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Home My WebLink About2017-04-24 Annual Town Meeting Minutes ANNUAL TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School April 24, 2017 Performing Arts Center The Precincts listed below met at 7:00 PM to conduct the following business: Precinct 1 - With a Quorum present elected Sheila Mulroy as Precinct Chair and Roy Benjamin as Precinct Clerk and voted on Article 25, Town Meeting Member list of removal, see Article 25 for results. Precinct 2 - With a Quorum present elected Anthony D'Arezzo as Precinct Chair and John Sasso as Precinct Clerk and voted on Article 25, Town Meeting Member list of removal, see Article 25 for results. Precinct 3 - With a Quorum present elected Paul Sylvester as Precinct Chair and John Breslin as Precinct Clerk and voted on Article 25, Town Meeting Member list of removal, see Article 25 for results. Precinct 4 - With a Quorum present elected Russell Graham as Precinct Chair and Mary Ellen O'Neill as Precinct Clerk and voted on Article 25, Town Meeting Member list of removal, see Article 25 for results. Precinct 5 - With a Quorum present elected Anne Landry as Precinct Chair and Patrick O'Sullivan as Precinct Clerk and voted on Article 25, Town Meeting Member list of removal, see Article 25 for results. Precinct 6 - With a Quorum present elected Michele Sanphy as Precinct Chair and Kelly Malone as Precinct Clerk and voted on Article 25, Town Meeting Member list of removal, see Article 25 for results. A vote was taken to elect Robert L Mandell and Michael Allen Mandell on a tie breaker vote from the April 4, 2017 election. Precinct 7 - With a Quorum present elected Dan Ensminger as Precinct Chair and John Carpenter as Precinct Clerk and voted on Article 25, Town Meeting Member list of removal, see Article 25 for results. Precinct 8 - With a Quorum present elected Damien Mormon as Precinct Chair and Kathleen Golini as Precinct Clerk and voted on Article 25, Town Meeting Member list of removal, see Article 25 for results. The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Alan E. Foulds, at 7:33 PM, there being a quorum present. The Invocation was given by Philip Pacino, Precinct 5 followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. All new members of Town Meeting were sworn-in. The Constables return of the Warrant was read by the Town Clerk. The following announcements were made by the Moderator: As is our tradition at the beginning of the Annual Town Meeting every April, the chair would like to remind Town Meeting Members, and inform newly elected members about some of the basic rules, and how we will proceed: 1 When you are recognized please wait until you have the microphone before speaking. In addition to being heard in the hall we want you to be heard on RCN, as well. The tapes from the cablecast may be used in verifying the official report. 2 Before speaking, please state your name and precinct. 3 Members are limited to no more than 10 minutes. The Chair will call on people roughly in the order that they raise their hands ... taking those that have not yet spoken, first. 4 Non-members may speak, but only after members have first had the opportunity to do so. Non- member proponents of a motion may speak with permission of the body. 5 Remember to stay away from personal attacks or, for the most part, personal references. We are here to discuss issues and NOT personalities. 6 A couple of years ago we instituted a new practice. We no longer read the motions, as all of you have a printed copy. The only time we read it is if there is a change from what you have. The moderator, instead, declares that the motion has been made. We then call on the main proponent to open discussion. Then we hear relevant reports; Financial articles are reported on by the Finance Committee, bylaw changes by the Bylaw Committee, and so forth. Then we open debate to all members. iioage ANNUAL TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School April 24, 2017 Performing Arts Center 7 After debate has proceeded for a while, we may have someone "move the previous question", or simply "move the question". That is a call for debate to end. That motion itself is non-debatable, and we will proceed directly to the issue of stopping debate. It takes a 2/3 vote. The Chair will not recognize that motion from a person who has just spoken. In other words, if you want to move the question and stop debate, that must be the only thing you have risen for. 8 Amendments. We may have people offer amendments to motions on the floor. These will be accepted. Once an amendment is proposed and seconded, we debate only the merits of the proposed amendment - not the main motion. When ready, we vote on the proposed amendment, then we return to debating the main motion, either as is stood before the proposed amendment or, as amended - depending on how the vote to amend went. When proposing amendments please provide them to the town clerk on an 8 1/2 by 11 sheet in order to get your wording correct. 9 Town Meeting Members must be sitting in the lower portion of the hall if they want to be recognized as town meeting members, and have their votes counted. 10 Instructional Motions. Article 3 is placed in the warrant by the Board of Selectmen, and calls for "Instructional Motions". These motions "instruct" various boards or individuals to do whatever the motion calls for. Technically State Law does not allow motions to be made when the subject matter does not first appear in the Warrant. They have traditionally been allowed here because they are completely "non-binding". Our bylaws stipulate that all Main Motions (which these are) must be made in writing. Additionally, I ask that they be written on an 8 1/2 by 11 sheet, containing nothing but the motion. Otherwise they are likely to be lost. The Chair will enforce that rule tonight. In addition I would ask that whenever practical all such motions be presented to the Moderator at the beginning of each night's session. At some convenient point the Chair will inform the body what intended Instructional Motions have been presented. This is being done in fairness to those being "Instructed", and deserve some semblance of notice, and to Town Meeting Members who, when making a decision as to whether or not to adjourn for the evening, should know what business is still before them. Unlike all the regular articles, members have no idea what type of Instructional Motions will be made. 11 There is often confusion with two particular motions, Indefinite Postponement and tabling. Let me give you a brief explanation of the difference: Indefinite Postponement is a motion asking that the body not vote for a particular motion during the life of this town meeting. Although it is thought of not so much as a vote against a particular issue, but rather a postponement, the result is the same. Voting in favor of indefinite postponement has the same result as voting against the main motion. If indefinite postponement carries, the main motion is defeated. A motion to indefinitely postpone is debatable. Tabling is used for another purpose altogether. Tabling temporarily puts a motion aside. It can be brought up again by anyone moving to take it from the table, at any time before the meeting adjourns sine die. This motion is non-debatable, although the chair will allow a brief explanation as to why the motion to table has been made. 12 Adjournment. There are two types of adjournment. At the end of an evening we adjourn to a time certain. Tonight, for instance, when we are done for the evening, we, presumably, will adjourn until Thursday. When we are done with the business of town meeting we adjourn Sine Die, which translates to"without day." In other words, the meeting is complete. 13 Please use non-audible alarms for your phones and other gadgets. Finally, I would like to explain how things are likely to proceed over the next few hours, and next few days. Tonight we lay article 2 and 3 on the table and begin with article 4, and we will proceed as far as we can. We'll start Thursday evening by going back to article 2 so that we can hear the State of the Town Address, then we will proceed with the budget. Once completed, we'll go back and work on whatever is left. Motion made by John Arena, Board of Selectmen to dispense of the reading of the warrant and all motions in their entirety. 21v.Ie ANNUAL TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School April 24, 2017 Performing Arts Center Motion Carried ARTICLE 2: To hear and act on the reports of the Board of Selectmen, School Committee, Library Trustees, Municipal Light Board, Finance Committee, Bylaw Committee, Town Manager, Town Accountant and any other Town Official, Board or Committee. Motion made by John Arena, Board of Selectmen to table Article 2 Motion Carried to Table ARTICLE 3: Move to choose all other necessary Town Officers and Special Committees and determine what instructions shall be given Town Officers and Special Committees, and to see what sum the Town will vote to appropriate by borrowing or transfer from available funds, or otherwise, for the purpose of funding Town Officers and Special Committees to carry out the instructions given to them, or take any other action with respect thereto. Finance Committee Report: No report Bylaw Committee Report: No report Motion made by John Arena, Board of Selectmen to table Article 3 Motion to Table Carried ARTICLE 4: Motion made by the Board of Selectmen that the Town vote to amend the FY 2017- 2027 Capital Improvements Program as provided for in Section 7-7 of the Reading Home Rule Charter and as previously amended, by making these changes: General Fund FY2017: -$150.000 $100,000 Administrative Services - Cell Tower Design $55,000 Facilities - Replace Tile at Joshua Eaton due to leak $30,000 Facilities - Masonry at Wood End $15,000 Facilities - Masonry at Parker -$350,000 Public Services Recreation - Defer Killam Field and parking lot until FY2023 FY2018: -$180.800 (needed to fund RMHS litigation debt) $190,000 Fire - Breathing Apparatus $150,000 DPW - Truck#9 Advanced from FY2019 $150,000 Permanent Building Committee Funding $40,000 Administrative Services - Tech GIS Flyover Planimetrics $32,400 DPW - Cemetery Ford Sedan advanced from FY2020 $30,000 Fire Department - Hose +$25,000 School - Large-Scale Technology Projects (now $100,000) +$25,000 DPW - Sidewalk/Curb Pedestrian Safety (now $100,000) +$25,000 DPW - Skim Coating/Crack Seal Patching (now $100,000) $15,000 Fire Department - Multi-Gas Meters +$2,000 DPW Parks - SKAG 61" Mower now $20,000 (was $18,000) -$3,000 DPW Cemetery - SKAG 52" Mower now $15,000 (was $18,000) -$35,000 Police - Vehicle Video Integration defer to FY2019 3 1 P a g e ANNUAL TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School April 24, 2017 Performing Arts Center -$40,000 DPW - Screener now $95,000 (reduced from $135,000) -$50,000 DPW - Yard Improvements Removed -$70,000 Fire Department - Alarm Truck defer to FY2021 (now $80,000) -$90,000 DPW - Fire Suppression System Removed -$115,000 Public Services Recreation - Defer Barrows Backstop and Infield to FY2020 (now $125,000) -$462,000 Parker Middle School Roof Repairs defer to FY2019 FY2019 -$191.000 Various changes made FY2020+ Various other changes made Enterprise Funds - Water FY2017: None FY2018: -$150.000 -$150,000 Truck #6 Defer to FY2019 +$373,299 in Debt Service (+$397,299 for water main repairs and -$24,000 for Auburn water tank) FY2019+ Various changes made (note repairs to Auburn water tank deferred from FY2018 to FY2020, changed to purchase new water tank at lifetime savings in excess of $1 million) Enterprise Funds - Sewer FY2017: +$200.000 +$200,000 West Street/Batchelder Road Sewer Station project - unanticipated ground water issue FY2018: +S200.000 $200,000 Vacuum truck advanced from FY19 (split with Storm Water EF) +$312,000 in debt service for sewer station repairs (Charles Street project is increased by $500,000 to $2.4 million; Sturges sewer station is increased by $675,000 to $1.775 million and deferred until FY2021) FY2019+ Various changes made Enterprise Funds - Storm Water FY2017: None FY2018: +4175.000 $200,000 Vacuum truck advanced from FY2019 (split with Sewer EF) -$25,000 general drainage improvements reduced from $75,000 to $50,000 -$27,500 debt service (interest only) as Sturges Park, Main Street & Minot Street (side streets) drainage projects are delayed to FY2019 FY2019+ Various changes made Background: This Article is included in every Town Meeting Warrant. The Reading General Bylaw (section 6.1.3) states"... No funds may be appropriated for any capital item unless such item is included in the Capital Improvements Program, and is scheduled for funding in the Fiscal Year in which the appropriation is to be made." Bond ratings agencies also want to ensure that changes to a long-term CIP are adequately described. .11a11 ANNUAL TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School April 24, 2017 Performing Arts Center Presentation given by: . Bob LeLacheur - See Attached Finance Committee Reoort - given by Paul McNeice: The Finance Committee recommends the proposed amendments to the FY 2017 - FY 2027 Capital Improvements Program by a vote of 9-0-0 at their meeting on March 22, 2017. Placing items in the Capital Improvement Program is a prerequisite but in itself does not authorize spending funds towards these items. Bylaw Committee Repo rt: No report Board of Selectmen Repo rt: The Board of Selectmen on March 7, 2017 voted 5-0 to support this Article. Motion Carried ARTICLE S: Motion made by the Finance Committee that the Town vote to amend the Town's Operating Budget for the Fiscal Year commencing July 1, 2016, as adopted under Article 12 of the Annual Town Meeting of March 1, 2016 and amended under Article 11 of the Subsequent Town Meeting of November 14, 2016; and to see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, borrow or transfer from available funds, or otherwise provide a sum or sums of money to be added to the amounts appropriated under said Article, as amended, for the operation of the Town and its government: General Fun - Wages and Expense AccouWt Lin Description Decrease Increase B99 - Benefits Health Insurance Premiums -$100,000 $200,000 expenses Retirement Assessment -$100,000 C99 - Capital Administrative Services - Cell Tower $150,000 Expenses design $100,000 Facilities - Joshua Eaton tiles $55,000 Facilities - Masonry at Wood End $30,000 Facilities - Masonry at Parker $15,000 Defer Killam fields and parking lot -$350,000 E99 - Vocational Reduced for actual enrollment $501000 Education Minuteman and Essex North -$50,000 G91 - Administrative Vacation/Sick buyback $15,000 $71,175 Services Wages Pay and Class funding used $13,625 Technology OT $5,000 Election Workers (October Special) $4,000 Operations Specialist -$15,000 Pay and Class funding not used -$23,350 Pay and Class Funding transferred -$70,450 G92 - Administrative Town Counsel $50,000 (TLT $25,000; $114,650 Services Expenses 40B projects $15,000; other $10,000) Special Counsel TLT $30,000 Special Counsel cable $25,000 HR Professional Services (Police Lt and S t nrnoH,ns rocess art II 9 650 5ivage ANNUAL TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School April 24, 2017 Performing Arts Center A nt Line D ri tion D r a In H91 - Public Services Building Inspections -$10,000 $94,550 Wages Economic Development Director - $45,000 Community Services Director -$57,000 Pay and Class funding used +$17,450 H91 - Public Services Economic Development expenses $3,000 $3,000 Expenses I91 - Finance Wages Vacation/Sick buyback $2,875 $12,125 Pay and Class funding used $9,250 191 - Public Safety Police Vacation/Sick buyback $70,750 $219,900 Wages Fire Vacation/Sick buyback $69,850 Fire OT (injuries) $40,000 Animal Control Officer $19,000 (not yet regionalized, see line 192) Police CPR training $8,500 (as of October 2016 no longer state funded) Fire OT (active shooter training) $7,000 Pay and Class funding used $4,800 192 --Public Safety Fire Protective Clothing $8,000 $30,000 expenses Police Clothing/Uniforms $7,000 Police Officer Training $5,000 Animal Control Regionalization -$50,000 K91 - Public Works Pay and Class funding used $2,825 $2,825 Wages K92 - Public Works Highway Outsourced Repairs $25,000 $50,000 Expenses Highway Fuel -$75,000 K93 - Public Works Estimate $250,000 $250,000 Snow & Ice K94 - Public Works Street Lights - $15,000 $15,000 Street Lights L91 - Library Wages Vacation/Sick buyback $11,825 $34,325 Pay and Class funding used $22,500 M91 - Core Facilities Security Systems Evaluation - $137,000 accounting entry needed $125,000 Vacation/Sick buyback $12,000 U99-- School Science Curriculum $150,000 Department Subtotals $660,725 $923,825 Net Operating Expenses $263,100 From Vacation/Sick Stabilization $30.78 Fund (proposal to eliminated in Article 11) $60,000 From Inspections Revolving Fund (reduce the offset previously budgeted) $323,069.22 From Free Cash Enterprise Fun - Wages and Ex all FAnt Line .Des ion Decr In X99 - Sewer West Street/Batchelder Road Sewer Station $200,000 ex enses project - unanticipated ground water issue Subtotals 0 $200,000 61P.. . ANNUAL TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School April 24, 2017 Performing Arts Center Net Operating Expenses 200 000 From Sewer Reserves $200.000 Presentation given by: . Bob LeLacheur - See Attached Finance Committee Report - niven by Peter Lvdecker: At their meeting on March 22, 2017 the Finance Committee voted 9-0-0 to recommend this Article to Town Meeting. Bylaw Committee Report: No report Board of Selectmen Report: The Board of Selectmen on March 7, 2017 voted 5-0 to support this Article. At the time, the estimate for snow & ice was only $100,000. After some discussion a vote was taken: Motion Carried ARTICLE 6: Motion made by the Board of Selectmen that the Town vote to raise and appropriate, transfer from available funds or otherwise provide a sum or sums of money to pay bills remaining unpaid from prior fiscal years for goods and services actually rendered to the Town as follows: . Callback Staffing Solutions, LLC in the amount of$90.72 Background: In January 2017 the town became aware of an outstanding invoice for Callback Staffing Solutions, LLC in the amount of $90.72 for services rendered in lune 2016. The invoice is for the monthly fee for a new web based scheduling system for the fire department. Unfortunately, the invoice was sent to the fire department through email and ended up in the junk mail and was not discovered until the vendor notified the Town in January 2017 that the bill remained outstanding. Presentation given by: . Sharon Angstrom - See Attached Finance Committee Report given by Peter Lvdecker: At their meeting on March 22, 2017 the Finance Committee voted 9-0-0 to recommend this Article to Town Meeting. This bill is an obligation that should be paid by the Town, with a source of Free Cash. Bylaw Committee Report: No report Board of Selectmen Report: The Board of Selectmen on March 7, 2017 voted 5-0 to support this Article. 4/5ths Vote Required Declared Unanimous 158 Town Meeting Members in Attendance Motion Carried ARTICLE 7: Motion made by the Board of Selectmen that the Town vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to sell, exchange, or dispose of, various items of Town tangible property, upon such terms and conditions as they may determine. 7 1 P a g e ANNUAL TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School April 24, 2017 Performing Arts Center Estimated Dossier Year Make Model Hours N64,492 value$ Notes Backhoe 2007 CAT 420 40,000 Screenall 1994 Reed RD40B 27387,000 Diesel Truck 9 2004 International 700SER 6,500 Truck 24 2000 Ford F450 5,000 Diesel, DumTruck 10 1996 Intematmiral 400SER 3,500 Roller 1998 Leeboy L300 1.5 ton 62431,000 Hydrostatic 1RB 4 in 1 bucket 2009 1RB 4 in 1 bucket 1,000 Mower 1995 Sca 52" SWG 500 Mower 1996 Sca 52" SWG 500 Mower 2008 Turf Tiger 61" STT61V 500 Mower 1989 John Deere 912 1239 500 Fuel Transfer Tank Fuel Transfer Tank 100 100galw/pump weatherguard Toolbox Weatherguard Toolbox 100 Stone Cement mixer 1993 Stone Mixer 100 Holder V-nose plow Holder V-nose plow 100 Trailer ramps Trailer Ramps 100 Background: As described in Article 4, the current MetroFire trailer will be taken from the town and given to a community south of Boston once the new one is purchased. We thought it best to note this intended disposal of capital equipment legally owned by the town, even though no municipal funds were used for acquisition. The motion under this Article will include the trailer, but in the background we did want to distinguish it from other items listed in the table above. Presentation given by: • Sharon Angstrom - See Attached Finance Committee Report - ahren by Eric Burkhart: At their meeting on March 22, 2017 the Finance Committee voted 9-0-0 to recommend this Article to Town Meeting. Bylaw Committee Report: No report Board of Selectmen Report: The Board of Selectmen on March 7, 2017 voted 5-0 to support this Article Motion Carried ARTICLE B: Motion made by the Board of Selectmen that the Town vote to accept the provisions of Section 20 of Chapter 32B of the Massachusetts General Laws, as amended by Section 15 of the Chapter 218 of the Acts of 2016, establishing an Other Post-Employment Benefits Liability Trust Fund; to authorize the Board of Selectmen and Treasurer to execute a declaration of trust creating an expendable trust for the purpose of holding monies appropriated to such fund; to designate the Treasurer as the trustee of such trust; to authorize the transfer of any and all monies currently held for the purpose of paying retiree health and life benefits to such trust; to authorize the trustee to invest and reinvest the monies in such fund in the State Retiree Benefits Trust Fund; and to authorize the participation of the Town of Reading Municipal Light Department