HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989-05-15 Annual Town Meeting MinutesAdjourned Special Town Meeting
May 15, 1989
clearly appears that the spirit and intent of the regulation
will not thereby be violated.
ARTICLE 2. On motion of Russell T. Graham, it was voted to
take Article 2 from the table.
ARTICLE 2. On motion of John R. Rivers, it was voted that
that Town Meeting instruct the Board of Selectmen to enter into
negotiations with the Town of Wakefield on behalf of the Board on
the selected Bear Hill developer to acquire the best possible
access to the Bear Hill site at no cost to the Town and consis-
tent with the developer's proposal.
ARTICLE 2. On motion of Russell T. Graham, it was voted
that the Board of Selectmen be instructed to and are hereby
authorized to make repairs to the Reading Public Library, said
damages caused by a fire sprinkler system failure, and associated
other deficiencies, and said sums not to exceed fifty -two
thousand ($52,000) be appropriated from insurance funds received
from any and all insurance settlements associated with said
sprinkler system failure and water damages or from other avail-
able funds, and said sum to be expended by the Board of
Selectmen.
ARTICLE 2. On motion of Russell T. Graham, it was voted to
table Article 2.
ARTICLE 1. On motion of Russell T. Graham, it was voted to
table Article 1.
On motion of Russell T. Graham, it was voted this meeting
stand adjourned sine die.
Meeting adjourned 9:42 P.M.
97 Town Meeting Members present
A true copy. Attest:
k_Q&k"t_- '6-)-1.ACC_,(Ta&t -a
Doris M. Fantasia
Town Clerk
ADJOURNED ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
Reading Memorial High School May 15, 1989
The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Paul C.
Dustin, at 9:45 P.M., there being a quorum present.
On a point of personal privilege, John W. Price presented
the attached report regarding the Budget process.
ARTICLE 26. On motion of Donald C. Allen, it was voted that
the Town approve and appropriate the Proposed FY 1990 Budget as
presented for line items 111 and 113. Funds are to be provided
as follows:
Line 111
Sale of Real Estate Fund in the amount of $869,304, with the
remainder from property taxes, State aid, and non - property
tax local receipts.
Line 113
Property taxes, State aid, and non - property tax local
receipts.
ARTICLE 26. On motion of Donald C. Allen, it was voted
that the Town approve and appropriate the Proposed FY 1990 Budget
MR. MODERATOR, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN OF TOWN MEETING
AFTER LISTENING TO SOME MEMBERS OF THIS HONORABLE BODY AND SOME
OF THE CITIZENS OF THE COMMUNITY WHO WATCH TOWN MEETING ON CHANNEL 3 I
FEEL COMPELLED TO ASK FOR THIS POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE, I MUST FIRST
START OUT BY SAYING THAT IF I DURING ANY DISCUSSION OF THE ARTICLES
OFFENDED ANYONE I TRULY SAY TO YOU PLEASE ACCEPT MY APOLOGY.
THE DISCUSSIONS AT TOWN MEETING THIS YEAR HAVE BEEN TO SAY THE
LEAST FRUSTRATING NOT ONLY FOR YOU BUT ALSO FOR ME,
I BELEIVE THAT THIS YEAR IS GOING TO BE DIFFICULT DUE TO THE FACT
,THAT THE STATE IS IN A FISCAL NIGHTMARE AND WITH THE UNCERTAINTY OF
THE LANDFILL SITE WHICH I MIGHT ADD WAS SURPOSED TO BE SOLD LAST YEAR
AND THE PULLING OUT'OF THE HOTEL WE JUST MIGHT FIND OUR SELVES BEHIND
THE EIGHT BALL. I DON'T BELEIVE TOWN MEETING IS GETTING ALL THE
INFORMATION THAT WE DESERVE. THERE ARE A LOT OF CONCERNS THAT BELONG
IN THIS BODY THAT WE ARE NOT BEING TOLD'ABOUT. DOES THE EXECUTIVE
BRANCH OF TOWN GOVERNMENT THINK WE THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH IS
COMPLACENT OR IS THE STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN MADE 'WHAT TOWN MEETING
DOEV S•T KNOW WON'T'HURT THEM' COME TO-BEAR?
