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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-07-21 Stevens Estate Long Term Advisory Committee Minutes MINUTES FOR THE STEVENS ESTATE LONGTERM ADVISORY COMMITTEE—JULY 21, 2020 Prior to opening the meeting,the 'Governor's Preamble' was read. See meeting agenda for exact wording. 1. Call to Order. Chairman Jim Lafond called the meeting to order at 5:00 PM and took the roll call,with the following persons present; Chairman Jim Lafond, CJ Gangi,Jennifer Burns-Luz, Kevin Driscoll,Joseph Pelich, Kathleen Stagno; Staff,Andrew Shapiro (Director of Community and Economic Development). Absent;John Mabon. 2. Selection of Volunteer Recording Secretary. Chair Jim Lafond volunteered. 3. Acceptance of Minutes from 6/30/2020 meeting. Motion by Joseph Pelich to accept the minutes of the 6/30/2020 meeting as written. Second by Kathleen Stagno. Approved: 5-0. 4. Discussion regarding Flash Vote survey results... Andrew Shapiro summarized the survey results for the committee, noting that there were over 650 responses, with good input where free form answers were allowed. A majority of respondents were against selling the Estate and in favor of preserving the open space,trails and buildings. There was also strong support for a 3 d party to assume some level of management of the Estate. Jennifer Burns-Luz noted that the results seemed to indicate a reluctance toward the Town investing its own funds,that the concept of an enterprise fund may be confusing to many and that the Stevens Estate may not be an economic priority for citizens. CJ Gangi commented that the results cement what we saw at Town Meeting (2019). Joseph Pelich saw some urgency in the results and that with the enterprise fund being depleted, urged that the committee move forward. Jim Lafond noted that 31%of the respondents did favor dedicating funds for the Stevens Estate. Jennifer Burns-Luz responded that the 31.8%favoring financial support for the Stevens Estate is far from a majority, and that as the Finance Committee representative,feels that there is a sense of urgency with enterprise funds dwindling, concern over the budget for the coming year, and the Memorandum of Understanding regarding this year's budget. Jennifer also feels that the committee has to reach a conclusion soon. Andrew Shapiro mentioned that there was some public concern about the survey and how it was drafted. It was noted that Kathleen Stagno provided the original draft of the survey, all committee members had input and participated in the discussion and finalization of the survey and that it was voted on at the March 91", 2020 meeting. Kathleen Stagno felt the results show that citizens are familiar with the Estate. Kevin Driscoll announced that he had joined the meeting at 5:20 pm. A motion was made by Joseph Pelich as follows: At this time, I move to discontinue deliberations and continue forward towards writing a recommendation.The committee has developed a general framework of what a recommendation to the Select Board would include. The recommendation would engage a nonprofit organization whose mission and purpose is aligned with the Town's intentions for the property, including the following: -The Town of North Andover retains ownership -Preservation of open space -Protection of our watershed -Maintenance of trails, public access, and other passive recreational opportunities -The preservation of the historic buildings and structures -A special focus and emphasis of educational programs for North Andover school-aged children, as well as programs for all residents Such organizations shall have a proven track record of stewardship, public engagement, educational offerings, and strong financial wherewithal. Such agreement could take the form of a lease, management agreement, or other similar structure as is common for typical non-profit organizations. Second by CJ Gangi. Chair Jim Lafond commented about the intent of the motion to cease deliberation and its effect on proposals from for profit organizations. Joseph Pelich offered a friendly amendment to cease deliberation at the end of this meeting, but no motion was made to amend. Andrew Shapiro questioned whether any recommended RFP would be open to either a lease or management agreement. Joseph Pelich responded that the wording allows for either. Kathleen Stagno commented that minds have been changed and/or made up and that we are now recycling information. We are ready to move on. Jim Lafond noted that there are agenda items that deal with information gathered from two for profit organizations (by Driscoll and Lafond) and a letter from Town Manager regarding a long term management agreement. Kevin Driscoll weighed in that he also feels we need to hear the input from for profit organizations. Jennifer Burns-Luz pointed out that nothing we do will 'preclude' the select board from taking any action they deem appropriate. Motion made by Joseph Pelich to table the pending motion. Second by Kevin Driscoll. Approved: 6-0. 