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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-01-13 Special Town Meeting MinutesCOMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS Middlesex, ss. Officer's Return, Reading: By virtue of this Warrant, I, on December 19, 2002 notified and warned the inhabitants of the Town of Reading, qualified to vote on Town affairs, to meet at the place apd 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 Hall, 16 Lowell Street Precinct 6 Alice M. Barrows School, 16 Edgemont Avenue Precinct 7 Reading Library, Local History Room, 64 Middlesex Avenue Precinct 8 Charles Mobil on the Run, 1330 Main Street The date of posting being not less than fourteen (14) days prior to January 13, 2003, the date set for the Special 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 December 30, 2002. A true copy. Attest: 67-- Cheryl JClerk ar iel W. Halloran rconstable 1 SPECIAL 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 January 13, 2003, 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 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 ARTICLE 3 To see if the Town will vote to amend the FY 2003 - FY 2012, Capital Improvements Program as provided for in Section 7-7 of the Reading Home Rule Charter and as previously amended, or take any other action with respect thereto. Board of Selectmen ARTICLE 4 To see if the Town will vote to raise by borrowing, whether in anticipation of reimbursement from the State under Chapter 44, Section 6, Massachusetts General Laws, or pursuant to any other enabling authority, the sum of one million eight hundred thousand dollars ($1,800,000) for the improvement to Walkers Brook Drive and related areas pursuant to the approved PWED grant for this purpose, or take any other action with respect thereto. Board of Selectmen ARTICLE 5 To see what sum the Town will raise by borrowing, or transfer from available funds, or otherwise, and appropriate for the purpose of making extraordinary repairs and/or additions to the Reading Memorial High School at 62 Oakland Road, including the costs of engineering and architectural fees, plans, documents, cost estimates, and related expenses incidental thereto and necessary in 2 connection therewith, said sum to be expended by and under the direction of the School - Committee; and to see if the Town will vote to authorize the School Building Committee, the School Committee, or any other agency of the Town to file applications for a grant or grants to be used to defray the cost of all or any part of the cost of the project; and to see if the Town will vote to authorize the School Committee to enter into 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 59 s 21c within 90 days of the close of this Special Town Meeting; or take any other action with respect thereto. School Building Committee ARTICLE 6 To see what additional sum the Town will raise by borrowing, or transfer from available funds, or otherwise, and appropriate for the purpose of constructing a new school and associated recreational facilities: On land off Dividence Road shown on Reading Board of Assessor's Rev. January 1, 1981 Map 207 as Lot 3 consisting of 2.0 acres and Lot 4 consisting of 9.6 acres, which land was acquired by the Town for school and recreation purposes by order of taking dated April 13, 1970, recorded in the Middlesex South District Registry of Deeds in Book 11831, Page 432, including the costs of original furnishings and equipment, landscaping, paving and other site improvements, engineering and architectural fees, plans and specifications, inspection fees, relocation costs, contingencies and related expenses incidental thereto and necessary in connection therewith, said sum to be expended by and under the direction of the School Committee, as an addition to, and in conjunction with, the sum authorized by vote under Article 4 of the Warrant for the Special Town Meeting of December 7, 1998; and to see if the Town will vote to authorize the School Committee or any other agency of the Town to file applications for a grant or grants to be used to defray all or any part of the cost of construction and related matters of said new school and associated recreational facilities, and to see if the Town will vote to authorize the School Committee to enter into 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 59 s 21c within 90 days of the close of this Special Town Meeting; or take any other action with respect thereto. School Committee ARTICLE 7 To see if the Town will vote to amend one or more of the votes taken under Article 12 of the Warrant of the Annual Town Meeting of April 22, 2002, relating to the Fiscal Year 2003 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. Board of Selectmen i 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 1 January 13, 2003, the date set for the meeting in said Warrant, and to publish this Warrant in a newspaper published in the Town, or by mailing an attested copy of said Warrant to each Town Meeting Member at least fourteen (14) days prior to the time of holding said meeting. 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 17th day of December, 2002. 