HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977-11-14 Subsequent Town Meeting Minutes 334?
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Middlesex, as. Officer's Return, Reading:
By virtue of this Warrant, I, on October 14, 1977, notified and
warned the inhabitants of the Town of Reading, qualified to vote in elections
and town affairs, to meet at the place and at the time specified by posting
attested copies of this Warrant in the following public places within the
Town of Reading:
Precinct 1. Convenient Food Mart, 1349 Main Street
Old Hose House, 1249 Main Street
St. Athanasius Church, 300 Haverhill Street
LPrecinct 2. Reading Police Station, 67 Pleasant Street
First National Store, 275 Salem Street
Anton Cleaners, 47 Harnden Street
Precinct 3. Friendly Variety Store, 245 Washington Street
Reading Liquors, 345 Main Street
Wayside Bazaar, 107 Main Street
Precinct 4. Dragon Corner Store, 206 West Street
Spence Farm Market Gardens, 40 West Street
Hanson's Service Station, 4 West Street
Precinct 5. Community Center, 52 Sanborn Street
B & M Railroad Station, High Street
Joshua Eaton School, 365 Summer Avenue
Precinct 6. Fire Station, 267 Woburn Street
Housing for the Elderly, 1 Frank D. Tanner Drive
Alice M. Barrows School, 16 Edgemont Avenue
Precinct 7. Austin Preparatory School, 101 Willow Street
Weston's Greenhouses, 9 Auburn Street
Town Hall, 16 Lowell Street
![L Precinct 8. Meadowbrook Golf Club, 292 Grove Street
Memorial High School, 62 Oakland Road
Arthur W. Coolidge Jr High School, 89 Birch Meadow Drive
the date of posting being not less than fourteen days prior to November 14,
1977, the date set for the meeting in this Warrant.
I also caused an attested copy of this Warrant to be published in the
Reading Chronicle in the issue of October 12, 1977, the same being fourteen
days at least prior to said date of meeting.
(s) Sally M. Hoyt
Constable of Reading
SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING
Reading Memorial High School Auditorium November 14, 1977
The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Kenneth C. Latham, at
8:00 P.M.
The invocation was given by the Rev. E. Lewis MacLean of the Church of the
Nazarene, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
The Warrant was partially read by the Town Clerk, when on motion of Richard
J. Ogden it was voted to dispense with further reading of the Warrant, except
the Constable's Return, which was then read by the Town Clerk.
ARTICLE 1. The following report was read by Maureen T. O'Brien, Chairman
of the Planning Board:
Progress Report
The Planning Board feels that Town Meeting should be brought up to date
on the Planning activities of the town, since much has happened since last May.
V Subsequent Town Meeting November 14, 1977
On August 1, 1977, the Planning Board hired as the Town Planner, Mr.
Robert Meyerson, ar�xperienced and well qualified candidate, (for that position) .
On September 16, 1977 an announcement was issued that the Planning Office
was officially organized and functioning, although the planning work had
begun much earlier.
A 5 page Work Program for the year has been drawn up and on October 18th,
was presented to the Boards, Departments and Committees listed in Mr. Walker's
motion of May 16, 1977. The Program is admittedly an ambitious one, which can
be fully accomplished only in the best of circumstances and with all the
prerequisites as described in it fulfilled.
It outlines all of the areas needing Planning attention within the Town,
and is broken down into the following seven (7) categories:
A. - Basic Inventories - Base Maps, Housing & Population Characteristics,
Economic Base Studies, Land use, Public Ownership
of Land & Cultural Site Inventories.
