HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-07-18 Select Board Packet
Town of Reading
Meeting Posting with Agenda
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.
Page | 1
2018-07-16 LAG Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Select Board
Date: 2023-07-18 Time: 7:00 PM
Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Select Board Meeting Room
Address: 16 Lowell Street Agenda:
Purpose: General Business
Meeting Called By: Caitlin Nocella on behalf of Chair Jackie McCarthy
Notices and agendas are to be posted 48 hours in advance of the meetings excluding
Saturdays, Sundays and Legal Holidays. Please keep in mind the Town Clerk’s hours of
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 reaso nably 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 in-person in the Select Board
Meeting Room at Town Hall and remotely on Zoom. It will
also be streamed live on RCTV as usual.
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Meeting ID: 849 4671 5528
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PAGE #
7:00 Overview of Meeting
7:05 Public Comment
7:15 SB Liaison & Town Manager Reports
7:30 Autumn Hendrickson Book Presentation 3
Town of Reading
Meeting Posting with Agenda
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.
Page | 2
8:00 Discussion on Special Committee for Charter Review 5
8:20 Demo of Construction Tracker
8:40 Vote to Approve 91 Green Street Driveway Width Waiver 88
9:00 Presentation from Assessor on FY25 Tax rate 90
9:30 Discuss Public Forum on Dog Park
9:45 Discuss Future Agendas 102
9:50 Approve Meeting Minutes 104
Research at the National Archives in St.Louis,MO
Objectives
-Scan 45+Official Military Personnel Files.
-Go through upwards of 100 months worth of unit Morning Reports.
What is a Morning Report?
A Morning Report is an exclusive roster taken every day at the company level.You only show
up on a Morning Report if something happens to you,like being promoted,demoted,going
missing,getting wounded,being killed,leaving the unit,or joining the unit.These reports were
taken by the company First Sergeant,and were either typed on a typewriter or handwritten.
Here are some examples of what a Morning Report might look like:
In St.Louis,I set out to collect Morning Reports relevant to roughly 100 different individuals I
am researching.These Morning Reports allow me to ensure I know when a man joined or left a
unit,and it allows me to identify the unit with which he or she served if I do not have that
information.
Here are 2 of the most compelling and memorable individuals who I set out to research further
while I was at the National Archives…
Edward Joseph Doucette
Mr.Doucette was a member of an unknown component of the 1st Special Service Force,a joint
Canadian and American commando division that fought primarily in Italy during the war.
Towards the end of the conflict,Mr.Doucette,alongside many of his comrades from the 1st
Special Service Force,was transferred into the 474th Infantry Regiment which served as a
garrison type of unit for the rest of the war in Europe and also were the guards for the recovery
and transportation of the many high-value precious items that the Nazis had stolen during their
march across the continent.
Anthony F.Marchio
Mr.Marchio was a member of the 100th Infantry Division in Europe,and was actually wounded
while serving with them,but he is particularly interesting because for whatever reason,Mr.
Marchio has combat credit for the Sicily,Rome-Arno,Naples-Foggia,and Southern France
campaigns,none of which the 100th Infantry Division were a part of.So,somewhere along the
line,Mr.Marchio was transferred into the 100th Infantry Division from some other unit.
Ivria G. Fried
T: 617.804.2427
ifried@miyares-harrington.com
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
June 22, 2023
Fidel Maltez
Town Manager
Town of Reading
16 Lowell Street
Reading, MA 01867
Re: Revising or Amending the Reading Home Rule Charter
Dear Fidel:
Section 4.13 of the Reading Home Rule Charter (the “Charter”) requires that a committee
be established at least every ten years “for the purpose of reviewing the Charter and making a
report, with recommendations, to the Town Meeting concerning any proposed amendments that
said Committee may determine to be necessary or desirable.”1 The Town established the previous
Charter Review Committee (“CRC”) on September 16, 2013.2 Thus, the Town must form the
CRC by September of this year.
This letter details how a community may amend its charter. Briefly , there are three paths
this process can take: (1) The Special Act Amendment Process; (2) The Home Rule Revision
Process; and (3) The Home Rule Amendment Process. There are legal and practical considerations
in relation to each potential revision option. This letter will also review the procedures employed
by the prior CRC.
I. Special Act Amendment Process
Revising or amending a charter by special act requires a Town Meeting vote to authorize
the Select Board to petition the legislature for the passage of special legislation. Once the petition is
filed with the legislature it follows the traditional home rule legislative process for approval. If the
bill is approved by the legislature, and signed by the governor, it becomes law. In certain cases, the
legislature may mandate local acceptance of the act. Where the act does not require such a ballot
1 This provision was added to the Charter in 2015. The prior Charter did not include any review requirements.
2 Section 4.13 of the Charter states that the CRC shall be comprised of nine members, consisting of the Moderator,
one member or designee of the Select Board, one member or designee of the School Committee, one member or
designee of the Board of Library Trustees, one member or designee, of the Municipal Light Board of Commissioners,
one member of the Bylaw Committee and three Town Meeting members to be appointed by the Moderator.
vote, it will become effective thirty days after the governor signs the bill , or other date set forth in
the act.3
Critically, the Special Act Amendment Process presents the legislature with the opportunity
to revise the proposed bill, subject to certain limitations. The legislature could also refuse to adopt
the act. Thus, to some extent, this option places the power to amend the charter in the hands of the
legislature. As described below, the legislature does not play a role in the Home Rule Revision and
Amendment Process.
Notwithstanding the above, the Special Act Amendment process is easier and simpler than
the Home Rule Revision or Amendment Process and, therefore, is frequently utilized by
communities to make charter changes. In fact, Article 11 of Reading's November 14, 2022
Subsequent Town Meeting empowered the Select Board to file special legislation to amend Article
4.4 of the Charter, which outlines the composition of the Board of Health .4 The Special Act
Amendment Process should be considered by the CRC as a valid and potentially desirable option
for amending the Charter.
II. Home Rule Revision and Amendment Process
A municipality may “adopt or revise” its charter pursuant to the Home Rule Amendment of
the Massachusetts Constitution.5 This is a local process, which requires electing a charter
commission. Electing a charter commission can be a lengthy and involved process and is typically
not recommended unless significant charter changes are required .6
A city or town may also “amend” its charter under the Home Rule Amendment. While
amending a charter does not necessitate the election of a charter commission, the power to amend a
charter is limited. Specifically, the amendment process may not be utilized to change the
“composition, mode of election or appoi ntment, or terms of office of the legislative body … the
board of selectmen or town manager.”7 Accordingly, the Town must carefully evaluate whether the
desired changes may be accomplished through the revision or amendment process.
a. Home Rule Revision Process
As stated, revising a charter under the Home Rule Amendment requires the creation of an
elected charter commission. Section 4.13 of Reading’s Charter does not contemplate the formation
of such a committee. Instead, the Charter provides that the Town shall establish a Charter Review
Committee comprised of identified individuals that are appointed or designated by current
3 G.L. c. 4, § 1.
4 This bill is currently working its way through the legislature.
5 Mass. Const. amend. II, §§2-4.
6 Mass. Const. amend. II, § 4; G.L. c. 43B, § 3.
7 Mass. Const. amend. II, § 4.; G.L. c. 43B, § 10.
municipal officials or public bodies.8 Additionally, the CRC is only empowered to “mak[e] a report,
with recommendations, to the Town Meeting concerning any proposed amendments that said
Committee may determine to be necessary or desirable.” An elected charter commission can direct
the Select Board to call an election related to the charter revisions. This suggests that the Home
Rule Revision Process was not likely the process contemplated when the Town adopted Section
4.13 of the Charter in 2015. Nonetheless, I have outlined the revision process below.
