I'd like to call this meeting of the way for to order um that's six o'clock and first item business on the agenda is to review and vote on meeting minutes from previous meetings and I think there are two of them December 17th and January
14th. Anyone have any comments or >> No, because the December 17th they're edited. >> Yeah, they're they're edited. >> Revised revis. >> No comments. >> No comments.
>> Move to accept the meeting minutes from January 14th and December 17th. >> Second. All those in favor? >> I Okay, very good. Um, next is to review and discuss vendor payroll warrants. Were there any comments on those?
>> No. >> No. >> Okay. Very good. Right. Uh public comment. Now it's time for residents who would like to provide comments up to three minutes per person on items not on the agenda. Does anybody want to talk about something not on the agenda?
>> We'll take accolades on really any topic. >> Well, I'm on the center. >> And then um online I see a couple of people. raise your hand please if you have anything for public comment. Okay, I don't see anybody online uh
raising their so public comment. Um our first item is an appointment with the center school committee on the uh completed center school reuse feasibility study and recommendations for the future use of
the property. So I don't know exactly who to turn it over to. Would that be Jenny? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Jenny Mariam Morrison. Um we have previously sent you
um a summary of the 72page feasibility study report and that full report I hope has also been made available to you. >> Yeah. Um so this is the our attempt to give you
the update both on the report and how we the committee evaluate it and there are several members of the committee here tonight. Um so it's a status report of what we've been doing and we also have
questions and requests for you at the end of that. So go ahead Pete. Um, so >> mine is on my computer, so I'm gonna just pull that up. I'm not trying to be rude and check. >> Well, this is something new that you >> No, this is what you sent me the other day. >> That was a summary,
>> right? >> Um, >> I'm going to pull the summary up. >> Okay. >> Yeah, >> great. And it certainly if you have any questions from that, let us know. What we're giving you today is slight is a different format. >> Okay. >> Obviously overlap of information, but
some differences. So, as you know, it was funded by both the grant from the National Trust and local historic preservation funds. Um, the feasibility study RFP was awarded to
McCabe Enterprises and they used the three businesses listing listed in providing information with the grant. I mean, we're in the study. Go ahead, Pete. Um, we met nine
times with Kathy McCabe. I believe the she committed to two times, but she actually met with us nine times. They were very productive meetings. They came and toured the building in addition to that with the
structural engineer. He submitted a report. We did a traffic study on the road in front of the school and we spent a lot of time both receiving and generating
information to be assembled. Um the the biggest piece that of significance in the structural report was that the attic floor can't be used for anything
as is. The code it was built to is no longer current. So nobody can be up there. Stuff can't be up there without that being addressed. It's possible that when renovation actually happens,
some alternate fixes would be identified to address that. For now, we know cabling could address that, but that would interfere with the usage. >> That's the roof support cabling.
>> Okay. Thank you for the correction. Um, so we were given both that information about the use of the attic and the cabling to repair the roof. Um, they identified some immediate repairs.
Go ahead, Pete. and Eric took care of that which we're very appreciative of. Feels like s significant and solid movement which really buttons down the building and gives this whole process
more time. Um but I add that the CPA pitched in some money to pay for the roof repairs. >> Thank you. Very quickly and enthusiastically. Yeah. So, we're really that that felt really significant to us to actually see
somebody up there on his genie lift and doing stuff and, you know, have the bushes in front, you know, sending water towards the building dealt with and the gutter repair also sending that had been
sending water to the building. so significant that there's been some real progress. Um, go ahead. So all along we've been operating with
these three assumptions that the town retains the ownership of the building that we're hoping to have long-term ten tenants um and have design that fits their needs.
um and that there will be formed some public private combination to manage the details how however the final layout is. Um so it will belong to the town but won't require significant
oversight by the town. That's the goal. Um I think okay the grant had uh it was written to ask for
these free use options. Two had to do with housing and there was one mixeduse option. Again, McCabe went over and above what was expected of them and at the committee's request created two
mixeduse options. Um, so those are all outlined in the report. All four of the options have are based on this
idea of a layout which has the leechfield in the back, doesn't interfere with the neighbor, has some parking in the back, maintains or I should say recreates a play area. Um, and there's been discussion about how
much of that is kid oriented, how much of that is park oriented, which may be the same thing, but that that would be more on the Christian Lane side, not just in the back um in the building footprint as it is,
the milk bottle staying on site. Go ahead, Pete. Um each of the four options is based on research into the town and broader area
in terms of what there's a need for. Um there's actually architectural designs for how to place these options within the building. There's estimates of costs
based on 20 27 funding which is good for that lists of possible grants to pay for it. Um and that list um minimizes
any town expenses. So we are functioning on the idea that with three for sure of the proposals that there would not be burden on the
town for achieving the goals. Go ahead Pete. Okay. So the affordable housing option was one of the prescribed options in the grant and they came up with two units both two stories, two
different sizes. Um access everything every possibility deals with accessibility includes accessibility. So, >> not this, >> not this one. But there's still front and rear, but it doesn't make it
>> there's no other >> ADA. Okay. >> You don't need to, >> right? Cuz private >> perfect families. >> Yeah. Um Okay. But but that issue was definitely discussed at length throughout all of
this. Um and the development costs and the projected available financing are high but similar so offset each other.
