Thumbnail for 11/25/24 - Hardwick, MA Select Board Meeting

Hardwick Select Board: Fiscal Strategy, Agreements, Property Disposition

Original title: 11/25/24 - Hardwick, MA Select Board Meeting

These meeting notes are AI-generated and unofficial. They are provided for convenience and are not official Town records or approved municipal minutes. Verify all details using the source video and official Town documents.

Meeting details

Date

November 25, 2024

Duration

1h 36m

Decisions

10 recorded

Action Items

15 assigned

Summary

The Hardwick Select Board convened to discuss a wide range of municipal issues, including a proposed Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreement for non-profits, which generated significant public input and a call for a comprehensive review. The board also addressed concerns regarding its meeting format for public comments and outlined a new budget strategy focused on stabilization and capital funding. A major discussion centered on the Mill Brewery's Host Community Agreement (HCA), leading to a decision to renegotiate due to state compliance issues and project delays. Furthermore, the board deliberated on the disposition of long-vacant town properties, considering an auction approach while balancing financial gain with community interest and historical preservation. Other topics included updates on the Healthcare Task Force, a draft communication policy, and various town infrastructure and administrative matters.

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Discussion Highlights

The Chair clarified the town's visitor comment policy, allowing 5 minutes per speaker on any topic during a designated period to maintain meeting order.
Eagle Hill School expressed concerns about a proposed voluntary PILOT agreement, stating it was financially unfeasible and emphasized the need for partnership discussions.
A resident proposed a detailed study for non-profit contributions, suggesting a task force to inventory non-profits, assess exempted property values, and develop a contribution formula based on property values.
Residents raised concerns about the current meeting format, arguing it restricts public input on agenda items during active discussion, while the Chair maintained it prevents chaos.
The board outlined a new budget strategy aiming for 5% funding stabilization, prioritizing capital funding, and generating 'free cash' over several years, with departments advised to plan for a 2% personnel increase.
Mill Brewery's attorney presented challenges with their Host Community Agreement (HCA), citing state non-compliance claims and significant project delays due to building issues, architectural problems, and DEP regulations (e.g., 'climate shrimp').
The proposed new HCA for Mill Brewery removes previous prohibitive fees (1.5% gross revenue, 1.5% community benefit) deemed unsustainable for cultivation companies, focusing instead on cost reimbursement and future retail sales tax.
The board discussed disposing of three long-vacant town properties via Zico's Auction Group, noting previous failed RFP attempts and the financial benefits of avoiding direct town costs and removing properties from insurance liability.
Concerns were raised about selling properties with an unremoved underground oil tank near a public drinking water supply, with the Capital Planning Committee recommending its immediate removal and vetting of bidders beyond financial offers.
A conflict was identified between a Town Meeting vote to deposit property sale proceeds into the general treasury and general procurement law suggesting funds for debt reduction.
The Select Board affirmed its discretion to vet bidders for vacant properties, considering factors beyond financial capacity to ensure community interest and prevent speculative buying.
The Healthcare Task Force composition was updated, with a continued need for a community member and a Finance Committee representative.
A joint meeting was scheduled to thoroughly review the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) policy, involving FinCom and other departments, due to its significant town-wide ramifications.
Updates were provided on various town infrastructure projects, including old barn roof repair, Town Hall radiator repairs, and the purchase of new panic buttons.
The Town Administrator acknowledged the extensive work by the Town Accountant in assembling new budget templates to streamline processes and increase transparency.

Transcript (17,098 words)

Lightly cleaned for readability. Each timestamp opens the video at that point.

00:00:00
United States of America IND Justice okay for starters I would just like to um have a small discussion about
00:00:20
Visitor comments it's the first thing on the agenda every topic is given five minutes if someone has something to say whether it be on the agenda or not on the agenda this is when you speak so when I call visitor comments and nobody says anything and then we get into the
00:00:38
Agenda and we're trying to have a board conversation about something and now we've got six hands that are rising and and it gets very convoluted and people start talking over one another um I don't want that to happen Okay so this is when if you have something you'd like
00:00:56
To say about the meeting about what's on the agenda this is when I ask you to raise your hand so that you can have your five minutes okay all right visit our comments with that being
00:01:16
Said y yeah hi yes hi my name is Aon wi I'm the current uh head of school at Eagle Hill school and so I I here today obviously I learned about the uh pilot agreement that was being proposed two weeks ago which I was certainly you know concerned that we were not brought
00:01:35
In as a partner to discuss if something was going to be looked at as a change Eagle Hill itself is already an assigned arrangement with the town and has been for an assigned arrangement for the last 10 years and I think that we you know that was entered into in good faith by both parties and to be considering
00:01:56
Something that would be adverse to that would be rendering that void um and again if that was to take place I would think that we would be working in Partnership and having a discussion what you're raising right now is financially not even possible for for Eagle Hill and again I think in Partnership it should

