Um, hi. This is the regular monthly meeting of the Dayton Economic Development Committee. This meeting is being recorded for replay on local cable access and on the town YouTube channel. Not all items listed may in fact be
discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law. And now join me in the pledge of allegiance. [Music] I pledge allegiance to the flag United States of America and to the republic
for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Um, so the next item for discussion is to discuss, review, act on adding an associate member to the committee. Some
committees in town have this. Con conservation does it. Planning doesn't. I don't know. But I'm not sure who else besides conservation, but um basically it's a non- voting member of the committee. And it's also somebody in the wings. If you have an opening, they're
familiar, they can step right in and join and become a voting member. So the first question is um are we interested in having associate members? >> Sure. >> Absolutely. >> Right. So, um, somebody like to make a motion that, um, and I I imagine I have
I have to ask the selectman to allow us to do it, but whether we just do it or we have they have to get their permission, but either way, would somebody like to make a motion to allow associate members? >> I'll make that second. >> Second. >> All in favor?
>> I The eyes have it. The second is we have a candidate for an associate member which is um Robert Gear. I don't know if you want to join us up here at the table. You can join us up here. Have plenty of seating.
Um I don't you want to tell us a little about yourself and you have a business in Dyon? Um, so I'm a local startup yard care service business here, uh, centered in Dyton for the promoting of local, uh, Dyon business and, um, proudly serving
our community. Um, I grew up in a small town, so I understand the values of tradition. Um, I come from a family where my father volunteered for the Lions Club, so I understand what giving back to the community means. And I also grew up on
some farmland, grew a little bit of rice in Northern California. So, um, I've dipped my toes in some dirt here and there. Um, but as we did that, that was all through family entrepreneurship. So, I got to be exposed to not only the
labor side of it, but the actual working side of it, which has then propelled me into where I'm put myself into a position of starting my own business as of this year. So in that and returning back to Dyon for being away for a year,
I thought what better way to give back than actually being part of the development coun. >> Anybody have any questions for is it Rob? Robert, >> whatever works. Rob, Robbie. >> Okay, Robbie. Okay. Does anybody have any questions for Robbie?
No. Um, would somebody like to make a motion that we ask the selectant to appoint him as an associate member to the committee? >> I'll make that motion. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Right. So, I'll send a letter to the
selectman making that request. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Um, the next item is you can stay here. Okay. >> I don't like having my back. >> I know. >> We have it.
discuss review act on a joint proposal with open space committee to acquire development rights to agricultural land. So, this has actually come up a couple times with the community preservation committee. Um, and I did talk briefly
about it with uh Jonathan Gail who's on open space, but the idea would be that the CPC would buy well one the CPC has some funds funds available, but they're not so rich then go buy land. I mean, they
just don't have enough to like buy anything substantial. But you don't have to buy the land. You can buy the development rights to the land and write the deed in whatever restrictions you want. And the idea would be that by the development rights,
write it as the land owner has agricultural use of it or maybe they have a house on it of their own personal property, whatever, but it's a commercial farm. Um, and the town actually holds the deed, not
the deed to the land. they have the deed to the property rights. They could sell it if they want. You know, they could use it as an asset when they're doing their bonding that, you know, this is part of the town's property. And at that point, it come
under the control of the land use committee. Like, do we want to keep it? Do we want to dispose of it? No. But it's ours now. Um so the question would be um what do people think of the idea in general and do we
want to form like a little working committee with open space um to figure out like what would actually be the logistics? What would it cost? How much could property could you really do? What would be the criterion for who could apply and how would we
select a person? There aren't a tremendous number of farms in town, but there are a few. And if you expand it to say not just farming, but animal, horiculture, you know, if you want to expand it. So,
um, the first would be just like what do people think of it in general? And then we can think about like do we want to work jointly with open space to try to put something together and then bring it to CPC. >> I say yes. So yes,
>> it's been this is like a a lot a big topic amongst the groups that I've >> um a part of and MDAR has been working on this as well. M Dar meaning the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources in case someone else doesn't
know that >> a group that we could leverage for support as we go through it. >> You can use them and Land for Good and American Farm Land Trust as well. They're all work together. Actually,
there was um a webinar a couple weeks ago about um doing something like that for man municipalities to >> Yeah. do that. >> I'm kind of lost here. Uh where would
the land come from? >> One of the local farmers. >> So, in other words, if I own the farm, >> a commercial farm and operating farm. Yeah. >> Right. Then the land use committee would buy the
rights. >> Development rights. >> Development rights. >> Yeah. So you can't develop the property because you know you've sold the rights to develop the property. >> Correct. Correct. So now the land use committee would farm it or
>> No, the land use committee like it the land use committee um watches out over all town owned property. all town >> like every piece of parcel that the town owns that's what the land use does they review it they every now and then they make a suggestion about selling it you
know they meet I don't think I think they meet like once a year or so to talk about things but that's about it um but it would kind of fall under them because it's a deed piece of property not dirt
