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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-04-25 Adjourned Annual Town Meeting MinutesAdjourned Annual Town Meeting April 25, 1988 ADJOURNED ANNUAL TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School April 25, 1988 The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Paul C. Dustin, at 7:40 P.M., there being a quorum present. The Invocation was given by Reverend Alan Bond of the First Congregational Church, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. ARTICLE 2. On motion of Russell T. Graham, it was voted to take Article 2 from the table. ARTICLE 2. The following report by Leonard J. Redfern, Jr., Chief of the Town of Reading Fire Department, was accepted as a Report of Progress: Mr. Moderator and Town Meeting members: REPORT OF PROGRESS FIRE STATION BUILDING COMMITTEE We have reported to you at the last Fall Town Meeting on our progress to date and we have come to you with several proposals at this Spring Special Town Meeting. We heard your concerns. We think we know what your instructions are. Speaking as the Fire Chief and as a member of the Fire Sta- tion Study Committee, my concerns are not political. My concerns are not geographical. My concerns are not necessarily financial. I am deeply concerned for the public safety of this community, for the safety of our firefighters, and for the well being of all of our citizens, residents and visitors. The fact of the matter is that the Central Station we now live in is unsafe. It is unsafe for the people who work there and it is unsafe to depend on that for the primary emergency dis- patch center for this community. The emergency generator, for all intents and purposes, is non - existent. The fire alarm system breaks down on the fire alarm console on a weekly basis. The telephones are unreliable. The recording system is so obsolete as to be totally unreliable. There is a safety exposure as well as a liability exposure. We made what we thought were sincere and sound recommenda- tions. We must keep on with our work. There is much too much at stake. What the Committee proposes to do is continue to work during the summer to develop a program that will serve the public safety needs of the community. It will certainly serve the needs of the Department and it will hopefully follow the instructions and wishes of you, the Town Meeting members, who are ultimately the judge. In that regard, we are proposing this - Not to purchase nor to take any additional land; Maintain the West Side Fire Station; Try to build a Fire Station on the site, with parking in- cluded for the people who come there and the employees who work there that will serve the needs of this Town. A Fire Station built in such a way that if further expansion is needed, it can be done. Adjourned Annual Town Meeting April 25, 1988 I have seen myself in the situation, and too many other boards, committees and departments, of paying for the mistakes of past generations for never doing anything big enough or right enough. We should be able to build a station that we could expand in the future as the Town grows and the needs of the Department grows. One of the problems we have had all along with this as a Committee. is that all of the architects we interviewed for this job, and the one we ultimately hired, expressed serious concerns and serious doubts whether any kind of a Fire Station can be built on that site. I urge all of you Town Meeting members, before you come here next Fall to make your decision, go up and view the site, know what we are talking about, and know what the problems are. I would urge all of you to come into the Central Fire Station, look at the emergency generator, look at the dispatch communication center, and see what we are talking about. I would also welcome opponents of our proposal the other night, to volunteer to expand the Committee, to work on the Committee toward the public safety needs of this community. We will be back in the Fall with another program and another Report. Thank you. Leonard J. Redfern Fire Chief ARTICLE 2. The following report of Margaret W. Russell, Chairman