HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-05-18 Finance Committee Packet
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Middlesex, ss. Officer's Return, Town of Reading:
By virtue of this Warrant, I ______________________________, on ____________, 2020
notified and warned the inhabitants of the Town of Reading, qualified to vote on Town affairs, to
meet at the place and at the time specified by posting attested copies of this Town Meeting
Warrant in the following public places within the Town of Reading:
Precinct 1 J. Warren Killam School, 333 Charles Street
Precinct 2 Reading Police Station, 15 Union Street
Precinct 3 Reading Municipal Light Department, 230 Ash Street
Precinct 4 Joshua Eaton School, 365 Summer Avenue
Precinct 5 Reading Public Library, 64 Middlesex Avenue
Precinct 6 Barrows School, 16 Edgemont Avenue
Precinct 7 Birch Meadow School, 27 Arthur B Lord Drive
Precinct 8 Wood End School, 85 Sunset Rock Lane
Town Hall, 16 Lowell Street
The date of posting being not less than fourteen (14) days prior to March 3, 2020, the date set for
Town Meeting in this Warrant.
I also caused a posting of this Warrant to be published on the Town of Reading website on
_______________, 2020.
_____________________________________________
Constable
A true copy Attest:
_____________________________________________
Laura Gemme, Town Clerk
TOWN WARRANT
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Middlesex, ss.
To any of the Constables of the Town of Reading, Greetings:
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby required to notify and
warn the inhabitants of the Town of Reading, qualified to vote in the Local Elections and Town
affairs, to meet in the following place designated for the eight precincts in said Town, namely:
Precincts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8
Reading Memorial High School, Hawkes Field House, Oakland Road
TUESDAY, the THIRD DAY OF MARCH, A.D., 2020
from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. to act on the following Articles, viz:
ARTICLE 1 To elect by ballot the following Town Officers:
A Moderator for one year;
Two members of the Select Board for three years;
Two members of the Board of Library Trustees for three years;
One member of the Municipal Light Board for three years;
Two members of the School Committee for three years;
One member of the School Committee for one year;
Sixty-Nine Town Meeting Members shall be elected to represent each of the following
precincts:
Precinct 1 Eight members for three years;
Precinct 2 Eight members for three years; one member for one year; and one
member for two years;
Precinct 3 Eight members for three years; and two members for one year;
Precinct 4 Eight members for three years;
Precinct 5 Eight members for three years; and one member for two years;
Precinct 6 Eight members for three years;
Precinct 7 Eight members for three years; and
Precinct 8 Eight members for three years
and to meet at the Reading Memorial High School, 62 Oakland Road, in said Reading on
MONDAY, the TWENTY-SEVENTH DAY of APRIL A.D., 2020
at seven-at which time and place the following Articles are to be acted
upon and determined exclusively by Town Meeting Members in accordance with the provisions
of the Reading Home Rule Charter.
ARTICLE 2 To hear and act on the reports of the Select Board, School Committee,
Library Trustees, Municipal Light Board, Finance Committee, Bylaw Committee, Town Manager,
Town Accountant and any other Town Official, Board or Committee.
Select Board
Background: This article appears on the Warrant for all Town Meetings. At this Annual Town
Meeting, the following reports are anticipated:
- State of the Town (Select Board Chair Mark Dockser)
- Financial Update (Finance Committee Chair Eric Burkhart)
- n)
ARTICLE 3 To choose all other necessary Town Officers and Boards or Committees
and determine what instructions shall be given to Town Officers and Boards or Committees, and
to see what sum the Town will vote to appropriate by borrowing or transfer from available funds,
or otherwise, for the purpose of funding Town Officers and Boards or Committees to carry out the
instructions given to them, or take any other action with respect thereto.
Select Board
Background: This Article appears on the Warrant of all Town Meetings. There are no known
Instructional Motions at this time. The Town Moderator requires that all proposed Instructional
Motions be submitted to the Town Clerk prior to Town Meeting so that Town Meeting Members
Instructional Motions are normally held until the end of all other business at Town Meeting.
ARTICLE 4 To see if the Town will vote to amend the FY 2020-30 Capital
Improvements Program as provided for in Section 7-7 of the Reading Home Rule Charter and as
previously amended, or take any other action with respect thereto.
Select Board
Background: This Article is included in every Town Meeting Warrant. The Reading General
No funds may be appropriated for any capital item unless such
item is included in the Capital Improvements Program, and is scheduled for funding in the Fiscal
Bond ratings agencies also want to ensure that
changes to a long-term Capital Improvements Program (CIP) are adequately described.
