HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-04-30 Annual Town Meeting MinutesANNUAL TOWN MEETING
Reading Memorial High School April 30, 2009
The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Alan E. Foulds, at 7:39 p.m., there
being a quorum present. The Invocation was given by Anthony Rickley, Precinct 2,
followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
On motion by George V. Hines, Chairman of the Finance Committee, it was voted to take
Article 14 out of order.
ARTICLE 14 - On motion by George V. Hines, Chairman of the Finance Committee, it
was moved that the Town raise by borrowing, or from the tax levy, or transfer from
available funds, and appropriate the sum of-
0 $83,266,769
for the operation of the Town and its Government for Fiscal Year 2010, beginning July 1,
2009.
ARTICLE 14 - On motion by George V. Hines, Chairman of the Finance Committee, it
was moved that the Town approve and appropriate the proposed FY 2010 Budget as
presented for Line Item B99 (Benefits): $11,126,082
f
to be provided as. follows:
Line B99 - $327,332 from Free Cash, $390,447 from the Overlay surplus and the balance
from property taxes, State aid and non-property tax local receipts.
ARTICLE 14 - On motion by George V. Hines, Chairman of the Finance Committee, it
was moved that the Town approve and appropriate the proposed FY 2010 Budget as
presented for Line Item C99 (Capital): $1,005,725
to be provided as follows:
Line C99 - from property taxes, State aid and non-property tax local receipts.
ARTICLE 14 - On motion by George V. Hines, Chairman of the Finance Committee, it
was moved that the Town approve and appropriate the proposed FY 2010 Budget as
presented for Line Item D99 (Debt): $5,705,113
to be provided as follows:
Line D99 - $325,000 from Sale of Real Estate Fund and the balance from property taxes,
State aid and non-property tax local receipts.
ARTICLE 14 - On motion by George V. Hines, Chairman of the Finance Committee, it
was moved that the Town approve and appropriate the proposed FY 2010 Budget as
presented for Line Item E97 (Northeast Vocational): $295,100 and Line Item E98
(Minuteman Vocational): $65,000
Annual Town Meeting
April 30, 2009
to be provided as follows:
Lines E97 and E98 - from property taxes, State aid and non-property tax local receipts.
ARTICLE 14 - On motion by George V. Hines, Chairman of the Finance Committee, it
was moved that the Town approve and appropriate the proposed FY 2010 Budget as
presented for Line Item G91 (Town Administration Wages): $209,845 and Line Item
G92 (Town Administration Expenses): $489,000
to be provided as follows:
Lines G91 and G92 - from property taxes, State aid and non-property tax local receipts.
ARTICLE 14 - On motion by George V. Hines, Chairman of the Finance Committee, it
was moved that the Town approve and appropriate the proposed FY 2010 Budget as
presented for Line Item H91 (Accounting Wages): $155,770 and Line Item H92
(Accounting Expenses): $1,550
to be provided as follows:
Lines H91 and H92 - from property taxes, State aid and non-property tax local receipts.
ARTICLE 14 - On motion by George V. Hines, Chairman of the Finance Committee, it
was moved that the Town approve and appropriate the proposed FY 2010 Budget as
presented for Line Item 191 (Finance Wages): $1,125,155 and Line Item 192 (Finance
Expenses): $517,300
to be provided as follows:
Lines 191 and 192 - from property taxes, State aid and non-property tax local receipts.
ARTICLE 14 - On motion by George V. Hines, Chairman of the Finance Committee, it
was moved that the Town approve and appropriate the proposed FY 2010 Budget as
presented for Line Item J92 (FINCOM Reserve Fund): $150,000
to be provided as follows:
Line J92 - from property taxes, State aid and non-property tax local receipts.
ARTICLE 14 - On motion by George V. Hines, Chairman of the Finance Committee, it
was moved that the Town approve and appropriate the proposed FY 2010 Budget as
presented for Line Item K91(Community Services Wages): $767,057 and Line Item
K92 (Community Services Expenses): $189,275
to be provided as follows:
Lines K91 and K92 - from property taxes, State aid and non-property tax local receipts.
On motion by Steve Oston, Precinct 6, it was moved to amend the FY 10 budget for
Community Services-Wages by adding the amount of $19,473 to restore funding for the
position of Coordinator of Volunteers.
Motion to amend carried.
2 Annual Town Meeting
April 30, 2009
ARTICLE 14 - On motion by George V. Hines, Chairman of the Finance Committee, it
was moved that the Town approve and appropriate the proposed FY 2010 Budget as
presented for Line Item L91 (Library Wages) $960,861 and Line Item L92 (Library
Expenses): $259,337
to be provided as follows:
Lines L91 and L92 - from property taxes, State aid and non-property tax local receipts.
