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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-05-04 Annual Town Meeting MinutesANNUAL TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School Preforming Arts Center May 4, 2015 The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Alan E. Foulds, at 7:38 PM, there being a quorum present. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was said by all in attendance. Motion made by Dan Ensminger, Board of Selectmen to dispense of the reading of all motions in their entirety. Motion Carried ARTICLE 18 Motion made by Board of Selectmen that the Town vote to approve an Affordable Housing Trust Fund Allocation Plan pursuant to Chapter 140 of the Acts of 2001 entitled "AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE TOWN OF READING TO ESTABLISH AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND ". Background: Chapter 140 of the Acts of 2001 authorized the Town of Reading to establish a separate fund known as the Affordable Housing Trust Fund (AHTF). The AHTF requires Town Meeting approval of an annual allocation plan submitted by the Board of Selectmen. AHTF expenditures require approval by a majority vote of the full combined membership of the Board of Selectmen and the Reading Housing Authority. AHTF uses include: ♦ Create or preserve affordable housing; Maintain or operate affordable housing; Develop new or rehabilitate existing housing as affordable homeownership or rental units; The purpose of the Affordable Housing Allocation Plan is to provide a framework for the Town to expend funds on affordable housing. The current AHTF balance of $260,720.85 reflects revenue generated through the actions of the CPDC, as well as proceeds from the loss of an affordable unit. There are no Town tax generated funds in the AHTF. The only expenditure to date from the AHT was $200,000 to assist Oaktree development with financing affordable housing at 30 Haven Street. At the 2012 Annual Town Meeting, approval was given for funding to hire a consultant to assist a Town staff initiative to update the Town's Housing Plan, including the five -year "Housing Production Plan ". This effort is important as a defense against unfriendly 40B developments in the community, and requires the Town to develop a phased plan to produce housing to reach the 10% threshold as required by MGL Ch. 40B. Reading's Housing Production Plan has been approved by the Board of Selectmen and by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Town commissioned and received a supplemental report on how the AHTF can best be used to support the "Planned Production" goals of the Housing Plan. This report was presented to the Board of Selectmen and the Reading Housing Authority in April 2013. The report recommended a significant restructuring of the Town's AHTF efforts. The Board of Selectmen considered these recommendations, but decided against any changes. Therefore, the current recommendation is to adopt the AHTF Allocation Plan as shown below as the framework for the use of Affordable Housing Trust Fund in FY 2016. Note that Reading as the lead community is part of a regional effort (along with North Reading, Wilmington and Saugus) to share a Regional Housing Services Officer (RHSO). The RHSO monitors and administers affordable housing requirements including tracking and updating the Subsidized Housing Inventory (SHI) as well as maintaining ready buyer and ready renter lists. ANNUAL TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School Preforming Arts Center May 4, 2015 Affordable Housing Trust Fund Allocation Plan FY 2016 Pursuant to Article 18 of the 2015 Annual Town Meeting, an Affordable Housing Trust Fund Allocation Plan for the Fiscal Year 2016 in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 140 of the Acts of 2001 is as follows: Available Balance - Unrestricted Funds: $260,720.85 Available Balance - Restricted Funds $0 Unrestricted funds shall be used for the following purposes: 5% up to a maximum of $10,000 for administration of Affordable Housing Remainder for constructing affordable housing (including loan and grant programs); or for maintaining and improving affordability of existing housing stock; or for the purchase of existing housing stock to add it to or maintain it as a part of the existing affordable housing inventory Finance Committee Report - given by Paul McNeice: At their meeting on March 25, 2015 the Finance Committee voted 7 -0 -1 to recommend this Article. FINANCE COMMITTEE Member Craig Merry abstained in order to avoid the appearance of a professional conflict of interest. Bylaw Committee Report: No report Board of Selectmen Report: The Board of Selectmen