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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-02-11 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting February 11, 1997 The meeting -vas convened at 7:30 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman George Hines, Selectmen Sally Hoyt and Dan Ensminger, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner and the following list of interested parties: Bob Silva, Betty Cronin, William Lavoie, Joe Gatto, Arthur Reynolds, Jr., Margaret Landry, Carol Nelson, Frank Maggio, Jim Sharkey, Pat Sharkey, Sharon Kelley-Parrella, Bill Bogaert, Eugenia Zangas, Nancy Eaton, Philip LeBlanc, Richard Munroe, Susanne Martin, Don Cowan, Betty Dewis, Agnes Donovan, Ms. Dew. Discussion/Action Items Police Station Siting Issues - The Chairman noted that this a single Agenda item meeting - the siting of the Police Station. He indicated that the Town would make a brief presentation, and we would expect to complete the business of this meeting by 9:30 p.m. Hines reviewed the decision-making process that the Board of Selectmen has used. The Board unanimously feels that the Police Station should be in the Downtown area of Reading. Three sites were reviewed including the Union Street parking lot plus additional property,the existing station plus the additional property to the east and the existing station plus the existing property to the south. The only available property on a friendly taking basis is the property to the south. The Board had previously committed to having a public meeting prior to making a final decision on the Police Station. Ultimately, Town Meeting will make the decision. The Town Manager reviewed the process. He noted that initially the property adjacent to the station to the east, the Molyneaux property, was thought to be available for expansion and renovation of the Police Station based on discussion with the owner. Funding was provided in 1997 budget to hire an architect to do schematic designs for the expansion of the Police Station onto that property. A Police Station Building Committee was formed and they worked with the architect on two issues: what is the necessary building program to satisfy the needs of the department - 19,200 square feet; how could that be designed schematically to provide for the addition to and renovation of the existing station. When it became clear that the adjacent property would not be available for that purpose, the Building Committee looked at alternative locations. Locations evaluated included Oakland Road across from the High School; the former RMLD site on Haven Street; the former Cerretani's site on Goodall Sanford Road; the landfill site; a site on Salem Street, the existing station plus the Molyneaux property; the existing station plus the Russell property and use of the Union Street parking lot plus adjacent property. At the same time, there was considerable input from the neighbors to the sites being considered, from the Downtown Steering Committee, from the Chamber of Commerce and from the Police Station Building Committee. The process has been very inclusive. Board of Selectmen Meeting -.February 11, 1997 - page 2 The Board of Selectmen, in consultation with various sources, has determined that the best site for this station is somewhere in or adjacent to the Downtown area of Reading for purposes of Downtown initiatives, public accessibility from the Downtown shoppers and commuters, visibility within the community, and continued public safety in the Downtown. The Board of Selectmen has had a number of property appraisals done, and has had in-depth discussions with three property owners regarding acquisition of property and/or trading of property. The Board of Selectmen held a public hearing on December 11, 1996, at which time a great deal of neighborhood input was solicited and received. The Board has reviewed all of the comments in coming to a conclusion. Based on the appraisals and discussions with all of the possible sellers, the Board has determined that there is only one feasible site where the property along with other adjacent Town property would be a viable site for an expanded Police Station - the property at 16 Parker Street. The Town Manager reviewed a schematic layout which would expand the Police Station by connecting it to the Senior Center, and expanding to the southward. The property at 16 Parker Street would be acquired, the building demolished, and a 27 car parking lot would be created. He noted that the plan shown is schematic. It shows that the needed 19,000 square feet for the station can be developed along with a total of 30 parking spaces. It would need to be fully designed and there are a number of building and site details that need to be worked out as part of the detail design. The Town Manager noted that the Town has a history of working with building occupants and neighbors in assuring that public buildings that are built and/or renovated are of highest quality. The Board of Selectmen has committed that this project will be no different - that the design will represent excellent civic architecture and that it wants to work with abutters and neighbors in the design. The Town Manager outlined the next steps which include: Articles on the April 1997 Annual Town Meeting Warrant to acquire the property at 16 Parker Street and to fund the architectural work needed to take the project to Town Meeting for their full approval in the Fall; following approval at the Annual Town Meeting, the Town will immediately hire the architect to work with the Town, the Building Committee and the neighborhood to design a project within a scope of what is outlined here; acquisition of the Russell property would take place between April of 1997 and September of 1997; a Special Town Meeting could be called in September of 1997 to approve the funding of the construction of the project; the Russell house would be demolished and parking with walls and fencing.would be completed between September of 1997 and November 1, 1997; bidding and award of bids for the construction of the project would take place by December 31, 1997; construction would begin on January of 1998 and would be completed by July 1, 1999. Sally Hoyt noted that the Board has