001Good evening everyone. It's 7:00 p.m. We'd like to start the meeting. Let's all rise for the Pledge of Allegiance, please. You can. I'm with you there. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. All right. I have one addition to the agenda, please. Um for 9C, we'd like to add discussion about the school referendum project. I now put it on last week. I had meant to in the list of old and ongoing accounts. Somehow it got missed, but we can add 9C school referendum project. Make a motion we approve the agenda with your addition. I'll second it. And any discussion? All those in favor? I. Opposed? Abstention? Motion passes. Thank you very
002much. The only other unofficial difference is Tom Robinson, who would normally be here for for his financial report. I think we already told you he's unable. He is home sick. And as a result, it's okay. He sounded terrible today. But also, the Mahoney stable financial report that went with that is postponed till our next meeting. So, those are the only two things that are not on there that is not on this list. So, very nice. Um all right, number four, the budget workshop and the adoption of the budget. So, couple things I wanted to say, and I'm going to then pass it to each of the selectmen up here to give kind of an overview of of the budget process before we do a vote. Um we have had a number of meetings over the
003last couple months. We have had every department in here, um not only after they've looked at their budgets, but also to be available for us to discuss their numbers with them. Uh Board of Ed has uh and Charles and his team have come in here with their budget as well. Um I believe everyone um on this entire team, our side, Board of Ed side, the departments have all done their best to try to get down to the best number they can based on getting the job done for the various departments, based on the goals of the town, based on what we can afford to do. And that's always a tough number to hit. Uh there will be some people very happy about the budget, there will be some people that will be very unhappy about
004the budget, no matter what the number is. I think most people will understand that as a team, um I'm really proud of how we did this. We all worked on it. We all I think squeezed every dollar we could out of this budget. Uh there were areas of disagreement I think we all had and I like that because we had to discuss it. Some we end up raising in some cases. Uh we added some money, in other cases we took away. But I think all of us here at this table looked at it and and thought, "What is in the best interest of the town and what How does that balance out with our taxpayers?" So, I just want to kind of thank everyone up here for doing the best you can. I think everyone's
005heart up here is in the right place and we're all trying to get this done as best we can. Um what I'd like to I'm going to start to my right. I'm going to start with Bobby. What I'm what I'm looking for is um this feedback in the budget process. We're going to be voting on this shortly after this. Um just want to get everyone's feedback and take in any of the last comments they have before we do a vote. Start with you, Bobby. Um I just have a couple things. I think um I know Charles works hard on his budget, but I think we're in the wrong area when we're starting a new budget year in the red. Um I don't think we put aside enough money for our land acquisition and open space.
006Um I think we're wasting money on social services. Certain ones should be eliminated. Other ones we should bring into the town cuz the town can provide us better service with it. And I think we keep underfunding our capital budget. Um the As much as everyone says we're trying to do things different, this is the same budget we've been passing in town for the last 30 years. There's no planning for the future, no saving for bigger projects. It's same thing year after year. That's it. Thank you. Okay. Uh this is obviously my my first budget cycle, but uh uh I I really believe no no single person really got everything that they wanted. Uh I I know that uh I probably ticked off some of my colleagues and I know there's some nights that I you
007know, I left, you know, scratching my head. So, where I certainly didn't get everything I wanted, either. Uh but all in all, I think uh when you kind of think about some of the some of the headwinds that are facing uh some of the other towns, which honestly uh other than just a morbid interest, it's really I could care less. But uh I I think all in all, we're we're better than most towns. Uh could we do better? Absolutely. Um one of the things that uh I kind of talked about a few times is the only way that I'm going to be in favor of this budget, and I am, by the way, is uh we absolutely got to create a productivity efficiency cost-cutting uh committee. Uh I know I'm freaking a lot of people
008out when I say that, but we really got to go after our fixed costs. And uh uh I think there's we got to look at everything. And when I say everything, I mean, I realize that we can't get into the Board of Ed's budget. But we The only thing that we control as selectmen is the money. We control the budget. And uh some of the things, you know, over the next year, two years, three years, if we got a good committee in place and we start really peeling back the onion and starting to look at what some of the real costs are and looking for opportunities, we can get ahead of this. Uh, but you know, it's the only way we're going to do this and we got to be serious about it and there
009can't be any pet projects or people. It's got to be purely based on facts, management by fact. Uh, it's the only way I'm going to be behind this budget. I realize how we got here. You know, we've got a lot of fixed costs. Certainly the uh, the ECS, the the state money that comes for, you know, for for every kid really hasn't changed the math in the last 13 years, right? So, if you look at, you know, depreciating, not depreciation, but inflation going up and up and up and that number, basically the math hasn't changed. Well, guess where the incremental that delta's coming from? It's coming from tax dollars. So, for our town, it's coming from property taxes. That's fact. And uh, we can't do anything about what happens in Hartford, but we certainly can
010control where we spend our money and I'm actually looking forward to working with that committee. Right. All right, thank you, Ben. Yep. Uh, I too is uh, along with Vinnie, uh, this is the the first time for me on this side of the table on on on the budget side. Uh, but I have been retired from working 50 years as IT director for the town. I I see both sides. Uh, and I agree with Ben. Uh, we do need to uh, consolidate uh, through through technology uh, and so forth cuz I think there are ways that uh, you know, what Bobby mentioned that we can, you know, do things differently uh, from that standpoint. Uh, and I think from that uh, with with technology, you know, especially with with phones and, you know, uh, your
011considered a lot of fixed costs that we need and so forth. There's There's ways that we can work together in in bringing those uh those costs down to make them more manageable. So, I'm I'm you know, I realize I think as has been said that that nobody's getting what we want. Uh but I think uh we were we all really worked hard uh getting the number that we got. And I realize the school is is going to be a big driving factor as far as is uh you know, the the the renovations and so forth. But, you know, looking at the state reimbursement funds that uh were very advantageous, I think uh we would be uh remiss if we we missed out on those opportunities. So, that's all I got. Okay, and I won't again
012say as the third person sitting here for the first time. Um but I have been involved in budget processes in the past, specifically when I sat on the Board of Education, and nothing about it is easy. I echo what some of my fellow selectmen have already said. Um however, that I I found that the difficulty, I mean, there were a couple things that that obviously hit us this year. But, so much of this budget is contractual and it's people costs um and I think for the most part every department in this town did their due diligence and a great job in in trying to bring to us something um you know, to keep their people getting their people their raises and so forth and not asking for more than what we absolutely need to run
013the town. It's very difficult. I think the number is something like maybe as high as 78% that's contractual. So, we're talking at looking at it, you know, you start looking at this other 22% or whatever the the dollar is. And like you said, here and there and if you're taking away this, but it's it's like there's nothing big to take out of it. Although, I think you know, we tried and we did. I think I when I first saw the budget being at, you know, higher, you know, we got it down to about a four plus percentage increase over last year. I did say, "Oh gosh, I just wish it could be better because I know that we're also asking the town for this very important school project." So, I too worried about that, but
014then when you get to it, everyone's hit with insurance cost. That was a big thing. You can't do anything about that. Our health insurance costs in this country it's a broken system to begin with and Portland really got hit hard with that. So, our employees have to have health care coverage and unfortunately, um, without that we might have been in a little bit of a better place, but I think, um, sitting here with all of you that we all shared and we did the best that we could do to bring, um, a budget that makes sense to me. Living in town all my life and a lot of you out here have many of you are long-time residents. I mean, uh, a small town, it's the benefit and the curse of living in a great
