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Home My WebLink About1995-04-10 Annual Town Meeting MinutesANNUAL TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial ]High School April 10, 1995 The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Paul C. Dustin, at 7:45 p.m., there being a quorum present. The Invocation was given by Daniel A. Ensminger, Chairman, Board of Selectmen, followed by a moment of silence honoring Bruce Morang, Reading Chronicle Editor for 27 1/2 years, died January, 1995 Stephen W. Thomases, Town Meeting Member 1990 through 1993; Member of the Solid Waste Advisory Committee, died November, 1994 J. Henry Vik, Town employee for twenty-eight (28) years from November 1962 until his retirement as Cemetery Director, December 1990, died December, 1994 followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Moderator, Paul C. Dustin, issued Oath of Office for newly elected Town Meeting Members. The Warrant was partially read by the Town Clerk, Catherine A. Quimby, when on motion of Daniel A. Ensminger, it was voted to dispense with further reading of Warrant except for the Officer's Return, which was read by the Town Clerk. ARTICLE 2 - Timothy R. Twomey, Chairman, School Committee, presented the following awards: The Dorothy and Arnold Berger Award Program In 1985, Reading resident Arnold Berger established a trust to provide awards recognizing exemplary teaching and high level of commitment by members of the faculty of the Reading Public Schools. The recipients are representative of the many fine teachers who hold high ideals of professional service to children and their families. The teachers selected through a peer review process have demonstrated excellence in teaching, commitment to students, and leadership through collaboration with their colleagues. 1 Elementary School This year's elementary school recipient of The Dorothy and Arnold Berger Award Program is Richard Crump Dick Crump performs in a manner consistent with Reading's expectations of a quality pro- fessional. A developed strong affiliation with staff, parents and students in the Barrows' community has enabled him to work effectively with the diverse issues and demands of the present day. Dick is particularly gifted in his ability to communicate with children. He feels strongly about student empowerment as a means to sustain strong school spirit. Consequently, he has involved students in many activities to enhance their self-esteem. There is probably no greater testament to Dick Crump's effectiveness as an educator and caring human being than when one frequently hears echoing down the hall, "Hi, Mr. Crump - May I come to see you today?" Children are drawn to him like a Pied Piper. I am pleased to present this plaque and monetary reward to Richard. Middle School This year's middle school recipient of The Dorothy and Arnold Berger Award Program is Kristin Killian When great numbers of middle school students clamor for a part in the school musical ...and when list students (nearly 50% of the student body) sign up for the voluntary chorus... something special is going on. That something special is Kristin Killian. A graduate of the University of Lowell, Kris is one of those rare teachers who can unabashedly love students and they reciprocate. Her approach is intensely personal and students simply do not wish to make "Miss K" unhappy in any way. Kris Killian is a true professional, a credit to Parker Middle School and to the Reading Public Schools. I am pleased to present this plaque and monetary reward to Kris. ReadinLr Memorial High School This year's high school recipient of The Dorothy and Arnold Berger Award Program is Donna Pappalardo Donna Pappalardo is truly an exemplary teacher. She structures classes so that students use higher level thinking skills. She has introduced statistics throughout the mathematics curriculum and she has been a leader in the incorporation of technology and graphing calculators into her classes. 2 As an educational leader, Donna served as the co-chairperson of the statewide Mathematics Curriculum Framework for Mathematics. She teaches graduate courses to aspiring teachers at Simmons College and often serves as a cooperating teacher for student teachers. Donna is innovative in her teaching, committed to her students, and a leader in the development of her profession. I am pleased to present this plaque and monetary reward to Donna. Timothy Twomey acknowledged the following recent retirees: Robert I Munnelly During Dr. Munnelly's tenure in Reading, the school system has flourished and earned a reputation of being one of the better systems in the state. A true champion of teachers, Bob Munnelly has always encouraged personal growth and other professional development activities. As a result, there have been countless honors earned by staff members of different schools. Bob's love of children and his pride in the Reading schools were always evident. A philosopher at heart, Bob has served the Reading schools with dignity and a devotion to the highest standards. He has earned the respect of colleagues around the state, as well as those in Reading. We are most fortunate to have had Dr. Munnelly as Assistant Superintendent and Superintendent of Schools in Reading for 25 years. We wish him many happy and healthy years of retirement. Al Lahood Al Lahood, who retired this August as Principal of Coolidge Middle School, has spent virtually all of his professional career as educator here in the Reading Public Schools. Many graduates remember him as a classroom social studies teacher and coach of wrestling and football. Hundreds of students came to know A] Lahood as their guidance counselor at Parker Junior High. In 1975, Superintendent of Schools Robert Wells nominated Al Lahood to be principal of Arthur B. Coolidge School and Al spent the next nineteen years telling colleagues statewide that Arthur Coolidge was a Reading resident and lieutenant governor of the Commonwealth, and that the school was not named after President Calvin Coolidge. These same colleagues elected him president of the Middle Schools Principals Association. Later, because his reputation as a school leader spread throughout the Commonwealth, he was selected as Massachusetts Middle School Principal of the Year in 1993. Al was a vigorous advocate of strong academic programs, and he spent considerable time and energy supporting his staff and teachers to be a school of educational excellence. Coolidge was regarded as one of the Commonwealth's top schools when Massachusetts Commissioner of Education Ron Raynalds named the school a Massachusetts School of Excellence and nominated the school for national recognition by the Federal Department of Education. 3 Dr. Alex Alexanian Dr. Alex Alexanian retired this August after serving twenty years as Reading's Director of Pupil Services and Special Education. He joined the Reading Public Schools just as the district began the process of implementing Chapter 766 - Massachusetts' landmark Special Education legislation. All of Reading's Special Education practices and programs to the present day were shaped by the skillful hands of Dr. Alex. Reading's programs have had the reputation of being strong on caring and respect for the handicapped young people ages three to twenty-two who carne to the Reading Public Schools for their education; and it was Alex who had the foresight to help us develop a Special Education program with these very human qualities. As an administrator and leader to a big staff of educators concerned about the education of our "special" youngsters, Alex made sure good things happened. As a colleague he added humor to every meeting, and was instrumental in helping the Administrative Council to be an effective planning and action group. As a member of the Superintendent's Advisory Council, he was a very influential leader for all of education in Reading. Alex's background as an educator and human service agency administrator was the resource of great importance to the Reading Public Schools as the system grappled with Chapter 766 in the succeeding years. Alex earned his master's degree from Boston University in speech pathology and his doctorate from Boston University in special education, taught as a member of the faculty at Boston University, was an administrator in the Department of Mental Health and the headmaster of a private school for special education youngsters. Alex has added much to the Reading Public Schools during his years here. Don Farnham Don Farnham was a key educator in the Reading Public Schools for forty years, and in that time frame was part of all the trends which Reading had-to respond to: the post-war expansion of the Reading schools, when new schools sprung up all over town in the 50's and 60's, the population dropoffs and school closings in the 70's and 80's, and the rebuilding of the elementary schools in the 90's. He taught as a classroom teacher under several of Reading's prestigious principal/educators - - Eleanor Skahill, Dennis Murphy, and Hilda Gaffney. Don tells us he was not old enough to teach for Alice Barrows, or to farm for Joshua Eaton. He assumed the principalship of the Highland School, now Reading's Library in 1964. One of his responsibilities was as supervising principal of the Lowell Street School which closed in the 1970's. When Mrs. Skahill retired at Eaton in 1975, Don moved over to become the principal of the Joshua Eaton School. Don was a good principal whose leadership and love of children helped to keep Joshua Eaton as a top notch school. A key feature of Don's leadership-at Eaton was Global Education. With Don's encouragement, the faculty reached out to model education with a worldwide, geographic perspective and as a consequence, gained state and national honors. The most widely used college text on Global Education has a chapter about Eaton's program and it was one of ten schools nationwide to be part of a global education curriculum development effort. 