1 00:00:01,550 --> 00:00:08,450 Mr. Hammer is out. We will not be sitting as chair. I am going to be sitting as chair. 2 00:00:09,170 --> 00:00:10,930 I'm going to be sitting as chair. 3 00:00:10,930 --> 00:00:14,890 The roll. Mr. Hammer is not here. Peter Lambroney. 4 00:00:15,270 --> 00:00:19,710 I am here. I am here. Mr. Brecklin. Mr. Dean. 5 00:00:20,130 --> 00:00:22,690 Here. The Drake. Here. Mr. Edwards. 6 00:00:22,690 --> 00:00:24,750 in the courts in a Lori, 7 00:00:27,530 --> 00:00:29,630 Travis, you're Miss Cucola? 8 00:00:29,950 --> 00:00:30,030 Yeah. 9 00:00:30,610 --> 00:00:31,370 Sir, Kleene, 10 00:00:32,110 --> 00:00:33,590 there's two times here. 11 00:00:34,890 --> 00:00:38,530 Okay, so I think everyone is seated then because we have, 12 00:00:38,570 --> 00:00:41,710 you have a few people missing, right? 13 00:00:42,830 --> 00:00:45,830 One, two, three, four, five, six, seven. 14 00:00:46,230 --> 00:00:47,370 Yeah, everybody's seated. 15 00:00:48,070 --> 00:00:50,270 All right, first order of business. 16 00:00:50,270 --> 00:00:51,130 What is here? 17 00:00:54,070 --> 00:01:08,810 This is Maytash 24 referral. This is the one that we had seen in our last meeting, but we tabled it. There are a few questions about why it is that the town, why it appears that the town is giving an easement to itself. 18 00:01:10,830 --> 00:01:14,630 for a portion of the trail that's going on physical services, which is not the case, but 19 00:01:14,630 --> 00:01:18,230 I did invite Derrick Ragger, the town engineer to be here to explain it. 20 00:01:18,830 --> 00:01:25,610 So he is here and Derrick, the floor is yours in case there's any questions, but I think 21 00:01:25,610 --> 00:01:28,070 you'll be able to run through it. 22 00:01:29,390 --> 00:01:32,990 He answered the question in two minutes when I asked him, so I apologize for not being able 23 00:01:32,990 --> 00:01:34,750 to answer it when it first came up. 24 00:01:35,750 --> 00:01:38,370 Good evening, my name is Derek Gregor, I'm town engineer. 25 00:01:39,330 --> 00:01:44,110 I'm here tonight for an easement that we need a referral on from the commission. 26 00:01:44,790 --> 00:01:54,090 As you may be aware, the town has got a significant amount of state funding through the Lots of Program to construct a trail from the Putnam Bridge to Main Street. 27 00:01:55,020 --> 00:02:03,090 The entirety of the trail is located either in town or state right away, except for this one, about 175 foot segment of the trail. 28 00:02:03,090 --> 00:02:09,130 that is technically on the physical services property along the frontage of it. 29 00:02:09,470 --> 00:02:20,710 So because it's state funds are constructing the trail, the state's requiring us to have a trail easement across the frontage of the property in order to move ahead with awarding the contracts and starting construction. 30 00:02:21,950 --> 00:02:28,350 So it doesn't, it doesn't, it's not intuitive as to why that's required, it's just a state requirement. 31 00:02:28,350 --> 00:02:30,310 So, we're just trying to meet that. 32 00:02:30,690 --> 00:02:32,090 It's been reviewed by the town attorney. 33 00:02:32,690 --> 00:02:34,870 We're looking for a positive referral from the commission, 34 00:02:34,870 --> 00:02:37,670 then we'll take it to town council to accept it. 35 00:02:38,470 --> 00:02:38,890 Very good. 36 00:02:39,950 --> 00:02:40,110 Go. 37 00:02:40,230 --> 00:02:40,570 Sorry. 38 00:02:44,200 --> 00:02:45,040 That's pretty straightforward. 39 00:02:45,600 --> 00:02:48,860 I think one question I have is, 40 00:02:49,480 --> 00:02:52,760 what's the timetable for this work? 41 00:02:53,180 --> 00:02:56,360 I mean, it starts from putting them right, 42 00:02:56,460 --> 00:02:58,240 and goes all the way over to Main Street, I guess, 43 00:02:58,600 --> 00:02:59,420 is the first phase. 44 00:03:00,000 --> 00:03:01,820 When do you think that will start? 45 00:03:02,620 --> 00:03:03,760 Projects are a bit bid. 46 00:03:04,260 --> 00:03:05,560 We have selected a contractor. 47 00:03:06,040 --> 00:03:08,240 We haven't awarded yet because we're waiting for final DOT 48 00:03:08,240 --> 00:03:10,740 authorization that we're hoping we'll come this week. 49 00:03:11,480 --> 00:03:13,080 But as far as construction starting, 50 00:03:13,240 --> 00:03:14,500 we expected to start next month. 51 00:03:15,240 --> 00:03:17,120 And given it's so late in the season, 52 00:03:17,120 --> 00:03:18,660 there were a number of delays related 53 00:03:18,660 --> 00:03:20,500 to some of the paperwork DOT required. 54 00:03:21,040 --> 00:03:23,200 And we expect to extend it to next spring 55 00:03:23,200 --> 00:03:24,720 and be complete by summer. 56 00:03:24,980 --> 00:03:27,660 So that's the schedule for right now. 57 00:03:28,600 --> 00:03:33,200 And is this going to be all paved? I forget what you guys had in mind. 58 00:03:33,720 --> 00:03:38,500 Yeah, the whole of the trail will be a 10 foot wide paved multi-use trail all the way from 59 00:03:38,500 --> 00:03:44,920 the bridge to Broad Street. The segment between Broad Street and Main Street were considering 60 00:03:44,920 --> 00:03:49,800 kind of entering or being in like the downtown area of Old Westfield. So in talking with 61 00:03:49,800 --> 00:03:54,740 the HDC, we decided to narrow the trail a couple feet. So instead of 10 feet wide, it'll 62 00:03:54,740 --> 00:03:58,300 eight feet wide in that segment, it's going to be located on the north side of 63 00:03:58,300 --> 00:04:03,280 Marstree along the cemetery property, and that segment of trail is going to have 64 00:04:03,280 --> 00:04:07,640 a color to it, so rather than just typical black asphalt, it's going to be a more 65 00:04:07,640 --> 00:04:13,180 of a colored asphalt is what we're going to use. We expect as we continue, we do have 66 00:04:13,180 --> 00:04:18,160 similar state funding for reconstructing a good portion of Main Street and building a 67 00:04:18,160 --> 00:04:22,140 trail. That will be coming but we haven't even started the design on that yet, but 68 00:04:22,140 --> 00:04:26,300 But this week's spec, what gets done along Main Street, sorry, along Mars Street, 69 00:04:26,480 --> 00:04:30,180 between Main and Broad Street, as part of this project, is what would be continued 70 00:04:30,180 --> 00:04:31,980 when we extend the trail in the future. 71 00:04:32,520 --> 00:04:33,460 So just one last question. 72 00:04:33,640 --> 00:04:41,540 So the Broad Street to Mars Street intersection there that has that kind of weird 73 00:04:41,540 --> 00:04:46,020 entrance to the left, is that going to be reconstructed as part of this program? 74 00:04:46,340 --> 00:04:46,580 Yes. 75 00:04:47,020 --> 00:04:47,500 Okay, great. 76 00:04:50,820 --> 00:04:54,200 and we'll eliminate that slip ramp that you're referring to, or slip road. 77 00:04:54,820 --> 00:04:55,320 Yeah, right there. 78 00:04:55,500 --> 00:04:55,640 Perfect. 79 00:04:56,360 --> 00:04:57,280 Any other questions, Dave? 80 00:04:58,800 --> 00:04:59,480 Most of us. 81 00:05:03,760 --> 00:05:28,460 The only segment that has sidewalks is between, really, between Main Street and Broad Street, which is one of the reasons why the sidewalk on the north side of the road will be removed, but there will be sidewalk on the south side. So that's one of the reasons why we're not going to maintain the 10 foot width. We're going to narrow it up to eight because there is a sidewalk available within the same stretch of road. They go down Mar street going to 91. There's no sidewalk in there anywhere. No, 82 00:05:36,000 --> 00:05:36,500 it's the 83 00:05:36,500 --> 00:05:44,280 The two questions I have one is on the area that you're putting it into the physical services property. 84 00:05:45,080 --> 00:05:51,940 Is that going to take out any trees or bushes or anything because the survey is just blank? 