HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-03-10 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting
March 10, 1998
The meeting was convened at 7:30 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street,
Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Camille Anthony, Vice Chairman Bruce
MacDonald, Secretary Sally Hoyt, Selectmen George Hines and Daniel Ensminger, Town
Manager Peter I. Hechenbleikner, and the following list of interested parties: Dick McDonald,
Ed Shaw, Mark Dickinson, Jay Mason, Bill O'Brien, Don Stroeble, David Nugent, Nancy Eaton,
Brad Latham.
Discussion/Action Items
Review with the Reading Business Park Task Force the Proposals for the Sale of the Former
Landfill Site—Mark Dickinson from Dickinson Development was present to review his proposal
for mixed office and retail use. A Home Depot and office building would be built on the lower
.portion of the site, and two soccer fields would be constructed on the upper portion of the site for
the Town.
Bruce MacDonald asked about the tax return to the Town of Reading and the number of jobs that
would be created. It was noted that the hiring preference would be local. Regarding the impact
on Downtown, Brad Latham noted that the customers wouldn't be just from Reading and
wouldn't be people who shop Downtown.
Sally Hoyt had concerns regarding the effect on local businesses.
George Hines asked if it would be a 24 hour store. Mark Dickinson indicated the normal closing
hours are 11:00-12:00 p.m. but they are willing to accept restrictions.
Camille Anthony noted that the site plan showed 650 parking spaces.
Conuess Development — Congress Development proposed putting office building/hotel on the
landfill site. The most recent revision to their proposal is to assume all costs associated with the
landfill capping and closure of the property. Tax payments would begin when a Certificate of
Occupancy is granted for each building.
George Hines asked about their relationship with.Homart. Hines also noted it was difficult to
evaluate the project because it has changed so much.
Sally Hoyt noted that the Town should know and approve the fill going into the site. She's
concerned about the length of time before the Town gets any tax revenue.
Bruce MacDonald asked about water use. It was noted that there are alternatives; i.e., going to
Wakefield.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—March 10, 1998—Page 2
On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to accept any additional
information by the current proposals and must be received by 5:00 p.m. on March 17, 1998. The
motion was approved by a vote of 4-1-0, with Hines opposed.
On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve and sign
the deed for the sale of Bear Hill land. The motion was approve by a vote of 5-0-0.
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen voted to adjourn their
meeting of March 10, 1998. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
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