Ready? >> All right. Good evening and welcome to the select board December 29th, the last Monday of the year, 6 o'clock p.m. We're here in the land use uh hearing room here in uh town hall. Uh
let's take a roll call of who's here. >> Nicole Parker, see you. Doug Moin Russ Anderson. >> She said just came up on >> and Miss G.
I think she's still connecting. Yeah, she's there. >> There she >> There she is. >> Good evening, Mrs. Gale. How are you? Hang on. I'm good. As good as I can be. >> Okay.
>> That's why that's why these meetings are difficult. >> Did we start? >> We we just started and took roll and we'll we'll note that you have joined the meeting. >> There we go. Thank you very much, sir. >> You want to take it from here or you want me to try to do my best from here?
Um well, all you did was take the roll call, then you can um do your pledge of allegiance and then uh let me just say that I am home being sick, but I am on Zoom and I'm going to be turning the meeting over to Doug Moin because it's a lot easier to manage when
you're in the room. So, there you go. >> Okay, so we did the call order. Buddy, can you lead us in the pledge, please? I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation
under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you, buddy. >> Okay, first we'll open up the floor to public comments. Is there anyone in the audience that has a public comment that they'd like to uh address to the board?
And one second, Mr. Dee. I also have to note to everyone that this meeting is being recorded and that if anyone else is recording the meeting, they need to let clerk Anderson know. >> I would be recording the news uh meeting board 40.
>> Thank you very much. Now, Mr. Dei, I just may have some questions during the town meeting warrant discussion. >> Very well. Anyone else in the audience have any public comments? Anyone on Zoom?
>> I did not see that. >> That's because >> the top Yeah. >> Okay. New business. Discuss a point. Ann boy. >> Oh, thank God she's here. Miadowski to
Council on Aging for a term of from December 29th to June 30th of 2026 as the associate. Do you want to come on up and introduce yourself and say hello? >> See if you stutter and the person's in the audience. You don't have to
mispronounce name. They'll help you. >> Thank you. >> That's why I'm here, I guess, to meet and greet. Huh? >> Absolutely. How are you this evening? >> Good. >> You want to give us a little background on yourself? >> Sure. I retired just recently and I've been running around town volunteering
here and there, but I thought I'd plug in somewhere and, you know, really plug in and get my hands into town and be part of it. >> Awesome. How long have you been a resident of Southwood? >> 40 years. 40 years. >> Welcome.
>> Yeah. >> There you go. And you've met some of the folks on Council on Aging. >> Well, yes. I I I'm always at the the senior. I teach the crafts there now. So, >> absolutely. >> Yes. And I know Lisa and everyone and
Cara and Denise and everyone Juliana very well. So, I figured that would be a good place to be. >> Okay. Any other discussion, Mr. Anderson? No, >> I'll be abstained.
>> Mrs. Gail? >> Yes. I had the pleasure of meeting an at the library function. Um, and we had a little chat. She was looking for any place that she could fit in on any of the boards and commissions. So, I sent her all the vacancies and this was the
one she chose. She's been active there. Lisa supports this as well. So, so do I. Would you like to make that in the form of a motion then? >> Oh, sure. I would like to appoint Anne Mayadowski, the Council on Aging for the
term of 122925 through 63026 as an associate member. >> Is there a second? I'll second the motion. Forgot about that for a second. Okay, we'll do a roll call vote.
Mrs. Gale >> Diane Gail I >> Doug Mglin Yes. >> Thank you. Congratulations. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Find out in June if you're thanking us or not. >> Exactly. >> No, it's a great committee. They do a
great job and you know the seniors have such an important role to play in town. So appreciate your help with that. >> Thank you. All >> set. >> Absolutely. Oh, thank you. Move this out of the way. Y >> Oh, that's okay. Thank you. Okay, next we have a discharge of a lean
on real estate um for Randolph and Marie Trasa. So I just need a a motion to authorize the chair to sign the discharge of lean on real estate. So move
>> and I'll second that motion. >> Uh roll call vote. >> Doug, yes. Russ Anderson. Yes. >> Okay. Okay. Item C, discuss vote consideration of 2026 liquor license renewal for Lake
View Tavern. Okay. Uh we're open for discussion on that. You're here for that as well. Um, is there anything you'd like to add to what's going on over there?
