2026-10-14 - Finance Committee

Alright. Good evening everyone. I call to order the October 14th meeting of the Millbury Finance Committee. The time is 6:31 and this meeting is being recorded and streamed by Millbury Public Access

Television live on Charter 191 and Verizon 26 with remote participation via Zoom. And anyone joining by Zoom or by phone, please state your name and address when speaking. Just to do a roll call, um

we have Bill Breault, Caitlyn Lahey Barb, Jennifer O'Connell, Judith O'Connor, Russell Wells, and myself. Um and the only member who is missing is Nicole Cooney. Um so tonight, um we will be going

through the town warrant for the special town meeting. Um and so what we will do is we will um have uh our interim town manager go through uh each of the warrants and then we can um vote them um and

we can have a discussion on them as well. Um, so I'll turn it over to you, Mr. Hollis All right. All right. Thank you. Um, so I'd like to start with just a brief uh presentation here about kind of

where we stand with free cash. Um, so we understand kind of what we're working up against. Um, so Kev, good to go. All right. So certified free cash this year came in around $1.4 million. Um, what I'm

asking here tonight for article 2 for the library HVAC project is $375,000. Um, and then come spring, we have these known transfers, things that we do every annual town meeting. So that's the

stabilization transfer, the OPEB, the health insurance stabilization, the compensated absences fund. Um, so those are the the known draws on our free cash. Um, the ones that we don't know about are

the chap chapter 90 supplement. Um, typically that's about 20% of free cash. Um, which would make it about $275K. Um, the big wild card here is the snow and ice deficit. Just going to say, um, so I'm

going to just jump ahead one slide here and and show you kind of what we've done in the past for snow and ice. Um, so over the past, you know, few years, snow and ice has come in at an average of

$265K. I think to be safe, we should probably plan for $300K. So, if we do that and slide that up there, um, our, you know, the free cash that we have left for capital items come spring, um, is pretty

minimal. Um, in the grand scheme, it's $265K. Um, so when I, you know, when I'm asking for $375k for the special town meeting, that's that's a, that's a good amount of money I'm asking for considering

that we don't have a lot, um, to spare. Jim, can I ask one question? Uh, back to snow and we're locked in on our fuel. we lock in our fuel prices from last year. Uh fuel prices I I don't know about

the fuel prices because that's that's a big Yeah, sure. That's a big red flag for the winter, too, right? I mean, we locked in a contract to to buy salt. Um so, we know the price of salt. There is a

minimum amount that we're going to be buying. So, we do know what that price is. Yes. Um and we do I think I have it in here somewhere. Um you know, we do budget $200k for for um snow and ice

expenses. Um, so we that is part of the budget, but we always go over it. Um, we're allowed to def deficit spend that account. Um, so there is a fair amount of money that we're going to be asking for

like every town meeting. Sure. I do wonder if they would have been able to lock in a price with the conflict and and everything that's going on. It seems like oil prices are fluctuating uh frequently.

I thought at one time, did we not sign a contract, Judy? uh the DPW department uh when before they would buy in bulk when they ran out to get as much as they could at a better price. Sure. So I'm sure

maybe the DPW has locked in at a a price. You'd have to check with uh Stencil on that. Yeah. Yeah, we can do that. Mr. Chairman, the the challenge with snow and ice is that if we raise the budget to

$300k Sure. we can never lower it. Mhm. So whatever whatever the budget is for snow and ice, you can never bring it back down. You can has to stay or you can bring it up. That's why it's always just

so you guys know that's why it's been historically low is because we didn't want to take it up to a point where we weren't spending it. So So to I'm not necessarily opposed to it, but right that's why

Jen through the chair that's why if you keep it the same you can always go above it because you can spend more because of that. So just like Jen said, I think we have to be careful not to Do you have

any concerns with that with with it being kept at the level that it is and then just No, I mean I don't really have concerns. We've been doing it that way for a long time. Um as long as we understand

that that is going to be on the warrant at spring down meeting. Um and it's going to cost about $300k. So when we're projecting our free cash and our budgeting, uh we just need to understand that

that's always going to be there. And I think that most people in town who come to a town meeting expect that that Sure. Snow and ice snow and ice is right. I-I've never heard it to be an issue. No.

