HomeMy WebLinkAbout1972-03-20 Annual Town Meeting Minutes 1 u ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
Reading Memorial High School Auditorium March 20, 1972
The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Kenneth C. Latham,
at 7:45 P. M.
The invocation was given by Rev. Kevin McAndrews of St. Athanasius
Church.
The newly elected Town Meeting Members were sworn in by the Moderator.
The Warrant was partially read by the Town Clerk when on motion of
Robert S. Cummings, 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 2. Robert S. Cummings requested the Town Meeting Body to
adopt a Resolution congratulating Kenneth C. Latham, Moderator, on his
selection as "Man of the Year°. It was voted unanimously that the fol-
lowing Resolution be adopted:
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Kenneth C. Latham served the Town of Reading as Selectman
from 1942 to 1957, and
WHEREAS, Kenneth C. Latham has served as Moderator of the Town of
Reading since 1957, and
WHEREAS, in these capacities Kenneth C. Latham has given untiringly
of his time and has provided the Town with dedicated and
inspired leadership, and
WHEREAS, on March 18, 1972, Kenneth C. Latham was honored by being
designated as Reading's Man of the Year at a dinner given
in his honor,
NOW, THEREFORE, the Citizens of the Town of Reading, acting through
this Town Meeting, do hereby congratulate Kenneth C. Latham
on his selection as the Man of the Year and do hereby ex-
tend to him their expression of deep gratitude for his
thirty years of faithful service to our Town.
ARTICLE 2. Robert S. Cummings, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen,
gave an informal report on the layout of the Annual Warrant for 1972.
ARTICLE 2. The following report was read by Philip R. White, Jr. ,
Chairman of the Reading Housing Authority:
The Reading Housing Authority was established on September 17, 1965,
under the provision of Chapter 121 of the General Laws of the Common-
wealth of Massachusetts. In December of 1967 it completed fortj, (40)
apartments of Housing for the Elderly on Frank D. Tanner Drive and com-
pleted another forty (40) apartments in February of 1970.
While these apartments filled a great need for the elderly of low
income, it was realized that these people and the elderly living
throughout the town in their own homes also needed creative and meaning-
ful activities to counteract depression due to loneliness and the feel-
ing of being more or less out of the mainstream of life.
The Recreation Building of the Housing for the Elderly with its
attractive space and facilities and located in the midst of over eighty
(80) elderly people, was an ideal location to start what has been called
the "Reading Housing Authority. Community Program for the Elderly".
This program has been open to any resident of Reading sixty-five (65) years
e ,
of age or older. This was done with the approval and encouragement of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts with the Housing Authority providing only
the use of its Recreation Building and other facilities. None of its
funds either from rents or subsidies have ever been used for the program.
The program has been operated under a Title III Federal Grant,
which has provided roughly half of the necessary funds. This grant,
which runs for three years, will expire on March 31, 1972. The balance
of the funds has been provided by contributions from loca.ybrganizations
and individuals and from the proceeds of the "Tannerville Fair" held in
October for the past three years. These fairs were initiated and are run
by the elderly themselves because they want to keep the program going;
and while they are unable to make financial contributions, they are happy
to contribute their time and effort in making articles for sale, many of
them things they have learned to make in the classes.
Annual Town Meeting March 20, 1972 177
While the Title III Funds were not received until April 1, 1969, the
program really started in a small experimental way in September of 1968.
It has grown until now there are nineteen (19) classes with about one
hundred and twenty (120) 0£ the elderly participating, some of them tak-
ing more than one class. Several of the churches are providing rooms for
some of the classes, as the program has outgrown the space and time avail-
able at the Housing for the Elderly. Current classes held from September
through June are as follows:
Library Group Rug Hooking and Braiding
Knitting Classes (2) Crewel Embroidery
Oil Painting Classes (4) Contract Bridge
Ceramics Classes (5) Forum Discussion Group
Variety Crafts Classes ( 2) Current Affairs Group
Most of the classes are replacedduringthe summer by five early
evening Special Summer Activities, including cook-outs, games, Square
Dancing, and programs by such organizations as The Colonial Chorus and
The Quannapowitt Players
Other activities of the program include the following:
Three ( 3) all-day bus trips during the warmer months.
Thanksgiving Dinner for approximately one hundred and sixty
(160) people.
Volunteer Visitation Program for shut-ins.
Volunteer transportation of various types.
Publication of "Elderberries" newsletter twice a year.
Theatre parties.
"Y" van trips to shopping centers each Thursday.
Programs under discussion for the future are meals to elderly shut-ins,
a hot lunch program at a central point, and a Health and Consultation Pro-
gram in cooperation with medical and health organizations such as the
Combined Visiting Nurses Association.
Originally an Advisory Committee of twelve (12) persons was formed
to make recommendations to the Housing Authority regarding the program,
but as time passed it developed that the membership of the committee for
the most part were also members of the Council on Aging. Under this cir-
cumstance, it was decided to dissolve the Advisory Committee and designate
the Council on Aging as the Advisory Committee and it has been acting in
that capacity for over a year now.
Since such programs throughout the state are usually run by Councils
on Aging, and since there is now a movement afoot to provide federal fund-
ing when applicable on a regional basis rather than to individual organ-
izations, the Reading Housing Authority and the Council on Aging have
agreed that after the present Title III Funds expire, the name of the pro-
gram will be changed to simply "Community Program for the Elderly" and
that its operation be transferred to the management and direction of the
Council on Aging.
In conclusion, the Reading Housing Authority, in the operation of
its project, sensed the need for such a program. Therefore, the Author-
ity undexhook the establishment of such a program, and acknowledges that
this program would not have been possible without the contributions of
interested local/organizations and individuals and without the willingness
of many people to participate on a volunteer basis. The Authority knows
that the program has made and continues to make a large contribution to
the happiness and usefulness of our elderly citizens.
Therefore, even though the program is to be run by the Council on
Aging, the Authority will , so long as permitted by the Commonwealth, con-
tinue to contribute the facilities in its Recreation Building, plus the
maintenance services and utilities for the programs held there.
1 b Annual Town Meeting March 20, 1972
The Authority urges you to support the Council on Aging in main-
taining the community program for the elderly at least at its present
level and to consider ;increasing this program which has proven worth-
while in encouraging and maintaining the creativity and vitality of
our elderly citizens.
Reading Housing Authority
Philip R. White, Jr. , Chmn
Edouard N. Dube
Gilbert M. Lothrop
Nathalie C. Beaton
Charles Stratton
On motion of Robert S. Cummings it was voted to accept report as
a report of progress.
ARTICLE 2. The following report was read by Nathan C. White,
Chairman, Board of Public Works, relative to the Refuse Incinerator:
The Incinerator is now operational , and is approximately 98% com-
plete. On March 13 the contractually prescribed 30-day operational test
period started. All rubbish which is picked up by the Department of Pub-
lic Works collectioncrews is now going through the incinerator.
All major components of the plant appear to be functioning well.
As the result of one full week of operation it appears that the capacity
of the plan exceeds contractually specified values. It is expected that
during the current 30-day test period all required "de-bugging" will be
completed. This effect has been substantial, and was in process well be-
fore the start of the operational test period. At the end of the opera-
tional test period a formal acceptance of the completed plant will be
run. This test is to establish that the plant meets all contractual re-
quirements relative to capacity, operational standards, and antipollu-
tion criteria.
Some garbage is now being collected and incinerated. Current plans
call for Department of Public Works collection and incineration of com-
bined garbage and rubbish from all existing collection routes starting
30 days after completion of acceptance tests of the plant.
Construction time for the incinerator has substantially exceeded
original plans. Costs, however, have been essentially as expected, and
dollar allowances for contingencies were more than required. It now ap-
pears that the original appropriations and bond proceeds are more than
adequate to complete all required plant construction.
Board of Public Works
Nathan C. White, Chmn
Donald E. Florence
William H. Watt
Lawrence R. Blood
Malcolm E. Reed
On motion of Robert S. Cummings it was voted to accept report as
a report of progress.
ARTICLE 2. The following report was read by Melvin E. Jones for
the Planning Board:
There is an old New England adage that is stated in various forms,
but in essence says the following: "If you don't like the weather,
wait a minute, it will change". Our environment has evolved substantially
since the advent of this adage. It appears that this old sayicould
now be expanded slightly to read: "If you do or do not like ang hin ,
wait a minute, it will change". This saying can now be applied to prac-
tically every condition of our lives, not only the New England weather.
Alvin Toffler, author of the book Future Shock, states that the
single most important aspect about life in the future that we humans are
not ready to cope with is the accelerating rate of change. The frequently
used term "the rat race" is based upon this factor of our lives. Nothing,
literally nothing, is not subject to change. We see it every day alter-
ing the very roots of our "sacred cows" - the family, religion, govern-
ment, political and social concepts and on and on.
So much for the philosophical comments, you may ask "What has this
got to do with the Planning Board's function in Reading?" Perhaps plenty:
Annual Town Meeting March 20, 1972 179
The very name of this municipal board implies a responsibility to
be constantly looking into the crystal ball to see what changes will be
needed in Reading to provide for future needs. However, the Planning
Board cannot act alone. This must be an effort of all agencies of Town
Government.
In 1961, a Master Plan was completed for the Town. A recent review
of the implementation of recommendations carried in the 1961 Master Plan
indicates that the "batting average" of the Master Plan is low. What
are the causes of the poor acceptance of a document which in 1961, was
intended to be the by-line for planning for the Town?
