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Hardwick Board of Selectmen Reconsiders Horse Track Approval

Original title: Hardwick, MA Board of Selectmen Meeting 11/09/22

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 10, 2022

Duration

36m

Decisions

2 recorded

Action Items

1 assigned

Summary

The Hardwick Board of Selectmen convened to reconsider its previous vote to deny the location of a horse race track at Great Meadowbrook Farm. Following a petition with 420 signatures advocating for the townspeople to have a voice, the board discussed various options including standing by their original vote, reconsidering, calling a non-binding referendum, or forming a committee. The applicant's representative clarified that a non-binding vote would delay their process significantly and that they would cover election costs for a binding vote. Ultimately, the Board voted 2-1 to reconsider its prior denial and subsequently voted 2-1 to approve the horse track location, subject to the execution of a Host Community Agreement, obtaining all necessary local permits, and a determination by the Agricultural Land Preservation Committee that the project is consistent with the local APR. This decision was made to allow the matter to proceed to a town-wide vote, as per the applicable General Law.

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Discussion Highlights

A petition with 420 signatures from Hardwick residents was submitted, advocating for the townspeople to have the opportunity to vote on the proposed horse race track.
The Board discussed four primary options: standing by the previous denial, reconsidering the vote, calling a non-binding referendum, or establishing a committee to review the proposal.
The applicant's representative stated that a non-binding referendum would significantly delay their project, potentially pushing their gaming commission approval queue to 2024, and that their property purchase agreement expires in February.
The applicant confirmed willingness to cover all associated costs for a binding election, including legal and engineering fees.
Board members expressed a desire for the townspeople to have a direct vote on the matter, acknowledging the difficulty in filtering public sentiment and the divisiveness of the issue.
It was clarified that under General Law Chapter 128A, Section 13A, the Board's approval is a necessary step to enable a town-wide vote, unlike previous processes such as the landfill discussion.

Transcript (5,282 words)

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

00:00:01
So on tonight's agenda call to order Pledge of Allegiance Meadowbrook Farm consideration and action and motion to reconsider vote to deny approval of course race track location a great Meadowbrook Farm further if reconsiderations is successful consideration and vote on whether to improve location of
00:00:19
Commonwealth equestrian and Agricultural Center llc's proposed horse racing operation a great Meadowbrook Farm pursuant to General Law chapter 128a section 13A and adjournment would you all please Rise
00:00:46
One Nation Under for all before we get started a few housekeeping rules and the word of thanks to Megan from babies we have um we have coffee and
00:01:07
Wagon Wheel cookies courtesy of Mandy so thank you to Megan for doing that on relatively short notice I said in the selectman's meeting on Monday night the board has decided not to entertain public comment here tonight
00:01:25
The board has decided in our meeting on Monday to allow one person from the petition group the petitioner to speak and the purpose of this meeting is for the board to make the decision on whether we want to reconsider our vote and if um that motion is made and
00:01:47
Carries whether we want to rescind our on and reconsider or change our our mind on this Monday things got a little exciting in the slackman's meeting you will see several officers here in
00:02:05
The room we ask that people be respectful if you are not respectful I'm going to ask that you'll be removed that might seem a little harsh but people deserve respect everyone in this room deserves some respect regardless of whatever what position