1 -f- y Cam, e . Anthony, Chairman ~G2'~ c=am ~ -,~s-~ Matthew Cummings, Vice Chairman rt f, rl Richard W. Schubert, Secretary -"0 reorageXV. Hines Gail F. Wood SELECTMEN OF READING Daniel W Halloran Jr., unstable 4 SPECIAL TOWN MEETING - Reading Memorial High School January 13, 2003 The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Alan E. Foulds, at 7:37 p.m., there being a quorum present. The Invocation was given by Reverend Edward T. Malone, of St. Agnes Catholic Church. There was a moment of silence for Wayne Lewis, a past member of this body followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. The Warrant was partially read by the Town Clerk, Cheryl A. Johnson, when on motion by Camille W. Anthony, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, it was voted to dispense with further reading of the Warrant except for the Officer's Return, which was read by the Town Clerk. Camille W. Anthony, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, spoke briefly regarding MMA Conference where Governor Mitt Romney spoke regarding the significant cuts in state aid for FY03 and FY04. ARTICLE 1 - On motion by Camille W. Anthony, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, it was moved to table the subject matter of Article 1. ARTICLE 2 - On motion by Camille W. Anthony, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, it was voted to instruct the Board of Selectmen to extend the time period from December 31, 2002 to June 30, 2003 for the conveyance or lease of the Reading landfill, which action will amend the following previous approvals for said conveyance: ♦ Motion under Article 2 of the Warrant for the 2002 Subsequent Town Meeting, and ♦ Motion under Article 10 of the Warrant for the Annual Town Meeting of April 14, 1997, and ♦ Motion under Article 24 of the Warrant for the Annual Town Meeting of April 12, 1999, and ♦ As further amended by motion under Article 7 of the September 11, 2000 Special Town Meeting, which such amendments authorized the conveyance or lease of the Reading landfill and provided that such authorization would expire unless the conveyance has taken place or a lease has been entered into by December 31, 2002 unless further extended by Town Meeting. ARTICLE 2 - On motion by Camille W. Anthony, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, it was moved to table the subject matter of Article 2. ARTICLE 3 - On motion by Richard W. Schubert, member of the Board of Selectmen, it was voted to amend the FY 2003 - FY 2012, Capital Improvements Program as provided for in Section 7-7 of the Reading Home Rule Charter by adopting the "Town of Reading Massachusetts Ten Year Capital Improvements Program Fiscal Years 2003 through 2012" as presented. ARTICLE 4 - On motion by Gail F. Wood, member of the Board of Selectmen, it was voted to raise by borrowing, whether in anticipation of reimbursement from the State under Chapter 44, Section 6, Massachusetts General Laws, or pursuant to any other enabling authority, the sum of One Million Eight Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,800,000) for the improvement to Walkers Brook Drive and related areas pursuant to the approved PWED grant for this purpose. 2/3 vote requested 146 voted in the affirmative - 0 - voted in the negative On motion by Robert A. Brown, Precinct 6, it was moved to take Article 6 before Article 5. Motion did notcarrv. ARTICLE 5 - On motion by Russell T. Graham, Chairman of the Reading School Building Committee, it was voted that: ♦ The Town vote, pursuant to Section 2-15 (d) of the Reading Home Rule Charter, to declare the subject matter of this article to be "an emergency measure necessary for the immediate peace, health, safety, or convenience of the Town"; and ♦ That the sum of $54,305,000 is hereby appropriated, to be expended at the direction of the School Committee, to pay costs of making extraordinary repairs and/or additions to the Reading Memorial High School at 62 Oakland Road, including the payment of all engineering and architectural fees and the payment of all other expenses incidental and related to this project; that to meet this appropriation, the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, is hereby authorized, pursuant to Chapter 44, Sections 7(3) and 7(3A) and Chapter 70B of the General Laws, or pursuant to any other enabling authority, to borrow said amount and to issue bonds or notes of the Town therefor; and ♦ That the Town vote to authorize the School Building Committee, the School Committee, or any other agency of the Town to file applications for a grant or grants to be used to defray the cost of all or any part of the cost of the project; and that the Town votes to authorize the School Committee to enter into all contracts and agreements as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Article; provided however that no sums shall be borrowed or expended hereunder unless and until the Town shall have voted to exclude the amounts required for the repayment of any bonds or notes authorized by this vote from the property tax levy limitations of Chapter 59, Section 21C of the General Laws, which vote shall be held not later than 90 days following the conclusion of this