001Okay. Welcome to the town of Bolton for selection budget workshop number one, Wednesday, January 21st, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. at the town hall and via Zoom. Uh so first on the agenda is the bud workshop for the fire marshall. Here we have Mr. William call to represent and uh do we have questions? Anybody I guess or do you have any comments you want to start with? There's there's H2 was the commentary change. >> I'll start with a question. No. Oh, there's no commentary on here, is there? Um I'm building now. >> Difference between supplies and equipment. like what falls under what category? >> There's some some equipment that we use uh tools for you know testing things you know so that that would fall under equipment. >> Okay. >> Supplies >> fire we buy fire
002prevention supplies >> and stuff on >> but I'm not asking for any increase at all. But but with that um we're right at the tipping point. So, so long as we don't get a giant influx of building fires, um, we should be okay. We had a couple more this year than we had in the past couple of years. So, that eats up some funds. >> So, just out of curiosity, how does something like the Dean cabinetry fire compared to a house fire in terms of expenditure on your end? Well, there's a lot more uh investigation for a large scale commercial building like that. Call the state fire marshall's office right away because of a pro possible loss. It's a substantial loss or I call them right away for a fatality. Uh they have all the
003tools and toys and equipment that we just we just can't afford. We just don't have. They can get into the labs a lot quicker than we can. Um you know, some house fires are easy. Uh the last one we had, somebody put some ashes in a garbage can. Put the garbage can outside, plastic garbage can outside next to the house. That was easy. There wasn't a lot of investigation, but Birch Mount Road, a single family dwelling vacant, that took a little bit more time. Uh we had to be a little bit creative. Uh talking to Jim, we actually had to have um hire a board of agency which they have since paid for that service, released the lean. So that's all good. We just had to do it. >> So as far as expenses on
004your behalf for that particular fire, is there any additional expenses? >> That particular fire, we had to hire an electrician. >> Okay. >> Just to, you know, I talked to Jim about it. It would be inappropriate to have you do it, >> right? Yeah. Exactly. So we just hired a, you know, electrician that works for the town. >> He came out. We were there for a couple hours. He didn't charge as much. >> So was there charges for the dean cabinet fire from the >> other fire departments that showed up? >> No. So the only the only additional fees which were covered by the fire department in their budget were school buses for warming. >> Mhm. >> Um most the food the food that I mean there was this was a long that was a
005long duration fire. >> Yeah. >> Right. So food was required, an opportunity to warm up was required. You know, Bill was there longer than I was, but I was there for probably eight hours. Um, and there there I think there was some food expenses again paid for by the fire department, but most of the food that we consume >> Was donated. Right. >> Okay. Right. I appreciate the detail. Just I if I might I interrupt for a moment, Bill, ju just to add some context for those of you who are new to this process. Um a few years ago when I took over as fire marshall, we we were non-compliant with our with regard to our meeting our statutory obligations for inspections. Um and I started moving us in that direction. Bill was my deputy
006at that point. um and he took, you know, a a strong lead in in helping us get there. We devised a plan which was to identify all of our inspectable properties. Um and I I am very proud of the work that's been done in the fire marshall's office. We are probably one of a handful of towns in the state that are 100% compliant with our statutory obligation to inspect properties. Now different types of properties get inspected on a different frequency level. um like businesses are every 3 years but um places where people sleep, places where people drink alcohol or congregate are annually and so there's a different you know schedule of inspections and we thank the board of selectman for having the foresight after the Bridgeport incident where Bridgeport was found to be negligent for
007not following through in uh in helping us fund this department appropriately so that we can be where we need to be without having liability >> and they've got lock spot lock boxes which are >> that was a program you know Bill and I talked about but Bill really you know ushered in so there are I think through two grants we have now like 26 I think 26 boxes for senior senior don't >> mo mostly for seniors but if somebody you know had a physical disability and needed one so this can hang over at somebody's door and fire department through a special code has access to what's inside of it. And what's inside of it is usually some phone numbers and a key to the house so that the fire department can get in without breaking
008a door down. And that that's been a very successful program between the fire marshall's office and senior and social services. >> And he also does all the education for the schools. >> Uh >> well primarily primarily the uh Right. >> Well, the schools get infected once a year periodically on during the school season. >> Yeah. >> Unexpectedly because that's if there's a problem, it's going to be >> I call John. Um Yeah. It's like like everywhere else, they don't build schools with enough storage. So, it ends up on hallways and walking eress and overflowing, you know, closets and stuff like that. >> This time of year with book bags and boots and coats and hallways, that tends to be a problem. Getting back to your your question, Mr. Councilman, um that senior Knoxbox for an
009example. So, if you have one on your property, when this program comes across the phone, it's going to indicate that there's a senior Knox box on the property. >> So, the first responders know that they can gain access to the building because most seniors invol live in single family dwellings unlike other towns where they live in some sort of uh assisted living or senior housing. So, that's why the program is so successful. Any other questions? >> I just one question I got too. Sorry. Um for like the hiring the electrician, should that need to be, you know, multiple complicated fire? Should that need, you know, by some circumstance, you know, with some frequency? Where would that come out of the budget? >> Um, >> we had to move money. >> Move monies around for it.
010It wasn't a lot of money. >> We had to approve that. >> Yeah. >> It was like >> you had to It was like 190 bucks, I think. >> Yeah. It was small. >> Yeah. Well, you you did approve the transfer. >> However, I guess there's a new part-time building official that that teaches that teaches um licensed electrician classes that he's >> who hasn't started yet. >> Hasn't started yet. But that's a good resource. Like I said, I'm not an electrician and if there's questions over, you know, you eliminate things, process elimination, you know, first off, as a criminal, so on and so forth, electrical, and all these areas have to be covered during investigation. It's good to have a licensed electrician and sometimes I talk to Rodney about >> just things that you know
011>> so it doesn't happen often. >> Mhm. >> And you know we'll find a money for something like that. It just and like I said the state the state doesn't charge for and they provide a ton of service. So they u the fire in Brandy Street uh we talked about it vacant house u there were a lot of questions called the state fire marshall's office and and just send the send the pooch out send the arson dog out so that's he showed up with uh the trooper showed up with Gracie the arson dog and uh basically eliminated eliminated the possibility of combustible liquids around the area where the fire started just by sniffing And those dogs are 99%. They're they're fantastic. So, but that didn't cost me anything. That's really the state. >> Thank you.