B. - Projections & Forecasts: Population & Economic Trends
C. - Ar-- Studies: Central Business District incluaing Haven St. , &
So. Main Street
D. - Circulation: Mass. Transit & Bikeways
E. - Community Facilities: Town Office Space Needs, Open Space, Water
Supply, Solid Waste
F. - Regulation - Zoning and Site Plan Review & Appeals Cases.
G. - General Grantsmanship & Office Management
The Work Program lists the prerequisites needed to complete the program
as described as well as the agencies primarily involved in each area with which
the Board and Planner must interact. Meetings are expected to continue
throughout the year with the agencies mentioned, both to complete the tasks as
described and to comply with the intent of the Walker Motion of the Annual Town
Meeting. As was emphasized at the October 18, 1977 meeting, the Work Program
is not cast in concrete and we have asked for and are receiving helpful reactions
from many of these agencies. We welcome Town Meeting's suggestions also.
The first stage of the Work Program, the basic inventories collection and
organizing of maps and statistics, is well underway as part of the ground work
required in developing a Comprehensive Plan.
The second area in which the Planning Board has been involved, is the
Zoning By-Law Rewrite, which is in its final stages. The rewrite is currently
being reviewed by the Board of Selectmen, Public Works Commission, Board of
Appeals, the Building Inspector, the Conservation Commission and Town Counsel.
The rewrite has been a difficult and sometimes frustrating task involving many
Planning Board hours and in the past month the coordinating efforts of the Planner.
We hope to have the proposed By-Law ready for printing within the next 4 weeks.
In order to allow time for review we hope to have it distributed to Town Meeting
Members at least four weeks prior to the first of two Informational Meetings
in January. We forsee a final Public Hearing in February, and would then be
ready to come before you at a subsequent Town Meeting for your final decision.
The Space Needs of the Town is another area with which the Planning Board
has been occupied. Originally this study was proposed by Dr. Wells with the
intention of finding a use for space made available by school closings and
building proposals. The subsequent decision to reconstruct the old police
station and the probable use of the Community Center site for a new Library,
creates an immediate reuse for the abandoned school buildings, but raises other
problems.
A town wide committee was established and a number of meetings held. A
questionnaire was distributed to all Town Agencies and just about all have been
returned and the data assessed. A summary of a portion of this data and a
tentative draft listing of town agencies most suitable to being situated in
close proximity to each other has been drawn up and submitted to the Board of
Selectmen in the past two weeks.
In view of the shifting priorities of the Space Needs Study, the Planning
Board is seeking further input from the Selectmen as to the direction the
Study should now take. A meeting on this subject is planned with the Selectmen
shortly after the adjournment of this Town Meeting.
J'1 1
Subsequent Town Meeting November 14, 1977
Finally, the Planning Board wishes to publicly thank all those and who have
contributed much time, energy and equipment to the establishing of the Planning
Office and the accumulation of data and maps including:
The Board of Selectmen
The Executive Secretary
The Board of Public Works
The Building Superintendent
The Building Inspector
The Conservation Commission
Civic Groups
Individual Citizens
This report was accepted as a report of progress.
ARTICLE 1. The following report was read by Joyce K. Miller, Chairman
of the Reading Bicentennial Commission:
Report of Progress
Many Bicentennial projects are completed and the others are in their final
stages. At one point we bad hoped to make this our final report. However,
writing and editing two of the publications has required more time than
anticipated, and we felt it important to allow the time required for a thorough
preparation. Also, our project with the Board of Public Works to beautify and
provide a new welcome sign on the small triangle South of the main common is
not complete. We now plan to file a final report next May.
In the meantime one publication--the new edition of The Story of Reading
Government, originally written by Victor E. Pitkin in 1940, and revised to 1975
by the League of Women Voters, is completed and available to the public.
Arrangements have been made to have them on sale at the Clerk's office and at
interested stores for $3.50 a copy. Copies are available in the lobby tonight,
and I urge you to take time to examine and perhaps purchase a copy.
This book was originally written by Mr. Pitkin to be used in the Junior
L High School, and many young people learned about their community from it. We
have recently been informed that the School Department is planning a unit on
local government for the Junior High School and would like to use this book
as the text. We feel this would be most appropriate and effective. Unless
this body directs us to the contrary at this meeting, we propose to give the
School Department approximately 500 copies to keep in the schools and use as needed.
