HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-06-04 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: 2024-06-04 Time: 6:30 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 the Chair
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 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:
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6:30
Open Session and/or Executive Session Purpose 1: Discuss
and potentially respond to May 17, 2024 Open Meeting
Law Complaint filed against the Reading Select Board by
Daniel Dewar
3
7:00 Overview of Meeting
7:05 Public Comment
7:15 Select Board Liaison and Town Manager Reports
7:30 Hearing: Discuss and Vote FY25 Water & Sewer Rates 5
8:15 Hearing: Discuss and Vote on Traffic Amendment 2024-3;
Amend Article 12 Traffic Rules and Regulations - Public 28
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
Ways Article 5.9.1 No Overnight Parking of Heavy Vehicles
or Commercial vehicles.
8:30 Parking Traffic Transportation Task Force (PTTTF) Update
8:45
Discuss Reading Community Television (RCTV) compliance
with its contract with the Town of Reading and its use of
public, educational and governmental access funds;
discussion of the relationship between RCTV and The
Reading Post; discussion of potential RCTV annual review
and budget audit
30
9:00 Vote to grant Gazebo Circle Easement 38
9:10 Vote on annual budget requests for boards and committees 43
9:25 Discuss sunsetting Reading Center for Active Living
Committee (ReCalc)
9:35 Discuss formation of Reading Center for Active Living
Committee (ReCalc) Building Committee
9:45 Discuss Future Agenda Items 48
10:00 Approve Meeting Minutes 50
Legal Notice
(Seal)
Town of Reading
To the Inhabitants of the Town of Reading:
Please take notice that the Select Board of the Town of Reading will hold a series of
public hearings on June 4, 2024 at 7:00 PM in the Select Board Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street,
Reading, Massachusetts, and remotely via Zoom, to:
• Approve Amendment 2024-3 to the Traffic and Parking Regulations; Amend
Article 12 Traffic Rules and Regulations - Public Ways Article 5.9.1 No
Overnight Parking of Heavy Vehicles or Commercial vehicles.
• Approve Water, Sewer, and Storm Water rates for FY25
A copy of the proposed documents regarding these topics will be in the Select Board
packet on the website at www.readingma.gov
All interested parties are invited to attend the hearing, or may submit their comments in
writing to townmanager@ci.reading.ma.us
By order of
Matthew A. Kraunelis, Esq
Town Manager
To the Chronicle: Please publish on May 21 and again on May 28, 2024
Send the bill and tear sheet to: Town Manager, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, MA 01867
Town of Reading
FY 2025 Water and Sewer Rate Study
The Abrahams Group
June 2024
Recent History -Water
•The Town implemented a four-tier rate structure for FY 2024.
•Flat Rate for all usage prior
•Multi-unit accounts are charged as one unit currently.
•Healthy retained earnings balance of $4.7 million (58.5% of fund
expenses)
•The Town typically balances the budget using retained earnings to
ensure rate stabilization.
•The Town typically funds some capital improvements as part of the
operating budget to avoid additional costs incurred from borrowings.
2
Recent Results – Water
3
Recent Rate Changes shown in the table below. A comparison of budgeted certified surplus (retained earnings) and actual
certified surplus, as well as the difference between the two, also shown. Negative actual amounts mean surplus
regeneration. A negative difference means less surplus was used than budgeted. * FY 2024 is projected
FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022 FY 2023
Rate Change 3.7%0.0%3.7%3.2%1.9%4.7%
Certified Surplus Used (Budgeted)$600,000 $695,075 $1,162,000 $800,000 $2,354,000 $864,000
Certified Surplus Used (Actual)$214,600 $(524,852)$109,883 $(511,182)$1,556,413 $(488,001)
Certified Surplus Used (Difference)$(385,400)$(1,219,927)$(1,052,117)$(1,311,182)$(797,587)$(1,352,001)
FY 2024 *
Rate Change (Tier 1)-5.8%
Rate Change (Tier 2)2.5%
Rate Change (Tier 3)5.2%
Rate Change (Tier 4)9.6%
Certified Surplus Used (Budgeted)$850,000
Certified Surplus Used (Actual)$901,466
Certified Surplus Used (Difference)$51,466
Recent Results – Water (Cont.)
4
Actual results compares fund revenues and expenses in graph to left; Graph up from $0 is surplus, down is deficit
Recent retained earnings certification amounts compared to targeted 30% in graph to the right * FY 2024 is projected
Capital Investment - Water
5
Actual and projected expenses related to capital
Orange line is debt and blue line is capital outlay
Baseline Scenario - Water
6
•Projected results for future years, assuming no revenue changes
FY 2024 FY 2025 FY 2026 FY 2027 FY 2028 FY 2029 FY 2030 FY 2031 FY 2032 FY 2033 FY 2034
PROJECTED PROJECTED PROJECTED PROJECTED PROJECTED PROJECTED PROJECTED PROJECTED PROJECTED PROJECTED PROJECTED
Surplus/Deficit (901,466)$ (630,445)$ (818,515)$ (1,897,384)$ (2,129,112)$ (1,852,674)$ (2,085,450)$ (2,230,182)$ (2,110,748)$ (2,040,892)$ (2,020,073)$
Projected Retained Earnings 4,126,099$ 3,277,139$ 1,379,755$ (749,357)$ (2,602,031)$ (4,687,481)$ (6,917,663)$ (9,028,411)$ (11,069,303)$ (13,089,376)$ (15,109,449)$
RE as % of Budget 47.2%38.6%15.9%-7.7%-26.1%-48.3%-69.6%-89.6%-111.1%-132.3%-153.1%
Baseline
Water Rate Option 1 – 4.0% in FY 2025
7
•Projected results for future years, with additional revenue from rate changes
FY 2025 FY 2026 FY 2027 FY 2028 FY 2029 FY 2030 FY 2031 FY 2032 FY 2033 FY 2034
4.00%4.00%3.00%3.00%3.00%3.00%3.00%3.00%3.00%3.00%
FY 2024 FY 2025 FY 2026 FY 2027 FY 2028 FY 2029 FY 2030 FY 2031 FY 2032 FY 2033 FY 2034
PROJECTED PROJECTED PROJECTED PROJECTED PROJECTED PROJECTED PROJECTED PROJECTED PROJECTED PROJECTED PROJECTED
Surplus/Deficit (901,466)$ (332,979)$ (211,684)$ (1,049,249)$ (1,032,433)$ (499,996)$ (469,092)$ (342,233)$ 56,939$ 414,925$ 732,519$
Projected Retained Earnings 4,393,120$ 4,181,436$ 3,132,187$ 2,099,754$ 1,599,758$ 1,130,666$ 788,433$ 788,433$ 845,372$ 1,260,297$ 1,992,816$
RE % of Budget 50.3%49.3%36.1%21.5%16.0%11.7%7.9%7.8%8.5%12.7%20.2%
Rate Changes:
Rate Impact
Water Rate Option 1 – 4.0% in FY 2025 (Cont.)
