Planning Board June 30, 2026

Okay, I'd like to open the meeting and with the pledge of allegiance, if you keep driving. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you.

So, we are being videotaped and we're going out live, I believe. So uh the first up is of the of the action items are approval not required file number 26-4517A request by Adam Nelson for endorsement of a plan reconfiguring map 68 lots 22 19D and 19E for land located at zero Meadow Brook road lane. I'm sorry.

Good evening. Uh Charlies engineers for Adam Nelson and the owner uh Sharon Carmichael. This is just a reconfiguring of three lots. Uh one big lot and these two others and it has a sawtooth effect and it was kind of so what was decided between the owners were to recreate lots that made a little bit more sense. This lot was very shallow. This lot was cutting into her land. And this kind of

like evened it out. So, we're just reconfiguring the lot. They all have the identical frontage they started off with, and the area is very similar. This one's a little bigger, but it makes more sense. So, it's just a reconfiguration of three lots. The shaded portion of the new lots, this light line is what the original property line did for whatever reason.

And the large lot there is being reconfigured to accommodate the refiguration of the of number two.

Right.

Correct. Correct. Yeah. This this piece that J is into that lot is going out and this is just coming straight across now.

And so the access to this large lot one is by easement or how this was an ancient way. I don't remember metalbrook. There was an ancient way that came off of main road runs up along should say this not sound like west along the wood property uh went into this and it was recognized as an ancient way. Uh it accessed this house but it's been here for some time. This existing this doesn't change. None of this

changes. The frontage, so to speak, was about 21 ft that was existing on the ancient way still remains and nothing changes on that lot as far as frontage.

Okay. So, lot one is developable.

It's already got a house on it. She lives there. Sharon Carmichael lives on it.

Okay. So it's it can't be f further developable without some kind of obviously creation of frontage or division.

Okay.

So it's not conforming with 22 ft. Is that Yeah, that's correct. And that's the way it's always been.

Like I said, I'm not sure why the lot they originally configed the lot line to do this.

And all these lots are upland only.

Yep.

They all have these these are all This one has some wetland that's way over 30,000 ft.

Okay. Anybody have any questions, comments? Planners?

Yep. Um we recommend endorsement lots two and three front on Mbrook and then as Sean said lot one fronts on a way travel um an ancient way and it was recorded in the registry as well as um law one was also um granted a variance by the ZBA um for its buildability. So yeah we recommend endorsement.

You want a motion Mr. Chair? Please, I I just want to note uh before making the motion that I think we got town meeting to adopt um something that would discourage uh or make more simple a geometric layout of lots and this is a move in that direction so consistent with what we're trying to do. Um so uh I move uh to endorse the ANR plan for 119 Meadow Brook Lane as presented

finding it does not require subdivision approval under MG Mass General Laws 41 section 81.

Second.

All those in favor?

I I have a good night.

Yeah. Thanks Sean.

Okay, next up is inheritance lane file number 23-0 C final review from S SW Cole release remaining charity and consultant review fees.

So, inheritance lane um at the last meeting we released um 55,500 of the shy and in that time um the deans have completed all the additional um outstanding items which was basically clearing of the rip raff and addressing signage. Um so Derek recommended full release of the shity. I have the full email for it if you'd like to read it.

Um but yeah, other than that, we'd like to see this project close out. We're holding on to consultant review fees just so we can finish paying invoices.

Then we'll release those two.

Okay. Do they need to supply us with an as built?

They have one. Yeah, we have one on file.

They have one on file. Okay.

Want a motion, please?

I move that the planning board grant a full release of all remaining shity funds associated with project known as inheritance lane as all required improvements have been satisfactory completed and verified in accordance with the approved plans and applicable regulations. I second that motion.

All those in favor? I I.

That's four and zip.

Okay. Uh, next is a support letter for Kathleen Stanley to pursue funding through the green school works program for the elementary school.

Is there a hybrid one in between?

I don't know. There is, Mr. Chairman, if you refer to the printed version of the agenda. We had to revise the agenda this afternoon.

Well, I don't have a printed version here.

This is the end item here.

All right.

Corrective filing.

You have one in the front.

I got I got this. You got I got the staff report, but I don't have an agenda.

Okay.

High Ridge Road file number 26-3482 SP- FFF endorse corrective filing of a special permit decision.

So, this is going back to a modification for a special permit that was granted this past April. Um, I accidentally had the applicant record the decision before the 20-day appeal period finished. We recorded the appeal um certificate, but they need a corrective filing to go with that certificate of no appeal so they can refile.

Okay.

So, we just need um the board's signatures.

So, do we we don't do we need a we do the board's endorsement on corrective action.

I move that the planning board endorsed the corrective filing of the special permit decision for zero high ridge road for the purpose of correcting clerical or scribers errors. It's the first time I've seen scrier in a motion. So, we could celebrate that.

Is that you, Nad?

Whoa.

I second that motion. All those in favor.

And kudos for you for pronouncing it.

Who knows if I did.

Um, and Mr. Chairman, I do believe you have on the very first page of your binder the revised agenda.

There it is.

Perfect.

Okay. It's not the same as this, right?

No.

So, John signed in blue. Everybody else can sign in black.

Yes. Thank you.

My signature appears in black. People say that isn't his.

Okay, while we're doing that, uh, High Ridge Road, no, I already did the support letter for Green School Works Pro grant program.

Yeah, Kathleen Kathleen Stanley is the town's energy manager and she's working with Westport schools to put in a grant application to convert the elementary schools air source heat pumps um an air conditioning and get that all converted over to um more efficient systems. Um so she would like the planning board support for this application.

Okay, I would support that.

Want a motion, please?

Uh, I have two of my three furnaces or heat pumps. I love them. I love paying lower electric bills. Um, so I move to authorize the chair to sign a support letter for the elementary school's green school works um grant application.

Second.

All those in favor? I

want to go blue.

Blue.

Thank you.

Okay, next up is the Route Six neighborhood plan.

Yeah, this is more of a discussion item, but I circulated a a newer version of the draft of the Route 6 neighborhood plan. I there's still a bit of work that needs to go into this and so we'll um if anyone has any comments on this feel free to send them to me. We'll be looking for the planning board to endorse the plan sometime in probably late July or early August at this point

but there's no action needed on this.

Okay.

So with regard to my copy, I don't know if you recent it with a link because I can't download.

Yeah, it couldn't open. Jared, you said it just took you some time.

It took me some time. It it buffered and then it opened and I was at first I saw the comments and then it and then it took a few minutes and then it it opened and then I had it open. But it's like a 35 megabyte file size. So I'm I'm going to resend it. I'll compress it. Um, some of the image quality might get downgraded, but at least you'll be able to open it.