The Home Rule Revision Process commences with the circulation of a petition requesting
revisions to the charter.9 The petition must be filed with the board of registrars with the signatures
of at least fifteen percent of the number of registered voters in the town as of the pre ceding state
election. Once the petition is certified, the Select Board must submit the question of revising the
charter to the voters of the town and for the election of a charter commission.10 Such vote must
take place at the “at the first annual or biennial town meeting for the election of town officers, held
on or after the sixtieth day following the adoption of the order.”11 Notably, the Select Board cannot
place the question to revise the charter and elect a charter commission on the ballot absent such a
petition. In those situations where a municipality incorrectly initiates the revision process, special
legislation must be sought to ratify the charter revision process.12
The charter commission must consist of nine registered voters of the Town elected at large,
with each candidate filing certified nominations papers with the registrars of voters at least 35 days
prior to the election.13 “The vote on the question [to revise the charter]… and the election of the
charter commission shall take place at the same time.”14 If the question regarding whether a
commission shall be elected passes, the votes for the candidates are tallied, and the nine candidates
receiving the highest number of votes are deemed elected.15
Within 20 days of the election of the charter commission, the Town Treasurer must credit,
with or without appropriation, $5,000 to the account of the charter commission.16 The Town may
appropriate additional funds for the charter commission as is deemed necessary.17
8 See, footnote 2.
9 G.L. c. 43B, § 15.
10 G.L. c. 43B, § 4.
11 Id.
12 See, Chapter 143 of the Acts of 2010, An Act Validating the Election of a Charter Commission in the City of
Holyoke; Chapter 157 of the Acts of 2010, An Act Validating the Election of a Charter Commission in the City of
Everett.
13 G.L. c. 43B, §§ 5, 6.
14 Mass. Const. amend. II, § 3.
15 G.L. c. 43B, § 6.
16 G.L. c. 43B, § 8.
17 The charter commission may also accept funds from other sources, subject to certain restrictions. Id.
The charter commission’s duties include drafting the text of the revision, preparing interim
reports, holding hearings, and making a final report on the proposed charter revision.18 Specifically,
the charter commission must take the following actions:
• Within 45 days after its election, the commission must hold a public hearing within
the Town. Notice of the hearing must be published at least 10 days prior in a
newspaper having general circulation in the Town.
• Within 16 months after its election, the charter commission must prepare a report,
which includes the text of the proposed charter revision, and publish such report in
a newspaper having general circulation in the Town. The Town Clerk must also
have sufficient copies to distribute to registered voters requesting same. Two copies
of the report must also be sent to the attorney general and the Executive Office of
Housing and Livable Communities. Within four weeks, the attorney general is
required to provide the commission with a written opinion, setting forth any
conflict between the proposed charter revision and the constitution and laws of the
commonwealth.
• Within four weeks of publishing the report, the charter commission must hold one
or more public hearings upon the report.
• Within 18 months after its election, the charter commission must submit its final
report to the Select Board. The report must include “the full text and an explanation
of the proposed … revision, such comments as the commission deems desirable, an
indication of the major differences between the current and proposed charters, and
a statement of not more than one thousand words by the commission minority, if
any, provided such statement is filed with the chairman of the commission within
forty-eight hours after the commission's vote approving such report.”19 A copy of
the final report must also be submitted to the Executive Office of Housing and
Livable Communities and to the attorney general.
Once the charter commission has submitted its final report, the “board of selectmen shall
order the proposed charter … revision to be submitted to the voters … for their approval . . . at
the first annual or biennial town meeting for the election of town officers, held at least two months
after such submission.”20 If the final report by the commission, however, does not recommend
revising the charter, the Select Board may not submit the question to the voters.
If the question is to appear on the ballot, the final report of the charter commission must be
distributed to each residence of one or more registered voters no later than two weeks before the
election. Additional copies must also be filed with the Town Clerk. The question of revising a
charter must be submitted to the voters as a single question, “unless the rep ort of the charter
18 G.L. c. 43B, § 9.
19 G.L. c. 43B, § 9(c).
20 G.L. c. 43B, § 11.
commission provides for separate submission of proposed revisions.”21 The ballot question must
take the following form and be submitted to the Town Clerk no later than 35 days before the
election: “Shall this (city) (town) approve the ch arter revision recommended by the charter
commission summarized below?”.22 A new charter revision approved by the majority of the voters,
takes effect on the date specified.
As noted above, the Home Rule Revision Process is by far the most complex and ti me-
consuming of the three options available to the Town and should not be undertaken lightly. Unless
the CRC sees a significant need to use this revision process, our advice would be to move forward
under the Special Act Amendment Process or the Home Rule Amendment Process, or both (as was
done in 2015).
b. Home Rule Amendment Process
As noted above, the amendment process under the Home Rule Amendment may not be
used to propose any change in a charter relating in any way to the “composition, mode of election
or appointment, or terms of office of the legislative body, … the board of selectmen or town
manager.”23 Amendments to a charter may be proposed by Town Meeting, upon a two-thirds
vote.24 In addition, Town Meeting may vote on any amendment submitted to it by the Town
Manager, any member of the Select Board, or upon submittal of a petition signed by at least ten
registered voters.
A request to amend a charter submitted by the Town Manager, any member of the Select
Board, or upon petition must first be filed with the Town Clerk. Not later than three months after
the date the suggested amendment is filed with the Town Clerk, the Select Board must order a
public hearing to be held. The public hearing must be held not later than four months after the
filing date of the suggested amendments.25 Town Meeting must act on the suggested amendments
no later than the first annual Town Meeting held at least six months after the suggested
amendments are filed with the Town Clerk. A two-thirds vote of Town Meeting on the suggested
amendments is required.
If Town Meeting votes its approval and orders the amendments to be presented to the
voters, a copy of the proposed amendment must be submitted to the Attorney General and the
Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities. The Attorney General has four weeks to
review the amendment and issue a written opinion describing “any conflicts between the proposed
amendment and the constitution and laws of the commonwealth.”26 If the Attorney General
21 G.L. c. 43B, § 11.
22 Id.
23 Mass. Const. amend. II, § 4.; G.L. c. 43B, § 10(a).
24 G.L. c. 43B, § 10.
25 Notice of the public hearing must be published at least seven days in advance in a newspaper of general circulation
in the town.
26 G.L. c. 43B, § 10(c).
believes that a conflict exists, the order will not take effect. If no conflict is reported, the order will
become effective four weeks after its submission.27
The amendment must then be “submitted to the voters at the first … election or meeting
held at least two months after the order proposing such charter amendment becomes effective.”28
As with ballot questions regarding charter revisions, the ballot questi on must be filed with the
Town Clerk no later than 35 days before the election, and the question must be substantially as
follows: “Shall this (town) approve the charter amendment proposed by the (town meeting)
summarized below?”29 Any approved amendment will take effect upon the date specified in the
proposed amendment or in the order proposing the amendment.30
III. 2013 Charter Review Committee Process
The Town created the 2013 Charter Review Committee in September of 2013 upon an
instructional motion of Town Meeting. The CRC presented its proposed changes to Town Meeting
on January 5, 2015. Over that 15-month period, the CRC met 25 times, holding various public
meetings and hearing.
As a result of its work, the CRC recommended two types of Charter amendments to Town
Meeting: (1) Amendments that altered the “composition, mode of election or appointment, or
terms of office of the legislative body [i.e., Town Meeting]”; and (2) Amendments that did not alter
the “composition, mode of election or appointment, or terms of office of [Town Meeting].” Given
the limitations on the use of the Home Rule Amendment Process discussed above, the CRC
proposed a set of changes under the Special Act Amendment Process and a set of changes under the
Home Rule Amendment Process to Town Meeting. The CRC also produced a “Reading Home
Rule Charter Translation Guide” for Town Meeting that explored the various changes.31
Specifically, Article 7 of the January 5, 2015, Special Town Meeting proposed a new Home
Rule Charter that included only those sections that could be acted upon by local voters under the
Home Rule Amendment Process. Town Meeting acted favorably, and the matter was sent to the
Attorney General's office for review and approval. After obtaining the Attorney General's
authorization, the matter was placed on the ballot and, o n April 7, 2015, the voters approved the
charter changes by a vote of 17,350 to 1,963.