in the trust fund in accordance with procedures and criteria established by the trustee. stooge ANNUAL TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School April 24, 2017 Performing Arts Center Background: The state recently enacted legislation that will settle some state-wide questions about the legal structure of so-called OPEB Liability Trust Funds. The Town of Reading, by vote of Town Meeting, previously established such a Trust Fund before the state took this action. By adopting the provisions of Section 20 of Chapter 32B of the Massachusetts General Laws, as amended by Section 15 of the Chapter 218 of the Acts of 2016, the town's existing OPEB Trust Fund will fall under this new legal structure. The second portion of this Article is the annual transfer of funds previously budgeted and held for the OPEB fund. This practice is followed each year in case health insurance costs are higher than budgeted, and therefore may be needed to fund a deficit. In FY17, as demonstrated under Article 5, a small surplus exists in that account so the annual OPEB transfers should be completed as designed: $500,000 in the general fund, $50,000 in the water fund, $20,000 in the sewer fund and $6,000 in the storm water fund. This Article will therefore move the total $576,000 of all these OPEB contributions to the trust for Other Post Employment Benefit liabilities. The most recent OPEB valuation shows the Town's OPEB liability at $67.2 million, though this figure will be updated in a few months. The three Enterprise Funds and the Light Department are on an aggressive twenty year funding schedule, and the General Fund is on a partial funding schedule projected over thirty years. The latter will transition to a full funding schedule as soon as possible, as is required by law or after the Pension Fund is fully funded in FY29. Presentation given by: • Sharon Angstrom - See Attached Finance Committee Report - aiven by Vanessa Alvarado: At their meeting on March 22, 2017 the Finance Committee voted 9-0-0 to recommend this Article to Town Meeting. Bylaw Committee Report: No report Board of Selectmen Report: The Board of Selectmen on March 7, 2017 voted 5-0 to support this Article. Motion Carried ARTICLE 9: Motion made by the Board of Selectmen that the Town vote to hear the report of the School Committee or any other public body that the real property shown as "Oakland Road Parcel" on a plan of land entitled "Plan of Land Oakland Road Town of Reading," prepared by Town of Reading - Department of Public Works, Engineering Division, Jeffrey T. Zager, Director DPW, Ryan Percival, PE, Town Engineer, dated September 13, 2016, is no longer required for public purposes; to see if the Town will vote, pursuant to Chapter 40, Section 15A, of the Massachusetts General Laws, to transfer the care, custody, management and control of said Oakland Road Parcel to the Board of Selectmen. Backaround: At November 2016 Town Meeting, three actions were sought regarding the town's property on Oakland Road in two different Articles: Article 15 - to discontinue portions of private ways on the property; Article 16 - to declare, by accepting reports from the School Committee or any other public body, that the land was no longer needed for public purpose; and Article 16 - to authorize the Board of Selectmen to sell or otherwise dispose of the land. 911 a, e ANNUAL TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School April 24, 2017 Performing Arts Center All three of these actions had previously passed by large margins in a November 2011 Town Meeting, but current Town Counsel deemed these previous actions as legally insufficient, as was described to November 2016 Town Meeting. Article 15 passed at November 2016 Town Meeting, clearing the first action listed above. However Article 16 did not pass. A move to reconsider Article 16 in order to accomplish only the second action listed above also did not pass. Afterwards several Town Meeting members explained they thought Article 15 cleared up all the technicalities and Article 16 was only to authorize the Selectmen to sell the land. This Article seeks to complete the second action only - to declare that the land was no longer needed for public purpose. The School Committee is the only known body that may have any claim to the land, and both in 2011 and 2016 they voted to declare any and all of their ownership to be surplus to their needs. This second action is needed in order for the Board of Selectmen to undertake a process that would include potential buyers of the parcel and any proposed uses. The Board understands and respects that the November 2016 Town Meeting wanted to see exact proposed uses of the parcel before authorizing any land transaction, and is committed to a public process to come up with one or more such proposals for a future Town Meeting, if this Article is approved. Presentation given by: • Bob LeLacheur - See Attached Finance Committee Report - aiven by Mark Dockser: At their meeting on March 22, 2017 the Finance Committee voted 9-0-0 to recommend this Article to Town Meeting. Bylaw Committee Report: No report Board of Selectmen Report: The Board of Selectmen on March 7, 2017 voted 5-0 to support this Article. Motion made by Patricia Lloyd, Precinct 8 to amend the motion as follows: Move to hear the Fepert of the Sehael Gemmittee er any other pub' e beely that the Feal PF8pefty shewn as "E)ak'and Read PaFeel" en a plan of 'and entitled "Plan of Land Gakland Read Tewn of Read ng," pFepared by Town of Read ng Department of Pub! e WeFks, Engineering Divisien, geffFey T. ZaijeF, D FeetaF DPW, Ryan ^ dated c , s no longer requ red far publie to see if the Town will vote, pursuant to Chapter 40, Section 15A, of the Massachusetts General Laws, to transfer the care, custody, management and control of said Oakland Road Parcel to the Board of Selectmen. Motion was Withdrawn Motion made by Patrick O'Sullivan, Precinct 5 to move the question 2/3rd Vote Required 122 Voted in the affirmative 30 Voted in the negative 158 Town Meeting Members in Attendance Motion to Move the Ouestion Carried After some discussion a vote was taken: 101 Pa g ANNUAL TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School April 24, 2017 Performing Arts Center 2/3rd Vote Required 123 Voted in the affirmative 30 Voted in the negative 158 Town Meeting Members in Attendance Motion Carried as Presented ARTICLE 10: Motion made by John Arena, Board of Selectmen and Article 10 was tabled Motion Carried ARTICLE 11: Motion made by the Board of Selectmen that the Town vote to raise and appropriate, transfer from available funds, borrow or otherwise provide $2.4 million for the purpose of making extraordinary repairs and/or replacement of sanitary sewer collection systems, including the costs of consulting services, audits, plans, documents, cost estimates, bidding services and all related expenses incidental thereto and necessary in connection therewith, said sum to be expended by and under the direction of the Town Manager; and to see if the Town will authorize the Board of Selectmen, Town Manager, or any other agency of the Town, to apply for a grant or grants, to be used to defray the cost of all, or any part of, said sanitary sewer improvements; and to authorize the Town Manager to enter into any and all contracts and agreements as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Article. Backoround: The purpose of this Article is to authorize debt for the replacement of the Charles Street sewer pump station. In 2010 the Town hired CDM Smith to assess the condition of and recommend repairs and improvements to the Town's 12 wastewater pump stations. Based on service area and evaluated deficiencies, CDM Smith and the Town have prioritized the Charles Street sewer station to be the next station replaced. The existing Charles Street sewer pump station is currently a dry/wet pit station, located at the intersection of Charles Street and Haverhill Street, which services the largest area of Town (approximately 990 properties). The 49 year old station first went online in 1968 with a design capacity of 850 gallons per minute (GPM) and is approximately 30 feet in depth. The aging station has major corrosion to its steel walls and steel staircase, and out of code electrical systems, which present a significant operating safety concern. The existing pumps have become inefficient due to decreased equipment life and pump cavitation. The proposed project would be to replace the failing station in its entirety with new submersible pumps; upgraded controls and electrical; SCADA; and a backup generator capable of running the station in the event of a power outage. The total estimated cost of this project is $2.4 million. Presentation given by: . Bob LeLacheur - See Attached Finance Committee Report - given by David Neshat: At their meeting on March 22, 2017 the Finance Committee voted 9-0-0 to recommend this Article to Town Meeting. Bylaw Committee Report: No report Board of Selectmen Report: The Board of Selectmen on March 7, 2017 voted 5-0 to support this Article. After some discussion a vote was taken: 11 J Pa g ANNUAL TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School April 24, 2017 Performing Arts Center 2/3rd Vote Required Declared Unanimous 158 Town Meeting Members in Attendance Motion Carried ARTICLE 12: Motion made by John Arena, Board of Selectmen and Article 12 was tabled Motion Carried ARTICLE 13: Motion made by the Board of Selectmen that the Town vote to amend the vote taken under Article 12 of Annual Town Meeting on April 30, 2009 so as to abolish the Sick Leave and Vacation buy-back Stabilization Fund. Background: Article 12 at 2009 Annual Town Meeting established a Sick Leave and Vacation buy- back Stabilization Fund for town government employees, with an initial funding of $25,000. At the time, the overall liability was studied, since eligibility for sick leave buyback had been eliminated for all new hires. A strategy of annual funding was drafted internally in order to defense this liability, instead of funding it on a 'pay as you go' basis. This strategy was followed for a period of time, but abandoned about four years ago as budgets got very tight. To set aside such funding above any current need was deemed a bit of a luxury. Thus recent practice has devolved back to the pay-as-you-go approach, as is seen by requests under Article 5 at this Town Meeting. The balance of the fund was thought to have been fully drawn down a year ago, but was repopulated by $30.78 of interest earned as also was seen in Article 5. Since this funding mechanism has been discontinued as a policy, it is best to also eliminate the Stabilization Fund. It is important to note that explicit requests for funding of vacation/sick leave buybacks only appear to Town Meeting when there is otherwise insufficient funding available. For example, there were other town departments that used vacation/sick leave buyback funds in FY17, but their wage budgets had sufficient surplus funding to not require a budget transfer. This is typical of Town Hall departments especially as the vacancy created by retirement usually remains open for a period of time. Presentation given by: . Sharon Angstrom - See Attached Finance Committee Report - aiven by Anne Johnson Landry: At their meeting on March 22, 2017 the Finance Committee voted 9-0-0 to recommend this Article to Town Meeting. Bylaw Committee Report: No report Board of Selectmen Report: The Board of Selectmen on March 7, 2017 voted 5-0 to support this Article. After some discussion a vote was taken: Motion Carried ARTICLE 14: Motion made by the Board of Selectmen that the Town vote to approve an Affordable Housing Trust Fund Allocation Plan pursuant to Chapter 140 of the Acts of 2001 entitled "AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE TOWN OF READING TO ESTABLISH AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND". 