of the Budget Format Review Committee, was accepted as the Final Report of the Committee: The Budget Format Review Committee was appointed as a result of a motion passed at the Spring, 1987 Annual Town Meeting which instructed the Selectmen "to appoint a committee whose purpose shall be to advise the Finance Committee on the presentation of the Annual Budget to the next Annual Town Meeting...". Appointed to the committee were Town Meeting members John Silvaggi, Lawrence Mabius, Raymond Betts, Frank Gorgone, and Margaret Rus- sell. Representing the School Committee, Brian McMenimen, from the By -Law Committee, Philip Pacino, and from the Selectmen, Mollie Ziegler, Town Accountant, Richard Foley, served ex- officio as a liason with Town Hall. The Committee held nine meetings, including one joint meet- ing with the Finance Committee. Town Manager, Peter Hechenbleikner, and Finance Committee, Chairman Donald Allen, at- tended two of these meetings. After reviewing the Town Charter, By -Laws, a previous study committee's report, and other towns' Warrants and Town Meeting budget materials, the Committee transmitted its recommendations, most of which are reflected in the Report on the Warrant for this current Annual Town Meeting, to the Finance Committee. The Committee's recommendations are as follows: 1. That the Warrant Report contain a brief explanation of each Article's purpose and the FinCom rationale for recommending or not recommending. 2. That the FinCom be encouraged to make minority reports, and that a written report of the minority opinion on close votes, particularly on significant issues, be included in the Warrant Report under the FinCom rationale for recommending or not recom- mending. Adjourned Annual Town Meeting April 25, 1988 3. The the Town Mana er's message to Town Meeting members in- clude discussion on program implications, such as programs to be curtailed and new pr grams to be instituted, and starring changes, including classification and pay changes. 4. That the School Committee reinstate its budget summary presentation given to Town Meeting members in previous years, in- cluding narrative and explanations on significant increases and decreases in the school budget. 5. That the followi presentation: Appropriated Expended las Appropriated Town Manager FinCom recom FinCom vote Blank column column headings be used in the budget last full fiscal year full fiscal year current year s recommendation endation for notes 6. That each line item as presented in the Warrant Report to Town Meeting members continue to be considered a separate ap- propriation. However, to allow flexibility, we endorse the con- solidation of certain taff support positions and some expenses into single line items by major department. 7. That for the Capita two -page spreadsheet fc Annual Town Meeting wi in the plan include a f was done in Spring, 19E each year of the plan funding be shown. The Committee woi countant Richard materials and for thanks, too, to Finance Committee mendations. 1 Improvement Program, we return to the rmat used in Warrant Reports prior to 1987 :h the following changes: that each item ootnote to indicate the funding source (as 7 report); that a grand total be shown for t and that the total for each method of zld like to express special thanks to Town Ac- Foley for his help in obtaining background his regular participation in our meetings. Our Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner and to the for their cooperation in considering our recom- Respectfully submitted, BUDGET FORMAT REVIEW COMMITTEE Raymond Betts Frank Gorgone Carol Lyons Lawrence Mabius Brian McMenimen Philip Pacino John Silvaggi Mollie Ziegler Margaret Russell, Chairman ARTICLE 9. On motion of Donald C. Allen, it was voted that the Town approve and appropriate the attached Proposed FY 1989 Budget as presented for line items 1 -26; with Out -of -State Travel and elected officials salaries as stated. Funds are to be provided as follows: Line 18 - Article :luation. 