[00:00:00] United States of [00:00:05] America [00:00:07] IND [00:00:14] Justice okay for starters I would just [00:00:17] like to um have a small discussion about [00:00:20] visitor comments it's the first thing on [00:00:23] the agenda every topic is given five [00:00:26] minutes if someone has something to say [00:00:29] whether it be on the agenda or not on [00:00:30] the agenda this is when you speak so [00:00:34] when I call visitor comments and nobody [00:00:36] says anything and then we get into the [00:00:38] agenda and we're trying to have a board [00:00:41] conversation about something and now [00:00:43] we've got six hands that are rising and [00:00:45] and it gets very convoluted and people [00:00:48] start talking over one another um I [00:00:51] don't want that to happen Okay so this [00:00:54] is when if you have something you'd like [00:00:56] to say about the meeting about what's on [00:00:59] the agenda [00:01:00] this is when I ask you to raise your [00:01:03] hand so that you can have your five [00:01:06] minutes [00:01:08] okay all right visit our comments with [00:01:11] that being [00:01:16] said y yeah hi yes hi my name is Aon wi [00:01:20] I'm the current uh head of school at [00:01:22] Eagle Hill school and so I I here today [00:01:26] obviously I learned about the uh pilot [00:01:28] agreement that was being proposed [00:01:30] two weeks ago which I was certainly you [00:01:33] know concerned that we were not brought [00:01:35] in as a partner to discuss if something [00:01:37] was going to be looked at as a change [00:01:39] Eagle Hill itself is already an assigned [00:01:42] arrangement with the town and has been [00:01:44] for an assigned arrangement for the last [00:01:46] 10 years and I think that we you know [00:01:50] that was entered into in good faith um [00:01:52] by both parties and to be considering [00:01:56] something that would be adverse to that [00:01:58] would be rendering that void um and [00:02:01] again if that was to take place I would [00:02:03] think that we would be working in [00:02:04] Partnership and having a discussion what [00:02:06] you're raising right now is financially [00:02:08] not even possible for for Eagle Hill and [00:02:12] again I think in Partnership it should [00:02:14] be a discussion between parties and not [00:02:16] something that's just happening among [00:02:18] the board without without talking to the [00:02:20] entities in [00:02:21] town thank you Aaron um so the the [00:02:25] purpose of us discussing this is to come [00:02:27] up with a plan and it's by no means not [00:02:31] to include [00:02:32] anyone of course if we were to move [00:02:36] forward with this it would [00:02:38] be individually spoken to with each [00:02:41] entity that we thought you know that [00:02:45] this fell into there you being tax EXA [00:02:48] right it didn't feel that way last week [00:02:50] when a vote was being called [00:02:52] for no no vote was called for last week [00:02:55] there was it was discussion it was [00:02:57] discussion and we put it off I believe [00:02:59] that Mr Tinker was asking for a vote and [00:03:02] then there was discussion between the [00:03:04] two of you around that you didn't want [00:03:06] to vote and I think his words were [00:03:08] dragging your feet on on the Goot no [00:03:11] okay we're not going to we're not going [00:03:12] to talk over maybe I misunderstood what [00:03:14] I saw yeah no we're still discussing [00:03:16] this we still obviously again if if this [00:03:20] is a policy the board sets [00:03:24] policies um but again if we were going [00:03:28] to go forward with this and vote on it [00:03:31] then it would be individual discussions [00:03:35] with each [00:03:37] entity and one of the first paragraphs [00:03:39] says that it's it's voluntary Madam [00:03:42] chair may I um add to that um I I [00:03:46] believe and correct me if I'm wrong but [00:03:48] the intent is also to honor whatever [00:03:50] Pilots are already in place yes yeah so [00:03:52] yeah 100% And I do know that you have a [00:03:55] couple of pilots and we we want to work [00:03:58] as good neighbors right I we do [00:04:00] have yep so that that in [00:04:05] itself you're already in in so we're not [00:04:09] looking to recreate the wheel or you [00:04:11] know rock the boat per se that that's [00:04:13] not that's not the [00:04:15] intention there's other entities in town [00:04:17] that you know maybe we need to look at [00:04:20] so it's just it's something that we're [00:04:22] considering moving forward [00:04:25] on I hope that helps okay [00:04:30] yes so this is on another subject my [00:04:32] name is Nate Goddard I'm a resident here [00:04:35] in Hardwick um and this regards the [00:04:38] conservation restrictions um that was [00:04:40] discussed in the last meeting you know [00:04:42] I'm here just to you know provide some [00:04:44] support for the land trust and [00:04:47] um it seemed like there was some you [00:04:50] know conversation that the land trust [00:04:52] may be a little bit of a suck on Revenue [00:04:54] potential revenue from the town and I [00:04:57] think that's not the right way to look [00:04:58] at it [00:05:00] um you know my kids and my family [00:05:03] regularly use the rail trail um my [00:05:06] daughter has learned to write her bike [00:05:07] on the rail trail you know so I mean [00:05:10] it's not important I mean it's important [00:05:11] to not look at the land trust as just [00:05:13] some [00:05:15] Financial I guess say you know drain on [00:05:18] potential tax revenues and the fact of [00:05:21] the matter is a lot of the land trust [00:05:23] properties are already in chapter 61 [00:05:25] programs so whatever tax revenues you [00:05:27] think about getting [00:05:30] it's minimal honestly but I mean so I'm [00:05:34] just here to support you know the land [00:05:35] trust and say they do a wonderful job [00:05:38] with the Trails um we enjoy the trails [00:05:42] and I think it's very wrong to look at [00:05:44] that from say as a financial drain um of [00:05:47] you know some services on the town okay [00:05:50] thank you for your comment we appreciate [00:05:52] you coming job does anyone else have um [00:05:56] I for those of you that just entered [00:05:59] this is the the time to make a visitor [00:06:01] comment whether it's something on the [00:06:03] agenda or not um obviously Personnel or [00:06:06] town employees cannot be discussed in a [00:06:08] meeting as such but this is when I want [00:06:11] you to raise your hand have your comment [00:06:15] um once we get into the agenda that [00:06:18] really should be for the board to be [00:06:19] able to you know have some discussions [00:06:21] without 500 hands going up and then [00:06:23] everyone talking over one another I [00:06:25] don't want to see that happen again does [00:06:27] anyone else have Bill [00:06:30] thank you um in respect to two things [00:06:33] that are on the agenda the first is as [00:06:35] it's been discussed the the pilot [00:06:38] consideration um you had indicated that [00:06:42] different boards board members were [00:06:44] requested to provide input but boards [00:06:48] themselves have not been yet um what I [00:06:51] what I had said a few minutes to late so [00:06:54] it wasn't in your packet apparently it [00:06:55] was just this message and if I can read [00:06:57] it quick I'd like to present uh my [00:07:01] thoughts briefly as a citizen the town [00:07:02] would do well to consider requesting [00:07:04] pilot contributions or outright gifts [00:07:07] from nonprofits in town these are by law [00:07:09] voluntary but many municipalities have [00:07:12] succeeded in negotiating them last I [00:07:14] read There were 82 in Massachusetts [00:07:16] Massachusetts has far more than any [00:07:18] other state there should be input from [00:07:20] many in town on the subject not just the [00:07:23] select Bo planning Capital planning [00:07:26] conservation assessors would this just [00:07:28] be a policy matter as I think you [00:07:31] suggested uh or a general bylaw this [00:07:34] might best be studied by a task force or [00:07:36] subcommittee we need an inventory of all [00:07:38] nonprofits with approximation of [00:07:40] property values Exempted contributions [00:07:42] to town including current or past pilot [00:07:45] payments or gifts number of employees [00:07:48] and cost of services to town any formula [00:07:51] for assessing it's in quotes [00:07:54] contributions should be based on [00:07:55] property values likely with a threshold [00:07:58] for prop for total value of Exempted [00:08:00] property value perhaps [00:08:02] $500,000 basing a suggested pilot [00:08:05] contribution on quote gross revenue end [00:08:08] quote makes little sense to me as it [00:08:11] does not correlate with cost of services [00:08:13] or property tax revenue loss and it [00:08:15] unfairly includes Revenue earned by a [00:08:17] nonprofit in other municipalities or [00:08:20] received by donors outside of hardw or [00:08:22] projects outside of hardw we need to [00:08:24] fully understand the cost of services to [00:08:26] the town for various types of properties [00:08:28] that is what does undeveloped land cost [00:08:30] the town and services Farmland [00:08:33] commercial and Industrial Development [00:08:34] single family housing multif family [00:08:36] housing what is the Lost so-called lost [00:08:40] tax revenue from Land put under [00:08:42] conservation restriction especially for [00:08:44] land that is already or would otherwise [00:08:46] be put into chapter 61 A or B what is [00:08:49] the Lost tax revenue for single family [00:08:52] housing built by [00:08:53] nonprofits I don't think Hardwick [00:08:55] allowing land owners to Grant [00:08:58] CRS to to nonprofit should be any part [00:09:01] of a pilot discussion as it seems to [00:09:03] have been recently I don't think [00:09:05] Hardwick allowing land owners to Grant [00:09:08] no development of parcels owned by [00:09:10] nonprofits and especially newly [00:09:12] purchased Parcels for expansion have [00:09:14] often not involved planning Board review [00:09:16] of approval or that of the building [00:09:18] inspector in some cases I believe this [00:09:20] ought to be addressed thank you thank [00:09:23] you CHL uh just one comment as we think [00:09:28] of all these things which may slow or [00:09:30] change how nonprofits work in the town [00:09:34] or give up in the town um that during [00:09:39] the 50 odd years I've lived here there [00:09:42] have been three or four economic studies [00:09:45] done of the Town three by UMass that I [00:09:48] was more into than the later one and [00:09:51] they all said that the best bet for [00:09:54] massach for this part of Massachusetts [00:09:56] is [00:09:57] ecotourism and [00:09:59] we have had growth I think every year if [00:10:03] you look in and it's a small growth but [00:10:06] a growth every year in the people that [00:10:07] are coming out here to bike the trails [00:10:11] to you know fish to do the and they eat [00:10:16] in town they stay hopefully they'll stay [00:10:19] in town um so I think you have to think [00:10:23] of what is going to bring more people to [00:10:26] the town to spend money and I think that [00:10:29] sometimes the shortterm revenue is going [00:10:31] to be lost over [00:10:35] long-term uh gains that we would have [00:10:37] made thank you Cheryl thank you I don't [00:10:40] know if the meeting's being orded he is [00:10:42] not okay well Eric uh a couple comments [00:10:47] one um it's your meeting you can run [00:10:49] this as you want but I find this format [00:10:52] really awkward because the the problem [00:10:54] is as you go through the agenda and you [00:10:56] come to let's say the pilot or the Poli [00:11:00] process there might be parts of the your [00:11:03] discussions that could trigger questions [00:11:06] and concerns from others but it seems [00:11:09] like at that point we're not allowed to [00:11:11] make those points right because at the [00:11:14] last meeting everyone was talking over [00:11:16] everybody else and it was yeah I this is [00:11:20] when [00:11:21] visitors can comment okay is that the [00:11:24] beginning of the meeting M shair Mary [00:11:25] add something sure if anyone does have [00:11:27] any questions you know they can come [00:11:29] obviously email me or come by I answered [00:11:32] a bunch of questions today so that's [00:11:33] always an option too okay but one [00:11:35] problem with that is if they move to [00:11:37] vote and uh on on a particular issue [00:11:41] it's too late that's that's the one [00:11:44] comment the second comment is I would [00:11:46] hope that the chair of the capital [00:11:48] planning committee might address the um [00:11:50] auction [00:11:52] question Mr cor that wake up no [00:11:57] one I thought that was on the agenda [00:12:00] well it is but the problem is we're not [00:12:01] allowed to talk about it so at the last [00:12:04] meeting everyone was talking over [00:12:05] everybody I had people in the crowd were [00:12:08] asking other people to speak [00:12:11] and the first line on the agenda is [00:12:13] visitor comments that is when you can [00:12:17] talk about anything on the agenda or not [00:12:19] on the [00:12:21] agenda that's what was that's what was [00:12:23] addressed at the beginning of the [00:12:24] meeting but Kelly if the meeting is got [00:12:28] is a problem process and the Selectmen [00:12:31] are conversing about the [00:12:34] issues and then everybody else chimes in [00:12:37] Liz we can't have a [00:12:40] conversation I understand what you're [00:12:42] saying and the meeting tends to get out [00:12:44] of control but and I am trying to reel [00:12:48] it back in May I just continue for [00:12:53] sure you are as selectman having a [00:12:57] conversation with each other [00:12:59] and that is the meeting but in the [00:13:02] process of that [00:13:04] conversation