We are very deeply concerned about the preservation and continuation of
the work we have started. Recently we made two recommendations to the Board
of Selectmen: first and most important, that the Town establish official
archives, with a citizens committee of professionals to assist with plans for
organizing and implementing policies and procedures; and second, that the Town
establish an Historical Commission. The Selectmen recognize the need for order
in the Town's records and have taken the first recommendation under advisement.
Article 9 on the Warrant is in response to the second recommendation. We urge
you support it at the appropriate time.
This report was accepted as a report of progress.
ARTICLE 1. The following report was read by Edward F. Fuller, Chairman of
the Board of Library Trustees:
The trustees would like to report that work is proceeding towards
construction of a new library. A contract has been signed with the architect
and preliminary site sketches have been submitted to the Board. The timetable
outlined at the last Town Meeting is being adhered to and we fully expect to
come to the Town Meeting in the spring ready for approval and funding.
This report was accepted as a report of progress.
ARTICLE 1. The following report was read by Barry J. Mitchel, Chairman
of the Police Station Building Committee:
Since our last report to you at the Annual Town Meeting in May, significant
progress has been made toward providing the Reading Police Department with
a modern station. Our application for $290,000 under Round II of the Federal
Public Works Employment Act of 1977 has been accepted. Since receipt of the
4
Subsequent Town Meeting November 14, 1977
Offer of Grant on September 12, the Selectmen, Police Department, Goodwin/
Gallager our architect, and your Committee have been hard at work to refine the
plans and develop bid specifications.
Advertisement for construction bids began on November 3. Sub-contractor
bids are due November 28 at 12:00 Noon and general bids will be opened and
reviewed at 8:00 P.M. on Friday, December 2 in the Selectmen's office. We
expect to award the bid on December 8, sign the contract on December 12 and
begin construction not later than December 17, as required by the grant.
Although sacrifices in space and facilities were necessary when compared
to the previously proposed facility on John Street, we believe that the two-
story 50' x 32' addition to the rear of the present station, plus renovation
of the existing building will provide the department with a good operational plant.
As indicated previously, construction is expected to start by December 17.
The plan is to build and occupy the new addition, then complete the renovations
to the existing building. Construction is expected to take about nine months.
The building will be in compliance with State and Federal standards.
The Selectmen have hired Mr. Thomas Galvin to serve as Clerk of the works
on the project. He has retired from Thomas O'Conner Construction Company in
Boston and worked proviously on school construction projects with the architect,
Goodwin/Gallager. The Committee is pleased to have a person of his experience
on this project.
Barry J. Mitchel, Chairman
Douglass L. Barker
Anthony L. Rickley
John B. Miller
Ralph E. Snyder
This report was accepted as a report of progress.
On motion of Richard J. Ogden it was voted to lay Article 1 on the table.
ARTICLE 2. Richard J. Ogden gave an oral report on the progress towards
correcting the odor from Woburn.
ARTICLE 2. On motion of Donald E. Sweet it was voted that Town Meeting
approve the appointment of a Public Safety Review Committee to review the
capabilities and needs of the Fire and Police Departments. The Committee shall
consist of four (4) Town Meeting members appointed by the Moderator and one (1)
member of the Finance Committee appointed by that Board.
The Committee shall review the facilities, equipment and the personnel
needs of both Departments and present a comprehensive report to the next Town
Meeting together with warrant articles if they are needed.
On motion of Richard J. Ogden it was voted to adjourn the Subsequent Town
Meeting until after the Special Town Meeting scheduled for this time.
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING
Reading Memorial High School Auditorium November 14, 1977
The Special Town Meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Kenneth C.
Latham, at 8:30 P. M.
The Warrant was partially read by the Town Clerk, when on motion of Richard
J. Ogden it was voted to dispense with further reading of the Warrant, except the
Constable's Return, which was then read by the Town Clerk.
