001Okay. Um, chair statement. This meeting is being recorded by the budget, finance, and warrant subcommittee. If any other persons present are also recording, you must notify the chairperson at this time. No notifications. Calling the meeting to order. Uh, March 30th, 2026 at 11:30 a.m. Uh, roll call of members. Uh, member Goodwin here. Uh member web >> here >> and uh subcommittee chair child's here. So we are all present. Uh the next item. Okay, that was our five minutes into meeting random Zoom reboot, but we should be back. And let's see. Sorry, just getting the chat and participants windows open. Okay, public comment. Seeing no members of the public online or in the room, but if someone shows up later, I'd be more than happy to reopen public comment for them. So, moving on to the
002next item, approval of March 23rd, 2026 draft subcommittee uh minutes. >> So, moved. >> We have a motion from uh member Goodwin and I will second. Oh, unless member Webb, do you want a second? Because you can. >> Second. >> Okay. Uh do we need time to look over it? Are we ready to vote? Um if you're ready to vote, we can go ahead and vote. Member Webb. >> Sounds good. >> Okay. Member Webb. Yes. >> Yes. >> And I'm a yes. So, the minutes are approved unanimously. Okay. Now, to the fun part. Discussion of warrants paid and received in March 2026. Um, do we want to go one packet to the next packet or just open with any questions that we have? >> However you want to do it. I mean, I think member
003Webb maybe has >> I lost my notes from the first packet. Don't ask me where they went, but I do have my notes from the second packet. >> Okay. because I also we do have um questions from you from >> I know that I have asked um Roland questions along the way and Andy questions along the way and Ver questions along the way and in general speaking. >> Okay. Okay. Well, if you have your questions ready from the second packet, do you want to open or I can go to the some of the questions that you had from earlier in the month. Um, and we can because there was the the email earlier in the month. So, it's up to you. >> I don't have a preference. I think we should start with the earlier
004ones. >> Okay. So um member web had those questions earlier that were forwarded to you guys. So I'll go through those. Um first question was cell phones for administration. Is it needed? Whose contract is it in? Can we eliminate some? Do they want it? So do we have any cell phone thoughts? the um our I'll say our attorney is a believer that our administrators should have cell phones. I don't have the history, right? Um obviously when they came in or you might have some of that >> I right personally I find it a pain right all that kind of stuff. >> Um I do understand the concept of having two separate not to mix uh you know work personal all that kind of stuff with freedom of information requests that happen and all that kind
005of stuff. So I you might be able to lend a little of the history part. So, we were all using our own cell phones um in the district and I think a lawsuit happened where um if you were this happened under Christine Debarge um Superintendent Debar where a lawsuit took place where um things were being emailed or texted from cell phones that personal cell phones and if there's a lawsuit they confiscate your personal cell phone and so we were advised to go to um districtwide. I don't think anybody enjoys it because trying to keep track of two cell phones um is really difficult. Two cell phones and a walkietalkie and then most schools also have small walkie-talkies for the people on the playground. So there's four times I mean everything you purchase has to have
006multiple pockets. Um, so I it's it was something recommended because there was a lawsuit that they confiscated personal cell phones and then when they take your cell phone, anything on it can be used in the lawsuit. >> Okay. >> I remember the day we sat here and listened to that. >> So does that clear the question for you, Member Webb, or do you have any other >> I mean yes and no. Um, I also know that like we live in a technology age where a lot of people have like Google numbers we can have and you know there's just different ways about going about it. Um, you know, and then I'm looking at like what levels are we requiring people to have cell uh cell phones at? Does it go just principal level or are
007we talking um assistant superintendent as well? Yes, an assistant superintendent would be higher level-wise than a principal. So, the people who have cell phones city issued cell phones off the top of my head would be myself. Stephen, your director of special education, your director of food service, your director of maintenance as well, your six principles and three vice principles and your two assistant special education directors. Um, top of your head, am I missing anybody? I don't think so. technology. >> Oh, sorry. Technology IT department. >> Other follow-ups. Number one. >> No, that's it. Thank you. >> Okay. Um I'm satisfied with that answer be because if there's a lawsuit, it seems like those are the person almost likely to have to give up whatever cell phone could have info on it. >> Yeah. And I
008think where it came from years ago, like you mentioned, when I first started, I had my own and then this was I'll go I'll even go back to the days where cell phones first started coming out late 90s, early 2000s where you were charged per minute. You might some of you might remember that if you were early on the technology front. Um, you got a cell phone and like 10 cents a minute, right? So even if I called you, you were paying because I called you, right? >> Not because you called me. and conversations were really quick because people would rack up 10 to 10 dimes, right? >> Not a bad thing. >> So then when human beings, right, were administrators and the districts needed to reach people, they were paying people a I don't
009the correct word, a stipend, a reimbursement, >> a reimbursement or that always then that got iffy saying, okay, well, if you're paying me a reimbursement, does that mean you have a right to my information on my cell phone? All that kind of stuff. Um it's still done that way in some places still today, don't get me wrong. So just so um member Webb knows that, right? Not every place issues cell phones. Many do, but not all do. >> And then I think we're at the point now where most people most in life have phones and their unlimited minutes, all that kind of stuff. It's gone from, you know, limits on data and a lot of those things where sometimes it's just part of doing business like you have a phone number in life and you