4 Don served on the School Building Committee which worked tirelessly for years to bring about the renovations and additions to Birch Meadow and Joshua Eaton Schools, and the existence of those two projects is a tribute to Don's leadership. ARTICLE 2 - Daniel A. Ensminger, Chairman, Board of Selectmen, presented the following State of the Town Address: STATE OF THE TOWN ADDRESS April 10, 1995 Mr. Moderator, Fellow Town Meeting Members, and Citizens of Reading: 1994 is a year that will stand out in the memories of all Reading residents. It was the year we celebrated Reading's 350th birthday, and was an active year for the entire community. I am especially proud to present this report this year because of the outstanding accomplishments of the community, and the very vital role that Town employees continue to play in these accomplish- ments. This community has gotten used to a standard of excellence in its community services, and examples of this level of quality continue to abound in all areas, including library services, emergency medical service, education, law and code enforcement, financial administration, general administration, snow and ice control, cemetery maintenance, public works operations, and human services. Reading continues to take a leadership role in the region and the state in tackling problems and providing services. With the continued encouragement of our citizens and our elected and appointed officials, we will continue this leadership role for the benefit of our residents. I want to also take a moment to thank the many volunteers who serve Reading so well. The most obvious examples this year were those of the hundreds of volunteers who worked many long hours to bring the community an outstanding and memorable 350th birthday celebration. In addition, there are hundreds of elected and appointed residents who volunteer thousands of hours of their time each year to conduct the ordinary and extraordinary business of this Town. They serve with distinction, and often without recognition for their efforts, and this New England town could not operate without them. Now, I would like to review with you some of the highlights and major accomplishments of 1994. In January, Eugene Nigro announced his retirement from the BOS, and Camille Anthony was elected to her first term as a Selectmen in March. Later that year, the Selectmen ratified five union contracts following negotiations between the Town Manager and the bargaining units. We also implemented a non-union pay and classification plan, with appropriate market-based adjustments in the pay of a number of employees, including the Town Manager. 5 In mid-February, the Selectmen. signed a Purchase and Sales Agreement with Longwood Associates for the sale of the Pearl Street School facility. As a result of this action, Longwood Place in Reading, consisting of the adaptive reuse of historic Pearl Street School into 86 units of assisted living housing for frail elders, will be constructed. The CPDC approved a final site plan for the Bear Hill development, consisting of 132 condominium units with off-site mitigation measures and on-site emenities. In other activities, the Selectmen continued to work with Cumberland Farms and state and federal regulatory agencies to get the gas spill cleaned up and our wells re-opened. I am pleased to report that two of these wells will be on-line within a month, at which time we will consider lifting the water ban if allowed by the DEP. In other activities in 1994, the Recreation Park Planning Subcommittee presented the Selectmen with a long-range plan for the development and maintenance of athletic sites and equipment. The Selectmen created the Open Space and Recreation Planning Task Force to plan for open space acquisition and enable the Town to seek state and federal funds for this purpose. A final report of the Open Space Task Force will be given at the Selectmen's meeting on April 25. The Board devoted much time and effort to such issues as swimming pool abatements, rubbish collection at condominiums, revised traffic rules and regulations, second water meters, sewer tie-in, and the long-playing Mineral Street Bridge saga. Over 1000 people attended the long-awaited dedication of the Burbank Ice Arena in November, which showcased the talents of the North Shore Skating Club and the Reading Youth Hockey Organization. 1994 also saw great progress in Reading's education prograrns and our school building construction program. The new school councils, instituted by the 1993 Education Reform Bill, developed and began implementation of their School Improvement Plans at the elementary, middle and high school levels. These groups contributed their many talents to improvements in school technology, safety and security, inclusion, and enrichment programs. Many scholastic and athletic achievements were attained by Reading students. To name just a few, Coolidge's Science Olympiad team won the State Olympiad for the second consecutive year and competed in Tucson, AZ. The RMHS Marching Band captured first place at the Windjammer Invitational at the Coast Guard Academy and 2nd place at the National Apple Blossom Festival. Most significantly, Reading students continued to do very well relative to their peers in standardized tests such as MEAP and the SAT. All these are testaments to the strong and broad education received by Reading students in Reading Public Schools. On the school building front, the new addition at Birch Meadow Elementary School was dedicated and opened in the Fall of 1994. Work continued-both on schedule and budget on the Joshua Eaton Elementary School renovations. At the Subsequent Town Meeting of 1994, Town Meeting approved $13.2 million for the reconstruction of Parker Middle School without any debate, proving once again the old maxim that the amount of debate at Town Meeting is always inversely proportional to the amount of money at stake) 6 As I conclude my review of 1994, I would be remiss if I did not give you a glimpse of the continuing challenges we will all face over the next few years. Mainly financial in nature, these challenges will require the Town to continue to prioritize the services it should provide, plan how to fund these prioritized services, then work the plan we have developed. This will require a very disciplined response from every Town employee, every Town Meeting Member and, indeed, every citizen of Reading. It will also require frequent and effective interaction by all of us with members of the State Legislature and Congress, to ensure the proposed State and Federal legislation works for, and not against, Reading's best interests. We have witnessed a steady rise in property taxes in Reading, due to a drop in State Aid as a percentage of total revenues. This has happened despite the fact that overall spending per capita eading ranks about 100th out of the 350 communities in Massachusetts. Much of the state aid has been channeled to the cities, at the expense of Suburban communities. I urge all Town Meeting Members to increase their awareness of this issue. Debate the merits of our internal spending policies, but also let your legislators know of your concerns for fair aid to suburban communities. Thank you and let's have a good Town Meeting and a great 1995! ARTICLE 2 - On motion by Daniel A. Ensminger, it was voted to lay Article 2 on the Table. ARTICLE 16 - On motion by George V. Hines, Precinct 7, it was voted to take Article 16 out of order. ARTICLE 16 - On motion by George V. Hines, Precinct 7, it was voted to accept a gift of two thousand two hundred and thirty five dollars ($2235) plus other donations that.may be made in memory of Bruce Morang To Establish A Trust Fund with the principal and interest to be expended for general library purposes; such funds to be in the custody of the Commissioners of Trust Funds and to be expended by the Library Board of Trustees in accordance with the wishes of the donors. ARTICLE 4 - On motion by Camille W. Anthony, Precinct 5, it was voted to Table Article 4. ARTICLE 5 - On motion by Richard H. Coco, it was voted to amend the votes taken under Article 26 of the Warrant of the Annual Town Meeting of April 11, 1994, as amended under Article 4 of the Warrant of the Special Town Meeting of November 14, 1,994, relating to the Fiscal Year 1995 Municipal Budget, and to transfer from available funds and appropriate in accordance with the following schedule for the operation of the Town and its aovernment: # Description increase (decrease) new balance B-2 Conservation Non-Pers. Expense 160 410 B-3 Zoning Board Personal Services 360 1,078 B-6 Inspections Personal Services 84 57,686 B-7 Inspections Non Personal Expenses 312 1,862 B-9 Community Development Non-Personal Expenses 600 2,250 C-3 Fincom Reserve Fund -55,000 92,331 C-4 Assessors Personal Services 950 71,200 C-5 Assessors Non-Personal Expenses 12,000 18,500 C-8 Personnel Non-Personal Expenses 5,000 32,000 D-2 Town Manager Personal Services 100 76,631 D-6 Law-Non-Personal Expenses - Other 5,000 10,000 D-11 Property/Casualty Insurance -10,000 133,170 E-6 Veterans Aid -12,000 8,000 G-1 Police Personal Services 102,000 2,056,097 G-5 Fire Personal Services 90,000 1,931,979 G-7 Public Safety Personal Services -6,670 199,873 H-11 Public Works Personal Services -50,000 1,045,416 H-12 Public Works Non-Personal Expenses 32,000 547,520 H-14 Rubbish Collection/Disposal -10,000 1,036,143 H-15 Snow and Ice Control -38,000 146,330 H-16 Cemetery Personal Services 4,000 182,777 H-17 Cemetery Non-Personal Services 1,975 34,300 J-1 Schools 2,529 16,600,888 L-2 Non-Contributory Retirement -12,000 104,422 L-3 Unemployment 4,600 24,600 L4 Group Health/Life Insurance -70,000 2,448,819 1.5 Medicare/Social Security 10,000 215,759 TOTAL -0- 8 On motion by Daniel A. Ensminger, it was voted to suspend reading of entire motion under Article 5 as Town Meeting Members were in possession of specific wording/figures. ARTICLE 6 - On motion by Camille W. Anthony, it was voted to Table Article 6 which allowed for amendment to FY'95 Capital Improvement Plan. ARTICLE 7 - Richard H. Coco, Chairman, Finance Committee, moved that the Town vote to adopt the FY 1996-FY 2005 Capital Improvement Program dated 3/23/95 with Line PW-P5 - 2,000.0 - FY 99 eliminated, as provided for in Section 7-7 of the Reading Home Rule Charter. Mr. Coco advised Town Meeting that the Finance Committee did not vote to include the proposed $2,000,000 for the swimming pool. James A. Keigley, Chairman, Capital Improvements Advisory Committee, presented the following report: In the spring session of Town Meeting of the year 1992, we began a Capital Improvement Advisory Committee which came under the auspices of the Finance Committee. Hence it became known as the Capital Improvements Advisory Sub Committee. The committee was established in response to the need for a program of planned capital spending. This would control and project capital expenditures over the long term within the constraints of limited town revenues. The subcommittee's mission is to assist the Town Manager and the Finance Committee in the establishment and management of a sound capital improvements program in order to ensure prudent levels of on-going financial commitment for the upkeep, renewal, and enhancement of the capital assets of-the Town of Reading. The Committee then submits to Town Meeting for consideration its ten year capital budget to accomplish these purposes. The latest one is shown in the warrant with blue pages and is the subject of Articles 7. We would appreciate your support of this article in order to strengthen our efforts to plan and control capital expenses. During discussion of the Capital Plan, the following amendments were voted: On motion by Fred Van Magness, Precinct 8, it was voted to amend by adding Line Item SD-B-3 for an amount of $22,888.77 in FY1996 - Roof - Joshua Eaton. On motion by George V. Hines, Precinct 7, it was voted to amend by adding PW-P-S - $2,000.0 - FY1999. On motion by Timothy Twomey, Precinct 4, it was voted to amend SD-B-11 from $20,000 to $40,000. On motion by Nancy Eaton, Precinct 1, it was voted to amend by adding $20,000 to CD-C-1 FY 1997 and FY 2003, and $5,000 to CD-C-2 for FY 1997 and FY 2003. Main motion under Article 7 was subsequently voted as amended. 