This government meeting is brought to you by Eastworks and our local cable subscribers. >> Good morning, Southampton. A quorum of 50 is present. I call the 2026 special town meeting to order. Please join us if you wish. A new face
on our select board, Doug Hamel, will lead us in the pledge. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
>> Please be seated. Thank you, Doug Hamel. Good morning, fellow citizens and voters of Southampton. Welcome to our 2026 special town meeting. I'm Robert Floyd, your town moderator. It's a privilege to serve you. Thank you for your support. I have edited my usual remarks down for
our meeting this morning. We only have the hall rented until midnight. Thank Thank you again for the 498 patient souls who attended our recent annual town meeting and especially those who braved the 5 hours. The surge in civic passion almost upended us. Thanks
especially to the chiefs who coordinated everything. Town meetings predate the United States. The first open town meeting was recorded in Dorchester, Massachusetts in 1633. This form of government is considered
the oldest continuous practice of direct democracy in our country. This means that all of you sitting in the auditorium are guardians of the legacy of the spark of a revolution that began
in town meetings over 250 years ago in Massachusetts. I want to thank you for attending this town meeting. For complete transparency and disclosure, I also serve you by being Southampton Cemetery Commissioner Clerk. There is no compensation for this
privilege to serve you. I'll read the warrant. And you are hereby directed to serve the warrant for posting attested copies thereof in the six usual places in said town 14 days at least before the time of
holding said meeting here of fail not and make due return of the warrant with your things thereon to the town clerk at the time and place of meeting as a fore said given under our hands first of June
in the year 2026 signed and sealed. May we have a moment of silence now in keeping with Southampton's culture for those who have moved on ahead since the last town meeting. Hold them dear in our hearts. I publicly thank Ms. Sierra Simmons for
a second successful year as a deputy moderator. Without objection, Sierra Simmons is permitted to continue as deputy moderator for one more year. Congratulations, it's unanimous. Will our town clerk Lucy Dalton administer
the oath of office, please? >> Thank you. >> [applause] >> Thank you. This morning a special town meeting will be broadcast locally at channel 191 and live streamed on E Media YouTube. Thank you Jeff Masterianni, Jackson Ford, Tim
Riley, and E Media. Warrant. Articles are posted in at least five locations to warn the public about a legislative meeting. You have taken heed of the warning. Procedures. When you have something new to contribute or wish to ask a question,
approach the microphone up front. Stand in line to be acknowledged by the moderator in order. First come, first served. I recognize speakers only when they stand at the mic, unless it's a point of order. When the moderator acknowledges you, you address the moderator, clearly state
your name and address. Then proceed to share something new or ask your question. Avoid speaking directly to others. It helps to avoid lecturing, bullying, and intimidation. Cross-examinations are out of order. We can disagree without being
disagreeable. Discussion is limited to the merits of the motion and not of the speaker, the petitioners, or the committee itself. It's a special town meeting, not a hearing. Speak up to 4 minutes at a time, as long
as you stay on topic regarding the motion, and direct your opinions, questions, answers, and remarks to me, not the town meeting audience. And no more than twice on any article, except to correct an error or answer a question. If and when you wish to call the
question, please do so at a mic and never from your seat. Both sides will be heard regarding each article to keep the integrity of our special town meeting as intact as possible. It's when after a comment is ruled out of order or scope, the speaker continues
to debate the moderator. At that point, the speaker is directed to sit down. Before you cast your vote, whether yay or nay, you're free to question a man in a table or kill any motion. That is to legislate in a civilized manner.
Anyone unwilling to comply with these rules will be removed after the third warning. So, let this be our first warning. Are there any reasons to change the order of the articles? Hearing none, we proceed. Simply cuz someone states something does not mean
it's accurate. The majority that leans toward approval denial does not make it right. Any non-voting speakers the vet. Thank you all for your patience and for respecting everyone this morning. These guidelines will help us have a more
efficient meeting. Can I hear a motion for article one, please? >> Mr. Moderator, I move that the town vote to transfer an amount totaling $200,000 from the operation stabilization fund to the bills of prior years account
019505900 account for the payment of and for services rendered by Hampshire Regional School District Central Office on behalf of the Southampton Norris Elementary School. >> Motion made. Do I hear a second? >> Second. >> Motion made and seconded. Who would like
to speak on this, please? >> Mr. Moderator, Scott Ziemba, town administrator. This is the second of three payments for unbilled services by the central office. The five member towns of Hampshire regional contract out to the central office to oversee and manage their elementary schools. As such, the central
office has managed the administrative functions of North school. In FY23 and 24 during their transitional during their transition in personnel, the central office didn't fully bill each of the towns. Once that error was caught by the new administration, they
requested for the previous invoices to be paid and Southampton entered into an agreement to pay the outstanding invoices over 3 years. Last year, the payment was $150,000. This year, the payment is $200,000 and next year's payment will be about $105,000,
which will fully settle Southampton's share. Thank you. >> Thank you. Anyone want to speak in opposition of this article? Anybody have any questions? Comments? You don't need to raise your hand, come right up to the mic. >> Here we go again.
