00:00:00,230 spk_0: So I'd like to call order the August 5, 2025. Meeting of the Wenham Select Board. The first item on our agenda as per usual is public input. Um, this is for any members of the public who wish to speak for up to 2 minutes. On a topic that isn't otherwise on the agenda tonight. Um, 10 minutes will be the cap for overall public input, um, if there is. That much public input. Uh, do we have anybody, Joe, who has raised their hand virtually to speak? 00:00:38,100 spk_1: Yes, we do, Mr. Chairman. Uh, Peggy and Paul is new last name. 00:00:45,170 spk_0: Um, OK. If, um, The individual individuals under Peggy and Paul in the Zoom could please uh state their full name or names and address for the record, and then um I'd be interested to hear your Public comments. 00:01:01,969 spk_2: Thank you. It's Peggy Roll and Paul Trio. We live at 12 Spring Hill Farm Road. And we are just following up and I think you got the email from Andrew Goodman a little while ago. We had sent an email last Friday morning when we saw the agenda because we were expecting the um authorization for you or whoever has to sign the taking documents so that everything can get filed with um Essex deeds to be on tonight's agenda and it's not just we're curious why. And we didn't get a response back from the town staff yesterday or today. So that's why we reached out to you at 5:30, I think Andrew wrote wrote to you at 5 o'clock or something. 00:01:43,329 spk_0: OK. I did see that an email had come in to me from Andrew um at 5:30. I didn't have a chance to Uh, to read it, um, in preparation for this meeting and Wrapping up some other things. So, um, I typically public comment is not um. really an opportunity for, um for back and forth from the boards, but I think in this particular case, uh, I would make an exception only to the extent that Steve or Joe, if you, if you have any information, um, Responsive to Peggy or Paul's uh request, then feel free, and if you don't, then we'll just have to defer it to our next meeting. 00:02:25,069 spk_3: Yeah, no, there's nothing, you know, I guess since there's nothing wrong that's the reason why it was not on the agenda. I was simply on vacation last week, still catching up with emails. I actually didn't see Andrew's email come in at 5:30, so I apologize for that. But you know, prior to leaving, I was unable to review the documents and place them on the agenda, so that's the reason why they're not on. 00:02:54,099 spk_3: So can we assume 00:02:55,169 spk_2: they'll be on the next meeting's agenda? 00:02:58,099 spk_3: That that is my plan. Yes. OK, thank you, perfect, nice guys. That's all. A 00:03:02,969 spk_0: appreciate it. Thank you. 00:03:06,199 spk_0: Joe, any other public comment? 00:03:10,530 spk_1: No, there is no, that was the last one, yeah. Thank 00:03:13,370 spk_0: you. 00:03:15,830 spk_0: Right, that moves us on to um reports and announcements, beginning with uh the town administrator's update and town announcements. 00:03:23,099 spk_4: Um, Ben, can you just do the roll call before? Oh, 00:03:26,729 spk_0: thank you, Deirdre, yes. Yes, so, um, if, if everyone could just, um, Say whether they're present here this evening, we have all 5 members starting with Deirdre Parrati. 00:03:39,599 spk_4: Present 00:03:40,870 spk_0: Garret Cheeseman present. Karen Aer present. Peter Clay, present. And Ben time is is present. All right, that moves us on to the town administrator's update, please. 00:03:54,599 spk_3: Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, just one second. 00:04:02,770 spk_3: So a couple of brief updates tonight, uh, you know, first one being everyone, you know, probably seeing the construction going on again. This is the, it's the HVAC project which is going very well. things seem to be progressing as expected and on schedule right now they've completed drilling the wells and are now piping the connections, um. From the uh geothermal or the, the water wells into the building, so they can connect it to the new, I believe it's, uh, ground source heat pumps, where it will exchange either the heat or the cooling from the consistent temperature, uh, ground sourced water. Uh, additionally, we have the last week, the DPW has put up 12 gateway signs into the town notifying all commuters or passersby that the town is now 25 MPH or unless otherwise posted. So again, we have, we have 12 of those up when you drive into town and across the border into Wenham. Those are there to alert drivers. We have 2 more to go, which we um. We had to reorder some signs. We're thinking there was only 12 entries into Wenum, however, there's actually 14, so we're, we expect those later this week and in the meantime, the DPW is going around and taking down all the 30 and 35 mile an hour signage through town and then we'll start putting up uh systematically in key locations, uh, additional 25 mile an hour uh signs. Uh, throughout the town where, you know, where we believe they're needed and we'll continue to add more as, um, you know, if hotspots pop up with, uh, you know, significant speeding. And then just a quick personnel update. As you know, we've been, we've been um a couple of recent resignations for both our permanent coordinator and our assessing assistant. So both those recruitment processes are underway. We've we've selected a finalist, Margaret Baldwin for the permitting coordinator. An offer has been accepted, extended and accepted by her, and I believe she will be starting here in town hall on Monday. Hopefully we can, you know, maybe get her in front of the board at some point once once she starts. And we're getting close to final interviews for the assessing assistant job, and we have about 5 well qualified candidates that we're currently reviewing and interviewing, and that is all I have for updates tonight. 00:06:53,230 spk_0: Thank you. Um, my only two comments actually, Steve, are in follow up to two of your comments. I was curious whether there's any status yet on the um council on Aging part-time position or if that's too, too early. 00:07:06,269 spk_3: Uh, uh, my bad. I I admitted that we have posted that as well and have a handful of applicants. However, we have not started the interview process. Joe, do you have any, any further? Joe's been running with that, any further update on that beyond? 