Additionally, Article 8 of the January 5 Special Town Meeting authorized the Select Board
to submit a special act to the legislature to adopt those charter changes which amended the
27 Id.
28 G.L. c.43B, §11
29 The charter amendment must be distributed to each residence of one or more voters not later than 2 weeks before
the election and accompanied by a summary prepared by town counsel.
30 G.L. c. 43B, § 11.
31 A copy is attached as Exhibit A.
“composition, mode of election or appointment, or terms of office of [Town Meeting]”. The
Governor signed the special act on April 24, 2015.32
IV.Conclusion
The CRC will need to review the current Charter with a critical eye, evaluating what
changes or amendments are required. After the CRC has a general idea of the scope and scale of the
necessary revisions, it must then determine how best to proceed given the Town's unique needs.
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Ivria Glass Fried
32 See, Chapter 16 of the Acts of 2015. A copy is attached as Exhibit B.
EXHIBIT A
EXHIBIT B
Acts (2015)
Chapter 16
AN ACT RELATIVE TO THE TOWN OF READING HOME RULE
CHARTER
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in
General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same as follows:
SECTION 1. Article 2 of the town of Reading home rule charter,
as amended by article 7 of the January 5, 2015 special town meeting,
is hereby amended by striking out section 2.1 and inserting in place
thereof the following section:-
2.1 Composition
The legislative body of the town shall be a representative town
meeting consisting of 192 members from 8 precincts who shall be
elected by the voters in each precinct. Each precinct shall be equally
represented in town meetings by members elected so that the term of
office of 1/3 of the members shall expire each year.
SECTION 2. Said article 2 of said charter, as so amended, is
hereby further amended by striking out section 2.2 and inserting in
place thereof the following section:-
2.2 Revision of Precincts
When required by law or every 10 years, the board of selectmen
shall review and, if necessary, re-divide the territory of the town into 8
plainly designated precincts. The precincts shall be divided into as
nearly an equal number of inhabitants as possible. The territory of
each precinct shall be contiguous and as compact as possible. The
territory of each precinct shall be defined, where reasonably possible,
by the centerline of known streets or other well-defined limits. Within
10 days of completing its review, the board of selectmen shall file a
report with the town clerk and the board of registrars of voters,
showing any revisions to the precincts that are being made pursuant to
this section. If revisions are being made, the report shall include a map
showing the boundaries of each precinct and a list of its inhabitants'
names and addresses.
The board of selectmen shall also post the map and list in the town
hall and in at least 1 public place in each precinct. Any such precinct
revision shall be effective on the date it is filed with the town clerk.
The town clerk shall forthwith notify the secretary of state of the
revision in writing.
SECTION 3. Said article 2 of said charter, as so amended, is
hereby further amended by striking out section 2.3 and inserting in
place thereof the following section:-
2.3 Town Meeting Membership
At the first town-wide election after any precincts are revised, the
voters of each precinct shall elect 24 town meeting members to
represent the precinct. Terms of office shall be determined by the
number of votes received. The 8 candidates receiving the highest
number of votes shall serve for a term of 3 years, the 8 receiving the
next highest number of votes shall serve for a term of 2 years, and 8
candidates receiving the next highest number of votes shall serve for a
term of 1 year from the day of election. Upon the certification of such
election, the term of office of all previously elected town meeting
members shall cease.
At each annual election thereafter, the voters in each precinct shall
elect 8 town meeting members to represent the precinct for a term of 3
years and shall also elect town meeting members to fill any vacant
unexpired terms. After each election of town meeting members, the
town clerk shall notify each town meeting member of that member ’s
election in writing. In the event of a tie vote, resulting in a failure to
elect the full number of town meeting members in any precinct, the
vacancy created thereby shall be filled until the next annual town
election by a vote of the remaining town meeting members of the
precinct; provided, however, that the balance of any unexpired term
shall be filled at the next annual town election. In the event of such a
vacancy, the town clerk shall give written notice of the tie vote and the
vacancy created thereby, to the remaining town meeting members of
that precinct and shall publish such notice in the local news medium.
Such notice shall provide at least 7 day’s advance notification of the
time and place for a precinct meeting for the purpose of filling the
vacancy.
SECTION 4. Said article 2 of said charter, as so amended, is
hereby further amended by striking out section 2.5 and inserting in
place thereof the following section:-
2.5 Nomination Procedures
Nomination of candidates for town meeting member shall be made
by nomination papers bearing no political designation and signed by
not fewer than 10 voters from the candidate's precinct. Nomination
papers shall be obtained in person and signed by the candidate in the
presence of the town clerk or a designee. Completed nomination
papers shall be filed with the town clerk at least 35 days before the
election.
SECTION 5. Said article 2 of said charter, as so amended, is
hereby further amended by striking out section 2.6 and inserting in
place thereof the following section:-
2.6 Vacancies
A town meeting member may resign by filing a written notice with
the town clerk. A town meeting member who terminates residency in
the town shall cease to be a town meeting member. A town meeting
member who moves a residence from the precinct from which that
member was elected to another precinct shall serve only until the next
annual town election. If any person elected as a town meeting member
fails to attend 1/2 or more of the total town meeting sessions within 1
year preceding the most recent annual town election, that member ’s
seat may be declared vacant by a majority vote of the town meeting.
The board of selectmen shall place an Article on the annual town
meeting warrant to remove any such town meeting member from
office. At least 7 days prior to the annual town meeting, the town clerk
shall notify any such town meeting member that the member may be
removed from office; provided, however, that such notice shall be
deemed adequate if mailed postage prepaid to the town meeting
member ’s last known address. Any vacancy in a town meeting
position may be filled until the next annual town election by a vote of
the remaining town meeting members of the precinct; provided,
however, that the balance of any unexpired term shall be filled at the
next annual town election. In the event of a vacancy, the town clerk
shall give written notice thereof to the remaining town meeting
members of the precinct and shall publish such notice in a local news
medium. Such notice shall provide at least 7 day’s advance
notification of the time and place for a precinct meeting for the
purpose of temporarily filling the vacancy.
SECTION 6. Article 3 of said charter, as so amended, is hereby
further amended by striking out section 3.2 and inserting in place
thereof the following section:-
3.2 Board of Selectmen
There shall be a board of selectmen consisting of 5 members
elected for 3-year terms so arranged that as nearly an equal number of
terms as possible shall expire each year. The executive powers of the
town shall be vested in the board of selectmen. The board of selectmen
shall have all of the powers and duties granted to boards of selectmen
by the constitution and General Laws of Massachusetts and such
additional powers and duties as may be provided by the charter, by
town by-law or by town meeting vote. The board of selectmen shall
cause the laws and orders for the government of the town to be
enforced and shall cause a record of all its official acts to be kept. The
board of selectmen shall appoint a town manager, a town counsel, a
town accountant, not more than 5 constables and any other appointed
board or committee member for whom no other method of selection is
provided by the charter or by town by-law. The board of selectmen or
its designee shall be the licensing board of the town and shall have the
power to issue licenses, to make all necessary rules and regulations
regarding the issuance of such licenses, to attach such conditions and
restrictions thereto as it deems to be in the public interest and to
enforce the laws relating to all businesses for which it issues licenses.
SECTION 7. Article 5 of said charter, as so amended, is hereby
further amended by striking out section 5.1 and inserting in place
thereof the following section:-
5.1 Appointment, Qualifications and Term
The board of selectmen shall appoint a town manager, who shall be
appointed solely on the basis of executive and administrative
qualifications. The town manager shall be a professionally qualified
person of proven ability, especially fitted by education, training and
previous experience. He shall have had at least 5 years of full-time
paid experience as a city or town manager or assistant city or town
manager or the equivalent level public or private sector experience.
