HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-04-02 Annual Town Meeting MinutesCOMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Middlesex, ss. Officer's Return, Reading:
By virtue of this Warrant, I, on March 1, 2002 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 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 Home Goods, 1342 Main Street
The date of posting being not less than fourteen (14) days prior to April 2, 2002, the date
set for the Local Election in this Warrant.
I also caused an attested copy of this Warrant to be published in the Reading
Chronicle in the issue of March 6, 2002.
Daniel W. Halloran, Jr., Constable
A true copy. Attest:
eryl A. % ohnson, Tdwn Clerk
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TOWN 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 in the following 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 SECOND DAY OF APRIL A.D., 2002
from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. to act on the following Articles, viz:
ARTICLE 1 To elect by ballot the following Town Officers:
A Moderator for one year;
Two members of the Board of Selectmen for three years;
One member of the Board of Assessors for three years;
Two members of the Board of Library Trustees for three years;
One member of the Municipal Light Board for three years;
One member of the Municipal Light Board for one year;
Two members of the School Committee for three years;
and one hundred and ninety-two Town Meeting Members shall
be elected to represent each of the following precincts:
Precinct 1 ' Eight members for three years; Eight members for
two years; Eight members for one year;
Precinct 2
Eight members for three years; Eight members for
two years; Eight members for one year;
Precinct 3
Eight members for three years; Eight members for
two years; Eight members for one year;
Precinct 4
Eight members for three years; Eight members for
two years; Eight members for one year;
Precinct 5
Eight members for three years; Eight members for
two years; Eight members for one year;
Precinct 6
Eight members for three years; Eight members for
two years; Eight members for one year;
Precinct 7
Eight members for three years; Eight members for
two years; Eight members for one year;
Precinct 8
Eight members for three years; Eight members for
two years; Eight members for one year.
Question 1 (ARTICLE 7)
Shall the Town of Reading be allowed to exempt from the provisions of proposition two
and a half, so-called, the amounts required to pay for that debt issued for the purposes
of developing one or more schematic designs for making extraordinary repairs and/or
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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, said sum to be
expended by and under the direction of the School Building Committee?
Question 2 (ARTICLE 9)
Shall the Town of Reading accept the provisions of General Laws Chapter 44 §§3-7,
proposed by vote of Town Meeting on November 15, 2001 under Article 9 of the
Subsequent Town Meeting, known as the Community Preservation Act, which
establishes a special "Community Preservation Fund" that may be appropriated and
spent for certain open space, historic resources and affordable housing purposes, to
approve a property tax surcharge in an amount of one percent (1%) of the taxes
assessed annually on real property which shall be dedicated to the fund, such surcharge
to be imposed on taxes assessed for fiscal years beginning on or after July 1, 2002, and
to exempt from the surcharge the following:
(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) $100,000 of the assessed valuation of Class One Residential, parcels?
Question 3 (ARTICLE 11)
Shall the Town of Reading approve the amendment to the Reading Home Rule Charter
proposed by vote of Town Meeting on November 19, 2001 under Article 11 of the
Subsequent Town Meeting relating to the provisions of Section 8-10 (b) of the Reading
Home Rule Charter by deleting in the second paragraph "in a place convenient to the
public at all reasonable times" and substituting therefore "in the office of the Town Clerk"
so that the second paragraph of 8-10 (b) reads as follows:
"These rules and minutes shall be a public record kept in the office
of the Town Clerk, and copies shall be kept available in the Library."?
Question 4 (ARTICLE 12)
Shall the Town of Reading approve the amendment to the Reading Horne Rule Charter
proposed by vote of Town Meeting on November 19, 2001 under Article 12 of the
Subsequent Town Meeting relating to Section 2-12 of the Reading Home Rule Charter
by inserting in the paragraph entitled "Rules Committee" between the words "Committee"
and "consisting" the words "chaired by the Town Moderator who shall be a non-voting
member" so that the paragraph shall read in its entirety:
"Rules Committee There shall be a Rules Committee, chaired by the
Town Moderator who shall be a non-voting member, consisting of the
Precinct Chairmen, which shall review.all aspects of the operation of
Town Meeting, and make an Annual Report in writing to Town Meeting
setting forth its findings, recommendations, and proposals for rules
governing the conduct of Town Meeting."?
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and to meet at the Reading Memorial High School, 62 Oakland Road, in said Reading
on
MONDAY, the TWENTY-SECOND DAY OF APRIL A.D., 2002
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 2 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, Town Manager and any other Board
or Special Committee.
Board of Selectmen
ARTICLE 3 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 4 To see if the Town will vote to authorize the payment during Fiscal
Year 2002 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
ARTICLE 5 To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to
sell, or exchange, or dispose of, upon such terms and conditions as they may determine,
various items of Town tangible property, or take any other action with respect thereto.
Board of Selectmen
ARTICLE 6 To see if the Town will vote to amend the FY 2002 - FY 2011
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 7 To see if the Town will vote to amend one or more of the votes
taken under Article 11 of the Warrant of the Annual Town Meeting of April 23, 2001, as
amended by Article 4 of the Subsequent Town Meeting of November 13, 2001, relating
to the Fiscal Year 2002 municipal budget, and to 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
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ARTICLE 8 To see if the Town will vote to approve the FY 2003-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
ARTICLE 9 To see what sum the Town will 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 or from the tax
levy, or transfer from available funds, or otherwise, for highway projects in accordance.
with Chapter 90, Massachusetts General Laws, or take any other action with respect
thereto.
Board of Selectmen
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 road improvements
including constructing, reconstructing, and repairing roads within the Town of Reading,
including the costs of engineering fees, plans, documents, cost estimates, 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 road
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 shall be contingent on the passage
of a debt exclusion referendum question under General Laws Chapter 59 section 21c no
later than June 30, 2003; or take any other action with respect thereto.
Board of Selectmen
ARTICLE 11
To see what sum the Town will vote to appropriate, by borrowing, or otherwise to pay for
the cost of constructing a replacement water main on Summer Avenue to run generally
from the intersection of Summer Avenue and Woburn Street and extend south on
Summer Avenue to Hopkins Street, and thence southerly to Main Street, including the
cost of construction, design, inspection and all other costs associated therewith; and,
further, to authorize the Treasurer, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, to
borrow the funds appropriated, or take any other action with respect thereto.
Board of Selectmen
ARTICLE 12 To see if the Town will vote to determine how much money the
Town will raise by borrowing, or from the tax levy, or transfer from available funds, or
otherwise, and appropriate for the operation of the Town and its government for Fiscal
Year 2003 beginning July 1, 2002, or take any other action with respect thereto.
Finance Committee
ARTICLE 13 To see if the Town will authorize the Board of Selectmen, with the
approval of the School Committee and the approval of the Commissioner of Education,
to rent or lease certain surplus space in the Reading Memorial High School to one or
more public or private profit-making businesses or non-profit organizations; provided,
however, that joint occupancy of the High School building will not interfere with
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educational programs being conducted in said building and provided that the terms of
any such rental or lease shall be as approved by the School Committee, or take any
other action with respect thereto.
School Committee
ARTICLE 14 To see if the Town will vote to establish a revolving fund under
Chapter 44, Section 53E1/2 of the General Laws for the purpose of using the receipts
generated through the sale of compost and/or recycling bins to purchase additional
compost and/or recycling bins, and to pay for related expenditures, and to determine the
total amount of expenditures during Fiscal Year 2003 which may be made from such
fund, or take any other action with respect thereto.
Board of Selectmen
ARTICLE 15 To see if the Town will vote to establish a revolving fund under
Chapter 44, Section 53E1/2 of the General Laws for the purpose of using the receipts
generated through the rent of parking spaces to pay the costs of parking enforcement
and related expenditures, and to determine the total amount of expenditures during
Fiscal Year 2003 which may be made from such fund, or take any other action with
respect thereto.
Board of Selectmen
ARTICLE 16 To see if the Town will vote to establish a revolving fund under
Chapter 44, Section 53E1/2 of the General Laws for the purpose of administering the
consultant fee provision of Reading General Bylaws, Section 5.7, Wetlands Protection,
and to determine the total amount of expenditures during Fiscal Year 2003 which may
be made from such fund, or take any other action with respect thereto.
Conservation Commission
ARTICLE 17 To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen
to:
Accept grants of easements related to capital construction projects in the
Town, and easements for the purpose of installing and replacing drainage,
water, sewer and other utilities;
Determine the terms and conditions for the grant of such easements as
the Board of Selectmen shall consider proper; and
Accept a deed or deeds therefor if necessary.
or take any other action with respect thereto.
Board of Selectmen
ARTICLE 18 To see if the Town will vote to accept the provisions of M.G.L. c.
40 §22F authorizing certain municipal boards or officers to fix municipal fees and
charges for licenses, permits and services rendered or work performed by the town, or
take any other action with respect thereto; and
To see if the Town will vote to amend General Bylaw Section 4.9.1 by inserting
"A" after "4.9.1" and adding the following subparagraph "4.9.1.2":
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"The Board of Selectmen is hereby authorized to review and approve all fees
and charges established by any Board or Officer pursuant to the provisions
of M.G.L. c 40, Section 22F, who are appointed to their position by the Board
of Selectmen or by the Town Manager." and
To see if the Town will vote to rescind General Bylaw Sections 4.5.3, 4.5.4.4,
4.5.5, and 4.5.6, and renumber the sections following these sections as required; and
To see if the Town will vote to amend General Bylaw Section 5.6.7 by rescinding
the existing language and substituting therefore the following language:
"5.6.7 The fee for licensing dogs under M.G.L. Chapter 140, Section 139, shall be the
amount set forth in Section 2 of Chapter 57 of the Acts of 1985, or such other
annual fees as may be established from time to time by the Board of Selectmen.
Licensing eligibility, dogs not required to be licensed, or refunding license fees
shall be determined as provided in M.G.L. Chapter 140, Section 139.
or take any other action with respect thereto.
Board of Selectmen
ARTICLE 19 To see if the Town will vote to approve an amendment to the
Administrative Code pursuant to Section 6-1 of the Reading Home Rule Charter, or take
any other action with respect thereto.
Board of Selectmen
ARTICLE 20 To see if the Town will vote to rescind all remaining authorized,
but unexpended or contractually obligated, portions of the debt for construction of a new
school to be built on land off Dividence Road, as approved under Article 14 of the
November 15, 1999 Town Meeting, or take any other action with respect thereto.
By Petition
ARTICLE 21 To see if the Town will amend Article 5 of the Subsequent Town
Meeting of December 1998 to insure that the redesign and renovation for the Alice M.
Barrows Elementary School on Edgemont Avenue will include the maximum number of
classroom space possible over the currently proposed design of six classrooms included
in the referendum vote of January 1999 and currently funded at a cost of $7,100.000.
This enlargement will accommodate any possible increases in the newly proposed
housing developments in the Barrows School District. This will attempt to equalize
Barrows, in size, to our other 3 existing elementary schools.
This Article authorizes the Town to establish associated costs for this additional
scope of work so that Town Meeting, before December 31, 2002, can appropriate the
additional funds to carry out this Warrant Article and to complete any additional
requirements to incorporate this change.
By Petition
ARTICLE 22 To see if the Town will raise up to $20,000 by borrowing, or
transferring from available funds, or otherwise, and appropriate for the purpose of
developing at least two options and their associated costs, for the renovation of Reading
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Memorial High School to present to a Subsequent Town Meeting by December 31, 2002
for a vote; and for the sum to be expended by, and under the direction of the Building
Committee; and to see if the Town will vote to authorize the Building Committee to enter
into all contracts and agreements as may be necessary to carry out this Article.
By Petition
ARTICLE 23 To see if the Town will vote to create a new "Municipal Building
Committee" for the purpose of bringing into being the renovation of Reading Memorial
High School. This new Municipal Building Committee will replace the Instructional
Motion of Article 3 of the Adjourned Subsequent Town Meeting of December 8, 1988,
and Article 2 of the Subsequent Town Meeting of November 9, 1992.
This Building Committee will be an Ad Hoc Committee whose purpose will be to
address the needs of the High School, from the selection of Town's option through
project completion, including equipping the renovated facility.
The membership of the Committee will still consist of eleven (11) members and
breakout as follows:
One (1) Member of the School Committee
One (1) Member of the Selectmen or their appointed representative
One (1) Town Manager or his appointed representative
One (1) High School Principal or his Staff Representative
Seven (7) Citizens at Large - appointed by the Moderator
By Petition
ARTICLE 24 To see if the Town will vote to amend Section 5.5.4 of the General
Bylaws by deleting the words "Town Meeting" and substituting therefore the words
"Board of Selectmen" so that Section 5.5.4.1 shall read as follows:
"5.5.4.1 No person shall gamble or keep, use, or have in his possession any
spirituous or intoxicating liquor in any building or room owned or
occupied by the Town, except as otherwise authorized by the Board
of Selectmen, special Statute or general laws."
or take any other action with respect thereto.
Board of Selectmen
On request of a Town Meeting Member
,ARTICLE 25 To see if the Town will vote to amend Reading General Bylaws
Section 4.4 by adding Section 4.4.6 which will read as follows:
"4.4.6 There is hereby established a (financial) disclosure requirement for all
members of elected and appointed multiple member boards, committees
and commissions. Each member shall submit annually a signed statement,
to be maintained by the Town Clerk, as a condition of new or continued
participation on that multiple member body. The statement shall state
that neither the member nor their spouse have an employer, business
interest or investment that may pose a potential conflict with their
objective participation on the multiple member body on which they serve.
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The effective date of this Bylaw shall be July 2, 2003. Failure of an
appointed member of a multiple member body to comply by July 1" of
that and each succeeding year shall be viewed as "cause" which may
result in the removal of that individual from the multiple member body."
or take any other action with respect thereto.