015small town. We are small. We have 7,000 plus taxpayers that have to foot the bill for emergency services, general government, senior services, the library, the schools, um, and as as uh, Andrea said, the vast majority of this is costs that are contractual. Uh, I've said to many people when we talk about our budget, um, you know, it's it's very easy to say cut here, cut there, but the reality is, um, for those folks who work still work or used to work, every year you're looking forward to your cola and every year you're looking forward to your raise. So, why shouldn't the people who work for the town of Portland as well? And as Andrea had also said, I think we made a good effort to try to negotiate those contracts and and give everybody a
016fair wage. That being said, um this was a very odd year. I mean, how do you plan and expect to see a over 20% increase in your medical insurance and then try to adjust for that. There's no way anybody could have seen that coming. Um you know, and I I agree with Bobby. We need to find a way to to put some money away um for a rainy day. The problem is at the end of every year that money is nonexistent. Um I applaud Mike for agreeing and I think maybe it was you, Vinnie, and myself that first floated the idea of some kind of a committee. Um but I I I seriously believe if we have a committee that maybe would involve some members from here and some members of the Board of Education
017and a couple different areas to look for efficiencies, to look for cost savings, maybe to look at some of our existing vendor contracts and see if there's a way they could be renegotiated or rebid for better cost. Is there any regional sharing that can be done? I agree with with um Dave cuz completely. I mean, technology costs are going through the roof. And if there's anybody that knows technology and how we used to do it better, it's Dave. Um you know, I I think there are ways that we can do this and I I agree. I think you can't wait until a month before every budget season and try to count your pennies. You need to spend that entire year looking for ways to find savings. Uh and I think if we make a habit
018of this and we do this throughout every year and look for ways to cut, we may not see a huge savings in year one, but if we make a habit of doing this, I think we can get the most efficiency out of out of the dollars that we use. So, um you know, as for where we stand right now, I think I'm I'm okay with this budget. I think the taxpayers should have their say. Thank you, John. That's always good batting clean up. Um I think it's um I look at this budget the same way. Uh I think as most folks on this board um very challenging year when you look at it and you got, you know, 80% of your budget or some, you know, plus or minus that is directly due to contractual
019obligations and healthcare costs. And there's very little discretionary. Um I do think we need to do a couple of things. One is going to be looking for those efficiencies. How can we consolidate, you know, across uh different different areas, different departments, whether it's Board of Ed, Board of Selectmen. How do we try to operate more efficiently with our technology? How do we share some of those costs? Get more efficient um in our contracts. We need to always be looking for those opportunities. I think it's also when I think we do a good job at this. We've got a history of um running our our our um budgets in the black in town, which is good. Um this past year, because we were able to operate uh with a $238,000 surplus last year, we were able
020to take some of the um capital costs and fund them that way versus collecting that money with this year's taxation. I think we always need to be looking at how we you know, we're very careful with and prudent with how we spend every nickel, even though it's, you know, just cuz it's allocated in this budget, it doesn't have to be spent um or it should definitely be spent efficiently. Um I too wish, you know, I think that we've had some good conversations. Um I wish we could put a little bit more in the capital budget. I think um I know, Bob, you've mentioned this. I think that um I wish we could be putting a little bit more in to better position ourselves in the open space budget. Because that's where some of our future
021economic economic development opportunities are going to come come from. So we need to be always thinking about those things. We need to be thinking forward. I agree also, you know, right now we're out service outsourcing or really I shouldn't say outsourcing. We're we're a member town with with transportation. And there's some real needs of why we need to do that and then there's some real drawbacks where we're doing some aspects of that better. So I look at all of that and I and I kind of um and when I boil it down, I think that we do have some opportunities as we go forward to operate more efficiently. Um but based on where we were and given the the limitations we had with what we could modify um I think we came to about as
022good of a place as we could at this time. I also think by the way, the one thing I will add it's one this budget to me also highlights why it is important that we are successful with the school referendum. Because operationally one of the reasons for consolidation, just like we're talking about consolidating services and and looking at how we can consolidate things internally to operate more efficiently consolidating from two schools down to one would give us an operational savings estimated at about a million dollars annually. Um and that I mean that's a full mill. You know, so there's a lot of reasons why we we need to be successful doing that. That's right. Um I agree with just about everything that's been said up here. Um we I think we've tackled it. We've come
023to a great budget, but what gives me more confidence going forward is that we are going to do something different from this point. We usually once a year we get together for a couple months and yes, we're paying attention to the numbers during the during the year, but I think we need to as everyone has said here need to have a focus on this all year long. Bobby and I are we're starting union negotiations. Uh the contracts end at the end of June. We have four contracts going up, so him and I have an opportunity uh collectively with the rest of the team to get the best budget we can that are fair to our employees and also are fair to the budget. So, we have a a chance to kind of adjust the dial
024there. We have a chance to adjust the dial on some of the other things we've talked about just because the the cuts aren't in the budget and may or may not be, we have an opportunity to make other changes. Consolidation um will only improve improve and increase as we go forward. Uh doing partnerships with businesses that might be able to do some of the things that we do as a municipality. If we could do that within the contractual language that we have, there's a possibility there. I mean, things are moving quickly, but I think um we've got a lot of brainpower here and out in the audience and in and in Portland, so I think we can come together with that. We effectively act as a Board of Finance. Uh we're paying attention to the
025dollars all the time. Uh it's it's our charge, the main thing that we do. Um so, uh if I get any other input from our Board of Ed and from others in the town and perhaps businesses in town as to what we can do to make that better. Um I look forward to doing that and I look forward to having that committee put together hopefully within the next month or two as soon as we're done with this. And the last point I want to make uh and I want to emphasize Jim's point is the school project in this budget to me are very tightly intertwined um because we're really trying to change some fundament- fundamental things about the town. One of the struggles we've had over the last 20 years is we've had an extra
026school. We've had three elementary schools that that's added a million dollars uh every year to our budget that makes it difficult to put capital in there. No matter how good any one of us might have tried to do it back then, it would have been difficult. So, by tightening that up uh at the same time as making sure we're paying attention to every dollar 365 24/7, I think allows us to go forward more lean and financially mean. So, I think we need to um get right on that. Um that's part of what Um, what I'll plan on on getting done as soon as we're done with this process. I will also encourage everyone out there, uh, whether it's a yes or a no, we hope I hope we've earned your yes vote. Um, but either
027way have your voice heard out there. Um, as as Bobby and others have said, um, there's things in here that you don't like. There's things here that are missing. There's maybe some money that could have been added somewhere else. We all have that. What's the old saying about if everyone's unhappy, you probably have a good deal. Um, to some degree I should say. Uh, you probably have a good deal and I hope we have that, but um, but that's my thought. So, I think we I think we've done the best we can. Um, for the folks listening the the the numbers tonight to remember are uh, 4.1% increase and 1.5 mils were the two big numbers I think most people have asked me about that. Those are the main numbers here, but with that, um,
028would someone like to read the resolution? Yeah, if you want. Um, I'll make a motion that we adopt the resolution, um, titled adoption of the proposed 2026-2027 fiscal year budget, April 8th, 2026. Resolve that the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Portland hereby adopts the proposed budget in the amount of and the details as follows. Um, do we have the, um, so obviously we have to send this uh, actually we have a town meeting we send it to referendum, right? Right. So, uh, town general government 16 million 323,787 dollars. Board of Education, uh, 27 million 168,420 dollars. The budget in total is in the amount of 43,492,207 dollars. Okay. Do I have a second? I'll second. Seconded by Dave. Any further discussion? All right. I'll call for the vote. All those in favor? Aye.
