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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989-03-28 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting March 28, 1989 The meeting convened at 7: 30 p.m in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 6 Lowell Street, Reading, MA. Present were Chairman Graham, Vice-Chairman Ziegler, Secretary Ensminger, Selectmen Russell and Nigro, and Town Manager Peter I. Hechenbleikner. Residents present were Brad Latham, Jonathan Edwards, William Brown, John C. McBride, David Mundel, Adrienne McMahon, Judi Kramer, Ginny Adams, Susan Flannery, Marsha Linhoff, Richard Dempster, Peg Plansky, Gail Wood, Margaret Long, Evelyn Pasta, Anna Toomey, Marion Smith, Richard Smith, Benjamin Nichols, David Boghosian, Mike Guenther, Mr. & Mrs. Bova, Dick Howard, Bill Redford, Ted Cohen, Ron Winslow, Mr. Nissan, and Helen Knight. Minutes On motion by Ziegler seconded by Ensminger the board approved the March 14, 1989 minutes by vote of 5-0-0. Liaison Reports Mr. Ensminger reported that he attended a meeting of the CPDC. The board reorganized appointing Thomas Stohlman as Chairman and Mark Favalaro Secretary. Mary Ziegler reported that she there were two meetings with the evaluation committee for Bear Hill. Jack Russell informed the public and the board that the Embassy Suites inability to reach an agreement stems from the fact that the cost of the development of the site, and of the office park as a whole, will far exceed the original estimates of Homart and Embassy, and are unable to agree on how these increased costs should be allocated between the two companies. Embassy Suites has notified the Town Manager of their termination. Due to Embassy Suites' unilateral termination, The $100, 000 deposit that they have paid will be retained by the Town. Homart assures the Town that they are still in a "Go" situation and are contracting other hotel operators who have expressed interest in the past. There are at least 2 such interested parties. The Town still hopes to close with Homart by April 10th, and will be meeting as soon as possible with Homart to scope all the problems and decide on the detailed course of action. Eugene Nigro attended his last meeting of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council. Appointments On motion by Ensminger seconded by Nigro the Board appointed Peg Plansky to the Reading Housing Partnership Committee with a term expiring on June 30, 1991; Adrienne McMahon with a term expiring on June 30, 1989 ; Mollie Ziegler with a term expiring on June 30, 1990 by vote of 5-0-0. The Board interviewed Judith Kramer for the Fair Housing Partner- ship Committee. The board made no appointments until all ap- plications have been received for this committee. On motion by Ziegler seconded by Nigro the board approved the Page 2 - Board of Selectmen Minutes 3/28/89 reppointment of Richard Foley as Town Account with a term expir- ing on March 31, 1990 by vote of 5-0-0. The Board commented about the excellent job that Mr. Foley is doing. On motion by Ziegler seconded by Nigro the board approved the use of the Town Seal for the School Department's "Safety Awareness Program". by vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Russell seconded by Ziegler the board approved the Wells Award by vote of 5-0-0. The Board of Selectmen established the Water & Sewer rates for the first bill beginning FY90 in July. On motion by Ziegler seconded by Russell the board voted 5-0-0 to establish the rate at $2.50 for water, and $3 . 09 for sewer as recommended by the Water & Sewer Advisory Committee. The Board of Selectmen met with the Bear Hill Realty Trust, and the number two proposal in the committee's voting, William Dolben & Sons. Jonathan Edwards, Town Planner presented the evaluation committee's recommendation. The committee recommended the Bear Hill Realty Trust as their first recommendation. It has the highest purchase price and the lowest sales price. Selectmen Russell asked Mr. Edwards about the net tax revenue. Mr. Edwards explained that he did a 12 year estimated tax projection that showed the net average revenue to the Town from the Bear Hill Realty Trust proposal as being $324, 000 a year, while the Dolben II proposal would bring in $343, 000 a year, while the Dolben III proposal $390, 000. Jack Russell's first reaction was that the BHRT proposal was too good to be true. This proposal would most likely involve a land taking of Lot 50 (at the corner of Hopkins Street and Summit Drive) , which presently is owned by an af- filiated company of Dolben, and Dan Ensminger asked Town Counsel what this could mean. Ted Cohen responded that if the amount of damages was challenged, it could take up to one or two years in court to settle a purchase price, but work could go on. Residents of Bear Hill expressed their support for the Bear Hill Realty Trust proposal. Senator Buell was present to review information from the MBTA regarding a potential second rail station in Reading off of Causeway Road. Beth Klepeis was present to update the Selectmen on the progress of the Medical Insurance Committee. One of the goals of this committee is to help retired people on a fixed income by attempt- ing to stabilize the ever escalating Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance rates . The proposal would allow the town (through Home Rule Petition) to pay an additional rate which when Added to 50% of the total monthly cost for retired employees and dependents may be higher than the premium percentage paid by the Town for active employees and dependent. Helen Knight a member of the committee was present and informed the Board on the Committee' s vote. The committee voted 11-1 for no changes . Chairman Graham stated that inaction in this kmatter was not in the best interest of the Town. f Page 3 - Board of Selectmen Minutes 3/28/89 The Board reviewed the 1989 Special Town Meeting Warrant. On motion by Russell seconded by Ziegler the Board voted unanim- ously to go into Executive Session at 11 : 35 p.m. and not to return to open session. Respectfully submitted: Secretary _..........