Rutland Development and Industrial Commission
Meeting Minutes –8/5/2016
Community Hall Annex
Meeting opened at 6:30AM. Attending: Mike Sullivan, Doug Briggs, Tom Dufault, Mark O’Clair, Michele Van Reet
Guests: Dick Williams
- Tree Cutting Discussion –
Mike Sullivan received 3 proposals for the tree cutting and will have a fourth by the next meeting.
Dick Williams has been in contact with DCR regarding wetland designation of heights areas and will get back to us with findings.
Dick Williams would like us to try alternative methods to sell the Rutland Heights property. He doesn’t agree with the RFP process and would like to try to more aggressively sell the parcels. We may want to consider hiring a real estate broker to market the property. He suggested that we parcel out the Rutland Heights property and market the property with asking prices per parcel. It was noted that the problem is that the price will be what the market is willing to pay and we don’t know what that is at this point. Mr. Williams noted that there is a new dental office being built on Main Street on a small lot that would be better situated on the Rutland Heights property. He also noted that the post office is looking for new space and we should try to get them to
build on the Rutland Heights property.
Members agreed that the current RFP process is cumbersome, but it is required by law and we are bound to those requirements. Mike Sullivan noted that we have to go through the RFP process, so we should focus on streamlining the back end of the process. We can focus on streamlining the permit process. Tom Dufault suggested that we invite a representative from the Massachusetts Office of Business Development to offer suggestions for how to proceed. Tom Dufault will contact them to coordinate the meeting date/time.
The commission determined that we will leave the current document as written and will consider changes as needed when we go through the process. We should consider how to streamline the permitting process after a proposal is accepted (ConCom, Planning Board, HPPD Review Board, etc.). We will ask for guidance from the Massachusetts Office of Business Development.
We discussed whether to make changes to the document and it was decided that we would only need minor changes for consistency and it’s not important enough to take to town meeting. We will leave the document in place until it is determined that more substantial changes need to be made. Mike Sullivan proposed that we focus on streamlining the back-end of the process.
Also, Michele Van Reet will check on the status of Chris Senecal being sworn in to the HPPD Review Board.
Dick Williams has asked Gary Kelleher, DPW, to lock the gate. Gary needs the RDIC to formally request that he block the roadway. Mike Sullivan will make the request.
Kevin (Jarvis Survey) is starting work on 8/15/16 and will be finished by the end of the month. Mike Sullivan will contact Attorney Paul Cranston regarding recouping expenses from Pare per the original contract. A motion was made (Briggs) and seconded (Dufault) to pay Jarvis Land Surveying Company $4,200 for surveying the Rutland Heights Roadway. Motion passed unanimously.
- Dick Williams mentioned that the HPPD Review Board is also responsible for developing town owned land in Rutland. Tom Dufault noted that this was investigated years He asked the Town Clerk and Select Board for a map of all town-owned property, but there isn’t have one. He asked our representative from the CMRPC to put one together for us. It may cost about $200 and Mr. Williams offered to pay for it if the RDIC doesn’t have the funds. He read in the HPPD documents that the RDIC is responsible for developing town property. Tom Dufault recalled this process was discussed about 10-12 years ago and it was determined that there are only a few parcels on Route 68 and some property by the Rutland State Park that would be suitable for industrial development. Mike Sullivan agreed that
we should have a map, but the town should pay for the cost of it.
- Dick Williams also noted that it has been too dry to mow the lawn at the Heights. Mark O’Clair questioned who is dumping mulch on the property and Mr. Williams confirmed that it is Gary Kelleher/DPW.
- Michele Van Reet noted that the original plan noted specifically that a parcel of the property could be used for a baseball field. It states in the document : “While such uses do not contribute to the Town’s tax base, they do provide a favorable amenity for the Town.” She stated that we should not be telling recreation that they can’t put fields there. Tom Dufault asked if anyone told them that. Van Reet noted that Mike Sullivan has told the baseball representatives that recreation “wasn’t our charge” and was very negative about it because our charge is to generate revenue. Dufault stated that recreation has always been part of the plan and that he is meeting with Chris Senecal and Ken Dubovick at the property to review where all the old foundations are situated so
they can plan for the fields and a snack shack.
- Review and approve minutes
Postponed due to Doug Briggs leaving the meeting and not being available to review the minutes.
- Next meeting: Thursday, 8/25/2016 at 6:30AM at Community Hall Annex.
- O’Clair motioned to adjourn. Dufault seconded. Unanimously adjourned at 7:24AM.
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