>> Business. We try it the first year. We try to do the second year and it's somebody with a lot of experience needs to do it. The original apartment that I had it in, he walked away from me two months in. Then
we had a manager. We tried it. It's just somebody with a lot of experience in the restaurant business. That's why I'm giving everything back to uh Edstone. He's taking everything over.
He's let me go after least been 3 years. Well, the liquor license was uh originally sold to us and I need to get it back to sometime next year. want to pass the name of tenant to do.
>> Okay, thank you. Further discussion >> please. Um, so this was submitted extremely late. Um, and not everything is there. Um, including
taxes, unpaid. Um, required inspections not done. Uh, they are closed, which wouldn't necessarily keep us from renewing it in the event there
was solid plans to open, you know, soon. Uh, but first and foremost, the ABC requires all of these applications to come in by November 30th, which it didn't happen until last week. Um,
they're trying to renew a license that wasn't approved through a transaction last year with the ABC. It returned no action for some inaccuracies in their application. So um you know I think that
the best avenue again here we are you know if somebody owes taxes we don't renew their license and there's that's a big deal. Uh the fact that they came back return no action. So they the license they want to
renew isn't the license that they are working on with right now and they opened all year long with last year. technically still fusion. Um, and it's just be cleaner, I think, if we just don't renew it and let the let the applicant come back for a new
application. If it's not renewed, the license stays with the town. Um, how does that work? If now all of a sudden, so if it comes back to the town and the town's holding the license in limo basically, right? >> It's just an available license.
>> So what happens if for whatever reason somebody else comes back, somebody wants that license? >> As this facility is trying to clean up the paperwork and get move forward with new owners or new managers, whatever. >> Is there the possibility that that isn't
available? If two pe if two applicants come forward to open a restaurant with a full liquor uh ability, then they wouldn't have the ability to open. They'd have to either go for special legislation or something like that, which would be very important. It's a great spot, right? It's a great great
destination spot for for our summer folks, even winter. Um the application process simply wasn't followed. >> No, I understand that. I just what's the cleanest and easiest way for the owner to move forward? I guess that's the
>> I mean honestly if we renewed this we would be renewing a license that doesn't necessarily exist and the managers aren't even the managers and it's >> the state's not going to >> they're not they're going well >> I'm not going to say what they would do but if they wanted to they could
absolutely come back to the town. That's happened to me before and it would be our offic's responsibility for irresponsibly renewing a license. >> That no,
>> sorry. In addition, in addition, the ABCC indeed does require the certificate of good standing and the owner of this license cannot obtain that at this time.
It's just one of many discrepancies in the renewal process. I mean, things that just aren't there, things that we need that we do not have, which is certificate of good standing. Um but again there are several things I
think ahead of that even you know >> cor I mean correct even if we if we waved some of those that is still an ABCC requirement that we can't forward to them because he can't get it
>> but so an advisable course of action I mean probably would be for the owner of the facility to start applying for a license for that facility and then find an operator and then have a meeting with a change of managers when the place is ready to open.
>> That was my thought as well. >> Well, then it must be a good thought if two of us have it. >> As early as Friday, we're closed on on Thursday. The license expires at 11:59 p.m. on December 31st, but we're open on Friday if somebody wants to come in and
reapply for that license. Again, one of two that we that we wouldn't be renewing. >> Seems reasonable. >> All right. Really? >> Yeah. I I agree. But I I also think that Yeah. I mean, we have a couple licenses
available and um you know, we've been we've been flexible with places as they go through changes as over time. I mean, Santos was a great example, right? We went through that with Zantos when they were changing owners and and everything else. Now that license is gone because
that that business closed and another business open and instead that they don't need a liquor license. But >> and ABC is fine with being flexible. Yeah. To to a degree and to a point and to have an endgame and have something substantial. >> Fair enough.