No. So with the free cash that you're referencing, the $1.4 million, is that what they certified after the audit? Uh not after the audit. That's what was certified after fiscal year 2016. Okay. I just

want I got really nervous. I was like, what happened? We're only down to a $1.4 million. But you're saying that it's not this year. So okay, I can calm down then. All right. So, now I don't want to

get too deep into capital here. Um, but if we do have $265K left for capital, I just kind of want to show everyone what we have for capital projects. Um, so here is kind of the departmental requests

for fiscal year '27, fiscal year '28. Um, add up to over $5 million. And I'm saying we have about, you know, maybe $2 million. And that's all those draws that we know about on that amount. Um, so when

we think about kind of handling our capital plan, it's going to be difficult to execute many of these capital projects. We're going to have to be wise about where we spend our money. Um, and then the

last thing here, um, speaking of capital, there are a few things that we need to kind of figure out what we're going to do, um, as far as whether things go in the capital budget or, uh, departmental

expenses. Um, a big one here for an example is the turnout gear for the fire department. Um, every year they they spend that amount of money buying turnout gear. Um, to me that probably belongs in

their budget, but typically we've had that type of stuff in in capital. Um, so when it comes time to, you know, budget talks um, with this group um, it'd be nice if we could kind of focus on some of

those items that might really belong in the budget as opposed to capital. I think that's good. I mean, we've talked about that before. There are many things that we see coming on a regular yearly

basis and we I think we've asked before why they weren't um in the budget if it's a replacement on a regular basis. All right. So to dive a little bit deeper into articles two and three here. All

right. So article two um we're talking about the library HVAC project. Um, currently we have a 27 year old chiller. Um, I think it's a 50 ton chiller. Has the R22 refrigerant, which they don't make

anymore. Jim, could for the lay person, can you define a chiller? Uh, chiller is what provides the AC in the summer. So, the chiller provides the cold air that cools the library in the summer months.

Is that the condenser? Uh, it's a large condenser. Okay. I've never heard that term. Okay. Thank you. You got it. Um so what we're proposing to do here um is replace the chiller with a heat pump

chiller that would provide um it's going to electrify the heat. It would it would offset about you know 80 to 90% of the natural gas cost that we have there um because we're going to be providing heat

for the building um with with the uh with the the heat pump chiller. Um this is timely uh because we just signed a new gas supply contract for natural gas. Um so that price went up 36%. Um so we're

going to be paying a lot more for natural gas now. So, it's it's a good time to be getting out of the natural gas business and electrifying some of our buildings. Uh, quick question. So, the chiller

would be replaced with the heat pump system for for cooling. Will there still be a heating system in place as a backup? Okay. We would leave the the gas boiler in place. Yeah. So, I mean that would

that would turn on I think they're estimating around 15 degrees. We we would require that that to be kicked on. Mhm. Okay. Um, so the total cost of that project, um, as it stands now is about

$910,000. So I'll explain the difference there of why I'm only asking for $375. That's chilly. Sorry. Um, so by doing this project, we're going to, I guess, lower our uh our utility expenses by about

$11,000 uh a year. Um, and that's just basically because we're going to reduce our gas spend and increase our uh, electric spend. Um, we do have solar credits that kind of that cover part of our

electric at least give us a discount on some of those things. Um, so this table here just kind of breaks down why exactly we're going to be saving that money. Um, now the people executing this project

is trained. Um, and we're going to be under um, energy savings performance contract. So whatever they estimate as the savings, they are guaranteeing that the building's going to save that much money.

Um and if it falls short, they will pay for for the for the difference there. During town meeting, will someone be there to explain all of this and answer any of the questions that folks might have in

town about about this? Yes. Okay. I'll be there. Okay. I mean, if you want someone from train to be there for more technical expertise, I don't think that that's necessary. Um, I think that it

wouldn't hurt because only and I only say this because people are going to vote and someone and all it takes is one person to get up there and be very convincing to say something otherwise that you

shouldn't, you know, do this. And so, um, if you have the experts there already and if you use them or not, it could help. Sure. My thought and especially with the Warren article in the beginning,

they can leave right after. Right. Like it's Right. Right. they don't have to stay all night. All right. So, here is the breakdown of um how we're going to pay for this project. Um so, we've already

submitted for a green communities uh building decarbonization grant, and that's for $500,000. So, this project really uh hinges on getting that grant. If we don't get that grant, I don't think we

execute this project. I think we still need to replace the chiller. We're probably just going to replace it in kind at that point. We're not going to do this kind of robust, comprehensive project at

