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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-10-30 Board of Selectmen HandoutTOWN MANAGER'S REPORT Tuesday, October 30, 2007 • Selectmen's Forum - October 23 - 7 PM was very successful with a full range of calls. • On November 2 in Lowell there will be a "Municipal Cabinet Listening Tour' by the Patrick Administration. Members of the Board of Selectmen are invited to attend. • AWP DAT meeting November 3 from 1 to 3 PM - on site if weather is permitting - otherwise at the Senior Center • The Board of Selectmen will have a joint meeting with the School Committee November 5 re: Youth Risk Behavior Survey results. It will be in the Selectmen's Meeting Room at Town Hall. • Veterans Service Officer Frank Driscoll is planning the Veterans Day observance. Save the day and time - Sundav, November 11 at 11 am on the common. The observance is on the actual Veterans Day, but offices are closed on Monday as the designated holiday. • There was a news item on WBZ TV last week indicating that Reading did not meet its obligations to its Veterans. I have talked with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs Tom Kelly and he disagrees - Reading does in fact meet its full commitment to providing veterans services through our joint district with Wilmington. I have written to the Governor and reiterated this to him. • Town Meeting November 13; Special Town Meeting December 10 • Flu Clinic dates - • November 7 - Killam School - 65 and older - 2 - 4 PM • November 13 - RMHS Cafeteria - 5 - 7 PM • November 15 - Parker Middle School - 5 - 7 PM • Vandalism at the RPL. • I'd like to arrange for a site visit to the Birch Meadow tennis court area for the Board of Selectmen to look at a couple of needed tree removals. • Recreation Administrator John Feudo and I met last Wednesday with Memorial Park abutters td see if we can reach some kind of agreement and consensus on the uses of Memorial Park so we can proceed with the town's petition for a clarification of uses. This was a very successful meeting and we are working on a revised draft document to share with the group and then hopefully file an amended petition with the Probate court. • Springvale Road paving - we got a letter from "residents of Springvale Road" re: finishing the paving job. It is completed. • Tree removal at the property abutting 16 Sanborn Lane. • The Board of Selectmen packet contains a graph of resident/non-resident traffic stops over the past several years. We have further discussion scheduled on November 27 on this when we have a number of traffic issues on the agenda. • The Executive Director of the Reading Housing Authority has informed me that there is an affordable unit with an attached garage at Gazebo Circle that has come on the market. Anyone interested in this unit can contact The Housing Authority office. BOARD OF SELECTMEN AGENDAS November 5 2007: Joint Meeting with School Committee re Youth Risk ,Bea,h r.Survey Selectmen's..Meeting Room, 7:30 November 62007: sclecim_cli'ti.Off ve lour (a nine AnthonS 6:30 Highlights Cultural Council Close Warrant - Special Town Meeting Review LIP regulations Request for deck - Meadowbrook Liquor License Review Action Status report November 13 20.07 Subsequent Town Meeting November 15, 200.7 Subsequent `Town Meeting E November 20,12007'.1 Chamber of Commerce re tree lighting Town Accountant Quarterly meeting 7:30 Hearing Tax Classification -1 hour Vote to consolidate Presidential Primary election with Town Election November 27, 2007 Liquor Licenses renewals Traffic issues - process on multi-way stops; traffic citations data; Renewal of Liquor Licenses Discussion of 100 seat requirement for full restaurant liquor licenses December 10, 2007 Special Town Meeting ~oN OF$FgO,y ,6~9r1NC0AP~~PS DATE: October 31, 2007 Town of Reading PRESS RELEASE TO: Reading Daily Times Chronicle, Reading Advocate, Boston Globe, RCTV FROM: Maureen Knight Town of Reading Community Services Office 781-942-6610 Email: m1miahteci.readina.ma.us Please see the article below regarding the 2007 Veterans. Day Ceremony that will be will be held on Sunday, November 11, 2007. We would appreciate an article in your newspaper so the community will know about the ceremony and have the opportunity to attend. Thank you and please call if you have any questions. I have attached four photos to this email that were taken by me at last year's Veterans Day Ceremony and one I tools of the Veterans Memorial at RMHS. Hopefully you can use a few of these to go with the article. Veterans' Day Ceremony 2007 This year's Veterans Day Ceremony will take place on Sunday, November 11th at 11:00 AM on the Town Common. It will be hosted by Reading's Veterans Services Officer Frank Driscoll and the Reading Veterans Day Committee. It is fitting that this ceremony take place on this exact day and time because on November 11, 1918 at 11:00 AM, the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, the Armistice was signed which ended the First World War. Thereafter, November 11th was celebrated as Armistice Day, with Congress making the date a federal holiday in 1938. After World War II, the date became known as Veterans Day, a change recognized by Congress in 1954, declaring it a day to honor all American veterans of all wars. In. 1971 Veterans Day became a holiday celebrated on the fourth Monday in October. The holiday was returned to its original date of November 1 lth, in 1977 due to the requests by many citizens and veterans that the original "eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month" be observed to honor the origins of this day. The ceremony will include remarks from Peter Hechenbleikner, Town Manager; Representative Brad Jones; Representative Patrick Natale; James Bonazoli, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen; and Patrick Schettini, Superintendent of Schools. The Reading Memorial High School Band will provide music and the colors will be presented by the Reading Police Honor Guard. Two of Reading's recently returned veterans will be guests of honor at the ceremony. We invite all the people of Reading to attend this Veterans Day ceremony, to bring their children so they can hear the stories of our local heroes, and of the sacrifices made by so many men and women over the lifetime of our nation. A fitting end to the day would be to go to our own Veterans Memorials located here in Reading. One War Memorial is located across the street from the Town Hall and to the left of the Old South United Methodist Church. The other Veterans' Memorial is located at the new main entrance to the Reading Memorial High School and serves as a daily reminder to all who enter to pause and remember those men and women who have served this country. There are so many ways to honor our veterans but Theodore Roosevelt said it best in a speech he gave in Springfield, Illinois on July 4, 1903 when he said, "A man who is good enough to shed his blood for his country is good enough to be given a square deal afterwards... more than that no man is entitled to, and less than that no man shall have." READING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Preparing Reading's Youth To Be Productive, Informed, Independent Citizens In A Global Society Patrick A. Schettini, Jr., J.D. Superintendent 82 Oakland Road Reading, Massachusetts 01867 Telephone 781-944-5800 Fax 781-942-9149 John F. Doherty Assistant Superintendent Mary C. DeLai Director Human Resources & Finance October 30, 2007 Mr. Peter Hechenbleikner 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867 Dear Peter, You are invited to attend the School Committee meeting on November 5th in the Selectmen's Meeting Room at Town Hall at 7:30 p.m. The Committee will be discussing the Youth Risk Behavior Survey that was administered to our middle and high school students in the spring of 2007. Mr. Jim Ryan, Northeast Center for Healthy Communities will be joining us to answer questions and discuss these findings. If you have any Patrick -A'Schettini, Jr. Superintendent of Schools please contact me. (5) The Reading Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, age or disability. Hechenblelkner, Peter From: Redmond, Glen Sent: Friday, October 26, 2007 2:23 PM To: Hechenbleikner, Peter; Kowalski, Carol Subject: FIRST NOTICE OF ZONING VIOLATION 36 woburn st.doc Attachments: image001.png; oledata.mso Page 1 of 2 C_~ cJ Community Development Phone: ('701)942-9010 Fax: MI)942-9070 Website: wivw.ciseading.ma.us Town of Reading 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867-2685 Certified Mail # Date: FIRST NOTICE OF ZONING VIOLATION 7007 0710 0003 0446 8355 10/26/07 Location of Proper : 36 Woburn St Map 0064 District Par 0022 S-15 Owner of Record: William P Thompson Jr 210 Holt Rd North Andover, Ma 01945 Nature of Violation(s) ` Zoning By-Laws Town of Reading 4.3.3 Site Plan Review-The following types of activities and uses require site plan review by the CPDC (plarming board) b. Construction or expansion of a parking lot for an institutional, commercial, industrial, or multi-family structure or purpose 6.3.10 Nonconforming Uses: a. An existing nonconforming use may be altered, expanded or extended for use for the same purpose provided that a Special Permit is issued by the Zoning Board of Appeals 10/29/2007 Page 1 of 3 Hechenblefter, Peter From: Frey, Bob (EOT) [Bob. Frey@state.ma.us] Sent: Tuesday, October 30, 2007 11:53 AM To: cnj4@aol.com; Frey, Bob (EOT); jcorey@cityofwoburn.com; Schubert, Rick; Anthony, Camille; jebarnes@mit.edu; bruen-n-bruen@comcast.net; rep. paulcasey@hou.state. ma.us; dac@cummings.com; jcosgrove@mbta.com; rnrchambercom@aol.com; Doyle, Jennifer (EOT); rep. mikefesta@hou.state. ma.us; jgallagher@mapc.org; rgrover@ci.stoneham.ma.us; joshua.grzegorzewski@fhwa.dot.gov; ehamblin@aol.com; rhavern@senate.state. ma.us; rep.bradleyjones@hou.state. ma.us; katsoufis.9395info@comcast.net; anthonykennedy@comcast.net; cleiner@massport.com; rmayo@mass-trucking.org; tmclaughlin@cityofwoburn.com; wba@woburnbusinessassociation.com; paulderman@verizon.net; andy.motter@dot.gov; rep. patricknatale@hou.state. ma.us; dragucci@ci.stoneham.ma.us; maureen@northsuburbanchamber.com; Schmiedl, Elliot (EOT); sueandmikes@comcast.net; rstinson@wakefield.ma.us; dansullivan@assetleasing.com; etarallo@cityofwoburn.com; rtisei@senate. state. ma.us; billwhome@verizon.net Cc: Zavolas, Nicholas (DEP); jblaustein@mapc.org; michael.a.chong@fhwa.dot.gov; dcooke@VHB.com; Crupi, Andrea (SEN); adisarcina@hshassoc.com; Draisen, Mark (MAPC); Edwards, Adriel (EOT); tharwood@cityofwoburn.com; Town Manager; Tomasz.Janikula@fhwa.dot.gov; Madden, Diane (MHD); Martel, Justin (HOU); amckinnon@hshassoc.com; thomaslmclaughlin@comcast.net; john.mcvann@fhwa.dot.gov; pmedeiros@sigcom.com; O'Rourke, Carmen (HOU); jpurdy@louisberger.com; kpyke@hshassoc.com; wschwartz@thecollaborative.com; kstein@hshassoc.com; Tafoya, Ben; VanMagness, Frederick (HOU); Walsh, Kevin (MHD) Subject: RE: THE MEPA PROCESS AND RELATED QUESTIONS Jeff and All, MEPA has issued a certificate on the 1-93/1-95 Interchange Transportation Improvements Project on schedule, and it has been posted to their website: htto://www. mass.aov/envir/meoa/odffiles/certificates/101707/14098enf. odf I have also posted a link to this on the home page of www.9395info.com (Note: if the links above do not work through this message, just paste them into your browser, or just go to the study website) The MEPA process as outlined in your message is essentially correct, and this is what has occurred to this point. As expected (and formally announced through the MEPA certificate), a draft and final Environmental Impact Report (DEIR, FEIR) will be required for this project. The comment letters that were submitted to MEPA were considered in the drafting of the certificate. Per MEPA