001I'd like to call the public hearing to order. I'd like to start this off by reading the legal notice of public hearing that we posted recently. Legal notice of public hearing, board of selectment, town of Portland, Connecticut, pursuant to section 503II of the Portland Town Charter. A public hearing will be held by the board of selectmen on Wednesday, April 22nd at 6:50 in the Mary Flood Room right here, 20 Freestone Avenue, Portland, Connecticut to provide residents the opportunity to comment both orally and in writing on the proposed 2026 Connecticut neighborhood assistant act NNA program available to interested nonprofit organizations in Portland dated this 8th day of April 2026 by myself, Michael A. Pelton for selectment. So with that, would someone like to read the resolution that we discussed back at that last meeting? >> Yes.
002>> All right. Dave has volunteered. Thank you, sir. >> Volunte resolution board of selectment town of Portland, Connecticut. April 22nd, 2026. 26 2026 neighborhood assistance uh act uh aka NAA program participation. Whereas the state of Connecticut Department of Revenue Services providing the town of Portland the opportunity to participate in the 2026 neighborhood assistance act, thus allowing interested nonprofit organizations within the municipality to submit applications. And whereas in accordance with the state of Connecticut Department of Revenue Services, the board of selected shall hold a public hearing on all programs and the governing body of the municipality must vote to approve these programs. Now and therefore be it resolved that the town of Portland board of selectment does hereby designate the first selectman Michael A. Helton as leazison to handle all neighborhood assistance act matters. >> All
003right. Thank you David. So um are there any questions from the audience? Seeing none again are there any any folks online that have any questions with regards to this program? No. Okay. Wait another minute and then we will close out the hearing. So since the last meeting, I wanted to investigate how many folks had taken advantage of this. I think it was a question >> and we've had in the last six years that we look back uh one nonprofit in town that did apply for this. So, it is something that maybe uh could be taken advantage of more by the residents in town. So, um I will endeavor to see if I can find more information out and post additional for those nonprofits in town that may be able to benefit from this. >> That'
004be good. I I mean, I had never heard of it, but >> Right. And I think a lot of them have it. >> Yeah, >> I agree. So, listen, we all want to take advantage of as many programs as we can. So, >> all right. With that, I see no questions both online and in person. So, I would like to close our public hearing. Would someone like to second that? >> I'll second it. >> All those in favor? I opposed abstension. Motion passes. We are we are adjourned till our 7:00 meeting. Thank you very much. board of selectman regular meeting tonight. Let's stand for the pledge of allegiance if you're able to. >> If not, we will speak the rest. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the
005republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Very good. >> Thank you very much. Um, with regards to the agenda, I only have two additions I'd like to add, uh, if it's the board's pleasure. One, I'd like to add, uh, Mr. Robinson to the, um, to the agenda for tonight. After 5 uh we have correspondence and communications and we have the presentation of the auditors who are here today like to add 5A financial report by Tom Robinson. >> Did someone make the motion? >> I'll make that motion. >> I'll second it. >> All right. And all those in favor? >> I opposed motion passes. That was easy. See if I can get a second one in here. Second one I'd like to add is I'd like
006to add under follow-up items. We had discussed at several meetings ago about creating a shared services or some kind of committee to examine what we can do ongoing to consolidate services, save money in whatever way we can. Um, so I'd like to add to number 12 follow-up items. Uh, I guess we could say uh work on creating a shared committee. Yeah. On 12, >> I guess three or third dot, whatever you want to call >> creation of shared services committee. >> Yeah. Uh, discussion of and creating a shared service um committee. So, I'd like to talk about the details of that, get input. >> I'll make that motion. >> All right, >> I'll second it. >> Give it quick today. That was good. Um all those in favor? >> I opposed abstension. Motion passes. Thank
007you very much. I think it's important that we start that process. I know we have the budget coming [clears throat] up May 11th to vote on that. So, we had promised residents and taxpayers we would uh be working on that and we shall do what we said we're going to do. All right. Uh with that, uh motion to accept the agenda. Make that motion. >> Vinnie, would you like to second that? All right, Vinnie, second it. All those in favor? >> I opposed the abstension. Motion passes. >> All right. Uh, has everyone reviewed the minutes from our regular meeting on April 8th as well as the special meeting, April 15th? >> Yes. >> All right. I I've done both. I'm going to make a motion for both of those. Could someone make a motion to
008approve both of those? >> I will. I'll make a motion to approve the minutes from the regular April 8th meeting as well as the special April 15th meeting. >> I'll second that. >> John seconds that. Any discussion? All those in favor? >> I >> opposed. Motion passes. Thank you very much. All right. Communication and correspondence. I just have a few things that I'd like to talk about now so we can get through this meeting a little bit quicker. All right. We have a couple things coming up. So, we have a couple dates and meetings coming up. I think are important. Um, we have a, as everyone knows, we have a budget referendum as well as the school referendum. Those are both on May 11th at the high at the middle school. So, please be aware
009of that. We want as much turnout as possible. Um, have your voice heard, but that is very important. Uh, and that'll be again May 11th. Please come out for that. Um, second date that's important is on May 4th, there's the annual town budget meeting. We have talked about the budget. We have the budget referendum on the 11th, but on the 4th um we will have a meeting in the middle in a Portland middle school at 7 o'clock where you can come out and ask questions about the budgets that one last time you have to get engaged with the budget. So, uh if you have questions on it that weren't answered by all the various meetings that we have had, uh then that is the time to come out. So, annual town budget meeting May 4th,
0107 p.m. That's a Monday night. Please come out for that if you can. We also have a meeting on Monday, April 27th at 7 o'clock. This is a special town meeting with regards to the referendum. Uh that's at 7 o'clock at the middle school uh high school or the middle school auditorium. Again, uh that will be if you have any questions about that particular topic. Um it'll be it's already posted on the website. Uh and we've put a great deal of information out there on that. Um but please come to that. Um, we also have a couple events coming up that have been posted lately on our uh page as well as others. Uh, we have an opening uh opening day for Little League uh coming up this Saturday starting at 8:30. So, those of
011you that played it and want to be there for that, I encourage you. I am not throwing out the opening ball, but maybe John might want to. [laughter] >> Vinnie, no. No, Vinnie's right hand. That's not going to work with him as well. >> So, that is coming up. >> Also, some quick events I put in here as well. Uh we have uh coming up on May 9th, the Pisto Portland historic uh society is doing the townwide tag sale. Huge event. It's 8:30 2:30 that day. Be aware of that. That's a big deal. There's signs all over town. On May 2nd, uh there is a Voices of Portland event um uh with an Habino discussing uh her AsianPacific American heritage. Uh and that'll be at the uh at the Waverly Senior Center at 10:30 on
012Saturday, May 2nd. Uh please come out. It should be a fascinating discussion. There's also on May 7th, Thursday at 6:30, a national day, a day of prayer. Um the Interfaith Coalition of Portland has put this together. I recall last year's was also well attended. Um so that is that is also out there being promoted uh in a variety of places. Uh Portland also has their hometown festival coming out uh soon on Saturday, May 16th at the Portland Riverfront Park. There is a number of uh different events going on that they it's there we are there to celebrate America's 250th birthday. There'll be food trucks. There's a fight and drum corps. There's the great hill mountain band, reenactors, children activities, fun for everyone. So, uh please mark that date. Again, you'll hear a bunch of things
013about this in the next couple weeks, but that is May 16th at the Riverfront Park. The rain day is May 17th. that is out there. Uh, also coming up in May, we have our river access project that we're working on. We don't have the specific date right now, but we are uh we are hoping by the end of May, we will do a ribbon cutting ceremony for the river access project. It's now going to be called the River Bend Landing, the Portland Riverbend Landing. Um, it will be accessed for canoe and kayaks. Um, I've been there a couple times a week over the last couple weeks as they've worked on that. They're expecting to continue the work next week, either Tuesday or Wednesday, and expect to do um their last of their work by the
014end of next week, early the following. So, we are getting closer to getting it done. Uh they still have to do a lot of cleaning up down there, but uh the road is down there. And if any of the folks here have not gone down there yet, I encourage you to go there. It's beautiful. It's going to be it's going to be a wonderful addition to the town. We have the signage up there. Uh we are also on May 28th doing a farmers market. Uh the town has not had farmers markets for a while. We'll be starting that again. There'll be Friday nights, the last Friday of each month starting in May. This first one will be at the town hall field, veterans field. Um it's from 3 to 6 p.m. on a Friday night.
