Town Council - Regular Meeting

going to order a town council uh meeting for town of New Windsor for February 4th, 2026. Would you all please rise and recite the pledge of allegiance with me? I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you. Uh announcement of policies. This meeting is open to the public. Uh public comment will be taken at the end of the meeting. Anyone wanting to speak is requested to sign in and shall be a New Windsor resident. When you speak, state your name and address, please. And please be advised that your time will be limited to three minutes.

All right. Thank you very much for doing that. All right. Let's see. First item uh on the agenda is to approval of minutes on from January 7th, 2026. You all should have received those minutes. Do I have any questions about the minutes? All right. I'll entertain a motion to accept the minutes as written. All in favor say I. I'll make a motion to accept the minutes as written. I'm ready to go. I'm ready to go through this. John looked at me like, "What are you doing?"

All right, let me try that again. I will entertain a motion to accept the minutes as written. I'll motion tootion. I'll motion to accept the minutes as written. All right. Thank you, sir. I have a second. I'll second. All right. Thank you. All in favor say so by saying I. I.

All right. Motion is carried. Thank you. All right, let's see. All right, mayor's report. We'll see if I can bring that up today. All right. All right. Events and meetings attended for the month. Uh January 13th, I attended the Carol County Commissioner State of the County meeting uh hosted by the uh county commissioners for each district. U each commissioner gave their views on the current uh fiscal state of the county and the views uh for future developments in the county. Uh the meeting was hosted by Carol County Chamber of Commerce. On January 15th, I attended the Carol County Commissioner's reception at the county office building. This meeting was attended by county elected officials and business representatives. Uh it provided an opportunity for people to have one-on-one discussions about various topics involving the county. On the 20th, uh I held a meeting with the former mayor uh former mayor RP to review and discuss the unsuccessful grant proposal for 211 High Street. Uh the purpose of the meeting was to address items that could strengthen our proposal and increase our chances to uh for the next round of grants. Uh so in other words, we're going to try this again and we'll we'll tighten up our our quote or our proposal and make sure that we we are in line. Uh not that Mike didn't do that first time around, but there may be some things we can kind of enhance. So we're going to do that. uh on January 29th attended a lunch meeting with Congressman Johnny Elchevki and his director of intergovernmental and external relations Chris Yule. Uh the

congressman was visiting Carol County for various events and stopped by the town hall for an introduction to the town staff as well as lunch and a discussion about town's uh initiatives. I thought it was a very fruitful meeting. He offered his assistance to the town. um very productive meeting. It was great great having him up here and he he will be back. Actually, he said he would be interested he and Chris would be interested in the uh Frank Schaer 5K um next year. So, we'll look to see invite him for that. Uh for the entire month, I attended the schedule town meetings and internal budgetary uh meetings uh personnel and project planning meetings. Uh I don't have any scheduled meetings uh for uh for for February yet, but I'm sure my calendar will quickly fill. I will save my other comments when I get till I get to the fire department. All right. Um community enhancement and community relations councilwoman Schulz who is not with us tonight. I will read her notes. All right. Community enhancement and outre outreach for February 3rd, 2026. meeting event and events attended. Town council meetings, town council work sessions, HSP board meeting, HSP strategic planning meeting, county commissioner state of the county presentation, and the count of uh county commissioners reception. Uh also Carol County downtown's uh meeting on February 9th. Uh, so there should be a final wrap up for the shop

uh small promotion and uh I'm assuming that was is going to come maybe next month. Um, the story maps for Carol 250 celebration including 10 locations in New Windsor are being submitted and worked on by county IT staff. Human services program HSP of Carol County. Um she Councilwoman Schultz would like me to remind you that the HSP assists Carol County residents with their electric and fuel cost bills uh or fuel costs bill assistance and utility aarages uh with utility related. All right, let's see. Walkin 10 distillery drive. Oh, this is where I guess where you can do you can do a walk in at 10 distillery drive. Sweet G, Westminster, or call 4108572999. HSP also offers free income tax preparation uh to qualified residents. Visit hspinc.orga to schedule an appointment. Additionally, uh, heart of the Civil War Heritage Area, um, Maryland Heritage Area Authority, MHAA, uh, project grants. The fiscal year 27 MHAA project grant round is uh, open and the intent to apply deadline it was yesterday. Full application deadline is by the end of March, March 31st. MHA MHAA project grant awards range from $50,000 for non-C capital projects uh to $100,000 for a uh capital

projects. Uh she says, "I have sent this this info to Mike Reynolds and asked him to fill out the intent to apply for a form as a possibility for additional funding for the Dealman in stabilization or some other town projects that he thinks might fit the parameters. Filling out the form does not obligate the town to proceed to the application step, but we we will have gotten our foot in the door." And I believe that rounds up Councilwoman Schultz notes for the month. All right. Um, public works Councilwoman Hoffman.