Um the senior housing option which there certainly is a need for and an interest in that design was four units. That one has an elevator. It has some shared common space, similar price tag, and
similarly, we hope there's funding available with certainly a list of grants that could make that happen. Um, the first mixed use space has co-working space,
artistic showcase space, and child care. Um, both this one and the next M mix next mix next use auction in large part were generated by ideas that came from the
survey that went out to the town. Um, again there's a lift. Um, it's significant dedication of space to child care. There is demonstrated need for that. there's not a lot of um
child care. There's never enough anywhere that includes here. Um so that was one of the mixed use options. >> What's the development cost on this one? >> We'll get to it. Next slide, I think. Um
so, you know, more detail in terms of what co-working space would include and what the child care space would include. total costs um doesn't not fully covered by
available grants but a hopefully manageable amount if that were the direction we went to. Second miss mixed use option also has a co-working space.
It has also space for community art, but instead of the child care space, instead of a space committed solely to child care, we're focusing instead on a time share community kitchen.
Um, we still are in discussion about how to have some child care support for parents who want to come use co-working space. We didn't rule that out in this plan, but it's not the same kind of dedicated
to classroom space. Um the community kitchen is something that there's a lot of call for. We like some
one of the facts that we learned was every caterer and every food truck needs to have a kitchen that they are attached to. That's part of their regulations.
So whether they use that to prepare food or not, they need to have something that is their home base. That alone generates need. In addition, we have farming community. We have
cottage industry, cooking that could use some space as well as occasional events that individuals do or businesses do. And right now the church kitchen is not certified,
>> the only option in town and it's not certified as a commercial kitchen. So there's nothing here. Um I'd be Um, okay. Wait a minute. Go back one. Sorry. So, this one has a little
bit more cost. Um, but still a shortage, which is hopefully reasonable to obtain. Um and we're
we have started the process and have more to do to research how do these work? What does it cost? We visited one kitchen already. There's some more we want to go look at. Um so you know the numbers are in development obviously.
Okay. The committee's preference is the mixed use option which is was also the preference of the center school one committee. So there's some um cohesion consistency in the groups that have
really spent time looking at this. We really like the fact that the mixed use means more people are using the building. They're they're in it. They're using it in different ways. That's a big
change from it being a residential option. The mixeduse kitchen in particular, the niche that it seems like we could fit in is people who want to start
doing food preparation on a larger scale because there's not a lot in between your home kitchen and the packaging kitchens which are 15 to 2,000 units that you're
producing at a crime. So that's the place that we would target ourselves. Um and I go ahead and place the next. Um and the other drawback with looking at
housing is it's not a large project in terms of units of housing that could be produced. And what we've heard from the housing committee and other partners who work on housing is that those are
the grant proposals that are most likely to be accepted is a bigger number of housing units. So that was one concern we have. >> Okay. But so I want to make sure I understand what you're saying earlier when you said grants and such were
identified that would cover the cost. It's not grants were identified that we think we can win. It sounds like you're saying now we might not win enough of those grants because they often go to larger projects. So that say that the grants that you were considering as part
of money that would cover the 4.6 or 4.7 are not they're not 100% because we don't have them. >> Yeah. >> Right. But you're saying our chances are not as good on those grants. >> Okay. I was trying to make sure >> they brought it back. >> They're very bad.
>> They bring it back. >> Yeah. No, >> which is I think why the housing committee was not interested. Okay. I just want to make sure I >> I was going to clarify on behalf of the housing committee. >> Oh, that that another reason for that is to find a developer for two units is very difficult uh for two units of
affordable housing uh which is what we would probably want to develop. There are very few any developers who are willing to take on a project that would be this cost intensive to undertake in the first place to produce two units.
>> Yeah. At a $2.2 million per unit on the first option, $2.2 million per unit is extremely high. >> I think one should think about this. I'd like to make two points. one is that I
would say at least $2 million of the cost is is getting the building into shape and you know preservation of a historic resource and there's a whole extra slew of grants and especially
historic tax credits that are available for that. Um so so you know yeah it is 2.2 2 million per unit, but most of that is worth >> that $2 million could be used on any
project. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Regardless, >> right? >> Yeah. >> And and it does come with separate funding sources. To Joyce's point, um, what Kathy Cave did, I think, is give a compendium of plausible grants
for which the project would be eligible and a reasonable what she thought was a reasonable u amount for each, you know, in some cases it's a big push. in others like I
thought her personally I thought her CPA numbers were fairly conservative but you know there she indicated that with work this is possible but obviously you know there's scoring for each of these grants you want to be as close as
you can um and that's another reason I think we like the the economic development aspects of the mixed use because they they give it a they open up a whole new set of grants. But >> yeah, >> but they um
>> Yeah. No, I just wanted to to clarify on the >> like when you say this much is paid for and this much have to come from the town and it's I know those are all estimates right now. >> Yeah. >> That um that I just wanted to make sure we're coming back to the topic. >> So, sorry for the interruption.