The terms of the town manager's employment shall be the subject
of a written contract, for a term not to exceed 3 years, setting forth the
town manager ’s tenure, compensation, vacation, sick leave, benefits
and such other matters as are customarily included in an employment
contract. The town manager ’s employment contract shall be in
accordance with and subject to the charter and shall prevail over any
conflicting provision of any personnel by-law, rule or regulation. The
town manager ’s compensation shall not exceed the amount annually
appropriated for that purpose.
The town manager shall devote full-time to the office and, except
as expressly authorized by the board of selectmen, shall not engage in
any other business or occupation. Except as expressly provided in the
charter, the town manager shall not hold any other public elective or
appointive office in the town; provided, however, that, with the
approval of the board of selectmen, the town manager may serve as
the town’s representative to regional boards, commissions or similar
entities, but shall not receive any additional salary from the town for
such services. Upon the termination of the town manager's
appointment, whether voluntary or otherwise, the town manager may
receive termination pay as determined by the board of selectmen, not
to exceed 12 months’ salary in total. To be eligible for this benefit
upon voluntary termination, the town manager shall provide the board
of selectmen a minimum of 60 days written notice of the intent to
leave. This benefit shall not be available if the town manager is
terminated for cause.
SECTION 8. Said article 5 of said charter, as so amended, is
hereby further amended by striking out section 5.4 and inserting in
place thereof the following section:-
5.4 Acting Town Manager
5.4.1 Temporary Absence - By letter filed with the town clerk and
the board of selectmen, the town manager shall designate a qualified
individual to serve as acting town manager during any anticipated
temporary absence, not to exceed 30 days.
5.4.2 Long-Term Absence - In the event of the absence, incapacity
or illness of the town manager in excess of 30 days, the board of
selectmen shall appoint a qualified individual to serve as acting town
manager until the town manager returns.
5.4.3 Vacancy - When the office of town manager is vacant or the
town manager is under suspension, as provided in section 5.5, the
board of selectmen shall appoint a qualified individual to serve as
acting town manager under terms of employment to be determined by
the board of selectmen. In the event of vacancy, the board of
selectmen shall initiate recruitment for a new town manager without
delay and shall appoint a new town manager within 180 days.
5.4.4 Powers – Except as authorized by a 4/5 vote of the board of
selectmen, the powers of an acting town manager shall be limited to
routine matters requiring immediate action and to making emergency
temporary appointments to any town office or employment within the
scope of the town manager's responsibilities.
SECTION 9. Article 8 of said charter, as so amended, is hereby
further amended by striking out section 8.11 and inserting in place
thereof the following section:-
8.9 Elections
8.9.1 Annual Town Elections - The choice of elected town officers
and town meeting members, as well as referendum questions, shall be
acted upon and determined on the date fixed by town by-law by voters
on official ballots without party or other designation.
8.9.2 Procedures - All elections held pursuant to the charter shall be
conducted in accordance with the election laws of the commonwealth.
8.9.3 Town-wide election shall be held at the same time for each
precinct at a place designated by the board of selectmen.
SECTION 10. Said article 8 of said charter, as so amended, is
hereby further amended by striking out section 8.13 and inserting in
place thereof the following section:-
8.11 Recall Procedures
8.11.1 Application - A holder of an elective office, other than a
town meeting member, with more than 6 months remaining in the term
for which the official was elected, may be recalled therefrom by the
voters in the manner provided in this section. No recall petition shall
be filed against a town officer within 3 months after the town officer
takes office.
8.11.2 Recall Petition - Two-hundred and fifty or more voters,
including at least 25 voters from each of the precincts into which the
town is divided, may file with the town clerk an affidavit containing
the name of the town officer whose recall is sought and a sworn
statement of the grounds upon which the affidavit is based. The town
clerk shall, within 24 hours of receipt, submit the affidavit to the board
of registrars of voters who shall forthwith certify thereon the number
of signatures that are names of voters. A copy of the affidavit shall be
entered in a record book to be kept in the office of the town clerk.
If the affidavit contains sufficient signatures, the town clerk shall
deliver to the first 10 voters listed upon the affidavit, blank petition
forms, in such number as requested, demanding such recall, with the
town clerk’s signature and official seal attached thereto. The blank
petition forms shall be dated and addressed to the board of selectmen;
shall contain the names of all persons to whom the forms are issued,
the name of the person whose recall is sought and the grounds for
recall as stated in the affidavit; and shall demand the election of a
successor to the office held by such person. The recall petitions
shall be returned and filed with the town clerk within 21 days
following the date of the filing of the affidavit, signed by at least 10
per cent of the voters and containing the voters’ names and addresses;
provided, however, that not more than 25 per cent of the total number
of signatures may be from voters registered in any 1 precinct.
8.11.3 Recall Election - If the petition is certified by the board of
registrars of voters to be sufficient, the board of registrars of voters
shall submit the petition with its certificate to the board of selectmen.
Upon its receipt of the certificate, the board of selectmen shall give
written notice of the petition and certificate to the town officer whose
recall is sought, by mail, postage prepaid, to the town officer ’s address
as shown on the most recent voting list and shall cause notice of the
petition and certificate to be publicly available. If such town officer
does not resign from office within 5 days after the date of such notice,
the board of selectmen shall order an election to be held not less than
64 days or not more than 90 days from the date the board of selectmen
orders the election; provided, however, that if any other town election
is to occur not less than 70 days or not more than 90 days after the
date of the certificate, the board of selectmen shall hold the recall
election on the date of such other election. If a vacancy occurs in the
office after a recall election has been ordered, the election shall
nevertheless proceed as provided in this section and the ballots for
candidates shall, notwithstanding a recall provision to the contrary, be
counted to determine a successor in office.
8.11.4 Nomination of Candidates - No town officer whose recall is
sought may be a candidate to succeed in that office in the recall
election. The nomination of candidates, the publication of the warrant
for the recall election and the conduct of the election shall all be in
accordance with the law relating to elections.
8.11.5 Propositions on Ballot - Ballots used in a recall election shall
state the following propositions in the order indicated:
For the recall of (name of town officer)
Against the recall of (name of town officer)
Adjacent to each proposition, there shall be a place to vote for
either of the propositions.
After the proposition shall appear the word "candidates" and the
names of candidates nominated pursuant to section 42 of chapter 54 of
the General Laws. If a majority of the votes cast upon the question of
recall is in the affirmative, the candidate receiving the highest number
of votes shall be declared elected and the incumbent shall be deemed
removed upon the qualification of a successor, who shall hold office
during the unexpired term; provided, however, that, if the successor
fails to qualify within 5 days after receiving notification of the
election, the incumbent shall thereupon be deemed removed and the
office shall be deemed vacant. If a majority of votes cast upon the
question of recall is in the negative, no candidate shall be declared
elected and the town officer whose recall was sought shall continue in
office for the remainder of the unexpired term, subject to recall as
before.
8.11.6 Repeat of Recall Petition - No recall petition shall be filed
against a town officer subjected to a recall election and not recalled
thereby, until at least 6 months after the election at which the recall
was submitted to the voters.
SECTION 11. The Reading town clerk may make non-substantive
changes to the numbering of the sections of the town of Reading home
rule charter.
SECTION 12. This act shall take effect as of the date of the
certification of the April 7, 2015 election results in the town of
Reading
Approved, April 24, 2015
Page 1
Memo
To: Select Board
Fidel Maltez, Town Manager
From: Ryan Percival, P.E., Town Engineer
Date: June 12, 2023
Re: 91 Green Street – Driveway request
An appeal request was made to the Parking Traffic Transportation Task Force (PTTTF) on
March 22, 2023, regarding a driveway relocation located at 91 Green Street.
The Engineering Division denied the application to widen the driveway. The submitted
plan revealed that the 33-foot width of the proposed driveway was in excess of the maximum
24 feet allowed, as set forth in the Driveway Regulations. The applicant is requesting a variance
from the Board to allow for a driveway to be 33 feet wide.
