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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980-04-14 Adjourned Annual Town Meeting Minutes220 ADJOURNED ANNUAL TOWN MEETING 1980 FIRST BUSINESS SESSION Reading Memorial High School Auditorium April 14, 1980 The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, John W. Faria at 8:00 P.M. The invocation was given by the Rev. David W. Reid of the First Baptist Church, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. 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 Maureen T. O'Brien it was voted to dispense with further reading of the Warrant except the Officer's Return which was then read by the Town Clerk. ARTICLE 2. The following STATE OF THE TOWN address was rendered by Maureen T. O'Brien, and was accepted as a report of progress. State of the Town A Message to the Members of this Town Meeting on the State of the Town. Probably the most significant occurrence of this past year was the retirement from the Police Department of Chief John F. Beaudoin. We wish him well in his retirement. His successor, Chief Edward W. Marchand was chosen from a field of three very qualified candidates. We feel we can speak for the Town in wishing him every success in his new undertaking. The addition to the Police Station has been completed. All minor problems have been ironed out and the final grant report accepted by EDA. We thank the Police Station Study Committee for a job well done. A closed circuit T. V. system has been installed which will assist the officers in monitoring their guests in cells located on another floor. The Police radio communications system has been considerably improved and these improvements will be reported upon later in this Town Meeting. The Fire Department in December received its new pumper, Engine #2. This vehicle together with the vehicle being proposed for purchase at this Town Meeting will give the Town three pumpers under seven years of age and a ladder truck in good condition. The roof of the Woburn St. Fire Station has been repaired which puts that station in good shape. Unhappily this is not the case with the Central Station which has major structural problems. These will be explained later in this meeting under an article requesting funds for repair of this building. The Town continues to receive praise on the competence and professionalism of the Ambulance Service provided by our Fire Department. It has been pointed out that in many communities volunteerism is a dying activity. Reading, however, has been fortunate in having many qualified people who generously give of themselves for the good of the Town. Truly they are its greatest asset. This past year, for example, there have been nineteen candidates for five Finance Committee seats and twelve volunteers for the newly established Arts Council. A meeting to assess the availability of human services for the Town of Reading literally filled the Community Center Auditorium with interested citizens, private groups and representatives of public agencies - all willing to help. When it was thought the "Meals on Wheels" program would break down, volunteers got it started again. Still we cannot become complacent. There will always be a continuing need for volunteers to fill future vacancies. For instance the Board of Selectmen has called for applicants for a proposed Industrial Development Committee. We encourage interested persons to step forward to assist the Planning Board and Board of Selectmen in examining the alternatives for development of the dump site and in developing a program of greatest benefit to the Town. Another concern for the Town is voter apathy. It is always surprising that a national election draws more voters than a local election where the electorate has a greater say. Perhaps this disparity in voters turnout will be altered in the future for this past year the 221 Adjourned Annual Town Meeting April 14, 1980 Town issued a provisional licence to Continental Cablevision, Inc. to construct a Cable T. V. System. It is hoped the advent of this new communications media can bring more voters to the polls by fostering a greater understanding of local issues and of the town governmental process. The problem of the Woburn Odor continues to remain unresolved. The recently signed consent agreement between Mark Phillip Realty Trust and the Attorney Generals Office is not considered to be in the best interest of Reading. We will have the opportunity to review this situation later on in this Town Meeting under a Special Article on the warrant. This past November construction began on Cedar Glen, the housing development on North Main Street. These units will have a substantial impact in improving housing needs am for our elderly citizens. In the next few months the Board of Selectmen, will begin collecting and reviewing applications for 114 units of low and middle income elderly housing in this development. It is the intention of the Board to make its selections based upon need. In the process of screening