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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1978-02-27 Special Town Meeting WarrantTOWN OF READING SPECIAL TOWN MEETING WARRANT OF RegO��P 0 63g: INCOFpOpP,C MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1978 COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS Middlesex, ss. To either of the Constables of the Town of Reading, Greetings: In the name of the Commonwealth you are hereby required to notify and warn the inhabitants of the Town of Reading qualified to vote in elections and town affairs to meet at the Walter S. Parker Junior High School, 45 Temple Street, in said Reading on Monday, February 27, 1978, at eight o'clock in the evening to act on the following articles: ARTICLE 1. To hear and act on the reports of the Board of Selectmen, Town Accountant, Treasurer, Collector of Taxes, Board of Assessors, Board of Public Works, Town Clerk, Tree Warden, Board of Health, School Committee, Con- tributory Retirement Board, Library Trustees, Municipal Light Board, Finance Committee, Cemetery Trustees, Planning Board and any other Boards or Special Com- mittees. Board of Selectmen ARTICLE 2. To choose all other necessary Town Officers and Special Committees and determine what instruction shall be given Town Officers and Special Committees. Board of Selectmen ARTICLE 3. To see what sum the Town will raise by borrowing, or transfer from available funds, or from Federal Revenue Sharing (P.L. 92 -512) or otherwise and appropriate to the Fire Department Salary Account or take any other action with respect thereto. Board of Selectmen ARTICLE 4. To see what sum the Town will raise by borrowing, or transfer from available funds, or from Federal Revenue Sharing (P.L. 92 -512) or otherwise and appropriate to the Group Insurance Account or take any other action with respect thereto. Board of Selectmen ARTICLE 5. To see what sum the Town will raise by borrowing or from the tax levy, or transfer from available funds, or otherwise and appropriate, for the purpose of Snow and ice Removal or what it will do in relation thereto. Board of Public Works ARTICLE 6. To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning By -laws to bring it into conformance with the new Zoning Act, by deleting the entire text and substituting a revised text, entitled "TOWN OF READING ZONING BY- LAWS", dated December 12, 1977, copies of which have been distributed to all Town Meeting Members and made available for public inspection at the Office of the Town Clerk, the Planning Board office, the Library and at this meeting, excluding only marginal references and three unnumbered pages labeled "REFERENCES - THIS PAGE IS NOT PART OF THE BY- LAW ", or take any other action with respect thereto. Planning Board ARTICLE 7. To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning By -Laws: (a). By deleting paragraph 2.2.5 and substituting therefor a new paragraph 2.2.5 as follows: 2.2.5 BUILDING: A structure enclosed within exterior walls whether portable or fixed, having a roof or other coverings for the shelter of persons, animals or property. (b) By inserting after paragraph 2.2.28.2 a new paragraph 2.2.29, as follows: 2.2.29 STRUCTURE: Materials assembled at a fixed location to give support or shelter, such as a building, framework, wall, tent, reviewing stand, platform, bin, fence, sign, flagpole, mast for radio antenna or the like. or take any other action with respect thereto. Planning Board ARTICLE 8. To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning By -laws: (a) By deleting paragraph 2.2.28 and substituting therefor a new paragraph 2.2.28, as follows: 2.2.28 SIGN: Any word, number, emblem, picture, design, trademark or other device to attract attention. (b) By inserting after paragraph 6.2.1.1, a new paragraph 6.2.1.2. as follows: 6.2.1.2 Signs shall relate to the premises on which they are located and shall only identify the occupant of such premises, the services available, hours of operation, the products sold and their respective trade names. or take any other action with respect thereto. Planning Board ARTICLE 9. To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning By -laws to permit certain Industrial Uses in the Industrial Districts which are now prohibited, by amending paragraph 4.2.2, Tables of Uses, by deleting "no" and sub- stituting therefor "yes" in the "IND" column in the lines entitled "Research & Development ", "Computer Services ", "Laboratories ", "Publishing and Printing ", and "Com- munication Facilities ", or take any other action with respect thereto. Planning Board ARTICLE 10. To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning By -laws to permit Public Buildings and Public Utilities in Business C and Industrial