The causes are many, but the more apparent causes can be listed as
follows:
1. THE TRADITIONAL PLANNING APPROACH HAS BEEN, TO A LARGE EXTENT,
SUPERFICIAL. Sound planning requires an in-depth understanding of each
of the many variables which affect change. Historically, training of
planners has been to provide each planning student with a formal back-
ground in many disciplines. We are now seeing planning groups evolve
which consist of many people, Each member of the team being highly
specialized in a specific discipline and contributing to the total team
effort through a project manager. This approach provides the proper mix
of all factors of the problem.
2. THE MASTER PLAN HAS NOT BEEN DYNAMIC. Sound planning must re-
flect the winds of change. The traditional master plan has been a snap-
shot of conditions current at the time of prepgration. As changes occur,
the plan must be continuously re-evaluated andAmodified plan developed.
3. THE MASTER PLAN HAS GENERALLY NOT BEEN ENDORSED BY TOWN BODIES
AS THE DOCUMENT FOR FUTURE PLANNING. In order to be effective and pro-
vide motivation for continued re-evaluation, a Master Plan must be endorsed
by at least a consensus of the town administrative and legislative bod-
ies. All ;town bodies should provide impetus to the preparation and im-
plementationof a Master Plan. If a proposal is not acceptable to the
majority, it should not go to print as the "Master Plan for the Town of
Reading". Unilateral planning by a single town body, even in the name
of the Planning Board, is politically naive and frequently unrealistic
toward the goal of implementation.
Based upon the above criticisms, one might infer that the Planning
Board is of the opinion that planning is hopeless and only leads to
frustration - not so. On the contrary, your Planning Board thoroughly
believes that sound planning is an absolute necessity to the future well-
being of Reading, not "head in the sand" planning, not planning by only
one town agency, but planning which provides options for future contingen-
cies based upon input from all the agencies of town government.
WHAT DOES THE PLANNING BOARD PROPOSE? You may recall that at the
1970 Town Meeting, the Board noted in its report of progress, that our
five-year projections for expenditures included an anticipated expendi-
ture for engaging a planning consultant to update the Master Plan. Well
last year, the Town was, and no doubt still is, austere and the Board
was "gun-shy" with respect to requesting funding. We are not asking for
the funding at this annual meeting either. However, we are asking for
the support of all of the Town' s administrative and legislative bodies to-
ward creating a new Master Plan.
HERE IS OUR PROPOSAL
1. During 1972, in preparation for requesting funding for the 1973
annual Town Meeting, the Planning Board will be requesting meetings and
interviews with each of the Town' s administrative bodies. The primary
purpose of the interviews will be to establish a preliminary scope of
work for a new Master Plan. The Board's questions will initially be gen-
eral in nature, such as - "What studies should be incorporated in a Master
Plan that will be helpful to future decisions of your Board?"
2. Toward the end of calendar year 1972, the Planning Board will get
the scope of work and interview planning consultants to establish a bud-
get estimate to be submitted to the Finance Committee for consideration.
160 Annual Town Meeting March 20, 1972
3. At. the 1973 Town Meeting, the Board will request funding for
a comprehensive study. Assuming that such funding will be forthcom-
ing, the Board will then proceed to work with the selected planner in
conjunction with other Town Boards toward the development of a compre-
hensive Master Plan.
THE BOARDS PRELIMINARY THOUGHTS ON THE ATTRIBUTES WHICH THE SELECTED
PLANNER MUST HAVE INCLUDE:
1. The consultant must have in-house or on-going access to multi
disciplines, including engineers, attorneys, economists, sociologists,
law enforcement personnel, architects, financial advisors, biologists,
chemists, etc.
2. The consultant must have a proven "track record" in plan prep-
aration and implementation. This will be determined by contacting refer-
ences.
3. The consultant must have the ability to not only prepare a
Master Plan, but also to assist the Town in the implementation of the
initial and on-going recommendations.
4. The consultant must have a good understanding of Massachusetts
government and the interrelationship of State and Town government.
Reflection on the above comments leads one to readily recognize
that the costs involved in the preparation of a dynamic Master Plan are
not cheap. The Board will investigate federal and state funding pro-
grams to assist in financing.
In closing, we may say that cheap plans are just that - CHEAP!
Reading Planning Board
Melvin E. Jones
Andrew B. White
William H. Parker, III
Edward J. Taylor, Jr.
William E. Clark
On motion of Robert S. Cummings it was voted that report be accepted
as a report of progress.
ARTICLE 2. The following report of progress was read by Eben W.
Mick, Chairman of the Junior High School Construction Committee:
The committee was appointed by the Town Moderator on June 1, 1970,
for the construction of additions and alterations to the Parker Junior
High and other existing Elementary Schools as requested by the School
Committee.
The committee received Educational Specifications for additions to
the Barrows and Birch Meadows Schools dated October 6, 1970. The speci-
fications were later revised due to a meeting with the Department of
Education, School Building Assistance Bureau, 182 Tremont Street, Boston,
Massachusetts.
The committee contacted twenty ( 20) architects and interviewed
eight (8) and selected Korslund, LeNormand and Quann, Inc. of Norwood,
Massachusetts.
The committee requested the sum of $20,000.00 for preliminary plans
at the Special Town Meeting on November 23, 1970. The motion was amended,
to $2,000.00 and was defeated by a vote of 43 to 113. A motion for fur-
ther reconsideration was defeated by a vote of 67 to 68.
This committee was directed by a motion made at the annual Town
Meeting of March 22, 1971 , by Donald R. Walker that the Junior High School
Construction Committee established under Article 67 of the annual Town
Meeting be instructed to proceed with studies of alternatives to meet
Reading school facility needs with particular emphasis on the need for
space to accomodate a public Kindergarten program by September, 1973,
and that said committee report its findings at the next special Town
Meeting together with any requests for planning funds it deems necessary.
The above motion was voted 106 to 35.
Annual Town Meeting March 20, 1972 1
The following alternatives have been studied and are summarized as
follows:
1. Portables
A. 14 Portable Classrooms - to permit absorption of
Kindergartens into school system. $280,000.00
Site & Utilities (4 different locations) 28,000.00
Total $308,000.00
2. Additions
' A. Barrows School - 10 Classroom Addition
Building construction 15,000 sq.ft. @ $40.00
per sq, ft. $600,000.00
Site Development 30,000.00
Architect & Engineer Fees 50,000.00
Equipment & Furnishings 30,000.00
Contingencies & Clerk of the Works 45,000.00
Sub-Total $755,000.00
B. Birch Meadows School - 4 Classroom Addition
Building Construction 6,000 sq. ft. 0 $40.00
per sq. ft. $240,000.00
Site Development 30,000.00
Architectural & Engineer Fees 23,000.00
Equipment & Furnishings 10,000.00
Contingencies & Clerk of the Works 25,000.00
Sub-Total #328,000.00
Total $1,083,000.00
' 3. 22 Classroom Elementary School (Dividence Rd. Site)
Building construction 55,000 sq. ft. ® $32.00
per sq. ft. $1, 760,000.00
Site Development 200,000.00
Architectural & Engineer Fees 140,000.00
Equipment & Furnishings 250,000.00
Contingencies & Clerk of the Works 75,000.00
Total $2,425,000.00
4. New Middle School Housing 500 Pupils
Building construction 85,000 sq. ft. $32.00
per sq. ft. $2,720,000.00
Site Development 250,000.00
Architectural & Engineer Fees 200,000.00
Equipment & Furnishings 465,000.00
Contingencies & Clerk of the Works 110,000.00
Total $3,745,000.00
Note: The critera used in preparing construction cost estimates are
rather complex. At this point, there are unknown factors such
as site conditions, availablility of utilities such as sewer,
water, etc. , all of which have a direct bearing on final con-
struction costs. Revisions may also be required to meet the
standards of the Department of Public Safety and School Building
Assistance Bureau when alterations are made to existing buildings.
Funds would be required to make a more refined estimate of the
above alternatives. ,or any selected
Preliminary planning coats, including borings, topographic
survey, committee expenses, etc. , are as now estimated.
P32 2 Annual Town Meeting March 20 , 1972
A. Birch Meadows School - 4 Classroom Addition $8,800.00
B. Barrows School 0 10 Classroom Addition 9,500.00
C. 22 Room Elementary School (Dividence Rd. Site) 15,000.00
D. Middle School - The School Committee indicated further stud-
ies of this alternative was not warranted at this time.
Junior High School Construction
Committee
Eben W. Mick, Chairman
On motion of Robert S. Cummings it was voted that report be ac-
cepted as a report of progress.
On motion of Robert S. Cummings it was voted to lay Article 2 on
the table.
ARTICLE 3. On motion of Fred C. Kenney, Jr. , it was voted that
the following persons be chosen to serve as Measurers of Lumber for the
ensuing year:
Harold B. Currell
Irving E. Dickey, Jr.
and that the following persons be chosen to serve as Measurers of Wood
and Bark for the ensuing year:
Harold B. Currell
Irving E. Dickey, Jr.
ARTICLE 3. On motion of Robert M. Graham, as amended by Robert S.
Cummings, it was voted that the respective Town Boards, Departments,
Commissions and Officers to whom Town land, buildings and or equipment
are entrusted, to promulgate regulations for the use of same; to cause
these regulations to be properly posted annually, not including statu-
tory posting and to make an Officer's Return to the Town Clerk, Police
Chief, School Superintendent, Town Counsel , and to the head of each -
Department, Board, Commission, or Officer, these actions to be completed
by July 1, 1972, and those regulations requiring posting, be so posted.
On motion of Robert S. Cummings it was voted to lay Article 3 on
the table.
