Meeting transcript
Board of Selectmen- Regular Meeting
May 11, 2026 · Watch on YouTube · All meetings
I'm going to call to order the town of Andover Board of Selectman regular meeting for Monday, May 11th. we're going to get started at 7:02 p.m. Our first item on the agenda is the pledge of allegiance. 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.
Okay, we're going to move on to public speak. we're going to start with Diane Grier.
I'm all set. Thank you very much.
Okay. Amra Pinkham. Oh, hi. That's me. How are you?
Good. How are you?
I'm good. so we were told by the town to send you guys a letter because we had a few questions concerning Wheeling Road. I don't know if you saw my letter in there.
Did.
so we're under contract to buy the lot back there. And obviously it would cost a decent amount of money for us to be able to put the electric. It's just going to be two houses in the back for now. We're not doing any massive developments or anything like that. We're either looking for an easement or maybe just to buy a small portion of that that triangle that you guys own or maybe just work something out just to make it easier for us to get a driveway and get electricity up to the top of the house where the house is going to be. I just kind of wanted to get an idea if there's a possibility there or what the options are. Just put it out there.
A land trade
or like a land swap of some sort. I know there was cuz when we talked to the land use officer at the town, he mentioned that that was the old route six and then you guys were thinking about building a bike path potentially, which we have no problems with. We're avid bikers, so I would love a bike path. but I don't know. Like I said, we just kind of wanted to get some options and see if possibility you guys are willing to work with us here.
Okay. We'll sit there and it's on the agenda. We'll also talk about it today and then
Sorry,
we'll we'll deal with you after. All right.
Okay. Stephen King.
nothing but wish have happy ated Mother's Day to all the andover moms.
Perfect. Test grass.
I'm all set. Thank you, sir.
Okay. 6988 is Carol. Joanne Heert.
Hello. Here to listen. Thank you. Okay. Leanne Hutchinson.
I'm also here to listen. Thank you.
Okay. So, Leanne, your number ends in five.
5475.
Yeah,
that appears also.
Yep.
Yes, that is me also.
Okay. And then Kimberly Pome.
Just listening. Thank you.
Right. forget me.
I did not. I haven't finished.
you sound like you were done. I'm I'm fine. I don't need anything. Hello.
Oh, I skipped the dog. I'm sorry, Liz. My my my apologies.
No problem.
Can't believe that.
Okay, so
let's let's sit there and Did I miss anyone before we get started any further? Okay, let's get started. So, our our next item is item three, additions and changes to the agenda. Does anyone have any additions or changes to the agenda? Okay. So, Ann, none. Jeff, none. Scott, none. Carol, none. Okay. we'll move on to item four, boards and commission presentations. I didn't see anything in the package. I don't believe anybody has anything. Matt, anything that we're missing? No. Okay. appointments. I didn't sit there. Item five, I didn't sit there and see anything in the agenda. So, or in the packet, so I'm assuming there's nothing there. Item six, resignations. I did not see anything there. So, we're going to move past that. We're going to move to item seven, town administrators report. Matt, you're up.
good evening, everyone. Matt Streer. for the record, I did send out hopefully you got my my notes from the for the town administrator's report. I I on the agenda it shows like four items priorities. So obviously this is my first actual report. I started the last time that on the day of the last meeting. So since then I've met with the staff and the various board members from different commissions. I've met with the town attorney. I've met with the superintendent. I did get a tour of the elementary school bathrooms where we're going to be having the project. So, I'm aware of that. Met with the state trooper. I've visited the community center, transfer station, public works, and the library. I've met the librarian and the head of the the friends of the library there. we did, as far as the library, they did ask they have a donation for a mini split for the basement. and they would like to proceed with that. It's funded from an outside source and I said I would bring it to the select board but I see no no challenges for that. It would be actually cost savings for for fuel for the when you put in the heat and it'll be cooling in the in the summertime which is good for the climate control of the library and the books and the things they have there. how I was going to proceed with it, but since I didn't know if that would required anything from the select board or not, but I thought I'd bring it forward. We can discuss that. staffing, we did do interviews for the hiring hiring of an assistant
treasurer for the finance department. We do have a candidate which we would like to move forward on. So, I guess as far as you know, appointments or adding something to the agenda, we would like to see that person put into the office. we did do the posting for the wetlands agent. It's my understanding we've had one applicant so far and it's it's a good candidate. So hopefully if we get any others then we will do interviews. If not we will bring you a name. we also putting forward in the newspaper the advertisement for the assistant at the community center and senior services. We have the job applica job description on that and it should be printed in the I think it's the River East this Friday and the following Friday. as far as staffing, I did want to let you know that we did get notice from the the janitors that they will be moving to North Carolina the end of the month. So, we will be in need of some janitorial services here at town hall and fire department. so we will come up with a job description for there and have to move forward quickly with that. As far as some of the projects, the logill bridge project, I met with Alan Loba and Christine Randazzo and Gino had his name here. Well, I don't have Gino's last name, but regarding that, they're planning to have the they're waiting on the light at Hendy Road. They hope to have that hopefully
by the end of the week. Originally, it was supposed to be for today. they will not start the detour until after they have that light operation. I've visited the field project for the Veterans Memorial Field for the Pavilion of the Pickle Ball. It seems to be proceeding. I've working on the invoices for that. We've gotten our second invoice and we will proceed with that. One of the things that came up was the diesel fuel system at the public works department. From what I understand, it's something that had been discussed at previous meetings before, but the actual failure has come to fruition as far as the the like I guess it's what keeps track of who's using what, how many gallons. so there's a we got quotes to upgrade the system there, which includes a it's web based. It's ease of use. It keep takes track of all the the buses and the different fuel that's used by the fire department, DPW. But we also got a quote to replace the pump. the pump is aging and since we're doing both, it looks like a considerable amount. Looks like about $28,000 if we were to do both. but it's something we really