Good evening, everyone. Uh, so, um, I assume everyone is thinking the public works department did nothing but plow and clean up snow this month. Um, they did plenty of that. However, although it seems like forever, the snow has only been on the ground for 11 days. The fact is the public works crew came in to work the Saturday night of the storm and were on site till the end of their normal shift on Monday, 41 and a half hours straight. I want to publicly thank the public works crew for the efforts in cleaning the town's roads and weathering the storm. Uh, back before the storm, public works removed Christmas decorations from the town parks. The Christmas tree wreaths are still up on the poles and will be removed as soon as the snow melts and a lift can be used safely. Public works picked up Christmas trees around town on the three advertised pickup days. Earlier in January, public works spent several weeks at the town water sites, the spring and the farm, removing dead trees and performing general site maintenance to ensure the areas were accessible and free from vulnerabilities. Public works performed an audit of the street signs around town and ordered necessary replacements. Uh the planning commission did not meet in January due to the storm. However, earlier this evening, the planning commission attended the Carol uh county's planning meeting to participate in the joint public hearing for the water resource element. Um the next scheduled planning commission meeting is Monday, February 23rd at 6 PM here at town hall. Um some councilman highlights participated in all the monthly town council and planning commission scheduled meetings. attended the monthly state highway administration virtual meeting on the town streetscape project. Two a few things I want to bring up from that for for Gary and the mayor. Um they

mentioned that they are moving forward with the one way between Green Valley Road and High Street. Um however, there was some confusion on which way the oneway was going. Okay. Um I am assuming it's going east to west. Yes. East to west. Email from forget the gentleman's name saying that they they agreed to that. Okay. And east to west. Yes. Okay. There was confusion there. Um they talked about uh a public meeting for the town

originally in March and then they said April 9th. So I'm hoping they're interfacing with you to work and schedule that. All I know is that they I I think I heard that same thing at the last meeting and um they are intending to use the fire department. Okay. Okay. So I have not in contact about coordinating anything.

So they they are tentatively talking April 9th. Well, you know, we'll hear more I'm sure before that. And um there was discussion about moving the the monthly meeting that we have with them um to to the fourth Monday of the month starting in March. So um Marie France uh is going to probably discuss it more on at the February meeting coming up next week. And um she's she's looking at the fourth Monday of the month. um I believe at the same time at 11 o'clock. Um she has several projects that are competing for her same Wednesday time slot. So anyway, um I will not be at the meeting next week. Um so if you guys are there, there are a couple things that you might want to keep your ear out for.

That's all. Thank you. All right. Thank you, Councilman Hoffman. Uh water and sewer. Councilman Bra.

All right. Good evening, everybody. Uh I attended the council meeting and work session in January. Uh continuing to review water and sewer data as we validate the new water and sewer rate schedule and I'm continuing to develop a possible new water and sewer rate schedule. Uh we have internal discussions ongoing regarding that. um water and sewer with the storm was fairly slow this uh past month, but we did have a major uh water mane break on lower Church Street. Um possibly due to damage from a truck hitting the telephone pole on the corner of Church and Maine. The water man experienced a circle break to the cast iron water man. This leak was impacting a nearby residence with water intrusion into the basement and was leaking to the surface just a day before the snow. an ice storm of January 24th through the 25th. With concern of the leak freezing on the road and potentially leaking more underground as the weather changed, an emergency repair was deemed necessary. Using our emergency contractor, public works staff and Mid-Atlantic utilities were able to excavate, repair, and restore water service to those impacted by the leak. During the response, crews experienced a series of complications caused by extreme cold temperatures, icy road and ditch conditions, pumps freezing, heaters shutting down, and generators ceasing operation. The likely impact, had the leak not been repaired before the storm, was a water rationing situation occurring for the residences of the 100 block of Church Street and any other residents on that side of the water man. So, thank you to public works and Mid-Atlantic's crew uh that took time from preparing for snow removal operations to repair this line. The residents all across town appreciate your efforts and sacrifices.

Thank you. And I I echo those sentiments as well. They they did a an amazing job. It wasn't just plowing snow. It was working. I mean, if you remember that Saturday was frigid. I mean, it was really cold. They were actually there I think 7:00. Um the other thing that was uh talked to uh director Myers and he called me that morning and said that morning when they started but he said I think we'll have this thing wrapped up by 2 o'clock. They were done by 12:30 1:00. So kudos to them. They did a excellent job. So thank you for your report. Uh public safety and health councilman Howard.

