HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-07-10 Board of Selectmen Minutes - Executive Session ' Board of Selectmen Meeting
Executive Session
July 10, 2012
The meeting convened at 7:00 p.m. in the Arnold Berger Meeting Room, 16 Lowell
Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Stephen Goldy, Vice
Chairman Ben Tafoya, Secretary Richard Schubert, Selectman John Arena, Town
Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director Bob
LeLacheur, and Office Manager Paula Schena.
The Town Manager noted that the Post Office is for sale and he needs to know if there is
any interest in exploring its use for municipal purposes. He noted there is a dead spot in
downtown and it would be nice to have something vital going on. The building was built
in 1913 and is on the National Register of Historic Buildings. The building is a total
16,000 square feet and has plenty of parking. The Post Office needs retail space of 1500
square feet downtown for postal services. They are hoping to get around $1.2 million for
the property. It could be used as an arts center, public library, municipal parking lot and
the schools are also looking for more space.
John Arena asked if we would have to build up for a library and the Town Manager
indicated yes we would need three stories.
' Richard Schubert asked about the timeframe and the Town Manager indicated they want
to complete the transaction within two years.
Ben Tafoya noted that the merchants are upset about losing the Post Office and they feel
no top grade company will want it unless they tear it down.
The consensus of the Board was to continue to explore.
Ben Tafoya suggested the Town Manager speak with Reading Co-Op Bank.
The Town Manager indicated he will get in touch with the Post Office and arrange a tour
and talk to staff about possible uses. He will have a structural engineer take a look at it
too.
A motion by Tafoya seconded by Schubert to adjourn the Executive Session at 7:30
p.m. was approved on a roll call vote with all four members voting in the
affirmative.
Respectfully submi d,
'F�lhVh �1I
' Secretary