PALMER REDEVLOPMENT AUTHORITY
Meeting Minutes of Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Planning Department Office
7:00 PM
Chairman Blake Lamothe called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Present were members Dan Slowick and Joseph Turek. David Swirk was absent. Michael Pajak was absent. Also present was Principal Clerk Nicole Parker, recording minutes and Alice Davey, Community Development Director.
7:02 PM Minutes
Minutes from April 3, 2013
Motion to accept minutes as amended made by D.Slowick. Seconded by J.Turek. Motion passed (3:0)
Minutes from May 8, 2013
Motion to accept minutes as amended made by D.Slowick. Seconded by J.Turek. Motion passed (3:0)
OLD BUSINESS
B.Lamothe stated that Linda Leduc, Town Planner, has been named Economic Development Director. He stated he would like the Board to meet with her to converse as to how the departments can complement each other.
B.Lamothe distributed and read aloud a letter from Lawrence Shaffer, dated April 25, 2013, relative to his ongoing work as the PRA consultant. Mr. Shaffer related information about the services he can provide along with some matters he feels can use immediate attention.
D.Slowick questioned as to whether funding has been cut for the northwest corridor, or knowledge corridor, as he thought was told by Paul Nelson of the MA Department of Transportation (DOT). B.Lamothe stated that that Palmer is indeed involved in the inland study. B.Lamothe stated he had a meeting in Bostonand believes they are involved. He could make a call to Boston to confirm. J.Turek questioned as to it was at a federal or state level. D.Slowick thought it was from the federal level.
B.Lamothe suggested Northeast Realty plans to pull all business out of downtown. He proposed call into Larry Shaffer to inquire more about it. J.Turek explained what MGM is doing in Springfield, and trying to keep them vitalized. For example, there will be a number of concerts to happen at the MassMutual Center, improved rail service, etc.
B.Lamothe asked A.Davey whether she had been contacted by Mohegan Sun. She replied as to having one brief conversation with one consultant. He then inquired as to Main Street lighting and the grant that was approved of for the project. Ms. Davey replied that a grant was given for a slum and blighted neighborhood from The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). It was a 3 year grant to undertake the project, in which had three phases. The first phase was to construct new sidewalks and lights through downtown. The second phase was to expand the design up to Park Street. The third phase was to continue plan from Manley’s to the funeral home. Once the first phase was complete, they would get the money for the next phase. However, when the first phase of the project was complete, the Town was deemed no longer qualified for the grant money.
B.Lamothe inquired as to whether there were any another avenues to finish the project. A.Davey said there were conceptual ideas but none in construction phase. B.Lamothe would like to have a set of those conceptual plans and would like to add it to the UrbanRenewal Plan (URP).
B.Lamothe spoke as to his concerns over Mohegan Sun. He does not want to see Mohegan Sun come in and take away all local businesses. D.Slowick asked about Northeast Realty and their involvement. J.Turek responded that he believes Northeast Realty will do nothing until Mohegan Sun gets casino license.
B.Lamothe mentioned inviting Mohegan Sun and Northeast Realty to come in and give conceptual ideas, the triangle, for example. He addressed the Board as to see what they would like to discuss if an invitation to meet was accepted. J.Turek said Peter Schultz goes over to the west coast for gaming and will inquire as to what they do in Seattle. D.Slowick brought up Uncasville. He would like to go down and find out what Mohegan Sun did from conception through finalstages of building. B.Lamothe stated that they could go down as a Board B.Lamothe would like to know what will sell to the Gaming Commission, what they are giving back to the community. What is their long term renewal plan? He also noted that there are several parcels in town that need help. He stated that Mohegan Sun should have some plans for these parcels. He believes the PRA can persuade them to get projects accomplished.
J.Turek stated that Penn pledged to give Springfield $15 million a year, and MGM pledges $25 million a year. Mohegan Sun has not pledged anything.
D.Slowick recommended sending a letter to Northeast Realty and RKG Associates to have a meeting and talk about the Host Agreement. The PRA should require Mohegan Sun to conduct business off – site, and not take away from the downtown area. He asked if anyone knew when the Host Agreement was coming out. No one was sure. The all believe it is soon, possibly July 1. B.Lamothe recommended inviting Bob Haveles to the next meeting.
D.Slowick asked J.Turek if he brought the Powers of the PRA down to Peter at Mohegan Sun. J.Turek replied that he had, on Thursday, April 9, and he acknowledged receipt of the letter.
D.Slowick inquired as to whether the Host Agreement can be amended. J.Turek responded that that is a concern.
D.Slowick mentioned an action item of reappointing a State appointee. He conveyed that Mike Pajak must send a resignation letter to the PRA, who will forward it to the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). J.Turek recommended sending a stamped, return addressed envelope to him with the letter ready for signature.
Motion was made by D.Slowick to send a certified letter of resignation and stamped, return addressed envelope to State appointee, Michael Peak for signature. Seconded by J.Turek. Motion passed (3:0)
B.Lamothe stated that he was going into executive session and everyone was to leave except for the Board. Ms. Davey asked him to quote what chapter of the Massachusetts General Laws he is going into session under or it is not an official session. D.Slowick read through purposes of executive session and determined that their motive was # 6, “To Consider the Purchase, Exchange, Lease, or Value of Real Property, If an Open Meeting Discussion May Have a Detrimental Effect on the Negotiating Position of the Governmental Body With a Person, Firm or Corporation.”
D.Slowick mentioned the peer to peer request and he is interested in it. He called the Worcester Redevelopment Authority and he is expecting a call back with a date and time to meet.
Board went in to executive session at 8:20 PM.
ADJOURNMENT
9:24 PM Motion to adjourn was made by ______. Seconded by ______Motion passed (3:0)
ADJOURNMENT
9:30PM Motion to adjourn made by D.Slowick. Seconded by D.Swirk. Motion passed (4:0)
PRA minutes, 6/27/2013