ARTICLE 4. On motion of Robert S. Cummings it was voted to lay
Article 4 on the table.
ARTICLE 5. Carl H. Amon, Jr. moved that the General By-Laws of
the Town of Reading be amended as follows:
1. Repeal Articles L through XVIII inclusive, and to substitute
therefor the following:
ARTICLE I
Town Meetings
Section 1. The Annual Town Meeting shall be held on the first
Saturday of March of each year for the election of Town Officers and
for such other matters as are required by law to be determined by bal-
lot.
Section 2. All business of the Annual Town Meeting, except the
election of such officers and the determination of such matters as
are required by law to be elected or determined by ballot, shall be ,
considered at an adjournment of such meeting to be held at 8:00 P. M. on
the second Monday after the first Saturday of March.
Section 3. The polls for the Annual Town Meeting shall be opened
at 8:00 A. M. and shall remain open until 7:00 P. M.
Section 4. Adjourned sessions of every annual Town Meeting, after
the first such adjourned session provided for in Section 2 of this Arti-
cle, shall be held on the following Thursday at 8:00 P. M. and then on
the following Saturday at 9:00 A. M. and on consecutive Mondays, Thurs-
days and Saturdays unless a resolution to adjourn to another time is
adopted by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of. the Town Meeting Members present
and voting.
Annual Town Meeting March 20, 1972 183
Section 5. The Board of Selectmen shall give notice of the Annual
Town Meeting by causing an attested copy of the Warrant calling the same
to be posted in at least three ( 3) public places in each precinct of the
Town not less than fourteen (14) days prior to each meeting and either
by causing such attested copy to be published at least fourteen (14)
days prior to the time of holding such meeting, in a newspaper published
in the Town or by mailing an attested copy of said Warrant to each Town
Meeting Member at least fourteen (14) days prior to the time of holding
said meeting.
Section 6. The Board of Selectmen shall give notice of each Special
Town Meeting by causing an attested copy of the Warrant calling for same
to be posted in at least three ( 3) public places in each precinct of the
Town not less than seven ( 7) days prior to each meeting, and either by
causing such attested copy to be published at least seven (7) days prior
to the time of holding such meeting, in a newspaper published in the
Town, or by mailing an attested copy of said Warrant to each Town Meet-
ing Member at least seven ( 7) days prior to the time of holding said
meeting.
Section 7. All articles for the Annual Town Meeting shall be sub-
mitted to the Board of Selectmen not later than 8:00 P. M. on the sec-
ond Monday of January of the year for the Annual Town Meeting in which
action thereon is to be taken.
Section 8. The Board of Selectmen, after drawing a Warrant for a
Town Meeting, shall immediately deliver a copy of such Warrant to each
member of the Finance Committee.
Section 9. Any representative Town Meeting held under the provi-
sions of Chapter 7 of the Acts of 1943 shall be limited to the Town Meet-
ing Members elected under Section 3 thereof, together with the Moderator,
Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Finance Committee, Chairman of the
Personnel Board, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, Chairman of the
School Committee, Chairman of the Board of Public Works, Chairman of
the Trustees of the Public Library, Chairman of the Planning Board,
Chairman of the Board of Cemetery Trustees and Chairman of the Light Board
who are designated as Town Meeting Members at large. Any Town Meeting
Memberwho is both an elected member and a member-at-large shall be en-
titled to only one vote on each question or motion submitted to the con-
sideration of the Town Meeting.
ARTICLE II
Conduct of Town Meetings
Section 1. In the conduct of all Town Meetings the following rules
Shall be observed:
Rule 1 All articles on the Warrant shall be taken up in the
order of their arrangement in the Warrant unless other-
wise decided by a majority vote of the Members present
and voting.
Rule 2 Every person shall stand when speaking, shall respect-
fully address the Moderator, shall not speak until rec-
ognized by the Moderator, shall state his name, shall
confine himself to the question under debate and shall
avoid all personalities.
Rule 3 No person shall be privileged to Epeak or make a motion,
until after he has been recognized by the Moderator.
Rule 4 No Town Meeting Member or person shall speak on any
question more than ten (10) minutes without first ob-
taining the permission of the meeting. No Town Meet-
ing Member or person shall speak more than once on any
question until all others who desire to speak have spoken.
Rule 5 No speaker at a Town Meeting shall be interrupted except
by a Member making a point of order or privileged motion
or by the Moderator.
Rule 6 The Moderator shall decide all questions of order sub-
ject to appeal to the meeting, the question on which ap-
peal shall be taken before any other.
Rule 7 When a question is put, the sense of the meeting shall
be determined by the voices of the Members and the
Moderator shall declare the vote as it appears to him.
184 Annual Town Meeting March 20, 1972
If the Moderator is unable to decide the vote by the
sound of the voices, or if his decision is immediately
questioned by seven ( 7) or more Members, he shall deter-.i :
mine the question by ordering a standing vote or a
show of hands and he shall appoint tellers to make
and return the count directly to him. On request of
not less than twenty ( 20) Members a vote shall be
taken by roll call.
Rule 8 On all articles involving the expenditure of money the
Moderator shall first recognize the Chairman or Vice
Chairman of the Finance Committee for the purpose of
making the original main motion.
Rule 9 All original main motions having to do with the expendi-
ture of money shall be presented in writing and all other
motions shall be in writing if so directed by the Moderator.
Rule 10 No motion shall be received and put until it is seconded.
No motion made and seconded shall be withdrawn if any
Member objects. No amendment not relevant to the sub-
ject of the original motion shall be entertained.
Rule 11 When a question is under debate no motion shall be in
order except (1) to adjourn, (2) to lay on the table or
pass over, (3) to postpone for a certain time (4) to com-
mit, (5) to amend, (6) to postpone indefinitely, or (7)
to fix a time for terminating debate and putting the
question, and the aforesaid several motions shall have
precedence in the order in which they stand arranged in
this Rule.
Rut* 12 Motions to adjourn (except when balloting for offices,
and- when votes are being taken) shall always be first
in order. Motions to adjourn, to lay on the table and
to take from the table shall be decided without debate.
Rule 13 The previous question shall be put in the following form
or in some other form having the same meaning: "Shall
the main question now be put?" , and until this question
is decided all debate on the main question shall be sus-
pended. If the previous question be adopted the sense
of the meeting shall immediately be taken upon any pend-
ing amendments, in the order inverse to that in which
they were moved, except that the largest sum or the long-
est time shall be put first, and finally upon the main
question.
Rule 14 The dutiesof the Moderator and the conduct and method of
proceeding at all Town Meetings, not prescribed by law
or by the Rules set forth in this Article, shall be de-
termined by the rules of practice set forth in Robert's
Rules of Order Revised, so far as they may be adapted to
Town Meetings.
Rule 15 All committees shall be appointed by the Moderator unless
otherwise ordered by a vote of the Members present and
voting.
Rule 16 When the final report of a committee is placed in the
hands of the Moderator it shall be deemed to be received
and a vote to accept the same shall discharge the com-
mittee, but shall not be equivalent to a vote to adopt it.
Rule 17 A majority of the Town Meeting Members shall constitute
a quorum for doing business.
Section 2. It shall be the duty of every Town Officer, and the
duty of every elected or appointed Town Board or Committee by a member
thereof, to be in attendance at all Town Meetings for the information
thereof while any subject matter is under consideration affecting such
Officer, Board or Committee.
- Section 3. All Committees shall report as directed by the Town
Meeting. If no report is made within a year after the appointment, the
Committee shall be discharged unless, in the meantime, the Town Meeting
grants an extension of time.
Annual Town Meeting March 20, 1972 1 S 5
Section 4. A motion to reconsider any vote must be made before
the final adjournment of the meeting at which the vote was passed.
A motion to reconsider shall not be made at a session subsequent to
the session at which the vote was bassed, unless the mover, at the ses-
sion of the meeting at which the vote was passed, has given notice of
his intentions to make such a motion at the next following session.
There can be no reconsideration of a vote once reconsidered, or after
a vote not to reconsider. No article in the Warrant shall again be
taken •ak� into consideration after it has been disposed of unless
ordered by vote of two-thirda (2/3) of the votes present. Prior to
the vote on a motion to adjourn a session of a Town Meeting, the Mod-
erator shall inquire of the Meeting whether any member desires to give
notice of his intention to move reconsideration of any vote passed at
that session in accordance with the provisions of this By-Law.
Section 5. Notice of every vote to be reconsidered at an adjourned
town meeting shall be posted by the Town Clerk in two conspicuous pub-
lic places in each precinct of the Town as soon as possible after ad-
journment, and he shall , if practicable, at least one day before the
time of the next following session of said adjourned meeting, publish
such notice in some newspaper published in the Town. Said notice shall
include the vote to be reconsidered and the place and time of the next
following session of said adjourned meeting.
Section 6. Any registered voter of the Town may speak at a Town
Meeting, having first identified himself to the Moderator as a regis-
tered voter of the Town. No registered voter shall speak on any ques-
tion more than five minutes without leave of the Town Meeting. Regis-
tered voters shall be given the privilege of speaking at Town Meetings
only after all Town Meeting Members who desire to speak upon the question
under consideration have first been given an opportunity to do so.
Officers and Board and Committee Members who are not Town Meeting Mem-
bers shall have the same right to speak, but not to vote, as Town Meet-
ing 14embers on all matters relating to their Office, Board or Committee.
Section 7. Any person having abonetary or equitable interest in
any matter under discussion at a Town Meeting and any person employed
by another having such an interest, shall disclose the fact of his
interest or his employer' s interest before speaking thereon.
