WEBVTT

METADATA
Video-Count: 1
Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=ngE7XT87AnE

NOTE
MEETING SECTIONS:

Part 1 (Video ID: ngE7XT87AnE):
- 00:00:00: Meeting Call to Order, Dog Park Endorsement Letter
- 00:04:35: Local Option Meal Tax, State Aid Opportunities Discussed
- 00:09:36: Social Media Initiative Approval and Strategy Development
- 00:13:53: Minutes Approval, Dog Park Letter, Vacancy Updates
- 00:17:24: Associate Member Positions, Local Option Tax Revisited
- 00:19:36: Grant Opportunities for Southwick, Complete Streets Discussed
- 00:27:34: Master Plan Progress, Website and Social Media Successes
- 00:32:09: Annual Small Business Forum, Commercial Property Listings
- 00:37:18: Zoning Definitions, Vacant Property Website Discussion
- 00:45:58: Restaurant Market, Southwick Location Advantages Noted
- 00:49:40: Southwick in Bloom, Beautification Project Brainstorming
- 00:57:23: Zoning Revision, Rail Trail Connector, New Development
- 01:01:25: Marina Update, Conference Room Change Request, Leadership Training
- 01:04:40: Town Government Training Session, Meeting Adjournment


Part: 1

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Hello. Today is Wednesday, March 18th, and I'd like to call to order our meeting of the South Lake Economic Development Commission. And we have one person still yet to arrive. Uh we'll go I'm here, Greg Dy,

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the chair, >> Serena Fuller, >> and we also have Alvin Allen, our town planner and economic development director. and we're expecting Julie to come in any minute, but we're

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going to start our discussions. We'll hold off any votes until she arrives to have a full quorum. Um, as I mentioned to Alvin, I've done a

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an endorsement letter for the dog park. >> Oh, okay. Good. >> That uh I've rewritten it and >> Oh, good. >> we can You can glance at it, but if >> if everybody agrees, I will go ahead and send that if we all

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>> Oh, yeah. Definitely in agreement with it. I saw where Doug says there may be a couple of snap snafoos with the Tilcon gift to the town. >> What What's your opinion, Alvin, on that? Is that a big deal or not? >> Um, >> having it's about ownership of the right

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away for the road that comes through. >> I'm not sure what the discussion was this past Monday. I um I wasn't I actually left early before that matter. >> So we don't know but I I thought it was just a small uh issue that just >> Yeah, that's what he thought.

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>> Not an opposition anyway, >> right? >> Yeah, I'll look it over. >> Yeah, I think it was more or less he wanted clarity as to >> Yeah. Make sure we didn't run into >> because there was a couple of things that were he had to make sure that was done beforehand.

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>> Okay. Um, and we'll we'll wait for Julie to talk about the vacancies. Um, and we'll wait to vote on this letter support, but I just want to be able to say that that we as a commission as a

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whole >> support this. >> That looks good. Yeah, >> it's very good. And just in the mail that I picked up right now, I've got a letter from

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>> the conservation commission from Sabrina >> because I had since our last meeting, I for the two first two master plan actions that we're going to claim completion on, >> right?

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>> There were supporting parties for >> each of them. I think there were three supporting parties for the first one and like five or six for the second. One of them was conservation commission. So I I sent them individual emails and >> outlined

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>> everything that we did and >> and whether they had any input >> and this is your members of economic development committee at the meeting of March 16th. The South Point Conservation Commission reviewed the progress associated with master plan item for

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economic development 1.2 two which is the website uh commission vote unanimously to recognize and commend economic development committee for its impressive work in enhancing economic development website. Uh the commission further voted to endorse acceptance of

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the completion of this action item. >> Okay. >> So appreciate the committee continued efforts to support the town's economic mentality >> proven communications with residents. So again, the first of our supporting party >> timing >> endor endorsements and uh

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>> excellent. Let's >> see. >> Uh and that's good. I'm waiting for the others and if I don't hear from them by the end of April, I will contact them again and and remind them or

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>> say if if you have no info, we'll assume you have no problem with it. >> Yeah. >> Uh because I want to be able to claim these completions by June >> and make sure we have time to do all the

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the proper final steps to approved >> so that we get our what green? >> Yeah, >> gold star or whatever the >> gold status for action. >> Um,

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let me just update the local option meal t tax issue. >> That was front page headline. Did you see it? >> Yeah. And uh I also I made a comment in Monday's select board. >> I saw that. Yeah. >> Comment.

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>> I saw that. >> And uh just just to let you know that the select board did vote to take it to town meeting. >> Yeah. Because they said it would increase maybe 125 to 150,000 revenue. It could be. I mean they can't say >> and the main thing that I was pointing

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in the comment that it isn't an increase in our taxes. It's just a transfer of that 125,000 from >> uh >> to residency >> from >> right >> from uh being property tax into the meal

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tax but when it goes to the meal tax >> right >> half of it or maybe more than half will come from outside residents. So, in that sense, it'll reduce it. If it's 50%, it'll reduce the >> right >> uh total tax burden on on the town by

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75,000. So, we just want to try to clarify. >> Julie sent me a text at 538. She said she's running late, but she'll be there for sure. >> Okay, good. As long as she's here. >> And I and I did see that point that Russ made Anderson about um maybe that's why people are eating here because we don't

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have that or how much really doesn't make a difference. Nobody even knows. >> But no, he voted for it. So did Diane. Um, >> no. So no one really knows. I ran, you know, it's funny. I ran into this in Westfield a couple weeks ago. I went to

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a restaurant and they have a Subway there stuff. So I had So I And the tax was not I paid for it. But I also took a chocolate milk from the store and put it on the counter at the Subway counter. And the guys knew there. So, as I'm

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leaving the store, the owner comes says, "You didn't pay for that milk." I'm like, "Well, I thought I did." And so, when I looked at the receipt and said, "Let me see the receipt." So, the the meal tax is in the on the thing that I bought from Subway, but not He said it's included in the in the milk.

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>> All right. >> Because it's not a separate tax. So, I'm going, "Wow, isn't that confusing?" >> Yeah, it is. >> How How does the city get their How do they make sure they get their money? Well, it's something that's been there forever to have the it's and because it's mostly most of it goes to the state, not the city.