Special Town Meeting. Good Evening I come before you tonight to discuss the financial health of Reading and the Town's plans for future school projects. At the outset, let me say without any equivocation, I am a strong supporter of education and the Reading School District. My two sons are products of Reading public schools. Both are very successful as a result of the excellent educations they received here in town. We relied on Reading Schools to lay a firm educational foundation for our family. The Reading School District did not let us down. You can and should expect that the district will not let your children down either and in order to insure that, you must not let the School District down now. You must be as concerned as I am with a number of issues facing our town. At the risk of restating what seems painfully clear to many of you, I will enumerate some of our major concerns as we debate the school question. -2- Special Town Meeting January 13, 2003 First, we face a very difficult financial picture. The State Aid that has helped fuel our town growth over the last decade is evaporating at a rapid rate due to a less than robust economy and corresponding unemployment. As the economy drifts without specific direction, adverse impacts in Reading and other communities will occur in many areas, from loss of Excise Revenue to loss in State Aid and other reimbursements. The boon of the 90's is turning into the debacle of the early 2000's. Governor Romney has just warned that cuts will be deep and that we will not see a quick recovery. Second, the world is hostile place. The situations in Iraq and Korea coupled with the war on terrorism are impacting budgets in every community through uncontrolled growth in insurance rates. Reading will see a dramatic increase in property and liability rates this year and for every year in the foreseeable future. And who among us can predict the impact of the uncertain world marketplace on our costs for oil, gas, and electricity? Third, wages and health care costs for town employees continue their ever-increasing upward spiral. They already far exceed town ability to generate additional revenue beyond the allowable 2 Y2%. We must face the stark reality that our financial future is dismal. We will have far less money to spend in the next few years while our non-discretionary operating expenses will continue to grow. In the past few weeks our crisis has deepened. The Finance Committee voted favorably on the school building plan in late December, unaware that on December 31St the Town would face a worsening of its financial stability as Moody's reduced Reading's Bond Rating. Stating grave concerns with our future abilities to manage costs and grow revenues, their analyst gave the following warning: "Moody's believes the town faces budgetary challenges given a limited reserve position, constrained revenue raising flexibility, and the anticipation of potentially sizable state aid reductions. The town has been unable over the past five years to fully replenish appropriated reserves, thus reducing in half the undesignated fund balance levels..... Unlike many Massachusetts communities, Reading does not maintain a Stabilization Fund. ....anticipated state aid reductions for next fiscal year could further pressure the town's financial position absent either the implementation of sizable additional expenditure reduction initiatives, the institution of new fees, or successful passage of an operating levy override." In light of the financial crisis, the Superintendent of Schools, pending final approval from the School Committee, has already taken proactive measures, essentially eviscerating the Reading School System with wide ranging cuts. He isn't into cutting flesh or muscle. He is cutting deep into the bone. For those who did not see his list of suggested reductions necessary just to meet town revenue projections for next year, he is cutting $2.1M. We will lose 9 %2 Elementary Teachers, one FTE or full time equivalent Art/Music teacher, eliminate the ENTIRE Foreign Language Program at the Middle School level by cutting 7 FTEs, cutting 3.5 FTE custodians who clean some of the new facilities we have just built, and 5 other FTE Teachers at the Middle school level. At the high school, he is cutting over 5 FTE Teaching positions. He is eliminating these teaching positions BEFORE ANY STATE AID CUTS are figured into the budget crisis which will necessitate FURTHER teacher layoffs. Our successful athletic programs will now -3- Special Town Meeting January 13, 2003 i cost students a minimum of $200 and perhaps as much as $400 per sport to participate... instead of the $50 fee required today. The school situation is indeed bleak, and the next few years will see no improvement according to Dr. Harutunian, who says it will take upwards of 3 years to recover for each year of reductions made. Our town is in trouble. Though you may not have been willing to admit it until now, you will surly have to deal with our financial shortfalls at the next town meeting. Despite this dire situation, we are still contemplating both a new elementary school and a major project at the High School. While nearly everyone in this