a they're going to want more of an idea of how much we'd like to spend and what we're spending it on. So, I know we have some ideas that were discussed and possibly included in the um road improvement committee, but I don't know. We'll that'll be the same thing that this new committee will come up with. We'll certainly use it as a base of a foundation to start with.

Yeah, I think I would hope we can talk about that during the the charge probably. It's most appropriate, but Don, do you have any feelings on that? I mean, we're just trying. The board of finance said, "Let's put together a budget where we start to actually look at what we want to do and how we move it forward." So, that's why we put some more money in. Do you have any thoughts? No. I mean, the grant's not going to cover the full expenditure, so we should be looking at it, right? And Jim, you said 9%. Yeah.

Yes, I got the same number. And a lot of it accounts if you look under transfer out um that's an increase of a million dollars over what was last year. So it's mostly capital that's driving this. Yes. Do we have a sense I mean I've just seen this full capital budget today. Do we have a sense of what the big tickets were this year?

Parking park and wreck is requesting 455. They want 400,000 for dredging of Hannes Park and engineering cost of 50,000. Um that's a two year. Did they put that in over two years? Yes. No, they put it all in for one. The paper I received from them. They wanted it for this year. Last year we had Last year we had it spread spread over two years. This year they uh requested it now just one year.

I understand that. But the quote that they received was 900,000. Oh, I I just know I got a I got a paper that said 400,000 that they were requesting for capital. Um then well wait 120,000 400,000 okay 400,000 the other is the paving of the bus barn um that's $237,000 and that we have the bus barn account but it's not going to cover that correct correct correct [clears throat]

I put in um so the quote I do see the quote for MS4 storm water but that quote really can that quote had some additional years oh the 17 or the four which one the 17660. Okay.

I believe that that was over a number of years, not just all in one year. So, basically, our MS4 report is now coming final. We've posted on our website um this year, but over the last two years, I've noticed [clears throat] that this is something that's continually worked on. So I watched you quote Thomas at Jacobson's and said when does this end and he goes it never ends it as soon as you get out your report now he said we start on the next one for five years and I said so send me a proposal so it is the backup documentation in the book budget book and I do believe I sent that to you Anita but I I know I did but I thought that it in his

proposal he broke it apart into years. So, we'll just have to look at that again because I don't think it's all one lump sum. It's not one lump sum. Okay. I'm sorry. It's okay. I just I will check just to make sure because I don't believe that's

possibly enough, but we'll check tomorrow. Like I said, these little tiny things tweak here and there as we go through. And um I also don't see the double. Oh, Steph hasn't given you the quotes for the steamer.

No, I have no quotes for a steamer. Eric did go out to get quotes for the carpet replacement of town hall for next year and then we'd be doing the floors, the wooden floors upstairs. We've already done the floors in Michelle's office and um that would be where the floor is upstairs in the hallway. Everybody said it's quiet. It's just y'all reading. Okay. Um,

Can we um refresh our memories on dredging of Hayes Park? I thought we did have a conversation about it [clears throat] of perhaps doing environmental assessment to see if that was the wisest idea. That would be part of this because they can't do the dredging until they do an environmental study, right? and then they would have to go out and get quotes for dredging.

So to me they need to spend a year doing some environmental stuff to get repaired. But on one hand the board of finance likes to add a little to the pot every year so that we're not taking the entire cost. I know that they were floored when they got the quote for 900,000 because somebody of course on you know over on Boston Road said oh you can do it for like 25,000 and then when they got the 900 quote they were like whoa but it is a huge process because they have to take it out of the lake then they have to leave it on pallets and let it drain. And then once it's dried, they have to card it away.

Yeah. And I just read something in the New London day like carding something away for I think it was some soil contamination in New London. It's the crisis increased by 400,000 because they have to go to upstate New York for it. Yeah. So we don't know what they're going to find in the environmental studies. So, I think that their 400 is very low. To think that they're going to get this done for 400,000 unless we're all going down the shelves. I don't think that's going to happen. So, yeah. My um

that's why when we get to board of finance, Jim, these are things that come up and they're there and they're they're presenting. [clears throat]