015There may or may not I can't confirm or deny. There may or may be baby goats there. So, and other animals. So, right now, nah, >> that was good. So, uh please come out. Um it's it's right it's right near town hall. There's a lot of homes in nearby. So, we encourage folks to come out there and have some fun. It should be really good. We're getting a lot of feedback from the t the the farmers in town and we hope for a great turnout. Um I just received in the mail today the uh notice about the Portland fair. Um I think everyone else should have gotten that as well. That is coming up. What is the date, John? October 2nd, 3rd and 4th. Um the first weekend in October. Very excited about that. It's
016going to be bigger and better than ever. Um I think uh David has promised no rain, no flooding, no nothing that day. Okay. So it should be good. So you'll see a lot more about that. But I'm very excited about that. The last thing I have to Denny's point, the last thing I have is um I 10 bucks. Uh I received a letter uh from one of our residents, Deborah Law, who has spent the last 10 years working on a lot of beautifification on Main Street at the police station in particular. She has been here a number a number of times over the years, uh letting us know what she does. Um she is asking for help from any residents out there that want to help and do more at the police station. uh she
017needs to take a couple weeks or months to kind of regroup and recover. And she's asked me to put the word out to see if there's any other people out there, gardeners or folks in town that would like to help keep the police department uh looking beautiful on the outside. And I encourage anyone that has a green thumb and doesn't do what I do to plants to please come out and and help that out. That would be wonderful. Uh so that is from her. And that is all the if people want to get involved in that, who do they contact? uh they can reach out to me, okay, directly at the town hall for selectman's office and I will um I will work with them to get them on the board. So um it's a
018wonderful thing. We we we have a lot of volunteers that help across the board. A lot of the a lot of organizations help beautify the town uh and we appreciate all the work that they do. So that is very all right. Um with that we have a presentation tonight from Michael and Heather with regards to our town finances. So absolutely that would be wonderful. >> All right. Well, thank you very much again. My name is Mike Van Deventur. I'm a partner at Mahoney Sable. Uh ultimately responsible for overseeing the audit work uh and issuing the reports on behalf of the firm. Joining me this evening is Heather Seatman. She's the supervisor at the firm, really responsible for the day-to-day execution for audit work. So again, happy to be here this evening to go over the
019town's fiscal year 2025 audit results. Again, we do issue a number of reports in connection with our audit. I'm not going to go through those reports in detail. I have my presentation which provides an overall summary of the uh audit uh work and results. And um with that, we can uh jump into the presentation. Uh if you can turn to slide two. As far as the scope of work, again, no changes from what we've done in prior years. Um, so we did do an audit of the uh town's financial statements. We performed that audit in accordance with both the auditing standards issued by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants as well as the government auditing standards issued by the government accountability. >> Pete, next slide, please. >> Next slide. >> Um, in addition to
020the financial statement audit, we did perform both federal and state single audits. Um we also performed agreed upon procedures engagement on the uh end of school year reports also known as the education financial system. Um those procedures are required by the state of Connecticut department of education. Next slide. So in addition to those attest services, we do perform some non- audit services for the town. So we do assist in the preparation of the financial statements, the schedule of federal awards, the schedule of state financial assistance as well as the related notes. Uh we also assist in converting the town's governmental fund financial statements to the governmentwide financial statements. Uh in order for our firm to be able to perform non- audit services and remain independent of the town, management is required to oversee those services
021and ultimately accept responsibility for them. Again, Tom Robinson is the finance director has uh overseen and taken responsibility for those services. Uh in connection with the audit, we do issue a report on the financial statements. We did issue unmodified opinions on your financial statements. Uh an unmodified opinion is expressed when we've concluded that the financial statements have been per um uh fairly presented in all. >> Yep. Oh, sorry. Next slide. >> In accordance with the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and that's is established by the governmental accounting standard board. I do like to point out if you read our opinion, we do provide reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free from a material misstatement whether due to error or fraud. Um again we do not provide absolute assurance. We
022are not testing every transaction. We do utilize sampling in our audit methodology. The financial statements do include estimates and therefore we cannot provide absolute assurance. But again reasonable assurance is still a very high level of assurance. Uh in addition to the report on the financial statements, we issue a report on compliance and on internal control over financial reporting. Uh in this report, we don't actually express an opinion on the town's compliance with laws and regulations or on the effectiveness of the town's internal controls. Essentially during the course of performing our uh financial statement audit if we become aware of a material non-compliance in laws and regulations or a material weakness in your internal controls we are required to include it in this letter. Um again we do not report any such matters. >> Um as
023Mike mentioned the town was required to have a federal and state single audit this year. So for the federal single audit, we re um issued a report on compliance and on internal control at the federal award level. For fiscal year 25, uh the total amount expended was approximately 2.3 million. And the major program we tested was the emergency watershed protection program that was approximately $4542,000. We issued an unmodified clean opinion on compliance and we did not report any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses over grant compliance. the state single audit uh we issued a report on compliance and on internal control at the state financial assistance level for fiscal year 25 the town expended approximately 7.4 million and of that 2.2 2 million was considered non-exempt and um what we based our audit procedures on. Uh
024the major programs were the open choice program for just under 700,000, the town aid road grants transportation fund for 435,000 and the small town economic assistance program for 374,000. Again, we issued an unmodified clean opinions on compliance and we did not report any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses over direct compliance. So yeah, very clean from an an audit reporting perspective. Certainly the kind of reports that you want to see as a as a board. Um, next section goes over the overall financial highlights. Um, again, there's a lot of information in the financial statements. Uh, there's a number of different uh funds uh that are reporting on different basis of accounting. Uh, the first slide goes over your general fund on a budgetary basis. Uh, so again, the final budget did include the use of fund
025balance of approximately 1.4 4 million to balance your revenues and expenditures and you also had an increase in budgeted revenues of about 300 uh 371,000. Your actual change in fund balance was an increase of about 238,000. Uh so that did result in an overall favorable budgetary variance of approximately 1.6 million. Um that was driven by a revenue surplus of approximately 702,000. Uh you did have favorable variances on prior year tax collections, building permits and interest income. And then overall your expenditures were about 967 less than budgeted. Um that represented about 2.3% of the appropriation. Uh and we had no budgetary compliance issues were identified as a result. Uh next slide goes over your governmental fund uh financial statement highlights. So this includes your general fund on a gap basis as well as all of your
026special revenue and capital project funds. Uh the town had a combined ending fund balance of approximately 16.7 million. Um that was an increase of about 1.7 million from the prior year. Uh the majority of the fund balance uh was in the general fund which had an ending fund balance of about 9.2 million. Uh the capital projects fund had an ending fund balance of about 649,000. Your [clears throat] capital non-recurring funds had an ending fund balance of about 3.7 million. And then all of your other funds had an ending fund balance of about 3.1 million. Um, again, those funds are either uh restricted or committed for specific purposes and there are details of all of your individual funds included in your financial statements. Um, do want to point out that the town continues to report unassigned
027deficit fund balances in both the sewer and operating fund. Again, those deficits have been brought down over the last uh, you know, 5 to 10 years. Um, again, there was a decrease in the sewer uh fund during FY25. However, there was an increase in the deficit uh in the water fund. Again, our recommendation is just to continue to monitor those funds and work towards eliminating those deficits as you have been doing over the last several years. Uh next slide goes over your governmentwide financial highlights. Um again, the governmentwide financial statements convert your governmental fund financial statements to a full acral basis of accounting. Uh, so it does capture all of your capital assets, including your infrastructure and buildings, um, as well as all of your long-term liabilities. Um, the governmentwide financial statements are really, uh,
028used by users to look at your overall net position as a town, much like you would look at a company. Um, and then also to kind of assess your long-term liabilities. So overall, the town had a a positive unrestricted net position of about 1.4 million. Um that does reflect your unrestricted reserves offset by your long-term liabilities for retirement benefits uh which are being funded over time through the actuarial determined liabilities. Uh in terms of your long-term liabilities and your town and pension uh town and police pension plan uh that had a net pension liability of about 10 million. Um that plan is currently about 68% funded. Uh slight increase over the prior year. Um again, there were no significant changes in in actuarial assumptions um used to value those liabilities. Uh in terms of the
029town's volunteer firefighters benefit plan, that had a net pension liability of about 822,000. So again, much smaller plan. Um that uh plan is uh approximately 46% funded. Um that was an increase from about 39% funded in the prior year. Again, that lower uh percentage was really um due to the fact that the volunteer firefighter plan was funded much later than the town pension plan. So again, as you continue to make your actuarial required contributions, you continue to get your market gains, you will have the um assets available to pay benefits under those plans. And then the last section just goes over our required communications. Um these communications and we did issue a governance letter that includes these communications as well. Um but these communications are required by our auditing standards. Um the first item talks
030about our responsibility under the auditing standards. Uh so although we do assist in the preparation of the financial statements again they are the responsibility of the town. It's our responsibility to perform our audit procedures and express our opinions on those statements. uh in terms of the plan scope and timing the audit. Again, no changes in the overall plan scope and the work was performed as it was originally agreed upon. Uh and the reports were filed by the December 31st statutory filing deadline. Um I will make mention that there continues to be um a shortage of of uh municipal and government auditors. Um less than half of the municipalities are are able to file their uh audits timely. Um so again it's uh I'm glad to be to be able to u to file those reports
031uh by the statutory final dead. Uh in terms of significant audit findings, we do review the town's accounting policies and practices. Um one of the items that we would need to disclose to you is any new accounting standards that maybe had a significant impact on the financial statements. Um again there were no new accounting standards that were implemented that had a material effect on your financial statements. Um next slide. The financial statements include a number of significant judgments and estimates. Uh those are really um utilized to determine amounts that are reported on a governmentwide basis. So again, these don't really impact your your budgetary funds. Um the significant judgments related to estimated useful lives that are assigned to capital assets, estimated amount of vacation and sick leave employees will use in future years, and then
