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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980-11-10 Subsequent Town Meeting Minutes274 SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School November 10, 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 Town Clerk read the warrant in part, and upon motion of Maureen T. O'Brien further reading was suspended, except for the officer's return, which was read by the Town Clerk. ARTICLE 1. Douglas A. Cowell of the Board of Public Works, as a point of information, advised the Town Meeting body that on Thursday, November 13, at the next adjourned session of this meeting, request would be made to bring up Article 22 out of order. The reason stated was because of the presence of a paid consultant who would be present to discuss this Article. ARTICLE 1. On motion of Maureen T. O'Brien it was voted to lay Article 1 on the table. ARTICLE 2. On motion of Maureen T. O'Brien it was voted to lay Article 2 on thetable. ARTICLE 3. On motion of John W. Price, Board of Selectmen it was voted that the sum of Three Thousand Eight Hundred Dollars ($3,800) be transferred from available funds and appropriated to the Building Maintenance Department for the purpose of repairing and replacing gutters and downspouts and related work on the Municipal Building and Library. ARTICLE 4. On motion of Marvin M. Rosenthal, Board of Selectmen, it was voted that the sum of Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000) be transferred from available funds and appropriated to the Building Maintenance Department for increasing the energy efficiency of the municipal buildings. ARTICLE 5. On motion of Maureen T. O'Brien, Board of Selectmen, as amended by Stephen G. Viegas and Mary S. Ziegler, it was voted that the sum of Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($2,500) be transferred from available funds and appropriated to the Building Maintenance Department for the purpose of renovations and improvements to the Community Center. ARTICLE 6. On motion of John W. Price it was voted that this Article be indefinitely postponed. ARTICLE 7. On motion of Douglass L. Barker, Board of Public Works, it was voted that the sum of Two Hundred and Seventy -five Thousand Dollars ($275,000.00) be rescinded from the bonding authorized under Article 24 of the Annual Town Meeting held May 6, 1976. 136 voted in the affirmative 0 voted in the negative ARTICLE 8. On motion of Douglass L. Barker, Board of Public Works, it was voted that the sum of Six Hundred and Fifty Dollars ($650.00) be rescinded from the bonding authorized under Article 34 of the Annual Town Meeting held March 18, 1974. 136 voted in the affirmative 0 voted in the negative ARTICLE 9. On motion of Douglass L. Barker, Board of Public Works, it was voted that the sum of Seven Hundred and Eighty Thousand Dollars ($780,000.00) be rescinded from the bonding authorized under Article 52 of the Annual Town Meeting held May 8, 1975. 136 voted in the affirmative 0 voted in the negative ARTICLE 10. On motion of Maureen T. O'Brien, Board of Selectmen, it was voted that the sum of Ten Thousand Five Hundred Fifty -seven Dollars and eighty -three cents ($10,557.83) be transferred from available funds and appropriated to pay legal bills incurred during Fiscal 1980. 124 voted in the affirmative 4 voted in the negative 9/10 vote required 275 Subsequent Town Meeting November 10, 1980 ARTICLE 11. On motion of John W. Price it was voted that Article 11 be indefinitely postponed. ARTICLE 12. On motion of John W. Price it was voted that Article 12 be indefinitely postponed. Motion by John W. Price for a ten minute recess at 9:35 P.M. was voted in the negative. ARTICLE 13. On motion of Bayard R. Lincoln, Personnel Board, it was voted that the Town amend Article XXIV of the By -Laws of the Town, Schedule A, Classification Plan, Exempt Positions, B, Public Safety Class and Pay Grade, by deleting: "Police Chief * * Conforms to M.G.L. C 48 s 57G" and substituting in its place: "Police Chief 12" ARTICLE 14. Barry J. Mitchel, Planning Board, moved that the Town transfer from available funds the sum of Twenty -six Thousand Dollars ($26,000.00) for the purpose of constructing a public parking lot on the Town -owned lot at Union and Middle Street (formerly known as the Union Street School). Such funds are to be expended by and under the direction of the Board of Selectmen in accordance with specifications developed by the Board of Public Works. The Board of Selectmen shall establish parking regulatins and security provisions as they deem appropriate. On motion of Stephen