HomeMy WebLinkAbout1978-11-13 Subsequent Town Meeting Minutes95
SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING
Reading Memorial High School November 13,1978
The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Kenneth C. Latham, at 8:00 P.M.
The invocation was given by the Rev. Lewis MacLean of the Church of the Nazarene,
followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
ARTICLE 1. The following report was read by Frank A. Smith, Jr., Chairman of the
Board of Selectmen:
Under Article 3 of the Annual Town Meeting, by motion of Carl Amon, the Board of
Selectmen were instructed to:
1. Place an article in the warrant to demolish the Community Center.
2. Place an article in the warrant to remodel the Community Center for offices for
Town boards and committees, and
3. To mail to each Town Meeting Member the names of all users and tenants of the
Community Center, the amount of rent paid by each from 1/1/77 to the date of
mailing, and all expenses in detail for the maintenance and operation of the
Community Center building from 111177 to the date of mailing
The Board reports that Articles 14 and 15 of this Town Meeting warrant comply with
the instructions of Mr. Amon. In view of mail costs and the non binding nature of the
instructional motion, the Board did not mail the tenants and expense lists, but did send
copies to each Town Meeting Member through the Precinct Captains. We express our
appreciation for the assistance of the Precinct Captains.
Respectfully submitted,
Board of Selectmen
This report was accepted as a report of progress.
ARTICLE 1. The following report was read by Frank A.Smith, Jr., Chairman of the
Board of Selectmen.
Under Article 3 of the Annual Town Meeting all Town Boards, Committees, Commis-
sions, Officers, Departments and Agencies were instructed to report to the Board of
Selectmen specific services, staff and expenses that would be required to be reduced in
order to achieve a reduction of ten percent (10%) in the total amount under Article 12. The
Board of Selectmen were required to report such information to the 1978 Fall Special Town
Meeting and seven days before the Fall Special Town Meeting to issue a report to each Town
Meeting Member.
The Board of Selectmen hereby reports to the Town Meeting that, with the exception
of the Cemetery Trustees who have declined to do so, all town government units concerned
have furnished all requested information. The Board of Selectmen would like to express it's
appreciation to all who cooperated to provide the requested information. We also express
appreciation to the Precinct Captains who distributed the report permitting a savings in
mailing costs of over $400.
The Board believes that the information contained in the report will prove to be
valuable to the Town Meeting Members as, for the first time, they have information related
to the least necessary services of each Board. It is also recognized by the Board that in
some instances even these least necessary services are considered very important by some
boards.
The instructions of the motion require that the Board of Selectmen report the
information at this meeting; however, in view of the fact that each member has been sent a
copy, and in view of the non - binding nature of the motion, the Board of Selectmen very
respectfully declines to read this 96 page report to the Town Meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
Board of Selectmen
This report was accepted as a report of progress.
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Subsequent Town Meeting November 13, 1978
ARTICLE 1. The following report was read by Frank A. Smith, Jr., Chairman of the
Board of Selectmen.
Report to Subsequent Town Meeting - November 13, 1978
Concerning Civil Action Against the Selectmen of the
Town of Reading, Individually and as They are the Selectmen of the Town of Reading)
On January 6, 1978 the deed was recorded for the sale of land on which to construct a
restaurant by Sambo's of Mass., Inc.
Three days later on January 9, 1978, Mr. Wires of Sambo's of Mass., Inc. made a
presentation to the Selectmen regarding the restaurant his company was planning to build in
Reading and their request for permission to open 24 hours. Citizens present voiced
objections to the proposed restaurant and particularly to the 24 hours opening. The
Selectmen stated that this presentation was for information purposes only, since the
company did not have a request for a common victualler's before them at this time. A
decision would be made at that time, and would allow time for additional input for Reading
citizens.
On March 10, 1978 a building permit was issued by the Building Inspector. The Board
of Selectmen do not participate in the issuance of building permits.
On September 7, 1978 an Application for License was received from Sambo'sCorp., 357
Main St., Reading, Mass. and an appointment was made for 7:30 p.m. on September 11. This
appointment was postponed to a hearing on September 18.
Subsequently, an Application for License dated September 12, 1978, was received from
Sambo's Restaurants Inc. 1415 Rt. #70, Cherry Hill, N. J.
On September 18 the hearing was postponed at the request of the Construction
Manager "due to circumstances beyond (their) control ", and was rescheduled as requested for
October 16, 1978.
On September 25, at the request of the attorney for Sambo's Restaurants Incorporated
the October 16 hearing date was moved forward to October 3, 1978.
On October 3, 1978 a new license application for Sambo's of Mass., Inc. c/o Henry
Rotes, CT Corp. Systems, 10 Post Office Square, Boston, Mass., was filed with the Board of
Selectmen.
A hearing was held on Tuesday, October 3, 1978, by the Board of Selectmen at the
Community Center. As part of the preliminary proceedings, 20 people signed to speak in
opposition to issuance of a license and 3 signed to speak in favor. One personsigned in favor
and opposed. Of the 24 signers, all of whom spoke, 23 were from the Town of Reading and
one was from Methuen. A petition containing over 300 signatures in opposition was
presented. Of these signatures were Reading residents. At the conclusion of the
hearing, the Selectmen voted unanimously to deny the request for a license.
Transcripts of the hearing are available for review in the Selectmen's office.
On October 21, 1978 the members of the Board of Selectmen were served with a
complaint individually and as the Selectmen of the Town of Reading charging that they
"...acted arbitrarily and capriciously and in excess of their authority in denying a license... ".
The complete text of the complaint has been printed in the Reading Chronicle.
On November 10, 1978, counsel for the Town of Reading filed a motion in Superior
Court to dismiss the complaint against the Selectmen individually and as they are the
Selectmen of the Town of Reading. The motions for dismissal have been marked for hearing
on November 21, 1978.
It is assumed by the Board of Selectmen that in the same manner that the complete
text of the charge was published by The Reading Chronicle the complete text of the Motion
to Dismiss will also be published for your information. I shall therefore refrain from reading
that text at this time.
I have received unconfirmed information that motions will be made here tonight to
instruct the Board of Selectmen to somehow withdraw from this action, and /or to instruct
the Law Committee to deny expenditure of town funds for the individual defense of the
Selectmen. For two reasons I would urge that such actions not be proposed. First, Town
Meeting has been advised on many occasions by present and previous counsel not to take
97
Subsequent Town Meeting November 13, 1978
action on or discuss matters of litigation when such actions might be harmful to the Town's
case. I believe Town Counsel will give such advice now. Second, any indication by Town
Meeting that volunteer members of town boards would not be supported by the Town in legal
actions challenging their discretionary actions in performance of their duties, would become
a significant deterrent to individuals who might otherwise enter public service.
The Board of Selectmen realize that citizens are concerned with the stated amount of
"...losses (which) can and will mount into the millions of dollars..." as contained in the
complaint filed against the Board. In this respect we would point out from their annual
report, the net earnings for all 869 restaurants combined in 1977 were $24,346,000; an
average of $28,016 per restaurant for a full year of operation.
