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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-11-12 Subsequent Town Meeting MinutesSUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School Performing Arts Center November 12, 2024 The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Alan E. Foulds, at 7:32 PM, there being a quorum present. The Pledge of Allegiance was said by all. The Constable's return of the Warrant was read by the Town Clerk. The following announcements were made by the Moderator: At the April meeting I felt that some of the amendments - particularly the smaller one - the so-called friendly amendments - got out of hand, and meanings were being changed without us realizing it. Tonight, ALL proposed amendments, regardless of how small they seem, will be voted upon. I now call on Town Meeting Member Nancy Docktor for a moment of personal privilege. A moment of personal privilege was given by Nancy Dockter, Precinct 1 Thank you, Mr Moderator, Good Evening Town Meeting Members Our colleague, Bill Brown, has retired from public service. While he has served on numerous boards and committees, I would like to use my personal privilege to acknowledge his long service to us. There are places I remember All my life, though some have changed Some forever, not for better Some have gone and some remain All these places had their moments With lovers and friends, I still can recall Some are dead and some are living in my life, I've loved them all But of all these friends and lovers There is no one compares with you And these memories lose their meaning When I think of love as something new Though I know I'll never lose affection For people and things that went before I know I'll often stop and think about them In my life, I love you more Would you please join me in appreciation for his 57 years of service to Town Meeting in a round of applause. Town Clerk made a statement of an error for filling vacancies in Precincts 3 and 8, a total of 4 vacancies. The vacancies could not be filled as the required posting was not published. The Moderator then explained the process to go forward. We have been told that there could be legal problems in holding a Town Meeting Member election during a town meeting. We are not able to fill these spots during the life of this meeting. Having open spots, in itself, is not illegal, and we could continue with the warrant. SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School Performing Arts Center November 12, 2024 There has been concern that two precincts - both affected by potential outcomes of the so-called MBTA zoning articles - are lacking representation. To alleviate the issue of underrepresentation in two precincts, a proposal has been made to delay voting on articles 16 and 17 until a future special town meeting - held this December - and continue with all other business. This presents a timing issue. The Select Board needs to meet to issue a new warrant for the special town meeting, and it must be posted. In order to provide sufficient time for all that to happen, we would need to make that decision tonight. The mechanics would be as follows: A member would move to take Article 16 out of order. Then there would be a motion to indefinitely postpone. We would repeat the process with article 17. If all that happens, we would then return to Article 1 and proceed with the warrant until completed. A new meeting would be called expressly for those two articles - 16 and 17 -in December. Now, before we go through that process, we are going to do something a little unusual. This is something I do not like to do, but in this case it seems warranted. We will begin with a poll - a sense of the meeting vote. If it is Town Meeting's choice to delay action on those two subjects, then we will begin the process of indefinitely postponing them. If the straw vote is NO, then we will go directly to Article 1 and proceed in the order specified in the warrant. Question: Should this Town Meeting postpone action on articles 16 and 17 - the so-called MBTA Zoning articles - for the life of this meeting, with the intention of addressing them at a special meeting in December? A straw vote was taken and it was determined that there was interest as continuing Town Meeting as posted. Motion made by Carlo Bacci, Select Board to dispense of the reading of the warrant. Motion Carried Article 1: Motion made by the Select Board to hear and act on the reports of the Select Board, School Committee, Library Trustees, Municipal Light Board, Finance Committee, Bylaw Committee, Town Manager, Town Accountant and any other Town Official, Board or Committee. A report was given by the Killam School Building Committee, giving an update of the project Presentation given by: Carlo Nazzaro - See Attached Thomas Milaschewski SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School November 12, 2024 Performing Arts Center Motion made by Select Board to table Article 1 Motion to Table Carried Article 2: Motion made by the Select Board to table the subject matter of Article 2 Motion to Table Carried Article 3: Motion made by the Select Board that the Town amend the FY 2025-35 Capital Improvements Program as provided for in Section 7-7 of the Reading Home Rule Charter and as previously amended, by making these changes: General Fund FY25: +$ 2,052,000 net changes ($1.3 million debt authorization) -$ 85,000 Bobcat UV56 (Facilities) +$ 40,000 Parking Enforcement Vehicle (2013) +$ 30,000 Highway pickup #18 (2006) (increase from $80k to $110K) -$ 30,000 Blower unit for loader (reduce price from $250k to $220k) +$ 420,000 Road paving (increase from $425k to $845k) +$ 100,000 Sidewalk work (increase from $100k to $200k) +$ 32,000 Fencing around play area adjacent to Wood End School (new) +$ 245,000 BM Phase II Design (debt issuance delayed savings used toward design) +$ 1,300,000 RMHS Fieldhouse Floor and Bleachers (increase debt auth by $1.3 million) FY26: +$ 15,000 net changes -$ 55,000 Carpenters Cut -away Van (move out 1 year and increase to $60k) -$ 40,000 Doors and Windows at schools (move out 1 year) +$ 15,000 Wood End Water Heater -$ 10,000 Library equipment (not needed) +$ 20,000 ALS Defibrillator Monitor (increase from $50k to $70k) -$ 65,000 Small Dump Truck #7 (2012) (move out 1 year and increase from $65k to $120k) +$ 35,000 Highway Truck #18 Sander (2006) (increase from $240k to $275k) +$115,000 Road paving (increase from $425k to $540k) FY27+ Various other changes made Enterprise Funds — Water FY25: +$560,000 net changes +$560,000 Water Main Replacement Sanborn St FY26: +$600,000 net changes +$600,000 Water Main Replacement Hopkins St FY27+ Various changes made Enterprise Funds — Sewer SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School Performing Arts Center FY2.5:_+$_net changes FY26: +$40.000 net changes +$40,000 Sewer pickup #17 (increase price from $60k to $100k) FY27 + Various chanqes made Enterprise Funds - Storm Water FY25: net changes FY26: +$-net changes FY27+ Various changes made Presentation given by: • Sharon Angstrom - See Attached November 12, 2024 Background: This Article is included in every Town Meeting Warrant. The Reading General Bylaw (section 6.1.3) states "... No funds may be appropriated for any capital item unless such item is included in the Capital Improvements Program and is scheduled for funding in the Fiscal Year in which the appropriation is to be made." Bond ratings agencies also want to ensure that changes to a long-term Capital Improvements Program (CIP) are adequately described. Finance Committee Report - given by Joe Carnahan: The Finance Committee recommends the proposed amendments to the FY 2025 - FY 2035 Capital Improvements Program by a vote of 8-0 at their meeting on October 9, 2024. Placing items in the Capital Improvement Program is a prerequisite first step but in itself does not authorize spending funds toward these items. Bylaw Committee Report: No Report After some discussion a vote was taken Motion Carried Article 4: Motion made by the Select Board that the Town amend the Town's Operating Budget for the Fiscal Year commencing July 1, 2024, as adopted under Article 12 of the Annual Town Meeting of April 25, 2024; and to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds a sum of money, to be added to the amounts appropriated under said Article, as amended, for the operation of the Town and its government, as provided in the below chart: General Fund - Wages and Expenses Account Line Description Decrease Increase C99 - Capital As described in Article 3, plus $130k for $882,000 additional funding for a fire truck not encumbered and closed to free cash in error D-99- Debt Delayed Borrowing BM PHII & Downtown Ph $721,000 II SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School Performing Arts Center E99- Voc. Ed NERMVS +$10k F99 - FINCOM Replenish for additional funds needed for DPW trucks $135k G91 - Admin. Attrition Savings -$7.5k Services Wages G-92 - Admin Property Casualty Insurance -$25k Services Expenses G91a - Extra OT for Cloud migration project Technology Wages G -92a Technology Security Upgrades Technology Expenses H91 - Public Attrition Savings -$7.5k Services Wages H92 - Public Regional Housing Expense +$30k Services Veteran's Assistance -$20k Expenses _ I91 - Finance Make temp part-time position full-time Wages permanent +$60k 391 - Public Retirement/Attrition savings -$35k Safety Wages K-95 Rubbish Compost Collection at Schools +$50k RMHS Extraordinary Repair -$10k M91- Core Facilities $376,000 Subtotals Net Operating E From Free Cash ses Enterprise Funds November 12, 2024 Account Line Description Decrease Increase W99 Water EF Water Main Replacement - Sanborn St $560,000 Subtotals $560,000 From Water EF Reserves 560,000 Presentation given by: • Sharon Angstrom - See Attached Finance Committee Report - given by ave McDonagh: At their meeting on October 9, 2024, the Finance Committee voted 8-0 to recommend this Article to Town Meeting. Motion Carried Article 5: Motion made by the Select Board to table the subject matter of Article 5 $10,000 $135,000 $7,500 $25,000 $10,000 $25,000 $7,500 $10,000 $60,000 $35,000 $50,000 $10,000 ' $8061000 $1052,000 $376,000 $376,000 Account Line Description Decrease Increase W99 Water EF Water Main Replacement - Sanborn St $560,000 Subtotals $560,000 From Water EF Reserves 560,000 Presentation given by: • Sharon Angstrom - See Attached Finance Committee Report - given by ave McDonagh: At their meeting on October 9, 2024, the Finance Committee voted 8-0 to recommend this Article to Town Meeting. Motion Carried Article 5: Motion made by the Select Board to table the subject matter of Article 5 SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School Performing Arts Center Motion to Table Carried November 12, 2024 Article 6: Motion made by the Select Board that the Town transfer $39,000 received from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on May 20, 2024, in payment for development within the Town's 40R Smart Growth Zoning Districts from Free Cash into the Smart Growth Stabilization Fund. Presentation given by: O Sharon Angstrom - See Attached Background: The Town of Reading received $39,000 from the State for 40R Smart Growth projects. These funds were received May 20, 2024, and closed to free cash. This article requests these funds being transferred to the Smart Growth Stabilization Fund. Finance Committee Report - given by Sohn Sullivan: At their meeting on October 9, 2024, the Finance Committee voted 8-0 to recommend this Article to Town Meeting. Bylaw Committee Report: No Report Motion Carried Article 7: Motion made by the Select Board that the Town vote to accept the fourth paragraph of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40, Section 5B, which allows the dedication, without further appropriation, of all, or a percentage not less than 25 percent, of particular fees, charges or receipts to a stabilization fund established under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40, Section 5B, to be effective for the fiscal year beginning on July 1, 2025, and vote to dedicate all of the payments received from the Commonwealth pursuant to Chapter 40R of the Massachusetts General Laws to the Town's Smart Growth Stabilization Fund, effective for fiscal year 2026, beginning on July 1, 2025. Presentation given by: O Sharon Angstrom - See Attached Background: In the past, the Town was required to present an article to Town Meeting each year to transfer funds received from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in payment for development within the Town's 40R Smart Growth Zoning Districts into the Smart Growth Stabilization Fund. Accepting Massachusetts General Law Chapter 40, Section 5B will allow all of the payments received from the Commonwealth pursuant to Chapter 40R of the Massachusetts General Laws to go directly to the Town's Smart Growth Stabilization Fund, beginning on July 1, 2025. Finance Committee Report - given bV Marianne Downing: At their meeting on October 9, 2024, the Finance Committee voted 8-0 to recommend this Article to Town Meeting. ftlaw Committee Report - given by Jason Clarke: At their meeting on October 24, 2024 the Bylaw Committee voted 4-0 to recommend this Article to Town Meeting. 2/3rd Vote Required Declared Unanimous 158 Town Meeting Members in Attendance Motion Carried SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School Performing Arts Center November 12, 2024 Article 8: Motion made by the Select Board that the Town vote to transfer $87,157 received from Opioid Settlements from Free Cash to the Opioid Settlement Receipts Special Reserve Fund. Presentation given by: a Sharon Angstrom - See Attached Background: Massachusetts has participated in nationwide financial settlements with several companies as part of the historic legal efforts to demand abatement of the harms caused by the opioid epidemic. These settlements combined will bring over $900 million into Massachusetts for substance use prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery support. These funds began to flow into municipalities in fiscal 2023 and are required to be used for substance abuse programs; however, there was no legislation at the time allowing municipalities to set up a special revenue fund for Opioid Settlement Receipts and subsequent programming expenses. Due to the absence of this legislation, the Town was advised by DLS to record the fiscal 2023 Opioid Settlement revenue as General Fund revenue and allow these funds to close into free cash at the end of the fiscal year. On December 4th, 2023, Governor Healey signed Chapter 77 of the Acts of 2023. Section 9 of the law provides, in part, for an exception to the legal requirement that all receipts are to be recorded as general fund revenue per G.L. c. 44, § 53 for Opioid Settlement Receipts. Municipalities now have the option to account for these receipts in a special revenue fund. The Department of Revenue's Division of Local Services (DLS) released the Opioid Settlement Receipts Bulletin to provide guidance to municipalities on how the legislation will impact fiscal management of the opioid abatement funds. The guidance provided stated that any opioid settlement funds received in fiscal 2024 or later could be transferred to new Opioid Settlement Receipts Special Reserve Fund per the new exception. Any opioid settlement funds received in fiscal 2023 that has become part of free cash would require a vote of Town Meeting to move the funds from free cash to the Opioid Settlement Receipts Special Reserve Fund. This article requests to transfer the fiscal 2023 opioid receipts of $87,157 from free cash to the Opioid Settlement Special Reserve fund. Finance Committee Report - given by Mark_Zarrow: At their meeting on October 9, 2024, the Finance Committee voted 8-0 to recommend this Article to Town Meeting. Bylaw Committee Report: No Report After some discussion a vote was taken Motion Carried Article 9: Motion made by the Select Board to Indefinitely Postpone the subject matter of Article 9 Motion to Indefinitely Postpone Carried Motion made by Thomas Wise, School Committee to take Article 15 out of Order Motion Carried SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School Performing Arts Center November 12, 2024 Article 15: Motion made by the Select Board that the Town vote to appropriate $1.3 million to pay costs of making improvements to the Reading Memorial High School Field House, including, not limited to, the full replacement of the floor, including the costs of installation, construction, consulting services, audits, plans, documents, cost estimates, bidding services and all related expenses incidental thereto and necessary in connection therewith, said sum to be expended by and under the direction of the Town Manager; and, for the purpose of meeting such appropriation, the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Select Board, is authorized to borrow said sum in accordance with G.L. c. 44, §7(1), or any other enabling authority, and to issue bonds or notes of the Town therefor. Presentation given by: Thomas Milaschewski - See Attached • Joe Huggins • Tom Wise Background: At the April 2024 Town Meeting, debt was authorized at $1.7 million to replace the field house floor and bleachers at Reading Memorial High School. The authorization was required that evening as there was also a vote to move some unused funding from the Parker Roof Capital Project