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All right. Good evening, everyone. Welcome to the Selectboard meeting.

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This meeting of the Selectboard is being held virtually in accordance with Chapter

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2 of the Acts of 2025, an act extending certain COVID-19 measures adopted during

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the state of emergency and signed into law on March 28th, 2025.

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I am Susan May Redinger, Chair of the Selectboard.

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Joining me from the Selectboard this evening, and I'll just make sure you can hear

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us and we can hear you, we have Ahmet Trajciulo.

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Here.

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Thank you. Eve Wittenberg?

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Here.

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Great. Eric Ward?

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Here.

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And Cara Minar.

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Here.

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Thank you. Dawn Dunbar, our Town Administrator.

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And Julie Doucette, our Assistant Town Administrator, and Michelle Stockman, our

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Executive Assistant.

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I am going to let Dawn give people a little understanding of things being put in

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place for this meeting in light of recent events. So Dawn, take it away.

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Thank you. Just real quickly, a couple of our committees, including the public

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forum that we had on Monday about the DPW, we've had some

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uninvited guests to our meetings who have been inappropriate.

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So we may take a little bit of time letting people in from the waiting room this

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evening as we try and monitor this.

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And if something does come up, instead of just suspending everybody's services, we

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are just going to go ahead and close down the meeting and ask that you

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rejoin if we happen to have to do that, just to keep the inappropriateness out of

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this meeting tonight. So, just some of the precautions we're taking.

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Great. Thanks, Dawn. And as a reminder, if you are following along, you can find

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the agenda posted to the town website, with the link in case you need to go get it

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again.

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With that, I will open it up to public communication.

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If you are here to make a statement, we ask that you either raise your digital or

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virtual hand, preferably to come on video, and please keep your comments to

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three minutes. And start by stating your name and address for the record, please.

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If you are here to make comment, if you could

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signal to us that you're here for that.

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Let me give it a minute.

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Are there people still in the waiting room, Julie?

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You still trying to-

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There is-- No, everybody's in.

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Okay. All right, great. I don't see any hands, so we will move on.

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We do offer public communication at the end as well.

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So the first step is to approve the meeting minutes of Sep-- Sorry.

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Yep, September 10th and September 22nd.

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Did any members have any corrections or edits to the minutes?

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Nope.

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All right. Then, if there are no objections, I'll consider the minutes of September

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10th and September 22nd approved as presented. Thank you.

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All right, next, I officially welcome Michael Sweeney, who's the Vice President of

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Operations of MassDevelopment, and his, Eric, I don't know your title, but I'm sure

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you can let us know. But Eric Hokanson from MassDevelopment as well, and they are

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here to cover a presentation for us about the current state of Vicksburg

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Square and what's happening with the redevelopment of that.

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So, Michael, do you want to introduce?

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Yes. Thank you so much. As you mentioned, Eric Hokanson is joining us tonight.

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He is a Senior Vice President here at MassDevelopment.

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He works within the real estate division of MassDevelopment,

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and has been directly involved for some time now with real estate matters across

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the Commonwealth, but also more, in particular, with Devens itself.

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The Vicksburg Assessment Study, which had recently been completed and we've been

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sharing within the community and immediate community surrounding Devens,

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in part grew out of the housing working group, in order to examine certain

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matters related to Devens and the potential for additional growth, specifically

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also housing. MassDevelopment did initiate that assessment, and

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Eric's going to walk us through that and answer any questions that we can answer

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for you tonight. So Eric, I'll turn it over, and feel free, obviously, to add to

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that preamble as you wish.

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Thanks, Michael. Madam Chair, members of the board.

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I do have a presentation if it would be all right to share my screen.

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I've just submitted the request to do so.

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It definitely benefits from the visuals. Assuming everybody can see my screen?

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Yes.

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Yes, thank you.

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All right. So again, Eric Hokanson, Senior Vice President of Real Estate for

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MassDevelopment. Just going to walk through the origins of the study, which Michael

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alluded to, a summary of the key findings, and then our near-term steps.

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Happy to answer any questions at the end.

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But just to give a brief orientation of the area, I think most people are familiar

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with Devens, and probably Vicksburg Square, which you can see here on the map is

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the white area in the middle, around Rogers Field.

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Vicksburg Square is just north of that.

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And then the larger Innovation Technology Center zoning district is the rest of

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that red area, around Rogers Field.

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It's about 90 acres, 20 of which include Vicksburg Square, and it's

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zoned for office incubator, light industrial, R&D type uses.

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But prohibitive uses include residential, hotel, and retail.

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As I mentioned, Vicksburg Square constitutes about 20 acres of that 90.

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It's probably what most people think about when they're talking about the

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Innovation Technology Center zoning district.

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Welcome back, everyone. This is a continuation of the Selectboard meeting of

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October 6th. So, let's see. I've lost my presenters, though.

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So hopefully they'll be back.

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Do you want to knock out some other stuff, like the Loyal Foe Brewing or something,

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maybe?

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Sure.

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We are amending the liquor license with the Loyal Foe Brewing from the wonderful

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storm weekend to new date of October 25th, 2026.

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So moved.

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Thank you. Is there a second?

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Second.

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Great. I'll do it by roll call vote. Ahmet?

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Aye.

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Eve?

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Aye.

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Eric?

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Aye.

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Cara?

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Aye.

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And I'm an aye. All right.

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Thank you. I'm going to not do anything else because everything else is fairly

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involved.

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What about all board schedule?

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You'd rather have people know when it is, so if they're--

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I suppose they'll be watching the video, but

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we could do that. I think we were going to propose November 5th, the

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Thursday. Ahmet, I know you're out of town that week, but if you are gracious

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enough to let that go forward without you being there,

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that seemed to be a date that might work.

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I am very much okay with that.

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Okay. Does that date work, Cara, for you?

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I am actually traveling that day.

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Okay.

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But that's okay. I'll watch them.

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The other option was the day before it, Wednesday night.

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That tends to be a little more loaded up with meetings.

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So why don't we-

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And so that-

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We'll see Eric and we'll come back. Yeah?

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If I may chime in.

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Yeah.

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Another date suggested last time was 10/9, the Monday.

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And you had a good question about it, whether or not we have any school committee

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meeting the Monday.

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You don't mean 10/9, you mean-

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He means November.

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Yeah.

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Yep.

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11/9.

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Okay.

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Those months, yeah.

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Why don't we come back to it then, since we have Mr. Sweeney and Mr. Hokanson here.

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I don't want to use up their time for our scheduling. So, welcome back, gentlemen.

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Sorry for that.

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No problem. But if you

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can't keep John Osborn under control, we're going to have to leave.

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I'm going to tell you that right now.

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We'll talk to him about that. Thank you.

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All right, Eric, you were sharing.

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Do you still have permission to share, or do you need it again? You're good to go?

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I still have it. Thank you.

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All right. If you want to take up where you left off, that would be great.

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Yep.

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Thank you again. Just a quick little refresher.

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The Innovation and Technology Center zoning district is there in the pink around

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Rogers Field, the white area right in the middle of the map, it's about 90 acres.

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Allowed uses, office, incubator, light industrial R&D, but not allowed uses

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include residential, hotel, and retail.

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Vicksburg Square, which is within the Innovation and Technology Center zoning

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district, constitutes about 20 of the 90 acres within that zoning district.

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There's seven buildings, four of which form the Vicksburg Square quadrangle.

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And these four buildings were the subject of the study, Allen, Knox, Revere, and

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Hale Halls. They're all Georgian revival structures constructed in the late

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1920s through the 1930s and contributing resources to the historic district within

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which they all sit.

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Public access to these buildings is restricted, given security concerns, that we do

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use the inner quadrangle for parking.

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The buildings themselves, just to try to orient people given their various

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conditions. Allen Hall, which is the one highlighted here, is the largest of the

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four halls at more than 113,000 square feet, was originally built in 1929 as

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regiment barracks for 399 soldiers.

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It sits above Antietam Street, which is just behind it in the rear, and

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you can see Burbeck Field in the background of it, which is at a slightly lower

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elevation. The building was mothballed in the mid-1990s when the base closed.

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Knox Hall is the smallest of the four halls, highlighted here, 72,000 square feet.

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It was constructed in 1929 as the second Contilmin Hospital and was also mothballed

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in the mid-1990s.

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Revere Hall, which fronts Rogers Field and is the one you see in most photos taken

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of the athletic events occurring on Rogers Field, totals just over

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111,000 square feet. It was originally built in 1929 as well

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as housing for 250 soldiers. Also, the most recently used structure, having been

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offices for Mass Development and a few others until 2005.

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It was mothballed in 2006.

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Hale Hall, it's the newest of the four halls, at a youthful 86 years old, having

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been finished in 1940. And was supposed to be housing for up to 500 soldiers.

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It's also been closed since the mid-1990s.

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The building conditions assessments also included four other structures within the

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zoning district. Three are the BOQs, the bachelor officer quarters,

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which are-- There's a collection of three two-story apartment-style buildings

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at the top of the hill. They range in size from about 10,000 to 17,000 square feet.

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And then just down the hill in the direction of Vicksburg Square is Washington

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Hall. It's a slightly older building.

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It's three stories, dormitory-style residential building, so it has shared

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bathrooms and kitchenettes between twin rooms.

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That one was built in in 1955.

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And it covers about 24,000 square feet of floor area.

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But the site itself is about four and a half acres.

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As many of you are familiar with, this work grew out of the Devins Housing Working

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Group, which was convened in 2025, to consider ways to encourage new housing

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development, including the potential rezoning of the ITC.

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Not so much a rezoning, as much as just allowing residential uses within that

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zoning district. And that was something that was unanimously recommended by the

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housing working group. And the housing working group also said it would be really

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helpful to have an understanding of what the building conditions were.

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The most recent reports that we have on Vicksburg Square were done in 2017, and not

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reflective of existing conditions, and certainly not reliable cost estimates

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for any sort of work that would be necessary for them.

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There were a couple of other studies that were also recommended, some of which are

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ongoing, including the school needs assessment.

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The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities provided funding through a

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grant for some of this work, which is being administered by the town of Ayer.

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For the study itself, we engaged a consultant team led by Icon Architecture,

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who completed the previously mentioned 2017 study, and they engaged LIM

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Consultants, Fuss and O'Neill, and Maya Kota Consulting, just to go over each part

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of the scope of work. And that include an assessment of the structural systems and

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stability, looking at the exterior envelopes of each building, hazardous material

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testing, and also the potential demolition of each structure.

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This wasn't a study about adaptive reuse or renovation.

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It didn't get into any mechanical, electrical, plumbing systems.

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It didn't address accessibility, historic preservation, fire protection, anything

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else that would be necessary for the actual reuse of the building.

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In this case, stabilization really only means making the building structurally

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sound and securing the building envelope.

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There is a little bit more detail on the slide, but the report, as soon as it is

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finalized, will also be available.

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The study's key findings determined that the total estimated abatement and

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stabilization cost is approximately $44 million.

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About $9.5 million of that is for the abatement of asbestos and the PCBs that we

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presume are in the building. And Allen Hall, which I referenced, was the oldest of

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the structures, accounts for 40% of the total cost.

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And that building is in imminent danger of further deterioration that will

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dramatically increase the cost to address those building conditions.

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Revere and Knox Hall are in slightly better condition, both in similar states, but

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with advanced levels of deterioration.

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Hale Hall, which is the fourth building of the quadrangle, is in the best condition

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of the four,

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and the most structurally sound.

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For the Sherman Avenue buildings, those are all generally stable, but requires

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meaningful investment. This is a picture of the unbraced chimney at Washington

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Hall, just as an example of what that type of work would entail.

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Here are a few pictures of the conditions in Vicksburg Square, just to show people

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what it's like inside the buildings.

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From the top left, going clockwise, there's the deteriorated concrete beams and

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00:16:51,990 --> 00:16:57,600
slabs at Knox. Just to the right of that is the failing frame at the porches in

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00:16:57,661 --> 00:17:03,240
Revere. Below that, the deteriorated roof joists in Hale, and then on the bottom

246
00:17:03,301 --> 00:17:06,570
left is the deteriorated beams and exposed slabs in Allen.

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Sherman Avenue, which not terrific, but markedly better than Vicksburg Square, as

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you can see. Top left, the wooden trusses in the BOQs, which are generally in good

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condition. There's a

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00:17:26,760 --> 00:17:32,070
photo of a typical condition of the pipe trench that circulates the BOQs.

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00:17:33,121 --> 00:17:38,220
Below that, the bottom right is the roof of Washington Hall, which is well beyond

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00:17:38,250 --> 00:17:39,060
its useful life.

253
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And then to the left there is the exterior wall system at Washington Hall, which is

254
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about a four-and-a-half-inch deep gap in the building

255
00:17:51,301 --> 00:17:51,840
foundation.

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00:17:56,250 --> 00:18:01,260
This is a summary of the cost for abatement, demolition, and stabilization.

257
00:18:01,680 --> 00:18:06,150
I don't need to go through cell by cell, but happy to answer questions on any of

258
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the amounts.

259
00:18:08,700 --> 00:18:13,710
But just want to be clear, because abatement will be required no matter what

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00:18:13,770 --> 00:18:17,490
happens to the buildings, whether they get reused, whether they get demolished,

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00:18:18,090 --> 00:18:18,270
that

262
00:18:20,790 --> 00:18:25,080
amount has to be spent. So we have included that in the demolition and

263
00:18:25,140 --> 00:18:30,420
stabilization figures, just so it's not people thinking it's actually 10 million

264
00:18:30,510 --> 00:18:34,740
more than what the bottom is. That nine and a half million is already included in

265
00:18:34,770 --> 00:18:35,850
that bottom line number

266
00:18:40,725 --> 00:18:44,685
So earlier I mentioned that there's the potential for a significant increase in the

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00:18:44,746 --> 00:18:50,475
escalation of these costs, and I think it's helpful to illustrate just how much

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00:18:50,625 --> 00:18:53,595
it's already escalated since 2017.

269
00:18:54,525 --> 00:18:59,236
So you'll see the numbers for the 2026 stabilization are less than what I showed on

270
00:18:59,265 --> 00:19:04,426
the previous one. We just wanted to make sure we had apples to apples comparison

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because 2017 didn't look at abatement.

272
00:19:07,875 --> 00:19:12,225
So we have these numbers just out, which are comparing the actual stabilization

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00:19:12,285 --> 00:19:16,185
costs. So again, today abatement would be on top of that.

274
00:19:17,055 --> 00:19:22,246
But going through the conditions just for comparison, Allen Hall in

275
00:19:22,395 --> 00:19:24,704
2017 was characterized as mostly fair.

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00:19:24,914 --> 00:19:30,015
Structural members were in good or fair condition across all the structures, and

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00:19:30,105 --> 00:19:35,805
the total cost of stabilization was just below $9 million, and that's

278
00:19:35,835 --> 00:19:41,055
opposed to $31.3 million today. And that's not just inflation, but again, a

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00:19:41,115 --> 00:19:44,655
significant deterioration of all of the building conditions.

280
00:19:45,405 --> 00:19:49,695
And we expect that three and a half percent times increase to only increase

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00:19:49,996 --> 00:19:50,355
further.

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00:19:55,395 --> 00:19:59,986
In terms of next steps, mass development is continuing to restrict public access to

283
00:20:00,015 --> 00:20:04,815
these structures, and that includes securing and monitoring them to mitigate risk

284
00:20:04,845 --> 00:20:06,945
to the public, first responders, and others.

285
00:20:08,295 --> 00:20:10,095
We're working to finalize the report.

286
00:20:10,275 --> 00:20:15,435
We asked the consultants to take a fresher look at the demolition costs

287
00:20:16,185 --> 00:20:18,736
based upon some recent comparable projects.

288
00:20:18,765 --> 00:20:23,715
We expect the numbers for demolition to be a little bit higher, not significantly,

289
00:20:23,775 --> 00:20:27,915
but just wanted to make sure we had the best estimates, and early indications are

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00:20:27,945 --> 00:20:33,705
that those will be a little bit more than what we had when we developed this

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00:20:33,765 --> 00:20:36,165
report or this presentation for it.

292
00:20:38,025 --> 00:20:42,676
In the meantime, we're working to identify funding sources for abatement and other

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00:20:42,736 --> 00:20:45,855
safety measures, anything we can do to reduce future costs.

294
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At the same time, happy to answer questions from the town, other residents and

295
00:20:53,025 --> 00:20:58,095
stakeholders, questions about the building conditions, priorities for their future,

296
00:20:58,426 --> 00:20:59,145
or concerns.

297
00:21:00,195 --> 00:21:01,246
Great. Thank you, Eric.

298
00:21:03,585 --> 00:21:09,315
If you could stop, then I can see raised hands, and maybe we return to members

299
00:21:09,465 --> 00:21:13,095
or other that do. I'll open it up to members.

300
00:21:13,155 --> 00:21:15,765
Questions for Eric on the presentation?

301
00:21:18,435 --> 00:21:19,125
Yeah, Cara.

302
00:21:19,905 --> 00:21:22,965
Hi. Thanks very much. That was very interesting to see that.

303
00:21:23,265 --> 00:21:24,345
Really appreciate that.

304
00:21:26,565 --> 00:21:31,215
Half my family was inducted through Devin's, and I'm a big fan of historic

305
00:21:31,246 --> 00:21:35,865
preservation generally. But may I ask, I know you mentioned demolition, and I know

306
00:21:35,926 --> 00:21:40,905
that's in a historic area, but given the cost and the state of the buildings,

307
00:21:41,955 --> 00:21:42,075
is

308
00:21:44,775 --> 00:21:46,725
it not permitted at all to consider

309
00:21:48,105 --> 00:21:53,385
maybe reconstructing these in a very similar fashion,

310
00:21:53,955 --> 00:21:58,665
but not trying to rehabilitate these buildings given the state they're in?

311
00:22:00,585 --> 00:22:06,135
Yeah. It's a great question. Don't have the direct connection like you do to Fort

312
00:22:06,195 --> 00:22:11,955
Devens, but great appreciation for the historic structures, and would love to

313
00:22:13,065 --> 00:22:15,975
see them preserved or honored in some way.

314
00:22:16,035 --> 00:22:19,815
I think there are a lot of different options for what that could look like.

315
00:22:21,765 --> 00:22:26,295
And it's something that would have to be done in consultation with the deck state

316
00:22:26,355 --> 00:22:30,915
historic preservation officer. There is a programmatic plan for anything that

317
00:22:30,945 --> 00:22:35,415
happens to it, and by anything, I mean any changes to the façade of these buildings

318
00:22:36,135 --> 00:22:38,055
would have to go through that process.

319
00:22:38,115 --> 00:22:43,965
So it's a great suggestion of what could potentially be a way

320
00:22:44,055 --> 00:22:44,565
towards

321
00:22:45,945 --> 00:22:51,765
the redevelopment of a building or all of them while still retaining some of

322
00:22:51,825 --> 00:22:55,905
that historic character. It's definitely one of the options, but again, not

323
00:22:55,965 --> 00:23:00,345
something that we got into much detail here through this report, which was really

324
00:23:00,405 --> 00:23:06,135
about what will it take to abate the buildings and then, depending on the

325
00:23:06,165 --> 00:23:11,355
pathway that's chosen, stabilize it for that future use or demolish it.

326
00:23:11,415 --> 00:23:15,975
And depending on the pathway that gets chosen, I think we could break that down

327
00:23:16,035 --> 00:23:21,405
into further alternatives to determine what will work

328
00:23:21,945 --> 00:23:27,195
because at the end of the day, there's also going to be necessary funding for a

329
00:23:27,225 --> 00:23:29,145
potential redevelopment or preservation.

330
00:23:29,265 --> 00:23:33,645
So I think that's all parts of the formula that we're still working to put

331
00:23:33,676 --> 00:23:37,965
together. This is just one key component of that.

332
00:23:38,986 --> 00:23:44,085
And when you said the demolition was more, did you mean more than the $44 million

333
00:23:44,205 --> 00:23:44,986
outline or-

334
00:23:45,315 --> 00:23:47,325
Yeah. Thanks for the opportunity to clarify.

335
00:23:48,496 --> 00:23:52,996
I believe the number we have for demolition of all the buildings is $31 million,

336
00:23:53,236 --> 00:23:58,785
roughly. I think it'll be a little bit more than the $31 million, closer to 33.

337
00:23:59,325 --> 00:24:00,795
Don't hold me to that number.

338
00:24:01,305 --> 00:24:01,486
Okay.

339
00:24:01,515 --> 00:24:05,505
But it's just the consultants need to do a little bit more addition, so.