WHEN SOME MEMBERS ASK QUESTIONS AT THIS MEETING THEY ARE JUST PLAIN
IGNORED OR THEY RECEIVE VAGUE ANSWERS.
I HERE MEMBERS OF THIS BODY SAY WHY DON'T WE JUST PASS THE BUDGET
AS PRESENTED AND MY ANSWER TO THIS IS WE ARE NOT HERE AS A RUBBER
STAMP, THIS OMNIBUS BUDGET PROCESS IS GREAT FOR THE ADMINISTRATION BUT
NOT FOR US. WE VOTED TO HAVE IT FOR ONE YEAR IN 1987 AND CONTARY TO
SOME OF THE MEMBERS OF THIS BODIES BELIEVES IT IS NOT MANDATED IN THE
r
CHARTER.
MEMBERS HAVE ASKED FOR, AND TO THIS DATE, HAVE NOT RECEIVED COPIES
OF MOTIONS THAT ARE GOING TO BE PRESENTED TO THIS BODY IN ADVANCE $O
MEMBERS COULD MAKE AN AMENDEMENT WITH SOME KIND OF INTELLIGENCE. IT IS
VERY DIFFICULT TO SAY THE LEAST TO MAKE SENSE OUT OF REMARKS MADE AT
THE PODIUM.
TOWN MEETING MEMBERS HAVE BEEN ACCUSED IN THE PAST OF NOT DOING
THEIR HOMEWORK, WE HEAR STATED TO US OVER A MICROPHONE A NUMBER OF
EMPLOYEES IN PARTICULAR DEPARTMENTS OR DIVISIONS. WE SHOULD BE GIVEN
THIS INFORMATION IN MORE DETAIL BEFORE TOWN - MEETING CONVENES.
WHEN THIS TOWN PASSED THE PRESENT CHARTER I BELEIVE THAT ONE OF
THE MAJOR SELLING POINTS WITH THIS KIND OF STRUCTURE IS THAT IT WOULD
STREAMLINE OUR GOVERNMENT AND THAT IN TURN WOULD SAVE US THE TAXPAYERS
MONEY. I SUBMIT TO YOU LADIES AND GENTLEMEN THAT IF YOU WERE TO
INVESTIGATE YOU WILL FIND THAT WE HAVE NOT ONLY INCREASES THE COST OF
DOING BUSINESS BUT ALSO THE BUREAUCRACY. WE HAVE PUT ON AN OTHER LAYER
OF MANAGEMENT WHICH IN THE LONG RUN WILL COST US THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.
MOST OF THIS WAS ACCOMPLISHED WITHOUT THIS BODIES DIRECT KNOWLEDGE.
AS I HAVE STATED-DURING DISCUSSIONS ON.THE BUDGET -THERE HAVE BEEN
EMPLOYEES IN THIS TOWN WHO HAVE HAD THE PLEASURE OF RECEIVING PAY
INCREASES OVER A TWO YEAR PERIOD OF 39+ AND 44+ %. THE RATIONAL THAT
I HAVE BEEN GIVEN IS THAT THEY HAVE BEEN GIVEN MORE RESPONSIBILITY AND
THESE RAISES MAKE THEM COMPATIBLE WITH OTHER COMMUNITIES, SHOULD IT
BE NECESSARY TO EVALUATE WITH OTHER COMMUNITIES ON THE BASISES OF
COMPATIBILITY ALONE? I DON'T BELIEVE SO.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, TOWN MEETINGS GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES ARE
DEFINED IN THE CHARTER AS FOLLOWS AND 1 QUOTE 'ALL LEGISLATIVE POWERS
OF THE TOWN SHALL BE VESTED IN THE REPRESENTATIVE TOWN MEETING, EXCEPT
AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED BY LAW OR THE CHARTER. THE TOWN MEETING SHALL
PROVIDE FOR THE EXERCISE OF ALL CORPORATE POWERS OF THE TOWN AND FOR
THE PERFORMANCE OF ALL DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE TOWN'. JL, LADIES
AND GENILEMENI LU THE ELECTED MEMBERS OF TOWN MEETING AND WE HAVE BEEN
GIVEN THIS OPPORTUNITY BY OUR CONSTITUENTS TO REPRESENT THEM IN THE
LEGISLATIVE BUSINESS OF THIS TOWN. THESE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO ARE PAYING
THE TAX BILL LETS NOT FORGET THEM. WE ARE DRIVING OUT THE ELDERLY WHO
HAVE MADE THIS TOWN WHAT IT IS TODAY AND WE ARE MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT
FOR THE YOUTH OF THE TOWN WHO ARE OUR FUTURE TO MAKE THEIR HOMES HERE.
