All right. Good evening after late afternoon everyone. Welcome to the town of South Select Board meeting for March 16, 2026. It is 6 PM. We're in the land use hearing room at town hall and remotely via Zoom as well as on channel 15.
This open meeting is being recorded except for any executive session. If anyone else is recording Rosley Anderson, >> your name? >> Fred Moore Birwood. doing audio and video. >> Okay.
>> Cliff Clark, the Westfield News. >> Thank you. I can hear the echo. Okay. And roll call. >> Nicole Parker, >> Diane Gale, >> Doug Mowglin, Russ Anderson. >> And we'll go to the pledge of
allegiance. Icegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, liberty and justice for all.
Is there anyone in the room who has a public comment for anything not on the agenda tonight? Yes, sir. >> Bore for the Birchwood. August 18th, I came in
to discuss problems at the transfer station with people illegally dumping. No permits. Commercial people up there. The bags on the back of their truck, they need two guys to drag off to throw
in the dumpster. Probably not household items. I have personally not seen anything done up there. You guys, what have you done? Cuz it's seven months later.
I brought that up August 18th. I haven't seen anything done. You're talking about raising taxes, raising money, nickel and dimming the people with a meal tax and everything else. When we pay tonnage,
we have to pay the legal people for illegal people throwing their stuff in the dumpster because we get charged the tonnage when we drop it off. What are you guys doing? You got five people up there. Nobody can come up with an
answer. Seriously? Thank you for letting me bet. >> Thank you for your comments. Anybody else >> in the room? Anybody online? >> Yes, sir. >> Greg, you can go first. You raised your hand first.
>> Oh, doesn't matter. Okay. Um, yeah, I'll go. I'd just like to address this is Greg Dy, 10 Salem Road. I'd like to address comments I've been seeing in social media about the local option meal tax and wanted to say if the town chooses this option, the result will
will be a net reduction in total taxes for town res residents, not an increase. If it was an increase, I would definitely not support it. Here's basically how it works. If the town were to collect 150,000 tax revenue from this source, it reduces the amount needed
from property tax by 150,000. And then if half the meal tax is paid by visitors, the net saved by residents would be 75,000. Or if 75% was from visitors, the net saved would be 112,000. Other towns and cities understand this.
That's why 258 out of the 351 municipalities in Massachusetts use this local option. And the ones who don't use it are mostly very small towns with few or no restaurants. Consider our neighbors. In 2025, Auam collected over
524,000 in this local option meal tax revenue. Westville got over 728,000, West Springfield got over 1.3 million, and Springfield got over 2.6 million, which means any whenever anyone from
Southwick eats in one of these neighboring places, we're contributing tax revenue directly to them, which helps them reduce their property tax. But when their residents eat in Southway, we are not getting that same benefit. And another misconception is the local option would somehow unfair
unfairly burden our restaurants and that's nonsense. It doesn't increase their tax. They pay or give them any other competitive disadvantage. In fact, Southwick is one of the best places in our region to own a restaurant because the business property tax rate is the
same as the residential rate, just $142 per thousand. In Aguam, the business rate is 26.27, more than double ours. In Westfield, it's 29.17. West Springfield is 29.59.
And in Springfield, it's 344.35. Compared to Southwick, they all pay thousands more per restaurant local taxes. So that's something we've got to to make
sure everybody understands that, you know, there's nothing that can can increase the total tax revenue collected other than an increase in the town budget that's approved by residents at a town meeting. Otherwise, increases in
valuation, uh, which we had one recently, they don't add any tax. it just gets uh if if there's no approved budget increase, it'll add zero dollars in added tax
revenue because it'll just be a lower tax rate. So, just wanted to clarify that for everyone. Thank you. >> Thank you, Greg. Anybody else up there? >> Uh yes, ma'am.
>> Yes. Your name, please. >> Yeah. So, my name is Mike Schultz. Uh, I live on Noble Steed Crossing and I would like the town to simply address the lack of a plan that they're holding the the
builder developer to. I've been here four years. I moved to this town to live here and I live on a street that is not finished. Last year in 2025, you let the developer come in and put 10
ft 15 ft of sidewalks that fall off a cliff. He did not finish the sidewalks up to the houses. Then we did about 100 to 200 ft of a road which did nothing. And that was for two months. So the
entire spring and all summer no work was done on Noble Steed Crossing. I've been here four years. I think this development is going on eight years. It's only 20 houses. That's it. And it's a construction zone. And when I
was in there today, there is no plan on what you're asking this developer to do in 2026. And that's not the same thing you hold myself to. If I wanted to put an addition on my house, I have checks and
balances and things you're going to hold me accountable for. This is talking about a street that I can't get the town to plow. We had a onelane road this winter, and I know we had a tough winter, but he plows it with a pickup truck. If there was an emergency, our street doesn't connect.
If there was an emergency, I don't know if your fire truck would be able to get up to the top of the road, and that's a safety hazard. So, what I'm asking is, will we get a plan on what you're asking this developer to do in 2026? And I know
you're afraid about the bond and him backing out of it. Your sidewalks were done incorrectly on Noble, Steve. They're all breaking and tearing apart and are all shavings. They're also falling in. It's not done right. Nothing's done right. So, I'm asking
I've been here four years. I'm asking if somebody can step up and hold this developer accountable so that we might get a road and we might get sidewalks and we might be finished with this developer.
>> Thank you, sir. >> Is there anybody else online? >> Hi. Yes. U John Chana um calling in basically regarding uh Metal Lane. I know you guys are going to be doing some talk about road and
infrastructure projects. To my knowledge, talking to the family members that live in the area. We just moved in, myself and my fiance, and it looks like it's been like 20 30-ish years since it's been re-evaluated and there are substantial potholes that are causing
some damage to cars and things. So, I'm not sure if that's going to be discussed on some of these um road and infrastructure projects you guys have mentioned here, but just wanted to bring that to attention to the the group. Thank you. >> Thank you, sir. >> Mr. Pier. >> Yes, sir.
>> Um yeah, I had a bright idea and I hope it makes um sense that I I'm presenting it. Um, meadow lane has is a kind of a wrecked
um the road is. So I and obviously there's you know to make it right cost quite a bit. Um, so I had a plan. Um, why not get a open up a house, you know, Meadow Lane
paving house and um there's at least nine good holes that we could mark as golf holes, right? and we could charge like, you know, 25 bucks play the source and have the money sent to to South and
go in this fund and eventually maybe you'd have the the money to be able to do it. So, um, >> your name and address, please. >> Oh, my name is Fred Felios and my address is 231 if you can get there.
>> Thank you. >> Yes, sir. for 2017 metro lane. I wasn't sure what the overall name is here. So, I'm since one name got up, I'm going to give up. There's a bunch of you there. There's at
least a dozen people uh who have been uh dealing with this road for literally 25 years. Longer than they haven't been paid since. >> One at a time, please. One at a time,
please. One at a time, please. So, um, and I, you know, I understand there's priorities and budgets that you guys have to deal with. This isn't something that we're bringing up that's a couple of years old. I mean, this has been there's patches on top of patches on top
of patches. The the the problem you're filling with the amount of patches now that they're literally bumps to the point where it's either fall in the hole or right over the bump. You can't drive your car down that street with a open
container of water or coffee in your car holder. It'll spill everywhere. This this is uh I mean we've been there for 30 years and the street the second phase of the streets only been there for 30 years and I believe the first phase was there a couple of years before. So
it's obvious that if in fire there was an issue to begin with in terms of the way it was installed. So, um, these this isn't potholes. This is like the craters on the moon. It's so bad. So, we just want to make sure that,
you know, you guys understand that this is something we've been dealing with. This is affecting our property values. It's our cars are being we anybody that has good nice car that they want to drive on the weekends, they can't even drive down the road. They'll end up with
a, you know, a scratch or a dent from something the tires are going to pick up. So I just wanted to emphasize that this is you know this is well over a reasonable amount of time. So thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Yes sir. >> My name is Mike computer the u regarding the road gentleman explained it quite well. It is. It's my
understanding that when the the town gets ready to buy prior prioritize where the money is going, the U3 individuals
are involved in that. I have been told by the DPW that the select people are the ones that actually assign the priorities and I would suggest to you or rather a
nice question I'd like to ask. How many of wh which one of you three has driven down Derry Lane or Meadow Lane? Have you ever driven down the road?
And you're all nodding. Yes, you have. >> Yes. >> How recent? >> Last Monday. >> Last month. Try it tomorrow. Last month it was still pretty cold.
And >> can I just >> the re part of the reason we're here as a group I believe is because corporation is supposed to have a presentation on earth and
I would like to ask a couple of questions if I can then or I'll just tell you what I'm going to ask. One is are you going to uh follow their I'm assuming they're making recommendation.
Are you going to follow the recommendations? If not, why not? And then when is it going to get done? When or that's all I have. >> You want to say something? No, we'll >> address it when Tony gives his
presentation. Okay. I don't know when you want. I know you're still fielding questions. >> Yeah. >> Last call. Okay. Thank you everybody for your comments. >> CS.
>> Yes sir. >> Yeah. Gary Warren St. Lane. Uh we moved in about 22 years ago. Um came from Amore. First thing we noticed and you know it was a little spooky at the time. Hardly any street lights. you know, I
mean, we were weren't used to that, but we got used to it. We also got used to the fact that we don't have city water. We got used to the fact that we don't have city sewer, and the taxes were a little higher than we're paying before. So, in 22 years,
our taxes have literally doubled. And we don't care about the water, the sewer, or piped in gas. We're living without all that. We we like it there. We love it there. We love the town. But 33 years ago, the street was built and I don't believe there's been a whole lot of
anything done to it other than patching holes ever since. And it's the road is literally down at the end of our street. A year or two ago, we had a a an owner buy multiple acres and start clear cutting an entire forest to make a a
pasture to have a farm. And he trucked logs down our street for months. Large logs. A whole forest went down our street and that didn't help the condition of the road. So, it's had a lot of punishment. It is a dead end road. I mean, you go in, you don't go
any further. So, everybody goes up and down. The people that live down from us, we're third house in. They suffer more because they have to suffer the entire length of this crumbling road to get to their house and back both ways every day. And it just seems like if I had to
round do a rounding of the 25 homes that are in this development between Dair Lane, Meadow Lane, and and Stage Coach, there's about probably a upwards of a quarter of a million dollars a year being paid in taxes. That's a million every four years.
