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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-01-21 Board of Selectmen Packet2015 Special Town Meeting Monday January 23, 2015 WARRANT OUTLINE REVISED 01/21/2015 Art. Mover/ Moderator # Article Description Sponsor Comment Notes 1 I Reports 2 I Instructions Board of Selectmen Board of Selectmen 3 Debt Authorization — Library Board of Selectmen building project (reduce 4 I Authorize FY 2015 Chapter I Board of Selectmen 90 Expenditures 5 Amend the Capital Board of Selectmen Improvement Program FY 2015 - FY 2024 6 Amend the FY 2015 Budget IFINCOM 1/21/2015 1 ♦ Motion to Table — Selectman Chair John Arena ♦ Motion to Table — Selectman Vice Chair Marsie West ♦ Presentation —Bob LeLacheur 2/3 vote required ♦ FINCOM report — ♦ Presentation — Bob LeLacheur ♦ FINCOM report — ♦ Presentation —Bob LeLacheur ♦ FINCOM report — ♦ Presentation — Bob LeLacheur ♦ FINCOM report — 2/3 vote required L In COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS Middlesex, ss. Officer's Return, Reading: By virtue of this Warrant, I, on , 2015 notified and warned the inhabitants of the Town of Reading, qualified to vote in Town elections and Town affairs, to meet at the place and at the time specified by posting attested copies of this Town Meeting Warrant in the following public places within the Town of Reading: Precinct 1 J. Warren Killam School, 333 Charles Street Precinct 2 Reading Police Station, 15 Union Street Precinct 3 Reading Municipal Light Department, 230 Ash Street Precinct 4 Joshua Eaton School, 365 Summer Avenue Precinct 5 Walter S. Parker Middle School, 45 Temple Street Precinct 6 Barrows School, 16 Edgemont Avenue Precinct 7 Birch Meadow School, 27 Arthur B Lord Drive Precinct 8 Wood End School, 85 Sunset Rock Lane Town Hall, 16 Lowell Street The date of posting being not less than fourteen (14) days prior February 23, 2015, the date set for Town Meeting in this Warrant. I also caused a posting of this Warrant to be published on the Town of Reading website on 12015. A true copy Attest: Laura Gemme, Town Clerk , Constable 0-2- TOWN WARRANT COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS Middlesex, ss. To any of the Constables of the Town of Reading, Greetings: In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby required to notify and warn the inhabitants of the Town of Reading, qualified to vote in Town elections and Town affairs, to meet at the Reading Memorial High School Performing Arts Center, 62 Oakland Road, in said Reading, on Monday, February 23, 2015, at seven -thirty o'clock in the evening, at which time and place the following articles are to be acted upon and determined exclusively by Town Meeting Members in accordance with the provisions of the Reading Home Rule Charter. ARTICLE 1 To hear and act on the reports of the Board of Selectmen, School Committee, Board of Assessors, Board of .Library Trustees, Municipal Light Board, Finance Committee, Town Manager and any other Official, Board or Committee. Board of Selectmen ARTICLE 2 To choose all other necessary Town Officers and Boards or Committees and determine what instructions shall be given Town Officers and Boards or Committees, and to see what sum the Town will vote to appropriate by borrowing or transfer from available funds, or otherwise, for the purpose of funding Town Officers and Boards or Committees to carry out the instructions given to them, or take any other action with respect thereto. Board of Selectmen ARTICLE 3 To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the premium paid to the Town upon the sale of bonds issued for the purpose of constructing a new library, and for the payment of all costs incidental and related thereto, which bonds are the subject of a Proposition 2% debt exclusion, to pay costs of the project being financed by such bonds, and to reduce the amount authorized to be borrowed for such project, but not yet issued by the Town, by the same amount, or take any other action with respect thereto. Board of Selectmen ARTICLE 4 To see what sum the Town will vote to appropriate by borrowing, whether in anticipation of reimbursement from the State under Chapter 44, Section 6, Massachusetts General Laws, or pursuant to any other enabling authority or from the tax levy, or transfer from available funds, or otherwise, for highway projects in accordance with Chapter 90, Massachusetts General Laws, or take any other action with respect thereto. Board of Selectmen ARTICLE 5 To see if the Town will vote to amend the FY 2015 -24 Capital Improvements Program as provided for in Section 7 -7 of the Reading Home Rule Charter and as previously amended, or take any other action with respect thereto. Board of Selectmen ARTICLE 6 To see if the Town will vote to amend the Town's Operating Budget for the Fiscal Year commencing July 1, 2014, as adopted under Article 14 of the Annual Town Meeting of April 28, 2014 and amended