The Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety held discussion on an amendment to the techFarm land sales agreement with Van Vactor Farms on Monday night.
Under the current agreement, which is amended from the original agreement, when land is sold in the techFarm area the money from the sale is split between Van Vactor Farms and the City of Plymouth. The city’s portion goes into a monetary gift fund to be used at the discretion of the Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety members to enhance the city.
According to David Miller from Van Vactor Farms, it is the wish of the company to go back to the original agreement where the split funds would go toward a purpose in the techFarm or use it as a deal to be put together as an incentive to make a sale of land in the techFarm. After those options have been exhausted, the money can be used for a city project.
In addition, the proposal would create a three-member committee to oversee the funds. The committee would include Mayor Mark Senter, a Plymouth Redevelopment Commission member and a member appointed by Van Vactor Farms.
Board member Shawn Grobe commented that he’s in favor of the original intent, but not in support of the three member committee to oversee the allocation of the funds.
Board member Jeff Houin stated that the members of the board of works are elected officials of the city council and feels the board should be the body that decides where the money should be spent.
In the end, the members of the board voted to table to the issue for more discussion and revisions.
Miller reminded the board that the land in the techFarm was initially donated by the company to partner with the city for this endeavor. He was vocally disappointed in the vote to table the amendment and said the time line of this amendment could come into play.
“We’ve got another sale coming up that you know about and we’ve got another sale coming up that you don’t know about,” said Miller. “There are unintended consequences to every decision. I appreciate your thoughts on this. I don’t think you’re going to like where this ends up though.”