points come up that people [00:13:07] need clarification on or that uh people [00:13:12] have not understood was part of what the [00:13:14] discussion was about and I don't [00:13:19] understand as our Selectmen [00:13:21] how it is useful for you to gather [00:13:27] information you know to [00:13:29] require us not to ask questions during [00:13:33] the meeting I understand what you're [00:13:35] saying about the way a conversation can [00:13:38] get out of hand and so asking people to [00:13:41] be thoughtful of each other and of you [00:13:45] is perfectly fine but I just do not [00:13:48] understand the process well we're going [00:13:50] to try it this [00:13:51] way thank you as long as big decisions [00:13:54] don't get made without anyone having a [00:13:57] right to ask a question [00:14:01] Madam [00:14:02] chair yes Eric I disagree completely [00:14:06] with [00:14:07] this um when I ran a meeting I would [00:14:11] recognize someone and people could speak [00:14:14] when they were recognized M and not [00:14:18] allowed to talk back and forth to each [00:14:20] other but if we're not going to get the [00:14:24] viewpoints from these [00:14:26] people um we're we're not doing our [00:14:31] job thank you thank there are other [00:14:35] towns that that is how a meetings are [00:14:37] run is the the public has the [00:14:39] opportunity to speak when it's [00:14:41] appropriate on the agenda there's other [00:14:43] towns that don't allow visitor comments [00:14:44] at [00:14:45] all it it's all over the place so after [00:14:50] the last [00:14:51] meeting I thought long and hard about [00:14:54] how to [00:14:55] address everybody talking over one [00:14:58] another just you know it just there's [00:15:01] got to be some control of [00:15:03] it so I'm trying this way [00:15:06] Becky [00:15:08] um we run the Conservation Commission [00:15:11] differently when we have a topic that [00:15:14] comes up there's a public hearing we [00:15:16] listen to the stakeholders people have [00:15:19] questions I agree with Eric both Eric's [00:15:23] that I think this is very awkward [00:15:26] because we should be able to ask [00:15:28] question it should be respectful and [00:15:30] I've been in meetings where things have [00:15:32] gotten out of hand and it's not good but [00:15:34] people in the room as chair you can say [00:15:37] I'm talking or you can't talk you don't [00:15:39] you know the permission is through the [00:15:40] chair but people need to be respectful [00:15:43] for that and that didn't happen at the [00:15:44] last we okay well maybe we should try it [00:15:46] because people in this room are [00:15:47] interested in hearing what is going to [00:15:49] be said tonight and what decisions are [00:15:51] going to be made and I think we have a [00:15:54] right as a resident to ask a question [00:15:56] and get an answer to it and have perhaps [00:15:59] there's feedback that maybe the three of [00:16:01] you haven't thought about that have come [00:16:03] from this group of people that are in [00:16:04] this room that like oh that's a good [00:16:07] point you know I just think that it is [00:16:10] an awkward situation that you would just [00:16:13] have you know discussion and then are [00:16:16] there questions and limit it then that's [00:16:19] fine and I'm willing to try it again but [00:16:21] I'm telling you what if it gets out of [00:16:23] control again I'm shutting it all down [00:16:26] okay fair enough mhm I am like just it [00:16:29] was too [00:16:30] much from everybody in the [00:16:36] room anybody else have a visitor [00:16:39] comment Ian yes can you check the lights [00:16:44] around the hardwood Comon it seems very [00:16:47] dark up there maybe some of them have [00:16:50] gone out that should be on at the [00:16:52] intersection like street lights yes yes [00:16:56] yep I don't know which ones should be on [00:16:59] it it just seems dark ex get the [00:17:02] intersection so so I have to be up there [00:17:04] tomorrow after it gets dark so I'll do a [00:17:06] drive around and I'll see which ones are [00:17:08] out and then I'll make sure we we they [00:17:11] were purposely some turned off years ago [00:17:15] okay um and so it doesn't have a lot of [00:17:18] light anyway but you know that's seems [00:17:21] darker than than normal yes okay so [00:17:23] tomorrow night I'll take a drive and [00:17:24] then I'll get back to you [00:17:26] okay I should talk to you okay there [00:17:30] anyone [00:17:33] else okay joint meeting with the finance [00:17:37] committee budget process update and [00:17:39] expectations so you just have to open [00:17:41] your meeting [00:17:46] yep what time is [00:17:48] it [00:17:50] 6:4 call what time is it 648 [00:17:57] yes okay session so I have um an email I [00:18:02] was going to pass out um that both [00:18:04] chairs have seen that I thought after [00:18:06] talking to Chris on Friday that it might [00:18:08] be useful to [00:18:10] have for this [00:18:13] discussion I called at FY 26 budget [00:18:16] Busters but I did not make that phase up [00:18:18] that was for my former [00:18:24] boss thank you sorry just [00:18:27] [Music] [00:18:39] okay so I will start just by saying um I [00:18:42] really wanted to have this meeting of [00:18:44] the board with Finance uh because last [00:18:47] year that didn't happen so we don't want [00:18:50] that to happen again I think we're both [00:18:51] in in agreement to that [00:18:54] um I don't think we saw the budget as a [00:18:57] board until late April or May [00:18:59] so just want to be on the same page just [00:19:02] want to know what's going on um you know [00:19:05] at the end of the day it's our budget to [00:19:07] present to the town during town meeting [00:19:09] and you know we don't want to be [00:19:11] scrambling at the 12th hour like like we [00:19:13] did previously um I know Justine has [00:19:18] mentioned working on like folders for us [00:19:20] and you know as she's working with you [00:19:23] guys to put the numbers together like [00:19:25] we're all going to be updated so that I [00:19:27] I do appreciate do you mind if I just [00:19:29] touch on that real quick working now um [00:19:32] so I sent I worked with a town [00:19:35] accountant on budget sheets for every [00:19:36] Department all departments have their [00:19:38] budget sheets I'm meeting with [00:19:40] departments the week of December 16th to [00:19:42] go over their budgets and um then I'm my [00:19:45] assistant and myself are putting [00:19:47] together binders so all of your [00:19:48] committee will have binders of the of [00:19:50] the budget and so will the select board [00:19:52] so you all will have the same [00:19:54] information you'll have their request [00:19:57] you'll have my recommendation and then [00:19:58] will be a call in for your and the [00:20:00] select board's uh final [00:20:03] approval yep y [00:20:07] great and I can assure you as long as [00:20:09] I'm in Hardwick you will not first get [00:20:11] the budget in April that' be great yes [00:20:17] okay do you guys have anything you want [00:20:19] to throw at us well we have right off [00:20:22] the bat so I think a couple of um I [00:20:25] guess budget objectives this year would [00:20:27] be um we want to we're going to fund [00:20:29] stabilization to the 5% [00:20:32] Mark uh so that gets us to the first [00:20:34] Milestone uh getting stabilization back [00:20:37] to 5% of the [00:20:38] budget and then um we really need to [00:20:42] look at funding Capital with as much as [00:20:46] possible um remember this is going to be [00:20:49] this is a multi-year process to get WR [00:20:52] the wrongs of the previous years of uh [00:20:57] probably not the best [00:20:59] budgeting process so we need still need [00:21:03] to take baby steps um having a [00:21:06] very um a very lean budget it's going to [00:21:10] be very very important so um you know [00:21:13] like we talked about the Personnel we [00:21:15] need to look at uh spend spend some time [00:21:18] looking at uh personnel and in pay pay [00:21:22] pay rates CU that's certainly under the [00:21:24] market so we to see how we're going to [00:21:26] fund that but really at how we can [00:21:29] squeeze everything out of the budget to [00:21:31] uh produce um free cash to fund Capital [00:21:35] that's that's going to be the main [00:21:36] objective for the next several years I [00:21:42] think does anyone have anything they [00:21:45] want to ask or anything at this point [00:21:48] question wise or um the Board of Health [00:21:51] 7,000 possible statements what is that [00:21:54] number um so that number I have to work [00:21:57] with the Board of Health chair on that [00:21:58] is because the health agent has been [00:22:00] paid for out of the revolving fund so [00:22:02] the $7,000 that was appropriated in his [00:22:03] budget nothing's been spent out of it [00:22:05] this [00:22:17] year so these are just some things that [00:22:19] that Justin put together as you know [00:22:22] kind of thinkers to what could um and it [00:22:28] gues at this point like it's that's [00:22:31] maybe been talked [00:22:32] about just things that caught your eye [00:22:35] you know just just to start thinking [00:22:37] about now doesn't mean that this is all [00:22:39] as we move into the yeah yeah and you [00:22:41] have the quab and health district listen [00:22:43] here for 35,000 we we don't come [00:22:45] anywhere near that in [00:22:47] services so again um that's just a hold [00:22:51] to be aware of again I have to meet with [00:22:52] the Board of Health chair and see where [00:22:55] that stands but for now it's just [00:22:56] something to keep on people's radar okay [00:22:59] yeah again it's just radar stuff the [00:23:02] stuff could be coming the stuff I see [00:23:03] down the road or I just don't want any [00:23:05] surprises for anybody that's what I'm [00:23:08] trying to [00:23:12] avoid and question living increase what [00:23:15] are you shooting for for that or is that [00:23:17] too early to tell um I think it's a [00:23:20] little too early however um I did tell [00:23:23] departments to plan on a 2% while [00:23:25] they're putting together their [00:23:26] worksheets but again that's subject to [00:23:27] change but I just wanted them to get [00:23:29] into the practice of doing it but I also [00:23:31] just wanted to do a little bit of [00:23:32] planning as [00:23:34] well thank you [00:23:39] welome anything else from Finance no no [00:23:43] we're starting earli this year which is [00:23:44] good so I want to thank Justine for all [00:23:47] the hard work she's put into prepping [00:23:50] this so thank [00:23:51] you you guys saw I'm sure the new budget [00:23:55] spreadsheets that were in your packet um [00:23:57] that Justine worked with um Lori on [00:24:02] greator she was amazing I I told her my [00:24:06] vision and what I wanted and she was so [00:24:09] diligent and working with me and put in [00:24:11] a lot of hours to get this expedited [00:24:14] so so that's great well thank you um as [00:24:18] long as we're good I think just keep in [00:24:22] touch and uh good to get started yeah [00:24:25] definitely good to get started now yeah [00:24:28] not even December yet y that makes me [00:24:31] happy perfect just remember when you're [00:24:33] done you have to close your [00:24:35] meeting [00:24:37] y do we want to um you guys want to stay [00:24:40] for sens and I'm going to stay for the S [00:24:44] we'll close out we don't need to [00:24:45] anything anything else do it no not at [00:24:48] this point no think all right all [00:24:52] right motion the finance [00:24:55] committee second [00:25:00] okay thank you guys thank you parade [00:25:02] permit Christmas on the common December [00:25:04] 1st [00:25:05] 2024 so back a couple months ago when [00:25:08] the board had um approved Christmas on [00:25:11] the common um there was no talk of a [00:25:14] parade so this is just for clarification [00:25:16] yes there's going to be a Parade [00:25:18] starting from the corix house down to [00:25:19] the common around the common I met with [00:25:21] the event organizer and the police chief [00:25:23] so everyone's on the same page brought [00:25:25] in um fire um so everything's good but [00:25:29] again just for clarity um at the time [00:25:32] that this was initially brought to the [00:25:33] board there was no intent for PR so it's [00:25:35] just C [00:25:38] okay a [00:25:40] motion motion that we um support the [00:25:44] Christmas oncy Al the parade permit [00:25:49] parade permit for the Christmas oncy [00:25:51] I'll all in favor I [00:25:56] I uh discussion and on Crick Mill [00:25:59] Greenery new host Community agreement is [00:26:02] someone here yep right okay uh should I [00:26:07] come up here sure please yep I just want [00:26:10] to um state that in your packet I put [00:26:12] the um cannabis control commission's [00:26:14] model host agreement um just for the [00:26:17] board to be able to [00:26:19] review uh thanks uh my name is Phil [00:26:21] Silverman I'm an attorney for uh mil [00:26:24] Greenery and just by way of background [00:26:27] um my firm is a National cannabis Law [00:26:29] Firm this is all we doing we represent [00:26:31] about 150 companies in Massachusetts [00:26:33] doing this so we have some feel for the [00:26:36] industry and I you know pick that [00:26:38] background hopefully I have some [00:26:39] questions come up about what's going on [00:26:41] in the industry tonight um and the [00:26:43] requirement for a host Community [00:26:45] agreement happy to answer those um but [00:26:48] I'll just sort of to illustrate where we [00:26:50] are right now just want to give [00:26:53] you a document here is four of them here [00:26:58] thank you thank you so um my client is [00:27:02] asking for a new host Community [00:27:04] agreement and if you followed sort of [00:27:08] the history of what's been going on with [00:27:09] the