010have a phone and we're going to use your phone. And we had these fancy, very expensive radios that were supposed I was supposed to be able to call >> the middle school principal, principal to principal, and it was supposed to be private and all of that. And they never worked because we were all a different channel. >> So I still would have to call and say, "Get on channel." >> You know what I mean? Like it just never quite worked. >> Are these cell phones used places other than the school buildings? >> Yes. So when you mean yes, no matter where I am. >> Okay. >> It's a regular cell phone. >> Well, I was just thinking because remember mentioned Google Voice and I'm just being very penny pinchery. So like if you have a
011Google Voice number and set up just to use Wi-Fi, I wonder if you'd be able to get away with not actually having a contract. But you know what? That's an IT question. Not for me to micromanage. >> You could. And I think if you had Google Voice, I don't know much about it. I I get the concept of getting a different number on your phone. You can do that. I think that people might be >> an unlocked device. Buy it cheap purchase >> and then use >> You own these Wi-Fi. >> We do. >> You You own these phones. Yeah. >> Yeah. So, yeah. Anyways, I'm thinking of things that are going way too in the weeds technology and that is outside. >> No, I don't think you're too in the weeds. So, I think
012that's similar to what I was thinking, like how can we, you know, I get I'm over here just looking at a few hundred worth of savings, but how can we Well, I think well, the way that the way that it's out of my purview is coming up with the system of how to do it needs to be coming from it, not from just my big mouth of wanting to tinker with other people's toys. But yeah, it is something that >> Can you adjust the camera a little bit? >> Um, >> I can't see who's sitting next to Roland. >> It's handy. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Okay. Anyways, moving on from cell phones. Uh, why are we tracking food service vehicles only? >> They were something they decided to do. Huh? They being >> food service.
013>> Okay. Food serviceed. >> So, and when I did my one-on-one with member web, you know, she brought it to my attention and I verified not that it was, you know, they there was an issue. Apparently, the prior food service director had concern about some of them taking the vehicles, not necessarily for school related things. So, she had uh the trackers installed. So yes indeed that's what it is. So >> which are not secret in that. >> Yeah they're not all the employees. No. Yes. >> The question I think is more are we still needing this? >> Is that something we should discuss with food service that should be revisited? >> Anything can be revisited. Yes. Absolutely. >> Yes. So that would definitely be a question to direct food services to figure out if that's
014something that Okay. I will I will take care of that question. I'll get you the answer. >> Thank you. >> Um the next one on the list and interrupt me if I go too fast and you still have questions on any of this member. Uh when do we do our out to bid such as dumpsters? So trash removal including dumpsters is exempt from 30B but there is a the state issues through combines estate contract that we use the vendors that are listed there or you know one of the vendors that would be listed on there. So um it is not formally bid. It is bid by the state and we avail ourselves of that state contract. So we're on the cycle as to when they go to bid. >> Okay. Um, not seeing member rep
015jumping in. So, I'm going to go to the next one. Uh, how are we determining who services the transportation vehicles? Uh, does this go to bid and what happens if we move to leasing for those vehicle servicing? >> Well, the first option is the city. >> Yeah, you'll see questions, >> but the city can't uh sometimes serves them in a timely manner. So we end up availing ourselves of local, you know, the the challenge being as far as having a and we've seen it and you know the I'll say the former transportation director was looking through the notes and stuff was that vendors if we were to pick a mechanic or go out to bid for a mechanic, they would want a guaranteed minimum number of hours and then you're talking about uh you know
016the the fact that we can't guarantee it because we want to use the city first. Uh we end up kind of going to whatever reputable mechanic is in town that has the ability to service our vehicles the fastest >> and we'll take our POS. >> Right. >> Oh yeah. >> Right. >> Because some of your >> won't >> smaller garage I'll use the word garages, right? Mechanics won't do that. Not looking to get a promise to pay in another 30 or 60 days. So if will it be a if we're leasing, wouldn't the people we're leasing from be responsible? So that'll sort of take that out of the >> for the most of them cover maintenance for a year. >> Okay. >> I can't hear Andy, just to be clear. >> The first year of
017a lease most more often than not would cover repairs. >> Uh that was the last time that they did the leasing. the the repairs were covered at least for year one. Um but then after that, >> okay, >> then we would go you could either go back to that what dealer, right, or anywhere you want. The city could do it well, too, because you're still responsible for the maintenance of the vehicle. US >> would would our lease be Okay, I'm going to play the devil advocate here. Would our lease still be covered if we took it to have it fixed at the city side and not at a certified air quoting myself or your Honda dealership because I know some leases can be very particular that you have to have your vehicle maintained by us