Good evening everyone. I attended the town council and work session meetings for January. Also attended the Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge. I did not get in that water though. Just stuck a finger in. And that that was all you're getting from me. Was brutal out there. The uh fatal and total overdose data for 2025 is in and there was an 18% increase in fatal overdoses in 2025 compared to 2024. It was up from 22 to 26. The total overdoses rose from 211 2011 in 2024 to 220 in 2025. This includes the nonopioid related overdoses like over-the-counter prescriptions and intentional misuse. Uh December saw the highest number of fatalities for the year with five. Uh analysis indicated that 45% of the total cases were suicide attempts. 42% were accidental and 12% were undetermined. The 35 to 44 age group accounted for the largest percentage of victims at 24% followed by the 25 to 34 year olds at 20%. Upcoming meetings and events this Friday. Go red in support of women's cardiovascular health by weighing red all day. Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of women. Our next opioid prevention coalition meeting is on Wednesday, March 11th from 9 to 11. And of course, the Red Cross blood drive, Thursday, March 12th at the New Wor Social Hall. Register at red redcrossblood.org. That's it. All right, thank you for your report. Councilman Howard, economic development and technology, Councilman Wolf Mala.

Good evening everybody. Um, just like everyone, I attended the council meeting and work session meeting in January and also on the 21st the kickoff meeting for the new Windsor small business roundt. Um, which was very well attended by small businesses in the town. Um, it was a much better turnout than I had anticipated. So, thank you to those that um attended that and also want to um open it up to any other small businesses that weren't able to attend. You are more than welcome to attend any of the uh the future meetings. There's no, you know, you didn't miss out yet. So, we're just getting started. Um collectively, the group as a whole identified some committees that we are going to be kind of fulfilling um volunteers in the next meeting uh in February. Those include a communications meeting, uh, committee, a history committee, outreach, business collaborations, and events. Um, tenatively, the upcoming meeting will be the 23rd or maybe the 24th. We're trying to nail down the exact date. Um, and it likely will be at ACNB Bank here in town. They offered to host the next meeting. Um, but yeah, it was really, really well attended event. This, um, this room was more packed than I've ever seen it before. So, fairly good. Um, uh, one other update. Uh, if there is any, uh, resident business owner in the town that would like to, um, help work with the town on our what's called the sustainable Maryland effort, um, our we're calling it our green team. So, this is a program run by the state of Maryland to offer grants to, uh, small governments to do some green things in their communities. So, this could include something like a community garden. Um, so if you'd like to learn more about what sustainable Maryland is, you can visit sustainablemarland.com.

And if you are interested uh as a town resident or business owner in uh participating in some manner in that group, um please reach out to town town hall.

Thank you very much, Councilman Wolf Melo. I I I heard there was some good momentum from the meeting. I'm really happy about that. And um I think there there were a couple people that uh or businesses that did not attend um that I think we should kind of make sure that it was Mattie mentioned that they they wanted to. Uh, I told them that they should just send any if they could send I know it's difficult during the day for them to come because they've got meals they're serving but um and then the the wine and liquor store at down by the railroad tracks rep mentioned I mentioned it to him because I saw him and I said hey did you attend? Um, I'd certainly love to get their input on it and then maybe there could be some synergy with the business uh the the business community, New Windsor business community and this u sustainable Maryland thing too. You might find some volunteers within that one group that can kind of come over to the other to the other group. So, but thank you again for get you know getting that and certainly Savannah for your involvement in that as well. So, all right. Uh, town manager die.

Okay. Good evening, everyone. I have a few things to report on. The, uh, vacant public works maintenance work one position, uh, was posted January 6 and will run until the position is filled. We haven't had the greatest response. We've only had 10 that come that have applied through either email andor dropped off applications and only two or three possibilities so far. I also want to extend my thanks to uh staff. Uh take this time to praise public works and office staff for how they handled water main break the day before what ended up being a major storm. And the break could not have come at a worse time. They had to deal with trying to get a contractor to respond on a Friday before a snowstorm, frigid temperatures, and finalizing preparations for the snow. As we all now know, the storm snowstorm was the worst we've seen in 10 years and and turned into an extended duration storm. Public works came together, persevered through a very rough and complicated storm and put in countless hours to get the job done. Their relentless efforts were professional, efficient, and exemplary. Although we received several complaints, none of which, in my opinion, were justified or accurate, residents should be thankful and fortunate that we have great public works and town staff that go above and beyond to do the best they can for town, for the town, residents, and each other day in and day out. I want to offer personally and publicly my sincere thanks to public works and office staff for a great job on both water main break and the snowstorm. And then lastly, just want to put something on uh uh your all's radar. Uh looking um at a water and sewer review and advisory board uh committee. Um just want to put this on your radar for a future discussion. Um Director Meyer suggested we look look into the creation of this uh water sewer committee and I agree that this is a good idea and would be beneficial

