HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-11-17 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting
November 17, 1998
The meeting was convened at 7:05 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting_ Room, 16 Lowell Street,
Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Bruce MacDonald, Vice Chairman Sally Hoyt,
Secretary Matthew Nestor (arrived late), Selectmen Camille Anthony and George Hines, Town
Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager Russell Dean, Paula Schena. and the
following list of interested parties: Russell Graham, Bob McCullough, Chris Todd, Jim Marego,
David Wilson, Mark Zarello, Stephen Cramer, Tony Tambone, Doug Hines, Kevin Maloney,
Bill Blackham, Brad Latham, Mark Dickinson, Jeff Donahue, Bill Roach, David Sweetser, James
Leach, Bill Fernard, Bob Hoffman.
Discussion/Action Items
Close Warrant for Special Town Meeting on December 7, 1998 — Russell Graham, Chairman of
the School Building Committee, was present. The Town Manager indicated that Articles 4 and 5
were requested by the School Building Committee. Article 4 requests construction of a new
school on Dividence Road. Article 5 requests expansion at the Barrows School.
On motion by Anthony seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to close the Warrant for a Special
Town Meeting consisting of five Articles, to be held at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, December 7, 1998
— , in the Auditorium at the Reading Memorial High School. The motion was approved by a vote of
4-0-0.
Presentation and Review—Reading Business Park Proposals—Camille Anthony read a statement
to the public stating that, in accordance with Section 23(b) of the Conflict of Interest law, she
was disclosing that her son-in-law sent a letter to Dickinson Development soliciting
support/sponsorship for a youth basketball tournament to be held in December. Subsequently,
her soil-in-law has contacted Dickinson Development to disregard this solicitation. Dickinson
neither offered nor gave any money or any other thing of value in response to this solicitation.
Camille Anthony indicated that this matter would have no impact on how she evaluates the
various proposals before the Board.
Lincoln —Bob McCullough, Chris Todd, and Jim Marego were present to represent the Lincoln
proposal. Bob McCullough gave the history of the company. Chris Todd discussed the site plan.
Mr. Todd indicated that the site would be used for hotel/office/luxury apartments. Jim Marego
noted that the capping and design must be integrated. He also noted that the Danvers Walmart
was built on a landfill and Lynn High School was built on a landfill. Bob McCullough indicated
that the Town would be given $7.65 million for capping the landfill.
Sally Hoyt asked if they had experience building on a landfill or capping. Chris Todd indicated
_ that they have built next to landfills but not on top of a landfill. Sally Hoyt asked how many
levels the buildings would have. Chris Todd indicated that the apartments would have three to
four stories with the garage underneath, and two to three stories for the apartments at grade level.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—November 17, 1998—page 2
The hotel would be four to five stories and the office would be four to six stories. She also
asked what the timeframe would be and it was noted it would take 15-18 months to complete.
Camille Anthony asked about offsite improvements and open space. Bob McCullough noted that
no offsite improvements are being offered but they will do traffic mitigation. Chris Todd noted
that there would be a lot of open space—the majority of the site remains green.
George Hines indicated that the Business Park Advisory Committee recommends that the usage
and density proposed be the only ones permitted. The representatives from Lincoln noted they
would accept that.
George Hines noted that this proposal has the highest impact on schools and water, and asked
what methods they would consider for mitigating. Chris Todd replied that they sub-meter in
some states but can't do that in Massachusetts. Sprinkler systems have been developed to save
water.
Bruce MacDonald asked if they would agree to conditions regarding low water use landscaping.
Chris Todd noted it would not be a problem.
Camille Anthony asked about population numbers. Chris Todd noted that the apartments would
be one and two bedrooms, and would be geared toward people willing and able to pay for quality
services. These apartments would attract singles, newlyweds and couples without children.
Camille Anthony asked how many jobs would be created and Bob McCullough replied
approximately 650.
The Town Manager asked what they could do to guarantee the Town that they would continue
and succeed with the project. Bob McCullough noted that no project has ever been dropped.
Chris. Todd indicated that this is a very attractive project, and that they do not want to let go
because there are not many opportunities in the area.