85 00:05:53,040 --> 00:05:55,320 Yeah, the survey, the easement plan doesn't show it. 86 00:05:55,400 --> 00:06:02,360 I did include in the packet the schematic view of the entire trail, so I'm not sheet 30 of 80. 87 00:06:02,360 --> 00:06:08,300 And that's that it does it does show existing features there there are some existing trees that will remain 88 00:06:08,840 --> 00:06:13,240 Some existing landscaping rocks and such that will remain as part of the project 89 00:06:13,240 --> 00:06:17,680 They they designed the trail to leave those features in place. Okay. 90 00:06:19,840 --> 00:06:22,140 Yeah, I mean, I see where it is 91 00:06:22,140 --> 00:06:28,680 It just doesn't show anything so features robbery, right? I guess the kind of the obvious question is why 92 00:06:29,420 --> 00:06:33,380 Why do we do this is it assuming people are coming around? 93 00:06:34,060 --> 00:06:38,220 That corner is so fast on their bikes that they're not going to be able to stay in the road 94 00:06:39,160 --> 00:06:44,920 I think in this area we really as you head east from broad street 95 00:06:44,920 --> 00:06:47,780 We're kind of just off the side of the road with a small shelf 96 00:06:47,780 --> 00:06:53,820 I think it's just to give it a little bit more character pull it away from the road as you continue around the corner as you head towards 97 00:06:53,820 --> 00:06:55,420 I-91 on ramps 98 00:06:55,420 --> 00:06:57,460 It's going to be in that large it's going to cross the channel 99 00:06:57,460 --> 00:07:02,260 It's going to be in that large open area between Marstree and the on ramp for I-91 Southbound 100 00:07:02,260 --> 00:07:06,440 right. So at this point here is where it kind of starts to pull further away from the road 101 00:07:06,440 --> 00:07:15,900 and give a little more buffer area for users. Okay. Thanks. Any other questions? Dave? 102 00:07:16,180 --> 00:07:22,840 I kind of have a rough question. Again, that's obviously it's not up to me, but why are we doing this 103 00:07:22,840 --> 00:07:27,540 now? How many people really want to go from our street to 91? Is there a lot of people who've been 104 00:07:27,540 --> 00:07:32,380 asking for that. Well, this is mining everything. I'm just not sure if the people are going 105 00:07:32,380 --> 00:07:37,860 to drive down to all weather fields and take a walk to 91 to have someone pick them up, 106 00:07:37,860 --> 00:07:42,740 is that the idea here? This is part of the state's regional transportation plan. So when 107 00:07:42,740 --> 00:07:46,840 they built the trail that goes over the Putnam Bridge and made the connection to Norbuk 108 00:07:46,840 --> 00:07:52,360 Ave in Glastonbury, the intent always was to continue that to downtown or Main Street 109 00:07:52,360 --> 00:07:57,980 and old weather's field so people could travel by bike walking or if they choose from 110 00:07:57,980 --> 00:08:01,340 Main Street and all those fields in Norfolk Avenue in Glassenbury. So this is an extension 111 00:08:01,340 --> 00:08:05,820 of that where the state left it off kind of left us with nothing which is why we've had 112 00:08:05,820 --> 00:08:11,080 this temporary trail. Did you have parked a lot near the 91 bridge they put that in? I know 113 00:08:11,080 --> 00:08:15,860 it they talked about not sure if they did it. Yes that was put in by the state so there is a parking lot 114 00:08:15,860 --> 00:08:22,080 at that location. Is anybody parked there? I've seen vehicles work there yeah. There's another one at 115 00:08:22,080 --> 00:08:24,060 the far southern end at the 116 00:08:24,060 --> 00:08:26,020 unclean class of the eastern end. 117 00:08:26,740 --> 00:08:28,820 So Dave, I crossed that bridge 118 00:08:28,820 --> 00:08:30,000 quite a bit with my bike. 119 00:08:30,300 --> 00:08:31,240 Okay, but you lived there. 120 00:08:31,380 --> 00:08:32,520 I don't understand. 121 00:08:33,020 --> 00:08:36,620 And I do see cyclists that park 122 00:08:36,620 --> 00:08:38,260 there to answer your question. 123 00:08:38,260 --> 00:08:39,460 Not that many, but they do. 124 00:08:39,900 --> 00:08:42,440 Yeah, I mean, I walked over at 125 00:08:42,440 --> 00:08:43,980 one time just to see what it was 126 00:08:43,980 --> 00:08:45,100 like and it was scary. 127 00:08:47,180 --> 00:08:47,660 Scary? 128 00:08:48,320 --> 00:08:49,660 Yeah, because you're not really 129 00:08:50,680 --> 00:08:52,060 separated from the traffic. 130 00:08:52,060 --> 00:08:52,360 I can. 131 00:08:53,900 --> 00:08:57,980 And also, you have to get off your bike if you had one 132 00:08:58,520 --> 00:08:59,480 to go over the bridge. 133 00:09:01,400 --> 00:09:01,660 OK. 134 00:09:02,880 --> 00:09:03,760 What are you thinking, Paul? 135 00:09:04,660 --> 00:09:06,380 Not that I didn't realize that there 136 00:09:06,380 --> 00:09:09,200 were any drills and chills that I've been missing in riding 137 00:09:09,200 --> 00:09:09,700 my bike. 138 00:09:09,920 --> 00:09:11,700 I haven't been down there, so I'm going to try that. 139 00:09:11,860 --> 00:09:12,200 It's fun. 140 00:09:12,400 --> 00:09:13,300 It's fun, you should try. 141 00:09:14,260 --> 00:09:16,420 It is concrete between you and the first car. 142 00:09:16,700 --> 00:09:19,840 It's about two feet of concrete between the bike and the car. 143 00:09:19,840 --> 00:09:21,580 But it is close. 144 00:09:22,220 --> 00:09:22,420 Yeah. 145 00:09:22,960 --> 00:09:27,540 We had asked DOT to put some kind of a physical barrier on top of that concrete wall. 146 00:09:27,760 --> 00:09:29,820 Whether it be offense, a plexiglass. 147 00:09:30,420 --> 00:09:32,120 We've had multiple conversations with them. 148 00:09:32,200 --> 00:09:34,820 I mean, today they are claiming that they can't do it. 149 00:09:34,840 --> 00:09:37,460 We asked them to do as part of this upcoming bridge rehab project, too. 150 00:09:38,040 --> 00:09:45,140 We're still pushing that issue, but they're claiming that the wind loads associated with putting anything like that up there is an issue for the bridge. 151 00:09:45,140 --> 00:09:52,400 So well, I'll be doing it again in five years anyway. I think this is about the sixth time through. Yeah, they keep 152 00:09:52,400 --> 00:09:54,020 the glass on very side then 153 00:09:55,060 --> 00:09:59,800 Of the of the of the trail segment. Yeah, yes, it's completed safe for that 154 00:10:00,000 --> 00:10:29,980 They pay for that. State, stay paid for all the way onto normal. If this is right, though, I mean, just make sure you could ride. You can park on the glass from very side, ride all the way across the Putt and Bridge. You'd come down. You'd be able to come past great, great metal road. Now it's going to only be two places that you have to cross the highway ramps. And then you're on a paved path for the rest of the way to Main Street. Yeah, there'll be a crossing. We're going to be on the south side of Mar Street until we get to broadside. 155 00:10:29,980 --> 00:10:35,460 then you cross at that new T intersection, so it's going to become a three-way stop as well. 156 00:10:36,160 --> 00:10:42,800 So the broad and marsh tree intersection be a three-way stop T intersection across to the north side by the cemetery and then continue to main street. 157 00:10:43,140 --> 00:10:45,820 Okay, and that'll go away with all the temporary sticks and lines. 158 00:10:45,840 --> 00:10:53,240 Yeah, so get rid of all that and take the trail off of Hart Street where it's temporarily been for a couple years now once this trail is built. 159 00:10:53,240 --> 00:11:01,720 So the next phases of the project, as far as the trail is concerned, is to take it up north from Main Street or really from the Keeney Center up to Cove Park. 160 00:11:02,300 --> 00:11:02,740 Okay. 161 00:11:04,160 --> 00:11:11,340 That hasn't been designed yet. We just got to consult the non-border in the last few weeks so that that'll be starting up in the coming months. 