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>> Right. Right. >> But it's pretty funny because I like >> the city adds it up every quarter and sends the city's the state adds it up quarterly sends a check to the city for >> Yeah. >> for their portion. And it was like a$16

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the tax, but it was $16 that I paid or whatever was, you know, but it was pretty funny because the guy made it sound like I was shoplifted. I'm like, wait a minute. The guy didn't bring it up. I thought he did. >> It was a new employee.

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>> And and the meal tax is not the biggest issue that I think there's leverage on. The the point is that we want to find ways to ease the property tax burden burden and

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>> other than reducing spending which you probably have to give up services to reduce that spending. I can only think of three ways to reduce >> the property tax burden. One is to find other taxes that include people beyond

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the the so the middle tax is one way. Another way is to get more state aid, >> right? >> Because >> that's not going to happen. >> Well, actually, I think it could. Um there and I've got another sheet that I I

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>> not from the federal state aid, >> right? Um, here is a list on >> on and you've got it on in your >> package of 25 different possible aid programs that we can apply for grants

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from the state. >> Yeah, I'm familiar with these. I read this. >> We we have >> Southwick gets state aid in the amount of only 4.9% of our total budget. The average for Hebden County is 41%.

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Now, we're never >> because of the size. >> We're never going to get up to 41% because there's a a bunch of things we don't qualify for and and there's certain economically driven things, >> but I think we could get two or three times as much as what we're getting now,

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and that could be a couple million dollars more a year. Um, and what I'm proposing is that we should more aggressively pursue out of these 25 programs. Uh, they're the best that I could

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determine and I will have to confirm this with DPW and others. Julie, good. >> Welcome. How are you? >> I just got here too. I'm like, why can't I go to Boston? >> Just made it. Is that

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>> okay week? >> We now have Julie. So, we have a quorum because Craig said earlier that he wouldn't be able to make it, but we have a voting forum. So, I think I'll go back to the beginning of of the agenda. Uh

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the first item was to have little social media to to talk to them. But even if they're not here, I think we as a group can vote to go ahead and start working with them. >> Yeah.

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>> We have a quorum though, right? We need one more. >> We do have >> three of us can vote. We had five. Okay. Right. >> Yeah. So, let's vote. >> Let's Let's take a vote. I'll make a motion that we start as soon as possible with weekly posts through

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>> social media. And you had an estimate that was very reasonable. >> Very reasonable. >> And uh we will just make sure it's a variety of things that send people especially I love things that send people to our website but anything else that we think

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is a benefit >> to to the town or the economic development of the town >> uh would would be good. >> So I'll make a motion to begin that as soon as we are able to and >> I second it and >> second. All in favor say I. I. us.

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>> So, we'll just have to figure out. We know South can bloom and then we'll have to figure out what else we want to do to let to let Danielle know. >> We can promote our restaurants. We can >> we can promote >> create events, recreational facilities,

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you know, when the boat docks opens, we'll we'll promote that. We can, >> you know, >> and they do a great job, as I told you, sending information to them. Well, >> what to post like pictures or a strand or >> I could do that, but they also that's

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what they do. >> Okay. >> So, then they'll reach back to see and say, "What do you want? You know what? We >> Right. I I suggest we make a list of a dozen or more right up front. >> Okay. Give it to them." And and then, >> you know, kind of put seasonal things on

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it >> and and the website links which they can then build into their pose. And then I can track that as soon as the post goes out. I can >> right >> because we'll know which links in there and I can I can see where it comes from.

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>> Yeah. >> Because uh with the the Google Analytics program, you can see whether it's a social media link, right? That the >> and of course they track it too for us. >> That's good.

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>> That's that's phenomenal. >> That'll that'll tell how we're doing and we can see what kind of and we'll come back and and look at which posts do best and do more of the ones that are the most popular. >> Will they be sending us like reports on

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>> Oh, yeah. They do that and then they tell you they check to see what people are saying. >> So So they It's unbelievable what they do. They do everything. >> Awesome. >> Yeah. >> Wow. >> And and who would give clearance on like if they have a particular post for that particular week? Well, that's a good

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point because they asked I know in my office they asked me. >> Um, how would we handle that, Greg? >> Yeah, that's that was actually >> Okay. How do they >> How would we like you said approve what they're going to put out there? >> Who's who's going to be approving? >> Uh, I'm okay with you approving it.

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>> Okay. All right. >> Okay. Serena. >> Yeah. Okay. Yeah. All right. Good. >> Sure. I mean, this is no big deal. It should be a take very little time. >> It's a fun and easy thing. are simple little things >> and we can always tweak it, you know. We can I mean that's what they do. We can

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just say or I'll say well what do you think of this? I'll share it with you. What do you think? Is this >> especially because you've been working with them you know the way they work and the whole process. So I think it would be the right I don't think anything we'll be doing here will be controversial. No question.

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>> It's going to be a little promotional thing. So I'm not have no problem with you approving those. >> All right. >> Um >> so we'll get to ASAP. Follow their page. >> Huh? >> I have to follow their page >> ASAP. Well, they're going to do it on ours. You know what I mean? But we'll

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I'll let you know how that goes. >> Love that. >> Okay. Excellent. We We're up and up and running. >> That's part of our We were talking earlier about how I sent out our two action items that we signed a claim

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completion on in June. I sent it out to all the supporting parties and I just when I picked up the mail a few minutes ago conservation approved there our website action item is >> as a supporting party for that. >> Yeah.

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>> Very complimentary. >> So we're on the way to >> getting that done. >> Um let's go on to approve the minutes. You've seen the minutes of the last meeting that I sent out. So, I'll make a motion that that we approve the minutes.

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All in favor say I. >> I. >> Second, please. >> I'll second. >> All in favor say I. >> I. All right. >> Unanimous. >> Okay. Then I have a letter of support here for the dog park that I write. person

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>> and it it says basically the same things that the sample letter did that put into a a format that made most sense for economic development. And I just want to take a vote to know

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that we all do support the dog part and that we support sending a letter of support. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Okay, I'll make a >> motion >> a motion that the economic development commission endorse this letter of

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support uh be sent to the dark. >> Okay. All in favor say I. >> I bring your dog. >> All in favor. >> Oh, I know. You got to bring the dog. I just bought two dog statues the other day, too. >> Oh, really? Well, at HomeGoods.