Okay.

All right. We have a 6:15 public hearing for 88 um Route 88 Solar. Uh, on my watch it is 6:15. Sir, good evening to the chair and to the members of the board. For the record, my name is Adam Baldderelli. I'm an attorney from Fletcher Tilton. My office is located in Worcester. I am appearing tonight on behalf of the applicant Westport Route 88 Solar 1 LLC. And joined with me this evening is uh the

general manager, Mr. Michael Kushner.

At the last meeting, my uh colleague, attorney Todd Broer, um appeared earlier this month, which was June 2nd, before this board, uh as part of our team to detail a minor modification request to a previously issued largescale solar special permit, which would allow for the installation of above ground utility poles in place of the previously approved uh underground utility installation. Uh at that meeting, this

board had uh many questions, several concerns uh which our team did make note of and we are appearing before you this evening um to address those concerns that were raised. uh notably the feasibility of relocating the poles as well as ways to screen the utilities in regards to the landscaping plan as relates to the visual and sound screening from Route 88 as well as the abuter uh to the property at zero uh

Gford road. So based on these uh concerns, our team did have many uh internal conversations. We also had uh external conversations with Eversource Energy to try and address these concerns. So first and foremost uh we are proposing uh this evening uh an updated layout which was uh submitted to this board uh about a week ago um and is on the screen now. Thank you for doing that. uh an upgraded layout to the

location of the poles as relates to the Abu property as well as Route 88. Uh as you may recall, the previous proposal had four above ground poles running adjacent to the Abutters property on Sullivan Drive. Uh at the topmost part of the uh screen, uh you can see the um uh blue and red um dots there. the uh the blue dots represent the uh customer poles and the red dots represent Verizon wireless poles.

Uh but now those four four poles will be relocated so that they are completely within the applicant's property inside the fence and no longer adjacent to the abuter's property shown on the bottom portion of the page. Uh they have been relocated onto the applicant's property.

This should also directly address uh access concerns to the Abutter's property which were discussed at the prior meeting. Uh the four poles along the Abu property have now been uh reduced to zero.

Also now uh this same shifting inward has allowed for uh four of the poles across from the abuter along Sullivan Drive uh across the street have also been relocated to within the fenced in area of the applicant. This should also address the concerns that were raised of the board uh in the request to relocate the red Verizon wireless poles away from the Abutter's property. So now those four poles have been relocated

completely within uh the leaseold area of the applicant and the uh two red poles that were adjacent to the abuter's property uh are away from the uh abuter's property shown on the bottom portion uh of the screen.

Um this board asked us to determine the feasibility of relocating those poles.

Um we have spoken with Eversource Energy and they have determined that what we are proposing this evening here tonight is a feasible solution. Um uh frankly this is going to cost the applicant uh time. This is going to cost the applicant money to uh carry this out. Um but frankly we heard the concerns that were raised by this board at the previous meeting as well as the abutters members of this community and uh quite

frankly have worked really hard uh to try and figure this one out. um as shown on the screen and as I've discussed are the before which were submitted and discussed on June 2nd the topmost part of the screen and what we are proposing this evening uh is the bottommost part uh of the screen we also submitted thank you very much we also submitted an image of what uh the uh equipment is expected to look like

and we provided that um based off of the board's request um we have minimized the number of poles that are at play here.

Um, but each pole that is there now uh has a job uh does serve a particular purpose in regards to the electrical engineering and part of this project uh and are necessary to complete this project.

Does customer refer to the developer in this drawing? Correct. Yes. Yep.

Thank you for clarifying. Um, another concern raised by this board uh was the request to uh implement better visual screening from Route 88. Um, this is an existing there is an existing screening plan that was previously considered uh and approved by this board uh during the initial site plan approval process. It includes the installation of fence slats to aid in screening.

Uh we did provide photographs um uh current photographs of the screening um for various uh parts of the property uh also shown on the screen. Thank you very much. Um so those are the photographs in regards to the slats. um some of the planting installation in reg um as part of the site plan. Those have not been uh completed yet, but the applicant is aware uh following the previous screening plan uh from that

site plan. Uh we want to do those plantings more towards the fall, which would be a better time to do the planting versus now in the summertime uh when they've likely just died.

But we are following the screening plan.

that will be implemented uh to better show a visual screening here. Um and as you we have shown the fence slats um and we have included the previous planting plan um which was labeled as page uh six of the site plan uh which shows the plantings as well. Might be the last page.

Oh perfect.

Great. Thank you. Another concern um was to implement better visual uh and sound screening along the Abutters property. Um this was not something that was previously required uh with the site plan. Um there was no screening required um previously in regards to the abut property. However, we can now implement uh what we refer to as a substantially similar screening plan uh as what was just discussed along

route 88 um shown again with page six of the site plan which was just mentioned.

This will work to minimize visual uh and audible concerns and it would be done at the uh applicants sole expense.

Another um uh concern that was addressed at the June 2nd meeting was how um electrical service would be provided to uh the abuted with electricity. Uh this board asked the applicant to speak with Eversource about how the butter would be serviced with electricity. I can report that uh the applicant has communicated with its contact at Eversource. Uh the company is working to assist in facilitating introductions to the

appropriate personnel. Um it's my understanding that Eversource has various departments. There's a there's a commercial division which is what the applicant has been dealing with for quite some time and a and a residential division. So they are uh separate. Um but we have worked to uh to try and communicate and facilitate discussions between those two and and bring them together. So, uh, from a residential

aspect here, um, we're working to kind of hand off, uh, the baton to the, uh, residential folks and are working to facilitate that discussion, um, so that the, uh, butter and the residential folks can can speak on that issue directly.

Um, certainly willing to answer any questions, but I just wanted to present to the board what we have um, altered, changed in regards to the board's requests. Um, as I mentioned earlier, we have worked uh internally and externally over the past several weeks um and have taken the board's concerns to heart to address these concerns and prevent uh present this uh revised layout this

evening. Um we believe this limits the impact on the neighbors which addresses the concerns that were raised uh but also remains a feasible solution uh uh for the applicant for Eversource uh to complete this project. Uh we have worked to implement the existing screening plan and have added screening along and uh will work to add screening along the Abutters property. Uh this is uh really

the final piece of a of a multi-year development process. Um our team has worked to correct the prior um uh miscommunications and they uh continue to diligently work uh to finalize this project to conform to align to follow uh the approval um with all approvals and previous conditions. Uh and again we ask this board to to grant our special permit request this evening. Uh naturally if

you have any questions we'll be happy to answer them. Mr. Kushner is also here to to provide some support.

