December 21, 2022 Select Board Meeting
Unofficial Transcript
Please note this transcription is unofficial. If you find an error, use the contact page to notify Plymouth On The Record.
Betty Cavacco:
I’d like to call this meeting to order. In accordance with Section 2475, and pursuant to Chapter 20 of the Acts of 2021, this meeting will be conducted via remote means. Members of the public who wish to watch the meeting may do so in the following manner: tune into PACTV cable access Comcast Channel 15 or Verizon Channel 47. And we call this meeting to order. Is there anybody in there, out there for public comment?
Anthony Senesi:
It doesn’t look like we have anybody for public comment.
Betty Cavacco:
Okay. Then we will get right into–
Derek Brindisi:
If I could, I just want to remind folks that any vote taken because we’re all virtual need to be a roll call vote.
Betty Cavacco:
Correct, okay. So, now, we’ll get right into the Holtec PILOT Legislation Amendment. Derek?
Derek Brindisi:
Okay. So, Mina is here as well. So, both Mina and I were working with reps from Senator Moran’s office regarding some amended language to the Holtec Pilot legislation. So, as you know, when the article was approved by town meeting, it requires any administrative or editorial changes to be approved by the Select Board. So, that’s why we’re here this morning. I’ll turn over the presentation regarding the changes, which are very minimal, to Mina.
Mina Makarius:
Good morning, everyone. As Derek said, these changes this time are minimal. This is not getting back into the issue of whether or not you can do a tax separate than a PILOT but as it’s common when the state has anything related to local taxation, I run it by the Division of Local Services at the Department of Revenue and they make whatever additional comments they have. So, they suggested some very minor tweaks. The language, and I don’t know if everyone has it in their packet, Derek or if it would be easier to–
Derek Brindisi:
Yeah, they have it. Yeah, they have it.
Mina Makarius:
Okay. Was simply to add language making it clear that the PILOT has to be agreed to by both sides. It sort of kind of implicit and self-explanatory, almost hardly embarrassed putting in but if it makes the state more comfortable, I think it’s appropriate.
The only suggestion we had on it was a very minor one. The way that the suggested amendment came to us was to entering the payment of little tax against of Holtec that it picked up and its subsidiaries upon the execution compliance agreement between Holtec, Pilgrim LLC and the subsidiaries, etc. I would just suggest changing ‘and the subsidiaries’ to ‘or a subsidiary thereof.’ I don’t want anyone to misunderstand this as meaning we have to get into an agreement with every single subsidiary of Holtec. I don’t know how many, if any, there are but it sort of just an odd language otherwise. So, that’s an incredible piece of legal nuance for 9:30 out of Wednesday morning but that’s where we are, so.
Derek Brindisi:
Yeah, and if I could just add. So, as Mina pointed out, the way I read their recommendation is that part of their recommendation deal was they wanted to be very explicit that Holtec would be entering into a PILOT with the Select Board and you’ll see that on the track changes that Anthony had sent to us yesterday and it explicitly states the Select Board and they just didn’t want any ambiguity with who Holtec would be signing an agreement with.
Betty Cavacco:
Okay.
Dick Quintal:
With that being said, I’d like to move the PILOT agreement as amended with Mina’s recommendations.
Betty Cavacco:
Do we have a second?
Dick Quintal:
Charlie, you’re muted.
Betty Cavacco:
You’re muted, Charlie.
Charlie Bletzer:
I’ll second that.
Betty Cavacco:
Discussion?
Mina Makarius:
Madam Chair, if I could just say one thing. I think that’s appropriate and maybe just for the sake of saving all of your time to the extent that they insist on not taking that small addition I had. I don’t think it’s the end of the world. So, I would simply say it’s with or without our addition, we’ll try to have our addition but I don’t want to have you meet again over in it or something.
Betty Cavacco:
Okay.
Dick Quintal:
That’s fine.
Derek Brindisi:
Yeah, that makes sense.
Betty Cavacco:
Okay. So, is there any discussion?
[0:05:00]
Betty Cavacco:
Just one thing from me, Mina, that doesn’t take away the ability for the Select Board to somewhere in the future try and get legislation again for spent fuel, correct?
Mina Makarius:
Correct, yeah. Correct.
Betty Cavacco:
Great. We’re going to take a roll call vote. Mr. Quintal?
Dick Quintal:
Yes.
Betty Cavacco:
Mr. Helm?
Harry Helm:
Yes.
Betty Cavacco:
Mr. Bletzer?
Charlie Bletzer:
Yes.
Betty Cavacco:
And myself, yes. Okay. Thank you, Mina and I hope you have a very Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays.
Mina Makarius:
Christmas it is and Happy Holidays to you.
Betty Cavacco:
Thanks.
Derek Brindisi:
Thanks, Mina.
Betty Cavacco:
So, the next is Select Board Open Discussion – New Business/ Letters/ Old Business. Anyone? No? Okay. So, the next is–
Derek Brindisi:
Sorry. No. Go ahead, I’m sorry.
Betty Cavacco:
Next is Licenses and Administrative Notes. And folks see that on our agenda. Do we have a motion?
Dick Quintal:
Move it, Cold Spring Elementary.
Charlie Bletzer:
Second.
Betty Cavacco:
We have a motion by Mr. Quintal, seconded by Mr. Bletzer. Discussion? No discussion. Roll call vote. Mr. Quintal?
Dick Quintal:
Yes.
Betty Cavacco:
Mr. Helm?
Harry Helm:
Yes.
Betty Cavacco:
Mr. Bletzer?
Charlie Bletzer:
Yes.
Betty Cavacco:
And myself, yes. Okay. It looks like our business is complete. And on behalf of the board, we wish everybody a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays. And do I have a motion to adjourn?
Dick Quintal:
Motion.
Charlie Bletzer:
Second.
Betty Cavacco:
Second. And roll call? Mr. Quintal?
Dick Quintal:
Yes.
Betty Cavacco:
Mr. Bletzer?
Charlie Bletzer:
Yes.
Betty Cavacco:
Mr. Helm?
Harry Helm:
Yes.
Betty Cavacco:
And myself, yes. Have a great holiday everyone. Take care.
Charlie Bletzer:
Merry Christmas, everybody.
Dick Quintal:
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.