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Home My Public Portal AboutSelect Board -- 2020-12-15 Minutes (2)i i ' 81101% gW8r Q� ."L ,;�� Town of Brewster e Select Board 4 2198 Main Street ' Town Administrator s Brewster MA 02631 = 1898 I i Y _.._ Phone : (508) 896m3701- Fax: 96-3701Fax:: (508) 896- 8089 u�,,,��vnNmm�uae�°�� MINUTES OF THE SELECT BOARD EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES DATE : December 15, 2020 TIME : 9 : 35 AM PLACE : Remote Teleconference ALL PARTICIPANTS ARE PARTICIPATING REMOTELY : Chair Chaffee, Selectperson deRuyter, Selectperson Whitney, Selectperson Chatelain, Selectperson Bingham, Town Administrator Peter Lombardi, Assistant Town Administrators Susan Broderick and Donna Kalinick and Town Counsel Call to Order air Chaffee called the meeting to order at 935 am, conducted a roll call vote of attendance, declared a quorum present, and read the meeting participation and recording statements . Executive Session :. To consider the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property if the chair declares that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the public body. Chair Chaffee stated that the Board would be going into executive session to discuss strategy with respect to consider the purchase, exchange, taking, lease, or value of real property if such discussion may have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the governmental body, and would not be returning to open session . Selectperson Bingham moved that the Board go into executive session at 9 : 39 am to consider the purchase, exchange, taking, lease, or value of real property if such discussion may have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the governmental body, and would not be returning to open session . Selectperson Chatelain second . Selectperson Whitney-yes, Selectperson Bingham -yes, Selectperson deRuyter-yes, Selectperson Chatelain, Chair Chaffee-yes . The Board vote was 5 -yes, 0- No , and every party present declared that no other person is present and/or able to hear the discussion at the remote location . Chair Chaffee noted the amount of executive sessions, meetings held by Mr . Lombardi, advisement from Town Counsel and the Town Planner, and information' on the properties that has been gathered to date , A normal process of this importance would include a year plus of public engagement meetings . This situation limits the public engagement, however she feels that the Brewster residents have provided guidance to the Town leaders on their vision and desires for the Town of Brewster. The Vision Plan , Open Space and Recreation Plan and the Coastal Resources Management Plan were carefully formulated and drafted documents compiled after many meetings that did include many sessions of public engagement . Mr , I ; Lombardi outlined the potential future uses for both properties and the options of acquisition that the Town www , brewster-ma . gov BoS 1245- 20 Page 1 of 3 W �pl9e�y�� Town of Brewster Office o 0 0� •+• 9, Select Board '+C 2198 Main Street Town Administrator o Brewster, MA 026314898 Phone : (508) 896=3701 Fax : (508) 8964089 could potentially utilize . Option one summarized that the Bay parcel could be used to construct a new community center, house the Council on Aging, Recreation Department and other social services agencies and maximize both active and passive municipal recreation uses . Possible relocation of the Town Hall or Natural Resources departments to this location could lead, to the Town dispositioning those properties as possible affordable housing or other private sector use . These scenarios would require signifigant future financial investment in addition to the cost of the aquistion of the property . The potential partnerships include Brewster Conservation Trust, Cape YMCA, MA Department of Conservation and Recreation, and private sector entities . The Long Pond parcel could be used to develop a new municipal beach , and affordable housing off of Long Pond Road . Potential partnerships for this property include BCT and the Affordable Housing Trust . Option two summarized that the Bay parcel could potentially retain the existing use as a private recreational summer camp facility with enhanced public access in the fall/winter/spring months , Potential partnerships for this option could include the Brewster FLATS Foundation, Trustees of Reservation , the YMCA, MA Department of Conservation and Recreation and/or the Brewster Conservation Trust . The Long Pond parcel would be similar to the Bay parcel, keeping it a recreational camp facility In the summer months and opening It to enhanced public access in the remainder months . Pt Private sector development of the parcels include Estate complex and Residential subdivision . Estate complex would require limited . regulatory Involvement and oversight, . possibly eliminate public access, would preserve the local tax revenue stream, and possibly a conservation restriction or right of first refusal if there was a change of use or ownership . Mr . Lombardi knows of at least one interested party considering this use . Both properties combined currently net the Town $ 88, 000. 