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Home My WebLink About2019-11-18 Subsequent Town Meeting MinutesSUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School Performing Arts Center November 16, 2019 The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Alan E. Foulds, at 7:35 PM, there being a quorum present. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was said by all. Motion made by Venessa Alvarado, Select Board to dispense of the reading of the warrant and all motions in their entirety. Motion Carried ARTICLE 16: Motion made by Community Planning and Development Commission that the Town vote to amend Section 6.0, Intensity Regulations, of the Zoning Bylaw as shown below, with additions being shown in bold italics and deletions being struck through: 6.0 INTENSITY REGULATIONS No use shall be established, nor building or structure erected in any district unless it conforms to the dimensional regulations of the Zoning Bylaw, or has been granted the proper relief. No existing lot, building or structure shall be eh -in -ed in 9 z -- shape -- that the height, area, yard er eeverage pnev s ens heFe n preser bed are be made non -conforming or become more non -conforming with the dimensional regulations of the Zoning Bylaw unless granted the proper relief. 6.1 General Requirements 6.1.1 Dimensional Requirements Dimensional requirements for all uses and buildings shall be as set forth in Section 6.3, the "Table of Dimensional Controls." The letters "NA" in this table denote that specific dimensional controls are not applicable to a particular use. Additional requirements shall be as set forth in Sections 6.2 and 6.3. 6.2 Supplementary Requirements All buildings, structures and uses shall be subject to the following additional requirements: 6.2.1 Lot Shape 6.2.1.1 Minimum Lot Width Specified Any newly created lot in a Residential District for which a minimum lot width is specified shall satisfy the following requirements: a Each lot shall have, in addition to the required frontage, the required minimum lot width at all points between the required frontage and the nearest point on the front wall of any dwelling on such lot; and b The angles formed by the intersection of the side lot lines and the right-of-way providing the minimum frontage shall not be less than 45 degrees, unless said frontage is on a cul-de-sac bulb. 6.2.1.2 Minimum Lot Width Not Specified Any newly created lot in any Zoning District for which a minimum lot width is not specified shall satisfy the following requirement: a The angles formed by the intersection of the side lot lines and the right-of-way providing the minimum frontage shall not be less than 45 degrees, unless said frontage is on a cul-de-sac bulb. 6.2.2 Yards 6.2.2.1 In Residence Districts, yard requirements shall not apply to projecting eaves, cornices, chimneys, steps, bow or bay windows, windowsills and belt courses that do not increase the gross Floor area of the building. lip... SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School Performing Arts Center November 18, 2019 6.2.3 Height 6.2.3.1 In the Industrial District, a hotel or motel may have a maximum height of eighty-four (84) feet if the following conditions are satisfied: a No hotel or motel building may cast an unacceptable shadow as determined by the CPDC based on stamped and sealed shadow studies submitted by the Applicant, on any building or lot containing a dwelling unit In existence at the time of the building permit application; b Along a major street, the hotel or motel building shall be set back a minimum of fifty (50) feet and a landscaped or naturally vegetated buffer at least twenty (20) feet wide shall be provided along the major street, except where there are curb cuts. 6.2.4 Gross Floor Area 6.2.4.1 In Apartment 40 and Business A Districts, the gross Floor area of a M. ulti-Ffamily Ddwelling, that Is not part of a Mixed -Use project, shall not exceed forty percent (40%) of the lot area. 6.2.4.2 In the Apartment 80 Districts, the gross Floor area of a Mrnulti-Ffamily Ddwelling shall not exceed the lot area. 6.2.4.3 The gross floor area dedicated to commercial space within a Mixed -Use project shall be not less than 25% of the gross floor area of the structure or structures comprising the project, after spaces for access, circulation, egress, mechanicals, and utilities are netted out. 6.2.5 Landscaped Area 6.2.5.1 In Apartment 40 and Business A Districts, not less than twenty-five percent (25%) of the area of a lot containing a Mmulti-Family Ddwelling, that is not part of a Mixed -Use project, shall be a landscaped area. 6.2.5.2 In Apartment 80 Districts, not less than thirty-five percent (35%) of the area of a lot containing a M+Nulti-F€amity Ddwelling shall be a landscaped area. 6.2.6 Buildings Per Lot 6.2.6.1 In the Apartment 80, Business A, Business C, Industrial and PUD -I Districts, a lot may have more than one principal building. 6.2.6.2 Where two or more principal buildings are permitted on the same lot: a The minimum distance between the buildings shall be determined, at the discretion of the Building Inspector, as follows: 1 The total distance between the proposed building(s) and any proposed or existing building(s) on the lot is adequate to meet Building Code and Fire Code requirements, accounting for fire -rating and other fire prevention/suppression features; and 2 The Fire Department has sufficient access between the buildings. b The area between the buildings shall be maintained and kept clear by the property owner. 6.2.7 Upland Requirement Any portion of a lot lying within a delineated wetlands resource area, as determined by the Reading Conservation Commission, may be credited to the minimum lot area requirements set forth in Section 6.3 only if the portion outside such wetlands resource area is of at least the following size: 2 [ P . , e SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School Performing Arts Center November 18, 2019 Zoning Minimum Area Outside of District Wetlands Resource Area Single Family 15 12,000 square feet Single Family 20 12,000 square feet Single Family 40 20,000 square feet One or Two Family Dwell ng In S-15 District 60 15 000 100 20 15 20 25 35 In S-20 Districts 80 20,000 1203 20 15 20 25 35 In S-40 Districts 80 40,000 200 20 15 20 25 35 In A-40 Districts 10,000 80 20 15 20 25 40 In Bus -A Districts NA NA 15.544 104 204 25 45 Multi -Family Dwellin In A-40 Districts 40,000 80 30 30 30 25 40 In A-80 Districts 80,000 NA 60 60 60 12.5 60 In Bus -A Districts 40,000 NA 15 30 30 25 40 In S-15 Districts 100,000 + 100 20 15 20 25 35 In S-20 Districts 100,000 + 120 20 15 20 25 35 In S-40 Districts 100,000 + 200 20 15 20 25 35 In A-40 Districts 100,000 + 80 20 15 20 25 40 In A-80 Districts 100,000 + NA 20 NA NA NA 60 Mixed -Use In Bus -A Districts NA NA 5 1 104 1 204 60 45 In Bus -C Districts NA NA 104 104 104 60 55s Hotel or Motel In Bus -A Districts NA NA 504 104 204 60 45 In BUS -B Districts NA NA NA NA 20 85 45 31Rage SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School Performing Arts Center November 18, 2019 4 Pa9< -Minimum Required imum Area Minimum Frets Required Required Maximum= NA NA 104 106 104 60 555 rPemitted NA NA SO6er 206 206 60 607 