HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-11-10 Subsequent Town MeetingSUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING
(Seal)
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Middlesex, ss.
To any of the constables of the Town of Reading, Greetings:
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby required to notify
and warn the inhabitants of the Town of Reading, qualified to vote in elections and Town
affairs, first session to meet at the Parker Middle School Auditorium, 45 Temple Street, in said
Reading, on Monday, November 10, 1997, at seven-thirty o'clock in the evening, and all other
sessions to meet at the Reading Memorial High School Auditorium, 62 Oakland Road, at
seven-thirty o'clock in the evening, at which time and place the following Articles are to be
acted upon and determined exclusively by Town Meeting Members in accordance with the
provisions of the Reading Home Rule Charter.
ARTICLE 1 To hear and act on the reports of the Board of Selectmen, Town
Accountant, Treasurer-Collector, Board of Assessors, Director of Public Works, Town Clerk,
Tree Warden, Board of Health, School Committee, Contributory Retirement Board, Library
Trustees, Municipal Light Board, Finance Committee, Cemetery Trustees, Community Planning
& Development Commission, Town Manager and any other Board or Special Committee,
Board of Selectmen
ARTICLE 2 To choose all other necessary Town Officers and Special Committees
and determine what instructions shall be given Town Officers and Special Committees, and to
see what sum the Town will raise by borrowing or transfer from available funds, or otherwise,
and appropriate for the purpose of funding Town Officers and Special Committees to carry out
the instructions given to them, or take any other action with respect thereto.
Board of Selectmen
ARTICLE 3 To see if the Town will vote to amend the FY 1998 - FY 2007 Capital
Improvement 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 4 To see if the Town will vote to authorize the payment during Fiscal Year
1998 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 amend one or more of the votes taken
under Article 22 of the Warrant of the Annual Town Meeting of April 14, 1997, relating to the
Fiscal Year 1998 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.
Board of Selectmen
ARTICLE 6 To see if the Town will vote to rescind part or all of the remaining bond
authorizations made pursuant to Article 12 of the 1994 Subsequent Town Meeting for the
purpose of construction of the new Parker Middle School and related matters and pursuant to
the vote taken under Article 11 of the 1996 Annual Town Meeting for the purpose of acquiring
land off Pasture Road owned by Michael and Phyllis Larkin, and pursuant to the vote taken
under Article 15 of the 1997 Annual Town Meeting for the purpose of funding the design of the
new Police Station, or take any other action with respect thereto.
Board of Selectmen
ARTICLE 7 To see if the Town will vote to propose an amendment to Article 5 of the
Reading Home Rule Charter relating to the Town Manager by adding the phrase "(except as
expressly authorized by the Board of Selectmen)" after the phrase "to the office," in the third
sentence of the second paragraph of Section 5-1 so that sentence shall read: "During his
term, he shall devote full time to the office, (except as expressly authorized by the Board of
Selectmen), shall not engage in any other business or occupation, and (except as expressly
provided in the Charter) shall not hold any other public office, elective or appointive, in the
Town.", or take any other action with respect thereto.
Board of Selectmen
ARTICLE 8 To see if the Town will vote pursuant to Section 5.8.1 of the General
Bylaws of the Town to designate as a Scenic Road that portion of Walnut Street between
Hopkins Street and Pine Ridge Road, or take any other action with respect thereto.
Community Planning and Development Commission,
Conservation Commission, Historical Commission
ARTICLE 9 To see if the Town will vote to accept one or more gifts to be
administered by the Commissioners of Trust Funds, such gifts to be used for the purposes for
which they are given to the Town, or take any other action with respect thereto.
Board of Selectmen
ARTICLE 10 To see what sum the Town will raise by borrowing, pursuant to Chapter
29C of the General Laws, or any other enabling authority, or transfer from available funds, or
otherwise, 'and appropriate for the purpose of making or funding repairs to failed septic
systems and/or other water pollution abatement projects, all in accordance with the
requirements of Chapter 29C of the General Laws, or take any other action with respect
thereto.
Board of Selectmen
ARTICLE 11 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 bins to purchase additional compost bins, and to pay for related
expenditures, and to determine the total amount of expenditures during fiscal year 1998 which
may be made from such fund, or take any other action with respect thereto.
Board of Selectmen
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ARTICLE 12 To see what sum the Town will appropriate from available funds for
highways projects in accordance with Chapter 90 of the General Laws, or take any other action
with respect thereto.
Board of Selectmen
ARTICLE 13 To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen of the
Town of Reading to convey and/or abandon certain rights in fee and/or easements in Reading,
Middlesex County, MA in the portion of the cul-de-sac in the public way known as Lucy Drive
which portion to be abandoned is shown. on a highlighted portion of. the plan entitled
"Cedarwood at Reading, Final Plan of Lucy Drive, Reading, Mass." originally dated June 6,
1966; and to determine the minimum amount to be paid for such conveyance and/or
abandonment; and to authorize the Board of Selectmen to convey or abandon all or any part
of said rights in fee and/or easements for such amount or a larger amount, and upon such
other terms and conditions as the Board of Selectmen shall consider proper and to deliver a
deed or deeds therefor if necessary, or take any other action with respect thereto.
Board of Selectmen
ARTICLE 14: To see if the Town will vote to amend the Reading Zoning By-Laws by
adding thereto the following Section 4.3.1.2.1. Earth Fill, or take any other action with respect
thereto:
"4.3.1.2.1. Earth Fill:
_ a. In any district, no earth which is contaminated by any hazardous or toxic material as
defined in Federal or State laws and regulations or which has any reportable
concentration of any such material as defined pursuant to said laws and regulations, or
which contains trash, refuse, rubbish, debris, stumps, branches, lumber, bricks, plaster,
wire, lath, paper, cardboard, pipe, tires, ashes, appliances, equipment, motor vehicles,
or any other solid organic material, or any other similar material, or parts of any of the
foregoing shall be deposited onto or used as fill on any lot or parcel of land.
b. Earth filling shall not take place in any district if such activity:
1. Endangers the public health or safety or constitutes a nuisance;
2. Produces noise, dust or other effects observable at the lot lines in
amounts materially detrimental to the normal use of adjacent property;
3. Results in the transportation of materials in such a manner as to cause
traffic congestion or hazards, or results in the deposit or spillage of earth
onto a street or way, or causes damage to streets or ways;
4. Results in a change in topography and cover which will increase the
flow of water onto any street, way, or parcel of land, unless otherwise
duly authorized by a Board, Commission, or officer of the Town or
Commonwealth having jurisdiction thereover;
5. Results in the violation of any Zoning By-Law; General Bylaw;
Conservation Commission regulation, order of condition, or enforcement
order; or any other rule or regulation adopted by the Town of Reading; or
6. Occurs outside of the following hours:
Mondays through Fridays inclusive: 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturdays: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sundays and Legal Holidays: None."
Community Planning and Development Commission
ARTICLE 15 - To see if the Town will vote to amend the Reading Zoning By-Laws by
adding thereto the following Section 4.3.2.9. Swimming Pools, or take any other action with
respect thereto:
"4.3.2.9. Swimming Pools
Any inground or above ground outdoor swimming pool which requires a building permit on any
lot used for residential purposes shall.comply with the following requirements:
a. The pool and any appurtenant deck, patio, or other structure, shall be located
entirely on that portion of the lot lying behind the rearmost plane of the dwelling
as extended to either side property line of the lot;
b. Neither the pool nor any appurtenant deck, patio, or other structure, shall be
located closer than five (5) feet to any side or rear property line of the lot; further,
if the pool or any appurtenant structure is attached to the dwelling, then neither
the pool nor any appurtenant deck, patio, or other structure, shall be closer than
rear property line of the lot;
C. The water in the pool shall not be closer than five (5) feet to any fence or structure
on the lot;
d. For safety reasons, a sturdy, non-climbable, permanent fence of between five (5)
and,six (6) feet in height shall be erected along the entire perimeter of the area.
containing a pool and any appurtenant deck or patio, except in those areas of
the perimeter where the dwelling or a structure acts instead as a suitable barrier
to access to this area; any gate in such fence shall have a lock at the top.
Any enclosed structure containing a pool and attached to the dwelling on the lot shall conform
with the requirements of Section 5.1.2. of these By-Laws; any enclosed structure containing a
pool and not attached to the dwelling on the lot shall conform with the requirements of Section
5.2.3.6. of these By-Laws."