8
User Impact
•Average Residential User: $6.64 - $9.92 increase per bill in FY 2025
($26.56 - $39.66 annually)
•Large Residential User: $21.02 increase per bill in FY 2025
($84.08 annually)
User Type Usage Current Bill FY 2025 FY 2026 FY 2027 FY 2028 FY 2029 FY 2030 FY 2031 FY 2032 FY 2033 FY 2034
Low-End User 500 53.75$ 55.90$ 58.14$ 59.88$ 61.68$ 63.53$ 65.43$ 67.40$ 69.42$ 71.50$ 73.64$
Avg. Residential User (45 gpd)1,500 166.00$ 172.64$ 179.55$ 184.93$ 190.48$ 196.19$ 202.08$ 208.14$ 214.39$ 220.82$ 227.44$
Avg. Residential User (65 gpd)2,200 247.90$ 257.82$ 268.13$ 276.17$ 284.46$ 292.99$ 301.78$ 310.83$ 320.16$ 329.76$ 339.66$
Large Residential User 4,500 525.50$ 546.52$ 568.38$ 585.43$ 603.00$ 621.09$ 639.72$ 658.91$ 678.68$ 699.04$ 720.01$
Large Commercial User 10,000 1,213.00$ 1,261.52$ 1,311.98$ 1,351.34$ 1,391.88$ 1,433.64$ 1,476.65$ 1,520.95$ 1,566.57$ 1,613.57$ 1,661.98$
Very Large Commercial User 100,000 12,463.00$ 12,961.52$ 13,479.98$ 13,884.38$ 14,300.91$ 14,729.94$ 15,171.84$ 15,626.99$ 16,095.80$ 16,578.68$ 17,076.04$
User Impact (per Bill) - Water Bills Only New Bills
Water Rate Option 2 – 3.5% in FY 2025
9
•Projected results for future years, with additional revenue from rate changes
FY 2025 FY 2026 FY 2027 FY 2028 FY 2029 FY 2030 FY 2031 FY 2032 FY 2033 FY 2034
3.50%3.50%3.50%3.50%3.50%3.50%3.50%3.50%3.50%3.50%
FY 2024 FY 2025 FY 2026 FY 2027 FY 2028 FY 2029 FY 2030 FY 2031 FY 2032 FY 2033 FY 2034
PROJECTED PROJECTED PROJECTED PROJECTED PROJECTED PROJECTED PROJECTED PROJECTED PROJECTED PROJECTED PROJECTED
Surplus/Deficit (901,466)$ (370,162)$ (288,840)$ (1,088,887)$ (1,032,035)$ (456,917)$ (380,558)$ (205,336)$ 245,251$ 657,849$ 1,033,407$
Projected Retained Earnings 4,355,937$ 4,067,097$ 2,978,210$ 1,946,175$ 1,489,258$ 1,108,700$ 903,364$ 903,364$ 1,148,615$ 1,806,464$ 2,839,871$
RE % of Budget 49.9%48.0%34.4%20.0%14.9%11.4%9.1%9.0%11.5%18.3%28.8%
Rate Changes:
Rate Impact
Water Rate Option 2 – 3.5% in FY 2025 (Cont.)
10
User Impact
•Average Residential User: $5.81 - $8.68 increase per bill in FY 2025
($23.24 - $34.71 annually)
•Large Residential User: $18.39 increase per bill in FY 2025
($73.57 annually)
User Type Usage Current Bill FY 2025 FY 2026 FY 2027 FY 2028 FY 2029 FY 2030 FY 2031 FY 2032 FY 2033 FY 2034
Low-End User 500 53.75$ 55.63$ 57.58$ 59.59$ 61.68$ 63.84$ 66.07$ 68.39$ 70.78$ 73.26$ 75.82$
Avg. Residential User (45 gpd)1,500 166.00$ 171.81$ 177.82$ 184.05$ 190.49$ 197.16$ 204.06$ 211.20$ 218.59$ 226.24$ 234.16$
Avg. Residential User (65 gpd)2,200 247.90$ 256.58$ 265.56$ 274.85$ 284.47$ 294.43$ 304.73$ 315.40$ 326.44$ 337.86$ 349.69$
Large Residential User 4,500 525.50$ 543.89$ 562.93$ 582.63$ 603.02$ 624.13$ 645.97$ 668.58$ 691.98$ 716.20$ 741.27$
Large Commercial User 10,000 1,213.00$ 1,255.46$ 1,299.40$ 1,344.87$ 1,391.95$ 1,440.66$ 1,491.09$ 1,543.27$ 1,597.29$ 1,653.19$ 1,711.06$
Very Large Commercial User 100,000 12,463.00$ 12,899.21$ 13,350.68$ 13,817.95$ 14,301.58$ 14,802.13$ 15,320.21$ 15,856.42$ 16,411.39$ 16,985.79$ 17,580.29$
User Impact (per Bill) - Water Bills Only New Bills
Recent History - Sewer
•The Town implemented a four-tier rate structure for FY 2024.