032the assumptions that were utilized to determine your net pension and OPIP liabilities. We did review those estimates. We did deem them to be reasonable and consistent with industry practices. I'm happy to report that we had no significant difficulties encountered in performing the audit. Again, everything that we requested from the town was provided to us in a timely manner. Uh we had no uncorrected misstatements. Uh we had no disagreements with management during the course of performing the audit. We did obtain a management representation letter. Again, there were no unusual representations that we requested from management. I just give the uh board members the example that if we were testing a transaction and we were unable to substantiate and we were relying on a representation from management, we would disclose that to you as board members. Um
033and again, we're not aware of any consultations with with any other independent accountants. Um if you did consult with other accountants, we would have to also have a communication with those accountants and disclose that matter to the board. So again, that uh really covers the overall results of the audit. Again, I know there's a lot of information included in those reports. Um, happy to answer any questions that the board members may have. And again, if you do have questions down the road, again, we're happy to answer those questions at any point in time of the year. >> So, actually, I uh I kind of wish I would have had this summary before I went, >> right? >> But, uh, no, I actually do have a question. If we kind of look at um the uh
034pension uh you know uh funding and our liability, the numbers that you presented are I I mean virtually identical. You probably got them from the same place from the municipal fiscal indicator, the MFI numbers that you shared, Michael, with us like about two months ago. But is a 66% uh pension liability funding for the town and for the fire at like 42%. Is that appropriate? Now, I know the teachers, right, they got their own that goes to the state. So, that's not part of what we're talking about. That's out of our control. But, you know, having seen pension liability funding from private funded, it's where it was like the minute you deviate from n from 100%. by law, you have to true it back up. Is this a good number? >> Yeah. So, majority of
035uh public pension plans are probably between 60 and 80% funded. Um, and the requirement is different for the private sector because there's no guarantee of future revenue sources, right? To to fund those actuarial contributions. >> Oh, I see what you're saying. So because you're a governmental entity um there is u little more flexibility in terms of the overall funding percentage because you have that guaranteed revenue source moving forward um so that you're able to to fund those actuarial required contributions uh to meet those benefit payments in future years. >> Right. Or the one specifically I'm talking about was like a CDS which is public >> correct? Uh it's a public company. >> Public company. Yeah. >> Public traded. Yeah. And there at the minute you deviate from the 100. And I I can see why
036you're saying that. Okay. So, we're in good shape then. >> You are in. >> We're where we should be. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> Yep. >> So, I have a a general question. Um, we we just doing our budget right now where the voters going to go out there. I'm sure there's there'll be people watching this. What would be your message to the voters, the taxpayers of Portland in terms of our financial situation in your opinion? Um so again I I think the overall financial condition of the town is sound. Um you have an appropriate reserves within your your general fund uh in your capital funds as well. >> Um again from a budgeting perspective um you know I brought up the fact that you had a surplus of about 2% uh on the
037expenditure side of the budget. Um again typically we like to see that below 3% uh reflects that you're you're you're budgeting uh reasonably. Um and so yeah, I mean again I I know uh in general it's a very tough time in terms of inflation. Um there's been a lot of pressure on municipal budgets especially on the education side uh with a lot of the the federal grant monies um drying up if you will. Um so again overall I think that the town is in a very good financial position. Any other questions at all while we've got them? >> Michael and Heather, thank you for all the work that you guys have done. >> Thanks, Mike. >> Thank you. Really appreciate it. Thank you. [laughter] >> Simplified it, right? >> If uh if any of these
038folks up here have specific questions, you can reach out to. >> Yeah. I want just ask the of course. Abs, absolutely. >> Very, very nice. >> Fantastic. All right. Um, speaking of Tom Robinson, >> the man, the myth, the legend. Um, as Tom's walking up, I I have to I have to, as someone that's done this for a little more than a year now, but been involved in the audits over the years as you've done it. Um, it's been it's been really good to see how both of you work together, your team and Tom getting together and that that conference room between my office and his was filled with you guys for a long long time and uh, a lot of work was put into that. So, it was good to see it actually happening.
039So, so yeah, appreciate it. >> Thank you. Thank you, Mike and Heather. Appreciate you guys coming out going through that. uh appreciate the help of the board of ed Stephanie and Jennifer and Charles and uh obviously my team uh we we uh will try to work together to you know present the best audit for for this for the uh town here uh going uh through I wanted to give you guys a budget report. I was um I was sick on the last meeting but I just wanted to be able to provide you with the uh report here. um try to put like a little asterk next to some of the items that I would try to talk about. On page one of the revenue, um it's the account ending with 0012 interest in leans. As
040you can see there, we budgeted 169,500. We received about 170,000 so far, a little bit over a,000 over budget. That's it's a it's a good position to be in at this point. Um uh similarly on 0013 property tax suspense motor vehicle budget around 340. So we got so far received about 345. So about 5,000 over budget at that point. Those are just those are challenging numbers to estimate. So we always like to try to um you know have a positive in those when possible. Um going further down middle page, workers compensation reimbursement. This is one where you don't like to necessarily have a positive because it means you have some employees that have gotten, you know, injured and had some had some troubles. Um so we've we're uh we've budgeted we generated budget about 12,500
041there. Uh many years we we we won't you know get close to that or not hit it. This year we we received uh we received $41,000 back. We've had a few uh employees that were out for longer periods of time. Those employees um thankfully have um for them and for us have come back to work and are and are and are back to work. So that's a positive. Hopefully that number will stagnate a little bit which is good. Second page, page two. Uh other revenue uh 00354. Uh we've spoken about this one. Just remind you on this one. We budgeted 20,000 40,490 has come in. Uh that is majority of that was 40,460 was the Kerma member distribution, member equity distribution that came in uh this year earlier in the year. Uh 0041 investment income
042budgeted 390. Uh so far I've gotten 3476 in the general fund. that during the audits process some of that will get allocated out to other funds but uh that's still a uh you know coming in decent number uh interest rates had um stayed you know they they were pretty good then they dipped and then came back um some of the some of the u money we've had uh some of the items haven't come in yet that we've ordered and um once you know in another week or so of the items come in it's about a million dollar item and once that comes in that that money will then no longer be there to be a reserve uh earning interest but uh it was nice uh well we had the opportunity to do that um going
043to move on to expenses on H3 uh let's say the general town council um near the top of the page um this is one we've talked about before. Majority of these were the overages due to MDC negotiations. Um, and then other legal matters that have gone on, but you know, a good portion of that was the that the NBC negotiations that affected the the town. Page uh five is the building official, building office, and that was a 025 one 03 part-time payroll. that was a zero budgeted. Uh we spent to the 12,405. That was uh in the time period of when our uh we didn't have a um building official. Um so we had had one official that was out uh out and then we had have coverage and then that person retired. So we
044had to still have some more coverage and now that we have a new official um you know that should have worked itself out. So, we won't see anything there, but it's just a a a number when you're looking at it, you're like, "Oh, that's a glaring uh number of of 0 to 12,000." Uh, page six, highway overtime. Uh, gone through this numerous time. Numerous storms. They assist on water main breaks. These are nons matters. So, that's non snow matters. Um 032360007 storm water monitoring budgeted 4,000 uh 7115. Uh continue to increase the requirements here. There's a increased permitting that's required and then as we spoke about next year there'll be even uh more um requirements in this matter. So uh that's what we're seeing in there. page 8 grounds overtime. That's a 036 ends in
04513002. Now, this one's a little bit different. This is $15,000 budget. 23,000 had been spent. This does have old uh snow in it. So, the majority of this overtime is related to snow. So, grounds department uh does have snow in their budget. highway and all the other ones go over to the snow budget, but grounds because they kind of like were shared with the board of our shared services that we have there where you know we the board of ed pays for NE and uh we pay for the men and they run that program uh together. Nice nice shared service that we have and um the the but we had the overtime go there. So we have that broken out specifically in that budget. Um page 8, building maintenance go 0371302 uh another overtime line
046item. Um there we have had different types of projects within the town. Um where the guys would have to come in, they come in on alarms. Um they come in for uh some other other coverages and and work in various overtime matters. Uh that was one that we've been watching. Page over 37. uh page again 03744003. Another one that's been beating us up a little bit this year is is equipment repairs $7,000 budget. I've spent 12,439 to date about 4,000 encumbered. We've had some HVAC repairs at Fire Company 2 for about 2500 sprinkler repairs about 1,800 at the senior center. Library lighting expenses uh about $2,400. uh police door protection about $1,800 and senior center fire alarm of over $1,000. So um things that we we have to do to keep keep the doors going
047and keep things protected, but that one's uh hitting us a little bit here. Uh 037616 that is building supplies. Uh 17,000 is budgeted, 12,860 is spent, 4,368 is Cumber. Um department will continue to watch that one. That's a that's another tricky one that's you know is getting things done. They need to buy the supplies to to get them there. Prices um do seem to be higher on on supplies lately. Um and they're also getting you doing a lot of a lot of work. The the department is um uh same page a little lower. 038 snow removal. >> Big number here. $66,000 budgeted. >> Wow. >> $151,981 spent. $85,000 deficit in this line item. Um many snow uh storms that hit the weekends and and the holidays. I mean, it's just incredible. number of ones on
048the weekends, number of ones in the holidays, and long periods of time. So, back years a few years ago, five, six years ago, we were we had some of these where we hit like that. Lately, we've been doing pretty good. This one, this year, it's hitting us. So, we'll keep watching that. We, you know, determine if we have to do any type of a, you know, supplemental appropriation to help on that or not to help the other budgets, but we'll keep a watch for now. Okay. Page 11 full 54 uh 31,000 service contracts budgeted 12,500 have spent 10,158 uh encumbered 2286 HVAC uh matters fire alarm that was just the general software cost for service in there and then elevator maintenance. Um had a couple big HVAC uh matters uh which is kind of a
049bummer because those were kind of new items. uh got the uh warranty on the equipment but got hit on the labor to fix the failing piece of equipment. Um happened we covered it once in this budget actually had to cover it in 037 because it happened again. Same piece of equipment that failed and it's was a pretty big number. So um so then we had a same page van driver statements budget 38 had a decent increase in that budget this year. still uh you know still have trouble hitting that number. They're already a spent know that first selectman help uh we'll work with um Sarah to monitor that throughout the year and those are the update that I have for y'all. Thank you. >> Thank you Tom. Thank you very much. This is really helpful.