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I p I m mm G)m M I 0G) o~ A r W O C V Do N to N O O ~ Cft O~ W W J7 <O fh O V V O O O Ca (11 N V I i mm m m I m m V -4 O N W ,P O G A p p •vOi m A m w O O O O • O O to t I I m m I m m m m ~ m z o o m # T D~ N C I ?1) aD tp ^J A W •OOD •fN° I V pVp m b O a O A O W ONO fD W W 00 O fT gyp= - I i mmm mm m mm I m m ° mlD'p o g Z w 'O G) v ul I D m ip o o 0 0 pp 00 c 0 0~ rn g I i pm I n n Z S a3 G ~ V N Q O N m 0o j d V N ) y o co p O O A P p Oo M .A (T O O I I M 'm m I ~ m oI vl v of i N I i m I co o o) of i cl ~ W I ) I N O O I O I - O 1 1 - - o p of of W O O O O O I I I m O V V O O .'•4 Ln O co Oo O O O 00 N ~I lNllN O.L NN ,(p~ OA W O]fD r10W NAW OA8 P9)N W p opt -Cc pp piN OO w BPD. V m W OlA W OOpJ O I 0 r O O 00 OUI .A O7NO VOCOWO(T00000 O b -0- O-°ION00tJ0 O] A T) 0 u a a Cpl 0 AZ M> OQMMOOOWA C ~q 05 A - (a 0rn 0WA c AA 'Ur ~ vz O0 -0'a 0°d3°- - . r mA n » O n~ 1 00 ° A 3 . Z~ p ? 0 m m ° ~ ~ T ro = d.'D a p H -i N m N m m~ O 2 A ~i A n T D NZ v Z Q U L _ I N v m fn N m N v V c ytOV W py O~N~ W 00-~(Ti is fJ in co arnaoooocom Cn U CD OA OIT038O W v m O !0 pNO W 00 C]O d ~ a ~ co m W V V P. co O V(mJ OP. 00 0,(Np W m 't0 .A W ao- o cc Ow m m z a m0 N S O °v' S (~n A N mN UI N v ;u z n A U1 m O OA ON O P .L,) m , >-n a -i m Irv m u G~ m ~ i a o rn ww c'°n ° 0 A i = cn in o00oooooio y Im n p m 'r C ;a m 0-4 0 Ul f0 a u OI N -.p cn ,f~0 O W Ut ~N O~ NO O-~ W ~ 3 tvJl ~ m CnOOa 000(0 i0 i (0 A W I N A Ja N V ONOW 0Cll 00-+ A W v ~ W ti 0 0 0 V 0 0 0 0 O A W N V N ~ W p 50 O p p O N 0 0.A O r m m 0 o 0 0 0 o 0 o m p 0) co 0 ~ K3 , V W A OUA00 p OOm W m N 000000 aom j i~ - m al -.i - m o ii ,ctD o a0C)Ul,°ooooc~n v a w o00oo 0 UI O N t 0) O m W O N Cl) N V W co U1 O V NP U1N P:-4 'v Q) . . lJl m UI m O O O 'V [J ARTICLE 8 - On motion by Daniel A. Ensminger, Precinct 7, it was voted to Table Article 8. ARTICLE 9 - On motion by Timothy R. Twomey, Precinct 4, it was voted that the Town appropriate the sum of $40,000 (forty thousand dollars) from the tax levy for preliminary design and engineering work for the renovation for Reading Memorial High School, 62 Oakland Road, Reading, MA, such appropriation to include all architectural, engineering, and other fees and preparation costs required to complete the purpose of this article, all moneys to be expended under the direction of the Reading School Building Committee. A motion to amend Article 9 to $20,000 by Richard H. Coco , Precinct 4, did not carry. ARTICLE 10 - On motion by Daniel A. Ensminger, Precinct 7, it was voted to Table Article 10. ARTICLE 11- On motion by George V. Hines, Precinct 7, it was voted to accept the report of the Board of Selectmen upon the laying out as a public way of the following described private way known as Symonds Way under the provision of law authorizing the assessment of betterments, such highway being laid out in accordance with plans duly approved by the Board of Selectmen and filed in the office of the Town Clerk in accordance with the statutory requirements, and that the Town authorize the Board of Selectmen to take such lands in fee or rights of easement therein by eminent domain, under the provisions of Chapter 79 of the General Laws, as amended, or acquire said lands in fee or rights of easement therein by purchase, gift or otherwise and to assess betterments therefor; and that the Town vote to accept the public way laid out by the Board of Selectmen as Symonds Way, and that the sum of $1 be raised from the tax levy and appropriated for the acquisition of said land or easement therein or payment of any eminent domain damages, said sum to be spent by and under the direction of the Board of Selectmen. 108 voted in the affirmative 30 voted in the negative ARTICLE 12 - On motion by Sally M. Hoyt, Precinct 4, 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: 1987 Frontline Ambulance 30 Fire bunker coats 20 pairs rubber boots 30 Fire bunker pants 1982 Maxim Fire Truck 3 Police Cars 2 DPW snow plows 5 DPW Sander tubs 1978 DPW International dump truck 1968 Bombadier. Sidewalk plow School Department 1980 Dodge Van 1.0 ARTICLE 15 - On motion by Sally M. Hoyt, Precinct 4, it was voted to amend Section 2. 1.1 of the General Bylaws of the Town by adding thereto the following sentence: "Notwithstanding the foregoing, in any year in which presidential electors are to be elected, the Board of Selectmen may schedule the commencement of the Annual Town Meeting for the same date designated as the date to hold the presidential primary."; so that Section 2.1.1 shall read as follows: I "2.1.1 The Annual Town Meeting shall be held on the third Tuesday preceding the second Monday in April of each year for the election of Town officers and for other such matters as required by law to be determined by ballot. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in any year in which presidential electors are to be elected, the Board of Selectmen may schedule the commencement of the Annual Town Meeting for the same date designated as the date to hold the presidential primary." ARTICLE; 17 - On motion by David M. Swyter, Precinct 7, it was moved to table this Article until April 24, 1995. ARTICLE 18 - On motion by Camille W. Anthony, Precinct 5, it was voted to amend Section 6.3.3. "Non-conforming Structures" of the Zoning By-Laws of the Town as follows: 1. Delete Section 6.3.3.3. in its entirety and substitute therefor the following: "6.3.3.3. A non-conforming one or two family structure may be altered, reconstructed, extended, or structurally changed (hereinafter any such work is collectively referred to as an "alteration") as of right in the following circumstances: 6.3.3.3.1. Such structure is located or, a lot with insufficient area and/or frontage but such structure complies with all other dimensional requirements of the current Zoning By-Laws and the alteration will be in compliance with the terms of the current Zoning By-Laws. 6.3.3.3.2. Such structure is located on either a conforming lot or on a lot with insufficient area and/or frontage and such structure also fails to comply with one or more dimensional requirements of the current Zoning By-Laws, but the alteration will be in compliance with the terms of the current Zoning By-L.aws." 2. Delete Section 6.3.3.4. in its entirety and substitute therefor the following: "6.3.3.4. For any non-conforming one or two family structure which does not fall within the terms of Section 6.3.3.3. hereof, or for any other non-conforming structure, the Board of Appeals may grant a special permit for the alteration or extension of such structure if the Board of Appeals finds that such alteration or extension shall not be substantially more detrimental to the neighborhood than the existing non-conformity. Where the alteration or extension will not be in compliance with the terms of the current Zoning By-Laws, a variance will also be required." 2/3 vote required 124 voted in the affirmative 2 voted in the negative 11 ARTICLE 19 - On motion by Camille W. Anthony, Precinct 5, it was moved that the Town vote to amend the Reading Zoning By-Laws by amending Section 6.2. "Signs" as follows: 1. In Section 6.2.3.2.d.(2) relating to "Signs in Business and Industrial Zoning Districts" delete the phrases "neon tubes," and "except for those of neon tubes and these shall not be illuminated except during hours of operation of the business" so that Section 6.2.3.2.d.(2) shall read as follows: "d. Temporary and permanent signs are allowed to be attached to the inside or outside of the glass surface of a window, subject to the following: (2) Permanent signs shall be of a durable material, such as wood, metal, plastic, decals, or paint, and shall be displayed only on the interior side of the surface of a window and door, provided that no lettering contained in such sign shall exceed six inches in height and that only the name of the establishment and the type of goods or services it offers shall be displayed or may state "OPEN"; no such sign shall be internally illuminated; no such sign shall require a permit;" 2. In Section 6.2.2.4.c. relating to "Prohibited Signs" delete the phrase "except as displayed on the inside of windows subject to the provisions of Paragraph 6.2.3.2.d" so that Section 6.2.2.4.c. shall read as follows: "c. Internally illuminated signs in a Business-B Zoning District; internally illuminated signs without opaque background or signboard in any other zoning district; signs which contain a beacon of any type; which contain a spot light providing direct illumination to the public; which flash, revolve, rotate, move, or blink, or which fluctuate in light intensity; animated signs, that is, which use lighting to depict action or to create an illusion of movement or a special effect or scene; neon or similar signs." After a brief discussion on this Article, on motion by George A. Theophanis, Precinct 4, it was voted to Table Article 19. Mr. Theophanis indicated that additional time was needed for enforce- ment of new sign by-law passed in November, 1993. He suggested CPDC bring this Article back to Town Meeting for review in November 1995. On motion by Daniel A. Ensminger, it was voted that this Town Meeting stand adjourned to meet at 7:30 p.m. at the Reading Memorial High School, Monday, April 24, 1995. Meeting adjourned at 11:05 p.m. 169 Town Meeting Members were present. A true copy. Attest CQuimby Town Clerk 12 C. 0 0 CD 0 W CD . 