Cannabis Control Commission you [00:27:11] probably realize that it's uh not not a [00:27:15] legal term it's a mess okay um and it's [00:27:18] caused a lot of confusion for uh local [00:27:22] communities um around the state still is [00:27:25] um and and the problem that we have [00:27:28] right now is my client's seeking a [00:27:29] renewal of its state license and in [00:27:32] order to get the renewal of the license [00:27:34] um the state is saying to them you need [00:27:37] a new host agreement you need the the [00:27:39] old one is not compliant with some laws [00:27:41] that were passed in [00:27:43] 2022 um and so you need a new one now [00:27:46] the reality is that there's some [00:27:48] question about that I think your Town [00:27:50] Council would probably disagree with [00:27:52] that um and that's fine um you know we [00:27:55] get that the difficulty it it's almost [00:27:59] not our fight in some ways because we're [00:28:01] stuck between if if if that position [00:28:04] were to hold for the town we're stuck [00:28:07] between having a commission that won't [00:28:09] let us proceed uh and continue [00:28:12] construction on the project um and a [00:28:15] town that you know wants to view you [00:28:17] know the law under and I'm not saying [00:28:19] it's an illegitimate point of view that [00:28:21] your Council I Haven to disagree with it [00:28:23] but that's okay uh the point is is [00:28:25] where're my client is kind of stuck [00:28:26] right now um [00:28:28] you know we've put about $2 million into [00:28:31] this project into that building um [00:28:35] there's [00:28:36] probably another $2 million to spend [00:28:39] there and my client um is sort of in a [00:28:43] unique position there because my client [00:28:45] is affiliated with some other companies [00:28:48] uh which also have retail operations so [00:28:50] he would be using this facility to [00:28:52] supply his retail [00:28:54] operations um if you don't have that [00:28:57] situation you do not want to be a [00:28:59] cultivator in Massachusetts no [00:29:00] cultivation companies are springing up [00:29:02] in Massachusetts right now it's only [00:29:05] somebody like this gentleman Mr Lang who [00:29:07] is out here that's in a position to do [00:29:09] that and to be blunt you know I [00:29:13] represent um a lot of companies there [00:29:15] are facilities like this for sale all [00:29:17] over the place where quite frankly you [00:29:20] could buy them for less than uh the 2 [00:29:23] million that he has to put into this one [00:29:25] but he is committed to this community [00:29:27] and he wants to make this project happen [00:29:29] he likes the building he I think he [00:29:31] likes the idea of revitalizing that [00:29:33] building and so we're just trying to [00:29:35] find a way forward here um and the way [00:29:38] forward it hopefully is to get a new [00:29:41] post Community agreement um and the way [00:29:44] those agreements work now is it's [00:29:46] basically on an annual basis uh if [00:29:49] you're looking if you can find fees or [00:29:52] costs that have been incurred by the [00:29:54] town as a result of my client's [00:29:56] operation um you're allowed to send an [00:30:00] invoice for those costs and then we have [00:30:02] to take it and submit it to the Canabis [00:30:04] Control Commission which will look at [00:30:05] and say either yes this is fine you need [00:30:08] to pay it or no we don't think you know [00:30:10] it's it works we don't think it's you [00:30:13] know okay under the law so that's what [00:30:15] sort of we're looking for under this new [00:30:17] agreement um you know so to allow him to [00:30:20] go forward because right now um we're in [00:30:24] a position he's done a lot of [00:30:26] revitalization of that building [00:30:28] um but to go further we need to get [00:30:31] what's called Architectural Review by [00:30:33] the Cannabis Control Commission they [00:30:35] need to approve our architectural plans [00:30:37] or we're not allowed to build any [00:30:39] further um and they're not going to do [00:30:41] it unless we renew this license and have [00:30:43] a compliant post Community agreement so [00:30:46] that's kind of where we are and hoping [00:30:48] that we can sort of go about uh the [00:30:51] model HCA is you know typically used [00:30:53] although your Council may have a few [00:30:55] tweets here and there um that she would [00:30:58] want to make um which is fine you I've [00:31:00] worked with your Council on probably 15 [00:31:02] or 20 of these around the state so um [00:31:05] that's kind of where we are and happy to [00:31:06] take any questions you might have about [00:31:09] it go ahead what's the major [00:31:13] difference between what you're asking [00:31:16] for and what we've signed several years [00:31:18] ago yeah so um several years ago you [00:31:22] sign signed an there was an agreement [00:31:25] that um had all sorts of different fees [00:31:28] in it um you know a company like this [00:31:31] would have had to pay [00:31:33] 1.5% of its gross revenues uh to the [00:31:36] town an additional up to 1.5% of [00:31:40] revenues also as a what's called a [00:31:42] community benefit payment have to make [00:31:45] charitable uh payments a lot of [00:31:47] different payments again I'll I will I I [00:31:52] try to be fair about this I never [00:31:54] thought any of that was legal okay um [00:31:57] and your Town Council would tell you [00:31:59] that it is um but it's on on some level [00:32:02] it's almost irrelevant at this point no [00:32:04] company in the cultivation space can [00:32:07] survive having to pay fees like that [00:32:09] these days the price has come way way [00:32:11] down on this commodity um where you know [00:32:14] it for a gentleman like my client you [00:32:17] can make money cuz again you're not [00:32:19] you're not wholesaling to anybody else [00:32:21] the wholesale Market's dried up you're [00:32:23] you're doing your own product and you [00:32:25] can cultivate your own product and [00:32:27] manufacture product for less than what [00:32:29] it takes you to buy from other people so [00:32:31] it makes sense for him but those kind of [00:32:34] fees um you know they just don't really [00:32:36] work in today's industry so you know [00:32:39] that the difference is those those fees [00:32:41] basically and really that's the only [00:32:43] difference by and large I mean there's [00:32:46] uh you know little things about the [00:32:48] length of a you know of an agreement [00:32:50] that you're allowed to do before I think [00:32:52] it was 5 years now it's 8 years but but [00:32:55] that's really the the sticking point for [00:32:58] most municipalities and and [00:33:02] operators um I have a question for you [00:33:05] on the sales tax is it still 3% of all [00:33:07] your products that you sell or so no the [00:33:10] there was there's not a there's a 3% [00:33:12] sales tax on retail but not on um well [00:33:17] it listed wholesale as well in wholesale [00:33:19] any any manufacturing any type of [00:33:21] product that you sell there was a 3% fee [00:33:25] I don't believe it was on wholesale [00:33:27] listen if if that is a part of the law [00:33:30] obviously you can collect it nobody's [00:33:31] going to argue we're not trying to get [00:33:33] out of any obligation that we have along [00:33:35] those lines but I'm pretty sure that if [00:33:38] you check that out it's only going to be [00:33:39] on retail sales okay so how would that [00:33:42] affect hard work in the sense that [00:33:44] you're only making the stuff and growing [00:33:46] it here and then he has retail stores in [00:33:49] other towns that would get that 3% how [00:33:51] would that benefit this time that's [00:33:53] listen unfortunately that's what the [00:33:56] legislature decided and I hear you um [00:33:59] you know the benefits to uh the this [00:34:02] project for the town are you know that [00:34:05] you're employing people you can we can [00:34:07] have a hiring preference and we would [00:34:08] for local residents which is not [00:34:10] insubstantial you know if this can get [00:34:12] up and running to the level we think it [00:34:14] can um I'm sure the tax base is [00:34:16] increased by revitalizing the property [00:34:19] that sort of thing but it's no longer a [00:34:21] situation where it's kind of a revenue [00:34:23] Source okay it's really supposed to be a [00:34:26] reimbursement source for for cost that [00:34:28] you're [00:34:30] repairing if I could add to that I'm as [00:34:34] consultant for George Lang I'm from [00:34:36] North Anon Massachusetts um so George is [00:34:39] pursuing cultivation because that's the [00:34:41] first stage of of this agricultural [00:34:44] process um but he does also have the [00:34:47] right to have a retail there so when [00:34:51] funds when he's recouped his funds the [00:34:53] plan is to have a small retail at the at [00:34:55] the front of the building kind of like [00:34:57] the the the far the farm stand at the at [00:34:59] the farm so okay in that case there [00:35:02] would be retail and 3% would [00:35:05] automatically go to the town as tax [00:35:08] okay so um I'm going to voice my concern [00:35:12] is that when we sat down originally this [00:35:14] was going to be up and running in a year [00:35:16] and we were going to see that up and [00:35:18] running in a year and that has not [00:35:20] happened can we talk a little bit about [00:35:22] that please yeah [00:35:24] hi uh my name George L I'm the owner on [00:35:28] 91 Min street that be when we purchase [00:35:31] the building I never like that the [00:35:34] building have a so much [00:35:36] problem say for [00:35:39] example uh we try to do the water sh it [00:35:44] take almost 4 months it cost me like [00:35:47] almost like [00:35:49] 250,000 to do the water sh now because [00:35:53] uh the the building is they've been [00:35:56] closed for so many years [00:35:58] if we have to spend a lot of money to [00:36:00] fix the uh demo the building uh to the [00:36:05] the 21 e those P stuff so uh then also [00:36:10] we have a problem with the AR and the [00:36:14] decide team [00:36:16] for [00:36:18] uh take a long time so for now how many [00:36:22] 3 years almost so we just have the [00:36:25] nation gr to meet next month December no [00:36:30] uh yeah December 6 to meet the nation [00:36:33] grade onite to discuss the event City [00:36:37] know yeah uh I think because mostly is [00:36:42] my my experience I never done this [00:36:45] buiness so we have a lot of mistake made [00:36:48] you know for the engineer part for the [00:36:51] electrical all the farming all the [00:36:54] stuff just so uh I appreciate you being [00:36:57] honest yeah yeah no and just so you [00:37:00] understand this is sort of U you know [00:37:03] over the time that I've been doing this [00:37:04] you see this again and again this is not [00:37:07] the most simple type of building to [00:37:09] utilize for this what you generally see [00:37:11] uh is one of these I they're called [00:37:13] Popular buildings kind of aluminum sure [00:37:15] but he knew that buying the I just you [00:37:18] know I'm playing a little bit of devil [00:37:20] Devil's Advocate here cuz I think we [00:37:23] thought we see something really up and [00:37:25] running by now and we appreciate and [00:37:26] that's not the case it cost me so much [00:37:29] money try to fix the building to up to [00:37:33] dat you know it cost so much money I [00:37:35] just I fix a roof it cost almost like [00:37:39] 500,000 to fix the roof it cost so much [00:37:42] money I can assure you he he wants to [00:37:46] get this moving as quickly as he can [00:37:48] it's not in his interest to [00:37:50] delay if I could add to that chair Dave [00:37:54] yeah I [00:37:55] know we still can't touch the parking [00:37:58] lot it's been almost 2 years with the [00:38:00] state D because we have clam shrink [00:38:02] that's true okay stop we can't do [00:38:05] outside you're still working on [00:38:07] that they changed their people three [00:38:10] times on us and it starts all over again [00:38:12] we we have a a biologist working [00:38:14] full-time just getting that done we're [00:38:17] still we hope to get it done this [00:38:19] winter but it should have been done a [00:38:21] year ago in fact should have been an 18 [00:38:23] months ago and that stopped a lot yeah [00:38:26] it's this is a very icated we had to [00:38:28] change uh major structural issues after [00:38:31] we had the structural engineer come true [00:38:33] and that took more [00:38:36] time we had to tear car the floor up and [00:38:38] repour the floor I mean it's stuff that [00:38:41] it's like remodeling a house until you [00:38:43] open it up you don't know what's no yeah [00:38:45] no fair enough but I had to I had to ask [00:38:48] so that so that we all know like what's [00:38:50] going on do I it easy no figure out that [00:38:55] cost so much money we're both on the [00:38:58] same course because every day he's not [00:39:00] producing he's not making any money so [00:39:02] there there's [00:39:04] no there's no benefit to delaying this [00:39:06] it should have been open a long time ago [00:39:08] you're correct but it's not because [00:39:11] trying and the shrim have to be [00:39:13] relocated right we have found the [00:39:15] location for them we had to send a [00:39:17] survey crew out there the state had [00:39:18] approv the location we have to move the [00:39:21] shrimp in boxes about this big and you [00:39:24] got to scoop them up and you got to put [00:39:25] them back and we had to pay into a fund [00:39:27] to monitor the shrimp for a [00:39:30] year oh yeah that's Tak a year and a [00:39:34] half all by [00:39:37] itself long ago the St for [00:39:40] like [00:39:42] ,000 um there's no no end still not not [00:39:46] not get down yet suffice it to say your [00:39:49] concern is valid we understand