HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-03-05 Annual Town Meeting MinutesTOWN WARRANT
(Seal)
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Middlesex, ss.
To any of the constables of the Town of Reading, Greetings:
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby required to notify
and warn the inhabitants of the Town of Reading, qualified to vote in elections and Town affairs,
to meet in the following place designated for the eight precincts in said Town, namely:
Precincts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Hawkes Field House, 62 Oakland Road_
TUESDAY, the FIFTH DAY OF MARCH A.D., 1996
from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m..to act on the following articles, viz:
ARTICLE I To elect by ballot the following Town Officers:
a Moderator for one year,
two members of the Board of Selectmen for three years;
one member of the Board of Assessors for three years;
two members of the Board of Library Trustees for three years;
- one member of the Municipal Light Board for three years,
two members of the School Committee for three years,
and sixty-nine Town Meeting Members shall be elected to represent
each of the following precincts:
Precinct 1 - eight members for three years,
Precinct 2 - eight members for three years; one member for one year
to fill vacancy;
Precinct 3 - eight members for three years, two members for one year,
Precinct 4 - eight members for three years;
Precinct 5 - eight members for three years;
Precinct 6 - eight members for three years;
Precinct 7 - eight members for three years; one member for one year;
Precinct 8 - eight members for three years; one member for one year.
and to meet at the Reading Memorial High School, 62 Oakland Road, in said Reading, on
MONDAY, the EIGHTH DAY OF APRIL A.D., 1996
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 h-leenng Members in accordance with the
provisions of the Reading Home Rule Charter. V
ARTICLE 2 To hear and act on the reports of the Board of Selectmen, Town
Accountant, Treasurer-Collector, Board of Assessors, Director of Public Works, Town Clerk,
Tree Warden, Board of Health, School Committee, Contributory Retirement Board, Library
Trustees, Municipal Light Board, Finance Committee, Cemetery Trustees, Community Planning
& Development Commission, Town Manager and any other Board or Special Committee.
Board of Selectmen
ARTICLE 3 To choose all other necessary Town Officers and Special Committees and
determine what instructions shall be given Town Officers and Special Committees, and to see
what sum the Town will raise by borrowing or transfer from available funds, or otherwise, and
appropriate for the purpose of funding Town Officers and Special Committees to carry out the
instructions given to them, or take any other action with respect thereto.
Board of Selectmen
ARTICLE 4 To see if the Town will vote to authorize the payment during Fiscal Year
1996 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 the FY 1996 to FY 2005 Capital
Improvement Program as provided for in Section 7-7 of the Reading Home Rule Charter and as
previously amended, or take any other action with respect thereto.
Board of Selectmen
ARTICLE 6 To see if the Town will vote to amend one or more of the votes taken
under Article 14 of the Warrant of the Annual Town Meeting of April 27, 1995, as amended
under Article 5 of the Warrant of the Special Town Meeting of November 13, 1995, relating to
the Fiscal Year 1996 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 7 To see if the Town will vote to adopt the FY 1997 - FY 2006 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 8 To see if the Town will vote to accept a gift of land located off of Woburn
Street and shown as Lot 6 on Board of Assessors' Revised January 1, 1995 Plat 63 currently
believed to be owned by Antonio and Jeffrey A. Moda, and to see what sum the Town will raise
by borrowing, or from the tax levy, or transfer from available funds, or otherwise, and appropriate
for paying for the demolition of the building presently or formerly located on said parcel of land,
or take any other action with respect thereto.
Board of Selectmen
ARTICLE 9 To see what sum the Town will raise by borrowing, or from the tax levy, or
transfer from available funds, or otherwise, and appropriate for the purpose of constructing and/or
reconstructing the sanitary sewer systems in Walkers Brook Drive and/or Ash Street, including
consulting engineering services, designs, plans, contracts, specifications, equipment, inspection
fees, contingencies and related facilities thereto and necessary in connection therewith, said sum
to be spent by and under the direction of the Board of Selectmen, and to see if the Town will vote
to authorize the Board of Selectmen to file applications for a grant or grants to be used to defray
all or any part of the costs of said sanitary sewer construction and/or reconstruction and related
matters; and to see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to enter into any or
all agreements as may be necessary to carry out the purpose of this Article, including, but not
limited to, the applications and acceptance of a grant and a non-interest bearing loan from the
Massachusetts Water Resource Authority, and to authorize the Treasurer-Collector to borrow
pursuant to said loan, or take any other action with respect thereto.
Board of Selectmen
ARTICLE 10 To see what sum the Town will raise by borrowing, or from the tax levy, or
transfer from available funds, or otherwise, and appropriate for the purpose of constructing and/or
reconstructing the sanitary sewer systems in Eaton Street, including consulting engineering
services, designs, plans, contracts, specifications, equipment, inspection fees, contingencies and
related facilities thereto and necessary in connection therewith, said sum to be spent by and under
the direction of the Board of Selectmen; and to see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board
of Selectmen to file applications for a grant or grants to be used to defray all or any part of the
costs of said sanitary sewer construction and/or reconstruction and related matters; and to see if
the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to enter into any or all agreements as may
be necessary to carry out the purpose of this Article, including, but not limited to, the application
and acceptance of a grant and a non-interest bearing loan from the Massachusetts Water Resource
Authority, and to authorize the Treasurer-Collector to borrow pursuant to said loan, or take any
other action with respect thereto.
Board of Selectmen
ARTICLE I I To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to
acquire all or any part of the following described parcel of land in fee or rights of easei-nent therein
by eminent domain under the provisions of Chapter 79 of the General Laws of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, or to acquire said parcel of land or any part thereof in fee or
rights of easement therein by gift, purchase, or otherwise, for open space and for consert!ation
purposes in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 40, Section 8C of the General Laws, to be
managed and controlled by the Reading Conservation Commission; and to see what sum the
Town will raise by borrowing, or from the tax levy, or transfer from available funds, or otherwise,
and appropriate to the Board of Selectmen to pay for appraisals of said parcel and to pay for the
acquisition of said parcel of land or rights of easement therein, or to be used for payment of land
damages or other costs and expenses of such acquisitions, and to authorize the Board of
Selectmen and/or Conservation Commission to enter into agreements with private parties or state
and federal agencies for financial and other assistance in connection with such acquisition, and to
do all other acts and thin ,s necessary and proper for carrying out the provision of' this vote, or
take any other action with respect thereto:
The land shown as Lot 3 on Board of Assessors' Revised Plat 193 consisting of 6.0 acres
more or less, currently believed to be owned by Michael and Phyllis Larkin.
Board of Selectmen
ARTICLE 12 To see what sum the Town will raise by borrowing, whether in anticipation
of reimbursement from the State under Chapter 44, Section 6, Massachusetts General Laws, or
pursuant to any other enabling authority or from the tax levy, or transfer from available funds, or
otherwise, for highway projects in accordance with Chapter 90, Massachusetts General Laws, or
take any other action with respect thereto.
Board of Selectmen
ARTICLE 13 ' To see what sum the Town will raise by borrowing, or from the tax
levy, or transfer from available funds, or otherwise, and appropriate for the purpose of remodeling
or reconstructing and/or making extraordinary repairs to various parks and outdoor recreational
and athletic facilities throughout the Town, including all consulting engineering services, designs,
plans, contracts, specifications, equipment, inspection fees, contingencies and related facilities
thereto and necessary in connection therewith, said sum to be spent by and under the direction of
the Board of Selectmen; and to see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to
file applications for a grant or grants to be used to defray all or any of the costs of said
improvements; and to see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to enter into
any and all agreements as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Article, including,
but not limited to, entering into a lease or license agreement with Austin Preparatory School for
the use and maintenance by the Town of certain park, outdoor recreational and athletic facilities,
or take any other action with respect thereto.
Board of Selectmen
ARTICLE 14 To see what sum the Town wilt raise by borrowing or from the tax levy
or transfer from available funds, or otherwise, and appropriate for the replacement of boilers at
any or all of the following locations: Birch Meadow School; 27 Arthur B. Lord Drive, Coolidge
Middle School, 89 Birch Meadow Drive; and the Reading Memorial High School, 62 Oakland
Road; Reading, Massachusetts, such appropriation to include all engineering fees and preparation
costs required to complete the purpose of this Article, all moneys to' be expended under the
direction of the Reading School Committee, or take any other action with respect thereto.
School Committee
ARTICLE 15 To see what sum the Town will raise by borrowing, or from the tax
levy, or transfer from available funds, or otherwise, and appropriate for the purpose of purchasing
computers, computer related equipment and other new technology equipment for various
classrooms and offices in the various public schools in the Town, said sum to be spent by and
under the direction of the School Committee; and to see if the Town will vote to authorize the
School Committee to file applications for a grant or grants to be used to defray all or any of the
costs of said equipment, and to see if the Town will vote to authorize the School Committee to
enter into any or all agreements as may be necessary to carry out the purpose of' this Article, or
take any other action with respect thereto.
School Committee
ARTICLE 16 To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to sell, or
I exchange, or dispose of, upon such terms and conditions as they may determine, various items of
Town tangible property, or take any other action with respect thereto.
Board of Selectmen
ARTICLE 17 To determine how much money the Town will raise by borrowing, or from
the tax levy, or transfer from available funds, or otherwise, and appropriate for the operation of
the Town and its government for Fiscal Year 1997 beginning July 1, 1996, or take any other
action with respect thereto.
Finance Committee
ARTICLE 18 To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to grant
or convey one or more easements upon, over and across the following described parcels of
property to the Town of Reading Municipal Light Department and New England Telephone
Company, their successors and assigns, to erect, operate, maintain, replace and remove poles with
necessary cable, wires, supports and fixtures appurtenant thereto for the transmission of
electricity, the transmission of intelligence, and other utility services, to determine the minimum
amount to be paid for such grant or conveyance of easements, and to authorize the Board of
Selectmen to grant or convey said easements upon, over and across all or any part of said parcels
of property for such amount or larger amount and upon such other terms and conditions as the
Board of Selectmen shall consider proper, and to deliver all documents in connection therewith,
and to see what sum the Town will raise by borrowing or transfer from available funds, or
otherwise, and appropriate to the Board of Selectmen to carry out the purpose of this Article, or
take any other action with respect thereto:
A certain tract of land situated southerly of Summer Avenue and being located on the
easterly side of a so-called "paper street" known as Sixth Street, and being further bounded and
described as follows:
Beginning at a point on the easterly side of Sixth Street at the intersection of Summer
Avenue;
Thence southerly along the east side of Sixth Street approximately 702 feet to a point at
the property line of a parcel of land shown as Lot 3a on Assessor's Plat 14;
Thence westerly along said Lot 3a 20 feet;
Thence northerly along the center of Sixth Street approximately 716 feet to the side line of'
Summer Avenue;
Thence south-easterly along the side line of Summer Avenue approximately 22.44 feet to
the point of beginning.
Continuing 0.33 of an acre, more or less.
Board of Selectmen
ARTICLE 19 To see if the Town will vote to amend Section 5.2.4 of the General Bylaws
of the Town by adding the following sentence: No person shall lay, throw, place, or cause to be
placed any ice or snow on that portion of any street, sidewalk, or common land within the Town
which has been cleared or plowed for travel.", so that Section 5.24 shall read as follows, or take
any action with respect thereto:
"5.2.4 No person shall move or remove snow or ice from private lands upon any public
street, sidewalk, or common land of the Town in such a manner as to obstruct or impede the free
passage of vehicular or pedestrian traffic upon the street, sidewalk, or common land of the Town
unless he has first obtained a permit therefor issued by the Director of Public Works.
No person shall lay, throw, place, or cause to be placed any ice or snow on that portion of
any street, sidewalk, or common land within the Town which has been cleared or plowed for
travel."
Board of Selectmen
ARTICLE 20 To see if the Town will vote to amend Section 2.1.7 of the General Bylaws
of the Town by deleting the word "fifth" in the second sentence thereof and substituting therefor
the word "seventh," so that said Section 2.1.7 shall read as follows, or take any other action with
respect thereto:
"2.1.7 All articles for the Annual Town Meeting shall be submitted to the Board
of Selectmen not later than 8:00 p.m. on the fifth Tuesday preceding the date of election of Town
officers, unless this day is a holiday in which case the following day shall be substituted. All
articles for the Subsequent Town Meeting shall be submitted to the Board of Selectmen not later
than 8:00 p.m. on the seventh Tuesday preceding the Subsequent Town Meeting in which action
is to be taken, unless this day is a holiday in which case the following day shall be substituted."
Board of Selectmen
ARTICLE 21 To see if the Town will approve a Home Rule petition to the General
Court, permitting the Town of Reading, through the Board of Selectmen as Road Commissioners,
to establish traffic rules and regulations on local Streets in Reading, without requiring prior
approval of the Massachusetts Highway Department.