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>> Yeah. >> You don't They're ain't enough. >> Yeah. I love seeing those kind of things. >> Oh, it's a it's a it's a beautiful thing. >> Yeah. >> Okay. The the next item is to discuss

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the vacancies that are remaining and I know there >> Yeah. >> trying to get in touch with >> Amber. I did leave Amber a message. I haven't heard back from her. She sent me that thing. I thought it was a card, but it's um >> it's a real estate thing. It's a promotion to put on my refrigerator. Oh, okay.

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>> But she might have been away. I sent her a message and I said, "Well, we're trying to I told her pretty much what we wanted, but I wanted to talk to her." We didn't get a chance to talk on Saturdays. We met for what, about an hour and a half? >> Yeah. Almost two hours. >> Yeah. Yeah. Um, talking about South and Bloom,

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>> right? >> Oh, okay. Well, that >> that's the next one. Yeah. >> That's coming up in the >> Well, we're going to hope to get Am back, you know. Was she in here twice on the on the commission?

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>> I remember her own that was she because then she had we were talking about Pam. I said, "Well, Pam's busy." >> Yeah, >> we have Scaling. Yeah. >> And that's a good thing for her. >> Yeah. It's a good thing she's busy. Yeah. >> Well, >> and I think she's on something as well.

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>> She was on time to do that. >> Oh, really? >> Yeah. >> Because I met her after and she's told me she's a mastering. So they're trying to find another member, too, I think. So, and we also have room for two associate members. So, if you know

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anyone that says, "Oh, I don't know if I want to." Well, you can be an associate member and they will still come in and listen in. You can you won't be able to vote, but you can >> partake in the discussion. >> Okay. >> You mean on master plan? >> No, on >> on here. Oh, EDC. Oh, you can do that.

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>> We have two openings for associates. >> I didn't know we had associates. I didn't know we had that option >> when we made the change from going from down to five. >> Okay, that's what we did. All right. >> We added two associate positions so that if we did end up with more interest, we

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had a place for that. >> So encourage anybody that you know is isn't sure they can become an associate during the meetings or even if they're not sure they want to be an associate, they can come to a couple of meetings and participate. It's an open meeting.

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Anybody can come in town. >> Yeah. >> Um, >> okay. Good. >> Great. Uh, we already talked a little bit. I gave the update on local option meal tax. >> Oh, I was reading the post today

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>> and the point that that I've been made making is it's a tax reduction. It's not a tax increase because it's moving anything we get out of local option if it's 150 or if it's less. It'll come out

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of property tax and go into to the meal tax. But if half of that is paid outside, you know, residents on average will have a reduction. And I was starting to talk about how there are only

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two or three ways to get a reduction in property tax without actually cutting expenses and cutting services. One is is something like the meal tax. Another is to get more state aid through grants

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>> because and and I've got some things that we can go >> go through that that show that in fact you can take a look at that. We were just starting to when we came in we were starting to to talk about >> you got the two list.

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>> Yeah. Here's the >> fact you know I can be until 720. >> Well if if we're lucky we'll be done by >> Okay. All right. is the fire. >> Um,

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so my thought is to see if if anybody out of all of these 25, I was saying only two projects have used grants in the

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last 10 years that I can find and they were both in the last couple years. One was a culbert project on Pine Road and another was a a short road over by the lake that was totally redone. >> Veteran Street or Bolo

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>> Bungal. Yes. those. >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> Uh and so I thought that would be a possibly a useful thing for economic

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development to do is to push the town to use more grants. I am trying to do that with the the top one on here, the complete street. >> Yep. Yeah. Um, and

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>> that's a million dollar, right? >> It could be up to a million dollar plus some I think 38,000 for >> for planning assistance. >> Technical assistance. >> Technical assistance. Yeah. >> So, that that would be on the top of my

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list, but there's a lot of others. Um, at the end of this list, it it gives the top seven, and I'll just mention the top seven. it has on on here. complete streets is the very first one

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and then one called an MVP action grant which is municipal vulnerability um preparedness then mass works green community shared streets

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MSBA accelerated repair >> what's that SBA small business association Um, let me find that on here cuz they know >> I know they had the um the new Western Mass Economic Development.

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>> No, it's a school facilities repair program for roofs, windows, HVAC. >> All right. >> Uh, and then small bridge and culbert repair. >> Oh, yeah. >> And I don't know if we're maybe we are aggressively going after these. I don't

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know. I'm want to reach out to to DPW. I've talked to DPW since meeting talked to John Goddard and to Rich Bos and they were very generally very supportive of the complete streets.

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>> Does Nicole Parker know about these grants? She must >> I'm sure that's they should be aware of those. >> Yeah. Well, they're aware of what's done, but is is anybody pushing, you know, trying to lead the charge to

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get >> doing the work, >> do a strategy, doing a strategic approach to >> uh going after grants, prioritizing them, making sure we go for the maximum number of grants that we could possibly qualify for.

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Because I was just saying earlier, uh, Southwick, I think last year, got got grants equal to 4.9% of of the budget state aid and the average for the our county is 41%.

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>> Now, I don't think we're ever going to get up to 41% because we're not like Westfield or Springfield, >> but I think we could get up >> to to maybe 10 or 15%. which could be a couple million dollars more. >> And

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that's spending that doesn't have to come out of property tax then. >> So it's it's another >> Oh yeah, if you can get grants >> deadlines and all that, it's like you've got to be self on top of it. >> And and to me that falls under economic development to to get money flowing in

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to get our share. If you think of how much we all pay to the state, not just in income tax, but in sales tax, >> taxes, >> and we get a tiny bit back to to our local area specifically

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and others are getting a lot more. I think if you take the state as a whole, not just our county, it's it's even higher than than 41%. >> Well, they have full-time people doing that kind of thing. >> Um, But I don't think we need fulltime.

