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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-11-04 Board of Selectmen Executive Session Minutes Board of Selectmen Executive Session Minutes November 4, 1992 The meeting was convened at 7: 10 p.m. in the Selectmens Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Dan Ensminger, Secretary Sally Hoyt, Selectmen Gene Nigro and Bill Burditt, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Finance Director Beth Klepeis, Town Accountant Richard Foley, School Committee members Matt Cummings, Tim Twomey, Robin D'Antona, Barbara Philbrick and Sue Cavicchi; Finance Committee members Richard Coco, Fred VanMagness, Bill Murphy, Bill Albro, Nate White, Jim Keigley, Gerry MacDonald and Carroll McMillan. Selectman George Hines arrived at approximately 7: 15. The Town Manager presented a packet of material outlining FY93, 94 and 95 budget projections, the status of negotiations for School/Municipal Unions, material from Labor Counsel outlining low cost or no cost incentives for collective bargaining dated August 26, 1992 , and a schedule showing teachers' salary com- parisons dated 10/13/92 . Members present discussed various aspects of the projections. The Board of Selectmen were con- cerned that the material submitted represented a change in philosophy by showing recycling no longer to be a tax-supported expense, the actuarial study shows that there will need to be an increase in pension, we reflected no new growth for FY94 and 95, and many issues related to the School Department including teachers' step increases, special needs increases and the cost of various capital projects were not included. The Town Manager in- dicated that these projections are order of magnitude projections and not intended to be final or very specific at this time. There was discussion on the desirability of having all contracts for the Town and the School expire at the same time. General consensus was that this would be a good idea. There was discus- sion about where additional funding could come from or how ex- penses could be reduced in order to support salary increases for employees. The School Committee indicated that the proposal from the teachers was a 5% increase in February 1993, another 5% in- crease in September 1993 , and a 3% increase in February 1994. The cost of step increases, that level of increase for teachers, and other needs could well top $1, 000, 000 per year. Available revenues are in the order of two to three hundred thousand dol- lars per year. The group agreed that the Budget Committee would meet within the next several days and that the entire group would get back together within a couple of weeks to try to come to some conclusions. The Finance Committee and the School Committee left, and Town Counsel Ron Kaczynski joined the Board of Selectmen along with Bob Nordstrand, Assessor. The Board discussed the possibility of biotechnology uses on the landfill property based on discussions that the Community Development Department, George Hines, and the Town Manager have had. This looks like it might become a viable use for the property and is more in keeping with the office use originally proposed. There are advantages and disadvantages to the retail use as proposed by Homart. The advantages are im- mediate cash from the sale of the property, the taxes that would accrue, the fact that it would cap the landfill, and traffic Selectmen's Executive Minutes - 11/04/92 - page 2 would be more dispersed during the day. The disadvantages are aesthetics, the impact on the downtown, and the fact that there would be more traffic spread out throughout the day. Dan Slattery and Merrick Ludwig from Homart joined the group. Slattery updated the Board indicating that they have done market- ing to some specific firms and interest is very high. They have evaluated the possibility of an outlet mall at the site and it is not feasible for an institutional investor. It doesn't maximize the value of the land and such users do not enter into long-term commitments. A big box retail organization makes a 20-year com- mitment. When asked, Homart indicated that they would evaluate the feasibility of their being involved in the development of the site for biotech uses. They indicated that they are not primarily a build-to-suit developer and that is not where their expertise is. They haven't pursued this use. If they would have some assistance i.e. leads etc. they would explore it. Otherwise it would not be feasible. Homart will get back to the Town in a week to ten days at which time they will also have an update on the permit process. Homart indicated that the site for retail use would be subject to the MEPA process and therefore some off site improvements would be done even for retail use. For retail use, Homart would want a six-month extension to secure commit- ments from potential users, and would anticipate a spring 1994 construction date. On motion by Hines seconded by Burditt the Board voted to come out of Executive Session at 9:25 p.m. All five members voted in the affirmative and the Board came out of Executive Session. Respectfully submitted, Aecrety