Thank you.

Yeah. Um I have a question before I get to the question. Uh, I really appreciate um your uh willingness and ability to uh make modifications um and to uh facilitate the emilaration of that's not as good a word as scrier, but almost uh concerns that that your neighbor has because you want to you're going to be neighbors for a long time. So, uh that's important. Uh but it is of course because we approved

underground wiring and we would have been happy with that and uh and Verizon says no, we want pole. So uh so that's a good motivation to uh to to work on the solution of various problems such as uh the screening from 88 which we thought you know the fence with slats would do it but now in the winter when you drive by you can see the solar panels are high so so you need more. Uh

my question is uh I really appreciate the moving of the te telephone polls and I this still is a public hearing and look forward to hearing from uh your neighbors on that but appreciate you're finding a way to do that. It did uh result in adding two more polls.

And so my question is um is that you mentioned quickly that each pole serves a purpose and they're not just telephone poles or electric poles. They they have purposes. So can you explain why uh we needed two more polls?

I might hand that one off to be a little more specific. Thank you.

Go for it.

Thank you. Thanks for the opportunity to speak again. Um, yeah. Thank you, D. We can go with that.

Could you identify yourself for the I'm sorry, Mike Kushner with the Greco, general manager of our USG uh division or stand. Um, so when you're looking here at the lower portion of what's on the screen right now, the red poles, I think that's where you're asking. These are essentially just for span. So they can only span 150 ft. So, when we moved all of the poles that you see in the top

of the screen further, I don't know if that's true, north, but north is the way we're looking at it into the array, we had to add this here and we and we took heed or you know, sort of took advice. Um, it may have been yourself large last time, right, to try to spread it out as much as we can. So, we spread out as much as we can and then this gets

us into the array with a max uh I think it's 150 foot span is the requirement from the utility.

So, I get the issue of span and you need poles to go around a corner, which is what you're doing, but uh that even though you added those two poles for span purposes, uh you couldn't reduce two poles from the 10 blue and red ones that you had.

Ah, I'm sorry, I misunderstood your question. These we could not reduce.

These have disconnects and then metering equipment that are specific to the battery and the PV array, which is why you see essentially a symmetrical sort of makeup in the design.

Gotcha. Okay. Thank you.

Yeah. And and one one last. So if this happened to be just a PB or just a battery project, you'd see this same um design but singularly instead of parallel at that.

Yeah.

So I I think at the last uh meeting you said it would be hard to get approval from Eversource to make major modifications to the plan you already have approved with them and but apparently you're able to get their approval for moving these poles.

Could you get approval for doing what you were supposed to do in the first place and put these underground?

So the the run in for lack of a better word from Sullivan drive I think it's um bricks road into that intersection with Sen Drive if I'm if I remember correctly. Um as we spoke last time most of that is underground and then it did go to above ground. That was the issue that created us coming for the request uh to to revert this to underground. We had this discussion when we were talking

about the options with Eversource coming out of the June 2nd hearing underground and then these poles within the array that house the equipment going to, you know, let's say a padmounted equipment type mockup instead of polemounted is what they consider a major modification uh and a full redesign. And so that would this design essentially just pull relocation but keeping the intent of what they've

designed and approved internally for a technical specification is is a minor modification. It will cost us from from their estimation uh about 60 days of delay in design and then approval. Um the the other would be months and potentially years given what we went through the previous time just the way that it has to go through the the approval process generally. Um, so I won't sit here and tell you that it's

impossible. It it is something that could be done, but it would be essentially starting from square one.

And as we discussed, I think last time, I think we submitted in to the utility in 2018 or 2019 and the approval came in 2023. So our our request and our hope is the consideration to avoid that.

So this is a question back to the planners. Um, it's been several years since I reread the uh approved plan, but on the approved plan, were all these poles on the ground or padmounted or were they able to put all that equipment on top of the six black ones? Um, and the four red ones on their they're now going to be located on their property or were they on polls?

I can pull up the plans, but I believe they were all shown to be underground on the approved plans with the planning department. And then when they went forth with their electrical plans, those did show above ground utility poles within the array, but those didn't come before the board. So with within the planning board, it's it's been underground all the way. Yeah.

Okay.

Can I comment on that briefly? Sure. If I may.

And we can pull up. I think specifically from recollection I could be completely misremembering within the array was considered to be pole mounted equipment and everything on route 88 as Dia correctly pointed out was considered to be underground. I just want to clarify that point from the way that I recall it. Um, and I think that was maybe your question, Mr. Chairman, right? There's

some of this in here. I think what's changed is obviously these poles right here on route 88 and then the parallel necessity. So then the quantity of the poles in the array but there were what was intended to be poles within the array from recollection.

So the red ones on your property the four are those switching poles or can you describe what they do? Sure. Is that because you've had to add the battery back up?

Um well, if you look at it left and right, essentially that's the parallel rather than red and blue designation if that makes sense. So linearly sort of this way would be the the design intent um of a battery and then a PV um design.

U if you if you could go to the uh photos of the pole these ones.

Yeah. So disconnects and metering essentially and then a reclosure. Right.

So that's essentially the the requirements of of the utility.

Uh and I think it well I hope that it's worth noting if we revert back to the other uh page again. I'm just talking around it. These along the northern side now which we try to keep away from the the dean's property um are essentially comparable to what you see when you enter Briggs in the residential service uh poles that are servicing a couple of those homes on those on those lots

there. Um so these do not have equipment. These are just poles to carry conductor so three-phase wire into into the array where the equipment is. Uh so that was an important point of our conversation with Eversource as well was making sure that anything that has equipment on it is in the array.

So if you had applied to Eversource for padmounted as opposed to pole mounted um what would that have looked like? Would it have been 10 different places like on those polls or is it within the within the the applicant's lease hold? I don't want to I don't want to answer conjecture, but we I know we definitively have far more concrete pad work, structural work, uh you know, sort of the per coverage issues. it would

have been a little bit of a different approval process for us. Um, especially with Com. Um, but you know, as far as how many polls would there be compared to the ones that we see there in red and blue, I' I'd probably want to speak to my engineering team and I don't even know that they would give the conjecture without ever sort of driving that dialogue. Uh, there would be less.

There's no question about that.

So you mentioned Concom. Did you have to go to Concom for this section of your property though or just in general here?

Yeah.

No. Right. So our uh and I one of the development managers on our team uh our approval from Concom just pulled relocation into the array didn't really change any of the approvals. Good question. Thank you for asking.

Okay. Can I pursue uh what the chairman's driving at?