It's our point to send this and say, "Yeah, we blessed this so far." If we choose to take something out now, we can. If we want to decrease it, I'd like to see more of the capital budget being sort of spread out over a number of years instead of every request being all in next year. Um, I just don't think it's kind of like we need to save and spend. I know sometimes we'll get a pay a little heftier price, but I think it has to be spread out over a number of years. So, we can certainly make any recommendations that we want. Um, I think that Frank Papalardo's done a good one to break out the footwash and the possible restroom facilities for three over three years. Um,

which has been pushed back a decade now,

right? Um and he's got an as and he see you'll see he put in the engineering study for next year along with putting some money aside for building construction. Those are the types of things we should be doing um because during the engineering study we're going to find out if what is possible and that could change the numbers in the next preceding years. Um, you'll notice I just I mean this is a very small thing, but our restoration and maintenance. One of the things that Jeff Lee is doing for us this year is using $1,000 for maintenance. He did go through. There was no artwork that needed to be really done. So what we're using is that $1,000 is to start the appraisal process because these paintings in this building have not been appraised for Kerma in [clears throat] a number of years. So we're going to use um he'll do um I think he already said he's going to do the oldest paintings first, those that probably have the most value, and then next year he'll take his um other money and get it done. So, we'll probably have that's probably like over what it needs to be because of the fact that we're using a thousand from this year, but we'll work it out. I'll go campaign.

Well, we have I think we we've been a little lackadasical with some of the artwork here because it's almost like museum quality. It is a lot of paintings are museum quality. So, that's for our austerity, you know, as well as for our enjoyment. But it's something that we need to be good stewards of you and so I think it's a good expenditure. It's not huge budget either. It's not. Any other questions that throw up? I mean they are going to ask me tomorrow night if we agree with what we see.

One couple things. We don't have to do capital, but we should do the over. Well, two things jumped out at me on the regular budget. Yeah. One, I think under Can you tell us if um it will be on page one? Yep. Under Shoreline Gateway. Yep. you know, we've already pulled that budget back considerably, but I think because there's nothing there's no great initiative, I think $1,000 is a little much for mailings andformational materials. So, I pull it back to 500. That'd be my recommendation.

Okay. So, Anita, did you see on under selectment's office shoreline gateway? Yes. 500. take it to 500. And I'd like to discuss under harbor management because their their budget's been escalating a lot and they have a lot of good things they're doing. Yep. Can you give us a page? Oh, I see it. Never mind. Page four

and town doc hydrographic study I think is very important. Um, I would not fund uh the other four mile river study at this point because I think that should be the state's responsibility. They have a boat launch down there. They have a facility down there and I would be in favor of doing the town dock study but the four mile river study was added this year and I think we should hold off on that in hopes or to to discussions with deep for their future strategies down there. So I want believe this has to do with they have two grants. One is for the town dock,

right? Which I believe is a 50 or $55,000 grant. And then and they'll have to do the hydrographic study to get that right in. Yeah, we need that.

Yep. And then the other I thought the other smaller branch had something to do with the four mile river. Do you remember John since they were talking? You see why I wrote my notes from the other day and just the best charter $7,000 is the ship grant that they have to pay. Anita, do you remember? I'm looking right now. Thank you. something.

No, they just have um all they have down is hydrographic surveys $10,000. I don't have on their backup paperwork. It doesn't say for which ones, but let me go see. They sent me an email.

I have grants. The grant is 55 as PO maintenance 10 buoys are,000 maintenance,000 pilgrim patrol 20,000. I wish there was another way. And John, I know you were you were at um Pilgrim's Landing one or two nights too, right? Yes.

And I was there for a couple of nights, but they wish they could find a different way to um alleviate that situation. And one of them, the things that really bothers me is the number of companies that are taking tours and telling them everyone that they have parking available at Pilgrim's Landing and they all show up in, you know, 20 cars. There could be an ordinance they and they are doing they are asking for money for horsep. I don't know if the survey had to do with that one. I don't believe so. No, I believe they're they already have a survey for that. Yeah, I believe the survey was because

the the additional monies that they asked for this year were for Mile River because they had they had um Town Dock in capital and now it's being transferred to our operating which which I agree with. Um and that's necessary for Town Dock because of the grant and the work that's already underway. Um the other one I think is a new initiative and uh correct I would I would pump the brakes on that one and a discussion with the state. I know that the state this is is this part with the four mile river though is part this part of the sand relocation project. Mhm.

