Okay, let's call this meeting to order. It is 5:32 on March 9th for the select board. And I can find the agenda and we'll run through it quickly. All right. So we will start with a
public comment session followed by the approval of minutes from February 18th, 2026. We then have the Graten Dunible Regional School Committee Chair Lacy McCabe here to discuss the chapter 70 reform advocacy efforts.
We will have a review and possible approval of the board of health administrative coordinator job description and review of the town hall HVAC replacement contract. The national grid easement. Are they having a hearing? Is that a no? Okay.
So, just a discussion on the 108 Pleasant Street 100 Simmons Way National Grid Easement. The adoption of the sustainable purchasing policy and appointment of a full-time officer, Mr. Michael Barry and a discussion on the
consideration of purchase for the fedicated property at 476 Main Street. So, we will start with the public comments. Is anyone here tonight to speak to something not on the agenda? Mrs. Simmons, how are you? Good. Thanks. What do you got?
>> I got a question. >> Okay. I just learned recently that we have a new committee and I was just wondering who was on it. the town center Community. rankings. The committee will make a
recommendation to the selector and then it will go away. Okay. >> Hopefully within a week. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> All right. Anybody else? No. Amen. Okay. Okay. Next up, minutes.
Is there a motion to approve the minutes? I move to approve the me the minutes from the February 18th, 2026 select board meeting as presented. >> Second. >> In favor?
>> I >> do. We want to take number nine out of order for >> Can we do that? >> Officer, I think we karm making them sit through a very boring meme. >> All right. >> No, we can do that. Yeah, because I think he had come once
before, right? Is this the same officer as before? Yep. >> Yeah. So, I'd say let's uh roll that out if we can. >> Yeah. So, in case you want to make your dinner plans, we can take this out of order if you'd like. >> It's a nice night. Go throw a ball for
your dog. So, >> okay. So, we will take the um appointment of the full-time police officer, Michael Barry, out of order and address that next. So, he's been here to speak to that. >> Yeah, we're excited for Mike to be on
anytime. He started with us full-time technically uh last Wednesday. Hoping to get him on the last meeting, but it changed to today. So, he's been with us a little while now and he's just picked up as FTO and we get over on the road
and serving the town. >> That's great. All right. Yeah, we've already been through the introductions and last time. So, >> I move to appoint Michael Barry as a full-time officer of the Dunable Police Department for a term to expire on June
30th, 2026. Second. >> In favor? >> I I >> All right. Great. Welcome aboard again. >> Thank you. too nice to make you sit here and like wait. I saw
>> so chapter 70 money is very very interesting. >> You see me speeding by. It's a gray jeep. >> The dog hanging. >> That's right. Dog me probably hanging my head out. >> Thank you. Good night.
>> All right, Lacy. What do you got for us? >> Read the room. Right. >> Okay. So, I appreciate uh you guys giving me the opportunity to come in tonight. I'm trying to spread the word about this as much as possible, be available to answer questions and all of
that. Um, so I know you all are aware of kind of our minimum aid status and all of that, but just for anybody watching, I'll give a very brief background as to why we are engaging in this advocacy. Um so for
almost 20 years now, Rotten Gum has been um designated a minimum agency school district. Meaning that although we do not receive less state than we did in the previous year, we only increase that we get is a perval
um allocation which by law only has to be $30 per student. And so for many many years that was all that the school district received. all etc. So at the same time as our budget has
been increased due to inflation and special education costs you know unfunded mandates things like that all of that financial burden has been dumped onto the towns as everybody is I'm sure aware of
um but because this really impacts not just the schools but the community um this year I'm really trying to do outreach within the unities to give everybody an opportunity to engage in this advocacy um while we ask the state
to update the funding formula and in the meantime assuming it's going to take them a few years to do that provide some interim relief. So, um I put together kind of an instruction sheet. So, Jason, if you could click that link there.
>> That's okay. Okay. So, um this document is publicly available. It's in various places around town. Um but I'm happy to provide it to anybody if they are interested in it. Um there are three template letters. one.