INSTEAD OF INCREASING JOBS AND EXPENSES -WE SHOULD BE LOOKING TO CUT
OUT A LOT OF THE FAT SO AS TO KEEP THE TAX RATE DOWN. IT SEEMS TO ME
THAT WE HAVE GIVEN OUR LEGISLATIVE RIGHTS AWAY AND IT IS TIME WE TOOK
THEM BACK. THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH, IN MY HUMBLE OPINION, IS RUNNING OUT
OF CONTROL. AS WE HAVE HEARD DURING THIS MEETING THEY CANT EVEN GET
A LONG WITH SOME OF THE OTHER ELECTED BOARDS OF THE TOWN. I SUBMIT TO
YOU IT IS TIME TO STOP THIS RUN AWAY GOVERNMENT BEFORE IT HITS THE WALL
AND IT IS TO LATE FOR US THE TAXPAYERS,
IN CLOSING I WOULD LIKE TO LEAVE YOU THIS THOUGHT, MAYBE IT IS TIME
TO REEVALUATE OUR CHARTER AND HAVE THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THIS
COMMUNITY BE ELECTED WHERE HE OR SHE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE TO THE
TAXPAYERS OF THE TOWN AND NOT TO A BOARD, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
7
Adjourned Annual Town Meeting May 15, 1989
as presented for line items 114 - 119. Funds are to be provided
as follows:
Line 114
Overlay Reserve in the amount of $610,000, with the
remainder from property taxes, State aid, and non - property
tax local receipts.
Line 117
Certified Free Cash in the amount of $749,000, with the
remainder from property taxes, State aid, and non - property
tax local receipts.
Lines 115 - 116, and 118 - 119
Property taxes, State aid, and non - property tax local
receipts.
ARTICLE 26 On motion of Donald C. Allen, it was voted that
the Town approve and appropriate the Proposed FY 1990 Budget as
presented for line items 120 - 123; with Out -of -State Travel as
stated. Funds are to be provided as follows:
Lines 120 -122
Property taxes, State aid,
receipts.
Line 123
and non - property tax local
Water Surplus in the amount of $35,000, with the remainder
from property taxes, State aid, and non - property tax local
receipts.
ARTICLE 26. On motion of Donald C. Allen, it was voted that
the Town approve and appropriate the Proposed FY 1990 Budget as
presented for line items 124 - 128; with Out -of -State Travel as
stated.
Funds are to be provided as follows:
Line 127
Sewer Fund Surplus in the amount of $135,000, with the
remainder from property taxes, State aid, and non - property
tax local receipts.
Lines 124 - 126 and 128
Property taxes, State aid, and non - property tax local
receipts.
ARTICLE 26. Russell T. Graham moved reconsideration of
Article 26, lines 111 - 128.
ARTICLE 26. On motion of Mary S. Ziegler, it was voted to
table Reconsideration of Article 26, line items 111 - 128.
Quorum count.
On motion of Russell T. Graham, it was voted that Annual
Town Meeting stand adjourned to meet at 7:30 P.M. on Thursday,
May 18, 1989, in the Reading Memorial High School Auditorium.
Meeting adjourned 10:24 P.M.
97 Town Meeting Members present.
A true copy. Attest: ��t,( CQ SZ C,
Doris M. Fantasia
Town Clerk
Special Town Meeting May 11, 1989
A certain parcel of land in Reading, bounded and described as
follows:
Easterly by Fourth Street, two hundred and 36/100 feet
Southwesterly by Hopkins Street, one hundred forty -eight
feet; and
Northwesterly by lot 4 as shown on the plan hereinafter men-
tioned, one hundred thirty -eight and 01/100 feet.