1, 1985 A.T.M., $25,000 for Elected Offi cials Salary - Rev Lines 1 -17, and 19 26, Property Taxes, State Aid, and non - property tax local receipts. TOWN OF READING MASSACHUE SIX YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT Fiscal Years 1989 through (cost in 0001s) Cost by yea Project # Project Description FY89 FY90 PW -P -1 Renovation of Pool -- 120A PW -P -2 Park Development -- -- �ETTS PROGRAM 1991 r and source of funding FY91 FY92 FY93 FY94 50A 50A -- -- PW -R -1 Street Overlay 74.812A 75A 75A 75A 75A 75A PW -R -2 St.Reconstruction 320A 100A 300A 100A 300A 100A PW -R -3 Drainage Improvements -0- 200A - 200A - 200A PW -R -4 St. Acceptances 12B 15B 15B 15B 15B 15B PW -R -5 Walkers Brook Drive Improvements 398.066G - - - - - 161.934B - - - - - PW -R -6 Chapt. 90 Imprvmts. 60G 60G 60G 60G 60G 60G PW -S -1 Inflow /Infiltration 40.831(G) -- -- -- -- -- PW-S-2 Main Reconstruction -- 450G -- -- -- 50E PW -W -1 Water Meters 306.E -- -- -- -- -- 204.EG PW -W -2 Water Storage -- 1,500(ED) -- -- SD-1 Computer /Wd Proc Equip 35A 35A 20A -- -- -- SD-2 Roof Replacement 242D 230D 160A -- -- -- SD-3 Space Remodelling -Elem -- -- 21A 21A -- -- SD-4 Chp 504 - Lifts - Toilet Rem -- 28A -- 15A -- -- SD-5 Central Office Rel 125D -- -- -- -- -- SD-6 Energy Related Proj 15G 15A 15A 15A 15A -- SD-7 Vehicle Replacement 14A 12A 10A 12A 15A SD -8 Floor Tile Replacement 15A 15A 15A 10A 10A SD -9 Install Suspnded Ceiling -- -- -- -- 25A SD -10 Window Replacement -- -- 175D -- 30A SD -11 Refurbish Kitchen -- -- -- -- 50A SD -12 Rplce Clsrm /Cafe Furn. 15A 15A 15A 15A 15A SD -13 Gate /Zone Vlve Replcmt 10A 15A -- -- -- SD-14 Clock Replacement 3A -- -- -- -- SD-15 Repointing Brick Work 8A 8A -- -- -- SD-16 Painting Program 50A 25A 25A 25A 25A SD -17 Oil Tank Replacement -- -- 10A 10A 10A SD -18 Asbestos Abatement 25A 15A 15A 15A 15A SD -19 Transformer Replacement 242D 0 -- -- -- TOWN OF READING MASSACHUSETTS SIX YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM Fiscal Years 1989 through 1991 (cost in 0001x) Cost by year and source of funding Project # Project Description FY89 FY90 FY91 FY92 FY93 FY94 FIN -1 Data Proc Equip Enhance 20.3A 17.45A 8.45A 1.5A -- -- FIN-2 Data Proc Equip Replace 30A 18A 15A 15A 20A 20A PS -F -1 New Fire Station 1,250D -- -- -- -- -- 1,250G PS -F -2 Radio Equipment 10A -- -- -- -- -- PS-F-3 Replace Car 15.5A -- -- -- -- -- PS-F-4 Quint Truck -- 300D -- -- -- -- PS-F-5 Bucket Truck -- 30A -- -- -- -- PS-F-6 Pickup Truck -- -- 16A -- -- -- PS-F-7 Replace Pumper -- -- -- 160A -- -- PS-F-8 Replace Ambulance -- -- -- -- 75A -- PS-P-1 Mobile D.P. Term. 13A -- -- -- -- -- PS-P-2 Addition /Remodel -- -- -- -- -- 150G /A Station PS -P -3 School Zone Markings (35)* -- -- -- -- -- PS-P-4 Signals - Square (40)* 150G 150G -- -- -- PW-B-1 Asbestos Removal 50A -- -- -- -- -- PW-B-2 Library Parking Lot 42.4A -- -- -- -- -- PW-B-3 Renovation - T. Hall 430D -- -- -- -- -- PW-B-4 Expansion - T. Hall -- 2,000D -- -- -- -- PW-B-5 Turrets - Library 37G -- -- -- -- -- PW-B-6 Elder Serv.- Center -- -- 110G -- -- -- 285D PW -C -1 Laurel Hill Wall 12A -- -- -- -- -- PW-C-2 Forest Glen Devl. 25A 10S -- -- -- -- PW-C-3 Charles Lawn Devl. 5A 25C 25C 25C 25C -- PW-C-4 Forest Glen Wall -- -- -- 8A -- -- PW-C-5 Acquiring Land -- -- -- -- -- 1000D PW -C -6 Replace Backhoe -- -- -- -- 20C -- PW-C-7 Replace Mower -- -- -- 6C -- -- PW-E-1 Replace Backhoe /loader 120A -- 90A -- -- -- PW-E-2 Replace Roller 12A -- -- -- -- -- PW-E-3 Replace Dump Truck 45A PW -E -4 Replace Dump Truck 90A 90A PW -E -5 Replace Pickup Truck 10A PW -E -6 Replace Eng. Van 11A PW -E -7 Other Equip. Replcmt. 140A 100A 300A 300A 300A *Recommended for funding at 1988 A.T.M. through use of surplus distribution of lottery receipts. Adjourned Annual Town Meeting April 25, 1988 On motion of Donald C. Allen, it was voted that the Town approve and appropriate the Proposed FY 1989 Budget as presented for line items 27 -42; with Out -of -State Travel as stated. Funds are to be provided as follows: Lines 27 -42, Property Taxes, State Aid, and non - property tax local receipts. On motion of Donald C. Allen, it was voted that the Town approve and appropriate the Proposed FY 1989 Budget as presented for line items 43 -56; with Out -of -State Travel as stated. Funds are