HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-02-07 Board of Selectmen PacketOffice Hour
John Arena
6:39
Badge Pinning - Police & Fire promotions and
new hires
Segalla &
Burns
7:15
Town procurement policy
Jenkins
7:30
Records Officer (additions)
Kraunelis
7:40
Cable Advisory working group (Goal #13)
Kraunelis
7:45
Preview - Annual Town Meeting
LeLacheur
8:00
FY18 Budget & Financial Status
LeLacheur
8:30
February 21, 2017
Proposed Resolution
7:20
Economic Development project update
Wilson
7:30
Close Annual Town Meeting Warrant
LeLacheur
9:00
March 7, 2417
Office Hour
John Halsey
6:30
RMLD General Manager update
O'Brien
7:20
Town Personnel Policies (draft version)
Perkins
8:00
Percy Avenue: improvements on a private way
LeLacheur
7:40
Hearing
Approve stop sign on Auburn Street at Beacon
Street
8:15
Hearing
Water, Sewer and Storm Water Rates for FY18
(effective December 2017 billing)
LeLacheur
8:00
Hearing
FY18 Non Union Classification and
Compensation
LeLacheur
8:30
Community Projects (Boards & Committees)
LeLacheur
8:45
March 21, 2017
MAPC Member Report
Sadwick
7:15
Economic Development update
Corona
7:30
Economic Development project update
Wilson
8:30
Vote Annual Town Meeting Warrant Articles
LeLacheur
9:30
Local elections April 4 2017
Tuesday
April 11, 2017
Office Hour
Dan Ens inger
6:30
Board Reorganization
LeLacheur
7:00
Appoint Board of Assessor
IVASC
7:05
Discuss Board Liaison Assignments
IChair
7:10
Office Hour 6:30
Board & Committee updates ILeLacheur 1 7:45
Future Agendas
Library Building Project update LeLacheur
Board of Selectmen Policies: Article 1 General
Operating Procedures LeLacheur
Board of Selectmen Policies: Article 2 Volunteer
Boards /Committees /Commissions ILeLacheur
Town Accountant Quarterly Report
Angstrom
7:30
Reading Ice Arena Liason Report
McFadden
7:45
RMLD CAB Member Report
Cohen
8:00
Housing Authority Report
Whyte
8:15
Climate Advisory Committee
Review BOS/TM Goals
LeLacheur 1
8:30
Office Hour 6:30
Board & Committee updates ILeLacheur 1 7:45
Future Agendas
Library Building Project update LeLacheur
Board of Selectmen Policies: Article 1 General
Operating Procedures LeLacheur
Board of Selectmen Policies: Article 2 Volunteer
Boards /Committees /Commissions ILeLacheur
Board of Selectmen Policies: Article 3 Licenses
LeLacheur
Review Inflow & Infiltration policy
Percival
Downtown Parking
Segalla
Recurring Items
Close Warrant: Apr 117 TM by 2/28
Close Warrant: Nov ' 17 TM by 9/26
Review BOS/TM Goals
Dec & June
Semi -ann
Appointments of Boards & Committees
June
Annual
Hearing
Approve Classification & Compensation
June
Annual
Hearing
Tax Classification
October
Annual
Approve licenses
December
Annual
Reports to BOS
Town Accountant Report
Qtrly
RCTV members Report
Semi -ann
CAB (RMLD) member Report
Semi -ann
MAPC member Report
Annual
Reading Housing Authority Report
Annual
Reading Ice Arena Report
Annual
BOS Appointed Boards & Committees
Annual
Schena, Paula
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Attachments:
For BOS packet, email & attached
LeLacheur, Bob
Thursday, February 02, 2017 7:17 AM
Schena, Paula; Saunders, Caitlin
Kraunelis, Matthew
FW: Surplus Procedure Update Final
Surplus Procedure Update Final.docx
Robert W. LeLacheur, Jr. CFA
Town Manager, Town of Reading
16 Lowell Street, Reading, MA 01867
townmanager @ci. reading. ma. us
(L') 781 -942 -9043;
(F) 781 -942 -9037
www.readingma.gov
Town Hall Hours:
Monday, Wednesday and Thursday: 7:30 a.m - 5:30 p.m.;Tuesday: 7:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.; Friday: CLOSED
From: Kraunelis, Matthew
Sent: Monday, January 30, 2017 4:30 PM
To: LeLacheur, Bob
Subject: FW: Surplus Procedure Update Final
Bob, enclosed is a memo from Allison highlighting the change we want to make to the surplus procedures. It simply asks
to raise the number from $5K to $10K. I think the entire by -law is poorly written, but that is a battle for another day. You
can provide the selectmen with this memo and Allison will be at the meeting if they have any questions.
Matt
From: Jenkins, Allison
Sent: Monday, January 30, 2017 10:21 AM
To: Kraunelis, Matthew
Subject: Surplus Procedure Update Final
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Town of Reading
16 Lowell Street
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'o Reading, MA 01867 -2685
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Procurement Office Office: (781) 942 -6696
Website: www.readingma.gov Fax: (781) 942 -9071
TO: Matt Kraunelis
FROM: Allison Jenkins
DATE: January 30, 2017
RE: Surplus Procedures
Chapter 30B prescribes procedures for the disposition of surplus supplies.
The Town of Reading's by law "6.2 Disposal of Surplus Property*" indicated the town policy for items
with a value up to $5,000.
Chapter 30B * *, states that each town follow written procedures for surplus items up to $10,000 in value.
I propose that we change Reading's by -law to conform to Chapter 30B and the increase the dollar value to
$10,000 within our by -law.
*6.2 Disposal of Surplus Property
6.2.1 Certain Disposition to be Approved by Town Meeting Whenever an item or collection of items of
tangible personal property with an estimated net value of up to Five Thousand ($5,000) Dollars within the
control of an official body, but excluding the Municipal Light Board, shall be determined by that official
body to be surplus, obsolete, salvage, or beyond repair, it may be disposed of by sale, trade or otherwise,
by the Town Manager with the approval of the Finance Committee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an
item or collection of items of tangible personal property, with an estimated net value of less than Five
Thousand ($5,000) Dollars no longer useful to the Town but having resale or salvage value, may be
disposed of by the Town Manager with the approval of the Finance Committee, and without any further
approval by Town Meeting at less than fair market value to a charitable organization which has received a
tax exemption from the United States by reason of its charitable nature.
* *Language from the Chapter 30B Manual (11/16)
Surplus Supplies: Chapter 30B applies to the disposal of any supply with resale or salvage value. If the
value of the surplus supply is under $10,000, you will follow written procedures approved by your
governmental body. For supplies valued at $10,000 or more, Chapter 30B procedures include
solicitations for sealed bids, public auctions or the use of an established market.
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TOWN OF READING
PROCUREMENT HANDBOOK
January 19, 2017
3rd Edition
2016
THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY BLANK
TOWN OF READING
PROCUREMENT PROCEDURES
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.
Objective
7
2.
Procurement Procedure
7
3.
Overview of Procurement Laws
8
• Procurement of Supplies & Services:
M.G.L. c. 30B
• Public Works (Non- Building) Construction (with Labor):
M.G.L. c. 30, § 39M
• Construction Materials Procurements (without Labor):
M.G.L. c. 30, § 39M or M.G.L. c. 30B
• Building Construction Contracts:
M.G.L. c. 149
• Public Building Projects Design Services:
M.G.L. c. 7C, §§ 44 -57 (formerly M.G.L. c. 7, §§ 38A' /2 - 0)
• Bid Splitting
3.1 Procurement of Supplies and Services (M.G.L. c. 30B)
9
3.1.1 Procurements estimated to cost less than $10,000
10
3.1.2 Procurements estimated to cost between $10,000 to $50,000
10
3.1.3 Procurements estimated to cost over $50,000
11
3.1.4 IFB /RFP Process
11
4.
Purchasing through state contracts, county contracts, etc.
13
5.
Prevailing Wages
14
6.
Bids Prepared By an Architect or Engineer
14
7.
Addenda
14
8.
Sole Source Procurement
15
9.
Prompt Pay Discounts
16
10.
Vendor Numbers
17
11.
Tax Exempt Certificates
17
12.
Requisitions, Purchase Orders and Funding
18
13.
Change Orders and Increases On Active Contracts
19
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PROCUREMENT PROCEDURES
TABLE OF CONTENTS (CONTINUED)
14. Proprietary Specifications
15. Town Credit Card
16. Surplus Property
17. Employee Reimbursements
18. Special Approvals: IT Equipment
19. Emergency Procurements
20. Contract Administration
21. Procurement Procedures For Community Projects
22. Environmental Preferable Products
23. Invitation For Bid (IFB)
24. Request For Proposal (RFP)
EXHIBIT A: Quote Summary Sheet
EXHIBIT B: Bid Request Form
EXHIBIT C: Sole Source Request and Declaration Form
EXHIBIT D: Surplus Property Form
EXHIBIT E: Emergency Procurement Data Sheet
EXHIBIT F: Suggested Vendors List
EXHIBIT G: DCAMM Emergency Instructions and Sample Letter
EXHIBIT H: Sample Certificate of Liability Insurance
EXHIBIT I: W -9 Form
20
20
20
22
22
22
23
24
24
25
26
27
29
31
33
35
36
37
38
39
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_. 6 Page
TOWN OF READING
PROCUREMENT PROCEDURES
1. OBJECTIVE
The Town of Reading has established a Procurement Office within the Administrative Services
Department. The Procurement Office is managed by the Procurement Officer and is responsible
for the procurement of supplies and services on behalf of the Town. It is the responsibility of the
Procurement Office to secure quality goods and services while promoting fair competition and
competitive pricing.
Procurement procedures have been developed to:
• simplify, clarify, and modernize the procedures governing procurement by the Town
of Reading;
• increase public confidence in Town procurement procedures;
• ensure the fair and equitable treatment of all persons who offer to provide goods or
services to the Town;
• provide increased economy in procurement activities and to maximize to the fullest
extent practicable the purchasing value of Town funds;
• foster effective broad -based competition for the provision of goods and services to the
Town of Reading;
• provide safeguards for the maintenance of a procurement system based on quality and
integrity.
2. PROCUREMENT PROCEDURE
All Town departments, including the School Department and departments that operate through
an enterprise fund, are subject to state procurement laws, inclusive but not limited to M.G.L.
30B, 7, 30/39M and 149, and are responsible for meeting all requirements. Departments under
the jurisdiction of the Town Administration must follow all procurement procedures as
established by the Town Manager and the Procurement Office. The Procurement Officer, acting
on behalf of the Town Manager, provides internal support to monitor purchases and ensure
procurement practices are in compliance with applicable law(s). The procurement officer is
available to provide guidance and procurement assistance to all Town Departments, in the
development and solicitation of public bids and proposals through quotes, the Invitation for Bid
(IFB) and Request for Proposal (RFP) process for the procurement of goods and services,
contract administration and monitoring of invoices which follow the contract award.
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PROCUREMENT PROCEDURES
3. OVERVIEW OF PROCUREMENT LAWS
The type of supply or service, along with the required amount, shall determine what legal
requirements must be met in order for the procurement to be compliant with applicable
purchasing laws. Once the need for the procurement has been identified and the nature of the
goods and services determined, the applicable procurement must be followed. A majority of
purchases will fall into one of the following categories:
• Procurement of Supplies and Services: M.G.L. c. 30B
Unless expressly exempt from public bidding under M.G.L. c. 30B, § 1, the purchase of
any supplies or services by the Town, meeting certain monetary thresholds, requires
compliance with the procurement procedures contained in M.G.L. c. 30B.
• Public Works (Non- Building) Construction (with Labor): M.G.L. c. 30, § 39M
Procurement of a contractor for the construction, reconstruction, installation, demolition,
maintenance or repair of a public work requires public bidding. A public works
construction project is generally considered any horizontal construction activity that
involves any land disturbance, but excluding the construction of a building.
• Building Construction Contracts: M.G.L. c. 149
Procurement of a contractor for the construction, reconstruction, installation, demolition,
maintenance or repair of a building by a public agency is subject to the Filed Sub -Bid
Law, M.G.L. c. 149, §44A to 44M.
• Public Building Projects Design Services: M.G.L. c. 7C, §§ 44 -57
Procurement of design services (Architect/Engineer, etc.), in connection with a public
building project are subject to the Designer Selection Law. Design services in connection
with a public works construction project are exempt from all bidding requirements as,
long as the Town hires a designer that fits the definition contained in M.G.L. c. 30B, §2.
Our procedures are designed to assure that all procurements are made in an orderly manner and in
compliance with all applicable laws and policies. We apply the rules described in this book to all
procurements, unless a department can show that there is a compelling reason to do otherwise.
It is important to note at the outset that two sets of rules apply to the Town's procurements:
(1) legal requirements, i.e., those based on state or federal statute or regulation; and
(2) our own requirements, i.e., those that are based on Town procedures.
Legal requirements cannot be waived; a Town procedure, however, may be waived wholly or in
part with the written permission of the Town Manager. The Town must comply with legal
requirements, or its procurements are invalid and any resulting contract is unenforceable. Town
procedures, however, consists of self - imposed requirements that the Town has adopted as a
matter of sound business practice. Procedure requirements will always be stricter than legal
requirements. Procedure requirements may be waived; legal requirements may not.
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PROCUREMENT PROCEDURES
The Town has no procedure requirements for public works and building construction, so only
legal requirements apply.
Not all procurements are covered by these procedures. Procurements of supplies and services, as
well as public works and building construction are covered. However, acquisitions and
dispositions of interests in real property, and qualifications -based solicitations for Owner's
Project Managers and designers and for certain exempt services, e.g., trash collection, certain
student transportation services.
The principal statutes that apply to procurements under these procedures are M.G.L. c. 30B
(supplies and services), M.G.L. c. 149 (building construction) and M.G.L. c. 30, §39M
(construction other than buildings, a /k/a "public works" construction), and references to these
statutes are made where it is useful or appropriate.
Many forms are referred to in these procedures. Important forms are included as exhibits at the
end of this document.
While this document endeavors to answer the basic questions, anticipating them all would be
impossible. Please call the Procurement Office at (781) 942 -6696 with any and all questions or
comments. For information on procurement issues generally or for questions not addressed in
these procedures, consult two manuals published by the Massachusetts Office of the Inspector
General: The Chapter 30B Manual, Procuring Supplies, Services, and Real Property (11/16)
(supplies and services) and Designing and Constructing Public Facilities (9th ed.) (11/16)
(Construction). Both manuals are available on the Procurement Office page of the Town of
Reading's website: www.readinama.aov/procurement -office under links of interest. I expect the
manuals to be updated to reflect the changes passed with the Municipal Modernization Act.
3.1 PROCUREMENT OF SUPPLIES AND SERVICES (M.G.L. c. 30B)
Chapter 30B establishes procedures to follow for most agreements for acquisitions of supplies
and services, dispositions of surplus supplies, and real property acquisitions and dispositions by
local governmental bodies. Most local jurisdictions' agreements with vendors for supplies and
services, including agreements to buy, rent, lease, lease - purchase, or otherwise acquire supplies
or services, are subject to Chapter 30B. "Supplies" are defined in the law as all property, other
than real property, including equipment, materials, and printing and further including services
incidental to the delivery, conveyance and installation of such property. "Services" are defined as
the furnishing of labor, time, or effort by a contractor, not involving the furnishing of a specific
end product other than reports. Who pays is irrelevant to whether a contract is subject to Chapter
30B. The law applies to the total value of the contract when there is an agreement between a
local government and a vendor.
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PROCUREMENT PROCEDURES
CONTRACT VALUE
0- $9,999
$10,000 to $50,000
$50,000+
Sound business practices
Use a written purchase description to
Sealed bid process (IFB or RFP)
solicit written quotations from no fewer
than 3 persons who customarily provide
the supply or service
BID SPLITTING
No person shall cause or conspire to cause the splitting or division of any procurement for the
purpose of evading a requirement of these procedures or any statute.
3.1.1 PROCUREMENTS ESTIMATED TO COST LESS THAN $10,000 (OVER THE CONTRACT
TERM)
Procurement of supplies and services estimated to cost less than $10,000 must be conducted
using "sound business practices ". "Sound business practices" is defined as "ensuring the receipt
of a favorable price by periodically soliciting price lists or quotes." While the definition does not
require a formal competitive process for small procurements of less than $10,000, it requires
governmental bodies to ensure that they have received the needed quality of supplies and
services at a reasonable price. Sound reasoning could also consist of consideration of quality,
experience, or qualifications of vendor providing a service, availability, proximity of service, etc.
Therefore, for procurements of goods and services costing less than $10,000, departments must
periodically check price lists from competing vendors and purchase goods and services at the
lowest available price. The solicitation of quotes when possible is encouraged even for
procurements estimated to cost less than $10,000.
3.1.2 PROCUREMENTS ESTIMATED TO COST BETWEEN $10,000 TO $50,000
The procurement of supplies and services costing between $10,000 and $50,000 will require a
written purchase description to solicit at least three written quotations from potential vendors
who customarily supply the needed supply or service. Documentation of quotes solicited shall
be on a Quote Summary Sheet (Exhibit A). The contract must be awarded to the vendor
offering the lowest price who meets all of the specifications. A responsive and responsible
bidder is defined as a vendor who meets your quality requirements and offers you the lowest
price. Advertised notices and sealed submissions are not required. The requisition must be
accompanied by an original or scanned and signed Quote Summary Sheet (Exhibit A). The
department determines how quotes are solicited and when requisitions are submitted. Such
purchases may not be made without the issuance of a formal purchase order by the Town of
Reading. Any purchases made without a formal purchase order, which are not of an emergency
nature, shall not constitute official transactions of the Town of Reading.