room believes that the high school needs renovation, I think it is incumbent upon us, as Reading's legislative body, to take responsibility for the OVERALL situation the town faces and to avoid incurring more taxpayer costs for debt when we DESPERATELY need taxpayer support for operational overrides. As we discuss debt, we must be critically aware that the current State financial predicament has changed the outlook for SBAB reimbursement. We have always assumed SBAB would help us pay for our school projects on a timely basis. Relying on SBAB now may well adversely impact taxpayers in Reading for many years. First, the state, by law, says that bonding cannot exceed 25 years in total. This means if we bond by BANS for 7 years, we can only issue debt for 18, not 20 years. Second, by SBAB's own written guidance, I quote... "even if we did not approve another project, it would take $11 BILLION"... (that's B..Billion) "to fully fund the grants already awarded and the projects on the waiting list ...as of March 2002 ! The length of time to receive funding has increased substantially, to the point we cannot even provide likely time frames for individual projects. This uncertainty will make it much more difficult for districts to decide whether to prepare and submit applications and whether to begin construction once applications are received. Cities and towns are again reminded that placement on the waiting list does not constitute a legally binding obligation of the Commonwealth. Although every effort will be made to provide state funding for these projects at some point in the future, such funding is not guaranteed". I emphasize... such funding is not guaranteed.... So, what does all this mean? First, the revenues of the town are not satisfying the costs we are incurring without significant reduction in services. Second, it is very questionable as to whether Reading will ever be reimbursed for any school projects we begin at this time. Reading must be prepared, at least for the high school and maybe even for the elementary school, to pay 100% of the costs for many years. SBAB approved only 19 projects from their waiting list in 2002 when State finances looked rosy. There were 329 projects awaiting reimbursement as of Oct. 2002. SBAB rules say they must receive reimbursement long before our high school project, which will be competing for prioritization along with many other new submittals this June 1st. Even at a rate of 19 per year, there is already a 17 year backlog of projects in the pipeline before SBAB can get to the new list on which Reading's High School will be placed. So if we are thinking about getting a reimbursement in 7 to 10 years, SBAB says that's IMPOSSIBLE!!! We are laying off 9 '/Z elementary classroom teachers, and with every reduction we are driving up class size. Enrollment and class size were among the concerns that led us to consider building I a new school. While enrollment increases seem to have leveled off, class size will continue to grow as we deplete the teaching staff. Teachers are the very core of our educational system. -4- Special Town Meeting January 13, 2003 How can we even consider building a new school and incurring the costs associated with it when we are already laying off teachers? How can Town Meeting expect to have the ability to fund the staffing and opening of a new school when we can no longer maintain existing programs in our schools? The high school renovations we so desperately need, even with some miraculous SBAB reimbursement scheme in the future, are unthinkable at this time given the financial crisis we now face. We cannot expect taxpayers to assume higher taxes for two new schools and to fund a bail out of our dire financial circumstances at the same time. Town Meeting members must decide NOW.... Will we ask the voters to fund buildings or will we ask for more revenue in terms of a debt exclusion override for current operating expenses which will put CLASSROOM Teaches back where they are desperately needed ? It all comes down to our priorities. To ensure all our children continue to get an excellent education, our priorities must be to fund teachers. A beautiful building does not instruct a child....only a teacher can. Our kids are our most important asset....we must guarantee their educational future. Fred Van Magness Precinct 8 On motion by William C. Brown, Precinct 8, it was moved to strike the preamble in Article 5. The first section that reads "The Town vote...or convenience of the Town; and" Motion did not carry. On motion by Linda M. Phillips, Precinct 6, it was moved to add to the end Article 5 the following language "the project and funding shall not proceed without a guarantee of state reimbursement." Motion did not carry. On motion by Nancy M. Graham, Precinct 4, it was voted to move the question. 