at their meeting on March 24, 2015 voted 5- 0-0 to support this Article. Presentation given by: • Jean Delios - See Attached After some discussion a vote was taken: Motion Carried ARTICLE 19: Motion made by Board of Selectmen that the Town vote to authorize revolving funds for certain Town Departments under Section 53E 1/2 of Chapter 44 of the Massachusetts General Laws for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2015 with the receipts, as specified, credited to each fund; the purposes, as listed, for which each fund may be spent, the maximum amount that may be spent from each fund for the fiscal year, and the disposition of the balance of each fund at fiscal year -end. Revolving Account Spending Authority Revenue Source Allowed Expenses Expenditure Limits Year End Balance Conservation Conservation Fees as Consulting and engineering $25,000 Available for Commission Commission provided for in services for the review of expenditure Consulting Reading designs and engineering next year Fees General work for the protection of Bylaws Section wetlands. 5.7, Wetlands Protection ANNUAL TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School Preforming Arts Center May 4, 2015 Revolving Spending Revenue Allowed Expenditure Year End Account Authority Source Expenses Limits Balance Inspection Town Manager Building, Legal, oversight and $200,000 Available for Revolving Plumbing, inspection, plan review, expenditure Fund Wiring, Gas initial property appraisals next year and other and appeals, Public permits for the Services general Oaktree, management, curb Addison- sidewalks and pedestrian Wesley/ safety improvements, Pearson and records archiving and other Johnson project related costs. Woods developments Public Health Board of Health Clinic fees, Materials and costs $25,000 Available for Clinics and charges and associated with clinics and expenditure Services third party public health programs next year reimbursement S Library Library Director Charges for Acquire Library materials to $15,000 Available for Materials and Trustees lost or replace lost or damaged expenditure Replacement damaged items next year Library materials Mattera Cabin Community Rental Fees Utilities and all other $10,000 Available for Operating Services Director maintenance and operating expenditure expenses next year Town Forest Director of Public Sale of timber; Planning and $10,000 Available for Works upon the fees for use of Improvements to the Town expenditure recommendation the Town Forest next year of the Town Forest Forest Committee or take any other action with respect thereto. Background: The revolving funds established in this article are subject to annual renewal by Town Meeting. Conservation Consulting Revolving Fund - These funds are used to receive payments from applicants, hire expert consultants where required, and return the balance to the applicant. There was no activity in the Conservation Consulting Revolving Fund during Fiscal Year 2015. The balance as of March 7, 2015 remains at $0. Inspections Revolving Fund - Beginning in 2004, Town Meeting approved the Inspections Revolving Funds as a way to deposit building and other permit fees from three large projects (the Oaktree, Pulte Homes and Johnson Woods developments). During the year under the direction of the Town Manager these funds are allowed to be used directly for purposes of plan review, inspections, legal expenses, initial property value appraisal and appeals, and general management of the Public Services department operations related to three developments as well as for the construction of curbs, sidewalks and pedestrian safety improvements and records archiving and management. The balance available as of March 7, 2015 in this fund is $782,110, and of that total $60,000 is proposed by the ANNUAL TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School Preforming Arts Center May 4, 2015 Town Manager to be used to help offset some of these related activities in the FY16 Public Services budget, as has been the case for several years and is planned for a few more years. This year the Town Manager is requesting that Town Meeting authorize the remainder of the $200,000 annual spending limit (or $140,000) to be used under Article 5 to help offset the snow & ice removal deficit during the current year. Note that while the Town Manager is subject to the spending restrictions above, Town Meeting may vote to spend these funds 'for any lawful purpose'. Health Clinic Revolvinq Fund - The Reading Health Division contracts for third party payments for a number of immunizations. The funds are used to augment the influenza vaccine supply from the State Department of Public Health to