I had to [00:39:52] bring it up yeah I had I mean I had to [00:39:53] at least ask so that we you know [00:39:55] understood what was going on um so I I [00:39:57] see I'm lucky I as Survivor yeah lucky I [00:40:01] still moving so the board has a decision [00:40:05] we can do nothing and then that leaves [00:40:08] them to be able to do nothing we can [00:40:10] vote to um [00:40:14] renegotiate can I ask another a question [00:40:17] absolutely if this goes through with [00:40:20] what you need from [00:40:22] us is the project ready to continue and [00:40:27] reach completion or are you I know you [00:40:29] were waiting for three Transformers or [00:40:32] something no uh next uh December six we [00:40:36] going to meet the nation [00:40:37] bre understand about where going to [00:40:40] Transformer how be the Transformer we [00:40:43] need so then we can we can then the rest [00:40:47] will be easier no yeah they have to [00:40:50] relocate the shrimp 20 years I know I [00:40:52] know and it's only right years yeah [00:40:58] liing yeah the licensing from the state [00:41:01] perspective to just waiting for delays [00:41:03] you have to wait to get on a a monthly [00:41:05] meeting for them to vote as you go [00:41:07] through you have to go through two [00:41:09] series of inspections in the building so [00:41:11] that alone from here forward will be 6 [00:41:15] months of wait time just for processes [00:41:18] you're waiting for the state so he can [00:41:19] work in parallel he can do building and [00:41:21] things but there are certain situations [00:41:24] where you're forced to wait 30-day here [00:41:27] two weeks here for the relicensing uh [00:41:29] not the relicensing but second stage of [00:41:32] Licensing which is the first stage is [00:41:35] going license on paper which he has he [00:41:38] renewing that right right that's the [00:41:40] second stage is is like inspections [00:41:42] essentially final licensing and it's mam [00:41:46] chair I ask a question yeah so if the [00:41:49] board votes tonight for you know us to [00:41:52] work on a new post Community agreement [00:41:53] and all goes well when at this point do [00:41:55] you think you'll be able to open obvious [00:41:57] obviously you know you have to hit some [00:41:59] of those benchmarks but what is the [00:42:00] approximate it cost we run smoothly the [00:42:03] construction cost us supp be uh 6 to 8 [00:42:08] months but I don't know how long got to [00:42:10] wait for this state got inspection it'll [00:42:13] be another month or two after that [00:42:15] probably more I think more probably like [00:42:19] another year 10 months say another year [00:42:21] yeah let's say another year to be I [00:42:23] think that's fair let's give a little [00:42:25] buffer yeah [00:42:32] do you have any question anything um [00:42:36] really I mean if we open a negotiations [00:42:38] something in the contract like some [00:42:40] changes with the state where we could re [00:42:43] renegotiate whatever agreement we sign [00:42:45] you'd be open to a turn into that into [00:42:48] this you know what you might want to do [00:42:51] is like do a shorter maybe like an 18mon [00:42:54] agreement something like that and then [00:42:56] we'll see what the LW is at that time [00:42:58] you could do that yeah that [00:43:01] works I think it's great that it's St [00:43:03] right well it you [00:43:06] know right I move that we uh begin [00:43:10] negotiations for our new HCA I second [00:43:13] motion all in favor [00:43:16] I okay great thank you very much so the [00:43:20] attorneys will start working together or [00:43:23] can so I'll probably work and draft [00:43:26] something before we send it to our [00:43:27] attorney just because for cost I want to [00:43:30] I want I'll do the first pass of it send [00:43:32] it to you and attorney castano [00:43:35] and thanks so much thank [00:43:37] you good luck [00:43:41] okay okay oh let me um sorry I was [00:43:46] distracted by the Cannabis we get to [00:43:49] send an inv [00:43:52] for yeah you can approves it you get [00:43:55] reimbursed yeah [00:43:58] that means someone keeping track of it [00:44:00] all [00:44:01] now I keep track of all of our legal [00:44:04] expenses um we just while we wait for [00:44:07] that is there any update oh update the [00:44:09] charge of the okay that is a different [00:44:11] thing never mind I was looking that [00:44:13] differently [00:44:28] it's opening right [00:44:36] [Music] [00:44:48] now we're just J cenda is zooming in for [00:44:53] the next um I'm in I don't see [00:44:56] you for discussion and vote on to [00:44:59] auction vacant properties not the [00:45:01] personel [00:45:02] Z oh here you are all right all right [00:45:06] I'll see you in a second is she in about [00:45:10] to be okay running on right [00:45:13] now hi do you see hear me I do all [00:45:21] right do you want to give an [00:45:24] overview is this does this work for you [00:45:26] guys yeah that's that's good just [00:45:29] so no you're okay um so overview uh you [00:45:35] have in your packet we have been working [00:45:36] with um the seo's auction group on three [00:45:40] of our vacant properties a little bit of [00:45:42] an overview um we have been looking at [00:45:46] different options for three of our [00:45:48] vacant properties in town that have been [00:45:51] remained vacant for a very long time [00:45:53] about 10 years ago town meeting um voted [00:45:56] to allow the select board uh give them [00:45:58] the authority to dispose of the of the [00:46:01] properties as the board sees in the best [00:46:03] interest of the [00:46:05] town so I worked with zikos in another [00:46:08] town and actually in two other towns and [00:46:10] um they're very familiar with old [00:46:13] buildings and sove been working on been [00:46:17] working with the assessor Jen working [00:46:19] with our building inspector who had to [00:46:20] put together a whole zoning analysis cuz [00:46:22] two of the properties that we're [00:46:23] discussing are in um historic Zone [00:46:28] so right now they have all the [00:46:29] information that they need we've been [00:46:31] working with their um their attorney um [00:46:35] making sure that this has been highly [00:46:39] vetted we had a call about a week ago [00:46:42] with the select board chair myself zikos [00:46:45] the attorney and um our assessor to kind [00:46:49] of where do we go from here and picking [00:46:50] a date that this is going to be [00:46:53] um that we can publish it there would be [00:46:57] an open [00:46:58] house um they would be doing all the [00:47:01] publishing in the central register and [00:47:02] the newspaper and everything on behalf [00:47:04] of us um the select board would have to [00:47:07] sign the [00:47:08] deed they take care of all the tax stuff [00:47:10] for us um the reason why this was a this [00:47:15] was uh brought to the Forefront is if [00:47:18] you know a while ago that the town did [00:47:19] an RFP for one of the properties and Z [00:47:22] zero bids if we go down that road we'll [00:47:24] be required to do an appraisal which [00:47:27] will cost the town money um this way if [00:47:29] we go through a municipal auction [00:47:31] company they get paid when we when when [00:47:33] we do essentially comes out out the [00:47:36] proceeds of the auction and so does the [00:47:38] attorney Fe so this is no cost to the [00:47:40] town um the fear is is that these [00:47:42] buildings are going to be condem [00:47:44] condemned and then we'll be responsible [00:47:45] for taking them down they've sat baking [00:47:47] for so long they're on our insurance [00:47:49] we're looking at switching our Property [00:47:50] and Casualty Insurance forway 26 this [00:47:53] would be really clean really clean [00:47:54] timing um to get off of our insurance [00:47:57] that we're paying [00:47:58] for um so we're really um in a good spot [00:48:01] a lot of due diligence has got into this [00:48:04] a lot of time on my part the assessor [00:48:06] and the building inspector and zikos as [00:48:07] a matter of fact um the properties are [00:48:10] up on their website so tonight I'm [00:48:12] coming to the board to really ask them [00:48:15] um to to pick an auction date I think um [00:48:18] after the call we had we were really [00:48:19] looking at April um to give people time [00:48:22] if anyone in town is interested in [00:48:24] wanting to participate that they could [00:48:26] and also maybe the weather would be a [00:48:28] little bit [00:48:29] nicer um again we do an open house um I [00:48:33] want to make sure that Jan and Kelly [00:48:35] have time for input this there's [00:48:36] probably a few things I'm missing Jen do [00:48:38] you want to do you want to add to what [00:48:40] I've discussed I think You' just about [00:48:43] covered everything um I think it's been [00:48:46] a very thorough investigation this far [00:48:50] as to our best options um to dispose of [00:48:55] these buildings [00:48:57] um because Authority by the voters were [00:49:02] given quite a few years ago probably I [00:49:04] think [00:49:06] 2013 for the first building I believe um [00:49:10] and then other years for the next two [00:49:13] buildings to be disposed of and I think [00:49:16] everything has been done in [00:49:19] preparation um we've had the the surveys [00:49:23] done for each all three of the buildings [00:49:26] so we we know how the land [00:49:29] area um and then just the final Parts [00:49:34] have been how do [00:49:36] we how do we sell them or do we sell [00:49:39] them or what how do we or do we [00:49:42] designate them to something else so [00:49:45] that's the point we're at right [00:49:47] now yeah I believe you did mention we've [00:49:50] tried ourf yes for one of the [00:49:53] properties and um another thing again [00:49:57] this [00:49:58] is way to be at least costly to the town [00:50:01] cuz it doesn't cost us anything unless [00:50:02] you count all the time that's gone into [00:50:04] this um but I think um the building [00:50:07] inspector and the assessor don't want to [00:50:08] speak for you this is the way this is [00:50:11] what you also recommend Jen moving [00:50:14] forward [00:50:17] yes could I can I ask you a question go [00:50:19] ahead um when was the last time any RPS [00:50:23] were put out for any of the buildings [00:50:25] was it the 10 years ago no it was sooner [00:50:27] than that um I was under name it was [00:50:30] Nicole Parker did yep one on the school [00:50:33] on rugles hill and um Teresa did one for [00:50:39] Barry [00:50:40] Road [00:50:42] that's was [00:50:44] that if Teresa five or six years ago [00:50:48] least and one point when Nicole was here [00:50:50] she did one for the other building um so [00:50:53] was at least a year year and a half ago [00:50:56] so any interest in doing that recently [00:51:00] is part of your discussion instead of [00:51:01] just calling an auction house no um [00:51:04] because of very little input and then [00:51:06] we'd be also responsible for the [00:51:08] appraisal and then we would also be [00:51:10] responsible with going to the attorney [00:51:12] general and explaining to them why we're [00:51:14] not selling them for their their praise [00:51:16] value um so there's multiple it's not [00:51:18] just you want to buy it here take it um [00:51:20] there's multiple steps and that also [00:51:22] would cost the town money that we just [00:51:24] clearly um right now we just don't have [00:51:26] yeah yes we've been talking about this [00:51:29] in the capital planning committee MH so [00:51:31] there's been a lot of work done there [00:51:33] too and uh it's not we [00:51:37] actually um voted to urge the Selectmen [00:51:42] to put this on the table set up another [00:51:46] RFP and get the tank out of the ground I [00:51:51] think it's [00:51:54] completely uh you know [00:51:57] not I think it's negligent to try to [00:52:01] sell a piece of property with an oil [00:52:03] tank in the well first of all if we were [00:52:05] to not remove it because we did allocate [00:52:07] funds to remove it if town meeting voted [00:52:11] correct funds to remove and if we were [00:52:13] not to that would certainly be a [00:52:15] disclaimer in right for the property I [00:52:18] mean so I mean that's no one's being [00:52:20] negligent by not disclosing that um I [00:52:25] mean it it was voted to move forward [00:52:27] with this auction I yes missed that [00:52:31] meeting um [00:52:35] so Mark yeah um just to clarify that [00:52:40] what happened at the capital planning [00:52:42] meeting at the last Capital planning [00:52:44] meeting we spent a considerable amount [00:52:46] of time reviewing the three properties [00:52:48] and it's been on our list since we [00:52:50] reformed so uh we we discussed this and [00:52:54] then there were three items that we want [00:52:56] wanted to recommend to the select [00:52:58] board one is to um immediately remove [00:53:01] the underground tank only because it's [00:53:04] it's not it's not negligent however it [00:53:07] is dangerous to be within that limited [00:53:11] area of a public drinking water supply [00:53:14] so to kick it down to April is probably [00:53:18] more negligent than dealing with it [00:53:19] which is found and we all know needs to [00:53:21] have it removed so that first [00:53:23] recommendation is regardless of what [00:53:26] decision you make you should remove the [00:53:28] T okay um number two um this is kind of [00:53:32] interesting because I can understand [00:53:34] vetting the the the the auction house [00:53:37] that makes all the sense in the world [00:53:39] however what we would like to recommend [00:53:41] is that you vet the people that are [00:53:42] going to bid on these things and that [00:53:46] might be by a very simple RFP being put [00:53:49] on all three properties so that you [00:53:52] understand instead of what's the best [00:53:54] interest of