[00:00:01] um so on tonight's agenda call to order [00:00:03] Pledge of Allegiance [00:00:05] Meadowbrook Farm consideration and [00:00:07] action and motion to reconsider vote to [00:00:09] deny approval of course race track [00:00:11] location a great Meadowbrook Farm [00:00:13] further if reconsiderations is [00:00:16] successful consideration and vote on [00:00:17] whether to improve location of [00:00:19] Commonwealth equestrian and Agricultural [00:00:21] Center llc's proposed horse racing [00:00:23] operation a great Meadowbrook Farm [00:00:26] pursuant to General Law chapter 128a [00:00:29] section 13A and adjournment [00:00:33] um would you all please Rise um [00:00:46] One Nation Under uh [00:00:51] for all [00:00:56] before we get started a few housekeeping [00:00:59] rules [00:01:00] um [00:01:01] and the word of thanks to Megan from [00:01:03] babies we have um we have coffee and [00:01:07] Wagon Wheel cookies [00:01:09] um courtesy of Mandy so thank you to [00:01:11] Megan for doing that on relatively short [00:01:14] notice [00:01:15] um [00:01:17] um I said in the selectman's meeting on [00:01:19] Monday night [00:01:20] um the board has decided not to [00:01:22] entertain public comment here tonight [00:01:25] um the board has decided in our meeting [00:01:27] uh on Monday to allow one person from [00:01:31] the petition group the petitioner to [00:01:34] speak [00:01:35] um and the purpose of this meeting is [00:01:38] for the board to make the decision on [00:01:40] whether we want to reconsider our vote [00:01:42] and if um that motion is made and [00:01:47] Carries whether we want to rescind [00:01:50] um our on and reconsider or change our [00:01:53] our mind on this [00:01:55] um [00:01:57] Monday [00:01:59] um things got a little exciting in the [00:02:01] slackman's meeting [00:02:02] um you will see several officers here in [00:02:05] the room [00:02:06] um we ask that people be respectful if [00:02:09] you are not respectful I'm going to ask [00:02:11] that you'll be removed [00:02:13] um that might seem a little harsh [00:02:17] um but people deserve respect everyone [00:02:21] in this room deserves some respect [00:02:22] regardless of whatever what position [00:02:24] you're in [00:02:26] um what side you're on [00:02:28] um and if that doesn't happen I will [00:02:31] have you removed and you will not be [00:02:33] able to come back in [00:02:34] so I'm just setting the ground rules [00:02:37] um I think it's only fair [00:02:39] um there have been a few times honestly [00:02:41] when sitting up here was a little [00:02:43] frightening for the three of us sitting [00:02:45] up here so [00:02:47] um [00:02:48] you know we've heard several times that [00:02:50] people on either side are afraid to [00:02:51] speak and that's what we want to avoid [00:02:53] everyone should have a voice everyone's [00:02:56] opinion should be respected [00:02:58] um if if that happens [00:03:00] um the officers in the room are directed [00:03:02] to remove those that can't participate [00:03:05] uh respectfully so I'm just putting that [00:03:08] out there so everyone is on notice I [00:03:10] don't think it's going to happen but I'm [00:03:12] setting the expectation for everyone [00:03:15] um [00:03:16] so [00:03:18] um the purpose of this meeting is said [00:03:20] is to for the board to make the decision [00:03:22] on whether we want to reconsider the [00:03:24] vote that was taken on October 27th [00:03:28] um and as I see it I'll just say sort of [00:03:33] what's on my mind and the other board [00:03:34] members can say what's on their mind [00:03:37] um in a minute actually I think I'd like [00:03:39] the petitioner whoever's going to speak [00:03:40] for the petitioner to come up and to [00:03:44] um [00:03:44] take the time to speak about the [00:03:47] petition we have in front of us I do [00:03:48] have the original petition sitting here [00:03:51] um [00:03:53] um so um and it is a it is a public [00:03:55] document [00:03:56] um but [00:03:58] um there was some concern about the [00:04:01] petition being taken back by the [00:04:02] petitioner we have the original one here [00:04:05] so [00:04:06] uh that shouldn't be [00:04:09] because [00:04:10] so Devin are you going to speak on [00:04:12] behalf of the petition [00:04:15] foreign [00:05:14] generation family from this town and I'm [00:05:18] currently an employee at Eagle post [00:05:20] School [00:05:21] my time lived in this town was much [00:05:24] longer to spend my time in Florida [00:05:28] you go home did not drive this