HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-09-21 Board of Selectmen Minutes - Executive Session Board of Selectmen Meeting
Executive Session
September 21,2010
The Executive Session convened at 10:00 p.m. in the Town Hall Conference Room, 16 Lowell
Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman James Bonazoli, Vice Chairman Camille .
Anthony, Secretary Richard Schubert and Selectman Ben Tafoya and Town Manager Peter
Hechenbleikner.
Purchase Sale.Lease or Value of Real Estate
The Town Manager presented information on the potential purchase of the former Christian
Science Building adjacent to the Town Hall parking lot. The Reading Christian Science
Congregation has disbanded and after several years, the property was transferred to the Andover
Christian Science Congregation. The Town Manager has been approached by the Andover
Christian Science Congregation to ask if the Town was interested in purchasing the property.
The Town Manager reviewed a memo dated September 15, 2010 outlining details of the site. It
is on the National Register of Historic Places. There has been renovation to some portions of the
building but additional renovations would be needed. The building appears to be structurally
sound, however.
The Town Manager and Recreation Administrator John Feudo walked through the building with
' Andover Christian Science members. The Recreation Administrator is excited about the
possibility of operating the site as a Community Center. His vision is that the building would be
renovated for use as a Community Center, the recreation offices would be moved to that location
in order to provide ongoing staff presence, and that a variety of programs would be run at that
location including contracting with community organizations like Creative Arts for Kids for
programs such as day time arts programs.
Members of the Board of Selectmen had questions about the size and condition of the building,
and its adaptability for use as a Community Center. Two members of the Board of Selectmen
indicated that they had been contacted by Creative Arts for Kids, and that Creative Arts for Kids
is very interested in acquiring the site.
The consensus of the Board of Selectmen was that they are not interested in acquiring the
building but that we should stay informed about the property in the event that things do not move
forward with Creative Arts for Kids,the Town might then be interested.
On motion by Anthony seconded by Tafova the Board of Selectmen adjourned their
Executive Session Meeting of September 21 2010 on a roll call vote with all four members
present voting in the affirmative.
Respectfully subm
a .
Secretary