Said parcel is shown as lot 5 on said plan.
All of said boundaries are located as shown on a subdivision
plan, filed in the Land Registration Office, a copy of which is
filed in the Registry of Deeds for the South Registry District of
Middlesex County in Registration Book 617, Page 126, with Cer-
tificate of Title No. 97476.
65 voted in the affirmative
69 voted in the negative
2/3 vote required
This motion was voted in the negative.
ARTICLE 14. Daniel A. Ensminger moved to reconsider Article
14.
ARTICLE 14. George V. Hines moved to table Article 14.
This motion was voted in the negative.
ARTICLE 14. Daniel A. Ensminger moved to reconsider Article
14 without eminent domain.
78 voted in the affirmative
51 voted in the negative
2/3 vote required
This motion was voted in the negative.
On motion of John W. Price, it was voted that the Special
Town Meeting stand adjourned to meet at 7:30 P.M. on Monday, May
15, 1989, in the Reading Memorial High School Auditorium.
Meeting adjourned 10:37 P.M.
126 Town Meeting Members were present.
A true copy. Attest:
&�� . 4C_-'t a si C"
Doris M. Fantasia
Town Clerk
ADJOURNED SPECIAL TOWN MEETING
Reading Memorial High School May 15, 1989
The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Paul C.
Dustin, there being a quorum present.
The Invocation was given by Reverend James A. Cann of the
Old South Methodist Church, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance
to the Flag.
On a point of Personal Privilege, Robert I. Nordstrand,
presented the following resolution to Michael T. Sullivan, in
absentia:
362
Adjourned Special Town Meeting May 15, 1989
RESOLUTION HONORING
Michael T. Sullivan
WHEREAS Michael T. Sullivan has well and faithfully served the
Town of Reading for more than seventeen years as a mem-
ber of the Reading Board of Assessors; and
WHEREAS Michael T. Sullivan was elected a Town Meeting Member
from 1972 through 1975; and
WHEREAS Michael T. Sullivan has served with efficiency, fair-
ness, and with a competence that has earned him the
respect and admiration of his colleagues, townspeople,
other municipal officers and officials of the Common-
wealth of Massachusetts;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that this Town Meeting held on May
15, 1989, does extend to Michael T. Sullivan its' most sincere
appreciation and gratitude for such outstanding service rendered
to the Town and wishes him health and success in the future; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this
records of this Town Meeting and
with the Town Seal and certified
to him.
Resolution be made a part of the
a copy of it, suitably embossed
by the Town Clerk, be presented
Paul C. Dustin, Moderator
Doris M. Fantasia, Town Clerk
ARTICLE 13. On motion of Daniel A. Ensminger, it was
voted that the Town amend the Reading Zoning Map to establish a
Planned Residential Development Overlay District, as referenced
in Section 4.10.2. of the Reading Zoning By -Laws, and to include
within that Overlay District the following described property:
Beginning at a point on the northeasterly sideline of Hop-
kins Street at the Reading /Wakefield Town Line;
Thence northwesterly along the northeasterly sideline of
Hopkins Street a distance of 17.5 feet more or less, to the
point where the common boundary between Fourth Street and
Lot 50 as shown on the Reading Assessor's Plat 13 intersects
with said sideline of Hopkins Street;
Thence northerly along the westerly sideline of said Fourth
Street a distance of 357 feet more or less to the southerly
sideline of Cedar Street as shown on Assessor's Plat 13;
Thence westerly along the southerly sideline of said Cedar
Street a distance of 200 feet more or less to the
southeasterly corner of the area where Cedar Street inter-
sects with Bear Hill Road so as to abut or include in part
that portion of Cedar Street which was laid out as a public
way by document number 129383, at the Land Registration Of-
fice, Middlesex South District Registry of Deeds;
Thence northerly across Cedar Street a distance of 50 feet
more or less according to "Plan of Cedar Street, Reading,
Mass. Feb. 1934, Scale 1 in - 40 ft., Board of Public Works,
Alexander Birnie, Supt" recorded at Middlesex South District
Registry of Deeds, Land Registration Office as document num-
ber 129383, to a point;
Thence easterly along the northerly sideline of said Cedar
Street 200 feet more or less to the westerly sideline of
said Fourth Street;
Thence northerly along the westerly sideline of said Fourth
Street a distance of 590 feet more or less to the northerly
sideline of North Street as shown on Assessor's Plat 13;
Thence easterly along the northerly sideline of said North
Street a distance of 520 feet more or less to the easterly
sideline of Sixth Street as shown on Assessor's Plat 13;
Thence southerly along the easterly sideline of said Sixth
Street a distance of 290 feet more or less;
Thence easterly a distance of 158 feet more or less;
Thence southerly a distance of 160 feet more or less;
Thence westerly a distance of 115 feet more or less;
` Y
C11
Adjourned Special Town Meeting
Thence southerly a distance
Thence westerly a distance
Thence southerly a distance
Thence westerly a distance
the Reading /Wakefield Town
of this description.