don't have a lot of choice on. I can I think I proceeded to give a if I'm not wrong, the quotes in the packet. Hopefully you got those. continuing to we should consider the cost of sharing of the maintenance expenses for the other departments per gallon. Right now it's all being borne by the DPW, but you know they take care of the treatment. They take care of the cost for these programs. maybe it could be some some nominal per gallon cost that we can pass on to both the buses or to the fire department. So or we just keep you know keep it in house. talking about the lease about you know the accounts and procurement of processing invoices I've become a authorized signer on the account so that's a positive procurement wise I got the authorization to you know like purchase things but I want to go over with the select board at some point what the range would be for if I don't think I have to bring every invoice to you but if we had a set of dollar limit I don't know what it with the previous administrator, it's been something over $5,000 or as low as 1,000 or higher. So, we'll discuss that at your convenience. grant administration. I know this is one of the goals for the select board. working on current reporting. We did do
the the SLFRF federal COVID funds that we had gotten the quarterly filing and did the close out for that. So, that's now done. I met with Susan Dino from DEC and we're talking about require requesting the final $62,500 in funds which I believe is for the for the project for the playground project and we discussed reporting I guess we also have a we also discussed the FY27 project which will be for the next fiscal year. It'll be another quarter of a million $250,000. and I will continue to search for new grants. I have some leads on some things. I look to forward to reporting more on those at the next report. The town audit we signed the single the state single audit corrective action plan which was required by Mahoney Sable our auditor that we would correct any of the issues
that we had by June 30th. The town is also required to appoint an auditor and notify OPM by May 31st. So I would like to see some action on that. I think we would like to re reappoint Mahoney Sable to be our auditor for the this fiscal year coming fiscal year or actually the close out of this fiscal year. again bargaining there's an expiring contract. I've reviewed that. I made touch with the the law firm today. Patrick Patrick McCale and he's with a law firm in Harford and they've been our labor attorney from what I can tell from at least 2020. we had a good talk. so we'll we'll be moving forward with that. Discussing working with the IT from South Windsor. We're looking to you know do some upgrades there. The firewall needs a replacement. It's already it's a very high priority. We have received a quote from an authorized you know dealer and I think that you know we would like to move forward with that. I think the total cost for that is a threeyear $5,000. I think that's it's a I think I included the quote with the packet as well for the it so we can move
forward getting that firewall because it's very critical that we have something in place. I know some of the other things that we do have the computers here for the town administrator. I currently have two different ones set up because we're having some issues. The older one does not is not updated to Windows 11, so it's not operational. I do have a assistant a second one here, but they have been having trouble trying to get QuickBooks to work on it. so South Windsor is aware of it. Stephen, our IT rep, he should be here Thursday to hopefully resolve that problem. I I did talk to selectman chair first selectman Mr. Magcguire who recommends that we probably should have a laptop computer for the administrator. He also has been in the office and recommends perhaps if we have
the funds getting a a printer and scanner for this office. Currently I'm doing every anything that we print is down the hall at the town clerk's office. I have no problem, you know, with going there for the copers and in the short term, but I think at some point it'd be easier to have something closer in this office for, you know, scanning and printing single page documents. I'm also looking into a remote access program for the town administrators that we could somebody can we can go have people go in and do their work if they are to absent. So, if I had a meeting from home for one of these meetings or if I'm on the road or just do some work on a weekend, I can log into my computer from home. procurement, I was you know, I mentioned earlier set up as the purchasing agent. We did receive a HVAC quote for maintenance of the mini splits at Town Hall, Firehouse, Fire Department, and the community center. from what it seems that Corbett of Mansfield did the installations, they have not been serviced since then. In fact, all of them say CF on them. They need their
filters cleaned. They need to check the your refrigerants, make sure they're all good for the season. I will I will keep you informed on that. also, I you know have briefly talked about the and Eric and I went over where the Lake Road culvert project is. We do need to have an easement in place and because the target for going out to bid is November of 26. So we would like to move forward on that. upcoming events, we have the Memorial Day parade. We got the received and re received a DOT request to close 316. We also did get declaration of independence. There's going to be a recital on July 8th and we would need somebody I think that would be something for the recreation committee to perhaps have a person representing the town. All towns in Connecticut are going to read it. I think it's like at 8:00m on the 8th and we just work we're working on some of the things. We got the elevator. we're working to get we got a phone line going into that because I guess it was somehow tied to the building department. It needs its own dedicated line. We're working on that. Other than that, we've had some, you know, just a couple of complaints which I've put in the the report and public works is working on a draft vegetation plan as well as a new treework consent form. So, there's been a lot going on. There's still a lot to do. I know I went into a lot of detail with a lot of different things, but I'm also here to answer questions if you have any. And, that's my report.
Okay. anyone have any questions for Matt?
If you told me that Dennis was going to do the easements for Bzola.
Dennis has actually I communicated with there's seven easements that need to be done on the Solo Road and Lake. So, I have reached out to all of the residents. What we need to do, Matt, is coordinate a meeting between the town and the engineering firm related to the the project. And some of the easements are small and some of them are are large. Scott, there's there's one that comes off of Bizola Road and because Bizola Road, the end of the connection of Bizola Road to Lake Road is going to be closed, they need to go across some residents property to get to Lake.
So, that's really the biggest problem.
So, all of the residents have been communicated with at least preliminarily. They've all seen the preliminary documents related to the plan and we just need to really get in front of them and attempt to get the easements completed you know like Matt said prior to the project beginning. So we'll sit there and get through that. questions I have the fire laurel quote was not in the the packet. So, if you can just get that out to us, if it's $5,000, I mean, just so everyone's aware, we have a firewall. It's just aging. And the IT group that was in about two weeks ago, there's a
new director for South Windsor and he was doing a complete analysis of our hardware and our software to sit there and make sure that we're up to date and compliant. But we do have a firewall. it's just not it's aging and he wants to improve upon it. So, and then the other thing as far as it goes and the issues with Matt's desk is Matt's desk, the Todd administrator's computer was an all-in-one computer. So, it was the screen and the computer all in one unit. And that unit was supposed to have been replaced with a new desktop. Matt, one of the South Windsor units. Has that been done?
Yeah, they they have a unit that they moved over here, but they've yet to have that get the QuickBooks up and running on.
