HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-04-25 Annual Town Meeting MinutesANNUAL TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School April 25, 2022 Performing Arts Center The Precincts listed below met at 7:00 PM to conduct the following business: Precinct 1 - With a Quorum present elected Salvatore Bramante as Precinct Chair and Rebecca Bailey as Precinct Clerk. After some discussion meeting was adjourned. Precinct 2 - With a Quorum present elected Nancy Tawadros as Precinct Chair and Emily Sisson as Precinct Clerk. After some discussion meeting was adjourned. Precinct 3 - With a Quorum present elected Daniel Dewar as Precinct Chair and Eric Bergstrom as Precinct Clerk. After some discussion meeting was adjourned. Precinct 4 - With a Quorum present elected Jennifer Hillery as Precinct Chair and Eric Gaffen as Precinct Clerk. After some discussion meeting was adjourned. Precinct 5 - With a Quorum present elected Vanessa Alvarado as Precinct Chair and Julie Ross as Precinct Clerk. After some discussion meeting was adjourned. Precinct 6 - With a Quorum present elected Kerri Perry as Precinct Chair and Kelly Malone as Precinct Clerk. After some discussion meeting was adjourned. Precinct 7 - With a Quorum present elected Genady Pilyaysky as Precinct Chair and Heather Clish as Precinct Clerk. After some discussion meeting was adjourned. Precinct 8 - With a Quorum present elected William Brown as Precinct Chair and Richard Abate as Precinct Clerk. After some discussion meeting was adjourned. The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Alan E. Foulds, at 7:30 PM, there being a quorum present. The Flag of the USA was presented by the Reading Police Department Honor Guard. The National Anthem was presented by the Reading Memorial High School Select Choir and Jazz Ensemble, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. The Invocation was given by Phillip Pacino, former Town Meeting Member. All new members of Town Meeting were sworn -in and the Constable's return of the Warrant was read by the Town Clerk. The following announcements were made by the Moderator: Before we begin, the chair would like to remind Town Meeting Members, and inform newly elected members about some of the basic rules, and how we will proceed: When you are recognized please wait until you have the microphone before speaking. In addition to being heard in the hall we want you to be heard on RCN, as well. The tapes from the cablecast may be used in verifying the official report. Before speaking, please state your name and precinct. Members are limited to no more than 10 minutes. The Chair will call on people roughly in the order that they raise their hands ... taking those that have not yet spoken, first. Non-members may speak, but only after members have first had the opportunity to do so. Non-member proponents of a motion may speak with permission of the body. Remember to stay away from personal attacks or, for the most part, personal references. We are here to discuss issues and NOT personalities. ANNUAL TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School April 25, 2022 Performing Arts Center After debate has proceeded for a while, we may have someone "move the previous question", or simply "move the question". That is a call for debate to end. That motion Itself is non -debatable and we will proceed directly to the issue of stopping debate. It takes a 2/3 vote. The Chair will not recognize that motion from a person who has just spoken. In other words, if you want to move the question and stop debate, that must be the only thing you have risen for. Amendments: We may have people offer amendments to motions on the Floor. These will be accepted. When a motion for an amendment is accepted we move directly to debate on the proposed amendment. Once disposed of, we return to debate on the main question. Other proposed amendments may be entertained as well. Town Meeting Members must be sitting in the lower portion of the hall if they want to be recognized