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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1979-05-07 Adjourned Annual Town Meeting MinutesADJOURNED ANNUAL TOWN MEETING 1979 FIRST BUSINESS SESSION Reading Memorial High School Auditorium May 7, 1979 The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, John W. Faria at 8:00 P.M. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was given, and the invocation was given by the Moderator. The oath of office was administered to the newly elected Town Meeting members by the Moderator. The Warrant was partially read by the Town Clerk, when on motion of James J. now Sullivan, Jr. it was voted to dispense with further reading of the Warrant except the Officer's Return which was then read by the Town Clerk. Carl H. Amon, Jr., on a "point of personal privilege" proposed the following resolution for adoption by the Town Meeting: RESOLUTION WHEREAS, KENNETH C. LATHAM has served the Town of Reading as a Selectman for the period of fifteen years from 1942 to 1957 and was the Chairman of the Board of .Selectmen for eleven of those years, and WHEREAS, Mr. Latham has served as Moderator of the Town of Reading and the period of twenty -two years from 1957 to March 1979, and WHEREAS, for thirty seven years Mr. Latham has given generously and unselfishly of his time and efforts to the Town of Reading, and WHEREAS, Mr. Latham's faithful service to the Town of Reading has been invaluable and a credit to democratic government, and WHEREAS, Mr. Latham, for 181 sessions of Town Meetings has discharged his responsibilities as Moderator with efficiency, fairness, effectiveness and cheerfulness, and WHEREAS, Mr. Latham has earned the respect of all the Citizens for his substantial contribution to Town Government in Reading. THEREFORE, Be It Resolved that the Annual Town Meeting for the Town of Reading held on May 7,1979, does extend to Kenneth C. Latham its sincere expression of appreciation and gratitude for outstanding service rendered to the Town, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution be made part of the records of this meeting and that a copy certified by the Town Clerk be delivered to Mr. Latham. This Motion was adopted by a unanimous vote of the Town Meeting body. In addition to the above, Mr. Latham was called forward, presented various gifts on behalf of the Town of Reading, and extended heartfelt thanks from the whole Town for his outstanding service to the Town during the past thirty -seven years. The following Proclamation of the Board of Selectmen was also adopted by unanimous vote of the Town Meeting body. PROCLAMATION WHEREAS, from 1942 to 1957 Kenneth C. Latham served fifteen years as a member of the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Reading, and WHEREAS, from 1957 to 1979 Kenneth C. Latham served twenty -two years as the Moderator for the Town of Reading, and WHEREAS, during these thirty -seven years of service to the Town he contributed greatly to the well being of the Community and its citizens, NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved in tribute for his exemplary record of achievements and contributions, The Board of Selectmen, on behalf of the Town and its citizens proclaim and extend to Kenneth C. Latham the Town's grateful appreciation and acclamation. James J. Sullivan, Jr. ..9 [1135 Marvin M. Rosenthal Maureen T. O'Brien On motion of James J. Sullivan, Jr. it was voted that this meeting stand adjourned until after the Special Town Meeting scheduled for this time. Meeting was adjourned at 8:30 P.M. SPECIAL TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School May 7, 1979 The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, John W.Faria, at 8:30 P. M. The Warrant was partially read by the Town Clerk, when on motion of James J. Sullivan, Jr. it was voted to dispense with further reading of the Warrant except the Officer's Return, which was then read by the Town Clerk. On motion of James J. Sullivan, Jr. it was voted to lay Article 1 on the table. On motion of James J. Sullivan, Jr. it was voted to lay Article 2 on the table. ARTICLE 3. On motion of James J. Sullivan, Jr. it was voted that the Town transfer the sum of Nine Thousand Five Hundred Fifty -three Dollars and fifteen cents ($9,553.15) from free cash and appropriate for the remaining Town's share of the costs and operations and maintenance of the Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational School during fiscal 1979. On motion of James J. Sullivan, Jr. it was voted to take Article 2 from the table. On motion of James J. Sullivan, Jr. it was voted that Article 2 be indefinitely postponed. On motion of James J. Sullivan, Jr. it was voted to take Article 1 from the table. On motion of James J. Sullivan, Jr. it was voted that Article 1 be indefinitely postponed. �"" On motion of James J. Sullivan, Jr. it was voted that this meeting stand adjourned sine die. Meeting adjourned at 8:39 P. M. Adjourned Annual Town Meeting May 7, 1979 The meeting was reconvened by the Moderator, John W. Faria at 8:40 