requirements; specific replies to individual comment letters are included in the Draft EIR to be developed by the proponent. I do not yet have any information on the schedule for the EIR, but as I have mentioned, it will be a substantial effort, with EOT and MassHighway assisted by a consultant team, with a format and process very similar to that of the planning study. As always, I will inform everyone of further news or milestones once available. Thanks, Bob Bob Frey Manager of Statewide Planning Office of Transportation Planning 10/30/2007 Page 1 of 2 Hechenbleikner, Peter From: cnj4@aol.com Sent: Monday, October 29, 2007 12:13 PM To: Bob.Frey@state.ma.us; jcorey@cityofwoburn.com; Schubert, Rick; Anthony, Camille; jebarnes@mit.edu; bruen-n-bruen@comcast.net; rep. paulcasey@hou.state. ma.us; dac@cummings.com; jcosgrove@mbta.com; rnrchambercom@aol.com; Jennifer. Doyle@state.ma.us; rep.mikefesta@hou.state.ma.us; jgallagher@mapc.org; rgrover@ci.stoneham.ma.us; joshua.grzegorzewski@fhwa.dot.gov; ehamblin@aol.com; rhavern@senate.state. ma.us; rep. brad leyjones@hou.state. ma.us; katsoufis.9395info@comcast.net; anthonykennedy@comcast.net; cleiner@massport.com; rmayo@mass-trucking.org; tmclaughlin@cityofwoburn.com; wba@woburnbusinessassociation.com; paulderman@verizon.net; andy.motter@dot.gov; rep. patricknatale@hou.state. ma.us; dragucci@ci.stoneham.ma.us; maureen@northsuburbanchamber.com; Elliot. Schmiedl@state.ma.us; sueandmikes@comcast.net; rstinson@wakefield.ma.us; dansullivan@assetleasing.com; etarallo@cityofwoburn.com; rtisei@senate, state. ma.us; billwhome@verizon.net Cc: Nicholas.Zavolas@state.ma.us; jblaustein@mapc.org; michael.a.chong@fhwa.dot.gov; dcooke@VHB.com; Andrea.Crupi@state.ma.us; adisarcina@hshassoc.com; mdraisen@mapc.org; Adriel.Edwards@state.ma.us; tharwood@cityofwoburn.com; Town Manager; Tomasz.Janikula@fhwa.dot.gov; Diane.Madden@state.ma.us; Justin. Martel@state. ma.us; amckinnon@hshassoc.com; thomasimclaughlin@comcast.net; john.mcvann@fhwa.dot.gov; pmedeiros@sigcom.com; Carmen, O'Rourke@state.ma.us; jpurdy@louisberger.com; kpyke@hshassoc.com; wschwartz@thecollaborative.com; kstein@hshassoc.com; Tafoya, Ben; Frederick.Vanmagness@state.ma.us; Kevin.Walsh@MHD.state.ma.us Subject: THE MEPA PROCESS AND RELATED QUESTIONS Bob, The expanded ENF was distributed on August 31, 2007. Since that time, I do not recall that the Interchange Task Force (ITF) has been enlightened on the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) process. I discovered a website that explains this process: httD://www.aocc.ora/clientuDloads/downloads/MEPA.odf? PHPSESSID=26bOd192c739378el d053649e4al6aaf The paragraphs below are extracted from this source as a partial explanation of the MEPA process: "MEPA regulations establish thresholds, procedure and a timeframe for the review process. If a project exceeds certain thresholds, the proponent of the project is required to file an Environmental Notification Form (ENF) with the Secretary of Environmental Affairs. The ENF consists of a detailed description of the project, including any environmental thresholds reached that would trigger MEPA review. It also must list all state permits and approvals required for the project." "At the same time, the proponent must place a notice of the project in the local newspaper, and send copies of the ENF to state and local agencies. The first page of the ENF is also published in the Environmental Monitor, a twice-monthly publication of the MEPA Office that lists the current status of all projects under MEPA review." "After the ENF is filed, a 20-dav public review period follows during which the public may 10/29/2007 0 Page 2 of 2 submit comments to the Secretary. The Secretary must determine within ten davs of the close of the comment period whether any potential environmental harm from the project warrants a full MEPA review. The Secretary's decision is based on public comments and MEPA Office recommendations. If a review is necessary, the project proponent is required to prepare an Environmental Impact Report (EIR). If no EIR is required, the project jurisdiction is turned over to the proper state agencies." Based on this information, the following questions come to mind: 1. Is the above information correct? If not, what part has changed? 2. The public comment period regarding the ENF ended on October 10th. According to MEPA regulations, the Secretary is to determine if a full MEPA review is warranted with ten days after October 10th, namely October 20th. It is now October 29th. When may we expect this determination by the Secretary?. 3. Has an EIR been submitted? If yes, may we review it? 4. 1 submitted a lengthy set of concerns, including air quality issues, related to the downstream effects from the current redesigned interchange concepts summarized in the ENF. When may I expect a reply to my concerns? 5. The collective we are now nearly 2 months into this MEPA process. When will you advise us on the scope, milestones and public meetings related to MEPA process? Is the Louis Berger Group assisting this MEPA proces? 6. It would be greatly appreciated if you would include MEPA activiites on www.9395info.com, in addition to the ENF. 7. Please publish all comments submitted by the community on MEPA issues (e.g., the Reading Board of Selectmen, Reading Conservation Commission, etc.) Thanks, Jeff Jeffrey H. Everson, Ph.D. Principal Investigator, Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Member: PRESERVE, 1-93/1-95 Task Force, 781-944-3632 (home); 781-684-4247 (work); cnj4@aol.com Email and AIM finally together. You've gotta check out flee AOL Mail! 0 10/29/2007 Page 1 of 1 Schena, Paula From: Hechenbleikner, Peter Sent: Monday,,October 29, 2007 10:17 AM To: Reading - Selectmen; Schena, Paula Subject: Library We had extensive vandalism at the Library last evening - a number of the basement level windows were broken. Facilities is doing clean-up and replacement; the Police are investigating; and we are filing for insurance reimbursement. Pete C Board of Selectmen 10-30-07 10/29/2007 4L Page I of 2 Schena, Paula From: Hechenbleikner, Peter Sent: Tuesday, October 30, 2007 9:21 AM To: Reading - Selectmen Cc: Schena, Paula Subject: FW: Town of Reading Financial news Copy Board of Selectmen 10-30-07 From: LeLacheur, Bob Sent: Tuesday, October 30, 2007 9:17 AM To: Advocate; Daily Chronicle (readingchrbnicle@comcast.net); Laua Colarusso (Globe); Phil Rushworth (phil@RCTV.org) Cc: Delai, Mary; Huggins, Joe; Burns, Greg; Cormier, Jim; Hechenbleikner, Peter; Kowalski, Carol; LaPointe, Gail; LeLacheur, Bob; McIntire, Ted; Schettini, Pat; Urell, Ruth; Vinnie Cameron (vcameron@rmld.com); Andrew Grimes (andrew_grimes@cabot-corp.com); Barry Berman (bcberman@comcast.net); David Greenfield (we4greens@comcast.net); George Hines (ghines@mbta.com); Hal Torman (hal.torman@bms.com); Marsie West (west.m@mellon.com); Matt Wilson (wilson2958@hotmail.com); Ron Powell (ronald.w.powel l@verizon. net); Tom White (ahtjwhite@yahoo.com) Subject: Town of Reading Financial news PRESS RELEASE - IMMEDIATE Reading's Bond Rating Upgraded Moody's Investors Service has assigned a Aa3 rating to the Town of Reading's $9.5 million General Obligation Municipal Purpose Loan of 2007 Bonds. Concurrently, Moody's has upgraded to Aa3 from Al the rating assigned to $65.3 million of outstanding long-term general obligation debt, and has removed the positive outlook. The upgrade to Aa3 reflects the town's improved financial position and sound financial management. Prudent financial practices including conservative budgeting practices and close financial monitoring should support Reading's continued financial stability and represent key factors in the upgrade to Aa3. Standard and Poor's affirmed their AA rating on the town's debt prior to the $9.5 million bond sale, scheduled for October 30, 2007. The bond sale consists of serial bonds maturing from 2008 through 2027, and will fund the town's MWRA buy-in, a sewer project, the purchase of a new fire engine, downtown improvements, and field improvements to Parker Middle School. Please contact me for further details. Thanks, 10/30/2007 lZ any other enabling authority or by the Governor, no user of water supplied by the Town shall violate any provision, condition, requirement or restriction included in a plan approved by the Department of Environmental Protection which plan has as its purpose the abatement of a water supply emergency, provided that notice of any such provision, condition, requirement or restriction has previously been given to such users by publication in a newspaper of general circulation within the Town, or by such other notice as is reasonably calculated to reach and inform all such users. 5.1.6.3 Any user of water supplied by the Town who violates this Bylaw shall be liable to the Town in the amount of Fifty Dollars ($50.00) for the first violation and One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) for each subsequent violation, which fine shall inure to the Town for such uses as the Board of Selectmen may direct. In addition to any other means of enforcement, the provisions of this Bylaw may be enforced by, non-criminal disposition in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.11 of these Bylaws and Section 21D of Chapter 40 of the General Laws; and for the purposes of such non-criminal disposition, the term "enforcing person" shall mean any member of the Board of Selectmen, the Town Manager, any Police Officer of the Town, the Director of Public Works, or his designee, and Health Director, or his designee. Further, any enforcing person, or his designee or agent, may enter onto any property and in any building thereon for the purpose of inspecting or investigating any violation of this Bylaw or enforcing the same, except no dwelling unit shall be entered without the consent of the resident. 5.2 Streets. 131,2hwavs and Public Proaerty 5.2.1 No person shall place or cause to be placed any obstruction in any street, public place or private way in the Town without the permission of the Board of Selectmen. The provisions of this section shall not apply to news racks as defined in Section 5.9 of this Bylaw. '5.2.2 No person shall form or conduct any parade in any street, sidewalk or public way within the Town or form or conduct for the purpose of display or demonstration any procession or assembly of people, except a military or funeral parade or procession within such street, sidewalk or way, without first obtaining a written permit from the Board of Selectmen; and no person shall take part in any such parade, procession or assembly which is not authorized by such a permit. The application for such a permit shall identify (1) the person or organization seeking to conduct the parade and the parade chairman who will be responsible for its conduct, (2) the proposed date, starting and termination time and route of the parade, (3) the approximate number of persons, animals and vehicles and the type of animals and vehicles to be in the parade, (4) the location of any General Bylaws 26 Amended through July 2007 COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS Middlesex, ss. Officer's Return, Reading: By virtue of this Warrant, I, on 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 Registry of Motor Vehicles, 275 Salem Street Precinct 3 Reading Police Station, 15 Union Street Precinct 4 Joshua Eaton School, 365 Summer Avenue Precinct 5 Town Hail, 16 Lowell Street Precinct 6, Austin Preparatory School, 101 Willow Street Precinct 7 Reading Library, Local History Room, 64 Middlesex Avenue Precinct 8 Mobil on the Run, 1330 Main Street The date of posting being not less than fourteen (14) days prior to November 13, 2007, the date set for the Subsequent Town Meeting in this Warrant. I also caused an attested copy of this Warrant to be published in the