340
00:24:06,435 --> 00:24:11,475
Okay. And lastly, have you gone any further with you had considered demolition at

341
00:24:11,685 --> 00:24:12,195
33,

342
00:24:14,025 --> 00:24:19,246
even if you kept the façades and built alternative structures behind it, like any

343
00:24:19,486 --> 00:24:20,595
ballpark ideas?

344
00:24:21,525 --> 00:24:26,835
Again, didn't get into that. And I think the other thing to clarify is also it's

345
00:24:26,895 --> 00:24:31,815
not necessarily all or nothing in terms of demolition or preservation.

346
00:24:32,145 --> 00:24:37,845
There is, I think, futures where some are preserved and

347
00:24:38,265 --> 00:24:43,605
some aren't demolished, and maybe there's that façade that gets retained or rebuilt

348
00:24:43,665 --> 00:24:48,465
in a similar way. So I think there's still a lot that, and all of that will play

349
00:24:48,525 --> 00:24:52,575
then into the funding that's available, what's feasible.

350
00:24:52,905 --> 00:24:57,736
So our tax credits, there's a lot to get added into the formula.

351
00:24:58,575 --> 00:24:59,205
Great. Thank you.

352
00:24:59,595 --> 00:25:00,705
Thanks, Cara. Ahmet?

353
00:25:02,834 --> 00:25:04,965
Eric, thanks for the presentation.

354
00:25:06,404 --> 00:25:11,895
Just maybe two questions. One is, we talk about depends on the decision,

355
00:25:12,345 --> 00:25:17,445
demolish or to stabilize. Whose decision exactly it's going to be?

356
00:25:21,075 --> 00:25:26,805
That's a great question. I think it's something that we want to

357
00:25:26,895 --> 00:25:30,555
hear from the community about priorities.

358
00:25:31,305 --> 00:25:32,805
I think it's also something where

359
00:25:35,415 --> 00:25:39,555
what's feasible needs to be factored into it with the potential

360
00:25:41,655 --> 00:25:44,625
change in zoning that could allow residential uses.

361
00:25:44,866 --> 00:25:50,715
I think that's something that broadening the realm of the possible gives us more

362
00:25:50,805 --> 00:25:56,295
options. But I think it's something that whatever happens to these buildings, it

363
00:25:56,355 --> 00:25:56,955
will also

364
00:25:58,215 --> 00:26:01,665
come down to what funding is available for what use.

365
00:26:03,585 --> 00:26:06,105
Okay. Thank you. And if I may, you kind of

366
00:26:08,385 --> 00:26:11,655
somewhat, I think, addressed my second question,

367
00:26:12,976 --> 00:26:18,645
which was, what if zoning does not pass the super town meeting?

368
00:26:19,575 --> 00:26:25,395
Then I think that what I'm hearing, I'll paraphrase you, please correct me, that if

369
00:26:25,455 --> 00:26:29,385
zoning doesn't pass, you still need to do something.

370
00:26:29,505 --> 00:26:31,455
This is number one, regardless of that.

371
00:26:32,085 --> 00:26:37,845
But I understand if zoning doesn't pass, then you have narrower options to pick

372
00:26:37,905 --> 00:26:42,885
from. And does it also mean that you will have

373
00:26:44,926 --> 00:26:49,305
less option for funding to be available?

374
00:26:49,995 --> 00:26:55,665
Will zoning change residential will make more funding available?

375
00:26:55,696 --> 00:27:00,465
Because I'm not anticipating this is going to come to us as taxpayers.

376
00:27:00,736 --> 00:27:03,885
This is going to be funded without coming to us.

377
00:27:04,605 --> 00:27:06,765
We're not going to pay for it.

378
00:27:09,825 --> 00:27:11,625
I feel like there were a couple of questions in there.

379
00:27:11,685 --> 00:27:13,905
I'll try to get all of them as best I can.

380
00:27:14,685 --> 00:27:15,345
I can take a couple.

381
00:27:15,555 --> 00:27:16,366
Let me know if I-

382
00:27:16,545 --> 00:27:18,255
He's Turkish. He does that sometimes.

383
00:27:19,755 --> 00:27:19,995
So

384
00:27:21,405 --> 00:27:26,926
I think the work that we're trying to identify funding right now

385
00:27:27,015 --> 00:27:31,605
for abatement and certain stabilization measures that we can take

386
00:27:32,607 --> 00:27:37,737
Because no matter what happens at the Super Town meeting, that work needs to get

387
00:27:37,828 --> 00:27:40,557
done because if something happens to one of the buildings,

388
00:27:41,817 --> 00:27:46,257
it becomes a solid waste disposal, which is just going to be so much more expensive

389
00:27:46,347 --> 00:27:46,647
than

390
00:27:48,147 --> 00:27:53,427
going through now and segmenting those hazardous materials from the non-hazardous

391
00:27:53,487 --> 00:27:54,417
building materials. So

392
00:27:55,737 --> 00:27:57,717
that's something we want to do now, and then obviously,

393
00:27:59,367 --> 00:28:03,627
measures that we can take now to reduce those increases in costs, safety measures,

394
00:28:03,717 --> 00:28:07,438
all that sort of thing, I think is something we're looking for funding and

395
00:28:07,497 --> 00:28:12,357
pursuing, again, before we even get to Super Town Meeting and regardless of what

396
00:28:12,417 --> 00:28:13,828
happens with Super Town Meeting.

397
00:28:15,987 --> 00:28:21,597
In terms of funding for different uses depending on Super Town Meeting,

398
00:28:22,707 --> 00:28:23,188
I think

399
00:28:24,477 --> 00:28:29,097
there's, again, a lot of different factors that would be considered.

400
00:28:31,438 --> 00:28:36,057
We at Mass Development, we've had these properties on the market for their allowed

401
00:28:36,147 --> 00:28:42,057
uses for quite some time, and we get very few inquiries for the allowed

402
00:28:42,147 --> 00:28:42,537
uses.

403
00:28:44,427 --> 00:28:50,188
The inquiries we receive are for residential uses, which, again, are not currently

404
00:28:50,247 --> 00:28:50,697
allowed.

405
00:28:52,138 --> 00:28:53,667
That said, is there

406
00:28:55,287 --> 00:28:58,947
historic preservation tax credits for non-residential uses?

407
00:28:59,307 --> 00:29:02,487
I'd have to look into that to be sure. There's certainly grant funding.

408
00:29:04,078 --> 00:29:08,007
And then if anybody knows anybody, it's a billionaire that really loves these

409
00:29:08,037 --> 00:29:13,557
buildings and would like to invest a bit in them, that's certainly an option, too.

410
00:29:14,337 --> 00:29:16,797
I don't know any of those people, though, unfortunately.

411
00:29:17,727 --> 00:29:19,438
So I think it's something where

412
00:29:21,927 --> 00:29:25,888
what's feasible will really dictate what happens to the buildings.

413
00:29:25,977 --> 00:29:31,768
And I think, again, narrowing that realm or list of options

414
00:29:32,217 --> 00:29:36,357
just makes it more of a challenge. Again, we're not saying that there won't be any

415
00:29:36,388 --> 00:29:40,347
commercial uses here because that would still be an allowed use under what would be

416
00:29:40,377 --> 00:29:44,667
proposed at Super Town Meeting. So that's still a possible future outcome.

417
00:29:45,867 --> 00:29:48,597
Again, I think we're just trying to open up the options.

418
00:29:49,317 --> 00:29:49,857
And just to-

419
00:29:50,817 --> 00:29:51,388
Yeah, thanks.

420
00:29:52,047 --> 00:29:56,277
I was going to say, just two quick points to dovetail off what Eric was talking

421
00:29:56,367 --> 00:30:02,247
about. I think it's important to note that Senator Eldridge and Senator Cronin

422
00:30:02,607 --> 00:30:03,567
and Rep Siena

423
00:30:04,828 --> 00:30:10,287
have all been good champions for trying to assist us in finding

424
00:30:11,097 --> 00:30:12,987
funding, at least from the state level.

425
00:30:14,097 --> 00:30:17,877
And I know they are actively working on that matter.

426
00:30:18,658 --> 00:30:24,027
And just from my own perspective, if I remember correctly, Eric, and correct me if

427
00:30:24,117 --> 00:30:27,447
I'm wrong, but I think it's Allen Hall that's in the worst condition.

428
00:30:31,078 --> 00:30:31,857
Yes. Yep.

429
00:30:32,427 --> 00:30:37,078
It's one of the larger buildings, and it's in extremely poor structural conditions.

430
00:30:37,138 --> 00:30:37,287
And,

431
00:30:38,667 --> 00:30:44,607
I'm concerned about it from a public safety perspective, both for just your

432
00:30:44,666 --> 00:30:50,638
everyday citizens, but particularly for all of our emergency personnel, not just

433
00:30:50,697 --> 00:30:55,617
in Devens, but in the surrounding communities that might respond to a problem

434
00:30:55,677 --> 00:30:56,067
there.

435
00:30:57,537 --> 00:31:02,457
So I know internally at Devens or internally in Mass Development, one of the things

436
00:31:02,487 --> 00:31:04,527
that I've been trying to push is if we get

437
00:31:05,877 --> 00:31:11,067
the appropriate level of funding, that we try to be aggressive about abating that

438
00:31:11,188 --> 00:31:16,527
one. Because as Eric mentioned, if there were to be any type of collapse, a partial

439
00:31:16,587 --> 00:31:21,777
collapse, the cost of further cleanup would literally go through the roof and be

440
00:31:21,867 --> 00:31:25,227
five times at least higher for that one building.

441
00:31:26,127 --> 00:31:30,117
But also, in my opinion, again, just that particular building presents a

442
00:31:30,177 --> 00:31:34,617
significant public safety hazard that needs to get addressed sooner rather than

443
00:31:34,677 --> 00:31:40,647
later. But there are no easy solutions currently, regardless of the zoning status.

444
00:31:41,938 --> 00:31:47,067
It's going to take a lot of money. And then there's also what is normally an

445
00:31:47,217 --> 00:31:48,207
illegally--

446
00:31:49,408 --> 00:31:50,667
Actually, I can't say that tonight.

447
00:31:51,027 --> 00:31:56,787
A long period of time to go through concerning the historical

448
00:31:56,877 --> 00:32:02,037
process, right? And getting the authority to demolish it if we end up going down

449
00:32:02,097 --> 00:32:05,037
that road. And what goes along

450
00:32:07,078 --> 00:32:12,987
with that type of undertaking, including documenting and taking pictures and

451
00:32:13,018 --> 00:32:17,397
things of that nature to document the historic aspects of the property potentially.

452
00:32:17,487 --> 00:32:17,697
So

453
00:32:20,007 --> 00:32:22,557
I'll leave it at that. I see Dawn has a question, too, Chair.

454
00:32:23,067 --> 00:32:25,587
Thanks, Michael. Yeah. Dawn, do you want to jump in?

455
00:32:25,947 --> 00:32:31,497
Yeah, so just for clarification, there's two buildings that are worse off than

456
00:32:32,607 --> 00:32:36,717
the other two right now. If you were to get $10 million today for the abatement of

457
00:32:36,747 --> 00:32:42,417
these buildings, would it be safe to go in and abate those buildings that are not

458
00:32:42,507 --> 00:32:44,277
structurally sound, like Allen?

459
00:32:46,917 --> 00:32:48,627
Would you have to look at

460
00:32:49,917 --> 00:32:54,807
stabilizing those buildings to some point in order to be able to go in and do the

461
00:32:54,897 --> 00:33:00,388
abatement? Because you talk about a safety issue should first responders need to

462
00:33:00,447 --> 00:33:05,877
run in there, but I think you have a safety issue also for any contractor that's

463
00:33:05,908 --> 00:33:07,947
going in and performing the abatement work.

464
00:33:08,037 --> 00:33:12,957
So it almost seems like with a couple of those halls that you

465
00:33:13,828 --> 00:33:17,877
wouldn't be able to go in and abate them without stabilizing them at the same time.

466
00:33:17,967 --> 00:33:20,217
So I'm just trying to understand that.

467
00:33:20,667 --> 00:33:24,357
I think that's an excellent point, Dawn, and you really hit upon it.

468
00:33:25,018 --> 00:33:29,578
I think, again, particularly with Allen Hall, that type of assessment would have to

469
00:33:29,638 --> 00:33:34,138
be done with structural engineers and with an appropriate abatement company.

470
00:33:35,367 --> 00:33:39,837
Sometimes in situations like that, what I'm hoping is that there may just be

471
00:33:39,897 --> 00:33:45,688
particular areas that need a certain level of stabilization that would not

472
00:33:45,777 --> 00:33:50,817
match full stabilization if you were trying to do long-term stabilization of a

473
00:33:50,877 --> 00:33:51,567
building, right?

474
00:33:52,888 --> 00:33:58,136
But obviously, you would have to get to the point where they could safely enter and

475
00:33:58,226 --> 00:34:00,688
safely do the type of work that they need to do.

476
00:34:02,097 --> 00:34:06,987
And hopefully, it's some level of stability that could be done

477
00:34:07,947 --> 00:34:11,877
without the full cost if you were just trying to preserve the entire building.

478
00:34:12,658 --> 00:34:17,007
But you're absolutely right. We won't know that with better clarity

479
00:34:18,087 --> 00:34:23,457
until we actually go down those roads and have people in the building to do that

480
00:34:23,487 --> 00:34:25,257
assessment prior to the work beginning.

481
00:34:26,757 --> 00:34:27,207
Thank you.

482
00:34:27,777 --> 00:34:28,467
You're welcome.

483
00:34:30,868 --> 00:34:35,007
Actually, I'm going to jump on top of that and follow it up with a question.

484
00:34:35,097 --> 00:34:35,967
So, I

485
00:34:39,057 --> 00:34:43,498
think it's fair to say this happened on Mass Development's watch, these buildings

486
00:34:43,587 --> 00:34:48,597
going and deteriorating further, and there's an associated rise in cost to making

487
00:34:48,627 --> 00:34:49,377
them whole.

488
00:34:50,578 --> 00:34:54,957
So I've got two questions. One is, could you not move forward?

489
00:34:55,138 --> 00:34:55,317
I mean,

490
00:34:57,268 --> 00:35:01,527
is the only reason that you are looking for the Super Town meeting zoning change is

491
00:35:01,557 --> 00:35:06,837
because you feel that, A, you're not going to have enough funding to do the work on

492
00:35:06,867 --> 00:35:09,687
the buildings without it, like housing is the only way?

493
00:35:09,777 --> 00:35:15,177
And then if it is housing, the presentation that came

494
00:35:15,237 --> 00:35:20,547
before Harvard before had them all be affordable rental units, which was not what

495
00:35:20,577 --> 00:35:23,757
was desired by the communities surrounding it.

496
00:35:24,687 --> 00:35:28,917
And that seems to be the way to drive the most money towards these projects.

497
00:35:28,977 --> 00:35:34,467
I think that's what is now in place with the recently approved RFP for Adam Circle.

498
00:35:35,847 --> 00:35:40,768
So, how would you address concerns or at least the assumption that

499
00:35:41,937 --> 00:35:47,307
this is an unfortunate condition that Mass Development bears some

500
00:35:47,337 --> 00:35:48,357
responsibility for?

501
00:35:53,787 --> 00:35:56,757
I was waiting to see how fast Eric was going to jump in on that one.

502
00:35:57,207 --> 00:35:58,827
I'm sure Eric doesn't want to touch that one.

503
00:35:59,217 --> 00:36:00,748
I'm happy to support you, Michael.

504
00:36:01,857 --> 00:36:05,157
I mean, I primarily do blame Eric for this, just to be clear.

505
00:36:06,597 --> 00:36:08,877
But you're absolutely right, Susan, Mary.

506
00:36:08,967 --> 00:36:13,887
I mean, Mass Development, as I've stated in another public meeting, is clearly the

507
00:36:13,977 --> 00:36:16,617
owners and steward of these properties.

508
00:36:18,387 --> 00:36:23,397
And I can't speak to what came prior or didn't come prior

509
00:36:24,537 --> 00:36:30,117
to myself or to Eric. But I know it's something that's trying to be tackled

510
00:36:30,177 --> 00:36:33,477
now. And Eric knows the dynamics better than I do.

511
00:36:33,507 --> 00:36:35,217
But Eric, correct me if I'm wrong,

512
00:36:36,687 --> 00:36:42,268
this property itself is located within a larger section, a

513
00:36:42,327 --> 00:36:43,437
larger area that-

514
00:36:44,781 --> 00:36:47,451
Potentially, we're asking for rezoning on, right?

515
00:36:48,261 --> 00:36:48,771
Correct.

516
00:36:49,071 --> 00:36:54,861
The rezoning request, is it fair to say, is not just driven by

517
00:36:56,841 --> 00:36:59,391
the potential outcomes for Vicksburg Square?

518
00:36:59,481 --> 00:37:00,111
Understood.

519
00:37:00,711 --> 00:37:02,841
It's a larger land mass in general.

520
00:37:05,451 --> 00:37:10,281
Yeah. Vicksburg Square is about 20 acres out of the 90 acres within the zoning

521
00:37:10,311 --> 00:37:11,151
district, so

522
00:37:12,411 --> 00:37:13,431
about a quarter of it.

523
00:37:14,601 --> 00:37:15,172
Could I follow up?

524
00:37:15,201 --> 00:37:19,251
But you don't need it zoned housing in order to move forward with stabilization and

525
00:37:19,311 --> 00:37:24,981
abatement, do you? You can start working on the buildings before having it

526
00:37:25,041 --> 00:37:25,401
zoned.

527
00:37:26,571 --> 00:37:29,361
That is correct. What we need is the money.

528
00:37:30,172 --> 00:37:30,231
That's what I-

529
00:37:30,231 --> 00:37:32,181
If I were to identify one thing,

530
00:37:33,470 --> 00:37:37,251
it would be the funding that Eric alluded to within the presentation.

531
00:37:37,341 --> 00:37:42,651
So at least some significant number, in order to do

532
00:37:43,552 --> 00:37:45,381
some level of meaningful work.

533
00:37:46,011 --> 00:37:46,192
Okay.

534
00:37:46,731 --> 00:37:50,181
And so I'm just going to throw something out there, right off the top of my head.

535
00:37:51,771 --> 00:37:56,121
If we knew that we were going to get $20 million, then I think the mass development

536
00:37:56,211 --> 00:38:01,101
team would try to make the best assessment of how to spend that $20 million,

537
00:38:02,692 --> 00:38:06,651
given the current conditions of each building and how to best spend it.

538
00:38:07,491 --> 00:38:12,141
We would not be waiting for any type of vote or

539
00:38:13,401 --> 00:38:16,192
anything else. We would continue to move the project forward.

540
00:38:16,851 --> 00:38:18,381
Okay. Understood. Thank you.

541
00:38:18,981 --> 00:38:19,251
You're welcome.

542
00:38:19,641 --> 00:38:21,531
Could I follow up on Susan Mary's point?

543
00:38:21,922 --> 00:38:22,851
Sure. Go ahead, Cara.

544
00:38:23,181 --> 00:38:29,001
Sorry. Thank you. So by SDM, if we're going that route, will you

545
00:38:29,061 --> 00:38:32,001
have a redevelopment plan? Because to Susan Mary's point,

546
00:38:33,501 --> 00:38:34,552
last time

547
00:38:36,021 --> 00:38:37,221
we tried this,

548
00:38:39,651 --> 00:38:45,291
at one point way back, we actually passed it for housing and then I think someone

549
00:38:45,321 --> 00:38:47,871
else rejected, but we passed it in our town here.

550
00:38:47,931 --> 00:38:49,611
But in any case, you needed unanimous.

551
00:38:50,001 --> 00:38:55,791
Next time around, because of the maximizing of the tax credits, the

552
00:38:55,851 --> 00:38:59,692
feeling was there wasn't a transportation plan.

553
00:38:59,751 --> 00:39:00,531
It wasn't really

554
00:39:02,271 --> 00:39:07,401
a multimodal situation, but those were the types of tax credits that the developer

555
00:39:07,431 --> 00:39:11,931
could have utilized, and it would've basically stranded some under-resourced

556
00:39:12,141 --> 00:39:17,091
communities by living there. There was no transportation, and now we're actually

557
00:39:17,121 --> 00:39:21,741
even lacking a local hospital. So are you envisioning that

558
00:39:23,541 --> 00:39:27,711
we're just changing the zoning potentially to residential without having a

559
00:39:27,741 --> 00:39:31,911
redevelopment plan to understand exactly what you're envisioning for that space?

560
00:39:35,961 --> 00:39:37,731
Will you let me take this one, Michael, or do you--

561
00:39:40,821 --> 00:39:46,611
I think having reviewed the 2009, 2012

562
00:39:46,672 --> 00:39:49,611
Super Town meetings and the processes and the feedback,

563
00:39:50,841 --> 00:39:56,451
I think, again, this is looking at a larger area than just Vicksburg Square and

564
00:39:57,170 --> 00:40:02,721
not letting that be the only potential driver for change.

