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Home My WebLink About2001-03-20 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting March 20, 2001 The meeting convened at 7:36 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Matthew Nestor, Vice Chairman George Hines, Selectman Matthew Cummings, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager Russell Dean, Town Counsel Joan Langsam, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Gerry MacDonald, William and Cindy Lavoie, William Bogaert, Eugenia Zanges, Don Allen, John Hixson, Karen Flammia, Andrea Durham, Bill Brown, Jane and Bruce Harrison, Peter Simms, Jay Smith, Lois Bond, Betty Cronin, Gil and Barbara Rodrigues, Susanne Martin, Angela Fischer, Judith Mitchel, Virginia Adams, Roberta Sullivan, Kathy Greenfield, Clayton Jones, Thomas O'Connor, Linda Keyes, Steve Percy. A motion by Hines seconded by Cummings to go into Executive Session for the purpose of strategy with respect to labor negotiations (Engineer/Water Treatment Plant contract), and strategy with respect to litigation (82 Linden Street and Video Expo) to come back into Open Session at 8:00 p.m. was approved on a roll call vote with all three members voting in the affirmative. The Board reconvened in Open Session at 8:05 p.m. Discussion/Action Items Review of Proposals — "old" Police Station — The Town Manager reviewed the process and proposals that were received. Don Allen, Chairman of the Reading Housing Authority, reviewed their proposal. Vice Chairman George Hines asked about funding sources, and Executive Director of the Reading Housing Authority John Hixson indicated that their chances are quite good. The Town Manager noted that the Town has applied for grants twice and was not successful. He also noted that the $12,000 in revenues from the parking lot is not an achievable amount. Bill Bogaert of 91 Pleasant Street noted that he is against the Reading Housing Authority's proposal. He also noted that the new Police Station took the Union Street parking lot and the 41 spaces at the "old" Police Station were to replace the Union Street parking lot. He feels the Housing Authority's proposal is not good for the Town or neighborhood. Susanne Martin of 11 Pleasant Street noted that the parking lot in the Housing Authority's proposal is too close to the abutters and it will reduce their quality of life. She feels that adding more housing will have a negative effect on the neighborhood. Cindy Lavoie of 54 Pleasant Street noted that when the Senior Center is being used at night, there is no parking available. Board of Selectmen Meeting—March 20, 2001 —Page 2 Jay Smith, President of the Reading/North Reading Chamber of Commerce, noted that the Chamber of Commerce hopes this lot will be for parking for employees. He also noted that the Housing Authority's proposal doesn't provide enough parking and it is further away. He reminded the Board that the parking spaces were promised to the businesses. Lois Bond of 178 Walnut Street noted that the Senior Center has been waiting for more parking since 1992. The Housing Authority's plan for parking is too far away for the elders. Andrea Durham of 97 Pleasant Street noted that the hill will be too steep for the seniors. She suggested that the Town consider selling some of the architectural details on the "old" Police Station. Jane Harrison, owner of the Animal Hospital, noted that parking is a problem for her employees, and additional parking is very much needed. Virginia Adams of 59 Azalea Circle noted that the Town has been successful in receiving grants in the past. She also noted that the Town was successful when it joined in the Atlantic parking lot. Linda Keyes of 320 Haven Street noted that the parking lot will go right up to her property and fences or trees won't hide the headlights. Barbara Rodrigues of the Perfection Hair and Nail Salon noted that additional parking is needed for employees. Steve Percy of 76 Pleasant Street noted that the cars line both sides of Pleasant Street when there is a function going on at the Senior Center. He also noted that it is a rare event to have property available for parking. Kathy Greenfield of the Downtown Steering Committee indicated that she thinks the Housing Authority's proposal is a win/win situation. Bill Bogeart of 91 Pleasant Street noted that the Housing Authority wants to bring more people into the neighborhood and risk the quality of life. He also noted that the majority of people believe that the initial plan to demolish the"old"Police Station provides the most parking. Peter Simms of the Downtown Steering Committee noted that Lexington, Winchester and Melrose have addressed off-street parking for employees and they enforce their parking regulations. He also noted that a parking ramp would create an additional 25 spaces. Chairman Matthew Nestor noted that he appreciates the work of the Reading Housing Authority but too many homes are effected and there is a big difference between 34 parking spaces and 42 parking spaces. Board of Selectmen Meeting—March 20, 2001 —Page 3 Vice Chairman George Hines agreed with Chairman Matthew Nestor. He reviewed all of the proposals and none of them meet the requirements of the RFP. He noted that there are far greater examples of this architect's work elsewhere in Reading. Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that all bids should be rejected because they don't meet the requirement s of the RFP. The need for parking outweighs the need for housing. A motion by Cummings seconded by Hines to reject all bids was approved by a vote of 3-0-0. The Town Manager noted that he will ask the Historical Commission to lift the demolition delay to meet the March 31 st deadline for the award of the bid for demolition. The Town Manager discussed the upcoming brush collection with the Board. A motion by Cummings seconded by Hines to adjourn their meeting of March 20, 2001 at 9:25 p.m. was approved by a vote of 3-0-0 and the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, r ` c Secre(?v�`