A map of the American Legion Post 338, the motocross track, and abutting land.
SOUTHWICK – The Board of Selectmen is working with the American Legion Post 338 and motocross promoter Keith Johnson to hash out issues at the track.
Members of the board met with Johnson, the Police and Fire chiefs, Department of Public Works Director Randy Brown, Conservation Coordinator Dennis Clark and others last week at the track on Powder Mill Road.
“We had a very productive meeting,” said Selectman Russell Fox.
Fox said the group discussed the J Day Races, which are an extreme version of motocross that includes off-track racing and allows spectators right next to the track and trails, which caused safety concerns from the police. Fox said they have a better understanding of that style of racing and Johnson took their concerns seriously and planned to make adjustments for the next J Day Race in the fall.
The group also brought a map and identified the town property, overseen by the school department, that is used by motocross and is the source of contention between the American Legion and board because of fees to use the land.
This year, the board imposed a $5,000 fee for use of that land, which is in line with what the abutting private land owner receives for allowing use of his property.
Michael Sullivan of Post 338 read a statement during the public comment portion of the June 1 meeting asking the board to reconsider the fee, which he said is essentially rent.
“There are no fees like this anywhere else in town and we feel it should be called rent,” said Sullivan, adding that the payment was a hardship for the post.
Sullivan said there were other portions of the contract proposed by the town that the Legion members did not agree with.
Selectmen Chairman Joseph Deedy asked Fox and Chief Administrative Officer Karl Stinehart to meet with Sullivan as soon as possible to work out the issues of the contract.
Deedy also offered a suggestion as to how the land “rental” issue could be solved.
Deedy said the American Legion owns a piece of land similar in size and makeup right next to the parcel owned by the town that the Legion uses for races. The Legion-owned land is not used, other than a small parking area, so Deedy wondered if the town and Post 338 could swap ownership of the parcels to eliminate the need for the “rental.”
Selectmen Fox and Douglas Moglin said it could be a good option. A transfer of land would need approval from Town Meeting.