Community Planning and Development Commission
- .r
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ARTICLE 16 To see if the Town will vote to amend the Reading Zoning By-Laws by
I deleting Section 5.2.1. relating to lot shape in its entirety and substituting therefor the
following, or take any other action with respect thereto:
"5.2.1. Lot Shape
In all residence districts, no lot may be construed to be a building lot unless it fully contains a
geometric shape which conforms with the following characteristics:
a. The geometric shape entirely complies with the area and frontage requirements
of these By-Laws;
b. One side of the geometric shape coincides with the street line of the lot for the
entire length and depth of the required frontage; and
c. The product of the area (in square feet) of the geometric shape multiplied by
22 is greater than the square of the total length (in feet) of the perimeter
of the geometric shape, expressed as:
2
(Area of Geometric Shape) x 22 > (Perimeter of Geometric Shape)"
Community Planning and Development Commission
ARTICLE 17 To see if the Town will vote to amend Section 5.3.2. of the Reading
Zoning By-Laws relating to Overlay Districts by renumbering Section 5.3.2.1. as Section 5.2.9.
and by deleting Section 5.3.2., or take any other action with respect thereto.
Community Planning and Development Commission
and you are directed to serve this Warrant by posting an attested copy thereof in at least one
(1) public place in each precinct of the Town not less than fourteen (14) days prior to
November 10, 1997, the date set for the meeting in said Warrant, and to publish this Warrant
in a newspaper published in the Town, or by mailing an attested copy of said Warrant to each
Town Meeting Member at least fourteen (14) days prior to the time of holding said meeting.
Hereof fail not and make due return of this Warrant with your doings thereon to the
Town Clerk at or before the time appointed for said meeting.
Given under our hands this 23rd day of September, 1997.
Chairman
miNe-W-Anthony,
W."Br ce MacDonald, Vice Chairman
Sally M. Hoy ecretary
George V. Hines
~l
i -
,C C roc- Jo ~
Daniel A. Ensminger
SELECTMEN OF READING
Thomas H. l7reemah,
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COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Middlesex, ss. Officer's Return, Reading:
By virtue of this Warrant, I, on October 20, 1997 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, 67 Pleasant 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 Arthur W. Coolidge, Middle School, 89 Birch Meadow Drive
The date of posting being not less than fourteen (14) days prior to November 10, 1997, the
date set for the Subsequent Town Meeting in this Warrant.
1 also caused an attested copy of this Warrant to be published in the Reading Chronicle
in the issue of October 23,.1997.
Thomas H. Freeman, Constable
A true, copy. Attest:
Chery! . Johnsor~ Town Clerk
SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING
Parker Middle School November 10, 1997
The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Alan E. Foulds, at 7:34 p.m., there being a
quorum present.
The Invocation was given by The Reverend Thomas Conway, St. Athanasius Church, followed
by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
The Warrant was partially read by the Town Clerk, Cheryl A. Johnson, when on motion by
Camille W. Anthony, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, it was voted to dispense with further
reading of the Warrant except for the Officer's Return, which was read by the Town Clerk.
During the past months, there have been two people whose passing greatly affected the
community. There was a moment of silence for John Pacino and Elaine Donahue.
ARTICLE 1 - Philip B. Pacino, Chairman of the Reading Municipal Light Board, presented the
following annual State of the Light Department Report:
The Board reports that the Reading Municipal Light Department for the last year has operated
r - effectively. The power that the Department is delivering to its customers has been at a reliable
level. The cost paid by its customers has been below that paid by comparable customers of the
area's investor owned utilities and neighboring municipal entities.
As part of a commitment to keep the system at a level that should avoid outages, the Board and
the Department have started a preventive maintenance program. The purpose of the program is
for a crew from the Department to go through areas within the system in an effort to review the
physical condition of that area's infrastructure and make improvements to that infrastructure. In a
part of Lynnfield where the program was first tested, these improvements included such items as
tree trimming, replacing wires that had become part of trees and replacing rotted cross arms. The
program has been successful and in the coming year, the Board is looking to add a second crew.
Unfortunately, this is not to say that outages will not still take place. However, when outages do
occur, the Department makes every effort to correct the problem as soon as possible.
As a further commitment to keep the system operating properly, the Board has authorized the
Department to begin preliminary designs for a new substation in North Reading. This substation
will be in addition to the Gaw Station on Causeway Street here in Reading. The substation is
needed because the present power demands of the system are near to the maximum the Gaw
substation can handle.
The Board in the last year has spent considerable time on the deregulation of the utility industry
and how it will affect the Reading Municipal Light Department and its customers. The term
deregulation is a misnomer. What really is happening to the utility industry is a restructuring of
November 10, 1997
the industry. The Board and the Department do not use the term deregulation but instead use the
term restructuring.
The Board with myself as the facilitator has used a form of Total Quality Management to discuss
the issues and come to required decisions about restructuring. The process used by the Board has
been named "What are we to be?" It has identified that there needs to be four vision statements
under restructuring with the Department carrying out these visions. The four are a customer
vision, a Department vision, a Town of Reading as owner vision and a Board vision. The Board
is presently working on forming these visions at the present time.
On the overhead behind me is the new logo of the Reading Municipal. Light Department. The
new logo signals the start of a new way the Department may be doing business under
restructuring.
Restructuring is upon us. The Massachusetts State Legislature has a bill pending before it that
restructures electric utilities in Massachusetts effective March 1, 1998. The legislation would
result in a 10% rate reduction, the securitization of stranded costs and unbundled rates. The
legislation would allow customer choice for power. Further, the U.S. Congress have several bills
before it that mandate customers' choice.
The Reading Municipal Light Department and all other municipal utilities in the. Commonwealth
under the State legislation are exempt as long as the municipal utility only operates in its existing
service area. Thus, the RMLD is not subject to the rules of the restructuring legislature unless it
elects to supply power to any customers not presently in the service area.
The Board, however, is watching the legislation closely since it believes that its customers will
expect to receive the same benefits as the investor owned utility customers. The Board has
discussed customer choice in its deliberations. The Board has decided that it will continue to
monitor all Federal and State legislation and work toward providing its customers with the widest
choice of power. This choice of power could encompass different options from the Department
itself in addition to possible choices of outside power suppliers.
As the future is visualized, the RMLD will stay in the business of maintaining the power
infrastructure to its customer. It is possible that customers in the service area could, be free to
choose from outside providers the source of electrical power they wish to receive. The RMLD
will, however, continue to provide electrical power to these customers who desire to stay with us.
There are two other aspects of restructuring the Board is watching closely.
One is the opportunity for the RMLD to go -into other compatible businesses that would enhance
the Department. These businesses range from billing for other utilities to appliance services to
Cable TV operations and beyond.
The other aspect is stranded costs. Stranded costs are costs of power contracts the RMLD is
committed to but which under restructuring the utility will not be able to bill to customers. The
2 November 10, 1997
RMLD's estimated stranded cost number at last estimate was around $250 million. Under present
legislation, this amount will be recovered from customers under the terms of securitization. The
Board is watching the legislation and taking all steps to be certain these amounts can be recovered
from customers or others. If they are not recovered, the debt could be left to the Town of
Reading to pay.
As part of possible restructuring, the Board with the Light Departments of Braintree and Taunton
plus the Connecticut Municipal Electric Energy Cooperative have joined together and formed a
collaborative called Energy New England. Energy New England is an entity to which power
contracts have been transferred for the purpose of creating greater efficiencies and economic
savings by way of combined operations. These savings will be passed onto the customers of the
RMLD. At the same time, there will be reduction in the above referred to risk on the
Departments power contracts. Energy New England will also provide flexibility that could allow
the RMLD to compete for larger customers under a restructured environment.
The final item under this report is the return on investment payment the RMLD makes to the
Town of Reading. The Citizens' Advisory Board has recommended. that the payment for the year
starting January 1, 1998 and for future years be capped at its present level until the North Reading
substation is completed. The Board is presently reviewing this request and trying to determine the
best way for this payment to be calculated.
The Board is concerned about the future of itself. The decisions it will be entrusted with carry
huge weight to the Department and the Town of Reading. The present members realize any
wrong decision could be costly. The Board will review as part of its Board vision how it should
be constructed and how it makes its decisions.
Even with all the risks of restructuring, it is an exciting time to be in the electric utility business.
The industry is on the cutting edge of change. The future holds opportunities. It is the intent of
the Board to take advantage of these opportunities and thus enhance the RMLD.