029>> Aye. Aye. All those against? Nay. No abstentions? Right. Six to 1 vote. Motion passes. Thank you. And again, thank everyone for all their help with this. It was a team effort. Um has anyone has everyone uh reviewed the various meeting minutes? Yes. Yes. I have. And let's call for a motion. Well, Uh if we have to motion them all separately. >> Let's do it separately to play it safe. All right. Um all those in favor of the March 17th meeting. Do you want to motion >> Motion. Yeah, make a motion, please. Yeah. I I'll make a motion. No >> No nobody yet. >> I will. I'll make a motion that we accept the minutes of the March 17th um budget workshop. And I will second that motion. >> All those in favor? I. Opposed?
030Abstention? Motion passes. Next. I can make a motion that we approve the minutes of the March 18th, 2026 special meeting. And I will second that. All those in favor? I. Opposed? Abstention? Motion passes. Am I making a motion? Yeah, make one as well. Make a motion that we accept approve the minutes of the March 18th, 2026 regular I'll second that. All those in favor? I. Opposed? Abstentions? Motion passes. A motion to approve the minutes of the March 24th, 2026 budget workshop meeting. I will second that. All those in favor? I. Opposed? Abstention? Motion passes. And finally, a motion to approve the minutes of the March 25th, 2026 budget workshop meeting. And I will second that. All those in favor? I. Opposed? Abstention? Motion passes. Well, last time we didn't, so we had to make it
031up to you. Just Andre and John. >> All right. I have no communications or correspondence. Uh public comments. Anybody online? Mhm. No. What? All right. Uh new business. Um everyone should have the tax suspense list in front of them. We do this once a year. It's effectively a list of money that we've been chasing for a long time and don't feel we're going to get back. Has everyone read through this? No. Did we just get it? We just got the There's not much to read through. Yeah. It's just they're all dead beat on taxes or they're deceased. What that? They're effectively dead beat on taxes or they're deceased. Yeah. So we just >> So we can't collect them, so we write it off. We chase them till they're dead. And these are 10 years ago.
032Yeah. Yeah. So just a formal. Yeah, pretty much. Pretty much. But it takes a long time for the town to give up, so. Yep. All right. With that in mind, um Someone like to approve this. Make a motion to approve it. All right. Is this uh a normal amount like every year? Is that $7 million worth? Yep. Yeah. Yep. Yeah, yeah, give or take. Yeah. I'll make the motion that we waive the reading of this. Oh, I would love that. All right. Second that. Okay. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Abstentions? All right. So the motion passes on this. Thank you. But that was a motion to waive the reading. I'm taking one jump ahead. Sorry, guys. All right. To accept this from the finance director. >> Yes. And now, do I have a motion
033to approve this? I'll make that motion. It just say Bob, was your motion to do both to to basically to approve this and waive the reading? >> You're doing all right. Okay. And I and I second it, so I will second both. Okay. And then all those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Stanchion motion passed. All right. Next in your packet is a resolution for a request for waiver of bid requirements for substitute staff placement service extension. Ronald Scott, do you want to just We can discuss it. Does anyone have any questions on this? We have a couple new members. Can you explain it, please? You're right. Wasn't going to ask you to do it, but while you're here. Perfect. So, ESS is our sub service. Um We they we contract with them. Otherwise, you having to
034onboard, hire, do all the HR for subs, which is a pretty high turnover position, would be an awful lot of work. And so, they manage all of the subs for us, and they work with our um secretaries in our buildings so that and we use an online system called Red Rover to record time. Anytime a teacher is absent, they enter their time for requests and and um ESS fills the sub service for us. We do pay a markup on each sub for that to ESS for that service. We've been using them for the past 10 years. Five years ago, we went out to bid. We had three bids. One we determined was very unqualified. The other one was twice as expensive as ESS as ESS, and ESS was by by far the premium bidder five
035years ago. Um they do a great job. We have a wonderful relationship with them. Finding subs has been very difficult. It's gotten a little bit better recently. Um but, you know, they they've they've kept it together for us. Um the nice thing is is you see that their percent increase in each of the five years as part of their renewal bid is zero. So, they're not asking us to pay any more. They want to keep that price flat for five years. I like the number zero. It's the best contract I've negotiated ever. Um so, I'm happy to ask to bid for that bid waiver so we can keep working with ESS. Charles, quick question. I I remember when this was implemented. Um the I would one of the reasons that this was done is because
036we had a challenge with uh fill rates trying to get >> Absolutely. Yep. So, how was our fill rate success been with this company with them being able to provide us? So far this year we're 75%, which is the highest ever in past 5 years. It was really bad coming out during and coming out of COVID. If you If you remember, we had to shut down during COVID cuz we couldn't get subs. And that was back when we were quarantining everybody and doing all kinds of Remember, that was the year I put out the plea and all the college kids came in and saved us. That was amazing, by the way, that year. All the kids home from school that that helped us. Um since then we They've re-staffed, re-upped, and this year they've done
037the best ever in terms of their fill rate. Um last year I think it was 68%. This year they're up to 75% fill rate. So, it's not 100%. I don't think you'll ever get 100% because sometimes teachers get sick during the school day and have to leave. Um and then, you know, it's hard to call people in at the last moment like that. But, the nice thing we've found is that if teachers can plan their absences 24 to 48 hours in advance at least, we're we're very likely to get subs from them now. And if I recall, they also um there are there was they have our district-specific criteria and policies that they get trained on. So, when they come in, they have training that's specific to our district. So. 100%. Yep. >> Yep. Okay.