The following changes are proposed to the FY2020 FY2030 CIP (current year plus ten years):
General Fund
FY20: +$20,000 no changes
+$20,000 added to Pleasant Street Center Fire panel project (total now $70k)
FY21: +$375,000 -$555,000 net changes (-$930k Covid-19 related)
$275,000 DPW Bucket Truck (moved up from FY22, increased by $65,000)
$25,000 Initial Project Funding ($40,000 Symonds Way parcel planning; $35,000
Senior/Community Center planning; $25,000 for Parks & Field space planning
$25,000 DPW Compressor (moved up from FY22)
-$10,000 Library equipment
-$25,000 DPW Fence replacement (50% cut)
-$25,000 Town Technology wiring projects (move out to FY22)
-$40,000 Symonds Way parcel planning (moved out to FY22)
-$40,000 Senior/Community Center planning (moved out to FY22)
-$40,000 Camp Curtis parcel planning (moved out to FY22)
-$50,000 Facilities Skid Steer (moved out to FY22)
-$50,000 DPW Sidewalk/Curb (50% cut)
-$50,000 Skim Coating/Sealing (50% cut)
-$50,000 DPW Parking Lot Improvements
-$100,000 PBC Funding
-$200,000 School Technology wiring projects (moved out to FY22)
FY22: +$695,000 +$1,365,000 net changes
$1,300,000 Fire Ladder Truck (moved up from FY26)
+$200,000 School Technology wiring projects (moved out from FY21)
+$ 65,000 DPW Bucket Truck (not moved to FY21)
+$ 50,000 Facilities Skid Steer (moved out from FY21)
+$ 40,000 Symonds Way parcel planning (moved out to FY22)
+$ 40,000 Senior/Community Center planning (moved out to FY22)
+$ 40,000 Camp Curtis parcel planning (moved out to FY22)
+$ 25,000 Town Technology wiring projects (moved out from FY20)
-$ 25,000 DPW Compressor (moved up to FY21)
-$ 30,000 Ambulance equipment (moved to FY23)
-$ 210,000 DPW Bucket Truck (advanced to FY21)
-$ 365,000 Ambulance (moved out to FY23)
FY23+
Various other changes made
Enterprise Funds Water
FY20: +$30,000
$30,000 Unidirectional Flushing Program (new)
FY21: +$560,000
$500,000 Downtown project design (total cost ~$4.3 mil.)
$ 60,000 Replace 2003 Pickup Truck #3 (moved up from FY22)
FY22: -$60,000
- $60,000 Replace 2003 Pickup Truck #3 (moved up to FY21)
FY23+
Various changes made
Enterprise Funds Sewer
FY20: +$40,000
$40,000 Portable Pump (new - costs shared with Storm Water)
FY21: +$125,000
$100,000 Downtown Improvements II design
+$25,000 Sewer Main projects (increased to $75k from $50k)
FY21: no changes
Debt service: Smart Meters project deferred past FY21.
FY22+
Various changes made
Enterprise Funds Storm Water
FY20: +$40,000
$40,000 Portable Pump (new - costs shared with Sewer)
FY21: no changes
FY22+
Various changes made
Finance Committee Report: The Finance Committee recommends the proposed amendments
to the FY 2020 FY 2030 Capital Improvements Program by a vote of 7-0 at their meeting on
March 18, 2020. Placing items in the Capital Improvement Program is a prerequisite first step but
in itself does not authorize spending funds towards these items
Bylaw Committee Report: No report.
ARTICLE 5 Operating Budget for the
Fiscal Year commencing July 1, 2019, as adopted under Article 20 of the Annual Town Meeting
of April 2, 2019 and amended under Article 4 of the Subsequent Town Meeting of November 12,
2019; and to see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, borrow or transfer from available
funds, or otherwise provide a sum or sums of money to be added to the amounts appropriated
under said Article, as amended, for the operation of the Town and its government, or take any
other action with respect thereto.
Finance Committee
Background:
General Fund Wages and Expenses
Account Line Description Decrease Increase
B99 Benefits wages Health Insurance Premiums -$73,000 $0
& expenses 111F Pending Retirement (Fire) $73,000
C99 - Capital Pleasant Street Center Fire alarm panel $20,000
E99 Vocational Essex North (higher enrollment) $35,000 $35,000
School Education
F99 FINCOM Replenish fund and expand due to $200,000
Reserves unforeseen Covid-19 costs
G92 Administrative Legal Services (volume of work) $60,000
Services Expenses
H91 - Public Services Support staff (vacancies) $65,000
Wages
H91 - Public Services Outsourced professional services (cover $25,000
Expenses plumbing inspector absence) $10,000
Aid -$35,000
J91 Public Safety Fire OT (covid-19) $50,000 $100,000
Wages Dispatcher OT (covid-19) $25,000
Police OT (covid-19) $25,000
K92 Public Works Highway outsourced repairs (fire trucks) $50,000
Expenses
L91 Library wages Sick leave buyback (2 retirements) $10,000
Subtotals $90,000 $440,000
$455,000
Net Operating Expenses $350,000
$365,000
From Free Cash $350,000
$365,000
Enterprise Funds Wages and Expenses
Account Line Description Decrease Increase
W99 - Water Unidirectional Flushing $30,000 (capital) $82,000
Enterprise Fund Professional Services (Auburn Tank) $22,000
Brass Fittings $15,000
Parts & Supplies $15,000
Subtotals $82,000
Net Operating Expenses $82,000
From Water EF Reserves $82,000
Finance Committee Report: At their meeting on March 18, 2020 the Finance Committee voted
7-0 to recommend this Article to Town Meeting. If the Public Safety Overtime amounts are not
needed, funds will be returned to the General Fund in the Form of Free Cash for FY21.
Bylaw Committee Report: No report.
ARTICLE 6 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, transfer from available
funds, borrow or otherwise provide a sum or sums of money to pay bills remaining unpaid from
prior fiscal years for goods and services actually rendered to the Town, or take any other action
with respect thereto.
Select Board
Background: bills, and this Article is expected to be tabled.
Finance Committee Report: No report.
Bylaw Committee Report: No report.
ARTICLE 7 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, transfer from available
funds, borrow or otherwise provide a sum or sums of money for the purpose of funding the
-other action with
respect thereto.