these applicants, we fully expect to learn about many who because of their income and age have problems this Town has neither the resources nor facilities to alleviate. To aid these people we will very much need to depend on the assistance of the Council on Aging and fully support their attempts to upgrade their staff, their programs and the community resources which would then be available to them. The elderly poor in Reading are a hidden community. They are the ones we don't see - the shut - ins and the debilitated. They stay behind doors afraid to seek help lest they lose their independence. There is a great need for an outreach program to seek out and assist these hidden elderly. Like each of us as individuals the Town has felt the impact of inflation. Not only have energy costs risen but just as in our own homes, the cost of each commodity we use rises weekly. The employees of this Town under the direction of their Department Heads have made heroic efforts to absorb those increase while still maintaining the level of service we have grown to expect. Two years ago budgets were pared to the bone. Last year they were cut to the marrow in order to attain a decrease in our tax rate of six dollars. Given this history it is obvious that further cuts cannot be absorbed in these budgets without a loss of service. A recommendation to cut budgets simply to meet an arbitrary 4% cap is no guidance to Town Meeting at all unless that recommendation is accompanied by a determination of how those cuts will affect services. Lacking that, it becomes imperative for Town Meeting Members to listen carefully to the budget presentations of each department, for you will no longer be deciding on measures to squeeze the fat from the budgets but rather on what services your Government will continue to offer its citizens. We fully recognize the burden inflation and energy consumption has place on the taxpayers. Lacking the more centralized Government the Charter would have given us, the cooperation of Town Officials becomes increasingly important in determining how we can best meet the challenge of providing services in an inflationary economy. To meet this challenge we are already working toward establishing a steering committee made up of the Chairman of each of the Town's Boards and Committees. They will meet to explore reasonable solutions to town -wide problems such as energy consumption, space and central purchasing. Although we are anxious about the future, we should not become discouraged. We have accomplished much this past year and with a willingness to work together we will continue to make progress in the next. ARTICLE 2. The following report of the FINANCE COMMITTEE, presented by Mary S. Ziegler, was accepted as a report of progress. Finance Committee The Finance Committee has been meeting since January 8th - one Saturday and most weeks on two nights for a total of twenty -five meetings. As you can tell by the votes in our Warrant Report we've had an excellent attendance record. There have been fourteen members this budget season. The Chair usually doesn't vote; thus there are no votes over thirteen. At this time I would like to thank the members of the Finance Committee for their hard work, conscientious effort and long hours...and introduce them to Town Meeting. As I call your name please stand so that the Town Meeting members can see who you are. Vice Chairman Walter J. Palmunen, Joseph E. Cloonan, Gerald A. Fiore, Michael M. Guenther, William J. Hughes, Cyrus B. Linscott, Paul T. Metcalf, Joyce K. Miller, Edward F. Murphy, Jr., Philip B. Pacino, John M. Silvaggi, George P. Taylor, Edward J. Taylor, Jr. and last but not least, our Clerk - Nancy M. Graham. 222 Adjourned Annual Town Meeting April 14, 1980 I hope you have picked up copies of our supplement - A single page and a copy of a revised Article 15, pages 18 - 25. The latter was possible through the efforts of the Town Clerk's office to whom I am deeply indebted for the use of the word processor. MANY THANKS. Almost all new salary figures are listed in this supplement. The Finance Committee has tabled several - Fire Salaries, EMTA and Planning Board Salaries. As of the date we do not have any police salary final figures as union negotiations are continuing. Non -union employees under the Personnel Board By -Laws were given on the recommendation of the Personnel Board a 5% cost of living increase and a 3%2% merit increase which the Finance Committee concurred with. Those small departments show this increase in salary while other larger department salary recommendations were somewhat limited to the 4% CAP enacted by the State legislature. As stated in the introduction to our Warrant Report the Finance Committee is asking Town Meeting to exclude from the 4% CAP, electricity, heating fuel, gasoline, and items to increase the efficient uses of the before mentioned three items. Also included in our supplement is an increase in the cost of gasoline - ten cents a gallon has been added. At this time we are projecting an