Thank you, Mr. Moderator
ARTICLE 1 - Russell T. Graham, Chairman of the School Building Committee, presented the
following School Building Committee Report:
The School Building Committee is delighted to welcome you to the new Parker Middle School.
Often, the results of the deliberations of Town Meeting are not easily seen in concrete form.
Tonight, we are surrounded by a very tangible demonstration of the good that can come from
your vote, and your thoughtful commitment to education.
The Parker project was on schedule, delivered in the timeframe proposed, and under budget by
$700,000. It is a project, and an end result in which the Town can take great pride.
We wish we could report to you this evening that with the completion of this project, and the
work already completed at the elementary level, our job was done, that the space problems and
3 November 10, 1997
enrollment crunch were all solved. Unfortunately, such is far from the case. Enrollment in the
schools continue to increase at all levels, and projections of future enrollment rather than
indicating a drop off or stabilization, instead forecast a continuing increase. These forecasts are
based on children already enrolled, and on current birth rates in Reading.
This increase in projected number of students comes somewhat from new construction of large
homes attractive mostly to families with children, but the increase comes even more so by the
heavy turnover of existing homes being sold by those whose families have left the nest to families
with school age or soon to be school age children. Neighborhoods are turning over at a much
quicker pace than previously anticipated and as any Reading realtor will tell you, selling homes in
Reading is not a problem. Finding enough homes to market is the problem. One of the major
reasons for our attractiveness is a good school system with a solid reputation for providing a good
education to its children. We have in some ways become the victims of our own success.
In conjunction with the study of the Coolidge Middle School, an enrollment projection of the
entire system was done by the New England School Development Council. The projection was
done through school years 2007-2008 or ten years out. Again, the projections were based on
current birth rates and on present enrollment. As in any such study, the further out one goes, the
more problematic the data becomes and always the caveat must be made that such data presumes
that present economic and sociological conditions will continue... assumptions not always borne
out. Dan Ensminger, up until now our source of enrollment projections, whose work has been
remarkably accurate, has attended the meetings presenting these projections and has analyzed the _
report. He, again with the captions indicated as to length of projections and as to assumptions,
concurs that they are valid projections. -
The Overhead Reflects the Findings of the Study.
(Review Overhead Projections)
An example of our dilemma is illustrated by the last space problem addressed by Town Meeting.
With the building of this new facility, space needs at the middle school level were designed to
handle a middle school enrollment of 1040 students at both schools. These projections support
this figure basically for the next five years. Middle school enrollment now at 978 will increase
next year to about the 1040 level, and remain there or very slightly below right through
2002-2003 when it will rise to 1056, an increase capable of being handled within the existing
capacity. If the middle school population were then to stabilize or decrease, then all would be
fine ...the projection, however, indicates significant increases up to an enrollment of 1173 students
in school years 2007-2008.
The projections, the assumptions, and the potential problems are all being addressed by the
School Building Committee contemplating as well current vs. future construction costs and the
likelihood of continued State reimbursement at the same formula and high dollar amount presently
in place. Recommendations on the middle school, specifically at Coolidge, will be the next
presentation to Town Meeting by the School Building Committee in the very near future.
The elementary problem and the projections as to elementary enrollment simulate the examples
given. A class size and enrollment committee has been established by the School Committee to
4 November 10, 1997
PROJECTION ENROLLMENTS
U A
K-5 MIDDLE SCHOOL
HIGH SCHOOL
PRESENT 2097 978 1046
2007-2003 2321 1173 1329
+1 i% +20% +27%
TOTAL
4121
4823
+17%
5 YEAR
PESENT 097 978 1046
2002 00 2228 1056 1288
+6% +8% +23%
TOTAL
4121
4572
+11%
address issues at the elementary level. Their recommendations will be submitted to the School
Committee for consideration. The School Building Committee feels it prudent to await the results
of such deliberation before further addressing elementary space problems, but anticipates the
potential for future involvement.
The High School, as we all know, has more than sufficient space to meet any anticipated
enrollment, but as we also know it is lousy space incapable of meeting the high standards
expected of our school system. Be aware that the fundamental problems of the High School have
not gone away and await the Town's deliberation and decision. The School Committee has
requested funds to hire a consultant to address some basic education concerns they have relative
to the High School and from that, some decisions should come which would more clearly define
the path to be taken to answer the High School problem.
While our plate is full with seemingly insurmountable problems, let us take a moment to look
around at our present surroundings. This building stands as testament to the fact that we can do
what some termed impossible to do. With sufficient determination, commitment and cooperation
and, yes, with some degree of sacrifice Town Meeting will, as it always has, meet the needs of the
people it serves.
Thank you, Mr. Moderator
ARTICLE I - James Keigley, Chairman of the Finance Committee, presented the following -
annual Status Report:
It is the mission of the ]Finance Committee to advise Town Meeting on every Warrant Article
which has financial implications. It is also the mission of the Finance Committee to report to
Town Meeting as to the status of the Town's current year revenues and expenditures, as well as
projected revenues and expenditures. It is the mission of the Finance Committee to report to
Town Meeting any potential significant shortfall or overage in the current year budget and to
include information with implications for budgets of future years. I submit to you tonight this
report from the Finance Committee.
At this moment, as I deliver this report to you, the Town is in a good financial condition. In
April, Town Meeting voted a budget of $41,243,944. The revised budget which includes State
and County assessments of $667,103 came in at $41,911,047. Total projected revenue is
$41,933,283. Certified "Free Cash" stands at $2,240,445 of which a healthy amount of $394,371
is being requested at this Town Meeting.
Some of the major grants which have been awarded to the Town include
A Streetscape Design Grant of $230,000
A Blight Program Grant of $500,000
A Geographic Information Systems Grant of $35,000
5 November 10, 1997
In conjunction with five other towns, a $293,000 Bikeway Planning Grant has been awarded. The
Town has been granted $437,834 Chapter 90 funds for local street projects. Federal and State
- funds will totally reconstruct the entire roadway of Route 129 in Reading. The Town is presently
exploring, researching and applying for other grant possibilities.
Major concerns of the Finance Committee included staffing and overtime needed by the Police
and Fire Departments. A consultant has been employed to study the Police staffing and overtime.
A report will be available at the beginning of the year. The Fire Department now has an Assistant
Fire Chief. Property for construction of a Police Station has been purchased and an architect has
been hired.
The FinCom has met with the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee. We have received a report
as to their Rate Stabilization Recommendations. The FinCom will continue to monitor the water
and sewer situation. The FinCom is concerned as to the status and future plans for the Water
Treatment Plant.
The Finance Committee will continue to monitor the progress in developing the landfill site for
commercial use. The FinCom will monitor the acquisition of any and all open space as to its
potential use and value to the Town.
The Finance Committee has researched the funding requirements for the Town's Retirement
Pension Plan. The Town's Retirement Board has brought to the attention of the Finance
Committee a new State law which requires that local retirement funds are the source of any future
Cost of Living Adjustments or COLAs for the Town of Reading retirees. Chapter 17 of the Acts
of 1997 requires that Town Meeting adopt the provisions of Section 103 of Chapter 32 if the
Town's retirees are to receive future COLAs. Thereafter, the local Retirement Board is required
to decide each year whether to grant a COLA. The new State legislation also changed the
amount of retirement allowance upon which a COLA would be based from the first $9,000 of
pension to the first $12,000 of pension.
While Town Meeting won't be asked to debate Section 103 of Chapter 32 until a later date, the
Retirement Board has furnished the Finance Committee with the results of an actuarial study. The
study shows that such a COLA requirement, if paid yearly at 3%, would require an extra funding
requirement of approximately $600,000 yearly until the year 2028. It is then that the retirement
system expects to be fully funded. This would be very sober news if the Town was required to
raise an extra $600,000 to fund the retirement system in the Fiscal 1999 budget. The good news
is that the investments of the retirement fund have done exceptionally well in the last two years.
The investments earned an increase of 23.9% in 1997 and 11.06% in 1996. The 1997 figures
reflect the State distribution to participating members of the PRIT fund, which is the pooled
investment fund for State and local retirement boards. Reading's retirement fund received
$450,000.
Factoring in these gains, the Reading Retirement Board has informed the Finance Committee that
it is seeking an increase of $126,685 over the Fiscal 1998 general fund appropriation for Fiscal
1999. While this is a significant increase, it is not beyond consideration.
6 November 10, 1997
Reading's ability to fund the unfunded pension liability of its retirement system is a factor cited by
our bond rating agencies when they raised our rating in June of 1996. COLA will more than
likely be voted by Town Meeting at some point, and even if it weren't and we never paid our
retirees another dime of COLA, the system is only 65% funded. The average public retirement
fund around the country is funded at 92%. The Reading Retirement fund is way behind in this
area.