Districts, where they are now prohibited, by amending paragraph 4.2.2, Table of Uses, by deleting "no" and substituting therefor "yes ", in the "BUS C ", and "IND" columns in the lines entitled "Public Buildings" and "Public Utilities ", or take any other action with respect thereto. Planning Board ARTICLE 11. To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning By -laws to permit accessory retail sales where such activities are permitted as principal uses, by amending paragraph 4.2.2, Table of Uses, under the heading "Ac- cessory Uses ", by deleting "no" and substituting therefor "yes" in the line entitled "Other retail sales" in the columns entitled "BUS A ", "BUS B" and "IND ", or take any other action with respect thereto. Planning Board ARTICLE 12. To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning By -laws to permit accessory manufacturing and industrial uses where industrial activities are permitted as principal uses, by amending paragraph 4.2.2 "Tables of Uses" under the heading "Accessory Uses ", by deleting "no" and substituting therefor "yes" in the line entitled "Manufacturing & industrial" in the column entitled "BUS C "; or take any other action with respect thereto. Planning Board ARTICLE 13. To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning By -laws to adopt a minimum area and frontage requirement for one and two family dwellings to be built upon nonconforming lots, by deleting paragraph 6.3.1.2 and 6.3.1.3 and substituting therefor a new paragraph 6.3.1.2 as follows, or take any other action with respect thereto: 6.3.1.2 A nonconforming lot which at the time of its recording or endorsement, whichever occurs sooner, was not held in common ownership with any adjoining land, con- formed to the then existing requirements, and had less than the increased requirement but at least five thousand (5,000) square feet of area and fifty (50) feet of frontage may be built upon for a one or two family use, if it is located in a district permitting such use. Planning Board ARTICLE 14. To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning By -laws to impose additional regulations on ac- cessory uses in Residence Districts: a) By deleting paragraph 2.2.17 and substituting therefor a new paragraph 2.2.17 as follows: 2.2.17 HOME OCCUPATION: The use of a room or rooms in a dwelling as an office, studio or working room by a person resident in the dwelling where no goods or services are publicly displayed or provided on the premises for a fee. "+ b) By inserting in paragraph 4.2.2, Table of Uses, at the end of the subsection entitled "Accessory Uses" a new line en- titled "Consumer Service ", as follows: RESIDENCE BUS BUS BUS IND A B B -1 A B C Consumer Serivice no no no yes yes no yes c) By inserting after paragraph 4.3.2.5 a new paragraph 4.3.2.6 as follows: 4,3.2.6 In any Residence District, no more than twenty -five percent (25 percent) of the floor area of any one story or of a dwelling shall be used for an accessory use. or take any other action with respect thereto. Planning Board ARTICLE 15. To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning By -laws to impose additional regulations on garages, vehicle sizes and parking in Residence Districts: a) By deleting paragraph 4.3.2.4 and substituting therefor a new paragraph 4.3.2.4, as follows: 4.3.2.4 In any Residence District the erection of a garage for more than three (3) motor vehicles is prohibited. No commercial motor vehicle stored in a garage or parked elsewhere on a lot containing a dwelling shall exceed a one (1) ton capacity. b) by Making certain deletions in the table following paragraph 6.1.1.3, in the column entitled "Minimum Number of Off Street Parking Spaces Required" as follows: 1) By deleting in the line entitled "One - family detached house" the words: "and in the event that the said house is lawfully used for the business or profession of the occupant, one additional space for each two rooms used for said business or profession ". 2) By deleting in the line entitled "Two family dwelling" the words: "and one space for each two rooms used for customary home occupation ". or take any other action with respect thereto. Planning Board ARTICLE 16. To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning By -laws to regulate open storage of firewood in Residence A Districts, by inserting after paragraph 4.3.2.6 proposed in Article 14c, a new paragraph 4.3.2.7, or take any other action with respect thereto: 4.3.2.7 In any Residence A District, Open Storage regulation shall not apply to a seasonal stock of firewood occupying not more than two hundred and fifty (250) square feet. No such stock shall exceed four (4) feet in height within five (5) feet of a lot line. Planning Board ARTICLE 17. To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning By -laws to regulate the number and illumination of signs in Residence Districts by deleting paragraph 6.2.2 and substituting therefor new paragraphs 6.2.2, 6.2.2.1 and 6.2.2.2, as follows, or take any other action with respect thereto: 6.2.2 Residence Districts In Residence Districts signs shall be permitted subject to the following conditions: 6.2.2.1 Size and Number. Not more than one (1) sign, not exceeding one (1) square foot in area, shall be permitted for each premises, except that signs not exceeding four (4) square feet in area, advertising the sale or rental of the premises, shall be allowed. 