012Thanks. >> Okay. So, we're clear to Rome. Great. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. Thank you. Just email. What's that? CDON. >> Yes. Congratulations. We had another poster contest winner. >> Oh, really? >> Oh, nice. >> That's three years out of five. It's been It's been great. >> Oh, was that pretty Connecticut? >> Yeah. >> County winner, fourth grader. I showed Jim the day the photos came. I said, >> he said, "I think this one's going to be a method." >> And sure enough, >> wow. He got the eye for fourth grade art. over. I don't I don't what did this years ago. Um it's nice to stay out of it. >> So it depends on how many kids in the fourth and fifth grade and how far they get during this. They don't
013have a lot of time put together fire prevention posters. Um, but uh uh when I'm when they're done with them at a certain date, I bring them over to the senior center and Carrie grabs them with her staff and hangs them up in the senior center. So, she puts the fourth graders over here, the fifth graders over here, all with numbers, >> right? Nobody knows who did what, >> right? So, the seniors, it's up to all the seniors that come into the senior center and they're the ones that are doing the judging. They vote and choose what goes to the >> They always depend like the first and second. Um the biggest problem is this year was um I think uh Carrie didn't put up like seven posters because they automatically eliminate posters if there's
014any words misspelled. Six or seven didn't make. But that that's a great what a great idea. It gives the seniors you know stakeholders helping the town. Yeah. Um at all >> very good. Okay. Now we have one. >> Now we have John Butraish. >> Said that so well. >> Heard it enough. >> And who's number 26 or eight? 26. >> He's number one. Blue one. >> The number on the page is 26. Yes, >> he's making a joke. >> That was a funny ride. >> Trying to make a joke. >> Yeah. Well, trying to figure out if >> the one in our hearts >> number 26 or 28. >> That's number 26. It looks >> You need new glasses. >> Yeah, I do too. >> 26 is the new one. >> All right. Uh, so
015John is usually a little trickier because he takes care of the pretty much the whole town proper, buildings, and grounds. He has a staff of how many? Five. There's six of us all together. >> Okay. >> There's four maintainers, myself, and then a custodian. Then we have the cemeteries, we have a part- timerr, and then when the lake opens, there's four four part- timerrs down there. Regular payroll went up. We're negotiating raises and then longevity used to be in other payroll. We move Jill wanted me to move it over to regular. So that's why there's the 14,000 in increase there. That's why um other payroll went down a little bit. Part-time payroll overtime, excuse me, overtime. It just negotiated raises. Professional educational training, we have to have asbestous training, um training for the recycle center.
016That's where that money comes out of. Um, next big increase was repairs and maintenance services. And that's mostly for when we call in contractors to do repairs. Communications. I think we're going to be okay. We had a little bit higher um cost at Oh, we excuse me. We added cell phones, so that's why that one went up a little. um postage. We should be all right as long as we don't send out a bunch of mailings like last year. Repairs and maintenance supplies. We won't have to buy beach sand this next year. We do that every 3 to four years. So that's a $3,000 that we could reallocate elsewhere in the department. Um heating fuel prices of of pro um natural gas come down just enough. So, we took a little money out of there.
017Electricity. That's I'm still getting used to the new rate. And then they came I just got an email yesterday. They're uh there's a new tax being added to the supply side on per kilo like 0.0072 or something like that. I think that's right. So, >> and we're and we're currently at around 9 cents per kilowatt, >> right? Kilowatt hour. Yeah. >> Yes. Kilowatt hour. >> Medical expenses. That's for the lifeguards and then for our shop. Shouldn't have to change that. Uniforms. I want 25 whole dollars cuz I want to get our cemetery person a shirt. So >> Long sleeve for her. Yeah. And then equipment. That's where we buy our small string trimmers, chainsaws. The copers for the firehouse and the library came out of that. Then we're going to be replacing uh town clerks
018next year. That's where that would come out of and dues and fees. Those are associations we belong to. The tree wards association and um negative school buildings and grounds association. John, on the repairs and maintenance, is there are there specific items or general initiatives uh that are warranting the the increase there? Is there any reason we can't try to be flat there? >> How could I put this? Last year we we transferred in $35,000. This year I'm probably going to be looking to move money around from the town budget from uh Last year I was able to move it around out of my internal payroll because we had the people that weren't >> we lost someone halfway through the year. So I was able to move it. >> So that one's historically low under so
019I'm I'm I'm hesitant to detail that page. >> Okay. I'm looking at like a couple of these that the unodudited actuals from 2425 are lower than the requests for either of the last two years. >> For which one? >> Uh like just for an example, repairs and maintenance, supplies, heating, fuel, um and then equipment, would we be able to just on paper if those actuals end up being lower than what you've requested? Can we, you know, anticipate that and kind of shift up so that we can, you know, account for some of that extra versus like just make it look on paper like we're actually accounting for where we can >> I wouldn't move things around too too much. You're you're you're seeing a very small small window. >> The last three years we've had
020um employee >> Okay. >> stuff >> changes. Yeah. >> I guess is the best way to put it. So we we didn't have the manpower to do the work that we had planned. >> Okay. >> So I'd be hesitant to move move things around historically. >> Well, that answers my other question then. >> The only the only one is heating fuel that that's >> depends on the year. >> Exactly. >> Now the next three pages are all the detail on Okay. >> Yeah. Good job on all this detail. >> I appre I appreciate the uh >> the extra packet. >> I'm sorry. >> No, go ahead. A question I had too is looking on the unodudited actual expenditures as well um for repairs and maintenance services there. What what was the $22,000 difference between the