position [00:05:32] a group of citizens in this town drove [00:05:35] this petition because we want a chance [00:05:38] for everybody to be heard [00:05:40] a large group of us agreed with you on [00:05:43] the Monday night previous year in your [00:05:45] decision that in ESO to put this to [00:05:49] eventually get it to town though would [00:05:51] be what's fair to the town [00:05:53] would give everybody a chance to be [00:05:54] heard [00:05:56] it would be what's fair [00:06:00] a group of us last Monday started to [00:06:04] Rally together and went around [00:06:07] collecting three 420 signatures in [00:06:14] 340 of which are registered citizens [00:06:16] although that does not matter since it [00:06:18] is a non-binding petition [00:06:21] but we gathered a lot of thoughts from [00:06:23] people across town people from [00:06:24] Gilbertville people from Wheel right [00:06:26] people from West Berwick North aren't [00:06:29] like everywhere across the board [00:06:32] many people support the project [00:06:35] many people thought that a lot of people [00:06:36] would sound a very nasty and were [00:06:39] intimidated to even speak [00:06:41] many people are still on the fence but [00:06:43] still agree that you should ultimately [00:06:46] be us who choose what happened since [00:06:48] this could have a very large impact on [00:06:51] some people are still against it and [00:06:54] still agree that it should be us about [00:06:56] to choose [00:06:58] what happens [00:07:01] because it does impact wheel right it [00:07:04] impacts Gilbertville and it impacts [00:07:06] everybody [00:07:07] [Music] [00:07:08] and ultimately the only people that [00:07:10] we've heard speak so far [00:07:13] are certain small group and they've been [00:07:16] extremely intimidating [00:07:18] too many people and because as many [00:07:21] people not to even show up [00:07:23] we also heard a small population that [00:07:26] still choose to remain silent but choose [00:07:28] to support the project if it did go to [00:07:30] town due to various reasons like small [00:07:33] businesses in town [00:07:35] and such things across the board [00:07:38] we really want [00:07:40] the choice in our hands [00:07:42] we really hope that you allow us to give [00:07:46] everybody in the community a voice [00:07:48] because that's what every citizen [00:07:50] project deserves we've been stuck in the [00:07:53] same place for years and years and years [00:07:56] and we're just slowly degraded first it [00:07:59] was the ambulance then it was the police [00:08:01] station lab [00:08:02] firing Department in serious upgrades [00:08:05] and then the town hall gets flooded and [00:08:07] we'll see where that goes from here [00:08:10] but we've watched this town go down and [00:08:13] know move it forward and there's a lot [00:08:16] of people that are sick of that there's [00:08:18] a lot of people that are ready to make a [00:08:19] move for our future children [00:08:22] for everybody in this town from Seniors [00:08:24] to current my parents now to the young [00:08:28] people coming up [00:08:29] they deserve a better school [00:08:31] is there the proper teaching in that [00:08:33] school [00:08:34] they deserve everybody in this town that [00:08:37] there's medical services that are [00:08:40] responded to in a timely fashion [00:08:42] and we can't get any of that right now [00:08:44] if we don't make a choice to accept some [00:08:48] type of business into our town and move [00:08:50] forward [00:08:52] and we really just [00:08:54] hope that you allow us to make bachelors [00:08:58] we really want that choice [00:09:09] please [00:09:14] at one point I was not sure that this [00:09:18] was possible [00:09:20] but when everything came together [00:09:22] there's 420 signatures [00:09:26] all Harvard residents [00:09:29] who have [00:09:30] athletic sold [00:09:45] um so I guess some of my thoughts in the [00:09:48] my fellow board members [00:09:53] questions [00:10:00] for me I'm sure pretty well too [00:10:04] um whether however you feel about this [00:10:06] so these are the options I see that we [00:10:08] have as a board [00:10:10] uh [00:10:15] um worth 420 signatures on our residents [00:10:19] um that was submitted and we can choose [00:10:21] to stand [00:10:22] um banned [00:10:26] um second option is we can decide to [00:10:30] reconsider our alert [00:10:32] um and [00:10:34] um if the board it doesn't need to be [00:10:36] your name unless it just needs to be the [00:10:38] majority of the board votes yes [00:10:41] um it starts again the process starts [00:10:43] again and so Alex can speak a little bit [00:10:46] about that in a minute [00:10:48] um [00:10:49] third option is [00:10:51] um the board can call an election [00:10:56] um without changing our vote tonight [00:11:00] um we can call it an election it's a [00:11:02] non-binding it's a referendum uh the [00:11:06] results of that is [00:11:07] um certainly it's election cost for the [00:11:10] town so we'll have on the regular class [00:11:13] as a special election the town clerk [00:11:15] will have to get the balance printed [00:11:18] um and we'll make some more work for the [00:11:20] town [00:11:22] um [00:11:22] that's the third option so we can again [00:11:26] summarize not vote and decide that we as [00:11:29] a board want this to go to a non-binding [00:11:32] referendum [00:11:34] um fourth option [00:11:36] um is we can also not vote but maybe [00:11:39] continue on in the process so [00:11:42] um it's very clear most of you are aware [00:11:43] maybe you have read already the draft [00:11:45] host Community agreement the board has [00:11:47] not made any progress on that but we've [00:11:50] uh hopefully all three of us have read [00:11:51] it but we have not done anything and [00:11:55] moving forward [00:11:56] for those of you who remember [00:11:58] [Music] [00:12:00] um and maybe we want to forget about [00:12:02] those but um the landfill and how that [00:12:05] all went we had the option to vote on [00:12:08] um but the selection of the time were [00:12:10] very [00:12:11] um right in that they established a [00:12:14] landfill committee [00:12:16] um several of us run that committee and [00:12:18] what that committee did was look at all [00:12:20] the options and look at various [00:12:22] documents and so an option in my mind is [00:12:26] um perhaps we don't change our vote [00:12:28] um tonight but we start the process [00:12:31] without spending a whole lot of money um [00:12:34] because this is that certainly would be [00:12:36] on the town at this point uh get a group [00:12:38] of folks together [00:12:40] um and that would be appointed by the [00:12:43] board of Selectmen and look at this look [00:12:46] at the proposal I've heard several times [00:12:48] from several of you that you feel it's [00:12:51] too fast [00:12:52] so that could be potentially a viable [00:12:55] option [00:12:57] um [00:13:01] I had another one but [00:13:03] it's gone [00:13:04] oh well that's part of the um if you [00:13:08] were to vote Yes [00:13:11] um [00:13:11] if we were to vote to there's two votes [00:13:14] that need to have up and one is to [00:13:16] reconsider and two is [00:13:18] is vote on The Proposal again [00:13:20] if we the majority of the board votes [00:13:24] yes on the proposal [00:13:26] um then it would start the process again [00:13:28] whereby [00:13:30] um 12 of the population [00:13:33] um could get a petition together submit [00:13:36] it to the board ask us to reconsider [00:13:39] um if we don't reconsider our vote and [00:13:41] it continues it stays yes then it [00:13:53] so those are the options that I see we [00:13:55] have as a board [00:13:56] um so realistically I think there are [00:13:58] four options [00:14:00] um [00:14:01] and we robbed you have questions about [00:14:03] us [00:14:04] do you want to say anything [00:14:12] okay so she said she didn't have [00:14:14] anything bad that we that I've covered [00:14:16] in [00:14:19] um I would say my personal opinion at [00:14:22] this point is that the townspeople have [00:14:24] a lot to vote over this on this issue so [00:14:29] I'm more in favor of doing something to [00:14:33] expedite this and get it out there full [00:14:36] of people my question to the [00:14:39] is are you willing to pay the cost [00:14:43] to the town [00:14:45] if we were to move forward on an [00:14:47] election the cost for the whole election [00:14:50] the legal costs the town's going to [00:14:52] occur [00:14:54] because [00:14:55] yeah [00:14:56] all right John said yes and so [00:15:01] the applicant is willing to pay for this [00:15:03] process [00:15:05] um I don't know how the other board [00:15:07] members feel [00:15:09] I'm moving on that aspect but I I just [00:15:12] feel instead of sending people out to [00:15:14] get [00:15:15] either changing a vote or getting more [00:15:17] petitions and all this they're going to [00:15:20] end back at this [00:15:21] at this spot [00:15:23] so maybe we should just move towards [00:15:26] that [00:15:33] I don't think