Welcome everyone. Community preservation committee meeting tonight is October 15th 7 p.m. and we are in hybrid the land use meeting room. Uh with us tonight we have >> Dennis Clark, Chris Pratt.
>> And welcome everybody. >> John Wallally >> John Wallally. Welcome. All right. We'll open it up right now at this time for anybody who has any public comments. >> You can come up
for Start by saying >> your name and address. >> Very jealous of these get the name. I got off >> Christopher Mastriani 60 Hillside Road South. I'm Susan Mastriani and also live at 60
Hillside Road in Southwick. >> You're welcome. >> Uh I just wanted to take a few minutes of your public comment time to uh let you know that just give you an overview. We purchased 64 Tannery Road uh last summer sometime
after some several discussions with the Southwood Land Trust that uh we would purchase it and then they would eventually purchase it from us. But that uh that was plan A, but I I don't think that's seems to be working out because
of the their financial situation. It's going to be many years probably before that's possible. So, we're exploring the uh possibility of the CPC using some of their funds to either buy either purchase the conservation restriction or
the the property itself. Uh I'm not quite sure how that works yet, but uh that's we will be submitting an application by the November 1 deadline. We have the body of the application is pretty much done. Uh we spoke to an
appraiser today who should have us an an estimate u by that time for the uh to put some numbers in there. Uh I just today I received a an enthusiastic endorsement from the agricultural committee. Uh I have a pending request
with the park and wreck committee and with the pioneer valley planning commission for letters of support. Also >> I would also recommend that you go to conservation CPC.
>> Have you been in touch with the state APR people? Well, not for preservation. I recommended you is Barbara Hopson still
>> I don't know >> Hon CPC likes to match funds if you know somebody else comes in with we've done it a number of times with an agricultural preservation restriction and the town comes up with certain amount of money >> usually 10%
>> and I could advise you right now that the town isn't going to want to own the property Okay. >> You know, they would entertain, I'm sure, a conservation restriction. Okay. >> Actually, ownership of the property is I don't think that that would be good. >> Well, we we're prepared to to do that
and have the town by the conservation restriction. We would temporarily, I guess, remain owners until we could find suitable person to to purchase them. Most land trusts don't want to own land either for the specific reason the sellers.
>> There's some butters that might have some interest depending on what the >> what the dollar amount ends up what the balance ends up being after it the better. >> Yeah. >> So so that's that's the the path we're
pursuing right now. Ron Hall is that what he >> Ron Hall? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. He's the >> agricultural preservation restriction is in charge of the believe he's still in charge of is that the name of the agency
or the works for the Commonwealth Massachusetts and the Department of Americ for for APR um >> farm has to be five acres >> it is five acres >> not including any >> and do you also need to make 500 at
least 500 a year. >> It needs to be farmed every year which can be hayed or >> not every square inch needs to be >> presently >> farm farming has to be >> presently 18 acres are being hayed
>> perfect >> by uh Rockwood Farms up in Brandon. I spoke to him when I had to get the 61A for this year and uh talked to him about that. He wants to continue but uh he's
getting up in in years quite quite a bit. So I also talked to Mike Solic at Solic Farm and he said that if Brockwood is not able to or interested in continuing then then Mike Solic would would be interested in in doing that. Mhm.
>> So the plan is to continue continue it being agricultural as well as recreational because it it lets the rail trail might be able to give you some pointers. He's been through the APR. So >> I know we can't because it's public
comment. We can't go into a lot of details, but happy to talk to you afterwards. >> Okay. >> All right. Um so that you know that that's it. I'm sure you don't want to get get into a lot of detail. I can answer any questions you have. >> We just I think check those other
avenues first would be the best option. Like Dennis said we do map funds, you know, if possible unless it's a really valuable piece of property that we want to preserve into, you know, something that we've had our eyes set on like
through our different committees. You know, >> how did the 74 college highway? >> That was through the historical society. They want to preserve their land get their property intact. >> Did the town get the conservation restriction or did they buy the
>> conservation restriction? >> Yeah. Well, that's kind of Sabrina gave me a copy of that application. So, that's what I modeled this one after. So, it should uh it should be comp >> like I said that they're one of the
committees that part of this board and they value that. parcel. >> Okay. >> They brought forward as a historical society actually brought forward as a historical piece of property. >> Oh, so somebody's mentioned it to you.
>> This agriculture preservation. They've already talked to you about it >> for this person. >> Oh. Oh. Oh. For >> 74. Okay. College highway. Right. >> That was for CPC. >> All right. I'm getting >> conservation restriction >> storage mixed up. Okay.
Okay, that's that's Can you give me your email if I'm not sure we can say very >> All right, I will we'll get that application into you and get it get it into the system then I'm I'm sure it'll need some tweaking along the way and uh right
>> but uh I think we'll find a good start. I hope that hope that it works out efforts preserving >> everybody's uh appreciative. So I just hope that >> I hope that we become ex owners very
very soon. >> Thank you very much everybody. >> We have anybody else for public comment? >> Anybody online? Anybody in the audience?