Okay. So, all right. They got to do that so that Matt has access into the information and can sit there and see where the bills are going when they get processed. It will help him be more efficient and be able to sit there and work with Lisa as efficiently as he can. And the other part about it is the reason why he would need a laptop is honestly the IT department has put in protocols now. that the only equipment that can remote into the town systems are town laptops. So it's the reason Lisa has a laptop and it's the reason that Matt would need a laptop. so it's not that I want him to just have a laptop. It's it's a requirement of what the IT people are trying to do. So,
I reckon we don't get him a docking station with, you know, dual monitors so he could just plug his laptop in and take it with him.
I would love to do that, Jeff, but those are things that the IT team, you know,
it just it would seem to be cheaper to me to have a laptop with a docking station and two big monitors than have two separate computers for him because he could keep all the stuff on one machine and then take it with him or
Yeah.
bring it in. That's I mean that's what I do and it works great.
if you on Thursday if you're free and you want to come in and and just touch base with the IT people that would be great because Stephen comes in and he gets pulled around to a lot of different people. But it would be great to have you know someone other than me chirping in his ear.
Yeah. You just plug you just plug it in remotely the USBC cable. It just goes to docking station and you got three monitors to work on. So you can have your email open. you can have, you know, financial information open. It's it's it's it's much better to work off of that way. Okay. and then the other thing, and I I I'm not sure I heard it mentioned, Willie, the custodian, is going to be leaving. Did you mention that, Matt, or did I miss it?
Yes. Yes, I did. Yes, you did. I did. Okay. that's a big deal. We're going to have to post that sooner than later. but yes, that's a that's something that we're going to have to address as to the requirements of that job. So, if you can, Matt, get with Willie and get a list, a detailed list of what he does because he does a lot more than just, you know, janitorial work. He's a handyman. He does a lot of things. And I spoke with him on Friday and he's going to bring me a list of everything they've ever done and like procedures and how
they do them. So he I I'm on top of that.
All right. Great. All right. Anybody else have any other questions?
Matt, I wanted to tell you that the Colombia wetlands agent was interested in that job also.
Oh, okay. Thank you, Scott. Okay. And Jeff, one other event we're working on is June 27th. we're going to we're doing something with the rec commission. We're gonna have a 250th anniversary car show and basically kind of a family fun day at the end of our sportsman's club.
Okay.
So, it's in conduction with the town and we should be getting a lot of cars. So, it's it's a free event for everybody. So, I'll have more details coming up in the next couple weeks. Okay. All right. anybody else with any other questions? Anything else for Matt?
Thank you everyone.
We're going to move on to item eight, the treasurer's report. I know that it's been the information's been included in the packet and Lisa, do you have any issues? Anything you'd like to address with us before anybody asks any questions? No, I just want to make sure that that it's re the the new the new hire is discussed so I can get her started because she's ready to start.
that's my biggest thing.
Okay. So, anybody have any other questions related to the information that's been provided today? Okay. So, if not, I know that Lisa and Matt had interviewed multiple candidates and they had two candidates that I had met with briefly just to sit there and see it and they had a candidate that they felt would be appropriate for the position and Lisa sent us an email earlier in the week or yes was it yesterday, Lisa?
This morning. this morning. Okay. and what is the name? Well, unless anyone on the board has problem with hiring the individual for the assistant treasurer, is there any issues with anyone?
No, I saw the resume. I thought she was qualified.
Carol,
well, the only question I had was in regards to the salary. Was that calculated without the stipen the hourly rate? And how many hours a week? 30 or 34?
That that that's what's in the union contract for that position right now.
And what is it? 30 hours a week or 34?
No, it's been 30. If you guys if you want more, then that's up to you. But I just went by what was in the position. like right now what it's been.
I had looked at the budget for that.
Yeah.
Five. And when Well, I divided it by 34 hours though. So, it is 30 hours then.
Yes.
And the hourly rate that you calculated was how much?
It's in the union contract. It's $3012 an hour. $302 an hour. Okay.
I just wanted to make sure that didn't include that extra side.
No,
the extra side.
Okay. All right. Very good. Thank you.
Okay. So then if anybody Ann, do you have any issues with the potential candidate?
No, the resume looked very good.
Okay. So, I'm going to make a motion to authorize the treasurer and the the town administrator to hire the candidate for the assistant treasurer position.
I'll second that.
Jeff Murray is seconded. any further discussion? Oh, if not, I'll go around. Am how do you vote?
I Carol Lee,
I'm going to abstain. Okay. Jeff Murray,
hi.
Scott Person.
Scott voted yes. Jeff Magcguire. Yes. 401 with Carol Lee abstaining. Okay. anyone have any other questions related to the treasurer's report and any of the information in the packet?
Yeah, I should have said that. Any question? Do you have any questions on the register around the budget to actual?
No, I I'm sure we're going to and there's going to be other questions, but there's so much going on this week and next week and the week after that we'll we'll get back to you on it.
Yep.
All right. Okay. We're going to move on to item nine. old business. Discuss and act upon the following. 9A. review the status of the veteran field improvements. I know Matt briefly spoke upon it. Scott, you want to just give a breakdown because I know you're down there a lot.
You finished digging out for the playground. All the fence posts are in. All the fence posts around the playground and the pickle ball courts are in. All the light post are the posts are not done but but the foundation for all the posts are in. The pickle ball court has been the first grade of asphalt has been put on. All the drainage has been installed. All of it. All the electrical all the underground utilities are are in. it's going around really well.
Okay.
That this this coming week they're going to be doing doing the final grade on the the asphalt grade on the pickle ball courts and they're going to be starting at the end of the week on on the playground and there's a lot of holes and a lot of abutments that have to be put in for the playground but and the shed is in. So they've really gone a long ways here.
Okay. Do you have a timeline from the contractor when they think they're going to be finished?
They're saying, you know, two to three weeks.