we're able to do that [00:15:34] unless so so I I don't want to speak for [00:15:37] you but I think maybe Rob is saying that [00:15:40] we would do the non-binding referendum [00:15:42] to get it out there [00:15:45] um that's the only mechanism we have at [00:15:47] this point unless we [00:15:49] um unless we will to reconsider and then [00:15:52] reboot again [00:15:54] the majority votes yes and then the [00:15:57] process can start so I guess a question [00:15:59] maybe whatever way this goes if the [00:16:03] board chooses to do [00:16:05] um call for a special election where [00:16:06] they [00:16:07] um I'm not using probably the correct [00:16:09] terms of town clerk and Alex can correct [00:16:12] me but if we choose to bring this to a [00:16:15] load [00:16:16] um [00:16:17] have it be a non-binding and I think the [00:16:20] purpose of that maybe you know it's [00:16:23] it's difficult for us board members to [00:16:26] to weed through the noise there is a lot [00:16:29] of noise here [00:16:31] um we're hearing [00:16:33] um you know people sign the petition [00:16:35] they realize that they didn't understand [00:16:37] what they were signing we're hearing [00:16:39] that a bunch of different things and and [00:16:41] we don't know and it's hard to weave [00:16:43] through the noise and perhaps an option [00:16:46] is that if people have the option in a [00:16:49] private setting to vote the way they [00:16:51] feel that would give the board some [00:16:53] direction on how the town really [00:16:56] the majority of the townspeople feel [00:17:00] um so that might be the the reason for [00:17:03] doing the non-binding but there is a [00:17:05] cost [00:17:08] um [00:17:23] and that may or may not change the [00:17:26] decisions whether or not under our [00:17:29] purchase agreement which expires on [00:17:31] February 24th [00:17:33] purchase problems without military [00:17:35] images without anything [00:17:37] I'm not sure [00:17:40] The Binding of actual is very different [00:17:43] so so [00:17:44] um I can I can recap so um [00:17:48] what John has said is that um Mr Field's [00:17:51] mother-in-law passed away and that's why [00:17:53] he's not here so please send our [00:17:55] condolences [00:17:57] um [00:17:58] that if if there were a non-binding [00:18:01] referendum they have a certain amount of [00:18:04] time [00:18:05] um that they can go in front of the [00:18:07] gaming commission and that [00:18:10] February to purchase the property and [00:18:13] depending on [00:18:14] where this goes they'd be purchasing the [00:18:17] property without gaining commission [00:18:18] approval because they couldn't go back [00:18:20] until 2010 2024. [00:18:22] so [00:18:24] um [00:18:24] and that is with regard to the cost of [00:18:27] the election and whether they'd be [00:18:28] willing to carry the cost of the [00:18:30] election [00:18:31] s [00:18:34] thank you [00:18:39] the record my name is John Scott media [00:18:41] representative the applicant the cost of [00:18:44] the election is not an issue we've paid [00:18:46] a non-refundable five thousand dollars [00:18:48] computer pay for fees and if there are [00:18:51] we're happy to pay your legal fees or [00:18:53] engineering fees or anything else [00:18:55] the cost is is a non-issue the question [00:18:58] is if it's a binding vote then we're in [00:19:02] queue to continue through a process if [00:19:05] it's a non-bining vote you have a [00:19:07] non-binding quote and then you have to [00:19:08] go through the binding vote again next [00:19:11] year and instead of being in queue for [00:19:15] 2023 we're now in queue for 2024. [00:19:20] and so [00:19:23] I don't [00:19:24] know whether this group is prepared to [00:19:27] stay and purchase the property for [00:19:29] another year without the community [00:19:31] having any without there being any [00:19:33] defined process you're not inviting us [00:19:36] to come back you're not setting a [00:19:37] process you're just saying we don't know [00:19:40] that's not really giving us any [00:19:42] direction to figure out what we want to [00:19:45] do and we have not pressured the [00:19:48] community we've not said anything but we [00:19:51] do need some guidance that says [00:19:54] come and show us more do more spend more [00:19:57] or not [00:20:00] that's all we're just looking for a [00:20:01] signal [00:20:13] I guess when you you stated that you [00:20:17] want a signal I mean you got the 420 [00:20:19] people to sign your petition you [00:20:23] crap crap but that's