565
00:40:03,802 --> 00:40:06,052
I think given the timeline, I

566
00:40:07,431 --> 00:40:11,961
don't expect and we don't have plans to select a developer or development plan

567
00:40:12,052 --> 00:40:17,571
before Super Town meeting. I think that as we approach Super Town meeting and begin

568
00:40:17,631 --> 00:40:18,291
engaging,

569
00:40:19,731 --> 00:40:25,281
in more structured ways, in anticipation of Super Town meeting, hearing from

570
00:40:25,311 --> 00:40:27,531
residents about what they would like to see in the zoning.

571
00:40:28,581 --> 00:40:34,281
I think, our starting point is what the housing working group recommended,

572
00:40:35,031 --> 00:40:40,401
which was just a change in uses, and then that would allow the deck to

573
00:40:40,491 --> 00:40:45,561
develop the necessary rules and regulations, which again, is a public process.

574
00:40:45,651 --> 00:40:51,501
Those are state regulations, so they have to go through their process, with public

575
00:40:51,802 --> 00:40:56,991
engagement and feedback. And that would really dictate what would then be

576
00:40:57,141 --> 00:41:02,901
allowed at the Vicksburg Square site and the rest of the ITC.

577
00:41:05,422 --> 00:41:05,781
Okay.

578
00:41:07,821 --> 00:41:08,001
Thanks.

579
00:41:08,061 --> 00:41:09,321
Yeah. Eve?

580
00:41:10,611 --> 00:41:13,641
Thank you. So, thank you for the presentation.

581
00:41:14,451 --> 00:41:19,341
I apologize if I'm just being dense on this, but what I'm trying to understand is

582
00:41:21,711 --> 00:41:27,411
the connection between the Super Town meeting vote that is being requested

583
00:41:28,521 --> 00:41:33,231
and Vicksburg Square. I understand perfectly well Vicksburg Square is within the

584
00:41:33,291 --> 00:41:39,201
area that the ask is to be rezoned, but why

585
00:41:39,231 --> 00:41:42,861
are we talking about them together right now?

586
00:41:42,951 --> 00:41:46,011
The one thing I heard that I just want to make sure I understand is I think there

587
00:41:46,041 --> 00:41:51,561
was a comment that proposals to redevelop Vicksburg Square or remediate or

588
00:41:51,891 --> 00:41:56,151
build new stuff there have been in the residential realm.

589
00:41:56,211 --> 00:42:01,371
And because that is not permitted there, there haven't been any promising

590
00:42:02,302 --> 00:42:08,241
opportunities to redevelop it. So if it were rezoned, it might help solve the

591
00:42:08,302 --> 00:42:13,611
Vicksburg Square problem. Is that the reason why we're talking about them together?

592
00:42:19,311 --> 00:42:21,771
Is that a question for-- I'm happy to try and answer.

593
00:42:22,281 --> 00:42:24,172
Well, it's one of you. I don't care who.

594
00:42:24,201 --> 00:42:24,741
Yeah, no.

595
00:42:26,031 --> 00:42:26,901
I think that

596
00:42:28,431 --> 00:42:33,172
the connection, like you said, is the future of the buildings and what's possible

597
00:42:33,231 --> 00:42:38,991
for funding this work. Again, this study just looked at the

598
00:42:39,111 --> 00:42:42,891
abatement, demolition, and stabilization.

599
00:42:43,942 --> 00:42:48,231
And that was information that we thought would be helpful for people to understand

600
00:42:48,291 --> 00:42:52,491
going into the Super Town meeting based upon the recommendations of the housing

601
00:42:52,552 --> 00:42:57,621
working group, which said this would be beneficial information to have.

602
00:42:58,911 --> 00:43:01,672
So I think that's the connection there.

603
00:43:01,911 --> 00:43:07,672
The study was funded by a grant that came out of some of that work from the

604
00:43:07,701 --> 00:43:10,371
state. It's funding some other studies as well.

605
00:43:11,631 --> 00:43:17,271
So I think that's the connection. But again, we're pursuing funding

606
00:43:17,660 --> 00:43:18,771
for this work

607
00:43:20,422 --> 00:43:24,111
before we get to Super Town meeting and regardless of what happens at Super Town

608
00:43:24,141 --> 00:43:24,471
meeting.

609
00:43:25,942 --> 00:43:27,201
Can I ask a follow-up question?

610
00:43:27,231 --> 00:43:28,011
Yeah, go right ahead.

611
00:43:29,181 --> 00:43:34,581
So again, this might be obvious, but then why are we not

612
00:43:34,641 --> 00:43:39,711
considering Super Town meeting to just rezone Vicksburg Square?

613
00:43:41,571 --> 00:43:47,302
In other words, if we're asking to rezone a larger area, then it raises other

614
00:43:47,361 --> 00:43:52,192
questions, reasonably so. We might or might not support rezoning a larger area, but

615
00:43:52,281 --> 00:43:56,931
if this is in part to kind of help deal with the Vicksburg Square issue, why aren't

616
00:43:56,961 --> 00:43:58,192
we just rezoning that?

617
00:44:00,201 --> 00:44:03,261
You mean just rezoning Vicksburg Square as opposed to the whole ITC?

618
00:44:04,101 --> 00:44:04,401
Yeah.

619
00:44:05,151 --> 00:44:05,751
Oh. Hmm.

620
00:44:05,781 --> 00:44:06,741
That's it. It might be a dense question.

621
00:44:06,771 --> 00:44:08,511
I don't know if you can just-- Well, I guess you can.

622
00:44:08,571 --> 00:44:08,871
You can.

623
00:44:09,261 --> 00:44:12,411
Well, I'm thinking if it's not permitted, that's the answer.

624
00:44:13,221 --> 00:44:13,851
But I guess what I'm-

625
00:44:13,942 --> 00:44:15,891
The housing working group identified--

626
00:44:17,271 --> 00:44:21,531
Well, so correct me if I'm speaking out of turn, Michael and Eric, but the governor

627
00:44:21,561 --> 00:44:25,641
had identified this estate-owned land that could be developed for housing, and the

628
00:44:25,672 --> 00:44:29,931
working group supported additional housing in that area.

629
00:44:30,021 --> 00:44:33,291
There are other, as you say, the other four buildings that are there.

630
00:44:33,381 --> 00:44:36,591
There are other opportunities for building within that district.

631
00:44:37,011 --> 00:44:42,081
And I think all three towns agree that housing is a priority.

632
00:44:42,111 --> 00:44:45,141
This area is desperately lacking housing.

633
00:44:45,261 --> 00:44:45,501
So

634
00:44:46,851 --> 00:44:51,111
I think it made sense to consider the whole of the area for housing.

635
00:44:51,172 --> 00:44:55,672
And Vicksburg Square was specifically asked to assess those buildings because

636
00:44:55,701 --> 00:44:58,281
they're easy targets to add the housing to.

637
00:44:59,331 --> 00:45:03,711
Got it. Okay. So it's a focal point within a larger

638
00:45:04,881 --> 00:45:08,751
endeavor to add additional area for housing.

639
00:45:10,341 --> 00:45:13,761
Yeah. Michael and Eric, correct me if any of that was wrong, but that's what my

640
00:45:13,821 --> 00:45:15,442
takeaway was working on the housing group.

641
00:45:15,501 --> 00:45:17,211
No, I think you stated it perfectly.

642
00:45:17,451 --> 00:45:17,781
Okay.

643
00:45:19,041 --> 00:45:19,581
Thank you.

644
00:45:19,881 --> 00:45:20,571
Eric, anything for you?

645
00:45:23,961 --> 00:45:25,192
No, I think we covered everything.

646
00:45:25,761 --> 00:45:26,061
All right.

647
00:45:27,831 --> 00:45:27,922
Yeah.

648
00:45:27,951 --> 00:45:29,991
Can I ask one other quick question?

649
00:45:31,131 --> 00:45:34,942
Is there any thought been given to what the jurisdictional issues are?

650
00:45:35,331 --> 00:45:39,591
Miraculously, Ayr and Harvard were in agreement with respect to

651
00:45:41,511 --> 00:45:42,951
kind of amending the

652
00:45:44,271 --> 00:45:46,881
county line to accommodate

653
00:45:48,561 --> 00:45:50,751
some residents. So, for example, as I'm sure you're aware,

654
00:45:52,101 --> 00:45:57,831
the vast majority of Vicksburg itself is in Harvard, but one corner of it is in

655
00:45:57,951 --> 00:46:02,781
Ayr. And so I think the idea was to-- Sorry, vice versa.

656
00:46:03,021 --> 00:46:05,781
One corner was Harvard. The majority of it was Ayr.

657
00:46:06,802 --> 00:46:07,701
And to kind of

658
00:46:10,761 --> 00:46:16,011
streamline that so that the folks in apartment 3B were going to school in Harvard,

659
00:46:16,401 --> 00:46:20,151
and the kids in 3A were not going in Ayer.

660
00:46:20,361 --> 00:46:24,111
So it was sort of try to make it have more sense that way.

661
00:46:24,141 --> 00:46:29,961
And Ayer and Harvard Selectboard chairs were in agreement on that, and there was a

662
00:46:30,021 --> 00:46:32,391
hope that that could be accommodated.

663
00:46:32,422 --> 00:46:34,251
But I wonder if you've given any thought to that.

664
00:46:38,811 --> 00:46:44,661
So essentially, if I'm understanding you correctly, it would almost be a

665
00:46:45,172 --> 00:46:50,331
redrawing of the original jurisdictional lines in one direction or the other.

666
00:46:50,721 --> 00:46:51,021
Mm-hmm.

667
00:46:51,351 --> 00:46:51,531
Maybe more towards Ayer.

668
00:46:51,561 --> 00:46:56,271
And the other part was, I think there's a section of Emerson Green that Harvard

669
00:46:56,331 --> 00:46:59,601
said, "Well, we'll take that so we can keep that neighborhood intact as a Harvard

670
00:46:59,661 --> 00:47:00,021
neighborhood,"

671
00:47:02,091 --> 00:47:05,571
and Ayer was willing to do that with respect to the Vicksburg side.

672
00:47:07,581 --> 00:47:08,991
Eric, correct me if I'm wrong.

673
00:47:10,311 --> 00:47:15,711
And again, I'm feeling new here, but I'm not aware that there's been internal Mass

674
00:47:15,771 --> 00:47:19,101
Development conversations of that nature. Are you?

675
00:47:19,851 --> 00:47:23,811
No, and I don't think that's something that can be addressed by a Super Town

676
00:47:23,871 --> 00:47:25,461
Meeting either.

677
00:47:27,351 --> 00:47:33,201
Well, I'm not sure about that, but, in any case, it was just a way to make it sort

678
00:47:33,231 --> 00:47:37,401
of easier way to redraw the map and make it have more sense rather than having a--

679
00:47:38,302 --> 00:47:41,391
Literally, it splits a building in two, if I remember correctly.

680
00:47:41,931 --> 00:47:45,561
Right. Yeah. No, I understand what you're saying. It's a good point.

681
00:47:46,911 --> 00:47:47,361
Great.

682
00:47:49,011 --> 00:47:53,571
Michael or Eric, anything you want to wrap up with, or should we move into the

683
00:47:53,661 --> 00:47:58,221
special town meeting date itself and what you have heard from Ayer and Shirley

684
00:47:58,281 --> 00:47:58,701
already?

685
00:48:00,172 --> 00:48:02,961
I have nothing more except to say thank you very much for your time.

686
00:48:03,381 --> 00:48:06,141
Yeah. Thank you so much, Eric. It was really helpful to walk through all that and

687
00:48:06,381 --> 00:48:08,961
give people an understanding of Vicksburg Square.

688
00:48:11,931 --> 00:48:17,721
So Michael, I believe you've already heard from Ayer and

689
00:48:18,081 --> 00:48:23,901
Shirley that March 29th that you're proposing for a Super Town Meeting, and I

690
00:48:23,961 --> 00:48:25,942
believe those towns are starting at 6:00 PM.

691
00:48:27,621 --> 00:48:28,672
6:30 PM. Yeah.

692
00:48:28,881 --> 00:48:29,601
6:30 PM.

693
00:48:29,692 --> 00:48:34,821
March 29th. In conversations with the town managers and some of the town clerks and

694
00:48:34,851 --> 00:48:39,831
just trying to figure out all the various dynamics with regular town meetings and

695
00:48:39,922 --> 00:48:41,961
other things that go on,

696
00:48:44,001 --> 00:48:47,961
as suggested or, don't want to use the word agreed, but we all looked at the

697
00:48:48,021 --> 00:48:50,751
calendars, thought March 29th would be a good time.

698
00:48:52,371 --> 00:48:58,011
Quite honestly, I randomly sort of chose the 6:30 time period, knowing some

699
00:48:58,041 --> 00:49:00,651
places sometimes start at 7:00, some places start at

700
00:49:01,101 --> 00:49:06,711
6:00. It was in no particular order other than

701
00:49:06,831 --> 00:49:09,081
the calendar of Selectboard meetings.

702
00:49:10,401 --> 00:49:15,651
Both Ayer and Shirley in the last three and a half weeks have reviewed it,

703
00:49:16,701 --> 00:49:22,581
and approved that. And next on the calendar, so to speak, was to come in front

704
00:49:22,641 --> 00:49:28,101
of your board tonight to see if we can get unanimous agreement on that, and then

705
00:49:28,161 --> 00:49:30,771
start building a calendar back for all the

706
00:49:32,061 --> 00:49:37,341
procedural matters that have to be addressed, but also obviously for

707
00:49:38,871 --> 00:49:44,692
creating a pathway to do more public engagement across all the communities on the

708
00:49:44,751 --> 00:49:50,601
matter. And to get warrant language, article language over

709
00:49:50,991 --> 00:49:56,571
to all of you, to all the boards, to the town managers and town clerk to get

710
00:49:56,631 --> 00:49:58,371
agreement on proposed language.

711
00:49:59,091 --> 00:50:04,461
Okay, great. I'm interested in hearing, well, you said you haven't developed it

712
00:50:04,521 --> 00:50:10,221
yet, but I do think that outreach and forums, especially for Harvard residents to

713
00:50:10,251 --> 00:50:12,261
be able to understand the impact of all this.

714
00:50:12,321 --> 00:50:18,291
But, Dawn, have you had a chance to talk to Rose and does March

715
00:50:18,411 --> 00:50:19,942
29th work

716
00:50:21,201 --> 00:50:22,131
from your perspective?

717
00:50:22,701 --> 00:50:26,931
Yeah, that's a good time, because we should be just about wrapped up on the budget

718
00:50:27,021 --> 00:50:32,422
at that point. We won't have our town meeting until sometime late April, very early

719
00:50:32,481 --> 00:50:36,411
May. And the town election won't be until sometime in May.

720
00:50:36,651 --> 00:50:39,981
So, it's actually a good time for us.

721
00:50:40,672 --> 00:50:44,511
And, I know Ayer and Shirley agreed also, because we did look at all of our

722
00:50:44,571 --> 00:50:49,672
calendars when all proposed town meetings and elections in all three towns would

723
00:50:49,731 --> 00:50:53,481
be, and it was a good agreed-upon timeframe, the end of March.

724
00:50:53,841 --> 00:50:58,251
Okay. All right. Good. Members have comments or questions? Yeah, Eve?

725
00:50:59,541 --> 00:51:03,651
Have we already coordinated with school vacation week because it's sort of around

726
00:51:03,711 --> 00:51:04,041
Easter?

727
00:51:05,481 --> 00:51:09,321
I think generally it's April, right? April. School vacation is February and April.

728
00:51:09,351 --> 00:51:13,462
February and April. Okay. So we're well, yeah, we're okay with that. Okay.

729
00:51:14,302 --> 00:51:17,152
And it's no religious holidays or anything, so

730
00:51:18,652 --> 00:51:19,041
okay.

731
00:51:19,491 --> 00:51:19,821
I think-

732
00:51:19,851 --> 00:51:22,251
Any other feedback on the 29th from members?

733
00:51:23,631 --> 00:51:24,351
All right.

734
00:51:24,381 --> 00:51:26,661
I think it's as good as it's going to be at this point.

735
00:51:27,441 --> 00:51:28,911
A busy time of year. All right. So,

736
00:51:30,591 --> 00:51:35,691
do you need a vote from the committee at this point to approve that date for a

737
00:51:35,751 --> 00:51:38,721
special town meeting, I think? Yeah? Okay.

738
00:51:38,751 --> 00:51:40,851
Yeah. It'd be great to get a vote. The other two-

739
00:51:40,911 --> 00:51:41,212
Sure

740
00:51:41,241 --> 00:51:41,571
... you said-

741
00:51:41,721 --> 00:51:42,381
I agree. Cara?

742
00:51:42,411 --> 00:51:45,922
Can I just add one other question? Will there be forums and charrettes and stuff

743
00:51:45,981 --> 00:51:50,841
before the 29th and that you'll be holding, or how does that work for our public?

744
00:51:51,411 --> 00:51:54,021
I think that he said that there would be public outreach, yeah.

745
00:51:54,652 --> 00:51:59,481
Yeah. Absolutely. And I've committed Mass Development a number of times publicly-

746
00:51:59,511 --> 00:52:00,531
And then, but afterwards

747
00:52:00,951 --> 00:52:00,951
...

748
00:52:03,652 --> 00:52:09,501
that any location requesting a meeting and sort of a walkthrough,

749
00:52:09,591 --> 00:52:15,231
if you will, of the issues or the thought patterns, somebody and some buddies from

750
00:52:15,261 --> 00:52:17,871
Mass Development will go.

751
00:52:18,981 --> 00:52:22,071
I'm sorry, Cara. I think your video sort of jammed up a little bit there.

752
00:52:22,971 --> 00:52:24,831
Are you asking after the 29th?

753
00:52:25,402 --> 00:52:31,311
No. Well, no, the 29th is we're getting to-- I have no problem with the zoning at

754
00:52:31,402 --> 00:52:35,781
all. I have concerns about how the actual development goes, but I'm wondering how

755
00:52:35,840 --> 00:52:40,611
we first tell our folks how the zoning is going to go and what your expectations

756
00:52:40,641 --> 00:52:44,422
are. And then, of course, afterwards, to have that robust public input so we get

757
00:52:44,511 --> 00:52:50,271
sort of a balance of the things that fit and help produce housing, but also make

758
00:52:50,331 --> 00:52:52,011
the community work as well.

759
00:52:53,091 --> 00:52:53,902
Yeah, great question.

760
00:52:54,441 --> 00:52:54,861
Thank you.

761
00:52:55,221 --> 00:52:56,331
Yeah. Thank you.

762
00:52:58,041 --> 00:53:02,631
All right. Then I would entertain a motion to schedule a Super Town Meeting on

763
00:53:02,691 --> 00:53:04,371
March 29th at 6:30 PM.

764
00:53:04,851 --> 00:53:05,391
So moved.

765
00:53:06,081 --> 00:53:06,591
Thank you.

766
00:53:07,161 --> 00:53:07,371
Second.

767
00:53:07,462 --> 00:53:11,031
All right. Motion's been seconded. Any further discussion? Amit?

768
00:53:11,811 --> 00:53:12,111
Aye.

769
00:53:13,011 --> 00:53:13,311
Eric?

770
00:53:13,791 --> 00:53:14,061
Aye.

771
00:53:14,631 --> 00:53:14,811
Eve?

772
00:53:15,291 --> 00:53:15,531
Aye.

773
00:53:16,041 --> 00:53:16,521
And Cara.

774
00:53:16,881 --> 00:53:17,091
Aye.

775
00:53:17,571 --> 00:53:21,261
And Amit, all right. All right, Michael, you got your marching orders.

776
00:53:23,271 --> 00:53:26,932
I'm a good marcher, so I really appreciate everyone's time and communication.

777
00:53:26,962 --> 00:53:31,761
And, thank you for making my, whatever this is, Tuesday night still?

778
00:53:32,601 --> 00:53:34,641
A little more exciting than I expected, so.

779
00:53:35,182 --> 00:53:40,101
Yeah, sorry for the grilling. But there's going to be those questions out in our

780
00:53:40,371 --> 00:53:41,271
community, so.

781
00:53:41,871 --> 00:53:42,802
Oh, absolutely.

782
00:53:42,922 --> 00:53:43,071
Yeah.

783
00:53:43,641 --> 00:53:47,631
Listen, I wish I could say it in Latin. I think I could write it in Latin.

784
00:53:47,661 --> 00:53:51,261
"I fear not the republic." So it's always good to have these spirited

785
00:53:51,321 --> 00:53:52,251
conversations.

786
00:53:52,552 --> 00:53:54,111
Very good. Thank you so much.