Um, it's kind is what we are asking for. So all three of the letters um they aim in terms of the requests and the three things we're asking for we are asking for the um minimum aid per pupil increase to be
raised to $500 per student this year. Um, we are asking for the state to increase the unrestricted general government aid to municipalities to the benchmark set fun, which I believe is I think 6.7
or so%. Um, and then the third request is that the legislature commission to review the funding formula and to make changes that would be permanent. So all three letters although they differ in terms of what the reasons why
we're asking for those things the requests are the same. So you click on the template that you want it will create a automatically create a copy for you. That is the work copy to edit however you want. So you do that and then if you scroll down a little bit
there is um a mail to link for the joint committee on ways and means. That's where we are sending these letters to. For some people, if you click on that link, it will automatically populate all of the email addresses into an email for you and then you can just attach a
letter and send it off. I haven't quite figured out who it works for and who it doesn't. Um, so I've heard some people say the mail link doesn't it doesn't automatically pop that up. So, if it doesn't work for you, all of the email addresses are there and you just copy
and paste them and then you send it off. if you get stuck or if you have any questions, there is an instruction video down below. So, if you click that link, it will bring up like a whole kind of video instructions and it shows you like what to click and what to do and all of
that. Um, and then of course if you have any further questions is my email address is right on the sheet as well. So, people can feel free to reach out any time. That basically that's basically it. I'm happy to answer any questions or
>> Could you repeat the way to access this again? >> So, it is on the town website. Okay. >> Uh it is in school committee newsletters. It's on the school district website. Um I believe a couple places in
town have it available like I think West Auto has it. Um, we are going to ask Farmhouse Cafe if they would, you know, put that or they have some like various, you know, pamphlets and things like that. I'm going to ask them if they would have it up there. Um,
so it's it's around places like that. It was in the Blackboard newsletter. Uh, and in fact, actually, I did have somebody reach out to me that saw it in the newsletter. Um, so it is out there. Um, but if anybody has any trouble finding it, I'm sure they can reach out to Jason or to myself and and we get it
over together. >> Right now, it's right under the news and announcements on the homepage. We didn't click that link, it will bring you to this. >> Yep. >> Where you can view a couple things, but one of them, the last link is brings you directly to the >> Okay.
>> How many years have we been asking for this >> Chris? Well, >> context >> these specific requests this I mean this is sort of the first two we've asked for these specific things but for the funding formula to be revised that's been
>> rather correct. >> Yeah. >> And the problem is the reason why we're asking for such a large people increase this year is because we have to kind of make up for all of the years when it was just $30 per student. So,
at the current time, I think there's like 270 school districts in the state of Massachusetts that are in the same boat that we are in. However, not all of those have been where we are for as long as we have. So, we are actually
Margaret Star says this a lot like we're in one of the worst positions as far as that goes. that we've been in this this um has this had this designation for like close to 20 years like I said. >> Yeah. >> Um
>> so while it is on the one hand unfortunate to hear that so many school districts are now in this position, it also kind of gives us an opportunity because if all of these school districts are asking for the same thing, at some point the legislature really needs to to
lose that. So, and I think one of their responses that they've had over the last couple of years is, well, we're not going to do anything until the student opportunity act is fully implemented, which this year is fully. So, now there's nothing else. There's no no more.
>> Where does the teachers bargaining unit come into play here? Because I keep hearing this and I saw this at MMA where the the most buying power, the largest, you know, person at the plate is the bargaining unit. And are they in favor of this? Do
they have their own letter? Like what type of advocacy are they doing for themselves? >> So the MCN is very involved in advocacy. They do have a full slate of requests that they're putting out um which they don't conflict with ours. They're not
findable. we don't mirror um we don't conflict with ours. Of course, the MTA has I think more they have to represent, you know, teachers in all of the school districts. So, there's other specific items that are on their um kind of radar and things that they want to address,
but the funding issue is is high on their list. And in fact, they actually have a specific um group that's formed within the MCA that's solely focused on this issue. Yeah. >> So they are very involved in >> I just wonder what their line in the
sand is to stop like be like all right city Massachusetts like what's your plan because at some point you have to give because their teachers only get you know they get compensated and they represented based on these things like they're the largest voice. >> It's you know I hate to say yeah the
unions are they have the most representation. It's not because there hasn't been any change to Lacy's point about us writing letters and going and waving our hands like that does nothing like >> getting a little more traction recently than it has been in the past.
>> But I mean it's >> I hate to say the efforts are futile but it feels like they're futile and it's putting >> so I'm here because I'm also getting tired.
>> You got to be tuckered out, right? Yeah. Yeah. >> The efforts are um I think that the progress that we've made over the last few years has been a little bit each year and I think it's like cumulative you know it's like
adding to what we did last year and so even though the progress is slow I think that there is progress there. I think that more people in the state government than ever before are acknowledging this problem now. >> Yes.
>> Um and you can have you know the governor I think ear like in February maybe at the start of the means hearing um hearings she basically came out and said she knows that this is an issue. She knows it needs to be addressed in this
budget cycle. other members like high ranking members of the legislature have said the same. Um the ways and means committee which is obviously that they have the biggest impact on the on the budget. Um, I think that they are
starting to get the message um, in large numbers. And I think that, you know what, at the end of the day, writing these letters, it may not it may not achieve everything that we want to achieve, but they're not going to do anything if we're silent. like we
have to we have to keep spreading that word and sending that message because if we don't they have there's no incentive or no reason for them to take action. Um >> squeaky wheel. >> Yes. >> The squeaky wheel.