looking at maybe approximately eight participants to council members, mayor, town staff, and maybe two two town residents. Uh we're going to meeting possibly quarterly discuss um what various water and sewer topics such as rates, capital projects, budget, etc. So, give this some thought for future discussion at another meeting. And then the just the upcoming meetings, Tuesday, February 17th is the work session. Monday's the holiday. Wednesday, March 4th, council meeting. And Monday, March 16th is the work session. That's all I got.

I do have a correction for that. We were going to move the Wednesday, March 4th council meeting to the 3 to accommodate the uh the MML mayor's meeting that Wednesday. Tuesday the 3. Tuesday the 3. Is it Am I cor recalling correctly? I thought that's what we were talking about last time. is either did we say Tuesday or the third? Yeah, I know we talked about maybe Monday the 2nd, but I think we just moved it a day.

All right. Um, are you going to do public works directed? He doesn't have the report. He was uh put together some stuff that we're I'm going to cover for him under uh new business on the public works equipment. Okay. All right. Uh community deputy deputy McInness.

Everybody sh Three vehicle collisions, one call, two other calls, one animal complaint, one disturbance, one domestic, two, two medical checks, one suspicious activity, two traffic stops, and out of those five on 26 at 6:38 a.m. responded to a Springdale was struck by passing vehicle remain at the scene was injured to my vehicle described as auton responded to a stron arrival. were observed damage from the collision and to my knowledge are basically total damages to replace the power very leak was also discovered at the same location and video evidence was collected vehicle after the items listed Additionally, the town's Christmas trailer

that's still an ongoing investigation. We're working with private. We have a insurance number. Uh on 12326 at 9:46 p.m. deputies responded to the 300 block of main street domestic. It was later discovered that a child was in need of additional resources. Uh this call was coded as a check welfare and crisis intervention team was that case on 12826 at 121 p.m. a reported theft and um at the sheriff's office by a resident who resided in the 1000 block ribbon county. Uh the resident mailed a check for a service which never made it to his destination. Uh the check was cashed by an individual out of county at approximately $450. We've also had similar to 13126 at 7:52 p.m. responded to a vehicle collision in the 300 block of Main Street. An involved vehicle at Ford Explorer SUV was found to have driven through the guard rail at the intersection of Green Valley Road and Main Street. Vehicle came fully inside at that location. The driver and found observer refused to send to a standardized field test and additionally tested. by the driver. The driver was arrested for the suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and cited following citations. Negligent driving, reckless driving, driving under the influence, driving while paired by alcohol to obey traffic control devices and any questions regarding that field. I'm sure there's a lot. I also want to give a shout out to public works. I don't have any of this

written down, but I know um this past month a few of them personal matters on top of this busy schedule. They've had these call outs, you know, that that quick downhill from that hit. For some reason, we're playing with why this trend is continued. But um they they they put all that to the side and just showed up and done the work. So I just want to say thank you to them. you know, they get they get the negative folks on on media for the snow being completely removed from the roadway, but I had some peers working the day of the snow removal. And they texted me and they said, "Um, new winter's on top." And I text back. I was like, "Well, that's great." He said, "We're traveling around county. New roads are cleaner than all the other." So, thank you to those guys on top of some personal matters. Thank any questions. All right. Thank you, Deputy McGinness. All right. West Carol is not here, so we'll move on. Fire chief. I did speak with uh I did speak with uh chief chief crimer via tax and uh he simply asked he uh he didn't have anything to report other than to make a a plea or request to the the town and ask that um if you live near a hydrant in your community and you're so inclined if you could help the fire department out by cleaning the ice or snow from around the hydrant so that in the case that they would have to use it, they'll have access um to those hydrants. I think this

weekend we're going to get a heavy frost again or heavy cold spell. And um he's hoping that residents if they see the situation where there's the hydrants are covered by snow, maybe somebody could push them away. actually this afternoon rode through my community and fortunately the snow is kind of melted enough away that there is access. Um they do have rods on their hydrant. So if you see a rod sticking out of the snow, there's probably a hydrant underneath of it. So um just a request uh from the fire chief and that's all I have for them. Treasurers report.

All right. So, our auditors DA will be here next uh for the work session to review the single audit and the audit that happened for last year. And then sprinkler fees will go out tomorrow. Sprinkle fees. Okay. There's about five of them. All right. Thank you very much. All right. Let's see. Code enforcement officer. Do we have a report? Oh, did I skip? Did I mean the mic and she's ready

and sewer billing clerk. 97.