it's rights to a piece of dirt but still a deed deed asset. So it'll kind of like >> So all that means is that nobody can build on it. >> No, we own the rights to build it. >> They can't develop it,
>> right? So but the commercial farmer can still commercially farm that land. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Well, actually, here's the thing. You can structure the deed whatever the two parties agree to structure the deed as. And you can say I mean in our minds like to help one give an injection of capital
into farming and two preserve the land. So um but in theory it's like you write the deed however you want to write the deed if the two parties agree to it. It's that simple. That's why I said maybe you allow them to have if they
live on the property maybe allow them to have a house. They just can't build more houses, you know. Maybe allow them to say like you can put as many like farm related outuildings as you want. That's fine. We don't care about that, you know, but you can't build a small
factory or, you know, a duplex or, you know, whatever. >> Yeah. >> Is it much demand for that? >> Uh, I say yes. It just helps out the
farmer with a little more money. I I did something similar with some property that's uh APR, agricultural preservation restriction where the state and the town
of Secon used their um money to they gave it to was my parents. Um so I can never ever ever build on a piece of >> which I'm sure you're okay with that because Yeah. No, I mean >> it but the other they like it took about
two years to get to go through this whole process and it cost us money with surveyors and all this other and lawyers and it was a big pain in the butt >> but that was an agricultural restriction. >> Yes. So this is better
>> that and agricultures expire. They have a they have a term usually >> forever. It depends upon how it's how it's structured. But because sometimes they're like good for 25 years or something, >> but this way the state does it. It's
it's forever and I have to farm it or else >> you have to give the money back. >> Okay. >> Oh, really? >> Just got something for us to think about, too. It's like, >> wow, >> we paid you for the development rights
and well, we don't want to back out because we want to preserve the land. So, I don't know. It's one of those things you'd have to think about like as process, >> managing the property. >> Yeah. You don't want them to just cash in on the check that you're giving them and then they leave the commercial piece
behind because then we lose the tax revenue. Right. >> Then you've got open land but it's not being farmed. Right. >> Right. So, it's got >> I know someone that owns >> about 400 and some odd acres and not in this town, but and he wants
to sell the rights to continue it. >> Yeah. >> As a golf as as a golf tournament. A golf course. >> Golf course. >> Oh, yeah. >> And um he's having a hard time. They're
not they don't have the money or enough money to actually buy those records. >> Well, 400 acres is a lot. So, >> well, it's only money. >> Uh but you know, I thought that was a great uh thing. So, this is very similar
to that in a sense. Yeah. So, >> um >> I I I think it's a great idea. I really do. So, I think the easiest way is not like have us meeting with open space, but just have like a working committee of one or two people >> that are interested in this. I'd love to
have you be part of that. >> Sure. >> Um, and we get Open Space to designate somebody or two people and they can hash it all out, figure out what's best, come up with a recommendation, bring it back for everybody's in agreement. then he
could go to CBC and select it and say what do you think about this what we're proposing and some point down the road and so um that said I don't think we really need a motion to approve this but we do need to have people who are willing to
work on a like a subgroup with open space and you just said you would be willing to >> yes >> is anybody else interested in doing that >> a new group >> I I don't want to >> provided I get on the committee and that made sense for me. >> Like broken space, so that's why
>> I'm going to try and jump back on with the team. >> Okay. Um >> Oh, yeah. I think I did say that. >> Yes. >> So, I'm also interested in doing it. So, as far as current members that from our side >> and then I'll reach out to Jonathan Gale and say, you know, he has to believe he's out of the country right now on a
vacation. So, but when he gets back and we'll say, can we tee up with you and get this going? So, okay. So, >> I think it's a great idea. I just don't want to put myself up on too many things because I
>> because you know a lot of people >> I do unfortunately well I don't shouldn't say unfortunately it's a lot of people that I know are really good people but it's um so I I I've got a lot my hands on a lot of different things
and it's building a new house >> Yeah. Yeah. Um, so the next item is discuss review act on a giveaway of outdoor advertising to local uh business.
So I'm on in the Lions Club. Um, the Lions, if you may or may not know, have signs around town >> that they use as fundraisers. So, people rent for the month, and they charge $250 a month for two locations of
double-sided signs, and the ones they have right now are at the corner of Warner. >> Um, and I guess at Spring. Um, and then one on Route 138 opposite the tennis courts. >> Um, they asked the selectmen if they
could put up two more and they agreed. So the two new ones are going to be at Forest and Tremont and at Center and Williams. So as it happens, I happen to be the person in the Lions Club that was responsible for finding buyers. Well, I
mean like to rent it for the month. And most people's like they take it. It's May and they just take it every May, year after year. They want it for May and they want it for June or whatever. So, I had no trouble finding people to take this. And I actually held a couple in reserve
>> because there were I wanted to go around like to all the small places in town like uh Haley's Diner, which just opened recently. Um, Puddle Jumpers. I went to a couple other small businesses in town said, you know, we're doing this. I know people want it,
but I wanted to try to attract some small businesses and see if you want this opportunity, too. And they all said the same thing, which is I'd love to. I can't afford $250 a month. That's way beyond my budget, you know, and that's just the reality of, you know, I'm
running a small business. And um so the idea would be would we and I'm going to recuse myself for this because I have conflicts conflicts here, but would we be interested in purchasing a
month or maybe two months, but at least a month from the Lions Club at a rate of $250 and that is giving it away by drawing a name out of the hat basically of some local business.
