HomeMy WebLinkAbout1974-10-19 Special Town Meeting Minutes69
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Middlesex, ss. Officer's Return, Reading:
By virtue of this Warrant, I, on October 11, 1974, notified and warned
the inhabitants of the Town of Reading, qualified to vote in elections and
town affairs, to meet at the place and at the time specified by posting attested
copies of this Warrant in the following public places within the Town of
Reading:
Precinct 1.
First National Stores, 275 Salem Street
JoAnn's Variety Store, 143 Salem Street
Fire Station, 67 Pleasant Street
Precinct 2.
Dragon Corner Store, 206 West Street
Hanson's Service Station, 4 West Street
Blais-Porter, 452 Main Street
Precinct 3.
Masonic Building, 604 Main Street
Municipal Building, 16 Lowell Street
Community Center, 52 Sanborn Street
B & M Railroad Station, High Street
Precinct 4.
Zitzow's Store, 287 Lowell Street
Convenient Food Mart, 1349 Main Street
Old Hose House, 1249 Main Street
The date of posting being not less than seven days prior to October 21,
1974, the date set for the meeting in this Warrant.
I also caused an attested copy of this Warrant to be published in the
Reading Chronicle in the issue of October 10, 1974, the same being more than
seven days prior to the date of said meeting.
(s) Joseph F. Anderson
Constable of Reading
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING
Reading Memorial High School Auditorium October 21, 1974
The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Kenneth C. Latham,
at 8:00 P. M.
The invocation was given by Rev. -James F. Hickey of St. Agnes Church.
The Warrant was partially read by the Town Clerk, when on motion of
Edward P. Cameron, it was voted to dispense with the further reading of
the Warrant, except the Constable's Return, which was then read by the
Town Clerk.
ARTICLE 1. Edward P. Cameron, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen,
presented Girl Scout Cadet Troop 261, who presented the Town Meeting
with a "Town of Reading flag", which was made by Troop 261 members.
The Troop spokesman was Ms. Carolyn Menard, who in presenting the flag,
requested that it be displayed at all public ceremonies and during the
forthcoming Bicentennial Celebration. The Town Meeting was unanimous in
it& acceptance of this wonderful gift, and by a sounding applause,
thanked the girls for their efforts.
The Moderator, Kenneth C. Latham, instructed the "Town Fathers"
to return this and the American Flag to all future Annual Town Meetings
and Special Town Meetings and indicated that at all future meetings,
the Pledge of Allegiance will follow. the Invocation.
h4
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Middlesex, as. Officer's Return, Reading:
By virtue of this Warrant, I, on October 11, 1974, notified and warned
the inhabitants of the Town of Reading, qualified to vote in elections and
town affairs, to meet at the place and at the time specified by posting attested
copies of this Warrant in the following public places within the Town of
Reading:
Precinct 1.
First National Stores, 275 Salem Street
JoAnn's Variety Store, 143 Salem Street
Fire Station, 67 Pleasant Street
Precinct 2.
Dragon Corner Store, 206 West Street
Hanson's Service Station, 4 West Street
B1ais-Porter, 452 Main Street
Precinct 3.
Masonic Building, 604 Main Street
Municipal Building, 16 Lowell Street
Community Center, 52 Sanborn Street
B & M Railroad Station, High Street
Precinct 4.
Zitzow's Store, 287 Lowell Street
Convenient Food Mart, 1349 Main Street
Old Hose House, 1249 Main Street
The date of posting being not less than seven days prior to October 21,
1974, the date set for the meeting in this Warrant.
I also caused an attested copy of this Warrant to be published in the
Reading Chronicle in the issue of October 10, 1974, the same being more than
seven days prior to the date of said meeting.
(s) Joseph F. Anderson
Constable of Reading
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING
Reading Memorial High School Auditorium October 21, 1974
The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Kenneth C. Latham,
at 8:00 P. M.
The invocation was given by Rev. James F. Hickey of St. Agnes Church.
The Warrant was partially read by the Town Clerk, when on motion of
Edward P. Cameron, it was voted to dispense with the further reading of
the Warrant, except the Constable's Return, which was then read by the
Town Clerk.
ARTICLE 1. Edward P. Cameron, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen,
presented Girl Scout Cadet Troop 261, who presented the Town Meeting
with a "Town of Reading flag", which was made by Troop 261 members.