ARTICLE 14 - On motion by George V. Hines, Chairman of the Finance Committee, it
was moved that the Town approve and appropriate the proposed FY 2010 Budget as
presented for Line Item M91 (Public Works Wages): $2,336,104 and Line Item M92
(Public Works Expenses): $708,795
to be provided as follows:
Line M91 - $120,000 from the Reading Ice Arena to support Recreation wages; Line
M92 - $25,000 from the Sale of Cemetery lots to support Cemetery expenses; and the
balance of Lines M91 and M92 from property taxes, State aid and non-property tax local
receipts.
ARTICLE 14 - On motion by George V. Hines, Chairman of the Finance Committee, it
was moved that the Town approve and appropriate the proposed FY 2010 Budget as
presented for Line Item M93 (Public Works - Snow & Ice Expenses): $500,000; Line
Item M94 (Public Works - Street Lighting Expenses): $230,000 and Line Item M95
(Public Works - Rubbish Collection & Disposal Expenses): $1,524,267
to be provided as follows:
Lines M93, M94 and M95 - from property taxes, State aid and non-properly tax local
receipts.
ARTICLE 14 - On motion by George V. Hines, Chairman of the Finance Committee, it
was moved that the Town approve and appropriate the proposed FY 2010 Budget as
presented for Line Item N91 (Public Safety Wages): $7,346,960 and Line Item N92
(Public Safety Expenses): $353,854
to be provided as follows:
Lines N91 and N92 - from property taxes, State aid and non-property tax local receipts.
ARTICLE 14 - On motion by George V. Hines, Chairman of the Finance Committee, it
was moved that the Town approve and appropriate the proposed FY 2010 Budget as
presented for Line Item S99 (Water Enterprise Fund): $5,219,671
to be provided as follows:
Line S99 - $425,000 from Water Reserves and $4,794,671 from property taxes, State aid
and non-property tax local receipts.
3 Annual Town Meeting
April 30, 2009
ARTICLE 14 - On motion by George V. Hines, Chairman of the Finance Committee, it
was moved that the Town approve and appropriate the proposed FY 2010 Budget as
presented for Line Item T99 (Sewer Enterprise Fund): $4,996,257
to be provided as follows:
Line T99 - $100,000 from Sewer Reserves and $4,896,257 from property taxes, State aid
and non-property tax local receipts.
ARTICLE 14 - On motion by George V. Hines, Chairman of the Finance Committee, it
was moved that the Town approve and appropriate the proposed FY 2010 Budget as
presented for Line Item U99 (Storm Water Enterprise Fund): $291,391
to be provided as follows:
Line U99 - from property taxes, State aid and non-property tax local receipts.
ARTICLE 14 - On motion by George V. Hines, Chairman of the Finance Committee, it
was moved that the Town approve and appropriate the proposed FY 2010 Budget as
presented for Line Item V99 (School Department): $35,996,247
To be provided as follows:
Line V99 - from property taxes, State aid and non-property tax local receipts.
ARTICLE 14 - On motion by George V. Hines, Chairman of the Finance Committee, it
was moved that the Town approve and appropriate the proposed FY 2010 Budget as
presented for Line Item W99 (Town Facilities): $740,693
Line W99 - from property taxes, State aid and non-property tax local receipts.
ARTICLE 14 - On motion by George V. Hines, Chairman of the Finance Committee, it
was voted to approve and appropriate the proposed FY 2010 Budget, exclusive of State
and county assessments:
• $83,286,242
• Representing the total of all motions made under Article 14 as amended
• Funds are to be provided as set forth in said motions as amended
2/3 vote required
153 voted in the affirmative
1 voted in the negative
The total budget figure of $83,843,251 includes the State Assessment. Technically, Town
Meeting does not vote on this figure - the actual totals of all of the lines items covered by
the motions in Article 14 is $83,286,242.
4 Annual Town Meeting
April 30, 2009
ARTICLE 9 - On motion by Ben Tafoya, member of the Board of Selectmen, it was
voted to authorize the Board of Selectmen to sell, or exchange, or dispose of, upon such
terms and conditions as they may determine, the following items of Town tangible
property:
Department
Equipment
Fire
1997 Chevrolet Blazer
DPW
1995 International Sewer Jetter
1995 International Dump/Sander
1997 Ford F350 Pick-up Truck
Police
2 Ford Crown Victoria Police Cars
ARTICLE 10 - On motion by William F. Brown, Chairman of the Board of Cemetery
Trustees, it was voted to indefinitely postpone the subject matter of Article 10.