By Petition
ARTICLE 26 To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning By-Law by
rescinding Section 6.2.3.2 b, Section 6.2.3.2.1, Section 6.2.3.2 m(2), and Section 6.2.4
and substituting therefore the following language:
6.2.3.2 Signs in Business and Industrial Zoning Districts
b. Retractable opaque cloth awnings may contain letters up to four inches
in height stating only the name of the business without requiring a sign
permit. Such lettering shall not count toward allowed sign area. All
other awnings or canopies with lettering or graphics shall require a sign
permit and count as part of allowed sign area. Retractable awnings shall
have a minimum ground clearance of seven feet and, unless otherwise
approved by the Community Planning and Development Commission, all
other awnings or canopies shall have a minimum ground clearance of ten
feet. Ground clearance shall be measured between the lowest point of
the awning or canopy and the ground or sidewalk. No awning or canopy
shall be illuminated in such a way that the light from such illumination is
visible through the canopy or awning.
Any establishment located in a Business-A, Business-C or Industrial
Zoning District may display not more than one flag, not to exceed 4
feet by 6 feet in dimensions, which may state only the word "OPEN"
in letters not to exceed 8 inches in height, together with decorative
graphics. Any establishment located in a Business-B Zoning District
may display not more than one such flag in accordance with standards
established by the Community Planning and Development Commission.
m. (2) The Community Planning and Development Commission, may upon the
submission of a signage plan for buildings located in the Business-B
Zoning District, showing the allocation within the maximum sign area
allowed under Table 6.2.3 herein, in accordance with the provisions of
Section 6.2.4 below, issue a Certificate of Appropriateness.
This signage plan shall show those characteristics as specified in
Section 6.2.4 for each such sign and the assemblage thereof proposed
within said allowable maximum sign area. The Building Inspector shall
issue a sign permit for any individual sign within the assemblage upon
a determination of the conformity of such individual sign with the
approved signage plan.
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6.2.4 Certificate of Appropriateness/Community Planning and Development
Commission (CPDC):
The CPDC shall establish procedures for receiving and reviewing applications
for signs in the Business B Zoning District, and for providing written decisions
to the Building Inspector. The CPDC shall, in reviewing such applications,
consider the design, arrangement, location, texture, materials, colors, lighting,
and other visual characteristics of each proposed sign and its compatibility with
its general surroundings with regard to the purposes outlines in Paragraph
6.2.1.1
If the CPDC shall refuse to issue a Certificate of Appropriateness for any
proposed sign, it shall state in writing the reasons therefor, with suggestions
as to how the proposal may be modified so as to be approved. If the CPDC
shall fail to issue or refuse to issue a Certificate of Appropriateness within
forty-five days of the date of a completed application being submitted, the
Certificate shall be deemed to have been issued. An appeal from any
decision of the CPDC may be made within twenty days of such decision
being filed with the Town Clerk, to the Board of Selectmen, who may uphold,
modify or overrule the action of the CPDC and grant a Certificate of
Appropriateness. In those cases where proposed signs are included as
part of plans for.approval under Site Plan Review (Section 4.3.3) or PRD
Special Permit review (Section 4.10), a Certificate of Appropriateness
separate from such approval shall not be required and shall be combined
with the review of said permit.
or take any other action with respect thereto.
Community Planning and Development Commission
ARTICLE 27 To see if the Town will vote pursuant to Section 2-6 of the
Reading Home Rule Charter to declare the seats of certain Town Meeting Members to
be vacant and to remove certain described persons from their position as Town Meeting
Members for failure to take the oath of office within thirty days following the notice of
election or for failure to attend one-half or more of the Town Meeting sessions during the
previous year, or take any other action with respect thereto.
Board of Selectmen
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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
April 2, 2002, the date set for the Election 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 26th day of February, 2002.
/7 rr
r
Geor e V. H.i es, Ch irman
Camille W. Anthony, Vice Chairman
Matthew Cummings, Secretary
11, 'kv
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Richard W. Schubert
A~6 Z'
Gail F. Wood
SELECTMEN OF READING
Dani: W. Halloran, Jr., Constable
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ANNUAL TOWN ELECTION
April 2, 2002
Pursuant to the Warrant and the Constable's Return thereon, a Local Election was held for all eight
precincts at the Hawkes Field House. The Warrant was partially read by the Town Clerk, Cheryl A.
Johnson, when on motion of Warden Helen Monroe, it was voted to dispense with the further reading of
the Warrant, except the Constable's Return, which was then read by the Town Clerk. The ballot boxes
were examined by the respective Wardens and each found to be empty and registered 00.
The Town Clerk declared the polls open at 7:00 a.m. and closed at 8:00 p.m., with the following results:
6254 ballots (39%) of registered voters cast as follows:
Moderator for one year - Vote for One
Candidate
Pr 1
Pr 2
Pr 3
Pr 4
Pr S
Pr 6
Pr 7
Pr 8
Total
Alan E. Foulds*
642
416
366
662
480
579
640
574
4359
Other
1
3
1
3
0
3
3
1
15
Blanks
272
197,
150
271
173
280
248
289
1880
Total
915
616
517
936
653
862
891
864
6254
*Elected
Board of Sel
ectmen for three years - Vote
for Two
Candidate
Pr 1
Pr 2
Pr 3
Pr 4
Pr 5
Pr 6
Pr 7
Pr 8
Total
George V. Hines*
520
296
243
541
358
482
526
459
3425
Gail F. Wood*
512
323
263
485
364
457
478
396
3278
Gerald L. MacDonald
369
296
287
363
290
388
348
364
2705
Other
2
0
0
2
0
1
3
0
8
Blanks
427
317
241
481
294
396
427
509
3092
Total
1830
1232
1034
1872
1306
1724
1782
1728
12508
*Elected
Board of Assessors for three years - Vote f
or One
Candidate
Pr 1
Pr 2
Pr 3
Pr 4
Pr 5
Pr 6
Pr 7
Pr 8
Total
Robert I. Nordstrand*
619
414
343
624
442
560
586
540
4128
Other
2
1
0
0
0
1
1
1
6
Blanks
294
201
174
312
211
301
304
323
2120
Total
915
616
517
936
653
862
891
864
6254
*Elected
Board o
f Library Trust
ees for
three years - Vote for T
wo
Candidate
Pr 1
Pr 2
Pr 3
Pr 4
Pr 5
Pr 6
Pr 7
Pr 8
Total
Stephen A Conner*
478
309
276
540
371
471
433
404
3282
Pasquale M. Iapicca
370
244
199
319
226
294
397
367
2416
Victoria V. Yablonsky*
384
254
233
384
306
361
374,
309
2605
Other
2
0
0
0
0
0
3
0
5
Blanks
596
425
326
629
403
598
575
648
4200
Total
1830
1232
1034
1872
1306
1724
1782
1728
12508
I*Elected
Municipal Light Board for three years - Vote. for One
Candidate
Pr 1
Pr 2
Pr 3
Pr 4
Pr 5
Pr 6
Pr 7
Pr 8
Total
Robert H. Soli*
588
388
345
580
424
516
553
513
3907
Other
1
2
0
2
1
0
8
1
15
Blanks
326
226
172
354
228
346
330
350,
2332
Total
915
616
517
936
653
862
891
864
6254
*Elected
Mun
icipal L
ight Board for one year - Vote for One
.Candidate
Pr 1
Pr 2
Pr 3
Pr 4
Pr 5
Pr 6
Pr 7
Pr 8
Total
Andrew K. Herlihy*
591
379
327
559
392
510
524
470
3752
Other
0
2
0
1
1
3
5
1
13
Blanks
324
235
190
376
260
349
362
393
2489
Total
915
616
517
936
653
862
891
864
6254
*Elected
School Committee
for three years - Vote for Two
Candidate
Pr 1
Pr 2
Pr 3
Pr 4
Pr 5
Pr 6
Pr 7
Pr 8
Total
Susan C. Cavicchi*
526
308
219
552
340
432
489
433
3299
James A. Keigley
333
189
152
315
240
340
368
268
2205
Carl McFadden*
451
310
292
460
323
406
431
426
3099
Linda M. Phillips
281
223
227
275
218
328
271
331
2154
Other
1
2
0
2
0
4
2
1
12
Blanks
238
200
144
268
185
214
221
269
1739
Total
1830
, 1232
1034
1872
1306
1724
1782,
1728
12508
*Elected
Town Meeting Members receiving the highest eight (8) votes receive the 3 year term. The next eight (8)
highest votes receive the 2 year term; and the following eight (8) highest votes receive the 1 year term.
Town Meeting Members for three years - Vote for not more than twenty-four
Candidate
Pr 1
Pr 2
Pr 3
Pr 4
Pr 5
Pr 6
Pr 7
Pr 8
Total
Patricia A. Andrews*
397
James E. Barry*
356
Roy A. Benjamin, Jr.*
398
Lawrence D. Chomsky*
426
Susan Bryant Conley*
389
Lynne A. Crawford*
408
Mark L. Dockser*
422
Catherine S. Durant*
356
William R. Grace*
341,
Mary Frances Grimmer*
348
Marc Guyott*
309
Andrew K. Herlihy*
313
Nancy Huntington-Stager*
348
Ellen Mounteer*
416
S. Paul Pedi*
274
Steven L. Perry*
388
John F. Russo
269
Thomas Joseph Ryan*
285
Jane M. Spano*
397,
James K. Taylor*
354
Lynda M. Zarrow*
360
Jeffrey Scott Camenker
270
Mary Jean Cookson*
389,
David Francis Lee, Jr.
273
Sheila M. Mulroy*
384
William F. O'Halloran, Jr.
245
Nancy W. Ortiz*
440,
Alvin A. Robinson, Jr.
184
Elaine L. Webb*
427
Other
11
Blanks
11783
Total
21960
*Elected
Town Meeting Members receiving the highest eight (8) votes receive the 3 year term. The next eight (8)
highest votes receive the 2 year term; and the following eight (8) highest votes receive the 1 year term.
Town Meeting Members for three years - Vote for not more than twenty-four
Candidate
Pr 1
Pr 2
Pr 3
Pr 4
Pr 5
Pr 6
Pr 7
Pr 8
Total
Virginia M. Adams*
311
Mary E. Bishop*
298
Francis P. Burke*
262
Susan C. Cavicchi*
331
Joseph T. Connearney, Sr.*
239
Peter G. Coumounduros*
241
Debbie H. McCulley*
275
Alice M. O'Sullivan*
273
Anthony L. Rickley*
267
Rita C. Robertson*
236
Tina N. Truedson*
266
Gail F. Wood*
326
John D. Wood*
290
Sara Galehouse Forbes*
267
Amanda Lee Foulds*
273
Karen T. Janowski*
267
David H. O'Sullivan*
284
Christopher P. Flanagan*
34
Carolyn L. Johnson*
28
Thomas Hennings*
27
James L. Carroll*
16
Christine Ford*
15
Rosalind N. Post*
11
Lizabeth Ann Malinski*
10
Other
47
Blanks
9890
Total
14784
I*Elected
Town Meeting Members receiving the highest eight (8) votes receive the 3 year term. The next eight (8)
highest votes receive the 2 year term; and the following eight (8) highest votes receive the 1 year term.
Town Meeting Members for three years - Vote for not more than twenty-four
Candidate
Pr 1
Pr 2
Pr 3
Pr 4
Pr 5
Pr 6
Pr 7
Pr 8
Total
Douglas A. Bruce*
251
Robert J. Coffey*
226
Stephen L. Crook*
215
Jeanne MacDonald Duran*
236
Alice C. Grau*
221
George E. Lonergan, Jr.*
225
Gerald L. MacDonald*
284
Catherine L. Martin*
224
John T. O'Connor*
237
Steven G. Oston*
217
Lance Watson*
218
Ronald L. Wood*
203
Cheryl A. Johnson*
273
Marjorie A. Merrill*
244
Francis J. Burgholzer, Jr. *
11
Michael A. Caggiano*
11
Joseph M. D'Alessio*
11
Robert A. D'Ambrosio*
11
Richard W. Fischer*
11
Albert Garbarino*
11
Paul J. Murphy*
11
Robert M. Murphy, Jr.*
11
Anthony M. Warren*
11
Roberta "Robin" C. D'Antona*
4
Other
26
Blanks
9005
Total
12408
I*Elected
Town Meeting Members receiving the highest eight (8) votes receive the 3 year term. The next eight (8)
highest votes receive the 2 year term; and the following eight (8) highest votes receive the 1 year term.
Town Meeting
Members for three years - Vote for not more
than Eight
Candidate
Pr 1
Pr 2
Pr 3
Pr 4
Pr 5
Pr 6
Pr 7
Pr 8
Total
Jonathan E. Barnes*
317
Martin J. Benison*
311
Lynne Hastings Cameron*
298,
Michele Abu Carrick*
316
Stephen M. Conner*
415
Jennifer H. Culbert*
387
Karen M. Epstein*
401
Randy Scott Gearhart*
323
Nancy M. Graham*
418
Russell T. Graham*
465
Glen M. Hartzler*
304
Susan B. Kalmakis*
449
David Lautman*
403
Robert W. LeLacheur
296
Richard E. McDonald*
350
Thomas J. Meharg*
346
Everett J. Roscoe, Jr.*
318
Robert S. Salter*
403
Nancy J. Twomey*
550
Timothy R. Twomey*
521
Ralph L. Vinciguerra*
368
Andrew W. Grimes*
356
Krissandra Holmes*
354
Dirk U. Petersen*
311
Brian C. Snell*
400
,
Other
7
Blanks
13077
Total
22464
I*Elected
Town Meeting Members receiving the highest eight (8) votes receive the 3 year term. The next eight (8)
highest votes receive the 2 year term; and the following eight (8) highest votes receive the 1 year term.