018in order to XYZ. >> Uh that would be a possibility. Yes. But at the I'm just thinking on the last time that they leased them. Uh I'm just again going on the first year was covered and then after that uh we availed ourselves through hopefully obviously the city DPW garage and then the local vendor uh should need be. >> Even then if we were on a leasing schedule that could ease up some of the pressure because I do know the city they man some of those city vehicles are old enough that they these vehicles can graduate Greenfield High. Oh yeah. So if we could uh leave some of that pressure on them, even one year of a vehicle not having to take up a spot in the city queue. So >> I think we should
019put on our next agenda discussing this a little further just the transportation of what our rollout plan could look like. Um, we could I'm trying to think if we would need to have the full committee charge us with that or if we >> if we could do some pre-leg work and present it to them. >> Um, >> an extension of the question. >> I will look into that and if we can, I'll put that on. But also, yeah. Yeah, I'll I'll see what we can do. Hopefully, we can. I'll see if we need to have a quick vote at the full committee level to charge us with coming up with an in-depth transportation. I'm writing that down for myself. >> Hopefully with the transportation director as well. >> Oh, yes. >> I would love to
020see some department heads at these little subcommittee meetings, too. >> Yeah. Anytime you want to invite him. >> Okay. But um member Goodwin did meet with the transportation director and I probably within the last month. Yep. >> So she's a wealth of knowledge. Member Goodwin is >> I think got down to the maintenance level though. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Um next question. Um can we inhouse communication and PR for a cost savings of $3,000 a month? Could this be for our ghs TV groupic design? Most have posts between 0 to 22 engagement on face and Facebook has 563 followers. Instagram 0 to 29 engagement per post and 416 followers. >> Yeah. So, some of some issues I've come from and you probably would see in your subbing days now at career tech schools or both
021schools is >> um and I first started my career at a career tech school was the vice principal there is that you try not to turn your shops into production or your your classes. So, >> for example, the print shop um at Putham High School when I was there, right? Um there's 45 schools in the city and they all want envelopes printed with their names on them or stationery, right? and all your kids are doing is printing paper and envelopes all year long, right? So they basically saying same with culinary, right? You're not running a restaurant five days a week. You might open it a couple days a week because your kids need to learn and do different things. So that's one just one of the issues in terms of pushing it off on others
022to do, right? Um, similar to big schools, a career school wouldn't just do their landscaping if they had grounds because they'd be cutting grass 5 days a week and they'd never learn how to fix an engine or do anything like that. Um, those types of things. So, those are one thing. Um, the other thing that I've seen, and I don't have the history again coming in, I know that you had looked at it last year, but it gets to be who individually wants to take over. Not never mind just the job itself, but the accounts, right? there. I remember when I started here last July, there was issue with the accounts of who wants to put Facebook under there personally because it has to be tied to some extent to like personal >> account. Um,
023and similar to the cell phone issue, right? You start getting into that just muddy area of everybody saying, "Yep, not my job and not tying it to my Facebook account here on that one." So, I don't know a lot of the the prehistory and I don't know how long we've had um the current, you know, communication setup that you're using. >> Okay. >> And with Instagram being a part of Facebook, I assume the same thing with needing to tie to a personal account would apply to Instagram as well. >> I don't want to speak I don't want to do Instagram because I don't know. >> You're correct, but you're also correct. >> All right. Instagram came with Superintendent Patnau. We were just um we were not there was there was a level of how far
024do we go with social media and I think the accountability piece. I think it's really who does it has to have some um you just see too many things. um at the tech school they actually have shut down their web media because there are not enough um students signing up for it. I think this senior class is the last. >> So, >> and for the we've only been doing communication since >> Okay. Oh, but I remember your guy from Judy whole days. He did co >> Yes, that that was great. that that was not a that was under our special projects. >> Okay. >> It wasn't the formal. >> Yeah, he did videos and stuff. >> I'm talking official. >> Okay. >> I remember the face. >> Um Okay. So, member Webb, uh do you
025have any other questions? No, I just want to add to the media one because I know we're in a very tight budget year and I think if it comes down to um a few pennies on the dollar that we should really consider cutting our social media over cutting something like strings for kids. >> Okay. So, yeah, I can definitely see that. Um, I'm trying to think because I know at the full committee meeting we recently had a social media presentation. So, I'm trying to figure out. >> Her numbers surprised me though. I'm glad she did that because it really kind of shows you're not reaching as many people as we thought we were. >> Yeah. >> What are we talking about? >> Oh, we're still talking about the social media piece and how the numbers
026that you gave us show. But then again, >> I don't feel like we are engaging enough on social media. Personally, I can tell you that we run social media accounts out of every single PTO. The ghs has a social media account. GMS has a social media account. AL has converted to Instagram. That's how they do all their socials to the parents. We also get monthly updates from principles. So, the only thing I haven't seen is Roland Roland's updates, you know, >> putting you on the spot here, sir. Um, because we used to get updates from uh Pato weekly, but I haven't seen a lot of superintendent updates. I'm just trying to figure out the best place to slot in a social media efficiency discussion because we need to pull up the data from the presentation.