This report was accepted as a report of progress.
ARTICLE 1. The following report was read by Clifford P. Wadman, Chairman of the
Board of Cemetery Trustees.
The Board of Selectmen in its letter to you dated October 30, 1978 stated that:
"The Board of Cemetery Trustees has 'declined' to furnish information -- the only Board to do
so." This is not a correct statement. In its letter to the Board dated October 18, 1978 (a
copy of which you have received) the Board of Cemetery Trustees stated that it had voted
"that in our 1979 -1980 budget no reduction of expenses is possible in either our maintenance
or salary items. This conclusion was arrived at after a careful study of both of these
schedules ". In view of the statement made by the Board of Selectmen the Board of
Cemetery Trustees wishes to give you the following information:
1. The appropriation for salaries for the Cemetery Department as voted by the Annual
Town Meeting was $84,500. At the commencement of the current fiscal year one of the
permanent employees of the Cemetery Department retired. The Board of Cemetery
Trustees did not replace this employee and thereby saved $10,441.60 for the current fiscal
year as compared to the amount appropriated. The Board of Cemetery Trustees thereby
reduced its salary appropriation by 12.226% for the current fiscal year.
2. The Board of Cemetery Trustees employs six persons:
A. Four employees who are members of the same union as the employees of the
Department of Public Works. These employees are presently working under a two -year
contract which gives them a 7% increase effective July 1, 1979. It is the opinion of
the Board of Cemetery Trustees that it is absolutely essential for the maitenance of
the Town's cemeteries that we continue with four employees and we have no control
over their salaries in view of the fact that they are members of the union.
B. Superintendent Henry Vik. The Superintendent presently receives a salary of
$18,786.04. The Board has not yet considered the increase, if any, to be given to the
Superintendent for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 1979.
C. Secretary. The secretary previously employed by the Board has resigned.
She worked twenty or more hours per week and therefore received all of the fringe
benefits. The Board of Selectmen attempted to have the Board use half of the time of
an individual who is the secretary for another board. After a trial period the Board of
Cemetery Trustees is not satisfied with that arrangement and therefore intends to hire
its own secretary who will work no more than nineteen hours per week so that she
would not be entitled to all of the fringe benefits that a person who works twenty or
more hours per week receives. This will result in a further saving to the Town.
D. The Board of Cemetery Trustees ordinarily employs seasonal, part -time
employees who work only during the Summer months and during vacation periods. In
the opinion of the Board it is necessary that we have those employees in order to
maintain the cemeteries. We have voted to increase the amount necessary for part -
time employees by $3,000 so that the total amount spent for expenses for the current
year will still be less than it would be if we had five full -time employees plus the
seasonal employees.
If we were to continue with five full -time employees plus the same amount as the
current year for seasonal employees and with the 7% union increase, then our total salary
expense would be $90,700. By reducing the number of permanent employees to four the
total salary expense for fiscal 1979 -1980 will be $84,750. The total amount to be
appropriated from the tax levy is reduced from $65,700 to $59,750 or $5,950. The Board has
therefore already reduced its requested appropriation from the tax levy for fiscal 1979 -1980
by 9.0563%
Subsequent Town Meeting November 13, 1978
The Board of Cemetery Trustees intends to keep its expense request for the fiscal year
1978 -1979 at the same amount as the current fiscal year and this is in spite of increases in
fertilizer, grass seed, gasoline, trees, shrubs and other materials used to maintain the
cemeteries.
The last Annual Town Meeting appropriated $6,050 for the purchase of a pick -up truck
by the Board of Cemetery Trustees. That truck has been purchased and there will be no
request in the 1979 -1980 fiscal year for the purchase of equipment.
The requested appropriation from the tax levy by the Board of Cemetery Trustees for
the fiscal year 1979 -1980 will therefore be 16.72% less than the amount appropriated for the
current fiscal year.
There are 2,750 lots plus 950 single graves in the two cemeteries. There are 10,122
persons interred in the two cemeteries. An individual purchasing a lot in one of the
cemeteries purchases not only a lot but also perpetual care of that lot. The Board of
Cemetery Trustees therefore has an obligation to maintain the lot purchased in perpetuity
and cannot reduce its maintenance beyond the reduction already made as four permanent
employees are absolutely necessary. It must also be kept in mind that the Board of
Cemetery Trustees has week -end funerals and permanent employees must be available for
such occasions.
We believe that we have reduced our expenses to the minimum and have acted within
the spirit of the instructions of the Town Meeting
BOARD OF CEMETERY TRUSTEES
Clifford Wadman, Chairman
Charles Ellis
Fred C. Kenney
Herbert Gent
Stanley Maxwell
Carl H. Amon, Jr.
This report was accepted as a report of progress.
ARTICLE 1. The following report was read by Joyce K. Miller, Chairman of the
Bicentennial Commission.
The Reading Bicentennial Commission was authorized under Article 20 of Town
Meeting in March, 1972, and its members were appointed in spring of 1973. Our charge was
to consider and carry out appropriate projects during the anniversary years 1975 -1983.
We saw our responsibility as two -fold: (1) to sponsor certain projects that could not be
handled without official sanction and financing; and (2) to encourage, assist with and
coordinate activities planned and handled by private organizations or groups of individuals.
This was to encourage participation as well as to reduce the scope of work and finances
handled by the Town.
In 1974 we applied for and were granted recognition as a Bicentennial Community,
allowing us to use the official flag and logo, and we also endorsed the theme and slogan of the
national American Revolution Bicentennial Commission -- "Heritage, Festival and Horizon; a
Heritage to preserve: a future to mold." Our program was developed around these ideas.
From the very first public response and participation has been immediate and
enthusiastic. Donations were made and offers of help were numerous. Our program
officially began with a Dedication Service on March 20, 1975. On this occasion, the Reading
Minutemen made their first appearance. This group was organized under the direction of
Dr. John McCauley, and required hard work and dedication of the members, who paid their
own way and were very generous with their time and energy. They were responsible for the
flag raising ceremony on the Common on April 5, 1975, and together with the Reading
Jaycees, planned and handled the Bicentennial Ball and Festival Weekend of May 21 -11,
1976. They have also participated in many bicentennial activities in Reading and other
communities. The festival portion of our program would not have been possible without the
Reading Minutemen and the Reading Jaycees.
Our projects related to preserving our heritage have been numerous. They include:
1. Assisting the Antiquarian Society secure funds to repair Parker Tavern.
2. Establishing a Heritage Trail, marking historic sites and homes built before 1783.
3. Sponsoring a new edition of "The Story of Reading Government " -- originally
written by Victor E. Pitkin in 1940, and updated by the League of Women Voters.
4. Sponsoring a new edition of "Reading's Colonial Roof trees' story of
Reading homes built prior to 1800 and originally written by C. Nelson and
Eleanor C. Bishop in 1944, and updated by Mrs. Bishop.