00:07:23,730 spk_1: No, that's, that's correct. We have about 5 or 6 candidates so far. Um, I'm working with Jim Reynolds and Jeannie Miranda at the COA just to feel through the candidates and set up interviews I expect the next week or two, so. 00:07:37,730 spk_0: Great, thank you. And my second comment pertains to the 25 mile an hour um change, which I think, you know, people in town, because the, the signs have gone up so um promptly and, and widespread are obviously noticing. Um, I think that it would be, um, Useful to the board and the town, um, if the police department maintains some sort of set of metrics around um this change, you know, whether it's number of tickets written or some, some other sets of metrics that might help us assess a year or two from now on the effectiveness of, of this change because it is a, it's a pretty drastic change. It's a It's a, it's a low speed limit, um, for many people, um, which, you know, some might say that that's part of the problem. Um, but it is, it is a, I think it will be a fairly significant adjustment. And so it'd be good to have, not just sort of anecdotal information a year or two from now as we're looking at it, but some, some sort of metrics, and I, I imagine the chief already has that in mind, but I just wanted to, to mention that and maybe we can. Even set that up so for some future agenda item to refine what those metrics might look like in consultation with the chief. 00:08:54,700 spk_3: That sounds good to me. I'll make sure I'll, I'll connect with the chief and get something. 00:09:00,529 spk_0: Thank you. And that was all I had. Um, so, uh, any other select board members who wish to comment and we'll just, uh, we'll start with the vice chair, uh, Gary Cheeseman. 00:09:12,269 spk_5: Yes, uh, just one point that I've seen some internal correspondence, but, uh, a reminder out to all the boards, committees, and commissions that as we enter the new fiscal year here, we need to comply with the new bylaw 5-37 where they need to appoint or elect uh committee officials and to report those results to the town clerk. 00:09:39,100 spk_5: That's all I think. 00:09:40,370 spk_0: Thank you very much. Um, Deirdre, I do not. 00:09:44,769 spk_4: Thank 00:09:44,929 spk_0: you. Thank you, Peter. 00:09:57,330 spk_0: Peter, any comments? Uh, no. OK. Karen? 00:10:01,500 spk_6: Yeah, I had um two quick questions actually for Steve. Is there a way I I've been um. In communication with some of the folks um regarding two police incidents, uh, two separate incidents. Uh, I believe both the last two Friday nights where the town has received no information. Um, and we, there is a, uh, extreme concern that there's a lack of communication, and it sounds like Ben is also hitting on a little bit of uh lack of communication from the police, um. Coming from uh that office in providing the citizens a little bit more information on what happened Friday night. And if we could potentially debrief on how we can better keep everybody informed and keep everybody updated on any type of emergency situation. Um, if you could Let everybody know here what happened, that would be great. 00:10:58,129 spk_3: I do not have that information. My apologies. 00:11:02,769 spk_6: OK. Um, I have received a few different complaints regarding citizens being truly scared, um, in their home on Friday night, and, um, I believe that it's in our best interest to not only have the police, um, be able to present that, but going forward, it would be great to review the best practices on how we alert citizens on any type of emergency situation and what the best process is. I believe a few of them went on to the website. It was really confusing to them. Um, it was 11 o'clock at night, so they weren't entirely sure who to call. 00:11:38,330 spk_6: If we can have him at the next meeting, that would be great. In order to be able to answer some questions. I know that there's gonna be a few folks that would like to be able to address that in in person. 00:11:50,399 spk_0: Thank you. Anything else, Karen? Nope. Um, I just wanna clarify, given that Karen referenced my comments. I, I, I was not at all. Suggesting any breakdown in communications from the police department with respect to the, the speed limit. I, I support the change. I think that the chief explained it well. I'm just merely, you know, thinking ahead that we ought to work with him for metrics. I, I'm not placing any, any kind of criticism at all on, on that issue. I'm just making a suggestion for how we might um assess that change going forward. All right, that leads us to our consent agenda. Um, we have two sets of minutes in an open session set from April 1st to 2025 and an executive session set, um, from July 10th of 2025. We have, um, the appointment of four provisional call firefighters, and we have the appointment of 20. For, um, election worker appointments. Does any member of the board wish to hold any of those items, uh, before we proceed to a potential consent agenda vote? 00:13:04,830 spk_0: OK, seeing none, I'd entertain a motion, uh, to approve these routine items for approval in a single motion, allowing them to be passed without discussion. This time. 00:13:17,669 spk_4: Sure, um, Gary, did you want? Yeah, 00:13:20,629 spk_5: yeah, I'll make the motion to accept the uh consent agenda as published in the uh 5 August agenda. Peter Clay 00:13:30,470 spk_3: seconds. Just one amendment, um. Yeah. I believe. 00:13:37,070 spk_4: There's 2 notes. 00:13:42,129 spk_0: Gary, do you want to amend your motion to uh account for the term for the item B appointments running from August 5, 2025 through July, June 30th, 2026? 00:13:53,730 spk_5: Yes, and to, uh, I'll make the amendment to include the the adjustment in the appointment dates as published. 00:14:04,269 spk_0: All right, we have a second, uh, so we'll take a roll call vote, Karen. Yes. Gary, yes, Peter. Yes, Deirdre. Yes. And Ben is, yes, that's unanimous. That brings us a new business, um. The, uh, the purpose of the new business, uh, agenda category is to allow, uh, in addition to board comments, uh, public comment. Um, if requested on individual items, uh, not to exceed 2 minutes. Item D is discussion and potential vote to approve the extension of the lease agreement for the Buker School located at One School Street, Wenham. Between the town of Wenham is Leo and the Hamilton Wenham Regional School District is Lesee for a term of 10 years. Um, Steve, if you wanna make any comments on that to get us started? 00:15:00,070 spk_3: Um, no, I don't have a lot of comments. I know Joe, if you're available, uh, to kick this one off, I know he walked it through, but my understanding is that, you know, this is a routine lease extension that the select board has the authority to act on, and Eric Tracy is here to address the select board as well. 00:15:20,929 spk_1: That's, that's correct. It recently expired, I believe, on June 30th. Superintendent is here though if Mr. Chairman, if you'd like me to promote him. 00:15:28,730 spk_0: Yes, certainly. Thanks. 00:15:40,970 spk_1: Hi, Eric. Good evening. Um, feel free to speak whenever you'd like. 00:15:45,500 spk_0: Thank you. Eric, before you, um, excuse me, before you begin, um, with a select board members hand up, Karen, did you wanna say something before the presentation or? 00:15:55,029 spk_6: No, I would love to have Eric speak and then I just have a couple quick questions. 00:15:58,700 spk_0: OK, all right. Eric, welcome and, and um thank you for taking the time and please proceed. 