1998-03-10 Board of Selectmen Minutes

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Board of Selectmen Meeting March 10, 1998 The meeting was convened at 7:30 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Camille Anthony, Vice Chairman Bruce MacDonald, Secretary Sally Hoyt, Selectmen George Hines and Daniel Ensminger, Town Manager Peter I. Hechenbleikner, and the following list of interested parties: Dick McDonald, Ed Shaw, Mark Dickinson, Jay Mason, Bill O'Brien, Don Stroeble, David Nugent, Nancy Eaton, Brad Latham. Discussion/Action Items Review with the Reading Business Park Task Force the Proposals for the Sale of the Former Landfill Site—Mark Dickinson from Dickinson Development was present to review his proposal for mixed office and retail use. A Home Depot and office building would be built on the lower .portion of the site, and two soccer fields would be constructed on the upper portion of the site for the Town. Bruce MacDonald asked about the tax return to the Town of Reading and the number of jobs that would be created. It was noted that the hiring preference would be local. Regarding the impact on Downtown, Brad Latham noted that the customers wouldn't be just from Reading and wouldn't be people who shop Downtown. Sally Hoyt had concerns regarding the effect on local businesses. George Hines asked if it would be a 24 hour store. Mark Dickinson indicated the normal closing hours are 11:00-12:00 p.m. but they are willing to accept restrictions. Camille Anthony noted that the site plan showed 650 parking spaces. Conuess Development — Congress Development proposed putting office building/hotel on the landfill site. The most recent revision to their proposal is to assume all costs associated with the landfill capping and closure of the property. Tax payments would begin when a Certificate of Occupancy is granted for each building. George Hines asked about their relationship with.Homart. Hines also noted it was difficult to evaluate the project because it has changed so much. Sally Hoyt noted that the Town should know and approve the fill going into the site. She's concerned about the length of time before the Town gets any tax revenue. Bruce MacDonald asked about water use. It was noted that there are alternatives; i.e., going to Wakefield.