So, we wouldn't be paying Oh, that's what it was. We won't be paying for the sand to be relocated because the state will come in and take it, but we're paying for the survey, but the survey is like $5,000 because the state wants to make sure it's compatible with their sand. They don't believe it necessarily their sand that's whipping around the corner. Um, so I think that's a state

if if if the silting of the harbor of four mile river is the issue and I think it's a state liability. I think they're the ones that should be doing this. I just look at it as if we're putting in $5,000 for the study, but they're going to do $100,000 worth of dredging and taking away our sand, it's a small price to pay to get rid of it. I mean, it's again, it's one of those things that they're going to be questioned completely on by. I know when the state did dredging in the past, they only went up to a certain

point and I don't know how they decide what that debarcation line is, but they are there. So, you know, this may be beyond what they would normally do. So to Martha's point, if we can get $100,000 worth of work, 5,000 then and that it's not something that the state will do then um yeah, again, let the board of finance question them if they need more details.

Can I seem to remember Terry saying something about the train bridge? It ends at the train bridge. Yeah, I the last time they dredged I I had a boat at Ragged Rock and they did not go up the the creek, you know, they ended at the at the mouth, you know, it so it's there's a limit to how far up a waterway they're going to go. Do you remember how long ago that was? Oh, that was probably six years ago. Six, seven years ago. So, in six years it silted back in. Well, I'm just Yeah, I don't know what they I don't remember what they did for the four mile. I mean, I know they did they did several areas, but they don't they don't they only go so up so far.

Well, if we could make a note that a selectment question the uh the second survey board finance

and you can certainly dial in the night that we do that. that budget and listen in and offer your comments. Both of you can I mean if you'd like to come and join us on Tuesday nights from 7 till 11 or whatever. Okay. So [clears throat] with the change that Jim suggested just minor and I'm sure they're going to tell me to go back and find other pups. Yep.

Which is fine. We can do it. We've done it before. But this is a pretty bare bones as far as town hall is concerned. This is pretty bare bones. We really stuck to um our changes. I mean my over budget. I went from 419 to 123 and you just took another 500 out of it. I'm just looking for you know

I know actually those that doesn't have the salaries in there so I can't say that. So the salary lines are in probance. Okay. So how do we want to go about this because we got to move on. We have one more thing on our agenda and then you and Elizabeth's getting tired. So outlast the press. Um

we still have other meetings that we can come in and make a change. Remember tomorrow night they're just meeting on a certain part of the budget. I don't have it in front of me, but I know it's the senior center um senior center park and wreck. Um the is social services, other associations, nonprofits, beach abatements, and park and wreck. So that's all they're doing tomorrow night. Yeah. I mean, the difficulty is that, you know, we've gone through this budget line by line over the last month.

Yes. and everything is reasonable and everything has been justified by all the heads of all the departments and there's nothing that seems like waste or you know folly um except for Michaela's budget that you just ripped just my own wife's budget you know so I'm going to cash out when I get home but um uh still you know I mean our our budget is going up by a million two. So, wherever we can look to see if we can take it down a little bit. Yeah. Well, above.

Remember, too, that we have a new public works contract. We've added two new employees if we end up hiring them. And I support that. I support an additional police officer. I support an additional public works so position. So, and we have a new resident state trooper who would like some things that he would like. Um, so it's a it's a big year there as well. Yeah. To

um and we still haven't heard from state although we continue to ask whether or not we'll be doing our um who's going to host our datab. It always comes right down to like April, May when they give us they usually they'll give us the information, but it takes a while. So, I would just say that we bless this as it is and understand that additional cuts or questions may be asked. Yeah. I mean, I think we spent a lot of time on it, so I mean, I'm fine with moving it ahead. Same.

Okay. So, can I have a motion that we're going to move this ahead with Jim's $500 deduction with our blessing and we'll continue to work on it throughout the season as if they they ask us to do so. Thank you. Then I have that motion. I'll make a motion to move this budget to the board of finance. Second. Okay. Any further discussion? Hearing none, call for a vote. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. Any opposed? Any extensions? Motion passes. Okay, we have two quick drafts.

You're welcome. Here's two quick drafts. I did print them out bigger just in case if there were changes that had to be made that we could things I just like to edit. But um have you both had a chance to read these drafts? Yes. I tried to keep them pretty simple. Um, certainly we can add bullet points and things like that as we meet with them as we get started. But I'd like to get this going so that we can add this to the committees and ask people to advertise it in my newsletter this week to say we're ready for people to apply for Halls Road. Um, so are there any changes here that you'd like to make?