the community being simply a [00:53:56] financial number let's just say bidder [00:53:59] one bids $20,000 and bidder two bids [00:54:02] $19,000 and bidder one is the high [00:54:05] bidder so in the best interest of the [00:54:06] town the simple decision is to make it [00:54:09] because it's $1,000 more however what [00:54:13] would that be a speculative buy so that [00:54:16] in fact you they buy the property for [00:54:18] $20,000 but do nothing let it continue [00:54:21] to deteriorate and then hope for a much [00:54:24] better um [00:54:27] perspective buyer to come along and that [00:54:29] perspective buyer obviously knows the [00:54:32] value of that property who would bid [00:54:33] more to the person that speculated and [00:54:36] bought it instead for [00:54:37] $20,000 so I think we're not looking and [00:54:41] and I my familiarity with the uh rfps [00:54:45] that were done especially in the page [00:54:46] bill it was it was so restricted that no [00:54:51] one would B on and and in fact no one [00:54:53] did bid on so so the best thing to do is [00:54:56] to say if you want to bid on this [00:54:59] property either by sale direct or by [00:55:02] auction tell us why you want to buy it [00:55:05] if you're just speculating on property [00:55:06] you're going to hold it and the roofs [00:55:08] are going to fall down the the [00:55:10] properties are all located in well two [00:55:12] are in a historical district and one is [00:55:14] in our probably the best economic [00:55:17] Corridor that this community has which [00:55:19] is right here on Route 32 a builder so [00:55:22] so to us it's best interest of the town [00:55:26] may not be a just a simple financial [00:55:29] decision but it might very well be a [00:55:31] combination of what the intended buyer [00:55:35] uh wants to do with the property so [00:55:37] we're only saying that what's in the [00:55:39] best interest of the Town cannot and [00:55:41] should not be solely a financial number [00:55:45] it there should be something else to [00:55:47] understand what will happen there so [00:55:49] that the neighborhoods and the community [00:55:51] and of course their tax base gets the [00:55:54] maximum benefit out of that that's your [00:55:56] decision that's our [00:55:58] recommendation uh finally [00:56:01] um just in a previous report we made to [00:56:04] this select board we recommended that [00:56:07] the property that you would best learn [00:56:09] your your the ropes of of Municipal sale [00:56:12] of property for this town would be the [00:56:15] rugles Hill school and that what you [00:56:18] learn from that particular process [00:56:20] whether you sell it or auction it will [00:56:23] will apply to the other two properties [00:56:25] which have very unique aspects to the [00:56:28] community and or contributions to the [00:56:31] community so [00:56:33] um that's our recommendation that was a [00:56:36] unanimous vote I was actually surprised [00:56:39] there was there was any no discussion [00:56:42] against it by the voting members of the [00:56:44] capital planning Comm can I um just [00:56:47] address a couple of those items that [00:56:48] came up um so because two of them are in [00:56:51] a historic district there is um you [00:56:54] can't just go in there put a CVS like [00:56:56] there are restrictions to what and [00:56:58] that's [00:57:00] just um and I also want to add whatever [00:57:03] the we get from proceeds from the sale [00:57:05] that money goes directly to paying down [00:57:07] our debt which means we can spend more [00:57:09] on our our vast amount of capital needs [00:57:12] right but one last thing it should go to [00:57:15] paying down the debt but the town voted [00:57:18] to turn it to the general [00:57:20] treasury just in case there's a little [00:57:23] difference of opinion between how the [00:57:25] town voted [00:57:26] and what you're supposed to do by [00:57:28] procurement law I'm not sure who win you [00:57:31] have to follow M I understand that but [00:57:33] you also have read read the vote by the [00:57:36] town they said specifically to put it in [00:57:39] the general treasury but Mass General [00:57:42] understand that yeah [00:57:46] right okay Lauren um the beer language [00:57:51] dispose of is really kind of upsetting [00:57:54] because you know you don't dispose of [00:57:56] the historic [00:57:57] buildings um if this was Europe all [00:58:00] energy would be going into how do we [00:58:02] best utilize those buildings for the [00:58:04] community good and and I know [00:58:09] uh we have had our fees I think things [00:58:11] are quite different since we had a uh a [00:58:15] fight against a racetrack and I dump [00:58:17] there's some different energy in town [00:58:19] and I would highly recommend that you [00:58:21] guys just do another RFB at least on [00:58:23] some of those properties I want to just [00:58:26] and how do we pick and choose which ones [00:58:28] you know like that these have been the [00:58:30] elephant in the room hold on please [00:58:32] these properties have been the elephant [00:58:34] in the room for years and we're we're [00:58:37] paying we're paying just to let them [00:58:40] fall down [00:58:41] essentially I I I get it I also want to [00:58:45] add if I may that Mass General law [00:58:48] requires us to get them appraised if we [00:58:50] go that rate and that also costs money [00:58:52] yeah no right how much money [00:58:56] again is the appraisal to Mark's point [00:58:58] is it Financial benefit of the town or [00:59:01] is there a emotional cultural [00:59:04] spiritual whatever you know it's like [00:59:06] tearing down a church let's tear a [00:59:08] church down but suddenly there's no [00:59:10] place to worship what have we done we [00:59:12] sold it to somebody who tore it down and [00:59:14] just put a parking lot what do we do to [00:59:16] the what do we do to the [00:59:18] community so the historical buildings I [00:59:21] believe cannot be torn [00:59:24] down if someone buys it doesn't do [00:59:26] anything for 12 years it will fall it in [00:59:28] next thing you know some happy that's [00:59:30] what's happening [00:59:32] now I mean I've heard it I I I respect [00:59:36] it I've heard everything from a whole [00:59:38] bunch of guys are going to get together [00:59:39] and we're going to buy it and we're [00:59:40] going to fix it up that was a decade ago [00:59:43] I mean I just it you know and I can't [00:59:47] work I I can't sit up here and and come [00:59:50] at this from an emotional standpoint [00:59:53] again I'm looking at the best you know [00:59:55] for the the town to not have to pay for [00:59:58] these buildings to not have to continue [01:00:00] to insure them God forbid someone gets [01:00:02] hurt in [01:00:05] them Eric couple things need to be [01:00:08] corrected there was never an RFP for the [01:00:10] rug [01:00:11] school there was one for for the page [01:00:14] and to Mark's point it was so [01:00:17] restrictive nobody would want to get on [01:00:19] it the other thing is it's in a historic [01:00:21] district it's not in the historic [01:00:23] district commission you could do [01:00:25] whatever you want those buildings by [01:00:26] special permit there's no restrict you [01:00:29] could tear them down thank you for [01:00:30] clarifying that okay just to let you [01:00:32] know thank you if you're thinking that [01:00:34] that historical designation is going to [01:00:36] protect them you're wrong we also have a [01:00:38] zoning analysis uh done by our building [01:00:40] inspector that lays out everything that [01:00:43] you can and cannot do yeah is that [01:00:47] projected to the people bidding on it so [01:00:49] they know what they can yeah oh yeah [01:00:51] that's information that they will have y [01:01:05] anything um you yeah I have one question [01:01:08] for Mark um the request for proposal or [01:01:12] how you want to put this into the [01:01:15] property on the biders how do you how do [01:01:17] you want to vet these people per se I [01:01:19] would say that the select board has the [01:01:21] sole discretion as to whether it's in [01:01:23] the best interest of the community so if [01:01:25] someone says I'm going to buy it and I'm [01:01:27] going to sit on it for a couple of years [01:01:28] and I'm going to flip it to somebody at [01:01:30] a best price because I can get this at [01:01:32] the highest bid and if there's only two [01:01:34] biders I'm going to win and so you have [01:01:37] to say well just like any if you're [01:01:40] going to auction it like any auction you [01:01:43] pre-qualify all your [01:01:45] biders you have the right to say you [01:01:48] can't bid or you can't bid or you can't [01:01:51] bid because we're making a decision [01:01:53] based on the best interest of the [01:01:55] community and speculative buying may not [01:01:58] be one of them it may not maybe you [01:02:00] think it is and that's your prerogative [01:02:02] all we're saying is the RFP should just [01:02:05] simply say tell us what you're going to [01:02:07] do once you buy [01:02:08] it don't put any conditions on it unless [01:02:11] there's on the page building there is [01:02:14] this [01:02:14] vague six or seven different um no they [01:02:19] did conditions that the [01:02:20] mixer even if that was enforced it may [01:02:24] not be and we believe that it doesn't [01:02:26] have to be right but it did say the vote [01:02:29] by the town did say to take that into [01:02:32] consideration in whole or in part so you [01:02:35] have a lot of [01:02:37] discretion so that that's how I would [01:02:39] answer your question I know the assessor [01:02:41] she has looked into all of that in [01:02:43] detail Jen do you want to address any of [01:02:45] that or any of the tax stuff or [01:02:48] anything [01:02:49] um what what I I I sorry I missed uh a [01:02:54] little bit of the convers [01:02:56] what was he um about the mix the mixed [01:03:00] her um covenants the what they want the [01:03:05] building to go towards the page the page [01:03:07] building and whether or not it has any [01:03:09] you know it had to go back to the mixers [01:03:12] for $1 is what the deed said on [01:03:16] that and all of them all of them had [01:03:20] that all of all of the [01:03:22] buildings had something in the deed as [01:03:26] what should happen so actually the white [01:03:29] school the one in gilber though should [01:03:31] go back to um uh George H gilber I [01:03:36] think and I thought after so many years [01:03:39] that that that fell [01:03:40] off and the auctioner to all of that [01:03:44] lawyer to all of that so it's free for [01:03:48] us [01:03:49] to to do correct yes correct that was [01:03:52] just only an example as I was just [01:03:54] saying yeah yeah yeah really not it's [01:03:57] your discretion but you ought to vet the [01:03:59] buyers the potential buyers should be [01:04:02] vetted far more than than I think just [01:04:05] on their financial capacity to purchase [01:04:08] I think part of the goal too and Jen I [01:04:10] don't want to speak for you with is to [01:04:12] get at least a couple of these Billings [01:04:14] back on the tax [01:04:17] roll yeah absolutely I mean they're just [01:04:21] as far as I'm concerned they're sitting [01:04:23] there they're deteriorating [01:04:25] um permission has been given to the [01:04:28] select board years ago um the voters [01:04:33] have made that decision that you know [01:04:37] the town they wouldn't be beneficial for [01:04:39] the town to own [01:04:41] anymore um and so to me they're just [01:04:45] they're just rotting away and the longer [01:04:49] time goes by that's just going to [01:04:51] continue to happen and and then I also [01:04:55] worry about any kind of liability would [01:04:59] have we have if anybody got hurt and the [01:05:02] insurance that we pay on empty [01:05:05] buildings um which is a lot higher than [01:05:08] when they when they exactly yeah right [01:05:12] so um Bill thank you um M zikos on their [01:05:19] site the properties's already listed [01:05:21] there right so we see them there without [01:05:23] a date announced and they're process [01:05:25] seems to talk about um no minimum so one [01:05:30] question is is there any minimum or [01:05:31] might we find out that all three poies [01:05:34] if be sold for a dollar or something no [01:05:36] um so the minimum so it's $110,000 day [01:05:38] of and 20 sorry another 10,000 the [01:05:40] following day those deposits I know but [01:05:42] that's that that that essentially is a [01:05:44] minimum yes okay um [01:05:49] the the um there were some other plans [01:05:52] at one point I guess there have been a [01:05:53] lot of plans over all the years but [01:05:55] recently even there was some plans about [01:05:57] trying to get some grant money and do [01:05:59] something with one building or the other [01:06:01] has anything more come of that is there [01:06:03] any are there any ongoing efforts to do [01:06:06] anything for the you know to with local [01:06:11] organizations not that's come across my [01:06:13] office unless something can and not that [01:06:17] not not recently no my last thing thank [01:06:20] you is is Mark's idea I think is good [01:06:22] about having some control or betting [01:06:24] over who would own their property but [01:06:26] that doesn't seem to be a normal auction [01:06:27] process does it if they have the auction [01:06:30] they're going to sell it to the highest [01:06:32] bidder it says right on their site these [01:06:34] do your own research these are going to [01:06:36] be sold as is so I will say that we we [01:06:39] had those questions during our initial [01:06:42] meeting with them and you they do advise [01:06:45] not to limit your buyers like you said [01:06:48] to you know limit what can be done with [01:06:51] it or um but I you know maybe that is a [01:06:54] question that we can ask I'm not you [01:06:56] know