Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Local Government topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Select Board authorizes RFP to lease Falmouth Country Club, approves surplus declaration 4–1
Summary
After revising proposed lease terms to front‑load capital obligations and lower the initial base rent to $400,000, the Select Board voted 4–1 to declare the Falmouth Country Club surplus and authorize the town manager to issue an RFP for a 25‑year private operator lease.
The Select Board voted 4–1 on Sept. 23 to declare the Falmouth Country Club surplus and authorized the town manager to issue a request for proposals to lease the property to a private operator for up to 25 years.
Staff said edits to the draft lease included reducing the base rent from $500,000 to $400,000 to account for required front‑loaded capital spending by the operator, and adding a guaranteed minimum capital spending requirement to be fulfilled within the first 10 years. The revenue‑share threshold was adjusted upward in the draft; staff explained the change was intended to strike a balance between operator viability and town returns.
Town staff confirmed the operator would bear responsibility for equipment replacement for the first 20 years, with town investments and a minimum equipment investment in the final five years to create a usable inventory at lease end. Audit and access provisions for operator financials are included in the lease terms.
Public commenters urged a higher ongoing base rent and suggested the town maintain some capital contribution; staff said the lease is designed to generate town revenue that the town can then decide how to reinvest. The RFP process will include an opportunity for bidders to ask written questions and for staff to consider clarifying amendments if multiple bidders identify issues.
The motion to declare the property surplus and authorize issuance of the RFP passed 4–1; the dissenting board member expressed discomfort with reducing the base rent to $400,000 and with the revenue threshold increases in the draft.
