HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980-05-05 Adjourned Annual Town Meeting Minutes2
Adjourned Annual Town Meeting May 1, 1980
ARTICLE 24. On motion of John W. Price it was voted that the sum of Ten Thousand
Five Hundred Fifty Dollars ($10,550) be raised from the tax levy and appropriated for the
purchase of uniforms for the Police Department.
ARTICLE 25. On motion of John W. Price it was voted that the sum of Five Thousand
Six Hundred Dollars ($5,600) be raised from the tax levy and appropriated for the purchase
of uniforms for members of the Fire Department.
ARTICLE 26. On motion of John W. Price it was voted that the sum of Seven Hundred Fifty
Dollars ($750) be raised from the tax levy and appropriated for the purchase of protective
clothing for members of the Auxiliary Fire Service.
On motion of John W. Price it was voted that this meeting stand adjourned to meet at r
8:00 P.M. on Monday, May 5, 1980 in the Reading Memorial High School Auditorium.
Meeting adjourned at 11:00 P.M.
14$ Town Meeting members were present.
A true copy. Attest:
Lawrence Drew
Town Clerk
ADJOURNED ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
Reading Memorial High School Auditorium May 5, 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. P. Dale Neufer of the Old South United
Methodist Church, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
ARTICLE 27. On motion of Maureen T. O'Brien, as amended by Marvin M. Rosenthal, "aw
it was voted that the sum of Twenty -Nine Thousand Nine Hundred Ninety -Six Dollars
($29,996) be transferred from Receipts Reserved for appropriation, and that the sum of
Seventy Thousand Four Dollars ($70,004) be raised from the tax levy, and that said sums
totalling One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) be appropriated for the purchase or lease
purchase of a new pumper for the Fire Department.
ARTICLE 28. On motion of John W. Price it was voted that the Town authorize the
Board of Selectmen to sell, or exchange or dispose of, upon such terms and conditions as the
Selectmen may determine, one one -half ton pick -up truck in the use of the Fire Department
and that the sum of Nine Thousand Dollars ($9,000) be raised from the tax levy and
appropriated for the purchase or lease purchase of one four wheel drive, one ton pick -up
truck for the Fire Department.
ARTICLE 29. On motion of Maureen T. O'Brien it was voted that the Town authorize
the Selectmen to sell, or exchange or dispose of, upon such terms and conditions as they
determine, three cars in the use of the Police Department, and that the sum of Twenty -Four
Thousand Dollars ($24,000) be raised from the tax levy and appropriated for the purpose of
purchasing three new cars for the Police Department.
ARTICLE 30. On motion of ,Marvin M. Rosenthal it was voted that Article 30 be
indefinitely postponed.
ARTICLE 31. On motion of Marvin M. Rosenthal, as amended by Mary S. Ziegler, it
was voted that the sum of Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000) be raised from the tax levy
and appropriated for the purpose of making improvements to increase the energy efficiency
of those Town Buildings under the supervision of the Building Maintenance Department.
On motion of Maureen T. O'Brien it was voted to take up Article 36 in advance.
ARTICLE 36. On motion of Marvin M. Rosenthal it was voted that the sum of Five
Hundred Dollars ($500) be raised from the tax levy and appropriated for Christmas Lighting.
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Adjourned Annual Town Meeting May 5, 1980
ARTICLE 32. On motion of Maureen T. O'Brien it was voted that the sum of Ten
Thousand Dollars ($10,000) be raised from the tax levy and appropriated for the repair and
installation of a roof for the Police Annex Building.
ARTICLE 33. On motion of John W. Price it was voted that the sum of Four Thousand
Dollars ($4,000) be raised from the tax levy and appropriated for the purpose of constructing
a building to house radio equipment at the Auburn Street water tower.
On motion of Maureen T. O'Brien it was voted to take Article 2 from the table.