>> Exactly. Exactly. So in our goal kind of in doing this is to really just hit the ways and means members hard this month while they're doing their budget hearings. There is a public hearing on March 31st where they where they will hear public testimony. um I plan on
attending I will bring I'm find copied in the email email list there so I get all of the email or the letters that go through and so I'm printing them out as as they come in and when I go I'm going to have them when I testify so in case
anybody isn't checking their email or they're letting it go to spam I'm going to have it off here so that they can be um we're also working with North Middle Sex um pretty closely and so they're doing the same campaign in their
communities as well. And um the women that I'm working with in North Sex, we're working together and put together like a call script. So if anybody is maybe more comfortable calling and leaving a voicemail, an angry voicemail, we're going to have that available this week as well. So we're really trying to
just like hit it as, you know, from different angles and just make sure that we don't let up on the fact that this needs to happen and it needs to happen now. Yeah, I would just if I could add that um I don't I mean when I first started here
I remember having a recession with a high ranking um state official and at that point in time I was basically told that um they had dealt with chapter 732 act and I mean three years in three years
time that's like you um light seed >> for municipal >> at municipal and beacon hill and in 3 years time the governor's coming out and saying she acknowledges that something needs to be done I mean that's significant progress
in a short period of time I know it feels longer than it is because we're living >> we're living in it and you have to make these decisions that are very difficult but it is a it's it's a pretty quick time and I think a lot of that has to do with the efficacy efforts that are happening
And um if it does stop, what will also happen is the work on this issue at the state house will swap. So it really does need to continue. It's like critically important that it continues. Um cuz that's really nothing smooth up there. And um and I I will say like oddly
enough, not oddly enough, I should that's not what I mean, but this district, the state rep, the chair, this school committee, like we are kind of one of the leaders on this issue and um you know, it's because of their work
that it's it's you know, moving and I think >> at the state level, this discussion really started boiling over in part, not just because, but in part because of the work in this district. So, um I I think it's like critically important it
continues because we all know it's the biggest issue. >> Absolutely. >> It's really for budget budget purposes the only issue with it is our main problem is >> so um I guess my point is just leveraging an even larger player at the
table which is the MTA and hey we'll give you two and a half but anything on that is up to you to go get it at the table. >> Figure it out. But that's me being >> good luck. >> But like but they're saying good luck to the residents when they say we need 6% for our teachers every year, >> right? >> It's self-defeating.
>> Absolutely. >> So what's the plan? >> Well, and I think that sort of played out a couple years ago when you know that the negotiations got to a point and ending up having to lose people because of having to meet their contractual >> Yeah. >> requirements, right?
>> Kind of put a few of them out of their job. Right. >> So then, you know, they ought to be advocating even harder at the state level because they actually have swing because they're in a you know, so many more communities than just >> ours. So >> yeah, I mean I think I
>> I just say I mean I think they're one of the most important partners for sure and like I know I know they have been like I went to initially I haven't been to one recently. I'm not sure if I'm being invited to them anymore, but initially they were having statewide discussions
and MTA um mass federation teach they were large voices at the table around this issue at those meetings along with people like me and you you know and Lacy. So I mean it's got to be like a collaborative
effort among everybody. Yeah. Um, I'd say this too, like the last contract that the teacher signed, frankly, comparatively, very reasonable contract, which gave them reasonable raises and
give backs on health insurance. Um, so you know, you have to pay people what the mar based on the market, they are in market but not outside by any stretch. Mhm. >> Um and so like you know I think looking
at it as strong partners and trying to engage in that way which I know they are engaged on. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Those those meetings are I think still going on and similar to you where I don't >> what do we do?