really concentrated on each site to make the recommendation. Phil Leblanc asked if this would be a friendly taking? It was noted that it Board of Selectmen Meeting -February 11, 1997 - page 3 would but that all land takings of the Town have an eminent domain clause in it that makes sure that the title is cleared. George Hines noted that the issue of friendly taking was a key item in the decision-making process. Bill Bogeart noted that the public hasn't heard much about why the station needs to be Downtown and why the Board of Selectmen has rejected the Oakland Road site. George Hines noted that the Police Station Building Committee ultimately came back to a Downtown location. The availability of foot traffic, the historical location, the economic benefit of the facility in the Downtown, and ability to supply parking were considerations. This position has been supported by the Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Steering Committee, the Police Station Building Committee and a planning commission. Bogeart noted that there won't be any public parking created as part of this project if increasing parking is the objective, this project does not do it. Hines noted that the objective with regard to parking was to provide adequate off street parking for the Police Station, and to have no net reduction in parking. A net gain of parking was a corollary goal. Bogeart noted that a Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Steering Committee's only concern was the parking issue. Members of the neighborhood view this project as a negative. It will increase unwanted traffic in the neighborhood. If the Police Station was moved to Oakland Road, it would permit the expansion of parking. Sally Hoyt noted that with regard to the Oakland Road site, there was a lot of opposition in the neighborhood. The property belongs to the School.Department and they have said that they may have a need for it. Dan Ensminger noted that he lives in the Oakland Road neighborhood and didn't oppose that site, but he has not heard any interest in moving the Police Station out of the Downtown area. Hines feels that the School Department study has demonstrated that they don't need the site on Oakland Road. Having been through siting of various facilities, having a willing seller offers the opportunity to work with the existing site. Don Cowan noted that the Chamber of Commerce was concerned about parking. They want the Police Station Downtown for visibility. There are four banks Downtown. Having a Police Station Downtown increases the likelihood of having a walking patrol during some periods of time. At the corner of Hamden Street and Pleasant Street, he notices the presence of the Police vehicles and feels that the business area is comforted by it. The Police Station should be in a high visibility location with good accessibility. Jim Sharkey of 316 Haven Street asked if the Board of Selectmen has given thought to the impact on the residents next door. He has lived there 35 years and now will live next door to a parking lot. George Hines feels that these issues are important and best dealt with in the design phase of the project in working with the neighborhood. Dan Ensminger noted that one example of proper screening of abutting property is Crestview Exxon. The Board of Selectmen is aware of the concerns and they will pledge to work with the neighbors. Marge Landry lives on Parker Street. She lives across from the proposed site, and her car was hit by a hit and run driver in the area of the Police Station parking. She noted that this will be the third house to be demolished on Parker Street. Board of Selectmen Meetings February 11, 1997 - page 4 Arthur Reynolds from Hillside Avenue noted that the possible dead ending of Birch Meadow Drive could create access problems to the Oakland Road site. That neighborhood already has the heavy impact of the High School and the Birch Meadow area. An unnamed resident noted that it appears to her that the Board of Selectmen has heard strong opposition to the Oakland Road site and, therefore, will not use that site. The appearances to appease the neighborhood on Pleasant Street by providing superficial solutions like hiding it with tall trees. She noted that this is an important and well established neighborhood and expansion of the Police Station in this neighborhood will damage it. George Hines noted that trees won't hide the building, and that the Board has pledged to work on a design that is sensitive to the neighborhood. Carol Nelson lives in the Washington Arms Apartments, and noted that the existing station has two garage doors and providing the garage door access may decrease the parking as provided. Sally Hoyt noted that the Board of Selectmen is sensitive to everyone's issues. Siting a Police Station is important. It has been where it is now for over 100 years. The Board is sensitive to all of the neighbors' concerns and will do their best to insure that everyone's issues are addressed. Betty Dew lives on Pleasant Street. She feels that the Russells should sell their property to someone who wants to preserve it. It's a nice old house. Why not move the Police Station to the Union Street site. There have been near misses at the Senior Center site on Pleasant Street. She feels that the Board doesn't think that Pleasant Street matters. She believes the Russell home is worth preserving. She asked what is wrong with purchasing the Board of Realtors' building and building on that site. George Hines noted that the Board was unsuccessful in negotiating a reasonable deal on that site. Several members of the audience including Agnes Donovan and Phil LeBlanc noted that they would not be in favor of taking property by eminent domain. They were Town Meeting members. Dan Ensminger noted that the Board has spent three months negotiating on various potential deals. The needs of the Board of Realtors is to be made whole with a swap, including defraying of moving costs. The Town is required to get fair market value for the property, and attempts to negotiate this deal did not work. Agnes Donovan expressed concerns about the fence and the Town Manager noted that the intent was to enclose the parking lot and screen it from the neighborhood in a decorative