[0:00] On to the Select Board meeting of September 1st.

[0:09] Calling the meeting to order pursuant to Mass General Law. Chapter 38, section 20. I'm hereby informing all attendees at a video and audio recording is being made of this meeting. We have two sets of minutes to approve the open session minutes of August 18th. A joint meeting with the School Committee.

[0:33] Mr. chairman, I'd make a motion that we approve the open session minutes of August 18th, 2026. As as written. I will second. Is there any further discussion? All those in favor, then say I, I, I passes unanimously and the second set of minutes the.

[1:01] We did have two meetings on the same day, on the same day, but it seems odd. But that was that. Then we had a regular meeting. Yeah. So we have a regular select board meeting, the open session minutes of August 18th for the Select Board meeting. So I will move the regular open session minutes as we just approved the joint. All right. I'll second that the second.

[1:23] Any further discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor is unanimous. All right. Next business. Number two, public comment. Anybody from the public have any concerns? We've got a hand raised up there on the left hand side. It's not on the agenda.

[1:44] Kathy, spray, can you hear me? You can. Okay. Now, I just wanted to give a shout out for all the people that worked on and attended the grand opening of the ninja playground. It was absolutely fabulous.

[2:10] Of great shout out to the people that worked for two weeks trying to get everything put together for the grand opening, and the ninja people will be there on. Oh, you got that? We gotta have. There you go.

[2:33] Sorry, everyone.

[2:42] I guess we're not doing tonight then, right? Try again. But yeah, we don't want recording in progress. On our mind. Try it again. That's gonna say something, but I will not.

[3:06] Are we live on. This is the first time ever for us. Yeah, it has happened at other places, but first time for everything.

[3:21] I'm not gonna end minute. I have a name. Yeah. Good idea. Yeah. I wonder if that's why we had all of those. Maybe so. But somewhere it's like if they don't have a name, like she said.

[3:48] Are we live tonight? That's the first time I've ever seen that. I've heard. I've heard stories. But yeah, that was to be clear. For those who are watching live, we were hacked and there was some, some vile symbols that somebody sent to our screen.

[4:08] So we're trying to get the zoom back in operation for those who are joining remotely. For legitimate viewers. Yeah. Should we continue? And yeah, I think we'll continue. My apologies to those people who got cut out, but we we couldn't have that on the screen. Okay. We heard from Kathy. Thank you. Thank you to Kathy. And and we'll echo what she said with a thank you.

[4:38] Everybody who was associated with the the Ninja Fit project. Okay. The first order. Unless there's any other public comment. Hearing none. The first order of general business is an update from Grand Theory Cultivation.

[4:56] How are you tonight? Pretty good. How are you? Good. Thanks. We all know each other, but if you could just state your name again. Yes. My name is still Ravel. I'm the facility manager at the arena. Green theory. Cultivation? Yes. Okay. So, as for the last time, we will. We met at this. We had.

[5:16] I had given something about the proper protocol, follow up and everything. And I was in a communication with three companies. Who does this job for the order mitigation. I have finalized two companies. Among those two companies we will implement the planning. It's such a big, big amount of money, we are going to spend it. So yeah, Mr.

[5:48] McLennan, we are in a communication with them. Him also. Unfortunately, today my law and my McLennan is not going to join us right now. So yeah, again it will. We have also in a process of securing some funds.

[6:12] So within next month end I company should have enough fund to implement both. Both companies product to the particular things. So yeah I will have 100% accurate answers for you guys by the end of next month. Okay. Okay. Are you are you growing right now? Yes, we are growing it right now. We are growing it.

[6:46] But still the greenhouse four is shut down. Greenhouse one is non flowering canopy. So greenhouse two and greenhouse three are the only flowering canopy. And right at right now today the harvest was done. So right now there is not a single greenhouse in the facility that has the flowers. Okay. Yeah.

[7:14] So right now and yes the new filters and everything has been replaced. And everything that that protocol has mean is being properly followed. So yes, that has been we are following that protocol. But yeah, for the 100% job done process, what the town requires, it's going to take a couple of more months. Okay. Yeah.

[7:42] By the end of the next month, I will share how your 100% answer that what we are going to do, how it's going to implement, how much money it's going to spend and how how soon it will be done. That's all I can say right now. Okay. Okay gentlemen.

[8:04] Any questions? Comments? I would just say I look forward to the update when you guys get there. Sounds like you got you got a couple companies that you're working with and yes, finalizing some details and yes, coming up with the with the complete plan. So yes. And when would you when will we like next update. Another month, you said.

[8:24] And then next month you'll have a plan I'd like to give them. Give them the. You gave me one moment. Give me give me just one moment. Yeah. I mean, how you guys feel, but I'd be willing. When will be the October months first meeting? October 1st October. October months. First meeting. That would be the sixth. Sixth.

[8:42] Then I will I will make sure you get your 100% accurate answer on October. You feel like you can deliver by then? That's sure I will. I'm trying my best to give you the town as much as possible from my end. I know that my predecessors have made lots of empty promises.