>> But they are going on. Um, you know, and sometimes like I will I will get in invites, but I'm not sure if they have like maybe like a smaller group that meets more frequently and then periodically they do like larger, you know, meetings where they invite non MTA
people. I'm not sure exactly how they're doing it, but they are very engaged in the process. Like I said, they are not asking for they are asking for a large increase for the per people aid. It's not as big as ours. And I will say we
had a meeting with them prior to putting our letter out. Um they said that they supported it. They said that they weren't going to match our normal. And I will say I had a couple of days where I was like very angry. And I was I
was contemplating like how I could like get our teachers to start writing angry letters to the MTA. And then I realized that's really probably counterproductive. And so at the end of the day, I think, you know, we just need to remember that they represent all of
the school districts and and there are a lot of issues that they need to address. So they can't for them the biggest issue isn't necessarily just this like they also have to be, you know, basically going to the bargaining table on a lot of different issues. So, they can't
afford to be putting all of their eggs in the $500 per kid basket, so to speak. Um, but they are asking for a large increase. They are very engaged in rallying people, getting their people to the public hearing to testify. Um, they did
a lot of organization around the hearings last year. They made it very easy for everybody, not just teachers, but anybody who wanted to testify. They made it very easy for people to sign up. Um, so they have been a good partner. Um, which is why, you know, I had to
kind of take a step back and and realize I didn't I didn't want to meet them. But um just to save money and try to meet the governor's budget number that they that she gave us. And um some of the changes got the MTA's attention to a point where
I got about 200 emails about these changes. >> So they have the ability to motivate the membership if they want to is my point. >> So it's pinser. >> So you're right. You're right about this like when they want they are very
effective at motivating me >> um I was I received a lot of um >> knowledge >> their feedback >> um with regard to that. So I mean it would be great to leverage that in in this way too.
>> And how did you feel when you got all those? >> Awesome. So great. It was excellent. warm and fuzzy. >> So, we are I checked earlier in the day and we're about 120 letters so far.
That's >> that's great. >> That exceeds where we were last year for like, you know, I think all together we had about 100 last year and we have about three and a half weeks left to go before the public hearing. So, you know, anybody watching maybe or listening, um,
I would encourage you to to reach out to me or or read through this stuff so you can look at it and I would appreciate any consideration. >> Joan, do you still have a question? No. Okay. >> I question. Yeah. >> Oh, okay.
>> Yeah. I just I appreciate everything you guys are doing and I think I just I think it's you know they
they look at at what we do and we just went to the polls and we elected another Democrat that you know is going to go along well and
why should they do anything different? Why do you think for one minute that they are going to you know change their way of doing things?
uh they don't need to. They don't have to because you know they uh they just aren't you know, as you say, motivated.
You need to motivate them and you need to motivate them right now and talk. That's what you need to do. That's all I have to say. I just have some thoughts about that. I totally understand what you're saying.
Um, and I know, you know, there's a lot of issues I think that, you know, people could disagree with when you feel like I won't get into all of that, but I will say that our state rep is probably the
fiercest advocate for reforming the state out of everybody. and that and you know and I like Margaret too, but Margaret is uh you know is still voting
with uh with the group. Okay, for the most part, you know what's her name? Who was the guy at the meeting at the at the middle school that said, "Oh, don't blame Arman. Blame me." You know, yeah, okay. Well, we'll blame you for all the
good bad But uh you know there's still there's still not you know and Margaret I agree Margaret has has done more for this town than
most but you know she's one person. She's one person and the rest of them >> No, I hear you. I hear you. And I'm not going to disagree with like as as a state like statewide. I'm not going to
sit here and make that same argument for all the other legislator legislators. But I will just say, you know, she has been wonderful. And you know, as far as like a new senator, I mean, we'll see how it goes. But I don't have at this point I don't have any reason to believe that she
would be um any less um strong on this issue than Margaret. Like she attended our forum, the education forum that we had in November to learn about it. She reached out to me a lot to get information about it to
understand kind of like what has happened so far, what needs to happen. Um, and I will say too that actually the other Democrat running is the same. Um, I will say I didn't hear from either with the other two candidates.
>> All right, I'm going to reel this back. Um, >> so anything else we need to say about the advocacy? >> No, no, that's fine. It's easy to go down these rabbit holes, but um, >> that was fun. Now, >> are we good? We good. Anything else? I
mean, I appreciate your efforts. I'm certainly going to look into this too and um >> write some letters. >> Yeah. >> We did. Yeah. >> Yeah. So, anything else in this?
All right. Let's move on to the next. >> Thank you, Lacy. >> Okay. All right. So, we have a new revised job description for the health administrative coordinator. Is this a new position?
>> It's not on there. >> Okay. You remember a few meetings ago you had approved all the updated job descriptions, >> correct? >> With the new comp class reviews and its implementation,
>> the board of health had comments outside of that process on the board of health administrative coordinator position, which is Joan Far's position. So what you did at the time was say go back and work with the board of health.
See if you can come to um agreement on um incorporating their changes or suggestions into the final job description that's been done. This is the final product product in front of you. Um they've voted to approve it.
It's in good shape. So that's that's all this is. This is the last of the comp and class implementation. >> No, it's it's very comprehensive position. >> It is. >> Yeah. >> Could we ask questions or we just look into it?
>> You can ask question. You have a question. >> So uh creates and maintains the trash the town's trash and recycling contract including preparation of bid specs. >> That's probably a TA job, right? Bids. So I work we work together.