050It >> is. While I'm here, I'll just give you a close update on uh know the appointment of the audits coming up and uh we've been working uh with the the firm very well here. This is our five-year uh extension period and um so we had a fee of 442,000 last year uh fee estimate update 44. Um, like Mike has said, there's been a lot of consolidation in the firms out there. Um, we when I started here in ' 09, the fee was around 48,000 460. Uh, we've got back in 17 got it down to 39,500 and, uh, now we're at 2026, we're at 42. Um, maybe by the end of 2030, we will get up to like the 49,000. So, um, it's nice, you know, I think we, you know, the town the town
051has worked well. Um we have had with the firm and they've worked with us over the years here and um you know it's showing around about a global 3% a year increase over this next fiveyear term. Um so it's uh I think it's it's needed at this point. I think there was definitely an increase during the I think during the COVID times. uh fees did go up in the in and uh when you see the bids coming through for people out there um and I think that this is a reasonable uh a reasonable uh request from um the firm and uh they you know very value added uh company that really does help uh that helps the town out great and having Mike and Heather's expertise uh available to us uh it just is it's
052invaluable. Thank you, >> Tom. Uh, isolating these accounts and talking through it the way you did. >> Thank you. It it actually I was I think we all were able to follow it very well >> and we were able to actually listen to what you were saying and and absorb stuff. Uh, let me ask from a from a revenue standpoint, it looks like we're in good shape. uh from uh obviously we had some overtime hits, HVAC, not not that big a deal, but uh there's 24% left in the budget, but what do you think the opportunities are knowing that I think you've been doing this for what 15 16 years or something like that? Uh do you think that there's an opportunity as we start to look at each one of these general ledger line
053items that there might be an opportunity here to look at certain line items and maybe pull out 200 $250,000 and maybe put it towards I don't know capital is that if we start I mean there's three months left. Well, no. I mean, I mean, I think what we normally will do is we'll keep we'll continue working here. Everyone has the ability to spend their budget as they need to see to to see fit. That's their budgets. We approve the budget for them. The those department heads will, you know, review their budgets throughout the year and and try to and to try to follow those. Um what we will try to do is if if if there is a surplus of some sort, then we would have that flow in and kind of similar to what
054we've done in this budget um process here, we would utilize it probably in the next cycle and do a supplemental appropriation um if if that was to the board's pleasure. So uh and and if uh if if there was a surplus globally. So, I think we would let it see this, you know, it's a little challenging with that $80,000 uh lo, you know, loss in the snow right now. Um, and then also the um equipment repairs is is hitting pretty hard and service contracts are hitting pretty hard. Um, which are like an offset of repairs. Um, so, you know, I think we got to keep watching that. But on the, you know, on the revenue side, you know, I mean, we do have, you know, the the workers comp, you do have the uh the
055equity distributions, you do have the uh uh investment amounts. And all I'm saying is is if we're if we're going to get ahead of it, I think it's this is the time to do it with three months left because if we wait till the last month, people have already spent their money because it I think there's this lose it or lose it. Uh, and I think if we get ahead of it and start asking some probing questions, and I understand, you know, people got their budget and they say, "Well, you gave me my budget. I'm entitled to spend it." Well, we're also, I think, entitled to look at it and say, "Uh, do you really really need it all, or are you just spending it because you got it and you want to use that
056as your baseline for next year?" Uh, I think looking at it with one month left in the year, uh, in our budget cycle, I think it's too late. They've already issued purchase orders and they're just waiting for the stuff to arrive. if we're going to get ahead ahead of it. Maybe that's something that Michael and yourself take a look at with the department heads. >> So, and go ahead. >> No, that that that I'm just asking the question, Tom. You for 16 years. >> Yeah. I mean, I I really think um I hear what you're saying. I respect what you're saying on the to look for capital items. Uh but I think that we first should look at the operations. We should allow the people to run their operational budgets as they see fit. We
057we are not a I know on the town side we are definitely not a uh spend out to the end type of budget. We don't do that. That's not how we've ever operated. Board of Ed, you know, utilize their budget within reason, but they're not doing that either. You know what I mean? So, we're not just they're just people aren't just buying things to buy it. That's not how we've ever um operated. So, it's usually it's need-based. Um but uh I think that you know you got um May and June it's at this point you know we got to let I would say we have to let it play. There's not really a lot. I think the real mitigation here is is make sure we can um do what we can um to, you know,
058continue to bring in good revenues, to continue to monitor expenditures, and then um work on the um supplemental appropriation that we already talked about with the budget uh meetings and get those uh approved by the end of the year. Um it's just I think that would be the way in the next two months uh to keep it. Um and then um and with some staff shortages I just I don't think we would be able to um continue to monitor any more than we really are and and I wouldn't want to really reserve I mean the the people it's it's the budget is for the operations that's the operating budget the board has brought capital to that and then if there is successful surpluses at the end uh then then the board can redirect that money
059at a later point. So, I'm I'm just kind of looking at Michael. Maybe that's something you guys could just kind of take offline and just look for that opportunity, right? I mean, we're not going to do that here, >> right? >> Yeah. But thank you. >> Thank you. >> See, this is what happens when we're >> we're having meaningful discussion about this. >> We have meaningful discussions. >> Thank you, Tom. That was perfect. >> Right. And Ben, if you think about that's that's what we did this past year >> to help reduce this next budget, right? We took this from last year >> and we funded capital this year as opposed to re, you know, collecting that money again, >> right? So, >> I was I was just having flashbacks to my former career when
060I was a state employee as was the lady sitting next to me. But I remember maybe three months out in every fiscal year, you would get the notice from the fiscal division asking you to justify the balance that you had remaining, >> right? >> And to explain what you're going to spend it on and what you could potentially give back. >> Sure. I mean, maybe not. >> Well, I guarant I guarantee he's gonna spend 25% of all his purchase orders are going to be spent in the last 25% of the year, >> right? [laughter] Right. >> In the last, you know what I mean? Yeah. >> All right. Good. Good discussion. So, yes. Good point there. >> Thank you. >> All right. Very good. Um, all right. Any public comment? >> Not been. Not been.
061Any public comment? >> No. Fantastic. All right. New business. Um, we have before us a resolution to appoint these folks the auditors of public accountant. Um, who would like to I would based upon what Tom just provided as evidence. I would be happy to make the motion. >> Make the motion then we'll do some discussion and then >> resolution board of selectment town of Portland, Connecticut dated April 22nd, 2026. Appointment of the auditor of public accounts. Resolved that pursuant to chapter 12 section 407 of Portland Town Charter, the board of select hereby appoints the firm of Mahoney Sable at 180 Glenbury Boulevard, sweet 400 Glenberry, Connecticut 06033 to audit the books and records of the town for the fiscal period July 1, 2025 through June 30th, 2026. >> Thank you, John. I would like to
062second it. All right, Jim seconds it. Correct. Any further discussion? So they already did the work, right? >> Yes. >> And this is for this is for >> coming up >> for coming up. >> Coming up. >> Got it. >> Yes. >> Peace. >> I'm glad you're asking. >> I thought you were about to say something. No. No. Look like we're winding up. And I I will say I've sat on this board for a few years now and um I've always I won't say it was fantastic reading, but I I I find that everything you have there is is spot on. So I appreciate your >> I thought it was fantastic reading, >> but the summary is nicer. >> Yeah. Right. >> Lot of >> No. Oh, I know. Very little flexibility. Right. Sort of
063things. >> But thank you for the work you do. So yeah, and and again, my experience has all been positive and and and they have a great reputation. They they know our town and it helps every year when they look at it. They know what to look for for differences and all. So I appreciate what they do. I thank them. I think it makes sense, but I think it's time to call for a vote. All those in favor? >> I opposed. >> Extension. Motion passes. All right. You're stuck with us for another couple years. >> Absolutely. Thank you very much. We really appreciate what you do. >> All right. Next on the agenda is we we separately adopt the water and sewer budgets. Um >> you want me to >> Jim, would you like to?
064Absolutely. >> All right. I'll make a motion that we adopt the resolution um titled adoption of water and sewer budgets for the 2026 2027 fiscal year dated April 22nd, 2026. resolved in accordance with chapter uh 12 section 1212 of the town charter that the water and sewer budgets for fiscal year 2026 2027 as outlined on the in the attached uh in the amount of 2,66 thou 2,66,739 in the water budget and $1,419,600 in the sewer budget be here um be and are hereby adopted. All right, I'll second that. All right, John seconds it. Um, any further discussion? >> No, other than it was nice to see um I think that we were the hope I think was um that because we had started the well project and we had had some expenditures that hit the
065water budget that the deficit that in water last fiscal year was a blip. >> It was nice to see in the audit reports that we're back and we were able to run a surplus. um that enables us to I think keep rates >> where we you know where they are >> for the time being especially while we're working to lower the the cost basis with the with the well project. So I think it's worth maybe mentioning again um that you guys have done >> was that >> uh I thought that's what he indicated in >> the other way. Sewer >> sewer and it was an in >> Yeah, >> I thought he had said it both this year and then last year it was a >> no one was a it was what Tom saying.