The Troop spokesman was Ms. Carolyn Menard, who in presenting the flag,
requested that it be displayed at all public ceremonies and during the
forthcoming Bicentennial Celebration. The Town Meeting was unanimous in
its acceptance of this wonderful gift, and by a sounding applause,
thanked the girls for their efforts.
The Moderator, Kenneth C. Latham, instructed the "Town Fathers"
to return this and the American Flag to all future Annual Town Meetings
and Special Town Meetings and indicated that at all future meetings,
the Pledge of Allegiance will follow. the Invocation,
in Special Town Meeting October 21, 1974
ARTICLE 1. A report of progress was given by Mrs. Jean R. Cary
on the Recycling Program in Reading and was accepted as a report of
progress.
ARTICLE 1. A report, as filed herewith was presented by George
A. Theophanis, of the Town Government Study Committee, which was ac-
cepted as a Final Report.
ARTICLE 1. The following report was read by Richard J. Ogden,
Chairman of the Finance Committee, which was accepted as a report of
progress:
STUDY OF TOWN OPERATIONS
On September 11, the Finance Committee received Peat, Marwick
& Mitchell & Co -s Final Report on the Management Improvement Program
for the Town of Reading. Copies of this report have been distributed
to all Town Departments, members of the Steering Committee and members
of the Finance Committee and copies have been placed in the Library
for the use of citizens. The Finance Committee has established a sep-
arate subcommittee to act as Project Coordinatorethaired by Beth Kle-
peis, and including Harry Johnson and Paul Miller.
I would like to read the transmittal letter highlighting the ob-
jective and recommendations of the study:
Some of the recommendations in the report are already underway.
The Selectmen, tonight, are submitting an article to transfer the
Forestry Department to the Board of Public Works; the Finance Commit-
tee has issued new budget guidelines and are establishing standard
budget formats; the Personnel Board has been working on some of the
recommendations affecting their responsibilities for implementing rec-
ommendations in reports. The study by the consultant firm has been
done. If the study is to result in improved efficiency, economy and
effectiveness in the Town of Reading, the cooperation of all Town De-
partments and Boards is needed.
In closing the Finance Committee would like to thank Richard
Gould, Roger Louanis, Joyce Miller, John Newman, Frank Smith and Donald
Walker. --These six individuals served on the Steering Committee with
the two Finance Committee representatives, Beth K3epeis and Dick Ogden.
The letter from Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co., dated September 4,
1974, is as follows:
"Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co. (PMM&Co.) has completed its engage-
ment to assist the Town of Reading in improving its organization and
operations through the development of a management improvement program.
The attached final reporgbutlines the report format, describes the
study's objectives and PMM&Co.'s approach, discusses findings and de-
tailed recommendations relating to the Town of Reading's eight major
functional areas, and presents PMM&Co.'s recommended implementation
strategy and timetable.
This letter provides a general overview and management summary
of the study results by briefly describing the study's background
and objectives, highlighting PMM&Co.'s key recommendations, and estab-
lishing the implementation groundwork.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Recognizing the Town of Reading's need to improve its organiza-
tion and operations through an analysis and modernization of manage-
ment activity, the Finance Committee requested that PMM&Co. develop a
management improvement program. The overall objective of the program r
was to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of town government J
operations and thereby ensure that the needs of citizens and town offi-
cials are met on a timely basis. The study encompassed the entire range
of governmental operations, with the goal of establishing new and im-
proved methods of conducting business. PMM&Co. headed the study team,
and was assisted by Charles M. Evans & Associates, municipal manage-
ment consultants.
Special Town Meeting October 21, 1974 71
After reviewing the operations of key town offices, departments,
commissions, and committees, PMM&Co. developed recommendations to im-
prove the effectiveness of the town's services to citizens and the econ-
omy of the town's operations. Following intensive review, modification,
and approval of recommendations by a town steering committee, PMM&Co.
prepared an action -oriented plan for implementing those recommendations
in accordance with town priorities. The improvement program focuses on
the Town of Reading's eight major functional areas: personnel manage- _
ment, procurement administration, fiscal administration, data process-
ing, planning and budgeting, property management, facilities manage-
ment, and communications.
SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS
Based on its review and analysis of the Town of Reading's eight
major functional areas, PMM&Co. developed a number of key recommendations.
These and other auxiliary recommendations are discussed in detail in the
final report as the central elements of the management improvement pro-
gram. The following represents a brief summary.
Personnel Management
PMM&Co.'s recommendations for improving personnel management in-
volve the development of new policies and procedures. In addition, sev-
eral suggestions for expediting the personnel function are identified.