Fund. For the fieldhouse floor and bleachers project to qualify for a transfer from the Parker Roof fund, bond counsel advised that a debt authorization had to be approved for the project before or at the Town Meeting where the transfer from the Parker Roof Capital Project fund was approved. When the debt authorization was presented for the field house floor and bleachers, it was mentioned during the presentation that several options were being considered. If an option other than the exact replacement of the existing floor was chosen as the best option, another authorization would need to be done. A maple floor was selected as the best option for asset life and safety reasons. This option will increase the project costs to $3 million. This article seeks to increase the debt authorization by $1.3 million. Gienapp Architects explored different options to replace the Reading Memorial High School Field House flooring. All options included replacing the track with a similar material, rubber, so the differences came down to the replacement material at the competition court. The three materials reviewed were: 1. Rubber (In-kind Replacement) 2. Lumaflex (Synthetic and real wood composite material) 3. Maple Hardwood In reviewing the advantages and disadvantages of each, it became apparent that the material of choice is Maple Hardwood. This is for several reasons: 1. Maple Hardwood has been used as a playing surface for many years and is the preferred material in the athletic world. 2. Maple Hardwood provides a softer surface than a rubber material directly on the slab. 3. Maple hardwood is durable & stable. 4. We were able to review another local flooring layout that utilized a rubber track surrounding a hardwood center court, and the owner was very satisfied with it. 5. Maple Hardwood is more available than Lumaflex, and more local contractors have experience installing it. The main disadvantage of maple hardwood is its cost. However, it is not exponentially more expensive than Lumaflex. We believe the benefit -to -cost ratio makes it the best option. SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School Performing Arts Center November 12, 2024 The rubber flooring that will replace the areas outside the competition court will increase in thickness slightly. Currently, there is a N3mm rubber surface; the flooring product that will be the basis of the new floor's design ranges from 4 mm to 8 mm in thickness. Finance Committee Report - given by Ed Ross: At their meeting on October 9, 2024, the Finance Committee voted 8-0 to recommend this Article to Town Meeting. School Committee Report - given by Tom Wise: At their meeting on October 10, 2024, the School Committee voted 4-0 with 2 members not in attendance to recommend this Article to Town Meeting. Bylaw Committee Report: No Report After some discussion a vote was taken 2/3 rd Vote Required 140 in the affirmative 7 in the negative 158 Town Meeting Members in Attendance Motion Carried Article 10: Motion made by the Select Board that the Town vote to adopt a mandatory charge per kilowatt-hour upon Reading Municipal Light Plant's electricity consumers located within the Town of Reading by accepting the provisions of G.L. c. 25, § 20(c), and authorize the Select Board to execute all documents necessary to qualify the Town as a Green Community under G.L. c.25A, § 10, including the Renewable energy Trust Fund Membership Agreement. Presentation given by: • Karen Herrick - See Attached • Matthew Kraunelis Background: 295 communities have been designated as Green Communities across Massachusetts. 5 criteria that a municipal Criteria 1 Adopt as-of-ri ht siti must meet to qualify for designation as a Green Community 2 Adopt expedited permitti 3 Create an Energy Reduction Plan to reduce energy use by 20% in 5 years 4 Adopt a fuel-efficient vehicle purchase policy 5 Adopt the Energy Stretch Code Reading's Status Achieved Achieved Adopted and funded at Nov 2021 Town Meeting I Adopted June 2021 Adopted at Nov 2020 Town Meeting Effective April 1, 2021 In 2021, the Town of Reading submitted its application to be designated a Green Community showing that we meet these criteria. But there is one more requirement. Green Communities must contribute to the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust Fund. To do this, all electricity customers must pay a charge of $0.0005/kilowatt-hour collected through their electric bills (approximately $3.00 to $4.00 per year for the average home). SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School Performing Arts Center November 12, 2024 This charge is added to the bills of customers of Investor -Owned Utilities (e.g., Eversource, National Grid) by state law. However, customers of Municipal Light Plants (like RMLD) are not automatically assessed this charge. So, it must be adopted and added by the MLP. RMLD cannot adopt this charge for Reading customers unless Reading Town Meeting approves it. If approved by Town Meeting, and after execution of an agreement with MA CEC and the Select Board, the charge will be calculated and included in our electric bills from RMLD. With the implementation of the renewable energy surcharge for Town participation in Green Communities, we expect the average residential customer to pay an additional $0.41/month or $4.92/year, paid to MA CEC. Our local electric utility, RMLD, will collect the surcharge each month as part of monthly billing and pass it through to MassCEC. The surcharge is not a charge for RMLD electricity services. Where does our money go? All revenues generated by the mandatory charge are deposited into the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust Fund which is managed by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center. The funds are used (i) to promote the increased availability, use and affordability of renewable energy; (ii) to improve existing renewable energy projects and facilities; and (iii) to foster the formation, growth, expansion and retention within the Commonwealth of renewable energy and related enterprises, institutions and projects. Much of it comes back to us in the form of grants, contracts, loans, investments, or rebates. What do we get back? In 2021, Green Communities awarded grants totaling $16.2M to 123 communities. Upon designation as a Green Community, Reading will receive a designation grant estimated between $150,000 and $190,000. Then we can apply for additional grants annually. Grants fund energy efficiency initiatives and renewable energy projects. 17 of Reading's 23 Peer Communities have been designated (bold) as Green Communities: Andover, Bedford, Belmont, Burlington, Canton, Danvers, Dedham, Lynnfield, Mansfield, Marshfield, Milton, Natick, North Reading, North Andover, Shrewsbury, Stoneham, Tewksbury, Wakefield, Walpole, Westborough, Westford, Wilmington, and Winchester. These communities have received on average $125,000 in grant funding annually. Designation Year Municipality Grant Funding to Date Years Designated 2010 Andover $1,117,282 14 2010 Dedham $634,501 14 2010 Milton $1,162,739 14 2010 Natick $2,195,952 14 2010 Winchester $1,693,873 14 2011 Bedford $1,097,306 13 2011 Tewksbury $1,310,471 13 2013 Westford $1,364,223 11 2014 Belmont $401,850 10 2017 Canton $650,810 7 SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School Performing Arts Center November 12, 2024 2017 Marshfield $1,041,845 7 2017 North Andover $860,922 7 2017 Stoneham $1,215,141 7 2018 Shrewsbury $699,317 6 2018 Westborough $541,797 6 2020 Burlington $705,397 4 2021 Walpole $342,135 3 Finance Committee Report: No Report Bylaw Committee Report - given by Jason Clarke: At their meeting on October 24, 2024 the Bylaw Committee voted 4-0 to recommend this Article to Town Meeting. After some discussion a vote was taken Motion Carried Article 11: Motion made by the Town Forest Committee and the Board of Health that the Town vote to amend Section 8.8.1.3 of the General Bylaws, Effective Voice Control, by deleting the section and inserting, in place thereof, the following: 8.8.1.3 Effective Voice Control An animal shall be deemed to be "under effective voice control" if it is (i) within the handler's sight, (ii) refrains from aggressive behavior, (iii) comes immediately when called by its handler, and (iv) the handler is carrying a leash per dog. Aggressive behavior is any behavior that would cause a reasonable person to believe the dog poses an unjustified imminent threat of physical injury to a person or another dog, including but not limited to jumping on, repeatedly barking at, or approaching any person without their consent. Presentation given by: 7 William Sullivan - See Attached Background: Existing Animal Control Bylaw 8.8.1.3 states that: "An animal shall be deemed to be "under effective voice control" if it is within the owner's or keeper's sight, the owner or keeper is carrying a leash, and the animal refrains from illegal activities." The proposed change to the definition of Effective Voice Control would replace the general prohibition of "illegal activities" with specific requirements for the control of dogs in the Town Forest. The need for this proposed change is the result of complaints of aggressive behavior including dog bites of people and other dogs, jumping on and the sustained barking at visitors to the Town Forest. The Town Forest is a multi -use resource in which all members of the public should feel safe. Finance Committee Re ort: No Report Bylaw Committee Report - given by Jason Clarke: At their meeting on October 24, 2024 the Bylaw Committee voted 4-0 to recommend this Article to Town Meeting. Conservation Commission Report - given by Martha Moore: At their meeting on October 23, 2024 the Bylaw Committee voted 4-0 to recommend this Article to Town Meeting. After some discussion a vote was taken SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School Performing Arts Center Motion Carried November 12, 2024 Article 12: Motion made by the Town Forest Committee and the Board of Health that the Town vote to amend Section 8.8.3.2 of the General Bylaws by (1) inserting a new Section 8.8.3.2.3, as follows: 8.8.3.2.3 Town Forest The maximum number of off -leash dogs shall not exceed two per handler in the Town Forest. Any dog that does not remain under effective voice control, as defined in Section 8.8.1.3, must be placed on a leash or removed from the Town Forest immediately. Dog waste must be removed in accordance with Section 8.8.3.3. Dogs must be leashed when entering or exiting the Town Forest. Visitors who do not abide by these rules may be required to leave the Town Forest, in addition to any enforcement action provided for under G. L. c.40, §21D and Section 1.8 of these Bylaws. and (2) renumbering the remaining sections accordingly Presentation given by: • William Sullivan - See Attached Background: The current Animal Control section of the General Bylaw allows dogs to be off leash in the Town Forest if they are under effective voice control. There is currently no limit on the number of off leash dogs per handler. Commercial dog walkers regularly bring in eight or more dogs off leash. Frequent conflicts between commercial dog walkers and the public have been reported including attacks by uncontrolled dogs on people and other dogs. Most communities around Reading require dogs to be leashed in public except in a dog park. This proposed change would still permit dogs to be off leash in the Town Forest, but it would limit the number of off leash dogs to two per handler as recommended by Reading's Animal Control Officer. Finance Committee Report: No Report Bylaw Committee Re ort --given by Jason Clarke: At their meeting on October 24, 2024 the Bylaw Committee voted 4-0 to recommend this Article to Town Meeting. Conservation Commission Report - given by Martha Moore: At their meeting on October 23, 2024 the Bylaw Committee voted 4-0 to recommend this Article to Town Meeting. After some discussion a vote was taken Motion Carried Article 13: Motion made by Town Forest Committee that the Town vote to transfer $150,000 from free cash for the Town Forest thinning project, which will include $50,000 for Phase 4 of the dead tree removal program and $100,000 for Phase 5 of the invasive plants control program. Presentation given by: 0 William Sullivan - See Attached SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School Performing Arts Center November 12, 2024 Background: This request is for funding to continue the removal of dead trees and for the control of invasive plants in the Town Forest. Red pine trees were planted starting in the 1930s. They are native to latitudes north of Massachusetts. The warming climate has stressed the red pines, making them vulnerable to insects and fungus which kill the trees. These dead trees need to be removed before they fall on visitors to the Town Forest. The dead trees are also a fire risk. The three previous projects removed dead trees from 13.8 acres. This fourth project will remove dead trees from an additional 5.1 acres and will allow for the reopening of a popular trail that is currently closed due to the presence of dead trees. This is anticipated to be the last major phase of dead tree removal. Removal of isolated dead trees may be needed in the future if they pose a threat to the public. Finance Committee Report --given by Geoffrey Coram: At their meeting on October 9, 2024, the Finance Committee voted 8-0 to recommend this Article to Town Meeting. Bylaw Committee Report: No Report Conservation Commission Report - given by Martha Moore: At their meeting on October 23, 2024 the Bylaw Committee voted 4-0 to recommend this Article to Town Meeting. After some discussion a vote was taken Motion Carried Article 14: Motion made by the Select Board that the Town vote pursuant to G.L. c. 40, § 15A, to transfer care, custody, management and control of the property known as 371 Grove Street (or "Grove Street Lot 5"), Assessor Map 44 Lot 136, as shown on a plan of land entitled "GROVE STREET, LOT 5 PARKING," prepared by Weston & Sampson Engineers, Inc., date January 23, 2023, such plan on file with the Town Clerk, to the Reading Conservation Commission for the sole purpose of passive recreation and open space management, including the installation, maintenance, and repair of a passive trail network with associated signage; provided, however, that Reading Department of Public Works shall have the right to replace, repair, maintain, and make necessary improvements to the existing parking area on the property, as shown on said plan. Presentation given by: ■ Matthew Kraunelis - See Attached Background: In November 2021, the Town Meeting approved the purchase of 371 Grove St. also known as Lot 5 on Grove Street from Meadow Brook Golf Course. The purchase was made to create a municipal parking lot that would be used by residents visiting the Town Forest. Since that purchase, the Town has worked with an engineering firm, Weston & Sampson, to develop the design of said parking lot and to obtain all the required permits. Specifically, given the proximity to protected habitat land, the Town had to obtain approval from the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife, Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program, to build this parking lot. Finally, the Town worked with our local Conservation Commission to obtain approval for this parking lot. 371 Grove St. also known as Lot 5 was completed and an opening ceremony was held on June 13, 2024. With the opening out-of-the-way there was one final administrative step needed, as part of the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife, Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program approval the Town agreed to transfer the property to the Conservation Commission to receive permanent protection under Article 97. This protection was a key component in the Town's approval of Natural Heritage. By transferring the land to the conservation commission, it will receive Article 97 protection ensuring no more SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School Performing Arts Center November 12, 2024 development will take place on this property outside of the existing maintenance needed to take care of the parking lot. Benefits of this proposal • Ratifies commitment to protect the land in perpetuity Y Protects the wildlife corridor between Grove Street and the Town Forest a Helps to protect the wetland and tributary streams associated with the Ipswich River an important regional resource • Adds land to the open space inventory The request to Town Meeting is to transfer care, custody, management, and control of the property at 371 Grove Street also known as Grove Street Lot 5, to the Reading Conservation Commission. Finance Committee Report: No Report Bylaw Committee Report: No Report Conservation Commission Report - given by Martha Moore: At their meeting on September 25, 2024 the Bylaw Committee voted 4-0 to recommend this Article to Town Meeting. Reading Town Forest Committee Report: On September 17, 2024 the Reading Town Forest Committee voted unanimously in favor of supporting this transfer to the Conservation Commission. After some discussion a vote was taken 2/3rd Vote Required 127 in the affirmative 3 in the negative 158 Town Meeting Members in Attendance Motion Carried On motion it was voted that this Subsequent Town Meeting stand adjourned to meet at 7:30 PM at the Reading Memorial High School Performing Arts