manner. George Hines noted that there would be ample time for design input on all issues. Arthur Reynolds asked why the landfill was not considered - that would not create any site problems. George Hines noted that site is sited for economic development to benefit of the entire community. He also noted that the Town would have to bear the cost of closure of this site - that's approximately$5.6 million- in order for it to be used at all. Philip LeBlanc asked about Downtown being the site where this station needs to be. He noted that historically the Police Station was developed there because there were no Police cars. He asked why it has to be Downtown now. He asked about the possibility of building a mezzanine in the Public Works Garage and siting it there. It's two minutes away from downtown. He asked if any thought was given to that. Board of Selectmen Meeting-Februar�11 1997 - page 5 George Hines noted that the Downtown location is important for the security of Downtown. Accessibility to commuters and pedestrians is important. Dan Ensminger noted that with regard to the Public Works site, the Town has lost storage capacity from a number of locations and the Public Works site is fairly full. It is also a dead end location which requires crossing of railroad tracks and that could be problematic. George Hines noted that the Police Station Building Committee has met since 1995, and the meetings have been public and advertised. Phil LeBlanc asked the Board to look at the Public Works site, and determine if it can't be used and why not. He also asked why the number of parking spaces is provided as shown. How many people work at the site. The Town Manager noted that the day shift is the largest shift, but there are overlapping shifts and the parking is required. He suggested the possibility of cutting back parking spaces to provide buffering and shuttle Town employees from the Public Works Garage to the site. George Hines noted that there are many initiatives relative to Downtown improvements, and the expansion of the Police Station is one of them. Phil LeBlanc asked about the difference in cost of options. It was noted that they were all in the same relative range, that specific costing had not been done. George Hines asked Lt. Silva to comment on the Public Works site. Silva noted that he had talked to the Highway Supervisor about land in that location, but had never really talked about the possibility of locating the Police Station in the Public Works buildings. He did note, however, that the Public Works Garage site is a very busy construction type of environment which would not be appropriate for visiting by the public. It's also not easily accessible. Eugenia Zangas of 91 Pleasant Street spoke. She noted that she's heard a lot of comments about activity of prisoners. She feels that this project is encroaching into the neighborhood. She's concerned about having to cross Parker Street. Expansion of the Police Station at this site would be compounding an already tenuous situation. She hopes that the Board will come to a decision that will take this into account. Bogeart noted that when recounting the history of the project, the idea had been to expand the station. He hopes that this decision on this location has not been reached because that was the initial idea. The proposal shown here was viewed in December as the least desirable proposal. The site is too small and congested. He also noted that if the Police Station site was relocated to another location, then the Police activity at the existing site could go on unimpeded while construction is done. Room is needed to work on this site. He doesn't see how it would work. He heard that the Board of Selectmen and the Middlesex Board of Realtors did not agree on a price. He suggested that the Board of Selectmen should go to Town Meeting with all of the options and let Town—Meeting decide whether the Middlesex Board of Realtors' property would be worth the additional cost. He noted that other towns have moved their station out of the center of Town. Maybe the traditional thinking about a Police Station being Downtown is -, unwarranted. Dan Ensminger asked staff whether there had been discussion about the viability of constructing an addition to the existing facility and keeping the Police Department in place. Board of Selectmen Meeting -February 11 1997 -page 6 George Hines noted that he had talked with the architect and the architect felt that it can be done. The existing uses would not be displaced. Hines noted that what works for other communities may not be appropriate for Reading. Reading has different issues and priorities than other communities. Bill Brown noted that he did research in Franklin and that they did move out of the center of town. He intends to get 10 signatures to get an Article on the Warrant to use the Oakland Road site. He does not believe there is ledge there on the site. The 1976. Police Station Siting Report showed that the existing site was too small. Ms. Dew noted that the Board's response to suggestions to look into other towns seemed negative - is the door shut to addressing this option. George Hines noted that other options such as the Oakland Road site had been seriously reviewed by the Building Committee and the School Committee. Ms. Dew asked about other towns who had successfully moved their Police Station out of the center of town. George Hines said that although it could work, he doesn't feel that it would accomplish everything that the Town wants to accomplish in terms of public safety, economic development, implementation of the Master Plan, and reuse of existing facilities. What works for one town does not necessarily work for Reading. Arthur Reynolds noted that he doesn't mean to pit neighborhood against neighborhood but he has lived in the Birch Meadow area for twenty years and they live with the traffic, etc. from the High School. He doesn't feel that another public facility in this area would be fair to the community. He feels that the Police Station should be built in a way that is safe, attractive, functional and affordable and not on Oakland Road. Phil LeBlanc noted that he grew up in Arlington and that they had moved the Police Station out of the center of town and built