All right. All right. Now, code enforcement, no report. I got a little an email from Joan. She did not receive any complaints in January. However, uh residents have been given sufficient amount of time to have sidewalks cleared per code. She has four pending letters to be sent for sidewalks not being cleared and she received two more complaints this morning. Uh she's been keeping record on where of where sidewalks are not cleared and notices will be going out. Once notices are sent out, you have will have seven business days to clear or fines will be issued. As always, I'm available by email. That's it.

Okay. All right. Hidleberg material updates. Anyone? I don't have anything from them. They probably will do quarterly, which would be March. All right. New business. Um fiscal year 27 budget general discussion. Okay.

So uh budget uh for 27 is moving along pretty well. Um under general fund revenues uh the most most of the revenues are set. We're waiting on two significant line items. Real property which is our biggest revenue. This information comes out on or about February 24th. And the other one is the county town program and county road grant. And this information comes on out uh on or about February 20th. They're pretty pretty tight on those dates to when that information comes out. Uh general fund expenditures. Uh we're pretty well through most of those. Uh we're waiting on information on a few line items. Uh one thing I did want to mention, the council uh previously requested a breakdown and budget for music on the main 5K events, etc. Um these are in the revenues under miscellaneous donations and then also in expenditures under parks town activities. So we need some discussion and direction on this. If you want to look into doing that you can do that now or or at at work session. I'll come back to that. Um enterprise fund revenues um water and sewer usage and hookup fees are complete. Um planning on three new lots from Lampert's edition subdivision at the corner of Lampert and Pilson. Usage and base rates are per current resolution 050725A which established a two-tier system reduced base rates and increased usage rates. I'm continuing to use 10,000 gallon per quarter as the average to calculate revenues. Um, they're complete except for three line items on in the revenues. The developer meter purchases, which would be for those three new lots. I need to

get the current meter cost from Director Meyers. And then the capital transfer for water and sewer is uh done last to balance that portion of the budget. mentioning if council has any thoughts on changes to base usage in tiered system, we need to talk about that sooner than later. Uh enterprise fund expenditures we'll be starting on next. We haven't gotten down into that yet. So I guess back to the budget for music on the main 5k if you guys have any I think Ken Councilwoman Schultz mentioned that and she's not here this evening but any discussions on that manager die can you direct me to where that is located again Oh, I see. Thank you. Under for expenditures, it's under parks and town activities. And for for 26, we've budgeted uh 15,000. Our year to date is 12,646 or 643, sorry.

There was some talk about, you know, a budget for music on the main, I think, specifically for different bands. Mhm. So, on average, the total donations that we've received, this is the three-year average, has been $3,167. The average ban expenses have been $3,600. Average 10 Yeah. Okay.

Average tents have been $1,224. And then average miscellaneous expenses have been $1,967. And these miscellaneous expenses are anything from the little chachkis that we give away. Um we have been very fortunate the past year and a half, two years that we've ordered water bottles and we haven't ordered that we had run out. We are completely out. So that will be an expense for something next year. Um so it could go up. Any questions about that? I think we'll probably have further discussion on that, especially if we think about bringing in

speaker. Okay.

All right. Does that complete your discussion about the budget? Budget for now. Yes. Uh any questions about the budget? Need a second to keep looking at it or public works equipment discussion. You're right.

Okay. Yeah. Shift some papers around here. So, uh, Director Myers put together a briefing paper, um, for the purchase of the new of a new mower as approved in the FY26 budget. Um, can pull that up if you would. Um, public works is seeking approval to proceed with the purchase of one IS-2600Z turn model mower uh from Harrington's Equipment Company as previously approved in the FY uh 26 adopted budget with the purchase occurring in spring of fiscal year 26. The purchase of of a replacement commercial mower was reviewed and approved uh by the town as part of the uh FY26 capital equipment budget. It was for an estimated 15,000. Uh due to timing, availability, and operation needs, the purchase was not completed as of yet in fiscal year 26, but public works is looking to move forward now and execute the purchase ahead of the 20 26 spring mowing season, which I'm sure everyone at this point is looking forward to. Um the vendor has provided the current uh price list using cooperative purchasing factory direct with a 17% discount which is in public public works folder for reference. The manufacturer's price is 22,191 1999 and the discounted price is 18,42517 a savings of $377383. Uh so it's over a little over what we budgeted but we're getting a good discount on on the the manufacturer's price. Uh the mower will be used by public works department for routine maintenance. The town and properties

including parks, rightways and municipal facilities. Replacement of aging equipment is necessary to maint uh maintain service levels. Uh reduce downtime and control long-term maintenance costs. So, any questions or

So, I mean, we already approved the the budget to to purchase a a a tractor um for the 15,000. So, um that part of it we've already approved. So, I guess my only question would be where are we going to get the other three $3,400 um to to cover the the purchase? Where can we take that money from? I guess gota look at Dana a little bit. I was just told this so I don't have an answer for you right now. I apologize.