the voters of the [00:20:27] town are the majority of owners of this [00:20:29] community [00:20:30] now I also known as a [00:20:33] large amount on the other side of this [00:20:36] issue [00:20:38] we can vote here tonight and say yes [00:20:42] and then we can go through this whole [00:20:45] process and end up at the end of this [00:20:48] with people turning this down anyhow [00:20:52] so [00:20:53] I guess my question to you is [00:20:56] I mean how how much Direction can we [00:20:59] give you besides we're willing to move [00:21:00] forward with this by putting this [00:21:03] out there for an election [00:21:06] so I [00:21:09] said I I understand the process here [00:21:12] so the process I've stopped you [00:21:15] is the board has a role in that process [00:21:18] a non-binding referendum is doesn't tell [00:21:22] us anything because it's likely to go [00:21:25] back to a binding record at some point [00:21:27] after that [00:21:28] and we are going forward and purchasing [00:21:31] a piece of property without three people [00:21:33] who are the community leaders telling us [00:21:37] proceed don't proceed we're happy to pay [00:21:40] for a binding election we happen to pay [00:21:42] for whatever the community's costs are [00:21:44] at the end of the day that gives us an [00:21:47] answer sometime early next year as to [00:21:50] whether or not the community wants us to [00:21:51] proceed or doesn't want us to proceed [00:21:53] and we can purchase the property the [00:21:56] purchase and sales agreement to public [00:21:57] doctor [00:21:58] it's almost four million dollars for us [00:22:00] to purchase this property we're [00:22:02] purchasing it under the good faith that [00:22:04] we have an Pathway to go forward [00:22:07] a non-binding referendum means nothing [00:22:10] it's it's a nice statement of the [00:22:12] community 421 signatures is amazing that [00:22:15] by the way we had nothing to do with [00:22:17] nothing [00:22:20] a very strong statement [00:22:23] I mean I would suggest I would ask [00:22:27] put it forward to a binding or in front [00:22:29] of whip we're happy we're not going to [00:22:31] stand in the way of a referendum [00:22:33] make the referendum count for something [00:22:35] if the referendum doesn't count we [00:22:37] haven't made any progress whatsoever and [00:22:40] you've asked voters to take an opinion [00:22:41] and then you've got to go through the [00:22:43] 13A process all over again next year and [00:22:46] you're going to spend an entire year [00:22:48] having a debate about whether or not to [00:22:50] proceed that's a lot to ask in the [00:22:52] business [00:22:54] we're just asking can we proceed can we [00:22:56] go to [00:22:57] the planning board can we come back to [00:22:59] the select them with plans can we do [00:23:00] engineering and designs and drawings can [00:23:03] we start reading horses [00:23:06] a non-binding election doesn't let us do [00:23:08] any of that and asks us go spend four [00:23:11] million dollars [00:23:12] and I can tell you from talking to the [00:23:14] people who own the property today 10 [00:23:16] acres they're unlikely to give us an [00:23:18] extension [00:23:20] so if we don't purchase the property by [00:23:22] the end of February [00:23:25] then you'll see some other applications [00:23:28] nothing else [00:23:29] um we're flexible we want to be helpful [00:23:32] but we need some process [00:23:36] and the committee you described I looked [00:23:39] in and I read about your landfill [00:23:41] committee it seems like a very thorough [00:23:43] process to go through and get community [00:23:45] value [00:23:46] I don't know why you wouldn't perceive [00:23:49] with something that ends up in a diet [00:23:51] level with us we've given you a document [00:23:53] that's our first attempt to tell you our [00:23:56] legal commitments to you if you want to [00:23:58] see us put a committee together and tell [00:24:01] them [00:24:02] negotiate with us [00:24:04] but non-binding isn't going to get us [00:24:08] any signal other than something that [00:24:10] doesn't [00:24:11] mean anything [00:24:13] I don't know I'm trying to answer your [00:24:15] question we're hap it's not about money [00:24:18] we won't be any further along [00:24:21] after a non-binding election except that [00:24:23] we will have to come back here again and [00:24:25] ask you to put a binding election on and [00:24:27] I will tell you from The Passion of the [00:24:29] folks behind from my perspective [00:24:31] this is going