by Article 8 of the Special Town Meeting of September 29, 2014 and by Article 5 of the Subsequent Town Meeting of November 10, 2014 and Article 4 of the Special Town Meeting of January 5, 2015; and to see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, borrow or transfer from available funds, or otherwise provide a sum or sums of money to be added to the amounts appropriated under said Article, as amended, for the operation of the Town and its government, or take any other action with respect thereto. Finance Committee and you are directed to serve this Warrant by posting an attested copy thereof in at least one (1) public place in each precinct of the Town not less than fourteen (14) days prior to February 23, 2015, or providing in a manner such as electronic submission, holding for pickup or mailing, an attested copy of said Warrant to each Town Meeting Member. 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 -th day of 12015. John Arena, Chairman Marsie K. West, Vice Chairman Daniel Ensminger, Secretary John R. Halsey Kevin Sexton SELECTMEN OF READING , Constable 05" COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS Middlesex, ss. Officer's Return, Reading: By virtue of this Warrant, I, on , 2015 notified and warned the inhabitants of the Town of Reading, qualified to vote in Town elections and Town affairs, to meet at the place and at the time specified by posting attested copies of this Town Meeting Warrant in the following public places within the Town of Reading: Precinct 1 J. Warren Killam School, 333 Charles Street Precinct 2 Reading Police Station, 15 Union Street Precinct 3 Reading Municipal Light Department, 230 Ash Street Precinct 4 Joshua Eaton School, 365 Summer Avenue Precinct 5 Walter S. Parker Middle School, 45 Temple Street Precinct 6 Barrows School, 16 Edgemont Avenue Precinct 7 Birch Meadow School, 27 Arthur B Lord Drive Precinct 8 Wood End School, 85 Sunset Rock Lane Town Hall, 16 Lowell Street The date of posting being not less than fourteen (14) days prior February 23, 2015, the date set for Town Meeting in this Warrant. I also caused a posting of this Warrant to be published on the Town of Reading website on 2015. A true copy Attest: Laura Gemme, Town Clerk , Constable TOWN WARRANT COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS Middlesex, ss. To any of the Constables of the Town of Reading, Greetings: In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby required to notify and warn the inhabitants of the Town of Reading, qualified to vote in Town elections and Town affairs, to meet at the Reading Memorial High School Performing Arts Center, 62 Oakland Road, in said Reading, on Monday, February 23, 2015, at seven -thirty o'clock in the evening, at which time and place the following articles are to be acted upon and determined exclusively by Town Meeting Members in accordance with the provisions of the Reading Home Rule Charter. ARTICLE 1 To hear and act on the reports of the Board of Selectmen, School Committee, Board of Assessors, Board of Library Trustees, Municipal Light Board, Finance Committee, Town Manager and any other Official, Board or Committee. Board of Selectmen Background: This article appears on the Warrant for all Town Meetings. There are no anticipated reports so this Article is expected to be tabled. ARTICLE 2 To choose all other necessary Town Officers and Boards or Committees and determine what instructions shall be given Town Officers and Boards or Committees, and to see what sum the Town will vote to appropriate by borrowing or transfer from available funds, or otherwise, for the purpose of funding Town Officers and Boards or Committees to carry out the instructions given to them, or take any other action with respect thereto. Board of Selectmen Background: This Article appears on the Warrant of all Town Meetings. There are no known Instructional Motions at this time. The Town Moderator requires that all proposed Instructional Motions be submitted to the Town Clerk in advance so that Town Meeting Members may be "warned" as to the subject of an Instructional Motion in advance of the motion being made. Instructional Motions are normally held until the end of all other business at Town Meeting. Bylaw Committee Report: No report. Finance Committee Report: No report. l% ARTICLE 3 To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the premium paid to the Town upon the sale of bonds issued for the purpose of constructing a new library, and for the payment of all costs incidental and related thereto, which bonds are the subject of a Proposition 2Y2 debt exclusion, to pay costs of the project being financed by such bonds, and to reduce the amount authorized to be borrowed for such project, but not yet issued by the Town, by the same amount, or take any other action with respect thereto. Board of Selectmen Backaround: Recall that the approximate funding for the Library project is as follows: $18.4 