the library. Um we have some guaranteed mass save um incentives. Um there's still money sitting in an account from 2021 annual town meeting um that that we can use for this purpose. And then the big

one here that we don't know about is National Grid has a uh a custom heat pump rebate that can be anywhere up to $2,500 a ton. So if we get that full rebate, kind of see what happens here, the the

true town cost comes down to just over $200,000. So until we know that number, it's we can't really predict. So $375k will cover us just in case we don't get any rebate at all on that end. Mark, could

you repeat that? If you don't get any rebate at all from who? From National Grid? If we don't get I mean we're going to get a rebate, but just just in case for some reason we don't the $375k will

still allow us to execute the project. What was that rebate from National Grid? How much was that? It is uh typically it's about $2,500 a ton. This is a 50 ton. This is going to be a 60 ton heat pump.

Okay. Yeah. Okay. So, the $375k will cover us even if we don't get that. Correct. Okay. Very good. Thank you. Yeah. Okay. Now, we're going to jump over to article three at the sewer department. Um, so

what we're proposing to do here is to install a large uh ground mounted solar array that will offset approximately I think like 90% of our um electricity costs at at the main sewer pump station. Um we

pay about $90,000 a year in electricity down there. Um we installed VFDs previously that decreased our electric use by about 30%. Um so that's gone well. This is just kind of the next phase of that.

Uh this is just a breakdown of how much we'll save per year. Um and that's and that's calculated with um a few various things. So you know we'll have the the offset of the the electric bill. Um we'll

have smart incentives and that's through national grid. Um we already have a GAP 4 grant from um DEP in hand. Um so we've already received that grant. We can already spend that on on this project. Um,

if we're able to get this system operational by the end of 2027, we can claim a 30% uh elective pay investment tax credit from the federal government. So, if we get that, that's a massive number

that's going to help us and really sell this project. That's almost $800,000. Um, so it would be big to get that. And then the last piece of this that's going to help us pay for this project is we're

in the IMA with Sutton. They they pay for 18.8% of of capital projects. Um, so here's another one where we have a big number up front. We're asking for $2.8 million out of sewer stabilization. Uh, but

the true town cost could come down to $1.4 million. And if that's the case, the payback is 12 years. Um, which is pretty good considering we're going, you know, be buying an asset that's good for 25

years. Okay. So, just to confirm, this is coming out of the sewer um sewer fund and not the general correct fund. Okay. Okay. How many years is that tax credit, the federal tax? Is it every year? No,

that's just a one time. One time. Yeah. Yeah. Have you drilled down to what's it going to cost the taxpayer if they use if they have sewers? Um like me, how much are you saying? already paying your

sewer bill. So essentially, but we're just kind of using our reserves for this project. Just the reserves. We're just using the reserves for this project. You have enough reserves to cover it. Well,

let me show you here. So, we have They're going to catch up with you. I won't say anything. Here's our cash position with the with the sewer enterprise fund. The stabilization fund, which we're

proposing to draw from, has $4.2 million in it. Uh by using that money, we take it down to I think $1.8, something like that. Um, so it's not it's, you know, I don't love doing that. Um, it's not it's

not the best solution. It's it's a lot of money. It's something really to consider. Yeah. Um, I still got to take this to the board of sewer commissioners who would have to to vote to approve this

project. We'll see what they have to say about it as well. Uh, but, you know, this is kind of factored into our overall model of the sewer enterprise fund. Um, so so we're we're planning on this

expense. We have it covered. We kind of know what what it's going to do to our to our money. So, okay. So, this has been planned. This is not they won't be surprised that you want to hit the fund that

like that, right? No, I mean we're not going to be surprised. Um, you know, we intend on kind of raising the rates every year because our our our you know, we pay a lot more every year to the upper

Blackstone for treating the sewer. Um, so as as they raise the rates, we raise the rates to cover that expense. Of course. Okay. Thank you. Yeah. And the estimates for the savings on electricity was

how are those estimated? Um, it's just a straight offset. So, we're going to be producing our own electricity. So, instead of buying it, um, essentially we're just going to be producing it ourselves.