>> Okay. >> Yeah. >> I just it's like giving our TA more to do, you know, like should they just be creating it from the onset or I guess just if you're okay with it? >> We work together on it. I mean I'm the chief procurement officer in town. So
anything that kind of has a role for me um I'm I'm comfortable with it. And same with like reconciling accounts, orders, office supplies, records and monitors expenses, stuff like that. That's >> that's that's
>> all right. Move to approve the board of health administrative coordinator job description as presented. >> Second. Those in favor? Hi. Hi.
>> Good. Town hall HVAC replacement contract soon. This is project. We received um
meeting approval for CPA funds. Um the low bit was $27,000 which is slightly lower than request unit and it's to replace two air handling units and condensing units for
upstairs and the downstairs office spaces. >> So the second one wasn't it's not valid. >> He hasn't he didn't sign didn't sign as a he didn't acknowledge redundants. Okay. So that was qualify consideration
>> and so if something >> for whatever reason our first bid person doesn't come through or it would automatically roll to our third person on this list. >> No you wouldn't you definitely you could
you could drop down to center but we don't have any reason to do that. I don't expect to have any reason to do that. I've been in touch with Brain Flow. >> Okay. If I check their references, I think I think we will be in we'll be in good shape. But if that were to happen, I'd have to obviously come back to the
board to get a closer. >> Okay. >> And we he's been vetted and you know what? The fact the guy's new to us doesn't mean that, you know, he should be disqualified. >> I'm not saying they have a problem with it. I'm just curious. >> But we we he was we did vet him.
>> Yeah. No, for whatever reason that if it was more the process, not who the person I'm speaking about, >> considering that the second lowest bidder did not >> Yeah. sign document, >> we would have to then go to the other, which is a $5,000 change.
>> Right. Right. >> We also find either Leave this place off. >> Well, I'd have to go back. I think it was 32. I want to say 332 sounds right.
Oh, you know what? I think I think I think 32. Yeah, Leah's right. It sounds about Okay, next up, the National Grid Easement for 108 Pleasant Street, 100 Simmons Way.
This is related to the cell uh telecommunications equipment from T-Mobile. >> So they've um they've done their site work. I think they've installed their conduit and um but they maybe they haven't
installed the conduit. In any event, they they're asking for an easement in order to >> national grid. >> National grid are asking for an easement to in order to maintain um their construction in the ground and on the pole.
>> Yeah, I think that would be standard practice. >> I went through >> Well, no, I don't Well, a couple things, right? I and I I because I just the the the conduit and feeder that's in the ground is going to belong to the town, isn't it? I mean, they're not
National Grid is not known to excavate and put in a service conduit like that. That is that what we're ask I'm confused. >> Yeah. What? That's what they're asking for. >> Well, it's already in place, isn't it? >> It was 32. >> No, it's not >> 32.
>> No, nothing's in place. The ein's not in place at this point. >> No, but the concrete conduit goes. >> Do you know what they were doing on the sidewalk out there? I haven't seen it. >> No. Okay. >> Transform
closer to the water. >> So, they're going to bury a conduit and put in a primary and a pad mount out by the tower. >> Yeah. But the conduit is and the and that and I don't know whether there's two an active and a spare but the
conduit is being do I don't this is a wide open question Dave is a conduit going in by national grid >> I doubt it it's not >> mon I I honestly >> they're upgrading
>> I thought I saw national doing >> I would put department and they'll come through to pull their case. But the and it's a standard transformer, but they'll own that fireman and the fireman's not.
>> Okay, which will bring up my next question. There's a gas line that's going to go out there. >> Why? It's a generator. Is the generator not natural gas? >> Probably propane. >> I don't know. What? I don't know. I
don't know. grid would do the gas. >> I don't know. >> All right. Okay. >> I will um >> this is I mean the easement here is based on um the electrical. >> Yeah. I I that's >> I don't know about the the gas. >> That's my read on because right now
there's no gas there. >> But it says right here they're going to you >> the easement grants National Grid the right to install, operate and maintain the lines and equipment. Yeah. >> So install >> the grant to be install, construct,
reconstruct, repair, replace, add, maintain, and operate for the transmission of high and low voltage electric current and for the transmission of intelligence lines that consists of but not limited to one pole. This is just on notoriously give us the worst plans
>> with little information that is >> that's what I thought. But if if >> I mean we don't have any skin in the game with this contact with doing it then >> yeah doesn't really affect that they still need these because once they
finish it they shake all >> so we're just going to regrant the easement at the end >> I just we just we'll let them do we'll let this shake out a little bit because there's still some >> So you're saying you don't want to >> Yeah I want to let them we're going to approve this and let the grid work it
out with the vendor electrical contractor. Is interstate doing that job >> with the electrical contractor and Grant of easement to National Grid for the installation, operation, and maintenance of overhead and underground
electrical distribution facilities, including a pole and related equipment on town owned property identified as lock 3A off the southerntherly side of Pleasant Street as described
in the easement document presented to the board. Second. >> All those in favor? >> I I >> And I believe I could be wrong, but I believe they have to put up a poll, a new poll. >> Well, they have a poll now. Is there a poll right at the entrance?