>> Is every player vote? No, I think we've considered it and discussed it. I don't think we need to vote because we're not going to >> renew it. >> I don't think we need to vote. >> We I think we approved it provisionally the last time we met provided they
submitted all required documentation which they have not. So therefore it is not approved. >> The only thing that is missing from all that is the ending. This is >> anything else for the
>> Oh, hang on one sec. I see that um Mr. Egleston has joined as well. >> Yes. Thank you, Mr. I think he's gone. Ken, we can hardly hear you. When do you expect to and while Ken's
having some trouble there? When do you do you think you would have that? >> We had to do an extension last year. It was there was certain dates that were not released. You know, that's the only establishment from uh Canada. I was able to review the uh insuranceances and I
got myself the tip certification. So all that is in place. But the only reason is need good standing. >> It's it would take a day or two if you're in good standing. The taxes are still outstanding and
there's no manager. >> I think we can just leave it for now and then if if something changes before our next meeting, we can revisit it. The place isn't going to be open on January 1st anyway, right? there's there's no chance of them. >> So that gives us some runway to figure
out what's going on with that. Right. So we'll give Ken Mr. Eglesen one more one more opportunity here. see him. Did he rejoin? >> Yes. No. >> Yeah, he's there. But
>> Mr. Eglesson, can you hear us? >> Yeah. >> Mr. Egleston. No, it's just Well, when the technology works, it's great, but it doesn't always work perfectly. All right, so we'll let that go for now until we can circle back and figure out what we're going to do.
Okay, okay, >> discuss Ken, you're just about unreadable. I'm sorry. >> Okay. Discuss vote elderly rate applications uh for one
Brighton Drive, 6 Boyce Road, um 10 Evergreen Street, 148 Berkshire Avenue, 12 South View Drive, and 26 South View Drive. Um, has everyone
reviewed those as far as um as sewer commissioners to see if we should just take one on a bus motion to approve these ones or if we need to take individual votes because there's a concern with any of them.
>> I have >> I'm sorry. Go ahead, Russ. No, I just I I have no concern with any particular >> I I did with 12 South View Drive. Um if you do a search on that person, they also
have a residential address of Thomas Street in Westfield. So, I'd like to validate that this is the primary residence as is required. I don't have any problem with the others.
>> There's 12. South view 12. >> Yes. >> And there's note on them. >> Yeah. It's on page 12 in our packet. >> Mhm. >> But um a quick search um indicates
there's that other address I mentioned as current listed as the current address in Westfield. So I would just like to have that validated. >> Okay. Okay. And then we >> So then I >> we can review it again.
>> So from the list I read the motion would be for one Brighton, six Boyce, 10 Evergreen, 148 Bergkshire Avenue, and 26 Southview Drive. >> Correct. >> Second. >> We need a motion. >> Oh,
>> I'll make I'll make the motion. >> Thought you did. >> Usually the person in the room makes the motion because then the delay doesn't happen. That's all right. I'll make a motion. >> All right. There you go. Motion's made by clerk Anderson. Is there a second?
>> Second. Diane Gail. >> Okay. Roll call vote. >> Diane Gail. I >> Doug Mglin. Yes. >> Russ Anderson. Yes. >> And we'll reach out to um Mr. Peard at 12 South View to get clarification on that and we can bring it back for our
next meeting if necessary. Approve. Acknowledge and approve $50 donation to be deposited into the K9 gift fund. >> Would you like to make that motion?
>> I'll make that motion. So move. >> Second. >> Motion made and seconded. Uh roll call vote. >> I. >> Doug Mglin. Yes. >> Anderson. Yes. Acknowledge and approve $2,47250
donation to be deposited into the Southwick animal control and animal control gift fund. >> Motion has read >> second. Um I just want to read out the uh donation res the donors though. It's
L. Hazelton for 25, Hayen for 50, S. Trunk for 250, 14750 from IBS, and Dplus of Westfield for $2,000. So, thank you all for their
generosity. And that was a second. >> Roll call vote, please. >> Diane Gail, I >> Doug Mglin, yes. >> Rose Sanderson, yes. acknowledge and approve $200 donation to be deposited into the library gift account.
>> So move >> again that is $100 from Andrew and Diane Gail in memory of Leo Koyer and $100 from the depot square condo association and I'll second that. >> Okay, roll call vote, please.
>> Diane Gail I. >> Doug Mglin, yes. Sanderson. Yes. >> Sign and confirm special town meeting warrant language. Here's a copy of for both of you written by council.
I had reviewed it and questioned a couple of things that were clarified. Um, and we will be spelling out Bess in article five. And finally correcting Christy Mette's name on the last page.