May 15, 1989
of 488 feet more or less;
of 51 feet more or less;
of 4 feet more or less;
of 490 feet more or less along
Line to said point of beginning
Intending to describe all of Lots 39, 40, 46, 47, 48, and 49,
all as shown on Reading Board of Assessors Plat 13 of 1986; and
all of Lot 3a as shown on Reading Board of Assessors Plat 14 of
1985; and including those portions of Cedar Street easterly of
Bear Hill Road, of North Street easterly of the westerly sideline
of Fourth Street, and of Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Streets
southerly of the northerly sideline of North Street; but specifi-
cally excluding all of Lots 41, 42, 43, 44, and 45 as shown on
said Plat 13, which lots in the aggregate describe a tract of
land of dimensions of 100 feet by 250 feet more or less, wholly
surrounded by the property herein described.
The above - described property constitutes, that which is commonly
known as the Reading Bear Hill property or the Reading Bear Hill
Nike Site and certain abutting or near -by parcels, or ways.
118 voted in the affirmative
4 voted in the negative
2/3 vote required
ARTICLE 15. On motion of Eugene R. Nigro, it was voted
that the Town authorize the Board of Selectmen to convey and /or
abandon certain rights of easements in Reading, Middlesex County,
Massachusetts, located on a parcel of land shown as Lot 4 on the
Town of Reading Assessor's Plat 23 dated January 1, 1988, that
were conveyed to the Town in a "Conveyance of easements and
utilities - Acorn Lane" document dated April 29, 1987 and re-
corded in the Middlesex South Registry of Deeds in Book 18915,
Page 432; and that the minimum amount of One Dollar ($1.00) be
paid for such conveyance and /or abandonment, and to authorize the
Board of Selectmen to convey or abandon all or any part of said
rights of easements for such amount or larger amount and upon
such other terms and conditions as the Selectmen shall consider
proper, and to deliver a deed therefore if necessary.
120 voted in the affirmative
0 voted in the negative
2/3 vote required
ARTICLE 16. On motion of Richard D. Howard, it was voted
that the Town amend Section 4.2.2. of the Reading Zoning By -Law,
Table of Uses, so as to replace the denotation "yes" with the
denotation "no" under the following headings and columns (for
purposes of clarifying this Article, denotations proposed herein
to be amended are indicated below in quotation marks ("), which
are not proposed to be included in any amended text):
PRINCIPAL USES RES RES RES BUS BUS BUS IND
S -10 A -40 A -80 A B C
S -20
S -40
Automotive Uses
Car Wash no no no "no" "no" no "no"
122 voted in the affirmative
0 voted in the negative
2/3 vote required
y,� 11
Adjourned Special Town Meeting May 15, 1989
ARTICLE 17. On motion of Thomas J. Stohlman, it was voted
to table Article 17.
ARTICLE 18. On motion of Thomas J. Stohlman, it was voted
to table Article 18.