Okay, that's great. Anybody else have any questions related to the veterans field improvements? Okay. 9B, review the senior transportation garage status. I know I spoke to Matt and and Jeff Murray. This is something that I'd like to get done is getting a a meeting with the project review committee on this. Matt, if we can get that scheduled for see, we're going to run into the referendum. We're going to run into the holiday. if we could try, Matt, to get some scheduled for the beginning of June, that would be beneficial. And let's try to get this project underway. it's something that we should do. We have the grant funding for it. we have town approval for it. you know, we
might have to sit there and address some additional funding for it as we make some adjustments on the the project scope. but in design, but it's just something we just need to get moving faster.
yeah, I agree. Do we do we know where the latest edition of the drawings are, the architectural drawings, the the renderings? they had
o we ever get
I don't think they I don't think they did anything additional after our meeting, Jeff.
Yeah, but we need something to discuss when we get to the the meeting. So, I don't know if we ever got the the the drawing packets or if that was just something they showed us online. I don't think we ever got the physical drawings.
Well, what we'll do is we'll have Matt reach out to the the company and get whatever drawings we can to make them available for for the committee. Yeah.
Okay. 9 C the status of the Long Hill Bridge project. Matt, have you been in direct contact with the contractor or with anybody down there? You're on mute. It's all right. We all do it. Yeah, I had mentioned that I met with Allan and Gino. They're the general contracts as well as Ms. Randazzo, the design company. they're going to be setting up Thursday, regular Thursday meetings on the project. So, every Thursday we're going to meet I I don't know if it's going to be on site or here at the office. probably more there, maybe at their trailer. And we're going to just keep, you know, monitor the project from start to finish. So,
we're hoping, as I mentioned at this top of the at my report that we're hoping that they'll get that light at the Hendy Road up and running and then they'll be able to start the that close the road and actually start the progress. So, they want to get going as much. They're they're under a time time gun, too. So, they did build in some extra time, but they do want to get the project moving.
Okay. The problem is ever ever source again. They can't get power up at the hand knee or at the change out finish to power down a long hill.
So I think Eversource did do the long hill. They're waiting on Frontier or or perhaps I'm trying to remember if it's Xfinity whoever does the the lines there. That's the one that's at Long Hill. They are waiting on Eversource at the Hendy Road light, but they hope to have that hopefully this definitely they hope to have this week, but I can't guarantee it because it's a utility.
Well, their their their sign said May 11th first and now it's May 13th. So hopefully they get it done and get started by May 13th. And that's going to once that light is up and operational, it's going to trigger the closure of Longill Road. That is correct.
And all of the buses and everybody else has been informed of this and is aware of that. We just need to make sure that the transportation this the student transportation, you know, knows this is all coming. yeah, I'll although I'll call Gino again tomorrow. He's supposed to be keeping me informed. So, I have, you know, I have not heard the actual that they ready to pull the trigger yet, but as soon as he does, I was going to let the school district know.
Okay.
They hung the wires, Matt, but they did not tighten them up yet.
It's a good sign,
but they didn't tighten them up.
Okay. All right. any other questions on the Long Hill Bridge project?
Maybe having the detour signs going up. I haven't seen any of those yet.
I I haven't actually seen they put some detour signs up, but they have them covered with the black plastic. I I saw some on Long Hill.
So, they'll just so that they'll be ready. They'll just take those off.
So, I'll take a drive around tomorrow.
Yeah, most of them are up. Most are up.
Okay.
That's what I thought.
I didn't see them on Saturday, but if they're up today, that's great.
They came up today and then they actually when you come down the hill, the road close sign is open. So, looks like the road is actually closed right now.
Okay,
thank you, John. No problem.
Okay, any other questions?
All right, so 9D, the status of the Percy Cook preliminary plan, Percy Cook Trail preliminary plan. Matt, is there any update on that? I'm not expecting one, but I'm just asking. I have no news on that right now.
Okay. That is something that we'll want to get with the design company to sit there and see where they are related to that and sit there and see what we need to do to move forward on that project. and now that project will require some additional funding that is available based upon the initial grant that we had there. But we'd have to sit there and have a whole plan ready to go and then provide it within the next grant application. Right. 9E status of animal control services. Well, I've I last I talked to the Nik and the attorneys and there I guess they had gone to court and were waiting to hear what the judgment was. I told them that I would like to try and
resolve this as soon as possible. but the NICOG and the lawyer for Hamilton sorry Howerin and Sage were both just waiting for the response from the decision on the court.
We haven't gotten a judge's ruling on
the last court appearance.
Yeah, I will I will call the attorney for Hower and Sage again just to see where we are.
Okay, if you can do that because again that needs to end. That cannot be a continuous rolling unending lawsuit between the town and the resident that has to end. Right. 9F discussion and update on the AES RFP for the bathroom renovation. Jeff, has has the contractor been selected and costing and pricing on that?
I I was told by the superintendent that we are good to go. I know it went to board of finance and for the for the project leaison and the contract. So as far as I know where all systems go, I haven't heard anything to the contrary.
Okay. Anybody else have anything about the bathroom project? Okay. 9G, discussion and possible action on the Hot River Home contract. I would like to I would like to make a recommendation that the board of selectmen we get a time to be able to meet with the Hop River Home committee. the chairperson is Maria Tolman. it would be beneficial for us to just sit down with them outside of a normal meeting, get an understanding and then come back and rule at the June meeting as to what we plan to do with the contract moving forward. So I will be sitting there getting from Maria a couple times and I'll sit there and come back to the board and sit there and see if we can do it on a time that's convenient. you know, and Jeff, I think Fridays are Mondays work, but Fridays primarily. Is that correct?
Both Mondays and Fridays are okay.
Okay. All right. I'll sit there and see if I can get that with Maria and communicate to all the the members of the board by email to sit there and try to get that scheduled. 9H King property a lot line agreement. there were multiple meetings held on this topic in the last week. I believe that the meeting with the attorneys resolved or was going to resolve most of the the issues. the legal documents need to be drawn up and the closing needs to be had to sit there and and get this finalized. So, I don't think there's anything we need to do at this meeting other than we're waiting on all of the final documents so that everybody has them in their hands and then we can get that approved and move
on.
Only thing I'd like to add is can we get the the reimbursement check cut the next check run if it hasn't been cut already. Yeah, Lisa, there is there is a bill that was there for Hellstrom surveying and we need to turn around and write that check out to Mr. King because he reimbursed that money. So, let's sit there and see what we need to do related to that and get that processed this week if possible.