>> No, that's okay. I mean, it I I do want to point out that having options that didn't appeal to the committee as much as some other options, it's takes nothing away from the value
of the report. It was so helpful to have so many floor plans and ideas really teased out and cost analyses and the research involved in the geographic
area. You know what's how much office space is there? Is there a need for that? Not as much. That's one of the reasons it's not high on the I mean that there is a lot of space available not as
much need that's one of the reasons it wasn't a big factor in the actual proposal. So, you know, we def the committee definitely had our own hierarchy of what we preferred, but
getting all of the information involved in the study really helped in every way. Um, go ahead, Pete. Thank you. Um, because there were the two mixed use
options, we basically asked for two when one had been We hope. Well, whatever. >> Both both are true and we got it. Um, we really liked the idea of
having a kitchen in support of farming community if they were looking to go that route. Um, that's a real central aspect of the town. It's still not a profitable business. And one of the ways
that farming community is finding some profit is generating products beyond what they grow, but doing something with that. So, making that easier both within town and in the area we saw as a real
plus. Um, you know, Judy mentioned the supporting businesses growing and we just saw this as something that people would get behind
and be excited about. Um, now we're certainly interested in your thoughts on it, but that's part of why it's our recommendation. Um so we've discussed ourselves what are next steps we need to do that um
we needed to confirm which aspect of the zoning. >> Well neither child care nor commercial kitchens are explicitly mentioned in the zoning bylaws. Um I think educational uses are allowed and
I assume child care would fall under that but that's an assumption. Um we think that commercial kitchen is enough similar to a restaurant which is allowed um that it would qualify but
I am I'm going to call Jim Hawkins and give his opinion and I book this base on the next CDA meeting. If we find out that they're not, there's time to the bylaw by by the June 10 meeting, I
think, to include them. >> There is also that one use at the bottom of the use table that says any use that's similar to >> that's that's right. That's yeah that so child care could >> Y >> and then >> I mean >> I think commercial kitchen actually has
a lesser impact than a restaurant because you don't have the same amount of uh vehicle traffic >> um or parking need that >> I think both of them would qualify as a home occupation if um if if this were a residence I mean neither of them is is
in >> you mean based on the size of the operation >> on the size of the operation neither of them is intrusive neither of needs a lot of parking. Uh and yeah, and I think analogous that's that's what I've said all along. I
really don't think there's a zoning problem, but we figured at this point we better check it out. Well, we wanted to make sure we were dealing with facts, not assumptions. So, this is this is the list we generated for ourselves.
Um and you know this this is the we talked about are we willing to keep working on these things and what else comes up and we are it's been a very productive committee. Um so
you know obviously you may have ideas in addition to this or instead of some of these um but we are hoping for your blessing to keep going in this on this path. Um, the US EDA disaster relief grant Kathy
specified as one to look at now because it was based on the flooding that happened not last year but the year before and we're still within the window to access money based on that.
That that's the connection. Um, >> but Jenny, I would I would add to that EDA funding that the window is still there, but the way EDA funding works is that there's a finite amount of money with no timeline. It's a rolling application process. And when the money's gone, the money's gone
regardless of where the wind where you are in the window. So urgency is somewhat important, >> right? Which which has spelled that out clearly. We specifically would like your permission to pursue that grant. And Carolyn has also done some research on
it already. >> Is there any batch requirement? >> Carolyn, do you know? Do you remember? >> I not off the top of my head, but I can look quickly. >> CBA typically does not have it. But >> yeah, >> you know, but typically there's not
>> because our only matching source of money at the moment is CPA. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> And often times if there is a match, we'll be in kind, which is pretty easy to >> That's easy. Nice. >> So, kind of what I'm I'm interpreting some of what you're saying is that
there's there's these four options and at least on paper, the two housing options could cover their costs with grants, but we don't necessarily think the likelihood is very high
um because it's only two units or four units. there's two mixed use options that more or less cover their cost might require that I because I know these numbers can change. Um, and those ones
though it seems like you're more confident in the prospect of getting the money that that they said these grants are going to be maybe a little easier for us to get be less competitive for us. I don't know if those are the right words, but that the mixed use because of
like you were saying um uh because of this EDA grant, because of um kind of the synergy with the farming community that these things are you're feeling like it's maybe a little more likely we get those grants. Um
>> is that I mean I that's more or less but even among the two commercial mixed use >> all grant dependent but because >> the other thing with housing is each of these projects is dependent on finding a
partner or two partners >> to work with. >> That's another question. >> Yeah. with the housing. We already when we applied for um the state grant previously, one we found out that they didn't like
small projects and two we we tried we investigated partners and all the local >> Yeah. >> development housing development organizations like to work with ownership models. >> Yeah. They don't like the idea of not
owning the building. And that made finding a, you know, you're going to have to put together a package of partners. >> Yeah. >> A developer, somebody to manage the affordable >> Yeah. >> unit, somebody to manage the building. >> Yeah. >> And that was that seemed like a big
obstacle, too. >> Okay. towards CL. So the other piece to the the four more than the three but both um is uh the possibility of of being part of the economic development grant at the state level. >> Mhm.