Nilda Cohen. Um I'm a little confused. I thought in 2024 was it 25? We paid 200,000 out of free cash. And now I'm hearing
that we entered into an agreement to stretch it out to 3 years. >> I'll have somebody answer your question. Who would like to answer that question? >> The agreement was for 3 years with $150,000, which was approved by town meeting. It was amended on the floor in
2025. The $200,000 for this year, which is 2026, and then there would be $104,563.23 for FY20 for next uh to June 30th, 2027. >> So, okay. >> Did that answer your question?
>> Yes and no. John Lumbert got up and addressed it when I asked the question of why we didn't show it in the prior year bills, and he said it was going to be taken care of now. So, he didn't question the amount. I
thought it was half of what we owed them. So, can somebody clarify that? It came out of free cash. Now it's coming out of operating. >> Question on the floor. >> doing Why are we making this switch? >> asked the question. I'm asking you to
give an answer. Can't interrupt the answer. >> Uh free cash has been certified, but it's unavailable till next year, so we're taking this out of stabilization. >> What is the free cash that's been certified? The amount.
>> The free cash has a negative balance right now. Although negative doesn't necessarily mean negative because it's just delayed until next year. So, it'll be available for the town to use funds for next year. >> Okay. I think you guys are switching gears. >> Thank you.
Any other comments, questions? Seeing none, we'll vote. We need a 2/3 majority for this. All in favor, please indicate by saying Sorry? >> The question was why not 9/10 as is usually the case for previous bills. In
this case, we're paying for a contract, so it's 2/3. All those in favor, please indicate by saying aye. >> Aye. >> Opposed, please indicate by saying nay. >> Nay. >> Can we have the nays raise their hands? Counters?
Counters? You're counting the nays. Raise your hands. Raise them high. >> Six total. >> Six total. Thank you. The motion for Article 1 passes by a vast majority, meeting our 2/3
requirement. Can I have a motion for Article 2, please? >> Mr. Moderator, I move that the town vote to adopt the changes to the town's general bylaws, Chapter 264, entitled Wetlands Protection, as presented in Article 2 of the warrant for the June
20th, 2026 special town meeting. >> Motion made, do I hear a second? Motion made and seconded, who would like to speak on this, please? >> Mr. Moderator, Skyziaback, Town Administrator. So, one of the blessings and curses of living in New England is that >> You need to raise the mic a little
closer cuz the sound of the fans are competing against us. >> So, the blessing and the curse of living in New England is getting these thing this thing that we call snow, and it's often uh I know Randall's here, so >> Thank you. >> uh it's also is is extraordinarily difficult sometimes
um to do wetland delineations uh when there's 12 or 14 or 20 in of snow on the ground. So, essentially what this does is adopt Department of Environmental Protection policy that
would allow um the Conservation Commission to consider permit applications that require delineation uh incomplete until that they can actually inspect it because the weather is cleared up and the snow has been removed. Thank you. >> Thank you. Anyone want to speak in opposition?
Any questions? >> Good afternoon, Amy Guyette, 140 Brickyard Road. Um I just have a question for the ConCom. Are they in favor or opposed to this? Is this something that they want or they don't want? >> Thank you. >> Not seeing a ConCom person that
eventually here, but I was as chair of the Bylaw Review Advisory Committee, this was brought to us by ConCom. So, it was voted on at ConCom and then brought to the Bylaws Committee to look at. Okay. Thank you. >> Did that answer your question? >> It does. Thank you. >> Great. Cheers. Any other comments, questions?
In opposition? Pro? Seeing none, we'll vote. All those in favor of the motion for Article 2, please indicate by saying aye. >> Aye. >> Those opposed, please indicate by saying nay. The motion for Article 2 passes
unanimously. For Article 3, I'm going to step down. I publicly support accessibility, especially for town meetings. It's not a conflict of interest, but I feel more comfortable, and this gives Sierra Simmons an
opportunity to moderate an article. So. >> Thank you. I just I I have to stay in practice, or I'll forget how to do it. Um can we hear a motion for Article 3? >> Motion for Article 3. Move that the town vote to insert a new article entitled Accessibility
Commission as is set forth in Article 3 of the warrant of the June 20th, 2026 special town meeting into the town's general bylaw and re-enumerate or renumber the subsequent sections of the general bylaws accordingly.
