HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-03-31 Board of Selectmen Packet
OFRFg4'~ Town of Reading
16 Lowell Street
,639'INCORQpReading, MA 01867-2685
FAX: (781) 942-9071
Email: townmanager@ci.reading.ma.us TOWN MANAGER
Website: www. readingma.gov (781) 942-9043
MEMORANDUM
TO: Board of Selectmen
FROM: Peter 1. Hechenbleikner
DATE: March 27, 2009
RE: Meeting - March 31, 2009
1 a) Town Counsel will be in to review the proposed settlement agreement with AGFA. If we
get a copy of it before the end of the day today, I will include it in your packet.
5a) The Reading Home Rule Charter provides for the appointment of the Town Accountant
by April 1 of each year. Attached is a copy of the relevant portion of the Charter. The
appointment is for one year. I would highly recommend reappointment of Gail LaPointe
as Town Accountant - she does a superb job.
5b) The Chairman of the Board of Selectmen has arranged for representatives of the Birch
Meadow Safety Committee to come in to talk about issues in that portion of the
community. Attached is a copy of the map that shows the Birch Meadow School and
abutting streets. Also attached are copies of emails supporting the painting of a
crosswalk on Birch Meadow Drive approximately 400 feet west of the existing crosswalk
at Birch Meadow Drive and Arthur B Lord Drive. The Parking, Traffic and
Transportation Task Force does not support the installation of a crosswalk at this
location. The existing crosswalk is at a proper location of an intersection of two streets
and is protected by a Crossing Guard. Additionally, the proposed location of a mid-block
crosswalk does not have as good sight distance for cars traveling eastbound on Birch
Meadow Drive as does the existing crosswalk location. The Town last year installed a
sidewalk connecting the sidewalk at Arthur B Lord and Birch Meadow Drive, on the
northerly side of Birch Meadow Drive to connect to the fire access/walkway that
connects Birch Meadow Drive to the Birch Meadow School playground.
5d) Follow Up World Cafe - Selectman Chairman Goldy and Secretary Bonazoli met with
me to discuss follow up. Attached is the summary to the World Cafe. We will invite
Deb Gilburg and Kerry Dunnell to be present also.
5e) Attached is the material on the proposed water, sewer and storm water rates. This is a
public hearing. It is appropriate to set those rates prior to Town Meeting, so that Town
Meeting will no what amount of reserves should be used to set the rates.
5f) Club Licensing - I have invited the club organizations to this meeting (see the attached
letter) for follow up on the Board of Selectmen's interest in the hours of operation for the
clubs compared to those for restaurants.
5g) The Board wanted to discuss our progress on the Mattera Cabin. There is some material
included in your packet on this matter.
PIH/ps
~oNOFR~qTown of Reading
. b 16 Lowell Street
JINCO Reading, MA 01867-2685
sR40¢~
FAX: (781) 942-9071
Email: townmanager@ci.read!ng.ma.us TOWN MANAGER
Website: www. readingma.gov (781) 942-9043
MEMORANDUM
TO: Board of Selectmen
FROM: Peter I. Hechenbleikner
J
DATE: March 27, 2009
RE: Training for Volunteer. Events
Attached is the list of attendees for this event that was held on March 19, 2009. The program
was taped for viewing by RCTV, and hopefully we will get much broader distribution to our
volunteer community. However, the breadth of attendees is impressive.
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Page 1 of 3
LV ^-1
Schena, Paula A--T-
From: Hechenbleikner, Peter
Sent: Friday, March 27, 2009 11:25 AM
To: Schena, Paula
Subject: FW: MMA Action Alert on Municipal Relief Legislation
Attachments: Local Press ReleaseMarch09.doc; Local LettertoLegMarch09.doc; LocalLettertoEdMarch09.doc
Cc BOS under Town Manager report
From: Geoff Beckwith [mailto:gbeckwith@mma.org]
Sent: Friday, March 27, 2009 11:18 AM
To: Geoffrey Beckwith
Subject: MMA Action Alert on Municipal Relief Legislation
SPECIAL MMA ACTION ALERT
March 27, 2009
Municipal Relief Package to be Unveiled Within
Two Weeks
Please Call Your Legislators TODAY and Tell Them Four Priority Items Must Be
Included
Please Use the Sample Press Release, Sample Letter to the Editor, and Sample
Letter to Legislators
(All are attached to this Alert)
Dear Municipal Leader,
Within the next two weeks the Legislature will unveil its version of a Municipal Relief Package. In
order to offer meaningful tools and resources to provide true relief in Fiscal 2010, the Legislature must
include the four priority items of. 1) health insurance plan design freedom, 2) local option taxes, 3)
closing telecommunication tax loopholes, and 4) fixing the charter school funding problem.
Even if you have contacted your Legislators already on these matters, it is very important that you do so
again. It is vital that your Representatives and Senators hear from you and all local officials, and that
you get their commitment to support all of these important items.
For any municipal relief package to be truly meaningful. it should include:
• Real health insurance reform that removes plan design decisions (co-pays, deductibles, tiered
networks, and so on) from collective bargaining
• At least a 2% local option meals tax and a 2% increase in the local hotel-motel tax
3/27/2009
Page 2 of 3
• Closing the telecom tax loopholes on poles, wires and equipment
• Fixing the flawed charter school funding system
There are many forces trying hard to stop any of these reforms from becoming law. Public sector
unions, the telecommunication companies, restaurant and lodging owners, and charter school advocates
are doing everything they can to prevent these needed reforms. These special interests are offering no
solutions, just standing in the way trying to block real change - tell your legislators that the status
quo is unacceptable. We need real reform now!
Please act now to let your Legislators know how important these changes are to your community, and to
make them realize that cities and towns are watching and counting on real reform.
Thank you!
Please take the following actions TODAY:
I - Call your Representatives and Senators
2 - Issue a Press Release (a sample release is attached to this Alert)
3 - Send a letter to your Legislators on your stationery (a sample letter is attached to this
Alert)
4 - Send a Letter to the Editor to your local newspapers (a sample Letter to the Editor is
attached to this Alert)
Please use the following TALKING POINTS when you call your Legislators:
Health Insurance Plan Design:
• Please ask your legislators to support freeing cities and towns of the requirement to bargain
health insurance plan design;
• Cities and towns are way behind both the state and private employers in terms of co-pays,
deductibles, and tiered networks, so-called plan design;
• As a result, health insurance costs cities and towns much more than the state or private
employers;
• This is because cites and towns are required to bargain over any changes to municipal plan
design;
• The state does not have this requirement and therefore has co-pays, deductibles, and tiered
networks that are much closer to the private sector;
• Modernizing plan design would save cities and towns and our employees as much as 15% of
current health insurance premiums;
• The Legislature and the Governor must remove plan design from collective bargaining for
cities and towns in order to allow cities and towns to save millions of dollars in health insurance
costs beginning on July 1, 2009.
• Providing access to the GIC is NOT enough, as the state plan does not work for a large
number of communities, and most municipalities would save more money, more quickly (with
less disruption to employees) by making plan design changes on their own.
Meals & Lodging Taxes:
• Please ask your legislators to support legislation to allow cities and towns to adopt a local
option sales tax on meals and to increase the local option room occupancy excise;
3/27/2009 V
Page 3 of 3
• Cities and town are highly reliant on the property tax. New local option taxes would provide a
more diversified municipal revenue base;
• Local option taxes would provide additional revenues to help balance local budgets next year
and avoid layoffs;
• The MMA municipal relief bill [House 3486] would allow cities and towns to adopt a local
option sales tax on meals of up to 3 points and to add up to an additional 2 points to the room
occupancy excise;
• Each point on the meals tax would provide an estimated $125 million statewide. Each point
on the room occupancy would provide an estimated $20 million.
Telecommunication Taxes:
• Please ask your legislators to support legislation that would modernize the taxation of property
owned by telephone and other telecommunication properties;
• Please codify the Appellate Tax Board (ATB) decision that "poles and wires" over public
ways are taxable and the companion provision to eliminate the exemption for telecommunications
machinery;
• These provisions, included in the MMA relief bill and the Governor's Municipal Partnership
Act II, would provide an estimated $50 million statewide to help balance municipal budgets.
Charter Schools:
• Please ask your legislators to support the provisions in the MMA relief bill [H. 3486] to halt
the expansion of charter schools in fiscal 2010;
• New and expanded charter schools would result in a real loss of another $21 million in
Chapter 70 school aid next year as tuition payments to charter schools from municipal revenues
exceed state reimbursements;
• Without reform of how charter schools are financed, loss of aid will result in fewer public
school teachers and other school staff and diminished programs.
Geoffrey C. Beckwith
Executive Director, Massachusetts Municipal Association
President, Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association
One Winthrop Square, Boston, MA 02110
tel 617-426-7272 fax 617-695-1314
web www.mma.org
EMAIL DISCLAIMER: This message is a private communication.
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Please notify the sender of the delivery error by replying to this
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3/27/2009
SAMPLE LOCAL PRESS RELEASE
(INSERT DATE)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT
(TITLE AND NAME) CALLS FOR REAL REFORM FROM LEGISLATURE
(TITLE AND NAME) today called on area legislators to support real and meaningful reforms and
assistance when municipal relief legislation is debated on Beacon Hill. "In the next two weeks
our legislators will be voting on a municipal relief bill, and it is absolutely necessary that our
Representatives and Senators support meaningful reforms that will actually provide our
community with the tools and resources we need to protect local services and balance our budget
during this economic crisis," said (TITLE AND NAME).
"This is a real fiscal crisis. Protecting the status quo is unacceptable. Our legislators must enact
real reform now, which means taking health insurance decisions out of collective bargaining,
giving us the choice to decide on new local option revenues, ending the outrageous tax breaks to
telecom companies, and preventing us from losing more education aid to charter schools,"
explained (TITLE AND NAME).
(NAME) said that all communities are facing a fiscal crisis that is forcing deep cuts in vital
services, higher reliance on our overburdened property tax, and threatening widespread layoffs of
police officers, firefighters, teachers, public works employees, and other key workers. The
damaging recession has caused a steep drop in local revenues, and in January, the state cut local
aid by $128 million, the largest mid-year local aid reduction in history.
"We have responded to this crisis by doing our best to manage the impact on local services, but
the crisis *is so deep that we are (insert your own specifics here including layoffs, service cuts
and other examples)," said (TITLE AND NAME), "and'next year looks to be even worse,
especially if municipal aid is cut again as proposed in the Governor's budget. Without relief, we
will see even deeper cuts in the municipal workforce, reduced education programs and fewer
teachers."
(TITLE AND NAME) said unless the Legislature enacts a real municipal relief package, cities and
towns will eliminate thousands of municipal and school employees, services will go down,
property tax reliance will grow even more than necessary, and our economy will become even
weaker.
"We need real reform today, which is why I am joining with thousands of local officials and the
Massachusetts Municipal Association in calling for four major changes that must be included in
any municipal relief package," said (TITLE AND NAME).
(LAME) outlined the key reforms that cities and towns need now:
~G
HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN DESIGN: Cities and towns must have the same authority the
state has to control health insurance costs, which means freeing municipalities from the
requirement to collectively bargain the design of health plans. The state exempts itself from
collective bargaining on health insurance issues, including plan design. This reform would allow
municipalities to quickly adjust their co-pays and tiered networks up to the same level the
Commonwealth's Group Insurance Commission has implemented for state employees. Again,
this would simply give local officials the same power the state has to update health plans, and
would save more money, more quickly and more efficiently than any other option (including
joining the state plan, which doesn't work for many municipalities). This one reform would save
millions of dollars, and protect against the elimination of thousands of municipal and school
positions, while providing municipal employees with health insurance plans that are as generous
as the state offers.
LOCAL OPTION TAXES: The state must allow local option taxes, including a local meals tax
of at least 2%, and an increase in the local hotel-motel tax by an additional 2%, so that
communities can have an additional local revenue source beyond the property tax. These
revenues must stay at the local level to fund local services and balance local budgets.
CLOSE TELECOM TAX LOOPHOLES: It is far past time to close the tax loopholes that
give telephone companies a tax break of up to $80 million at the expense of cities and towns and
local taxpayers. The state should clarify that telecom companies must pay their fair share of
local taxes on all poles, wires and equipment.
CHARTER SCHOOL FUNDING FAIRNESS: The state must fix the flawed charter school
funding scheme that harms school districts all across the state - in the short-term, please provide
a circuit-breaker to ensure that future losses to charter schools will not consume a greater
percentage of the Chapter 70 aid a city or town now receives. Without this protection,
communities will lose another $21 million in education aid next year.
"These four reforms are absolutely necessary tools that we need to responsibly confront the local
fiscal crisis," (TITLE AND NAME) said. "Without these reforms and revenues, we will be forced
to make more layoffs and drastically reduce municipal services to unsafe levels. Our legislators
must promise to vote for these priorities, and pass them now."
-End-
SAMPLE MUNICIPAL RELIEF LETTER TO LEGISLATORS
March , 2009
The Honorable
State House
Boston, MA 02133
Dear Representative/Senator ,
We are in a fiscal crisis that is forcing deep cuts in vital services, higher reliance on our
overburdened property tax, and threatening widespread layoffs of police officers, firefighters,
teachers, public works employees, and other key workers. The damaging recession has caused a
steep decline in our major sources of local revenues and receipts, including motor vehicle excise
taxes and investment income, and brought our "new growth" in the real estate tax levy to a
standstill. Earlier this year, due to a plummeting state revenues, the Commonwealth cut local aid
by $128 million, the largest mid-year local aid reduction in history. Our community lost
We have responded to this crisis by doing our best to mitigate the impact on local services. But
the crisis is so deep that we are (insert your own specifics here, including layoffs, service cuts
and other examples). Many communities have asked unions to agree to across-the-board wage
freezes for municipal and school personnel. Many have reduced municipal payrolls by
furloughing non-union personnel. In too many cases, communities have been forced to use all
three options of layoffs, wage freezes, and furloughs in order to maintain basic services with
existing revenues. And fiscal 2010 looks to be even worse, especially if municipal aid is reduced
by $220 million below original fiscal 2009 levels as proposed in the Governor's budget, and
Chapter 70 is level-funded. We will impose even deeper cuts in the municipal workforce, and
cut education programs and teachers from next year's budget. Across the state, thousands of
municipal and school employees will be eliminated, services will go down, property tax reliance
will grow even more than necessary, and our economy will become even weaker.
A municipal relief bill is expected to come before you within the next several weeks, and we are
writing to you today to ask for your commitment to support the necessary reforms and revenues
that we will need. This is a real crisis. Protecting the status quo is not a solution. These are the
new tools that we must have:
1] HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN DESIGN - Cities and towns must have the same
authority the state has to control health insurance costs, which means freeing
municipalities from the requirement to collectively bargain the design of health plans. The
state exempts itself from collective bargaining on health insurance issues, including plan design.
This reform would allow municipalities to quickly adjust their co-pays and tiered networks up to
the same level the Commonwealth's Group Insurance Commission has implemented for state
employees. Again, this would simply give local officials the same power the state has to update
health plans, and would save more money, more quickly and more efficiently than any ther
option (including joining the state plan, which doesn't work for many municipalities). This one
reform would save millions of dollars, and protect against the elimination of thousands of
municipal and school positions, while providing municipal employees with health insurance
plans that are as generous as the state offers.