>> Uh which is a real possibility because of the combination of economic development value. >> It's not just way it's it's surrounding communities. It's it's regional partnerships etc. but also the potential revenue generation from some of the
vendors that would use the space. Uh some of the people who might want um a place to hang their hat because they work at home and they've got a big project. Different different uh assets that we can put in there to make the space uh very attractive. So those two
things also make it in in in my mind and I've built a couple businesses a pretty attractive proposition. Now, trust me when I say there are no guarantees on, >> of course, but and if you if you if you created a model, it'd be a pretty viable
model. >> Um Okay. Um I'm going to keep going with some questions. You guys love to um >> Is this an appropriate time for questions? >> Sure. >> I think I I think I think they're on the next step. Awesome. Um for um I guess
the the first question I wrote down was about town ownership and leasing it implies that we have to maintain the building. That's I mean when you lease a building the owner normally has that
responsibility. Is that something >> that's not you don't have to. So it's similar to what we have with the spikes agreement. We own the house but it's actually maintained by the house authority. >> So that's so it's not nec >> it's all dependent on how you rate the ground lease right
>> or the lease but typically you can actually put the burden burden you can put the responsibility on the >> OC cuz that's because that I think is also one where that's the that's the sort of the burden we're also trying to free
ourselves from. Um, I thought I mean maybe you can just tell me if the details are in that longer document that I haven't read yet that I won't flip through. Um, you can just say that and that'll be a short answer. Um, but I was wondering about how the need was determined for co-working and for a
community art gallery because I don't think of community art galleries as big money makers. So getting a partner to lease a space to be a community art gallery that didn't seem like the money maker and like need for the co-working because there's just so much office
space available with uh and people working from home. People don't necessarily need offices. Are the details in that other document? >> The co-working part is >> the co-working part is okay. Good. Okay. then you don't have to go into it here because it's just I haven't read it yet
and >> but it's a good segue to a piece that I wanted to say in terms of your other question is the other uh salient fact about the mixed use
option. It's more exciting. It involves more people not both for members of the committee but also people from town. One of the reasons that art space in any format
is on the table is because it's something that there was response to from in the survey that a lot of people do consider themselves creative in some way and have an interest in seeing or
doing or somehow being involved in art. And so, you know, the designs basically use the hallway outside the existing classrooms. Yeah, >> that's that's where that is.
>> But part of the idea of that is not to make money, but to generate engagement. >> So, who would be the partner that >> I think in that case, the partnership that's arranging the leases and that kind of thing. At least this has been my
conjecture that what's really an issue here is scheduling and I think that's something that they could take on. >> But who are they? >> The public private partnership that is >> No. Who would be the partner for for the art gallery? >> No, I think it would keep one the public
private partnership is kind of overseeing the other uses. So they're the ones arranging >> managing. So they're managing. >> So maybe my I was thinking that people managing a commercial kitchen might be different from people managing
>> a co-working space from people managing an art gallery. So, so, so I'm trying to get an idea of who are the partners. >> I think that >> for the gallery, this is my opinion. We haven't discussed it. >> Um, you would definitely need somebody
partner who knows how to manage a commercial kitchen would need a partner who knows how to manage co-working. I'm not sure that you would need a partner for the art gallery space. I think that perhaps the um the partnership the
umbrella could take on the role of scheduling which is the bulk of it. >> So who's going to be like who are possible umbrellas? I mean I just I'm trying to >> it's an organization nonprofit organization like the board. >> The board. >> So you have so many forms of nonprofit.
It would probably be a representative of the town >> and the town would have one seat on that board. >> So a nonprofit would Okay. So I guess is there more details about that in the other longer document? >> Okay. >> That's that's a piece that needs
development. Okay. We want your input on that. Oh, >> we have begun to >> So the question at this point is I don't you don't have a lot of you're not at the point where you actually have an idea a list of okay >> that's our next task as long as we're
going in the right direction to pursue potential partners >> identify possibilities imagine the framework of how >> they work together. >> Yeah. So, for example, if >> if the people who run the the uh
commercial FD FCC runs the commercial kitchen in Greenfield, right, might be a natural partner for a commercial kitchen. >> Um or >> perhaps, but you haven't really looked into it yet. So, okay. So, I'm asking questions.
>> Know do know at this point is that they have graduated or to being a processor. They no longer do the startup time share kitchen >> and they need feeder entries
to develop to develop their process patch business. >> They become the 1500 to 2000 unit. >> So that helps create a need and it's also possible that they might be interested in a satellite operation. >> We don't know.