ARTICLE III
Finance Committee
Section 1. There shall be a Finance Committee consisting of fif-
teen (15) voters of the Town. Eight (8) members of such committee shall
constitute a quorum. No member of the Finance Committee shall be a Town
Officer, member of an elected Board or Committee, or employee of the
Town. A member of the Finance Committee can be an elected Town Meeting
Member.
Section 2. The members of the Finance Committee who are in office
at the time this By-Law becomes effective shall hold office until the
expiration of the term for which they were appointed. The Moderator
shall appoint five (5) members each year for a term of three (3) years,
the terms of said members to expire on the first day of May. No Finance
Committee member shall serve for more than three ( 3) terms. Any vacancy
on the Committee shall be filled by the Moderator.
Section 3. Any member of the Finance Committee who shall be ap-
pointed or elected to any Town Office, board or other committee, shall
forthwith upon his qualification in such office, and any member who
shall move from the Town shall upon such moving, cease to be a member of
said Committee.
Section 4. If any member of the Finance Committee is absent from
three ( 3) or more successive meetings of the Finance Committee the other
members of the Committee may by an affirmative vote of its majority re-
quest the Moderator to remove such absenting member from his membership
and the Moderator may thereafter so remove such member and shall notify
him by mail of such removal.
Section 5. The Finance Committee shall annually appoint a Clerk
of the Committee who shall not be a member thereof. The Finance Com-
mittee shall meet at the call of said Clerk by May 10 of each year and
shall then elect its Chairman and Vice Chairman.
186 Annual Town Meeting March 20, 1972
Section 6. The Finance Committee shall consider all matters
of business included within the Articles of any Warrant, which in-
volve the expenditure, appropriation and raising or borrowing of
money.
Section 7. The Finance Committee shall make a written recommen-
dation on all Articles that it has considered, and the Town Clerk
shall mail said written recommendations to each Town Meeting at least
seven ( 7) days prior to the second Monday after the first Saturday
of March and four (4) days in advance of any Special Town Meeting.
The said recommendations should be those of a majority of the entire
Committee, but recommendations may also be made by a minority of said
Committee. The Committee's report shall also state the total amount
of appropriations recommended by it on the entire Warrant and *he ap-
proximate tax rate based on such recommendations.
Section 8. The Finance Committee, or its duly authorized agents,
shall have authority at any time to, and upon the petition of one hun-
dred citizens of the Town or a vote of the Town Meeting shall, investi-
gate at once the books, accounts, records and management of any Office,
Board or Committee of the Town and to employ such expert and other as-
sstants as it may deem advisable for that purpose; and the books, rec-
ords andaccounts of any Department and Office of the Town shall be
open to the inspection of the Committee and any person employed by it
for that purpose. The Committee shall have no power to incur any ex-
penses payable by the Town without authority for such expenses having
first been obtained from the Moderator and such expenses shall be paid
from. the Finance Committee Reserve Fund.
Section 9, The Finance Committee in making its report upon any
subject referred to it shall arrange the report in clear and compact
form and shall divide it into separate propositions whenever in its
judgment such divisions may be desirable. The Committee shall attach
to each proposition its own recommendations.
Section 10. The various Town Boards, Officers and Committees
charged with the expenditure of Town money shall, not later than the
thirty-first day of December of each year, prepare detailed estimates
of the amounts deemed by them necessary for the administration of their
respective Offices or Departments for the ensuing fiscal year with ex-
planatory statements of the reason for any substantial changes in the
amounts appropriated for the same purpose in the preceding year. They
shall also prepare estimate during the ensuing year in connection with
the administration of their epartments or Offices. Such estimates and
statements shall be filed b said thirty-first day of December with the
Town Accountant who shal immediately deliver copies of the same to the
Finance Committee. of all probable items of income which may be re-
ceived TiC th IV during the ensuing year. )
Selectmen
Section 1. The Board of Selectmen shall have the general direc-
tion and management of the property and affairs of the Town in all
matters not otherwise provided for by law or by these By-Laws.
ARTICLE V
Executive Secretary
Section 1. The Board of Selectmen shall on or after April lst
in each year appoint an Executive Secretary who shall serve under the
provisions of Chapter 41, Section 23-A of the General Laws, as amended,
until the following March 31st or until his successor is appointed.
Section 2. He shall act by and for the Board of Selectmen in any
matter which it may .assign to him relating to the administration of the
affairs of .the Town or of any Town Office or Department under its super-
vision and control, or, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen,
may perform such other duties as may be requested of him by any other
Town Officer, Board, Committee or Commission.
Annual Town Meeting March 20, 1972 187
ARTICLE VI
Law Committee and Town Counsel
Section 1. The Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, Board of Pub-
lic Works, Municipal Light Board, School Committee, Board of Health,
Board of Assessors, and Planning Board shall be the Law Committee of
the Town, and the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen shall be the
Chairman of the Law Committee. The Law Committee shall hereafter an-
nually on or before the first day of April, and whenever a vacancy shall
exist, choose a competent lawyer or law firm to act as Town Counsel.
The term of office of said Town Counsel shall begin on the first day
of April or the date of his selection by the Law Committee and shall
Continue until the following thirty-first day of March and until his
successor is appointed.
Section 2. The Law Committee shall have authority to employ spec-
ial counsel whenever in its judgment necessity therefor arises. The
compensation for said special counsel shall be determined by the Law
Committee, subject to the appropriation of the Town therefor.
Section 3. The Law Committee shall have authority to institute,
prosecute and defend through the Town Counsel all claims, actions, and
proceedings to which the Town is a party or in which any right or int-
erest of the Town is involved. The Town Counsel shall not make any
final settlement of any litigation to which the Town is a party unless
he has been duly authorized by a vote of the Law Committee or by a vote
of the Town Meeting. The Law Committee shall have the authority to com-
promise and settle all suits involving the payment by the Town of Ten
Thousand Dollars ($10,000) or less. A Town Meeting must approve the
compromise or settlement of all suits involving the payment by the Town
of more than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) .
Section 4. It shall be the duty of the Town Counsel to prepare or
approve all bonds, deeds, leases, obligations, and other legal instru-
ments to which the Town is a party or in which any right or interest of
the Town is involved; to conduct the prosecution or defense of claims,
actions, and proceedings to which the Town is a party, and the prosecution
of actions or proceedings by or on behalf of any Town Officer, Board or
Committee as such; to conduct the defense of any claim, action or pro-
ceeding brought against any Town Officer, Board or Committee as such
when the Law Committee, having determined that any right or interests
of the Town are or may be involved therein, shall so request; to assist
in the prosecution of complaints for violation of any By-Law of the Town,
when requested to do so by the Board or Officer enforcing said By-Law;
and, subject to the foregoing provisions of this sentence, to perform
all other professional acts required of him by vote of the Town or any
Board or Committee of the Town, in connection with matters concerning the
Town or any Board or Committee thereof, as such, and to furnish advice
and written opinions to and act for, any Town Officer who requests ad-
vice, opinions, or action upon any subject relating to the duties of his
office.
Section 5. Immediately upon being notified by the Chief of Police,
Board of Selectmen, Town Clerk, or any other Officer of the Town, of
an injury to a person or property under circumstances which give rise to
a claim for damages against the Town, the Town Counsel or, upon his re-
quest, the said Board or Officer shall within ten (10) days make a care-
ful and complete investigation of all the facts relative thereto, and
in case of injuries to a person, Town Counsel shall, if practicable, im-
mediately cause a physical examination of the injured person to be made
by a reputable physician and such other examinations as Town Counsel de-
sires. Within a reasonable time after the claim for damages for any
cause has been received by the Town Counsel he shall make a written re-
port to the Law Committee of the nature and circumstances of the claim,
together with such recommendations regarding the same as he deems advisable.
Section 6. The Town Counsel shall annually make a written report to
the Law Committee concerning the professional services rendered by him
during the preceding year. Said report shall contain a statement con-
cerning each case settled, tried or otherwise disposed of during the
year, and a statement of the status of each pending case, together with
such other information and recommendations as he may deem advisable.
1 V Annual Town Meeting March 20, 1972
ARTICLE VII
Board of Public Works
Section 1. The Board of Public Works is hereby authorized and
empowered to aid any city or town bordering upon Reading in repairing
and maintaining the physical properties of water supply systems of
said cities or towns under authority of Section 39H of Chapter 40 of
the General Laws, as amended, and may extend such aid subject to such
terms and conditions as said Board may impose.
Section 2. The Board of Public Works shall establish a system
for the numbering of any building on or near the line of public or pri-
vate ways and shall prescribe by suitable rules and regulations the
method in which such numbering shall be done.
Section 3. No person shall neglect or refuse to affix to any
building owned by him the street number designated for such building by
the Board of Public Works or by the Building Inspector, acting in accord-
ance with the numbering system and the rules and regulations established
by the Board of Public Works, nor shall any person affix to or suffer
to remain on any building owned or occupied by him, a street number
other than the one designated for such building by the Board of Public
Works or by the Building Inspector. Owners shall be allowed ten (10)
days after written notice to complywith the provisions of this Section 3.
Section 4. No person shall deposit in any area any liquid or solid
waste materials, including garbage and rubbish, except in a dumping
ground or area designated for such deposits by the Board of Health.
No person shall make any such deposit in a dumping ground or area so - �
designated, unless he has first obtained a permit from the Board of Pub-
lic Works and unless he complies with the rules and regulations for such
dumping ground or area as the Board of Public Works may from time to
time establish. The Board of Public Works shall from time to time est-
ablish the fees for the issuance of permits.