to a binding election [00:24:34] why you want to have a non-binding [00:24:35] election followed by a lengthy process [00:24:37] of public hearings followed by a binding [00:24:39] election [00:24:40] okay that doesn't give me a signal that [00:24:44] you're prepared to have a meaningful [00:24:45] dialogue [00:24:46] if you want to have a decision let the [00:24:48] community make a decision [00:25:02] thank you John [00:25:03] did you want to say something [00:25:06] yes Alex is there anything that we've [00:25:10] missed or anything we've I've misspoken [00:25:12] on that you need to correct or [00:25:17] it's [00:25:22] hardly within or procedural discretion [00:25:25] but [00:25:27] um [00:25:31] I think he was accurately summarized the [00:25:35] board's options here and it's just you [00:25:38] know attend Stephanie I think it's [00:25:40] laid out the Practical implications of [00:25:43] what will happen but then you're not [00:25:45] how you decide to proceed uh [00:25:48] But ultimately whether or not to you [00:25:51] know reconsider your initial vote [00:25:54] within the board's procedural [00:25:55] distraction [00:25:57] in my opinion [00:26:02] thank you [00:26:04] um Brian from a procedural standpoint if [00:26:08] um from the timing wise when [00:26:11] realistically if the board decides to [00:26:13] reconsider and does a new yoga uh yes [00:26:17] vote [00:26:18] gets the petition in when are we likely [00:26:20] looking at a special election [00:26:30] so from the standpoint of your comments [00:26:33] John [00:26:34] um [00:26:36] that fits in with your timeline right [00:26:39] okay [00:26:41] um and again it's not about their [00:26:42] timeline it's about what's best for the [00:26:44] town but is it to know sort of all of [00:26:46] the things to in front of us [00:26:50] any other discussion on this in the [00:26:52] board [00:26:58] I I did say I didn't want to entertain [00:27:00] questions from the audience so I can't I [00:27:03] can't start because it's just gonna [00:27:06] it's not fair and we're trying to be [00:27:08] trying to be fair here [00:27:13] what's our pleasure [00:27:16] I have emotions if [00:27:19] um want to reconsider [00:27:22] um [00:27:23] we can make a motion to not reconsider [00:27:26] it's the board's [00:27:30] option [00:27:32] I just need a motion if we're ready to [00:27:34] make a motion [00:27:40] um these are the motions [00:27:51] all right [00:28:01] yes [00:28:04] sir [00:28:06] no way [00:28:08] to expedite this into a binding without [00:28:10] causing people to go back [00:28:18] we need to go through this whole [00:28:19] petition [00:28:22] yes [00:28:31] thank you [00:28:33] I understand [00:28:40] I really don't want everybody tearing [00:28:42] each other apart those weeks of [00:28:43] petitions [00:28:51] motion we make last time characters [00:29:00] and assuming we are [00:29:02] just the majority of these places [00:29:36] his costume [00:29:40] all right I'll make this motion [00:29:43] um I moved to reconsider the vote taken [00:29:46] on October 27th to deny the location the [00:29:50] Horus race track at the property located [00:29:52] in the town of Arctic known as [00:29:55] Great Meadow Grove Farm 228 Barry Road [00:29:59] uh more fully described deeds and record [00:30:02] at the Whistler South District registry [00:30:05] Deeds at book [00:30:08] 66167 page 367 persuade to General law [00:30:15] 128 a section 13A [00:30:24] so it's been moved and seconded [00:30:27] um any discussion before we call for [00:30:29] vote [00:30:33] I I guess I will say this [00:30:36] um [00:30:39] I still sort of feel the way I feel [00:30:42] um but it's becoming overwhelmingly [00:30:45] clear [00:30:46] um to us even though I've read and um [00:30:49] read all your wonderful comments about [00:30:51] how you have faith in us and you elected [00:30:53] us to do this job [00:30:55] um we can't possibly filter or know [00:30:58] everything that you all want to say [00:31:01] um and we're not hearing from everybody [00:31:03] uh you know the the no vote brought this [00:31:07] petition forward however these [00:31:09] signatures ended up on the petition [00:31:11] they're here [00:31:12] um and it's clear uh probably even [00:31:14] clearer for me now that [00:31:16] that really the townspeople should vote [00:31:18] on us [00:31:22] so it's been moved and seconded [00:31:24] um any other discussion [00:31:27] okay so we're going to do a roll call on [00:31:30] this I'm going to start left and go [00:31:32] across Rob yes [00:31:36] Julie