162 00:11:14,440 --> 00:11:15,560 All right. Any other questions? 163 00:11:16,680 --> 00:11:21,140 would someone like to make a motion for a positive referral to this? 164 00:11:22,060 --> 00:11:29,360 I'll move a positive referral on 824, the 100-Marsh Street proposed trail easement. 165 00:11:30,040 --> 00:11:32,840 I'll second. All in favor? 166 00:11:33,580 --> 00:11:33,720 Aye. 167 00:11:33,840 --> 00:11:34,040 Aye. 168 00:11:34,540 --> 00:11:34,920 Opposed? 169 00:11:36,320 --> 00:11:37,600 It carries unanimously. 170 00:11:39,660 --> 00:11:40,440 Good luck, Derek. 171 00:11:41,340 --> 00:11:41,740 Thank you. 172 00:11:42,220 --> 00:11:46,860 Well, Ashley, Derek is here also for our next and only other agenda item under 173 00:11:46,860 --> 00:11:55,380 new business and this one I'll turn over there again but it's silly for me to introduce 174 00:11:55,380 --> 00:12:02,580 it. I didn't realize this was not a town road so it's a similar, similar area. Go ahead 175 00:12:02,580 --> 00:12:07,860 Derek, I'll turn over you and while you're starting, if you look at your packet, did this 176 00:12:07,860 --> 00:12:11,580 This is this one you make this one just make it into the packet yet. 177 00:12:11,680 --> 00:12:14,300 Yeah, this is not the one last week. 178 00:12:14,480 --> 00:12:18,720 No, this is a new one and actually we weren't sure if we were going to make an impact 179 00:12:18,720 --> 00:12:19,220 for tonight. 180 00:12:19,340 --> 00:12:23,560 But in order to keep the next meeting agenda sort of light, we added it. 181 00:12:24,120 --> 00:12:24,760 Yeah, that is. 182 00:12:24,920 --> 00:12:25,540 This is it, right? 183 00:12:26,780 --> 00:12:27,220 Okay. 184 00:12:27,720 --> 00:12:31,480 So, this is indirectly related to the trail project. 185 00:12:32,240 --> 00:12:36,460 What happened when DOT was reviewing final plans for approval. 186 00:12:36,460 --> 00:12:45,400 They realize that a segment of Great Metal Road was intended to be officially released to the town back in the 1980s. 187 00:12:45,700 --> 00:12:46,800 Apparently that never happened. 188 00:12:47,740 --> 00:12:53,860 So what they're doing is, and if you have the colored plan in your sheet that I had submitted in your packets, 189 00:12:54,700 --> 00:13:01,180 the area that's highlighted yellow is existing state right away technically that will become town right away. 190 00:13:01,180 --> 00:13:06,320 And the area in green is an existing state parcel that includes part of great metal road. 191 00:13:06,640 --> 00:13:10,740 And there'll be a swath through that right away that'll also be released to the town. 192 00:13:11,500 --> 00:13:15,960 Since the 1980s, the town had agreed to maintain the road, so we have been maintaining it. 193 00:13:16,040 --> 00:13:20,340 We plow it, we were responsible for road repairs, guide rail and things like that. 194 00:13:20,720 --> 00:13:30,560 So it's really no change in how we've been operating other than DOT's looking to make it official and release these highlighted areas to the town to become standard local right away. 195 00:13:31,180 --> 00:13:33,900 the area that you see at the bottom of the sheet, to the east. 196 00:13:34,440 --> 00:13:40,000 That's where at Great Middle Road enters the route three right away for the state. 197 00:13:40,500 --> 00:13:45,580 So through there, it's technically an easement to the town, to cross through the state right away. 198 00:13:45,660 --> 00:13:51,060 That'll remain in that, we maintain Great Middle Road all the way from Burbank Road, 199 00:13:51,180 --> 00:13:55,740 from the I-91 off ramps all the way to the metals anyway at this point. 200 00:13:55,740 --> 00:14:08,340 So we are, I've been having discussions with DOT for many years about the fact that they've used this area many times for material storage for a lot of their state projects and highway projects and 201 00:14:08,340 --> 00:14:15,920 be honest with you, the road has taken a beating over the years and the ratings have gone down pretty significantly more than you would expect. 202 00:14:16,480 --> 00:14:23,000 So I had to put it in my memo, I mean, we are having conversations with them about seeing if we can get some kind of a commitment to them to, 203 00:14:23,000 --> 00:14:26,660 if not, repay the road at least work with us to fix it 204 00:14:26,660 --> 00:14:29,400 if the town is being asked to accept it at this point. 205 00:14:29,700 --> 00:14:32,320 So I didn't want to hold up the process 206 00:14:32,320 --> 00:14:34,000 or seeking your referral. 207 00:14:34,640 --> 00:14:36,420 So I'm looking for that, assuming the road even stays 208 00:14:36,420 --> 00:14:38,480 as it is, which is likely the case, 209 00:14:39,140 --> 00:14:41,300 but we will pursue that before we go to the town council 210 00:14:41,300 --> 00:14:42,060 for acceptance. 211 00:14:42,880 --> 00:14:45,580 Okay, so what I understand is it puts no burden 212 00:14:45,580 --> 00:14:46,840 really on the town, right? 213 00:14:47,280 --> 00:14:48,660 It's really just status quo, 214 00:14:48,780 --> 00:14:50,620 and this is almost an administrative action. 215 00:14:51,100 --> 00:14:52,340 That's what you pretty much said, right? 216 00:14:52,340 --> 00:14:55,880 Yeah, that's correct. All right, are you good? Any other questions? 217 00:14:57,020 --> 00:14:59,960 I'll have controls figuring out where this is 218 00:15:02,700 --> 00:15:28,980 So, the top right corner of the plan, that is Burbank Road and the I-91 on an off ramps come down to that intersection, too. It's a three-way intersection. So, you can barely see it, but there kind of looks like in the vicinity of where I have that state right away to be released to the town. No, there is a driveway entrance for 100 great metal road down there, which is the Putnam Park. 219 00:15:28,980 --> 00:15:36,440 Okay, so this is the road on that side on the front of Platinum Park. Yes, and 91 is beyond it. 91 is 220 00:15:36,440 --> 00:15:43,240 to the top of the page to the west. Yes. Yeah, all right. Thank you. 221 00:15:44,280 --> 00:15:45,240 100-year 222 00:15:46,240 --> 00:15:49,640 bloodline is runs alongside 91 if that else. 223 00:15:51,940 --> 00:15:57,000 And this doesn't impact any of the businesses down on Burbank Road or anything like that. 224 00:15:59,640 --> 00:16:02,800 No, only that they would be coming to us for encroachment permits. 225 00:16:04,020 --> 00:16:04,460 But 226 00:16:06,920 --> 00:16:11,660 yeah, I mean, frankly, we thought we had already, we thought we already owned 227 00:16:11,660 --> 00:16:12,340 this right away. 228 00:16:12,720 --> 00:16:16,820 We knew that one little strip where the, where the parcel is shown highlighted here was 229 00:16:16,820 --> 00:16:19,960 an issue, but it turns out it never really got officially transferred. 230 00:16:20,080 --> 00:16:24,560 So we've been issuing permits for work and whenever there's work in this area, there's 231 00:16:24,560 --> 00:16:25,340 not a lot down here. 232 00:16:25,340 --> 00:16:26,060 There's some utilities. 233 00:16:26,060 --> 00:16:31,400 Like I mentioned, as Dave said, it's floodplain, and like I mentioned, the 100 great metal road. 234 00:16:31,940 --> 00:16:38,460 A Putnam Park is really the only business or property that we have off of this that is used by the public. 235 00:16:42,530 --> 00:16:44,290 Another question, sorry, and I should have asked this. 236 00:16:44,730 --> 00:16:50,090 The other extension that goes up to the Puckai, is that town owned or is that stayed on, you know? 237 00:16:50,870 --> 00:16:53,790 You're talking about Burbank Road that goes up to the Puckai? 238 00:16:54,110 --> 00:16:56,010 Right, this were to continue to the north. 239 00:16:56,450 --> 00:16:57,270 Yeah, north. 