ARTICLE 2. The following report was presented by David J. M. Proctor, Chairman of
the Site Selection and Fire Station Building Committee:
SITE SELECTION AND FIRE STATION BUILDING COMMITTEE
REPORT OF FINDINGS
The Site Selection and Fire Station Building Committee was established by Town
Meeting on May 31, 1979 to "study the building needs, the means of funding and the cost of
same, site locations, new construction, and the feasibility of remodeling existing facilities
to make them more acceptable for fire department use ". The major problem confronting
the Committee and the Town is the deteriorating Central Fire Station located at Pleasant
and Parker Streets.
At the present time Reading has two fire stations. Station 1, also known as the
Central Fire Station is located just off Reading Square at 49 Pleasant Street. This structure
was built in 1883 and served originally as town hall, police station, and fire station. The
Reading Fire Department presently has the following apparatus garaged at this location:
Engine 1 1973 Ford /Maxim 1000 gpm pumping engine
Engine 5 1969 Ford /Young 750 gpm pumping engine
Car 4 1976 Ford /Modulance ambulance
Car 17 1972 Chevrolet half -ton pick -up truck
This station also serves as the main dispatching location for the department. Station 2, also
known as the West Side Station, is located at 267 Woburn Street, opposite Perkins Avenue.
This structure was built in 1957 and is generally in good condition. The Reading Fire
r
Department presently has the following apparatus garaged at this location:
Engine 2 1979 Maxim 1000 gpm pumping engine
Ladder 1 1965 American LaFrance 85 -foot aerial ladder
Rescue 1 1960 Dodge Heavy -duty rescue truck
Fire Alarm 1975 International Harvestor Fire Alarm bucket truck
Engine 3 1961 Seagrave 1000 gpm pumping engine (reserve)
This station also contains the fire alarm shop, the business office of the fire department,
and the offices of the chief and deputy chief of department. Apparatus repair work is also
performed at this facility in a small repair area afforded the department mechanic.
The department is also storing Engine 4 and a trailer pump at a town -owned garage off
Haverhill Street because there is not sufficient room in the two present buildings to house
these auxiliary vehicles.
One of the first tasks undertaken by the Committee was to determine just how much
space was needed by the Reading Fire Department and for what purposes. The Reading Fire
Department needs adequate building space to meet the following requirements:
Sufficient garage area to store at a minimum three active pumping engines, one
reserve pumping engine, one aerial ladder truck, one rescue truck, on active
ambulance, one reserve ambulance, one fire alarm truck, one squad /pickup truck, and
two automobiles.
%FM. Sufficient housing /dormitory space for the on -duty manpower normally assigned to
operate the above equipment, as well as facilities for the housing of additional
personnel during times of emergency when off -shift fire fighters are recalled to duty.
Sufficient floor space to house fire alarm equipment, telephone switchboards, radio
base stations, central station fire alarm registers, air tanks and compressors for
audible horn equipment, emergency electrical generators, air and oxygen cascade
systems, etc.
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Adjourned Annual Town Meeting
May 5, 1980
Sufficient additional storage space to hold equipment necessary for the efficient
operation of the apparatus and equipment, such as spare hose, spare tires, additional
medical supplies, fire fighters' turnout gear, etc.
Sufficient meeting hall space for department meetings, classroom training sessions for
both the department and the public, emergency housing, etc.
Sufficient office space to meet the clerical and administrative needs of the
department along with appropriate storage facilities.
Sufficient other specialized structures such as hose drying towers and a training tower
for structural fire fighting training.
Furthermore, because of the emergency nature of the work performed by the fire
department, this space should be located within the town at places that will provide for the
best possible fire protection at the most affordable cost.
The next task undertaken by the Committee was to determine just where fire stations in
Reading should be located. Our purpose here was to decide what was needed in order to
provide adequate fire and medical emergency responses. Using the Standard Schedule for
Grading Cities and Towns With Reference to Their Fire Defenses suggested by the Insurance
Services Office the following observations as to the distribution of fire companies was
noted:
"Companies shall be so distributed as to assure quick response to first alarms and
also to assure that for multiple alarm fires in high value districts the necessary
number of companies are promptly available and, .in the larger municipalities, that
simultaneous fires can be handled. The location of these districts, topographical
features, man -made barriers such as railroad and highway structures, street widths and
condition, traffic routing and congestion, and the number and extent of runs shall be
taken into consideration.
