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Home My WebLink About1993-03-23 Annual Town Meeting MinutesCOMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS Middlesex, ss. Officer's Return, Reading: By virtue of this Warrant, I, on notified and warned the inhabitants o the Town of Reading, qualified to vote in elections and town affairs, to meet at the place and at the time specified by posting attested copies of this Town Meeting and Election Warrant in the following public places within the Town of Reading: Precinct 1. J. Warren Killam School, 333 Charles Street St. Athanasius Church, 300 Haverhill Street Remax, 1213 Main Street Precinct 2. Cumberland Farms, 305 Salem Street Registry of Motor Vehicles, 275 Salem Street JoAnn's Variety, 143 Salem Street Precinct 3. Chuck's Variety Store, 245 Washington Street Reading Police Station, 67 Pleasant Street Wayside Bazaar, 107 Main Street Precinct 4. Joshua Eaton School, 365 Summer Avenue Dragon Corner Store, 206 West Street Fire Station, 267 Woburn Street _ Precinct 5. B & M Railroad Station, High Street Town Hall, 16 Lowell Street Housing for the Elderly, 1 Frank D. Tanner Drive Precinct 6. Alice M. Barrows School, 16 Edgemont Avenue Spence Farm Market Gardens, 40 West Street Meadowbrook Golf Club, 292 Grove Street Precinct 7. P & S Convenient Store, 287 Lowell Street Memorial High School, 62 Oakland Road Reading Library, Local History Room, 64 Middlesex Ave. Precinct 8. Arthur W. Coolidge, Jr. High School, 89 Birch Meadow Drive Birch Meadow School, Arthur B. Lord Drive Marshall's, 1342 Main Street The date of posting being not less than fourteen (14) days prior to March 23, 1,993 the date set for the Town Election in this Warrant. I also caused an attested copy of this warrant to be pub- lished in the Reading Chronicle in the issue of ATRUECOPY. T ES`A': Constable o adi TOWN CLORK TOWN WARRANT (Seal) COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS Middlesex, ss. To either of the constables of the Town of Reading, Greet- ings: 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: Precinct 1. Hawkes Field House Precinct 2. Hawkes Field House Precinct 3. Hawkes Field House Precinct 4. Hawkes Field House Precinct 5. Hawkes Field House Precinct 6. Hawkes Field House Precinct 7. Hawkes Field House Precinct 8. Hawkes Field House TUESDAY, the TWENTY-THIRD DAY OF MARCH A.D., 1993, at seven o'clock in the forenoon to act on the following ar- ticles, viz; ARTICLE 1 To elect by ballot the following Town Officers: a Moderator for one year; two members of the Board of Selectmen for three years; one member of the Board of Assessors for three years; one member of the Municipal Light Board for three years; two members of the Board of Library Trustees for three years; two members of the School Committee for three years and one member of the Northeast Regional School Committee for four years; and twenty-four Town Meeting Members shall be elected to represent each of the following precincts: Precincts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8. Terms of office shall be determined by the number of votes received. The eight (8) candidates receiving the highest number of votes shall serve for three (3) years; the eight (8) candidates receiving the next highest number of votes shall serve for two (2) years; and the eight (8) candidates receiving the. next highest number of votes shall serve for one (1) year from the day of election. To vote on the following question as a proposition 2 1/2 referendum: Shall the Town of Reading be allowed to assess an ad- ditional $2,410,512.00 in real estate and personal property taxes for the purposes of general government, schools, and rubbish col- lection and disposal for the fiscal year beginning July first nineteen hundred and ninety three? Yes No For these purposes the polls will be opened at each of the eight precincts at seven o'clock A.M. and will close at eight o'clock P.M. 1 and to meet at the Reading Memorial High School, 62 Oakland Road, in said Reading, on MONDAY, the TWELFTH DAY OF APRIL A.D., 1993, at seven-thirty o'clock in the evening, at which time and place the following articles are'to be acted upon and determined ex- clusively by Town Meeting members in accordance with the provi- sions of the Reading Home Rule Charter. ARTICLE 2 To hear and act on the reports of the Board of Selectmen, Towri Accountant., Treasurer-Collector, Board of Asses- sors, 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 Boards or Special Committees. 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 Of- ficers 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 pay- ment during Fiscal Year 1993 of bills remaining unpaid for previ- ous 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 adopt the 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 6 To see if the Town will vote to amend the 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 7 To see if the Town will vote to amend one or more of the votes taken under Article 31 of the Warrant of the Annual Town Meeting of April 13, 1992, and as further modified by the vote taken under Article 4 of the November 9, 1992 Subsequent Town Meeting, and to see what sum the Town will raise by borrow- ing, or transfer from available funds, or otherwise and ap- propriate as the result of any such amended votes for the opera- tion of the Town and its government for FY1993, or take any other action with respect thereto. Board of Selectmen 2 ARTICLE 8 To see if the Town will vote ~o authorize the Board of Selectmen to acquire all or any part of the following described parcels 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 parcels of land or any part thereof in fee or rights of easement therein by gift, purchase, or otherwise, for the purpose of making improvements to the intersection of Main and Washington Streets, and to see what sum the Town will raise by borrowing, or from the tax levy, or transfer from available funds, or other- wise, and appropriate to the Board of Selectmen to pay for ap- praisals of said parcels and to pay for the acquisition of said parcels of land or rights of easement therein, or to be used for payment of land damages or other costs and expenses of such ac- quisitions, and to authorize the Board of Selectmen to enter into agreements with private parties or state and federal agencies for financial and other assistance in connection with such acquisi- tion, and to do all. other acts and things necessary and proper for carrying out the provision of this vote, or take any other action with respect thereto: 53.65 square feet of land believed to be owned by Joseph J. Dalelio, Jr. et al., Trustees of the Aunyx Realty Trust, of One Russett Lane, Melrose, MA 02176, being a portion of Board of Assessors' Jan. 1, 1991 Map 54, Plot 40, being bounded and described as follows: Beginning at a point on the Westerly sideline of Main Street, said point being a point of curvature, thence running; Southwesterly by a curve to the right having a radius of 20.71 feet a distance of 35.74 feet, to a point on the Northerly sideline of Washington Street; Thence S830-581-20" E a distance of 20.71 feet to a point; Thence N140-541-40" E a distance of 20.71 feet to the point of beginning of this description. 153.81 square feet of land believed to be owned by Charles C. and Doris R. Catalfamo of 5 Chapel Hill Drive, Reading, MA 01867, being a portion of Board of Assessors' Jan. 1, 1991 Map 55, Plot 20A, being bounded and described as follows: Beginning at a point on the Easterly sideline of Main Street, said point being a point of curvature, thence running; Southeasterly by a curve to the left having a radius of 30.73 feet a distance of 48.10 feet, to a point on the Northerly sideline of Washington Street; Thence N750-241-50" W a distance of 10.73 feet to a stone bound; 3 Thence Northeasterly by a a radius of 20.00 feet a a stone bound; Thence N140-541-4011 E a the point of beginning of curve to tti~ right having distance of 31.30 feet to distance of 10.73 feet to this description. 121.83 square feet of land believed to be owned by Socony Mobil Oil Co., Inc., of P.O. Box 290, Dallas, TX 75221, being a portion of Board of Assessors' Jan. 1, 1991 Map 55, Plot 21, being bounded and described as follows: Beginning at a point along the easterly sideline of Main Street, said point being a point of curvature, thence running; Northeasterly by a curve to the right having a radius of 31.23 feet a distance of 49.23 feet, to a point on the Southerly sideline of Washington Street; Thence N750-241-5011 W a distance of 11.23 feet to a stone bound; Thence Southwesterly by a curve to the left having a radius of .20.00 feet a distance of 31.53 feet, to a stone bound; Thence S140-541-4011 W a distance of 11.23 feet to the point of beginning of this description. Board of Selectmen ARTICLE 9 To see if the Town will vote to transfer the care, custody, management and control of the following described land or portions thereof, which is commonly known as Batchelder Field, from the School Committee and/or Board of Selectmen to the Board of Cemetery Trustees for cemetery purposes and to the Conserva- tion commission for conservation purposes; and to see if the Town will vote to file a petition and/or approve the filing of a peti- tion to the General Court, if necessary, for a special act or for leave of the General Court, pursuant to Articles 49 and 97 of the Articles of Amendment to the Massachusetts Constitution, or any other enabling authority, authorizing the Town to transfer the care, custody and control of any portion of the following described land currently being held for conservation purposes to the Board of Cemetery Trustees, or take any other action with respect thereto. The land shown as Lot 1 on Town of Reading Board of Asses- sors' Map 227, Revised January 1, 1984, and consisting of ap- proximately 37.14 acres situated on the northerly side of Franklin Street, said land being shown as Parcels B, C and E on the plan of land entitled: "Plan of Land in Reading, Mass. Scale: 111 = 100' March 9, 198311 recorded at the Middlesex South District Registry of Deeds as Plan 295 of 1983. ARTICLE 10 To see if the Town will vote to amend the Town of Reading zoning map to place a Planned Residential Development- General (PRD-G) Zoning overlay district on property-at 89 Main Street designated as Parcels 8 and 24 on Board of Assessors Map 6 as revised through January 1, 1994, or take any other action with respect thereto. Community Planning and Development Commission ARTICLE 11 To see if the Town of Reading will vote to accept the report of the Board of Selectmen upon the laying out as public ways of the following described private ways under the provision of law authorizing the assessment of betterments, such highways being laid out in accordance with plans duly approved by the Board of Selectmen and filed in the office of the Town Clerk in accordance with the statutory requirements, and that the Town authorize the Board of Selectmen to take such lands in fee or rights of easement therein by eminent domain, under the provi- sions of Chapter 79 of the General Laws, as amended, or acquire said lands in fee or rights of easement therein by purchase, gift or otherwise and to assess betterments therefor and to see if the Town will vote to accept the public ways laid out by the Board of Selectmen, and to see what sum the Town will raise by borrowing, or from the tax levy, or transfer from available funds, or other- wise, and appropriate for the acquisition of said lands or ease- ments therein or for payment of any eminent domain damages and for the construction of said ways, or take any other action with respect thereto. Proposed Public Ways: Lilah Lane Verde Circle Sanborn Lane Thomas Drive Fairchild Drive Lindsay Lane Ashley Place Jessica Circle Stone Well Road Partridge Road Duck Road Old Farm Road Haystack Road Gateway Circle. Milepost Road Riverside Drive Chapel Hill Drive Terrace Park Fairview Avenue Board of Selectmen ARTICLE 12 To see Town Manager, Boards and Municipal Budget to prepare if the Town will vote to require the Committees responsible for the FY94 and bresent to the Annual Town Meet- 5 ing, a balanced, certifiable budget which inG-udes funding the School Department to provide services at a level equivalent to FY93 in an amount not less than $15,166,247 plus an amount to pay for any salary increases for FY94, all exclusive of the Northeast Regional Vocational School District Assessment. By Petition ARTICLE 13 To see what sum the Town will raise by bor- rowing and appropriate for the purpose of renovations and/or ad- ditions to the Birch Meadow School on Arthur B. Lord Drive and/or the Joshua Eaton School on Summer Avenue, including the costs of original furnishings and equipment, engineering and architectural fees, inspection fees, relocation costs, contingencies and re- lated facilities incidental thereto and necessary in connection therewith, said sum to be spent by and under the direction of 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 part of the cost of said school renovations and additions and related matters, and to see if the Town will vote to authorize the School Committee to enter into all contracts and agreements as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Article. School Building Committee ARTICLE 14 To see what sum the Town will raise by bor- rowing or from the tax levy or transfer from available funds, or otherwise, and appropriate for the purpose of installation and/or construction of a portable classroom building at Birch Meadow School, 27 Arthur B. Lord Drive, Reading, Massachusetts, such ap- propriation to include all engineering fees and preparation costs required to complete the purpose of this Article, all monies 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 bor- rowing or from the tax levy or transfer from available funds, or otherwise, and appropriate for the purpose of repairing or replacing sections of the roof at 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 monies to be expended under the direction of the Reading School Committee, or take any other action with respect thereto. School Committee ARTICLE 16 To see what sum the Town will raise by bor- rowing or from the tax levy or transfer from available funds, or otherwise, and appropriate for the purpose of refurbishing the outdoor running track at 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 monies to be expended under the direction of the Reading School Committee, or take any other ac- tion with respect thereto. School Committee 6 ARTICLE 17 To see what sum the Town will raise by bor- rowing or from the tax levy or transfer from available funds, or otherwise, and appropriate for the purpose of removal of under- ground fuel tanks, for the conversion to gas heat, and for the replacement of boilers at any or all of the following locations: Coolidge Middle School, 89 Birch Meadow Drive; Joshua Eaton School, 365 Summer Avenue; Birch Meadow School, 27 Arthur B. Lord Drive; Reading Memorial High School, 62 Oakland Road; and the West Side Fire Station, 267 Woburn Street; Reading, Mas- sachusetts, such appropriation to include all engineering fees and preparation costs required to complete the purpose of this Article, all monies for School buildings to be expended under the direction of the Reading School Committee, and all monies for the West Side Fire Station to be expended under the direction of the Board of Selectmen ; or take any other action with respect thereto. School Committee Board of Selectmen ARTICLE 18 To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to sell, or exchange, or dispose of, upon such terms and conditions as they may determine, various items of Town tangible property, or take any other action with respect thereto. Board of Selectmen ARTICLE 19 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 1994 beginning July 1, 1994, or take any other action with respect thereto. Board of Selectmen ARTICLE 20 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 Town Meeting sessions, during the previous year or take any other action with respect thereto. Precinct 1: Richard Fotino, Sr. Earle C. Livingstone Precinct 2: Gail Faller Alan E. Foulds Ann E. Gentile Precinct 5: Stephen G. Tucker Precinct 6: William H. Champa Leslie J. Haley Precinct 7: C. Dewey Smith Precinct 8: Francis P. Gorgone Board of Selectmen 7 and you are.directed to serve this Warrant by posting an at- tested copy thereof in at least three (3) public places in each precinct of the Town not less than fourteen (14) days prior to March 23, 1993, the date set for the meeting in said Warrant, and to publish this Warrant in a newspaper published in the Town, or by mailing an attested copy of said Warrant to each Town Meeting Member at least fourteen (14) days prior to the time of holding said meeting. Hereof fail not and make due return-of this Warrant with your doings thereon to the Town.Clerk at or before the time ap- pointed for said meeting. Given under our hands this 16th day of February, 1993. Daniel A. Ensminge A TRUE COPY. ATTEST: eA , therine A. Quimb Town Clerk George Hines Sally Ho Eugene R. Nigro Willard Burditt SELECTMEN OF READING 8 Annual Town Election ANNUAL TOWN ELECTION March 23, 1993 Pursuant 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 Takach, Warden, Precinct 1, it was voted to dispense with the further reading of the Warrant, except the Constable's Return, which was then read by the Town Clerk. The ballot boxes were examined by the respective Wardens and each found to be empty and registered at 000. The Town Clerk declared the polls open at 7:00 A.M. and closed at 8:00 P.M., with the following resufts: 7578 ballots (50% of registered voters ) cast as follows: Pr 1 Pr 2 Pry Pr 4 Pr 5 Pr 6 Pr 7 Pr 8 Total MODERATOR for one year - Vote for One Paul C. Dustin* 620 467 380 688 478 646 593 562 4434 Blanks 441 338 29 445 4466 427 421 441 3144 Total 1051 805 675 1133 824 1073 1014 1003 7578 *Elected BOARD OF SELECTMEN for three years - Vote for Two George V. Hines* 376 252 226 489 307 424 439 348 2861 - Sally M. Hoyt* 421 294 294 531 359 504 413 403 3219 Stuart S. LeClaire 357 315 265 317 283 404 348 374 2663 Gail F. Wood 365 269 202 323 263 310 308 347 2387 Ronald L. Wood 148 125 110 111 98 127 122 121 962 Blanks 435 355 253 495 338 377 398 413 3064 Total 2102 1610 1350 2266 1648 2146 2028 2006 15156 Elected BOARD OF ASSESSORS for three years - Vote for One Robert 1. Nordstrand* 727 549 467 787 559 757 690 691 5227 Blanks 324 25E 208 43,E 265 316 X24 312 2351 Total 1051 805 675 1133 824 1073 1014 1003 7578 *Elected BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES for three years - Vote for Two Robert J. Fields* 670 516 430 745 517 728 676 626 4908 Elia A. Marnick* 665 517 448 808 546 720 670 647 5021 . Blanks 767 577 472 713 585 698 682 733 5227 Total 2102 1610 1350 2266 1648 2146 2028 2006 15156 *Elected Annual Town Election Pr 1 Pr 2 Pr 3 rr44 Pr5 Pr 6 Pr 7 Pr 8 Total MUNICIPAL LIGHT BO ARD for three years -V ote for One John P. Holland, Jr.* 424 321 254 400 240 420 439 422, 2920 G. Marty McWilliams 250 226 214 332 317 292 250 224 2105 Blanks 377 258 2077 401 2267 611 325 357 25553 Total 1051 805 675 1133 824 1073 1014 1003 7578 SCHOOL COMMITTEE for three years - Vote for Two Susan C. Cavicchi* 545 387 362 654 485 552 537 518 4040 Barbara B. Philbrick 471 337 290 405 317 497 451 454. 3222 Thomas J. Stohlman* 548 436 359 662 467 607 611 527 4217 Blanks 538 450 339 545 379 490 429 507 3677 Total 2102 1610 1350 2266 1648 2146 2028 2006 15156 Elected* NORTHEAST REGIONAL VOCATIONAL SCHO OL CO MMITTEE - Vot e for O ne John B.Pacino* 695 539 - 460 767 548 735 696 658 5098 Blanks ,356 266 215 366 276 38 3118 345 2480 Total 1015 805 675 1133 824 1073 1014 1003 7578 *Elected QUESTION #1 Shall the Town of Reading be allowed to assess an additional $2,410,512.00 in real estate and personal property taxes for the purposes of general government, schools, and rubbish collection and disposal for the fiscal year beginning July first nineteen hundred and ninety three? Yes 505 307 302 681 . 444 571 598 492 3900 No 529 481 360 434 362 482 393 497 3538 Blanks 17 17 13 18 18 20 23 14 140 Total 1051 805 675 1133 824 1073 1014 1003 7578 PRECINCT 1 TOWN MEETING MEMBERS - Vote for Not More Than Twenty-Four Terms of Office Shall be Determined by the Number of Votes Received Frank H. Baggs, Jr.