•Flat Rate for all usage prior
•Multi-unit accounts are charged as one unit currently.
•Healthy retained earnings balance of $7.3 million (99.1% of fund
expenses)
•The Town typically balances the budget using retained earnings to
ensure rate stabilization.
•The Town typically funds some capital improvements as part of the
operating budget to avoid additional costs incurred from borrowings.
11
Recent Results – Sewer
12
Recent Rate Changes shown in the table below. A comparison of budgeted certified surplus (retained earnings) and actual
certified surplus, as well as the difference between the two, also shown. Negative actual amounts mean surplus
regeneration. A negative difference means less surplus was used than budgeted. * FY 2024 is projected
FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022 FY 2023
Rate Change 2.9%0.0%8.5%-3.0%1.9%-0.4%
Certified Surplus Used (Budgeted)$585,000 $950,000 $978,810 $525,000 $1,219,000 $404,000
Certified Surplus Used (Actual)$(424,995)$85,823 $(246,135)$(1,334,837)$464,648 $(784,320)
Certified Surplus Used (Difference)$(1,009,995)$(864,177)$(1,224,945)$(1,859,837)$(754,352)$(1,188,320)
FY 2024 *
Rate Change (Tier 1)-6.1%
Rate Change (Tier 2)2.7%
Rate Change (Tier 3)5.9%
Rate Change (Tier 4)10.5%
Certified Surplus Used (Budgeted)$850,000
Certified Surplus Used (Actual)$418,646
Certified Surplus Used (Difference)$(431,354)
Recent Results – Sewer (Cont.)
13
Actual results compares fund revenues and expenses in graph to left; Graph up from $0 is surplus, down is deficit
Recent retained earnings certification amounts compared to targeted 30% in graph to the right * FY 2024 is projected
Capital Investment - Sewer
14
Actual and projected expenses related to capital
Orange line is debt and blue line is capital outlay
Baseline Scenario - Sewer
15
•Projected results for future years, assuming no revenue changes
FY 2024 FY 2025 FY 2026 FY 2027 FY 2028 FY 2029 FY 2030 FY 2031 FY 2032 FY 2033 FY 2034
PROJECTED PROJECTED PROJECTED PROJECTED PROJECTED PROJECTED PROJECTED PROJECTED PROJECTED PROJECTED PROJECTED
Surplus/Deficit (418,646)$ (1,172,402)$ (1,180,883)$ (1,609,455)$ (1,770,883)$ (2,230,089)$ (2,218,408)$ (4,033,454)$ (2,419,830)$ (2,670,324)$ (3,055,657)$
Projected Retained Earnings 6,231,914$ 5,178,629$ 3,569,174$ 1,798,291$ (431,798)$ (2,650,206)$ (6,683,660)$ (9,103,490)$ (11,773,814)$ (14,829,471)$ (17,885,128)$
RE as % of Budget 80.0%60.5%41.7%20.0%-4.7%-27.6%-69.6%-79.7%-120.1%-147.5%-171.3%
Baseline
Sewer Rate Option 1 – 4.0% in FY 2025
16
•Projected results for future years, with additional revenue from rate changes
FY 2025 FY 2026 FY 2027 FY 2028 FY 2029 FY 2030 FY 2031 FY 2032 FY 2033 FY 2034
4.00%4.00%4.00%4.00%4.00%4.00%4.00%4.00%4.00%4.00%
FY 2024 FY 2025 FY 2026 FY 2027 FY 2028 FY 2029 FY 2030 FY 2031 FY 2032 FY 2033 FY 2034
PROJECTED PROJECTED PROJECTED PROJECTED PROJECTED PROJECTED PROJECTED PROJECTED PROJECTED PROJECTED PROJECTED
Surplus/Deficit (418,646)$ (890,231)$ (605,254)$ (728,629)$ (572,653)$ (701,759)$ (346,773)$ (1,804,783)$ 180,159$ 315,836$ 332,120$
Projected Retained Earnings 6,641,683$ 6,036,429$ 5,307,800$ 4,735,147$ 4,033,388$ 3,686,615$ 1,881,832$ 1,881,832$ 2,061,991$ 2,377,827$ 2,709,947$
RE % of Budget 85.2%70.6%62.0%52.7%44.1%38.3%19.6%16.5%21.0%23.7%26.0%
Rate Changes:
Rate Impact
Sewer Rate Option 1 – 4.0% in FY 2025 (Cont.)