027Uh we need to figure out who would actually do social media if we shift it out. Need to figure out what social media we want done and need to figure it out in a way that it's not regular operating and is policy. Is this a conversation maybe with it? >> It's definitely a conversation with someone, but I'm not sure who. >> Well, I think we need more information like like maybe a survey of parents and families like how would they like to receive the information? I know when we did went to some more um Jake Tumi was the first principal to do that >> and we surveyed parents and the response that was pretty overwhelming. They liked getting things in their email. And in my school, Samore was really welcome because it had all the
028different languages and people could respond to me and it would even translate like it like I would send a some more parent would responds to me in Spanish and I can translate the response. So it was really facilitated great conversations. Um, so we went we all went some more like that sort of became and Karen was using some more with her updates as well. Um, so I think that sort of became instead of we were using school messenger all the time and that was not my favorite thing. I hated school messenger >> and it just so and half the people had um school messenger blocked on their phone and so what would happen when we sent one out they would realize it was a school and then the school would be flooded with phone calls
029because they were afraid there was an emergency but they had it blocked. >> So some more became the the thing that parents seem to be positive with. So what so would it be accurate to summarize this by saying that what we might want to do is a motion to ask the full committee or to recommend to the full committee that we survey our families to find out what their social media needs are and what they want and expect. I think be social media or would it just be communication? Because like I can say at Newton, parents prefer a paper >> um newsletter that comes home in their kids' backpack that they put on the fridge that they're able to visually see dates. >> We used to do both. >> So I think this might be
030something that we have to ask the community engagement subcommittee to tackle coming my way. >> Sounds delightful. >> Okay. So, do we want to have a a motion to have this subcommittee request that the full committee charge the community engagement subcommittee with providing for us the information of what the communication and social media needs are so that we have that information for budget purposes. It's not a lot of time. Get it done. >> No, that does not I don't think this is something that can be done. >> Take a year to do that. >> Yeah, it would >> next year, right? >> Yeah. because it's unless it's the kind of thing that as we go during next year and need to pinch pennies where we can to make >> the current contract that you have
031with us regarding doing this does include the ability to do surveys. >> Oh, that's cool. >> Oh, perfect. >> Perfect. So, so Andy, have you ever done something like that like in a district like survey which >> because I mean it may be school messenger that we say we're not paying for that anymore because that's not facilitating what we need. I mean I used to I would get the call go to school messenger and I'd be like this is awkward um when I could some more in seconds. Um, and I always figured that was um, so I I So what's the other one we used during the pandemic? Um, >> we're going to remind >> Yeah, >> we we Greenfield schools are going to remind >> instead of school messenger >> July one. Yes, >>
032we use Remind. >> Okay, that's what we did during the pandemic. And when I text, it goes right to my kids' phone, my kids teacher's phone >> or their desktop maybe. >> So will it be s'mores is more for newsletters. Remind more for the communication if I'm direct. >> I don't trust >> I feel like we have a lot of ways we communicate. >> So I Yeah. >> Remind multiple languages. >> I don't I don't know. I think that was >> my assumption would be yes if they're doing it. >> I think we should we'll double check. >> We'll find out more for you, but I know remind. >> Okay. So, I think I would like to move that this subcommittee request to have the community engagement subcommittee. Um, >> hold on. Can I answer
033a question before we make a motion? Um, >> on my account it says messages you receive will be translated to your preferred language. Cool. >> Great. Thank you. >> So, you can in Remind change your settings to what you'd like to look at. >> You can also change your thumbs up to different color emojis. >> Nice to know. >> Okay. So, I'm going to move that we ask the committee to have that. Sorry, I'm trying to figure out the best way to phrase this efficiently. Sorry, it's taking me way too long and I feel like I'm wasting everybody's time. Um, >> is this a house thing or would this be like a good principal level thing would be my next question >> for the principles to like reach out to families and see how they
034prefer to be communicated with? >> True. That >> I would recommend it be administration in conjunction with the principles because you might between elementary, middle, high school. Well, then you have one I mean you want one survey obviously to make it easier but at the same time tailor made >> and um I don't know that's just >> yeah sometimes don't ask a question you don't want the answer to right you ask six questions you're going to get six different answers sometimes we have to make a decision we not just manufacture but US school as to how we're going to communicate because it's either the most costefficient or >> less troublesome >> as somebody who's worked in Greenfield for 10 years. Parents don't respond to surveys really well. The best way we get information is at
035all school meetings and we used to offer like candy or something if they did a survey on a Chromebook in the lobby. I mean, that's how I did my um school council votes. Everything had to be done in person. Um that way you got full like a good representation because if you sent out a survey um maybe you got five responses instead of hundreds of responses which is what you were looking for. So I think my motion is for our subcommittee to request from the community engagement subcommittee information on famil family's expectations and needs regarding communication and social media so that we can ensure that we are paying for the right services and subscriptions. Can I do a friendly amendment in conjunction with the administration of the schools because I mean they're getting feedback all