Select Board
Background: Town Meeting is requested to make the annual transfers of funds previously
budgeted and held for the OPEB Trust Fund. This practice is followed each year in case health
insurance costs are higher than budgeted, and therefore may be needed to fund a deficit. In FY20,
as demonstrated under Article 5, a surplus exists in that account, so as to allow the addition of
$125,000 to the budgeted annual OPEB transfer for a total of $700,000 in the general fund.
Original annual transfers designed to fully fund OPEB liabilities in the Enterprise Funds should
continue: $55,000 in the water fund, $22,000 in the sewer fund and $7,000 in the storm water
fund. This Article will therefore move the total $784,000 of all these OPEB contributions to the
trust for Other Post Employment Benefit liabilities.
8.6 million (or only 7.0%
funded) as of June 30, 2019. The three Enterprise Funds and the Light Department are on an
aggressive twenty-year funding schedule, and the General Fund is on a partial funding schedule.
The General Fund will transition to a full funding schedule as soon as possible, as is required by
law or immediately after the Pension Fund is fully funded.
Finance Committee Report: At their meeting on March 18, 2020 the Finance Committee voted
7-0 to recommend this Article to Town Meeting. OPEB funding is set aside during the year and
may be used to assist with a deficit in Health Insurance premiums before it is voted into a Trust
Fund under this annual Article. In the instance of surplus premiums, adding them to a planned
contribution is therefore appropriate.
Bylaw Committee Report: No report.
ARTICLE 8 To see if the Town will vote to establish the limit on the total amount that
may be expended from each revolving fund established by Article 9 of the Town of Reading
General Bylaw pursuant to Section 53E½ of Chapter 44 of the Massachusetts General Laws for
the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2020, or take any other action with respect thereto.
Select Board
Background: No changes are suggested from last year (library text clarified).
Expend-
Revolving Spending Revenue Allowed iture Year End
Account Authority Source Expenses Limits Balance
Consulting and
engineering services
for the review of
Conservation Fees as provided for designs and $25,000
Commission in Reading General engineering work for Available for
Consulting Conservation Bylaws Section 5.7, the protection of expenditure
Fees Commission Wetlands Protection wetlands. next year
Legal, oversight and
Building, Plumbing, inspection, plan
Wiring, Gas and other review, initial property
permits for appraisals and
Schoolhouse appeals, Public
Commons, The Services planning
Metropolitan at and general $250,000
Reading Station, management, curb,
Postmark Square, 20-sidewalks and
24 Gould Street, 467 pedestrian safety
Main Street, Oaktree, improvements,
Inspection Addison-Wesley/ records archiving and Available for
Revolving Town Pearson and Johnson other project related expenditure
Fund Manager Woods developments costs. next year
Materials and costs
Public Health Clinic fees, charges associated with Available for
$25,000
Clinics and Board of and third-party clinics and public expenditure
Services Health reimbursements health programs next year
Acquire Library
materials to replace
Charges for lost or lost or damaged
damaged Library items, and for the
materials maintenance, $15,000
and fees from printing, upkeep and
Library Library faxing or similar supplies for Available for
Fines and Director and supplementary fee-supplementary fee-expenditure
Fees Trustees based services. based services next year
Mattera Utilities and all other Available for
Cabin Facilities maintenance and $10,000 expenditure
Operating Director Rental Fees operating expenses next year
Director of
Public Works
upon the
recommenda
tion of the Sale of timber; fees for Planning and Available for
Town Forest use of the Town Improvements to the $10,000 expenditure
Town Forest Committee Forest Town Forest next year
Conservation Consulting Revolving Fund - These funds are used to receive payments
from applicants, hire expert consultants where required, and return the balance to the
applicant. The balance in the Conservation Consulting Revolving Fund as of March 2020 is
$770.
Inspections Revolving Fund The balance available as of March 2020 in this fund is
$1,099,312 and of that total $180,000 is proposed by the Town Manager as part of the FY21
budget {$132,000 to support Economic Development wages and expenses; and $48,000 to
offset Building Inspections division wages}.
Health Clinic Revolving Fund - The Reading Health Division contracts for third party
payments for a number of immunizations. The funds are used to augment the influenza
vaccine supply from the State Department of Public Health to insure vaccine for the
homebound clients and first responders. The Division also uses these funds for materials for
other screening clinics. Clinic client fees are also deposited into this fund to offset vaccine
and clinical supply costs. The balance available as of March 2020 in this fund is $48,569. The
State has been cutting back on the free flu and other vaccines to be distributed to cities and
towns, and the Town therefore needs to purchase extra doses. The necessary amounts used
for clinic vaccine, supplies and staff salaries related to the clinics each year directly from the
revolving fund is therefore approximately $25,000.
Library Fines and Fees Fund The balance available as of March 2020 in this fund is
$13,638. The added flexibility in use of this fund approved by Annual Town Meeting one year
ago has been helpful.
Mattera Cabin Operating Fund The log cabin on the Mattera conservation land was
purchased several years ago, and was renovated by the Vocational School. Some of the use
is revenue generating, and it is anticipated that over time the site will generate enough funding
to pay the operating costs of the cabin primarily utilities. This Article allows those revenues
that are generated to be used directly for the operating expenses of the cabin. The balance
available as of March 2020 in this fund is $24. In response to a previous instructional motion
by Town Meeting, the Town Manager moved the responsibility for both the Mattera Cabin and
Cemetery garages to the Facilities department.