Reading Chronicle in the issue of John Della Paolera, Constable A true copy. Attest: Cheryl A. Johnson, Town Clerk 1 0 SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING (Seal) 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 elections and Town affairs, to meet at the Reading Memorial High School Auditorium, 62 Oakland Road, in said Reading, on Tuesday, November 13, 2007, at seven-thirty o'clock in the evening, 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 1 To hear and act on the reports of the Board of Selectmen, Town Accountant, Treasurer-Collector, Board of Assessors, Director of Public Works, Town Clerk, Tree Warden, Board of Health, School Committee, Contributory Retirement Board, Library Trustees, Municipal Light Board, Finance Committee, Cemetery Trustees, Community Planning & Development Commission, Conservation Commission, Town Manager and any other Board or Special Committee. Board of Selectmen Backaround: The following reports are expected to be given under this Article: • RMLD Annual Report • State of the Schools To the extent possible, the reports are included in the back of this report so that only a summary report will be given verbally at Town Meeting. Finance Committee Reoort: No report. Bvlaw Committee Reoort: No report. ARTICLE 2 To choose all other necessary Town Officers and Special Committees and determine what instructions shall be given Town Officers and Special Committees, and to see what sum the Town will raise by borrowing or transfer from available funds, or otherwise, and appropriate for the purpose of funding Town Officers and Special Committees to carry out the instructions given to them, or take any other action with respect thereto. Board of Selectmen Backaround:. There are no known Instructional Motions at this time. As a general rule, Instructional Motions are reserved for the last evening of Town Meeting, and the Moderator requests that any Town Meeting Member who intends to offer an Instructional Motion let him know at least one session in advance so that he can let Town Meeting Members know that in advance. (b Finance Committee Report: No report. Bvlaw Committee Report: No report. ARTICLE 3 To see if the Town will vote to amend the FY 2008 - FY 2012, Capital Improvements Program as provided for in Section 7-7 of the Reading Home Rule Charter, or take any other action with respect thereto. Board of Selectmen Backaround: The following amendments are proposed to the FY 2008 - FY 2017 Capital Improvements Program (CIP). These amendments need to be included in the CIP in order for Town Meeting to consider funding them under the various Articles at Town Meeting. The full revised CIP is included in the blue pages in the back of this report. The following are proposed modifications to the CIP approved at the Annual Town Meeting: FY08 (Fall '07): + $20,000 for snow removal equipment at RMHS (Line Cl) + $50,000 for roof repairs at Killam (Line C2) + $20,000 for generator at Parker (Line C2) + $20,000 for handicap access at RMHS (Line C2) - $163,000 remove all other previous items for Fall '07 (Line C2) ($11,000 ADA compliance, $20,000 ceiling, $10,000 electrical, $10,000 plumbing, $45,000 carpet/flooring, $8,000 security system, $10,000 technology infrastructure, $24,000 windows/doors, $25,000 parking lot) + $25,000 in additional floor/carpet, total now $60,000 for Town Hall, Main Fire Station, Senior Center, Library (Line C3) - $65,000 remove all other items for Fall '07 (Line C3) ($10,000 ceiling, $15,000 plumbing, $20,000 windows/doors, $20,000 custodial vehicle) - $15,000 remove GIS for Fall '07 (Line C5) + $95,000 for full GIS flyover and mapping, previously listed as $150,000 in debt in for FY09 (Line C5) - $10,000 remove Library public equipment (now classified as operating expense) (Line C7) . + $21,000 in additional DVR Video Technology (Line C9) + $4,300 additional to previously approved $82,000 Dump Truck (Line C10) + $16,100 additional to previously approved $130,000 Rack Spray Truck (Line C10) + $7,000 additional to Fall '07 Sedan (Line C10) + $10,000 additional to Fall '07 Lawnmowers (Line C10) + $20,000 for paving materials (Line C12) + $115,000 additional for Franklin Sidewalks (Line C12) + $8,000 additional to Fall '07 Dump Truck (Line Y5 - Stormwater Ent.) 1 FY09-FY18: Staff from the municipal government and School Departments conducted an extensive review of the Capital Improvements Program during the Summer and early Fall of 2007 as part of continuing improvements to the budget process. The enclosed CIP now covers the ten-year period from FY 2009 through FY 2018, in addition to the revised changes for FY 2008 mentioned above, and a review of approved items from FY 2007. Approval of this Warrant Article will cover all items presented from FY 2008 through FY 2018. This new CIP (blue pages in this Warrant) will be reviewed again by staff prior to the Annual Town Meeting, as part of the new twice/year capital budgeting process. When the Capital Improvements Program was approved by Town Meeting at the Annual Town Meeting, the amount of funding included in the Budget for capital was 5% of the budget which was significantly less than the funding required for projects in the CIP. As we did last year, the recommendation was to see how Free Cash and other cash reserves stood in the Fall 2007, and consider funding further FY 2008 capital projects in November. Cash reserves now stand at an adequate amount to approve additional capital projects this Fall. In addition, there is over $500,000 in excess revenues versus the budgeted amount for FY 2008. The staff recommendation is to use approximately $1,100,000 for additional one-time capital projects in FY 2008, to use approximately $500,000 to balance the FY 2008 Budget, and to place $500,000 into the Stabilization Fund. Finance Committee Resort: The Finance Committee, by a vote of 7-0-0 on October 10, 2007, recommends that Town Meeting approve Article 3. Routine updates to the Capital Improvements Plan represent sound fiscal and operational practice. Bvlaw Committee Report: No report. ARTICLE 4 To see if the Town will vote to amend one or more of the votes taken under Article 13 of the April 23, 2007 Annual Town Meeting relating to the Fiscal Year 2008 Municipal Budget, and see what sum the Town will raise by borrowing or transfer from available funds, or otherwise, and appropriate as the result of any such amended votes for the operation of the Town and its government, or take any other action with respect thereto. Finance Committee Backqround: The following FY 2008 Budget transfers are proposed for consideration at the 2007 Subsequent Town Meeting: 6g Account Line B9 H1 M1 N16 N17 P2 Q23 S15 U10 General Fund - Waaes and Expenses Description ( Decrease Benefits • $140,000 per April '07 TM • $ 25,000 Substance Abuse Program Coordinator • $ 70,000 RMLD adjustment • $ 15,000 Water Fund credit • $ 10,000 Sewer Fund credit • $ 5,000 Life Insurance Vocational School Education Accounting Salaries - Sick-leave and vacation buyback Finance Salaries - Staffing for Financial Technology project (overtime) Finance Expenses - Pay & Class Study for Town and School non-union positions Library Expenses - Public technology Community Services Expenses • $4,000 Substance Abuse team training • $5,000 Flexible Account - Public Works Expenses - Highway Maintenance Town Building Maintenance - Library elevator repairs Subtotals Net from tax levy, state aid & local'receipts:. • State Aid net increase versus budgeted amount is $566,628 for FY08 • State Assessments and Charges versus budgeted amount are $49,460 in excess • This totals $517,168; the remaining-$15,668 to be used for capital below 5 Increase $265,000 $ 77,500 $ 6,500 $ 25,000 $ 25,000 1 $ 13,500 $ 9,000 $ 50,000 $ 30,000 $501,500 $501,500 Icy General Fund - Capital Account Line Description Decrease Increase C1 School Equipment $ 20,000 • $20,000 Snow Plow Equipment @,RMHS C2 School Building Improvements $ 90,000 • $50,000 Killam Roof Repairs • $20,000 Parker Generator • $20,000 RMHS Handicap Access C3 Town Building Improvements $ 70,000 • $60,000 carpeting/flooring for Town Hall, Main Fire Station, Senior Center and Library • $10,000 HVAC Repairs in Town Hall & Main Fire Station C5 Town Technology $ 117,000 • $95,000 GIS flyover and mapping layers • $22,000 upgrade voting machines C7 I Library - Roving reference ) is 10,000 C9 a Public Safety - Video Technology ( 1$ 35,000 C10 Public Works - Equipment $445,400 • $ 16,100 previous Rack Spray Truck -fed. emissions • $ 4,300 previous Dump Truck -fed. emissions • $135,000 Backhoe • $ 90,000 Dump Truck • $ 75,000 New Sidewalk Plow • $ 65,000 Pickup Utility • $ 30,000 Car (hybrid sedan) • $ 30,000 Lawnmowers (2) C12 Public Works - Roadway $ 165,000 Improvements/Sidewalks • $115,000 Franklin Street • $ 30,000 general sidewalks • $ 20,000 paving materials C14 Public Works - Parks and Recreation $ 150,000 • $150,000 Bancroft Avenue Tennis Courts Subtotals $1,102,400 Net from Free Cash $1,086,732 Net from taxaevy, State aid and $ 15,668 local receipts 6 ; Enterprise Funds Account Line Description Decrease Increase W5 Water Fund $250,000 • $200,000 (expenses) - To offset rates charged • $65,000 (expenses) - Decommission Water Treatment . Plant • ($15,000) (expenses) credit for Health Insurance X5 Sewer Fund $190,000 • $200,000 (expenses) - To offset rates charged • ($10,000) (expenses) credit for Health Insurance X5* Sewer Fund $300,000 • $300,000 (capital) inflow and infiltration from Developer Mitigation* Y5 Storm Water Fund $ 8,000 • $8,000 previous Dump Truck - fed. emissions Subtotals + $748,000 Net from: 9 Water Reserves (for W5) . $250,000 . • Sewer Reserves (for X5) $190,000 • Developer. Mitigation (for X5*) $300,000 • Storm Water Reserves (for Y5) 81000 Finance Committee Report: General Fund Waaes and Expenses The Finance Committee, by a vote of 7-0-0 on October 10, 2007, recommends that Town Meeting approve this subject matter. Increased enrollment for health insurance was the largest contributor to the added costs. The source of funding will be the higher than budgeted State Aid. General Fund Capital The Finance Committee, by a vote of 7-0-0 on October 10, 2007, recommends that Town Meeting approve this subject matter. The source of funding will be from Free Cash, State Aid and other revenues. Even with this one time capital spending, Reading will have $4.8 million dollars in reserves, exceeding the 5% net revenue Reserves Policy set by the Finance Committee. Enterprise Funds The Finance Committee, by a vote of 7-0-0 on October 10, 2007, recommends that Town Meeting approve this subject matter. 7 011~ Bvlaw Committee Report: No report. ARTICLE 5 To see if the Town will vote to authorize the payment during Fiscal Year 2008 of bills remaining unpaid for previous fiscal years for goods and services actually rendered to the Town, or take any other action with respect thereto. Board of Selectmen Backaround: There are no known prior years bills to be paid and, therefore, this Article may be Indefinitely Postponed. Finance Committee Report: No report. Bvlaw Committee Report: No report. ARTICLE 6 To see if the Town will vote to establish a stabilization fund, or take any other action with respect thereto. Board of Selectmen Backaround: The Town received more than $500,000 of interest income that will not recur in future fiscal years. Those funds have increased our Free Cash position. The funds could be used to fund additional one time expenses, additional capital, to reduce the tax rate or fund the Stabilization account. Free Cash Stabilization Fund Balance at June 30, 2007 4,862,881 895,895 Used for Capital at this town meeting .