066Oh, then then I misunderstood the way he reported that. >> A decrease in the deficit for sewer and an increase in the deficit for water on page. >> Oh, I thought he said decrease. I thought he said it was the other way. >> Yeah, decrease sewer. >> All right. Well, then I retract half what I said, but I still make the motion. >> You like to withdraw that comment. >> I was sort of thinking that when you said it, but so good thing to I wasn't sure. >> So, thanks. >> Yeah. >> All right. So with $27,000. >> So basically the deficit is was reduced though from what we had. >> Yes. >> All right. I thought he said we ran a small surplus, but it's really a very small deficit. Sorry. >> He said
067it's getting better. >> Yeah. >> I think the year before this. >> Oh yeah. It was >> right. Right. Yeah. And I think that's the hope is that we can keep those rates consistent because we know we're going to be getting into a better cost model. >> Um, you know, it's hopefully we don't have to have anything impactful. >> Very good. All right. Um, we've got a motion made, seconded, and some discussion. Are we ready to vote? Yep. All right. All those in favor? I Opposed extension motion passes unanimously. Very nice. Thank you. Next on the agenda 7C. It looks like we get to hear Dan Beret tell us all about the PCD. Mr. Beret is your time. He's on the POCD show. Yes. >> Uh good evening everybody. Uh Dan Beret, town planner. Um,
068so yeah, I'm just here to talk to you guys and and once again invite you uh to the May 7th uh planning and zoning meeting that's uh going to be a joint meeting between uh PNZ and yourselves. Uh PNZ will be up at the tables, you guys will be in the audience, but uh the big focus of that is discussion uh with you guys on your thoughts and feelings uh on the POCD and and where Portland should go in the next 10 years. Um, so it is a a very important thing that we do uh in terms of especially grant funding um and just laying out uh the aspirations for the town uh over the next 10 years. So I can answer any questions that you guys have about the PC or about what you
069might need or what you might want to prepare uh for that meeting. Um, but we had Vinnie and Andrea uh in earlier in January and I think they gave us some feedback, but they really needed um some sort of primer or or forethought uh given to them to help them um you know uh express whatever views or opinions they think uh for the town moving forward. >> Is that 7 o'clock that? >> Yeah. So, it'll be 7:00 May 7th. >> Okay. >> There's a small business awards at St. Clemens before then, but that'll be done by then. >> Okay, great. We have a couple Portland businesses winning awards stuff. >> Yeah, I saw that. Yeah, that's great. Yeah. >> Excellent. Um, what would you like to have this board be prepared for? >> What kind
070of question would you like? Would you like what would you like them to look into and bring to that table? >> So, so, so I mean the PC covers every aspect of the town. So from infrastructure, water and sewer concerns, water and sewer upgrades that you may want, um you know, uh things we might need uh for the well project moving forward, whether it's a pump house, u you know, a treatment plant, those kind of things should be incorporated into the plan so that we can um go after grant money for those those those those things if we'd like to. Um, you know, anything with with with parks, open space, uh, economic development, what you'd like to see on Main Street, what you want to see in the 66 corridor. Um, you know, how you'd
071like to see those developed in the next year. Uh, I mean, inland wetlands, uh, anything with the senior center, I'm really trying to cast as broad up a net as possible to get as much input as possible. um even to the point where we've gotten feedback from our planning and zoning commission as well as other people in the in in uh from town, you know, get young people's opinions. So, we're going to the high school on May 11th uh to engage with the student senate and officers there to try to get an idea of, you know, what's going to keep what what what they think this town needs so that we can keep more young people here, what would interest them um in staying here, whether it's jobs, whether it's uh recreation opportunities, um housing
072concerns, um things of that nature. You know, most of my friends moved out of town. So, what what would what would what could the town do to improve over the next 10 years to keep those kids here or you know bring them back sooner after they go off and go to college or or whatever they they they pursue. Um it it's really a very broad-based plan. Anything that's going on in town right now that you think should be happening or should change, we would like that feedback, right? >> Uh I think P&Z especially would like that feedback from you guys. um you know they look to you guys um certainly as the preeminent board in town. They don't like I don't think to realize how much power and control they do have. Um you know
073this is their plan. Um it will come before you guys for your endorsement. Um but if you don't endorse it and and and four out of five of the PNZ members do, you know, that's the plan of conservation and development. But they definitely really want to hear your input on this stuff. Um, and and to be frank, other than some town staff, um, you guys are are are in the weeds, um, and and really know, you know, what's going on in town and have have your finger on the pulse in terms of what what needs to be changed and what doesn't. Um, so I think everybody's opinion matters. Um, you know, I don't think generally we we we we uh provide more weight to anybody's opinion than any anybody else's, but I think I think
074your words um will will carry a little more weight with the board. Now, if you want to review the plan or if you have any questions or you want to have a one-on-one with me, I'm happy to do that. The plan of conservation development is on the website. Um it's in a strategic there's two elements. We're keeping the same um format. So there's a strategic element and then there's an implementation element. So it may behoove you to at least look through the implementation element because some of the implementation element items are for the board of selectment. So they identify the relevant boards and commissions that need to take action on those items and I think that's a good part of this plan and the way they they divided it up in 2016 because it makes
075it a little more usable for you guys in terms of having clear-cut action items to take. So if you um many of those things are being carried forward if they haven't already been done. Um but just so you know like emphasises of the last PC were Briner Place redevelopment of Elder Crest the the the park those things were in the plan and and and luckily um you know the town was able to see those things through and and bring them to fruition. Um so what's the next item? Certainly one of the things I'm I'm kind of contemplating along with our downtown river master plan is how do we re redevelop the riverfront? How do we improve Main Street? You know, we we we're should complete Brainer Place in the next couple years. What's the next
076items for the town um to really, you know, improve and build upon that. >> And I'm assuming you're encouraging businesses to come out, residents to come out. >> Absolutely. Yep. Yep. Um, you know, we we've had a we had a public workshop at the senior center uh uh last month. We had a good turnout about 40 45 people. Um uh so we we also have a bar workshop coming up on Saturday from 10 to 12 which I would encourage everyone to go to as well. Uh that's more focused on obviously the downtown riverfront. Um but yeah, we we're we're getting some pretty good engagement. Um but yeah, the more engagement we get, the more comments we get, and more feedback we get from people in town, the better our plan will be. And and for
077me personally, um I really want more buyin because it's, you know, we we had Brainard or Elmrest at the time in the plant and then we get to the actual planning and zoning meetings when we talk about doing some of these things. Um and those are difficult meetings. So the more people that buy in, give information and contribute to this plan, hopefully when we take the action, we take those items from the plan in the future and move them to action, we don't have as much uh controversy um and uproar and concern in town. Uh people would already have, you know, seen this, bought into it, and and and and should be on board still hopefully. >> I think the more people know the better, the more buyin, the better. And I think our our
078our our team up here can make sure we encourage the people that we know to come to that meeting. >> Yep. Yep. Please do. And and so basically um you know the first meeting of each month right now for PNZ is is on has a large PC uh topic on it. The historic society will be uh at this meeting as well to to provide some feedback uh to the board uh after you guys. Um but we we still have another month or two uh before we'd like to you know get a draft plan before you guys. um and start wrapping up the process, but we're still looking for as much feedback as possible. >> Any questions? Dan, thank you very much. I know you've been working your tail off on this thing. >> Yeah. No,
079and and our consultants have been doing a good job. And please, if you guys have any questions, please feel free to reach out uh for me because I think I I kind of let you guys down a little bit um with the first meeting and not not being here and giving you guys some information. So, please do. >> No problem. >> Thank you, Dan. >> Dan, thank you very much. Excellence. All right. We have no refunds of excess payments. Um old business. Uh hey, let's uh so appointments and reappoints to boards and commissions. Do we have any appointments this evening? Someone like to make an appointment? >> Yes. >> I'd like to make an appointment to the ethics commission. Uh attorney James Moes. >> I'll second that. Seconded by John. All right. Any discussion? >>
080No. Good. Good choice. He was there before. He did a good job. Be good to see him >> get re-engaged. >> Have to agree. Have to agree. >> All right, we ready for the vote? All those in favor? >> I >> opposed. Abstension. Motion passes. All right. >> Welcome back, Mr. Moes. Attorney Moes. >> All right, updates. I'm going to go through this very quickly. Um, Nordic spot continues at record pace. Um, for those that have been down there, um, uh, fantastic. you can see the village coming along. For those that have not walked the property, I'm going to try to go either tomorrow or Friday. Um, I'll let you know some times and I'd love to walk the property with some of you as well, so you can take a look at not only
081the buildings and the village they have set up, but also inside some of the buildings. It's going to look great. Uh, but it is a it's a beautiful it's not just one building. It's a variety of >> What day is that, Mike? >> Um, and we'll try either sometime tomorrow or or Friday. Uh, if not, then we'll find a time next week. >> So, yeah, I'll make I want to make sure everyone gets a chance to go there. I believe the fire department went there last week and had a tour. I don't know if you saw what they posted, but they were able to kind of go out there as well. So, they're very accommodating to that. We just had to give a time and place. Um and and they're happy to do that. So,
082>> all right. So, we we'll get you in there. Um Brainer Place continues on. Um the uh uh Jersey Mike's officially uh they pulled their permit uh four or five days ago and the 100 day countdown clock started. They're anticipating having it retrofit within 100 days. So, they're probably 95 days from that right now. So, Jersey Mike's had a couple delays. Uh some on our end, most at their end. Um and they're looking at again about 95 days from now that they expect to be open. So, that is rolling along nicely. River access project. Um next week, um they should be doing the last work on that on that project uh from the contractor. I talked to them earlier today. uh butler should be out there getting the road cleaned up, uh the sides done,
083getting it ready for kind of putting grass and and top soil along the sides. But, uh for those of you that have not been down there, please make it down there. The road is passable right now. Um but that is very close. We expect to have a um a ribbon cutting ceremony by the end of May, early June at the latest. Um but it's coming up quickly. Again, I have my kayaks already. We'll be ready to get access to the river. We're working on signage there, etc. But uh it is coming a lot closer. I've invited the folks from deep that were involved in the procurement of the funds. Uh I've invited Christy and Norman and others that have been involved in this thing from the beginning. So it should be good. I would like
084everyone to be there if you can make it. It's a big deal for the town. A lot of excitement about this. So that is coming along nicely. >> And Mike, I'll just I'll just add to that that uh Saturday I know you couldn't make it, but um >> um we we were hoping uh we we'd catch it, but anyway. So Saturday we actually had a new u Portland based Lions Club come get um get basically become official. Um but they were down there Saturday working with members of the river access committee. Yes. >> And they did a joint work party and they hauled out old you know some old windows glass um and cut down a lot of the tripping the little low cup tripping brush. So uh it is looking really good down there.