I would like to specifically tie this committee to the grant to make it a grant committee the same way the sound view committees were. They were formed around specific grants and they sunseted when the grant was completed and work was completed. I think that's an excellent idea. Um so would you like to add a sentence stating? Yeah. Yeah. I I would say um this is always these committees under the selectman's office are only for the life of the project. They're always done.

I I just in the charge I would say something like the Halls Road Sidewalk Committee um will help coordinate and administer DOT CCG grant for Halls Road Sidewalks Committee will help to administer coordinate and ad coordinate. Say help the vendor. Yeah, we'll coordinate and administer coordinate

the $800,000 DOT CCG grant to construct sidewalks along Halls Road, provide safe and accessible pedestrian access, and recommend related landscape and and recommend landscape and other related improvements. Some of that will include, you know, could be bumpouts, it could be park bench, uh could be, you know, lighting. We had elements of that sound view,

that fell under the grant, not paid for. It also allows them like it allowed us when we had excess money at the end of our project to do little things, right? Provide to provide safe access, provide lighting, benches. What was the other thing? I would just say related landscape and other improvements. Okay. To leave it open that fall under the grant. That fall under the grant. Yes. I would tie this specifically to the grant. Well, the grant is for construction of sidewalks, so it's not including lighting and benches.

Well, it it does. It includes rel it includes related landscaping. So, um that's the CCG grants are kind of like a streetscape improvement overall. So it would allow them if that was part of it to to work on that, but it would be within the parameters of the sidewalk would be outside of the project area. So I'm going to say that relate to the sidewalk project. Yeah.

Okay. [clears throat] So, I have So, you want me to add this to what we have or replace it? Uh, the what I would replace is work together using our current draft design. I would take that out. Okay. And I would But you realize that'll save cost us more money because BSC's already done a draft design. Oh, yeah. I mean, I mean, they can use the draft design. It's just I would just say, you know, we'll help coordinate and administer

the $100,000 DOT CCG grant for Halls Road to provide safe, accessible pedestrian access related landscape and and and I'm sorry, and landscape and related improvements allowable under the grant. Okay. You didn't happen to take that up, did you? I scrolled it. I can send it. Yeah, you can send it to us if you agree with

I I agree with it. I just want I I can scribble it here, but I'm going to get something. I'm going to be off on something that you'd like to include. And everything that you said I agree with. I think John does too. It's not So, you're great words, smithther, and if you want to do it, I'm happy to. Yeah, I can send I sort of had hoped people would fe jump in over the weekend and say, "Change this, change that." So I Yeah, sorry. I read her draft, but Okay. So, um, are we going to work this?

Are we going to feel safe saying that Jim's going to draft it and we're going to approve it ahead of time with basically on base what he said on so that we can get this up on Friday or do we have a special meeting to for five minutes to approve it once it's done? What do how do you want to play it? Well, I don't want to do a special meeting. So, I thought we just But let me either we if we could agree on the wording and I'll provide like the final cleaned up version that we can give a thumbs up to by email. Yeah, since we've agreed on the basic premise or we can just knock it out right now. It shouldn't be too much. Definitely don't want to do a special meeting on it.

I don't want to do a special meeting, but right. So you guys want to do let's go line by line. The Halls Road Sidewalk Committee will work together to administer and coordinate the 800,000 CCG grant to construct sidewalks along Hall's Road. Do we call out the north side of Halls Road? No. No. um construction along Hall's Road. [clears throat] They will

construct sidewalks and related landscape. So I keep saying related landscape and related improvements allowable under the grant. Okay, now you're all right. sidewalks along Hall's Road along with landscape and related how you put it related um improvements

allowable under the grant. the grant that done. Good. Okay. So, I'm not doing anything up here about the land owners all that calls out. They are going to have to do that though. Okay. Paul's Road Sidewalk Committee will administer and coordinate the 800,000 CCG grant to construct sidewalks along Paul's Road along with landscape and related improvement allowable under the grant.

Can we just change the second along to in uh including? Yeah, including landscape. Yeah. Yep. It's just a little awkward with along twice and four words or so. Okay, sounds good. Based on that, do we have a motion to approve that? I will send the draft though, just to make sure that we're all in agreement, but I will send it. Jen's got it all though, so she'll she'll be popping right along. I will make a motion to approve the sidewalk committee charge as uh previously read. I'll second.