we we have voted to move forward [01:06:58] with this it's it's a matter of when at [01:07:02] this point I'm coming uh asking the [01:07:04] board um [01:07:07] to have me move forward with setting up [01:07:09] an auction in in April again would give [01:07:12] the community members plenty of time if [01:07:14] they have if they are interested I don't [01:07:16] want to Spring anything on anybody but [01:07:18] also too we could clean up a little bit [01:07:21] have it hopefully be a little bit nicer [01:07:23] so that they the properties look a a [01:07:25] little bit nicer and we'd be able if we [01:07:27] were to sell any of them we'd be able to [01:07:29] um recoup the revenue within 30 days [01:07:31] yeah so it'd be in this fiscal year it [01:07:33] would [01:07:36] be that's as in a butter I'm quite [01:07:41] concerned about this um being too open [01:07:46] you know could you have a strip club [01:07:48] there no no my husband's proposal would [01:07:52] be that [01:07:55] an are you going to open one oh my [01:07:57] husband [01:08:00] oh oh my just asking for friend right [01:08:04] right right yeah that's probably not [01:08:07] allowed on the comment I'm just [01:08:09] saying um but you know I am concerned [01:08:12] about going what's going there and maybe [01:08:16] is there time for you to meet with the [01:08:18] abutters it's some point to inform us oh [01:08:21] my god of course in [01:08:23] anytime ask me any questions and and I I [01:08:26] said it' be um once everything is moved [01:08:29] forward there anyone can ask questions [01:08:32] of the auction company or come to an [01:08:34] open house and ask questions um so it's [01:08:37] we're going to be as transparent as [01:08:39] possible I'm sure that the U man across [01:08:41] the street is interested to he [01:08:47] consern so uh does this have to be put [01:08:51] just remind us of your name again just [01:08:52] for the audio sorry Steve boo thank you [01:08:57] um so the the only question I would have [01:08:59] is does this have to go through a a [01:09:01] normal process of public notice publish [01:09:05] Y in yes y so it all gets advertised you [01:09:10] know there's I he had like a Day lead [01:09:13] and I can't remember exactly in the [01:09:16] central register it will be published in [01:09:18] the newspaper twice one week apart from [01:09:20] each other 30 days publish in the [01:09:22] central register [01:09:23] um um and they take care of all that for [01:09:26] us um so yeah I mean the big thing is [01:09:30] this isn't costing the town anything the [01:09:33] the fees all come out of the [01:09:36] buyer so um you know at some point we [01:09:41] can sit and just look at these buildings [01:09:42] forever and not do anything with them or [01:09:45] you know we decided to to move on them [01:09:48] Warren could I recommend that you um [01:09:51] remove the page building from that time [01:09:54] frame and [01:09:55] um and uh cuz there is some movement [01:10:00] very strong movement to uh present [01:10:03] something to you guys very [01:10:06] soon I heard this a decade ago this is [01:10:10] real it really did like this is my [01:10:12] problem can we start with [01:10:14] one can we I'm just saying do all three [01:10:18] of them have to happen the same day I [01:10:19] mean it seems to Mark's Point why don't [01:10:21] we learn something from the rugles Hill [01:10:23] school and see how works you may get [01:10:26] $20,000 for that we may get no one to [01:10:29] come may get no one who knows the the [01:10:33] point is we're finally trying to do [01:10:36] something with them as many people are [01:10:38] trying to I could I ask that you just [01:10:40] vote to to move that one a little later [01:10:43] on or I think we' have to we'd have to [01:10:46] question whether or not um they're [01:10:48] willing to peace mealing I don't I don't [01:10:50] know where oh the auction company has a [01:10:52] deal with all three [01:10:55] we did five in one day and they all [01:10:57] sold so do you have something yeah I [01:11:00] have a question for manester is can can [01:11:04] we is it possible we table this for a [01:11:06] week but to meet with this auction [01:11:09] company and have a conversation with [01:11:11] them to ask you know can we put an RFP [01:11:15] on qualifying biders or you know asking [01:11:18] some of these questions and well that [01:11:20] wouldn't be a question for the auction [01:11:21] company that's what I mean meet what's [01:11:23] asking to meet with the actual Auction [01:11:25] Company the three you know the four of [01:11:27] us you know have an executive session [01:11:29] before our next meeting if it's possible [01:11:31] I I don't know like can you make motion [01:11:34] qualify I'm not making a motion yet I'm [01:11:35] asking I'm just asking a question I [01:11:38] don't know what exemption that would [01:11:39] qualify for an executive session well I [01:11:41] don't well we just have a discussion [01:11:43] we'll bring them here and have a [01:11:45] discussion it doesn't matter to me we [01:11:47] don't need an executive [01:11:49] session or Justine could just ask any [01:11:51] these questions yeah Justine you could [01:11:53] ask these questions and and we table it [01:11:56] for one [01:11:57] meeting we bring it back up at December [01:12:01] what is it [01:12:02] 9th cuz that's not going to make a bit [01:12:04] of difference if we're selling it an [01:12:05] April or decide to I'd like to move that [01:12:10] that we do that we down the road for [01:12:13] another two [01:12:15] weeks just a motion I'll second the [01:12:18] motion all in favor I [01:12:25] okay we're going to table that to [01:12:28] December 9th whatever our first meeting [01:12:31] in December is we'll send me your [01:12:34] questions [01:12:38] okay how long do we have to get in [01:12:42] question few [01:12:46] days so Mark we want to put your email [01:12:50] your questions as far as qualifying the [01:12:52] biders or all right sorry [01:12:56] have any opinions of value been given [01:12:59] about those properties by various [01:13:01] Realtors we do have one uh we also have [01:13:05] them assess I mean Jen do you want to [01:13:07] speak to that values on the properties [01:13:11] or the values are high only because uh [01:13:14] on the assessed values we have them high [01:13:18] what we concentrate on as assesses is [01:13:21] for um taxable properties as where we [01:13:25] put all our energy into getting the [01:13:27] taxable properties at their right [01:13:31] ratio um so we kind of don't inspect our [01:13:37] exempt properties too [01:13:39] frequently so the auctioneer had already [01:13:43] said um you know at some point and we [01:13:46] will do that in January to inspect the [01:13:50] properties and actually uh the grade and [01:13:53] condition will probably change um after [01:13:57] inspection so they are assessed pretty [01:14:00] high right [01:14:01] now and we did have a real estate agent [01:14:04] look at the school the rugles Hill [01:14:06] school do [01:14:08] we Lauren right ma yeah I don't know [01:14:13] what that I don't I I don't believe I've [01:14:15] seen it I can look in files so on the [01:14:20] rugles Hill School [01:14:23] Charlie I don't know of any other [01:14:26] current not by a real estate that was [01:14:28] the connection with Nicole right yes [01:14:31] when we put [01:14:37] yes Excuse me yes I have one more [01:14:40] question um has anyone pursued an [01:14:45] evaluation or a cost I should say to [01:14:48] tear the build the building down do you [01:14:51] have any idea what that might cost you [01:14:54] and no my question comes about as a [01:14:57] result of a discussion which I had with [01:15:00] Eric a couple of days ago uh and maybe [01:15:04] Eric you're in a better position to uh [01:15:07] speak about this than I am but I feel [01:15:11] that um before it is sold one might want [01:15:16] to determine the cost to take it down [01:15:19] remove the rubble and maintain that as a [01:15:24] town [01:15:25] property because we don't know what what [01:15:29] could what what we might want it for in [01:15:32] the [01:15:33] future and you know all good ideas again [01:15:36] at a cost because that building would [01:15:39] have to be [01:15:41] inspected well I think the people [01:15:43] interested excuse me but I think the [01:15:45] people who might be interested in doing [01:15:47] that work would come forth and say [01:15:49] without any cost of the community it's [01:15:51] going to take a dollar to tear that down [01:15:54] or it's going to take $3 million [01:15:56] whatever it is but before you sell it [01:15:58] for a lot less than I believe people [01:16:01] might think it's worth I think that that [01:16:04] should be [01:16:05] considered thank [01:16:09] you okay moving on update charge on [01:16:12] healthc care task force this was [01:16:14] updating who should be on it correct um [01:16:16] so after the last meeting um we the [01:16:20] board had talked about taking the [01:16:21] planning board off and putting more of a [01:16:24] Community member so I changed that and [01:16:27] then I wasn't sure so I just left it [01:16:29] about the finance committee [01:16:30] representative actually you're [01:16:34] here if you want a seat at that task [01:16:37] force do I have to answer [01:16:40] tonight probably not no is can't [01:16:44] deliberate [01:16:46] me yeah so think about it's it's [01:16:49] obviously you know what it is right Judy [01:16:51] corac um working with Bas date and Lane [01:16:55] and looking into all of you know that we [01:16:57] don't have a facility out here and [01:16:59] trying to perhaps get one in our area [01:17:02] okay so um I [01:17:05] believe Neil uh yeah uh Neil Halen Eric [01:17:10] ballheim and Judy coric so far we need a [01:17:12] Community member and a member from the [01:17:14] finance [01:17:15] committee [01:17:22] okay so um if you're okay with the [01:17:25] change um with mind just taking a vote [01:17:27] in the makeup of the [01:17:32] committee make a motion um to approve [01:17:36] the healthcare task force and the people [01:17:38] listed on [01:17:40] it all in favor hi Bill I was just [01:17:46] wanting to know what where it stood with [01:17:49] the request from Justine to have a [01:17:52] planning board person um join the task [01:17:55] force the planning board discussed that [01:17:57] and voted to um ask you to consider [01:18:02] instead someone from Master planning [01:18:04] from the master plan steering committee [01:18:07] as there was really we thought [01:18:10] more you know more more relevance you [01:18:12] know to to their role in the planning [01:18:14] board um we sent back that communication [01:18:17] as far as I know we hadn't heard [01:18:18] anything and this is the first I've [01:18:20] heard about a Community member rather [01:18:23] than someone from master plan me what I [01:18:26] don't yeah you know he did bring and now [01:18:28] that you say that bill I apologize [01:18:31] master plan [01:18:34] yeah instead of the Community member I [01:18:37] thought I thought Judy was very was like [01:18:39] you know we need someone who's you know [01:18:40] in healthcare that that's what I am I [01:18:44] mistaken I don't know now I'm [01:18:46] confused well let's find out I can ask [01:18:50] out there was if I may there there's [01:18:53] some talk that of the master plan [01:18:56] steering committee asking Judy to in [01:19:00] fact join the master plan steering [01:19:02] committee what she had talked about [01:19:03] doing kind of remember this [01:19:06] conversation she might end up she might [01:19:08] end up being a master plan steering [01:19:10] committe representative to the task [01:19:11] force in that Ro I don't know I don't [01:19:14] know where that stands I was tomorrow [01:19:16] our meeting what we had heard from you [01:19:18] we JY I'm not quite I'm not quite [01:19:21] sure let's let's just clarify it have to [01:19:25] adjust it we can do it sure at our next [01:19:27] meeting okay discussion and vote on [01:19:31] payment in lie of taxes pilot [01:19:36] policy um so I attached in your packets [01:19:40] the redline version from Council and [01:19:42] then the feedback that I received from [01:19:43] conservation and members uh members of [01:19:46] conservation and members of the planning [01:19:48] board I also have a clean version that I [01:19:50] received from um s [01:19:53] tinker and has the changes from Council [01:19:56] already just pass it out you might pass [01:20:00] it um and I'll be very honest I have not [01:20:03] had a chance to look through all the [01:20:06] changes or comments from Council um when [01:20:09] I talked to Justine [01:20:11] earlier my comment to her was to have a [01:20:14] working meeting about this worksh so [01:20:17] like just this is on the [01:20:20] agenda okay so we just have a working [01:20:23] meeting on this [01:20:25] okay so so you know a work a s Workshop [01:20:28] doesn't have visitor comments on it and [01:20:29] it's just a meeting for the board it's [01:20:32] just a working right it's like I mean [01:20:33] and we we we have we have people's [01:20:36] comments and like that's fine but in [01:20:40] order to sit down and really look at it [01:20:42] and pick it apart so that and like line [01:20:45] by line that's what I'm suggesting so [01:20:49] that we can you [01:20:51] know [01:20:53] y m I think we really have to go slow [01:20:56] with this I I know the planning board [01:20:58] hasn't had a meeting since this was sent [01:21:01] to them so I mean there are other I know [01:21:04] concom has you know I think we should go [01:21:07] as you say line by line we got a lot of [01:21:10] smart people in this town we got to [01:21:12] bring them in this has incredible [01:21:15] ramifications I would like to go slowly [01:21:18] and carefully [01:21:20] mhm to the chair we have uh excuse me [01:21:23] what