0 C 3 (n 3 cn ~ 0 CD CD = Co CD 0 CD mot CD CD (n CD 0 CD cn cn ......3. c 0 . 0 :0 CD ....o 0 0 3 D ~ q ® CD ' 'CD V ~D~'tl~ V ■ ® o / 0 q p~ j P`/~~ cd W CD CD C n CD /I ■ 4O/ V 0~. m "J ~oe V 0 .CL CD .CD 0 0 CD% c° CD C/) 0 0 ®s (D rr CD 0 c. R CD ~ --h 0 (C) 0 C CD :7 r64- CD 0 c: M ® CD cn 0 ® co 0 n 0 ~a y m 1 ~OQ' lw~ d N rH•,. i' r I a r c e I Q W4 W Z cn W O O Fy Z W u~ u~ w a U. CIO. .c earn ® CU. 0 = .0 'Deeps CD,.. . co s mac. 0 0) s aoaar a o °C 0 CD a s r® 0-. a ® ®w 'J 4-a c cz 4-1 ® co ® W. C 0 ® ° CZ 0. CD 0 ° ~ 0 ch ay ~ 01, CZ 0 c 0. a o CL 0 cif ® tea/ o Q7 y.® a) CO CZ a) 4-4 CZ C D ( 0 0 -P t CL CZ 0 CZ CD 0 C: 0 a) 4--, 0) E a): o ~p a) P`9'z .arm s aiav Cl) s sear LIZ ~ r ' ` s \asm/ O QL A= 0 cz cz E 0 c/) 2 0 ((gigaear i v %OF ~ ~ ~ - =3 " W se % . CL CD '.'t 0 C CD o - CD CL 2 CD 0 (D W U) 0 ( C O ' W CD CD (0 w M (D CD O cn \D W to 3 . cr CD CD C:) -0 CD w C: o CD C° Cn (D .0 CD CD CD n CD c~ 3 CD _ % cn -co o 0 N) O o = al i2 a p C) C:) CD c h 0 0- - N ® 0 0 T ~ o a ° n ' 1 VV" d+n o -0 CD W 0 CD + 0 -0 3 CD -IN ® T3 CD 3 CD CD O ~y a 3 ~ (D CD Q c d Ap- Z Q w w 0 N w w W O Z >Ml' D Emwq Uf) Ulf) x F~ ANNUAL TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School April 24, 1995 The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Paul C. Dustin, at 7:40 p.m., there being a quorum present. The Invocation was given by Rev. Robert Sweet, Old South Methodist Church, who asked for a moment of silence for those killed in the Oklahoma City bombing. The Invocation was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. James Biller, Precinct 6, introduced the Science Olympiad team from Coolidge and mentioned the flyer requesting donations to fund a trip to Indiana for the National competition. Moderator, Paul C. Dustin, mentioned the S.A.D.D. Program at the request of Irene and Les York, Precinct 6. ARTICLE 2 - On motion by Daniel A. Ensminger, it was voted to take Article 2 from the table. Nancy Eaton, Chairperson, Open Space and Recreation Planning Task Force, presented the following report which was accepted as a Report of Progress: The Open Space & Recreation Planning Task Force was appointed in August, 1994 to comply with the requirements of the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs for an updated open space plan. The last official report was filed in 1976 and is required every five years. This report must be current in order to apply for two state and one federal grant programs. The official report was made to the Board of Selectmen on April 11, 1995. It must now be reviewed and comment letters supplied for the "draft" version to be submitted to the Division of Conservation Services which oversees the grant programs. Review and comment must be made by the Board of Selectmen, the Community Planning & Development Commission, the Conservation Commission, the Recreation Committee, the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Board of Health plus the Metropolitan Area Planning Council. The official versions of the required plans were just finished today, and must now be reduced to report format size of 11 x 17 inches. A display will be made and placed at the library so that citizens may inspect the written plan and the maps. These documents are a planning tool. The areas identified on the action plan identify areas of mainly conservation concern. Some of these areas should be acquired in fee (either by purchase or gift) by the town for conservation purposes while other property owners may be interested in granting conservation easements limiting activity. There are some tax savings available to owners who qualify. Information regarding conservation easements and income and/or property tax benefits will be placed in the library and at the conservation office at Town Hall. The public is welcomed to inspect these documents and review them with their financial and legal advisors. The Conservation Commission would be pleased to discuss any of the highlighted properties with their owners. The Open Space & Recreation Plan was a request for a wide range of information covering the history of the community, the town's place in the region and the population characteristics, including growth, density, age, employment and income, growth and development patterns, the infrastructure and long term development patterns. The plan required an environmental inventory 13 and analysis including geology, soils, topography, landscape character, water resources, vegetation, fisheries and wildlife, scenic resources and environmental problems. The next section deals with an inventory of lands of conservation and recreation interest including protected and unprotected parcels and a Federal Section 504 self-evaluation of handicapped accessibility of open space lands and programs. (Map) The most important parts of the plan are Sections 6-9 which identify the community goals, the analysis of needs, the goals and objectives and the five-year action plan. These sections would have been impossible to have assembled without the participation of the hundreds of town residents who completed the survey and we thank you for your participation. The survey indicated that residents "want more protected open space and strongly favor hiking, biking, nature trails and cross-country skiing." In these few minutes, I can only briefly skim the 76-page plus attachments that the plan covers. The action plan has been named ACE: Acquisition - Connection - Enhancement. Each item has an objective and specific actions to accompany it. Briefly, A. Acquisition, includes: protection of Chapter 61, 61A and 61B properties; protection of water resources; protection of wildlife habitat; expansion of active and passive recreation sites and generation of revenue. B. Connection: Develop a greenways or trail network within and between conservation areas and linking them to recreation sites; collaborating with neighboring communities on connecting trails, such as Rails to Trails and Bay Circuit Greenbelt; establishing a strategy for pedestrian and bike linkage to the proposed regional Ipswich River Park in North Reading; establishing a Friends of Open Space program; establishing a permanent Open Space entity from Conservation and Recreation for continued monitoring of T own open space needs and issues addressed in this document; developing a speakers program; improving or renovating active recreation sites to meet need; developing a newsletter or news column about conservation issues to educate the public and promote passive recreation in protected areas; develop a town identity and develop a Town Open Space Day with suitable activities. C. Enhancement: Implement a public awareness program of recreational opportunities at each site; investigate appropriate open space restrictions on new cluster zoning and subdivision sites; recommend and support appropriate zoning bylaw changes to enhance open space around and between dwellings and between business and residential areas; promote accessibility to open spaces; improve visual aesthetics and develop an interpretive historic site at Lobs Pound Mill. Two weeks ago, I requested that you keep open space acquisition alive in the Capital Improve- ment Plan and I thank you for your vote. Although we have acquired a few parcels by gift, the Town of Reading has not spent any money on acquisition of new open spaces since 1976. We all know what has happened to real estate values in the twenty intervening years. In the last year, three sites that should have been preserved as town open space with both conservation and recreation potential have been sold to private developers. Because of our inability to apply for state and federal grants for these projects because the open space plan was not current and because the Finance Committee would not include us in the Capital Improvement Plan because the open space plan was not current and we did not meet the time schedule for their perusal although we certainly knew which properties needed to be acquired we have been shut out of all funding streams. 14 Sometimes, state and federal grants can be put together to almost completely fund a project. Other times, the town must contribute some funds. In addition, property appraisals must be completed and there are some expenses associated with any land transfer. Acquisition of open space does not fit neatly into capital improvement time cycles or even predictability. We cannot foretell when property owners will place parcels on the market and once they do, action must take place quickly if the Town is to be successful in acquiring the site. Unless funds are made available on a yearly basis, there is little chance of protecting what little open space remains in our com- munity. You, the residents of Reading, indicated by your survey responses that you wanted more open space. I am here as the spokesperson to ask Town Meeting and the Board of Selectmen to place this report and its recommendations much higher in the Town's priorities than open space has received in the last twenty years. I'd be pleased to answer any questions you have either tonight or after you have had an oppor- tunity to review the plan in detail. Anyone interested in becoming a Friend of Open Space, please speak to any member of the Task Force or to the Conservation Commission or Recreation Committee. I wish to publicly thank the members of the Task Force for their hard work and diligence in putting together a plan in eight months that normally takes a year and a half. It was a pleasure to get to know each of them and their love and concern for what happens to the Town. The Town is blessed by having so many residents that volunteer not only on this Task Force but all of the Commissions, Boards, Committee and Task Forces in Town. Thank you. Nancy L. Eaton, Chair, Camille Anthony, James Boucher, Bryan Irwin, Gerard McDonald, John McGrath, and Jerry Vitale. ARTICLE 2 - Philip Pacino, Chairman of the Haven Street Task Force, presented the following report which was accepted as a Report of Progress: The intent of Article 17 is to loosen.the requirements of the original Article authorizing the sale of the building at 25 Haven Street. This is being done in order that the Task Force will have some flexibility to get a bidder to the table and to negotiate with the bidder. First, a look