[9:02] I don't want to make that thing, so. Yeah. Okay, well, then update anyone. And I'm only saying I don't want to give you a shorter time frame. If you need another week or two, we can meet at the end October. Thank you. Thank you very much for understanding. All right. Thank you very much for the update.

[9:19] Thanks for coming in. Thank you. All right. Have a good evening, sir. You too. All right. Next order of business. One day. Wine and license application 51. Park for the taste of Lee. Mr. chair. I'll move that. We approve the application for a special one day alcohol beverage license for. This is 51 Park Street is the applicant.

[9:47] And the is for the taste of lead, which is the Friday the the 18th of September. And they will be in operation. Is that 4 to 9? I see on the that's what it says what you see. Yeah. So that's when they will be serving beer as per the application. And it'll be at the library parking lot.

[10:09] But I would move to the yeah I'll second that motion and a second. Do we have any further discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor say aye. Aye aye. It's unanimous. All right. We need to discuss the signing of a letter to the Board of Public Works regarding the bylaw change.

[10:37] The Board of Public Works was. We changed the so that the structure or the responsibilities of the Board of Public Works? I think it was a couple of years ago. Maybe three years? Yeah, pretty substantially.

[11:01] And we we've been trying to to come up with a system that's going to be the most benefit to town to residents of the town of Lee. And so this, this proposal, this bylaw change is going to transfer some of the responsibilities more directly to the Department of Public Works, not the board. And some of it will go directly to the select board and and to the town administrator.

[11:25] But we just feel it's going to be far more efficient. It's going to better serve serve the town. And again, there are out of 351 towns in in Massachusetts, I think there are only 17 that still have a board of public works.

[11:52] And we certainly value and appreciate the input, the advice that the Board of Public Work works gives us. And they certainly their advice certainly have a bearing on decisions that are made, but ultimately, in the interest of efficiency and effectiveness, we think this would be better for the town. I don't know if you want to comment or no.

[12:13] I think I think it does have to do it better, a better grip, having a better grip on day to day decisions that have to be made instead of once every couple of weeks. No. So and from what I can see anyway, it's just send a letter to the board members. Yeah. Mr. chair, we're just. Yeah.

[12:29] Point of process. We're just doing this to inform the board members of some some bylaw changes. And we're planning October 1st special town meeting that these bylaws will be considered for. So. Yeah. Thank you. That's our that's our process. That's the problem we're suggesting to the to the voters of the town that we do this.

[12:52] And it will be decided at town next town meeting on October 1st if you have any questions or whatever. Got a little bit of time in your research. There'll be a warrant and some summaries on this stuff to to give people, you know, in the coming weeks the details. Mr.

[13:15] chairman, I make a motion to sign off on the letter to the board members, board of Public Works members so they understand and have an opportunity to review the issues before we hit the town meeting. Second, got a motion and a second, is there any further discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor say aye. Aye. It's unanimous. All right.

[13:38] Next order of business. D approval of an inspection fee waiver from the LA.

[13:46] Yeah. Mr. chair, I would move that. We waive the inspection fee for the youth association as their as per their request. And, Mr. Chairman, I need to abstain from this as as stock money in the building department. Okay. And I will second it. Is there any further discussion? None from me. None from me.

[14:11] So all those in favor say aye. Aye. It's unanimous. Okay. Here. All right. Next, we have a vote of dedication. Order, dedication. I guess the best thing to do is simply to read it, because that it's self-explanatory.

[14:34] And I will do so in just a moment.

[14:39] All right. The town of Leigh, East Leigh Park dedication. The town of Lee hereby dedicates the municipal property located at 515 Chapel Street, Lee, Massachusetts, consisting of approximately 1.6 acres to be known as East Lee Park for park, playground, and public recreation purposes in perpetuity.

[15:05] Although this property has served the residents of Lee as easily park for generations. This action formally dedicates the land for park and recreation purposes to ensure its permanent preservation and continued availability for public outdoor recreation.

[15:32] The town recognizes Easley Park as an important neighborhood recreational resource, and commits to maintaining and managing the property for public park, playground, open space, and passive and active recreational uses. Consistent with the purposes of the Massachusetts Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for communities Grant program. Park. Park.

[15:59] The town further agrees that the property shall not be converted to any use inconsistent with the park, playground or recreation purposes without prior approval of the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation and any other approvals required under applicable state law, including article 97 of the amendments to the Massachusetts Constitution, where applicable. And that is the dedication, as we have it in front of us. Mr. chairman, I'd make a motion and to sign off on that letter of vote of dedication. Second, we have a motion and a second.

[16:30] Any further discussion from anybody hearing? None. All those in favor say aye. Aye, aye. It's unanimous.

[16:44] We also need a motion to sign up on the order of dedication. Yes. Oh, yes. Okay, fine. And back it up. Well, Mr. Chair, I would move that we approve and sign or the order of dedication that corresponds with the the vote of dedication that we just made sure. Secondly, pretty much it does merit.

[17:11] All right. We have a motion and a second. Is there any further discussion? Hearing none. Always in favor say aye. Aye. So that passes as well.

[17:26] Next. All right. Now this is going to be interesting. We had a some events happened today. The next order of business was for review and potentially signed a purchase and sale agreement for 88 West Park Street, which is fondly known to the town as the Price Chopper property.