787
00:53:54,111 --> 00:53:54,321
Thank you for coming.

788
00:53:54,321 --> 00:53:55,371
And Eric, thank you.

789
00:53:55,672 --> 00:53:56,541
Take care. Bye-bye.

790
00:53:56,571 --> 00:53:56,991
You too.

791
00:53:58,491 --> 00:54:00,081
All right. With that,

792
00:54:01,611 --> 00:54:07,311
next is to let people, I think most select board members already know, but

793
00:54:07,462 --> 00:54:12,712
at our special town meeting on October 20th at

794
00:54:14,361 --> 00:54:20,302
6:00 PM in the Cronin Auditorium at Bromfield, we are going to be trying something

795
00:54:20,391 --> 00:54:25,672
new, and this was a joint effort based on feedback that we

796
00:54:25,731 --> 00:54:31,432
received. Eric and I met with the town moderator, Bill Barton, with Dawn

797
00:54:32,091 --> 00:54:33,261
and Julie, and

798
00:54:35,601 --> 00:54:41,241
Bill would like to implement a two-minute speaker time limit,

799
00:54:42,052 --> 00:54:47,451
which he has been working with his tech team to project the time allotted and have

800
00:54:47,511 --> 00:54:53,241
it count down on a screen up above so people are aware of their time

801
00:54:53,991 --> 00:54:54,381
limit.

802
00:54:56,391 --> 00:55:01,641
I believe he also will be asking people to

803
00:55:02,451 --> 00:55:08,391
either keep your comments to a question or to a new comment so that

804
00:55:08,451 --> 00:55:12,411
we are hearing as many different points of view or different

805
00:55:13,881 --> 00:55:15,501
expressions as possible. But,

806
00:55:16,941 --> 00:55:21,052
the other thing that we will be doing, which we pretty much always do, but it's a

807
00:55:21,141 --> 00:55:26,991
Tuesday night, obviously, and if people need a ride, there is a van will be

808
00:55:27,052 --> 00:55:28,402
running from the Council on Aging.

809
00:55:28,462 --> 00:55:33,172
You need to call the Council on Aging's office to ask for that transportation.

810
00:55:33,981 --> 00:55:35,902
If you let them know ahead of time, it's a lot easier.

811
00:55:37,941 --> 00:55:43,581
In the springtime, we agreed to continue the childcare

812
00:55:44,001 --> 00:55:49,011
option, so we will be working that in and having time to set that up beforehand.

813
00:55:49,761 --> 00:55:54,969
And all this really is to See if we can make town meeting more efficient,

814
00:55:55,780 --> 00:56:01,719
perhaps more shorter, so that we're really respectful of people's time and

815
00:56:01,750 --> 00:56:07,389
the attendance by doing it on Tuesday night will allow us to set the spring town

816
00:56:07,449 --> 00:56:11,709
meeting date. If it is a blowout and we have a lot of people come in the evening

817
00:56:11,739 --> 00:56:17,109
that we weren't getting on a Saturday, we'll be able to set that time based on

818
00:56:17,169 --> 00:56:20,530
attendance. I know it'll work for some people that didn't work before, and I know

819
00:56:20,559 --> 00:56:23,319
it won't work for others, so it's really a balance.

820
00:56:23,410 --> 00:56:26,530
I know everything's been tried, but we thought we would try the Tuesday night

821
00:56:26,589 --> 00:56:26,979
again.

822
00:56:28,809 --> 00:56:34,690
So that is the update on what's going to be happening a little differently

823
00:56:35,799 --> 00:56:38,919
at the special town meeting. Any questions?

824
00:56:40,598 --> 00:56:42,910
Eric, did I miss anything? Yeah, Ahmet?

825
00:56:44,530 --> 00:56:50,079
No, these are great changes. And one of the ideas I know that has been

826
00:56:50,139 --> 00:56:52,449
floating around potentially having

827
00:56:54,519 --> 00:56:59,889
separation of queuing, pros versus cons to a given amendment,

828
00:57:01,359 --> 00:57:04,419
and kind of embed to the handicap access.

829
00:57:05,500 --> 00:57:05,859
So,

830
00:57:07,119 --> 00:57:11,679
I assume that it's not going to happen, at least this coming special town meeting.

831
00:57:12,099 --> 00:57:14,379
We did have that conversation with Bill.

832
00:57:14,469 --> 00:57:19,089
He felt that it would cause more of a problem for people having to go back and

833
00:57:19,150 --> 00:57:23,199
forth to different lines. So he wasn't in agreement with that.

834
00:57:23,259 --> 00:57:23,500
But,

835
00:57:25,239 --> 00:57:29,559
let's see how this goes, and if you feel that's a good idea, certainly you can

836
00:57:29,619 --> 00:57:32,139
reach out to Bill individually.

837
00:57:32,440 --> 00:57:32,619
Okay.

838
00:57:33,250 --> 00:57:36,729
But we did float the idea, and he wasn't ready to adopt it.

839
00:57:38,019 --> 00:57:38,349
Thank you.

840
00:57:38,769 --> 00:57:41,859
Yeah. Thank you. All right. Yeah, Eve?

841
00:57:42,819 --> 00:57:47,949
Just a quick comment. When we debrief about it, I think we need to be cautious in

842
00:57:48,009 --> 00:57:52,569
drawing conclusions from attendance and duration of this one because it's

843
00:57:54,429 --> 00:57:59,709
a very different set of articles that might not engender too much either

844
00:57:59,799 --> 00:58:03,190
excitement-- Well, I think excitement, honestly.

845
00:58:04,660 --> 00:58:09,729
Yeah. Understood. It really is about the articles themselves sometimes, but maybe

846
00:58:09,789 --> 00:58:13,959
we keep the fall meeting to a Tuesday. I think we'll see how many people come.

847
00:58:14,919 --> 00:58:15,369
Yeah.

848
00:58:15,429 --> 00:58:15,639
Yeah.

849
00:58:17,019 --> 00:58:20,019
A good word of caution there, though. Eric, did I miss anything?

850
00:58:22,299 --> 00:58:25,509
No, I don't think so. We talked about a number of different ideas, but that's what

851
00:58:25,569 --> 00:58:26,530
we landed on.

852
00:58:26,919 --> 00:58:31,179
Yeah. Those are the ones that we will be implementing. All right.

853
00:58:33,129 --> 00:58:38,859
We did the liquor license. Next up is, I think members have all been

854
00:58:38,919 --> 00:58:44,799
briefed on this, but, as you all know, the MVP grant for the

855
00:58:44,859 --> 00:58:50,799
Keep the Light On initiative, for the microgrid came in at a million dollars that

856
00:58:50,859 --> 00:58:54,160
Harvard will be administrating. And the state

857
00:58:55,419 --> 00:59:00,369
awarding team has been waiting on us to submit a revised budget.

858
00:59:00,429 --> 00:59:04,629
We've been working with NexGen back and forth, and the town administrators have

859
00:59:04,690 --> 00:59:10,329
done a lot of work with each other to come up with a revised proposed budget

860
00:59:10,750 --> 00:59:15,579
that they are requesting, or Dawn is requesting that we vote on this evening.

861
00:59:15,639 --> 00:59:18,879
It was included in the packet, but I'm going to turn it over to Dawn to walk us

862
00:59:18,910 --> 00:59:24,489
through. I also know that Ahmet and Cara are fully briefed on this, so they can

863
00:59:24,579 --> 00:59:27,250
chime in as we go through.

864
00:59:28,449 --> 00:59:30,129
Yep. Do you mind if I share my screen?

865
00:59:30,339 --> 00:59:31,239
Please go right ahead.

866
00:59:38,530 --> 00:59:39,940
Let me know when you can see that.

867
00:59:44,949 --> 00:59:47,199
All right. So we've

868
00:59:49,479 --> 00:59:50,829
taken the original budget.

869
00:59:52,119 --> 00:59:55,989
Remember, the budget started out as $5 million, and that was based on what was

870
00:59:56,289 --> 01:00:01,809
submitted for the MVP grant. The state came back and cut our $5 million request

871
01:00:01,869 --> 01:00:04,629
down to a million, so that's what we're working with right now.

872
01:00:05,259 --> 01:00:05,589
So

873
01:00:06,969 --> 01:00:12,069
we've had the town manager and the town administrator, and Shirley and I have had

874
01:00:12,160 --> 01:00:17,199
about five meetings now with NexGen Energy.

875
01:00:17,469 --> 01:00:22,119
Our last one was last week where I presented this budget to the group,

876
01:00:23,079 --> 01:00:28,959
trying to phase things out a little bit, and making it so that

877
01:00:29,049 --> 01:00:34,150
at each phase, the town has a decision to make and whether that's to continue on

878
01:00:34,239 --> 01:00:40,059
with this process or not. What we've found in these discussions that we've had

879
01:00:40,089 --> 01:00:45,910
with NexGen and the state is we have a lot of legal questions and

880
01:00:45,969 --> 01:00:50,379
we have a lot of procurement questions as it relates to this project.

881
01:00:51,190 --> 01:00:57,009
And this is a procurement process that none of my fellow town administrators and

882
01:00:57,069 --> 01:01:02,199
town managers have been through yet, an energy project and an energy project of

883
01:01:02,259 --> 01:01:07,750
this scale. So we have proposed this budget, and we had a good

884
01:01:07,780 --> 01:01:13,209
conversation with NexGen last week, and they fully support this concept, which is

885
01:01:13,269 --> 01:01:18,039
great. But it is to phase things out into

886
01:01:19,299 --> 01:01:24,910
four different groups. The first phase, which we're calling phase

887
01:01:24,969 --> 01:01:30,400
zero, in the budget that we are submitting to the state because they have their own

888
01:01:30,489 --> 01:01:33,849
form in which they want things, they're calling it task one.

889
01:01:33,969 --> 01:01:39,729
So just so you know, if I talk about each interchangeably it's our phase zero, but

890
01:01:39,759 --> 01:01:41,919
it's really task one according to the state.

891
01:01:43,239 --> 01:01:49,000
We are proposing to allot $130,000 of the $1 million to

892
01:01:49,119 --> 01:01:54,609
just look at legal implications and the procurement pathway for this.

893
01:01:55,569 --> 01:02:01,359
I've talked to Robert Pompriant and Brian Sawyer about this, and Erin

894
01:02:01,419 --> 01:02:06,069
Shirley, and we all use KP Law as our legal firm.

895
01:02:06,789 --> 01:02:11,079
There may be a document that the boards need to sign off on to allow us to use a

896
01:02:11,169 --> 01:02:17,109
single counsel for this process. But we would like to engage the services of

897
01:02:17,169 --> 01:02:23,049
KP Law to help us look at what it means for us to be a limited

898
01:02:23,139 --> 01:02:28,509
partner in the Keep the Lights On fund, what liabilities the town may have for

899
01:02:28,569 --> 01:02:33,280
entering into such an agreement on a project of this scale, and what the

900
01:02:33,339 --> 01:02:38,349
procurement process looks like. Because as I mentioned, it's not the usual chapter

901
01:02:38,589 --> 01:02:44,469
30B or chapter 149 that we're most often using as far as procuring supplies

902
01:02:44,530 --> 01:02:48,190
and services or even construction-related matters.

903
01:02:48,910 --> 01:02:54,339
Because this is an energy-related project, it falls under Chapter

904
01:02:54,579 --> 01:02:58,869
25A of the procurement laws. And again, it's not something that we've had to work

905
01:02:58,929 --> 01:03:01,239
with any one of us just yet.

906
01:03:02,889 --> 01:03:08,709
Once we get all our questions answered and see a pathway forward, it

907
01:03:08,739 --> 01:03:14,530
would be our intent to bring this portion back to all of our towns for

908
01:03:15,039 --> 01:03:17,349
a go, no-go vote, we're calling it.

909
01:03:17,410 --> 01:03:22,479
And that is we would need consensus to continue moving forward with this.

910
01:03:23,169 --> 01:03:26,949
We don't necessarily need consensus from all towns.

911
01:03:27,039 --> 01:03:28,569
If somebody does want to

912
01:03:30,759 --> 01:03:35,859
remove themselves from the process at that point, that is an option, certainly.

913
01:03:36,729 --> 01:03:41,289
But as we've been told from the beginning, the best way to move this project

914
01:03:41,349 --> 01:03:47,169
forward is to have at least five towns in on this, so that we can

915
01:03:47,259 --> 01:03:52,989
generate the megawattage that we need in order for this to be a

916
01:03:53,049 --> 01:03:58,809
viable project for all of us. So again, our phase one or task one is

917
01:03:58,900 --> 01:04:04,269
to put $130,000 aside and just work on that phase of the project.

918
01:04:06,369 --> 01:04:11,487
If it's decided that we continue, that we can become a limited partner In the KLO

919
01:04:11,577 --> 01:04:17,547
fund, and that we understand what the procurement path looks like, and we get a

920
01:04:17,637 --> 01:04:20,277
yes vote from the boards to continue moving on.

921
01:04:20,847 --> 01:04:24,867
Phase one or task two would be to

922
01:04:26,728 --> 01:04:31,947
assign another $130,000 of the one million to this stage of the process.

923
01:04:32,967 --> 01:04:36,748
This stage would include a site and land availability check.

924
01:04:37,197 --> 01:04:42,927
So the towns would each supply, whoever the consultant is, whether that's

925
01:04:42,987 --> 01:04:48,717
NextGen or whether or not we do have to go out to a formal bid process and hire a

926
01:04:48,777 --> 01:04:52,017
consultant to do the feasibility study,

927
01:04:53,667 --> 01:04:58,498
we would provide site and land availability.

928
01:04:58,887 --> 01:05:04,437
Harvard has already, for the most part, completed this process, as part of

929
01:05:05,217 --> 01:05:05,998
open space

930
01:05:07,617 --> 01:05:12,777
lists that we have. We have already identified some of our critical infrastructure,

931
01:05:13,557 --> 01:05:17,998
but those are the things that the consultant would be looking for in order to see

932
01:05:18,357 --> 01:05:20,607
if we have the required

933
01:05:21,897 --> 01:05:24,417
sites necessary for something like this to work.

934
01:05:25,288 --> 01:05:30,957
This phase also has $95,000 put aside for grant administration,

935
01:05:32,187 --> 01:05:35,697
and six town governance management structure.

936
01:05:36,957 --> 01:05:42,237
One thing I did want to bring up as part of this, Bolton has already signed an MOU,

937
01:05:42,327 --> 01:05:48,147
but they signed the MOU after the application for the MVP grant was

938
01:05:48,237 --> 01:05:52,677
submitted. And that's why Harvard, Ayer, and Shirley are the only three towns

939
01:05:52,737 --> 01:05:58,707
listed on the grant. Bolton did sign, and I found out today that Lancaster

940
01:05:59,397 --> 01:06:03,057
Board of Selectmen voted last night to sign the MOU.

941
01:06:03,237 --> 01:06:08,008
So they are also interested in this process and seeing what it brings.

942
01:06:08,817 --> 01:06:13,258
Northborough would make the sixth town that is interested, and they're waiting to

943
01:06:13,347 --> 01:06:15,687
see about this discussion tonight.

944
01:06:17,728 --> 01:06:23,697
I do think it might be in our best interest to include, even though it's only

945
01:06:23,728 --> 01:06:27,867
three towns included in the grant, I do think it would be in our best interest to

946
01:06:27,927 --> 01:06:33,748
include towns four, five, and/or six in on this process, and I'll talk about

947
01:06:33,807 --> 01:06:38,728
that a little bit further down. But again, at the end of phase one, it would be

948
01:06:38,758 --> 01:06:44,697
another go, no-go vote. And, again, we wouldn't move forward on phase two or task

949
01:06:44,728 --> 01:06:48,267
three, unless we had that favorable vote.

950
01:06:50,217 --> 01:06:56,128
Phase two or task three, we've allocated $740,000 for

951
01:06:56,187 --> 01:07:02,157
this phase of the process. This would be feasibility for

952
01:07:02,457 --> 01:07:07,857
vendor procurement in whatever shape that looks like based on our legal

953
01:07:07,917 --> 01:07:13,258
research in the earlier phase. It would also be the execution of the

954
01:07:13,317 --> 01:07:18,837
feasibility study in which that we would be looking at six towns and 36 sites.

955
01:07:19,288 --> 01:07:24,867
And when I say 36 sites, we are potentially looking at five critical

956
01:07:24,957 --> 01:07:29,637
infrastructure sites per town. So whether that be town halls, schools, public

957
01:07:29,728 --> 01:07:32,728
safety buildings, those types, who knows, a grocery store.

958
01:07:33,957 --> 01:07:37,077
Maybe even something like the general store in Harvard as just an example.

959
01:07:37,167 --> 01:07:41,937
Something that we would want powered up should we lose power for a substantial

960
01:07:41,967 --> 01:07:47,758
amount of time. But it also, in order for this to work, we probably are going to

961
01:07:47,817 --> 01:07:53,337
need to look at a larger site, and possibly one per town,

962
01:07:53,397 --> 01:07:58,557
depending upon acreage and how much room we have to put in a larger

963
01:07:59,217 --> 01:08:04,498
facility. So that would be the major part of phase two, and that's why there's

964
01:08:04,707 --> 01:08:07,677
600,000 of the one million that's allocated for that.

965
01:08:08,788 --> 01:08:14,667
We've also allocated $80,000 for community engagement for the six towns, and that's

966
01:08:14,728 --> 01:08:20,307
for educational materials, community outreach forums, everything, just so we can

967
01:08:20,367 --> 01:08:21,567
get the communities

968
01:08:22,827 --> 01:08:27,777
up to speed on everything that's going on and as informed as possible.

969
01:08:28,527 --> 01:08:32,907
Then there's also another 35,000 that's for ongoing grant administration through

970
01:08:32,937 --> 01:08:37,077
the completion of this. Again, we also have

971
01:08:39,718 --> 01:08:44,487
a go, no-go at the end of this, which would bring us to the million dollars.

972
01:08:45,807 --> 01:08:49,077
That phase-- I changed something, and I apologize.

973
01:08:49,137 --> 01:08:54,297
The ongoing grant administration, I did make that its own separate task, and that's

974
01:08:54,327 --> 01:09:00,147
based on some guidance from the state, because that really could run from when we

975
01:09:00,208 --> 01:09:05,487
sign the contract documents, through June of 2027, and that's when we have to spend

976
01:09:05,517 --> 01:09:06,657
the million dollars.

977
01:09:08,427 --> 01:09:11,517
So going back to what I was saying about Bolton and Lancaster,

978
01:09:13,468 --> 01:09:19,258
everything that we've seen as far as this budget has tied us to six towns and

979
01:09:19,498 --> 01:09:24,628
36 sites. And my question to NextGen as we've been going through this process all

980
01:09:24,718 --> 01:09:30,447
along is, the way I look at it is I don't think we had a choice but to include

981
01:09:30,478 --> 01:09:34,167
these other towns, and I think it's the right thing to do.

982
01:09:35,427 --> 01:09:39,657
Again, this doesn't work if we don't have at least five towns, and we've heard that

983
01:09:39,777 --> 01:09:44,907
over and over again since this was brought to us back earlier this calendar year.

984
01:09:45,837 --> 01:09:51,447
But if we don't include them, it potentially means that it might not work for

985
01:09:51,837 --> 01:09:55,557
Ayer, Harvard, and Shirley because we don't have enough sites.

986
01:09:55,617 --> 01:09:59,637
We're not able to generate potentially as much power as we could.

987
01:10:00,478 --> 01:10:04,197
But also, those other towns would then have to come up with money to do a

988
01:10:04,258 --> 01:10:09,207
feasibility study like we were looking to have to do, if we continue down this

989
01:10:09,237 --> 01:10:13,317
process before we had received the grant money from the Commonwealth.

990
01:10:14,337 --> 01:10:18,657
So I think it's in the best interest for us to include Bolton and Lancaster, and if

991
01:10:18,718 --> 01:10:24,057
Northborough does sign on to the MOU, to include them also so that we can,

992
01:10:25,137 --> 01:10:29,427
as we continue, have a full feasibility study, and be able to make an informed

993
01:10:29,427 --> 01:10:33,987
decision as to whether or not this works, and if it works for all of our

994
01:10:34,047 --> 01:10:38,307
communities. So I welcome any questions on this.

995
01:10:39,117 --> 01:10:42,837
I would love the board's support with this tonight.

996
01:10:43,196 --> 01:10:46,107
And if that's a vote, I'd be happy to accept that.

997
01:10:47,877 --> 01:10:50,607
Robert, Bryan, and I do have another call with

998
01:10:53,277 --> 01:10:59,218
the state tomorrow to review this and for me to provide the feedback that they're

999
01:10:59,247 --> 01:11:03,057
looking for as far as submitting this so we can get the contract going.