as town meeting members, and have their votes counted. Instructional Motions: Article 3 is placed in the warrant by the Board of Selectmen, and calls for "Instructional Motions". These motions "instruct" various boards or individuals to do whatever the motion calls for. Proposed instructional motions were due to Town Hall last Friday. We will have three at this meeting. Although the article for Instructional Motions comes early in the meeting - Article 3 - we generally lay this on the table and take it up at the end of the meeting - whatever night that happens to be. There is often confusion with two particular motions, Indefinite Postponement and tabling. Let me give you a brief explanation of the difference: Indefinite Postponement is a motion asking that the body not vote for a particular motion during the life of this town meeting. Although it is thought of not so much as a vote against a particular issue, but rather a postponement, the result is the same. Voting in favor of indefinite postponement has the same result as voting against the main motion. If indefinite postponement carries, the main motion is defeated. A motion to indefinitely postpone is debatable. Tabling is used for another purpose altogether. Tabling temporarily puts a motion aside. It can be brought up again by anyone moving to take it from the table, at any time before the final adjournment of the meeting. This motion is non -debatable, although the chair will allow a brief explanation as to why the motion to table has been made. Adjournment: There are two types of adjournment. At the end of an evening we adjourn to a time certain. Tonight, for instance, when we are done for the evening, we, presumably, will adjourn until Thursday. When we are done with the business of town meeting we adjourn Sine Die, which translates to "without day." In other words, the meeting is complete. Finally, I would like to explain how things are likely to proceed over the next few hours, and next few days. Tonight, we begin with Article 2 of the Annual Meeting warrant, and we will proceed as far as we can. On Thursday the plan is to take up Article 18 - the operating budget. With some luck, we will finish the entire budget in one night. If we should finish early, we will return to where we left off tonight, temporarily skipping by Article 15. Next Monday, assuming we have finished the budget, we will take up Article 15. Following completion of that article, we will return to where we left off, again, and we'll keep working in order until we finish. Just to quickly recap, we plan to take articles 18 and 15 out of order and start with them on Thursday and Monday respectively. 2fPege ANNUAL TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School April 25, 2022 Performing Arts Center Motion made by Mark Dockser, Select Board to dispense of the reading of the warrant. Motion Carried ARTICLE 2: Motion made by the Select Board to table the subject matter. The reports were printed in the Report on the Warrant. Motion to Table Carried ARTICLE 3: Motion made by the Select Board to table the subject matter. Motion to Table Carried ARTICLE 4: Motion made by the Select Board that the Town vote to amend the FY 2022-32 Capital Improvements Program as provided for in Section 7-7 of the Reading Home Rule Charter and as previously amended, by making these changes: FY22: +4145.000 net changes +$110,000 Parking kiosks - four (4) +$15,000 Remote Access multi factor authentication +$20,000 Internal segmentation firewall FY23•+5117.000 +$12,000 RISE playground design (new) +$15,000 Town buildings doors & windows (new) +$5,000 for Ambulance and Equipment -$100,000 Strout Avenue improvements (objections at previous Town Meeting) +$185,000 DPW Snow Holder #1 (increased $Sk and moved up from FY26) FY24: +525.000 +$163,000 Arc Flash Hazard Study (new) +$120,000 RISE playground project (new) +$55,000 School Carpet /Flooring (new) +$225,000 DPW Loader (new, to replace Sicard for snow) -$111,000 DPW Snow Prinoth (moved out to