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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-04-15 ad Hoc - Municipal Building Committee MinutesMINUTES Ad Hoc Municipal Building Committee Meeting April 15, 2010 J 23 2: 31 The meeting convened at 7:30 PM in the Conference Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman and School Committee member David Michaud, Selectman Rick Schubert, Library Board member Vicki Yablonsky, resident Andrew Grimes, resident Kathleen Dugan and Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner. Also present were Bill Brown and Mary Vincent from the Board of Cemetery Trustees, and Carl McFadden and Scott Tully representing interests in the Oakland Road Properties. There was a motion by Rick Schubert to approve the Minutes of 4/1/2010, seconded by Vicki Yablonsky. Minutes approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Cemetery Garage The committee proceeded to tour the Cemetery Garage located at the Laurel Hill Cemetery. There are currently 8 employees including seasonal employees working out of the garage. The garage is used for office space and storing vehicles and equipment. The committee reconvened at Town Hall with Bill Brown and Mary Vincent to continue conversations about the Cemetery Garage. Chairman David Michaud inquired if there was union representation, OSHA requirements or any other official concerns with the condition of the facility. Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner responded that OSHA does not apply to local government and further informed that the building is not in emergency condition - there is nothing imminent. Additionally there have been no grievances, safety issues or injuries related to the facility. Bill Brown then spoke about the need to increase efficiencies in the Cemetery as new regulations are increasing the workload; many small tasks that are adding time throughout the day. He favors reconstruction of the garage at the current location as opposed to some of the other options, such as placing it near the Public Works facility, at another cemetery in town or near the compost center. He expressed that the travel time crossing town is one of his major concerns and that the Laurel Hill Cemetery is the most labor intensive, with hills and raised platforms so it is better to have the equipment close at hand in that location. The other 3 cemeteries in town are relatively flat. • Rick Schubert asked about the % time spent at relative locations - Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner responded that there is a Public Works study that will be available to the committee in late May that will address the scope, need and options being considered for the garage. • Andrew Grimes asked the frequency of use of the backhoe - Bill Brown responded that there are about 100 burials a year • Vicki Yablonsky asked how much cemetery space is left in the town - Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner responded that there is space for approximately 50 years, plus urn burial space. Bill Brown responded that a regular burial is a 3' x 10' plot and an urn burial is a 3' x 5' plot. Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner then expressed that anything done as capital would be outside the municipal budget and a decision would be made in terms of allocating it as a capital exclusion (money from taxes applied in that year) or debt exclusion (paid over time). Also discussed were possible funding options such as grants for green building design or historical grants depending on the site choice. Oakland Road Properties Carl McFadden, Reading resident and Scott Tully, Part Owner of Athletic Evolution presented a Public-Private Initiative in the beginning stages. Mentioned as a possible principle was Michael O'Brien, Chairman of Danvers Bank. Carl McFadden began by informing the committee he has been in the process of trying to capture what the town may want or need in terms of additional facilities. He has met with Schools Superintendant John Doherty and Finance Director Mary DeLai and discussed some possibilities of facility use for the RISE Program, possible additional classroom space and/or additional year-round athletic facilities. Mr. McFadden perceives that the current Field House is burdened by all of the activity, and he has had discussions with the school Athletic Director about juggling the different needs of the group. Their idea at this stage is to build a facility that would have 1 full soccer/lacrosse field and 2 full basketball courts, and to design it so the mezzanine level is office or classroom space. Also discussed as a possible use was an Early Childhood Center for pre-school and full day kindergarten. He pointed out a mixed use facility of this kind has been done - Sylvania in Danvers and the old airport in Beverly. Scott Tully discussed financing, and the possibility of future discussions with the Town after market value could be determined. He envisions his business as the Master Tennant, with the town sharing the space. He discussed some of the challenges of the location, such as abutter sensitivity and challenging topography. Scott Tully expressed that he would favor an open book approach and fluid discussions around the project. Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner commented that if the town were to become involved, the project would be closely observed. Two possible scenarios were reviewed that are working in Reading now. • Burbank Ice Arena - The town owns the land and leases it to them as a 503C Non-Profit • YMCA - The town kicked in to build the facility to obtain certain rights to the use of the facility. Carl McFadden commented that they were possibly looking to run it as a 503C. The next steps for them are to do a feasibility study, obtain an appraisal of the land and possible layout designs. The committee agreed that further discussion with the Superintendant of Schools with regards to this property would be in order when we are scheduled to meet on July 8 t" Other Business Chairman David Michaud proposed we cut the meeting schedule to once a month for July and August. Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner proposed a tour of the Oakland Property at the August 12 meeting. On motion by Rick Schubert and seconded by Andrew Grimes, the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 PM on a vote of 5-0-0. Respectfully Submitted Secretary