>> The meter and disconnected at the entrance. >> Both. >> So, they're they're showing >> work it out. We're not We're not We have We're not man. We're not We're not construction managers. We're not anything. We're not project. We just let them take it.
>> There is a poll there, but they don't say whether it's proposed or existing for any of the information on here. They only say they are proposed or the >> poll. They just need to run it off the >> Yeah, it needs to be set.
>> Okay. So, that's exist. Okay. >> Their plan's not clear. No. Okay. >> All right. Done. One more. >> Units are >> two more. Three. Yeah.
>> Okay. Adoption of sustainable purchasing policy. >> So this is a new requirement of the of a grants that we get every year um through the boards. Um so the board of health asked me to present those two years. They gave us a template that they're
looking for is what each community need adopt in order to be eligible for this grant. Um, I didn't update it to include town of Duncable, but you see where town of Dunable is going to go. >> Otherwise, it's going to be the same.
Um, it's going to be the same language as you see. Um, >> it's all good stuff. >> Mhm. Yep. I mean, we >> we have the the prior requirement was that basically I send an email out to everyone annually essentially saying this. >> Yeah. Yeah.
>> And that was the requirement. Now they want communities to adopt it as a policy. >> Okay, >> we all set? >> Yeah. >> Move to adopt a sustainability purchasing policy to ensure
grant eligibility as presented. >> Second. >> In favor? >> I. >> Good. Thank you. All right. We've already appointed Mr. Barry. All right, last thing is the um property
that's under chapter 61 at 476 Main Street, the Finn Kennedy's property. Um so they have hired someone to give a what is this exactly? >> Comparative marketing market. >> Thank you.
>> Comparative market analysis on their 5 acre parcel next to their existing house. um because it's in chapter 61 and they're looking to sell it, the town gets the first option to
purchase if they so choose. Um ideally, I think they would like us to do so. I'm interested in pursuing it. Personally, >> you're not? >> I am. >> Oh, yeah.
So thoughts from >> I guess other folks >> it's sort of um a catch 22 because we have this parcel and maybe there's an expectation that the adjoining one may also go to the market at some point but it's not part of the 61A
>> right >> designation you know should we be looking bigger picture here and try to acquire both you know if if we have some type of plan or do we not have the bandwidth with for
a plan there, if you will. Like, um, you know, I I have, you know, I know I I'm a realtor, so I, you know, I've done a comparative market analysis. I agree the price point's pretty accurate. You know, I mean, it seems a little high, but, you know, I don't think there's a septic plan for
that lot. There isn't, you know, there's town water, but you know, a couple other things would go into with your back pocket there for that for a 300k plus lot in town. Um, I don't think that has this doesn't have a septic plan and
doesn't have any engineering behind it. >> I don't know. >> So, you know, that does does take the value down for the town purposes. >> Um, >> not having a septic plant. >> Yeah, that's septic plants 10k and then it's another 10 to 20 to put it in. assuming you were looking to build this
parcel out, >> right? >> Why would you need that? But >> you you wouldn't, right? But then it's not worth 300K, which is what other building lots referencing here are go going for. >> You know, the ones up on Unity Way, you know, the one on Davis Street and other
parcels in town. So, >> well, to me, this isn't a parcel that the town would look to purchase to develop necessarily. Mhm. >> I think there could be some other sort of expanded use that could be perhaps related to the town common.
>> Mhm. >> Open space. Most of this property is not developable. >> Mhm. >> Anyway, >> do we use it as parking? >> That's an option. I'm not say if you want to like throw in a huge paved parking lot on this, but
>> Right. It's it's more like if we buy it and a you know first and foremost we could get back taxes from it from the sale >> and we would have we be rolling it back into our tax roll and a year after doing an override you know we're we're penny pinching this
year and we're looking to take potentially more parcels off the tax. >> Well, this hasn't been on the tax roll for >> long time a long time. But it could >> and if it was sold to a private sale, >> right,
>> which is not in I mean I think the owners currently would like to see that preserved as I think they I I don't I think she wants to see it too preserved as open space. >> Yes. I mean, I'm just trying to, you know,
we're we're, you know, penny pinching here and we're looking to pull another, you know, >> but this is a property that wouldn't be necessarily I mean, obviously, if you were to go forward with this, you'd be looking to use CPA, >> but it's also property without a plan.
