Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1982-06-03 Adjourned Annual Town Meeting MinutesADJOURNED ANNUAL TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School June 3, 1982 The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, John W. Faria, at 8:00 P.M. there being a quorum present. The invocation was given by the Rev. Frederick E. Emrich of the Church of the Good Shepherd, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. ARTICLE 19 (15 -18) On motion of C. Dewey Smith it was voted that the sum of Eighty -One Thousand Eight Hundred Sixty -Five Dollars ($81,865) be raised from the tax levy and appropriated to the Tax Collector as follows, each item being considered a separate appropriation: Salaries $ 62,985.00 Expense 13,880.00 Collection of back taxes 5,000.00 and in accordance with Chapter 41, Section 108 of the General Laws of Masachusetts, the Tax Collector's salary is hereby set, effective July 1, 1982 at $10,165. ARTICLE 19 (19 -22) On motion of Maureen T. O'Brien it was voted that the sum of Fifty -Two Thousand One Hundred Sixty -Nine Dollars ($52,169.00) be raised from the tax levy and appropriated to the Town Clerk as follows, each item to be considered a separate appropriation: Salaries $ 43,514.00 Expense (Includes out of state travel not to exceed $200) 5,055.00 Word Processor 3,600.00 and in accordance with Chapter 41, Section 108 of the General Laws of Massachusetts the Town Clerk's salary is hereby set effective July 1, 1982 at $10,165. ARTICLE 2. On motion of Robert I. Nordstrand it was voted to take Article 2 from the table. ARTICLE 2. The following report presented by Robert I. Nordstrand was accepted as a report of progress. Board of Assessors Report of Progress on Revaluation A brief summary of the Reading Assessors efforts to assess real estate and certain personal property equitably, and at 100% of market value is in order. In 1965 the town was revalued with the assistance of a revaluation contractor. Between 1966 and 1974 the assessors, on several occasions, adjusted values upward without outside assistance and without the benefit of interior inspections. In 1975 the assessors, with their full time staff, augmented by CETA workers, conducted a townwide revaluation in which nearly all properties were inspected inside and out. In response to the State's instructions that we comply with the provisions of the classification law, the assessors requested funds to revalue the town as of January 1, 1979 for Fiscal 1980 during the spring town meeting of 1979. The town meeting did not appropriate funds to implement our proposal. In November 1980 Proposition 2yz was voted in by a statewide referendum. After numerous discussions with the Chairman of the Finance Committee and other town officials, it was decided that the town's financial health would best be served if the assessors attempted an "in- house" revaluation as of January 1, 1981 for Fiscal Year 1982. Because of the high degree of equity in the Reading assessment system, and because of the good condition of our records, the Department of Revenue officials allowed Reading and one other community to "go to 100 %" as of January 1, 1981 using an in -house update of existing values. However, the State did require that new valuation schedules be constructed for all land in the town, and that all commercial and industrial properties be inspected, listed, and valued using at least two approaches to value. This work was started in early 1981 and was completed around September of 1981. The total cost of the job was $35,758.34, including $20,000 voted unanimously by the town meeting as a supplement to the assessors salaries paid to two of the GZ) Adjourned Annual Town Meeting June 3, 1982 assessors for approximately 1,100 hours of work. This amount of time was used in appraising approximately 240 commercial and industrial properties, and apts., and in generally supervising the setting up of the land valuation system, and the valuation of the remaining 7,000+ parcels by the full time staff and additional part time employees. The three assessors and their appraiser were not paid for 20 to 30 evenings, afternoons and Saturdays of hearings held for approximately 600 taxpayers who wish to discuss their preliminary values prior to finalization. Needless to say, the values estimated in this "in- house" updating were certified by appraisers from the State, and the bills were sent out. We are currently working our way through approximately 450 applications for abatement relating to Fiscal 1982 values. In the Spring of 1981, the town meeting, under Article 31, appropriated $250,000 to be used by the assessors to obtain the services of revaluation firms to complete a full computer assisted appraisal of the town as of January 1, 1983 for Fiscal Year 1984. In Article 19, line 23, and in Articles 44, 45 and 46 of the regular town meeting, you will be asked to consider transferring a portion of the $250,000 to enable the assessors to update the commercial and industrial values and participate actively in the revaluation process along with the contractor or contractors to be selected. On motion of Robert I. Nordstrand it was voted to lay Article 2 on the table. ARTICLE 19 (23 -25) On motion of Robert I. Nordstrand as amended by Marvin M. Rosenthal it was voted that the sum of Seventy -Nine Thousand Eight Hundred Eighty -Seven Dollars ($79,887) be raised from the tax levy and appropriated to the Assessors as follows, each item to be considered a separate appropriation: Assessors Salaries $ 8,132.00 Appraiser be Clerical Salaries 63,605.00 Assessors' Expense 8,150.00 and in acordance with Chapter 41, Section 108 of the General Laws of Massachusetts the Assessors' salaries are hereby set effective July 1, 1982 totaling $8,132 to be divided between the chairman and two associate members as they choose. Mr. Nordstrand also requested permission to discuss Articles 44, 45 and 46 at this time. This was voted in the affirmative. ARTICLE 19. On motion of Robert I. Nordstrand it was voted to lay Article 19 on the table. ARTICLE 45. On motion of Robert I. Nordstrand it was voted to take up Article 45 out of order. On motion of Robert I. Nordstrand it was voted to lay Article 45 on the table. ARTICLE 44. On motion of