Procurement Administration
PMM&Co.'s recommendations for improving procurement administration
are based on the development of a partially centralized purchasing sy-
stem and the establishing of standard procedures and forms. The poterl
tial of centralized inventory was considered; however, the evaluation
indicated that no significant cost -benefit could be achieved with pres-
ent volumes.
Fiscal Administration
PMM&Co.'s recommendations for improving fiscal administration in-
volve short-range recommendations to improve current procedures, modi-
fy current systems, and develop new accounting systems, including a
centralized appropriation accounting system. For the long-range, an
integrated financial and management information system is recommended.
Date Processing
PMM&Co.'s long-range recommendation is for the Town of Reading to
develop an integrated data processing system. The scope and extent of
PMM&Co.'s review did not allow for a detailed definition of the integrated
system needs of the town or a thorough analysis of the alternative ap-
proaches to data processing. However, the long-range nature of the de-
velopment effort and the lack of expertise on the part of town person-
nel indicate that the first step should be to establish a framework
and organization for the development effort. Accordingly, PMM&Co.'s
single specific recommendation is that the town create a data processing
committee reporting to the Selectmen to assume an advisory role on town -
wide computer utilization.
PMM&Co.'s short-range recommendations in the area of data process-
ing involve the installation of an accounting computer for appropriation
accounting, modification and expansion of the existing payroll system,
and development of an automated Accounts Receivable and Cash System.
These recommendations are discussed in detail in the Fiscal Administra-
tion section of this report.
Planning and Budgeting
PMM&Co.'s recommendations for improving the planning and budget-
ing function include developing a program budgeting approach, improving
budgeting guidelines, and establishing standard formats. The possibil-
ity of developing a community profile as a first step toward a compre-
hensive master plan was discussed during the study; however_; the need to
conduct specific land use and terminus location studies (already initi-
ated by the Planning Board) was judged to warrant higher priority.
Property Management
PMM&Co.'s recommendations for improving property management involve
a transfer in the responsibility for equipment maintenance. Preventive
maintenance and repairs should be centralized in the Public Works De-
partment and standardized for all town -owned vehicles by type of equipment.
y9 Special Town Meeting October 21. 1974
Facilities Management
PMM&Co.'s recommendations for improving facilities management
relate to an increase in space and the centralization of services.
Communications
PMM&Co.'s recommendations for improving communications involve
the central coordination of key functions, development of a new tele
ephone system, incorporation of the Tree Warden into Public Works,
and centralization of the location of all inspectors.
Implementation
PMM&Cols implementation plan (presented in Section XI of the re-
port) outlines approximately 30 recommendations, identifying initia-
tion responsibility, implementation responsibility, priaity, and time
allocation for each. The plan is structured to correspond generally
with the sequence of the material outlined in the report.
The problems and potential for improvement addressed by PMM&Co.'s
recommendations are major, and the benefits available to the Town of
Reading are significant. PMM&Co. thus strongly urges that town man-
agement allocate the resources required to implement the recommendations.
After carefully reviewing the report, assigning responsibilities for
the project and tasks, and obtaining necessary approvals, the Finance
Committee should designate an individual or sub -committee as Project
Coordinator responsible for ensuring timely and orderly implementation.
PMM&Co. appreciates the opportunity to have assisted the Town of
Reading in developing a management improvement program. We would like
to thank the steering committee, members of the Finance Committee, and
all other town personnel who participated in this study. Their sus-
tained effort and cooperation was essential to the successful completion
of the engagement and. will help ensure orderly and effective implementa-
tion."
ARTICLE 1. The following report was read by Paul C. Dustin,
which cos accepted as a report of progress:
LEAF COLLECTION SYSTEM
At the Annual Town Meeting of last March the Board of Public Works
was instructed to resubmit an alternative plan for a leaf collection
system to Town Meeting. It was noted aththe time that the Board seemed
something less than completely in support of the subject. Again, in
response to a prior request, we had studied the question and had pro-
posed a plan to Town Meeting, which called for an expenditure of
$40,000.00. For this amount -We would have purchased three leaf vacuum
units and suitable collection boxes and covered the town streets twice
during the fall season. We felt, at the time, that the amount of
leaves actually collected would be a small percentage of the total and
therefore such an expense would be largely ineffective.