1000
01:11:04,017 --> 01:11:09,627
But I would love a vote to proceed on this path if you're all in agreement, and I

1001
01:11:09,657 --> 01:11:13,767
would love to hear from you as to your thoughts and feelings on including those

1002
01:11:13,857 --> 01:11:16,557
other three towns in this process.

1003
01:11:17,127 --> 01:11:21,478
The legal work costs us any more than--

1004
01:11:23,487 --> 01:11:27,447
I'm going to say I hope we've allocated enough, and I don't think it'll cost us

1005
01:11:28,377 --> 01:11:32,667
more money in the long run because it's going to be the same question no matter how

1006
01:11:32,697 --> 01:11:34,197
many communities we have

1007
01:11:35,457 --> 01:11:40,527
engaged in this process. We're all going to be needing the same legal

1008
01:11:41,187 --> 01:11:44,397
opinion and procurement pathway as a group.

1009
01:11:44,517 --> 01:11:48,567
So, I will stop sharing and turn it back over to the chair.

1010
01:11:49,017 --> 01:11:54,297
Thanks, Dawn. Just two quick questions for me, and then I'm going to turn it over

1011
01:11:54,297 --> 01:11:54,478
to you.

1012
01:11:56,758 --> 01:12:00,957
You said that this phase of the grant money, the one million, has an expiration

1013
01:12:01,017 --> 01:12:03,297
date. Is that right? Does it need to be spent by, you said,

1014
01:12:04,557 --> 01:12:05,427
July 27th?

1015
01:12:06,357 --> 01:12:07,677
June of 2027.

1016
01:12:07,887 --> 01:12:13,587
June of '27. Okay. And then if we do this and we are in it all the way through to

1017
01:12:13,647 --> 01:12:17,157
the end of this $1 million, are we shovel-ready kind of thing?

1018
01:12:17,218 --> 01:12:20,907
Because that was sort of the requirement for applying for more money, right?

1019
01:12:22,317 --> 01:12:24,117
Right. We will be closer.

1020
01:12:24,327 --> 01:12:25,647
Okay. We're not there yet.

1021
01:12:25,647 --> 01:12:31,287
Our goal is to be shovel-ready. I don't know if we will be ready to apply for the

1022
01:12:31,347 --> 01:12:33,747
grants at the same time we did last year.

1023
01:12:34,077 --> 01:12:34,617
Okay.

1024
01:12:34,917 --> 01:12:38,457
Because we have put the brakes on this a little bit as we try and get our ducks in

1025
01:12:38,517 --> 01:12:38,997
a line.

1026
01:12:39,718 --> 01:12:39,927
Okay.

1027
01:12:41,397 --> 01:12:47,037
All right, great. Thanks. And we have Gina on if there's any questions that you

1028
01:12:47,097 --> 01:12:49,947
guys can't answer, but Eve, go ahead.

1029
01:12:50,817 --> 01:12:56,517
Thanks. So Dawn, I'm really in supportive of all the work that you've done, and so

1030
01:12:56,637 --> 01:13:00,478
in principle, I think that this is

1031
01:13:01,647 --> 01:13:06,687
looking good at this point for our interests.

1032
01:13:07,047 --> 01:13:10,827
And I understand that is similarly so for Ayer and Shirley.

1033
01:13:11,337 --> 01:13:14,457
My question is about the six-town issue.

1034
01:13:15,417 --> 01:13:15,657
So-

1035
01:13:17,932 --> 01:13:23,631
My understanding from way back was that we had to get to 50 megawatts,

1036
01:13:24,381 --> 01:13:28,191
and that was 10 per town for five towns.

1037
01:13:28,671 --> 01:13:33,921
But what I don't understand is, first of all, if we have six towns, then we could

1038
01:13:33,951 --> 01:13:39,441
certainly exceed 50, but we could also have fewer megawatts per town, and it's

1039
01:13:39,471 --> 01:13:43,131
quite reasonable to assume that there will be different sort of capacity for that

1040
01:13:43,191 --> 01:13:48,682
level of production by town. So why is it the case that we have to have the six?

1041
01:13:48,831 --> 01:13:53,421
Because we could have four if each of them produced, I think, 12 and a half

1042
01:13:53,451 --> 01:13:54,981
megawatts, if I'm doing the math right.

1043
01:13:56,211 --> 01:13:59,121
And it also, if we have this

1044
01:14:00,891 --> 01:14:05,630
lower limit on the number of towns, it means a town can't drop off along the way.

1045
01:14:05,991 --> 01:14:09,531
And the beginning of the conversation was, well, there's something that isn't quite

1046
01:14:09,591 --> 01:14:15,411
sort of satisfactory to a town at the early stages, they could drop off.

1047
01:14:15,801 --> 01:14:19,671
That would mean the remaining ones need to kind of produce more because we have to

1048
01:14:19,701 --> 01:14:24,291
get to 50. We could exceed 50, and I'm using very broad terms here.

1049
01:14:24,591 --> 01:14:28,761
But it's really just about the math and the six, five, fewer than five.

1050
01:14:29,601 --> 01:14:32,151
I think it's proof of concept for the investors, right?

1051
01:14:32,901 --> 01:14:34,551
Part of it is making sure you have that covered.

1052
01:14:34,581 --> 01:14:39,621
And the sixth town will give us a buffer, so should somebody not be able to

1053
01:14:39,682 --> 01:14:42,022
contribute. I'm going to use Shirley as an example.

1054
01:14:43,671 --> 01:14:47,301
Most of Shirley's critical infrastructure sites, their public safety building,

1055
01:14:47,691 --> 01:14:53,631
their library, their town hall, are not national-grade customers, and I know

1056
01:14:53,660 --> 01:14:55,671
those are the communities that we're looking at.

1057
01:14:55,731 --> 01:14:59,031
They are currently serviced by Devon's electric power.

1058
01:15:00,351 --> 01:15:05,182
So somebody like Shirley may not be able to come up with the

1059
01:15:05,751 --> 01:15:10,191
allocated or the hopeful number of sites that

1060
01:15:11,601 --> 01:15:17,481
each town is looking to come up with, whereas Harvard, maybe we come up with six

1061
01:15:17,541 --> 01:15:21,831
critical infrastructure sites, and we could pick up one from another community.

1062
01:15:21,891 --> 01:15:26,001
Gina, you can correct me if I'm wrong, but it gives us flexibility.

1063
01:15:26,272 --> 01:15:30,381
And should somebody, one of the communities, decide that this isn't in their best

1064
01:15:30,501 --> 01:15:34,881
interest, we have that one town buffer in which-

1065
01:15:35,961 --> 01:15:36,411
Now, Eve

1066
01:15:36,441 --> 01:15:37,221
... to work with.

1067
01:15:37,731 --> 01:15:42,411
In general, each municipality can build up to 10 megawatts.

1068
01:15:42,772 --> 01:15:46,731
By bringing in six towns, think 60 megawatts.

1069
01:15:46,851 --> 01:15:51,561
So by definition, it would be a 60-megawatt plant.

1070
01:15:52,161 --> 01:15:57,141
The reason that we would plan for that, having gotten to know all of the towns, is

1071
01:15:57,231 --> 01:16:02,961
that if it turns out that, as Don was describing, there's not a good

1072
01:16:03,022 --> 01:16:07,851
site for some unforeseen reason in a town and they decide to not move forward, we

1073
01:16:07,911 --> 01:16:13,161
still have a minimum of 50 megawatts, which is what we need, sort of a

1074
01:16:13,911 --> 01:16:19,551
critical threshold, minimum threshold, Eve, for us to gain the funding that we've

1075
01:16:19,581 --> 01:16:21,381
been describing since last March.

1076
01:16:23,211 --> 01:16:29,091
And also too, if we had two towns, say Shirley and another town that really only

1077
01:16:29,151 --> 01:16:29,331
has-

1078
01:16:29,390 --> 01:16:29,480
Can you just-

1079
01:16:29,480 --> 01:16:30,650
... five megawatt.

1080
01:16:32,751 --> 01:16:33,111
What?

1081
01:16:34,041 --> 01:16:35,361
I'm sorry, who was interrupting?

1082
01:16:37,011 --> 01:16:38,961
I thought somebody needed to say something. Sorry.

1083
01:16:39,501 --> 01:16:40,941
No, I heard something too. Go ahead, Gina.

1084
01:16:41,331 --> 01:16:47,001
Yeah. No, so what this allows us to do is some towns may be able to use a

1085
01:16:47,031 --> 01:16:50,391
capacity up to 10 megawatts, others may only be able to use five.

1086
01:16:50,661 --> 01:16:55,071
But as long as we get to that minimum of 50, then we're really in great shape as a

1087
01:16:55,161 --> 01:17:00,321
total project. And wanting to give the towns as much

1088
01:17:00,561 --> 01:17:05,901
flexibility and freedom and ability to move forward or not, we wanted to build in a

1089
01:17:05,961 --> 01:17:09,651
little bit of insulation as we've gotten to know each of the towns.

1090
01:17:11,331 --> 01:17:16,731
And I think when we describe critical infrastructure sites too, those do not need

1091
01:17:16,791 --> 01:17:20,751
to necessarily be fire stations, police stations.

1092
01:17:20,811 --> 01:17:26,421
They can be a grocery store, a church, corporate office parks like they have in

1093
01:17:26,481 --> 01:17:31,191
Bolton, as well as buildings that we would typically think of as critical

1094
01:17:31,251 --> 01:17:34,821
infrastructure. So I just wanted to make sure that you all know we're going to be

1095
01:17:34,881 --> 01:17:38,751
thinking very creatively and broadly on this.

1096
01:17:39,441 --> 01:17:43,101
And one other quick thing, I don't know if you want to address it, but Northborough

1097
01:17:43,191 --> 01:17:47,541
Selectboard, from Gina, has said that they're interested in seeing our vote tonight

1098
01:17:47,631 --> 01:17:50,991
before they sign on, and that will-- Is that your-

1099
01:17:51,291 --> 01:17:55,191
Yes, they indicated this morning that they are very excited to move forward.

1100
01:17:55,251 --> 01:17:57,141
They did not want to expend legal

1101
01:17:58,701 --> 01:18:03,772
resources, pay for legal counsel, unless they knew there was an opportunity for

1102
01:18:03,831 --> 01:18:08,781
them to join in with us. So that's what they're waiting for. Eve?

1103
01:18:09,351 --> 01:18:12,531
I just need to go back to what we were talking about for a moment.

1104
01:18:12,591 --> 01:18:18,171
So I understand perfectly well the idea of having some buffer with six versus five,

1105
01:18:19,041 --> 01:18:20,751
but it's not really what my question was.

1106
01:18:20,811 --> 01:18:23,331
My question was, we can--

1107
01:18:25,191 --> 01:18:28,251
Whatever the right terminology, Ahmet, help me if I'm getting it wrong.

1108
01:18:28,701 --> 01:18:33,351
There's a 10-megawatt limit per town, and that, if I'm understanding correctly, is

1109
01:18:33,381 --> 01:18:37,851
set by the state for some sort of metering, net metering, whatever kind of metering

1110
01:18:38,061 --> 01:18:38,751
limit.

1111
01:18:39,141 --> 01:18:41,091
Eve, let me help you on that, if I may.

1112
01:18:41,151 --> 01:18:42,831
You are talking about the net metering

1113
01:18:44,841 --> 01:18:50,151
limit. But on this project, not all the generation will be net metered.

1114
01:18:50,241 --> 01:18:50,631
Some of-

1115
01:18:51,111 --> 01:18:51,501
That's true

1116
01:18:51,531 --> 01:18:53,061
... it will be behind the meter.

1117
01:18:53,211 --> 01:18:56,091
Behind the meter. And some can be wholesale as well.

1118
01:18:56,241 --> 01:18:56,391
Wholesale.

1119
01:18:56,451 --> 01:19:01,701
And so we can go over that. And if it turns out that that's something that any or

1120
01:19:01,791 --> 01:19:07,071
all of the towns want to do, there will be behind-the-meter community solar, and

1121
01:19:07,101 --> 01:19:11,121
then potential to sell excess energy into the wholesale market, and that will be

1122
01:19:11,182 --> 01:19:14,001
what is studied during the feasibility study.

1123
01:19:14,751 --> 01:19:19,432
And the idea is to come back to each town with a

1124
01:19:20,841 --> 01:19:24,861
recommended configuration, what the components would look like, what the megawatts

1125
01:19:24,891 --> 01:19:29,031
would total, and what the sort of financial and technical profile would be for each

1126
01:19:29,121 --> 01:19:29,481
town.

1127
01:19:30,741 --> 01:19:33,441
I think I'm probably not explaining myself correctly.

1128
01:19:33,861 --> 01:19:36,022
If there are fewer than five, that means

1129
01:19:37,251 --> 01:19:39,831
likely a town would have to exceed 10.

1130
01:19:40,371 --> 01:19:41,272
Is that possible

1131
01:19:43,251 --> 01:19:44,841
in order to get to 50 total?

1132
01:19:46,041 --> 01:19:51,501
If a couple of towns backed out. We believe what I've been told is that it could

1133
01:19:51,561 --> 01:19:54,711
work with four. Three, that's very tough.

1134
01:19:55,671 --> 01:19:58,251
It could work with four because it would be 12 and a half per town.

1135
01:19:58,341 --> 01:20:03,561
In other words, can there be fewer towns, each of which produces more?

1136
01:20:04,461 --> 01:20:08,932
I think it's going to be depend on the towns, Eve, and what the potential capacity

1137
01:20:08,991 --> 01:20:11,871
is for each of the towns. I honestly don't have that information.

1138
01:20:12,022 --> 01:20:13,851
That's what we're hoping to get from the study.

1139
01:20:16,221 --> 01:20:16,551
Okay.

1140
01:20:18,441 --> 01:20:19,432
If there's-- If you'd like me to-

1141
01:20:19,432 --> 01:20:23,001
If the thing was all even and everybody had the same amount of space, you could

1142
01:20:23,182 --> 01:20:26,871
sort of do that, but everybody has a different amount of space and need kind of

1143
01:20:26,932 --> 01:20:31,221
thing. So I think it's what Gina's saying is that we have to study it more to

1144
01:20:31,281 --> 01:20:37,251
determine maybe Ayor does 11, and we do eight, and Northborough does 15,

1145
01:20:37,311 --> 01:20:39,471
and somebody does four, right? So that we don't-

1146
01:20:39,531 --> 01:20:43,221
Is that possible? That model that you just said, if that were the case.

1147
01:20:43,671 --> 01:20:46,432
Exactly how you just described it. Is that possible?

1148
01:20:49,791 --> 01:20:50,871
I believe so. I

1149
01:20:52,101 --> 01:20:55,221
don't have the answer to that. I will get the answer to that from our technical

1150
01:20:55,311 --> 01:21:01,251
team. I believe that's possible, but given the configurations that

1151
01:21:01,311 --> 01:21:04,761
we've been discussing, I just want to verify that that can be the case, and I would

1152
01:21:04,791 --> 01:21:07,851
be happy to provide an email first thing in the morning about that.

1153
01:21:09,741 --> 01:21:11,932
I believe that's true. I've heard that discussed.

1154
01:21:14,301 --> 01:21:16,341
That's the question that you're getting at, Eve, right?

1155
01:21:17,121 --> 01:21:18,231
A different allocation per town.

1156
01:21:18,291 --> 01:21:18,351
Yep.

1157
01:21:18,351 --> 01:21:18,801
Okay. All right.

1158
01:21:19,101 --> 01:21:19,221
Yep.

1159
01:21:19,341 --> 01:21:19,522
Thanks.

1160
01:21:19,611 --> 01:21:23,781
I've also heard discussed that we could co-locate some of the generation because

1161
01:21:23,871 --> 01:21:28,011
all of our towns abut each other. It's a really beautiful, tight configuration of

1162
01:21:28,071 --> 01:21:33,981
towns, and we may be able to co-locate some of them together as well and benefit

1163
01:21:34,041 --> 01:21:34,821
from it that way.

1164
01:21:35,272 --> 01:21:40,371
Great. All right. Thanks. Any other questions? Yeah, Ahmet?

1165
01:21:41,001 --> 01:21:41,541
If I may,

1166
01:21:43,641 --> 01:21:44,932
less of a question-

1167
01:21:45,051 --> 01:21:45,351
Yeah

1168
01:21:45,351 --> 01:21:47,272
... but just a summary is

1169
01:21:48,801 --> 01:21:52,041
we have been working on it collectively

1170
01:21:53,721 --> 01:21:58,401
for a while now, and we look at this as for sure

1171
01:21:58,941 --> 01:22:03,831
reliability, resilience development, but also for

1172
01:22:04,011 --> 01:22:09,861
additional revenue generation. So, this project, if we can make it happen

1173
01:22:09,921 --> 01:22:13,131
together with NextGen, it has these features.

1174
01:22:13,881 --> 01:22:19,611
So, six town, five town, whether or not we are okay, my view

1175
01:22:19,791 --> 01:22:24,801
is, as we discussed, the project financial viability, having a six town and

1176
01:22:24,921 --> 01:22:30,772
including them, it will be a smart thing to do from the project viability point of

1177
01:22:30,831 --> 01:22:36,297
view. The other part of it is- Also, I'm looking at regional value

1178
01:22:36,387 --> 01:22:41,907
creation. We're not just necessarily creating value for our town, but we are

1179
01:22:42,357 --> 01:22:46,107
expanding that value creation across six towns.

1180
01:22:46,167 --> 01:22:50,697
So from that point, I'm for sure supporting six towns.

1181
01:22:52,258 --> 01:22:57,897
But we are still early on whether or not we can go beyond the phase zero that

1182
01:22:57,957 --> 01:23:03,927
Don indicated. So I really support the way that you structured that, Don, how we

1183
01:23:03,987 --> 01:23:04,707
are going to go.

1184
01:23:06,057 --> 01:23:11,547
And if I may say one more thing, and since Gina also is here.

1185
01:23:13,317 --> 01:23:18,027
The question was, is it going to be shelled ready after the $1 million?

1186
01:23:18,777 --> 01:23:22,076
My current understanding is no way.

1187
01:23:22,647 --> 01:23:28,017
It's not going to be shelled ready because we need to do multiple things.

1188
01:23:32,187 --> 01:23:37,647
As we are doing this $1 million worth of feasibility study, everything,

1189
01:23:38,577 --> 01:23:44,277
NextGen needs to continue to attract investors

1190
01:23:44,877 --> 01:23:50,697
and start building the KLO fund. Because without that

1191
01:23:50,817 --> 01:23:56,697
fund, this $1 million is nothing. The projects will cost lots of

1192
01:23:56,787 --> 01:24:02,547
money, and the way that, for me, attraction to this structure

1193
01:24:02,728 --> 01:24:08,697
is that fund will be available, and we are going to be, legally if we can, be

1194
01:24:10,046 --> 01:24:13,617
a limited partner to that fund. So then,

1195
01:24:15,747 --> 01:24:19,827
are we going to apply for another $4 million potential funding?

1196
01:24:20,218 --> 01:24:21,957
The answer is probably we'll try that.

1197
01:24:22,647 --> 01:24:26,067
But those monies will not take us to the end game.

1198
01:24:26,427 --> 01:24:29,067
The investor money has to be in place.

1199
01:24:29,427 --> 01:24:35,127
So while we are doing all this work, also NextGen is going to be working

1200
01:24:35,307 --> 01:24:35,607
on

1201
01:24:36,807 --> 01:24:42,087
getting those investors excited and sign up. Gina, am I correct on that?

1202
01:24:42,447 --> 01:24:44,127
No, I think that's a beautiful summary.

1203
01:24:45,627 --> 01:24:48,927
Assuming we get through the three gates that Don has described,

1204
01:24:50,277 --> 01:24:55,947
and we've worked out procurement, we've worked out the best path for towns to join

1205
01:24:56,037 --> 01:25:00,027
in the Keep Lights On Fund, and that may be as a limited partner, we may need here

1206
01:25:00,057 --> 01:25:02,607
in Massachusetts to structure that a bit differently.

1207
01:25:04,047 --> 01:25:07,287
Once we get there, and we would get through

1208
01:25:09,207 --> 01:25:15,147
the go gates for the third round, then what would kick in are the

1209
01:25:15,237 --> 01:25:18,687
rest of the elements that were in the initial grant.

1210
01:25:18,777 --> 01:25:23,607
The other $4 million, which are all the pre-construction costs, all the final

1211
01:25:23,697 --> 01:25:25,047
engineering designs,

1212
01:25:27,807 --> 01:25:31,978
hiring in our engineering, procurement, and construction partners.