ARTICLE 19. On motion of John M. Silvaggi, it was voted
that the Town approve the following Rules and Regulations per-
taining to the use and operation of the various cemeteries under
the jurisdiction of its Board of Cemetery Trustees, which Rules
and Regulations shall supersede the previous Rules and Regula-
tions adopted by the Town dated September 22, 1969, or amendments
thereto:
114 N O.1
The Charter for the Town of Reading that was adopted on March 24,
1986 provides that:
"The Board of Cemetery Trustees shall be responsible for the
preservation, care, improvement and embellishment of the
Town's cemeteries and burial lots therein and such other
powers and duties given to the Board of Cemetery Trustees by
the charter, by bylaw or by town meeting vote."
Working under the provisions of Reading's Charter and the laws
enacted by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Board of
Cemetery Trustees strives not only to fulfill its legal respon-
sibilities regarding the Town's cemeteries, but also to preserve
the aesthetic quality of our heritage. Keeping these
greenspaces neat and attractive as well as appropriate memorials
is a major effort of the Trustees, the Director and the staff.
This booklet is designed to inform the public as directly as
possible of the rules and regulations that the Trustees have
developed over the years. The Trustees encourage the public to
comment on its needs and suggestions for improvement. Regular
public meetings are held to conduct business and the public is
always welcome.
TOWN OF READING
CEMETERY RULES AND REGULATIONS
The Board of Cemetery Trustees has set forth the following rules
and regulations for the ownership, use and care of burial sites
in the Town's cemeteries. The authority to do this is found in
Chapter 114 of the General Laws.
OWNERSHIP OF LOTS
1. The owner of a lot or grave is limited to burying human dead
in that site. The owner also has a limited right to build a
tomb or monument. These limitations are outlined in other
sections of these regulations.
2. When a lot is purchased, the owner will be given a deed. The
deed will give the owner the rights to the use of that lot
as set forth by the Trustees. The deed may contain certain
specific terms and conditions for the use of this lot.
Copies of lost deeds may be obtained by paying an estab-
lished fee.
3. The Trustees set the price of lots. Single lots must be paid
for in full at the time of the sale. Lots which contain four
graves or more may be paid for in full at the time of sale
or in four equal quarterly installments. One of this group
of lots must be paid for in full at the time of sale.
The buyer will not be issued a deed or certificate to the
plot until full payment has been made. The Trustees may not
permit burials or improvements on the lot until the deed or
certificate has been issued.
IS 65
Adjourned Special Town Meeting May 15, 1989
In any case burials will only be allowed in the portion of
the lot that has been fully paid. No memorial nor any im-
provements to the lot may be made until full payment is
made.
4. The owner of a lot or lots may transfer ownership of that
property by deed if such transfer is approved by the
Trustees. The owner does not have a right to lease any
property. If a burial has been made in any one of the lots
in the plot no transfer of deed may be made without the
specific approval of the Trustees. No transfer of deed
will be permitted which would involve the removal of a body.
Before any burial has been made in the plot, transfers may
be permitted if within six months after notice to the
Trustees of the intended transfer, the Trustees shall not
have disposed of the lot or grave in such a way as to cause
the repaymemt to the owner of the amount originally paid. A
fee will be charged for the recording of deed transfer.
5. In the event of the death of the owner of the lot or grave,
title shall pass or descend as provided by the Statutes
of Massachusetts in force at that time. The Trustees will
require proof of the rights of ownership to such lot or
grave.
CARE OF LOTS
6. One of the conditions of sale that the Trustees shall make
is the "perpetual care" of said lot. The Trustees shall
require certain deposits to be made at the time of sale for
the care of the lot or grave without expense to the Town.
"Perpetual care" means the cutting of grass of the grave or
lot at reasonable intervals, raking and cleaning, reseeding
and other work as may be necessary to keep the lot or lots
in good condition. This "care" shall not mean the repairing
or replacing of gravestones or other markers.
MONUMENTS AND OTHER STRUCTURES
7. A tomb may be constructed on a lot. The Trustees must ap-
prove the design, construction and plans for care of that
structure. Plans for any tomb or structure must also con-
form to all specifications.
8. Only one monument may be placed on a lot. The foundation
for the monument will be done by the Cemetery Department and
a fee will be charged. In Laurel Hill Cemetery a memorial
may not be erected unless the lot is endowed with an
adequate perpetual care fund. Only one marker may be set on
a particular grave. Markers may not be set to embrace two
or more graves. All markers shall be set flush with the
ground. However, on old lots matching markers may be used if
existing markers exceed regulation size. If vertical
headstones become broken or excessively tipped, the
right is reserved to insert these into the sod as flush
markers. No wooden crosses shall be allowed.