million Total as authorized by Town Meeting and then approved by the voters $ 5.1 million State grant from the Board of Library Commissioners $13.3 million Expected local share, as a debt exclusion Due to the timing of the state grant, paid over five years versus a shorter expected construction period, the local share of funding was divided into two parts: $10.0 million (permanent) as soon as the construction contract was signed $ 5.3 million (temporary) includes extra to cover the timing of the state grant $ 3.3 million (permanent) once the project is closed out On Thursday January 15, 2015 the Town sold 10 -yr debt with these purposes: $10.0 million library project $ 4.3 million to refinance old debt for Barrows, Wood End and the partial MWRA buy -in $ 1.3 million for local share of West Street project The 1.499% interest rate received was quite low on this debt sale - for example remaining interest costs for the $4.3 million of refinanced debt were reduced by over $0.5 million. The town also received a large premium above the $15.6 million in par value for this debt issue, driven by Wall Street's desire to package the debt for retail income buyers. On the library portion of debt sold, the Town would like to keep the $933,541.01 in premiums received, due to the low interest cost. MA DOR requires that in order to do so, Town Meeting must vote to reduce the original authorization by the amount of this premium, such that the new authorization is $18.4 million - $933,541.01 or $17,466,458.99. Note that this is a technical change only - taxpayers will still be asked to pay the expected project costs of $18.4 million. The new financing schedule for the project becomes: $10,933,541.01 (permanent) sold on January 15, 2015 $ 4.4 million (temporary) includes extra to cover the timing of the state grant $ 2.3 million (permanent) once the project is closed out (approximate) Approving this Article locks in low financing on an additional -$1 million; failing to approve this Article will require the Town to borrow that - $1 million at the close out of the project in about two years, at an unknown interest rate cost. Finance Committee Report: The Finance Committee recommends this article by a vote of x -x at their meeting on January 21, 2015. Bylaw Committee Report: No report. ARTICLE 4 To see what sum the Town will vote to appropriate by borrowing, whether in anticipation of reimbursement from the State under Chapter 44, Section 6, Massachusetts General Laws, or pursuant to any other enabling authority or from the tax levy, or transfer from available funds, or otherwise, for highway projects in accordance with Chapter 90, Massachusetts General Laws, or take any other action with respect thereto. Board of Selectmen Backaround: Incoming Governor Charles Baker released an additional $300 million in funding that the legislature had already approved for local roads, via Chapter 90. This increases the Chapter 90 share for Reading from $605,869 to $908,803 for fiscal 2015. Last April, Town Meeting authorized the smaller amount, so additional authorization is needed in order to claim the additional $302,933. Finance Committee Report: The Finance Committee recommends this article by a vote of x -x at their meeting on January 21, 2015. Bylaw Committee Report: No report. ARTICLE 5 To see if the Town will vote to amend the FY 2015 -24 Capital Improvements Program as provided for in Section 7 -7 of the Reading Home Rule Charter and as previously amended, or take any other action with respect thereto. Board of Selectmen Backaround: This Article is included in every Town Meeting Warrant. The Reading General Bylaw states (section 6.1.3) "... No funds may be appropriated for any capital item unless such item is included in the Capital Improvements Program, and is scheduled for funding in the Fiscal Year in which the appropriation is to be made." Bond ratings agencies also want to ensure that changes to a long -term CIP are adequately described. The following changes are proposed to the FY 2015 — FY 2024 CIP: General Fund FY15: $1,000,000 $1,000,000 School Facilities — modular classrooms $40,000 Improvements at Morton Field (backstop and handicapped accessible seating) FY16+ ($38,000) ($38,000) Morton Field (part of Birchmeadow complex $2.3 million future pl 5 John F. Doherty, Ed. D. Superintendent of Schools 82 Oakland Road Reading, MA 01867 Phone: 781- 944 -5800 Fax: 781- 942 -9149 Craig Martin Assistant Superintendent for Learning and Teaching Martha J. Sybert Director of Finance and Operations Reading Public Schools Instilling a joy of learning and inspiring the innovative leaders of tomorrow To: Reading Finance Committee From: John F. Doherty, Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools Date: January 14, 2015 Re: Kindergarten and Space Needs for 2015 -16 School Year - Updated At the December 22, 2014 School Committee Meeting, the Committee directed the Superintendent to develop a