2/3 vote required
Declared unanimous by Moderator
ARTICLE 11- On motion by James E. Bonazoli, member of the Board of Selectmen, it
was voted to authorize revolving funds for certain Town departments under
Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 44, Section 53E 1/2 for the fiscal year beginning
July 1, 2009 with the receipts, as specified, credited to each fund, the purposes, as listed,
for which each fund may be spent, the maximum amount that may be spent from each
fund for the fiscal year and the disposition of the balance of each fund at fiscal year end.
On Motion by William F. Brown, Precinct 8, it was moved to amend Article 10 by
dropping the Mattera Cabin operating cost of $10,000.
Motion to amend did not carry.
Revolving
Account
Spending
Authority
Revenue
Source
Allowed
Expenses.
Expenditure
Limits
Year End
Balance
Consulting and
engineering
Fees As
services for the
provided for in
review of designs
$25
000
Conservation
Reading General
and engineering
,
Available
Commission
Bylaws Section
work for the
for
Consulting
Conservation
5.7, Wetlands
protection of
expenditure
Fees
Commission
Protection
wetlands.
next year
Building
Legal, oversight
Plumbing,
and inspection,
Wiring, Gas and
plan review,
$125
000
Available
Inspection
other permits for
initial property
,
for
Revolving
Town
the Walkers
appraisals and
expenditure
Fund
Manager
Brook Crossing,
appeals,
next year
5 Annual Town Meeting
April 30, 2009
Archstone and
Community
Johnson Woods
Services general
developments
management,
l
andfill
monitoring costs,
curb sidewalks
and pedestrian
safety
improvements,
records archiving
and other project
related costs.
Vaccines,
materials for
screening clinics
and clinical
supply costs,
medical
$25,000
equipment and
Public
supplies,
Available
Health
Clinic fees and
immunizations,
for
Clinics and
Board of
third party
educational
expenditure
Services
Health
reimbursements
materials
next year
Charges for lost
Acquire Library
Available
Library
Library
or damaged
materials to
$15
000
for
Materials
Director and
Library
replace lost or
,
expenditure
Replacement
Trustees
materials
damaged items
next year
Utilities and all
other
Available
Mattera
maintenance and
$10,000
for
Cabin
Recreation
operating
expenditure
Operating
Administrator
Rental Fees
expenses
next year
ARTICLE 12 - On motion by Camille W. Anthony, member of the Board of Selectmen,
it was voted to establish a stabilization fund in the amount of $25,000 to fund future Sick
Leave and Vacation buy-back for municipal employees, with the funds being
appropriated from Free Cash.
2/3 vote required
116 voted in the affirmative
16 voted in the negative
ARTICLE 13 - On motion by Richard W. Schubert, member of the Board of Selectmen,
it was voted to transfer to the Water Enterprise Fund, the sum of $719,891 received
during FY 2009 and all additional sums which may be received in subsequent years as a
result of the settlement of the so-called MTBE litigation.
6 Annual Town Meeting
April 30, 2009
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ARTICLE 16 - On motion by Stephen Goldy, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, it
was voted to amend the Town of Reading General Bylaws, Article 3, Section 3.1 Board
r)
of Selectmen
by adding a new section as follows:
N
,
3.1.2 Whenever a decision of the Community Planning and Development and
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Zoning Board of Appeals or Conservation Commission provides for the
Commission
,
conveyance of land or any interest therein to the Town including, but not limited to
P.
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easements, for nominal consideration of less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) and
o o M
where no appropriation is required, the Board of Selectmen is authorized to accept said
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conveyance on behalf of the Town. Excluded from this authorization are conveyances
'
b
00
related to the layout and acceptance of public ways.
On motion by Camille Anthony, member of the Board of Selectmen, it was voted that
this Annual Town Meeting stand adjourned to meet at 7:30 p.m. at the Reading Memorial
High School Auditorium on Monday, May 4, 2009.
Meeting adjourned at 10:51 p.m.
142 Town Meeting Members were present.
A true copy. Attest:
A. Rodger
m Town Clerk
7 Annual Town Meeting
April 30, 2009
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
Reading Memorial High School May 4, 2009
The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Alan E. Foulds, at 7:38 p.m., there
being a quorum present. The Moderator led Town Meeting in the Pledge of Allegiance
to the Flag.
ARTICLE 17 - On motion by Ben Tafoya, member of the Board of Selectmen, it was
voted to adopt the following bylaw as Section 5.5. 10 of the Reading General Bylaws:
Section 5.5. 10 - Public Consumption of Marijuana or Tetrahydrocannabinol
No person shall smoke, ingest or otherwise use or consume marijuana or
tetrahydrocannabinol (as defined in G.L. c. 94C, 1, as amended) while in or upon any
street, sidewalk, public way, footway, passageway, stairs, bridge, park, playground,
beach, recreation area, boat landing, public building, school house, school grounds,
cemetery, parking lot or any area owned by or under the control of the Town; or in or
upon any bus or other passenger conveyance operated by a common carrier, or in any
place accessible to the public.