6.2.2.2. Illumination. Sign illumination shall not be flashing or fluorescent, and illuminating facilities shall be exterior to the sign and so arranged as to direct light away from streets. Planning Board ARTICLE 18. To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning By -laws to reflect the broadened purposes authorized by Chapter 808, Acts of 1975, by deleting paragraph 1.1 and substituting therefor a new paragraph 1. 1, as follows, or take any other action with respect thereto: 1.1 The purposes of this Zoning By -law include but are not limited to the following: to promote the health, safety and general welfare of the inhabitants of the Town of Reading; to lessen congestion in the streets; to conserve health; to secure safety from fire, flood, panic, congestion and other dangers; to provide adequate light and air; to prevent over -crowding of land; to avoid undue concentration of population; to en- courage housing for persons of all income levels; to facilitate the adequate provision of transportation, water, water supply, drainage, sewerage, schools, parks, open space and other public requirements; to conserve the value of land and buildings, including the conservation of natural resources and the prevention of blight and pollution of the en- vironment; to encourage the most appropriate use of land throughout the Town of Reading, including consideration of the recommendations of comprehensive plans adopted by Town Meeting; and to preserve natural conditions and historic sites and to enhance beauty and amenities. Planning Board ARTICLE 19. To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning By -laws to prohibit the granting of variances for use, be deleting paragraph 7.4.2.2 and substituting therefor a new paragraph 7.4.2.2 as follows, or take any other action with respect thereto: 7.4.2.2 to hear and decide petitions for variances in ac- cordance with Section 10 of Chapter 40A. Planning Board ARTICLE 20. To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning By -laws to increase the maximum fine for violations, be deleting, in paragraph 7.2.2 "fifty dollars ($50.00) ", and substituting therefor "one hundred dollars ($100.00) ", or take any other action with respect thereto. Planning Board ARTICLE 21. To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning By -laws to eliminate a provision relating to the Boston and Maine Railroad right of way, be deleting paragraph 4.1.2 in its entirety, or take any other action with respect thereto. Planning Board ARTICLE 22. To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning By -laws to clarify the rules for interpretation of the Zoning Map, by deleting paragraph 3.3.1.1 and substituting therefor a new paragraph 3.3.1.1, as follows, or take any other action with respect thereto: 3.3.1.1 Where a boundary is indicated within a street or railroad right of way, the boundary shall be the center line of such street or right of way. Where a boundary is indicated approximately parallel to a street or railroad right of way, together with a single noted dimension, it shall be interpreted as parallel and located the noted distance from the center - line of such street or right of way. Where a boundary is in- dicated together with two or more dimensions, it shall be interpreted consistent with such dimensions. Where an undimensioned boundary apparently follows property lines in existence at the time of the establishment of such boun- dary, it shall be so interpreted. All other boundaries shall be as indicated upon the map. Planning Board ARTICLE 23. To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning By -laws by deleting paragraph 2.2.2 and substituting therefor a new paragraph 2.2.2 as follows, or take any other action with respect thereto: 2.2.2 APARTMENT: a dwelling arranged, intended or designed to be occupied by more than two families. Planning Board ARTICLE 24. To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning By -laws by deleting paragraph 2.2.11 and substituting therefor a new paragraph 2.2.11, as follows, or take any other action with respect thereto: 2.2. 