Center, on Thursday, November 15, 2024. Meeting adjourned at 10:32 PM with 158 Town Meeting Members in attendance. Motion Carried A true copy Attest: Laura A Gemme, CMC /CMMC Town Clerk Town of Reading For the PAC Audience use RPS GUEST WiFi password: none l' Subsequent Town Meeting November 12, 2024 1 1 Assumptions: Free Cash Regeneration of $3 million for FY25 and FY26 Free Cash Use $6.33 million In FY25 and $5.6 million In FY26 Bonds Authorized and Unissued 5 Reserves — November 2024 Certified Free Cash 6/30/24 $ 19,293,779 Nov 24 TM Article 4 (proposed) ($ 376,000) Nov 24 TM Article 13 (orar9a$d1 fS 150.0001 Free Cash Remaining $ 18,897,779 General Stabilization Fund $ 1,962,776` FINCOM Reserves S 20 0..000 TOTAL $ 21.06 million -17.2% of est. $122,7mil. FY26 projected revenue FINCOM 7% Minimum Reserves Policy 2 4 I Pages 3-4 2024 Subsequent Town Meeting Article 3 Adds, removes, or changes items in the FY25-35 Capital Improvements Program - does not authorize any funding for these items: FY25 General Fund:+$2,052,000 net change -$ 85,000 Bobcat UV56 (Facilities) $ 40,000 Parking Enforcement Vehicle (2013) $ 30,000 Highway pickup #18 (2006) ( from $80k to $110K) -$ 30,000 Blower unit for loader (from $250k to $220k) $ 420,000 Additional Road Paving (from $4251, to $845k) $ 100,000 Sidewalk work (from $100k to $200k) $ 32,000 Fencing around the play area adjacent to Wood End School (new) S 245,000 SM Phase II Design (debt issue delayed, savings used toward design) $1,300,000 RMHS Fieldhouse Floor 8 Bleachers(ncrease debt auth by $1.3 million) 1 Aamd App'*o`1 9aP,mmd Aa. nala m! Amu4 )kid Da Yhk Adkmd SYlatelkr grinmld YYlU Am6dld V% 9AW Adamd Nate 30d Q1 k&td had W;, Milk kmld On.Wed Wath Imad had f S S 7 S S S S 1 1 W&SMILIF 13 INYit '9 I.OW900 1960900 WIN Ae1 s.lalR.IA 00714 X19 1.0100 NO INIM 1011ol r6lal6 IIng '6 11102 2,1100 290 00 @96F6111m61muditn WMI '10 1100900 Odd9ld t9W900 S S S 11-- S 1 1 S S S9l0001 - - - 690a - S990IX0 5 Reserves — November 2024 Certified Free Cash 6/30/24 $ 19,293,779 Nov 24 TM Article 4 (proposed) ($ 376,000) Nov 24 TM Article 13 (orar9a$d1 fS 150.0001 Free Cash Remaining $ 18,897,779 General Stabilization Fund $ 1,962,776` FINCOM Reserves S 20 0..000 TOTAL $ 21.06 million -17.2% of est. $122,7mil. FY26 projected revenue FINCOM 7% Minimum Reserves Policy 2 4 I Pages 3-4 2024 Subsequent Town Meeting Article 3 Adds, removes, or changes items in the FY25-35 Capital Improvements Program - does not authorize any funding for these items: FY25 General Fund:+$2,052,000 net change -$ 85,000 Bobcat UV56 (Facilities) $ 40,000 Parking Enforcement Vehicle (2013) $ 30,000 Highway pickup #18 (2006) ( from $80k to $110K) -$ 30,000 Blower unit for loader (from $250k to $220k) $ 420,000 Additional Road Paving (from $4251, to $845k) $ 100,000 Sidewalk work (from $100k to $200k) $ 32,000 Fencing around the play area adjacent to Wood End School (new) S 245,000 SM Phase II Design (debt issue delayed, savings used toward design) $1,300,000 RMHS Fieldhouse Floor 8 Bleachers(ncrease debt auth by $1.3 million) 1 7 ' Pages 3-4 2024 Subsequent Town Meeting Article 3 cont'd FY26 General Fund:+$15,000 net change 55,000 Carpenters Cut -away Van (move out 1 yr. & increase to $60k) -$ 40,000 Schools - doors & windows (moved to FY27) $ 15,000 Wood End Water Heater -$ 10,000 Library Equipment (not needed) $ 20,000 ALS Defibrillator Monitor (increase from $50k to $70k) -$ 65,000 Small Dump Truck #7 (2012) (cut 1 yr. & increase $65k to $120k) $ 35,000 Highway Truck #16 Sander (2006) (increase from $240k to $275k) $115,000 Road paving (increase from $4251, to $540k) FY27+ Various other changes made !0i Pages4-5 2024 Subsequent Town Meeting Article 4 Authorizes these Cha oes to FY25 General Fund budget: Description C99 - Capital As described in Article 3, net of $662,000 increased debt authorization for RMHS field house floor and bleachers and $130k for a fire truck that was never encumbered and closed to free cash D99- Debt Delayed Borrowing BM PHII & $721,000 Downtown Ph II E99-Voc NERMVS+$10k $10,000 Ed F99 - Replenish for additional funds needed $135,000 FINCOM for DPW trucks $135k G91 Admin Attrition Savings $7,500 Services Wages •.�FP 51 Pages4-5 2024 Subsequent Town Meeting Article 4 cont'd Services Exp Authorizes these changes to FY25 General Fund budget: G91a-Tech Extra OT for Cloud migration $10,000 Wages J91 -Public Refirement/Attribon savings -$35k $35,wu G -92a Tech Safety Wages $25,000 Exp K-95 Rubbish Compost Collection at Schools $50,000 M-92 RMHS Extraordinary Repairs $10,000 Services Wages Facilities H92 Pub Core $10,000 Services Subtotals $606,000 $1,162,000 Net Operating Expenses $376,000 From Free Cash $60,000 $376,000 11 �= Pages 3-4 2024 Subsequent Town Meeting Article 3 Adds, removes, or changes items in the FY25-35 Capital Improvements Program -does not authorize any funding for these items: 8 10 12 FY25 Enterprise Funds: Water+$560,000 Sewer& Storm (no changes) +$560,000 Water- Water Main Replacement Sanborn St FY26 Enterprise Funds: Water+$600,000 Sewer+$40,000 Storm (no changes) +$600,000 Water- Water Main Replacement Hopkins St +$40,000 Sewer -Pickup #17 (increase price from $60k to $100k) FY27 Enterprise Funds: Various changes made t[ 12024 Subsequent Town Meeting Pages4-5 Article 4 cont'd Authorizes these changes to FY25 General Fund budget: G -92 -Admin Property Casualty Insurance -$25k $25,000 Services Exp G91a-Tech Extra OT for Cloud migration $10,000 Wages project G -92a Tech Technology Security Upgrades $25,000 Exp H91 Pub Attrition savings $7,500 Services Wages H92 Pub Regional Housing Expense+$30k $10,000 Services Veteran's Assistance -$20k Expenses F91- Finance Make temp part-time position full- $60,000 Wages time permanent+$60k Page 5 2024 Subsequent Town Meeting Article 4 cont'd Authorizes these changes to FY25 Enterprise Funds budget: fir:.- ..Zo W99 - Water EF Water Main Replacement $560,000 Subtotals $660,000 Net Operating Expenses $660,000 From Water Reserves $560,000 tllllll�>rr�s Page 5 12024 November Subsequent Town Meeting Article 5 Prior Year's Bill Table— No Prior Year's bills 13 �(1• Page 6 2024 November Subsequent Town Meeting Article 7 This article is to accept the fourth paragraph of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40, Section 58 • This allows the dedication of 40R funds without further appropriation to the Smart Growth Stabilization Fund, • Currently, we need to ask Town Meeting to transfer the 40R funds to the Smart Growth Stabilization Fund. • If this section of the law is accepted, these funds will automatically go directly into the Smart Growth Stabilization fund without bringing an article to Town Meeting. 15 tiIs Pages 7-9 2024 November Subsequent Town Meeting Article 9 Haven Street Infrastructure Project • Article to be indefinitely postponed 17 `151 Page 6 2024 November Subsequent Town Meeting Article 6 This artis la is to tra nvi:r Su n ds rece ivod from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in payment for development within the Town's 40R Smart Growth Zoning Districts from Free Cash into the Smart Growth Stabilization Fund. • Last year, the 40R payment of $39,000 was received after the April Town Meeting - It was too late to transfer it into the Smart Growth Stabilization fund, so these funds closed to free rash. • These funds need to be earmarked for capital purposes. • These funds are tracked in the Smart Growth Stabilization fund - 14 �0� Page 7 2024 November Subsequent Town Meeting Article 8 This article seeks to approve the transfer of $87,157 of Opioid Settlement Funds from Free Cash into the Opioid Settlement Special Reserve Fund • FY23 was the first year that Reading received Opioid Settlement funds. • The Opioid Settlement funds are to be used for substance abuse programing. • No legislation was established at the time that permitted the Town to create a Special Reserve Fund forthe Opioid Settlement funds to ensure these funds are spent appropriately - The funds received in FY23 remained in the General Fund and closed to free cash at the and of the fiscal year. • In FY24, an exception was approved, allowing the Town to establish an Opioid Settlement Special Reserve Fund. • The exception allowed all the Opioid funding received in FY24 to go directly into the Opioid Settlement Special Reserve Fund. • The Opioid Settlement funds received in FY23 that became part of free cash require a vote of the Town Meeting to move them to the Opioid Settlement Special Reserve Fund. 16 18 4. ' Pages 9-11 2024 November Subsequent Town Meeting Article 10 To see if the Town will vote to adopt a mandatory charge per kilowatt-hour upon Reading Municipal Light Plant's electricity consumers located within the Town of Reading by