240 00:16:57,270 --> 00:17:04,470 Yes, DOT has indicated that Burbank Road had gotten transferred over to the town, but the segment of Great Mudder Road had not. 241 00:17:04,770 --> 00:17:04,930 Okay. 242 00:17:05,350 --> 00:17:11,150 I mean, we checked our land records and we weren't able to locate anything and they indicated we did accept it back then. 243 00:17:11,490 --> 00:17:15,350 So it's more of a formality now just to finalize that process. 244 00:17:19,820 --> 00:17:20,600 Any other questions? 245 00:17:23,630 --> 00:17:28,590 We'll make a motion for a positive referral for a proposed 246 00:17:28,590 --> 00:17:34,590 acceptment of parcel 285.002, located on Great Metal Road. 247 00:17:35,750 --> 00:17:36,950 I'll second the motion. 248 00:17:38,150 --> 00:17:40,430 Okay, there's the motion, the second, all in favor? 249 00:17:41,050 --> 00:17:41,270 Aye. 250 00:17:41,310 --> 00:17:41,450 Aye. 251 00:17:42,090 --> 00:17:42,610 Opposed? 252 00:17:43,830 --> 00:17:44,590 Okay, great. 253 00:17:45,110 --> 00:17:45,810 Thank you, Derek. 254 00:17:46,130 --> 00:17:46,310 All right. 255 00:17:46,390 --> 00:17:46,690 Thank you. 256 00:17:48,840 --> 00:17:49,600 All right. 257 00:17:49,900 --> 00:17:50,620 Other business? 258 00:17:51,180 --> 00:17:51,580 The minutes? 259 00:17:52,760 --> 00:17:56,260 any questions, comments, changes to the minutes? 260 00:17:56,720 --> 00:18:03,760 I think they spelled Chris Brecklin's name on the text a bit. 261 00:18:07,620 --> 00:18:08,180 Any opinions? 262 00:18:09,280 --> 00:18:12,400 No, in the verbiage. 263 00:18:13,120 --> 00:18:17,400 It's like BRECK instead of ECH. 264 00:18:18,480 --> 00:18:19,200 Bulley noted. 265 00:18:19,200 --> 00:18:25,320 Okay. Make a motion to approve the August 18th minutes otherwise. 266 00:18:26,540 --> 00:18:28,960 Second. Second. 267 00:18:31,180 --> 00:18:32,440 Okay. All in favor. 268 00:18:33,800 --> 00:18:38,240 Thank you. All right. Staff reports. 269 00:18:40,000 --> 00:18:44,260 The only thing I would suggest and ask is that we on October, 270 00:18:45,300 --> 00:18:48,300 for our next meeting October 6th, we do have two agenda items. 271 00:18:48,300 --> 00:18:55,780 one of them is a site plan modification and then the other one is the new school on Highland Street. 272 00:18:55,900 --> 00:18:59,860 There's a public hearing for that. We're going to try to manage the agenda as of right now. 273 00:18:59,900 --> 00:19:05,160 Those are the only two items. And then I just wanted to sort of plug on October 20th. We do have a 274 00:19:05,160 --> 00:19:11,540 confirmation for a 10-slater from Halloran and Sage to come and do some. We're calling it training, 275 00:19:11,580 --> 00:19:16,580 but it's really a question and answer period. So if there are topics that anyone has questions about, 276 00:19:16,580 --> 00:19:23,980 I know that we Joe Hammer wants to talk about a special permit, but if anyone has other specific 277 00:19:23,980 --> 00:19:28,440 questions about how we operate in terms of review, please send me an email at any point between 278 00:19:28,440 --> 00:19:32,360 now and then and we're going to try to put together a list of topics. We've also invited 279 00:19:32,360 --> 00:19:36,580 the zoning board of appeals because now that they're reviewing special exceptions, they also 280 00:19:36,580 --> 00:19:43,200 had some questions. By all means, if you have questions or ideas on how we should or do do things, 281 00:19:43,200 --> 00:19:49,840 Please send me send me some ideas right are we are gonna get credit for this? I 282 00:19:50,480 --> 00:19:57,900 Don't I don't know, but we should be absolutely sure we should get that out. Yeah, I will make our report. Yeah, I have I don't know how to request that but I will absolutely do that perfect 283 00:20:01,480 --> 00:20:12,420 That's all, yeah. You sent out a memo to, I guess, a couple of us about outdoor dining across 284 00:20:12,420 --> 00:20:17,740 the street there. What, can you just talk a little bit about that? Yeah, so there have been two, 285 00:20:18,640 --> 00:20:24,520 two. Well, so the, and I should know, I didn't, because they didn't actually apply, I don't actually 286 00:20:24,520 --> 00:20:30,000 you know, the relationship. But the prior owner or the prior applicant for the old Old Town 287 00:20:30,000 --> 00:20:35,880 Cafe had had special permits for outdoor dining. Actually, most of the business, well, 288 00:20:35,920 --> 00:20:43,320 the Charles did. And so did Old Town Cafe and the special permit required them to come 289 00:20:43,320 --> 00:20:50,780 back every two years and get the permits renewed. But both the Charles and the Old Town Cafe. 290 00:20:53,160 --> 00:20:56,060 And if I get this wrong, anyone can correct me. 291 00:20:56,260 --> 00:21:01,040 But during COVID, if you recall that there was an executive order by the governor that 292 00:21:01,040 --> 00:21:06,280 allowed restaurants to have outdoor dining with some conditions that they had to be approved 293 00:21:06,280 --> 00:21:11,900 by the municipality or the state DOT, and they had to provide for ADA accommodations. 294 00:21:12,200 --> 00:21:15,580 So the sidewalk, if you had outdoor dining, you still had to make room for ADA access. 295 00:21:15,800 --> 00:21:20,260 But provided you were able to meet those conditions, you were allowed to have outdoor dining. 296 00:21:20,260 --> 00:21:27,800 And then after COVID, if you remember, some of the executive orders were made law. 297 00:21:28,380 --> 00:21:35,800 And one of those was outdoor dining is permitted by right, but as part of the site plan. 298 00:21:35,900 --> 00:21:37,560 So if I get this wrong, please correct me. 299 00:21:38,040 --> 00:21:44,680 But the idea was because most, well, all special permits generally require a site plan. 300 00:21:44,680 --> 00:21:47,420 And if the outdoor dining was shown on a site plan 301 00:21:47,420 --> 00:21:52,560 that was approved, then the outdoor dining given. 302 00:21:53,480 --> 00:21:54,400 It became a matter of right. 303 00:21:54,460 --> 00:21:55,240 It became a matter of right, 304 00:21:55,400 --> 00:21:56,920 but if it was approved on a site plan. 305 00:21:57,000 --> 00:21:59,620 So if you never had outdoor dining before COVID, 306 00:22:00,600 --> 00:22:01,760 and you just had it during COVID, 307 00:22:02,380 --> 00:22:04,040 you would still need to get the site plan approval, 308 00:22:04,540 --> 00:22:05,340 the way I understand it. 309 00:22:05,400 --> 00:22:07,080 But if you did have a site plan approval 310 00:22:07,080 --> 00:22:08,000 for outdoor dining, 311 00:22:09,220 --> 00:22:11,200 it is now approved as part of your site plan. 312 00:22:13,730 --> 00:22:15,110 So what's the issue? 313 00:22:15,110 --> 00:22:21,250 So, there is no issue, it's just that they note the, provide, well, there is a bit of a nuance. 314 00:22:21,450 --> 00:22:26,150 So, the way I understand it is, any conditions that were part of the site plan approval 315 00:22:26,150 --> 00:22:28,390 or the special permit do remain in effect, 316 00:22:31,740 --> 00:22:32,540 unless they exceed. 317 00:22:32,680 --> 00:22:36,120 I think there was some state law that says you can't have it past 9 p.m. 318 00:22:36,400 --> 00:22:41,700 But, hours of operation, number of seats, as I understand it, because those characteristics 319 00:22:41,700 --> 00:22:45,540 or elements were part of the site plan, that because the site plan remains the authoritative 320 00:22:45,540 --> 00:22:48,320 document that controls the site that those also remain in effect. 321 00:22:48,980 --> 00:22:50,780 So does old town have a site plan? 322 00:22:51,160 --> 00:22:51,540 They do. 323 00:22:51,920 --> 00:22:52,320 Okay. 324 00:22:52,440 --> 00:22:52,560 Yeah. 325 00:22:53,340 --> 00:22:57,800 And so I did tell the applicant that if they wanted to change the hours of operation the 326 00:22:57,800 --> 00:23:01,060 number of seats, any of the conditions that were part of their approval, they wouldn't 327 00:23:01,060 --> 00:23:06,620 need to come back for a site plan modification, and I believe that is the case, but they do 328 00:23:06,620 --> 00:23:08,740 not need to come back for a special permit every two years. 