back at how the Task Force got to this point. Town Meeting under Article 16 of the 1994 Annual Town Meeting authorized the Selectmen and the Municipal Light Commissioners to appoint a Task Force that was to determine restriction on and to recommend a bidder for 25 Haven Street. Further, under that Article, Town Meeting directed that the property be sold for not less than a professionally appraised value and that the sales proceeds be used against the bonds issued to pay for the RMLD facilities at 230 Ash Street. The Task Force was appointed and set forth the following restrictions for bidders on the property: 1. No change in present zoning 2. No adult entertainment uses 3. No automotive uses 4. No commercial arcade uses 5. No biotech waste or hazardous material storage uses 6. No warehouse or bulk storage use 15 Hunneman and Co., a respected Boston appraisal firm, was chosen as the professional appraiser. A bid deadline of November 1994 was set. In November 1994, the appraisal and the bids were opened. The appraisal amount was $450,000. The bids received were for $404,000 and $50,000. Since neither met the requirement of the appraisal amount, they both were rejected. The Task Force was not legally allowed to talk to either of the 2 bidders in an effort to further the bid. The Task Force, as their next option, decided upon a second set of bids. The two bids received were $375,000 and $50,000. Both bids were rejected again as being below the appraised value. The Task Force has returned to the Town Meeting with this Article to give it the ability to maneuver with any bidders. It is the intent of the Task Force should this Article be approved that the property should be actively marketed. The Task Force has recommended that a brochure on the property should be prepared and distributed to Boston Area commercial realtors. The Task Force further recommended that the property be advertised in the commercially realty sections of the Boston Globe and/or the Boston Herald. The Task Force has recommended that the hiring of a professional real estate expert is not necessary. The Task Force feels the marketing of the property can be handled with the present abilities of the members of the Task Force and the RMLD. The Task Force is looking for some flexibility with any bidders and feels that Article 17 will give that flexibility to it. Thank you Mr. Moderator. On motion by Daniel Ensminger, it was voted to lay Article 2 on the Table. ARTICLE 17 - On motion by David M. Swyter, Precinct 7, it was voted to amend the Motion made under Article 16 of the Annual Town Meeting Warrant of April 11, 1994 relating to the sale of 25 Haven Street, by deleting the phrase "FOR AN AMOUNT NOT LESS THAN TIE APPRAISED VALUE" and substituting therefore the phrase "FOR AN AMOUNT NOT LESS THAN EIGHTY PERCENT (80%) OF THE APPRAISED VALUE" so that said motion shall read as follows: "Move that the Town vote to transfer the care, custody, management and control of the following described property, commonly known as 25 Haven Street, from the Reading Municipal Light Board to the Board of Selectmen and the Municipal Light Board for any other municipal purpose, including the possible sale thereof; and to see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen and the Municipal Light Board to convey all or any part of the following described property, and subject to the Uniform Procurement Act (Chapter 30B of the General Laws) or any other applicable law and using a written appraisal prepared by a qualified commercial property appraisal firm to determine the minimum amount to be paid for such conveyance; and to authorize the Board of Selectmen and Municipal Light Board to convey all or any part of such property FOR AN AMOUNT NOT LESS THAN EIGHTY PERCENT (80%) OF THE APPRAISED VALUE, and upon such terms and conditions as the Board of Selectmen and the Municipal Light Board shall consider proper, and to deliver a deed therefor to said purchaser; and to see if the Town will vote to appropriate from the special fund for the proceeds 16 from the sale of such real estate established for Chapter 523 of the Acts of 1989 an amount equal to the NET amount paid by such conveyance, such funds to be applied to the retirement of the debt service associated with the purchase of and renovations to the Reading Municipal Light Department Property at 230 Ash Street: The land commonly known as 25 Haven Street shown on Board of Assessors' Jan. 1, 1986 Map 54 as Lot 19A consisting of 18,933 square feet of land, more or less, and being the land described in Certificate of Title No. 44966 registered at the Middlesex South District Registry of the Land Court in Book 301, Page 245." 81 voted in the affirmative 73 voted in the negative On point of personal privilege, Tom Ryan, Precinct 1, asked that Town Meeting Members identify themselves by name and precinct when they speak. ARTICLE" 13 - On motion by Daniel A. Ensminger, Precinct 7, it was voted to authorize the Town Manager to enter into a contract with users or operators of solid waste disposal facilities for the disposal of refuse, garbage and waste or for the purchase or use of by-products or residue resulting from the operation of such solid waste disposal facilities, such contract shall be for such period as agreed upon by the parties and upon such other terms and conditions as agreed upon by the parties .and shall be in accordance with the applicable provisions of General Laws Chapter Forty D, Section Twenty-one, General Laws Chapter Forty-four, Section Twenty-eight C or any other applicable enabling authority. ARTICLE 14 - Richard H. Coco, Chairman, Finance Committee, presented the following budget report: FINCOM Budget Message to Town Meeting There are three areas which I would like to focus on in this budget message to Town Meeting this year. These are: a brief review of the status of the current fiscal year's budget (1995); a dis- cussion of the importance of reserves when the Town seeks to borrow for capital projects, and an overview of the FINCOM recommended Fiscal Year 1996 budget. First, the status of the current fiscal year: I am pleased to report to you this evening that the revenue projections made last year at this time were reasonable. This conclusion is based on the known revenues through the end of March, 1995, and the anticipated total revenues expected by the end of June when FYI 995 closes. It can at this time be safely stated that actual revenues will generate a healthy free cash position at the end of FY1995. The economic downturn of 1991-1993 has run its course which shows up in a decrease in the amount of delinquent property taxes. Further, while interest earnings on the Town's general fund hit lows below 2% in 1993, they have now rebounded to between 5 and 6% as a result of actions taken by the Federal Reserve over the past year. 17 The revenue data for Fiscal 1995 reinforces the wisdom of the Town's conservative approach to forecasting revenue. This is an approach which is helping the Town to reach its long term. goal of building adequate reserves. A significant proportion of these reserves is called "free cash", r.:i official definition of which appears on Page 21 of your warrant report. The Town needs these reserves for emergencies and contingencies such as closure of the landfill site when legally required, or bridging the gap in anticipated revenue if we did not receive SBAB funding reimbursements for school debt when planned, or did not sell the Pearl Street School and the Bear Hill Nike Site in time to fund the Parker Middle School debt service. One true measure of how reserves are viewed is to see how the bond market treats the issue. The bond rating services such as Moody's and Standard and Poor's look at a municipality's reserves as a necessary cushion against unanticipated expenditures and in fact provide guidelines stating that ideally the reserves should be approximately 5% of the operating budget. For Reading, 5% of $36,000,000 is $1,800,000. Reading currently has only approximately $1,000,000 in reserves, considerably short of the ideal goal. When Reading goes out in the bond market to borrow funds for long term projects such as the Parker Middle School renovation or any other bondable project, the amount of our free cash and other reserves is one of the benchmark measures used by the bond rating services before setting a rate at which the Town can borrow money. If we keep a low "free cash" account because we continually draw it down to cover operating expenses, then we place in jeopardy our ability to get favorable interest rates for our bonds. Borrowing then costs Reading more. This issue is particularly important to us now, as we will be -marketing more than 20 million dollars in already approved school debt in the near future. A di5wrence in our interest rate of one quarter percent would mean a $50,000 swing in the first year debt service alone. Eroding our free cash now means that in effect we are mortgaging our future and that of our children for a near term gain. The FINCOM believes that it is very important for Reading to build up and maintain adequate reserves consistent with the guidelines set by the bond rating services. Turning now to the proposed budget for FY 1996, the total projected revenues to the Town from all sources including property taxes, revenues from other sources such as: charges for services, motor vehicle excise tax, licenses and permits, intergovernmental revenues such as state aid and operating transfers is estimated to be: $36,262,468. The proposed allocation of these anticipated revenues between the various town functions and departments as recommended by the Finance Committee are as follows: For Debt Service and Capital Expenditures: $ 2,350,623 For Employee Benefits: $ 4,897,657 Municipal Government: $10,368,431 Schools including the Regional Voc Tech: $17,962,435 State/County Assessments: $ 677,623 18 By percentage, the proposed allocations are: 28% for Municipal Government; 50% for Schools; 14% for Employee Benefits (and this figure includes health insurance and other benefits for school personnel as well as Town employees); and 6% for Capital Expenditures and Debt Service. State and County Assessments are the approximately remaining 2% of the budget. The proposed budget for FY1996 recommended to Town meeting for its adoption by the Finance Committee and summarized in the yellow pages of this year's warrant, was developed by the Town Manager and reviewed and voted by FINCOM over the past