00:16:05,730 spk_7: Thank you. First of all, thanks for Joe for getting this moving. I, I think in the focus of all the new building, uh stuff that was going on, we realized that the lease was about to expire. So we had uh reached out to, uh, both towns to, uh, request lease extensions on the buildings. Um, the current leases allow. An extension by the select board for up to 10 years, um, and as you know, no matter what happens with with the new school or without a new school, the, the Buer is still in play in in the town of Wenham and um we would appreciate the opportunity to continue the relationship we have with the with the town uh and with the, you know, the people who reside around the, the Bucher School community. 00:16:51,169 spk_0: Thank you very much. Um, other members of the board who have questions? 00:16:56,299 spk_0: If so, if you could raise your virtual hand, that's the best way for me to ensure that no one is um left out and Karen, I see your hand up, so please go ahead. 00:17:04,670 spk_6: Yeah, I just had a really quick question. Um, why would we limit it to 10 years? And if we increase the lease for an additional amount of time, does that make us eligible for any type of additional state assistance? 00:17:23,069 spk_3: I don't, I don't have the answer to that question, Eric or Joe. 00:17:31,130 spk_7: Uh, I can I answer that one? 00:17:33,329 spk_3: Yeah, if you have it, 00:17:34,369 spk_7: definitely sure. the any opportunity we would have for um state assistance could be revisited at any time, similarly to what happened with the the Cutler school and the, the need for 50 years, uh, that had to go through a process because uh select boards are only allowed, I guess, to, to extend for 30, so. Just having to go back through the process, the way the lease, uh, the original lease is written, uh, it can be, um, revisited at any time, uh, at the request of any parties. Uh, the original lease, I believe was 20 years. Um, and then from that point on, uh, it's up to the select board how, how much of a time span it is. Uh, I think in, in how it's worked in, in previous years, it's never been more than 20. And, and I know it can't exceed 30 under the select board jurisdiction, but uh I think 10 years is appropriate for right now and as we move forward with the, the current uh possibility of a new building combining some of our schools, it gives us the opportunity to put uh things in play and also um work on some of the future needs of, of the Bucher building. The, the, the, one of the bigger things we're looking at is, um, that building's gonna need a roof soon. And then, um, you know, there's some opportunity for conversion. Uh, Vicky Massoni's been working with us on, uh, electric conversion of things like, uh, water, um, heaters and, and boilers within, within the schools. So there's an opportunity there to do an upgrade, uh, with that through, uh, one of her grants that, that she writes for, you know, coordinated effort with the town. So I think, I think the 10 year is OK. We just executed a 10-year, um. Of the others, uh, with the with the towns, um. And then when we changed it a town meeting, we, we, we just went in and, and rewrote the, the lease. The Cutler site is leased for uh 50 years and the, the Winthrop site is only leased for 5 years through Hamilton. So I think, I think 10 years is reasonable and it's, again, it gives time to make any adjustments, um, in the building or to have a discussion about future use and still gives the, the town the flexibility to make a shift if they feel like they need to. 00:19:57,569 spk_0: Thank you very much. Are there any other questions from the board? 00:20:03,099 spk_0: Seeing no will open it up to the public. I don't see any virtual hands amongst the 9 attendees on the public side. 00:20:13,470 spk_0: Steve or Steph, any questions for Eric? 00:20:19,569 spk_0: Don't see any. Oh well, Eric, thank you very much. Um, I think we're going to entertain a motion on this, so if any board member wishes to make it, we can proceed. 00:20:29,000 spk_4: I'll go ahead. I moved to approve the extension of the lease agreement for the Bucher School located at 1 School Street, Wenham, Mass 1984, between the town of Wenham, the Leo, and the Hamilton Wenham Regional School District, the lessee for a term of 10 years. 00:20:47,670 spk_5: Gary Seconds. 00:20:49,769 spk_0: Great. We have a motion in a second. We'll take a roll call vote starting with Peter. Yes, Karen. Yes. Deirdre. Yes. Gary, yes, and Ben is, yes. Passes unanimously. Eric, thanks, thanks again. Good nice to see you. Thank 00:21:05,299 spk_7: you all. I'll have it on the August 21st, uh, school committee agenda for their, uh, subsequent approval. Great. Thanks. 00:21:12,299 spk_4: a great day. Thank you. 00:21:13,670 spk_0: Thank you. Thank you. That moves us on to item E, um, which is a presentation, excuse me, a presentation by Kate Mallory. Uh, as well as John Demotica from Select Senior Select Company. Uh, regarding proposed ground mounted solar panel project at the iron rail property at 91 Grapevine Road. Kate, would you like to begin? 00:21:36,630 spk_8: Yes, thank you, select board members for having me. Um, can everybody see my screen, the presentation? 00:21:43,799 spk_0: Yes, I 00:21:44,630 spk_8: can. Wonderful. Thank you. Um, John, I actually asked him not to come tonight. I thought it would be best to present this to you first, and then we can bring him in at a later date if we decide to proceed. Um, so, basically, this is a proposal for the iron rail for uh ground mounted solar panels. And so, just so we can all really tell what we're looking at here, we all know that um we just did an iron rail highest and best use study. And the area that I'm talking about is site one. So these are the existing conditions now. Right here is the softball field. We have DPW right over here. We've got the iron rail iron rail building, the Boy Scout barn, the parking, and most importantly, we have this leaching field right here for the whole area. So right here is this area that I'll be talking about today. Um, this area has a lot of regulatory constraints, and so if you see where the star is, this is where the ball field is. This is DPW down here. This area right here are all wetlands. The striped area in blue are the wetland buffer. This is a perennial stream up here, and with that comes this um 200 ft setback. So this area right here is pretty um constrained for development. 