Section 5. No person shall turn on or off the water at any water
main, service pipe, hydrant, water post, drinking fountain, or other
fixture or appurtenance connected with the Reading Water System or make
any opening into or connection therewith without authority from the
Superintendent of the Board of Public Works, except that hydrants may
be used by firemen or policemen in the discharge of their duty.
ARTICLE VIII
Town Clerk
Section 1. The Town Clerk shall keep a book which contains a true
copy of all deeds and conveyances executed by the Board of Selectmen or
by any other authorized Board or person.
Section 2. It shall be the duty of the Town Clerk to see that
every conveyance to the Town of any interest in land, and any plan
thereof, is properly recorded in the Registry of Deeds.
Section 3. The Town Clerk shall furnish all Boards, Committees
and Officers with a copy of all votes affecting them.
Section 4. Whenever any report of any Board or Committee, or any
minority report thereof, is presented to a Town Meeting the Town Clerk
shall cause the report to be entered in full upon the regular record
of the meeting.
Section 5. As soon as practicable after any election has been held
by the Town, or any appointment of Committees or other officials has
been made by the Town or by any Officer, Board or Committee thereof, the
Town Clerk shall, in addition to the notices he is directed to give to
officers who are required to take oath of office, issue a written or
printed notice to all persons who have been elected to any other office
or chosen to serve on any Committee, stating that office to which such
persoryhas been elected, or the duties which such Committee was chosen
to perform.
Section 6. The Town Clerk shall cause to be permanently bound one
or more copies of each Annual Town Report, which shall be kept in the
Town Hall.
Annual Town Meeting March 20, 1972 1
ARTICLE IX
Town Collector and Town Accountant
Section 1. The Collector of Taxes shall collect, under the title
of Town Collector, all accounts due the Town which are committed to him.
Section 2. Every department of the Town shall deliver to the Town
Accountant at least once in every month a separate statement of each
account due the Town arising throu§h any transaction with such depart-
ment. Upon receipt of such statements of accounts the Town Accountant
shall commit such accounts to the Town Collector for collection. This
section shal not apply to (1) taxes and special assessments, licenses
and permits issued or granted by the various departments of the Town,
(2) costs and fees charged by said departments, ( 3) interest on invest-
ments of sinking or trust funds, or (4) accounts due the Municipal
Light Department.
Section 3. Any account committed by the Town Accountant which the
Town Collector is unable to collect by ordinary efforts may be referred
by the Town Collector to the Town Accountant or Town Counsel for instruc-
tion as to procedure. So far as permitted by law any account or portion
thereof may be abated by the department in which such account originated.
The Town Accountant shall be notified in writing of the abatement of
any such committed account or portion thereof.
Section 4. The Town Collector shall, at least once in each week,
pay over to the Treasurer all money received by him during the preceding
week or lesser period, including any sum received as interest on moneys
received by him on all accounts committed to him and deposited in any
bank. He shall give bond to the Town for the faithful performance of
his duties in a form approved by the Commissioner of Corporations and
Taxation and in such sum, not less than the amount that may be established
by said Commissioner, as shall be fixed by the Selectmen.
ARTICLE X
Planning Board
There shall be a Planning Board consisting of five voters of the
Town who shall perform the duties prescribed in Section 70 of Chapter 41
of the General Laws, as amended. The members of this Board shall be
elected by a vote on the official ballot at the Annual Town Meeting in
March 1917; two members for the term of three years, two for the term of
two years, and one for the term of one year. At each annual meeting
thereafter, one or two members of said Board shall be elected for the
term of three years as the term of office of one or two members expire.
ARTICLE XI
Council on Aging
Section 1. The Council on Aging shall consist of the Chairman of
the Recreation Committee, the Chairman of the Board of Health, the Super-
intendent of Schools, or their respective representatives, and not less
than three nor more than seven additional members appointed by the Board
of Selectmen from the voters and residents of the Town. The Chairman
of the Council shall be designated from time to time by the Board of Sel-
ectmen. Appointees shall hold office until successors are designated.
The Council may appoint such clerks and other employees as it may require.
Section 2. It shall be the duty of the Council to carry out pro-
grams designed to meet problems of the aging in co-ordination with pro-
grams of the Commission on Aging establshed under Section 73 of Chapter 6
of the Massachusetts General Laws.
ARTICLE XII
Gas Inspector
Section 1. The Board of Selectmen shall appoint annually on or be-
fore April 1 a Gas Inspector, who shall hold office for a term expiring
on the thirty-first day of March in the following calendar year and until
his successor is appointed and qualified. His compensation shall be de-
termined by the Board of Selectmen, subject to the appropriation of the
Town therefor. He shall have the qualifications imposed by Section 3-0
of Chapter 143 of the General Laws, and his duties shall be as prescribed
in said Section 3-0. The Gas Inspector may, so far as is necessary for
190 Annual Town Meeting March 20, 1972
the performance of his duties, enter any building within the Town at
any reasonable hour.
Section 2. The Board of Selectmen may at any time appoint, for
such term as it may determine, one or more assistant gas inspectors
to act in the absence or disability of the Gas Inspector and, while
so acting, each of them shall have and may exercise all of the powers
and duties of the Gas Inspector. Assistant gas inspectors shall have
the same qualifications as herein above set forth for the Gas Inspector.
Section 3. The Gas Inspector shall not inspect any building in which
he has an interest or has installed or furnished any equipment or
material. With respect to any such building, the Board of Selectmen
shall designate an assistant gas inspector or shall appoint a disin-
terested substitute gas inspector, with all the powers and duties of
the Gas Inspector; and the compensation paid to such assistant or sub-
stitute in such case shall be deducted from the salary of the Gas In-
spector.
ARTICLE XIII
Town Reports and Records
Section 1. All Town Officers, Boards and Committees shall file an
annual report of their doings with the Board of Selectmen on or before
January 15th of each year and the Board of Selectmen shall cause such
reports to be included in the Annual Town Reprot.
Section 2. The Board of Selectmen shall have the printed Annual
Town Report ready for distribution not later than February 21st of each
year and the Town Clerk shall mail a copy of said Town Report to each
Town Meeting Member with the copy of the Finance Committee recommendations.
Section 3. Each Town Board and Committee shall cause records of
its proceedings to be kept, and such records, excepting as otherwise
provided by law, shall be public records.
Section 4. The Board of Assessors shall publish for general cir-
culation its valuation lists for real estate for the year 1973 and
every second year thereafter. The Board of Assessors shall establish
reasonable fees for the sale of said lists. After the publication of
the list for the year 1973, lists for subsequent years shall be printed
in not less than the same quantity as the number sold of the .preceding
published valuation list.
Section 5. There shall be included as an integral part of the
Annual Town Report every year the Board of Assessors' records of abate-
ments on real estate taxes, other than statutory exemptions as defined
by General Laws, Chapter 59, Section 5, such records to include the
name and address of the taxpayer, the location of the property, and
the total sum of money abated.
Section 6. The vote of each Town Meeting Member on all roll call
votes recorded at a Town Meeting shall be included in the Annual Town
Report.
ARTICLE XIV
Streets, Hiahways,and Public Property
Section 1. No person shall place or cause to be placed any ob-
struction in any street, public place, or private way in the Town with-
out the permission of the Board of Public Works.
Section 2. No person shall form or conduct any parade in any
street, sidewalk or public way within the Town, or form or conduct for
the purpose of display or demonstration, any procession or assembly of
people, except a military or funeral parade or procession, within suc¢
street, sidewalk or way, without first obtaining a written permit from
the Board of Selectmen; and no person shall take part in any such parade,
procession or assembly which is not authorized by such a permit. The
application for such a permit shall .identify (1) the person or organiza-
tion seeking to conduct the parade and the parade chairman who will be
responsible for its conduct, (2) the proposed date, starting and termina-
tion time, and route of the parade, (3) the approximate number of persons,
animals and vehicles, and the type of animals and vehicles, to be in the
Annual Town Meeting March 20, 1972
parade, (4) the location of any assembly areas and the time units
will begin to assemble at such areas, and (5) the intervals of space
to be maintained between the parade's units. The applicant shall pro-
vide such further information as the Board of Selectmen shall find rea-
sonably necessary for a fair determination as to whether a permit should
be issued. The application shall be accompanied by payment of a fee of
Five Dollars ($5.00) which .shall be non-refundable.
The Board of Selectmen shall issue a permit unless it finds that
the conduct of the parade is reasonably likely to (1) cause injury to
persons or property, provoke disorderly conduct, or create a disturbance,
(2) interfere unduly with proper fire and police protection for, and
ambulance service to, areas contiguous to the proposed line of march
or other areas in the Town, or ( 3) substantially interrupt the safe
and orderly movement of other traffic contiguous to the parade route.
The Board of Selectmen shall promptly notify the applicant of its deci-
sion, including the terms of the permit issued or the reasons for any
denial or revocation of such a permit. Immediately upon the issuance
of a paracJe permit, the Board of Selectmen shall send a copy thereof
to the Police Chief, Fire Chief, Board of Public Works, and Town Counsel.
Section 3. The Superintendent of the Board of Public Works, for
the purpose of removing or plowing slow or removing ice from any way
within the limits of the Town and from the Town parking areas and from
any other land owned or used by the Town, may remove or cause to be re-
moved to some public garage or other convenient place, any vehicle parked
upon such highway, parking area, or land and interfering with such work,
and the storage charges and other cost of such removal shall be borne
and paid by the owner of the vehicle.