121 P 9e ANNUAL TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School April 24, 2017 Performing Arts Center Background: Chapter 140 of the Acts of 2001 authorized the Town of Reading to establish a separate fund known as the Affordable Housing Trust Fund (AHTF). The AHTF requires Town Meeting approval of an annual allocation plan submitted by the Board of Selectmen. AHTF expenditures require approval by a majority vote of the full combined membership of the Board of Selectmen and the Reading Housing Authority. AHTF uses include: ♦ Create or preserve affordable housing; ♦ Maintain or operate affordable housing; ♦ Develop new or rehabilitate existing housing as affordable homeownership or rental units; The purpose of the Affordable Housing Allocation Plan is to provide a framework for the Town to expend funds on affordable housing. The current AHTF balance of $262,634 reflects revenue generated through the actions of the CPDC, as well as proceeds from the loss of an affordable unit. There are no Town tax generated funds in the AHTF. The only expenditure to date from the AHTF, in the amount of $200,000, was to assist Oaktree development with financing affordable housing at 30 Haven Street. At the 2012 Annual Town Meeting, approval was given for funding to hire a consultant to assist a staff initiative to update the Town's Housing Plan, including the five-year "Housing Production Plan". This effort is important as a defense against unfriendly 40B developments in the community, and requires the Town to develop a phased plan to produce housing to reach the 10% threshold as required by MGL Ch. 40B. Reading's Housing Production Plan has been approved by the Board of Selectmen and by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Town commissioned and received a supplemental report on how the AHTF can best be used to support the "Planned Production" goals of the Housing Plan. This report was received in late winter 2012, and a presentation was made in April of 2013 to the Board of Selectmen and the Reading Housing Authority. The report recommends a significant restructuring of the Town's AHTF efforts. The Board of Selectmen considered these recommendations two years ago, but decided against any changes. Therefore, the current recommendation is to adopt the AHTF Allocation Plan as shown below as the framework for the use of Affordable Housing Trust Fund in FY 2018. Note that Reading as lead community is part of a regional effort (along with North Reading, Wilmington and Saugus) to share a Regional Housing Services Office (RHSO). The RHSO monitors and administers affordable housing requirements including tracking and updating the Subsidized Housing Inventory (SHI) as well as maintaining ready buyer and ready renter lists. Affordable Housing Trust Fund Allocation Plan FY 2018 Pursuant to Article 14 of the 2017 Annual Town Meeting, an Affordable Housing Trust Fund Allocation Plan for the Fiscal Year 2018 in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 140 of the Acts of 2001 is as follows: Available Balance - Unrestricted Funds: $262,634 Available Balance - Restricted Funds: $0 Unrestricted Funds shall be used for the fallowing purposes: 5% up to a maximum of $10,000 for administration of Affordable Housing Remainder for constructing affordable housing (including loan and grant programs); or for maintaining and improving affordability of existing housing stock; or for the purchase of existing housing stock to add it to or maintain it as a part of the existing affordable housing inventory Presentation given by: 131 P g ANNUAL TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School April 24, 2017 Performing Arts Center • Jean Delios - See Attached Fence Committee Report - given by Mark Dockser: At their meeting on March 22, 2017 the Finance Committee voted 9-0-0 to recommend this Article to Town Meeting. Bylaw Committee Report: No report Board of Selectmen Report: The Board of Selectmen on March 7, 2017 voted 5-0 to support this Article. After some discussion a vote was taken: Motion Carried ARTICLE 1S: Motion made by the Board of Selectmen that the Town vote to establish the limit on the total amount that may be expended from each revolving fund established by Article 9 of the Town of Reading General Bylaw pursuant to Section 53EIh of Chapter 44 of the Massachusetts General Laws for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2017. Revolving Spending Revenue Allowed Expenditure Year End Account Authority Source Expenses Limits Balance Conservation Conservation Fees as Consulting and $25,000 Available Commission Commission provided for in engineering services for Consulting Reading General for the review of expenditure Fees Bylaws Section designs and next year 5.7, Wetlands engineering work for Protection the protection of wetlands. Inspection Town Building, Legal, oversight and $200,000 Available Revolving Manager Plumbing, inspection, plan review, for Fund Wiring, Gas and initial property expenditure other permits appraisals and appeals, next year for Oaktree, Public Services Addison- planning and general Wesley/ Pearson management, curb, and Johnson sidewalks and Woods pedestrian safety developments improvements, records archiving and other project related costs. Public Health Board of Clinic fees, Materials and costs $25,000 Available Clinics and Health charges and associated with clinics for Services third party and public health expenditure reimbursements programs next year 141 Pa g ANNUAL TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School April 24, 2017 Performing Arts Center Revolving Spending Revenue Allowed Expenditure Year End Account Authority Source Expenses Limits Balance Library Library Charges for lost Acquire Library $15,000 Available Materials Director and or damaged materials to replace for Replacement Trustees Library lost or damaged items expenditure materials next year Mattera Facilities Rental Fees Utilities and all other $10,000 Available Cabin Director maintenance and for Operating operating expenses expenditure next year Town Forest Director of Sale of timber; Planning and $10,000 Available Public Works fees for use of Improvements to the for upon the the Town Forest Town Forest expenditure recommends next year tion of the Town Forest Committee Background: These revolving funds were approved as part of a new General Bylaw by November 2016 Town Meeting, but as of this writing that action has not been affirmed by the AG's office. Thus we are being perhaps a bit more thorough in our approach in the background described herein and in the table above. There are no changes in that table from what was approved by Town Meeting in April 2016. • Conservation Consulting Revolving Fund - These funds are used to receive payments from applicants, hire expert consultants where required, and return the balance to the applicant. The balance in the Conservation Consulting Revolving Fund as of February 2017 is $14. • Inspections Revolvino Fund — This revolving fund was established in 2002 to accept permit fees associated with the development of the landfill at 'Walker's Brook Crossing', and a few larger projects (Johnson Farms/Woods and Archstone in 2004; Addison Wesley/Pearson in 2008; and Oaktree in 2010) have been added by Town Meeting since then. The balance available as of February 2017 in this fund is $660,664 and of that total $190,000 is proposed by the Town Manager as part of the FY18 budget {$15,000 to be used to offset Public Services Overtime; $135,000 to support Economic Development wages and expenses; and $40,000 to offset Building division wages}. • Health Clinic Revolving Fund - The Reading Health Division contracts for third party payments for a number of immunizations. The funds are used to augment the influenza vaccine supply from the State Department of Public Health to insure vaccine for the homebound clients and first responders. The Division also uses these funds for materials for other screening clinics. Clinic client fees are also deposited into this fund to offset vaccine and clinical supply costs. The balance available as of February 2017 in this fund is $69,002. The State has been cutting back on the free Flu and other vaccines to be distributed to cities and towns, and the Town therefore needs to purchase extra doses. The necessary amounts used for clinic vaccine, supplies and staff salaries related to the clinics each year directly from the revolving fund is therefore approximately $25,000. • Library Materials Replacement Fund — During the course of a year, the Library recovers funds from patrons who have lost or damaged books or other materials. Previously, those funds went into the Town's General Fund and at the end of the year went into Free Cash. Once this Revolving Fund was adopted (beginning in FY 2010), those funds recovered from patrons for lost or damaged materials 151 Page ANNUAL TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial Nigh School April 24, 2017 Performing Arts Center were available directly to the Library for expenditure to purchase replacement materials and processing supplies. The balance available as of February 2017 in this fund is $4,718. • Matters Cabin Operating Fund - The log cabin on the Mattera conservation land was purchased several years ago, and was renovated by the Vocational School. Some of the use is revenue generating, and it is anticipated that over time the site will generate enough funding to pay the operating costs of the cabin - primarily utilities. This Article allows those revenues that are generated to be used directly for the operating expenses of the cabin. The balance available as of February 2017 in this fund is $228. In response to an instructional motion by Town Meeting, the Town Manager has moved the responsibility for both the Mattera Cabin and Cemetery garages to be moved to the Facilities department. • Town Forest Revolving Fund was created in 2011. The purpose is to allow revenues from controlled timber harvesting and permit fees to then be spent by