insure vaccine for the homebound clients and first responders. The Division also uses these funds for materials for other screening clinics. Clinic client fees are also deposited into this fund to offset vaccine and clinical supply costs. The balance available as of March 7, 2015 this fund is $60,584. The State has been cutting back on the free flu and other vaccines to be distributed to cities and towns, and the Town therefore needs to purchase extra doses. The necessary amounts used for clinic vaccine, supplies and staff salaries related to the clinics each year directly from the revolving fund is therefore approximately $25,000. Library Materials Replacement Fund - During the course of a year, the Library recovers funds from patrons who have lost or damaged books or other materials. Previously, those funds went into the Town's General Fund and at the end of the year went into Free Cash. Once this Revolving Fund was adopted (beginning in FY 2010), those funds recovered from patrons for lost or damaged materials were available directly to the Library for expenditure to purchase replacement materials and processing supplies. The balance available as of March 7, 2015 in this fund is $8,316. Mattera Cabin Operating Fund - The log cabin on the Mattera conservation land was purchased several years ago, and was renovated by the Vocational School. Some of the use is revenue generating, and it is anticipated that over time the site will generate enough funding to pay the operating costs of the cabin - primarily utilities. This Article allows those revenues that are generated to be used directly for the operating expenses of the cabin. The balance available as of March 7, 2015 in this fund is $1,533. Note that due to a recent change in the Classification system that establishes Town government staff positions, a friendly amendment to change the position title from Recreation Administrator to Community Services Director will be offered, Town Forest Revolving Fund - was created in 2011. The purpose is to allow revenues from controlled timber harvesting and permit fees to then be spent by the DPW Director upon the recommendation of the Town Forest Committee, on improvements to the Town Forest, including planning efforts. The Town Forest Committee has had a forest stewardship plan created (through a grant) to make recommendations on forest management including controlled timber harvesting. The balance available as of March 7, 2015 in this fund is $0. It is anticipated that timber harvesting on a limited basis could begin at any time, and therefore there will be future proceeds which can be used for the purposes of the revolving fund. Finance Committee Report - given by Peter Lydecker• At their meeting on March 25, 2015 the Finance Committee voted 8 -0 -0 to recommend this Article. Bylaw Committee Report: No report Board of Selectmen Report: The Board of Selectmen at their meeting on March 24, 2015 voted 5- 0-0 to support this Article. Presentation given by: ANNUAL TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School Preforming Arts Center • Sharon Angstrom - See Attached Motion Carried May 4, 2015 ARTICLE 20 Motion made by the Finance Committee that the Town raise by borrowing, or from the tax levy, or transfer from available funds, and appropriate the sum of: $97,110,208 for the operation of the Town and its Government for Fiscal Year 2016, beginning July 1, 2015. Move that the Town approve and appropriate the proposed FY 2016 Budget as presented for Line Item B99 (Benefits): $15,050,744 to be provided as follows: Line B99 - $1,500,000 from Free Cash; $300,000 from Overlay and the balance from property taxes, State aid and non - property tax local receipts Move that the Town approve and appropriate the proposed FY 2016 Budget as presented for Line Item C99 (Capital): $2,201,000 to be provided as follows: Line C99 - $100,000 from the Sale of Real Estate Fund and the balance from property taxes, State aid and non - property tax local receipts Move that the Town approve and appropriate the proposed FY 2016 Budget as presented for Line Item D99 (Debt): $4,525,000 to be provided as follows: Line D99 - from property taxes, State aid and non - property tax local receipts Move that the Town approve and appropriate the proposed FY 2016 Budget as presented for Line Item E99 (Vocational Education): $490,350 to be provided as follows: Line E99 - from property taxes, State aid and non - property tax local receipts Move that the Town approve and appropriate the proposed FY 2016 Budget as presented for Line Item F99 (Finance Committee Reserve Fund): $150,000 to be provided as follows: Line F99 - from property taxes, State aid and non - property