ARTICLE 1. On motion of Paul C. Dustin it was voted that the Board of
Public Works be authorized, empowered and instructed to file, in the name of,
and in behalf of the Town, an application in form and manner required by the
United Slates Government in conformity with laws, and take such other actions
as may be required to obtain a grant to be made by the United States of America
to the Town of Reading, Massachusetts to be used to defray part of the cost of
contract drawings, specifications for and the construction of a sewer collection
system for the Town and that the Board of Public Works be, and it hereby is,
authorized to expend any funds received or to be received by the Town as a result
of any such application.
t4
Special Town Meeting November 14, 1977
ARTICLE 2. On motion of Paul C. Dustin it was voted that the sum of One
Hundred Twenty-six Thousand Dollars ($126,000.00) be appropriated for consulting
engineering services, surveys, preliminary plans, designs, contracts, specifica-
tions, final plans and estimates for reconstructing, remodelling, enlarging and
extending the Town sewer system and for travel outside the State, such funds
to be spent by and under the direction of the Board of Public Works, and to
meet said appropriation, that the sum of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) be
transferred from surplus revenue and that the sum of One Hundred Sixteen
Thousand Dollars ($116,000.00) be raised by borrowing and that the Town
f Treasurer, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, be and he hereby is
[L authorized to borrow said One Hundred Sixteen Thousand Dollars ($116,000.00) and
to issue at one time or from time to time bonds or notes of the Town for said
One Hundred Sixteen Thousand ($116,000.00) Dollars payable in accordance with
Chapter 44 of the General Laws so that each issue shall be paid in not more
than five (5) years from its date or at such earlier time as the Treasurer
and Selectmen may determine; said bonds or notes shall be signed by the
Treasurer and countersigned by the Selectmen, and that the Board of Public
Works be, and it hereby is authorized to proceed with the consulting engineering
services, surveys, preliminary plans, designs, contracts, specifications, final
plans and estimates for reconstructing, remodeling, enlarging and extending the
Town sewer system and to enter into all contracts and agreements with respect
thereto and to do all other acts and things necessary or proper for carrying
out the provisions of this vote.
136 voted in the affirmative
1 voted in the negative
ARTICLE 3. To see what sum the Town will raise by borrowing or from the
tax levy or transfer from available funds or otherwise, to be used in conjunction
with funds previously appropriated by the Town for the purpose of repairing the
concrete and completing construction at Reading Memorial High School, or take
any other action with respect thereto.
On motion of W. Bruce MacDonald it was voted that this article be
indefinitely postponed.
ARTICLE 4. Maureen T. O'Brien moved that the Town of Reading vote to
approve the acceptance by Planning Board of a grant not to exceed $7,800 from
the National Endowment for the Arts, to be expended within fiscal 1978 and 1979.
This motion did not pass.
65 voted in the affirmative
76 voted in the negative
On motion of Richard J. Ogden it was voted that this meeting stand
adjourned, sine die, at 9:30 P. M.
149 Town Meeting members were present.
A true copy. Attest:
/ Lawrence Drew
Town Clerk
ADJOURNED SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETIN4
Reading Memorial High School Auditorium November 14, 1977
The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Kenneth C. Latham,
at 9:35 P. M.
ARTICLE 3. On motion of George R. Larson it was voted that the Town of
Reading authorize the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Board of
Selectmen, to appoint an Assistant Town Treasurer inaccordance with the
Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 41, Section 39A.
Adjourned Subsequent Town Meeting November 14, 1977
ARTICLE 4. On motion of George R. Larson, as amended by John H. Crocker,
it was voted that the Town of Reading transfer from available free cash the
sum of One Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($1,500.00) and that the sum of
Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00) be transferred from the Municipal Light
Department Operating and Maintenance account and that said sums totaling Two
Thousand Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($2,250.00) be appropriated and transferred
to the Town Treasurer's Salary Account for the salary of the Assistant Town
Treasurer.