This bylaw may be enforced through any lawful means in law or in equity including but
not limited to enforcement by noncriminal disposition pursuant to G.L. c. 40, §21D, by
the Police Department. The fine for violation of this bylaw shall be Three Hundred
Dollars ($300.00) for each offense. Any penalty imposed under this bylaw shall be in
addition to any civil penalty imposed under G.L. c. 94C, §32L.
On Motion by William Downing, Precinct 3, it was moved to amend Article 17, second
paragraph, by substituting "up to $200.00" instead of $300.00.
Motion did not carry.
On Motion by John (Jack) Downing, Precinct 7, it was moved to amend Article 17, first
paragraph, by striking the words "or under the control of'.
Motion did not carry.
On Motion by Kenneth Tucci, Precinct 8, it was moved to amend Article 17, second
paragraph, by striking the words "but not limited to"
Motion carried.
On Motion by Richard Curtis, Precinct 4, it was moved to move the question.
2/3 vote required
113 voted in the affirmative
22 voted in the negative
Motion carried.
Oriizinal Motion to Article 17 carried as amended
Annual Town Meeting
May 4, 2009
ARTICLE 18 - On motion by David B. Tuttle, Chairman of the Community Planning
and Development Commission it was voted to amend the Town of Reading Zoning By-
Laws as follows: (words in bold italics denotes new language)
To amend Section 5.1.2, Table of Dimensional Controls, to reduce the minimum front
yard setback in the Business-A Zoning District from fifty (50) feet to fifteen (15) feet for
one or two family dwellings, apartments, and other permitted principal uses; and
To amend Section 4.9.7.4.2.b so that the By-Law provision reads as follows: "The
minimum front, side and rear yard requirements shall be the same as in -the underlying
districts
2/3 vote required
127 voted in the affirmative
4 voted in the negative
ARTICLE 19 - On motion by David B. Tuttle, Chairman of the Community Planning
and Development Commission it was voted to amend Paragraph a. of Section 4.9.7.2. of
the Reading Zoning By-Laws, by inserting the parenthetical words "(other than financial
institution and/or pharmacy drive-thru uses)" after the words "drive-thru uses," so that
Paragraph a. of Section 4.9.7.2 reads as follows:
a. Within a PUD-B Overlay District, any portion of land that is within the
underlying Business A District or within 30 feet of the underlying Business A
District zoning boundary line may be used for those various uses allowed
within the underlying Business A District, excepting that Automotive Uses
and enclosed storage as a primary use as listed in the Table of Uses in Section
4.2.2 (Table of Uses), and fast food restaurant or drive-thru uses (other than
financial institution and/or pharmacy drive-thru uses) shall not be allowed.
2/3 vote required
134 voted in the affirmative
1 voted in the negative
ARTICLE 20 - On motion by James E. Bonazoli, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen,
it was voted pursuant to Section 2-6 of the Reading Home Rule Charter, to declare the
following seats of Town Meeting Members to be vacant and remove those 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:
Precinct 1 Mar-' Deek f
Jane M. Spano
Precinct 2 Mary Frances Grimmer
2 Annual Town Meeting
May 4, 2009
Precinct 4 Paul J. Baratta
Precinct 5 Fr°der-ie k c Shaffer.-
Precinct 7 G. Ellen Commite
Precinct S Andrew Patrick Murphy
ARTICLE 3 - On motion by Stephen A. Goldy, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, it
was moved to remove Article 3 from the table.
ARTICLE 3 - On Instructional motion as related to Article 10, by Jeffrey W. Struble,
Precinct 7, it was moved that the Board of Selectmen be directed to conduct a
comprehensive condition and needs assessment of the service building currently in use at
the Laurel Hill Cemetery for the purpose of reporting to the Subsequent Town Meeting in
November 2009 on the need to repair or replace it and on the options that can be pursued
to preserve its function and value to the Town of Reading in a cost-effective manner.
This assessment shall be conducted with the participation of the Department of Public
Works and the Board of Cemetery Trustees and with any other Town agencies and
personnel and volunteers from the community deemed valuable to the Selectmen in
fulfilling the objective of this motion."
Motion carried.
On motion by Stephen A. Goldy, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, it was voted that
this Annual Town Meeting stand adjourned sine die.
Meeting adjourned at 9:47 p.m.
140 Town Meeting Members were present.
A true copy. Attest: klerim Rodger
Town Clerk
3 Annual Town Meeting
May 4, 2009