G. Viegas it was voted that Article 14 be indefinitely postponed. ARTICLE 15. John Zorabedian, Jr., Planning Board, moved that the Town authorize the Board of Selectmen to enter into negotiations, but not sign final agreements, with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority ( "T ") for the development of a commuter parking facility and rail terminus at John Street on Town -owned land adjacent to the railroad right of way at the rear of the incinerator site and Reading Board of Public Works yard, such area extending between the Boston Stove Company service track to the west. The negotiations shall give due consideration to maintenance, snow removal, security and purchase price issues and shall not be considered final until subsequent ratification of Town Meeting. On motion of Maureen T. O'Brien it was voted that Article 15 be indefinitely postponed. ARTICLE 1. On motion of Barry J. Mitchel it was voted to take Article 1 from the table. ARTICLE 1. The following report of the Planning Board, given by John Zorabedian, Jr., was accepted as a report of progress: PLANNING BOARD REPORT ARTICLE 16 Pursuant to Section 5, Chapter 40A, General Laws, a public hearing was held on this proposal on Wednesday, October 29, 1980 in the Community Center Auditorium, 52 Sanborn Street, with Board members E. Childress, J. Shaw, J. Sturm and Chairman J. Zoradedian present. The Reading Chronicle was represented. There were approximately twenty (20) citizens present for this hearing including the petitioner, Douglas Wade and his attorney, O. Bradley Latham. In accordance with Section 11, Chapter 40A, General Laws, the public notice was published in the Reading Chronicle on October 15, 1980 and October 22, 1980 and was read into the meeting record. A revised motion to the article was presented to the Board by the petitioner's attorney and was also read to the public. Mr. Latham presented the case on behalf of the petitioner and stated that the original warrant article language was very inclusive because of the short time available before the close of the Fall Town Meeting Warrant. The revised motion is more specific and asks for the following provisions: 1) the canopy allowance would be in the Industrial district only; 2) there would be a five (5) foot minimum setback requirement; 3) canopy would be allowed to encroach into front yard only; and 4) wording changed from "at or near" to "at" customer's motor vehicle. 276 Subsequent Town Meeting November 10, 1980 Mr. Latham stressed as important considerations: a New York Times article which noted the disappearance of the full service stations. Big conglomerates were taking over the gas station business that Doug's Exxon station presently "services" between 30 - 35 cars per day, thus making it the busiest service station in the Town (according to Mr. Latham). There were no questions voiced by those present. After a few questions from the Board, a sense of the meeting was taken. A show of hands indicated that those citizens in attendance were unanimously in favor of the proposed zoning by -law change. On November 3, 1980, the Planning Board voted to recommend this Article by a vote of 3 - 0. READING PLANNING BOARD John Zorabedian, Jr., Chairman Barry J. Mitchel, Clerk Joseph C. Sturn Ellen C. Childress John Shaw ARTICLE 1. On motion of John Zorabedian, Jr. it was voted to lay Article 1 on the table. ARTICLE 16. On motion of Curt E. Nitzsche it was voted that the Town amend the Zoning By -Law to allow a canopy in the front yard area in an Industrial Zoning District to provide protection for drive -in facilities by adding under paragraph 5.2.3.4 , sub - paragraph a), as follows: a) In an Industrial District, minimum front yard requirements shall not apply to projecting canopies over drive -in facilities, except that no canopy shall have a set back of less than five feet from the front lot line. A drive -in facility is one designed to allow customers to transact business or acquire goods or services at the customer's motor vehicle. 96 voted in the affirmative, 0 voted in the negative. In the discussion on the Article, Mr. Douglas J. Wade was represented by Mr. O. Bradley Latham of Latham and Latham. ARTICLE 17. Motion by Marvin M. Rosenthal to bring up this Article after Article 20 was under discussion at adjournment. On motion of Carl H. Amon, Jr. it was voted that this meeting stand adjourned to meet at 8:00 P.M. on Thursday, November 13, 1980, in the Reading Memorial High School auditorium. Meeting adjourned at 10:40 P.M. 145 Town Meeting members were present. A true copy. Attest: Lawrence Drew Town Clerk Ff_