00:23:19,670 spk_8: Um, let me see if I can move this out of the way a little bit. OK. So, uh, in the study, it says for site one, which is what we're talking about, there's 4.1 acres that are actually developable, and that's including DPW. So again, I'm talking about this area up here. Um, the study does say that, um, this is a good idea, so it's a significant cost saver by lowering utility bills, um, for the town and helpful alternatives to raising taxes. So it, it was recommended in the study. I just wanna make sure that we all understand that um this area. Any of the scenarios that you pick, whether it is keeping Ion rail the same or any sort of development, this area is not included. So the ball field on option one is over here. This is just a regular single family development. Option 2A, it's over here. Option 2B up here and not developed. To see, I don't want to be repetitive, but I just wanna make sure that everyone sees every single scenario. That this was not a developable area. Um, and that is important because I'll be asking you to give me advice on an iron rail. Um, project before we actually go through, um, the actual feasibility study with, um, deciding what to do with iron rail. There was one option, um, that did use the ball field a little bit. This option right here was getting rid of DPW altogether and moving DPW over to site 3, which is closer to the cemetery. This option I did look through it, doesn't say what this building is, but my assumption is this building, if it was necessary in their calculations for the financial piece of this, could go somewhere else. It's part of um the recreation, uh, commercial aspect of this. So this was just kind of a feasibility drawing. This is probably like a little bit of a developable land, but I'm sure it could be moved around. So there are two major considerations that I feel are very important to discuss, and one is DPW. I did speak to the DPW director and his feelings are that as the town moves forward, so will the needs of the DPW um to expand. I want to make sure that um we're not blocking that in any way, and so the scenario that Dobson and Flinker came up with in the study was we could um expand the main building. By 1.5 times larger going forward. So there's this big area that's kind of empty space now right off the road. So there can be an expansion there and the storage shed can be larger as well. So there is room on this parcel to expand DPW and upgrade it if necessary, and still keep this solar array back here. There's no way to develop coming in this way because over here are um the area's leaching fields. 00:26:23,569 spk_8: Consideration #2, which I think is incredibly important, is ensuring that we support the Little League softball team. So that field is used by the Little League softball team. I was able to speak to Tim Fazio. He is the vice president of the Little League. He also was president of the Little League for the past 3 years, and I explained to him a little bit about this project. We did talk back and forth about different scenarios. Um, He said that it is their lowest use field, but that doesn't mean it's not used. Sean Timmons told me that they can use it about 3 to 5 times per week during the spring, and in the summer, they can use it as well. It, it varies because it's kind of their overflow field. Um, What it does is it provides flexibility. So when there's over-enrollment, it's wonderful because they have this extra field. Um, so he did tell me that it's an important field. We actually did talk about if there's alternatives. I think it's very important to, before we make any decisions, to make sure he's going to bring it to the board of directors for the Little League and see how everybody else feels about it and to keep in constant communication with them to make sure that Um, this, this group, this very important group in town is part of this process if it moves forward. And taking care of properly. 00:27:49,269 spk_8: Right. Next. All right, let's get on to the fun stuff. So, um, With this, we can look at the magic number right here. $932,000 savings for the next 25 years. So, um, there are different scenarios. This is called the credit offtake purchase. There's also a credit offtake discount. That one you come out with $800,000 of savings over 25 years, but you get more money at the beginning and then it kind of tapers off. This one, you get less total savings at the beginning. And then you get more as time goes on. Uh, our representative from Select did mention there's different ways to, uh, do these, but the savings should be around $800 to $9,050,000 00:28:40,529 spk_8: for the next 25 years. 00:28:44,569 spk_8: So, some of the advantages, uh, the town has pledged to be net zero by 2040. Uh, the state has mandated it by 2050. And so Wenham's current municipal electric load is 540,000 kilowatts per hour, I mean, per year. Kilowatt hours per year, sorry, and this system will offset 338,000 kilowatt hours per year. So this one system can offset 63% of our municipal load in Wenham. It will also give fixed energy costs for that system, so we get um fixed energy costs for 25 years, as we know this is a huge advantage, um. During the next 25 years where we don't know where prices will land with energy costs. And the only cost to the town is the cost of staff time and KP Law's time, um, because we want to ensure that we have a very strong contract and lease in place if this goes through. So, I mentioned, um, I believe you are thinking about taking up the iron rail discussions in September, October, whenever you decide to do that. Why do this now? So why am I bringing it to you now before we're really getting into iron rail? And the reason is, is, first of all, there's a lot to do. Um, there's a lot of background things that have to happen, permitting, um, working through different Contracts that would need to be done. Um, there's new federal guidelines under the big beautiful bill that was passed, um, that are ending the federal Uh, 30% subsidy on contracts not signed by December 31st, 2025. And so basically, um, there are uh a lot of volatility right now in the solar world. Some companies are saying, oh geez, contracts even need to be signed by, I think it's August 17th cause that's when the US Department of Treasury is going to um make their guidelines for the executive order from our president. And so, This is basically the best case scenario if we can get in now because we can get the federal 30% off off credit, offset. And then also the state created a program when they saw that the federal credits were gonna be um terminated. The state started a program called Smart 3.0, and they also have a lot of um Credits in here. So that's why this has actually gone up. The, the last time I was talking about the solar project, it was about $100,000 of savings over 25 years. Because we can combine these uh credit options, that's how it went up to $900,000. So, I mean, it's a fantastic time if we can get it all done in time and that's why time is of the essence. Um, so basically, that's it. I really, I look forward to hearing your thoughts, um, and I would like some guidance on next steps forward if you would like me to continue this if we want to really start working um through this, uh, or if this is something that we feel like we should put on pause and, um, you know, try to do it at a later date, you know, once we know more of what's going on with iron rail. Well, thank you. 00:32:06,369 spk_0: Great. Thank you very much, Kate and Peter. I see your hand up. 00:32:12,869 spk_0: Hey, um, 00:32:14,230 spk_5: so you know about the uh solar project at, at the high 00:32:17,670 spk_8: school? Yes, I do. Wonderful project. It's 00:32:20,529 spk_0: over parking lots. Mhm. 00:32:23,670 spk_5: Yeah. Have you looked at that solution? It's a pretty good size 00:32:26,730 spk_8: parking. Yes. So we actually looked at the solution for this site as well, because the parking lots in the back of the iron rail building, right? And so that would be a perfect place because you wouldn't be able to see it from the street. There were two reasons. One was, um, that financially, Select told us the numbers don't work. So the area that they have there, it's not big enough to offset the cost. So he said that doesn't work. And number 2, just with us not knowing what's going to happen with iron rail. We that is developable land if you guys decide to develop it. So the area that we picked was the best area was an area that really isn't developable. 