HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-05-23 Board of Selectmen Executive Session Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting
Executive Session
May 23, 2000
The Executive Session convened at 9:00 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell
Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Sally Hoyt, Vice Chairman Matthew
Nestor, Secretary George Hines, Selectman Camille Anthony, Town Manager Peter
Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager Russell Dean, Attorney Brad Latham from Latham,
Latham & Lamond, Mark Dickinson, Matt Mitchell.
Dickinson Development
Attorney Brad Latham referenced a memo to the Board of Selectmen from Mark Dickinson. The
process tonight was to listen to the proposal, have Dickinson exit, and then have the Board have
some discussion.
Attorney Brad Latham spoke about the structure of the proposal. Dickinson would pay $3
million up front in return for no deadline on the office component. They would build the pad,
provide parking and run utilities to the pad. Dickinson wants to control the construction of the
office building himself. He wants to hear the response from the Town and where to go forward
with the project. He would only add the issue of control of the office building is very important
to him. Home Depot is still committed to building the office building, but this inhibits
Dickinson's ability to make a better deal with Home Depot. There is a tremendous economic
incentive to build the office building.
-- " Selectman Camille Anthony stated that she was trying to remember if the office building was on
top of the Home Depot.
Dickinson reviewed the footprint of the Home Depot and office building. This building won't
look like a freestanding Home Depot. There is a new Showcase Cinema in Revere.
Selectman George Hines asked about Home Depot being a tenant for the office building.
Dickinson stated that Home Depot signed a 5-year lease in Canton about six months ago.
Chairman Sally Hoyt asked about the MWRA fee. Mark Dickinson stated that the cost would be
absorbed by other users.
Selectman George Hines stated that he was concerned the process has built skepticism. He
wants secure commitments. Mark Dickinson stated that the retail is real — it gives the project
financial feasibility and reality on the mixed use.
Attorney Brad Latham indicated there would be discussions on the office deal in terms of timing,
penalties, etc.
- Dickinson left the meeting.
The Town Manager reviewed the status of negotiations with Dickinson. The issues are taxes on
the office piece if the building is not built by a certain time, the MWRA fee, neighborhood
improvements. Maybe $200,000 on neighborhood improvements.
Board of Selectmen Meeting_—Executive Session—May 23, 2000—Page 2
Fraen Corporation
Matt Mitchell was present from Ted Cohen's office with an Earth Tech consultant to discuss the
Fraen Corporation case. Matt Mitchell presented the Selectmen with a memo outlining Keegan,
Werlin and Pabian's position on the case.
The Board reviewed the status of the case and asked to be kept updated.
On motion by Nestor seconded by Hines, the Board of Selectmen voted to adjourn their
Executive Session meeting of May 23, 2000 at 10:20 p.m. On a roll call vote all four members
voted in the affirmative and the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
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