Right. We'll move on business. We have an application for the library yard revitalization parts two request for additional funding. >> Name address. >> I'm Lind Blair from the South Public Library.
So, um I've been kind of working with Sabrina. Um I don't know how much she filled you all in on. So, we had applied last year um for the work to get done in our library yard. It was approved. That
was all great. Um but we had created the application uh when there was a different buildings and grounds department. Um and originally when we had created the application, um the buildings and grounds director was going to do all the groundwork needed for the project because he said he had everything. Um obviously he moved on to
another position and so it's not something that's in the scope of what they're able to do right now. So we are just coming back with another application. What we would need to do in order to make the project happen would be to get some concrete work done in the
yard. Um so I detailed all of that in the budget. Basically the budget is very simple this time. Um we are just asking for funds for some concrete um and as well as some additional funds. Obviously the um the metal structures that they're metal musical instruments permanent
structures that the kids can interact with. Um since we submitted the last application obviously prices have gone up and now um there are tariffs as well because it's coming um from the UK. So that's what this application entails
is just the concrete work and just something to help us cover the increase in price on those materials. >> So it would be all private. The town wouldn't be doing any work. >> No, no, it would it would all be private. Um yeah, the only the only things that need to be done uh we have a
tree company that would that's offered to take the trees down. There's two trees that need to be removed in order to do the concrete work. Um they've offered to do that for free. the library. I've been having trouble getting quotes for some stump grinding and root removal. I don't anticipate that to be a big fee. Um so we'll just
cover that once we get that number taken care of. Um so >> you got 16,000 donations. >> Yes. Um the Wolf family donated 10,000. Uh the Masterani family who were just here, they donated a thousand and the
friends of the library have pledged to give us 5,000. So that cuts down on the the concrete quote was originally 34,500. So that cuts down on quite a lot of that. >> Yeah, >> very generous people. And then we did
just add in a small um contingency funds just in case we run into any extra prices. Things are going up daily it seems. So yeah. >> No, no, they never will. originally too. >> Yeah.
>> Yeah. >> For the project. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. It it happens. Yeah. >> I do like that you did get some other funding. Yes, >> that's nice. >> Absolutely. Yeah, we didn't we didn't seek it. They came to us, which is
great. So, >> yeah, >> any discussion? Just one question. >> Yeah, I see the CPA funding for 2242. Yeah, >> I'm doing the math on the page. >> 185 3742,
which I think that's 222. >> Oh, did I forget to add Did I forget to add in the two? >> Okay, there we go. Yep. >> Bump that up to 24, >> I think. So, yeah, if you're for it, then Yep. Just checking.
Nice to have it. 24. >> Okay. Which fund do we think has enough money to take to general fund? The >> general fund has to be had. I think all of them have enough.
>> What about the last was taken out? Which one was this attributed to >> how much is left in other space? You know, >> it makes sense that I would see >> I think it was around >> if they have nothing in general. I
recommend having fun. It's >> been used for anything. leaves the other ones available for those specific areas in case you do have an application for those. >> I can quickly look
>> last number. They seem to change quickly. Sabrina is looking. I guess I could hear a motion. Make one. >> I would make a motion. It was a 242 >> 24280 >> and make a motion to approve that branch
down meeting. and uh to take it out of general reserve. >> Oh, we're going to look that up for we're going to see what funds have. >> Got to be part of the motion or >> money's to be determined.
>> All right. Make that motion. >> Dave second. >> Okay. >> Chris Pratt. I >> Dave Ier. >> Okay. So, we have to determine Oh, >> I didn't hear what I couldn't hear the whole thing.
>> A motion to approve the additional funding for the town library project that we've already approved. I need $24,242.80. >> I >> Okay, >> we're going to determine what fund that will come out of.
Which which town meeting or which >> Yeah. >> Oh, it was the last one. So May Well, not May 24. It would have been >> this year. >> No, no, no. It was it was last year the town meeting in May 2024. >> Yeah. >> Then we can um
>> Yeah. Article. >> Try to look up that, >> right? Makes sense. Of course, >> it was from the general. >> Okay.
>> Take a vote on that. Make a motion. Dennis made a motion already. Hi. >> Didn't hear it. >> Oh, come on. So, we're we're voting to take this out of the general unreserve because that's where we took it out of last time. >> Hi.
>> Okay. >> Talk louder. >> All right. >> So, you're all set. Thank you very much. >> Absolutely. Thank you. Okay, review master plan lead support items.
We tabled this last time. Anybody have a chance to review those items? I know Dave and Brian had already you submitted our yours. >> I submitted mine. You got them? >> Yes, I added them to >> um spreadsheet that I have in my computer.
>> Russ, you submitted yours? Yeah. >> Did you get my email back? I just I didn't open it yet. Okay. Because >> I shut down >> four trucking down road >> doing something.