P. M. ARTICLE 2. The following STATE OF THE TOWN address was rendered by James J. Sullivan, Jr., and was accepted as a report of progress. State of the Town By now we are all familiar with our by -law requiring the selectmen to report at each annual meeting on the state of the Town. 1978 was a year in which the Town continued to move forward building an even better base for the future. The most notable physical change was the addition to our police station. A project 90% completed by year end and due primarily to the hard work of our Building Committee and Clerk of Works, as well as all others involved. This project may well have been a first, in that it was completed this year under the original cost. You will recall, that of a total estimated cost of some $360,000, $290,000 came from an Economic Development Adminis- tration Grant. This badly needed facility, now completed, provides the space and security needed and has made an already efficient operation even more so. Adjourned Annual Town Meeting May 7, 1979 Another project in which we have great hopes when completed for its capabilities of saving time and money in the future is called "Project Interlock ". Funded through the C.E.T.A. program, it consists of microfilming all of the Town's vital records, some 1,210,960 to date. Next an interlocking file system between departments will be established with micro fishe. These are but a few of the many projects resulting from our efforts to secure Federal and State funding, sums that amounted to $828,934 in cash, goods and services. When we speak of these various fundings we know that it is not new money given to us from outside our economy. No, we are well aware that it is our own money taken from us in taxes. However, until the rules are changed, this is the way the game is played and the winner, if there is one, is the one who chooses his needs wisely and knows how to seek out funding that may be available. Through the initiative of our Fire Chief, we were able to secure under the Governor's Highway Safety program, a $30,000 foam unit to be installed on our new pumper due any time now. This unit could have been used many times in the past and unfortunately will be needed perhaps even more in the future. We are, I believe, the only Town north of Boston to have one. During the past year, as the result of a motion and your vote to identify the least significant operational costs in each department, much time has been spent by all to keep costs within reasonable limits. Many budgets that you will be reviewing shortly will I believe reflect these efforts which we are hopeful will continue in the future. We all know that taxes are too high. A small decrease this year hopefully will start a trend which will continue for several years. I am sure that we all agree its time has come. As we look to the future, we have some old problems that are still with us for which solutions must be found, as well as a few new ones: Space for Town Government Space for our Public Resource Center These space problems must constantly be reexamined and where it seems feasible, brought before this body for your consideration. The Woburn odor continues to be a serious problem to a large segment of our citizenry and one which we must address ourselves to if we wish to bring the matter to a head in the courts. You will be hearing more about this under a special article in the Warrant. add Energy, if not a real shortage as most Americans believe, is most certainly a real cost factor with all of us as well as with Government. One we all clearly understand since it seems like only yesterday that heating oil was 38� per gallon and gasoline only 5%. In Reading alone we use approximately 1,000,000 gallons of various fuels to heat our buildings and to operate our machinery. During this past year, costs have risen over 25 %. Where will it end? Can we wait for the End? I think not. I would hope that the Town would consider adopting a conservation plan at once that would set our thermostats at no more than 65 degrees when heat is required, and no less than 78 degrees when air - conditioning is required. These are small sacrifices for the savings we could realize. An even tighter use of vehicles would produce savings on gas as well. Although we will face some difficult decisions in our efforts to maintain the quality of life we all strive for,within a budget we can afford, the future is very promising. The greatest asset any town can have is its people and here in Reading we are most fortunate. The overwhelming majority of our Town's employees are dedicated professionals sharing all of the Town's problems with all other taxpayers, willing to roll up their shirtsleeves and work hand -in -hand, in an effort to find solutions with those charged with that responsibility. Our future is anything but bleak. I believe we have turned the corner and will now begin to reap the fruits of our efforts. ARTICLE 2. The following report of the INTERNAL COMBUSTION COMMITTEE, presented byWilliam C. Brown, was accepted as a report of progress. Internal Combustion