PTTTF reviewed and discussed the request and determined that there was no concern in
regard to public safety or traffic on the roadway to prohibit the driveway. PTTTF recommends
that granite curb and sidewalk be installed along the frontage of the property.
Town of Reading Engineering Division
Shifting the Tax Rate
Chapter 200 of the Acts of 1988 amended M.G.L. c. 58 s1A to allow cities and towns
to give Residential property taxpayers greater tax relief by adopting a shift of the
property tax burden from Residential taxpayers to the Commercial, Industrial and
Personal Property taxpayers, provided certain parameters are not exceeded. Chapter
200 allows for a shift of up to 75% (also known as 175% shift) and lowers the
percentage that Residential and Open Space taxpayers must raise to 50%. By
expanding the shift, the tax levy on Commercial, Industrial and Personal Property
taxpayers increases and the tax levy on Residential and Open Space taxpayers
decreases.
Reading is limited to a 150% CIP shift due to the size of the CIP classes of properties.
Shifting the Tax Rate - Reading
CIP Shift Res ET CIP ET
AVG 101 TB
$770,300
DIFFERENCE
DECREASE
MEDIAN COM
VAL $792,200
DIFFERENCE
INCREASE
1.00 12.63 12.58 $9,729 $9,963
1.01 12.62 12.71 $9,721 $8 $10,066 $103
1.02 12.61 12.83 $9,713 $8 $10,161 $95
1.03 12.60 12.96 $9,706 $8 $10,264 $103
1.04 12.60 13.08 $9,706 $0 $10,359 $95
1.05 12.59 13.21 $9,698 $8 $10,462 $103
1.06 12.58 13.34 $9,690 $8 $10,565 $103
1.07 12.57 13.46 $9,683 $8 $10,660 $95
1.08 12.56 13.59 $9,675 $8 $10,763 $103
1.09 12.55 13.71 $9,667 $8 $10,858 $95
1.10 12.54 13.84 $9,660 $8 $10,961 $103
Shifting the Tax Rate - Reading
CIP Shift Res ET CIP ET
AVG 101 TB
$770,300
DIFFERENCE
DECREASE
MEDIAN COM
VAL $792,000
DIFFERENCE
INCREASE
1.11 12.53 13.97 $9,652 $8 $11,064 $103
1.12 12.52 14.09 $9,644 $8 $11,159 $95
1.13 12.52 14.22 $9,644 $0 $11,262 $103
1.14 12.51 14.34 $9,636 $8 $11,357 $95
1.15 12.50 14.47 $9,629 $8 $11,460 $103
1.16 12.49 14.59 $9,621 $8 $11,555 $95
1.17 12.48 14.72 $9,613 $8 $11,658 $103
1.18 12.47 14.85 $9,606 $8 $11,761 $103
1.19 12.46 14.97 $9,598 $8 $11,856 $95
1.20 12.45 15.10 $9,590 $8 $11,959 $103
Shifting the Tax Rate - Reading
CIP Shift Res ET CIP ET
AVG 101 TB
$770,300
DIFFERENCE
DECREASE
MEDIAN COM
VAL $792,000
DIFFERENCE
INCREASE
1.21 12.44 15.22 $9,583 $8 $12,054 $95
1.22 12.43 15.35 $9,575 $8 $12,157 $103
1.23 12.43 15.47 $9,575 $0 $12,252 $95
1.24 12.42 15.60 $9,567 $8 $12,355 $103
1.25 12.41 15.73 $9,559 $8 $12,458 $103
1.26 12.40 15.85 $9,552 $8 $12,553 $95
1.27 12.39 15.98 $9,544 $8 $12,656 $103
1.28 12.38 16.10 $9,536 $8 $12,751 $95
1.29 12.37 16.23 $9,529 $8 $12,854 $103
1.30 12.36 16.36 $9,521 $8 $12,957 $103
Shifting the Tax Rate - Reading
CIP Shift Res ET CIP ET
AVG 101 TB
$770,300
DIFFERENCE
DECREASE
MEDIAN COM
VAL $792,000
DIFFERENCE
INCREASE
1.31 12.35 16.48 $9,513 $8 $13,052 $95
1.32 12.35 16.61 $9,513 $0 $13,155 $103
1.33 12.34 16.73 $9,506 $8 $13,250 $95
1.34 12.33 16.86 $9,498 $8 $13,353 $103
1.35 12.32 16.98 $9,490 $8 $13,448 $95
1.36 12.31 17.11 $9,482 $8 $13,551 $103
1.37 12.30 17.24 $9,475 $8 $13,654 $103
1.38 12.29 17.36 $9,467 $8 $13,749 $95
1.39 12.28 17.49 $9,459 $8 $13,852 $103
1.40 12.27 17.61 $9,452 $8 $13,947 $95
Shifting the Tax Rate - Reading
CIP Shift Res ET CIP ET
AVG 101 TB
$770,300
DIFFERENCE
DECREASE
MEDIAN COM
VAL $792,000
DIFFERENCE
INCREASE
1.41 12.27 17.74 $9,452 $0 $14,050 $103
1.42 12.26 17.87 $9,444 $8 $14,153 $103
1.43 12.25 17.99 $9,436 $8 $14,248 $95
1.44 12.24 18.12 $9,428 $8 $14,351 $103
1.45 12.23 18.24 $9,421 $8 $14,446 $95
1.46 12.22 18.37 $9,413 $8 $14,549 $103
1.47 12.21 18.49 $9,405 $8 $14,644 $95
1.48 12.20 18.62 $9,398 $8 $14,747 $103
1.49 12.19 18.75 $9,390 $8 $14,850 $103
1.50 12.18 18.87 $9,382 $8 $14,945 $95
Shifting the Tax Rate - Reading
Shift Res TR
$770,300
Avg Res
TX
Res Diff CIP TR
$792,000
Med CIP
TX
CIP Diff
1.02 12.61 $9,713 12.83 $10,161
1.05 12.59 $9,698 -$15 13.21 $10,462 $301
1.10 12.54 $9,660 -$53 13.84 $10,961 $800
1.20 12.45 $9,590 -$123 15.10 $11,959 $1,798
1.30 12.36 $9,521 -$192 16.36 $12,957 $2,796
1.40 12.27 $9,452 -$261 17.61 $13,947 $3,786
1.50 12.18 $9,382 -$331 18.87 $14,945 $4,784
Average Single Family Value $770,300
Median Commercial Value $792,000
Residential and CIP tax amount differences calculated against a 1.02 shift
Shifting the Tax Rate - Reading
Municipality CIP Value Total Value R/O % of
Total Value
CIP % of Total
Value
Lowest Residential
Factor Allowed
Max CIP Shift
Allowed
Residential Factor
Selected CIP Shift
Lynnfield 504,308,390 4,284,582,299 88.2297 11.7703 0.923579 1.572849 0.933400 1.49923
North Reading 497,268,875 4,248,113,076 88.2943 11.7057 0.933711 1.500000 1.000000 1.00000
Reading 448,886,768 6,774,666,282 93.3741 6.6259 0.964519 1.500000 0.996452 1.05000
Stoneham 520,108,847 5,268,166,869 90.1273 9.8727 0.917844 1.750000 0.917844 1.75000
Wakefield 718,183,623 6,752,281,352 89.3639 10.6361 0.910735 1.750000 0.910735 1.75000
Wilmington 1,504,279,966 6,288,244,518 76.0779 23.9221 0.764168 1.750000 0.764168 1.75000
Woburn 2,840,883,370 10,447,086,653 72.8069 27.1931 0.719878 1.750000 0.719878 1.75000
What do our neighbors do? Fiscal Year 2023
Municipality Single Family Values Single Family Parcels
Average Single Family
Value Single Family Tax Bill*
Lynnfield 3,484,909,600 3,874 899,564 10,165
North Reading 3,212,324,100 4,310 745,319 10,427
Reading 5,053,434,378 6,590 766,834 9,654
Stoneham 3,366,830,400 5,133 655,919 7,281
Wakefield 4,369,557,458 6,255 698,570 8,194
Wilmington 4,443,239,500 7,142 622,128 7,428
Woburn 4,952,854,700 8,099 611,539 5,320
READING SHIFT HISTORY AT A GLANCE
Fiscal
Year CIP Value Total Value R/O % of
Total Value
CIP % of
Total Value Res Increase CIP Increase
Lowest
Residential
Factor Allowed
Max CIP
Shift
Allowed
Residential
Factor
Selected
CIP Shift Resident
ial C I P
2003 194,940,190 2,837,919,090 93.1309 6.8691 0.963121 1.500000 1.000000 1.00000 11.49 11.49
2004 196,282,610 3,119,970,010 93.7088 6.2912 109.94%100.69%0.966432 1.500000 1.000000 1.00000 12.23 12.23
2005 223,072,420 3,362,233,820 93.3654 6.6346 107.76%113.65%0.964470 1.500000 1.000000 1.00000 12.57 12.57
