Bill's 5 update to Select Board

Having been out of town during that time, I finally got to see the Pegtv video of the March 26 Select Board meeting wherein the board was given an update on the Bill's Country Store project.
Howard Smith, Treasurer of the Chamber of Commerce and apparent spokesperson for the Bill's 5, related that the Chamber, just that morning, signed a lease agreement with the Bill's 5. For those of you who are unaware, 3 of the Bill's five, Chris Carr, Howard Smith and Phil Black are also Chamber officers. Its sort of like they're signing an agreement with themselves except they're using the Chamber members dues to repay themselves their investment in the property.
I wonder how the rest of the Chamber members feel about that.
Further, Howard related that they were seeking a "partner" to invest in the property so they could proceed with the build out. The way it was put caused some confusion. What Howard meant was they wanted an anchor tenant who would provide them with cash flow by paying multiple years rent up front in exchange for a discounted lease rate. This as opposed to an equity partner. At least that's what I got out of his explanation.
Howard also stated they would be starting multiple capital fund drives within the community to fund their build out.
This really does not sound like they are the strong financial partner espoused by Bernie Rome during the Bill's 5 first presentation. Bernie stated during that meeting if the town was going to commit its resources to a private enterprise that enterprise should be a strong financial partner. Right now the town has committed an $80,000 grant for a park and ride facility on the property as well as a potential state grant of $174,987 (80%) with town matching funds of $43,747 (20%) for stormwater and invasive plant species mitigation (for details visit http://www.killingtontown.com/vertical/sites/%7BE4345A2E-9636-47A3-9B74-2E6220745729%7D/uploads/Transportation_Alternatives_Grant_Presentation_1-15-13.pdf).
Well, if we get past the rhetoric it sounds like the Bill's 5 are going to be out there panhandling for build out money. Frankly the town should be wary of entering into any agreements with this group. I have tried to get info on what the contract terms would be but apparently it's being done in secret and the public will not know what steps the town is taking to protect its potential investment (of your tax money).
I really have a problem with that and you should too as we have already assumed millions of debt liability from the golf course fiasco and it looks like we're heading for another commitment of our tax dollars without knowing what we are getting ourselves into.