9. Neither the Trustees nor the Town shall be liable for damage
to monuments or markers. Markers may be of granite or
bronze, but the use of limestone, soapstone, marble,
sandstone, cast or cement stone and metals for monuments
I shall not be allowed.
10. A stone cutter or other person who is to do work on a
structure erected on a lot or grave must obtain a written
permit from the Director or Trustees before beginning work.
Work must be performed under the supervision of the Direc-
tor. The work area must be cleaned up and no tools may be
left at the gravesite over night..
11. The Trustees are responsible for corner posts set at each
lot. These posts will clearly define the number of the lot.
NEW
Adjourned Special Town Meeting May 15, 1989
12. An owner of a lot or lots does not have the right to plant
trees, shrubs nor plants on the lot(s). Nor does the owner
have the right to erect a fence, curbing, hedge or any
other landmark without the approval of the Trustees. The
Trustees have the right to remove any shrub, hedge, root or
branch that they may deem detrimental to other cemetery
lots. The Trustees also have the right to remove unsightly
flowers, old vases and other containers that may be
detrimental to the looks of the lot or the cemetery in
general.
MEMORIAL REGULATIONS
A special Town Meeting has approved the following regulations
concerning memorials. These limitations must be followed or the
memorial may not be erected.
On a two grave lot, maximum size 310 "x1'0" base, 3' high.
On a three grave lot, maximum size 4'O "x1'3" base, 3' high.
On a four grave lot, maximum size 41611x11611 base, 4' high.
On a five grave lot, maximum size 41611x116" base, 4' high.
On a six grave lot, maximum size 51011x210t1 base, 4' high.
On a seven grave lot, maximum size 51619x21011 base, 4' high.
On an eight grave lot, maximum size 61011x21011 base, 4' high.
Markers 11811x0110" on lots, flush only.
Single graves, 1' 611x0' 1011 flush only.
Baby graves, 1'3 "x01811 flush only.
SPECIAL REGULATIONS
FOR CHARLES LAWN CEMETERY
13. No upright memorials will be allowed on lots within this
cemetery.
Markers must be of granite or of bronze.
15. A central flush memorial will be allowed on lots that con-
tain two or more burial spaces. It cannot be larger than
31011x11011. If a marker is granite it shall not be less than
411 nor greater than 511 thick. The bottom of this marker must
be flat.
16. On lots of less than two burial spaces, markers will be
restricted to the individual grave spaces. The measure-
ments on these shall be exactly 210 "x1'0/1. Markers must be
of granite or bronze only. The bottom of this marker must be
flat.
17. On single grave spaces where two burials are permitted, a
21x1' marker with two inscriptions will be allowed.
18. On veteran's graves, markers must be of bronze and measure
2' x 11. (NOTE) At a Special Town Meeting held on June 23,
1966 it was voted that: "the Cemetery Trustees be, and they
hereby are, authorized and empowered to provide an addi-
tional plot of ground in the Charles Street Cemetery as they
may determine is suitable for burial of all persons who died
while on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United
States and veterans who had served in active duty in the
Armed Forces of the United States and have been honorably
discharged, the custody of such plot to be in the Custodian
of Soldiers' and Sailors' Graves, and that the control of
the plot set aside, and be transferred from Reading Post 62
of the American Legion to the Custodian of Soldiers and
Sailors' graves."
URN GARDENS
AT
FOREST GLEN AND CHARLES LAWN
19. Two cremation urns may be interred in each grave.
Adjourned Special Town Meeting May 15, 1989
20. Memorialization will be limited to 1- 21x1" bronze flush
marker. Each marker may contain two dated inscriptions.
INTERMENTS AND REMOVALS
21. No interment may be made before: a) a permit is issued by
the Board of Health to the Director b) the owner of the lot
gives an order to use the lot and c) all fees have been
paid.
22. The Director must be given reasonable advance notice of an
interment or removal. This notice must give the lot number,
the grave number, name and age of deceased for a burial,
size of box and name of the undertaker in charge. Neither
the Director nor the trustees will be held responsible for
any error in the given notice (including any order given by
phone).