Board of Selectmen
ARTICLE 22 To see if the Town will file a home rule petition to the General Court, to
grant veteran status to Louis Bacigalupo of Reading for purposes of consideration regarding his
disability retirement, such change in status to be effective with the date of passage of a Home
Rule petition, or take any other action with respect thereto.
Board of Selectmen
as a courtesy to Mr. Bacigalupo
ARTICLE 23 To see if the Town will vote pursuant to Section 2-6 of the Reading Home
Rule Charter to declare the seats of any or all of the following Town Meeting Members to be
vacant and to remove any or all of the following described persons from their position as Town
Meeting Member for failure to take the oath of office within thirty days following the notice of
election or for failure to attend one-half or more of the Town. Meeting sessions during the
previous year, or take any other action with respect thereto.
Precinct 1 Maurice C. Proctor, Jr.
Precinct 3 William L. Childress
Stephen M. Korth Board of Selectmen
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 March 5, 1996
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 such 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 31st day o~January, 1996.
Sal(y M_ Ho . , Chairman
George~Hines, Vice Cha' an
Ca 'lle thony, Secretary
Daniel A. Ensminger
B e MacDonald
READ OARD OF SELECTMEN
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Middlesex, ss. Officer's Return, Reading:
By virtue of this Warrant, I, onO~ notified and warned the inhabitants
of the Town of Reading, qualified to vote on town , 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 Sumner 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 March 5, 1996 the date set for
the Annual Town Meeting in this Warrant.
I also caused an attested copy of this warrant to be published in the Reading Chronicle in
the issue of February 19, 1996.
Wi a J. ughes, onstable
A true copy. Attest:
Catherine A. Quimby, Town Clerk
ANNUAL TOWN ELECTION
March 5, 1996
,?I ursuant to the Warrant and the Constable's Return thereon, a General Election was held for all eight
precincts at the Hawkes Field House. The Warrant was partially read by the Town Clerk, Catherine A.
Quimby, when on motion of Barbara I. Takach, Warden, Precinct 1, it was voted to dispense with further
reading of the Warrant except the Constable's Return, which was then read by the Town Clerk. The ballot
boxes were examined by the respective Wardens and each found to be empty and registered at - 0
The Town Clerk declared the polls open at 7:00 a.m. and closed at 8:90-p.m., with the following results:
2,865 ballots (21% of registered voters) cast as follows:
Moderator for one year - Vote for One
Candidate
Pr 1
Pr 2
Pr 3
Pr 4
Pr 5
Pr 6
Pr 7
Pr 8
Total
Paul C. Dustin*
299
203
178
352
229
295
274
303
2133
Other
1
1
1
1
3
2
0
1
10
Tanks
113
83
73
102
62
83
93
113
722
Total
413
287
252
455
294
380
367
417
2865
*Elected
Board of Selectmen for three ears - Vote for Two
Candidate
Pr 1
Pr 2
Pr 3
Pr 4
Pr 5
Pr 6
Pr 7
Pr 8
Total
IlGeorge V. Hines*
274
179
155
306
202
275
260
286
1937
Sall M.Hoyt*
272
192
160
308
199
269
241
275
1916
Other
8
5
10
4
5
12
7
0
51
Tanks
272
198
179
292
182
204
226
273
1826
Total
826
574
504
910
588
760
734
834
5730
*Elected
Board of Assessors for three Years - Vote for One
Candidate
Pr 1
Pr 2
Pr 3
Pr 4
Pr 5
Pr 6
Pr 7
Pr 8
Total
Robert 1. Nordstrand*
297
201
179
337
222
300_
270
307
2113
Other
1
0
0
0
3
2
0
2
8
Blanks
115
86
73
118
69
78
97
108
744
Total
413
287
252
455
294
380
367
417
2865
*Elected
Board of Libra Trustees for three' : years. Vote Vote for Two
Candidate
Pr 1
Pr 2
Pr 3
Pr 4
Pr 5
Pr 6
Pr 7
Pr 8
Total
Robert I Fields*
269
168
156
298
201
276
256
280
1904
lia Dan elmaier Marnik*
267
167
168
314
201
275
255
270
1917
Other
3
1
0
1
2
1
2
2
12
Tanks
287
238
180
297
184
208
221
282
1897
Total
826
574
504
910
588
760
734
834
5730
*Elected
Munici al Light Board for three ears - Vote for One
Candidate
Pr 1
Pr 2
Pr 3
Pr 4
Pr 5
Pr 6
Pr 7
Pr 8
Total
Willard J. ill Burditt*
220
143
107
269
153
204
196
209
1501
Ronald L. Wood
109
93
97
99
91
118
109
131
847
Other
0
1
0
4
0
0
2
1
8
Tanks
84
50
48
83
50
58
60
76
509
Total
413
287
252
455
294
380
367
417
2865
*Elected
School Committee for three ears - Vote for Two
Candidate
Pr 1
Pr 2
Pr 3
Pr 4
Pr 5
Pr 6
Pr 7
Pr 8
Total
Susan C. Cavicchi*
279
181
170
318
207
281
261
268
1965
Thomas J. Stohlman, Jr.*
266
160
149
272
189
264
240
256
1796
Other
3
1
4
7
3
4
1
3
26
Tanks
278
232
181
313
189
211
232
307
1943
Total
826
574
504
910
588
760
734
834
5730
*Elected
Town Meetin Members for three ears -Vote for not more than Ei ht
Candidate
Pr 1
Pr 2
Pr 3
Pr 4
Pr 5
Pr 6
Pr 7
Pr 8
Total
a E. Clark*
266
266
Doris M. Fantasia*
287
287
Beth Ann Matathia*
243
243
Sheila Krekorian Tully*
264
264
Lawrence D. Choms *
20
20
Andrew K. Herlihy*
6
6
Lori L. Miller*
23
23
Nancy H. Sta er*
21
21
Other
31
31
Blanks
2143
2143
Total
3304
3304
*Elected
Town Meetin
Me
mbers for three ears - Vote for not m
ore than Eight
Candidate
Pr 1
Pr 2
Pr 3
Pr 4
Pr 5
Pr 6
Pr 7
Pr 8
Total
I'Virginia M. Adams*
167
167
Dolores S. Carroll*
146
146
Wendy I Small,*
154
.154
-
Gail F. Wood*
167
167
John D. Wood*
158
158
Steven E. McLau hlin*
160
160
Cheryl C. Power*
168
168
Debbie H. McCulle *
10
10
Other
14
14
Tanks
1152
1152
Total
2296
2296
*Elected
Town Meetin Members for one ear - Vote for not more than One
Candidate
Pr 1
Pr 2
-Pr 3
Pr 4
Pr 5
Pr 6
Pr 7
Pr 8
Total
Eric C. Jones*
2
2
Other
8
8
Blank
277
277
Total
287
287
*Elected
Town Meetin Members for three ears - Vote for not more than Ei
ht
Candidate
Pr 1
Pr 2
Pr 3
Pr 4
Pr 5
Pr 6
Pr 7
Pr 8
Total
Agnes H. Donovan*
162
162
ance Watson*
148
148
Ronald L. Wood*
133
133
William T. Bo aert*
147
147
Roberta C. D'Antona*
6
6
David M. Roy*
Raymond Toussaint*
3
3
3
3
Catherine L. Martin*
2
2
Other
9
9
Blanks
1403
1403
Total
2016
2016
*Elected
Town Meetin Members for one ear - Vote for not more than Two
Candidate
Pr 1
Pr 2
Pr 3
Pr 4
Pr 5
Pr 6
Pr 7
Pr 8
Total
Raoul E. Daigle*
1
1
Anthony Darezzo*
Other
2
10
2
10
Blanks
491
491
Total
504
504
*Elected
Town Meeting Members for three ears -Vote for not more t
han Ei
ht
Candidate
Pr I
Pr 2
Pr 3
Pr 4
Pr 5
Pr 6
Pr 7
Pr 8
Total
Willard J. ill Burditt*
245
245
Nancy M. Graham*
252
252
Russell T. Graham*
269
269
Salt M. Ho *
258
258
Susan B. Kalmakis*
212
212
Linda Mollo *
198
198
William A. Redford*
239
239
Mary S. (Mollie) Zie ler*
281
281
Martin J. Benison
127
127
Mark W. Jackson
161
161
Roy F. Van Buren
136
136
Other
3
3
Blanks
1259
1259
Total
3640
3640
*Elected
Town Meeting Members for three ears - Vote for not more t
han Ei
ht
Candidate
Pr 1
Pr 2
Pr 3
Pr 4
Pr 5
Pr 6
Pr 7
Pr 8
Total
Jonathan E. Barnes*
183
183
Susan C. Cavicchi*
187
187
Janet E. Cloutier*
180
180
Robert L. Fuller*
179
179
Joseph P. Marshall*
175
175
Thomas J. Stohlman, Jr.*
174
174
Kathleen S. Vaccaro*
197
197
Peter J. O'Shea*
188
188
Other
4
4
Tanks
885
885
Total
2352
2352
*Elected
Town Meetin Members for three ears - Vote for not more t
han Ei
ht
Candidate
IE
Pr 1
Pr 2
-
Pr 3
Pr 4
1
Pr 5
_
Pr 6
_
Pr 7
Pr 8
Total
ames E. Biller*
260
260
;Brook W. Chi man*
onald M. D'Addario*
247
265
247
265
Mary Ellen O'Neill*
259
259
chael F. Slezak*
248
248
Stewart D. Chi man*
7
7
John C. Edson*
2
2
iane N. Slezak*
2
2
Other
15
15
Blanks
1735
1735
Total
3040
3040
*Elected
Town Meetin Members for three ears - Vote for not more t
han Ei
ht
Candidate
Pr l
Pr 2
Pr 3
Pr 4
Pr 5
Pr 6
Pr 7
Pr 8
Total
Peter Brown*
208
208
aniel A. Ensmin er*
240
240
George V. Hines*
232
232
William J. Hughes, Jr.*
205
205
Richard A. Radville*
215
215
ath Whittaker*
229
229
William C. Leach*
212
212
Jeffrey W. Struble*
204
204
Other
5
5
Blanks
1186
1186
Total
2936
2936
*Elected
Town Meetin Members for one ear - Vote for not more than One
Candidate
Pr l
Pr 2
Pr 3
Pr 4
Pr 5
Pr 6
Pr 7
Pr 8
Total
George C. Chi Hines*
249
249
Other
1
1
Blank
117
117
Total
367
367
*Elected
Town Meetin Members for three ears= Vote for'not more t
han Ei ht
Candidate
Pr l
Pr 2
Pr 3
Pr 4
Pr 5
Pr 6
Pr 7
Pr 8
Total
Matthew L. Cummin s*
261
261
Ste hen I I olito*
232
232
Robert 1. Nordstrand*
253
253
Charles A Wa ne*
219
219
Carol S. Grimm*
231
231
'm Honetschla er*
214
214
John E. Ratti an, Jr.*
238
238
Janet Baronian*
5
5
Other
21
21
Blanks
1662
1662
Total
3336
3336
*Elected
Town Meeti
n Members for one year - Vote fo
r not more than One
Candidate
Pr l
Pr 2
Pr 3
Pr 4
Pr 5
Pr 6
Pr 7
Pr 8
Total
Gelana A. Gilman*
3
3
Other
17
17
Blank
397
397
Total
417
417
*Elected
A true copy. Attest:
_ _A
Catherine A. Quimby, To,vn Clerk
ADJOURNED ANNUAL. TOWN MEETING
First Business Session
Reading Memorial High School April 8, 1996
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 Rev. Thomas J. Powers, St. Agnes Church, followed by the Pledge
of Allegiance to the Flag.
The new Town Meeting Members were given the Oath of Office by the Moderator, Paul C.
Dustin, and Town Officers and Department Heads came forward to sit.
The Warrant was partially read by the Town Clerk, Cheryl A. Johnson, when on motion by Sally
M. Hoyt, it was voted to dispense with further reading of the Warrant except for the Officer's
Return, which was read by the Town Clerk.
There was a moment of silence for Arnold Berger who passed away this year.
ARTICLE 2'- On motion by Sally M. Hoyt, Precinct 4, it was voted that Town Meeting express
to Les and Irene York its appreciation for their years of devoted service to their community and
to Town Meeting, and that the Moderator convey to the Yorks the sentiments of Town Meeting
upon their retirement from this body.
Sally M. Hoyt presented the Certificate of Appreciation for Les and Irene York and the Town
Manager spoke with regard to the two signed cards by the Town Meeting Members to Les and
Irene York which were mailed to their retirement home with the Certificate of Appreciation.
