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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSelect Board 07/08/2026Select Board Meeting Minutes July 8, 2026 Present: Mr. Walter Wilk, Chair; Mr. Kostas Loukas, Vice -Chair; Mr. Brendan Roche ap ryNliicnhael Feck were present in Meeting Room 3 A/B at Town Hall. Ms. Mallory Aronstein, Towh'MapagerW�?5 1 o present. Not Present: Mr. Mark Corsillo, Clerk ' 111' ICE Guest: Sarah Raposa, Director of Planning and Development 11?1b nl'; ZC P Josh Reinke, DPW Director 1. Call To Order Select Board Meeting -Pledge of Allegiance Mr. Wilk called the meeting to order at 6:04 PM. He then read the broadcast message and asked those present to stand for the pledge of allegiance. 2. Review and Discuss Master Plan Regarding Select Board Strategies and Priorities The Board first reviewed and discussed the Master Plan with a focus on Select Board strategies and priorities. To frame the conversation, Director Raposa provided an overview of the organization of the Master Plan update and posed several guiding questions related to identifying completed work, determining active priorities, consolidating workstreams, assessing new needs since 2020, and directing staff capacity and grant -seeking. Ms. Raposa emphasized that Transit -Oriented Development (TOD) remains a long-range goal and noted the progress made prior to the arrival of the new Town Manager. She explained that last year, the Parkway roadway project was accepted into the Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) as a $25 million project. She noted that this is significantly higher than the earlier conceptual estimate of approximately $8 million. The project would create a new railroad crossing and a connection to County Street, rerouting commuter traffic away from Highland Street, and would tie into MassDOT's Phase II Route 106 signalized intersection project. DPW Director Reinke added that the Parkway project has received an official project number and is now recognized within the STIP system (State Transportation Improvement Program). The town is responsible only for the design phase, which is supported by a GATRA grant; state and federal funds would cover the full construction cost. Ms. Raposa explained that once parkway design and land swaps are finalized, the town could accept development applications for multifamily housing and mixed -use development within the TOD area. Board members discussed challenges and opportunities associated with TOD implementation. Mr. Feck expressed concern about abutter resistance to mixed -use development and anticipated significant public pushback on a parking garage, noting cost, long-term debt, and liability risks for the town. He encouraged exploration of alternatives, including shifting town -designated commuter spaces closer to the Hatheway-Patterson property. Chair Wilk similarly raised concerns about cost and ownership liability and asked whether additional parking could be expanded near the Winthrop Street lot. Mr. Reinke suggested protecting the Winthrop lot to maintain stable pricing should private parking emerge. Members also discussed reducing the development footprint to maintain town -controlled parking. Ms. Raposa noted that although studies indicate the potential for new growth to generate supportive revenue, she has not yet seen a comprehensive fiscal impact analysis. She also shared that at least one landowner/potential developer remains actively interested. Mr. Reinke recommended exploring nearby property acquisition to expand parking, and Loukas emphasized the importance of keeping TOD advancement a core focus. Select Board Meeting Minutes July 8, 2026 In response to questions from Chair Wilk, Ms. Raposa explained that many decisions about land swaps, parking arrangements, and parcel adjustments would be formalized through a Land Disposition Agreement between property owners, the MBTA, and the town. She noted that an agreement that would ultimately require Town Meeting approval. Mr. Feck and Mr. Wilk reiterated their sense that a full parking garage may be unrealistic and prompted Ms. Aronstein and staff to pursue additional alternatives. Before departing for a Planning Board meeting at 7:04 pm, Ms. Raposa encouraged the Select Board to ensure transparent public discussion about TOD as planning progresses, noting that while the topic has been discussed for many years, it remains new for many residents. Mr. Loukos recommended a future ad -hoc group or committee focused on advancing TOD and improving coordination among stakeholders. 3. Review Identified Select Board Goals for Fiscal Year 2027 The Board then reviewed their categorized goals for Fiscal Year 2027. Town Manager Aronstein summarized how Select Board submissions and Master Plan priorities aligned across several categories. Lower -priority items included establishing a dog park, pursuing district improvement financing for the Ryan -Elliot Park, funding a tenant improvement grant program, developing a parking ordinance, and installing wayfinding signage in the business park. Board members discussed focusing attention on the five highest -rated priorities from individual goal submissions: GATRA coordination; undertaking a strategic economic development plan; pairing development with transportation and streetscape improvements; developing a traffic -calming policy; and evaluating regulations for temporary or mobile food service operations. Members generally agreed these priorities represented a manageable and productive direction. Mr. Feck emphasized the importance of GATRA expansion, citing past studies predicting office growth moving outward from Boston and earlier industrial -park rezoning intended to attract such uses. Ms. Aronstein raised the possibility of incorporating rentable motorized bikes as a future mobility option, though she noted concerns regarding clutter, maintenance, and logistics. Mr. Feck stressed the broader need for improving transit access between the train station and the industrial park. The Board discussed business recruitment strategies, including proactively contacting companies before their leases expire, developing marketing packages highlighting available properties, and participating in regional business events. Mr. Feck also suggested modernizing business -park zoning to allow additional uses such as restaurants to support park employees. The Board reviewed challenges related to food -truck taxation and questioned how revenue is allocated depending on business location. Members continued refining their priority list, identifying several core areas: undertaking an economic development plan (including digital presence and streetscape work); municipal needs and long-range planning; GATRA expansion and transit coordination; reviewing housing opportunities outside the downtown; and enhancing senior services. Mr. Feck emphasized the need to clearly define "economic development' due to its broad scope. Loukas noted that municipal long-range planning must remain a focus, especially school planning. Mr. Wilk stressed that economic activity must be generated before many long-term capital needs can be addressed. The Board also discussed incremental housing expansion occurring through recent zoning changes, including new duplex opportunities and redevelopment of the former Roland Green School. Mr. Roche noted a potential upcoming ballot question concerning by -right zoning changes. Select Board Meeting Minutes July 8, 2026 Town Manager Aronstein summarized six categories encompassing Select Board goals: • Economic development • Budget stability • Long-range municipal planning • GATRA and mobility • Community engagement/digital presence • Parking and urban planning,. She proposed returning in August to formally vote on these recommended goals, giving the Board time to contemplate and another opportunity to review for finalizing, and members agreed. Mr. Wilk stated that the Board needs to address Ms. Aronstein's goals as some point as well. He asked her to put together a list of what she thinks her goals should be, and to schedule that as an agenda item for the August meeting. 4. Adjourn Motion: To adjourn the July 8, 2026, Select Board meeting at 7:30PM. (Roche/Loukos) Passes: 4:0 nature Minutes prepared by Nancy Griffin Documents used in meeting: V ►9 Izto Date 1. Master Plan Implementation Priorities Presentation 2. Select Board Goals and Objectives for 2026 3. Select Board Goals and Objectives Categorized into Core Areas Select Board Meeting Minutes July 8, 2026