And we're not asking much. We don't get much, but maybe a smooth road would be a nice touch. That's all. >> Thank you. Just just wanted to add one thing. I'm in 13 metal lane. >> What is it?
>> Just the only thing I wanted to add is like I've got a one ton truck which is got a much heavier frame to it, much heavier suspension. It has gotten so bad this year that if I'm over 12 miles an hour, it's not drivable with my truck.
So, I'm just crawling in there. Eric can walk by anywhere he's on his walk. it's given that bad as far as the road condition. >> Thank you. >> I guess I didn't leave but been there for 31 years. Eat the metal lane Anthony
um you know just got all my my poor car accident bills ready to be paid and I think about the same thing like the cars are actually difficult to get down that road. We've had a family member with the wheel damage going down that road. Um,
and it's been patched so many times. Uh, it's actually embarrassing to be honest with you. Again, I've been there for 31 years and one of the original people in that subdivision. Love the town. Um, love the neighborhood. We have a lot of great people uh here in the room, but
it's this isn't going on too long. I mean, it's it's it's it's pretty bad. If if any of you at the head table have not driven down the roach, I'd ask you to take your families down the road, do a nice little loop, look at some really beautiful houses, some very well-kept houses, and then look at the condition
of the road. They do not match at all. It's It's a shame. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay, we have someone from Beta here in the back of the room. Okay. Do you want to come on up
>> into the hot seat? >> I plug into >> What do you have on? What do you want? How do you want to do that? >> Log on. You mean? Yeah. Okay. >> Okay. Use from my laptop. >> Sure. Is it okay? All right. I have a flash drive as well. Might be easier to
do it for you. >> Use a flash drive. Everything in my soul tells you never do that. It's >> the worst that happens. >> I see the eagerness. >> Sorry. >> Eating potato chips. >> Yeah. >> You see a little bug going like this
across your screen. >> We could do it too. Now >> let him take out the company machine, not the ts. Are the maps on there too? >> Yes, every actually everything's in there. Um, >> which one? >> Uh, Southwork folder. >> Yeah.
>> Go into that folder and there should be a PowerPoint number with a one at the end or just a PowerPoint. >> I see it. Yeah. >> And then there's a bunch of other to report. maps were in there, but I did incorporate math and some data into the
PowerPoint. >> Just a little background for everybody and at home. Um few months back we contracted with uh Beta a company and along with our DPW to try to give us a forecast of where where do we spend our
money, what roads um are needed to to be addressed quicker than than later. Um we know we have a challenge with the number of road miles that we need to maintain. Um, and I know that um, what we wanted was an objective
look at things that based it on multiple different things, whether it be condition. Every road mile was traveled by this group analyzed. Um, and they take into consideration how the roads are built, what the the traffic counts on them, where they are, whether they're
main arteries, support arteries, neighborhoods like yours. Um so all those factors come into play and it and comes up with a score and comes up with a um a value of how we address things in the future in forecasting because
whether in the past we've said oh we need $20 million to fix the roads in town but we we don't know what that really means and those numbers are always moving and so is the condition of the roads. So, we wanted an independent review that gives our DPW staff a
roadmap, no pun intended, on how to where do we go from here? How do we spend our our money wisely? And I can say that and on the preliminary reports, your road was definitely marked and read as a you know, a critical load. So, with that, I'll let Tony
>> Okay, great. All right. Well, thank you for inviting me in tonight. Um, my name is Anthony Carroll. I work with uh Ada Group. Uh we work with over 100 communities across New England on projects such as this. And I've been in
a lot of meetings like this listening to people talk about their roads. And this year in particular with the winter that we've had and the freeze thaw cycles, the roads, you know, it's even exasperating the situation even worse than when we did the inspections back fall. So that's something that's
something that we need to talk about as well. So, as these road conditions continue to to um probably get a little worse as the potholes start to pop and you're getting the rain tonight. Um but the good news is the snow is gone and spring is spring is going to be here
soon and and the roads will get better over time. Um but as far as the project goes, we actually did an inspection program with working with the town a little over 10 years ago. So that was when um the original reason why I want to mention
that is a lot of things have changed since we did the last inspection. So that was before AI was was available to us to use for inspecting roads or other assets. So that was done completing um inspections using a manual approach. Um
but the good news is our lead inspector who did that work also did the quality control on this work. So he's been working with me for for over 10 years now. So we had some continuity there and he remembers some of the roads from you know from previous.
Um ne next slide please. So the in terms of developing a program you know there's a lot of different benefits to the community. Um when you develop a pavement management program you know the roads are you know a big investment. uh we want to maximize the
lifespan of the roadways uh based on the repairs and that's that has to do with understanding the conditions and uh projecting out the life of the roadways based on these improvements that we're going that we included in the program
uh being proactive versus reactive planning ahead. So now the town has a tool um that's all GIS driven. Um we have a platform that we're going to be deploying to the town to use. So now they can it's not just a oneandone. Now
you need to maintain the program. Uh somebody mentioned earlier is fluid. It's very you know fluid in nature. Pavement management program um is not something that it's just you put on a shelf but something that you need to use every year. something that you update um
as improvements are made by the town or as conditions change or as assets change or you might even have utility improvements that could be impacting the roadways as a whole. But most importantly, it gives you the foundation for helping you make informed decisions.
So pavement management really the whole concept of pavement management is that roadways deteriorate over time. So that's the the graphic that you see here. That's a standard uh pavement deterioration curve that's federal highway has been using this for for
decades and this is something that we use to help us with analyzing the information and identifying appropriate repairs at the appro at the right time. So for instance the road that was paved
last year um would have scored high close to 100. So 100 is a road that is in very good condition and then a zero is a road that's in poor condition or or failing. So as you fall down the curve, the improvements to those roads are
going to be more costly. So the idea is to try to catch or maintain those roads using preservation techniques to extend the life of those roads out and saving the town money in the long run. But the the goal of the program, similar to the first program that was done over
10 years ago, was to understand your the needs of the town to be able to project out and estimate the backlog of improvements, what it's going to take to bring your roadways up to a 100. Ultimately, every road will get planned over time. You can't we can't program
every road in town. Um but you want to have a logical approach to how you do program those roadways using the data um and tying it in with other projects that are going on within the community and ultimately the capital CIP tool. It's
probably the most important part is developing that that plan and that's something that we've been working on so far with the town. So the process in developing a payment management program is really essentially three main steps and then two steps that
you're going to be doing on an annual basis. So the first step is something that we completed this fall where we developed a um a map of the community sim similar to Google maps. Every roadway has been mapped in the town. It's all basically intersection to
intersection. So every roadway is segmented. I'll get into that a little further in the presentation. Once that's established, then we call the um inspection program or data acquisition. That's when we went out, we drove all the roads. We had a LAR scanner and also
a 360 camera capturing information all throughout the community on all the town accepted roads. From there, we analyzed the information and that's the report, draft report that we submitted. um provided uh GIS maps that depict the information um in GIS
format but four and uh task four and five those are iterative those are things that are going to happen every year so we we are developing a plan but prioritization of that data does change annually um it could be road conditions could it could change significantly
because of the winter there could be a an important project to the town or you may have utility improvements that are ongoing that could could result in shuffling the deck a little bit on your um improvements and ultimately maintaining the program big investment
that you've made. Um we're not just going to go away. We're going to help you manage the program over time. We can come in and help the town with that or we can just do it on an annual basis and help you maintain it. But again, you made a big investment. It's important to keep the data fresh without updating the
program and it's going to affect you your ability to make uh important decisions. Uh, next slide. So, the program included um 70 miles of town accepted paved roads. So, those are the roadways that
we drove. Uh, you may have seen our vehicle driving around town. Um, so the focus was on the 70 mi, but you do have um almost 90 miles of roads in total. So, you have private roadways, unaccepted roads, and then you also have
um state roads as well. So you have a lot of different roadways, but the focus of the program is 70 road miles that were evaluated. This is the um our vehicle that's equipped with a LAR scanner on the roof. It also has a 360 camera that collects
imagery as we drive down the road. And then what that data capture does, the LAR coupled with the imagery allows for all the distresses in the road. So the alligator cracking, the longitudinal cracking, the potholes patching that you see when you're driving on certain
roads, the AI detects that and then scores each roadway on a 0 to 100. Again, zero being the worst, 100 being the best. So it's a nonbiased approach. Last time we did the project, it was manual. So I could go
out and review a road and we might have see things differently. I might score the road as an 80. You might score the road as a 60. So it becomes more subjective. So this is consistent using the machine learning. It's consistent data across the roadway network.
These are just some example photos. Uh we have photos uh forward- facing photos every 20 ft in town. So this is a great tool and this is part of the application that we'll be deploying uh to the town. So, you're going to have imagery that
was collected back in the fall and now you have a snapshot of what that road look like at that time of the inspection. Um, it's useful basically just for identifying distresses and the conditions of the roads, but it also you can use it for identifying other things,
other assets, uh, mailboxes, trees, utilities as well. So every 20 ft uh we have a snapshot and those snapshots were also utilized to score the roads. So these are good condition, fair condition. Now we're at a score of 75
and then a score of a 60. So you can see the different distresses that are appearing on those photos as you go down the curve. So the road conditions are getting worse and you can see the distresses that are appearing in the images. Next one is poor condition. And
um this is really textbook alligator crack. And it's hard to see in that photo, but the um the LAR and the imagery picks it up. So something that you may not be able to see by the naked eye when you're driving, the LAR and the imagery is able to capture that and then compute the score. And the last one
there is a score of 35, which is on um Pinewood Road. And those are just representative examples. We have photos on every every road in town and we have data on every road in town 0 to 100. So once the data is calculated and we
have those scores 0 to 100 for each roadway then we set up what are called bands and within these bands are recommended repairs suggestions for improving that roadway. So starting at the top you'll see defer maintenance or
really do nothing at this stage. So that's any road that scored in a 92 to 100. But the program is very fluid. There's a built-in deteration curve. So the data is live. So today the road might be 100.