Subsequent Town Meeting November 13, 1978 99
5. Sponsoring the booklet "How Reading Grew Up" for use by the third grade in the
school system, prepared by the College Club.
6. Sponsoring production of a slide -tape program, "Colonial Taverns in New
England ", including the Parker Tavern, prepared by a group of young people
under the leadership of Ronald D'Addario.
7. Sponsoring an Oral History Project consisting of taped interviews with thirteen
of our older citizens,conducted by volunteers. Ideally these tapes should be
transcribed to make them more readily available.
8. Sponsoring a program of recording inscriptions of pre1800 gravestones in Laurel
Hill Cemetery.
9. Microfilming the diaries of Emily Ruggles.
The "Horizon" or looking -to- the - future portion of our program included:
1. A new sign on the Reading Common. It is our understanding that the Board of
Public Works and Garden Club intend to continue beautifying this area through
plantings and a brick walk.
2. Sponsoring establishment of a local Historical Commission, which Town Meeting
authorized November 1977.
3. Recommending better care and preservation of our local records by establishing
official archives under professional guidance.
The Products of our activities have been distributed as follows:
1. Equipment - including tape recorder and slide projector - given to the Reading
Public Library to be used with other products -- Oral History Tapes, Colonial
Taverns in New England Slide Tape Program, Microfilm of the Ruggles' diaries
and photographic record of the Bicentennial activities.
2. Records of and responsibility for Heritage Trail plaques -- transferred to the
Reading Historical Commission.
3. Publications and responsibility for their distribution -- transferred to the
Reading Historical Commission.
Our program was financed by
Appropriation 11,000
Bicentennial Grant 750
Donations 7,382
Total 19,132
We have spent $18,171.48; $17,814.78 on projects and $356.70 on operating expenses
including photography to record our Bicentennial activities. The $11,000 appropriated
included $2,500 for contingencies. We are returning to you approximately $960 of this
contingency.
We recommend that, at the appropriate time these remaining funds be transferred to
the Historical Commission to allow them to continue the work started by this Commission,
especially transcribing the oral history tapes into typed documents.
At this time we feel that our cha_ ge has been fulfilled and our projects completed. We
ask you to accept this as our final report and discharge us from further responsibility.
Joyce K. Miller, Chairman
Miriam A. Barclay
Eleanor C. Bishop
Ronald F. Blanchard
Katherine F. Ebeling
John F.McCauley
Maurice C. Proctor
This report was accepted with thanks as a final report and placed on file.
1,
Subsequent Town Meeting November 13, 1978
ARTICLE 1. The following report was read by Douglas A. Cowell for the Board of
Public Works.
At the adjourned Town Meeting of June 1, 1978, by a Motion made by Carl A. Beaulieu
under Article 3 it was voted that the Board of Public Works should report to the Fall 1978
Town Meeting concerning whether Municipal vehicles were being used for personal business
and what if any, disciplinary action would be taken if so found.
The Board of Public Works has investigated this instruction in the following areas:
1. Vehicles assigned to Town employees on a 24 hour basis
2. The use of Town vehicles in regular working hours for private purposes.
3. Use of Town vehicles for coffee breaks
4. Use of Town vehicles for check cashing
Vehicles assigned to Town employees on a 24 hour basis
The Board has the policy of assigning vehicles to the following positions on a 24 hour
basis. These personnel are frequently called out at times beyond the normal working hours
and for this reason the performance of their duties requires a Town owned vehicle. The
Board found no evidence of personal use involved.
Superintendent
Assistant Superintendent of Operations
Supervisors of Highway, Water, Forestry and Water and Sewer Pumping Station
Weekly call men from the Water, Sewer and Highway Divisions
Employee of the Engineering Division
The vehicles are used forTown related business only.
Use of Town vehicles in regular working hours for private purposes
The Board found no evidence of members of the Department using Town vehicles or
Municipal vehicles for private purposes during working hours.
Use of Town vehicles for coffee breaks
Under Article 9, Section 3 of the agreement between the Town of Reading and the
Union Employees - "employees shall be granted a 15 mimute coffee break in the morning and
a 15 minute break in the afternoon subject to the conditions at the job site." Normal
practice for construction crews is for one employee to pick up coffee for the other
employees. On the average, a full crew may have from 4 to 6 employees. There are also
work assignments which may involve only 1 or 2 men assigned to a vehicle for the day. In
this case, both individuals would go to coffee in between jobs. The Board finds that although
individuals may stop for a coffee break between job assignments there is no improper or
excessive use of Municipal vehicles in thisarea.
Use of Town vehicles for check cashing
Regarding the cashing of checks, the Town is required under Massachusetts General
Laws "to provide for employees facilities for the cashing of checks at a bank or elsewhere,
without charge as shall be deemed by the Commissioner of Labor and Industries to be
reasonable..." On Friday morning the supervisors distribute pay checks to employees at the
job sites and at the Public Works Garage. Reasonable time is given to employees to cash
their checks at that time. A survey of Town vehicles involved in this procedure was made
on six (6) different occasions from July through October. On each day the total time was
about one hour for all personnel involved and in view of the state statute this seems to be
well within a reasonable time. The Board therefore finds there is no misuse of Municipal
vehicles and therefore finds no need for any disciplinary action to be taken in the above
matter.
It should be noted, that if vehicles were being improperly used for personal business
the disciplinary action procedure as outlined by the Personnel Board would be followed.
This report was accepted as a report of progress.
ARTICLE 1. The following report was read by Douglas A. Cowell for the Board of
Public Works.
The Board of PublicWorks in a continuing effort to find a long term solution to the
Town's solid waste problem has been actively working with the Northeast Solid Waste
Committee on a regional resource and recovery plant to be located in North Andover. The
Board of Public Works strongly feels that the regional solution to solid waste problems may
ultimately be the best solution for the Town of Reading. The Northeast Solid Waste
Committee, with the assistance of the State Bureau of Solid Waste and the Mitre
Corporation are now actively seeking communities to enter into contract with Northeast
Solid Waste. The primary contractor for the construction of the facility and operation was
formerly United Oil Products, Inc.
Subsequent Town Meeting November 13, 1978 101
The Board of Public Works has made no decision whether or not to recommend to the
Town to enter into such a contract. However, the Board feels that the project has great
potential and feels it is important to inform as many interested citizens as possible about
the proposed facility and therefore has arranged a meeting to be held at the Lecture Hall of
the Reading Memorial High School, 62 Oakland Road, Reading at 8:00 P.M., December
7,1978 to which all Town Meeting Members, interested Boards and Committees and any
citizens of the Town of Reading are cordially invited and urged to attend.
This report was accepted as a report of progress.
ARTICLE 1. The following report was read by Donald A. Dewey, Chairman of the
Reading Transit Study Committee.