ARTICLE 2 - Susan Cavicchi, Reading School Committee Member, presented plaques to the
following recipients of the 1996 Dorothy and Arnold Berger Exemplary Teacher Awards:
Dr. Christine Redford
(Joshua Eaton Elementary School)
Dr. Christine Redford is known to us all as an educator par excellence. Affectionately admired by
her students and respected and trusted by her colleagues, Chris is a rigorous, compassionate
teacher of children and an inquiring and dedicated student of teaching. Her warm smile, empathy
and gentle humor inspire reassurance; her commitment to high standards inspires confidence.
Long a resident of Reading, with degrees from Lesley College and Boston University, Chris has
assumed leadership roles in education in her school and beyond. At Joshua Eaton, she leads
faculty workshops, mentors student teachers, and has served as Assistant Principal.
At the district level, Chris chairs the Elementary Math Curriculum Committee, is a member of the
Assessment Committee, and has served on the RTA Executive Board. She is a member of the
district PALMS Leadership Committee and, at the state level, is a member of the Math
Assessment Development Committee for the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System.
She has led training workshops in mathematics for teachers through the state. In Reading, she is a
Trustee of the Reading Public Library and has been on the Board of Directors of the Reading
Creative Arts Program and the Reading Symphony Orchestra.
Chris is known for her dedication to the profession, her leadership, wisdom, commitment to
excellence, and her compassion. Children and staff alike are inspired by her and are fortunate to
have benefited from her many contributions.
Ellen J. Howland
(Parker Middle School)
As a teacher who sets high standards in her classroom and works hard to help her students
achieve their potential, Ellin Howland is a superb representative as an exemplary Reading teacher.
As noted by a colleague, her strength of character, coupled with intellectual rigor, inspires
students to seek what is right and true in their writing and in their interpretation of literature.
English is not arcane recitation and drill for Ellen, but a voyage of discovery into many worlds. A
lover of great writers, she is insistent that her students be exposed to the joys of highly regarded
and challenging authors. Students respond in kind and produce superior work under her
guidance.
For all that Ellen is committed to scholarship, she has also been a faculty leader in our shift to
heterogeneous grouping and our adoption of inclusion for all students. She has the knack of
fostering a pride of accomplishment in students that comes from conquering legitimately
challenging material. She wants the best from all students and they deliver. To quote another
colleague, "it is continually apparent to students that intellectual commitment, a respect for
individual differences and growth of personal responsibility are values which this teacher
upholds."
A faculty leader, Ellen has provided strong leadership for the English Department for several
years. She is a respected voice at faculty deliberations and has been quite influential within the
school community. She volunteers regularly for committees, serves on the School Council and
can always be counted on for reasoned thought in any discussion. A professional in every respect,
Ellen Howland is a credit to Parker and Reading.
William E. Endslow
(Coolidge Middle School)
As you enter Coolidge Middle School, you immediately see the presence of our talented art
teacher and drama coach, Bill Endslow. Whether it be the stage, the walls or the display cases,
Bill has used student talent to create an uplifting atmosphere.
His classroom is a studio for hundreds of students annually. Any available wall space has artwork
to inspire us or seasonal exhibits to remind us that art is for everyone and possible from everyone.
The school stage has been the scene for memorable productions such as "Romeo and Juliet,"
"Barnum," and "Pirates of Penzance." At RMHS, his productions of "The Scarlet Letter," "The
Diary of Anne Frank," and others have entertained many and won state recognition.
In the sixth grade, Bill integrates social studies into his assignments and promotes an environment
that fosters success and creativity. In seventh and eighth grade, the assignments progressively
become more challenging. He has used portfolio assessment as proof of student learning. Good
things are expected because Bill believes good things are possible from each student.
Bill is friendly, witty, energetic and refreshing. He has a unique sense of humor without ridicule,
and a true curiosity about bettering his teaching. Bill Endslow is a true professional in every sense
of the word. Reading Public Schools and Coolidge Middle School are very fortunate to have an
outstanding talented teacher like Bill Endslow.
ARTICLE 2 - James E. Biller and Dr. Harry Harutunian recognized the achievement of the
Coolidge Middle School S:,ience Olympiad Team as the 1996 State Champions.
ARTICLE 2 - Sally M. Hoyt, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, presented the following State
of the Town Report:
STATE OF THE TOWN REPORT
Any State of the Town Report in Massachusetts in the 1990's must begin with a review of the
Town's Finances. The Chairman of the Finance Committee will be giving a detailed report in a
few minutes but I would like to highlight a few areas:
v The Board of Selectmen, School Committee, and the FINCOM have undertaken a
"Collaborative" budget process this year which has resulted in a much better understanding
and appreciation for the needs in every area of Town and School programs. Included in this
process have been agreement on next years revenue projections and on 5 'year revenue
projections. A further emphasis will be developed on projecting operating expenses over a
5 year time frame. This collaborative process has enabled the 3 bodies, sitting together as
the Budget Council, to improve the decision making process which leads up to the budget
presented to Town Meeting.
• While the Town's Free Cash, and cash reserves picture is healthier than it has been for many
years, the community is still not on "Easy Street." If anyone wonders what we need these
reserves for, just look at last June's Special Town Meeting where we needed $250,000 for
schools, or this spring where we need almost $600,000 for schools and snow and ice
expenditures.
® Following the instructions of Town Meeting, the Town has finally sold two pieces of real
estate: Bear Hill for 132 condominiums, and Pearl Street School for 86 units of Assisted
Housing for the Elderly. In addition to the financial benefits of selling these properties -
$2,000,000 in the bank which is needed for balancing the Town's Capital Improvements
needs for the next several years - there are significant community benefits from each project,
including recreation and open space areas, affordable housing, community space, etc. The
former RMLD property at 25 Haven Street has a sale pending, with the proceeds to go
directly to offset RMLD bond costs for the new facility on Ash Street.
• The Town continues to be successful in securing outside funds for the many projects and
programs that are developed for the citizens of the community. Included are grants for
roadway and bridge construction, the D.A.E. grant, smoking and other Human Services
grants, and grants to purchase compost bins at a discounted rate for residents of the
community. Additionally, we have received $61,123 in State funding for snow and ice
control, and are in line to receive another $70,000+ of Federal funding for the same
purpose.
While our financial picture is better than it has been in a number of years, there is much more to
be done:
• We need to work to maintain our current levels of cash reserves;
• We need to continue and refine the collaborative budget process;
• we need to continue to improve our excellent capital planning process;
• we need to continue to work to close the landfill and to find a suitable buyer for it; and
• we need to work to improve the core center of the community - our downtown.
The strength of any organization is the people who run it. In Reading, we have been blessed with
a long tradition of outstanding volunteers who come forward to assist their community, in elected
and appointed positions and in just helping out where needed. As the years pass, the roster of
these volunteers changes. During 1995, 21 residents have left their volunteer positions for a
variety of reasons, and 34 new residents have been appointed to various positions. Included in the
new appointments has been the creation of a new body, the Celebrations Committee, which was
created by Town Meeting to oversee the funds left by the 350th Celebration.
Among the long term volunteers who retired in 1995, I would like to mention just a few:
Alice W. Collins, Arts Council
David Mitchell, Arts Council
Edward Fuller, Board of Cemetery Trustees
Jim Biller, Conservation Commission
Richard Coco, Finance Committee
Fred Conover, Jr., Recreation Committee
Bill Murphy, FINCOM and Capital Improvements
Advisory Subcommittee
John Lippett, RMLD Citizen Advisory Board
Beverly B. McAleer, Arts Council
Erline M. Robinson, Arts Council
Robert A. D'Ambrosio, Commissioners of
Trust Funds
Eva M. Hakanson, Council on Aging
Fred VanMagness, Finance Committee
Edward F. Hanley, Recreation Committee
We have earlier this evening paid tribute to three community volunteers who represent the best in
the community, and I would like to again recognize the contributions that Arnold Berger, Les
York and Irene York have made to this Town.
Additionally, the Town is blessed with a hard working and dedicated staff who work day in and
day out for this community. During 1995, 43 school employees and 13 Town employees at all
levels have left our employ some have retired and others have left for other career
opportunities. The retirement of Superintendent of Schools, Bob Munnelly, and the Wring in
August of new Superintendent of Schools, Harry Harutunian, were of special note. We thank
Bob for his years of service and welcome Harry to the community. Late in 1995, Town Clerk and
long term community volunteer, Cathy Quimby, announced her retirement, and the Town
Manager has appointed Cheryl Johnson to the position effective March 11, 1996. Cathy will be
very much missed but we're happy to welcome Cheryl.
Our paid staff throughout the community have done an outstanding job. It's hard to single out
any particular Department or individual but certainly in this worst winter on record, the
Department of Public Works deserves particular mention as an example of the outstanding work
force that serves our community.
Part of the community's responsibility in having the work force that we do is to conduct collective
bargaining with a number of Unions. There are currently 6 Town Unions (one of the previous
Unions decertified in 1995), and 6 School Unions. Given the Town's financial circumstances,
agreement with these employee representatives was not always easy to achieve but as of today,
we have collective bargaining agreements with all but one union for FY 1996, and all but one of
the current agreements continue through FY 1998. The collective bargaining process takes a lot
of work on the part of staff, the union representatives, and your elected officials but the results are
an excellent working relationship with all of our employees.
Capital improvements throughout the community continue to occupy a great deal of the
community's time, energy and finances. Their accomplishment is a source of considerable pride to
all who are involved. The development of the 10 year Capital Improvements Program, and
especially the financing plan, takes a great deal of work and planning on the part of staff, the
Capital Improvements Advisory Subcommittee, the FINCOM, and your elected officials. The
result is an outstanding planning effort that has won the praise of the Bond Rating agencies.
During 1995, some long standing capital projects have come to fruition and the following are
some of the highlights:
• Construction began on South Street and except for some finish-up work to be done this
spring, the project is complete. The design and implementation was done sensitively,
keeping in mind the concerns of the neighborhood.
• Upper Pearl Street reconstruction was begun in 1995 and will be completed this spring.
The involvement of the neighborhood on this project was outstanding.
• Route 129 design was completed in 1995 and early 1996, and this project which is fully
funded by outside sources, will be bid this spring and construction will begin in the fall.
Again there was a very positive process with residents who live along Route 129 and with
the Historical Commission and Old South United Methodist Church to resolve all issues.
• The Mineral Street bridge project is moving along. Final design has been completed and the
Town and the Massachusetts Highway Department are working cooperatively to secure the
necessary rights of entry from abutters in order to get this project out to bid.
• The Town has completed construction of sidewalks in a priority area of the community
the Hancock, King and Mineral Street area.
• Construction was completed on the Joshua Eaton School project and ground was broken on
the Parker Middle School project.
• Work has begun on the Wood End Cemetery project on Franklin Street and the authorized
work should be completed this fall.
• The West Street corridor project has had initial design and has been accepted by the
Massachusetts Highway Department as a funded project.
• Road projects for which initial design work has started include Summer Avenue from
Brook to Main Street and Walnut Street. The public review process on these projects will
begin shortly.
Commercial development in Reading has been the subject a great deal of focus this year. The
Reading Business Park Task Force has been working towards having the former landfill as a
marketable site for future development which will bring in additional income, increase the tax base
of the community and provide jobs. This is a long process involving the formal closure of the site
at the lowest possible cost to the Town, and then involving finding a good long term user for the
property. We are making progress on this project.
The future of Reading's Downtown has been the focus of much volunteer and staff time during
1995. The Downtown Steering Committee has been formed as a partnership of local residents,
businesses and government. The Steering Committee has worked very hard at determining what
the community wants from its Downtown and then how to achieve what the community desires.
There are some very positive trends in our Downtown, with expansion of local businesses, new
businesses opening up and efforts to improve buildings and signs. In fact, Reading finally has a
book store, located off the municipal parking lot accessible from Woburn Street.
Much more needs to be done to continue to improve our Downtown and this will require a
continued community effort. Much can be done with private initiatives, but some of the work that
will be needed will require public decisions and actions and probably public funds. In the FY
1997 Capital Improvements Program, several of the projects are related to enhancing the
Downtown, and the Board of Selectmen are looking at the possibility of accessing additional
Federal and State funds to assist the Downtown revitalization efforts in this and future years. A
viable and vital Downtown is essential to the entire community.
In addition to the financial, volunteer, staff and economic development activities of this
community, we continue to deal with a great variety of other ongoing issues. Some of these
include:
• The Town has implemented E9-1-1 Public Safety dispatching in September;
• We continue to deal with water restrictions and getting our water supply fully on line and
operational so that water restrictions can be lifted at the earliest opportunity - hopefully, this
spring;
• The Board of Health has implemented smoking restrictions in public places;
• We continue our community outreach and communications efforts, most recently through
the quarterly cable program "Selectmen's Forum";
• The Town continues to monitor the design of the Industriplex road connector from I-93 to
the Woburn industrial area;
• The Town held the first-in-the-state combined Local and Presidential Primary Election this
spring;
• A housing lottery was held for the affordable housing units at Bear Hill;
• The RMLD celebrated its 100th Anniversary this year;
• The Town, through an ad hoc Open Space and Recreation Planning Task Force, completed
the Open Space Plan that, among other things, makes the Town eligible for State funding
for projects such as those included in this Town Meeting Warrant as Article 11 and possibly
Article 13. This plan was done entirely by volunteers which saved the Town significant
funds. It was recognized by the State for its excellence;
• The Town has monitored and continues to monitor a proposed Prison Bond bill which may
have located a juvenile detention facility at Camp Curtis Guild in Reading.