To be fiscally responsible, the Retirement Board feels that the Town needs to stick to a funding
schedule which provides for fairly small incremental increases each year. The Retirement Board's
proposal seeks to increase by no more than 2 1/2% each year to the year 2028, when the system
would be fully funded. By doing this, the Town is mitigating the chances of very large yearly
increases in later years.
An amount of Seven Hundred and Seventy Nine Thousand, Seven Hundred and Thirty Five
Dollars ($779,735) in State SBAB funding came in one year early. In Fiscal 1998, we will have
to fund an additional approximately One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000) for the
first interest payment. The Town will have an approximately Four Hundred and Fifty Thousand
Dollars ($450,000) increase in what is available for other capital expenses after the borrowing
costs. In the ten year period of the capital plan, we will have approximately $1.2 million more to
spend on other capital savings due to taking advantage of lower interest rates and bonding earlier-
than expected.
The Town's revenues are up. State aid has increased. Additional State Lottery money returned to
the Town in the month of September was Fifty Eight Thousand and Five Hundred Dollars
($58,500). This prosperity has given the Town a chance to catch up on refurbishing the
infrastructure of the Town which was neglected during the lean years of the eighties. We only
hope it continues. However, the Finance Committee will be watching this closely to make sure
that this is done prudently.
A recent reassessment of the entire Town of Reading has brought forth the total valuation of the
Town to be One Billion, Seven Hundred and Twelve Million, Eight Hundred and Seventy Six
Thousand and Two Hundred Dollars ($1,712,876,200). This increase in value has had the effect
of lowering the tax rate per thousand dollars of valuation from $16.62 to $16.13.
The FinCom is sensitive to the fact that the residential tax rate in Reading is the thirty eighth
highest among the 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts. The average residential tax bill in
Reading is Three Thousand and Two Hundred and Seventy Three Dollars ($3,273) annually. The
Finance Committee's mission will be to advise Town Meeting as to the most frugal way to
conduct the Town's business.
The Finance Committee is working diligently with the Budget Council to establish budget
guidelines for the FY '99 budget. The Finance Committee will continue to monitor the budget
process to bring forth a balanced budget which the Town can afford.
ARTICLE I - Dennis Richards, Assistant Superintendent of Schools, presented the following
7 November 10, 1997
1997 Arnold and Dorothy Berger Award for Exemplary Teaching:
Technology 2000: Innovation at Birch Meadow
I came before Town Meeting last Spring to explain a change in the way the Berger Award would
celebrate exemplary teaching.
This year, instead of identifying exemplary teachers, the Arnold and Dorothy Berger Award for
Exemplary Teaching will support innovative teaching at one of Reading's schools. This year, the
Berger Award will go to teachers at the Birch Meadow Elementary School.
Teachers at Birch Meadow have developed a proposal for exemplary teaching that is on the
cutting edge of technology usage for schools. They will implement the proposal this year, and
report to Town Meeting in the Spring on the results of their work.
Birch Meadow, like other schools in the district, has been fortunate to have Town Meeting
support for technology. While they recognize the need to strive toward mastering the resources
they now possess, Birch Meadow teachers are also mindful of the need to be looking ahead for
new ways of incorporating technology in the classroom. To this end, they will be using the 1997
Berger Award funds to purchase equipment and software that will enable them to pilot two
innovative endeavors with technology.
First, they are interested in a software application titled Cu-See-Me, which allows students to
"Video Conference." While this technology is still somewhat innovative, schools all over the
world are using it to correspond via e-mail with the added advantage of actually being able to see
the students with whom they correspond. Birch Meadow teachers tell me that Cu-See-Me is a
natural follow up to the activities that occurred last year.
Two Birch Meadow classes engaged in international e-mail projects last year:
A first grade class participated via e-mail and "snail mail" in a Japanese Exchange and a Fifth
grade class partnered with a class in Hong Kong. With Cu-See-Me classes, this year they will see
their partners in the exchanges. Linda O'Leary at Birch Meadow will oversee the implementation
of this technology.
Second, Birch Meadow will also pilot a project involving the internet and web pages. Birch
Meadow teachers are at the beginning stages of these projects, and they will use the Berger
Award funds to purchase an application such as Microsoft Front Page or Claris Home Page that
will enable students to create web pages. Teachers and students will create the web pages as a
vehicle for intra-school communications, and also for communication between school and home,
between school and the Reading community and between Birch Meadow and schools all over the
world.
8 November 10, 1997
Web pages are also produced in the form of "Web Quests," which is a teacher or student created
resource that is placed on the internet. A Web Quest, Birch Meadow teachers tell me, makes use
of various topic-related web links for students to research and explore.
I hope that Arnold and Dorothy Berger would be proud of this proposal for exemplary teaching
that is being supported by their generous award.
I will return in the Spring with representatives from Birch Meadow to report to Town Meeting on
these exemplary Birch Meadow projects.
Thank you.
ARTICLE 1 - Daniel Ensminger, member of the Board of Selectmen, presented the following
Reading Business Park Marketing Status Report:
This is an update to Town Meeting Members on the sale of the Reading Business Park site,
a.k.a. the former Reading landfill. This sale was authorized under Article 10, voted by the Annual
Town Meeting in April, 1997.
Here is a status report on the actions undertaken by the Town and its consultants since your vote
at Annual Town Meeting:
o The Due Diligence Report ($50K), which is a thorough compendium of site characteristics
and development scenarios that provides "one stop shopping" for an interested developer,
has been completed and reviewed by the Task Force. It includes sections on Site
Description and History, a summary of applicable local bylaws, an assessment of utility
infrastructure and traffic issues, a review of wetlands and wildlife, a discussion of the review
process under the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA), a summary of landfill
cap construction, schedule and cost, and a summary of geotechnical landfill closure and gas
management cost issues. (A copy of this report will be included in the bid package with the
RFP.)
• Conceptual Site Development Plans ($20K) have been prepared and included in the Due
Diligence Report. These include four conceptual layouts based on the potential
development of the site with a large office component.
s Meetings ($15K) have been held with the State's Executive Office of Environmental Affairs
(EOEA) regarding the process for filing a Notice of Project Change (NPC) for the site. The
regulations implementing MEPA require the filing of a Notice of Project Change when
changes are made to a project that previously underwent MEPA review, or if MEPA review
was completed more than five years ago.
The NPC represents a significant reduction in time and expense over the preparation of a
completely new Environmental Impact Report. Thanks to the diligent preparation of our
consultants and a convincing presentation before EOEA, the Secretary has ruled that the
November 10, 1997
Town can prepare a Notice of Project Change. Accordingly, the Town has filed an
Environmental Notification Form (ENF) with EOEA, and our consultants are currently
preparing the NPC document.
The Notice of Project Change ($58K) will provide a detailed analysis of the impacts of
Reading Business Park and compare it to the previously reviewed project, highlighting
changes and improvements in any impact categories described in the MEPA record, such as
landfill closure, traffic, air quality, wetlands, stormwater, water and sewer. The reduced
size and density of the Reading Business Park should be viewed favorably, since this
decrease in total site buildout vs. the Homart proposal should result in a corresponding
decrease in associated impacts. While the Rivers Protection Act could serve to limit
development within a 200 ft. resource area adjacent to Walkers Brook, our consultants are
optimistic that the general improvement of the Walkers Brook ecosystem provided by the
landfill capping process will qualify the site for a partial to complete exemption from the
provisions of the Rivers Protection Act.
® RFP - The Town has prepared a first draft of the Request for Proposals for sale of the site.
The RFP has received comments from the Business Park Task Force and will next go to
Town Counsel, then the Selectmen for review. In response to our NPC, the State will soon
define the issues that a developer must address as part of the MEPA process. For example,
widening of the ramps leading from Route 95/128 to North Avenue is a likely condition -
these ramps are already due to be signalized by the developer of the Boston Technology site
in Wakefield. A list of these issues will accompany the RFP.
The Town is retaining a Financial Analyst ($15K) who will advise the Town, independent of
our landfill consultants, on financial matters connected with the site sale. Typically, a
financial analyst will review the RFP prior to submission, advise the Town on the viability of
tax incentives that may need to be offered to secure a buyer, and assist the Town in
reviewing the submitted proposals. At this time, the Town and its consultants remain
convinced, based on the intense interest already expressed concerning the site (over 20
inquiries to date) that a real estate broker should NOT be needed to secure a quality
developer for the landfill.
