HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-01-22 Board of Selectmen Minutes - Executive Session Board of Selectmen Meeting
Executive Session
January 22, 2013
For ease of archiving, the order that items appear in these minutes reflects the order in
which the items appeared on the agenda for that meeting, and are not necessarily the
order in which any item was taken up by the Board.
The Executive Session convened at 6:30 p.m. in the Police Community Room, 15 Union
Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Vice Chairman Ben Tafoya, Secretary
Richard Schubert, Selectmen John Arena and James Bonazoli, Town Manager Peter
Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director Bob LeLacheur, Office
Manager Paula Schena; Finance Committee members Barry Berman, Paul McNeice, Hal
Torman, David Greenfield, Paula Perry, Karen Herrick, Jeff Perkins and Jeanne
Borawski; Superintendent of Schools John Doherty, and Assistant Superintendent of
Schools Mary Delai.
The Town Manager noted gave an update on the St. Agnes property. He noted that our
appraisal was $824,000 and their appraisal was $2.2 million. St. Agnes suggested a third
appraisal so both parties paid half to have a third appraisal done.
Mary Delai noted that the third appraisal was $950,000 and they will resume ,
negotiations. The appraisal establishes the market value but the project would be $6 - $7
need it. The School Committee has received 15
million to get the property to where we
proposals for an architect.
Richard Schubert asked if there was any sign that the church will lower their price and
Mary Delai noted that they suggested the third appraisal. The sale needs to be approved
by the Financial Council which is a council of councilors. They are meeting in February
and March.
John Arena asked what the purpose of the third appraisal was and Mary Delai noted that
it was to discuss evaluations and comparables to come up with a more appropriate square
footage cost.
Richard Schubert asked if it was shared parking the Town Manager noted it.was with
restrictions.
David Greenfield noted that he will not comment because he is an abutter.
Barry Berman asked if the property was appraised as a school and Mary Delai noted it
Was but the challenge was to find comparables. The appraisal was based on ready to
move in and larger lots.
Mr. Berman asked if the School Committee was hiring a project manager before we even
own the building and Mary Delai indicated they were so they can get as much
information as possible.
Paula Perry asked about the timing for Town Meeting and Mary Delai indicated they
were hoping for April Town Meeting but it doesn't look like we will be ready until
September.
Karen Herrick asked if the Archdiocese requires this to be public and the Town Manager
indicated this is confidential and should not be spoken about outside of this room.
James Bonazoli noted that all long-term debt is supposed to be presented to Town
Meeting and Mary Delai indicated we cannot do that while in negotiations. John Doherty
noted that they talked to Town Meeting in November about numbers ranging from $2
million to $20 million.
David Greenfield noted that transparency is important.
_A motion by Berman seconded by McNiece to adiourn the Executive Session at 7:09
p.m. was approved on a roll call vote with all eight members voting in the
affirmative.
A motion by Schubert seconded by Bonazoli to adiourn the Executive Session at
7.09 p.m. was approved on a roll call vote with all four members voting in the
affirmative.
Respectfully submitted,
Secretary