several months. The accumulated effort of reviewing and voting each line item and expenditure in the budget has totaled between 5 and 6 months. The FINCOM stron 1 believes that the budget recommendations we are making to Town Meeting fairly and equitably allocate the projected revenues for FYI 996 to statisfy the diverse needs of the Town. The FINCOM recommendation continues to demonstrate a very strong commitment to the education of our children, while simultaneously providing the funding necessary to properly operate the other equally important services provided by our town such as our public library, fire and police protection, maintaining our roads and infrastructure and also provide funds for not all, but certainly the most important capital needs which have been identified in the Capital Improve- rnent Plan for next year, and which you overwhelmingly approved two weeks ago. The FY1996 budget we are recommending for adoption this evening is fully funded based on the estimated anticipated revenues for next year. There will be no need to dip into the Town's cash reserves. FINCOM strongly urges all members of Town Meeting to work with us in maintaining and building these reserves and resist efforts which may develop later this evening, to take money from free cash to fund additional appropriations over and above what is presented by FINCOM as the FYI 996 budget. Thank you for your attention this evening. ARTICLE 14 - Peter Hechenbleikner, Town Manager, presented the following Budget report: Town Manager's Budget Presentation The budget presented to you this evening represents the 10th annual operating budget that I have presented to Town Meeting. During those 10 years, we have experienced what, in retrospect, appears to have been the "good old days," and we have experienced some of the greatest fiscal problems to befall local governments in anyone's memory. The FY1996 budget process should have been an easy one, with revenues increasing significantly for the first time in years without a dependence on a Proposition 2 1/2 override. It has proved, in my opinion, to be the most difficult budget that I have had to put together. This is at least partly a result of increased expectations, in part to be blamed on Education Reform. During the past 10 years there have been several guiding principles that we have lived with: Establishment of a conscious community priority on education and public safety; Maintenance of sound financial practices; Restoration and preservation of the capital plant of the community; 19 Use of an evolving process of cooperative decision making involving the Town Manager, the Board of Selectmen, the Finance Committee, the School Committee, and Town Meeting; Work towards a long term budget projection and model, and Equity among all departments of the government, especially when it comes to salary and benefit issues; The FYI 996 budget as presented, I'm sorry to say, departs from many of these principles. In this departure, it is not so much the difference in dollars that causes concern, but rather the departure from a cooperative process. Establishment of a conscious community priority on education and public safety - This principle has been met with the Public Safety Budget up 6% and the School Department budget recommended by the Finance Committee increased 7.8%. Additionally, capital expenses have been focused in large part on the Educational and Public Safety functions of the community, with over $20 million committed to school construction and thousands to police and fire facilities and equipment over the past couple of years and projected into the next several years. Preservation of sound financial practices - The town has consciously rejected fiscal gimmickry in the past, like the fabled school teacher salary deferral, and early retire- ment for Town employees, etc. We have embarked on a program of fully funding our pension system. We have committed to long term capital and operating budget projections and planning. We have worked to restore our cash reserves from a low of less than $200,000 just a few years ago. Our fiscal management team, including the Finance Director and the Town Accountant as well as the Town Manager, are extremely concerned about using free cash at this time, and not heeding the warnings about using fiscal restraint in our operating budgets that we committed to when we approved the Parker Middle School project 2 years ahead of schedule. Restoration and preservation of the capital plant of the community- We are continuing to make good progress on capital planning, and are committing a constant percentage of our budget to our capital plant. There will be a great temptation as we spend our reserves to reduce our capital expenditures rather than reducing our operating budgets, and this is a temptation that must be resisted. In fact, the community has de facto resisted this temptation in large part because much of the capital costs over the next several years is for bonding which are costs that we must pay. We all participated in the debate on the current Capital Improvements Program, and know the need for more funding for capital plant, not less. Use of an evolving process of cooperative decision-making involving the Town Manager, the Board of Selectmen the Finance Committee the School Committee and Town Meeting - This process has been significantly by-passed in this budget year. Guidelines initially agreed to were a 3% increase in salaries (later reduced to 2.5%), 2.2%'increase in expenses, and a prioritization of "structural budget increases" and "new programs." All expenses above the 3%/2.2% increases were to be prioritized. The Board of Selectmen conducted a process that resulted in inclusion of 3 new programs totaling less than $30,000. The School Department has not prioritized its budget additions over and above the base budget. 20 Work towards a long; term budget projection and model - The Town has developed a 10 year capital plan, and a 5 year budget plan. The 5 year plan projects approximately 35 new School Department employees, and shows a deficit of approximately 2 million per year by the year 2000. The anticipated expenditures are clearly beyond the Town's ability to pay, unless there is a significant source of new revenue, or unless the Cities and Towns reduce or eliminate their reliance on the property tax to support public education. Equity among ag ll departments of the government - The Town department budgets reflect a salary increase of 2.5%. In the past, when salary inequities were identified,. such as for the Firefighters, the Police Officers, or non-union personnel, these were addressed by Town Meeting specifically. The School Department has a minimum of 3% salary increases built into their budget. We had previously agreed to a model using 3% but when it became clear that the revenues would not allow that level of increase, it was reduced - for the Town employees at least. A further inequity is funding for Professional Development. The total of Town funds available for that purpose is in the personnel budget - a total of $20,000 for 250 Town employees including over 50 separate and distinct disciplines. No moneys are available for out- of-state travel. In the School budget, there is an increase of $39,000 and there is funding for out- of- state travel. In the School Department, there is an increase of 9.5 Full-Time Employees, 4 of whom are related to increasing enrollments. In the Town, there are 1.3 FTE increases, one of whom is a Police Officer 3/4 of whose salary will be paid with a grant for 3 years. These increases in funding for the School Department are not mandated by Education Reform. The Town of Reading will be spending considerably in excess of Education Reform mandated spending in FY1996 (approximately $700,000 more than required) as it did in FY1995. My point in this discussion is not to suggest that Town Meeting should appropriate either more or less than recommended by the Finance Committee for any department budget. My hope is that Town Meeting: Will have a little better grasp of the process and problems that we all face in developing a budget; Will realize the absolute necessity of leaving the Town's current level of cash reserves intact as recommended by the Finance Committee; Will at least be aware of, if not address, the inequities as identified in the budget; and Will support continued efforts at improving the budget process and will support adherence to the process by all parties. - ARTICLE 14 - On motion by Richard H. Coco, it was voted to approve and appropriate the Proposed FY1996 Budget as presented for Line Items Al and A2 (Accounting Department). $88,675 is to be provided as follows: Lines Al and A2 Property taxes, State aid, and non-property tax local receipts. 21 ARTICLE 14 - On motion by Richard H. Coco, it was voted to approve and appropriate the Proposed FY1996 Budget as presented for Line Items B1 through B9 (Community Development Department). $178,396 is to be provided as follows: Line B 1 $1,500 from Wetland Fees, with the remainder from Property taxes, State aid, and non-property tax local receipts. Lines B2 - B9 Property taxes, State aid, and non-property tax local receipts. ARTICLE 14 - On motion by Richard H. Coco, it was voted to approve and appropriate the Proposed FY1996 Budget as presented for Line Items CI through CIO (Finance Department). $678,676 is to be provided as follows: Lines Cl -CIO Property taxes, State aid, and non-property tax local receipts. ARTICLE 14 - On motion by Richard H. Coco, it was voted to approve and appropriate the Proposed FY1996 Budget as presented for Line Items Dl through D13 (General Services Department). $607,553 is to be provided as follows: Lines DI - D-13 Property taxes, State aid, and non-property tax local receipts. ARTICLE 14 - On motion by Richard H. Coco, it was voted to approve and appropriate the Proposed FY1996 Budget as presented for Line Items E1 through ElI (Human Services Department). $322,286 is to be provided as follows: Lines E1 - El 1 Property taxes, State aid, and non-property tax local receipts. ARTICLE 14 - On motion by Richard H. Coco, it was voted to approve and appropriate the Proposed FY1996 Budget as presented for Line Items F1 through F2 (Library). $562,424 is to provided as follows: Lines F 1 - F2 Property taxes, State aid, and non-property tax local receipts. ARTICLE 14 - On motion by Richard H. Coco, it was voted to approve and appropriate the Proposed FY1996 Budget as presented for Line Items GI through G8 (Public Safety Department). $4,632,387 is to be provided as follows: Lines GI - G8 Property taxes, State aid, and non-property tax local receipts. John Wood, Precinct 2, moved to reduce the total of Lines GI-G8 by $13,045 (the Animal Control Officer's salary). This motion was voted in the negative. 