tax local receipts ANNUAL TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School Preforming Arts Center May 4, 2015 Move that the Town approve and appropriate the proposed FY 2016 Budget as presented for Line Item G91 (Administration Services Wages): $1,216,700 and Line Item G92 (Administration Services Expenses): $1,239,200 to be provided as follows: Lines G91 and G92 - from property taxes, State aid and non - property tax local receipts Move that the Town approve and appropriate the proposed FY 2016 Budget as presented for Line Item H91 (Public Services Wages): $1,194,100 and Line Item H92 (Public Services Expenses): $368,200 to be provided as follows: Lines H91 and H92 - from property taxes, State aid and non - property tax local receipts Move that the Town approve and appropriate the proposed FY 2016 Budget as presented for Line Item I91 (Finance Wages): $603,565 and Line Item I92 (Finance Expenses): $142,200 to be provided as follows: Lines I91 and I92 - from property taxes, State aid and non - property tax local receipts Move that the Town approve and appropriate the proposed FY 2016 Budget as presented for Line Item J91 (Public Safety Wages): $9,165,775 and Line Item J92 (Public Safety Expenses): $376,750 to be provided as follows: Lines 191 and J92 - from property taxes, State aid and non - property tax local receipts Move that the Town approve and appropriate the proposed FY 2016 Budget as presented for Line Item K91 (Public Works Wages): $2,403,800 and Line Item K92 (Public Works Expenses): $883,050 to be provided as follows: K92 - $25,000 from the Sale of Cemetery lots to support Cemetery expenses; and the balance of Lines K91 and K92 from property taxes, State aid and non - property tax local receipts Move that the Town approve and appropriate the proposed FY 2016 Budget as presented for Line Item K93 (Public Works - Snow & Ice Expenses): $625,000; Line Item K94 (Public Works - Street Lighting Expenses): $210,000 and Line Item K95 (Public Works - Rubbish Collection & Disposal Expenses): $1,538,000 to be provided as follows: Lines K93, K94 and K95 - from property taxes, State aid and non - property tax local receipts Move that the Town approve and appropriate the proposed FY 2016 Budget as presented for Line Item L91 (Library Wages): $1,130,569 and Line Item L92 (Library Expenses): $300,600 to be provided as follows: ANNUAL TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School May 4, 2015 Preforming Arts Center Lines L91 and L92 - from property taxes, State aid and non - property tax local receipts Move that the Town approve and appropriate the proposed FY 2016 Budget as presented for Line Item S99 (School Department): $41,350,043 $41,425,043 to be provided as follows: Line S99 - from property taxes, State aid and non - property tax local receipts There was some discussion for Line S99 Motion made by Ben Tafoya, Precinct 4 to increase S99 by $75,000 Motion to amend Carried Move that the Town approve and appropriate the proposed FY 2016 Budget as presented for Line Item T99 (Town Facilities): $777,977 to be provided as follows: Line T99 - from property taxes, State aid and non - property tax local receipts Move that the Town approve and appropriate the proposed FY 2016 Budget as presented for Line Item W99 (Water Enterprise Fund): $5,211,075 to be provided as follows: Lines W99 - $150,000 from Water Reserves and the balance from user fees and other charges Move that the Town approve and appropriate the proposed FY 2016 Budget as presented for Line Item X99 (Sewer Enterprise Fund): $5,570,710 to be provided as follows: Line X99 - from user fees and other charges Move that the Town approve and appropriate the proposed FY 2016 Budget as presented for Line Item Y99 (Storm Water Enterprise Fund): $385,800 to be provided as follows: Line Y99 - $35,000 from Storm Water Reserves and the balance from user fees and other charges Move that the Town approve and appropriate the proposed FY 2016 Budget, exclusive of State and county assessments: $97,110,209 97,185, • Representing the total of all motions made under Article 20 as amended • Funds are to be provided as set forth in said motions as amended ANNUAL TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School Preforming Arts Center May 4, 2015 Finance Committee Report - given by Mark Dockser: Please see the Yellow Pages - Spending Scorecard of this document for the votes by the Finance Committee for line items in the FY 2016 budget. The Finance Committee recommends the subject matter of Article 20 as explained by these votes at their meeting on March 25, 2015. Bylaw Committee Report: No report After some discussion a vote was taken: 2/3 Vote Required 137 Voted