You're saying we have an invoice for that? We have an invoice somewhere related it it wasn't directly to Mr. King, it was to the surveyor, but since Mr. King paid the surveyor, we need to reimburse Mr. King for that.
Okay.
So,
all right. And I believe there was a vote taken at a prior board of selectment meeting that we can pull the motion for to attach the documentation.
Okay.
All right. anybody else have any other issues related to the King property line agreement? Okay, we're going to move on to item 10, new business and discuss and act upon following 10A, the 2026 2027 budget. What do we really want to talk about? you'll have plenty of opportunity tomorrow night that I mean I hope everybody in the public realizes there's nothing to tomorrow's meeting. There's there's an opening an appointment of a moderator, questions asked and then an adjournment. Because of how the charter is currently written, there's nothing to actually do that can be done.
There's no no motions to reduce. No, no motions to reduce.
Okay. Well, it's not really gonna much of a meeting.
Not going to be much of a meeting. So, and it's a, you know, this is actually something where this group needs to we we seriously need to talk about charter revision because the way that the charter was written during the bifurcation revision, you know, does lead us down a pretty poor road and and honestly, I think there should be some more substantial changes made than just what we're talking about here. So, we really do need to think about doing a charter revision because this is kind of u a lot of wasted time. So, well, hopefully we don't need to bifrocate again the next couple years. We'll see. I'm not holding my breath to be really honest.
I'm not either, but you never know.
Yep. Okay. anybody else on the budget? So, just to let the community know, the the there there is a town meeting tomorrow and then the 12th and from the 12th you move to the 26th, which is the referendum date. That's problematic because it's the day after the holiday and we're going to have to sit there and get some information from the registars as to what we're doing related to the 26th. So, and we should discuss and have communicated early voting if it if it's necessary because there'll be people away on holidays. So yeah, that's the budget discussion. Well, actually, I'll just explain it. The the board of educa the board of finance cut $50,000 cut $16,500 from the the town budget across operational expenses and capital and cut $50,000 from the AES budget from operational expenses. Well, it's not even operational expenses. They don't get to pick and choose what's cut. They just get to determine the amount of money that the board of education gets. So, those were the two cuts that were made to expenses for the town and the school. So that is the budget and the expense budget that's going to be discussed at the town meeting and it's going to be up for referendum and then the board of finance is going to work as to how how to pay for it. So the most important part for me is what we're spending. The most important part for a lot of other people is how we
pay for it. And I I care a lot about how what we're spending. So, but that's what's happening. That's what's going on. That's where we're going to go. Those are the two key dates. So, tomorrow, town meeting, Andover Elementary School, 7:00 and, referendum May 26th, for both the RAM budget and for the town budget and for the AES budget because they would all be three separate voting align items on the ballot. So,
wasn't that the second time that the town's budget got
lowered? Second time. Yeah,
it is the second time.
Yeah.
But again, as I said,
what was the first time? How how much was it the first time?
I don't have the numbers, but to me, I've said this at the last meeting, whatever the board of finance decides we're going to spend, we're going to figure out how to do it correctly. and Matt will make it work. We'll make it work. It will work. So, it's just how it is. it's not as if Andover is the only community right now pushing back on budgets,
right?
You know, you got every town surrounding town around us. did Coventry pass their Coventry didn't, but did Colombia pass their budget?
They're the only ones I don't know. Colombia pass their budget. I I
just heard from a resident that it did. So I I believe it didn't.
That it didn't or it did?
Did not pass. So if if Colombia didn't pass their budget, then every town every surrounding town around us didn't pass their budget.
So let's make it clear.
Let's sit there and get through this and deal with what we need to deal with. And hopefully ou know the board of finance can sit there and get down to it and get something that will move forward. So let's see where it goes. 10B unless other people have anything else to talk about because it's a lot of talking on this topic.
I'm just I'm just disappointed. I'm just disappointed that we cut what we cut out of the town with the community center and the garden and everything. It's just it just shows how lean we are right now and that we're having to cut things from our our new community center which is kind of disappointing.
Very disappointing.
The programming that we hoped that test could put forth this year was cut.
But I don't blame the board of finance. I mean everything is bare bones right now and it's you really don't have much to cut. It's it's it's disappointing but it is what it is. And like Jeff said, we will work with it.
Okay. 10B website update discussion. Matt, do you have any information on where we are at with the website?
Yeah, I I've not gotten any anywhere close to that. I know that we need to have new.gov email addresses by July 1st of next year. I know Kate was working on that, so I have not gotten any headway on that yet or started to look at that.
Okay. So, they're going to change our website from andoverct.org to andoverct.gov and those are the email addresses that need to happen.
I think it's probably going to be like one of those where it's like andover.ct.gov or something like that. but I don't know all the information. I know Kate was handling that. I've sort of let that stay with her for the typ.
All right, let's sit there and see what we can do with that one. 10 D the Wheeling Road property discussion and this is related to the I'll sit there and I know their nice little family over there. The Pink Hams are are there and I know this is related and and and it's okay. We're we we we don't allow other than board members or and the town administrator to speak during the meeting. So, we'll sit during debate. So, there the request was included in our packet. It's something that we should all look at. Scott, you know the area better than anybody. So, if you can sit there and let us know as to what can potentially be done related to that parcel of land and if we can sit there and what what it would be the best
interest for the town to work with the family to sit
I asked Matt about that on Friday and Matt, what did you did you look up the deed on that property?
I think that property's deed restricted, isn't it? I thought you open for open space.
Yeah. I I think you can't sell it.
Well, probably not the deed yet.
We may not We may not be able to sell it. It might be deed restricted, but we should sit there and look at working through an easement to sit there and make it workable for the family potentially. So, it's something that
he best easement is the best source and way to go, I think.
Yeah. So Matt, if you can check out the deed the deed restrictions on that part property and what we can and can't do and we're gonna sit there and work with the family through till the next meeting and hopefully what we can do is have at least a plan as to what we would want to do with you so we can move from you.
All right.