a public safety complex. He asked the Board of Selectmen to take a look at the Public Works site. That would be in an area that is industrial. He feels that railroad tracks are not an issue, and there is no neighborhood issue. Carol Nelson noted that since we've been looking since 1995, have we looked at the future needs. George Hines noted that the Police Station Building Committee and the architect felt that this would meet future needs. All needs can be met in a 19,000 square foot expanded building. The size of the Police Force is not expected to grow at its maximum over.50 officers from the 40 currently employed. The building will be designed for the maximum. Bill Brown noted that the 1976 edition of the Town Report had 19 sites selected. Three of those are ones that this committee has looked at. Nancy Eaton noted that whatever site is chosen, nobody wants it in their backyard. She had recommended the Haverhill Street Nike Site across from the Ice Arena. The property is Town owned and there is plenty of parking. As a Town Meeting Member, she does not feel that Town Meeting should be limited to one site. Town Meeting should decide. Board of Selectmen Meeting; -Februaryyl 1, 1997 - page 7 Agnes Donovan noted that some peoples preference may be the Union Street site. She would be concerned about a vacant Town building. She doesn't feel that we need another vacant Town building. Dan Ensminger noted that was part of the Board's deliberations. Creating a vacant Town building complicates the issue and the issue should be simple. Donovan noted that sometimes the devil you know may be better than the devil that you don't know. Phil LeBlanc noted that all the input that has been received has been negative. Are we under the gun, can we wait until September? Lt. Silva noted that the working conditions now are difficult and dangerous in that building. It does not meet the needs of the public. The building has been outgrown. There are 52 people who work in that building. We can't wait much longer. The result may be someone getting hurt. It is very inadequate, and it is an embarrassment to the community. George Hines noted that he feels everyone recognizes the need for a new Police Station. Bill Bogeart noted that he accepts the need. He felt that it was important to note that the availability of the current plan has been known, and the Committee has not endorsed it. The Building Committee is in a tough place. George Hines noted that the Police Station Building Committee had actually recommended taking the Molyneaux property next to Mr. Bogeart's property, but they can't because it is not available. Arthur Reynolds asked if a five month delay until September can be accommodated. An unidentified resident noted that she likes having the Police Station Downtown. She feels that adding it to the existing station is not a good idea. She feels that it should go the Union Street site. She feels the Town should dig deeper into its pockets, and that would allow a great structure to be built. Bill Lavoie lives across the street from the Police Department. He doesn't want to lose it in the neighborhood. Parking for the Senior Center is a problem. If the Police Station is moved to the Union Street site, then the Police Station could be demolished and parking for the Senior Center can be developed. He feels there is no real increase on the parking. There are now 25 parking spaces on the lot. Phil LeBlanc asked about the use of Memorial Park, and it was noted that it would require an act of the legislature. George Hines noted that the Board has and will give every assurance to the neighborhood that in the design there will be adequate input. The Board adjourned for a five minute recess at 9:18 p.m. When the Board came back into Open Session, the Board members spoke. Board of Selectmen Meeting-February 11, 1997 - page 8 Dan Ensminger noted that he has heard a lot of testimony over the weeks. The question before the Board right now is whether or not we focus on one option or consider it a wide open process still. Going on his experience with Town Meeting, he suggests that we focus on a single option. The Union Street transaction would be complicated. There is not a willing seller. Going to any other site requires a disposition plan for the existing building. Ideas that have been talked about are parking, commercial use, a youth center, and an arts center. In thinking through the options, he had been favorably disposed to the Oakland Road neighborhood. The neighborhood is not entirely resistant, but there is not much community support for that site. The Board has spent a lot of time trying to negotiate the Union Street site. When it all added up, the Middlesex Board of Realtors does not really want to move, and it would wind up being more expensive to the Town and the Town would be paying more for the property than it can based on appraisals. That leaves the Molyneaux property or the Parker Street property. The Town has made a lot of efforts to go to the Molyneaux site. His attitude was to prove that the Parker Street site will work. The sketch plan and discussion with the architect have shown that it will work. His preference is to take the Parker Street site and only the Parker Street site to Town Meeting for a decision. Sally Hoyt noted that her first preference was the Union Street lot but she noted that any extra cost would be passed along to the tax payers. The Board has given it a great deal of thought, study and effort. The Union Street site is also in a residential neighborhood. Perhaps there are not so many problems at that site, but we would then be left with the present site. The concerns stated by residents tonight will be addressed. She agrees with Dan Ensminger. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to direct the Town Manager to prepare a Warrant Article for Town Meeting for the Town to acquire the Parker Street property for expansion of the Police Station. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-0. George Hines thanked all those in attendance, and noted that the Board looked forward to working with them on this project. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to adjourn at 9:26 p.m. by a vote of 3-0-0. Respectfully submitted, Secretary