HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-06-20 Board of Selectmen Executive Session Minutes - Board of Selectmen Meeting
Executive Session
June 20, 2000
The Executive Session convened at 9:55 p.m. in the Conference Room, 16 Lowell Street,
Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Sally Hoyt, Vice Chairman Matthew Nestor,
Selectmen Camille Anthony and Matthew Cummings, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner,
Assistant Town Manager Russell Dean, and Paula Schena.
Landfill Negotiations
The Town Manager noted that the Cinema will want to stay open after midnight and the Town's
Bylaw would have to be amended to allow the cinema to stay open past midnight. The Town
Manager noted that there could be a problem with traffic in the surrounding neighborhoods.
Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that they want the Bylaw changed or the ability to go with
something else. The Town Manager noted that they have mentioned big ticketed items like
Jordan's Furniture and Ikea Furniture.
The Town Manager noted that the cinema makes the office more attractive because of the
parking.
Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that he doesn't have a problem with changing the Bylaw,
but he thinks Town Meeting will have a problem with it. He suggested having a Special Town
Meeting and have Ted Cohen work with Dickinson to determine if there is anything else that
Town Meeting will need to deal with.
The Town Manager noted that the cinema signs are not permitted under our present sign bylaws
and will need to be dealt with. Selectman Camille Anthony feels the sign issue should be
brought to their attention and dealt with now.
Selectman Matthew Nestor feels that we should tell them that these are the sign Bylaws and we
don't plan on changing them.
Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that there is also the building height issue. He noted that
the hours issue is a deal breaker for the cinema.
The Town Manager noted that Town Meeting's authorization to sell will also be expiring also.
The Town Manager noted that Dickinson wants a $30,000 cap on insurance and is offering
$100,000 in offsite improvements.
There are also issues of monitoring, they want the same deal as Corporex. Selectman Matthew
Nestor noted that once they own it, they have to monitor. Selectman Matthew Cummings noted
that Corporex was planning on leasing, not purchasing.
The Town Manager noted that there are issues of how the Town opts out. Selectman Matthew
Cummings noted that if they are not working due diligently then we can pull the plug. The
Town Manager noted that if the DEP closes on us, then Dickinson wants the site for $0 and they
will close. The Assistant Town Manager noted that once it is closed, then the cap would have to
be torn off for development.
Selectman Matthew Cummings noted the if the DEP forces us to close then the Town should
have the option of opting out and give them the right of first refusal.
Selectman Matthew Nestor asked about payment to Dickinson if we pull the plug. Selectman
Mattew Cummings noted that we can't negotiate something that has not been appropriated.
Stackpole Property
The Town Manager noted that Debbie Stackpole wants to sell her a portion of her property to the
Town. It is one half acre of surplus land next to the school. She will sell for $125,000 — the
Town's appraisal is $40,000—she has threatened a comprehensive permit on the back of her site.
Selectman Matthew Nestor noted that this is not a reasonable negotiating position.
The Town Manager asked if there was any interest. Selectman Sally Hoyt asked what her
original asking price was and the Town Manager noted it was $200,000.
Selectman Matthew Cummings that the Town has more important things to do with $125,000.
Selectman Camille Anthony noted that the Town doesn't have any money. If we had $75,000
we could offer it.
The Town Manager noted that we could do a proposition 2 %z override.
The consensus of the Board was not to pursue the purchase of the property.
On motion by Cummings seconded by Anthony the Board of Selectmen voted to adjourn the
Executive Session of June 20, 2000 at 10:55 p.m. On a roll call vote all four members voted in
the affirmative the motion was carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Secretary