And >> so as >> and I believe article two was retired employees. Was that correct nine? >> Yeah. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> And a section number. Sorry. Section number in in article one. I forgot what the section number was that was omitted
there. >> Seven. >> Seven. Okay. Sorry, that was four things. Okay. So, would anyone like me to go over what the articles on the town meeting warrant are
exactly without reading the entire warrant and it's complete? Is everybody good? I would review them again. I would review them again, Zugg, if you could in in synopsis.
>> Okay. Article one is authorization to make payment of subsidiary or additional rate for insurance for employees statute acceptance. So this would be for the town for town meeting to vote to accept the provisions of Mass General Law
Chapter 32B section 7A permitting the town uh to pay above 50% of the premium for our employees. Um today by statute we're limited to that 50% number and um
we were asked by the town employees to to hold a special town meeting for town meeting to deliberate and decide whether we should go above that 50%. And that's what this article does. Uh article two is authorization is the
same exact thing except section 9E for retirees. So, it's very similar to article one, but it covers our retired employees. Article three is dispatch communication tower funding to see if and this will see if we're
going to raise and appropriate uh $220,000 uh to complete the uh radio system for public safety. Um and then the source of said funds. Um
there's been this was kind of a later article, but there was a long-standing project to replace the radio system in the town. Um roughly $1.7 million worth of of work.
Um between us and the regional dispatch center in Westfield, they've secured over um $1.4 $4 million in grants towards this project. So, this $220,000 we're asking um for the town to raise
and appropriate to uh complete this work. Um this is kind of part and parcel of um this work would have needed to occur uh regardless if we had not regionalized the system um our dispatch
from uh to Westfield and kept it in Southwick. Um and would have come at a far greater cost in my opinion. Um, so this $220,000 to complete the system and get the new radio system up and going is something that we need to do and we need to go in
front of town meeting to get that approval. That was also because Verizon >> and another thing is >> last minute change >> Verizon we this probably could have gone out a little further except that Verizon uh notified the town and other commercial users and residential users
that uh they're essentially abandoning the remaining copper network that exists on the polls today. So we and some of our dispatch lines run on those copper lines. So there's no guarantee of service um much past the middle of next
year. So we need to get this work done and finished and there's permitting and stuff that needs to happen even for this for this piece to finish. So, um, hence why we we've added it to this special. Further discussion on articles one, two,
or three so far >> and in the audience. >> Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't have my glasses on, Mr. De. >> Yes, sir. >> You can see it. Um, I had talked to earlier, Joe, I guess my chair now, chairman of finance.
We're not meeting till the 6th to go over it and give you guys the recommendation on financing, but I didn't realize that our our funds were certified. So, I'm sure the finance commission is going to go along the road of using free cash. But it has to be
worded that way in that article, though. >> Mhm. >> Okay. And it's not >> uh the approp it says uh sorry, I didn't read it in its entirety. whether said appropri appropriation shall come from free cash as set forth in mass general
law chapter 40 section 5 or take any other action there too. So it was updated. >> Yeah, >> correct. >> Because >> this one's still warm. >> Sent you the, you know, the borrowing. >> Yeah. >> option, too. That didn't really make a lot of sense if we have the free cash certified. So,
>> I mean, I think when the finance committee is a partner on this in that we always use free cash for for capital if we can at the end of the year. we would have used in or a bond to buy something at capital. This
is just moving it to one end of the story or the other, >> right? >> Um so I think this is probably the best way to do it if we if we have the ability to buy it outright without borrowing it and certainly don't have to dip into anywhere else. So um
there's a great explanation. Town is seeking $220,000 to complete the new public safety radio system. Dollar amounts already gave. Um, mobile radios have already been replaced and there's ongoing antenna site work for the phase radio project. Further
discussion on article three. Okay. Article four is a general bylaw amendment, employment of outside consultants. Um, this is to see if the town will amend chapter 96 section one of the code of the town of Southwick by adding the
following bold and underlying languages. Um, I can summarize this a little better. A few years ago, um, a zoning bylaw was enacted to allow the hiring at the cost to the developer of a third party consultant to review an
application in front of the planning board. At the time, what is now chapter 96, section one of the code, was in chapter 185 for planning and zoning. at a subsequent town meeting that was
moved out and moved into its own section of the town code. So, we need to add back the ability to hire a third party consultant for stuff that falls under chapter 96. That's the short story. >> Doug,
>> I just wanted to note Christie had also made a comment that that needed a correction. Um, chapters 183 and or it needs to say 185-23.3. >> No, that's for the solar.