Finally, I would like to mention some of the activities that may be on the lighter side of our
agenda but are the kind of events that make Reading the sort of community that it is.
Many in the community were privileged to attend the dedication of the Parker Middle School
soccer field as the Collins Field, named after Steven Collins who was a long time soccer coach
and volunteer who passed away this year.
The Town was honored to officially welcome a number of visitors to the community, including
student visitors from Japan, and a contingent from Haverhill who were walking from Boston to
Haverhill to publicize the needs of Haverhill schools.
The entire community has been proud to recognize the achievements of our students in a number
of endeavors including music, drama, academics and athletics.
The Reading Garden Club has worked with the community this year on various beautification
efforts. They are coordinating the "Adopt an Island" Program in 1996, and have received state
recognition for their ongoing efforts.
One new initiative in 1996 will be a resurrection of "Community Day". Memorial Day has been
selected as the day to have a community program which will celebrate our Town and particularly
its open spaces. A committee has been formed, and if any of you are interested in helping out,
you can speak with Camille Anthony. The program will include the clean-up of Imagination
Station, walks in the Town Forest and other conservation areas, games for the entire family and
an old fashioned community picnic.
In summary, these are exciting times for Reading. We continue to face many challenges, but in
the true style of this community, we will continue to address each of these challenges in a
thorough and deliberative manner. Major initiatives in community problem solving and conflict
resolution, continued improvement in the working relationships of all areas of Town government,
and a continued focus on economic revitalization will continue to be at the forefront. The coming
years will see a continued focus on education for our youth and in improving and enhancing the
safety of the community. In doing this, we will continue to balance all of the needs of our Town
within the resources available. As we celebrate the 10th Anniversary of our Town Charter, we
rededicate ourselves to the goal of making the Town of Reading, already known as an outstanding
community, and even better place to live, work and raise our families.
ARTICLE 2 - Stephen J. Blewitt, Precinct 6 and Chairman of the Finance Committee, presented
the following Finance Committee Report:
The Finance Committee would like to take this time to give a broader view of the Town's financial
position than the annual budget generally provides.
The Town is currently facing rapidly rising costs in several areas which if each were faced
individually would be manageable, but taken as a whole, places a significant burden on our
financial resources.
Enrollment in the schools has increased 14% during the past seven years; while enrollment is
expected to stabilize in FY '98, the impact of time and learning requirements will still drive the
need for additional teachers in the high school that year.
Special Education costs have risen by 10-20% per year for several years. While we expect those
costs to also stabilize, we do not expect that to happen in the immediate future. The explosion of
information has required the municipal and school departments to spend capital dollars and
operating funds for training and data management. The way our public safety officers respond to
situations, the way our teachers teach and the way we look for information in the library to
name a few examples, has permanently changed and these changes have come with a large price
tag.
Finally, the level of infrastructure and residential development in Town has increased
dramatically. As a result, the budget that we are looking at today is greater than our budget just
five years ago.
The Town has been fortunate in this time to have the Commonwealth increase its commitment to
local communities and to have experienced a positive economic cycle which has generated
increased revenues from new development and motor vehicle fees. The Town has also benefited
from the commitment of its residents through their override vote in 1994 and the commitment of
its employees who did not receive any pay increases for two years.
The difficult position that the Town faces in the immediate future is whether the Commonwealth's
commitment to local aid, or an economic downturn occurs before the cost pressures identified
above begin to abate.
Looking ahead, the Finance Committee believes that the Town has positioned itself to withstand a
short-term economic problem. Cash reserves entering FY '97 will be nearly $2,000,000 or 5% of
revenues and negotiated salary agreements provide stability for a couple of years. Longer-term,
however, we need to broaden our economic base since over 90% of our property taxes is from
residential owners and there is limited growth available. This is why the Downtown Steering
project and the development of the landfill are very important for the future.
In conclusion, the Finance Committee would like to express its appreciation to the members of the
Board of Selectmen and School Committee, and the administrators and staff of the Municipal and
School Departments, for their efforts in the Collaborative Budget Process. We believe that this
process is the first step in addressing the long-term needs and constraints of the Town from a
financial perspective.
ARTICLE 2 - Camille Anthony, Precinct 5, introduced the members of the Open Space and
Recreation Planning Task Force.
Nancy Eaton, Precinct 1, Chairman of the Open Space and Recreation Planning Task Force,
discharged the committee members and presented the following Final Report:
The Open Space and Recreation Planning Task Force has completed its report. In November, we
received conditional approval. The reviewer wrote: "I have received your Open Space and
Recreation Plan and reviewed it for compliance with the 1990 Planning Requirements. This was
one of the strongest drafts I have received and your Task Force should be very proud of it."
There were a few omitted documents and a review letter required from the Metropolitan Planning
Commission. On March 14, 1996, we received Final Approval. The comment this time was
"Everyone who contributed to this plan should take pride in a job well done! The Town is fully
eligible to compete in DCS grant rounds through November 2000."
I thank the members of the Task Force for the many hours they contributed to write the plan. The
work of the plan writers is over but the implementation is just beginning. There are two articles
on tonight's warrant that concerns goals in the plan Articles 11 and 13. The Selectmen
tomorrow night will be discussing the structure of the implementing entity to accomplish the
goals.
The Plan is now ready for printing. Lots of interested citizens, community groups and official
Town volunteers serving on boards, commissions and committees will be needed to reach the
goals.
And off on the horizon, what do I see, a revised plan due in five more years. Thanks for the
opportunity to contribute to our community.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy L. Eaton, Chair
Camille Anthony, James Boucher, Bryan Irwin
Gerard McDonald, John McGrath
Joan Nickerson and Jerry Vitale
Open Space and Recreation Planning Task Force
ARTICLE 2 - Allan E. Ames, Chairman of the Reading Municipal Light Department, presented
the following report:
On behalf of my fellow Commissioners: William J. Hughes, Jr., Board Vice Chairman, Philip B.
Pacino, Board Secretary, David Swyter, Commissioner and 1995 Board Chairman and our newest
Commissioner (and former Selectman), Wilbur J_ Burditt, I am pleased to report to Town
Meeting on the Reading Municipal Light Department 1995 activities.
1995 has been a year of great changes for the RMLD. Our industry is rapidly moving into the age
of open choices for customers to meet their electrical needs.
In response, the RMLD is blending advanced technologies with our historical emphasis on
customer service. We are rapidly designing for the future while building on our 100-plus roots in
the Towns of Reading, North Reading, Lynnfield and Wilmington. Our efforts are directed
towards reinventing ourselves continuously to reflect the needs of our customers.
Our employees are dedicated, experienced and enthusiastic about the opportunities that lie ahead.
This pride in doing their very best for every customer has always been their natural way of doing
business. As Commissioners, we set policies to guide these energies while emphasizing that our
rates must remain very competitive and our system reliability must exceed that of all other electric
utilities in Massachusetts. We will continue this commitment into the future.
Here are some of our 1995 accomplishments:
* We cut our power costs by $1,141,731 (3%).
e We constructed 14,000 feet of fiber optics cable to increase our system reliability.
This program will eventually ring the entire 4 Town area.
We started an aggressive 3 year program to automate our meter reading. This
will save time and money and improve our accuracy- It will allow us to read
over 25,000 meters in one day per month.
• We also completed a substantial part of our engineering analysis to build a
sophisticated new transmission substation in North Reading to meet the ever
expanding needs of our customers for electricity-
We have also initiated new preventative maintenance programs of our distribution
systems, started an ambitious program to upgrade all our computer systems to
client server technology, and are completing a variety of analysis to allow a com-
plete revamping of our electric rates and power supply to meet the expectations
of competition among utilities.
All of these advanced programs are in addition to our responding to over 1,500
emergency or routine assistance calls for our line crews. We also completed under-
ground construction projects in 23 subdivisions throughout the 4 Towns along with
numerous new overhead line extensions and upgrades.
In closing, the Commissioners and I are proud to be part of a long and vibrant history of
achievement of the Town of Reading. The RMLD is committed to supporting a superior quality
of life for Reading residents and looks forward to remaining a valued part of your future.
Thank you.
Allan E. Ames, Chairman
ARTICLE 2 - Russell T. Graham, Precinct 4, Chairman of the School Building Committee,
presented the following report:
Mr. Moderator:
The Parker Middle School project continues on schedule. The frame of the new building is up,
floors poured and the building mostly enclosed. Interior work has begun.
Cooperation between the Town, the architect and the contractor remains good with differences at
a low level consistent with the magnitude of the project. With the end of the school year, activity
will be accelerated and items of the construction needed to be done without children in the
building will commence.
Expectation is maintained that upon their return in the Fall, the new portion of the building will be
ready for them and the old will be demolished relegated to a permanent and pleasant historic
memory. With such a schedule, however, the returning students and faculty will enter a building
not yet seen by them, not knowing what rooms they are assigned to nor where these rooms might
be situated, further complicated by the reality that those sections of the new edifice to be built
where the old one stood will not be completed but ongoing. Timing of the project is super
critical, and the logistics of opening in the Fall somewhat overwhelming.
Our faith in the administration is such, however, that sleepless nights in the summer will hopefully
be contained to late August; whatever the frustrations, every indication is that the end result will
make it all worthwhile.
The feasibility study of the Reading Memorial High School has begun. As reported in the Fall,
thirteen architects responded to the Request for Proposal, and a subcommittee consisting of Rich
Radville, Roger Sansted and Joe Lupi narrowed the applicants down to four who met all stated
criteria. The entire committee interviewed these four applicants. During these interviews, the
committee was joined by Dr. Harutunian, Rena Mirkin and various members of Reading 2000, all
of them urged to join the discussion and state their preferences.
After considerable and productive discussion, the firm of Drumey Rosane Anderson was chosen
as the firm to carry out the feasibility study. This firm has begun its interview with the
administration, conducted a series of interviews with the faculty, has had its mechanical engineers
inspect the building and begun to define some of the problems existent in the building, and has set
up a time to interview the students.
The timetable is structured so that a full report including recommendations will be ready for this
body in the Subsequent Fall Town Meeting.
We have, however, learned one thing for certain in addressing the elementary and Parker projects
and that is that the active participation and leadership of the Building Principal is critical to the
success of any proposed project dealing with that building. The imminent departure of Mrs.
Mirkin is thus of concern. The architect is, therefore, gearing that timetable so that fill use of
Mrs. Mirkin's talents and input is obtained in the time remaining with us while at the same time
allowing an avenue for input of the new principal when he or she comes on board.
The Superintendent has an aggressive calendar in place for the naming of the principal and, in the
interim, has decided that he as the superintendent will attend all meetings requiring participation
by administration, thus serving as a bridge between the old and new principal.
Much speculation has taken place as to the nature, scope and cost of this project. The School
Building Committee cautions that all such speculation is premature pending the outcome of this
study, but the potential certainly exists for a very interesting Fall Town Meeting.
The Committee wishes to thank the School Committee, School Administration and Members of
the Reading 2000 for their dedication to and support of this study.
See you in November.
ARTICLE 2 - On motion by Sally M. Hoyt, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, it was moved
to lay Article 2 on the table.
ARTICLE 3 - On instructional motion by William C. Brown, Precinct 8, to move that the
chairperson of each precinct or designee and the Moderator whom shall serve as Chairman review
the Town of Reading Home Rule Charter and report its findings to the Subsequent Town Meeting
of 1996.
Motion did not carry.
ARTICLE 3 - On motion by Sally M. Hoyt, it was moved that Article 3 be tabled.
ARTICLE 4 - On motion by George V. Hines, Precinct 7, it was voted to indefinitely postpone
the subject matter of Article 4.
ARTICLE 5 - On motion by George V. Hines, Precinct 7, it was voted to indefinitely postpone
the subject matter of Article 5.
ARTICLE 6 - On motion by Stephen J. Blewitt, Precinct 6 and Chairman of the Finance
Committee, it was voted to amend one or more of the votes taken under Article 14 of the Warrant
of the Annual Town Meeting of April 27, 1995, as amended under Article 5 of the Warrant of the
Special Town Meeting of November 13, 1995, relating to the Fiscal Year 1996 Municipal Budget
as follows, with the source of funding to come from property taxes, State aid, and non-property
tax local receipts unless otherwise noted.