** James E. Barry* Kay E. Clark*** Herbert W. Converse** Doris M. Fantasia*** David Goodemote*** Linda L. Goodemote*** George A. Hodges, Jr*** Frances C. Howell* Richard B. Hoyt** Barbara L. Luddy** Bethann Matathia*** Karol A. McLaughlin* 464 410 494 425 514 489 504 473 389 462 432 475 410 Precinct 1 continued Joan Y. Nickerson** Nancy W. Ortiz* James B. Pert'" Maurice C. Proctor, Jr* Catherine A. Quimby*** Thomas J. Ryan" James K. Taylor** Sheila Krekorian Tully*'* James R. Boucher Susan Bryant-Conley* Paul N. Chapman Cathy Chase Steven F. Clark Alfonso J. DaSilva Nancy L. Eaton* Robert L. Gibbons* Gaetano C. Grande Marc Guyott Lorraine Hom Robert G. Kevorkian Paul A. Lazzara Gary A. Muise Thomas S. Natale Ronda H. Paradis Stanley I. Robinson Arthur G. Scarpa Susan R. Shealy Allison Sloane-DaSilva * Elected for one year Elected for two years Elected for three years 456 415 429 414 531 432 432 505 1 10 1 1 1 1 10 12 10 2 6 2 2 2 1 7 3 1 2 2 PRECINCT 2 TOWN MEETING MEMBERS - Vote for Not More than Twenty-Four Terms of Office Shall be Determined by the Number of Votes Received Virginia M. Adams*** 390 Francis P. Burke" 319 Dolores S. Carroll*** 344 Marlene W. Cohen** 321 Wayne S. Davis* 293 Alan E. Foulds* 292 Robert W. Hilliard** 307 Mark D. Huber*** 375 Ginny Lane*** 342 Philip D. LeBlanc** 316 Frederick F.*Martin, Jr.** 305 June R. Milligan*** 411 John E. Parsons, 111** 307 Annual Town Election Precinct 2 continued Anthony L. Rickley** Wendy J. Small*** Gail F. Wood' John D. Wood' Edwin E. Cowart, III* Maureen S. Hilliard* Nancy L. McGinty* James T. McTaggart Bruce A. Reilly* * Elected for one year Elected for two years Elected for three years 318 343 421 359 2 2 6 1 3 PRECINCT 3 TOWN MEETING MEMBERS - Vote for Not More than Twenty-Four Terms of Office Shall be Determined by the Number of Votes Received William J. Bartosch, Jf*** 309 Victor R. Carlson*** 307 William L. Childress" 286 Roberta C. D'Antona*** 328 Agnes H. Donovan""' 298 John L. Donovan" 281' Francis P. Driscoll** 287 Silva K. M. Gerety" 284 Diane R. Kurkjian*** 294 Gerald L. MacDonald** 289 William J. Marshall" 285 Salvatore L. Mele** 274 Lance Watson*** 292 Stephen R. Wladyka*** 306 Ronald L. Wood*** 312 Allan E. Ames* 9 Lois K. Bond* 9 Diane A. Chapin* 1 Nicholas J. DeMatteo** 10 Courtney A. Evans* 8 Kim R. Honetschlager 1 Ronald Howland* 2 Lee Kesler* 8 Robert M. Malay 1 John L. Milano* 2 Steven G. Oston* 2 William K. Reidy 1 * Elected for one year Elected for two years Elected for three years Annual Town Election PRECINCT 4 TOWN MEETING MEMBERS - Vote for Not More than Twenty-Four Terms of Office Shall be Determined by the Number of Votes Received Willard J. (Bill) Burditt*** 550 Richard H. Coco* * 455 Stephen N. Conner** 526 Joseph G. Duffy** 516 Jonathan Edwards* 493 Nancy M. Graham*** 533 Russell T. Graham' 589 Glen M. Hartzler* 502 Sally M. Hoyt*** 623 Susan B. Kalmakis*** 529 Edwin J. Loschi, Jr.* 455 W. Bruce MacDonald** 521 Linda M. Molloy*** 560 Philip B. Pacino** 504 Elsbeth L. Quimby* 498 William A. Redford*** 544 Leora E. (Lee) Roberts* 494 Robert S. Salter** 516 George A. Theophanis** 513 Timothy R. Twomey** 512 Mary Ann Wright** 513 Mary S. (Mollie) Ziegler*** 643 Martin J. Benison 2 Patrick M. Fennely 3 Patricia.P. Fitzgerald* 34 Joyce M. Hamer 1 David Lautman 1 Elia A. Dangelmaier Marnick 2 Michael P.Mamick 2 James T. Maughan 2 James A. Molloy 23 Rosalyn W. Westra 23 Nancy J. Ziemlak* 34 * Elected for one year Elected for two years Elected for three years PRECINCT 5 TOWN MEETING MEMBERS - Vote for Not More than Twenty-Four Terms of Office Shall be Determined by the Number of Votes Received Susan C. Cavicchi*** 435 Robert L. Fuller*** Kathleen Hahn** 359 326 Leslie J. Haley** 321 Deirdre B. Hanley*** 392 Annual Town Election Precinct 5 continued Eleanor K. Higgott** Henry A. Higgott* Janice M. Jones** Thomas A. Jones** John A. Lippitt** Lawrence E. Mabius* Joseph P. Marshall*** Mary Masterson"* Victor Petri** Michael F. Slezak* Thomas J. Stohiman*** William O. Stroman*** Richard A. Surette** Kathleen S. Vaccaro*** Ann Caulfield Ward* Robert P. Zitzow* Camille W. Anthony* Andrew P. Connolly Brevard S. Garrison* Lee A. Selzer Rebecca A. Selzer* Regina M. Snyder * Elected for one year Elected for two years Elected for three years 328 298 342 313 312 309 357 368 338 294 466 379 351 357 294 300 1 1 12 1 2 1 PRECINCT 6 TOWN MEETING MEMBERS - Vote for Not More than Twenty-Four Terms of Office Shall be Determined by the Number of Votes Received Ernest J. Arsenauft*** 417 James E. Biller*** 470 Robert A. Brown* 360 Christopher Campbell* 370 Rodney J. Chandler* 356 Stephen A. Chapman 321 MaryBanks M.Cool* 347 Ronald M. D'Addado*** 476 James J. Fandel** 406 Brendan L. Hoyt, Jr.*** 432 Diana M. Kaine** 383 Patricia L. Keane*** 421 James A. Keigley** 380 James W. Killam, 111** 379 Stuart S, LeClaire*** 502 Robert R. Lynch* 360 Jacquelyn Mandell* 368 Robert L. Mandell 336 Eugene R. Nigro*** 543 Stephen P. Quigley** 380 John J. Shemkus* 349 Annual Town Election Annual Town Election Precinct 6 continued Roger.O. Sanstad 337 Carol A. Trodella** 404 ' William H. Watt* 364 Nathan C. White** 406 Irene M. York" 412 Leslie H. York' 413 * Elected for one year Elected for two years * * * Elected for three years PRECINCT 7 TOWN MEETING MEMBERS Vote for Not More than Twenty-Four Terms of Office Shall be Determined by the Number of Votes Thomas C. Baillie* Carol S. Beckwith 4' Patricia A. Biamonte** Thomas W. Boshar* Peter A. Brown*** John E. Carpenter" Lynne A. Cassinari* Daniel A. Ensminger*** Bruce W. Haas** James L. Hall* Laurence F. Hayes, Jr.* George V. Hines*** William J. Hughes, Jr.*** Mark H. Johnson* Norman F. Kozlowski* Carroll E. McMillan" Teresa Moran" Barbara B. Philbrick*** Catherine M. Powell** Richard A. Radville*** Richard W. Schubert* Patrick S. Sudbay** David M. Swyter** Kathy J. Whittaker*** Robert G. Pothier * Elected for one year Elected for two years Elected for three years 376 530 402 368 424 402 372 507 407 357 357 505 423 371 370 397 398 435 417 437 381 416 397 445 1 PRECINCT 8 TOWN MEETING MEMBERS - Vote for Not More than Twenty-Four Terms of Office Shall be Determined by the Number of Votes Received William C. Brown** 393 Maryann B. Cummings*** 437 Annual Town Election Precinct 8 continued Matthew Cummings*** Harvey J. (Pete) Dahl** John K. Downing*** John L. Fallon, Jr.* David M. Ferris* William M. Fowler, Jr.* Peter Grossman* Gloria R. Hulse* Pasquale M. lapicca*** Stephen J. lopolko*** William C. Murphy" Carl J. Nelson" Robert I. Nordstrand*** George B. Perry, II** Natalie L. Petrillo*** John H. Russell** Margaret W. Russell" Walter J. Spaulding, Jr.* Stephen W. Thomases* Frederick VanMagness** Charles A. Wayne*** Patricia G. Brigham Patricia M. Dady* Francis P. Gorgone William F. LeBlanc Robert G. Mallion Michael J. O'Donnell, Jr. John M. Silvaggi Maria E. Silvaggi * Elected for one year Elected for two years Elected for three years 402 395 440 369 372 374 378 361 420 438 380 379 442 378 430 379 379 377 373 387 414 1 53 2 9 1 13 2 20 The votes were publicly announced in open meeting, Town Clerk in the, vault for safe keeping. Voted to adjoum:at II:f5,p.m , March 23, 1993 A true copy. /fittest: r; . Catherine'A ;Quimby,, Town Clerk locked in ballot cases and placed by the ADJOURNED ANNUAL TOWN MEETING FIRST BUSINESS SESSION Reading Memorial High School April 12, 1993 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 Dr. David Reid, First Bap- tist Church, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and the Town Meeting Member's.Oath. The warrant was partially read by the Town Clerk, Catherine A. Quimby, when on motion of Daniel A. Ensminger, it was voted to dispense with further reading of the warrant, except for the officer's return, which was then read by the Town.Clerk. The Moderator then made the following announcements: 1) Ten students and teachers from Coolidge Middle School were present to observe Town Meeting in action. 2) Coffee will be provided as a fund raiser.by the High School Cheerleaders at 7:00 p.m. on April 15. 3) Budget Packets were available at the Checker's tables for Town Meeting Members. With Arnold Berger participating, Matthew Cummings, Chairman of the School Committee, Precinct 8, introduced the recipients of the Arnold and Dorothy Berger Exemplary Teacher Award. ARTICLE 2 The following "State of the Town" Report by Daniel A. Ensminger, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen,. was accepted as a Report of Progress. Mr. Moderator, fellow Town Meeting Members, and citizens of Read- ing: As I stand before you tonight, I think back to the opening lines from Dickens' "A Tale of Two Cities:, which said that "it was the best of times, it was the worst of times." Times were indeed tough then for the citizens of Paris and London. While the problems we face in Reading today may seem pretty tame compared to the problems back then, or even to those problems ex- perienced daily by the citizens of Sarajevo or Mogadishu, make no mistake about it: we have been through the fiscal fire over the last few years. But I am pleased to report to you tonight that the state of our Town is sound, its fiscal house is in order, and its future is full of hope. What I would like to do now is take a few minutes to review some of the highlights of the past year, some of the current issues that continue to challenge Town boards and Town Meeting (including the Sale of Real Estate), and a preview of things to come. 1 Under Personnel Issues for the Past Year: Early in March, the Board of Selectmen approved the Health In- surance Agreement which provides the Town's employees and retirees with health insurance. Under the agreement the Town was to pay 60% of the cost. This was later amended to reflect the payment of 70% of the cost by the Town. The increase was made possible by reserves which had been set up that could not be used for other purposes. In order to conform with new IRS regul'a= tions, the Health Insurance Program was further amended to give employees more flexibility in joining or leaving the program. 1992 saw significant changes in the Fire and Public Works Depart- ments. With the retirement of Fire Chief Leonard Redfern, former Fire Captain Donald Wood was appointed by the Town Manager to the Chief's position. This appointment was confirmed by the Board of Selectmen. In Public Works, Edward (Ted) McIntire became Acting Department Head upon the retirement of Anthony Fletcher. Mr. McIntire was later appointed by the Town Manager to the position of Director of Public Works. Noting their long years of dedication and service to the Town of Reading, the Board recognized Fire Chief Leonard Redfern and Director of Public Works Anthony Fletcher following their retire- ments. Once again the volunteers on the Boards, Committees and Commis- sions provided the Town with exemplary service in 1992. It was with regret that the Board accepted the resignation of Thomas McGrath from the Recreation Committee, James O'Leary from the Municipal Light Board, Virginia Bizzarro from the Council on Aging, Donald Anglehart from the Solid Waste Advisory Committee, and Carroll McMillan from the Finance Committee. Union contracts for the Reading Patrolmens' Association and the Reading Superior Officers' Association were successfully nego- tiated and signed during 1992. Under Environmental Concerns: Shortly after 7 a.m. on September 30, 1992, Town employees and officials responded to word that a northbound gasoline tanker had overturned on Interstate 93, spilling gasoline in the vicinity of the Town of Reading wellfields. Public Works, Police, Fire, and Conservation employees were on the scene within minutes to respond to the concern for the public water supply and the wet- lands where the wells are located. At the Subsequent Town Meet- ing in November, the Board of Selectmen was privileged to honor all those involved in maintaining the flow of water to our homes and preventing the spread of contaminants to the Town's wellfields. The Town Manager will present an-update on the water situation following my remarks. During the past year the Solid Waste Advisory Committee has worked diligently to keep the Board informed about State mandates regarding solid waste disposal, recycling and trash fees. In ad- 2 dition, the Hazardous Waste Advisory committee, re-institued by the Board in 1991, has continued to monitor the pollution problems in the Route 93-Concord Street area of North Reading and Wilmington. Under Budget and Related Issues: Financial issues held a major part of the focus of the Board of Selectmen in 1992. Among the primary issues facing the Board were the increasing MWRA sewer rates, and the revision of rules and regulations governing rubbish collection and disposal. The challenge to protect the future of the Town's schools while at the same time maintaining services to residents seemed almost in- surmountable. In May, the Board of Selectmen approved the continuation of the rubbish fee beyond its expiration date of June 30, 1992. Again the Board voted to level fund the school budget which resulted in reductions on the Town's side. Early in the year, the Reading Municipal Light Department joined with the Board of Selectmen and the Finance Committee at a joint meeting during which the RMLD reviewed the history of earnings distribution from the RMLD to the Town. At a later meeting, the Selectmen voted to accept the RMLD's offer of $ 1.4 million earn- ings distribution with the understanding that periodic increases will continue to be negotiated. Late in the year, the Board of Selectmen began discussions with the Cable TV Advisory Committee and Continental cable regarding the renewal of the franchise for Continental Cable. The franchise expires in December, 1995 and the process for renewal is a lengthy one. The Library Director and the Chairman of the Board of Library Trustees appeared before the Board in December to present the long-range Library plan. Primary needs include the establishment of additional hours to better serve the public, additional money for the purchase of books, and a review of salaries for Library employees. Under Community Issues: 1992 was a year of tremendous progress on two projects that will affect the future of the Town of Reading. After over a year of negotiations, a Request for Proposals for the erection of an ice skating rink arena at the former Haverhill Street Nike Site was made available early in December. And, although not without dif- ficulty, construction to transfor-m the former Central Fire Sta- tion into a permanent home for Reading seniors was completed and dedicated. Both the Ice Rink Advisory Committee and the Senior Center Advisory Committee are to be commended for their hard work and dedication. Neither project could have been built without the generosity of Mr. Nelson Burbank in the case of the skating rink and the Federal and State grant monies in the case of the Senior Center. 3 In order to assure the careful management and timing of future capital projects that WILL require the expenditure of Town revenues, the Capital Improvements Advisory Subcommittee was formed in 1992 as a subcommittee of the FINCOM. Through the thorough and painstaking work of this group, a ten-year capital plan has been put forward for Town Meeting's approval. Through this plan, capital, improvements ranging from backhoes to elemen- tary school additions will be prioritized, scheduled, and funded from a dedicated percentage of annual operating revenues. You will be hearing a complete report on this ten-year plan from the chairman of the CIAS under Article 5. Perhaps the biggest story of the past year was what I wish the local newspaper had titled "REVERSAL OF FORTUNE," namely the suc- cessful Proposition 2-1/2 override. I want to express my thanks to all Reading citizens who voted on March 23 and especially to the hard-working members of the YES FOR READING campaign com- mittee who carried the message to the electorate. The Board of Selectmen feels it has a solemn obligation to the community to spend the additional $2.4 million exactly in accordance with the promises made to the voters of Reading, and we hope that Town Meeting members feel the same way. The passage of this override will NOT restore all cuts that have been made in the past three years. But it will keep our remaining core of municipal and school services intact for the time being. Having reviewed the past, let's spend a few minutes reviewing some of the important current issues facing Reading. The prin- cipal challenge we all face is to retain (and even improve) the quality of our municipal and school services despite these chal- lenges. These are 1) state aid and state and federal mandates, 2) the MWRA and sewer rate relief, and 3) the future of trash disposal. I will also bring you up to date on our sale of real estate situation. Someone once said that "the price of democracy is eternal vigilance." Well, the price of maintaining our state aid while keeping the Commonwealth out of our other pocket is eternal lob- bying of the Legislature and Senate. While State government cut our local aid by $2.7 M over the last three years, they continued to increase costly mandates on the cities and towns while finding crafty ways to avoid paying for them. Examples of these mandates include recycling waste bans, expensive anti-pollution scrubbers for incinerator stacks, expensive worker's compensation provi- sions, and inflexible special education requirements. New and expensive water treatment requirements are about to be promul- gated by the EPA. Now, many of these are good ideas! It's just that Beacon Hill and Washington refuse to pay for them! The latest example of tomfoolery in high places is the State Education Reform Bill. The House version would pick the municipal pocket of Reading in order to put money into the education pocket. So much for local control of budgets. The Senate version contains the universal school choice provisions that are nirvana to some but anathema to others. Where will it all lead? Who knows! 