Okay. Any further discussion? Hearing none, call for a vote. All those who would like to approve the draft of that road side committee which will be formulated through your email tomorrow just for a second look at signified by saying I. I. Any oppose? Any extensions? Great. We do need to determine though how many people we would like on the halls committee so we can set that up and on board. Any ideas? We talked about discussed last month. I mean, we could It was nine. Nine. I think so. I think it was nine. Okay. Nine members. Yeah.

Okay. All right. Draft for the resiliency grant committee. This was taken from what we said within our grant application. I built upon that and we can certainly take anything out. Um Jim, you were very instrumental in um applying for this resiliency grant. So anything you want to take out? We just had a meeting this afternoon. It was our kickoff meeting for the grant.

Um and it was um the LIS partnership Connecticut crant along with the consultant that they hired on their dime who was SLR consulting. they've done work for camp or uh and they have uh approved us going ahead and forming a committee and uh they hope that we can have our first meeting sometime in March or sometime in the March to April time frame. Uh and the idea is that uh the selectman will work with the consultant and uh the partnership. I've been the point person through the writing of the grant. Um and that we would have a large committee um that would include all the representatives that we had uh previously identified that included

zoning,

planning, zoning, inland wetlands, um affordable housing, harbor management. Uh there were open space. Uh and it would also include residents at large, concerned, residents at large who had knowledge of resiliency issues. uh people from directly affected areas, the neighborhoods that uh affected by flooding or wildfire or if the other issues that we would be considering and all the initiatives that and all the questions that come out of the consultants's um work to develop uh a strategic resiliency action plan would be presented to uh the broad committee for comment. and um feedback and that uh that feedback would then be channeled back to the consultants. So and then there would be meetings subsequently alto together um but that the back and forth would kind of be you know officiated um so because it would be a very large committee and it could be pretty unwieldy. So um that's how it was conceived and so with this uh this this works for me but again what I would do is specify that this committee is formed and will sunset for the grant.

Uh so it would be um first sentence resiliency grant committee will be charged with working with Connecticut crant working with BGC crantis partnership Long Island Sound Partnership Lisr Lis Long Island Sound Partnership Mhm. and SLR consultants.

Mhm. Uh to develop a comprehensive strategic resiliency action plan. to develop a comprehensive strategic resiliency action plan and continue on the way bit and then we leave the rest. Okay. Do we do what are we doing with second paragraph or do we That's fine. That's fine. And what about [clears throat] three and four? Yeah. And then the last sentence will be that this committee is for the duration of the grant.

Right. We could say that the committee will discuss and comment on all issues related to the grant with community stakeholders. So basically as this moves forward, we don't want there to be any surprises with people that might be affected by these issues. We want people to be able in a formal way to comment. Yeah. And I think

I think it's really important that if you're on a committee and you're representing zoning, you're going back to zoning and giving a report to zoning on what is happening so that you can do it. Okay, I think I got this. So, we can do this. Can we um do the same thing based on the changes that we've made? Martha will send a draft. We'll approve what it is and if there's a tweak here and there, we can fix it um based off the draft. And just just for reference, uh we anticipate this being a two-year say again, we anticipate it being a two-year

that I'm going to make a motion that we accept the draft with changes made it, but it will be sent out for review tomorrow by all parties. just second guess but we basically agree with the premise of the foundation of this. Okay. All those in favor? No. You made a motion. No second. I second. Okay. Any further discussion? All those in favor? I I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Motion passes. Okay. Last thing. selectman generally discussions and of course there was something that I wanted to discuss and

put it on the agenda. I'm sure there was I know one is the WPCA that I think we have to have a meeting with them before their meeting uh later this month and I will send it both to you as dates and you can join. I know it's always on a night when you are working but that's fine. We can zoom you in um just so that we set them in a direction. We'll have a little bit more information I think from deep at that time um and put them hopefully on a path for success. Any other?

Yeah, I think that would I think it's time to to look at their charge and maybe uh tweak alter edit uh corroborate with with them as to which direction they should be going. made you [clears throat] know there's I mean everyone on that commission you know worked hard over long time and um you know they took a lot of heat because it was a sewer project and you know there was a lot of there was a lot of uh a lot of feelings and emotions and um I think people forgot that that was the the task that the board of selectman not necessarily us because it started years ago that was the task that was was at hand. Um, and they shouldn't be viewed as, you know, the bad guys because they did what was asked of them. So, it it might be time to to review that and see if we want to alter it in any way.