038Well, if everybody's good, I I'd like to make a motion. Take it away, Paul. I'll be after you. Yeah, I know. Yeah, we have to read it. All right. Okay. So, I will make a motion that we approve the request for waiver of bid requirements dated April 8th, 2026, substitute teacher staff replacement services extension. Whereas ESS Northeast LLC has provided quality and professional service to the town. And whereas the present substitute services contract with ESS Northeast LLC and Town of Portland Board of Education is set to expire on June 30th, 2026. And whereas the Board of Education and ESS Northeast LLC have had a successful partnership on providing substitute services for our staff members including teachers, paraprofessionals, and nurses. And whereas ESS Northeast LLC has offered to extend the contract for fiscal year 2026-2027 through
039fiscal year 2030-2031 at a 0% markup increase each year. And whereas ESS Northeast LLC may adjust their pay rates to align with minimum wage increases. Now therefore be it resolved that in the best interest of the town pursuant to section 1208 subsection 7 of the Portland Charter, the Board of Selectmen hereby waves the bidding requirements for section 1208 of the Portland Charter as it pertains to utilizing ESS Northeast LLC as the vendor to provide substitute services for five additional years from fiscal year 2026-2027 to 2030-2031. I'll second it. All right, any further discussion? All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Abstention? Motion passes. All right, zero increase. Easy to say yes to. Thank you. Next one is for our DESPPA P grant. Um this is something we do every year. Uh this is something that allows
040um allows Don to do his uh his work in town. It's a grant that we provide it to them. Um is everyone familiar with this? Not entirely. It's it's for the public safety that he does for the town. Um the old our old Board of Selectmen office that was his office in the corner. We were up there with Portland is required for if we have safety issues and that. Emergency manager. >> Yeah. So he applies every year and that's what basically pays him for what he does. It's done with you. Yes. Yes. Yes. Right? Yeah. I'm going to wait for this. That's That's fine. Um we I That's fine. I'll read it. Um I make a motion that we uh adopt the resolution um as you know, as provided and reads as follows. Certification, I
041Michael V. Tierney of the town uh the town of the the town clerk of Portland, Connecticut do hereby certify the following is true and correct. A copy of the resolution adopted by the Portland Board of Selectmen was at a duly called and held meeting on April 8th, 2026 at which a quorum was present and acting throughout and that the resolution has not been modified, rescinded, or revoked and is at present in full force and effect. Resolved that the Board of Selectmen may enter into into with and deliver to the State of Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security any and all documents which it deems uh necessary uh or appropriate and further resolve that Michael A. Pelton as First Selectman of the town of Portland is authorized
042and directed to execute and deliver any and all documents on behalf of the town and to take all steps to perform all acts and things which he deems to be necessary and appropriate to carry out the terms of such documents including but not limited to executing and delivering all agreements and documents contemplated by such documents. The undersigned further certifies that Michael A. Pelton now holds the office of First Selectman and that he has held that office since January 8th of 2025 and witness thereof the undersigned has executed this certificate and of course it'll end up being sealed. Nice. I'll second that. Okay, second by John. Further discussion? All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Abstention? Motion passes. Thank you. I just I just want to say knowing um Donald Gouin quite well and knowing the time
043that he puts in and the volunteers that work with him that they put in I just want to say thank you to him. Publicly. He does an amazing job. The money that he gets paid versus the amount of work that he does. >> Exactly. He's effectively volunteering. So, uh it's very And he does a lot of work around town. You see him everywhere. So, and he takes it very seriously. I like that. All right. Thank you. All right. Next in the line, we'll go to my right this time. We have the Connecticut Neighborhood Assistance Act program participation. We also do this every year. We by participating it allows um certain um organizations to be able to apply for funding. Um it's it's been used over the years uh for different programs. Um I don't believe
044someone took advantage I took advantage of it last year, but it is something we do every year. But it's a tax credit program. Is that Yes. That's what it is. That's what it is. >> it of this? We have it's non profit Right. >> in Portland. Mhm. Yes. >> Yes. Yes. Okay. >> And normally Tom would bring whatever ones we had that applied for it last year. Right. That's what I That's now we can shelve this until he comes in and we can do this at the next meeting. No, if it's something that I was just I just wanted to Yes. clear for myself what I read the stuff that you sent out. So, it's tax credit >> Yes. to nonprofits, but there are sev- at least several in Portland that >> Yes. benefit I
045believe. from a tax Yes, and it gives them the opportunity to do that. Yes. to apply. Yes. Right. Based on they have to have be certain types of organizations. >> Yes. They have to to a qualifying Yes, a qualifying organization. so. All right. Someone like to make the motion? I'll make a motion. >> Good to read it. Okay. Or a resolution Board of Selectmen Town of Portland Portland, Connecticut April 8th, 2026 2026 Neighborhood Assistance Grant uh Assistance Act 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 non-profit organizations within the municipality to submit applications. And whereas in accordance with the State of Connecticut Revenue Services, the Board of Selectmen shall hold a public
046hearing on all programs uh and the governing body of the municipality must vote to approve these programs. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Town of Portland Board of Selectmen uh does hereby designate the First Selectman Michael A. Pelton as a liaison to handle all Neighborhood Assistance Act matters. Okay. Do we have a second? I'll second that. John. Further discussion? All right. Um I will bring the list of ones that have applied over the last couple of years as well. I want to see a couple more before then, so. All those in favor now? All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Stention. Motion passes. Now, you on your agenda it says to set a public hearing date. >> There is one. Right. On April 22nd at 10:07. Right. But Um do we have We do We
047do that at the next meeting. Okay. But do we have to move to set that date tonight or no? No, not tonight. Not tonight. Is it Is it the next one? Yes. Okay. No, it is set already. Okay. Right? Um He's saying but it's already set because I saw it I thought I saw that. Did anyone else see it? That there's actually a public hearing set at on April 22nd at our next meeting at 10 minutes before that. >> have Okay. >> if we had already voted and set that meeting date if you needed that done. We we don't need to do that. >> We don't need to do that tonight. Right. We don't need to do that tonight. Just yeah. All right. Um But then then why does it say set public hearing date?
048That's what confused me. >> That's that's all. Do we just do it? Even if it's already done? Because it says set public hearing date. We probably should have a motion on it. All right. That's where I saw I didn't look down at this but that's where I saw >> I thought I saw it on the case. We should say we're going to start 10 minutes early or it's the first 10 minutes. >> Because we didn't set it at our last meeting, it hasn't been set. Right. >> It won't hurt to set it again. Let's let's do it again. I listen. >> Typically need to have set it more than 10 days, right? And that might be the reason why it's back on here now. So let's let's do that. Let's play it safe. Okay. Okay?