Town Meeting Members for three years - Vote for not more than twenty-four
Candidate
Pr 1
Pr 2
Pr 3
Pr 4
Pr 5
Pr 6
Pr 7
Pr 8
Total
Camille W. Anthony*
323
Loretta E. Cavagnaro*
265
Joseph G. Duffy*
280
Paul C. Dustin*
296
Robert L. Fuller*
249
Brevard S. Garrison*
219
John J. Greichen, Jr.*
239
Eleanor K. Higgott*
246
Timothy J. Houston*
226
Janice M. Jones*
270
Catherine R. Kaminer*
275
Paul A. Kelley*
310
Timothy J. Kelley*
303
Lawrence E. Mabius*
247
Philip R. Maher*
237
James B. McGrath*
236
Gary M. Nihan*
331
Lynne E. O'Brien*
257
Peter John O'Shea*
264
Kathleen S. Vaccaro*
314
Christina Louise DiNardo*
273
Kevin M. Fulgoni*
235
Cynthia(Cynda)R. Rohmer*
272
Emerson W. Tucker*
280
Other
12
Blanks
9213
Total
15672
*Elected
Town Meeting Members receiving the highest eight (8) votes receive the 3 year term. The next eight (8)
hiahest votes receive the 2 year term; and the following eight (8) highest votes receive the 1 year term.
Town Meeting Members for three years - Vote for not more than twenty-four
Candidate
Pr 1
Pr 2
Pr 3
Pr 4
Pr 5
Pr 6
Pr 7
Pr 8
Total
James E. Bonazoli*
303
Robert A. Brown*
314
Ralph A. Colorusso*
393
Kevin M. Douglas*
355
James J. Fandel*
332
Diana M. Kaine*
312
James A. Keigley*
430
Robert R. Lynch*
298
Jacquelyn A. Mandell
276
Robert L. Mandell
261
Alexander McRae*
282
Mary Ellen O'Neill*
355
Gary D. Phillips
276
Linda M. Phillips*
305
Gael Phillips-Spence*
332
Raymond F. Porter
246
Stephen P. Quigley*
374
Diane N. Slezak*
365
Michael F.Slezak*
359
Kevin Sullivan*
315
Nathan C. White*
292
Drucilla Wood-Beckwith*
347
Margaret M. Carlman*
316
Ronald M. D'Addario*
366
Clarence W. Enos*
371
James B. Francis*
293
Richard Joseph Gedies
249
Clayton D. Jones*
289
Erin C. Squeglia*
277
Other
70
Blanks
11335
Total
20688
*Elected
Town Meeting Members receiving the highest eight (8) votes receive the 3 year term. The next eight (8)
highest votes receive the 2 year term; and the following eight (8) highest votes receive the 1 year term.
Town Meeting Members for three years - Vote for not more than twenty-four
Candidate
Pr 1
Pr 2
Pr 3
Pr 4
Pr 5
Pr 6
Pr 7
Pr 8
Total
Alan F. Barton*
262
Mildred L. Barton
243
John E. Carpenter*
347
Michele Webber Chiappini*
363
Cathy Ellen Commito*
439
Joanne T. Cusolito*
289
Harvey (Pete) J. Dahl*
452
Christopher R. DiMattei*
294
Charles V. Donnelly-Moran
239
John (Jack) K. Downing*
365
Martin J. Foodman*
252
Carol S. Grimm*
312
George V. Hines*
421
Mark H. Johnson*
273
Norman F. Kozlowski*
307
Jennifer K. Lachmayr*
250
William C. Leach*
275,
Nancy B.Matheson*
298
Sandra J. Michaud*
310
Mark Eric Nelson*
284
Frances C. Sansalone
218
Richard W. Schubert*
307
Jeffrey W. Struble*
250
Kathy J. Whittaker*
319
Denise D. Wyer*
276
Brook W. Chipman
244
Pasquale M. Iapicca*
413
Marjorie C. O'Donnell
241
Kenneth J. Rossetti*
251
Other
10
Blanks
12580
Total
21384
*Elected
Town Meeting Members receiving the highest eight (8) votes receive the 3 year term. The next eight (8)
hiahest votes receive the 2 vear term; and the following eight (8) highest votes receive the 1 year term.
Town Meeting
Members for three years - Vote for no
t more t
han Eight
Candidate
Pr 1
Pr 2
Pr 3
Pr 4
Pr 5
Pr 6
Pr
Pr 8
Total
William C. Brown*
349
Nancy Ellen Gadzuk*
315
Kathleen E. G olini*
338
William J. Griset, Jr.*
384
Kim R. Honetschlager*
286
Frederick (Rick) F. Martin*
325
Kevin M. Nestor*
260
Robert I. Nordstrand*
330
John H. Russell*
302
Margaret W. Russell*
304
Kenneth R. Tucci*
316
Paula L. Tucci*
316
Frederick Van Magness*
309
John E. Brzezenski*
259
Tina P. Brzezenski*
268
Kendra J. G. Cooper*
299
Gail M. Donovan*
274
Brian E. Grottkau*
273
Karen Gately Herrick*
280
Paula D. Koppel*
352
John G. McDonagh*
299
George B. Perry II*
301
Monette Dugas Verrier*
266
Thomas John Walsh I1I*
262
Other
30
Blanks
13439
Total
20736
I*Elected
1 -1
Question #1 (Article 7)
Shall the Town of Reading be allowed to exempt from the provisions of proposition two and a half,
so-called, the amounts required to pay for the bond issued for the purposes of developing one or more
schematic designs for making extraordinary repairs and/or additions to the Reading Memorial High Schoc
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, said sum to
be expended by and under the direction of the School Building Committee?
Question 1
Pr 1
Pr 2
Pr 3
Pr 4
Pr 5
Pr 6
Pr 7
Pr 8
Total
Yes
586
355
244
629
401
518
579
545
3857
No
315
248
252
289
238
319
285
296
2242
Blanks
14,
13
, 21
18
14
25
27
23
155
Total
915
616
517]
77-797361
653
862
891
864
6254
Question 2 (Article 9)
Shall the Town of Reading accept the provisions of General Laws Chapter 44 s 3-7, proposed by vote of
Town Meeting on November 15, 2001 under Article 9 of the Subsequent Town Meeting, known as the
Community Preservation Act, which established a special "Community Preservation Fund" that may be
appropriated and spent for certain open space, historic resources and affordable housing purposes, to
approve a property tax surcharge in an amount of one percent (1%) of the taxes assessed annually on
real property which shall be dedicated to the fund, such surcharge to be imposed on taxes assessed for
fiscal years beginning on or after July 1, 2002, and to exempt from the surcharge the following:
(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) $100,000 of the assessed valuation of Class One Residential, parcels?
Question 2
Pr 1
Pr 2
Pr 3
Pr 4
Pr 5
Pr 6
Pr I
Pr 8
Total
Yes
415
234
207
499
318
430
451
377
2931
No
452
350
273
399
307
396
395
437
3009
Blanks
48
32,
37,
38,
28
36
45,
50
314
Total
915
616
517
936
653
862
891
864
6254
Question 3 (Article 11)
Shall the Town of Reading approve the amendment to the Reading Home Rule Charter proposed by vote
of Town Meeting on November 19, 2001 under Article 11 of the Subsequent Town Meeting relating to the
provisions of Section 8-1 (b) of the Reading Home Rule Charter by deleting in the second paragraph "in a
place convenient to the public at all reasonable times" and substituting therefore "in the office of the Towi
Clerk so that the second paragraph of 8-10 (b) reads as follows
"These rules and minutes shall be a public record kept in the office of the Town Clerk, and
copies shall be kept available in the library."?
Question 3
Pr 1
Pr 2
Pr 3
Pr 4
Pr 5
Pr 6
Pr 7
Pr 8
Total
Yes
700
451
357
738
492
663
657
623
4681
No
95
87
89
94
90
91
95
118
759
Blanks
120
78
71
104
, 71
108
139
, 123
814
Total
915
616
517
936
653
862
891
864
6254
Question 4 (Article 12)
Shall the Town of Reading approve the amendment to the Reading Home Rule Charter proposed by vote
of Town Meeting on November 19, 2001 under Article 12 of the Subsequent Town Meeting relating to
Section 2-12 of the Reading Home Rule Charter by inserting in the paragraph entitled "Rules Committee"
between the words "Committee" and "consisting" the words "chaired by the Town Moderator who shall be
a non-voting member" so that the paragraph shall read in its entirety:
"Rules Cormnittee There shall be a Rules Committee, chaired by the Town Moderator
who shall be a non-voting member, consisting of the Precinct Chairmen, which shall
review all aspects of the operation of Town Meeting, and make an Annual Report in
writing to Town Meeting setting forth its findings, recommendations, and proposals
for rules governing the conduct of Town Meeting."?
Question 4
Pr 1
Pr 2
Pr 3
Pr 4
Pr 5
Pr 6
Pr 7
Pr 8
Total
Yes
641
418
334
693
453
615
621
579
4354
No
118
101
92
113
103
110
104
137
878
Blanks
156,
97
91,
130
97
137
166
148
1022
Total
915
616
517
936
653
862
891
864
6254
a true copy. Attest:
C eryl A. 7o son
Town C erk
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
Reading Memorial High School April 22, 2002
The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Alan E. Foulds, at 7:40 p.m., there being a
quorum present.
The Invocation was given by The Reverend Thomas Conway of St. Athanasius Catholic Church,
followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. There was a moment of silence for the
following school department employees who passed away: Robert Swanson, Barbara Brown,
and Sue Kramer.
All Town Meeting members were sworn in.
The Warrant was partially read by the Town Clerk, Cheryl A. Johnson, when on motion by
George V. Hines, 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.
ARTICLE 2 - George V. Hines, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, gave the following State
of the Town 2001 Report:
I was presented with the opportunity to offer this address last year when then Chairman Matt
Nestor chose not to run for re-election and my fellow Selectmen elected me to succeed him. You
are blessed, or cursed, depending on your personal view with hearing from me for a second
consecutive year as I conclude my term as Chairman.
Before proceeding with my main points I would beg your indulgence to correct an oversight. In
our busy lives we can forget to stop and recognize milestones and I will assume the guilt for
missing a milestone on my watch. I want to acknowledge the tireless and proficient leadership
provided by our Town Manager. Peter Hechenbleikner has, without much fanfare or recognition
from his own community, now provided Reading with over fifteen years of excellent service in a
position in which such longevity is virtually unheard of. Please join me in expressing our
appreciation for his dedicated service and leadership.
I choose to use this opportunity not to merely chronicle events for in this age virtually everything
we do is well reported and recorded but to present a view of where we are as a community.
When confronted with this opportunity in the past I have chosen to claim that the state of the
town was good. Then as now I was motivated by the belief that family, health, faith, safety and
good neighbors made for a positive state of the town despite whatever challenges we might face.
Yes, I still believe those things and I believe also that the state of the town is good but I and,
probably a good many of you, cannot deny that there are signs that the some of the positive
aspects of life in Reading have eroded. We remain a safe community, free of a great deal of
crime and threats to life and property. The value of our homes continues to increase to levels
that have many of us shaking our heads in incredulous joy. Our children still receive an
education that places our town in an enviable and desirable position within Massachusetts. With
a cautious and frugal approach we have been able to keep our infrastructure and resources in
passable condition. Most of us conduct ourselves in a polite civil way as good neighbors and
leaders perpetuating what I like to refer to as the Reading way of doing business.
On the other hand, we cannot deny that the events of September 11 th, 2001 have shaken our
security and our view of safety in a real and permanent way. The reaction of our community in
response to this extraordinary tragedy was exemplary, from our preparedness to the participation
of our citizens and members of our public safety team who actually went to ground zero to help
in whatever way possible. Our newly formed Human Relations Advisory Committee which has
contributed wonderfully to our community already, held an intriguing evening of discussion on
the 9-11 events and began a series of community dialogues around the outcomes and the future
of human relations in Reading.
In this changed era of security and safety, we have also joined the ranks of communities
impacted by the plague of oxycontin robberies, the latest front in the scourge of modern society,
drugs! There are many other signs that the ability of our police force to continue to provide the
safety we are used to is being stretched beyond its current resource capacity. Our new Chief,
Robert Silva, and his staff do a marvelous job but their ability to continue doing so will no doubt
diminish without more resources. The same can be said for new Fire Chief, Greg Burns and his
staff in the challenge they face in fulfilling all the responsibilities of fire safety and prevention,
ambulance service, EMT and life support, emergency management and more. The budget you
will be asked to approve at this town meeting includes a public safety budget that will further
strain the efforts of a fine staff. The State budget situation does not offer hope for improvement
on the horizon.
-2- Annual Town Meeting
April 22, 2002
One can only hope that somehow the school department can continue to somehow provide the
kind of education we all want for our children but it is hard to imagine how it can be done. The
cost increases in areas like health insurance devour so much of what is available in revenue
increases that teachers resort to photocopying textbooks in order to have teaching material. This
while we also struggle to replace and expand school buildings to meet the needs of a growing the
school population, which has for some time exceeded the capacity of our school.buildings.
Grants disappear and other funding sources dry up as we struggle with the reality that our failure
to meet State affordable housing mandates may prevent us from receiving further state funds.
This despite continuing efforts by the Selectmen, Reading Housing Authority and CPDC to
expand the affordable housing stock. Despite our efforts to examine tax title land, the offers of
houses are frequently turned down because we are faced with a lack of house lots on which to
locate them. The state legislature has approved Readings Affordable Housing Trust fund
adopted by this body and this is a positive on the many fronts we have pursued in the affordable
housing effort but the goal remains elusive. In the meantime our diminishing staff struggle with
the numerous development challenges posed by private developers. Commercial development
like the Addison Wesley redevelopment and the Frean redevelopment, much needed for the tax
revenue, poses incredible workloads in an effort to provide adequate oversight. We have already
seen unfortunate outcomes of an overworked staff unable to adequately meet the demands of
legal requirements and the onslaught of developer zeal. Our own development on the former
landfill, while nearing consummation still requires enormous amounts of time from the Town
Manager and many of our staff members and will only increase as construction commences as it
is scheduled to do later this year after a sale closing this summer. The numerous residential
development projects like the Spence Farms Project and the Longwood Farms Project even
further exacerbate the situation as we try to cope with the impacts these projects present.
