Robert Blick

The purpose of the meeting was to review appeal applications for real estate and personal property from the Grand List of October 1, 2025, and motor vehicle supplemental assessments from the Grand List of October 1, 2024. Two residential real estate property appeals were received. The Board scheduled hearings and deliberations for Monday, March 16th, at 4:30 pm. It was noted that no motor vehicle supplemental appeals were received, and new applications would not be accepted.

The meeting included a Quarterly Oversight Review presented by Fiducient Advisors, covering current market themes, asset class returns, portfolio performance, and asset allocation details, including the breakdown of Fixed Assets. Discussion ensued regarding recommended changes to Target Allocations, specifically a modification between Short-Term Bonds and US Aggregate Bonds. The Board subsequently approved the re-allocation of the Fixed Income category investments. Furthermore, the January 2026 Schwab Investment Statement was accepted. The Board also discussed the FY26 Quarterly Contribution and recommended an investment of $250,000 into the OPEB Trust Fund for FY27, payable in four quarterly installments.

The meeting involved several key regulatory and planning discussions. A request for a Special Use Permit for a detached garage with an accessory apartment at 70 Cross Highway was tabled due to the agent's inability to complete the site plan because of the Blizzard of 2026. Discussions regarding the Town Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD) included reviewing assessment/assignment recommendations for 2028 and criteria for hiring a POCD writer/consultant, noting a budget allocation of $55,000 for the next fiscal year. The Commission also reviewed updates on the Gilbert and Bennett Wire Mill project, including recommendations made to the architect and considerations for future land use flexibility. Furthermore, there was a detailed review of pending bridge replacements on Sport Hill Road, Long Wall Road, Greenbush Road, and Brookside Road, covering state approval processes, funding concerns from the Board of Finance, design constraints related to state regulations, and requirements for fish-friendly culverts.

The purpose of this site walk was to review the location of a proposed Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) and its associated driveway in relation to the Town Plan of Conservation and Development and Scenic Road Ordinance guidelines for the property located at 70 Cross Highway. Discussions with the applicant's representative covered which utility pole would supply power, the approximate location of the proposed septic system, and the status of required permitting drawings. Observations were made regarding the property's snow cover, the proposed building location, and the slope and existing mature trees where the driveway would meet Cross Highway.

The special meeting focused primarily on the Gilbert and Bennett Wire Mill (GBWM) conceptual plan. Key discussion points included breaking the project into independently developable parcels, the expected involvement of the Zoning Commission due to anticipated zoning regulation changes, and the multi-step approval process involving POCD amendments, review by the Board of Selectmen, and subsequent Planning Commission public hearings. A suggestion was made for the Board of Selectmen to create a "Land Bank" to manage the sale of individual parcels. Discussions also covered potential traffic generation requiring State involvement for highway changes, the unknown impact on infrastructure, the need for developers to fund necessary infrastructure for their projects, and the retention of public/municipal property ownership by the Town. The Commission's role will be to ensure each detailed developer plan adheres to the established vision.