® The Town will perform an appraisal of the property ($15K) at a point very near to the time
of the receipt of offers from interested parties, in order to maximize the accuracy of the
estimate.
In short, everything is progressing on schedule and budget. The near term schedule is as
follows:
On November 17, the Selectmen will host a public meeting in the Senior Center to review
development objectives with the public.
o On about December 1, the request for proposals for sale or lease of the site will be issued.
The Central Register and appropriate print media will be targeted, and every previous party
who requested information will be contacted.
10 November 10, 1997
• On about February 1, 1998, responses will be opened and reviewed. The Board may
appoint a review committee to assist it in reviewing proposals.
• The Board hopes to select a designated developer and begin negotiating a Purchase and
Sales Agreement sometime in April, and a 60-day window for concluding negotiations.
• Permitting should begin about mid-June and we expect to see ground broken about a year
later in the Summer of '99. This will coincide nicely with completion of the landfill capping
process.
ARTICLE I - Paul Dustin, Chairman of the Police Station Building Committee, presented the
following Report:
The Police Station Building Committee presents this as our first report to Town Meeting and the
Town itself via Cable TV, which describes our progress to date and the tasks that are underway
to provide the Town with a new Police Station.
Following this action taken at last Spring's Town Meeting with the change in location of the
Police Station now to be sited on Union Street, the Board of Selectmen appointed a new Police
Station Building Committee to advise them and the Town Manager in selecting the architect and
to monitor the progress of the project so as to achieve the new station in a cost effective and
timely manner.
The Committee consists of members of the previous site selection committee and new appointees. -
As such, we represent the Police Department as the using operation, the adjoining neighborhood,
the Downtown revitalization effort and the Town as a whole. Let me start by listing our
members: Robert Cavagnaro, Officer James Cormier, Mike DeBrigard, of the DPW,.Bryan Irwin,
Bill Lavoie, Chief Marchand, Jack Russell, Eric-Jason Smith and myself, Paul Dustin as Chairman.
In addition, we have Bruce MacDonald representing the Selectmen, and Joy Mohr as our
Recording Secretary. Needless to say, our meetings are open and we welcome any interested
observers.
We have been meeting since July, and thus far have concentrated on interviewing candidate
architects and construction managers. We have completed that activity and have submitted our
recommendations for both of them. We now plan to move ahead into the schematic and
preliminary design phase culminating in a Special Town Meeting which is planned to be called in
late February 1998 for the purpose of approving the design and authorizing the construction to
proceed.
A summary of accomplishments and some additional explanations includes the following:
• The Board of Selectmen has entered into a Purchase and Sales Agreement for the property
with the closing scheduled for late December. There is a provision for the seller to stay in
the premises and pay rent to the Town after that date, consistent with the construction
schedule, should they need to remain there for a period of time.
11 November 10, 1997
- ® The firm of Donham & Sweeney has been selected to design the Police Station. They have
a great deal of experience in this work including the design of the Tewksbury and Wellesley
Police Stations during the past two years.
® Similarly, the firm of Daedalus Projects, Incorporated has been selected to be the
Construction Manager. The Construction Manager acts as the Town's representative in the
general overseeing of the project.
The design of the new station will incorporate a good functional design of the building, and
excellent civic architecture so as to fit into the neighborhood and Downtown area. In
addition, paramount importance will be given to achieving the maximum number of parking
spaces that can be achieved on the property consistent with an effective and satisfactory
Police Station.
® We note also that Articles 5 and 6 of this Town Meeting will fund out of current funds the
starting of the Police Station design in the amount of $50,000, and rescind the previous
authorization given last Spring to bond for those costs. This is necessary because the Town
does not at this moment own the full site and cannot, therefore, currently bond the cost of
this portion of the project.
And now in closing this report, I want to show you the design schedule which, as I noted earlier,
will bring us to a Special Town Meeting in mid to late February, 1998 to secure endorsement and
funding from Town Meeting.
Slide #1 - Donham & Sweeney Architectural Schedule
Also, a second schedule has been prepared by the Construction Manager, Daedalus Projects, Inc.
which portrays the anticipated overall design and construction schedule which should lead to an
occupancy by November of 1999.
Slide #2 - Daedalus Project Schedule
In conclusion, if all goes well, starting with the needed Special Town Meeting this coming
February, we should be able to greet the new millennium with a new municipal building. One
which will reflect the character of our Town and the revitalization of the Downtown area.
Thank you.
ARTICLE 1 - Dr. Harry Harutunian, Superintendent of Schools presented the following
State of the Reading Public Schools Report:
Good Evening Mr. Moderator and Town Meeting Members:
12 November 10, 1997
Donham & Sweeney Inc
Brea Donham AIA A R C 141 T E C T S
Tadh-' Sweeney AIA
READING POLICE STATION
DRAFT SCHEDULE
31 October 1997 November December January February
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It is with a great deal of pleasure that I stand before you this evening and talk to you about the
outstanding work that our parents, teachers, administrators and students have accomplished this
past year in the Reading public schools.
This Spring, we hired two new principals, Lisa Pittella at the Joshua Eaton School and Karen
Callan, a Reading resident, as the new Principal of the Alice Barrows Elementary School. Both
Principals have had an incredibly smooth opening and doing an outstanding job in their respective
schools.
As many of you know, we are experiencing a severe enrollment problem in our elementary
schools. Presently, the enrollment in the Reading public schools is over 4,100 students. We have
seen an increase of over 160 students in the last two years, and anticipate by the year 2007 to
have over 4,800 students attending our schools. A projected increase of over 700 students in the
next ten years.
In 1995, we saw more births in the Town of Reading than we have seen in the last sixteen years.
In 1997, we expect to have again over 300 new children born in Reading households and we see
no decline in the near future.
We are very proud of the building that we stand in today. The Parker Middle School is a
wonderful example of the hard work of an entire community in moving a school building project
forward. Not only were we able to build this school on time, but tonight the School Department
will be returning over $700,000 on this project.
I would like to thank some of the people who made this project happen:
Dr. Jack Delaney, the Principal of the Parker Middle School,
Russell T. Graham and the entire School Building Committee,
Rich Radville, the School Building Liaison and • .
The Reading School Committee for all that they have done in bringing this project to
completion.
But most of all, I would like to thank you, the Town Meeting Members and the entire Reading
community. This is a school project that we can be proud of for many, many years.
This Fall, the Reading School Department has begun a process of strategic planning. Strategic
planning will provide the Reading community an opportunity to work with the School Department
to jointly plan, share and discuss long term goals and expectations for the education of Reading
children. We encourage Town Meeting Members, who are interested in becoming a member of
the Advisory Committee overseeing the process, to contact my office as soon as possible.
This year, the Reading School Committee directed that a committee be formed of members of the
community to investigate elementary school size and enrollment. Presently, a committee of 26
members will meet every Tuesday night for the next three months to develop two or three
13 November 10, 1997
recommendations which will be presented to the School Committee who, in turn, will make the
final decision on how we will solve long term enrollment problems in our schools.
Last Spring, I came before Town Meeting asking for almost $3 million to complete the Birch
Meadow and Joshua Eaton projects, and to begin to improve the learning environment at Reading
Memorial High School. I am pleased to announce tonight that last month, the Reading School
Committee authorized expenditure of $1 million of that money to develop continuity in the
heating program at the Reading Memorial High School. I have been told by the contractors that
we can expect as early as January or February improved heating throughout the High School.
The School Department may have to come back to Town Meeting for additional money to
complete the High School work because of asbestos abatement that needs to be done. Hopefully,
in the near future, we can address Coolidge Middle School and our two remaining elementary
schools through building projects.
By using some of the money from the last Town Meeting, we are moving forward in the area of
technology and installing three Local Area Networks: One at Birch Meadow, one at Joshua Eaton
and one at the Reading Memorial High School. Members of the School Department attended a
meeting recently in Chelmsford where Media One announced that all schools in Reading will
receive high speed internet access in each of the buildings at no cost. The technology that Town
Meeting has supported this past year is allowing us to move forward, and has helped to improve
education in the Reading public schools.