>> It's also what? >> A property without a plan. >> A separate plan. >> No, any like concept. What are we going to do with it? the cannab. >> Yeah, >> but you could like you just don't buy properties without a vision or a plan for them.
>> I guess we'll open this up to the public. Mr. Cheney plan I don't think you're going to have any going and asking have a part of the budget process, >> right? So it's going to be CPA question.
Is the money in CPA? Is the money available? >> Quite likely. Yes. >> How much? Yes. >> He gave a range 310 to >> 350 to 350.
Um, you have it. >> I had said Jason talking about it. I said 3350 and uh there you are. But I agree with Karen. Understand we need a plan.
Um, just because it's we like looking at it uh just because it's in the center of town. Okay. time what is the plan for its potential use. So you need to perhaps have a
little committee to take a quick look at it, brainstorm and uh committee probably made up of just a rep from one committees slot conservation planning recreation.
four or five people take a quick look and brainstorm to come back to you folks uh and say okay here's what we think could or should be done then so you can go to town that I agree with you you can go to town meeting and not have to lay
out the plans you can do or do and pictures and so forth and so on do that >> and you know and the connectivity is the house next or like is we're going to be proposed with the same question
>> if and when >> right >> yeah that's only with the overlay other things could happen there in terms of you know retail or whatever which would be allowed which
would generate income and so forth, you know, um and uh so but it certainly something should be talked about just that it presents it's a taller order perhaps than this open land here. Would the control
vectors be good on the parcel that quite literally touches the town common rather than the next one up for for return on investment for the town? >> How do you mean? I mean >> like this this abuts the town common
right here. That's a good point. However, the simple matter of swapping and so that uh the um heavy open field uh would conduct
>> with a town if somebody would have to do if you look at the plan you see you got straight line here. Boom. Um that said bring up a great point in terms of possibilities
again committee I'm not a person who loves committees but this is a shortterm deal to look at it and come up with ideas you know beyond >> yeah here I thought
>> we had talked before about trying to create that continuity to the town common and the property the where their house is is 2 and a half acres. So I you know thinking like well you could maybe chop off half an acre in the back and create
the connectivity that way. I never thought of it. If you're going to reconfigure lot lines reconfigure lot lines completely differently and make it >> Yeah. There's only >> conservation too through here. So your stops
>> your right. So yeah, you could draw the line and make this lot conforming. There's only 113 ft of frontage along this section here. So >> can't put a house there anyway. >> You wouldn't be able to put Well, but
there's 200 on this side. And I'm I'm not familiar with the planning board requirements enough. where you place your house is where your 200 feet of frontage needs to be or not. As >> far as I know, I'm petting that a little bit. I think
uh you have to have 200 ft of continuous frontage. You got it, but wet, >> right? >> Um but I don't think that where the house goes has to house
behind that frontage. Okay. As >> long as it's got frontage somewhere on the lot. Therefore, because of the wetland and so forth, the place that the house if if you ever put a house in there would have to go is
between and >> right in that field there. Yeah. >> And that's as you say, it's 13 ft wide. >> 13. Yeah. I'm >> starting up in aesthetic. Oh well,
but at any rate, as far as I know, that would be legal to do. But again, close and blow. >> So just from my very rudimentary
sketches using a program near me, you can get some pretty good measurements. The wetlands are pretty well defined there. The stream bank's pretty well defined. we can get a very good idea of where the riverfront lies, where the buffer zone lies, 60 ft, no build. So
with this, because it's not an already altered riverfront except for being mowed, that first 100 ft can't be touched. >> It's a perennial stream. So that is really limiting the area that could
potentially be built to just one and a half acres of usable upland in that area. But >> usable upland I know slow trouble >> with with your septic system. Um but
>> right >> u but u my only question is there's no need to put a house between those two houses but I believe it is I don't think there's anything in the in the uh >> okay
for septic in the river weapons >> um well septic would 50 ft >> no need >> title five >> you don't need 200 with a buffer I know wetlands yeah no you're right Yeah. So anyway, yeah, that's an interesting
just reconfigure that lot line. You could maybe if they'd be willing to redraw it this way, give them their two two and a half three acres with the house that maintains the field with this.
And then that would really be a significant add to the com I mean, they'd be limited because you would have to have 200 feet of frontage here.
>> You would here, right? So, are you saying we buy this? We buy this and up and over. We make it. No, we draw the line this way >> and then we buy this.
>> Let this go with this house. >> That's interesting. >> That's what I >> There's not much you can do with this anyways, right? >> No, I mean that's all wetlands. It's all in its stream and riverfront and there's flood plane through there. >> Yeah. So, is it worth 300k to do that?