17
User Impact
•Average Residential User: $6.31 - $9.43 increase per bill in FY 2025
($25.24 - $37.72 annually)
•Large Residential User: $20.07 increase per bill in FY 2025
($80.28 annually)
User Type Usage Current Bill FY 2025 FY 2026 FY 2027 FY 2028 FY 2029 FY 2030 FY 2031 FY 2032 FY 2033 FY 2034
Low-End User 500 51.00$ 53.04$ 55.16$ 57.37$ 59.66$ 62.05$ 64.53$ 67.11$ 69.80$ 72.59$ 75.49$
Avg. Residential User (45 gpd)1,500 157.75$ 164.06$ 170.62$ 177.45$ 184.55$ 191.93$ 199.60$ 207.59$ 215.89$ 224.53$ 233.51$
Avg. Residential User (65 gpd)2,200 235.80$ 245.23$ 255.04$ 265.24$ 275.85$ 286.89$ 298.36$ 310.30$ 322.71$ 335.62$ 349.04$
Large Residential User 4,500 501.75$ 521.82$ 542.69$ 564.40$ 586.98$ 610.46$ 634.87$ 660.27$ 686.68$ 714.15$ 742.71$
Large Commercial User 10,000 1,161.75$ 1,208.22$ 1,256.55$ 1,306.81$ 1,359.08$ 1,413.45$ 1,469.98$ 1,528.78$ 1,589.94$ 1,653.53$ 1,719.67$
Very Large Commercial User 100,000 11,961.75$ 12,440.22$ 12,937.83$ 13,455.34$ 13,993.56$ 14,553.30$ 15,135.43$ 15,740.85$ 16,370.48$ 17,025.30$ 17,706.31$
User Impact (per Bill) - Sewer Bills Only New Bills
Sewer Rate Option 2 – 3.0% in FY 2025
18
•Projected results for future years, with additional revenue from rate changes
FY 2025 FY 2026 FY 2027 FY 2028 FY 2029 FY 2030 FY 2031 FY 2032 FY 2033 FY 2034
3.00%4.25%4.25%4.25%4.25%4.25%4.25%4.25%4.25%4.25%
FY 2024 FY 2025 FY 2026 FY 2027 FY 2028 FY 2029 FY 2030 FY 2031 FY 2032 FY 2033 FY 2034
PROJECTED PROJECTED PROJECTED PROJECTED PROJECTED PROJECTED PROJECTED PROJECTED PROJECTED PROJECTED PROJECTED
Surplus/Deficit (418,646)$ (960,774)$ (660,454)$ (767,100)$ (592,921)$ (702,258)$ (325,836)$ (1,760,641)$ 249,384$ 412,139$ 457,617$
Projected Retained Earnings 6,571,140$ 5,910,686$ 5,143,586$ 4,550,665$ 3,848,407$ 3,522,571$ 1,761,930$ 1,761,930$ 2,011,314$ 2,423,453$ 2,881,070$
RE % of Budget 84.3%69.1%60.1%50.6%42.0%36.6%18.3%15.4%20.5%24.1%27.6%
Rate Changes:
Rate Impact
Sewer Rate Option 2 – 3.0% in FY 2025 (Cont.)
19
User Impact
•Average Residential User: $4.73 - $7.07 increase per bill in FY 2025
($18.92 - $28.28 annually)
•Large Residential User: $15.05 increase per bill in FY 2025
($60.20 annually)
User Type Usage Current Bill FY 2025 FY 2026 FY 2027 FY 2028 FY 2029 FY 2030 FY 2031 FY 2032 FY 2033 FY 2034
Low-End User 500 51.00$ 52.53$ 54.89$ 57.36$ 59.95$ 62.64$ 65.46$ 68.41$ 71.49$ 74.70$ 78.06$
Avg. Residential User (45 gpd)1,500 157.75$ 162.48$ 169.79$ 177.43$ 185.42$ 193.76$ 202.48$ 211.59$ 221.12$ 231.07$ 241.46$
Avg. Residential User (65 gpd)2,200 235.80$ 242.87$ 253.80$ 265.22$ 277.16$ 289.63$ 302.67$ 316.29$ 330.52$ 345.39$ 360.93$
Large Residential User 4,500 501.75$ 516.80$ 540.06$ 564.36$ 589.76$ 616.30$ 644.03$ 673.01$ 703.30$ 734.95$ 768.02$
Large Commercial User 10,000 1,161.75$ 1,196.60$ 1,250.45$ 1,306.72$ 1,365.52$ 1,426.97$ 1,491.18$ 1,558.29$ 1,628.41$ 1,701.69$ 1,778.27$
Very Large Commercial User 100,000 11,961.75$ 12,320.60$ 12,875.03$ 13,454.41$ 14,059.85$ 14,692.55$ 15,353.71$ 16,044.63$ 16,766.64$ 17,521.14$ 18,309.59$
User Impact (per Bill) - Sewer Bills Only New Bills
Multi-Unit Analysis
20
•An analysis of 54 multi-unit accounts was conducted, based on FY 2024 rates.
•Total consumption = 5,498,100 cubic feet
•Current breakdown of usage by tier:
•Tier 1 – 214,000 cubic feet (3.9%)
•Tier 2 – 319,000 cubic feet (5.8%)
•Tier 3 – 313,600 cubic feet (5.7%)
•Tier 4 – 4,651,500 cubic feet (84.6%)
•Breakdown of usage by tier, if billed as individual units:
•Tier 1 – 4,817,100 cubic feet (87.6%)
•Tier 2 – 624,400 cubic feet (11.4%)
•Tier 3 – 56,600 cubic feet (1.0%)
•Tier 4 – 0 cubic feet (0.0%)
Multi-Unit Analysis (Cont.)
21
•Rates per tier:
•Tier 1 - $10.75
•Tier 2 - $11.70
•Tier 3 - $12.00
•Tier 4 - $12.50
•Despite large usage differences in usage by tier, since rates in the four tiers are not drastically different (only $1.75 between Tiers 1 and 4), the financial impact of billing by individual unit is not large:
•Water – Savings of $81,712 total for all 54 accounts annually
•Sewer – Savings of $84,167 total for all 54 accounts annually
•One Example (The Postmark):
•Water – Savings of $2,038 annually
•Sewer – Savings of $2,095 annually
Thank You!
22
Questions/Comments?
Town of Reading
Amendment to the
Traffic and Parking Regulations
Amendment Number: 2024-3
Date Filed: June 2024
Filed By: TSO Michael S. Scouten
On Behalf of: The Reading Police Department
Section 1:
Purpose of Amendment – Amend of Article 12 Traffic Rules and Regulations - Public Ways
Article 5.9.1 No Overnight Parking of Heavy Vehicles or Commercial vehicles.
Section 2:
Purpose of Amendment – Article 12.1 to Enact: Pursuant to Article 5.9.1: Overnight Parking shall
be prohibited within the Town of Reading for Heavy or Commercial vehicles weighing over 10,000lbs
(class 3 or above) on any public way or public parking lot between the hours of 10:00pm - 6:00am.
Exceptions to this regulation for commercial vehicles and equipment are only for temporary parking for
any vehicle performing emergency services, repairs, improvement to infrastructure or residential work
with the approval of the Reading Police Department.
