2022-11-21 Subsequent Town Meeting Minutes

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SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School Performing Arts Center November 21, 2022 The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Alan E. Foulds, at 7:34 PM, there being a quorum present. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was said by all. Motion made by the Select Board to take Article 14 from the table. Motion Carried ARTICLE 14: Motion made by the Select Board that the Town appropriates the sum of one million five hundred forty three thousand and eight hundred dollars ($1,543,800) to pay costs of the construction and reconstruction of the water distribution system, including the payment of all incidental or related costs, and that to meet this appropriation, the Treasurer, with the approval of the Select Board, is authorized to borrow said sum pursuant to G.L. c. 44, §8 or any other enabling authority and to issue bonds or notes of the Town therefor, all or any portion of such borrowing may be issued through the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority's Local Financial Assistance Program or through any other federal or state loan programs, and that the Town is authorized to apply for, accept and expend any federal or state grants or loans that may be available for the project. or take any other action with respect thereto Presentation given by: Ryan Percival - See Attached Background: At the November 2020 Subsequent Town Meeting, Town Meeting "voted to appropriate the sum of four million three hundred thousand dollars ($4,300,000) for the purposes of making water main improvements in the downtown area". The purpose of this article is to request $1.5M in additional funding for this project due to the increase in construction and material costs which resulted in higher bid prices. The Town was able to award the contract up to Alternate 1 but needs extra funds to cover any contingencies and traffic management. If the Town has enough resources remaining, Alternate 2, a critical railroad watermain jacking, will be awarded. The Town will utilize the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority ("MWRA") Local Financial Assistance Program, a no -interest loan, to fund the $1.5M. In 2019, the Town of Reading selected Weston & Sampson to update the Water System Meter Plan which was spurred by the recent economic development in the Downtown area. Specifically, the Town wanted to ensure that there is enough hydraulic capacity to support the planned developments and identify any improvements necessary to provide adequate hydraulic capacity to the proposed development areas. Available fire flows in the economic development areas were modeled during maximum day demand (MDD) conditions and compared to the anticipated Insurance Services Office's (ISO) required fire flows. It was determined through the hydraulic analysis that pressures were above the required 35psi, but the existing infrastructure in the Downtown area did not have enough capacity to support the planned development. Some areas show less than 2,500 gpm at 20 psi, below the anticipated required fire flow. Finance Committee Report - given by Emily Sisson: At their meeting on October 19, 2022 the Finance Committee voted 8 - 0 to recommend this Article to Town Meeting. Bylaw Committee Report: No Report 1 I P a g e