>> Absolutely. In the solar. I'm sorry. Yep. >> That's okay. >> Coming up. >> Sorry about that. >> No problem. Any questions on article four? Okay, trying to keep up with the online folks,
too. But I don't see them across the top, so it's all right. So, if anyone online has any questions, just speak up. Article 5, zoning bylaw amendment, temporary moratorium, large scale photovotayic and battery energy storage systems. And I am not going to read this
whole thing, but what this is basically um is the planning board held a public hearing uh a couple weeks ago now to enact a future a moratorum until our zoning bylaws essentially catch up with some of
the technology. Um and they have some thoughts around um the sighting of battery energy storage systems and ground mounted solar for that matter. Um since primarily battery energy storage systems to date in our
town have been kind of an accessory use to um solar. The only way to have a moratorium for battery energy is to put a moratorium on our our solar large ground mount solar bylaw. So that's
essentially what this article does in three paragraphs. Um and so they're asking town meeting to vote um on that issue. They have held and closed their hearing and made a recommendation at town meeting which um will be discussed
at the town meeting. And I believe that is all five articles on the town meeting. And I believe that that was I saw that language was corrected. I think >> Mhm. >> the 23.1, right? >> Uh it says 13823.3
and it's supposed to be 185 in the first paragraph of it to see if the town will that is where it's supposed to say 185-23 >> 23 >> three it does it does in the draft that
we have in front of us right now. >> Oh, all right. Oh, you got paper. Oh, you got paper ones. Okay. So, yours must be updated. Okay. >> I'll just be quiet on Zoom then. >> It's all good. So, any other discussion
on the town meeting warrant before we call for a vote on um posting the warrant? Right. That's our vote. Hearing none, >> I'll entertain a motion to post the
warrant as of tomorrow, right? >> So for we'll post it tomorrow, which would be the 30th >> with ch mentioned changes. >> Yep. There's no they're all in here. So this is this document is correct as written. >> Then it's been reviewed by council. Everybody's good.
>> Yes. So, and last I talked in was 5 p.m. >> A motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Okay. Roll call vote. >> Diane Gail. I. >> Doug Mglin. Yes.
>> Rose Anderson. Yes. >> Excellent. And for everyone following at home, the special town meeting will be Tuesday, January the 13th, 6:00 p.m. at the Southwick Regional School. We're going to sign these on the way out.
>> We'll sign them on the way out tonight. Excellent. Okay. Other new business. Not for me. Okay. None for me either. Old business. >> Mrs. Gale, you want to hold this discussion of select board lay on the
volunteer boards and commissions until we're all present. >> I think that would be good. >> Discuss open space committee to include conservation committee member. But we can probably carry that as well.
>> Okay, >> that's part of the same similar discussion, I think. >> Okay. Discuss digital sign at Southwick Regional School. >> Has anybody had a chance to review the the information that was sent over? I think they sent a couple of quotes and a
couple design ideas. >> Yeah, I'd >> like to get back to them with just general direction. And >> so, >> and I didn't see if anyone had joined tonight from from that group. No, I guess I don't know if it was in the I looked at them quick, but I don't know if the resolution was in the actual
signage based technology. I know there was quite a price one. Um, and that's the that's the threshold is what the resolution is. So then was that something the school's
paying for and were paying for or how what was the thoughts of the school bringing it forward was >> it was the school committee bringing it forward and I don't want to speak for them so they we can invite them to our next meeting as well but they thought they have a need for it and it would be
a good collaborative thing. I think they were looking for us to pay for it out of pay to be honest with you. But um and I think it's a good place for it to be a collaborative type of thing, you know, short of if we were going to put our own in front of town hall or something like that.