ARTICLE 6 - AMENDMENTS TO FY 1996 BUDGET
BUDGET
#
DESCRIPTION
CHANGE
in adopted
budget
NEW
BUDGET
AMOUNT
Al
Accounting - Personal Services
-$7,500
$82,005
BI
Community Development - Conservation Personal
Services
4400
$37,214
B3
Community Development - ZBA Personal Services
$150
$1,050
139
Community Development - General Non Personal
Expenses
$110
$1,860
C3
Finance - FINCOM Reserve Fund
-$42,000
$50,385
C5
Finance - Assessment Non-Personal Services - Appraisal
-$5,000
$8,000
C8
Finance - Personnel non-Personal Expenses
$4,000
$28,350
C10
Finance - General Non-Personal Expenses
-$10,000
$53,314
D1
General Services - Selectmen Non Personal Expenses
$500
$2,250
D5
General Services - Law Labor Counsel
-$5,000
$15,000
D6
General Services - Law Non-Personal Expenses
$6,000
$11,000
D7
General Services - Town Clerk Personal Services
$.1,900
$41,148
D9
General Services - Elections Personal Services
-$5,000
$9,150
D10
General Services - Electrons Non Personal Expenses
42,500
$10,210
DI I
General Services - Property and Casualty Insurance
47,500
$91,975
D12
General Services - General Personal Services
$4,500
$105,972
E6
Human Services - Veterans Aid
-$6,200
$11,800
F1
Library - Personal Services
-$1,400
$460,728
GI
Public Safety - Police Non-Personal Expenses
$8,000
$197,755
G3
Public safety - Animal Control Personal Services
$600
$13,645
G5
Public Safety - Fire Personal Services`
$50,000
$2,044,354
G6
Public Safety - Fire Non-Personal expenses
$2,600
$81,525
G
Public Safety - General Personal Services
$7,000
$217,788
H11
Public Works Operations - Personal services
-$1,220
$1,081,998
H12
Public Works operations - Non-Personal expenses
$51,847
$592,785
H14
Public Works - Rubbish Collection and Disposal
-$46,960
$1,044,040
H15
Public Works - Snow and Ice
$388,327
$595,614
with
$355,854
from
free cash
J1
School Department
$248,000
$18,295,075
from free
cash
L4
Employee Benefits - Group Health / Life Insurance
-$55,000
$2,358,110
L5
Employee Benefits - Social Security and Medicare
$23,000
$246,987
L7
Police and Fire Indemnification
$3,000
$23,000
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Ml
Water - Personal Services
$39,482
$550,129
with
$15,582
from water
reserve
M2
Water - Non-Personal Expenses
-$23,900
$907,912
N1
Sewer - Personal Services
-$6,500
$155,755
N2
Sewer - Non-Personal Expenses
$6,500
$2,509,575
N4
Sewer - Debt Service
$500
$33,279
from sewer
reserve
ARTICLE 7 - On motion by Stephen J. Blewitt, Precinct 6 and Chairman of the Finance
Committee, it was voted as amended by Michael F. Slezak, Precinct 6, to adopt the Capital
Improvement Program entitled "Town of Reading Massachusetts Ten Year Capital Improvement
Program Fiscal Years 1997 through 2006" dated 3-19-96 as provided for in Section 7-7 of the
Reading Home Rule Charter deleting PW-R-14 "Downtown Parking Improvements" from FY 97
budget.
85 voted in the affirmative
61 voted in the negative
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ARTICLE 8 - On motion by Camille W. Anthony, Precinct 5, it was voted to indefinitely
postpone the subject matter of Article 8.
ARTICLE 9 - On motion by Camille W. Anthony, Precinct 5, it was voted to table the subject
matter of Article 9.
ARTICLE 10 - On motion by Camille W. Anthony, Precinct 5, it was voted that the Town raise
by borrowing under Chapter 44 Section 7(1) of the General Laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, or any other enabling authority, and appropriate the sum of $115,000, for the
purpose of constructing and/or reconstructing the sanitary sewer systems in Eaton Street,
including consulting engineering services, designs, plans, contracts, specifications, equipment,
inspection fees, contingencies and related facilities thereto and necessary in connection therewith,
said sum to be spent by and under the direction of the Board of Selectmen; and move that the
Town vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to file applications for a grant or grants to be
used to defray all or any part of the costs of said sanitary sewer construction and/or
reconstruction and related matters; and move that the Town vote to authorize the Board of
Selectmen to enter into any and all agreements as may be necessary to carry out the purpose of
this Article, including, but not limited to, the applications and acceptance of a grant and a
non-interest bearing loan from the Massachusetts Water Resource Authority, and to authorize the
Treasurer-Collector to borrow pursuant to said loan.
2/3 vote required
142 voted in the affirmative
0 voted in the negative
ARTICLE 11 - Nancy Eaton, Precinct 1, Chairman of the Open Space and Recreation Planning
Task Force, presented the following report regarding Larkin Parcel Acquisition - end of Pasture
Road:
The parcels are a mixture of wetlands and uplands, vernal pools with rare species, streams and a
trail network.
Lot 3 was before the Conservation Commission for proposed development from April of 1992
through June of 1994 with appeal to . the Department of Environmental Protection and
amendments and refinements. During that process, abutters expressed concerns for keeping the
parcel as open space. After obtaining permission for one house lot, the property was sold to the
current owners who also acquired rights to Lot 2. Mr. Larkin has proposed to make certain
changes to the approved development plan to have less of an impact on the wetland resource
areas.. The acquisition of the adjacent parcel has a potential for changing the development on the
combined lots. Passage of Article 1 I would limit any development on the combined lots to one
house with an accessway.
As you heard earlier, the Town has now completed its Open Space and Recreation Plan and it has
been approved by the State which now makes us eligible for State grant programs. One of the
components of that plan was a survey of the resident's interests and concerns.
Question 6 was: Is it important for Reading to acquire new open space for passive recreation,
water supply protection and habitat protection? 76.8% said Yes, 13.6% said No and 8.6% said it
was not a concern.
By length of residence in Town, those living here for more than 20 years, 69.4% said Yes; 11-19
year residents, 82.1% said Yes; 5-10 year residents, 82.9% said Yes and residents living in Town
less than 5 years, 77.8% said Yes.
In the statement of Open Space and Recreation Goals, it was recommended that the Town should
increase the extent of open space lands available for public use
To acquire additional open space for aquifer protection
• To ensure the protection of important wildlife habitats and other critical natural areas
• To develop a variety of financing methods to support and enhance Town land-banking
programs and strengthen programs to promote a realistic and equitable distribution of
public and privately held open space for recreation, conservation and agriculture uses
Many of the existing conservation areas do not have either upland or a trail system. :The
accessway at Pasture Road with public easement over a portion of it would enable the public to
reach the trail system, and enjoy the Town's natural resources in this area while retaining privacy
for the lot owner.
With the passage by the State legislature of the Open Space Bond bill, additional revenues are
authorized. It is expected that $5 million will be available for local communities to acquire open
space lands following a specified formula. Reading's range of reimbursement is between 60-62%
and this relates to the purchase of the land as well as related expenses. The grant application must
be filed with the State by June 1, including appraisals. If we are successful in our grant
application, the cost to the Town would be approximately $4,000 per acre of land. This is a real
bargain price for land. Passage of this Article would start the process for the first purchase of
open space since 1977, and a beginning of the implementation of the Open Space and Recreation
Plan while actually increasing the tax revenue to the Town.
The residents of Reading have indicated their priority for acquisition of open space by the survey.
The Selectmen and the Finance Committee have voted favorably to recommend this Article. I
would ask you as Town Meeting Members to also cast a favorable vote on Article 11 and
continue Reading's concern for the environment.
Mr. Moderator, the Conservation Commission at its meeting of April 3, 1996 voted 5-0-0 to
recommend approval of Article 11.
ARTICLE 11- On motion by W. Bruce MacDonald, Precinct 4, it was voted that the
Town authorize the Board of Selectmen to acquire all or any part of the following described
parcel of land in fee or rights of easement therein by eminent domain under the provisions of
Chapter 79 of the General Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, or to acquire said
parcel of land or any part thereof in fee or rights of easement therein by gift, purchase, or
otherwise, for open space and for conservation purposes in accordance with the provisions of
Chapter 40, Section 8C of the General Laws, to be managed and controlled by the reading
Conservation Commission; and move that the Town raise by borrowing under Chapter 44,
Sections 7(3), 7(18), and 8(C) of the General Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, or
any other enabling authority, and appropriate the sum of $60,000 for the purpose of paying for
appraisals of said parcel and to pay for the acquisition of said parcel of land or rights of easement
therein, or to be used for payment of land damages or other costs and expenses of such
acquisitions; and move that the Town vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen and/or
Conservation Commission to enter into agreements with private parties or state and federal
agencies for financial and other assistance in connection with such acquisition, including but not
limited to, Chapter 132A, Section 11 of the General Laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, and to do all other acts and things necessary and proper for carrying out the
provision of this Article:
The land shown as Lots 2 & 3 on Board of Assessors' Revised Plat 193 consisting of 9.80
acres more or less, currently believed to be owned by Michael and Phyllis Larkin.
2/3 vote required
139 voted in the affirmative
1 voted in the negative
On motion by Michael F. Slezak, Precinct 5, it was moved that this Annual Town Meeting stand
adjourned to meet at the Reading Memorial High School Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday,
April 11, 1996.
The meeting adjourned at 10:40 p.m.
177 Town Meeting Members were present.
A true copy. Attest:
Cheryl~( 1ohrso
Town Cleric
ADJOURNED ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
Reading Memorial High School April 11, 1996
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 Lois Bond of the First Congregational Church, followed by the
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
ARTICLE 22 - On motion by William C. Brown, Precinct 8, it was voted that the Town file a
home rule petition to the General Court, to grant veteran status to Louis Bacigalupo of Reading
for purposes of consideration regarding his disability retirement, such change in status to be
effective with the date of passage of a Home Rule petition.
137 voted in the affirmative
1 voted in the negative
ARTICLE 12 - On motion by Camille W. Anthony, Precinct 5, it was voted that the Town,
pursuant to Chapter 85 of the Acts of 1994, appropriate the sum of $437,855 from available
funds as authorized by the Commissioner of Revenue for highway projects in accordance with
Chapter 90, Massachusetts General Laws.
ARTICLE 12 - On motion by Camille W. Anthony, Precinct 5, it was voted that the Town raise
by borrowing, whether in anticipation of reimbursement from the State under Chapter 44 Section
6 of the Massachusetts General Laws, or pursuant to any other enabling authority, and
appropriate the sum of $437,834 for the purpose of highway projects in accordance with Chapter
90, Section 6 of the Massachusetts General Laws.
ARTICLE 13 - On motion by Frederick Van Magness, Precinct 8, it was voted to amend Article
13 by changing $500,000 to $267,000 and deleting including, but not limited to, entering into a
lease or license agreement with Austin Preparatory School for the use and maintenance by the
Town of certain park, outdoor recreational and athletic facilities."
97 voted in the affirmative
46 voted in the negative
On motion by George V. Hines, Precinct 5, and amendment by Frederick Van Magness, Precinct
8, it was voted to amend Article 13 by borrowing under Chapter 44, Section 7(25) of the General
Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, or any other enabling authority, and appropriate
the sum of $267,000 for the purpose of constructing or reconstructing various parks and outdoor
recreational and athletic facilities throughout the Town, including all consulting engineering
services, designs, plans, contracts, specifications, equipment, inspection fees, contingencies and
related facilities thereto and necessary in connection therewith, said sum to be spent by and under
the direction of the Board of Selectmen; and move that the Town vote to authorize the Board of
Selectmen to file applications for a grant or grants to be used to defray all or any of the costs of
said improvements; and move that the Town vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to enter
into any and all agreements as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Article.
13 5 voted in the affirmative
12 voted in the negative
ARTICLE 14 - On motion by Matthew Cummings, Precinct 8, it was voted that the Town raise
by borrowing under Chapter 44, Section 7(3A) of the General Laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, or any other enabling authority, and appropriate the sum of $172,000 for the
replacement of boilers at any or all of the following locations: Birch Meadow School; 27 Arthur
B. Lord Drive; Coolidge Middle School, 89 Birch Meadow Drive; the Reading Memorial High
School, 62 Oakland Road, Reading, Massachusetts, such appropriation to include all engineering
fees and preparation costs required to complete the purpose of this Article, all moneys to be
expended under the direction of the Reading School Committee.