Committee By the direction of a previous Town Meeting vote a committee of 5 were appointed by the Moderator to investigate the feasibility of a central repair garage for all Town departments that had inter - combustion equipment, such as Automobiles, Trucks, Construc- tion Equipment, Fire Equipment, etc. Questionnaires were sent out to several Massachusetts towns and all town boards using motorized equipment. Two towns with central facilities, Stoneham and Milton, were visited. Stoneham has just completed their central garage and any concrete information as to over- all operation and savings are not yet available. Milton has approximately the same population as Reading and has also a comparable number of auto, trucks, and construction equipment. Milton maintains all the equipment in their town - 155 pieces with 4 full time men. Automobile body damage is contracted out. - Reading has 159 pieces of equipment maintained by 6 full time mechanics and 1 welder at the Public Works Dept., Fire Dept. 1 man, School Dept. 1 man 12 hours a month. Cemetery Dept. maintains their small equipment and has the assistance of the Fire Dept. man. Other vehicles of the Town are maintained by private garages. Approximately 8 men maintain 159 pieces with some work done outside. We believe further study will show a potential savings of 3 or 4 full time men. The cemetery department may wish to consider outside machine use and labor for grave openings and mowing of cemeteries. A building to house a central facility would probably cost 120,000 to 130,000 dollars. From our first review, it is somewhat apparent that sufficient savings could be realized to erect a building and project a yearly savings to the Town of Reading. Your committee feels that a further detailed study should be made in regard to actual savings, building costs, and personnel. We suggest this committee or others report at a future Town Meeting. William C. Brown Robert B. Carlson Henry F. Adams Wilbur Sias Cyrus B. Linscott On motion of James J. Sullivan, Jr. it was voted to lay Article 2 on the table. ARTICLE 3. The following motion was presented by Carl A. Beaulieu: Move that all Town officials or Town boards who have funds of the type commonly known as revolving funds, present to Town Meeting a report of such funds in sufficient detail such that Town Meeting can utilize that information in evaluating the budget; such report to be presented before Town Meeting votes on the respective budgets. This motion failed to carry. On motion of James J. Sullivan, Jr. it was voted to lay Article 3 on the table. ARTICLE 4. On motion of Maureen T. O'Brien it was voted that the sum of Three Hundred Fifty Dollars ($350.00) be raised from the tax levy and appropriated for the Care and Lighting of the Old Clock. as amended by James R. Boucher ARTICLE 5. On motion of Bayard R. Lincolw*t was voted that the Town amend "Section 7, (A) Sick Leave," of Article XXIV of the' By Laws of the Town as follows: Delete the second paragraph and insert in its stead the following: "Sick Leave shall be accrued on the basis of 1%4 days per month of service, beginning on the first day of the month of employment. Unused sick leave shall be accumulated from year to year without limitation." Delete the Sixth Paragraph. Delete the last paragraph and insert in its stead the following: "Effective 1st January, 1979, upon death or retirement, any employee will be paid for accumulated unused sick leave days not exceeding 90 (ninety) at 50% (Fifty per cent) of his daily rate of pay in effect at death or retirement. Excluded from the right of this benefit at retirement or death are the following Department Heads and Chief Executive Officers: Executive Secretary Police Chief Fire Chief Superintendent of Public Works Superintendent of Cemetery Department Library Director Assessors' Appraiser Health Agent Building Inspector Town Accountant ARTICLE 6. On motion of Bayard R. Lincoln it was voted to amend "Schedule B - Compensation Plan" of Article XXIV of the By -Laws of the Town by deleting the existing pay ranges and substituting the following: Effective July 1, 1979 WEEKLY Pay Grade MIN MID MAX 1 97 121 145 2 112 139 167 3 128 160 192 4 147 184 221 5 169 212 254 6 193 243 291 7 223 279 336 8 256 321 385 9 294 369 443 10 340 426 511 11 391 489 587 12 451 564 676 ARTICLE 7. On motion of Bayard R. Lincoln it was voted that there be established the position of Laborer, Grade 2 within the Classification Plan of Article XXIV of the By- Laws of the Town. ARTICLE 8. On motion of Sally Hoyt it was voted that the Town amend the Classification Plan of Article XXIV of the General By -Laws of the Town by establishing the position of Conservation Administrator at Pay Grade 7 under VI, Exempt Positions, Section D. General Government Class." On motion of Douglas A. Cowell it was voted that this meeting stand adjourned to meet Thursday, May 10, 1979, at 8:00 P. M. in the Reading Memorial High School Auditorium. Meeting adjourned at 10:50 P. M. 174 Town Meeting members were present. A true copy. Attest: Lawrence Drew Town Clerk