(1,086,732) 0 Transfer to Stabilization (500,000) 500,000 Balance 3,276,149 1,395,895 A Stabilization Fund is basically a Town savings account. By appropriating money into the unrestricted Stabilization Fund, the Town reserves money from which Town Meeting can appropriate at a future date. The Stabilization Fund could be used to fund crisis situations that have occurred from time to time in the budget process. Examples would be a significant reduction in State Aid, unexpected changes in health insurance costs or unfunded pension liability, unusually high Special Education costs, energy costs or trash removal or unexpected environmental issues. Stabilizations funds are viewed favorably by rating agencies. Favorable rating agency reviews can result in lower interest rates on future borrowings. Funding the Stabilization Fund takes a 2/3 vote of Town Meeting, and appropriating money from the Stabilization Fund also takes a 213 vote. 8 (:P' Finance Committee Report: The Finance Committee, by a vote of 6-0-0 on October 17, 2007, supports the transfer of $500,000 from Free Cash reserves to the Stabilization Fund for future contingencies and recommends that Town Meeting approve this Article. Bvlaw Committee Report: No report. ARTICLE 7 To see if the Town will vote to accept the report of the Board of Selectmen upon the laying out as a public way the following described private way under the provision of law authorizing the assessment of betterments, such ways being laid out in accordance with plans duly approved by the Board of Selectmen; and to authorize the Board of Selectmen to, take such ways under the provision of law authorizing the assessment of betterments, in fee or rights of easement therein by eminent domain, under the provisions of Chapter 79 of the General Laws, as amended, or acquire said lands in fee or rights of easement therein by purchase, gift or otherwise and to assess betterments therefore, the plans and descriptions for such way being filed in the Office of the Town Clerk in accordance with the statutory requirements; and to see what sum the Town will vote to appropriate by borrowing, or from the tax levy, or transfer from available funds, or otherwise, for the acquisition of said lands or easements therein or for payment of any eminent domain damages and. for the construction of said ways, or take any other action with respect thereto. • Timothy Place Board of Selectmen Backaround: The final as-built plans for the subdivision were never completed by the developer. Given the time restrictions for Town Meeting, hearings, completion of plans etc., the acceptance this Fall at the Subsequent Town Meeting is not likely, and will be held off until the Spring Town. Meeting. This Article will be indefinitely postponed. Finance Committee Report: The Finance Committee, by a vote of 7-0-0 on October 10, 2007, recommends that Town Meeting approve this subject matter. Bvlaw Committee Report: No report. ARTICLE 8 To see if the Town will vote to rescind authorized but unused debt for: The Barrows School project as authorized by Article 5 voted 12/10198 and amended by Article 12 voted 4/24/00, and further amended by Article 13 voted 5/6/04; The Birch Meadow Tennis Courts as authorized by Article 21 of the 2007 Annual Town Meeting. or take any other action with respect thereto. Board of Selectmen Backaround: There are two previously authorized items of debt whose remaining debt could be rescinded under this Article: 23\ On December 10, 1998, under Article 5, Town Meeting authorized the issuance of $6,585,000 in debt to renovate and add to the Barrows Elementary School. Subsequently, the Town issued $2,415,000 in permanent bonds, and the Massachusetts School Building Authority funded $4,169,750. This Article allows the Town to rescind the $250 difference between the authorized debt and the actual amounts of the loans and reimbursements. Birch Meadow (Bancroft Avenue) Tennis Courts Debt was authorized for the reconstruction of the Birch Meadow (Bancroft Avenue) Tennis Courts in the amount of $350,000 at the April 2007 Town Meeting. The original estimate of $350,000 for the Bancroft Avenue Tennis Courts was based on a conceptual plan and was not based on an actual design. When the detailed estimate was completed based on full design, the total estimate cost of the project eclipsed the initial debt authorized last April by approximately $175,000. This was largely due to need for extensive drainage work for the project to satisfy the needs of the area. Privately Raised Debt to be utilized from debt authorization Legislative "earmark" Grant Funding (Urban Help - grant submitted) Projected Funding April 2007 $100,000 the $150,000 I $50,000 Self $50,000 Grant Funding (USTA grant submitted) Total potential available $350,000 funding Current Funding "Best Case" $90,000 $50,000 or more depending upon grants $50,000 $295,000 $40,000 $525,000 In April 2007, the Town authorized the full estimated cost of the project in debt to ensure that we could move forward on the project, and be reimbursed a portion of the cost through grant reimbursements and donations. To supplement the funds that are already available, the Town has applied for two grants (Urban Self-Help and United States Tennis Association). The Town of Reading is eligible for approximately 55% project reimbursement through the Urban Self Grant Program, and up to $50,000 through the USTA Grant. The Friends of Reading Tennis have been very active and aggressive in securing private funding, and in doing the major part of the work in developing the grant applications which have been filed by the Town. It is now estimated that the Reading Community Tennis Courts will cost $508,000 to complete (round to $525,000). The Town is requesting authorization from Town Meeting to extend the debt authorization from $350,000 to $525,000 based on the funding that is anticipated by these grants. Prior to the start of Town Meeting, the Town will have actual bid prices on the project (rather than estimates), and will have a response to its Urban Self-Help grant application. We will not have heard on the USTA application. 10 v'~ If the total anticipated amount.of grant funding is not reached, and the Town net cost would exceed $150,000, then the Town could consider awarding the bid without the lights. Lights can be installed at a later date if necessary. The Town currently finds itself in a good enough cash position that we could pay for the estimated $150,000 net cost of the project from cash reserves and avoid the necessity of selling the debt. This then enables the Town to'take on additional capital projects in future years when the Town's cash position is not as favorable. There are therefore three parts of this Warrant that deal with the tennis courts, depending on final disposition of the grant application, and the final bid prices: • Under Article 4, Item C4 - the Town would pay $150,000 for the Town's net cost of the tennis courts as a budget amendment and therefore not sell this as debt. • If action were to proceed under Article 4, the Town would rescind all debt for this project under Article 8. • If the grant/bid results were not favorable and the Town wanted to go forward with the project, the Town could authorize additional debt under Article 9 of this Warrant. Finance Committee Report: The Finance Committee, by a vote of 7-0-0 on October 10, 2007, recommends that Town Meeting approve Article 8. The Barrows School project is complete and thus previously authorized but unused debt should be rescinded. Authorization for funding the repair or replacement of the Birch Meadows Tennis Courts is the subject of Article 9 and thus previously authorized but unused debt should be rescinded. Bvlaw Committee Report: No report. ARTICLE 9 To see what sum the Town will raise by borrowing, or transfer from available funds, or otherwise, and appropriate for the purpose of making improvements to or replacing the Birch Meadow Tennis Courts, including the costs of engineering services, plans, documents, cost estimates, bidding services, construction management 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 to see if the Town will authorize the Board of Selectmen, the Town Manager, or any other agency of the Town, to apply for a grant or grants, to be used to defray the cost of all, or any part of, said improvements; and to authorize the Town Manager to enter into any and all contracts and agreements as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Article, or take any other action with respect thereto. Board of Selectmen Backqround: See background on this subject from Article 8. Finance Committee Report: The Finance Committee, by a vote of 7-0-0 on October 10, 2007, recommends that Town Meeting approve Article 9. The Birch Meadow Tennis Courts are a valuable and highly utilized recreational asset of the Town of Reading, and appropriate funding should be authorized, and grants sought to defray the cost of repair or replacement. 11 0 Bvlaw Committee Report: No report. ARTICLE 10 To see what sum the Town will raise by borrowing, or transfer from available funds, or otherwise, and appropriate for the purpose of purchasing a fire ladder truck, including the costs of consulting services, 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 to see if the Town will authorize the Board of Selectmen, the Town Manager, or any other agency of the Town, to apply for a grant or grants, to be used to defray the cost of all, or any part of, said fire engine; and to authorize the Town Manager to enter into any and all contracts and agreements as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Article, or take any other action with respect thereto. Board of Selectmen Backaround: The Fire Department is in critical need of a replacement ladder truck. Our ladder truck was purchased in 1991 and is 16 years old. A ladder truck is a highly specialized vehicle intended to provide equipment, tools and access for Firefighters to a vast range of emergency scenes including, but not limited to, fires, motor vehicle accidents and structural collapse. The ladder truck is equipped with an aerial ladder, tools and equipment to enable Firefighters to rescue trapped victims, ventilate burning buildings, provide emergency scene lighting, and protect property from damage. Due to the age of the truck over the last two years, the frequency and severity of the repairs to Ladder 1 have increased significantly. Because of the extent of the repairs, the truck has been frequently out of service for a number of days at a time: The longest period has been two weeks. The repairs have been to the hydraulic systems that stabilize the truck and raise the aerial, cooling system, chassis and suspension systems. Whenever our ladder truck is out of service, we attempt to borrow a ladder truck from another community and at times we are successful in our efforts. However, far too often, we are not able to obtain a ladder truck on loan because very few communities have a spare ladder truck. When we are not able to borrow a ladder truck, the Wakefield Fire Department will provide their ladder truck if we have a fire. For example, on February 2, 2007, we had a two alarm structure fire at 15 Avon Street, and our ladder truck was out of service. The Wakefield Fire Department's ladder truck was used at the scene. Although we are grateful for the Wakefield Fire Department's ladder truck response, using a mutual aid community for a primary ladder truck response on a routine basis is not safe for the community or the Firefighters, and is a violation of our mutual aid agreements. The Chief has examined the needs of the community, and various options and configurations of ladder trucks manufactured today. Based upon that analysis, he recommends that we purchase a 100' heavy duty aerial ladder truck with a pre-piped waterway. A heavy duty aerial ladder truck is rated to support 500 pounds at the end of the ladder, and as a result provides a stronger aerial that is safer for the Firefighters and the community. In contrast, our current ladder truck is rated to support 250 pounds at the end of the ladder. The addition of a pre-piped waterway will significantly reduce the time it takes firefighters to place an elevated water stream in service. 