to the chair yes um Justin sent [01:21:27] this maybe a week or two ago but we [01:21:29] haven't even as a board even seen so we [01:21:32] need some time to T as well fair fair [01:21:35] enough like I I I get it [01:21:38] um if so [01:21:42] let's pick a workshop day yeah yeah [01:21:45] let's pick a workshop day can we get [01:21:47] this [01:21:49] posted we haven't amended it yet anyone [01:21:52] that has wants to see it can email and [01:21:54] it goes out to them [01:21:57] okay yeah it's a working document good I [01:22:00] know [01:22:01] I I would have thought [01:22:05] so that has found by we don't [01:22:15] whatever are we what are we like are we [01:22:18] trying to find something in December [01:22:26] um Christmas [01:22:29] I sure [01:22:32] um I mean do we want to discuss any of [01:22:35] this right now we we certainly can I [01:22:37] just I have not had a chance to look [01:22:39] through all the comments yet correct [01:22:43] correct I I fair enough I just I have [01:22:46] not had a chance to um I I apologize no [01:22:51] can't get to everything over the weekend [01:22:53] um get it [01:22:55] so I want to look at his comments or her [01:22:58] comments whoever it is and then um now [01:23:02] look at how you put it together like [01:23:04] Monday the 16th I'm looking at it's our [01:23:07] off week we don't have a meeting if you [01:23:10] wanted to do a workshop [01:23:13] um yeah I don't I could do [01:23:16] that the time works for five [01:23:20] maybe I'm just suggest I'm just throwing [01:23:22] things out there um [01:23:26] 5:30 what day we even talking about uh [01:23:29] Monday December [01:23:34] 16th want a motion not [01:23:41] um I can't do the first week of December [01:23:44] okay I'm yeah [01:23:46] sorry many [01:23:52] take holiday [01:23:55] all right so we have the meeting the 9th [01:23:57] right so we're looking for a non- [01:23:59] meeting like so that's the only thing [01:24:00] that we're concentrating on that [01:24:05] night all right so then the 16th works [01:24:08] if you [01:24:11] want [01:24:13] 53 uh through the chair yeah sorry if [01:24:17] this is going to be a working session is [01:24:18] this something that we're going to be [01:24:20] free to discuss and be able to [01:24:23] collaborate it's a workshop for the [01:24:25] select board so the select board would [01:24:27] be the ones and there'd be no comments [01:24:29] from the public it's just a workshop for [01:24:31] the board but any comments or anything [01:24:33] can come through me I'll make sure it [01:24:35] fits to the board well fin CL needs to [01:24:36] be part of you know be part of this [01:24:37] discussion be part of this Workshop so [01:24:40] it has a has an impact to the to the [01:24:43] town they don't disagree with that we [01:24:46] bring this do you want to do a joint [01:24:48] would be a joint meeting not a SBO [01:24:50] Workshop [01:24:54] to be open about this and they going [01:24:56] have to bring everybody's opinion into [01:24:58] this [01:25:00] transparency transparency you can read [01:25:02] it I mean it's available I mean this [01:25:05] board sets policy it would be great to [01:25:08] have cop of this if we wanted everybody [01:25:10] to create policy for the town we we vote [01:25:13] them in but that's the role of the [01:25:15] select Court okay I think this is a [01:25:17] bylaw so there you go and I know we're [01:25:21] not going to we're not this is what [01:25:22] we're not going to do okay [01:25:25] so um we're not going to discuss [01:25:29] this let's do a joint meeting I agree [01:25:32] that um input from fincom would be [01:25:35] beneficial uh I do also think that input [01:25:41] from other departments is important it's [01:25:43] our policy I understand that it's our [01:25:45] it's our [01:25:46] policy we've also heard a lot of [01:25:50] discussion I want to take that into [01:25:52] account and you can address some those [01:25:54] discussion points tonight so let's have [01:25:57] that joint meeting and let's see where [01:25:59] we go from there CH are you okay on the [01:26:02] 16 M [01:26:11] 5:3 you call it the finance committee [01:26:14] Christmas party how was [01:26:15] that you're having a party we're going [01:26:18] to call our Christmas party the 16th on [01:26:22] Monday have [01:26:25] you're buying I'm buying on for my staff [01:26:28] on the [01:26:29] 23rd what time did you say 5 5:30 [01:26:35] 5:30 uh approval of minutes from October [01:26:39] 28th so we're table in this time if you [01:26:43] have something you want to add by all [01:26:44] means but we' had questions is people [01:26:46] here I don't have okay you know all [01:26:51] right Madam chair yes uh did you want to [01:26:54] do the oh yes I'm sorry I checked it off [01:26:56] ahead of me actually saying it all loud [01:26:59] um discussion on communication between [01:27:01] board committees and departments um so I [01:27:04] sent this out earlier today it's just a [01:27:06] draft um in the form just ignore the [01:27:09] formatting because it's crazy right now [01:27:11] but I just wanted you guys to have [01:27:12] something inter review [01:27:26] [Music] [01:27:31] very preliminary dra I think it's a good [01:27:34] start though yeah and I did um I did [01:27:38] send it to to Becky uh who is kind of [01:27:41] working on random things with me [01:27:44] lately random [01:27:50] Yes again ignore the weird formatting [01:27:52] and I will I'll fix that [01:27:58] no I think this is me I think this is a [01:28:01] good [01:28:02] start it kind of hits on every [01:28:04] Department that I think needs to be you [01:28:07] know yay or [01:28:08] nay I would ask the board not vote on it [01:28:11] tonight because I want to I want to work [01:28:13] with Becky and do yeah yeah but I just [01:28:16] wanted you to see something and [01:28:17] obviously it's okay with all the [01:28:19] Departments that are listed yeah they've [01:28:21] seen it um part of it I they not seeing [01:28:24] it all come together okay um again again [01:28:27] I don't want it voted on or anything no [01:28:29] so maybe keep working withy and um and [01:28:32] then show it to the the appropriate [01:28:35] boards that are on here and see what [01:28:38] their thoughts are like planning is not [01:28:40] seen it but like Jen has like so I still [01:28:42] have work to do [01:28:46] okay yeah it's a good it's a good start [01:28:54] thank you okay now approval of the [01:28:59] minutes from October [01:29:09] 28th now I recused myself for the last [01:29:13] half hour of that you want me to vote or [01:29:16] you want me to abstain um did you refuse [01:29:20] yourself oh yeah you just well that's [01:29:21] why you left he he he left the meeting [01:29:24] yeah yeah I mean I thought I was [01:29:26] conflicted but it wasn't really you can [01:29:29] um well you can certainly vote on what [01:29:31] you were there for right yeah yeah that [01:29:36] yeah get a [01:29:39] highlighter [01:29:41] okay take a [01:29:43] motion make a motion to approve the [01:29:46] October 28th meeting minutes I'll second [01:29:48] it all in favor all [01:29:52] right to administrator report [01:29:55] um so today we had a demonstration of an [01:29:57] of our new phone system um that we're [01:30:01] looking at um we looked at three [01:30:03] different companies and I think we we [01:30:06] 99.9% sure we found the one we want to [01:30:08] go with um it's You' be able to it's [01:30:11] 24/7 customer service any issues um you [01:30:16] be able to pull up the the town of [01:30:18] Hardwick can have an app on your phone [01:30:20] um so you don't have to use give out [01:30:22] your personal number it can all all go [01:30:24] right to your phone um Price is Right um [01:30:29] everything's really good Lieutenant L [01:30:30] Dean's happy um so we're really close [01:30:32] there which is really exciting the old [01:30:34] bar roof repair is complete um as you [01:30:36] know we had a call with Paul zos [01:30:38] attorney Dave cap and town assessor and [01:30:39] this Lew chair regarding the auction um [01:30:43] repairs were done to the radiator and [01:30:45] boiler at Town Hall we're just waiting [01:30:46] for some parts to come in to fix some of [01:30:48] the [01:30:49] radiators we're purchasing Panic buttons [01:30:51] unfortunately we had an incident at Town [01:30:53] Hall and luckily um lieutenant landine [01:30:56] and Scott Potter were here when that [01:30:57] took place um so only three we only have [01:31:01] three working Panic buttons in this [01:31:02] building so we are ordering new ones [01:31:05] that aren't connected to the wall um [01:31:07] that so safety is really [01:31:11] important um attended a zoom meeting [01:31:13] with Congress women govern's office in [01:31:15] the USDA on options for Public Safety [01:31:17] buildings and Public Safety Equipment um [01:31:20] attended a zoom meeting with the town [01:31:22] accountant and cmrpc on the cdbg Grant [01:31:25] project on Highland [01:31:27] Terrace budget sheets were sent out to [01:31:29] departments December 16th to 18th they [01:31:31] have their budget meetings with me uh [01:31:34] the executive assistant myself completed [01:31:36] a Vadar training I attended a capital [01:31:38] planning committee I've been working [01:31:40] with the assessor who's on the Personnel [01:31:42] committee on employee salaries which is [01:31:44] ongoing as you know we've adjusted the [01:31:46] mark driers salaries um that is a [01:31:49] complete reimbursement for the town [01:31:51] we're working on a job posting now to [01:31:52] get more drivers [01:31:56] um myself and the sewer superintendent [01:31:58] went out to try um modular and Littleton [01:32:00] and looked at modulars for the sewer [01:32:02] project originally I was very against it [01:32:05] until uh we looked at them with that [01:32:07] have more of a permanent um Foundation [01:32:11] which was um at Selman tiners um it was [01:32:14] his idea soly surprised I don't hate it [01:32:19] I'll say that and the Price Is Right is [01:32:23] again I don't hate it [01:32:26] um I attended a lunch with the town [01:32:29] administrators from the uh some of the [01:32:31] Quin School District towns and a couple [01:32:33] other area Town administrators I hosted [01:32:35] in Hardwick at Hardwick Crossing we're [01:32:37] going to be doing them [01:32:40] quarterly um attended a teams meeting [01:32:42] with the 12 towns around the quaven [01:32:45] reservoir um and the [01:32:47] MW um regarding an MW water [01:32:50] study had my monthly interview on wear [01:32:53] radio [01:32:57] um I want to recognize Laur Del oio Our [01:33:01] Town accountant for taking all that time [01:33:03] to assemble the new budget templates for [01:33:05] the town departments I came in heavy and [01:33:08] hot with my ideas and how to streamline [01:33:11] everything and be more transparent and [01:33:13] she really took it and went with it and [01:33:17] um I know this year is going to be a a [01:33:19] trial and error year cuz we're starting [01:33:20] a new process and a new procedure so um [01:33:23] but I want to thank her immensely for [01:33:25] all the work she did assembling those [01:33:27] those [01:33:29] templates um town offices are closed for [01:33:31] Thanksgiving uh will be closed Wednesday [01:33:33] at noon and resuming regular business [01:33:36] hours next week Christmas on the comment [01:33:39] is Sunday December 1st at 300 p.m. and [01:33:42] the police department toy drive is on [01:33:44] Sunday December 8th from 9:00 to1 at the [01:33:46] South Barry ronning Gun [01:33:49] Club thank you I tried to go really fast [01:33:55] you are [01:33:56] fine um select Round [01:33:59] Table I think we should get that oil [01:34:01] tank out of there money was voted by [01:34:04] town meeting I think we're at [01:34:06] risk once it's known we're not in [01:34:09] compliance we should move on that I [01:34:11] don't know why we're still waiting yeah [01:34:14] I don't know um we were waiting for that [01:34:17] call we had with zos to figure out what [01:34:18] they recommend whether we pull it out [01:34:20] and risk what is underneath it uh again [01:34:23] would be a cost of the town or if we [01:34:25] want to sell it as is so that was part [01:34:27] of that conversation that we had on that [01:34:28] Zoom call um so it wasn't off the table [01:34:31] it was just hold on until we yeah figure [01:34:34] out what direction we're going in I [01:34:35] think we should do it I think we have to [01:34:37] do [01:34:41] it [01:34:44] disagree what about Glen's statement [01:34:46] where he said suck out all the oil out [01:34:48] of the tank and then fill it with sand [01:34:50] is that even an option I'm going by the [01:34:53] rec of my fire chief that does this and [01:34:56] that's his recommendation was to get the [01:34:57] thing the heck out of [01:35:00] there fire chief's decision okay there's [01:35:03] two there's two ways they can do it I [01:35:05] just he he has a sole decision with to [01:35:08] fill it or right it can be done either [01:35:11] way be right so I've SE yeah definitely [01:35:15] have him remove it but again that cop we [01:35:17] needed to have that me yeah to yeah [01:35:19] let's let's get into let's um [01:35:24] Chief PE please and have him maybe start [01:35:28] that yeah I have an environmental [01:35:30] engineer friend who does this and he's [01:35:33] in oakam and he's willing to we have him [01:35:36] come over well I I would highly [01:35:38] recommend [01:35:39] him but you need we need one of those um [01:35:43] somebody needs to inspect it within 24 [01:35:45] hours maybe put them in touch with pleas [01:35:48] yeah or vice versa yeah yeah let's let's [01:35:51] do that [01:35:56] that's it [01:35:58] anything thank you [01:36:00] everybody for being courteous thank you [01:36:03] that's my two cents at the end of the [01:36:08] meeting second all in favor I 806