HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-05-04 Annual Town Meeting MinutesANNUAL TOWN MEETING
Reading Memorial High School May 4, 2000
The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Alan E. Foulds, at 7:47 p.m., there being a
quorum present.
The Invocation was given by the Reverend Arthur Flynn, St. Agnes Catholic Church, followed
by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
FY 2001 Budget Message
I have prepared 14 budgets for this Town since I became Town Manager in September.
1986. This is by far the most difficult.
In a time of unprecedented prosperity in the nation and in this area of the country, we
simply do not have enough money to provide the quality and extent of services that residents of
this community want and deserve.
Unlike the early 1990's when the entire nation and region were in a recession, the
conditions are different. We are in a competitive environment, and a time of great change and
opportunity. The unemployment rate is at a 25 year low; we compete with the private sector for
employees, and compete with our neighboring communities for the same employees; residents
expectations for services are high.
Our neighboring conununities are prospering - Wilmington added 1.1 million in new
growth this year; Stoneham is increasing budgets by about 5% with a School District of about %z
of our students; Wakefield is increasing their budgets by a similar amount, and also with a much
lower number of students in their public schools.
Why is Reading struggling as we are financially?
Reading spends below average on a per capita and a per pupil basis for virtually every
municipal service we provide.
Our salaries for municipal employees are at or below the average for 12 communities in
our labor market area.
Our reputation for quality services is known throughout the state:
c Public Library
® Ambulance Service
• Low Crime Rate
® Excellent financial and accounting services
• Quality parks and cemetery maintenance
Devotion to affordable housing
0 General management
So why the problem?
• Reading is very heavily dependent on the property tax - 61 % of our revenues
• We have a poor economic base - 9% is CIP - the lowest around except for Lynnfield
• There is an increasing demand for services - especially in the school area
• We have deferred capital since 1981, and although the situation has improved in recent years,
all of our capital improvements have been done without an override
• There are increasing demands from State Agencies - largely in schools, and the State Aid is
barely keeping up.
We are the victims of our own success - Reading is a very. desirable community to live
in, and the secret is out. Who ever thought that we would refer to the FY 2000 budget as the
good old days.
The Town and its employees will, of course, do the best we can with the resources we
have to continue to provide the services our residents desire. It is not within us to do otherwise.
But you all need to know that we are again embarking on a path of dismantling vital elements of
this Town government as we did in the early 1990's, and it will be hard to return to where we all
want to be.
I would like not to review with you some of the facts and figures relevant to this budget,
and how it was put together.
ARTICLE 13 - On motion by Carol S. Grimm, Chairman of the Finance Committee, it was
moved to remove Article 13 from the table.
ARTICLE 13 - On motion by Carol S. Grimm, Chairman of the Finance Committee, it was
moved that the Town raise by borrowing, or from the tax levy, or transfer from available funds,
and appropriate the sum of
$ 54,921,196
for the operation of the Town and its government for Fiscal Year 2001 beginning July 1, 2000.
ARTICLE 13A - On motion by Carol S. Grimm, Chairman of the Finance Committee, it was
voted that the Town approve and appropriate the proposed FY2001 budget as presented for Line
Items Al and A2 (Accounting Department):
$ 109,628
to be provided as follows:
Lines Al and A2
Property taxes, State aid and non-property tax local receipts
-2- Annual Town Meeting
May 4, 2000
ARTICLE 13B - On motion by Carol S. Grimm, Chairman of the Finance Committee, it was
voted that the Town approve and appropriate the proposed FY2001 budget as presented for Line
Items B8 and B9 (Community Development Department):
$240,568 .
to be provided as follows:
Line B8
$940 from wetland fees
The remainder of Line B8 and Line B9
Property taxes, State aid and non-property tax local receipts
On motion by Mary Ellen O'Neill, Precinct 6, it was moved to amend B8 by increasing the
zoning salary by $12,000.
Motion to amend did not carry.
On Motion by William C. Brown, Precinct 8, it was moved to amend B8 by cutting the Town
Planner Salary in half (or reducing B8 by $25,245).
Motion to amend did not coy.
On motion by Michael F. Slezak, Precinct 6, it was moved to end debate on Lines B8 and B9.
2/3 vote required
113 voted in the affirmative
19 voted in the negative
Motion to end debate carries.
ARTICLE 13C - On motion by Carol S. Grimm, Chairman of the Finance Committee, it was
voted that the Town approve and appropriate the proposed FY2001 budget as presented for Line
Items C12 and C13 (Finance Department):
$ 827,403
to be provided as follows:
Lines C12 and C13
Property taxes, State aid and non-property tax local receipts
ARTICLE 13D - On motion by Carol S. Grimm, Chairman of the Finance Committee, it was
moved that the Town approve and appropriate the proposed FY2001 budget as presented for
Line Items D15 and D16 (General Services Department):
$588,634
to be provided as follows:
Lines D15 and D16
Property taxes, State aid and non-property tax local receipts
On motion by George V. Hines, Precinct 7, it was moved to amend D15 by adding back the
Assistant Town Manager Position - $50,870.
-3 - Annual Town Meeting
May 4, 2000
Chair in doubt as to vote
Counted vote requested
70 voted in the affirmative
72 voted in the negative
Motion to amend did not carry.
On motion by Gerald L. MacDonald, Precinct 3, it was moved to end debate on Lines D15 and
D16.
2/3 vote required
78 voted in the affirmative
54 voted in the negative
Motion to end debate did not carry.
Original motion carried.
ARTICLE 13E - On motion by Carol S. Grimm, Chairman of the Finance Committee, it was
voted that the Town approve and appropriate the proposed FY2001 budget as presented for Line
Items E12 and E13 (Human Services Department):
5381,553
to be provided as follows:
Lines E12 and E13
Property taxes, State aid and non-property tax local receipts
ARTICLE 13F - On motion by Carol S. Grimm, Chairman of the Finance Committee, it was
voted that the Town approve and appropriate the proposed FY2001 budget as presented for Line
Items F1 and F2 (Library Department):
$798,481
to be provided as follows:
Lines F 1 and F2
Property taxes, State aid and non-property tax local receipts
ARTICLE 13G - On motion by Carol S. Grimm, Chairman of the Finance Cormnittee, it was
moved that the Town approve and appropriate the proposed FY2001 budget as presented for
Line Items G9 and G10 (Public Safety Department):
$5,856,261
to be provided as follows:
Lines G9 and G10
Property taxes, State aid and non-property tax local receipts
-4- Annual Town Meeting
May 4, 2000
On motion by Gail F. Wood, Precinct 2, it was moved to amend Line 9 by reducing bottom line
by $10,118.
Motion to amend did not cajU.
On motion by Robert R. Lynch, Precinct 6, it was moved to amend Line G9 by reducing it by
$62,523 (Assistant Fire Chief position).
Motion to amend did not carry.
On motion by William C. Brown, Precinct 8, it was voted that this Annual Town Meeting stand
adjourned to meet at 7:30 p.m. at the Reading Memorial High School, on Monday, May 8, 2000.
Meeting adjourned at 10:57 p.m.
152 Town Meeting Members were present.
A true copy. Attest: Cher/AJohn_.on
. ATown Clerk
-5 - Annual Town Meeting
May 4, 2000