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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-03-08 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting March 8, 2000 The meeting convened at 7:40 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Vice Chairman Matthew Nestor, Secretary George Hines, Selectmen Camille Anthony and Matthew Cummings, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager Russell Dean, Town Planner Anne Krieg, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Steven Wiley, Robert Petrosino, Heidi Petrosino, Robert Kiley, Steven Kiley. Discussion/Action Items Decision — Landfill Development — Assistant Town Manager Russell Dean reviewed the questions and answers that the Selectmen had regarding the Lincoln proposal. 1. How would water usage play into the MWRA buy-in? Lincoln's proposal translates into a buy-in fee of$515,553. Dickinson's proposal translates into a buy-in fee of$202,286. 2. Request written confirmation from Lincoln that the office component is back in the plan. Written confirmation was received from Lincoln. 3. Request for a revised timeline including the zoning change. Lincoln's revised timeline confirms a 30 day P & S negotiation, and a 90 day due diligence period. 4. Request for clarification from Dickinson on the "future" office building. Dickinson has indicated that the office building will be built in conjunction with the Home Depot beginning August 2001. 5. What zoning changes are needed for the proposal? The Lincoln proposal requires the addition of an overlay district to accommodate residential development on the landfill. The Lincoln proposal requires a zoning amendment to modify the interpretation of maximum height requirement. The Dickinson proposal requires a zoning amendment to modify the interpretation of maximum height requirement. The cinema component will require a Special Permit from the Board of Appeals. 6. On the Lincoln proposal, estimate the number of school children. Lincoln has provided an estimate of five children per 100 units. This estimate would yield a total of 17.5 school children at $5500 per pupil=$96,250 in annual potential education burden. 7. Add excise valuation for the Lincoln proposal. The average excise billing is $95.70 using a factor of 1.5 vehicles per apartment; on 350 units, this would add an additional annual revenue of$50,243 to Lincoln's proposal. This number is subject to change depending upon number and age of vehicles. Board of Selectmen Meeting—March 8, 2000—Page 2 Vice Chairman Matthew Nestor noted that Lincoln's last proposal was for 450 residential units with no office. Now they are throwing in an office with a five year delay. The Town Manager noted that they cannot guarantee an office. Vice Chairman Matthew Nestor noted that if the office is not built, then the numbers in the 15 year projection will change. The Assistant Town Manager noted that the annual revenues from property tax and motor vehicle excise tax would add up to about$1500 per unit. Vice Chairman Matthew Nestor noted that the additional MWRA buy-in fee is a one time fee. The Assistant Town Manager noted that was correct and water bills are paid by the users. Selectman George Hines noted that the Town should be trying to reduce educational impacts because we are having difficulties meeting the current demands on municipal services. Robert Petrosino of 18 Elliot Street commented on the impact on municipal and school services. Bob Kiley of 37 William Road asked if switching to MWRA is a given. The Town Manager noted that the Board of Selectmen will be making a decision on that within the next couple of months. Mr. Kiley noted that he would prefer a Home Depot and Applebee's. Selectman Camille Anthony noted that Lincoln is paying $4 million for the landfill closing, and asked what would happen if it goes over. The Town Manager noted that it will be a plain vanilla closing, and$4 million is the average price for that. Steven Kiley of 16 Vine Street asked if Dickinson has changed their proposal. Vice Chairman Matthew Nestor noted that in the first go around, Dickinson wasn't shy about changing their proposal, and they have reconfirmed their proposal. Robert Petrosino 18 Elliot Street noted that the Board needs to consider the affect on school and he noted that the earlier we get the money,the more valuable it is. Selectman George Hines noted that the Lincoln proposal will require a zoning change at Town Meeting, and also that this proposal could be lobbied at Town Meeting because there will be an impact to the schools. He will not support a residential proposal. Selectman Matthew Cummings asked about liability. The Town Manager noted that liability insurance, monitoring costs, etc. all have to be negotiated. Bob Kiley noted that Corporex claimed it was going to cost them $7 million to close the landfill. The Town Manager noted that was for their post closure use. Mr. Kiley indicated he didn't think $4 million was going to be enough. Selectman George Hines noted that the Master Plan calls for commercial use and we are deviating from that. He asked if this would require a change in the Adult Use Bylaw. Town Planner Anne Krieg noted that residential use would impact this Bylaw. Board of Selectmen Meeting—March 8, 2000—Page 3 Selectman George Hines noted that the Town's first attempt at the Adult Use Bylaw was thrown out because there was not enough area and now we will be reducing that area. The Town Planner noted that the landfill is not the guiding force for the Adult Use Bylaw. Vice Chairman Matthew Nestor noted that this impacts such a small area and it would be void. Selectman Matthew Cummings noted,that none of the choices are great. He prefers to look at the worse case scenario with Lincoln. On motion by Cummings seconded by Anthony, the Board of Selectmen voted to designate the Lincoln Property Company as the developer/purchaser of the Reading Business Park for its development as presented to the Board of Selectmen this day; and that the Board of Selectmen direct the Town Manager and Town Counsel to move diligently to negotiate the terms of a Purchase and Sales Agreement with the Lincoln Property Company. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-1-0,with Hines opposed. The Town Manager confirmed that the option the Board wants is for 350 units with 10% affordable, a hotel and office pad with five years to develop or it reverts back to the Town, off site mitigation, and the Town will receive$2,650,000 upon closing. On motion by Anthony seconded by Hines, the Board of Selectmen voted to adjourn their meeting of March 8, 2000 at 9:10 p.m. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0 and the meeting was adjourned.- Respectfullysubmitte , Secretary