in the affirmative 2 Voted in the negative 146 Town Meeting Members in Attendance Motion Carried as Amended ARTICLE 21: Motion made the Board of Selectmen that the Town vote to accept and expend such sum of money as may be available to the Town pursuant to Chapter 90, Section 34 of the Massachusetts General Laws as reimbursement for the costs of repair, construction, maintenance or preservation of the Town's roads and bridges and other related costs that qualify under the State Aid Highway Guidelines adopted by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation; and to authorize the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, to borrow said sum in anticipation of such reimbursement, in accordance with Chapter 44, Section 6 of the Massachusetts General Laws. Background: Incoming Governor Charles Baker released an additional $100 million in funding that the legislature had already approved for Chapter 90 (local road repairs), bringing the FY15 total to $300 million or a bit over $900,000 for Reading. However, the Governor recently filed for a total of only $200 million for FY16, bringing the local share back down to about $600,000. The motion made at Town Meeting will be to accept the Chapter 90 state assistance at whatever level is ultimately available, a trend in other communities in order to avoid this uncertainty and volatility. Finance Committee Report - given by Marc Moll: At their meeting on March 25, 2015 the Finance Committee voted 8 -0 -0 to recommend this Article. Bylaw Committee Report: No report Board of Selectmen Report: The Board of Selectmen at their meeting on March 24, 2015 voted 5- 0-0 to support this Article. 2/3 Vote Required Declared by Moderator 146 Town Meeting Members in Attendance Motion Carried ANNUAL TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School Preforming Arts Center May 4, 2015 ARTICLE 22: Motion made by the Board of Selectmen that the Town vote, pursuant to Section 2.6 of the Reading Home Rule Charter, to declare the seats of certain Town Meeting Members to be vacant and remove certain described persons from their position as Town Meeting Members for failure to take the oath of office within 30 days following the notice of election or for failure to attend one -half or more of the Town Meeting sessions during the previous year. Background: The Reading Home Rule Charter provides for the removal by Town Meeting of Town Meeting Members who did not attend at least half of the Town Meeting sessions during the previous year. There have been a total of six Town Meeting sessions and a total of 13 nights to attend, and there are 19 members who meet the criteria for removal, as listed below. The remaining Town Meeting Members from Precincts 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8 will be asked to meet in a caucus before this Article is taken up, and to evaluate the particular circumstances of each of these situations for the listed Town Meeting members within their precinct. The affected precincts will then make a recommendation to Town Meeting as to whether the member should be removed. Lori Ann Russo Finance Committee Report: No report Bylaw Committee Report: No report 2016 0 Motion made by Stephen Crook, Precinct 2 Chair to amend the list of Town Meeting members as shown in chart above. Motion made by Paul Sylvester, Precinct 3 Chair to amend the list of Town Meeting members as shown in chart above. Motion made by Greg Selvitelli, Precinct 6 Chair to amend the list of Town Meeting members as shown in chart above. ANNUAL TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School May 4, 2015 Preforming Arts Center Motion to Amend Carried Main Motion Carried as amended On motion by William C Brown, Precinct 8 Article 3 was taken off the table Instructional motion made by William C Brown, Precinct 8 that the facilities department take over the repairs of the Cemetery building in the Laurel Hill Cemetery as of July 1, 2015 Motion Carried Instructional motion made by Mark Dockser, Precinct 1 that the neminating eeFnFAittee appointing authority for the Permanent Building Committee immediately recruit members to the committee. Further move that the Permanent Building Committee set their first priority to be a review of the needs and potential solutions to resolve the physical space needs of the cemetery department and bring back a recommendation or a report of the best solution and a capital request to be presented to Subsequent Town Meeting 2015. Motion Carried Dan Ensminger, Board of Selectmen moved to adjourn the 2015 Annual Town Meeting sine die at 9:58 PM with 146 Town Meeting Members in attendance. Motion Carried A true copy Attest: Laura A Gemme Town Clerk