021adopted and the unodudited expenditures? What happened? >> Let's see. Last year we lost the central air at the center at the um air park. We had >> the boiler at the troopers at the >> troopers. We had the fire department go through their door twice. So there's unexpected that we came up. We had the money from payroll that we were able to move down to cover that. >> Thank you. >> Yes. Thank you. >> Is there any questions for John? Don't look at the add add subtract sheets. I don't like those things. That's why I give you the other stuff. >> So, if nobody has any more questions for John, there's something here that we should talk about. >> Sounds like we're ready. >> John has shared with me that February 5th, 2027, he will
022be retiring. and one of that that may have an impact on this budget cycle. So one of the plans of the previous boards of selection has been when the opportunity arises to hire a director for the buildings and grounds department as well as the highway department. Um, I think given circumstances that the timing is probably something that we should consider. You know, John and I can do a bit of an analysis for the board if we'd like. Uh, we can figure out what that would look like. We can figure out what kind of financial impact that will have, but I think it is something that we need to strongly consider and potentially move in that direction. So just for clarification purposes for the director position that would be like basically John's current role would turn
023into that director position or >> so what back what I what I would envision is John John's current role would no longer be needed >> and we would just not fill that role and we would have a director and we would have to elevate somebody with within John's department to be a working format. which would be essentially the equal for uh to uh to AJ. Would that have an impact for the schools? Would they also need to elevate somebody to a working performance position? Probably. I just don't know who they would over there. And then the current crew director would oversee buildings and grounds >> and I it would it would provide some much needed help also to help the selectman's office with project management and other things buffer zone kind of >> correct. So
024you had mentioned impacts on the budget cycle. Does it have an impact on what we're seeing here or would it impact something else? >> I didn't numbers in there for >> right. So I you know John John and I will have to do a little bit of an I I suspect that there will be some impact to the payroll area but probably not and I and honestly we would have to we haven't had this discussion. This is pretty new hot off the press information. John recently met with his financial advisor >> and I think and he shared with me this congratulations. >> Um thank you. >> What better way to announce it than to the town I'm reporting. >> We did have a conversation and he said it was safe to talk about that you
025know well >> deserved. He's here for the duration and he's going to give 125% which he normally does every day. You know this is this is a guy that shows up every day between 4 and 4:30 in the morning to go to work. is your gut that it's going to be uh net increase in the budget, net decrease or about flat because you're sh you're eliminating position but you're elevating and then you're adding the position. >> So I I I I think it's going to be a slight increase. I don't think it's going to be tremendous. >> I think be 200 >> but it's going to have noticeable impacts in town if you have people of a higher poser positions overseeing the each department and then someone overseeing those three. Yes. >> But with any
026luck, they could also overlook some smaller projects, grant projects or whatever, >> and take the heat off of the administration. >> I will tell you that it will help the selectman's office. >> Is that kind of synonymous with like a public works director or is it different? >> Similar. >> Yeah. Many times public works directors also, you know, are buildings and grounds directors. a typical group in many towns they do both. >> So hearing that are you thinking then that this person may also be able to help in like what we were talking about yesterday with the um area at 6 and 44 getting additional um infrastructure and stuff. >> Yeah. Well between grants and just organization of of those projects. So that I mean that would be a state project but you know they
027certainly could be you know depending on their their area and level of expertise that may be something that appropriately they're involved in. >> Sorry to see you go man. >> They'd be a great help on some of the smaller project. Yeah, I mean, you know, the the construction projects that we have, you know, having somebody in that position, I mean, John John helps me some now when he can, but he's spread pretty thin because he's still he's still a working supervisor. Um, you know, he get he gets his hands dirty. He's out there plowing, you know, um, when he when he needs to. So, it's, you know, it's going to be it's going to be a it's going to be a Jed but you know I I I think it's appropriate in time. We cons
028we considered it when uh when when Lance Demick retired from the highway department. It just we did not feel that it was the appropriate timing. I I do think that upon John's retirement it is the appropriate timing. When Lance was retiring, I had just started to take over the school part of it and to do that and then that at the same time which killed somebody. >> It's the school had their own supervisor. So there was three people highway buildings and the school. So those two those two got combined and John was willing to take it. >> Right. When when the when the supervisor for the facilities at the school retired, we reconsolidated positions and made John a townwide facilities director. And that happened with Sandy and I. I was interim town administrator at that
029point and Sandy was then first selecting >> and it would help with AJ's job as well who's not retired. S's not going yet. Maybe someday. Huh, Jay? >> Yeah, someday. That's for sure. Eventually. >> So, with that being brought up and briefly discussed, are there any other questions? >> John and I will work on the analysis and we'll bring it back to you during this budget. >> Okay. Because that's my comment was going to be that. >> Yeah, we'll bring we'll bring it back to you so that you can look at it, >> right? And then in that analysis too you kind of look at a a market rate too. >> Yes, we will do we will do a salary we will look at the salary survey for that kind of position. >> Thank you.
030>> I don't I don't think we're going to be too far off from where John's current pay rate is, but we'll we'll have to see. >> It probably will change whoever you >> the bigger change will be whoever gets elevated potentially within your department. have to bring it up to the rest of his supervisors. >> So, it's not necessarily a working director position. >> He won't have time to >> He won't have time. >> Yeah. So, there would be We'd have to hire another replacement for >> I don't I don't think so. >> I I think what you're going to have to start thinking about just because of all the projects going on. >> Well, because of the infrastructure added. >> Yeah. >> They you might be adding another person in the department, another laborer.