4 Of course, this is all part of the challenge and fun of being a Selectman. Rest assured, we will continue to lobby our Represen- tative and Senators on these vital issues with the long-term in- terests of Reading in mind! On the subject of MWRA and sewer rate relief: we are pursuing rate relief in two ways. First, we are supporting ongoing ef- forts to increase the share of the court-mandated project that is being paid for by the state and federal governments. There is some good news here: President Clinton's FY194 budget has in- cluded at least $100M for the Boston Harbor cleanup, and the com- monwealth is contemplating a $20M payment. Second, your Board of selectmen is joining with Boards in other towns to mount a court challenge to institute a volume-based formula to replace the cur- rent per-capita algorithm for allocating the remaining expenses to the cities and towns. Reading should be reaping the benefits of its many years of I&I control, which have reduced the volume of sewage entering the MWRA system. However, powerful Boston rep- resentation on the MWRA Board has kept this from happening. The town of Weymouth has secured the services of former District At- torney Ron Delahunt to have this legal case pursued on a pro bono basis, and your Selectmen will continue to support this effort. Finally, a few words about the eternal issue of trash hauling and disposal. The good news is that the trash fee has been abolished effective with the passage of the override. However, there is one remaining payment due on the FY193 trash fee. More good news: trash hauling contracts have come in about $100K below last year's level due to increased competition of hauling firms, and next year's recycling contract will include magazines, corrugated cardboard, and plastics, in addition to newspapers, cans, and glass. The bad news: agreement with RESCO is not yet at hand, despite months of arbitration. We will continue to pursue all appropriate actions to secure a long-term agreement with RESCO or another appropriate party that stabilizes the cost of trash dis- posal to the Town. I will now briefly review the status of the sale of real estate. Sale of the Bear Hill land will be discussed at the Selectmen's meeting tomorrow night. One proposal has been received from Dol- ben, Inc., to build 100` to 160 units of.,1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom apartments. An advisory committee has been studying this proposal and has recommended conditional acceptance of the offer. The Board of Selectmen will accept the proposal as is, accept it with conditions, or reject it, based on what is in the long-term interests of Reading as a whole. The 50-year-old Pearl Street School is of no further use to the Town as a school building and is showing serious signs of age. One current tenant has entered into a five-year lease with the Town. The Selectmen are considering a proposal that will convert the remainder of the facility into a congregate-like facility for the elderly. The market value of this property has declined be- cause of the age of the building, its location and limited allow- 5 able uses, and the depressed real estate market. We will con- tinue to explore all feasible options for long-term lease or sale of this building. Finally, in the manner of the landfill, the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Reading and the Homart Company have agreed to ter- minate their Purchase and Sales agreement for the sale of the 35-acre former landfill site on Walkers Brook Drive in Reading. The real estate market has evolved towards a retail commercial market, and after evaluating the impact of that kind of develop- ment for this site, the Board feels that such uses are not con- sistent with the Town's long term goals for the site, in terms of appearance, future tax revenue, impact on the downtown retail areas of the community, and job creation. In the Board's opinion, Homart used their best efforts over the past months to develop a project that would work to the benefit of the Town and the developer. The Board has determined that selling the property for retail commercial development would be short sighted, and that it is in the Town's long term best inter- est to continue aggressive measures to market the site for a com- bination of Office, Biotechnology, and Hotel use. There is no financial impact to the Town or to Homart as a result of this action. The Town, by previous agreement, will receive all plans, drawings, engineering documents, and other data that Homart has developed. This material will be of value to the Town in trying to secure another developer. In terms of what the future holds, many question remain un- answered. Will the Commonwealth enact sensible educational reform legislation and restore local aid? Will sensible reforms to Proposition 2-1/2 be enacted such as tying the annual rate of tax increase to the consumer price index? Will municipal, state, and school unions moderate their salary increase and other demands over the next decade? Will reading schools retain their quality in the face of continuing fiscal pressures? Will the in- tersection at Main and Washington Streets be improved in our lifetimes? Nothing is certain except that we must face the future of Reading together, without rose-colored glasses but with collegiality of spirit and a sense of fair play. Reading has a uniqueness that should riot be overlooked. 1993 will bring many new challenges to the Town of Reading, but our dedicated and talented employees and volunteers will continue their efforts which have made this com- munity strong. ARTICLE 2 Elia Marnik, Chairman of the Board of Library Trustees, presented following report to Town Meeting: The Board of Trustees are pleased to have this opportunity to report on the status of the Library. We have recently completed a long range planning process and established goals and objec- 6 tives for the Library for the 1990's. The planning process re- quired us to analyze use of the Library, to survey the community about its library needs and to assess organizational issues. - -1 Analysis showed that the library use has increased over the last ten years, despite budget cuts that reduced operating hours and book purchases. In fact, the Library circulates more books and answers more reference questions in 59 hours per week, than it used to do in 68.5 hours per week. In our surveys we asked the community how they use the Library and what changes they would like to see. 86% of Reading resi- dents use the Library, and 90% of public school students use the Library. The number one change cited in the surveys was to ex- tend operating hours, specifically to open the Library on Sunday afternoons. The second most important change was to expand park- ing. The goals and objectives developed during the planning process reflect the opinions expressed in the surveys, as well as discus- sions by staff, Trustees and the Planning committee. It is no surprise that the chief problem the Library faces is lack of funds.. We are fortunate to have a wonderful, award-winning facility and a superb staff, and lots of community support. We have 'a plan for the future; all we lack is the money to implement it. Two of our most important goals are to improve staff salaries and to increase the book budget, which is quite small compared to other communities our size. Ourv salaries must be competitive with other towns and other types of libraries if we are to retain the high caliber of staff that we have now. Our budget request for FY94 reflects these goals, as we asked for additional funds for raises for the staff and for book purchases. We are very pleased that the override vote will help us to attain these goals, as well as opening the Library on Sundays, as this was re- quested by the community. Since the Library has lost 9.5 hours of operation over the last three years, opening the Library on Sunday constitutes restoration of some of those lost hours, at times most convenient for the public. The complete library planning document is available at the Library. ARTICLE 2: Edward McIntire, Director of Public Works, presented the following report to Town Meeting: November 1992 - shut off interconnections to Woburn and Wakefield; turned on Well 82-20, Town Forest-Well and Revay Well. There are 6 wells presently off line as a precautionary measure to prevent contamination from the spill. These three (3) wells do not quite meet the average daily demand 1 I of 1.8 million gallons per day for required domestic use and fire protection. 7 Maintenance will be required on these wells and distribution mains (from the wells to the Treatment Plant). The groundwater at the spill site is being pumped and treated on a 24 hour basis. The untreated water at the spill does not meet the Safe Drinking Water Regulations at this time. Within the next two (2) weeks our consulting engineers, Weston & Sampson, will be performing water quality testing and water level readings; project potential impacts on the groundwater under pumping conditions from the 6 wells presently off line. They will also analyze potential water quality changes based on test results. A monitoring plan will be developed for reactivation of the production wells. . We will not jeopardize the wells with a contaminated supply and will proceed cautiously with this program. The 24" water main connection to the MWRA water system in Woburn is almost completed and will be available within the next week for emergency only use. Water use restrictions remain in effect - no outdoor water use of any type is permitted. ARTICLE 2 Richard H. Coco, Chairman of the Finance Com- mittee, presented to following report to Town Meeting: The Finance Committee has had a busy year since I last addressed this body in April 1992. In May 1992 the FINCOM instituted a monthly meeting schedule and not meet every third Wednesday of each month thus providing known meeting dates for individuals and other town departments that re- quire FINCOM action. During the past three months of budget deliberations, we met twice weekly from about late January through the first week of April discussing and voting the recommendation which will be presented to Town Meeting beginning with the May 3rd session. Also over this past year at the direction of the 1992 Annual Town Meeting, the Finance Committee wrote and approved a policy creat- ing a Capital Improvement Advisory Subcommittee under our auspices. This subcommittee is required to review the long term capital needs of the town and begin to formulate how these needs will be prioritized and funded. The subcommittee was fleshed out in'October and has been meeting since that time on a regular basis working with both the Town Manager and the school depart- ment to review the current and future capital needs of Reading and how these fit into a long term capital improvement program. 8 During this past year the Finance Committee also completed its investigation of the Reading Water and Sewer Department, Reading Municipal Light Department and Reading School Department as re- quested by the petition of some 190 Town citizens. As you may recall, in May 1992 the Reading Finance Committee was directed by petition of a group of Reading citizens to conduct.-,an investigation of three town departments: Reading Water and Sewer Department; Reading Municipal Light Department (RMLD) and the Reading School Department. At the Fall Town Meeting I reported to you our findings following the completion of our first investigation that of the Water and Sewer Department. As part of this investigation we reviewed selected accounts within this department and finding no evidence which suggested any improprieties in the operation of this department voted 9-0-0 at our regular 23 September 1993 meeting to conclude our investigation of the Reading Water and Sewer Department. Following our investigation of Water and Sewer, we next focused our efforts on the RMLD and School Departments. RMLD is audited annually by an outside independent auditor pur- suant to the requirements of the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities. Thus the FINCOM did not believe engaging another outside auditor to assist us in our investigation was necessary and therefore decided to apply the same procedures used in studying the Water and Sewer operation, that is a review of elected accounts receivable and disbursements and other areas within the RMLD budget. Again as with the Water and Sewer Department, the FINCOM inves- tigation revealed no situation or circumstances that raised ques- tions concerning the fiscal and management policies of the RMLD. The FINCOM voted 7-0-0 to complete its investigation of RMLD on December 9, 1992. Finally we investigated the operations of the Reading School Department, again applying the procedure of reviewing selected accounts such as METCO, several Federal grants, sick leave statistics, personnel lists.and invoice histories in order to gain a level of insight into the operation of this department. As with the other two operations, the FINCOM found no evidence to suggest that a more in-depth study was required or that any ques- tionable practices were used in disbursement of funds or the operation of the department. The FINCOM voted on 5-2-1 on December 16, 1992 to complete our investigation of the Reading School Department. While the effort expended by FINCOM in response to the three petitions occupied much of our agenda from May through December 1992, the investigation was beneficial, since it showed that these three departments and in fact all of the various operations 9 which are part of Reading Town government are well run, efficient operations, staffed by good dedicated people who work for the betterment of the whole community. The FINCOM submits this report to Town Meeting relative to the k. investigations requested by petition as a final report. Finally in regard to the FY 1994 budget, the FINCOM will be host- ing an informational meeting for Town Meeting members and the public as well on May 1st from 1:00 to 3:00 PM in the High School Lecture Hall. This meeting continues a recent tradition of the past several years during which we present an overview of the next fiscal year budget and entertain questions from Town Meeting members. I hope you make plans to take advantage of this opportunity to review with us next years budget. Rather than address the FY 1994 budget at this time I have decided to delay giving the FINCOM FY 94 budget report to Town Meeting until Monday May 3rd as a more relevant time to present this message. ARTICLE 2 Roberta C. D'Antona, School Building Committee and member of the School Committee, presented the following report to Town Meeting: The School Building Committee reconvened on September 24, 1992 with the intention of revisiting the issue of the building expansion/ renovation project for. the Joshua Eaton and Birch Meadow Schools. In recognition of the expanding and advancing school population, Parker Middle School was added to the scope of the project. On November 10, 1992, the Building Committee adopted the follow- ing mission statement: "The School Building Committee has as its mission to provide Town Meeting and the Reading School Committee a practical long range building plan to answer the specific space problems which presently impair the educational experience of Reading's school children. In realizing that goal it has its obligation: 1. The need to examine and define the space problems in concert with the School Committee. 2. To examine alternative means available to solve these space problems. 3. Arrive at and advise the School Committee and Town Meeting as to the committee's specific answer to the space problem. 4. To accompany that recommendation with practical plans that detail the proposed solution. - 10 5. To recommend the means of financing the recommended plan. 6. To work with the School Committee, Finance Committee, Capi- tal Sub-Committee of the Finance Committee, Board of Selectmen, Town Meeting, and any other involved Municipal or State entity in securing funds required to implement the ap proved space plan. The overwhelming and unquestioned constant in the deliberations of the School Building committee will be the needs of the school children of Reading." November Town Meeting voted to appropriate the sum of $25,000.00 for architectural fees. The School Building Committee voted to continue with the Design Partnership of Cambridge, David Finney AIA architect for the elementary school project. There were open bids for the Parker Middle School project and after a process that included interviews with architectural firms and many deliberations the firm of The Design Partnership of Cambridge, David Finney AIA was selected. While the project is in its earliest stages, the architect has begun the process analyzing data and meeting with the staff at Parker Middle School in order to glean information that will be considered when the educational specifications are developed. The school population study was updated by Dr. Dan Ensminger and presented to the School Building Committee on November 24, 1992. This study confirmed "a significant increase in student popula- tions in the near future." This information along with the educational specifications was incorporated into a building plan for the Joshua Eaton and Birch Meadow Schools which was then presented to the School Committee. The School Facilities Services Bureau (SFSB) - the body of the Dept. of Education which approves building projects for reim- bursement - has been given tours of the school buildings. We have been in close contact with them during this process and they have confirmed the 66% reimbursement rate `for Reading. Members of the School Building Committee have been frequently meeting with the Town Manager, and the Town Treasurer in order to develop a viable plan for financing the Joshua (Eaton) and Birch Meadow School project. In order to demonstrate the needs, the School Building Committee has held tours of all the schools for the Capitol Improvement Subcommittee of the Finance Committee. Clearly the School Building Committee has been engaged in a very ambitious undertaking in order to be prepared to present a project to Town Meeting Members on April 15, 1993. The urgency of the increase in the elementary school population as well as the severity of the need for renovations left us no other choice. We were more than willing to put forth the effort in order to bring forward this comprehensive project that will provide for 11 the elementary school children in Reading well into the twenty first century. Therefore, we are proud to present this project to you on next Thursday evening with the hope that you will give it your full support. ARTICLE 2 On motion of Willard J. Burditt, it was voted to lay Article 2 on the table. ARTICLE 3 On motion of Daniel A. Ensminger, it was voted that the Town instruct its representatives to the General Court to support an amendment to the Fy94 state budget to guarantee that cities and towns receive the full $47 million growth in lot- tery revenues. 178 voted in the affirmative 0 voted in the negative ARTICLE 3 On motion of Daniel A. Ensminger it was voted that the Town instruct its representatives to the General Court to support legislation filed by the Massachusetts Municipal Associa- tion that would establish in state law a Local Roads Fund in or- der to ensure a fair and predictable.. share of state gas tax col- lections for distribution to cities and towns for use on local roads. 178 voted in the affirmative 0 voted in the negative ARTICLE 4 On motion of Willard J. Burditt, it was voted to indefinitely postpone the subject matter of Article 4. ARTICLE 2 On motion of Willard J. Burditt, it was voted to move Article 2 from the table. James A. Keigley, Capital Improvements Advisory Subcommitte, presented the following "Report to Fincom" to Town Meeting. We have reviewed the capital projects as proposed on the warrant for Town Meeting commencing April 12, 1993. Due to time con- straints beyond our control, we have not had ample opportunity to review all of the proposed projects requested by the Town's departments and therefore cannot necessarily recommend these items as being of the highest priority. However, we have reviewed the projects utilizing criteria which we believe to be relevant in the assessment of the capital improvement projects. Article #13: Joshua Eaton/Birch Meadow Renovations Necessity: . Space restraints as outlined by population forecasts Cross-use of library and cafeteria . Overcrowding of classrooms Asbestos removal Replacement: . Construction of new school 12 Cost Savings: Decay of school infrastructure, could render building unusable Performance: . Student and faculty morale . Potential liability expense Article #14: Birch Meadow Portable Classroom Necessity: . Overcrowding of classrooms . Alternate class space during construction Replacement: . N/A Cost savings: . Non-quantifiable cost of quality of educa- tion . Reduced need for transfer to other schools Performance: . Student and faculty morale . Quality of education Safety: . N/A Article #15: RMHS roofs Necessity: Currently in a state of disrepair . Does not protect the building interior from elements . Unsightly Replacement: Should prolong useful life of the building Cost Savings: Save further deterioration of building and its contents from water damage . Energy efficiency Performance: Student and faculty morale Full use of facilities Safety: Removal of hazards caused by weakened structures Removal of hazards from temporary fixes Article #16: School Track Renovations Necessity: Save full replacement of Timing of need is beyond Timing of need is beyond one third of cost of new Student and athlete mora Full use of facilities Use by Town residents track with repairs schedule schedule track le Replacement: Cost Savings: Performance: Safety: . Potential injuries form substandard surface 13 Article #17: School Gas Conversion/Boiler Replacement Necessity: . Improve current capacity and reliability . Improve energy efficiency . Reduce potential future costs from oil tank leakage Replacement: . Upgrade vs replacement with previous type system cost savings: . Analysis pending further date Performance: . Efficiency, reliability . Decreased maintenance Safety: . N/A Conslusion: Although we have insufficient data to prioritize all capital project requests, we recommend that the projects in Articles 13 through 16 be funded in Fiscal Year 1994. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROCEDURE TOWN DEPARTMENTS TOWN MANAGER CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS ADVISORY SUBCOMMITTEE B.O.S SCN. COMM. FINCOM RMLD CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS ADVVISORY SUBCOMMITTEE FINCOM TOWN MEETING determine needs set department priorities submit requests (9-1) accept department requests assimilate department requests evaluate department requests relative to criteria set townwide priorities determine financing develop and tranmit CIP and report to CIAS (11-1) consultation with Town Manager re guidelines, format, policies, assumptions, etc. review CIP and report evaluate need, impact, timing, funding evaluate current town financial condition recommend CIP, and send report (1-1) evaluate CIP and return comments to CIAS (2-1) final report on CIP (2-15) review with budet transmit to Town Meeting with warrant report (3-15) action on CIP and special articles 14 ARTICLE 2 On motion of Willard J. Burditt, it was moved to lay Article 2 on the table. ARTICLE 5 On motion of Richard H. Coco, Chairman of the Finance Committee, it was voted to adopt the Capital Improvement Program as provided for in Section 7-7 of the Reading Home Rule Charter. See the attached report. ARTICLE 6 On motion of Willard J. Burditt, it was voted to indefinitely postpone the subject matter of Article 6. ARTICLE 7 The subject matter of Article 7 was passed over. ARTICLE 8 On motion of George V. Hines Article 8 was moved and voted in the negative. (See April 15, 1993 Minutes for reconsideration vote.) ARTICLE 9a On motion of Daniel A. Ensminger it was voted to transfer the care, custody, management and control of the following described land or portions thereof, which is com- monly known as Batchelder Field, from the School Committee and/or Board of Selectmen to the Board of Cemetery Trustees for cemetery purposes. The land shown as a portion, of Lot 1 on Town of Reading Board of. Assessors' Map 227, Revised January 1, 1984, situated on the,northerly side of Franklin Street, said land being shown as Parcel C on the plan of land entitled: "Plan of Land in Reading, Mass. Scale: 1" = 100' March 9, 1983" recorded at the Middlesex South District Registry of Deeds as Plan 295 of 1983. Said land is more particularly bounded and described as follows: .Beginning at a point on the north side of Franklin Street and by a curve along Franklin Street to the left, radius 1481.23' fora distance of 348.98' to a point, thence N260- 501-4811E for a distance of 514.54' to a point, thence N610- 281-2911E a distance of 243.05' to a point, thence N140-501- 0011W a distance 238.70' to a point, thence S650-391-2111E a distance of 402.84' to an iron pipe, thence S120-241-5011W a distance of 338.05' to a drill hole, thence N630-511-2011W a distance of 157.11' to an iron pipe, thence S240-241-1711W a distance of 667.47' to point of beginning. Containing 310,773 ± square feet or 7.1344 acres. 2/3 vote required 129 voted in the affirmative 5 voted in the negative ARTICLE 2 On motion of Willard J. Burditt, it was voted that Article 2 be taken from the table. 15 ARTICLE 2 Ruth Stanieich, Ad-Hoc Cemetery Site Committee, presented the following final report: The ad-hoc Cemetery Site Committee was appointed in January of this year and has met on a weekly basis to do its work and prepare a report to town meeting. The charge to the committee: To study possible sites for additional cemetery space. Laurel Hill (20 acres) and Forest Glen are sold out and Charles Lawn could be full in 15 years. Due to the Wetlands Protection Act, only 6 of the original 20 acres at Charles Lawn can be developed, and no headstones are allowed. Parameters (as recommended by Robert Keating, Director of Cemeteries): size: Minimum size should be approximately ten acres, preferable larger. A 10 acre site size is estimated to last about 60 years. To develop a site with road, water and drainage systems which would not have a longevity of 40 years would not be recommended. Location: The area should be readily accessible. It should be dry, with no severe grade changes and relatively free of rock or ledge. Substantial land reconfigurations are costly. Cost: There are no Cemetery Department funds for land pur- chase. Appropriations must come from the town. Sites considered and rejected: (Private) Land held by Austin Prep School, Meadow Brook Country Club, Longwood Poultry Farm, Spence Farm and adjoining parcels and burial space outside Reading. (Public) Bear Hill, Camp Curtis Guild, Nike Site, Town Forest, Kurchian Woods, Dividence Road and an extension of Charles Lawn Cemetery. Sites for consideration: 1. Bare Meadow: A site off Pearl St. and accessible from Main Street has approximately 12 acres of mostly open land on a slop- ing hillside. There is additional upland under control of Con- servation. Strict guidelines must be met to remove the land from Conservation control, i.e.: like kind of land would be needed for a swap (wetlands cannot be swapped for dry). Any swapped land would require the same ecological value and utility. This site was acquired by the Town using Federal, State and Local funds for the purpose of conservation. The Federal government would prob- ably require appraisals. Reimbursement of the original funding may be required (50% to Federal, 25% to State and 25% to Town. the State legislature must also approve. The site is large enough to meet the cemetery needs for some time. Releasing it from Conservation would be a lengthy, costly and laborious process. The Chairman of the Con- servation Committee advised that the outcome would be ques- tionable. 16 2. Batchelder Field: A site off Franklin St. and accessible from either Main or Haverhill with approximately 10 acres of flat usable terrain. Readily available for development, this site is bordered by residences and wetlands. Future expansion is limited due to the necessity of crossing a strip of wetlands to access higher grounds that are timbered and possibly under conservation control. This site is smaller than Bare Meadow, but some addi- tional land acquisition might be possible. Two acres of privately owned dry land abutting Batchelder Field may be avail- able. Also it is entirely possible, that natural changes in drainage and vegetation could allow additional land to be avail- able in the future. The area available now meets the minimal needs for efficient cemetery development and would serve the Town approximately 60 years. Possible expansion in the future could further extend this time period. Process: The committee received an explanation of conservation laws and restrictions from Conservation commission chairman Dr. James Biller and the Administrative Assistant Donald Nadeau. Two members of the Cemetery Trustees who served on this committee and the Director of Cemeteries provided input as did the Town Planner. The two primary sites were walked by the committee. Conclusion: There is no simple solution to the long term need for cemetery space in the Town of Reading. The Town has no large sites available that would satisfy the optimum cemetery needs for many years in the future. Since considerable time is needed for planning and development it is essential that a site be selected - now. It is the decision of this committee that the Batchelder Field site appears to be the most practical at this-time. We also strongly encourage continuing pursuit of the'possibilities of extending into adjacent areas in the future. John M. Silvaggi, Precinct 8, spoke on behalf of the Cemetery Trustees in support of Article 9 as did Robert Keating, Cemetery Director. ARTICLE 9b on motion of Daniel A. Ensminger, it was voted to file a petition to the General Court for a special act or for leave of the General Court, pursuant to Articles 49 and 97 of the Articles of Amendment to the Massachusetts Constitution, or any other enabling authority, authorizing the Town to transfer the care, custody and control of all or any portion the following described land, which is commonly known as Batchelder Field, cur- rently being held for conservation, recreation and water resource protection purposes to the Board of Cemetery Trustees; and trans- fer the care, custody and control of such land, subject, however, to the Board of Cemetery Trustees making all necessary filings with the Reading Conservation Commission under all applicable State and local Wetlands Protection statutes and bylaws before performing any work on such land. 17 The land shown as a portion of Lot 1 on Town of Reading Board of Assessors' Map 227, Revised January 1, 1984, situated on the northerly side of Franklin Street, said land being shown as Parcel B on the plan of land entitled: "Plan of Land in Reading, Mass. Scale: 1" = 100' March 9, 1983" recorded at the Middlesex South District Registry of Deeds as Plan 295 of 1983. Said land is more particularly bounded and described as follows: Beginning at an iron pipe at land shown on the aforesaid plan as of Alban G. & Mary C. Sheehan, thence N650-391-2111W a distance of 402.84' to a point, thence N140-501-0011W a distance of 26.24' to a point, thence N680-401-5511E a dis- tance of 462.04' to a point, thence S640-561-4011E a distance of 22.44' to a point, thence S120-241-5011W a distance of 358.27' to point of beginning. Containing 80,604 square feet or 1.85 acres. 2/3 vote required 126 voted in the affirmative 2 voted in the negative On motion of William C. Brown, Precinct 8, it was voted that this Adjourned. Annual Town Meeting stand adjourned to meet at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 15, 1993 in the Reading Memorial High School Auditorium. Meeting was adjourned at 11:08 p.m. 178 Town Meeting Members were.present. A true copy.-Attest: therine A. Quimb Town Clerk 18 ADJOURNED ANNUAL TOWN MEETING SECOND BUSINESS SESSION Reading Memorial High School April 15, 1993 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 Reverend Alan B. Bond, First Con- gregational Church, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. On motion of Lance Watson, Precinct 3, and Lynne A. Cassinari, Precinct 7, it was voted to reconsider Article 8. 2/3 vote required 141 voted in the affirmative 8 voted in the negative Daniel A. Ensminger presented the following report during discus- sion of reconsideration: On motion by Burditt seconded by Hoyt the Board of Selectmen voted as follows: A) To support reconsideration of Article 8 at the Town Meeting Session of April 15, 1993. B) That the project will include the intersection of Main and Washington Street, and closing of Ash Street will not be included in this project. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. ARTICLE 8 Motion under Article 8 reconsideration was voted in the affirmative to authorize the Board of Selectmen to acquire all or any part of the following described parcels of land in fee or rights of easement therein by eminent domain under the provi- sions of Chapter 79 of the General Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, or to acquire said parcels of land or any part thereof in fee or rights of easement therein by gift, purchase, or otherwise, for the purpose of making improvements to the in- tersection..of Main and Washington Streets, and to see what sum the Town will raise by borrowing, or from the tax levy, or trans- fer from available funds, or otherwise, and appropriate to the Board of Selectmen to pay for appraisals of said parcels and to pay for the acquisition of said parcels 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 to enter into agreements with private parties or state and federal agencies for financial and other as- sistance in connection with such acquisition, and to do all other acts and things necessary and proper for carrying out the provi- sion of this vote, or take any other action with respect thereto: 19 53.65 square feet of land believed to be owned by Joseph J. Dalelio, Jr. et al., Trustees of the Aunyx Realty Trust, of One Russett Lane, Melrose, MA 02176, being a portion of Board of Assessors' Jan. 1, 1991 Map 54, Plot 40, being bounded and described as follows: Beginning at a point on the Westerly sideline of Main Street, said point being a point of curvature, thence running; Southwesterly by a curve to the right having a radius of 20.71 feet a distance of 35.74 feet, to a point on the Northerly sideline of Washington Street; Thence S832-581-20" E a distance of 20.71 feet to a point; Thence N142-541-40" E a distance of 20.71 feet to the point of beginning of this description. 153.81 square feet of land believed to be owned by .Charles C. and Doris R. Catalfamo of 5 Chapel Hill Drive, Reading, MA-01867, being a portion of Board of Assessors' Jan. 1, 1991 Map 55, Plot 20A, being bounded and described as follows: Beginning at a point on the Easterly sideline of Main Street, said point being a point of curvature, thence running; Southeasterly by a curve to the left having a radius of 30.73 feet a distance of 48.10 feet, to a point on the Northerly sideline of Washington Street; Thence N750-241-50" W a distance of 10.73 feet to a stone bound; Thence Northeasterly by a curve to the right having a radius of 20.00 feet a distance of 31.30 feet to a stone bound; Thence N140-541-40" E a distance of 10.73 feet to the point of beginning of this description. 121.83 square feet of land believed to be owned by Socony Mobil Oil Co., Inc., of P.O. Box 290, Dallas, TX 75221, being a portion of Board of Assessors' Jan. 1, 1991 Map 55, Plot 21, being bounded and described as follows: Beginning at a point along the easterly sideline of Main Street, said point being a point of curvature, thence running; Northeasterly by a curve to the right having a radius of 31.23 feet a distance of 49.23 feet, to a point on the Southerly sideline of Washington Street; Thence N750-241-50" W a distance of 11.23 feet to a stone bound; 20 Thence Southwesterly by a curve to the left having a radius of 20.00 feet a distance of 31.53 feet, to a stone bound; Thence S140-541-40" W a distance of 11.23 feet to the point of beginning of this description. 2/3 vote required 132 voted in the affirmative 20 voted in the negative ARTICLE 3 On motion of Daniel A. Ensminger, it was voted that Article 3 be taken from the table. ARTICLE 3 On motion of Lynne A. Cassinari, Precinct 7, it was voted that the Board of Selectmen make improvements to Main and Washington Streets and that they will not close off Ash Street. ARTICLE 3 On motion of Daniel A. Ensminger, it was voted that Article 3 be placed on the table. ARTICLE 13 On motion of Russell T. Graham, Precinct 8, it was voted to raise by borrowing under Chapter 44, Section 7(3) and 7(3A), of the General Laws, Chapter 645 of the Acts of 1948 as amended, or any other enabling authority, the sum of $6,346,465 for the purpose of constructing additions, remodeling, reconstructing' and making extraordinary repairs to the Birch Meadow School on Arthur B. Lord Drive and to the Joshua Eaton School on Summer Avenue, including the costs of original furnish- ings and equipment, engineering and architectural fees, inspec- tion fees, relocation costs, contingencies and related expenses incidental thereto and necessary in connection therewith, said sum to be expended by and under the direction of School Com- mittee; that any maturities of an issue of bonds or notes authorized hereby may, to the extent permitted by law be arranged so that the amounts of principal and interest combined for the several years shall be as nearly. equal as practicable in the opinion of the Town Treasurer and the Selectmen or in accordance with a schedule providing a more rapid amortization of principal; and to authorize the School Committee to file applications for a grantor grants to be used to defray all or any part of the cost of the project and to enter into all contracts and agreements as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this vote. 2/3 vote required 137 voted in the affirmative 12 voted in the negative Roger Sanstad, Chairman of the School Building Committee, and David Finney, Architect, reviewed the proposed plans (see at- tached brochure). Mr. Graham reviewed the finances of the Ar- ticle and the following update was offered by Richard H. Cocco, Chairman of the Finance Committee. 21 Before I give the FINCOM financial report on Article 13 it will be helpful to Town Meeting Members to recap a bit of the recent history behind the business of this article. In November 1990, the first Article to fund the renovation of the Joshua Eaton and Birch Meadow schools was brought to Town Meeting for consideration. At that time in 1990, the two projects were estimated to cost Reading approximately $4,500,000. After very lengthy deliberations over several meeting nights, Town Meeting voted not to fund the renovations and the Article failed. In early 1991 in a special election an override question to fund the school renovations for $4,500,000 also failed. In late 1991 a School Building Committee was reconstituted to again begin the process of planning the renovation of these two schools. All through 1992 the Committee met and developed its plans. In November 1992 the School Building Committee came before the FINCOM primarily to provide us with an initial over- view of these plans. No votes were taken at that meeting. Following the presentation that evening a question and answer period followed in which the question was asked relative to the cost to renovate both the Joshua Eaton and Birch Meadow Schools. The estimate provided in November to FINCOM was "approximately $4,000,000." This amount was very close to the earlier estimates of 1990 and 1991. In March of this year, the School Building Committee brought their final plans to renovate Birch Meadow and Joshua Eaton Elementary Schools to FINCOM in mid-March to present them to us and gain our support. In March 1992 the cost for the renovation of the two schools had increased by over $2,500,000 from the November 1992 figure going from approximately $4,000,000 to $6,500,000. Following the presentation the main discussion by FINCOM at our next meeting when the vote on Article 13 was taken focused on two features of the proposal. The overall cost of the project, $6,500,000 and how Reading would go about paying for the necessary bonding. To make the funding picture even more challenging. The renova- tion of Parker Middle School in the 1996-1997 for an estimated $5,000,000 was added to the discussion from the School Building Committee's earlier presentation in November. Why the cost of the project for Birch Meadow and Joshua Eaton has escalated by $2,500,000 was not clearly explained to FINCOM. There was additional work added to the two projects but the extra work did not seem to match the dollar amount of the increase that had occurred. Some of the additional work included upgrading the fire alarm system, additional boiler work (gas conversion), as- bestos removal at Joshua Eaton and the need to renovate the bell 22 tower at Joshua Eaton were mentioned as examples. Perhaps in retrospect the estimate provided FINCOM in November had simply been too low. The second major question raised was how the three school renova- tion projects would be funded. Parker was now in the equation and needed to be considered along with the other two schools. Bonding is clearly the mechanism of choice for large capital ex- penditures. Adding debt is an accepted way of acquiring a major capital item as for example a mortgage to purchase a new home and then spreading the cost over a long time period. What constitutes a reasonable level of debt for Reading however becomes the central question. The level of bonding, that is, how much debt load Reading should carry to fund not only these school renovation projects but the other capital needs of the Town was the central point of the FIN- COM discussion. If you think back a few years, it was to a large extent the high debt load acquired during the eighties that be- came the central cause of the fiscal grief so many American cor- porations have endured. To fund the renovations of the two elementary schools in 1993- 1994, Parker Middle School in 1996-1997 and also provide funds for the remaining capital expenses the Town requires, it will be necessary for Reading to raise $23,300,000 from the total operat- ing revenues of the Town for the NEXT DECADE. This will be 6.53% of every dollar we collect either from fees, taxes, state disbursements, grants, etc. This is an average of $2,300,000 $100 per year per resident for population of about 25,000. per year which translates into 10 years, for Reading with a While FINCOM supports debt burden as necessary to fund Town capi- tal needs, it is important that we do not saddle the Town with an unnecessarily high debt load. Several FINCOM members found it difficult to envision Reading obligated for $23,300,000 for the next 10 years. This was the substance of the discussions at the meeting on March 17, 1993. At that meeting FINCOM did vote to recommend to Town Meeting that it adopt Article 13 but the vote was close at 5-4-0. The closeness of the vote indicates the honest concern on the part of several FINCOM members relative to the cost of the projects and how they and the other capital needs of the Town will be funded. 