11 FAMILY: One (1) or more persons living together in one (1) dwelling unit as a single housekeeping unit, but not including fraternities, sororities or other fraternal or communal living arrangements. Planning Board ARTICLE 25. To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning By -laws by inserting after paragraph 2.2.12 a new paragraph 2.2.13 as follows, or take any other action with respect thereto. 2.2.13 FRONTAGE: The continuous length of a street line across which access is legally and physically available for pedestrians and vehicles. The end of a street without a cul- de -sac shall not be considered frontage. Planning Board ARTCLE 26. To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning By -laws to increase the minimum lot required for schools, churches, kindergartens and other nonresidential permitted principal uses in Residence A -1 Districts, by amending paragraph 5.1.2, Table of Dimensional Controls, by deleting "10,000" and substituting therefor "20,000 ", in the column entitled "Minimum Lot Area, Sq. Ft." in the line entitled "Other Permitted Principal Use in A -1 Districts ", or take any other action with respect thereto. Planning Board ARTICLE 27. To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning By -laws to eliminate paragraphs in conflict with the State Building Code, by deleting in their entirety the third and fourth sentences of paragraph 6.2.3.6, or take any other action with respect thereto. Planning Board ARTICLE 28. Move that Town Meeting vote to confirm that the School Construction Committee, as established by vote under Article 43 of the 1967 Annual Town Meeting, and as amended by vote under Article 67 of the 1970 Annual Town Meeting and by vote under Article 26 of the 1977 Annual Town Meeting is now and has been at all times since its organization in 1967 in existence, with full responsibility and authority for construction of an addition and alterations to the Reading Memorial High School, and to amend said votes so that the School Construction Committee shall continue in existence until acceptance by Town Meeting of a final report of the School Construction Committee, which report shall be tendered upon the completion of the construction of an ad- dition and alterations to the Reading Memorial High School including all repairs thereto, or take any other action with respect thereto. School Construction Committee And you are directed to serve this Warrant by posting an attested copy thereof in at least three public places in each precinct of the Town not less than fourteen days prior to February 27, 1978, the date set for the meeting in said Warrant and to publish this Warrant in the Reading Chronicle at least fourteen days prior to said date. Hereof fail not and make due return of this Warrant with your doings thereon to the Town Clerk at or before the time appointed for said meeting. Given under our hands this 2nd day of February, 1978 Richard J. Ogden Frank A. Smith, Jr. James J. Sullivan, Jr. SELECTMEN OF READING A true copy. Attest: Sally M. Hoyt, Constable I Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex, ss. Officer's Return, Reading: By virtue of this Warrant, I, on February 11, 1978, notified and warned the inhabitants of the Town of Reading, qualified to vote in elections and town affairs, to meet at the place and at the time specified by posting attested copies of this Warrant in the following public places within the Town of Reading: - Precinct 1. Convenient Food Mart, 1349 Main Street Old Hose House, 1249 Main Street St. Athanasius Church, 300 Haverhill Street Precinct 2. Reading Police Station, 67,.Pleasant Street First National Store, 275 Salem Street Anton Cleaners, 47 Harnden Street Precinct 3. Friendly Variety Store, 245 Washington Street Reading Liquors, 345 Main Street Wayside Bazaar, 107 Main Street Precinct 4. Hanson's Service Station, 4 West Street Dragon Corner Store, 206 West Street Spence Farm Market Gardens, 40 West Street Precinct 5. Community Center, 52 Sanborn Street B & M Railroad Station, High Street Joshua Eaton School, 365 Summer Avenue Precinct 6. Fire Station, 267 Woburn Street Housing for the Elderly, 1 Frank D. Tanner Drive Alice M. Barrows School, 16 Edgemont Avenue Precinct 7. Austin Preparatory School, 101 Willow Street Weston's Greenhouses, 9 Auburn Street Town Hall, 16 Lowell Street Precinct 8. Meadowbrook Golf Club, 292 Grove Street Memorial High School, 62 Oakland Road Arthur W. Coolidge Jr. High School, 89 Birch Meadow Drive the date of posting being not less than fourteen days prior to February 27, 1978, the date set for the meeting in this Warrant. I also caused an attested copy of this Warrant to be published in the Reading Chronicle in the issue of February 8, 1978, the same being more