2/3 vote requested 131 voted in the affirmative 27 voted in the negative On motion by William C. Brown, Precinct 8, it was moved to request a roll call vote. 20 votes required - received 10 votes Motion did not cam. on the original motion 2/3 vote requested 138 voted in the affirmative 18 voted in the negative - - -5- Special Town Meeting January 13, 2003 _ i ARTICLE 6 - On motion by William J. Griset, Jr., Chainnan of the School Committee it was voted that: ♦ The Town vote, pursuant to Section 2-15 (d) of the Reading Home Rule Charter, to declare the subject matter of this article to be "an emergency measure necessary for the immediate peace, health, safety, or convenience of the Town"; and ♦ That the sum of $2,500,000 is hereby appropriated, to be expended at the direction of the School Committee, to pay costs of constructing a new school and associated recreational facilities on land off Dividence Road shown on Reading Board of Assessor's Rev. January 1, 1981 Map 207 as Lot 3 consisting of 2.0 acres and Lot 4 consisting of 9.6 acres, which land was acquired by the Town for school and recreation purposes by order of taking dated April 13, 1970, recorded in the Middlesex South District Registry of Deeds in Book 11831, Page 432, including the costs of original furnishings and equipment, landscaping, paving and other site improvements, engineering and architectural fees, plans and specifications, inspection fees, relocation costs, contingencies and related expenses incidental thereto and necessary in connection therewith; and that to meet this appropriation, the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, is hereby authorized, pursuant to- Chapter 44, Sections 7(3) and 7(3A) and Chapter 70B of the General Laws, or pursuant to any other enabling authority, to borrow said amount and to issue bonds or notes of the Town therefor, which amount shall be in addition to, and in conjunction with, the sum authorized to be borrowed by vote of the Town taken under Article 4 of the Warrant for the Special Town Meeting of December 7, 1998; and o That the Town vote to authorize the School Committee or any other agency of the Town to i file applications for. a grant or grants to be used to defray all or any part of the cost of construction and related matters of said new school and associated recreational facilities, and o That the Town vote to authorize the School Committee to enter into all contracts and agreements as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Article; provided however that no sums shall be borrowed or expended hereunder unless and until the Town shall have voted to exclude the amounts required for the repayment of any bonds or notes authorized by this vote from the property tax levy limitations of Chapter 59, Section 21C of the General Laws, which vote shall be held not later than 90 days following the conclusion of this Special Town Meeting. Presentation by William J. Griset, Jr., Chairman of the School Committee: I would like to take a few moments to speak to Article 6, which is the School Committee's request for an additional $2.5 million so we can begin construction on the new elementary school. In December 1998 we came before Town Meeting and received Town Meeting's overwhelming endorsement to move the Barrows' project and our new elementary school at Dividence Road forward. ■ In January 1999 the Town of Reading had a referendum on the two elementary schools. The Barrows project passed and the new elementary school did not. ■ In January 2000 the new elementary school was approved in a town wide referendum. In April 2000 we came back to Town Meeting and received $515,000 of additional dollars for the Barrows project. -6, Special Town Meeting January 13, 2003 Since April 2000 we have been in litigation involving environmental protection issues. This past fall our attorneys notified us that even though the litigation is not 100% complete, the Town and Schools have virtually no exposure left and any additional work that must be done on the project would be substantially less than the cost of continued delays. In November the Reading School Committee heard a presentation by the architect, the Superintendent of Schools, the Town Finance Director, a representative from NESDEC the professional organization that does our enrollment studies and our attorneys. Our attorneys presented information that reassured the School Committee, and the Committee became convinced that it was time to move this project forward. On November 4, 2002 the School Committee voted to direct the Superintendent to move forward as quickly as possible with the development of the new elementary school and the Barrows School project. I stand before you tonight as Chairman of the Reading School Committee, asking for your support for an additional $2.5 million. This $2.5 million will cost the average taxpayer, on a home assessed at $355,000, an estimated $15.62 per year for the first two years of borrowing, $37.01 the third year, with a gradual decline in cost over the remaining years. We continue to have six portable classrooms, no empty classrooms in the elementary schools and art and music on a cart. More importantly, the Commonwealth is no longer reimbursing projects at 66%. If you approve this additional money, the cost of the principal and interest for the two elementary schools will be an estimated $35.8 million of which Reading's share would be estimated at $13.6 million. If the Town chooses not to build the new elementary school, the Barrows school will still need renovations at a principal and interest cost of $14 million of Reading taxpayer money that, for the most part, would not be reimbursable. Because we are grandfathered in the old SBA reimbursement formula, we can renovate the Barrows building, build a new elementary school, remove the portable classrooms and create new space for art and music for $13.6 million. Please support this important initiative. At this time I would like to introduce Sid Bowen, Principal in the Architectural Firm of Flansburgh Associates. On motion by Michael F. Slezak, Precinct 6, it was voted to move the question. 