Next year at this time it could be a 98 or it could be going from a 50 to a 48. when you're at the top of the curve, you know, you may not really notice those changes, but once you get further down the curve and you start to go into that preventative maintenance or minor rehab,
that's when you're going to start to see the different um issues associated with each roadway. So, as you move down the curve uh to major rehab, those are roads that scored 0 to 50, and those are the more expensive propositions. That's when you're talking about um reclamation,
reconstruction, cold and place recycling, this more expensive proposition. So, it's important that at the midpoint at the preventative maintenance or preservation stage, that's when you need to pay attention to the roads, try to extend the life of those roadways if possible.
Next slide. So, for Southwick, your your overall score was a 71.35. That's actually it's not too bad. Um, on average we see anything really from a 68
to a 74 on on average in Massachusetts or New England for that matter. >> And at that time that included Hillside that had been redone and so we we added those >> it yes that score is um accounts for those recent improvements. So that's
that's current. Um but again there's deterioration taking place. So that that's a snapshot score of 71.35. If you were to do nothing next year, then that score would continue to drop most likely about two points per year. So, a do nothing scenario, you're going
to continue to drop or if you're not don't have adequate funding to maintain your roads, which I have a slide later on, and you're going to see what that what it takes to maintain your roadways. But the nice thing about this information, it's giving you a breakdown
by major repair on where you are percentage- wise. And you know, you can see that you have about a little over 40% of your roads in that routine and preventive maintenance, which is good. But then you can also see what you have at the bottom of the curve, meaning
minor and major rehab where you're at about 30 miles there that you need to take care of those. So what it becomes is a balance. You can't just attack all the bad roads. You want to include the roads that are in poor condition, but also accommodate those roads that you want to extend the life of those on
using different maintenance um activities. So, this is just further breaking down breaking down the road information. You can see the different pieces of the pie. Red being the roads that are in, you know, poor condition
um and then green really being in good condition. So at the end of the day, that pie chart is changing methodically as the roads do deteriorate or as you're making improvements um each year. This is a sample map. Um might be
difficult. These are the maps that we provided provided to the town uh recently at a meeting. Um so these are nice. It's great to see information graphically. Um you can see across the town the different colors. Again, what those colors mean are, you know, the red
rows are the ones that are in poor condition, 0 to 50. Um, yep. But you can see how how it is reflected across the community. And this is going to help you better plan your projects from a mobilization standpoint. So, the town
can save money by planning your projects, but also appropriately planning them geographically. So the contractor is not mobil not mobilizing from say the north end of town to the south end of town doing the same treatment. So there's a lot of things that go into planning and identifying
the roadways that you do on an annual basis. So this is just zooming in a little further um in the GIS. Um the more you zoom in the more detail that you can see. And then on the the next slide now you're going to get into more of a of a
Google Earth situation. Um and then within the platform is where we can showcase all the imagery and all that within the RGIs online platform which is the next step um in the project. Uh just a quick summary um I talked
about the importance of maintaining the system tracking the road improvements that you do each year. So that's part of it and it's not just to track but it's also to identify performance of those roads that you did last year, the year after that or year before that and to
monitor how well those roads are performing. Um different repairs work and provide you with more extended life. But then you do have different soil types in town that could impact you know the performance of roadways. Um or it
could be also related um to the type of repair. Not all repairs add 20 years of life. So there are certain repairs that'll extend the road out 7 to 10 years. And so that's something that you need to understand and track that out and project out what your road scores
will be and what it'll cost the town ultimately over time. But right now we have 2023, 2024, 2025. We actually have some even some older historical information from the previous program as well. filming, but you got a lot of good lot of good data here.
Uh, next slide, please. So, this is the really the slide that um tends to stay up the most at these types of presentations. So, this is where we did a forecast model and what this does is it takes that overall network score that I mentioned earlier and that is going to
look at and project out based on a different model. So, we this is a sample model that we ran. Um we can t we typically run say three models um and we can run models um on upon request very simple to run it within the program and
the focus on this is really to show you based on this scenario you really you really need um this can you guys can you see that slide okay it's a little smaller >> yeah it's a little small can you make
that bigger or is that it will dump me That's very monitor this way at all. >> It should. Yeah. I I don't think it's gonna help you enlarge it though. That's the only >> Can you guys see it? >> I'll share I can.
>> So, it's about as big up there. >> So, your current number to maintain your current score is $930,000 annually. So, we projected that out over five years. We can project that out even further, but typically we do a five-year
forecast model. And this really gives you an idea of what the minimum dollar value you need to maintain your roads at its current state. Um, ideally, you want to show improvement and you want to set goals related to improving your score. So, for instance, a goal, a good goal to
hear for the town be to shoot for 75. and we just need to determine how long that's going to take. And we want to look at different modeling so we can look at different repair strategies. Um preservation techniques will have a big influence on how we can extend the life of roads. That's very important that we
incorporate that into the plan and model that appropriately. Um and that's something that we're working on with public works. But you know ultimately it comes down to the budget numbers beyond chapter 90. Chapter 90 is typically not necessarily
enough money to keep your roads program moving forward. Although the state has been great and they're they're increasing the number this year for you. So we're seeing an increase in chapter 90. Um but ultimately it all it's all about the balance of your plan and
balancing the repairs across the network between um major rehab and preventative maintenance and routine maintenance. >> Quick question. Did did part of your study did it go back and look at the repetitive repair work like in the case
of such as me met me met me met me met me met me met me met me met me met me met me middle metal lane where it's 90% potable every time you get a freeze every time you get heavy rain they come out the guys are back in there they're hand patched it again how much money is going to be saved when you get rid of all of that repetitive repairs by doing
the job correctly >> well one thing that we can derive from the data now which is new using the AI um and we haven't this data just came in something new that our vendor is providing. >> So granted the snapshots from the fall, but we can pinpoint all the potholes
across the town that were detected in the spring. So what I'd like to do is look at that data and then look at where what type of um calls you're getting on pothole filling and see how that can be reflected in the program. So that can be
automatically added as you receive information whether it's through um the community or whether it's from the public works department you know again it's a live program it's fluid we can update the data to reflect any of these new conditions and the winter was difficult you know now here we are in
the in March and uh two weeks ago you couldn't even see the roads and now you can see what's happened in that ne in that twoe period >> but I I can tell you So last year our winter was much much milder as they still with the amount of rain we got
during the winter. What do you think? They were in their patching three or four times over the course of last winter. >> Yeah, they bought new equipment from what I understand to do the patching which will just look >> I know mo most communities do you know
they have to deal with with potholes at some point. Uh but the idea is to try to develop that plan so you can reduce the frequency of the pothole filling. >> Um your pictures were taken in the autumn. Um
they see your the pothole patches were in there in the autumn and they did um they covered every little thing. Okay, which was had never happened before. But what does happen is over the winter
And now what we see now is pretty much the same as it was uh before they did the patching, you know, and getting worse. >> You take that consideration when you look at the things that you saw them in
the arm. >> Okay, let's let him get through the presentation, please. >> Can we let's get through the presentation, please? And we'll address things later. I just wondered if they you know I I >> understood >> I have AI >> stop talking
>> AI is >> it's a new tool okay and >> a lot of times it's wrong >> well we do quality control we don't distrust the AI um part of the data processing the data comes in and that's
where we look at the historic information we also have our inspector that I mentioned earlier in the presentation He also does quality control. So, the AI has gotten a lot better. Um, and it continues to improve. It's not perfect. Um, but it has
definitely gotten better since we started using it about 5 years ago. And, um, what we're seeing now, this the the combination of the LAR that we used here with the imagery is providing the best solution to scoring the roads and and
depicting and identifying the distresses. Yeah, I work in interace and we don't use AI because people's life depend on what we do. >> Metal lane is so bad that my grandson was a film student studying film in
college and he actually used me lane and his camera as a little hidden to um display something that is extreme. Well, I'm just looking up to see the score on metal lane.