>> Okay. Okay. >> But it's it's that kind of thing. >> All right. Well, I've been hogging up all the questions, so maybe >> Oh, it's been lovely. >> Appreciate So maybe I'll um uh open it up to
>> I think one of the things that would need to be pursued is as far as determining which of these options we prefer is to get an idea of need for child care versus commercial kitchen because both are sharing with a you know
cooperative office space and I think there was a need for that while there is office space it's not you know >> it's long-term rentals, offices as opposed to for a day, a week, an hour, quick, which there isn't as much in this
area. But I think trying to weigh child care versus commercial kitchen both of which are very valid uses need to get an idea for the area be beyond even just weightely of which would be the more desirable
the preferable use which has greater demand >> if I may child care it's also economic viability you know there there's a huge demand for child care. Obviously, as we all know, the reason there's high high demand is
because it's not very economic viable >> u and and finding finding people who are who are licensed to charge providers and the amount of money that you have to pay them and they get paid horrible salaries to begin with sadly. So there are just a lot of functions beyond just demand is
it's demand and it's >> well yeah but but that g given the lack of that and yes it's difficult to establish for those reasons is that more of a reason for us to try to do it to to try to fill a demand which is hard to
fill. >> Yeah. I I would argue that a lot of people have you know >> a lot of people have tried and failed many times and it's hard. >> Yes. It's really hard. Um, but but I'm just saying, but is that a reason for us not to pursue it in the first place? I
think if we if we have success finding a partner for the for the commercial kitchen that the interest in that and and assuming that that the farming community is interested which we really need to
investigate further um I think we would like to go ahead with that just because because it does offer so much to the community. Um, >> I I think both alternatives off for a lot of good, >> but no, you're right. I mean, yeah,
>> if if there's no demonstrated need, then you're definitely not going to find a party. >> Is some of that information in the other big long drop? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> You'll find quite a bit there about what >> it it looked like quite a bit, which is why it's not been read by me yet. So, >> the other
maybe you'll have another snow day this Sunday. Uh, >> does the cost estimate on the commercial kitchen include >> uh outfitting the kitchen, the the equipment? >> That's why it's so expensive relative. I think that's about 300
>> 300 outfitting and getting it up to standards for >> Yeah. Certification. Walk-in fridge space, right? >> Walk-in freezer space, >> stove storage. uh vents and and septic for to support
the >> that was my next question. The septic plan did accommodate for the commercial >> in that scenario. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Um in addition to the long report,
there's an equally long appendix with >> well that that's the one I was talking about actually the I think it's >> the appendix mostly has Right. That was the one I assigned appendix. It looks like it's 125 pages.
>> And that's >> So, but you said there's And then the other report that >> there's only 72 pages, >> right? Of course, I can't find my window right now. No, it's the other report you want to
start with. But but I do think maybe the the appendix might and also the list of grants might be useful to the housing committee for their work because I mean just the approach of the analysis. >> Yeah. >> Cost the housing committee is going a
different avenue right now. I know but but it's the methodology and the list of grants uh grant providers >> I methodology for calculations there are >> things there that I would never have thought in fact I never said that
I I have even more to read >> uh the other thing about the commercial kitchen is you know whoever is operating it I assume would have to have someone on site because you know it needs to be maintained and clean, kept up to standards.
Uh >> yeah, that >> to to a greater degree than you know leaving overnight child care, >> right? I mean it would it would require some management time and the cost the
the rental fees would need to cover that >> and I think you'll find those numbers in the document that you all have >> inclusive in the in in terms of the staffing cost >> and and this may be getting too far down the road as far as what a potential agreement would be. Would you anticipate
that it would given there will be a partnership that there'll be a payment in le of taxes given that the town will continue to to own it or >> Yeah. >> Okay.
>> We're pretty impressed how far we did. >> Figure I'd ask anyway. I don't think anyone's completely eliminated the option of the town not owning the building, but that the preference at this point, the strong preference. >> I think that would be everyone's preferences.
>> That was our >> right >> because I I think that part of the problem is the tenant didn't just doesn't want to lose control of the property. >> But to have options in your back pocket is always >> right. But if it gets sold, then it can be converted to anything else. Well,
what kinds? But yeah, >> you know, one one big step in this process was discovering that that all of which you probably knew anyway, but I had I knew the state investment tax credits
>> were could be sold. I didn't know the federal ones were. And they're huge and >> they can be they can and would have the historic preservation tax if it were
still on the path. It would happen. >> Yeah. But but that takes away one of the obstacles. The obstacle that's remaining is prevailing wage. But those >> every municipality >> that's has to deal with that. Y
>> you know we didn't feel like we could start approaching people. We don't have a certain plan yet. We have lots of ideas. we need to come back and say give us your feedback on what direction
you're comfortable with us going um >> yeah no my question was yeah I just didn't know if you'd discuss potential you know revenue streams and expenses >> we've started to brainstorm those >> there's a lot of detail on
on what reasonable projections are in the report right and that that's a next step we didn't put in here, but starting to like create business plan with numbers. Some of it's in the McCabe report, but we're also starting to
develop more of that. But we don't want to go too far until we're clear where we're at. But I I would spend a little time with the full report just looking
>> but I've not >> Yeah. Just pick one option and get a sense the detail into which one of them excuse options and >> get a sense of it because there's a lot there. >> They they did a spectacular job. I read
about half the report and I was really impressed. I have a quick question about the farming community. I love the idea of knitting in the farming community um at this point. Is that based on any real understanding of interest from folks or
is it just like gosh it would be nice and we need to approach them and see what they think. We have anecdotal anecdotal evidence about individuals who are might be interested in it and
>> individuals who are farmers. >> Well, or or home kitchen people who would be interested. >> Oh, I see. Okay. There used to be a lady of solo pickles, Christian Lane. >> Yeah. Yeah.