12 z~ v Chief Burns has completed an analysis of recent ladder truck purchases and the cost of needed replacement equipment in an effort to determine an appropriate number to request for the capital budget. Based upon the analysis, he has recommended an $850,000 capital request to purchase a replacement ladder truck and the required equipment. Finance Committee Report: The Finance Committee, by a vote of 7-0-0 on October 10, 2007, recommends that Town Meeting approve Article 10. The debt and capital funding plans will accommodate the earlier than previously scheduled purchase of a new ladder truck. This will reduce annual maintenance costs, and more importantly ensure ongoing fire safety for the community. Bvlaw Committee Report: No report. ARTICLE 11 To see what sum the Town will raise by borrowing, or transfer from available funds, or otherwise, and appropriate for the purpose of constructing curbing, sidewalks, and pedestrian improvements, including the costs of consulting services, 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 to see if the Town will authorize the Board of Selectmen, the Town Manager, or any other agency of the Town, to apply for a grant or grants, to be used to defray the cost of all, or any part of, said curbing, sidewalk, and pedestrian improvements; and to authorize the Town Manager to enter into any and all contracts and agreements as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Article; provided however that any borrowing authorized by this article and any appropriation subject to this article shall be contingent upon the passage of a debt exclusion referendum question under General Laws Chapter 159, section 21c within 90 days of the close of this Special Town Meeting, or take any other action with respect thereto. Board of Selectmen Backaround: The Board of Selectmen has decided to table the subject matter of this Article. The Board is supportive of significant additional sidewalk construction and re- construction. However, the Board feels that as a community, we need to review and prioritize those things that the community would be asked to fund through additional taxes, and that a broader community conversation needs to take place with regard to such matters. Therefore, the following information is offered for the community to begin that discussion. The Town has approximately 100 miles of streets. • 57% of the streets do not have sidewalks on both sides - 54 miles of sidewalk construction would be required to address this deficiency - at a cost of over $11 million. • 60% of the street frontage does not have curbing. 57 miles of curbing would be required to meet that deficiency at a cost of over $24 million. • 1294 handicap ramps are required to make all intersections in Reading meet Americans For Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements at an estimated cost of $3.5 million. 13 z7 The entire estimated cost of placing curb and sidewalk on every street in the community, and addressing all of the handicapped ramps is over $40,000,000. Clearly, the cost of doing all of this is prohibitive, but the program as outlined would make a significant start. At our current rate of expenditure, it will take 1300 years to meet all of these pedestrian safety requirements throughout the community. Streets in newer subdivisions have curb and sidewalk on one or both sides of the street. Older streets, and in many cases the more major roads, do not have curb and often have no sidewalks on either side. • Recently, the Town constructed sidewalks on one side of Franklin Street from Main to Grove. This project was funded in major part by a grant from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, through the budgeting process known as earmarks. The Town's Representatives and Senator were able to get this project funded. The total cost of this project was over $500,000. The community seems to be very pleased with the new walks - they are very heavily used. But this project points out the many locations within the community where there are no curbs or sidewalks on either side of the street. Some major locations include: Grove Street from Franklin to Forest, Washington Street from Prescott to Minot (accessing Washington Park); Forest Glen Road; Pleasant Street and Eaton Street (in the area of Hunt Park); Pine Ridge Road (Sturges Park) and an ongoing long list. • During the current construction season, the Town spent $130,000 on curbing as part of the Road Reconstruction Program. The Town standard is that where a street has slopes of 5% or more, we install curbing to prevent erosion of the edge of pavement, and prevent premature deterioration of the roadway. That $130,000 could be used to do more paving projects in the community. • In years past, the Town installed curb and sidewalk as a betterment. As property owners wished to make these improvements, the Town would construct the improvements and charge the homeowners a betterment to pay the cost over up to 10 years. The result all over Town is that there is a hodge-podge of properties with curb and sidewalk next to properties that have neither, providing for a discontinuous sidewalk system. • In some sections of the community, curb and/or sidewalk were constructed years ago, and no program of replacement has been funded. The result is in many locations, the existence of curb and/or sidewalk that are in extremely poor condition, and they need replacement of major maintenance. In order to begin to address this issue, Article 11 proposes to authorize a 10 year debt issue subject to a vote of the Town as a Proposition 2'/2 debt exclusion. The intent is to not sell the debt (technically it would have to be sold for one day), but authorize a set amount of expenditure per year over the next 10 years. This will allow the Town to address the issue on a prioritized basis, and to be able to plan a program which will result in a significant improvement to the community over the coming years. The cost in 2007 dollars of curb and sidewalk is approximately $60 per linear foot. For example, Grove Street from Franklin to Forest Street is approximately 2000 feet, so the cost of curb and sidewalk in this area would be $120,000. 14 0 Adding the cost of constructing necessary curbing on road reconstruction projects, constructing one sizable section of new curb and sidewalk per year would cost an estimated $250,000 per year. To address these issues plus constructing infill curb and sidewalk, and replacing some amount of deteriorated sidewalk and curb (including the addition of handicapped ramps), the cost of a comprehensive curb, sidewalk and pedestrian improvement program would reasonably be $450,000 per year. The cost for an average homeowner would be approximately $50 per household per year, and the authorization would expire in 10 years. Why undertake this program at this time, and why not do it out of the existing tax base? • In an era of rising fuel prices and global warming, making Reading a "Walkable Community" is one of the local actions that we as a community can take to address these issues. • Walking is good for physical fitness for all ages, and would assist the community in dealing with obesity. . • Curbing and sidewalks improve the appearance of properties, and therefore property values. • Curbing protects the community investment in streets, sidewalks, and tree lawns by preventing erosion, and by keeping vehicles where they belong - on the street rather than on tree lawns or sidewalks. • Curb and sidewalks improve pedestrian safety, particularly for school children, and for older folks who need to walk to and from school and to other activities. • The Reading Police Department is working with the Reading School Department to develop "Suggested Routes to School" which would assist in prioritizing some of the program costs. • The sooner we start, the sooner we can reap the benefits as a community in having curbs and sidewalks. • There is not enough tax dollars under Proposition 2 '/Z to undertake a program like this. At best, we are able to prioritize about $30,000 per year for this program within the existing tax cap. Finance Committee Report: The Finance Committee's vote on Article 11 at their October 17, 2007 meeting did not support Article 11 by a vote of 2 in favor and 4 against. There was general support on the Committee for providing more funding for sidewalk and curb construction and maintenance. This is an area which has traditionally received very little funding but which is increasingly recognized as providing numerous benefits to the community. The primary concerns voiced by those who spoke against the measure were that we should have more background discussion regarding town- wide spending priorities, the level of funding and the best source of funding. Bvlaw Committee Report: No report. ARTICLE 12 To see if the Town will vote to accept General Laws Chapter 44, Sections 3-7, inclusive, otherwise known as the Massachusetts Community Preservation Act, by approving a surcharge on real property for the purposes permitted by said Act including the acquisition, creation and preservation of open space, the acquisition, preservation, rehabilitation and restoration of historic resources, the acquisition, creation 15 ue~9 and preservation of land for recreational use, and the creation, acquisition, preservation and support of community housing; to determine the amount of such surcharge on real property as a percentage of the annual real estate tax levy against real property in an amount not to exceed 3%, such surcharge to be imposed on taxes assessed for fiscal years beginning on or after July 1, 2008; and to determine if the Town will accept one or more of the following exemptions from the surcharge as set forth in Section 3(e) of the Act : (1) Property owned and occupied as a domicile by a person who would qualify for low income housing or low or moderate income senior housing in the community; (2) Class 3 commercial, and Class 4 industrial property as defined by Section 2A of c. 59 in any year the Town adopts a classified tax rate; (3) The first $100,000 of the taxable value of each parcel of residential real property. or take any other action with respect thereto. Board of Selectmen Background: Finance Committee Resort: The Finance Committee did not support Article 12, voting 4 in favor and 3 against at their meeting on October 17, 2007. Members voting in favor of the Article felt residents should have the opportunity to vote on this issue and make their own decision. Members opposed wanted to view the Article in a broader context, accounting for the full financial picture including the budget projections for the future and potential capital requests, which could require additional funding. Reasons for support included: • Savings vehicle to set aside money for affordable housing, recreation and historical preservation without impacting the operating budget. • State matching funds for the CPA, understanding there is no guarantee that matching will continue in the future. • Exemption provisions for those with the greatest potential impact. • Proposals reviewed by committee to access projects that best meet community needs. Town control with recommended projects voted by Town Meeting. Time limited commitment with vote to renew participation. Concerns included: • Tight budgetary environment with increased for the remaining budget. • Timing of recommendation could impact pressing needs. • Prioritization needed for voter requests decisions. accommodated costs limiting funds future funding requests for more to support responsible budgeting Bvlaw Committee Report: The Bylaw Committee did not recommend this Article by a vote of 3-1. 