One thing to note when preparing quotes: follow up on quote requests you make by email or fax
to make sure they have been received. It is always better to try and obtain at least four or five
quotes to have at least three to work with. If you solicit a quote but get no response, document
that fact in writing so Procurement knows you have endeavored to obtain at least three quotes.
All requests for quotes should be documented, successful or not.
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PROCUREMENT PROCEDURES
All contracts in the amount of $10,000 or more shall be in writing, and the governmental body
shall make no payment for a supply or service rendered prior to the execution of such contract.
You may use a PO as your contract for the purchase of goods provided the Town has the original
PO on file signed by the vendor. For service contracts or construction projects the Town must
have a signed contract with the vendor. In general, contracts supplied by our vendors are written
for the benefit of the vendor. Any new contract should be referred to experienced counsel. A
certificate of insurance from the vendor must be included for all service contracts. Refer to
Exhibit H for an example.
After the contract is signed by the vendor and Town Manager and returned to the Procurement
Office, the Procurement Office will deliver one original to the department head or designee that
originated the procurement, mail one original to the vendor and send the third original to the
Finance Office. A fully signed copy of the contract and certificate of insurance liability will be
filed in the Procurement Office and on Laserfiche. The Procurement Office will ensure that the
vendors insurance is compliant at the time the contract is executed. Please note it is the
responsibility of the originating department to ensure throughout the contract term that the
insurance is up to date before and while any work commences.
3.1.3 PROCUREMENTS ESTIMATED TO COST OVER $50,000
An Invitation for Bids (IFB) and Requests for Proposals (RFP) are used for procurements of
$50,000 or more and are administered in their entirety by the Procurement Office. Unlike
requests for quotes, which can be done relatively quickly, IFBs and RFPs will take a minimum of
a month from start to finish. An IFB should be used for all procurements of goods and services
in circumstances where award to the bidder offering the lowest price is preferred. If the
department has determined that consideration of factors other than price is important, a RFP
should be used. The RFP process is the only procurement method that allows the Town to award
a proposal based on what is determined to be in the best interests of the Town, taking into
consideration both price and the evaluation of criteria set forth in the RFP. No department may
utilize the RFP process, however, unless the Chief Procurement Officer has determined in
writing that factors other than price are important considerations.
3.1.4 IFB/RFP PROCESS
Although procurements will differ, the Procurement Office requires that the typical IFB /RFP
conform to the following:
1. An IFB or RFP is initiated when a department fills out a standard Bid Request Form
(Exhibit B). Ask the Procurement Office for help to answer any of the required
information. The 2nd page has an area for the Procurement Office to insert the
procurement number, the Release Date, the Pre -Bid Meeting Date (optional) and the
Opening Date. This form is the Procurement Office's reference for the advertisement: if
MASSDOT, DCAMM, or other information is incorrect, the advertisement will be
incorrect, so please take the time to answer all parts of the Bid Request Form accurately.
Also confirm that the account number(s) contain sufficient funds for the procurement. If
the account is yet to be funded, please let us know. Incomplete forms will be returned to
the department, which may result in a delay in issuing the IFB or RFP.
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2. Space provided for the procurement description is limited, but it should be clear whether
the procurement is a construction project or the purchase of a supply or non - construction
service as this will determine the applicable law. If you have any questions, call the
Procurement Office. An original hard copy Bid Request Form must be signed the
department head. Unsigned forms or forms with a photocopy or scanned signature will
not initiate the procurement. The original form is reviewed, and completed by the
Procurement Office. A procurement file is opened, the advertisement is prepared and the
procurement is assigned a bid number. The Procurement Office's deadline to submit ads
is 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday's for the Reading Chronicle (local newspaper), Goods &
Services Bulletin or Central Register (state publications) for publication the following
week. A notice of the pending bid is also posted outside the Town Clerk's Office. The
ads and the notice must appear at least 2 full weeks before the IFB or RFP is opened.
3. It is the responsibility of the employee initiating the purchase to include a detailed scope
of work, specifications and minimum qualification specifics to the bid /contract being
solicited prior to the IFB /RFP being submitted to the Procurement Office.
4. Dates for bid release, any pre -bid meeting, and bid opening will then be established.
ONLY the Procurement Office sets these dates.
5. The Procurement Office will advertise the project as necessary in the required bulletins,
newspaper and COMMBUYS. The invoice for the advertisement will be sent to the
originating department for payment. The funds will be deducted from the initiating
department's budget according to the budget line indicated on the Bid Request Form.
6. Completed bid documents must be emailed as a single file in Microsoft Word format
to nurchasinga- ci. reading. ma.us no later than 3:00 p.m. on the Friday prior to the
release date.
7. The Procurement Office templates are to be used at all times. If you create your own
template or use an old document and then send it to the Procurement Office, you run the
risk of having it delayed and /or returned to be updated to conform to the Town's current
format.
8. The Procurement Office will request a Suggested Vendors List (Exhibit F) from the
project manager to ensure the bid is sent to any vendors of the project manager's choice.
9. Since the RFP process allows the Town to award a contract to someone other than the
lowest price proposer, the department head must send with the Bid Request Form a
justification to the Certified Procurement Officer (CPO) explaining why a low bid IFB is
not appropriate for the procurement.
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10. If a Pre -Bid Meeting or Mandatory Pre -Bid Meeting* is scheduled, the project manager,
or someone designated by the project manager, must attend to chair the meeting and
respond to questions. A member of the Procurement Office will also be present.
Although bidders may ask questions and receive answers at a pre -bid, they may not rely
on any information provided unless it is a response to a written question submitted to
purchasing @ci.reading.ma.us. An addendum will be issued setting forth the questions
and the Town's answers. This assures that all bidders have the same information and
none has an unfair advantage.
11. If, for any reason, a bid must be cancelled that has already been released or even opened,
send a notice to purchasing @ci.reading.ma.us. If the bid will be re -bid without changes,
you may use the same Bid Request Form. Otherwise, a new Bid Request Form and a
new procurement file number are required.
12. The Procurement Office will receive all questions from potential bidders. Only technical
questions will be sent to the department head via email to be answered and returned to the
Procurement Office so an addendum can be issued.
It is the responsibility of the department to perform reference checks on conforming bids or
proposals to ensure that vendors or contractors are responsible and responsive. Any bids or
proposals received from vendors that are deemed to be not responsible or not responsive must be
rejected.
* The Pre -Bid Meeting is an opportunity for potential bidders to see a job site and /or to ask
specific questions. Generally, the meeting should not be mandatory unless there is a compelling
reason to make it so. If you think there is a compelling reason, provide written justification to
the CPO with the Bid Request Form. This is because a mandatory Pre -Bid has the effect of
limiting competition since only those attending are eligible to submit a bid. If you are not sure if
a Pre -Bid should be mandatory, contact the Procurement Office.
4. PURCHASING THROUGH STATE CONTRACTS, AND COOPERATIVE
CONTRACTS, ETC.
1. Read and comply with the contract user guide instructions for use. User guides for state
contracts can be found at http: / /www.mass.gov /anf /budget- taxes -and-
nrQcu rem entlurocurement- info - and- res /buv- from -a- state- contract/statewide-contract-
user- guides.html. The Contract User Guide is intended to make it easier for users to
understand the components of the contract, make informed decisions and place orders
easily. If you have any questions, please contact the Procurement Office.
2. Reference the state or contract number when communicating with the seller.
3. Departments may still be are required to solicit at least three (3) quotes from contractors
even if it is part of the state or cooperative contract. The user guides specify instructions
for making purchases.
4. Vendors on state contracts and using cooperative contracts still need to have a written
contract with Town of Reading with the state contract number or cooperative contract
listed on the contract and must be signed like any other procurement contract.
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5. The originating department needs to review the quotes they have received and ensure it
correlates with the pricing in the cooperative or state bid. Do not assume the vendor has
provided you with the correct pricing.
6. The Procurement Office will require a copy of the documents, quotes, etc. required by the
state contract and or cooperative contracts to receive authorization of your requisition.
5. PREVAILING WAGE
All contracts for public works services or construction contracts require the contractor to pay prevailing
wage to their employees. The Town must provide the prevailing wage rates with the bid solicitation. The
Procurement Office will request the official wage rates based upon the information found on the Bid
Request Form. Each prevailing wage rate sheet applies only to the public construction project for
which it is issued. Page one of each wage sheet lists the specifics of the rates, be sure to read it
for each project. The prevailing wage rates for each construction project are in effect for 90 days
from the date of issue. Projects not bid within 90 days of the issued rates will require the
awarding authority to request new prevailing wage rates. Once a project has been bid, the
prevailing wage rate will apply for the duration of any contracts which result from that bid,
except in the case of multi -year projects. For projects lasting more than one year, the awarding
authority must request annual updates to the wage schedules. Please contact the Procurement
Office for updated rates for your multi -year contracts if needed.
Please ensure your contractor posts the prevailing wage sheets on -site. The contractor (general
and subs) are required to submit weekly payroll reports to the Town of Reading for the duration
of the project. The originating department must ensure the contractors are compliant and
maintain such records in their office. Payment of invoices to the contractors should be
dependent upon prior receipt of the certified payroll records. Please view M.G.L. for the record
retention requirements.
6. BIDS PREPARED BY AN ARCHITECT OR ENGINEER
Sometimes the Town engages an architect, engineer, or other design professional to handle the
procurement. If so, the design professional often prepares the Scope of Work for the Town's bid
document or they handle entire bidding process. Note that the design professional is not
authorized to change the title of the project or modify the bid document without first discussing
the modification with the Procurement Office. The design professional should send any and all
procurements and edits highlighted in the bid document electronically to
nurchasing&gi.readin .ma.us in one (1) Microsoft Word format file for processing. Any
drawings /plans must be sent to nurchasingvna.ci.readin .ma.Us in PDF format.
The Procurement Office will add the prevailing wage schedule, and include any new forms so
that the new bid document can be posted to our website. Any pre -bid meeting date and time will
also be posted to our website along with any DCAMM or MassDOT information provided in the
bid.
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7. ADDENDA
To ensure all potential bidders receive the same information, once a bid document is released,
ALL QUESTIONS regarding a bid must be directed to the Procurement Office via email to
nurchasin„g&ci.reading ma.us. The Procurement Office will answer administrative questions and
forward all technical questions to the department head or designee via email. Project managers,
architects, engineers and all other employees are not to answer any questions about the bid from
either the general public or interested bidders prior to the bid opening date. Bidders may and
will ask questions at pre -bids, but they should be reminded that the Town is not bound by any
oral answer given unless it is also submitted to the Procurement Office Department in writing.
The Procurement Office will collect all questions until the cut -off date for questions in the IFB or
RFP. Collected questions will be distributed by the Procurement and forward them
electronically to the project manager and architect for answers to be inserted. Once answered,
the Procurement Office will create an addendum and electronically release it to those on the bid
list. Addenda will also be posted on our website. Procurements may require more than one
addendum.
8. SOLE SOURCE PROCUREMENT
"Sole source" procurement is a purchase of supplies or services without advertising or
competition. M.G.L. c. 30B, § 7 places strict limitations on sole source procurements. You may
make sole source procurements of a supply or service when a reasonable investigation shows that
there is only one practicable source for the desired supply or service. Your determination that
only one practicable source exists must be made in writing. The essence of the certification is "I
have investigated the marketplace and determined there is no benefit to bidding since there is
only one vendor that offers what I want."
There is much confusion around sole source procurements. A sole source procurement is not
valid "because I like working with this company" or "because we always buy from them."
You may make a sole source procurement of not more than $50,000 for any supply or service
when a reasonable investigation shows that there is only one practicable source. Your
determination that only one practicable source exists must be in writing on a Sole Source
Request and Declaration Form (Exhibit C). It is your responsibility to certify to the CPO that
this is the only company that can provide the supply or service you require. The statute says that
"the procurement officer determines in writing," so the CPO is relying on your representation by
personally certifying to what it is you have done and what you have concluded. M.G.L. c.30B,
§7(a).
The Sole Source Request and Declaration Form consists of 3 sections, as follows:
1. Describe the supply /service. the amount and the start and end date for the procurement. For
example, if you wish to purchase a $25,000 Bobcat sidewalk plow in November that is the only
sidewalk plow small enough to fit many of our sidewalks that are only 20" wide, this would be a
one -time purchase in this fiscal year. Your description would be: "Bobcat sidewalk plow with a
maximum blade span of 20 ", your amount would be $25,000, your start date would be 11/1/16
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and your end date 11/30/16.
2. Describe your investigation into whether there is another source for this type of sidewalk
plow. Check the internet, catalogs, plow companies you do business with, etc. Your explanation
here would be a summary of the scope of your investigation and your determination that Bobcat
is the only company reasonably accessible to the TOWN OF READING that manufactures a
sidewalk plow with a maximum blade span of 20 ". Include any other information (e.g., that you
need a modification to an existing asset that cannot be supplied by anyone but the original
vendor) that limits the scope of your investigation.
3. State the reason(s) for your conclusion that the named vendor is the onlxpracticable source.
Your conclusion must be supported by a recent (60 days or less) letter from the manufacturer
stating that it is the manufacturer and sole distributor of an item, e.g., a 20" sidewalk plow. This
letter must be dated, signed and attached to the Declaration form.
If the manufacturer cannot provide this letter because the item is sold through other distributors
across the country, it is not a sole source. You would then need to find at least two other vendors
and solicit quotes or bids.
You may make sole source procurements of $50,000 or more for the following:
• Education materials
• Library books
• Software maintenance
• Procurements from regulated industry companies (i.e., any utility companies subject to
regulation by the Department of Public Utilities)
Even though you are allowed to go above $50,000 when making procurements such as these, you
must still follow the procedures set forth above.
For supplies /services over $50,000 that do not fall into the categories listed above, you must go
out to bid, even if you have determined there is only one practicable source.
If your product description is too specific, you may have a proprietary specification which is
subject to certain rules. M.G.L. c. 30B, § 14. If you think this may be an issue, contact the
Procurement Office.
9. PROMPT PAY DISCOUNTS (PPDS)
A PPD is a discount a vendor is willing to give in exchange for payment within a specified
number of days. We consider PPDs "found money ".
When we put out an RFP or IFB, our standard form asks bidders if they offer a PPD. Most
vendors do not offer one, but in some instances the winning bidder does.
It is a good idea to get acquainted with the companies you deal with that offer PPDs and process
their invoices quickly.
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10. VENDOR NUMBERS
Requisitions are created by departments and submitted to the Procurement Office for approval.
A requisition cannot be created without a vendor number. The Finance Department assigns a
vendor number based on the department's request and its submission of the vendor's IRS Form
W -9. Numbers are assigned to vendors, so that all future procurements from that vendor are
done under that vendor number. It is possible that some vendors may have multiple vendor
numbers. These may be specific to their location or service /supplies offered. An example of this
would be Ricoh. Ricoh has one vendor number for machine purchases and lease payments and a
different vendor number for supplies and maintenance agreements.
Before submitting a request, please make sure to check in Munis to see if the person or company
for which you intend to file a request already has a vendor number. Search by last name for a
person, e.g., *GREENBLATT *. If looking for a company, pick the most unique word to search,
i.e. Central Ceilings, Inc. would be *CEILINGS *.
If you search for a vendor and the exact name comes up and it is unique, i.e. Alexander Bushnell,
but it has a different address, check by calling the vendor to see if it has moved. If so, you just
need to do an address change.
A sample of the most recent W -9 (Exhibit I), is included in these procedures and is available
electronically by request to purchasing„,&ci.reading.ma.us.
11. TAX EXEMPT CERTIFICATES
There are two types of tax exempt certificates: Form ST -5, Sales Tax Exempt Purchase
Certificate and ST -5C, contractors and sub - contractor's Sales Tax Exempt Purchase Certificate.
Both are MassDOR forms that certify that the Town is a municipal entity not subject to sales
taxes. These certificates are issued by the Finance Department for a vendor or by a department
on the vendor's behalf. When a vendor presents our certificate to be used on a Town contract,
the merchant cannot charge sales tax.
All department requests for tax exempt certificates should include the following information:
1. Name of the company (vendor requesting the certificate)
2. Full address
3. Email address, phone # and fax number
4. Reason for requesting certificate, i.e. blanket order, contract #, purchase order # or even a
single item
The Finance Department will complete and sign the necessary form and return it to the vendor.
We do not give departments blank tax exempt certificates to fill out.
If anyone requests an ST -2 (Certificate of Exemption), it will be provided along with the ST -5.
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12. REQUISITIONS, PURCHASE ORDERS, AND FUNDING
A requisition is a request by a department to purchase a specified supply or service input into
Munis. The department head or designated support staff will complete a requisition in Munis.
The requisition should have documentation of sound business practice used or the details of the
solicitation of quotes, bids or proposals, copy of the contract etc. attached depending on the
various types of procurement utilized and the dollar amount.
The department head is accountable for the complete appropriation of funds at the time of the
requisition entry and the availability of funding. After a requisition is approved, it is converted
to a purchase order, which is an instruction to a vendor by a department to provide the approved
supply or service. The majority of requisitions are converted to purchase orders within 3 days of
the creation of requisition by the department. Purchase orders initiate procurement; they are not
used to pay bills.