>> Do you have a second? >> Second. >> Uh motion made and seconded. Who would like to speak to this? >> Chris Falls, Gun Road. Uh also chair of the Bylaw Review Advisory Committee. Uh again, if you recall from the annual town meeting, uh we voted to adopt the provisions of
the MGL regarding the uh commission on disability. The bylaw committee took that up and made a an actual bylaw to effectuate that idea that we adopted the MGL. So, this is the process of how you would carry out
the bylaw committee and the committee itself has been named the accessibility commission rather than the disability committee or something like that. Uh in an effort to show that this is going to apply to everybody and can be a benefit for everybody when we look at our town facilities. So, this is related to the
town buildings and our parks. Thank you. >> Thank you. Would anyone like to speak in opposition of this? Any other questions or comments? >> Yeah. >> Oh, god. I just wanted to say that I am fully in
support of this. People don't know that people who have physical disabilities, what they have to go through. Um and some buildings are not accom- accommodating. Um I know in fact, if anybody saw me walk
up here, you know, there should be some kind of a ramp up here or something or rails on this step so people who do have disabilities can have something to hold on to. Um I have fought for 2 years trying to get
back to a normal way of life after having a stroke and it's hard. You don't really realize how much you need your hand or your eye or your foot or your toe when you really do
need it. And I think this commission is needed in this town not just for town hall, but for the schools and the fire station and the police station and everywhere we can get into. So, I am very much supportive of this.
Thank you. >> Thank you. Any other comments or questions? All right, we will vote. All those in favor of the motion under Article 3, please indicate by saying I. >> I. >> All those opposed, [clears throat] please indicate by saying nay.
All right, the motion under Article 3 passes unanimously. >> Here a motion for Article 4, please. >> Moved that the town vote to adopt the changes to the town's general bylaws chapter 275 entitled zoning as presented Article 4 of the warrant for the June
20th, 2026 special town meeting. >> Motion made, do I hear a second? >> Second. >> Motion made and seconded, who would like to speak on this, please? >> I was approached by the building commissioner a few weeks ago pertaining to the fact that there's a duplication of effort in the uh
town governmental structure. The health department and the conservation commission actively review all this. This bylaw required the zoning enforcement officer to do the same. Despite the fact that he doesn't have any background and qualifications to the
topic. So, the logical thing is to just strike this out of the bylaws and let the health department and the conservation do their job. >> Motion made, do I hear a second? I'm sorry, you're speaking on it, my Who would like to speak in opposition on
this? Anybody want to have any questions, comments? Seeing none, we'll vote on the motion for Article 4. All those in favor, please indicate by saying aye. >> Aye. >> Opposed, please indicate by saying nay.
Motion for Article 4 passes unanimously. May I hear a motion for Article 5, please? >> Moved that the town appropriates the sum of $600,000 to purchase a new ambulance for the fire department and that to meet this appropriation, the treasurer, with the approval of the select board, is
authorized to borrow the sum of 600,000 under General Laws, Chapter 44, subsection 7, sub 1, or any other enabling authority and to issue bonds and notes therefore, provided and in accordance with General Laws, Chapter
44, subsection 20. Any premium received by the town upon the sale of any bonds or notes thereunder, less any premium applied to the payment of the cost of insurance of such bond or notes, may be applied to pay project cost and the amount authorized to the borrowed for
such project shall be reduced by the amount of any such premium so applied that may be necessary for that purpose. Motion made. Do I hear a second? >> Second. >> Motion made and seconded. Who would like to speak on this, please? >> Mr. Moderator, Scott Zayback, town
administrator. Last month, the voters of Southampton, at town meeting and at the ballot box, approved a dedicated line item in our budget to jump start our capital program and it covers expenses such as this. This is a good start, although we have a
lot of work to do uh getting our capital 5- and 10-year plans where they need to be. The $300,000 yearly The is overseen by our finance and capital committee. As you look to reorganize and better structure all the capital requests, this had to be brought to four town meeting
approval now because it will require short-term borrowing of 5 to 8 years against that $300,000 yearly budget. Additionally, the lead time from ordering to receiving an ambulance can be anywhere from 1 and 1/2 years to upwards of 2 and 1/2 years. These are custom vehicles that aren't
just available for purchase on dealership lots. Voters approved this funding just a few weeks ago. But if we wait until another town meeting for borrowing approval, it could delay delivery anywhere from another 6 to 9 months. Approval of the borrowing will then
allow the finance and capital committee to then place these payments in their 5 and 10-year capital plan. The fire department to order the vehicle and will allow for other projects to be funded while awaiting delivery. Payments wouldn't be due until delivery of the vehicle, which again may not be
for several years down the road. The $600,000 is an estimate based on what other communities have recently paid and an estimate from New England Fire Equipment and Apparatus Corporation of $578,665. This $600,000 is the maximum that can be borrowed without further further
approval by town meeting. The town is required to follow all procurement regulations, but will most likely use a vendor from the pre-approved state bid list, similar to how we purchase police cruisers, the Norse van, and last year's fire pickup truck. If approved, the finance and capital committee would then need to get final
approval to the fire department and determine where it fits into the schedule. The rough estimate of yearly debt payments, again, depending on length of borrowing, interest rates, and final price will be roughly $125,000. This ambulance will be the town's new
lead vehicle, replacing older 2008 model with over 98,000 miles on it, which has already survived way past its expected 10-year lifespan. And will either be sold or traded in. This would then put the current lead, the 2018, which is again past its
getting close to its 10-year lifespan, already which is already unreliable, into the second spot. So, just to recap, the funding is already available and will be part of the $300,000 annual budget as intended. The Finance and Capital Committee, which approved this uh article, will need to
give final approval and place it within their 5- and 10-year capital plan once they develop and finalize it. It will take several years to receive the ambulance and other projects will be funded while we are awaiting delivery. The cost for this are now built into our annual budget with the approval of the
override last month. Thank you. >> Thank you. Who would like to speak in opposition of this motion under article five? Any comments? Any questions? Come right up to the mic.