21 LOCAL OPTION TAXES - The state must allow local option taxes, including a local
meals tax of at least 2%, and an increase in the local hotel-motel tax by an additional 2%, so that
communities can have an additional local revenue source beyond the property tax. These
revenues must stay at the local level to fund local services and balance local budgets.
31 CLOSE TELECOM TAX LOOPHOLES - It is far past time to close the tax loopholes
that give telephone companies a tax break of up to $80 million at the expense of cities and towns
and local taxpayers. The state should clarify that telecom companies must pay their fair share of
local taxes on all poles, wires and equipment.
41 CHARTER SCHOOL FUNDING FAIRNESS - The state must fix the flawed charter
school funding scheme that harms school districts all across, the state - in the short-term, please
provide a circuit-breaker to ensure that future losses to charter schools will not consume a greater
percentage of the Chapter 70 aid a city or town now receives. Without this protection,
communities will lose another $21 million in education aid in fiscal 2010.
These four reforms are absolutely necessary tools that cities and towns need as they work to
responsibly confront the local fiscal crisis. Without these reforms and revenues, we will be
forced to make more layoffs and drastically reduce municipal services to unsafe levels.
We urge you in strongest possible terms to include these essential tools in your municipal
package, and enact these reforms as soon as possible.
Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
SAMPLE LOCAL LETTER TO THE EDITOR
March , 2009
LOCAL NEWSPAPER
ADDRESS
COMMUNITY, MA ZIP
Dear EDITOR,
In the next two weeks, our legislators will be voting on a municipal relief bill, and it is absolutely
necessary that our Representatives and Senators support meaningful reforms that will actually
provide our community with the tools and resources we need to protect local services and
balance our budget during this fiscal crisis.
This is a real crisis. Protecting the status quo will solve nothing. This means that our legislators
must enact real reform to take health insurance decisions out of collective bargaining, give us the
choice to decide on new local option revenues, end the outrageous tax breaks to telecom
companies, and prevent us from losing more education aid to charter schools.
We are in an economic crisis that is forcing deep cuts in vital services, higher reliance on our
overburdened property tax, and threatening widespread layoffs of police officers, firefighters,
teachers, public works employees, and other key workers. The damaging recession has caused a
steep decline in our local revenues, including motor vehicle excise taxes and investment income,
and brought our "new growth" in the real estate tax levy to a standstill. Earlier this year, due to
plummeting state revenues, the Commonwealth cut local aid by $128 million, the largest mid-
year local aid reduction in history. Our community lost (insert your local aid cut here).
We have responded to this crisis by doing our best to mitigate the impact on local services. But
the crisis is so deep that we are (insert your own specifics here including layoffs, service cuts
and other examples). Many communities have asked unions to agree to across-the-board wage
freezes for municipal and school personnel. Many have reduced municipal payrolls by
furloughing non-union personnel. In too many cases, communities have been forced to use all
three options of layoffs, wage freezes, and furloughs in order to maintain basic services with
existing revenues. And fiscal 2010 looks to be even worse, especially if municipal aid is reduced
by $220 million below original fiscal 2009 levels and Chapter 70 is level funded, as proposed in
the Governor's budget. We will impose even deeper cuts in the municipal workforce, and cut
education programs and teachers from next year's budget. Across the state, thousands of
municipal and school employees will be eliminated, services will go down, property tax reliance
will grow even more than necessary, and our economy will become even weaker.
These are the new tools that our legislators must support:
HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN DESIGN: Cities and towns must have the same authority
the state has to control health insurance costs, which means freeing municipalities from the
requirement to collectively bargain the design of health plans. The state exempts itself from
collective bargaining on health insurance issues, including plan design. This reform would allow
municipalities to quickly adjust their co-pays and tiered networks up to the same level the
Commonwealth's Group Insurance Commission has implemented for state employees. Again,
this would simply give local officials the same -ower the state has to update health plans, and
would save more money, more quickly and more efficiently than any other option (including
joining the state plan, which doesn't work for many municipalities). This one reform would save
millions of dollars, and protect against the elimination of thousands of municipal and school
positions, while providing municipal employees with health insurance plans that are as generous
as the state offers.
LOCAL OPTION TAXES: The state must allow local option taxes, including a local meals
tax of at least 2%, and an increase in the local hotel-motel tax by an additional 2%, so that
communities can have an additional local revenue source beyond the property tax. These
revenues must stay at the local level to fund local services and balance local budgets.
CLOSE TELECOM TAX LOOPHOLES: It is far past time to close the tax loopholes that
give telephone companies a tax break of nearly $80 million at the expense of cities and towns
and local taxpayers. The state should clarify that telecom companies must pay their fair share of
local taxes on all poles, wires and equipment.
CHARTER SCHOOL FUNDING FAIRNESS: The state must fix the flawed charter school
funding scheme that harms school districts all across the state - in the short-term, please provide
a circuit-breaker to ensure that future losses to charter schools will not consume a greater
percentage of the Chapter 70 aid a city or town now receives. Without this protection,
communities will lose another $21 million in education aid next year.
These four reforms are absolutely necessary tools that cities and towns need as they work to
responsibly confront the local fiscal crisis. Without these reforms and revenues, we will be
forced to make more layoffs and drastically reduce municipal services to unsafe levels.
We urge our legislators in strongest possible terms to include these essential tools in.any
municipal package, and enact these reforms as soon as possible. The status quo is not
acceptable. We need real reform and assistance now.
Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
v"
-~-aw~ r'~` R R
°FRega~~ Town of Reading
16 Lowell Street
9r 7NCOR4 Reading, MA 01867-2685
FAX: (781). 942-9071
Email: townmanager@ci.read!ng.ma.us TOWN MANAGER
Website: www. readingma.gov (781) 942-9043
CERTIFIED MAIL
March 26, 2009
Atlantic Food Mart, Inc.
Attn: Arnold Rubin, President
30 Haven Street
Reading, MA 01867
NOTICE OF HEARING
Alleged Violation - Town of Reading Liquor License Policy
Section 3.2.1.6 - Abandonment of Licensed Premises
Dear Mr. Rubin:
You are hereby notified that a public hearing will be held by the Board of
Selectmen as the Licensing Authority for the Town of Reading, on Tuesday, April 28,
2009 at 9:00 p.m. in the Selectmen's Hearing Room,. Town Hall, 16 Lowell Street,
Reading, MA, to show cause why your license to operate a Retail Package Goods Store
for All Kinds of Alcoholic Beverages not to be Drunk on the Premises should not be
modified, suspended or revoked for a violation of Section 3.2.1.6 of the Town of Reading
Liquor License Policy which provides that, "[t]he closing of the licensed establishment
for seven consecutive calendar days or for more than 20 regular business calendar days
during a calendar year shall be deemed to be abandonment of the license and sufficient
grounds for revocation, unless prior approval is granted by the Licensing Authority." No
prior approval to abandon the license was issued by the Board of Selectmen as the
Licensing Authority and, it appears that this abandonment took place on or prior to
December 1, 2008 unless evidence can be provided to the contrary.
This public hearing will be held pursuant to the provisions of M.G.L. c.138, §64.
After the hearing, the Board of Selectmen may vote to suspend or revoke your license if
it finds that there is satisfactory proof that a violation has occurred. You may appear on
your own behalf and/or with your legal counsel and present witnesses.
.
2
For your information and review, a copy of Section 6.3.1.2 is enclosed herewith.
in erely,
Peter I. Hechenbleikner, Town Manager
Encl.
cc: Town Counsel
Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission
Attorney Brad Latham
kA
C/`
3.2.1.6 - Duty to Perform
An applicant for a license to sell liquor on or off premises shall within 45 days of the
issuance of such license commence construction of the licensed premises which shall be fully
operational within 120 days of the issuance of such license, unless otherwise approved by the
Licensing Authority. Thereafter, the licensee will continuously operate the premises in
accordance with the terms and conditions of the license. The closing of the licensed
establishment for seven consecutive calendar days or for more than 20 regular business
calendar days during a calendar year shall be deemed to be abandonment of the license
and sufficient grounds for revocation, unless prior approval is granted by the Licensing
Authority. Such revocation shall only be done following a public hearing. Upon application by
the licensee, the Licensing Authority may waive this abandonment provision in the event of
major renovation, destruction by fire or flood or other similar circumstance. (bold added for
emphasis)
i~
C/
Schena, Paula
From: Hechenbleikner, Peter
Sent: Thursday, March 26, 2009 8:39 AM
To: Schena, Paula
Subject: FW: EDC Associate Position - Filled
Town Manager's report - and keep in your files on EDC appointment.
-----Original Message-----
From: Meghan Young [mailto:meghany@comcast.net]
Sent: Thursday, March 26, 2009 8:14 AM
To: Reading - Selectmen
Cc: McCabe, Abigail; Kowalski, Carol
Subject: EDC Associate Postiion - Filled
Greetings,
Please let this email serve as a request by the Economic Development Committee to close
off any new EDC associate positions. After seeking guidance from Carol, we would like to
request that the BOS designate the EDC population to consist of 5 voting members and 4
associate members. We would also like to "reserve" a 5th associate position for the
possibility of a Reading resident who is a member of the Chamber of Commerce.
Thank you for your consideration,
Meghan Young-Tafoya
Economic Development Committee, Chairman
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rs3. rxcoae°~¢ Reading, MA 01867-2683
Fax: (781) 941-8441 ENGINEERING DIVISION
Website: wwwxi.reading.ma.us (781) 942-9082
March 12,2009 Via Facsimile
Ms. Marsha Durcan
North American Specialty Insurance Company
1200 Arlington Heights Road
Suite 400
Itasca, IL 60143 -
Re: Bancroft Avenue Tennis'Court Renovation
Town of Reading Contract No. 08-11
Bond No. 2077451
Dear Ms. Durcan,
It has been 3 months since the Town provided its initial notice of default and request for corrective
action regarding the contaminated bituminous concrete pavement and unfinished work under the
performance bond on the Bancroft Avenue Tennis Court project. I recognize that ibis period extended
through the holiday season with associated delays from vacations and:the winter season however, we
are now quickly approaching the start of the. construction season and we are no closer to a resolution of
this issue.
During our conversations I informed you of the Town's expectation that a completion plan will be in
place so that corrective work may commence as soon as possible this` spring. On March 19, 20091 will
be meeting with your consultant Mr. John McManus and David White & Sons, Inc. to visit the site and
discuss the project. The Town is hopeful that an expedient resolution can be achieved following this
meeting. However, if an acceptable resolution is not attained by the close of business on March 23,
2009 the Town of Reading shall pursue any and all available legal remedies.
Resp ful
or bouras, P.E.
o eer
Cc: John McManus, Alliance Consulting Group, Inc.
Peter I. Hechenbleikner, Town Manager
Ted McIntire, Director Public Works
Ellen Callahan Doucette, Town Counsel
John Feudo Recreation Administrator
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March 9, 2009
Mr. Stephen Goldy C)-~
Chairman of the Town of Reading
Board of Selectmen
Town Hall
16 Lowell Street
Reading, Massachusetts 01867
Re: Town of Reading, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps
and Flood Insurance Study report comments
Dear Mr.' Goldy:
In a November 16, 2007, letter addressed to Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA), Ms. Frances M. Fink, Conservation Administrator for the Town of
Reading, identified 27 concerns with the September 28, 2007, Preliminary Flood' Insurance Rate
Maps (FIRM) and Flood Insurance Study (FIS) report prepared by the Department of Homeland
Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), for the Town of Reading. Ina
telephone call on June 5, 2008, Ms. Fink discussed these concerns with Mr. David Mendelsohn, of
FEMA, Region I, and Ms. Corinne (Rosenblum) Bartshire, of Dewberry. As a result, the majority of
those concerns are considered resolved. Our responses to the remaining concerns/comments (#'s 4,
8, 10, 11, 12, 19, 21, and 23), are summarized below.
Comment 4 - The maps appear to indicate streams and the edges of ponds with narrow black lines.
It would be helpful to add this symbol to the legend.
Response to Comment 4 - The FEMA `Guidelines and Specifications for Flood Hazard Mapping
Partners' standards are used uniformally across the nation for all Flood Insurance Rate Maps.
These standards do not include drainage (streams, ponds, rivers) symbology in the map legend. To
ensure all Flood Insurance Rate Maps across the nation are uniform, the. map legend may not be
customized.
Comment 8 - The previous map datum was NGVD, and most of the site plans and other records that
we maintain for past and present construction are based on NGVD. The new maps use NAVD.
There is a note referring to the National Geodetic Survey website for information on how to translate
from NGVD to NAVD. However, it would be more helpful if FEMA could simply state the
translation on each map. This would allow the user to compare old record plans more readily,
without having to go to a website and try to find the right information. Also, websites may change
over time, leaving the map user without the necessary information.
Response to Comment 8 - Information regarding the vertical datum conversion is provided on
Pages 82 and 83 of the FIS report. The FEMA `Guidelines and Specifications for Flood Hazard
Mapping Partners' standards are used uniformally across the nation for all Flood Insurance Rate V`
www.fema.gov
Mr. Stephen Goldy, March 9, 2009 2
Maps. These standards do not include the vertical datum conversion in the Notes to Users section on
the FIRMpanels.
Comment 10 - On the old maps, the 100-year flood elevation for Walkers Brook ranges from 87'
NGVD at Ash Street to 79' NGVD at the Route 129/I-95 rotary intersection where the Brook enters
Wakefield. On the new maps (#313 and #314), the elevations range from 86' at Ash Street to 79' at
the rotary. If NAVD is a foot lower at Ash Street, should it not also be a foot lower at the rotary?
The same is true of the three tributaries that enter Walkers Brook from the Bolton Street, Pleasant
Street, and Salem Street areas.
Response to Comment 10 - The vertical datum conversion of -0.8 feet was applied to Walkers Brook
(as it was for the entire county). The vertical datum conversion doesn't always result in a uniform
change in the Base Flood Elevations (BFEs) shown on the FIRMpanels. For example, in the
effective study for the Town of Reading, the downstream BFE for Walkers Brook is 79.3 feet NGVD.
In the Preliminary study, the downstream BFE is 78.5 feet NA VD. Since whole foot BFEs are only
depicted on the FIRMpanels, each of these elevations round to '79' feet. The safne principle applies
to all locations along Walkers Brook, the vertical datum conversion of -0.8 feet was used in the
Preliminary study, and the updated BFEs reflect this conversion.
Comment 11 - Where Walkers Brook continues from Reading into Wakefield (#314), there is a gap
in the AE Zone as the Brook flows eastward within the rotary, goes--through the Bay State Road area,
and then crosses under I-95. Should flood elevations be added to the map for this section of the
Brook? (The name changes to "Reading Drainage Canal" in Wakefield for reasons that are not
apparent.) The stated 100-year flood elevation in the Zone AE in Wakefield where Walkers Brook
joins the Saugus River is 80', a foot higher than the elevation where it leaves Reading. This seems
odd, but perhaps it is related to the flow from. Lake Quannapowitt.