FY31) +$165,000 Blower unit for loader (new, in conjunction with Sicard replacement) +$200,000 DPW Truck #11 (moved up from FY26) -$200,000 DPW Truck #18 (move out to FY26) +$20,000 School doors and windows (new) -$12,000 Wood End ES water heater (done) -$250,000 Coolidge Middle School Roof design (moved to FY29) -$150,000 Birch Meadow Elementary School Roof design (moved to FY29) -$200,000 Birch Meadow Elementary School site improvements (moved out to FY25) 31r ua ANNUAL TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School April 25, 2022 Performing Arts Center FY � Vallous other changes made Enterprise Funds - Water FY22: +$400.000 $400,000 water main repairs (focus on Walker's Brook) FY23: +4400.000 $400,000 water main repairs (Emerson) FY24+ Various changes made FY22: $150.000 $150,000 Additional funding for Downtown Sewer main work FY23:None FY24+ Various changes mad Enterprise Funds - FY22:None FY23: +5300.000 $300,000 Memorial Park drainage lining project Presentation given by: • Fidel Maltez - See Attached Finance Committee Report - given by Joseph McDonagh: The Finance Committee recommends the proposed amendments to the FY 2022 - FY 2032 Capital Improvements Program by a vote of 6-0 at their meeting on March 15, 2022. Placing items in the Capital Improvement Program is a prerequisite first step but in itself does not authorize spending funds toward these items. Bylaw Committee Report: No report Motion made by Mark Ventura, Precinct 2 to amend as follows: General Fund FY22:+4145.000 net chanaes +$15,000 Remote Access multi factor authentication +$20,000 Internal segmentation firewall ANNUAL TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School Performing Arts Center Motion to amend does not Carry Motion to move the question on the entire motion made by Matthew Sullivan, Precinct 3 2/3r° Vote Required 30 in the affirmative 126 in the negative 178 Town Meeting Members in Attendance Motion to End Debate Does Not Carry Motion to move the question on the amendment above made by Phillip Dardeno, Precinct 3 2/3r° Vote Required 147 In the affirmative 16 in the negative 178 Town Meeting Members in Attendance Motion Carried to End Debate After some discussion a vote was taken Motion Carried as Presented April 25, 2022 ARTICLE 5: Motion made by the Finance Committee that the Town vote to amend the Town's Operating Budget for the Fiscal Year commencing July 1, 2021, as adopted under Article 16 of the Annual Town Meeting of April 26, 2021 and amended under Article 4 of the Special Town Meeting of October 18, 2021 and further amended under Article 4 of the Subsequent Town Meeting of November 8, 2021; 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: General Fund - Waaes and Expenses ASSqmnt Line Descri tionrease Increase B99 - Benefits wages 85 expenses Health Insurance premiums -$650,000 OPEB +$250,000 $400,000 C99 - Capital As described in Article 4 $145,000 E99 - Regional Vocational Education Essex North VOKE-$25,000 $30,000 F99 - Finance Committee Reserves COVID Tests /Health Expenses $80,000 I Ladder Truck $67,000 $147,000 5W•de ANNUAL TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School Performing Arts Center April 25, 2022 Account Line Description Decrease Increase G91 - Town Manager overlap $8,000 $49,000 Administrative Town Manager termination pay $17,000 $169,000 Services Wages OPS Buybacks $17,000 $588,000 Tech Buybacks $7,000 $588,000 G92 - Town Manager and Deputy Police Chief $27,000 Administrative Screening processes $21,000 $169,000 Services Expenses Fiber network repairs $6,000 H92 - Public Housing Production Plan consulting $100,000 Services Expenses services $50,000 Town Owned Land Community Visioning process $50,000 391 - Public Safety Fire OT $75,000 $150,000 Wages Fire Buybacks $75,000 retirements 392 - Public Safety Public Health outsourced records $25,000 Expenses 25 000 K92 - Public Works West /Woburn video detection $55,000 Expenses processor $15,000 Electrical Cabinet $40,000 K93 - Public Works estimate as of 3/10/22 $200,000 