Okay. So, if we change the charge, that is an ordinance change. We will have to bring that to town meeting, but I think they have two ordinances because I think they have one for the commission and then they also have the sewer avoidance. um ordinance as well. So, we'll have to look at both of those. Um sorry, go ahead.

It's something that the committee can look at, too. It's something that they can put on their agendas to look at as well. I mean, we have the initial thing, but they may be able to suggest something to us that we haven't thought of. Um so, that is one thing that I would like to see happen um going forward. and there's like a bifurcated mission for water pollution control authority and and it really as you just said they have the sewer avoidance ordinance. So it's kind of the dual nature of the WPCA. Um and there's a lot of things that the WPCA should be doing that they haven't been doing just in general across town. like we don't really have a good survey of people's uh disposal systems, you know, septic tanks, who's got what. Um, you know, there's a lot of things that a WPCA should be doing for the town and it's sort of been not their fault because because of this charge and sewers have really consumed that agency. um they've really been focusing on sewers, I think, to the expense of the other general uh mandate that they have, which is water disposal in the town at large. Um I don't have an answer or a recommendation for that but I think we have to grapple with what is their charge and how do they fulfill their broader mandate and does this need to be two organizations you know one to deal with the beach sewer project at large however that works out and the WPCA general or is there a way of maybe just doing committees within it or do we need to change ordinances? But I think we need to have a discussion on some of the things that

by necessity the balls of that have been dropped by the WPCA because they've been charged with a very very large project that's been very timeconuming.

Right. I think one of the other things that I worry about is I don't think we're up to date with our ordinance for pumpouts because I believe the state is now mandating five years. We say seven. So then that's something that needs to be changed. I think that I agree with you. And I did have a conversation with someone from Ledger, Cheryl, who does some of our septic designs and things like that. And she said, "I don't understand why you stopped groundwater testing many years ago." She said, "Because you really need to do that to prove to deep that there's no solution." And she said, "I just don't understand why that was never continued on a regular basis." So that's something else that we need to look into. Um, I plan to reach out to the lab that used to do it just to see what the cost would be these days so that we can provide that information to the WPCA going forward. Um, personally, if somebody had a cons concern about my water supply, I mean, if I wasn't on Connecticut water and I had a well and they were concerned that the groundwater was possibly polluting my well, I'd be having my water tested every year for $175 over in Sabbrook to make sure that it was safe for myself, my family, or my renters. Um, and the other thing that I would do is I would be all up to making sure that my I mean I think most people are pretty good about having their septic tone and a lot of these homes are used 14 weeks and then they're shut down. So, um I don't know. I think

well we we don't even know what's down there or in the rest of the town. I mean this doesn't just apply to Sound. We have water quality issues on Lime Street as we know. But yeah, I mean there are inland waterways in town that are compromised and we know this. Um they're not getting tested. They don't get tested by legislate because they're not recreational. Um they're not getting tested by the state because they're not technically state u waters. It's it's something that I think the WPCA going forward may need to address as part of their broader mandate. Um but we can't we have to figure out how we what's happening with deep what's happening with the sewer project and then how we can approach that so they can fulfill both mandates. Another concern I have is Library Lane, but if any of you I know you're on Mile Creek, so you went over Mile Creek last night was extremely high over the Mile Creek Bridge. Um the waters were very high. There were a lot of elevated water levels along Library Lane and that bridge is so low. Um, so I part of our resiliency issues, but that bridge, if you have a chance this week to go down and look with the full moon and just sort of look at it at high tide, I think that we are going to have to grapple with the fact that we need to do something to shore that up, raise the level of it or something because the water is impacting the lives, the people in live along that area. I mean, it's going into their yards. It's I mean, I know it's not a daily thing, but it is impacting and they're seeing it more and more. So, one thing we're having, we have