Response to Comment]] - When the original FIS's were prepared for Reading and Wakefield,
each community was contacted to determine which flooding sources would be studied by detailed
methods within each community. Wakefield's original FIS was based upon analyses prepared by
Camp Dresser & McKee, Inc, dated December 1976, and Reading's original FIS was based upon
analyses prepared by Anderson-Nichols & Company, Inc., dated August 1978. The original FIS for
Wakefield shows the flooding source named `Reading Drainage Canal ' which is depicted as a
tributary to Saugus River. The original Reading FIS shows the same flooding source named
`Walkers Brook'. Within Reading, Walkers Brook was studied by detailed methods beginning at the
downstream corporate limits. However, no detailed study was performed in Wakefield (where the
stream is known as Reading Drainage Canal) likely because the stream was of short length within
the town and is located near Interstate 95 where the development potential is low or restricted. It's
not uncommon for streams or other features to have different names in different jurisdictions.
However, the Preliminary FIRM shows the drainage disconnected and this will be revised to depict
continuous drainage prior to issuance of the new FIRM. In addition, there are errors in the BFE
labels shown on Walkers Brook from the downstream corporate limits to the first crossing of Track
Road. There is also an error in the BFE label shown for Reading Drainage Canal in Wakefield.
These errors have been corrected and are shown on the enclosed proof copy of FIRM Panel 314.
These BFE label corrections ensure a logical agreement in the BFE presentation for Walkers Brook
and Reading Drainage Canal. Please be aware these label changes do not affect the flood
elevations for either community they simply reflect the elevations presented on the Flood Profiles
shown in the FIS report. We apologize for any confusion the labeling errors may have caused.
Comment 12 - There are other large floodplains in Reading along Walkers Brook that extend to the
Wakefield boundary between Track Road and Ash Street on Panels #313 and #314, but they do not ~D
continue on the Wakefield side of the boundary. From personal observation and from site plans for
~C/
Mr. Stephen Goldy, March 9, 2009 ( 3
properties that straddle the town boundary, I believe that flooding does extend into Wakefield and
should be depicted on Panels #313 and #314.
Response to Comment 12 -As mentioned in the above Response to Comment 11, the original FIS's
were based upon analyses from different engineering firms. The area in question within Wakefield is
located along Interstate 95 and doesn't show much development, with the exception of the area just
north of Walkers Brook Drive. It was likely determined that this area in Wakefield did not require a
detailed flood analyses due to low or restricted development potential. For the currently prepared
Preliminary FIRM, there are `Limit of Study' labels located along the corporate limits of these 2
communities. If the Town of Wakefield requests that flood hazard data be included along Interstate
95 within their jurisdiction we will need a detailed topographic survey map to delineate the SFHA
and floodway boundaries within Wakefield. This topographic map maybe submitted at anytime, and
should be certified by a registered land surveyor or professional engineer. If a topographic map is
submitted after the preliminary FIRMS are issued in a final format, the mapping update would be
processed as a Letter of Map Revision (LOMR). Additional information and instructions for
applying for a LOMB can be found at the following link:
http //www ema gov/plan/prevent/fling/dl mt-2.shtm.
Comment 19 - On Panel 294, flood elevations for the south branch of the Aberjona River range from
79' at West Street to 71' where the Zone AE widens near the sharp curve in Arnold Avenue. On
the old FIRM, the flood elevations range from 82' at West Street to 71' at the curve.' Is the elevation
near West Street on the new map correct? Also, the elevations for the north branch of the Aber ona
on the new map are two feet lower than those on the old map west of West Street.
Response to Comment 19 - This particular area is within the Mystic River basin, which includes
revised analyses of all previously detailed study flood hazards. Therefore, the BFEs would not be
the same when comparing the Preliminary study with the effective study, even when applying the
vertical datum conversion. The new Mystic River basin analyses are the latest study data available
and supersede the previous effective flood hazard data. As such, a summary public notification of the
initiation of the appeal process and of the location of the publication of the proposed flood elevation
determinations was published in The Reading Chronicle on or about June 5, 2008, and June 12,
2008. These BFEs will become the basis for floodplain management ordinances that your
community must adopt to remain qualified for participation in the National Flood Insurance
Program (NFIP). A 90 day appeals period was provided for your community to review and provide
comments on the proposed elevations. This period closed on November 5, 2008.
Comment 21 - Panel 313 does not depict the stream that flows from northeast to southwest through
the I-93/1-95 cloverleaf intersection or any floodplains associated with this stream in Reading or
Woburn.
Response to Comment 21 - If the Town of Wakefield or the City of Woburn is aware ofpossible
flood hazards in the Interstate 931Interstate 95 cloverleaf area this information should be presented
to FEMA for inclusion in the countywide FIRM and FIS or as a LOMR request. Please note that the
inclusion of such information must meet certain technical requirements and be supported by
necessary documentation. Adding or revising flood hazard information is often accompanied by
hydrologic and hydraulic analyses, certified topographic maps, an annotated FIRM showing the
requested flood hazard changes, and additional supporting data. An ideal format for submitting
such information would be as a LOMR request, which is referenced in the above `Response to
Comment 12'. Information and instructions for applying for a LOMR can be found at the following
link: http //rvww ferncz Gov/plan/prevent/flun/dl mt-2.shtm.
Comment 23 - There is a pond on the northeastern side of the large office building at 55 Walkers
A
Brook Drive. Culverts connect the pond to Walkers Brook. This area is shown on Panels 313 and r /
V
Mr. Stephen Goldy, March 9, 2009 4
314. During the May 2006 flood, water rose high enough in both the pond and the stream to
completely inundate the low berm between the two, joining them as one contiguous flooded area.
Response to Comment 23 - The Preliminary FIRM showed the pond located northeast of the large
office building at 55 Walkers Brook Drive in 3 different flood zones. This mapping error has been
corrected to show the pond and berm within flood area Zone AE, which will agree with the flood
zone designation for the adjacent stream, Walkers Brook. Proof copies of Panels 313 and 314 are
enclosed demonstrating this correction.
We recognize and greatly appreciate the extraordinary amount of time and effort Ms. Fink spent
reviewing and commenting on the preliminary map products. Your community's comments are an
important part of our review process and have been -carefully considered. If you have additional
concerns please contact me at the Regional Office at (617) 956-7571 or the FEMA Map Assistance
Center toll free at (877) 336-2627 (877-FEMA MAP).
In addition, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, Flood Hazard
Management Program is available to assist your community. You may contact Mr. Richard
Zingarelli, the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) State Coordinator, by telephone at
(617) 626-1406, by mail at 251 Causeway Street, Suite 700, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, or by
e-mail at richard.zingarelli@state.ma.us.
Sincerely,
G'
Michael Goetz, Chief
Risk Analysis Branch
Enclosures: FIRM Panels 313 and 314 .
cc: Ms. Frances M. Fink, Conservation Administrator, Town of Reading
Ms. Betsy Sheeren, Chairman of Selectmen, Town of Wakefield
The Honorable Thomas L. McLaughlin, Mayor, City of Woburn
Mr. Richard Zingarelli, Massachusetts NFIP State Coordinator
Mr. Michael Goetz, Chief, Risk Analysis Branch, FEMA, Region I
Mr. Stuart Rooney, RMC-1
Ms. Corinne Bartshire, Dewberry
'1/y
Nimble Thimblers Quilt Guild
20)9 MAR 27 AN 11: 43 Post Office Box 781
Reading, Massachusetts 01867
March 23, 2009
Vincent Cameron, General Manager
Reading Municipal Light Department
230 Ash Street
Reading, Massachusetts 01867-0250
Dear Mr. Cameron,
I am writing as a follow-up to our meeting on March 20, 2009, regarding the
RMLD's recent decision prohibiting the use of space by certain "outside groups". We
appreciate having had the opportunity to express our concerns as well as to hear your
concerns and we are optimistic that we can forge a working relationship between the
Nimble Thimblers Quilt Group. and the RMLD.
Please be assured that the Nimble Thimblers Quilt Group makes every effort to
abide by the rules of the RMLD. The membership is reminded at every meeting about
parking rules and the room is always left in the condition in which it was found. We do
not allow children at our meetings and we carry our own insurance policy of which you
have a copy. A member is stationed by the door at the beginning of every meeting so that
they may open the door for entering members. I have, in the past, forgotten to pick up
the key FOB and have therefore designated another member to that task. I have never
forgotten to return it.
As a rate-payer, tax payer and Town Meeting member, I remain concerned that
proper procedure may not have been followed in this matter. I also remain concerned
that only "some" groups have been excluded, according to your opening statement. I
hope that a careful review by the Commissioners will result, so that groups which clearly
"enhance community life in our area" (RMLD Community Relations Web page) will be
allowed to continue to utilize the RMLD meeting space.
I look forward to working with you in the future regarding this issue. Please
continue to notify me when additional meetings are scheduled. Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Rita C. Robertson
9 Elm Street
Reading, MA 01867
781-942-1830
rrobei-tsonOI amsn.com
a=
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Cc: Richard Hahn, Chair
Joe Donahoe, Facilities Manager
Mary Ellen O'Neill, Vice Chair
Robert Soli, Secretary
Philip Pacino, Commissioner
Ellen Kearns, Commissioner
Arthur Carakatsane, Chairman (Lynnfield)
John Norton, Secretary (North Reading)
George Hooper (Wilmington)
Tracy Sopchak (Reading)
A. Quincy Vale (Wilmington)
Peter Hechenbleikner, Town Manager (Reading)
Bob LeLacheur, Assistant Town Manager (Reading)
Any question so submitted shall be determined by a ma'y vote of the voters
IF voting in said election, but no action of the Town Meetin all be reversed unless at
least twenty percent (20%) of the eligible voters vote i ch election.'
Each question so submitted shall be i e form of the following question which
shall be placed on the official ballot: - "s the Town vote to approve the action of the
representative Town Meeting where it was voted (brief description of the substance of
the vote in substantially the s e language and form in which it was stated when
presented by the Moderato the Town Meeting, as appears in the records of the Clerk
of the meeting)"?
Article 3
ELECTED. OFFICERS AND BOARDS
Section 3-1: General Provisions
The offices. to be filled by the voters shall be the B d of Selectmen, School
Committee, Board of Assessors, Board of Library Tru es, Municipal Light Board,
Moderator, Vocational School Representative and su members of regional authorities
or districts as maybe established by statute, interlo agreement or otherwise.
Only a registered voter of the Tow' shall be eligible to hold any elective town
office, but no person holding any elec ' e Town office shall simultaneously hold any
other elective Town office except th of Town Meeting Member.
(Amended November 15, 2004 (Article' ) and approved by vote of the Town on April 5, 2605]
Elected Town Offic shall receive no compensation unless specifically voted by
Town Meeting.
Notwithsta ing their election by the voters, the Town Officers named in this
Article shall be bject to the call of the Board of Selectmen at all reasonable times for
consultation onference and discussion on any matter relating to their respective offices.
Section 3-2: Board of Selectmen
There shall be a Board of Selectmen consisting of five (5) members elected for
three (3) year terms so arranged that as nearly an equal number of terms as possible shall.
expire each year.
The executive powers of the Town shall'be vested in the Board of Selectmen. The
Board of Selectmen shall have all of the powers and duties given to Boards of Selectmen
under the Constitution and General Laws of the Commonwealth, and such additional
powers and duties as may be authorized by the Charter, by bylaw, or by other Town
Meeting vote.
The Board of Selectmen shall cause the laws and orders for the government of the
Town to be enforced and shall cause a record of all its official acts to be kept.. To
administerits policies and aid the Board in its official duties, the Board of Selectmen
Reading Home Rule Charter 8 With all revisions through April, 2006
50
shall appoint a Town Manager, as provided in Article 5. Without limiting the foregoing,
the Selectmen shall have all of the powers and duties of the present Personnel Board and
such Board is hereby abolished.
The Board of Selectmen shall appoint the Town Manager, Town Counsel, Town
Accountant, not more than five (5) Constables, members of the Recreation Committee,
Council, on Aging, Cemetery Trustees, Housing Authority, Community Planning and
Development Commission, Board of Health, Conservation Commission and Board of
Appeals, and any other appointed multiple-member bodies for whom no other method of
selection is provided by the Charter or by bylaw.
[Amended November 15, 2004 (Article 16) and approved by vote of the Town on April 5, 20051
The Board of Selectmen shall be the Licensing Board of the.Town and shall have
the power to issue licenses, to make all necessary rules and regulations regarding the
issuance of such licenses, and to attach such conditions' and restrictions thereto as it
deems to be in the public interest, and to enforce the laws relating to all businesses for
which it issues licenses.
Section 3-3: School Committee
There shall be a School Committee consisting of six embers elected for three
(3) year terms so arranged that two (2) terms shall expire ch year.
The School Committee shall have all of the owers and duties School Committees
are given under. the Constitution and Gener aws of the Commonwealth, and such
additional powers and duties as may be a orized by the Charter, by bylaw, or by other
Town Meeting vote. The powers 0th chool Committee shall include, but need not be
limited to, the following;
(a) The School Cominitt shall appoint a Superintendent of Schools and fix
his compensatio efine his duties, make rules concerning his tenure of
office and in and may discharge him.
[Amended November , 2004 (Article 16) and approved by vote of the Town on April 5, 20051
(b) The ool Committee shall make all reasonable rules and regulations,,
consistent with law, for the administration and management of the public
schools of the'Town.
Section 3-4: Board of Library Trustees
There shall be a Board of Library Trustees consisting six (6) members elected
for three (3) year terms so arranged that two (2) terms sha xpire each year.
The Board of Library Trustees shall have ntrol over the selection of Library
materials, and shall have custody and manage nt of the Library and of all property of
the Town related thereto, except that the T n.Manager shall have responsibility for the
maintenance of the Library building a grounds.
All money or property t the Town may receive on behalf of the Library by gift
or bequest shall be admim t d by the Board in accordance with the provisions of such
gift or bequest. .
[Amended November 15 04 (Article 16) and approved by vote of the Town on April 5, 2005]
Reading Home Rule Charter 9 With all revisions through April, 2006
Section 6-5: Town Accountant
Appointment, Qualification, Term of Office There shall be a Town Accountant,
appointed by the Board of Selectmen. The Town Accountant shall be qualified in
accordance with State law, and shall have at least three (3) years prior full time
accounting experience. The Town Accountant shall devote his entire time to the
performance of his duties and the supervision of the employees of his department. The,
Town Accountant shall be appointed in March of every year for a one (1) year term to
run from the first day of the following April and shall serve until the qualification of his
successor. The Town Accountant may be removed by the.Board of Selectmen for cause
and the vacancy filled by them. in the same manner as an original appointment for the
remainder of the unexpired term.
[Amended November 15, 2004 (Article 16) and approved by vote of the Town on April 5, 20051
Powers and Duties - The Town Accountant shall be subject to the supervision of the
Town Manager. He shall have, in addition to the powers and duties conferred and
imposed upon Town Accountants by General Laws, the following powers and duties:
(a) He shall prescribe the methods of installation and exercise supervision of
all accounting records of. the several Town'' officers cers and agencies.