is a yes [00:31:39] Kelly no [00:31:42] Rob is a yes Julie is a yes Kelly is a [00:31:45] no so the motion carries to reconsider [00:31:47] our about [00:31:49] so [00:31:53] thanks everybody [00:31:57] so [00:31:58] um the motion that was mentioned last [00:32:01] time and I will read it [00:32:03] um [00:32:03] so I will entertain a motion to approve [00:32:06] pursuant to General Law chapter 128a [00:32:10] section 13A the location of a horse race [00:32:13] track at the property located in the [00:32:14] town of Hardwick known as great medical [00:32:16] Farm 228 Mary Road more fully described [00:32:19] in a deed recorded at the Worcester cell [00:32:21] District registry of deeds at book 66167 [00:32:25] page 367 said approval shall be subject [00:32:29] to the following conditions at execution [00:32:31] of a host Community agreement applicant [00:32:34] obtains all necessary local permits and [00:32:37] approvals and agriculture land [00:32:40] preservation committee determines that [00:32:42] the project is consistent with the local [00:32:44] APR [00:32:49] IL [00:32:54] I'll make the motion [00:32:57] as Julie just read [00:33:00] a second second [00:33:03] so the motion has been made and seconded [00:33:07] um any discussion on this motion [00:33:12] no [00:33:13] um I will just say that um [00:33:17] I emphasize the conditions [00:33:20] um the motion is that the approval is [00:33:23] conditional or subject to these [00:33:24] conditions [00:33:26] the host Community agreement [00:33:28] obtaining all necessary permits and [00:33:30] approvals and agricultural land [00:33:33] preservation committee determination [00:33:36] so [00:33:37] um these things need to be in place the [00:33:39] approval is conditional honor [00:33:44] okay are we ready to vote [00:33:47] okay I will call the rule Rob yes [00:33:52] Julie is yes [00:33:55] no [00:33:56] again [00:33:57] um Rob is yes Julian is yes Kelly is now [00:34:00] so the motion carries so [00:34:03] um what that means is we have just voted [00:34:05] yes on this [00:34:07] and I can tell you um [00:34:10] again the three of us I'm sure have lost [00:34:13] lots of sleep over this as you have [00:34:16] um there is no winning situation here [00:34:19] um this situation is a little different [00:34:20] than the landfill because the statue [00:34:22] provided that the landfill discussion [00:34:25] could go directly to the town and to a [00:34:27] vote we don't have that option under 120 [00:34:31] um I never get the section right uh 128 [00:34:35] a section 13 a so the vote that we have [00:34:38] just taken is the only way to get it to [00:34:40] you to vote [00:34:42] um I can imagine that if there are 420 [00:34:45] people who signed the petition to have [00:34:46] this reconsidered there will be [00:34:49] um the appropriate number of Voters to [00:34:51] get the petition to get this moving so [00:34:55] um [00:34:56] I think we're anticipating seeing that [00:34:58] and the process will continue to move [00:35:01] forward [00:35:04] this is you know I sort of sitting up [00:35:07] here with regard to I'm thinking about [00:35:09] the same thing as the USDA when we [00:35:11] finally got the USDA funding back and [00:35:15] um after a long process I think we all [00:35:18] wanted to celebrate but honestly it was [00:35:21] just a feeling it's been such a long [00:35:23] process I think the three of us are sort [00:35:26] of sitting up here somber because we [00:35:28] felt like this is the decision we needed [00:35:31] to to go with well you saw the votes [00:35:35] um and every one of us has a road to our [00:35:37] own opinion [00:35:39] I respect everyone here everyone in the [00:35:42] audience with regard to your own [00:35:44] opinions but it just it doesn't feel [00:35:46] like a good yes though so I will just [00:35:48] say that [00:35:49] um you can take that for whatever it [00:35:51] means uh um any other business anything [00:35:55] we should be considering Alex with [00:35:56] regard to this proposal or anything [00:36:00] else from the group [00:36:04] okay so what you're doing here is a [00:36:07] motion to adjourn [00:36:08] um and it was seconded [00:36:10] um all those in favor of returning [00:36:14] aye the meeting is adjourned at 7 14. [00:36:17] please a couple things housekeeping if [00:36:20] you wouldn't mind helping with the [00:36:21] chance thank you Rick also [00:36:24] um please take copy and cookies with you [00:36:27] um they were kind enough to be brought [00:36:29] here so so please take them with you