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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Lee Select Board Meeting - December 16, 2025

Selectboard & Town Boards — Tuesday, December 16, 2025

BodyLee, Massachusetts

SessionSelectboard & Town Boards

DateTuesday, December 16, 2025

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 1:14:03

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.

Speaker 1

0:01

I will call the meeting to order.

0:04

Welcome to the Lee Select Board meeting.

0:06

It's December 16th, 7 o'clock.

0:10

And before we get started, I'll leave that pursuant to Mass General Law Chapter 30A, Section 20.

0:17

I'm here hereby informing all attendees that a video and audio recording is being made of this meeting so that everyone has been informed.

0:27

With that, we will move into our business for tonight.

0:31

First item of which is the open session minutes of December 2nd.

0:37

So if we've all had a chance to review, and if there's any comments or one of you would like to make a motion at this time, I would entertain that.

Unassigned speaker

0:48

Do

Speaker 2

0:49

you have anything, Gordon?

Speaker 3

0:50

No.

0:50

Well, uh a minor script me rather which which is just it's really my grammar.

0:55

No substantive anything.

Speaker 2

0:56

Okay.

0:57

It's all explained.

0:58

I will make a motion that we accept the minutes from December 2nd, 2025 as well.

Speaker 1

1:03

Uh we'll second that.

1:05

If there's no further discussion, hearing none, all those in favor.

1:11

Uh next item of business we have is public comment.

1:16

Uh so this is where I would invite and if once we get Zoom on, I'll I'll uh maybe I'll take a break and come back with it.

1:24

But if there's somebody here that wants to make a comment at this time, now would be your opportunity to do so.

1:35

Not seeing any, uh we'll move right into our general business.

Unassigned speaker

1:44

Oh

Speaker 1

1:45

time hang on, I'll start the I'll start the uh the zoom meeting.

1:50

Hopefully it starts, and we'll see if anybody's on.

1:56

Bear with

Unassigned speaker

1:57

us

Speaker 4

2:00

recording in progress.

Unassigned speaker

2:04

No,

Speaker 1

2:04

I don't want AI.

2:07

There we go.

2:11

Um for those sorry, we're just getting the zoom started.

2:16

So um for anyone on Zoom, we are at our public comment moment of the meeting, so now would be the time to make a public comment if anyone out there has one.

Speaker 3

2:28

Okay.

Speaker 1

2:31

With that, I will move into our general business.

2:35

Um first up we have uh uh a continuation.

2:40

It's supposed to be an update from Green Theory, but the uh acting CEO is ill and could not join us tonight.

2:50

So uh we can um continue the discussion um

Unassigned speaker

2:54

uh

Speaker 1

2:55

without him without them, without the uh representatives from Green Theory and

Speaker 3

3:04

we supposed to talk about

Speaker 1

3:05

this

Speaker 3

3:06

at all.

Speaker 1

3:07

We can if if if you if you'd all like to, or if you'd like to.

3:11

If Chris was here, there are a couple different options we have.

3:15

We can we can skip it and come back if uh that's a good way to go.

3:19

If there's more to to be discussed, yeah, uh at this point.

3:24

So with that, uh maybe we'll come back to it.

3:28

Next up we have uh continued discussion about the um the affordable housing project at West Center and Canal Street.

3:38

Um last meeting was on Zoom, and we started the discussion about two different things.

3:46

One potentially expanding the smart growth overlay district that we uh set up that encompasses the Eagle Mill development so that that overlay zoning would incorporate this development as well.

4:04

Um opening us up for more state funding to assist this project and um the other aspect of this would uh be looking at considering waiving or reducing permitting and collection fees, and I see that we have some people from the uh the the developer here.

4:28

So if you guys if does that all is that all kind of connection, yeah, with you and uh please introduce yourselves and just uh add whatever you'd like to have Stephanie Stephanie

Speaker 5

4:44

Director of CDC of South Area

Speaker 1

4:48

Stephanie and Jim Harwood, I'm president of the board CDC South Burger Jim Harwood.

4:54

Thanks for thanks for joining us.

4:55

Do either of you have anything to add before I hand it off to them?

Unassigned speaker

4:59

No.

Speaker 1

5:01

No.

5:02

Is there something that you were looking to share on your computer?

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Affordable Housing█████████████████████21%

Procedural██████████10%

Zoning and Land Use██████████10%

Real Estate Acquisition██████████10%

Active Transportation█████████9%

Public Safety█████████9%

Energy Regulation████████8%

Public Engagement██████6%

Parks And Recreation████4%

Summary of Proceedings

Lee Select Board Meeting - December 16, 2025

The Lee Select Board held its regular meeting on December 16, 2025, at 7:00 PM. The board addressed several items including an affordable housing project, a payment plan for Green Theory, a bike share grant, energy siting updates, and various license renewals and appointments.

Consent Calendar

Minutes of December 2, 2025: Approved unanimously.
Common Victualer License for Al Dente (Vivaldi's): Approved new application.
2025 ABCC Annual Report: Approved.
2026 Annual Alcohol License Renewals: Approved as posted.
2026 Common Victualer, Innholder, Entertainment, Amusement Device, Auto Dealer, and Taxicab/Limo License Renewals: Approved.
2026 Seasonal Population Increase: Approved; increase of 4,842 seasonal residents.
Appointment of Full-Time Police Officer: Ivan Rodriguez appointed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

No members of the public spoke during the public comment period.