However, any change in the system of accounts shall first be discussed
with the Town Manager and the Town agencies affected.
(b) He shall establish standard practices relating to all accounting matters and
procedures and the coordination of systems throughout the Town,
including clerical and office methods, records, reports and procedures as
they relate to accounting matters. He shall prepare and issue rules,
regulations and instructions relating thereto that, when approved by the
Town Manager, shall be binding upon all Town agencies and employees.
(c) He shall draw all Warrants upon the Town Treasurer for the payment of
bills, drafts and orders chargeable to the several appropriations and other
accounts.
(d) Prior to submitting any Warrant to the Town Manager, he shall examine
and approve as not being fraudulent, unlawful or excessive, all bills, drafts
and orders covered thereby. In connection with any such examinations, he
may make inspection as to the quality, quantity and condition of any
materials, supplies or equipment delivered to or received by any Town
officer or agency. If, upon examination, it appears to the Town
Accountant that any such bill, draft or order is fraudulent, unlawful or
excessive, he shall immediately file with the Town. Manager and Town
Treasurer and Chairman of the Finance Committee a written report of his
findings.
(e) He shall be responsible for a continuous audit of all accounts and records
of the Town wherever located.
Reading Home Rule Charter 21 With all revisions through April, 2006
Vaeane - If the Town Accountant is unable to perform his duties because of disability
or absence, or if the office is vacant because of resignation, dismissal or death, the Board
of Selectmen may appoint a temporary Town Accountant to hold such office and exercise
the powers and perform the duties until the Town Accountant who was disabled or absent
resumes his duties, or until another Town Accountant is duly appointed. Said temporary
appointment shall be in writing, signed by the Board of Selectmen and filed in the-office,
of the Town Clerk.
Section 6-6: Town Treasurer-Collector
Appointment, Qualifications, Term of Office - There shall be a Town .Treasurer-
Collector, appointed by the Town Manager for a term of one year. The Town Treasurer-
Collector shall be qualified in accordance with State law. The Town Treasurer-Collector
shall devote his entire time to the performance of his duties and the supervision of the
employees of his department.
[Ancended November 15, 2004 (Article 16) and approved by vote of the Town on April 5, 20051
The Town Treasurer-Collector shall be appointed in March of every year.* for a
one (1) year term to run from the first clay of the following April and until the
qualification of his successor. The Town Treasurer-Collector may be removed by the
Town Manager for cause, and the vacancy filled by him in the same manner as an
original appointment, for the remainder of the unexpired term.
Powers and Duties - The Town Treasurer-Collector shall be subject to the supervision
of the Town Manager. He shall have, in addition to the powers and duties conferred and
imposed upon Town Treasurers and Town Collectors, by General Laws, the following
powers and duties:
(a) The Town Treasurer-Collector shall supervise and be responsible for the
collection and receipt of all sums' and accounts due, owing or paid to the
Town including taxes and fees, and shall act as the Town Collector of
Taxes.
(b) The Town Treasurer-Collector shall report to the Town Manager at such
times as he may direct or as he may deem appropriate, but at least semi-
annually, as to all uncollected claims or accounts due or owing to the
Town. Such reports shall include the Town Treasurer-Collector's
recommendations as to whether suit should be instituted on behalf of the
Town for the establishment or collection of any claim or accourit for the
benefit of the Town.
(c) The Town Treasurer-Collector shall supervise and be responsible for the.
prompt deposit, safekeeping and management of all monies collected or
received by the Town.
(d) The Town Treasurer-Collector shall be the custodian of all funds, monies,
securities or other things of value which are or have been given,
bequeathed or deposited in trust with the Town for any purpose, including
the preservation, care, improvement or embellishment of any of the
Reading Home Rule Charter 22 With all revisions through April, 2006
V V.
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Page 1 of 1
Schena, Paula
From: Hechenbleikner, Peter
Sent: Monday, March 23, 2009 8:31 AM
To: Schena, Paula
Subject: FW: crosswalk support
For Board of Selectmen on 3-31
From: The Webers [mailto:jonathanweber@verizon.net]
Sent: Friday, March 20, 2009 8:47 PM
To: Reading - Selectmen
Subject: crosswalk support
We support the addition of a new crosswalk at the BirchMeadow/Castine field. We walk down John Carver to
Birch Meadow Drive and. it only makes sense to have a cross walk there. Whether there is a crossing guard there
or not, it would be extremely beneficial to have a cross walk placed there for gym classes or for residents crossing
to use the Birchie playground. Cars would see the cross-walk and proceed with caution during non-school hours.
With the busy use of all the fields on the complex, many families and young adults cross at that area to get up to
the playground.
Sincerely,
Jonathan and Corrine Weber
84 Hartshorn Street
3/23/2009 l b
' of 2
Schena, Paula
From: Reading - Selectmen
Sent: Tuesday, March 24, 2009 8:53 AM
To: Kathmkinney@aol.com
Cc: Schena, Paula
Subject: RE: Birch Meadow Crosswalk
Dear Kathleen:
Thank you for sending an email to the Board of Selectmen. The Board has adopted a policy of not
sending substantive responses to emails in order to try to stay in compliance with the
Commonwealth's open meeting law which prohibits policy discussions by the Board outside of an
open public meeting. Please understand that the Board values your input on issues and your
correspondence will be included in the materials circulated to the Board prior to its next meeting and
it is available as part of the public record. The Board members will have a chance to comment during
an upcoming public meeting.
If you want to have a personal discussion of the issue with a member of the Board, we hold "office"
hours in Reading Town Hall before the first regularly scheduled meeting of each month at 6:30 PM in
the first floor conference room.
There is a brief time scheduled at the Board of Selectmen meeting on March 31 at 7:45 for this matter.
Thank you again for contacting the Board of Selectmen.
James Bonazoli
Secretary
Reading Board of Selectmen
1/c Board of Selectmen
From: Kathmkinney@aol.com [mailto: Kath m kin ney@aol.com]
Sent: Tuesday, March 24, 2009 8:41 AM
To: Reading : Selectmen
Subject: Birch Meadow Crosswalk
Good Morning!
I am writing to express my support for a crosswalk on Birch Meadow Drive near the emergency access road to
the Birch Meadow school.
Due to the high volume of traffic and lack of visibility between parked cars I feel a cross walk is very much
needed. There are definite safety concerns in that portion of the road way because that is where most families
cross to enter and exit the school grounds. Having a clearly marked passage there will help minimize those
concerns.
Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend the Board of Selectman's meeting on Tuesday, March 31, 2009.
' ~n .
3/24/2009
Page 2 of 2
Please consider this email as a show of support for the proposed sidewalk.
Thank you in advance for your attention to this matter.
Regards,
Kathleen Kinney
Parent of a Birch Meadow Student
A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps!
C
3/24/2009
Schena, Paula
From: Reading - Selectmen
Sent: Monday, March 23, 2009 2:56 PM
To: Annemarie Cory
Cc: Schena, Paula
Subject: RE: Supporting a Crosswalk on Birch Meadow Drive
Dear Annemarie :
Thank you for sending an email to the Board of Selectmen. The Board has adopted a policy of not
sending substantive responses to emails in order to try to stay in compliance with the Commonwealth's
open meetinglaw which prohibits policy discussions by the Board outside of an open public meeting.
Please understand that the Board values your input on issues and your correspondence will be included
in the materials circulated to the Board prior to its next meeting and it is available as part of the public
record. The Board members will have .a. chance to comment during an upcoming public meeting.
The Board of Selectmen has scheduled brief discussion of this matter on March 31 at 7:45 PM.
If you want to have a personal discussion of the issue with a member of the Board, we hold "office"
hours in Reading Town Hall before the first regularly scheduled meeting of each month at 6:30 PM in
the first floor conference room.
Thank you again for contacting the Board of Selectmen.
James Bonazoli
Secretary
Reading Board of Selectmen
1/c Board of Selectmen
From: Annemarie Cory [mailto:annemarie.cory@gmail.com]
Sent: Friday, March 20, 2009 10:18 AM
To: Reading - Selectmen
Subject: Supporting a Crosswalk on Birch Meadow Drive
Hello,
I am writing to support a crosswalk on Birch Meadow Drive at the entrance to the playground area.
Many parents of children in the primary grades cross there because their children go into the school
through the back doors. The paving of sidewalks on the school side of Birch Meadow Drive has made
it slightly easier to use the existing crosswalk if necessary, but only during the milder weather. During
the winter, the sidewalk there was almost never plowed, and the walkway up to the school (not the
driveway) was never cleared either. With small children in the snow, this makes for a very difficult
scenario when dropping off and collecting children. Instead, people cross in an ad hoc fashion, which
snakes it very difficult for drivers to navigate safely through the school zone.
Birch Meadow Drive is very congested during the times of school dropoff and pickup. Many people ~C
/l
3/23/2009
Page 2 of 2
choose to park further away from the school and walk, crossing at the playground entrance, to avoid the
snarls of traffic around the front of the school and the YMCA at that time. I think it is in our interest
both for safety and the environment (to avoid all of the idling that happens as people wait to pass the
front of the school) to allow people a safe way to cross if they do not want to park as close to the, front of
the school.
Additionally, during good weather, I frequently walk or ride a bicycle to take my two young children to
school, and we travel from Mount Vernon Street, a distance of approximately 1 mile. We typically go
down Bancroft Ave and cross the grassy area through the playing fields to avoid the congested roadways
at that time.
I would appreciate a crosswalk at the base of the driveway leading to the playground area because I have
found it very difficult to navigate the last part of that journey, down to the crossing guard, and back to
the playground entrance with my children.
Thank you for taking the time to read this email. I do hope you will choose to support this request from
the Birch Meadow Elementary School community.
Sincerely,
Annemarie Cory, parent
Annemarie C. Cory, M.Ed.
16 Mount Vernon Street
Reading, MA, 01867
781-944-4585
Institute for Learning and Develepment
4 Militia Drive
Lexington, MA 02421
781-861-3711
acory a ildlex.org
3/23/2009
LEGAL NOTICE
d•
fio . F- wq
f 639' ~NCOR~'~~P~ t
TOWN OF READING
i
To. the Inhabitants of the
Town of Reading:
Please take notice that thei i
Board of Selectmen of the.. Town
of Reading. will hold the follow=
ing public hearings on.Tuesday,
March. 31, . 2009 in the':.
Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16
'Lowell Street, Reading, . i
Massachusetts:, i
~ceC ng of "a Lodging
House at 83 Harnden Street
8.00 P.M.
Water, Sewer and
Sormwater Rates 8:45 p.m.. j
A' copy of the proposed doc~
umiants are available, in the
Town: Mana'ger's Office, • 1'6.:
Lowell Street, Reading, MA,
from 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 pn., M+
and are. attached to the. hear hg_
notice, on the website
.:.www:reading ma.gov
AII'interested parties: may
appear In. person, may submit
their comments in writing; nor by:. .
email to towrimanager@ci.read
ing.ma.us.
By order of
Peter I. Hechenbleikner
Town Manager
3/24
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DANA C PERCY 5 CHANDLER DR AARON D GATTA
76 PLEASANT ST LONDONDERRY, NH 03053 46 PLEASANT ST
READING, MA 01867 READING, MA 01867
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MCGRIFF READING LLC HARRIS G. REALTY TRUST THEODORIDIS STEPHEN
C/O WALGREEN CO MS #1435 DAVID L ANKELES ESQUIRE KATHLEEN FLAHERTY
104 WILMOT RD 6 LINCOLN RD 22 UNION STREET #3
DEERFIELD, IL 60015 PEABODY, MA 01960 READING, MA 01867
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DESIMONE GINA M ANTON ARTHUR C LODI JOAN
22 UNION STREET #2 SOCRATES C ANTON CELIA LODI
READING, MA 01867 500 CLARK RD 2 JOHN ST
TEWKSBURY, MA 01876 READING, MA 01867
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SFIKAS NICOLAS TOWN OF READING FODERA GAETANO
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12 MIDDLE ST 16 LOWELL ST 12 THOMAS DR
READING, MA 01867 READING, MA 01867 READING, MA 01867
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WELSH JOHN F JENKINS KATHARINE M WOOD SHAUN S
KATHLEEN WELSH DORIAN M HART MOKWOOD WR NIE
29 UNION ST 27 JOHN ST 13 MIDDLE ST
READING, MA 01867 READING, MA 01867 READING, MA 01867
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DINJIAN MARK A POWERS N MULYN A VIEGAS STEPHEN G
94 PLEASANT ST 20 JOHN ST SUSAN C VIEGAS
READING, MA 01867 READING, MA 01867 16 JOHN ST
READING, MA 01867
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MCDONALD GERALD M MACLEOD MURDOCK ETAL RANALDI MARY GAIL
MARY BETH MCDONALD SUZANNE STONE 37 SALEM ST
14 JOHN ST 49 SALEM ST READING, MA 01867
READING, MA 01867 READING, MA 01867
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PORTER CHARLES A LAWRENCE GINA GOULD JOYCE E
5 JOHN ST 13 JOHN ST 17 JOHN ST
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ELLIS RICHARD LARKIN HARRY L ETAL TRS GLEASON STEPHEN J
28 UNION ST THE LARKIN FAMILY TRUST MARGARET E GLEASON
READING, MA 01867 18 UNION ST 65 HARNDEN ST
READING, MA 01867 READING, MA 01867
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BERTOLINO JOSEPH P SFIKAS PETER TECCE DAVID M
ANGELO BERTOLINO STELLIOS SFIKAS PO BOX 1441
25 ALDEN AVE 93A HARNDEN ST WAKEFIELD, MA 01880 ---&j
STONEHAM, MA 02180 READING, MA 01867
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743 MAIN ST UNIT 4 745 MAIN ST 42 SALEM STREET
READING, MA 01867 READING, MA 01867 READING, MA 01867
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6 JOHN ST READING, MA 01867 READING, MA 01867
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CERULLO BRUCE A SULLIVAN BRIAN MITCHELL DONNA M
38 SALEM ST UNIT 38B 28 SALEM ST UNIT 1 28 SALEM STREET UNIT 2
READING, MA 01867 READING, MA 01867 READING, MA 01867
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STETSON SHAWN M KEENAN MICHAEL P CARDAVELLI RICHARD B
28 SALEM STREET UNIT 3 KIMBERLY A KEENAN 28 SALEM ST UNIT 5
READING, MA 01867 28 SALEM STREET UNIT 4 READING, MA 01867
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WAYNE CHIN 28 SALEM ST #7 LORI L LAMBERT-OSBURN
28 SALEM ST UNIT 6 READING, MA 01867 22 UNION ST
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Town of Reading HEALTH DIVISION
942-
Phone9061
16 Lowell Street • (781)
1
ca~ w° Fax: (781) 942-9071
r Reading, MA 01867-2683 Website: www.ci.readina.ma.us
639d1NCORe0~P
March 20, 2009
Mr. Christopher Latham
Latham, Latham and Lamond, P.C.
643 Main Street
Reading, MA 01867-3096
Dear Mr. Latham,
RE: 83 Harnden Street, Reading MA
In response to my visit to your client, Mr. Angelo Bertolino's property located at 83
Hamden. Please be advised that the Reading Health Division is satisfied that the
basement unit at 83 Hamden Street, that was condemned by the Health Division, is no
longer used for human habitation and per your advisory will not be used in future for
same.
