HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-03-13 Board of Selectmen Executive Session Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting
Executive Session
- March 13, 2001
The Executive Session convened in the Conference Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading,
Massachusetts. Present were Vice Chairman George Hines, Secretary Camille Anthony,
Selectman Matthew Cummings, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager
Russell Dean, Attorney Brad Latham, Mark Dickinson, John Bouchard from VHB and Paula
Schena.
Reading Business Park
The Town Manager noted that Mark Dickinson is present to ask the Selectmen to agree to allow
them to file for a PWED application.
Mark Dickinson gave an update on the project. He noted that he will be submitting the final
PUD on Thursday or Friday of this week. Home Depot and Jordan's Furniture have not agreed
to signage and elevation yet and that is part of the PUD. Mr. Dickinson noted that the economics
are tighter than originally planned because it is a bigger project now and he is asking for help.
The Town Manager noted that Dickinson will pay for the cost of applying. He also noted that
realistically a community gets PWED money every five years so if we get this, then we will have
to wait for other projects; i.e., Downtown improvements, underground wiring on south Main
Street, etc.
John Bouchard from VHB indicated that there is not always a five year wait. He noted that this
is a solid candidate for a PWED because we are closing the landfill, creating jobs and improving
the roadways.
A motion by Anthony seconded by Cummings for the Town of Reading to submit an application
under the Public Works Economic Development Program (PWED) for the construction of
improvements to Walkers Brook Drive, including roadway reconstruction, curbing, sidewalks,
lighting systems, traffic control, drainage systems and culverts was approved on a roll call vote
with all three members voting in the affirmative.
A motion by Cummings seconded by Anthony to continue with the sale of the landfill per the
approved Purchase and Sales Agreement and approved concept plan with Dickinson
Development Corporation, and not to consider modification of the agreement to include the sale
of a portion of the site to 128 Sales was approved on a roll call vote with all three members
voting in the affirmative.
Fraen
The Town Manager noted that there is a scientific difference of opinion on this issue. He has
had informal discussions with the owner and there is interest in settling possibly for $35,000 —
the cost of their environmental consultant. The Town Manager noted there has also been talk
about cleaning up the site and planting trees and putting in fencing.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—Executive Session—March 13, 2001 —Page 2
A motion by Cummings seconded by Anthony to settle with Fraen at $25,000 plus the cost of
fencing subject to Town Meeting approval was approved on a roll call vote with all three
members voting in the affirmative.
Labor Negotiations
The Town Manager noted that we have agreement with the Public Works Union. The cost of the
contract is 2.5%.
Selectman Matthew Cummings indicated that he would like to know the terms of the contracts
before the Union votes on it.
The Town Manager noted that he is negotiating with the Fire Fighter Union and they want a
three year contract at 2%, 2% and 2%, a 1% increase in the night shift, and an increase in the
EMT stipend. The Board directed the Town Manager to continue negotiations and cost out the
changes in the contract.
A motion by Cummings seconded by Anthony to adjourn the Executive Session meeting of
March 13, 2001 at 8:20 p.m. was approved on a roll call vote with all three members voting in
the affirmative.
Respectfully submitted,
Secretary