085The river access crew is doing a great job. The the contractor is doing a good job. >> It's uh coming along nicely. >> It is. I was there yesterday. I drove down and I and I saw all the stuff you had cleared out. >> Yeah, it's great. It's uh um >> Wasn't that a committee that you formed as part of the lines club? >> Um >> helped organize. >> It's it's a it's a it's a new club and it's got some it's got a good mix. We got some good members, some town members, and we have some younger members. >> Good. >> Which is why they were able to get a lot of work done. >> They did all the lifting. You guys did the supervising. >> Yeah. Mike, I I I sit on the
086state water planning council and uh they have various committees uh and they have a committee basically which is promoting river access. Okay. >> Uh and so forth and they're having trouble finding members um to to promote the access to the river. Yeah. >> So I approached uh uh Rickshar and uh uh >> Lair Lair. There you go. Uh and they they are more than willing to you know sit on that committee. >> That's great. >> They could offer a lot of good experiences. >> Absolutely. Absolutely. >> They sure could. >> I have a uh I have a uh Zoom conference call with uh two of the commissioners. Um Don Mccay who was one of the ones that was involved in this whole process in the beginning and also the boating safety commissioner uh for deep.
087Uh we're going to be just talking about the uh this whole project and what we're trying to do and what maybe some future plans are. So, I wanted the state to be aware of some of the things that we were looking to do in the years ahead. So, uh this is kind of step one. Uh but I think step two and three uh could be even more exciting. But anyways, I don't want to get ahead of ourselves, but that is good. So, that is going on there. Um airline trail, I do not have any specific update on that. PCD, we've just gone through that. Uh the water in the town well, I guess the only update on that is uh we have uh engaged Snyder as a contractor. We had an organizational meeting uh three
088days ago. uh to discuss the next steps on there. Um I am absolutely confident of the schedule they provided us. Um I did not bring that today. My apologies. Um I've emailed it out, but I will um I will send you a a copy of that if you haven't looked at it yet. Uh but we have a clear outline. We'll be able to make the deadlines. I know this uh this whole uh board has been concerned about making sure we get this deadline done, especially after all the MDC discussions we've had. So, um I feel more confident of ever that we can get that done and we have some extra room built in um should there inevitably have something that comes up. So, uh so I'm feeling good about that, but I'll keep everyone posted
089on there. And I do not have any update on the uh potential upgrades uh down at the sewer plant. So, status and committee reports. >> I was going to say so the water and sewer wise um the the parks and wreck meeting was cancelled um that night. So, but water and sewer. Um, just a couple items. Probably the most important one is that there's going to be some work that's going to be going on. I believe it's Silver Street. >> And this is the the work where we talked about getting rid of the some of the lead goose necks. Yes. Is going to be taking place. And it's important for um residents when they hear that that's happening to understand that it coming coming off the main is that lead goose neck that then goes
090to a galvanized pipe that goes to our box and that whole thing is going to get replaced uh with a copper line. So that's that's where it is. It's not lead all the way in. It's just that transitional piece. Um but that's those those connections are going to get on Silver Street. That project's going to be kicking off to do that. Um they're going to be doing cleaning the the the tanks um at the reservoir and then at High Street. Uh that's going to be going on um and the negotiations with MDC. We're going to be getting re-engaged with that. >> Yes. >> Uh in June. So uh you know uh more fun to follow. Um, and I think that's about um I think the co-av project 99% complete. I think they said there's just
091a little piece of electrical um that they have to take care of, but it's that that project finally with all the the the delays in getting the equipment that's been resolved and now that's uh that's been implemented. So, >> uh that's about it from that perspective. Correct. >> That was the uh Indian Hill press, not Coab. >> No, that that was Co. >> Weren't they waiting for parts in Indian Hill? >> I think they we've had delays on both of them. Um because of the the um >> it was all part of the supply chain stuff that we were running into. >> So they had delays getting parts on both of them. I think the difference I think Indian Hill had, if I recall, it the project had started and then there was some delays.
092So, we were running a bypass for a bit, you know, that type of stuff. >> Got it. >> Right. Um, we've kind of segueed into status of committee reports. We'll continue on, John, with you. Is there anything else you have? >> Um, yeah, last night's board, there was only one meeting this month for board of education. I was all fully prepared to go last night. It was on my calendar, but there wasn't one. Uh, but the I was also at the board of directors for the library uh on the 16th. Um, Dan Beret was there. He gave the PC POC presentation to them as well. So, I've heard it twice. Um, they talked a bit uh about some revisions to their behavior and environment policy that they use for the library. You know, how you
093properly and politely address someone that comes in that is making trouble, making noise, being obnoxious, you know, that kind of a thing. Um, so there was a good discussion there. And then there was a a good amount of discussion on their computer system migration which is starting on May 23rd. Uh and I as as I understand it's going to take probably close to a week before it's all squared away. And this is being done. This is the system that not just Portland's libraries are on but a lot of area libraries are on. And um there is discussion about potentially closing a few days during that period of time. and I my notes, but I'm not quite sure if they're solid. So, I was I'm not going to say which day they're closed. I'd say check
094with the library if you're coming. But, um, as Jen explained, the concern is that as you take books out or or books are returned, that's what goes into that database. And as the days go on, the information that database is going to become >> older and really screwed up. Um, so you know, towards the end of this thing, it may not make sense to take a book out because you're not gonna know if it's there. Um, but that that's when that's all said and done, that's going to be good. We're going to be upgraded and in sync with the other libraries in the area. So, good meeting. >> That's right. Go ahead, John. >> Mhm. >> Okay. Yeah. economic um development was last week. Um and they had some good discussion around um actually Mary
095Dickerson did some great um um work on looking at businesses that are greater than 100 years old in um Portland. And I think there's like 13 like seven that date back to the 1800s, six to the 1900s. Those might not be exact numbers, but they want to somehow probably take those and think about honor honoring um centennial businesses as part of the America 250 thing and whether it's a plaque or cert something doing something um to join those two efforts together. So I thought that was was really interesting. Uh they talked a little bit like for instance to the the garden club maybe when they do their main street business flowers to make a more patriotic sort of color thing and that sort of thing. Um and then basically Dan just you know Beret was
096there and did you know updates on um you know just some of the business stuff in town that we're already aware of. But those were the main points. >> Fantastic. Um, so if you if you saw it posted on uh on our town page, Sarah Main just celebrated their 12th year in business as of April 15. So congratulations to to those two. They they've made quite a quite a business there and um uh they do do quite well and they also give back to the community which I absolutely love. So congratulations to those two. Um I have a or we have a uh meet a business meet and greet uh on the schedule for June 15th where we'll be inviting uh businesses in town. This will be the second one we've done since I've been
097in office. Uh last year's was I thought a real positive one. Uh the big the big theme last year was let's get water uh going. So I'll be curious to see what the theme is this year with the with the businesses in town. But um uh more details will be out shortly. Uh they'll all get invites, but I think that'll be good to get all of our business together and uh combine with EDC and all the other things we have going on. We just need to be all on kind of one page and do what we can to make this a even business friendlier [clears throat] town in every way we can. Um, next week uh on uh April 30th, we have our the sophomore auction going on. Uh both Ken Ken Woodward and myself
098are the auctioneers that night. Um so we will be uh selling everything we can for as much as we can. All for a good cause. Yes. >> To Vincenzo for $10,000. what one thing the five bucks for. So So I one of the oddest things I thought that they sold and I think they sold it for three or $4,000 was renaming uh the street going into the town. They do that all the time. >> Yeah. And I I guess I just never paid attention to that. But what people are willing to pay for that >> and they fight for that. >> They fight for that. Yeah. Absolutely. So I think last year was 3,000 >> really >> or more. It was it was like a crazy number. >> Oh that is I don't know what
099that was. >> Wow. Wow. >> But uh but I know this year we'll be bidding more than that to see what you could do. Petrael's Way. >> Petrael's Wayello's Way. >> Um, >> it's like a movie. >> Next week, High Street Birmingham, which did the construction project on High Street last year, they need to go back and do some additional work. That should be sometime this coming week. It will they'll they'll block off the road as they need to, but they have it, I believe, what Jason said, three or four days worth of work to do sometime next week. Uh, sidewalk project, we're working on Highland and Homestead right now. Um that is they've done half they've done one of the roads. They're working their way around the corner. Uh they should get the uh
100those two streets done uh they said within 7 to 10 days. Uh they've got some big tree roots to work through. >> I I was going to ask you that question. There's a there's a big old tree there. >> Big old tree. They're successfully made it around that corner. Uh and they still have two more big tree stumps there. >> So they were able to get around it without impacting it. >> Yes, they were able to figure it out. It was it was quite an ordeal. So uh so that is that is working. Uh once they do that, they will continue the sidewalk on Main Street, I believe, in front of 582 Main Street near Gildersleeve. That's where the last uh sidewalk project ended. They will continue on to what's Indian Hill. What's Indian Hill?