This year, the schools and the Town are piloting a merger of our Building and Grounds
Departments with the School Department now cleaning all fourteen Town buildings. We also
have new programs that we have implemented in the last year. A three year plan to implement
new science and math programs in the Reading public schools has begun. At our elementary
schools, we are experimenting with looping in first and second grades. We are analyzing and
moving forward with the new curriculum frameworks, in language arts, social studies and foreign
language. We now have instructional specialists at the middle schools, 6-8, who are some of our
best teachers, mentoring new teachers and helping to improve instruction in all our schools.
In the next two years, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts will implement new statewide testing
in all the curriculum framework areas. We are encouraged with the scores that we have seen on a
preliminary basis for Reading children.
We in the school system are very proud of the statewide and international leadership that has been
provided by some of our school administrators. This past year, Paul Guerrette, Principal of the
Killam Elementary School was the Massachusetts Elementary School Principal's Association
President. This past year, Dr. Valerie Ardi, our Director of Special Education, was the President
of the Statewide Special Education Director's Association. Presently, Dr. Jack Delaney, Principal
of the Parker Middle School, is the President of the International Confederation of Principals.
We are also proud of some of the accomplishments of individual schools:
14 November 10, 1997
Coolidge Middle School for their outstanding accomplishments in the last five years in finishing
first in the Massachusetts Science Olympiad, and this past year for finishing third in the United
States.
Accomplishment of the Parker Middle School this past year in part because of the wonderful
facility and the technology which has been purchased, Parker Middle School received first place
honors in the Annual Student Video Contest for Middle School News Competition.
At the Reading Memorial High School, the Drama Club and History Day performance with
awards on the State level. Reading students consistently score well above their counterparts on
national testing and this year, Reading students recorded scores 65 points higher than the national
average on the SATs. Over 90% of Reading graduates this past year went on to post secondary
education. We are also pleased that in this last year, we have closed the High School Campus so
students can no longer leave during the day, and we now have almost all students at Reading
Memorial High School taking six classes every day out of the seven period schedule and, as
always, our athletic program had another outstanding year.
This past year has been a very exciting year for the Reading public schools. We appreciate the
support, the hard work and the dedication of our parents, teachers and administrators but most of
all, we appreciate the hard work of our students. We all recognize that the greatest resource we
have here in Reading are our young people.
On behalf of the entire School Committee, I would like to thank Town Meeting and the Reading
community for their continued support of the Reading public schools.
Thank you and Good Evening.
The Drama Club performed a number from Godspell.
ARTICLE I - On motion by W. Bruce MacDonald, Precinct 4, it was moved that the subject
matter of Article 1 be tabled.
ARTICLE 2 - On motion by Camille W. Anthony, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, it was
moved that the subject matter of Article 2 be tabled.
ARTICLE 3 - On motion by George C. Hines, Precinct 5, it was voted to amend the FY 1998 -
FY 2007 Capital Improvements Program as presented in the amended document dated November
10, 1997 and as provided for in Section 7-7 of the Reading Home Rule Charter.
On motion by George V. Hines, Precinct 5, to amend SD-13-14 by removing "new or".
Amendment did not can.
On motion by Michael F. Slezak, Precinct 6, it was voted to move the question.
15 November 10, 1997
2/3 vote required
114 voted in the affirmative
31 voted in the negative
Motion to move the question carried.
Original motion under Article 3 carried.
ARTICLE 4 - On motion by George C. Hines, Precinct 5; it was voted to indefinitely postpone
the subject matter of Article 4.
ARTICLE 5 - On motion by George C. Hines, Precinct 5, and amendment by Frederick Van
Magness, Precinct 8, it was voted to amend the votes taken for the following lines under Article
22 of the Warrant of the Annual Town Meeting of April 14, 1997, relating to the Fiscal Year
1998 Municipal Budget, and to transfer from available funds, and appropriate funds as follows for
the operation of the Town and its government.
Line Item
Amount
Source of Funding
FINCOM
Recomm
endation
B6 - Community Development - Inspections
$180
Free Cash
7-0-0
Personal Services
E2 - Health Non-Personal Expenses -
$15,800
Free Cash
7-0-0
Hepatitis B Clinics
Fl - Library Personal Services - Completion
$9,371
Free Cash
7-0-0
of Reclassification
G2 - Police Non-Personal Expenses - Honor
$5,100
Free Cash
7-0-0
Guard Uniforms
G5 - Fire Personal Services - Firefighters
$167,575
Free Cash
7-0-0
Retroactive Salaries
H14 - DPW Rubbish Collection/Disposal -
$14,650
Free Cash
9-0-0
Additional Leaf Pick-Up
H17 - Cemetery Non-Personal Expenses -
$10,000
Cemetery Sale of
7-0-0
Repurchase of Cemetery Lots
Lots Fund
K1 - Debt Services - For Early Sale of Bonds
$150,000
Sale of Real Estate
7-0-0
- Parker Middle School
K20 - Capital - HVAC Improvements - to
$93,205
Free Cash
7-0-0
Town Hall and Fire Station
K34 - Capital - Renovate of RMHS
$40,000
Free Cash
7-0-0
K40 - Capital - Police Station Architect -
$50,000
Free Cash
7-0-0
Replace Previous Bonding Authority
16 November 10, 1997
M4 - Water - Capital - Additional Expenses
$24,500
Water Reserves
9-0-0
Related to Water Treatment Plant
Modifications
N2 - Sewer Non-Personal Expenses - Reduce
Budget by Reduction in MWRA Assessment
-$100,352
N/A
7-0-0
- Already Used in Setting Rates
On motion by Frederick Van Magness, Precinct 8, to amend Line Item H14 amount from
"13,110" to 114,650".
Motion carried.
On motion by George V. Hines, Precinct 5, to amend Line Item N2 to increase the amount by
$150,000 and change the source of Funding to Sewer Reserves to offset appropriation.
Counted vote requested for amendment to Line Item N2.
54 voted in the affirmative
89 voted in the negative
Motion did not cam.
On motion by Mark W. Jackson, Precinct 4, to move the question.
2/3 vote required
120 voted in the affirmative
25 voted in the negative
Original motion amending Line Item H14:
2/3 vote required
137 voted in the affirmative
3 voted in the negative
Motion, as amended, carried.
ARTICLE 6 - On motion by George V. Hines, Board of Selectmen, it was voted to rescind the
remaining bond authorization in the amount of $700,000 made pursuant to Article 12 of the 1994
Subsequent Town Meeting for the purpose of construction of the new Parker Middle School and
related matters; and that the Town vote to rescind the remaining bond authorization in the
amount of $60,000 made pursuant to the vote taken under Article 11 of the 1996 Annual Town
Meeting for the purpose of acquiring land off Pasture Road owned by Michael and Phyllis Larkin;
and that the Town vote to rescind the remaining bond authorization in the amount of $50,000
17 November 10, 1997
made pursuant to the vote taken under Article 15 of the 1997 Annual Town Meeting for the
purpose of funding the design of the new Police Station.
ARTICLE 7 - On motion by Camille W. Anthony, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, it was
voted to propose an amendment to Article 5 of the Reading Home Rule Charter relating to the
Town Manager by adding the phrase "(and except as expressly authorized by the Board of
Selectmen)" after the phrase "to the office," in the third sentence of the second paragraph of
Section 5-1 so that sentence shall read: "During his term, he shall devote full time to the office,
(and except as expressly authorized by the Board of Selectmen) shall not engage in any other
business or occupation, and (except as expressly provided in the Charter) shall not hold any other
public office, elective or appointive, in the Town.".
2/3 vote required
106 voted in the affirmative
11 voted in the negative
On motion by Frederick Van Magness, Precinct 8, it was voted that this Subsequent Town
Meeting stand adjourned to meet at 7:30 p.m. at the Reading Memorial High School, Thursday,
November 13, 1997.
Meeting adjourned at 10:48 p.m.
156 Town Meeting Members were present.
A true copy. Attest: Cheryl ~f.. Johnson
Town Clerk
18 November 10, 1997
SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING
Reading Memorial High School November 13, 1997
The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Alan E. Foulds, at 7:42 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.
Announcement by Moderator, Alan E. Foulds:
At the last session, there was a lot of background noise talking and mumbling and so forth. It
interfered with the business of Town Meeting.
The Chair asks, in the interest of fairness, that members speak only when recognized. I would
also remind you to please wait for the microphones. It is the only way that your comments can be
heard at home. We also use the tapes as back-up to the official record. A little patience might
also be needed. I understand that we have only one person on microphones tonight.