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I think we need to just take a strategic approach. I'm not sure a lot of these grants are that hard to write. >> I think we should find out maybe somebody's working on it and you know. >> Right. So that's definitely >> right. So I want to reach out and I can talk to Nicole. I saw her saw her

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upstairs but she was on the way to school. She said if she wasn't going off to that >> there's a UFO meeting on >> No, she wasn't going to that. It's mostly about Bigfoot. >> Well, I could I had a hard time getting in here because there was a guy from Connecticut didn't know where he was

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turning. I thought he was going into the bank and then he turned and then I almost had almost rear ended the guy and then two ladies stopped me out here and asked me about the meeting and I said, "Well, I there's it's got to be around the other side." I said, "I'm going to a different meeting." But but I'm I'm

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thinking on the grants we could even invite uh John Goddard and and maybe Park and Wreck, David D. Delorei come in because they do grants too and just kind of go through and say would it

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be useful to you >> or just send them a letter or an email asking them if they are working. >> I think it can be useful to have a discussion. >> Well, yeah. I mean we could do both what we're talking about. >> Both first. We could do both. >> Right. We'll tell them what we're we're interested in because

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sometimes just supporting each other or working together or making sure that we each know what the other is working on, >> collaborating, >> a collaboration and a prioritization and

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kind of a joint push because everybody's so busy it's easy. >> Well, that's the thing. miss opportunities and and this is what we want to do is just take a little bit of time to say are we missing some state aid opportunities

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and it's worth worth the discussion and I also threw out a something I I of a three-year funding strategy to show you how how some towns do it and I asked for >> for

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the AI I presentation of a strategy like some other towns do and this gives a month by month or a year by year a threeear strategy. And I also have another one that I didn't print out here that has a month by month

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>> strategy for doing it in a given year. And a lot of these you have to you can't just decide at the last minute. You got to plan ahead. Sometimes a year, two years, three years with capital project there there are things you have to pull together. >> Um

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>> so just creating a kind of a a forum for discussion of our if I were to state it, it's a it's a discussion group to ask the question, are we missing some grant opportunities?

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that would be worth pursuing and it's it's worth having a little discussion on that. Okay, we'll jump into our master plan action items. Uh first one, database of business owners.

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I think that's >> yeah pretty >> done. I'm just getting the info from the supporting parties um which which I've sent out the notices. So I I think that'll be an easy one to claim.

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Finishing the second one website and social media. We voted on the social media part >> that being set that is also done. I mean being done means doesn't mean you're not going to keep doing more things to to

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develop it further but the basic task is >> is done and there's a process in place to keep it growing. And in regard to the website, just in the past

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week, I finally got the the domain, the the URL transferred from Enga's name. >> Oh, you get it to your name. Okay. >> And it just took so long for finally get around to it. And she had to spend hours

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on the phone with with GoDaddy to do it from her end. Yeah. >> And then when I finally got into that site, I found I still didn't have a control of it. I had to get on the phone with GoDaddy and >> Oh, yeah. >> and go around. >> And they had to transfer it into an

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entirely different account, move the whole website, reset it up in >> in the new account, >> although it doesn't change anything from the standpoint of a user. >> Yeah. And then I I put the the charge on

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my credit card because because it was expiring. It was right the last minute. If I didn't do it >> Yeah. Yeah. The website disappear. >> It would disappear. It happens at my office. You got to be Yeah. >> So I I renewed it just in the nick of time to keep it from

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>> from disappearing. But I have to go up to accounting and figure out how to get a reimbursement on that now. >> Yes. >> Okay. And h >> bring the original. >> Well, the original was >> I'm teasing teasing you. >> I I have an original receipt printed out

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from >> that's good >> from the online, >> but uh I thought I would wait till I had >> confirmation >> this well the social media billing. >> Yeah. Okay. Yeah. >> Because I want to talk to them about that at the same time that I come in.

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And so if you can find out, >> I will >> what that first bill would look like and and how >> I I'll call her tomorrow. >> Good. And and I will I will >> Yeah, cuz she she's very flexible because she said she doesn't need a

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contract. And then depending on what we want to do, how how much that would cost. It can't be a lot. 20 $25. >> Yeah. We just want to do the weekly >> Yeah. >> the weekly posting and we're willing to plan it out >> ahead. So they they wouldn't have to

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even do it every week. They could prepare, >> you know, three months at once. >> Yeah. >> And then just post them weekly. >> Yeah. >> Good. >> Yeah. This is one of my emails. It wasn't the latest one. She was talking about Danielle was talking about how,

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you know, this is in March about getting excited about getting it going and everything. >> Well, great. Yeah. >> Right to the top of there. and she she owns the company. So, she's >> and then I I studied their website quite a bit and I'm very comfortable with them. >> Very professional

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>> vendor. They've been around for a while. They have >> a couple dozen on the staff. So, they've got good coverage. >> Uh they're for the insurance company means a lot. >> Yeah. And it's just something that we we

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couldn't we don't want to have just a single person doing something like that. >> Yeah. Because it would fall apart. It would >> Yeah. But they can't be on top of it the way that a company like this with good coverage could do. >> Um and doesn't have to be somebody

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local. So it's it's worth getting a >> a good fit. It's a company that's a good fit >> for what we do because they also specialize in in social media. So they're not doing 10 different things online. They they specialize in in this very thing.

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>> Okay. So the >> so now >> next >> old annual small business >> the annual small business forum which we said we not we're not going to try to complete that this year but if we could get it kind of started

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uh in discussion and that's where if we could get >> Amber I know Amber's phenomenal and Amber and I and Julie did you do it too? Were you on it then Michael? Yeah. >> Yeah. and the small and and this

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discussion is about bringing uh people in that could would be helpful to small businesses. So it we wouldn't be preparing and presenting material. We just be getting the the people that had that material together with with businesses.

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>> It would be great. Very helpful. Extremely. >> So what for a timeline? What are you thinking, Greg? If we can't do it this year, maybe in the spring. >> Well, let's let's see the the personnel. I didn't I didn't expect to have the

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meeting until next year. >> Okay. All right. >> I just expected kind of >> Oh, yeah. So, next year, but like maybe springtime. >> Maybe spring. Spring at the earliest. Uh next year, but not not this year. >> Okay. Backing up to the the website, there is

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one thing that we want to add to the website that Jul you might be a help with. I want to we have the links to the realtors for business properties on our website, but what we're being

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asked to do is is if we can actually show the properties as well as have the links. >> Yeah, sure. In order to do that, I would want to get we'd want to get permission from the realtor, >> of course, and get the information. >> Yeah, sure.