16 ~j ARTICLE 13 To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning By-Laws of the Town of Reading as follows: Add Sections 2.2.1.1.1, 2.2.13.1, 2.2.21 and 2.2.23.1 as follows: 2.2.1.1.1 Accessorv Buildinq: A detached single story building the use of which is customarily incidental and subordinate to that of the principal building and which is located on the same lot as that occupied by the principal building. An Accessory Building shall not be used to house people, domestic animals or livestock. Nor shall it be used as an independent commercial enterprise. An Accessory Building located within 10 feet of the principal building shall be subject to the dimensional requirements applicable to the principal building. 2.2.13.1 Garage. Detached: A detached single story accessory building serving as storage for personal vehicles or other items belonging to the occupants of the premises that is used for residential purposes. Such building shall be fully enclosed. A detached garage located within 10 feet of the principal building shall be subject to the dimensional requirements applicable to the principal building. 2.2.21 Lot Coveraqe: The percentage of the total lot area covered by principal and accessory buildings (Accessory Building, Detached Garage and/or Carriage House-Stable-Barn). 2.2.23.1 Open Space: The percentage of the total lot area that consists of undisturbed natural vegetation, grasses, landscaping or otherwise naturally permeable materials, and is completely devoid of any building, structure, road, driveway, parking area, walkway,' patio, deck, pool, tennis court, basketball court, or other similar pervious and/or impervious materials. Add the following (un-shaded) rows to the end of 4.2.2 Table of Uses, Accessory Uses: I PRINCIPAL USES I I Accessory.; Uses Accessory Building Detached Garage RES; [ORES I RE'S' I BUS I BU'S I BUS I IND I'S-15 I A-40 I A-80 I A` I B I C' 1,S-20 I 1 I I S-40,1 I I I I I I I 'I I I I' I Yes I No No I No I No I No I No Yes I No No I No I No ( No I No Replace the existing Paragraph 5.2.3.5 with: 5.2.3.5 No building shall be located within the required side yard setback except for a detached garage or accessory building for a one or two family dwelling or any other permitted principal use in a Residence District. Such building shall conform to the dimensional requirements of Table 5.2.3.7. 17 Replace the existing Paragraph 5.2.3.6 with: 5.2.3.6 No building shall be located within the required rear yard setback except for a detached garage or accessory building for a one or two family dwelling or any other permitted principal use in a Residence District. Such building shall not occupy more than 25% of the rear yard. Such building shall conform to the dimensional requirements of Table 5.2.3.7. Add the following Table: Table 5.2.3.7 Detached Garage Accessory and Accessory Building Dimensional Controls - S-15, S-20 and S-40 Districts Accessory Floor Area Max. Building Height to Min. Side and Rear (square feet) Ridgeline or Highest Point Yard (feet) on Roof (feet) 100 or less 10 I 3 101 to 300 I 14 I 10 301 to 650 16 I 15 651 or greater Not Allowed or take any other action with respect thereto. Community Planning and Development Commission Backqround: This Article attempts to address concerns that arose at the 2007 Annual Town Meeting regarding the construction of large accessory buildings and/or garages that significantly occupy rear yards and encroach within the principal building setbacks, having the effect of crowding adjacent properties and consuming remaining open space on lots. The proposed bylaw maintains the no more that 25% of a rear yard in the S-15, S-20, and S-40 Districts to be covered by an accessory building and/or detached garage, and provides maximum dimensions for floor area and height of such buildings. The bylaw provides a scale of minimum side and rear yards that must be maintained based on the size of the associated detached garages and/or accessory buildings. The proposed bylaw also provides definitions for "accessory building", "garage, detached", "lot coverage", and "open space". The bylaw adds "accessory building" and "detached garage" to the Table of Uses. Finance Committee Report: No report. Bvlaw Committee Report: The Bylaw Committee recommended this Article by a vote of 4-0. CPDC Report: ARTICLE 14 To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to file the following or similar legislation with the Great and General Court: 18 U3;4--, AN ACT RELEASING CERTAIN LAND IN THE TOWN OF READING FROM THE OPERATION OF A CONSERVATION RESTRICTION Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of same, as follows: Section 1. Pursuant to Section 32 of Chapter 184 of the General Laws and notwithstanding any other general or special. law to the contrary, the department of conservation and recreation may release a conservation restriction dated January 24, 1983, recorded in the Middlesex South Registry of Deeds at 14938, Book 486, being more particularly described as follows: The parcel of land labeled "Parcel B" (Developed) containing 2.85 acres more or less, as shown on the plan of land entitled "Plan for Conservation Restrictions, Bay State Road, Reading, Mass.", Scale 1" = 40' by R.E. Cameron & Associates, Inc. dated January 25, 1982 recorded said deeds in Plan Book 1983, Page 259. Section 2. This act shall take effect upon its passage. or take any other action with respect thereto. Board of Selectmen Backaround: Peter Sanborn Place was constructed as an affordable senior citizen housing development under a Comprehensive Permit issued by the Zoning Board of Appeals in 1982 to a locally based non-profit corporation. The facility provides housing and other services for senior citizens and people with physical limitations. In issuing the Comprehensive Permit, the ZBA mandated that certain restrictions be placed on the site to limit future development. To carry out this mandate, the undeveloped portion of the site, called Parcel A, was placed under a Conservation Restriction that prohibits development and requires that it be maintained in its present condition as a forested area containing wetland and upland natural resource areas. This Restriction was approved by the Board of Selectmen and the Secretary of the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs (EOEA). The Comprehensive Permit mandated that the developed portion of the site containing the present three-story multi-unit housing facility and associated driveways, parking lots, utilities, landscaped areas, and other accessory uses, called Parcel B, be subject to a Conservation Restriction. The Conservation Restriction prohibits any additional roadway, driveway, paved walkway, building, sign, outdoor advertising display, mobile home, utility pole, or other temporary of permanent structure and the construction of any road from the building to Haverhill Street, and limits the size of the building to no more than 74 dwelling units in one building of three stories. This Restriction was approved and signed by the Board of Selectmen, but was not approved or signed by EOEA. The absence of EOEA approval means that the restriction on Parcel B is not permanent and it will expire naturally in 30 years. However, release of the restriction on Parcel B prior to its expiration date in 2012 requires the approval of the State Legislature. Both Restrictions designate the Conservation Commission as the grantee to administer the Restrictions were signed by the then owner and are recorded at the Middlesex South Registry of Deeds. 19 K3T The present owners of Peter Sanborn Place have identified a need in the community for additional housing for the population served by the facility. The owners have presented preliminary plans to Town officials to add more residential units to the existing building and to modify the parking and landscaped areas. The owners will seek a modification of the Comprehensive Permit and any other required permits and approvals for the addition. The owners have asked the Town to release the Conservation Restriction on Parcel B to accommodate these changes. No changes are sought for the Restriction on Parcel A, and approval of Article 14 will have no effect on the Parcel A Restriction. The proposed legislation set forth in Article 14 of the Town Meeting Warrant is only one of the approvals that are necessary to release the Conservation Restriction. The Conservation Commission and the Board of Selectmen must also vote to release the restriction. s ;ZVT VARML A' . ewmx ~e% AREA+164091. U 3,74 AtnG (tt+ ru za5 ~t 1~1 I ( ~ ~ 1 it c ~7 ly t :~a, il. (i v t~ ? m 1 y I , t, ~wMm y' uw,~ ;1 » v'1 tiI 2JS.p~ BAY STATEitRQ4D 2S9 m `P amr~. d.,.K.nx 9R wY ~~~ua+ww;~ .n, w i1 KM .an.y.,n.. u u» r may} S~ 51t °.a~w"~' g. r,ecnr~n rKr~ o~o ~w~rnrtuaiil`i"w` rta IELn1fttD 4NV r~ YNC ~!~I v 4zI F~.g hr ~gp C ~E5 B fj >n~zz co V~ a AX Finance Committee Report: No report. Bvlaw Committee Report: The Bylaw Committee recommended the form by a vote of 4-0. The Bylaw Committee takes no position on the substance of Article 14. The Article involves several issues that are beyond the preview of the Committee. The Bylaw Committee reviewed the form of the Article and has no problem with its form. Conservation Commission Report: The Conservation Commission voted during their meeting on October 10, 2007 to support Warrant Article 14, and to support the release of the Conservation Restriction on Parcel B of Peter Sanborn Place by a vote of 5-1-1. 20 U3q 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 November 13, 2007, the date set for the meeting in said Warrant, and to publish this Warrant in a newspaper published in the Town, 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. Given under our hands this 25th day of. September, 2007. James E. Bonazoli, Chairman Stephen A. Goldy, Vice Chairman Ben Tafoya, Secretary Camille W. Anthony Richard W. Schubert SELECTMEN OF READING John Della Paolera, Constable 21 C$~~ PLYMOUTH COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COOPERATIVE PROCUREMENT SPECIFICATIONS FOUR-DOOR.