[18:00] We were the sport has been working for months, really, with the with the owners of that property to see what we could do to possibly purchase it for the town. And to be clear, the select board doesn't decide these things is always the site of the town meeting, but we have been negotiating with the owners of the property for some time.

[18:21] Try to come up with a proposal that could be brought to town meeting, because ultimately it is town meeting. It makes all decisions on this, but it's it's an important piece of property to the town. It impacts the town and sort of anchors the main street on the south end.

[18:38] So we've been trying to take them up with a way to bring something to town meeting. We thought we had done that, and we were prepared to discuss signing off on the on the tonight. But we received a communication from the sellers today. That is a counterproposal, a counterproposal that materially, materially changed the terms of the contract.

[19:07] And I'm speaking for myself. The, the the counterproposal is, is unrecognizable in terms of what we were planning on Sonny tonight. So there's a lot more discussion that has to go on. We just received it today.

[19:30] We've we've conferred with town council and it is just the terms are so drastically different that we can't possibly we can't possibly discuss it tonight. So I would I would suggest that we we table it for the time being until we can circle the wagons and figure out what is going on over there. So any thoughts on that gentleman? No, I think we we need to have time to delve into this a little more.

[19:50] It is drastically different. Well, some people thought there was a minor change. It's a major change to many of the parts and new pieces were added. All other things we thought we had an agreement on were taken out and therefore we need more time. So we will get to it as we can.

[20:09] Okay, so we're good thinking about tabling it. Yes, I'd make a motion that we set it aside for the time being until we have a better time to reflect on the changes to the terms and confer with the town attorney and decide on how to move forward from here. I'll second that motion to table. All right.

[20:30] We have a motion and a second. Is there any further discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor say aye. Aye. It's unanimous. All right. Next we have a few appointments. First for Hunter Russa, from patrolman to sergeant would be effective October 1st, 2026.

[20:57] Mr. chair, I would be happy to move the appointment of our patrolman, Hunter Russa, to the.

[21:08] Position of sergeant. Second half. We have a motion and a second. We have a letter from from the chief of police, Stephanie Burdick. Is there any further discussion? No. Just said he comes highly, highly recommended. He was first. He placed first.

[21:33] And because these people have to the people who want to move up have to take tests and be interviewed. And he came up with the highest final score and comes very highly recommended by our chief of police, Stephanie Burdick. So I have no qualms with any of that. I think it's great. Do we have a motion? Yes, I made a second. Second. All right. We have a motion and a second.

[21:56] Any further discussion? All those in favor? Aye. It's unanimous. Next we have Kathy. I'm going to pronounce her to be Kathy to Barons, the CPC, the Housing Authority representative. And again, we have a letter from from.

[22:15] Yeah. And just for everybody's edification, CPC Community Preservation Committee, which spends or decides what projects get brought to town, meeting for the fund to to to fund. All right. So this is for the housing authority representative Kathy Deviance. Yeah. Mr. chairman, I would make a motion to appoint Kathy Deviance as the CPC, a Housing Authority representative.

[22:45] The second motion. And second. Is there any further discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor? All right. It's unanimous. And then lastly, we have Lisa sound Sloan, who wants to be on the CPC but would be an at large member. Mr. chair, I will move the appointment of Lisa Sloan to the CPC as an at large member.

[23:10] I will second, it should be a great member. All right. We have a motion and a second. Is there any further discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor say aye. Aye, aye. It's unanimous. Any other topics? Not reasonably anticipated by the chair? Do you have anything? Just a reminder for us about September 3rd.

[23:33] Number one, the MPO designee, supposedly. I think they're still planning on meeting here. Okay. Do you know the time? Okay. 530. So I don't know if you want to if you both are here. So that'll be one of you wants to take over for me or otherwise I'll be here and volunteer, but hopefully I'll.

[23:54] I want you to come and do it. This is for Thursday. Yeah. The third 530 here again, it's for representing the Southeast Metropolitan planning organization for the southeast towns like 250, but that. Yeah, we have a 250 at what time? 535 to be like 15 minutes. Okay. This shouldn't take long.

[24:21] I will try to come down to this as well. Sure. Come down and volunteer. I'm going to check this out. Okay. Good enough. All right.

[24:46] Sean, you have any? I was, you know, Bob, I was just wondering if you wanted to give anybody on the on the zoom who was trying to publicly comment earlier got cut off a second chance, but that was that was my only other thought. Thank you. Is there anybody on on zoom who would like that has anything to say at all for for this meeting? Just if you could just raise your hand on your and your screen.

[25:06] No, I'm not saying they're all good. We got cut off earlier, so I just wanted to give them a chance if they had anything. Again, I'm sorry. Sorry that that happened. I don't know why people do that sort of thing, but a lot of things I don't understand. All right. Our next regular meeting will be September 15th.

[25:26] Same time, same place. Entertain a motion to adjourn. So moved. Second motion and second. Any further discussion? Hearing none. All those in Taylor. All right, we are adjourned.

Lee Selectboard Meeting, September 1, 2026

Transcript