2/3 vote required
120 voted in the affirmative
0 voted in the negative
ARTICLE 15 - On motion by Matthew Cummings, Precinct 8, it was voted that the Town raise
by borrowing under Chapter 44, Sections 7(28) and 7(29) of the General Laws of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, or any other enabling authority, and appropriate the sum of
$500,000 for the purpose of purchasing computers and computer related equipment for various
classrooms in the various public schools in the Town, said sum to be spent by and under the
direction of the School Committee; and moved that the Town vote to authorize the School
Committee to file applications for a grant or grants to be used to defray all or any of the costs of
said equipment; and moved that the Town vote to authorize the School Committee to enter into
any or all agreements as may be necessary to carry out the purpose of this Article.
2/3 vote required
119 voted in the affirmative
1 voted in the negative
Pay-As-You-Throw is an Opportunity to
Change Our View of Solid Waste
Pav-As-Y ou-Throw means unit pricing of solid
\a-aste.
Users pay per unit of waste collected rather than
throu0h a fixed rate.
Pay -As-You-Throw is one option ill Pay
an integrated system of
solid waste management
including composting,
recycling, and waste reduction.
What We Hope to"Achieve by Pay-As-
You-Throw
• Equity TI L
Improve equity among households with respect to trash costs-
Allow residents to control their own cost of trash disposal.
• Environment
- Provide financial incentive to reduce and recycle.
- Increase participation in recycling programs.
• Economy
- Remove some of the cost of trash disposal from the budget.
- No additional costs to the town.
Reading's Recycling Rates could be
Improved
Reading'S curbside recycling rate by household . 65%
- (1993 Survey of 1- 3 find), houses)
Reading's FY 95 comprehensive recycling rate . 21%
Cutbvde Recycled Wright
t.J]
1350
1300 1.'.~
1730
17(10 vl: r a~•- t
! 1150 93 45
n-, Year
C-bode Reeyefad Weight as • percentage of
T-h Weighs
Pay-As-You-Throw would increase
Reading's Recycling Rates
• PAYT gives financial incentive to
- Participate in Recycling
- Recycle More
- Produce Less Trash
1
Proposal for Pay-as-You-Throw System
for the Town of Reading
introduce sticker system effective July 1, 1997 (FY98)
• Town purchases stickers using DEP Grant funds
• Stickers sold to residents by local merchants and
municipal offices
• Selling price: $.65/sticker
• Program planned to be revenue neutral
• Residents adhere sticker to garbage bag or on top of
contents of barrel
• Pay-as-you-throw system applies to all residents currently
covered under Reading's collection program
Introduce Unit Pricing in FY98
Lead Thne Allows for:
• Consensus building
via presentations to community organizations
• Development of Detailed Unit Pricing Plain
incorporating community feedback
• Public Edltcatiorr
using multiple communication vehicles. Education is vital to success
of the program!
• Budget Estimates
should be conservative for I=Y98 until changes in disposal patterns
become apparent
Sucker Distribution to Residents
Convenient location and operating hours essential
• Municipal Locations
• Reading Merchants
- convenience, video, liquor, grocery and hardware stores
- Merchants purchase stickers in bulk from Town and are
reimbursed from resident purchases
Pricing of Sticker: $.65 each
• Comparable with neighboring towns
• Should create incentive to reduce trash without excessive
financial burden to residents
• Favorable impact on to%,.,n budget
Proposed Sticker Usage Requirements
• Residents use own disposal containers
• Adhere one sticker to each bag, up to 30 gallon size
• Place sticker on top of barrel contents
• Contents of barrel/bag may not exceed 35 pounds
• Stickers may be adhered directly to large, awkward-
shaped iterns
• Bulk items still require separate $10 stickers
Pay-As-You-Throw includes options for
multifamily housing
Town responsible for recycling from all units.
One-to-three family houses use sticker system.
CondomininUrns have solutions designed for needs of
each complex.
- Townhouse-type units (Greenhouse Acres) use same sticker
system as one-to-three family houses.
- Town collects dumpsters on a PAYT basis for Apartment-type
. units (Summit Towers)
Reading's Trash Costs per )=Household
are $2.45 per Week
Household Collection Costsfor FY 1997
per week
per year
collection $1.03
$53.54
disposal $1.11
$57.86
recycling $ .31
$15.91
total $2.45
$127.31
Household Pay As-You-Throw Expenses
one container
$.65
$33.80
two containers
$1.30
$67.60
three containers
$1.95
$101.40
Sticker Revenue and Disposal Cost
Savings would produce Income
1rieeklt? trash amount
current average
10% reduct1o11
20% reduction
30% reduction
bar
current
$550.000
$526,000
$503,000
$450,000
rel weight
maximum
$260,000
$266,000
$272,000
$277,000
Costs to Administer Program would be
minimal
• Education and Consensus Building
Meetings,Yuit11 small groups
Reading Recycling Hotline
- Cost of flyers to residents
• Personnel
- Most towns reported no change in
personnel required
• Stickers
- Estimate is $.02 / sticker printing cost
Total
Unreimbursed by state
Yearly Estimate
done by volunteers
$250
$5000
included in current budget
$500
$5750
$250
Build Community Support Through
Saia1.1-Group Discussions
• Speak to Various Community Groups About:
- Cost of trash collection and disposal
- Need for an incentive for residents to
participate in recycling l
- How recycling households are ?xq
0
subsidizing non-recyclers
- The State's recycling goals
- The benefits ofa unit pricing trash collection system
• Use citizen input
- Determine the best parameters for unit pricing
Pay-As-You-Throw works in Communities like Ours
• Pay-as-you-throw benefits a conununity's
- Equity
ttsNT Fr
O ,
- Environment c o ?7
Y
- Economy `~Qut~~
• Implementation can be tailored to the community's needs.
• Solutions can be found to the challenges.
From the experience of other towns
The Better the Education Program
and
]'lie Better the Consensus 13uikling
I'hc More Successful the i'ay-As-You-Throw Program
ARTICLE 2 - On motion by Sally M. Hoyt, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, it was moved
to lay Article 2 oa the table.
ARTICLE 3 - Instructional Motion by Robert R. Lynch, Precinct 6, to instruct the Finance
Committee to review the rubbish collection, recycling and disposal proposals that have been
submitted and the Town's comparative analysis and make a recommendation to the Town
Manager as to the Town's course of action in this matter.
Motion carried.
ARTICLE 3 - Instructional Motion by Karol A. McLaughlin, Precinct 1, to move that the Town
of Reading and the Reading Police Department finalize plans as to the construction and
completion of a firearms training range on the former Nike site off Symmonds Way, with a
completion date as soon as possible, and a report of progress made at the Fall 1996 Town
Meeting.
Motion did not carry.
ARTICLE 3 - Instructional Motion by Jacqueline S. Chipman, Precinct 6, to move that the Town
vote to instruct the Board of Selectmen to establish a Parking and Traffic Safety Advisory
Committee (see attached) which would advise the Board of Selectmen and other Town Boards,
Commissions and Agencies on matters relating to vehicular, pedestrian and bicycle accessibility
and safety within the Town and evaluate current and potential programs relative to such matters.
Motion carried.
PARKING AND TRAFFIC SAFETY ADVISOR'
COMMITTEE
Mission Statement: To advise Town agencies on matters relating to
vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian safety and accessibility within the Town of
Reading and to act in accordance with the objectives of the Master Plan and
Open Space and Recreation Task Force Report when evaluating programs
relative to such matters.
Commissioning Board: Board of Selectmen, who shall appoint a permanent
Parking and Traffic Safety Advisory Committee to assist the Public Works
Department, Police and Fire Departments, Community Planning and
Development Commission (CPDC), Conservation Commission, Finance
Committee and any other agency of the Town in any of the following:
Purpose and Duties:
La. To promote the specific objectives of the Master Plan including but
not limited to an emphasis on slower/safer local traffic improvements
appropriate to the Town's character and values, goals and objectives.
l.b. To review and evaluate a Town-wide Traffic Study and offer
periodic evaluation and inventory of potential hazards to vehicular, bicycle
and/or pedestrian traffic within the Town;
Le. Monitoring the progress and efficiency as well as effectiveness of
various highway capital and safety programs undertaken by the Town;
Ld. Guaranteeing the advocacy of pedestrian and cyclist rights and
concerns;
Le. Monitoring the availability of various sources of revenue to
accomplish highway capital and safety improvement programs selected by the
Town and providing assistance when needed in securing those sources of funds
or technical assistance grants;
Lf. Aiding the Town Engineer, Board of Selectmen and/or CPDC in
developing a safe long-range parking and traffic improvements program for the
Town, including repairs or reconstruction, maintenance, and or other facets of
the stable roadway management program, including but not limited to:
pedestrian rights of way, bicycle rights of way, expansion of public
transportation, expansion of commuter and consumer parking, creation of
greenways and sidewalk priority lists.
ARTICLE 16 - On motion by Daniel A. Ensminger, Precinct 7, it was voted that the Town
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:
3 Police Vehicles
1985 Pick-up Truck
1986 Dump Truck
1975 Gang Mower
1955 Pick-up Truck
Misc. Furnishings
1974 Backhoe/Loader
Fire Department Radios
1971 Loam Shredder
2 Snow Plows
1981 Pick-up Truck
1966 Compressor
Breathalyzer
1979 Pick-up Truck
Computer Equipment
1980 Dodge Van
On motion by William C. Brown, Precinct 8, it was moved that the next Town Meeting meet a
week from Monday due to school vacation.
On motion by Michael F. Slezak, Precinct 5, it was voted that this Adjourned Annual Town
Meeting stand adjourned to meet at the Reading Memorial High School Auditorium at 7:30 p.m.
on Monday, April 22, 1996.
Meeting adjourned at 10:40 p.m.
162 Town Meeting Members were present.
A true copy. Attest:
A. Jol son
Ch/P-
rk
To le
ADJOURNED ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
Reading Memorial High School April 22, 1996
The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Paul C_ Dustin, at 7:38 p_m., there being a
quorum present.
The Invocation was given by Greg Tocco, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
ARTICLE 2 - On motion by Sally M. Hoyt, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, it was moved
to take Article 2 from the table.
ARTICLE 2 - On motion by Robert A. Brown, Precinct 6, it was moved that the following Solid
Waste Advisory Committee Report be accepted as a report of progress: (Report was presented
by Martha Moore.)
Pay-As-You-Throw
Presented by the Solid Waste Advisory
Committee
The Goal of Our Talk is Education
Tonight eve will-
- Describe the benefits of
a Pay-As-You-Tlirow Program-
- Begin Public Education on a
Pay-As-You-Throw program
for Reading.
- Raise community awareness of the costs of waste
disposal.
- Ask fm- community input to a Pay-As-You Throw
U
Program-
Page two Parking and Traffic Safety Advisory Committee
2.a. The Committee shall submit a quarterly report to the Selectmen of
its studies, projects or any other undertakings relevant to its charge together
with any recommendations the Committee may have for both short- and long-
term roadway improvements measures.
3.a. The Committee shall function in an advisory capacity only, having
no authorities other than those enumerated in this Bylaw unless provided
additional duties by a vote of Town Meeting.
Membership: The Board of Selectmen shall appoint eight (8) persons
representing each Town Precinct to the Parking and Traffic Safety Advisory
Committee with Committee composition reflecting, to the extent feasible and
practical, the following:
1_a. at least one member with background through training, education
or experience in public safety;
Lb. at least one member who is a professional engineer licensed in the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts;
I.c. at least one member with background through education or
experience in municipal finance or programs of state assistance to
municipalities.
I.d. five citizens at-large
2.a. The Town Engineer or his/her designee to act in an advisory
capacity with non-voting status
Terms of Appointment: The Board of Selectmen shall appoint the
Parking and Traffic Safety Advisory Committee as of the effective date of this
Bylaw, with members to serve three-year terms, except that initial appointments
shall be staggered in the first year (two one-year, three two-year, three three-
year) to permit rotational term expirations for the continuity in Committee
composition.
Charge: In the short-range, to work in conjunction with the Downtown
Steering Committee in the development of safe and accessible traffic patterns
and public parking to enhance the viability of Reading's downtown commercial
district. Also, to evaluate Reading's forthcoming traffic study and report back
to the Selectmen with specific observations and recommendations pertaining to
the study. Finally, to monitor the reconstruction of Route 129 as well as other
highway improvements within Reading.
ARTICLE 3 - Instructional Motion by Thomas J. Stohlman, Jr., Precinct 5, moved that should
the Home Rule Petition passed under Article 22 of this Town Meeting not be approved by the
State Legislature, The Board of Selectmen are instructed to pursue other avenues to supplement
Mr. Bacigalupo's income and report findings at the earliest possible Town Meeting.
Motion carried.
ARTICLE 3 - Instructional Motion by Stephen A. Chapman, Precinct 6, moved to instruct the
Board of Selectmen to reconsider their vote taken on April 9, 1996 pertaining to Special
Employee Status for Mrs. Knowlton and Mr. Stamatis of the Substance Abuse Advisory Countil
and Mr. Kenney of the Conservation Commission.
Motion carries.