Since that time the Board has reviewed the matter and, in particu-
lar, contacted the Town of Winchester to discuss in detail the workings
of their program. To summarize their experience: Winchester has had
a leaf collection program in effect for the last 15 or 20 years• they
cover the entire town once but additionally only a portion of it for
a second time over a roughly eight-week period. Their primary purpose
is one of safety - to remove the potentially slippery leaves from the
streets, while the convenience factor to the homeowner is of lesser
consideration. Indeed, most people still haul leaves to their dump.
Based upon the scope and equipment requirements as indicated by
Winchester's experience, we have reestimated the cost of such a pro-
gram to the Town of Reading. We find that if we were to purchase two
20 -yd. self-contained leaf collectors the first year, the program cost,
including labor and additional equipment, both town owned and rented,
would approximate $55,000:'003 For the second and successive years the
cost would decrease to around $42,000.00, since no capital equipment
would be purchased, although this figure would have to be corrected
upward yearly, to account for inflation. These costs, which are
based upon a more comprehensive investigation, are not too different
from the estimate of $40,000.00 previously given. It should also be
noted that the scopes of the two programs, March and now, are basic-
ally the same; once to twice around the entire town over an 0 -week per-
iod in the late fall.
A
Special Town Meeting October 21, 1974 T
In as much as the tax rate has been set, and it therefore seems
inadvisable to recommend an expenditure of this type Brom available
cash, the Board chose not to present an article at this time. In-
stead, we felt that it was better to report upon our efforts and wait
until the next annual town meeting to take action. It is the Board's
plan, therefore, to sponsor such an article at the next annual meeting
and again give Town Meeting the opportunity to institute or reject such
a program.
ARTICLE 1. The following report was read by William E. Clark
of the Planning Board, which was accepted as a report of progress:
PLANNING BOARD PROGRESS REPORT 6A HIRED CONSULTANT
In March, the Town Meeting authorized the Planning Board funds
to engage a planning consultant to initiate and prepare a report of
future MBTA impact and dump site re -use.
The official selection of a planner was made in April and work was
commenced on finalizing a fixed price contract with Sasaki, Dawson,
DeMay and Associates of Watertown. After three revisions, the Plan-
ning Board signed a contract on August 15.
The objective as outlined to Town Meeting in March and as em-
bodied in the contract "is to provide the Town of Reading with analysis
and recommendations for terminal locations for the proposed Reading
extension of the MBTA and for potential re -use of the present Town
dump site."
Because of the more urgent nature of the MBTA issue, this is the
phase of the project receiving most attention. Work to date by Sasaki
has entailed primarily gathering an inventory of data available. The
planner has conducted interviews with some Town Officials and more
will follow. One of the most important items accomplished thus far
has been as a result of an exchange of all working information between
our planner and the MBTA and their planners. The information obtained
at this meeting allows Sasaki and the Town to be aware of the direction
of MBTA planning and considerations that will go into shaping the MBTA
decision.
Much of the information relative to travel demand projections has
still not been finalized by the Central Planning Staff, an agency of
the State. Since this loading data will not be available until early
November, a temporary slow down in the progress of work by the MBTA is
evident. During the suspected lull, Sasaki will begin preliminary
dump site re -use studies including identifying feasible re -use options
and planning relationships to the MBTA orange line corridor.
The aspect of transportation planning that is continuing involves
a workshop session with Sasaki, the Planning Board and community people,
who have been following and assisting on the Town's behalf, either of-
ficially or unofficially. A second workshop including the aforemen-
tioned plus the MBTA and its planners is tentatively scheduled for No-
vember. The requirement for additional workshop sessions is called for
in the contract with our planner.
The MBTA has made a commitment to Reading that its planning will be
open and will allow for grassroots inputs and opinions. 'ro this end
the Planning Board has forwarded writtenndocdmentation to the MBTA of
all inputs received from any group or individual in Town. An essential
element of participatory planning is the open, cooperative exchange of
information and views between planners and community participants. We
intend to hold the MBTA to this commitment and feel that the exchange
with Sasaki and the community workshop sessions will further guarantee
this cooperative working spirit.
It is appropriate at this time to mention that the planning issues
we are concerned with are being continually critiqued by a small but most
effective group of interested citizens. Two groups have been particularly
active in monitoring day to day progress or lack of progress. The League
of Women Voters, represented by Eleanor Dustin, and the Reading Residents
Council on Transportation, headed by Maureen O'Brien and Roberta Sullivan,
have all become self-educated specialists on problems that Reading may
face with regard to future transportation expansion. These people, and
Special Town Meeting October 21, 1974
the citizens they represent, have let all concerned know that whatever
is done in Reading had better be done with the best interest of Read-
ing and its people as the foremost concern. The Planning Board wishes
to publicly thank these citizens for their continued interest and
sincerely hopes that their enthusiasm does not diminish as the issue
moves on, whatever the course.