- FOUR WHEEL DRIVE.UTILITY VEHICLE i ~ k * k * ' k I * k k * k t. k k * ' k * k Manufacturer: Model Year: Model Name: moo Specification: Contract Price: STANDARD EQUIPMENT 3.OL Duratec V6 gasoline engine 4 SPD automatic O.D_ transmission Driver & Front Passenger air bags Power brakes with 4-wheel anti-lock system 1 10 AMP alternator k 60 AMP Battery, Maintenance free w/ Battery saver 2380 pound front axle 2290 pound rear axle Front Stabilizer Bar Five (5) P235/70Rx16 all season tires Factory standard aluminum wheels 16.5 gallon fuel tank Speed control x Intermittent windshield wipers R Power windows & door locks Power 6-way Drivers seat Dual power exterior mirrors Tilt adjustable steering wheel FORD MOTOR COMPANY 2006 OR CURRENT ESCAPE XLT 4X4 06-08/4X4 ~n ~UL(Iv $19,551.00 21AA V SUbIWARY 04ZA Molded bumpers front and rear Rear window wiper and washer Front cloth bucket seats Rear cloth 60/40 split bench seat Electric rear window defroster Front & Rear Color keyed carpeted Floor Mats Air conditioning AM/FM 6 Disc in dash CD player Center mounted floor console Front Fog Lamps Tire Pressure Monitoring System SecuriLock Passive Anti-theft system Center Dome w/ map lights Class 11 Trailer towing package Rear quarter privacy glass Transfer warning equipment Transfer radio equipment Scotchlite reflective lettering 39 Boston Metropolitan Planning Organization Suburban Mobility Program Fact Sheet ra ij~ Kit r51~.k ,r 'tuF - r f°, 177% In 2008, the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization will make available $650,000 with the intention of funding multiple Suburban Mobility Program applications. The Suburban Mobility Program reflects the MPO's commitment to reduce single-occupancy vehicle travel in suburban areas currently unserved or underserved by transit and to improve mobility within the region. In order to be considered for this program, eligible communities and organizations interested in applying for funding this year should send a letter of interest postmarked by 4:00 PM on Thursday, December 6, 2007 to: Barbara Lucas, Chair Suburban Mobility/TDM Subcommittee Boston Region MPO Transportation Planning Programming Committee c/o CTPS 10 Park Plaza, Suite 2150 Boston, MA 02116 Letters of interest should include a brief description of the need for the proposed service and its intended market. For more information on this program please contact Barbara Lucas at blucas@mapc.org or Jonathan Belcher atjbelcher@ctps.org. Final applications will be due, Wednesday, February 27, 2008. You can access additional information on the application process, including application forms, by clicking on the suburban mobility button on www.bostonmpo.org. The MPO's Suburban Mobility/Transportation Demand Management Subcommittee will consider all the factors addressed on the official application form in its review of proposals and will select projects based on their value for improving mobility in the region. The Subcommittee expects to make recommendations for funding to the MPO's Transportation Planning and Programming Committee on or about April 17, 2008. The Planning and Programming Committee will then discuss and vote on these recommendations at subsequent meetings. Members of the public are encouraged to comment at any time during project review. The expected implementation date for projects approved during this round of funding is the fall of 2008. The MPO's Suburban Mobility and Transportation Demand Management Subcommittee may also work with applicants selected for funding to make minor improvements to their proposed routings, schedules, etc. in advance of the actual service implementation date. Such improvements would be intended to further ensure the expected sustainability of approved service proposals. In the process of completing applications for Suburban Mobility funding, please ensure that the following information is included: • A description of the program's proposed management and administrative structure. • A description of existing conditions. • A completed service plan, providing detailed descriptions of routes, schedules, vehicle requirements, etc, along with estimates of typical daily boardings. (Suburban Mobility Program funding may not be used to finalize such plans.) • A marketing plan describing how the proposed service will be marketed to the intended target population(s). A completed budget workbook covering three twelve-month budgets. A financial plan that demonstrates how the service will be able to operate independently of Suburban Mobility Program funding at the end of three years, and includes a description of the source of local matching funds (20% for the first year, 30% for the second year, and 40% for the third year.) Note that neither fare-box revenue, nor salaries or overhead for existing staff, may be used to satisfy the local match requirement, and that proposals that avoid or minimize "soft match" sources, such as in-kind services, will be reviewed more favorably. Identification of one of the following to serve as a fiduciary agent for the proposed project: a regional planning agency, regional transit authority, or a municipality. ' Information that will allow Boston Region MPO staff to perform an analysis of the proposal's air quality benefits. Further details are ' included in the document entitled "MassHighway Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Consultation Project Evaluation Criteria" included at the website listed above. For example, the type of vehicle to be used, the number of route miles, estimated ridership, etc., must be included. For assistance on air quality questions contact Anne McGahan of the Boston Region MPO staff at (617) 973-7090. A monitoring and reporting plan. A land use review. All services must be open to the public and be fully accessible to persons with disabilities. This means that: • A service that serves a specific market, such as an employment center, must also serve any member of the public who wishes to use it. • Vehicles must be able to accommodate people who use wheelchairs. • Telephone services needs to include a TDD line. • Schedules and promotional materials need to be made available in accessible formats such as BRAILLE, large print and audiotape, upon individual request. For assistance in responding to requests for BRAILLE materials, or for other questions related to the Americans with Disabilities Act, contactlanie Guion of the Boston Region MPO staff at (617) 973-7507 or guion@ctps.org. • For fixed route transit services, complementary paratransit service must be provided to eligible persons who are traveling between origins and destinations within three-quarters of a mile of the route, and who are unable to access the vehicle used on the route. In some cases, flexible route services may eliminate the need for providing such complementary paratransit service. New transit services proposed to operate fully within the MBTA's The RIDE service area will comply with ADA guidelines by virtue of their location. For more information, go to www.bostonmpo.org and click on the Suburban Mobility button. 9 Progress Report -August 2007 2007 - Top 15 Goals In support of the Community Vision and Mission Customer Service 1. Measure customer satisfaction (Department Heads) • Take one Department of the Town and develop a customer satisfaction feedback mechanism. . Upon reflection, we have decided to do some "focus groups" of customers of the Building Inspection services. This will give us better data than a survey. • Implement that mechanism on a trial basis 2. Complete new basic web page and begin to add modules (ATM/Finance Director) Initial start-up June 2007 - Rolled out July 9, 2007. The site is subject to continuous improvement • Add additional modules as permitted - priority on Citizen Request, and mapping; and a survey module - mapping is on the web site. Evaluating potential modules for citizen requests and surveying. The Finance and Technology Divisions are consumed at this time with the MUNIS transition which is the highest priority for their efforts. 3. Create new electronic interaction with customers for business services (Town Accountant, ATM/Finance Director). The Finance and Technology Divisions are consumed at this time with the MUNIS transition which is the highest priority for their efforts. • Volunteer Application Form • Civic Function Permit Form 4. Improve communications (ATM/Finance Director, Library Director, Community Services Director)) • Provide for citizen evaluation of boards, committees, and commissions; • Develop a community calendar The Finance and Technology Divisions are consumed at this time with the MUNIS transition which is the highest priority for their efforts. Update and maintain in an electronic format, the local history collection, The Library applied for a $3000 grant from the Celebration Trust Committee to digitize and catalog selected items from the local history collection. The grant was awarded in May 2007 and digitization is underway. See attached document from the Library Director. • Update and maintain 'in an electronic format historical property inventory. Historical Commission is evaluating the updating and digitizing of the historical property inventory. 5. Evaluate the need for a community standard of civil behavior (Police Chief, Superintendent of Schools, ATM/Finance Director) Do questionnaire of BCC members and Staff completed in winter 2007. Evaluate the results consensus is that no broad-based community effort is needed, but that training of Chairmen and Vice Chairmen on how to run a meeting and particularly on how to manage situations to maintain civil behavior would be appropriate 10/30/2007 (3i • Develop Chairman training. Board of Selectmen needs to decide what they want to do with this Business Process .6. Measure and evaluate best practices within operating areas (Department Heads) Upon further reading and consideration, the use of "best practices" as a tool is not a "best practice". What we are trying to get at here is consideration of continuous improvement as a value, and to make sure that we consider what other practices are being used elsewhere when we consider making changes. For example, in item 1 measuring customer satisfaction, we have learned that using a focus group is the better way to get the information that we require, rather than a survey. The DPW study is looking at improvements in the DPW - not as a "best practice, although there will be evaluation of what works in other communities - but rather as a comprehensive look at the department. • at least one review per department per year • Train Department heads in the process of looking at their operating areas and identifying best practices At the Department Head Retreat on OGtebeF 26 we • Develop a schedule for identification of at least one best practice per department, and develop a schedule for its implementation 7. Complete the DPW Management Study and develop a schedule for implementation (DPW Director) • As part of the study, identify the highest priority items for implementation Study began July 10 - will be 90 days until completion. Draft will be available to working group in a couple of weeks, and should be available to the Board of Selectmen by mid December. • Include the cost of implementation in the FY 2009 budget request as a priority; There will be adequate information to consider implementation of at least some elements of the study as part of the FY 2009 budget. 8. Complete strategic planning initiatives in at least 2 departments (Library Director, Police Chiet) • Library - The Library sent out a comprehensive community-wide survey to 8800 households in May. A national marketing firm is tabulating results from the 1800 that were returned by June 30th. The Trustees will receive an analysis of the results in August. The plan should be completed before the summer of 2008. • Police - The Reading PeliGe Department is Gur-r-ently the pFore::!-- of cernpleting-tts' s , jim Jordan, has met with Ir Gal government rep, sentatives as well as membeirs of the-Pol+se °crgcantT, Lieutenants, Business ^-rd-mo;lstr-ator-and the Chief. The plan is at the printers and should be available shortly. 