12.1 ANTICIPATE PURCHASING NEEDS
All employees are responsible for anticipating needs and services in a timely manner to allow
compliance with all procurement laws.
12.2 IDENTIFY OPPORTUNITIES TO CONSOLIDATE PURCHASES
Office furniture - All requests for new or replacement office furniture will be forwarded to the
Facilities Department for approval before a purchase is undertaken. The Facilities office will be
responsible for maintaining a list of surplus and /or underutilized office furniture within Town
government to assure that unnecessary purchases are not made.
Computer supplies and equipment - All purchases of computer supplies and computer
hardware will be coordinated by the Information Technology (IT) Department in Administrative
Services. All requests for these supplies or equipment should be forwarded to this unit before
purchases are made by any Town department. The IT Department will maintain a list of surplus
equipment.
Department heads should also attempt to utilize state or cooperative purchasing through regional
and state associations when possible.
12.3 PURCHASE ORDERS
Department heads shall be responsible for the control and issuance of all purchase orders in their
department. A purchase order must be issued for each purchase of a supply or service.
Upon the award of any contract, a requisition should be entered by the Department to encumber
the funds necessary to pay the contract. The purchase order number should be provided to the
vendor to be referenced on invoices they submit to the Town for payment. If you are using the
PO as your contract, the PO must be signed by the vendor and kept on file internally.
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12.4 BLANKET PURCHASE ORDERS
Blanket purchase orders may be used in order to avoid issuing a large number of town purchase
orders to the same vendor(s) for the same commodities. Upon determining that a blanket
purchase order is warranted, due to the common supply needs of several town departments, you
may solicit quotations or competitive bids from qualified vendors. After reviewing the price
quotations for the items to be provided, you can place the order with the responsible vendor
offering the lowest unit price for the supply or commodity to be purchased. If more than one
item or commodity is to be purchased on a single blanket purchase order, you should award the
entire order to the vendor who offers the lowest unit price on the items to be purchased in the
largest volumes.
13. CHANGE ORDERS AND INCREASES ON ACTIVE CONTRACTS
It often happens that an estimate does not fully anticipate what will actually be needed under a
contract. Fortunately, the statutes allow for adjustments to existing contracts. The rules are
different for construction contracts under c. 149 or c. 30, §39M and contracts for supplies and
services under c. 30B. Changes to construction contracts are called change orders and they can
amend the scope of work and contract price by adding or subtracting work at mutually agreed upon
prices. However, if the change is an increase to a set unit - priced (per ton, per hour, and so forth)
supply or service, only the quantity but not the unit price can be changed.
13.1 INCREASES ON ACTIVE CONTRACTS
Changes to c. 30B contracts are called increases, and they can only increase the quantity of the
supply or service on the same terms as underlying contract provided that the following four
conditions are met:
1. the unit prices remain the same or less;
2. the procurement officer documents in writing that an increase is necessary to fulfill the actual
needs of the local jurisdiction and is more economical and practical than awarding another
contract;
3. the parties agree to the increase in writing; and
4. the cost of the increase does not exceed 25 percent of the contract price
If you have procured multiple items (for example, desks, chairs and file cabinets) under a single
office equipment contract, and you need to purchase additional desks, your purchase limit is 25
percent of the total contract price for all of the items purchased, not 25 percent of the total price of
the desks purchased under the contract. (Increases and change orders should not be confused with
extensions. Extensions are contractual rights to renew a contract term and are specifically
provided for in the initial IFB or RFP.)
Contracts for the purchase of gasoline, special fuel, oil, road salt and other ice and snow control
supplies are not subject to the 25 percent limitation. However, you must meet the first three
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conditions listed above before purchasing additional supplies under the existing contract.
13.2 CHANGE ORDERS
For construction contracts, M.G.L. c.30, §39 states that any change to a construction contract can
only be made in a written document signed by a person duly authorized by the Town. Like the
Bid Request Form, it must be signed by the Department Head and submitted to the Procurement
Office Department. If the certification is proper in form, the Procurement Office will sign the
Change Order and so that the originating department can send it to the contractor for their
signature. Upon return it is executed by the CPO, the Town Accountant and the Town
Manager —in the same manner as the original contract. Under no circumstances is it appropriate
for any person acting on his or her own to seek to unilaterally modify a construction contract.
Any such attempt to modify is of no legal effect and vendors cannot be paid for work done in
reliance on the modification. Other consequences are possible liability to the Town, a surety's
refusal to pay under an invalid contract, or a claim against the person by the contractor for
misrepresenting his or her authority.
14. PROPRIETARY SPECIFICATIONS
Although the construction, supplies and services bid laws are premised on fair and open
competition, they do allow the use of so- called "proprietary" specifications under certain
circumstances. A proprietary specification either uses a specific brand name or is written so
restrictively that only one vendor or manufacturer can supply the desired service or item. For
example, the Town may have standard door hardware (which it procured through a bid process)
and wants to inventory the same brand hardware for replacements and repairs. Because such
specifications use a brand name or are written in a way that only one vendor can bid, they are
presumptively anticompetitive and the statutes require a written justification for their use. The
written justification is to be available to the public on request. Departments that include
proprietary items in their IFBs or RFPs must provide the Procurement Office with a signed,
credible written justification for their use prior to the bid release explaining why no other
description will suffice. (Remember, competitors and vendors have the right to look at it.) If you
have not given the Procurement Office the written justification, your bid release may be delayed.
Note that even if you use a proprietary specification, you still have to go out to bid.
15. TOWN CREDIT CARD
The Town credit card (P Card) is managed by the Treasury Office. Please contact the
Treasury's Office to receive the card and for the procedure regarding its use for town purchases.
16. SURPLUS PROPERTY
From time to time, the Town of Reading finds it necessary to dispose of materials, equipment,
etc. that are no longer needed or useful. The following procedure outlines the process to be
followed in the disposition of surplus items after the originating department has offered the
item(s) for repurposing to other departments within the Town of Reading. This procedure
applies to all items having resale or salvage value regardless of dollar amount. Please note goods
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owned by the Town are never to be given to individuals.
Massachusetts General Laws c30B, § 15 provides for a governmental body to dispose of a
tangible supply, no longer useful to the governmental body, but having resale or salvage value.
These rules apply to all tangible surplus supplies with a resale or salvage value including motor
vehicles, machinery, computer equipment, furniture, and other materials and items.
The General Bylaws of the Town of Reading 6.2 Disposal of surplus property outline the
procedure of items with an estimated value up to $5,000.
The bylaw shall not apply to the disposition of old books, magazines, periodicals, recordings and
printed materials in the custody of the Board of Library Trustees. Such disposition may be made
at the discretion of the Board of Library Trustees.
In order to follow the appropriate steps you must first make a determination of its value. The
declared value determines the procedure that must be followed.
PROCEDURE:
No tangible surplus items owned by the Town of Reading shall be sold or otherwise disposed of
except upon the written recommendation of the respective Division Director/ Department Head
to the Town Manager. The written recommendation shall include a specific description (as much
detail as possible) of the item to be disposed of including relevant make, model number, serial
number, vehicle identification number, etc. The written recommendation is also to include
justification/reason for the request.
The Town Manager shall review the written recommendation and make an initial determination
of its merits.
Upon the Town Manager's approval, the written recommendation shall be added to a warrant
article at the next town meeting or forwarded to the Finance Committee for final review and
approval. As a general rule, surplus is approved for sale or disposal at the Town's annual or
special town meeting.
After the item has been approved for disposition, please submit the "Surplus Property Form ",
Exhibit D to the Procurement Office. Sufficient information and photographs should be
provided to allow for inspection of a potential buyer of the surplus item. The form gives the
Procurement Office the necessary information to offer the item(s) for auction and disposal. The
Procurement Office will require the list and photographs of the items to sell a minimum of 30
calendar days prior to the items needing to be removed from your site. This timeframe allows
for advertising requirements and the buyer time to make payment and pick the item up. Please
note, MGL c30B requires that surplus items above $10,000 in value be advertised at least 14
calendar days prior to the bid opening or auction closing.
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Value over $10,000
The sale of all surplus items with a value above $10,000 shall be conducted by sealed bids or
public auction in accordance with MGL c3013.
Charitable Donations
Surplus items with an estimated net value of $5,000 or less may be disposed of at less than fair
market value to any organization that has an IRS tax exempt status by reason of its charitable
nature without town meeting approval.
Trade -Ins
Surplus supplies can be traded in as part of a Chapter 30B bid or proposal process. However,
Chapter 30B does not permit trade -ins as part of a quote process unless the value of the supplies
is less than $10,000 and your local jurisdiction's written procedures specify that trade -ins are
permissible. Our local bylaw states you can trade the item in using a quote process with items
that have.value up to $5,000 only.
17. EMPLOYEE REIMBURSEMENTS
An employee wishing to purchase a supply or service and request reimbursement must first
receive authorization from his or her Department head. The department heads prior approval
must be attached to the Expenditure Reimbursement Form.
18. SPECIAL APPROVAL — IT PURCHASES
The IT Department must approve all purchases of computers and computer equipment prior to
the purchase being made.
19. EMERGENCY PROCUREMENTS`
M.G.L. c. 30 B
Emergencies may require expedited procurements. If the time required to comply fully with
Chapter 30B would endanger the health or safety of people or their property due to an unforeseen
emergency, you may procure the needed item or service without complying with all of Chapter
3013's requirements. Even under emergency circumstances, however, you must comply with
Chapter 30B to the extent possible. For example, if you do not have time to advertise for two
weeks, you can shorten the advertising period; or, if you have no time to advertise, you can
solicit quotes. You may procure only those supplies or services necessary to meet the emergency.
A local jurisdiction may not artificially create an emergency by postponing normal purchases. If
you had reason to know in advance that you needed the supplies or services and you failed to act
until the need became critical, you will have difficulty justifying an emergency procurement.
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Invoking the emergency procedures in the absence of a genuine emergency could invalidate your
contract.
For c. 30B procurements, the Procurement Office must maintain a record of each emergency
procurement, documenting the basis that an emergency exists, the name of the vendor, and the
emergency procurement amount. Notice of the emergency procurement must be published as
soon as possible to the Goods and Services Bulletin. To assure these requirements are met, the
Procurement Office must receive a copy of a completed and signed Emergency Procurement
Data Sheet, and example of which is provided as Exhibit E, before a requisition is approved.
M.G.L. c. 149 or M.G.L. c. 30, § 39M
For the emergency procurement of construction services under c. 149 or c. 30, §39M, prior
written approval of DCAMM is required. Thus, where a road has collapsed or the Town needs to
secure a burned or destroyed Town building, and only an immediate repair will protect life and
property, the Town must submit a written request explaining the nature of the emergency and
what if any steps it will take to get a best value price. DCAMM is both responsive and
reasonable in granting waivers as long as the documentation requirements are met. An example
letter you may use to request the approval of DCAMM as Exhibit G.
20. CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION
A written contract is required by M.G.L. c. 30B, § 17 for any procurement costing more than
$10,000. The Town Manager is the only authorized individual to sign contracts on behalf of the
Town of Reading. It is the responsibility of the department to provide the Procurement Office
with proper specifications for bids or a detailed scope of services setting forth a clear description
of goods and services to be procured. The scope of services must be provided before issuing the
appropriate procurement document and must be incorporated into the written contract.
Be sure to keep records in your project file on the contractor's performance (pictures, examples
of poor performance).
20.1 MULTI- YEAR CONTRACTS
M.G.L. Chapter 30 B § 12 (b) Unless authorized at town meeting, the Town shall not award a
contract for a term exceeding three years, including any renewal, extension, or option.
20.2 PROFESSIONAL SERVICE CONTRACTS
In cases where the Town of Reading has engaged the services of a professional service firm, or
an individual consultant, for an unspecified level of service, detailed statements of time and
expenses shall be rendered to the Town of Reading on a monthly basis. Each statement shall
contain the most recent month's detailed charges, and fiscal year -to -date total charges. Invoices
for professional services provided under such agreements will not be processed for payment in
the absence of detailed time and expense statements.
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20.3 CONTROL PAYMENTS TO VENDORS
Payment to vendors shall not be made:
• without a valid purchase order;
• under a contract made in violation of these procedures;
• for a supply or service rendered prior to the execution of a valid contract; and
• in an amount in excess of that authorized by the contract. Ensure all invoices match your
contract terms and pricing details. Employees paying invoices must verify that the Town is
being charged for materials in accordance with the contract.
20.4 CONTROL CONTRACT EXTENSIONS AND RENEWALS
If a contract contains an option for renewal or extension, the exercise of the option shall be at the
sole discretion of the Town of Reading and shall not be subject to agreement or acceptance by
the vendor. No option shall be exercised unless the department head recommends in writing to
the Town Manager, after reasonable investigation of costs and benefits, that the exercise of the
option is more advantageous to the Town than alternate means of procuring comparable supplies
or services.
21. PROCUREMENT PROCEDURES FOR COMMUNITY PROJECTS
The Town not only has procedures for its own procurements, but also has procedures applicable
to private persons who receive public funds administered or awarded by the Town. The Town
also grants monies to private nonprofits for various community development purposes, mainly to
build and operate affordable housing. Funds for these projects come from HUD, Community
Preservation Act (CPA) grants, and other sources.
When it comes to spending the taxpayer money, no matter how little the amount and regardless
of whether or not the money comes from Reading residents, it is important to ensure that the
developer to whom the Town has granted funds uses sound business practices. The funding
agencies from which Reading receives the money have no specific procurement requirements;
HUD requires only that we follow "sound management practices." The Town has decided that it
is a sound management practice to require substantially similar processes for grants as it does
when spending its own funds.
Accordingly, when we undertake a building project or a nonprofit receives funds to renovate a
building for affordable housing, the following thresholds apply: up to $10,000, sound business
practices; $10,000450,000, solicit at least written 3 quotes; and over $50,000 sealed bids.
22. ENVIRONMENTAL PREFERABLE PRODUCTS
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The Town encourages environmentally preferable products, i.e., products or services that have
fewer negative or more positive effects on human health and the environment when compared
with competing products or services that serve the same purpose. The Town encourages bidders
to describe, in the space provided on the Bid Form, the environmental attributes of its goods or
services throughout the entire life- cycle, including manufacture, use, and disposition. This
information may include multiple environmental considerations such as natural resource use,
recycled content, energy and water efficiency, greenhouse gas emissions, impact on climate
change, packaging, hazardous material use, and health and safety impacts on workers, consumers
and the community. If the bidder does not currently assess such attributes, we ask them to please
indicate that on the bid form.
Bidders are encouraged also to provide information related to steps they take internally to:
(a) identify any positive or negative environmental attributes of products or services they offer,
as specified above, and
(b) insure that those attributes are being addressed as part of operations.
Like prompt pay discounts, the Town notes any responses at the bid opening; but, does not take
environmental sustainablity information into account when evaluating bid proposals.
23. INVITATION FOR BID (IFB)
1. If the procurement was done as an IFB the bids will be opened publicly by the
Procurement Office or designee who shall read aloud the name of the bidder and the
amount of the bid. The Procurement Office or designee shall note the bidders who have
presented a bid and the amount of the bid. LATE BIDS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
2. After the IFB opening the Procurement Office will type and scan the bid tabulation sheet
to the Department Head and upload the bidders list to the town's website.
3. The Department Head or designee will review the lowest bidder's documentation to
ensure they are the lowest responsible and responsive bidder. If the lowest bidder is not
responsible and or responsive make note of why the vendor is not responsive and /or
responsible and proceed to review the next lowest bidder.
4. Once a vendor has been determined, the Department Head or designee will notify the
Procurement Office of the winning bidder.
5. The Procurement Office will draft and send a notice of intent -to -award and contracts to
the responsive and responsible bidder.
6. Once the vendor has returned the signed contract to the Procurement Office, the
Procurement Office shall send the contract for final signatures to the Town Accountant
and Town Manager.
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7. After the contract is signed by the vendor and Town Manager, the Procurement Office
will deliver one original to the department head or designee that originated the
procurement, mail one original to the vendor and send the third original to the Finance
Office. A fully signed copy of the contract and certificate of insurance liability will be
filed in the Procurement Office and on Laserfiche. The Procurement Office will ensure
that the vendors insurance is compliant at the time the contract is executed. Please note it
is the responsibility of the originating department to ensure throughout the contract term
that the insurance is up to date before and while any work commences.
8. All invoices for advertising the IFB will be paid by the requesting department within their
appropriate line item.
24. REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)
1. If the procurement was handled as a RFP the Procurement Office will receive all
proposals. After the RFP deadline has passed the Department Head shall pick up the
non - technical proposals from the Procurement Office.
2. The Department Head and or review committee shall review the proposals within two to
ten business days.
3. After the Department Head or designee have reviewed the proposals, selected the most
advantageous proposer and completed the RFP evaluation all documents shall be returned
to the Procurement Office.
4. The Procurement Office will draft and send a Notice of Intent of Award to the most
advantageous proposer.
5. The Procurement Office will update the final contract with the details supplied (amount,
scope of work, and specifications).
6. Once the vendor has returned the signed contract to the Procurement Office, the
Procurement Office shall send the contract for final signatures by the Town Accountant
and Town Manager.