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>> From the realtor. >> You're talking about the business, the commercial, >> the commercial properties. >> Just the commercial properties. So, that how does does your church property stand right now? >> Actually, I was going to ask you. >> Yeah, because I was talking we were

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talking about this on Saturday. I said I think you got some movement there with the nursing facility. >> It's a South Baptist Church on College Highway. So, I have not heard from the developer or their their representatives. Um, probably in over a

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month now. Um, I believe Joe, he may have had conversations. I mean, the last conversation I've had with Joe, um, the building inspector, is in regards to they have the the one church building. Um, and I guess they

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wanted to have an accessory building, not accessory, but they want to have two buildings, one for male and one for female. >> And so, obviously, all that has to go through planning board for approval for site planning and that. um the use in itself it's it it's an approved use

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under or by right use under R40 um zone in which it's located and even if it wasn't it probably would fall under the do amendment anyways so I'm not sure it's it would be a use that we could say no you know um >> so it' be a yes >> yes so no matter what it' be a yes but

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um obviously they would have to come in with their plan so and and planning board would have to look at their parking their lighting um if there needs to be screening. Um >> so they want to build another >> I was going to say so you want to build another building another >> that's what told me but again I have not

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seen any official plans to to suggest that. So that's just kind of word of mouth. >> Okay. So that's not necessarily one that would go up on the site because it's kind of in the works. >> Yeah it's in flux and and my understanding was that they they were

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in the process of trying to acquire the property. So I don't even think they have the the the property as of yet. So, >> as far as I know, they um they did request an extension. >> Okay. >> Yeah. But all I heard is that um the

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town basically requested them to add um change the septic system. >> Okay. >> Well, that's what I heard. I have to ask you. >> Oh boy. >> Yeah. That would be board of health. So, >> health. >> Yeah. >> But like about additional build structure, I didn't even know about.

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>> Yeah. Cuz then you'd have to get the planning board involved. >> Yes. Yes. >> So that would be you. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> So again, I have not seen official plans. >> And about the elevator something about you have to install an elevator because there's a second floor for part part of the building.

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>> Oh, is there? >> Yeah. >> And they wanted to use it. So Okay. >> Yeah. I guess if you're going to house people there, you would require um elevator. >> But with the with the zoning, so it doesn't really matter. That would fall into

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>> that confusing zoning thing. All the zoning does is state it's it's the land use. So it's so c can you use can you do this particular use in this particular site >> right but this is considered that's business right what they want to do >> not business but institutional

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>> institutional >> so it's everything about the language >> and not to bring it up but I see this the crepe house isn't quite done yet almost that's Well, I can get into planning board items. So, um, Crepes Tea House

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will be on the agenda for next week, Tuesday. Um, they did, uh, last, was it last? I believe it was last Tuesday, they received, um, recommendation from the board of health to move forward. um with um 10 seats permanent on the in the

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outer structure >> in the outer >> and then 10 seats to be in flux so it could be moved indoor you know cuz the the issue with the property owner is concerned that you know if he doesn't have >> let's say because again this is on on a

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rental basis um so if you if if he were to take 20 seats away from his main structure and let's say he doesn't get folks who want to preserve the Yeah. >> The obstruction structure, then >> he would lose those 26, right? >> So that's why he asked for the the 10

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peaks in flux. >> So um so that'll be up for um planning board approval or decision. >> Yeah. Because they said they were going to study it more. >> Yeah. So yeah, >> studying studying >> studying studying.

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>> So he's not running out out of um I know he has an attorney and everything, so it's going okay. It sounds like >> we're moving along. Moving along. Anyway, back to the vacant property thing to finish up. What I picture is kind of a a grid arrangement on the web

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page where you have just one little square for each vacant business property or property for sale or even lease maybe. uh with one picture, not a whole bunch of pictures, just one picture,

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>> the address, price, I suppose, >> just the the very basic things. The idea is that people could go to one place and see all the vacant business properties in town. >> Okay. >> And then have a link there to go to the

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realtor that that has all the details. >> Okay. And so I assume that to do that we need permission from the realtor or what >> for me to go and actually see the

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building. Yes. I need to contact the realtor the listing agent. >> But for us to put it on their website. >> Yes. Also, we need approval from the listing agent. Correct. >> Exactly. So, so to do this, is this something you could

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There's only a handful of >> I mean, I can I can talk to them. That's not a That's not a niche at all. >> To talk to the to the listing agent and the ones that I think of that are are there, of course, the Tucker restaurant,

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the Dairy out on >> What about the Lake View Tavern? Is that listed? The building's for sale >> or the business is for sale, not the building. >> The Isn't there they're there a new owner of that property and they're just

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bringing in a new uh restaurant there? >> I'm sorry, which the lake >> where that marine is. Yeah. >> Or is it still for sale? The the property >> The property is not for sale. >> Just the it's up for lease. >> Yes.

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>> Okay. It's up for lease. I know they were talking about the marina getting two more spots. >> Yeah. And I I guess we can show things that are up for lease, too. That would be >> I would think so. Yeah, I would think so. That's probably more helpful than the for sale, >> right? So, for sale or lease, any

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property that for sale or lease, including vacancies in the strip malls or whatever, >> if there's >> like um kettle bread. >> Yeah. That's going to >> Yeah. Huh. Ramy John. That's Haven now. >> Oh, they Oh,

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>> can Yeah, the Y Family Dollar is now Haven. >> That's opening soon. >> Cannabis shop. >> Oh, >> next to the funeral home, next to supply. >> Another one. >> Yeah. So, kettle bread would be one, >> right? So, is if that's something you

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could kind of >> scope out of that because then then also the property for South Florida. They're not selling the business. They're planning to move the business to another location, I guess, but they're selling that 4.9 acres

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>> of property. >> It used to be >> kicking the tires. >> It used to be on Crexy and it's not on there anymore, but I see it on other loopnet because there's a couple different websites. >> I didn't I didn't see it on Loop Net. >> And there's a couple vacancies where um across from the summer house, you know,

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those little shops. >> Okay. >> There's also lots of off um off market commercial and other places off market for sale because they're not they're they're not on websites. Sometimes the owner they don't really want or like

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they have listing agent but they don't want them >> they don't want them on a website. >> They don't want to be advertised. >> Yeah. >> So and and we don't want to put anybody on. >> No, we don't want anybody. No, no, no, no, no. >> So that's why we're just giving one more avenue for them to market when we

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contact the >> the agent. and they give us permission to use the picture and >> and a couple quick things and we'll just let them know it'll be another place. We we're sending them to you. They they should like that.