Discussion Items

Affordable Housing Project at West Center and Canal Street

Representatives from CDC South Area presented an update on the proposed 63-unit, 100% affordable housing project. They requested town support for two initiatives: expanding the Smart Growth Overlay District to include their site, and reducing/waiving permitting and connection fees (estimated at over $500,000, including $230,000 for water/sewer).
The board voted to sign a letter endorsing expansion of the Smart Growth Overlay District. Expanding the district would allow the town to receive approximately $190,000 from the state in density bonus payments.
Regarding fee reductions, the board decided to gather more information from the Building Commissioner and will revisit the topic at the January 6, 2026 meeting. The Building Commissioner noted that fee reductions would not impact inspector salaries since inspectors are on salary/stipend.

Green Theory Payment Plan

The board discussed prioritizing water/sewer payments over real estate taxes for Green Theory's outstanding balances. The Board of Public Works proposed two payment plan options; the board passed a motion to prioritize obtaining $61,000 upfront to be applied to un-leaned water/sewer charges first.

Bike Share Grant

Town Planner Chris presented a grant application for a bike share program, funded entirely by grants with no town money. Estimated annual cost is $35,000, offset by user fees. The board voted to support the application, which is due January 9, 2026.

Energy Siting Update

The board received an update on new state laws regarding renewable energy siting. Discussion included the possibility of a zoning bylaw, moratoriums, and protections for Scenic Mountain Act and Wetlands. No action was taken; further updates expected in March 2026.

Letters of Support for CPA Applications

The board approved two letters of support for Parks and Recreation Committee CPA applications: one for trail improvements at 300 Stockbridge Road, and one to designate Ferncliffe as an arboretum with interpretive signage.

Utility Cut Permit (EPA/G.E. Related)

The board discussed a utility cut permit for a water line serving the EPA/G.E. cleanup site at 339 Woodland Road. The board expressed frustration over lack of local control due to federal override. A motion to postpone the permit indefinitely passed.

Town Administrator Report

Town Administrator Chris reported that a construction contract for the new Public Safety Building was awarded to J&J Construction at approximately $24.5 million, which is $4.5 million under budget. He also congratulated the police department for a successful sweater run and the town's Wellness Committee for receiving a state award.

Key Outcomes

Motion Passed: To sign a letter endorsing expansion of the Smart Growth Overlay District for the affordable housing project.
Motion Passed (unanimous): To instruct the Board of Public Works to seek $61,000 upfront from Green Theory applied to water/sewer charges first.
Motion Passed (unanimous): To support the application for the bike share grant.
Motion Passed (unanimous): To postpone indefinitely the utility cut permit for the EPA/G.E. water line.
Motion Passed (unanimous): To approve all listed license renewals, seasonal population increase, and appointment of Ivan Rodriguez.
Next Meeting: January 6, 2026.

Meeting Transcript

I will call the meeting to order. Welcome to the Lee Select Board meeting. It's December 16th, 7 o'clock. And before we get started, I'll leave that pursuant to Mass General Law Chapter 30A, Section 20. I'm here hereby informing all attendees that a video and audio recording is being made of this meeting so that everyone has been informed. With that, we will move into our business for tonight. First item of which is the open session minutes of December 2nd. So if we've all had a chance to review, and if there's any comments or one of you would like to make a motion at this time, I would entertain that. Do you have anything, Gordon? No. Well, uh a minor script me rather which which is just it's really my grammar. No substantive anything. Okay. It's all explained. I will make a motion that we accept the minutes from December 2nd, 2025 as well. Uh we'll second that. If there's no further discussion, hearing none, all those in favor. Uh next item of business we have is public comment. Uh so this is where I would invite and if once we get Zoom on, I'll I'll uh maybe I'll take a break and come back with it. But if there's somebody here that wants to make a comment at this time, now would be your opportunity to do so. Not seeing any, uh we'll move right into our general business. Oh time hang on, I'll start the I'll start the uh the zoom meeting. Hopefully it starts, and we'll see if anybody's on. Bear with us recording in progress. No, I don't want AI. There we go. Um for those sorry, we're just getting the zoom started. So um for anyone on Zoom, we are at our public comment moment of the meeting, so now would be the time to make a public comment if anyone out there has one. Okay. With that, I will move into our general business. Um first up we have uh uh a continuation. It's supposed to be an update from Green Theory, but the uh acting CEO is ill and could not join us tonight. So uh we can um continue the discussion um uh without him without them, without the uh representatives from Green Theory and we supposed to talk about this at all. We can if if if you if you'd all like to, or if you'd like to. If Chris was here, there are a couple different options we have. We can we can skip it and come back if uh that's a good way to go. If there's more to to be discussed, yeah, uh at this point. So with that, uh maybe we'll come back to it. Next up we have uh continued discussion about the um the affordable housing project at West Center and Canal Street. Um last meeting was on Zoom, and we started the discussion about two different things.

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