The present predicted timing of the MBTA planning indicates that
by March, 1975, we should be in a position to view specific MBTA pro-
posals and provide our analysis and recommendations of the proposals.
On motion of Edward P. Cameron it was voted to lay Article 1 on
the table.
ARTICLE 2. To choose all other necessary Town Officers and
Special Committees and determine what instructions shall be given
Town Officers and Special Committees.
On motion of Edward P. Cameron it was voted to lay Article 2 on
on the table.
ARTICLE 3. Edward P. Cameron moved to approve the recommendation
of the Law Committee that Town Counsel be and hereby is authorized to
enter into a consent judgment in the case of Barbara E. Winkler, et al
v. Town of Reading, now pending in the Middlesex Superior Court as
No. 35093.
This motion did not pass.
45 voted in the affirmative
81 voted in the negative
ARTICLE 4. On motion of George R. Larson it was voted to accept
Section 99 of Chapter 32 of the General Laws relating to advance pay-
ments for retirement applicants.
ARTICLE 5. On motion of Edward P. Cameron it was voted to appro-
priate the sum of $815.09 from Surplus Funds for the purpose of paying
the following bills for goods and services actually rendered to the
Town during the fiscal year prior to July 1, 1974:
1. City of Boston $484.50
2. Frost Business Service 325.59
126 voted in the affirmative
0 voted in the negative
(9/10's vote required)
On motion of William E. Clark it was voted to take Article 1
from the table.
ARTICLE 1. The following report was read by William E. Clark
of the Planning Board, which was accepted as a report of progress:
In accordance with Chapter 40A, Section 6, of the General
Laws, a public hearing was held on Tuesday, October 15, 1974, regard-
ing a proposed change in the Zoning of the "Depot", so called, described
in Article 6 of the Warrant from a Residence A-1 to Business B District.
The hearing was very poorly attended with only eighteen people
in attendance, Of those in attendance voicing an opinion, six favored
rezoning and eight opposed. Two themes covered most of the comments
aired: first, what are the prospects for converting the depot to an
historic site; secondly, what plans does the Town have for developing
the property.
The Planning Board's recommended action will allow the Town the
flexibility to follow either the course of utilizing the depot as a
commercial property or to retain it along the lines of an historical
item.
In making its recommendation in Town Meeting, the Planning Board
deliberated over what is the best use designation for the land in ques-
tion. The depot has in fact, by practice been used for business pur-
poses in the past. The land abuts an active business zone on High
Street and Haven Street. The residence area immediately South of the
depot contains three existing business developments. The land in
Special Town Meeting October 21, 1974 ?.ri
question will undoubtedly be a part of any public transportation activity
in Town regardless of whether the outcome is expansion or retention of
existing service. The nature of any transportation activity will util-
ize the land with a business flavor.
The Planning Board, therefore, unanimously recommends in favor of
the proposed rezoning of the depot and the adoption of Article 6.
On motion of William E. Clark it was voted to lay Article 1 on the
table.
ARTICLE 6. On motion of Robert S. Cummings it was voted to amend
the Zoning By -Laws and Zoning Map so as to change the zoning of the Depot,
so-called, located on the Assessors' Maps as Plat 63, Lot 50, consisting
of approximately 3.04 acres bordered by Woburn Street, Lincoln Street,
High Street and Washington Street and Lot 51, consisting of about
22,105 square feet, from Residence A-1 to Business B. District.
97 voted in the affirmative
33 voted in the negative
(2/3's vote required)
ARTICLE 7. On motion of John H. Crocker it was voted to accept
Chapter 164A of the General Laws entitled "New England Power Pool".
ARTICLE 8. On motion of Frank A. Smith, Jr., it was voted to trans-
fer from Surplus Funds and appropriate to the Board of Registrars the
sum of Eight Hundred Dollars ($800.00) to be expended for a census of
school age children, in accordance with the regulations of the Board
of Education of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts promulgated June 25,
1974.
On motion of Edward P. Cameron it was voted that this meeting stand
adjourned until Thursday, October 24, 1974, at 8:00 P. M., to meet in
Reading Memorial High School Auditorium.