Town Forest Revolving Fund was created in 2011. The purpose is to allow revenues from
controlled timber harvesting and permit fees to then be spent by the DPW Director upon the
recommendation of the Town Forest Committee, on improvements to the Town Forest,
including planning efforts. The Town Forest Committee has had a forest stewardship plan
created (through a grant) to make recommendations on forest management including
controlled timber harvesting. The balance available as of March 2020 in this fund is $0.
Finance Committee Report: At their meeting on March 18, 2020 the Finance Committee voted
7-0 to recommend this Article to Town Meeting.
Bylaw Committee Report: No report.
ARTICLE 9 To see if the Town will vote to approve an Affordable Housing Trust Fund
Allocation Plan pursuant to Chapter 140 of the Acts of AN ACT AUTHORIZING
THE TOWN OF READING TO ESTABLISH AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND,
take any other action with respect thereto.
Select Board
Background: The State has a strong and bipartisan goal of building more affordable housing,
and considers Reading a model community in this area. Town staff has been invited to speak at
housing symposiums and the Town has received numerous related planning grants. The Town
has achieved the 10% affordable benchmark set by statute. Reading is the lead community and
is joined by North Reading, Wilmington and Saugus in sharing a Regional Housing Services Office
(RHSO). The RHSO monitors and administers affordable housing requirements including tracking
and updating the Subsidized Housing Inventory (SHI) and maintaining ready buyer and ready
renter lists, among other responsibilities.
Chapter 140 of the Acts of 2001 authorized the Town of Reading to establish a separate fund
known as the Affordable Housing Trust Fund (AHTF). The AHTF requires Town Meeting approval
of an annual allocation plan submitted by the Select Board. AHTF expenditures require approval
by a majority vote of the full combined membership of the Select Board and the Reading Housing
Authority. AHTF uses of funds include:
Create or preserve affordable housing;
Maintain or operate affordable housing;
Develop new or rehabilitate existing housing as affordable homeownership or rental units;
Affordable Housing Trust Fund Allocation Plan
FY 2021
Pursuant to Article 8 of the 2020 Annual Town Meeting, an Affordable Housing Trust Fund
Allocation Plan for the Fiscal Year 2020 in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 140 of the
Acts of 2001 is as follows:
Available Balance Unrestricted Funds: $385,199
Available Balance Restricted Funds $ 0
Unrestricted funds shall be used for the following purposes:
5% up to a maximum
of $10,000 for administration of Affordable Housing
Remainder for constructing affordable housing (including loan and grant
programs); or for maintaining and improving affordability of existing
housing stock; or for the purchase of existing housing stock to add
it to or maintain it as a part of the existing affordable housing
inventory
The purpose of the Affordable Housing Allocation Plan is to provide a framework for the Town to
expend funds on affordable housing. The current AHTF balance of $385,199 reflects revenue
generated through the actions of the CPDC, as well as proceeds from the loss of an affordable
unit. There are no Town tax generated funds in the AHTF. The only expenditure to date from the
AHTF, in the amount of $200,000, was to assist Oaktree development with financing affordable
housing at 30 Haven Street.
Finance Committee Report: At their meeting on March 18, 2020 the Finance Committee voted
7-0 to recommend this Article to Town Meeting.
Bylaw Committee Report: No report.
ARTICLE 10 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, borrow, transfer from
available funds or otherwise provide a sum or sums of money to pay the costs of making Sturges
Sewer Station improvements, including the payment of any and all other costs incidental and
related thereto, or take any other action with respect thereto.
Select Board
Background: The purpose of the Article is to authorize debt for the replacement of the Sturges
Park sewer pump station. In 2010, the Town hired CDM Smith to assess the condition of and
Based on the service area and evaluated deficiencies, CDM Smith and the Town have prioritized
the Sturges Park sewer station to be the next station replaced.
The existing Sturges Park sewer pump station is currently a dry/wet pit station, located at the
intersection of South Street and Pine Ridge Road, which services approximately 520 properties
(the second largest residential area in the Town of Reading).
The 46-year old station first went online in 1964 with a design capacity of 500 gallons per minute
(GPM) and is approximately 27 feet in depth. The aging station is currently operating on two of
the three pumps, which have come to the end of their useful life. In addition, the station has an
out of code electrical system which presents a significant operating safety concern.
The proposed project would be to replace the failing station in its entirety with new submersible
pumps; upgraded controls and electrical; SCADA; and a backup generator capable of running the
station in the event of a power outage. The total estimated cost of this project is $2.0 million.
Finance Committee Report: At their meeting on March 18, 2020 the Finance Committee voted
7-0 to recommend this Article to Town Meeting.
Bylaw Committee Report: No report.
ARTICLE 11 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, borrow, transfer from
available funds or otherwise provide a sum or sums of money to pay the costs of improvements
to water service connections in the Gazebo Circle area, including the payment of any and all other
costs incidental and related thereto, or take any other action with respect thereto.
Select Board
Background: In 2019, The Town of Reading selected Weston & Sampson to update the Water
System Master Plan. As part of the Master Plan update, the hydraulic capacity of the water
system around the Gazebo Circle area was analyzed to evaluate repeated low-pressure
complaints in the area.
Model scenarios were run in the updated hydraulic model, including maximum day demand
(MDD) and peak hour demand (PHD) scenarios, to examine water pressure and available flows
in the Gazebo Circle area with the Bear Hill Tank on and offline. It was determined that during
minimum pressure requirement of 35psi. During periods of high demand homes at higher
elevation fall below 35psi both with or without Bear Hill Tank online.