00:33:09,930 spk_8: OK, thank you. 00:33:12,400 spk_4: Deirdre? Yeah, thank you, Kate, for a wonderful presentation as always. Um, I'll just say I can't support this strongly enough. I think this has been a great idea from the beginning. It's been sort of percolating for some time now. It's thrilling to see this coming to fruition, and I would urge everyone to support this. I think this is a critical moment in time to get as far as fast as we can. With these types of projects before the subsidies dry up and disappear and move the town along towards our goal of net zero, just, you know, pedal to the metal literally. And I hope that we can accommodate the youth softball, um, and I appreciate your efforts in doing that, but I have to say very strongly, I hope that this is full steam ahead. 00:34:07,529 spk_0: Thank you very much. Um, I thought I may have seen your virtual hand up, um, Karen, is, am I wrong about that? If so, please go ahead since I think you were next. Yeah, 00:34:18,329 spk_6: I just wanna echo uh Deirdre's, um, Deirdre's statements. I think this is an absolutely amazing project. Kate, you've done a phenomenal job. I will throw out, um, there is a little bit of gender disparity as far as um softball fields go. The softball field in question is the only softball fields that kindergarten through 3rd grade is able to play at. Um, we, as a town focus mainly on boys' sports as far as fields go. Um, and unfortunately, the girls were thrown behind, um, in an iron rail, and there is no additional field for them to practice on. So the one, if we were to remove this, which is fine as long as we're able to replace it, the one in question that they're talking about is truly making one on a grass somewhere else. So, as far as being able to support our girls in town and support the softball, that, um, you know, it's, it's something that is quite essential um that we will have to figure out, uh, a new Um, situation there. 00:35:21,929 spk_8: Yeah, and I, I think my thoughts in, in speaking with Tim as well is we want to make sure that we're very cognizant of that and make sure that We can accommodate the girls. It's very important. Thank you. 00:35:35,599 spk_0: Thank you, Gary. 00:35:37,769 spk_5: Yes, uh, strong support as well here. I think we need to realize that the DPW as it needs to transition to uh electrical fleet mandated by the state, is gonna have an even higher draw on the electricity. So this is the perfect uh location as far as I can see, right adjacent to DPW and as I said, you know, we can find alternatives for softball either at the uh New, uh, high school athletic complex or a Buker or otherwise. But I think, uh, knowing that the timeline is tight on this, that we ought to make a decision here to uh move forward. 00:36:19,699 spk_0: Thank you. Um, I've seen a virtual hand sort of go up and down on the attendee side. I'm not sure whether anyone in the public wishes to. Wishes to speak. I don't see the hand up now, but. If anyone does wish to speak, please, 00:36:35,500 spk_5: yeah, yeah, 00:36:36,530 spk_1: treaty read out her hand up, Mr. Chairman. I don't know. OK, who wants to speak up. Yes, she does. Yes. 00:36:44,329 spk_0: Good, you could promote Trudy to a panelist, please. Sure. 00:36:52,000 spk_4: Am I on? You are. I, I'm sorry. 00:36:56,070 spk_9: I, I didn't want to comment on this. I'm waiting for the next agenda item, but 00:37:00,170 spk_0: OK. Sorry, no problem. So, all right, are there any, um, I see Sue Petrolia's hand up, um, so if you're, um, wishing to speak on this topic, then please do that. We'll just need to transfer you as a panelist, I think. 00:37:27,230 spk_0: OK. 00:37:31,269 spk_0: Mm. 00:37:34,000 spk_0: Sue, hello. If you could please uh state your full name and address for the minutes. 00:37:42,130 spk_10: Hi, can you hear me? 00:37:44,369 spk_0: We can now, yes. 00:37:45,329 spk_10: I'm sorry, unfortunately, my camera's not working. Um, Surolius 6 Eaton Road, London, Massachusetts, um, and I'm speaking sort of on behalf of Hamilton went on Climate Action in full and Enormous support for this project and uh the alacrity to move it forward as soon as we can um as with the school buses, the electric school buses, we're all kind of under the gun to get stuff done and get the um benefits we can uh going forward with solar. So I'm thrilled to see, uh, Kate's great presentation and, um, your support. Thank you. 00:38:22,730 spk_0: Thank you very much. All right, Joe, correct me if I'm wrong, but I see no other um people wishing to speak on this subject. Great, yeah. Um, so I'd entertain a motion under um item D. I'm sorry, no, I, my bad. There's no motion to be had on this one. I don't believe anyway um. Steve does or Kate, do, do you need some kind of uh select board? Um, action or 00:38:52,599 spk_3: No, no, no vote, really just as Kate mentioned, it's, you know, this has come before the select board before this all this whole, you know, started the exploration of the solar behind the DPW started, you know, even before the iron rail study. Um, so the select board, you know, it's probably having deja vu a little bit, but they have seen it before and but not to this level of detail that Kate presented. And really what we wanted to bring before you tonight was just. To see if you know that you did have some sense of urgency with this project and it seems like you do so that we can direct the staff resources to start moving it forward and make sure, you know, all the procurement laws are met and and and things like that. So I mean I think we hear you loud and clear that there is overwhelming support for a project like this and we'll we'll move it forward and bring it back to you for, um, you know, votes and actions of that nature. 00:39:53,730 spk_0: Great. All right, thank you very much. That moves us on to. Agenda item F, discussion and potential vote to approve a draft letter to Representative Sally Cairns endorsing House Bill 2274. Which permits remote participation in town meetings. 