The only thing they'd be responsible for is the signs that they have to be printed up that are certain size and format and so forth. They're like 20 bucks per sign. It's double-sided, so that would be their only cost. But >> that's it for the >> Yeah. >> signs. We work with a local site and
sign maker that just does it, you know, at cost. So, um, I don't know what people think about the idea. It's like it cost us 250. Um, if we did it for a month, it cost us 500 if we did it for two months. And there aren't many months available. Basically,
it's January, September, December are the three available months. And I've got people lined up for them. But I wanted to like try to find a way to offer it to small businesses first and since they
can't afford it, you know, this would be an another way of approaching it. So, >> I like the idea, but what is the criteria as to who puts their business in the hat? >> Well,
one, we have a lot of business in town that wouldn't benefit from it. I mean, we have got people that make shelving for submarines. They do custom molding for factories with metal parts. Um,
not everybody is going to benefit from a sign on William Street, you know. The ones that would benefit from it are the same ones that have put their names out on the town directory, you know. So, I thought if your name's on the town directory,
your name goes in the hat. um they could refuse. They might say, "I thank you very much. I don't really interested." But that would be the pool. >> Um and also if we advertised it and say, "This is what we're doing." We might get a few more people that say, "I'd like to have my name on the town directory
because I'd like to be entered and it actually is a good place, you know, for advertising and that sort of thing." as I speak to um Lane Gardens and uh the late anchor. Neither of which are
on the directory. >> I'm on the directory. >> You are l I don't think so. >> I know. I filled out something to be on there. >> Oh, okay. I'll follow up with you then. Sorry. >> Like a long time ago. >> Okay. Maybe I'm mistaken then. All
right. So, okay. you'll be in the unless you >> get her on. >> Um, but I mean we can work out what the criteria would be. That was my idea for a criteria. Do we want to
vote to approve say one month $250? So basically, we would be taking the money out of our budget, >> our budget, and paying the lions >> because they're the ones who are doing this. Um, and the signs would be
whatever business we wind up like giving the month to. >> Sounds good to me. >> Sounds like >> I mean, the other thing is our budget for this year is $900. When we put in that budget, which I'll talk about later, we had this idea in
mind that we were going to be hiring a marketing company to help us put together a video. >> As of last April, we found out we're going to get that for free. You know, so we had money we were trying to save from last year. We were putting a budget
together for this year in anticipation of pulling it and helping with that. And then the DR high school's marketing department came along and said like we'd love to do that for you at no charge. So you know we have available funds basically. So
>> and if we don't use it we lose it. >> Yeah. So so somebody wanted how much? Well I should say one month or two months. >> I'm going to say one. >> One. Okay. >> Because I don't want to >> have businesses that want to be there to
have the opportunity. >> Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Um, since I would just need to know, are we looking at January, September, or next December? The signs
are still in the process of being built. So maybe you said January January of this of next year, September of next year >> or December of next year. Um
I January would not give us a lot of time to advertise this and let us know. Mhm. >> September would be just beyond town meeting and are having to re re you know give away the money unless we you know
encumber it or just pay in advance. So you know I was thinking maybe September >> our fiscal year >> June June but if we got a invoice or we just paid it in advance we could do next September. >> Okay.
>> All right. Would somebody like to make that motion? >> I'll make that motion. >> Okay. A second. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I >> I >> I. >> Right. So, so yes. Thank you. Um I
abstain for reasons of conflict. Um >> so are you going to be putting out a email to the people diretory this plan? >> She better get one. Yeah.
>> Um, so yeah, I guess I should do one saying here's what we're doing with a cut off date. >> Mhm. >> And saying if you're not on the directory, but you're interested so you can participate,
please let us know by X date. I mean, it takes me literally five minutes to update the directory once that they give me the information about what they want. So that's not a big deal. Um, what's it if we're thinking about next September, so we have kind of a long leeway to
build up to this. Um, when do you think we should start saying like we're doing it, you know, here's the cut off date, blah, blah, blah. We have we seem to we'll have plenty of time, you know, because we, you know,
we're talking next September, but still could start advertising it whenever. >> How about like June? I give somebody three months to come up with their a quarter or so to come up with, you know, some dollars to put that
to pay for their sign. >> I mean, 20 bucks. I mean or 40 actually because two signs but >> if they can't afford 20 bucks >> better get another business >> and that so that's there's going to be
four signs but only you get one. >> No. Um well actually I guess we should ask that. The idea is for $250 you get two locations double-sided at each location. So it's one two three four signs. Actually it's
80 bucks I should say. Okay. Like that's really cheap. Um unless we wanted to break it up and we offer it to two people like this person gets Saturn Williams, this person gets Trumant and uh Forest and we
>> But some like I don't go on Tmont Forest. I do see the one that's >> 138. So then not not everybody travels in the same town. having it both places is okay. >> So like end of May, beginning of June,
we can start letting it known, starts talking about like if you're not on this is we're going to give it to somebody on the directory. If you're not on the directory, here's how you get on the directory. And as we get close to that, we can set a date for actually picking a name. And we have to just allow enough time for them to work with the U sign
maker to get the signs made. Not a huge deal. So, >> it wouldn't hurt to like maybe in the new year to mention that >> this is our upcoming plan for the year kind of thing like, okay, be on the lookout, save the date.
>> Okay, good. >> That way it gives enough time for people to put their information into the directory. >> Think about what we'll put on the sign. >> Oh, yeah. That's true. >> That too. Yeah. If they don't have an a graphics
and they don't have a layout, then the sign maker is gonna have a problem and he's willing to help them, but then you're going to have to start paying him to help you. >> So, but if you've got a graphic, you got a format you want to use, then it's just the 20 bucks per sign.