>> Tammy Wellunas, uh College Highway. Um so, my first question was how many ambulances do we have now and it sounds like we have two. Um how many full-time employees do we have available to drive or run these vehicles when we get the calls in? And
how many calls have the town received that has had to be transferred over to Easthampton or Westfield because we don't have the employees to drive them? >> Thank you. Who would like to answer that? Chief. >> Rich Wolley, fire chief. Uh last year we
did 978 ambulance calls. Um out of those 978, I would say probably close to 100 were uh Westfield or Easthampton. More than likely it was our primary ambulance was out, already on a call, so
we had to call for a mutual aid. Uh we currently have one full-time employee, one full-time paramedic, and myself is full-time. Uh our second full-time employee was cut from the budget uh when the second override didn't pass.
So we uh we have to rely on mutual aid. We we uh we stock we uh staff the ambulance 24 hours a day with per diem employees, part-time. Uh they receive no benefits, all they receive is pay. >> Thank you. Answer your question? >> Yes, thank you very much.
>> Oh, great. Any other questions, comments? Seeing none, we'll vote. Paper. >> Uh Martha, is that equal in circle some questions? >> You look louder to closer to the mic, Martha. No, just closer to the mic so we can
hear. >> But then I can't see. So, specifically, what is the town's procedure if the final price for the vehicles come in lower than the amount approved at the special town meeting? Do we still borrow the maximum allowed
amount? >> Do you have a question? Somebody answer that? >> The town would only pay for what the final invoice is. >> So we would not borrow, we would just borrow what it's invoiced. >> Right. Whatever the final price is is
what would be borrowed. >> Answer your question? >> It does. Uh just one more. Will we be getting three separate quotes for the vehicle? >> Uh it depends if we go off the state bid list, uh then we wouldn't have to. That's the idea behind the state bid list is there's pre-approved vendors by
the state. >> One last question. Uh how do we like lock in a price for this? Because if we're waiting 3 years, might the price be up? >> Uh there can be uh price fluctuations,
especially with the recent tariffs and and cost of oil, so there might be some differences in materials, uh but there is a contingency built into the quote uh to allow for any types of unexpected increases. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Answer your questions? >> Yes. >> Great. Anybody else have any questions,
comments, opinions? Seeing none, we'll vote. Paper ballot. Why? Because bonding is in the motion, and our bylaws require paper ballot when bonding is required. So take your
pink slips, cut it in half, and choose yes or no, and deposit in the box where you vote. If you're voting yes, deposit the yes half of this pink slip. If you're voting no, put the no
half into the box. The box will be passed around in front of you. And they'll count while we're on to the next article. And they work from front to back.
Or the sides. You do the front on here also. And you take the other half of the pink slip and use it as a bookmark. >> With the size of our audience, this is the how we've done this traditionally. This is our culture. Some towns that have a much larger voting population
stand in line and they're handed each individual is handed a slip yes or no. They then rip it up, deposit their vote, take the other slip and they put it in another box. Which takes a long time. Has everyone voted? Anybody who hasn't
cast their ballot, raise your hand. Okay, the voting for article motion on article 5 is done. They'll be counting the ballots. Let's proceed now. Can I hear a motion for article 6, please? >> Article 6 motion.
Move that the town appropriate to sum of $400,000 to purchase a new dump / snow removal truck for the highway department. That is to meet the appropriate this appropriation the treasurer with the approval of the select board is authorized to borrow the sum of $400,000
under Mass General Law Chapter 44, Section 7 1 or any other enabling authority and to issue bonds and notes therefore, provided and in accordance with Mass General Law, Chapter 44, Section 20,
any premium received from the town upon the sale of any of the bonds or bonds or notes may be applied to pay project costs and the amount authorized to be borrowed for such project and shall be reduced by the amount of any such
premium so applied that may be necessary for this purpose. >> Second. Motion made, do I hear a second? >> Second. >> Motion made and seconded. Would like to speak on this, please. >> Mr. Moderator, Scott Ziback, Town Administrator.