Snow 8 Ice Subtotals $430,000 $898,000 Net Operating Expenses $0 From Free Cash $468,000 Enterprise Funds Presentation given by: • Fidel Maltez - See Attached Finance Committee Report - given by Geoffrey Coram: At their meeting on March 15, 2022 the Finance Committee voted 6-0 to recommend this Article to Town Meeting. Bylaw Committee Report: No Report 61P, g, Decrease Increase W99 Water EF Water main project $400,000 Fiber network repairs $6,000 Water Rate Study $13,000 $419,000 S99 Sewer EF Downtown Sewer project additional funding $150,000 Fiber network repairs $6,000 Sewer Rate Study $13,000 $169,000 Subtotals $588,000 Net Operating Expenses $588,000 From Water EF Reserves $419,000 From Sewer EF Reserves $169,000 Presentation given by: • Fidel Maltez - See Attached Finance Committee Report - given by Geoffrey Coram: At their meeting on March 15, 2022 the Finance Committee voted 6-0 to recommend this Article to Town Meeting. Bylaw Committee Report: No Report 61P, g, ANNUAL TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School Performing Arts Center Motion made by Bill Brown, Precinct 8 to amend as follows: April 25, 2022 G91 - Town Manager overlap $8,000 $49;000 Administrative Town Manager termination pay $3-7;000 $83,000 Services Wages $51,000 OPS Buybacks $17,000 Tech Buybacks $7,000 Counted Vote 66 in the affirmative 97 in the negative 178 Town Meeting Members in Attendance Motion to amend does not Carry Motion to move the question on the amendment above made by Phillip Dardeno, Precinct 3 2/3' Vote Required 153 in the affirmative 9 in the negative 178 Town Meeting Members in Attendance Motion Carried to End Debate Aker some discussion a vote was taken Motion Carried as Presented On motion it was voted that this Annual Town Meeting stand adjourned to meet at 7:30 PM at the Reading Memorial High School Performing Arts Center, on Thursday, April 28, 2022. Meeting adjourned at 10:17 PM with 178 Town Meeting Members in attendance. Motion Carried A true copy Attest: Laura A Gemme, CMC /CMMC Town Clerk — Town of Reading For the PAC Audience ... RPS GUEST AFi password: none Annum TowaIsen Meering APril z ra is 2022 Annual Town Meeting Articled(continued) Pyze anerai ..d:.$aq.a M mange. $163 EODARC Flats Xmard Study E 12o.n RISE Maryland ptoieat(nead F 55. a Smoot utpeMoonng(nex) E 225..0DPW W Wnr (raw, b "'And Sura her ani -Sill, End S111,0. EPW Snw Flynn (mwrea out b FY91) 1185.0 Blunt Alli bt I(Mw, m F..n wl Start repycenri E 2...B OPw Ihe T..1t II up m "Inn .S DEW Tduu s1 a mwea out m Fm) S 20..o Smoot amn and earned treat E 12 a. Wwd End Es water nwter(don.) 52.,0. Course ME tool real (mw. to 121) in. a. Birch Meadox ES rmt dealpn (mi b fY39) S 21 OX &tcn Meedaw ES sin Impnvements imovM out A M 5) —® 2022 Annual Town Meeting einaa Article 0 Add.. remove. or chain.. ibme in the FY2242 Capital Improvements Program -dee. not authorize any handing her Nese i..: Ey" General Fend: Slia.Wa net changes $11 E....' liters (1) S 150. Remora ac eee mma ncbnt r auhenalon S 20 aW Internal ugman..n 1-11 %zs Gnenl Fund: +11I not mange. S 1z aW RISE ... cremd d.agn in. E 150. Tnwn Wlalrpa..a fl..-a(nsw) Sc WJ PmeukrMe malignant S 1., 0. Ser. Ave Mpmvaman s (Wlectione M pnvpus TM) E 185 C. n1W Snow Rolmr (Inuencei S. A mcwd up hwn FY A, —® 2022 Annual Town Meeting Daae Article 0 (continued) FYStEmegtlu 1116..p. In tend wMer:.evala. water msn npam poa. on W.Iaers &owl .—r3n%. Adaluon.11umm�g tar Error—Sen rman nun FY3a EnnPde. Furs:.$].. an .1 w.nr:.Saao.a. wemr main mpalrs IFinamm) Esvxc.SS..a. 