HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-08-27 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting
August 27, 1996
The meeting convened at 7:30 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading,
Massachusetts. Present were Chairman George Hines, Secretary Bruce MacDonald, Selectmen
Dan Ensminger and Sally Hoyt, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner and Kathleen Brennan from
the Chronicle.
Settlement of Litigation
The first item of business was the settlement of litigation between McDonald's and the Town of
Reading. The Town Manager reviewed a memo from H Theodore Cohen, Town Counsel,
relative to the proposed settlement. The settlement has been approved by the Board of Appeals.
Dan Ensminger noted that the problems encountered in this application, lead him to question
whether the Town Sign Bylaws are too strict. He would urge the Sign Review Board, CPDC and
the Board of Appeals to evaluate changes to the Sign Bylaws especially dealing with free standing
signs.
George Hines noted that we should ask the Sign Review Board and Board of Appeals to a
Selectmen's Meeting.
Bruce MacDonald asked about the definition of a free standing sign, and the future of the
playground at this site.
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to approved the settlement of
litigation between Richard P. McCoy and Golden Arches, Inc., et al., vs. John A. Coate, et al., as
they are members of the Town of Reading Board of Appeals; the settlement is in substantially the
form as contained in the letter from H. Theodore Cohen, Esquire dated August 27, 1996, and as
approved by the Board of Appeals; Town Counsel is authorized to execute the appropriate
agreement for judgment on behalf of the Town. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
The Board of Selectmen expressed their approval that this litigation had been settled.
On motion by Ensminger seconded by MacDonald, the Board voted to go into Executive Session
for the purpose of discussing strategy with respect to purchase or sale of real estate, not to come
back into Open Session.
On a roll call vote, all four members present voted in the affirmative and the motion was carried.
The Board adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Secretary