I guess I can accept that the uh 10 poles that are the northern ones are polemounted and they each have a function and changing that away from poles is a major design thing. What I'm having a harder time understanding is the five other poles that are just carrying the wire and and spanning and were originally designed to be underground by those five.

Uh I understand why the the northern 10, you know, I get your position that that needs to be on polls. I don't I don't get why the five that are just spanning electric lines have to be on poles.

So I can answer that partially.

Okay.

Um without representing ever source or run having pole mounted equipment at the lack of a better word at the end game right where the equipment needs to be will there will always need to be a riser. So even if this was coming underground at some point we have to get above ground and riser with the conductor over um I suspect that when these poles were all were were all here that was part of

the the design consideration with Eversource and they had the riser come up and instead of just having it come up here I can't answer to specifically why I think from recent address but I think there's three already there now uh of these so these are not necessarily they're new in the eyes of of the of the design but there's There's some of these are existing on site currently. Uh I believe

these two are the ones that are not from recollection. I didn't get a chance to get up out there this afternoon. It was uh I got in a little later than I'd like. But um so there will always be an exit from underground and then a wiser pole into array.

I can't speak specifically to 2 or 3 years ago when they approved why those roads were here on 88. I wouldn't want to misrepresent that.

So I I think uh it could be that our decision was inelegantly worded that said all all uh the electricity going along Sullivan Drive will be underground, but Sullivan Drive stops to the north and goes up into the fields. So I think I think that could have been the reason and I think that could have been why your folks decided to take advantage of that misrepresentation to do this. Um, I don't know

as far as the drive designation hanging further north and that understood. I I wouldn't um I can't say that definitively, but that might be something that would that would make sense when they're looking at it.

So, I mean, just going through the commit, I'm under I'm on the uh the timeline and the construction, which I appreciate for that. Um, so the extension happened in January of 2023.

Construction happened in March of 2025.

Our town building department issued construction permits according to the plan submitted, which then it differed from what was submitted from the site plan. So I guess the question here is how do we close that gap in the future so that our site plan gets uh your our site plan and our requirements get with get to get to the utilities so they understand that the intention is is that moving forward these are all

underground. One and then two how does our that get checked and balance with our constru with with our building department so that uh it wasn't flagged as a question and came back right then and there that we could have had this conversation.

you know, we had the same internal discussion as well because of the time span just you know, we get a site plan approval four or five years before we get ready for a utility approval to issue construction drawings and that's ultimately I think that's when I was putting that together with the team. I think uh you may be uh I'm assuming you're a little bit right.

You may be correctly understanding where I think the the disconnect happened which was completely uh unintentional but we've had that discussion internally as well as if we have a site plan approval from a year or two prior to we have IFC sets because IFC issue for construction sets because we're waiting for utility we need to have additional checks and balance to make sure we don't

run into this scenario again. Jared, I think one of the ways to do that would be to have them submit their approval plan from Eversource or whatever electrical company to us and have our consulting engineer confirm the compare the two things.

And I think that's the only way to do it. It just means that you'd have to pay a consulting engineer, but that would have we wouldn't be here.

I I'd rather We might be turning off power if I didn't run into this issue. So, we're that uh complete with the project within the array actually. So, I had a u a question about the photograph that um of the poles.

Now, that's um I take that to be the blue poles in the existing conditions. That is these are the poles that are going to be shifted.

They will all be shifted. Yes. If you look a bit closer and we look at the cross-section.

Yep.

1 2 3 four. So there's eight here.

Yep.

Two had not yet been installed, which I think we discussed last time cuz we had run into concern from Mr. Dean with our our um our folks in the field.

Yep.

Um and so yes, these these were all here. And if you look at the tailgate of this pickup truck sort of in the center background of the photo, all of these will now move into that truck and beyond where that's a fence to the rear of that that uh pickup truck.

Thank you. That's that was my understanding and thank you for clarifying.

Sure.

You want to hear from anyone else?

Sure. Just trying to understand what you're talking about with the polls.

Okay.

Uh this is a public hearing. So if either of you would like to ask a question, please come up to the podium.

My name is George Dean. I'm the property owner just south of the polls.

Alan Dean also property owner. So, we see exactly what they're doing here.

Now, they're going to take the six existing, put them inside with the other four. And then the the other other reason why that might be is because there's also a brook kind of running on the side there, which goes into that culvert just for them just to, you know, that might be another reason why they went above, you know.

But the only other concern I have is maybe I don't know where they're going to put the plantings. It looks like just around the retention pond, not out by the transformers.

So when you say you're just south, you're just west of them.

Well, coming down 88, we're south of that elbow, that turn that you made, we're actually east of the solo field there.

Right. Right. Right. That's what I did in that corner.

Yeah.

When I said west, I meant east. I understand. I understand. Go ahead. Back up. We've all done it. Yeah. We're between the solar field and 88.

88. That's what I He's a navigator on his boat.

Yep.

So, I don't know that retention pond is south of us on that. Correct.

Can you point out where you are on this draw?

That one. Okay.

All the way up.

This is the this is the southern one, correct?

Yeah.

So that that's the southern that's plantings at the southern site to screen to screen it from 88. Right.

Right.

Yeah.

But I don't see anything up on our property along our check if you're done with question to change that.

I should I should have mentioned it. I should have pointed that out, but I can clarify that for a moment unless Sure.

Could you get up to the microphone?

Sure.

Um, so can we do we have the full took up all your space?

Where's the one? Yeah. See that? Uh, one more page now. I think page eight. No more page nerves. Yeah.

Yep.

Yeah. Here. So, if we're looking at the screen here, um, very bottom coming out of the title block on the lower right of the page. And as you come here, this is the elbow and or the turn into the array. And if you look at this dark black line, that's the property line where the poles were currently outside of. They're going inside. And right here where I'm pointing, which I don't know

if everyone can see this, but that's the equipment. Mr. Dean's property is here.

And there's another small sort of drainage basin or we're going to replicate the plantings you saw on the other array along Route 88 along here, your property line inside of our on the bottom side of correct, which I to me just looking at orientation of the page is south of the page. I think it's east east. Correct.

So that that's within your fence.

Correct. Cuz I think we didn't want to we didn't want to take any liberty to put it on outside of our property. And then the fence is essentially at the property line. So we'll place it right inside of our fence and it'll be the same plantings that were designated and approved for Route 88 previously. Uh, and the reason I point that last part out is that the plantings that are shown

and were previously approved that have to be yet to be or have yet to be installed along Route 88 have a size and a caliber that is specific to this town that was requested and I recall from the original approvals a little bit more mature than you know smaller that take years to grow. I from recollection I think it was 6 and 7 ft uh plant things that are required. So that's that's what

we propose and um and are asking for approval and hopefully it it appeases Mr. Dean as well. We we had spoken briefly uh but I didn't I didn't show it on the plan um and I didn't want to have the engineers designed on the plan until it was acceptable and I assume that includes arbor bed eyes.

No mine and dog wood.

Okay. So my my concern is from the transformer paths here from like the gate opening for where you are from the gate down to the bond.

That's my concern is from the gate gate down to the pond.

Yeah.

To the beginning of that pond. Sorry.

Correct.

Because this would be the pond the retention pond here. But this here there was I don't think you're showing any vegetation there at all except slots in the fence that you got to put in now.

Understood.

And so what I'm what I'm my concern is from the gate south.

Understood. That's no issue for us.

That's no issue for us.

That's where I'm at.

Thank you. I'm fine.

Good.

Okay. So you guys are supportive of just the way it's modifications.

Okay.

Do you want a motion, Mr.

Well, then the question is uh what is the I Yeah, why not? Go ahead.

I because after I make a motion, we can certainly continue to discuss it. I would move that we approve the after the-act modification of the large-scale solar special permit for Route 88 solar to allow above ground utility poles in place of underground installation based on the commitments uh that have been explained to us.

I second that motion.

Okay. Is there any more discussion?

Okay. Oh, you have a Well, I have a couple of conditions that I think I would like to recommend to the board.

Um, so I think this discussion about where this landscaping should be should be located on the site, it should be a condition of approval, right?

Um, so a landscape plan comparable to the plan presented to the board adjacent to Route 88 must be submitted to the planning office for approval demonstrating the screening between the subject parcel and parcel ID 29_22A.

The landscaping shall be located at the drainage basin west of the abuter's property to the entrance of the subject parcel.

Prior to issuance of the occupancy permit, the planning board or their design shall conduct a field inspection of the perimeter to identify areas that may need additional plantings for screening. The owner shall install plantings as directed by the planning board and the landscaped areas shall be receded with a pollinator friendly seed mix.

I I meant to say all of that in my motion. I know you did escape me, but I did say, you know, based on the representations they made, which Michael has specified much better than I did.

So, if you don't mind also the us considering in the motion those conditions.

There's more in there's more. Well, just the plans must be modified as discussed demonstrating the relocation of the utility poles on an engineered plan.

Yeah.

So, I would make that motion subject to the is it three conditions?

Uh four four conditions uh that the plan has given us. So would those plans be the asbuilt or you talking about a plan before this uh approval is effective?

I think this approval would become effective and then they would submit a plan after this is approved and then afterwards they'd have to submit a bill.

Right. Okay.

I amend by second to incorporate these conditions.

Excuse me, Mr. Chair, and sorry to interrupt the board. I'm just reading a condition number five uh that's being proposed. The applicant shall ensure that electricity can service the property located at map 29. I don't know if the applicant can ensure that. As I mentioned in my presentation, we are working to facilitate a discussion between Eversource and the uh uh via butter, but I don't know if we can be

obligated to ensure that electricity can service. That seems outside the scope of the applicant's uh abilities.

So as as just to follow up on this question um I I believe this to be the case but I am not sure that if there are poles there by either utility by the telephone or the util electric company if you have a budding property they may make you pay something to do this connection but you have a right to be connected.

I don't know I if we substituted the word facilitate for ensure you are facilitating but I get that it's a an arrangement between the deans and Eversource not with you so ultimately that's between the deans and ever source and you thank you for uh as I said at the last meeting using your speed dial to get through where the deans can't. Uh but the facilitation is weaker, but it it's also possible.

Yes, I I would recommend striking this one from the the decision because I really feel that this is outside the scope of the plan authority.

Mr. Chair, yep, these were the sample conditions of approval. So, the board is um motioning on the four that town planner read out. So number five was not included in part of those. Yeah.

Great. Thank you for clarifying.

And number six is cross. What is that?

Again, these were just my sample conditions. So those are we all set?

All those in favor?

I You want a motion to close the public hearing?

Yes, please.

I Mr. Chair, I move to close the public hearing for Route 88 Solar.

Second. All those in favor? I I Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you. Very organized. Help me be organized with my responses.

Mr. Chairman, I'm just passing the decision.

We also Yes, please.

Lower your blue.

Okay. Um, next is the planners report.

Yes, we were awarded a one a mass trails grant this year for the Wata connector, which is the bike path that well that's under design right now, but it'll run along the WAPA pond, the the north side of South Wond. And this is a $18,200 award to continue the engineering design. Um, we're going to based on the public feedback that we had received in public meetings, design this as a

boardwalk and not just a uh an asphalt shared use trail. People wanted to have increased access to the pond and it's something the town could build upon in the future to facilitate even more access to that that water body. Um, so we're also going to be contributing from the planning board $7,000, the select board 5,000, and Bay Coast Bank gave us $10,000 towards this project. So that'll

get underway sometime this fall.

So the boardwalk would go along the pond.

It'll go along the pond and kind of be elevated over the banks of the pond.

That's the intent behind the design.

Um, this is going to be funded through the TIP. So, we'll see what Master T has to do, right? But that's we're walking the same right away, but separate then from the asphalt path.

Yes.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Cool.

But we could, you know, choose to expand it too. Well, discuss more with the the engineering firm.

Do you know that in years past there was a trolley stop?

Mhm.

There. And there was public access in rowboats. You could rent a rowboat and go rowing on them.

It would be great to have that again.

An update on our Hicksbridge project.

Just so you all know, I'm going to the select board on Monday to request their authorization to submit a notice of intent to the conservation commission.

I'll be going to that meeting with Jeff Bull from the landing commission as well as um Ryan Deont from GZA environmental who's the consultant on this project.

And what we'll be asking them to approve for the notice of intent um or at what we're asking for approval from the concom for in the notice of intent is to replace the boat ramp um do some salt marsh and beach restoration, pave the parking area to um uh improve the storm water sediment transfer into the pond or into the um and install a storm water management system. And the the boat ramp also needs

to be completely rebuilt. It's not functioning anymore. Um there's actually a crack and it and people can get their trailers stuck in there as they come in and out. Um so this is piece of a larger project. We have grants outstanding for this one, but we're getting the permits aligned so that way we can continue moving forward um with construction.

Should we get funding with those?

That's a very good question.

Um I do my water quality testing tomorrow actually on the new docks and uh and observe people using the boat ramp all the time. Um, I also observe people uh not just in the gigs that Dharma has who can use the floating, but people in shells uh who can't use the dock because it's too high and can't come around the corner of the dock because the span of the wars. And

so they land in the uh grasses and uh then walk their shells up to the parking area. Uh when you say wetland restor, I'm trying to figure out where they're going to go. Are they going to continue to land in the uh marsh grass?

Mhm.

Is that the plan? Because they have to land somewhere. There a lot of people who use it in shells. Mhm. We've talked about that. I I can't remember where we left off with the design for accommodating that use. I mean, it is all salt marsh along the banks and you are supposed to stay out of those areas.

Uh but we're also trying to facilitate use of the river.

True.

And it's a specialized kind of boat. Bob can tell you more about it than me, but I the dock doesn't work for it. And I don't think building a specialized dock necessarily is the way to go.

Um, I wonder if there's a way, you know, when you look at the uh uh handicap ramps on the beach to allow people to walk through sensitive area or to wheel their wheelchair through sensitive area in the beach. whether there's a way to get a controlled access from the water uh protecting not 100% of the marsh grasses because you need a a path but delineating where that path is.

Mhm.

Yeah. We'll talk I'll talk to him about So I have a float where I have my rowing shell and it's much lower.

It's that far above the water.

Yeah.

And so it's it's the same configuration, but the floats are up inside the structure as opposed to being on the bottom.

But then they don't work. You have to have specialized because that doesn't work for the gig because it's too low.

Uh but anyway, uh but as long as you guys are talking about it, I know you're going to come up with a good answer.

Yeah. I mean, we have gotten support letters from Dharma Voyage on this project more generally. So, the docks work for Dharma. They just don't work for the individual.

For the individual Gotcha. Okay.

Kayaks.

Yeah. Yeah, the gigs are relatively I mean they're really seaorthy boats and so they work with the people launching mo you know motorboats and stuff but uh the the shells not only is it the the height but the shells have outriggers that that angle.

So you have to have something really low But I I think our message is we want to make sure this public landing uh accommodates uh various forms of uh watercraft including shells and as Bob said the outriggers are so close to the water and you have to get the shell up to the edge. That's why they don't dock. They just get out of the boat in the mud and lift it over their head and walk up

through the grass. Even if there's a walkway that says here's where you walk, so you don't wipe out all the grass, just use a path.

Is it poss So I'm not familiar with this type of craft. So is it possible that they could use the boat launch itself to launch or they have to use It's right there. And I've I've used a boat ramp to row a shell, but it's not uh preferable, I think, because you don't want concrete.

It beats it beats up the shell.

Beats up the boat, which Okay.

Plus, if it gets slippery with growth on the ramp, you're going to slip it.

Sure.

Correct your head over.

So with my rowing shell, I take out the outrigger on one side so you can get the shell up to the float. Then you push yourself off and put the rigger in.

So

well, we'll take it to the to GZA and see what they have to say. Again, this is just for the for the permitting aspect, not for the design. Um, there's still quite a bit of work that we have to do for the the designer this time.

We have one of the most famous shell designers in the world, Ted Van Dusen and his wife, who I don't think they rode there now.

They may have moved their factory, but they used to row there. I mean, and these these are one of the best in the in the world at designing shells using our water. It's kind of cool.

And they roll off that beach, right?

All right. And then I'll move on to the notice of intent public hearing for the barrier beach plan.

This I discussed with the select board last week and they did ultimately end up authorizing the notice of intent application with the concom. It'll be heard on June 22nd at 7:00 or excuse me, I talked to them on about this on June 22nd. It'll be next week, July 7th at 7:00. This will permit the Barrier Beach plans, including the overwash of material um on town and land trust property

should we ever need to relocate that material as well as other management actions recommended in the plans. Um does it call for beach nourishment?

There is an analysis of of beach nourishment in there, but the plans are more about day-to-day management of the beaches themselves as opposed to what we're going to do with these places in 5 10 years.

So within one of the appendices, there is an analysis of the cost associated uh for beach nourishment at each of the beaches that would protect against a 10-year um storm sur which I recollect 15 million or so.

Incredibly expensive per beach. Yeah.

All right. And then I just wanted to let you all know about the grants that we're closing out since it's June 30th. It's end of the fiscal year. We're closing out our online permitting grant. So we with that grant we got building concoming fire all online.

This is the systems integrated with the assessor's database. There's GIS capabilities on there and um building also has a code complaint and compliance module. So people can report things online and he can respond to them. Um with our Has that been publicized?

Yeah, I mean we've put it out there that the there's online permitting available and a lot of people have been using it especially especially folks who are working in the business of you know pulling permits. So contractors and developers they like it because you don't have to come into the office anymore. We just had an application today for a definitive subdivision plan and the applicant was already very aware

of permade eyes with Westport and was already submitting things. So, it's catching on. So the nice thing though and the reason I asked about publicizing is that it not only is a case of efficiency, it makes it easier for people to make applications for various things but it by linking them all together you add a significant amount of value as you know the connection to the assessor's office as an example. So, uh,

you get more efficiency and more value at the same time, which isn't always the case.

Makes it a little bit easier for the applicant, too. So, if it's connected to the assessor's page database, there's there things encoded in that data that you don't have to go up.

So, I I appreciate you're the one who's separated this through.

Mhm.

So, thank you. It's only been two decades since we've been trying to and so the the question in my mind that one of the benefits was being able to have the relational database of what's happening so that it would be accessible for instance by us to look up what's happening in board of health on this particular project or concom or building applications or all those things. So that uh can we do that yet?

We can. Yeah, the planning department has access to all of the modules at least for viewing purposes and then if there are ever instances where they another department needs the planning department to sign off, they'll set it up so that you know planning is flagged on the workflow and you have to go in and hit approve or deny or whatever the applicable um response is.

Okay. the cop here.

So, that one's getting closed out. Our coastal zone management grant with the barrier beach management plan, that's getting closed out. Um, our hazard mitigation planning grant that is getting closed out. The hazard mitigation plans under review for the second time by MIMA and we're waiting on comments. our route six neighborhood planes one-stop community planning grant that'll be wrapped up uh well all grant

grant work grant funded work has to be closed out but Serpent is going to contribute some um technical assistance hours to carry that through August the we have a seapport economic council grant that we've been using for the Hicksbridge engineering designs that's getting closed out and it was important that we close that one out in particular because we did submit a $1 million grant

application. So, you know, we need to get those funds spent down. Um, and then we had a Buzzard's Bay National Program grant. It was a small grant for $69,000, but this was for continuing the engineering design on the cold water culverts on Drift Road and Cornell Road.

So, it's been a lot of sending around paperwork and close out reports and but we're just getting ready for the next round hopefully.

Well, I appreciate you following all these things because in the past, Westport has forgotten to do that and paid the price.

So, we really appreciate all the work that you do.

um with the Seapport grant that's a million dollar something. So is that something that you're trying to close out soon or is that what you're applying for for construction?

That's what we've applied for to bring to finalize engineering design permitting and the initial phase of construction. It's probably a the whole thing to rebuild the entire landing and put in all of the um some of the to rework the site the way we would like to because we'd also like to rework the entrance to the site. Uh it's quite steep and there's some visibility issues.

The whole thing together is about a $2 million project. So it it will take probably two iterations of grant funding to get through and a number of years of construction. So um yeah, this would just be for the first initial phase to get the boat, you know, the the things that people would really would like to see improved like the boat launch and um the parking area, get those areas re

reworked and then we'll address some of the the outlying issues at a later date.

This has been a really long-term project. I know Jeff B has been on this for Yeah.

years.

Um the culverts. Um, I know you're working hard on submitting a grant by the 15th, but that one to me is a very exciting prospect because the amount of funds available, I think if we do a decent job of applying, we're going to get the money and that's really important. Um, Yeah, we're going to bundle Kirby Brook in there as well. Um and and through this funding process, we we should be

able to have a little bit more control over the design process. Um there were additions to the Kirby Brook design that the select board wanted to have incorporated that Mass DOT did not want to pay for. Um, and so we're going to build into that these, it's for the aquatic organism passage grant through federal highways. We're going to build those design assumptions into the application so that way we know upfront

whether or not that's a possibility.

Cool. And if we get does the federal government preempt um the state authorities or we still have to design to mass do standards, but we can build things within those standards that they wouldn't necessarily pay for that they wouldn't normally, right?

But wasn't that because you know we were using chapter 90 we were essentially using mass transportation funds to to do that. We're using the funds. We don't have to conform to the standards.

Exactly.

Okay, that's it.

Okay.

Assistant planner is important.

I've got three um construction updates to share with you, but first I'll pass along the full release for Inheritance Lane. um if you don't mind giving that a signature for me and then let me pull up the first report.

This will be for the solar array at 359 division road. Um Derek Melo from S SW and I met on site on June 24th to conduct um the asbuilt review. Derek's report came in um after the packet went out. So, I'm going to actually which I have included a hard copy in your binders. Um, I'll share a little bit about my report and then we'll go into his which include a lot of photos as

well. But in general, the site looks great. Um, the focus was on vegetative growth and the wetlands restoration plus verifying some elements such as the wildlife fence gap and signage. Um, there are some outstanding signage concerns to be addressed. They need to update the signage with contact information. Um but the sign that's posted right on the gate of the array is up to date. Um some of the screening in

the beginning of the array um is exhibi or is exhibiting some deer browsing or just deer kind of nibbling on those arbor vite which they love. Um but the additional species of shrub shrubs that have been planted are still growing. So the screening is already quite effective even with the browsing and it's going to um the plantings are going to be even more full with the years to come. So we

uh Dererick signed off on that. Um the wildlife life gap is present and the site is in good condition clear of debris. Um Dererick's report doesn't recommend the full close out yet. There are a couple minor things to follow up with especially with regards to the asbuilt plan. So Rob Rosine who was present for the site visit um is in the process of addressing those and we look to close out this project likely towards

the end of summer. I will note that um the site has connected and is producing electricity. Um, one of these photographs is the best photograph I've seen so far of pollinator.

The wild flowers look great on site.

Just it's really gorgeous.

What you want?

Yeah. In some areas they actually switched to a mass dot mix which has taken really well.

Other ones show uh a lot of dirt. What is the coverage? How good is the coverage?

No. add some of the dirtier or kind of more dirt heavy sorry um parts of the array. I think Derek is looking for a little bit more vegetative growth before he can give a final sign off. Y

you don't need action from us there?

No, just an update. Yeah.

Do you I was looking at the photographs of um that uh division road solo.

Yeah.

Is is that connected to the the power system?

It is connected. Um, we actually have a couple outstanding items that we need to verify with the fire chief um that were supposed to happen before connection, but yeah, they've they've connected since we were last all checking in in December November.

Mhm.

And no polls.

And no polls. That's true.

Cuz we we that's more one of the more recent ones and we said we want after seeing these we don't want polls.

I know. I I I recall that.

Right. Maybe we should have done this review first. I don't know.

Should have done it when they were here.

Yeah, right.

Somehow Eversource got the message there.

I I don't think it was Ever.

Oh, that that that part of town is No, I No, I I think it was the applicant who changed their application to Eversource not to comply and I think it's number one because so many years have gone by and I mean it it another thing is that you all had quite a few solar developments between 2018 and 2022 or I think 20 2020 when division road came forward. So just learn to make sure

everything was was not assumed in the decisions. Um cuz yeah the one that you all just considered today that was from 2018 was from quite a while ago.

So on a big solar array, I don't know how they get stuff to grow when they plant seed because I've tried to grow clover and you have to keep it moist until It's starting to establish itself, you know, on a big site like that. I don't know how you do it.

So, you okay on Francis?

Oh, um, yeah, we can move to Francis.

Sure. So, MBL was just out there. Tracy was just out there June 22nd. um and she's been out there pretty regularly.

She'll go out there in the next week or two. So, the silt sacks um and the catch basins have been installed. The temporary construction entrance is being maintained, is being utilized. The loaded, sorry, the road has been laid out and has been rough graded. Um basin number one and the pocket wetland basin are being rough graded. Drainage structures have been staked out. Um but no drainage structures or piping have

arrived on site yet. Um, MBIA will be noticed uh, sorry, informed um, prior to drainage infrastructure and she'll be witnessing that installation.

We have pretty frequent contact with um, this subdivision and the HO is still with the town council based on your last edits.

Just an update. We have specifically requested that she's on site very often when they start installing the storm water infrastructure because if you recall one of the things Bob that you had flagged was that there's not a lot of sheet flow in this site. a lot of it is is being piped. And so we want to make sure that the system is going in as designed before lots start getting sold and we we're uncovering issues.

So, is there any more update on the u the visibility triangle at the end of Marmont?

Uh at the end of Marott, somebody was just in um talking about some issue with the neighbor, but I don't have an update on um that site triangle. Uh the Marcott update is just a construction report.

I'll quickly go through it and then we can discuss the site triangle. The roads fully constructed. Pavement is in satisfactory shape. Um gravel and subgrade fill was tested and found to be within the limits specified by the planning board. Sidewalks have been rough graded but not completed.

Um and then there still might be a modification coming in for the sidewalk location. And I recall they wanted to switch it from what I from I believe the right side to the left side. Um the roadway shoulders are stable with considerable slope um on the left side and they have substantial ve vegetation.

Roadway shoulders on the right side are incomplete um because the house lots on that side have not begun construction.