This ensures that the elements of the order of condemnation have been met and the
order is released.
Please feel free to contact me at 781-942-6653, if I can be of further assistance.
Yours Very truly
Larry A. Ramdin, MA REHS, CP-FS, CHO
Health Services Administrator
CC building Inspector
Fire Chief
Town Manager
u n
yaw 6#164 C/
LATHAM LATHAM & LAMOND~ P.C.
643 MAIN STREET
READING, MASSACHUSETTS 01867-3096
WWW.LLLLAW.COM
KENNETH C. LATHAM (1939-1996) TELEPHONE: (781) 944-0505
0. BRADLEY LATHAM* FAX: (781) 944-7079
JOHN T. LAMOND
JOSHUA E. LATHAM* January 20, 2009
CHRISTOPHER M. O. LATHAM
*ADMITTED TO PRACTICE IN
MASSACHUSETTS & NEW HAMPSHIRE
N
Board of Selectmen
c/o Peter Hechenbleikner, Town Manager
Town Hall
16 Lowell Street:
Reading, Massachusetts 01867 , o
0
0
RE: 83 Hamden Street, Reading, Massachusetts
Board of Selectmen and Town Manager:
This correspondence is to advise you that I have been retained by Mr. Angelo
Bertolino, as trustee of the Jo-Ann Realty Trust, to apply for and request the opportunity
to appear before the Town of Reading Board of Selectmen pursuant to M.G.L. c 140 §23
to obtain a lodging house license to operate a boarding house at 83 Hamden Street.
We request a hearing on this matter at the Board of Selectmen's meeting on
March 31, 2009. We request such time so the property can be in compliance with
applicable requirements.
If you require any additional information in these regards then please so advise.
Thank you.
Respectfully,
LATHAM, LATHAM & LAMOND, P.C.
Chris Latham
/Gtr
(00002653.DOC; )
Reading World Cafe
Highlights and Themes from the Harvest
February 27, 2008
The Reading World Cafe Community Conversation drew 217 people, from High
School students to Senior Citizens and Parents of children from every age.
Business people, residents, volunteers and advocates came together to talk
about what they wanted for the future of Reading.
After four rounds of conversation, the participants were asked to create sticky
notes with ideas for each of four Categories:
■ What DREAMS do we have for the future of Reading?
■ What OPPORTUNITIES currently exist?
■ What DILEMMAS are present that need to be addressed?
■ What are some NEXT STEPS we can take to get what we want?
The number of responses for each category is as follows:
Dreams = 119
Opportunities = 86
Dilemmas = 79
Next Steps = 52
There was duplication in each of the categories, as well as across categories.
Some cross category duplication can be attributed to personal perspective of
what a dream vs. an opportunity is for example.
Overview
■ The participants were happy. with the event; they want to do it again with
more and different people.
■ They want mare/better access to leisure activities within their community,
i.e. outdoor recreation, cultural arts Center, community center.
■ They are interested in 'boundary crossing' structures for connection,
increasing diversity, multigenerational interaction, interfaith activities and
ways to come together as community to learn and celebrate.
■ 'They want to have more information/better communication about what is
happening in their community.
■ There is a strong interest to go'green' and become more environmentally
friendly.
■ They want to have the results of the event acknowledged and used by the
governing bodies.
5
DREAM Themes
The 'flavor' of the dreams was a strong interest in increased connection and
accessibility, to each other, to information about events in the community, to
businesses, streets and fields, and to other generations.
■ A significant number of dreams were expressed about the personality of
downtown area. Participants expressed interest in connecting, and in
having businesses there that would support leisure time (ice cream parlor,
bookstore) and provide a social center for the town.
■ Along those same lines, other dreams reflected a desire for places that
draw participation and connection, such as a community center and an
arts/cultural center.
■ Other dreams and desires were for accessible outdoor space, ranging
from sidewalks to walking paths at existing outdoor spaces such as
Birch meadow.
■ Another theme involved becoming more environmentally friendly and
becoming more `green' in how we build, plan, and preserve.
OPPORTUNITY Themes
Data from this category reflects what the participants saw as community
strengths to be capitalized upon. The results include both tangible and
intangible community characteristics, from vacant space in the downtown to
ready volunteerism.
■ There were a number of suggestions regarding business opportunities
in the downtown.
■ Suggestions maintained the 'flavor' of the Dreams, reflecting a desire for
greater connections between teens, elders, and diverse families.
■ Practical suggestions such as increasing library hours, leveraging
service hour requirements, and coordinating volunteer
opportunities were also prevalent.
DILEMMAS Themes
Data in this category acknowledges the practical challenge of funding and
implementing the dreams and opportunities.
v r.
■ Specific issues include concerns about noise, police patrols, drug
abuse, and about a lack of interest in town activities such as town
meeting..
Money or funding was also a prominent Dilemma.
NEXT STEPS Themes
These reflections include broad ideas, as well as quite specific suggestions.
■ The data reflects a strong desire to build on the momentum of World Cafe
by having another cafe, and by disseminating the information
gathered.
■ There is an expectation that the information be used by government
.bodies in town (Master planning group, town boards, and economic
development).
■ In addition to using existing. structures, there are some suggestions for
additional programmatic structures including an implementation
committee, a full time ombudsman, a volunteer coordinator, a mentoring
program for teens, and many ideas for increased information sharing
by the town.
■ There were also suggestions that reflect an awareness of the need to
address issues beyond those specific to the community.
Full Harvest Transcript attached.
Reading World Cafe
HARVEST TRANSCRIPT
February 27; 2008
DREAMS
■ Thriving business community in reading center
■ A downtown community
Diverse businesses in the downtown area i.e. restaurants, retail, businesses
• Economically diverse downtown
■ Beautify south main
■ Upgraded town center with greatly expanded parking and several good, locally-owned
restaurants
Vibrant, welcoming, pedestrian friendly downtown dream and opportunity
• Make downtown the heart of the community
■ Vibrant and varied downtown
■ Healthy and active downtown
■ Revitalize downtown bring in diverse businesses
■ Cool new bookstore in downtown
■ A welcoming downtown
■ Ice cream parlor and a bookstore
• New downtown
■ Revitalizing the town center i.e. family space, place to socialize, attractive business
■ . Destination downtown walk, picnic, and shop
■ Skating board park at old imagination station
Bike path
■ Sidewalks and bicycle paths
• More open spaces for residents and kids a bike trail or ipswich river park type place
■ Pedestrian/cycle friendly pathways in Reading
■ Bike paths, walking paths, mass transit within town
■ Emphasizing biking and walking, use less cars
• Farmers market and community farming
■ Village
• Green conservation space and open-space around town, example- walking paths around
Ipswich River
• Create walking path around Birch Meadow area, fields, etc.
■ More athletic/recreational space for all ages
• Gazebo town green or memorial park
■ Green belt
■ Comprehensive green space plan
• Become more environmentally friendly
■ Preserve open space and undeveloped land
• Fnd ways to be environmentally conscience
■ Preserve and maintain open spaces
■ A beautiful green Reading
■ Make town more ecologically balanced and green
• Thinking green first
■ A greener Reading
■ Greening Reading
• Trees
V"
■ Communtity garden
■ Develop organic community garden
■ A recycling center people drop off/pick 'up items- reduce trash and waste
■ Multi generational community center
• Human center for all ages
■ Community center to bring all generations together
■ Community center
■ Arts community center (music painting theater)
■ Create a community gathering place (intergenerational center - youth/seniors)
■ Outdoor gathering activities places
■ A community center. Something for everyone to be able to go and do different
activities
■ Community gathering spaces (pool, bandstand, picnic areas) neighbors, family,
youth, seniors
• Community center for group events - larger senior center, youth center,
multipurpose center
■ More and bigger community space
■ Small town feeling with open minded thinkers
• Mixing it up bringing people together for fun and the common good
Meet the needs of all age groups in town
Keep small town feel
■ Neighbor helping neighbor
■ Maintain small town atmosphere
• Community involvement volunteering for all age groups intergenerational connections
■ Interacting with all age groups
■ Social and cultural opportunities for a range of ages in the cmmunity
■ Continued focus for doing the right things for our young people
■ Student involvment in the community
■ Focus on teens-involvment
■ Focus on teens-perspective
• Can we create more opportunites in the community-youth center
• Destinations for middle schoolers and high schoolers
■ Activity center for kids
■ More resources for teens, teen center
• Youth center
■ Keep education a priority and moving forward
■ Free full day kindergarten
■ Introducing arts at an early age way before 6th grade
■ A life long coordinated education system for all ages
■ Reading schools center of excellence in STEM
■ Work to obtain more funding for special needs to allow greater funding for other
school needs- we need state and federal funding to include more special needs
■ Diversity
■ More diversity
■ Celebrating & learning diversity
■ Diversity age, family, culture, creed & race
■ Diversity
V
• Diversity
■ How can we increase diversity in the community?
■ To have a mall in Reading
• More small businesses, friendly, local
• Controlled business development. Limit to how many types of businesses can stay
• Creating incentives to localize businesses (have less practical stores)
■ Committee to bring in new, interesting businesses to town
■ Businesses that offer more of a "hang out" place. For example a coffee house.
Somewhere that could draw people from other towns.
• High school orchestra
■ Support for the creative economy
v Arts center
■ Creative arts center
• Comm untty/cultural center
■ RCN on demand (Youtube?)
■ One Central internet site for all volunteer needs & opportunities (ie volunteermatch.com)
■ Communication
■ Community board with communications & update (similar to Edline) but with town news
■ Have news and current information and issues going on in Reading on a website or
other accessible place
Well designed parking garage
■ Town-wide transportation
■ Parking structure
■ Fewer cars
■ Central area shuttle bus and/or more senior vans
■ Long term thinking
■ Keep the momentum going and see results
■ Global hookup
• Sponsor a positive week only
■ Habitat for reading
Stop the increase of taxes and maintain budget while improving Reading
• Maintaining a strong stable financial base
• Substance abuse prevention
■ Drug free town
■ Have Reading come together as a community bridge generational and interest group
gaps
■ Earlychildhood center and arts center
OPPORTUNITES
■ Coordinating our cultural resources
• Use senior citizens more effectively &.keep them in town
■ Coordination of volunteering - bring together different generations, different schools,
different geographical areas to share skills & work together
■ Senior Center available on Friday nights as a Teen center
■ Community service credit
■ Community gathering space Arts, Culture, for different groups & ages
■ Volunteer Coordination - person/facility ■ Youth activity multi=generational center (crafts, games, entertainments, social
activities)
■ Places for kids to go
■ Senior/teen community center
■ Youth centers
• Engaging the youth of reading passing knowledge, showing & teaching about the
community
■ Places for our teens!
■ Supporting teens & seniors
■ Tap into elders history & experience
■ Reach out to youth in the community/high school to encourage them & increase
involvement in healthy activities around them
■ Arts Center
■ Drop-in volunteerism
■ A community center for the town where job & volunteer opportunities are posted
■ Leverage service hours of the high school students
Utilizing all of our resources - collective wisdom, elderly, our students, business/school
partnerships
■ How do we use the downtown reconstruction to more fully engage the
community & bring it together
■ Fabric town
■ Use the open space in town to attract light manufacturing, biio-tech, etc,
businesses that Will support a diversified tax base
■ Diversity of of shops and restaurants
■ New downtown opportunity for diverse shops & restaurants
• Revitalization of downtown businesses
■ More appealing downtown
■ Downtown renovation
■ Downtown
■ Reuse the empty buildings in the center
■ Make town more attractive to businesses
■ Preserve feel downtown vibrancy
■ Keep the close knit "small town" community & build on it
■ So many people in town who want to improve the community & make it more
desirable. So many people concerned with what goes on in the town.
■ Strong sense of volunteerism
■ Highly educated community
■ A strong & generous & concientious community (and good looking).
■ Momentum
■ Leadership capture talent
■ School district nationally recognized
■ RCASA Reading Coalition Against Substance Abuse grant
■ Presence of undeveloped space that has potential for the "right" development
• Tremendous energy of our residents
■ Healthy solvent tax base
• Responsive involved government
■ Provide more opportunities for using existing outdoor open space & getting more
space
■ Green beautification
■ Imagination station space
■ Outdoor recreation-including town forest-conservation land
■ Recreation and athletic complexes used better
■ Trail walks
■ Develop passive recreation opportunities in our, open spaces
■ Ecology/green theme gateway to bike trails, Ipswich-encourage green businesses
■ Expand access to communtiy/town trails and forest
■ Utilizing.town web site to its full potential
■ Local interest blogs
■ An internet based community calender
■ Strong collaboration
■ Communication to all levels
■ Increase communication
■ Sunday library hours
■ Open.Library on Sundays
■ Improve & keep funding for arts
■ Continued success in pursuit of grants
■ Not very expensive grants?
■ Focus on getting funds & grants to help reach our dreams
■ Increase in jobs
■ Supporting local small business
■ Enrich our values to include more of what people without school age kids.....
■ Make Reading education an examplar for the state
■ Use the schools & improve on it
■ Town/school space more useable by the town
■ Keep and utilize town forest
■ Town forest
■ Town forest used more
Building on positive experience of the world cafe - example of courteous
communication & collaboration
■ Reading World Cafe "
■ Get federal government to solve national healthcare problem
■ Advocacy at state level
■ Open space preservation (preservation act)
• Interfaith opportunities
■ Celebration of our community again (eg. 350th energy better than community
day)
.=J
■ Pedestrianese
parking
• "Green" buildings - environmental building standards for future projects
DILEMMAS
• $
■ Questioning ability to afford to stay in Reading
■ Money
■ Money! How do we get it without raising taxes?
• Research grants and fund matching grants to improve Reading without raising taxes
• How to support services within $ constraints
Inflation impact on town budget (prop 2 1/2)
• How to fund the dreams
■ How to pay for change?
• How do we pay for it all?
• How to financially support the dreams?
■ Time money & space
■ Money
■ Attract businesses we really need
Bring viable small business into town (no more banks, pharmacies, nail salons)
■ How do you attract businesses that will succeed
■ Maintain local boutique type stores & encourage patronage by Readingits & other .
community customers
• Depth of business diversity
■ Downtown welcoming development & access
■ Active downtown
■ Road conditions throughout the whole town
■ How to overcome auto vs. foot conflict
■ Four lanes split downtown
■ Infrastructure - curbs, roads, lighting
■ More of a walking/biking community, vs. a driving community. Better the sidewalks.
Make them safer.
■ Where to find accurate town information
■ Communication within the community. Ways to get information to everyone
■ How to find out why people move in & out of town
■ Communication
■ Informing the community about what the town has to offer
■ Communicating community opportunities
■ Reading has many people who want to contribute but some structures do not allow for
cross-pollination of resources
■ Lack of interest in Town Meeting
■ How do we encourage greater volunteerism
■ Housing
Cam/
■ How can Reading allow for more recycling?
■ More creative art accessibility for all ages
■ Where can youth hang, out?