Um I would assume that you can pull it from capital reserve. Um there is you do have a surplus and you are over what we expected. So just depending on it is it could also just come out of the regular budget and that line item would just be over and we should be fine. But I would have to pull the numbers for sure.

Other account Yeah, it just it's QuickBooks just is taking a moment. I apologize. Would we be selling one of the mowers that we currently wanted to pull up that um which one we're replacing? I think it's the the grasshopper. Let me just pull that.

Yes, I imagine we're going to try to sell that. He did not give me a price on what he thinks you could get for that. Uh yeah, this this one for the for fiscal year 26 is to replace the 2011 Grasshopper. It's pretty old. Such a pretty penny. 15 years old.

I don't know how much we originally paid for that. If you take the consideration of how much you could get for it, I mean, even if it's $1,000, you're really only over that budget line by $2,000. Taking the hit of being over on that line item shouldn't be a problem. And I don't see pulling it from capital to reserve. But again, things can change as we get another hit with the weather. It could We also have we do we did not take the capital reserve for the trucks. We never moved that funds until we had to because we were good. So, we could move the capital for the trucks over. Um, and then just take the hit in the line for the new mower. Um, but again, I don't see it being a problem, but until it's actually there, I can't tell you yes or no. And if it is a problem, we could always move money over. But, um, with the snow, I can tell you it was one of the highest payrolls that we've had in a very long time. So Michelle, I'm assuming we need to make a a a motion that's a little firm, not just

I always prefer firm as opposed to we'll spend some money sooner or later. All right. So let let me try this then. I'll make a motion that we purchase the IS-2600Z from Harrington Equipment Company for $18,425.17 using the $15,000 already approved in the FY26 budget. Um the remaining $3,425.76717 we will um pull from either the capital reserve or andor use the uh money when we sell the current tractor

from the net have any more identifiers other than the current tractor. Grasshopper 2011 Grasshopper tractor. Okay. So, we have a motion. I'll second. I'll second what he said. You got to say it. Second,

so we have a motion in a second to proceed with the purchase of the new Harington equipment uh or the new IS2600Z mower for 18,42517. All in favor, please say so by saying I. I. Any oppose? All right, motion carries. All right.

And also under there, I believe um this is more just for uh Director Myers put together some information um to open the conversation with council about the future of the Kabota M70760 tractor as we get begin preparing for the FY27 budget. um his goal is to determine whether replacement planning should be incorporated into the upcoming budget cycle. So there's about a two-page uhformational briefing in there with information um on that tractor. Um purchased it seven years old. We purchased it November of 18 soon very soon after I got here. Um original cost was 42,937. We did two tradeins at the purchase uh an older K Cabota and a case for 30,000. So the net cost was was um a little under 13,000 12 936 there. Um today the tractor's primary function is salt loading and snow removal um with very limited use during the remainder of the year. Originally back in 18, we were we were brush hogging the farm with that tractor and now the lease of a farm is handling those those services for us. So we're not using the tractor for for brush logging the farms. Um so uh there he's looking at um some things he's considering. He's looking at um either you're trading it in and looking at getting a a skid loader um in in in place of it a little more versatile um for for both snow and and other other operations and loading. He he gives a

bunch of information on on the the breakdowns of those things. Um did mention too which is important is that if you decide to keep the the K Cabota um it will need um let me see where that is. Yeah, it will need replacement of the bucket or the loader bucket and arms and hydraulics which uh would be required in the near future at a cost of around 15,000. So, I mean, we paid we really paid the net cost of that tractor was less than what it would cost to put a new bucket in norms on it and hydraulics on it. So, um he did he did um look at um pull that up real quick. Reached out to four um yeah, there it is. Thanks, Connor. four different uh vendors uh to get prices on the loaders and then trade in value on the K Cabota and you can see see the differences there. So um Case case and Bobcat look to be the best the best uh deal and the net um the net cost of around 27 or 28 265. So just something to think about. I think he's going to have some further discussions at the work session. Um, but you can review in more detail his uh briefing and uh we can um talk about this later. So really just consider, you know, should we plan to sell or trade it in um to preserve value before it further deteriorates? Does count council want staff to begin collecting prices and options for

replacement equipment as part of the 27 capital planning process and would a more versatile machine skid steer articulating loader be better served long-term operational needs. That's pretty much what he was getting at here. Yeah. Uh I just have a question if like um if that tractor like went down meaning like broke. Is that the only way we have to load salt in the trucks? Not good.