"To accomplish quick response of the first due company no point in any high -
value district shall be more than one mile travel distance from an engine company,
hose company, or engine - ladder company or more than 1 1/4 miles from a company
providing adequate ladder protection, except that in districts requiring a fire flow of
9000 gallons per minute or more the distance shall be 3/4 mile and 1 mile respectively,
and in districts requiring a fire flow of less than 4500 gpm the distances may be 1 1/2
miles and 2 miles respectively. For residential districts, the requirments are
respectively 2 and 3 miles but may be increased up to 4 miles for each class of service
where buildings have an average separation of 100 feet or more. For closely built
residential districts requiring more than 2000 gpm fire flow or having buildings three
or more stories in height, including tenement houses, apartments or hotels, the
requirements are respectively 1 1/2 miles and 2 miles, but shall be reduced to 1 and 1
1/4 miles respectively where the life hazard is above normal."
In terms of the town of Reading, the above guidelines mean that an engine company should
be stationed within one mile of Reading Square and a ladder company within one and one -
quarter miles. For a key target hazard, the loss of which would have a devastating impact
on the town (such as the General Tire Corporation industrial complex), an engine company
should be stationed within three - quarters of a mile and a ladder company within one mile.
For densely populated residential areas, typical of many sections of the west side of town,
an engine company should be stationed within two miles and a ladder company within three
miles. For less densely populated residential sections, more typical of the northern end of
our community, an engine company should be located no more than four miles away with
similar distances for ladder companies.
In order to further quantify the fire protection objectives, and to determine just where fire
stations should be located, a detail analysis of the town was undertaken to answer questions
such as where the buildings in the town were located, where the key target hazards requiring
maximum protection were located, etc. The aerial maps of the town prepared by the Board
of Public Works were utilized. From this study a grid graph was prepared. The following
data was obtained:
Square miles of the town to be protected upon
which there are buildings 7.0125
Number of buildings to be protected 5,743
Grid squares with key target hazards 94
Building density /average 819 /mile2
Building density /station one 745/mile2
Adjourned Annual Town Meeting
Building density /station two
Buildings in station one first due district
Target hazards in station one first due district
Buildings in station two first due district
Target hazards in station two first due district
Alarms handled by apparatus in station one
Alarms handled by apparatus in station two
245
May 5, 1980
1, 022 /mile2
3,801 (66.2%)
78 (83.0 %)
1,942 (33.8%)
16 (17.0%)
76.4%
23.6%
The Committee studied the topography of the town, the location of the population and the
structures within the town, the road network, response times and distances, target fire
hazards, the need to have certain specialized equipment centralized, and the availability of
mutual aid from other communities. It also considered the operating expenses of the fire
department, manpower available presently and likely to be funded in the immediate future,
and determined the following relative to the building needs of the fire department:
The Committee concluded that Reading should continue to operate two fire stations.
The present Fire Station 2 at 267 Woburn Street should remain as a fire station with
full use of the building remaining with the fire department. A second station is needed
in the general vicinty of Reading Square located on or very close to Main Street
between Haven and Charles Streets.
Station 2 - 267 Woburn Street
This structure is generally in good condition and should remain basically as is, totally
dedicated to fire department usage. The major reasons for this are as follows:
The need for a fire station on the west side of town is vital because of the obstacle of
the railroad tracks, the density of the structures, the size and valuation of the
structures, and the long distances and response times into this area from available
mutual aid.
The structure is not easily convertible to usage by other town departments.
The cost of rebuilding the facilities already within this building for the fire
department at another location would be prohibitive.
Consideration should be given immediately to improving the energy efficiency of this
building. It would be advisable to make modifications to the heating system and install
a number of thermostat zones into the heating distribution system, replace existing
windows with triple channel thermopane glass, and install additional insulation in the
attic and other areas within the building. The Committee believes that the Town
would be able to achieve a significant payback on this investment. It is further
recommended that a sum of money be appropriated to provide for partitioning and
other improvements to provide more office and storage area on the second floor thus
making the fire department headquarters and administrative area more satisfactory.