ARTICLE 3 - On motion by Sally M. Hoyt, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, it was voted to
lay Article 3 on the table.
ARTICLE 6 - On motion by George V. Hines, it was voted to reconsider and further amend the
subject matter of Article 6 as voted on April 8, 1996, pursuant to Section 2.2.4.2 of the Town of
Reading General Bylaws by increasing Line H15, "Public Works - Snow and Ice," to $388,327
with $355,854 coming from free cash.
ARTICLE 17 - On motion by Stephen J. Blewitt, Precinct 6 and Chairman of the Finance
Committee, it was voted to approve and appropriate the proposed FY 1997 Budget as presented
for Line items Al and A2 (Accounting Department):
$88,511 to be provided as follows:
Lines Al and A2
Property Taxes, State Aid and Non-Property Tax local receipts.
ARTICLE 17 - On motion by Stephen J. Blewitt, Precinct 6 and Chairman of the Finance
Committee, it was voted to approve and appropriate the proposed FY 1997 Budget as presented
for Line items B1 through B9 (Community Development Department) and as amended on motion
by Virginia M. Adams, it was voted to increase Line Item B5 by $250:
$209,675 to be provided as follows:
Line B 1
$3,295 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 17 - On motion to amend by Stephen A. Chapman, Precinct 6, to move to increase
the Line Item B2, Personal Services budget for the Conservation Division by an amount of
$30,000, or by some other amount as determined by this Town Meeting, for the Reading
Conservation Commission to engage the services of Special Counsel.
Motion did not carry.
ARTICLE 17 - On motion by William C. Brown, Precinct 8, to move to change Line Item B6
from $78,601 to $67,275.
Motion did not carry.
ARTICLE 17 - On motion by Stephen J. Blewitt, Precinct 6 and Chairman of the Finance
Committee, it was voted to approve and appropriate the proposed FY 1997 Budget as presented
for Line Items C 1 through C12 (Finance Department):
$717,850 to be provided as follows:
Lines C l - C12
Property Taxes, State Aid and Non-Property Tax local receipts.
ARTICLE 17 - On motion by Stephen J. Blewitt, Precinct 6 and Chairman of the Finance
Committee, it was voted to approve and appropriate the proposed FY 1997 Budget as presented
for Line Items D I through D 13 (General Services Department):
$597,352 to be provided as follows:
Lines D1 - D13
Property Taxes, State Aid and Non-Property Tax local receipts.
ARTICLE 17 - On motion by William C. Brown, Precinct 8, to move to change Line Item D4
from $104,500 to $80,000.
Motion did not carry.
ARTICLE 17 - On motion by Stephen J. Blewitt, Precinct 6 and Chairman of the Finance
Committee, it was voted to approve and appropriate the proposed FY 1997 Budget as presented
for Line Items E1 through El 1 (Human Services Department):
$330,207 to be provided as follows:
Lines El - El I
Property Taxes, State Aid and Non-Property Tax local receipts.
ARTICLE 17 - On motion by William A. Redford, Precinct 4, to move to increase Line Item El
by $2,200.
Motion did not carry.
ARTICLE 17 - On motion by Doris M. Fantasia, Precinct 1, to move to increase Line item E4 by
$700.
Motion did not carry.
ARTICLE 17 - On motion by Frederick VanMagness, Precinct 8, to move to decrease Line Item
E9 by $1,850 to bring it to -0-.
Motion did not carry.
ARTICLE 17 - On motion by Stephen J. Blewitt, Precinct 6 and Chairman of the Finance
Committee, it was voted to approve and appropriate the proposed FY 1997 Budget as presented
for Line Items Fl through F2 (Library):
$600,770 to be provided as follows:
Lines F1 - F2
Property Taxes, State Aid and Non-Property Tax local receipts.
ARTICLE 17 - On motion by Stephen J. Blewitt, Precinct 6 and Chairman of the Finance
Committee, it was voted to approve and appropriate the proposed FY 1997 Budget as presented
for Line Items Gl through G8 (Public Safety Department):
$4,890,315 to be provided as follows:
Lines GI - G8
Property Taxes, State Aid and Non-Property Tax local receipts.
ARTICLE 17 - On motion by William C_ Brown, Precinct 8, to move to decrease Line Item GI
by $11,022.
I
Motion did not carry.
TOWN OF READING, MASSACHUSETTS - FISCAL YEAR 1997 BUDGET
Al Personal Serv. 588,211
A2 Non-Personal Exp.
DEPARTMENT TOTAL 588.511
B COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
CONSERVATION DIVISION
171 53295 wet and fees
539
B7 Personal Serv.
,
B2 Non-Personal EBp.
ZONING BOARD
S1
200
B3 Personal Serv .
.
SO
B4 Nor.-Personal Exp.
HISTORICAL COMMISSION
B5 Non-Personal Exp.
5750
INSPECTION DIVISION
578
607
B6 Personal Serv.
,
290
52
B7 Non-Personal Exp.
,
GENERAL DEPARTMENT
B8 Personal Serv.
585,713
B9 Non-Personal Exp
57.700
TOTAL
685
S204
Personal Serv.
,
990
54
Non-Personal Exp.
,
DEPARTMENT TOTAL
5209,675
C FINANCE DEPARTMENT
FINANCE COMMITTEE
S1
000
C1 Personal Serv.
,
190
532
C2 Non-Personal Exp.
,
000
5750
C3 Reserve Fund
.
ASSESSMENT DIVISION
331
S75
C4 Pers.Services
,
100
S5
C5 Non-Personal Exp.
,
515
S2
C6 Appraisal Services
,
TECHNOLOGY
919
564
C7 Personal Services
,
021
551
C8 Non-Personal Exp.
.
PERSONNEL
529
487
C9 Personal Services
.
C10 Non-Personal Serv.
S35,731
GENERAL DEPARTMENT
C11 Personal Serv.
S220,671
C12 Non-Personal Exp.
549,885
TOTAL
,391 408
Personal Sent.
5326
442
Non-Personal Exp.
,
DEPARTMENT TOTAL
- s
S717,850
APPROVED 4-29-96 1
TOWN OF READING, MASSACHUSETTS - FISCAL YEAR 1997 BUDGET
FY 1947
TOWM
No. MEETING
APPROVED
D GENERAL. SERVICES DEPARTMENT
SELECTMEN
Di Non-Personal Exp.
TOWN MANAGER
D2 Personal Serv.
D3 Non-Personal Exp.
LAW DIVISION
D4 Non-Pers.Exp.Twn.Couns.
D5 Non-Pers.Exp.Lab.Couns.
D6 Non-Pers. Exp. Other
TOWN CLERK
D7 Personal Serv.
D8 Non-Personal Exp.,
ELECTIONS/REG ISTRAT ION
D9 Personal Serv.
D10 Non-Personal Exp.
D11 CASUALTY INS.
GENERAL DEPARTMENT
D12 Personal Serv.
D13 Non-Personal Exp.
TOTAL
Personal Serv.
Non-Personal Exp.
DEPARTMENT TOTAL
511,750
580,405
55,750
S104,500
S20,000
S5000
540,238
$1,450
S19,440
513,960
598,327
$104,172
592,360
5244,255
S353,097
S597,352
E HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT
HEALTH DIV-ANTS. & MEAS.
E1 Personal Expenses
E2 Non-Personal Exp.
ELDER SERVICES DIVISION
E3 Personal Serv_
E4 Nan-Personal Exp.
VETERANS DIVISION
E5 Personal Serv.
E6 Non-Pers. Exp. Kid
E7 Non-Pers. Exp.- Other
RECREATION DIVISION
E8 Personal Serv.
E9 Non-Personal Exp.
GENERALDEPARTMENT
E10 Personal Serv.
E11 Non-Personal Exp.
TOTAL
Personal Serv.
Non-Personal Exp-
DEPARTMENT TOTAL
3i
S29,494
S44,201
$97,806
S6,193
S10,368
510,000
S500
531,312
51,850
596,583
51,900
S265,563
S64,644
5330,207
F LIBRARY DEPARTMENT
LIBRARY
F1 Personal Serv_
F2 Non-Personal Exp.
DEPARTMENT TOTAL
_i:i@ ire
APPROVED 4-29-96
$482.181
S118,589
5600,770
2
TOWN OF READING, MASSACHUSETTS - FISCAL YEAR 9997 BUDGET
FY 1997
TOWM
MEETING
NO
APPROVED
'
G PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT
POLICE
278,074
$2
G1 Personal Serv.
,
780
5206
G2 Non-Personal Exp.
,
ANIMAL CONTROL
513,371
G3 Personal Serv.
S4 880
G4 Non-Personal Exp-
FIRE/EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
054,004
$2
G5 Personal Serv.
.
S89,160
G6 Non-Personal Exp.
GENERAL
S221,773
G7 Personal Serv.
273
522
G8 Non-Personal Exp.
'
TOTAL
222
S4.567
Personal Serv.
,
093
S323
Non-Personal Exp.
,
DEPARTMENT TOTAL
$4.890,315
H PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
ADMINISTRATION
580
640
H1 Personal Serv.
,
800
52
H2 Non-Personal Exp.
,
ENGINEERING
H3 Personal Sam
5167,206
H4 Non-Personal Exp-
53,357
HIGHWAY & EQUIP. MAINT..
679
5540
H5 Personal Services
,
5244
720
H6 Non-Personal Exp.
,
PARKS/FORESTRY
241
5294
H7 Personal Sam
,
115
546
H8 Non-Personal Exp.
,
BUILDING MAINTENANCE
996
S82
H9 Personal Serv. .
.
184
S267
H10 Non-Personal Exp.
,
SUB-TOTAL FOR DEPARTMENT
H11 Personal Serv.
51,165,762
H12 Non-Personal Exp.
S5G4,176
ST. LIGHTING
100
5200
H13 Non-Personal Exp.
,
RUBBISH COLL./DISPOSAL
440
5897
H14 Non-Personal Exp.
,
H15 SNOW & ICE CONTROL
S182,058
CEMETERY DIVISION
859 -688.1 08 from C-. eeq.
5195
H16 Personal Serv.
,
535 su.oo0 trom sa a of hts
S31
H17 Non-Personal Exp.
,
TOTAL FOR DEPARTMENT
621
361
$1
Personal Serv.
,
,
409
875
51
Non-Personal Exp.
,
,
DEPARTMENT TOTAL
S3.237,030
em
F
.
7z `1
APPROVED 4-29-96
3
TOWN OF READING, MASSACHUSETTS - FISCAL YEAR 1997 BUDGET
_ IFY 1997
TOWM
NO. MEETING
APPROVED
f
TOWN TOTALS
TOTAL TOWN PERS. SERV.
TOTAL TOWN NON-PERS. EXP.
$7,605,146
$3,066,564
TOTAL TOWN EXPENSES
J SCHOOL DEPT.
K DEBT SERVICE 8. CAPITAL
K1 DEBT SERVICE
$10,671,710
519,508.006
592,976
S19,600,962
51,793,863
525,700
S16,400
- $5500 from Can. Beq.
K2 FN-2 Data Processing
K3 LB-1 Purchase Library Computers
K4 PSF-8 Purchase Ambulance
K5 PSF-18 Replace Fire Dept Gear
K6 PWB•2 Reconstruct Lib. Park lot
K7 PWB-11 Town Bid. Improvements
K8 PWB-12 Veh. Exhaust Sys. - Fire Sta.
K9 PWB-13 Air Sys., T. Hail & Fire Sla.
K10 PWC-7 Cemetery Development
K11 PWP3 Fieid/CourVPlaygmd Rehab.
K12 PWF-1 Shade Tree Nursery
K13 PWE-4,7,10,16 Hwy Equipment
K14 PWR-3 Drainage Improvements
K15 PWR-6 Sidewalk Construction
K16 PWR-7 Curb Construction
K17 SDBA Sch. Alarms & Fire Prot-
K18 SOB-5 Sch. Ceil. Tile Rept.
K19 SDB-6 Sch.Space Remod.-Barrows
K20 SDB-7 ADA - Liftsffoilet Remod.
K21 SDB-9 Sch.Oil Tank Remov./Retro.
K22 SDB-10 Shooi Replace Doors
K23 SDB-11 Renovate RMHS
K24 SDB-13 School Energy Computers
K25 SDE-1 School Information Technology
K26 SDE-2 School Electroplate Lockers
K27 SDE-3 School Vehicle Replacement
K28 SDEA School Classroom Fum. Replace
K29 Fire Truck Replacement
K30 Spec.Art-Betterments
K31 Townwide Traf.Study #3
K32 Replace Voting Equipment
K33 Purch. Fire. Buck Trk
K34 Pol. Sta. Architect
K35 CD-C-1 Purchase Open Space Lands
K36 LB-3 Purchase Library Furnishings
K37 PS-F-6 Replace Fire Dept Pick-up Trk
K38 PS-F-12 Replace Fire Dept Radios
K39 PS-P-1 Purchase Police Brethalyzer
K40 PS-P-2 Purchase Police Radios
K41 PS-P-3 Purchase Police Computers
K42 PW-E-25 Flexible Account
K43 PW-R-13 Traffic Signal Imp.