7. After the contract is signed by the vendor and Town Manager, the Procurement Office
will deliver one original to the department head or designee that originated the
procurement, mail one original to the vendor and send the third original to the Finance
Office. A fully signed copy of the contract and certificate of insurance liability will be
filed in the Procurement Office and on Laserfiche. The Procurement Office will ensure
that the vendors insurance is compliant at the time the contract is executed. Please note it
is the responsibility of the originating department to ensure throughout the contract term
that the insurance is up to date before and while any work commences.
8. All invoices for advertising the RFP will be paid by the requesting department within
their appropriate line item.
_ __ 26IPage
EXHIBIT A
QUOTE SUMMARY SIIEET
Use this form for the purchase of supplies and services from $10,000 to $50,000. The original of this form, a copy of
the contract between Town & Vendor and any supporting pages must be filed with the Procurement Office.
SECTION 1:
Name: Today's Date:
(Quotes requested by)
VENDOR AWARDED
DATE AWARDED AWARDED AMOUNT
SECTION 2:
SPECIFICATIONS SENT TO VENDORS - Description of goods or services to be purchased § 7 (Attach additional
pages wherever necessary). Be sure to send the same written purchase description to each vendor and include:
• quality, performance or experience standards that the vendor must meet;
• actual or estimated quantities;
• service and warranty terms;
• sampling, inspection and test criteria;
• delivery terms or performance deadlines. (prices must include delivery and any freight charges)
SECTION 3:
Please choose one or more of the options below:
Written quotations from no fewer than 3 vendors who customarily provide the supply or service were sought
Reference number of state contract § 1(c) (e.g. FAC85)
You must comply with all the terms written in the state and validate pricing. Some state contracts still require
multiple quotes to be sought and additional terms. Please refer to the contracts user guide or contact the Procurement
Office if you are unsure of the terms of the contract.
Reference number and name of the cooperative supply agreement§ § 1(f) and 22:
(e.g. MHEC G02):
You must comply with all the terms written in the cooperative contract and validate pricing. Please contact the
Procurement Office if you are unsure of the terms of the contract.
Sole Source Request (Sole Source Request and Declaration form attached) § 7
Emergency Procurement (Emergency Procurement Data Sheet attached) § 8
SECTION 3:
Names and address of all vendors from whom quotes were sought.
1)
Name of Vendor
Address of Vendor
Date Quote Received
Did the vendor submit a quote? Yes / No
Amount of Quote
Explain if Non Responsive (Vendor did not meet quality and or experience requirements)
271 Page
�q
(Explain on back of form or attach additional pages wherever necessary)
2)
Name of Vendor
Address of Vendor
Date Quote Received
Did the vendor submit a quote? Yes / No
Amount of Quote
Explain if Non Responsive (Vendor did not meet quality and or experience requirements)
(Explain on back of form or attach additional pages wherever necessary)
I
4)
Name of Vendor
Address of Vendor
Date Quote Received
Name of Vendor
Address of Vendor
Date Quote Received
;14
Did the vendor submit a quote? Yes / No
Amount of Quote
Did the vendor submit a quote? Yes / No
Amount of Quote
Explain if Non Responsive (Vendor did not meet quality and or experience requirements)
(Explain on back of form or attach additional pages wherever necessary)
SECTION 4:
Award the contract to the responsible offeror offering the needed quality of the supply or service at the best price.
A responsible offeror has the capacity, reliability and integrity to perform the contract.
APPROVAL - I certify that I am not aware of any violations of Chapter 268A (ethics issues) regarding this
procurement. I am not aware of any potential conflict of interest that I have not already disclosed to the Procurement
Officer.
Signature - Employee completing this form
Signature - Department Head
Date Date
Keep the following records in your file for 6 years after the last payment on the contract is made:
Written contract (All written contracts must be signed by the Town Manager)
Names and addresses of all vendors from whom quotes were sought
Your written purchase description
Name of all vendors submitting quotes (including date of quote and amount
281Page
EXHIBIT B
BID/RFP /RFQ REQUEST FORM
Email the completed Bid Request Form to purchasing @ci.reading.ma.us
Previous Bid#
Project Manager
Description of Project:
Estimated Contract Cost: $
Project Title:
Anticipated Start Date:
Contract Term:
Options to renew:
Pre -bid Information Meeting Required:
Pre -Bid Meeting Date:
Phone
Email
PROJECT INFORMATION
End Date:
Fiscal Calendar
None 1 Year 2 Years
Yes No
Location:
ORG & OBJ #s for Project:
ORG & OBJ #'s for Advertising:
Grant Funding: Yes No
Stimulus Funding: Yes No
Could the CONTRACTOR'S employees have unsupervised contact with children, the disabled, or the elderly during the
performance of their work under this Contract? Yes No if yes, a CORI and SORI will be required.
Special Instructions:
What type of contract are you procuring:
SUPPLIES and SERVICES M.G.L. c. 30 B (Over $50,000)
PUBLIC WORKS (NON BUILDING) CONSTRUCTION (with labor) M.G.L. 30, § 39M
Chapter 90 Funding: Yes No
if yes, have you followed all of requirements to fulfill their funding requirements Yes No
(e.g. Mass Highway Pre - qualification Form Required)
Price Adjustment Required: Yes No If yes, circle each: Gas / Diesel / Portland Cement / Liquid Asphalt / Steel
Drawings/Plans: Yes No # of Pages
BUILDING CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS M.G.L. 149
Construction/Facility improvements with a cost of $100,000 or more will mandate the implementation of DCAM procedures. DCAM
Certified Contractor Required: Yes No
Filed Sub Bids: Yes No
Drawings/Plans: Yes No # of Pages
Category of Work: Trades:
ALTERNATES: Yes
How many (list in order of priority):
Department Head Approval
Im
Date
291Page
�� 3
PROCUREMENT OFFICE USE ONLY
Previous Bid No.:
New Bid No.:
Prevailing Wage Rates Required (yes / no):
Bid Bond - Required (yes / no):
Payment Bond - Required (yes / no):
Performance Bond - Required (yes / no):
DATES AND TIMES
Release Date:
Pre -Bid Meeting Required (yes / no):
Mandatory Meeting Required (yes / no):
Advertising Required (yes / no): Circle all that apply
COMMBUYS Reading Chronicle Bulletin Board
Date and Time of Bid /RFP Opening:
Opening Location:
Notes
Website Central Register Goods & Services
301Page
Name
EXHIBIT C
SOLE SOURCE REQUEST and DECLARATION
Today's Date:
(Person completing this form)
VENDOR NAME:
ADDRESS:
TELEPHONE NO: EMAIL ADDRESS:
DOLLAR AMOUNT
You may award a sole- source contract of less than $50,000 if a reasonable investigation indicates that there is only one
practicable source for the supply or service you are procuring. In this case, you need not seek competitive quotes.
Please describe the supplies or services procured:
Start Date of Procurement Investigation
End Date of Procurement Investigation
You may not make a sole - source procurement of $50,000 or more except for the following:
1. Software maintenance, library books and educational materials: You may make noncompetitive purchases in any amount
for software maintenance; library books; school textbooks; or educational programs, courses or curricula in any media,
including educational software, newspapers, serials, periodicals and audiovisual materials, if you determine in writing, after
reasonable investigation, that there is only one practicable source for the items
2. Utilities: You may make noncompetitive purchases of water, gas, electricity, sewer and telephone services in any amount
from a regulated industry company if you determine in writing that there is only one practicable source for the services.
Please describe the basis and your investigation for your determination that only one practicable source exists:
Your determination must be supported by a letter form the vendor dated no more than 60 days from the date
confirming that it is the sole source for the supply or service described above.
Contracts for energy or energy - related services are exempt from Chapter 3013; however, for the contract to be exempt, within
15 days of contract execution, a governmental body must submit a copy of the energy or energy- related contract and a report
of the process used to execute the contract to the Department of Public Utilities, the Department of Energy Resources, and
the Office of the Inspector General. M.G.L. c. 3013, § 1(b)(33).
APPROVAL - I certify that I am not aware of any violations of Chapter 268A (ethics issues) regarding this procurement. I
am not aware of any potential conflict of interest that I have not already disclosed to the Procurement Officer
Signature - Employee completing this form
Signature - Department Head
311Page
s_a,1�73
TOWN OF READING
CONTRACTS FOR ENERGY AND ENERGY - RELATED SERVICES
CHAPTER 30B COMPLIANCE FORM
By letter dated , I have provided a copy of a contract and a report of the process used to
execute the contract to each of the following parties in compliance with M.G.L. c. 30B, § I(b)(33):
Mark Marini, Secretary
Department of Public Utilities
One South Station, 2nd Floor
Boston, MA 02110
Office of the General Counsel
Department of Energy Resources
100 Cambridge Street
Suite 1020
Boston, MA 02114
Office of the Inspector General
One Ashburton Place
Room 1311
Boston, MA 02108
Signature
Printed Name
Title
Name of Contract
Date of Contract Execution
_ 321Page
Date:
Dept. Code Org Number:
Department Name:
Contact Person:
Telephone:
EXHIBIT D
SURPLUS PROPERTY FORM
Storage
Please include pictures of the items you wish to be auctioned
IE -Mail Address: Date item(s) must be removed by:
In accordance with the Reading General Bylaw 6.2 Disposal ofsurplus property requires prior authorization for the disposition of excess or surplus property prior to sale or
disnogal
Date of ATM/STM Approval of Disposition: Article number from the ATM/STM:
* A signature is required certifying that all confidential and personal information data has been removed from all Surplus.
Signature Title Date
Quantity
Age
Condition Code
Original Value*
Minimum Acceptable
Bid
Description
EXAMPLE
Jpeg No.
1
10
A -5
$20,000
$100
Year Make Model
VIN
Town Identification #
Mileage
Description
Quantity
Age
Condition Code
Original Value*
Minimum Acceptable
Bid
Please provide this mtormation to the best of your ability
331 Page
Description
Quantity
Age
Condition Code
Original Value*
Minimum Acceptable
Bid
Please provide this mtormation to the best of your ability.
Condition Definitions
Code
A -1 New or unused property in excellent condition. Ready for use and identical or interchangeable with new items delivered by a manufacturer or normal
source of supply.
A -2 New or unused property in good condition. Does not quite qualify for A -1 (because slightly shopworn, soiled, or similar), but condition does not impair
utility.
A -3 New or unused property in fair condition. Soiled, shopworn, rusted, deteriorated, or damaged to the extent that utility is slightly impaired.
A -4 Used property, but repaired or renovated. Further repairs or renovation required or expected to be needed in near future.
A -5 Used property, not working
S - Salvage Personal property that has some value in its basic material content, but which is in such condition that it has no reasonable prospect for use for any
purpose as a unit and its repair or rehabilitation for use as a unit is clearly impractical.
* Original Value: Actual acquisition cost (original cost) or your best estimate of the acquisition cost.
_ __ _ 34IPage
EXHIBIT E
TOWN OF READING
EMERGENCY PROCUREMENT DATA SHEET
M.G.L. c. 30B, §8
Date:
Requesting Department::
Contractor's or supplier's name:
Amount of each contract
Supply or service procured:
Justification for the need for an emergency
[Describe the emergency]
procurement:
Due to the heavy snows of late January and February
2015, the amount of snow on Town streets and sidewalks
poses hazards to drivers and pedestrians on account of
poor visibility and the necessity of walking in Town
streets.
[Solution]
The Town will use sound business practices to obtain
prices.
Department Head Signature Town Manager Signature
Date
Date
The Procurement Office is instructed to submit a notice of this emergency procurement as soon
as practicable to the Goods and Services Bulletin.
351Page
��31
EXHIBIT F
SUGGESTED VENDORS LIST
Please inform the Procurement Office know of any vendors you would like to receive the final
IFB/RFP.
PROJECT NAME:
Company Name:
Contact Name:
Phone:
Fax:
Email:
Company Name:
Contact Name:
Phone:
Fax:
Email:
Company Name:
Contact Name:
Phone:
Fax:
Email:
361Page
EXHIBIT G
Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM)
Emergency Waiver Requests by Public Awarding Authorities
IN QUALIFYING EMERGENCY SITUATIONS CERTAIN PUBLIC CONSTRUCTION PROCUREMENT
LAWS MAY BE WAIVED UNDER G.L. c. 149, §44(A)(4) OR THE ADVERTISING REQUIREMENTS
MAY BE WAIVED UNDER G.L. c. 149, §44(J)(6). UNDER THESE LAWS PUBLIC AWARDING
AUTHORITIES SEEKING AN EMERGENCY WAIVER MUST RECEIVE WRITTEN APPROVAL FROM
THE DIVISION OF CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT AND MAINTENANCE (DCAMM).
PLEASE NOTE: Snow removal work alone does not require an emergency waiver. Just as shoveling snow off
sidewalks, mowing lawns, removal of downed trees after storms and cleaning buildings is not considered
"maintenance" for purposes of G.L.c. 149 §44A et. seq., removing snow from a roof is not considered the type
of "maintenance" work subject to G.L.c. 149.
PUBLIC AWARDING AUTHORITIES REQUESTING AN EMERGENCY WAIVER SHOULD:
Send an e-mail with Emergency Waiver letter request attached to: emergencywaivers.dcamm @state.ma.us
SAMPLE LETTER
OFR�yO/
y Town of Reading
s3B +IHCORQp4P 16 Lowell Street
Reading, MA 01867 -2685
Website: www.readingma.gov Office: (781) 942-
Date
Carol Gladstone, Commissioner (As of July 2016, Verify director at time of emergency)
Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance
One Ashburton Place, 15th Floor
Boston, MA 02108
Attn: Office of the General Counsel
Dear Ms. Gladstone,
We are seeking a waiver of the bidding requirements of G.L. c. 149, §44A(4), and /or the advertising
requirements of G.L. c. 149, §44J(6).
Describe the nature of the extreme emergency and how it creates an immediate threat to the health or safety of
people or property;
State how and when the awarding authority became aware of the emergency situation;
371Page
Detail the proposed scope of work necessary to preserve the health or safety of persons or property for which
the awarding authority is seeking an emergency waiver — include a statement that the scope of work described is
the minimum work necessary to alleviate the emergency.
Explain why the time requirements involved in the standard bidding process will not suffice;
To the extent a bid solicitation process is possible, explain that process to be used (maximizing competition -
minimum 3 competitive prices); if a bid solicitation process is not possible or cannot meet the minimum
standard, then explain why.
The approximate dollar value of the emergency scope of work; and
We acknowledge that the prevailing wage law, bonding requirements and the DCAMM contractor certification
requirements (projects over c. 149 building project threshold) apply to this emergency project.
Attached are (letters, reports, orders, etc. from expert consultants and local or state officials) in supportive
documentation.
Sincerely,
Title
DCAMM will notify us before the end of the next business day whether the request is approved, denied or
requires additional information. Please note that when Emergency Waivers are granted, awarding authorities
must nevertheless comply with prevailing wage, bonding and DCAMM contractor certification requirements.
For more information go to:
bp•//www mass gQv/anf/proberty-mgmt- and - construction / info - and - guide- for - municipalities /emergency-
waiver -rea es� tsS—bV-public- awardin .html
381Page
EXHIBIT H
Sample Certificate of Liability Insurance
�� �JO
EXHIBIT 1
W-9
,� ►,.M
October 2016
Dear Local Official:
John W. McCormack
State Office Building
One Ashburton Place
Room 1311
Boston, MA 02108
Tel: (617) 727 -9140
Fax: (617) 723 -2334
The Office of the Inspector General (Office) created the following charts for local officials to use
as a quick guide on public procurement procedures that must be followed pursuant to the Massachusetts
General Laws. Your local rules may establish stricter or additional requirements that you must follow.
Contact your chief procurement officer or legal counsel for advice on your local rules and procurement
procedures.
The Office updated the charts with changes that are effective November 7, 2016, pursuant to the
passage of Chapter 218 of the Acts of 2016, An Act Modernizing Municipal Finance and Government.
The charts highlight particular compliance requirements depending on the cost or the nature of your
procurement. For example, the charts highlight, where applicable, the requirement for a ten -hour course
in construction safety and health approved by the United States Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA). The charts are meant to provide a eg neral overview of the principal public
procurement statutes, and ate not a substitute for reviewing the statute or obtaining the advice of legal
counsel.
The charts include:
• M.G.L. c. 149 — BUILDING CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS
• M.G.L. c. 30, § 39M, or M.G.L. c. 30B — PUBLIC WORKS (NON- BUILDING)
CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS (WITH LABOR)
• M.G.L. c. 30, § 39M, or M.G.L. c. 30B — CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
PROCUREMENTS (WITHOUT LABOR).
• M.G.L. c. 7C, §§ 44 -57 — DESIGN SERVICES FOR PUBLIC BUILDING PROJECTS:
Cities, Towns, Regional School Districts and Horace Mann Charter Schools
• M.G.L. c. 30B — PROCUREMENT OF SUPPLIES AND SERVICES
Any suggestions for the charts or questions concerning Chapter 30B (M.G.L. c. 30B) may be
directed to this Office by calling (617) 722 -8838. Questions concerning M.G.L. c. 149, M.G.L. c. 30, §
39M, and M.G.L. c. 7C may be directed to the Office of the Attorney General by calling (617) 963 -2371
or your legal counsel.
�wy3
Additional information is available from the following sources:
• Prevailing wage rate sheets may be requested online at http://www.mass.gov /lwd /labor-
standards /prevailing-wage-pro gram/ or by calling the Department of Labor Standards at
(617) 626 -6953.