031I mean, come come summertime, we're we're flat out, >> right? >> And then you add another trail, another soccer field, >> we feel John and I have had this discussion. We feel like we're okay this year, >> you know, but but next year we're either going to be probably either looking for more summer help or just another >> I would lean towards that summer position is a great great position. >> What's that? >> That summer position is a great position. >> Did you do it sometime? Why don't I remember you? >> 13 years ago. >> My memory. This is another reason why I'm retired. >> I probably called you kid all the time, right? >> Yeah. Because I >> I don't learn people's names. >> But well, you remember that you acknowledge it. So you're
032good. >> Remember the kid. >> Yeah. >> Good kid. Um so yeah it is a good in all seriousness it is a good position and good good opportunity both for the department and for the um students that >> and we we encourage you know young men and young women from town to apply. I mean we we love to see it when it's a local that gets a job. >> We've been lucky with the Dupy family the last >> I don't know what we do without >> seriously they have been our summer help for the last four years. >> Three met Indian notch right? >> Yep. the father, the daughter and the son. >> Yep. Left the year before that was two sons and father and the daughter >> or the whole staff were dies and
033the other one is a cousin. >> Oh, no kidding. Yeah. >> Wow. >> Or was a cousin. >> We lucked out. Having having Brian there was has been real help for us. It used to be that one of us would have to work the weekends, which always sucked, but it takes away for us doing work and talent. >> Oh, right. >> Yeah. >> Work with Brian. >> Brian there. >> Right. So, a couple years couple years ago, we elevated his pay and sort of made a new, you know, lead position there. He's filled it very well. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. >> Now I'm embarrassed. You know that. Everybody call kid. >> No. I don't remember. That's the bad part. >> Back in your old videos. >> Thank you, John. >> Thanks, John. >> All
034right. Next, we have >> Alexander J. Golden L7 AJ sir who was a highway department supervisor. All right. So we um we have uh for our payroll we start we have a you know minor increase there just for our um you know uh the new contract coming out for uh the maintainers. And then um uh they all have you know I think a 3% increase and then um we um there's also um the longevity payments in there. Um so that's just you know kind we have one employee that is or has gone from 90% pay to 100% pay. Right. That's right. >> And also is plays a part in that. >> Yep. And um and then we uh and we so we took our other payroll and we uh you know that's where we move
035moved it into. So we have nothing but a seasonal uh you know employee but uh >> where do you put the seasonal money >> uh into >> payroll? Payroll. >> So that's just going to be a gone category next year or something. >> Yeah. Yeah, we don't need to find. So, there were there's you know that that was a vision of the previous um highway supervisor who wanted to be able to hire some summer help and and never did. and a bit of it. AJ took money out of it last year because it was originally $10,000 >> and he, you know, in order to keep a flat budget last year, he took money out of that last year, uh, and has remove the balance of it this year because he has no he doesn't feel
036that there's a need or the has the intention to hire some. >> Yeah. It's, you know, it's different with some of the work we do. >> You're too special. >> Yeah. and you're operating heavy equipment and it's Yeah, it's it's it's very different than John's department. >> It's not just a wheelbarrow. >> Yeah. >> Um um so then the overtime was adjusted as well. Uh similar rate just for the you know uh increases in pay. Uh and then um our next Yeah, let's see. Oh yeah, tree trimming. So yeah, we we took 3,000 out of there. Uh and uh and that's just because like the for six or eight weeks this year, Eversource had four crews in town opening up all the power lines. Uh and then that's on top of um our normal, you
037know, regularly scheduled uh tree trimming that we do through throughout the year. So, um we're pretty well caught up. >> Do how are we doing with the uh with the dead ash trees? You feel like we're like reasonably caught up there? >> Yeah, absolutely. because I know for a couple years that we had to add money to that category because of the the ash trees. >> Yes. Yeah. Um no, I think I think so. I mean it's you know we have a few uh there's a few I mean there's definitely a few left around but um I mean for the most part we're in pretty good shape. I mean we've gotten most of the what we've been cutting recently have been a lot of white oak you know. Yeah. Um, >> so this is all
038town property on roadways and parks and >> or just roads >> parks come out of John's budget. >> Yeah. >> Um, but but the the usually along the edges of roadways or AJ's jurisdiction >> anywhere in the rightway pretty much. Um, >> and a couple other spots maybe that aren't, but there's sighteline issues um, you know, that we've we've trimmed. um you know, just from what I can remember. But >> right then, uh so then we're Yeah, we're pretty square down through uh to our uniforms and supplies where I I uh added Oh, >> could we go back to road sweeping? Uh did >> Oh, >> yeah. Weren't we having issues with road sweeping guys? >> Yes. Well, >> whatever they wanted. >> Uh not necessarily that just uh more it's more of the u
039availability. Yeah. you know, most towns have gone away from sand and so they don't really have as much need, I think, for sweeping as, you know, as they used to. And so, a lot of a lot of companies have kind of gone by the wayside. >> And you're comfortable with staying flat. >> We're using we're using NIP fund money to cover the balance. is usually around 15,000 12 to $15,000 for street speed sweeping, >> but we get a significant amount of money from the NIP tax. And this is an acceptable use of >> the NIP taxip. >> Yeah. The ones that you see. Yeah. >> Yeah. It's an acronym for nippers. >> Yeah. So we So there's a there's a tax there's a tax on those nippers. Um, >> and the state reallocates it based
040on where they're purchased. >> Correct. And >> interestingly, interesting. Interestingly enough, >> the package stores in this town sell approximately 600 a day. >> It's unbelievable. >> And again, they all end up at my yard. You probably saw them when you were there. >> That's crazy. >> Sounds like we need another state trooper. >> So, yeah. So, it's uh so so yeah, it's it's an amazing number. dead. >> How How many liquors do we have in town? >> Four. >> Oh, >> and if you And if you look at the roadways near those liquid, >> it's like Yeah, it's small. It's like they're 1% of the >> But it's it's enough to cover the balance of our street sweeping. >> And how many package stores that? Three. >> Three. >> Yeah. Three. >> So you're