>> I think that's come up. >> It was put up a few times came up back in the fall. >> Yeah, it scored below on average it scored below 50. >> So, there's three segments essentially on metal ring. >> But let's move on. >> Yeah. Typically with in this type of
meeting, we don't get into specific roads. Um but that's something certainly that I'd be more than happy to do you know separately in a workshop. >> Um so moving forward so now we you know we've collected all this information um
we've analyzed the data we've qualified it and now we're talking about developing a multi-year plan and that's what we've been focusing on for the past few weeks is developing that plan and um and then eventually adopting the plan and putting that to work. But the the
good news about the plan is that it's based on the empirical data. So it's not just something where it was not, you know, it's a non-biased approach to identifying way repairs and then working within the confines of a budget that the
town has. Um ultimately over time um you know each roadway will be eventually repaired but it takes a long time to do that you know and you need to be I hate you got to trust the process and and follow the plan
formula prioritization is that strictly based on road condition? >> Uh no it's not. Can you go to the next slide? That's a really good question and we've utilized and there's a report within the program documentation that identifies the cost benefit value or
CBV. So the CVV is an important part of prioritization and what that does is it takes into account the roadway condition. So we saw the illustrations earlier the good, fair, poor but it also accounts for the traffic or the roadway functionality. So a roadway that carries
more traffic will carry more weight in the CVV. Um and then you also have the cost associated with that repair. So for instance, if a roadway is in uh say good condition and it's recommending a
preventative maintenance or preservation treatment that's that is going to extend a life, say 7 to 10 years. So that's going to score higher on a roadway that carries more traffic because now you're talking about a less costly proposition roadway that carries traffic. So that
that's really how the how the calculation works. Um it doesn't account for other unknowns. So subsurface utilities, you know, other factors, sidewalks and curb ramps that we incorporate that into the equation, but
it doesn't affect the CVV score itself. So, you need to have that other knowledge about the cost of sidewalk sidewalks and curb ramps. Um, you're required to upgrade your curb ramps as you pave roads. And then, of course, the utilities, you don't want to program an
improvement um that requires a water mane replacement and then you dig it up the following year or two years later. So, ideally, anything where you're going to have a major utility improvement, those roads should get put off um accordingly. Maybe you do crack sealing on those roads to extend the life of
those roads until you do the utility improvement. >> So that's CBV. Does that answer your question, sir? >> Um it does it doesn't ultimately our holding people lane. It's not a through
street. So I think it's going to be on lower priority still down in my mind. >> It it could be for the tax base to them. That's true. >> Right. >> But it could be it could be based on the CBV. It may not score well, but like I mentioned earlier, you know, we're not
just looking at the data as a whole. We need to look at it graphically. So, it could be a project in the vicinity of your neighborhood and it would make sense to attach it to that a project that's on a more major road. So, that that's part of the process. Would it
make sense to add into that into your criteria how long somebody's been waiting? How long a road has been in disrepair because >> that has to factor in somewhere when when you're talking 20 plus years
30 25 years plus >> well that'll that'll come into play because the we have an understanding of the condition of the road. So, if it was 30 years ago, the last time it was paved, it's probably scoring below 50. >> Yep. >> Most likely, and and that's going to put
it into a situation where it's going to require no possible repair at this point. So, you're not not like we can go in there and do some type of a surface treatment. It's just too far gone. So, it's going to have to be like a cold in place recycling or milling overlay or
something like that. So again, that would have to get tied in to a project or if it becomes a safety problem too, that that comes into play. >> Does your study take into account a safety factor with the road for people
walking on it, kids riding their bikes? Does, you know, I walk the road more than I drive it, at least with my community. And now we've got kids with electric bikes going down there 30 miles an hour >> with belts with helmets on everything but they hit a pop pothole. You know
town's going to have something coming at them. I'm sure >> many of the cars going down our street are driving on the wrong side of the road because they >> do. Hey folks, can we can we let the presentation carry on? It may answer some of your questions as he moves
forward. So, I mean, these are all these are all really good questions and I know this is all relatively new to a lot of you because we haven't done an assessment in quite some time. So, again, the good news is we have a lot of good data to
analyze. Um, there's a lot of different things we can do to work with the town. Um, you know, we can talk about crash locations, things like that where you might have a, you know, situation happening regularly. um or it could be related to um line striping or it could
be a visibility problem. So those are the types of information that we can feed into the program and that would help prioritize the improvements moving ahead. So you really you're just getting started with this. You know, we just did the inspections in the fall and here we
are in March. So the program is going to take time to implement. Is there another slide that's >> that's the final that my concluding remarks here in this last slide is you know you have this town has a comprehensive inventory of your roads now um it's going to allow you to
analyze the information and develop different programs based on different scenarios using the information um ultimately it's going to be a tool for the town moving forward again just just getting started so this is the first year that you're utilizing the information and years to come as you
update it and maintain it. They'll have a tool to use. Go ahead. >> If if I may mention one factor that is for the town is that um Mane is an upscale community. The houses are well, you know, they're
high tax houses, that kind of thing. But the road is a mess. And frankly, if I wanted to move into Med right now, I would say no. I'm moving to another town. You got to have your upscale communities and you got to have your
midscale and so forth, right? But your upscale communities have to be at the look upscale. >> Oh my god. >> You know, and you're trading yourself in terms of revenue if we don't do that. >> Let me ask you a question though. When
we and I think it'll be helpful for folks here too is we had done a beta program some years prior Right. >> About over 10 years ago. >> Yeah. So just from where we and have you taken a look at where those roads were
and where they are now compared to where we were on the previous bit because we weren't just sitting up here going, "Oh, we're going to do this road and oh we're going to do this road." We were working off the beta. Correct. That was the previous beta beta survey which was giving us advice as to where we should be putting our our our dollars to to
pave. and and and in all honesty, Meadow Road has come up at least the last seven or eight years for discussion. It just never we just never got it to the point where we were going to we could pave it. Um but it was in discussion. I we had gotten up there. I know we actually had a demo of one of the pothole filling
demonstrations was done on your road. We had 19 people up there for half a day. But um and you know I know we did some work on the lighting and something else up there that was wrong from the beginning. But so do you have an idea of how we did from the previous beta as to
following the advice of what beta told us to where we are right now? >> The I can look back at what we provided to the town initially. Um but the you know the data was being utilized to program roads but we weren't we didn't update right
>> the program to reflect new conditions. So the condition that's why we just did this new inspection. So we do have new fresh information. >> So now we have the you know the performance we can monitor that but the data is old from the original project
and that's why it was important to get new information. We do have the historical data. We could put together a chart that would show the history of each road and compare it to where it is now. >> That's what I was. >> The only issue with that I caution is
that when you go from one methodology which was manual 10 years ago >> y >> to this method different methodology. So it may not be perfect. >> It's a gauge >> but it'll we could do that. Sure. Sure. We can do that for you. >> Appreciate it. >> Yep. So,
>> couple questions. >> I'd like to I'd like to ask um Rich and John, do you have any questions? You you've gone you you've sat with this program a little bit, right? Do you have any questions? Any concerns?
>> No. >> Okay. The program, how it works, how the valage All right, a couple of couple of questions, please. >> First question is, so based on where we are right now, is what is the timeline to come out with a prioritization of
which roads are going to be worked on or do we have one already? >> We just receiving the report. >> Yeah. So, we have >> we have a preliminary, >> right? We have a preliminary plan that we're starting to work on based on the data and then the meetings that we had at public works. So, we are starting to
work on that. >> Some of it relates to funding where we are in the funding process as this year goes forward as state money comes in. You know, get those numbers of what we're getting, which I think we just got, >> right? You'll get your letter soon. You have your numbers and then the official
letter comes probably in April, early April, right? >> Chapter 90. So given that when would the next prioritization occur? So you're going to have a you're going to have a road program uh a I'll say a
the program is always >> subject to change due to funding or other things that do happen. But the idea is you want to have the year one program which is going to be your fiscal year 27 paving program. That's what the focus has been on. So that's what we're
waiting on right now to finalize that program once the FY27 program is finalized and then we're going to start looking at FY28, FY29 and then FY30. So you always want to have three years of work I'll say in
in place. All right. So that segus into my second more of a comment I guess. So they come out, they patch the roads when they work on it, they don't clean up after themselves. There's all kinds of gravel, debris all over it. Cars go
down, shoot rocks into the yard, shoot them at walkers, shoot them at bicyclist. They got to do a better job cleaning up. >> That's terrible. >> The only thing I'll say about that, and I know what you're talking about, there's a big difference between getting out there now, and I was just asking our
DPW director before this meeting as to when the plants open. The material that they can put down now is to fill a hole. When it rains, it washes right out of the hole, right? It we're just trying to keep the road kind of and this is not just your road, it's any road. In the summer when they can get out in the
warmer months, which is usually after April 1st when the plants open, they can get out there with proper hot material. Get it in there, roll it in. That tends to stay in place, at least till the next winter, right? So, there's a huge difference with that. And you'll see it along every road in town as they're
going around right now just trying to fill big holes. That stuff does not stay in place. It's just the nature of the beast. >> I understand what you're saying, but even if they patch in the summertime, they leave a mess. >> Thank you. >> One,
a little bit of a tangent. Uh, when you do choose to start working on one of these projects, do you try to couple in like say if metal all utilities are underground, it's all over 30 years old. I have solar on my house. I wanted to increase the size of my panel.
Eversource said that they would charge me $34,000 to dig up a transform that's shock and replace it with a larger one. Do you try to couple with the utilities so they can absorb some of the costs and maybe do their work cheaper as well at the same time?