An aging infrastructure, which will be further neglected by a non-existent capital budget and
impact our lives as our roads deteriorate and damage our personal vehicles and town equipment,
will only deteriorate further. Reduced resources limit our ability to aid homeowners such as
when the heavy rains and snow melt of last spring saw fire and public works attempt to aid
homeowners with sewer back-ups caused by excessive and illegal inflow to the system.
-3- Annual Town Meeting
April 22, 2002
Without adequate support our health may also be effected as the resources of our health
department are continually strained as they try to deal with things like West Nile Virus, Eastern
Equine Encephalitis and other mosquito borne illnesses. We have already seen grants dry up
which have supported the Health departments' efforts. The needs of our seniors are also being
impacted by reduced Human Services positions. Our much-prized Library is another area
impacted as we see hours reduced and a staff strained to retain the qualities of so many of us
value.
Yes, Reading as we know it and have enjoyed it as a wonderful hometown is changing. Reading
as the place we would have liked to see our grandchildren enjoy is changing. The change is
effected by so many sources and so many of them rooted in the lack of money and other
resources. But the real strength of Reading has always been the people. People will continue to
be the strength of Reading. People like the wonderful folks who started the RMHS technology
fund, like Carl McFadden and others who started the Veterans memorial fund and people like the
Garden Club folks and their Adopt an Island volunteers and so many others. The solutions to the
challenges we face will come from the strength and involvement of our citizens. But with many
voices can come many differences and it will require constant vigilance to maintain civility and
uphold respect for the many volunteers, appointed or elected or otherwise engaged to make
Reading a better place. It will take elected officials remembering that once elected we represent
all the people. It will take all of us remembering that while the hours we dedicate make us
personally invested in issues we cannot personalize situations to the point of demonizing each
other.
Reading will rise above all the many challenges such as we have been confronted with the past
year and it will be through the cooperative contributions of everyone that we will continue to
make the state of our town good. I participated in the Joshua Eaton Scholl Libraries observance
of National Library week by reading to a forth grade class this morning. If you ever get engulfed
in despair over our future, arrange to interact that way with a group of our children and you will
come away convinced that no matter what, our present is good and our future is bright. Thank-
You and God Bless America.
-4- Annual Town Meeting
April 22, 2002
ARTICLE 2 - Richard McDonald, Chairman of the Finance Committee, gave the following
State of the Town's Finances Report:
The Finance Committee submits the following report on the State of the Town's Finances.
A year ago, Town Meeting passed a balanced budget that anticipated a reasonable growth in state
funding. But without a state budget in place, the tax rate had to be set last Fall using the
Governor's Proposed Budget. Because of this, the Town's budget required cuts of an additional
$790,000. Accordingly, last Fall's Town Meeting voted to reduce the school budget by
$586,000 and the municipal budget by $204,000.
Over the past few years, we have seen a gradual dismantlement of Town departments and almost
no spending on capital projects for the future. Having such a high residential base (which can
only grow 2 Y2% per year) and small levels of new growth, the Town has experienced significant
difficulty in maintaining the revenues we need to keep up with the budget needs of the
community.
On the other hand, we do have some positive things to report. First of all, the citizens of Reading
should be very proud that there are so many hard working and dedicated Town employees. They
make a tremendous effort to continue providing services despite these periods of downsizing.
Second, the Finance Department was able to sell $13.0 million in debt for Coolidge and the
Police Station at a rate of 4.63%, one of the lowest rates in recent history. They were also able to
sell $1.5 million of Bond Anticipation notes at 2.75%. This was a tremendous achievement
because the Town's bond rating managed to hold steady at "AA" despite the fact that our cash
reserves dropped well below the Fincom's goal of 3% to 5% of the Operating Budget. Finally,
we have made progress with the Town's unfunded pension liability. Thanks to some good
investments over the past few years, the Town is now at approximately 70% funded.
The budgets for FY03 and FY04 will certainly pose challenges for the Town, but we may see
some positive developments down the road. New revenue from the Reading Business Park,
Spence Farm, and the Longwood Poultry Farm will help, but we can't spend the money before
we have it. The first expected revenue is $3 million in July from the sale of the landfill. This is
"Sale of Real Estate" money that can only be used for capital projects, debt reduction, or
unfunded pension liability, not for the Operating Budget. This is the last "Sale of Real Estate"
monies that we expect for the foreseeable future. Fincom will be recommending that these funds
be used over several years to supplement future capital spending, as you will see in the proposed
Ten Year Capital Plan.
The FY03 budget has been reviewed in great detail with severe cuts being made by both the
School Committee and the Selectmen. As your budget package will show, this budget is up less
than 3% overall from last year. Two non-discretionary expenses show the biggest increases:
11% for Employee Benefits (that is, primarily health care insurance) and 8% for Debt Service.
Debt service, however, is offset by SBA reimbursement for Coolidge, which creates a net
decrease in debt service of 7%. The basis municipal budget is up less that 1% while Schools and
Building Maintenance is up less than 1.5%. Revenues from the state are not expected to rise and
the Town is restricted on how much taxes can be increased. One of Fincom's goals this year was
- 5 - Annual Town Meeting
April 22, 2002
to control the use of Free Cash. We began the year with $986,000 of Free Cash. We used
$250.00 at the Fall Town Meeting and are only planning on using $246,000 at this Town
Meeting. The mild winter has been good to the Snow and Ice account and most other accounts
have been watched closely and are under control. The plan is to use $561,000 of Free Cash to
balance the FY03 budget. Therefore, if normal regeneration occurs, we should be on the plus
side for Free Cash and closer to Fincom's goal of 3% to 5% of the Operating Budget.
There are still many uncertainties with the economy. Tight fiscal constraints must continue into
the future, because, at least at this point, we cannot reasonably expect any immediate increases in
State Aid or tax revenues.
Thank you.
ARTICLE 2 - Town Planner Anne Krieg gave the following report of the Master Plan:
Community Plan:
Reading Community Planning and Development Commission
Scope of Services:
How we spend the $30,000
Public Outreach/Policy Establishment to be done in-house
Approved by MAPC/DHCD/MHD
Finalized in June 2002
Goals/Objectives/Policy Statements:
Coordinate data
Public Meetings
Report of Progress Annual Town Meeting 2003
Visioning Sessions:
Housing - 2-1-01
Economic Development - 3-1-02
> Transportation - scheduled for 4-1-02
Open Space and Resource Protection - 5-02
Purpose: obtain preliminary input from the public and to establish data needed to move plan
forward
-6- Annual Town Meeting
April 22, 2002
Fall 2002:
c- Analysis of Data
Further Public Meetings
Report of Progress to Town Meeting
Final Document:
Public Meeting with B/C/C
Public Hearings
Draft document to Fall 2003 Town Meeting
u $30,000 must be spent by June 2003
THE CPDC NEEDS YOUR INVOLVEMENT!
ARTICLE 2 - Stephen M. Conner, Chairman of the Board of Library Trustees, gave the
Following State of the Reading Public Library Report:
Good evening.
I'm Steve Conner, chair of the Board of Library Trustees, and town meeting member, Precinct 4.
Mr. Moderator, Town Officials, Town Meeting Members:
The Library's past year? It was the best of times; it was the worst of times.
First, the good times.
I am pleased to report that the Reading Public Library has continued to provide outstanding service,
leadership and innovation to the Reading community and beyond.
• The Library took home the Massachusetts Library Association's I" place
award for our 2001 Summer Reading Program.
• Thanks to a $10,000 LSTA Early Childhood Literacy grant, parents of
newborns are shown how to use the library and its resources to help their
children develop language and literacy skills through the love of reading.
• We've gone wireless. The staff is able to use the library's electronic
resources anywhere in the building with laptop computers. Ultimately,
patrons will be able to take advantage of it as well.
• With a $15,000 LSTA business mini-grant, the Business Resource Center
has been established to help owners of small businesses, telecommuters and
-7- Annual Town Meeting
April 22, 2002
other business customers. The center is equipped with a computer,
business-related software, a scanner, color printer and a digital camera.
We're in the second year of our 3-year contract with the Northeast
Massachusetts Regional Library System to provide Reference On Call
service. Creative PR gave the program a huge boost - on screen cinema
advertising, Val-Pak coupons and water and electric bill inserts. Reference
On Call serves 54 towns in Massachusetts. Customers call
1-866-REFONCALL or visit www.referenceoncall.org.
• Interlibrary loan service is booming.
• Teen Spot, a vibrant space carved out for young adults, was introduced.
• Customer online access to library accounts for reserves and renewals was
inaugurated.
• 1300 enthusiastic participants joined us for our first (annual) Open House.
In the names and faces department:
• We bid farewell to Trustee Donna InDelicato who is pursuing other interests
and chose not to run for reelection this year. We thank Donna for her
creative service, dedication and commitment.
• We welcome Vicki Yablonsky as our newest board member. Vicki has
served the library as a member of our long range planning task force. We
look forward to working together.
• Lorraine Barry was selected from librarians across the state to participate
in the YALead Institute (for young adults) to train young adult librarians
• Michael Colford is the co-chair of the Massachusetts Library Association's
upcoming annual conference.
• Kimberly Lynn, director of our library, has been nominated to serve on
NOBLE's (North of Boston Library Exchange) executive board.
These are noteworthy examples of recognition of the efforts of the entire library staff. Reading is
truly blessed with a gifted, innovative, energetic,
service-oriented library team.
• FY01 at a glance
o The number of customers passing through our doors would have
filled Fenway Park 7 times over
o More than 329,000 items were borrowed
-8- Annual Town Meeting
April 22, 2002
o More than 58,000 of those items were videos, saving our customers
more than $233,000 worth of retail rental fees
o 6 times the number of students enrolled in our public elementary
schools attended children's programs at the library
o We are the 2°a busiest library out of 56 municipalities in the number
of reference questions answered
o We are the 3r busiest library out of 56 municipalities in the number of
items circulated per hour
And we're on track to exceed many of the statistics just presented, even though there has been a
reduction in hours of operation.
Which brings us to the worst of times
Hours of operation were reduced 8.5% this year (a total of 276 hours, averaging 5.3 hours per week).
FY03 budget pressures will result in a further reduction - 2 hours per week or a total of an additional
104 hours. We have worked to determine what the most critical hours of operation are for our
customers; we will try to be open when you, our customers, need us to be.
To minimize this reduction - in other words, to reduce operating hours by ONLY 2 hours per week and
to keep service levels high - the materials portion of our budget (i.e. books, periodicals, videos, tapes,
etc) was reduced by $27,000.
This is extremely important:
In FY03 $27,000 will HAVE TO BE MADE UP from other sources to meet certification
requirements (donations, trust funds, state aid, etc.)
While we are certain that we can marshal the $27,000 shortfall in FY03,
we are equally certain that WE WON'T BE ABLE TO DO IT AGAIN
NEXT YEAR.
The future? The board and the library staff are of the belief that the library, while rooted in and funded
by the local community, is very much a global enterprise. In a very real sense, our responsibility and
influence goes way beyond Reading. Not only are our services to Reading being severely strained, but
our services to surrounding communities, the state and beyond. You have heard that we came perilously
close to not having sufficient funding in FY03 to keep us certified.
Thanks to the support of the Board of Selectmen and Town Manager, that did not happen - this year.
The Board of Trustees, the library staff, the Friends of the Library and the Library Foundation are
committed to preserving the Reading Public Library as a truly, world class library.
ARTICLE 2 - Russell T. Graham, Chairman of the School Building Committee gave the
following Report of Progress:
Last Fall, Town Meeting voted to fund the necessary money to provide the School Building
Committee with the schematic and design plans which would allow us to move forward with
-9- Annual Town Meeting
April 22, 2002
addressing the problems of the Reading Memorial High School that vote being subject to a
debt exclusion vote.
On April 2°d, the voters approved that exclusion signifying, we believe, an awareness of the
physical and educational shortcomings of the building, and we hope the desire to correct them.
We wish to thank Town Meeting, the School Administrator and School Committee as well as the
Reading Pride Committee for their efforts in the Election. Most of all, we thank the voters of
Reading for their support.
Wasting no time, on April 5th, the School Building Committee released a request for
qualification and an announcement was published in the Central Register on April 17th. Within
the last few days, inquiries and requests for information have been solicited by over thirty
architectural firms.
Interested firms will tour the site later this week. Proposals to the FRQ are due to the School
Building Committee on May 2nd
The following timetable, obviously subject to change, is that set out by the SBC as its goal:
(Timetable from RFQ)
This is an aggressive but realistic schedule.
None of us, however, should minimize the scope of work before us, the importance of doing it
right, or the substantial costs involved in doing so.
The building has as its primary function the education of our High School students but it serves a
wider purpose to the community. This building is seldom empty and continuously serves the
needs and wants of Reading.
Addressing the renovations is thus not merely a function of the School Building Committee or
the School Committee or even of Town Meeting. This building is a brick and mortar symbol of
the Reading community. It deserves the full active and continued involvement of that entire
community, and we eagerly and wholeheartedly solicit that involvement. It is, in fact, crucial to
the'success of this undertaking.
We have asked the Board of Selectmen and CPDC to become active participants along with the
School Building Committee and School Committee, and have requested a liaison from the
Finance Committee be appointed.
Tonight, we ask you active and involved Town Meeting Members to join with us in this process.
We need your involvement, we need your positive and constructive participation, and we
especially need you to reach out to your neighbors and your constituents and make them a part of
this undertaking. That involvement and that commitment will be more important to the outcome
than all of the logistics undertaken by all of the committees involved.
-10- Annual Town Meeting
April 22, 2002
The theme behind the Yes vote on Question 1 was Reading pride. A pride most of us in Reading
hold dear to our heart, a pride in our government, a pride in our schools, a pride in our Town and
let no one doubt, a pride we will never surrender.