Section 3:
Effective Date:
This act shall take effect upon its passage and the provisions above shall not expire.
Select Board:
Date Signed:
Town of Reading
Amendment to the
Traffic and Parking Regulations
Certification of Amendment:
The Town Clerk certifies that Amendment Number ____________ above was ____________ by the
Select Board of the Town of Reading through an official vote occurring during a public hearing held on
____________. The Amendment was ____________ through a vote of ____________ in favor and
____________ opposed.
Town Clerk
Town Corporate Seal
Page 1 | 5
TOR Gazebo Circle-160 Hopkins St. Easement - Gazebo Circle 5-29-2024
Reading Municipal Light Department
230 Ash Street
Reading, MA 01867
GRANT OF EASEMENT
Gazebo Circle, Reading, MA 01867
TOWN OF READING, a Massachusetts municipality duly established by law and acting through the Town of
Reading Select Board and having a principal place of business at 16 Lowell Street, Reading, MA 01867 (“Grantor”),
for consideration paid of One Dollar ($1.00), the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, hereby
grants to the TOWN OF READING MUNICIPAL LIGHT DEPARTMENT (“Grantee”), a Massachusetts
municipal light plant duly established by law and having a principal place of business at 230 Ash Street, Reading,
Massachusetts,
With Quitclaim Covenants,
The perpetual and non-exclusive right and easement to install, construct, reconstruct, repair, replace, add to, inspect
maintain, and operate for the transmission of high and low voltage electric current and for the transmission of intelligence,
overhead lines to consist of, but not limited to, poles, with wires and cables strung upon and from the same and all
necessary anchors, guys, risers, equipment, and appurtenances and an underground electric distribution system consisting
of lines of buried wires and cables and lines of wires and cables installed in underground conduits, together with all
equipment and appurtenances thereto for the transmission of intelligence and for the furnishing of electric service, and
without limiting the generality of the foregoing, but specifically including the following equipment, namely: manholes,
manhole openings, bollards, handholes, junction boxes, transformers, transformer vaults, padmounts, padmount
transformers and all housings, connectors, switches, conduits, all communication devices and modes, cables, wires and
all Grantee-owned items (hereinafter referred to as “GRANTEE’S ELECTRIC SYSTEM”) all located within the
Easement Area of the Property located in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, as set forth below. Grantee shall have the
right to connect said GRANTEE’S ELECTRIC SYSTEM to poles, conduits, cables and wires located, or that may now
or hereinafter be placed or located, upon and under public ways or streets and other land adjacent, contiguous or near the
premises.
Said GRANTEE’S ELECTRIC SYSTEM is or to be located in, through, under, over, across and upon parcels of land
with improvements thereon located at Reading, Massachusetts and described in a master deed recorded with the
Registry of Deeds Middlesex South in Book 66438 Page 203.
And further, said GRANTEE’S ELECTRIC SYSTEM (locations of the electrical equipment and other facilities on
the hereinbefore referred to premises of the Grantor) is approximately shown as the dashed line on a sketch entitled
“Exhibit A: GAZEBO CIRCLE PUMP STATION”, a reduced copy of said sketch is attached hereto as “Exhibit
A”, copies of which are in the possession of the Grantor and Grantee herein, but the final definitive locations of said
GRANTEE’S ELECTRIC SYSTEM shall become established by and upon the installation and erection thereof by
the Grantee (“Easement Area”). Said Easement Area shall be 15’ long and 7.5’ on either side of installed utilities
measured from the centerline of GRANTEE’S ELECTRIC SYSTEM for a total of 15 feet in width.
Easement – Gazebo Circle – 160 Hopkins Street, Reading, MA 01867
Page 2 | 5
TOR Gazebo Circle-160 Hopkins St. Easement - Gazebo Circle 5-29-2024
Also with the further perpetual and non-exclusive right and easement from time to time without further payment
therefore to pass and repass by foot, vehicle, and equipment over, across and upon said land of the Grantor as is
reasonable and necessary in order to inspect, renew, replace, repair, remove, add to, maintain, operate, patrol and
otherwise change said GRANTEE’S ELECTRIC SYSTEM and each and every part thereof and to perform such
work, including but not limited to making such other excavation or excavations as may be reasonably necessary in
the reasonable opinion and judgment of the Grantee, its successors and assigns, and to clear and keep cleared the
portions and areas of the premises wherein GRANTEE’S ELECTRIC SYSTEM is located, as shown on the sketch
herein referred to, of such trees, shrubs, bushes, above ground and below ground structures, objects and surfaces,
as may, in the reasonable opinion and judgment of the Grantee, interfere with the efficient, reliable, and safe
operation and maintenance of GRANTEE’S ELECTRIC SYSTEM and other related electrical equipment or
Grantee’s access thereto.
If such location of the Easement Area as approximately shown on the sketch attached hereto is unsuitable for the
purposes of the Grantee, then said locations may be changed to areas mutually agreeable to both the Grantor and
the Grantee herein; and further, said newly agreed to locations shall be indicated and shown on said sketch attached
hereto to by proper amendment or amendments thereto, approved and executed by Grantor and Grantee. The
Grantor, for itself, its successors and assigns, covenant and agrees with the Grantee, for itself, its successors and
assigns, that this Grant of Easement and the location of GRANTEE’S ELECTRIC SYSTEM may not be changed
or modified without the written consent of the Grantor, its successors and assigns, which consent may be withheld
by the Grantor in its sole discretion. Any relocation of such GRANTEE’S ELECTRIC SYSTEM shall be performed
at the sole cost and expense of the requesting party. The Grantor acknowledges that failure to approve reasonable
future consents/requests of Grantee may result in a general increase in the cost of electric service due to the Grantee’s
cost in pursuing alternative and could also result in Grantee’s use of its eminent domain authority to acquire rights
of way as authorized by law.