>> That's a great theory. I've never actually and I apologize. I've just never seen it work out in in in my time up here. We do try to coordinate with utilities if we know they're going to be a water project >> or a sewer project. And the other thing we've always tried to do and especially
in the last 20 years or so is when you're getting at a road, it we're making sure we're doing the drainage work that needs to get done to preserve that pavement once we do put the pavement down. And I've seen a little of all of it, right? where we go in,
there's some roads we go in and we we mill in, we we overlay it and that's going to take care of it for 10 years. If we had done the drainage and done the other work, it dramatically increases the cost of the project and the length of time, but now you bought yourself 25,
30 years out of that road and you've improved the drainage situation in the area. And in fact on Meadow I think um just two years ago or so they actually did do work on a transformer at a corner and we had the gentleman whose land it was on because it's literally in the
sidewalk. It was for that development at the end of the street. Um but they had to do some work up there for that in the sidewalk and the utility company put our sidewalk back the way it was supposed to be and and fixed a couple of things adjacent. But yeah, we do try to do that. And there's other
projects going on in town that may or may not benefit from having that road open and be able to shoot utilities under or get to other equipment. Absolutely. >> And DPW of course helps coordinate all of that and they're making those secondary recommendations. This program
is going to make the primary recommendation. They're going to make the secondary recommendation and we're going to hopefully find the funding for those. on the as
said the you know it's 20 the 27 plan right? Uh when is that information going to be available to the public? When are we going to know the answers to our questions and when
what when is it going you know when are you going to tell us? >> Well we do it all in public that well sorry I need to jump in. We do it all in public and and usually in in past years um DPW gives us their their suggested list of roads to address with a dollar
amount attached to it. This is the work that needs to get done. This is the drainage. This is the trees. This is the paving. This is the whatever. Here's the total. And and usually the the three select board members in taking the data that we have which they've already
prioritized according to the old beta. Now we'll have the new beta. we get a list. Boy, it does not take very long to spend four or five or $10 million, right? So then we we kind of figure out where we're going to where we're all going to be. We come to a consensus on what those projects are. It's done right
in this room in public on Zoom. And then we go ahead and do those projects. You know, if you look in the last few years, um a project that was done that's taken three plus now is Gargon, right? That's over by just off of uh 57 there that had
had been in place since the 1950s on this list here. And I'm don't don't take this the wrong way. Fernwood, Birchwood, Pinywood also scored in the 30s. Those are those roads also went in in the 50s, right? So they're a little older than than the older the roads you have. That
doesn't mean that we're not going to get to Meadow. Meadow is probably in one of the worst shape roads in town. We all know it. We just got to get up there and get it done. But there's a ton of work that has to get done up there as well. Um, and I I'll just interject my own opinion here briefly is I there's also
an impetus through this scoring process is to really focus on main corridor roads that people travel through every day and and somebody kind of intimated that here tonight. You know, Meadow and Derry are deadend roads. Well, most of the roads in the town of all the road
miles in the end, all the people in town that live here that do all the living and dying and paying all the taxes live on those roads. So, I I've always put an emphasis around kind of balancing where we do that work. You know, would would we love to see, I don't know, uh
Powdermill Road done? Absolutely. There's a lot of houses on there. It's a m it's a significant thoroughfare there or Vining Hill Road or whatever. Granville Road is another one that's a big one. Hopefully the state's going to do that, but we've got to do some work on drainage in order to enable the state to come in and pave it. We've got to
balance all of those things out when we make that decision. >> I can add there is a a section on the website under DPW of ongoing DPW projects. Um, it hasn't been updated
since our prior DPW director left. Um but we will endeavor to get that updated with new projects and keep that at least quarterly. We can probably shoot for >> perhaps provide a time frame for that
update. >> Uh whatever information we can knowably provide >> when it's right around the May time frame in general. We normally I don't know if we're gonna have to do it this year, but because we just had all the
survey done with the LAR and the AI and all this other stuff, but literally DPW would take the three of us around for a tour of the roads and kind of they would show us some of the worst spots that they they want to address immediately because they're they have significant
concerns or one of the the select board members would also say, "Hey, can we go take a look at this? I noticed this. Do you know what's going on over here?" and we would spend at least half a day on a Friday going around various spots in town taking a look at that. In fact, that was one of the times that we did
that demonstration up on Meadow. Um, so that's part and part of the process and then we come back right after town meeting because we don't have the money available to us till July anyway for current year projects for fiscal year 27 projects. Those will happen starting after town meeting which makes uh budget
available for July 1st for the fiscal year. >> Thank you. So, uh, Tony, when will we get your updated valuation report, prioritization report? >> So, I think we need more meeting with,
um, with public works to go and fine-tune the plan. Um, we did make some recent edits to the plan. So, I think we need another meeting with them and then we'll have a a final >> Okay. >> final plan that we can provide. >> Can we do that in the next couple weeks? >> Yeah, in a couple weeks.
>> Yeah. And then also too at that meeting um I want to show show you the the system that you can starting. Yeah. >> Okay. Sounds good. >> Okay. >> Okay. Anything else? Any other? >> Yeah. Thank you for having me.
Appreciate your time. Thank you very much. >> Back here. I actually went to Westfield State. So I love this area. >> So you need the um new information before we get updated reports. >> Yes. Yeah. >> One last question. Is there a suggested time frame
>> to relight our the roads? Five years, seven years, eight years. >> Should be in a threeear cycle. >> Um, some do, some towns do five. >> You know, the more rural the town is, the longer you can structure it out. You're somewhere in between. So, I I
think you're probably in that threeyear cycle. >> Um, I mean, >> 15's a little long. >> Too long. >> That's a little too long. Yeah, especially with the way >> the technology has been changing. >> Us.
>> Well, thank you. Appreciate it. >> Like the hot topic. >> Oh, yeah. >> Oh, we can't have that. Huh? >> Sorry, I had my >> We gonna get an update. Yeah. Can we have >> Tony? Can you send us that presentation as well? >> You got it. I'll email it to you. >> Thank you so much. >> Thank you very much. Appreciate it.
>> I'm only worried about Parker being able to hear when we take a fiveminut break. Okay, we're going to take a five minute break >> folks. >> If you're staying for the meeting, we're taking a five minute break.
>> Thank you. Okay, we're going to resume the agenda, please. Uh, we're going to acknowledge a one-stop grant application. Actually, two of them. One for DPW, Johnson Brook Culbert. >> Sure. >> Sure. >> Stop for a minute. >> You may.
>> Okie dokie. >> Hi, everybody. Sir, >> John Gutdard, South of DPW, assistant director. Um, >> with the staff transition over at DPW, I essentially have become your uh grants
representative um for our pursuits um related to our infrastructure. Um this year the uh eco onetop program um is well we've got open for another week.
Uh we are resubmitting an application uh to the department of ecological resources culvert municipal uh replacement program. Uh these two culberts, one's on Johnson uh excuse me, one's at Johnson Brook on John Mason
Road. Uh the second is a tributary to Johnson Brook just around the corner on Fred Jackson Road number 110 give or take. Uh this application was reported to us as scoring very high. Uh last year um high enough that well in my
perspective I think they just chose uh rather they chose which communities to spread uh these funds. We were very successful um in uh FY22 um in receiving funds to replace a Klein road uh culvert. We are due they recommended
resubmitting for those two culverts. They score well because Johnson Brook is a cold water fishery. Uh it is mapped within endangered species habitat. Um and if you will, this two covert project gets to bundle up and as well as create
a bit of a story for Johnson Brookke coupling with the work we did at Claus Anderson Road. Is >> that right in the corner? >> Um yes. So, it is right the the Johnson Brook Culbert on John Mason Road is right by the
intersection with Fred Jackson Road. Uh, and if you well uh proceed just a little bit uh further away from the center of town um up and over the hill down there to number 110, there's just a little bit of a low spot. This is where you're climbing up and going past all the pastoral lands uh there. that low spot
um essentially is a well I'm going to say perennially inundated culvert. There's no time when there's dry passage under that culvert whatsoever. Even in our uh most droughty times you're just watching that uh well the footstream flow stops and it slowly starts to go
down within that culvert but most of the time it is submerged at one or both ends. Um yeah, but all these factors um start to play into a scenario that scores well with the grant authority. >> The high box.
>> Yes. Um the the absence of dry water, dry land I should say, passage through these culverts. They're unders sized um in terms of their ability to safely um pass flood waters. Um they are uh in excuse me the John Mason
Road culvert is perched on one end so there's no opportunity for uh aquatic or amphibian life to if you will pass through that culvert um so there are a lot of wildlife factors that score well um so not to belab the point um I look to the select board for both the
commitment we're looking for a 10% match this phase right here is just for data acquisition funds through this program are pretty limited Um it has evolved since 2022 to a point where they're trying to spread out as amongst as many communities as possible >> for design money or for doing
>> not neither just site. >> Yeah. Just looking at essentially survey wetland delineation um flooring um yep look where bedrock is out there um and do a very um coarse but informed look at
the um hydraulics of the stream. Is this going to fall into culvert territory at, you know, 9.9 ft or less or is it going to be 10 ft wide or larger as a small bridge? Um so a little bit of triage work right there. We're confident that um at least one is going to, you know,
fall into the clover category. But um either way, it's a fairly modest sum of money um that we request about, you know, although I'm looking for Tai to finish the numbers up last year is about $130,000 we were seeking for support. >> That's our 10%. I'm sorry. That's the
global cost for this data acquisition phase. Um we are looking to match that with 10%. >> So 10% on top of the 130. >> Right. >> Anyways, either way, uh it we're looking at relatively modest numbers that have fit well into PP budgets. We weren't
selected for certain grant applications um last year. So again, we >> And some of this is in kind, too, right? not necessarily cash money. >> That's correct. Uh so staff hours will count towards our match. Um so a letter of support for the
project in general. Um I've provided a draft of that and a u if you will a commitment to those matching um funds >> for both. >> Yes, it is one bundled project. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Roll call vote. Dan Gell. I >> Doug Mglin. Yes. >> Russ Anderson. Yes.
>> And that was for me to sign that. >> Yeah. motion. The motion was for the chair to sign it. There was an audio glitch. >> Much appreciated. Look forward to submitting that application. >> Good luck with that. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you for being on top of those.
>> Next, we have a request to approve a grant for the zoning bylaw update. Come on up, Alvin. >> Good evening, SLboards. >> How are you? Well, Alvin Allen, town planner. So, I'm
before you all to discuss um I'm looking to apply for eco onetop grant. This grant is to fulfill uh phase two of the zoning bylaw update. Uh currently, uh we have a working group meeting which consists of select woman Gail and um a
CEO um Nicole Parker um and and other members um of town staff. We have been working since um this past fall to up update the language of the existing document to get it uh uh more user
friendly. Yes. Better better in in uh language definitive language. Um and then also not just updating the the existing language but also adding a use table to make it again more user friendly for the lay person to um uh
come in and understand uh what they can and can't do within particular zones in the town of Southwick. >> Um and that's been sort of phase one. I think the understanding um up front was that maybe we could do all this all in one fell swoop. That we can uh not just
update the language, but we could also um update certain uses particularly with our BR uh business restricted zone uh and maybe at other uh zones like transitional zones and such. Um and maybe a town center zone. Uh but those
um matters um in in chats with the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, it it appears that we're not going to be able to do this um in and prior to the the the May uh town meeting. So they want to focus on um and sort of condense
the scope to just updating the language and then have a phase two uh where we can work on the BR zone and other what potential um zones and other uses. Um so again I'm looking to apply for this
particular grant so we can continue those those updates. >> I have a question. >> Sure. >> What's phase one again? Phase one is just taking the existing document, the existing um zoning bylaws, updating the current language, making it more
readable, more understandable, uh understanding, and um adding a use table >> and definition. That's correct. >> It was just a lot of defining vague terms and um syncing up if it's called something over here and it was slightly
different over here, syncing up the language and giving def making a definition section. This is chapter 185 zoning. >> Yes, >> that's correct. >> Okay. Can I ask one other question? Why is a select board member even remotely related to anything to do with chapter
185? Why isn't the planner and the planning board chair and the elected planning board handling that? >> They are >> the the planning board chair is on the working group um as well and uh for >> I think PVPC recommended >> that that's correct.