Robert I. Nordstrand it was voted to take up Article 44 out of order. ARTICLE 44. On motion of Robert I. Nordstrand as amended by George J. Shannon it was voted that the Town transfer from Article 31, approved at the Annual Town Meeting on June 11, 1981 on motion by the Board of Assessors, the sum of $12,000 to Assessors as a fee to be paid to the Assessors' office to be divided among the three assessors as they see fit, in order that the Assessors may conduct in whole or in part a town wide revaluation of all real estate, personal property and utilities as mandated by the Courts and being enforced by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue. ARTICLE 45.On motion of Robert I. Nordstrand it was voted to take Article 45 f rom the table. ARTICLE 45. On motion of Robert I. Nordstrand it was voted that the Town transfer from Article 31, approved at the Annual Town Meeting on June 11, 1981 on motion by the Board of Assessors, the sum of $8,000 to Assessors' Expense in order that the Assessors may conduct in whole or in part a town -wide revaluation of all real estate, personal property and utilities as mandated by the Courts and being enforced by the Massachusets Department of Revenue. Adjourned Annual Town Meeting June 3, 1982 ARTICLE 46. On motion of Robert I. Nordstrand it was voted to take up Article 46 out of order. ARTICLE 46. On motion of Robert I. Nordstrand it was voted that Artaicle 46 be indefinitely postponed. ARTICLE 19. On motion of Robert I. Nordstrand it was voted to take Article 19 from the table. ARTICLE 19 (27) On motion of Maureen T. O'Brien it was voted that the sum of One Thousand Fifty Dollars ($1,050.00) be raised from the tax levy and appropriated to the Board of Registrars. ARTICLE 19 (28) On motion of Maureen T. O'Brien it was voted that the sum of Forty -One Thousand Three Hundred Dollars ($41,300.00) be raised from the tax levy and appropriated to Election and Registration Expense. ARTICLE 19 (29) On motion of Maureen T. O'Brien it was voted that the sum of One Thousand Eight Hundred Dollars ($1,800.00) be raised from the tax levy and appropriated to the Board of Appeals salary and expense. ARTICLE 19 (30 -31) On motion of Barry J. Mitchel it was voted that the Town appropriate to the Planning Board from the tax levy or by borrowing or by transfer from available funds or otherwise to be expended as follows, each item being considered as a separate appropriation: Salary $ 5,562.00 Expense $ 1,325.00 Total 6,887.00 ARTICLE 19 (32 -33a) On motion of Walter J. Palmunen it was voted that the sum of Fourteen Thousand Eight Hundred Sixty -Nine Dollars ($14,869) be raised from the tax levy and appropriated to the Finance Committee as follows, each item being considered a separate appropriation: Salaries $ 1,819.00 Expense 350.00 CPA Audit 12,700.00 ARTICLE 19 (34) On motion of Elizabeth W. Klepeis it was voted that the sum of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) be raised from the tax levy and appropriated for the town's centralized computer system as follows: Payment on lease purchase of hardware and software, said lease purchase originally authorized under Article 13 of the subsequent Town Meeting November, 1981 $ 80,000.00 Maintenance 12, 000.00 Training, conversion, site preparation, support equipment, telephone, power and materials 8,000.00 100,000.00 Said sums to be expended by and under the direction of the Data Processing Advisory Board. ARTICLE 19 (35 -36) On motion of Marvin M. Rosenthal it was voted to lay Article 19 (35 -36) on the table. ARTICLE 19 (37 -38) On motion of Carl H. Amon, Jr. as amended by Walter J. Palmunen it was voted that the sum of Eight Thousand Seven Hundred Ninety -Three Dollars ($8,793) be transferred from 1981 Legal Fee encumbered, and the sum of Sixty -Three Thousand Two Hundred Seven Dollars ($63,207) be raised from the tax levy and that said sums totalling Seventy -Two Thousand Dollars ($72,000) be appropriated to the Law Committee as follows, each item being considered a separate line item: Legal Service - Fees - regular $ 60,000.00 Legal Service - Fees - labor 10,000.00 Legal Service - Expense 2,000.00 72,000.00 �l On motion of Marvin M. Rosenthal it was voted that this meeting stand adjourned to meet at 8:00 P.M. on Monday, June 7, 1982, in the Reading Memorial High School auditorium. Meeting adjourned at 11:14 P. M. 151 Town Meeting members were present. A true copy. Attest: Lawrence Drew Town Clerk ADJOURNED ANNUAL TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School June 7, 1982 The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, John W.Faria, there being a quorum present. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was given. ARTICLE 19. On motion of Marvin M. Rosenthal it was voted to lay Article 19 on the table. ARTICLE 2. On motion of Gail F. Wood it was voted to take Article 2 from the table. ARTICLE 2. The following Resolution to Douglas A. Cowell, presented by Gail F.Wood, was accepted unanimously. RESOLUTION WHEREAS, DOUGLAS A. COWELL has served the Town of Reading as a member of the Finance Committee, member and chairman of the Board of Public Works, as Town Meeting Member and in numerous other capacities, and WHEREAS, Douglas A. Cowell has given generously and unselfishly of his time and efforts to the Town of Reading, not only in Town Government but in a number of other Community activities, and WHEREAS, Douglas A. Cowell's faithful, patient and gentlemanly service to the Town of Reading has been invaluable, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the elected officials, Town Meeting Members, and citizens of Reading acting through this Town Meeting held June 7th, 1982, do hereby record their deep gratitude and appreciation of the dedicated services rendered by Douglas Cowell and do further record their recognition of the great benefits to the Town which have resulted from his years of service, and. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution be spread upon the records and a copy signed by the Moderator, Town Clerk and Board of Public Works be delivered to Mrs. Douglas A. Cowell. John A. Faria, Moderator Lawrence Drew, Town Clerk Board of Public Works Gail F. Wood, Chairman Douglass L. Barker John L. Fallon, Jr. Arthur Polychrones