Um, the next item I have is discuss view act on support for the upcoming I have December 1st through 30, it's actually just December 1st auction of 620 Spring Street Mill building. Um, so that's been
advertised now for like two weeks, week and a half. It started it popped up on the web. Um Joe um and I have both actually started telling people that we know who at some point in the past said, you know, wouldn't that be cool to own the will
and um whether they're interested or not. So the auction is u going to be $750,000 minimum bid. Obviously the building itself is valued by the town like for tax purposes at like three and a quarter
or something million but um there are issues you know there's a outstanding tax bill there's uh parts of the property that are um on file with the state as being hazardous and there's
restrictions on how it can be used. Um there's some maintenance issues. So 750 sounds sounds cheap until you have to >> structural issues as well. >> Well, I was told now I did talk to somebody there who been there for a long
time as an employee um through multiple owners. Um the structural issues are the roof in some areas and rotting windows that have to be replaced.
But not like the stonework is collapsing or the bricks are giving away. That kind that's more cosmetic. Now that he's not an engineer, so I mean the new buyer would have to do their due diligence obviously. And um
I also um talked to and sent an email to the Ton Chamber of Commerce because they post that stuff. Um, I talked to, um, I always screw up his last name, Jay. Um, Pia Pakos. He's the director of economic
development for Taton. So, he reposted it on his Instagram feed. Um, our website, um, www.ditonbusiness.com, um, has a list of properties available, so I posted it there. Um, I personally
put it on LinkedIn. Um, I talked to the office of economic development in Boston and they're going to spread the word. Um, and then I called the realtor and I said,
"One, in your real estate listing, you have this zone for light industry only." I said, "It's not that's not a true statement. It's zoned industrial and it's zoned industrial overlay. Each of which either by right or by special
permit give you options about what you can do. And it's a lot more than just light industry. Could be heavy industry. It could handle hazardous material in there. At least it's zoned for it. Um it could um be used for retail with a special permit. It could be sort of
license a restaurant with a special permit. I mean, it's a big building, but you could have a lot of different things going on in there. >> This building is somewhere around 500 and over 500,000. >> 550, right?
>> Yeah. 550 something like that. 552 552 and 500. >> Yeah. 33 acres. >> So, >> wow. >> Big go back towards >> G. A lot of chickens in there, you know.
No, mine like to be outside. >> You can let them out in the roof. >> Hawks would get them. >> Oh, >> the Eagles. >> Um, so I also let planning board and town
administrator know just planning tends to get questions about things like that when things pop up in town. So, just so you prepared. So the other thing is at a meeting two meetings ago um Paul
Reynolds was here and he was suggesting that the town should adopt what's called chapter 43D expedited permitting for hazardous sites. As it turns out, the town already
adopted that in 2015. They didn't do anything with it, but they did go to town meeting and it was approved. So what it means is the town is willing to for for things that are designated as
hazardous waste sites, the town is willing to step up and say if you want to redevelop it, we'll commit to a um timeline. I forget what it is like 8 months, nine months to vote to give you a yes or no vote across
all committees. So, planning, conservation, storm water has at most nine months to make a decision. Um, and the applicant can't run out the clock. I mean, that's nine months of our the town's time, you know. So, that's what
the town agrees to. But more importantly, once you have that, oh, so this the town approved it, the selectmen then have the authority to say, we're going to apply it to this particular property like 620 Spring
Street, but the selectmen have to do that. And the selectmen have never designated any property to use this for. Um, and then the state reviews it and agrees. And once you have this
designation, one thing it opens up to the owner is a lot of opportunities for state funds for remediation, rehabilitation of the property that you know it's a hazardous site that you're willing to do something
with, mitigate, clean up, whatever will help you. So that's the advantage to doing it. So, I spoke to the selectman's office about getting on a future agenda in November, so prior to this auction, and
seeing if the selectment are willing to designate 620 Spring Street as a site for this 43B expedited permitting. >> So, let me get this. So if the select
say yes, then >> it means that >> they don't have to wait the whole 9 months. >> Well, it means that the town if somebody comes forward and says I want to do this kind of renovation inside the building, the town committee saying, "Okay, we'll
across all committees. We're not going to drag it out more than 9 months to give you an answer." Now, we'll have we can give you an up or no vote based, you know, how valid the proposal is. But it won't take longer than 9 months.
>> That's to clean it up. >> No. Well, that's to do that's to get that's for us to approve it. For the planning board to give their approval con to give their approval, storm water to give their approval. N months. >> N months. >> I was going to say is 9 months Nashville. Is that an expedited?
>> I mean, because true, right? Like if I'm building for a sales, that's never story. That's me. >> I live around the block. Um, but >> I'm I'm thinking so if I wanted to buy that
building or whatever and wanted to run some kind of a business like a recycling business out of it. Is that what you're >> Yeah. And let's say you need to make some renovations to the parking lot or
the building or maybe that's a special permit application because some of them are probably special permit then yeah we're saying that the town commits to giving you a yes or no vote using the normal rules but a yes or no vote within
a cut a expedited time frame. I I am double checking the nine months. I'm saying that by memory. No, it's not expediting. >> Thinking of one particular thing, ICI, I believe,
>> on the corner of uh Maine in 138. >> Mhm. >> That was ICI, right? >> Yeah. Uh there was somebody that wanted to start a business of recycling
leftover vegetables and things like that from the stores where they would come in and just dump this stuff and they would >> compost it, >> compost it and things like that. >> Need leaves >> and that didn't go anywhere. I think
this particular thing would be a really good as we all know there's a lot of money in that >> compost >> you know >> 180 days so six six months 6 months 180
days >> a long time >> it it's not it's not when it comes to when you start dealing with engineering and boards and this and that you know attorneys I can't do it this month, you know, I
have to do it that next month. It it's it's not a lot of time. It took me three years to get a development to go through and that'll borrow. Sorry. >> So to are people in Sounds like you are
some people in favor of going to the selectmen and asking them to designate 620 spring under this vision that the town already adopted? >> I Yeah. Right. Um why don't we just take a a vote on it and um
somebody like to make that motion? >> I'll make that motion. >> I have a second. >> Second. >> Second. All in favor? Hi. >> Hi. Um, so I'll let you know what the date is. I believe it's going to be the set the Wednesday, which I think is the
17th of November is what Leanne in the selectments office suggested. Um, so u and then we can decide, you know, who would like to present to them and who wants to just show up for support and that kind of stuff. So
>> Okay. >> Okay. Um, but the idea is that if we can do it in November, we can tell the realtor >> Mhm. >> by the way, this property has been designated and tell all your clients this and maybe somebody who's on the
fence will now like maybe I'll bid on it, you know? So, who knows? Is it possible for you probably don't know that for anybody to come in and buy this without it going out to auction?