• Central Register advertisements may be submitted to the Secretary of the State's Office
online at http: / /www. sec. state. ma. us /spr /sprcentral /infosubmit.htm. The submission
deadline is 4:00 p.m. on Thursday for publication the following Wednesday.
• Goods and Services Bulletin advertisements may be submitted the Secretary of the State's
Office online at http: / /www. sec. state. ma. us/ sprpublicforms /GSSubmissionform.aspx. The
submission deadline is 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday for publication the following Monday.
• COMMBUYS postings may be completed at www.commbu. s� com.
My Office is committed to helping procurement officials comply with the state's procurement
laws and make responsible purchasing decisions. Please do not hesitate to contact our Chapter 30B
hotline if we can be of further assistance. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Glenn A. Cunha
Inspector General
S�y�'
October 2016 revision
M.G.L. c. 149 —BUILDING
CONSTRUC'T'ION
CONI'RAC'1'S
W Procurement
Sound business
Use a written scope -of-
Sealed bids (using M.G.L. Sealed bids (using M.G.L. c.
Solicit statements of
Procedure
practices (as
work statement to solicit
c. 30, § 39M). 149, §§ 44A — 44J).
qualifications prior to soliciting
defined in
written responses from no
sealed bids (using M.G.L. c.
M.G.L. c. 3013,
fewer than 3 persons who
149, §§ 44A— 44J).
§ 2).'
customarily perform such
work.
Notice/Advertising
None.
Post a notice at least two
Post a notice I) in your
Post a notice 1) in your
Advertise the request for
Requirements
weeks before responses
jurisdiction's office for at least
jurisdiction's office for at least
qualifications at least two weeks
are due on 1) your
one week before bids are due;
one week before bids are due;
before responses are due (1) in a
jurisdiction's website; 2)
and, at least two weeks before
and, at least two weeks before
newspaper; (2) in the Central
COMMBUYS; 3) in the
bids are due, publish 2) in the
bids are due, publish 2) in the
Register; and (3) on
Central Register; and 4) in
Central Register; 3) in a
Central Register; 3) in a
COMMBUYS.'
a conspicuous place near
newspaper; and 4) on
newspaper; and 4) on
our office.2
COMMBUYS.3
COMMBUYS.°
DCAMM Certification
No.
No.
No.
Yes. General bidders if more
Yes. General bidders if more
than $150,000 and filed sub-
than $150,000 and filed sub -
bidders if more than $25,000.
bidders if more than $25,000.
OSHA Training
No.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
Prequalification
No.
No.
No.
Optional.'
Yes.
Filed Sub -bids
No.
No.
No.
Yes, if more than $25,000.
Yes, if more than $25,000.
Bid Deposit
No.
No.
5% of the value of the total
5% of the value of the total bid
5% of the value of the total bid
bid.
or sub -bid.
or sub -bid.
Payment Bond
No.
50% payment bond if
50% payment bond.
100% payment bond.
100% payment bond.
contract is >$25,000.'
Performance Bond
No.
No.
No.
100% performance bond.
100% performance bond.
Prevailing Wage
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
Contractor Evaluation
I No.
I No.
I No.
Yes.
Yes.
OSD or Blanket
Yes.
Yes.
No.
No.
No.
Contract O lion
' M.G.L. c. 149, § 44A(2)(A), as amended by Chapter 218 of the Acts of 2016. M.G.L. c. 30B, § 2, defines sound business practices as "ensuring the receipt of favorable prices by periodically soliciting price lists or quotes."
2 M.G.L. c. 149, § 44A(2)(B), as amended by Chapter 218 of the Acts of 2016.
s M.G.L. c. 149, § 44J, as amended by Chapter 218 of the Acts of 2016.
° M.G.L. c. 149, § 44J, as amended by Chapter 218 of the Acts of 2016.
s The advertising procedures listed pertain only to the request for qualifications. Within 14 days of the completion of the prequalification process, you are required to post a notice in your jurisdiction and on COMMBUYS
listing those general contractors and subcontractors that have been prequalified. A copy of the notice must be sent via first class mail, postage pre -paid, to all prequalified general and subcontractors along with an invitation to
bid. The invitation to bid must have a deadline of at least two weeks. Although you may only consider bids from those general and subcontractors who have been prequalified, the advertising requirements for building
construction contracts over $150,000 apply.
' If you decide to use the optional prequalification process for projects over $150,000, follow the procedures listed in the "Over $10,000,000" column.
M.G.L. c. 149, § 29.
October 2016 revision
M.G.L. c. 30, § 39M, or M.G.L. c. 30B, § 5 — PUBLIC WORKS (NON- BUILDING) CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS
Authorized by M.G.L. c. 30, § 39M(d).
a M.G.L. c. 30, § 39M, as amended by Chapter 218 of the Acts of 2016. M.G.L. c. 30B, § 2, defines sound business practices as "ensuring the receipt of favorable prices by periodically soliciting price lists or quotes."
s M.G.L. c. 30, § 39M, as amended by Chapter 218 of the Acts of 2016.
° M.G.L. c. 30, § 39M, as amended by Chapter 218 of the Acts of 2016.
' M.G.L. c. 149, § 44J.
6 M.G.L. c. 30B, § 5, and M.G.L. c. 9, § 20A.
' Although M.G.L. c. 30, § 39M, does not mandate a contractor prequalification process, prequalification of bidders by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation is required for contracts of $50,000 or more (1) if the
awarding authority receives State Aid funds under M.G.L. c. 90, § 34; or (2) the work is on a state road, regardless of whether the awarding authority receives State Aid funds under M.G.L. c. 90, § 34.
'M.G.L. c. 149, § 29.
' M.G.L. c. 149, § 29.
6W11-6-
October 2016 revision
M.G.L. c. 30, § 39M, or M.G.L. c. 30B, § 5 — CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS PROCUREMENTS
' Authorized by M.G.L. c. 30, § 39M(d).
2 M.G.L. c. 30, § 39M, as amended by Chapter 218 of the Acts of 2016. M.G.L. c. 30B, § 2, defines sound business practices as "ensuring the receipt of favorable prices by periodically soliciting price lists or quotes."
' M.G.L. c. 30, § 39M, as amended by Chapter 218 of the Acts of 2016.
4 M.G.L. c. 149, § 44J.
'M.G.L. c. 30B, § 5, and M.G.L. c. 9, § 20A.
`M.G.L. c. 149, § 29.
M.G.L. c. 149, § 29.
V7
October 2016 revision
M.G.L. c. 7C, §§ 44 -57 — DESIGN SERVICES FOR PUBLIC BUILDING PROJECTS:
Cities, Towns, Regional School Districts and Horace Mann Charter Schoolst
(1-A'(')/Es(iIIIaICd Desigil Fee
Procurement Procedure
S 10.000
None. Recommend soliciting qualifications
and prices from at least three designers.
threshold" must he ulet before (lie designer selection procedure is
Qualifications -based selection process. Jurisdiction must either (1) set the
design fee; or (2) set a not -to- exceed fee limit and then negotiate the fee with
the top - ranked designer within the fee limit.
Advertising Required
No.
Advertise in the Central Register and your local newspaper at least two
weeks before the deadline for filing applications.
Designer Selection Board'
No.
No — adopt selection procedure in writing."'
Designer Application
No.
Use "Standard Designer Application Form for Municipalities and Public
Agencies not within DSB Jurisdiction (Updated July 2016)"
Designer Evaluation (Submit
to DCAMM and Designer
Selection Board)
No.
Yes. See http: / /www.mass. ovg /anflproperty mgmt- and- constructioli/desii-
and - construction- of-public -bld sg /designer - selection- process /desi ig ler-
selection-proc- and- evals- for - municipalities /dsgnr- eval -frtns- and - info -for-
muni Gips- and - pub - agencies. html
Registration
Yes.
Yes.
Insurance
No.
10% of the total cost of the project or $1 million, whichever is less.°
Prevailing Wage
No.
No.
.See The Designer Selection Board's Guidelines for City and Town Building Projects, dated September 2015.
' Executive Departments of the Commonwealth and Commonwealth charter schools are subject to the jurisdiction of the Designer Selection Board when the design
fee is $10,000 or more and the construction project is estimated to cost $100,000 or more.
2 Cities, towns, school districts and Horace Mann charter schools are required to adopt their own procedures for selecting designers for building projects. These
procedures must conform to the purposes and intent of the designer selection process as outlined in M.G.L. c. 7C, §§ 44 — 57, and noted herein. See this Office's
Model Designer Selection Procedures for Municipalities and Other Local Public Agencies, available at http: / /www. mass. aov /ig,/publications /guides- advisories - other-
publications /model - designer- selection - procedures - municipalities- and- other - local -publ ic- agencies. html.
' Housing Authorities must follow the procedures established by the Department of Housing and Community Development for the design of state - funded housing.
Projects requesting funding from the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) are subject to MSBA rules.
' M.G.L. c. 7C -, § 51.
�'- ,q l
October 2016 revision
M.G.L. c. 30B —
PROCUREMENT
OF SUPPLIES AND SERVICES
Procurement
nd business
Use a written purchase description to solicit Sealed bids or proposals (M.G.L. c. 3013, §§ 5 or 6).
Procedure
rS.,u
ctices.'
written quotations from no fewer than 3
persons who customarily provide the supply
or service.,
Notice /Advertising
None.
None.
Post a notice 1) in your jurisdiction's-office, and, at least two
Requirements
weeks before bids or proposals are due, publish 2) in a newspaper,
and 3) on COMMBUYS.
If the procurement will exceed $100,000, at least two weeks
before bids or proposals are due, publish in the Goods and
Services Bulletin.
Award contract to:
Responsible person
Responsible person offering the needed
Under § 5, the responsible' and responsive° bidder offering the best
offering the best
quality of supply or service at the lowest
price. Under § 6, the most advantageous proposal from a
price.
price quotation.
responsible and responsive proposer taking into consideration
rice and non-price proposals.
Written Contract
No. Keep written
Yes.
Yes.
Required5
records as a best
practice.
Maximum
Contract Term'
Three years, unless majority vote authorizes longer.
OSD Option
Yes.
' M.G.L. c. 30B, § 2, defines sound business practices as "ensuring the receipt of favorable prices by periodically soliciting price lists or quotes."
2 M.G.L. c. 3013, § 4, as amended by Chapter 218 of the Acts of 2016.
' M.G.L. c. 3013, § 2, defines a responsible bidder or offeror as "a person who has the capability to perform fully the contract requirements, and the integrity and
reliability which assures good faith performance."
° M.G.L. c. 3013, § 2, defines a responsive bidder or offeror as "a person who has submitted a bid or proposal which conforms in all respects to the invitation for bids
or request for proposals."
s M.G.L. c. 30B, § 17(a), states "All contracts in the amount of $10,000 or more shall be in writing, and the governmental body shall make no payment for a supply or
service rendered prior to the execution of such contract."
' M.G.L. c. 3013, § 12(b), states "Unless authorized by majority vote, a procurement officer shall not award a contract for a term exceeding three years, including any
renewal, extension, or option."
s�vr
Town of Reading
16 Lowell Street
Reading, MA 01867 -2685
FAX: (781) 942 -9071
Email: mkraunelis @ci.reading.ma.us
MEMORANDUM
To: Robert W. LeLacheur, Jr.
Town Manager
From: Matthew A Kraunelis, Esq.
Director of Administrative Services
Date: January 31, 2017
Re: Comcast License Renewal Update
Administrative Services Department
(781) 942 -6611
The Town of Reading's Cable Television License with Comcast of Massachusetts expires on
November 23, 2018. As required, the Town has begun the process of renewing this license. The
first step in the process is to conduct a community needs assessment. RCTV has expressed an
interest in helping with this part of the process. They have hired Sue Buske of the The Buske
Group to aid the town in the assessment process.
A meeting of community leaders was held on January 26th at the Reading Public Library and an
outline of the assessment was discussed. The plan for the needs assessment includes an
online survey, focus groups and public workshops. These will take place in the spring and
summer. Once the assessment is concluded, the Town will have the community information that
it needs to begin the negotiations with Comcast.
The negotiations should begin in earnest this fall. In addition to hiring a consultant or attorney to
guide the Town through the renewal process, the Town Manager will constitute a working group
that will negotiate on behalf of the Town. Members of the working group have not been finalized
yet, but may include the Administrative Services Director, Town Business Administrator, Town
Technology Director, two members of the Board of Selectmen, a School Department or School
Committee representative, and a member of the community at large. I will provide a list of
members to the Board of Selectmen once it is finalized.
The Town's contract with RCTV also expires on November 23, 2018 and members of the
working group will aid in that renewal process as well.
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Town of Reading
�.$ b Meeting Minutes
Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Board of Selectmen
Date: 2017 -01 -24
Building: Reading Town Hall
Address: 16 Lowell Street
Purpose: General Business
Attendees: Members - Present:
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Selectmen Meeting Room
Session: Open Session
Version:
Chair John Halsey, Kevin Sexton, Barry Berman, John Arena, Dan Ensminger
Members - Not Present:
Others Present:
Town Manager Bob LeLacheur, Town Accountant Sharon Angstrom,
Administrative Assistant Caitlin Saunders, Town Counsel Ray Miyares and
Associate Ivria Fried, Bill Brown, Kaitlyn Mercurio, Demetra Tseckares,
Meghan Young, James Martin, Gina McCormick, Kate Boyd, Erin Gaffen, Eric
Burkhart, Linda Phillips
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Secretary Barry Berman
Topics of Discussion:
Reports and Comments
Selectmen's Liaison Reports
Mr. Berman noted he attended the MMA Conference over the weekend. The local aid
numbers were underwhelming but not unexpected. Every town is facing challenges when it
comes to economic development but no one town is the same.
Mr. Sexton noted he attended the final ZBA hearing for the 40B on Lincoln Street. The ZBA
have been working at this project for a year now and he commends them, Town staff and all
the residents who came out to give feedback.
Mr. Arena has been attending the School Committee meetings and he noted they have been
well attended by teachers, students and parents. The schools are taking a hit with this
budget and making cuts, the Committee needs to vote on a budget Monday night.
Mr. Halsey noted the Selectmen had the pleasure of attending an Eagle Scout award
ceremony and presented three awards to young men. He also noted the Health Agent is
leaving so we have a temporary replacement. The Board of Health will have a hearing on
tobacco regulations soon.
Town Manager Report
Mr. LeLacheur noted Reading DPW /Water Department was presented with a safety award.
Public Comment
Kaitlyn Mercurio, Demetra Tseckares, Gina McCormick noted they are human rights activist
and working together they have come up with a human rights resolution they would like the
Page 1 1
Board of Selectmen Minutes - January 24, 2017 - page 2
Town to adopt. They would like a spot on an upcoming agenda to explain further about why
they think Reading needs this.
Bill Brown noted he has heard talk about the School Committee asking for another override
vote. He wanted to remind the Selectmen that 60% voted no last time and it is simply too
soon and unnecessary to ask again right now.
Personnel & Appointments
Dan Ensminger second by Mr. Arena moved that the Board of Selectmen accept the
recommendations of the Volunteer Appointment Subcommittee as follows:
• Kevin Briere as an Associate on the Commissioner of Trust Funds with
a term expiring June 30, 2017;
• Gretchen Latowsky to the Climate Advisory Committee with a term
expiring 3une 30, 2018;
• George Wetmore to the Council on Aging with a term expiring 3une
30, 2017•
• Samantha Couture as an Associate member on the Historical
Commission with a term expiring 3une 30, 2017;
• Neil Cohen to the RMLD Citizen Advisory Board with a term expiring
3une 30, 2017
The motion passed with a 5 -0 -0 vote.
Mr. Berman noted he was impressed with the quality of the folks who stepped up to
volunteer.
Discussion /Action Items
Town Accountant Quarterly Report
Town Accountant Sharon Angstrom noted 49% of Revenues have been collected. Vehicle
excise taxes go out in January so those will be coming in soon. FY16 books are almost
closed out. They are slowly fixing the General funds issue at the schools. There is no
overnight fix, it will take some time, but it is going in the right direction now.
Continued Hearing - Liquor License Policy
Town Counsel Mr. Miyares and his associate Ivria Fried were in attendance to present the
changes. The policy adds new definitions from the State. There were some fees the Board
needed to decide on for future applications. Our fees are generally in line with our peers.
The board conversed about the hours of permitted sale and decided they should look into
clubs hours in the future.
Mr. Berman second by Mr. Ensminger move that the Board of Selectmen close the
hearing on amending Article 3 of the Board of Selectmen Policies. The motion
passed with a 5 -0 -0 vote.
Mr. Berman second by Mr. Ensminger move that the Board of Selectmen approve
the amendments to Article 3 of the Board of Selectmen Policies as presented. The
motion passed with a 5 -0 -0 vote.
FY18 Budget Discussion
Mr. Berman noted it really shook him the cuts and low staffing we have in Public Safety.
People do not realize it because you don't see it firsthand like when we you cut teachers or
a class.
Mr. Arena asked where we can look at fee changes.
Mr. Berman asked what FY19 and FY20 look like for Police since we're already not filling
positions when someone retires. Mr. LeLacheur noted eventually we will probably have to
pull the School Resource Officer.
Page 1 2 � �
Board of Selectmen Minutes - January 24, 2017 - page 3
Mr. LeLacheur noted we could separate the compost and depot fee to see how much of each
is used. Parking fees for downtown has been a topic before.
