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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-06-15 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting June 15, 1999 The meeting convened at 7:30 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Sally Hoyt, Secretary Matthew Nestor, Selectmen Camille Anthony and George Hines, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager Russell Dean, and the following list of interested parties: Deirdre Hanley, Donna InDelicato, Will Finch, Nancy Eaton, Kim Honetschlager, Pete Dahl, Mary Williams, Gladys Montgomery Jones, Virginia Adams, David Proch Wilson, Tim Twomey, David Santomena. The Town Manager presented the completed Corporex lease to the Board of Selectmen. On motion by Anthony seconded by Hines, the Board voted to authorize the execution of the lease between the Town of Reading and Corporex for the lease of the Reading Business Park also known as the Reading landfill in substantially the form submitted and to sign the disclosure form and all related forms upon the receipt of an appraisal which determines that the value of the land is equal to or greater than 80% of the fair market value of the property. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. The Town Manager noted that we have had verbal confirmation that the appraisal does meet these criteria and the appraisal is being written and will be completed by next Tuesday. It is anticipated that a formal "signing ceremony" will take place on Tuesday before the Selectmen's meeting. David Proch Wilson complimented the Town on the process and indicated that they have started to move forward on all the work that they need to do, and look forward to presenting the concept plan to the Board of Selectmen on July 6th Discussion/Action Items Closing Warrant for Special Town Meeting_— The Town Manager presented 7 Articles for a Special Town Meeting to be held on June 30, 1999. The Board discussed whether or not the meeting should be held on the 301h or on July 6th The Board discussed proposed Article 5 which will authorize the expenditure to debt of $800,000 for the purchase property on Mill Street. A number of questions arose relative to the financing mechanism. The Town Manager noted that if all the current assumptions hold for the Capital Improvements Program, that we could bond for either $336,000 (the total purchase price plus grant) or for the total purchase price of$800,000 over five or ten years respectively. This would fit within the Town's resources to do this work, but there are two projects equalling almost $500,000 in this year's Capital Program that are not being done because of lack of funding. Board of Selectmen Meeting:—June 15, 1999—Page 2 Kim Honetschlager and Gladys Montgomery Jones spoke in favor of the Town acquiring the land in the simplest way. Tim Twomey from the School Committee noted that a decision to post Special Town Meeting on August 2nd makes the action under Article 4 on the budget too late for the School Department to implement its priorities. He also noted that there was a good chance of getting the $450,000 additional State aid but that would not be known by June 301h. Some of that money could be used for land acquisition. David Santomena from the Trust for Public Lands spoke. He noted that the State acquisition is a reimbursement, and that a decision on the grant will not be made until October. Trust for Public Lands will want the Town to purchase the land immediately after the Trust purchases the land from Kenwood. The Town Manager noted that the Town would prefer to have the Trust hold the land until we know about the grant, even though we would still spend the $800,000 for the land if we did not get the grant. Nancy Eaton noted that the grant amount is $464,000 not for $480,000 as represented. She noted that we should know on a State waiver. The group that conducted the site inspections with representatives of the State indicated that a waiver would be forthcoming. Mary Williams from the School Committee noted that June 30th is the drop-dead date for the School Committee to make any decisions on the FY 2000 budget. She did note that at Town Meeting, Town Meeting could be asked whether they wanted to put this matter on for a Prop 2 %2 override in which case they could agree to meet on August 3rd' or whether they wanted to go ahead and acquire the land. On motion by Anthony seconded by Nestor, the Board voted to close the Warrant consisting of 7 Articles for a Special Town Meeting to be held on June 30, 1999. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-1-0, with Hines opposed. The Board discussed Article 4 — the amendments to the FY 2000 Budget. It was suggested that the Warrant Report clarify what the Town's proposal for use of additional funds were. It was also noted that the Town proposals are not for items that have to be funded year to year. Donna InDelicato from the Library Board spoke. She spoke in favor of full funding for the Library's request for materials. George Hines asked what the education reform costs have been put on the Library. Deirdre Hanley noted that we would know that by the end of the fiscal year. F S Board of Selectmen Meeting—June 15, 1999—Page 3 Camille Anthony reported on the Breakfast Meeting this morning of the South Main Street businesses. Another meeting is scheduled for August. Matt Nestor asked the Town Manager for a status update on George Street. The Town Manager noted that he is meeting next week with the Planner and with representatives from the Department of Housing and Community Development, and that the Chairman and he are meeting on Thursday with the Developer. The Department of Housing and Community Development's comment was that the Town is supposed to negotiate with the Developer. The Town Manager will be meeting with the DHCD representatives to determine exactly what the parameters are. There has been no approval and there is no negotiation. , On motion by Hines seconded by Nestor, the Board of Selectmen voted to request Town Meeting to support $20,000 for Library materials and $25,000 for Police training from the $137,000 available from additional State aid. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. On motion by Anthony seconded by Hines, the Board voted to adjourn their meeting of June 15, 1999 at 9:00 p.m. by a vote of 4-0-0. Respectfully submitted, A" Secretary f }