Together, we can make this building the source of pride it ought to be and in so doing, reinforce
pride in Reading. Let us begin right here, and let us begin right now.
Thank you Mr. Moderator.
ARTICLE 2 - William C. Brown, member of the Cemetery Committee, gave the following
Report of Progress on the Veteran's Memorial Fund:
The committee held it's first meeting April 22, 2002 and is pleased to report that as of March 31,
2002 that fund has reached $64,874.42 or approximately two thirds the goal of $90,000.00.
The committee would like to remind Town Meeting and Reading citizens that the intent of the
fund is to insure Veterans interned in Reading will be Forever Remembered with flowers each
Memorial Day..
On behalf of the committee, I would like to thank each contributor to the fund.
ARTICLE 2 - On motion by George V. Hines, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, it was
moved to table the subject matter of Article 2.
ARTICLE 3 - On motion by William C. Brown, it was moved to instruct the Board of
Selectmen to honor the terms on the land know as Memorial Park accepted by a vote of the
Town of Reading Town Meeting on January 8, 1917.
Motion did not carry.
ARTICLE 3 - On motion by George V. Hines, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, it was
moved that the subject matter of Article 3 be tabled.
ARTICLE 4 - On motion by George V. Hines, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, it was
voted that the subject matter of Article 4 be indefinitely postponed.
ARTICLE 5 - On motion by George V. Hines, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, it was
voted to authorize the Board of Selectmen to sell, or exchange, or dispose of, upon such terms
and conditions as they may determine, the following items of Town tangible property:
2 Police Vehicles
1 1966 White Crane Truck - Water Division
1 1989 Ford F250 Pick-up Truck - Water Division
1 1990 Case 580K Backhoe - Sewer Division
Miscellaneous items of Furniture - All Departments
- 11 - Annual Town Meeting
April 22, 2002
ARTICLE 6 - On motion by George V. Hines, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, it was
moved that the subject matter of Article 6 be indefinitely postponed.
ARTICLE 7 - On motion by George V. Hines, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, it was
voted to amend votes on the following line items taken under Article 11 of the Warrant of the
Annual Town Meeting of April 23, 2001, as amended by Article 4 of the Subsequent Town
Meeting of November 13, 2001, relating to the Fiscal Year 2002 municipal budget, and to
transfer from available funds, and appropriate the following:
Line
Acc't
Description
N
Comment
D6
041
Legal Expenses
$5,820
Settle litigation -
Beede
F1
611
Library Salaries
$2,500
Sick Leave Buy-Back
H2
511
Health Expenses
$1,500
Mosquito control re:
West Nile Virus
H4
302
Engineering Expenses
$78,300
Complete DPW gas
release clean-up
H5
303
Highway/Equipment
$32,000
Workers' Comp
Salaries
savings
H6
303
Highway/Equipment
$22,000
Equipment
Expenses
Maintenance
H7
313
Parks/Forestry Salaries
$9,000
Short-term vacancy;
contracted seasonal
help
H8
313
Parks/Forestry Expenses
$9,000
Police details;
contracted seasonal
help
H12
312
Rubbish
$10,000
Estimated extra bulk
Collection/Disposal
waste
H14
481
Cemetery Salaries
$25,900
Seasonal employees
H15
481
Cemetery Expenses
$25,900
hired as contract
employees
H15
481
Cemetery Expenses
$5,000
Lot buy-back
J
200
School Expenses
$75,000
Litigation expenses
M2
813
Non-Contributory
$22,000
Change in regulation
Retirement
M4
817
Group Health/Life
$80,000
Renewals
Insurance
M5
819
Medicare/Social Security
$14,000
M6
821
Workers' Comp
$17,000
Increase in rates
L1
710
Debt Service
$50,000
Debt Service
(premium
on debt
TOTAL - General Fund
$368,020
$116,900
Cash Reserves (Free Cash or transfer
$246
120
from Reserve Fund
,
-12- Annual Town Meeting
April 22, 2002
Cemetery Sale of Lots
N4 61- Water Supply Capital
405
$5,000
$100,000
WTP Feasibility
Study
N4
61-
405
Water Supply Capital
$25,000
MWRA buy-in - EIR
N2
61-
405
Water Supply Expense
$40,000
MWRA treatment
N2
61-
405
Water Supply Expense
$20,000
WTP Generator
N1
61-
400
Water Operations
Salaries
$20,000
Workers' Comp
absence
01
62-
430
Sewer Salaries
$5,000
Call person
02
62-
430
Sewer Expenses
$5,000
MWRA Expenses
TOTA
L - Enterprise Funds
$150,000
$65,000
Water Reserve
$85,000
ARTICLE 8 - On motion by George V. Hines, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, it was
voted to approve the FY 2003-FY 2012 Capital Improvements Program dated April 19, 2002 as
provided for in Section 7-7 of the Reading Home Rule Charter.
ARTICLE 9 - 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
$153,712.42 for highway projects in accordance with Chapter 90, Massachusetts General Laws.
2/3 vote required
165 voted in the affirmative
- 0 - voted in the negative
ARTICLE 10 - On motion by Gail F. Wood, Member of the Board of Selectmen, it was moved
to postpone Article 10 until the first article of business on April 25, 2002.
ARTICLE 11- On motion by Gail F. Wood, Member of the Board of Selectmen, it was voted to
raise the sum of one million dollars ($1,000,000) by borrowing, and appropriate said sum for the
purpose of constructing a replacement water main on Summer Avenue, to run generally from the
intersection of Summer Avenue and Woburn Street and extend south on Summer Avenue to
Hopkins Street, and thence southerly to Main Street, including the cost of construction, design,
inspection and all other costs associated therewith; and that to raise this appropriation, the Town
Treasurer, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, is authorized to borrow the sum of
- 13 - Annual Town Meeting
April 22, 2002
$1,000,000 under and pursuant to Chapter 44, Section 8(5) of the General Laws, as amended, or
any other enabling authority, and to issue bonds or notes of the Town therefor.
2/3 vote required
167 voted in the affirmative
- 0 - voted in the negative
ARTICLE 12 - On motion by Gail F. Wood, Member of the Board of Selectmen, it was moved
to postpone Article 12 until April 29, 2002.
ARTICLE 13 - On motion by Timothy Twomey, Chairman of the School Committee, it was
voted to authorize the Board of Selectmen, with the approval of the School Committee and the
approval of the Commissioner of Education, to rent or lease certain surplus space in the Reading
Memorial High School to one or more public or private profit-making businesses or non-profit
organizations; provided, however, that joint occupancy of the High School building will not
interfere with educational programs being conducted in said building and provided that the terms
of any such rental or lease shall be as approved by the School Committee.
On motion by David Lautman, Precinct 4, it was voted to move the question.
2/3 vote required
127 voted in the affirmative
34 voted in the negative
ARTICLE 14 - On motion by Gail F. Wood, Member of the Board of Selectmen, it was voted
to establish a revolving fund under Chapter 44, Section 53E1/2 of the General Laws for the
purpose of using the receipts generated through the sale of compost bins to purchase additional
compost bins, and to pay for related expenditures pursuant to a program administered by the
Department of Public Works, and to authorize expenditures not exceeding $1,600 during Fiscal
Year 2003.
ARTICLE 15 - On motion by Camille W. Anthony, Member of the Board of Selectmen, it was
voted to establish a revolving fund under Chapter 44, Section 53E1/2 of the General Laws for the
purpose of using the receipts generated through the rental of Downtown parking spaces for
employee and merchant parking, and to pay for related Downtown parking enforcement
expenditures pursuant to a program administered by the Police Department or other Departments
of the Town, and to authorize expenditures not exceeding $11,000 during Fiscal Year 2003.
On motion by Pasquale M. Iapicca, Precinct 7, it was moved to indefinitely postpone the subject
matter of Article 15.
Motion to indefinitely postpone did not carry.
ARTICLE 16 - On motion by Camille W. Anthony, Member of the Board of Selectmen, it was
voted to establish a revolving fund under Chapter 44, Section 53E1/2 of the General Laws for the
purpose of administering the consultant fee provision of Reading General Bylaws, Section 5.7,
-14- Annual Town Meeting
April 22, 2002
Wetlands Protection, and authorize expenditures not to exceed $50,000 during Fiscal Year 2003
which may be made from such fund.
ARTICLE 17 - On motion by Gail F. Wood, Member of the Board of Selectmen, it was voted
to authorize the Board of Selectmen to:
Accept grants of easements related to capital construction projects
in the Town, and easements for the purpose of installing and
replacing drainage, water, sewer and other utilities;
* Determine the terms and conditions for the grant of such easements
as the Board of Selectmen shall consider proper; and
Accept a deed or deeds therefor if necessary.
ARTICLE 18 - On motion by George V. Hines, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, it was
voted to accept the provisions of M.G.L. c. 40 §22F authorizing certain municipal boards or
officers to fix municipal fees and charges for licenses, permits and services rendered or work
performed by the town,
it was voted to amend General Bylaw Section 4.9.1 by inserting ".1" after "4.9.1" and
adding the following subparagraph "4.9.1.2":
"The Board of Selectmen is hereby authorized to review and approve all
fees and charges established by any Board or Officer pursuant to the
provisions of M.G.L. c 40, Section 22F, who are appointed to their
position by the Board of Selectmen or by the Town Manager." and
It was voted to rescind General Bylaw Sections 4.5.3, 4.5.4.4, 4.5.5, and 4.5.6, and
renumber the sections following these sections as required; and
It was voted to amend General Bylaw Section 5.6.7 by rescinding the existing language
and substituting therefore the following language:
"5.6.7 The fee for licensing dogs under M.G.L. Chapter 140, Section 139, shall be
the amount set forth in Section 2 of Chapter 57 of the Acts of 1985, or such
other annual fees as may be established from time to time by the Board of
Selectmen. Licensing eligibility, dogs not required to be licensed, or
refunding license fees shall be determined as provided in M.G.L. Chapter
140, Section 139."
ARTICLE 19 - On motion by George V. Hines, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, it was
voted to approve an amendment to the Administrative Code dated April 10, 2002 pursuant to
Section 6-1 of the Reading Home Rule Charter.
ARTICLE 20 - On motion by Emerson W. Tucker, Precinct 5, it was moved that the vote to
rescind the sum of eight million three hundred thousand dollars ($8,300,000), which represents
all remaining authorized, but unexpended or contractually obligated, portions of the debt for
- 15 - Annual Town Meeting
April 22, 2002
construction of a new school to be built on land off Dividence Road, as approved under Article
14 of the November 15, 1999 Town Meeting.
Presentation by Emerson Tucker:
A little over three years ago, in December 1998, an esteemed member of our Town Meeting,
Fred Van Magness, stood before you and questioned the wisdom and affordability of building,
staffing, equipping and maintaining a new elementary school.
Although the Commonwealth and the Town of Reading were in pretty good financial shape at
that time, Fred saw the storm clouds that were building on the distant horizon. He rationalized
that the Commonwealth's soaring budget surplus could not last forever and recognized that the
town's once healthy cash reserves were dwindling at a rapid rate.
Now, several years later and due to circumstances here-to-fore never imagined by me, Fred, or
anybody I know, the Commonwealth's surplus and the town's cash reserves are totally wiped
out. The budget surplus has turned into an estimated $2 billion deficit next year and our cash
account shows a zero balance.
While Fred's cautionary comments did not contemplate the precarious financial conditions
facing the Commonwealth and the Town, they did underscore the need to prioritize capital
projects and expenditures. On that point, I agreed with him then and still do, which is the
underlying reason that I submitted Article 20 for your consideration.
Foremost among the benefits of Article 20 is the opportunity it offers residents to move forward
expeditiously with the most expensive, yet most necessary, capital project ever undertaken by the
town - renovation of our high school. It is no secret to me and most, if not all, of you that the
cost of a first-class, state-of-the-art renovation will be "mammoth," as the Chairman of the
School Building Committee recently acknowledged. My reaction? I say go for it, and while
we're at it, let's make darn sure we do it right, do it well and do it in a way that makes us all
proud.
That said, we cannot let the universal excitement surrounding a "new" high school mask the
perilous financial situation in which the town finds itself. To deal with this situation, we have
two choices. We can charge ahead with the multi-million dollar municipal and school projects
on the town's "to do" list, knowing that there is no money to pay for them, or we can create a
"must do" list, understanding that a majority of taxpayers may be willing or able to fund some,
but not all, of the projects almost simultaneously.
Mindful that each of these projects will be competing for residents' money via debt exclusions or
overrides, and respectful of the varying degrees to which they can manage - or even survive -
increases in their property taxes, Article 20 places renovation of the high school securely and
rightfully in the number one position on the priority list. Id does so by enabling the town to
reallocate several million dollars - and arguably more - of the taxpayers' money from
construction of the proposed elementary school to renovation of the high school, essentially
deferring construction of a new school to a more financially manageable period of time. Article
-16- Annual Town Meeting
April 22, 2002
20 also recognizes that the School Building Assistance (SBA) bureau "cannot even provide
likely time frames [for reimbursement of] individual projects" and that "Cities and towns are
again reminded that placement on the waiting list does not constitute a legally binding obligation
of the Commonwealth and such funding is not guaranteed."
Some of you probably have heard that support of Article 20 would prohibit the Barrow's
elementary school renovation project from moving ahead as a stand-alone project or prevent the
town from receiving SBA reimbursement. My friends, this simply is not true and not correct.
Support for Article 20 undoubtedly will enable, or perhaps encourage, residents to vote for debt
exclusions or overrides to fund critically needed municipal projects. These include, but are not
limited to, repairing and maintaining our roads, upgrading our water treatment plant, typing into
MWRA facilities to provide an alternative source of water, and replacing outdated water pipes
that lay beneath our streets. The cost to undertake and complete these projects in the next few
years is estimated to be tens of millions of dollars.