plan for implementation of modular classrooms to support full day kindergarten for the 2015- 16 school year. At the January 8, 2015 School Committee meeting, the Committee voted to request a Special Town Meeting to request funding for six modular classrooms. In discussions with the Town Manager and the Town Clerk, a proposed timeline has been developed which will culminate in a Special Town Meeting on February 23`d. The timeline is as follows: Timeline School Committee vote requesting Special Town Meeting Schedule 12/22/2014 Legal Review Complete School Committee Vote Specifying Specific Path 1/8/2015 Finance Committee Meeting 1/14/2015 Warrant Background and Report Due to Town Manager 1/15/2015 Financial Forum • FINCOM Vote on Proposal • BOS vote to close Warrant for Special Town Meeting • FINCOM Vote on Town Meeting Article 1/21/2015 Warrant Goes to Print 1/27/2015 Warrant Available to Town Meeting Members 2/2/2015 Town Meeting 2/23/2015 Lottery for Full Day Kindergarten (If Town Meeting Does Not Approve Article) 2/24/2015 Notification to Families of Assignment 3/1/2015 Updated Enrollment and Modular Classroom Information As a reference point for discussion, I have included Table 1, the kindergarten enrollment since the 2005- 06 school year, which is the first year full day kindergarten was implemented in the district. I have also included the current registration numbers for the 2015 -16 school year. 6 Table 1 -Full Day Kindergarten Enrollment 2005 - present SchoolYear 2005 -06 Enrollment 92 287 % Attending FDK 32% 2006 -07 106 325 33% 2007 -08 123 324 38% 2008 -09 120 324 37% 2009 -10 123 280 44% 2010 -11 145 348 42% 2011 -12 166 319 52% 2012 -13 177 302 59% 2013 -14 195 287 68% 2014 -15 228 322 71% 2015 -16 (As of December 19) 227 296 77% Table 2 outlines the enrollment numbers for full day and half day kindergarten as of December 19, 2014, which was the registration deadline for families who wanted to be considered for full day kindergarten. Please note that we usually receive several additional kindergarten registrations between now and the start of school in September. Table 2- Kindergarten Registration (2015 -16 school year) as of December 19, 2014 Category Half Day Barrows 12 Birch Meadow 11 Joshua • 9 Killarn 19 Wood End 18 Total 69 Full Day 66 36 45 55 25 227 Total 78 47 54 74 43 296 Holding Out for 2015-16 school year 3 3 4 2 12 Private K 3 1 4 3 11 Other 2 2 Unable to Contact 15 4 10 17 3 50 Original Census 92 54 70 99 45 360 0 As you can see from the chart above, we currently have 227 students who have requested full day kindergarten for next year, the second highest total ever requested in our district. In addition, 25 students have notified us that they will not be attending Kindergarten in our district next year, but plan on attending either Kindergarten or Grade 1 the following year, which will add to the 2016 -17 Kindergarten and Grade 1 class numbers. Moreover, we have been unable to contact 50 families from the original census numbers, which means, based on historical data and our original census, it is possible we will reach at least 300 kindergarten students for the 2015 -16 school year. There may also be students who were not on the census or who have not moved to Reading yet that are unaccounted for in our count. This means that potentially an additional 30 or more students from the current registration numbers could be added between now and September. It should be noted that we currently have 296 students registered for next year, which is one of the highest projected kindergarten enrollments that we have had by the registration deadline. Based on current data and our discussions at the December 22, 2014 meeting, the kindergarten classroom needs for the 2015 -16 school year are listed below in Table 3. Please note that this will change as enrollment numbers increase. As requested, I have included two additional columns for classrooms needed, based on 100% full day participation and anticipated kindergarten classroom needs for the next 1 to 5 years. These numbers are based on current and historical enrollment patterns and do not take into account any population bubbles that may occur. The Joshua Eaton classroom needs include an additional Grade 1 classroom for next year in order to expand the current kindergarten classroom from 3 classrooms to 4 classrooms due to high class sizes in the current kindergarten class (current class sizes are 24/25). Table 3- Kindergarten Classroom Space Needs for 2015 -16 and Projected 1 -5 Years School Half Full Total #FD #HD # Integrated # # Additional # Additional # Day Day Classes Classes Classes Classrooms Available Classrooms Needed for Classrooms Additior 2015 -16 Needed for 100% FDK Classroo Needed 1 -5 yea Birch 1 1 1 Meado Joshua I or • Eaton (includes Grade Grade • •• I have included in Table 4 below a classroom projection of classroom use for the next five years based upon current enrollment numbers and historical trends. I assumed in this projection that Killam and Eaton would continue to have 4 classrooms per grade, and Barrows, Birch Meadow, and Wood End would have three classrooms per grade. I also made the assumption that the 2014 -15 school year is the baseline starting point for the number of classrooms. Barrows begins at a deficit of one classroom because we are currently using a smaller classroom for kindergarten, which is not counted as a regular size classroom. Please note that the classrooms listed are focused solely on grade level classrooms and does not include space for art, music, PE, or special education. Table 5 summarizes all of Table 4. 