Yeah, we'll put that on.
Yeah. Quick claims to the town correct after the
Yes. Okay. So, we really have to look into that. So, maybe Mark Branch, the land use attorney, can look into that for us,
to see what we can legally do with that
because,
you know, we have to make sure we can even give an ease in that crossing. It was land that was gifted to us by the state. So,
Well, I know there was it had to be open space. I know. I remember when it was given to us. Okay, let let's sit there and just get the deed and get an understanding of what is possible with that property so we can get back to the family and give them an appropriate answer.
All right,
absolutely.
Okay.
hey Jeff, should they go just another should they go to planning and zoning for this too? I I I would think so, but I think what we should do, Jeeoff, is get to the deed and go through, okay, this is the next logical way to sit there and progress this through.
and then even if it is allowed, we still have to have a special town meeting
to have the town approve.
Yep. let's sit there and and see what we what we can do. and and Scott and Jeff and Carol, I'm assuming, and even Ann, if you go want to go out and look at the property so you understand what we're talking about, that would be great.
One thing I would check to see if we could swap it for a different open space, if we don't change our footprint, I don't know if that's possible
like they were discussing.
Yep. As long as we as long as the deed is analyzed and as Carol said, it gets to Mark Brandt. So he he gives us the lay of the land of what can and can't be done. Then we can sit there and come up with a plan that might work.
Understood.
Okay. All right. 10E discussion and possible action on a town administrator's contract. Matt has had a draft has a draft of the contract. I've I've had a initial draft of the contract. the there was some holdup related to the retirement aspects of of how to deal with Matt and how we can sit there and work together for the benefit of Matt and for the benefit of the town. So Matt is working on some of those details related to that will get us some answers on that and get us a draft of this contract hopefully Matt by the end of the month. that also goes to the same with the the community center the director's contract or those two contracts have to get done. I need to sit there and get those processed by or into your hands before the end of the month so we can sit there and get these approved and signed. So in Matt's case, he's working without a contract. In Tessa's case, her contract date expires June 30th and we need to extend it.
Anybody have any issues?
No, I just have a question. So, we're asking Matt to draw up his own contract.
No, we drew up his contract. We're looking for Matt to sit there and get legal understanding, Carol, as to the options for retirement because right now within the town, the town has a MURF plan and the town has Matt 40 457 41 I don't
457 and Carol we're looking at what the options are of using either one of those for the best interest of Matt and the best interest of the town. So, we're just looking to get an understanding of what we can legally do.
Okay. And for TE's contract, I know at our last meeting we were going to have our labor attorney Yeah.
review that. Has that happened?
It's been sent to the labor attorney.
That was done today.
Did we get anything back? No,
no, no, no. It just went today. So, it didn't even get sent to until today.
That's correct.
Okay. All right. Just checking. Thank you.
Yeah,
that one I'm not worried about though because we're going to be we that doesn't expire till July 1 or June 30th. So,
we have time still.
That that's that's correct. She's she's operating with a contract, but Tess has every right to want to get this done and
yep,
she's let me know about it. And if it's on anybody, it's on me. It's not on Matt. It's not on anybody else. It's on me. And we'll sit there and get it accomplished. As I told her, it needs to be done before I want it done. I would like this in your hands so you guys can review it. have the have the labor attorney review the draft and then sit there and get that draft back from the labor attorney knowing that it aligns with the with any other instruments within the town like the the employee handbook or any of the other items that might conflict and get this all done and done right so that test is covered, we're covered and we can move forward. Okay. So, go from there. Anything else on those on the administrator's contract?
Okay.
Hopefully by the next meeting.
hopefully
that before June
before the next meeting so that we can all have the document and then approve it. And so what I'd like to do is get it to you all. If you have any questions or concerns, then get those back to the labor attorney and get it finalized and in Tessa's hand so it moves forward.
Go ahead.
Okay.
Yep.
Okay. So, a 10F discussion and possible action on sharing the spirit of America. So, this is what Matt was talking to you about before and I'm assuming Matt this is not this is this is the reading of the the Declaration of Independence on the ETH.
That is correct. That's the the formal name of it.
Okay. So, between now and our next meeting, can you sit there and go figure out where we want to have this done and then we'll figure out how and who we want to have read it and we'll go from there.
Sounds good.
let's try that. 10g discussion and possible action on posting community and senior center assistant director position. So this position will you know is open or the the desire is to have this posted in the river east for the next two weeks. anybody have any problem with getting it out there and getting it done?
Okay. could we go back to the what what was the discussion or pos possible action on sharing the spirit of of America? What what was that a for the Memorial Day parade? No, it's a it's a reading of the reading of the Declaration of Independence
where
the town wants
the state the state of Connecticut and federal government are trying to coordinate all the towns reading the Declaration of Independence in a public place. And so it's something that they're asking us to do and we're going to try to figure out how to get it done. There might be four of us there depending upon if you're on vacation, Scott, or I'm on vacation or Ann's on vacation. Carol might read it for us.
We might read it.
Good. It's a very nice We have to get it framed and we have to sit there. It's a nice nice moment that we can put on the wall. It's in It's in Matt Matt's office rolled up trying to protect it. So, all right. did we have any other issues on 10G which is discussion of possible action on the posting community and senior center assistant director position.
Do we have the job description all set on that?
Matt has he's worked on
Yeah. Yes. I I I've received the job description and then we we've we'll be posting that on the website so that we'll have the advertisement in the paper for the two weeks the two Fridays. So it'll refer please check out the Andover website for the full description. I I think I'll kite, but that'll be either tomorrow or the next day. But she's shedding it out to the newspaper. Okay.
Anybody else?
All right, we'll move on on that. 10H, discussion and possible action on the diesel fuel system and pump upgrades. that information is in our packet. It starts on section or page 34. Oh, actually not 34. I'm sorry. 33 is the the primary one. We probably should sit there and and decide which one of these options we take. I mean, from my perspective, this has been a problem that's been going on for years. It's been kind of bandated together. I do think you should go we should go with option two. the only other question is is and Matt will need to get with Erica. Are there any other potential quotes that we can get related to this project? and if there are, let's sit there and bring them forth. But I would sit there and tell you that we should probably either vote here. I mean, I would take it right out of contingency because this is just going to be a problem forever moving forward if we don't resolve it.
that's where you want to take the money from.