the DPW Director upon the recommendation of the Town Forest Committee, on improvements to the Town Forest, including planning efforts. The Town Forest Committee has had a forest stewardship plan created (through a grant) to make recommendations on forest management including controlled timber harvesting. The balance available as of February 2017 in this fund is $0. It is anticipated that timber harvesting on a limited basis could begin at any time, and therefore there will be future proceeds which can be used for the purposes of the revolving fund. Presentation given by: • Sharon Angstrom - See Attached Finance Committee Report - aiven by Paul McNeice: At their meeting on March 22, 2017 the Finance Committee voted 9-0-0 to recommend this Article to Town Meeting. Bylaw Committee Report: No report Board of Selectmen Report: The Board of Selectmen on March 7, 2017 voted 5-0 to support this Article. Motion made by Bill Brown, Precinct 8 to amend as follows: Inspection Town Building, Legal, oversight and $200,000 Available Revolving Manager Plumbing, inspection, plan review, 100,000 for Fund Wiring, Gas and initial property expenditure other permits appraisals and appeals, next year for Oaktree, Public Services Addison- planning and general Wesley/ Pearson management, curb, and Johnson sidewalks and Woods pedestrian safety developments improvements, records archiving and other project related costs. Motion Does Not Carry After some discussion a vote was taken: Motion Carried as Presented 161 Page ANNUAL TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School April 24, 2017 Performing Arts Center ARTICLE 16: Motion made by John Arena, Board of Selectmen and Article 16 was tabled Motion Carried ARTICLE 17: Motion made by the Board of Selectmen that the Town vote to raise and appropriate, borrow, transfer from available funds, or otherwise provide a sum of money as provided by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (preliminary figure is $594,103) for highway projects in accordance with Chapter 90 of the Massachusetts General Laws. Backaround: Reading expects about $600,000 in FY18 Chapter 90 funding for local road repairs. The motion made at Town Meeting will be to accept the Chapter 90 state assistance at whatever level is ultimately available, a trend in other communities in order to avoid any uncertainty of the timing of the final state budget process. Presentation given by: • Sharon Angstrom - See Attached Finance Committee Report - aiven by Peter Lvdecker: At their meeting on March 22, 2017 the Finance Committee voted 9-0-0 to recommend this Article to Town Meeting. Bylaw Committee Report: No report Board of Selectmen Report: The Board of Selectmen on March 7, 2017 voted 5-0 to support this Article. 2/3rd Vote Required Declared Unanimous 158 Town Meeting Members in Attendance Motion Carried ARTICLE 18: Motion made by the Board of Selectmen that the Town vote to amend the General Bylaw by deleting Section 3.3.6, Permanent Building Committee, in its entirety and inserting in place thereof the following: 3.3.6 Permanent Building Committee There shall be a Permanent Building Committee consisting of five (5) Permanent Members and, notwithstanding any provision of Section 3.3.1.6 to the contrary, up to two (2) Temporary Members for each Project that the Permanent Building Committee undertakes. Permanent and Temporary Members of the Permanent Building Committee shall be appointed by an Appointment Committee consisting of the Chair of the Board of Selectmen, the Chair of the School Committee and the Town Moderator. In addition, the Appointment Committee may appoint not more than three (3) Associate Members whose service on the Permanent Building Committee shall be governed by the third paragraph of Section 3.3.1.6. Permanent and Associate Members shall be volunteers having practical experience and skills in professions that concentrate on the design, construction, management or financing of buildings, including architects; civil engineers; structural engineers; mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineers; building contractors, project managers; property managers; attorneys and building 171 Page ANNUAL TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School April 24, 2017 Performing Arts Center tradespersons. Their terms shall be so arranged that as nearly an equal number of terms as possible shall expire each year. The Permanent Building Committee shall work with the Director of Facilities to compile an assessment of the physical condition of, and an inventory of anticipated repairs and renovations to, all existing Town buildings and shall summarize its findings in an annual report to Town Meeting. The Permanent Building Committee shall adopt a formal building project application process to be followed in order for any proposed project to be considered for evaluation and possible administration. The Permanent Building Committee shall evaluate only Project Applications forwarded by the School Committee, the Board of Selectmen or the Library Trustees (the "Sponsoring Agency"). All Sponsoring Agencies shall be notified of this application process and any revisions to it in a timely manner after their adoption. The Permanent Building Committee shall review and administer major Town building design studies and construction projects having expected aggregate costs of$1,500,000 or more, but may decline administration of Projects with little or no actual construction. The Permanent Building Committee's jurisdiction shall not extend to projects of the Reading Municipal Light Department. The Permanent Buildina Committee shall present their proiect evaluations to Town Meetina at the reauest of the Sponsoring Aaencv for consideration and approval. Once Town Meeting has authorized funds for a Project, the Appointment Committee shall add Temporary Members to the Permanent Building Committee for such Project. Temporary Members shall have the same participation and voting rights as Permanent Members on matters affecting the particular Project for which they were appointed. Temporary Members shall be registered voters of the Town, nominated by the Sponsoring Agency, and shall serve only for the time during which the Permanent Building Committee is exercising its functions with respect to such Project. In the event that a particular project is subject to participant requirements of a state funding authority, the Appointment Committee may appoint additional Temporary members to the Permanent Building Committee for that project; provided, however, that, in no event, shall the aggregate number of Permanent and Temporary Members for a particular project exceed nine (9). Quorum requirements for the Permanent Building Committee shall be the majority of the Permanent and Temporary Members for a particular project. Background: Since their inception, the Permanent Building Committee (PBC) has taken a serious introspective look at how their committee was established, wishing to develop policies and procedures that would best fulfill their mission. These discussions have involved several public meetings and a couple of visits to the Board of Selectmen where the relevant elected boards (Schools & Library) and the Finance Committee were invited to participate. The PBC has also studied the general bylaw 3.3.6 and over time, in consultation with all of the above plus the Bylaw Committee and Town Counsel, suggested some changes. The proposed new bylaw is shown above in its entirety, and below in the current form. A bold and cross- out explanation of the transition would have led to more confusion than clarity, so instead further below is a discussion of the proposed changes. 3.3.6 Permanent Building Committee (Current version) There shall be a Permanent Building Committee consisting of five (5) Permanent Members and, except as otherwise provided herein, up to two (2) Temporary Members for each project that the Permanent Building Committee undertakes. Permanent and Temporary Members of the Permanent Building Committee shall be appointed by an Appointment Committee consisting of the Chair of the Board of Selectmen, the Chair of the School Committee and the Town Moderator. 18J Pa, e ANNUAL TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School April 24, 2017 Performing Arts Center Permanent Members shall be volunteers having practical experience and skills in professions that concentrate on the design, construction, management and/or financing of commercial / institutional buildings such as architects: civil engineers; structural engineers; mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineers, building contractors, project managers, property managers, attorneys and building tradespersons. The terms shall be so arranged that as nearly an equal number of terms as possible shall expire each year. Temporary Members may be appointed for each individual project that the Permanent Building Committee undertakes. Temporary Members shall have the same participation and voting rights as Permanent Members on matters affecting the particular project for which they were appointed. Temporary Members shall be registered voters of the Town, selected by the Board or Committee that proposes a particular building or renovation project (the 'Sponsoring Agency) and shall serve only for the time during which the Permanent Building Committee is exercising its functions with respect to such project. In the event that a particular project is subject to participant requirements of a state funding authority, the Appointment Committee may appoint additional members to the Permanent Building Committee for that particular project; provided, however, that in no event, shall the aggregate number of Permanent and Temporary Members with full voting rights for a particular project exceed nine (9). Quorum requirements for the Permanent Building Committee shall be the majority of the Permanent and Temporary Members for a particular project. The Permanent Building Committee shall be responsible for the oversight and management of all major municipal and school building design studies and construction projects having expected aggregate costs exceeding two million dollars ($2,000,000). The Permanent Building Committee's jurisdiction shall not extend to projects of the Reading Municipal Light Department. The Permanent Building Committee shall present all such projects to the Finance Committee for consideration of funding options and shall sponsor and present all such projects to Town Meeting for its consideration and approval of funding. The Permanent Building Committee shall work with the School Committee, the Board of Selectmen and any other Sponsoring Agency. The Sponsoring Agency shall notify the Permanent Building Committee of its intention to undertake any such projects within eight (8) calendar days of a positive vote or general affirmation to do so. The Permanent Building Committee shall work with the Director of Facilities to compile an