That's primarily what it's being used for is is loading loading the trucks with salt and then and then moving, you know, moving snow around a little bit. Um, but it's not really ideal for heavy loads, especially lifting high like in for like the dump truck and things like that gets guys tell me it gets a little wonky with the weight when you're lifting that high where a skid skid loader better base and more equipped for heavier loading and more tolerable to the to the uh the salt and the snow, you know, for the track than the tractor. But yeah, that's the only way we know right now.

Any other questions? Is there did he list anywhere what the trade in value of that tractor is now? The seveny old one. Yeah, we've got the the trade the tractor trade in what Connor had up earlier. Uh do you have that? Can you see it? You can look up or it's in the uh 34 just from spreadsheet 35 to 34 27,000 to 34535 four different vendors and again he got the their their prices the vendor prices for the loader. Oh, I see. You see that? You see the the differences.

Council, is that a topic you want to discuss at the work session? You want to I would allow Wayne to bring it to our attention when he's ready for it. I think this is just to get it on our radar as he's developing the budget. Um, just as we're talking about equipment, the UTV, is that on the books for next year still? Oh, I see. Or would this be in replacement of that? Or

That's a good question. Let me see where that is in in the fiveyear plan. Six year plan. side by side that is in for for fiscal year 27. So, we'll have to I'll ask him about that. They do two different purposes, but that's a large equipment purchase two times. All right, we ready to move forward?

Okay, old business review of policies.

Conor.

Um, so we've edited the policies to what we discussed last time. Uh, made a couple corrections and things. we have one or two questions that don't necessarily um need to be put into these policies. It's more how they're going to be implemented. Um so if we're happy with the policies, we can move forward with them. Um it is a 15-day grace period and so on the 21st due dates the 20th on the 21st late notices go out to those who have not paid. Uh there's a 15-day period to um come back to good standing and then after that 15 days the service interruptions will occur. Um, we got rid of the late fees. We only have a reconnection fee if an account is shut off. Uh, the the two or three questions that we have are a enforcement and a grace period. When would this policy be implemented? and more so for signing up for the month-to-month payments. How long would we give residents to do that? Um, and then what happens if they don't sign up but continue to pay monthly? And what if what do we do if no information is provided? We're asking for phone number, email address, name and address. Obviously, um we're looking for multiple forms of contact, but if someone refuses that, is there a path that we want to go or we simply say thank you, we won't be able to call you, etc. Um so

what do we do if nobody signs up or if an individual does not sign up? What do we do if they do not give information? And then what type of grace period do we want to provide to sign up before we start making an issue?

Because right now if the monthly bill is if the monthly total is paid the assumption is that they are a monthly payer. With this policy, that would no longer be the case because we are asking for accounts to sign up as monthly payers. So, we know that's what they want to do. So in the past we assumed everybody everybody was a monthly payer and they had the opportunity or the option to go on a monthly pay cycle if they wanted. How did how did you handle is it just you knew that people paid monthly or if you saw like the monthly total amount you assumed it was a monthly

right I would like to change.

Okay. So, so I, you know, I personally feel that it is a benefit to the town resident who decides they want to pay their bill monthly. When we get our quarterly bill, we've already used all that water that that we are paying for. And in the old days, everyone paid their bill quarterly. Okay? And if and and the town being gracious and trying to help residents that were maybe struggling would let residents go on a monthly payment to pay for that quarter's water that they've already used. And I feel like if we're trying to get information from people, if you want to be on a monthly thing, you need to provide that information or else you're a quarterly payer, right? So, we shouldn't like penalize people that are paying quarterly because that's the way we always expected it to be paid. That was our billing process. If someone wants to do something different than is the norm, they're the ones that have to jump through the hoops. And if the hoops are provide multiple whatever we need, emails, phone numbers, then they need to do that, right? They have to ask to be put on that. So, so the billing clerk knows that these people are paying monthly um so that she doesn't, you know, start the the process for somebody that doesn't do that. That's my thought on it. Do do we want to give like two quarters of time to do that? Because we we disc I met with with Kim yesterday. We discussed um people that are still getting the paper bills, like the mailed bills to put the monthly sign up form in with the bill. so they have it when they get the water bill.