9. Begin implementation of a new technology platform (Town Accountant, ATM/Finance Director) Extensive work on the implementation of MUNIS has begun. Just this week was the first of the training sessions - a full 2 day session for key staff. Secure Town Meeting authorization Town Meeting approved $1.250 million debt authorization in April 10/30/2007 2 OqQ Decide on the system or systems to be used The basic system will be MUNIS; Staff is evaluating additional modules for permits coordination and records management which may or may not be MUNIS, but which will be compatible Develop a schedule of implementation over up to 3 years Schedule is attached • Identify areas where implementation can take place at the same time without impacting the same employees or processes Report to the Board of Selectmen and Finance Committee quarterly on the process and schedule First report to the Board of Selectmen was in June 2007. Reports will be made as part of the Town Accountant's quarterly report to the Board of Selectmen. Sustainabilitv 10. Expand the commercial property tax base (Town Manager, Community Services Director) Pursue the cost and funding of a feasibility study and initial design of a parking structure at the upper parking lot in downtown Funding included in the FY 2008 State budget. • Consider additional recommendations of the ad hoc Downtown Parking Advisory Committee; Per the Board of Selectmen direction, the complete focus is on the feasibility study for a structure, but as part of that process we will evaluate better utilization of existing parking supply. Complete the "peer to peer" contract for advisory services to the Economic Development Committee by June 30, 2007 Work completed and presented to the EDC in June 2007 Complete the scope of services for the Technical Assistance work on downtown market study by June 30 Work completed and presented to the EDC in July 2007 With the DAT and the Board of Selectmen and CPDC, move forward with the newly designated developer of the Addison Wesley / Pearson site (AW/P) to consider alternate mixed use development, evaluate the existing zoning to make sure that it is clear as to what level of development the current zoning allows; evaluate the use of 40R for all or a portion of the site; try to reach agreement on a development package for the site; and if feasible, bring revised (overlay) zoning amendments to a special fall Town Meeting This is on-going. OR hearing August 28. Scheduled Special Town Meeting on December 10 • Develop design standards for improvement of South Main Street, and request CPDC sponsorship of necessary zoning bylaw amendments to implement Master Plan recommendations for this area. No progress - the bulk of effort in the Community Services area is on the 2 40R projects • Make contact with owners of property for sale and offer to work with then to maximize the beneficial effect of redevelopment of their sites. We have been working with a number of property owners, but not in a comprehensive way yet. Talking with some brokers who are key in the commercial community. 11. Reduce Community Dependence on Energy and use of natural resources (Facilities Director, Town Accountant, Town Manager) q complete MWRA buy-in while maintaining low per-capita water use 10/30/2007 3 C40 Reduce Town government (including schools and RMLD) energy use School Buildings consumed 24% less natural gas than the historical 7-year average. Electricity consumption in our school buildings, unfortunately, was about 15% higher than the 7-year average. This was due to the fact that electricity consumption at our newly renovated/reconstructed buildings has greatly increased - consumption at the High School was 30% above average and at Barrows, 18% above average. If you factor out those two buildings, electricity consumption was 5% lower across all other school buildings. Town Buildings consumed 7% less natural gas than historical 7-year average. Electricity consumption, however, was 5% higher than average across town buildings. The two town buildings where electricity consumption was lower than the historical average were the Reading Public Library and Main Street Fire station. Overall, we are doing much better with respect to the heating side of energy conservation than we are with the electricity side. It is our hope to see some savings in the next year from the installation of a large number of occupancy sensors over the last several months and continuing throughout the summer. It would seem that we need to place greater emphasis in the year ahead on the need to shut down lights, computers, printers, copiers, etc. whenever possible. Implement anti-idling policy and information for Town vehicles and at Elementary Schools Policy adopted 6-20-07 for municipal vehicles. Draft policy for parents developed for consideration by the Superintendent of Schools for elementary schools. Also working with the Police Department on a "Suggested Routes to School" process which would encourage walking • Reduce community energy use - transportation, residential use. Working with staff and CCP Committee. An evaluation of Suburban Mobility through MAPC, and the Central Transportation Planning Staff (CTPS) is taking place this summer. This is a potentially major initiative, which will explore the feasibility of a bus/shuttle/van service in the community. The Town has received grant funding for 10 new bike racks and has installed them at 5 elementary and 2 middle schools, at Town Hall, the Police Station, and at the RMLD. Communitv Infrastructure 12. Develop and seek Board of Selectmen approval of master plans for individual public properties, so that decisions may be made for these properties in the context of those overall plans as opportunities arise (DPW Director) Birch Meadow complex. Committee established. Final report due by December 31, 2007 Memorial Park Plan was developed. Public hearing held. Plan was approved by Board of Selectmen in October 2007. Northern Area Greenway Committee established. Excellent progress. Final report due by December 31, 2007 13. Work with Arts organizations on the feasibility of an arts center in Reading (Community Services Director) • As part of the evaluation of the Oakland Road Town-owned property, consider use of the site for an arts center. Community Services Director is working 10/30/2007 4 L 2- with CAK and RCN on alternative sites which probably would not be the Oakland Road property. 14. Secure approval and begin to implement the affordable housing planned production plan (Community Services Director, Town Manager) Once formal approval is granted, develop an action plan with staff on the first 66 units of affordable housing for the first year Approval granted effective January 2007. We are working on several areas to meet the need - AWP, Peter Sanborn Place, Pleasant Street (RHA), and the possibility Gf uskig . Town Meeting will have 2 matters before them this fall - AWP and PSP • Implement the first phase of that action plan 15. Secure a planning grant and get approval for at least one 40R/40S project (Community Services Director, Town Manager) Secure planning grant for a downtown 40 R process Grant received. Consultant selected. • Complete the study and state review for a downtown 40R Study is just beginning because AWP is obviously the priority • Consider zoning bylaw amendments for a downtown 40R development Evaluate with the Board of Selectmen and CPDC, as well as the developer, the viability of a 40R designation for all or a portion of the Addison Wesley/Pearson property. 40R application is before the state and will be before Town Meeting on December 10 If deemed to be desirable, pursue funding and development of a 40 R designation for the AW/P property. Funding for consulting secured. Application for 40R designation to be filed by August 31. Consider zoning bylaw amendments for an AW/P 40 R Schedule has development of full AWP zoning during September and October 2007, with a Special Town Meeting on December 10. Note - #'s denote goals; bullets designate action items 15 goals - 48 action items 10/30/2007 --A p ~ ,9 ct Reading Public Library 64 Middlesex Avenue, Reading, MA 01867 Ruth Urell, Director urell@noblenet.org 781- 942-6725 Enhancing and Preserving ReadinLr's Local Historv. The Reading Public Library was awarded a grant from the Celebration Committee in 2006 to begin a digitization project. In January 2007 we presented the work completed to date, including forty post cards from the "Spud" Murphy collection, to representatives of local organizations and interested members of the public. A second award was made to the library in 2007. The newly digitized and cataloged materials are slowly and steadily being added to a statewide shared online collection called "The Digital Commonwealth," which currently consists of 12,000 items from museums, historical societies, university and public libraries throughout Massachusetts. This new resource,. including Reading's postcards, will soon be readily searchable from any Internet computer anywhere. Project Summary: Tin 2007 and 2008, we are continuing to digitize certain local history materials that are uniquely important to understanding and preserving Reading's history. As a result of the project, the public will have easier access to the historical materials because, for the first time, they will be available electronically, while the originals are in archival conservation. The $3000 award from the Reading Celebration Trust is being used to finish scanning and cataloging the entire Reading Public Library photograph collection and digitize the Reading Public Library's collection of slides. Following the listed items above, our priorities for digitization include local reaps, copies of Civil War letters, Rev. Lilley Eaton's sennons, and some of our most frequently requested vertical files. The Reading Public Library is also working with other local public and academic libraries to file a grant proposal for 2008 for a similar project. Together we will seek federal or private funding to share resources to digitize specific priority items within local history collections. Expected completion of current phase of.the project or presentation of progress date: June 2008 Fax: (781) 942-544 Website: www.ei.readingana.us (ID C3 DI a-7 Town of Reading 16 Lower Street Reading, MA. 01867-2683 During a recent inspection in your neighborhood, the Town discovered an issue regarding the fence that was installed in front of your home. This fence is, in fact, on the Town of Reading's roadway layouts of both Springvale Road and Overlook Road. The Town of Reading does not allow homeowners to construct fences, walls, or any permanent structures within the Town's. right-of-ways. Therefore, the Department of Public Works 'must ask you to have this fence removed from the Town's right-of-ways before December 15, 2007. This decision can be appealed to the Board of Selectmen by typing an email to the Town Manager at nhechenbleikner@ci.readins.ma.us or by writing a letter to the Town Manage at the following address: Hello, My name is Scott. Almeida. Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you tonight. We purchased our home in August, 2006. We did not realize that our property line did not extend to the street. The lot is nicely landscaped to the street, as there are no sidewalks in front of our home. The fence is a low, cedar, split-rail fence. It does not obscure drivers view taking turns on to either Springvale or Overlook Rd. When we had the fence installed, we did not realize that it was on Town property. We would have to incur a significant expense of $650 should we have to move the fence. What I would like to propose: 1) Allow the fence to remain until such time that the Town does install sidewalks on either Springvale or Overlook, and then we will have the fence moved. We would be willing to sign a Waiver freeing the Town for any liability should the fence get damaged -during snow removal. 2) Allow us a variance of 4 feet from the street to reduce the number of posts that need to be moved and make it more attractive than moving the fence in 8 feet. 3) Grant us an extension allowing us to not have to move the fence until May 31, 2008. That way we won't have to dig up our yard at this time, and we can wait till the Spring when the conditions are more favorable for planting grass. 80:00 w, 1 IV688 32 0 "E tOT AREA 8, 714 S. f f t cz C) v a 44.4 Prop, Porch s Q) Story Addition prop. { -prop. Deck 24.4' ; q N5 Q) 15 J C) :6* N3 24.4' EX 1 112 ST Q WD. FR, a ` t I STRUCTURE 15.' 4,. y ff r: 1 7' ZONING DISTRICT 0„w . S68°.32'4 ASSESSOR ROAD MAP 37 PARCEL 54 VALE A 770N.*. SPRING ~/,q O DER IMIFQ.~ PA U ROAO 24 OVERLOOK 7 WAS LOGATED CERTIFY THAT THE STRUCTURE SHO SURVEY AND EXISTS ON THE GROUND A5 SHOWN gY AN INSTRUMEN pLoIr ;iLAIV OF LAND ROAD 63 $~,R~~/G V~ L 867 READING MA 0 pREP ARED By- 111, p•E• JOHN D. SULLIVAN ROAD \/ERNON 22 MOUNT 01921 BOXFORD, 5 (978) 32A 7871 » 2,0' DATE- 7/14/05 SCALE: ,,,-,20' _ 91ON-IN SHEET FOR THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING DATE: /t'-- 0-a O07 11 Y •NAME ADDRESS (Please print) I