>> Remember, but she can't anymore because the she doesn't meet the board of of health requirements that she have. >> But a certified kitchen, she could do that. Right. Um that kind of thing. >> Well, and that's another advantage to
the mixed use of the residential. It makes the town more attractive to people. Yes. who might want to move in, >> right? >> They're having it's an amenity that other towns don't necessarily have. >> Yeah. >> Although I think we would let people from surrounding towns.
>> No. No. No. But but if someone's looking around the area looking it makes it look good to Right. Right. >> So I mean we defin we we did hear from one kitchen that you know they heard
from farmers. Yeah. that would be great to have and then they didn't make great use of it. So, we're very clear that we need to have specific conversations um starting in Wely, but hopefully
beyond Wely to have a clear understanding of what would be of interest, you know, also does this tie in with Interchange 35? Am I saying it right? >> Yeah. And you know, there's one food truck
there now. Will there be more later? You know, it's close. >> Yeah. Kathy McCabe really thinks the food truck could be a food truck issue, >> right? >> I mean, let's I'm going to draw this to
a close. It sounds like you want us to weigh in and I feel like what I what I'm sort of hearing is yeah, I get it about the housing. Um I'm not sure I bre enough and feel well informed enough to
uh to understand why you're saying the commercial kitchen's a better idea than the daycare. And it's just because I haven't read all the detail. Does that seem like kind of what we're >> Yeah. So maybe can we have some time? >> Yeah.
>> And then maybe at our next meeting, can we put it back on the agenda for our next meeting? Then but we I certainly think >> we have two over 200 pages of homework. >> I I certainly think the sense of the board is to go towards the mixed views
rather than the housing options. My only concern upon reading it at first though was >> well if you manage to get money to fund housing and you get a developer who says they're going to do it. What you've got is units of housing that people move
into and that's that. With a mixeduse facility, it might be a case of build it and they won't come. But it also might be a case of we end up with a commercial kitchen that nobody really wants and a child care center that nobody's really using
and a co-working space and an art gallery that people are like that's awesome. I'm not going to go there. So I that is my concern about your next use address that >> well I feel like that's why I want to read this because you got the needs
>> study in there and and uh so I I don't necessarily want to use up a lot more time here and try to bring this to a >> I just want I just want to say that that >> to assuage Julie's concern this is not a if you build it they will come kind of thing. We know that if you just build it and you don't market it, you don't treat
it like a business, guess what? They will absolutely not go. So, this is about creating market demand, providing services and and and treating it like a small business. >> Yeah.
And for Joyce, I think aside from need of um child care versus commercial kitchen, we thought the community would get more excited behind commercial kitchen and then it would be easier to sell and also
easier perhaps for grants. But okay >> because because of the economic development implications >> and >> well we may well agree with you by the time we finish. >> Well and also the community kitchen is still paired with
working space that we hope will support have a mechanism to support >> child care. not a licensed child care, but a me, you know, a system where people could have three hours and there
would be a mechanism for somebody to be with their kids there. >> Yeah. >> In a playground >> like have a have a room for whoever they their babysitter that they brought up >> licensing issues and all sorts of stuff,
>> right? But so we're sort of trying to split the difference and >> it's still very early in the process. >> Exactly. >> One thing that I think you didn't mention, I'm not sure. Um with the co-working space on weekends and after
hours, we think it could be available to the community um as as a place for assembly or functions. And the pairing with the commercial kitchen is a big asset there.
It's very hard, I understand, to find a kitchen now where you want to if you want to have a you have some talented cooks in your group and you want to put on a function to find a kitchen where you can
do that, lead a lot of people to sit close. >> The only problem with that is your perking plan would not support that. that um >> yeah, can we can we let's leave this here. >> There's lots of detail.
Um, yeah. So, we've got some homework to do, but I but I thank you for all your work on this >> because, you know, until >> I mean, I always feel like it's really important that we get good information and sometimes you have to pay for it and that's I think what we got.
>> We got twice as much as we paid for. >> You got Yeah. And that that was really good and that was missing in the you know in the previous process. So, that's um so thank you. So unless we hear from you otherwise, we're going to keep working. >> Yeah. >> Yes.
>> Yeah. And and we're not going to attend this. >> I didn't. >> Is there anything else you need from us at this point? >> Um the specific one grant the EDA. Yeah. Is that something you're okay to
>> pursue? So I'll step in. So Caroline did provide information that says the EDA generally expects to fund up to 80% of the eligible costs of the grant assistance with the ability to go up to 100% only if you can. So if you can demonstrate that you've exhausted all
effective taxing and borrowing capacity that there is no local match of funds um that's uh reasonably attainable and that you meet other thresholds for elevated based on overall regional economic conditions. So there is a gap that would have to be there. Your gap could be
filled by other grants. It doesn't have to be town money, but it it does mean that there is a dash likely necessary. So before we can apply, >> you would have to >> we'd have to be able to account for the 20% >> or you'd have Yeah, you'd have to
demonstrate >> for us as the like grant applicant to say in in the grant application that you're going to have to say we have identified these other funding sources. You may not have been approved for them, but you've identified them. But we can't
apply for something unless we know that the match has at least been identified. >> So identified is not received. >> Identified. >> Oh, that's exactly Identified. >> That's easy. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> All right. And just, you know, as you're reading stuff, please think about what
next steps you think we might not have listed yet. We know there's some we haven't listed, but you know, we want your brainstorming on that. Um, and additional possible partners.