It is agreed that GRANTEE’S ELECTRIC SYSTEM and all other utilities and improvements constructed or installed
on said premises by Grantee shall remain the property of Grantee, and Grantee shall pay all applicable taxes assessed
thereon, if any. Grantor agrees not to interfere unreasonably with the rights granted to Grantee hereunder or to cause
or permit any buildings, structures, utilities or other obstructions to be constructed or placed within, under or over the
Easement Area that Grantee reasonably determines impairs the exercise of Grantee’s rights hereunder, the safe or
reliable operation of Grantee’s facilities, the provision of electric service, or access thereto, which shall be removed
promptly by Grantor at its sole expense upon the request of Grantee.
If the Grantor or Grantee, at any time in the future, determine and mutually agree that the rights and easement herein
granted are no longer needed and required by Grantor or others serviced by this GRANTEE’S ELECTRIC SYSTEM,
then the Grantor, its successors and assigns, shall request and, subject to Grantee's functional review and management
authorization, be granted a release from the Grantee, its successors and assigns, of this Grant of Easement. Following
the release or termination of this Grant of Easement, Grantee shall have no further obligation to provide electric service
to the Grantor's land or to Grantor, its tenants, or their respective successors and assigns, or any other party in
possession of the Grantor's land or any portion thereof.
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TOR Gazebo Circle-160 Hopkins St. Easement - Gazebo Circle 5-29-2024
Grantee agrees to promptly restore the surface of the land to substantially the same condition as said surface was in
immediately prior to any excavation or excavations thereof; provided that Grantee shall not be required to pave or
repave the easement area or restore any improvements made thereto.
All rights and privileges herein granted, including all benefits and burdens, shall run with the land and shall be binding
upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto, their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors, assigns
and legal representatives.
EXECUTED as a sealed instrument this _______________ day of June 2024.
NAMES OF READING SELECT BOARD
Signed:_______________________________
Name: Melissa Murphy
Signed:_______________________________
Name: Mark L. Dockser
Signed:_______________________________
Name: Karen Gately Herrick
Signed:_______________________________
Name: Carlo Bacci
Signed:_______________________________
Name: Christopher Haley
Page 4 | 5
TOR Gazebo Circle-160 Hopkins St. Easement - Gazebo Circle 5-29-2024
THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Middlesex, ss.
On this ____ day of June 2024, before me, the undersigned notary public,
personally appeared: Melissa Murphy, Mark L. Dockser, Karen Gately Herrick, Carlo Bacci, and Christopher Haley,
who proved to me through satisfactory evidence of identification, which were
______________________________________________________________,
to be the persons whose names are signed on the preceding or attached document, and acknowledged to me that they
signed it voluntarily for its stated purpose on behalf of the Town of Reading located at 16 Lowell Street, Reading,
MA 01867
Notary Public: _________________________
My Commission Expires:
Seal
Page 5 | 5
TOR Gazebo Circle-160 Hopkins St. Easement - Gazebo Circle 5-29-2024
EXHIBIT A - GAZEBO CIRCLE PUMP STATION
Plan of Land Description and GRANTEE’S ELECTRIC SYSTEM Layout
B/C/C FY25 Request FY24 Awarded
Climate Advisory Committee 1,000$ $1,500
Conservation Commission 11,200$ $5,000
Historical Commission 1,500$ $1,500
Reading Community Garden $500
Town Forest 20,000$ $6,500
Trails Committee 5,000$ $5,000
TOTAL $38,700 $20,000
FY25 B/C/C Budget Requests
Reading Trails Committee
The Trails Committee remains committed to maintaining over 708 acres of conservation
land and 15 miles of trails in Reading. That said, our trails are aging and need some
attention to remain safe for everyone to use. We are also experiencing an increase in
extreme weather including high winds that knock down trees over our trails. For example,
after a recent storm, we had 19 trees to remove. This year we plan to continue updating
our boardwalks and bridges, some of which have been standing for over 20 years. They
do not meet our current standard for design and are in desperate need of repairs and in
many cases replacement.
We would like to use the $5,000 to cover the stock and materials for our projects.
Climate Advisory Committee
For the 2025 fiscal year, the Climate Advisory Committee requests $1,000 to support the
following activities.
• $400 for posters and similar outreach materials including Friends and Family Day.
• $600 to support Community Planning and similar town efforts on things like the Net
Zero Plan, MAPC Zoning, Killam School Sustainability working group and Walkers Brook
Planning.
A survey of the heating and cooling energy uses was not conducted in 2024. It may be
desirable to perform this survey again in future years. An additional request for funding
will be made if this survey is needed.
Historical Commission
The Historical Commission respectfully requests the $1,500 that we have received in the
past.
Town Forest Committee
The Town Forest Committee requests $20,000 for FY25 to cover the following expenses:
• Update the Forest Management Plan (FMP). The FMP describes the current condition
of the Town Forest and recommends actions to enhance forest health and biological
diversity. Having an FMP makes the Town eligible for forestry grants from the Mass.
Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). Reading has received a total of
$20,000 in DCR grants over the last three years for dead tree removal. FMPs must be
updated every 10 years. The TF plan was prepared in 2010, so it needs to be updated
to remain eligible for DCR grants. Updating the FMP is also necessary to reflect the
changes that have occurred in the Town Forest as a result of the dying red pine trees
and the three phases of dead pine tree removal.
• Hire a Certified Forester to support the removal of dead trees from the Town Forest.
Dead pine trees have been removed from about 15 acres of the TF under three
phases conducted in 2020 and 2022. A fourth phase is scheduled to be done in FY25
to continue to mitigate the safety hazards of falling trees and forest fires. A Certified
Forester is needed to assist the Town before, during and after the logging operation,
and to ensure that the logger complies with the DCR and Conservation Commission
approved Forest Cutting Plan.