329 00:23:09,540 --> 00:23:09,820 Okay. 330 00:23:09,820 --> 00:23:09,880 Yeah. 331 00:23:11,180 --> 00:23:11,580 Tough. 332 00:23:12,560 --> 00:23:12,960 Dave? 333 00:23:14,660 --> 00:23:16,720 The, uh, Congressional Church. 334 00:23:17,380 --> 00:23:21,740 Can you give us a little summary about the deal, because it affects us a little bit, 335 00:23:22,020 --> 00:23:26,100 the deal of town's making with them in terms of paying them, is that we never, nobody's 336 00:23:26,100 --> 00:23:31,600 ever said to me that we're paying, going to pay the church a fair amount of money for 337 00:23:31,600 --> 00:23:32,000 parking. 338 00:23:33,140 --> 00:23:36,880 When you have an update on that, or, well, I've only heard things about that. 339 00:23:37,160 --> 00:23:39,800 No, I can say I've only heard, I generally don't pay too much. 340 00:23:39,800 --> 00:23:43,340 attention until I see something or I'm asked to get involved or I see something in paper or 341 00:23:43,340 --> 00:23:48,440 document, but I have not seen any lease agreements. I've only heard that we intend to enter into 342 00:23:48,440 --> 00:23:53,040 a lease agreement for the congregational church for a number of spaces and in exchange for that a 343 00:23:53,040 --> 00:23:58,060 cost share of the maintenance required. But I have not seen a lease agreement and I apologize 344 00:23:58,060 --> 00:24:02,540 if I'm behind on that. Has there been one introduced? Was there one in front of the town council? I've only 345 00:24:34,140 --> 00:24:39,140 land we would be the. Yeah I think the way it's written it's like if we're leasing 346 00:24:39,140 --> 00:24:49,340 out town land we have to do an 824 but if we're leasing someone else's we may not but I think we 347 00:24:49,340 --> 00:24:57,640 have in the past like for the transition academy and things like that. I would wonder if it's at least 348 00:24:57,640 --> 00:24:58,660 Maybe it's a license. 349 00:25:00,050 --> 00:25:29,990 Well, a license to, for the town to occupy certain number of spaces on, no, it's, it's a lease. They're going to randomly check every month. Yeah. It's an actual income, right? Yeah. Again, we'll see what we do down there. That's why it's, if that's something that gets firmed up, I think there would be a big deal. I mean, I'm thinking about parking decisions. Well, the town leases a whole bunch of parking spaces. It makes the big difference in what we do the future just changes. 350 00:25:29,990 --> 00:25:30,810 a lot of stuff, right? 351 00:25:31,270 --> 00:25:32,210 Well, that's what I'm getting at. 352 00:25:32,350 --> 00:25:33,590 We need to know that, right? 353 00:25:33,590 --> 00:25:40,210 We may recall the last one that we approved, the restaurant, I mean, the discussion was 354 00:25:40,210 --> 00:25:45,010 that the town was going to go into an agreement and provide a bunch of parking, you know, that 355 00:25:45,010 --> 00:25:49,950 was one of the reasons why I kind of backed off on the parking requirement because if we 356 00:25:49,950 --> 00:25:52,130 get something from the church, that makes a big difference. 357 00:25:52,890 --> 00:25:58,390 It would be important to understand or have notice of, you know, what are the particular 358 00:25:58,390 --> 00:26:02,470 or at least visions in terms of what rights each party has 359 00:26:02,470 --> 00:26:03,830 with regards to the property. 360 00:26:05,010 --> 00:26:07,410 Dave, did you get your info from EDIC? 361 00:26:08,130 --> 00:26:09,250 Or what about, okay. 362 00:26:09,450 --> 00:26:10,790 Does he represent the Saudi-DIC? 363 00:26:10,790 --> 00:26:12,210 Yeah, I can't read EDIC, he cannot. 364 00:26:12,870 --> 00:26:15,230 Again, I'm sure it's early in the game, 365 00:26:15,410 --> 00:26:17,470 but it works, we're gonna write them a check every month. 366 00:26:18,570 --> 00:26:18,990 Which... 367 00:26:18,990 --> 00:26:20,450 It'll be interesting to see the details there. 368 00:26:20,470 --> 00:26:21,510 The details there, you know. 369 00:26:22,150 --> 00:26:22,930 And the other thing, 370 00:26:23,870 --> 00:26:28,150 184 Maine, that the town's getting sued on that, 371 00:26:28,150 --> 00:26:29,310 you have an update on that. 372 00:26:32,690 --> 00:26:36,970 Only that they appeal the decision. So I don't I wouldn't say I 373 00:26:36,970 --> 00:26:42,690 got corrected on something. There's not the right word yet. Right. Yeah. They're not swell. 374 00:26:43,130 --> 00:26:48,070 No. But yes, they're taking us to court. Well, but they're they're appealing to the decision. 375 00:26:49,690 --> 00:26:52,410 They're appealing. So again, keep up to speak with that. Let us know. 376 00:26:52,410 --> 00:26:52,950 Yes. 377 00:26:53,150 --> 00:26:53,990 What was it going in 378 00:26:56,610 --> 00:26:56,690 there? 379 00:26:56,870 --> 00:27:00,670 A grieved party, a neighbor is appealing a decision, 380 00:27:03,730 --> 00:27:07,090 we're currently compiling the documentation 381 00:27:07,090 --> 00:27:16,750 for the record and I did ask our council, and I'm not sure if the, if there's any reason 382 00:27:16,750 --> 00:27:21,330 that I should also be including or identifying the fact that not less than six months ago 383 00:27:21,330 --> 00:27:26,550 the same app, the similar application was denied unanimously, but I'm not going to include 384 00:27:26,550 --> 00:27:31,630 that unless they tell me to, I assume that's completely irrelevant, but I'm creating the 385 00:27:31,630 --> 00:27:33,190 record and we're going to put it together. 386 00:27:33,850 --> 00:27:37,250 Yeah, I think the only reason you would do that is if during the course of the second 387 00:27:37,250 --> 00:27:42,710 hearing, the applicant said that they wanted to have that be part of the record for the 388 00:27:42,710 --> 00:27:43,370 second hearing. 389 00:27:44,130 --> 00:27:45,830 Otherwise, you don't generally. 390 00:27:46,270 --> 00:27:50,430 They repeatedly mentioned the prior application and that they modified it. 391 00:27:50,590 --> 00:27:54,850 So they, it was introduced, I mean, and I could have, I'll have, I'd be interested to know 392 00:27:54,850 --> 00:28:00,170 know how to do this, but they did, the commission intentionally did not introduce real facts 393 00:28:00,170 --> 00:28:03,490 from the prior application, but the applicant did willingly and so did the applicant's 394 00:28:03,490 --> 00:28:03,670 attorney. 395 00:28:03,950 --> 00:28:08,910 So, Rob, just, I'm going to assemble the record for what it is, and now I'll find out what 396 00:28:08,910 --> 00:28:09,590 happens from there. 397 00:28:10,030 --> 00:28:10,130 Right. 398 00:28:10,370 --> 00:28:10,650 Thank you. 399 00:28:13,090 --> 00:28:14,010 Anything else? 400 00:28:17,950 --> 00:28:19,690 Just that we are making great progress. 401 00:28:19,890 --> 00:28:28,130 We did the zoning, the talent council adopted a amendment to the municipal code that now 402 00:28:30,130 --> 00:28:37,050 allows municipal official who's designated to do so to issue municipal citations for zoning 403 00:28:37,050 --> 00:28:44,030 violations, wetland violations, and any other code violations in the municipal code, not 404 00:28:44,030 --> 00:28:50,070 just property maintenance, which is going to be a very good instrument for us to be faster 405 00:28:50,070 --> 00:28:54,270 and more responsive for complaints beyond just what is commonly known as blight. 