That's where I take
Why can't we vote on it right now? Yeah, it does need a pump. I would say it's just the pump's as old as the software. the software shot. They're they're doing clipboards now.
and the only thing that I have a problem with is I only have one quote.
I believe he he solicited other ones, but I don't know if he's received them yet. I'll he had an unfortunate accident this weekend. So, I'll have to find out, you know, who he contacted if I can follow up with those. I know that he, you know, requested multiple quotes. I think one only one's come back. So, We'll we'll see what we can do.
Can we make a motion? That's it.
Did we put an RSTL for that or we're just except asking for big quotes?
Well,
we're just we're asking for quotes.
Yeah. and Carol because this is not as if this is a project that I mean we kind of knew this was going to happen but we never really wanted to go and ask for the money from the town's people to sit there and get this done. We were hoping that this would continue to survive but now we're at a point where it's not surviving. So there's there's more of an emergency nature related to this one.
Yeah. You told us about this for three years. a normal I mean it's like us ignoring the lake road bazula culver and then eventually it's going to collapse. So
in this case we did a project on an RFP and the rest of the stuff and we're taking it in advance of failure and this is now at a failure point
and so if people want to know if they're saying 28 Oh go ahead Carol. No, I was just going to ask. So, we do not have to have go out for an RFP on that. What you're saying?
I would tell you, Carol, if we got two maybe three quotes, I would be happy with it because it's only a $30,000 expenditure. It's not. It's if it's a hundred or $400,000. So,
so just if people wonder,
sorry, go ahead, Jeff. If people wonder from the public why this is so expensive because it's a flammable fluid pump, it has to be explosion proof. It's called a class one rated area. So that's why it the wiring methods and everything have to be a little different. So it's it's usually double to almost sometimes triple the cost. And this is a boutique it's a boutique item. So it's not something where we're going to get 10 quotes on. It's you'd be lucky to get probably three quotes in the area
for somebody that work in eastern Connecticut that does it.
There's only there's only so many people that do this type of work.
Yeah.
So, and hopefully our inspector knows how to do explosion proof inspections.
Okay. so, Matt, if you can sit there and work with Eric when he gets back or you know with, you know, while he's away and just try to sit there and see if we can pull another quote or another two quotes so we can sit there and be comfortable that we're not so far out of line with any of the numbers and pick the right one. I would sit there and say we should authorize it. I have no problem honestly making a motion to authorize this right now because it's one of those projects that this this just got to get done. It's not as if we're sitting there, you know, we're sitting there right now and if the pump goes, then we're really in deep trouble.
Yeah.
So, so quick, so quick just just a thought. If we approve it for this amount and we get quotes that come in cheaper, we'll go with the lower bidder. But, you know, if we do it to for this amount now, we know that's what we're going to pay, but we could pay less.
Yeah. So, it's a question of does the board want to sit there and authorize Matt and Eric to go out and do the leg work and then we have a quick special meeting to approve it once they come back with the final numbers. I don't have a problem with that either. Just knowing this project has to get done and it has to get done quickly,
but I'd like to be involved at a at a limited quantity. This is this is in my wheelhouse. This is what I do for work. I do these class one rated things with pumps and explosion proof areas. So, this is something I I know a little bit about.
So, so perhaps I can connect with you, Jeff.
Yes.
Okay.
Yeah. If you got any questions, let me know and I'll look through the I'll if you get all the if you get all the quotes together, just send them to me and I can take a look at them.
Okay. So, I would actually rather that happen. Matt, Matt, you work with Jeff Murray, sit there and Eric, get down to a final number and then we'll come back and really quick and do an approval for this spend and then we should also sit there and let the board of finance know that this is potentially coming. Well, Liz is on, so Liz, if you can let your board of finance know that this is coming, it's something that we've got coming out there. Okay. a 10 I appointment of auditor required by May 31st, 2026. Lisa, just to verify for the board and not sure if this is a board of finance or a board of selectman issue, but the current auditor Mahoney and Sable has provided us with a quote for next year's audit. Is that accurate?
Yes, I asked for it during budget season.
Okay. And I think it went up $1,000.
Okay. I mean I have no problems appointing Mahoney table for the next fiscal year. but I'm not sure if it's actually the board of selectman's responsibility or the board of finance's responsibility.
I always thought it was board of finance.
Yeah, I would think so.
Yeah.
our board of finance member wants to talk. So, does anybody have a problem with letting Liz talk?
Okay, Liz, go ahead.
I just wanted to let you know that I do remember last year Eric came with us to make a vote on it. That's all.
Okay.
So,
I don't know if that means that's what it should be.
What's your next When's your next meeting?
it is I think it's the third Tuesday of the month.
The third Tuesday of May.
The 20th.
Okay. at 7 p.m.
So, let's Liz, put that on your agenda and please let's get that approved. okay.
Lis Lisa, also please make sure that
you speak with Michael from Mahoney and Sable and make sure that he is all good with all that.
Okay.
All right. Thank you.
Yep.
Thank you. It looks like the schedule date is the 27th on the calendar for the board of finance meeting.
Oh, really? They have a regular schedule meeting. Is it the third third Tuesday
or third Wednesday?
Wednesday.
I'm sorry. You guys are right. I You're You're right. Don't listen to me. It's at the end of the month.
So,
yeah. The 27th.
Okay. we'll sit there and we're going to have to put it on that agenda and get that done at that meeting.
Okay. I think I I did send an email including Rob, I think, because I got the notice from OPM. So, I'll touch base with him again.
All right, let's just And Liz, I'll pro I'll try to be on Well, I'll be on that meeting. so let's sit there and make sure that that gets on the agenda and gets done right off the bat before we get into any good stuff. All right. we're going to move on to item 11, approval of minute meetings. anybody have any questions regarding the the special minute meetings for the 30th or the 9th? They are on page 39 of our packet for the first special meeting. So, I'll make a motion that we approve the special minute meetings for March 30th, 2026.