041selling 200 a piece a day. All right. >> So then hypothetically in the event that this tax were to end or whatever and we were not to collect the funding, we would just have to reallocate within this budget. >> That's correct. >> Previously we had >> all of a sudden the money dried up. >> I remember we had to go to bid for that and it was always you had a bid waiver because there was only one or two that would do it and one would respond. >> I AJ and I have already had discussions about street sweeping. He's working on trying to find somebody >> and pro part of the problem was last year we did get somebody but it was May and we really need street sweeping in April. >> Yeah. And and
042that was scheduled in January, >> you know. So >> one year we had a company that just went out of business and didn't even show up show up and tell us or anything >> couple years ago. You know, a AJ and I have had conversations about doing it in house, but that, you know, that ties up his entire crew for at least a week or 10 days. >> Yeah. >> Would you would then rent the sweeper? >> Yeah. >> Yes. >> And it's it's 10,000 a month for for a sweeper to rent. Um, and that's, you know, that's a brand new machine. Uh, you know, right? It's right from Chadwick Barose in uh South Windsor. But, um, >> what's your projected time to finish the tab time in the hour? Oh, I think it I
043mean it normally takes uh it takes about two weeks, you know, about 10 10 working days. Yeah. >> So, they takes you away from other stuff. >> It it does, right? >> If it's being >> Yeah. So, with this 5,000 or whatever it ends up being, they supply the sweeper and we supply the dump trucks, right? Yep. >> So, we have to follow them around either way. >> So, we're using a we're using a water truck and a dump truck. So, we've got two people tied up rather than the entire crew tied up. >> Yeah. So, I mean, it's to That's not the end of what it costs this week. It cost us two weeks of labor. So >> we sell 600 nips and 200 coffees a day. Sell more nips and we can erase
044this whole line. So >> yeah, should be. >> So you're right though. If the state decided to do something else with the net money, we'd be up the creek on that line. >> Well, then we could just get a literary fee and start charging for that. Put some cameras and yards and >> So anyways, well, one of your week of pay is $6,000. So that's about a wash, too. >> Well, yeah. I mean, the 5,000 that's in there would would cover us. I mean, if we were were to rent, you know, say say like you said that money magically went away, I guess, you know. All right. >> But then they're not doing there's something else that you're not doing. >> No. Right. Exactly. >> Right. No. >> Yeah. I was just saying, you know,
045worst case scenario. >> Sounds like that's taken care of. So, the uniforms and supplies, you said I viz is >> Yeah. Yes. Uh yeah, I wanted Yeah, I wanted to get uh renew our PPE um you know, vests and um and I've already started with hard hats, but um a lot of the stuff that we have, you know, is either you know, it expires actually, you know, sounds crazy, but the hard hats do do expire. And so I mean uh really I'd like to get some some stuff where we have the town seal and and everyone's, you know, uniform and sharp and, you know, high contrast. Um it's just it is very important, you know, it's our kind of our last line of defense, you know, in in the street. Um and um but yeah,
046that was that's that. And then the um my equipment line. So yeah, I wanted to get a um um a hopper broom for our skid steer attachment. Um, so that way we have the ability to to you know sweep on a smaller scale like or we're working in the road or say if we're you know we mill we mill a road on a Friday and then they're not going to pave until Monday you know that Monday morning before they pave we would be able to go and sweep sweep the you know section of road that we've milled up or whatever the case is. But you know having that attachment for um >> what would that attach to? Oh >> our skid steer. Is that a shared piece of equipment that I share with John? >>
047I was say, doesn't John have one of those? Like the broom attachment? >> He has a uh he has like a I guess it's called a It basically it sweeps and pushes, you know, everything. This this collects. Okay. >> So, this collects this this actually sweeps the opposite way. So, as you're driving >> Yeah. Yeah. They're great. >> Um and it's got a dust suppression um you know, tank. >> Yeah. That was going to be my question is would it be more cost efficient to rent like how frequency of use and cheaper to rent? >> Um I you know I guess you know it could be but I think that the um you know I think having the ability to kind of use it any time having it is is really important. I'm thinking before
048road races before you know the town events in the center you know we'd be able to run it around really quick. >> What's what's the what's the total investment for that? Uh, it's like 9,500 bucks. >> And when you when you rent equipment now, right? So, let's say that you were going to rent a room. >> Yeah. >> What kind of time does it take to go get it, bring it back, install it, >> um, >> use it, and then bring it back? >> It's tricky with certain things with attachment, renting attachments, but, um, you know, I mean, it takes a couple hours to get it. I mean, and then to to hook it up and and when you're getting something that's not necessarily not yours, you know, it takes a little time to figure
049it out. But, I mean, it's not anything super complicated where, you know, where you we couldn't where we couldn't do that, you know. I think it's um um last time I looked, I think it's maybe I think it's 700 bucks a week uh to rent. Um >> Sure. I mean, 700 bucks, I think that would be the couple hours that he's talking about of installation and and changeover. So, >> yeah, >> definitely have to think about what what that cost is as well. >> It's definitely worth owning something like that versus renting. Um, but I think we can probably find one used. Yeah. >> For a lot I bought one for $2,000. >> Yes. >> Three years ago. It's awesome. >> That would be Yeah, I absolutely >> 4 in wide. >> Yes, that's exactly
050what I was like. >> We bought it for one job. >> Yeah. >> That's great. >> Use it all the time. Jim, as an administer an administrator with experience in this, is this typically something that would be in a capa or it's smaller? >> It's too small. We got the 10,000 or above. >> So, this is just a kind of discretionary u equipment >> equipment for the highway department to decide on. Okay. >> I think it's something that makes sense to include potentially we could shrink the number just a little bit just based on experience with buying a used one. >> Yeah. >> Cool. So, do we do that now? The shrinking. >> You can or you can deliberate after you've seen all the budgets and figure out where you're at and make some decisions