Cost associated with the above projects might be in the order of:
Heating system and thermostat improvements )2,000.
Windows and doors $3,000.
Insulation $2,000.
Partitioning and other improvements $5,000.
Station 1 - 49 Pleasant Street
• W This station was constructed in 1883 as a combination town hall, police station, and
fire station. During the intervening century the structure has been modified and remodeled
to meet the needs of the fire department which eventually has become the sole remaining
occupant of the building. Still, vestiges of the venerable structure's earlier usage remain,
and in some instances present major obstacles to renovation of the structure.
Review and Analysis of the Structure
(1) Attic: The attic consists of a rough finished wooden floor area that has as
its main feature massive oak trusses which support the roof and serve to tie the
exterior brick walls together. There is visible structural damage in the area
from a previous fire.
246
Adjourned Annual Town Meeting
May 5, 1980
(2) Second Floor: This area serves as the housing facility for the on -duty
personnel. Two major obstacles to renovation present themselves on this floor.
The first is the presence of the old Town vault, the removal of which would be a
massive structural undertaking. The second is the fact that the floor itself is
supported by rods from the attic trusses. Modification of the second floor would
make interior wall relocations difficult. Furthermore, to make the building more
efficient and functional certain changes such as suspended ceiligs might be
suggested. However, the installation of same would be unlawful without other
major changes to meet the building codes.
(3) First Floor: This area serves as the garage for the apparatus, dispatching
area and storage area within the station. The station is not long enough to house
more than one full -size pumper at a time without making modifications. The
station is also not long enough to house a tractor - trailer aerial ladder, and does
not have enough vertical clearance at the apparatus door threshold to assure that
an aerial device of other design could fit. There is visible also on the first floor
severe rotting and other structural deficiencies.
(4) Basement: This area houses emergency electrical generation equipment, the
audible alarm system, fire alarm terminal boards, and the heating plant for the
structure. The walls in this area are of massive interlocked fieldstone. The area
also contains the former Town dungeon, an area which presents a structural
obstacle. There are signs in the basement area of rotting wood and concrete
beams of questionable support value.
(5) Exterior: The building is of brick masonry construction. The brick walls
have been pointed to stop the deterioration of structural bond between the bricks
and mortar. The wooden casements and windows are in poor condition. The lot
of land upon which the station sits is small, and the general downslope grade of
Parker Street makes usage of the site for a larger structure questionable.
The Committee was not granted a large operating budget by town meeting. Therefore,
an extensive structural analysis of the entire building by an engineer was impossible. The
Committee did secure the services of a citizen volunteer engineer who spent many hours
analysing the building so that when the Committee did go out and hire an engineer to look
at the structure the Town would get the answers to the right structural questions and the
most for its engineering money. For this help, the Committee and the Town was extremely
fortunate.
Following this preliminary structural analysis, the Committee secured the professional
services of a structural engineer. After a survey of the floor of the station and the
basement area which supports the motor apparatus, the engineer concluded that:
"(1) The present loading on the floor of Engines 1 and 5 is probably overstressing the
concrete floor, however, a visual inspection of the underside of the slab and
beams does not indicate any stress cracks.
11(2) The proposed increased loading of Engine 2 will in our opinion greatly overstress
the concrete floor.
"One solution to the overstressing problem would be to provide shoring in the basement
for the concrete slab and beams."
As a result of the above engineering study the Reading Fire Department was forced to
garage the new Engine 2, which should be operated from Station 1, at Station 2. It should be
noted that Ladder 1 is also operated from Station 2 because it will not fit within Station 1.
In other words, the Reading Fire Department is slowly being forced to operate from Station
2 because of the structural defects in Station 1. As a result, fire protection service to many
of the Town's citizens is not as it should be.
In order to correct certain deficiencies within Station 1, at a minimum the following would
have to be done:
(1) Shore apparatus floor including removal of jail area $15,000.
(2) Repair surface of appartus floor 20,000.
(3) Fix basement walls 28,000.
(4) Repair stairway to second floor 6,000.
69,000.