>> Probably the owners are the ones who are putting it up for auction. So they decide >> the owners are putting it up for auction. >> The new well I should say the mortgage holder. >> Okay. So the o so the owner defaulted
>> the mortgage owners have repossessed. They're forcing an auction. >> But that's >> So that means it's it's definitely a no no. >> It's a no. >> Yeah. It's it's got to go to auction. That's the only way it can it can. >> Now the mortgage owners are not a bank.
They're private >> of that matter. >> Trust, isn't it? Or something. >> No, it's I believe the company's called Feny Brothers. >> All right. Oh. >> Oh, they're like a big construction company, aren't they? >> Yes. >> They're actually the previous owners.
They sold it to the current owner and provided the mortgage for him to buy >> Mhm. >> to buy it. So, >> got it back. >> There's there's you things can change there.
I mean, if somebody wanted to approach the owner, I mean, the owner tried to sell the flat out. They just couldn't, but he was asking like $5 million, >> right? >> Um, but I had no idea legally if somebody were to approach either Feny Brothers or the owner and make an au an offer now to
and pull and they pulled the the plug on the auction. I I have no idea that's possible. >> It's not an at the situation. So that that that's if it was a bank, no way they they could sell it without that. But
>> I honestly think that this way it may actually be possible. >> It's possible. Yeah. So I know you know a lot of people. So
>> should I have not said that? >> No. But I have one particular person that would like to know all of that. >> Okay. Yeah. Pass it along. >> Absolutely. >> Um the next item is discuss where you act
on town attendance requirements for committee membership. Um, so this is just off the I'm not sure if these are bylaws or just selectmen rules that have been adopted, but um, any member of an appointed town committee
who fails to attend at least 60% of the committee's regular meeting in a six-month period shall be deemed to have vacated the office and may be replaced. Um, >> qualified for that. Okay. Valid exclusions do apply like absences for
valid medical, military or circumstances beyond the members of the control subject to review. Um, additionally, this is this says the handbook. So, this is just something that the select have adopted as a policy. The handbook notes that a member's appointment may be terminated if the member failed to
attend three consecutive meetings without explanation. Um, so we do have do one member who falls into that category. Um I think spoke to her recently and but uh Barbara
Kavia has not been here since January 27th was her last meeting date that she attended. Um counting tonight that would be the sixth one that she's missed um from January to now is obviously more than six months, but we've had several
meetings where we cancelled because we didn't have quorums. There were a couple we canceled because we didn't have any business to do. So we canceled in advance. Um but the question is uh whether we want to go to the selectman and say can you
please um vacate the seat currently owned by used by Barbara um because she hasn't been here in a while. I do email her on everything. I have not picked up the phone and called her um which perhaps I should be doing.
Is is she getting like the email that you're sending him to or is that >> he um I used to be sending it to her personal email back last January. She asked me to change it and send it to her a different email. So because she said she never checks her personal email. So
then I sent it to the new email and that's the one I've been using ever since. Notwithstanding, we meet the same time every month without fail. It's just this is our regular meeting. It's not like it's a it's ad hoc and you know you only
know about it if we call you up and let you know. Um so I'm not saying we make a decision tonight. Um but I just wanted to see what people thought and if you know I can reach out to her. I know you
been in more recent communication with her and see she might just say like yeah I just you know for whatever reasons what's going on I just I can't keep up with that. So, um, where do I fall? >> You're good.
>> Yeah, because I I don't think I've been to a meeting now. And >> we haven't had a meeting since uh July. >> Oh, okay. So, now I don't feel so bad. >> So, I thought August, September, we both
cancelled bank. >> No, I think we just both canceled because of no business actually. But >> but I can tell you if if I fall into that category, then I'll just send my resignation and that's the end. >> Just that's all right. Just send some
people. >> We don't know people. You got to stay. >> Oh, I won't open my mouth ever again for that. Um, and I know just open it up what people think and what you like to >> I know she Bomber has had some u medical
issues throughout the year. Um, and my suggestion is you say that you haven't been here for this amount of time. You've missed this many meetings. What would you like to do? Because it's a requirement to attend. >> Yeah, I think I don't know that I
actually have her phone number. I don't know if you could share that with me or Okay. All right. I just have an email. So, okay. All right. So, I'll do that. I can see what she decides she like to do. So, um
under old business. Um so, I did reach out because last April is when we talked to Dr. Marketing Department. It was um Patricia Madson is the instructor, the teacher there. Um, and the plan last April because it was
so close to graduation was they were going to get started knowing that the seniors are going to graduate soon, but it would be the seniors and the juniors. And then this year those juniors would now be seniors be the junior class rolling in and they can bring them up to speed.