• Safety - police patrol
■ Lose town forest - Conservation commission
■ Sustainability
■ Noise levels from schools and YMCA
■ That the children do not feel pressures of overachieving in extra-curricular activities
■ Research grants & fund matching grants to improve Reading without raising taxes
■ Lack of diversity
■ Trying to welcome diverse groups, trying to spread the word about town events is hard
■ Not enough diversity in community
■ Outreach to acquire diversity
■ How do we have more people of color come to live & stay in Reading
■ How to increase diversity & welcome different ethnic groups
■ Cultural diversity
Lack of diversity
■ Space location
■ More creative art accessibility for all ages
■ Parking
■ Parking
■ Parking downtown
■ Parking downtown & at railroad station
Parking vs. green space
■ Parking downtown
■ How do we encourage the right kind of growth
■ How do.we go beyond business as usual to encourage new ideas?
■ Lack of public transportation & safe access to downtown area .
■ Lack of diversity with current downtown business also prevents the draw of people
■ Improved awareness for existing public transportation - buses and trains more
incentives
■ Informing the community about what the town has to offer
■ Who will.drive the going forward usage of information
• Moving forward and keeping our roots
■ Preserving Reading feel, yet change is inevitable
■ How to we go beyond business as usual to encourage new ideas?
■ Hidden service s costs of new development (commenrcial & residential)
■ Drug free community - community awareness
■ Substance abuse problem
■ As a community coming together to acknowledge & address substance abuse
■ Any area developed is a burden on certain areas which creates conflicts with opinions
■ Conflicting priorities
NEXT STEPS
■ Town Meeting proposal
• Fund the School district improvement plan
■ Cross reference the themes under "opportunities" with existing plans. Identify
commonalities and gaps
■ More trees - 1 tree per house/drive
■ sidewalks & walkways
■ Community traditions & activities (fireworks, tday football, family day, 360th dance
peforming arts
■ Continue community reforms like this
■ Online bulletin boards
■ Diversity - encourage cultural diversity for the community (eg, international food fair)
■ Community calendar
■ Follow-up program on rctv summarizing results to extend conversation to entire
community
■ Keeping the community involved
■ Continued community activities (such as this)
Getting the word out around town about events
■ More and broader Reading World cafe
• Communication vehicle for residents on information on town related activities &
programs
■ Community transportation system
• Work with town groups to identify businesses that will work with & for Reading
■ More of these events (Keep this momentum going)
■ Follow up to events like this
■ Staying involved
■ Taking common themes through our existing government to move ideas forward
■ World Cafe idea within RMHS for students
■ Full time ombudsmen
■ Face lift for South Main Street
■ Fundraising events to support the needs of Reading residents
■ Report data through newspapers, mailings, website, RCN
• Online collaboration
■ Make downtown no smoking district - ban outdoor smoking
Implementation committee NEED FOLLOW UP
■ Support greenway
■ Library & schools could have education programs to promote other cultures & world
issues
• Pass the community preservation act
■ Need citizens of reading tro embrace environmental plans and ideas such as recycling,
conservation, climate action, green design of buildings
Sponsorship/champions Support for people who spearhead new projects/businesses
■ Library needs town support for extra hours
■ Ask teenagers what they would like to see
■ Need welcome for new residents/means of dispensing information for people - a
welcome wagon type of approach
■ Town boards should look at.and use this output
■ High school assembly to educate/inform students of importance of Reading community
■ Coalesce ideas for Economic Development Committee
■ Town Trolley - easier access between neighborhoods
• The master planning group should use this output
■ Get more people involved, more community discussion
Focus group - feasibility study
1- 7
• Look at other towns to learn successful ideas
• Create a mentor program of community volunteers with high school studnets to
encourage town involvement
■ Centralize information about afterschool & community programs. Create forums for
people to share ideas & information
■ Trail maps (updated & accurate) for open space
• Use resourceful talents of Reading residents to plan for future
• Quality of life for seniors
■ Make the world cafe an annual affair
v
V"
Dear World Cafe participant:
Thanks for participating in the World Cafe. The 225 participants and the organizers all
felt that this was a very worthwhile effort, and it was exciting and energizing too. Now
comes the follow-up.
Deb Gilburg and Kerry Dunnell have done a great job in mining the detailed information
from the World Cafe night, and that information is now available on the World Cafe web
site at www.readingworldcafe.org. In addition, the map and the actual sticky notes that
you all created are on display at the Library.
In my office we have put together an email list of all of the participants. I am now
working with Town and School Department staff to use the information and priorities
from the World Cafe to shape our own priorities and activities. This is a process that will
take a while, but I do want to keep you informed on how we are doing, and how your
thoughts and opinions are helping to shape your Town.
In order to continue this communication, I'd like to begin to directly address one of the
themes from the World Cafe - improved communication. Therefore with your
permission, I'd like to do a few things:
o Directly connect you as a subscriber to the quarterly newsletter "Your Community
Connection" that is available on the Town web site. That way we will be able to
directly connect you to Town news without your having to search on the web site.
. Connect you as a subscriber to a Town Manager's blog, which I will start soon. I am
eager to experiment with this new method, and will be using a one-way format with
frequent communications so that interested parties can get focused weekly
information about major happenings.
♦ I would like to use your names as potential volunteers for Town and School volunteer
positions. Reading has 47 formal standing Boards, Committees, and Commissions,
as well as periodic ad hoc (short term, focused topic) groups. We depend on a steady
supply of volunteers. By participating in the World Cafe you have demonstrated a
strong interest in the community. Many of you have even volunteered in specific ways
to work with and for your community. We have lots of volunteer opportunities - large
and small. Attached is a list of all the volunteer positions, plus two new Committees
that are being established, along with the town application form for you to fill out if you
are interested.
This is a start on utilizing the ideas and energy from the World Cafe. If there are no
objections within a week, I'll go ahead and move forward on these ideas. I look forward
to working with you for the improvement of our community of Reading.
Pete Hechenbleikner Pat Schettini
Town Manager Superintendent of Schools
S
LEGAL NOTICE
O~ OF
H .
~ I
639'1NCORQ~4P 'I
TOWN OF READING
i
To. the Inhabitants of the
Town of Reading:
Please take notice that the;
Board of Selectmen of the, Town
of Reading. will hold the follow=
ing public hearings on. Tuesday,
(March 3:1, 2009 in the': ~
Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16
'Lowell Street, Reading,
Massachusetts:. I
Licensing of a Lodging I
'House at 83 Harnden' Street
8:00 P.M.
:Water,
Sewer and
Sarmwater Rates- 8:45 p.m..
A copy of the proposed 'doc~
uments are available, in the
Town: Manager's Oftice, 1'6.
Lo.we:ll Street, Reading, MA,
from 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., M-.P
and are. attached to the.: heating..-
no, tice, on the webste -;a#.
www:reading. ma.gov
AII'interested parties: m.ay
appear in. person, may submit
their comments in writing, or .by:..
email to towrimanager@ci.read
ing.ma.us. .
By order of
Peter l.'Hechenbleikner
Town Manager
3/24.
J~
TOWN OF READING
Water & Sewer Rate History
(price per 100 cubic feet)
FY2010 PRELIMINARY Water & Sewer Rate Calculation
Effective Date Water Sewer Total % Change
July 1, 1981 $1.50 $0.80 $2.30 n/a
July 1, 1985 $1.87 $1.43 $3.30 43.5%
July 1, 1986 $2.56 $2.25 $4.81 45.8%
July 1, 1987 $2.62 $2.35 $4.97 3.3%
July 1, 1988 $2.59 $2.79 $5.38 8.2%
August 1, 1989 $2.50. $3.09 $5.59 3.9%
August 1, 1990 $2.56 $2.96 $5.52 -1.3%
August 1, 1991 $2.29 $3.31 $5.60 1.4%
August 1, 1992 $1.52 $4.33 $5.85 4.5%
August 1, 1993 $1.68 $5.06 $6.74 15.2%
February 1, 1994 $2.13 $4.63 $6.76 0.3%
August 1, 1994 $2.33 $5.13 $7.46 10.4%
August 1, 1995 $2.39 $4.53 $6.92 -7.2%
February 1, 1996 $2.39 $3.84 $6.23 -10.0%
Composite, FY96 $2.39 $4.22 $6.61 -11.4%
August 1, 1996. $2.85 $3.97 $6.82 3.2%
August 1, 1997 $3.11 $5.11 $8.22 20.5%
August 1, 1998 $3.39 $4.98 $8.37 1.8%
August 1, 1999 $3.41 $5.30 $8.71 4.1%
August 1, 2000 $3.56 $5.47 $9.03 3.7%
August 1, 2001 $3.66 $5.15 $8.81 -2.4%
August 1, 2002 $3.75 $5.28 $9.03 2.5%
August 1, 2003 $4.25 $5:28 $9.53 5.5%
August 1, 2004 $4.66 $5.35 $10.01 5.0%
August 1, 2005 $4.78 $5.78 $10.56 5.5%
September 10, 2006 $5.59 $6.06 $11.65 10.3%
December 10, 2006 $6.36 $6.06 $12.42 6.6%
September 10, 2007 $6.90 $6.80 $13.70 10.3%
September 10, 2008 $7.65 $7.59 $15.24 11.2%
September 10, 2009 $7.73 $8.14 $15.87 4.1%
% Change 1.0% 7.2% 4.1%
FY10 Rate_Calc_Draft
3/27/2009 Page 1 Hist
TOWN OF READING
FY2010 PRELIMINARY Water & Sewer Rate Calculation
(price per 100 cubic feet)
Water and Sewer Rate Model Assumptions:
1. Annual water demand is estimated at 720,000 HCF.
2. Annual sewer demand is estimated at 700,000 HCF.
3. Water Expenses: the Town will purchase 100% of its water from the MWRA.
4. Reserves: $425,000 transfered from Water Reserve Fund & $100,000 from Sewer Reserve Fund.
FY10 FY10
Water Sewer
Required User Payments $4,896,938 $5,012,847
Discount - % of Water Payments vs Billing 0.880 667,764
% of Sewer Payments vs Billing 0.880 683,570
Required Billing $5,564,702 $5,696,417
User Billing Volume - 100 Cu Ft 720,000 700,000
% Sewer to Water= 97.0%
Rate per 100 Cu Ft $7.7288 $8.1377
USE - $7.73 $8.14
Water Sewer TOTAL
FY2009 $7.65 $7.59 $15.24
FY2010 $7.73 $8.14 $15.87
Change 1.0% 7.2% 4.1%
FY10 Rate_Calc Draft
3/27/2009 Page 2 RCalc
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WATER & SEWER RATES
RESERVE FUND STATUS
WATER SEWER
Balance - July 1, 2008 $1,160,763 $961,356
Town Meeting Vote to use surplus
Current year budget (Nov TM) ($5,000) ($80,000)
Current year budget (MTBE) $709,987
Next Fiscal year budget (April TM) ($425,000) ($100,000)
Available Balance $1,440,750 $781,356
Page 3
TOWN OF READING
FY2010 PRELIMINARY Storm Water Rate Calculation
(price per 2,552 Sq. Ft. Impervious)
FY10
Required User Payments $291,391
Discount - % of Payments vs Billing 0.880 39,735
Required Billing $331,126
Billing Area - 2,552 Sq. Ft. Units 11,082
Rate per 2,552 Sq. Ft. $29.8796
USE - $29.87
Abatement/Reserve Fund $7.01
Recommended Rate 36.88
FY2008 $39.84
FY2009 $36.88 -7.43%
FY2010 $36.88
°FRFg4% Town of Reading
t!tiG - 16 Lowell Street. '
a
w Reading, MA 01667-2665
01639. INCOR40~P
FAX: (781) 942-9071
Email: townmanager@ci.reading.ma.us TOWN MANAGER
Website: www. readingma.gov (781) 942-9043
March 23; 2009
Mr. Thomas Fennelly
Reading Overseas Veterans
.575 Main Street
Reading, MA 01867
Dear Mr. Fennelly:
As part of the Selectmen's review of the liquor license policies, the issue was raised as to
why clubs have a closing hour of 2:00 a.m., whereas restaurants have a closing hour of
midnight.
The Board of Selectmen would like to discuss this matter with the clubs at its meeting on
March 31, 2009 at approximately 9:00 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room at Town Hall.
We look forward to seeing you on the 31St
in rely,
Peter L Hechenbleikner
Town Manager
PIH/ps
~ t,
fib NOFF?t Town of Reading
fn d d
16 Lowell Street
Reading, MA 01867-2685
3g 1NCO .0
FAX: (781) 942-9071
Email: townmanager@ci.read!ng.ma.us TOWN MANAGER
Website: www. readingma.gov (781) 942-9043
March 23, 2009
Mr. Dennis Lane
American Legion Post 62
.37 Ash Street
Reading, MA 01867
Dear Mr. Lane:
As part of the Selectmen's review of the liquor license policies, the issue was raised as to
why clubs have a closing hour of 2:00 a.m., whereas restaurants have a closing hour of
midnight.
The Board of Selectmen would like to discuss this matter with the clubs at its meeting on
March 31, 2009 at approximately 9:00 p.m, in the Selectmen's Meeting Room at Town Hall.
We look forward to seeing you on the 3lst
1 cerely,
JL
Peter 1. Hechenbleikner
Town Manager
PIH/ps
S
~oNOFRFq~'Y Town of Reading
H~L 16 Lowell Street
Reading, MA 01867-2685
639JNC0R4~R¢ .
FAX: (781) 942-9071
Email: townmanager@ci.reading.ma.us TOWN MANAGER
Website: www. readingma.gov (781) 942-9043
March 23, 2009
Mr. Steven Kintigos
Knights of Columbus
11 Sanbom Street
Reading, MA 01867
Dear Mr. Kintigos:
As part of the Selectmen's review of the liquor license policies, the issue was raised as to
why clubs have a closing hour of 2:00 a.m., whereas restaurants have a closing hour of
midnight.
The Board of Selectmen would like to discuss this matter with the clubs at its meeting on
March 31, 2009 at approximately 9:00 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room at Town Hall.
We look forward to seeing you on the 31st.
i erely,
Peter 1. Hechenbleikner
Town Manager
PIH/ps
r
OFRP.,0 Town of Reading
16 Lowell Street
c~ v °JS
INC: Reading, MA 01867-2685
39O'FQp4 -
FAX: (781) 942-9071
Email: townmanager@ci.reading.ma.us TOWN MANAGER
Website: www. readingma.gov (781) 942-9043
March 23, 2009
Mr. Bob Morelli
Meadowbrook Golf Club
292 Grove Street
Reading, MA 01867
Dear Mr. Morelli:
As part of the Selectmen's review of the liquor license policies,' the issue was raised as to
why clubs have a closing hour of 2:00 a.m., whereas restaurants have a closing hour of
midnight.
The Board of Selectmen would like to discuss this matter with the clubs at its meeting on
March 31, 2009 at approximately 9:00 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room at Town Hall.
We look forward to seeing you on the 31st
in rely,
Peter I. Hechenbleikner
Town Manager
PIH/ps
3.2.1.20 - Hours of Operation
The following shall be the hours of operation for premises licensed for sale and/or service of alcoholic
beverages by the Town of Reading:
Category Hours of Operation Exceptions
Retail Package Goods Store 8:00 am to 11:00 p.m., except See Sunday Sales in section 3.2.1.21.