2006 257,329,080 3,632,720,580 92.9164 7.0836 108.04%115.36%0.961882 1.500000 1.000000 1.00000 12.08 12.08
2007 275,302,336 3,785,159,436 92.7268 7.2732 104.20%106.98%0.960782 1.500000 1.000000 1.00000 12.07 12.07
2008 296,200,190 3,765,110,743 92.1330 7.8670 99.47%107.59%0.957306 1.500000 1.000000 1.00000 12.60 12.60
2009 318,379,453 3,719,847,937 91.4411 8.5589 98.80%107.49%0.953199 1.500000 1.000000 1.00000 13.21 13.21
2010 337,645,293 3,645,760,801 90.7387 9.2613 98.01%106.05%0.948967 1.500000 1.000000 1.00000 13.75 13.75
2011 374,459,706 3,747,545,877 90.0079 9.9921 102.79%110.90%0.944493 1.500000 1.000000 1.00000 13.80 13.80
2012 374,288,015 3,764,013,606 90.0562 9.9438 100.44%99.95%0.944791 1.500000 1.000000 1.00000 14.15 14.15
2013 373,101,350 3,686,637,528 89.8796 10.1204 97.94%99.68%0.943700 1.500000 1.000000 1.00000 14.94 14.94
2014 350,243,482 3,829,312,775 90.8536 9.1464 103.87%93.87%0.949664 1.500000 1.000000 1.00000 14.74 14.74
2015 342,528,835 3,999,637,753 91.4360 8.5640 104.45%97.80%0.953169 1.500000 1.000000 1.00000 14.70 14.70
2016 355,607,748 4,309,708,047 91.7487 8.2513 107.75%103.82%0.955033 1.500000 1.000000 1.00000 14.50 14.50
2017 375,239,374 4,623,435,224 91.8840 8.1160 107.28%105.52%0.955836 1.500000 1.000000 1.00000 14.03 14.03
2018 386,384,249 4,874,351,402 92.0731 7.9269 105.43%102.97%0.956953 1.500000 0.999268 1.00850 13.87 13.92
2019 393,873,255 5,192,898,690 92.4152 7.5848 106.54%101.94%0.958963 1.500000 0.998358 1.02001 14.23 14.48
2020 402,465,073 5,467,372,988 92.6388 7.3612 105.29%102.18%0.960269 1.500000 0.998411 1.02000 13.95 14.20
2021 403,966,643 5,721,036,335 92.9389 7.0611 104.64%100.37%0.962012 1.500000 0.998481 1.01999 13.81 14.06
2022 436,714,980 6,199,751,799 92.9560 7.0440 108.37%108.11%0.962111 1.500000 0.998484 1.02001 13.33 13.55
2023 448,886,768 6,774,666,282 93.3741 6.6259 109.27%102.79%0.964519 1.500000 0.996452 1.05000 12.59 13.21
Shifting the Tax Rate - Reading
Municipality CIP Value Total Value R/O % of Total
Value
CIP % of Total
Value
Lowest Residential
Factor Allowed
Max CIP Shift
Allowed
Residential Factor
Selected CIP Shift
Arlington 728,189,496 13,306,855,407 94.5277 5.4723 0.971054 1.500000 1.000000 1.00000
Belmont 499,505,919 10,365,286,669 95.1810 4.8190 0.974685 1.500000 1.000000 1.00000
Burlington 3,213,460,170 8,581,458,368 62.5534 37.4466 0.551024 1.750000 0.599784 1.66855
Concord 596,272,916 8,085,523,349 92.6254 7.3746 0.960191 1.500000 1.000000 1.00000
Lexington 2,099,699,600 15,745,186,739 86.6645 13.3355 0.884594 1.750000 0.884594 1.75000
Lincoln 504,308,390 4,284,582,299 88.2297 11.7703 0.923579 1.572849 0.933400 1.49923
Lynnfield 343,168,744 6,856,830,240 94.9952 5.0048 0.960486 1.750000 0.964174 1.68001
Melrose 326,182,518 8,113,005,205 95.9795 4.0205 0.968583 1.750000 0.976500 1.56100
Milton 497,268,875 4,248,113,076 88.2943 11.7057 0.933711 1.500000 1.000000 1.00000
North Reading 448,886,768 6,774,666,282 93.3741 6.6259 0.964519 1.500000 0.996452 1.05000
Reading 520,108,847 5,268,166,869 90.1273 9.8727 0.917844 1.750000 0.917844 1.75000
Stoneham 462,680,708 6,171,026,965 92.5023 7.4977 0.959472 1.500000 0.978900 1.26032
Sudbury 718,183,623 6,752,281,352 89.3639 10.6361 0.910735 1.750000 0.910735 1.75000
Wakefield 2,850,351,099 10,950,885,858 73.9715 26.0285 0.824063 1.500000 0.824063 1.50000
Watertown 1,504,279,966 6,288,244,518 76.0779 23.9221 0.764168 1.750000 0.764168 1.75000
Wilmington 432,497,426 9,814,510,512 95.5933 4.4067 0.976950 1.500000 1.000000 1.00000
Winchester 212,984,369 3,431,484,875 93.7932 6.2068 0.966912 1.500000 1.000000 1.00000
Winthrop 728,189,496 13,306,855,407 94.5277 5.4723 0.971054 1.500000 1.000000 1.00000
Various Communities Fiscal Year 2023 Tax Shift Data
LYNNFIELD – SHIFTING WITH THE TIMES
Municipality Fiscal Year CIP Value Total Value R/O % of Total
Value
CIP % of
Total
Value
Lowest Residential
Factor Allowed
Max CIP
Shift
Allowed
Residential
Factor
Selected
CIP Shift
Lynnfield 2003 137,729,432 1,630,294,716 91.5519 8.4481 0.953861 1.500000 1.000000 1.00000
Lynnfield 2004 140,086,894 1,735,743,720 91.9293 8.0707 0.956103 1.500000 0.994732 1.06001
Lynnfield 2005 163,568,307 2,225,316,231 92.6497 7.3503 0.960332 1.500000 0.992650 1.09265
Lynnfield 2006 165,389,187 2,341,762,692 92.9374 7.0626 0.962003 1.500000 0.990124 1.12996
Lynnfield 2007 168,791,423 2,522,406,108 93.3083 6.6917 0.964141 1.500000 0.986398 1.18966
Lynnfield 2008 189,328,860 2,501,455,125 92.4312 7.5688 0.959057 1.500000 0.990174 1.12000
Lynnfield 2009 190,550,590 2,469,628,685 92.2842 7.7158 0.958195 1.500000 0.988295 1.14000
Lynnfield 2010 191,633,229 2,373,478,630 91.9261 8.0739 0.956084 1.500000 0.994500 1.06262
Lynnfield 2011 188,556,454 2,323,411,458 91.8845 8.1155 0.955838 1.500000 0.993287 1.07601
Lynnfield 2012 185,375,837 2,282,013,467 91.8766 8.1234 0.955792 1.500000 0.992662 1.08299
Lynnfield 2013 192,457,573 2,275,038,740 91.5405 8.4595 0.953793 1.500000 0.991683 1.09000
Lynnfield 2014 219,750,765 2,386,201,666 90.7908 9.2092 0.949283 1.500000 0.988800 1.11042
Lynnfield 2015 335,087,935 2,623,225,815 87.2261 12.7739 0.926777 1.500000 0.976000 1.16388
Lynnfield 2016 377,494,615 2,738,317,688 86.2144 13.7856 0.920050 1.500000 0.970626 1.18370
Lynnfield 2017 406,069,892 2,988,627,610 86.4128 13.5872 0.921382 1.500000 0.971068 1.18400
Lynnfield 2018 434,980,428 3,076,618,902 85.8618 14.1382 0.917669 1.500000 0.967067 1.20000
Lynnfield 2019 438,466,012 3,119,457,061 85.9442 14.0558 0.918227 1.500000 0.960740 1.24006
Lynnfield 2020 454,497,381 3,198,630,744 85.7909 14.2091 0.917187 1.500000 0.952000 1.28981
Lynnfield 2021 462,237,183 3,420,423,372 86.4860 13.5140 0.921872 1.500000 0.942200 1.36990
Lynnfield 2022 481,467,568 3,933,955,812 87.7612 12.2388 0.928509 1.512643 0.930400 1.49908
Lynnfield 2023 504,308,390 4,284,582,299 88.2297 11.7703 0.923579 1.572849 0.933400 1.49923
Splitting the Tax Rate – Reading
Food for Thought
•As the prior slides show, Reading only has a slight CIP shift of 1.05 to accommodate our
Reading Senior Discount program. Our total shift capacity is 1.50
•With the exception of North Reading and Reading, surrounding communities have shifted to
their Maximum Allowable Limit.