To increase the available flow and pressure to Gazebo Circle it is recommended that additional
watermain be installed along with a water booster station. The estimated cost of this project is
$1.0 million.
Finance Committee Report: At their meeting on March 18, 2020 the Finance Committee voted
7-0 to recommend this Article to Town Meeting.
Bylaw Committee Report: No report.
ARTICLE 12 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, borrow, transfer from
available funds or otherwise provide a sum or sums of money to pay the costs of lead mitigation
improvements to water system, including the payment of any and all other costs
incidental and related thereto, or take any other action with respect thereto.
Select Board
Background: The MWRA has stated that a no- or low-interest rate loan will be available for their
communities to assist in de-leading the water systems. While lead is present in very old water
pipes in portions of Town, the amount is not considered to be a health risk. However, continued
lead mitigation is in the best interest of the Town.
Details of the program are expected to be announced at a later date, and the Town expects to be
eligible for up to $1.5 million. The Town will be in the best position to apply with advance debt
authorization by Town Meeting in case funding is scarce. The Town does not anticipate drawing
down any funds immediately, as debt repayment is scheduled to begin in FY22.
Finance Committee Report: At their meeting on March 18, 2020 the Finance Committee voted
7-0 to recommend this Article to Town Meeting.
Bylaw Committee Report: No report.
ARTICLE 13 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, borrow, transfer from
available funds or otherwise provide a sum or sums of money to pay the costs of making
improvements to water mains, including the payment of any and all other costs incidental and
related thereto, or take any other action with respect thereto.
Select Board
Background: In 2019, the Town of Reading selected Weston & Sampson to update the Water
System Master Plan which was spurred by the recent economic development in the Downtown
area. Specifically, the Town wanted to ensure that there is enough hydraulic capacity to support
the planned developments and identify any improvements necessary to provide adequate
hydraulic capacity to the proposed development areas. Available fire flows in the economic
development areas were modeled during maximum day demand (MDD) conditions and compared
It was determined through the hydraulic analysis that pressures were above the required 35psi,
but the existing infrastructure in the Downtown area did not have enough capacity to support the
planned development. Some areas show less than 2,500 gpm at 20 psi, below the anticipated
required fire flow.
In order to ensure the system can support future economic development, improvements in and
around the planned developments were prioritized. The first phase of improvements is estimated
to cost $4.3M and are listed below:
Linear Estmated
Scheduled Downtown Phase Ifeet Cost
HavenMain to High 1,270$ 645,000
HighHaven to Washington 699 $ 355,000
LindenWoburn to Haven 598 $ 300,000
GouldHaven to PO 323 $ 130,000
GouldPO to Ash 289 $ 115,000
MainWoburn to Ash 1,891$ 865,000
MainHaven to Ash (abandon) 1,050$ 105,000
AshWoburn to Main (incl CVS) 1,480$ 590,000
WashingtonMinot to Main 752 $ 380,000
WashingtonRR jacking$ 815,000
Downtown Phase I 8,352$ 4,300,000
Finance Committee Report: At their meeting on March 18, 2020 the Finance Committee voted
7-0 to recommend this Article to Town Meeting.
Bylaw Committee Report: No report.
ARTICLE 14 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, borrow, transfer from
available funds or otherwise provide a sum or sums of money to pay the costs of making
improvements to sewer mains, including the payment of any and all other costs incidental and
related thereto, or take any other action with respect thereto.
Select Board
Background:
sewer system, particularly in the Downtown area. A hydraulic analysis was performed to
determine the existing capacity of the sewer system in the economic development area within the
Downtown. The analysis measured daily usage rates as well as peak rainfall events, which
account for inflow and infiltration.
The system showed enough capacity during average day usage, but showed decreased capacity
during large rain events. It is recommended that improvements be made to some of the older
clay sewer mains around the Downtown area to help eliminate infiltration as well as increase
capacity and efficiency. The estimated cost of this project is $1.0 million.
Finance Committee Report: At their meeting on March 18, 2020 the Finance Committee voted
7-0 to recommend this Article to Town Meeting.
Bylaw Committee Report: No report.
ARTICLE 15 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, borrow, transfer from
available funds or otherwise provide a sum or sums of money to pay the costs of making
improvements to storm water systems, including the payment of any and all other costs incidental
and related thereto, or take any other action with respect thereto.
Select Board
Background: Due to the increased development and planned economic development of the
Downtown area the Town evaluated its below ground infrastructure. In response to the increase
in development of the Downtown, the Haven Street corridor and depot area are currently
undergoing a conceptual design to improve the overall streetscape of the area. As part of the
roadway and streetscape improvements, the areas drainage system will have to undergo some
modifications and upgrades.
Some modifications may include additional stormwater best management practices (BMPs) to
help the Town meet its NPDES MS4 stormwater permit requirements. In addition, low impact
designs will be utilized where possible to optimize and improve the overall stormwater discharge
and treatment. The estimated cost of these improvements is $1.0 million.
Finance Committee Report: At their meeting on March 18, 2020 the Finance Committee voted
7-0 to recommend this Article to Town Meeting.
Bylaw Committee Report: No report.
ARTICLE 16 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, transfer from available
funds, borrow or otherwise provide a sum or sums of money for highway projects in accordance
with Chapter 90 of the Massachusetts General Laws, or take any other action with respect thereto.
