by Frank Schroth
The Board of Selectmen voted in executive session to support legislation that allow them to deed town owned land to Carrick Realty in exchange for Carrick demolishing the town owned portion of the Hendries building and developing a mixed use building. There are quite a few details and issues involved in this regarding zoning procedures, etc. It is also not known at this time if the Connellys, the principals of Carrick Realty are interested. However, the first step in obtaining permission to “convey” the building to another party that is outside typical procedures (e.g. RFP). Chair Katie Conlon made a statement about the vote.
Ms. Conlon said:
During executive session the Board voted to file special legislation, seeking authorization to convey the town owned land at 0 Central Ave. for a fair value as determined by the Board of Selectmen and without being required to follow the procedures required by Mass General Laws Chapter 30B section 16. The filing of the legislation would be subject to resolution of certain legal and procedural issues, and Senator Joyce will be assisting us in this process.
There was no other discussion on the matter. Asked by a reporter at the end of the meeting, members of the board said the vote was unanimous.
In other business Town Administrator Annmarie Fagan reviewed the contract agreements reached with teh Professional Management Association, the Patrol Officers Association, and the Superior Officers Association. A key provision of all contracts was the elimination of sick leave buy back for new employees hired after July1. Sick leave buy back is an unfunded line item that can have a significant impact on the town budget in any given year depending on retirements. Member Hurley siad it can “be a budget buster in the year it hits.” Chair Conlon remarked, “Over the long run this will make a difference.”
The selectmen congratulated Ms. Fagan for her work on the contracts. The contracts are all three year contracts with 2% increases year 1. They differ slightly in years 2 and 3. All have ~4% increase over the three years (i.e. 2014 – 2016).