• Control invasive plants. Invasive plants have become firmly established in the Reading
Town Forest. Budget is needed to implement control measures to prevent invasive
plants from displacing the native plants in the TF. Reading recently received a grant of
$7,500 from DCR for invasive plant control. The Town used TFC FY24 budget to meet
DCR’s requirement for a 25% match to qualify for the grant.
• Plant native plants. Areas cleared of dead pine trees have created ideal conditions for
new plants to grow. It is important that native trees, shrubs and pollinators be planted
so that the invasive plants do not colonize the newly opened areas. Budget is needed
to purchase native plants.
The TFC was funded at $6,500 for FY24. This request for $20,000 reflects the great need
for corrective action in the Town Forest. Please contact me if you have any questions
about this request. Thank you.
May 30, 2024
Dear Select Board Members:
I'm writing to request approval for an operating budget for the Conservation Commission, as
Conservation has no stand-alone operating budget at this time. According to the MA General Law (Ch.40
Section 8C), the Conservation Commission was established, "for the promotion and development of the
natural resources and the protection of watershed resources of (the) town." In addition to enforcing the
MA Wetlands Protection Act, and the Town wetlands bylaws and regulations, we are also responsible for
open space protection and land management of approximately 66 properties with a total of 990 acres.
There are also 18 Conservation restrictions totaling 62 acres in Reading. Unfortunately, nearly all of our
resources, time, and energy is spent on meeting the regulatory demands of permits, permit-related
requests, and permit closeouts. That leaves little residual time or resources for habitat and land
management. Over the past couple of years our conservation administrator Chuck Tirone has leveraged
his time with volunteer groups to do work on Reading conservation land. In 2024 we have partnered with
Keller Williams and Next Step Ministries, but funding for the materials to enable the volunteers to do the
actual work is needed. These needs are listed below. The volunteer groups will bring their own tools and
provide their sweat equity, but the Conservation Commission must pay for the supplies.
To that end, we respectfully request the following budget for the next fiscal year beginning July 1, 2024.
A total of $11,200 in the following increments:
Cost $4,300 Goal and Benefit
The Bare Meadow Baseline habitat study was completed by Mass Audubon in the spring of 2024. The
purpose of the study was to get professional opinions and recommendations to allow the Conservation
Commission to enhance the habitat values for flora and fauna within the Bare Meadow complex. The
benefit of these efforts will be to provide a more pleasurable recreational experience for the residents of
Reading. The Conservation Commission would like to implement select key strategies to improve the
habitat quality for the only Woodcock nesting habitat in Reading by removing 15 trees that have grown
into the historic boundaries of the meadow and to plant this area with a Meadow seed mix. The secondary
benefit opportunities of this work for our community are education for both the general public and school
populations.
$2,700 Invasive plant removal
These funds would be used for the treatment and/or removal of invasive plant species at several small
public areas on conservation land. Stopping a problem early before it has an opportunity to spread and
become a more dominant, more expensive, and widespread vegetation management problem. Damage
caused by invasive plants includes a lack of biodiversity (monoculture), less habitat area for secondary
wildlife that needs native plants. These benefited species include bugs, birds, bees, etc.). A thriving native
plant community can keep Reading open space more resilient to disease and weather extremes, reducing
to cost of management practices in the future.
Town of Reading
16 Lowell Street
Reading, MA 01867-2683
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Phone (781) 942-6616
Fax (781) 942-9071
ctirone@ci.reading.ma.us
$4,200 Maintenance and Improvement of Conservation Area
Our existing land needs to be maintained. At this time, most of the resources for these efforts come from
scout fundraisers or volunteers donating their considerable time and resources. The Town DPW has
requested that we pay overtime for some of the work we need. For example, Mattera Cabin grounds are
not mowed or maintained. With the pavilion community garden and Reading resident use of the cabin for
birthday parties and functions it’s important to keep these places maintained and safe. As so often the
case, good maintenance now limits repair and replacement costs in the future. Land thrives with good
stewardship, and the benefits of healthy open space areas provide the Town with increased property
values and community features desired by home buyers.
I am also requesting that the funds be held by Conservation, and any residual funds be rolled over into the
next budget year so that we can plan for some longer-term projects as needed.
Sincerely,
Chuck Tirone
Conservation Administrator
June 18, 2024 Tuesday
Overview of Meeting
Public Comment
Select Board Liaison and Town
Manager Reports
Path Dedication to Jamie Maughn
HEARING
Early Opening Request - Bagel
World
HEARING?
Traffic Amendment - Stop sign
(PLACE HOLDER)Jones
Vote to declare Surplus Items: Fire
Department Ladder Truck Burns
Discuss Building Permit Fee
Schedule MacNichol
ReCalc Update
Discuss & Vote on Bill Russell
Committee (BRACE)
Charter Review Committee Update
Vote on VASC recommendations for
Annual board/committee
Appointments Board
Executive Session Litigation (PLACEHOLDER)Counsel
July 16, 2024 Tuesday
Review Code of Ethics and SB Policies
Discuss Trash Contract Proposal from
Republic and Trash barrell update
Discuss Moving Town Election to May
July 22, 2024 Monday
Killam School Building Committee
Joint Meeting
August 20, 2024 Tuesday
September 10, 2024 STATE PRIMARY
September 17, 2024 Tuesday
October 8, 2024 Tuesday
October 29, 2024 Tuesday
Hearing Tax Classification
November 5, 2024 STATE ELECTION
November 12, 2024 SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING
November 14, 2024 SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING
November 18, 2024 SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING
November 19, 2024 Tuesday
November 21, 2024 SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING
December 3, 2024 Tuesday
Vote to approve Annual Liquor
Licenses
December 4, 2024 Wednesday
Department Budget Presentations
December 10, 2024 Tuesday
Department Budget Presentations
Recurring Agenda Items
Close Warrant: Annual Town
Meeting March
Close Warrant: Subsequent Town
Meeting September
Appoint Town Accountant March Annual
HEARING
Approve Classification &
Compensation May Annual
Appointments of Boards &
Committees May/June Annual
HEARING Approve Tax Classification October Annual
Approve Licenses December Annual
Arbor Day Proclamation April Annual
Liaison: RCTV members Report Annual
Liaison: CAB (RMLD) member
Report Annual
Liaison: MAPC member Report Annual
Liaison: Reading Housing Authority
Report Annual
Liaison: Reading Ice Arena Report Annual
Town Accountant Report Qtrly
Economic Development Director Semi-ann
Parking/Traffic/Transportation
Task Force (PTTTF)
Town Board & Committee visits
Town Department visits
Review Select Board Goals
Review Town Manager Goals February/March
Select Board Draft Minutes
May 21, 2024 @ 6pm
CB + KH via Zoom
Carlo Bacci called the meeting to order at 6pm. He welcomed Melissa Murphy to the board.