Well, this area is I mean it depends on what we want to do. I mean I don't no one really has any answers on what we want to do. >> I mean I don't know if anybody really would want to see another house put here. So if we're looking to you know purchase this to add to the
town this we could expand our trail loop. We could do some more gardens there. We could put a volleyball field. you know, there are things that could be done if you're expanding it off the the uh the town common, but if the goal really is to expand that
and prevent a house from being wedged in between these two, that's an option. >> Yeah. >> Um it may increase the value of this house if you could >> Mhm.
>> and bring the price down on this. Mhm. >> But that's going to take a subdivision plan and I mean a new plan. The end of the day, you got to spend a little money to figure it out to figure it out. >> We don't have a site plan as it is right now. We have an old
>> No, that's it. I mean, there never was. There was never any plan for this to be developed. So, I mean, they've maintained it as hay fields for ages. Yeah. And Randles owned it before then and they did the same thing. I don't know if it was in chapter at that point, but it was
kept that way. >> So anyway, I maybe, you know, I think I'm willing to put the time in and think through this and try to work something out. I it's it's of interest to me to look to purchasing this. >> I I would I would say that would
probably be someone needs to spend some time with them and figure this out. Yeah. >> Yeah. Absolutely. >> I mean, my impression is that they are they are eager for the town, but they came to us back in November asking. >> Yeah. We'll control her a couple times,
too. >> And then our clock just because we've been notified, right? Does it matter on the 61A side? >> I don't think it's officially started yet. >> Not in this case now because it doesn't have a bonafide offer. Okay. Um, >> so and she's not changing the use of in
any way right now. >> Okay. >> We This is more of like a >> discussation in advance. Yes. In advance of something like that happening. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Cool. >> But I I think it doesn't
>> um if we were to move ahead with a purchase, I think an appraisal is required. I think we >> the way it reads I think we would have to do the appraisal >> or it could be done through the conservation commission or another party. Yeah.
>> But it's not their responsibility to do that. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Um thoughts on putting a little group together to do this or not? Kind of like we did with the uh Milansen property. We
put a little working group. >> We did. >> Yeah. I remember that one. Yeah, that's that's >> if that's the remedy to this administrative problem, then yeah, let's let's put that together and further this um thought and discussion to >> Mhm.
>> better understand it. I mean, >> yeah. >> I mean, and you also got to look at where your dollars are going to come from. I mean, I don't know how that's going to get paid for yet, but >> I mean, these are >> Yeah. I mean, I don't know. There's the
land grant. I don't know if that this is a property that would necessarily qualify for a land grant, but >> might not might not be right. Yeah. So, >> yeah. >> Yeah. It's definitely worth investigating. Come up with a couple ideas. See what see what sticks to the
wall. >> Yeah. >> All right. >> I don't know if you have a motion per se on that. >> We don't have a motion. There's no I didn't know what >> I didn't know what the motion >> I I guess Leah if the first step in the process is to create that ad hoc
committee, right? >> Yeah, I think so. >> So, we'll um have a motion to create an ad hoc committee that will consist of how many members? Three. >> Three to >> How many was on the Lanson?
>> Uh there was like five of us on that. Yeah. Yeah. Which select me? >> Historical. >> Historic. >> The one for planning. >> Planning. >> Planning. Yeah. So, there'll be five
positions on that. >> Cool. >> Right. So, we'll create an ad hoc committee with five members to be selected to determine the viability of the purchase
um of a property at 476 Main Street. >> Second. >> We good with that motion? >> That work? >> I kind of did it on the back of the napkin. you know, it's going to be subtop and we have to post and then from
all that, which is unfortunate, but yeah. >> Yeah. >> Well, yeah, I think with CPA Yeah, CPA dollars would be good to make sure we follow. >> Yeah, it's a good Yeah. >> Did we do that with the Manson one? >> No, because I was
>> Oh, by you. Okay. Well, you can withdraw your but >> All right. before I call it. >> So, do you want to um for the five members, do you want to stipulate one from plan A, one from historic, one from
Hong Kong or >> Yeah, absolutely. >> Do you need historic >> or would it be like it's a historic district? >> That's true. Yeah. What about EDC for um >> the town center overlay?
>> What was it planning comp? >> Economic development committee. >> Yeah. How many members you got? What have you got there? >> Is agency on? I don't know. They What? You got them on there? >> Agency is five. >> They make one of the five. >> Yeah. Okay. That's That's without I was on the last one. I want to be on this
one. >> That's fine. >> All those in favor? >> I >> I >> All right. >> Okay. >> All right. I think that's it. Is that it? >> I think that's it. Yeah.
Motion to adjurnn. >> Second. >> All in favor? Have anything else to say? Okay. Okie dokie. I I I >> I Captain