•The most common reasons a community will shift the tax burden are:
–To afford residential taxpayers the lowest possible share of the tax burden
–Equalize the disparity of significantly rising residential property values and a relatively flat C&I
sector
•Any town considering a CIP shift should take a multi-year incremental approach in order for
the CIP sector to absorb the increased shift.
August 1, 2023 Tuesday
Overview of Meeting McCarthy 7:00
Public Comment Board 7:05
SB Liaison & Town Manager Reports Board 7:15
HEARING
Hearing - Meadow Brook Liquor License
Alteration of Premises Board 7:30
Vote to Accept Easement from Meadow
Brook Golf Course to Conservation
Commission, Lot 5 Board 8:00
Presentation from PTTTF on various
traffic requests Board 8:30
Discuss Future Agendas Board 9:30
Approve Meeting Minutes Board 9:45
August 22, 2023 Tuesday
Overview of Meeting McCarthy 7:00
Public Comment Board 7:05
SB Liaison & Town Manager Reports Board 7:15
Discuss Future Agendas Board 9:30
Approve Meeting Minutes Board 9:45
September 12, 2023 Tuesday
Overview of Meeting McCarthy 7:00
Public Comment Board 7:05
SB Liaison & Town Manager Reports Board 7:15
State Delegation Visit with Reading
Select Board 7:30
Discuss Future Agendas Board 9:30
Approve Meeting Minutes Board 9:45
September 26, 2023 Tuesday
October 10, 2023 Tuesday
October 24, 2023 Tuesday
November 7, 2023 Tuesday
November 13, 2023 SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING
November 16, 2023 SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING
November 20, 2023 SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING
November 21, 2023 Tuesday
Novmeber 27, 2023 SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING
December 5, 2023 Tuesday
Vote to approve annual licenses
(delegated to TM Office)
Vote to approve Liquor Licenses
December 6, 2023 Wednesday
Department Budget Presentations
December 12, 2023 Tuesday
Department Budget Presentations
Future Meetings - Agenda Items
VASC Policy Changes and
Recommendations VASC
Discuss Early Sunday Hours at
Recreational Fields & Parks Rec Comm
Public Safety Quarterly updates Board
Air BnB update CPDC
Update on 186 Summer Ave / Review of
Select Board role (consult with Town
Counsel) Town Counsel
Discuss Police Department Policies with
respect to Police Reform Legislation &
Department Accreditation Board
Discuss and Approve Flag Policy Board
Recurring Agenda Items
Close Warrant: Annual Town Meeting March 3/1/2022
Close Warrant: Subsequent Town September 9/27/2022
Appoint Town Accountant March Annual
HEARING Approve Classification & Compensation May Annual
Appointments of Boards & Committees May/June Annual
HEARING Approve Tax Classification October Annual
HEARING Approve Licenses December Annual
Liaison: RCTV members Report Annual
Liaison: CAB (RMLD) member Report Annual
Liaison: MAPC member Report Annual
Liaison: Reading Housing Authority Annual
Liaison: Reading Ice Arena Report Annual
Town Accountant Report Qtrly
Economic Development Director Semi-ann
Parking/Traffic/Transportation Task
Town Board & Committee visits
Town Department visits
Review Select Board Goals
Review Town Manager Goals February/March
Select Board Draft Minutes
June 20th, 2023
Public Comment
Cathy Zeek asked the board to reject the tiered water rate proposal that is before them tonight. She
noted that type of system doesn’t work for apartment buildings and doesn’t encourage conservation.
John Sullivan noted a tiered water rate system is not equitable.
Greg Zanni from Family Circle appreciates the board taking up the no parking on his street. He just wants
to make sure emergency vehicles can get in and out.
Nicki Lamson wants follow up on Memorial Park crosswalk letter she sent.
Sean Briere from Family Circle agreed with Greg Zanni’s thoughts as long as the Fire Department is ok
with the new regulations as well.
Liaison Reports
Bacci noted Friends and Family day was well attended. SWEC met and ranked their top 5 criteria.
Haley noted the School Committee gave out their awards to teachers with service milestones. Friends
and Family day was great. RMHS boys lacrosse won the championship.
Herrick also noted Friends and Family day was successful. The library board of trustees created a
landscaping subcommittee. The Killam School Building committee will be meeting tomorrow night and
Fidel will explain further why.
Dockser noted the Pride Day parade. The Town Forest committee is continuing their discussion on dogs
and rules.
McCarthy noted Saturday is Porchfest and Juneteenth celebration in town.
Town Manager Report
Maltez also noted Porchfest and Juneteenth. He explained the Killam School Building committee needs
to meet to rectify an issue with the OPM they choose. They will be selecting their second choice now
because the top choice withdrew their application. There will be a water tank update next Monday.
FINCOM will hold their last meeting on the year on the 28th. At the boards next meeting, the engineers
will come and show the construction tracker they have been working on.
Public Hearing – Safety Amendments
Herrick read the hearing notice opening the hearing.
The board had 4 safety amendments before them. Officer Scouten explained the reasoning for the
requests and the recommendation from PTTTF to move forward with these. DRAFT
Neighbors from Family Circle were in support of regulating the parking situation on their street further
as it seems to be a popular parking spot for people using the town forest.
Herrick moved to close the hearing regarding the safety amendments. The motion was seconded by
Haley and approved with a 5-0 vote.
Herrick moved to approve Parking and Traffic Regulations Amendment number 2023-6 as presented.
The motion was seconded by Dockser and approved with a 5-0 vote.
Herrick moved to approve Parking and Traffic Regulations Amendment number 2023-7 as presented.
The motion was seconded by Dockser and approved with a 5-0 vote.
Herrick moved to approve Parking and Traffic Regulations Amendment number 2023-8 as presented.
The motion was seconded by Dockser and approved with a 5-0 vote.