The 1978 Spring Town Meeting passed a motion, made by Nils Nordberg, instructing
the Board of Selectmen to appoint a special committee "to study the availability of and the
need for transportation services within the Town ". In accordance with this motion, the
Transit Study Committee has been appointed and is conducting this study.
As there were no guidelines given to the Committee, we have established what we
believe to be Town Meeting's intent. We plan to conduct a study of Reading's transporta-
tional systems in two phases. Phase I would study and report on the possibilities of
Implementing an in -town transit system, as is stipulated by the Town Meeting motion.
Phase II would study Reading's transportational problems as apply to the META.
The Committee, under Phase I, is in the process of:
1. Examining the services presently available in the town,
2. Determining the need for an in -town transit system,
3. Evaluating the kinds of in -town transit systems used by towns similar to Reading,
4. Analyzing and estimating the cost of the alternative systems that would fulfill
the town's needs.
The Committee plans to have this information compiled and written into a report to be
presented to the 1979 Spring Town Meeting. Phase II will be conducted after the spring
meeting.
This report was accepted as a report of progress.
ARTICLE 1 On motion of Mary Jolene Guerra it was voted to allow W. Bruce
MacDonald to give the following report of the School Construction Committee:
Since it was appointed by the Moderator on September 12, 1977, the School
Construction Committee has met a total of 11 times. Bids were received in April of 1978,
and subsequent to the final authorization of funds by the Special Town Meeting of May 4,
1978, a contract was signed with Morello Brothers of Medford, to perform the repairs to the
R.M.H.S. The contract had first been awarded to Anchor Gunite Co. who were the second
highest bidder. Upon review of the State Construction Bid Law, the Committee, with the
advice and consent of Town Counsel, rescinded its award to Anchor Gunite, and awarded the
contract to Morello, the original low bidders. Anchor Gunite lodged a protest with the Mass.
Dept. of Labor and Industries; the result of which was a finding that the bid was properly
made by the Town to Morello, and the protest ended there.
Preliminary work got underway during the week of July 10, 1978, and proceeded
without interruption until September 19, 1978. By all accounts the work was done
exceptionally well. Approximately 16% of the job was completed, the remainder is to be
finished in the spring of 1979, under the same contract, as soon as weather permits. One
change order, increasing the cost by $800. was signed. This involved unanticipated caulking
of window casings in the areas under repair. Additional small charges for further caulking
may be necessary.
The work has proceeded more slowly than anticipated due to lack of skilled labor.
During Construction full time inspection was carried on for 47 days, at a cost of $7250.00.
Construction costs have amounted to $16,000, including the caulking change order, roughly
equivalent to 16% of total construction costs. Inspection costs ran far ahead of actual
construction costs due to the slow pace of work. The Committee felt it imperative,
however, to continue full time inspection during the first important months of construction.
We will explore ways of adjusting inspection time next year in an effort to contain costs
within the original estimate of $10,000. which we continue to feel is a small amount to
spend to insure a first class job. We will make every reasonable effort to speed up the work,
but we wish above all else to insure an excellent and lasting repair to this frustrating
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Subsequent Town Meeting November 13, 1978
condition, and therefore will not encourage the employment of unskilled labor just to speed
up the job. However, we anticipate being able to make a final report to the 1979 Annual
Town Meeting.
At this point I would like to show briefly the results of the work to date.
Respectfully submitted,
W. Bruce MacDonald
Chairman
School Construction Committee
This report was accepted as a report of progress.
ARTICLE 1. The following report was read by Sumner H. Weston, Chairman of the
Public Safety Review Committee, established under Article #2 of the Subsequent Town
Meeting, November 14, 1977.
1. INTRODUCTION
In the May Town Meeting we discussed the Fire Department at some length. In this,
our final report, we deal primarily with the Police Department. As the result of our study,
we will submit two motions during this Town Meeting under Article 2.
2. BUILDINGS
The Police Station (including the nearly completed addition) together with the
Haverhill St. Annex appears to provide the Department with adequate operating and training
facilities.
3. EQUIPMENT
A. CARS
The present compliment consists of three marked vehicles, one Chief's vehicle
and one vehicle for the Detectives. The Police Department normally replaces
the three marked vehicles annually. We support Article #3 of this Town Meeting
which calls for the addition of an all- purpose vehicle. In the future, we would
suggest keeping the three best vehicles and replacing the remaining three
annually.
B. COMMUNICATION
It goes without saying that communication is vital to the Police Department.
Chief Beaudoin informs us that a service technician is implementing improve-
ments, where required, in the radio system. Because of this ongoing radio
maintenance program, we feel it is premature to render an opinion on the radio
system at this time. We suggest, and will so move under Article #2, that the
Selectmen report on the quality and effectiveness of the radio system at the
next Annual Town Meeting.
We recommend that a recording device be added to the incoming emergency
phone lines. Such a recording could be important in an emergency situation.
Presently, if the person answering the call misses key portions of the message,
he might have to wait for a second call.
C. ELECTRIC POWER
If the Reading Municipal Light Department has a major outage which causes the
Police Station to lose power, there is no provision for minimum emergency
electric power. We recommend either adding the Police Station to the Central
Fire Station emergency generator, or obtaining a generator for the Police
Station. The Fire Station, according to the RMLD, draws a maximum of 6.4 KW
while the Police Station presently draws 2KW. The present 25KW generator
should be sufficient for minimum needs. We suggest a schedule for such
emergency power situations should be initiated by the Selectmen.
D. SPECIAL PURPOSE EQUIPMENT
The special purpose equipment (i.e. riot gear, cameras, identification kits, etc.)
represents an extremely small portion of the budget. Members of our Committee
Subsequent Town Meeting November 13, 1978
103
attempted to review the inventory records of this equipment. However, the
Chief was not able to provide these records at the requested time. He said that
it would require police or clerical time to establish such records.
We recommend that the special purpose equipment items should be on a formal
inventory system and maintained at a continuous operational level.
4. STAFF
The present operational staff of 42 appears to be adequate for the present needs
of Reading.
We do recommend that the possibility of using a civilian dispatcher to answer
both fire and police phones and radios be studied. It should be noted that the Selectmen
have requested the Fire and Police Chiefs to study this matter.
5. TRAINING
The members of the Police Dept. occupy a unique position in our community.
They must be able to function under extreme conditions. The present technical training
appears to be acceptable. However, we are concerned with the physical condition of the
officers. We therefore support Mr. Brown's motion on this subject at the last Annual Town
Meeting.
6. CONCLUSION
In addition to the items mentioned above, we are concerned with the apparent
duplication which exists within the Town Departments in the area of mechanical equipment
repair. We will recommend under Article 2 that a Town Meeting Committee be established
to investigate the feasibility of establishing a central mechanical equipment (including
vehicles) maintenance facility. Included in this study should be the establishment of
priorities for service and repair.