406 00:28:54,270 --> 00:29:00,070 So it's a strange thing to get excited for in terms of enforcement, but what I told my staff and everyone is that 407 00:29:01,030 --> 00:29:06,190 You know, we're not so much excited that we're gonna be enforcing, you know, we're coming down on people, but it is expected 408 00:29:06,190 --> 00:29:10,530 We're really enforcing the regulations that the vast majority of the community advised by so 409 00:29:10,990 --> 00:29:15,510 And we have our first hearing on Friday again. It's strange to be excited about that, but we're making 410 00:29:16,030 --> 00:29:20,010 Who's gonna do it though? It's the problem is nobody's around actually do this. What? 411 00:29:20,010 --> 00:29:22,230 But forcing it. 412 00:29:22,810 --> 00:29:26,270 We have a new part-time zoning official, Cassandra at the end. 413 00:29:26,310 --> 00:29:30,030 I know we all, we know her as a reporting secretary, but she actually does quite a bit 414 00:29:30,030 --> 00:29:30,210 more. 415 00:29:30,390 --> 00:29:38,290 So she, myself, Charles, and the new part-time zoning, he's done 471 inspections already since 416 00:29:38,290 --> 00:29:39,150 May 29th. 417 00:29:39,150 --> 00:29:40,250 I think that we've sent out. 418 00:29:40,890 --> 00:29:46,490 We have, I just heard today, we have five, the naming conventions terrible in terms of 419 00:29:46,490 --> 00:29:46,870 citation. 420 00:29:46,870 --> 00:29:59,270 but we have gone, we have five properties that have gone through the process, they do not request a hearing, we're going to be seeking a request for a judgment in our favor, and we have two hearings. 421 00:30:00,000 --> 00:30:29,540 3, actually, maybe now that I think we got another one today. Questionable, but we have, we have two, and you know, we're, the benefit is that, and this, I was surprised I, because I came in the weather field and I couldn't figure it out, is that a lot of the reason that some of the properties that have repeatedly been blighted is because we are not able to, we have not, for a number of reasons, followed the process. 422 00:30:29,540 --> 00:30:34,540 us either correctly or we have not documented it correctly because what we, what we have not 423 00:30:34,540 --> 00:30:38,280 done that we're doing now is a very, and I don't want to blame, there is no one to blame. 424 00:30:38,880 --> 00:30:44,420 The enforcement process is very administratively burdensome and it's all on the municipality. 425 00:30:45,020 --> 00:30:47,820 So the dates have to be right, the pictures have to be right, we have to send. 426 00:30:48,120 --> 00:30:57,400 We send 12 letters for every property, minimum, and we need to, the benefit to the code, I'll 427 00:30:57,400 --> 00:31:00,660 say is that historically, whether it's field, every time there's been an issue with property 428 00:31:00,660 --> 00:31:04,400 maintenance, zoning, code enforcement, anything, we get to a point, we send a letter of 429 00:31:04,400 --> 00:31:06,560 violation, if they don't comply, we send it to the town attorney. 430 00:31:07,060 --> 00:31:11,600 The town attorney has a long list of things to do, and sometimes it could cost more to have 431 00:31:11,600 --> 00:31:17,060 the town attorney seek a certain remedy or judgment than it is for the judgment that we 432 00:31:17,060 --> 00:31:17,380 would get. 433 00:31:17,620 --> 00:31:24,420 And so, with the new staff, we had a meeting with the town attorney who does this for a lot 434 00:31:24,420 --> 00:31:28,880 of other municipalities. In 2024, and this is the other thing that happened that not a lot of 435 00:31:28,880 --> 00:31:34,660 people knew about, is that in 2024, there was a new municipal citation process that we are 436 00:31:34,660 --> 00:31:40,980 following now that includes this citation. It's called a notice, I don't know if there's a fast way 437 00:31:40,980 --> 00:31:46,180 to say this, but there's a new property maintenance citation and hearing process 438 00:31:46,880 --> 00:31:51,920 that we can follow. The nice thing is that the town can do all of this up until the part where we go 439 00:31:51,920 --> 00:31:53,020 one requested judgment. 440 00:31:53,720 --> 00:31:56,460 That work has previously been sent to the town attorney 441 00:31:56,460 --> 00:32:00,920 and this is good because it puts a lot of the control on us. 442 00:32:00,920 --> 00:32:03,100 It also puts the obligation on us to do it right, 443 00:32:04,540 --> 00:32:06,780 but it's a rather simple process once you do it. 444 00:32:06,960 --> 00:32:07,580 So it's a- 445 00:32:07,580 --> 00:32:09,280 I think it's more members to the team 446 00:32:09,280 --> 00:32:10,660 for the enforcement process. 447 00:32:11,240 --> 00:32:11,400 Yes. 448 00:32:11,740 --> 00:32:12,760 And the administrative staff, 449 00:32:12,760 --> 00:32:15,480 I always say, you know, for one hour in the field, 450 00:32:15,620 --> 00:32:17,840 it's two hours in the office every matter. 451 00:32:18,140 --> 00:32:19,400 And so we have that. 452 00:32:19,400 --> 00:32:32,260 And the benefit and maybe you've seen this is that we have never had the leverage and that sounds maybe like a bad word, but for the properties that have not in 55% I will say it's a good number. 453 00:32:32,320 --> 00:32:38,160 55% of the properties that we have issued warning notices or notices of violations have voluntarily complied. 454 00:32:38,500 --> 00:32:39,580 That's generally what we want. 455 00:32:39,580 --> 00:32:45,340 And now for the people that don't, we are going to, hopefully, we're going to see 456 00:32:45,340 --> 00:32:47,120 conjudgment in the municipality's favor. 457 00:32:47,360 --> 00:32:54,560 If the judgment is granted, or if the judgment is granted, then that judgment in the 458 00:32:54,560 --> 00:33:02,420 town's favor, including the assessed site fines, will have the same interest as a tax 459 00:33:02,420 --> 00:33:07,020 lien, and over time, whatever that is, the town can then initiate foreclosure, and that's 460 00:33:07,020 --> 00:33:08,320 ultimately how we get compliant. 461 00:33:08,320 --> 00:33:13,660 So, we are going to have the leverage, if you will, to initiate foreclosure, and ideally, 462 00:33:13,860 --> 00:33:18,700 if the property is held by, if it's held, got a mortgage, usually, the bank will try to 463 00:33:18,700 --> 00:33:23,920 comply, and if they don't, then we can foreclose on the property, or at least have the leverage 464 00:33:23,920 --> 00:33:30,360 to possibly foreclose on the property. We're just responding to people, or we actually 465 00:33:30,360 --> 00:33:34,780 going out and looking at ourselves. We're doing both, but there is no shortage of information 466 00:33:34,780 --> 00:33:39,120 coming at us. We are definitely going out to the most egregious ones, but there are some legacy 467 00:33:39,120 --> 00:33:43,960 issues that have, you know, and they do, and I will say that what happens a lot, and this is 468 00:33:43,960 --> 00:33:49,000 why, you know, again, I blame no one, but, you know, properties would get to a certain condition, 469 00:33:49,020 --> 00:33:52,120 we would send it to the town attorney, the town attorney would get involved, then people would 470 00:33:52,120 --> 00:33:55,380 start to change, and they would comply. So then we'd have compliance for a little while, 471 00:33:55,600 --> 00:33:59,520 and then it would start again, and we don't have to get into that process anymore. 472 00:34:07,500 --> 00:34:12,340 He's actually been working more because there's so much work and I've got the approval for him to work more. 473 00:34:12,600 --> 00:34:15,520 We are, I am going to make requests to make, make him full time. 474 00:34:15,620 --> 00:34:19,220 And I will say the other, you have a qualified staff. 475 00:34:19,360 --> 00:34:23,680 So like Cassandra has a master's degree in public administration, Joshua Petro. 476 00:34:23,680 --> 00:34:26,720 He also has a master's degree in planning or public administration. 