accepting the provisions of G. L. c. 25, § 20(c), and authorize the Select Board to execute all documents necessary to qualify the Town as a Green Community under G.L.c 25A, § 10, including the Renewable Energy Trust Fund Membership Agreement • In 2021, the Town of Reading submitted its application to be designated a Green Community, showing that we meet these criteria • There is one more requirement Green Communities must contribute to the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust Fund To do this, all electricity customers must pay a charge of $0 0005/kilowatt-hour collected through their electric bills (approximately $3 00 to $4 00 per year for the average home) • If approved by Town Meeting, and after execution of an agreement with MA CEC and the Select Board, the charge will be calculated and included in our electric bills from RMI -a • The Conservation Commission voted unanimously to accept the land 3 Green Communities Journey • 2019 Subsequent Town Meeting Instructional Motion "The Select Board shall instruct Town Staff join MA Green Communities in 2020 or take other equivalent actions to achieve on-going energy improvements and a plan to begin implementing significant renewable energy solutions in Reading and report progress updates at each Annual and Subsequent Town Meeting" 19 11111111611111111 Legislative Action Select Board, Staff and Reading State delegation propose the first legislative changes to Green Communities since inception. Spring 2022 Select Board,Climate Advisory members, and RMLD GM testify before MA Joint TeleComm and Utilities committee urging acceptance of new legislation. Summer 2023 House and Senate agree on and approve final legislation. September 2023 Governor Baker signs the new law allowing Reading and the otherjoint MLP communities to independently join Green Communities 21 GREEN COMMUNITY DESIGNATIONS REACH, TWO HUNDRED NINETY-FIVE A - IFOWM Greeo Co=uol[y Deftwdow GOSNOLD NEHBURY , LEYQEi.1 I PFJIBODY rrevawr aw�w•muuv ® -® : 23 _QQ Progress 2020-2024 1. $10K MAPC Technical Assistance Investment (Summer 2020) 2. Town Meeting Adopts Stretch Code (Fall 2020) 3. Select Board Adopts Fuel Efficient Vehicle Policy 4. Planning Staff confirms required as -of -right siting for renewablelaltemative energy generating facilities and policy for expediting above 5. Town & RMLD create 5 year Energy reduction Plan 6. Town Submits Application December 2021 which disallowed by DOER. 20 MLP communities affected. P7 sIIII= 00) 24 Why Green Communities? Grants of up to $250,000 annually for energy efficiency projects. • Fuel Efficient Vehicles • Windows Insulation weatherization • Heat Pumps for schools & municipal buildings • LED lighting • Initial joining grant of approximately $180k. • Administrative Support/ Mgmt Software • Green Communities Summit • Access to additional new grants. Final Steps Approve Article 10 Select Board and RMLD Execute CEC Trust agreement Adopt Renewable Energy Trust Fee 0.0005/kWh or 1/201h of a cent per kWh (Average home would contribute $.50 per month for 1000 kWh per month $6.001year.) Re -submit Green Communities application by 12/31 Develop internal plan for annual energy efficiency grant applications. 4 Town Forest Committee and Reading Board of Health I Town Meeting Warrant Articles 11 and 12 on changes to the Animal Control section of the General Bylaw 25 Animal Control Bylaw Existing Bylaw: 8 B,L3 Effective Voice Control An animal shall be deemed to be "under effective voice control" if it is within the owner's or keeper's sight, the owner or keeper is carrying a leash, and the animal refrains from illegal activities, Proposed Bylaw: 8 8.1.3 Effective Voice Control An animal shall be deemed to be "under effective voice control" if it is (i) within the handler's sight, Iii) refrains from aggressive behavior, (iii) comes immediately when called by its handler, and (iv) the handler is carrying a leash Der dog. Aggressive behavior is any behavior that would cause a nable person to believe the dog poses an unjustified imminent threat of physical injury to a person or another dog, including but not limited to jumping on, repeatedly barking at, or approaching any person without their consent. 27 Concern with Number of Dogs off -leash per handler P. Residents' safety concerns should not be ignored ► Some members of the public feel threatened by large groups of unleashed dogs P. The Town Forest is a multi -use resource created when "the citizens of Reading in the year 1930 planted a forest primeval that a coming generation might enjoy to the full, God's great out-of-doors' P. The Town Forest is for everyone to enjoy including running, cycling, cross-country skiing, bird watching, dog walking, group camping, track meets, Scout activities and appreciating nature ► The Town Forest is not a dog park I. The Town Forest Committee investigated policies in other towns 29 7G Town Meeting Animal Control Bylaw Change Warrant Articles ► Article 11: To define "effective voice control" P. Article 12: To address public safely concerns regarding the number of off -leash dogs per handler in the the Town Forest Concern with Number of Dogs off -leash per handler ► Continuing complaints about conflicts between commercial dog walkers with multiple off -leash dogs and the public ► Current Bylaw allows dogs to be off -leash when under voice control ► A Facebook post by one commercial dog walker to another said that: "I'm a dog walker there [Town Forest] and I bring in 8 off leash and they are all under voice control There are a lot of people on the trail who are very mean and will treat you this way. I deal with it everyday –just do your own thing and ignore them!" ► A Facebook post from 9/12124: "Dog owners, if you employ a woman to walk your dogs at the Reading Forest, you should check on them. I just encountered a woman who had two dogs on a leash and 6 to 8 off leash- She couldn't control them Four of them attacked my dog while she walked away. My dog is fine and she was under my control. If this is your dog walker, your dog isn't. The last two dogs didn't catch up to her until she was about 1000 feet away down the path " and "She was screaming obscenities at me.' 28 30 What do our Neighboring Towns Do? ciiw ma111MWay.dw..'na INAd+r✓Sa_W YI. dW.Iw.Wdy I. - pap Wavnd when in a pubfic place Dn mustb WWdorob- to comm.ndwh.n in pubec plea D.g.sriu. N urwc-i d melt ry nv aura le.shor by eff. , commend. An— may . Aryan kr I.drd gaw]eugsn Dag. must M 1,,"d or obedaid to command when In a pubk puce Dogs must M leashed when In a public place W. le..h law. ACO auModzed to r.qulm wm.rs W Wash dog. Dogs must M I..sh.d when In a public p1b . Dog. must M W shed when N. p u k &w 1Mxe.es. Tray M und... ffeane coxa wmml Dog.— M W,n Md-.. W. pu. p—.x lWad gn.Y dog pari Dogs must M IeasMd -1 pubAc plam. Dna mrt a W cod.a.n n . w�v+a Does must M I...n.d wn.n in a publio pWw earepl in a e.aignal.a ding poor Dog. nWl b W.hWwMn W.pukg pWwexceptN•d.YgmWddogpni, Does must M I ... h.d when In a pubAc pWce r.. 33 What do our Neighboring Towns Dol 15 Neighboring Towns: 11 require dogs to be leashed in public except in a dog park 4 allow for dogs to be off leash in a public place if obedient to command, one of which limits to two dogs per handler 7ur1i-nary P. ReVents will still be able to.malk up to two dogs off yea under volem control' ► TheibYm Fo :Commdlee end the Board of Health f8.questt. of Arlides i7 end 12 to amend me Genaral�. yl *il animal co" to imp" putft safely arrtl reduce negative Interactions between doge and residents P. The proposed changes to the animal control Bylaw were reviewed by Town Counsel, and were approved end Ihn8Sd3rd of mitt e, Town Forest Committee d i Lij L] Town Forest Committee7"' Town Meeting Article 13 ° = :'-.7 -� Animal Control Bylaw Proposed Bylaw Change: 8.8.3,2,3 Town Forest (new subsection under 88.3.2 Conduct of Dogs/Leash Law) The maximum number of off -leash dogs shall not exceed two per handler in the Town Forest. Any dogthat does not remain under effective voice control, as defined in Section 8 8.1.3, must be placed on a leash or removed from the Town Forest immediately. Dog waste must be removed in accordance with Section 8 8.3,3. Dogs must be leashed when entering or exhingthe Town Forest. Visitors who do not abide by these rules may be required to leave the Town Forest, in addition to any enforcement action provided for under G. L c-40, 421D and Section 1.8 of these Bylaws. 