Meeting adjourned: 11:00 P. M.
166 Town Meeting Members were present.
A true copy. Attest:
Lawrence Drew, Town Clerk
ADJOURNED SPECIAL TOWN MEETING
Reading Memorial High School Auditorium October 24, 1974
The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Kenneth C. Latham,
at 8:00 P. M.
The invocation was given by Rev. Robert D. Samuelson of the First
Congregational Church.
The Town Clerk read the Notice and his Return on posting the No-
tice of Proposed Reconsideration of Article 3, in accordance with
Article II, Section 4, of the General By -Laws of the Town, on vote
passed at the Special Town Meeting held on October 21, 1974.
ARTICLE 3. On motion of Frank A. Smith, Jr., it was voted Recon-
sideration of this Article be laid on the table.
ARTICLE 9. On motion of Lawrence R, Blood it was voted to raise
by borrowing and appropriate the sum of Fifty Five Thousand Dollars
($55,000.00) for the expenses of the Board of Public Works for the
cost of engineering services for plans and specifications for construct-
ing an interceptor sewer, such funds to be spent by and under the direc-
tion of the Board of Public Works.
134 voted in the affirmative
1 voted in the negative
(2/3's vote required)
if, Adjourned Special Town Meeting
October 24. 1974
ARTICLE 10. Edward P. Cameron moved that the Board of Public
Works be directed to amend its rules and regulations for rubbish col-
lection to permit the use of other than paper sacks for the collec-
tion of refuse as follows:
4. Approved containers are "wet -strength", two-ply, 50 lb. Kraft
paper sacks of 30 -gallon capacity; heavy-duty, two -mil thick, National
Sanitation Foundation approved plastic sacks of 32 -gallon capacity;
and metal or plastic trash barrels of 32 -gallon capacity.
5. Paper sacks shall he closed at the top by rolling. Plastic
sacks shall be closed at the top by twisting and then securely tied.
Metal and plastic barrels shall be left open to facilitate transfer
of the contents to the collection vehicle.
6. Newspapers shall be bundled and tied securely. Cardboard
cartons must be broken down or cut up and put into tied bundles not
longer than three feet in length. Newspapers and cartons thus bun-
dled should be saved for the next bi-monthly paper drive• however,
they will be collected if placed at the curb with other refuse.
7. Earth, gravel, stone, plaster, cement, or other materials
from repair or construction of buildings will not be collected.
Logs will not be collected.
This motion did not pass.
ARTICLE 11. On motion of James J. Sullivan, Jr., it was voted
that the Board of Selectmen be, and they hereby are, authorized to
petition the General Court under Section 8 of Article 89 of the
Amendments to the Constitution to amend Chapter 7 of the Acts of 1943,
and revise voting precincts and the number of Town Meeting Members
from each precinct to conform to the mandated standard of one man
one vote in compliance with Chapter 620 of the Acts of 1971 and Chap-
ter 735 of the Acts of 1972; and that said petition include requests
that the Board of Selectmen be authorized:
1. To reapportion the number of precinct members in a particu-
lar precinct to be in proportion to the number of inhabitants therein.
2. To readjust the precinct member population from time to time
as the Board deems necessary to insure continued equal alignment of
precinct members versus inhabitants, provided that the total number
of precinct members for the Town of Reading shall not be more than
192.
3. To realign the precinct boundaries from time to time, as the
Board deems it necessary, to not less than four (4) nor more than
eight (6) precincts, which shall be divided as equally as possible ac-
cording to the number of inhabitants in each, and,
4. To review from time to time the precinct boundaries and to
readjust them as the Board deems necessary.
ARTICLE 12. On motion of Robert S. Cummings it was voted to
amend Section 104.5 of the Building Code of Reading by deleting the
fee schedule following the words "receipt of the permit", and sub-
stituting therefor the following:
New Dwelling
Additions & Alterations
Garage -Private Residential
1 car
2 car
3 car
Commercial Building
Industrial Building
Signs
Swimming Pools
Accessory Buildings, Tool
Temporary Buildings
Foundation Permit
Raze Building
Move Building
6jTIT. G
$35.00 minimum
$3.00/$1;000.00 -valuation
$10.00 minimum
$3.00/$1,000.00 valuation
$10.00
$15.00
$20.00
$35.00 minimum
$3.00/$1,000.00 valuation
$35.00 minimum
$3.00/$1,000.00 valuation
$6.00 minimum
$3.00/$1,000.00 valuation
$10.00 minimum
$3.00/$1,000.00 valuation
$10.00 minimum
$3.00/$1,000.00 valuation
$10.00 minimum if needed
$3.00
$35.00
�I
J
J
Adjourned Special Town Meeting October 24, 1974 71/
1 Story Dwelling $25.00/sq.ft.
1-11 Stories (expansion Cape,
Split Level, Split Entrance) $30.00/sq.ft.