In addition the following would have to be done between now and the arrival of the next
piece of pumping apparatus in order to have space to garage it at Station 1:
Adjourned Annual Town Meeting
247
May 5, 1980
(1)
Build one -story addition for watchroom
$24,000.
(2)
Remove hose tower and watchroom
5,000.
(3)
Remove back alcove
2,000.
(4)
Electrical and fire alarm wiring
5,000.
36,000.
The following expenditures should also undoubtedly be made within the next year or two just
to accommodate the fire fighters assigned to the station and provide ample storage,
restroom, hose drying, and other facilities:
(1) Renovate second floor of existing building $ 25,000.
(2) Build a two -story with basement addition on
the south side of the structure 225,000.
250,000.
The sum of the above expenditures would be $355,000. The result would be a fire station
that would be stronger, more energy efficient, and more conducive to the needs of the fire
department. However, it would still not be capable of housing more than two pumpers and
one ambulance, and that would be with great difficulty and no margin of extra room. To
accommodate more apparatus, more extensive renovations would have to be undertaken such
as:
(1) Apparatus door modifications to the front of the structure
(2) Lengthening of one apparatus bay to accommodate additional apparatus
(3) Raising the clearance height of the apparatus doors and internal spans,
including removal of the second floor vault area, and possible regrading
of Parker Streeet
The Building Committee was not able to estimate the costs of these more extensive
modifications within the budget supplied by Town Meeting. Suffice it to note that such
projects would be extremely extensive and expensive, and could equal or excceed the costs
of new construction.
Based upon the above analysis, the Site Selection and Fire Station Building Committee
concluded that the town would have to spend $105,000 at a minimum immediately, and
should spend an additional $250,000 in the near future to make modifications to the present
structure, the end result of which would basically be unsatisfactory to the needs of the fire
department and the fire protection needs of the town. The rehabilitation of this structure
into something that would meet these needs is not determinable in total costs, but would
probably equal the cost of new construction. Furthermore, it is the view of the Committee
that such extensive renovations probably could not be done given the fact that the structure
would have to remain as an operating fire station during the renovation period.
The Committee has concluded that Fire Station 1 on Pleasant Street,
built in 1883, cannot be satisfactorily renovated and remodeled at a
reasonable cost to meet the needs of the fire department. Therefore,
the Committee recommends that this structure be terminated as a
fire station and that a new fire station be constructed as a
replacement. In the interim until new construction is completed, we
suggest that the Board of Selectmen proceed to have enough money
appropriated and /or transferred to provide for emergency temporary
shoring of at least one apparatus bay for the storage of a pumping
engine.
The Committee then tackled the project of selection of a site for the new fire station
taking into consideration the location within the town dictated by the fire protection and
emergency medical needs of the citizens determined by the earlier analysis which
determined that it should be in the Square area.
Certain criteria were also established by the Committee in site selection:
Any site should attempt to be town -owned land
If no existing town -owned land was available or satisfactory, that the site
selected would involve a minimum of private land taking
Any site selected would be situated so as to have a minimum impact on the
neighborhood and the environment of the town
To select a site that would have a minimal impact upon the operation of the
department during the estimated two year period of construction
I
Adjourned Annual Town Meeting May 5, 1980
The Committee studied a number of sites in and around the Square area including the
site of the existing fire station. For a number of differing reasons each site, including that
occupied by the present structure, was determined to be unsatisfactory for new
construction.
The Committee recommends that a new fire station be constructed
on the easterly side of Main Street on existing town -owned land
between the Shell Gasoline Service Station and a private dwelling at
767 Main Street. Specifically, this land is lots 24 and 25 as shown on
assessors plat 87.
Total available land here is approximately 26,725 square feet with 148 foot frontage
on Main Street and a depth of 176 feet. This site would be acceptable to the fire
department and is the only existing town -owned parcel in the square area presently available
large enough to support the construction of a fire station. It is also the only parcel that
would have a minimum neighborhood impact as there is only one residential abutter.
If this land is not utilized, it would be necessary to assemble a parcel of privately owned
land. Given the lot sizes in the vicinity, it could cost around $250,000 to assemble a parcel
of land large enough to accommodate a fire station from these sources. The Committee felt
this was unnecessary given available unutilized existing town -owned land.