Select Board
Background: This is an annual article whereby Town Meeting is asked to grant permission for
the Town to accept additional roadway maintenance from the State, called Chapter 90 funding.
Annual funding has been at the $600,000 area for many years, with exceptions when the state
has surplus funds to allocate to this purpose. Proposed funding for FY21 is $594,643.
Finance Committee Report: At their meeting on March 18, 2020 the Finance Committee voted
7-0 to recommend this Article to Town Meeting.
Bylaw Committee Report: No report.
ARTICLE 17 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, transfer from available
funds, borrow or otherwise provide a sum or sums of money for the operation of the Town and its
government for Fiscal Year 2021 - beginning July 1, 2020, or take any other action with respect
thereto.
Finance Committee
Background: Please see the Budget pages after this Warrant Report, which includes full details
of the FY21 Finance Committee budget.
Finance Committee report: Please see the FY21 Spending Scorecard of the FY21 Budget
document for the votes of the Finance Committee on line items in the FY21 budget. The Finance
Committee recommends the subject matter of Article 21 as explained by these votes at their
meeting on March 18, 2020.
Bylaw Committee Report: No report.
ARTICLE 18 To see if the Town will vote, pursuant to Section 2-6 of the Reading Home
Rule Charter, to declare the seats of certain Town Meeting Members to be vacant and remove
certain described persons from their position as Town Meeting Members for failure to take the
oath of office within 30 days following the notice of election or for failure to attend one-half or more
of the Town Meeting sessions during the previous year, or take any other action with respect
thereto.
Select Board
Town Meeting Members Attendance
2020 Annual Town Meeting - Article 18
Total of 2 Town Meetings resulting in 7 evenings of attendance
Listed below are those who attended 3 evenings or less
First Last Remove Remain
Precinct Middle Term Total Precinct Vote
Name Name Keep in TM Remove TM
3
1 John J Arena 2021
1
2 David Wayne Decker 2021
3
3 Carla J Nazzaro 2021
0
3 Andrea M Scullin 2021
3
5 Janice M Jones 2021
2
5 Patrick P O'Sullivan 2021
1
8 Peter McNeill Kramer 2022
87 Town Meeting Members had perfect attendance in 2019
Finance Committee report: No report.
Bylaw Committee Report: No report.
and you are directed to serve this Warrant by posting an attested copy thereof in at least one (1)
public place in each precinct of the Town not less than fourteen (14) days prior to March 3, 2020,
or providing in a manner such as electronic submission, holding for pickup or mailing, an attested
copy of said Warrant to each Town Meeting Member.
Hereof fail not and make due return of this Warrant with your doings thereon to the Town
Clerk at or before the time appointed for said meeting.
th
Given under our hands this __ day of ___________, 2020.
_______________________
Vanessa Alvarado, Chair
_______________________
John Halsey, Vice Chair
_______________________
Mark Dockser, Secretary
_______________________
Andrew Friedmann
_______________________
Anne Landry
SELECT BOARD OF READING
_______________________________
, Constable
Annual Town Meeting - April 2020 June 2020
June 15
Art. #Article DescriptionSponsorDetailsNotes
Local Election
1March 3
Amend the Capital
Improvement Program FY20
4- FY30 Select BoardPresentation - Town Manager Bob LeLacheur
CLb/ha wĻƦƚƩƷ ΛǣΏǣΜ Ώ
Presentation - Bob LeLacheur
5Amend the FY20 Budget FINCOM
CLb/ha wĻƦƚƩƷ ΛǣΏǣΜ Ώ
Appropriate Funds into
OPEB Irrevocable Trust Presentation - Sharon Angstrom
7 Select Board
CLb/ha wĻƦƚƩƷ ΛǣΏǣΜ Ώ
Debt Authorization: Sturges
Sewer Station
10Improvements ($2.0mil)Select BoardPresentation - Bob LeLacheur
CLb/ha wĻƦƚƩƷ ΛǣΏǣΜ Ώ
Authorize FY21 Chapter 90
16Expenditures Select BoardPresentation - Sharon Angstrom 2/3 vote
CLb/ha wĻƦƚƩƷ ΛǣΏǣΜ Ώ
Presentation - Bob LeLacheur & Dr. John
17Adopt FY21 Budget FINCOMDoherty
CLb/ha wĻƦƚƩƷ ΛǣΏǣΜ Ώ
SUBMIT IN WRITING
