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scenario with this potential land purchase. Mr. Malloy shared that only a portion of the property would be available for affordable housing, and so that is why he would recommend considering the acquisition dedicated to open space and community housing, and recreation. Mr. Malloy added that the land is about 2.5 acres and due to its shape, would not be suitable for building fields. Ms. Fenollosa asked if the property is partially a wetland. Mr. Malloy stated that he did not believe the property was wet, and noted that the wet portion of the area is just off to the side of the property. Mr. Malloy also added that the property has solar panels and that it is unlikely that the Town would remove the panels in the near future. Ms. Fenollosa asked if the solar panels would generate energy for the Town. Mr. Malloy confirmed that they would. Mr. Pressman asked if building affordable housing on the land acquisition would include combining or swapping with adjacent property already owned by the Town. Mr. Malloy responded that determining where affordable housing could be built would take a lot of time and effort in part because the adjacent property, currently designated as open space, is protected under Article 97 of the Massachusetts Constitution, and therefore any land swap or designation change would require approval by the Massachusetts state legislature. Mr. Malloy added that affordable housing on the property would also require multiple studies, engineering work, and likely a Town Meeting vote to approve seeking an Article 97 designation change. Mr. Pressman commented that the CPC likely has the funding to designate the land acquisition for open space, but may not have funding to designate community housing or recreation. Ms. O’Brien noted that there is a working group being formed between housing, recreation, and conservation to help assess the best use for land acquired by the Town when land becomes available. Mr. Malloy commented that the working group creation was on the Select Board’s agenda for next Monday, December 4. Mr. Creech asked what would happen if the property owner’s own appraisal values the property above the Town’s appraisal. Mr. Malloy replied that it may depend on the difference between the two numbers as to whether or not the Town would be willing to negotiate, and noted that the Town’s normal process is to use their own appraisal. Mr. Malloy also noted that he was unaware if the Town had ever negotiated between two appraisers. Ms. Fenollosa commented that the Town had negotiated before, but that she could not recall which appraisal the Town went with. Mr. Malloy added that if the owner’s appraisal was significantly higher, the Town may end up withdrawing the request. Ms. Roy asked how many solar panels were on the property. Mr. Malloy commented that he could not remember the exact number, but noted that there were not very many. Ms. Walker raised concern over discussing this CPA request having not yet received the property appraisal and for discussing property acquisition in open meeting instead of in an executive session. Ms. Walker also suggested that a decision about the purchase of these parcels is not under the same time constraints as when heirs may be anxious to sell property as a part of an estate and 2