What I mean by that is just I we have solar on our house and there was kind of in my mind was an assumption that, uh, year round we would be producing the same, right? But, you know, we live in

Massachusetts and as the earth changes, it you get less uh solar coverage, right? And so, in the winter months it's, you know, less, but obviously during the summer that's when you get peak. And so I

was curious if the estimate that you had was just kind of essentially an average throughout the entire year. It's a good question. Um but I don't know exactly. Um we're still kind of kicking the tires

on this project, figuring out, you know, how to save money on it, exactly the payback periods, all that stuff. Um that's we we're fasttracking this project because we have that deadline of the end of

27. Um so if we're able to hit that, that's going to it's going to really make this project work. Um so we don't have all the answers right now. Uh but still I think it's worth kind of considering to

fund this, get it moving with the chance that that we get that tax credit. Katelyn, do you have a question? Um yeah, I believe kind of a followup to yours. Um will the solar system be owned and

operated by Millbury? Is it owned and we're leasing and then getting the benefit of the sale of solar to offset that? or is there like a direct tie-in of sorts between the solar generation and the

pump usage? Yeah, it's just a direct tie-in. It's just behind the meter. Um, we're going to own it. We're going to operate it. It's going to be our asset. Okay. Yeah. Um, yeah, I guess just to expand

on Charles's point about the um energy consumption varying throughout the year and even through the time of day. Um if my understanding is if the pump is running 24/7 uh that's not always aligned with

the solar generation and um that this would depend on the sale of solar or direct usage and then sale and then reduce cost for purchasing at different times and that uh changes with different rate

structures I guess. So, I think I'd be curious on if there's opportunities for more direct solar to making sure that it is used to offset any cost from the utility as much as we can to begin with and

aligning those those times. Right. So, I think there probably is some work to do to kind of look a little bit closer at the actual system generation, when it's generating the power versus when the

pumps are using the power. Um, and just making sure that what they're selling us is actually the good system that's going to operate as we think it will. I mean, I think solar is great. Like I said, I

have it on my home. I think um when we ask town people to vote during the town meeting they may question you know that that amount and where that figure yeah and to your earlier- your point or Russ's

I think someone will probably ask about the impact of the average sewer user like what would they see excess cost like an increase in their bill or something because of I think yeah I would probably

have that number someone will probably ask that Okay. Yeah. I mean, it's not really going to increase the anyone's bill necessarily. It's just going to deplete our reserves. Oh, that's true. You know,

so Mr. Jim, so just so again, I'm playing layman here. We're still going to be hooked up to the grid for like when it's at night when we use electricity from the grass. So, at the optimum time of

having solar, we'll be we'll be using solar, but other than that, we'll be using we'll still be using the grid. Yeah. Yeah. So, you've averaged out the potential for this over a year. Okay. The way

solar works, it's like net metering. And so, uh, energy is coming in and if you're using that energy, it's coming from the solar versus the grid. And then, um, if you're producing more than you're

using, you get the credit for that, but it's kind of like a back and forth. Um, right. You know, and there'll be rainy days, cloudy days, which can affect, you know, how much is being produced. Um, so

it will vary from year to year, but okay. But if I can, I think overall too, I agree it's a good opportunity to help reduce those costs for anything that we can generate uh ourselves and less

dependency on the external sources is good for resiliency and good for managing those costs over time. One thing I could see folks asking about is if there will be a battery system as part of this. I

think a lot of people have fears of um like lithium ion batteries. Um if there's not, I think it's just an easy kind of upfront thing to just say to people to kind of squash that concern. So I mean

there's not currently. U maybe down the line. You can still kind of add those things in after the fact. Jim, yes, we keep asking. I'm sorry. Maintenance, who's responsible? Rengie. Uh, so there is a

maintenance component. Um, you do have to replace the inverters every now and then. Um, so a lot of that would fall to train. We would be in a contract with them for maintenance. Who for whoever

installs it? Whoever installs it essentially. Yep. Okay. Is there a warrant? We'll have a warranty, I assume, too. Yeah. Yep. Okay. Very good. All right. Thank you. I don't know how often those fail.

I mean, we've had solar for I think five years or so now. Haven't had any issues with our inverters. So, Right. They're pretty resilient as time has passed. So, okay. Thank you. Um, so here's just a

little bit more information about what this is going to do to our reserves. Um, so essentially the sewer stabilization fund, um, we'll drop it from $4.2 to $1.4 million. But then hopefully we kind of

claw back some of that money via the the reimbursements. Um, you ready? Here's Judy's slide coming up next. Thank you. All right. So, just talking about solar credits in general because part of the

cell here is if we're producing our own electricity at the sewer department, we don't need the solar credits anymore. Um, so we can redistribute those to other town buildings. So, we're going to

