HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-04-30 Board of Selectmen Executive Session Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting
Executive Session
April 30, 2002
The Executive Session convened at 8:30 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell
Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman George Hines, Vice Chairman Camille
Anthony, Secretary Matthew Cummings, Selectmen Richard Schubert and Gail Wood, Town
Manager Peter Hechenbleikner.
Sale of Real Estate
The Board discussed the request by Dickinson to allow them to market the seven acre "hotel and
office"parcel for retail use.
Selectman Richard Schubert distributed an e-mail indicating that he had not wanted to see a
chain supermarket, small boxes (Staples, Circuit City, etc.), he does not want to see the site turn
into Route 1 retail, mixed used might be okay but the right mixed use. He expressed preference
for a bookstore/cafe combination and wondered about the issue of traffic.
Chairman George Hines noted that there was a Globe article about a person buying hotels from
their financing people and selling them back to the operators. He admitted that there was mixed
reviews on the hotel issues.
Selectman Gail Wood noted that she does want a supermarket, and feels the value would be less.
Selectman Richard Schubert was concerned about traffic and wondered if we need a new study.
This concern is relative to neighborhood issues. He doesn't want to see a Home Depot/Circuit
City complex like in Danvers. He likes the idea of mixed use.
Selectman Gail Wood expressed interest in a "you do it" electronics facility and explained what
that was.
Chairman George Hines felt that we should give a green light to pursue retail uses but that it
needed to come back to the Board of Selectmen.
Selectman Matthew Cummings noted and the rest of the Board members agreed that getting the
site capped is the number one priority. The Board of Selectmen reached a consensus on the
following:
1. Mark Dickinson should be permitted to market the site for retail. The Town's preference
is to have multi-tenants (this would prevent the"all of the eggs in one basket" issue).
2. Maximize tax revenue.
3. Maximize density—perhaps multi-story.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—Executive Session—April 30,. 2002—Page 2
4. Develop something that is visually attractive, distinctive, and utilize this unique site for
regionally oriented retail such as an REI or perhaps outlet development which would play
upon the regional draw of Jordan's Furniture and the outlet draw of a Frugal Fannies.
Approval of Minutes
On motion by Wood seconded by Cummings, the Board of Selectmen approved the Executive
Session Minutes of January 29, 2002 on a roll call vote with all five members voting in the
affirmative.
On motion by Wood seconded by Anthony, the Board of Selectmen approved the .Executive
Session Minutes of February 26, 2002 on a roll call vote with Cummings abstaining and all other
members voting in the affirmative.
On motion by Anthony seconded by Schubert, the Board of Selectmen approved the Executive
Session Minutes of April 9, 2002 on a roll call vote with all five members voting in the
affirmative.
On motion by Wood seconded by Anthony, the Board of Selectmen approved the Executive
Session Minutes of April 16, 2002 on a roll call vote with all five members voting in the
affirmative.
On motion by Cummings seconded Schubert, the Board of Selectmen approved the Executive
Session Minutes of April 23, 2002 on a roll call vote with all five members voting in the
affirmative.
On motion by Cummings seconded by Anthony, the Board adjourned their Executive Session
Meeting of April 30, 2002 at 9:05 p.m. on a roll call vote with all five members voting in the
affirmative.
Respectfully submitted,
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Secretary