State of the Town - Select Board Chair Mark
Dockser
Reports
2 Select Board
Financial Update - Finance Committee Chair Eric
Burkhart
RMLD Annual Report - GM Coleen O'Brien
defer to
3Instructions Select BoardMotion to Table - SB member last night
OMIT
Approve Payment of Prior do not
6 Select BoardMotion to Table - SB member need
Remove Town Meeting defer to
18Members Select BoardPresentation - Town Clerk Laura Gemme last night
WAIT FOR NOVEMBER 2020 TOWN MEETING
Approve Revolving Funds Presentation - Sharon Angstrom
8 Select Board
Approve Affordable
Housing Trust Fund Presentation - Assistant Town Manager Jean
9Allocation Plan Select BoardDelios
Debt Authorization: Gazebo
Circle Water Systems
Improvements ($1.0mil)Presentation - Bob LeLacheur
11 Select Board
Debt Authorization: MWRA
loans for de-leading services
12($1.5mil)Select BoardPresentation - Bob LeLacheur
Debt Authorization: Water
Main Improvements
13(Downtown I $4.3mil)Select BoardPresentation - Bob LeLacheur 2/3 vote
Debt Authorization: Sewer
Main Improvements
14(Downtown I $1.0mil)Select BoardPresentation - Bob LeLacheur 2/3 vote
Debt Authorization: Storm
Water Main Improvements ƒğǤ ƓƚƷ
15(Downtown I $1.0mil){ĻƌĻĭƷ .ƚğƩķtƩĻƭĻƓƷğƷźƚƓ Ώ .ƚĬ \[Ļ\[ğĭŷĻǒƩƓĻĻķ
CLb/ha wĻƦƚƩƷ ΛǣΏǣΜ Ώ
Town of Reading
Revenues - Details RevisedBestWorstOriginalProj BudgetYTD 10m% CollectedBudgetYTD 10m% Collected
FY21FY21FY21FY21FY20FY20FY20FY20FY19FY19FY19
Property Taxes
Deliquent65,587054,656100.0%077,376100.0%
Personal Property821,747703,000684,78997.4%654,076707,140108.1%
Real Estate75,000,00075,000,00075,000,00075,011,46074,650,00074,649,91473,081,70097.9%72,409,96172,442,502100.0%
New Growth600,000750,000375,000750,000
Total Property Taxes75,600,00075,750,00075,375,00075,761,46075,537,33475,352,91473,821,14598.0%73,064,03773,227,018100.2%
Other Local Revenues
Motor Vehicle Excise3,750,0003,750,0002,700,0004,150,0003,400,0004,000,0003,314,647 82.9%3,900,0003,880,41599.5%
Meals Tax250,000300,000150,000415,000375,000400,000349,558 87.4%385,000419,044108.8%
Penalties/interest on taxes205,000205,000125,000205,000154,102205,000128,418 62.6%200,000183,04791.5%
Payments in lieu of taxes385,000385,000300,000385,000281,238375,000234,365 62.5%370,000224,27660.6%
Charges for services2,000,0002,025,0001,825,0002,075,0002,218,1211,950,0001,848,43494.8%1,878,4712,123,356113.0%
Licenses & permits165,000175,000140,000165,000176,372159,479146,97792.2%170,000157,53892.7%
Special Assessments9,55607,963015,480
Fines75,00090,00050,000100,00094,517100,00078,764 78.8%95,00092,51697.4%
Interest Earnings775,0001,000,000700,000775,0001,204,933450,0001,004,111223.1%350,0001,326,473379.0%
Medicaid Reimbursement175,000175,00050,000200,000150,000175,00047,130 26.9%160,000167,388104.6%
Other54,05538,651
Total Other Local Revenues7,780,0008,105,0006,040,0008,470,0008,063,8387,814,4797,214,42292.3%7,508,4718,628,184114.9%
Intergovernmental Revenue
State Aid 13,400,00014,186,53212,758,79814,902,93214,500,00014,539,44510,958,06175.4%14,343,89313,076,15891.2%
Chapter 7010,325,00010,834,8099,751,32811,105,679
Charter Reimburse3,5003,6443,6445,739
Unrestricted2,826,5003,098,2732,754,0203,528,588
Vets Benefits100,000102,278102,278125,249
VBS + Elderly110,000111,348111,348100,394
State Land35,00036,18036,18037,283
Chapter 70-5%0%-10%
Unrestricted-18%-10%-20%
State Aid Total-10%-5%-14%
TOTAL (excludes transfers, debt exclusion, abatements)
96,780,00098,041,53294,173,79899,134,39298,101,17297,706,83891,993,62894.2%94,916,40194,931,360100.0%
Change from original(2,354,392)(1,092,861)(4,960,594)
% Collected
FY21 Spending Scorecard
Lines Voted by Town Meeting
%
FY20 Revised FY21 Town FY21 FINCOM FINCOM % Grand
LineCategoryBudgetManager BudgetBudgetvotechngTotal
6.7%15.7%
$17,990,050 $19,195,250 7-0
B99Benefits$19,195,250
-18.6%2.4%
$ 3,607,036 $ 2,937,000 7-0
C99Capital$2,937,000
12.6%4.1%
$ 4,435,000 $ 4,993,600 7-0
D99Debt service$4,993,600
0.6%0.4%
$452,400 $455,000 7-0
E99Education - Vocational$455,000
0.0%0.2%
$200,000 $200,000 7-0
F99Finance Committee Reserves$200,000