>> Okay. And zone phase two is for the planning for PBPC to do a a grant to have them look at creating additional zoning districts for the town. >> That's correct. I had a meeting last week with uh yes in uses. I had a
meeting last week with um land use director Ken Kier, Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, and uh this was his recommended route as to how we could fund uh the phase two of this uh what we're looking to do to for updating the zoning bylaw.
>> There's a community uh survey andor business survey. Which phase would that be in? >> That would come between phase one and phase two. that that would be sort of the initial step to phase two,
but we're preparing it now to ready for phase two. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> I'll make the motion and also make an appointment to come talk to you about the last time they tried to do a town center village overlay district. I
still have the scars to prove it. We'll >> do roll call vote. Doug Mglin, yes. Oh yes, I apologize. I do have a sample letter of support. Just pass it down. We can write the letter and it's got to
go on our letter head too. >> Okay. Just >> once again there was an audio glitch and I was my motion was for the chair to sign it. >> Okay. >> Somebody is attempted. >> Perfect. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Appreciate it. Um
>> moving on. discuss and vote on fiscal 26 road and infrastructure projects regarding fiscal 26 quack ceiling and Ed Hulcom Road phase two. >> Hey Fred, you're blinking. >> Welcome back.
>> Good to be back. Got her DPW. Let's see. I submitted a request here for um the select board to consider
authorizing two previously approved projects the FI26 cracking um and the repaving at Hok Road um under chapter 90. So, uh, if you designation for chapter 90 funds, um, at the time that
the, uh, FY26 paving project list was developed, uh, we didn't at that time have chapter 9 funds defined. Um, and only here we get to a point where, hey, we need to execute a project. I look down, I learn, if you will, through uh
more intimate contact with chapter 90 that oh, these are chapter 90 qualifying expenses um that despite the uh the burden of administration that comes with spending from that um funding source, uh this these are cleaner um opportunities
where I don't have to segregate funds that would be eligible or ineligible for those particular projects. Um this was just a point of clarification uh that came up when I was reviewing uh establishing project accounts with the town accountant. Um and she obser observed that we had a TVD in the
chapter 90 column. So if the request itself to sign those items there is index us then I apologize but uh I want to make sure we are all above board here in terms of spending out of that funding source. uh understanding that various
items can come from uh the chapter 90 program or be I suppose spent through that program. >> So I had asked that if you approved this list from last year why are you approving it again and that's where John is getting at. >> I do kind of recall in my mind's eye on
that memo the TVD >> recollection >> we guessed. No, I my when we were doing the math, we we took the year prior's number and said we we're going to get at least that. It turned out to be more, right? But we used that's what I used as my basis. So,
yeah, it did say TBD when we got the list originally. >> And thankfully, we have an abundance uh or rather a rather generous I should say uh number to work with. Um >> no, you don't. >> It goes quickly as you as you mentioned. Um and this will exhaust the vast majority.
>> Did you just hear this last year? >> Most of it will go nevertheless. um making sure that request is on the table is the intention of us being here. Uh there is administrative side note to all of this in that well with the change of your staffing in PPW
um Rich and I have uh embraced the notion that we uh ask questions and at least as it relates to chapter 90 I've asked a lot of questions >> um and there's a um an assignment of responsibility uh that we're requesting
from the select board um to give us the authority to uh execute few contracts with the chapter 90 program, reimbursements, so on so forth, and hopefully cut down on the a lot of the back and forth. I know there was a um every time there was a reimbursement, it was an appointment here. I don't mind
providing progress um reports. I'm sure Rich would be delighted to appear >> for those, but uh at least to manage favor work um you know we essenti essentially provide to the chapter 90 program um our signatures for their records who's who's authorized to do
this and from whom. Uh there is one signature line on there. So I presume that the select board would be authorizing uh the chair to endorse that form if you also wish. So what's what's not allowed under chapter 90 on a on a accepted way for example
or or am I nitpicking down from what you just talked about like if you're doing a project like Mort Vining and it's a chap it's an accepted way in the town of South Lake is there portions of the project that are not allowed expenses under chapter 90 >> usually drainage isn't covered >> I think we do some well uh we police
details is probably the easiest one for us to to understand like if you those sorts of expenses aren't um eligible I think most drainage um can be uh funded through um there are just certain limitations. Uh and to be honest uh
uh excuse me board member Mogland uh I am looking for lowhanging pieces of fruit so we can lean on the fast forward button uh spend uh down what we have available in the chapter 90 program with tremendous ease. So, in particular, at this point in time, we're looking at a
um a road reconstruction project um and uh and and the crack ceiling to make a significant dent in those funds >> from last year. >> Yes. >> Or this current fiscal. >> Yes. I'll be honest, the list of things that are ineligible, I saw that I was like, "Oh, thank goodness. I don't have to worry about that." And I put it
aside. So, happy to follow up. >> So, of the projects that Sorry, Chair. All right. of the projects that were on the list in previous years that we kicked off at least the multi-year multi-phase parts of the project and Hulcom was one of them.
>> Yeah, this is the final once it's paid. That's >> what's the other one? >> Garden Terrace. >> Thank you. Is that on that list too? >> I haven't put in a request for the project uh to either chapter 90 program or to the select board. I don't mind uh putting it there. However, we haven't
assigned a dollar value just yet to it. So, it will be the remainder. >> And do and lastly, do you guys have any further update on the Granville Road piece that we talked about last year? >> Yeah. And that is basically tied to the drainage where we have to start working
on some of the drainage because the mass DOT is not going to cover the drainage. They're just going to do the uh overlay, >> right? But one I understood, but one of the concerns was that was going to come out of the fiscal year 26 >> paving monies was to do that drainage work
>> so that the state will come in and do a multi-million dollar paving job on Granville Road. >> So where does that you still able to accommodate Ed Hulcom and and Endor and and hopefully Gargan? >> Yes. >> In those numbers, >> if you don't mind, Rich. So um you may
recall that or maybe this is all news. uh through our elaborative they were kind to if you will digitize uh the rogue for us and that allowed us uh this was probably November December to develop a color-coded chart uh very
similar to what we saw a few moments ago but in this case we were looking at the drainage segments right so see okay can we unlock this 3/4 mile stretch um by replacing x number of feet of drainage out there Um,
that's our current status. All right. We uh understand that we I've got some priority areas where I think I can, like I said, unlock those uh sections of Route 57 for relatively limited funds. Uh estimating and contracting the work
is what's on our plate right now. >> And we need to do those before they come in and do >> Yes. >> Their work is >> in segments. They'll do it in segments as we do segments. >> When we spoke to them, it was kind of that feeling. I think that we got that if we had to do it in segments, we're
not off their radar. No, we remain uh a priority uh for them. Uh when it comes to scheduling, it's just a matter of us saying, "Okay, these roadway sections have been done." Some of the cost factors we're considering as well. If you're if you have a a road repaving
project following up, we may have to swaddle the cost of you full fill uh for trench um for trench work um out there. Uh Mr. Anderson asked a good question um just a moment ago.
>> Contracted or in house? >> I'm sorry. Contracted or in house? Rich and I have been I mean there's a great desire to bring some of this work uh in house. uh if I'm paraphrasing correctly, I look forward not >> regrettably
um when it comes to staff available staff hours um you know pulling our team off of their monthly responsibilities uh for a week or two weeks um at a time will result in what we call slow progress as well as I think regrettable
delays to the maintenance program. >> Yeah. And to be honest, if something does happen, that's where a lot of the guys have to go to fix. So, a water issue, a sewer issue, >> drop, >> you never know when you're dropping what you're doing is it delays everything. So, to be honest, it' have to be more of a contractor.
>> Yes. And we don't have the bigger equipment. >> Never. >> Interesting. >> Okay. >> Back to the question at hand. is them having a castle
where they can sign contracts legally. >> That's what he asked for. >> That's that's been typical for like any grants. I know when I was chief, Carl authorized me to sign for any grants, any of the any of the contract work.
>> Nobody thus far, nobody has one in town right now. >> Really? >> Not to say they can't. >> Right. Yeah. because whether it was a a fire grant, EMPG grants, any of those, you had to have one of those. >> Well, nobody has signed a contract yet
besides the chairman of the select board since I've been here. I don't have castle for anybody else. >> If I can answer that, >> you don't have one yourself. >> No. Is this for specific types of projects or >> states contract?
>> Yeah. If I'm going to interject for just a moment, um the only reason why this came up uh was with the state's shift to the grant central platform for chapter 90 in
chapter 90 managed projects. Um uh I'm one of the users, if you will, in this online platform to enter data and at the end you mash a button. Um and the first time I mashed that uh I think I'm done button, it became awfully quick. I was like, "Oh my goodness, that there's not
the uh usual here, upload your select board endorsement form um at the end." And that's what through discussions and questions with the chapter 9 administrators say, "Oh, no. Even though the select board has excuse me, signed this form in the past, they're trying to move towards an efficiency model."
Um, so I have no particular desire to take those on, but uh if that's the the proper path through their um their grant management, and I'm happy to do so. >> I I don't have I'm used to them, so I I don't have any concerns. The town
administrator at the time still signed off on allowing it. the um where you where you get into problems is if there's transition and >> well so it's the individual it's not the position which is but I don't have a
problem either I'm scanning it for how do you update this should one of them leave our employee >> you have to fill out a new one so I had that situation when I went back in cover for somebody and they had taken out the original grant gotten the form ordered
the equipment I'm closing out the grant and my signature doesn't match that signature. So, we had to just >> So, >> we just had to do a new one. So, >> okay. >> These guys have 20-year deals, so it's not not a problem. Okay. >> They're not allowed to leave. >> Absolutely.
>> Okay. So, you're looking for a motion to apply those projects to the chapter 90 funding for fiscal 26. >> Second. So, move. Roll call vote. Dan Gai. >> Doug Mglin. Yes. >> Both Sanders. Yes.