Um, and you know, probably like spring is when they might have something for us. Um but I just reached out to her um a couple weeks ago and just said, you know, you have even just ideas you want to run past us,
we'd be glad to meet with the class, which we did. I did at least last April. And um Laura's expressed interest in joining if we do that again. um you know just don't wait till you have like a final product to show us you know just keep us in the loop and let us like give
feedback and edit and that kind of stuff. So she said yeah that's perfect and um so she's going to give us a call and or let me know when they're in a position to start having something to show us. So, and they're using a bunch of drone videography that we had done a couple
years ago, and I gave them some suggestions about like what kind of thing we're looking for, but kind of left it up to them to just be creative. So, >> that's good. >> Yeah. Um, the next item is discuss review act
on the revision of the town business guidelines with suggested new format. So this came up actually last year which is the town has some business guidelines. They were actually written maybe four years ago. I know they're being maintained. I mean they're pretty
comprehensive and they give you all the different things you need to know about the different committees and permitting and um functions of the town. This is all if you're starting a new business in town or you have a business and you just have questions. So it's like 90 pages long. Um, so the content
is not the question. It's just that it's just 90 pages of text, >> you know, paragraph after paragraph paragraph. >> So we were trying to think of how do you make this not so daunting to people. So
I happened recently to run across um different content. This is about um energy whatever energy utilization my notes here um
yeah I think it's about like people doing you know different types of energy management and around building codes and you know small solar functions for the house and so forth but I just like the way it was laid out you
I just thought it was just, you know, it was almost like a PowerPoint. It's bullet pointed. It covers the basics. It points you to, you know, more detail elsewhere. And if somebody's like thumbming through our business guide, it just seemed like this was a more
intuitive way of doing it. So, I remember that Paul Reynolds was um wanted to work on this back then. We just never came up with a good format, you know, that we thought would be an improvement. So, I just wanted to show
you this and get some thoughts about like what you think. And >> still a lot of material. I mean, >> but you're thinking more of like a punch list situation than just word up like >> Yeah. Maybe like a takes you someplace later in the document for, you know,
more detail. And >> they also do a lot of flowcharts. It's like, you know, >> you sent something out. >> Yeah. >> I like that part. >> Yeah. >> So, um I don't know. Just wanted to get feedback about whether you think it's
worth going down this kind of avenue and see what we can come up with. And >> absolutely. Anything to make it easier for the new guys. >> Yeah. >> People looking back to what >> Yeah. >> an old dog. I I just want to say thank
you for what you're doing because that's uh you know I' I've been on this board for way too long. Really not much has been happening from it.
But if it doesn't work this way the way you're doing it, might as well just end it. because if it doesn't work now, it's not going to work any other way. What you're doing is way beyond
anything that I have ever been involved in. So, thanks. >> I know you've done a lot in the past. >> Um, okay. So, I don't think that requires a motion. I just I'll check with Paul if he wants to like pick it up again and we'll see, you know, we come up with and it'll just be a ongoing
process. Mhm. >> Um although there are a lot there's a lot changing in terms of the flow. I mean planning and conservation are trying to align on how they do things so people aren't stuck in loops.
>> Storm waterers rewriting their stuff and they're trying to align with planning so people aren't being thrown to storm water and then having to come back and back and forth. >> That's it. That's always been a problem because you're going here, you're going, "Oh, no, no, you got to go there first. Oh, no, you got to go there." And if we can
get this thing organized in a way that you come in, boom, >> be business friendly. >> Absolutely. Absolutely. There's a lot of people that are throughout the years called Dy don't want to go there, you
know, and it's it's it's not good. It's not good. Don't take long to get that reputation. >> I guess takes a long time to lose it though. >> Yes. >> Lose a reputation like like to get a new better reputation takes a while. >> Yes. Yes. >> Yeah.
>> But to lose it from one minute to another. >> Um the next is discuss if you act on a new version of the marketing trifold. So we had done this a while ago. I hand these out places I go. There's some
sitting in town hall. with some sitting in the planning office. So, but I came up with a new slogan. >> I think I have one. >> You have the old one, the new one. >> So, the new slogan for what I have
>> slogan was discovery. >> Whatever. It was what it is. >> Yeah. >> So, the new >> place to do business. >> Yeah. So, the new slogan is close to everything far from ordinary. >> Yeah. Are you taking marketing classes? >> I I work in the marketing department. I
don't do marketing, but I sit in the office. >> Oh. >> And I I'm constantly like asking, "What do you think of those? What what would you suggest here?" blah blah blah. So, yeah, I'm benefiting from it. But the idea is just to kind of focus
more on the fact that yeah, we're not sitting on a highway, but we're not f I mean, we're close to >> 24 and 95, I95, you can get to Boston, the Cape, we're in the center of this whole area. >> Um, so kind of just put it in that
perspective. Um, and you know, in the middle of all that, we're kind of just we're a smaller town. It's easier to deal with. It's more personable. It's more scenic. You got more land. It's cheaper than a city. And just kind of like, you know, close
to everybody, but small town in the middle of all that mess. So, um, that was really the biggest rewrite of it. The rest of it is kind of I might have tweaked a little bit here and there with some some suggestions for how to
lay it out. But um the worst part is finding the right pieces of land that will invite invite businesses of different types and that
stuff. It just feel like >> and and actually Jeff um Kavalo from the planning board has been starting to talk about this too because he would like the planning board to get involved. But County Street like from the police
station down at least until you get to more wetlands area with res. But from there like down to like where the library area is, it's like that could really be in theory all business that you know up and down that road.