Second that.
And Creme second. Any further discussion? Okay, we'll vote. And Crema, how do you vote?
I.
Carol Lee,
I. Jeff Murray,
I
Scott Person,
Jeff Magguire, I 5 nothing. I'll make a motion that we approve the regular minute meetings for April 9th, 2026.
Seconded.
Jeff Murray has seconded. Further discussion. Ann, how do you vote? Hi
Carol Lee.
Hi
Jeff Murray.
Hi
Scott Person. I for Scott Jeff Magcguire I 5 nothing. All right we're going to move on to item 12 of the tax collector's report. that package starts on 4546. tax collector collected $1.7 million in April.
and then she has her list of taxpayers that are delinquent and late. Wow, I like page 55. People can sit there and take swipes at you and still not pay their taxes. That's terrible. Okay. anybody have any questions for any of the delinquent tax holders or any of the other issues? I notice nobody on this board is delinquent. That's a good thing. Okay.
Pretty important. I wonder if they should be allowed into the town meetings to vote if they're not up to date on their taxes. We should actually put that into the charter. I'd have to name that rule, too. That would be a good naming rule. I'd have to name it. all right. We're going to move on to item item 13, departmental reports. They are in our packet. Oh, actually I I'm sorry. I have to go back one step. On page 68, there are tax refunds and it's item 12E. There are a total of seven $96364 of tax refunds. Three of them are certificate of corrections and one is an overpayment. The overpayment is for $76.69. So I'll make a motion that we approve total tax refunds for the month of April of or yeah the month of April of $96363 actually. Yeah.
Second tax.
Okay. Further discussion on the tax refunds.
All right, we'll vote on an inter. How do you vote?
Was an I. Jeff.
She was an I. I'm sorry I missed. Carol Lee.
Yep.
Carol Lee is an I as well.
Hi.
Okay. Jeff Murray.
Yes.
Hi. Scott Person.
Hi.
Jeff Magcguire. I 5 nothing. Okay. departmental reports. We have we have reports from the assessor's office. building department. Total fees for the month of April were $11,172.90. List of all the permits is in here. It's always good information. Okay. See the blight report in there. I did not either, Scott.
yeah, that's something we should we definitely need to revisit because I've noticed that a couple properties are definitely out of compliance again.
Okay. one thing I I didn't sit there and see a community center report, but I will tell you after discussions with Tess there was a grant the grant the $10,000 grant is has been received. she got approval for that money to assist with some of the items including the computer system for the for the community center. So that's very positive news.
Nice.
Yep. anybody have any questions related to any of the departmental reports that are item 13? I'll also tell you we're probably going to have to have Dominic has been absent from transfer station. It's something that Matt you're going to have to work on. We're going to have to sit there and see what the future holds for us. and if anybody has any,
I was told that he's coming back this week.
I saw him post on Facebook that he was coming to work this Saturday.
Let's sit there and see. I know he's he's Well, Matt, please make sure that where we're at with that and we'll we'll move forward with what we can do with I have to thank Steve for for being there for all the days that Dominic has missed. He's done a great job.
Thank you, Steve.
Okay. Any anything else related to departmental reports? Okay. we're going to move item 14 down, but I I actually don't think Does anybody have a reason to go into executive session on the contract? Any of the members, Jeff, Carol, Ann.
Yeah. So, so Matt, like we said, you're going to move that to the labor attorney and then back from the labor attorney to all the members and then from all the members back to the labor attorney and test if there's any issues and get this done. And if we have to have a special meeting, we'll have a special meeting to get it approved.
Right.
Yes.
so we're going to skip item 14. item 15, I don't believe there's any correspondence that I've seen. so we're going to move on to item 16, public speak. we're going to start with Diane Grier.
Yes, thank you. just a a couple of things. One being I'm sad to hear that Willie Bell is leaving. he he did a wonderful job and he he's it'll be big shoes to fill. he he was a great asset to the town of Andover and will be dearly missed. the the other comment I'd like to make is I'm very disappointed on how few residents zoomed into this meeting. just what five, six, seven people with all the chatter going on on Facebook and whatever about town things that so few people are interested enough to zoom into the board of selectments meeting. So other than that you guys did a wonderful job. It's not even 8:30 and you're done. Congratulations. Thank you.
Liz Latchet,
I think I think I'm fine for tonight. Thanks, guys. Thanks for everything.
Okay, Stephen King,
no comment.
Test Gross,
I am all set. Thank you, sir.
All right, Joanne Eert,
I just had a quick comment. Jeff that I think it's great that you guys are looking into you know possible retirement options with the hiring of the town administrator. We had talked about that a couple years ago with Eric Anderson. I had had a side comment that I think it could be I know you have the the MURF I think it's called and it's you know quite costly for the town. So if there is a chance to offer alternatives or bring something on it could be terrific savings for the town. Thank you.
Leanne Hutchinson.
Yes. have I unmuted myself?
Yes. Thanks. I just wanted to say that with regard to the budget process and the charter, I think that the bifurcation is really a positive tool. I think that once, as we know, in the next referendum, that's what we're going to be voting on. And I think it's a really good tool for both the board of finance and the voters for, how they feel about each respective budget. And if each either one or or neither budget passes, then it gives feedback as to what people want changed. and we can assume that they want something decreased. So, I think I'm glad that we have that choice. Now, as far as tomorrow night's meeting, I assume that the board of finance was going to present the the decreases that they made, and I understand that no action is really going to be taken, but I'm hoping that there's at least going to be a presentation. That was my understanding. So, I know you don't I don't know if you can answer that now, but I'm assuming that that's the least amount that was going to be done. Thank you.
There is a presentation that's expected to be made by the board of finance.
Thank you.
did did I miss anyone? I know Matt, Lisa, and I didn't ask you guys to talk. I'm hoping you don't want to. We all good?
All good.
All right. All right. I think I got everybody. Did I miss anybody? If I missed anybody, I apologize. So, I'll make a motion that we adjourn.
I'll second that.
I said we're all in favor, right, Carol?
I
All right. So, everybody, thank you very much. Have a good night. appreciate you