ARTICLE 5. To see if the Town upon the recommendation or request of the
Conservation Commission will vote to designate as Scenic Roads under Has
General Laws, Chapter 40, Section 15C the following roads: Pearl Street, South
Street, County Road, Summer Avenue, Franklin Street, Wakefield Street, Prescott
Street, Walnut Street, West Street and Van Norden Road, or take any other action
with respect thereto.
On motion of Nancy Wilson Anderson it was voted that this article be
indefinitely postponed.
ARTICLE 6. To see if the Town upon the recommendation or request of the
Conservation Commission will vote to designate as Scenic Roads under Massachusetts
General Laws, Chapter 40, Section 15C all roads within the Town of Reading with
the exception of Route 28, Route 129, Route 93, and Route 128, or take any
other action with respect thereto.
On motion of Nancy Wilson Anderson it was voted that this article be
indefinitely postponed.
ARTICLE 7. To see if the Town will vote to authorize, empower and instruct
the Board of Public Works to file, in the name of, and in behalf of the Town, an
application in farm and manner required by the United States Government in
conformity with laws, and take such other actions as may be required to obtain
a grant to be made by the United States of America to the Town of Reading,
Massachusetts to be used to defray part of the cost of contract drawings
specifications for and the construction of a sewer collection system for the
Town and that the Board of Public Works be, and it hereby is, authorized to
expend any funds received or to be received by the Town as a result of any such
application.
On motion of Paul C. Dustin it was voted that this article be indefinitely
postponed.
ARTICLE 8. To see if the Town will vote the sum of One Hundred Twenty-
six Thousand Dollars ($126,000.00) be raised and appropriated for the construction
of sanitary sewers, sewerage work and other sewer facilities including the
acquisition of any land necessary for the construction, such sum to be expended
by and under the direction of the Board of Public Works and to meet said
appropriation, that the sum of One Hundred Twenty-six Thousand Dollars ($126,000.00)
be raised by borrowing, and that the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the
Board of Selectmen be, and he hereby is, authorized to borrow One Hundred
Twenty-six Thousand Dollars ($126,000.00) payable in accordance with Section 7
of Chapter 44 of the General Laws so that each issue shall be paid in not more
than five (5) years from its date or at such earlier time as the Treasurer and
Selectmen may determine, said bonds or notes shall be signed by the Treasurer and
countersigned by the Selectmen provided that the sum herein appropriated shall
be used for the construction of sanitary sewer, sewerage work and other sewer
facilities including the acquisition of any land necessary for the construction
and that any surplus therefrom together with any grant or grants from Federal
or State funds or both, shall be used to construct the balance of the project
herein is, authorized, empowered and instructed to file in the name of, and
in behalf of the Town, an application in form and manner required by the United
States of America, and inconformity with the Public Laws of the United States
of America and to do whatever else may be required to obtain a grant to be
made by the United States of America to the Town of Reading, Massachusetts sewers,
sewerage work and other sewer facilities including the acquisition of any land
necessary for the construction and enter into all contracts and agreements with
respect thereto and to do all other Acts and things necessary or proper for
carrying out the provisions of this vote.
On motion of 13u1C. Dustin it was voted that this article be indefinitely
postponed.
Subsequent Town Meeting November 14, 1977
ARTICLE 9. On motion of Richard J. Ogden, as amended by Joyce K. Miller,
it was voted that the Town of Reading establish an historical commission for
the purpose of identifying and recording historic assets of the Town, and
for developing and implementing a program for their preservation, such
commission to be composed of five members appointed by the Board of Selectmen
for terms of three years, except that the initial appointment shall be one
member for one year, two members for two years and two members for three years.