The reasoning for the snow removal dump truck is the same as the ambulance request. The funding is already available and will be part of the $300,000 annual budget as intended. The Finance and Capital Committee will need to give final approval and place it within the 5-year and 10-year capital plan
and it will take several years to receive this truck and other projects will be funded while we are waiting delivery. Additionally, new emission standards, which will begin next year, will increase the cost of the truck if we don't act now and put in our order. So, ordering it now in this fiscal year will
actually save some money based on the current standards for emissions. This new truck will replace a 2005 International 7600, which has 7,282 hours on it, and hours is the real indication of use when you're dealing with heavy
machinery, not miles, but it does have 74,000 miles on it. Now, as I just learned from our fire chief, uh 1 hour is equal to 44 miles. So, in relation, this vehicle would have over 320,408
miles if you convert converted that. The annual payments, again, depending on interest rates, price, and length will be around $68,000. The price estimate of $346,000 is from ATG Patriot LLC and again will
follow all procurement regulations. Thank you. >> Thank you. Who would like to speak in opposition for this motion on Article 6? Any other comments, questions, come right up to the mic. Thank you. >> Tamara Lunis,
College Highway. Again, how many trucks and plows do we currently have? How many full-time employees are available to drive or have the correct permits for these? And um have we had to rely on
other towns for any services? Basically the same questions I just asked for the other ones. >> three-part question. Who would like to answer this? >> Good morning, Randall Kemp, Highway Superintendent. We have about a dozen uh pieces of snow-fighting equipment um
when they are up and running. This would replace, as Scott said, a 21-year-old dump truck, single-axle dump truck, which is uh CDL-level uh greater than 26,000 GVW. Uh GVW.
Uh to answer the question regarding personnel, I have a bullpen of temporary call-in seasonal drivers uh to fill in when we have uh personnel shortages, sickness,
or in the case uh right now, open positions. Um the last question was regarding >> Do we rely on any other towns? >> Oh, unlike police and fire, we do not have any mutual uh
service agreements with any other towns. We have to cover it ourselves. >> Thank you. Did that answer your question? >> Yes, thank you. >> Cheers. Go ahead. Come right up. >> So, what is the cost benefit of just hiring contractors when we have a big
storm opposed to having our own truck and hiring extra people to come in? >> Okay. Question made. We'll get an answer. >> Uh I actually don't think there is a benefit to um hiring in people that are less reliable than full-time employees,
but we do what we have to. And I want to specify this isn't hiring in trucks. This is hiring in people to drive our trucks that that we do right now. >> Thank you. Did that answer your question? Great. >> Nelda Cohen, um I have a question.
>> Whoops, good. >> Um how long has Randall had these openings because he has been short-handed in terms of staff for a long time. Is it the pay? Is it People are just not
working? Um something has to happen. >> Thank you. We got your question. We'll get you an answer. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Uh I can answer the first question. Um Wait, what was the first question? As as
to why, I don't know. How long? Uh the last time we were fully staffed was April of 2018, and it has been a struggle. >> Thank you. Answer your question? Good. Any other comments, questions? Hold on. All right, we're going to vote and this
has bonding, so this is going to be a paper ballot requiring 2/3. I know the counters are busy, but could you leave the ballots for the previous motion and come collect the ones for this. So, take your blue paper that you have left, cut it in half
and vote yes or no accordingly to your desire. Oh, you have the answers? >> For the ambulance, 19 no's and 62 yes's. >> 19 no's, 62 yes's.
So, the motion for article five passes meeting our 2/3 majority. All right, let's vote for the motion under article six, please. It doesn't matter if it's a black box or a blue box. All the votes will be counted equally.
She's plural. >> Jane. Jane. >> Jane. Jane. >> Thank you. >> Everyone voted? Oh, still collecting. Okay. We got you. Thanks for your patience.
Teamwork. Everyone voted? Good. We'll go on to Article 7. May I hear a motion for Article 7, please? >> Mr. Moderator, I move that the town vote to transfer the sum of 14,620
dollars from the Community Preservation Funds Surcharges Open Space Recreation Account to the Greenway Committee for the local match required for the 2024 Mass Trails Grant. >> Motion made. I'll call for a second. >> Second. >> Motion made and seconded. Who would like
to speak on this, please? >> Mr. Moderator, Mark Casassa, 19 Fernald Road, speaking for Greenway Committee and CPA Committee. In we the town received a 2024 Mass Trails Grant, um but the funding was different than prior years in that they state funded it
through their state ARPA funding and they allowed us to uh spend the funds over 2 and 1/2 years rather than the typical 1 year and gave us $52,000 more than we requested. When we originally uh passed CPA funding for the
uh original grant we approved $23,000, but it didn't cover $52,000 that the state gave us above what we originally thought. So, in order to uh use those um that additional $52,000 by the end of
this year, we need to approve $14,620 of CPA funding to use the uh $52,000 available from the state. >> Thank you. Anyone who wishes to speak in opposition for the motion for Article 7?