In our May report we included a suggested Fire Department vehicle replacement
program. The current capital outlay program, which runs through Fiscal '84, has taken into
consideration certain of these vehicles. However, no provision has been included for
replacement of the 1976 Ambulance. Because of the vital nature of this vehicle in the
Town's overall Public Safety Requirements, we feel provision for replacement should be
made no later than 1981. Beyond that time it is our opinion that down time on this vehicle
will be such as to create a critical situation that cannot be effectively remedied by
borrowing from other towns.
This completes our study and findings of Public Safety Department.
Respectfully submitted.
Sumner H. Weston,Chairman
Walter Palmunen
Timothy B. Pressey
John T. Rafferty
Donald E. Sweet, Jr.
This report was accepted as a final report and place on file.
ARTICLE 1. The following report was read by John B. Pacino for the Northeast
Regional Vocational School.
The Northeast Regional Vocational School located in Wakefield involves twelve towns
- Winchester, Woburg, Wakefield, Malden, Melrose, Stoneham, Winthrop, Chelsea, Revere,
Saugus, North Reading and Reading.
Vocational Education taught at the secondary school level includes: Auto Body, Auto
Technology, Applied Design, Drafting and Design, Carpentry, Cabinet - making, Community
Service Aides, Cosmetology, Electronics, Electricity, Graphic Arts, Electronic Accounting,
Welding and Fabrication, Sheet Metal, Machine Shop, Plumbing and Pipefitting, and Food
Services.
Post - secondary programs include Data Processing and Health Occupations, which
cover Dental Assistant, Dental Technician, Practical Nursing, Medical Assistant and
Operating Room Assistant.
The 1978 -79 budget was $5,885,258 from which$3,386,156 was subtracted funds
received from state allotments and work project income, making the operating budget
assessment to the towns $2,499,102.
104
Subsequent Town Meeting November 13, 1978
Reading, as one of the twelve towns had an original assessment of $268,373,02. The
Regional School Committee cut the budget by $126,585, dropping some professional and non-
professional salaries, contracted services, supplies and materials, equipment acquisitions and
other expenses thus reducing Reading's assessment to $256,739.53.
The State gave Northeast $215,000 in back payments thus reducing Reading's assess
ment to $240,678.74. When the state came forward with an additional $400,000 plus,
Reading's assessment was again reduced, making the final assessment $209,553.15. The the
Town Meeting, Reading appropriated $200,000 which still was $9,553.15 short of the
assessment.
Reading, as far as I may judge, never questioned the value of the school in so far as
the services to Reading students and people in this community. What was the concern was
the issue of nepotism. Since that time, a son of a committee member was removed from his
position as an attendance officer, another son of a committee member has resigned as a
senior programmer and there is a package before the committee to reduce the number of
custodians, the Personnel Assistant, the Property Accountant, seven teaching positions and
five secretarial staff personnel. I am not saying that all these positions will be reduced, but
what I'm saying is that the committee will take a hard look with the idea of operating the
school in the most efficient manner, yet not sacrificing quality. However, if these cuts are
made they won't affect this year's budget.
The publicity given to the inner workings of the school has proven beneficial, since it
has made the District Committee much more alert and vigilant.
A case in point concerns the recent discovery that Federal grant monies were used to
pay administrators from overhead accounts with Regional School Committee knowledge or
approval.
The Committee has reacted and a full scale investigation is currently in profess, with
possible dismissals in order.
My task as a committee member representing Reading has been a difficult one, since I
have found myself in the minority on numerous occasions. My philosophy and background is
vastly different than committee members from some other communities.
However, I assure you that my voice is ever present. As a result many constructive
changes have come into play.
Despite all the problems, Northeast Regional Vocational School is doing an outstanding
job in Vocational Education training.
Reading presently has 88 students enrolled in the day school program 15 in post-
secondary, 23 in the extended day, 10 in the special needs program 10 in the summer
recreation program, and 210 in the Continuing Education program - making a grand total of
356.
In addition, the people in Reading, the Reading PublicSchools, and town government
have the use of many of Northeast's special services for auto body and repair work, for use
of the data processing system, electrical work, cosmetology, food services, etc.
I am making this report because I want to clear the air and give Town Meeting the
facts.
As it has turned out, Town Meeting was pretty close in their estimate of the
assessment. I do not question the wisdom of town meeting. However I feel that Reading
wants to continue their membership in the Northeast Regional Vocational District and as
such I plan to make a motion under Article to ask the Finance Committee to consider
transfering the $9,553.08 from the Reserve Fund to the appropriation for the operation and
maintenance of the Northeast Regional Vocational School.
This report was accepted as a report of progress.
ARTICLE 1. The following report was read by Gail F. Wood, Chairman of the
Non Conforming Lots Committee.
The Non - Conforming Lot Zoning By -Law Amendment Committee was appointed in
June 1978 to study the problem caused by Section 6.3.1.2 of the Zoning By -Laws passed in
March, 1978. This section provides certain conditions under which a non - conforming lot may
be built upon and by omission also implies certain conditions under which a non - conforming
lot may not be built upon.
PROFESSIONAL SALARIES
Driver Education on the road
$4,540.00
Teacher Work-'Study
6,000.00
Extended Day - Admin.Supervision
8,640.00
Extended Day - Business Office
3,834.00
LAttendance Service
16,650.00
N PROFESSIONAL SALARIES
Principal's Office, Bus Driver
4,000.00
Student Work -Study
6,000.00
Library Clerk
4,597.00
Substitute Custodian
11,401:00
Maintenance Summer Help
7,680.00
CONTRACTED SERVICES
Principal-'s Office - Curriculum Research
6,000.00
OPe- a--a f p = n k i`n T-Deta i-I
fr8-.0 0
,
SUPPLIES AND MATERIALS
`
General Reuction of 5%
26,750.00
OTHER EXPENSES
Supt. Office, Out of State Travel
1,500.00
School Committee, Out of State Travel
2,500.00
Principal's Office, Out of State Travel
2,000.00
Supt. Office - Advisory Committee
1,000.00
Equipment Repairs - General Reduction
2,600.00
Operation of Plant - Heating
2,000.00
2UIPMENT ACQUISITION
General Reduction of _
8,175.00
TOTAL PROPOSED REDUCTIONS
$130,547.00
- y, 6td.aa
as� X67 C, vc�(ev, Li �.
If theip7op6sed re uct'ons a approv 79 gro"SU17t all
be, 564 778.00: T d be 5.9 nc
s wo a ea
"
0`., C� r 4 c,+ J
'a
i
�;; f- -♦ t s + � � � _ � •?. —..- . ��� er,�.X' _�v� -t y.�s t.L'Gr'...r�.r�'�'I -. x �_�,.Y1�,.1X�✓�"�Se'�� sJr'„� T�� uj��-•t.',.`s: �:e...t -!"�
r .y >.. - s - � rte_ •. 1 ! -
pac /1, 71 c.
