2021-04-29 Annual Town Meeting Minutes

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ANNUAL TOWN MEETING Virtual Town Meeting April 29, 2021 Via Zoom Webinar The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Alan E. Foulds, at 7:33 PM, there being a quorum present. The Pledge of Allegiance was said by all. Moderator Opening Remarks As we stated on Monday evening we traditionally begin a session with the budget so that we can finish it in one night. In a minute we will have a motion to move Article 16, so that we can take it up. Assuming that happens, here's how we proceed with the budget. It's a slightly different process than with other articles. You'll note that in your packet of motions the budget is broken into several groups. We start with a general presentation of the entire budget. Mr. Ross will give a Finance Committee Report, and Mr. LeL.acheur and Mr. Robinson will give an overview. Following that, each group of line items will be taken up separately - each with its own presentation. Amendments to that particular grouping are permitted at that time. Two proposed amendments have been submitted - one in Section C (Capital) and one in Section L (Library). Once discussion ends, we vote on any proposed amendments to that section. Then we move on to the next section, without voting on the section as a whole. When we have finished all of the sections, we will recess for a few minutes as the various boards reconcile any differences from the original budget, if any. When they are ready, a motion for the entire amount will be made and voted upon. Chuck Robinson, School Committee asked for a Point of Personal Privilege Thank you, Mr. Moderator Good evening Town Meeting Members. For those who know me well one of my strong suits is not heaping praise on individuals but before we present the School Budget I would like to recognize and thank our Superintendent Dr John Doherty for his 34 years of service to the Reading Public Schools and our Students. Before becoming Superintendent Or Doherty was a very successful and well-respected Science Teacher and Principal at Coolidge Middle School and Assistant Superintendent of the District. I remember the day well back in 2009 when Dr Doherty first became Acting Superintendent when then Superintendent Pat Schettini needed to take a medical leave of absence. I termed it then and still refer to it as a "battlefield promotion" as Or Doherty was stepping into the shoes of a beloved and well-respected Superintendent amid a national financial crisis affecting state and local budgets. Dr Doherty's work in Reading includes many accomplishments and it is poignant to note that students came first, second and third In all his deliberations and decisions. There are too many accomplishments to list tonight, and all will be surely and appropriately recognized over the next couple of months, but some I would like to highlight are as follows: • Dr Doherty was integral part of the early work and success of the Reading Coalition Against Substance Abuse (RCASA) and its current successor organization. As Superintendent he has served on the A i Page