HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-05-06 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting
May 6, 1997
The meeting was convened at 7:35 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street,
Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman George Hines, Vice Chairman Camille Anthony,
Secretary Bruce MacDonald, Selectman Dan Ensminger, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner,
Town Counsel H Theodore Cohen.
Discussion/Action Items
Review Warrant - Special Town Meeting - The Board of Selectmen reviewed the Warrant for the
Special Town Meeting. Under Article 4 which is the acquisition of the property at 13 Union
Street, Bruce MacDonald will review the current status, George Hines will present the history of
the negotiations, Dan Ensminger will present the financials, and Bruce MacDonald will review the
building program.
On motion by Ensminger seconded by Anthony, the Board voted to go into Executive Session for
the purpose of discussion of strategy with respect to purchase or sale of real estate and litigation,
to come back into Open Session. On a roll call vote, all four members present voted in the
affirmative and the motion was carried.
The Board reconvened the Open Session at 8:55 p.m. They noted that Article 4 is still a subject
of real estate negotiation and, therefore, would not be discussed.
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Anthony, the Board voted to support the subject matter of
Article 5 by a vote of 4-0-0.
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Ensminger, the Board voted to table the subject matter of
Article 6 by a vote of 3-1-0, with Hines opposed.
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Anthony, the Board voted to support the subject matter of
Article 7 by a vote of 3-1-0, with Hines opposed.
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Ensminger, the Board voted to support the subject matter
of Article 8 by a vote of 3-1-0, with Hines opposed. It was noted that the metes and bounds
description is needed. An amendment by Anthony seconded by Ensminger that the value under
Article 8 be established at no less than 80% of appraised value was approved by a vote of 3-1-0,
with Hines opposed and was part of the main motion.
On motion by Anthony seconded by Ensminger, the Board discussed supporting the subject
matter of Article 9. Following further discussion, on motion by Anthony seconded by Ensminger,
the Board voted to table the subject matter of Article 9 by a vote of 4-0-0.
Board of Selectmen Meeting-May 6. 1997 -page 2
On motion by Ensminger seconded by Anthony, the Board voted to reconsider the vote under
Article 8. Article 8 would be limited to the sale, lease or swap to the Eastern Middlesex Board of
Realtors. The motion reconsidered was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
On motion by Ensminger seconded by Anthony, the Board voted to support the subject matter of
Article 8 with the stipulation that the sale, lease or swap be only to Eastern Middlesex Multiple
Listing Service, Inc. or their successors or assigned. That motion was approved by a vote of
4-0-0.
On motion by Ensminger seconded by MacDonald, the Board voted to reconsider the subject
matter of Article 7 by a vote of 4-0-0.
On motion by Ensminger seconded by MacDonald, the Board voted to recommend the subject
matter of Article 7 by a vote of 4-0-0.
On motion by Anthony seconded by Ensminger, the Board voted to take the subject matter of
Article 9 off the table. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
On motion by Ensminger seconded by Anthony, the Board voted to support the subject matter of
Article 9 by a vote of 4-0-0.
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Anthony, the Board voted to support the subject matter of
Article 10 in the amount of$300,000 by a vote of 4-0-0.
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Ensminger, the Board voted to support the subject matter
of Article 11 in the amount of$1 by a vote of 4-0-0. The Board noted that discussion under
Articles 10 and 11 would have to take place under Article 4 so that Town Meeting would
understand the full complexity of the real estate transactions proposed.
The Board asked to have a chronology of the negotiations on the property at 13 Union Street
prepared for them.
On motion by Anthony seconded by Ensminger, the Board voted to adjourn at 9:50 p.m. The
motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Secretary