License for all kinds of 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. the day below
Alcoholic Beverages not to before a holiday
be Drunk on the Premises
Restaurant License to 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight
Expose, Keep for Sale, and Monday through Saturday, and
to Sell All Kinds of 12:00 noon to 12:00 midnight
Alcoholic Beverages to be on Sundays
Drunk on the Premises
Restaurant License to 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Expose, Keep for Sale, and Monday through Saturday,
to Sell Wine and Malt and 12:00 noon to 11:00 on
Beverages to be Drunk on Sunday
the Premises
Club License to Expose, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. except
Keep for Sale, and to Sell All on Sundays and legal holidays
Kinds of Alcoholic when the hours are 12:00 noon
Beverages to be Drunk on to 1:00 a.m.
the Premises
3 -6 Board of'Selectnzen Policies
312712009
3.2.5 - Requirements for Club License to Expose, Keep for Sale, and to Sell All Kinds of
Alcoholic Beverages to be Drunk on the Premises
All Clubs licensed for the service of "All kinds of Alcoholic Beverages to be Drunk on the Premises"
shall adhere to the following policies in addition to the provisions of Section 3.2.1 of this policy:
3.2.5.1 - Minimum Seating Requirement
A license shall not be granted for an establishment having a seating capacity of less than one hundred
(100) persons. No more than 15% of the seats shall be at a bar.
3.2.5.2- Advertisements
No premises shall be licensed that contain any advertisement or sign upon which appears the brand
name of any product sold in the establishment including wine or beer, except that signs or
advertisements inside of the premises that cannot be seen from the exterior of the premises are
penmitted.
3.2.5.3 - Requirements for Service of Food and Drink
In licensed premises, all food and drink service shall conform to the following:
♦ Plastic glasses are penmitted. Service will be by the glass or bottle, or glass or pottery pitchers
or carafes of beer or wine with a capacity of 750 ml or less will be permitted.
3.2.5.4 - Toilet Facilities Required
No premises shall be licensed unless toilet facilities meeting all requirements of the current edition of
the State Building Code and State Sanitary Code are available to the customers of the license premises.
3.2.5.5 - List of Alternative Transportation
Licensees shall maintain a written list of the telephone numbers of local taxicab companies next to the
public telephone. If there is no public telephone, the list should be available for patrons when requested.
3.2.5.6 - Orderly Closing
Licensees shall ensure that patrons leave the premises at the closing hour in an orderly manner. All
tables and service locations shall be cleared of alcoholic beverages within '/Z hour after the legal time for
sale.
3.2.5.7 - Prohibition of talcina Alcoholic Beverages from the Premises
There shall be no alcoholic beverages taken from the premises of a licensed establishment.
3.2.5.8 - Refusal of Service
The Manager of any premises licensed under this policy shall refuse to serve any patron who is
approaching a condition of "Under the Influence."
3.2.5.9 - Service Bar
In the event that an area is designed as a "service bar," which is distinct from what is commonly referred
to as a "bar," no liquor is to be served to the public at such service bar, and no stools or chairs are to be
placed at said service bar.
J
3-12 Board of Selectmen Policies
312712009
1481 Main Street Cabin
1) Potential "Improvements" (in general order of priority):
o Furnace
o Flooring
o HC bathroom
o Determine Septic/Sewer improvements needed
o Determine what if any use can be made of 2°d floor
o Take out kitchen - leave small "corner", cabinets, sink, small counter
o Open window in kitchen to full height
o Remove wall separating back hallway from Great Room
o Use main bathroom for H.C. ?
o Remove kitchen ceiling
o Remove wall between bedrooms - use as library/meeting room
o, Install shelves in Library/meeting room
o Enlarge back deck
o Go "Green" with lighting fixtures and any other features possible (doesn't lend
itself to solar collection because of tree canopy)
2) Camille or James - ask Friends of Reading Recreation (FoRR) to secure a
volunteer architect (PH note - from our review and discussion it doesn't seem that
we would really need one)
3) Fund raising for furnace and flooring and bathroom renovations would be needed
- off the cuff estimate even with Vocational School doing carpentry work is
$15,000
4) Voke School has approved project. Scope of their work would be:
o Do measured drawing
o Do floor replacement
o Do wail and ceiling removal
o Install shelves for library
o Security and outdoor lighting
5) Programming:
o Ask the Trail Committee, FoRR, Stream Team and Conservation Commission to
develop at least one program a month to be run from site (3 programs a year for
each group)
o Ask the Trail Committee, FoRR, Stream Team, and Conservation Commission to
volunteer to "staff' building one day/week (probably Saturdays - maybe 9 am to
3 PM? - this would be 13 weeks each, 3 of which could be on days that they run
an event)
o Staff - develop and manage "rental" of building (week day only so it doesn't
interfere with the weekend public use detailed above)
o Cost
o Custodial
o $ to revolving fund to pay bills etc. use Recreation
revolving fund
3/27/2009
Board of Selectmen Meeting
February 24, 2009
For ease of archiving, the order that items appear in these Minutes reflects the order in which
the items appeared on the agenda for that meeting, and are not necessarily the order in which
any item was taken up by the Board.
The meeting convened at 7:00 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street,
Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Stephen Goldy, Secretary James Bonazoli,
Selectmen Camille Anthony and Richard Schubert, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner,
Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director Bob LeLacheur, Director of Human Resources and
Finance Mary DeLai, Town Engineer George Zambouras, Recreation Administrator John Feudo,
Office Manager Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Michele Benson,
Everett Blodgett, Nancy Linn Swain, Douglas O'Flaherty, Steven Dennen, Shirley and Brad
Sandler, Anne Rumizen, Paul Humiefeld, Anthony Guarciari Ello, Nancy and Larry Powell,
Susan Bowe, Ken Fraser, John Forest, John Miles, Pat Biggs, Elaine Leach, Tony D'Arezzo,
Nicole Quinn, Gina Snyder, John Halsey, Lin Chabra, Torn Connery, George Perry, Mike
DeBrigard, Patrice Todisco, Joan Hoyt, Mark Wetzel, Ron D'Addario, Tracy Sopchak, Ray
Porter, Attorney Charles Arthur, Loretta Andreottola, Janice Feagley, Frank Driscoll.
Reports and Comments
Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments - Selectman Richard Schubert noted that there was
an email from Bob Frey regarding the Interchange. The State has some funding and is filing an
EIR to do some of the 25% design work. Chairman Stephen Goldy suggested finding out if the
same people who served on the task force are still interested.
Selectman James Bonazoli noted that there is no sign that indicates no left hand turn off of
Hopkins Street onto Main Street. The Town Manager noted that this is scheduled for a hearing
on March 17th. Selectman Bonazoli also noted that Arbor Day is April 27th and there will be
events the week of April 27th - May 4th.
Selectman Camille Anthony noted that she attended a meeting of the Trust Fund Commissioners
and also the DPW Director Search Committee.
Chairman Stephen Goldy noted that there is a regional meeting at the State House this Friday.
Town Manager's Report
The Town Manager gave the following report:
• Spring Leaf Collection is cancelled due to FY 2009 Budget constraints.
• The Compost Center will be closing at 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays beginning in April, again due to
budget constraints.
• I have laid off the Assistant Building Inspector due to budget constraints and lack of work.
• The Wayside Bazaar property is under contract for sale - for use as a restaurant by the owners
of Tanner Tavern in Woburn and Stearns & Hill of Melrose.
6al
Board of Selectmen Meeting - February 24, 2009 - Page 2
• The date of the Community Organizations Seminar is February 26, 2009 in the Selectmen's
Meeting Room, Town Hall. The Health Division has sent out the invitations.
• DPW Director hiring process.
• Meeting on March 9th re: zoning amendment - Smart Growth - 7:30 at Senior Center.
• Town Meeting - April 27th.
• A 2BR affordable housing Unit at Sumner Cheney Place is available - cost is $234,200.
• I have included in your packet, at your request, the history of snow and ice removal over the
past 18'/2 years.
• I have included at your request the portions of the MWRA Capital Improvements Program that
includes funding for the NIH water storage and redundancy project.
• Your packet this evening includes an email from Bob Frey re: the 128/I-93 RFR for the
Interchange improvements.
• We understand from the MBTA that they have done some work on the Ash Street grade
crossing protection, and that it is the first priority project to be completed this year.
• There is a Patrick. Administration Municipal Affairs Coordinating Council Meeting in Melrose
on March 5th.
• Next Board of Selectmen - Office Hours at 6:30 on
o March 3rd - Ben Tafoya
The Town Manager noted that there is a letter in the packet from the Mass Lottery indicating that
a local market wants a KENO monitor. The Town Manager noted that when the Board approved
the KENO To Go, they were very specific about not wanting monitors in the stores.
A motion by Schubert seconded by Anthony that the Town of Reading Board of Selectmen
go on record that they are opposed to a KENO at J.K.'s Market or any other location in
Reading was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
The Assistant Town Manager noted that the Town's technology staff will be visiting the City of
Lowell on Friday to share ideas on projects they are working on.
Discussion/Action Items
Highlights - Town Forest Committee - Town Forest Committee Members Tom Connery,
George Perry, Mike deBrigard, Patrice Todisco and Joan Hoyt were present.
Ms. Todisco noted that the Committee oversees the care, custody and management of the Town
Forest. The Town Forest was created in 1930 and consists of 290 acres. There is access from
Strout Avenue, Fox Run Lane and Roma Lane. The forest offers passive recreation and there is
an increased desire for camping. The Town does maintenance and repair but there is no master
plan for the Town Forest. Ms. Todisco also noted that the Town Forest is not widely known as a
resource. There is a lack of a forestry plan and lack of consistent signage. There are occasional
conflicts between vehicles and walkers. Removal of the Water Treatment Plant will improve the
access to the Town Forest.
Chairman Stephen Goldy asked if the Committee is working on a master plan, and George Perry
indicated that they are. Ms. Todisco noted that the Master Plan costs money and suggested
applying for grants. Chairman Goldy noted that development and implementing are different
v~
Board of Selectmen Meeting - February 24, 2009 - Page 3
things. He recommended that the Committee develop a plan that includes everything and then
bring it back to the Selectmen. The Town Manager noted that the Town Planner will meet with
the Town Forest Committee, and there will need to be a process that includes the community.
Discuss Issues re: Use of and Access to Town Forest, Dogs, Parks, etc. - Selectman Camille
Anthony noted that 11 citizens came to the last Office Hours regarding the Town Forest. The
Town Manager noted that the Water Department land is known as the 100 Acre Meadow. It is
not the Town Forest. When the Water Treatment Plant was demolished, something had to be
done with the land so it was graded as an active recreation site. The Town does not have the
money to develop this as a recreation area.
Mark Wetzel, Chairman of the Conservation Commission, noted that this was approved so the
Town could build a ball field. The Town has three years to build the project without going back
to the Conservation Commission.
Town Engineer George Zambouras noted that the Conservation Commission wanted to know
what the land could be used for but the funding is only for the grading.
Selectman Camille Anthony noted that the issue was access and the natural state. The Town
Manager noted that there should be signage there showing the line of the Town Forest.
Advisory Committee on Cities for Climate Protection Program (ACCCP) Report - ACCCP
Members Michele Benson, Ron D'Addario; Gina Snyder, Tracy Sopchak and Ray Porter were
present.
Tracy Sopchak updated the Board on the Committee's goals to date. She noted that the Town
was awarded the MPO Grant but the Town is not able to match it right now.
Selectman Richard Schubert noted that when developers go before the ZBA or CPDC, it is a
chance to advocate for a shuttle bus.
Discussion About Green. Communities - School Director of Human Resources and Finance Mary
Delai gave a brief overview of what is involved in being a "green community." She indicated
that there is $10 million in grants available to cities and towns for energy efficiency and
renewable energy initiatives. She reviewed the application process and noted that this process
needs to be pursued to access funding.
Birch Meadow Master Plan - Recreation Administrator John Feudo and Town Engineer George
Zambouras were present. John Feudo noted that the recommendation is to eliminate all the
parking at Imagination Station and add more green space to house a skateboard park and a tot lot.
He also noted that they are surveying the schools to see what the children want.
The Town Manager noted that the ball fields will need to be elevated for drainage.
J .
Board of Selectmen Meeting - February 24, 2009 - Page 4
Selectman Richard Schubert asked if all three ball fields are the same size, and John Feudo
indicated that they are. Selectman Schubert also asked if there will be seating, and John Feudo
indicated that there will be no established seating. Selectman Schubert indicated that he would
like to see a cleaner more efficient use of fencing. He asked what is the size of the skate park,
and John Feudo indicated that it is 50 x 50. Selectman Schubert indicated that he had concerns
regarding parking.
Selectman Camille Anthony asked why there are three ball fields, and John Feudo indicated that
he can put three youth groups there at one time.
Selectman Camille Anthony had concerns about eliminating the onsite parking at Imagination
Station, and suggested moving Imagination Station if there won't be parking onsite due to a
safety perspective.
John Halsey from Reading Baseball noted that he talked to the Committee regarding installing a
scoreboard and dugout at Morton.Field. He would like to proceed with installing the scoreboard
in the center. He stated that Reading Baseball will pay for the work if the Selectmen approve it.
Richard Schubert indicated that he wants to see the type of structure for the dugouts and the
details of the scoreboard.
Selectman Camille Anthony asked if storage is included in the dugouts, and Mr. Halsey indicated
that storage is in the backside of the structure.
Selectman James Bonazoli indicated that he would like to know who is using the structure and
what the square footage is.
The Town Manager indicated that he will schedule a site visit and a public hearing.
Washington Park Master Plan - The Town Manager noted that a community group is raising
funds.
Recreation Administrator John Feudo reviewed the master plan for the park, and noted that the
playground will go in first. There will be a temporary basketball court, and the tennis courts will
be removed. They will define parking and re-align the baseball field.
Frank Driscoll indicated that he felt the wall had some historical value and should not be
removed.. He also indicated that the kids are hiding behind the houses too and the police patrol
should be increased.
Nancy Linn Swain noted that the neighbors are requesting that the wall be removed. The Town
Manager noted that this will make room for parking, and some kind of fence will be installed.
Selectman James Bonazoli asked if the Historical Commission was consulted on the wall, and
John Feudo indicated that they found no historical value to the wall.
ClG
Board of Selectmen Meeting - February 24, 2009 - Page 5
Everett Blodgett indicated that he felt the wall had significant historical value but the archway is
in bad shape.
The Board suggested doing a site visit and putting this back on the Agenda in April.
Hearing- 5:00 a.m. Opening - Mobil Station, 178 Main Street - The Secretary read the hearing
notice.
The Town Manager noted that the owner is requesting a 5:00 a.m. opening at 178 Main Street.
The application has been reviewed by the Police and Health Departments and they have no
problems.
Attorney Charles Arthur was present representing Joe Prizio, the owner of the Mobil.Station. He
noted that this would benefit the public and since it would be Monday through Friday, most of
the customers will be residents. They are located in a business zone and they sell more coffee
than gasoline at that time of the morning. They will not be receiving early morning deliveries.