ARTICLE 10. On motion of Allan E. Ames it was voted that the sum of
One Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,500,000.) be appropriated for the
enlargement of the municipal lighting plant by the expansion and reconstruction
of substations, distribution lines and facilities appurtenant thereto, and to
meet such appropriation that the sum of One Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars
($1,500,000.) be raised by borrowing, and that the Town Treasurer, with the
approval of the Board of Selectmen, be and hereby is authorized to borrow said
One Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,500,000.) under the authority
of General Laws, Chapter 44, Section 8, and to issue at one time or from time
to time bonds or notes of the Town, payable in accordance with General Laws,
Chapter 44, so that each issue shall be paid in not more than ten (10) years
from its date, or at such earlier time as the Treasurer and Board of Selectmen
shall determine. Bonds or notes are to be signed by the Treasurer and
countersigned by the Board of Selectmen.
120 voted in the affirmative
0 voted in the negative
ARTICLE 11. On motion of Corliss T. VanHorn, as amended by Barry J. Mitchel,
it was voted that the Town amend the General By-Laws by adding a new Section 10
to Article I as follows:
"The Town Clerk shall be the Clerk of the Town Meeting and shall be
present at all Annual and Special Town Meetings. Should it be necessary for
him to be absent, then the Assistant Town Clerk, or a Clerk Pro Tem elected by
the Town Meeting body, shalt act in his behalf."
On motion of Richard J. Ogden it was voted that this meeting stand adjourned
until 8:00 P. M. on November 17, 1977,to meet in the Reading Memorial High
School Auditorium.
Meeting adjourned at 10:50 P. M.
149 Town Meeting members were present.
A true copy. Attest:
Lawrence Drew
Town Clerk
ADJOURNED SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING
Reading Memorial High School Auditorium November 17, 1977
The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Kenneth C. Latham at
8:00 P. M.
The invocation was given by the Rev. Willard C. Arnold, Pastor Emeritus
of the Old South United Methodist Church, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance
to the Flag.
ARTICLE 12. On motion of Charles W. Hewitt, it was voted that the Town
of Reading adopt a capital outlay plan for the five year period from fiscal
year 1979 through fiscal year 1983 made up of the following projects:
Adjourned Subsequent Town Meeting November 17, 1977
1979: Roadway Reconstruction
Storm Drain Construction
Street Betterments
Sewer House Connections
Conservation Land Acquisition
Parks and Playgrounds Development
Conservation Land Development
Cemetery Development
High School Room Partitions
High School Data Processing Equipment Acquisition
High School Athletic Field Improvement
Fire Department Pumper Replacement
New Library Construction
Sewer Main Construction
Exploration for New Water Sources
Expansion of Electric Power Distribution
1980: Roadway Reconstruction
Storm Drain Construction
Street Betterments
Sewer House Connections
Sidewalk Construction
Conservation Land Acquisition
Parks and Playgrounds Development
Cemetery Development
High School Data Processing Equipment Acquisition
High School Athletic Field Improvement
High School Roof Replacement
New Central Fire Station Design
Old Library Building Renovations Design
Sewer Main Construction
Water Supply Redesign
Development of Water Wells and Mains
Salt Storage Building Construction
1981: Roadway Reconstruction
Storm Drain Construction
Street Betterments
Sewer House Connections
Sidewalk Construction
Conservation Land Acquisition
Parks and Playgrounds Development
High School Data Processing Equipment Acquisition
Old Library Building Renovation
Sewer Main Construction
New Central Fire Station Construction
Water Supply Redesign
Development of New Water Wells & Mains
Water Treatment Plant Construction
1982: Roadway Reconstruction
Storm Drain Construction
Street Betterments
Sidewalk Construction
Conservation Land Acquisition
Parks and Playgrounds Development
Conservation Land Development
Cemetery Backhoe Replacement
High School Data Processing Equipment Acquisition
Pearl Street and Eaton Schools Auditoriums Remodeling
Sewer Main Construction
1983: Roadway Reconstruction
Storm Drain Construction
Street Betterments
Sidewalk Construction
Conservation Land Acquisition
Parks and Playgrounds Development
Conservation Land Development
High School Data Processing Equipment Acquisition
Pearl Street and Eaton Schools Auditoriums Remodeling
Coolidge Junior High School Roof Replacement
347
Adjourned Subsequent Town Meeting November 17, 1977
Further, that the town adopt the following order of priorities for the
said projects:
1. Maintenance of a stable tax rate for funding capital projects
2. Replacement of worn-out capital equipment
3. Extraordinary maintenance
4. Disposition of unused buildings
5. Construction of new library and conversion of old library into Town
Hall Annex
L 6. Development of additional water supply and improved water quality
7. Development of current phase of Charles Street Cemetery
8. Construction of new central fire station
9. Reconstruction of roadways
10. Development of sewer system
11. Development of additional electric power supply
12. Improvements to school facilities
13. Development of storm drainage facilities
14. Development of land and facilities for recreational use
15. Acceptance of new streets
16. Acquisition of land for conservation purposes
17. Construction of sidewalks
18. Sewer house connections
Said plan may be reviewed and amended at subsequent annual or special Town
Meetings.