Some background information on these two lots of land on Main Street may be helpful.
These two lots, numbers 24 and 25 as shown on Assessors Plat 87, were sold to the Town in
1920 by a Mrs. Brande. We do not know what amount of money was transferred, but we can
assume it was a nominal sum such as a dollar. The town meeting in that year voted to
"thank Mrs. Brande for her generous gift of land to the Town" which would tend to confirm
this idea. We can also probably assume that this land was at some time going to be added to
Memorial Park. However, in the sixty years since then it never has been. The boundaries of
Memorial Park and the usage of Memorial Park is strictly stated in the deeds for the parcels
that make up the Park. So, from a deed viewpoint, these two parcels are definitely not part
of Memorial Park. However, there is some legal question as whether or not AAjoufned-
this land is part of the park from a usage viewpoint. That is, if it has become to be thought
of as parkland for over fifty years, even though it is not parkland from a deed viewpoint, it
may be under the broader encroachment and usage statutes of common law. The Committee
has reviewed the usage of these two parcels over a period of time and does not believe that
they currently are being used for park purposes. It would be wise, however, to put in motion
the necessary articles and petitions to clarif y this point so that the land may be set aside
permanently for usage as a fire station site.
The Committee recommends that a station be constructed that is capable of garaging at a
minimum two active pumping engines, one aerial ladder, one ambulance, and one
squad /pickup truck. Provision should also be made for ample dormitory and housing
facilities for the on -duty personnel assigned to this station, room for adequate fire alarm
equipment, storage of necessary supplies and materials, hose drying and training tower.
The use of these lots of land would be ideal for a station of one or two -story design. If the
building had a full basement, doors could be provided in the lower level rear section for exit
of spare, auxiliary, and civil defense apparatus. Use could be also made of an existing town -
owned right of way into the rear of the parcels from Salem Street. First -line fire apparatus
would exit from the first floor directly onto Main Street.
It was not the purpose of the Committee to design the station or provide a detail estimate
of its costs. If the station were built of first class construction, the building itself could be
in the order of $80 per square foot. Under this scenario, the total costs of the project could
be in the order of $1,000,000 to $1,250,000. There are less expensive types of construction
available as well as "temporary" buildings. The Committee felt that these alternatives,
while they might result in a smaller initial expense, would probably result in higher costs
over the life of the structure. Also, a fire station is an emergency structure that must
operate in all types of weather and other emergencies. If the town is faced with a blizzard
or hurricane, it should attempt to have a fire station of such construction that it is not
likely to be the first victim of the weather.
Method of Funding
Assuming that the structure will cost over one million dollars, it is the type of project
that is way beyond a direct expenditure cash payment funded via the general tax levy
against local real estate. It would probably be necesary to issue a twenty -year municipal
bond series. However, the current level of interest rates and the relative condition of the
municipal bond markets at this time make such a bond issue definitely out of the question at
this time.
24y
Adjourned Annual Town Meeting May 5, 1980
The only other means of financing this project is to obtain some form of Federal
revenue sharing grant. The Committee spent an extensive amount of time exploring this
avenue, obtained the services of a Federal revenue sharing consulting engineer, and
submitted a request for qualification status under various Federal programs. The possibility
of Federal funding for this project appears at this time remote, but definitely not out of the
question. One thing is clear, however. In order to qualify for a Federal grant it probably
would be necessary to have a complete grant request package prepared and ready to go when
and if a Federal program became available.
The consultant on Federal revenue sharing that met with the Committee as well as
officials of several other cities and towns that have received fire station construction grants
all believed that there was probably a better chance of receiving a Federal grant for
construction than one for design and construction. That is, the Town should proceed to
formulate at its own expense a design package that would be ready to go if and when monies
for construction programs became available. This was not the view of the Board of
Selectmen and the Finance Committee, both of whom expressed to the Site Selection and
Fire Station Building Committee that the entire project should be funded by external
sources. As the Committee could not at this time point to a specific Federal program under
which this project would definitely qualify for funding, and given the situation that certain
legal details will have to be worked out on the site selected, it is probably better at this
time to spend the next few months putting together a grant application package for both
design and and construction monies. Therefore, the Committee suggests that the Town keep
the project active, and expend at this time approximately $5,000 to meet the expenses of
securing the site, detailing the entire project, and filing applicable grant papers.