inventory of the physical condition and anticipated repairs and renovations of all existing municipal buildings and will summarize its findings in an annual report to Town Meeting. Changes - using new bylaw as a reference: 1n paragraph: add explicit Associate member references and cite 'Section 3.3.1.6 Appointment of Associate Members'; 2"d paragraph: add in Associate member reference; 3'd paragraph: add the idea of assessment and not just an inventory of the public buildings. The PBC has a great deal of relevant expertise to share with the Facilities department; 4`h paragraph: new reference to and requirement of the above mentioned policies and procedures. The PBC has previously reviewed, for example, detailed 'Project Assessment Process' and 'Project Administration'flowcharts in a report to Town Meeting; 4`h paragraph: clarify that only elected boards or committees may serve as sponsoring agencies. Volunteers that created the initial bylaw all agreed that was the original intent; 191 P age ANNUAL TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School April 24, 2017 Performing Arts Center 5th paragraph: revise the dollar limit from $2.0 million to $1.5 million. This corresponds to state law that requires a community to hire a formal project manager for projects expected to be at or above the $1.5 million level; 5th paragraph: Note that the PBC may decline projects at or above $1.5 million if they have little or no actual construction - for example large roof replacements; 6th paragraph: move all references to the Temporary members to this section and clarify the process. PBC members unanimously believe that Temporary members should only be added after the Project Assessment is complete and before the Project Administration is started. They prefer to have full committee independence in that first assessment phase, with representation from a Sponsoring Agency welcome to attend as a member of the general public. Items eliminated from the current version of 3.3.6 (as is shown above in italics): (1)The PBC did not wish to present projects to the Finance Committee for consideration of funding options, believing that responsibility was shared between staff and the Sponsoring Agency; (2)The PBC did not wish to sponsor and present all such projects to Town Meeting. The PBC strongly believes they must maintain an independent distance from some aspects of the entire process; There was no practical need for the 8 day notification period cited in the current bylaw. Presentation given by: . Greg Stepler - See Attached Finance Committee Report; No report Bylaw Committee Report - aiven by Jeff Struble: At their meeting on March 27, 2017 the Bylaw Committee voted 4-0-0 to recommend this Article to Town Meeting, on the condition that the following sentence is added at the end of the fifth paragraph: "The Permanent Building Committee shall present all such projects to Town Meeting on behalf of the Sponsoring Agency for consideration and approval of funding". The PBC, as explained above under (2), wishes to remain as an independent resource up until Town Meeting has formally approved a project. They believe the Sponsoring Agency should present their own request to Town Meeting, and the PBC be called on for their observations and advice. The two committees may meet in advance of Town Meeting to discuss their differences. Board of Selectmen Report: The Board of Selectmen on March 7, 2017 voted 5-0 to support this Article. After some discussion a vote was taken: Motion Carried ARTICLE 19: After some discussion and due to an error in warrant printing and the motion of Article 19 it was voted to table until next session of this Town Meeting. Motion to Table Carried 201 Pa , , ANNUAL TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School April 24, 2017 Performing Arts Center On motion by John Arena, Board of Selectmen it was voted that this Annual Town Meeting stand adjourned to meet at 7:30 PM at the Reading Memorial High School Preforming Arts Center, on Thursday, April 27, 2017. Meeting adjourned at 10:00 PM with 158 Town Meeting Members in attendance. Motion Carried A true copy Attest: Laura A Gemme, CMC / CMMC Town Clerk 211 P z ,. District Priorities for FYi8 Not All Areas Fully Funded • Four Focus Areas • Closing the Achievement Gap • Literacy • Mathematics Instruction • Social Emotional Learning • Class sizes in 11 (18-22 students) • Middle school interdisciplinary model • Ensuring that RMHS Juniors and Seniors have access to coursework for graduation • Joshua Eaton School Improvement Plan Process Cost Centers as a total of the Budget FECUESTED FYa8 BUDGET FY18 School Committee Budget Presentation Summary of FY18 School Department Budget • siiyoed with goals, mission, and vision of the Reading Public Schools • $41,401,661 budget (1.61/o Increase) • 1=,,duction of zo.9 FTE Staff (6.4 FTE Teachers) cl ,i�s restoration of 7.o FTE middle school teachers ($438,000) from .ntendent's FYi8 budget by making the following reductions/use of free cash. u,logy -eplcni,hment purl bases and building based budgets (sc5o,o0o) _,n p tions in salary saving s through staff turnover(sIHS,000) f "c a'. fd > >niI lnr.i Pleetinyl l ur n D riga I tmenL h ave belrl S t�2,000in lundg, dneeCedi "'I( ihonal scoo,oco in free cash i� , ,idditional i.o FTE special education teacher at Wood End and I.o FTE ,pe,!al education teacher atJoshua Eaton , 1,') io, Science Implementation proposed atAprllTown Meeting for FY17 (Approved on 4/24/2017) Cost Centers as a total of the Budget REOUESTED FYA BUDGET Administration Cost Center (2% ofTotal Budget) • CentraIOffice Admini stratonsand AdministnativeAssistar its • Legal and Auditing • Employee Recruiting and Hiring • Data and Information Management • District TelecomrnunicationServices • Annuity Matching Contributions • Miscellaneous Supplies & Expenses Regular Day Cost Center (6o% of Total Budget) • Building Administrators and Secretaries • Regular Education Teachers ,Tutors, and Paraprofessionals • School Psychologists and Guidance Counselors • ELL and Instructional Specialists • Teacher Mentor and Leadership Stipends • Cunlculum Matenals • Professional Development/Tuition Reimbursement • Substitute Teachers • Mandatory Student Transportation ( > z miles for K 6) • Instructional Matenals and Supplies • nstructional Technology and Equipment • Library Materials and Technology • Testing and Assessment Software and Materials Special Education Cost Center (31% of Total Budget) Speaal Education Adminishatols and Seaeiaries • Special Education Teachers and ParapioPessionais • Therapeutic Specialists (OT, PT, SLP) • Extended SchoolYeai Program Staff and Expenses Legal Services • Home and Hospital Tutorrrg Consultative and Evaluative Servires • Adaptive Equipment and Tr hnnIoq_y • Testing and Assessment Software, Materials, and Services • Instrurtional Matenakand Supplies for students on IEPs • Transportation • out of Ulstrrct Twtion Uther District Programs (4% of Total Budget) Athletics H5.Assistant Principal it, , FTE), Scaetary, and Coaches • Officials, E✓ent Detail, and Conal Mawton • Equipment and Field hepaira id Mairlenar[e • (auliryRentals(Pool, Ice Arena, G ymnast is Fa(il ity) • Transportation F wpmmnt and Supplies Extracurricular Assistant Principal (o 25 -TE)dud Advisor Sti pen ds Fees, Meir,berships, Royalties, and Tionsponation • Supplies&Equipment Uther District Programs-Continued (4% of Total Budget) Health Services • Dnectorand SchoolNurses • School Physician • Medical Supplies and Equipment Networking&Technology Infrastructure/Maintenance • NetworkManagerand Technology Support • Computer Technicians • Inter net Ser vice • Software and Licensing • Network, Infrastructure, and Telecommunications Repairand Maintenance • Network, Infrastructure, and Telecommunication Supplies and Equipment School Building Maintenance (3% of Total Budget) • Custodial Manager for schools • School Custodial Staff • Custodial Equipment and Supplies • Cleaning Services (RMHS, Coolidge) What's Not In the Budget? Supported by fees, tuition, donations and grants • Field Trip Expenses • Students' Supplies • Additional Technology • Additional coaches for Hardware athletics • Food Services • Additional advisors for drama, • Non-Mandatory Student and oand, and other activities METCOTransportation • Additional tutor support • Before and After School • Pesearch and Developmentto Programs improve teaching and learning • Enrichment Programs acrd remain competitive with other schools • Some professional • A Portion of Athletics, development Extracurricular, Pre-School, and Full Day Kindergarten Budget Reductions FYi3 Year) Amount of 3.o FTE 6.3 FTE 6.4 FTE 15.7 FTE Teacher FTE Reductions Amount of other staff FTE reductions 1.5 FTE g.o FTE 1.0 FTE 4.5 FTE 16.o FTE Amount of personnel reductions 14,000 170,000 135,000 374,000 650,000 1,353,000 Amount of non- personnel reductions/offset increases 323,030 70,360 174,160 714,620 171,200 212,000 1,765,370 Total Budget Reductionsfrom level service (323,030) (94360) (344,160) (849,62o) (645,100) (8610000) (3,128370) Breakdown of Reductions Offset Increases $323,030 $70,360 $58,410 $412,000 $256,700 (860100) Non-Personnel $0 $0 $115,750 $165,620 $94,500 $163,405 Reductions Detail Non- Technalagy . Sub.Teacher • 1SPEDOOD • Cleaning Service Personnel Prof.Dw.. • VHS . Misc. • Technology Hardware Reductions Mix. • EMARC . H.S.Stipend • Prof.Dev. Per Pupil Tarixonatlon Grant Wdting • Mix. Personnel $24,000 $170,000 $135,000 $394,000 $650,000 Reductions Detail Personnel 1.6 FTE 3.0 FTE 9.o FTE • 6.3FTE • 6.4 FTE Teachers Reductions Paraeduonors Teachers Paraeducators Teachers • 1 FTE Technician • 1.0 FTE • 1 FTE Instructional Coach Paraeducator • 1.o Adm.Assist. • 15upervisor of Students Assumptions Used in Developing Budget Budget Development Begins in October Use salaries of actual employees (as of November, 2o16) ose returning employees salaries for leave of absence retired employees salary if we know employee Is retiring at end ofyear BUI',d In CO[.A adjustment for collective bargaining KCvie"v students who potentially need additional special education services and build assumed costs into budget Ose other known contractual cost adjustments (i.e. transportation, tuition, athletic facility rental, technology services) Budget other known additional costs (i.e. additional special education staff at Wood End and Joshua Eaton) Variances that Impact Budget During Year Not Budgeted • Staff Turnover • Staff FTE transferred from one school to another • f Example: CoolidgeSpecial Education FIE transferred to RMHS next yea r • Change in DESE classification • Unanticipated Special Education Out of District Placement • 5t di on leave where we have to hire an additional position • Example Administrator Position • Example: School Psychologist Annual School Budget Turned Back to Free Cash Turned back to %Turned back to Year Free Cash Total Budget Free Cash FY-io s 286,158 35,996,247 079% FY'ii s 77,137 36,390,308 0,22% FY'13 $ 24,113 37,054,393 007% FY'15 s 248,131 40,317,973 o62% FY-z6 s 118,8081 39,473,353 030% Budget Drivers for FY18 Budget -� r and Ix iiefit obligations to employees per the collective bargaining agreement. l -,I ce hargaining agreements are ending this year and the School Committee Is the process of negotiating new agreements with each collective bargaining unit� I n l ;alaiy and herefit increases in line with COLA adjustments for collective bargaining units x eases in Iegularday mandatory transpr ortation (Fostudents in Grades i he rive over miles from their school). 