nci al Use15,000 100 20 15 20 25 35 Districts In 5-20 20,000 120 20 15 20 25 35 Districts In 5-40 40,000 200 20 15 20 25 35 Districts In A-40 10,000 80 20 NA NA NA 40 Districts In A-80 80,000 NA 20 NA NA NA 60 Districts In Bus -A NA NA 154 104 204 60 45 Districts In Bus -13 NA NA NA NA 20 85 45 Districts In Bus -C NA NA 104 104 104 60 555 Districts In Ind Districts NA NA 20fi 08 206 206 60 60 Exempt Uses — School and Church In S-15 15,000 100 15 30 30 25 35 Districts In 5-20 20,000 120 15 30 30 25 35 Districts In 5-40 40,000 200 15 30 30 25 35 Districts In A-40 10,000 80 NA 30 30 NA 40 Districts In A-80 80,000 NA NA 30 30 NA 60 Districts In BUS -A NA NA 10• 30° 304 60 45 Districts In BUS- B NA NA NA 30 30 85 45 Districts In BUS -C NA NA 104 304 304 60 55 Districts In Ind Districts NA NA 20668 206 206 60 60 4 Pa9< SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School November 18, 2019 Performing Arts Center Minimum Required Max Minimum Ared Minimum. I Front Required Required Maximum Buil 1 In Residence Districts, irrespective of the requirements set forth In this Table, the required front yard for any building other than a Mrnulti-Family Ddwelling shall be ten (10) feet or the average of the actual front setbacks of the buildings on the adjacent lots on either side, whichever is greater. For the purposes of this requirement, if an adjacent lot is vacant, it shall be deemed to be occupied by a building with a required front yard as specified in this Table. 2 Maximum height limits shall not apply to appurtenances such as: chimneys, elevators, poles, spires, tanks, towers or similar structures not intended to be used for human occupancy. 3 In Single Family 20 Districts, the required frontage shall be reduced to not less than eighty (80) feet if the street line is a curve having a radius of not more than two hundred (200) feet, and the lot has a width of not less than one hundred twenty (120) feet, measured along the rear of the required front yard. 4 In Business A and C Districts, the required yard measured from a street which is not designated as the front lot line shall be twenty (20) feet for any building other than a Mmulti-F#amity Ddwelling, which shall be 30 feet. A Mixed -Use project proposed on a corner lot may have a five (5) feet setback from both streets. A Mixed -Use project with a permanent shared parking arrangement with any non -residentially zoned abutting property may have a 0' setback from said abutting property. 5 Fifty-five (55) feet, except ninety-five (95) feet if the structure is located within four hundred (400) feet of the property line adjacent to Route 128, as the property line exists on May 1, 2000, including ramps, and south of Jacob Way and excluding areas within two hundred (200) feet of the residential zoning district to the west, all as more specifically shown on a plan entitled: "Plan Showing Height Limitation and Setback Areas, Business C District in Reading, Mass.," dated March 27, 2000, Scale 1" = 60', by Hayes Engineering, Inc., on file with the Reading Town Clerk. 6 Where an Industrial District lot directly adjoins another Industrial District lot, the applicable Required Side Yard or Required Rear Yard where the adjacency occurs can be reduced or eliminated, at the discretion of the Building Inspector, if the following conditions are met: a The total distance between the proposed buildings) and existing building(s) on adjacent lots Is adequate to meet Building Code and Fire Code requirements, accounting for fire -rating and other fire prevention/suppression features; and b The Fire Department has sufficient access between the proposed building(s) and existing building(s) on adjacent lots. The area(s) between any proposed building(s) and the lot line(s) shall be maintained and kept clear by the property owner. 7 Except as provided in Section 6.2.3.1 8 In an Industrial District, the Required Front Yard shall be five (5) feet for canopies over any drive- through facility. Presentation given by: - See Attached • John Weston Backaround: Article 16 is an amendment to Section 6.0, Intensity Regulations, of the Zoning Bylaw. Article 16 adds Mixed -Use to Section 6.3, Table of Dimensional Controls, establishes the dimensional controls, and clarifies language in certain subsections to ensure that the Intensity Regulations of Section 6.0 align with the Mixed -Use Regulations of Section 5.0 described in Article 15. SlPage SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School November 18, 2019 Performing Arts Center In Section 6.3, Table of Dimensional Controls, the proposed requirements and setbacks for Mixed -Use are based on requirements and setbacks currently allowed for other uses (i.e., Hotel or Motel) in the Business A and Business C Zoning Districts. The one exception to this is the 0 -foot Front yard Setback allowed for Mixed -Use in Business A. As in Article 15, Business C Is Included to avoid conflicts with other sections of the Zoning Bylaw and is not the primary focus of the amendments under Article 16. Finance Committee Report: No report Bylaw Committee Report: No report Community Planning and Development Commission Report - aiven by Tony D'Arezzo: On Monday, June 10, 2019, the CPDC convened to hold a public hearing on the proposed Article 16. All documents were made available on the town website. The public hearing was held to provide an opportunity for comment and to determine whether the provisions of the proposed Zoning Bylaw Amendment shall be adopted by the Town. The June 10, 2019 public hearing was opened at approximately 9:15 p.m. Any comments received at the hearing were included as part of the record of the hearing. The public hearing was continued to Monday, July 8, 2019, and again to Monday, August 12, 2019 to allow time for further discussion and public input. The public hearing was closed on August 12, 2019, and the CPDC voted 3-0-0 to recommend Article 16 to Town Meeting. Motion made by Jonathan Barnes, Precinct 5 as follows: 6.0 INTENSITY REGULATIONS No use shall be established, nor building or structure erected in any district unless it conforms to the dimensional regulations of the Zoning Bylaw, or has been granted the proper relief allowable by law. No existing lot, building or structure shall be made non- conforming or become more non -conforming with the dimensional regulations of the Zoning Bylaw unless granted the proper relief allowable by law. Accepted by Unanimously Motion made by Angela Binda, Precinct 5 as follows: Motion Does Not Carry 61Page Mixed -Use In Bus -A Districts NA NA 5304 104 204 60 45 In Bus -C Districts NA NA 104 104 104 60 555 Motion Does Not Carry 61Page SUBSEQUENT TUWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School November 18, 2019 Performing Arts Center Motion made by Heather Clish, Precinct 7 to the above amendment Mixed -Use In Bus -A NA NA 1 5-19 15 1 104 204 60 45 Districts 4 1 In Bus -C NA NA 104 104 104 60 555 Districts Motion made by Joseph Carnahan, Precinct 6 to Move the Question and end debate on the amendments above 2/3rd Vote Required 136 in the affirmative 13 in the negative 158 Town Meeting Members in Attendance Motion Carried Motion made by John Halsey, Precinct 1 as follows: Mixed -Use In Bus -A NA NA 1 