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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-07-22 Board of Selectmen Minutes Minutes of the Board of Selectmen July 22 , 1993 The meeting was convened at 8: 03 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, MA. Present were Chairman - George Hines, Vice Chairman Eugene Nigro, Secretary Sally Hoyt, Selectmen Bill Burditt and Dan Ensminger, Town Manager Peter I. Hechenbleikner and the following list of interested parties: Bill Brown, Arthur J. Reynolds, Jr. , Jack Cairl, June Tadaro, Nancy Seavey, Diane Powers, Matthew Cummings, Lois Cairl, Alice Collins, Linda Russo, Karen Sanborn, Sharyn Taitz, Mary & Thomas Grosvenor, Louis J. Palumbo, Bill Goodrich, Marc Guyott, Jonathan Edwards, Gary LaPierre, Margaret LaPierre, William H. Dalton, Jr. , Al & Susan Block, Jackie VanHorn. Mr. Hines opened the meeting with the comment that this was a special meeting to review the Pearl Street School update, plus issues related to a pending vote of the County Advisory Board. Bill Goodrich, Chairman of the Pearl Street School Evaluation Committee, introduced committee members Guyott, Reynolds, Cum- mings, Nigro and Block. He indicated that Jonathan Edwards had assisted the committee in their work. The committee held four public meetings to evaluate the single proposal on the Pearl Street School. These meetings were held on June 24, July 1, July 6, July 15. on July 1 the committee toured the building and site and heard a presentation from Bill Casper. They had a follow up meeting on July 15 with the developer to address concerns that were raised. The committee reviewed one proposal per the charge from the Board of Selectmen. The evaluation is based on the t--` selection criteria. Mr. Goodrich went on to review the report dated July 16, 1993 that was submitted by the committee. The committee recommended selection of the proposal by Pearl Street Associates, a joint venture between Longwood Senior Living and Wolf Construction Cor- poration by a vote of 8-0-0. Mr. Goodrich reviewed the four recommendations of the committee which included a recommendation for off street parking for the use of the playfield, conditions for the existing tenant, en- vironmental site and building inspection issues, and affordable housing issues. They also reviewed the issues raised by the Reading Arts Group. The question was raised as to how residents and neighbors felt about the process. Ms. Block indicated that there was good neighborhood interest and the sense was that this was a positive process. Ms. Block indicated that the neighbors were excited about the concept and were very supportive. s Mr. Casper from Longwood Development spoke. He indicated that they are very excited about the concept because this housing is less costly than institutional setting. The Assisted Housing proposal includes apartments with small kitchenettes, and the Board of Selectmen Meeting - July 22, 1993 - page 2 site provides meals, transportation, attendant care, activities, and security. Some space will be provided in the facility for Fine Arts. The Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency has a new program to finance these types of projects - construction of per- manent financing from sale of tax exempt bonds is available. Twenty percent of the units will be affordable and 80% will be market rate. There are no other subsidies available.. The developer has one such facility - the Westonian on Rt. 117 in Weston. They have also done a number of elderly developments and nursing homes. With regard to space for the arts, he felt that it was a little premature to discuss details at this time. The first step would be to have them designated. as the developer. Bill Brown indicated that the arts groups have had ten years to put this proposal together. He likes the proposal submitted by Longwood Management and thinks it will be an asset to the com- munity. Jack Cairl of 142 High Street is temporary vice President of the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts. They are in the process of incorporating. Mr. Cairl read a one page statement. The group is looking for a way to focus on the arts in Reading. They need a location and organization. They are not looking for a handout or public dollars. They have some capital in land and buildings, they have energy, and they can provide sweat equity. They will communicate directly with the Superintendent of Schools. They like the Pearl Street School, but they understand that the developer cannot accommodate their needs. Perhaps a developer can assist financially. Alice Collins from the Arts Council spoke. Their goal is to make arts more accessible to the community. Mike Slezak from Creative Arts for Kids urged the Board of Selectmen to take a long view. They should not act as a company or a family, but as a Town. They need to examine the gain from selling the building in light of the value of the property. George Hines reviewed the remainder of the process. He indicated that the Board of Selectmen would be meeting in Executive Session to formulate negotiating strategy. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Ensminger the Board voted to accept the report of the Pearl Street School Evaluation Committee dated July 16, 1993 and dis- missed the committee with thanks and appreciation for a job well done. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Bill Burditt brought up concerns from the Middlesex County Ad- visory Board. The MCAB is being asked to ratify contracts for J two sheriff's associations which would result in a 7% salary in- crease in FY93 including a base build up of 9%. The Board dis- cussed it and the consensus was that the Town of Reading's labor settlement for that period should be used as an example. Board of Selectmen Meeting - July 22, 1993 - page 3 on motion by Ensminger seconded by Burditt the Board voted to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing sale of real estate and litigation not to come back into open session. All five members present voted in the affirmative and the meeting was adjourned at 9:29 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Secret y i