>> Um >> but the traffic counts of folks coming and going from that school during the school year is quite good. Um and it would be a good, you know, multi-use of that sign um to alert people of things that are going on. There is a lot of
traffic through there. >> I'm not against all. Um, couple questions I have is when I looked at the PEG contract, I don't think it qualifies because PEG money is supposed to be for PEG productions um andor operations, but that's that's here nor there because I think we should still help help fund it
if that's the case. We also have the center of towns which sign is half working, half not working, and is it time to upgrade that one as well? Is there a way that technology could do both sides? Is it a lease option? Are
there some, you know, financially there might ways that we could accomplish the technology and correct both? And because I would be in fear of just having the school because you only have east west traffic as opposed to >> whoever placed that one way back catches
everything. So, I think it's a great idea to upgrade it. um and or the crier sign in the center. They both said the same messages. You know, maybe there's technology that everything now is so related that
>> I'm sure that can be done. I'm sure that can be done. Why don't we do this? I'll ask someone from the school committee to come in for the for the our next meeting to kind of carry this forward. Um >> can I can I give you my thoughts on that as well? >> Oh, absolutely. I thought similar to Russ that why don't
we upgrade the town crier and if we are in need of another sign the library has a leaning tower of a sign that we could update to an electronic board and simultaneously have
the same messages as our own town crier. The school can the school can use their own for their own messages. We also have the opportunity with the library >> to upgrade theirs at the same time as the town crier.
And if we needed to put a sign on the school building, uh not to be niggly, but we already pay $12,000 a year for use of facilities as needed. So, we technically are already paying
for space on that sign as well if we need it in my mind. So, I wouldn't want to help cover the cost of it separately. We're already paying a user fee for use of those facilities.
Those are my thoughts. >> Good thought. The um I will note that the um the previous sign town crier sign was done with peg money. So maybe the rules changed but I believe it or maybe we blew one by him. I don't know but it
was peg money years ago. Right. >> Right. Um and it's run from the channel 15 folks handling it today. So >> I'm just going with the then the FCC even gets even stricter than our rules.
But um >> yeah, we'll bring them in next week and continue the discussion because I think I think it's good and you know the you know having the one maybe there's a way to incorporate all of them >> you know the library and the school because they're going to be they would be in proximity to each other right
there anyway um to do have the library you know >> my gut tells me I wouldn't want competing signs right there. >> No absolutely not. No, >> right. >> Yeah. But there should be ways to make it work. >> Okay. >> And I and I guess from a school budget
point of view, I'd be asking, is an electronic sign going to increase the educational quality and draw more students to the school versus hand posting their sign. And that's my final thought. >> Only they could answer that one. I know.
And that's my final thought. >> Just driving around. I mean, just driving around other cities, towns throughout the Commonwealth and everywhere else, there's plenty of schools that have electronic messaging signs, whether it's messages to parents or notice of games or school days off or what have you. I just think having I
don't want to have a proliferation of my opinion is I don't want a proliferation of them. We have the town crier. Maybe the town crier has lived its outlived its usefulness of where it's located. Maybe that should be closer to town hall. I don't know. Or maybe it needs to be revamped and redone with newer and
better technology. I know we have >> that work. Is that's Is that Berkshire's land? What whose land is that? Right. >> There's a gentleman in the audience that seems to know. I don't know the answer. Do you know the answer? >> Yeah. So TJ Welch owned it at the time.
And um the town leased it for a dollar for I think a hundred years and TJ never cashed a check. The water building behind Tuckers. >> Yep. >> Same scenario. I believe that was a dollar also. Check was never cashed. Um
and as far as the signs go, the gentleman lives in town that did mine is an AWA on Russo Circle. >> Um a third of what everyone else wanted. Um and and does an unbelievable job. But I I think the state comes into a play to
stay fit and all that craziness. But there's a guy locally that will show you guys the world when it comes to that stuff. I don't know him personally. Just he did a really good job for us. Okay. Discussion to be continued. Master
plan commitments discussion. I still owe Diane some information. >> Yep. >> We worked on more of it today. I'll have that for you. I am the human brain delay. >> All right, Russ, you said that you were,
I guess, in agreement with the recommended actions that I married to the select board goals. Is that what I interpreted from your comment? >> Yeah. Yes. >> All right. So then I'm just waiting on what what I'm looking for from you, Doug, is the part that I can submit to
the master plan that piece right now. >> Very well. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Do you have any other old business? >> I do not. >> Uh the only other thing I have I don't
know how you want to handle I I thought I get an answer by today. I didn't is the beta um plan about coming in. He suggested a preliminary meeting before coming to a public meeting to kind of discuss things. But I don't know how
that works with who is it with. Do we do it just as a select board work session? All the parties attend, you know, how do we do that with a open meeting stuff, you know, just to get our questions out of the way.