1213
01:25:32,758 --> 01:25:38,697
All of that will happen. The second part of that grant would be what we

1214
01:25:38,728 --> 01:25:44,218
would use to fund that piece of it, and then that would also be used as the equity

1215
01:25:44,337 --> 01:25:47,307
that the towns would be bringing into the project.

1216
01:25:47,667 --> 01:25:51,357
So the intent is that the towns will not need to outlay any cash.

1217
01:25:51,927 --> 01:25:57,867
So given that, am I hearing that if you cannot get the second part of

1218
01:25:57,957 --> 01:25:58,677
the grant-

1219
01:25:59,127 --> 01:25:59,457
Mm-hmm

1220
01:25:59,457 --> 01:26:02,157
... project will be dead on arrival?

1221
01:26:02,787 --> 01:26:07,228
No, absolutely not. We could roll those into pre-construction costs in project

1222
01:26:07,258 --> 01:26:10,047
finance. We can achieve other grants.

1223
01:26:11,427 --> 01:26:15,387
I think if we are as diligent and

1224
01:26:18,777 --> 01:26:24,387
organized and coordinated as we have been to date, I feel that it would be

1225
01:26:24,417 --> 01:26:28,047
promising for the state to continue to fund this project.

1226
01:26:28,137 --> 01:26:33,267
It is one of the top priorities of the state to bring distributed energy resources

1227
01:26:33,387 --> 01:26:36,147
to municipalities across our state.

1228
01:26:36,537 --> 01:26:39,897
I think we will be a demonstration project that will be

1229
01:26:41,337 --> 01:26:44,877
well-supported, and they're going to want to continue.

1230
01:26:44,968 --> 01:26:46,857
So I feel

1231
01:26:48,417 --> 01:26:51,327
confident that this is a promising opportunity for us.

1232
01:26:51,417 --> 01:26:55,197
If not, there's other grants we could get, and we would be simultaneously applying

1233
01:26:55,258 --> 01:26:55,947
for those, Amit.

1234
01:26:56,697 --> 01:27:02,547
So until after the second set of financing or

1235
01:27:02,607 --> 01:27:03,357
the grants-

1236
01:27:03,597 --> 01:27:04,017
Mm-hmm

1237
01:27:04,017 --> 01:27:09,387
... we will not have visibility who those potential investors would be,

1238
01:27:10,317 --> 01:27:10,587
or-

1239
01:27:11,157 --> 01:27:14,637
So the potential investors, and we did just provide-- I think our chief financial

1240
01:27:14,697 --> 01:27:17,247
officer provided some answers to the town administrators.

1241
01:27:17,277 --> 01:27:18,897
They were asking that specifically.

1242
01:27:20,037 --> 01:27:25,917
They are a series of green banks and tax equity investors

1243
01:27:26,008 --> 01:27:30,597
that invest in infrastructure projects like this all the time, that our team has

1244
01:27:30,627 --> 01:27:35,847
worked with in the past. Specifically which partners we will select at the

1245
01:27:35,907 --> 01:27:39,777
time will depend on who gives us the best deal.

1246
01:27:40,377 --> 01:27:42,927
And, that's going to be part of the process.

1247
01:27:43,317 --> 01:27:48,537
We have quite a lot of interest in this project because we have

1248
01:27:49,197 --> 01:27:53,877
several municipalities that will be part of it, which de-risks the whole project

1249
01:27:53,937 --> 01:27:59,427
for them. The towns are the customers, so we are our own customers in the fund.

1250
01:27:59,907 --> 01:28:03,508
That also de-risks the project. It's also well-supported.

1251
01:28:03,597 --> 01:28:08,097
We will have equity in the deal already. We have been very thoroughly studied.

1252
01:28:08,517 --> 01:28:13,857
We will have top-notch engineering, procurement, and construction partners.

1253
01:28:14,397 --> 01:28:18,447
All of that is what weighs in. And we also have a track record already with several

1254
01:28:18,508 --> 01:28:22,887
of these potential partners. So we have not locked that in yet because we don't

1255
01:28:22,947 --> 01:28:27,957
have the project completed yet. Once we get through the feasibility study, and

1256
01:28:28,017 --> 01:28:33,237
we'll know exactly which towns are moving forward with which configurations of

1257
01:28:33,297 --> 01:28:38,008
their hero hubs, then we'll know exactly what the project is. It can be priced.

1258
01:28:38,097 --> 01:28:42,597
It will be somewhere between $150 and $180 million, and then we will get that

1259
01:28:42,687 --> 01:28:48,567
financed. And I just want to underscore that this happens all the time in industry.

1260
01:28:49,017 --> 01:28:53,997
We have not been able to participate in this because we've been too small.

1261
01:28:54,567 --> 01:28:56,067
And this is

1262
01:28:57,478 --> 01:29:02,696
an important innovation that we are bringing our towns together to do this because

1263
01:29:02,786 --> 01:29:07,887
it gives us critical mass to have access to the same kind of financing that private

1264
01:29:07,947 --> 01:29:08,728
entities get.

1265
01:29:10,407 --> 01:29:11,607
Thanks, Gina.

1266
01:29:11,697 --> 01:29:12,297
Yeah, Eve?

1267
01:29:13,197 --> 01:29:16,228
Can I go back to the mention about towns' equity?

1268
01:29:16,917 --> 01:29:17,127
Yeah.

1269
01:29:17,247 --> 01:29:23,097
So there was, in the midst of all of that, there was a comment

1270
01:29:23,218 --> 01:29:24,207
that the

1271
01:29:25,407 --> 01:29:30,807
potential second grant award, which is underscore potential at this point, that $4

1272
01:29:30,957 --> 01:29:33,147
million would be what is

1273
01:29:35,277 --> 01:29:38,817
needed in order for the towns not to contribute equity.

1274
01:29:38,907 --> 01:29:42,267
So that would be the town's equity. Am I understanding that correctly?

1275
01:29:42,357 --> 01:29:46,347
Is that how it was explained? Okay, so all grants are uncertain.

1276
01:29:47,877 --> 01:29:50,247
And I understand you're very confident, and I'm not

1277
01:29:51,657 --> 01:29:54,657
disputing that. However, it's not 100%.

1278
01:29:54,927 --> 01:29:58,077
What if it doesn't come through, or what if we get $2 instead of $4 million?

1279
01:29:58,377 --> 01:30:00,207
What does that mean for town equity?

1280
01:30:00,297 --> 01:30:03,478
Because, as we all know, we don't have that money.

1281
01:30:04,677 --> 01:30:07,137
I understand that, and I,

1282
01:30:08,517 --> 01:30:14,187
having worked with Harvard as long as I have and living in Harvard and getting to

1283
01:30:14,247 --> 01:30:16,857
know our surrounding towns, we're all in the same boat.

1284
01:30:18,117 --> 01:30:22,228
My company has committed to finding that funding.

1285
01:30:22,737 --> 01:30:25,557
We're not going to put that on the towns, not any of the towns.

1286
01:30:25,827 --> 01:30:31,587
So we will find that funding. We are excited about the potential of continuing to

1287
01:30:31,647 --> 01:30:35,577
work with the EEA on this MVP action grant.

1288
01:30:36,207 --> 01:30:39,207
If that turns out not to be the right path, we will find a path.

1289
01:30:39,567 --> 01:30:45,267
We have great support from Senator Eldridge, Senator Cronin, Representative

1290
01:30:45,387 --> 01:30:50,218
Sina, from Hogan, from Kennedy. The list goes on.

1291
01:30:50,337 --> 01:30:51,987
They're all aware of this project.

1292
01:30:53,247 --> 01:30:59,127
Susan, Mary, and Don joined me at the awards ceremony with Lieutenant Governor

1293
01:30:59,397 --> 01:30:59,787
Driscoll,

1294
01:31:01,137 --> 01:31:04,857
who high-fived me because they're very excited about this project.

1295
01:31:05,247 --> 01:31:06,057
So I think

1296
01:31:08,547 --> 01:31:12,297
if we progress with the same diligence and,

1297
01:31:14,187 --> 01:31:19,587
God willing, we don't have some major external macro force that changes the path

1298
01:31:19,617 --> 01:31:22,167
that we're on, we will find the funding.

1299
01:31:22,827 --> 01:31:28,497
At this stage, we're really looking to get the study done and just sort of time box

1300
01:31:28,557 --> 01:31:33,718
it, task box it around this study, and have everybody feeling really good about

1301
01:31:33,777 --> 01:31:37,137
what we learn coming out of it. And I hope it'll really

1302
01:31:38,487 --> 01:31:42,327
bring value to all of our towns, whether we go forward with the project or not, to

1303
01:31:42,357 --> 01:31:44,008
really know what our potential is.

1304
01:31:44,889 --> 01:31:47,289
Thanks, Gina. Dawn, do you have something to add to that?

1305
01:31:47,529 --> 01:31:50,649
I just want to bring this discussion a little bit back in-

1306
01:31:50,709 --> 01:31:50,829
Yeah

1307
01:31:50,829 --> 01:31:53,529
... because I think we're getting a little bit ahead of ourselves.

1308
01:31:53,919 --> 01:31:58,209
I appreciate the questions, but I really do want to focus just on this million

1309
01:31:58,269 --> 01:32:01,929
dollars and really right now just focus on phase zero.

1310
01:32:02,649 --> 01:32:06,399
Because again, we have so many legal questions that are still unanswered as well as

1311
01:32:06,429 --> 01:32:10,359
the procurement process. I think we really need to start there.

1312
01:32:11,139 --> 01:32:14,109
And continue to have these larger discussions about what-

1313
01:32:14,169 --> 01:32:14,379
Mm-hmm

1314
01:32:14,469 --> 01:32:16,269
... the future of this project looks like.

1315
01:32:17,109 --> 01:32:22,749
But really our number one question right now is what does our participation in this

1316
01:32:22,809 --> 01:32:28,299
fund look like, and can we legally and without liability do the town

1317
01:32:28,929 --> 01:32:31,779
and portion of six towns?

1318
01:32:32,109 --> 01:32:36,099
Great. Thanks, Dawn. I do have one question about the budget then, the $1 million.

1319
01:32:36,699 --> 01:32:41,829
If we have under or over-budgeted any particular line, is Hillary willing to work

1320
01:32:41,889 --> 01:32:45,249
with us to reallocate? Can you do line item transfers kind of thing?

1321
01:32:45,759 --> 01:32:46,329
Okay.

1322
01:32:46,389 --> 01:32:46,719
Okay.

1323
01:32:47,199 --> 01:32:52,779
Scope as needed. If we only spent 100,000 of the 130, we can take that 30 and

1324
01:32:52,839 --> 01:32:55,779
allocate it somewhere else, and do that throughout the process.

1325
01:32:56,199 --> 01:32:56,529
Wonderful.

1326
01:32:57,129 --> 01:32:57,309
Okay.

1327
01:32:57,370 --> 01:33:02,410
Any questions about the million-dollar budget that we are approving or not this

1328
01:33:02,499 --> 01:33:02,829
evening?

1329
01:33:04,269 --> 01:33:09,129
Those sequential votes, those are select board votes from us or from all three

1330
01:33:09,309 --> 01:33:12,879
select boards or, there's a go, no-go at each phase?

1331
01:33:13,870 --> 01:33:14,169
Who would-

1332
01:33:15,639 --> 01:33:19,599
Our intention is that it would be each community would vote at those go, no-go.

1333
01:33:20,289 --> 01:33:25,089
Right now because Harvard is the leader on this, even though Ayer and Shirley have

1334
01:33:25,120 --> 01:33:30,939
also signed onto the grant, they're looking to this board for the

1335
01:33:31,029 --> 01:33:36,879
vote on this budget and on whether or not to incorporate up

1336
01:33:36,939 --> 01:33:39,939
to the six towns on the study.

1337
01:33:42,429 --> 01:33:43,689
When we get to that phase?

1338
01:33:45,429 --> 01:33:45,429
Yeah.

1339
01:33:45,789 --> 01:33:48,039
I'm sorry, when are we incorporating the six towns?

1340
01:33:49,569 --> 01:33:49,749
Well,

1341
01:33:50,979 --> 01:33:56,769
really from day one, because when we look at even the legal aspect, we would be

1342
01:33:57,099 --> 01:34:00,789
not just speaking about Harvard, we would be speaking about each community, and it

1343
01:34:00,819 --> 01:34:05,109
would be my intention to, if the board is supportive of bringing those other three

1344
01:34:05,169 --> 01:34:10,059
towns who aren't on the grant application, to have a meeting of all the town

1345
01:34:10,089 --> 01:34:14,559
administrators and town managers to make sure that all six communities are on the

1346
01:34:14,620 --> 01:34:19,059
same page. Harvard, Ayer, Shirley, we've all had the opportunity to have these

1347
01:34:19,120 --> 01:34:24,910
conversations and have our questions answered by Gina and her colleagues,

1348
01:34:25,479 --> 01:34:29,739
but we would want to bring the other town administrators in the loop on all this,

1349
01:34:29,829 --> 01:34:30,069
too.

1350
01:34:30,999 --> 01:34:36,459
So is the vote then contingent upon the full six-town complement?

1351
01:34:37,419 --> 01:34:42,129
Is that what you're recommending is that, yes, we approve the budget, but it's

1352
01:34:42,249 --> 01:34:46,299
contingent upon six towns move forward with a signed MOU on this?

1353
01:34:47,079 --> 01:34:49,329
Well, we've got five towns as of right now-

1354
01:34:49,419 --> 01:34:49,419
Yeah

1355
01:34:49,419 --> 01:34:52,929
... because Bolton and Lancaster have signed on, and according to Gina,

1356
01:34:53,019 --> 01:34:56,349
Northborough is ready to sign on also.

1357
01:34:56,739 --> 01:34:56,858
Okay.

1358
01:34:57,519 --> 01:35:01,870
So I would think that because the way that the grant was written and it included

1359
01:35:01,929 --> 01:35:02,410
for

1360
01:35:04,089 --> 01:35:09,370
36 sites overall, that I think we do incorporate all six communities, whether or

1361
01:35:09,429 --> 01:35:13,779
not Northborough signs on or not. I think that we have to proceed that way.

1362
01:35:14,289 --> 01:35:15,399
Okay. Ahmet?

1363
01:35:15,699 --> 01:35:20,439
Susan Mary, if I may put a little twist to that,

1364
01:35:21,789 --> 01:35:22,419
which is

1365
01:35:24,549 --> 01:35:29,199
I would like to say a motion that, number one, approving the

1366
01:35:30,189 --> 01:35:35,859
budget as presented by Dawn. The second thing, which is answering to your

1367
01:35:35,949 --> 01:35:36,639
question,

1368
01:35:38,109 --> 01:35:43,629
we would want to include up to six towns,

1369
01:35:44,439 --> 01:35:44,829
but

1370
01:35:46,089 --> 01:35:51,129
for us to apply to grant, having immediately six towns is not a condition.

1371
01:35:51,879 --> 01:35:52,059
Okay.

1372
01:35:52,419 --> 01:35:52,809
So we can come-

1373
01:35:52,809 --> 01:35:56,349
So it's conditional on having at least five towns?

1374
01:35:56,739 --> 01:36:00,339
That's the thing is we've said it needs to have a certain number of towns to work,

1375
01:36:00,429 --> 01:36:00,729
right?

1376
01:36:00,819 --> 01:36:03,939
We have four towns signed the MOU.

1377
01:36:04,059 --> 01:36:04,809
I'm clear about that, yeah.

1378
01:36:05,049 --> 01:36:09,549
And then two other are waiting our vote.

1379
01:36:10,209 --> 01:36:15,910
But I'm trying not to make it conditional that we'll have the six towns

1380
01:36:16,029 --> 01:36:19,689
immediately today, tomorrow, because I'd like to be able to-

1381
01:36:19,689 --> 01:36:20,379
Oh, I see what you're saying

1382
01:36:20,529 --> 01:36:20,529
...

1383
01:36:21,939 --> 01:36:26,109
push the risk of budget to the state so they could go in.

1384
01:36:26,319 --> 01:36:26,679
Got it.

1385
01:36:27,129 --> 01:36:31,749
Other towns could come in line in two weeks, three weeks, four weeks, depends on

1386
01:36:31,809 --> 01:36:32,620
their schedule.

1387
01:36:33,069 --> 01:36:38,259
So the six towns could be part of the no-go after the first phase is over,

1388
01:36:38,319 --> 01:36:38,679
potentially?

1389
01:36:38,889 --> 01:36:39,879
Oh, absolutely. Because-

1390
01:36:39,910 --> 01:36:40,120
Okay.

1391
01:36:40,479 --> 01:36:40,749
Yeah.

1392
01:36:40,809 --> 01:36:45,249
Okay. I'm trying to sort of take Eve's question and make sure we have the

1393
01:36:45,309 --> 01:36:50,499
appropriate measures in place to move forward and whether we needed to have the six

1394
01:36:50,529 --> 01:36:50,889
or not.

1395
01:36:51,339 --> 01:36:51,459
Yeah.

1396
01:36:51,879 --> 01:36:55,239
Could I ask a question? And I don't know if this, I might have missed it.

1397
01:36:57,639 --> 01:37:00,729
At each thing we have the go, no-go, and there's a vote.

1398
01:37:00,789 --> 01:37:02,829
How does that work if one says, "You know what?

1399
01:37:02,889 --> 01:37:05,769
I'm not ready to go here yet." How do we resolve that?

1400
01:37:05,769 --> 01:37:10,449
It's just a majority vote and the other because they signed on, if someone's in the

1401
01:37:10,479 --> 01:37:13,569
minority and says, "Well, I said no-go, but I got to go."

1402
01:37:13,929 --> 01:37:14,559
They drop.

1403
01:37:15,129 --> 01:37:16,269
They're out, right?

1404
01:37:17,859 --> 01:37:20,289
Yeah, and anybody could pull out at really any point.

1405
01:37:20,379 --> 01:37:24,549
I mean, it's a non-binding MOU, so there isn't anything that says

1406
01:37:25,089 --> 01:37:28,689
you're tied to it through the whole process, so.

1407
01:37:29,049 --> 01:37:33,969
Okay. But the deeper you go in with the different phases, right?

1408
01:37:34,329 --> 01:37:35,589
I mean, at a certain point,

1409
01:37:36,910 --> 01:37:39,279
maybe you shouldn't be able to get out of it, right?

1410
01:37:40,029 --> 01:37:44,649
I mean, you don't want to get to phase whatever, almost the final phase and then

1411
01:37:44,709 --> 01:37:45,309
have somebody-

1412
01:37:47,739 --> 01:37:48,009
Yeah.

1413
01:37:48,370 --> 01:37:53,979
I don't think we'll reach to that point until after this million dollars, so again-

1414
01:37:54,309 --> 01:37:54,309
Yeah

1415
01:37:54,309 --> 01:37:55,629
... I'll address it after that.

1416
01:37:56,109 --> 01:37:56,199
Yeah.

1417
01:37:56,259 --> 01:37:58,389
Okay. Just wanted to ask. Thanks.

1418
01:37:58,479 --> 01:38:02,709
So, Ahmet, can you restate your motion then? Because we don't have a second on it.

1419
01:38:05,019 --> 01:38:09,969
Okay. I'll try to do it in plain Turkish this time.

1420
01:38:10,509 --> 01:38:16,419
So, I'd like to make a motion to approve the revised MEP Action Grant

1421
01:38:16,509 --> 01:38:17,949
budget as submitted,

1422
01:38:19,899 --> 01:38:25,209
and including up to six towns into this study.

1423
01:38:26,019 --> 01:38:26,349
Great.

1424
01:38:26,799 --> 01:38:26,979
Second.

1425
01:38:26,979 --> 01:38:27,609
Is there a second?

1426
01:38:27,999 --> 01:38:28,419
Second.

1427
01:38:29,229 --> 01:38:30,219
Any further discussion?

1428
01:38:31,179 --> 01:38:35,109
Ah, Ahmet, can you just clarify the second part of that motion, and including up to

1429
01:38:35,169 --> 01:38:35,620
six?

1430
01:38:35,979 --> 01:38:41,649
Towns into this study is covered by the

1431
01:38:41,949 --> 01:38:43,029
$1 million.

1432
01:38:44,349 --> 01:38:49,089
So we're approving the budget and permitting up to three additional towns to join

1433
01:38:49,149 --> 01:38:50,379
into the study. Got it.

1434
01:38:51,459 --> 01:38:53,289
That's a better translation. Thank you.

1435
01:38:54,849 --> 01:38:58,719
Okay. Good luck, Michelle, with that motion.

1436
01:39:02,469 --> 01:39:03,849
All right. Any further discussion?

1437
01:39:05,049 --> 01:39:07,029
All right. Roll call vote. Ahmet?

1438
01:39:07,660 --> 01:39:07,929
Aye.