Summary
The Town should have two fire stations, one on Woburn Street in the western part of
the Town, and one in the immediate vicinity of Reading Square preferably on or very
close to Main Street between Haven and Charles Streets.
The station at 267 Woburn Street should be made more energy efficient and modified
to provide more storage area for administrative personnel.
The station at 49 Pleasant Street is no longer serviceable as a fire station. The costs
of remodeling that structure into something that would meet the current needs of the
fire department, as well as provide for the future, would be prohibitive. Therefore,
that structure should not be extensively renovated.
In order to meet the emergency garaging needs of the fire department, the apparatus
floor of the Central Fire Station should be shored and strengthened.
A new fire station to act as the replacement for Station 1 should be constructed on
lots 24 and 25 as shown on Assessors Plat 87 (on Main Street between the Shell Gas
station and a dwelling at 767 Main Street).
The Board of Selectmen should be directed to place into motion any steps that might
be considered necessary to clarify title and usage of the proposed two lots so that the
same may be permanently set aside for use as a fire station site.
An application grant package for funding of this project should be prepared as soon as
possible so that if a revenue sharing program becomes available the Town will be
ready.
In order to oversee the above, it is suggested that town meeting create a Fire Station
Building Committee.
The Site Selection and Fire Station Building Committee should like to thank Fire Chief
Robert W. Pratt, Deputy Fire Chief Victor H. Cail, Fire Fighters Alan McMahon, Kenneth
Campbell, and Arthur Vars, Mr. Michael J. Karaffa, Mr. Donald Cassano, and Mr. Benjamin
E. Nichols for their invaluable help and assistance daring our project.
%no SITE SELECTION AND FIRE STATION
BUILDING COMMITTEE
David J. M. Proctor, Chairman
Roberta Botticelli, Secretary
James J. Fandel
Robert P. Griffin
Clark A Johnson
Ronald D. Michelin, Fire
Department Representative
250
Adjourned Annual Town Meeting
May 5, 1980
Upon motion of Maureen T. O'Brien, this report was accepted as a report of progress.
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 that this meeting stand adjourned to
meet at 8:00 P.M. on Thursday, May 8, 1980 in the Reading Memorial High School
Auditorium.
Meeting adjourned at 11:10 P.M.
153 Town Meeting members were present.
A true copy. Attest:
Lawrence Drew
Town Clerk
ADJOURNED ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
Reading Memorial High School Auditorium
May 8, 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. Donald Troast of the Old South Methodist
Church, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
ARTICLE 34. On motion of Maureen T. O'Brien it was voted that the sum of Twenty
Thousand Dollars ($20,000) be raised from the tax levy and appropriated for renovation and
repair of the floor of the Central Fire Station.
ARTICLE 35. Motion by Maureen T. O'Brien that the sum of Five Thousand Dollars
($5,000) be raised from the tax levy and appropriated for the purpose of developing
preliminary architectural plans and services and securing a site for a new fire station was
indefinitely postponed on further motion of Paul T. Metcalf.
ARTICLE 37. On motion of James R. Valentine it was voted that the Selectmen be
instructed to form an advisory committee, on or before July 1, 1980, to advise the
Selectmen regarding all aspects of the continuing development and removal of hazardous
waste at the Industri -flex 128 site in Woburn.
This advisory committee, shall be appointed by the Board of Selectmen and shall be
constituted as follows: at least one Town Meeting member from each precinct; at least one
member from the Board of Health, the Conservation Commission, and the Board of Public
Works; at least one member from Citizens Against Pollution (CAP) and at least one member
from any other interested, duly constituted Town Board or organization.
Signed,
Judith Broderick and others.
(Signatures of required registered
voters are in original petition
submitted to the Board of Selectmen,
Reading, Mass. on March 3, 1980.)
Signed and presented by
James R. Valentine
Precinct 5