C O -M 4_ I t+ IF Z / v c-
1-
Area Coordinator
lerk /Typist V.P. Office
Personnel Assistant
Clerk /Typist Special Needs
Property Accountant
EDP Programmer
APPOINTMENT DATE
April 10, 1975
April 10, 1975
April 10, 1975
July 15, 1976
Aug. 12, 1976
Oct. 14, 1976
Oct. 14, 1976
8/2/78
PRESENT
STARTING SALARY SALARY
$16,020 _$194-%
6,087 8,492
CETA FUNDED
custodians as of
10,720
10,720
7,213
8,151
16,000
16,000
10,000
10,500
Number of
custodians as of
Jan. 1, 1975
- 15
Number of
cutdodians as of
present (8/78)
- 20
additional =- 3- @
800- and
@-
$11,500
Total '5824001_
- - -(5-
- -$11,
-2 -
-_-
-
------ - - - - --
FjTjEACHING
PRESENT
POSITIONS
APPOINTMENT DATE
STARTING SALARY
SALARY
Autobody
Instructor
April
10,
1975
$14,350
$19,814
Melding Instructor
July
17,
1975
9,378
13,806
Machine Shop
Instructor
July
17,
1975
13,506
18,593
Electronic
Accounting Instr.
July
17,
1975
9,378
1-3,598
Carpentry
Instructor
Sept.
11,
1975-
12,976
17,482
Plumbing
Instructor
July
ly,
1976
16,250
19,148
Automotive
Instructor
July
15,
1976
10,750
13,043
Physical
Education Instr.
Sept.
S',
1976
10,750
13,043
Culinary
Arts Instructor
March
16,
1978
12,950
14,375
1
-----------------
----------
----- ----------------------------------
(added
--------
9/6/78)
- - - - --
:on- teaching personnel - 15 total - $ 73,537
:ustodial personnel - 5 total - 58,400
Teaching personnel - 9 total - 142,902
29 $274,839
total salaries
total salaries
total salaries
NORTHEAST METROPOLITAN REGIONAL VOCATIONAL SCHOOL
ENROLLMENT
• Special
Needs
Regular Post Extended Adult Project Simmer TOM
Day Secc;x1ary pay Ed. Option Program
10 -1 -77 10 -1 -77 10-1-77 10 -24 -77 1 -20 -78 Slmmer/77
sea 72 8 42 42 2 12 178
e 173 27 63 129 14 9 415
ose 116 10 36 304 4 11 481
2 16 86 4 3 -- - -- 168
h Fading 57 _ _
• � � 88 15 23 210 10 10 6
- - -- -- - - - - --
re 123 7 29 81 20 22 282
us 124 14 46 177 .14 13 388
eban 93 6 20 117 4 7 247
field 98 17 35 324 13 34 521
c 74 5 18 36. 7 10 150
61 7 15 37 4 3 `' 127
.rn 167 20 45 151 5 7 395
1246 138 388 1694 101 y 141 3708
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1�0
Subsequent Town Meeting November 13, 1978
The purpose of the Committee is to review this By -Law and to return with
recommendations in the form of an amendment. Due to vacation schedules, vacancies,
illness, and some organizational problems, this committee did not get started until
September and therefore it had no amendment ready by the closing of the Warrant on
September 25, or the November Town Meeting. The Committee did, however, go forward
with its study. This report is a summary of the progress of the committee to date.
Section 6.3.1.2. of the Town of Reading By -Laws has an effect on a substantial number
of land owners. The Planner in his study of Non - Conforming lots has identified approxi-
mately 125 lots on which houses may no longer be built because they have been omitted
from this section. These lots are undeveloped and have less than 10,000 square feet of area
or 80 foot frontage in an A -1 Zoning Area or less than 20,000 square feet or 120 foot
frontage in an A -2 Zoning Area and are also adjacent to a lot owned by the same
person,(that is are held in common ownership). Although a thorough study has not yet been
compleaed, the, Xon-Conf or, ming Lots Committee has found some additional lots and believe
the number of affected lots to be somewhat higher than the Planner's estimate. The
Committee agrees with the Planner's study that shows that these lots are scattered
throughout the Town. Although we all have a tendency to see those non - conforming lots
that are close to our individual neighborhoods, there is a town -wide distribution.
Construction on any lot of non - conforming size is disallowed under Section 5.1.2., the
Table of Dimensional Controls, Town of Reading Zoning By -Laws. Anyone seeking to build
on a non - conforming It must go to the Board of Appeals for a variance except for those rare
cases which are allowed by Section 6.3.1.2. This section does not allow building on any non-
conforming lot which is held in common ownership -- that is, has a common boundary with
another piece of land, recorded with the Registry of Deeds under the same name. Thus,
some non - conforming lots are released from area and frontage requirements while others,
simply because they are "next door" are deemed unbuildable.
The Committee can see 2 primary reasons for the necessity of Dimensional Controls in
the Zoning By -Laws:
1. To prevent possible overloading of public services. This is a general reason for
any zoning regulation.
2. To curb density relative to surrounding areas. This density is both visual, with
regard to structures; and actual, (jQth regard to population. However, we must
realize that what density is considered objectionable is a personally subjective
matter.
While we may agree with these reasons, we must also understand that by having passed
such a zoning By -Law, Town Meeting has taken away the rights of some individuals to use
legally recorded lots as building land. This is quite different from setting standards for the
development of subdivision of large vacant areas into new lots. In effect, the new Zoning
By -Laws have changed the rules - after the fact - with regard to some non - conforming lots.
Although the owners do have recourse to the Board of Appeals, the intent and purpose of
Section 6.3.1.2 is not stated; therefore the Board of Appeals does not have adequate
guidelines to equitably either deny or grant a variance for building on the lots which were
omitted in this section.
One of the Reasons for some of this confusion may be that the New Zoning Act,
Chapter 808 of the Acts of 1975, from which the language of our By -Law is derived, is a
more restrictive revision of the previous Zoning Enabling Act passed in 1954. This 1954 Act,
in its Section 5A, allwed a grace period in which to build on lots in common ownership made
non - conforming by an increase in dimensional controls. The 1954 Act allowed 3 years. A
1961 amendment changed this time in which to build to 5 years. Reading, like some other
towns, did not adopt Section 5A. Therefore, Reading residents had never before
encountered the idea that a properly registered lot may suddenly become unbuildable and
had no time period to adjust.
At this point in our study we are considering two possible alternative solutions to the
problem that plagues Zoning By -Law 6.3.1.2.
1. Strike the languate of Section 6.3.1.2 and adopt the applicable language of the old
Zoning Enabling Act, Section 5A of the Acts of 1954 in its place. We have been advised by
the State Department of Community Affairs that some other towns have taken this
approach. This is possible because a Town can make this section of 808 less restrictive but
it cannot make it more restrictive.
2. Write a new Special Permit Section as an amendment to Section 6.3.1.2, giving to
the Board of Appeals a clear set of criteria upon which to base an equitable approval or
denial of application. The Department of Community Affairs suggests that this is also a
viable approach if the conditions for granting the Special Permit are carefully spelled out.