0 Table 4- Classroom Use Projection for Next Five Years Please note that the charts below show only full size classrooms that are currently being used for classroom use and does not include art, music, PE, or special education classrooms. 2014 -15 School Year School E;271 d Grade K Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Total Available Net Birch Meadow © ©0000 ©00 © ® ®0 2015 -16 School Year School Grade K Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Total Available Available Net Birch Meadow © 000 ©00 ® ®� 2016 -17 School Year School Grade K Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Total Available Net Birch .. © 000 ©00 ® ®� 2017 -18 School Year School Grade K Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Total Available Net Birch Meadow 000 ©00 ® ®� Ito 2018 -19 School Year School Grade K Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Total Available Net Birch Meadow ©©©©©©®®E -1 -1 -1 -1 -2 Killam 0 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 Wood End 0 +1 +1 +1 0 0 0000 ©0 © ® ®® 2019 -20 School Grade K Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Total Available Net Birch Meadow 0 -1 -1 -1 -1 -2 Killam 0 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 Wood End 0 +1 +1 +1 0 0 00000 © ® ®® As you can see from the charts above, we will need a minimum of 4 modular classrooms for the 2015 -16 school year; two at Barrows and one at Joshua Eaton and Killam. We will begin to need five classrooms (2 at Barrows, 2 at Eaton, and 1 at Killam) for the 2019 -20 school year. Having six modular classrooms (two at Barrows, Eaton, and Killam) will provide adequate space for all kindergarten programs, the Grade 1 classes at Eaton, and moves music classes at Joshua Eaton and Killam from the stage to a classroom. It will also provide some swing space at Joshua Eaton and Killam if there is an unanticipated enrollment increase. The six modular classrooms will also provide a short term solution to address the growing full day kindergarten needs of our families. However, it will be part of the long term plan that the Space Needs Working Group will be reviewing. Please note that this recommendation does not address any additional elementary space needs that the Working Group is studying nor does it address any preschool space needs. i aoie 5: net aassroom space School Barrows -1 Needed for Grade Level Classrooms Only (2014 -2 -2 -2 -20) -2 -2 Birch Meadow 0 0 0 0 0 0 Eaton 0 -1 -1 -1 -1 -2 Killam 0 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 Wood End 0 +1 +1 +1 0 0 Funding The estimated total costs to install the six modular classrooms will be in the range of $950,000 to $1,200,000. One of the variables in the cost estimate will be the location of the modular classrooms at each site and the proximity to utilities such as electricity, water, and sewer. We are currently working with town officials and an architect to determine the best locations for the modular classrooms. We are a also going to factor in the use of an outside contractor to do site preparation work because of the number of projects that DPW will be involved with this spring and summer. At the meeting, Director of Finance and Operations Martha Sybert will review a lease to own option for the modular classrooms. Operating Costs For the 2015 -16 school year, we do not anticipate additional personnel costs with the installation of the modular. We are requesting an additional Grade 1 teacher for Joshua Eaton, which will be funded from reallocating existing positions from the FY15 budget. We are in the process of calculating utility costs (water, sewer, electricity) and we hope to have those costs for next week's Financial Forum. Other Potential Issues Regarding Space If we are not able to secure modular classrooms for the 2015 -16 school year, approximately 80 students will not have access to full day kindergarten at their own neighborhood schools. We will have some slots available at Birch Meadow and potentially at Wood End for full day kindergarten for those families, but not all families who request full day kindergarten will receive full day kindergarten next year. In addition, approximately 30% of our full day kindergarten students access our extended day programs. Not having enough full day