104 1 204 60 45 Districts In Bus -C NA NA 104 104 104 60 555 Districts Motion Does Not Carry Motion made by Geoffrey Coram, Precinct 7 to Move the Question and end debate on the amendment above 2/3rd Vote Required 131 in the affirmative 16 In the negative 158 Town Meeting Members in Attendance Motion Carried 2/3rd Vote Required 131 in the affirmative 16 in the negative 158 Town Meeting Members in Attendance Motion Carried as Presented SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School Performing Arts Center November 18, 2019 ARTICLE 4: Motion made by the Finance Committee that the Town vote to amend the Town's Operating Budget for the Fiscal Year commencing July 1, 2019, as adopted under Article 20 of the Annual Town Meeting of April 2, 2019; raise and appropriate the sum of $1,651,765 from Free Cash; $80,000 from Water Enterprise Fund Reserves; $98,810 from Sewer Enterprise Fund Reserves; and $25,000 from Storm Water Enterprise Fund Reserves in order to reduce property taxes by $57,165 and State Aid by $162,020 and to decrease State Assessments by $22,420 for a total of $2,052,340. General Fund - Wages and Expenses in Description PAUSM Increase B99 - Benefits Health Insurance Premiums $149,000 -Malan— Expenses Debt service $220,000 C99 - Capital Please see Article 3 for details $220,000 $982;000 Expenses Net Operating Expenses 2,232 000 D99 - Debt Service Defer debt repayments by one year $750,000 Expenses $480k bldg. sec; 270k Turf 2 H92 - Public Birch Meadow Design $20,000 $40,000 Services Expenses Open Space Plan Consultant $20,000 392 - Public Safety Dispatch EMD Medical Director $7,000 $57,000 Expenses Fire $32k grant needs local match $6,000 Police Cruisers +$38,500 (for 3) Police BeSafe floor plan updates $5,500 K92 - Public Works Town Forest thinning project $25,000 $25,000 Expenses Subtotals $899,000 ¢&7304000 $2,354,000 Net Operating Expenses ;205r080 $1,455,000 From New Growth $57,165 Net State Aid/Assess $139,600 From State Aid ($162,020) For State Assessments ($22,420) From Free Cash $4017765 $1,651,765 Enterprise Funds - Wages and Expenses Account Line Description Derr ase Increase W99 - Water EF Additional capital funding for Main Street water main cleaning and lining project 300,000 $300,000 Debt service $220,000 Subtotals $220,000 $300,000 Net Operating Expenses $80,000 From Reserves $80,000 8iraae SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School Performing Arts Center November 18, 2019 X99 - Sewer EF Additional capital funding for Sturges $98,810 station design (environmental tests) +$65,000 Additional debt funding for MWRA interest-free loans +$33,810 Subtotals $98,810 Net Operating Expenses $98,810 From Reserves Additional capital funding for Catch Basin $98,810 $25,000 X99 - Storm Water EF Truck +$25,000 Subtotals $25,000 Net Operating Expenses 1$25,000 Presentation given by: - See Attached . Bob Lei-acheur Finance Committee Report - aiven by Paula Perry: At their meeting on October 16, 2019 the Finance Committee voted 9-0 to recommend this Article to Town Meeting. Discussed again with more information on November 6, 2020 and voted 9-0. Please see the Finance Committee report under Article 3 for more details. Bylaw Committee Report: No report Select Board Report: The Select Board on October 16, 2019 voted 3-0 to support this Article. Their vote included a $750,000 request for elementary school space, and occurred before the FINCOM discussion on the matter as described under Article 3. After some discussion it was voted Motion Carried ARTICLE 5: Motion made by the Select Board that the Town pay an invoice from Verizon from prior fiscal years for a total of $188.34 from Free Cash. Presentation given by: - See Attached . Sharon Angstrom Backaround: In April 2019 the town became aware of an outstanding balance due on one of its Verizon accounts. A staff member in the Accounting office noticed a balance carrying forward in the amount of $188.34. Inquiry into the matter finally revealed that a monthly bill was not paid back in one of the prior years. Verizon never sent any notice to highlight this oversight, it was discovered by staff inquiry regarding the carryforward balance. Finance Committee Report - given by Marc Moll: At their meeting on October 16, 2019 the Finance Committee voted 9-0 to recommend this Article to Town Meeting. Bylaw Committee Report: No report 9l Paye SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School November 18, 2019 Performing Arts Center Select Board Report: The Select Board on October 15, 2019 voted 4-0 to support this Article. 9/10th Vote Required Declared by Moderator 158 Town Meeting Members in Attendance Motion Carried ARTICLE 6: Motion made by the Select Board to indefinitely postpone the subject matter of Article 6 Motion Carried ARTICLE 7: Motion made by the Select Board to indefinitely postpone the subject matter of Article 7 Motion Carried ARTICLE 8: Motion made by the Select Board that the Town vote to amend the votes taken under Article 15 of the April 22, 2013 Annual Town Meeting to reduce the amount authorized thereby for Sewer Collection System Bonds by $460,000; and under Article 4 of the April 27, 2015 Special Town Meeting for the Birch Meadow Field Lighting Bonds by $900,000 respectively. Presentation given by: - See Attached • Sharon Angstrom Baekaround: Debt had been authorized for the above projects, and the final costs were known to be less by the amounts stated above before the debt was sold. This Article removes the excess debt authorized. At April 22, 2013 Annual Town Meeting a debt authorization was approved for $460,000 under Article 15 for sewer main work on Lewis Street, Charles Street and Howard Street. The project was to be funded by $110,000 MWRA loan/grant program and $350,000 from the sewer operating budget for capital projects. The project was completed with the $350,000 of capital funds and no debt was issued for this project. The debt authorization is unneeded and needs to be rescinded. At April 27, 2015 Special Town Meeting a debt authorization was approved for $1,000,000 under Article 4 for the Birch Meadow Field Lighting Project. This project was to install newer energy efficient lighting for the entire Complex (5 fields). Design expenses were paid in the amount of $100,000 in preparation to put the Birch Meadow Field Lighting Project out to bid. The bids for this project came in much higher than the amount authorized. While some of the field lighting was affordable and the Select Board had prioritized by rank order the five fields for the possibility of high bids, the then Chair and Town Manager agreed to postpone the entire project. The unfunded debt authorization was left on the books to allow the Recreation Committee to complete work on the Birch Meadow Master Plan. As this planning is still in progress, the remaining $900,000 is now requested to be rescinded and a new plan for the Birch Meadow area will be provided to a future Town Meeting. Last year, during the budget planning process, Turf II field replacement was advanced in the capital plan at the request of FINCOM due to safety concerns. The Turf II field project was requested in Article 15 at April 2019 Annual Town Meeting with the lighting Included as it seemed to make sense to address both 201 Page SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School November 18, 2019 Performing Arts Center the field and the lighting for the field as one project. Thus, there are four remaining fields at Birch Meadow to be considered for future field lighting. An instructional motion at that Town Meeting requested FINCOM and the Town Accountant to examine all outstanding debt authorizations, and these two requests above are a result of that inquiry. Finance Committee Report — aiven by Shawn Brandt: At their meeting on October 16, 2019 the Finance Committee voted 9-0 to recommend this Article to Town Meeting. Bylaw Committee Report: No report Select Board Report: The Select Board on October 15, 2019 voted 4-0 to support this Article. After some discussion it was voted Motion Carried ARTICLE 9: Motion made by the Reading Retirement Board that the Town vote, pursuant to Section 103(j) of Chapter 32 of the Massachusetts General Laws, to accept an increase in the maximum Retirement Cost of Living Base, from $12,000 to $14,000, as accepted by the Reading Retirement Board, such acceptance to be effective as of the date that a certification of the Town Meeting vote is filed with the Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission. Presentation given by: - See Attached Sharon Angstrom Background: Chapter 188 of the Ads of 2010, an Act Relative to Municipal Relief, contained a number of provisions pertaining to public pensions. It became effective on July 27, 2010. Pursuant to Section 19 of Chapter 188 of the Acts of 2010, subsection (j) was added to General Laws, Chapter 32, Section 103, which grants retirement systems the discretion, subject to local legislative approval, to increase the maximum base on which the COLA is calculated in multiples of $1,000. Presently, the amount Is $12,000. If approved, the COLA Base Increase from $12,000 to $14,000 would be effective July 1, 2020. The maximum amount of any COLA is 3%, which means if approved the maximum annual COLA could increase from $360 per year to $420 per year, or an increase of $60 per retiree. On September 24, 2019, the Retirement Board voted to increase the COLA base from $12,000 to $14,000. Acceptance by Town Meeting is deemed to have occurred upon filing of a certification of the vote of the legislative body with PERAC (Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission). A decision to accept a COLA base increase cannot be revoked. In September 2019, an article titled Boards Still At Original 1997 COLA Base, was written in the Voice. The Voice is a Newsletter for retired public employees. This article highlights 11 communities within Massachusetts with pension funding statuses above 65% that are still at the original $12,000 COLA base (chart from article provided below). In the article, Frank Valeri, President of the Retirees Association offered the following observations. "Shrewsbury, Concord and Winthrop are certainly in a position to adjust the COLA base in an effort to give back to their retirees some of the asset growth they have experienced, especially since these systems are making the investment earnings on member contributions." 111 P a qe SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School Performing Arts Center November 18, 2019 Retirement System Percentage funded Valuation Date '97-98 Funding Investment Retirement Assumption FY Funding Complete Leominster 99.7% 1/1/18 64.4% 5.50% 2020 Shrewsbury 92.4% 1118 64.1% 7.50% 2020 Concord 86.5% 1/1/18 64.1% 7.50% 2029 Winthrop80.8% 1117 60.0% 7.25% 2028 Marlboro 76.4% 1/1/17 55.7% 7.50% 2025 Reading 73.8% 1/1/17 56.8% 7.65% 2029 Framingham 1 71.4% 1 1/1/18 67.5% 1 7.35% 2030 Hol oke 67.7% /1/18 111/111/11:--155.3% 64.1% 7.50% 2032 We mouth 66.1% 1 1 18 55.3% 1 7.50% 1 2035 Newburyport 1 65.3% 1 1/1/18 1 52.7% 1 7.50% 1 2035 Braintree 1 65.1% 1 1118 1 66.8% 1 7.65% 1 2033 Below is a chart showing the COLA base amounts for our peer communities. All but two of Reading's peer communities have increased the COLA base from the original COLA base of $12,000 that was put into place in 1997. COLA base amounts for peer communities Name Andover Retirement Board Belmont Retirement Board Danvers Retirement Board Dedham Retirement Board Milton Retirement Board Natick Retirement Board Shrewsbury Retirement Board Stoneham Retirement Board Wakefield Retirement Board Winchester Retirement Board Middlesunty Retirement Board Bedford Burlington Tewksbury Westford Wilmington North Reading Amount $12,000.00 $13,000.00 $13,000.00 $15,000.00 $15,000.00 $13,000.00 $12,000.00 $13,000.00 $14,000.00 $14,000.00 .' $16,000.00 Norfolk County Retirement$oard„ $18,000.00 Canton Walpole Essex Regional Retirement `iiTa`W $14,000.00 Lynnfield North Andover Bristol County Retirement Board $18,000.00 Finance Committee Report — elven by Sean Jacobs: At their meeting on October 9, 2019 the Finance Committee voted 8-0 to recommend this Article to Town Meeting. Bylaw Committee Report: No report 1211. y. SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School November 18, 2019 Performing Arts Center After some discussion a vote was taken Motion Carried ARTICLE 10: Motion made by the Select Board that the Town vote to authorize the Town Manager to enter Into a contract or contracts for the purpose of securing the services of an Affordable Housing Monitoring Agent, including any extension, renewal or option under an existing contract, for a term in excess of three years, upon such terms and conditions determined by the Town Manager to be in the best interests of the Town. Presentation given by: - See Attached • Jean Delios Background: MGL Chapter 30B (the Uniform Procurement Act) limits contracts to a three-year maximum unless the legislative body (Town Meeting in Reading) approves a longer term. The Town has requested that Town Meeting approve such extensions previously for tangible reasons - such as school technology leases, and rubbish contracts. This request is a bit less tangible. An Affordable Housing Monitoring Agent is always selected by the developer of a project, and then appointed by the Select Board. When hired by a developer, no term limit is cited or needed. The developer, Pulte Homes, hired a Monitoring Agent for Reading Woods, with the approval of the then Board of Selectmen. All of the units have been sold, and a condominium association is now in place, with a property manager handling daily activities. The untimely death of that Monitoring Agent caused Town Staff to temporarily fill that role, and recently the Select Board appointed the new Agent (LDS Consulting) to a three-year term. If this Article is approved, the Town Manager could propose to the Select Board a term longer than three years for the current Reading Woods Monitoring Agent, or any other similar situation. This would guarantee continuity in the important affordable housing process in Reading. Finance Committee Report - given by Karen Herrick: At their meeting on October 16, 2019 the Finance Committee voted 9-0 to recommend this Article to Town Meeting. Bylaw Committee Report: No report Select Board Report: The Select Board on October 15, 2019 voted 4-0 to support this Article. After some discussion a vote was taken Motion Carried ARTICLE 11: Motion made by the Select Board that the Town vote to authorize the Town Manager to enter into a contract or contracts for the acceptance, processing or disposal of its municipal solid waste, including any extension, renewal or option under an existing contract, for a term in excess of three years, upon such terms and conditions determined by the Town Manager to be in the best interests of the Town. Select Board Presentation given by: - See Attached Bob LeLacheur 131 P a g SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School November 18, 2019 Performing Arts Center Background: The current rubbish disposal contract is due to expire In June 2020. While disposal contracts are not subject to typical state procurement laws, the town may decide to issue a formal request for competitive quotes from qualified parties Instead of renewing with the current contractor. Factors for this decision will include level and quality of service In addition to short-term and long-term cost considerations. At present we are also collaborating with several other communities on this issue. For additional background, Subsequent Town Meeting in November 2005 authorized the Town Manager to enter into a contract for the town's rubbish hauling and recycling contract exceeding three years but not twenty years. The final deal struck a few months later involved a five-year contract with a five-year renewal, which was exercised and then expired on July 1, 2016. Annual Town Meeting in April 2015 authorized the Town Manager to exceed three years with no limit provided it was in the best interests of the town. A ten-year deal was signed that expires In June 2026, and increases only 3% annually. Market conditions have changed significantly in the past 20 years for rubbish disposal. Some communities have even lost their vendors on short notice despite having longer term contracts signed. The Town of Reading works closely with both our rubbish disposal and hauling vendors and meet regularly to discuss market volatility, impacted by global economic demand and events. Our reputation for working collaboratively with vendors will hopefully avoid any disruptions to our residents. The next rubbish disposal contract is expected to be a financial challenge, and we have already shared preliminary budget thoughts with the FINCOM and other elected boards. Volatility in the market is expected to result in contracts offered to the town not longer than ten years in length. This Article requests Town Meeting to give staff the ability to exceed three years in the next contract in order to look out for the best interests of the town. Finance Committee Report — alven by Erie Burkhart: At their meeting on October 16, 2019 the Finance Committee voted 9-0 to recommend this Article to Town Meeting. Bylaw Committee Report: No report Select Board Report: The Select Board on October 15, 2019 voted 4-0 to support this Article. Motion made by Gina Snyder, Precinct 5 to amend as follows to authorize the Town Manager to enter Into a contract or contracts prior to July 1, 2025 for the acceptance, processing or disposal of its municipal solid waste, Including any extension, renewal or option under an existing contract, for a term in excess of three years, upon such terms and conditions determined by the Town Manager to be in the best interests of the Town. ion Carrl After some discussion a vote was taken Motion Carried as Amended 141 Pa 9e SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School November 18, 2019 Performing Arts Center Motion to adjourn made by Bill Brown, Precinct 8 at 10:07 PM Motion Does Not Carry ARTICLE 12; Motion made by the Select Board that the Town vote to authorize the Select Board, on behalf of the Town, to petition the General Court for passage of a special law substantially as provided below. The Legislature may make clerical or editorial changes in form only to the bill, unless the Select Board approves amendments to the bill before enactment by the Legislature. The Select Board is hereby authorized to approve amendments that shall be within the scope of the general public objectives of this petition. AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE TOWN OF READING TO ESTABLISH A MEANS TESTED SENIOR CITIZEN PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION SECTION 1. with respect to each qualifying parcel of real property classified as class one, residential in the town of Reading there shall be an exemption from the property tax in an amount to be set annually by the select board as provided in section 3. The exemption shall be applied to the domicile of the taxpayer only. For the purposes of this act, "parcel" shall be a unit of real property as defined by the board of assessors under the deed for the property and shall include a condominium unit. The exemption provided for herein shall be in addition to any and all other exemptions allowed by the General Laws. SECTION 2. The board of assessors may deny an application if they find the applicant has excessive assets that place them outside of the Intended recipients of the senior exemption created by this act. Real property shall qualify for the exemption under section 1 if all of the following criteria are met: (a) The qualifying real property is owned and occupied by a person whose prior year's income would make the person eligible for the circuit breaker income tax credit under section 6(k) of chapter 62 of the General Laws; (b) The qualifying real property is owned by a single applicant age 65 or older at the close of the previous year or jointly by persons either of whom is age 65 or above at the close of the previous year and if the joint applicant is 60 years of age or older; (c) The qualifying real property is owned and occupied by the applicant or joint applicants as their domicile; (d) The applicant or at least 1 of the joint applicants has been domiciled and owned a home in the town of Reading for at least 10 consecutive years before filing an application for the exemption; (e) The maximum assessed value of the domicile is no greater than the prior year's maximum assessed value for qualification for the circuit breaker income tax credit under Section 6(k) of chapter 62 of the General Laws as adjusted annually by the Department of Revenue; and (f) The board of assessors has approved the application. SECTION 3. The select board shall annually set the exemption amount provided for in section 1 at one hundred and fifty percent of the amount of the circuit breaker income tax credit under section 6(k) of chapter 62 of the General Laws for which the applicant qualified in the previous year. The total amount exempted by this act shall be allocated proportionally within the tax levy on all residential taxpayers. SECTION 4. A person who seeks to qualify for the exemption under section 1 shall, before the deadline established by the board of assessors, file an application, on a form to be adopted by the board of assessors, with the supporting documentation of the applicant's income and assets as described in the application. The application shall be fled each year for which the applicant seeks the exemption. SECTION S. No exemption shall be granted under this act until the Department of Revenue certifies a residential tax rate for the applicable tax year where the total exemption amount is raised by a burden shift within the residential tax levy. 151 Pa g< SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School November 18, 2019 Performing Arts Center SECTION 6. This act shall expire after 3 years of implementation of the exemption. Presentation given by: • Bob LeLacheur Backaround: A Special Town Meeting on September 12, 2016 approved four Articles designed to assist the Town's elderly population. the first Article increased the elderly tax exemption specified in Chapter 59, Section 5, Clause 41C of the Massachusetts General Laws from $750.00 to $1,000.00; the second Article accepted the provision of General taws Chapter 59, Section 5 added by Chapter 181 of the Acts of 1995, which authorizes an annual increase in the amount of the exemption granted to senior citizens, surviving spouses and surviving minors under General taws Chapter 59, Section 5, Clause 17D; D the third Article reduced the interest rate specified in any tax deferral and recovery agreement to be entered into pursuant to Chapter 59, Section 5, Clause 41A of the Massachusetts General Laws, for any fiscal year beginning on or after July 1, 2017, from 8% to 4%; D and the fourth Article requested a Home Rule Petition to establish a means tested Senior Citizen Property Tax Exemption for three years. This Article seeks to extend that Home Rule Petition for another three years, with a minor change requested that will be described below. Since there are many new members to Town Meeting, here is an excerpt of background on the initial request: 2016 In preparation for a future Override, almost two years ago Town Finance staff began researching tax policy that could assist the Reading seniors for which property taxes were a high financial burden. The three previous Articles all assist a very small number of seniors as has been mentioned. However, Town Public Safety and Human/Elder Services staff routinely interact with a much larger senior population, which face both medical and financial challenges to remain in their Reading homes. Many of them have lived In town for decades. No such tools existed in state tax policy to accomplish thls assistance. Several months ago, we learned of two relatively recent Home Rule Petitions - in Sudbury and In Wayland - that aim to protect senior taxpayers. The Assessing division and the Town Manager began researching these options, asking peer communities, local legislators, and the state Department of Revenue. The research showed that interest was high, but only these two communities had made an effort. The Sudbury model appealed at first, but the two main drawbacks were a tax benefit as high as 50% of the tax bill ($3,600 on an average home in Reading) and the amount of staff labor involved in reviewing applications and applying local rules to determine eligibility. Combining the approaches from both Sudbury and Wayland lowered the potential benefit, as shown below, and significantly reduced the staff workload. Therefore, this Article seeks a 'third -in -the -state' Home Rule Petition to address property tax financial challenges faced by seniors. In a discussion with our peers, this approach may become a model for other communities, and in speaking to our legislators this effort may find Its way into state legislation. It is important to note that the state made clear that it would only consider approving a Home Rule Petition with a term of three years or less. Recently Sudbury sought to extend their Initial three-year term to be permanent, but the state denied their request and allowed a three-year extension. To be eligible for the Reading property tax exemption, the senior: (1) has filed and been deemed eligible for a prior year Schedule CB (Circuit Breaker) for the purpose of state income taxes; (2) has owned property in Reading for at least ten previous consecutive years; and (3) applies annually to the Board of Assessors for the exemption. 161 Pa g SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School November 18, 2019 Performing Arts Center The CB state income tax break serves as the basis for determining the local property tax relief. Annually the Board of Selectmen at their Tax Classification Hearing (usually in November, to be effective the following July), will set the exemption between 50% and 200% of the Schedule CB income tax relief. The exact % multiplier will be determined by how many seniors qualify for the exemption, and the total amount of senior tax relief (discussed below) desired by the Board. Please see the following Table for some examples of possible local property tax relief seen by applicants: Schedule CB benefit 50% local tax 12S% tax relief relief I 200% local tax I relief 1070 Maximum 535 $1,337 $2,140 856 (Average) 428 11,070 S1 712 2016-2019 Over the first three years of this program, an average of 180 applicants received a total tax break of $4,900 (over $1,600 annually). The default cost of these tax savings fell entirely to the remainder of the residential class. The Select Board split the commercial/industrial/personal property tax rate from the residential one for the first time in Reading, so that all classes of taxpayers shared in the cost of this Senior Tax Relief program. Below is a summary for these first three years: 2019 — one small change This Home Rule Petition changes the 50% to 200% annual range to be voted by the Select Board and fixes it at 150% (see Section 3 of this Article). The Board agreed to request this change, as a higher % had the undesirable effect of making some taxpayers ineligible in the following year, and a lower % was simply not enough financial assistance. Recall from above the wide range of initial uncertainty as to how many applicants would step forward and finally be determined to qualify for the program. No other changes are requested to the original program. State-wide interest in senior tax relief has risen significantly over the past three years, with the Reading model as a centerpiece. We expect to see legislation in the coming years, so that other communities may more easily adopt such tax relief. Meanwhile, Reading is proud to have stepped forward to help our seniors'age in place'. Finance Committee Report — aiven by Ed Ross; At their meeting on October 16, 2019 the Finance Committee voted 9-0 to recommend this Article to Town Meeting. Bylaw Committee Report: No report Select Board Report: The Select Board on October 15, 2019 voted 4-0 to support this Article. Motion to amend made by Thomas Grant, Precinct 4 as follows: SECTION 3. The select board shall annually set the exemption amount provided for in section 1 at one hundred and filly twenty five percent of the amount of the circuit breaker Income tax credit under section 6(k) of chapter 62 of the General Laws for which the applicant qualified in the previous year. The 17 1o•g• Applicants Granted Factor179M FY 2020 186 182 1.5x FY 2019 182 175 1.5x FY 2018 193 183 2.Ox TOTAL 561 540 2019 — one small change This Home Rule Petition changes the 50% to 200% annual range to be voted by the Select Board and fixes it at 150% (see Section 3 of this Article). The Board agreed to request this change, as a higher % had the undesirable effect of making some taxpayers ineligible in the following year, and a lower % was simply not enough financial assistance. Recall from above the wide range of initial uncertainty as to how many applicants would step forward and finally be determined to qualify for the program. No other changes are requested to the original program. State-wide interest in senior tax relief has risen significantly over the past three years, with the Reading model as a centerpiece. We expect to see legislation in the coming years, so that other communities may more easily adopt such tax relief. Meanwhile, Reading is proud to have stepped forward to help our seniors'age in place'. Finance Committee Report — aiven by Ed Ross; At their meeting on October 16, 2019 the Finance Committee voted 9-0 to recommend this Article to Town Meeting. Bylaw Committee Report: No report Select Board Report: The Select Board on October 15, 2019 voted 4-0 to support this Article. Motion to amend made by Thomas Grant, Precinct 4 as follows: SECTION 3. The select board shall annually set the exemption amount provided for in section 1 at one hundred and filly twenty five percent of the amount of the circuit breaker Income tax credit under section 6(k) of chapter 62 of the General Laws for which the applicant qualified in the previous year. The 17 1o•g• SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School November 18, 2019 Performing Arts Center total amount exempted by this act shall be allocated proportionally within the tax levy on all residential taxpayers. Motion to Amend Does Not Carry Motion to Move the Question made by Keven Leete, Precinct 1 2/3rd Vote Required 129 in the affirmative 9 in the negative 158 Town Meeting Members in Attendance Motion to Move the Question Carried Motion Carried as Presented ARTICLE 17: Motion made by Select Board members Venessa Alvarado and Andrew Friedmann that the Town vote to transfer from Free Cash the sum of $35,000, to engage an independent engineer or related professional contractor to perform a comprehensive audit to detect natural gas leaks in Town. Using proven leak measurement methodology, the contractor will characterize the nature and extent of natural gas leaks on public right of ways or Town property, Including roadways and outdoor areas around schools and other Town -owned buildings; provided, however, that, if a gas leak appears to extend onto private property and the property owner allows access thereto, the contractor may characterize the combined public and private extent of those readings. Presentation given by: • Venessa Alvarado • Andrew Friedmann • David Zeek Background: This Article funds an independent audit of gas leaks in the Town of Reading. We recommend an independent audit because of the audit results of three nearby towns, each of which found a significantly higher number of leaks than previously reported by National Grid. Gas leaks are dangerous, costly, and contribute to global warming. The number of gas leaks In Reading that have been reported to the Department of Public Utilities by National Grid is increasing. The risk of these leaks was highlighted by the explosions in November 2018 in the Merrimack Valley. Similar circumstances in Reading could result in these devastating types of explosions. In two of the towns that conducted independent audits, Grade I leaks, those that pose existing or probable hazards to persons or property, were detected by the independent audits and Immediately repaired. Leaked gas is also harmful to human health. Adults and children breathing natural gas are exposed to over 100 toxic chemicals present in the gas as a result of fracking. Gas leaks also create a financial burden to residents. Non -ratepayers are Impacted due to the higher rates for municipal and school buildings. Ratepayers face a double impact, both as residents and as natural gas consumers themselves. The financial cost of gas leaks also extends to property owners, including the town, in the form of damaged trees. Natural gas leaks can damage or kill trees by suffocating their roots, so residents and the town lose money due to damage, maintenance and replacement of trees. A number SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School November 18, 2019 Performing Arts Center of towns have successfully recouped money for damaged or dead trees while others have realized cost savings by avoiding planting new trees where there are gas leaks. Gas leaks contribute to global warming. Pound for pound, methane (90% of natural gas) traps 84 times as much atmospheric heat as carbon dioxide. An academic study indicated that almost all of the methane in the air over the Boston area came from natural gas. Citizen awareness and alarm is growing across the Commonwealth. An online petition signed by over 200 citizens of Reading and print petitions signed by over 80 citizens request this audit. An independent audit will provide Reading residents with more accurate information regarding the location, size, and nature of natural gas leaks in town. The audit will proceed iteratively, with the first phase (Phase I) comprised of a mobile driving survey (see example of results below) using a Cavity Ringdown Spectrometer to measure methane concentrations above roads that lie along the gas distribution lines throughout Reading. Any Grade I leaks detected during Phase I of the audit will be reported to National Grid. Information gathered during Phase I will be used to determine where to focus Phase 2. Large volume leaks can be identified using the leak extent method during the Phase II portion of the audit. Large volume leaks result in the greatest fracked natural gas exposure to both humans and the environment, constitute the greatest cost to ratepayers, and make up the largest contribution of methane emissions to the atmosphere. Gas leaks near trees may be audited to determine whether they endanger the trees. The phased approach to the work would lend itself to direction from a group of stakeholders. The stakeholders may include, but need not be limited to, the auditor, a member of the Climate Advisory Committee, a member of the Select Board, the Town Manager, and staff from the Department of Public Works. Once the Phase I work is complete, the stakeholders would take information from Phase I and determine how, or if, to proceed with Phase II work. This audit does not authorize Reading town staff to repair gas leaks or dig up gas lines. Leak repairs and pipeline replacement remain the responsibility of National Grid. As part of a 20+ town cooperative initiative, Reading can work with National Grid to prioritize large volume leaks for repair. These repairs will address the leak's that have significant environmental Impact, save the town and residents money, reduce human exposure to toxic chemicals and save our town's trees. Finance Committee Report — Given by Karen Herrick: At their meeting on October 16, 2019 the Finance Committee voted 8-1 to recommend this Article to Town Meeting. Bylaw Committee Report: No report Select Board Report: The Select Board on October 15, 2019 voted 4-0 to support this Article. Motion to amend made by Bill Brown, Precinct 8 as follows Move that the Town vote to transfer from Free Cash the sum of $35;900, $5,000 to engage an independent engineer or related professional contractor to perform a comprehensive audit to detect natural gas leaks in Town. Using proven leak measurement methodology, the contractor will characterize the nature and extent of natural gas leaks on public right of ways or Town property, including roadways and outdoor areas around schools and other Town -owned buildings; provided, however, that, if a gas leak appears to extend onto private property and the property owner allows access thereto, the contractor may characterize the combined public and private extent of those readings. SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School Performing Arts Center Motion to Amend Does Not Carry After some discussion it was voted Motion Carried Motion made by John Halsey, Select Board to adjourn sine die Motion Does Not Carry ARTICLE 2: Motion made by Vanessa Alvarado to take Article 2 off the table Motion Carried Instructional Motion 1 made by Karen Herrick, Precinct 8: November 18, 2019 Move that Town Meeting request the Select Board to consider taking action to join the MA Green Communities In 2020 (or other equivalent program) to achieve on-going energy improvements, and to create a plan to begin implementing significant renewable energy solutions, and to report updates at each Annual and Subsequent Town Meeting Instructional Motion 1 Carri Instructional Motion 2 made by MaryEllen O'Neill, Precinct 4: Move that Town Meeting instruct the Select Board to adopt post-haste a town -wide tree policy that includes at least the following elements: • A commitment to strengthening our municipal forestry department to enable expanded tree planting along roadways and in off -roadway locations and expanded tree maintenance services; . A ban on the clear -cutting of land proposed for development; and * A heritage tree program to protect large mature trees from unnecessary removal. Instructional Motion 2 Carried Motion made by John Halsey, Select Board to adjourn sine die Motion Does Not Carry Instructional Motion 3 made by John Uppitt, Precinct 7 Use of renewable energy Direct the Select Board to begin as soon as possible a review of town and school energy use in order to identify opportunities to use renewable energy, including alternative energy vehicles, and to generate renewable energy. Instructional Motion 201 ra,e SUBSEQUENT TUWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School Performing Arts Center Instructional Motion 4 made by John Lippitt, Precinct 7: November 18, 2019 Split of the Town's discretionary budget between the Town and the Schools Direct the Select Board, the School Committee, and the Finance Committee to review the percentage split of the Town's discretionary budget between the Town and the schools. And, after initial individual reviews of this issue, as a group, perhaps at a Financial Forum, engage Town Meeting Members and Town residents in a discussion of the appropriate split of the Town's discretionary budget between the Town and the schools. Instructional Motion 4 Does Not Carry On motion by Vanessa Alvarado, Select Board it was voted that this Subsequent Town Meeting adjourn sine die at 11:59 PM with 158 Town Meeting Members in attendance. Motion Carried A true copy Attest: Laura A Gemme, CMC /CMMC Town Clerk 211 P age 9/29/2021 Birch Meadow Classroom Space Need .READING PUBNC SCHOOLS .NOVEMBER .NOVEMBER MECTNG ..RTICLE 3 AND a 4'. .NOVEMBER 12, M119 . Ebmentary EnaMment and Space Elementary Stt Qy began in Stang, M119 Elementary . Canmctee W G»napp Ava=l h, Enrollment .Enpamemvpccam,actec m Study NESDEC and Space .P2wnlamn an Eansfaw wa. macre at Navin W7th Scl dCOMWI e Study M991bq . Gemppal,o mlme]cumm,wce reeaal Elementary Enrollment eo„. o.d and Space M`Oeeeo"' ad" M pm,f�SIM, Study 9/29/2021 11� Driven by Me following faclon Birch • Ihmore In the nlnnhcafslpaeth in compo% Fngmm.1 WhMBOaow Meadow .mtx.t. It.. Space .m"1' 20ar— r mts_m rzpmfrmnt l,nwlclmmn, Needs .mxizl DOuucwn, ^.io-t l amx�i�xomnmximat Needs ghee r,o Driven by Me following factors .1—rea ernoll iael al,a K-3 bvel, iii the 201718 school year Birch .mv-awl.^ays xareh e Meadow .igen'. chany— m.,ta.ne Space w, Needs ms] .ia x"`l Yea,,.wm n -d mbrzarla,m ^alas., . mZYrzI $cMolvw I10,Menk xESDCC ngafiml 9/29/2021 _10/15/19 _ Elemenfa Enrollment As of pyx xwmraam=oom. �-.osa.w�� _ OWN«�� a Napr 9/29/2021 4bmbbdn Ai vwnww.v'o'.....r byuo�mM Fce DiS AoiAve�u�eMvviawummeP •(trwwrtuu 11mPbpxumnitlf 9/29/2021 Article 17, Natural Gas Leaks Town of Reading Subsequent Town Meeting November 2019 Why Do We Care? Gas leaks mnhimo bglMal—loan¢ Makers Pat Ir tralmou Ve Ir, kerI i;Eens M1er une" 84K theuser that .—de does. Ga a leaks are da chador. I, re r, he ha— rack Valley.... happen en. Gas leap a re harmful m human hearth r.,.uau wn,.InawaemMa r[ eemr, he"..'r—rd con 'sham` -1. Gas leaks cost us mold, :a re'ea con, f In. yy leak reps., ne pm,la, mple-mmr. Gas leaks oll trees and other plash, FIX READING'S LARGE VOLUME GAS LEAKS SIGN THE PETITION IPEIIIIONS.COM/PETIIIOK/EIS- KIADIMOS-OAS-LEAKS :9 s.M.......s..e0 1a ' ,a s Ie s hartwaad'. I® as FIX READING'S LARGE VOLUME GAS LEAKS SIGN THE PETITION IPEIIIIONS.COM/PETIIIOK/EIS- KIADIMOS-OAS-LEAKS :9 Reading Is Not the First Matlingls nN the flrst Wwn to take an atthe interest in monitoringuh Vs infrastructure. Reading residents are not the find to be concerned about •hat mor aging and leaking system mould mean to our community. Folloaang are those samples of samns that performed similar audits and used the results in different ways. Path Forward for Reading pnaed approach 34reet melaena rvey a.pmem.wax.yandaweaaax.y 2-0se�—.1w whadrat" I'll ia ul[xto ule<[netlnepyea.. aayaxuion.i an,, mmxp —,m enter., ran, 11. opw, Ime, hx warden, ranched Indene m t aam Gas Leaks Au do dues nN: AUNarlu w m upablaaks Absalae Nnnal Grid from it.., ate den had or mw Article 17, Natural Gas Leaks ARTICLE 17 To me if the Town vAI vote to mire and appropriate, transkrhwn available funtls, bortow, pratM1erwiu provitle a sum a enmz of money, nmto sued 535,1%Io, to engage an Independent ®neer m related pmfasslonal contntlorto perform a wmpaheamm audit totlrtea rotund gas leeks in Town. Using proven leak ment metM1 Wologg[M1e wntntlor will [M1an[utltt the nature a d eMe. of nrtural gss I¢eks on publi[ rigM1[ of ways or Town propeM. intlutling roadways and oultloor areas around .Fools and other Town word builtlinp; provitletl, however, thrt, if a gas leak slypears [o the., the<onhao mav=Na?ae property, e the mmeinealpubG[ ands prwate epeM of those reatllnp. Sponurs Vane'" inhered, SeI—Band AMw uFnetlmann. Xba wwW Benefits provides the Town with a real un Ienter all he ofps teal¢ antl Nthe odadRlon.1 our gas dladbutiun swtem UNmM1nd the nature and annm Naas walks -nNen. 3 an. Ne key caudo repond 4 Hatbwl two • identify .. pen N th. rysum modal the meal leaks or tae mart d.,.us kaka memlly lam hays that contribute d, eluGl wwm I M and wase pa bre art pamaps omerxr. rat rernoous and gmrea Rona tmarrcm natural yr aamap M,—paw to prorm a ow repan at war laeband bwort wMN e -and and on 6ne.,Intl . aadwara nm®nmrw.ewn..dr—wam