>> Okay. >> All right. Great. Thank you. Thank you for the next meeting. >> Yeah. Are you put on the agenda for the next meeting and and then we'll have a little more time to digest it and we may well come back and say yeah we
understand why you guys are saying that but at the moment I I just wanted to take a little closer look at the data. >> I'll send you when but it's February already. I can send you the agenda so that some somebody can attend. >> Thank you. Or I mean honestly it could
just be a Zoom. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Right. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. Well, very good. Um like we have just a couple more items. Um, one is to
discuss, review, and vote to replace our current recycled and compostable product purchasing policies with the environmentally preferable purchasing policy. >> They had to get the PPC in there in both
cases. Um, and my understanding is that if we reward our policy this way, we're eligible for grants. >> We will retain eligibility >> retain eligibility for some grants that we that we like and it's in some ways
it's an update. Um I don't feel like it's very controversial but what do you all think? I'm fine with it. >> I'm fine with that controversy here. >> Okay. I felt the same. Okay. All right. I would entertain a motion. I move that
the board replace the recycled and compostable product purchasing policy with the environmentally preferable purchasing policy. That is >> second. >> All those in favor? >> I I >> I All right. Um then we've got a special
event permit the Black Birch Vineyard 10 mile race on March 29th. Um going right by my house >> and my house >> almost by yours and they're going to miss they're going to miss Brad. Um it looks like um I didn't catch every I
mean there's a lot of emailed approvals here and but they're not on the they're not on this page. Is it actually all of them? >> Yes, >> it is all >> but the trans or the board of health since there is no food truck at this event. >> Okay. >> But all the necessary approval necessary
>> in your packet are there and >> I highlighted them so you could see who they were coming from. >> Yes. >> Make it a little easier. >> Yeah. Yeah. And we've had this before. >> Yeah. Yeah, they behave themselves. >> Yes. And great here too if you have any questions. >> Hey everybody, thank you for having me.
It's our seventh time doing this event and uh it's always a good time. About 300 runners. I'm a weighty resident myself. So um really appreciate being able to do this event. If you have any questions about it at all, I'm happy to answer them.
>> No, I don't have any questions. My question was did everybody sign up? Because I mean those are the people that you really have to the fire chief and the police chief. Those are the people that have to be happy with you and if they are happy with you I and certainly not going to stand in the way. >> Okay.
>> Is there anybody have any other >> questions? You want to know questions? Come on. >> Okay. >> I move that the board approve the request for a one-day special event permit to impact racing for the Black Birch Vineyard 10 mileer event on March
29th, 2026. Second. >> All those in favor? >> I >> I I >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Grant. >> Great. Uh, so what's the board liaison updates? Do you understand, Fred? I have
no meeting updates, but as uh less onto the highway department, I want to thank very much the highway department, especially Eric, >> Dylan, and Scott for their almost tireless work this weekend.
>> Wow, >> they worked for almost two straight days. >> I think they ridiculous. >> I think they did a fantastic job. >> Yeah. Yeah. They're here. >> That was a heck of a storm. That was >> Yeah, >> good job, guys. >> That's it.
>> Uh, no meeting updates from me. >> Excuse me. I just wanted to let folks know that the giving garden committee has uh started a small food pantry in the lobby here and it's actually got a fair amount of stuff in it. Uh, if you have additional food items to bring in
to share with folks who are struggling to put food on the table, please come on in and put them in the lobby. If you need food, come on in and see what's there. You can also call uh Amy Mali at the town offices and ask her what's out there before you make the trip. Just in
case you don't like black beans. >> There's peanut butter, too. >> There's peanut butter, there's mac and cheese, there's a bunch of stuff. Uh the other thing is I wanted to ask the rest of the board if you would be uh willing to put on an upcoming agenda a
discussion of a town response to uh national events uh and the ways in which the trickle down from those might be affecting folks around here at some point either currently or in the future. That was kind of where the giving
gardener came from. I started looking at it last year. >> Right. the food policies and thought people were going to go hungry. We're now looking at a variety of different impacts that are not pleasant and do we want to have a discussion about town
response and what we can do. I think that might be appropriate for >> for agenda and um I mean I was uh chatting with Pete about this that um among the things that have been happening are you know uh I'll say
police response >> and federal police response have been very much out of out of whack with each other and especially thinking about what's happening in Minnesota and it might be a chance to ask our police chief to come in I happen to know as a
police liaison that they do a lot of training including deescalation training um that it's so much better to not have a problem than to have a problem right and that deescalation is really is really key so it might be a chance to
invite uh invite Jen in >> to kind of u because you know >> I think it would be important for >> it be yeah I think he'd be an important person to have >> in um that discussion um So, it could be um that our next meeting if Jim is available, but maybe we should check
with him about try and put it on one of the two February meetings. Um I guess if I if it if it were possible, I'd say this the earlier one would be better. >> Um solo meeting, >> right? A solo meeting.