Um this the rock slope from um part of the lots um appears to be well defined and stable. Roadway drainage was installed last fall and it is inoperative. Erosion control and straw bottles remain in place don't appear to be compromised. Um the infil in infiltration basin, excuse me, is fully vegetated and mostly stabilized and the outlet control structure um has a framing grate installed but is not yet

secured. Um rip wrap is also stable and clean. Um the emergency spillway was constructed last fall and also appears to be stable. The fire system was um implement uh sorry input in with approval from the fire department. Um appropriate signage is still in place.

Um Derek does call out that the signage at the end of Marott and I believe this was called out by the planning by Jim I think is that um it doesn't meet the standards. It's kind of small and hard to read.

Um yeah in terms of the site triangle is there something specific you want me to follow up with? I believe that where that last left off is they trimmed some of the overgrown vegetation from the Connies, but not everything. And well, they took the uh the fence down and they took the fence down the right but still I mean there's a boat parked there now and there's um the arbor bed eyes or whatever they are

there or are still blocking most of the sight triangle.

I'll have Derek pay attention to that and see what that, you know, the developer can can do.

Well, the it's part of the conditions of approval of the subdivision, right? And the agreement that we came to with the applicant is that the developer must cut back the vegetation within the site triangle as well as cut back the vegetation that's within the road right of way.

Right.

But the um I believe the boat might be the Conny's boat. They've parked their boat.

Yeah.

Yeah. The boat's on the other property.

Yeah. Okay.

So, looking at the back, I'm sorry to jump back and forth. Looking at Francis Estates again, looking down the roadway and all those school buses parked along the side.

That's going to be nice.

I think there was a for sale sign on that on that property.

My understanding I think is that they were trying to buy that but yeah so on on Marott they've already built a house they've they've built some of the houses I two yes two on the left I think he said on the on one side of the oh sorry houses on the right side of the roadway have not yet begun construction.

I don't know why he didn't include photos.

They're towards the end. There's a couple. You see them in the distance.

Mhm.

And to reiterate, I think the the Marott sign is terrible.

Mhm.

But Okay. Anything else?

That's it from me.

Okay. Next is the minutes from June 12th.

Uh June 16th, I'm sorry.

Yeah.

Um I read the minutes and I thought they were complete and accurate. Move approval of uh the June 16th planning board minutes.

Second.

Okay, I have a a couple of comments um on the planners report part. I don't know what page this is. Um talking about the aquatic organiz organism passage AOP grant. It talks about Old County Road, Drift Road, and Pineh Hill Road. Can we name the streams for the record there?

Also, it's just Cornell Road and Drift Road, not Old County.

No. Okay.

Just Cornell and Drift.

Well, it says Old County Drift and Pine Hill. So, does that have to be corrected?

Yeah, Pine Hill is not one of them involved. It's Cornell Road at Angeline Brook.

And on the next page, uh, for discussion of the Route 6 neighborhood plan, the planner asked the board to focus comments on the draft introduction prepared by Chairman Leighton.

Who's that?

Yeah. I think you're referring to me, right?

Yeah.

Yeah.

Of course.

Whiten. Right. Right.

When did you stop going by?

Well, it's, as you might imagine, the name Whiten has a lot of different spellings, but this is the this is the first Leighton.

So once when we were traveling to uh to Italy on a a group tour back in the 80s and we get to JFK and we're trying to get on Alatalia flight and the the organizer has a list of all the names and he's not calling my name. He's not calling my name. He's got my wife my wife's in the plane. I'm still out there. And and finally I say, you know

who else? And I don't want to say and they'd spelled my name beginning with S instead of W.

They call me a get off the P.

So that was interesting.

All those in favor I I.

That's correct.

and uh other business high school reuse.

I don't have any to discuss with this necessarily. um you had you and Bob had gone to the affordable housing trust within the last month as well as the select board. So I wanted to give you the opportunity to give other board members an overview of what you discussed with both of those groups.

Sure. So Bob and I went before the select board um and discussed uh the possibility of of uh helping to develop an RFP or an RFI uh for housing uh located in the old high school.

uh and there was considerable push back from doing that because they think they're on the the road to a decision by December of what to do and we suggested that doing this would give you other u opportunities to consider as well and it should not delay what they're doing and what we proposed was um that we uh do get get funding to analyze how much water supply is in the existing well in

terms of what that could um support for for uses in the old high school.

And uh two uh if there doesn't seem to be enough to to try to see if we can also hire somebody hydraological engineers to help us find where another location would be. Um and finally, uh they voted 3 to one to support our efforts. the the affordable housing trust has money uh and they believe that they can use it for pre-development um testing.

Y and we Joe and I were on a call with Michael and the Mass Housing Trust to look at getting assistance. So that was on the 7th next Tuesday and we'll be looking for assistance putting together this RFP.

I I thought from reading the account I'm very glad that Select was here to have a conversation with us.

Yeah. because at least according to the written account, you guys were there. He said uh this RFP should include all the properties, not just the high school, right?

And I think that is going to be key to getting a good uh response if the developer knows, oh, I've got four properties or whatever the total is that I can play around with rather than one.

I agree. But I think you have to word the RFP such that you can't just focus on these old buildings, right?

You have to focus on the high school.

And if you get a get some kind of use for the high school where you take the uses that we're using here up there, then these would be Yeah, you got to make sure that that's the that's right.

This only becomes available if there is up there. But it also means that if there's more economic potential in the town hall and the annex and the council on aging than there is in the high school that a developer can use that uh to offset uh disadvantages from the high school.

It it also puts us in a long-term more of a long-term strategy situation for the town and and the town's properties versus let's just solve this problem right here. I mean, this RP could it could be a three to five year window to do all this. Absolutely. But we need it's not overnight, but we can still move forward with some of those short and medium-term things at at the old high school facility, you know, with the

Council on Aging and some of the other things while we work through all this and come up with these, you know, a plan for all of these assets, not just one asset. So, so to be clear, what we're not talking about is just focusing on affordable housing for the high school, right?

We're focused on housing. So, housing could be elderly housing, could be affordable housing, veterans housing, veterans housing, could be all those things. Plus, it could be some advanced recreational uses for the community uh and or municipal offices or other rentable space, which means I think we've got to start thinking about doing uh in anticipation of this, getting ready for next town meeting to

do some either overlay district or spot overlay district to change the usage that can go in that area.

Especially housing density would be Yep. Is that be one of those? And so and I think um the push back was that they really don't want to interfere with what they perceive as a path forward and I don't think this does I think this is I think this is a complimentary complimentary so okay want a motion to adjurnn sure move we adjourn second all those in favor