>> And you're looking for a motion to have you as contract authorized signitories for the onestop. >> Grand Central. >> Grant Central. >> Sorry. >> No.
>> And who is it? It could be John. >> It's Rich Bozac and John Goddard. >> You're good with that? >> I'm fine with that. >> So move. >> Second. >> Roll call. Vote. Dang. Hi. >> Doug moving. Yes. >> Russ Anderson. Yes. >> Thank you all for your time. Thank you. >> Don't go far.
>> We go. >> I think you're still >> No, I guess not. >> There's something else. All right. >> Okay. >> Are you involved in the next one? >> Uh this next topic, the roadway acceptance evaluation, greens of
Southwood. >> There was a miscommunication and that doesn't belong in front of the select board. That's the you can sign it. You're the executive body, but it really belongs in the planning board because it's their peer review for this project. So, >> it was the scope of services agreement
>> and I think it was just because I've been helping them because we haven't had any peer review yet. So, I've been helping Alvin and um just kind of assumed that it was going to come to the select board, but it really is the planning board who are authorized to sign into peer review agreements. Oh, hi.
>> He's still here. Yep. >> Watchful eye. >> He was actually mouthing the words. >> I saw a lot of hand shaking. >> Oh yeah, that's awesome to watch. >> So >> yes, essentially. Yeah. Uh we are so
again the Greens East. This is um for road acceptance um subdivision off of Tannery Road on north side of town. This is before you guys. Previously, it was recommended from the select board to uh the planning board to review. Um and we
have this new newer process where we're having peer review of um street acceptance or other um >> any peer review. >> Yeah. So b yeah yeah essentially we for any sort of engineer plans um we're
we're asking for tying bond to uh to assist us um with those particular matters. So um I have um I've reached out to time bond I've sent them the project um and just asking for their scope of work and their
services which they've sent. I just need a an authorized signature to move forward with the uh the proposal >> which would be the chair of the planning board. >> It can be but you guys but it doesn't need to be and it probably just shouldn't be because it really is the
planning. >> Say that again real fast then leave it there. >> And so I think that this was it was just some miscommunication. Um, and I already told them to they could start like we've received the funds, they can start their review working with the, you know, all
the plans with the developer and I think it's really just Jessica's signature and the the Lumis and all the other the other ones. >> Does they put the developer put the money on >> on deposit with the town? So, the town's not financially exposed at all here. >> Not at all.
>> Yeah, it's fine. >> So, we don't need to. Excellent explanation, Alvin. We appreciate it >> in your court. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Uh then discussion and a vote for the
conservation restriction 17 Vining Hill Road Noblestein spun around tell you when you can get >> Yeah. Right. Thank you. I asked John to come up just because he can provide a little bit more
um history and time on this. >> And essentially this is again a conservation restriction. It's come before me. I'm just trying to get push the ball past the finish line. Um but back when this particular subdivision
again this is Noble Steed was uh approved as part of like a condition upon their approval was to have uh restricted um conservation land that could not be developed essentially and
um the state I believe uh well the planning board approved it originally. This has moved to the state. I believe conservation commission has reviewed it and so this um document it's been reviewed by our legal team um as well as
the developer and it's ready to move forward uh be signed off. It's already been signed off by the conservation commission. Um it's been signed off by the developer and and uh we're just looking for sign off from the uh select board. I had
>> sure >> conversation uh with some of you on this. I had some reservation on the access to the public or to anyone. It
does not say there is any access to this conservation area. So I question what is conservation value is I understand the conservation aspects of it but for
whose benefit is it? Um and everything the property remains with the granter not the grantees not the residents and everything says the grtor may
allow access may allow maintenance may convert it to the homeowners. Nothing says this is going to be to the benefit of the homeowners or the town of Southwick. That's my reservation
>> understanding >> in a nutshell. So the wording of it I'm not super comfortable with. >> And and John, this has been done in other parts of the town for other subdivisions. So this would be
consistent with other um >> I don't know if the language on others is may. So, uh, >> and the homeowners do not have an agreement yet. They don't have a homeowners association yet.
>> Are they going to? Sorry. >> Supposedly, >> that should have been submitted with those documents should have been submitted with almost with the definitive subdivision plan, but nothing's gone quite according
to plan with that subdivision. >> And this is reservation number two. But >> doesn't it Salt March is granting an a right in the first statement of the grant to the town of Southwick
the following conservation restriction on land in the town of Southwick. So they're aren't isn't that aren't they granting that with quick claim to the town in favor of the town right in number one because Salt March
Brothers Construction will probably cease to exist. Nothing against Salt Salt Brothers Construction Inc. But every subdivision that's ever been made, that corporation disappears as soon as they're done, >> right? Because they're they go on. They'll be brothers construction too for
some other future project, right? So I believe that they're deeding and I didn't read the deed in detail. >> Deeding the conservation restriction. They're not deeding the property. >> The town from what Sabrina said, can't own the land and the restriction.
>> That's correct. So >> we found that out from the historical >> the land why the town has the conservation restriction. So it's kind >> he he should sell it to the in in theory he should sell it to the homeowners association and they're supposed to own it for a dollar cuz you if he's or
what'll happen is by default the town will end up owning it cuz he will and like any other developer I'm not picking on Mr. Salt March here. He will stop paying taxes on that land. It will then fall into title and the town will end up owning it. We own plenty of property in town. That's
exactly how that turned out. >> And this is another matter that once it's in a conservation restriction, its taxable value >> goes down like a chapter 61 property. >> Yep. >> And I question again, whose benefit then
is the conservation restriction? >> The town. It always has been. That's the whole reason for flex res. And that's why you have these. So under I feel like I'm putting on my planning board hat for the third time tonight, but flex res the idea between flex res
was less street surface area. You gave up you give narrower streets with lesser length than is allowed under a conventional subdivision on smaller lots in return for 40% open space. This is a flex res subdivision. It's completely
surrounded by open space or abudding other open space. So there can be no potential future blowout of a paper street into other land to build additional parts of the subdivision like we've seen in other parts of town. That's the tradeoff. So in and under
FlexRes, the only things that you can do with the land is deed it to a homeowners association, deed it to the town, or lease it to a farmer, which is an odd one, but that's under our current bylaw.
That's how it works. So, this one there looks I believe the intent here from going back ages was that there's going to be a homeowners association. That homeowners association is supposed to receive this land and be responsible for
for the ownership of that land and it shouldn't fall back on the town. And the the taxes on the land are dimminimous because of the the conservation restriction on that land. >> And none of that is evident in this document. Correct. >> The maze are what
>> it should Well, we'd have to go back to the And I'm sorry to interrupt, but we should go back to the special permit that was granted to the subdivision should be crystal clear when that special permit was issued to the developer to to say what is the disposition open space and it say the
developer shall the developer shall the developer shall and so even if this says may could, would the shall the overriding special permit decision which is what drives everything else in here. And I know based on these, cuz we've
seen a few of these over the years, the state is an incredible pain on these. And if and if conservation already signed off of it, they're tougher than just about anybody on on doing these because they have a very vested interest in this and and the access piece. The
other the last thing I'll add before everybody else chimes in, and I see there's one person who probably has intimate knowledge of this as well, is the access piece. When you have a a flex res development does not necessarily imply that you grant public access to
that open space. You may or may not grant it to even the residents of the subdivision, but that's up to the homeowners association to decide what to do with that based on their own rules and regulations that they promulgate amongst themselves. There's no there
shouldn't even be in my opinion an expected right of public access to the deed open space from a flex res subdivision. >> You have something to add as a >> street crossing. >> Yes. >> So I can say when we purchased the
property there is in the doc documented contract there is supposed to be a homeowners association. We paid $500 that goes into the homeowners association fee. Um, and the explanation from the site super at the time um was
that once the development is done, there's your homeowners association fees, it's now contingent upon the residents who signed off to create the homeowners association to create the homeowners association where we would then be, you know, responsible for maintaining the access, the entry way
into the development. um as well as whatever we were to decide with the open space. There's no specifics. Technically, the way it was explained to us was we are one or there's 26 lots, but one of them was someone bought uh two. So, there's only technically 25
residences. Um that we are owners of 126th of the open space. That would be whatever the final conclusion oncom this board and everybody else decides when the project is signed off
on the homeowners association responsible for. >> So do we know that that is in the special permit that there will be a conveyance of this to the homeowners association when it is established? >> I was off the planning board when it
came in. I can't >> because there are other conditions like you're not supposed to be able already dealt with some of them. You're not supposed to be parking a motor home in the neighborhood. There there are actual >> but those are covenants. That's to but those also should have gotten filed with your deed, >> right? That's part of
>> that when I was on this board, I had people come to me and say, "Hey, >> this is such and such in my contract. Why is this person doing it?" And you know, as we know, there's a lot going on with Steve. >> Wow. >> And and I I'm sorry. No, I just Go ahead, please. >> I did speak to the conservation
coordinator about this as well and they had no part in drafting this either. It's basically a state template kind of thing. State has their own objectives in a conservation restriction. They don't care about us or the homeowners. I would
like that assurance and not sign this yet until we have that. >> I'm fine with that if if that's what you need. I ju I just want to add >> but >> two things real quick. One is it's super important super important that we eventually whether it's next week or
next month have a permanent conservation restriction that's filed with the state and approved by the state. If not, and there are subdivisions in town that have this, there was a local one done that didn't meet state muster. State wouldn't sign it. Those expire after 25 years. So
people that have homes abuing what looks like open space, but there's a mysterious 25- foot rightway into that open space for the farmer to get to the land, that land is stupid development, and that's not the expectation that those homeowners bought property in the
town of Southwick or that particular lot. So it is very important that at some point in the very near future that this this or something very similar get recorded as a permanent conservation restriction for that land so that the pretense under which those lots were
designed and sold are met and that the town doesn't interfere with that. The other thing is on on those other uh covenants the only way to affect those zoning enforcement will not touch those. It's the only way he's got to go through your neighbor.