Yeah. >> Yeah. >> So, probably the 11th, but I'll check the June. >> Yeah. And see if he's available. But we could also have the initial discussion on the 11th day and if Jim's not available that one do the followup with him on the second February. >> I don't know we're just really
interested in kind of his because I know I mean you know we are all about community policing >> and you know I I I just Yes. We're in a community but uh but he he may have some um you know some other insight. the uh integration and customs
enforcement are starting to go to Maine. >> That's what I heard. >> Which is a lot closer. Maybe they're starting with the M's Minnesota. >> Yes. >> I don't know. >> So, it's I think it's important to have
the police chief here or any discussion of any potential relationship to federal and local so that we have I can work with Pete. Um, I've already discussed this with him. Excuse me.
to put together a list of things we might want to discuss. Um, but I certainly >> I think that would be I think that would be fine. >> I know as chair I'm supposed to the agenda, but I would relinquish that part or the agenda to you that another person we might want to have in
representative a commission because there would well be implications on workforce. >> Yes. Yeah. Oh yeah. >> Who would you suggest? >> I think >> or whoever the commission would want to
designate. >> But I think would be important correspond with him without >> Yeah. But I think he ordered to have them and to voice any concerns that they might have. >> Yeah.
>> Thank you. >> Sure. Great. Um my two main responsibilities are just moving along. We um went before the weight capital improvement committee today.
If we have a new space, what do we need for tables and chairs and security cameras and for security and the hardware? Is it really part of the building and should be in the building or should it be a capital item? And that's still texts are still going back and forth about that. Um, so there
there's that and we're just kind of moving along with all the various finance committees. I've got a little slideshow I think I think of you guys, but it'll be at one of our finance committee meetings as well. So >> there it doesn't seem like a reason to give it twice. Um, the other committee,
the uh cable franchise committee, we met with our new Comcast rep, who is really our old Comcast rep, Steve Gibbons. Um, we had I think we're productive meetings. Um, I think Oh, I have to post the next meeting is not going to be till
February thinks the well is the next um time we expect to meet with Steve. That's good. It's that was actually good because seems like a real person who we know and we'll um we'll we'll you know we'll
either get to an agreement soon or we'll I don't know. We'll we'll have to take him out to the woodshed or something. I don't know. We don't really do that. But um but yeah, it's it's not like we're just getting dumped on some new person who doesn't know us.
Um and he and we did that at the Afghan offices and we reviewed with him that we have we had a really full house. We have two hours of people testifying about the the good use we put the money they've given us so far. So we're very hopeful
that we'll come to a good agreement on that. >> Cool. Um town administrator updates >> just a few. Um, we received notice about uh, Bergkshire Gas, their proposed increase in utility
rates. DPU, the Department of Public Utilities is holding a a number of hearings related to that increase request. Um, the first one is an in-person hearing that'll be held January 29th at 7 p.m. at the Greenfield
Middle School Auditorium. It's tomorrow. >> Yes, tomorrow night. There is then a virtual public hearing next week on February 4th at 7 PM and then following the next day there's going to be another
in-person public hearing February 5th at 7 p.m. at Birkshire Community College in the Bolan Theater. Um they're also receiving written comments that can be submitted. It is a significant increase. Um any increases have to go through DPU
review. Uh the public utilities does authorize rates. However, it is a significant rate increase. Primarily they state that it's to do capital improvements on a front infrastructure, but it it's a very large increase. Um so
>> is it big >> very um so uh anybody in the public please go to these hearings understand where that increase is coming from but also be sure to submit comments so that the public utilities is aware of
>> what that burden is that's actually happening on the rateayers. Um second uh is um everybody knows that state rep. Natalie BL is stepping down or has
stepped down from her rule. Um with that uh Senator Paul Mark's office has reached out to say that they will help to support Natalie's district area residents and communities. And the office Natalie's office is still also supporting as well. the staff is still
there >> to support. Um, so feel free if you are generally in contact with Natalie, you can still reach out with her through our office, but also Hallmark's office is available. >> I also understand that there will not be a special election that
>> Yes. We we don't need representation. >> So, we will not have a state rep until next January. >> Oh, wow. >> Wow. >> That was at the discretion of who that decision. >> All right. Um, no, I think it was the secretary of state.
>> Oh, our our good friend. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Um, and then the last item is uh with regards to the November spill that happened at Yankee Candle. We did release or receive um a followup that
the a permanent solution was performed to clean up the site at the property by Tyan Bond. And that is it. All right. Then >> I have an item not anticipated. I just
wanted to um provide you guys that I'm doing the annual report. I'm starting to collect the annual reports for 2025. >> The select board typically does a dedication page and then a select board report. Um so I believe the select board report come from you. And then I just
wanted to put that bug in your ear about the dedication. Um >> it tends to be the chairs I have to figure out too. >> So, no rush on that. I just wanted to >> just put that in your ear and just
remind you. But we got some time. So, um >> yeah, if she was staying maybe or what about >> it has to be should be 10. >> Oh, it has to be. >> Yeah, it's normally I mean I think we have a couple recent past
that the books are considered. Why don't we adjourn? >> Let's adjourn. >> I move that we adjourn this meeting. >> Second. All those in favor?