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BISNIIEeIIm Fund No finds recelved. Not Appl'ol ncomanxi Ilal Plana WGe to baled. -O- PIg., 2022 Annual Town Meeting Article] Other Fiat Employment BeneBb (OPEB) More a p6Ma6 M1uMa b Vre OPEB Train fMOppp Genertl NM ($lW1, • f260 WJ.1nsA In M. 6) f 66.Na Wabr EnNlmea Fund S ll WaIn 2i.Saxer Fund f Ip.M smlm Wall Enbmlae Fa. fY6.fiW An hall lOep. Appmp. f2163k xfAdtrrun M. n — Pala - 2022 Annual Town Meeting ARlcb 9 Authorizes Revolving Funds Annual 9paMing 4mN and amends Becton 6.6.2 of Me General Brian: 652lnremon ae.I.n@ rwe &`Iq'. n eu Iftak Is 55 imuvi,I[a...nl ut. zal :�inuWic: wr stivi� —— P.pwe,e 2022 Annual Town Meeting Article 9 continued Authoress Revolving Funds Annual Spending Limift m r—ounn does, asn". My AM nalsomeof s. M. Ndlc,MeXXCllnln66erveoe proved .Ad Law, Flan am Feer alfa. are. mwnac.... o npvv none $1,doo been Fond ..no "Abou 2022 Annual Town Meeting Article 11 Addition of Seaton 6. a.] alma General Bylaw Ey m5ening new Revolving fund and emimm..f ependme limit 3023 Annual Town Meeting Article 10 PllonleUle Housing Tm¢I Fund Albce[lon Plan Pvwenlb N4tla 10 Wma 3033 AnInM Tcvm MeehO, Albkeeb ption %en Fle Year f033 in evnNente housingTlup Fund Preserve larul Mm me Bmalnonam cn.pdr fao of me Ama m3m+ L.. foupa¢: bleeb ae4,¢a-UnnaNc e4 Funds: 5057 718 Availeeb &4,m-HepNdee Fund, S 0 unre.maedrond.dial as used bane Mlkwirp Bumnaer. • aro Boo pramadmm msx roraemm pn mAnem.ed vou.mA possession Ar rdnWNnB Mpeapla e0uai0 BMu4l,q ben and 1 preoreda rorm.m,.md no lmpmvna.npmeeniry meedna�nlrlA torsion un vuranere pie.mar0 ne,dioA amu m sea em ormNnda, pen Mme eeiatinB aXONel9a Muel,q lnvanrory wwwv m . 2023 Annual Town Meeting Article 12 .he.. iiewSea�e`ie re:mema.�.M�m °°m`m +iaiir.nranM•..�nurao,Inne.n e. I•+n Amon•Ae e.Nm.mse.mng°new em.ge....mnia...wwm: NopeM Ic=e, i has lien Lana Wrest m a d� pap5, Pxwl jpwerga The naiddX.erep,omainaenex pmlam patio NSal vAll polMan she euaunA 88 emen,. eenen�.Itleme In—repueaMa Me ebmM,mBnl ore paNm of to dninpe m r;ee..emem ;..=O as ermaN.onO aremlon m.n..ne nap%wM. n,a ¢fdm::le�.faree.�011ware°:n�onrarelo rmime eareneon°n mes'" rvo.aennn.lpe.u...re orepnaedm— pymb e..emem meta metre 4 2022 MTown McNing Article N 1 12 lent 6aae ®• deal 2022 Annual Town Meeting Article 12 Continued ueM w -®_ �,,,. 2022 Annual Town MeeOng Articlpe 13 p4eueo tdrow annu.... o e exist ne cash Millmannir. a pnNon W The cdonaddide o TO ToamT�esomoennsynenotal .ne moeleeonew TThheeonrnmendonamount 15 hyanuew lwally n¢¢an ate pan of me pnvloust appmvea on Tsmand of inu4a ohne 5ummn wlape eeI and u 'i this eemm ne the Team deati apr- 2022 Annual Town Meeting Article 14 Animal Ne Abd BoaN to ecwpf a wbreaeemant palma IoniheIN Jag Man 9nef tunanese AIn, ppameea py Jury WA The mlwallowI allow one Town the ie'ndW and meimox ¢ie a n herman w which all conned Man And and Ash Aen Teen easemeacres nt ell well thaty a pe eandy ¢ower easement m allow for water as The connection is hvdirawd.�ry neuand a ¢¢an al elements a water main wavenn ,me rhi mo This water main lnaeleeon as own of Me pre idi appmvM Nwnevm Water Main lmyoeemenLL. 5 2022 Annual Town MoSt ng Article', CaMlnuee /.' lM1. IXiAFf=W&W&Vre.,. �Mte —®— eel,2022 Annual Town Meeting Article 18 P bbefiu RMLO Lard PuMeee: me Afliae waa onebeiiy b r u rebriee are gvHese de pope, In WIIrMgIM for a new e.ratee, H.., e Mei dM Mr Area, RMLO b bcking ido pu.., a Similar Pope, avwa be. a0eer M1wn the anginal pwe,ny. ID—tern mIOM. addnuW M a Spei Town Meeting, later. Reummend Net he ertitle be uMad. ®— ree.raP 2022 Annual Town Meeting Article 15 Amend Gambxn Siren G Ma Zonlnp Prexmetion and aeper¢re pra.e, N' CPOC 2022 Annual ]awn Meeting ArA1] CaepbrNplbcation Aulnwhe eppropnarlon by Iwacbm ig In enadpation dCn. 6o eM arcane C1,90 at wrwkuw kwl la ua., nebeb we. Cer. Cnepde,l e— ers—ir, ii, govxnena CMpmOo Nndlnp a n remWnemem ono FUMe need to appropnNdln anecipe4onINrecpp pt GlpMBJ luta Moaed ne. e.er e.en eaa'n am�wnb�dclmp.rag -mal •QQQ laeapact.d mCe recMVM 2022 Annual Town Meeting Article 18 AEopl FY22 Budget. generale Pw.eRahrt Presentation and pro'shoords, by Town PrwrManl. SMool Bunennlendenl and Town Manager. -- 2022 Annual Town Melling Article 19 To remove Town Meeting memEem Mat have not attended at least 60% of the Mrs. (J) sessions In Ma 1.1 12 monNa, n Oresnibed by Me Town Coarsen Section 26. NI members ofTown Mees, are temnPy elected and no sessions have bean held. nia AMcm is aspected to be taxed.