2,Story (Garrison, Straight
Colonial, etc.) $35.00/sq.ft.
Basement Garage -Single Add $500.00
Double Add $700.00
Attached Garage -Single Add $900.00
Double Add $1,500.00
Triple Add $2,100.00
Commercial & Industrial Buildings $10.00/sq/ft
Apartment Buildings $15,000.00/unit
-�Detailed plans and specifications for entire building shall be
presented at time of application for permit.
ARTICLE 13. On motion of Robert S. Cummings it was voted to trans-
fer from Surplus Funds, and appropriate the sum of One Thousand Three
Hundred Dollars ($1,300.00) for the purpose of additional expenses of
the Building Inspector.
ARTICLE 14. On motion of Robert S. Cummings it was voted to estab-
lish a full time clerk typist (Grade 6) for the Building Inspector and
to transfer from Surplus Funds, and appropriate the sum of One Thousand
Two Hundred Sixty Dollars ($1,260.00) for said clerk typist's salary.
ARTICLE 15. On motion of James J. Sullivan, Jr., it was voted to
transfer from Surplus Funds, and appropriate the sum of Ten Thousand
Dollars ($10,000.00) for the purpose of renovating, repairing and modi-
fying the heating system in the Municipal Building, Community Center,
Police Station, Train Depot, Police Annex and the Fire Station Garage
at the Nike site.
ARTICLE 16. To see if the Town will transfer the funds appropriated
under Article 27 of the 1974 Annual Town Meeting Warrant and transfer
direction of the Youth Center, now under the direction of the Recreation
Committee, to the Board of Selectmen, or take any other action with
respect thereto.
On motion of Edward P. Cameron it was voted that this Article be
indefinitely postponed.
ARTICLE 17. On motion of Edward P. Cameron it was voted that the
Selectmen be and hereby are authorized to file a petition to the General
Court under Section 8 of Article 69 of the Amendments to the Constitution
to transfer the Forestry Department to the jurisdiction of the Board of
Public Works, including as appropriate amending Chapter 118 of the Acts
of 1921.
ARTICLE 18. On motion of George A. Theophanis, as Amended by
Philip R. White, Jr., it was voted that Section 1 of Article I of the
Town By -Laws be amended by deleting the words "first Saturday of March"
and substitute therefor the words "third Monday preceding the first
Monday in May", so that Section 1 shall read:
"The Annual Town Meeting shall be held on the third Monday
preceding the first Monday in May of each year for the
election of Town Officers and for such other matters as
required by law to be determined by ballot.", and;
That Section 2 of Article I of the Town By -Laws be amended by
deleting the words "second Monday after the first Saturday of March",
and substituting therefor the words "first Monday in May except if
this day shall fall on a legal holiday, in which case the meeting
shall be held on the following day and further amend Section 2 of Arti-
clei.by adding at the end of the first sentence', after the words "fol-
lowing day", the words "or at a further adjournment thereof", and add-
ing a second sentence so that Section 2 shall read:
"All business of the Annual Town Meeting, except the elec-
tion of such officers and the determination of such matters
as required.by law to be elected or determined by ballot,
shall be considered at an adjournment of such meeting to
be held at 8:00 P. M. on the first Monday in May except
if this day shall fall on a legal holiday, in which case
the meeting shall be held on the following day, or at a
Adjourned Special Town Meeting
October 24, 1974
further adjournment thereof. A subsequent Town Meeting
shall be held on the second Monday in November to con-
sider and act on all business as may properly come be-
fore it, except the adoption of the annual operating
budget, except if this day shall fall on a legal holi-
dayv in which case the meeting shall be held on the
following day.", and;
That Section 4 of Article I of the Town By -Laws be amended by
deleting the same and inserting therefor the following:
"Section 4. Adjourned sessions of every Annual Town
Meeting, after the first such adjourned session pro-
vided for in Section 2 of this Article, and adjourned
sessions of every subsequent Town Meeting, shall be held
on the following Thursday at 8:00 P. M. and then on the
following Monday at 8:00 P. M. and on consecutive Mondays
and Thursdays unless a resolution to adjourn to another
time is adopted by a majority vote of the Town Meeting
Members present and voting.", and;
That Section 5 of Article I of the Town By -Laws be amended by
inserting the words "and subsequent" after the word "Annual".