2/3 vote required 126 voted in the affirmative 23 voted in the negative on original motion 2/3 vote required 147 voted in the affirmative 14 voted in the negative Thank you Mr. Moderator, Good evening Town Meeting. ARTICLE 7 - On motion by Richard W. Schubert, member of the Board of Selectmen, it was voted to amend the votes taken under Article 12 of the Warrant of the Annual Town Meeting of April 22, 2002, relating to the Fiscal Year 2003 Municipal Budget, by: -7- Special Town Meeting January 13, 2003 Increasing Line D14 - General Services Salaries and Wages by $9,000 to a total of $285,276 with the amount of $9,000 being transferred from Certified Free Cash; and Increasing Line D15 - General Services Expenses by $4,500 to a total of $358,275 with the amount of $4,500 being transferred from Certified Free Cash. ARTICLE 2 - On motion by Camille W. Anthony, Chainnan of the Board of Selectmen, it was moved to take Article 2 off the table. ARTICLE 2 - On motion by Nancy Huntington-Stager, Precinct 1, and David Lautman, Precinct 4, it was moved to instruct the Board of Selectmen to write a letter to the Governor of the Commonwealth and our State Legislators expressing our strong disagreement with any cuts in Chapter 70 funds. Motion carried. On motion by Camille W. Anthony, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, it was voted that this Special Town Meeting stand adjourned sine die. Meeting adjourned at 11:20 p.m. 164 Town Meeting Members were present. A true copy. Attest: Cheryl . Johnso Town Clerk - 8 - Special Town Meeting January 13, 2003 SPECIAL ELECTION WARRANT (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 place designated for the eight precincts in said Town, namely: Precincts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 Hawkes Field House, 62 Oakland Road TUESDAY, THE TWENTY-FIFTH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2003 from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. to cast their votes in the Special Local Election for the following questions: Question 1 (Article 5) Shall the Town of Reading be allowed to exempt from the provisions of proposition two and one-half, so-called, pursuant to G.L. c. 59, §21C(k), the amounts required to pay for the bond issued in order to make extraordinary repairs and/or additions to the Reading Memorial High School at 62 Oakland Road, including the costs of engineering and architectural fees, plans, documents, cost estimates, and related expenses incidental thereto and necessary in connection therewith? Question 2 (Article 6) Shall the Town of Reading be allowed to exempt from the provisions of proposition two and one-half, so-called, pursuant to G.L. c. 59, §21C(k), the amounts required to pay for the bond issued in order to construct a new school and associated recreational facilities on land off Dividence Road shown on Reading Board of Assessors Rev. January 1, 1981 Map 207 as Lot 3, consisting of 2.0 acres and Lot 4, consisting of 9.6 acres, which land was acquired by the Town for school and recreation purposes by Order of Taking dated April 13, 1970, recorded in the Middlesex South Registry of Deeds in Book 11831, Page 432, including the costs of original furnishings and equipment, landscaping, paving and other site improvements, engineering and architectural fees, plans and specifications, inspection fees, relocation costs, contingencies and related expenses incidental thereto and necessary in connection therewith, as an addition to or in conjunction with, the sum authorized by vote of Article 4 of the Warrant for the Special Town Meeting of December 7, 1998? Question 3 Shall the Town of Reading be allowed to assess an additional $250,000 in real estate and personal property taxes, pursuant to G.L. c.59, §21C(i%2), for the construction of sidewalks on Franklin Street, from Main Street to Grove Street, including the costs of engineering fees, plans, documents, cost estimates, and related expenses incidental thereto and necessary in connection therewith, for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2003? 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 seven (7) days prior to February 25, 2003, the date set for the election in said Warrant, and to publish this Warrant in a newspaper published in the Town. Hereof fail not to make due return of this Warrant with your doings thereon to the Town Clerk at or before the time appointed for said voting. Given under our hands this 14th day of January 2003. 1 . y, Chai Matt Cummings ice Chairman ~ew ~Q Richard Schubert, Secretary George V. Hines Gail F.Wood BOARD OF SELECTMEN A true copy. Attest: