HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-03-17 Finance Committee Packet
Town of Reading
Meeting Posting with Agenda
2018-07-16 LAG
Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Finance Committee
Date: 2021-03-17 Time: 7:00 PM
Building: Location:
Address: Agenda:
Purpose: Open Session - Remote Meeting
Meeting Called By: Jacquelyn LaVerde on behalf of Chair Ed Ross
Notices and agendas are to be posted 48 hours in advance of the meetings excluding
operation and make necessary arrangements to be sure your posting is made in an
adequate amount of time. A listing of topics that the chair reasonably anticipates will be
discussed at the meeting must be on the agenda.
All Meeting Postings must be submitted in typed format; handwritten notices will not be accepted.
Topics of Discussion:
This meeting will be held remotely via Zoom:
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AGENDA:
Vote Town Meeting Warrant Articles (including Budget)
Minutes for Approval: March 10, 2021
This Agenda has been prepared in advance and represents a listing of topics that the chair reasonably anticipates will be discussed
at the meeting. However the agenda does not necessarily include all matters which may be taken up at this meeting.
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COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Middlesex, ss. Officer's Return, Town of Reading:
By virtue of this Warrant, I ______________________________, on ____________, 2021
notified and warned the inhabitants of the Town of Reading, qualified to vote on Town affairs, to
meet at the place and at the time specified by posting attested copies of this Town Meeting
Warrant, along with the written request of Town Moderator Alan Foulds dated February 17, 2021
asking that this Town Meeting be held by remote participation pursuant to St. 2020, c. 92, §8, in
the following public places within the Town of Reading:
Precinct 1 J. Warren Killam School, 333 Charles Street
Precinct 2 Reading Police Station, 15 Union Street
Precinct 3 Reading Municipal Light Department, 230 Ash Street
Precinct 4 Joshua Eaton School, 365 Summer Avenue
Precinct 5 Reading Public Library, 64 Middlesex Avenue
Precinct 6 Barrows School, 16 Edgemont Avenue
Precinct 7 Birch Meadow School, 27 Arthur B Lord Drive
Precinct 8 Wood End School, 85 Sunset Rock Lane
Town Hall, 16 Lowell Street
The date of posting being not less than fourteen (14) days prior to April 6, 2021, the date set for
Town Meeting in this Warrant.
I also caused a posting of this Warrant
Meeting, to be published on the Town of Reading website on _______________, 2021.
_____________________________________________
Constable
A true copy Attest:
_____________________________________________
Laura Gemme, Town Clerk
TOWN WARRANT
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Middlesex, ss.
To any of the Constables of the Town of Reading, Greetings:
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby required to notify and
warn the inhabitants of the Town of Reading, qualified to vote in the Local Elections and Town
affairs, to meet in the following place designated for the eight precincts in said Town, namely:
Precincts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8
Reading Memorial High School, Hawkes Field House, Oakland Road
TUESDAY, the SIXTH DAY OF APRIL, A.D., 2021
from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. to act on the following Articles, viz:
ARTICLE 1 To elect by ballot the following Town Officers:
A Moderator for one year;
One member of the Select Board for three years;
Two members of the Board of Library Trustees for three years;
Two members of the Municipal Light Board for three years;
Two members of the School Committee for three years;
Sixty-Six Town Meeting Members shall be elected to represent each of the following
precincts:
Precinct 1 Eight members for three years;
Precinct 2 Eight members for three years;
Precinct 3 Eight members for three years; one member for two years; and one
member for one year;
Precinct 4 Eight members for three years;
Precinct 5 Eight members for three years;
Precinct 6 Eight members for three years;
Precinct 7 Eight members for three years; and
Precinct 8 Eight members for three years
and to meet in accordance with Chapter 92 of the Acts of 2020 and through the Zoom platform
on
MONDAY, the TWENTY-SIXTH DAY of APRIL A.D., 2021
at seven-
upon and determined exclusively by Town Meeting Members in accordance with the provisions
of the Reading Home Rule Charter.
Members of the public may access and witness the deliberations and actions taken at the Annual
Town Meeting in the following manner: RCTV Facebook or on local public access television. Town
Meeting members and Town officials shall receive a link to join the Zoom video conferencing
platform to participate in the Annual Town Meeting. Non-Town Meeting Members who are
registered voters residing in the Town who wish to participate in the Annual Town Meeting must
submit a request to participate to the Town Clerk not less than 48 hours in advance of the Annual
Town Meeting, and when submitting this request, non-Town Meeting Members who wish to make
a comment, ask a question, or otherwise address Town Meeting, should contact Town Clerk
Laura Gemme (lgemme@ci.reading.ma.us or 781-942-6647) with the following information: (a)
First and Last Name, (b) Street Address, (c) Phone Number, (d) Email Address, and (e) Article(s)
he or she would like to speak to, and once verified, shall receive follow up information with specific
participation instructions for the meeting.
If, on April 26, 2021, the Town Meeting elects not to hold the Annual Town Meeting remotely, then
the Town Meeting shall adjourn to Reading Memorial High School Performing Arts Center, 62
Oakland Road, Reading on Thursday April 29, 2021 at seven-
ARTICLE 2 To hear and act on the reports of the Select Board, School Committee,
Library Trustees, Municipal Light Board, Finance Committee, Bylaw Committee, Town Manager,
Town Accountant and any other Town Official, Board or Committee.
Select Board
Background: This article appears on the Warrant for all Town Meetings. At this Annual Town
Meeting, the Moderator has requested that reports be submitted in writing in advance for the
following:
- State of the Town (Select Board Chair Mark Dockser)
- Financial Update (Finance Committee Chair Edward Ross)
ARTICLE 3 To choose all other necessary Town Officers and Boards or Committees
and determine what instructions shall be given to Town Officers and Boards or Committees, and
to see what sum the Town will vote to appropriate by borrowing or transfer from available funds,
or otherwise, for the purpose of funding Town Officers and Boards or Committees to carry out the
instructions given to them, or take any other action with respect thereto.
Select Board
Background: This Article appears on the Warrant of all Town Meetings. There are no known
Instructional Motions at this time. The Town Moderator requires that all proposed Instructional
Motions be submitted to the Town Clerk prior to Town Meeting so that Town Meeting Members
Instructional Motions are normally held until the end of all other business at Town Meeting.
ARTICLE 4 To see if the Town will vote to amend the FY 2021-31 Capital
Improvements Program as provided for in Section 7-7 of the Reading Home Rule Charter and as
previously amended, or take any other action with respect thereto.
Select Board
Background: This Article is included in every Town Meeting Warrant. The Reading General
No funds may be appropriated for any capital item unless such
item is included in the Capital Improvements Program, and is scheduled for funding in the Fiscal
Year in which the appropriation is to Bond ratings agencies also want to ensure that
changes to a long-term Capital Improvements Program (CIP) are adequately described.
The following changes are proposed to the FY2021 FY2031 CIP (current year plus ten years):
General Fund
FY21: +$0 net change
$0 Police Station OPM/Design (funded with Facilities Core surplus)
FY22: +$375,000 net changes
$250,000 OPM/Design for RMHS Stadium Track & Turf Field project (debt in FY23)
$250,000 OPM/Design for parker MS Roof project (debt in FY23)
$ 50,000 Downtown Energy Efficient projects
-$ 50,000 Facilities Bob Cat skid steer (use FY21 Facilities Core surplus)
-$125,000 Town Hall generator (Health moving to Police Station)
FY23: +$10,000 net changes
$ 60,000 Adm Svc: GIS Flyover - planimetrics
-$50,000 DPW Ford Pickup (2006) moved out one year to FY24
FY24+
Various other changes made
Enterprise Funds Water
FY21: No changes
FY22: No changes
Note debt -$121,481 MWRA Lead Removal (startup delayed by one year)
FY23: No changes
FY24+
Various changes made
Enterprise Funds Sewer
FY21: No changes
FY22: No changes
Note debt -$114,025
FY23: No changes
FY24+
Various changes made
Enterprise Funds Storm Water
FY21: no changes
FY22: +$100,000
+$100,000 additional funding for drainage projects
Note debt -$103,372
FY23: no changes
FY24+
Various changes made
Finance Committee Report: The Finance Committee recommends the proposed amendments
to the FY 2021 FY 2031 Capital Improvements Program by a vote of xx-0 at their meeting on
March 17, 2021. Placing items in the Capital Improvement Program is a prerequisite first step but
in itself does not authorize spending funds towards these items
Bylaw Committee Report: No report.
ARTICLE 5 To see if the Town will vote
Fiscal Year commencing July 1, 2020, as adopted under Article 17 of the Annual Town Meeting
of June 15, 2020 and amended under Article 4 of the Subsequent Town Meeting of November 9,
2020; and to see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, borrow or transfer from available
funds, or otherwise provide a sum or sums of money to be added to the amounts appropriated
under said Article, as amended, for the operation of the Town and its government, or take any
other action with respect thereto.
Finance Committee
Background:
General Fund Wages and Expenses
Account Line Description Decrease Increase
B99 Benefits wages 111F Pending Retirement $150,000 $350,000
& expenses (Fire $93k) and (Police $57k)
Health Insurance Premiums -$500,000
E99 Regional Essex North Voke $25,000 $35,000
Vocational Education Minuteman Voke $10,000
G91 Administrative Elections $10,000 $10,000
Services Wages
G92 Administrative Legal $45,000 $65,000
Services Expenses Postage (elections) $20,000
H92 Public -$40,000 $40,000
Services Expenses
I91 Finance Wages Accounting OT $3,000 $3,000
I92 Finance Assessors revaluation $70,000 (now $70,000
Expenses every five years)
J91 Public Safety Fire buyback $53,000 (retirements) $157,000
Wages Dispatcher OT $50,000
Police buyback $54,000 (retirements)
K93 Public Works estimate as of 3/15/21 $50,000
Snow & Ice
Subtotals $390,000 $390,000
Net Operating Expenses $0
From Free Cash $0
Finance Committee Report: At their meeting on March 17, 2021 the Finance Committee voted
xx-0 to recommend this Article to Town Meeting. If the Public Safety Overtime amounts are not
needed, funds will be returned to the General Fund in the Form of Free Cash for FY22.
Bylaw Committee Report: No report.
ARTICLE 6 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, transfer from available
funds, borrow or otherwise provide a sum or sums of money to pay bills remaining unpaid from
prior fiscal years for goods and services actually rendered to the Town, or take any other action
with respect thereto.
Select Board
Background: bills, and this Article is expected to be tabled.
Finance Committee Report: No report.
Bylaw Committee Report: No report.
ARTICLE 7 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, transfer from available
funds, borrow or otherwise provide a sum or sums of money for the purpose of funding the
-other action with
respect thereto.
Select Board
Background: Each year at Annual Town Meeting we ask to transfer funds budgeted for OPEB
from that line to the actual OPEB Trust in this Article. Sometimes due to budget surpluses in
health insurance premiums we have increased the budgeted contribution figures; we are prepared
but have not yet needed to ask to lower the budgeted contribution figures to cover health
insurance premium deficits. Recent contributions to the Trust on behalf of the General Fund have
been $800,000 (FY19) and $700,000 (FY20) each a bit higher than budgeted.
Actuarially the eventual required annual contribution for the General Fund is between $1.5 to $2.0
million. It is understood that once our Pension Fund is actuarially fully funded (by about 2029), a
large shift away from annual pension contributions and towards OPEB will occur, and on balance
the total funding needed should be lower than the current combined totals. In the meanwhile,
targeted annual OPEB contributions are between $0.5 to $1.0 million.
Due to the uncertainty caused by the pandemic, June 2020 Town Meeting approved a reduced
annual FY21 contribution of $100,000. The Town M
$100,000 figure in recognition of ongoing revenue uncertainty.
This springommittee (PEC), a group of all Town, School and Light
department unions, plus representation for Retirees, will be negotiating health insurance renewals
with town management. We intend to discuss the OPEB situation, and try to find a way to address
the two-year (FY21 and FY22) contribution shortfall. Historically the PEC has been an outstanding
partner in keeping our annual health insurance premium expenses (including enrollment
increases) below 3% over a ten-year period.
Town Meeting is therefore requested to make the following annual transfers of funds for the OPEB
Trust Fund: General Fund $100,000; Water Fund $60,000; Sewer Fund $22,000; Storm Water
Fund $10,000 for a total of $192,000 of all these OPEB contributions to the trust for Other Post
Employment Benefit liabilities. Any changes made possible through negotiations with the PEC
will be seen as an amendment to these amounts on Town Meeting floor.
73.8 million (or only 8.1%
funded) as of June 30, 2020. The three Enterprise Funds and the Light Department are on an
aggressive twenty-year funding schedule, and the General Fund is on a partial funding schedule.
As noted, the General Fund will transition to a full funding schedule as soon as possible, as is
required by law or immediately after the Pension Fund is fully funded.
Finance Committee Report: At their meeting on March 17, 2021 the Finance Committee voted
xx-0 to recommend this Article to Town Meeting.
Bylaw Committee Report: No report.
ARTICLE 8 To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning Bylaw as follows, with
additions being shown in bold italics and deletions being struck through, except for Part 5 below:
Њ͵ By modifying, in Section 2.0, Definitions, the following definition:
Open StorageOutdoor Commerce, Dining, Programming, or Storage: An
accessory use involving tThe relocation or extension of indoor
commerce, dining, programming, or storage outdoorto outdoor areas,
as an accessory use, on the same lot as a lawful principal use storage
or display of retail goods for sale.
Ћ͵ By adding a new trigger for Minor Site Plan Review, in Section 4.6.2.3:
4.6.2 Applicability
4.6.2.3 Except as otherwise specified in Section 4.6.2.1 or Section 4.6.2.2,
Minor Site Plan Review is required if the proposed construction, modification to
use, or site alteration involves any of the following:
a Exterior alteration of 500 square feet or more of horizontal or
vertical area that is limited to doors, paint, awnings, railings, step
replacement, handicapped ramps or building code compliance
measures, for a site within the Business B Zoning District;
b Redevelopment or alteration of a site, or the interior of a building,
in such a manner that the proposed site or building function is
anticipated to generate unreasonable visual or auditory impacts to
abutters;.
c An existing site that becomes a nuisance to public health, safety or
welfare (i.e. due to routine traffic spillover, excessive noise, site
illumination beyond the hours of operation, etc.) as evidenced by
substantiated complaints to the Police Department and/or Public
Services Office; or.
d Outdoor Commerce, Dining, Programming, or Storage.
Ќ͵ By modifying, in Section 4.6.3.2, Minor Site Plan Review Procedures:
4.6.3 Minor Site Plan Review
4.6.3.1 The CPDC, through regulation, may authorize the Community
Development Director to grant Administrative Approval for a Minor
Site Plan Review, with or without conditions, provided the proposed
construction, expansion or alteration is not anticipated to result in
any adverse impact on surrounding areas.
4.6.3.2 Minor Site Plan Review Procedures
The Applicant shall submit to the CPDC through the Community
Development Director, one electronic copy and six two (26) printed
sets of plans documents showing including the following:
1 A complete application, including authorization from the property
owner;
2 1 A written narrative explaining the proposed changes;
3 2 Photographs of the existing site or area to be altered; and
4 3 A rendering, site plan, plot plan or sketch.
For Minor Site Plan Review by the CPDC, the Applicant shall also
submit one (1) set of postage stamped addressed envelopes in order
for the Community Development Director to mail notification of the
Minor Site Plan Review to abutters. For applications under
Outdoor Commerce, Dining, Programming, or Storage,
notification will also be provided to businesses and tenants
minimum.
The Minor Site Plan Review shall not be considered complete, and a
building permit shall not be issued, until a written approval is issued
by the CPDC.
Minor Modifications to an approved Minor Site Plan Review shall be
subject to the provisions of Section 4.6.9.2.
Ѝ͵ By combining Sections 4.6.3.3 and 4.6.3.4 into a new Section 4.6.3.3, Waiver of Parking,
Loading and Related Design Requirements:
4.6.3.3 Waiver of Loading Zone Space Requirements
documentation, the Community Planning and Development
Commission may waive the requirements of Section 9.1 of the Zoning
Bylaw as to the number of loading zone spaces upon a finding that
there will be no adverse impact on surrounding areas.
4.6.3.3 4.6.3.4 Waiver of Parking, Loading Space and Related Design
Requirements in the Business Districts
documentation, the Community Planning and Development
Commission may waive or reduce the requirements of Section 9.1 for
a site located in the Business Districts upon a finding that there will
be no adverse impact on surrounding areas.
Ў͵ By adding a new Section 4.6.3.4, Criteria for Approval Outdoor Commerce, Dining,
Programming, or Storage, as follows and as shown in bold and regular text as it will appear
in the Zoning Bylaw, if adopted:
4.6.3.4 Criteria for Approval Outdoor Commerce, Dining, Programming, or
Storage
When reviewing an application for Outdoor Commerce, Dining, Programming,
or Storage, the CPDC will consider and may impose limitations and/or
conditions related to the following criteria:
a Duration of Use- hours of operation, seasonality, and recurrence of the use;
b Site Circulation & Access- adequacy of pedestrian, vehicular, and
emergency access to and movement through the site;
c Parking- availability of and impact to parking;
d Intensification of Use whether the proposal will expand or intensify the
principal use;
e Structures & Furnishings- dimensions, methods for securing/storing, and
specifications for all proposed structures and furnishings to be used;
f Materials & Products- materials and products displayed or stored shall be
for sale on-site, and not for distribution, and shall not generate dust, noise or
other objectionable effects, or create a hazard to the community on account
of fire, explosion or any other cause;
g Lighting, Heating & Sound- details regarding any proposed outdoor lighting,
heating, or sound-generating devices, as well as specifications regarding any
utility extensions for such;
h Setbacks- proximity of structures and activities to property lines;
i Visual Impact- measures to address the effect of the use (such as plantings,
fencing, sculptures, trellises, artwork, etc.) on neighbors;
j Signage-justification for any desired temporary signage;
k Competing Uses & Neighborhood Coordination- consideration for how the
area is used throughout the day, and at night, and accommodations for the
needs of neighboring uses.
Compliance with Decision of Approval
Should an applicant fail to comply with the limitations or conditions contained
in a minor site plan decision of approval issued for Outdoor Commerce,
Dining, Programming, or Storage, in addition to any and all other methods of
zoning enforcement available to the Town, the applicant may be required to
propose solutions to staff and may be required to return to the CPDC to
amend the decision of approval. Ongoing failure to comply with conditions
contained in a decision of approval issued hereunder shall result in rescission
of the decision of approval.
Џ͵ By modifying Section 5.2, General Requirements, to include an acronym for Minor Site
Plan Review (MSPR):
5.2 General Requirements
5.2.1 of
by right in a particular district; the letters "SPA" denote a use permitted in a
particular district only by Special Permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals; the
letters "SPS" denote a use permitted in a particular district only by Special
Permit from the Board of Selectmen; the letters "SPP" denote a use permitted
in a particular district only by Special Permit from the Community Planning and
Development Commission (CPDC);
permitted in a particular district only by Minor Site Plan Review from the
CPDC, unless approved as part of a full Site Plan Review application; "No"
denotes a use prohibited in a particular district.
А͵ By modifying the row for Open Storage in Section 5.3.1 Table of Uses for
Business and Industrial Districts Accessory Uses, and by adding Note 6, as
follows:
5.3 Table of Uses
5.3.1 Table of Uses for Business and Industrial Districts
PUD-B PUD-I
BUBUS BU
ACCESSORY USES IND
Overlay Overlay
S A B S C
Open StorageOutdoor Commerce, SPPMSPR NoMSPR NoMSPR SPPMSPSPPMSPR SPPMSP
6
Dining, Programming, or Storage R R
Notes:
1
Townhouse style Multi-Family Dwelling only in Business C Planning Subdistrict A.
2
Permitted only in Business C Planning Subdistricts B and D.
3
Requires on-site garage for all vehicles and enclosed storage for all materials.
4
The total number of children under age sixteen (16) in a family child care
home shall not exceed ten (10), including participating children living in
the residence.
5
Except by a contractor performing construction work on the premises.
6
Also allowed by MSPR in the Downtown Smart Growth District (40R
Overlay). Not applicable to Home Occupation or Special Home Occupation uses
in any district.
Б͵ By inserting a new row to Section 5.3.2 Table of Uses for Residence Districts
by adding Note 4, as follows:
5.3.2 Table of Uses for Residence Districts
ACCESSORY USES RES RES RES PRD-G PUD-R
S-15 A-40 A-80 PRD-M
S-20
S-40
Outdoor Commerce, Dining,
MSPR MSPR MSPR No No
4
Programming, or Storage
Notes:
1
In a Residence District, a single-family dwelling existing prior to April 1942,
which at that time had at least eight (8) finished and habitable principal
rooms, upon receipt of a Special Permit from the Zoning Board of
Appeals, may be converted into a two- family dwelling, provided that the
conversion does not increase the gross floor area of the structure by the
lesser of 1000 square feet or one-third of the gross floor area of the
dwelling existing on the date of application for conversion or on January
1, 2020, whichever is earlier, and that the external appearance as a
single-family dwelling is retained. However, if no increase in gross floor
area is proposed to the existing single- family structure as part of
conversion, then the Special Permit shall not be required.
After a structure is converted to a two-family under this Footnote, no
future additions to the structure will be allowed. At such time that the
original April 1942 single-family dwelling is voluntarily demolished, rights
to a two-family under this Footnote whether granted by-right or by
Special Permit shall be discontinued.
2
The total number of children under age sixteen (16) in a family child care
home shall not exceed ten (10), including participating children living in
the residence.
3
Except by a contractor performing construction work on the premises.
4
Applicable to legally existing businesses in residence districts, where the
principal use of the site is commercial. Not applicable to Home Occupation or
Special Home Occupation uses in any district.
В͵ By deleting Section 5.6.1, Open Storage, in its entirety, from Section 5.6, Uses
by Special Permit, and by renumbering remaining sections accordingly:
5.6 Uses by Special Permit
5.6.1 Open Storage
Open Storage may be authorized as specified in the Table of Uses for
Business and Industrial Districts set forth in Section 5.3.1 of the Zoning
Bylaw by Special Permit from the CPDC, based upon the criteria set
forth in Section 5.6.1.1.
5.6.1.1 Criteria for Approval
a Products shall be stored only for the purpose of merchandise
display or stock for sale on site, and not for distribution.
b Open storage area shall occupy no more than ten percent (10%)
c Products stored shall not impede pedestrian movement or vehicular
circulation.
d Products stored shall neither encroach upon required parking
spaces nor impede access thereto
e Products stored may be required to be screened from any abutting
residential properties.
f No products may be stored in any public right of way nor impede
access thereto.
g In issuing a Special Permit, the CPDC may restrict the hours during
which products may be displayed.
h No products shall be stored so as to create dust, noise or other
objectionable effects, or to create a hazard to the community on
account of fire, explosion or any other cause.
5.6.1.2 Process
Applications for a Special Permit for open storage shall be made in
accordance with the procedures for Site Plan Review set forth in
Section 4.6.4 of the Zoning Bylaw.
or take any other action with respect thereto.
Community Planning and Development Commission
Background: Outdoor Commerce, Dining, Programming, or Storage (Zoning Bylaw
Sections 2.0, 4.0 and 5.0)
Article 8 is an amendment to Section 2.0, Definitions, Section 4.0, Administration, and Section
5.0, Use Regulations, of the Zoning Bylaw. Article 8 modifies and expands the current definition
of Open Storage in Section 2.0 into a definition of Outdoor Commerce, Dining, Programming, or
Storage; and adds it to Table 5.3.1 (in place of Open Storage by Special Permit) and Table 5.3.2
as an Accessory Use allowed in business, industrial, and certain residence and overlay zoning
districts by Minor Site Plan Review from the Community Planning & Development Commission
(CPDC). In Section 4.6.2.3, Article 8 adds Outdoor Commerce, Dining, Programming, or Storage
to the list of site alterations and use modifications that require a Minor Site Plan Review; then
Section 4.6.3 specifies procedural requirements for notification of abutting property owners and
tenants, expands the applicability of waivers for parking and loading, outlines criteria for approval
for Outdoor Commerce, Dining, Programming, or Storage applications, and provides for a remedy
in the instance of ongoing non-compliance. Finally, Article 8 removes Open Storage under Section
5.6, Uses by Special Permit, because Storage will be accounted for via the new definition and
process.
Though the pandemic brought to light the fact that the current Zoning Bylaw does not have a clear
or consistent process for allowing businesses to use private outdoor spaces to continue the
operations that take place inside, providing flexibility for the use of outdoor space has the potential
to contribute to the vitality of Town even beyond the pandemic. Article 8 strives to ensure that all
applications for Outdoor Commerce, Dining, Programming, or Storage are appropriate within their
context and are carried out with consideration for neighboring uses.
The bold and cross out version illustrates the changes under Article 8.
Finance Committee Report: No report.
Bylaw Committee Report: No report.
ARTICLE 9 To see if the Town will vote to (1) establish the limit on the total amount
that may be expended from each revolving fund established by Article 9 of the Town of Reading
General Bylaw pursuant to Section 53E½ of Chapter 44 of the Massachusetts General Laws for
the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2021; and (2) amend Section 6.6.2 of the General Bylaw,
establishing the Inspection Revolving Fund, as shown below, with the additions being shown in
bold and deletions being struck through:
6.5.2 Inspection Revolving Fund
Funds held in the Inspection Revolving Fund shall be used for legal costs, oversight
and inspection, plan review, property appraisals and appeals, public services general
management, pedestrian safety improvements, records archiving, and other costs
related to building, plumbing, wiring, gas and other permits required for large
construction projects and shall be expended by the Town Manager. Receipts credited
to this fund shall include building, plumbing, wiring, gas and other permit fees for
the Schoolhouse Commons, The Metropolitan at Reading Station, Postmark Square,
20-24 Gould Street, 467 Main Street, Oaktree, Addison-Wesley/Pearson, and Johnson
Woods, Eaton Lakeview (23-25 Lakeview Avenue and 128 Eaton Street), 258 Main
Street, 267 Main Street, 531 Main Street, 25 Haven Street, and 18-20 Woburn Street
developments.
or take any other action with respect thereto.
Select Board
Background: No changes are suggested from last year (library text clarified).
Expend-
Revolving Spending Revenue Allowed iture Year End
Account Authority Source Expenses Limits Balance
Consulting and
engineering services
for the review of
Conservation Fees as provided for designs and $25,000
Commission in Reading General engineering work for Available for
Consulting Conservation Bylaws Section 5.7, the protection of expenditure
Fees Commission Wetlands Protection wetlands. next year
Legal, oversight and
Building, Plumbing, inspection, plan
Wiring, Gas and other review, initial property
permits for appraisals and
Schoolhouse appeals, Public
Commons, The Services planning
Metropolitan at and general $250,000
Reading Station, management, curb,
Postmark Square, 20-sidewalks and
24 Gould Street, 467 pedestrian safety
Main Street, Oaktree, improvements,
Inspection Addison-Wesley/ records archiving and Available for
Revolving Town Pearson and Johnson other project related expenditure
Fund Manager Woods developments costs. next year
Materials and costs
Public Health Clinic fees, charges associated with Available for
$25,000
Clinics and Board of and third-party clinics and public expenditure
Services Health reimbursements health programs next year
Acquire Library
materials to replace
Charges for lost or lost or damaged
damaged Library items, and for the
materials maintenance, $15,000
and fees from printing, upkeep and
Library Library faxing or similar supplies for Available for
Fines and Director and supplementary fee-supplementary fee-expenditure
Fees Trustees based services. based services next year
Mattera Utilities and all other Available for
Cabin Facilities maintenance and $10,000 expenditure
Operating Director Rental Fees operating expenses next year
Director of
Public Works
upon the
recommenda
tion of the Sale of timber; fees for Planning and Available for
Town Forest use of the Town Improvements to the $10,000 expenditure
Town Forest Committee Forest Town Forest next year
Conservation Consulting Revolving Fund - These funds are used to receive payments
from applicants, hire expert consultants where required, and return the balance to the
applicant. The balance in the Conservation Consulting Revolving Fund as of March 2021 is
$13,326.
Inspections Revolving Fund The balance available as of March 2021 in this fund is
$790,417 and of that total $190,000 is proposed by the Town Manager as part of the FY22
budget {$140,000 to support Economic Development wages and expenses; and $50,000 to
offset Building Inspections division wages}.
Health Clinic Revolving Fund - The Reading Health Division contracts for third party
payments for a number of immunizations. The funds are used to augment the influenza
vaccine supply from the State Department of Public Health to insure vaccine for the
homebound clients and first responders. The Division also uses these funds for materials for
other screening clinics. Clinic client fees are also deposited into this fund to offset vaccine
and clinical supply costs. The balance available as of March 2021 in this fund is $25,676. The
State has been cutting back on the free flu and other vaccines to be distributed to cities and
towns, and the Town therefore needs to purchase extra doses. The necessary amounts used
for clinic vaccine, supplies and staff salaries related to the clinics each year directly from the
revolving fund is therefore approximately $25,000.
Library Fines and Fees Fund The balance available as of March 2021 in this fund is
$8,764. The added flexibility in use of this fund approved by Annual Town Meeting one year
ago has been helpful.
Mattera Cabin Operating Fund The log cabin on the Mattera conservation land was
purchased several years ago, and was renovated by the Vocational School. Some of the use
is revenue generating, and it is anticipated that over time the site will generate enough funding
to pay the operating costs of the cabin primarily utilities. This Article allows those revenues
that are generated to be used directly for the operating expenses of the cabin. The balance
available as of March 2021 in this fund is $0. In response to a previous instructional motion
by Town Meeting, the Town Manager moved the responsibility for both the Mattera Cabin and
Cemetery garages to the Facilities department.
Town Forest Revolving Fund was created in 2011. The purpose is to allow revenues from
controlled timber harvesting and permit fees to then be spent by the DPW Director upon the
recommendation of the Town Forest Committee, on improvements to the Town Forest,
including planning efforts. The Town Forest Committee has had a forest stewardship plan
created (through a grant) to make recommendations on forest management including
controlled timber harvesting. The balance available as of March 2021 in this fund is $0.
Finance Committee Report: At their meeting on March 17, 2021 the Finance Committee voted
xx-0 to recommend this Article to Town Meeting.
Bylaw Committee Report: No report.
ARTICLE 10 To see if the Town will vote to approve an Affordable Housing Trust Fund
Allocation Plan pursuant to Chapter 140 of the Acts of AN ACT AUTHORIZING
THE TOWN OF READING TO ESTABLISH AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND,
take any other action with respect thereto.
Select Board
Background: The State has a strong and bipartisan goal of building more affordable housing,
and considers Reading a model community in this area. Town staff has been invited to speak at
housing symposiums and the Town has received numerous related planning grants. The Town
has achieved the 10% affordable benchmark set by statute. Reading is the lead community and
is joined by North Reading, Wilmington and Saugus in sharing a Regional Housing Services Office
(RHSO). The RHSO monitors and administers affordable housing requirements including tracking
and updating the Subsidized Housing Inventory (SHI) and maintaining ready buyer and ready
renter lists, among other responsibilities.
Chapter 140 of the Acts of 2001 authorized the Town of Reading to establish a separate fund
known as the Affordable Housing Trust Fund (AHTF). The AHTF requires Town Meeting approval
of an annual allocation plan submitted by the Select Board. AHTF expenditures require approval
by a majority vote of the full combined membership of the Select Board and the Reading Housing
Authority. AHTF uses of funds include:
Create or preserve affordable housing;
Maintain or operate affordable housing;
Develop new or rehabilitate existing housing as affordable homeownership or rental units;
Affordable Housing Trust Fund Allocation Plan
FY 2022
Pursuant to Article 10 of the 2022 Annual Town Meeting, an Affordable Housing Trust Fund
Allocation Plan for the Fiscal Year 2022 in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 140 of the
Acts of 2001 is as follows:
Available Balance Unrestricted Funds: $387,252
Available Balance Restricted Funds $ 0
Unrestricted funds shall be used for the following purposes:
5% up to a maximum
of $10,000 for administration of Affordable Housing
Remainder for constructing affordable housing (including loan and grant
programs); or for maintaining and improving affordability of existing
housing stock; or for the purchase of existing housing stock to add
it to or maintain it as a part of the existing affordable housing
inventory
The purpose of the Affordable Housing Allocation Plan is to provide a framework for the Town to
expend funds on affordable housing. The current AHTF balance of $387,252 reflects revenue
generated through the actions of the CPDC, as well as proceeds from the loss of an affordable
unit. There are no Town tax generated funds in the AHTF. The only expenditure to date from the
AHTF, in the amount of $200,000, was to assist Oaktree development with financing affordable
housing at 30 Haven Street.
Finance Committee Report: At their meeting on March 17, 2021 the Finance Committee voted
xx-0 to recommend this Article to Town Meeting.
Bylaw Committee Report: No report.
ARTICLE 11 To see if the Town will vote to accept Clause Twenty-second G of M.G.L.
c.59, §5 for real estate that is the domicile of a person but is owned by a trustee, conservator or
other fiduciary for the person's benefit if the real estate would be eligible for exemption under
clause Twenty-second, Twenty-second A, Twenty-second B, Twenty-second C, Twenty-second
D, Twenty-second E or Twenty-second F of M.G.L. c.59, §5 if the person were the owner of the
real estate, or take any other action with respect thereto.
Select Board at the recommendation of the Board of Assessors
Background: Adoption of Clause 22G will enable veterans who own property in a trust that is not
exemption.
Assessing staff do not expect a significant number of new applicants. In fact, over the last several
years, only one veteran could have qualified, but instead they changed the family trust.
Finance Committee Report: At their meeting on March 17, 2021 the Finance Committee voted
xx-0 to recommend this Article to Town Meeting.
Bylaw Committee Report: At their meeting on March 10, 2021 the Bylaw Committee voted 4-0
to recommend the content of this Article to Town Meeting.
ARTICLE 12 To see if the Town will vote to accept Clause Twenty-second H of M.G.L.
c. 59, § 5 to exempt from taxation certain real property of and occupied by parents or guardians
of military personnel who were killed in action or injured in action that subsequently caused their
death, or military personnel missing in action and presumed dead, subject to residency
requirements, or take any other action with respect thereto.
Select Board at the recommendation of the Board of Assessors
Background: Adoption of Clause 22H will provide tax relief for Gold Star parents, who have
suffered the loss of an immediate family member who died while serving in a time of conflict.
Assessing staff are unaware of any Gold Start parents living in Reading today, and hope to never
utilize this clause.
Finance Committee Report: At their meeting on March 17, 2021 the Finance Committee voted
xx-0 to recommend this Article to Town Meeting.
Bylaw Committee Report: At their meeting on March 10, 2021 the Bylaw Committee voted 4-0
to recommend the content of this Article to Town Meeting.
ARTICLE 13 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, borrow, transfer from
available funds or otherwise provide a sum or sums of money to pay the costs of making
improvements including full replacement of the Reading Memorial High School Stadium Track
and Turf Field, including the payment of any and all other costs incidental and related thereto, or
take any other action with respect thereto.
Select Board
Background: In the fall 2020 a series of three Financial Forums resulted in the Finance
Committee allocating more Free Cash to support the FY22 budgets specifically to increase the
amount of capital spending for the next few years. Town and School management examined five
possible projects in order to include in the capital plan, or to request funding sooner than
scheduled, along with updated cost estimates. The prioritized results included (1) $3.2 million for
the RMHS Stadium Turf Field replacement and Track resurfacing; (2) $2.9 million for the Parker
Middle School roof replacement; (3) $1.5 million for the RMHS Fieldhouse Flooring and Bleacher
replacement; (4) $0.3 million for the RMHS Ropes Course; and (5) $2.8 million for the Coolidge
Middle School roof replacement.
The RMHS Stadium Turf Field and Track project includes a $250,000 capital request in the FY22
budget, plus this debt approval for $3.0 million to complete the entire project. The capital request
ment, a requirement under
procurement laws for this scope of work. Preliminary design work would proceed from July to
November 2021, then the project would be bid out for expected construction to be between June
and August 2022. The Field and Track would be expected to be ready for the Fall 2022 sports
season. Note that this project was previously listed on the Capital Plan on page 27 of the
November 2020 Subsequent Town Meeting, but no specific funding date or strategy had been
identified.
Specific estimates for the Turf Field replacement ($1.9 million) include $1.5 million of direct costs
plus $0.4 million for contingency and an allowance for inflation escalation through 2022.
Specific estimates for the Track replacement ($1.1 million) include $0.8 million of direct costs plus
$0.3 million in contingency and an allowance for inflation escalation through 2022.
The upcoming design process would spec out further details, but typically a project includes
additional items that could be included, also known a-
favorable. Two examples for this project could include a scoreboard replacement ($35-40k) and
a new sound system ($45-50k).
ed
has resulted in a completed project that came in on time and on budget, and improved field
playability as well as player safety. A similar outcome would be anticipated for the Stadium Turf
and Track project.
Finance Committee Report: At their meeting on March 17, 2021 the Finance Committee voted
xx-0 to recommend this Article to Town Meeting.
Bylaw Committee Report: No report.
ARTICLE 14 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, borrow, transfer from
available funds or otherwise provide a sum or sums of money to pay the costs of making
improvements including repairs to and replacement of the Parker Middle School Roof, including
the payment of any and all other costs incidental and related thereto, or take any other action with
respect thereto.
Select Board
Background: As shown under the Background for Article 13, the second ranked priority by Town
and School management was replacement of the Parker Middle School roof.
The Parker Middle School roof replacement project also includes a $250,000 capital request in
the FY22 budget, plus this debt approval for $2.7 million to complete the entire project. The capital
also a
requirement under procurement laws for this scope of work. Design, bidding and construction
would be similar to the Turf and Track project to minimize interference with the typical school year.
This project would also be expected to be completed in time for September 2022 school opening.
The roof includes about 105,000 square feet to be replaced, at an estimated cost of $25/sq. ft.
Preliminary design work would proceed from July to November 2021, then the project would be
bid out for expected construction to be between June and August 2022. The Field and Track
would be expected to be ready for the Fall 2022 sports season. Note that this project was
previously listed on the Capital Plan on page 28 of the November 2020 Subsequent Town Meeting
and funded for $1.6 million to begin in FY25. The scope has changed to include the entire roof,
to consider so-
to be funded sooner.
Finance Committee Report: At their meeting on March 17, 2021 the Finance Committee voted
xx-0 to recommend this Article to Town Meeting.
Bylaw Committee Report: No report.
ARTICLE 15 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, transfer from available
funds, borrow or otherwise provide a sum or sums of money for highway projects in accordance
with Chapter 90 of the Massachusetts General Laws, or take any other action with respect thereto.
Select Board
Background: This is an annual article whereby Town Meeting is asked to grant permission for
the Town to accept additional roadway maintenance from the State, called Chapter 90 funding.
Annual funding has been at the $600,000 area for many years, with exceptions when the state
has surplus funds to allocate to this purpose. Proposed preliminary funding for FY22 is $594,643.
Finance Committee Report: At their meeting on March 17, 2021 the Finance Committee voted
xx-0 to recommend this Article to Town Meeting.
Bylaw Committee Report: No report.
ARTICLE 16 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, transfer from available
funds, borrow or otherwise provide a sum or sums of money for the operation of the Town and its
government for Fiscal Year 2022 - beginning July 1, 2021, or take any other action with respect
thereto.
Finance Committee
Background: Please see the Budget pages after this Warrant Report, which includes full details
of the FY22 Finance Committee budget.
Finance Committee report: Please see the FY22 Spending Scorecard of the FY22 Budget
document for the votes of the Finance Committee on line items in the FY22 budget. The Finance
Committee recommends the subject matter of Article 16 as explained by these votes at their
meeting on March 17, 2021.
Bylaw Committee Report: No report.
ARTICLE 17 To see if the Town will vote to transfer the care, custody, management
and control of the properties off Lowell Street and Willow Street, shown on Map
26 as Lots 50 & 32 (previously referred to as Plat 99, lots 2 and 21) which
properties together contains 5.82 acres, more or less, to the Reading Conservation
Commission, for the sole purpose of open space management; provided, however, that the
Reading Department of Public Works shall have the right to replace, repair, maintain, and
make necessary improvements to the existing sewer drains on the properties as shown on the
following plans on file with the Town Clerk:
1. A plan of land entitled Showing Taking for Proposed Sanitary Sewer and
Force Main from Mineral Street to New Senior High School, Town of Reading,
Board of Public prepared by Whitman & Howard, Engineers, Boston,
Mass., dated June 1953, Sheet 2 of 5 Sheets;
2. A plan of land entitled Sewer Plan Interceptor Pumping Station to High
School, Board of Public prepared by Philip Welch,
Superintendent, dated May 1959;
3. A plan of land entitled of Reading Massachusetts, Board of Public
Works, Easement Through Private Property For Drainage And Sewerage
Purposes, Hunt prepared by the Engineering Division, Phillip Welsh,
Superintendent, dated September 1963, and recorded with the Middlesex
South Registry of Deeds on March 23, 1964, as Plan 266 of 1964; and
4. A plan of land entitled of Reading Massachusetts, Board of Public Works,
Record Sewer Plan Hunt St. and Interceptor prepared by the Engineering
Division, Phillip Welsh, Superintendent, dated April 1965,
such plans on file with the Town Clerk; and provided further that such transfer of care,
custody, management and control shall be subject to such right of the Department of Public
Works; or take any other action with respect thereto.
Select Board
Background:
Finance Committee Report: No report.
Bylaw Committee Report: No report.
ARTICLE 18 To see if the Town will vote to amend Section 7.9, Stormwater Management and
Erosion Control, of the General Bylaw as follows:
1. By revising Section 7.9.2, Definitions, as shown below, with additions being shown in
bold and deletions being struck through:
7.9.2 Definitions
Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the following words and terms,
as used in Section 7.9, shall have the following meanings:
7.9.2.1 Applicant
Any person requesting a Stormwater Permit.
7.9.2.2 Best Management Practice (BMP)
An activity, procedure, restraint, or structural improvement that helps to
reduce the quantity or improve the quality of stormwater runoff.
7.9.2.3 Common Plan of Development or Sale
Any plan reflected in an announcement, documentation or physical
demarcation indicating Tthat one (1) or more multiple distinct
construction activities are or may be undertaken on a Site or on
contiguous Sites, either simultaneously or at different times or on
different schedules, that are shown under one (1) plan. For example,
if a developer buys a 20-acre lot and builds roads, installs pipes,
and runs electricity with the intention of constructing homes or
other structures sometimes in the future, this would be
considered a larger common plan of development or sale. If the
land is parceled off or sold, and construction occurs on plots that
are less than one acre by separate, independent builders, this
activity still would be subject to stormwater permitting
requirements if the smaller plots were included on the original site
plan.
7.9.2.4 Construction and Waste Materials
Excess or discarded building or site materials at a construction site,
including concrete truck washout, chemicals, litter and sanitary waste,
that may adversely impact water quality.
7.9.2.5 Critical Area
Any of the following: An Outstanding Resource Water or Special
Resource Water as designated in 314 CMR 4.00, a recharge area
for a public water supply as defined in 310 CMR 22.02 (a Zone I,
Zone II, or Interim Wellhead Protection Area for a groundwater
source or a Zone A for a surface water source), a bathing beach
as defined in 105 CMR 445.000, or a cold-water fishery as defined
in 310 CMR 10.04.
7.9.2.56 Erosion
The wearing away of the land surface by natural or artificial forces such
as wind, water, ice, gravity, or vehicle traffic and the subsequent
detachment and transportation of soil particles.
7.9.2.67 Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan
A document prepared by a qualified professional engineer or a Certified
Professional in Erosion and Sedimentation Control, that specifies best
management practices designed to control surface runoff, erosion and
sedimentation during land-disturbing activities prior to or during
construction.
7.9.2.78 Grading
Changing the level or shape of the ground surface.
7.9.2.89 Impervious Surface
Any artificial material or structure on or above the ground that prevents
water from infiltrating the underlying soil. Impervious Surfaces may
include roads, paved parking lots, sidewalks, and rooftops.
7.9.2.10 Impaired Water
A water is impaired if it does not meet one or more of its
designated use(s). For purposes of this Bylaw, Impaired Waters
are those classified as categories 4 and 5 of the five-part
categorization approach used for classifying the water quality
standards attainment status for water segments under the U.S.
EPA Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) program. This
classification is done by the Massachusetts Department of
pursuant to Clean Water Act Section 303(d) (33 USC Section
1313(d)) and 40 CFR Section 130.7(b)(4).
7.9.2.911 Land-Disturbing Activity (or Disturbance of Land)
Any activity that causes a change in the position or location of soil,
sand, rock, gravel, or similar earth material.
7.9.2.12 Low Impact Development (LID)
Systems and practices that use or mimic natural processes
resulting in the infiltration, evapotranspiration or use of
stormwater. LID includes, but is not limited to, the following:
Site Design: Environmentally sensitive site design approaches
such as minimizing impervious surfaces, fitting the
development to the terrain, preserving and capitalizing on
natural drainage systems, and reproducing pre-development
hydrologic conditions; and
Systems: Stormwater management systems modeled after
natural hydrologic features to manage rainfall at the source
using decentralized micro-scale controls, such as bioretention
facilities, rain gardens, vegetated rooftops, rain barrels, and
permeable pavements.
7.9.2.1013 Massachusetts Stormwater Management Standards
The Stormwater Management Standards issued by the Massachusetts
Department of Environmental Protection, aimed at encouraging
recharge and preventing stormwater discharges from causing or
contributing to the pollution of the surface waters or groundwater of the
Commonwealth.
7.9.2.1114 Municipal Storm Drain System (or Storm Drain System)
The system of conveyances owned by the Town (including roads, catch
basins, curbs, gutters, ditches, constructed channels, pipes, and
outfalls) by which stormwater is collected or conveyed.
7.9.2.1215 New Development
Any construction activities or land alteration that disturbs one or more
acres of land, on an area that does not contain Impervious Surfaces.
7.9.2.1316 Operation and Maintenance Plan (O&M Plan)
A plan establishing the functional, financial and organizational
mechanisms for the ongoing operation and maintenance of a
Sstormwater Mmanagement Ssystem.
7.9.2.1417 Owner
A Person with a legal or equitable interest in property.
7.9.2.1518 Pollutant
Dredged spoil, solid waste, incinerator residue, filter backwash,
sewage, garbage, sewage sludge, munitions, chemical wastes,
biological materials, radioactive materials (except those regulated
under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (42 U.S.C. 2011 et
seq.)), heat, wrecked or discarded equipment, rock, sand, cellar dirt,
industrial, municipal, and agricultural waste, and any other material that
may cause or contribute to exceedance of water quality standards in
the waters to which the Storm Drain System discharges.
7.9.2.1619 Redevelopment
Any construction, land alteration or improvement of Impervious
Surfaces that disturbs one or more acres of land, on an area that
already contains Impervious Surfaces.
7.9.2.1720 Runoff
Rainfall, snowmelt, or irrigation water flowing over the ground surface.
7.9.2.1821 Sediment
Mineral or organic soil material that is transported, by wind or water,
from its origin to another location.
7.9.2.1922 Sedimentation
The process or act of deposition of sediment.
7.9.2.2023 Site
Any parcel of land or area of property where land-disturbing activities
are, were, or will be performed.
7.9.2.2124 Soil
Any earth, sand, loam, clay, rock, gravel, or similar material.
7.9.2.2225 Stabilization
The use, singly or in combination, of mechanical, structural, or
vegetative methods, to prevent, reduce or slow erosion.
7.9.2.2326 Stormwater
Any surface flow, runoff or drainage resulting entirely from any form of
natural precipitation.
7.9.2.2427 Stormwater Management Plan
A document containing sufficient information for the Community
Planning and Development Commission (CPDC) to evaluate the
environmental impact, effectiveness and acceptability of the measures
proposed by the applicant for reducing adverse post-construction
impacts from stormwater, including controlling stormwater runoff and
promoting infiltration.
2. By revising Section 7.9.3, Responsibility for Administration, as shown below, with
additions being shown in bold and deletions being struck through.
7.9.3 Responsibility for Administration
The Community Planning and Development Commission (CPDC) shall
administer, implement and enforce Section 7.9, with assistance from the
Building Inspector, except as provided in Section 7.9.3.3 for projects within
the jurisdiction of the Conservation Commission. Any powers granted to
or duties imposed upon the CPDC, except the power to hear appeals, may be
delegated in writing by the CPDC to other employees or agents of the Town.
7.9.3.1 Rules and Regulations
The CPDC may adopt, and periodically amend, rules and regulations
to effectuate the purposes of Section 7.9 or to implement any post-
discharge permit. The rules and regulations may specify the
precipitation estimates to be used when calculating stormwater
runoff for drainage system design. Failure by the CPDC to
promulgate such rules and regulations shall not have the effect of
suspending or invalidating the requirements of Section 7.9.
7.9.3.2 Waiver
The CPDC may waive strict compliance with any requirement of
Section 7.9 or the rules and regulations promulgated hereunder, where
such action is in the public interest and is not inconsistent with the
purpose and intent of Section 7.9. In making this determination, the
CPDC shall consider whether:
The public health, safety, and the environment will be protected;
Strict application of the requirement to be waived would undermine
the public interest;
Specific substitute requirements can be adopted that will result in
the substantial protection of the Municipal Storm Drain System, and
the rights of persons affected by the waiver; and
The action made possible by the waiver will not violate the
provisions of federal or state law, other applicable provisions of
discharge permit.
7.9.3.3 Projects Within Conservation Commission Jurisdiction
In order to avoid duplicative permitting proceedings, for activities
regulated under Section 7.9 that will be undertaken wholly or
partly within the jurisdiction of the Reading Conservation
Commission and require stormwater review under 310 CMR 10.00
or the Reading Wetlands Bylaw, the Conservation Commission
shall serve as the permitting authority for the stormwater permit
required by Section 7.9.4.1. For those projects, the Conservation
Commission shall have the role, powers and duties assigned to
the CPDC in this Section 7.9, except the power to adopt
those projects, with the Conservation Commission substituting
for the CPDC in carrying out the permitting as specified in this
Conservation Commission may adopt its own Stormwater
Management and Erosion Control Procedures to govern the
mechanics of submission and review of permit applications.
3. By revising Section 7.9.4, Applicability, as shown below, with additions being shown in
bold and deletions being struck through.
7.9.4 Applicability
7.9.4.1 Regulated Activities
Any activity that results in disturbance of one (1) or more acres of land
and any land-disturbing activity that is part of a Common Plan of
Development or Sale that will ultimately result in the disturbance of one
(1) or more acres of land, shall be subject to the requirements of
Section 7.9. No person shall undertake any such activity unless it is
authorized by a stormwater permit issued by the CPDC, or exempt
pursuant to Section 7.9.4.2.
7.9.4.2 Exempt Activities
The following activities are exempt from the requirements of Section
7.9:
Normal maintenance and improvement of land in
agricultural or aquacultural use, as defined by MGL
Chapter 131 Section 40 and 310 CMR 10.04; and
Normal maintenance of lawns and landscaping.; and
Activities that are subject to the jurisdiction of the
Conservation Commission under Section 7.1 or MGL
Chapter 131 Section 40 and its implementing regulations;
demonstrate compliance with the Massachusetts
Stormwater Management Standards, as reflected in an
Order of Conditions; and are in compliance with the
requirements of that Order of Conditions.
4. By revising Section 7.9.5, Permits and Procedure, as shown below, with additions being
shown in bold and deletions being struck through.
7.9.5 Permits and Procedure
7.9.5.1 Stormwater Permit Application
Prior to the commencement of any activity regulated by Section 7.9, a
stormwater permit application shall be filed with the CPDC, including:
A completed stormwater permit application Form with
original signatures of all owners;
A narrative describing the incorporation of LID
strategies as defined in Section 7.9.2.12;
An Erosion and Sediment Control Plan satisfying the
requirements of Section 7.9.6;
A Stormwater Management Plan satisfying the
requirements of Section 7.9.7;
An Operation and Maintenance Plan satisfying the
requirements of Section 7.9.8; and
Payment of any application fee established by the CPDC
pursuant to Section 7.9.5.6.
5. By revising Section 7.9.7, Stormwater Management Plan, as shown below, with
additions being shown in bold and deletions being struck through.
7.9.7 Stormwater Management Plan
The Stormwater Management Plan shall contain sufficient information for the
CPDC to evaluate the environmental impact, effectiveness, and acceptability
of the measures proposed by the applicant for reducing adverse post-
construction impacts from stormwater. The Stormwater Management Plan
shall fully describe the proposed activity in drawings and narrative.
7.9.7.1 Design Standards
The stormwater management measures set forth in the Stormwater
Management Plan shall be designed to meet Standards 1-6 (for New
Development) or Standard 7 (for Redevelopment) of the
Massachusetts Stormwater Management Standards, as well as any
post-construction design requirements adopted under Section 7.9.3.1.
In addition, LID site planning and design strategies shall be
incorporated unless infeasible in order to reduce the discharge of
stormwater.
7.9.7.2 Site Plan
The Stormwater Management Plan shall include a site plan, stamped
and certified by a qualified Professional Engineer registered in
Massachusetts, containing the following information:
The names, addresses, and telephone numbers of the
owner, the applicant, and the persons or firms who
prepared the plan;
Title, date, north arrow, scale, legend, and locus map;
at 2-foot intervals;
Existing site hydrology, including any existing stormwater
conveyances or impoundments;
Estimated seasonal high groundwater elevation
(November to April) in areas to be used for stormwater
retention, detention, or infiltration;
The existing and proposed vegetation and ground surfaces
with runoff coefficient for each;
A drainage area map showing pre- and post-construction
watershed boundaries, drainage area and stormwater flow
paths;
Identification of all critical areas and tributaries to
critical areas within the geographic area shown on the
plan;
Identification of all impaired waters to which
stormwater from the site will discharge directly or
indirectly;
Drawings of all components of the proposed drainage
system; and Such other information as is required by the
CPDC.
Or take any other action with respect thereto.
Community Planning and Development Commission
Background:
Finance Committee Report: No report.
Bylaw Committee Report: At their meeting on March 10, 2021 the Bylaw Committee voted 4-0
to recommend the content of this Article to Town Meeting.
ARTICLE 19 To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Select Board to settle all claims
relative to 59 Middlesex Ave, LLC. v. Town of Reading filed in Federal District Court for the District
of Massachusetts (Civil Action No. 20-11101) and a Complaint filed with the Department of
Housing and Urban Development (Case #01-21-7269-8) by 59 Middlesex Ave, LLC, and to raise
and appropriate, transfer from available funds, or borrow a sum of money, to be expended under
the direction of the Select Board, for the purpose of paying expenses related to the settlement of
such claims, actions, and proceedings against the Town, or take any other action with respect
thereto.
Select Board
Background: This Article is under discussion in Executive Session by the Select Board. Further
information will be provided to Town Meeting if this Article is needed.
Finance Committee Report: No report.
Bylaw Committee Report: No report.
ARTICLE 20 To see if the Town will vote, pursuant to Section 2-6 of the Reading Home
Rule Charter, to declare the seats of certain Town Meeting Members to be vacant and remove
certain described persons from their position as Town Meeting Members for failure to take the
oath of office within 30 days following the notice of election or for failure to attend one-half or more
of the Town Meeting sessions during the previous year, or take any other action with respect
thereto.
Select Board
Background:
Finance Committee Report: No report.
Bylaw Committee Report: No report.
and you are directed to serve this Warrant by posting an attested copy thereof in at least one (1)
public place in each precinct of the Town not less than fourteen (14) days prior to April 6, 2021,
or providing in a manner such as electronic submission, holding for pickup or mailing, an attested
copy of said Warrant to each Town Meeting Member.
Hereof fail not and make due return of this Warrant with your doings thereon to the Town
Clerk at or before the time appointed for said meeting.
th
Given under our hands this __ day of ___________, 2021.
_______________________
Mark L Dockser, Chair
_______________________
Anne DJ Landry, Vice Chair
_______________________
Carlo Bacci, Secretary
_______________________
Vanessa I Alvarado
_______________________
Karen Gately Herrick
SELECT BOARD OF READING
_______________________________
, Constable
Town of Reading
Meeting Minutes
2016-09-22 LAG
Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Finance Committee
Date: 2021-03-10 Time: 7:00 PM
Building: Location:
Address: Session: Open Session
Purpose: Open Session - Remote Meeting Version: Draft
Attendees: Members - Present:
Chair Ed Ross, Vice Chair Dan Dewar, Nick Boivin, Jeanne Borawski, Eric
Burkhart, Marianne Downing, Andrew Mclauchlan, Mark Zarrow
Members - Not Present:
Others Present:
Town Manager Bob LeLacheur, DPW Director Jane Kinsella, Assistant Town
Manager Jean Delios, Town Accountant Sharon Angstrom, Library Director
Amy Lannon, Facilities Director Joe Huggins, Assistant Facilities Director
Kevin Cabuzzi, School CFO Gail Dowd, Fire Chief Greg Burns, Assistant DPW
Director Chris Cole, Police Chief David Clark, School Superintendent John
Doherty, Human Resources Director Sean Donahue
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jacquelyn LaVerde
Topics of Discussion:
This meeting was held remotely via Zoom.
Chair Ed Ross called the meeting to order at 7:02pm.
Review Town Department FY22 Budgets Continued:
DPW & Enterprise Funds
DPW Director Jane Kinsella and Town Manager Bob LeLacheur reviewed the department
budget and Enterprise Funds. There are eight divisions of the DPW, five funded by the
General Fund: Administration, Engineering, Highway, Parks and Forestry, and Cemetery;
and three funded by Enterprise Funds: Water, Sewer, and Stormwater.
Staff levels remain the same with 60 employees. The overall budget increased 2.4%.
Engineering expenses increased slightly due to the cost of some software licenses. The
Highway budget for gravel crushing, which is an optional endeavor, was cut in half and
funds were redistributed to line painting, supplies, and Police details. Non-enterprise
stormwater was level funded. Technical and Professional Services for Parks & Forestry was
increased slightly for occasions when there is a need to outsource tree removal, or rent
equipment. There was some money added for shade trees. There is some fluctuation in
salaries, as after two years, Laborers automatically become Junior Operators. There was
$9,500 removed from the Cemetery budget for grave liners, as there is no need for the
Town to purchase those, when residents can purchase them directly through the funeral
home. The Rubbish and Recycling contract increases 3% every year. The contract with
Covanta was re-signed last year, as there were significant increases for disposal.
Miscellaneous recycling was increased because residents can bring their electronics to the
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DPW garage for disposal. Funding was added for a curbside compost program. Snow and
Ice funding remains the same.
There was some staff turnover in the Water department with the retirement of some long-
time employees, so wages did not increase much. The rest of the expenses are level
funded. The MWRA assessment increased 18.5% due to increased usage as a result of
people being home during the pandemic.
There is $1.5 million water debt added next year for a lead removal project. Once that
project is complete, there will be a $1.75 million project to re-do the water meters the
following year. There was recently $12.4 million in debt sold, which includes approximately
$10 million in water debt for projects in and around downtown, Gazebo Circle, and the
water tank.
Sewer wages increased 0.8% due to turnover from retirements of long-time employees.
Expenses are level funded. There was $1 million sewer debt just sold for downtown
projects. Meter replacement will be coming up in two years. There are sewer stations that
will need to be replaced over the next 10 years.
Wages decreased in the Stormwater Enterprise Fund, as there were only two employees and
one of them left. Expenses are level funded. There was $1 million in stormwater debt sold
for downtown improvements in the Haven Street area. There is no debt projected for a few
years.
Mr. LeLacheur reviewed the PEG Cable Access Enterprise Fund. Cable funding is likely to
decline, but there is no change from FY21 to FY22. The Town is currently in negotiations
with one of the providers for a new contract.
Facilities
Facilities Director Joe Huggins reviewed the budget for the three divisions of Facilities:
School Buildings, Town Buildings, and Core Facilities. There are no changes to staffing.
There is a 5.2% decrease in miscellaneous expenses due to $275,000 of one-time COVID
expenses. Energy expenses increase $5,500 to cover water and sewer increases.
Maintenance and Repair increases to cover some aging roof repairs. HVAC expenses
increase $64,000 to cover the cost of MERV-13 filters, which are more expensive and
require more frequent changes. Plumbing increase $2,200, due to chronic stoppages and
lack of water flow in buildings that saw limited use during the pandemic. Alarm expenses
increased to cover monitoring of two additional buildings with new security systems in
them. Core Facilities wages decrease 0.3% and Town Buildings decrease 4.1% because of
the one-time COVID overtime expenses in FY21. Overall expenses decrease 6.8%.
The Town received $2.2 million in CARES federal funding for COVID expenses. So far,
about half of the funds have been spent, and the deadline to use the funds was extended to
December 2021. The other $1 million is expected to last through the end of 2021. The
costs for MERV-13 filters are likely not covered under COVID expenses, and will continue to
be an ongoing expense.
Shared Costs
Mr. LeLacheur reviewed the budget for shared costs, which increased 5.7% overall.
Benefits increase 3.8%, Capital and Debt increase 10.4%, and Vocational Schools increase
26%. Finance Committee Reserves decrease 33.3% back to $200,000, as the additional
reserves for unforeseen COVID expenses are not needed with the remaining funds available
from the CARES Act.
Retirement assessment increases 6.3%, Medicare increases 1.3%, Health Insurance
increases 2.7%. For FY22, there is only $100,000 budgeted for OPEB, but a surplus in
Health Insurance this year will help fund OPEB. Unemployment decreases 21.1%, as there
was so much fraud during COVID that claims were credited.
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Capital was reduced by $900,000 due to uncertainties with revenue stemming from COVID,
but about 1/3 was added back at November Town Meeting. Since the Financial Forums in
September, three projects were added to the Capital plan: High School stadium turf and
track (request for debt authorization at this April Town Meeting), Parker Middle School roof
replacement (FY25), and develop underutilized space in the Police Station for office space.
The Ladder Truck is still in the Capital Plan for this year.
Costs for Vocational Schools are estimated at $480,000, though tuition and enrollment are
not yet known.
Preview of Warrant Articles
Mr. LeLacheur provided an overview of the warrant articles for Annual Town Meeting. The
draft warrant report, which includes the details and dollar amount for each article, will be
sent next week.
The Finance Committee discussed Article 19, which relates to settling claims for 59
Middlesex Ave. The amount for a settlement is not yet known, and if Town Meeting does
not approve an amount, a Special Town Meeting could be called to authorize later. Ms.
Borawski encouraged a meeting between the Town Manager, Finance Committee Chair, and
Select Board Chair to discuss any potential liabilities if needed.
Also discussed was Free Cash. There is usually between $1 million and $2 million used and
regenerated each year. This year, there is $2.75 million of Free Cash being requested. Mr.
LeLacheur noted that he was not concerned about spending Free Cash, as COVID effects on
revenue have made this the proverbial rainy day. It is up to the Town Manager and
School Superintendent to manage it, and not rely on it for the operating budget, but for
one-time expenses.
Ms. Downing asked about the proposed positions to be added and whether Town Meeting
could strike a position from a budget line item. Mr. LeLacheur explained that the wage line
item is voted on, and if Town Meeting votes to decrease a wage line by an amount of a
specific salary, it is up to the Town Manager and Department Head how to use the
remaining funds.
For retirement, the Town has to fund what the Retirement Board votes. It is funded at a
6% increase annually and should be fully funded by 2029. Once Retirement is fully funded,
the funds that were allocated to Retirement will likely then be used toward funding OPEB.
Minutes:
On a motion by Ms. Borawski, and seconded by Ms. Downing, the Finance
Committee voted 8-0-0 to approve the meeting minutes of March 3, 2021.
Roll call vote: Jeanne Borawski-Yes, Nick Boivin-Yes, Eric Burkhart-Yes, Dan
Dewar-Yes, Mark Zarrow-Yes, Marianne Downing-Yes, Andrew Mclauchlan-Yes, Ed
Ross-Yes.
On a motion by Mr. Burkhart, and seconded by Ms. Borawski, the Finance
committee voted 8-0-0 to adjourn at 8:58pm.
Roll call vote: Jeanne Borawski-Yes, Nick Boivin-Yes, Eric Burkhart-Yes, Dan
Dewar-Yes, Mark Zarrow-Yes, Marianne Downing-Yes, Andrew Mclauchlan-Yes, Ed
Ross-Yes.
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