5. Discussion regarding interviews/discussions with stakeholders. Kevin Driscoll reported that he had a lengthy telephone conversation with both John Royce and Rich Correa of Elegant Banquets. They would still be interested in responding to an RFP, and a long term lease would be acceptable, but they would still require a 10,000 square foot addition to the existing facility. They would be willing to work with historic architects on the design, but it is a requirement for them. They would also be interested in re-routing the driveway/entrance and in the future might be interested in the Carriage House. Kevin reported that they are not that interested in other operations like snow shoeing, mountain biking or other public access. CJ Gangi commented that MA Historical has indicated that an addition of that size would/may not be allowed. Kathleen Stagno asked how many people that addition/ballroom could accommodate. Kevin answered 'around 300'. Kathleen Stagno responded that this was good information but maybe not in line with what the Town wants. Kevin Driscoll agreed. Jim Lafond reported that he had spoken with Sean Ward, owner of Pierce Farm at Witch Hill. This contact was provided by Select Board member Rosemary Smedile. The Ward's purchased the property about four years ago and have built it into a venue that had 114 events the year prior to COVID-19. Their vision is 'preservation through use' and they would be interested in collaborating with the Town to lease/manage the Stevens Estate. Although they are familiar with the Estate they have not conducted a full assessment and therefore could not really comment on what their proposal might look like. Jennifer Burns-Luz commented that she is now attending the meeting via phone and no longer on her computer. Kevin Driscoll and Kathleen Stagno had questions regarding how many events an organization like Pierce Farm would have to have, and what size events, in order to be profitable and how this operation compares to other opportunities we have explored. Jim Lafond reported that Sean Ward was unable to get into details due to their lack of knowledge of the Stevens Estate. Andrew Shapiro indicated that there was a question/comment from Jeanne Irwin, who is a member of the Osgood Hill Board of Trustees. Jeanne feels that our discussion is in conflict with the majority of the survey results. She indicated that Elegant Banquets has not won any bid and that they would have to respond to any new RFP. Jeanne also indicated that the Osgood Hill Trustees were already looking at establishing a relationship with a primary/preferred caterer. Jeanne also questions whether or not our committee has acknowledged plans set forth and/or in place for the Stevens Estate by the Osgood Hill Trustees. Motion by Joseph Pelich to remove from the table his motion made earlier in the meeting. Second by CJ Gangi. Approved: 6-0. Jim Lafond called for further comments. Kevin Driscoll again commented that more discussion was needed on whether to exclude for profit organizations in our recommendation to the select board. Joseph Pelich responded that he feels a non profit organization would best fit what we are looking for and that for profit organizations will not be able to address the Town's needs. Kevin Driscoll countered that it may be important to hear more about what for profit organizations could bring to the table. Kathleen Stagno asked that the motion be re-read. Joseph Pelich re-read the motion. CJ Gangi agreed that he does not think a for profit organization can provide what we are looking for—a focus on preservation of open space,the buildings, and public access. Andrew Shapiro indicated that there was additional comment from Jeanne Irwin of the Osgood Hill Trustees. Jeanne clarified that they are using an RFP that would allow for a for profit caterer to manage the property and that public access was built into the RFP. This type of arrangement would meet the criteria proposed in a letter from the Town Manager regarding a long-term management agreement for the Estate. Additionally,Jeanne stated that the Osgood Hill Trustees feel that the current operating model would be self-sustaining, could accept donations, and would assure public access. Joseph Pelich called the question. Jim Lafond asked for final comments. Approved: 6-0. Motion by Joseph Pelich as follows: I move that the Stevens Estate LT advisory committee shall provide a written recommendation to the Select Board regarding the preferred long term strategic operating model of the Estate by or before August 15, 2020 or on such a date agreed upon by a majority of this Committee. I further move that included in any operating model recommendation,there shall include an additional recommendation that any decision regarding the future of the Stevens Estate reached by the Select Board, Town Manager, or otherwise, be ratified by Town Meeting by a simple majority vote. Such Town Meeting may be a Special Town Meeting for expediency or otherwise. Second by CJ Gangi. Jim Lafond asked for comments. Andrew Shapiro asked for the last sentences to be re-read. Joseph Pelich re-read the latter part of the motion. No other comments were made. Approved: 6-0. 6. Discussion regarding Board of Selectmen Recommendations Report Progress. Jim Lafond commented that we may want to defer this to our next meeting. Andrew Shapiro recommended that the committee assign two or three members to work with Andrew to develop a draft for our next meeting. Joseph Pelich and Jennifer Burns-Luz volunteered to work on the draft. Other committee members are welcome to provide comments to Joe,Jen or Andrew. 7. New Business. A letter was received from the Town Manager and read to the committee. A copy of that letter is attached to these minutes as Attachment 1. Andrew Shapiro provided directions on where to find the letter on the Town of North Andover website and also provided his email address so that citizens could request a copy of the letter from him. Jim Lafond asked for comments. There were none. 8. Future meeting dates. Kathleen Stagno moved that Monday, August 3, 2020, 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, be approved as our next meeting date. Second by CJ Gangi. Approved: 6-0. 9. Motion to adjourn by Jennifer Luz-Burns. Second by Kathleen Stagno. Approved: 6-0. Meeting adjourned at 6:31 pm.