There a couple spots where, you know, the river crosses, but you know, there's at least a good half a mile of County Street where there are businesses now, but they're on huge parcels, a ton of land for each business.
You know, it looks really unattractive. Um there's a lot that could be done there, you know, in terms of if you just have more infill, you know, not every I mean I can see the auction house that's there, North Country House needs all
that land that they've got, they fill it up >> and then some >> and then some. But on other places, it's just they have a big lot and a little office with maybe some, you know, some out buildings and that kind of thing. They could be leasing that. They could be, you know, there could be other
businesses in the out and maybe they're missing an opportunity by not like carving it up a little bit. And >> some of those >> I I think they're filling up the uh the one that used to be the mill. >> Yeah,
>> they they're filling that place is >> is it? >> Yeah, it's filled up. I think they have different types of business inside there. They just put up that building. They do mechanical work. Yeah.
>> Um, and I I think they're spreading that. They could probably put some more in there, >> but he has that least for 100 years, I think. >> Yeah, >> there's some stipulation there that they
put into their lease agreement. So, even if they could probably do something else or subleasase it, I don't even know if that that's even in their contract, but >> um at least that's what one of them told
me. Um so as far as the others we have ICI after that and then the rest of it is all residential land which yeah we are on the mixed use
zoning but that's ledge there. I don't think anybody is going to want to go that route up until you get to the church. >> Okay. after the church, it's all single lots going down.
So, I I don't see what you're seeing on from the police station down. You have Taurus. After that, it's wetlands for a little while and then it's Chase.
There's really nothing, not much land there. There's a very good size lot right there. >> Yeah, but that's I built as you go around the corner. I built the first house on the right hand side.
>> That lot of butts uh that small section that's there. And that's not even at the time it wasn't buildable because I tried to see if I could get >> Where are you right now? across from your property. I think you own one
corner of Chase, right? >> Yep. Oh, the other corner. >> The other corner. So, she's probably got the biggest lot on that going forward, >> which is six acres. >> Yeah. There you go. That's
in that area. I think it's that's a lot. Then right after you, it's it's the river, right? Yeah, I'm on the river. >> You're on the river, right after that is um the uh auction place.
>> Then you got the liquor store. You got the uh whatever that business that's there. He already put in a place to rent space for
RVs and tractor trailers, whatever it may be there. And then it's the mill and that that's the end of that. >> That's the end of that. >> It's you know, I'm not >> trying to put down. It's just it's tight. Yeah, it's very tight.
>> I'm sorry. >> What What is the mill? the mill. >> Yeah. >> Is uh uh just before Main Street. There's used to be a corner store there.
Just before the corner store. You have Main Street there? >> Yeah. So that's Maine. That's county. >> This is Maine here. >> Yes. >> Okay. So the the corner store is here. >> Yes. >> And the mill used to be over here. And
this parcel >> Oh, okay. >> This part. >> Now I know what you're talking about. >> Now there is a um uh a metal building that they put over here. >> Mhm. >> And they they use that to fix their vehicles, their trailers or whatever.
This area here happens to be where I feel maybe empty, but I see a lot of things in there like logs and things like that. But as far as
I know, they lease that for 100 years. It's a 100redy year lease, so it's locked in. they can do whatever they want and they'll um then ICI I think that's going to be
a generation after generation things that the cleanup that's there is not going to end anytime soon. So is >> that an old factory mill back in the day
that >> what they did dyes on >> people used to tell me that they used to see the water running down that thing being red and >> sometimes blue. >> Yeah.
>> My grandfather works there for a while. >> I used to I used to tell him that they must have been eat drinking a lot of Gatorade. If you have any suggestions about this, I'll put I'll print up some new ones and drop them off the town hall. And I just like this slogan.
>> Thank you. >> Um Oh, we do have one, two, three, four, five, six new businesses um in town since our last meeting. This is actually as of September
15th because usually I ask the town clerk each month to send me some and they didn't send it to me in time for today. So at least through September 15th and since our last meeting um we do have a new owner of what used was Jesse's Diner. It's now called Haley's Diner.
Um new company Air Solutions HVAC which is homebased business. Dead toast I don't know what they do. another home based >> dead toast. >> Now, is that related to
um like Jerry Garcia and Grateful Dead? I don't know. Dead Toast I think was their songs, but I don't know. Anyway, it's a new business in town. Um Faithful
Plumbing and Heating. >> Faithful. >> Yeah. Um, positively perfect rooming. >> Can figure out what they do. >> Yeah. Pause. Um, and then of course we have a new location, our expanded location for Rio Electric, which took
over what was the 1712 building. Welcome to town or expanded business in town. So, um, no new correspondence, um, no public input. Um, just because
it's been a while, we do have meeting minutes from June 23rd and July 28th, which I sent out. Um, July 28th looks very repetitious of June 23rd. We kind of just kind of rehashed a lot of the same stuffs. Would somebody let you make a motion to those minutes?