22 ARTICLE 14 - On motion by Richard H. Coco, it was voted to approve and appropriate the Proposed FY1996 Budget as presented in Line Items Hll through H17 (Public Works Department: Administration, Engineering, Highway & Equipment Maintenance, Parks/Forestry, Building Maintenance, Street Lighting, Rubbish Collection, Snow and Ice Control, Cemeteries). $3,298,034 is to be provided as follows: Lines Hl 1-H15 Property taxes, State aid, and non-property tax local receipts. Lines H16-1-117 $82,000 Bequest Income and $20,000 Sale of Lots with the remainder from Property taxes, State aid, and non-property tax local receipts. ARTICLE 14 - On motion by Richard H. Coco, it was moved to approve and appropriate the Proposed FY1996 Budget as presented for Line Item Jl (School Department). $17,900,000 to be provided as follows: Line Jl $20,000 from Free Cash, with the remainder from property taxes, State aid, and non-property tax local receipts. Timothy Twomey, Precinct 4, moved to increase Line J1 by $75,000. - An alternative amendment was offered by Richard Radville, Precinct 7, to increase Line Jl by $108,506. Under discussion of Mr. Radville's motion, Mr. Ensminger reminded Mr. Radville that any specific individual interest in an Article should be disclosed. Mr. Radville replied that his wife could be considered for the position of Understanding Handicaps Coordinator if this new position was funded by the School Committee budget. Mr. Radville's motion to amend by $108,506 was defeated on a standing count:. 69 Yes and 74 No. On motion by Timothy Twomey, Precinct 4, it was voted to increase Line J1 by $75,000 making the total of amended Line J1 $17,975.000 to be provided as follows: Line Jl $95,000 from Free Cash, with the remainder from property taxes, State aid, and non-property tax local receipts. On motion by James Keigley, Precinct 6, it was voted that this Town Meeting stand adjourned to meet at 7:30 p.m. at the Reading Memorial High School, Thursday, April 27, 1995. Meeting agjourned at 11:10 p.m. 163 °Town Meeting Members were present. .A true copy. Attest: Nancy L. Smethurst Acting Town Clerk 23 ANNUAL TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School April 27, 1995 The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Paul C. Dustin, at 7:40 p.m., there being a quorum present. The Invocation was given by Rev. Alan Bond, First Congregational Church, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. ARTICLE 14 - On motion by Richard H. Coco, it was voted to approve and appropriate the Proposed FY1996 Budget as presented for Line Items J2 (Northeast Regional Vocation School District Assessment). $62,435 is to be provided as follows: Line J2 Property taxes, State aid, and non-property tax local receipts. ARTICLE 14 - On motion by Richard H. Coco, it was voted to approve and appropriate the Proposed FY1996 Budget as presented for Line Items K1 through K29 (Debt Service and Capital). $2,353,512 is to be provided as follows: Lines Kl-K28 Property taxes, State aid, and non-property tax local receipts. Line K-29 From the remainder of the authorized but unexpended debt under Article 10 of the April, 1994 Annual Town Meeting for RMHS roofs, in the amount of $22,888.77. ARTICLE 14 - On motion by Richard H. Coco, it was voted to approve and appropriate the Proposed FY1996 Budget as presented for Line Items L1 through L7 (Employee Benefits). $4,897,657 is to be provided as follows: Line L 1 $280,000 from Abatement Surplus Remainder of Lines L1-L7 Property taxes, State aid, and non-property tax local receipts. ARTICLE 14 - On motion by Richard H. Coco, it was voted to approve and appropriate the Proposed FY1996 Budget as presented for Line Items M1 through M4 (Water Department). $2,174,430 is to be provided as follows: Line M4 $453,000 from Water Reserve Remainder of Lines Ml-M4 Property taxes, State aid, and non-property tax local receipts. 24 ARTICLE 14 - On motion by Richard H. Coco, it was voted to approve and appropriate the Proposed FY1996 Budget as presented for Line Items N1 through N4 (Sewer Department). $2,856,589 is to be provided as follows: Line N2 $104,839 from Sewer Reserve Remainder of Lines N1-N4 Property taxes, State aid, and non-property tax local receipts. ARTICLE 14 - On motion by Richard H. Coco, Chairman of the Finance Committee, it was voted to appropriate for the FY1996 Budget, exclusive of State and County Assessments and exclusive of previous years snow/ice, the sum of Forty Million Six Hundred Eighty-Eight Thousand and Fifty-Four Dollars ($40,688,054), representing the total of all previously made motions under Article 14 as amended: Funds are to be provided as set forth in said previously made motions. ARTICLE 20 - On motion by Camille W. Anthony, Precinct 5, it was voted to amend the Reading Zoning By-Laws to replace the Single Family Residence S-10 Zoning District with a Single Family Residence S-15 Zoning District by amending said By-Laws as follows: 1. Amend Section 3.1. by substituting the words "Single Family 15 District" for the words "Single Family 10 District" and substituting the phrase "S-15" for the phrase "S-10". 2. Amend Section 4.2.2, Table of Uses by substituting "S-15" for "S-10" in all instances. 3. Amend Planned Residential Development Section 4.10.2.1. Definitions: "Net Parcel Area" by substituting "S-15" for "S-10". 4. Amend Planned Residential Development Section 4.10.4.3., Intensity of Development: "Maximum number of dwelling units per net parcel area of land" for PRD-CT by substituting "-S-15: 2.50 units per acre," for "-S-10:3.25 units per acre," 5. Amend Section 5.1.2. Table of Dimensional Controls as follows: Under the heading "One or Two Family Dwelling" substitute: "in S-15 Districts: Area, sq. ft. 15,000 Frontage, feet 100" for "in S-10 District: Area, sq. ft. 10,000 Frontage, feet 80". 25 Under the heading "Apartment" substitute: "in S-15 Districts: Frontage, feet 100" for "in S-10 Districts: Frontage, feet 80". Under the heading "Other Permitted Principal Use" substitute: "in S-15 Districts: Frontage, feet 100" for "in S-10 Districts: Frontage, feet 80". 6. Amend Section 5.3.2.1. by substituting the line "Single Family 15 12,000 square feet" for the line "Single Family 10 8,000". 2/3 vote required 94 voted in the affirmative 43 voted in the negative During discussion of Article 20, and prior to vote on Article 21, on motion by Russell Graham, Precinct 4, it was voted to place Article 20 on the Table so that Article 21 could be addressed by the members. Following action on Article 21, by motion of John Russell, Precinct 8, Article 20 was taken from the Table and subsequently voted. Discussion on both Article 20 and Article 21 ensued for one and one-half hours with thirty plus members speaking prior to votes. ARTICLE 21 - On motion by Camille W. Anthony, Precinct 5, it was voted to amend the Reading Zoning By-Laws as follows: 1. Add the following to Section 4.10.2. "Planned Residential District as an Overlay District," "Notwithstanding any subsequent change in the development density provisions of Section 4.10.4.3. hereof, the land placed in a PRD Zoning Overlay District shall be governed by the development density requirements in effect at the time Town Meeting created the applicable Zoning Overlay District and for a period of eight (8) years from the date of such Town Meeting action." 2. Add the following Section 6.3.1.4. to Section 6.3.1. "Non-conforming Lots": "6.3.1.4. Any increase in area or frontage requirements shall not apply for a period of eight (8) years from April 27, 1995 to any lot for single or two-family residential use which as of that date was shown as a conforming lot on a plan previously submitted to the Community Planning and Development Commission under section eighty-one P of chapter forty-one of the General Laws and written notice of such submission had been given to the Town Clerk, provided 26 that such plan is subsequently endorsed by the Community Planning and Development Commission that approval under the subdivision control law is not required." 2/3 vote required 126 voted in the affirmative 6 voted in the negative ARTICLE 22 - On motion by Camille W. Anthony, Precinct 5, it was voted to Table Article 22. ARTICLE 23 - On motion by David M. Swyter, Precinct 7, it was moved to amend the Zoning Bylaws by deleting Paragraph 6.3.1.3 entitled "INTENT" and inserting therein the following: 6.3.1.3 INTENT It is the intent of this paragraph to provide a limited, controlled and reasonable vehicle for lots which do not conform to existing standards to be built upon and prevent unfair or arbitrary unbalanced sacrifices to be required of a few individuals when the resulting benefit to the public good is minimal and the damage to the public good by providing an exemption is minimal. The Board of Appeals gLay grant a Special Permit to build upon a non-conforming lot for one family use in any district permitting such use provided the applicant establishes: (a) - at the time of its recording or endorsement, whichever occurred sooner, the lot conformed to the then existing requirements; (b) - the lot was held in common ownership with adjoining land on February 2, 1978; (c) - the lot has at least five thousand (5,000) square feet of area and fifty (50) feet of frontage; (d) - the area and frontage of the -lot are similar to or greater than the area and frontage of a substantial number of built-upon lots which are located wholly or partly within three hundred (300) feet of the property line and in the same district; (e) - all abutting lots, excepting lots in recreational, public or quasi-public use and lots located in an overlay district, are built-upon, and such lots have at least five thousand (5,000) square feet of area and fifty (50) feet of frontage, or the lot and each abutting vacant lot(s), irrespective of ownership, has at least eighty (80) percent of the minimum area and frontage required in the district; and (f) - all zoning requirements other than area and frontage are met; (g) - in the event the lot is the sole remaining lot which adjoins other land held in cornmon ownership by the applicant, paragraph (d) shall not be applied by the Board of Appeals in determining whether a special permit should be granted. 