to be provided as follows: Lines 43 -56, Property Taxes, State Aid, and non - property tax local receipts. On motion of Donald C. Allen, it was voted that the Town approve and appropriate the Proposed FY 1989 Budget as presented for line items 57 -66; with Out -of -State Travel as stated. Funds are to be provided as follows: Line 57 - all remaining funds with interest, estimated to be $12,000, from General Revenue Sharing, Property Taxes, State Aid and non - property tax revenue to fund the remainder of Line 57. Lines 58 -66, Property Taxes, State Aid, and non - property tax local receipts. On motion of Donald C. Allen, it was voted that the Town approve and appropriate the Proposed FY 1989 Budget as presented for line items 89 -95; with Out -of -State Travel as stated. Funds are to be provided as follows: Line 89 - Overlay reserve in the amount of $350,000, with the remainder from Property Taxes, State Aid, and non - property tax local receipts. Lines 90 & 91, Property Taxes, State Aid, and non - property tax local receipts. Line 93 - Bequest Income in the amount of $60,300, with the remainder from Property Taxes, State Aid, and non - property tax local receipts. Line 94 - Bequest Income in the amount of $700, with the remainder from Property Taxes, State Aid, and non - property tax local receipts. Line 95 - Sale of Lots Fund in the amount of $20,000, with the remainder from Property Taxes, State Aid, and non - property tax local receipts. Donald C. Allen moved that the Town approve and appropriate the Proposed FY 1989 Budget as presented for line items 96, 97, 98, 99 and 101 as stated. Funds are to be provided as follows: Line 96 - From Property Taxes, State Aid, and non - property tax local receipts - $11,062,689; and $100,000 received from Chapter 506 METCO Fund. Line 97 - From Property Taxes, State Aid, and non - property tax local receipts - $80,865; and $20,300 received from anticipated receipts. Adjourned Annual Line 98 - From property tax to State Travel not Town Meeting - operty Taxes, 1 receipts - > exceed $800. April 25, 1988 April 28, 1988 State Aid, and non - $663,087 with Out -of- Line 99 - From Property Taxes, State Aid, and non - property tax loc 1 receipts $1,826,901 with Out -of- State Travel not t exceed $8,400; and $4,000 received from PL 81 -874. ARTICLE 9. On motion of Barry J. Mitchel, it was voted to lay Article 9, Line Iteo #99 on the table. 67 =ed in the affirmative 61 ed in the negative On question of Margaret W.Russell, as to Commonwealth of Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 71, Section 34, Town Coun- sel, Ted Cohen, reported that ..." a Town shall vote on the total amount of the appropriation requested and not allocate appropria- tions among accounts, nor place any restrictions on such ap- proriations. The Tow Meeting may make non - binding monetary recommendations to inc ease or decrease certain items allocating such appropriations ... 11 It is correct that we would either have to table the entire School Committee Budget because basicly we need to take a vote under line item #100. On motion of John W.. Price, it was voted this meeting stand adjourned to meet at 7:30 P.M. on Thursday, April 28, 1988, at the Reading Memorial Hi 4h School. Meeting adjourned fat 11:20 P.M. 108 Town Meeting members were present. A true copy. Attest: 6a� �� - 9-C &' Doris M.Fantasia Town Clerk ADJOURNED ANNUAL TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High S�hool April 28. 1988 The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Paul C. Dustin, at 7:50 P.M., there being a quorum present. The Invocation wao given by Reverend Francis O'Hare of St. Athanasius Church, fol owed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Town Meeting me: recognized on a point Mr. Moderator: Move that all Tow: here assembled be direr and colation to be hel Berger on Friday, Apri Memorial High School, 6 , Maria E. Silvaggi, Precinct #8, was personal privilege. Meeting Members and Town Office holders ed to attend the tree planting ceremony on Arnold Berger Day in honor of Arnold 29, 1988, at 6:45 P.M., at the Reading Oakland Road, Reading, Massachusetts.