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Date: 12/21/2020
EASTHAMPTON – A public hearing took place during the Easthampton City Council’s meeting on Dec 16 to discuss the request of two utility poles on Main Street and a continued conversation on an alternative tax payment, called a 121A agreement.
“We have a request from Eversource to install two poles along Main Street approximately 118 feet Westerly of Truehart Drive. The reasoning for this request is to provide electrical service for KC Tactical,” Councilor Owen Zaret said.
The company referred to by Zaret is KC Small Arms, a retail firearms store located at 412 Main St.
The committee had questions regarding the language of the request from Eversource and voted to continue the conversation to their Jan. 20, 2021, meeting to give Zaret time to reach out to the company.
The Planning Board presented their report in regard to whether or not Michael Michon, the developer of the 1 Ferry St. housing project qualifies for the alternative tax payment, 121A agreement.
City Planner Jeffrey Bagg explained to Reminder Publishing that instead of paying the full tax on property, it is an agreed-upon reduction based on a project that is determined to have benefits to the city.
“Without a 121A agreement, as the project is developed, the assessed value will increase and tax payments will increase based on the tax rate of the city,” Bagg said.
The Planning Board’s six-page report stated that the property and project qualifies under all three definitions for blighted open, decadent, and substandard. The project does not conflict with zoning or other city ordinances, the project does not conflict with the master plan or other plans, and the project is not detrimental to the safety of the public.
The council voted to accept the Planning Boards report.
In the meantime, the Finance Committee will meet on Dec. 30 to write their own report to bring forward to the full City Council at their Jan. 6, 2021, meeting.