Mr. Halsey noted if we create a fee, he doesn't know if we can use a parking fee to fund a
7th grade language class. All fees go into the general fund and then they get split up. It may
be time to explore a trash fee eventually.
Mr. Ensminger explained they're may be something new in the air about people approving
of a smaller override.
Mr. Halsey noted he does not think we are ready to have this conversation quite yet. The
School Committee has not even voted on a budget yet, they have only seen one draft. We
need to let them do their work, vote a budget and see what happens. Right now this is not
our fight. We don't have enough data yet and the School Committee has not even asked us
for anything yet.
Mr. Berman noted he does not think we are prepared for this discussion tonight, but do
think eventually we will be having it.
Mr. LeLacheur noted in the past, history shows Reading always fails an override before one
passes. The trick is trying to balance the "old Reading" and the "new Reading "; people who
just moved here and people who have lived here for their whole life.
Mr. Halsey explained he thinks people did not understand what they were going to get with
that override.
Amy Cole expressed her feelings that the Town has no urgency to help the Schools.
Mr. Halsey again explained that the School Committee has NOT submitted their budget yet.
The Selectmen can't do anything with no submitted budget. You have only seen one option
and no alternatives. We need to wait and see what they come up with and more
importantly, what they vote on.
Erin Gaffen told the Selectmen they cannot wait and see'. These kids do not get that year
back. You have no urgency whatsoever and something needs to be done now.
Mr. Halsey explained they are not waiting years they are simply waiting a couple days to
see what the School Committee actually votes for a budget.
Mr. Arena explained he thinks there's money in the budget they can find to balance it.
Another override could fail again.
Mr. Halsey conveyed the Selectmen do take this seriously and do agree this is a major
issue. They need to let the School Committee do their part first.
Amy Cole asked what the danger is in asking for another override and it failing again. Mr.
Sexton explained if you fail again, that is not going to look good and you will have to wait
even longer to ask again.
Mr. Berman noted he needs to see the final budget before he goes any further with this
conversation. He also noted people need to stop pinning the schools against the town.
Linda Phillips explained there is so much misinformation going around. The school has
added more personnel and spent more money than most people are aware of. The budget
process for the schools is not what you think. They have money they are not using but
asking for more.
Page 1 3
�U/3
Board of Selectmen Minutes - January 24, 2017 - page 4
Mr. Halsey explained they have read their budget and that is why they want to see what
they come up with.
Linda Phillips noted the Schools cannot have it both ways. They can't have every program
and a teacher for every 10 kids. We're losing public safety which is just as important.
Amy Cole noted she can't believe this is such a big deal and asked the Selectmen why they
don't want to help the schools.
Mr. Halsey noted the Selectmen did everything they could during the last override process.
They can only do so much. It is NOT their budget and they can't tell the School Committee
what to do.
Mr. Berman, second by Mr. Ensminaer, moved that the Board of Selectmen approve
the minutes of December 13, 2016. The motion passed with a 5 -0 -0 vote.
Mr. Berman, second by Mr. Ensminger, moved that the Board of Selectmen approve
the minutes of January 10, 2017. The motion passed with a 5 -0 -0 vote.
Mr. Berman, second by Mr. Arena moved that the Board of Selectmen approve the
minutes of January 11, 2017. The motion passed with a 5 -0 -0 vote.
Mr. Berman, second by Mr. Ensminger, moved that the Board of Selectmen approve
the minutes of January 12, 2017. The motion passed with a 5 -0 -0 vote.
Mr.Berman, second by Mr. Arena, move that the Board of Selectmen approve the
Executive Session minutes of October 13, 2016 as amended to correct
typographical errors. The motion passed with the following roll call vote:
Dan Ensminger - yes
John Arena - yes
Kevin Sextion - yes
John Halsey - yes
Barry Berman - yes
Mr. Berman second by Mr. Arena, moved that the Board of Selectmen adiourn the
meeting at 11:14 p.m. The motion passed with a 5 -0 -0 vote.
Respectfully submitted,
Secretary
Page 1 4
i'[C%v
Schena, Paula
From: LeLacheur, Bob
Sent: Wednesday, January 25, 2017 12:40 PM
To: Schena, Paula
Subject: FW: Proposed budget cuts- resident feedback
From: IacunniffO)comcast.net [mailto:lacunniff0comcast.net]
Sent: Wednesday, January 25, 2017 10:55 AM
To: Reading - Selectmen
Subject: Proposed budget cuts- resident feedback
Good morning
I'd like to enter a statement regarding the proposed budget cuts in our town. Please see
below. Thank you in advance for taking the time to read my statement and please share this
statement accordingly with any colleagues in town government or beyond. Also thank you for the
work that you do and service to our town.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth and Andrew Cunniff
23 Eaton Street
To the Reading Board of Selectmen,
I greatly appreciate your taking the time to listen to my thoughts and those thoughts of the entire
Reading community and I thank you for your service. My name is Elizabeth Cunniff and I represent
both myself and my husband Andrew in this commentary. We are 10 year residents of Reading
having moved here in 2006 motivated by the strong reputation of the school system. We have two
children. One is presently in 2nd grade at Killam elementary and the other will attend kindergarten at
Killam this fall.
It is clear that our town is in a time of financial hardship and that arriving at a balanced budget will
require spending cuts. I'd like to speak to you regarding the fact that multiple of those cuts are
targeted to our schools. Targeting cuts to our schools is WRONG. It is financially, morally and
ethically WRONG. This town is allowing a new residence (often multifamily residence) to be built on
every single free stitch of land available while gleefully and greedily accepting the high tax revenue
that goes with this population influx. Meanwhile every high tax paying family that moves into those
homes has a child (or children) that need to attend our schools and, like us in 2006, were likely
motivated to move to Reading because of those great schools. And now today we stand here
discussing pulling money OUT of the schools. That is what we call a system that DOES NOT serve
the people. In fact, it is a system that takes advantage of the people and one which is simply taking
their money without using it to service their best interests.
Where is all of our residential and business tax money going? Can you account for and justify every
cent of it? Can you state for each and every penny spent on non - school spending why that was a
necessary and balanced choice?
C�
I am not talking about just slapping the other hand instead and cutting our police and fire
departments. Schools, police and fire are the basic services that the taxpaying residents rely upon
each and every day. You owe it to the tax payers to have these funded. Why not take a look in other
areas, those areas that are less visible or perhaps less frequently needed by our residents. There
are two areas I'd like to highlight. First with regard to some town departments, what's going on in the
Town Hall, the massive library, or in our massive DPW? Do we need all the individual sub -
departments within these? Do they each need their own office that is open and heavily staffed ?? I
suggest that these could be down sized and have their staff and resources combined to create
efficiencies. Also I suggest greater access to town services via online systems and potentially the
house of high school students as interns to staff some areas. Second, I'd like to mention the road,
infrastructure and town beautification /recreation projects. Do we need them all? Could some be
delayed or put on a 5 -10 year plan? When we hire contractors to do these jobs are we approaching
this in a fair and budget -wise manner? What I mean by this is: are we soliciting and reviewing project
bids by contractors large and small, local and distant? What we should be doing on each job is
hearing many offers and then selecting the best most qualified workers for the job at the best
price. Let's make sure we aren't just continuously feeding all these jobs to the same contractors over
and over again at a premium price just because they are our "friends ".
Of course, if an override vote is approved for the Spring I'd vote yes because I care so deeply about
the town, and specifically, its schools. But that is a very temporary solution I am here to today to
firmly assert that the money is available in this town TODAY to fully fund the schools and avoid cuts
this year and in years going forward. It's just a matter of town leadership getting its priorities straight,
cutting the fluff, and putting the daily needs of its people FIRST.
Schena, Paula
From: LeLacheur, Bob
Sent: Wednesday, January 25, 2017 12:41 PM
To: Schena, Paula
Subject: FW: April Override?
- - - -- Original Message---- -
From: Jen Kane [mailto:ienkane123 @gmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, January 25, 2017 11:13 AM
To: Reading - Selectmen
Cc: Vincent Kane
Subject: April Override?
Hello,
I've already emailed you all once, but turns out I came up with a little more I'd like to add, so here goes:
I am a parent of 3 young children, and I am terribly concerned about the current and future state of the Reading schools.
Concerned to the point where my husband and I (who have lived here 10 years and love this town and the friends we've
made here) have started seriously discussing whether we will need to move to a different town with a better funded
town and school system. If the current problems persist, we will likely end up moving (which breaks my heart), but we
want to give our kids every opportunity and are really not planning on paying private school tuition for 3 kids.
I know you all are concerned about putting forward an additional overrride and having it fail again, and are looking for
explanations as to why the first failed and how /why a second might be more successful.
To that end, I wanted to share with you the fact that so many of my fellow friends & parents were just shocked on
October 19th to hear the override did not pass. I myself was a bit more involved, and more aware of the potential for
failure, but I think a large percentage of the school -aged parent population was pretty oblivious to the fact that so many
people might actually vote no. They saw the override as a no- brainer, especially if you're concerned about your
property value - a sentiment with which I whole - heartedly agree. Many saw the town was littered with Yes for Reading
signs (my house had one!) and saw so few negative signs. I know so many people were completely convinced it would
pass.
This makes me wonder if some parents (we are very busy people) thought there was no need to take the time to show
up and vote, since in their minds, it would easily pass anyway? I am convinced that if a second override were put
forward, this time people would be painfully aware of the risks, and we would see a much greater turnout in the 25 -40
age demographic - and that the large majority of them would vote YESH I'm also hopeful that some people who voted
No the first time around, and have now seen the true impact of that vote, would change their mind and vote Yes for our
town, our schools, our kids. I know it's common for an override vote to fail the first time around, and then pass on a
subsequent attempt. PLEASE LET THAT BE IN APRIL M In my opinion, neither the town nor the schools can afford to
lose anymore time.
I will be at the meeting tonight, and I'm confident you will see a large turnout in support of another vote in April.
Thank you,
Jen Kane
(�L
L'/ C> 5
Schena, Paula
From: LeLacheur, Bob
Sent: Wednesday, January 25, 2017 12:42 PM
To: Schena, Paula
Subject: FW: [Reading MA] Reading schools
- - - -- Original Message---- -
From: vtsdmailer @vt -s.net [mailto:vtsdmailer @vt- s.net] On Behalf Of kgstroman @gmail.com
Sent: Wednesday, January 25, 2017 12:20 PM
To: Reading - Selectmen
Subject: [Reading MA] Reading schools
Hello Board of Selectmen,
Karen stroman (kgstroman @gmail.com) has sent you a message via your contact form
(http: / /www.readingma.gov /user /475 /contact) at Reading MA.
If you don't want to receive such e- mails, you can change your settings at http: / /www.readingma.gov /user /475 /edit.
Message:
I am all for an override but my concern is how the schools are being managed.
Maybe there's a bigger issue? Who is leading the teachers and what is the culture? Are we attracting the best teachers?
It's not just about funding. It's about the leadership. Can we evaluate from the top down?
Thankyou
q C-
Schena, Paula
From:
LeLacheur, Bob
Sent:
Wednesday, January 25, 2017 2:28 PM
To:
Schena, Paula
Subject:
FW: override
From: Alison Evangelista [ mailto: chickadeehilldaycare @verizon.net]
Sent: Wednesday, January 25, 2017 2:16 PM
To: Reading - Selectmen
Subject: override
Good afternoon
I am writing to let you know that although I voted Yes for the original override, my husband didn't vote (he would've voted No had he
voted.) He would absolutely vote yes on a smaller override, and knowing the extent to which this will hurt the schools, he would vote
Yes on the original amount if he got the chance. Thank you.
Alison Evangelista
49 Bear Hill Rd
Reading MA
781 7791098
i- a-Z5
Schena, Paula
From:
LeLacheur, Bob
Sent:
Wednesday, January 25, 2017 4:33 PM
To:
Schena, Paula
Subject:
FW: [Reading MA] Town Override Vote
- - - -- Original Message---- -
From: vtsdmailer @vt -s.net [mailto:vtsdmailer @vt- s.net] On Behalf Of Eileencurran320 @hotmail.com
Sent: Wednesday, January 25, 2017 4:23 PM
To: Reading - Selectmen
Subject: [Reading MA] Town Override Vote
Hello Board of Selectmen,
Eileen Pruitt (Eileencurran320 @hotmail.com) has sent you a message via your contact form
(http: / /www.readingma.gov /user /475 /contact) at Reading MA.
If you don't want to receive such e- mails, you can change your settings at http: / /www.readingma.gov /user /475 /edit.
Message:
Hi,
I am a Reading resident and parent of a 6 and 3 year old. We moved to a Reading for the schools. I am extremely
concerned about the rejection of the last override. Please do whatever possible to put another override up for a vote
this April. Our kids and our town need this.
Eileen Pruitt
1
i-1 C
Schena, Paula
From: LeLacheur, Bob
Sent: Wednesday, January 25, 2017 5:56 PM
To: Schena, Paula
Subject: FW: school budget cuts
From: sara gardiner [ mailto:felixandwally@)yahoo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, January 25, 2017 5:54 PM
To: Reading - Selectmen
Subject: school budget cuts
Hi I'm just a concerned citizen of Reading thanks for listening.
love this town and our schools. The teachers stick around for a long time and really care and it
shows. I'm concerned that the proposed budget cuts will eventually lead to a failure to attract and
retain quality teachers.
I am not sure why the vote didn't pass last Fall. From what I can see all around me, the people in this
town really care and are willing to make personal sacrifices in order to help our schools. Several
people have requested an additional override vote in the Spring and I am writing to place my support
behind that idea.
Sincerely,
Sara Gardiner, 38 John St.
parent of two kids at Killam ES
9'�
Schena, Paula
From:
LeLacheur, Bob
Sent:
Wednesday, January 25, 2017 6:03 PM
To:
Schena, Paula
Subject:
FW: Override
- - - -- Original Message---- -
From: Christie Proctor [mailto:lottidottil6 @gmail.comj
Sent: Wednesday, January 25, 2017 6:03 PM
To: Reading - Selectmen
Subject: Override
Hello!
I have sent an e-mail previously but I have been told it would be helpful to add some useful information. I would vote
yes on an override and I did not vote at all for the first override. I have two small children and I drove over to vote but
my daughter fell asleep and I didn't get back to vote again. It's a lot of work to lug two small children in to vote for 2
minutes and then have to put them back in the car again! I would have voted yes on the first override.
Thank you,
Christie Proctor
q 6
l ,�
Schena, Paula
From:
LeLacheur, Bob
Sent:
Wednesday, January 25, 2017 11:36 PM
To:
Schena, Paula
Subject:
Fwd: [Reading MA] Budgetary Concerns
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
From: <donahue.adamngmail.com>
Date: January 25, 2017 at 9:00:51 PM EST
To: <selectmenkci.reading ma.us>
Subject: [Reading MA] Budgetary Concerns
Hello Board of Selectmen,
Adam Donahue (donahue.adamAgmail.com) has sent you a message via your contact
form (http: / /www.readingma.gov /user /475 /contact) at Reading MA.
If you don't want to receive such e- mails, you can change your settings at
http://www.readingma.gov/user/475/edit.
Message:
To whom it may concern,
As a concerned parent of young children, I am writing to you to express my
support of a potential override vote this April. While I understand that the
budget cuts being made affect both town operations and the school system,
(and that a potential override vote must address the needs of both), I am
deeply concerned about the impact of these cuts on my children's education. I
was very disappointed to learn not only of possible cuts in staff and
increased class sizes, but also that foreign language programs may be scaled
back. In my opinion, these cuts and the impact that they will have on the
residents of this town are inexcusable.
Understanding that the override failed this past fall, I know that the
majority of the support came from parents with children in the school system
- those would would seemingly be most directly impacted. However, I believe
that the override would have gained more support from the wider public if the
total figure was more in line with the sum which was actually needed. I also
believe it would have gained wider support if the impact on town operations
was more broadly known, and it wasn't seen as simply a school issue.
My wife and I only moved to Reading within the past 5 years. Knowing at that
1 q �
time that children were in our near future, we chose this town for its safety
and on the reputation of the schools. Based on the value that both my wife
and I place on education and our children's future, I can honestly say that
we will consider moving our children and our tax dollars elsewhere.
Regards,
Adam Donahue
978 - 866 -2878
q 4 -L--
Schena, Paula
From: LeLacheur, Bob
Sent: Wednesday, January 25, 2017 11:36 PM
To: Schena, Paula
Subject: Fwd: [Reading MAI Override
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
From: <Kmannakhotmail.com>
Date: January 25, 2017 at 7: 16:17 PM EST
To: <selectmenkci.reading.ma.us>
Subject: [Reading MA) Override
Hello Board of Selectmen,
Kristin Foristall (Kmannaghotmail.com) has sent you a message via your
contact form (http: / /www.readingma.gov /user /475 /contact) at Reading MA.
If you don't want to receive such e- mails, you can change your settings at
http://www.readingma.gov/user/475/edit.
Message:
Dear Board of Selectmen,
I live on Summer Ave in Reading with my husband and 3 children - 7, 4, 1. We
have been here for 5 years and chose the town for its intimacy, tree lined
streets, great school system and sense of community. My daughter attends
Barrows and has had a wonderful experience.
This past fall my husband and I voted for the override because the cuts that
we are now facing are unexceptable. There are reasons why we pay high taxes
in the first place and why chose to live here and not other less expensive
surrounding towns. The schools being a huge reason. Please know you have our
support on another override and will be patient to see what you determine is
the best way to get it done. We need to get this done. I will continue to
keep abreast of the latest developments and please reach out to the community
to let us know what we can do.