As you consider the merits and benefits of Article 20, I ask you to think about birthrates in the
town, which have been on a steady, downward trend the past five years. I urge you to reflect on
current elementary school enrollment levels, which are at a 10-year low, and elementary
enrollment projections, which indicate that growth rates are "tapering off," according to a
representative of the New England School Development Council. And, I implore you to weigh
the financial burden that construction and financing of a new school, in addition to renovation
and financing of the high school and the municipal projects noted above, would place on many
individuals and families whose incomes or expenses already are stretched to the breaking point.
Support for Article 20 is support for a realistic approach to addressing the town's capital project
needs. Support for Article 20 is support for a rational approach to undertaking only the most
pressing needs, especially renovation of our high school. Finally, and perhaps most important,
support for Article 20 is support for a reasonable approach to asking residents for financial help
to meet these needs at a time when they otherwise might be tempted - or compelled - to say no,
rather than yes.
I appreciate the time you have taken to review this letter and the attachments, and thank you for
your support.
Motion did not carry.
On motion by Michael F. Slezak, Precinct 6, it was voted to adjourn that this Annual Town
Meeting stand adjourned to meet at 7:30 p.m. at the Reading Memorial High School, on
Thursday, April 25, 2002.
Meeting adjourned at 10:55 p.m.
17- Annual Town Meeting
April 22, 2002
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ARTICLE 19
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ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
Reading Memorial High School April 25, 2002
The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Alan E. Foulds, at 7:38 p.m., there
being a quorum present.
The Invocation was given by Anthony L. Rickley, Precinct 2, followed by the Pledge of
Allegiance to the Flag.
Representative Carol Donovan was introduced as a new representative for Reading.
ARTICLE 10 - On motion by Gail F. Wood, Member of the Board of Selectmen, it was
voted to raise the sum of $3.5 million by borrowing and appropriate said sum for the
purpose of road improvements including constructing, reconstructing, and doing major
repairs to roads within the Town of Reading, including the costs of engineering fees,
plans, documents, cost estimates, 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 that the Town 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 road 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 shall be contingent on the passage of a debt exclusion referendum question under
General Laws Chapter 59, Section 21c.
Presentation made by Town Engineer Joseph Delaney:
TOWN OF READING
PAVEMENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
BACKGROUND
• IN 1999, TOWN MEETING APPROVED $25,000 TO DEVELOP A PAVEMENT
MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
• THE TOWN HIRED VANASSE, HANGEN, BRUSTLIN (VHB) TO DEVELOP
THE SYSTEM
• THE WORK WAS COMPLETED IN NOVEMBER, 2000 AND VHB PRESENTED
THE RESULTS TO THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
• A CAPITAL PLAN WAS THEN DEVELOPED THAT INCORPORATED THE
RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE STUDY
• THE FAILED OPERATING OVERRIDE FOR FY 2002 CAUSED THE
PAVEMENT MANAGEMENT PROGRAM TO BE DELETED FROM THE
CAPITAL PLAN
PAVEMENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
• BASED ON THE RESULTS OF THE VHB STUDY, THE BOARD OF
SELECTMEN CHOSE TO IMPLEMENT THE $850,0001YR PLAN.
• THE HANDOUT INCLUDES A LIST OF ROADS THAT THE SYSTEM
RECOMMENDS FOR EITHER RESURFACING OR RECONSTRUCTING.
• MANY MORE ROADS WILL RECEIVE PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE SUCH
AS CRACK SEALING AND/OR PATCHING.
• THE LIST MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE BECAUSE OF:
- ANNUAL ROAD EVALUATIONS TO ENSURE PROPER REPAIRS;
- COORDINATION OF PAVING WORK WITH UTILITY WORK; AND
- CONTRACTOR BID PRICES.
• THIS ARTICLE REPRESENTS THE FIRST FIVE-YEAR INSTALLMENT OF AN
ONGOING PLAN. TO BE EFFECTIVE, THIS PLAN MUST CONTINUE WELL
BEYOND THE FIVE YEARS PROPOSED.
SEE ATTACHED PRESENTATION BY VHB.
2/3 vote required
155 voted in the affirmative
4 voted in the negative
On motion by George V. Hines, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, it was moved to
adjourn the Annual Town Meeting until after the conclusion of the Special Town
Meeting.
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Pavement Detenoraq'gp Cuivc
5 $1.00 for Renovation Hcre
7
Fesf
IKc'IdIII,, Publlc Streets
Aped 1 Ti•T-ri"i'i-i'T-1'tT
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Town Maintained Streets
(Reflects' Pavement Rehabilitation costs only)
n P.et,o Budget
°Chapt 90 Only" , $153,000 annually.
■ r
Current Chapter 90 allocation
■ "Hlstorle Chapter 90" - UV8,000'armually
v 2/3 of the-Historic Chapter-90 $466 000, -
appioprriti~n plus $68,000 fl Sources
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o Maintain YCIBudget
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y w Progresso e Funding Budg L Irv
" 4 $1,200,000 for 10 years j m
3
PROPOSED PROJECTS
READING 5 YEAR PAVEMENT PROGRAM
STREET
FY-031
FY 04
FY 05
FY 06
FY 07
Total
(in
thousand
s of doll
ars)
STREET SEAL/PATCH
$219
$75
$25
$25
$25
$369
ARTHUR B. LORD
$24
AUBURN STREET
$15
AVON STREET
$13
BALSAM ROAD
$14
BEAVER ROAD
$22
$49
BEECH STREET
$39
BERKLEY STREET
$110
BOYCE STREET
$9
CALIFORNIA
$11
CENTER AVE.
$8
CHUTE STREET
$21
COLBURN ROAD
$115
COPELAND AVE.
$61
COUNTY ROAD
$16
COVEY HILL
$36
CUMBERLAND
$12
DUDLEY STREET
$22
FAIRMOUNT ROAD
$12
FIELDING ROAD
$7
FRANKLIN STREET
$35
FREMONT STREET
$14
FULTON STREET
$3
GLEASON ROAD
$51
GLEN ROAD
$12
GLENMERE CIRCLE
$13
GOULD STREET
$11
GRANGER AVE.
$16
GREEN STREET
$27
$16
GROVE STREET
$128
HAMPSHIRE ROAD
$60
HANSCOM AVE.
$37
HARRIMAN AVE.
$7
HARVARD STREET
$21
HAVEN STREET
$61
HILLSIDE ROAD
$69
HOPKINS STREET
$16
IRVING STREET
$14
JOHN CARVER
$18
KING STREET
$15
KINGSTON STREET
$9
04/24/2002
LIBBY AVE.
$40
LINNEA LANE
$94
LOCUST STREET
$25
LONGWOOD ROAD
$23
LOTHROP ROAD
$30
MANNING STREET
$31
MAPLE RIDGE
$39
MAPLE STREET
$4
MARTIN ROAD
$43
MIDDLESEX AVE.
$61
OAK STREET
$39
PALMER HILL
$24
PARKMAN ROAD
$13
PARKVIEW ROAD
$19
PEARL STREET
$74
$33
PERKINS AVE.
$13
PRESCOTT STREET
$100
PROSPECT STREET
$49
PUTNAM ROAD
$131
SANDRA LANE
$86
SELFRIDGE
$19
SHACKFORD ROAD
$8
SHELBY ROAD
$17
SIGSBEE AVE.
$4
SOUTH STREET
$42
SPRINGVALE
$21
SPRUCE ROAD
$10
STROUT AVE.
$55
STURGES ROAD
$33
TAMARACK ROAD
$99
TEMPLE STREET
$100
TIMBERNECK
$13
TRACK ROAD
$54
VINE STREET
$56
WASHINGTON STREET
$20
WELLS ROAD
$30
WESCROFT ROAD
$32
WEST STREET
$110
WESTON ROAD
$21
WHITEHALL LANE
$35
WILLARD ROAD
$11
WILLOW STREET
$110
WILSON STREET
$15
WINSLOW ROAD
$25
WOBURN STREET
$708
WOODBINE STREET
$8
WOODWARD AVE.
$14
TOTAL
$872
$883
$870
$818
$836
$4,279
04/24/2002
PROCESS OF FUNDING ROAD RECONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
WITH DEBT EXCLUSION
Our Financial Advisor, Peter Frazier of First SouthWest Company,
has advised me that the following process of funding debt through a
debt exclusion is acceptable, and has been done in other communities:
1. Obtain approval at Town Meeting for bonding for the project,
subject to a debt exclusion vote by the Town in a Townwide election.
For instance, if you wanted to spend $700,000. per year for five years,
you would seek bond authorization for $3,500,000.
2. Obtain a debt exclusion vote in a Townwide election for the debt on
the project approved at Town Meeting.
3. Sell the debt for a day each year and place that principal payment
and the small interest payment on the recap sheet to be excluded
from the restrictions of Proposition 2 %2. In our example, the
principal payment would be $700,000 each year for five years, and
the interest would be approximately $100 per year, depending on the
rate at the time of borrowing.
4. Attached, find the schedule for what $700,100 would cost the
taxpayer each year.
ESTIMATED EFFECT ON REAL ESTATE TAXES WITH DEBT
EXCLUSION OF $ 700,100
NOTE: THE FOLLOWING PROJECTIONS ARE BASED ON THE ESTIMATED FY'02
VALUATION OF $2,568,606,367 AND THE FY 2002 TAX RATE OF $12.24 PER
THOUSAND OF VALUATION
• Each $2,568,606 expenditures = $1.00 on the tax rate
• Each $100,000 of additional expenditures= $.0389 on the tax rate
• Since the tax rate is per thousand dollars of valuation, each $100,000 increase of
expenditures will cost taxpayers $3.89 per $100,000 of property valuation
• The average assessment for single family homes is approximately $320,000
Estimated interest cost ($100) and principal payment ($700,000) for Road Reconstruction
Project:
• With a $200,000 value, it would mean an increase of $ 54.46 in yearly taxes
• With a $250,000 value, it would mean an increase of $ 68.08 in yearly taxes
• With a $300,000 value, it would mean an increase of $ 81.70 in yearly taxes
• With a $320,000 value, it would mean an increase of $ 87.14 in yearly taxes
• With a $400,000 value, it would mean an increase of $ 108.93 in yearly taxes
• With a $450,000 value, it would mean an increase of $ 122.55 in yearly taxes
• With a $500,000 value, it would mean an increase of $ 136.16 in yearly taxes
• With a $600,000 value, it would mean an increase of $ 163.40 in yearly taxes
• With a $700,000 value, it would mean an increase of $ 190.63 in yearly taxes
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING
Reading Memorial High School Apri125, 2002
The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Alan E. Foulds, at 8:40 p.m., there being a
quorum present.
The Warrant was partially read by the Town Clerk, Cheryl A. Johnson, when on motion by
George V. Hines, 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.
ARTICLE 1- On motion by George V. Hines, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, it was
moved that the subject matter of Article 1 be indefinitely postponed.
ARTICLE 2 - On motion by George V. Hines, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, it was
moved that the subject matter of Article 2 be indefinitely postponed.
ARTICLE 3 - On in motion by George V. Hines, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, it was
moved that the subject matter of Article 3 be indefinitely postponed.
ARTICLE 4 - On motion by Russell T. Graham, Precinct 4, it was voted that the vote of the
Town taken under Article 7 of the Subsequent Town Meeting held on November 13, 2001, is
hereby amended in its entirety to read as follows:
That the Town raise by borrowing, and appropriate for the purposes of developing
one or more schematic designs for making extraordinary repairs and/or additions
to the Reading Memorial High School at 62 Oakland Road, the sum of Four
Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($450,000), including the costs of engineering
and architectural fees, plans, documents, cost estimates, and related expenses
incidental thereto and necessary in connection therewith, said sum to be expended
by and under the direction of the School Building Committee; and that the Town
vote to authorize the School Building Committee, the School Committee, or any
other agency of the Town to file application for a grant or grants to be used to
defray the cost of all or any part of the cost of said schematic designs; and that the
Town vote to authorize the School Building Committee to enter into all contracts
and agreements as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Article;
provided, however, that any appropriation authorized by this Article shall be
contingent upon the passage of a debt exclusion referendum question under
Chapter 59, Section 21C of the Massachusetts General Laws.
2/3 vote required
154 voted in the affirmative
- 0 - voted in the negative
On motion by George V. Hines, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, it was voted that this
Special Town Meeting stand adjourned sine die and reconvene the Annual Town Meeting.
The Annual Town Meeting reconvened at 8:48 p.m.
ARTICLE 21- On motion by Linda M. Phillips, Precinct 6, it was moved to amend
Article 5 of the Subsequent Town Meeting of December 1998 to insure that the redesign
and renovation for the Alice M. Barrows Elementary School on Edgemont Avenue will
include the maximum number of classroom space possible over the currently proposed
design of six classrooms included in the referendum vote of January 1999 and currently
funded at a cost of $7,100,000. This enlargement will accommodate any possible
increases in the newly proposed housing developments in the Barrows School District.
This will attempt to equalize Barrows, in size, to our other 3 existing elementary schools.
This Article authorizes the Town to establish associated costs for this additional scope of
work so that Town Meeting, before December 31, 2002, can appropriate the additional
funds to carry out this Warrant Article and to complete any additional requirements to
incorporate this change.
On motion by Frederick Van Magness, Precinct 8, it was voted to move the question.
2/3 vote required
150 voted in the affirmative
9 voted in the negative
Motion by Linda M. Phillips did not carry.
ARTICLE 22 - On motion by Linda M. Phillips, Precinct 6, it was moved to indefinitely
postpone Article 22.
ARTICLE 23 - On motion by Linda M. Phillips, Precinct 6, it was moved to indefinitely
postpone Article 23.
ARTICLE 24 - On motion by Richard W. Schubert, it was voted to amend Section 5.5.4
of the General Bylaws by deleting the words "Town Meeting" and substituting therefore
the words "Board of Selectmen" so that Section 5.5.4.1 shall read as follows:
"5.5.4.1 No person shall gamble or keep, use, or have in his possession any
spirituous or intoxicating liquor in any building or room owned or
occupied by the Town, except as otherwise authorized by the Board
of Selectmen, special Statute or general laws."
