1997-04-29 Board of Selectmen Executive Session Minutes

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Board of Selectmen Meeting Executive Session April 29, 1997 The meeting was convened at 10:00 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman George Hines, Vice Chairman Camille Anthony, Secretary Bruce MacDonald, Selectmen Dan Ensminger and Sally Hoyt,Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner. Land Acquisition George Hines filled the Board in on a meeting that he, Dan Ensminger and Peter Hechenbleikner had with members of the Board of Realtors. They were shown around the building and there was discussion on relocation costs. The Board of Realtors has taken two actions: they are not interested in a swap; their offer is $250,000 plus $30,000 for relocation expenses. Relocation expenses were detailed. The Town has received nothing in writing yet. They pointed out deficiencies in the Town's appraisal. Hines confirmed that the Town is required to have one appraisal. His sense was that the $192,000 outlined in David Billard's memo is a fair price. Sally Hoyt noted that we should have Ted Cohen at the meeting tomorrow. Hines noted that we should try to do this on a friendly basis, even if it winds up being an eminent domain situation. Hines also filled the Board in on the potential merger of the Eastern Middlesex Board with the Greater Lawrence Board. This will not have an effect except that they may need to expand on the site. The Board entered into additional discussion as to what a fair price was. The consensus of the Board was that $222,000 - $225,000 was the maximum price that should be considered. This is halfway between the Town's appraisal and the Board of Realtors' offer. It is also approximately the same as Dave Billard's suggested appraised value of $192,000, plus $30,000 for relocation expenses. The Town Manager and Board members were authorized to offer $210,000 at the meeting tomorrow, and to keep the negotiations and lines of communication open. The Board agreed to up to two additional negotiation sessions. Approval of Minutes On motion by Anthony seconded by MacDonald, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the Executive Session meeting of March 18, 1997 as presented on a roll call vote with all five members voting in the affirmative. On motion by MacDonald seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the - Executive Session meeting of March 26, 1997 on a roll call vote with all five members voting in the affirmative.