infrastructure issues in town, which is clear. You know, we have coverts that are undersized or 80, 100 years old, some of them, uh, that have to be addressed, and that's part of our flooding. The other part of the flooding is the storm had just passed by on Sunday. We didn't feel it, but it was a massive, massive system um of historic proportions out in the Atlantic when those types of storms, which have been more and more frequent. Thankfully, they've missed us. They've been just offshore. Uh but they there have been some massive storms coming through and uh they pile, you know, an east wind in. So, when you have a long fetch like that, you know, there's nowhere nowhere for the water to go. Um, and that high tide just piles on on top of the next high tide and then you see all of our marshes and all the creeks and everything rise. Um, and that's been a big issue. Some of these weather systems are just of the magnitude that we haven't seen. Um, and thankfully they haven't hit us. You know, if one of those had hit us straight on, it would have been trouble. So, but that's part of why we're seeing some of these uh flooding issues. It's just there's literally nowhere for the sound to go. You know, that that water is just piling in at the race and not going out at low tide, you know, because of steady wind and a long long fetch off these storms.

Anything else? Uh yeah, I I just um trying to determine when other commissions and boards are having meetings, who decides if they're going to be remote access or not? Oh, I like that one, too. Um the chairs have, but if we make it a policy,

so I Yeah, that's the answer I expected. So, I mean, I was and you know, I ended up probably disturbing Katie and because I had people calling me wondering why they couldn't watch a a certain meeting that was coming in that had significant public interest in my opinion. Um, it was, you know, went to court, they making a deal. People wanted to know what was going on and people thought they'd be able to remote in and it it you know the answer of it if wasn't offered to me is not acceptable. We have all this. Yes, we've paid for it all. Yes, we use it. We use it all the time.

Um I I think it's time to have a town policy that it should be that it should be used. So there are some board uh chairs that have come a long way in the last year. They don't really like the camera part of it, but they're willing to do the audio live. And that's a good step in the right con. So people can still zoom in. It looks like this. It's just that the camera is not on in the meeting hall. I don't know how you feel about that, but they have made some strides to do that. I don't see the problem. people are either elected or appointed to these commissions. They could see who's at the table. Um it's hard to know who's speaking if you don't have a visual.

I'm all for uh open and transparent government. And I think that's part of it. So I mean if you're stepping up to volunteer, I don't see really to me I don't see the difference between sitting here and being on camera or sitting here and being seen from the audience. Mhm. Um and like and to your point, how how are we supposed to know who's speaking when you're remote if you don't have uh the you know the visual?

So I hold a um meeting in March called spring into action for all the board chairs. That's because basically they're all new, usually new um because they've been appointed in their February meetings. That is so if we wanted to discuss this at our February meeting, I can put it on the agenda. We can devise policy. We have a policy intern. She can certainly create something for us as a draft and then we decide and if it is, we put it into effect after the spring into action. So they have to come up to speed in April.

Yeah. I mean, I' I've been hoping that we would have been at this place by now, but I I know that there are personalities involved. Um, you know, I've I've been in planning where the whole thing was literally a cassette deck. You know, it's just it's not available anywhere. You know, they're just recording it on a cassette. It's like, you want to listen to it? Sure. You can go over to lunches and listen to it. Yeah. And that's in this day and age, it's just not the way to do business. Correct. You know,

no. As a matter of fact, the Open Space Commission just paid their plur to listen to about nine tapes that had been from like 2012, 2009, 2012 we found in the basement. So we went back, we checked, there were agendas for those meetings, but no minutes. So she has recreated the minutes as best she can for those so that they're at least on record and they'll vote on them. But we had the I can guess who tracked that though. Huh? I can guess who tracked that then. Tracked what down? That there wasn't any minutes for them.

Oh, it was me. Our department, my office started it. We put somebody on it and said, "Go in. Here's the dates." Actually, it was our policy intern who went in and did it for us to say, "Which of these tapes do we actually need to keep?" Well, I I'd be in favor of having it on our agenda so that we can look at policy so that we can Okay. push it along.

Great. I'll do that. Anything else? I appreciate both of you so much over the last few weeks. I know Mondays are hard and I know that our online one was long um and our beautiful picture that was taken by member of the press, but we looked so stunning at our homes during a snowstorm. [laughter] But hey, we were there, we were working, and I appreciate the time and effort that you both put into the budget. Um, and now we move forward. Anyone who wants to ever come to a meeting on Tuesday night, we're here 7 o'clock except for the week of February vacation, which we do not meet. Do I have a motion to adjourn at uh 7:43?

Make a motion to adjurnn. Second. Okay. All in favor? I