23 The 6.53% annual debt load proposed may look do-able on paper, and the words about a "few tight years" in 1995-1997 may seem in- nocent, but the debt load proposed has the real potential of be- coming the 1990's equivalent of the Town incinerator of 20 years ago. These remarks are intended to be food for thought as you continue your deliberations on the Article. ARTICLE 10 On motion of George V. Hines, it was voted to amend the Town of Reading Zoning Map to place a Planned Residen- tial Development-General (PRD-G) Zoning overlay district on property at 89 Main Street designated as Parcels 8 and 24 on Board of Assessors Map 6 as revised through January 1, 1978. 2/3 vote required 135 voted in the affirmative 0 voted in the negative Nancy E. Shipes presented the report for the Community Planning and Development Commission. Natale and Irene Bellantone, owners of the property under discussion and their architect, John Copley, spoke to the Article. ARTICLE 11 On motion of Sally M. Hoyt, it was voted to accept the report of the Board of Selectmen upon the laying out as a public way of the following private way known as Lila. Lane, un- der the provision of law authorizing the assessment of better- ments, such highway being laid out in accordance with plans duly approved by the Board of Selectmen and filed in the office of the Town Clerk in.accordance with the statutory requirements, and that the Town authorize the Board of Selectmen to take such land in fee or rights of easement therein by eminent domain, under the provisions of Chapter 79 of the General Laws, as amended, or acquire said land in fee or rights of easement therein by purchase, gift or otherwise, and to assess better- ments therefor; and that the Town vote to accept the public way laid out by the Board of Selectmen as Lila Lane, and that the sum of $34 be raised from the tax levy and appropriated for the acquisition of said land or easement therein or payment of any eminent domain damages and for the construction of said way, said sum to be spent by and under the direction of the Board of Selectmen and:further On motion of Sally M. Hoyt, it was voted to accept the report of the Board of Selectmen upon the laying out as a public way of.the following private way known as Verde Circle, under the provi- sion of law authorizing the assessment of betterments, such highway being laid out in accordance with plans duly approved by the Board of Selectmen and filed in the office of the Town Clerk in accordance with the statutory requirements, and that the Town authorize the Board of Selectmen to take such land in fee or rights of easement therein by eminent domain, under the provi- sions of Chapter 79 of the General Laws, as amended, or acquire said land in fee or rights of easement therein by purchase, gift or otherwise, and to assess betterments therefor; and that the 24 Town vote to accept the public way laid out by the Board of Selectmen as Verde Circle, and that the sum of $5 be raised from the tax levy and appropriated for the acquisition of said land or easement therein or payment of any eminent domain damages and for the construction of said way, said sum to be spent by and un- der the direction of the Board of Selectmen and further On motion of Sally M. Hoyt, it was voted to accept the report of the Board of Selectmen upon the laying out as a public way of the following private way known as Sanborn Lane, under the provi- sion of law authorizing the assessment of betterments, such highway being laid out in accordance with plans duly approved by the Board of Selectmen and filed in the office of the Town Clerk in accordance with the statutory requirements, and that the Town authorize the Board of Selectmen to take such land in fee or rights of easement therein by eminent domain, under the provi- sions of Chapter 79 of the General Laws, as amended, or acquire said land in fee or rights of easement therein by purchase, gift or otherwise, and to assess betterments therefor; and that the Town vote to accept the public way laid out by the Board of Selectmen as Sanborn Lane,, and that the sum of $23 be raised from the tax levy and appropriated for the acquisition of said land or easement therein or payment of any eminent domain damages and for the construction of said way, said sum to be spent by and under the direction of the Board of Selectmen and further on motion of Sally M. Hoyt, it was voted to accept the report of the Board of Selectmen upon the laying out as a public way of the following private way known as Thomas Drive, under the provi- sion of law authorizing the assessment of betterments, such - highway being laid out in accordance with plans duly approved by the Board of Selectmen and filed in the office of the Town Clerk in accordance with the statutory requirements, and that the Town authorize the Board of Selectmen to take such land in fee or rights of easement therein by eminent domain, under the provi- sions of Chapter 79 of the General Laws, as amended, or acquire said land in fee or rights of easement therein by purchase, gift or otherwise, and to assess betterments therefor; and that the Town vote to accept the public way laid out by the Board of Selectmen as Thomas Drive, and that the sum of $9 be raised from the tax levy and appropriated for the acquisition of said land or easement therein or, payment of any eminent domain damages and for the construction of said way, said sum to be spent by and un- der the direction of the Board of Selectmen and further On motion of Sally M. Hoyt, it was voted to accept the report of the Board of Selectmen upon the laying out as a public way of the following private way known as Fairchild Drive, under the provision of law authorizing the assessment of betterments, such highway being laid out in accordance with plans duly ap- proved by the Board of Selectmen and filed in the office of the Town Clerk in accordance with the statutory requirements, and that the Town authorize the Board of Selectmen to take such land in fee or rights of easement therein by eminent domain, un- der the provisions of Chapter 79 of the General Laws, as amended, or acquire said land in fee or rights of easement 25 therein by purchase, gift or otherwise, and to assess better- ments therefor; and that the Town vote to accept the public way laid out by the Board of Selectmen as Fairchild Drive and that the sum of $32 be raised from the tax levy and appropriated for the acquisition of said land or easement therein or payment of any eminent domain damages and for the construction of said way, said sum to be spent by and under the direction of the Board of Selectmen and further on motion of Sally M. Hoyt, it was voted to accept the report of the Board of Selectmen upon the laying out as a public way of the following private way known as Lindsay Lane, under the provi- sion of law authorizing the assessment of betterments, such highway being laid out in accordance with plans duly approved by the Board of Selectmen and filed in the office of the Town Clerk in accordance with the statutory requirements, and that the Town authorize the Board of Selectmen to take such land in fee or rights of easement therein by eminent domain, under the provi- sions of Chapter 79 of the General Laws, as amended, or acquire said land in fee or rights of easement therein by purchase, gift or otherwise, and to assess betterments therefor; and that the Town vote to accept the public way laid out by the Board of Selectmen as Lindsay Lane, and that the sum of $14 be raised from the tax levy and appropriated for the acquisition of said land or easement therein or payment of any eminent domain damages and for the construction of said way, said sum to be spent by and under the direction of the Board of Selectmen and further On motion of Sally M. Hoyt, it was moved to accept the report of the Board of Selectmen upon the laying out as a public way of the following private way known as Ashley Place, under the provi- sion of law authorizing the assessment of betterments, such highway being laid out in accordance with plans duly approved by the Board of Selectmen and filed in the office of the Town Clerk in accordance with the statutory requirements, and that the Town authorize the Board of Selectmen to take such land in fee or rights of easement therein by eminent domain, under the provi- sions of Chapter 79 of the General Laws, as amended, or acquire said land in fee or rights of easement therein by purchase, gift or otherwise, and to assess betterments therefor; and that the Town vote to accept the public way laid out by the Board of Selectmen as Ashley Place, and that the sum of $12 be raised from the tax levy and appropriated for the acquisition of said land or easement therein or payment of any eminent domain damages and for the construction of said way, said sum to be spent by and under the direction of the Board of Selectmen and further On motion of Sally M. Hoyt, it was moved to accept the report of the Board of Selectmen upon the laying out as a public way of the following private way known as Jessica Circle, under the provi- sion of law authorizing the assessment of betterments, such highway being laid out in accordance with plans duly approved by the Board of Selectmen and filed in the office of the Town Clerk in accordance with the statutory requirements, and that the Town authorize the Board of Selectmen to take such land in fee or rights of easement therein by eminent domain, under the provi- 26 lions of Chapter 79 of the General Laws, as amended, or acquire said land in fee or rights of easement therein by purchase, gift or otherwise, and to assess betterments therefor; and that the Town vote to accept the public way laid out by the Board of Selectmen as Jessica circle, and that the sum of $6 be raised from the tax levy and appropriated for the acquisition of said land or easement therein or payment of any eminent domain damages and for the construction of said way, said sum to be spent by and under the direction of the Board of Selectmen and further On motion of Sally M. Hoyt, it was voted to accept the report of the Board of Selectmen upon the laying out as a public way of the following private way known as Partridge Road, under the provi- sion of law authorizing the assessment of betterments., such highway being laid out in accordance with plans duly approved by the Board of Selectmen and filed in the office of the Town Clerk in accordance with the statutory requirements, and that the Town authorize the Board of Selectmen to take such land in fee or rights of easement therein by eminent domain, under the provi- sions of Chapter 79 of the General Laws, as amended, or acquire said land in fee or rights of easement therein by purchase, gift or otherwise, and to assess betterments therefor; and that the Town vote to accept the public way laid out by the Board of Selectmen as Partridge Road, and that the sum of $8 be raised from the tax levy and appropriated for the acquisition of said land or easement therein or payment of any eminent domain damages and for the construction of said way, said sum to be spent by and under the direction of the Board of Selectmen and further on motion of Sally M. Hoyt, it was voted accept the report of the Board.of Selectmen upon the laying out as a public way of the following private way known as Duck Road, under the provision of law authorizing the assessment of betterments, such highway being laid out in accordance with plans duly approved by the Board of Selectmen and filed in the office of the Town Clerk in accordance with the statutory requirements, and that the Town authorize the Board of Selectmen to take such land in fee or rights of easement therein by eminent domain, under the provi- sions of Chapter 79 of the General Laws, as amended, or acquire said land in fee or rights of easement therein by purchase, gift or otherwise, and to assess betterments therefor; and that the Town vote to accept the public way laid out by the Board of Selectmen as Duck road, and that the sum of $14 be raised from the tax levy and appropriated for the acquisition of said land or easement therein or payment of any eminent domain damages and for the construction of said way, said sum to be spent by and un- der the direction of the Board of Selectmen and further on motion of Sally M. Hoyt, it was voted accept the report of the Board of Selectmen upon the laying out as a public way of the following private way known as Old Farm Road, under the provi- sion of law authorizing the assessment of betterments, such highway being laid out in accordance with plans duly approved by the Board of Selectmen and filed in the office of the Town Clerk in accordance with the statutory requirements, and that the Town authorize the Board of Selectmen to take such land in fee 27 or rights of easement therein by eminent domain, under the provi- sions of Chapter 79 of the General Laws, as amended, or acquire said land in fee or rights of easement therein by purchase, gift or otherwise, and to assess betterments therefor; and that the Town vote to accept the public way laid out by the Board of Selectmen as old Farm road, and that the sum of $735.24 be raised from the tax levy and appropriated for the acquisition of said land or easement therein or payment of any eminent domain damages and for the construction of said way, said sum to be spent by and under the direction of the Board of Selectmen and further On motion of Sally M. Hoyt, it was voted to accept the report of the Board of Selectmen upon the laying out as a public way of the following private way known as Haystack Road, under the provi- sion of law authorizing the assessment of betterments, such highway being laid out in accordance with plans duly approved by the Board of Selectmen and filed in the office of the Town Clerk in accordance with the statutory requirements, and that the Town authorize the Board of Selectmen to take such land in fee or rights of easement therein by eminent domain, under the provi- sions of Chapter 79 of the General Laws, as amended, or acquire said land in fee or rights of easement therein by purchase, gift or otherwise, and to assess betterments therefor; and that the Town vote to accept the public way laid out by the Board of Selectmen as Haystack Road, and that the sum of $455.50 be raised from the tax levy and appropriated for the acquisition of said land or easement therein or payment of any eminent domain damages and for the construction of said way, said sum to be spent by and under the direction of the Board of Selectmen and further On motion of Sally M. Hoyt, it was voted to accept the report of the Board of Selectmen upon the laying out as a public way of the following private way known as Gateway Circle, under the provi- sion of law authorizing the assessment of betterments, such highway being laid out in accordance with plans duly approved by the Board of Selectmen and filed in the office of the Town Clerk in accordance with the statutory requirements, and that the Town authorize the Board of Selectmen to take such land in fee or rights of easement therein by eminent domain, under the provi- sions of Chapter of the General Laws, as amended, or acquire said land in fee or rights of easement therein by purchase, gift or otherwise, and to assess betterments therefor; and that the Town vote to accept the public way laid out by the Board of Selectmen as Gateway Circle, and that the sum of $33 be raised from the tax levy and appropriated for the acquisition of said land or easement therein or payment of any eminent domain damages and for the construction of said way, said sum to be spent by and under the direction of the Board of Selectmen and further On motion of Sally M. Hoyt, it was voted to accept the report of the Board of Selectmen upon the laying out as a public way of the following private way known as Milepost Road, under the provi- sion of law authorizing the assessment of betterments, such highway being laid out in accordance with plans duly approved by 28 the Board of Selectmen and filed in the office of the Town Clerk in accordance with the statutory requirements, and that the Town authorize the Board of Selectmen to take such land in fee or rights of easement therein by eminent domain, under the provi- sions of Chapter 79 of the General Laws, as amended, or acquire said land in fee or rights of easement therein by purchase, gift or otherwise, and to assess betterments therefor; and that the Town vote to accept the public way laid out by the Board of Selectmen as Milepost Road, and that the sum of $55 be raised from the tax levy and appropriated for the acquisition of said land or easement therein or payment of any eminent domain damages and for the construction of said way, said sum to be spent by and under the direction of the Board of Selectmen and further on motion of Sally M. Hoyt, it was voted to accept the report of the Board'of Selectmen upon the laying out as a public way of the following private way known as Riverside Drive, under the provision of law authorizing the assessment of betterments, such highway being laid out in accordance with plans duly ap- proved by the Board of Selectmen and filed in the office of the Town Clerk in accordance with the statutory requirements, and that the Town authorize the Board of Selectmen to. take such land in fee or rights of easement therein by eminent domain, un- der the provisions of Chapter 79 of the General Laws, as amended, or acquire said land in fee or rights of easement therein by purchase, gift or otherwise, and to assess better- ments therefor; and that the Town vote to accept the public way laid out by the Board of Selectmen as Riverside Drive, and that the sum of $375.24 be raised from the tax levy and appropriated for the acquisition of said land,.or easement therein or payment of any eminent domain damages and for the construction of said way, said sum to be spent by and under the direction of the Board of Selectmen and further on motion of Sally M. Hoyt, it was voted to accept the report of the Board of Selectmen upon the laying out as a public way of the following private way known as Chapel Hill Drive, under the provision of law authorizing the assessment of betterments, such highway being laid out in accordance with plans duly ap- proved by the Board of Selectmen and filed-in the office of the Town Clerk in accordance with the statutory requirements, and that the Town authorize the Board of Selectmen to take such land in fee or rights of easement therein by eminent domain, un- der the provisions of Chapter 79 of the General Laws, as amended,, or acquire said land in fee or rights of easement therein by purchase, gift or otherwise, and to assess better- ments therefor; and that the Town vote to accept the public way laid out by the Board of Selectmen as Chapel Hill Drive, and that the sum of $1658 be raised from the tax levy and ap- propriated for the acquisition of said land or easement therein or payment of any eminent domain damages and for the construction of said way, said sum to be spent by and under the direction of the Board of Selectmen and further. 29 On motion of Sally M. Hoyt, it was voted to accept the report of the Board of Selectmen upon the laying out as a public way of the following private way known as Terrace Park, under the provi- sion of law authorizing the assessment of betterments, such highway being laid out in accordance with plans duly approved by the Board of Selectmen and filed in the office of the Town Clerk in accordance with the statutory requirements, and that the Town authorize the Board of Selectmen to take such land in fee or rights of easement therein by eminent domain, under the provi- sions of Chapter 79 of the General Laws, as amended, or acquire said land in fee or rights of easement therein by purchase, gift or otherwise, and to assess betterments therefor; and that the Town vote to accept the public way laid out by the Board of Selectmen as Terrace Park, and that the sum of $470.50 be raised from the tax levy and appropriated for the acquisition of said land or easement therein or payment of any eminent domain damages and for the construction of said way, said sum to be spent by and under the direction of the Board of Selectmen and further on motion of Sally M. Hoyt, it was voted to accept the report of the Board of Selectmen upon the laying out as a public way of the following private way known as Fairview Avenue, under the provision of law authorizing the assessment of betterments, such highway being laid out in accordance with plans duly ap- proved by the Board of Selectmen and filed in the office of the Town Clerk in accordance with the statutory requirements, and that the Town authorize the Board of Selectmen to take such land in fee or rights of easement therein by eminent domain, un- der the provisions of Chapter 79 of the General Laws, as amended, or acquire said land in fee or rights of easement therein by purchase, gift or otherwise, and to assess better- ments therefor; and that the Town vote to accept the public way laid out by the Board of Selectmen as Fairview Avenue, and that the sum of $23.38 be raised from the tax levy and appropriated for the acquisition of said land or easement therein or payment of any eminent domain damages and for the construction of said way, said sum to be spent by and under the direction of the Board of Selectmen. 