101In Indian Hill. So, they'll go down to there. Uh and then after that, whatever money they have, they will start from Walgreens on that side on Main Street and work their way down toward the police station. So, uh these people have been working quickly and who knows how far they'll get, but uh it'll be nice. Every year we try to pick more sidewalks. I get more calls and messages from people going, "When will they do my sidewalks on my street?" So, uh, we get limited funds, but we try to pick and choose. So, right, uh, we try to pick the best place we can. Um, >> but but we are we're going to keep Waverly Extension in mind, right? >> Yeah, absolutely. That that is actually they asked me about that earlier in the week
102because those two potholes are becoming moon craters, >> right? Um, I I will say once we're done with this project, with the money we're spending on this, that will be for me the priority. That will be the next one where we'll spend money on. So, if they're watching out there, we will commit to to getting that done under next round of funding. Um, they are working on the Riverfront Park entrance apron right now. I been down there. Uh, that's that's looking good. Uh, the same contractor that's doing that will be doing the Agalotti field parking lot that we're doing as well. So, uh, once they're done with that, they go, they'll move forward to that other project. So, those are both small projects, but highly visible in that same area. So, uh, those are coming
103along. The only other thing that's come up lately has been a chip seal issue. When we did chip sealing six weeks ago, eight weeks ago, it seems like a long time ago, maybe it's longer, but we had one or two streets, dead end streets in particular, that had some chip seal issues. Too much too much of the chip seal material on the ground. Uh some of it um was because of the snow was put onto yards. So, uh we don't know what the issue was, but it does look like there was some kind of problem either with uh when we were plowing at the time like to get the snow off or when they laid laid it all down. So, uh, it is something that we're looking into. The contractor that did that will be
104coming back. Uh, but that is an issue that we're trying to solve. So, when something does happen and it's our responsibility, uh, the town steps up and takes care of that, but, uh, that was an issue that came up. So, uh, we will do what we can to get that fixed. And that is all that I have. >> Just an FYI on Sarah's on May uh, they will be moving uh, into uh, Prima. >> Please talk about that. It has that been made public. Uh they are going through their financing now. >> Okay. But have they have they have they said publicly that they want to public >> um publicly? No. >> Okay. >> You got the scoop. >> Yeah. All right. All right. We won't tell anybody. >> We won't tell anybody. [laughter] >>
105All right. You hear that everybody? >> don't say a word >> about that. And Sarah, >> that's wonderful. That's wonderful. All right. Vinnie, do you have anything at your end? >> Yeah. Two weeks ago, I kind of made a comment. about, you know, folks coming into planning and zoning. um you know with after the fact on um when they get their you know permits um is and the only reason I'm bringing this up now versus in the uh open comments is because maybe we we do take some action on it but would it be appropriate I think to maybe ask Dan what what his opinion is on if we asked him what are two things that you could do to make our town more businessfriendly easy um and what are two things only two things
106that would really discourage all the bad behavior that we do see from some of the the characters that that are repeat offenders. Uh I know that if I was on that planning and zoning committee and I attend probably threequarters of them, I'd be a little discouraged in that, you know, I show up, I'm volunteering my time, I'm trying to do a good thing and people come in with buildings that are already there and I got, you know, you got to be asking yourself why am I here? >> Right. So I I think you know what are the thoughts of folks here of do we maybe tell ask Dan that maybe in the next 60 90 days uh just come back and just kind of give us what he thinks are two things that would be
107meaningful to make our town uh more businessfriendly easy for people to do the right thing and what are two things that would really hurt people when they don't when they knowingly violate maybe I'm kind of wording that wrong, but it's like it's encouraging good behavior, >> right? >> And kind of give them an kind of give them a go-to and say, "Hey, look, you know, in the next 90 days, you know, think about it. Talk to local towns. What are the two things that would make us business friendly? What are the two things that you think would make people respect the rules?" So, I I thought So, I'll start it real quick, but I'm sure we all have big thoughts about this. I was just listening to a podcast with Josh Shapiro, uh, governor of
108Pennsylvania, and he was talking about what they did in there, uh, to make it easier for business to be done in Pennsylvania, simplifying the process where, for example, to get your, if you were someone that cut hair, it was like a 20-day process to get that. And when they looked at it, they realized there were a lot simpler ways to do things. And they and they started from what's the end goal? Make it simpler. How do you get there? Um, I also, uh, ran our ordinances through um, and just did a quick review of some things. how updated is that? Um and um one of the comments on the ordinances we have is a lot of it is is um you know kind of old outdated but there's no teeth in the ordinances in terms
109of things. So I think and Vinnie to your point I think now is a great time to think about and reevaluate because we're going to be talking about the charter we're talking about ordinances we're going to be talking about at we're talking about everything in the town needs to be looked at right financial thing etc. And I think um in the same vein as that um I think we should be looking at everything. What is the process? I personally as a small business owner in town um I've run into headwinds uh where it didn't make sense to me when I was going through that. I've also in this position seen cases where business will just do something and then ask for forgiveness afterwards. And in some cases there's things the town could do that doesn't.
110In other cases there aren't things that the town can do. Again, we've had someone from uh regarding a blight issue that came here, for example, uh you know, last year uh and months ago about, you know, about blight with a neighbor and what the town can or cannot do was kind of humbling. Like there's certain things that that we cannot do because of the way the blight or is written. So, I think we need to do more. I think we need to make it easier. I think we need to do a re-evaluation of why we do certain things and re review it from from, you know, blanks blank sheet of paper. What do we need to do? So is this something that um as selectmen we would be asking Dan or is it does this
111fall to you because Dan reports to you? >> No from a process standoint. >> We we are we are the legislative body in town. I think uh we uh have the right to ask for that. I think we have the right to do that. I certainly uh will football that and ask but I think we need to have all the departments look at what they're doing but something like that especially um it it's it's important. >> I just happened to talk about the planning and zoning because I just went to but yes. >> Yeah. So I I I think that is well worth doing and I think we do we do need to look at it with fresh eyes. >> Do do towns I don't whether we have one or do municipalities have any rules
112of conduct for public meetings? I mean I mean that's you you have them you have them in school. You have them in a lot of places. There's expectations of what you can and cannot do. >> Library, right? >> Yeah. I mean do we is is that something that we have for our town meetings? Maybe we should give some thought if we do. Sure. I I I would assume that that's the case in some towns. I'm assuming everyone has some version of that, but but again, that's something I can't tell you 100%. >> And there, like I said, there's there's two sides to every coin. And, you know, with businesses, I definitely want to help businesses, make things easier for them as long as, you know, we're we're making them play by the rules. But then
113you mentioned the people that that do something that they may not get away with by filing an application and then act and ask for forgiveness afterwards. Well, maybe there's we need to find a way to to address those, too. >> I mean, you you you have to send a message we're here to help, but we also have to send a message that you're not going to get away with something that you do illegally just because you did it illegally. >> Yeah. I think if you're a contractor and you think about Portland and it's two contractors sharing a coffee, you want them to say to each other, "Portland is a great place to do business in if you just follow the rules." Just just follow the rules. It's easy. It's easy peasy. But man, if you
114you know, you you try to pull some shenanigans, you're in trouble, >> right? >> That's what you want them to say into each other. How do you define that? And I'm thinking maybe Dan can come up with three things that would be easy >> uh that folk would make a difference that would, you know, swing the pendulum and three things that would have some teeth. >> I think >> and uh I think he'd come up with something here and he doesn't have to do it tomorrow morning. >> Well, no, absolutely. He's got to do it tomorrow. We'll get it done. Um, I want to add something what Vinnie said as well. Um, I rec recently had a conversation with Dan Bertram with regards to the project that he's working on right here and he said
115something very similar to what you just said. Um, so at every level from someone just coming into town that wants to open up a small business to a developer that's putting together a $50 million project for the town of Portland. Um, developers talk with each other. So Dan's opinion of what it's like to do business in Portland to get this project up is going to be asked by other developers. If someone comes and wants to do a project on the riverfront, maybe we take our tw our or five acres or 12 acres, whatever we're going to end up getting. Um, they all talk and they go exactly that. They go, "Hey, hey Dave, you know, how was it doing business with the town? You know, should I spend my hundred million dollars on and building,
116you know, whatever in town, right?" And they're going to get that. So, it is important that we get it right. And it is important to look at it and small things are big things. And um and I think um this board is just the right board to do that. I I love the fact that we all want to get involved. Um I I'm trying to encourage each one of you to get as involved as you can in any of these issues because we have a lot of brain power here and >> this will feed into the PC right what we're trying to bring in. Okay. Thank you. >> That's all. >> So go ahead. [clears throat] >> Mike, I know uh as a business owner on Main Street, I know the town used to well
117uh sweep up Main Street every Friday. So I'd like you to see if that can be okay. continue to be cigarette but not >> y that's a good point >> and even just having it beautify right coming into town and there's things you see some flowers you see something it's small things are bigger things >> um all right that I think that's great I think that's great >> um >> yeah we sort of jumped into I don't know if you want to go back because I have something under general discussion which seems to be what we were doing >> right >> we didn't we passed over public comment. >> Well, yeah, I think we continued on this stuff. Yes, we too >> I kind of I did I did it under but >> I did
118it under committing for >> number but you want to see if there's public comments. >> No problem. So, yes. So, at this point, is there anyone online? Peter? >> Oh, >> all right. Very good. All right. Public comments is passed. So, all right. General informal discussion. >> Yeah. I just have one thing and I think it just is sort of tales to what we've just been discussing. So, um I had questioned and Mike knows this because I went to Mike about the use of um public buildings or town buildings um where there was a recent question that I had um specifically related to the senior center. I know that the library has a very specific policy um regarding the use of this building. the schools do. Um, parks and wreck has a use probably related