ARTICLE 25 - On motion by William C. Brown, Precinct 8, it was moved to amend
Reading General Bylaws Section 4.4 by adding Section 4.4.6 which will read as follows:
"4.4.6 There is hereby established a (financial) disclosure requirement for all members of
elected and appointed multiple member boards, committees and commissions.
Each member shall submit annually a signed statement, to be maintained by the
Town Clerk, as a condition of new or continued participation on that multiple
member body. The statement shall state that neither the member nor their spouse
have an employer, business interest or investment that may pose a potential
conflict with their objective participation on the multiple member body on which
they serve. The effective date of this Bylaw shall be July 2, 2003. Failure of an
appointed member of a multiple member body to comply by July 1" of that and
each succeeding year shall be viewed as "cause" which may result in the removal
of that individual from the multiple member body."
On motion by Michael F. Slezak, Precinct 6, it was voted to move the question.
2/3 voted required
127 voted in the affirmative
24 voted in the negative
Motion by William C. Brown did not carrX.
ARTICLE 26 - On motion by Jonathan E. Barnes, Member of the Community Planning
and Development Commission, it was voted to amend the Zoning By-Law by rescinding
Section 6.2.3.2 b, Section 6.2.3.2.1, Section 6.2.3.2 m(2), and Section 6.2.4 and
substituting therefore the following language:
6.2.3.2 Signs in Business and Industrial Zoning Districts
b. Retractable opaque cloth awnings may contain letters up to four inches
in height stating only the name of the business without requiring a sign
permit. Such lettering shall not count toward allowed sign area. All
other awnings or canopies with lettering or graphics shall require a sign
permit and count as part of allowed sign area. Retractable awnings shall
have a minimum ground clearance of seven feet and, unless otherwise
approved by the Community Planning and Development Commission, all
other awnings or canopies shall have a minimum ground clearance of ten
feet. Ground clearance shall be measured between the lowest point of
the awning or canopy and the ground or sidewalk. No awning or canopy
shall be illuminated in such a way that the light from such illumination is
visible through the canopy or awning.
1. Any establishment located in a Business-A, Business-C or Industrial
Zoning District may display not more than one flag, not to exceed 4
feet by 6 feet in dimensions, which may state only the word "OPEN"
in letters not to exceed 8 inches in height, together with decorative
graphics. Any establishment located in a Business-13 Zoning District
may display not more than one such flag in accordance with standards
established by the Community Planning and Development Commission.
in. (2) The Community Planning and Development Commission, may upon the
submission of a signage plan for buildings located in the Business-B
Zoning District, showing the allocation within the maximum sign area
allowed under Table 6.2.3 herein, in accordance with the provisions of
Section 6.2.4. below, issue a Certificate of Appropriateness.
This signage plan shall show those characteristics as specified in
Section 6.2.4 for each such sign and the assemblage thereof proposed
within said allowable maximum sign area. The Building Inspector shall
issue a sign permit for any individual sign within the assemblage upon
a determination of the conformity of such individual sign with the
approved signage plan.
6.2.4 Certificate of Appropriateness/Community Planning and Development
Commission (CPDC
The CPDC shall establish procedures for receiving and reviewing applications for signs
in the Business B Zoning District, and for providing written decisions to the Building
Inspector. The CPDC shall, in reviewing such applications, consider the design,
arrangement, location, texture, materials, colors, lighting, and other visual characteristics
of each proposed sign and its compatibility with its general surroundings with regard to
the purposes outlines in Paragraph 6.2.1.1
If the CPDC shall refuse to issue a Certificate of Appropriateness for any proposed sign,
it shall state in writing the reasons therefor, with suggestions as to how the proposal may
be modified so as to be approved.
If the CPDC shall fail to issue or refuse to issue a Certificate of Appropriateness within
forty-five days of the date of a completed application being submitted, the Certificate
shall be deemed to have been issued. An appeal from any decision of the CPDC may be
made within twenty days of such decision being filed with the Town Clerk, to the Board
of Selectmen, who may uphold, modify or overrule the action of the CPDC and grant a
Certificate of Appropriateness. In those cases where proposed signs are included as part
of plans for approval under Site Plan Review (Section 4.3.3) or PRD Special Permit
review (Section 4.10), a Certificate of Appropriateness separate from such approval shall
not be required and shall be combined with the review of said permit.
Presentation by Town Planner Anne Krieg:
Zoning Amendment:
Language for Certificate of Appropriateness
What's a Certificate of Appropriateness?:
All signs in Reading are reviewd by either a citizen body and/or ultimately by the
Building Inspector i -
t' All signs are controlled under zoning by district as to size and other dimensional
controls and types of signs?
This Certificate is granted for complying signs
in the Business B Zoning District (Downtown
Reading area)
Why the change to the CPDC?
Timeliness of Application Processing
CPDC meets typically three times a month
Applications do no require a noticed public hearing, thus could be heard in an
opportune manner to improve service to the applicant
Consistency and Experience
CPDC reviews signage currently for all other site plan developments in Business
A, Business B and the Industrial Zone
What's the Amendment?
Verbiage changes as advised by Town Counsel
Increased clarity of sections
Empower Community Planning and Development Commission as the authority to
grant a Certificate of Appropriateness
Why are these signs in the downtown separated?
Town Meeting previously voted to give special attention to the control of signs in the
downtown
This is to lend support to downtown redevelopment
As well as to provide a.mechanism to ensure consistency in signs but also that
unique sign styles were being planned as new tenants and businesses came in
2/3 vote required
152 voted in the affirmative
- 0 - voted in the negative
ARTICLE 27 - On motion by George V. Hines, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, it
was moved to indefinitely postpone Article 27.
ARTICLE 3 - On motion by Robert R. Lynch, Precinct 6, it was moved to removed
Article 3 from the table.
ARTICLE 3 - On motion by Robert R. Lynch, Precinct 6, it was moved to instruct the
Chairperson of the RMLD Commissioners and the Chairperson of the Town's
Commission that is looking into RMLD to address Town meeting on Monday, April 29,
2002, as to what is the current status of the audits that they have ongoing.
Motion carried.
ARTICLE 3 - On motion by George V. Hines, it was moved to lay Article 3 on the
table.
On motion by George V. Hines, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, it was voted to
adjourn that this Annual Town Meeting stand adjourned to meet at 7:30 p.m. at the
Reading Memorial High School, on Monday, April 29, 2002.
Meeting adjourned at 10:11 p.m.
170 Town Meeting Members were present.
A true copy. Attest: Cheryl . Johnso
Town lerk
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
Reading Memorial High School April 29, 2002
The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Alan E. Foulds, at 7:40 p.m., there being a
quorum present.
The Invocation was given by The Reverend Steven Notis of Old South United Methodist
Church, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
ARTICLE 2 - On motion by George V. Hines, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, it was
moved to remove Article 2 from the table.
George V. Hines gave the following Report on RMLD Audits and Investigation:
♦ Inspector Generals report received 12-11-01
♦ Board of Selectmen established RMLD Oversight Task Force 12-11 -01;
First meeting was 12-19-01
♦ Melanson Heath hired to do forensic audit 12-27-01
Price Waterhouse Coopers (PwC) hired by the RMLD to do forensic
audit in early January 2002
♦ PwC Audit complete March 2002
♦ Joint meeting with Board of Selectmen from 3 other communities served
by RMLD 3-14-02
♦ Melanson Heath audit completed and report to Task Force 4-4-02
♦ RMLB requested a month to review all reports
♦ Task Force to meet again mid-May "after Town Meeting"
♦ All meetings of the Task Force have been on RCTV
♦ The text of the Melanson Heath audit is on the Town's web page at
www.ci.reading.ma.us,
♦ The PwC report is on the RMLD web site at www.nnld.com
Board of Light Commission William Hughes gave the following Report on RMLD Audit and
Investigation:
On January I01h, the RMLD commissioned PricewaterhouseCooper to perform a forensic audit to
review the Inspector General's Report of December 11, 2001, "Credit Card and Certain Other
Spending Practices at the Reading Municipal Light Department." This report audited the credit
card, travel and entertainment expenditures from January, 1998 through September, 2000.
Additionally, PricewaterhouseCooper was directed to audit the credit card, travel and
entertaimnent expenditures by the RMLD from September, 2000 through December, 2001.
On January 19, 2002, the RMLD commissioned Choate, Hall & Stewart to perform an
investigation into allegations of sexual favoritism and nepotism conveyed to the Town of
Reading's Oversight Task Force Committee in the form of an anonymous letter dated January
12, 2002.
On January 21, 2001, General Manager, Leonard Rucker, was placed on paid administrative -
leave, at his request, by the RMLD Board of Commissioners while the PricewaterhouseCooper's
audit and the Choate, Hall & Stewart's investigation were being performed.
Assistant General Manager, Linda Bernat and Electric Maintenance Manager, Joseph Boyan,
were placed on paid administrative leave on January 28, 2002. Joseph Boyan resigned and
subsequently retired from the RMLD on January 31, 2002.
The Choate, Hall & Stewart investigation was completed in March, and the report was delivered
to the RMLD's Acting General Manager on March 18, 2002.
The PricewaterhouseCooper's audit was completed and delivered to the RMLD Acting General
Manager on March 18, 2002. The audit report pointed out that questionable spending practices
went on at the RMLD, policies were not followed, and the expense report approval process
needed restructuring.
Both reports were not made public immediately because they were being used in relation to
employment issues in the Executive Session of the RMLD Board Meetings.
The RMLD's General Manager, Leonard Rucker, resigned from the RMLD on Monday, April 1,
2002, receiving his accrued vacation and sick leave buyback, which any employee of the RMLD
would receive upon leaving the RMLD.
On Tuesday, April 2, 2002, the RMLD made the PricewaterhouseCooper's audit public and it is
available on the RMLD website - WWW.RMLD.com.
The RMLD's Acting General Manager, with the advice from counsel, has treated the Choate,
Hall & Stewart report as protected material under the Public Records Law (Chapter 66, Section
10 and Chapter 4, Section 7 of the Massachusetts General Laws).
A local attorney has contacted the Secretary of State's Office requesting a copy of the Choate,
Hall & Stewart report. The Supervisor of Public Records has assigned an attorney to determine
whether the Choate, Hall & Stewart report is protected under the Public Records Law.
Assistant General Manager, Linda Bernat, has been placed on unpaid administrative leave as of
April 13, 2001. The unpaid administrative leave extends to no later than May 10, 2001.
The Acting General Manager has met with PricewaterhouseCooper and General Counsel to
initiate action on the issue of restitution with respect to the outcome of the
PricewaterhouseCooper and Melanson Heath audits. As part of this action,
PricewaterhouseCooper is reviewing the recommendations in the Melanson Heath report. The
result of this effort will be to determine the amounts of restitution due the RMLD with respect to
the two audits.
The RMLD's PricewaterhouseCooper's audit cost the RMLD approximately $98,000. This cost
is exclusive of the restitution issue being tendered to.
-2- Annual Town Meeting
April 29, 2002
The Choate, Hall & Stewart investigation cost the RMLD about $130,000. The cost of this
investigation is higher than expected due to the fact that Choate, Hall & Stewart interviewed over
twice as many people as had originally been projected. Additional costs on this project are not
anticipated.
ARTICLE 2 - On motion by George V. Hines, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, it was
moved to table the subject matter of Article 2.
ARTICLE 12 - On motion by George V. Hines, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, it was
moved to remove Article 12 from the table.
See Town Manager's Budget presentation attached.
ARTICLE 12 - On motion by Richard E. McDonald, Chairman of the Finance Committee, to
move that the Town raise by borrowing, or from the tax levy, or transfer from available funds,
and appropriate the sum of:
$57,766,668
for the operation of the Town and its Government for Fiscal Year 2003 beginning July 1, 2002.
ARTICLE 12 - On motion by Richard E. McDonald, Chairman of the Finance Committee, it
was moved that the Town approve and appropriate the proposed FY 2003 budget as presented
for Line Items Al and A2 (Accounting Department):
$110,055
to be provided as follows:
Lines Al and A2 - from property taxes, State aid and non-property tax local receipts
ARTICLE 12 - On motion by Richard E. McDonald, Chairman of the Finance Committee, it
was moved that the Town approve and appropriate the proposed FY 2003 budget as presented in
Line Items B 17 and B 18 (Community Services Department):
$625,242
to be provided as follows:
Lines B 17 and B 18 - from property taxes, State aid and non-property tax local receipts
ARTICLE 12 - On motion by Richard E. McDonald, Chairman of the Finance Committee, it
was moved that the Town approve and appropriate the proposed FY 2003 budget as presented
for Line Items C 12 and C 13 (Finance Department):
$821,747
-3 - Annual Town Meeting
April 29, 2002
Town of Reading, Massachusetts
Projected Revenues
General Fund
Property taxes:
Total tax levy
Less: Provision for abatements
and exemptions
Local revenues from sources other
than property taxes:
Motor vehicle excise
Penalties and interest on taxes
Payments in lieu of taxes
Charges for services
Licenses and permits
Special assessments
Fines
Interest earnings
Intergovernmental revenue:
State aid
Less:
State aid - offset items
Operating transfers 1 available funds:
Cemetery perpetual care
Cemetery sale of lots
Wetland protection filing fees
Sale of real estate funds
Reading Ice Arena Authority
Earnings distributions - electric
Overlay surplus
Certified "Free Cash"
Totals
2002 2003
Final Budget Budget Budget
Budget (Revised) Over (Under) Projected Over (Under)
2001 2002 2001 2003 2002 Notes
30,566,179 31,448,955 882,776 32,398,477 949,522 A.)