2/3 vote required 128 voted in the affirmative 4 voted in the negative On motion by Sally M. Hoyt, it was voted to accept the report of the Board of Selectmen upon the laying out as a public way of the following private way known as Stone Well Road, under the provision of law authorizing the assessment of betterments, such highway being laid out in accordance with plans duly ap- proved by the Board of Selectmen and filed in the office of the Town Clerk in accordance with the statutory requirements, and that the Town authorize the Board of Selectmen to take such land in fee or rights of easement therein by eminent domain, un- der the provisions of Chapter 79 of the General Laws, as amended, or acquire said land in fee or rights of easement therein by purchase, gift or otherwise, and to assess better- ments therefor; and that the Town vote to accept the public way 30 laid out by the Board of Selectmen as Stone Well Road, and that the sum of $2 be raised from the tax levy and appropriated for the acquisition of said land or easement therein or payment of any eminent domain damages and for the construction of said way, said sum to be spent by and under the direction of the Board of Selectmen. 2/3 vote required 124 voted in the affirmative 3 voted in the negative upon motion of Daniel A. Ensminger, it was voted to suspend reading of the above street acceptances in their entirety. Com- plete motions were included in the hand out to Town Meeting Mem- bers and additionally the Moderator read the name of all streets to be accepted under the one motion. Stone Well Road was voted seperately as Town Meeting Member George Theophanis, Precint 4 requested information as to the final construction which had received a waiver for construction of granite curbing. ARTICLE 12 On motion of Stephen W. Thomases, Precinct 8, it was voted to table the subject matter of Article 12 ARTICLE 14 On motion of Matthew Cummings it. was voted to indefinitely postpone the subject matter of Article 14. ARTICLE 15 On motion of Thomas J. Stohlman, Precinct 5, it was voted to appropriate and raise by borrowing under Chapter 44, Section 7 (3A) of the General Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, or any other enabling authority; the sum of $70,000 for the purpose of repairing or replacing sections of the roof at Reading Memorial High School, 62 Oakland Road, Reading, Massachusetts, including all engineering fees and preparation costs, said sum, to be spent by and under the direction of the Reading School Committee; and to authorize the School Committee to enter into all contracts as may be necessary to carry out the purpose of this vote. 2/3 vote required 126 voted in the affirmative 2 voted in the negative Under discussion of the above motion, Mr. Stohlman advised Town Meeting that the School Committee would ask that this Article be rescinded if the School Education Reform Bill passes. ARTICLE 3 On motion of George V. Hines, it was voted to take Article 3 from the table. 31 ARTICLE 3 on motion of Daniel A. Ensminger it was voted to instruct the Board of Selectmen to petition and/or approve the filing of a petition to the Massachusetts General Court for legislation which would allow the Town of Reading to incorporate the $2.4 million general override (of the limits imposed by Proposition 2 1/2) voted by the Town on March 23, 1993, into it's preliminary -tax commitment for fiscal year 1994. The Town presently uses the quarterly tax payment system that is allowed for in Chapter 59 Section 57C of the General Laws and accepted by the Town of Reading. 128 voted in the affirmative 0 voted in the negative on motion of George V. Hines, it was voted to place Article 3 on the table. On motion of George V. Hines, it was voted that this Adjourned Annual Town Meeting stand adjourned to meet at 7:30 p.m. on Mon- day, May 3, 1993 in the Reading Memorial High School Auditorium. Meeting was adjourned at 10:40 p.m. 162 Town Meeting Members were present. atherine A. Quimby Town Clerk 32 ADJOURNED ANNUAL TOWN MEETING THIRD BUSINESS SESSION Reading Memorial High School May 3, 1993 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 Reverend Robert Sweet, Jr., Old South United Methodist Church, followed by a moment of silence in memory of Herbert F. Gent who was a former member of the Boards of Selectmen and Cemetery Trustees; Finance and Recreation Com- mittees and Town Meeting who passed away May 1, 1993. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag followed. The Moderator advised the Town Meeting that coffee was available in the Cafeteria provided by the Vernal Pool Association of the Science Department under the direction of Leo Kenney. ARTICLE 2 On motion of Daniel A. Ensminger it was voted that the subject matter of Article 2 be removed from the table. ARTICLE 2 Alan E. Foulds, Chairman of the 350th Anniversary Steering Committee, submitted the following Report of Progress: Our group was formed by this body and charged with the task of planning and executing a suitable observance of the Town's upcom- ing anniversary in 1994. With just over a year to go we felt that it was time we gave the Town Meeting a report of progress. We divided our task into three elements: Projects, Events, and Fund Raising. I'll discuss each one briefly. PROJECTS The Committee felt it appropriate to leave something of per- manence after the celebration was over. In previous observances - the 200th in 1844, the 250th in 1894, and the 300th in 1944 - a history book was published. The 350th will be no exception. rather than the traditional book, however, we plan to produce a "pictorial history" using old photographs made available to us by several townspeople. We have captured a little bit of "lost Reading." In addition to the pictures, appropriate text is being written by a sub-committee. Funding for the book has been secured through generous no-interest loans by a local business and organization. Publishing date for At Wood End is set for November 1st of this year, and pre-sale at a reduced price has already started. Our second project is the creation of a piece of symphonic music dedicated to the Town. In a joint effort of the committee and the Reading Symphony Orchestra, with additional funding from the Arts Lottery Council, a local internationally-known composer - William Thomas McKinley - was commissioned to write the music, which will first be performed next May at the Orchestra's Annual Spring Pops Concert. 33 EVENTS The grand celebration period will take place starting next May 29, 1994, and ending about two weeks later on June 10th. The dates were chosen for both practical and historical reasons. It's a nice time-°of year, when the bugs haven't descended in full force, and school is still in session. It allows them the oppor- tunity to be involved, and it means most townspeople will still be here. Historically the dates are significant. Since the celebration in 1844 Reading has observed May 29th as its birthday. On that date in 1644 the Legislature voted that "Linn Village, at the request of the inhabitants thereof, shalbe called Redding." The date was used in all subsequent celebrations, including the Antiquarian Society's Annual Charter Day observances. A couple of years ago however, it was discovered that it in fact is not the right date. The Legislature did take action on that date, but what the 19th Century historians missed was that in 1644 the Legislature had split into two Houses, like today's House and Senate. To become law a bill must pass both Houses. The upper chamber voted on May 29; the new lower chamber did not take action until June 10th. Our committee felt that we should recognize the correct date, but not completely abandon the old one. Rightly or wrongly, May 29th has been the Town's birthday for 150 years; longer than most towns have had birthdays. So the celebration will begin then, and end on June 10th - Reading Day. The celebration will consist of six "anchor" events, spread over the 13-day period, and be complemented by smaller events spon- sored by Town organizations and schools. May 29, a Sunday afternoon, will see opening ceremonies on the Common. Speeches, music, bells, militia, and visiting dignitaries. We will close with a reflection of another Town tradition - a Common lighting. Instead of Christmas lights, though, the Common will be decked out in white lights for the duration of the 13 days. The next event will be the following Friday, with a ball. A sub-committee is actively working on this. Details, such as location and theme, will be forthcoming. The following day - Saturday - will see a flurry of ac- tivity. We will begin in the morning with "Reading Quest." Without giving away too much, this is a Town-wide hunt using clues to find a finish line. It is hoped that we have par- ticipation by all ages. Later in the afternoon will be a parade. The tentative route has it starting at Birch Meadow, and marching through the center of Town. 34 At night will be "Jubileve." This event is loosely modeled after Boston's First Night and will consist of several small events and exhibits going on through the evening. A button will allow admission to all events. The following Friday evening - the loth - will be Reading Day. We will have a barbecue, outdoor concert, and fireworks. FUNDRAISING To pay for all of this the Committee established a non-profit corporation, Reading's 350th, Inc., to raise funds. To date this has been accomplished through the sale of T-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, tote bags and post cards. Most recently, local artist Bob McCaffrey created a pen and ink poster depicting local churches and historical buildings. In addition we have held events such as our highly successful "Muffin & Mugs Days." Recently the RMLD has given us use of the old taxi stand on Haven Street, to be used as a shop and information booth. We plan to have it open on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month. The Corporation has begun to step up activities as it prepares to look toward corporate sponsorship. During the next few months these plans will be honed and final- ized as we see exactly what we can budget for. At next year's Annual Town Meeting, which will be on the eve of the festivities, we will be back to extend an invitation to all townspeople, their friends, relatives, and our neighbors to join a celebration that is both fitting and memorable. r ARTICLE 2 On motion of Daniel A. Ensminger it was voted that the subject matter of Article 2 be placed on the table. ARTICLE 7 On motion of Richard H. Coco, Chairman of the Finance Committee, it was voted that the Town amend the ap- propriations made for the following line items of the Fiscal Year 1993 Municipal Budget by amending votes taken under Article 31 of the Warrant of the Annual Town Meeting of April 13, 1992, and as amended under Article 4 of the Subsequent Town Meeting of Novem- ber 9, 1992 as follows: (See attached appropriations sheet at the end of the Third Business Session Minutes.) ARTICLE 12 On motion of Stephen W. Thomases, Precinct 8, it was voted that the subject matter of Article 12 be removed from the table. ARTICLE 12 On motion of Stephen W. Thomases, Precinct 8, it was voted that the subject matter of Article 12 be indefinitely postponed. 35 ARTICLE 16 On motion of Matthew Cummings, Precinct 8, it was voted that the subject matter of Article 16 be indefinitely postponed ARTICLE 17 On motion of Matthew Cummings, Precinct 8, it was voted that the, subject matter of Article 17 be indefinitely postponed. ARTICLE 18 On motion of Sally M. Hoyt, it was voted to authorize the Board of Selectmen to sell, or exchange, or dispose of, upon such terms and conditions as they may determine, the following items of Town tangible property. 3 Police Cruisers 1 1982 Case Model W-20 Front End Loader 1 1980 Ford Backhoe Model 340 TBL ARTICLE 2 On motion of Daniel A. Ensminger, it was voted to remove Article 2 from the table. ARTICLE 2 Richard R. Coco, Chairman of the Finance Com- mittee, presented the following report to Town Meeting. FY 1994, the first fiscal year after passage of the Proposition 2 1/2 override, represents the beginning of a new financial era for Reading. An era which will see the necessary resources to fund the essential services Reading provides its citizens, rather than a continuation of the down-sizing and entrenchment that has marked the past several budgetary years for our Town. Approval of the Proposition 2 1/2 override at the Town election this spring provided approximately $2,410,000 additional dollars to operate Town government not only for the next fiscal year but for the next several years as well. As we progress through this decade and on into the next century the positive effects of the override vote for Reading will con- tinue to be more evident as resources are available to support the rebuilding of our infrastructure, the renovation of several of our schools and the initiation of long delayed capital expen- ditures. The initial FINCOM cut at the FY 1994 budget tried to match in- come to the needs for necessary town services without an over- ride. This was a very painful experience for all members of the Committee. Approval of the override spared us the necessity of recommending such a fiscally devastating budget to Town Meeting. The new level of available funding however will present a dif- ferent kind of challenge to Town Meeting than did the inade- quately funded budgets of the past several years. The challenge will now become that of ensuring that these additional tax revenues are allocated and spent with meaningful purpose in fu- ture years. 36 The Finance Committee this evening will be recommending to you a FY 1994 Town of Reading budget of approximately $37,000,000. The Committee believes this budget will meet both the short and long term needs of the Town for FY 1994. The recommendations made represent our best judgment as to how Town revenues should be spent and follow very closely those presented to the FINCOM by the Town Manager following the suc- cessful override vote. Recent actions by the FINCOM also increased the amount of money in the Reserve Fund for FY 1994 above that recommended by the Town Manager by an amount of $25,000. We also transferred a similar amount of money into Free Cash to cover current expenses. The Reserve Fund which is the Town's Savings Account was thus in- creased from $150,000 to $175,000; the Free Cash account to just over $143,000. The action taken earlier this evening under Article 7 applied some of this Free Cash to help balance the FY 1993 budget. The FINCOM voted to increase the amount of money in the Reserve Fund because we believe it is important to begin the process of re-establishing an adequately funded Reserve Fund as a hedge against unforeseen future Town expenditures. The $25,000 used for this purpose represents approximately 1% of the total dollar amount of the override approved by Reading voters. While this is a small sum of money when viewed against the total dollar amount of the override, the,FINCOM believes it is a.neces- sary f irst step toward maintaining a level of fiscal respon- sibility for future years'. As you deliberate the budget tonight, we ask for your support in our endeavor of adding these additional funds to the Reserve Fund account. The cost of snow removal this past winter and the gasoline spill of last fall are vivid reminders of the type of unforeseen events which can suddenly impact Town finances. In conclusion, we all share a certain level of justifiable pride in our Town and the excellent services it has always provided to all its citizens. With the success of the override vote and a return to a level of fiscal normalcy we can again look forward to a continuance both in the level and quality of these services not only in FY 1994 but for the next several years as well. ARTICLE 2 On motion of Daniel A. Ensminger, it was voted to place Article 2 on the table. ARTICLE 19 On motion of Richard H. Coco, Chairman of the Finance committee, it was voted to approve and appropriate the Proposed FY1994 Budget as presented for line items Al and A2 (Accounting Department). Funds are to be provided as follows: 37 Lines Al and A2 Property taxes, State aid, and non-property tax local receipts. ARTICLE 19 On motion of Richard H. Coco, Chairman of the Finance Committee, it was voted to approve and appropriate the Proposed FY1994 Budget as presented for line items B1 through B9 (Community Development). Funds are to be provided as follows: Line Bl $1,400 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 19 On motion of Richard H. Coco, Chairman of the Finance Committee, it was voted to approve and appropriate the Proposed FY1994 Budget as presented for line items Cl through Cll (Finance Development). Funds are to be provided as follows: Lines Cl - C8 and C10 - Cll Property taxes, State aid, and non-property tax local receipts. Line C9 $600 from Wetland Fees, with the remainder from Property taxes, State aid, and non-property tax local receipts. ARTICLE 19 On motion of Willard J. Burditt, it was voted to amend Line C6 by adding $3,000 and to reduce Line C3 by $3,000. ARTICLE 19 On motion of Robert I. Nordstrand, Precinct 8, it was moved to amend Line C6 by adding $6,250 and to reduce Line C3 by $6,250. This motion was voted in the negative. ARTICLE 19 On' motion of Richard H. Coco, Chairman of the Finance Committee, it was voted to approve and appropriate the Proposed FY1994 Budget as presented for line items D1 through D13 (General Services Department). Funds are to be provided as fol- lows: Lines D1 - D13 Property taxes, State aid, and non-property tax local receipts. ARTICLE 19 On motion of Richard H. Coco, Chairman of the Finance Committee, it was voted to approve and appropriate the Proposed FY1994 Budget as presented for line items El through Ell (Human Services Department). Funds are to be provided as fol- lows: 38 Lines E1 - Ell Property taxes, State aid, and non-property tax local receipts. ARTICLE 19 On motion of Richard H. Coco, Chairman of the Finance Committee, it was voted to approve and appropriate the Proposed FY1994 Budget as presented for line items F1 through F2 (Library Department). Funds are to be provided as follows: Lines F1 - F2 Property taxes, State aid', and non-property tax local receipts. ARTICLE 19 On motion of Richard H. Coco, Chairman of the Finance Committee, it was voted to approve and appropriate the Proposed FY1994 Budget as presented for line items G1 through G8 (Public Safety Department). Funds are to be provided as follows: Lines G1 - G8 Property taxes, State aid, and non-property tax local receipts. ARTICLE 19 On motion of Daniel A. Ensminger, it was voted to increase line item G2 by $4,000 to $161,986 and to reduce line item C3 by $4,000. 1-_ ARTICLE 19 On motion of Richard H. Coco, Chairman of the Finance Committee, it was voted to approve and appropriate the Proposed FY1994 Budget as presented for line items H15 through H17 (Public Works Department: Administration, Engineering, High- way & Equipment Maintenance, Parks/Forestry, and Building Main- tenance) and line items H18 - (Street Lighting), H19 - (Rubbish Collection/Disposal), H2O - (Snow and Ice Control), H21-12 - (Cemeteries). Funds are to be provided as follows: Lines H15 - H2O Property taxes, State aid, and non-property tax local receipts. Line H21 $53,000 Bequest Income and $4,570 Sale of Lots with remainder from Property taxes, State aid, and non-property tax local receipts. ARTICLE 19 On motion of Francis P. Driscoll, Precinct 3, it was moved to amend H22 by an increase of $2,100 so that H22 will read $23,730. This motion was voted in the negative. ARTICLE 19 On motion of Willard J. Burditt, it was voted to amend line item H16 by adding $16,768 to Public Works Non- Personal expenses, and to reduce item C3, FinCom Reserve Fund, by that amount. 