00 in personal and property tax per year, A Residential , subdivision would require oversight from the Cape Cod Commission, local Special Permit approvals, and would dramatically change existing site use while eliminating public access . Resort development would be most likely similarlo a Residential subdivision but could enhance local property tax revenues . A Comprehensive Permit (40B ) development would be similar as well but there is an unknown on the effect on the local property tax revenues . Selectperson deRuyter feels that the Private sector development are unfavorable on either parcel, unless the Town is engaged on a comprehensive permit on the Long Pond parcel . The feedback he has received from citizens is that they wish the Town to be strategic on this land; and feels the first two options are the best for advancement , Selectperson Bingham agrees, and feels the latter options are in direct conflict with the Vision Plan , Selectperson Chatelain requested a copy of Mr. Lombardi' s memo that was presented at the meeting, which was subsequently sent to the full Board . Selectperson Whitney feels the first two options are the most positive,. with option one as the most favorable . Option two is complicated as it restricts Town use during the height of the summer weeks . He is also interested in what the State would consider for a Rail Trail option on Ithe parcel . Selectperson Chatelain also is in favor of options one and two , Chair Chaffee would like to www . brewster- ma .gov BoS 1245-20 Page 2 of 3 I i i k f ` // �Ort Town of Brewster Office of: 0 0 •+� 9 Select Board 2198 Main Street Town Administrator o ( a Brewster, MA 02631 - 1898 Phone : ( 508) 896-3701 Fax: ( 508) 896- 8089 PAPOIti ��p4/lIINI I IIIIlu11u\�� eliminate the third, fourth and fifth options, and feels none of those are consistent of the residents' desires for the Town of Brewster . Clarification was requested regarding if the parcel continue as a recreational camp, would that be a Town purchase with a legal agreement to the entities that want to operate the camp or to support and assist the entities to establish a camp in the future ? This is unknown at this time, but the option was included as a prospective primary use of the property . Althought additional camping facilities is not listed in any of the Brewster planning documents, Mr . Lombardi has talked to the members of the FLATS foundation, who would encourage additional local families having more access to the camp via financial assistance . Selectperson deRuyter does see the merits of the first option and would support that decision if there was a consensus of the Board , Selectperson Bingham would prefer to pursue option one , for full year round access to residents . Selectperson Chatelain is uncomfortable with the eminent domain option as a first resort, until other possibiliites are exhausted . Chair Chaffee agrees, but views eminent domain as a planning strategy for legal protection . If used, it would require an educational campaign . Wing Islandfwas taken by eminent domain In 1941, as was the " Egg" was taken from the Church a'nd 9 parcels near the Mill Ponds . Selectperson deRuyter would like to begin the eminent domain process immediately, ' but does not feel that It has to be the final method used for acquisition . He feels that would be the strongest starting point for a negotiated sale , Mr , Lombardi noted the first steps are title/deed research and a solid appraisal regardless of negotiation or eminent domain . He views eminent domain as a negotiating tool . Selectperson Chatelain is concerned with the funding mechanism for the purchase of these properties , Chair Chaffee feels there is a great deal of community support for municipal debt for this property, grant funding, Brewster Conservation Trust, environmental foundations, and private donors . Selectperson deRuyter agrees that this parcel has merit to ad.d a debt exclusion, however partnership for funding can be sought . The use of eminent domain could possibly be used to dissuade a private transaction , further conversation will be held at the next meeting with Town Counsel . Mr. Lombardi will utilize the legal budget for the title/deed research and appraisal costs . He reviewed past purchases for open space and the costs , The Town is very supportive of open space • purchases and also thinks that the BCT and State grant funding will be strong financial support . Revenue generation on these sites will be important to consider . Public communication will need to be carefully considered, and is a key strategy for the negotiation process . Adiournment Selectperson Bingham moved to adjourn at 10 . 43 am , Selectperson Chatelain second , A roll call vote was taken . Selectperson Whitney-yes, Selectperson Chatelaln-yes, Selectperson deRuyter-yes, Selectperson Bingham -yes, Chair Chaffee -yes , The Board vote was 5 -yes, 0- No. Respectfully submitted , . Robin Young Approved . January 12, 2021 Signed . Date Selectperson Bingham, Clerk of the Select Board Release Date : 2 . 27 .23 www . brewstermma . gov BoS 12- 15-20 Page 3 of 3