Wrentham Selectmen Mull Change in Outlet Host-Town Agreement

The owners of the Wrentham Outlets have approached the town about amending the host-town agreement to reduce the amount of space allocated at the mall for Wrentham Police use.

That space, said outlet attorney Larry Kaplan, was included in the agreement but has not been used by the department. Kaplan spoke at last week's Board of Selectmen meeting.

"We'd like to take a small portion back for training," he said. "The chief has said he's agreeable to it."

Outlet representatives said the agreement was made when the town police were operating out of the older, smaller police station.

Town Administrator William Ketcham said the proposal would reduce the space in a room allocated to police from 320 square feet to 200 square feet. The police would retain a smaller, 100-square-foot room.

Board Chairman Joseph Botaish said he was skeptical of the proposal.

"We're seeing trends of increased shoplifting and break-ins," he said. "I'd hate to give up space, as that could put us in a predicament and expose us to something we shouldn't be exposed to."

Selectman Michael Carroll agreed.

"Our successors are still going to have to deal with these issues," he said. "I think, as stewards of the assets of the townspeople, we want to maintain our ability to assist the mall and ensure a safe shopping environment."

"This was not asked of the mall casually, and the mall did not just throw this in," he added.

Board member Stephen Langley, though, said this need not be a permanent change.

"If the chief or a future chief decides the department needs it, it can come back," he said. "Their training is not going to happen 24/7 — it will probably be during regular business hours."

He pointed out that the outlets' heaviest traffic is not seen during this time.

Planning Board member Bob Cohen, who was present for the meeting, questioned the wisdom of altering the host-town agreement.

"That could open it up for other things," he said. "It makes sense to layer something over the agreement, like a lease."

The board did not take action, opting to explore other ways to resolve the situation.

Ketcham said on Tuesday that the town has sought that additional information.

"We've sent a request to the police chief to review the sketched plan and get back to the board with his views," he said. "The outlet mall attorney has also been invited to draw up something in line with what was discussed — not a permanent ceding, but a situation where police have first use."

Ketcham said the ultimate solution may be something less than an amendment of the host-town agreement.