Any comments? Any questions? Seeing a none, we'll vote on the motion for Article 7. All in favor, please indicate by saying aye. >> Aye. >> Opposed, please indicate by saying nay. The motion for Article 7 passes unanimously. May I hear a motion for
Article 8, please? >> Mr. Moderator, I move that the town vote to appropriate $428,800 for the purpose of acquiring a conservation restriction by purchase, gift, eminent domain, or otherwise for the purpose below of the following property,
75 acres of land, more or less, by GIS, located at 37 Middle Road, Southampton, being a portion of tax map 36, lot 10. This is designated as lot two on the plot plan at on file at Town Hall. B. That to meet this appropriation, the
sum of $424,800 be transferred from the Community Preservation Undesignated Account. C. That the Select Board and Conservation Commission are authorized to acquire a conservation restriction on said property by gift, negotiated purchase,
eminent domain, or otherwise, including pursuant to the town's statutory right of first refusal, pursuant to chapter 61, section 8, for conservation and passive recreation purposes, subject to the protections of
article 97 of the amendments to the Massachusetts Constitution, and that said property shall be under the care, custody, and control of the conservation commission, pursuant to the provisions of chapter 40, section 8C, as it may hereafter be amended, and any other
Massachusetts statutes relating to conservation. And D, that the select board and or the conservation commission is authorized to apply for, accept, and expend any funds that may be provided by the Commonwealth or other public or private sources to defray all
or a portion of the costs of said acquisition, including but not limited to grants and or reimbursements from the Commonwealth. Any grants or reimbursement programs in any way connected with the scope of this article, which grants and or funds so
received shall be used to repay all or a portion of the sums transferred from the community act community preservation act fund hereunder. And that the conservation commission is authorized to accept the perpetual conservation restriction pursuant to the
provisions of chap- chapter 184, sections 31 through 33, in compliance with chapter 44B, section 12A, protecting the properties for the purposes for which they were acquired, and further to authorize the select board and or the conservation commission
to enter into all agreements and execute any and all instruments as be as may be necessary or convenient to effectuate the foregoing purposes or take any other action relative thereto. >> Motion made. I'll call for a second. >> Second. >> Motion made and seconded. Who would like
to speak on this, please? >> Mr. Moderator, Mark Kassis, Fomer Road. Uh as a member CPA Committee, also Open Space Committee. The at the annual town meeting, the town approved funding for purchase of two lots related
to this area on Middle Road, uh often known as Triplebrook Farm. Um this is um a second vote in uh in the setting of we're not able to receive full grant funding as we hoped
from the state land grant and potential funding from the Mass Audubon Catalyst Fund. It um the original proposal was for a 7.8 acre lot on the west side of Middle Road and approximately 75 acres on the east side
that excludes the farm area and the building of Triplebrook Farm. The assumption was that uh if we can get full grant funding, it would only take about 10% of CPA funding to purchase both parcels. But in the condition where we don't get full um land grant or any land grant
funding or we don't get full or any funding from Mass Audubon or similar sources, that uh it was felt that it was probably worth purchasing the conservation restriction on the more um sensitive uh cons- uh area on the east side, so that we'd be only using CPA
full potential full CPA funding for purchasing the approximate 75 acres on the east side of Middle Road. If there is partial funding from Mass Audubon, other sources, including land grant, but not meeting the full amount set in the first um vote that was approved, then that
would offset this total amount. The actual CR purchase is $389,000 and the other cost is for survey, legal costs, closing costs, baseline study, and and welcome any other questions. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Anyone wish to speak in opposition to the motion? Article 8. Anyone have any questions, comments, come right up. >> Tammy Wolunas, College Highway. It corrects me, but when it was talked
about at the last annual town meeting, and we were shown maps and everything, it pretty much looked like the 75 acres was more swamp area and undesirable to be built upon.
And now this is asking us to pay 424,000 for this land if we don't get the funding from the other that they're asking, the other grants and stuff.
Um I just just want to make sure we're spending what money on what land and how valuable that land is. The other question I had was at one point they talk about ConCom authorized to maintain it.
Um they're unpaid group, aren't they? How are they coming up with funds to maintain it? >> but I'll get an answer to your question. >> Mr. Moderator, the purchase price of the conservation restriction of $389,000 is based on a
formal appraisal. Um and they based on that they thought there were three buildable lots. There is the swampy area is on the portion that's being excluded and not part of the conservation restriction, but they would stay with the farm and the buildings.