than fourteen days prior to the date of said meeting. (s) Sally M. Hoyt Constable of Reading SPECIAL TOWN MEETING Walter S. Parker Junior High School Auditorium February 27, 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. David Reid of the First Baptist Church, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. The Warrant was partially read by the Town Clerk, when on motion of Richard J. Ogden it was voted to dispense with further reading of the Warrant, except the Constable's Return, which was then read by the Town Clerk. ARTICLE 1. The following report was read by Charles W. Hewitt, Chairman of the Finance Committee: TOWN OF READING SPECIAL TOWN MEETING WARRANT �N OF RE c fs'1B: fHCORpOPP� MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1978 COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS Middlesex, ss. To either of the Constables of the Town of Reading, Greetings: In the name of the Commonwealth you are hereby required to notify and warn the inhabitants of the Town of Reading qualified to vote in elections and town affairs to meet at the Walter S. Parker Junior High School, 45 Temple Street, in said Reading on Monday, February 27, 1978, at eight thirt o'clock in the evening to act on the following articles: ARTICLE 1. To hear and act on the reports of the Board of Selectmen, Town Accountant, Treasurer, Collector of Taxes, Board of Assessors, Board of Public Works, Town Clerk, Tree Warden, Board of Health, School Committee, Con- tributory Retirement Board, Library Trustees, Municipal Light Board, Finance Committee, Cemetery Trustees, Planning Board and any other Boards or Special Com- mittees. Board of Selectmen ARTICLE 2. To choose all other necessary Town Officers and Special Committees and determine what instruction shall be given Town Officers and Special Committees. Board of Selectmen ARTICLE 3. To see what sum the Town will raise by borrowing or transfer from available funds or otherwise and appropriate for the purpose of supplementing a Federal grant offered to the Town of Reading by the United States Department of Commerce, Assistant Secretary for Economic Development of September 16, 1977, Project 01 -51- 27046 Alterations and Additions to the Police Station, Pleasant Street, Reading, or take any other action with respect thereto. Board of Selectmen And you are directed to serve this Warrant by posting an attested copy thereof in at least three public places in each precinct of the Town not less than fourteen days prior to February 27, 1978, the date set for the meeting in said Warrant and to publish this Warrant in the Reading Chronicle at least fourteen days prior to said date. Hereof fail not and make due return of this Warrant with your doings thereon to the Town Clerk at or before the time appointed for said meeting. Given under our hands this 26th day of January, 1978. Richard J. Ogden Frank A. Smith, Jr. James J. Sullivan, Jr. SELECTMEN OF READING A true copy. Attest: Sally M. Hoyt Constable Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex, ss. Officer's Return, Reading: By virtue of this Warrant, I, on February 11, 1978, notified and warned the inhabitants of the Town of Reading, qualified to vote in elections and town affairs, to meet at the place and at the time specified by posting attested copies of this Warrant in the following public places within the Town of Reading: Precinct 1. Convenient Food Mart, 1349 Main Street Old Hose House, 1249 Main Street St. Athanasius Church, 300 Haverhill Street Precinct 2. Reading Police Station, 67 Pleasant Street First National Store, 275 Salem Street Anton Cleaners, 47 Harnden Street Precinct 3. Friendly Variety Store, 245 Washington Street Reading Liquors, 345 Main Street Wayside Bazaar, 107 Main Street Precinct 4. Hanson's Service Station, 4 West Street Dragon Corner Store, 206 West Street Spence Farm Market Gardens, 40 West Street Precinct 5. Community Center, 52 Sanborn Street B & M Railroad Station, High Street Joshua Eaton School, 365 Summer Avenue Precinct 6. Fire Station, 267 Woburn Street Housing for the Elderly, 1 Frank D. Tanner Drive Alice M. Barrows School, 16 Edgemont Avenue Precinct 7. Austin Preparatory School, 101 Willow Street Weston's Greenhouses, 9 Auburn Street Town Hall, 16 Lowell Street Precinct 8. Meadowbrook Golf Club, 292 Grove Street Memorial High School, 62 Oakland Road Arthur W. Coolidge Jr. High School, 89 Birch Meadow Drive the date of posting being not less than fourteen days prior to February 27, 1978, the date set for the meeting in this Warrant. I also caused an attested copy of this Warrant to be published in the Reading Chronicle in the issue of February 8, 1978, the same being more than fourteen days prior to the date of said meeting. (s) Sally M. Hoyt Constable of Reading