electrify the library. We can move those solar credits to the library. Um, so essentially, you know, the town pays uh we get we buy a credit for a discount. We pay $0.67.5 cents for $1 worth of

electricity essentially. um over a year. Um we buy $545,000 worth of electric credits and we pay $368,000 for that. Um so that that's that's how solar credits generally work. Um this slide here shows

where they're going now and this is just for the McGrath Road um the the mass solar um array up on up on McGrath Road. Um so Millbury Junior Senior High is the big one. Um but they are distributed

throughout the town. um pretty evenly. But, you know, if we're if the sewer department doesn't need them anymore, um we do have an opportunity to kind of figure out where they're going to go next. Um

you may be interested that the the solar array down at the transfer station on top of the landfill. Um all those solar credits are being purchased by Upper Blackstone. Um so those aren't they're

paying us to rent that land, but we're not buying any solar credits from that solar array. Who determines the rate that they pay for the solar credit? Uh, probably established by the grid or do you

guys I think that that's probably an agreement when they go in when they build in the town. There's probably some agreement that you have access to x amount of credits. I would I would think just

thinking of a way to claw money back from them. Yeah. Through the chair. That was one of my questions because they signed an agreement at the selectman's meeting. Yes. that that project was completed

and now it was going to go on because it hasn't been going on. And we're not going to use any of those uh solar credits. Correct. We're only renting them the land. Yes. How much? Oh, $60,000 a year.

I'm sure every five years is an increment. Usually commercial leases. I think it's not anymore. Now it's every year. All right. every year. Okay. What I've seen, it's like a 25 year agreement. Um, and

it's it's the same amount every year. Really? For 25 years. Negotiate. No escalation. No escalation. 25 years. Uh, don't quote me on that. I'm not sure. I can probably pull it up if you want. So would

I. I'm going to pull it up. Do you want to look at it? I don't. It's up to you. We can look at it next time. I don't want to Yeah, sure. take you off. We're here. I really thank you for doing that cuz

that was one of my, you know, when you when we mainly me asking the question, it was like, well, we don't really get and we just and nobody really could seem to answer the question. You seem to be

very versed and I appreciate um the information. Oops. Can I ask a clarifying question? So the solar credits, the town is using them to what do we use them for? So we apply them to the different

buildings and that helps to free the cost of the uh electric the utilities in each building. So the library gets this much, the senior center gets this much um you know and he has a breakdown. It was

really hard to see that slide from here. I don't see that. I could share that after the fact. You could. Yeah, that would be great. But each depart and I my curiosity was who decides who gets what

credits? You know what I mean? That the high school gets this and it was a formula way before he started. But nobody could seem to answer that question. Who made the formula? Who decides they get this

much? Asa Waters wasn't getting any and it was like how come they're not getting any, you know what I mean? So, um trying to figure out the formula was um something that I was interested in how they

decide who gets what, but it does come off of the bills, you know, which is which helps each department's budget. Katelyn, did you have a concern about that? Um no, just on the commercial strategy of

it for the for the town. So it to me it sounds like we're getting credit for whatever we're generating at that time and then that discount is or that credit is applied to different places. Um yeah, I

um I don't have direct experience with solar, so I'm trying to put together things I've heard in my head, but um something I've gathered from different experiences, and I'm not sure if this is

correct, is that um solar credits um or like carbon offset, I think those have different purposes, but tend to go towards places where you can't fully electrify or make bigger decisions or the costs

are um you're more limited like with historical buildings and such where it's harder to make these these improvements versus places where you can add generation. So yeah, connecting those dots. I

think you're right about the um like historical buildings because once you start doing work in there then you have to bring them up to code. Um, so Mhm. Um, here's the payment schedule just if uh if

you want to see it here. Zoom in. This for the the solar farm at the at the at the transfer station. Yep. Okay. I can't see it either. Is it Is it Is it one It's $59,110 a year for 20 years. Yeah.

This agreement was signed in in 2020. Um, so this is That's right. Anyway, okay. So, just generally what we're getting out of these solar credits, we save about $210,000 a year by purchasing these

credits from the from the two solar farms um in that we have in town. Um, so just to wrap up the two projects here, um, you know, the library, which is article 2, um, we're going to save about $11,000

a year. Um, the the sewer department project, um, ultimately we're going to save about $110,000 a year, theoretically. Um, and then by redistributing some of those solar credits, we can add some

additional savings in there. So townwide, theoretically, we could maybe save $141,000 a year by executing these two projects. That's great, Mr. Jim. Yes. I I know on the library the key was the grant.