32 34 36 Town Forest Committee ► Bill Sullivan, Chair P. Tim Kirwan, Vice Chair ► Jeff Lamson, Member ► Christine Lusk, Member P. Nancy Docktor, Associate P. Bill Hughes, Associate Board of Health ► Richard Lopez, Chair P. Kerry Dunnell, Vice Chair ► Sal Bramante, Member ► Kevin Sexton, Member ► Joan Wetzel, Member ► Geri Cramer, Associate ► Sophie Hansen, Associate ► Ade Solarin, Director of Public Health ► Animal Control Officer, Enforcing Person Town Forest Committee report on work to date and Town Meeting Article 13 P Report on dead pine tree removal ► Report on invasive plant control P. Town Meeting request for funding to continue removal of dead pine trees and control of invasive plants 0 37 jaw 7owt Fated � / „`' i 4-1 `l t . 39 Item 2: Invasive PI I. Invasive plants such as buckthom, Japaneseknotweed, tree of heaven and black swallow -wort have become firmly established in the Town Forest ► If not controlled now, native plants will be crowded out and the Town Forest will be a tangle of invasive plants 41 Reading Town Forest Dead Tree Removal Program by Phase Bucklhor n Japanese Knotweed 38 40 42 Item 1: De, Pine Tre,_ ► Rea pafa bo.a xafa plaa startrlp In U. l enod-C a resourde Id b! perrpd�anr' harva¢tad ► Red errs afa surfed for more nart! r latitudes ► slr.,r mange has ebsed Gla rad pines ► This stress makes the red pines vulnerable to fungus and insects such as pine ► Need to remove the dead trees balma limy fall and poterhav mjmn usms od loin Town Faf6ai of caton an hre Work to Date: ► on a 1removed dead trees .5 January 2020 at cost or$28.400(Town funds) ► Phase 2 another 45 acres ata attunds900 J an$10 00022 rpm DCR) ► Phase 3 another 46 acres ata cost of $36,493 November 2022 (ARPA funds with a $10,000 =from DCR) ► Pra1K� a bid and managed fry Reiding DPW ► Scouts have hundreds oftreanted s ► Thank You T—p 702! W Invasive Plants Work to Date: ► Volunteer buckthorn pulling by Scouts, Town residents and others such as Amazon Robotics _ ► Phase 1 treatment June 2022 at a ' cost of $9,545 (rown funds) ► Phase 2 treatment November 2023 n at a cost of $44,000 (ARPA funds) ► Phase 3 treatment May 2024 at a cost of $9,240 ($6,930 DCR grant and $2,310 Town funds) ► Phase 4 treatment August 2024 at a cost of $9,800 (ARPA funds) Invasive Plant Inventory and Management Plan wNsrn Aw..c set Fa 0-- — Invasive Plant Management Plan and $46,493 in ARPA and DCR completed at a cost of $72,585 grants) ($11,855 in Town funds and $60,730 in ARPA and DCR grants) ■ f� •��, i .ie rauu roru 43 Summary of Items 1 and 2 for Town Meeting Funding Work to 13.8 acres cleared at a cost of About 40% of the areas in the Date: $87,793 ($41,300 in Town funds Invasive Plant Management Plan and $46,493 in ARPA and DCR completed at a cost of $72,585 grants) ($11,855 in Town funds and $60,730 in ARPA and DCR grants) Work for 5.1 acres remaining, with limited Remaining 60%ofthe areas in which iotas at an S lunate cast of the Invasives Plan at an Funding $60,000 ($50,000 in Town funds estimated cost of $100,000 is and a $10,000 grant approved by (grants will be sought) Future Needed: DCR) maintenance will be required 47 Next Steps —Town Meeting Funding ► Phase 4 of the dead tree removal program for Areas 5, 12 and 13 ► Cost estimate is $60,000 P. Should be the last major phase + DCR has approved a $10,000 grant for this work leaving a need for $50,000 in Town funds . Phase 5 of the invasive plant control program ► Cost estimate is $100,000 I. Should be the last major phase (future maintenance will be required) N. Grant funding will be sought ► Total Town Meeting request is $150,000 44 u:7lmaly P. Dead trees have peen removed from 93,8 acres to date P. Town Meeting Article 13 funding request for --__ SSD,000 for Phase 4 of the dead tree program • Reading Fire Qepertmem wpports removal of the— dead Irues Invasive plant control on the Town Forest lrarlswas substantially completed following the Invaswe Plant -_- Management Plan Town Meeting Article 13 funding request for $100,000 for Phase 5 to address invasive plants on the Town Forest access roads and other areas ► The Town Forest Committee requests approval of Article 13 , 46 �• I�)rli Pages 13-14 2024 November Subsequent Town Meeting Article 14 To see if the Town will vote under G.L. c. 40, § 15A, to transfer care, custody, management, and control of the property known as Grove Street Lot 5, Assessor Map 44 Lot 136 to the Reading Conservation Commission. 48 • In November 2021, the Town Meeting approved the purchase of 371 Grove St, also known as Lot 5 on Grove Street, from Meadow Brook Golf Course. • The purchase was made to create a municipal parking lot for residents visiting the Town Forest • The [own has worked with an engineering firm, Weston 8 Sampson, to develop the parking lot's design and obtain all the required permits- • Given its proximity to protected habitat land, the Town had to obtain approval from the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries 8 Wildlife, Natural Heritage 8 Endangered Species Program, to build this parking lot As part of the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries 8 Wildlife, Natural Heritage 8 Endangered Species Program approval, the Town agreed to transfer the property to the Conservation Commission to receive permanent protection under Article 97, ensuring no more development will take place on this property outside of existing maintenance to care for the parking lot, 49 RMHS Field House Project Town Warrant -Article 15 November2024 Town Meeting Reading Memorial High School Field House The Field House is generally in use from 8:00am-9 30pm, seven daystweek, especially during heavy rental seasons The Field House is used for physical education classes, with a hundreds of students using the facility each day, Multiple RMHS sports use the 4gill dayr, wcAdF.y unified tlpGrlR ctreer, Dance, Hass,• r volleyball, and indoor track As a result, hrildtOd! df411r�tintatMetn usb [nrgym each day, with these numbers even higher during inclement weather. The Field House is consistently rented for community use, with up to 600 participants playing on the surface on a given day during peak rental season For example, 500-600 players participate on the floor each Sunday during the winter months for basketball with Reading Rec Given the high usage of the Field House and the main court, it is critical to provide as durable of a surface and safe of an experience as possible for all participants. 51 53 50 Background At April 2024 Town Meeting, debt was authorized at $1.7 million to replace the field house floor and bleachers at Reading Memorial High School. When the debt authorization was presented for the field house floor and bleachers, it was mentioned during the presentation that several options were being considered and if an option other than exact replacement of the existing floor was chosen as the best option, another authorization would need to be done, We believe that a wood athletic option, which is different than the exact replacement of the existing floor, is the best option for the floor given the safety and durability it provides Floor Replacement Options Our design phase has presented two` primary options: 1 Foam -backed Vinyl (in-kind product,"rubber') 2 Wood Athletic (maple) Background provided in the Town Warrant (Article 15) outlines Lumafiex, a synthetic and real -wood composite material, as a third material we reviewed. However, at this point we are not considering Lumafiex as an option given the drop-olfin quality, yet similar cost, when compared to wood —Comparison information provide by Robert Belkner, President of F../Roberts Sports Surfaces, Inc. 52 54 Floor Replacement Options - Safety Factors Safety factor I Foam -backed VInN I Wood Athletic Ideal Shock absorption Good (Class 2) Floor Replacement Options 50 The differences between foam -backed vinyl and wood athletic Floors fall into several categories. The main three factors have to do with student and community safety. The other three have to do with the quality of our investment: Safety Factors: Quality Factors: 1, Shock absorption 4, Durability 2. Energy return 5. Longevity 3. Elasticity 6. Aesthetics 53 50 Background At April 2024 Town Meeting, debt was authorized at $1.7 million to replace the field house floor and bleachers at Reading Memorial High School. When the debt authorization was presented for the field house floor and bleachers, it was mentioned during the presentation that several options were being considered and if an option other than exact replacement of the existing floor was chosen as the best option, another authorization would need to be done, We believe that a wood athletic option, which is different than the exact replacement of the existing floor, is the best option for the floor given the safety and durability it provides Floor Replacement Options Our design phase has presented two` primary options: 1 Foam -backed Vinyl (in-kind product,"rubber') 2 Wood Athletic (maple) Background provided in the Town