If we do two quarters, they get two copies of it. Um, and then anytime we send out a delinquent notice for someone that we know that we don't know if they're monthly or not, they would also get a monthly signup sheet to say, "Hey, you can settle this by signing up for this." Um, so what type of grace period do we want to do? Um, and we're coming up to the the final fiscal year quarter. Yeah. So, two quarters is a long time. Six months, but that's only two. Exactly. You get two instances to do it. Yeah. That's not, you know,

right. I mean, I'm not trying to be hard about it. I mean, we need, you know, two notices isn't a lot. So, I I realize it's over six months, but but people that do come in certainly, you know, have the opportunity to grab one right there. And it'll be posted on the website, it'll be in the newsletter, it'll be on the Facebook site and all that. Um, I would think within six months, you know, if we that we should be able to collect everything we need and then at the end of that then, you know, if people only pay a third of it and haven't signed up, then we'll assume that they're only partially paying their water bill,

correct? they would get. So, right, the consequence of that is they get a delinquent letter in addition to the form to sign up for the monthly. Yeah, it seems long enough and fair enough to be able to do it that way. So, six months, give them two shots at it. I mean, that sounds reasonable. Someone want to restate that so that because it sounds like we're going to have to revise it again. Uh, I mean there's nothing there's no enforcement start date for this policy in the policy. I think we can approve the policy as it's written.

I think the policy does not need to be touched for these things as long as we're all happy with the policy. All right. So, if that's the case, I will make a motion to accept the U. I'll do each of these individually. The water and sewer billing, delinquent payments, and service interruption policy. Make a motion. Okay, we have a motion to accept the water. Hold on. We'll just call it the delinquency policy. Oh, my computer's freezing. I apologize. We should publish it on the website.

I would send the form to sign up for the monthly plan with even the next quarter's bill. But then yeah, these I would say that we need a blurb about these are the new policies that are if they get accepted. These are the new policies that are in place starting a date. Yeah. Isn't there a town minute in the newsletter? Isn't there a town minute section in the newsletter?

You put it in there saying for you put it the application as an insert in the newsletter. They don't get their water bill. It's an insert and it's there. Nothing on the back. They fill it out and then you put information saying new water and sewer policies. Please go to the website blah blah blah. But you give them the the application in the insert so they can fill out. Yeah. So we have a motion to accept the delinquency payment uh and service interruption policy. We have a second. All in favor say so by saying I. I.

Any oppose. All right. Motion carries. All right. I got two more. Um, we have the water and sewer bill installment agreement policy and terms and conditions. So, I will make a motion to accept the water and sewer bill installment agreement policy and terms and conditions as written. We have a motion to accept. the installment plan applic uh agreement policy and terms and conditions. Terms and conditions. Do I have a second? I'll second that.

Okay, we have a have a motion and a second. All in favor? I post. Okay, motion carries. Michelle, do we need one for the application? Okay, that might change over time, too. All right, I think that satisfies our uh old business and review policies. Uh, any residents concerns? Mitchell has signed.

All right. was arrested. Just wanted to share the really really positive experience we had for our first business round table meeting. Um, Councilman Josh absolutely said that this room was definitely energetic. We had more than 15 businesses. Each of the businesses were very interested in first finding out who actually was in the room. A lot of the businesses that were here, the other businesses didn't even know. And that was eye opening on its own. So business owners don't know the other businesses. Imagine that residents also may not be as aware. So it was a great opportunity for us to hear about just some of the businesses here and we were given um several messages that there were other businesses that wanted to come but they could cause conflict. So there is a great interest and thirst for that um round table. Additionally we agreed that we would reach out to our neighboring towns to collaborate with us. So we identified three other Union Bridge, Union Town, and Tony Town so that we could neighborly reach out to these areas because they also experience the same types of challenges with their small businesses. So, we were also very very um happy to see that ACN Bank was in attendance and wanted to provide their support. So, thus they offered

their comp for our next meeting. So, I wanted to say that we have a lot of good traction just with our person. And what we're hearing till we get to our next one is that they're coming in with ideas of how we can maximize the businesses that are already here, things that are already happening so that the other businesses in town can capitalize on getting more traffic and also everyone winning when there are take for instance events. Uh John with the um rare car garage he has on here. He even shared that they have this big um car quote unquote show that comes to town cars that lot of people in town and that's an opportunity a lot of business here did not realize happened where we could all benefit from that. So is definitely a very looking forward to us continuing to build upon that and be able to rely on town hall to help facilitate how we build that advocacy.

Well, thank you for that and we'll look forward to future discussions and hopefully even more filled meeting spam meeting holes. So, all right. Uh, any other residents, concerns, comments? Okay. All right. I'm going to entertain a motion to go into close session. I'll make a motion to go to close session. All right. Do I have a second? Second. All right. All in favor? I.