>> I'll make that motion. >> Second. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> All those opposed. Okay. Um, next is to set a next meeting date. So, >> can I put ask a question in public input? Oh, so
>> um I'm working on something with the South Coast Food Policy Council um called it's called the CARAT which stands for community and agriculture resilience audit tool and I'm doing Dyon
um and the reason the what it is is for communities to self assess how they currently utilize the assets of their local food system to achieve a substantial level of community resilience. So I have a question for this group and
you can answer later. Think about it. in our community. Community economic development agencies and/or organizations lead, collaborate, or partner with food system organizations to identify and
support farming and food system businesses, local food supply chains, and local food infrastructure. >> And the question is, do we do that? I would say this committee historically has not done that.
I don't know about the agricultural committee. That's a different committee in town. But >> yeah, most of these questions are for them. But I just because this is the Titan economic development. >> No, we did talk tonight about starting to do that with development rights
purchases, but >> you know, >> Well, didn't we also talk about >> and we do have a a dedicated member of this board that represents the agricultural committee community? >> Yes. I think that's our plus.
>> Um, but we we talked about a while ago. I it was when Serpid was working on that plan of what could be done with like the what the uh I can't remember what the princess house or
place is called. I don't know what that's called. >> Okay. Um the co-op industrial zoning. it. Co-op is in there. Yeah. I forget the name of the owner. >> Yeah. >> Bringing in businesses for all of that.
And did wasn't it the organization I was talking about with this about like doing commercial kitchens or that was another group I've been with? >> I have brought it up. Okay. >> I don't remember it being for that site, but you have brought it up. I actually was on the got on I got a contact and I
got on the phone with from somebody from North Carolina. one, the company that owns that is an international multi multi multi-billion dollar company. They have their fingers in everything. Almost all plastics related and far some
pharmaceutical, but they're huge. Um the their North America operations are in um housed out of North Carolina and I got on the local contact for somebody who like manages this site remotely. Um,
and she flat out said like, "Well, we're a plastics company. We don't do development. We have land that our factories not on. We're not interested in doing more than that. We're not interested in developing it. If we ever want to close our factory, we'll
probably sell it, but thank you." But no, because I was talking about like, "What could you do with the property? You could lease it out. You could fit more businesses in there." and she was like very polite but said yeah that's not our thing we don't do that you know
>> excuse me >> okay but um actually at first I said no we don't do that but then it occurred to me what about the whole initiative we did with Paul Reynolds with looking to lease land
owned by the town for agriculture It didn't pan out. >> Mhm. >> But that was an initiative we did go down. So I would say actually maybe we do a better job than we give ourselves credit for terms of supporting local agriculture. >> Kind of go back to
that part. town owned land could be auctioned off and but keep the rights to the develop any of it. >> I I don't know if that's even legal.
>> No, it is it's legal. Paul Paul's actually on the land use committee and I said something like that to him once and he's like, "Yeah, no, you're right. It's an option for the land use committee to think about. So, >> I don't know why they're keeping the pieces that they have.
>> Why are they keeping it? >> Why don't they auction it? >> I I think it's more because developments cost the town a lot of money. People don't realize
>> a lot of this land is so it's water and woods. >> Some of it's landlocked. It's like it's only accepted. >> Some are, but some are not. There's a parcel at the top of
three street. I would say if they were to sell that thing is somewhere around 3 to 500 ft of frontage and over a,000 or 2,000 ft deep
that could fit a lot of homes into that. And if that got developed and let's just say that they got for the sake of 50 homes into that if each home was to come in with two three kids
do we realize the amount of money >> to educate those kids. Uh so if it got if we kept the rights to develop >> Mhm. and somebody wanted to buy it. Even if it was for little money and we got
some tax base out of it, I think it would be better than having it there doing absolutely nothing. I my my >> I do I do have a feeling though that's a conversation for the land use committee,
not necessarily us. Yeah. Yeah. >> I agree with >> you know I I was I developed I built houses all my life. So at the time I didn't even pay any
attention. I could care less. But and now it's kind of selfish of me to be saying things like this but this is my town. You know it's this is where I've been for the last 36 years. you know, 37 years, whatever it is. So,
I u that's one of the reasons why I'm here is is give back a little bit, you know. >> Mhm. >> If that's what I'm doing. >> You are. >> Sure. >> I know. Yeah.
>> Go ahead. Say it. You know what? >> Was that just it that one question for us or Okay. >> Thank you. Are there any upcoming like programs or something related to it that you want to make people aware of or? >> Uh, no. Cap's very busy right now. We
got a lot going on with possible cuts to SNAP and feeding people. Food systems a little >> I want to get to know a lot of people. >> I need to know people with money that want to buy fruits and vegetables.
That's the tough one. >> Um, >> thank you. >> The next is to set our next meeting date. So, I wanted to throw out there, you know, a lot of people have had trouble with, you know, meeting on a regular basis and we've had several times.
I mean, we I think we feel like we do a lot, but do we really need to meet every month? No. Maybe I think once a quarter is not enough, >> but once every two months, >> I don't know if people think about that.
It's probably enough to keep us busy. And um now two months from now is actually >> December, >> Christmas Eve. You know, that's the fourth Monday of December is Christmas Eve. So what I was thinking was maybe we
meet next month, which would be November 24th. That's the fourth Monday. And then going from there forward, we try every other month schedule and just see how it works. And >> sounds good. >> I'm good with that. >> All right. So, the next meeting will be
on November 24th, 6 p.m. here. Um, any other business anybody wants to bring up? >> No. Um, >> and do I have a motion to adjurnn? >> I'll make that motion. >> Have a second. Second.
>> Come on, Raphael. You have to say something. >> I third. >> All right. Thank you. Uh, meeting. Good night. >> Good night. [Music]