The Board of Selectmen will meet with Motocross 338 organizers in a public forum Monday at 6 p.m. at Town Hall for a question and answer informational meeting to discuss the reopening of the track. (File photo by Frederick Gore)
SOUTHWICK – The Board of Selectmen will meet with Motocross 338 organizers in a public forum Monday at 6 p.m. at Town Hall.
Mike Grondahl is leading the group of new owners and funding the operation. Gary Yelin, Travis Loucks and Peyton Stevenson are also interested parties. The group met with the board in late January to discuss their intentions for the property, owned by American Legion Post 338.
Loucks offered a written history of the track and the group’s vision for the track’s future. Grondahl is the potential lessee of the track. One of the concerns of both Grondahl and the board is the use of property owned by the town.
For many years, MX338 has utilized a few acres of land thought to be owned by the Legion for parking. The property is actually owned by the town and is under control of the school department. Grondahl said Superintendent John Barry said the schools would allow motocross to continue to utilize the property as long as it used only the space used in the past.
“I recommended we pay for an easement for that so we can put it on our policy,” said Grondahl of insurance concerns.
Board Chairman Russell Fox said that would be an issue for Town Meeting.
Selectman Joseph Deedy said he believes Grondahl understands that Motocross 338 may not be up and running until after the fall town meeting.
Selectwoman Tracy Cesan noted that there are scheduled races this year, such as the two-day Rugged Maniac event.
“The Rugged Maniac benefits the town – I would hate to see that go,” she said.
Chief Administrative Officer Karl Stinehart said because there are events already scheduled, Grondahl would need to apply for one-day permits to run those races. Grondahl would also need to seek one day licenses to sell alcohol beyond what the American Legion is allowed.
Rresident Marcus Phelps presented the board with several concerns he had at the January meeting, including who was the approving authority for the land use and whether or not the new track operators would be a nonprofit or for-profit business.
If it’s a nonprofit, Phelps said the selectmen could approve the permit. If it is a for-profit use, the Planning Board would need to issue a special permit.
When asked, Grondahl said he was not looking to make money.
“I’m doing this out of love of the sport,” said Grondahl. “I don’t want to make a dollar off of this – I’ve been fortunate.”
Grondahl said as long as the track staff can be paid, he was “all for making it a nonprofit.”
Grondahl said there is interest in having European racers come to Southwick, which is known worldwide as a tough track.
“It’s a rough, physical track,” he said of the sand track. “It’s famous worldwide.”
Grondahl said there is only one other track, in Belgium, that rivals Southwick.
“The world is watching what’s going to happen here,” said Yelin, adding the track operators would be “a good neighbor and give back.”
Loucks said the group is very aware of the noise and traffic created by the races and they are “cognizant” of the neighbors and their convenience.
“We have some ideas we’re looking into about reducing noise,” Loucks said.
Selectman Joseph Deedy said the board was supportive.
“I don’t think there’s anything that can’t be worked out,” said Deedy.
Fox agreed.
“We’re not coming from an adversarial position, we just want to make sure we all get together on this,” said Fox.
The public is encouraged to attend Monday’s meeting.