477 00:34:26,720 --> 00:34:28,700 And you kind of need that. 478 00:34:28,920 --> 00:34:31,740 This is a, you got to, you have to know how to read the 479 00:34:31,740 --> 00:34:35,420 regulations and, you know, they're good. 480 00:34:35,660 --> 00:34:37,300 And I always say, this is why it's interesting. 481 00:34:37,400 --> 00:34:40,220 So I always think like, you know, planning, in my opinion, 482 00:34:40,300 --> 00:34:42,280 I was not planning someone of the easy part, right? 483 00:34:42,540 --> 00:34:44,940 But you implement and you affect your way planning through 484 00:34:44,940 --> 00:34:46,340 zoning and through code enforcement. 485 00:34:46,500 --> 00:34:49,360 And so, whether it was great zoning regulations, we have a 486 00:34:49,360 --> 00:34:52,060 lot of things going right, but we need to sort of tie this 487 00:34:52,060 --> 00:34:56,700 all the way down the line so that we have, because, you 488 00:34:56,700 --> 00:34:59,620 But there is sort of, when I started, there was a reputation that we didn't have a great 489 00:34:59,620 --> 00:34:59,840 enforcement. 490 00:35:00,000 --> 00:35:29,700 So I would like to change that. We get a few of them right, and then hopefully that changes. And I will say this because no one wants to come down on someone that doesn't have the means, the capacity, the mental faculties to change. So when we do find ourselves in a situation where someone wants to comply, it doesn't have the ability to do so. We have started a relationship with our Department of Social Services and Human Services. And so we have providing them with opportunities to get support in Cassandra. If I missed anything. Cassandra and Josh, I've really been 491 00:35:29,700 --> 00:35:32,980 and spearheading it, and then Charles Morrison, 492 00:35:33,180 --> 00:35:34,160 who you all know has been here. 493 00:35:35,580 --> 00:35:37,540 You'll say this, I've been advocating for more staff 494 00:35:37,540 --> 00:35:39,600 because Charles, the way Weatherfield works, 495 00:35:39,900 --> 00:35:41,280 the zoning official signs off 496 00:35:41,280 --> 00:35:43,160 on every single building permit that comes in. 497 00:35:43,460 --> 00:35:45,320 Every single one of them, you know, 498 00:35:45,420 --> 00:35:47,400 an HVAC, a new generator, a new condenser, 499 00:35:47,440 --> 00:35:48,440 the zoning official sign. 500 00:35:48,600 --> 00:35:50,480 So in a given month, the zoning official 501 00:35:50,480 --> 00:35:53,240 was also looking at 60 to 100 building permits. 502 00:35:53,480 --> 00:35:57,760 And the same person was doing building permit reviews, 503 00:35:57,760 --> 00:36:03,540 reviews, zoning reviews, enforcement and property maintenance. 504 00:36:03,780 --> 00:36:04,240 So this is good. 505 00:36:04,460 --> 00:36:06,980 I would say we need to resource load this. 506 00:36:07,040 --> 00:36:09,900 If we want this to go well, and luckily the town manager and the town council have been 507 00:36:09,900 --> 00:36:10,540 giving me resources. 508 00:36:10,880 --> 00:36:11,840 So it's working. 509 00:36:12,040 --> 00:36:14,240 And this is one of my goals. 510 00:36:15,620 --> 00:36:16,520 Oh, good luck. 511 00:36:16,700 --> 00:36:17,000 I'm good. 512 00:36:17,900 --> 00:36:18,360 It's important. 513 00:36:19,960 --> 00:36:20,320 Okay. 514 00:36:20,880 --> 00:36:21,580 Anything else? 515 00:36:22,020 --> 00:36:23,120 Just a quick question. 516 00:36:23,140 --> 00:36:24,340 I don't know if it's the right form or not. 517 00:36:24,340 --> 00:36:31,280 What's going on with now known as Ken's Foods, formerly Weight Watchers, is that progress 518 00:36:31,280 --> 00:36:31,700 in thought? 519 00:36:31,900 --> 00:36:33,560 I mean, we've had a lot of visits on that. 520 00:36:33,680 --> 00:36:34,460 Yeah, I can distribute. 521 00:36:34,700 --> 00:36:42,500 We do have a stipulated agreement, or I think it's a stipulated agreement. 522 00:36:42,860 --> 00:36:44,400 I'm going to ask Commissioner Roberts because he might know. 523 00:36:44,680 --> 00:36:45,900 I want to stipulated judgment. 524 00:36:46,120 --> 00:36:50,140 stipulated judgment that was reached in agreement. 525 00:36:50,140 --> 00:37:18,760 And the owner has 18 months to comply with all of the conditions that were in the approval for planning and zoning, beginning with within four months, which they did submit to the health district, the first thing that had to be submitted, and this was important in terms of sequence that they submit a plan, a phasing plan for how they're going to construct the proposed and continue to have inventory in the store. 526 00:37:18,760 --> 00:37:22,000 And so you might remember that that was concern of ours, right? 527 00:37:22,080 --> 00:37:26,240 They wanted to stay open even if they weren't letting people inside and I'm going to whether 528 00:37:26,240 --> 00:37:30,120 they are there or not, if they're going to continue to have any sort of food inside, 529 00:37:30,120 --> 00:37:34,140 we wanted to see how they're going to manage that inventory in a responsible way. 530 00:37:34,300 --> 00:37:37,960 And so the first thing they have to do, which they have done early started the dialogue, is 531 00:37:37,960 --> 00:37:40,900 submit a plan to the health district for how they're going to do that. 532 00:37:41,400 --> 00:37:45,260 And then they're going to submit building plans to the building department. 533 00:37:45,260 --> 00:37:54,740 And they did send, we did get $20,000, the total assessed fines, I think are 125,000 plus legal 534 00:37:54,740 --> 00:37:55,260 costs. 535 00:37:55,620 --> 00:38:02,320 And the agreement was that we are going to collect $20,000 at the time of the stipulated judgment. 536 00:38:03,380 --> 00:38:03,820 I got that right. 537 00:38:03,920 --> 00:38:04,580 It's stipulated judgment. 538 00:38:04,760 --> 00:38:10,450 And then if they fail to, this is the big, the couple things are important enough. 539 00:38:10,590 --> 00:38:14,910 So if they do not achieve the 18, if they do not submit a, and we also know that there's 540 00:38:14,910 --> 00:38:26,390 If I have to turn around, but if they do not submit the building plans with all the required structural engineering report within 18 months, then we get all of the $125,000 or the remainder. 541 00:38:26,850 --> 00:38:36,450 But the more important part is that we then can seek, or we do not have to go back to court to have an injunction to shut them down. 542 00:38:36,450 --> 00:38:43,750 and the reason that's important is because the original claim against them was only for 543 00:38:43,750 --> 00:38:51,310 the zoning use and that was that was that was one that was a problem because we did not 544 00:38:51,310 --> 00:38:57,430 have the health code health violation the health code violations in the suit if I'm wrong 545 00:38:57,430 --> 00:39:01,870 I make use of that I want to use the right words but when we you know I'm looking at you 546 00:39:01,870 --> 00:39:09,210 it. Yeah, I mean, it was basically seeking enforcement only of the zoning violations information 547 00:39:09,210 --> 00:39:17,390 on the health building and fire codes had not been forwarded into the proceeding. 548 00:39:17,710 --> 00:39:21,490 And they are now. Thank you for that. And that's important because at the time the court 549 00:39:21,490 --> 00:39:26,150 was not willing to give us and I think emergency and junkie relief to shut them down because 550 00:39:26,150 --> 00:39:30,250 it was only based on the zoning code. But now that the fire code violations and the health 551 00:39:30,250 --> 00:39:33,790 code violations and the building code violations have all been integrated into it. 552 00:39:34,050 --> 00:39:36,770 It now would warrant shutting down if they don't comply. 