049You want me to make that motion? Please do. >> Okay, I'll make a motion that we set a hearing date for the Connecticut Neighborhood Assistance Act on April 22nd, 2026 at 6:50 p.m. All right, second. I'll second it. Discussion? How does this happen? Okay, yeah. All those in favor? I. Opposed? Abstention? Motion passes. All right. Refunds of excess payments. I'll make a motion for a refund of excess payment for Hyundai Capital America, $426.04 and $247.96. All those in favor? I. Opposed? All in favor? I. Opposed? Abstention? Motions pass. All right. Do we have any appointments or reappointments for boards or commissions? I don't have any. We don't. Yeah. Um okay. Um The appointment of boards we don't need We'll get Yeah, we'll do it later. Yeah. Yeah. It won't be a problem but they're going
050to wait on it until the next meeting, so yeah. No, thank you anyways, though. All right, updates. I'll go through a quick list on this. So, Nordic Spa, it's still ongoing. They are still on track for November. There's an easement issue that they're asking for the road that's near there that we're working through right now. It's just something that Eversource needs. I'll fill everyone in on the details of that. But, that just is because when we when we dig That's it. Jason, want to walk them through really quickly what the situation is with that. We have to just clarify the road near there. Jason Maraco, director of public works. So, the easement for the Nordic Spa is on Brownstone Avenue. Originally, when I saw the map, the easement area is just really large. So, I
051questioned whether or not they absolutely need that large area as an easement. And and what our rights to that easement are going to be when and if we you know, redo Brownstone once the spa is done, you know, as far as a reclaim, reshape the road, any sidewalks, for any additional sidewalks, or anything that might need or the town might want to put there. So, currently, we're working that out with Eversource through our attorneys and through land use just to find out exactly what those little nuances are. Now, everything with Eversource is is is overhead, so there's nothing's in the ground, but it it it does say maintain existing, and we're just wondering what about future. So, that's what we're we're we're coming out with. Thanks, Jason. Thanks, Jason. >> You're welcome. All right. Jason,
052when you say I'm sorry, you know what? I don't I want to see how quickly you could turn around. >> I could turn around it pretty quick. Um You said it I know the the poles there overhead. I'm assuming that they're going to go underground into the facility or are they also going to with an aerial feed it? My understanding is that they'll go aerial across the road onto the same side and then down and through. To be honest with you I didn't pay much attention to that cuz I was really just focused on how wide their overhead is minutes. Yeah, okay. Thank you. All right, um What's that? Uh you'll have to find out. Thanks thanks Jason. Um brain replace the only update I have significant is with Sage House. Um they have put
053the windows in that and they're working in the outside. So those are installed. They need to get the outside of it done. Um they still have to I guess you know fix up some of it that they do some painting as well. On the inside they won't they won't start until they have the final plans from the the folks that'll be in there. But the outside of the shells are responsibility but the windows are in right now. So you'll see some more work done on the outside of the next four to eight weeks. So I think the chimney masonry's done. Yeah, they they've been working on that so yeah. Is the entire inside of that meant to be for that educational center? >> Yes, yes. The whole? The whole thing. And and from the plans
054I've seen they're also going to have a walkway to the B building. That I got. But yeah cuz it's a lot of smaller rooms in there. I mean it's kind of So I wondered how big of a yeah. It's pretty big pretty big footprint that they're going to take so They are. That's a good thing. It's nice yeah, absolutely. Um what is their pace for finishing the last two floors in the second apartment building? Um I just I just talked to Ray today. They have some they have some old issues that they have to clean up. Um part of the issue there is is um they did some conditional ones on building E. Um they're wrapping that up um a few of the smaller things but in building F, they had a couple outside issues
055that weren't taken care of. So, we're actually going to be meeting with their contractors. We're trying to bring Dan down here as well and Ray. Just doing a final punch list. What they're trying to do is they're trying to get um, the pool open up and a few other things open up, amenities, um, by May-June uh, for the residents that they have there, which is a great goal. So, we're going to try to figure out the way to get there. So, uh, right now there's been a lot of back and forth. They come up with a punch list. Uh, Ray hits it but then there's other things they need to do. So, we're trying to get it all tackled all at once. We don't want to nickel and dime them to death. We want the
056project to move forward but they also need to follow the rules and make sure that they are hitting all the marks that required. Uh, Bob brought up the other day about uh, CH house weather, if that wasn't completed, the outside wasn't done, does that affect the you know, the the the CO of of uh, building F? And it is connected. Um, our our building officials um, are trying to be accommodating when they can. Um, but they also want to make sure they hold their feet to the fire. So, um, we have that we have that meeting that we're scheduling. Um, I'll let folks here know when we're going to do that if you want to participate in that or see what happens to that but uh, we're interested in getting the project done the right
057way uh, quickly so it's good for everybody but Well, I think and I think that's why making sure that we have a I I I think that's why we need to make sure they're hitting the triggers properly >> Right. before we you know, we give that release because um, later on there's going to be some other key aspects in terms of how uh, getting the commercial online before, right? There's another trigger there. We don't want to be setting a precedent >> of of giving it all those things. >> that was my concern and you brought it up initially was the the board is supposed to approve it, not the planning department approve it. So, so I did get a little clarification for you. So, I talked to Dan Brier, I don't know if you talked
058to Dan at all. Our our our our planner. So, so they have the ability to approve something for example, uh, with some gray area or or or approve something with some conditions in the same way that Well, no. I know he can approve it. Right, but this board Well, this board can >> the tax abatement. >> Well, and this board has >> That's what's the board's >> Right. And this board can we can make Let's Let's say he does that and this board chooses to penalize him for that because it doesn't follow the contract. That's within our power to do that. So, we could do that as well, but that's why he said there's some give and take there and I he was going to reach out to you actually. It's hard to penalize somebody
059when a different part of the town says, "Oh, yeah, you can do it." Right. And they didn't have the authority to do it. The According to the town plan and according to the rules there, they have the ability according to what they do. I understand. Not with a tax abatement. They have the ability to issue a temporary CO if it's a normal construction project. Right. It's not. It has to do with a tax abatement, which has nothing to do with planning department. That's the issue. That's all. Yeah. River access project. Um we are 6 weeks, maybe 7 weeks from that being hopefully open, ribbon cutting. Um the last I heard from uh Butler, they were looking at by the end of April, early May they should be done with road construction with the parking garage
060or parking lot. We're at stage two. Right, sorry. Um but I think we're looking at early May and then uh end of May uh the or the Yeah, the fence. Why don't you come on up? Why why are you over there? He's got the latest and greatest thing. There's only a couple things left to do. Road, fence, parking lot. Jason Marco, director of public works, again. Uh yeah, so we're waiting for Butler to um do some of the final box out on the existing gravel roadway and then uh to lay down the asphalt. Uh we have to topsoil it, seed it, and then we have a PO already set up for a fence company that I have to um, get in touch with and schedule so that once Butler's done with their stuff, um, we
061can in install the fence. And, uh, the fencing is just going to be towards the upper part of the road, about 300 ft down from Airline Avenue, um, parallel both sides of the uh, existing or the new roadway and tie into existing fence that's already there. There will be a gate up at the top, uh, of the roadway. Whether or not that gets locked shut or stays open is is up for discussion. But, the plan would be end of April. I I'm saying by May 1st. Weather permitting, of course. Good stuff. Good. Did you kayak already? No update on Airline Trail? Uh, POCD, nothing new on that. Uh, water well, Jason, one more time. Some some activity has happened with that, so. Yeah, so the new, uh, well for Glastonbury uh, Gospel Lane, sorry. Um,
062the contract has been approved and executed with Snyder. Uh, when I say approved, uh, DPH gave us our sign-off. So, uh, the contract was signed by Snyder along with, uh, uh, Mr. Pellan, and uh, that is starting to, uh, move in upward direction. I have a meeting next Friday with Snyder as a kickoff, uh, meeting, but they have been doing stuff um, the last few days getting their subcontractors, uh, lined up as far as for their consulting work in in coming up with plans on uh, what they want to do when we meet next Friday. So, um, we're going to see some some behind the scenes progress on that. Um so hopefully in you know, uh let's say four or five months I'll be able to come back and maybe show you some progress prints
063or give you an idea of of what's been going on and what we've been talking about and it's definitely um something positive in uh for the town. That DAS approval that means they they already got the AG's approval, too, right? That's with the state? Yes. That's that turnaround time is amazing. Uh the yes, we we were doing a lot of stuff to make sure everything fell in line all at the same time. There were some letters that had to be sent by the first selectman that uh myself and land use um drafted up um for some approvals cuz we don't have our um plan of conservation and development um current, so we uh had to request an a uh a waiver or slash extension on that and and we got that. That only counts for
064this project. If we need it for another project, we have to apply for for it again, but that's in the works, so I have uh I have a good feeling that eventually that will that will be passed and implemented. Have we uh uh shared our project acceleration to Schneider? Yeah. That uh what I sent to the commission, that was theirs. They put that together. So it it's not that I shared it with them or I'm pushing them to do that schedule. We told them what we really need for an end date and that's how they put everything together. Uh I'm talking about the December 2027 Yes. timeline. Okay. Good. Thank you. There's going to be a you know, I was hoping I say we were hoping a prior couple of the board members and and
065Mike were hoping for that we would be at this point last month. Um but it just took a little while to get that little bit of paperwork, but we are always pushing forward, so. Great. Very good. I think the offset there is that the approval from the state came through more quickly than which is good. Sometimes the state can move quicker. I like that. >> Yeah. Um, and and also potential upgrades. Um, we're talking about improvements down there as well. Any Any movement on that? Improvements to down where? Sewer plant. >> Sewer plant. Oh, no, I'm still working with the Right there. the um I can't think of the Jeff from Connecticut Water. Yes. Um, and his staff. Got it. >> To be honest, I emailed them last week, asked for them to look at
066what I put in there, and I haven't heard back. I will follow up with them tomorrow. Great. Any other questions for him on anything else while we're here? Good. All right. Brush pickups in full swing. All right, Jason. No, I just I had to. I did not expect That was way too easy. That was way too easy. Way too easy. Thank you. All right. We added school referendum project. Um Couple things. Um, there's been a lot of information put out there about this project right now. Um, I can't emphasize enough the importance of this project to the town in in a number of ways. Um, but I'll start with just a few things. We We've had a number of years talking about this project. We've had two committees that have looked at it over the
067last 5 years. We've had a lot of brain power put into this, and some of the conclusions have been absolute. The schools need it. They're old schools, and the schools that we're looking to renovate to new are in need of it in a number of ways. Everyone here on this board agrees, Board of Education agrees, the people that have been there agrees, so the need is there. Um, we also have been overpaying for one school over the years uh because we have three elementary, and that's added a significant cost to the town and that has affected our capital outlay, what we could do with the schools. We've had to spread it out over five schools and that has made it unsustainable and so we've gotten to the spot where we have not been able to
068maintain the existing schools. So closing the one school was an easy decision to do. Even picking the school to choose, I think was a relatively easy one after everything was discussed. It was the school that was the biggest, the most costly to improve, wasn't in the best location for reading use being on Main Street and also allowed us to use for swing space should and if this project get passed. So I think that the plan that we have now is also a better one than we had two years ago that was unsuccessful for many reasons. And I think the timing of this is is right as well. We have the opportunity now to get an additional 15% on one of the on one of the two schools because of pre-K that the state added. So
069our reimbursement rate right now to me brings us to a number that's only I say only I value every million dollars but only three or four million dollars more for this project which is high school middle school eight million dollars there renovated two new two new schools to new and all the energy efficiency that goes with that and the total cost is just under 42 million dollars whereas the mega school project before I believe was 38 million dollars 37 million dollars for that project and we had two schools we had to do something with. And that's it and that includes secondary school. So so I guess kudos to those folks for pushing it and pushing no because it brought us to a better place. So I think timing on all these cylinders seems to be
070perfect and one of the things that I think was was headwind before was Brownstone as a school is a beloved school and what to do with it. We would have had to decide right off the gecko what to do with that school in the beginning. We now have five years to use that beautiful school as swing space and it gives us five years to do something with that school and come up with a great plan for mixed use in whatever way it's going to be. And in 5 years, this town is going to be different in a positive way. We'll have Brainer Place up and running. The spa will be up and running. Main Street may even be uh different in many ways. It may be re-lined. It may be minimized. It may have uh
071more business there. So, that building becomes more valuable, and there may be uses then that we're not even thinking of right now that developers may come up with. Uh but either way, that building will stay that same look. It's a It's a value building, and we'll make sure and those people that are interested that want to participate and be part of that decision, whether on the board now, whether they um are still interested 5 years from now, we encourage them to participate. But, for me, um it is it is vital for the town to do that. And with the business growing in town, the town can afford to do that. So, the need is there. The plan, I think, is is great. Um and I think the timing is right, and we can afford to
072do that. Um and in full disclosure, we have been conservative in every single number that we've done. I mean, we've had so many discussions with this board over over the last couple years, but especially over the last couple months as we've gotten down to the details of this. Every number on there is conservative from the bond rate that we have right now to the estimated cost we built in inflation over the years to um number of students that we have, uh which has been flat. Maybe it'll go up a little bit or not. But, we have a factored everything in, and I think this plan um if it passes, will be the biggest impact in this town that we've had in a generation in a number of ways positive that will make houses more valuable.
073It'll make people want to come to Portland more, and it ties in with I think the whole outlook of this board where we're watching every single dollar. We are making sure that we're being careful with that. And this plan makes our our town more efficient and more effective and better education for the students that we have. And a better place to teach for a teacher coming in or for a family uh that wants to raise them or for a business that wants to grow here. I mean, it does all of that, and I don't think that's an I don't think that's an overstatement. I truly believe that in my heart, and I think everyone here believes the same thing. So, um so, I would ask anyone watching or listening or rewatching this, um I think
074this project and the budget, I think they go hand in hand because I think the budget allows us to um to look at every single dollar, and this this school plan allows us to uh perhaps save even more by having more energy efficiencies in there um that can help provide additional um capital money for land acquisition, um some extra flexibility as we're growing. Um and again, every number that we've looked at um has been has been done cautiously. So, uh again, I think any surprise we have will be I think a pleasant surprise, uh which is what um I think our our our taxpayers deserve. So, uh and last thing before I I I pass it to anyone else that wants to say anything on this is um to our seniors out there, we had
075a great meeting today uh with a number of the seniors in in one of the neighborhoods in town uh that and I I would think I I think I just about everyone was retired there. They asked great question questions there, and um and they asked good ones about it. And I think at the end of the day, most people there um raised their hand and said they were inclined to vote for it uh because they understood that it was better for the town. And when they were kids, their grandparents were helping out the schools and maybe helping babies to the kids or whatever. So, um I I felt really positive about that. Um but we had to explain to them, Charles and I and and Andrew and others had to kind of walk them through
076it uh because they didn't know much about it. So, I would encourage anyone out there that's in favor of the program, um tell your neighbors, educate them, let them know whether they vote yes or no, come out and vote. I I'd rather have someone be educated and go, "I don't want that for whatever reason." Come out and vote and have your voice heard because then you can talk about it afterwards whether it passes or not. But um I encourage everyone to get out there and learn more about it. The websites are out there, the materials are out there, the videos. If you want to know, you can. But again, get out and vote. We need 20% of people in town to vote for this thing um whether it passes or fails, even if every person
077that voted for it came out, but we only had 19% of the of the registered voters come out, it still wouldn't pass with only 20% that come out. So, one out of five of our registered voters. And right now we have about 7,100 voters in town right now, registered voters. So, that means What's the number? 1,450? 1,400 change? So, we need that many people to come out and vote, and I encourage What's the number? 71 It's about that's how What about What is the number? Like I really would like to know. They're doing it right now. It It's It's It's They're They're They're kind of going through it right now. They're going through the voter rolls. >> So, all right. But that's it It'll be within a couple dozen of that number. It won't be
078a big difference, but that's still a lot of folks. But anyway, so we need that. So, I encourage everyone to come out and vote. Have their voice heard. All right. So, Box stepped off of So, I'll step back on it. Step back on, please. As everybody knows, for a couple years I've been talking about this because I think that the last go-around on these schools, I don't think we presented information well. I don't think people necessarily knew what was going on when they walked in there. And I was saying from the very beginning, no matter which way people vote, we need to make sure that we give them all the information so they're educated. So, when they walk in, at least you know that everybody has the understanding of what's going on. Um there are
079couple issues that I'm a little concerned about. One of them, Mike talked about the 20% vote. The town charter, section 412, um requires that in what they call a special election, which this is, you have to have 20% of the folks that come out and vote. So, no matter which way this falls, whether it wins or loses, if if if you have 98% to up to that 20, it's going to fail. It's not even going to be a valid vote because we don't have the people. So, everybody needs to get out there and and make their voice heard and vote whether they whether they're pro or con, they need to be there. Um I've been go I've been to quite a few as some of us have uh Charles' presentations and I think the information
080that he's gotten out there and the tours of the schools, everything has been very helpful. The other evening somebody mentioned about, you know, that there's nothing on the town website. Well, right now there is. Um and when you go to the town website, all the information's there. It's very clear. Thank you. Um the I I think it's important that everybody know that there is a brochure that's going to come out in the mail to all the residents very soon. There is a very nicely colored two-sided 8 1/2 by 11 that I believe this this Friday is going to be inserted in the River East. And on the flyer that comes in the mail and on that insert is a QR code which will get you to that website where all that information is. Um I
081also suggested to the first selectman and um our superintendent today I think the the final report of the Strategic Capital Committee needs to be on that website only because, I mean, it it's it's not a huge read, but I think for those that are coming into this kind of fresh they get a better feeling for the discussions and the detailed analysis that went on with that group. Uh and one of the things that I specifically want to make sure they read, I think it's on page 21 is the discussion that the the Strategic Capital Committee had on whether to keep Brownstone Intermediate or close it. And I think all the information there explains the logic behind why it really didn't fit um the current requirements for an educational facility, especially for younger kids. The front
082of that building was built as a high school. The additions were for junior high school and middle school. Um we're talking about much younger kids. But, you know, all that being said, I also want everybody to understand that in all the discussions in that strategic capital committee, we always recognized that's the importance of that school from its architectural historical perspective to the town. There was never any intention at all about, you know, that letting that building waste away like unfortunately happened to Central School many years ago. So, I I want that message to be clear to voters. Um that, you know, whatever happens, whatever we do with that school, it's it's providing us cost savings by being a swing school cuz we don't have to use the portable classrooms that are quite expensive. Uh it
083gives us time to figure out which way we're going to go. But, you know, I I would also, and I've said this to Michael Pelton, so I'm not speaking out of class, there was a committee that that met a year or so ago um to look at what can be done with the buildings that are closed. And some of those results are certainly available. But, I also think it's important as time moves on here and and that school's being utilized to have another committee that looks into what can be done with that. And honestly, I really think that the historical society, some element of that should be involved in that committee or in separate discussions just to come up with a way to ease everybody's minds that no matter what happens to that building in
0845 years, 10 years, or 25 years, that it is the historical significance, the icon that is on Main Street remains. Um you know, I I think that's that's critical to this process. You know, and even if we everybody says keep it a town building or whatever, that's fine for now or 5 years or 10 years down the road, but when when I'm pushing up daisies, you you still want something some language that's down on paper with a stamp on it that says this is official to ensure that whoever has control of that building in the future, whether it's us or a a combined private commercial venture or it goes to to a private contract, it's still they still we're going to look at that building as the historic investment that it is and make sure
085it stays that way. But, I just wanted to put that out there so everybody knows that that is not I know people are concerned. Believe me, the committee was concerned, too. That was always a topic of conversation. Excellent. I'll I'll add only one more thing, and I swear it's only one more thing. Um in this day and age, it's rare to get uh uh unanimous support for anything. Um and I think there's been virtually unanimous support for this project. Board of Ed, Board of Selectmen, you know, RTC, I believe DTC's meeting sometime soon. Um but, uh people that know about it know it makes sense, know it's something worthwhile, and we know it's affordable, and we know it would be it would improve the town, the education, and uh the the teachers and all across
086the board. So, um I don't see any downside to it, and sometimes things are just needed, and this is one of those. So, um it's it's a perfect bipartisan thing we can agree to. So, all right. No other comments or Yes. I I just have one. Um I think we all agree the the school plan is great for what they want to do to the schools in Brownstone and everything. I think the only concern that keeps coming up, and some of us have talked about it, is what we're not funding at the secondary schools that we need to come up with a plan of how we're paying for that, because we're only taking care of roughly less than 50% of what those schools need. So, we need to figure out how we're paying for those
087$10 million in repairs that will remain if this passes. So. Yeah, that's a good point. I think the good thing is if I it's a 5-year project to get done, we we need to be work we need to think I need to think about that now. So, good point. Want to be on the committee? Well, my only concern is that if this passes, we can't go back to the people Right. in 5 years after the two schools are done and say, Yeah. "Okay, we need $10 million at the secondary schools, Right. but secondary schools, but in 5 years it's not going to be $10 million. Right. It's going to be more. Right. So, we can't kick the can down the road for 5 years. No, I get that. I get that. And and I think
088we'll we'll need Bob and the rest of the team over there to be looking really closely at what we can do and what we can minimize and finding any grants we can for whatever opportunity. So, yeah. I agree. I agree. So. All right. Moving on. All right. Status and committee reports. I'll start from my left. Uh just um uh I think the only the um water and sewer and and parks and rec meeting is next week. So, uh looking forward to attending those. The only thing I that I saw that I know would affect parks and rec and I expect I may get a question on it. I think on Facebook you would have noted something about a potential dog park. Um is there something cuz I know we hadn't heard about it. So, and
089so I I I put a teaser out there. Um at Brainard Place, um he's he's considering adding or or doing a dog park. We're considering that where he would pay for putting the fence around the town property right next to his. Um and >> Next to the gas station where >> Next to the gas station she's going to build. And what And he floated the idea I put out because we we obviously we have to we don't have to prove it here, we don't have to agree to it. But I thought it was a neat idea. Sent plans over because he's trying to build amenities for there for not only his residents but also for the town. So we approached him and said, "Listen, if I if I can use that property and create a
090dog park for use by anybody. Town can come there, they can come there. Would you be open to I said I said that sounds really good. So he's still it's still an idea stage. There's a lot he's got to do. But I thought that that was an interesting idea. And the complicated part about that is when we talked about dog dog parks 5 years ago, I thought every dog owner in the world would love a dog park. Come to find out dog owners have have a mixed love-hate relationship with dog parks because the ones that aren't really dog people bring their dogs and let them run and they don't follow the proper rules. But I like the idea. So um So it's one of the ideas that's floating. It's something he's looking at seriously uh
091to add amenities to it. I thought it was a neat idea. Um so that's that's the location that we're looking at. Um I hopefully no one's watching right now. They're they're not going to pick this up. But >> Well, yeah. Because it was on Facebook, I actually already did get one question about it. >> That's perfect. But that's good though. I think it's it's it's something that's worth exploring. It'll have to come to our board. We'll have to discuss we'll have to get the details on it. Um there's he wouldn't get that I don't think for another year year and a half. So it's still off in the distance. But um I like the fact that the developer is looking at things that can involve the town um and add amenities not only to them
092but to us. You know, and I kind of floated to the dog lovers that I know and they I mean they like that idea uh as long as parking was easier and and the whole bit. So it's being explored. I think that was a neat idea. So They allow dogs in their own place? They do now. They do. Uh they're big on amenities. I mean they're also looking to put a fitness center in there that would then have a component for the residents and maybe something that could be done for non-residents. So So they're they're trying to make that a community, you know, and really you know, ideally mixed-use uh properties. And it's part of that. So I I I I gave him kudos for that. Um I'll share the initial plan. It was really
093kind of a a private one initially, but I'll share with the selectmen so you can at least see what ideas that they had about that. But, I thought that the spacing looked good and it was interesting and worth worth discussing. So, still far off, but I I kind of like that idea. And to be honest with you, it's kind of I want to see what kind of response we'd get. So, you got at least one question, huh? That's good. That's good. I like that. So, nobody ever puts out a cat park. It's always a dog park, right? Well, interesting to me, then. Mark, what was that? Okay. All right, moving on. Um I attended Board of Education last night. Charles just walked away. Um it it was generally the usual meeting with updates and discussion,
094but there were a couple points that I wanted to highlight. Um they always do the Portland Public Schools Spotlight, or most times, where they spotlight a program of that's unique. Um Tom Branchfield, who's the current president of Brownstone Quorum, came in and spoke about a Rockfall Foundation grant. You talk about wanting to get the your the kids in the schools involved in something community-wise. Um there there are three nice signs. You've seen the ones around town for the quarry that are you know, that the panel that's set up on nice steel legs and everything. They want to do three of those signs at the Riverfront Park that talk about invasive plants and and pollinators and things like that. Well, they reached out to the high school and they the kids have really latched onto it
095and it's taken off. Um they I guess the biology classes and some of the other classes did the research. And then some of the communication classes and some related classes developed the layout and the signage. Um and now they're having the the metal class that does the welding with the kids actually welding and painting the brackets for the signage and they're going to install them. So, I I thought that was really a cool process and it's pretty close to done. Um then we had the Guilderland kids come in. There's something called the hype council at Guilderland school. It's a leadership opportunity for fourth grade children. Um the students can apply to join the council. Um you know, stuff that they do. I mean, they read announcements. They sit in the front row at assemblies. But
096most importantly, you know, they're all excited. They're role models for the younger kids in the school. Which I thought was very cool. And then talking about efficiencies, you know, and our director of the senior center is here. Um the director of student services spoke. And they had been looking for another van driver for the the student vans. And as I understand it, you guys have come up with an agreement and you're actually sharing one of the senior center drivers and resolving that van driver problem. So, I thought, you know, that's definitely a step in the right direction. Thank you. That's it. I mean, I don't other than um economic development is next Tuesday. So, I'll follow up after that. All right, beautiful. You're all set. Uh nothing new on housing and uh planning and zoning.
097Uh they did approve the 259 Main Street, which was the uh the request for the zoning. Uh you know, for the um you know, post-secondary school transition program. So, that was approved. Uh tremendous amount of questions Uh There then I I couldn't resist at the very end got up as a citizen just as a a resident. Uh but uh we still apparently have you know, folks, we want to be a business-friendly town, but there's folks that are coming in after the building has already been up or structures are up. And they're you know, coming to the planning and zoning uh just say but we just got to be mindful of that. And so And so I kind of kind of made my my comments become at the comment section as a resident. Uh but uh
098you know, we do want to be business-friendly, but you know, at some point enough. We struggle on that department. I would and I and and believe me, I actually did some homework going into that evening. Uh we're repeat offenders. Yeah. That's it. Uh I'm on planning and zoning with him and capital's done for the year. So, I'm in. Got it. Nice. Any public comments? No? Very nice. Uh informal discussion? Yeah, I'm I'm actually really glad that uh you know, you know, as we start to look at what we're going to be doing moving forward, right? It's uh you know, as as as the leaders of the town, uh I mean, we don't drive trucks. We don't educate one kid. What do we do, right? We basically we set strategy. We allocate resources, people, committees, money,
099right? And right now, I think we have an opportunity to kind of do things a little differently. And I think we're all in agreement. You know, we develop a budget, we create it. That kind of consumes us for the first quarter of the year, right? But then we have we implement the budget, we work the budget. And that's why I think it's so important to get these monthly reports with that we could actually get in advance that we keep talking about. Uh and I realize that we have some some issues for for this this month, but there was some for last month as well. But that allows us on a monthly basis to kind of keep track of it. And you know, it's not it's not a bad thing to be able to save money
100or to reallocate into other things throughout the year. And the only way we can get ahead of that is to understand the numbers and not see it the day before. I'm confident that we're going to get to that. And then really the ongoing, which is the productivity, manage my fat by fact with this committee where and that's the ongoing thing that John that was the kickoff when it was the three of us were in your office just And but I I think it's a different way of looking at it and that's actually what we do, right? We provide the leadership and the strategy. And I think that's I'm really looking forward to this. Yeah, I agree. Yeah. I love the energy, I love the enthusiasm and I love the fact that we all are shooting
101for the same thing. We all want the same thing in town. That's great. Great. The only thing I say that all the time, Donny. The only thing I want to add to that I have a police report every month. I get a list of arrests and interactions for the month of March, our police officers had 10 arrests and they had 620 incidences, which means 20 620 interactions with folks in town, about 20 a day on average. So, they're out there doing a lot of property checks, a lot of interactions with folks out there. Various things. 620. Which is pretty decent. Last month it was I think like 580, but it tends to be five between 500 and 700 depending on what it is. As it gets warmer it's more. So, but they're out there hustling
102and making it a safer town and we thank them for all the work that they do. Um that's all I have. Um follow up items for ethics and town charter. We've already talked about that. We're going to tackle charter after we get through the budget process and ethic ordinance as well. We're number 14, Bobby. I'll make a motion we adjourn. I'll second it. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed, abstention, motion passes 8:20.