kindergarten slots will result in both a kindergarten staffing reduction and an FY16 budget reduction due to a loss of tuition to both the full day kindergarten and extended day revolving accounts, resulting in a reduction to the FY16 budget. This will result in a decrease of the FY16 budget of up to an additional $237,000, in addition to the $849,000 we are already reducing in the budget and a reduction of up to 2.0 FTE Kindergarten Teachers and 2.0 FTE Paraeducators. The classroom space problem will resurface in the 2016 -17 school year if we do not purchase modular classrooms next year because the kindergarten students will be moving from half day classrooms to full day classrooms in Grade 1. In addition, families that attend private kindergarten next year will be returning in 2016 -17. For example, at Barrows, we will need to have four classrooms available in Grade 1 for the 2016 -17 school year; currently only three classrooms exist in that grade. Finance Committee Report: The Finance Committee recommends the proposed amendments to the FY 2015 — FY 2024 Capital Improvements Program by a vote of x -x at their meeting on January 21, 2015. Placing items in the Capital Improvement Program is a prerequisite but in itself does not authorize spending funds towards these items. Bylaw Committee Report: No report. ARTICLE 6 To see if the Town will vote to amend the Town's Operating Budget for the Fiscal Year commencing July 1, 2014, as adopted under Article 14 of the Annual Town Meeting of April 28, 2014 and amended by Article 8 of the Special Town Meeting of September 29, 2014 and by Article 5 of the Subsequent Town Meeting of November 10, 2014 and Article 4 of the Special Town Meeting of January 5, 2015; and to see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, borrow or transfer from available funds, or otherwise provide a sum or sums of 9 money to be added to the amounts appropriated under said Article, as amended, for the operation of the Town and its government, or take any other action with respect thereto. Backaround: General Fund — Wages and Expenses Finance Committee Account Line Description Decrease Increase C99 — Capital School Facilities —modular classrooms $1 mil. Morton Field $40,000 $1,040,000 J91 — Public Safety wages Clothing allowance moved into wages due to recent IRS decision about taxability $6,000 $31,500 J92 — Public Safety expenses Clothing allowance moved into wages due to recent IRS decision about taxability $31,500 $2,500 K91 — Public Works wages Clothing allowance moved into wages due to recent IRS decision about taxability $2,500 $13,800 K92 — Public Works expenses Clothing allowance moved into wages due to recent IRS decision about taxability $13,800 $1,500 Y99 — Storm Water Fund Expenses Clothing allowance moved into wages due to recent IRS decision about taxability $1,500 Subtotals $45,300 $1,085,300 Net Operating Expenses $10,000 $1,040,000 From Free Cash 1 1 $1,040,000 Enterprise Funds — Wages and Expenses Account Line Description Decrease Increase W99 - Water Fund Wages Clothing allowance moved into wages due to recent IRS decision about taxability $6,000 W99 - Water Fund Expenses Clothing allowance moved into wages due to recent IRS decision about taxability $6,000 X99 - Sewer Fund Wages Clothing allowance moved into wages due to recent IRS decision about taxability $2,500 X99 - Sewer Fund Expenses Clothing allowance moved into wages due to recent IRS decision about taxability $2,500 Y99 — Storm Water Fund Wages Clothing allowance moved into wages due to recent IRS decision about taxability $1,500 Y99 — Storm Water Fund Expenses Clothing allowance moved into wages due to recent IRS decision about taxability $1,500 Subtotals $10,000 $10,000 Net Operating Expenses $0 From Enterprise Fund Reserves $0 In addition to the school capital request described in Article 5, fundraising is in place for $40,000 in improvements to Morton Field. Approximately half of the total has been raised thus far and the other half will be raised before the end of the fiscal year. All funds raised will be deposited to 106 the general fund. Improvements to Morton Field were in the capital plan as part of a larger Birch Meadow complex, so that future portion is reduced. In addition, net neutral Town budget adjustments are made as a result of a recent IRS ruling combined with collective bargaining changes to move certain uniform expenses into employee wages. This change took effect during FY15, so this budget adjustment is needed for the current fiscal year, and also helpful in comparing budget changes in FY16. Finance Committee Report: The Finance Committee recommends the proposed amendments to the FY 2015 budget by a vote of x -x at their meeting on January 21, 2015. Bylaw Committee Report: No report. 