ARTICLE 3
This proposal would move shuttle buses onto the former Island Spirits property across from Force Five and open up about 10 citizen parking spots on Washington Street where the buses park now. The selling price is $3.5 million, compared to the assessed value of $3.8 million, and most of the purchase sum would be covered through the sale of town-owned Surfside property to the Land Bank. The Finance Committee recently voted to recommend the article, specifying that the town should be authorized to pay up to $3.5 million for the Reith property, be authorized to borrow up to that amount as a debt service override subject to a ballot vote, and that the town would offset the purchase amount through the Surfside sale.

"In the long run it's probably a good idea for the town to hold that property," said Finance Committee Chairman Rick Atherton. "If it turns out there is a better way to solve the bus situation the town could sell it."

Transportation Planner Mike Burns also supports the concept. He said the plan is for incoming buses to travel

down Washington Street, then turn left onto the property off Candle Street. The only buses not included are the Jetties Beach and Madaket route shuttles which depart from the Whaling Museum. Once the liquor store and free-standing shed are removed, seven spaces will be designated with five aisles. Two will hold two buses in a row with three aisles holding one bus each. A passing lane will be established between the aisles that buses will use to exit onto Washington Street.

"I think it's a great idea," said Burns, adding that the planning office staff is currently analyzing the site on a technical level to ensure no issues have been overlooked. "People along Union Street would be happy, and it also takes buses off Main Street, coupled with increasing on-street parking on Washington Street. Adding two buses that use Union Street to Washington Street is insignificant compared to the benefit of those three items."

Originally, the Reith purchase was to be offset by the town's sale of 17.8 acres at 55 Warren's Landing Road to the Land Bank, which is how Article Three still reads. Land Bank Director Eric Savetsky explained that after the Special Town Meeting warrant was published, the town received confirmation that the Warren's Landing acreage, known as the Wood Property and under the oversight of the Conservation Commission, is protected by Article 97 of Massachusetts General Law which states that land acquired for open space purposes with public funds may not be disposed of without an act of the legislature. Because of that, Warren's Landing was "taken off the table."

At the April 2007 Town Meeting, voters did authorize the town to convey the Surfside property to the Land Bank, the property it now seeks to purchase. The Surfside land consists of 10 contiguous parcels totaling about 30 acres running from the intersection of Surfside and South Shore roads to the ocean where it abuts town and Land Bank properties. Savetsky said while Warren's Landing already has a conservation agency overseeing the property, no such protection exists for the Surfside area, which he believes will make a great open space corridor for bikers and walkers.

"The town needs to raise funds if Article Three is approved and the sale of that land would serve both purposes - raising money and protection," said Savetsky. "It's not the town's sole charge to protect open land as it is ours, and the town has a fiduciary responsibility to deal with assets in a fiscally responsible fashion. We see it, and hopefully they do, as a win/win."

Savetsky also explained that it is not unusual for the Land Bank, approved for creation by a Town Meeting vote, to buy property from the town. Similar situations occurred with land abutting Maxcy's Pond and in the Smooth Hummocks area, he said, calling such transactions entirely appropriate.

Although Savetsky said the price for the Surfside land is still under consideration, and that the Land Bank wants to pay below fair market value, Selectman Brian Chadwick, who has been the primary negotiator in the deal, estimates the price will be around $2.5 million. That means the town will need some amount up to $1 million through an override to pay for the Reith property. Chadwick said it will cost an estimated $60,000 to $80,000 for demolition of the liquor store and shed, but that money is already contained in the town's budget. The town also must obtain a demolition permit from the Historic District Commission.

A Special Election for ballot votes on articles with appropriations must be held within 90 days of the date the article is approved. Chadwick hopes residents will support Article Three and that an election can be set for well within the 90-day timeframe. Still, it is not likely that the Washington Street structures can be removed and the property prepared for bus use before the shuttles stop running in October. Chadwick said if that is the case he would like to at least see the two buses that park on the Washington Street side of Ralph Lauren move onto the property so a couple of new citizen parking spots become available as soon as possible.

"The advantage to owning that property is that it's a good start to revitalize the lower Main Street area and assist with traffic by freeing up the parking

spaces," he said. I