estimated tax rate of $43.88. This does not include increased share of Blue Cross /Blue Shield (Article 23), Woburn Odor (Article 38), Police salary increases (Article 24), and the Assessors revaluation (Article 22), and any pluses or minuses in the Cherry Sheet. Please make the following corrections in the Warrant Report which are listed on the single sheet you received with the new Article 15. CORRECTIONS TO FINANCE COMMITTEE WARRANT REPORT FY81 Page 8 Add after last line FY81 Fire Station Floor 20.0 Page 9 Change the following to read Total Projects 2285.7 To to be raised by taxation 1989.0 Effect on tax rate Page 13 Add under Account transferred to: 3/25/80 Selectmen - -Xerox 2,000.00 $121,084.16 Balance April 14, 1980 Page 15 Change the following to read: FY81 Cemetery Bequest to Cemetery Salaries 28,000 Free Cash 616,191 and on Page 16 School Expense to School Expense 0 Total $ 2,049,297 TAX RATE CALCULATION Net total to be raised from Current Income Estimated State, County & Local Assessments: DEDUCTION to Compute Estimated Tax Rate: Estimated Receipts and Available Funds $7,331,282 Transfers and Surplus Revenue $2,049,297 Amount to be Raised by Taxation: Total Valuation ESTIMATED TAX RATE (per thousand) 6.79 *Does not include police salary increases, Articles 22, 23, 24, or 38. $ 28,915.84 $ 20,592,121* 1,644,888 $ 22,237,009* (9,380,579) $ 12,856,430* $293,000,000 43.88* 223 Adjourned Annual Town Meeting April 14, 1980 On motion of Maureen T. O'Brien it was voted to lay Article 2 on the table. On motion of Maureen T. O'Brien it was voted to lay Article 3 on the table. ARTICLE 4. On motion of John W. Price 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 South Clock. ARTICLE 5. On motion of Elizabeth W. Klepeis it was voted that the Town authorize the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year beginning July 1, 1980, in accordance with the provisions of the General Laws, Chapter 44, Section 4, and to issue a note or notes therefor, payable within one year, and to renew any note or notes, as may be given for a period of less than one year in accordance with the General Laws, Chapter 44, Section 17. ARTICLE 6. On motion of Mary S. Ziegler it was voted that the Capital Outlay Plan, as provided for in Article III, Section 11, of the By -Laws of the Town, as adopted at subsequent Town Meeting of November 1979 be amended by deleting in FY81 the following items: Street Betterments, Sidewalk Construction, Acquire Water Resource Lands, Cemetery Improvements, RMHS Athletic Facilities Improvements, Fire Chief Car, Replace Mobile Units and by adding the following items: Replace CJHS Windows, Police Annex Roof Building for Radio Equipment, Fire Station Floor. ARTICLE 7. On motion of Bayard R. Lincoln it was voted that Article 7 be indefinitely postponed. ARTICLE 8. On motion of Bayard R. Lincoln it was voted that the Town amend Paragraph B, sub - section 4 of Section 4 (B) of Article XXIV of the By -Laws of the Town by deleting the last sentence which reads as follows: "The same procedure shall be repeated on an employee's first anniversary." ARTICLE 9. On motion of Bayard R. Lincoln it was voted that the Town amend Article XXIV of the By -Laws of the Town, Section 4(B) under Administration of Compensation Plan, sub - section 6, Merit Salary Reviews, Paragraph C, by deleting the sentence which reads as follows: "All merit salary increases shall be apart from adjustments which may be recommended by the Personnel Board and approved by Town Meeting." and by substituting in its place the following: "Merit increases, (as governed by 6B above), subsequent to the initial six month for non - exempt and twelve month for exempt employees shall be awarded at the start of each fiscal year, concurrently with any adjustment which may be recommended by the Personnel Board and approved by Town Meeting. Personnel with 12 months or more seniority should receive increases, if granted, at the beginning of the Fiscal Year. Personnel with less than six months seniority should receive increases, if granted, on their six month service date, if retained. Personnel with more than six months, but less than one year seniority, should receive increases, if granted, on their one year service date. No employee shall be granted a further merit increase in any fiscal year. ARTICLE 10. On motion of Bayard R. Lincoln it was voted that the Town amend the Classification Plan by establishing the position of "Payroll Clerk," Grade 4, Section H, Clerical Class. ARTICLE 11. On motion of Bayard R. Lincoln it was voted that the Town amend the Classification Plan by establishing the position of "Senior Payroll Clerk" Grade 5, Section H, Clerical Class. ARTICLE 12. On motion of Bayard R. Lincoln it was voted that the Town re- classify Senior Clerk, Grade 3, to the Town Treasurer, to Payroll Clerk, Grade 4. 