Section 4. No person shall move or remove snow or ice from private
lands upon any public street, sidewalk or common land of the Town in
such a manner as to obstruct or impede the free passage of vehicular or pe-
destrian traffic upon the street, sidewalk or common land of the Town
unless he has first obtained a permit therefor issued by the Board of
Public Works.
Section 5. No person shall, during the period from November 15 to
April 15, inclusive, discharge or pipe, or cause to be discharged or
piped, any ground water onto a public way or sidewalk within the limits
of the Town unless he has first obtained a permit therefor issued by
the Board of Public Works.
Section 6. No person shall make or construct a driveway or other
means of access or exit for motor vehicles on to a public way or across
a sidewalk unless he has first obtained a permit therefor issued by
the Board of Public Works.
Section 7. No person, except the duly authorized agents and em-
ployees of the Town, shall carry in or through any of the public streets
or ways of this Town any rubbish, garbage, offal, contents of cesspools,
or other offensive substances, unless the person so carrying the same
shall have secured a permit therefor from the Board of Health, which
permit may be issued by said Board upon such terms and conditions as
it may determine. Any rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the
Board of Health under this Section shall be published at least once in
a newspaper, if any,published in the Town, otherwise in at least one
newspaper of general circulation in the Town.
Section 8. Any person who intends to erect, repair or take down
any building abutting on any way which the Town is obliged to keep in
repair and desires to make use of any portion of said way for the pur-
pose of placing thereon building materials or rubbish, shall give not-
ice thereof to the Board of Public Works and thereupon the Board of
Public Works may grant a permit to occupy such portion of said 'way, to
be used for such purpose as in its judgment the necessity of the case
demands and the security of the public allows. Such permit shall in
no case be in force longer than ninety days and shall be issued on such
conditions as the Board of Public Works may require.
192 Annual Town Meeting March 20 , 1972
ARTICLE XV
Anti-Litter
Section 1. DEFINITIONS. For the purpose of this By-Law the fol-
lowing terms, phrases, words, and their derivations shall have the
meaning given herein. When not inconsistent with the context, words
used in the present tense include the future, words used in the
plural number include the singular number, and words used in the
singular number include the plural number. The work "shall" is always
mandatory and not merely directory.
(1) "Private receptacle" Is a litter storage and collection
receptacle as required or authorized in the Town.
( 2) "Commercial Handbill" is any printed or written matter,
any sample or device, circular, leaflet, pamphlet, paper, booklet, or
any other printed or otherwise reproduced original or copy of any mat-
ter of literature:
(a) Which advertises for sale any merchandise, product,
commodity, or thing; or
(b) Which directs attention to any business or mercan-
tile or commercial establishment, or other activity, for the purpose
of either directly or indirectly promoting the interest thereof by
sales; or
(c) Which directs attention to or advertises any meeting,
theatrical performance, exhibition, or event of any kind, for which an
admission fee is charged for the purpose of private gain or profit;
but the terms of this clause shall not apply where an admission fee is
charged or a collection is taken up for the purpose of defraying the
expenses incident to such meeting, theatrical performance, exhibition,
or event of any kind, when either of the same is held, given or takes
place in connection with the dissemination of information which is not
restricted under the ordinary rules of decency, good morals, public
peace, safety and good order; PROVIDED, that nothing contained in this
clause shall be deemed to authorize the holding, giving or taking place
of any meeting, theatrical performance, exhibition, or event of any ,
kind, without a license., where such license is or may be required by any
laws of this Commonwealth, or under any By-Law of this Town; or
(d) Which, while containing reading matter other than
advertising matter, is predominantly and essentially an advertisement,
and is distributed or circulated for advertising purposes, or for the
private benefit and gain of any person so engaged as advertiser or
distributor.
(5) Narbage" is putrescibleanimal and vegetable wastes re-
sulting from the handling, preparation, cooking and consumption of food.
(6) "Litter" is "garbage" , "refuse" , and "rubbish" as defined
herein and all other waste material which, if thrown or deposited as
herein prohibited, tends to create a danger to public health, safety
and welfare.
(7) "Newspaper" is any newspaper of general circulation as
defined by general law, any newspaper duly entered with the Post Office
Department of the United States, in accordance with Federal Statute or
regulation, and any newspaper filed and recorded with any recording of-
ficer as provided by general law; and, in addition thereto, shall mean
and include any periodical or magazine regularly published and dis-
tributed to the public.
(8) "Non-Commercial Handbill" is any printed or written
matter, .any sample, or device, circular, leaflet, pamphlet, newspaper,
magazine, paper, booklet, or any other printed or otherwise reproduced
original or copy of any matter of literature not included in the afore-
said definitions of a commercial handbill or newspaper.
(9) "Park" is a part{ reservation, playground, recreation
center or any other public area in the Town, owned or used by the Town
and devoted to recreation or conservation.
(10) "Person" is any person, firm, partnership, association,
corporation, company or organization of any kind.
(11) "Private Premises" is any dwelling, house, building,
or other structure, designed or used either wholly or in part for pri-
vate residential purposes, whether inhabited or temporarily or contin-
uously uninhabited or vacant, and shall include any yard, grounds, walk,
driveway, porch, steps, vestibule or mailbox belonging or appurtenant
to such dwelling, house, building or other structure.
Annual Town Meeting March 20, 1972 1 1
:7
(12) "Public Place" is any and all streets, sidewalks,
boulevards, alleys or other public ways and any and all public
parks, squares, spaces, grounds and buildings.
(13) "Refuse" is all putrescible and nonputrescible solid
wastes (except body wastes) , including garbage, rubbish, ashes, street
cleaning, dead animals, abandoned automobiles or trucks, and solid
market and industrial wastes.
(14) "Rubbish" is nonputrescible solid wastes consisting
of both combustible and non-combustible wastes, such as paper, wrap-
pings, cigarettes, cardboard, tin cans, yard clippings, leaves, wood,
glass, bedding, crockery and similar materials.
(15) "Vehicle" is every device in, upon, or by which any
person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a highway,
including devices used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks.
Section 2. LITTER IN PUBLIC PLACES. No person shall throw or de-
posit litter in or upon any street, sidewalk or other public place
within the Town except in public receptacles, in authorized private re-
ceptacles for collection, or in official Town dumps or incinerators.
Section 3. PLACEMENT OF LITTER IN RECEPTACLES SO AS TO PREVENT
SCATTERING. Persons placing litter in public receptacles or in auth-
orized private receptacles shall do so in such a manner as to prevent
it from being carried or deposited by the elements upon any street,
sidewalk or other public place or upon private property.
Section 4. SWEEPING LITTER INTO GUTTERS PROHIBITED. No person
shall sweep into or deposit in any gutter, street or other public space
within the Town any accumulation of litter from any building or lot or
from any public or private sidewalk or driveway. Persons owning or oc-
cupying property shall keep the sidewalk in front of their premises
free of litter.
Section 5. MERCHANTS DUTY TO KEEP SIDEWALKS FREE OF LITTER. No
person owning or occupying a place of business shall sweep into or de-
posit in any gutter, street or other public place within the Town the
accumulation of litter from any bgklding or lot or from any public or
private sidewalk or driveway. Persons owning or occupying places of
- business within the Town shall keep the sidewalk in front of their busi-
ness premises free of litter.
Section 6. LITTER THROWN BY PERSONS IN VEHICLES. No person, while
a driver or passenger in a vehicle, shall throw or deposit litter upon
any street or other public place within the Town, or upon private property.
Section 7. TRUCK LOADS CAUSING LITTER. No person shall drive or
move any truck or other vehicle within the Town unless such vehicle is
so constructed oyloaded as to prevent any load, contents or litter from
being blown or deposited upon any street, alley or other public or pri-
vate place; and all such persons and vehicles, when so required, shall
be duly licensed according to the provisions of the General Laws of the
Commonwealth and the rules, regulations and By9Laws of the Town.
Section 8. LITTER IN PARKS. No person shall throw or deposit
litter in any park within the Town except in public receptacles and in
such a manner that the litter will be prevented from being carried or
deposited by the elements upon any part of the park or upon any street
or other public place. Where public receptacles are not provided, all
such litter shall be carried away from the park by the person responsible
for its presence and properly disposed of elsewhere as provided herein.
Section 9. LITTER IN FOUNTAINS. No person shall throw or deposit
litter in any fountain, pond, stream, river or any other body of water
in a park or elsewhere within the Town.
Section 10. THROWING OR DISTRIBUTING COMMERCIAL HANDBILLS IN PUBLIC
PLACES. No person shall throw or deposit any commercial or non-commercial
handbill in or upon any sidewalk, street or other public place within the
Town, nor shall any person hand out or distribute or sell any commercial
handbill in any public place. Provided, however, that it shall not be
unlawful on any sidewalk, street, or other public place within the Town
for any person to hand out or distribute, without charge to the receiver
thereof, any non-commercial handbill to any person willing to accept it.
194 Annual Town Meeting March 20, 1972
Section 11. PLACING -COMMERCIAL AND NON-COMMERCIAL HAND$TLLS
ON VEHICLES. No person:shall throw or deposit any commercial or-non- -
commercial handbill in or upon any vehicle. Provided, however, that
it shall not be unlawful in any public place for a person to hand
out or distribute without charge -to the receiver thereof, a non-com-
mercial handbill to any occupant of a vehicle who is willing to ac-
cept it.