Public Comment
Nancy Docktor feels the board should discuss and adopt a code of ethics now that there is a
full board.
Carloyn Johnson feels Haleys prior comments towards Dockser are unacceptable and he
needs to apologize to Dockser.
Linda Snow Dockser noted she is looking forward to the CATO meeting with the Board on
June 18th.
Liaison Reports
Haley noted the School Committee met and they noted the METCO program got level
funded. They got an excellence award for the food service program. He thanked Melissa for
running and the election staff for all their work. Lastly, he noted he stands by everything he
has said while on the Select Board.
Herrick noted the Killam School Building Committee is meeting frequently. The sustainability
working group kicked off today and they got a presentation from HVAC specialist on all the
options for heating and cooling. There was another community meeting at the Senior Center
yesterday. The Killam School project now has a website to keep up to date with all the
progress. She congratulated all PD and FD who was promoted and pinned at the recent
badge pinning ceremony.
Dockser noted he attended the badge pinning ceremony. ReCalc has been meeting about
next steps. They plan to present to the Select Board at the June 18th meeting. He has spoken
with the PBC about taking the project. ReCalc is set to sunset at the end of June so the board
should consider extending them or not. He would like the board to put a code of ethics on a
future agenda.
Melissa Murphy thanked all her supporters and campaign team. She thanked Tara for also
running and looks forward to working with her.
Bacci noted he is looking forward to our Memorial Day celebration. He plugged the
upcoming renewal season for boards and committees and noted there are many openings if
anyone is interested.
Town Manager Report
Kraunelis thanked and congratulated all who participated in the badge pinning ceremony. He
also attended the Reading Garden Club’s annual plant sale and the Police Department’s open
house. Both events were well attended. The Boston 25 News Zip Trip visit to Reading will be
on June 21st at Camp Curtis.
Eagle Scout Awards
The board recognized three young men from Town who recently achieved their Eagle Scouts
award.
Nicholas Belous received his award for his service project of designing and building 'Little
Libraries' all around the city of Lynn.
Jeffrey Lonks received his award for his service project of designing and building a bridge in
the town forest.
Charles Mace received his award for his service project of designing and building a bridge at
Bear Meadow Conservation area.
Scout Master Ian Nelson attended the meeting with the Eagle Scouts and accepted Charles
Mace's Certificate of Recognition on his behalf as he could not make the meeting.
Congratulations to all three on achieving the highest award in the Scouts!
Community Preservation Act (CPA) Study Committee Interviews and Appointment
The Select Board created the CPA Study Committee recently that includes one resident
member. They interviewed three applicants: Elinor Actipis, Sanford Matathia, and Robert
Weiden. The board went through and discussed who they were leaning towards.
Haley moved to appoint Sanford Matathia to the CPA Study Committee. The motion was
seconded by Dockser and approved with a 3-2 vote with Bacci and Murphy opposing.
EMS Week Proclamation
Chief Burns was present along with many of the Emergency Medical Staff he has to accept
the EMS Week Proclamation from the board.
Haley read the proclamation.
Pride Month Resolution
Haley read the Pride Month Resolution that will be given out at the Pride Parade on June 1st.
Killam Building School Update
Jenni Katajamaki, Senior Project Manager from Lavallee Brensinger Architects gave the board
a presentation on the Killam School project. The presentation can be found in the Select
Board packet on the Town website.
Classification and Compensation Hearing
Haley read the hearing notice opening the public hearing to discuss and vote on the FY25
Non-union Classification and Compensation Plans.
Haley moved to close the hearing regarding the Non-Union Classificaiotn and
Compensation Schedules. The motion was seconded by Herrick, and was approved with
a 5-0 vote.
Haley moved to approve the FY 25 Non-union Classification and Compensation
Schedules as presented. The motion was seconded by Dockser and approved with a 5-0
vote.
Appoint Retirement Board Member
The board has three applicants for the Retirement Board. Lt. Richard Abate from the Police
Department, Retired Firefighter Michael Holmes and Library Director Amy Lannon.
The board went through and took a pulse of the board on who they were thinking.
Haley moved to appoint Richard Abate to the Retirement Board with a term beginning
immediately and expiring March 31, 2027. The motion was seconded by Herrick and
approved with a 4-1 vote with Herrick opposing.
Liaison Assignments
The board discussed and divided up the liaison assignments. The new list can be found on
the town website on the Select Board page.
The board also discussed VASC, the volunteer appointment subcommittee. This
subcommittee is comprised of two select board members who do the interviews for the
annual board and committee renewals each year. The VASC then brings their
recommendations to the full board for appointment.
Haley moved to appoint Herrick and Murphy to the VASC. The motion was seconded by
Dockser and approved with a 5-0 vote.
Friends and Family Day
The board discussed what they want their contribution to be to Friends and Family Day. The
members could not commit to staffing a booth so they opted to send a donation to sponsor
the event.
Future Agendas
The board discussed future agenda items.
Minutes
The board edited previous meeting minutes.
Haley moved to approve the meeting minutes from May 7, 2024 as amended. The
motion was seconded by Herrick and approved with a 5-0 vote.