Um most of the other areas upland, there's a small area of um swamp, but it's a less than um probably 4% of the total. And again, so this formal appraisal, they uh they thought there were three potential building lots, and if you take
an average of $130,000 typically plus back land, that's the basis of the $389,000. I hope that answers uh satisfactory. The second question was um Forgive me. >> Tammy,
your second question. >> I had a question about uh funding and >> So, first of all, the ConCom has ability to put in trails. They're not necessarily responsible for um Uh they have to they have to approve them. They do not have to have to maintain
them. Uh the good news right now, there's a uh group in town called the Trail Blazers who's done an amazing job setting up trails, maintaining trails in conjunction with the Conservation Commission. Um they occasionally have requested minor funding for wood for
building bridges over wet areas, but um the ConCom has not had to do the work of maintaining them. The Trail Blazers has really done incredible job of taking over that responsibility. >> Thank you. Answer your question? >> Yes, thank you. >> Great. Who's next?
>> Hi, I'm Amy Paulus. I live on Pequot Road. And um I think this sounds fantastic. I mean, I'm all um definitely in support of the conservation lands and habitat for wildlife, but I'm curious, is there like a formal plan for how this
would become a usable recreation space for residents, or is it just sort of a pipe dream? >> Thank you. Who would like to answer that? >> The agreement with the family will include signing of a conservation
restriction, which will allow development of trails and require public access when you use a land grant. They have to allow public access. Um the town owns a five-parcel acre adjacent to this, which potentially can be parking area and access. In addition,
the family um part of the agreement is that they will allow uh access through these their central access area, so that um there will be assurance of public access by law, and um
the exact nature of where the trails will go is not yet been determined. >> Thank you. Did I answer your question? Cool. >> Don D'Astoli, Hawthorne Drive. I guess I'd like to know how much conservation land we actually own, and
why do we keep buying more? The town is in debt, yet we keep spending money on this land, and nobody knows what it's being used for other than supposed trails. So, can somebody answer how much land we actually own? >> Question. I'll get an answer. Somebody
like to answer that, please? >> Mr. Moderator, Stephen Johnson, Wolcott Road. As I understand it, this article authorizes the town to acquire less than fee interest, and the property will remain
owned by the farmer. >> Speak directly into the mic. >> Will the property will remain privately owned and on the tax rolls. What this is about is a conservation restriction that will allow for farming
and public access at such time as it's planned and developed. So, the big point is we are not acquiring the property outright. We're acquiring a conservation restriction and it will be
taxed. Did that answer your question? >> Uh Scott Dannick, Montgomery Road. Uh I'd also like to make the comment that currently 10% of roughly of Southampton around the Ty Clark Reservoir, which is
terrific forest, uh the public cannot access. So, it's a good reason to uh get conservation land. >> Thank you. Any other comments? Seeing none, we'll vote on the motion for Article 8.
All those in favor, please indicate by saying aye. >> Aye. >> Opposed, please indicate by saying nay. >> Nay. >> The motion for Article 8 passes by vast majority. May I hear a motion for Article 9, please? >> Mr. Moderator, I move that the town vote
to transfer the sum of $42,000 from the Community Preservation Act funds to the town of Southampton Town Hall maintenance expense account to restore the front steps of the historic Old Town Hall. Said funds to be transferred from the Community
Preservation Surcharges Historic Preservation Account or take any other action relative thereto. >> Motion made. Before I get a second, can I have the results for Article 6, please? Be less confusing at the end. >> 15 no's
56 yes's. >> 56 yes's, 15 no's. The emotion under Article 6 passes meeting its 2/3 majority requirement. May I hear a second for Article 9, please? Motion made and seconded. Who would like
to address this? >> I move to postpone Article 9 indefinitely. >> Sorry? >> I move to postpone Article 9 indefinitely. >> I can't hear you. I'm sorry cuz the fans are loud. >> I am making a motion
to move Article 9 indefinitely. >> So, you want to kill Article 9. That's the motion. >> Indefinitely, yes. >> a second? >> I'll second it. >> There's no debate on that. So, when you vote yes, you're voting to kill this article for this meeting and whatever
happens in future happens in the future. There's no strings attached. But, the idea is that we're not going to discuss or vote on the article. You vote no, you want to continue debating and talking about this motion on the Article 9 during this meeting.
So, all those in favor of the motion to kill Article 9, please indicate by raise your hands, actually. May we have counters? Do you have that in writing? >> I do. Would you like to know the reason?
>> Would you like to know the reason why? >> I would like a count. >> Okay. >> Do we have no's? Yes's? We have the yes's. These are yes's. All those in favor of killing the motion, raise your hand.