553 00:39:37,070 --> 00:39:38,350 So that's where we are. 554 00:39:38,890 --> 00:39:43,150 It's actually the, I know there's some, you know, some people shake their head that we're 555 00:39:43,150 --> 00:39:47,070 still dealing with this, but it is, I think it's the, we're in the best possible position 556 00:39:47,070 --> 00:39:48,390 that we have been since the start. 557 00:39:49,650 --> 00:39:51,130 So let's jog my memory. 558 00:39:52,610 --> 00:39:59,330 Some of the business owners across the street from where they are, I was in there a couple 559 00:39:59,330 --> 00:39:59,970 times in 560 00:40:00,000 --> 00:40:18,320 They know that I'm in planning is only so they complain that they put up some sort of a corrugated structure in front of their building and they're wondering are they are they doing something behind it? They don't want anybody to see. Is anybody in the town. Can we stop that? So that's that actually started. 561 00:40:20,420 --> 00:40:29,980 They started putting up sheeting because they are going to change the facade of that and they didn't have their permit yet. So the building official holding the stop. They do have a 562 00:40:29,980 --> 00:40:33,440 approval to do fire some internal work for just code compliance. 563 00:40:33,600 --> 00:40:35,040 That's all that they're allowed to do right now. 564 00:40:35,120 --> 00:40:40,280 They have approved building permits to bring the inside of the building for 565 00:40:40,280 --> 00:40:45,880 those spaces that are mark and tile up to code compliance for fire and building code. 566 00:40:46,500 --> 00:40:50,380 This stuff on the outside is subject to the approval that hasn't been granted yet 567 00:40:50,380 --> 00:40:52,940 because first they have to go to the health district and that'll be part of their 568 00:40:53,640 --> 00:40:55,360 building plan permit, which they don't have. 569 00:40:55,500 --> 00:40:59,240 So that works stop and so that they did start doing some landscaping and that stop too. 570 00:40:59,240 --> 00:41:01,300 it. What was the corrugated metal for? 571 00:41:02,360 --> 00:41:03,960 The question is what people were asking me. 572 00:41:04,780 --> 00:41:06,200 They have a dead work. 573 00:41:06,940 --> 00:41:07,460 They have a dead work. 574 00:41:07,540 --> 00:41:07,900 They have a dead work. 575 00:41:07,900 --> 00:41:10,320 That front part of the building is being redesigned. 576 00:41:10,440 --> 00:41:11,200 Why are highly thoughts? 577 00:41:11,200 --> 00:41:12,220 They're going to be doing it. 578 00:41:12,380 --> 00:41:13,700 Because I think that's the facade. 579 00:41:14,300 --> 00:41:16,400 I think that corrugated sheeting is the base 580 00:41:16,400 --> 00:41:18,580 of whatever's going on to it. 581 00:41:19,180 --> 00:41:21,680 No, no, it's outside of the facade. 582 00:41:21,880 --> 00:41:24,460 It's like a wall hiding what was behind there. 583 00:41:24,900 --> 00:41:25,640 That's what they were complaining about. 584 00:41:25,640 --> 00:41:27,200 Does have a bunker like Laurence? 585 00:41:27,320 --> 00:41:28,040 I don't know anything. 586 00:41:28,040 --> 00:41:30,140 a great war. 587 00:41:31,120 --> 00:41:32,040 All right. 588 00:41:33,920 --> 00:41:34,680 That's it. 589 00:41:35,040 --> 00:41:37,300 Do you have a comment? 590 00:41:37,520 --> 00:41:38,420 I'll be coming. 591 00:41:39,180 --> 00:41:40,500 Just listening in, huh? 592 00:41:40,820 --> 00:41:41,700 All right. Great. 593 00:41:42,640 --> 00:41:42,960 All right. 594 00:41:43,280 --> 00:41:44,180 Any correspondence? 595 00:41:45,300 --> 00:41:45,840 No. 596 00:41:46,260 --> 00:41:46,400 No. 597 00:41:47,240 --> 00:41:50,680 And I guess we have two items you talked about next time, right? 598 00:41:51,600 --> 00:41:54,140 Yeah. One is the site plan application for the 599 00:41:54,140 --> 00:41:56,080 the Dush Point Credit Union of 195, 600 00:41:56,380 --> 00:42:00,920 so I've seen highway, they actually did questionable 601 00:42:00,920 --> 00:42:02,520 if they even need a site plan modification 602 00:42:03,040 --> 00:42:04,380 because they already were approved 603 00:42:04,380 --> 00:42:06,700 for both retail and professional office use, 604 00:42:06,860 --> 00:42:10,020 but now they're gonna be predominantly professional office use, 605 00:42:10,020 --> 00:42:11,580 which does change their parking requirements. 606 00:42:11,800 --> 00:42:13,120 And they are doing some reconfiguration 607 00:42:13,120 --> 00:42:14,780 of the parking lot and the landscaping, 608 00:42:15,240 --> 00:42:18,280 but because they are getting loan funds from the town, 609 00:42:18,380 --> 00:42:19,600 I think they wanted to make sure 610 00:42:19,600 --> 00:42:20,820 that they come before the commission, 611 00:42:21,040 --> 00:42:23,400 they're going for the design review committee 612 00:42:23,400 --> 00:42:29,800 on Thursday of this week. Okay. That should improve the parking, right? We do tomorrow. 613 00:42:29,940 --> 00:42:35,060 Tomorrow on the bike pads Thursday. Lots of meetings this week. And then the other one is the 614 00:42:35,720 --> 00:42:36,260 new school. 615 00:42:40,920 --> 00:42:46,740 Last Thursday, both Chris and I were on the Zoom meeting for the Crog Regional Planning 616 00:42:46,740 --> 00:42:54,420 Commission and the bulk of that was a presentation on the housing growth plans that they're 617 00:42:54,420 --> 00:42:58,000 are putting together in response to the public act, 251. 618 00:42:59,920 --> 00:43:02,980 You know, they're gonna roll out like next year 619 00:43:02,980 --> 00:43:08,520 and the year after and it was extremely detailed 620 00:43:09,400 --> 00:43:13,140 and supposedly that stuff is gonna be available 621 00:43:13,140 --> 00:43:16,100 either the video or PowerPoints. 622 00:43:17,420 --> 00:43:21,860 I think if we have a meeting probably next winter 623 00:43:21,860 --> 00:43:23,480 with nothing on the agenda, 624 00:43:24,420 --> 00:43:29,760 might be good to have somebody come and give us a quick update on that just so that, 625 00:43:30,300 --> 00:43:34,100 you know, we're at least familiar with what's going to be happening and what 626 00:43:34,900 --> 00:43:41,340 we will be expected to do. And I know there are also the changes that 627 00:43:42,100 --> 00:43:46,860 took effect in July that I don't think really affect us dramatically. 628 00:43:48,540 --> 00:43:57,660 Yeah, we actually should and I will admittedly there were so many changes and proposed changes over the last two legislative sessions on housing that I did. 629 00:43:58,100 --> 00:44:06,860 I did intentionally choose to wait for the dust to settle and focus on whether it's feel getting 10% which has kind of been the focus, but I do need to engage. 630 00:44:07,260 --> 00:44:14,920 I mean, because I'm not exactly sure if the housing growth plans are going to change or I don't really know what the implications are for the housing growth plans and I also know that we need to opt in. 631 00:44:14,920 --> 00:44:23,360 So yeah, I mean, and or contrary to what people think those really are not necessarily tied to the affordable housing 632 00:44:23,920 --> 00:44:25,920 They're just creating more housing 633 00:44:31,000 --> 00:44:36,260 Yeah, would we want to invite Krog to come and present maybe or is there someone else or just 634 00:44:37,280 --> 00:44:39,940 What are you what are you thinking for? You can sound that out 635 00:44:39,940 --> 00:44:47,180 But they sort of implied that with 38 member towns, it might be more than they could handle, 636 00:44:47,460 --> 00:44:57,660 but at least find out what they have that they'd be willing to share because some of 637 00:44:57,660 --> 00:44:59,280 stuff is actually going to be... 638 00:45:00,000 --> 00:45:12,240 Taking effect next year. Five one, or August, or October 1st. I think through July, yeah. All right. It's good. I will reach out to Prague. 639 00:45:14,860 --> 00:45:16,740 All right. Anything else? 640 00:45:17,840 --> 00:45:22,760 motion to adjourn so move second all right great have a good evening