That Section,7of Article I of the Town By -Laws be amended by delet-
ing the same and inserting therefor the following:
"Section 7. All articles for the Annual Town Meeting
shall be submitted to the Board of Selectmen not later
than 8:00 P. M. on the third Monday of March of the
year for the Annual Town Meeting in which action thereon
is to be taken. All articles for the subsequent Town
Meeting shall be submitted to the Board of Selectmen
not later than 8:00 P. M. on the fourth Monday of Sep-
tember of the year for the subsequent Town Meeting in
which action is to be taken.", and;
That Article II of the Town By -Laws be amended by deleting the
second sentence of Rule4 of Section 1 thereof, and by adding the follow-
ing as Section 8: "Section 8. The Selectmen shall, at each Annual
Town Meeting, give to the Members information of the state of the
Town." and;
That Section 2 of Article III of the Town By -Laws be amended by
deleting the word "May" in the second sentence and substituting there-
for the word "July", and;
That Section 5 of Article III of the Town By -Laws be amended by
deleting the word "May" in the second sentence and substituting
therefor the word "July", and;
That Section 7 of Article III of the Town By -Laws be amended by
deleting the words "second Monday after the first Saturday of March"
in the first sentence and substituting therefor the words "first
Monday in May and second Monday in November.", and;
That Section 10 of Article III of the Town By -Laws be amended
by deleting the words "thirty-first day of December" in the first
and third sentences and substituting therefor the words "fifteenth
day of February", and;
That Article V of the Town By -Laws be amended by deleting the
words "April lst" and 'March 31st" in Section 1 thereof and substitut-
ing respectively therefor the words "June 1st" and May 31st", and;
That Article VI of the Town By -Laws be amended by deleting the
words "April" and "March" in the second and third sentences of Sec-
tion 1 thereof and substituting respectively therefor the words
"June" and "May", and;
That Article XII of the Town By -Laws be amended by deleting the
words "April" and "March" in the first sentence of Section 1 thereof
and substituting respectively therefor the words "June" and "May",
and;
Adjourned Special Town Meeting October 24, 1974 79
That Article XIII of the Town By -Laws be amended by deleting the
words "January 15th" in Section 1 thereof and substituting therefor
the words "the last Monday in March", and by deleting the words "Feb-
ruary 21st" in Section 2 thereof and substituting therefor the words
"the last Monday in April".
On motion of Carl H. Amon, Jr., it was voted to take Article 2
from the table.
ARTICLE 2. On motion of Carl H. Amon, Jr., as amended by James
C. Gibney, it was voted to adopt the following Resolution:
It is the sense of this Meeting that the School Committee will
be authorized and instructed to expend the sum of Thirty Thousand Dol-
lars ($30,000.00), said sum to be in addition to the Six Million Three
Hundred Eighty Three Thousand Five Hundred Fifty Eight Dollars
($6,383,558.00) voted at the Annual Town Meeting held on March 16, 1974,
said Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000.00) must be the subject of an
Article in a Warrant for a future Town Meeting, provided so-called
case of Winkler et al v. Town of Reading is dropped.
86 voted in the affirmative
57 voted in the negative
v ARTICLE 2. On motion of Paul T. Metcalf it was voted that the
Board of Public Works study the cost of furnishing Trash Bags to the
citizens of Reading and that a plan of distribution of bags be set up
and that a report be made at the next Town Meeting. Further, an Arti-
cle considering the above study should be included in the Warrant of
the next Town Meeting.
ARTICLE 2. On motion of Edward P. Cameron it was voted that
Article 2 be indefinitely postponed.
On motion of Frank A. Smith, Jr., it was voted to take Article 3
from the table.
ARTICLE 3. On motion of Frank A. Smith, Jr., it was voted that
the motion and Reconsideration under Article 3 be indefinitely post-
poned.
On motion of Edward P. Cameron it was voted to take Article 1
from the table.
On motion of Edward P. Cameron it was voted that Article 1 be
indefinitely postponed.
On motion of Edward P. Cameron it was voted that the meeting stand
adjourned, sine die, at 11:46 P. M.
157 Town Meeting Members were present.
A true copy. Attest: --I;i
Lawrence Drew. Town Clerk