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>> It's extra publicity for them, >> right? >> Uh >> but we want them to tell us as soon as >> it's under contract, >> you know, under contract so we can take it off. >> Okay. >> Because we don't want our site to get

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outdated. That was my first concern about showing actual properties since we >> Yeah. If it's gets stale, that's not good for me to be on top of those. >> Yeah. >> Right. And you can just text me, >> right? >> And whatever because I I can take those off instantly. It takes me no time at

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all to add and remove and I'll come up with a grid format that'll be >> consistent and easy to >> put things in and out of. So, if you could, you know, start looking at at right

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>> what things are listed for sale for lease. >> Isn't Jordan the old Jordan healthcare? >> I was just going to say that too. I think the people are in the back. I've seen them once that the psychology >> that's a different business. >> Yeah,

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>> because I remember going there a bunch of us once there and they opened. I thought it was under new ownership by the same people that >> Oh, is it? >> That's what I heard. >> Like they bought this place. >> Well, they But they're leasing to the people. There's nothing in the back.

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>> Yeah. >> Oh, there isn't anything in the back. >> Well, the Jordan is not open. Like I was just driving. >> Yeah, but Jordan is front entrance. The psychologist went through the back door. >> I have no clue. They might still be parking.

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Yeah. Um, >> yeah, that that's another goal I'd like to do for the website. It's not really involved in we can still claim completion on the website, but it's something that a couple people have have asked us to to actually show the properties

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>> and it you'd be a great help with your knowledge. >> Yeah, no problem. >> of real estate >> and her talent. >> And it it helps us stay on top of >> of what's out there. >> Yeah, definitely. >> And to talk it up. It's like in one spot because sometimes it's hard for people

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to find properties because they might not be on MLS. So a lot of people looking on MLS. There's not much commercial buildings and different find you know sometimes what's on isn't on Loopnet or business might not be on

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either of them and I can't find the South Florist on either the commercial but I know they're still on the market. They've got to sign out. >> Yeah. Well, some people just place sign. That's all. >> Well, like Bob says, there's been a lot of tire kicking. There's just no one

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coming in with the money. >> Same thing with Tuckers. I think that's what I heard from a reliable source. >> Well, with Tuckers, I hate to see them close the restaurant. They should sell the restaurant because it has such a good reputation. >> They should sell it as a business. that's much more attractive than

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>> but I don't think they're I don't know where they stand >> for for somebody to start from square one with a new business or even a whole different restaurant. >> I do remember see this building like actual building up like we just moved to

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Massachusetts and it was like >> building Yeah. Yeah. So it's I've seen all like all this time and >> I mean it was a great place for a lot of reasons you know people for receptions from funerals and just anything weddings you know class reunions everything

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>> seemed to be very busy >> there was a Westfield business group was meeting there month >> oh yeah oh yeah it was the place to go it's a big it's a big loss >> is doing very well right now.

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>> That is so nice. >> Yeah, it's it's great to see. And it's beautiful in there. >> I'm going to They really did a nice remodel. >> Are they doing a >> Oh, they're doing a fabulous business. >> It's not It's not just >> And it's very nice in there. They've totally Have you been in

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>> It's totally clean. It's black and white. It looks like Manhattan type of thing. It's They got the plantation shutters. It's very clean. They've separated. They got a wall. You walk in, there's like four TVs, a really nice bar. very nice bar and seating there to

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eat. And then they have a a wall and to the left is um dining. >> Quiet dining. >> Very very nice. >> It's really nice. Like I >> exceptionally nice. I'll double check. >> The food is the food is very good too. >> Check their website to make sure that our link is still going to the right

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website. >> And the food is very good. I had a women's group meet there for the last month or so every Wednesday. >> Yeah, I have to try. >> Love to hear that. >> Yeah. No, it's going very well to hear. You know, one of the points I I made in

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my comment about, you know, part of the criticism of of the local option meal tax is, well, won't that hurt the restaurants? And I said, >> no, there's no competitive disadvantage because every other >> right

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>> neighboring town has the local option. >> Westfield, West Springfield, Awam. And they were talking about the gas is more here than other towns. >> And and the other thing though for for somebody who owns a restaurant, the

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property tax is so much lower in South than any of the others. >> That's what Michael always used to advertise. >> Every, you know, Westfield, West Springfield, Awam, they all have a separate business rate that is more than double their residential rate.

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So ours at at 14 whatever 12 uh >> the business rates for >> the other one start at like 28 and go up Springfield it's like 34

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>> and then change per thousand >> but you still have to get there from here from get here from there destination type of thing you know >> right but I'm talking about benefit for the rest >> I know definitely In any business owner, we always get

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thousands of of dollars less for having a restaurant. And I'm sure that's a comparison for the crepe tea house. >> You know, they have a less Springfield location. >> Mhm. >> And they can see that their South location is a lot less expensive from

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property. Sure. So, you know, Southwick is a great place for people who own restaurants to be a little hurting. >> Yeah. >> Um, okay. >> Okay. Let's go. >> Southwick and Bloom.