Thank you,
Kristin Foristall
617 - 947 -7561
L& 6- -V,
4e— 13 5
Schena, Paula
From: LeLacheur, Bob
Sent: Wednesday, January 25, 2017 11:36 PM
To: Schena, Paula
Subject: Fwd: Timing of an override
Sent from my Whone
Begin forwarded message:
From: Geoffrey Coram <gicoram@,yahoo.com>
Date: January 25, 2017 at 11:05:58 PM EST
To: <selectmengci.readin .m�a.us>
Subject: Timing of an override
To Mr. Arena's point: I understand that an April override is soon, and hard to get the information
out to everyone.
But how do you explain to 300 sixth graders (next year's seventh graders) and 100 seventh
graders that, oh, sorry, the town wasn't ready, and you got unlucky this one year, you don't get
foreign language? Not to mention firing and then trying to rehire the teachers.
Unless you think fin com would release extra free cash for a one -time extension of the time you
need to do a fall override.
- Geoffrey
Schena, Paula
From: LeLacheur, Bob
Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2017 7:17 AM
To: Schena, Paula
Subject: Fwd: Budget/ Override?
Sent from my Whone
Begin forwarded message:
From: Stuart May <stuartk66summer.com>
Date: January 26, 2017 at 7:05:30 AM EST
To: <selectmenkci.reading ma.us>
Cc:. Jennifer May <jennifermay_kverizon.net >, Jennifer May < Jennifer e 66summer.com>
Subject: Budget / Override?
Good morning,
In the past town election I did vote `No' on an override as it seemed we were bailing out a legal
case linked to the High School. I don't recall this being positioned that we, as a town, would
lose 21 teachers, language subjects in middle school, etc. etc.
I am very concerned. My 2 daughters (9 and 13) have many years ahead of them in the Reading
School system and we decided to settle down here partly due to the quality of the schools. If
these cuts go through, we will be lowering the quality of the entire system. My daughters need
all the help they can get if they are to be successful.
Please.... please... please.... reconsider another solution to all these cuts that seem targeted at our
elementary and middle schools? Are there alternate options outside of the school system?
After attending recent meetings, I would be open to a smaller override but its purpose needs to be
more detailed and implemented with alternate options.
Please reconsider - do not let our Reading schools drop in quality (this is a very slippery slope,
once you remove services it will be very difficult to recover) that will remove our dedicated
teachers and impact our children in preparation for their futures.
Thank you.
Stuart May
66 Summer Avenue
M,
f;, 5
Schena, Paula
From: LeLacheur, Bob
Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2017 1:54 PM
To: Schena, Paula
Subject: Fwd: In support of override in April
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
From: Amanda Randall - Capobianco <amrancap76kgmail.com>
Date: January 26, 2017 at 10:16:15 AM EST
To: <selectmengci.reading ma.us>
Subject: In support of override in April
To Reading Selectmen,
We are in support of an April override ballot to provide funding to town services including
schools, police, and firemen. We moved to Reading 10 years ago because of the strength of it's
school system. We have a 1 st grader at Joshua Eaton and a 3 yo who will be in the school
system shortly. We're upset that the October override didn't pass and would like to see the town
try again with a lesser amount this spring.
From our home on Gould St. we've watched the town improve immensely in the last 10 years
and we want to keep that forward momentum happening in our town services. Please allow the
towns people to vote to help our town services receive the funding they need and Reading to
continue to be a top notch community for all citizens.
Sincerely,
Amanda & Tony Capobianco
8 Gould St
q L,
Ll C v,--? C�5°
Schena, Paula
From: LeLacheur, Bob
Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2017 1:54 PM
To: Schena, Paula
Subject: Fwd: I support the smaller override
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
From: "Farris, Lee A" <leeanne@bu.edu>
Date: January 26, 2017 at 9:58:15 AM EST
To: "selectmen @ci.reading.ma. us" <selectmen @ci. read ing.ma.us>
Subject: I support the smaller override
To Whom it May Concern,
My family moved to Reading in November after weighing many options regarding location and school
system. Right now our son is not old enough for public school, but my husband and I both believe in
public education and want what is best for not only our son, but all the other children living in Reading.
So far the community has been wonderful and we believe we have made the right choice by picking
Reading to be our home, please help us continue to believe this by supporting the smaller override to
provide our community with the services (fire /police /teachers) it needs to stay on par with our
surrounding communities.
Best,
Lee Farris
L/L 3
Schena, Paula
From: LeLacheur, Bob
Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2017 1:54 PM
To: Schena, Paula
Subject: Fwd: Support for April Override
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
From: Christine Curtin <christinemcurtinggmail.com>
Date: January 26, 2017 at 10:39:44 AM EST
To: <selectmen(a dreading ma.us>
Subject: Support for April Override
Dear Board Members,
I am writing to express my support for an override to help close the town's budget gap.
We moved to Reading nearly four years ago after specifically seeking out towns with strong
school systems. Our sons currently attend Parker. We have been extremely pleased with both the
advancement available to my 8th grader (i.e., taking 7 -8 math last year and algebra this year) and
with the support for my 6th grader, who is on a 504 plan. His upstairs team and Dr. Bernazzani,
in particular, have been instrumental in easing his transition and aligning to meet his needs.
As a Realtor based in Winchester, I can supply ample examples of families taking a serious look
at Reading as a more reasonably priced alternative to Winchester and I've always advocated on
behalf of our town.
If our school systems are not competitive, if they are not giving our children what they need, our
property values will reflect this.
Thank you for your time.
Christine Curtin
C is C _5
Schena, Paula
From:
LeLacheur, Bob
Sent:
Thursday, January 26, 2017 1:54 PM
To:
Schena, Paula
Subject:
Fwd: In support of new override vote
Sent from my Whone
Begin forwarded message:
From: Kristen Agami <k agaminyahoo.com>
Date: January 26, 2017 at 10:48:21 AM EST
To: <selectmen@ci.readin .ma.us>
Subject: In support of new override vote
Reply -To: Kristen Agami <k agami �yahoo.com>
Hi,
I heard that you need to hear from the public in support of a new override vote.
I supported the 1 st override and I would support a vote of for less money.
In addition, I know 3 family members that originally voted "no" for the larger override amount
that would now vote "yes" for the smaller amount. Thank you.
Kristen Agami
0
C
Schena, Paula
From: LeLacheur, Bob
Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2017 1:54 PM
To: Schena, Paula
Subject: Fwd: financial forum, override, FY18
Sent from my Whone
Begin forwarded message:
From: Karen Little <karenalittlekyahoo.com>
Date: January 26, 2017 at 11:01:37 AM EST
To: "selectmenkci.reading.ma.us" <selectmenkci.reading ma.us>
Subject: financial forum, override, FY18
Reply -To: Karen Little <karenalittlegyahoo.com>
Dear Selectmen of Reading:
I am a relatively new Reading resident, having moved to the community in June 2015. I have a son in first grade at
Barrows Elementary, and I have been thrilled with the education he has received thus far. Like many others, I am
deeply concerned that if there are teacher layoffs for the upcoming academic year that this will be the start of a
slippery slope not only for our children and school community but for the greater community. After watching last
night's meeting, I understand that many of you feel similarly. I want to focus this email instead on proactive ways of
increasing revenue and preventing teacher layoffs next year. I do not claim to understand the complexities of the
Town's government, but would like to put forth some ideas to generate revenue for FY18 if they have not been
considered and are allowable under current laws and regulations.
Is it allowable to charge a per pupil surcharge (ex $200 for families with one student, $400 for families with two
students, etc.) via residential taxes to residents with students in the public school system as a temporary measure (for
FY18 only) to prevent teacher layoffs? I haven't crunched the numbers, so I am using $200 per pupil as an example
only and a to provide what I would think would be an acceptable number. Meaning, that the money generated would
go directly to teacher salaries preventing layoffs? This may give the town the time it needs to prepare for a more
successful override in the fall that would hopefully provide funding for FY19 and years to come.
Have other ideas been explored to generate income, such as a sugary beverage tax or increasing the tax rate on
alcoholic beverages as other supplemental options?
If there are no other feasible or creative options for FY18, 1 would be in support of another, smaller override to be
voted on this spring.
Thank you for your continued support of our town.
Sincerely,
Karen Little
151 Howard Street
Schena, Paula
From: LeLacheur, Bob
Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2017 1:53 PM
To: Schena, Paula
Subject: Fwd: Override, please!!
Sent from my Whone
Begin forwarded message:
From: Diane Macari <diane.macarikgmail.com>
Date: January 26, 2017 at 1:13:34 PM EST
To: <selectmenkci.reading.ma.us>
Subject: Override, please!!
Hello Town Selectmen,
Please add my name and my husband's (TJ Macari) to the growing list of Reading residents who
desperately want to do right by our kids (and our property value!) by asking for a spring
override!!
we clearly need the money!
thanks for all your patience during this difficult time!
Sincerely,
Diane Macari
40 Timberneck Drive
/- 16, G5
Schena, Paula
From:
LeLacheur, Bob
Sent:
Thursday, January 26, 2017 3:03 PM
To:
Schena, Paula
Subject:
FW: Override
From: Brianne Cate [mailto:briannecate @gmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2017 3:02 PM
To: Reading - Selectmen
Subject: Override
Dear selectmen,
I would like to add my voice to the many that are asking for a smaller override vote this spring. I add that my
children will be starting kindergarten next fall, and I am concerned about cuts at the schools. I am also
committed to staying in reading, but do not want property values to suffer. Thank you,
Brianne Cate
72 intervale terrace
}.3
Schena, Paula
From: LeLacheur, Bob
Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2017 4:15 PM
To: Schena, Paula
Subject: FW: [Reading MA] Prop 2 1/2 Override Discussion
- - - -- Original Message---- -
From: vtsdmailer @vt -s.net [mailto:vtsdmailer @vt- s.net] On Behalf Of glenn.fiore @comcast.net
Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2017 4:08 PM
To: Reading - Selectmen
Subject: [Reading MA] Prop 2 1/2 Override Discussion
Hello Board of Selectmen,
Glenn & Gina Fiore (glenn.fiore @comcast.net) has sent you a message via your contact form
(http: / /www.readingma.gov /user /475 /contact) at Reading MA.
If you don't want to receive such e- mails, you can change your settings at http: / /www.readingma.gov /user /475 /edit.
Message:
Gentleman,
My name is Glenn Fiore and I reside at 32 Mineral Street with my wife Gina and daughter Lauren who recently
graduated from RMHS in 2016. Gina and I have lived in Reading since 1994 and we love our neighborhood and the life
we lead in Reading. I felt compelled to write you after watching last night's Financial Forum on RCTV. As a resident of
almost 23 years I've followed closely how the town manages its finances. A strong school system is the backbone of any
community along with our police and fire departments who support public safety. Over the years my wife and I have
enthusiastically supported tax initiatives to construct the Parker Middle School, Wood End School, renovate the Barrows
School, and build a new high school and police station. These kinds of projects /capital expenditures I define as "needs ".
I would not have a problem supporting an override to address today's "needs" except that I still quite angry over the
additional tax burden that was levied to renovate and expand the public library. That effort was not a "need" but a
"WANT". This project should not have been a priority given the financial challenges the town faces, challenges that
should have been known at the time the library project was being
considered. Because of this shortsightedness my wife and I will not support
any additional override attempts until the tax assessments we incurred to support needs I called out above are retired.
The schools benefit all residents whether they have a child in the system or not. A good school system has a direct
impact on our property values, a library does not!
Unfortunately the town chose to prioritize the library project over long term needs. This is a decision we all now have to
live with!
■
C �)7 C)5
Schena, Paula
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Attachments:
Email & attached for the BOS
LeLacheur, Bob
Thursday, January 26, 2017 4:20 PM
Schena, Paula
FW: [Reading MA] Feedback regarding budget cuts
2017 - 0125 - reading - fiancial- forum2.doc
- - - -- Original Message---- -
From: vtsdmailer @vt -s.net [mailto:vtsdmailer @vt- s.net] On Behalf Of lacunniff @comcast.net
Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2017 4:17 PM
To: Town Manager
Subject: [Reading MA] Feedback regarding budget cuts
Hello rlelacheur,
Elizabeth Cunniff (lacunniff @comcast.net) has sent you a message via your contact form
(http: / /www.readingma.gov /user /431 /contact) at Reading MA.
If you don't want to receive such e- mails, you can change your settings at http: / /www.readingma.gov /user /431 /edit.
Message:
Good afternoon Mr. LeLacheur
I would like to express to you my gratitude for your taking the time to listen to public comment last night at the financial
forum. As I am sure you understand the public sentiment for the deep cuts proposed to our school is highly
unfavorable. I am attaching here a copy of my own statement which I read aloud in part last night. While I appreciate
your rebuttal to each persons suggestions and pleas, I did feel that overall your response conveyed a general lack of
openness to new ides and assertions. Many of us were left feeling like you already have your mind made up. It was as if
you were saying "it is what it is, welcome to living in Reading. This is our lot in life, we are stuck with this, we've already
looked at everything and there is nothing anyone can say to change that." Even when concrete suggestions were made
(such as fee increases, etc..) you were largely close- minded minimizing their overall impact as "small potatoes" and
appearing unwilling to try.
Well we do not accept this. I know this town can do better and look harder at this budget. I implore you to keep trying.
I implore you to allow other folks to review the situation too. Such as additional folks from town leadership (such as BOS
member, FinCom members etc..) or even independent consultants. Think boldly, adapt to the times, rebuke historic
practices that constrain you and leave you saying "this is how we have to do things ".
If you do these things we can add up all those "small potatoes" and I guarantee we can lessen the number of school cuts
that are needed.
Thank you,
Elizabeth Cunniff
23 Eaton Street
� ri
To the leadership of the town of Reading (town manager, Board of Selectmen,
and members of the finance committee)
I greatly appreciate your taking the time to listen to my thoughts and those
thoughts of the entire Reading community and I thank you for your service. My
name is Elizabeth Cunniff and I represent both myself and my husband Andrew in
this commentary. We are 10 year residents of Reading having moved here in
2006 motivated by the strong reputation of the school system. We have two
children. One is presently in 2nd grade at Killam elementary and the other will
attend kindergarten at Killam this fall.
It is clear that our town is in a time of financial hardship and that arriving at a
balanced budget will require spending cuts. I'd like to speak to you regarding the
fact that multiple of those cuts are targeted to our schools. Targeting cuts to our
schools is WRONG. It is financially, morally and ethically WRONG. This town is
allowing a new residence (often multifamily residence) to be built on every single
free stitch of land available while gleefully and greedily accepting the high tax
revenue that goes with this population influx. Meanwhile every high tax paying
family that moves into those homes has a child (or children) that need to attend
our schools and, like us in 2006, were likely motivated to move to Reading
because of those great schools. And now today we stand here discussing pulling
money OUT of the schools. That is what we call a system that DOES NOT serve the
people. In fact, it is a system that takes advantage of the people taking their,
money while not servicing their best interests.
Where is all of our residential and business tax money going? Can you account for
and justify every cent of it and share reasoning for each penny that is not given to
the schools in favor of funding something else? Also, I am not talking about just
slapping the other hand instead and cutting our police and fire departments.
Schools, police and fire are the basic services that the taxpaying residents rely on
every day. You owe it to the tax payers to have these funded.
Why not take a look in other areas, those areas that are less visible and utilized
less frequently by residents. First consider some town departments. What's going
on in the Town Hall, the massive library, or in our massive DPW? Do we need all
the individual sub - departments within these? Do they each need their own office
that is open and heavily staffed? I suggest that these could be down sized and
have their staff, equipment, and resources combined to create efficiencies. Also I
suggest greater access to town services via more modern online systems and
potentially the use of high school students as intern staff. Second, I'd like to
mention the road, infrastructure and town beautification /recreation projects. Do
we need them all? Could some be delayed or put on a 5 -10 year plan? When we
hire contractors for jobs are we approaching this in a fair and budget -wise
manner? Are we soliciting and reviewing project bids by contractors large and
small, local and distant OR are we always going with the same costly crews?
What we should be doing on each job is hearing many offers and then selecting
the best most qualified workers for the job at the best price not just continuously
feeding jobs to the same contractors over and over again at a premium price just
because they are our "friends ".
Of course, if an override vote is approved for the Spring I'd vote yes because I
care so deeply about the town, and specifically, its schools. But that is a very
temporary solution I am here to today to firmly assert that the money is available
in this town TODAY to fully fund the schools and avoid cuts this year and in years
going forward. It's just a matter of town leadership getting its priorities straight,
cutting the fluff, and putting the daily needs of its people FIRST.
P (3 .5
.Schena, Paula
From:
LeLacheur, Bob
Sent:
Sunday, January 29, 2017 8:04 AM
To:
Schena, Paula
Subject:
Fwd: Please support smaller override
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
From: Chad William Farris <cfarris ,bu.edu>
Date: January 29, 2017 at 7:51:08 AM EST
To: <selectmengci.reading ma.us>
Subject: Please support smaller override
Dear Selectman,
I am writing to please ask you to support the smaller override to increase much needed funding
the public schools, the fire department, and the police department. We believe these are
absolutely vital parts of the community where any cuts can make significant negative impacts.
