North Stonington selectmen set July 6 town meeting to decide lease of classroom to Max Snacks

The North Stonington Board of Selectmen voted June 25 to call a special town meeting on July 6, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. to decide whether to lease former classroom 1426 at the North Education Center, 298 Norwich Wesley Road, to Max Snacks Inc., a local 501(c)(3).

First Selectman Bob Collison read the petition question on the record: “Shall the town agree to lease the former classroom number 1426 that is in the North Education Center located at 298 Norwich Wesley Road to Max Snacks Inc., a local 501c3, in the amount of $1 per year plus 1.3% of total amount of building utilities for one year’s term that could be extended with the agreement by both parties.” Collison said the petition required the board to call a town meeting within the statutory timeframe and proposed the July 6 date.

Selectwoman Nicole Porter asked why the call had used the word “release” rather than “lease”; Collison confirmed the proper term is “lease” and said the board would use the formal lease language at the meeting. Collison said he prepared a comprehensive lease modeled on a previous early-learners agreement and that the document would be available at the town meeting. He also said Max Snacks must provide updated insurance in accordance with lease requirements before occupying the space.

The board discussed logistics and costs: Collison estimated the cost to run a town meeting at about $700–$800 to pay for advertising, sandwich signs, staff time and compensation for the registrars and the town clerk. He explained the town’s utility-allocation method: the school pays 28.83% of building utilities, Early Learners 16.3%, Max Snacks would pay 1.3%, and the town would pick up the remainder; Collison said 1.3% is roughly $1,000 for the one-year term. He also noted the town raised its petition-signature threshold to 50 signatures by ordinance on April 5, 2022, which makes petitions more demanding than previously.

Collison said Amy French, Max Snacks’ director, will make a presentation at the town meeting; Lisa Marzella has agreed to moderate the meeting. The registrars and the town clerk will attend to administer the meeting. On June 25 the board voted to place the single warrant question on the July 6 special town meeting agenda.

If the town meeting votes in favor, the lease would allow Max Snacks to use the room under the terms presented; if voters reject the lease, Collison said the town would require Max Snacks to vacate and that he would give the organization time to remove its belongings. The lease also requires current insurance coverage and other standard protections the town will enforce.