Corporex — David Wilson, Mark Zarello, Stephen Cramer, Tony Tambone, Doug Hines, Kevin
Maloney and Bill Blackham were present to represent the Corporex proposal. David Wilson
gave the history of the company. Kevin Maloney indicated that they are proposing to put a
health club, full service hotel and office on the site.
David Wilson noted that there would be a lot of open space; 300 parking spaces; the traffic
estimates were 3300 per day for all three uses; they would do studies on the water demand and
sewerage and an estimated tax revenue of S1.8 million would be paid to the Town. Bill
Blackham noted that this proposal would have no burden on the schools, no retail, will build all
at once and will cap the landfill.
George Hines noted that the Business Park Advisory Committee recommends that the usage and
density proposed be the only ones perinitted. Bill Blackam noted that they would accept that for
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use but the density could change somewhat.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—November 17, 1998—page 3
Sally Hoyt asked if they had any experience building on a landfill. Bill Blackham answered no,
that they were currently undertaking one in San Francisco. They would bring in a specialist.
Sally Hoyt asked what the fee for the health club would be. It was noted that it would be in the
range of$1,000-$3,500 with monthly dues of$50-$150 and no food minimum.
Bruce MacDonald asked about the capping. Kevin Maloney noted that they would have to work
with the experts, and they were looking at a capping initial start date of November, 2000. Bruce
MacDonald asked if they would work on low water use and it was noted that they would.
The Town Manager asked what guarantee they would give to the Town that they will continue
and succeed with the project. Kevin Maloney indicated that the best guarantee is that they will
be spending a tremendous amount of their money, not the Town's money, and that the lease
payment would commence with the issuance of the building permit.
Dickinson — Attorney Brad Latham, Mark Dickinson, Jeff Donahue, Bill Roach and David
Sweetser were present to represent the Dickinson proposal.
Brad Latham indicated that Dickinson is proposing a mixed use of theater/hotel/restaurant/office
for the site. Regarding the concern of Home Depot, competition is not necessarily bad -- it keeps
prices low and requires good service.
Bill Roach noted that the site plan respects the wetlands and buffer zone.
Mark Dickinson noted that the Town would receive $3 million for the purchase, $5 million to
cap the landfill, $1 million in off-site improvements and $1 million in tax revenues. The tenants
of his development would be National Amusements, Home Depot, Bass Hotels and Resorts and
Applebee's.
Camille Anthony asked about the office tenant caliber. Mark Dickinson noted'it would be a
tenant who needs affordable office space with a lot of parking. The office will go on top of
Home Depot. Camille Anthony had concerns regarding trucking and traffic. It was noted that
trucks would bring their deliveries underneath the buildings, and traffic would be dealt with by
detail Police Officers.
George Hines noted that the Business Park Advisory Committee recommends that the usage and
density proposed be the only ones allowed on the site. Mark Dickinson indicated he would
accept that.
Sally Hoyt asked if Dickinson had experience in capping a landfill. Mark Dickinson answered
yes. George Hines indicated that Dickinson had not built on the landfill but a contractor did.
Matthew Nestor had concerns regarding traffic and asked about the theater in Randolph. Dave
Sweetser noted that Randolph had a different parking ratio.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—November 17, 1998—paw
Bruce MacDonald asked what guarantee they would give to the Town that they would continue
and succeed with the project. Mark Dickinson answered that when the P & S is signed, they
would commit to a timetable and specifications. They would also put up a bank letter of credit.
Leach — James Leach, Bill Fernard and Bob Hoffman were present to represent the Leach
proposal. They are proposing to put a hotel/office/upscale discount retail on the site.
George Hines noted that the Business Park Advisory Committee did not recommend this
proposal but because of the price ($10 million), he suggested that the Board of Selectmen
interview them. The concerns that the committee had are that there are no proposal specifics.
Leach would pay the Town $10 million, and the Town would pay the cost of capping the landfill.
James Leach would develop the site and Bill Femard would deal with prospective owners. The
Fernard report would decide what goes on the site.
Camille Anthony had concerns because the proposal had no vision.
On motion by Anthony seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen voted to adjourn their
meeting of November 17, 1998 at 11:08 p.m. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0.
Respe fully submitted,
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