00:40:11,130 spk_5: Hey, Ben. 00:40:12,269 spk_0: Yes. Uh, since I'm the one pushing this, um. I've since realized that I, 00:40:19,730 spk_5: I did not talk to a couple of key people. So I'd like to um defer the discussion tonight so that I have a chance to go talk to a couple of key people like Roger 00:40:31,699 spk_0: and Diane. OK. Um, 00:40:38,900 spk_3: my call tonight, Mr. Chair. Sorry, sorry, I'm sorry. Go ahead. 00:40:44,500 spk_0: No, no, I, I see that, but, um, given that Peter is the person who, uh, requested this to be put on the agenda and he's requesting in his, you know, um. Wisdom to wait, uh, I'm fine with that and I'm fine with, um. With deferring this agenda item until the next board meeting. 00:41:08,000 spk_0: If any board members have a strong objection to um not discussing this tonight and to moving forward with it, please say so, but otherwise, um I would exercise my discretion to uh defer based on um Peter's recommendation. 00:41:23,769 spk_6: The only thing I would say is I believe that there's some people that actually dialed in to discuss this. Did you wanna open a comment up for them to just be allowed to, to have that? 00:41:33,630 spk_0: No, I unders I understand that. uh, and taking that into account in what I said. Um, I think that it, if it's not ready to discuss, uh, affirmatively, um, in terms of presenting the basic information that Peter was gonna present, then I, I think it's more efficient if we do all of that at once rather than have people comment on, on something. But that's, that's, that's my view. If, if a majority of board members feel strongly that we should move forward, then Um, we can, but otherwise I would. Um, say that we should defer. And uh 00:42:07,670 spk_5: obviously I agree with you. 00:42:10,769 spk_0: OK, thank you. 00:42:12,170 spk_4: Well, I guess I'm just wondering where if all of the, if Diane and Roger are here, I mean, it's that we can't have the conversation altogether while we're in public space. 00:42:27,030 spk_0: Gary, what do you, what do you, what do you think? I, I just, um. 00:42:31,230 spk_5: So I think the um 00:42:34,869 spk_5: Certainly a proponent for an expansion of the franchisement, but, you know, I would like to uh see some of the details here because certainly this is probably gonna, uh, Have a significant infrastructure cost to the town too, as far as our media setup and so forth. So, perhaps we need to do a little bit more uh homework here first. 00:43:03,000 spk_0: Alright, with that, I'm gonna move on to the next agenda item. Uh, apologies to those who showed up for this particular item, but I think in, in my view anyway, it'd be more efficient to wait until um everything can be uh discussed comprehensively at the same time. That moves us to old business item G, uh, discussion and potential vote on final disposal options for 24. Cherry Street. Steve, did you want to um take the lead on that? Sure. 00:43:31,369 spk_3: So we received a letter from the Commonwealth, I believe it's in the packet and the select board has read it. Uh, so I did relay back, um, you know, the concerns that the board has, not concerns with the question whether the state is state and their willingness to entertain an affordability component and or coupled with a uh a historic preservation component that would allow us to access additional funds if they were available to help preserve the original structure. And so you know that letter I think laid it out pretty, pretty well. They seemed open to both those scenarios and willingness to work with the town, you know, I think they're from their standpoint they're. Suggesting that the town go with an RFP approach where they they take or we're talking about the four approaches and we, you know, everyone refers to it as one of the first two, so it's either auction or RFP where the state controls the entire process, but, you know, allows the town to give contributions into the drafting of the RFP. The other piece of information was, you know, the board. Uh, tasked me to reach out to the historic commission or really anybody to see if they had um any information as to how much of the structure needs to be maintained to maintain this historic, to maintain its position on the historic register uh and eligibility to be on the federal register. And unfortunately we were unable to pin anybody down over the last two weeks. A number of emails were sent. I did receive one call, I believe it was early Monday morning from a representative of historic district whoever I've called back a couple times and have been unable to reach anybody. So I do not unfortunately have an update on the answer to that question. 00:45:40,570 spk_0: Thank you, Steve. Could you um Could you just highlight the portion of the letter? That, uh, from DC. That makes reference to the historic preservation piece because I think that's information that may be interesting to um to Tom Starr and some others who are 00:45:57,599 spk_3: Michelle, if you could scroll up, it must be on the first page it's on the first page last paragraph on the first page into the First couple lines in the 2nd page. 00:46:09,469 spk_4: Can you enlarge that a bit, please? Thank you. 00:46:22,469 spk_0: So, um, I'm able to read it if I don't know if everyone. Online can read it, but it says DAM is aware of the interest expressed, specifically regarding historic preservation of the building. TCM will coordinate closely with the town. On actions associated with historic preservation and will consult with the Massachusetts Historical Commission. In advance of any disposition. Solicitation RFP to establish the most appropriate way to address the historic status of the property. Further, any RFP will clearly identify the historic designation or designations applied. To the property and encourage responses. They'll respect those designations and result in site designs that preserve historic resources and complement the architectural character of the historic property to the extent feasible. So, it's certainly not an ironclad statement from DCA, but I for one, was pleased that they did include that and did recognize that it's something that That the town had flagged, um, based on the fact that 24 Cherry Street, um, is on a state register of historic places, which some people may find difficult to believe given its condition, but it's the case and there's a historic pedigree there. And it's also eligible, uh, as is the cedar. Cedar Street, Cherry Street neighborhood eligible for. Potential placement on the national registry of historic Places. So, um, I was, I was glad to see that, um. And uh I want to extend thanks again as we did last time to Tom Starr, who I see has his hand up for flagging this issue. Um, before we recognize Tom to speak, um, are there any board members who Wish to comment or ask questions about where we are and I see Gary, your hand up, so um please go ahead. 00:48:17,800 spk_5: Yeah, so on this uh property, I think the facade is uh. 00:48:25,030 spk_5: Of importance, preservation, but the fact is, if you do a close up look at the building, if you go by there, that it is well beyond what I expect is repairable or a usable state, there is clear uh Insect infestation, you can see on the back uh woodpecker holes that are 2 or 3 ft deep into a corner posts and so forth. So, I think, uh, you know, for the public at large, our expectation here is to have an architectural design that perhaps mimics the front as it is now, but I don't think there's, it can be much expectation as to uh being able to salvage the building as it is right now. 00:49:08,599 spk_0: OK, thank you. Uh, I don't see any other hands up among board members or staff, so, um, Tom Starr, you'd be next. 00:49:22,969 spk_11: All right, can you hear me now? 00:49:25,130 spk_0: Yes, 00:49:26,070 spk_11: OK, great. Yeah, and thanks for the opportunity, and I do welcome this letter. It's that that sounds pretty positive, although obviously. I think you put it best, uh, Ben, that's not iron cloud in any way about, you know, um. Whether it could be, um, or whether it would be. Um, What should I say, no guarantee, right, of any outcome. Um, and, you know, I think Gary's point is well taken, but I do think that The, you know, you really need an expert opinion of someone to come and assess it. It's probably a question of, of money, you know, but I think it's really like with most historic structures, it's mostly about the appearance on the, uh, you know, from the, from the street, not about interior things or structural things, to try to maintain that, uh, historic. Um, You know, streetscape and especially because the. Um, there's a house next to it that's, you know, built with the same in the same style, so, um. So anyway, I think that's we shouldn't dismiss it, and I, I, Ben, I I I mentioned to Ben in a meeting that there, you know, there is a historic, uh. House and. Uh, in Denver is the Ingersoll Tavern that was abandoned for about 10 years and was recently inspected and, uh, you know, found to be in better shape than it appeared from the outside. So I think there's hope that, you know, it could be salvaged. Um, and then so that that's my statement there. And I think, of course, if it's on the historic, you know, the historic District Commission already recognized it and it's on the state register, you know, there's clearly value to it and and you know, I'd hate to see, see it lost. Um, If if it's at all possible, uh, to, to save it. So, uh, but my, my real question is of the options, um, I wasn't clear like if the state retains the Property and consults with the town, um. You know, they're in control, right? And then there's, I think Steve you mentioned there's another option where the property could be transferred to the town, and the town would be in control. 00:51:48,269 spk_11: right, is that right? I mean to do RFPs and things like that, but, um, since the, since this letter is pretty, uh, vague, you know. I'm not so sure it would be in our best interest to let the, the state, the state the same state that's neglected the property for all these years, um, to be controlling the process, but I don't know how you all feel about that. 00:52:17,969 spk_0: Any other Comments by board members. 00:52:24,730 spk_0: So I think that um. I mean, there is this, this critical question, obviously that that's been before us for a little while as to which path to go down. And, you know, there are 2, more than 2 paths, but they fall into two categories of state control at one level or another versus local control, and the, the financial benefits rise, um. To the town, um. With the options uh that involve less state involvement, less state control. Um, I don't know whether as a board, um, Whether we're ready to. Adopt DC's recommendation to allow them to um. Um, drive the process, um, under the the uh. The housing statute that they reference, um, and Steve, I'd also be curious as to whether, based on your sense of. How much pressure Um, we may be under with decamp. Whether when, when they say at the end of the letter, we'll be in touch with Steve to discuss the next steps, whether that In your view, is giving us a little bit more time to um defer a final decision on which avenue we wanna take or 00:53:44,000 spk_3: yeah I mean based on my conversations with decam they are. 00:53:51,800 spk_3: You know, there's some sense of urgency to get this project moving. Um, you know, but they always preface that was saying, you know, they want to work with the town and, you know, they want to be a good partner with the town, uh, but they are, they do seem to be with each passing call a little more anxious to get this moving. So, you know. Nothing's been said, you know, as black and white, but I think that that's generally been my sense, and I think, you know, ultimately it kind of resulted in this letter as, you know, kind of urging the town to make a decision and and move forward and just let them do the process because it's the most expeditious. They have the most experience and get this property remedied and redeveloped. 00:54:41,230 spk_0: Yeah, Deirdre. 00:54:43,769 spk_4: Yes, so just as a reminder, at the last meeting we did commit to making a decision this time, so I'm sort of loathe to put the state off any further. Um, because we've been after them for a long time to move this along, but now we're sort of the ones dragging our feet a bit. So I would like to see this move forward. We also did have this discussion at the last meeting, and it seemed to me that we had agreement to move forward with the state taking the lead on this with expressing our preference first preference to keep it affordable housing with the addition of the question of keeping it. With uh you know, in line with the historic district, which came up at the last meeting. To me, this letter seems completely responsive to all of those things that we raised, and, you know, I think it's time to move forward. 00:55:39,429 spk_0: OK, thank you. Um, any other board comments? 00:55:47,369 spk_0: Um, Gary. 00:55:49,599 spk_5: Yes, uh, I would like to see this to move forward too because as we know, there's been years on getting this uh to this point, we've had uh Sally Karens intercede on our behalf, so I think uh It's time for us to uh take action, and I think that um the best way to go on this is let let the uh state, you know, here and take into considerations which they have in this letter, our concerns, but I think, uh, management wise, it's gonna be a lot easier for the state to handle this project. 00:56:27,530 spk_0: Any other board members who wish to comment? I agree with both uh Deirdre and Gary. OK, thank you. Karen anything, dad? 00:56:43,030 spk_0: Um, so I, I, um. I agree. Um, I think ideally if we had more time to try to put together a um. A workable local control plan. Um, I, you know, I think I would like to have seen that, but it's not, it's no one's fault. I mean, there's a lot of work that we need to go in to even devising such a plan to determine whether it's feasible, um, for the town to control the process. And um, given that the state wants a decision, and I think that we could be disadvantaged if we continue to um delay a decision. And I agree with you, Deirdre, as to what the consensus was the last time. And I'm also, you know, I am, I am heartened a little by the fact that the state did quite quickly incorporate some of our concerns into this letter, so. Um, Unless there are any other, um. Comments and I don't see any hands up. I would entertain emotion. Uh, on this matter. 00:57:49,829 spk_0: There isn't one written in the agenda, um. But I could frame a motion if um if someone could maybe put the letter a little higher up. 00:58:03,599 spk_0: Yeah, it's stop it there. 00:58:15,829 spk_0: So I would move that um the one on select board through Steve informed decam. That the town wishes to. Dispose of 24 Cherry Street. Um, under DA's authority under the Affordable Homes Act. 00:58:35,099 spk_0: And Steve, I, I hesitate to end the motion there because I don't have in front of me whether there's a more precise. Um, Wording that we ought to be. 00:58:47,869 spk_3: I think, I think, I think what you said is good and maybe just add utilizing the RFP approach to disposal because the only other available option that the state presented to us with their total control was auction, so it was either an auction to the highest bidder, but the RFP allows you to specify exactly what you want to go there and make encouragements. However, you see fit to, you know, help ensure that that's the type of development that goes there. 00:59:19,329 spk_0: OK. So I'm gonna withdraw the, the partial motion I made a minute ago and instead uh make a motion that the Wyndham select board uh direct the town administrator to inform. DAM that the town agrees with the recommendations set forth in DCAM's letter of July 30, 2025, including that um disposal of 24 Cherry Street be done pursuant to DCAM's authority under the Affordable Homes Act and through the RFP process and taking into account the concerns of the town with respect to both affordable housing opportunities and The potential for um historic restoration and coordination with the Massachusetts Historical Commission. Gary seconds All right, we have a motion in a second. We'll take a roll call vote, Peter. Yes, Karen. Yes. Deirdre. Yes. Gary. Yes. And Ben is, yes. Thank you, everybody. 01:00:21,230 spk_0: All right, next is item H. 01:00:25,829 spk_0: Alright, so, sorry, go ahead. 01:00:29,570 spk_0: Uh, discussion of potential vote to set a minimum bid for the Lakeview parcel identified as Map 7, Lot 53 on Pleasant Street, also referred to as ero Lake Avenue and Fairview Avenue. 01:00:41,670 spk_0: Steve 01:00:43,269 spk_3: Yeah, just a reminder, so this is the parcel that the select board discussed at the last meeting. And we're moving forward as also as discussed with the auction process and the final piece of the puzzle. I believe Belinda is on the call tonight, but I believe the final piece of the puzzle that we need from the select board is to set a minimum bid amount to start. Traditionally, it's my understanding that communities usually start the bidding at the assessed value, so we've provided the record card in your packet for that value, but It's uh under your authority and discretion to set the value at any amount you want. 01:01:26,800 spk_3: Now we can pull up Jo you or Michelle to promote Belinda and see if she has anything to add. 01:01:33,900 spk_3: Yes, I promoted 01:01:34,929 spk_4: her. She should be out shortly. Thank 01:01:36,869 spk_3: you. 01:01:38,730 spk_9: Did you ask me a question? Sorry, I was disconnected for a second. 01:01:42,599 spk_3: No, no questions, Belinda. I just kind of updated the select board that, uh, you know, the, the question before them tonight is to set a minimum bid amount as kind of the final piece of the puzzle that we need from them to move forward with the auction process, and I also let them know that, you know, generally it's been my experience that a lot of communities start at the assessed value, and at that point, you know, I didn't know if you had anything else you wanted to add or update them on. 01:02:11,730 spk_9: Um, I only, um, wanna make sure that there's no other stipulations you want as part of the sale, um, as we would need to put those stipulations in the notice of sale 01:02:22,800 spk_10: too. 01:02:28,130 spk_0: Um, 01:02:28,769 spk_5: Gary? Yeah, I would propose one stipulation that uh not only for this property, but any, as we go forward, that if the property is purchased by an abutter, that the uh purchased property would have to be merged into the uh current abutter's ownership uh parcel so that we get the full advantage of uh Taxation considerations up to the 40,000 square foot uh normal or parcel size. 01:03:04,000 spk_0: OK, sounds like a smart idea. Um, any other members of the board? Oh a question or a comment. 01:03:13,130 spk_4: Can we just go to what the assessed value is and you put it up. 01:03:18,099 spk_0: Yes, I don't know Joe or Michelle, if you could put that up. Here we go. 01:03:26,900 spk_0: $26,400 is that right? That's correct. 01:03:33,130 spk_0: Alright. Does anyone wish to make a motion to set the minimum bid for this property at $26,400? 01:03:47,170 spk_5: Uh, I can do it, no one else. So, I move that we uh set the minimum bid at $26,400 for uh The uh parcel in question. 01:04:01,699 spk_0: It is Thank you very much. We have a a motion and a second, we'll take a roll call vote, Deirdre. Yes. Karen. Yes. Peter. Yes, Gary. 01:04:14,530 spk_5: Yes, 01:04:15,329 spk_0: and Ben is yes. Thanks very much. Right, um, that moves us on to old business, other matters may have not been anticipated by the chair. Um, 01:04:26,800 spk_9: did you want to have that stipulation in about the part so, um. You know, being merged if it was bought by an a. 01:04:34,369 spk_0: Thank you, Belinda. I appreciate you raising that because yes, we, yes we do. So, um, Gary, would you mind, since that was your idea, would you mind making that motion as well? 01:04:43,769 spk_5: I move that the Select board, make a condition of sale of any property, be that it be merged in with the abutters uh current parcel. 01:04:56,670 spk_0: Peter 01:04:57,030 spk_5: seconds 01:04:58,969 spk_0: Great, thank you. We motion in a second. We'll take a roll call vote, Karen. Yes. Gary. Yes, Peter. Yes, Deirdre. Yes. And Ben is, yes, that's unanimous. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Belinda. Uh, under old business, we have none. And I would um entertain a motion to adjourn the uh open session of tonight's select board meeting, uh, as well as a motion to enter executive session, not to return to open session. 01:05:33,070 spk_5: So moved 01:05:36,000 spk_0: So 2 01:05:38,630 spk_0: Peter seconds. Great, thank you. We'll take a roll call vote, Gary. 01:05:43,500 spk_5: Yes, 01:05:44,230 spk_0: Deirdre. Yes. Karen. Yup. Yes. Peter. Yep. And Ben is yes. Thank you. We're adjourned and we will now move to executive session. Thank you to members of the public for attending tonight.