Yes. How long will that We'll probably know in January or February. Okay. You've already applied? Yes. Okay. So, by January or February, you'll know, right? Okay. If we don't get the grant, we'll

probably have to go to, you know, annual town meeting in the spring um and with some different form of that project. Like we have to replace a chiller, right? Like that just has to happen. Um, but we

might just need to just do a direct replacement for a lot less money. Mhm. Mhm. Okay. Very good. The chair. Yes. Judy, who applied for that grant? What department? Uh, my department. Yeah. Oh, okay.

And for the um for the library project, you're saying the backup option without the grant would be going with a more like for like replacement. So, we'd still have the increased natural gas costs over

time. Yes. And uh ongoing energy costs, but maybe still maintenance reduction, right? And it would still a lake for lake replacement would still cost probably $300,000. So, we're not going to save any

money doing that. Um we're just going to it's just going to hurt us by doing that. And that would not going like for like would not give the town the ability to have dual fuel options to be able to

choose and be nimble with like electric and natural gas. We'd be still stuck with the current system and then whatever prices happen to that in the current system you have one or the other. We can

either do heating there or cooling. Um it's not there's no kind of smart system built in. You can't do both at the same time. So go ahead. So this one when it's the 75 degree day in November could

potentially fuses the system. Yeah. Yeah. Not have the heat blasting in the library and maybe have I think today it was like 100 degrees in the community room there today cuz we have we have this

problem with the system where we have two separate systems and don't really talk to each other. Yeah. boost you which is not uncommon where I work it's a it's a huge issue and we don't change over the

systems until um until October which you know students move into the dorms it gets cold at night and they're like why is it you know so cold we haven't turned the heating systems on yet so well I

think the the elephant in the room though is if you don't get the grant and we agree to to replace that like kind now now it's not worth doing it if you put a brand new one in there we're done we

would not replace the brand new We would have to reconsider the project. I don't know what it would look like if we don't get the grant. Yeah. Um we would have to just, you know, talk to Train our

energy services company, see what they can come up with. Uh maybe just put it out to bid as just a direct replacement. Um we'd have to kind of consider different strategies. I'm just suggesting that

if you did a direct replacement, then this project wouldn't be feasible because we've got a brand new chiller. We want to we wouldn't want to replace that in two years after spending 300,000 to to

install windows. To clarify, so you're saying if if this does not get approved and we don't get the funding to go forward with the uh heat pump option and we'd have to go with the more economical

piece right now. We'd be stuck with that for the 20 years about 20. I think for the foreseeable future, we want one replaced. So it's it's not just the quick hit of saving the money now. It's the

ongoing cost. Yeah. And this heating or cooling, not not both. Okay. Thank you, Charles. Sure. Yes. What's the expectation on the grant? I mean, is that something like we feel like we're going to the

chances of us getting the full $500k are good? Um, it's a competitive grant. They like kind of comprehensive projects. I mean, we're doing weatherization. We're going to improve the insulation there.

Um, they like electrif-electrification. Um, so I I think that we have a pretty good chance. I mean, it's really tough to say. It is competitive. There are other people that submitted for this grant.

Um, I don't know if there's just, you know, how how big the bucket is of of the money that that is available. Um, whether it's kind of one town or the other or whether they're willing to fund multiple

projects just because they're that they're good projects. Charles. Yes. John, was it through small cities? Uh where where was the grant application sent to? Uh green communities to green communities.

Okay. So there were there are number of green communities. So I'm sure it's extremely competitive. Yeah. So there was nothing under um um uh small cities. Nobody looked. Not that I know of. Yeah. M is

there only one one grant? Yes. Just one. So just one. Oh, okay. This is the big one. If you get the if you get the the DECARB grant for $500,000, you're locked out of green communities for two years.