051at that point. >> We just want to note that we can >> to be clear, we wish we could do everything most of the time, but >> yeah, >> you know, we had six referendums last year. >> Yeah. Yeah. No doubt. >> Be responsible. >> Yeah. No, absolutely. >> And be creative. And maybe in the meantime, AJ, you want to do some research on used ones? Yeah. You know, >> so if we have to have you back and talk about making some changes to your budget, you're prepared to throw out what maybe is an average reasonable cost. >> Yeah. I I actually I have a couple of saved right now used ones that I found recently. U but same thing for one was 4,300. uh one I'm I mean again they're sure they're even less
052but yeah the one last one I was looking at it was basically brand new 84 in with the water tank and the curb brush and yeah it was like 4,300 bucks some somebody had you know purchased it again this is on you know um Facebook marketplace so I don't know exactly if we can you know purchase you know stuff out there but that's just a representation of >> Clark you know just keep your eyes open and >> yeah absolutely >> okay cool Definitely if we have to shrink the number, you've got, you know, we can have some reasonable comfort. That's something that maybe we can afford. >> I think it's worthwhile to have one. >> Yeah. >> Sounds like it's one of those things that once you have it, you use it. >> Saves a
053ton of time. And that's one of those things that renting is just by the time you rent it 10 times a year, it's like such a waste. It's better to own it. >> Yeah. Right. >> There's very little maintenance on it. And I suspect the one that the building department has pushes and creates us. So they would want to borrow it as well. >> Oh, I'm sure. Yeah. So that's that's >> it would be huge. I I was talking to John about that actually a couple of weeks ago. I was saying the same thing. They get buzzed through the parking lot really quick. >> Sounds like a worthwhile thing. We'll just figure out the best way to >> Well, and it could be used at the schools as well, not not just on, you know,
054>> dust picking up on people's cars >> and like, you know, in between snowstorms. If it doesn't snow for a month, the parking lot out here is a mess. You could just run around there for 30 minutes and clean up the parking lot mid, you know, several times a winter, waiting till April to >> That's it. That's that's Yeah, that's my thought. or no >> a question I had back on payroll too looking at unodudited actual expenditures uh visav this year's request that's about like a 70k difference uh what is that done >> uh so we had uh we were without uh full staff for a good portion of last last year um and uh so I think that's that's where that number you know shrunk so much I would agree with that >> so
055down one FTE >> yeah for for a good portion of the year. >> Partial FTE. >> Partial FT sounds like >> all of the all of the employee all of the all of the employees that work at the highway department are full-time employees >> and we had one >> FTE that was not filled for a good portion of the year. >> So that that would explain that difference and that individual does not get hired at 100% of the pay. It gets is it 90 is it 90% and then goes to 95 and 100%. >> Yep. and we we will hit that 100% in this pay and I will say that I questioned some of AJ's numbers here and I asked him to go with sit down with our payroll person and there was some adjustment
056but this isn't this is an accurate number based on the actual number of pay periods longevity pay and all of that stuff as done by payroll. >> Yeah. >> Staff >> the increase. >> What was Yeah. What was what were the discrepancies that you found? >> So I I I thought So >> when I looked at this, I looked at the 4%. I'm like, how can it be 4%. How can we be going up 4% because >> AJ's contractual increase was is 2.75%. The other group is 3%. But part part of it is the fact that there is two contracts and we've got an employee that is going to 100% pay. I think we hadn't budgeted for 100% pay in the year before. It was probably at 90 or 95%. And so that that is
057what caught my eye and I said to AJ, can you go back and look at this with with Lisa? And so that's exactly what he did. And it came down a little bit around00. >> Yeah. About 2,000. Yeah. Yeah. >> Y it came down a little% >> went up 4%. >> Yeah. Yeah. Okay. >> No, I see that. >> So that's that's what caught my eye. >> And then like just more of a fundamental question too. Where do we incorporate fringe? >> Fringe is is in the finance budget. >> Okay. So the entirety of the town's fringe sits in >> is in finance. Yeah. We'll see that. >> Well, because the insure the health insurance is one lump sum, for example, >> right? Health insurance and retirement benefits and everything, right? >> Right. But it's
058>> you you >> when I report salaries at work, I include salaries and fringe on that as the bottom line. So I we split it out as >> it's right. It's put down into a different budget, >> right? Which then makes it kind of difficult too because of our our different contracts. Everyone has a different fringe rate as well, >> which it almost >> Yeah. I mean, right. I mean, >> there's going to be some like, you know, 5% difference. >> Well, some I mean, some of it some of it is based on, you know, what insurance they take. Are they single? Are they, you know, two people? Are they a family? Um, but, you know, large largely the rest of it very close. Um but yes it it does it does vary a little
059bit from contract to contract and um so yes it's not it's not easy to break out per department. >> Some get shoes some don't worried about it and it would be the retirement benefits. >> Thank you. >> Oh yeah absolutely. Um and so then um I guess our next spray here we got road repairs and um went up a small small percentage but I mean it was just a really a cost of material and trucking increase and um you know that's we we gave a 100,000 back last year um and uh u so I'm really I'll be at a very similar um rate just you know it's a minor increase for cost of materials >> which I I will tell you I'm concerned erned about because the cost of road repairs is not decreasing. It's
060going up >> and the amount of money we get from Town Road is is not enough to replace what we've, you know, removed over the last couple years. So, we're we're we're okay this year. We have around $500,000 sort of saved up in town road money, but we don't get $500,000 a year. We only get about $100,000 a year. Well, sometimes things pop up that we use that for project >> that's correct. We did. So, you know, so we we have to this town does a very good job of keeping its road maintenance and repairs on a very good schedule and if we fall behind on that, we'll never get it back. So, >> we're we're good this year. You know, I asked AJ to increase it a little bit. He did. you know, we're
061we're at a comfort level, but I think this is something we got to keep an eye on in the future and not we don't want to be losing ground there because again, I think if we lose ground, we'll never make it up. >> What was the major repair? >> Was it the >> So, what what we what was that? >> I'm sorry. >> What we ended what we ended up doing is we really needed a town hall parking lot. It had it had been pulled off for years and years and years >> and it was bordering on being unsafe. And so we we discussed it at length and what we did was we used money out of this line item in the in the town budget out of town money and we replaced it with