_ 400,157
(383,556)
16,601
(400,000)
16,444
30,166,022
31,065,399
899,377
31,998,477
933,078
% change
3.0%
3.0%
2,500,000
2,650,000
150,000
2,650,000
160,000
140,000
(20,000)
140,000
190,000
215,000
25,000
215,000
730,000
1,004,500
274,500
1,124,500
120,000
40,000
45,000
5,000
50,000
5,000
5,000
5,000
5,000
110,000
100,000
(10,000)
100,000
900,000
650,000
2( 50,000)
500,000
1( 50,000)
4,635,000
4,809,500
174,500
4,784,500
25,000
% change
3.8%
-0.5%
12,042,341
12,084,945
42,604
12,590,717
505,772
(440,199)
(466,122)
(25,923)
(379,381)
86,741
11,602,142
11,618,823
16,681
12,211,336
592,513
%change
01%
5.1%
99,890
99,890
(99,890)
57,500
55,000
(2,500)
10,000
(45,000)
940
940
. (940)
880,275
137,500
(742,775)
46,700
(90,800)
130,000
130,000
204,163
74,163
1,635,572
1,706,229
70,657
1,748,885
42,656
218,695
186,000
(32,695)
127,779
(58,221)
1,395,501
468,873
926,628
560,830
91,957
4,288,373
2,784,432
(1,503,941)
2,698,357
86,075
%change
-35.1%
-3.1%
50,691,537
50,278,154
(413,383)
51,692,670
1,414,516
% change
-0.8%
2.8%
A.) FY 2002 new growth $139,126; FY 2003 new growth projected at $140,000
B.) Reflects increase in building permits fees, parking pemit fees and cemetery fees
C.) Reflects decrease in interest rates
D.) Chapter 70, additional assistance, lottery and highway fund per Governor's budget (House 1);
SBA for the Coolidge Middle School project at $542,025 and HS project adjustment at ($230); all other items level funded
E.) Direct offset to cemetery budget
F.) Cemetery debt service retired
G.) Direct offset to conservation budget
H.) Balance of funds currently available in FY 2003
I.) Based on Reading Ice Arena projections
J.) Increases in FY 2003 by 2.5% over FY 2002
B.)
C.)
D.)
E.)
F.)
G.)
H.)
J.)
29-Apr-02
TOWN OF READING, MASSACHUSETTS - FISCAL YEAR 2003 BUDG
Department
Town Manager
Actual
Budget
Requested
Recommended
02 to '03
02 to '03
Expenditures
(Revised)
Budget
Budget
Percent
$
No.
FY - 2001
FY - 2002
FY - 2003
FY - 2003
Increase
Increase
Budget Summary
General Fund
A
Accounting
104,172
108,102
110,055
110,055
1.81%
1,953
B
Community Services
608,610
637,261
656,298
625,242
-1.89%
(12,019)
C
Finance
675,753
821,575
835,018
821,747
0.02%
172
D
General Services
667,635
627,549
648,280
671,745
7.04%
44,196
E
Library
798,480
809,009
829,666
817,000
0.99%
7,991
F
Public Safety .
5,813,964
5,740,485
6,063,329
5,946,306
3.59%
205,821
G
Public Works
3,628,397
3,399,721
3,425,420
3,308,689
-2.68%
(91,032)
Town Totals
12,297,011
12,143,702
12,568,066
12,300,784
1.29%
157,082
H
Building Maintenance
3,157,831
2,944,396
3,037,993
2,997,993
1.82%
53,597
I-J
Schools
23,875,234
24,671,476
25,094,163
24,972,285
1.22%
300,809
K
Debt Service and Capital
4,660,233
3,629,770
4,004,349
3,918,252
7.95%
288,482
L
Employee Benefits
5,756,873
6,281,930
6,959,834
6,971,133
10.97%
689,203
Total General Fund
49,747,182
49,671,274
51,664,405
51,160,447
3.00%
1,489,173
State Assessments
655,784
606,880
606,880
563,527
Total Funding Required
For General Fund
50,402,966
50,278,154
52,271,285
51,723,974
2.88%
1,445,820
Enterprise Funds
N Water Fund
2,603,484
2,697,477
2,719,907
2,673,528
-0.89%
(23,949)
0 Sewer Fund
3,508,404
3,759,773
3,932,097
3,932,693
4.60%
172,920
Total Enterprise Funds
6,111,888
6,457,250
6,652,004
6,606,221
2.31%
148,971
GRAND TOTAL
56,514,854
56,735,404
58,923,289
58,330,195
2.81%
1,594,791
04/29/2002 1
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3 YEAR SUMMARY of BUDGET REDUCTIONS -TOWN
Department
FY 01
FY 02
FY 03
Total
(in 000's)
Accounting
$0.00
$4.60
$1.00
$5.60
Community Services
$43.00
$18.00
$50.00
$111.00
Finance
$12.00
$197.00
$21.00
$230.00
General Services
$49.00
$75.00
$22.00
$146.00
Library
$46.00
$58.00
$35.00
$139.00
Public Safety
Police
$0.00
$190.00
$37.00
$227.00
Fire
$61.00
$85.00
$53.00
$199.00
Animal Control
$0.40
$2.00
$0.00
$2.40
Dispatch
7.00
12.00
20.00
39.00
TOTAL Public Safety
$68.40
$289.00
$110.00
$467.40
Public Works
$96.00
$806.00
$138.00
$1,040.00
Total
$314.40
$1,447.60
$377.00
$2,139.00
to be provided as follows:
Lines C12 and C13 - from property taxes, State aid and non-property tax local receipts
ARTICLE 12 - On motion by Richard E. McDonald, Chairman of the Finance Committee, it
was moved that the Town approve and appropriate the proposed FY 2003 budget as presented
for Line Items D14 and D15 (General Services Department):
$671,745
to be provided as follows:
Lines D 14 and D 15 - from property taxes, State aid and non-property tax local receipts
ARTICLE 12 - On motion by Richard E. McDonald, Chairman of the Finance Committee, it
was moved that the Town approve and appropriate the proposed FY 2003 budget as presented in
Line Items E1 and E2 (Library Department):
$817,000
to be provided as follows:
Lines E1 and E2 from property taxes, State aid and non-property tax local receipts
ARTICLE 12 - On motion by Richard E. McDonald, Chairman of the Finance Committee, it
was moved that the Town approve and appropriate the proposed FY 2003 budget as presented
for Line Items F9 and F10 (Public Safety Department):
$5,946,306
to be provided as follows:
Lines F9 and F10 - from property taxes, State aid and non-property tax local receipts
ARTICLE 12 - On motion by Richard E. McDonald, Chairman of the Finance Committee, it
was move that the Town approve and appropriate the proposed FY 2003 budget as presented for
Line Items G9 through G16 (Department of Public Works):
$3,308,689
to be provided as follows:
Line G9 - $204,163 from the Reading Ice Arena Authority
- Line G15 - $10,000 from Cemetery Sale of Lots
Remainder of lines G9 through G16 from property taxes, State aid and non-property tax local
receipts
-4- Annual Town Meeting
April 29, 2002
On motion by Gail F. Wood, Precinct 2, it was moved to amend Line G12 by adding $500 for
Christmas Tree Pickup from Free Cash.
On motion by Gerald L. McDonald, Precinct 3, it was voted to move the question on Line items
G9-G16.
2/3 voted required
115 voted in the affirmative
40 voted in the negative
Motion by Gail F. Wood did not carry.
On motion by Timothy R. Twomey, Precinct 4, it was moved to take Line Item I before H.
ARTICLE 12 - On motion by Richard E. McDonald, Chairman of the Finance Committee, it
was moved that the Town approve and appropriate the proposed FY 2003 budget as presented
for Line Item I (School Department):
$24,808,998
to be provided as follows:
Line I - from property taxes, State aid and non-property tax local receipts
ARTICLE 12 - On motion by Richard E. McDonald, Chairman of the Finance Committee, it
was moved that the Town approve and appropriate the proposed FY 2003 budget as presented
for Line Item H5. (Building Maintenance):
$2,997,993
to be provided as follows:
Line H5 - from property taxes, State aid and non-property tax local receipts
On motion by Debbie H. McCulley, Precinct 2, it was moved to reduce Line Item H by $83,351.
Motion did not carry.
ARTICLE 12 - On motion by Richard E. McDonald, Chairman of the Finance Committee, it
was moved that the Town approve and appropriate the proposed FY 2003 budget as presented
for Line Item J (Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational School):
$163,287
to be provided as follows:
-5- Annual Town Meeting
April 29, 2002
Line J - from property taxes, State aid and non-property tax local receipts
ARTICLE 12 - On motion by Richard E. McDonald, Chairman of the Finance Committee, it
was moved that the Town approve and appropriate the proposed FY 2003 budget as presented
for Line Items Kl, K6, and K17 (Debt and Capital):
$3,918,252
to be provided as follows:
Line Kl - $46,700 from Sale of Real Estate Fund,
Lines K6 and K17 and the remainder of line K1 from property taxes, State aid and non-property
tax local receipts
ARTICLE 12 - On motion by Richard E. McDonald, Chairman of the Finance Committee, it
was moved that the Town approve and appropriate the FY 2003 budget as presented for Line
Item L8 (Employee Benefits):
$6,971,133
to be provided as follows:
Line L8 - $127,779 from Overlay Surplus, $560,830 from Free Cash, and the remainder from
property taxes, State aid and non-property tax local receipts
ARTICLE 12 - On motion by Richard E. McDonald, Chairman of the Finance Committee, it
was moved that the Town approve and appropriate the proposed FY 2003 budget as presented
for Line Items M1 through M3 (Water Fund):
$2,673,528
to be provided as follows:
Lines Ml through M3 - from property taxes, State aid and non-property tax local receipts
ARTICLE 12 - On motion by Richard E. McDonald, Chairman of the Finance Committee, it
was moved that the Town approve and appropriate the proposed FY 2003 budget as presented
for Line Items N1 through N4 (Sewer Fund):
$3,932,693
to be provided as follows:
Line N4 - $293,000 from Sewer Reserves
-6- Annual Town Meeting
April 29, 2002
Line N1 through N3, and the remainder of line N4 from property taxes, State aid and non-
property tax local receipts
ARTICLE 12 - On motion by Richard E. McDonald, Chairman of the Finance Committee, it
was voted that the Town raise by borrowing, or from the tax levy, or transfer from available
funds, and appropriate the sum of:
$57,766,668
for the operation of the Town and its Government for Fiscal Year 2003 beginning July 1, 2002.
Representing the total of all previously made motions under Article 12.
Funds are to be provided as set forth in said previously made motions.
ARTICLE 3 - On motion by Linda M. Phillips, Precinct 6, it was moved to remove Article 3
from the table.
ARTICLE 3 - On motion by Linda M. Phillips, Precinct 6, it was moved to amend the vote of
Article 3 - 12/8/88 Town Meeting and Article 2 of Subsequent Town Meeting 11/9/92 to include
the language:
"The members of the School Building Committee shall be appointed for a three (3) year
staggered term so arranged that as nearly an equal number of terms as possible shall expire each
year beginning with those members who have already exceeded two (2) terms. The School
building Committee shall adopt the same ""perating procedures for boards, Committees,
Commissions and task forces""as applied throughout other Town of Reading governmental
committees."
On motion by Michael F. Slezak, Precinct 6, it was voted to move the question.
2/3 voted required
118 voted in the affirmative
29 voted in the negative
Motion by Linda M. Phillips did not carry.
ARTICLE 3 - On motion by Frederick Van Magness, Precinct 8, it was moved that the RMLD
Board of Commissioners:
(1) Present a full accounting of all monies expended as a result of the Inspector General's
report dated December 11, 2002 to include:
♦ Legal costs expended by RMLD and the Town of Reading
o Cost of both Town and RMLD audits (PricewaterhouseCooper/Melanson/Heath)
Costs paid to General Manager and Assistant General Manager for "paid" leaves of
absences
-7- Annual Town Meeting
April 29, 2002
♦ Any and all past employment costs for any employee who resigns or is terminated
as a result of the Inspector General's report
♦ Legal costs to review any and all additional areas such as the anonymous letter received
(Choate, Hall)
♦ Estimated cost of time spent by RMLD employees assisting in audits that are not
part of their normal duties
♦ Costs of newspaper ads and other miscellaneous expenses
s Estimated cost for Town Accountant and Town Manager in response to the
Inspector General's report
♦ Cost of any future payments to General Manager associated with contracted terns
to share costs of new ventures for years past employment
(2) Present a report on the new business activities of RMLD including why Reading is
not entitled to all revenues received.
(3) Include review of General Manager's contract provisions as part of overall actions
relative to the. Inspector General's report and report same to Town Meeting. Said
reports to be made to the Subsequent Town Meeting, Fall 2002.
On motion by Nancy Huntington-Stager, Precinct 1, it was moved to amend Frederick Van
Magness' motion to include that reports be in writing and before Town Meeting.
Motions carried.
ARTICLE 3 - On instructional motion by Carol S. Grimm, Precinct 7, it was moved that the
amounts of any additional cuts in state aid be placed on a ballot at a special town election as an
operating override.
Motion carried.
ARTICLE 3 - On motion by George V. Hines, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, it was
moved to place Article 3 on the table.
On motion by George V. Hines, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, it was voted that this
Annual Town Meeting stand adjourned sine die.
Meeting adjourned at 10:58 p.m.
168 Town Meeting Members were present.
A true copy. Attest: Oheryl A~ John
Town Clerk
-8- Annual Town Meeting
April 29, 2002
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Middlesex, ss. Officer's Return, Reading:
By virtue of this Warrant, I, on August 15, 2002 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 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 seven (7) days prior to September 17,
2002, the date set for the State Primary Election in this Warrant.
I also caused an attested copy of this Warrant to be published in the Reading
Chronicle in the issue of August 28, 2002.
l
Thomas H. re an, Constable
A true copy. Attest:
.Cheryl A/. Joluison, Town Clerk
1