K44 PW-R-14 Downtown Parking Improve.
K45 SD-B-13 Portable Classroom
CAPITAL PROJECTS TOTAL
DEBT SERV. & CAP. TOTAL
547,000
587,100
55,100
S260.500
S10,000
525,000
525,000
$12,000
546,000
S40,000
515,000
S45.000
55,000
S21.000
S87,000
S6.300
S5,000
S25,900
S10.000
544.500
S100,000
5964.500
$2,758.363
APPROVED 4-29-96 4
TOWN OF READING, MASSACHUSETTS - FISCAL YEAR 1997 BUDGET
FY 1997
TOM
No. MEETING
APPROVED
l _ -
L EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
L1 Contributory Retirement
51.906.300
- $200,000 from Free
L2 Non-Contrib. Retirement
588,823
Cash
L3 Unemployment Benefits
520.000
L4 Group Health/Lire
52,406,521
S173.0WIrom Abalc
L5 Medicare/Social Sec.
$266,035
n ent Swpk s
L6 Workers Comp
$237,316
L7 Polioe/Fire Indem.
S20.000
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS TOTAL.,
54.944.995
- r -
STATE / COUNTY ASSESSMENT
PREVIOUS YEAR'S SNOWACE
NON-ENTER. TOTALS
$37,976,050.
r
M WATER
M1 Personal Services
$562.922
Non-Personal Exp.
Personnel Benefits
$156,175
Other
S795.240
M2 Total Non-Personal Exp.
5951.415
SUBTOTAL - OPERATIONS
51,514,337
M3 Debt Service
547.690
M4 Capital
5657,800
5147.168 from reserves
SUBTOTAL-CAP. & DEBT
5705,490
TOTAL - WATER
$2,219,827
N SEWER
NI Personal Services
S163.661
Non-Personal Expense
Personnel Benefits
541.291
Other
52.491,304
N2 Total Non-Personal Exp.
52.532.595
SUBTOTAL - OPERATIONS
52.696.256
N3 Debt Service
S86,837
N4 Capital
S162.000
S453.000 from reserves
SUBTOTAL-CAP. & DEBT
5248.837
TOTAL - SEWER
$2,945,093
RECAP TOTALS
$43,140,970
APPROVED 4-29-96*
5
On motion by James E. Biller, Precinct 6, it was voted that this Adjourned Annual Town Meeting
stand adjourned to meet at the Reading Memorial High School Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. on
Monday, April 29, 1996.
Meeting adjourned at 10:30 p.m.
148 Town Meeting Members were present.
A true copy. Attest:
Chery A.'Johnso
ToWn Clerk
ADJOURNED ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
Reading Memorial High School April 29, 1996
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 Reverend Jean Russo-Parks, Old South Methodist Church, followed
by the Pledge cf Allegiance to the Flag.
ARTICLE 17 - On motion by Stephen J. Blewitt, Precinct 6 and Chairman of the Finance
Committee, it was voted to approve and appropriate the proposed FY 1997 Budget as presented
for Line Items HII through H17 (Public Works Department: Administration, Engineering,
Highway & Equipi-ne.nt Maintenance, Parks/Forestry, Building Maintenance, Street Lighting,
Rubbish Collection, Snow and Ice Control, Cemeteries):
$3,237,030 to be provided as follows:
Lines HI I - HI 5
Property Taxes, State Aid and Non-Property Tax local receipts.
Lines H16 - H17
$88,108 Cemetery Bequest Income and $22,000 Cemetery Sale of lots for the remainder from
Property Taxes, State Aid and Non-Property Tax local receipts.
ARTICLE 17 - On motion by William C. Brown, Precinct 8, to move to decrease Line item HI I
by $28,000 and increase Line item H12 by $28,000 to contract services.
Motion did not carry.
ARTICLE 17 - On motion by Stephen J. Blewitt, Precinct 6 and Chairman of the Finance
Committee, it was voted to approve and appropriate the proposed FY 1997 Budget as presented
for Line Item J1 (School Department):
$19,508,006 to be provided as follows:
Line J I
Property Taxes, State Aid and Non-Property Tax local receipts.
ARTICLE 17 - On motion by Stephen J. Blewitt, Precinct 6 and Chairman of the Finance
Committee, it was voted to approve and appropriate the proposed FY 1997 Budget as presented
for Line Item J2 (Northeast Regional Vocation School District Assessment):
$92,976 to be provided as follows:
Line J2
Property Taxes, State Aid and -Non-Property Tax local receipts.
ARTICLE 17 - On motion by Stephen J. Blewitt, Precinct 6 and Chairman of the Finance
Committee, it was voted to approve and appropriate the proposed FY 1997 Budget as presented
for Line Items K 1 through K45 (Debt Service and Capital):
52,758,363 to be provided as folio,,vs:
Line K 1
$5,500 from Cemetery bequest income, with the remainder from Property Taxes, State Aid and
Non-Property Tax local receipts-
Lines K2 - K45
Property Taxes, State Aid and Non-Property Tax local receipts.
ARTICLE 17 - On motion by Stephen J. Blewitt, Precinct 6 and Chairman of the Finance
Committee, it was voted to approve and appropriate the proposed FY 1997 Budget as presented
for Line Items L1 through L7 (Employee Benefits):
$4,944,995 to be provided as follows:
Line L1
$200,000 from Free Cash with the remainder from Property Taxes, State Aid and Non-Property
Tax local receipts.
Line L4
$173,000 from Abatement Surplus, with the remainder from Property Taxes, State Aid and Non-
Property Tax local receipts.
Lines L2 L3 LS L6 L7
Property Taxes, State Aid and Non-Property Tax local receipts.
ARTICLE 17 - On motion by Stephen J. Blewitt, Precinct 6 and Chairman of the Finance
Committee, it was voted to approve and appropriate the proposed FY 1997 Budget as presented
for Line Items M 1 through M4 (Water Division):
$2,219,827 to be provided as follows:
Line M4
$147,168 from Water Reserve, with the remainder from Property Taxes, State Aid and Non-
Property Tax local receipts.
Lines Ml - M3
Property Taxes, State Aid and Non-Property Tax local receipts.
ARTICLE 17 - On motion by Stephen J. Blewitt, Precinct 6 and Chairman of the Finance
Committee, it was voted to approve and appropriate the proposed FY 1997 Budget as presented
for Line Items N1 through N4 (Sewer Division):
$2,945,093 to be provided as follows:
Line N2
$453,000 from Sewer Reserve, with the remainder from Property Taxes, State Aid and Non-
Property Tax local receipts.
Lines Nl N3 N4
Property Taxes, State Aid and Non-Property Tax local receipts.
ARTICLE 17 - On motion by Stephen J. Blewitt, Precinct 6 and Chairman of the Finance
Committee, it was voted that the Town appropriate for the FY 1997 Budget, exclusive of State
and County Assessments and exclusive of previous years snow/ice, the sum of $43,140,970
representing the total of all previously made motions under Article 17 as amended: funds are to
be provided as set forth in said previously made motions.
ARTICLE 18 - On motion by Sally M. Hoyt, Precinct 4 and Chairman of the Board of
Selectman, it was voted to authorize the Board of Selectmen to grant or convey one or more
easements upon, over and across the following described parcels of property to the Town of
Reading Municipal Light Department and New England Telephone Company, their successors
and assigns, to erect, operate, maintain, replace and remove poles with necessary cable, wires,
supports and fixtures appurtenant thereto for the transmission of electricity, the transmission of
intelligence, and other utility services, to determine the minimum amount to be paid for such grant
or conveyance of easements, and to authorize the Board of Selectmen to grant or convey said
easements upon, over and across all or any part of said parcels of property for a minimum amount
of $1 and upon such other terms and conditions as the Board of Selectmen shall consider proper,
and to deliver all documents in connection therewith:
A certain tract of land situated southerly of Summer Avenue and being located on the
easterly side of a so-called "paper street" known as Sixth Street, and being further
bounded and described as follows:
Beginning at a point on the easterly side of Sixth Street at the intersection of
Summer Avenue;
Thence southerly along the east side of Sixth Street approximately 702 feet to
a point at the property line of a parcel of land shown as Lot 3a. on Assessor's
Plat 14;
Thence westerly along said Lot 3a 20 feet,
Thence northerly along the center of Sixth Street approximately 716 feet to
the side line of Summer Avenue;
Thence southeasterly along the side line of Summer Avenue approximately
22.44 feet to the point of beginning;
Continuing 0.33 of an acre, more or less.
2/3 vote required
105 voted in the affirmative
26 voted in the negative
ARTICLE 19 - On motion by Camille W. Anthony, Precinct 5, and motion to amend by Nona J.
Childress, Precinct 3, it was voted to amend Section 5.2.4 of the General Bylaws of the Town by
adding the following sentence: "No person shall lay, throw, place, or cause to be placed any ice or
snow on that portion of any street, sidewalk, or common land within the Town which has been
cleared or plowed for travel.", so that Section 5.2.4 shall read as follows:
"5.2.4 No person shall move or remove snow or ice from private lands upon any public
street, sidewalk, or common land of the Town in such a manner as to obstruct or impede the free
passage of vehicular or pedestrian traffic upon the street, sidewalk, or common land of the Town
unless he has first obtained a permit therefor issued by the Director of Public Works.
No person shall lay, throw, place, or cause to be placed any ice or snow, so as to obstruct
or impede the free passage of vehicular or pedestrian traffic, on that portion of any street,
sidewalk, or common land within the Town which has been cleared or plowed for travel."
ARTICLE 20 - On motion by W. Bruce MacDonald, Precinct 4, it was voted to amend Section
2.1.7 of the General Bylaws of the Town by deleting the word "fifth" in the second sentence
thereof and substituting therefor the word "seventh," so that said Section 2.1.7 shall read as
follows:
"2.1.7 All articles for the Annual Town Meeting shall be submitted to
the Board of Selectmen not later than 8:00 p.m. on the fifth Tuesday
preceding the date of election of Town officers, unless this day is a
holiday, in which case the following day shall be substituted.
All articles for the Subsequent Town Meeting shall be submitted to the
Board of Selectmen not later than 8:00 p.m. on the seventh Tuesday
preceding the Subsequent Town Meeting in which action is to be taken,
unless this day is a holiday, in which case the following day shall be
substituted."
ARTICLE 21 - On motion of George V. Hines, Precinct 7, it was voted to petition the General
Court, to pass a Home Rule petition which would provide for the Town of Reading, through the
Board of Selectmen, acting as Road Commissioners, authority to establish traffic rules and
regulations for local streets owned by the Town and private ways when requested, which are
consistent with the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTDC), current edition,
without prior approval of the Massachusetts Highway Department. The process for adopting
such regulations shall not apply to numbered State roads.
2/3 vote required
81 voted in the affirmative
40 voted in the negative
ARTICLE. 23 - On motion' by W. Bruce MacDonald, Precinct 4, amendments by Nancy L.
Eaton, Precinct 1, and Diane A. Chapin, Precinct 3, it was voted pursuant to Section 2-6 of the
Reading Horne Rule Charter to declare the seat of the following Town Meeting Member to be
vacant and to remove the following described person 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 3 Stephen M. Korth
ARTICLE 3 - On motion by Sally M. Hoyt, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, it was voted to _
remove Article 3 from the table.
ARTICLE 3 - Instructional Motion by Robert R. Lynch, Precinct 6, to instruct the Board of
Selectmen to direct that the lights at Summer and Prescott Streets be set to flashing red on all
four light poles and to erect stop signs on all four corners until such time as the intersection can
be upgraded for better visibility and safety.
Motion carried.
ARTICLE 3 - On motion by William C. Brown, Precinct 8, to move that the Town Manager
purchase copies of Roberts Rules of Order for the following: Town Counsel, Board of
Selectmen, Town Manager, School Committee, Superintendent of Schools, Finance Committee,
Bylaw Committee, Moderator and the Reading Public Library, and the sum of One Hundred and
Fifty Dollars ($150.00) be raised from taxes to carry out the purpose of this motion.
Motion did not carry.
Town Meeting Members requested a standing count:
42 voted in the affirmative
75 voted in the negative
ARTICLE 3 - On motion by Sally M. Hoyt, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, it was voted to
lay Article 3 on the table.
On motion by Sally M. Hoyt, Precinct 4 and Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, it was voted
that this Adjourned Annual Town Meeting stand adjourned sine die at 10:20 p.m.
144 Town Meeting Members were :present.
A true copy. Attest:
"-ill }y i. Johnson
Town Clerk