Section 12. DEPOSITING COMMERCIAL AND NON-COMMERCIAL HANDBILLS
ON UNINHABITATED OR VACANT PREMISES. No person shall throw or deposit
*^ - �r trcial handbill in the distribution of mail
., ( y the United States, nor to newspapers as defined herein) except that
newspapers shall be placed on private property in such a manner as to
prevent their being scattered by the elements upon any street, sidewalk
or other public place.
Section 15. DROPPING LITTER FROM AIRCRAFT. No person in any air-
craft shall throw out, drop or deposit within the Town any litter, hand-
bill or any other object.
Section 16. POSTING NOTICES PROHIBITED. No person shall post or
affix any notice, poster or other paper or device, calculated to at-
tract the attention of the public, to any lamp post, public utility
pole or shade tree, or upon any public structure or building, except as
may be authorized or required by law.
Section 17. LITTER ON OCCUPIED PRIVATE PROPERTY. No person shall
throw or deposit litter on any occupied private property within the
Town, whether orwned by such person or not, except that the owner or
person in control of private property may maintain authorized private
receptacles or structures for collection in such a manner that litter
will be prevented from being carried by the elements or deposited upon
any street, sidewalk or other public place or upon any private property.
Section 18. OWNER TO MAINTAIN PREMISES FREE OF LITTER. The owner
or person in control of any private property shall at all times maintain
the premises free of litter. Provided, however, that this section shall '
not apply to leaves or yard clippings nor prohibit the storage of litter
in private receptacles or in otherwise lawful conforming structures,
SecVion 19. LITTER ON VACANT LOTS. No person shall throw or de-
posit litter on any open or vacant private property within the Town
whether owned by such person or not, unless duly licensed by the Board
of Health under applicable provisions of the General Laws of the Common-
wealth or By-Laws of the Town.
Section 20. CLEARING OF LITTER FROM OPEN PRIVATE PROPERTY BY THE
TOWN.
(a) Notice to Remove. The Board of Health is hereby empowered
to notify the owner .of any open or vacant private property within the
Town or the agent of such owner to properly dispose of litter located
on such owner's. property which is dangerous to public health, safety
or welfare, or the Board of Health may proceed to abate a muisance as
defined and provided by General Laws, Chapter 111, as amended. Such
notice shall be by registered mail or certified mail , addressed to said
owner at his last known address; or such notice may be served upon such
owner or agent by a constable or other legal officer as provided by
law, and authorized to serve such process.
(b) Action Upon Non-Compliance. Upon the failure, neglect
or refusal of any owner or agent so notified, to properly dispose of ,
litter dandjerous to the public health, safety or welfare, within twenty-
four hours, or within such other time as the Board of Health deems
reasonable, after receipt of such written notice provided for in sub-
section (a) above, or within fifteen daysfa er the date of such notice
AR
in the event the same is returned to the Post Office Department
because of its inability to make delivery thereof, provided the same
was properly addressed to the last known address of such owner or agent,
the Board of Health is hereby authorized and empowered to pay for the
disposing of such litter or order its disposal by the Town.
or upon any private premises which are temporarily) or continuously
uninhabited or vacant.
Section 13. PROHIBITING DISTRIBUTION OF HANDBILLS WHERE
PROPERLY POSTED. No person shall throw, deposit or distribute
any commercial or non-commercial handbill upon any private premises,
if requested by any one therein not to do so, or if there is placed
on said premises in a conspicuous position near the entrance thereof,
a sign bearing the words: "No Trespassing, " "No Peddlers or Agents,"
"No Advertisement, " or any similar notice, indicating in any manner
that the occupants of said premises .do not desire to be molested
or have their right of ,privacy disturbed, or to have any such
handbills left upon the premises.
Section 14. DISTRIBUTING COI%U4ERCIAL AND NON-COMMERCIAL
HANDBILLS AT INHABITED PRIVATE PREidISES. No person shall throw,
deposit or distribute any commercial or non-commercial handbill in
or upon private premises which are inhabited, except by handing or
transmitting any such handbill directly to the owner, occupant, or
ry other person then present in or upon such private premises. Provided,
however, that in case of inhabited private premises which are not
posted, as provided by this By-Law, such person, unless requested
by anyone upon such premises not to do so, may place or deposit any non-
eommeroial. handbill in or upon .such inhabited premises, .if such handbill
is so placed or deposited as to secure or prevent such handbill
from being blown or drifted .about such premises or sidewalks,
streets, or other public places, and except that mailboxes may
not be so used when so prohibited by Federal postal law or
regulations. The provisions of this section shall not apply to
- 7 - .
--
r
f
Annual Town Meeting March 20, 1972 19 5
(c) Charge Included in Tax Bill. When the Town has effected
. the removal of such dangerous litter or has paid for its removal , the
actual cost thereof, plus accrued interest at the rate of six per cent
per annum from the date of the completion of the work, shall be charged
to the owner of such property on the next regular tax bill forwarded to
such owner, if not paid by such owner prior thereto, by the Town and
said charge shall be due and payable by said owner at the time of payment
of such bill. Any such claim for the expense by said Board or Town in
so doing shall constitute a debt due the Town upon the completion of the
work and the rendering of an account thereof to the owner, and is recov-
erable from such owner in an action of contract, together with interest
thereon at the rate of six per cent per annum from the date said debt
becomes due and payable.
(d) Recorded Statement Constitutes Lien. Where the full
amount .due the Town is not paid by such owner within thirty days after
the disposal of such litter, as provided for in subsections (a) and (b)
above, then, and in that case, the Board of Health or the Town may cause
to be recorded in the Registry of Deeds a sworn statement showing the
cost and expense incurred for the work, the date the work was done and
the location of the property on which said work was done. The recording
ofsuch sworn statement shall constitute a lien on the property, and
shall remain in fullforce and effect for the amount due in principal
and interest, plus costs of court, if any, for collection, until .final
payment has been made. Said costs and expenses shall be collected in
the manner fixed by law for the collection of taxes. Sworn statements
recorded in accordance with the provisions hereof shall be prima facie
evidence that all legal formalities have been complied with and that the
work has been done properly and satisfactorily and shall be full notice
to every person concerned that the amountof the statement, plus interest,
constitutes a charge against the property designated or described in the
statement and that the same is due and collectible as provided by law.
Such lkkn may be dissolved by filing with the register of deeds for rec-
ord or registration, as the case may be, in the county or district, if
the county is divided into districts, where the land lies, a certificate
from the Collector of Taxes of the Town that the debt for which the lien
attached, together with interest and costs thereon, has been paid or
' abated. Such Collector shall have the same powers and be subject to the
same duties with respect to such claim as in the case of the annual taxes
upon real estate; and the provisions of law relative to the collection of
such annual taxes, the sale or taking of land for the non-payment thereof,
and the redemption of land so sold or taken shall apply to such claim.
Section 21. SEPARATE OFFENSES. Each day any violation of the pro-
visions of this By-Law is committed or permitted to continue shall con-
stitute a separate offense and shall be punishable as such hereunder.
Section 22. SEPARABILITY. If any section, subsection, sentence,
clause, phrase, or portion of this By-Law is for any reason held in-
valid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, such
portion shall be deemed a separate, distinct and independent provision
and such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions
hereof.
ARTICLE XVI
Contracts
Section 1. No Town Officer or member of any Board, Department,
Committee, Commission, Authority or Trusteeship shall in behalf of the
Town, approve, make or join in the making of any contract, bargain or
agreement in, through or by which he has either directly or indirectly
any financial or pecuniary interest otherwise than in common with the
citizens of the Town in general.
Section 2. No Town Officer or member of any Board, Department, Com-
mittee, Commission, Authority or Trusteeship shall receive any fee,
payment or financial compensation whatever, except his salary or compen-
sation as provided by law, or by vote of the Town, for any work or serv-
ice performed by him, in connection with his duties as a Town Officer or
member of such Board, Department, Committee, Commission, Authority or
Trusteeship.
19 u Annual Town Meeting March 20, 1972
Section 3. No present or former municipal employee shall vio-
late any of the conflict of interest provisions in Chapter 268A of
the Massachusetts General Laws, as amended from time to time.
Section 4. Any present municipal employee shall be entitled,
to the extent permitted by law, to the opinion of Town Counsel upon
any question arising under said Chapter 268A relating to the duties,
responsibilities, and interests of such employee. Such employee and
Town Counsel shall follow the provisions and procedure set forth in
said Chapter with respect to any such opinion.
Section 5. The Town Boards and the Officers of the different
Town Departments authorized to make contracts shall call for competi-
tive bids on all labor (except professional services) or material to
be furnished to the Town where the cost or estimated cost to the Town
of said labor or material to be so furnished equals or exceeds the sum
of Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000) , except in cases of special emergency
involving the health or safety of the people or their property. Said
calls for bids shall be advertised by publishing the same in at least
one newspaper of general circulation in the Town, and by posting it
in the Town Hall, such publication and posting to be at least one week
before the time specified for the opening of said bids. The advertise-
ment shall require each proposal to be sealed and properly designated,
shall announce the place, date and hour at which the proposals will be
opened, and shall reserve to the Town the right to reject any or all
such bids. The bids as received shall be deposited in a box securely
locked, and at the time and place named shall be opened in public. in
the presence of the Officer or a member of the Board authorized by
the Town to make the contract. No bids shall be received after the
time advertised for opening said bids.
Section 6. The Officers of the different Town Departments shall
attempt to obtain at least three bids on all labor (except professional
services) or material to be furnished to the Town where the cost or
estimated cost to the Town of said labor or material to be so furnished
exceeds the sum of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000) but is less than the
sum of Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000) .
Section 7. No bill or contract shall be split or divided for the ,
purpose of evading any provision of this Article.
Section 8. No person who is a member of any Board of elective
officers shall hold any remunerative office by virtue of an appointment
by such Board unless said appointment is authorized by vote of the Town
at an Annual Town Meeting.
ARTICLE XVII
Licenses
Section 1. The Board of Selectmen may license suitable persons,
upon such terms and conditions as the Board shall determine, to be
dealers in and keepers of shops for the purchase, sale or barter of
junk, old metals and second-hand articles, and no person shall be such
a dealer or keeper without such a license.
Section 2. The Board of Selectmen may also license suitable per-
sons as junk collectors, to collect by purchase or otherwise, junk, old
metals and second-hand articles from place to place within the Town,
and no person shall engage in such business without such a license.
Section 3. No person shall use any building, enclosure, or other
structure for the storage, sale, or keeping of rags, waste paper stock, ,
or other inflammable amterial without a license therefor from the Board
of Selectmen.
Section 4. The Board of Selectmen may license suitable persons to
use vehicles for the transporting for hire of goods, wares, furniture
or rubbish, within the Town of. Reading. All persons engaging in such
transportation for hire within the Town of Reading shall take out such
number of licenses as will equal the greatest number of such vehicles to
be used at any one time by said person during the year dor which the
license is issued. Such license shall expire on the thirtieth day of
April of each year, and may be revoked at the pleasure of the Selectmen.
Annual Town Meeting March 20, 1972 197
Section 5. No person shall engage in the business of transporting
for hire, goods, wares, furniture or rubbish as specified in Section 4
of this Article without first obtaining a license or licenses therefor
as above set forth.
Section 6. Every personlicensed under the provisions of this
Article shall cause his name and the number of his license to be
printed or placed in plain legible words and figures in a conspicuous
place on the outside of each vehicle used in exercising said license.
ARTICLE XVIII
Laundromats
Section 1. No person, firm or caporation shall operate a self-service
laundry or laundromat so-called, at any location in the Town of Reading
unless said laundry or laundromat is licensed by the Board of Selectmen.
Two or more coin-operated washing machines, two or more coin-operated
dryers, or two or more coin-operated dry-cleaning machines shall consti-
tue a laundromat or self-service laundry within the meaning of this
By-Law.
-- Section 2. Any such license shall issue on April 1st (or thereafter)
of each year and shall expire on the next succeeding March 31st and may
be revoked or suspended at any time by the Board of Selectmen for any
violation of this By-Law or any rules, orders or regulations from time
to time adopted by the Board of Selectmen.
Section 3. All owners and operators of any such laundry or laundro-
mat shall comply with all rules, orders and regulations as may from time
to time be adopted by the Board of Selectmen.
Section 4. The fee for a license shall be Ten Dollars ($10.00) .
Section 5. Rules and regulations and orders adopted by the Board
of Selectmen under this By-Law shall become effective immediately upon
registered mail notification to owners and operators of such laundry or
laundromat that such rules, orders and regulations have been adopted.
ARTICLE XIX
Disposal of Surplus Property
Section 1. Whenever an item or collection of items of tangible
personal property not exceeding a market value of Five Hundred Dollars
($500.00) within the control of a Town Officer or a Town Board or Com-
mittee, but excluding the Municipal Light Board, shall be determined by
that Officer, Board, or Committee to be surplus, obsolete, salvage, or
beyond repair, it may be disposed of by sale, trade, or otherwise, upon
the approval of the Finance Committee.
ARTICLE XX
Excavations and Wells
Section 1. Any person excavating land, any person in charge of
such excavation, and any owner of land which has been excavated shall
erect barriers or take other suitable measures to protect the public
within two days after being notified by the Building Inspector or the
Board of Selectmen that in his or its opinion such excavation constitutes
a hazard to public safety. Whoever violates any of the provisions of
this Section shall be punished by a fine of not more than Two Hundred
' Dollars ($200.00) per day for every day such person is in violation of
such notice, commencing with the fourth day thereof.
Section 2. The owner or owners of land whereon is located an aban-
doned well or a well in use shall either provide a covering for such well
capable of sustaining weight of three hundred pounds or shall fill such
well to the level of the ground. Whoever violates this section shall
pay for each offense a penalty of not less than One Hundred Dollars
($100.00) nor more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) .
1 V Annual Town Meeting March 20, 1972
ARTICLE XXI
Public Conduct
Firearms
Section 1. No person shall fire or discharge any fireworks,
firearms, cannon, or explosives of any kind (1) on or within the
limits of any street, highway, park or other public property, except
with the written permission of the Board of. Selectmen, or (2) on any
private property except with the written consent of the owner or legal
occupant thereof and the written permission of the Board of Selectmen;
provided, however, that this By-Law shall not apply to the lawful
defense of life or property, nor to any law enforcement officer act-
ing in the discharge of his duties, nor to the use of such weapon at
any military exercises or any established rifle range, nor to the
rights and privileges of an owner or lessee of land as set forth in
Chapter 131 of the General Laws.
Peeping
Section 2. No person, except an officer of the law in the per-
formance of his duties, shall enter upon the premises of another or
upon public lands with the intention of peering into the, windows or
doors of a house or of spying upon in any manner any person or persons
therein.
Burning Leaves
Section 3. No person shall burn or cause to be burned in the
open, fallen leaves within the Town.
Public Buildings
Section 4. No person shall gamble, or keep, use or have in his
possession any spirituous or intoxicating liquor, in any building or
room owned or occupied by the Town.
Loitering
.Section 5. No person, after being otherwise directed by a pol-
ice officer, shall loiter, sit or stand in any street, common place or '
public building so as to obstruct or impede the free passage of any
other person.
2. Change the number for Article XVIII-A of the General By-Lawyof
the Town of Reading to Article XXIV.
3. Change the number for Article XVIII-B of the General By-Laws of
the Town of Reading to Article XXV.
4. Change the number for Article XVIII-C of the General By-Laws of
The Town of Reading to Article XXVI.
5. Repeal Articles XIX, XX and XXI, and to substitute therefor the
following:
ARTICLE XXVII
Enforcement of By-Laws
Section 1. Any person violating any of the provisions of these
By-Laws shall be punished by a fine of not more than fifty dollars,
unless a specific penalty is brovided elsewhere in said By-Laws and
in that event the specific penalty shall apply.
ARTICLE XXVIII
Repeal ,
Section 1. These By-Laws and the repeal of all By-Laws hereto-
fore in force, shall not affect any act done, any right accrued, any
penalty or liability incurred or any suit, prosecution, or proceeding
pending at the time they take effect. The provisions of the foregoing
By-Laws, so far as they are the same as provisions of By-Laws hitherto
in force, shall be construed as a continuation thereof and not as new
enactments.
Annual Town Meeting March 20, 1972 19 9
ARTICLE XXIX
Amendment
Section 1. These By-Laws may be amended at any annual or special
town meeting by a majority vote of the Town Meeting Members present
and voting at said meeting, provided that an article or articles for
that purpose have been inserted in the warrant for said meeting.
The following amendments to the By-Laws were presented:
ARTICLE II - Rule 8. On motion of Neil H. Murray, as amended by Nathan
C. White, it was voted -to 'strike out Rule 8 and move up all Rule .numbers
' by one.
ARTICLE II - Section 4. On motion of Feil H. Murray it was voted that
Section 4 be substituted by Section 2 of the present By-Laws.
On motion of John H. Crocker it was voted that this meeting stand
adjourned until March 23, 1972, at 7:45 P. M. , to meet in the Memorial
High School Auditorium.
Meeting adjourned at 11:15 P. M.
192 Town Meeting Members were present.
A true copy. Attest:
rence Drew
Town Clerk
ADJOURNED ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
Reading Memorial High School Auditorium March 23, 1972
The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Kenneth C. Latham,
at &i45 P. M.
The invocation was given by Rev. C. C. Meeden, Interim Pastor of
the First Baptist Church.
ARTICLE 5. Amendments under Article VI. On motion of William H. Dia-
mond it was voted to amend Section 1, Article VI, by including therein
after Board of Assessors, the Library Trustees, Cemetery Trustees.
On motion of Frank A. Smith, Jr. , it was voted to amend Section 4
of Article Vl�ettor 4tEfbyOmytY6_4n Board, Committee, Commission or Officer
Section 4. It shall be the duty of the Town Counsel^ to prepare or
approve all bonds, deeds, leases, obligations, and other legal instru-
ments to which the Town is a party or in which any right or interest of
the Town is involved; to conduct the prosecution or defense of claims,
actions, and proceedings to which the Town is a party, and the prosecu-
tion of actions or proceedings by or on behalf of any Town Officer, Board
or Committee as such; to conduct the difense of any claim action or pro-
ceeding brought against any Town Officer, Board Member or Committee Mem-
ber or Commission Member as such when the Law Committee, having deter-
mined that any right . . . . . . . .
ARTICLE XI - Section 2. On motion of Charles Stratton it was voted to
amend this section to read as follows:
Section 2. It shall be the duty of the Council to carry out pro-
grams designed to meet problems of the aging in the Community.
ARTICLE XIII - Section 2. On motion of Joan A. Kingston it was voted
to amend this section to read as follows:
Section 2. The Board of Selectmen shall have the printed Annual
Town Report ready for distribution not later than February 21st of each
year.
ARTICLE XIII - Section 4. On motion of Robert I. Nordstrand it was
voted to amend this section to read as follows:
The Board of Assessors shall publish for general circulation its
valuation lists for real estate for the year 1973, and every second
year thereafter, if the Town Meeting appropriates funds for this purpose