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>> Let's go to South and Bloom. >> Yeah, Serena, you can share. >> Okay. Well, we we decided on Saturday we definitely need to do the social media aspect, posting weekly, right? And um as far as we might need some more signs

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>> for now, we're going to stick >> Yeah, we're going to stick with what we have. Um as far as starting what we talk about having a brain brain break right now. >> We wanted to go out and actually talk business owners and sign them up right at the

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>> face to face. >> Yeah. >> Okay. But I can I can activate the online sign up anytime you want to. >> Okay. Yeah, we'll see because um I feel like it was working the best and we want to like basically right now kind of

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>> um be on the business side. >> But but if you street >> you're going to limit it to to businesses. >> No, we're not going to No, we're not going to. >> We we just want to walk into the businesses and at least sign them up right there at

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>> the place because they they can't they don't have time to go on a website and sign >> if you're advocates. So you won't take online application. >> We're going to target the businesses first. Okay. >> Yeah, we do. >> Okay. And because when we did initially did it, we put up a poster, but then it

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nothing happened in the summer. >> We're not even going to waste the money for making those posters. >> Just let me know when Okay. when you want to activate or modify because that is all set to go and the links are in place on the website

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>> and if you want to modify the signups >> and when whenever you start advertising I will check it every day and transmit to you just like we were doing after we got it. >> I know at our last meeting we talked about too not having the judging on the farm day on the Yeah, we talked about

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that, right? >> You said July was when you referred. >> Yeah, July. Yeah, once we're gonna hang this big signs, I'll let you know. You can activate the lane, but we will walk into the businesses. >> Yeah, to really hang the sign on that fence. I'm gonna have to call, >> you know, at the end of College Highway.

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I mean, at the end of 57 there, >> um, >> there's another vacant property. Are they ever are they actually for >> Billios? I don't think so. They own Billio's own. I don't think so. >> I mean, there's a there was little sign. >> It's such a nice place and it's like looks so >> I know.

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>> Looks sad. And the reason the guy left here, I think the guy went up on the rent like $25 more a month. It was just a principal behind it. >> Oh, really? >> Mr. Baker. >> He never owned it. He >> No, he he was a renter. >> I remember one, you know, it was >> the Philly.

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>> And I had I called him last trees came from there. >> Location is not the best. Like it's not easy to get in and out of there. Yeah. >> But no, the the the nursery was fabulous. >> Anson. Yeah. >> And it Yeah. Looks really

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>> It looks Would he let volunteers come in and fix it up so it looked nice? >> I would definitely >> He probably would. >> I mean, >> Mr. Phillio is about 100 years old. I think his son owned it. >> Would he allow, you know, if you fixed

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it up and put put turned it into a nice little park and put benches? >> Would the dog park? I would do that. >> I know like you know the the town that has >> Mark FCO one remember falls. >> I would do something right here in the center like where people can walk and

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just like >> coffee and read a book like I don't know >> right. It's what that you might call a p pocket park. >> Yeah park fence a bagel grab a bagel you know just >> the only problem there is the liability. Um,

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>> see that's a big thing when you have when you own a property >> private owner. >> So he has to keep people out just for liability >> pretty much. >> Or another option he he can donate that land, >> right? But he will I don't think he will

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not fill gaps. >> Think of of options. It's just >> It would be beautiful though if you let somebody come in there and >> Yeah, because people >> people stop on on traffic light like >> I know it's right there >> and it's right there. It's so

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>> Mark remember Mark on our committee our commission he wanted that that um their fence. >> Mark wanted it for his house Falco. He lives up at the ranch. He wanted >> Yeah. He wanted to buy that fence. >> Yeah. >> I remember how like he had planted all

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these beautiful flowers. >> Yeah. And they put them on the on the post. It was so beautiful. I was always like I was admiring all these flowers. >> Yeah. To >> when I was growing up here, it used to be like a tasty phrase. It was an ice cream place right next to that.

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>> So >> maybe we can work with them and find out. >> Maybe I I mean I can ask him. But >> if you know if you have connections. >> Well, I I did call him if we could put the sign there. So maybe I'll just say, "Okay, would you mind? We

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>> we'd like to fix it up a little bit. I like to blend something. >> Well, what what would your how would you feel if we wanted to just make it look better, >> right? Not even >> and we're not gonna involve you. >> Even if you didn't invite the public in if you still wanted to stay out >> private, but like

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>> I mean just make it look beautify it. >> Beautify >> with a South and Bloom. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. We could do it as >> you know what I mean as a promotion for South and Bloom, >> right? We could do our own bloom >> uh little display as a promotional like

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an arbor gazebo. >> Yeah. >> It's it's just center of the slick and it looks >> I mean then they'd be calling Can we have our wedding there? >> Yeah. Take a picture. They >> wouldn't that be ideal? >> Is there running water on the property? >> Oh yes. Oh yeah, there is. Cuz they had they had the nursery there. >> They had the just the little like a like

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a like a shed or something in the center. See, that whole area is all sand. But >> to to grow to put flowers or something, the running water would be a big help. >> Yeah, they have a water problem there because the building next door had a hose always coming out of the basement. But I but they do have some kind of

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connection with water. But you know what? We I'll ask them. >> I would just investigate, inspect that property if he allows, just to check what we can actually do there. >> Okay. Yeah, >> that that would be quite nice. Yeah, we want to the whole point of the South

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Lincoln blue is to beautify our town center. That's the primary >> point of the center like >> that's right there. >> That's part of >> and what was it's vacant for how many years? >> That's been a while. >> Yeah. >> I mean I can see like oh boy I can get

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creative too and you know the flowers in a like you know >> a cart flower cart. Everybody who comes up Penny Hills Road is >> sitting there looking. >> Yeah. >> So disappointed why it's like it's not

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pretty anymore. It's just sad. >> And you know who would help volunteer to do that? Um South of Forest. >> That would be crazy. >> I know. I I grew up with Russ and Bob. Those guys and they have helped. I mean they would definitely say, "Oh yeah, let's help." I mean, they didn't like it when people were selling flowers at the

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mobile station because it took away from their business, but they would help promote that because they're so community oriented. >> They could if they did a display there would promote their shop. >> And Bob is a Rotarian. He does that because they have the concerts at Wally Park. So, it'd be a win-win.

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>> Serena, you got to talk to them. >> I'm going to go brainstorm. We just figured that out >> right here. vote. >> We're going to be signing up people left and right. >> So, basically, we're all set with South and we know what we're going to do. We have a plan. >> Yes.