>> And they sent me a beautiful text saying we're going to be you're out of service for the whole day. >> Just before I came tonight, I >> got the text you're up and running. But I so I did see where you said
something. I did >> um you had >> and I agree with that being able to be done. >> But that's how >> I know it's not. >> I understand. But if you want real data, I think you should be able to rank each one one through 10 and where you feel it
it falls because some of them are the same. Some of them I do get the same weight too. Why can't you? >> That's not real. >> It's his >> or you could >> you
>> part of the committee. >> No, we want to we want >> more forms to victory. I mean, you have some things that are going to be very similar and they're going to be ranked at like three and seven, you know, because >> you only have one.
>> Yeah. >> I mean, they have like a one, a two, and a three, four, three, >> Yeah. >> Yeah. But you could do like rank each one one through and then you add you total them up at the end to see which
one gets the most weight for the committee. likely to have a tie the way it is on that note. If you have three things, say five, six, and seven, rank on three. That way you're not
fixing, >> right? >> I don't see the math will work. >> You're the expert. I'm going to agree with you >> ultimately is also you know spreadsheets got this letter
>> they were going to review tonight >> well that was the intent is then once we actually have that calculated everybody we'll take a look at it collectively and really just find out I thought it was a number one you go 10 let's talk about that otherwise with generally Did you do it, Mr. Lo?
>> What >> did you rank your uh >> your support actions for CPC? >> I thought I did it uh >> quite quite a bit ago. >> All right. I mean, the spreadsheet was a
little messy. I open it up. things at the top were crowded. I couldn't really then I couldn't open it on Excel. I did it on something else and then I I shared >> walk Thank you insult usable
for the next meeting >> having issues opening a document that you know >> well it was I mean I was able to to do it but it wasn't you know play with it >> for make a motion to table to the next meeting.
>> Okay I'll second that. All in favor Chris >> Brad Fox I >> and >> I think it's more important because >> Yes. >> Yes. All right. It's really It's really for
us our own guidance for it being action question. >> This thing your guy will get to yours later. >> Yeah. >> Like when you get to number three, they might not have a great argument if any better than number seven. >> You know what I'm saying?
>> So anyway, we're going to move on from that. We're going to go to our holiday tree discussion. Is there a deadline for uh >> check the website? Nothing. I tried to civic some information.
>> No, because we're not I mean I'm sure they're doing it. It's not officially reached out to committees to >> I don't even think they reach out to committees. I think committees just go on. Haven't seen anything official yet. >> Yeah, it's still a 2024.
>> So, I mean, we voted on doing it already. So, >> when we find out the details, then I guess we'll have more discussion. >> Yeah, there's not much to >> Right. Right.
And then spotter lantern lantern flies >> and hogweed and hogweed basic love invasive. Um, >> do we have any mail?
>> No, we don't have we don't have mail. We have minutes. >> Yes. Look at our minutes from September 17th. Okay, >> good to go. >> Yay. Make a motion.
>> Chris, please John I. get and we do have some other matters that we're going to discuss a little just get more information on. We do have an
upcoming meeting that we have uh somebody from the be preservation coalition um who's going to be coming to speak. What's the date? >> November 6. >> November 6th. >> It's a Thursday. It's at 7 o'clock and
you'll be in this week. >> Okay. It will be multi >> community. >> Okay. So, that would be something to look forward to. Be a niceformational meeting.
>> All right. Mr. Wall, >> what time was that? >> 7 o'clock. >> 7 o'clock. And where is it? >> Right here. right here. >> Oh, wonderful. >> I had one question if it's appropriate
at this. >> I ran into the former CEO, Mr. Steinhardt, today and I happened to mention I was coming to the 9th meeting and he would asked me if the town had put in an application for work for the town hall building.
>> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. It was for the the engineering the >> expensive for the plan. >> Well, of course, this was his last so it's like his baby. >> Yeah. >> Want to make sure that
>> Yeah. >> Thank you. >> at least went forward for us. But I don't know if the buildings and grounds has yet done any work. um detailed center
they have an application in the deadline. >> Oh yeah. Yeah, it's already passed. Um we approved it I think in the last town meeting. So >> the funds are available there. Okay. >> It's just I don't know if the actual leg work has started.
the school put in an application, regional school or I have one of our principles is talking about, you know, recreation facility for very young
adults with mobility issues. As you know, we did were cited as uh one of u I think 227 in the whole country uh for Special Olympics and working out for our
athletes and students and we're the only one I think in Western Massachusetts that was recognized. So I think that was pretty good honor for our regional school system and for our town. So when she talked about this facility,
talked about the possibility community preservation reach out to to you to make sure that we got a couple of weeks. >> Yeah, I haven't gotten anything else um aside from Lynn's application, although
I I've heard that there may be some coming in coming yet. Okay. >> All right. I'll rattle the cage. Hey, Mr. Wallally, you're on. >> Motion to adjurnn. >> That's the one.
>> What? >> I'll second that motion. >> I Chris >> Brad. I >> Okay, good night everyone. Thank you for coming >> your participation.