0 and you are directed to serve this Warrant by posting an attested copy thereof in at least one (1) public place in each precinct of the Town not less than fourteen (14) days prior to February 23, 2015, or providing in a manner such as electronic submission, holding for pickup or mailing, an attested copy of said Warrant to each Town Meeting Member. 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 -th day of , 2015. , Constable John Arena, Chairman Marsie K. West, Vice Chairman Daniel Ensminger, Secretary John R. Halsey Kevin Sexton SELECTMEN OF READING 0 Schena, Paula From: LeLacheur, Bob Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2015 7:14 AM To: Schena, Paula Subject: FW: Modular Classroom Letter of Support for BOS packet From: Ann Motl Taylor [anntaylor06 @gmail.com] Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2015 6:49 AM To: Reading - Selectmen Cc: Neil Taylor Subject: Modular Classroom Letter of Support January 21, 2015 John Arena, Board of Selectmen Chair Town Hall 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867 Dear Mr. Arena, I am writing to ask respectfully for your support of the Reading Public School Committee's plan for temporary classroom space. Supporting the Reading Public School Committee's plan is critical and necessary because this additional temporary classroom space will: 1) Provide a sufficient number of classrooms to keep elementary class sizes at the numbers that the Reading Public Schools has traditionally conformed to (18 -22 students per classroom grades K -2). 2) Help more Reading residents send their children to their "neighborhood" school throughout their elementary school years. 3) Keep Reading an attractive town to families by providing the option of tuition -based full day kindergarten. 4) Address the rise in enrollment in Kindergarten and full day kindergarten in Reading, thereby giving families that wish to or need to send their child to full day kindergarten that opportunity. 5) Support the research that shows the importance and value of full day Kindergarten for all students. 6) Help keep the Reading Public School system competitive with neighboring towns by providing the opportunity for full day Kindergarten for the largest number of students possible. Now is the time to keep Reading Public Schools and students on the right track for the future by supporting the plan of the Reading Public School Committee. Thank you for your time and commitment. Sincerely, (� 1 Ann Motl Taylor & Neil Taylor 9 Wenda Street Reading, MA 01867 anntaylor06a,gmail.com 617 -504 -8964 z� Schena, Paula From: LeLacheur, Bob Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2015 11:23 AM To: Schena, Paula Subject: FW: School space concerns BOS packet From: Leah Monteiro [ma ilto: lea hmaxa @ gmaiLcom] Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2015 11:13 AM To: Reading - Selectmen Subject: School space concerns January 21, 2015 Board of Selectmen Town Hall 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867 Dear all Selectmenlwomen, I am writing to ask respectfully for your support of the Reading Public School Committee's plan for temporary classroom space. I am not pleased to have recently moved to such a wonderful town only to find out that there has been a growing need for additional space where we have no better option but to offer modular rooms as a last ditch solution. I wanted to live here mostly because of the schools and I was disappointed and concerned to learn that my daughters kindergarten class would be as large as it is. I believe that if the modular classes are the best option then I will support them because truly something must be done. With the recent MCAS score drop it would be irresponsible to not make moves to accommodate this type of adjustment to give students the attention they need. Supporting the Reading Public School Committee's plan is critical and necessary because this additional temporary classroom space will: 1. Provide a sufficient number of classrooms to keep elementary class sizes at the numbers that the Reading Public Schools has traditionally conformed to (18 -22 students per classroom grades K -2). 2. Help more Reading residents send their children to their "neighborhood" school throughout their elementary school years. 3. Keep Reading an attractive town to families by providing the option of tuition -based full day kindergarten. 4. Address the rise in enrollment in Kindergarten and full day kindergarten in Reading, thereby giving families that wish to or need to send their child to full day kindergarten that opportunity. 5. Support the research that shows the importance and value of full day Kindergarten for all students. 6. Help keep the Reading Public School system competitive with neighboring towns by providing the opportunity for full day Kindergarten for the largest number of students possible. Now is the time to keep Reading Public Schools and students on the right track for the future by supporting the plan of the Reading Public School Committee. Thank you for your time and commitment. Sincerely, Leah Monteiro 13 Wenda St. �l