1439
01:39:08,439 --> 01:39:08,859
Eric?

1440
01:39:09,219 --> 01:39:09,459
Aye.

1441
01:39:10,179 --> 01:39:10,779
Eve?

1442
01:39:10,870 --> 01:39:11,169
Aye.

1443
01:39:11,739 --> 01:39:12,279
Cara?

1444
01:39:12,429 --> 01:39:12,639
Aye.

1445
01:39:13,059 --> 01:39:14,829
And I'm an aye. All right.

1446
01:39:14,859 --> 01:39:15,969
Thank you, board. I appreciate the time-

1447
01:39:16,029 --> 01:39:21,219
Ahmet, thank you for your work. Please extend our thank yous to Brian and Robert as

1448
01:39:21,309 --> 01:39:23,679
well. You guys have been great in putting all this together.

1449
01:39:23,739 --> 01:39:25,809
Gina, thank you for coming, and we look forward to-

1450
01:39:25,809 --> 01:39:25,809
Pleasure

1451
01:39:25,839 --> 01:39:27,160
... working with you further on this.

1452
01:39:27,459 --> 01:39:28,809
Me too. Have a great night.

1453
01:39:28,809 --> 01:39:30,099
Thanks, everyone. Thank you.

1454
01:39:31,779 --> 01:39:35,859
All right. We already did that. Next is-

1455
01:39:36,099 --> 01:39:39,969
Susan Mary, if I could just, we need to talk about the all boards meeting still.

1456
01:39:40,269 --> 01:39:42,519
Oh, did I miss one? Thank you so much for catching me.

1457
01:39:42,849 --> 01:39:43,389
Sure.

1458
01:39:43,479 --> 01:39:45,370
All right. All boards meeting.

1459
01:39:47,199 --> 01:39:51,279
Ugh. I'm starting to fade a little bit. What did we propose?

1460
01:39:51,309 --> 01:39:56,319
Talked about November 5th, but then both Ahmet and I, I think may not be available-

1461
01:39:56,379 --> 01:39:59,889
Oh, right. That's right. Okay. Eve, do you have a proposal date?

1462
01:40:01,629 --> 01:40:06,729
No, I was going to say that I thought it was important for as much of the select

1463
01:40:06,759 --> 01:40:10,959
board to be present as possible, given that it is all boards and we want to show

1464
01:40:11,019 --> 01:40:12,579
our endorsement of

1465
01:40:13,809 --> 01:40:18,579
all the committees and so on. So I was leaning against a date when two of the five

1466
01:40:18,639 --> 01:40:20,439
of us were not going to be available.

1467
01:40:20,949 --> 01:40:26,679
And I concur. So does someone want to propose an alternative date?

1468
01:40:26,739 --> 01:40:31,359
We had floated November 10th, but that puts us quite a bit of ways in between our

1469
01:40:31,419 --> 01:40:34,359
last meeting and the next meeting after that, so.

1470
01:40:34,929 --> 01:40:39,639
I think we also said November 9th. The 10th is before the Veterans Day.

1471
01:40:39,729 --> 01:40:43,389
I'm not sure if people go away or do whatever, but November 9th.

1472
01:40:44,169 --> 01:40:47,739
I guess we had to figure out whether there was a conflict with some other board.

1473
01:40:47,799 --> 01:40:48,249
Is that right?

1474
01:40:48,309 --> 01:40:48,699
Yeah. That would be-

1475
01:40:48,729 --> 01:40:49,629
That was school committee meeting

1476
01:40:49,660 --> 01:40:51,039
... the regular school committee, yeah.

1477
01:40:51,639 --> 01:40:53,620
Oh, I see. Gotcha.

1478
01:40:55,311 --> 01:40:55,522
Um,

1479
01:40:57,111 --> 01:40:57,411
so

1480
01:40:58,941 --> 01:41:00,261
from the next, I think that a little complicated.

1481
01:41:00,261 --> 01:41:01,671
Most nights there's some other committee that meets.

1482
01:41:02,272 --> 01:41:02,541
What?

1483
01:41:02,991 --> 01:41:05,211
I said most nights there's some other committee that meets.

1484
01:41:05,272 --> 01:41:07,161
I'm not sure we're going to be able to avoid every single one.

1485
01:41:07,641 --> 01:41:11,541
No, I agree, but I think Monday nights are also a little tough, and the school

1486
01:41:11,601 --> 01:41:14,241
committee is one of our larger committees.

1487
01:41:15,051 --> 01:41:20,091
What about Thursday the 12th? If Thursday seemed to work best for most, it just was

1488
01:41:20,121 --> 01:41:21,201
in the first week of the month.

1489
01:41:23,001 --> 01:41:23,781
I can do that.

1490
01:41:25,461 --> 01:41:28,011
Housing trust, but they're not as important. We can do without them.

1491
01:41:28,071 --> 01:41:29,121
They'll be at the meeting.

1492
01:41:31,611 --> 01:41:33,861
They can pose for both. All right.

1493
01:41:34,341 --> 01:41:36,231
They probably are the ones willing.

1494
01:41:36,291 --> 01:41:39,022
And then member select board members make it to the 12th.

1495
01:41:39,711 --> 01:41:39,831
12th.

1496
01:41:39,861 --> 01:41:41,361
Anyone not able to? Yes.

1497
01:41:41,811 --> 01:41:43,280
I will be out of town on that day.

1498
01:41:43,701 --> 01:41:47,121
Okay, let's pick a different day then, because now we really have to have everybody

1499
01:41:47,151 --> 01:41:47,331
there.

1500
01:41:48,711 --> 01:41:49,311
18th.

1501
01:41:54,261 --> 01:41:56,331
18th, the Wednesday after our select board meeting?

1502
01:41:56,932 --> 01:41:57,081
Yeah.

1503
01:41:57,141 --> 01:41:57,261
Yeah.

1504
01:41:57,651 --> 01:41:58,671
Yeah, the 18th.

1505
01:42:01,522 --> 01:42:02,601
I'm okay with that.

1506
01:42:03,051 --> 01:42:04,281
I'm just going through the calendar.

1507
01:42:04,401 --> 01:42:07,251
All right, that's fine. You can throw out anything you want at this point, but it's

1508
01:42:07,311 --> 01:42:08,781
like herding cats here, so.

1509
01:42:09,411 --> 01:42:09,531
Yeah.

1510
01:42:10,791 --> 01:42:12,951
Well, did anyone oppose the 18th?

1511
01:42:14,241 --> 01:42:14,391
18th?

1512
01:42:14,541 --> 01:42:14,811
No.

1513
01:42:17,421 --> 01:42:18,801
What did we say about the 17th?

1514
01:42:19,791 --> 01:42:21,261
We have a select board meeting that night.

1515
01:42:21,351 --> 01:42:22,611
Oh, that night. Okay. Right. Mm-hmm.

1516
01:42:25,131 --> 01:42:26,391
18th is fine for me.

1517
01:42:27,141 --> 01:42:27,381
Okay.

1518
01:42:27,381 --> 01:42:29,511
And then we do the 18th or the 19th, either one.

1519
01:42:30,471 --> 01:42:33,292
I'm okay with 18th or 19th, both.

1520
01:42:33,741 --> 01:42:34,311
Me too.

1521
01:42:34,371 --> 01:42:34,551
Yes.

1522
01:42:34,881 --> 01:42:37,131
I prefer the 19th just a wee bit, but

1523
01:42:38,391 --> 01:42:38,542
I'll do whatever.

1524
01:42:38,542 --> 01:42:41,391
Okay. November 19th. Is that a go for everyone then?

1525
01:42:43,042 --> 01:42:46,461
We can talk, swap Thanksgiving recipes as well.

1526
01:42:47,901 --> 01:42:50,721
All right. November 19th is the all boards meeting.

1527
01:42:51,441 --> 01:42:55,371
We have done it at both Volunteers Hall and Upper Town Hall.

1528
01:42:55,641 --> 01:43:00,022
Don was going to reach out to Mary. Does anyone have a reason why we shouldn't

1529
01:43:00,171 --> 01:43:05,391
consider either one? I think we can run a broadcast meeting from either one.

1530
01:43:06,951 --> 01:43:10,792
Well, the acoustics are a little better, and elevator at the library.

1531
01:43:11,421 --> 01:43:17,181
Okay. Yep, that's a great point. So Don, if you'll let us know if Volunteers Hall

1532
01:43:17,241 --> 01:43:23,211
is available on the 19th. As a backup, we can always do it at Upper Town Hall.

1533
01:43:25,102 --> 01:43:25,341
Okay.

1534
01:43:25,581 --> 01:43:27,651
And I'm sorry, did you say a time, like 6:00?

1535
01:43:27,711 --> 01:43:29,331
No, I didn't. So that was the last one.

1536
01:43:31,131 --> 01:43:32,542
Do we want to do

1537
01:43:33,801 --> 01:43:37,522
it earlier than 7:00, or does 7:00 let people get home and then have dinner and

1538
01:43:37,551 --> 01:43:38,211
then go out?

1539
01:43:40,761 --> 01:43:41,151
Thoughts?

1540
01:43:42,441 --> 01:43:46,491
My recollection is it was a little bit long, so we might want to start earlier just

1541
01:43:46,522 --> 01:43:47,661
so we don't hit 10:00.

1542
01:43:48,171 --> 01:43:49,911
Okay. How about 6:30?

1543
01:43:52,341 --> 01:43:52,491
Yeah.

1544
01:43:53,121 --> 01:43:58,221
Okay. 6:30, Volunteers Hall is a preference on

1545
01:43:58,641 --> 01:44:00,711
Thursday, November 19th.

1546
01:44:02,032 --> 01:44:07,520
And what would we want people to prepare prior to the meeting so that it is

1547
01:44:07,581 --> 01:44:12,111
everybody presenting the same idea as the board's goals for the year?

1548
01:44:13,131 --> 01:44:16,971
Yeah, we could recycle that memo, Don, from last year, I think.

1549
01:44:17,301 --> 01:44:17,482
Okay.

1550
01:44:17,661 --> 01:44:20,272
It was pretty succinct, and it just-

1551
01:44:20,331 --> 01:44:20,451
Great

1552
01:44:20,451 --> 01:44:21,561
... laid out three things.

1553
01:44:22,761 --> 01:44:25,161
Okay. And also, I think, Don...

1554
01:44:26,571 --> 01:44:27,081
I'm sorry, what?

1555
01:44:27,501 --> 01:44:29,961
I think it was one slide that was limited to-

1556
01:44:30,051 --> 01:44:30,292
Yeah

1557
01:44:30,292 --> 01:44:31,941
... their three goals for the year.

1558
01:44:32,301 --> 01:44:34,761
Okay. And then Don,

1559
01:44:34,852 --> 01:44:40,491
there is something in the

1560
01:44:40,551 --> 01:44:45,171
charter or some timeline or something that says that we're supposed to do somewhat

1561
01:44:45,201 --> 01:44:49,971
of a financial overview, I think, no? To all the boards.

1562
01:44:52,371 --> 01:44:56,001
I cannot remember off the top of my head where I've seen it, but it would just be

1563
01:44:56,061 --> 01:44:57,681
good to maybe give people a picture.

1564
01:44:57,772 --> 01:44:58,971
I know that we've done it in the

1565
01:45:00,951 --> 01:45:02,001
memo that went out, but...

1566
01:45:04,581 --> 01:45:05,782
Okay. All right.

1567
01:45:07,431 --> 01:45:12,141
And Eric, you looked a little skeptical on that, so if you can find where it was

1568
01:45:12,261 --> 01:45:14,482
and say we don't have to do it, that would be great.

1569
01:45:14,901 --> 01:45:18,201
Yeah. Not skeptical, I just couldn't remember where that would be in here.

1570
01:45:18,261 --> 01:45:18,261
Oh, okay.

1571
01:45:18,292 --> 01:45:20,032
So I was just going to pull it up and look for you.

1572
01:45:20,032 --> 01:45:20,241
Yeah. It's a me.

1573
01:45:20,272 --> 01:45:22,701
But I'll verify that and let you all know.

1574
01:45:23,001 --> 01:45:24,381
All right, great. All right. Sorry.

1575
01:45:26,061 --> 01:45:28,042
Don, you're up with the TA report next.

1576
01:45:30,141 --> 01:45:31,852
Great. Let me share my screen again.

1577
01:45:43,011 --> 01:45:44,272
Sorry, I just have to find it.

1578
01:45:44,991 --> 01:45:45,681
No worries.

1579
01:45:49,011 --> 01:45:51,951
And someone's continually checking the waiting room, right?

1580
01:45:51,982 --> 01:45:53,811
To see if there's anybody. Okay, great.

1581
01:45:54,081 --> 01:45:54,232
Yeah.

1582
01:45:54,292 --> 01:45:54,711
Thank you.

1583
01:46:04,611 --> 01:46:05,121
There you go.

1584
01:46:08,061 --> 01:46:09,532
Let me know if that comes up on your end.

1585
01:46:10,102 --> 01:46:11,061
I can see it, yeah.

1586
01:46:11,451 --> 01:46:15,951
Yep. So a brief report this week, because we just met a week ago.

1587
01:46:17,331 --> 01:46:22,551
The Aero tip project, we had our first pre-construction meeting yesterday.

1588
01:46:23,482 --> 01:46:28,611
Eric and Liz and Chief Baboo attended for the town.

1589
01:46:29,721 --> 01:46:34,311
And at that meeting, it was discussed that National Grid may begin some work on

1590
01:46:34,371 --> 01:46:39,441
their pole relocations, as soon as the notice to proceed has been issued by

1591
01:46:39,501 --> 01:46:44,871
MassDOT. But as of right now, there's no other mobilization plan for the winter

1592
01:46:44,961 --> 01:46:48,051
months. So we won't see a lot going on on Aero.

1593
01:46:48,141 --> 01:46:51,681
It will be in the spring, once all the snow has melted.

1594
01:46:52,282 --> 01:46:54,591
If anything changes, I will keep you updated on that.

1595
01:46:55,821 --> 01:47:01,491
I have no updates on the pump station or the culvert replacement for this meeting.

1596
01:47:02,391 --> 01:47:04,491
McCarty Track and Field is coming along.

1597
01:47:04,971 --> 01:47:08,811
I would encourage you all to go take a look if you want to drive by, go sit in the

1598
01:47:08,871 --> 01:47:12,321
parking lot. But it's really coming along great.

1599
01:47:13,191 --> 01:47:18,141
At this point, it does not look like any of the fall sports will be able to utilize

1600
01:47:18,201 --> 01:47:20,961
it. They are still running a few weeks behind schedule.

1601
01:47:22,042 --> 01:47:25,760
But Ian has accounted for that and is using other field locations.

1602
01:47:25,852 --> 01:47:31,461
So, if you can take a drive by. No update on the Bear Hill Pond dam.

1603
01:47:32,901 --> 01:47:36,982
But the library BMS system, this project is almost complete.

1604
01:47:37,551 --> 01:47:41,361
But there are two change orders that came in for work required.

1605
01:47:42,501 --> 01:47:47,091
But these change orders will put the project over budget.

1606
01:47:47,691 --> 01:47:51,081
If I recall, it's by about 10,000 or so dollars.

1607
01:47:52,011 --> 01:47:56,331
Mary Wilson and I are working to resolve this, because this was a town meeting

1608
01:47:56,451 --> 01:48:00,591
vote, and town meeting appropriated $200,000 for the project.

1609
01:48:01,071 --> 01:48:05,391
And without these change orders, the project came in at $198,000.

1610
01:48:05,751 --> 01:48:09,501
So I physically can't spend more than what was appropriated at town meeting.

1611
01:48:10,371 --> 01:48:15,051
So we're working to determine what the best path is for being able to approve this

1612
01:48:15,141 --> 01:48:20,361
work, whether we have to go to the finance committee for a potential reserve fund

1613
01:48:20,451 --> 01:48:25,971
transfer for it, or if between maybe library

1614
01:48:26,001 --> 01:48:30,111
budget or the library trustees, that they can cover the work.

1615
01:48:30,201 --> 01:48:33,381
So Mary and I are working through this, and I'll bring you back an update just as

1616
01:48:33,411 --> 01:48:34,431
soon as I have one.

1617
01:48:36,111 --> 01:48:39,022
I don't have any personnel updates for you this week.

1618
01:48:40,011 --> 01:48:43,732
Operations-wise, budget guidance was distributed to all departments, boards, and

1619
01:48:43,821 --> 01:48:48,801
committees last Wednesday. I've set the deadline for department budgets to be due

1620
01:48:48,861 --> 01:48:54,681
to me by October 26th. That gave them a good solid three, three and a

1621
01:48:54,711 --> 01:48:56,751
half weeks to get the budgets to me.

1622
01:48:58,071 --> 01:49:02,871
And I'm working on a schedule right now for bringing in departments.

1623
01:49:03,171 --> 01:49:06,441
And I will let you all know when those meetings are, as well as the finance

1624
01:49:06,501 --> 01:49:11,001
committee, so that you can sit in and listen to the discussions that are had

1625
01:49:11,032 --> 01:49:15,561
between myself, Jared, Julie, and the departments themselves.

1626
01:49:17,361 --> 01:49:21,232
The warrant for the special town meeting has been completed, and postcards will

1627
01:49:21,292 --> 01:49:26,421
hopefully be mailed out tomorrow to all residents with a QR code that will bring

1628
01:49:26,451 --> 01:49:28,641
you right to the warrant on the town website.

1629
01:49:29,451 --> 01:49:34,011
The warrant lives, just so the public knows, under the town clerk's page with all

1630
01:49:34,131 --> 01:49:37,282
other town meeting warrants and minutes for town meeting.

1631
01:49:38,001 --> 01:49:41,542
But we have also put an announcement on the homepage that will also bring you to

1632
01:49:41,602 --> 01:49:46,491
that same location. The warrant has been officially posted on the town website in

1633
01:49:46,551 --> 01:49:51,141
accordance with the law and bylaws, so we are ready to have a town meeting.

1634
01:49:51,501 --> 01:49:55,102
That's always what I'm worried about is making sure that that's posted so we don't

1635
01:49:55,191 --> 01:49:57,741
have to cancel. But that is all done.

1636
01:49:59,265 --> 01:50:03,705
One other thing I wanted to, I have no other announcements, notifications, but I

1637
01:50:03,795 --> 01:50:09,316
was very fortunate to be able to, this afternoon, go over to the new

1638
01:50:09,406 --> 01:50:12,645
satellite emergency facility over in Groton.

1639
01:50:13,365 --> 01:50:18,526
The governor came out as well. Senator Trahan was there, and

1640
01:50:19,425 --> 01:50:22,934
our local delegation was there also.

1641
01:50:24,015 --> 01:50:29,566
But we heard a nice press conference in which the governor and Lori Trahan spoke.

1642
01:50:30,285 --> 01:50:35,805
We heard from the president or CEO, whatever his title is, I apologize, for

1643
01:50:36,675 --> 01:50:39,495
the UMass Memorial Healthcare system.

1644
01:50:40,816 --> 01:50:42,615
And we were able to get a tour of the facility.

1645
01:50:42,705 --> 01:50:46,395
So Chief Sicard and I went over there, and were able to see that.

1646
01:50:46,695 --> 01:50:49,336
The facility is absolutely gorgeous.

1647
01:50:49,695 --> 01:50:54,915
They have literally thought of anything, and it's going to be a great asset to our

1648
01:50:54,975 --> 01:50:59,685
communities in the absence of having Nashoba Valley Hospital.

1649
01:51:00,645 --> 01:51:03,735
They are slated to open sometime in February.

1650
01:51:04,816 --> 01:51:10,485
They're about 90% through their hiring process and do expect

1651
01:51:10,576 --> 01:51:14,745
for the professionals to be on board in December.

1652
01:51:15,105 --> 01:51:18,285
So they're going to actually be in there a couple of months before official

1653
01:51:18,406 --> 01:51:22,365
opening, get themselves comfortable with the facility, all the equipment and

1654
01:51:22,395 --> 01:51:27,885
whatnot. But I'm really excited that I got to go.

1655
01:51:28,305 --> 01:51:30,406
I heard about it last minute and glad I did.

1656
01:51:31,066 --> 01:51:34,875
But I'm really excited for the community to be able to utilize that, and for

1657
01:51:34,964 --> 01:51:35,355
another

1658
01:51:36,975 --> 01:51:42,945
place for our emergency personnel to be able to bring patients without having the

1659
01:51:43,005 --> 01:51:46,935
extended long periods of wait time at our local hospitals.

1660
01:51:47,295 --> 01:51:49,605
So just having this is great. So,

1661
01:51:50,836 --> 01:51:53,115
that is all the updates I have for you tonight.

1662
01:51:53,925 --> 01:51:58,455
Great. Thanks, Dawn. Any questions for Dawn on items she covered?

