Minutes of February 02, 2007

The Chair opened the meeting at 10:00 a.m. Present were A. Gala; R. Scollins; R. Hickey; Wm.Euerle; J.Michelmore; K. Weinfeld and J.N.Forster

The minutes of the Jan. 26 open portion were approved as written. The minutes of Jan. 30 required an amendment; it had been incorrectly stated that J. Michelmore had requested a copy of the W&S Agreement. He had actually requested a copy of the Stadium Agreement. The minutes were approved as amended.

There was review of the written open meeting law opinion received from Town Counsel Gelerman. J. Michelmore thought that the opinion states, in essence, that only the Stadium Lease and W&S Agreements can be discussed in executive session.

R. Scollins responded that the developer was approaching all elements of the negotiation as a single package, a “holistic approach”. Chairman R. Hickey suggested the committee “parse out the elements”. K. Weinfeld asked R. Scollins to elaborate.

R. Scollins stated individual negotiations, e.g. by W&S; have ceased pending the committee addressing the ultimate value (summary) of all terms for the lease agreement thus allowing executive session.

K. Weinfeld suggested forming a sub-committee similar to the Planning Board’s roads subcommittee -Bill Grieder and Gordon Green. Chairman R. Hickey expressed the thought that we could cover all issues in executive session as they are so interrelated with the issues of the leased land and the possible W&S transfer that they cannot be separated . R. Scollins moved, and K. Weinfeld seconded the motion to move into executive session to discuss all elements of negotiation as being interrelated, including extraneous issues. J. Michelmore, in discussion stated that he felt, to the contrary, the motion must be very narrow as allowable issues for discussion were narrow. R. Scollins responded that, since the developer was approaching negotiations as a totality of issues all extraneous issues could be discussed. R. Scollins and J.N. Forster voted in the affirmative; K. Weinfeld; A. Gala; J. Michelmore and W. Euerle voted in the negative. The motion failed.

Public Input: Selectman James Thrasher raised two issues. 1) He expressed the view that this committee had been given the power to negotiate all elements and proposed that a request for liquor licenses received from the developer be turned over to the committee for action.

2) He stated that, in recent discussion with W&S Chairman Phil Henderson, concern was expressed that the W&S issues be handled ASAP because of the need to take decisive action regarding a possible joint effort with the town of Mansfield.

Selectman Mark Sullivan also requested an opinion from the committee as to whether the liquor license request should be taken up by the committee to report recommendations back to the Board of Selectmen. Chairman Hickey responded that he felt the committee should have this as an element of negotiation but that we are not yet ready; the Board of Selectmen has requested a more detailed request regarding liquor license needs from the developer. He had mentioned, earlier in the meeting that, in addition to the developer’s letter a similar request had been made by the Chestnut Green developer. It was noted that legislative language and Town action would be needed; a place holder was suggested in the Warrant for the next Town meeting.

John Michelmore had contacted a member of the Norfolk B.O.S; they are holding a meeting Monday evening, February 05 and will discuss the development. They have asked for a copy of the Site Plan Approval. Bill Euerle will attend that meeting and report back; John Michelmore will attempt to obtain feedback.

Bill Euerle reported that he can attend the next committee meeting, presently scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 06, but he will be leaving Wednesday, February 07, for two weeks in Hawaii; He will return Wednesday, February 21. It was the opinion of members that Phil Henderson, who was the designating Chair of W&S, could replace him in executive session without the necessity for Bill Euerle to resign.

The Koff Report should be available at the next meeting. R. Scollins has a “Reader’s Digest type summary” available for those who would like to see it earlier. The next meeting was scheduled for 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 06.

The web site cpprc.org has a recently modified home page which links to this new committee with a members page and a schedule page which will link to all approved minutes of open sessions. The Town web-site has a link to the cpprc.org site.

Lorraine Brue of the Advisory Committee asked if specific sites will be listed once the liquor license issue is ready for study. Chairman Hickey responded that the licenses are issued to specific tenants and that information will not yet be known.

At approximately 10:55 a.m the Chair moved to adjourn the public portion of the meeting in preparation for a vote to enter into executive session. So moved, seconded and approved.

Respectfully submitted

J. Neil Forster Secretary.