2/3 vote required 19 voted in the affirmative 99 voted in the negative Motion did not carry. 27 Mr. Ralph Meuse, 97 Highland Street, Petitioner for Article 23, spoke to the members outlining his many attempts to build on his side lot consisting of 5,400 sq. ft. with 75.78 ft. of frontage. Mr. Meuse responding to questions indicated his 2 lots combined totalled 11,576 sq. ft. with one lot facing Auburn St., one with his home on it facing Highland St. Town Counsel, Ted Cohen, advised Town Meeting of the history of this parcel of land. He noted Mr. Meuse had been before the Zoning Board of Appeals three separate times and each time his request had been denied. He further advised that Mr. Meuse had appealed those decisions to both the Land Court and Appeals Court, both of whom upheld the ZBA decision. ARTICLE 24 - On motion by W. Bruce MacDonald, Precinct 4, it was voted pursuant to Section 2-6 of the Reading Home Rule Charter to declare the seats of the following Town Meeting Members to be vacant and to remove the following described persons from their position as Town Meeting Member for failure to attend one-half or more of the Town Meeting sessions during the previous year: Precinct 6 Stuart S. LeClaire Precinct 7 Barbara B. Philbrick ARTICLE 3 - On motion by Daniel A. Ensminger, it was voted that the Town support the concept of a Town/School collaboration for the hiring of a Technology Coordinator. Said Coordinator will provide the following services and will be shared between Town and School Departments: 1. Refine technology plan 2. Participate in preparing budget for technology 3. Aid department heads in use of technology 4. Train personnel in use of technology 5. Introduce new technology ideas for community benefit 6. Educate community about the benefits of using technology 7. Integrate technology into School curriculum and Town departments 8. Evaluate technology's effectiveness 9. Participate in grant writing 10. Consult on technical issues regarding technology The Town will seek an EOCD grant to fund 75% of this position for three years, and will commit to appropriating the remaining 25% from Town funds. After three years, the Town will expect to fund the entire position. ARTICLE 3 - Bryan Hodgkins, Precinct 3, moved that Town Meeting instruct the Community Planning and Development Commission to consider additional means of maintaining the desirable characteristics of the Town's residential neighborhoods. Such means to be considered would include, but not be limited to, changing the Zoning By-laws to: 1. Increase setback dimensions for lots in the S-20 and S-40 districts. 2. Set guidelines for setback dimensions in relationship to the existing setbacks of nearby properties. 28 3. Set guidelines for orientation of new structures in relationship to the orientations of other existing or proposed nearby structures. and that the CPDC report their recommendations back to Town Meeting by next spring. Motion did not carry. ARTICLE 3 - On motion of John Wood, Precinct 2, it was voted that the Town Meeting instruct the Board of Selectmen to set the date of the Spring 1996 Reading Town Election to be on the same date as the State Election unless it is totally and obviously impractical. 80 voted in the affirmative 36 voted in the negative ARTICLE 3 - On motion by Anthony L. Rickley, Precinct 2, it was voted that the Board of Assessors be requested to examine and appraise the value of Haven Street properties previously occupied by the Municipal Light Department. Appraisal should be for 100% of market value, for guidance of the Selectmen and Light Board in their negotiations to sell such properties. Appraisal should be forwarded to the Board of Selectmen, Municipal Light Board and The 25 Haven Street Task Force at the earliest possible date, and reported to Town Meeting at its next meeting. ARTICLE 3 - Town Meeting Member, Ronald Daddario, Precinct 6, attempted to create a motion to contribute $2,000 to the families of the bombing victims in Oklahoma. Town Accountant, Richard Foley and Town Counsel, Ted Cohen, noted their concern as to how payment could be made to individuals. The motion was not accepted by the Moderator. On motion by Daniel Ensminger, it was voted to Table Article 3 . ARTICLE 2 - Daniel A. Ensminger moved Article 2 from the Table and presented the following report which was accepted as a Report of Progress: Report on Sale of Real Estate There are three major parcels of Town owned land that Town Meeting has authorized for sale. These include the Pearl Street School, the Bear Hill property and the former landfill site. This is a report on the progress of sale of each of these. Pearl Street School All local permits and approvals have been issued for the conversion of the Pearl Street School property into an 86 unit project for assisted housing for the elderly. There are considerable community benefits to be derived from this project, including preservation for public use of the soccer field, preservation of the historic building, use of 1600 square feet of the building for community space, preservation of the LaPierre School of Dance as a tenant in the building, the Town secures 18 units of affordable housing to meet its affordable goals both for its own residents and for others and, of course, the financial benefit of receiving money for the sale of the property as well as ongoing taxes. The sale price is just over $650,000. Two appeals have been filed on this project - one by the Housing Authority which has been satisfied, and one by an abutter which has not been satisfied. The developer will file for a comprehensive permit on the property to expedite the appeals process, and we hope to close on this project by the end of June. 29 Bear Hill All local permits for Bear Hill have been received, and there are no outstanding appeals. The approved project is for 132 units of housing which will be developed as condominiums. There is some disagreement with the developer as to exactly what improvements the Town will pay for and what improvements the developer will pay for. We will be proceeding with the closing by May 31, 1995. The immediate income to the Town will be a little bit over $1.3 million, and there will be additional benefits as the units are sold in that the Town will receive additional monies related to the property being developed for condominium purposes. There will, of course, be ongoing property tax revenue. Additional benefits include a community recreation facility, dedicated open space, 13 units of affordable housing, and various off-site improvements. Former Landfill As you are aware, we previously had a purchase and sales agreement to sell this property to Homart for a hotel and office building. The declining hotel and office market during the early 1990's led to the disillusion of this agreement. In the meantime, the Town is working on additional marketing efforts and on getting closure issues resolved. This includes the Town's eligibility for Central Artery clay to be used for capping the facility. Additionally, the Town is working towards re-deliniating the wetlands boundary of this site, and is looking at the possibility of pre-permiting the site so that any user who wants to come in will have an easier time of it. Additionally, the Board of Selectmen has asked the Community Planning and Development Commission to review the planned unit development (PUD) zoning for the property to provide a simpler processing of applications while at the same time providing necessary protection to the community and its neighborhood. Finally, the project has been included in the statewide transportation improvement program for the improvements to Walkers Brook Drive which will make this site more attractive for economic development purposes and save money for any future developer or user of this site. ARTICLE 2 - Town Manager, Peter Hechenbleikner, gave the following report on Local Government Week: EARLY MAY SET ASIDE TO CELEBRATE LOCAL GOVERNMENT WEEK IN READING The Massachusetts Municipal Association is sponsoring programs throughout the State recognizing the role that local governments play in the daily lives of citizens of the Commonwealth. As part of those celebrations, the Town of Reading is offering a number of opportunities for residents to get to know their local government and its services a little better. In fact, there are so many programs being offered locally that they don't all fit into one week. The following is a list of activities for your enjoyment. 30 April 28 * Arbor Day - Proclamation by the Board of Selectmen, and distribution of small trees to 5th graders May 1 - May 5 * Information display at the Reading Public L lbrary May 1 -May 5 * No charge for Elder Service Van Rides May 1 -May 5 * Health Division will speak with first graders May 1 -May 5 * Bulk Waste Collection program at curbside (see article in Reading Notes) May 1 -May 5 * Take a custom tour of the Town Hall from 1:00 to 2:00 P.M.- stop in to the Town Clerk's office and they will select a tour guide for you May 3 * Special invitation to selected youth involved in student government to participate in a Recreation Committee meeting May 6 * Open House at Fire Department HQ on Main Street 1 to 3 P.M. to observe a demonstration of the "Jaws of Life" May 6 * Open House at Public Safety Communications Center at the Reading Police Station on Pleasant Street will be held 9:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. (This celebrates the 5th anniversary of a combined dispatch operation for Public Safety communications) May 6 * Open House and tours at the Water Treatment Plant on Strout Ave. 45 minute tours on the hour - limited to 15 participants per tour. First tour 9:00 A.M. May 7 * A tour of the Town Forest led by Jack Cairl. All ages - begins at 1:30 at Strout Avenue next to the Water Treatment Plant May 10 * Volunteer reception for those who assist with Elder Services Programs - 6:00 at the Senior Center. May 10 * "Shadow Day"; a day that selected high school students meet with a variety of local officials and spend the morning with them, learning their jobs and discovering more about their local government. ARTICLE 2 - On motion by Daniel Ensminger, it was voted to Table Article 2. On motion by Daniel Ensminger, it was voted that this Town Meeting stand adjourned sine die. Mezfiiya adjour ed at 10:59 p.m. 142 Town Meeting Members were present. A true copy. Attest: Catherine A. Quimb Town Clerk 31