106
Subsequent Town Meeting November 13, 1978
To best serve the citizens of Reading, this committee would like more time to study
these two and other additional solutions so that we can be better informed. Therefore we
respectfully request an extension of this committee so that a more conclusive report
proposing an amendment may be brought before Annual Town Meeting.
Respectfully submitted
Gail F. Wood, Chairman
This report was accepted as a report of progress.
ARTICLE 1. The following report was read by George A. Theophanis, Chairman of the
By -Law Committee.
The By -Law Committee came into existence by a vote of Town Meeting during
the November, 1977 session. The five members were appointed on June 8, 1978 by an
appointment committee consisting of the precinct chairmen and chaired by the Moderator.
The first By -Law Committee meeting was held on July 11, 1978 during which the offices of
chairman, vice chairman and secretary were established.
The first order of business at subsequent meetings was the formulation of a document
stating the Committee's interpretation of its duties and the principles by which it will be
guided in its execution of those duties. The text of that document is as follows:
Town of Reading By -Law Committee
Primary Function
The primary function of this Committee shall be to make recommendations on all
proposed changes to the by -laws which are included on the warrant for Town Meeting,
except for zoning, building code, personnel classification and compensation by -laws. In
addition to recommendations on by -law changes this Committee will make recommendations
on articles proposing changes to the special acts of the legislature and articles proposing
acceptance or revocation of legislative acceptance acts.
Guiding Principles
1. Any proposal brought before this Committee shall receive its review and evaluation.
2. Any proposal brought before this Committee by means other than instruction by a vote
of Town Meeting will be reviewed with the proponent and will either be:
a) submitted as an article in the Town Meeting warrant
or
b) an explanation as to why no action is to be taken will be given to the proponent
3. Effort will be made by the Committee to meet with the initiators of instructional
motions in order to:
a) ascertain his -their objectives
b) accomplish the sense of his /their instruction
c) determine the most feasible method of presentation to Town Meeting
4. This Committee is committed to complying with instructional motions voted by Town
Meeting where possible, even though these motions are not binding on the By -Law
Committee. In meeting this commitment the Committee agrees to interview all Town
Meeting members who introduce such motions and to either comply with recommen
dations or to report to the Town Meeting the reasons for noncompliance.
Excepted from the previous general principle are matters of personnel, building code,
and zoning by -laws. To the best of its ability, the Committee will report, however, in
cases or situations where proposals are in conflict or in contradiction with existing by-
laws.
5. We agree to logically present and keep the by -laws as an orderly set which is clearly
worded and reasonable assembled.
6. Insofar as possible this Committee will ensure the legality of all by -laws or by -law
changes submitted as articles in a Town Meeting warrant, and to this end will submit
all such articles to Town Counsel for his review.
Subsequent Town Meeting
November 13, 1978
107
7. As a matter of policy, we stand ready to investigate and initiate matters which have
become evident problems and which havenot been initiated by others, although by
general consent, our central role is one of reviewing and recommending on by -law
changes made by those outside this Committee.
8. Concerning any money matters which may be necessary for the operation of this
Committee (decided by a majority vote of the Committee) the specific request shall
be submitted by the Chairman to the Board of Selectmen.
9. As deemed appropriate, members of the By -Law Committee may alter or change this
Committee's principles of guidance.
The next order of business was the review of proposed by -law changes pending under
the previous ad hoc by -law committee. These proposals were placed on file for subsequent
action. By a vote of the 1978 Annual Town Meeting, the By -Law Committee was instructed
to place an article in the warrant of this subsequent Town Meeting to move the date of the
annual Town Meeting from May to March. Such an article was prepared and appears on the
warrant.
Two other articles were prepared for this Town Meeting. One proposes to change the
composition of the Law Committee from chairmen of certain boards, commissions and
committees to a member of each of those boards, commissions and committees and was
placed on the warrant at the request of the Board of Assessors. The other proposes to include
members of the Planning Board and By -Law Committee as mandatory recipients of copies of
the warrant immediately after the closing of a warrant, as is presently the case for
members of the Finance Committee. This action was taken to correct a deficiency in the
motion which established the By -Law Committee, and, in the case of the Planning Board, to
correct a long- standing deficiency in the by -laws.
The By -Law Committee has reveiwed, in addition to the three articles described
above, seven other articles placed on the warrant by other town bodies and proposing to
change the by -laws and acceptance acts.
Recommendations have been made on all ten articles.
During its first experience in making such reviews and recommendations, the By -Law
Committee has perceived the need for procedural guidelines for town bodies, officials and
citizens in the process by which by -law proposals are formulated and submitted. The
Committee is presently engaged in drafting a statement of such guidelines which will be
duly promulgated.
George A. Theophanis - Chairman
Corliss T. VanHorn - Vice
Chairman
Peter C. Hichborn - Secretary
Virginia M. Adams
Nathan C. White
This report was accepted as a report of progress.
ARTICLE I. The following report was read by Donald E. Trudeau, Chairman of the
Finance Committee.
TRANSFERS FROM FINANCE COMMITTEE RESERVE FUND
Appropriation from Tax Levy Fiscal 1979 $165,000.00
Date of Amount of
Transfer Account Transferred to: Transfer
9F1-4T78 Assessor's Salary 1,120.00
(Appraisors six month review)
9/26/78 Library Maintenance 875.00
Compressor air cond.unit 1,995.00
$163,005.00
This report was accepted as a report of progress.
108
Subsequent Town Meeting
November 13, 1978
ARTICLE 1. The following report was read by Donald E. Trudeau, Chairman of the
Finance Committee:
Capital Outlay Plan
In accordance with the By -Laws of the Town, the Finance Committee submits for your
review and consideration three proposed Capital Outlay Plans.
In developing the plans, the Finance Committee requested that Town Departments
consider the following three points:
First, the purpose of the Capital Outlay Plan is to control the expenditure of money.
The plan seeks to select and schedule necessary projects in such a way the financial burden is
kept within acceptable limits at all times. Where such plans are used effectively, the tax levy -
due to capital outlays remains approximately constant or changes smoothly according to an
explicitly formulated goal. In contrast, where such plans are not used, the tax levy due to
capital outlays tends to change erratically by relatively large amounts from one year to the
next.
Second, given the above purpose, the focus of the Capital outlay plan is on expenditures
which can be selected and scheduled. Such expenditures usually purchase or construct a
facility which will provide services over a considerable period of time. The project which
causes the expenditure has a definite starting and ending date and may be a few days to many
years in length. The expenditures ar a need for funds over and above the funds needed for
maintaining the normal services of the town department.
Third, the focus of the Capital Outlay Plan is on expenditures which are either large in
relation to the normal operating expense budget of the department or large in absolute terms
and which show considerable variation from one year to the next.