4.1%22.8%
Total Shared Costs $ 26,684,486 $ 27,780,850 $ 27,780,850
6.4%1.3%
$1,472,300 $1,566,650 7-0
G91Administrative Svcs wages$1,566,650
2.0%1.3%
$1,547,888 $1,579,100 7-0
G92Administrative Svcs expenses$1,579,100
2.1%1.3%
$1,500,275 $1,532,050 7-0
H91Public Services wages$1,532,050
-21.0%0.3%
$395,750 $312,500 7-0
H92Public Services expenses$312,500
2.2%0.6%
$759,625 $776,550 7-0
I91Finance wages$776,550
-2.5%0.1%
$158,050 $154,050 7-0
I92Finance expenses$154,050
3.0%9.5%
$11,217,400 $11,554,100 7-0
J91Public Safety wages$11,554,100
-7.0%0.4%
$579,750 $539,100 7-0
J92Public Safety expenses$539,100
3.7%2.3%
$2,725,275 $2,827,175 7-0
K91Public Works wages$2,827,175
-4.2%0.7%
$882,425 $844,925 7-0
K92Public Works expenses$844,925
3.7%0.6%
$675,000 $700,000 7-0
K93Public Works Snow & Ice$700,000
-12.0%0.1%
$164,800 $145,000 7-0
K94Public Works Street Lights$145,000
4.8%1.5%
$1,693,725 $1,775,000 7-0
K95Public Works Rubbish$1,775,000
3.0%1.2%
$1,390,575 $1,432,295 7-0
L91Library wages$1,432,295
3.0%0.3%
$370,900 $382,100 7-0
L92Library expenses$382,100
-0.5%2.5%
$3,117,445 $3,103,000 7-0
M91Core Facilities$3,103,000
1.1%0.3%
$334,800 $338,650 7-0
M92Town Buildings$338,650
2.0%24.2%
Total Municipal Gov't $ 28,985,983 $ 29,562,245 $ 29,562,245
3.5%39.7%
$46,767,348 $48,419,663 7-0
U99School Department$48,419,663
3.2%
$102,437,817 $ 105,762,758 $105,762,758
VOTED GENERAL FUND
State Assessments$758,826$ 735,377-3.1%0.6%
$735,377
3.2%
TOTAL $103,196,643 $ 106,498,135 $106,498,135
4.4%5.7%
$6,715,925 $7,008,200 7-0
W99Water Enterprise Fund$7,008,200
3.0%6.1%
$7,213,385 $7,431,450 7-0
X99Sewer Enterprise Fund$7,431,450
-2.3%0.4%
$550,800 $538,380 7-0
Y99Storm Water Enterprise Fund$538,380
2.1%
$600,000 $612,500 7-0
Z99PEG Access$612,500
$15,080,110$15,590,530$15,590,5303.4%12.8%
TOTAL ENTERPRISE FUNDS
$ 117,517,927$ 121,353,288$ 121,353,2883.3%99.4%
GRAND TOTAL VOTED
Revised FY21 Revised Rev Rev %
FY21 FINCOM Covid-19 FINCOM FINCOM yoy% Grand
LineCategoryBudgetBudget CutsCostsBudgetvotechngTotal
2.4%15.7%
$19,195,250 ($778,580)
B99Benefits$18,416,670
-44.4%2.4%
$ 2,937,000 $ (930,000)
C99Capital$2,007,000
$ 4,993,600 12.6%4.1%
D99Debt service$4,993,600
21.6%0.4%
$455,000 $95,000
E99Education - Vocational$550,000
0.0%0.2%
$200,000
F99Finance Committee Reserves$200,000
-1.9%22.8%
Total Shared Costs $ 27,780,850 $ (1,613,580) $ - $ 26,167,270
4.4%1.3%
$1,566,650 ($29,875)
G91Administrative Svcs wages$1,536,775
3.9%1.3%
$1,579,100 ($5,500)$35,000
G92Admin Svcs expenses$1,608,600
2.2%1.3%
$1,532,050 ($29,325)$30,000
H91Public Services wages$1,532,725
-20.8%0.3%
$312,500 ($4,000)$5,000
H92Public Services expenses$313,500
1.6%0.6%
$776,550 ($4,725)
I91Finance wages$771,825
-4.7%0.1%
$154,050 ($3,500)
I92Finance expenses$150,550
3.0%9.5%
$11,554,100 ($5,000)
J91Public Safety wages$11,549,100
-5.5%0.4%
$539,100 ($6,500)$15,000
J92Public Safety expenses$547,600
2.3%2.3%
$2,827,175 ($39,475)
K91Public Works wages$2,787,700
-4.2%0.7%
$844,925 ($4,900)$5,000
K92Public Works expenses$845,025
0.0%0.6%
$700,000 ($25,000)
K93Public Works Snow & Ice$675,000
-12.0%0.1%
$145,000
K94Public Works Street Lights$145,000
4.8%1.5%
$1,775,000
K95Public Works Rubbish$1,775,000
2.5%1.2%
$1,432,295 ($6,900)
L91Library wages$1,425,395
0.3%0.3%
$382,100 ($10,000)
L92Library expenses$372,100
1.0%2.5%
$3,103,000 ($30,300)$75,000
M91Core Facilities$3,147,700
1.1%0.3%
$338,650
M92Town Buildings$338,650
2.0%24.2%
Total Municipal Gov't $ 29,562,245 $ (205,000) $ 165,000 $ 29,522,245
3.1%39.7%
$48,419,663 ($270,000)$60,000
U99School Department$48,209,663
1.4%
$ 105,762,758 $ (2,088,580) $ 225,000 $ 103,899,178
VOTED GENERAL FUND
$ 735,377-3.1%0.6%
State Assessments$735,377
1.4%
TOTAL $ 106,498,135 $ 104,634,555
2.6%5.7%
$7,008,200 ($116,000)
W99Water Enterprise Fund$6,892,200 7-0
-6.5%6.1%
$7,431,450 ($690,000)
X99Sewer Enterprise Fund$6,741,450 7-0
-2.3%0.4%
$538,380
Y99Storm Water Enterprise Fund$538,380 7-0
2.1%
$612,500
Z99PEG Access$612,500 7-0
$15,590,530($806,000)$14,784,530-2.0%12.8%
TOTAL ENTERPRISE FUNDS