>> So, when he comes for a final presentation, it's >> I think we well there's there's a couple ways in my and I'll come back to Nicole in a second. I think I'm not a big believer in work sessions in general because it's a meeting is a meeting is a meeting whether work session says we're
not going to vote on anything but it's still open to the public we're going to have a zoom people can come people can talk so you might if you're going to have a um if you wanted to have a preliminary meeting you could say hey send me all your questions Nicole and I are you've been the the chaperon of this Nicole and
I are going to meet with them on this day and we'll and then we'll >> refine it >> and then refine it and >> yeah send us any of your you know send me all your questions. So, it's not a deliberative thing. Just send me your questions or thoughts or what you want covered in a presentation and then when
we come back to the meeting, we have it. >> Um or >> go ahead, Diane. >> DPW did get that initial report we got, right? >> Yes. Yeah. >> Okay. Okay. >> I can do it that way if you want. Okay,
that'd be great. Okay. Any objection? >> No. Yes, that's good. >> Was there any other old business that you have? >> Uh, no. >> Um, I only had one and I got a note from um I don't know if it's old business,
but I think it would be best covered here. I got a note from the conservation commission about having um my thoughts on associate members and I I think it a good idea because I don't think you can by statute and there was a an email back
and forth about um other towns that may or may not have an associate member and how they got it. I think we need to do a little research on how our conservation commission came to be. It's in our book on appointments. Um, notwithstanding a proposed special act that would change the composition of
our conservation commission. Um, I believe our conservation commission was a chapter 40 something section 8 C. I might be wrong on the numbers, but um, that says a conservation shall be comprised of
three to seven members and appointed by the select board or the mayor depending on the type of town. So, I I agree that it's a good idea. I mean, having served originally as the associate member on the planning board, it was an invaluable learning tool to learn zoning and and so
on and so forth. Um, we have it on council on aging, for example. Um, but we'd have to figure out how we could do it legally to have an associate member on the conservation commission. Um or can we have you know I think we've
also have this new committee here that might be a good tool to to be that kind of bench at least a starting of a bench for conservation commission >> open space >> yeah open space committee you know they've got um a very um eager group on that that
committee you know once given a little bit of direction and assistance from conservation which we we're going to carry to our next meeting um they they are going to be able to do great things and that might be a place to flush out where your next conservation commission member members may come from. So
>> that was that was our thought when we voted to approve that and that was their thought as well. So I'm not sure why >> the question was raised and I think it was it was a good question and I you know I I put a lot of thought someone put a lot of thought and research into it. So I I I don't want to ignore it
because I think it's a good thought. Um, I just remember just from previous town meeting articles and and other uh things over the last couple of years on how we compose our conservation commission, it's state law is clear on that today. Um, and if it were to
change, there's a way to do it. Um, but I think we should figure out a way to do it or people can always just go to a conservation committee meeting. I'm you know the conservation committee meetings the chair um is a very amicable guy just like the planning board chair is a very amicable person and even here if people
have questions or it can be kind of interactive you just can't vote which would be no different if you were an associate on the conservation except that um there would be no provision for having the the associate member stand in for someone who couldn't act via absence
or for conflict. So just food for thought and discussion. Um, and that's it for me on that on uh old business. So, um, moving on to the minutes, we need to acknowledge and approve the open session meeting minutes
from December 8th. >> One moment. And December 15, 2025. Um, is there a motion for that? >> Make a motion as presented.
>> Roll call vote. Gale. I >> Doug Mglin. Yes. >> Russ Anderson. Yes. >> I see Mr. Eglesen may have a better connection. Mr. Egleston, we'll kind of go back a little bit because I know you were on the call earlier and having some technical difficulties.
>> Hopefully you can hear me now better. >> We can. >> Great. I apologize. I was in an Uber driving through heavy traffic in Miami um 30 minutes later than I wanted to be to get to my destination.