On motion by Jacqueline S. Chipman, Precinct 6, it was moved to remove Article 1 from the
table.
ARTICLE 1 - Jacqueline S. Chipman, Precinct 6, presented the following Solid Waste Advisory
Committee (SWAC) Report of Progress:
Good Evening!, I am a member 6f the SWAC. The other members of the committee include:
Bob Brown, Kay Clark, Jennifer Culbert, Jean Krogh, Anne Mark and Linda Zarrow. Our staff
liaison is Ted McIntire and our Select.`Board liaison is Sally Hoyt.
Tonight I wish to present to the member sof Town Meeting a brief report of progress from the
Solid Waste Advisory Committee.
During the past months, members of the Solid Waste Advisory Committee have been busy
compiling data for a comprehensive recycling reference guide for the Town of Reading. I am
happy to report to you tonight that their task is complete and the Town is now in possession of a
fabulous one-stop recycling booklet.
Homeowners across town should shortly be in receipt of this newly published guide to recycling
entitled Reading's Hidden Treasure. This guide details specific information about Reading's
solid waste issues and provides valuable tips on how to reduce, reuse, recycle, donate and buy
recycled. Although the guide was only hand delivered to residents of one to three family
dwellings, the information held within it stands to benefit all residents. For anyone who did not
receive this booklet, they are available at Town Hall.
November 13, 1997
Reading's Hidden Treasure was produced by Reading's Solid Waste Advisory Committee and was
delivered throughout Town by a volunteer corps of Block Leaders. One Hundred plus
citizens of Reading stepped forward to volunteer for Block Leader duty. They included campfire
girls, High School Students, Retirees, Town Meeting members, Town Employees, our entire
Select Board and our Town Manager among others. These stalwart folks braved inclement
weather to bring you your guide and they deserve our thanks.
Distribution was timed to correspond with the first observance of America Recycles Day,
this Saturday, November 15th. An America Recycles Day Pledge Card was included with the
booklet. The organizers of ART invite all citizens to pledge to further their recycling efforts and
submit this card for enrollment in State and National prize drawings. Since the grand prize is an
"America Green Dream House" with an estimated value of $200,000, all should submit their
pledge cards soon. They must be post-marked on or before the 15th.
The publication and distribution of this booklet, Reading's Hidden Treasure, is one more example
of the Solid Waste Advisory Committees continued campaign to educate and inspire the citizens
of Reading with regards to recycling issues. It brings the community one step closer to the
Townwide, Selectboard endorsed, waste reduction goals for the year 2000. By the year 2000 it is
hoped that there will be:
• 100% participation in curbside recycling (currently 76%)
• 50% waste stream diversion (currently 24%) and
• 25% waste stream diversion by weight (currently 13%)
Finally the publication of Reading's Hidden Treasure and the re-establishment of the Block Leader
Program for its distribution, satisfy criteria for participation within'the State's Municipal Recycling
Incentive Program (MRIP). Participation in MRIP earns money for the Town in the form of
° dollars paid to the Town per ton of measurable recycled materials collected.
In conclusion, the SWAC wishes to thank all of those who assisted in the publication and the
distribution of this guide:
• Ted McIntire and his staff for their patience and technical assistance
• Waste Management for their partial funding of the project
• Londonderry, New Hampshire's Recycling Committee for the use of their recycling brochure as
a .template for our own
Jay Lenox of Print Management Systems for a very competitive price for printing
• and... the wonderful Block Leaders for distribution of the guide
For anyone present this evening whom perhaps did not yet receive Reading's Hidden Treasure,
please see me tonight. I will eagerly give you one!
ARTICLE 1 - On motion by Camille Anthony, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, it was
moved to place Article 1 on the table.
November 13, 1997
ARTICLE 8 - On motion by Jonathan E. Barnes, Precinct 5, it was voted pursuant to Section
5.8.1 of the General Bylaws of the Town to designate as a Scenic Road that portion of Walnut
Street between Hopkins Street and Pine Ridge Road.
ARTICLE 9 - On motion by Sally M. Hoyt, Precinct 4, it was voted to indefinitely postpone the
subject matter of Article 9.
ARTICLE 10 - On motion by Sally M. Hoyt, Precinct 4, it was voted that the sum of Two
Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000) is appropriated for the purpose.of financing the following
water pollution abatement facility projects: repair, replacement and/or upgrade of septic systems,
pursuant to agreements with the Board of Health and residential property owners, including
without limitation, all costs thereof as defined in Section 1 of Chapter 29C of the General Laws;
that to meet this appropriation the Treasurer with the approval of the Board of Selectmen is
authorized to borrow the sum of Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000) and issue bonds or
notes therefore under Section 127B 1/2 of Chapter 111 and or Chapter 29C of the General Laws;
that project and financing costs shall be repaid by the property owners, in accordance with those
agreements, but such bonds or notes shall be general obligations of the Town; that the Treasurer
with the approval of the Board of Selectmen is authorized to borrow all or a portion of such
amount from the Massachusetts Water Pollution Abatement Trust established pursuant to said
Chapter 29C and in connection therewith to enter into a loan agreement and/or security
agreement with the Trust and otherwise contract with the Trust and the Department of
Environment Protection with respect to such a loan and for any federal or state aid available for
the projects or for the financing thereof, and that the Board of Selectmen or other appropriate
local body or official is authorized to enter into a project regulatory agreement with the
Department of Environmental Protection, to expend all funds available for the projects and to take
any other action necessary to carry out the projects.
2/3 vote required
113 voted in the affirmative
5 voted in the negative
ARTICLE 11 - On motion by Sally M. Hoyt, Precinct 4, 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, and to determine that the total amount of $2,000 during fiscal year 1998
may be expended from such fund.
ARTICLE 12 - On motion by Sally M. Hoyt, Precinct 4, it was voted that the Town appropriate
from available funds for highways projects the sum of $437,834 in accordance with Chapter 90 of
the General Laws.
ARTICLE 13 - On motion by Sally M. Hoyt, Precinct 4, it was voted to authorize the Board of
Selectmen of the Town of Reading to convey and/or abandon certain rights in fee and/or
easements in Reading, Middlesex County, MA in the portion of the cul-de-sac in the public way
known as Lucy Drive which portion to be abandoned is shown on a highlighted portion of the -
3 w November 13, 1997
plan entitled "Cedarwood at Reading, Final Plan of Lucy.Drive, Reading, Mass." originally dated
June 6, 1966; and to determine the minimum amount of $2 (Two Dollars) be paid for such
conveyance and/or abandonment; and to authorize the Board of Selectmen to convey or abandon
all or any part of said rights in fee and/or easements for such amount or a larger amount, and upon
such other terms and conditions as the Board of Selectmen shall consider proper and to deliver a
deed or deeds therefor if necessary.
2/3 vote required
114 voted in the affirmative
8 voted in the negative
ARTICLE 14 - On motion by Jonathan E. Barnes, Precinct 5, to amend the Reading Zoning
By-Laws by adding thereto the following Section 4.3.1.2.1.:
"4.3.1.2.1.
a. In any district, no earth which is contaminated by any hazardous or toxic material as
defined in Federal or State laws and regulations or which has any reportable concentration
of any such material as defined pursuant to said laws and regulations, or which contains
trash, refuse, rubbish, debris, stumps, branches, lumber,. bricks, plaster, wire, lath, paper,
cardboard, pipe, tires, ashes, appliances, equipment, motor vehicles, or any detrimental
solid organic material, or any other similar material, or parts of any of the foregoing shall
be deposited onto or used as fill on any lot or parcel of land.
b. Earth filling shall not take place in any district if such activity:
1. Endangers the public health or safety, or constitutes a nuisance;
2. Produces noise, dust, or other effects observable at the lot lines in amounts
materially detrimental to the normal use of adjacent property;
3. Results in the transportation of materials in such a manner as to cause excessive
traffic congestion or hazards, or results in the deposit or spillage of earth onto a
street or way, or causes damage to streets or ways;
4. Results in a change in topography and cover which will increase the flow of water
onto any street, way, or parcel of land, unless otherwise duly authorized by a
Board, Commission, or officer of the Town or Commonwealth having jurisdiction
thereover;
5. Results in the violation of any Zoning ByLaw; General Bylaw; Conservation
Commission regulation, order of condition, or enforcement order; or any other rule
or regulation adopted by the Town of Reading; or
6. Occurs outside of the following hours:
Mondays through Fridays inclusive: 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturdays: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sundays and Legal Holidays: None."