119to their fields, but I'm not sure that the senior center does um or or the town hall. Um, and so a lot of discussion ensued, but I don't I don't think that there was a resolution. And I I I I think that it's probably another thing that we need to be looking at um especially when we are using public resources for things that may not be appropriate. >> Right? >> Do you want if you want me to be specific, I will without because it's a political thing that um occurred. So I'm just going to lay it out there. the use of of of a public resource um for political purposes is a question in my mind. >> You you want to give a little history that or >> Yeah. And I'm not call >> not
120to call it out, but I >> I'm not and I'm not, but it it's because it's it's happened and there was a conflict in the use of that building that goes years back and just recently a a a political party was hosting a political candidate for the upcoming election in the senior center. And I think it is very much a question. It's one thing both the Democratic Town Committee and the Republican Town Committee use the space for meetings and that makes total sense to me. If candidates come in there and present to their we have it, you know, the Democrats have it, the Republicans have it, but this was specifically a candidate that is for a political party. Um, and so is that an appropriate use of public resources, which is what the senior center
121is? Maybe it is, but it's a question. >> And so we don't have the senior center doesn't have any policy around that. The library does very specifically to that. >> So that may require maybe more more we have to think about that and decide whether that makes sense at all. Creative policy. >> Well, right. It's just that like should there be policies around that because the library could pretty much very specifically pull that out and say that that would not have been an appropriate use. Um and in years There was an incident in years past where a political party was going to use that and it was questioned and they pulled their stuff out of there. So I think we got to figure that out so that we don't have each other. You know we
122don't want to cause conflict because we all you know work and use these buildings and do get along so well. But it was a question that was came to me that I presented to Mike and then so that it just lends to the bigger question of what is the policies around the use of town buildings. >> Okay. >> I think the [clears throat] uh I think if it's u you're right it's a it's kind of a little bit of a gray area but I think in in the senior center correct me if I'm wrong but it's you know they always put on stuff. So, I wouldn't I absolutely I know exactly what you're talking about. Yeah. >> I wouldn't be surprised at all if there was a uh a Democratic uh meet the candidate event
123there, you know, where the seniors come in and they're presented to. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if it was, you know, you got your half hour, you got your half hour and the seniors just sit there and listen. >> But I I I know what you're saying >> and that's okay. If it's an equal access and we're all talking about it, that's fine. But there's a line where if you're bringing a candidate because >> you're building and raising fun and nobody said that it was a fundraiser, but anything like that can be a fundraiser because if a person's attending there and says, "Well, I'm going to give you $50." Then you just raised funds and you and you get a free space in our town to do that in a political arena. That's all.
124>> Good. [clears throat] >> Good question. It's >> Yeah. And it's about like it's just making it the best for all of us. It isn't I'm it's that's all that it's about. And should there be policies more specific policies related to that because guess what? We don't have a community center really in Portland. >> So the senior center kind of gets used in that way. And so they're just trying to open and be, you know, fair to everybody. Um so we just need to look at it. I think >> what I'll do is I'll reach out to our council and just see if there's any legal opinion that I can get from her with regards to this kind of issue. I'll report back at the next meeting. >> And I you know and I think
125Vinnie touched on some of it because I know I've been down there where a sitting congressman John Larson has come in his capacity and spoke to the seniors about social security. That's a whole different that's a whole different but when you're when you're talking about a person running for an office that is not necessarily you know coming in there in an open forum type of environment >> but if John Larson let's just say he wins the primary for example which he probably will uh would would it be he based on what we Fazio was here right that's who we're talking about >> yes >> it would be would it be inappropriate for uh John Larson to say for the senior center to say hey come meet the candidate >> seniors and anybody else who would
126that be appropriate >> that's the question right >> that's the question because past history has been that when a political party attempted to do that it was questioned >> so they no longer >> so let's find out right it's either yes for everybody or no for everybody but it can't be yes for one party and no for the other >> because the library is specifically prohibits what happened >> uns and and to make the area even grayer >> if if the say the Democrats and the Republicans decided to bring in their candidate and use that facility is that different than the senior citizens whose facility it is to decide to bring somebody in to speak >> I think it becomes a little and I think that >> and I think that may be that may
127be the question right there >> where you know where it becomes you know you you want to have the seniors want to hear from somebody they want to bring them in is it their prerogative it's their building but if it's a if it's a separate entity from the seniors that are using the seniors building does it take on a different complexion >> constituent services versus campaign >> and I think that typically a campaign event for any political party these meet and greets are typically in a private home or a more public, you know, >> something like that than using town resources, >> right? >> Good question. >> All right. Okay. A lot covered tonight. This is great. >> So, anyone else have any informal discussion? I have one last thing. >> I'm Go for it.
128>> All right. >> You're good. >> I'm good. >> All right. So, another issue that came up a couple meetings ago was with regards to committees. It was specifically on the on committee on solidarity, but the question was whether like what's political um what's not political, what what is the charge of the committee that we're talking about and what goes outside the charge. And >> I've I've discussed this with with our attorney. Um I've had a couple discussions with with some of you here as well. And here's the here's the answer I've gotten back from from our attorney. Um and I and I'm looking specifically at the committee on solidarity uh resolution that we put into gear, but it could apply to any one of the committees that we have. And the question I asked
129was was what can the committee do um outside of their charge like that that would be considered political? Um you know, and the answer that I got back was if if a committee as the committee says, "Hey, we're recommending that you go to an event or you we recommend we recommend as a committee that this is, you know, this is what we're supporting." that would go outside uh especially if it's a political event that would be something that would stray outside. If it falls within um what the guidelines are for the committee, then then it's fine. Um and individually, anyone in that committee, if they have uh an event that they want to suggest or they want to go to, they could certainly do that, right? Because we we don't give up our first amendment
130rights to do anything we want to support. Um but when it's done either during a meeting of the committee itself um or something that they seem to be recommending as the entire committee then that kind of strays outside of what the rules would be. So I think we all kind of when this happened before I think we all agreed on that but um but it applies to really any committee. As we create committees, as we create the uh committee to do the school, as we create uh the committee for um you know, for >> name it, >> pay doesn't matter. >> Doesn't matter. Any committee we do, we have to be very clear on what the guidelines are, what the committee is being formed, if it's a short-term goal, if it's a long-term, if it's
131ongoing, and then we have to just make sure that um that that committee doesn't stray outside of there. So, I think that makes sense. Um it's understandable. I think we kind of recognized that at the last time at the last meeting why that might have tripped this whole conversation but that was kind of that was confirmed by attorney uh by our attorney and she just suggested that the committees understand that if they're giving a report on something or if they're discussing something uh they need to make sure that their report as a committee falls within their within within the guidelines that they have. If there's anything outside of there individually they want to go they just need to make sure they don't mix those two together. It does. They don't go into the gray area.
132>> I think Mike, it's exactly what kind of what we talked about, right? Absolutely. >> They give the official report and it's got to be within the constraints of what they were charged to do as a committee, >> but then if they want to come back in public comment speaking as an individual, Absolutely. >> they can promote anything they absolutely follow at the last meeting, two meetings ago, >> so my follow-up question, Mike, would be I guess you got the information, now what are you going to do with it? Yeah, I think I think there needs to be maybe maybe a kind of a memorandum from you to all such town committees >> just to you know say that I I've asked for guidance on this you know we're in a unfortunately we're in a
133in a period where politics is charged >> right >> and you know for that reason I got some guidance on you know where you draw the line in these local organizations and this is the guidance I and I would ask you to take steps to implement it. But I think you got the information, but I think the guidance has to go out. >> Oh, Mr. Dylan, >> I think that's a great idea. >> Yeah, I like that. >> Yes, that that put that that goes beyond disc that's put closure to it, right? And then for five years from now, two years from now, if it comes back up again, no, this was >> and quite honestly, five years ago or five years from now, it probably we it this has never occurred. It's just we're
134in such a politically charged and time now, you know. >> Right. >> Very good. >> Absolutely. All right. >> You gonna do that, Michael? >> Abs. I will do that. I will craft that. I will share it with the board before it goes out. But I think it's a great >> You could even just get get guidance and and do the insert in your document the written guidance from legal counsel. That's it. >> Absolutely. >> All right. Um, next one. Follow-up items. ethics ordinance review town charter and we've added create a uh committee to look at more efficiency in uh in our in our town. Um so we will discuss that. I'm going to say realistically after the uh May 11th referendums um we can then get to work on that. So that's not that
135far away, >> right? >> Um so but we'll get working on all three of those. With that said, u number 13, who would like to make an adjourn? Motion to >> David. >> All right. Who's going to second it? Bobby. >> Bobby does not do it. [laughter] >> Okay. In L of Bobby, we got Vinnie doing that. All those in favor? >> I opposed. Obsession. Motion passes. One more thing. We're out of We're out of here. We're out of here.