Purchase Agreement For Jones Block In Adams
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| Adams Selectwoman Myra Wilk, Selectmen's Chairman Joseph R. Dean Jr. and Selectman Donald Sommer.[Photo by Jen Thomas] |
ADAMS, Mass. — Selectmen last night voted unanimously to sign a purchase agreement with Samuel Adams LLC for a 49-51 Park St. Jones Block building.
Samuel Adams LLC was created by property developer Jerry Sanchez.
"We're ready to go," said Selectmen Chairman Joseph R. Dean Jr., after signing the agreement.
Dean, Selectwoman Myra Wilk and newcomers Selectmen Donald R. Sommer and Joseph C. Solomon approved the deal. Selectman Edward MacDonald was not present.
Selectmen did not disclose any additional details during the meeting about the purchase.
Selectmen heard details about a proposed agricultural bylaw. Joseph Novak, the chairman of the town's agricultural commission, answered questions about a proposed "right-to-farm" town bylaw and its implications for the municipality.
"We're trying to do what's right for farmers," Novak told Selectmen.
The bylaw's wording has raised some concerns. According to the proposed bylaw, "whatever impact may be caused to others through the normal practice of agriculture is more than offset by the benefits of farming to the neighborhood, community, and society in general."
Questions from the Selectmen and Town Counsel Edmund R. St. John III focused primarily on Section 4 of the bylaw, titled "Disclosure Notification." This section requires that all buyers or new occupants of town property be told within 21 days prior to purchase or exchange that Adams is a town "where farming activities occur." Those who fail to disclose this information to potential property purchasers buyers face a $300 fine, according to the proposal.
"Section 4 imposes a burden on property owners to comply with this type of disclosure," said St. John. He expressed concern over the enforcement of the bylaw, wondering where the labor and money would originate for an additional employee to handle such matters. Notification could be achieved through other means, he suggested. "It's [town meeting members] choice at town meeting, but I felt it was my obligation [as town counsel] to address it to the Selectboard," said St. John.
Wilk suggested modifying Section 4, calling the disclosure process "cumbersome." Sommer agreed with St. John that notification could be simpler and he advocated for placing farm community disclosures in public venues, including the library, community center, and Town Hall.
"I agree with town counsel's simpler notification process," Sommer said.
Novack said the agricultural commission members were committed to the proposed bylaw as it was currently was written. "It's unfortunate that some people will just let things go, but I don't see [the disclosure process] being burdensome," he said. "We don't want to have to level a fine, but $300 seemed like a fair number."
Selectmen voted 3-1 to place the bylaw on the annual town meeting warrant without recommendation. St. John and the agricultural commission are expected to meet to consider additional disclosure options.
Another proposal includes shifting the bylaw from the annual town meeting warrant to a fall-scheduled special town meeting. Solomon spoke in favor of the amendment.
"Not only is the bylaw a great idea but it's something Adams really needs," said Solomon. The annual town meeting is scheduled for June 18.
Selectmen unanimously approved a town meeting warrant article that, if approved, could boost Greylock Glen funding. Presented by town Director of Community Development Donna Cesan, Chapter 43D of Massachusetts General Law allows an expedited permitting process for economic development sites deemed priorities. Approval of the expedited process would enable town officials to apply for a one-time grant of up to $150,000.
The revenues may be used to fund specific components including professional staffing assistance, local government reorganization, and consulting services.
"The town should take advantage of this program," said Cesan. About 30 communities statewide have applied for the funding and only Pittsfield has been approved for projects in the Berkshires. Cesan noted that the state Department of Conservation and Recreation, which owns the Greylock Glen parcel, encouraged the town to "go forward" with the application process, though approval has yet to be granted.
"This is a great opportunity for the town to get more funds," said Cesan, who explained that if awarded, the money is expected to speed up the permitting process. "This merely streamlines and improves permitting," she said.
In December, town officials signed a multitude of documents that named the town the state-designated developer of a three-phase 15-year Greylock Glen development project that boasts an estimated $44 million price tag and a host of planned amenities.
In other business, three selectmen voted to endorse a proposal for disability and other insurances for town employees, along with another proposal to design and manage a cafeteria benefit plan, after a presentation from and Aflac Insurance representative and Town Administrator William F. Ketchum. There was one abstention from the vote.
Michael Ryan, a regional sales coordinator for Aflac, explained that the town had not been enrolled in an insurance plan since 2003, mostly because of low participation and high rates. The new plan only requires the town to pay for those employees who are enrolled in the plan, at a rate $5 per person, per month.
"We expect 40-60 percent participation," said Ryan, stating that the town has 87 employees.
The Selectmen also received an update from Cesan about the status of the Renfrew athletic fields, which are expected to reopen by the third week in June.
Tags: agricultural commission, Jones Block, right to farm,