Um that this is a pretty substantial grant for them. Okay. Letter of recommendation by Senator Moore, I assume. Charles, so how many other grants have we received from them in the past few years? And

would would they then think that maybe we're ineligible because or do they look at the fact that their largest substation in the northeast is located here? I think they I would hope. Yeah, we're not

in their like million-dollar club, but we've received quite a few grants from them. Um they do like you coming back. Um so that's good. We're we're a known kind of green community. We've done these

projects. They like when you continue to do these projects successfully and we keep the roads nice around their facility. So I would think that would be appreciated. Very good. That is the L- Did you

say it's the largest substation with these? No kidding. And then um articles 4 through nine Yes. are planning board related, correct? Those are all zoning amendments. Yep. Okay. So, um, so I think we

should, uh, vote on articles one through three and then refer 4 through nine, uh, to the planning board since there for zoning. Mr. Chairman, do we know if there's any financial implications of the

planning board stuff? Of the zoning? There is none. There's not. Okay. Strictly zoning. Strictly zoning. Okay. Y, that's good. All right. So, voting on this article will take this language exactly as

is. So, I just want to make sure it says something of a stipulation, but if we don't get the grant that we need a I see that in the rationale, but I just Yeah, the article that's clearly spelled out.

The verbiage in the articles determined by town council largely the town determines the town council reviews it. Okay. They wouldn't necessarily put it in um the piece that you're asking. It would

only go in the rationale. Okay. Um before we vote, was there anything else that you wanted to add or That's it. That's all I had. All right. Um All right. So, we'll take up the special town meeting

warrant articles for um a vote. Um we'll start with article one. Uh and so article one asks that town meeting uh authorized payment for um prior fiscal year bill. uh 9- $9.96 Amazon invoice dated June

9th, 2026 for an HDMI cable for the Treasury Collector's Office. Um do I have a a motion to recommend article one as written? So moved. Second. Okay. Um and is there any discussion beyond what we've

already talked about? All right. So then we'll vote and we will do a roll call vote. So, Jen, yes. Bill, yes. Judy, yes. Russ, yes. Katelyn, yes. And I'm yes. And that is unanimous. Right. Library

energy project. Um, and so article two asks that town meeting raise an appropriate transfer from available funds or otherwise uh provide $375,000 as the town share of an um of energy conservation and

electrification improvements at the Millbury Public Library. Um, do I have a motion to recommend article 2 as written? um which recommends that $375,000 be transferred from free cash for the purpose

of article 2. So moved. Is there a second? Second. Roll call vote. Jen, yes. Bill, yes. Judy, yep. Russ, yes. Katelyn, yes. And I'm yes as well. And that is unanimous. So the sewer department is one

that I've kind of I've gone back and forth on. So, um, the sewer enterprise fund operates under I looked had to look this up, chapter 44, section 53F and a half. And so, it's self-supporting, funded

by the sewer users charges paid by uh, rate payers and it's not funded by the property tax levy. And our committee's charge is advising the town meeting on levy funded finances. Um the sewer

commission is the body that's accountable to town meeting for the sewer enterprise fund its revenues and retain earnings and its capital plan. So um my thought was that we would uh defer the

recommendation to the sewer committee. Um do you have any any problems? No, that's fine. Good point. Good point. Um, do I have a motion to uh defer the recommendation to the sewer commission? So

moved. Second. Okay. Roll call vote. Jen, yes. Yes. Yes. Judy Russ, yes. Katelyn, yes. And I am a yes as well. And that is unanimous. And then finally, uh, the six zoning articles. Uh, the remaining

six articles are zoning bylaw updates and which is consistent with our standing practice. The finance committee does not make recommendations on planning items and we would refer those to the planning

board. Do I have a m a motion that the finance committee take no position on articles 4 through nine um the zoning bylaw amendments and refer them to the planning board. So moved. Is there a second?

Jen, yes. Yes. Yes. Judy, yes. Russ, yes. And I am a yes as well. And that is unanimous. All right. Thank you. Uh we actually just have to approve our minutes. Oh. So um I just want to uh approve the

minutes for the September 9th meeting. Um and do I have a motion to approve the um meeting minutes as written? So moved. Second. Um and all in favor? I that is unanimous. Um, and then the only other

item is any business uh that was uh reasonably anticipated to be discussed. Any items that people wanted to bring up or did we find out about the scheduling for the um maybe police? Oh yeah, we need

to still work on that. Or any other interdep- departmental? Yeah, let me work on that. Getting our feelers out there via email. I can Right. So, we had talked about possibly like touring police and

maybe doing ride along so that we can understand. Saw a $200,000 squad car. Yeah. And it's helpful. I mean, to see, you know, something on a capital plan, it would be nice to actually see the

conditions of the the police cars and whatnot. So, yeah, good point. Okay. Um All right. Nothing else. Um do I have a motion to adjourn? So moved. Is there a second? Second. All in favor? I. Thank

you.