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>> Excellent. Thanks so much. >> We do. We haven't involved Diane yet because Diane's been unavailable, but we will through >> Greg. We'll move through this quickly. So, we we're going to wrap up here before you need to go. >> Uh zoning revision project. I've been

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working with Alvin. I don't know that there's anything we need to discuss here, but >> that's moving. I'm contributing uh my opinions, nothing else. Plus, I I did my own rewrite of the the zones using AI and

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>> I just would like to see it move faster than it is. >> It's got to be simplified. >> It's moving. >> Oh, yeah. >> I'm sure he works. >> I like your shirt, by the way. Very St. Patty's Day. Very nice. A little late. >> Well, the whole week. Well, it >> was yesterday. St. Patrick's Day. No, it

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was yesterday. Okay. But it's very nice. Okay. Then don't have any they've done on the next one. The qualities for new businesses. I'll get to that later. >> Uh the proposed rail trail connector is

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part of what I'm pushing with the police trees because I'm hoping that it's not the only possible source of funding, >> but it's perhaps one of the largest sources that could potentially fund the whole thing. It's not a sure thing that

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that would fully qualify. But the way I read complete streets, it says, uh, bicycle and pedestrian connections, uh, network connections is a qualifying thing. And it seems to me like that would qualify. >> Okay. The other day I was going to tell

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you, I saw a big, you probably saw it like a excavator at that Bill 42. >> Yeah. But over to the left, not where the house is, but it looks like. So, oh, maybe there is going to come down. >> Yeah, it's been there a while. >> Oh, there has been that machine.

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>> I I think I I'm hoping that as soon as the weather >> that cost money to have those things. >> Yeah, >> that they'll start doing that. >> I am >> because that's that's >> I was talking about the things that could reduce property tax. That's the third one I didn't mention. The third

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one is new development. New development is one of the biggest things and that's either new business development or new residential development >> of course bringing the revenue in >> the what I calculated last year on depot

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square which is a similar size to what this one will be is that that reduced >> it reduced the average property tax obligation for a median house by $75. 5 for a more expensive

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house by more than that and and less expensive by a little less. But $75 saved just from one big development. >> Yeah. >> Because it was like 300,000 of tax revenue better than >> Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. >> This this new one should be >> I'd love to get there.

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>> And I'd like to to >> supposed to be like 22 units, right? Plus, that that is a great boost to the downtown, especially if we have a quarter mile walking to >> to the downtown. That'll be a boost to

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everything. So, that's the ideal kind of >> development town center that we'd like. >> So, that's a big big thing. So, I'm gonna >> I'm I'm still pushing the the rail trail connector and the complete streets and

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I'll give you updates later as as we move and we've already covered the planning board business news unless you think of anything else. Um, >> not really. Um, so again, we chatted about Grapes Tea House. We chatted about

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the potential of um entity at the at the church. The only other relevant business uh is the marina. And as you alluded to earlier, they did um change over some of their transit slips to to uh boat rental slips.

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>> Oh, did they? >> They did. >> Okay. >> But as far as any other business in at that location, >> there there's not a a prospect yet for >> No, I spoke with Mr. Egleston yesterday and he basically told me that he was having issues um finding tenants.

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>> How's his patience? Well, we'll put him we'll put it on the website as one of the the poor lease >> opportunities in town. >> Yeah, he's having trouble finding tenants. >> Yeah, I understand.

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>> One other last minute item is when I did this agenda, I thought to ask Margaret about the room and I said, >> "Oh, upstairs." >> Yeah, I'm cold here. >> I was telling children about that. Is that

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>> conference room 2 available on the third Wednesday? And she went in and looked it all up and and said, >> "Oh, yeah, it's available." >> Oh, is it? It was never offered to us. Can we get it? >> I said I will talk to the group at this

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meeting. >> Craig wants it. >> I want >> Yes, I know. >> I just wanted to confirm that and we'll make because I want to make it I don't want to bounce back and forth. I want it to be a consistent place. >> Yeah, that would be great because I feel like I'm in concrete box.

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>> I'm freezing here too in the air. >> Okay. Well, starting the next meeting, I will >> voting to move there. >> I don't know if we >> It's pass. >> I will. >> What's it called? Conference room two.

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>> Yes. There's also conference room one. It's another option, >> right? Because I told Julie it's the one after that. You go up, take a right, and a right >> next to the health plan building. >> That's the land use. >> That's a land use. >> No, it's it's the first landing. Like if you were going to go first,

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>> go to the select board and assessor offices. It's the first one. >> So you know which one that is. >> Yeah. Yeah, I know. We had um high speeded internet a couple times that. Okay. It's a nice room. >> Yes. Small. It's enough for us, >> but it's it's warmer and it's cozier. >> Yes. 100. >> So we will start next week. I will make

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sure that that's booked. I will call Margaret tomorrow and say slot us in there for Yes. third Wednesday. >> That would be great. >> Yeah, that would be great. That would be great. >> And I I just make a quick mention of they're doing these leadership training

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or not leadership, it's training the town, you know, to learn about town government and they're doing a series of sessions. I'm not even sure how this all works. >> Yeah. Who Who are they teaching? >> Anybody that's interested in town.

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>> Oh, the public. Okay. >> The public. >> You have to sign up. >> Um, well, what they do is they've scheduled every committee and commission and department. >> Oh, a series of seven weeks to do a presentation. Here's what we do. I think

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what they're trying to do is recruit people. >> They're trying to recruit people to get on the >> to volunteer and to get involved in the middle. See, it makes sense. Yeah. >> So, we are scheduled for the May 20th, I think it is. >> Okay.

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>> But it's it's our normal meeting day, but we only present for 10 minutes. And I don't know if they want just one person to present or whatever, >> and I'm not sure the exact time, but I figure >> Elvin can do it. >> We'll find 10 minutes. I wouldn't mind

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doing it to because I want to promote. >> I want to get more me away. I'm thinking of a of a way to prospect for more members and I'd like to tell them how how great of an opportunity. You don't have to complain on Facebook anymore about how

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>> how terrible the town is. You can come you can come in make a difference that's make a huge difference. >> Uh so so I'll let you know about that. It's two months away but it would be on a regular meeting night. So I think

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>> that'd be good. Okay. after you know even if I have to come out of the meeting for 10 minutes and go over there I'll do that. >> Okay. Uh anybody have anything new to put on next month's agenda? >> No. >> Okay. Make a motion to

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>> to adjourn. >> Second. >> Second that. >> All in favor say I. >> I. >> Okay. Thank you very much. >> All right. Thank you. >> All right. >> Wow. Is that your letter? >> No. is the form.