39 ARTICLE 19 On motion of Richard H. Coco, it was voted that the Town approve and appropriate the Proposed FY1994 Budget as presented for line item I-1 (Salary Adjustment Fund). Funds are to be provided from Property taxes, State aid, and non-property tax local receipts: ARTICLE 19 On motion of Richard H. Coco, it was voted that the Town approve and appropriate $15,580,970 for line item J1 (School Department). Funds are to be provided as follows: Line J1 Property taxes, State aid, and non-property tax local receipts. Matthew Cummings, Precinct 8 and Chairman of the School Com- mittee, spoke to this motion. ARTICLE 19 On motion of Richard Coco, it was voted that the Town approve and appropriate $117,915 for line item J2 (Northeast Regional Vocational School District Assessment). Funds are to be provided as follows: Line J2 Property taxes, State aid, and non-property tax local receipts. ARTICLE 19 On motion of Richard H. Coco, Chairman of the Finance Committee, it was voted to approve and appropriate the Proposed FY1994 Budget as presented for line item K1 (Debt Service). Funds are to be provided as follows: Line K1 Property taxes, State aid, and non-property tax local receipts. ARTICLE 19 On motion of Richard H. Coco, Chairman of the Finance Committee, it was voted to approve and appropriate the Proposed FY1994 Budget as presented for line items Ll through L7 (Employee Benefits). Funds are to be provided as follows: Line L1 $38,000 from Overlay Surplus with the remainder of Lines L1 - L7 Property taxes, State aid, and non-property tax local receipts. ARTICLE 19 On motion of Richard H. Coco, Chairman of the Finance Committee, it was voted to approve and appropriate the Proposed FY1994 Budget as presented for line items M1 through M4 (Water Department). Funds are to be provided as follows: Line M1 $229,184 from Water Surplus r 40 with the remainder of Lines M1 -_M4 Property taxes, State aid, and non-property tax local receipts. ARTICLE 19 On motion of Richard H. Coco, Chairman of the Finance Committee, it was voted to approve and appropriate the Proposed FY1994 Budget as presented for line items Nl through N5 (Water Department). Funds are to be provided as follows: Line N1 $47,433 from Sewer Surplus with the remainder of Lines N1 - N5 Property taxes, State aid, and non-property tax local receipts. ARTICLE 19 On motion of Richard H. Coco, Chairman of the Finance Committee, it was voted to appropriate for the Proposed FY1994 Budget exclusive of previous years snow/ice, the sum of Thirty-Six Million Four Hundred Sixty-Two Thousand Three Hundred Thirty-Seven ($36,462,337) Dollars, representing the total of all previously made motions under Article 19 of the 1993 Annual Town Meeting Warrant as amended; funds are to be provided as set forth in said previously made motions. ARTICLE 20 On motion of Eugene R. Nigro, it was voted that the subject matter of Article 20 be indefinitely postponed. ARTICLE 3 On motion of Daniel A. Ensminger, the'subject mat- ter of Article 3 was removed from the table. ARTICLE 3 William C. Brown, Precinct 8, moved that the Board of Selectmen and/or the Bylaw Committee take all actions neces- sary to provide within the Town Bylaws or the Home Rule Charter a local initiative procedure for an underride of Proposition 2 1/2. This motion was voted in the negative. ARTICLE 3 On motion of Daniel A. Ensminger, the subject mat- ter of Article 3 was placed on the table. POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEDGE Anthony L. Rickley, Precinct 2, offered comments and thanks to the Town employees for their recent efforts in conducting large brush pick-up following March storms. Town Meeting agreed with a large round of applause. Article 2 was left on the table. 41 On motion of Daniel A. Ensminger, at 10:40 p.m. it was voted that this Adjourned Annual Town Meeting stand adjourned sine die. -i 161 Town Meeting members present. I I A true copy. Attest: therine A. Quimby Town Clerk 42 ARTICLE 7 FY 1993 FY 1993 Budget Decreases Budget Increases Use of Available Funds Accountant: Casualty insurance: A - 1 Personal services 1,519 D -12 Non-personal expenses Conservation: Recreation: B - 1 Personal services 353 E - 8 Personal services B-2 Conservation trust fund 3,700 Public works administration: Building inspector: H - 8 Personal services B - 8 Personal services 999 Parks and forestry: Community development: H -17 Personal services B -10 Personal services 1,158 L - 3 Unemployment benefits B -11 Non-personal expenses 450 L - 4 Group health and life Board of assessors: insurance C - 5 Personal services 1,198 Personnel: Reimbusement deposit BC I BS C -11 Non-personal expenses 6,000 Finance: School transportation fee C -12 Personal services 5,296 Selectmen: C - 3 Reserve fund D - 1 Non-personal expenses 300 Manager: Overlay surplus D - 2 Personal services 1,245 Law: Certified "free cash" D - 5 Non-personal exp - labor 3,000 D - 6 Non-personal exp - other 3,000 Clerk: D - 8 Personal services 622 Elder services: r E - 3 Personal services 1,269 Veterans: E - 5 Personal services 146 E-7 Non-personal expenses 100 E - 6 Aid 3,600 Library: F - 1 Personal services 7,389 Police: G - 1 Personal services 56,860 Fire: G - 6 Personal services 53,000 Dispatchers: G - 8 Personal services 2,705 Engineering: H - 4 Personal services 6,682 Highway & equipment maint: H -10 Personal services 8,519 Street lighting: H - 6 Non-personal expenses 7,925 Waste collection and disposal: H - 7 Non-personal expenses 169,525 Building maintenance: H - 1 Personal services 2,633 J - 1 School department: 7,460 K - 1 Debt service 357 L - 5 Social security 18,000 $ 375,010 10,000 6,400 21,185 8,700 15,000 18,000 83,700 7,460 12,000 77,000 115,565 Y 375,010 TOWN WARRANT (Seal) COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS Middlesex, ss. To any of the constables of the Town of Reading, Greetings: In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby required to notify and warn the inhabitants of the Town of Reading, qualified to vote on Town affairs, to meet at the Reading Memorial High School Auditorium, 62 Oakland Road in said Reading, on Monday, November 8, 1993, at seven-thirty o'clock in the evening, at which time and place the following articles are to be acted upon and determined exclusively by Town Meeting Members in accordance with the provisions of the Reading Home Rule Charter. ARTICLE 1 To hear and act on the reports of the Board of Selectmen, Town Accountant, Treasurer-Collector, Board of Assessors, Director of Public Works, Town Clerk, Tree Warden, Board of Health, School Committee, Contributory Retirement Board, Library Trustees, Municipal Light Board, Finance Committee, Cemetery Trustees, Community Planning & Development Commission, Town Manager and any other Boards or Special Committees. Board of Selectmen ARTICLE 2 To choose all other necessary Town Officers and Special Committees and determine what instructions shall be given Town Officers and Special Committees, and to see what sum the Town will raise by borrowing or transfer from available funds, or otherwise, and appropriate for the purpose of funding Town Officers and Special Committees to carry out the instructions given to them, or take any other action with respect thereto. Board of Selectmen ARTICLE 3 To sae if the Town will vote to amend the 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 4 To see if the Town will vote to amend one or more of the votes taken under Article 19 of the Warrant of the Annual Town Meeting of April 12, 1993, relating to the Fiscal Year 1994 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 5 To see whether the Town will vote to rescind part or all of the remaining bond authorizations made for the purpose of repairing or replacing sections of the roof of Reading Memorial High School pursuant to votes taken under Article 15 of the 1993 Annual Town Meeting Warrant and Article 5 of the 1992 Subsequent Town Meeting Warrant, or take any other action with respect thereto. Board of Selectmen ARTICLE 6 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 a sanitary sewer system and sewer facilities on portions of Larch Lane; such sum to be expended by and under the direction of the Board of Selectmen, or take any other action with respect thereto. Board of Selectmen ARTICLE 7 To see if the Town will vote to accept the provisions of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 41, Section 108L relating to a career incentive pay program for. police officers (commonly known as the Quinn Bill), or take any other action with respect thereto. Board of Selectmen ARTICLE 8 To see if the Town will vote to delete Section 5.11 of the General Bylaws of the Town.in its entirety and substitute the following therefor, or take any other action with respect thereto: "5.11 Noncriminal Disposition of Certain Violations of Bylaws and Rules and Regulations. 5.11.1 Pursuant to the authority of Section 21 D of Chapter 40 of the General Laws, the following matters may be disposed of by noncriminal disposition pursuant to the civil infraction procedure in Chapter 90G of the General Laws to which reference is made for all procedures to be followed in utilizing this bylaw. The applicable procedures in Chapter 90G are incorporated herein by reference. 5.11.1.1 any violation of an order of the board of health relating to public health which is authorized by the general laws, any special law applicable to the Town, the provisions of the state sanitary code or other state regulation, or any Town bylaw, rule or regulation; 5.11.1.2 any violation of an order of a Town official relating to public safety which is authorized by the general laws, any special law applicable to the Town, the provisions of the state sanitary code or other state regulation, or any Town bylaw, rule or regulation; 5.11.1.3 any violation of an order of a municipal fire official relating to public safety which is authorized by the general laws, any special law applicable to the Town, the provisions of the state fire prevention code or other state regulation, or any Town bylaw, rule or regulation; or 5.11.1.4 any violation of any other Town by-law or any rule or regulation of any Town officer, board or department. 5.11.2 The civil assessment for each such infraction shall be the lesser of the maximum sum established by the Town or Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00) unless some other amount is established by state statute. Any assessments collected under the provisions of this bylaw shall be paid to the Town for such use as the Town may direct. Board of Selectmen ARTICLE 9 To see if the Town will vote to amend Sections 5.1.6.3. and 5.7.16 of the General Bylaws of the Town by deleting the phrase "enforcing person" in all places where it appears in said sections and substituting therefor in each instance the phrase "enforcing official", or take any other action with respect thereto. Board of Selectmen ARTICLE 10 To see if the Town will vote to amend the General Bylaws of the Town of Reading, Section 5.5.4.1, by inserting.the phrase "Town Meeting," after the words "authorized by" so that Section 5.5.4.1 will read as follows, or take any other action with respect thereto: "5.5.4.1 No person shall gamble or keep, use or have in his possession any spiritous or intoxicating liquor in any building or room owned or occupied by the Town, except as otherwise authorized by Town Meeting, special statute or general laws." Board of Selectmen ARTICLE 11 To see if the Town will vote pursuant to Reading General Bylaws, Section 5.5.4.1., that the 350th Steering Committee is hereby authorized to serve beer and wine at the Grand Ball scheduled to be held at Hawkes Field House, June 3, 1994, or take any other action with respect thereto. Board of Selectmen ARTICLE 12 To see if the Town will vote to amend Section 4.10.1 of the Zoning By-laws of the Town of Reading by adding the following sentence to the description of a PRD-M district: "There may be included in a PRD-M Zoning Overlay District privately owned property which was not former municipally owned property provided that any such property can only be used for the purposes of providing access to, drainage control from or open space recreational uses for a contiguous parcel or parcels of property which otherwise complies in all respects for development as a PRD-M." - The description of a PRD-M in Section 4.10.1. shall then read as follows: "PRD-M: Planned Residential Development on current or former municipally owned properties. There may be included in a PRD-M Zoning Overlay District privately owned property which was not former municipally owned property provided that any, such property can only be used for the purposes of providing access to, drainage control from or open space recreational uses for a contiguous parcel or parcels of property which otherwise complies in all respects for development as a PRD-M." or take any other action with respect thereto. Board of Selectmen ARTICLE 13 To see if the Town will vote to amend the Reading Zoning Map to include within the Planned Residential Development PRD-M overlay district established under Article 13 of the Warrant for the 1989 Annual Town Meeting as the same was renamed by vote under Article 30 of the Warrant for the November, 1992 Subsequent Town Meeting, the land known as 168 Hopkins Street and shown as Plot 50 on Reading Board of Assessors' Map 13, Rev. Jan. 1, 1986, currently believed to be owned by Summit Towers Company, or take any other action with respect thereto. Board of Selectmen ARTICLE 14 To see if the Town will vote to amend the Reading Zoning Map by applying a General Planned Residential Development (PRD-G) overlay zoning district to the property known as 64 Bay State Road and shown as Plots 7, 8 and 9 on Reading Board of Assessors' Map 95, Rev. Jan. 1, 1983, currently believed to be owned by Robert Keegan, or take any other action with respect thereto. Community Planning and Development Commission ARTICLE 15 To see if the Town will vote to amend the Reading Zoning Map by applying a General Planned Residential Development (PRD-G) overlay zoning district to the property known as 59 Forest Street, and shown as Plot 15 on Reading Board of Assessors' Map 156, Rev. Jan. 1, 1981, currently believed to be owned by Vincent Bruzzese, or take any other action with respect thereto. Community Planning and Development Commission Community Planning and Development Commission ARTICLE 16 To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning Bylaws of the Town of Reading by deleting Section 6.2., "Signs," thereof in its entirety and by substituting in its place the following, or take any other action with respect thereto: Community Planning and Development Commission "6.2. SIGNS 6.2.1. General Provisions: 6.2.1.1. Purpose: The purpose of this section is: a. To encourage the effective use of signs as a means of communication in the Town, b. To maintain and enhance the quality of the physical and visual environment as essential components of the Town's character and identity and of the Town's ability to attract and retain appropriate economic activity, c. To improve traffic, pedestrian, and public safety, d. To minimize possible adverse affects of signs on nearby public and private properties, e. To enable fair, consistent, and effective enforcement of the provisions of Section 6.2. 6.2.1.2. Applicability: A sign may be erected, placed, established, painted, created, or maintained only in conformity with the provisions of this Section. 6.2.1.3. Definitions: For the purposes of Section 6.2., the following terms shall have the meanings hereby assigned to them: . a. Animated Sign: any sign that uses movement of change of lighting, either natural or artificial, to depict action or to create a special effect or scene. - b. Area Identification Sign: a sign, located at the site entrance(s), identifying a common area containing a group of structures, or a single structure containing several uses, such as a residential subdivision, apartment complex, or any commercial or residential complex developed under the provisions of the Municipal Building Reuse, Planned Unit Development (PUD) or Planned Residential Development (PRD) Sections (4.7., 4.9., or 4.10., respectively) of these By-Laws. C. Banner: any sign of lightweight fabric or similar material that is mounted or affixed at one or more edges, except that the Flags of the United States of America, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the Town of Reading shall not be considered to be banners. d. Beacon: a stationary or revolving light which flashes or projects illumination, single-color or multi-colored, in any manner which is intended to attract or divert attention, except any such fixture which is re quired by the Federal Aviation Administration or a similar agency and is installed and operated under the safety regulations of such agency. e. Building Marker: any sign, authorized by an agency of the Town of Reading, indicating the name of a building and date and incidental information about its construction, which is cut into a masonry surface or made of bronze or other permanent material. f. Building Sign: any sign attached to any part of a building (as contrasted with a free-standing sign). g. Bulletin Board: any sign erected by a charitable, educational, or religious institution or a public body, which is erected on the same property as said institution, for purposes of announcing events which are held on the premises, and contains no commercial information. h. Canopy (or Awning) Sign: any sign that is part of or attached to a retractable cloth awning or canopy over a door, entrance, window, or outdoor service area, but excluding a canopy or awning which is not retractable or made of any material but cloth, and excluding any other structural protective cover or marquee. L Changeable Copy Sign/Reader Board: a sign or portion thereof with characters, letters, or illustrations that can be changed or rearranged without altering the face or surface of the sign or signboard; a sign on which the message changes _ more than eight times per day shall be considered an animated sign and not a changeable copy sign; a sign on which the only copy that changes is an electronic or mechanical indication of time or temperature shall be considered a "time and temperature" portion of a sign and not a changeable copy sign. j. Commercial Message: any sign wording, logo, or other representation that directly or indirectly names, advertises, or calls attention to a business, product, service, sale, or sales event or other commercial activity. k. Directional Sign: a sign of a non-commercial nature which directs the reader to the location of a public, educational, or religious institution, of an historical structure or area, or of public parks or buildings. 