4 November 13, 1997
ARTICLE 14 - On motion by Daniel A. Ensminger, Precinct 7, it was moved to table the subject
matter of Article 14.
ARTICLE 15 - On motion by Jonathan E. Barnes, Precinct 5, to amend the Reading Zoning
By-Laws by adding thereto the following Section 4.3.2.9. Swimming Pools:
"4.3.2.9. Swimming Pools
Any in-ground or above-ground outdoor swimming pool, which requires a building permit under
State Building Code, on any lot used for residential purposes shall comply with the following
requirements:
a. The pool and any appurtenant deck, patio, or other structure, shall be located entirely on
that portion of the lot lying behind the rearmost plane of the dwelling as extended to either
side property line of the lot;
b. Neither the pool nor any appurtenant deck, patio, or other structure shall be located closer
than five (5) feet to any side or rear property line of the lot; further, if the pool or any
appurtenant deck, patio, or other structure is attached to the dwelling, then neither the
pool nor any appurtenant deck, patio, or other structure. shall be closer than fifteen (15)
feet to any side property line or closer than twenty (20).feet to any rear property line of
the lot;
C. The water in the pool shall not be closer than five (5) feet to any fence or structure on the -
lot;
d. For safety purposes, a sturdy, non-climbable, permanent fence of between five (5) feet and
(6) feet in height shall be erected along the entire perimeter of at least the area containing
a pool, except in those areas of the perimeter where the dwelling or a structure acts
instead as a suitable barrier to access to this area; any gate in such fence shall have a lock
at a height of at least 54 inches above grade.
Any enclosed structure containing a pool and attached to the dwelling on the lot shall conform
with the requirements of Section 5.1.2. of these By-Laws; any enclosed structure containing a
pool and not attached to the dwelling on the lot shall conform with the requirements of Section
5.2.3.6. of these By-Laws."
On motion by George A. Theophanis, Precinct 4, it was moved to change the word "rearmost" to
"frontmost" in Section a.
On motion by John H. Russell, Precinct 8, remove the words "fence or" in Section c.
5 November 13, 1997
ARTICLE 15 - On motion by Harvey J. Dahl, Precinct 8, it was moved to table Article 15.
Counted vote required
63 voted in the affirmative
55 voted in the negative
Motion to table carried.
ARTICLE 16 - On motion by Jonathan E. Barnes, Precinct 5, it was voted to amend the Reading
Zoning By-Laws by deleting Section 5.2.1. relating to lot shape in its entirety, and substituting
therefor the following:
"5.2.1. Lot Shape
In all residence districts no lot may be construed to be a building lot unless it fully contains a
geometric shape which conforms with the following characteristics:
a. The geometric shape entirely complies with the area and frontage requirements of these
By-Laws;
b. One side of the geometric shape coincides with the street line of the lot for the entire
length and depth of the required frontage; and
c. The product of the area (in square feet) of the geometric shape multiplied by 22 is greater
than the square of the total length (in feet) of the perimeter of the geometric shape,
expressed as:
(Area of Geometric Shape) x 22 > (Perimeter of Geometric Shape) .Z"
2/3 vote required
103 voted in the affirmative
6 voted in the negative
ARTICLE 17 - On motion by Jonathan E. Barnes, Precinct 5, it was voted to amend Section
5.3.2. of the Reading Zoning By-Laws relating to Overlay Districts by renumbering Section
5.3.2.1. as Section 5.2.9. Upland Requirement, and by deleting Section 5.3.2.
2/3 vote required
104 voted in the affirmative
1 voted in the negative
ARTICLE 2 - On motion by Robert S. Salter, Precinct 4, it was moved to remove Article 2 from
the table.
6 November 13, 1997
ARTICLE 2 -,On motion by Robert S. Salter, Precinct 4, to instruct the Town Selectmen and the
Town Water Department to allow the installation, at a home owners' option and expense, of
secondary water meters for water usage related to lawn watering and pools. -
Motion did not carry.
ARTICLE 2 - On motion by George A. Theophanis, Precinct 4, it was moved to lay Article 2 on
the table.
ARTICLE 1 - On motion by George A. Theophanis, Precinct 4, it was moved to remove Article
1 from the table.
ARTICLE 1 - Report of Progress - Bylaw Committee Report on Instructional Motion
accepted as a report of progress
ARTICLE 1 - Philip B. Pacino, Chairman of the Bylaw Committee, presented the following
Report:
The Bylaw Committee was instructed at the May 7, 1997 Special Town Meeting to amend the
Bylaws or the Home Rule Charter to make the Moderator the Chairman of the Rules Committee'
and to call an Annual Meeting of the Rules Committee.
The Charter establishes the Rules Committee made up of the Precinct Chairman to review and
make recommendations for changes in the operation of Town Meeting. The Charter requires the
Rules Committee to submit an Annual Report on its findings and recommendations. There is
presently no bylaw implementing this provision of the Charter.
The Bylaw Committee has conducted a review and interviews to determine the causes of the
recent shortcomings of the Rules Committee which motivated the instructional motion and to
make recommendations to Town Meeting. This is a report of progress on that investigation.
The Rules Committee was organized in 1989 three years after the adoption of the Charter. It
held a total of eleven meetings and filed one Annual Report. During these meetings, a Chairman
and Clerk were elected, a set of governing principles were drawn up and a prioritized agenda was
established. This agenda contained Town Meeting operation issues the members felt should be
addressed. One of these issues, three were submitted as bylaw amendments, two of which were
adopted, and four were implemented by the Moderator and Town Manager. There have been no
further meetings since March of 1990.
The Bylaw Committee feels that the Rules Committee can be an effective body to accomplish its
mission, and its composition should not be changed. Over the short period of its activity, the
Rules Committee had a significant positive impact on Town Meeting operation, particularly in the
areas of annual budget presentation and warrant report content. The Bylaw Committee does not
recommend making the Moderator the Chairman of the Rules Committee because of a strong
possibility of conflict of interest. It is felt, however, that the Moderator should take on the role of
7 ~November 13, 1997
a facilitator to get the Rules Committee to meet and organize and ensure that the Committee does
not again atrophy. To aid the Moderator in this role, the Bylaw Committee recommends an
amendment to the General Bylaws requiring an annual meeting to reorganize and to conduct any
other business it desires. The Bylaw Committee intends to submit an instructional motion to this
effect under Article 2 of this Town Meeting.
There is precedent with positive results for such a provision in the Bylaws. Section 2.2.6, which
requires annual precinct meetings, was enacted at a time when precincts went years without
meeting. All precincts now meet annually, reorganize and discuss current issues.
The Bylaw Committee feels that once regular meetings are held through action of the Moderator,
backed by the bylaws, the Rules Committee will become an effective body and a good vehicle for
ideas from Town Meeting Members.
This is the report on the instructional motion with regard to meetings held outside of the
Town of Reading.
The District Attorney of Middlesex County in an action under the Open Meeting Law set forth
that all official bodies can have meetings outside of the Town of Reading but cannot transact
business. To transact business at a meeting held outside of the Town of Reading is a violation of
the Open Meeting Law. It is the feeling of the Bylaw Committee this covers the situation to
which the instruction motion was made. The Bylaw Committee feels that the ruling should be
followed and that a separate bylaw to address the situation is not needed.
ARTICLE I - On motion by George A. Theophanis, Precinct 4, it was moved to lay Article 1 on
the table.
ARTICLE 2 - On motion by George A. Theophanis, Precinct 4, it was moved to remove Article
2 from the table.
ARTICLE 2 - On motion by George A. Theophanis, Precinct 4, to instruct the Bylaw Committee
to place an Article in the Warrant for the next Annual Town Meeting amending the General
Bylaws by adding a section requiring the Rules Committee to hold at least one annual meeting to
reorganize and to conduct whatever other business it may desire.
Motion carried.
ARTICLE 2 - On motion by Mary Ellen O'Neill, Precinct 6, it was moved that Town Meeting
request the Board of Selectmen to draft a "pooper scooper" bylaw for the Town to consider at the
Annual Town Meeting in April 1998.
Motion carried.
ARTICLE 2 - On motion by Camille W. Anthony, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, it was
moved to lay Article 2 on the table.
November 13, 1997
On motion by Camille W. Anthony, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, it was voted that this
Subsequent Town Meeting stand adjourned sine die at 10:45 p.m.
143 Town Meeting Members were present.
A true copy. Attest: Cher, T,. ' Johnson
~To*' lerk
r - _
9
November 13, 199'7