036the time. So I think it's a >> Sure. I I'll >> Okay. So that is my motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Okay. Let's do a vote. Member Goodwin. >> Yes. >> Member Webb. >> Yes. >> And I'm a yes. So that passes. >> Okay. Um, member Goodwin, did you have any questions from the first packet of warrants? >> No, my questions have been answered. >> Okay. So, for the administration, were there any other questions that were emailed to you gentlemen that you would like to address now or just something if you want to have out there and settled from the first packet? I don't Andy, >> I haven't received that. >> Okay, so moving on to the second packet. Member Webb, did you have questions for the second packet? >> Yes. Hold
037on a second. Questions slingering from last year. I had a question about a stove. >> Okay. >> Who's >> What about Go for it, Member Webb. >> She's muted. >> I wonder if she's just going through the packet to find the right page. >> Oh, sorry. I have a I have a number. I have a reference number. Okay, >> it's 1 13344237510 0. >> Let's see. Count build two. >> Sto. >> Okay. And so what is your question about it? >> I was just curious who needed a stove and why it wasn't in the food service department. Is it one or how many subs was it? >> 1 13344237-51 0 0 is the account number it got charged to. >> No, >> I'd also like a list of the account numbers like a dummy sheet
038so when I'm looking at things I know where they're going. >> Do you have the full PO in front of you on that one? that number that you're reading or No, >> no, that was the invoice PO account. That was the account number, I think. >> That's what I'm trying to ask. I'm trying to see like how how many still how many >> it was just one. I can give you the amount. It was $4,77.92. >> Does it have a name on it? >> No, I I mean I just wrote stove >> home teacher name. It's not >> I don't I don't want to assume anything. That's a cafeteria. >> Huh? >> It was not in the food service pamphlet in the packet. It was in the regular warrants. So, it was not food service
039related. >> Okay. Mystery to be solved. >> Well, we'll figure it. It's not a mystery. >> No, it's not a mystery. I think we need a little more. >> What's the What was the amount again? >> 4,000. >> It was in the Amazon funds, >> right? Amazon capital. >> Yeah. >> I just thought it was odd buying a stove from Amazon when we have mayonnaise down the street. And I think it'd be strange buying a commercial stove from Amazon, too. Okay, I think I might have found it. >> Found it. >> Yes, I did find it. Um, PO number 2026 1193. >> Whose name is on? >> Um, the name on it. Um the bill two of course is us and the shift to is Mike Budro. Oh we have a member of the public.
040Um welcome to the meeting. If you find you want to give public comment we are happy to reopen public comment. Just uh hit the raise hand button or drop a message in chat. >> Thank you so much. >> You're welcome. We're glad to have you. Okay. So, um, yes. Wow, that looks like a nice stove. Reading that description. >> You want to show it to Roland? You may recognize it. >> I think I'd like to see this stove, too, while we're at it. >> You're finding it. >> Yeah. Um, on the PDF, it's page 19. I am 80% sure it's not in the food service packet, Andy. >> Yeah, it's in the the first. >> Yeah, it's going to Yeah, it went to the high school. >> Oh, so it's going then if it's not
041in the kitchen, it's going to be in chef's room. >> Oh, yeah. >> There. >> Probably the culinary class at the high school then. But yeah, convection oven, air fry, and an induction range. >> Yeah. >> I don't know how to do all the things. >> Oh, there's >> So, there's a lab over there. I don't know if you're familiar with it. And um there's a my This is a guess, right? We'll get you the answer, but my guess is it's probably the main oven in there for chef. And then there are different stations in the room where kids can then. So there are some other I'll say more residential ovensish >> in the room so they can use different station. Yeah. So you have you can have >> 20 people in there. I'm making
042four kids at a station or something like that you know. >> Yeah. But I mean also just from what little I know about cooking that convection oven is going to bake faster than a conventional which is good when you've got limited class time and an induction range you're right up to temperature. >> It is. >> Yep. So, it is indeed the high school, >> right? And it's coming out of the the high school maintenance equipment repairers parts. >> That's where Mike charged it. >> Was it a replacement for something? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Again, I just found it a very strange thing that we'd be purchasing off Amazon. >> Culinary. It might be that they just had the better price. >> True. >> And delivery. >> Yeah. >> Um, one of my next questions
043is, um, I keep noticing a charge for Cassella. Does that have to do with our composting? >> To who? >> Cella. Cassella is a trash company, but we also have we hold our trash account with W. What is it? WME W. >> Yeah, WM. But I keep seeing Cassella every single month as well. It probably would have been shortly after the stove because I write in order I go. Scrolling to find it. Scrolled too far down. So I have to scroll back up. Okay. The >> $225 Is that to remove technology? Old technology. Why that's that name aim is triggering that in me. >> No, one was for like a fouryard dumpster. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Fouryard FL weekly mist. Right. >> Is that for the compost? >> No. do have an answer on the
044ovens. There are those were three. It's three at about 1100 each. They are in Chef Yafy's room over there. And uh the prices were cheaper than the quick check they did locally and they have an account there. So, >> okay. So the question >> it's three just so you don't that's what confused me the one >> those three. >> Yeah because that means it's a institutional. >> So the question that we're on now is the Cassella waste services what that is and it's the fouryard FL weekly MISC at 225. >> Is that the high school? >> It is a high school. My guess is that's the composting. That's it. Yeah, that's my guess. >> It doesn't say. It just says weekly miscellaneous, you know, for the four yard rooms, >> right? Because that was separate
045than the traditional correct traditional dumpsters that would just pull regular trash at all. >> So, we're paying 225 a month posting. >> Oh, yeah. you're g you're going to pay um you've had we gave you all the numbers in the fall >> and that's just a pilot I'll use the word a pilot this year we did to go all in I'm going to give you top of my head right I think we said was around 20 to 25 if you do all the schools what the cost is with barrels you have to buy special bags you just can't use a regular trash bag they're decompostable bags you have to get emptied all the time then we're going to have pest management Mhm. >> as well. That'll have to happen. So, >> yeah, I know that.
046>> Should should that go through, right? >> Yeah. I spent eight grand. Get rid of flies. >> Yeah. So, member web, are you satisfied with the answer to this question that we're thinking it is? >> I'm satisfied. I just I keep getting caught up when I keep seeing two different trash companies in our builds and don't know if it would be cost effective to move everything over to Cassella or everything over to Waste Management or if Waste Management isn't doing the compost because it's not something they do. >> I'm assuming Waste Management is on a bin list for the state >> as is Cassell. They both is Cassell. >> Okay. and Cassell is like literally eating up smaller companies. >> Okay. >> That get you another answer on that. >> I know. I mean, Mike
047is really good at price checking between the two of them because he's and I have, you know, done negotiations with the waste management because of issues we've had regarding their timing of their ability to come in under schedule and stuff. So, >> you mean like drive a trash truck onto a school during playground hours >> or during drop off or pick up and they're done? Yeah, >> I guess the the question I have is about landscaping. So, the landscaping for the district, who's getting it and how does that all happen? I guess >> it was a big we were we were going to do it on our own, but then >> Okay. >> the uh >> Laura Phelps at the time, the procurement officer said, "We do citywide bidding." So, it's all part of >>
048whenever they go out to bid, they do include ours. >> Is it for all schools or just the high school? >> That I believe is it is just for the high school. I'll double check on that because I do know >> dumpster. >> No, landscaping. >> Landscaping. >> I can I can wrap up the dumpster. The uh regular company we use does not do composting. Cassella is one of the only big ones that does it. There is a local group that would do it in town as well too, but it's about 30 or 40% higher cost >> for that. >> That settles that. Mhm. >> So, so my question has to do with landscaping. Um, where, who, and how do we decide that? Because I'm the one who saw, and this was way before you,
049but $6,000 a month for a landscaper in town just to do the high school. So, I guess >> it's now $2,991. It's my understanding that >> that that is spread out correct year round. It's you know spread out year round and that they do the high school and this has been in place I believe >> for quite a while maybe since the high school was built. So >> well that's what I'm thinking. >> Yes. So the thing that to keep the I'll use the word nice grounds >> going right the good fields that um playing soccer field hockey etc. track out there that are nice. So they've done that and they also use this other company Snow I believe snow and suns >> for just before the school year starts to go around and do
050a a quick hit at the schools of cutting bushes uh some weed whacking weeding weed whacking in between the cracks and curbs and all that kind of stuff being great things. Um why do we do it? because uh if you didn't, you'd have overgrown bushes and weeds and you wouldn't have a good grass at the high school because uh we're unable to keep it up. We not even mean schools, but we don't do the we do not maintain our grounds. We the schools, the city side maintains the grounds. >> Do we put it out to bid? How does that Okay, so >> that's what I'm trying to find is the last time that Laura Phelps >> when she was here >> because that's my concern that there's >> I know that it doesn't meet the
051minimum requirement to put it out to bid via >> there's a lot of landscapers in town um and I'm just concerned that we're using one that is very expensive. I just know the last time that we were going to go out and do this, uh, we were told we couldn't and they were taking it over. They being the city taking over the bid. >> When I was at MASC for the >> starting the course, they said that it wasn't a high enough dollar amount to put it out to bid to require >> Yep. So if it's not high enough, does that mean you can shop around? >> You can you can do Yeah, it's you know there's the thresholds are now for schools like between zero and 10 is best practices. 10 to 100 is
052solicitation of three quotes. Anything over 100 is formal bid or RFP. Um and even then uh again I'm repeating myself when we were we tried to do it our own and we were told we couldn't >> by the city and Laura Phelps as the procurement officer did the bid for it. >> Okay. >> So I guess the question is is this something that we want to ask the city about? >> Oh yeah. I think I think my concern is that the city mows the softball field, the city mows the football field, the city lines the football field, the city also mows the baseball field. Um, and then yet we put out to bid just the field hockey and track area, >> but the city just does basic grass. They don't touch the bushes. They don't
053do the small stuff at each school. >> They weed whack. They weed whack. They're out there with weed whackers. They have a tree crew that comes in and takes trees down. Do I see them out there shaping bushes? Definitely not. >> So, I guess my question is, >> who maintains the bushes in front of city hall? >> That's a good question. I don't know the answer. >> Yes. So I I guess my question for what how we go from here is who would be the one to talk to the city to reopen that discussion and learn more? Is that the kind of thing that we should direct the administration to get answers for from us versus bring back to the full committee? >> Sure. >> So ask admin sound good? >> Okay. So Andy, are
054you going to be the one who looks into that for us? Well, I'm imagining, you know, both Roland and or I. I mean, I don't know. I don't think they have a chief procurement officer over there yet. So, I think that would be Mr. Necow who's handling that. So, either Roland or I can reach out to him. >> Okay. So, um when do we want to have that answered for? >> Well, it t the season. I mean, so I I guess are we just going with what we had? We have something in place, I'm assuming. >> Correct. >> Well, I think we're thinking next, you know, next round of contracts. >> Well, I'm not I'm concerned about the cost, but I'm also concerned about all schools getting the same pretty look that the high school
055gets. I know the $66 million high school, but keep in mind that look is only in the back back end. >> No, it's all around >> picking up trash around >> to fill you in the building. So, we think we're going to ask the administration to check in with the city to see uh what the process is here, how they determine bids or if we can go it alone. Just get us fresh information. >> Yeah. So, I just talked to facilities director Budro who just mentioned that we're at the end of a bid cycle here. So, we would have to be doing something this soon for next year, but that generally you have not had a lot of people apply for this because they're doing all three things. It's mowing, fertilizing, and irrigation. So, there
056aren't many companies that do all three and don't want that. And the reason that you're you're paying for >> irrigate any of our other fields. >> Uh I I'm just telling you about the high school. So, I only know that one right now. So, so we're not considering the football field part of the high school. >> No, we're not. I'm I'm just talking about because you're not paying snows for that. >> But it is part of the high school is the point I'm making. >> Uh it is and it isn't. That's a city field and that's where unfortunately we get that delineation a lot of times of who's responsible for it. So that property right when you cross that is not our ours >> schools. Um yes, our kids play there all day long. We
057I'm not arguing that part. Um >> or and that's why your high school fields, your field hockey, your tracking soccer fields look, I'll say, so much better, right? Because they're getting irrigated, they're getting fertilized, and they're getting cut very frequently in season to certain specified heights. Um I don't have to tell you about field hockey heights, right? Um member web where they want that how they want it low for the same for baseball, you know. >> Yeah. Uh it's not that low in baseball in soccer as low as field field hockey is always >> but that's just >> but that's why it's the high school not just the back fields but around >> start screen. Are you still able to hear us? >> I can hear you. >> Okay. Can you see us? >> Um
058the only person I really can't see is Andy. I can see Andy's computer >> there. It was just that the uh screen turned off here, but everything is back on our end now. >> So, the high school, just to wrap that up, is not just the high school field, but it's all around the perimeter of the high school as well, too. Literally, the sidewalk towards building, you'll see the grass is green and fertilized and cut pretty well there as well. So I predicting the conversation with Cityside is we don't have enough people to do all the other schools besides just what they do which is a quick somebody who they come quick through. So but the other schools don't need somebody who would do irrigation and the fancy stuff. They just need somebody to come
059in who does bushes and um the gardening piece, which you know, I'm worried about four corners. We all had gardens in the back and they're all overgrown. >> Um and you're looking at a principal who dug into her checkbook who got that fixed, $3,000. >> Okay. Because I couldn't stand the way our school looked. >> And then PTO that stepped up. So, I would like to see because I don't I'm just predicting the city's gonna say we don't have enough people to do all our schools. If we could look into and I know this is a cost, but I'm I'm sorry. The way a building looks is the first impression on everybody. Um to maybe it's a different because irrigation I get that that maybe you need a expensive because they're the only ones who
060do irrigation but another provider who can do the other stuff even if it's and I don't know if the tech school goes out and does that kind of job or not. Um, I know that the grounds of the tech school are beautiful. Um, the kids do the trees they do, but a lot of the tech kids have started new businesses and that's, you know, I can get cards. Um, they're looking for business. There's a lot of landscaping businesses in this town. >> So, I think what we need to do is talk to the city to see if we are still not allowed to do our own selection. And if we are then we've got flexibility. >> Oh, Member Webb, your hand is up. Feel free to just jump in. Member Web, don't >> I did
061member Goodwin was talking so I just wanted to like acknowledge. Um, is it crucial that we have that field irrigated and fertilized or is just that just an added thing we have done? >> Um, it really comes down to what do you want it to look like? If you want it to look not irrigated, >> look my football field, >> then we could we could get it that in in that poor condition. >> I think based on what I know about that area because I lived on Silver Street, that's all swamp land and if you don't do the irrigation and the fertilizer, I think it would return to um because it's got, as somebody who walks the track, it's got a nice little moat which sometimes floods. You know, some pumps are in every house
062on Silver Street. So, I'm just saying I don't I think it's probably necessary to keep those fields. >> Yeah, it's your it's your call, right? You got a new high school that's what 12 years old. You probably have one of the best playing facilities out those fields out there in terms of grass. Mhm. >> I would say a our athletics program is one of our jewels that we must celebrate and b from a safety point of view. If kids are playing contact sports there, then I want the ground in impeccable condition because I don't want them to get concussions. >> Then we should be looking at taking over the fields on the other side of the building as well >> if people are playing contact sports there. But that's just I played soccer as a
063kid and I've had concussions. >> So, um, so I guess for there we will just expect more information once you've had time to layers with the city. >> Mhm. >> Okay. Um, member Webb, you ready for your next one? >> Um, I don't think it's more of a question. I think it's more of a comment just that we need to keep in the back of our brain when we do redo our bus contract with cosmecus tying in our late buses or if there's a way again maybe we need transportation to come visit us but to find a way to maybe make those smaller yellow buses work for late buses. >> We do have there is a late bus cost in the existing contract. It's just a matter of whether or not we use it. So,
064it's it's in there >> because we had a charge for leap bus for $2,3240 >> from cosmascus or from >> that is correct from cosmecus literally stated on there. >> So, that's their contractual rate for a late bus. >> Correct. >> So, it's part of the contract. >> Districts go out for bus contracts. They add in late buses. Is there any way we can move that over to our yellow bus to our yellow buses? Do we know how many kids there are on the ride home from late bus? I think that's >> variable every day >> like doing the weather. >> You never know who's going to get on, especially a late bus. You need to have the capacity just in case everyone avails themselves of it, >> right? And the late bus for, excuse
065me, sorry to cut you up. The late bus for the high and middle school is really running at the time where the vans, our own buses, vans are doing their elementary runs at that time. >> Yeah, that staggered time is a real thing. Is there any discussion about I know this has nothing to do with us but the staggering time with possibly AAL and the elementary schools. >> Well, I would say the staggering time has everything to do with you you being the school committee. I'm just wondering if that's something that, you know, I see when I go into AAL, a lot of parents picking up early their student because they're trying to get to the elementary school in time or late drop offs because they're, you know, leaving the elementary school um after drop
066off. So, I just I see some >> that might be something for the full committee. >> Absolutely. because we lost our staggered times when we lost ELT because two schools were on different times. The middle school was on a different time than the high school and you know that was a big run. So yeah, Member Webb, I think that's something we need to submit to the full committee. Um, do you want to just send a request to the chair to put a discussion of staggered start and end times or do you want to have it tied into something? I mean, I don't really think it's I don't think our agenda has room for it currently, but I think for April, >> to discussing before next year school starts, but I don't think the reality of
067that's going to happen >> for the following year. Well, I think this is something we should be discussing for our 26 27 year even a 10-minute window change, especially to AEL. I mean, the other schools seem I have not heard anyone complain, but I do hear, you know, I'm at AEL frequently and I do hear parents I see parents there picking up their kid at 2:30 cuz oh, I have to get over to, you know, here. And even though I know as a parent that I can pick up my kid from elementary until 3:10, they don't necessarily they think they need to be there at 2:50, which is a great great thing. >> Well, yeah. Just because you can pick up at 3:10 doesn't mean that your anxious kindergarten is going to be okay sitting
068there for 20 minutes. >> Correct. >> Right. and the process of getting everybody out of a building safely and into the right car or bus takes 20 to 25 minutes as somebody who does that. >> But we are getting a little bit off topic of our subcommittee. So, I guess member Webb, would you like me to submit this item to the chair for full committee or do you want to because I'm happy either way. >> So, it would save us money to go to staggered times. I believe I I mean I don't know if it would save us money to go to staggered times, but I think it would possibly alleviate some stress that some of our parents do have to feel that end of the day pressure. >> Okay. But we probably shouldn't discuss
069>> I am more than h I again I want to say I clearly said this was not >> the right place to discuss this. Um, I I can submit an email. >> Okay, great. And if you find yourself short on time, you can feel free to kick it my way and I'll get it to the chair because it is something to discuss for the full. >> Um, okay. Any other questions? Um, have you, gentlemen, received any questions via email that you'd like to tackle about the second batch of warrants? >> No, not for the warrants. Um, just to add thing to the stoves, not to burn that down, but those stoves had been originals since the building and their control panels were going and it controlled the electronics would have cost $900 for the B.
070I'll say my not professional wording but circuit board panel something like that electronic panel. >> So in the end getting a new one for about 1,100ish made sense. >> Spending slightly more money for something that will last longer something more energy efficient and with the convection and induction something that will allow the kids to cook faster >> within the time frame of the per class period. So >> yeah. >> Okay. Um, if there are no other questions, I'd like to kick it back to public comment just in case our public has anything they'd like to add before we look into adjourning. Okay, I am hearing and seeing nothing. So, I would look for a motion to adjurnn. >> So moved. >> Okay, we have a motion from member Goodwin. Do we have a second? >>
071Second. >> Okay, here comes the vote. Member Goodwin, >> yes. Member Webb, >> yes. >> And I am a yes. We are adjourned at 12:35 p.m. >> Thank you. >> Good job, team. Thanks for making it and I hope you feel better soon.