Sorry? Oh, you counted the yes's? All right, I didn't hear that report. All right, all those in who have you have the yes's? >> Point of clarification. >> Well, as soon as I understand what's going on, I'll share it with you, sir.
Is that cool? Okay. >> Take your smart hand. >> Yes. >> I think your last instructions confused the audience, so some people raised their hand. >> Okay. That's a good one. We have a motion to kill the motion
under Article 9. All those in favor of killing the motion, please raise your hands. I. Teamwork. >> 17. >> All those opposed of the motion to kill the article, please raise your hands.
>> Who's still counting? >> 52 >> 52 The motion to kill the article fails, we'll continue with debate. Who would like to speak on the this article, please? You may sit down, you spoke once. We have to wait until everybody speaks once before you can speak a second time as
I've explained in my remarks at every meeting. Thank you. >> Christina Madsen, 40 Rattle Hill Better. Christina Madsen, 40 Rattle Hill I'll speak to this assuming that everyone has read the handout to get a
little background about it. The town, I believe, was extremely lucky to get this uh $96,000 grant from the National Park Service to help maintain the municipal structure
that is in the center historic district and is one of our few historic structurally sound historic buildings. The reason that the stair repair could
not be included in the original bid is that it wasn't known what the condition would be of these steps uh that were buried beneath the ramp until the ramp was removed. So, it was not part of the original scope.
We were very lucky to find that most of it is intact. The stones, the top step, and the bottom step, the pink granite, are in perfect shape. The middle step was removed for placement of the
concrete ramp, and we searched for it and were able to find three parts of it. It had been broken apart, and so was not able to simply be replaced. And two little side walls
also were dismantled for the placement of the concrete ramp, which was ADA non-compliant. This is an an ideal opportunity to use some CPA funds for historic preservation. We don't often have the
opportunity to use the this section of the CPA funding. And um now with the um masons on hand, it's the perfect time to do it. It will be a greater cost if it
is delayed and we have to have it go out to bid again. So, they're right there on site. The pink granite has been identified, and this will complete the repointing and restoration of the
front exterior. The building as many of you know has been deteriorating the exterior and it really needs to be maintained as an asset to the town. >> Thank you. Anyone want to speak in opposition of this motion under Article
9? Any comments, questions? Come right up to the mic. >> Thank you, Mr. Moderator. Martha Issod, eight Golden Circle. I support preserving Old Town Hall in the future, but I think we should wait
until the town finds grant funding for this project. The upper floors of the building are not currently being used and the work does not appear to make the building ADA compliant or ready for public use. It is for the front entrance and steps, not a
ramp. Since grant money was found for the brick repointing and ramp removal, I would like to see the town continue looking for grant funding before using $42,000 of our money. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Chris Fowles, Gun Road, also on the
Grant [clears throat] Committee. Um we as was mentioned, we were extremely lucky to find a a grant [clears throat] as let alone a federal grant. This was funded through the National Park Service. So to be able to receive a federal grant for this project in Southampton was
um more than more than unique. Um we got I think $96,000 out of a $100,000 maximum grant uh and we were one of seven communities in all of Massachusetts to be selected for this program. So, this is a sub
grant of the Paul Bruhn Historic Reservation project and there are not that many opportunities out there for historic preservation and having gotten one, we would not be able to go back most likely to get another grant from the National Park Service in this particular program.
>> Thank you. >> Hi, Caitlyn Brooks, 189 College Highway, also a member of the the Grant Search Committee. I just wanted to ask a point of clarification to CPC. I understand that there's different categories of funding that we can utilize for specific
types of projects and I was curious which category we're using to fund this project and how much money would be in that category of CPC funding and I believe it's for building preservation or something like that. >> Thank you.
Somebody want to answer that? >> Mark Cassis, Fomer Road. Currently, there's approximately $350,000 in historical profession preservation portion of the CPA funds available. As was said before, there's not a lot of
projects that come up to use historical preservation funds. As just as a reminder to people, CPA funding can only be used for historical preservation, um community housing, open space and
recreation. And again, it's not general funds from the town, it's only the CPA funds which has limited use and historical preservation. At least 10% of all of the funds that come in have to be set aside for historical preservation. We have not always used them fully, so.
>> Thank you. Did that answer your question? Great. Any other comments? Any other questions? Seeing none, we'll vote on the motion for Article 9. All in favor, please indicate by saying aye. >> Aye. >> Opposed, please indicate by saying nay. >> Nay.
>> The motion for Article 9 passes by vast majority. That concludes our business for the day. I will entertain a motion now to dissolve our special town meeting. Second. All in favor. >> Aye. >> Opposed. This special town meeting is
dissolved. Thank you, Lucy Doll, and our town clerk, Deputy Moderator, Sierra Simmons, our town's police chief, E Media, and all of you for coming today. Have a great weekend. I think I made