ARTICLE 13. On motion of Beverly B. Seavey it was voted that the General
By-Laws of the Town be amended by the addition of the following new article:
Appointments
Section I. The Town Clerk shall keep a list of the names of persons
expressing an interest in being appointed to a board, commission, or
committee, and shall submit such names to the applicable appointing authority
whenever a vacancy shall occur.
Section II. A minimum of two weeks prior to making an appointment, the
appointing authority shall publicize in an appropriate place their intent to
appoint and shall request applications from interested persons.
or reappointed
Section III. No person shall be appointednto a board, commission or committee
without first being interviewed at an open meeting of the appointing authority.
Prior to making the appointment, the appointing authority shall consult with
the chairman of the board, commission, or committee to which the appointment
is being made.
ARTICLE 14. On motion of Beverly B. Seavey as amended by George A. Theophanis
and Nils L. Nordberg it was voted that the General By-Laws of the Town be amended
by the addition of the following new article:
By-Law Committee
Section I. There shall be a By-Law Committee consisting of five Town
Meeting Members which shall be a Standing Committee of Town Meeting. An
Appointment Committee consisting of the Moderator and the Chairman of each
Precinct, chaired by the Moderator, shall appoint all members for a term of
three years, the terms of said members to expire on the first day of July.
The members of the By-Law Committee shall be appointed initially as follows:
two members for three year terms, two members for two year terms, and one member
for a one year term. Annually thereafter one or two members of said Committee
shall be appointed for the term of three years as the term of office of one or
two members expires, the terms of said members to expire on the third anniversary
of appointment or concurrently with the termin a tion of service as a Town Meeting
member. Any vacancy of the Committee shall be filled by the Appointment Committee.
Section II. If any member of the By-Law Committee shall be absent for three
or more successive meetings, the other members of said Committee may, by
affirmative vote of its majority, request the Appointment Committee to remove
such absenting member from his membership and the Appointment Committee may
thereafter so remove such member and shall notify him by mail of such removal.
� n �
Adjourned Subsequent Town Meeting November 17, 1977
Section III. It shall be the duty of the By-Law Committee to report to
Town Meeting on all proposed changes to the By-Laws which are included on the
Warrant for Town Meeting except the zoning by-laws, building codes by-laws
and personnel classification and compensation plan by-laws. Such report shall
be prepared in writing and included in the Finance Committee report as
ape cified in Section 7 of Article III of these By-Laws. The By-Law Committee
may request proposals for by-law amendments from Town boards, commissions,
committees, officers and citizens. The By-Law Committee may submit articles to
amend the By-Laws on the Warrant for Town Meeting action.
ARTICLE 15. On motion of Beverly B. Seavey it was voted that Article III
of the General By-Laws of the Town be amended by the addition of a new section
as follows:
Section XI. The Finance Committee shall present to each November
Town Meeting a five year Capital Outlay Plan to be adopted by Town Meeting
with or without amendment. Adoption of the Plan shall not constitute
authorization of the expenditure of any funds. The Capital Outlay Plan may
be amended by action of any regular or special Town Meeting. The Finance
Committee shall define expenditures which must appear on the Capital Outlay
Plan. All boards, committees, commissions, and officers shall submit their
proposed capital outlays to the Finance Committee as required by said Committee.
ARTICLE 16. On motion of Beverly leavey it was voted that Article XIII
of the General By-Laws of the Town be amended by the addition of a new section
as follows:
Section VII. Written notification of all fund applications to be
submitted by any Town board, commission, committee, or officer to any
government agency, nonprofit or private organization shall be promptly forwarded
to the Finance Committee, the Planning Board, and the Board of Selectmen.
ARTICLE 17. To see if the Town will vote to amend the General By-Laws of
the Town by the addition of the following new article:
Regular Elections
The order in which names of candidates shall appear on the ballot for
each office in a regular town election shall be determined by a drawing by lot
conducted by the Town Clerk in the presence of such candidates or their
representatives as may choose to attend.
On motion of Beverly B. Seavey it was voted that this article be indefinitely
postponed.
ARTICLE 18. Richard J. Ogden moved that the Town vote to establish a
Special Committee of three (3) to represent the Town, to be appointed by and
to report to the Board of Selectmen. Said committee to be known as "The Public
Transportation Committee"; to work to obtain cleaner, better and more
responsive public transportation; said committee to solicit the establishment
of similar committees in towns or cities sharing our problems, these committees
to work together; and to appropriate from available funds the sum of One
Hundred Dollars ($100.00) for committee expenses.
This motion did not pass.
ARTICLE 19. On motion of Richard J. Ogden itwas voted that the Town
instruct the School Committee, and/or the School Department, to include in
the Town Report for the current School Year, a list of all new jobs created in
the School System since the 1969-70 year; to list with each job the current
salary paid and any extra costs in fringe benefits; any reimbursements
directly earned from the State or Federal Governments to reduce the Town's
cost of a position should be noted separately at each listed position.
On motion of Richard J. Ogden it was voted to take Article 2 from the table.
ARTICLE 2. Beverly B. Seavey moved that the Board of Selectmen be hereby
authorized and directed on behalf of the Town to instruct Representative Nils
L. Nordberg, its representative in the Great and General Court, to petition
the Great and General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the
enactment of the special act entitled "positioning of candidates on the ballot
in the municipal elections as these names are drawn by lot". Said act being as
follows:
Adjourned Subsequent Town Meeting November 17, 1977
In all municipal elections for public office within the Town of Reading,
including the office of Town Meeting member, the names of all candidates
including candidates for re-election shall appear on the ballot in the order
in which they are drawn by lot. To the name of each candidate for town office
upon an official ballot who is an elected incumbent thereof shall be added the
words "candidate for re-election" after his name. The drawing shall be
conducted by the Town Clerk in the presence of such candidates or their
representatives as may choose to attend.
This motion did not pass.
ARTICLE 2. On motion of Joyce K. Miller it was voted to instruct the
Moderator to appoint a committee for the purpose of studying and reviewing
the Office of Treasurer in the Town of Reading, its duties and functions,
and present its findings and recommendations at the next Annual or Regular
Fall Town Meeting. Said committee to consist of five (5) Town Meeting members
with at least one (1) member from the Personnel Board.
On motion of Richard J. Ogden it was voted that Article 2 be indefinitely
postponed.
On motion of Richard J. Ogden it was voted to take Article 1 from the table.
On motion of Richard J. Ogden it was voted that Article 1 be indefinitely
postponed.
On motion of Richard J. Ogden it was voted that this meeting stand adjourned,
sine die, at 11:16 P. M.
132 Town Meeting Members were present.
A true copy. Attest:
Lawrence Drew
Town Clerk
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