11 ui the offsets forthe athletics, extra-curricular, use of school properties, and len revolving accounts due to fluctuating revenues and projected declining i I auount balances These decreases In offsets contributed to an Increased wivveen the level service budget and the funding recommended by the neading Finance Committee. r"I, in athletic expenses, including an increase in rental fees for pool as well as an nuease in athletic transportation. n the offset for the METCO grant due to an increase in transportation costs. o FTE Special Education Teachers (Wood End, Joshua Eaton) FYs.8 Budget by Cost Center I — Actual Actual Actual Adopted Requested ! Expended Expended Expended Budget Budget Change FY'iy FYY5 FY'u6 FY a7 FY a8 Administration 1 932,578 892,223 924,880 963,694 926,857 -3.8% Regular Day 22,5og,776 23,185,397 23,784,253 24,692,271 24,908,278 0.9% Special 91547,257 10,2S4,281 10,94s,627 12,223,473 12,595,752 30% Education School Facilities 1,187,224 1,162,825 1,246,555 1,231,510 1,225,000 -0.5% Dlstrlctwide 2374292 i,6u.893 3,554,200 1,626,728 1,745,774 7-3% Programs G nra dTotal 35,551,026 37,208,399 38,455,516 40,737,666 41,4oi,66i 1.6% FY18 Budget Reductions-Decreases in Offsets Resulting in Budget Reduction Increases Revolving Account Reduction Amount Athletics Full Day Kindergarten M $50,000 Use of School Properties s6o,000 Extracurricular METCO $40,000 i Budget / • Personnel i Amount Administration i.o School Business Assistant Sgo,000 Regular D-Rquz Elementary Classroom SioS,000 Teachers • 3.8 High 5choolTeachers Sz73,000 RegularDw— DistHct� z Supervisor of Students S3q,000 i Technician SSo,000 ----Special Education 0.6 RISE Preschool Teacher f3o,000 Da i Instructional Coach s78,000 Special �ion 0.5 Special Education f4o,000 Total Administrator zo.g S65o,o00 i Budget / • • ' • Reductions Cost cent�-- ---fieduction Amount FacilitiesCleaning Services-RMH6 8o,aoo DistrictWide Technology Hardware/Computer 35,000 Services Day D Expenses �o,000 Special EducationPDTotal Expenses ao,oao Science Kk Coordination 8,yo5 fn63 405 FY18 Budget Increases Cost Center Reduction F Amount AthleticsIncrease User Fee 466,goo Increase RISETuition s6o,000 Regular DayIncrease Kindergarten 450,000 Tuition 4166,goo t • • Budget Summary Budget Breakdown Salary Breakdown Pr0fesional6alaries s 19.488,093 Represented $ 34-49,783 90% Cledcal5alaries $ Bt¢,646 TotalSalaries- s 34,588.214 83% Non-Represented $ .caR.cai to% Other Salaries s 1188,476 Contracc6ervices s 1,169,605 Other Expense $ 68114c7 t7% Thal salaries s G 88,11y Supplies&Materials $ 758,977 Total Budget S 41,4o1,661 Other Expenses s a.18a86c Grand Total s 4a,4oy661 •Twaisabnez'rsnnaf orrseuemeun sa,ass,000 Expenses by Cost Center Administration s 109,365 (legal,audit,employee physicals,recruiting expenses,photocopier leases,licensing) (text and materials,supplies,professional development,mandated transportation,classroom Regular Day $ 1,103,363 technology) Special Education $ 4,598,419 (transportation,Out of District Tuition,adaptive text and materials) (Health,Extra-Curricular,athletics,technology District Wide s 576,498 infrastructure) Facilities $ ac.8u1 (contracted cleaning services and supplies) Total Other Expenses s 6,813447 Risks with FY-18 Budget ri ,inttState/Federal Funding — the ultimate amounts through various I and State Funding can change from year to year as well as during the li and require continuous assessment as well as an assessment for Sustainability after the grant ends. unl (IimaLe Transformation Grant - funding for Data Analyst, Director, i ry ds, software license, consulting, materials and professional development will eed to be reviewed for sustainability afterthe grant ends. a'dc iI EnIitlement Grants (Title a, Title 2A, Title IV, IDEA) have funding �.r.�is/amounts that may shift under new administration which could result In less funds for Reading ut; If governor or legislature needs to make midyear budget cuts, It could have an effect on state aid 0 iirenkerfunding is not guaranteed and can change year to year and mid-year Risks with FY18 Budget Leaves of Absence pivgecs on a paid leave but at the same time we are paying for substitutes i,-i as ly, long teen), may have teachers covering as well if a substitute cannot U, ( r -'hiie this is budgeted it Is difficult to predict nurnber of occurrence s. I a>Lrators c,ho are on paid medical leave may require a back-fill in which we I v"o salaries lorone position (-e. Assistant Principal out and backfilled). �CGir oducation coverage can result in having multiple Individuals covering a _—'e. We have had instances in which we are paying 3 times - employee on paid -� A , substitute coverage and consulting services. This has happened when we ,I school psychologist on a leave of ahsence and cannot provide a long term io, �i schoo: psychologist. Therefore, we have had to hire a school adjustrnent :. .neioi to provide counseling for students and use contracted services to hire a licensed school psychologist to do testing. Risks with FY18 Budget changes in staffing needs ISwine(,dsforspecialeducation mayresult 'rntheneedto 'mcrease �nni)e� of teachers, speualists, para educators (i.e. RISE in FYib, JE m 4m)d End .n 1 Yc7) - these Items are riot budgeted and salary savings are used to fund. Risks with FY18 Budget ,)et al Education is fluid and changes can occur throughout the year within the following categories: • Out of district placements I m,,portation costs (in-district and out of district) heualty Consultations (including vision, hearing) • Leyal Costs Risks with FY18 Budget Homeless population ia fluid item that changes throughoutthe school year and has a direct Impact rI cgular day transportation costs. While we do receive partial reimbursement n. [lie State, the reimbursement is not received until the following year and goes ba( l<to the Town. Care / Awaiting Foster Care ;r,trict has an obligation to provide transportation forthis population. As this is a jupulatlon it is difficult to determine the total cost of transportation associated i Also cornpllcations arise regarding 'district of origin" New regulation in �n I funding sources haee not been fully defined between regulators and DCF is to jhow costs will be. split (cost sharing). Risks with FY18 Budget Joshua Eaton — Level 3 Status dditi�,nal resources needed to address the Level 3 status that were able �o r,e funded due to Bilary savings (includes additional curricular work, �.uF_unng, purchase of additional curriculum materials, 'rnciease team chair w -ull time FTE, add i.o Special Education Teacher). Risks with FY18 Budget " i uwjai of Existing contracts and/or services can have an Impact and i i: ultimate cost is not known until the contracts are finalized - ,ting r r,.rmr lease e,pims on June 30, 2017 and is in process of heir g „d. fl ioi is a need state r ortract that changes the structure of the leases I ,,,c ocaL <I ii lain tenanee and it is unknown what the new cost will be and it �, „ if fuult .o keep the sante level of copiers at the same cost. ,ray iticipaied changes in enrollment in Regular Day and Special Education A re Dui crs rented to teachers, specialists and para educators could be oywred inhere ate changes in enrollment i; ,L 1 1 pool eni ollniu rit is imparted based on children when they reach age 3, regardless of school year Risks with FY18 Budget -ul rently there is no defined succession plan within the central office staffing i',ohieniaoc If there is turnover or if individuals go out on leave as there is no trained if to tal<e overthe day to day responsibilities poi enUy there is no in-depth cross-training of functions within the central i< r- staffing (no depth or transferring of Knowledge) due to the staffing oi if'i Some examples include backups for Director of Finance, Network .rl"n,_iVi, Borne of our web based applications (i.e. Redil<er and Baseline Edge). ,n, corat.c If thorn is turnover or if individuals go out on leave as there is no trained individual to take overthe day to day responsibilities _r,ncern as there are areas in which segregation of duties could existence Risks with FYA Budget I sited administrative staffing covering multiple functions �1 ganging regulatory environment which often results In additional "()I I< for existing personnel rI Ii -,, ords Lao changes - identification of specific individuals, increased n Ii ni s:rat i I burden in trad<ing and logging requests, shortened time frame to li ,fr 1cspond, inoease in numberand frequency of requests- �nited landing available for professional development which will limit Ability to achieve district goals (closing the achievement gap, literacy, math) pact of Coolidge Grade 6 class sizes exceeding 30 students next year. Response to Questions School Committee Budget and Process 5 cost centers and a chart of accounts mandated by the ivlossachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education yltt schools, one preschool, 4400 students, and several departments Nrocess is thorough and transparent Upen to suggestions for improvement Budget Review Process • Internal budget development begins in October • iJubli( process begins in early January, concludes with Town Meeting I'Ublic, elected, and appointed officials have opportunities to ask questions, which are answered, documented and published. Uver iso questions asked and documented this year • ui',n ibuted atTown Meeting and available on RPS Website vVhy did the School Committee present an unbalanced budget, disregarding We 1.4% ceiling increase that Selectmen, Town Manager, Town Accountant, and School Committee had agreed to last fall? xUlool Committee does not commit to a specific ceiling give to manage within Finance Committee guidance . ofe on an unbalanced budget was to to preserve middle school anguage teacher positions Decision was made based on • overwhelming community input i revocable nature of this structuring • possible oven ide election within a year Why was there no challenge to the School Committee's choice to cut select positions (7 middle school teachers) when some FYi8 accounts already had enough surplus ($259K) to retain those same teachers? liis is a structural change that requires full funding i ' w amount needed to fund the 7.o FTE Middle School language teacher positions is $438,000. Why does the School Committee continue the practice, year after year, of budgeting ever higher numbers in certain areas when actual expenditures are far less?Why, without School Committee votes, was money moved from one account to supplement others that went over budget? -i etdeveloped eachyearis based on historical analysis of spending on mat line item and other Known changes >k periirtendent of Schools allowed to transfer funds within a cost center as student needs dictate i rums need to be transferred from one cost center to another, School �ommlttee approval Is required always change from the time the budget Is developed In October to the end of the fiscal year In June u tiie end of the year, there are always some accounts in deficit and other in surplus ! ,ri the last several years, School Department has stayed within the budget hat Town Meeting has voted Since 2004, the School Committee has added, not cut, more than 6o full time personnel . vlajonty of those positions have been in special education Uue to changes in a student's Individual Education Plans [), ,moping more in district special education programs which saves funds i, , out of distncttuition and transportation, but requires more staffing internally all savings over for school department budget and accommodated costs :jmce 2004, the School Committee has increased spending by $1.2 million for the same number of students. 