062town aid road money um to do projects that we had planned on town streets because town a road money can't be used off the road. >> So we couldn't use town a road money for the parking lot. So we what we did was we used money out of this budget which was perfectly acceptable to take care of the town hall parking lot and then replaced it with town a little road money. So we've we've had other things right. I mean, we had a few years back, we had a failure of uh some I think it was metal piping under Enrico Road, and we ended up using Town A Road money to go in and um reline those with cure in place fiberglass lining, which saved us a ton of money. >> It's a cool. Uh
063the other thing we did was we did the last year we used town a road money to take care of a serious drainage issue up at the at the end of Valerie Drive. Y >> as part of the high reach farm there was some collapsed pipe there and so we spent around $142,000 out of town road money to undertake that project. And so that might start explaining some of the my next question too. Looking at the unudited expenditures, it's, you know, $389,000 and this year's request being 250, is that 139 or whatever part of where the was that either money recovered in a transfer or was that? >> Yeah, I don't I don't remember whether I don't remember whether it was a transfer. So I don't we wouldn't account for town a road money in
064here. So it had to be money that we moved into into that space. >> So then looking at this budget too without previous years on on an um is this 250,000 practically low if we did if we didn't have town aid load money. Yes. That's why that's why I'm calling attention to it. I want the board to really be thinking about this so that we're not you know we don't want to be in trouble. Well, and then is there a more practical number that we should be considering? >> It sounds like, if I could paraphrase, maybe if the town aid savings decreases to an uncomfortable level, right, next year, then we would consider bringing this budget back up maybe because it sounds like you have like,000. So, okay. With that, >> that's I want the
065board to be aware, you know. Yeah. You you guys are all going to be sitting here again next year. Um, I guess the part we don't know is what projects are planned for this year to consume. So that was going to be my next question. >> That's where you're is this is the money that you put on that line item sufficient for the road repairs that you have planned for next year. >> If we use some town aid road and we'll get another 90 or $100,000 in town a road money, >> okay, >> next fiscal year. So I AJ and I we discussed this and we have a comfort level >> with this number. I just want us to think about not just this year but the future which is why I wanted to you
066know call it out and have the discussion. >> What is the the criteria or protocol for paving roads? Do we have like schedule how yeah how is that determined because I see roads get paved that my opinion seemingly don't need to be paved. >> So I'm I'm gonna let AJ AJ is is more of an expert here than I am. So AJ inherited a road maintenance schedule. >> Is there like a I know Lance was pretty particular about >> Yeah. No, but yes, there there there is a schedule. Yeah. And we Yeah, we we went we went through that and then now we have um I mean we have roads lined up for for this this year to do as well. >> Okay. >> Um >> so different roads on different time schedules based on
067>> Yeah. So I have a chart and usage and >> Yep. And when was the last time they were done with with curb without curb catch basin tops without you know new tops and um >> yeah so I I have a whole chart I >> okay >> I could provide I definitely give you >> I'd be curious to see that agree that would be good. The other thing is you know AJ and I have discussed this. We haven't really moved forward with it yet, but we're we're talking about a project where we actually hire a specialist company to come in and they actually drive the roads with compactor testers. >> Well, there they're there are different instruments that measure different things on the road and they will help us truly develop a more >> more
068scientific um you know, road maintenance schedule. because different roads were built at different times with different specs, different usages. >> We also we also know that certain roads that were built by certain developers have less chance of long-term survival based on >> Yeah. >> what's under them. >> Yeah. >> Other roads were built better than others. >> Yeah. Uh but you know, and you'll you'll notice that some roads maybe don't appear to be worn out, but when you drive down them, it feels like you're driving on a washboard. >> Those those are roads that have horrible bases. >> And you you'll find that, you know, there's there's maybe three or four inches of base in the middle of the road, but there's nothing by the time you get to the edge of the road, which
069makes some of our projects more expensive. So, you know, one of the roads that AJ did last year was Rocket Road and that was a full reclaim and what they found under that road was not much base. It was really terrible. We also were able to take care of, you know, a seepage problem. >> How did that pass then? >> We we had we had a different engineering team that did not look as carefully at roads. >> So, had had that road been done before or was that original to the neighborhood? I think that was original. >> Okay. So, that would have been about the same time that they screwed up the well in my yard. >> No, no, now that knows quite well. >> Yeah, >> cuz he he came and regraded part of
070it. But >> so I I don't know. Maybe that's more information than you wanted, but hopefully it helps answer the question. >> It's not surprising, but >> Well, you hate to get too far into the weeds. you know, it's kind of like their job to keep track of that and but just overall it's nice to know but >> detail is >> perta as it pertains to this you know in my mind like if you've got a chart of all the roads in town and >> you know each road has a cost to re reclaim repave or you know whatever whatever >> just by it length >> service interval right this this budget you know I mean you could pick you know certain It it seems to me that this number would change could change drastically
071year to year based on what roads come up for their so now we know we can so we're we're trying to do about the same length >> trying to keep it even >> right so what are we doing about a mile a year >> well yeah so about I'd say about that a little maybe a little more like this past year we did u >> we did we did a portion of French road >> yeah and that was about a mile >> that was about a mile in itself >> and that was about 250 50 260,000 and >> so it's a $260,000 per mile >> per mile. Yeah. And that's just milling overlay and that was with with uh my you know they didn't that's not full length curb on both sides. It's just you
