HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-05-20 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting
May 20, 1997
The meeting was convened at 7:00 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, Selectmen Dan Ensminger and Sally Hoyt, Acting Town Manager
Beth Klepeis, and the following list of interested parties: Ted Cohen, Cheryl Blaine, Nancy
Kaplan, Leonard Kopelman, Thomas Mullen.
Discussion/Action Items
Interviews for Town Counsel - The Board interviewed three firms recommended to them by the
Legal Services Committee as candidates for the position of Town Counsel:
Keegan, Werlin and Pabian
Kopelman&Page
Thomas Mullen
Ted Cohen of Keegan, Werlin & Pabian cited the depth of resources in his new firm, especially in
the fields of environmental and telecommunications law. Separate counsel would be needed in the
areas of labor and tax title law, but he felt that everything else could be handled by his firm.
s Should the firm hire a title examiner, that expense would be born by the firm. Ted explained that
he was willing to work on a retainer, but that this year has been especially busy. He has worked
an estimated 1690 hours instead of the more usual 1100 to 1200 hours per year. The Board
mentioned that there is a need to prioritize Ted's time.
Leonard Kopelman described his firm as the largest firm in the State doing Town Counsel work.
They serve 100 communities with 35 lawyers, and do Special Counsel work as well. He cited the
firm's excellent law library, depth of experience, and considerable training programs. Mr.
Kopelman would be the principal contact and would expect to lower legal costs in the next two
years. He proposed a system whereby the Town would divide the current appropriation of
approximately $105,000 into 12 monthly payments. At the end of the fiscal year, Kopelman &
Page would review the hourly costs and would accept time or retainer, whichever was lower.
Thomas Mullen, Town Counsel in Wakefield, explained his expertise in employment related law,
but felt that he would need to educate himself in issues related to the landfill closing and Special
Education. If hired, he would hire an associate full time, and would provide the services of
former Wakefield Town Counsel, Mario Simeola, in the event that Wakefield and Reading
meeting schedules and requirements conflicted. Mr. Mullen proposed a flat fee of$80,000 for
legal services.
While the Board was impressed with all of the candidates, they felt that Ted Cohen's knowledge
of the Town and its legal issues were of great value to the Town. They voiced concern over the
timeliness of Ted's work but stated that nothing deleterious to the Town had resulted from it, and
- that Ted and the Town should work to prioritize legal issues.
Board of Selectmen Meeting;-May 20, 1997 - page 2
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Hoyt, the names of all three firms were placed into
nomination for the position of Town Counsel effective July 1, 1997 through June 30, 1998.
Keegan, Werlin and Pabian received 4 votes and were appointed.
Approval of P & S Agreement and Signing of Deed and Documents for Pasture Road - On
motion by MacDonald seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to enter into a Purchase and Sales
Agreement with Michael and Phyllis Larkin.
Moved that the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Reading enter into a Purchase and Sales
Agreement with Michael and Phyllis Larkin in the amount of$100,000 for the purchase of 8.6
acres of land off Pasture Road for the purposes of Open Space, Passive Recreation and
Conservation. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0.
An order of taking will subsequently take place, but there are no title issues now. All issues
related to the transaction must be completed by May 30th, as reimbursement by the State of
$60,000 is pending.
The Board voted to adjourn at 10:30 p.m.
Respectfully/submitted,
U
Secretary