1e School department budget was $29 million dollars in FY2004 (14 years ;o �, Lhen on average, the School Department budget grew annually at a I-, ,_uOunded growth rate of about 2.5%, which is in line with inflation and tide levy limit allowed by Proposition 2.5%. Since 2004, the School Committee has grown the METCO program by at least 30 or more students. �ddltlOn Of the elementary program several years ago. ME FCO program is budget positive • ME: TCO grant • Chapter70funds • Local control over enrollment The Schools have added Special Education students trom other districts, bringing in additional revenue. /rt times, we have capacity in our Special Education programs and u e able to accommodate students from outside of Reading who have specific learning needs. le sending district pays the Schools for the services provided. This is budget positive. i he Schools have seen a reduction in the number of students requiring Special Education services and a reduction in students requiring out-of-district placements, saving money. • 1 i;orouyh and highly regulated process that determines whether a student is entitled to Special Education services. ivot every student requires the same amount or level of services. • 1 a :.ne extent that we can, educating Reading students in Reading rools is the best educational choice and is financially beneficial. aL, have seen these reductions, and they are budget positive. he schools have added significant revenue by expanding the for-pay extended day program, RISE pre-school, and optional full-day kindergarten program. is (ost of these programs for regular education students is covered by the fees paid by parents. I iaw, all revenue received for these programs must be used only for maintaining these programs. v: are not allowed to use revenue from these programs to support the school operating budget. The schools "use grant position staffing to morph into FTEs when the grant expires." , I , r, r-ve add positions it is based on our bestjudgement about what our students need and/or legal mandates. gone in open public meetings with full transparency. -,.;y new positions would be detailed in our annual budget. The school department grants "full benefits to part time employees at only zo hrs per week." • Benefits are under accommodated costs and are part of the Municipal budget. • i tie policy on eligibility for health insurance benefits is under the direction of the Town of Reading. The schools "disregarded correlating costs for benefits (paid for by the town side) when school staffing numbers increase." �, is the case with municipalities across the Commonwealth, cscalatiny health insurance costs are a major driver of our structural deficit. ,_ 1I Questions and Thank You 12/17/2018 FINANCE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN COMMENTS ON FY' 18 BUDGET MARK DOCKSER MAY 1.2017 SUMMARY • R"18 Budget requires cuts in services for both town and schools • Reading is efficiently managed • Cuts in past year;stronger cum for 2018 • Recommended use of Free Cash has been reduced this year by—50%to$1.2 MM • 'Ramy day'account-best used for one time expenditures rather than to fund on-going positions Use of modest amount of these stabilization funds is both responsible and sustainable • Still strong Free Cash and stabilization funds balance—>7%(FinComm policy target) • We reviewed budget in depth with town and school departments and believe it • Managing risks In the budget • Is a responsible budgetgiven the constraint on revenues 1 12/17/2018 CHALLENGES- FY'18 AND BEYOND I. Costs that are out of our control continue to rise faster than our revenues 2. Choice: annual decline in level of services or raise additional tax revenue 3. Not raising additional revenues now through an override will have a strong impact in lower community values 4. Teamwork required: Cooperation between the municipal and school sides allow the middle school to retain 7 FTE positions in the foreign language program,but for one year only COSTS BEYOND OUR CONTROU LIMITED REVENUE GROWTH • Uncontrollable costs rising at a rate much faster than our r nues • Cosrchuhh oraxnefia-4s«x • Revenues:Rop2 Ya«new8row[M1�-3%emvrth • Stare Ald has nmcainedoseta beepingupyecudunded mandacesmninueand residentswic,thetab • Prop2 'h-Property Taxlncmuelimimtionra2.5%peryear • EssobluM1M in l Sao during dme of strong revenue gnvth • C muniti OlandaMapporrunhybrbusinescgmx'shabktowndnueaooiyre weVro , Ra gisank bedroomcommunity,92%msideftMaMverylimk lambrnewbusinmgw Marrytwms override Prop2'/-eery l0 ymsa...ithasbeenl4yeara.inceR i,passedanoperad, ovenh,e 2 iz/v/2018 HAVEN'TWE HAD LOTS OF OVERRIDES ALREADY FOR NEW SCHOOLS AND MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS? • Debt Exclusion vs.Override • Debt Exdusion:limiwd time rax to finance an asset purchase • Usually S-IOyearsduradon. Ne buildings,large capital proleda • Examples: High Scht 1pmje (caring o0 soon). Library lug starting • Override:permanemtax increase to supportopereung budget DECLINE IN SERVICES OR INCREASE IN REVENUES • Demand for services exceeds our means(revenues) • Without new revenues,services will continue to decline and at an increasing race • New revenues to address this can include new business growth and many other ideas....but only means large enough to cover$1 mm+is an override 3 u/v/2018 NEW REVENUESAND COMMUNITYVALUES • Reading needs an override. As a Fincomm member,it is my strong belief that not passing an override will harm our community values—both in terms of delivering on the promise of Reading as a community identified by in residents for having great schools,exemplary public safety,a strong and thriving library and other public services;and also in terms of how other people view these values and how they translate directly into home values. • Ask any real estate agent in town about this...good schools and good services are the basis of our high and rising property values. But they are being challenged eduction in the quality of schools and services leads to lower property values. COOPERATION: MAINTAIN MIDDLE SCHOOL LANGUAGE....FOR THIS YEAR • Teamwork has created a"bandaid"that will allow the middle school foreign language program to continue in its current form for FY 18. • Faced with the need w cut an additional$438k in school programs to meet the FmComm guidelines for FY 18,municipal and school departments agreed to budget reducoons and holdbacks to cover most of the$438k- • 438k• FmComm at its meeting on 3/22/2017 recommended the use of an additional$100k in Free Cash(to a total of$1.2 MM)by a vote of 9-0-0 to support this in the school budget • Risk in achieving this within school department Fr 18 budget is reasonable • To maintain this beyond FY 18 will require additional town revenues. 4 12/17/2018 FY 18 BUDGET • What we are bringing to Town Meeting this evening is a recommended budget of $104,551,681,an increase of 1.6%. This compares to an increase last year of 2.6%and previous years that averaged—3.3%. • We believe this budget will support the town in FY'I8 as outlined by the municipal and school departments and is a responsible budget given the constraints on revenues. THANKYOU 5 12/17/2018 Presentation May 1, 2017 2017 Survey of 25 Peer Communities Source:J.Wilson, Reading ED Liaison • Correlation of population, demographic, residential, commercial and policy data of 25 peer communities • Comparison of employment, employment growth and employment relative to population is particularly illuminating 1 12/17/2018 2017 Survey of 25 Peer Communities Source:J.Wilson, Reading ED Liaison e.ane et � • 5 iMNee BurBngmn e � 'm° gelling u • Fn �p • Banven ul � w,mr.wn u� wxr "✓ sn�..M n . �1• 'MF.flela a.ee... N � e Y f f �nfnn 4L • Wa r�h w.,.a • x. ® 2015 Avenge Month/Employment 2017 Survey of 25 Peer Communities Source:J.Wilson,Reading ED Liaison r � Qwrlingron C E N M N � d e N 2015 Avenge Montly Employment 2 12/17/2018 2017 Survey of 25 Peer Communities Source:J.Wilson, Reading ED Liaison � � wrlln{Nn e M, o � a E w�w.Fmolwm.m N �yowM.�6E mylayRs O m EmpvYmmViom vO Nd N wm 2015 Average Month Employment 2017 Survey of 25 Peer Communities Source:J.Wilson, Reading ED Liaison t eumnawn P Ymma[mu[mpwae O E • w.lmeen e m [mpgmmVmuro d N 2015 Average Montly Employment 3 12/17/2018 2017 Survey of 25 Peer Communities Source:l.Wilson,Reading ED Liaison r QBurgrybn m � E E N ® • WakeOeM26 4, �uryAxz qeT..t wmmUzoSda Yc, b N 0.n eea6l, 2015 Average MontlyEmployment Average Weekly Wages Avera a Wood We es % Ranking Chart 1010 2016 Chan e W aee F%xY wxwB F..naa smess w.�.wn Higher CIP average eek generally have eBn su ea: a.ewm m.wB ' higher average weekly wages. Fx Bw si�e�ca FB exS seeue se>B» Reading west for average FBIH wpm m F.B5o weekly y wwages in both 2010-2015. Faau FIBw Although the goal may not be specifcally to create jobs attracting the'nghV CIP can increase wuu F�xw availability ofjobs and improve upon Monnawm sw Bu se�� o.em msex wages. swuB nnme sw�m Msnmrsw N)BM BxxB ' Fx11x MYlon i50PoB FSwe i5p05B &imaA 5)w WOtt ar...:w sF Bw UMNm FS xw Fx W Fx G53 F15B0 w.v tm,tttt It- UD.12 402% 4 12/17/2018 Size matters: Commercial Size &Valuation Source:V. Santaniello, Reading Assessor, 2016 Data UNDER$500k, $24,445,800 10 ., .,�; • $500K TO$1M, OVER$10M, $39,637,800 $114,155,100 2016 Commercial Class Value: 281.4M �$1M TO$2M, $43,081,600 $2M TO$900 $60,136,900 CIP growth means medium-large business Next Steps for Priority Development Areas M� LLA eL • sbRlnhlaGrypmce[soFplenningN mftrReaEing • Focus on wmmer<lel/IMusofti—santl..Ing • Goal of sollcXing lnWtham raWents/building consensus annM slop • Rllgnlry[Mpna pdnrlMs antl need br new pmmeNallroM6 5