1663
01:51:59,715 --> 01:52:00,285
No, thank you.

1664
01:52:00,316 --> 01:52:03,406
Great. It's great to hear on that event. All right.

1665
01:52:05,445 --> 01:52:09,345
I think we are up to select board reports. Anybody want to jump in?

1666
01:52:11,265 --> 01:52:11,865
Yeah, Eve.

1667
01:52:13,305 --> 01:52:18,615
Well, the most exciting thing is the Conservation Commission approved the

1668
01:52:19,005 --> 01:52:24,615
pond drawdown to begin on the 15th of October at a

1669
01:52:24,705 --> 01:52:28,845
depth consistent with the existing order of conditions, which is a six-foot

1670
01:52:28,906 --> 01:52:34,215
drawdown. The current level of the pond being somewhat lower than

1671
01:52:35,115 --> 01:52:40,725
usual at this time of year means that in fact, five feet of water will be removed

1672
01:52:40,816 --> 01:52:43,185
from the pond because it's already down somewhat.

1673
01:52:44,115 --> 01:52:47,925
So that issue is settled, at least for the time being.

1674
01:52:47,985 --> 01:52:49,305
They will revisit the

1675
01:52:50,985 --> 01:52:56,055
state of the pond, if you will, in January, and if any tweaks need to be made, they

1676
01:52:56,086 --> 01:53:00,195
will do it at that time. That's what they do every year anyway, so that's no

1677
01:53:00,255 --> 01:53:02,205
different than it has been in the past.

1678
01:53:03,105 --> 01:53:06,615
I don't have anything else that is worthy of our time for now.

1679
01:53:07,665 --> 01:53:09,375
Thank you, Eve. Anybody else?

1680
01:53:11,175 --> 01:53:11,805
I don't have anything.

1681
01:53:11,805 --> 01:53:15,105
Everyone's busy on current agenda items. But yeah, Ahmet?

1682
01:53:16,035 --> 01:53:17,955
Just a couple of updates.

1683
01:53:19,455 --> 01:53:24,705
HEAC will have an information session October 15th,

1684
01:53:25,725 --> 01:53:30,885
7:00 PM via Zoom, about the SoLEc Energy solar

1685
01:53:31,185 --> 01:53:33,165
project site selection,

1686
01:53:34,665 --> 01:53:40,156
how it has been evaluated, and what is the state of the affair and

1687
01:53:40,576 --> 01:53:44,205
which sites are in the running.

1688
01:53:47,685 --> 01:53:49,336
And associated with that,

1689
01:53:51,915 --> 01:53:57,705
the SoLEc credit purchase agreement has been agreed by all the

1690
01:53:57,765 --> 01:54:01,545
parties. So the next step is just to go through the execution.

1691
01:54:02,115 --> 01:54:02,175
So

1692
01:54:03,375 --> 01:54:08,836
we already voted to give Don authority to execute that. So it's in the work.

1693
01:54:11,175 --> 01:54:13,576
The Commission on Disability,

1694
01:54:15,406 --> 01:54:20,836
during last week's meeting, the main topic was Minister's Pass, and they

1695
01:54:20,895 --> 01:54:26,175
invited key stakeholders, school committee superintendent, director of

1696
01:54:27,285 --> 01:54:31,816
people affairs, and a couple of others as well.

1697
01:54:32,026 --> 01:54:35,145
That was a good, healthy discussion, let me put it that way.

1698
01:54:36,316 --> 01:54:38,865
The outcome of it that,

1699
01:54:40,665 --> 01:54:46,336
and thanks to Don and Eric, they're going to go get some cost

1700
01:54:46,395 --> 01:54:47,415
information,

1701
01:54:48,826 --> 01:54:52,906
what it will take to do the survey and the initial design.

1702
01:54:53,656 --> 01:54:55,695
And once it's done,

1703
01:54:57,105 --> 01:55:02,805
then we'll figure out how the funding is going to work for that work.

1704
01:55:03,345 --> 01:55:08,745
And also, COD agreed to work on some grant

1705
01:55:08,865 --> 01:55:14,445
options. So that is, I think there is a good support to really make that pass

1706
01:55:14,566 --> 01:55:16,665
accessible. And

1707
01:55:17,865 --> 01:55:19,455
we are moving with that

1708
01:55:20,955 --> 01:55:26,836
goal in mind. The FinCom had their meeting last week, selected, again, Mike is the

1709
01:55:26,895 --> 01:55:32,656
chair and vice chair, Vikram. And they approved two financial articles

1710
01:55:32,776 --> 01:55:38,566
or supported them, not approved, and they passed the CPIC because typically they

1711
01:55:38,625 --> 01:55:39,045
don't

1712
01:55:41,955 --> 01:55:44,295
give opinion on the CPIC articles.

1713
01:55:47,205 --> 01:55:50,355
I had a chance to review the budget guidance we provided.

1714
01:55:51,076 --> 01:55:53,385
There were some questions about

1715
01:55:54,615 --> 01:56:00,135
why the guidance is 3.25, all right versus not all

1716
01:56:00,435 --> 01:56:00,826
right.

1717
01:56:02,145 --> 01:56:03,076
So I think that

1718
01:56:04,725 --> 01:56:06,855
conversation will continue and

1719
01:56:08,145 --> 01:56:13,545
as a board, we know why we came up with those numbers, but rightful

1720
01:56:13,635 --> 01:56:18,975
questions. And Jared also presented a couple of things.

1721
01:56:19,035 --> 01:56:21,765
One of them was the free cash flow approval.

1722
01:56:22,245 --> 01:56:26,566
So looks like we approved a little more than we anticipated, I think in tune of

1723
01:56:26,595 --> 01:56:27,645
$1.5 million.

1724
01:56:29,656 --> 01:56:33,285
So these are the-- Yeah, that's it for me.

1725
01:56:34,185 --> 01:56:37,845
Thanks, Ahmet. Anybody, anything else? Eric?

1726
01:56:39,826 --> 01:56:42,225
So charter review met last week,

1727
01:56:43,635 --> 01:56:48,015
and we've switched to an every other week schedule now, so every other Thursday.

1728
01:56:49,725 --> 01:56:54,375
I will be reaching out to each of the select board members to get feedback,

1729
01:56:55,035 --> 01:56:58,785
particularly on article three, but just in general, for the charter soon.

1730
01:57:01,336 --> 01:57:06,855
And personnel board met this morning, to vote on the non-union

1731
01:57:06,945 --> 01:57:12,105
personnel COLA, which was, Julie, correct me if I'm wrong, it was 3.66?

1732
01:57:12,735 --> 01:57:13,395
Yes, that's correct.

1733
01:57:13,425 --> 01:57:19,066
Yep. So again, using the average of the

1734
01:57:20,355 --> 01:57:22,845
Northeast regional CPI for the last 12 months.

1735
01:57:23,685 --> 01:57:27,015
So it's a lot of caveats in that name, but that was it.

1736
01:57:28,365 --> 01:57:30,015
And so that's how we get to that number.

1737
01:57:31,455 --> 01:57:36,975
And then also, not really liaison exactly, but we had our first DPW info session

1738
01:57:37,095 --> 01:57:41,265
yesterday. We had a few people, a couple of good questions.

1739
01:57:42,135 --> 01:57:45,795
And the next one is Thursday at 7:00 at the COA?

1740
01:57:46,215 --> 01:57:46,906
That's correct.

1741
01:57:48,465 --> 01:57:50,805
So hopefully we'll have folks at that one as well.

1742
01:57:51,705 --> 01:57:53,175
Great. Thanks, Eric.

1743
01:57:55,305 --> 01:57:56,925
I will say, let's see,

1744
01:57:58,125 --> 01:58:03,225
Don and Eric Reider and I met with the chair of the

1745
01:58:03,945 --> 01:58:09,495
Permanent Building Committee. We do have a couple members, I think, if we can

1746
01:58:09,555 --> 01:58:09,765
confirm,

1747
01:58:10,965 --> 01:58:16,156
that we didn't know about their participation, but we are still missing some people

1748
01:58:16,185 --> 01:58:22,035
to fill some slots. So if people in town have an interest in serving

1749
01:58:22,185 --> 01:58:27,795
on the Permanent Building Committee to help direct the work on the DPW

1750
01:58:28,695 --> 01:58:30,915
rebuild, that would be wonderful.

1751
01:58:31,066 --> 01:58:36,255
I did put a notice out on Nextdoor Harvard of urging people to participate.

1752
01:58:36,285 --> 01:58:40,156
We have quite a few openings. We still have an opening on capital planning and

1753
01:58:40,215 --> 01:58:43,485
investment. We actually have an opening on almost every board at the moment,

1754
01:58:44,865 --> 01:58:45,885
every appointed board. So,

1755
01:58:47,265 --> 01:58:49,215
feel free to take out an application.

1756
01:58:50,925 --> 01:58:55,425
CPIC is meeting this week to start our review.

1757
01:58:56,475 --> 01:59:00,135
Many of the departments turned in our request for money.

1758
01:59:00,316 --> 01:59:05,805
They will start reviewing them by meeting with the police chief, and

1759
01:59:06,586 --> 01:59:09,615
I don't think there were any with the facilities director, so I think it's just the

1760
01:59:09,645 --> 01:59:11,865
police chief, this coming Thursday.

1761
01:59:14,728 --> 01:59:19,887
It's amazing, but the MSBA paperwork has finally all been submitted for the

1762
01:59:19,947 --> 01:59:22,347
reconciliation of the Hildreth Elementary School.

1763
01:59:22,437 --> 01:59:25,107
They will be voting on it at a board meeting this month.

1764
01:59:25,887 --> 01:59:30,657
Unfortunately, it's too late to go to the free cash for this year, but it will be

1765
01:59:30,747 --> 01:59:34,917
somewhere just under 800,000, I believe, that the town is expecting back.

1766
01:59:35,007 --> 01:59:40,678
So that will go towards free cash certification for next year, but that's a major

1767
01:59:40,738 --> 01:59:46,167
miracle that the school building has been up there for seven years or something,

1768
01:59:46,228 --> 01:59:48,478
and we're finally getting money back. But it's all good.

1769
01:59:54,298 --> 01:59:56,577
The Harvard Devins, the Framework Committee...

1770
01:59:56,728 --> 01:59:58,707
Sorry, I'm a little fried at the moment.

1771
01:59:58,798 --> 02:00:00,117
But the Framework Committee

1772
02:00:02,127 --> 02:00:07,557
had a subset of people to review a new way of looking at the matrix that makes it a

1773
02:00:07,617 --> 02:00:12,657
little more objective, and we will be rolling that out at the next Framework

1774
02:00:12,687 --> 02:00:16,978
Committee meeting, which is next week. And that's all I have.

1775
02:00:18,627 --> 02:00:22,678
All right. If there are no other select board updates, then

1776
02:00:24,207 --> 02:00:26,157
I will open it up to any public comment.

1777
02:00:27,357 --> 02:00:32,577
If you'd like to make public comment, I see someone coming on screen. That is Mr.

1778
02:00:32,607 --> 02:00:36,178
Victor Norman. Victor, if you could give us your name and address for the record,

1779
02:00:38,457 --> 02:00:38,997
take it away.

1780
02:00:39,057 --> 02:00:42,807
My name is Victor Norman, and I live at 214 Stow Road.

1781
02:00:43,887 --> 02:00:48,627
And this is the first time in a long time that I've sat through an entire select

1782
02:00:48,657 --> 02:00:52,947
board meeting, and all I can say is kudos to all of you for your hard work.

1783
02:00:53,187 --> 02:00:58,407
This is really quite a job, which in a former life I did something similar in the

1784
02:00:58,468 --> 02:01:03,897
city of Lowell. Anyway, I just wanted to stick around, just make a comment on Super

1785
02:01:03,988 --> 02:01:07,287
Town Meeting, which is a big event, an unusual event.

1786
02:01:08,397 --> 02:01:14,247
I want to support Cara in her statement that it's not just a zone change,

1787
02:01:14,307 --> 02:01:20,187
it's a development plan that Mass Development needs to do.

1788
02:01:20,247 --> 02:01:24,807
And Eric was incorrect. The working group did not just

1789
02:01:26,667 --> 02:01:32,067
suggest a zone change. They really produced a prescriptive plan

1790
02:01:32,157 --> 02:01:35,488
for future types of housing that should be included in this district.

1791
02:01:36,597 --> 02:01:41,667
And I think absent an enforceable plan from Mass Development,

1792
02:01:42,627 --> 02:01:48,147
you can expect the unexpected, and that has been their track record.

1793
02:01:49,228 --> 02:01:55,137
And most recently, the development that they approved for Adams

1794
02:01:55,167 --> 02:01:55,527
Circle

1795
02:01:56,787 --> 02:02:02,667
that the size of the development exceeded their RFP by 25%.

1796
02:02:03,507 --> 02:02:06,087
It's all rental and it's all affordable.

1797
02:02:07,017 --> 02:02:11,277
That is not consistent with the history of

1798
02:02:13,527 --> 02:02:17,517
housing development that citizens have proposed to Mass Development.

1799
02:02:17,877 --> 02:02:22,587
And I think, again, absent an enforceable plan from Mass Development, I think it

1800
02:02:22,617 --> 02:02:25,527
would be a mistake merely to rezone

1801
02:02:27,417 --> 02:02:28,107
ITC,

1802
02:02:29,337 --> 02:02:33,507
particularly with respect to the fact that Vicksburg Square may end up being

1803
02:02:33,567 --> 02:02:37,587
demolished. And now you have a 20-acre parcel that

1804
02:02:39,178 --> 02:02:43,347
would be zoned residential without any guidance to Mass Development in terms of

1805
02:02:43,347 --> 02:02:45,627
what to do there. And so,

1806
02:02:47,007 --> 02:02:52,947
as we move forward in this process moving towards Super Town Meeting, I think

1807
02:02:53,007 --> 02:02:56,517
it would be wise to hold Mass Development's feet to the fire.

1808
02:02:56,847 --> 02:02:58,917
And it's something they're certainly capable of doing.

1809
02:03:00,027 --> 02:03:05,787
And I hope that the select board agrees with that, and I hope it

1810
02:03:05,847 --> 02:03:06,507
does happen.

1811
02:03:07,767 --> 02:03:08,577
That's my story.

1812
02:03:10,287 --> 02:03:12,897
Thank you, Victor. Thanks, Victor.

1813
02:03:12,957 --> 02:03:13,077
Right.

1814
02:03:13,107 --> 02:03:13,497
Paul?

1815
02:03:14,757 --> 02:03:16,257
Yeah, I just want to second. Paul Green.

1816
02:03:16,287 --> 02:03:17,247
Give an address, please.

1817
02:03:17,607 --> 02:03:20,937
Paul Green, 288 Old Littleton Road, Harvard, Mass.

1818
02:03:21,357 --> 02:03:21,627
Thanks.

1819
02:03:24,387 --> 02:03:26,367
I just want to second what Victor just said.

1820
02:03:28,137 --> 02:03:33,537
I also serve on the HCJC, and I want to add one comment, and

1821
02:03:34,678 --> 02:03:38,937
Cara may remember saying something along these lines at one of the previous

1822
02:03:39,087 --> 02:03:40,468
Vicksburg Square votes.

1823
02:03:41,997 --> 02:03:45,417
Mass Development frequently just adds

1824
02:03:47,548 --> 02:03:50,607
permissive zoning to these various districts.

1825
02:03:50,667 --> 02:03:56,097
They never take anything away, and that is clearly a developer's dream

1826
02:03:57,238 --> 02:03:59,037
to be able to do anything they want with it.

1827
02:03:59,667 --> 02:04:04,947
But if we're going to add housing to that zone, fine, but let's think about what

1828
02:04:05,007 --> 02:04:07,048
should be taken away at the same time.

1829
02:04:07,857 --> 02:04:13,257
If you remember my summary that I produced this summer, the first attempt to

1830
02:04:13,317 --> 02:04:17,847
rezone Vicksburg Square would've allowed 19 uses.

1831
02:04:18,447 --> 02:04:24,178
The second attempt was 14 uses. I don't have the list offhand, but it starts at

1832
02:04:24,627 --> 02:04:30,507
eight or nine uses even today. And so, I think we really want to be

1833
02:04:30,567 --> 02:04:34,887
deeply engaged in this process and not simply wait for Mass Development to come

1834
02:04:34,917 --> 02:04:38,847
back to the table with a fully worked-out proposal. Thanks very much.

1835
02:04:39,447 --> 02:04:41,787
Thank you, Paul. Any other public comment?

1836
02:04:44,428 --> 02:04:46,557
Okay. Agenda items

1837
02:04:47,907 --> 02:04:53,517
for our next meeting. I do know that we still need to cover OSC,

1838
02:04:54,627 --> 02:04:56,937
something about the OSC, their constitution.

1839
02:04:57,087 --> 02:05:00,657
So Eve, I'll work with you on seeing how we move that forward.

1840
02:05:02,067 --> 02:05:02,277
And

1841
02:05:05,277 --> 02:05:09,057
Michelle has a list of open items from previous meetings, but does anybody want

1842
02:05:09,087 --> 02:05:13,228
something on an agenda that you haven't brought forward before? Yeah, Ahmet?

1843
02:05:14,097 --> 02:05:16,287
I'm not sure if we captured it last time, but

1844
02:05:18,087 --> 02:05:23,907
climate initiative, and he would like to present the state of the affair against

1845
02:05:23,997 --> 02:05:25,557
the decarbonization plan.

1846
02:05:25,947 --> 02:05:26,218
Okay.

1847
02:05:27,178 --> 02:05:30,207
So at one point, we would like to schedule them.

1848
02:05:30,567 --> 02:05:35,517
It's also timely because we are doing a bunch of projects, so make sure that we

1849
02:05:35,548 --> 02:05:36,447
keep that in mind.

1850
02:05:36,988 --> 02:05:37,738
Great. Thank you.

1851
02:05:39,147 --> 02:05:41,428
All right, if anything else comes up... Oh, yeah, Eve?

1852
02:05:41,757 --> 02:05:43,946
I don't have an agenda item. I have a question.

1853
02:05:44,126 --> 02:05:44,488
Sure.

1854
02:05:45,056 --> 02:05:50,037
Have we assigned who's presenting which article at special town meeting on the

1855
02:05:50,218 --> 02:05:51,417
20th? Do we already know that?

1856
02:05:52,167 --> 02:05:55,497
Did I just get that email, or did you just send it to everybody, Dawn?

1857
02:05:56,007 --> 02:05:58,377
I just sent it to you to take that off your plate.

1858
02:05:58,767 --> 02:05:59,787
Okay. Yeah, we assigned everything.

1859
02:06:00,387 --> 02:06:01,887
Okay, fine. As long as we assigned it.

1860
02:06:03,057 --> 02:06:07,407
Ana assigned it mostly along liaison. She's been flat out today.

1861
02:06:07,707 --> 02:06:10,527
I thought it looked good, but Dawn can send that out to you.

1862
02:06:11,127 --> 02:06:14,367
No need for explanation. I just want to know if I'm supposed to be doing anything.

1863
02:06:14,697 --> 02:06:16,678
Yep, you do have something to do but-

1864
02:06:17,067 --> 02:06:19,228
I nominate Eve for all the articles.

1865
02:06:20,817 --> 02:06:25,347
If I remember correctly, I went off of your liaison assignments and stuff that

1866
02:06:25,377 --> 02:06:28,798
you've been working on. So if I remember correctly, you each have two motions, and

1867
02:06:28,857 --> 02:06:33,267
Ahmet, I think you just have one. But I will send out an email.

1868
02:06:35,428 --> 02:06:39,387
All right, so we will be posted for a special town meeting.

1869
02:06:41,218 --> 02:06:45,867
If we need to add something in front of it, we'll post for 5:30 or so, but we're

1870
02:06:45,928 --> 02:06:51,298
scheduled to start at 6:00. And Cronin on October 20th, which is our next meeting,

1871
02:06:51,357 --> 02:06:56,488
if anything else comes up for an agenda item for the meeting following that, which

1872
02:06:56,637 --> 02:06:57,087
is

1873
02:06:58,947 --> 02:07:00,387
November 10th.

1874
02:07:01,557 --> 02:07:04,017
We are meeting on the 10th and the 17th, correct?

1875
02:07:04,647 --> 02:07:07,887
Yes. And the 17th. Yep. Because of the election day, we had to move it.

1876
02:07:08,607 --> 02:07:09,357
I understand.

1877
02:07:09,478 --> 02:07:09,897
All right.

1878
02:07:11,097 --> 02:07:16,287
If there's no other business or objections, then I would consider us adjourned.

1879
02:07:16,347 --> 02:07:17,337
Thank you, everyone.