072know only certain spots of curb. >> You guys do the catch basins yourself? >> Yes. There were no catch basins though on that that section. So forunate. >> Yeah. >> But but that's that um you know the pre-cast is not all that expensive you know. Um >> 600 bucks a piece. >> Yeah. So roughly right around there. Yep. Yeah. Depending on the type. Uh but um >> takes a day for a couple guys to replace one. Depends on the condition of the basin, >> right? Yeah. Sometimes you got to you know pge them up and and reseal everything. And a lot a lot of them a lot of them that we've come across I'd say about 90 or 95% are are unsealed. A lot of them. I mean so >> every once in a while
073you find one you've got to start at the bottom and and do the whole thing. >> Yep. So, it's, you know, but that's all kind of as you go, you know, you find out. I mean, you know, you assess ahead of time. I figure out what I need for parts and, you know, go through the road and kind of get a good idea obviously, you know, as good as you can. And then, >> um, you know, >> what do we have? 40 miles. >> 44. >> Yep. >> Good guess. Yeah. Not bad. I've heard it before. I sometimes pay attention to these stats, right? I guess, you know, the reason for my question is that, you know, it is a overall it's a lot of money, so it makes sense to scrutinize it as much
074as I'm not saying it hasn't been. I'm just me not knowing. >> Yeah. >> No, I could totally agree. >> It adds up to a lot of money. So, like >> it would make sense to try to be as efficient as possible in the protocol of deciding what gets done and when. >> Yeah. And in addition to that, transparent to say that we this is this is the schedule. So if we go from 250 the last two years and we need to go to 390, it's because this road this specific road >> is longer is bad. Correct. >> You can point to it and Yeah. >> Yeah. Well, the good news is we can also do sections, right? So French road we did a section. >> Yeah. >> It was broken into two, you know,
075two two sections. >> There's got to be an economy of scale of when you have vehicles there. It is dramatically cheaper. So the the other thing we decided we the other thing we try to do is schedule the projects back to back so that they're not going somewhere else and then coming back >> because that you know we pay for that mobilization and demobilization >> right would be a considerable component >> right so so we try to you know a AJ has already identified what his his roads are for next year and he's already planning that and so typically what he does is he tries to schedule that you may Have you already scheduled? >> Yes. >> Yeah, absolutely. >> Anthony, right? So, an Anthony Road I think is the first one to be done
076next. >> Yeah, Alexis. Yeah, >> Alexa. Oh, sorry. >> No, Anthony was just done. >> Right. Sorry, I meant Alexis. >> Don't get >> Yes. Right. >> Yeah. I don't want to get >> Thank you for the correction. Thank you for the correction. Yeah, Alexis will be the next one to be done. >> And so, you know, he's already he already knows what he needs to order and he knows what's going to happen after that. So the the goal is to have to be able if are you doing more than that in the spring or >> Yeah. I wanted to I think we're just going to do that >> just that because I this you know >> we've got other >> this fall. Yeah. >> And we did a lot this year. >> We did
077a lot this year. Yeah. I've already I mean so basically Town 8 road more or less will just about cover Alexis or close to you know most of it because um I mean doing like I said I did a mile uh plus I did um what let's see we did um was that last year? Yeah, Meadow. Yep. Meadow. We did Meadow French and um the town hall parking lot. Uh jeez, >> Randy last year, the year before. >> The year before. Yep. Uh and then yeah, Rocco. Rocco was actually paid out of the previous year. >> Supervisor when Brandy was >> Oh, wow. Okay. >> Yeah. Oh, and I did the line striping on Brandy this this year. That's the the new lines got added. >> Lux. >> Yeah. And Oh, and Lux. That's right.
078We did Luxway and Walden Walden Way as well. So, >> and that that was the end of um um you know, >> and there was a lot of there was a lot of curbing work. >> Yes. Yeah. >> Well, and then too because driving around town, you see a good amount of busted curves. >> Yeah. >> That comes out of this budget then, too. >> Yes. >> Yep. >> Talking about the one that you saw on your way here. >> Yeah. >> Right. And lost the battle with a plow. >> Y >> Alexis. >> Yeah. So, well, the and the ones the one on on Alexis, uh, it's you can you can tell why it's got to be done, you know. Z curb on both sides. >> Yep. Curb on both sides all the way
079down. Yep. And, um, that the the culde-sac down there is in >> Oh, yeah. The end of that road, it's it's a bit >> I mean, especially now in the winter when you go going down it, it's >> Well, you can tell it was paved in two different sections, too, because that like all halfway down that hill, it just gets up. Yeah, >> so our other option is to save up $1.5 million and do the whole town all at once. >> Maybe we can get a donor. >> The one thing the one thing that you don't want to do and some towns do this and they just they you don't want to be bonding for doing roads. That that is a huge mistake, I think. >> Yes. And towns do it and there are other
080towns that only do what they can afford with town aid road and their roads are in abysmal condition. >> Yeah, we we we Lance and his predecessor did a tremendous job taking care of our roles and that's not >> if we if we lose that we're again I think you know you'll never you'll never get caught up. No, I will say too, I was saying earlier that I moved to town three years ago and I was one of the things I was and I'm a cyclist and one of the things impressed with is how awesome our roads are to ride on. So, >> yeah, kudos and thank you. >> Oh, awesome. Great. >> Any other questions for AJ? >> Yes, sir. >> Thank you. Uh that concludes our meeting for the evening unless there's something
081anybody else cares to discuss about these three budgets. It's only about 20 more to go. So do you want us to take these or leave them here? >> You're welcome to leave them here if you like. You know, have your name on them. We'll store them in the office. Bring them up for the next meeting. Well, you'll get emailed, you know, the material for the next meeting and there'll be hard copies in there for you when you come back for the next meeting. >> Next Tuesday is our next one. >> I believe that's happening. >> Thank you, AJ. >> Hey, absolutely. Yeah. Thank you. >> Thank you, AJ. >> We have good night. >> Any news on snow tonight? >> Uh, I'm going to go check right now. We'll see what it looks like. >>
082It's supposed We're supposed to be getting half to half an inch to an inch. I guess we don't have to adjourn, >> do we? >> You should. >> I know. I'll make a motion to adjurnn. >> I will second. >> Okay, that was everybody made the motion. Tim seconded. >> All in favor? >> I meeting adjourned. Thank you everybody.