Loretta Andreottola of 489 Summer Avenue noted that she objects to the early opening because
her bedroom is on that side of the house. She also objects to the constant beeping when
customers use credit cards.
Janice Feagley of 483 Summer Avenue noted that the Town already has one station open at 5:00
a.m. and one that is open 24 hours a day. She noted that this location has houses on three sides -
it's in a residential area.
Tony D'Arezzo of 130 John Street noted that there is music playing through the speakers on the
pumps, and they should be required to shut it off. He asked if there was any limit to the number
of stores allowed to open at 5:00 a.m. Chairman Stephen Goldy noted that there is no limit. He
also noted that the speakers are not supposed to be heard at the property line. It was noted that
this is a violation of Section 5.16 of the General Bylaws which states that speakers are only to be
used to communicate with the customer.
Selectman Richard Schubert indicated that the Selectmen have the flexibility on approving
depending on the site location. He is familiar with the site and not inclined to support.
Selectman James Bonazoli noted that Main Street is a residential area, and he feels that there will
be more discussion at Town Meeting. He has no problem granting the waiver.
Chairman Stephen Goldy noted that Town Meeting was told that residents were looking for
coffee shops to open early. Coffee is a sideline at this location.
Selectman Camille Anthony noted that residents' homes are very close. The principle use is a
gas station and she does not support a waiver.
A motion by Schubert seconded by Anthony to close the hearing for the 5:00 a.m. opening
at 178 Main Street was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
lc
Board of Selectmen Meeting= February 24, 2009 - Page 6
A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Anthony that the Board of Selectmen finds that
permitting retail sales prior to 6:00 a.m. for Main Street Petroleum, LLC at 178 Main
Street is in the interest of public convenience, and the Board of Selectmen does hereby
grant a waiver of Section 5.10 of the General Bylaws to allow Main Street Petroleum, LLC
at 178 Main Street to conduct retail sales prior to 6:00 a.m. subiect to the following
conditions
• Retail sales shall not take place earlier than 5:00 a.m., Monday throulzh Friday
(except for holidays).
• All conditions of Site Plan approval, all other bylaws, licenses and requirements
of Town agencies, and the requirements of Section 3.9 of the Board of Selectmen
Policies shall be met. Where there is a conflict among these bylaws, permits,
approvals and licenses, the most restrictive shall be met.
• This approval shall expire on December 31, 2009 unless renewed by the Board of
Selectmen,
failed by a vote of 1-3-0, with Schubert, Anthony and Goldy opposed.
Killam School Recreation Plan - Recreation Administrator John Feudo indicated that the plan is
to push back the baseball field and add a park play area, create an ADA compliant path, and
relocate the basketball hoops. We will put in swale to get the run off the field. Reading Youth
Baseball will do the back stop over.
Selectman Richard Schubert asked if he had the cost of the swale yet, and John Feudo indicated
that he did not but it will be asphalt swale.
The Town Manager noted that the first phase is the playground. Baseball will pay for the field.
The Town's cost for the playground and swale will be approximately $10,000 - $15,000.
A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Anthony to approve the KWam School Recreation Plan
was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
Approval of Minutes
A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Schubert to approve the Minutes of February 10, 1009
was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Anthony to adjourn the meeting of February 24, 2009 at
10:43 p.m. was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Secretary
V~'
Ccomcast
March 11, 2009
8
Board of Selectmen
Town of Reading
16 Lowell Street
Reading, MA 01867
Re: Service and Rate Changes N
co
Dear Members of the Board:
As part of Comcast's continuing effort to keep you informed of changes impacting our
customers in your community, I am pleased to inform you of a decrease in the prices for
three of our triple play bundle packages and the introduction of a new service offering.
I'm also providing you information on some upcoming changes to the channel line-up in
your community. Comcast is providing notice of these.changes directly to our customers
through messages on their monthly billing statements or through direct mail to their
home.
Effective February 12, 2009, the standard prices for our High Definition Triple Play
bundles decreased. The standard price for the HD Starter bundle decreased from $134.99
to $129.99 per month. The standard price for the HD Plus bundle decreased from
$169.99 to $159.99 per month. Finally, the HD Premier bundle monthly price decreased
from $209.99 to $199.99. Customers do not need to take any action since they are
automatically transitioned to the appropriate lower price based on the bundle package that
they previously chose.
We also introduced a new service offering in your community. Effective February 12,
2009, the Value Plus Triple Play bundle is available. This bundle includes the following:
Digital Starter video service, On Demand, one digital cable box and remote, Comcast
High-Speed Internet Performance Service with PowerBoost®, Comcast Digital Voice
Local with Mores. The standard price for this bundle is $114.99 per month.
Below are some upcoming changes that will impact the channel line-up in your
community.
Comcast's signal carriage agreement with the NFL Network expires shortly. NFL
Network is currently one of the channels contained in our Sports Entertainment Package.
We are currently negotiating with the National Football League to reach a fair agreement
for all concerned parties, especially our customers. By law, Comcast is not allowed to
continue to carry the station without its owner's permission. If, despite our best efforts,
Reading, MA
Page 2
we are unable to reach a reasonable agreement and our right to carry the NFL Network
ends, Comcast may be required by law to suspend carriage of the signal as early as
May 1. We will certainly keep you informed of the status of the NFL Network.
Effective April 15, 2009, Music Choice will introduce a new channel line-up. Most
channels will move to new locations, some will change names and some will be replaced
by more popular listening options. Please visit www.musicchoice.com/channelchange
for more information on these changes. A minimum subscription level of Digital Starter
is required to receive Music Choice channels.
Should residents contact you with questions regarding these changes, please do not
hesitate to direct them to our toll free customer service number: 1-800-COMCAST. Our
Customer Account Executives are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to answer any
questions they may have regarding Comcast products, services and prices. If you have
any questions about this or any other issue, please feel free to contact me directly at
978-927-5700, ext. 4409.
Sincerely,
Jane M. Lyman
Senior Manager of Government & Community Relations
U''
OFR~ C l 1
c
a
9• INCORQO
READING PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Preparing Reading's Youth To Be Productive, Informed,
Independent Citizens In A Global Society
Patrick A. Schettini, Jr., J.D. 82 Oaldand Road John E Doherty
Superintendent Reading, Massachusetts 01867 Assistant Superintendent
Telephone 781-944-5800 Mary C. DeLai
Fax 781-942-9149 Director of Human Resources
and Finance
March 18, 2009
Mr. Peter Hechenbleikner
Reading Town Hall'
16 Lowell Street
Reading, MA 01867
Dear Pete,
I wanted to take this opportunity to pass along my heartfelt appreciation to you and the
town departments for the assistance and cooperation in preparing for the recent RMIIS
Drama Club production of the Laramie Project. It was a group effort and I am truly
grateful for the collaboration to ensure incident free performances.
On behalf of the administrators, teachers, parents and but most of all our students, thanks
for a job well done!
Sincerel ,
Patrick A. Schettini, Jr., J.D.
Superintendent of Schools
i
The Reading Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, age or disability.
°FRTown of Reading C/C_ SOS
1 16 Lowell Street
~ Reading, MA 01867-2685
,639+IHCOR4p4~
FAX: (781) 942-9071
Email: townmanager@ci.reading.ma.us TOWN MANAGER
Website: www. readingma.gov (781) 942-9043
March 23, 2009
Patricia A. Leavenworth, P.E.,
District Highway Director
Mass Highway Department, District 4
519 Appleton Street
Arlington, MA 02476
RE: Hopkins at Main Street
Dear Ms. Leavenworth:
The Town of Reading is concerned about the safety of the intersection of Hopkins Street at
Main Street. Mass Highway has previously given approval of regulations to provide for a
right turn only on Hopkins Street at Main Street (both eastbound and westbound). The
Town is in the process of implementing these restri ctions. However, there is concern about
traffic on Main Street making left turns in both directions onto Hopkins Street (Hopkins is a
slightly offset intersection). It is the opinion of the Board of Selectmen, our Police,
Engineering, and Public Works Department, that the only long-term solution to this
intersection would be signalization.
Therefore, the Board of Selectmen asks that Mass Highway begin the process of evaluation,
design and construction of a fall intersection signalization at Hopkins and Main Street in
Reading.
We look forward to working with you on this important project.
1 erely,
l
Peter I. Hechenbleikner
Town Manager
PIH/ps
oFRByol~ Town of Reading
16 Lowell Street
° Reading, MA 0186.7-2685
,s`~Be INCO'K4.p4'P~
FAX: (781) 942-9071
Email: townmanager@ci.reading.ma.us TOWN MANAGER
Website: www. readingma.gov (781) 942-9043
March 23, 2009
Attorney Josh Latham
Latham, Latham and Lamond
643 Main Street
Reading, MA 01867
Re: 885 Main Street
Dear Mr. Latham:
As follow up to the discussion at the Selectmen's Meeting on March 17, 2009 regarding the
above requested LIP development, I believe it was a clear sense from the Board of
Selectmen that the property owner/applicant should have discussions with the neighbors and
abutters regarding the proposed development. If, following that discussion, your client
wishes to proceed with this or a similar project, the Board of Selectmen will then entertain
that possibility.
In the meantime, it is not the intent of the. Board to pursue anything more with the plan that
you submitted, nor to conduct a Board site visit at this time.
Please let us know of your plans.,
S'n erely,
Peter I. Hechenbleikner
Town Manager
PIH/ps
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Page 1 of 1
i/ « a S
Schena, Paula
From: Hechenbleikner, Peter,
Sent: Monday, March 23, 2009 3:49 PM
To: Jones, Bradley - Rep. (HOU)
Cc: Schena, Paula; LeLacheur, Bob; LaPointe, Gail
Subject: Chapter 90
Brad
Thanks for the follow-up on the Chapter 90 reimbursement. I guess we were fearing the worst, but Walter Kubik
and his associate from MHD met with us this morning and assured us that the remainder of our reimbursement
will be processed in time to have it in hand this FY, which is important to our free cash recertification.
Pete
I/c Board of Selectmen
3/23/2009
Page 1 of 2
4c '30
Schena, Paula
From: Reading - Selectmen
Sent: Tuesday, March 24, 2009 8:53 AM
To: Kathmkinney@aol.com
Cc: Schena, Paula
Subject: RE: Birch Meadow Crosswalk
Dear Kathleen:
Thank you for sending an email to the Board of Selectmen. The Board has adopted a policy of not
sending substantive responses to emails in order to try to stay in compliance with the
Commonwealth's open meeting law which prohibits policy discussions by the Board outside of an
open public meeting. Please understand that the Board values your input on issues and your
correspondence will be included in the materials circulated to the Board prior to its next meeting and
it is available as part of the public record. The Board members will have a chance to comment during
an upcoming public meeting.
If you want to have a personal discussion of the issue with a member of the Board, we hold "office"
hours in Reading Town Hall before the first regularly scheduled meeting of each month at 6:30 PM in
the first floor conference room.
There is a brief time scheduled at the Board of Selectmen meeting on March 31 at 7:45 for this matter.
Thank you again for contacting the Board of Selectmen.
James Bonazoli
Secretary
Reading Board of Selectmen
1/c Board of Selectmen
From: Kathmkinney@aol.com [maiIto: Kathmkinney@aol.com]
Sent: Tuesday, March 24, 2009 8:41 AM
To: Reading - Selectmen
Subject: Birch Meadow Crosswalk
Good Morning!
I am writing to express my support for a crosswalk on Birch Meadow Drive near the emergency access road to
the Birch Meadow school.
Due to the high volume of traffic and lack of visibility between parked cars I feel a cross walk is very much
needed. There are definite safety concerns in that portion of the road way because that is where most families
cross to enter and exit the school grounds. Having a clearly marked passage there will help minimize those
concerns.
Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend the Board of Selectman's meeting on Tuesday, March 31, 2009.
V
3/24/2009
Page 2 of 2
Please consider this email as a show of support for the proposed sidewalk.
Thank you in advance for your attention to this matter.
Regards,
Kathleen Kinney
Parent of a Birch Meadow Student
A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps!
3/24/2009
Page 1 of 2
~s
Schena, Paula
From: Reading - Selectmen
Sent: Monday, March 23, 2009 2:56 PM
To: Annemarie Cory
Cc: Schena, Paula
Subject: RE: Supporting a Crosswalk on Birch Meadow Drive
Dear Annemarie
Thank you for sending an email to the Board of Selectmen. The Board has adopted a policy of not
sending substantive responses to emails in order to try to stay in compliance with the Commonwealth's
open meeting law which prohibits policy discussions by the Board outside of an open public meeting.
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The Board of Selectmen has scheduled brief discussion of this matter on March 31 at 7:45 PM.
If you want to have a personal discussion of the issue with a member of the Board, we hold "office"
hours in Reading Town Hall before the first regularly scheduled meeting of each month at 6:30 PM in
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Thank you again for contacting the Board of Selectmen.
James Bonazoli
Secretary
Reading Board of Selectmen
1/c Board of Selectmen
From: Annemarie Cory [mailto:annemarie.cory@gmail.com]
Sent: Friday, March 20, 2009.10:18 AM
To: Reading - Selectmen
Subject: Supporting a Crosswalk on Birch Meadow Drive
Hello,
I am writing to support a crosswalk on Birch Meadow Drive at the entrance to the playground area.
Many parents of children in the primary grades cross there because their children go into the school
through the back doors. The paving of sidewalks on the school side of Birch Meadow Drive has made
it slightly easier to use the existing crosswalk if necessary, but only during the milder weather. During
the winter, the sidewalk there was almost never plowed, and the walkway up to the school (not the
driveway) was never cleared either. With small children in the snow, this snakes for a very difficult
scenario when dropping off and collecting children. Instead, people cross in an ad hoc fashion, which
makes it very difficult for drivers to navigate safely through the school zone.
Birch Meadow Drive is very congested during the times of school dropoff and pickup. Many people
3/23/2009
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choose to park further away from the school and walk, crossing at the playground entrance, to avoid the
snarls of traffic around the front of the school and the YMCA at that time. I think it is in our interest
both for safety and the environment (to avoid all of the idling that happens as people wait to pass the
front of the school) to allow people a safe way to cross if they do not want to park as close to the front of
the school.
Additionally, during good weather, I frequently walk or ride a bicycle to take my two young children to
school, and we travel from Mount Vernon Street, a distance of approximately 1 mile. We typically go
down Bancroft Ave and cross the grassy area through the playing fields to avoid the congested roadways
at that time.
I would appreciate a crosswalk at the base of the driveway leading to the playground area because I have
found it very difficult to navigate the last part of that journey, down to the crossing guard, and back to
the playground entrance with my children.
Thank you for taking the time to read this email. I do hope you will choose to support this request from
the Birch Meadow Elementary School community.
Sincerely,
Annemarie Cory, parent
Annemarie C. Cory, M.Ed.
16 Mount Vernon Street
Reading, MA 01867
781-944-4585
Institute for Learning and Develepment
4 Militia Drive
Lexington, MA 02421
781-861-3711
acory@ ilddlex.org
3/23/2009