Warrant (Article 15) outlines Lumafiex, a synthetic and real -wood composite material, as a third material we reviewed. However, at this point we are not considering Lumafiex as an option given the drop-olfin quality, yet similar cost, when compared to wood —Comparison information provide by Robert Belkner, President of F../Roberts Sports Surfaces, Inc. 52 54 Floor Replacement Options - Safety Factors Safety factor I Foam -backed VInN I Wood Athletic Ideal Shock absorption Good (Class 2) Very Good (Class 4-5) 50 22%.33% absorbed Greater than 46% absorbed • Balance between shock absorption and energy return creates optimal safety and play • Generally speaking, as long as the energy return is remains appropriate, the ideal shock absorption for safety while playing basketball or volleyball is around 50%. • Proper shock absorption allows users to play longer with less joint impact. Lower shock absorption percentages increase the risk of overuse injuries. I 55 Floor Replacement Options - Safety Factors Safety factor I Foam -backed vinyl Wood Adriatic Ideal - I Balance ofshock Energy return OK Very Good absorption and energy return • The amount of energy returned from the surface upon impact is referred to as the surface's Energy Return, • Optimizing energy return allows players to participate longer with more energy. If there is imbalance between shock absorption and energy return, the result can be what is experienced when running in sand. • Balance between the ability to absorb shock, but return the energy constructively, is ideal for safety and game play. Floor Replacement Options - Quality Factors Other factors Foam -backed Vlnyl Wood Athletic Ideal Other factors Foam -backed Vinyl Wood Athletic Malenal that will hold Durability for rolling Notgood Very good up against non -athletic loads achrhes • A non -user performance difference between wood athletic and foam - backed vinyl surfaces is how each handles heavy rolling loads • Wood surfaces handle rolling loads considerably better than foam - backed vinyl surfaces, which is important given overhead maintenance or other non -athletic requirements where heavy lifts may be.nasided a171E11Id 11014119 ft". 57 59 56 Floor Replacement Options - Safety Factors Safety factor Foam -backed Vlnyl _ Wood Athletic haat J A,ea. e1;"c fer pn•ot woft to..clue•nsc Elasticity Point Area M ealaslrephm nlury Cemea�Avn.Sbtdxl • Area -elastic floors (wood) do not just depress where the foot makes contact with the surface. Instead the Floor's vertical depression extends out a measurable distance so that one's foot is less likely to get "stuck" in the surface upon rotation. Area -elastic floors are preferred for pivot sports (baskelbalyvolleybalq • Point -elastic floors are the opposite; the surface depression occurs closer to the foot impact point. Point -elastic floors are preferred for sports such as track and field. • When it comes to rotational sports such as basketball and volleyball, elasticity is widely considered as the most important safety feature because elasticity impacts risk of catastrophic injury. Floor Replacement Options - Quality Factors Other factors or Floor Replacement Options - Quality Factors Ideal Other factors Foam -backed Vinyl Wood Athletic Ideal Aesthetics Good Very good Facilities mat exude excellence and quality Integrity overtime to -20 years of programming protectmecommumtys • While safety and durability are the most important factors when considering this choice, we also believe that an additional benefit to wood is the aesthetic quality, • A wood Floor is generally the norm for high school communities of similar sizelcompetition level. For example, 10 out of 11 other Middlesex League high schools already have, or are currently installing, wood athletic as their primary floor surface. 59 56 Floor Replacement Options - Safety Factors Safety factor Foam -backed Vlnyl _ Wood Athletic haat J A,ea. e1;"c fer pn•ot woft to..clue•nsc Elasticity Point Area M ealaslrephm nlury Cemea�Avn.Sbtdxl • Area -elastic floors (wood) do not just depress where the foot makes contact with the surface. Instead the Floor's vertical depression extends out a measurable distance so that one's foot is less likely to get "stuck" in the surface upon rotation. Area -elastic floors are preferred for pivot sports (baskelbalyvolleybalq • Point -elastic floors are the opposite; the surface depression occurs closer to the foot impact point. Point -elastic floors are preferred for sports such as track and field. • When it comes to rotational sports such as basketball and volleyball, elasticity is widely considered as the most important safety feature because elasticity impacts risk of catastrophic injury. Floor Replacement Options - Quality Factors Other factors Foam -backed VIn1A Wood Athletic Ideal Long-lasting material Good Verygoad thatwill keep its Longevity Integrity overtime to -20 years -50 years protectmecommumtys investment 58 • Wood flooring requires more annual care and maintenance, especially when considering humidity and water mitigation • When properly maintained, athletic wood surfaces last considerably longer than similarly maintained foam -backed vinyl surface. Total Project Costs Total Project Costs: Foam -backed Vlnyl Total Project Costs: Wood Athletic $1-7M $3.OM The wood athletic option unquestionably provides: • a more durable and lasting surface • a significantly safer and higher performing playing experience for our students, student -athletes, and community members 10 N, CN 0 C14 C.0 C%4 _ 0 , 0 . ] | | �v _�''� ƒ —}� 0 ■ 0 0 | 0 . •/% \ an �g ■ G§ _ 0 , 0 �v 0 ■ 0 0 | 0 . •/% \ an �g ■ E �L I _ � \ � |� | ) • ; ■« I F m r�j e : . - �v . •/% \ ■ , E �L ■�- § ■« . �.-, Ln # LO C14 C) N co C14 M 00 WO O Fk yr O Fk LO C14 O N 2 C14 \ } | � 2!§§ §/tz; | ( ■ k(\])§ - a !$;!�! milli � || § S g � ■ { | ( - » milli \\/ \kms` 9121 | k -A _� § ! � V \ mill . |` ) } \ .m z (� _ . � \ § S g % S cy � ■ { | ( - » \\/ \kms` j- | k -A _� § �7+ � |` ) } \ `! z (� % S cy § \ \\/ j- | k -A _� § �7+ � % S cy i RECAL The Reading Center for Active Living 1 Project Timeline select Baero' seh¢mane prow ngs RECALC&GOA . .. Gosling M.s xnxx rrw Ra'+da90e fdr UMAssn,, 1• yCany Actrre • dvdIMM• ReCALC Select Boartl bh*s Faesibiliry program Town Me g & Community Velez 11WCarm�a rCl Wrsl dl be Rewendabons mm anutly: d,p,,,n.,d, eas¢urtpn C-, lReCl4L(—,x1 aw L, BEMend elfart �pf¢gg humrs•eRn ngw apse¢ I mce n.e, v cJk^haltler eh¢eetlr.. UMAs;� select Baero' RECALC&GOA . .. RLCAIS v,Y•rE V po•t srnu-ar C^mmuniry .1A1 undsf r wsY Needs leeaibilily, eas¢urtpn schemenc design 10 Years of planning 3 OPM—Owners Project Manager • Turner &Townsend Heery (TTH) • Unanimous recommendation of Permanent Building Committee (PBC) • Fully Engaged, Performed Site Review • Symonds Way Recommendation 5 6 2/6/2025 Project Status Update • Transitioned: RECALC 4 Permanent Building Committee (PBC) +2 • Owners Project Manager (OPM) hired October 2024 • Environmental Study Conducted at Symonds Way— No Contaminants • Finalize Site Selection--> Schematic Drawings • Vote at Town Meeting -- April 2025 RECALC4PBC • RECALC • Explored needs of age 60+ community •-20%ofourcammunity. andgr.wing-! • Identified& researched site opportunities • Benchmarking/Best Practices • Recommendation=Symonds Way • ceuncson4m4 pmmrnca¢voa¢ Sunset August 2024 • PBC • Accepted the RECAL project • PBC-RECAL:+ COA, Select Board • Oversaw hiring of Project Manager -TI -1-1 Reviewed site selection materials 4 Recommendation= Symonds Way Environmental Study @Symonds Way Considerations: • Results • For town to consider having people and "Based an the results of the LSI buildings on former Zanni property, wanted =tiwlieL no ddd[fonat essdasmew o• to know if contaminants in the soil that remediation activities are would require remediation, rttommshded a[ Inls time. • Initial findings when we purchased the land did not find issues • Sub -surface soil testing (LSI) with barings into the ground conducted by environmental consulting firm Wilcox & Barton, 10/23/24 rvx¢s n c>r sm n..•a nm+�inarwa u. Site Selection • PBC met last night: Recommended Symonds Way unanimously • Present to Select Board November 19 for discussion. 7 I ECRL @Symonds Way K6pia,.wyma.ftftvarec _ $17.9M .r f rytMdYPlVhlmn9 � ..... f r . n spar -w w+�cn••r.. �. Wa 9 8 10 BH+A Architects-> Schematic Design • Contracted in 2023 with ARPAfunds • Ran multiple community sessions and focus groups in 2023-2024 • Move to next phase upon site selection approval by SB Next Steps: • Design: 60-90 days to complete • OPM led community sessions starting Dec 2024 • Present to community in February 2025 with formal cost estimates • Funding article targeted for April 2025 Town Meeting 91 RI 2/6/2025 2