Um, I'm also uh concern obviously I'm concerned about the liquor license. Um, I will not be back in town until New Year's Day. >> No, >> but I'd be happy to do what I need to do on Friday the 2nd. Um, hoping that you
can uh somehow hold things aside. I mean, it's it's come as a complete surprise to me in the last two weeks that um uh Fusion Lake View Tavern has not been able to come up with the papers that they needed. I was told that he would. Um when I was with uh with him in
the office with Maggie uh two weeks ago, um I and I heard somebody say that we didn't have all the proper inspections. Um, I waited today for uh Brian the fire department to contact me to get access to the building. Um, and I didn't hear
from him, but I did hear from the chief uh the fire chief. Um, and he he understands my situation. Um, everything should be inspected and all that paperwork should be available except for that fire inspection. Um, I
understand that Fusion is the owner of the license. Um, that's where I really have my problem in the first place is that, you know, it it's completely taken out of my hands. I'm
the owner of the building. When I bought the building, I I bought it with the with a liquor license. The the state requires us to give or sell or have the restaurant owner be the owner of that liquor license. And it it just hurts me. I I have no control over what has
happened. None. And and I don't believe that that's right. I'm happy to do the right thing. I'm happy to pay all the monies that he owes to to the state, to the liquor people. Um maybe even to the town. I guess somebody mentioned to me
today that there's a water bill that hasn't been paid. Um, and and I don't know how that is because I gave Damen the water bill two and a half months ago. Um, and how the water hasn't been You should have turned the water off in my opinion. But that's
beside the point. Um, how it's gotten to where it is. But I'm just I just want everyone to understand where I'm coming from. Um, on the outside, I consider the license to really be my license. Yet, I don't own the license, but I want the
license back. The the property is basically worthless without that liquor license. You know that it's it's a restaurant. It's been a restaurant for 40 years, I believe, or even more longer. Um, how can we remove that
license because of the problem with a tenant who admitted this evening when he was there that he tried it and unfortunately um his chef was the guy that I was relying on. He was the guy who's had the
restaurant experience and then he left and I was really out of out of the operation. Um, they did not do a good job. They didn't they didn't know what they were doing and I had told him that for a year but he would never listen to any advice.
I'm asking for the help of the select board. I'm happy to be in that office on January 2nd um and do whatever the right thing is. I'll spend the next week after that taking care of all the outstanding debts.
>> But I I just need somebody to hold that license. Yeah, I think you should definitely make an appearance on the second. The office will be open. Um, we can further the discussion. We we did not vote to deny anything tonight. So,
the the license was conditional and the conditions haven't been satisfied. So, perhaps on Friday you guys can discuss and come back with a plan to move forward whether you know whatever those are. Right. So,
all of your points are valid and I don't I don't So, we're not um we're not closing any doors, but there's a lot of things that need to happen in order for the license to continue at and and with stuff some of it's out of our control, whether it's from the state or from uh
wherever. >> So, >> right, >> but I I don't want to I' I'd rather not be in a situation where I have to reapply for a license. >> A transfer is the way to go. And >> it's it's hard to transfer it to
>> somebody who hasn't been paying the bills. >> It's not even a real valid license. >> I'm happy. You want me to talk to >> Please, >> Ken. It's Nicole Parker here and um I think Yeah, please come and see me on Friday morning. Um, I've had this
situation before where owners, you know, were really uh their hands were tied with managers and there is a way around that, but this license that was never actually approved, it came back no action last year from Fusion. Um, it's
going to expire in December 31st. And the the cleanest way for you to do this is to apply for a new license. Why why Nicole wouldn't anybody have mentioned to me a year ago that the license was not valid for a year
>> as the owner of the building. >> It's not really up to the town to tell the land owner, you know, what the business is doing. It's, you know, we have business with the management and with the liquor license and that's where our jurisdiction ends. So, we wouldn't
know that they weren't communicating with you. But I have a lot of experience with this and I can certainly help you if you want to come in and see me in my office. >> I will do that. Um, you know what time you want to see me on Friday morning. >> You can come in at 9:00.
>> I'll be there. >> Okay, great. See you then. >> Thank Thank you very much. >> Sure. >> Good night. >> Thank you. >> Bye. Now >> moving back to the agenda number eight, warrants
acknowledge payroll warrant number 2615 dated December 15th, 2025 in the amount of $331,9564 and acknowledge payables warrant number 2616B dated December 22nd, 2020. 25 in the
amount of 1,97,43730. >> Any other business to come in front of the select board tonight. >> I just want to thank you. I just want to thank you for taking over the speaking tonight. I appreciate it. >> Not a problem. I'm a little rusty, but it's coming back to me. It's like riding a bike.
Uh, I want to wish everybody a safe and happy and healthy new year. And um, with that, I'd take a motion to adjurnn. So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor, please say I. I. >> I. Happy new year all.