Additionally, the Finance Committee established six major priorities in preparation of the
plans:
1. Maintenance of a stable or gradually decreasing tax rate for funding capital
projects.
2. Reduction of the portion of the capital outlay plan dedicated to paying interest on
bonded indebtedness.
3. Replacement of worn -out capital equipment.
4. Extraordinary maintenance (for example, roof replacement). The Finance Com-
mittee feels that much of the Town's property is suffering from neglect brought on
by funding new projects and increases in operating expenditures with money that
should have been spent on facilit ies maintenance.
5. Disposition of unused buildings, such as the Lowell and Prosect Street school
buildings.
6. Resolution of the need for more library space.
TheFinance Committee unanimously resolved that a stable tax rate at the FY1979 level
be sustained for the next five -year period of the plan and also that no more than $100,000 be
transferred each year from available funds and be added to the amount raised by taxation.
Also, a majority of the Finance Committee recommends that future bond issues be for a period
not to exceed ten years.
Below is a table which compares the three plans with each other and also with the plan
submitted at the May, 1978 Town Meeting.
Proposed Capital Outlay Plans
FY 1979 -1984
Effect on Tax Rate
FY1979 FY1980 FY1981 FY1981 FY1983 FY1984
Original Plan Submitted
May 1978 Town Meeting
$6.82
$6.99
$7.07
$7.00
$7.17 -
Plan A- Includes all amounts
requested by Town Department
$6.57
$7.09
$7.13
$8.19
$7.11 $7.39
Plan B- Includes Library &Town
Hall renovations. DPW & other
areas curtailed sharply.
$6.59
$6.57
$6.57
$6.58
$6.58 $6.57
P1anC- Library /Town Hall
project totally eliminated.
Other projects reinstated.
$6.57
$6.57
$6.57
$6.57
$6.57 $6.57
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C
Subsequent Town Meeting
November 13, 1978 109-
Respectfully submitted,
Donald Trudeau, Chairman, Finance Committee
Charles W. Hewitt,Capital Outlay Plan Subcommitte,
This report was accepted as a report of progress.
On motion of Frank A.Smith Jr. it was voted to lay Article 1 on the table.
ARTICLE 2. On motion of Richard H. Curtis the following resolution was accepted by
the Town Meeting body.
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Nils L. Nordberg has served faithfully as an elected Town Meeting member for
many years, and
WHEREAS, Mr. Nordberg has given generously and unselfishly of his time and ability and has
worked diligently for the good of the community as a Representative from the Town of
Reading in the House of Representatives of the Legislature of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts for the past ten years,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the elected officials, Town Meeting members,
and citizens of Reading, acting through this Town Meeting, do hereby express grateful
appreciation for the many years of devoted service rendered to the Town by Nils L.
Nordberg, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution be spread upon the records and that a copy
of the same, signed by the Moderator and the Selectmen, be delivered to Nils L. Nordberg.
ARTICLE 2. On motion of Sumner H. Weston it was voted that the Selectmen report
to the next Annual Town Meeting on the quality and effectiveness of the police radio
system.
ARTICLE 2. On motion of Sumner H. Weston it was voted that the Moderator appoint
a committee of four Town Meeting members and one member to be appointed by the
Finance Committee to investigate the feasibility of establishing a central maintenance
facility to service the internal combustion equipment and related accessories of all Town
Departments. Such committee to report back to Town Meeting at the earliest possible time
with any motions or articles they deem appropriate.
ARTICLE 2. Duane B. Heineck moved that the Board of Public Works be instructed to
place in the warrant of the Annual Town Meeting an article calling for an appropriation to
develop the utility baseball field at Batchelder Park and Play Area.
This motion did not pass.
ARTICLE 2. On motion of John H.Russell it was voted that an ad hoc committee be
established as an advisory committee to the Board of Public Works for the purpose of
developing a long range park plan for the Town of Reading and the membership to be made
up as follows:
One Town Meeting Member from each of the eight (8) precincts appointed by the Town
Moderator, and
One (1) member from each of the Boards and Committees appointed by the said Board
or Committee as follows:
Board of Public Works
Board of Selectmen
Conservation Commission
Planning Board
Recreation Committee
School Committee
and that each of the above Boards and Committees provide the ad hoc committee, as
required, the assistance of their paid staff. Said Committee shall report to the Town
Meeting, November 1979.
110 Subsequent Town Meeting November 13, 1978
ARTICLE 2. John B. Pacino moved that the sense of this Town Meeting continues
to f avor the maintenance of the Northeast Regional Vocational School and Reading's participation
therein.
On motion of Beverly B. Seavey it was voted that this motion be indefinitely postponed.
On motion of Frank S. Smith, Jr. it was voted to lay Article 2 on the table.
ARTICLE 3. On motion of Frank A. Smith, Jr. it was voted that the sum of Eight
Thousand Dollars ($8,000) be transferred from surplus revenue and appropriated to
purchase and equip a new cruiser for the Police Department.
ARTICLE 4. On motion of James J. Sullivan, Jr., as amended by Donald E.Trudeau,
it was voted that the sum of Three Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($3,500) be transferred
from surplus revenue and Five Hundred Dollars ($500.0) from Building Inspector's Expense
and appropriated to purchase a new or used motor vehicle for the Building Inspector.
ARTICLE 5. On motion of Marvin M. Rosenthal it was voted that the sum of Four
Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($4,500) be transferred from surplus revenue and appropriated
for a roof for the Woburn Street Fire Station.
On motion of Frank A. Smith, Jr. it was voted that this meeting stand adjourned
until Thursday, November 16, 1978, to meet in the Reading Memorial High School Auditorium
at 8:00 P.M.
Meeting adjourned at 10:58 P.M.
163 Town Meeting Members were present.
A true copy. Attest:
Town Clerk
ADJOURNED SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING
Reading Memorial High School Auditorium November 16, 1978
The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Kenneth C. Latham, at 8:00 P.M.
The invocation was given by the Rev. Fr. Johnson of Austin Preparatory School,
followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
The Town Clerk read the Notice of Proposed Reconsideration of vote under Article 3,
voted at the Subsequent Town Meeting on November 13, 1978, and the Officer's Return
thereto, in accordance with Article II,Section 4 of the General By -Laws of the Town.
It was moved by John Zorabedian, Jr. that the following vote under Article 3 at the
Subsequent Town Meeting on November 13, 1978, be reconsidered:
Article 3. On motion of Frank A. Smith, Jr. it was voted that the sum of Eight
Thousand Dollars ($8,000) be transferred from surplus revenue and appropriated to purchase
and equip a new cruiser for the Police Department.
The motion to reconsider vote under Article 3 failed to pass.
40 voted in the affirmative
61 voted in the negative
2/3 vote required
The Town Clerk read the Notice of Proposed Reconsideration of vote under Article 5
voted at the Subseqent Town Meeting on November 13, 1978, and the Officer's Return
thereto, in accordance with Article II, Section 4 of the General By -Laws of the Town.