Herrick moved to approve Parking and Traffic Regulations Amendment number 2023-9 as presented.
The motion was seconded by Dockser and approved with a 5-0 vote.
Meadow Brook Liquor License Hearing
The applicant requested this hearing be continued until July.
Maltez noted the applicant is working with the neighbor to try and come to an agreement and with the
ABCC to ensure they’re filing the proper application.
Herrick moved to continue the Liquor License Alteration of Premises Application for Meadow Brook Golf
Club to July 18th, 2023. The motion was seconded by Dockser and approved 4-0 vote. (Bacci briefly
excused himself from the meeting).
Water & Sewer Rates
The board continued their discussion on setting water and sewer rates including potentially
implementing a tiered system which the town currently does not have. They have heard a lot of public
input and heard from other communities on what they are doing.
McCarthy feels a modest set of tiers would be a good place to start on a path to conservation and
affordability. She does think they still need to consider what to do on multi-unit buildings in the future.
She is in favor of the May 23rd tiered proposal. Dockser agreed noting tiers is the way to go while having
staff work on figuring how to handle the multi-unit buildings. He also is in favor of the May 23rd proposal
to start. Herrick agreed with Dockser and McCarthy and will also support the May 23rd proposal this
evening.
Haley does not think the tiers work for everyone and it doesn’t encourage conservation. It is not fair to
the multi-unit buildings and he wants something that will make sense for the entire population. He
would not vote for 5% increases for tier 4 and 5. He doesn’t understand why no one is interested in the
second water meter system. Bacci feels a water rate committee should have worked on this. He wishes
this would be a 5-0 vote but he will not vote for the tiered rates that are being proposed. He would like
to keep a single rate until we study the tiered rates more and fix the numbers.
Herrick moved to set the FY2024 water rate at the following rates: DRAFT
• $10.75 per 100 cubic feet with usage between 0 and 1,000 cubic feet
• $11.70 per 100 cubic feet with usage between 1,001 to 2,501 cubic feet
• $12.00 per 100 cubic feet with usage between 2,501 to 4,000 cubic feet
• $12.50 per 100 cubic feet with usage between 4,001 and above cubic feet
• minimum quarterly bill of $22.82 effective with the December, 2023 billing.
And; moved to set the FY2024 sewer rate at the following rates:
• $10.20 per 100 cubic feet with usage between 0 and 1,000 cubic feet
• $11.15 per 100 cubic feet with usage between 1,001 to 2,501 cubic feet
• $11.50 per 100 cubic feet with usage between 2,501 to 4,000 cubic feet
• $12.00 per 100 cubic feet with usage between 4,001 and above cubic feet
• minimum quarterly bill of $22.82 effective with the December, 2023 billing.
And; moved to set the FY2024 Storm Water Rate at $60 per unit (3210 square feet) per year to be
billed quarterly effective with the December, 2023 billing.
The motion was seconded by Dockser and approved with a 3-2 vote with Bacci and Haley opposing.
VASC
McCarthy and Haley are the two members of the VASC committee who interviewed all incumbents and
new applicants for our annual renewal process.
Bacci would like to take the Recreation Committee vote separately and request Angela Binda not be
reappointed to the Recreation Committee due to actions he feels are questionable for a volunteer.
Dockser noted he disagrees with Bacci noting Bacci and Binda have had their issues and feels they should
work through those.
McCarthy moved to appoint:
• Angela Binda and Richard Hand to full members on the Recreation Committee with terms
expiring June 30, 2026
• Peter Lydecker to a full member on the Recreation Committee with a term expiring June 30,
2024
• Eric Boemer and Kevin Leete as associate members on Recreation Committee with terms
expiring June 30, 2025
• Ben Ream as an associate member on the Recreation Committee with a term expiring June 30,
2024
Herrick seconded the motion and it was approved 4-1 with Bacci opposing.
McCarthy moved to appoint:
• Salvatore Clemente to a full position on the Animal Control Appeals Committee with a term
expiring June 30, 2026
• Cheryl Moschella to a full position on the Board of Assessors with a term ending June 30, 2026
• Jean-Paul Plouffe to an associate position on the Board of Assessors with a term ending June
30, 2025 DRAFT
• Brian Boyle and Carl McFadden to full positions on the Board of Cemetery Trustees with terms
ending June 30, 2026
• Kerry Dunnell to a full position on the Board of Health with a term ending June 30, 2026
• Geri Cramer to an associate position on the Board of Health with a term ending June 30, 2025
• Tina Ohlson to a full position on the Board of Registrars with a term ending June 30, 2026
• Carolyn Johnson and Mark Logsdon to full members on the Climate Advisory Committee with
terms ending June 30, 2026
• Heather Clish and Hillary Mateev to a full member on CPDC with a term ending June 30, 2026
• Thomas Armstrong to an associate member on CPDC with a term ending June 30, 2025
• Brian Bowe and Walter Talbot to full members on the Conservation Commission with terms
ending June 30, 2026
• Tony Rodolakis to a full member on Conservation Commission with a term ending June 30,
2025
• Linda Connors to an associate member on Conservation Commission with a term ending June
30, 2025
• Sally Hoyt to a full member on the Constables with a term ending June 30, 2026
• John Parsons, Rosemarie DeBenedetto and Jean Prato to full members on the Council on Aging
with terms ending June 30, 2026
• Sally Hoyt, Nancy Ziemlak and Linda Connors to associate positions on the Council on Aging
with terms ending June 30, 2025
• Megan Fidler Carey to an associate position on the Cultural Council with a term ending June
30, 2025
• Illene Bornstein to a full member on the Historic District Commission with a term ending June
30, 2026
• Virginia Adams to an associate member on the Historic District Commission with a term
ending June 30, 2025
• Ann Ward to an associate member on the Historic District Commission with a term ending
June 30, 2024
• Amelia Freedman and Samantha Couture to full members on the Historical Commission with
terms ending June 30, 2026
• Christine Keller to a full member on the Historical Commission with a term ending June 30,
2024
• Pamela Adrian to an associate member on the Historical Commission with a term ending June
30, 2025
• Steven Sullivan to a full member on the MAPC with a term ending June 30, 2026
• Carl MCFadden to a full member on the Reading Ice Arena Authority with a term ending June
30, 2026
• Vivek Soni to a full member on the RMLD Citizen Advisory Board with a term expiring June 30,
2026
• Jeffrey Lamson to a full member on the Town Forest Committee with a term expiring June 30,
2026
• Move to appoint Nancy Docktor to an associate position on the Town Forest Committee with a
term expiring June 30, 2025 DRAFT
• Will Finch as a full member to the Trails Committee with a term expiring June 30, 2026
• Thomas Gardiner to an associate member on the Trails Committee with a term expiring June
30, 2025
• Cynthia Hartman and Andrew Grasberger to full members on the ZBA with terms expiring June
30, 2026
The motion was seconded by Bacci and approved with a 5-0 vote.
PARC Letter
Maltez explained they are applying for a competitive $500,000 grant from the Commonwealth. In order
to apply they need to identify a certain project it would be for and permanently restrict the land
proposed to recreation land. Staff has identified the Birch Meadow Park. They would be applying to redo
the playground, courts and the parking lot. The Select Board is being asked to sign a letter of support for
this grant.
McCarthy moved to approve sending a letter of support for the PARC Grant Program as presented. The
motion was seconded by Dockser and approved with a 5-0 vote.
Future Agendas
The board discussed future agenda items.
Minutes
The board edited past meeting minutes.
Dockser moved to approve the meeting minutes from June 6th, 2023 as amended. The motion was
seconded by Haley and approved with a 5-0 vote.
Dockser moved to approve the meeting minutes from May 23rd, 2023 as written. The motion was
seconded by Herrick and approved with a 5-0 vote
Dockser moved to adjourn at 9:22 PM. The motion was seconded by Herrick and approved with a 5-0
vote.
DRAFT