>> What is What is the urgent? >> There is a open There is a rightway around that entire property to access that open space in the back part along Vining Hill you'd never be able to do anything with. But >> the part between my neighborhood and yours, Mr. Molgan, there's plenty that
could be done if it's not protected properly. So, >> and what is the urgency? >> U you want to get it done and just it just falls off the radar. Rudy forgets and then suddenly >> I don't forget I keep let me just say you want to get this I know that but I'm just saying that I just want to
emphasize the urgency around it because >> get that assurance to us and circulate that to Nicole and she can distribute it to us for our satisfaction. We can probably address this next. >> All right, >> if that's okay. >> Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Okay. Okay. Then we have an elderly rate application for sewer for four evergreen street which has gone through the water commission approval and re review and approval. Um need a motion to >> that.
Roll call vote. Dangel I. >> Doug Mogan. Yes. >> Russ Anderson. Yes. >> Cover photos for the annual report. Anybody? We need two front and back. which I love the barn, the yellow barn.
>> We used that in the past though. >> We have >> believe so. >> The 250th. I think we used one of those. >> And I love the flag barn. >> The flag fits with >> Absolutely. Does >> I think this will
>> either way they're still a good shot. They're all farmer related, aren't they? >> Yeah. Next year we're going to have to have to add some diversity. >> They're always lake, you know. So, >> I say the the yellow barn and the flag.
>> That was my two choices. >> Which one do you want? Front and back. >> Front flag. Flag on the front. 250. Right. >> This one. >> Yeah. >> Are we also going to put something on the front to recognize the country?
I suppose I don't usually >> we should probably print it right side up though. >> Yeah. >> Fall out of >> Did you choose this one? >> Yellow barn the and the red barn with the flag. That'll be the >> flag on the cover. >> Yes. >> Dr. Something we can all agree.
>> Okay. >> Uh acknowledge the $399 donation to be deposited south animal control gift and medical gift account from T. Athis from West Springfield, Pete Lily Spencer Mass Arrow of Windsor,
Connecticut, and Stop and Shop from Portsouth, New Hampshire. That is a wide ranging donation. >> I was going to say they're coming from out of two states to donate to the animal shelter. So moved. >> Yes. >> Second. >> Well, I'll vote Dangel. I >> Doug Mun. Yes. >> Anderson. >> Any other new business from anyone?
>> New? >> No. Okay. old business uh post community agreement for Pioneer Valley Trading. Alvin, >> I'm here. I'm here online. >> Hi. >> Hello.
>> And uh Alvin said, did you get another any >> I didn't get anything else. I did have the zoning enforcement officer come down today and um you know not exactly sure but when I explained to him what Michael Albert was telling me that it was
basically filling the pens that's what he's doing there and he's not creating the pens that it's more processing it's not manufacturing. So that was the zoning portion officer's opinion
and that you know and processing is in the bylaw in 18535.2F2 to F2. All aspects of the use relative to the acquisition, cultivation, possession, processing, sale, distribution,
dispensing, testing, researching, or administration of marijuana products containing marijuana related supplies or educational materials must take place at a fixed location. Those are the zoning bylaw supporting opinion
um allowable. >> Can I ask Mr. Albert a question? >> Absolutely. Yes. So, what's involved with what what you what products are you going to make there? >> Yeah. Um, so it's going to be the um the
pens um which are one of the most common uh products in the state um actually countrywide. Um so it's a like a benchtop unit um where you're filling the pens. Um you're the the laboratory there is it's called a lab, but it's a
it's a small probably five feet tall. It's a column and you pump the gas through the top and it separates the plant material from the canabonoid oil on the bottom and that's the oil that you refine down to what you're putting in the pens. It all fits in a small I
think we're doing like a 120 square foot room in there for that's going to be quote unquote the lab. I think that you know the the language where it says product manufacturer um I think in in the where where the in the town language it's it's very uh you
know you think of a product manufacturer you think of you know 30 40 employees coming in for two three different shifts and you're a manufacturing warehouse and it's just that's just not the case of what would be happening up there if this were to be approved. um you know we stand behind the you know four employees
if that um and you know goes up when the seasonal harvest happens for you know three weeks at a time but um it's a I think it's a it's a the definition of the word uh kind of hiccup there. Um, so it it it's a I don't want to say a
it's probably the size of half of the room that you're sitting in right now of the activities that will be quote unquote being manufactured. Um, so it's probably maybe 300 square ft of the of the five
5,000 foot building there um for the the drying and the processing of the of the flower. Um, and what you see in in in these when you have a big outdoor grow, um, most of that outdoor product, um, a lot of it anyways goes to making those pens and those oils because the the
product quality that is grown outside, um, is not at the same quality as the indoor flower usually. So, um, that's why these these facilities have that component along with it. Um there's a lot of standalone ones in the state as well um that just take in the flower,
you send it to them, they process it, and then they'll white label it or they'll send it off. Um but we're trying, you know, we're a small company. We're hometown hometown guys and we want to keep this vertically integrated and as small as possible and just be you know um you know try to try to jive with
uh what the the town of South is offering us as as far as giving us the retail license here and then being able to supplement and complement that with that facility. Um and like I said it's it won't be visible from you know the the the roadway. Um, it's tucked back in
there and uh, you know, all the security measures are I think I submitted the uh, the security plan. So, it's pretty much like Fort Knox over there, but you won't even see the fence to get into the sliding gate from the road. It's just all all the all the public would be able to see is just the dirt driveway to get
to the back of the property there. >> Essentially, you're like pressing olives for olive oil and putting it >> That's actually a really good way. Yes. Yes. Exactly. Yep. And you're process you're you're further processing the plant to to manufacture a product. So
that's why they're calling it the product of manufacturing. >> Yeah. >> And it's a it's a key piece in being successful with an especially with an outdoor component because that flower quality just being outside and not being inside where you can control all of your
uh your environmentals. Um, it it allows you to work with that product that you're growing outside in a much much more uh uh sophisticated way than if you were to just cut it up, bag it up, and and and try to uh you know, uh be with
the big dogs on the shelves there, uh so to say. It's the the quality of outdoor flower is is not not doesn't match with anything grown indoors. So people people have these outdoor grows to supplement their product lines um and to be more
competitive in the marketplace that our whole goal here is to just to get that that vertical integration going just to you know be able to survive the the es and flows of the industry here. Um and that's why we're proposing that that small component into that.
>> Thank you. Absolutely. >> And just one more thing that the the zone enforcement officer made a comparison to like the farms around or what is also allowed in the R40 like so you have strawberries and then you're going to make jam or you're going to
make um something and jar it. It's he kind of equated it to something like that >> or olive oil. >> Many olives grow around here. I haven't seen. >> Okay, great. >> I I was thinking along the lines of the same >> thing is, you know, you take some of the
farms that have >> they have a huge pretty good baking operation going on or they do other things with with some of the products on site, but I >> I actually made zoodles out of zucchini and bagged it. product manufacturing. You know, I I I
took it from the other side of this is this is not maybe this is an accessory use to the a use, but most of our any commercial I want to have leave the town in a defensible position when some guy starts
doing some other manufacturing business, >> right, >> in his house >> and he go, "Oh, you let this guy do it." >> Yep. >> Right. and and then you don't have a leg to stand on because you've you've clearly made an affirmative allowance to do it. Even though our zoning is
absolutely silent on it from really when you boil it down from what it says, no pun intended, when from what's in the bylaw as to what you can and can't do under the the cannabis legislation. So, I I'm okay with it. I just wanted to get an explanation around
that and I I I kind of see where where it's going and and you know as long you know it's not creating you know you're not bringing in machinery and chemicals and stuff in order to create other products other than what's grown you know leverage what's grown on
site. >> Exactly. Yep. And the the the most costic uh uh material we'd be working with up there is propane and butane, which is commonly found everywhere. And we'll we'll be, you know, heating the green houses with propane. So, um you know, it's it's not like we're, like you
said, we're not busting in, you know, these pallets and pallets of chemicals or anything like that. There's there's a lot of these statewide and um and and they're they're very safe and um you know they're they're commonplace and it really does add that extra um layer of um profitability to a
small company being able to you know take that product and be able to market it at in a higher uh echelon of other products. So it it really uh it's it's very important to us. That's why we have it included in there. Um but yeah, we totally, you know, see the the town side and the the caution and uh and respect
the process. So >> there a motion to accept this HCA as presented and noted and have the chair sign it. Moved >> second. Roll call vote. Dang. I >> Doug Mun Anderson. Yes.
>> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you so much. Okay. Discuss and vote on the community television South community television policy. We're going to defer this until a future date. We don't have the most
current documents with us. And next item, the proposed dog park conservation commission communication. >> Yeah, just put it in your packet for your for you to see. That wasn't exactly
what the select board um asked them at all. So, I just think, you know, I just wanted to show it to you, but there's no action that you need to take on it whatsoever. >> Okay. Any other old business?
>> I have none. >> Nope. >> Nothing. >> Nothing. Okay. >> We have exec tonight. >> Yes. Okay. >> Yes. Uh minutes. Can we acknowledge and approve open session minutes for March
2nd, 2026, >> which you have on the table? >> Oops. >> Those are the ones we already edited though, right? >> Yes. >> Yes. Still moves. >> Roll call vote. Dang >> Doug Mun. Yes. >> Sanders. Yes.
>> And acknowledge and approve executive session minutes from March 9th. Do we have those? >> He wasn't paying attention at third basis. >> So move second. Roll
>> call vote. I Doug Min. Yes. Russ Anderson. Yes. and acknowledge payroll warrant number 2622 dated March 9th, 2026 in the amount of 30981121. And if nothing else, motion to adjurnn.
>> Roll call vote. Danell I. >> Doug, yes. Russ Anderson, yes. >> And we will be going into executive session. Need a motion to go into executive session pursuant to Mass General Law Chapter 3A section 21 number three to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation. If
an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining or litigating position of the public body and the chair so declares and we will not be reconvening in open session. Thank you everybody.