My wife and I and our three and a half year old son recently purchased a house in Reading,
because we really liked the town and found the schools to be of high quality. Both my wife and I
went to public school and we are strong believers in the public school system. We were both
really looking forward to sending our son to Reading Public Schools, but we are starting to
become very worried about the future of the Reading Public Schools with the current cuts they
are facing and the seeming lack of community support to provide the much needed funding for
the schools. While our son is still another year away from starting public school in Reading we
are worried about what the current cuts mean for opportunities for him. We are already starting
to think about having to send him to private school or even considering selling and moving out
of Reading if conditions don't improve.
We are also concerned with the bigger message that the community is sending to everyone by
not supporting the recent override. It suggests to me that the community is saying Public
Schools, Police and the Fire Department are not priorities to us and we are not willing to spend a
little more money to provide them the needed financial support. This is seriously concerning to
me and I think it will start having far reaching negative influences on the community if you start
losing young families like ours due to these issues. Additionally, if this lack of community
support leads to an exodus of young families it is likely to negatively impact the remainder of the
community by leading to declining value of houses and real estate, which would be a major
concern for me if I was in Reading and did not have children.
Reading is a wonderful town and we are happy to be here. We just want to make sure that
Reading continues moving forward and continues to support important public services including
public schools, the fire department, and the police department. Unfortunately, the community's
lack of support for the recent override suggests they may not value these important public
services. We really hope that a successfully smaller override could turn this around and
demonstrate some support for these important public services and demonstrate that we are all
willing to support our community.
Sincerely,
Chad Farris
U2'
Schena, Paula
From: LeLacheur, Bob
Sent: Saturday, January 28, 2017 7:38 AM
To: Schena, Paula
Subject: Fwd: Override support
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
From: Geoffrey Coram <gjcorarn@yahoo.com>
Date: January 28, 2017 at 7:23:27 AM EST
To: Reading - Selectmen <selectmenkci.reading.ma.us>
Cc: Chuck Robinson < Charles .robinsongreading.kl2.ma.us >, Jeanne Borawski
< jeanne .borawski(a�reading.kl2.ma.us >, Elaine Webb <eaine.webbgreading.kl2.ma.us >,
"gary.nihannreading.kl2.ma.us" <gary.nihangreading.kl2.ma.us >, Linda Snow Dockser
<ldockser@verizon.net>, " nick .boivin(a_,reading.kl2.ma.us" <nick.boivinkreading.kl2.ma.us>
Subject: Override support
Reply -To: Geoffrey Coram <gjcoram@yahoo.com>
Dear Selectmen:
I am troubled by Mr. Ensminger's post on social media, claiming that the school committee voted
not to work with the selectmen on an override.
I was at the financial forum on Wednesday night, and I heard two things clearly:
1) Mr. Halsey asked the SC to clearly identify what voters would get for their money with an
override
2) Mr. Arena said that April might be too soon
I then attended the school committee meeting Thursday night. The SC made it clear that they
simply could not accept the "decimation" of the middle school program. I believe they did the
only thing they could, given the two points above: they clearly specified their top priority for
what they would do with extra money, and they provided a method to fund it, since the
selectmen are not sure the override will happen in time for next year.
Certainly, if the selectmen (and FinCom) believe that free cash is not the correct way to fund that
extra need, the selectmen may choose to put an override on the ballot for April. The SC cannot
put an override on the ballot, but Mr. Robinson explained that any town official may ask for free
cash.
I would prefer to see the override placed on the ballot, since that will happen sooner than Town
Meeting, which will ultimately be voting on the proposed use of free cash. I also think that the
override would give us the chance to restore more of the $900,000 in services that were not
restored. But I cannot fault the school committee for refusing to approve a "recommended"
budget that destroys the very system they are charged to maintain.
0
Regards,
Geoffrey Coram
Ridge Rd.
qvv
Schena, Paula
From: LeLacheur, Bob
Sent: Friday, January 27, 2017 10:10 AM
To: Schena, Paula
Subject: FW: Reading SC decision re: Free Cash and April Override
From: Marianne Downing [ mailto :mariannedowning @comcast.net]
Sent: Friday, January 27, 2017 9:50 AM
To: Reading - Selectmen; Town Manager
Subject: Reading SC decision re: Free Cash and April Override
Dear Board of Selectmen:
As you all know by now, the School Committee took a vote to approve an unbalanced budget. It is not clear to
me that they explicitly asked you for an override in April as part of this vote. It is not clear to me that they
remembered they need to ask you for an override in April (or an override in the future some time), e.g. the
fall. Or is their sending you the unbalanced budget the way of saying : here is our budget, you need to balance
it, where the balancing can be (a) getting it from free cash, or (b) having an override to find the money or (c)
some combination (e.g., free cash for one time like science curriculum)? I may not have the process ordered
correctly.
I am very much torn in two directions on this, but my bottom line is that I do support the Board of Selectmen
seeking an April override or fall override as the only permanent way to fix this issue. Whether the override is in
April or the Fall is probably your decision as a Board. But Chuck's measure to use free cash appears to be a
creative and reasonably thought out way to not create a chaos in middle school programming while we wait
for either override. But it cannot be the only solution. And it might not pass town meeting. Also, my deepest
worry is that some low attention voters in this town will think the free cash solved the problem and that
"they" (town government) can keep "finding" money to solve the problem in coming years, and thus will
forget the override need come fall.
I would note that, after the financial forum, I spoke briefly with two prior "no" voters on the override, older
voters who had spoken at the forum that night, who said they could support a "modest" override of 2 mil to
cover health care cost increases. I know that is not enough but that is progress! But maybe somewhere
between 2 mil and 7.5 mil lies the acceptable number to the majority of voters (and I would guess it is more
somewhere between 2 and 5 mil).
I trust your judgement in what you think is the best time for this override. My feeling is April.
Thanks,
Best Regards
mA/76/t?m !V nwwly
Home Phone: 781 - 944 -3447 Mobile: 508 - 265 -4214
Home Address: 13 Heather Drive Reading MA
'!�- C55
Schena, Paula
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
LeLacheur, Bob
Friday, January 27, 2017 8:08 AM
Schena, Paula
Fwd: I support an override
From: Alyssa <scaparotti.a(a�gmail.com>
Date: January 27, 2017 at 7:43:20 AM EST
To: <selectmenkci.reading.ma.us>
Subject: I support an override
I am writing to let you know that I support having another vote for an override this spring. I
would vote yes for a smaller override amount.
Thank you,
Alyssa Scaparotti
10 Middlesex Ave
Sent from my iPhone
Schena, Paula
From: LeLacheur, Bob
Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2017 9:35 PM
To: Schena, Paula
Subject: Fwd`. Override Support
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
From: Joseph White <joemwhitejrna,gmail.com>
Date: January 26, 2017 at 9:33:39 PM EST
To: <selectmengci.readin .ma.us>
Subject: Override Support
Hi,
I would like to express my support for a new override proposal.
Thanks,
Joe White
67 Summer Ave
Schena, Paula
From: LeLacheur, Bob
Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2017 7:01 PM
To: Schena, Paula
Subject: Fwd: [Reading MAl Override
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
From: <allysonbosleykgmail.com>
Date: January 26, 2017 at 6:47:39 PM EST
To: <selectmengei.reading.ma.us>
Subject: [Reading MA] Override
Hello Board of Selectmen,
Ally Bosley (allysonbosleyggmail.com) has sent you a message via your contact
form (http: / /www.readingma.gov /user /475 /contact) at Reading MA.
If you don't want to receive such e- mails, you can change your settings at
http://www.readingma.gov/user/475/edit.
Message:
To the Board of Selectman,
I attended last night's meeting and found it very helpful and informative. My
family and I sincerely appreciate all your efforts in putting together the
override for vote in October, and your work on determining the best route for
moving forward. We voted yes in October and would like to echo others in
urging you to move forward with a new override for vote in April. We moved to
Reading two years ago, have young children, and feel our community would be
at a huge loss without this chance to pass another override and avoid damage
to our school system, as well as other services, and property values. We
truly feel that our community will come together to pass a new override.
Thank you again,
Ally Bosley and Kristian Bodek (Mineral Street)
/�/' � � z) , ��'
TO: ANY WHO WANT TAX INCREASES (OVERRIDE)
1011 JAM 30 M 10: 14
YOU WANT TO HEAR FROM THOSE ON THE NO SIDE?
THEN READ COMMENTS BELOW:
• DON'T MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE AGAIN - IT
WON'T PASS
• 60% THE VOTERS HAVE ALREADY SPOKEN -NO
OVERRIDE
• THE ANSWER IS NO TO AN OVERRIDE NO
MATTER WHAT THE AMOUNT
• GO BACK TO THE SCHOOL BUDGET AND
BALANCE IT WITHOUT ANOTHER TAX BURDEN
• YOU NEED TO EARN BACK TRUST OF VOTERS
• MISMANAGEMENT BY THE SCHOOL DEPT AT
FAULT (6 MILLION $)
• DISRESPECTFUL TO THWART THE WILL OF 60%
VOTING N O
• ARROGANT TO ASK FOR AN OVERRIDE SO SOON
- LISTEN TO THE VOTERS
• SCHOOL ENROLLMENT DECLINES EACH YEAR
• NO NEED TO GIVE 3 -4% TEACHER RAISES FOR
WORKING HALF A YEAR
• RESIDENTS OF ALL AGES HURTING
• WATER, ELECTRIC, REAL ESTATE TAXES ALWAYS
RISING - NO RELIEF
• VOTERS CAN'T ATTEND YOUR MEETINGS - TOO
BUSY WORKING 2 TO 3 JOBS
• DON'T YOU GET IT?
• NO MORE TAX INCREASES - PAY ATTENTION TO
60% OF THE NO VOTE
• DON'T WASTE TOWN FUNDS ON AN OVERRIDE
• SILENT MAJORITY WILL TURN OUT TO VOTE NO
SILENT MAJORITY COMMITTEE VS. TAX OVERRIDE
c yj'
/C 60.
Schena, Paula
From: LeLacheur, Bob
Sent: Monday, January 30, 2017 11:19 AM
To: Schena, Paula
Subject: FW: YES for override!
From: Suzanne Polizzi [ mailto:suzanne.polizzi gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, January 30, 2017 10:58 AM
To: Reading - Selectmen
Subject: YES for override!
Dear Selectmen,
I voted YES for the override and will vote YES, again!
Me and my husband moved here 3 years for the excellent school system in Reading. We now have a 4 year old
and 1 year old. We are are devastated, nervous and scared as to how much the school system has declined in
this town and how quickly since we moved here. At this rate, we are very hesitant to send our kids to school in
this town. Without an override, we will most likely move to another town. I also know of several other
families in this same situation.
I hope that that town will offer another vote for the override!
Thank you,
Suzanne Polizzi Newell
32 Prescott Street, Reading
6t
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Schena, Paula
From: LeLacheur; Bob
Sent: Monday, January 30, 2017 6:09 PM
To: Schena, Paula
Subject: FW: [Reading MA] Override
From: vtsdmailer@vt-s.net [vtsdmailer @vt- s.net] on behalf of dwcory @gmail.com [dwcory@gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, January 30, 2017 5:48 PM
To: Town Manager
Subject: [Reading MA] Override
Hello delacheur,
David Cory (dwcory @gmail.com) has sent you a message via your contact form
(http: / /www.readingma.gov /user /431 /contact) at Reading MA.
If you don't want to receive such e- mails, you can change your settings at http: / /www.readingma.gov /user /431 /edit.
Message:
Hi Mr. LeLacheur,
I wanted to express my opinion to you that the town should propose another override for the budget, and sooner rather
than later. The cuts taking place in the schools are terrible, and I believe will set us back considerably.
Historically, it seems that an override in Reading never passes the first time, but rather on the second attempt. So let's
get that second attempt started! Thanks.
David Cory
16 Mt. Vernon St.
P
1
-/ C, t3 0
Schena, Paula
From:
LeLacheur, Bob
Sent:
Tuesday, January 31, 2017 7:31 AM
To:
Schena, Paula
Subject:
Fwd: Override
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
From: Liz Oliphant <lizoliphantl2ggmail.com>
Date: January 31, 2017 at 5:59:09 AM EST
To: <selectmennci.readin .ma.us>
Subject: Override
My husband and I did not vote on the override on 10/18 and would now like to vote "YES" on a
smaller amount.
Sent from my iPhone
61 dJ
c_J/�0S
Schena, Paula
From: LeLacheur, Bob
Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2017 4:30 PM
To: Schena, Paula
Subject: FW: The percent of residents with schoolchildren
From: Tom Grant [totommit @gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2017 4:05 PM
To: Reading - Selectmen
Subject: The percent of residents with schoolchildren
Dear Selectmen,
Thank you for the hard work you have been doing this budgeting cycle. I recognize that it is not easy and I
appreciate the amount of listening you are doing and open meetings you are having.
One data point I have heard cited a lot, and has made me wonder, is related to the number of residents with
children in the school system. I keep hearing something to the effect of "only 83% of residents have children in
the schools." This sounds too high.
I'm not sure where that number came from, but this might be it - in the presentation linked below (slide 14), Dr.
Doherty states that 17.4% of our town's population is enrolled in public schools. So I think the correct
statement is "83% of residents are not enrolled in the town's public schools."
http: / /www.readingma.gov/ sites /readingma/files /pages /20150616_ community listening meetings O.pdf
A post on Facebook by Marianne McLaughlin Downing spurred me to check on the census website. According
to the 2010 census there were 8,894 households in Reading, of which 3,261 had children under the age of 18
(36.6% of total households). There were 2,431 households that had children aged 6 to 17 (27.3% of total
households).
So perhaps a more accurate statement might be "In 2010, 73% of households did not have a school -aged child ".
One might speculate that that number has fallen over the past six years as the households with children under 6
enter the school system. However, I am not sure if enrollment numbers bear this out.
I hope this can clarify a statement that is causing a little bit of confusion among some residents.
Sincerely,
Tom Grant
15 Lothrop Rd
tgrantgsloan.mit.edu
617 - 816 -9527
https://www.linkedin.com/in/granttom
z-r C, /, -0
Schena, Paula
From: LeLacheur, Bob
Sent: Wednesday, February 01, 2017 7:28 AM
To: Schena, Paula
Subject: Fwd: Override Election
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
From: Maria Selvitellli <mscirpoa�,yahoo.com>
Date: January 31, 2017 at 11:16:35 PM EST
To: <selectmengci.readin .m�a.us>
Subject: Override Election
Dear Reading Town Selectman,
With regret, I wanted to express that I did not vote at the Reading Town override special
election. Had I been able to get to the polls, I would have voted YES to the override. And I will
do so if there is another election. I believe my husband was not able to make it to the polls as
well, and like wise would vote yes.
I hope that this in part will help with the knowledge that if there is a possibility of another special
override election, you have two additional votes for a "yes" to an override. As Town Selectman, I
hope you keep our children's education (and safety) first and foremost in your decisions. Thank
you for your consideration.
Kind regards,
Maria Selvitelli
Reading resident
q�y
/- / 6 /J/, 6,S
Schena, Paula
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
LeLacheur, Bob
Tuesday, January 31, 2017 7:34 PM
Schena, Paula
Fwd: Future override
From: Melissa Henri <melissa.henrikgmail.com>
Date: January 31, 2017 at 7:32:18 PM EST
To: < selectmen ,ci.reading ma.us>
Subject: Future override
To all selectmen:
My husband, in -laws, and I would all vote in favor of any future override to support the schools
and town. That would make 4 certain votes in favor of the additional funding. We will support
you in whatever amount (up to the original amount proposed in October) and timing you
determine appropriate, but we would definitely like to see it offered up for vote again as soon as
you think the town and voters will be ready for it.
Thank you for your hard work on behalf of our town and our children.
Sincerely,
Melissa Henri
r
L1(-1 6D S
Schena, Paula
From:
LeLacheur, Bob
Sent:
Tuesday, January 31, 2017 7:17 PM
To:
Schena, Paula
Subject:
FW: Override
From: Jennifer M. Corwin [mailto:jennifermcorwin @ icioud.com]
Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2017 6:48 PM
To: Reading - Selectmen
Subject: Override
I am writing to lend my support to a potential override vote in April. If put on the ballot, I would vote yes to an
additional override in support of our town!
Sincerely,
Jennifer Corwin
26 Boswell Road
Hof
Jill M. Reddish
Senior Staff Consultant — ROS TV
January 31, 2017
Town Manager's Office
Reading Town Hall
16 Lowell Street
Reading, MA 01867
Subject: Annual Complaint Filing
Dear Town Manager,
Llc aUs
i
Verizon Communications Inc.
125 High Street
Oliver Tower, FL 7
Boston, MA 02110
617- 342 -0558
Jill.m.reddish @verizon.com
Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 166A, § 10, Verizon New England, Inc. ( "Verizon New England ") is
required to file with the Department of Telecommunications and Cable and Issuing Authorities
an annual report on complaints received regarding our FiOS TV service. The report reflects
complaints received by Verizon during the previous year ending December 31. The Department
of Telecommunications and Cable has adopted Form 500 as the prescribed form for complying
with this annual reporting requirement. Please find attached Verizon New England's 2016 Form
500 for the Town of Reading.
Should you or your staff have any questions, please contact me at 617- 342 -0558. Verizon New
England appreciates the opportunity to conduct business in your community, and we look
forward to a long and rewarding relationship.
Sincerely,
Jill M. Reddish
Senior Staff Consultant — FiOS TV
cc: Reading Telecommunications and Technology Advisory Committee
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