HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-12-17 Board of Selectmen Minutes - Executive Session oFRai
,. Town of Reading
. Meeting Minutes
Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Board of Selectmen
Date: 2013-12-17 Time: 7:00 PM
Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Selectmen Meeting Room
Address: 16 Lowell Street
Purpose: General Business
Attendees: Members - Present:
Chairman James Bonazoli, Vice Chairman John Arena, Secretary Ben Tafoya,
Selectmen Daniel Ensminger and Marsie West
Members - Not Present:
Others Present:
Town.Manager Bob LeLacheur
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Secretary Ben Tafoya
Topics of Discussion:
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mr. LeLacheur reviewed a real estate handout from CBRE/New England that described the Post
Office facility on Haven Street that is currently for sale. He suggested that the Town's primary
interest is in acquiring more downtown parking and preventing a warehouse type usage in the
middle of the Smart Growth/downtown area. He said the likely best outcome for the Town would
be a private mixed use development, and wondered if the nearby Masonic building could be
included in such a renovation project. Mr. Tafoya suggested Alan Foulds would be a good
contact for that portion of the discussion.
Board members each described their respective tours of the facility..Mr. Tafoya suggested that
while perhaps the front portion of the building could be preserved for historic purposes, the
remaining warehouse section would likely be demolished by any buyer. Mr. Bonazoli and Ms.
West quickly agreed. Mr. Ensminger asked if any current Town or School space requirement
could be met by the property, and Mr. LeLacheur said that only after demolition, unless storage
for temporary Library and Recreation materials and equipment was a desired temporary
outcome.
Mr. LeLacheur asked if the Board wished to place a bid for the parking lot, which contained over
50 spaces. A discussion ensued about trading parking spaces with the Reading Co-Operative
Bank in order to facilitate residential development in the top floor of the M.F. Charles Building,
which would require parking. The Board agreed that a low bid indication would at least protect
the Town against an adverse sale and lesser use of the property for a warehouse use.
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A motion by Ms. West to authorize the Town Manager to bid up to a maximum of$400,000
was seconded by Mr. Ensminger, and approved on a roll call vote with all rive members
voting in the affirmative.
A motion by Mr. Ensminger to adiourn at 10:20pm was seconded by Ms. West, and
approved on a roll call vote with all five members voting in the affirmative.
Respectfully bmitted,
?ret&arvy
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