Fees for opening graves, making and recording interments,
reinterments, funerals after working hours or Saturday af-
ternoons or holidays as well as other services will be es-
tablished by the Trustees and shall be paid in advance.
23. Funerals will not be allowed on Sundays, New Year's Day,
Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day,
nor Christmas Day.
24. All burial cases must be sectional concrete or monolithic
containers.
25. In each regular grave space, one regular interment plus one
cremation urn or two cremation urns will be allowed, except
some lots in Charles Lawn where provisions have been made
for two burials in one grave space.
26. No vigil lights will be allowed on any lot or grave.
GENERAL REGULATIONS
27. All funeral processions in the cemetery are under the
direction and control of the Director.
28. No firearms are allowed in any cemetery except for military
and memorial exercises.
29. Vehicles, except for those in a funeral procession, may be
excluded from any cemetery. Vehicles may not be turned
around in any driveway, but must make the circuit of the
section. Any vehicle meeting a funeral procession must come
to a stop until the procession has passed. Maximum speed
limit in any cemetery is fifteen miles per hour.
30. All persons walking through a cemetery must keep to the
pathways and not trespass on lots except for gaining access
to their own lots. Parents must take full responsibility
for their children and not permit them to climb on
headstones. Loitering, playing and exercising of dogs is
not allowed.
31. Cemeteries are open from sunrise to one half hour after
sunset.
32. The soliciting of business by anyone within the cemetery
is prohibited.
33. No employee shall receive any fee or gratuity from any per-
son except the standard fees prescribed by the Trustees and
to be paid to the Town. Any employee violating this rule
will be subject to disciplinary action.
34. The Trustees shall have authority to grant to proprietors to
depart in special instances from the provisions of the
foregoing regulations in, and only, in cases where it
i
Adjourned Special Town Meeting
May 15, 1989
clearly appears that the spirit and intent of the regulation
will not thereby be violated.
ARTICLE 2. On motion of Russell T. Graham, it was voted to
take Article 2 from the table.
ARTICLE 2. On motion of John R. Rivers, it was voted that
that Town Meeting instruct the Board of Selectmen to enter into
negotiations with the Town of Wakefield on behalf of the Board on
the selected Bear Hill developer to acquire the best possible
access to the Bear Hill site at no cost to the Town and consis-
tent with the developer's proposal.
ARTICLE 2. On motion of Russell T. Graham, it was voted
that the Board of Selectmen be instructed to and are hereby
authorized to make repairs to the Reading Public Library, said
damages caused by a fire sprinkler system failure, and associated
other deficiencies, and said sums not to exceed fifty -two
thousand ($52,000) be appropriated from insurance funds received
from any and all insurance settlements associated with said
sprinkler system failure and water damages or from other avail-
able funds, and said sum to be expended by the Board of
Selectmen.
ARTICLE 2. On motion of Russell T. Graham, it was voted to
table Article 2.
ARTICLE 1. On motion of Russell T. Graham, it was voted to
table Article 1.
On motion of Russell T. Graham, it was voted this meeting
stand adjourned sine die.
Meeting adjourned 9:42 P.M.
97 Town Meeting Members present
A true copy. Attest:
&�, lj�,. ja_,�,81 'a
Doris M. Fantasia
Town Clerk
ADJOURNED ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
Reading Memorial High School May 15, 1989
The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Paul C.
Dustin, at 9:45 P.M., there being a quorum present.
On a point of personal privilege, John W. Price presented
the attached report regarding the Budget process.
ARTICLE 26. On motion of Donald C. Allen, it was voted that
the Town approve and appropriate the Proposed FY 1990 Budget as
presented for line items 111 and 113. Funds are to be provided
as follows:
Line 111
Sale of Real Estate Fund in the amount of $869,304, with the
remainder from property taxes, State aid, and non - property
tax local receipts.
Line 113
Property taxes, State aid, and non - property tax local
receipts.
ARTICLE 26. On motion of Donald C. Allen, it was voted
that the Town approve and appropriate the Proposed FY 1990 Budget