224 Adjourned Annual Town Meeting April 14, 1980 ARTICLE 13. On motion of Bayard R. Lincoln it was voted that the Town re- classify Principal Clerk, Grade 4 to the Town Treasurer, to Senior Payroll Clerk, Grade 5. ARTICLE 14. Maureen T. O'Brien moved that the Town vote to amend the Classification Plan of Article XXIV of the General By -Laws of the Town, by establishing the position of Maintenance Person Grade 6 under non - exempt positions, Section G, Custodial Class. This motion did not pass. ARTICLE 15 (1 -7b). On motion of Maureen T. O'Brien as amended by Mary S. Ziegler it was voted that the sum of One Hundred Seven Thousand Four Hundred Twenty -Three Dollars ($107,423) be raised from the tax levy and appropriated to the Board of Selectmen as follows, each item being considered a separate appropriation: Salaries $57,665. Expense (including out of state travel not to exceed $250.) 6,658. Miscellaneous 43,100. Special Committees $ 600. Town Report 4,000. Telephone 27, 000. Memorial Day Observance 3,000. Duplicating Costs 8,500. ARTICLE 15 (8 -9). On motion of Maureen T. O'Brien it was voted that the sum of Forty -Four Thousand Two Hundred Forty -Eight Dollars ($44,248) be raised from the tax levy and appropriated to the Town Accountant as follows, each item being considered a separate appropriation: Salaries $ 42,243 Expense 2,005 ARTICLE 15 (10 -12a). On motion of Elizabeth W. Klepeis it was voted that the sum of Five Thousand Four Hundred Forty Dollars ($5,440) be transferred from the Municipal Light Department's Maintenance and Operation Account to the Town Treasurer's Salary Account and that the sum of Fifty -Seven Thousand One Hundred Ninety -Two Dollars ($57,192) be raised from the tax levy and that said sums totalling Sixty -Two Thousand Six Hundred Thirty -Two Dollars ($62,632) be appropriated to the Treasurer as follows, each item being considered a separate appropriation: Salaries $ 49,157 Expense (including out of state travel not to exceed $450) 9,475 Tax Title 4,000 ARTICLE 15 (13 -16). On motion of C. Dewey Smith as amended by James J. Sullivan, Jr. it was voted that the sum of Sixty -Seven Thousand Three Hundred Twenty -Five Dollars ($67,325) be raised from the tax levy and appropriated to the Tax Collector as follows, each item being considered a separate appropriation: Salaries $49,225. Expense 11,600. Collection of Back Taxes 6,500. and in accordance with Chapter 41, Section 108 of the General Laws of Massachusetts, the Tax Collector's salary is hereby set, effective July 1, 1980 at $8,768.00. ARTICLE 15 (17 -20). On motion of Marvin M. Rosenthal it was voted that the sum of Forty -Four Thousand Three Hundred Forty -Five Dollars ($44,345) be raised from the tax levy and appropriated to the Town Clerk as follows, each item being considered a separate appropriation: Salaries $36,445. Expense (including out of state travel not to exceed $200) 4,300. Word Processor 3,600. and in accordance with Chapter 41, Section 108 of the General Laws of Massachusetts, the Town Clerk's salary is hereby set, effective July 1, 1980, at $8,768.00. 225 Adjourned Annual Town Meeting April 14, 1980 ARTICLE 15 (21 -25). On motion of Maureen T. O'Brien it was voted that the sum of Sixty -Six Thousand Four Hundred Eighty -One Dollars ($66,481) be raised by the tax levy and appropriated to the Assessors as follows, each item being considered a separate appropriation: Salaries $58,981. Expense (including out of state travel not to exceed $250) 7,500. and in accordance with Chapter 41, Section 108 of the General Laws of Massachusetts, the Assessors' salaries are hereby set, effective July 1, 1980, totalling $6,983.00 to be divided as they choose. ARTICLE 15 (26). On motion of John W. Price it was voted that the sum of Nine Hundred Eighty -Four Dollars ($984) be raised from the tax levy and appropriated to the Board of Registrars. ARTICLE 15 (28). On motion of John W. Price it was voted that the sum of Thirty -Six Thousand Nine Hundred Dollars ($36,900) be raised from the tax levy and appropriated to Election and Registration for expense. ARTICLE 15 (29). On motion of Marvin M. Rosenthal it was voted that the sum of One Thousand Eight Hundred Dollars ($1,800) be raised from the tax levy and appropriated to the Board of Appeals for salary and expense. ARTICLE 15 (32 -34). On motion of Mary S. Ziegler it was voted that the sum of Fourteen Thousand Four Hundred Twenty -Five Dollars ($14,425) be raised from the tax levy and appropriated to the Finance Committee as follows, each item being considered a separate appropriation: Salaries $ 1,575. Expense 350. C.P.A. Audit 12,500. ARTICLE 15 (35 -36). On motion of Bayard R. Lincoln it was voted that the sum of Sixteen Thousand, Eight Hundred Seventy -One Dollars ($16,871) be raised from the tax levy and appropriated to the Personnel Board as follows, each item being considered a separate appropriation: Salaries $16,571. Expense 300. On motion of John W. Price it was voted that this meeting stand adjourned until 8:00 P.M. on April 17, 1980, at the W. S. Parker Junior High School auditorium. Meeting was adjourned at 10:55 P.M. 159 Town Meeting members were present. A true copy. Attest: r Lawr�cD re To wn Clerk