1. Display Surface Area: The area contained in the smallest square, circle, triangle, or rectangle which completely encloses the outer extremities of all graphics, letters, characters, symbols, delineations, and any other graphic material of a sign, but not including any signboard, structural supports, or other construction or lighting fixtures of a sign. M. Erect: to build, construct, attach, hang, place, suspend, or affix, including the painting of wall signs. n. Externally Illuminated Sign: any sign which has characters, letters, figures, designs, symbols, logos, or outline lit by indirect illumination. o. Flashing Sign: an illuminated sign on which artificial or reflected light is not maintained stationary and constant in intensity and color at all times when in use. p. Free-Standing Sign: a sign which is attached to or part of a completely self-supporting structure; the supporting structure shall be set firmly in or below the ground surface and shall not be attached to any building or any other structure whether portable or stationary. q. GarageNard Sale Sign: a sign identifying a private sale of personal household goods with no commercial purposes. r. Height (Sign): the distance from the base of the sign at normal grade to the top of the highest attached component of the sign or sign structure; normal grade shall be construed to be the lower of (1) existing grade prior to construction, or (2) the newly established grade after construction, exclusive of any filling, berming, mounding, or excavating solely for the purpose of locating the sign; in cases in which the normal grade cannot be reasonably determined, sign height shall be computed on the assumption that the elevation of the nearest point of the crown of the public street along which the lot has frontage or the grade of the land at the principal entrance to the principal structure on the lot, whichever is lower. f s. Identification and Informational Sign: a sign of an identification or informational nature bearing no advertising. t. Illuminated, Direct: illumination which is so arranged that the light is directed from the light source into the eyes of the viewer. U_ Illuminated, Indirect: illumination which is so arranged that the light is reflected from the sign to the eyes of the viewer. V. Incidental Sign: a sign, generally informational, which containing no commercial information and which has a purpose incidental to the use of the lot on which it is located, such as "No Parking," "Entrance," "Loading Area," and other similar directives. W. Internally Illuminated Sign: any sign which has characters, letters, figures, designs, symbols, logos, or outline illuminated from within the interior of the sign. - X. Joint Indentification Sign: a sign which serves as common or collective identification for a group of persons or businesses operating on the same lot and which contains no advertising or promotional information. y. Mansard Roof: any roof which has an angle greater than forty-five degrees and which derives part of its support from the building wall and is attached to, but not necessarily part of, a low-slope roof, that is, a roof which has a pitch of less than 3" rise in 12" horizontal. Z. Marquee Sign: any sign attached to or made part of a marquee, that is, any permanent structure projecting beyond a building or extending along and projecting L I beyond the wall of a building, generally designed and constructed to shed water and to provide protection from the weather. - aa. Non-Conforming Sign: any sign existing at the effective dafe of the adoption of this Section and which could not be erected under the terms of this Section. bb. Off-Premises Sign: any sign which directs attention to a business, commodity, service, entertainment, attraction, or other commercial activity which is sold, offered, or existing elsewhere than upon the same lot on which such sign is located, including any outdoor advertising sign ("billboard") on which space is leased or rented for the purpose of conveying a commercial or noncommercial message. cc. Outdoor Menu Board: an outdoor sign, generally associated with restaurants with drive-through windows, which gives a detailed list of foods available. dd. Pennant: any lightweight fabric, plastic, or othermaterial, whether containing any message or not or whether single or in series, suspended from a rope, wire, or string, designed to move in the wind. ee. Person: any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company, or organization, singular or plural, of any kind. ff. Political Sign: any sign of any type identifying the candidacy of a person for an elected political office or matter subject to a ballot question or soliciting votes for same. gg. Portable Sign: any sign not permanently attached to the ground or any permanent structure, or a sign designed to be transported in any way including: -signs converted to "A" or "T" frames; -menu and sandwich-board signs; -balloons or blimps used as signs; -movable poster or panel signs; -umbrellas containing any commercial message; or -signs attached to or painted on vehicles travelling or parked on, or visible from, any public right-of-way, unless such vehicle is used in the normal day-to-day operation of a business. hh. Projecting Sign: any sign that is affixed perpendicularly or at any angle to the wall of any building in such a manner as to read perpendicularly or at an angle to the wall on which it is mounted. ii. Public Event: any event that is authorized by the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Reading, whether privately or publicly funded. B. Real Estate Sign: a temporary sign placed upon property for the purpose of advertising to the public the sale, rental, or lease of such property. kk. Residential Sign: any sign which is located in a residential zoning district and which only identifies an occupant engaged in a non-residential use which is allowed by these By-Laws. 11. Roof Sign: any sign erected on or over the roof of a building, supported by the wall or roof structure and extending above the ridge line of the roof. mm. Setback: the distance from the property line to the nearest part of the applicable building, structure, or sign, measured perpendicularly to said property line. nn. Sign: any device, frame, letter, figure, character, mark, plane, point, design, picture, logo, stroke, stripe, trademark, reading matter, or other structure, fixture, or graphic, which is used or intended to be used to attract attention or to convey information when placed in view of the general public. oo. Sign Area: the area contained entirely within the signboard (see definition pp. below) of a sign or if no signboard is present the area contained entirely within the display surface area (see definition I. above) of a sign. pp. Signboard: a flat surface of durable material upon which letters, characters, symbols, dilineations, or other graphic content of a sign is displayed, qq. Spot Light Illumination: illumination which comes from lamps, lenses, or devices designed to focus or concentrate the light rays of the source. rr. Suspended Sign: a sign that is suspended from the underside of a horizontal surface and is supported or carried by such surface. ss. Temporary Sign: any sign which is used temporarily, relates to events of a temporary nature, or is not permanently mounted. tt. Wall Sign: any sign that is affixed parallel to a wall or printed or painted on the wall of any building in such a manner as to read parallel to the wall on which it is mounted, including any sign affixed vertically against or upon the sloping surface of a roof, or any sign affixed to a marquee, awning, or canopy. uu. Window Sign: any sign, pictures, symbol, or other graphic device, singly or in combination, placed inside a window or upon a window. 6.2.2. General Provisions: 6.2.2.1. Signs Allowed on Private Property Without Permits: No commercial messages are allowed on any sign for which a permit is not required. An identification sign showing the name or address of a building is allowed, provided that it shall not exceed one square foot in area and is attached to the referenced building or placed on a post provided that the total height of such sign and post does not exceed six feet. A sign showing a personal message, such as the announcement of births, anniversaries, birthdays, yards-of-the-month, recycler-of-th e-m o nth, are allowed provided that it shall not exceed four square feet or be displayed for more than 14 days. Flags of the United States, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, or the Town of Reading are allowed to be displayed in a non-commercial manner, provided that they are displayed only in accordance with the protocol established by the Congress of the United States for the Stars and Stripes, or by the State Legislature, or by the Board of Selectmen; any flag otherwise displayed or any other flag displayed on a non-residential lot shall be construed to be a banner. 6.2.2.2. Private Signs on Public Property: Any private sign installed or placed on public property, except by express permission of the Town, shall be confiscated by the Town, which in addition to other remedies, shall have the right to recover from the sign owner or person placing the sign the full costs or removal and disposal of the sign. 6.2.2.3. Removal of Defunct Signs: In the event a business, other than a seasonal business, ceases operations for a period of time in excess of thirty days, the sign owner or lessee, or the property owner, shall immediately remove any identification or advertising of said business or any product or service sold thereby. If the sign conforms to the provisions of this Section; and if a permit has been requested within said thirty-day period for altering the same sign in conformity with this Section to identify a new business in the same location, such alteration shall be allowed. Upon failure of the sign owner or lessee, or property owner to comply with this Section, the Building Inspector shall issue a written notice to the property owner which shall order such sign to be removed within 10 days. If the property owner fails to comply with such notice, then the Building Inspector is hereby authorized to cause removal of such sign, and any expense related to such removal shall be charged to the property owner and shall constitute a lien on the property; for these purposes removal shall mean that the sign face, along with posts, columns, supports, and supporting structures shall be taken down and removed from the property. 6.2.2.4. Non-Conforming Signs: All non-conforming signs not otherwise prohibited by the provisions of this Section shall be removed or shall be altered so as to conform with said provisions as follows, whichever occurs sooner: a. When the nature of the business changes and the sign is changed or modified in shape, size, or legend; or b. When the name of the business changes and the sign is changed or modified in shape, size, or legend; or c. July 1, 2000 for any free-standing sign which is over 16 feet in height or which has not been reduced to 16 feet in height or less; or d. July 1, 2000 for any internally illuminated sign which does not have an opaque background; or e. July 1, 2000 for any sign which is in excess of the number of signs allowed per business or per lot; or f. July 1, 2005 for any non-conforming sign which had an original installed cost of $10,000 or less; or g. July 1, 2010 for any other non-conforming sign. A non-conforming sign may not be enlarged or altered in any way which would increase its non-conformity. Should any non-conforming sign be damaged by any means to an extent of more than fifty percent of its replacement cost at the time of damage, it shall not be reconstructed except in conformity with the provisions of this Section. 6.2.2.5. Traffic Safety: No sign or other advertising structure regulated by this Section shall be erected or continued to be displayed at the intersection of any street or public right-of-way in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision to motorists or pedestrians; or at any location where by reason of position, shape, or color it may interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal, or device; or which makes use of the words "STOP", "LOOK", "DANGER", "DRIVE-IN", or any other word, phrase, symbol, or character in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead, or confuse motorists or pedestrians. 6.2.2.6. Signs in Any Zoning District: No sign shall be placed or painted on any tree (other than street address), rock (other than street address), utility pole (other than yard sale sign), traffic safety sign, or similar fixture. No sign shall be painted on any building wall, bench, pavement, , parking bumper or curb (other than a "Reserved" marking), or other similar outdoor surface. No sign or other advertising device shall be erected or continued in operation which contains a beacon of any type; which contains a spot light providing direct illumination to the public; which flashes, revolves, rotates, moves, blinks, or is animated; or which fluctuates in light intensity. No neon or similar signs are allowed except as displayed on the inside of windows subject to the provisions of Paragraph 6.2.4.f. No animated signs, banners (except as a temporary sign as specified in Paragraph 6.2.4. 1 below), beacons, internally illuminated signs without opaque background, flashing signs, off-premises signs, pennants, portable signs, political signs, roof signs extending above the parapet or ridgeline of a structure, or strings of lights not permanently mounted to a rigid background, of any type, shall be allowed in any location in the Town of Reading. No wall sign, free-standing sign, or projecting sign shall be located on any portion of a lot except on a building wall directly facing a public street, or within that portion of a zoning lot defined in Paragraph 2.2.34.1 hereof as a Front Yard, or within a that portion defined in Paragraph 2.2.34.3. hereof as a Side Yard provided that such Side Yard directly abuts a public street. No sign shall be permitted or allowed to remain which does not meet and is not maintained to meet the provisions of this Section and all applicable building, wiring, health, and safety codes. The following signs are exempt from the provisions of this Section and may be installed without permit: a. Authorized signs installed by the Town of Reading or the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, or any agency thereof, or with the express written permission thereof, for the purposes of traffic or pedestrian safety or convenience, identification of public facilities or streets, or for direction to same. b. Building markers. C. Directional signs. d. Political signs on private properties only, provided that no such sign shall exceed six square feet in area, shall be placed in such location as to constitute a traffic or pedestrian safety hazard, and shall be displayed for more than twenty-one days prior to the appropriate election or more than two days following such election. 6.2.3. Signs in Residential Districts: No signs are allowed in Residential Zoning Districts A-40, A-80, S-10, S-20, or S-40 except as follows and for only those uses which are legally allowed to take place in these Zoning Districts. No sign in any Residential Zoning District, except idenification signs showing street address or signs allowed in Paragraph 6.2.3.6., shall be illuminated in any manner or placed closer than twenty feet to any other property. Decorative non-commercial banners or flags displayed on residential lots shall not be construed as signs for purposes of this By-Law. Except for signs in connection with any legal non-conforming business or commercial operation in a Residential Zoning District, the following signs are exempt from any requirement to obtain a sign permit therefor, but this exemption shall not be construed as relieving any property owner of responsibility for complying with the following provisions: 6.2.3.1. Identification Signs: One identification sign may be placed on a property showing resident's name, street address and/or name of a lawful home occupation taking place on the premises, provided that such sign shall not exceed one square foot in area, and six feet in height if mounted on a post or not higher than the sill of the second-floor windows if mounted on a building. 6.2.3.2. Construction Signs: On-site building construction signs, including home improvement signs, are not restricted as to number but they shall not exceed a total, combined, aggregate sign area of sixteen square feet per lot. All such signs shall be free-standing, all on one post, neatly and legibly lettered. All such signs.shall be removed prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy for the building or completion of construction.. 6.2.3.3. Subdivision Signs: One temporary subdivision identification and sales sign, not to exceed forty-eight square feet, may be erected at the principal entrance to a subdivision but not in any street right-of-way or access easement, provided that such sign be specified and included in the approval of the Definitive Plan for the subdivision by the Community Planning and Development Commission under the Rules and Regulations Governing the Subdivision of Land in Reading. Such sign shall be removed prior to the issuance of the occupancy permit for the last house to be constructed in the subdivision. One permanent subdivision sign may be erected at the principal entrance to the subdivision, provided that it be specified and included in the approval of the Definitive Plan for the subdivision as outlined above, and that it shall be placed in an acceptable easement, not within any street right-of-way or access easement, authorized for such sign and that its sign area not exceed twenty-four square feet. 6.2.3.4. Real Estate Sales Signs: One sign advertising the sale of property may be placed on that property, provided that it shall be mounted on a free-standing post, that its height shall be not greater than six feet, that its size shall be not more than eight square feet, and that it be removed within fourteen days following the transfer of the property. Placards showing the words "Sold" or "Sale Pending" or similar may be attached to such real estate sales sign provided that such placard shall not exceed one-quarter the size of the sales sign. Temporary Open House signs, not exceeding four square feet each, may be placed at a rate of one per agency per intersection per property and one on the open house property, for a period from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM on the day of the open house only, provided that no more than four directional open house signs may be placed for any one open house on any one day. Failure to remove such signs by the time prescribed above will cause a fine to be levied upon the principal broker(s) conducting the open house at the current rate levied for an initial zoning violation per day per sign left remaining; chronic violation of these provisions, that is a minimum of four such violations by the same agency over any six-month period, shall result in a suspension of that agency's right to post any such open house signs for -a period of one year; violation of such suspension shall be a misdemeanor charged upon the principal broker(s) of said agency punishable by a fine equal to the maximum fine currently in effect for zoning violation per day per sign in violation, and shall result in such violation being reported to the appropriate State agency regulating real estate brokerage. 6.2.3.5. GarageNard Sale Signs: Such signs shall not be of a size in excess of four square feet, shall be placed on a single post, shall be limited to one sign located on the property on which the garage/yard sale is taking place and one at each of no more than two intersections of public streets, shall be located within street rights-of-way so as not to obstruct clear traffic and pedestrian visibility or movement or to interfere with the safety of traffic entering or leaving any private property, and shall be erected no earlier than 6:00 PM on the day before the sale and shall be removed not later than one hour after the end of the sale or by 6:00 PM on the day of the sale, whichever occurs earlier. 6.2.3.6. Business or Commercial Operations in Residential Zoning Districts: Legal non-conforming business or commercial operations in any Residential Zoning District shall be allowed such signs as are permitted, as specified below, within a Business-B Zoning District, except that such signs shall be located not closer than twenty feet from any other property and shall not be illuminated except during hours of operation only. 6.2.3.7. Planned Residential Developments: In connection with any Special Permit to Construct a Planned Residential Development (PRD) granted in accordance with Section.4.10. hereof, the Community Planning and Development Commission may allow modifications to any provision of this Section which is not inconsistent with the Purposes of this Section as specified in Subsection 6.2.1.1. 6.2.3.8. Exempt Signs in Residential Zoning Districts: The following signs in Residential Zoning Districts are exempt from the provisions of this Section: a. Signs for churches and other Federally tax-exempt institutions. b. Public notices and warnings required by and erected by Town, State, or Federal Government agencies. C. Holiday lights and decorations which contain no commercial messages and which are displayed during the appropriate season. d. Works of art which contain no commercial messages. e. Traffic control signs on public or private property which meet Town or Department of Highways standards and which contain no commercial messages. f. Fuel pump information signs, only as required by State law, are allowed and shall not affect the computation of allowable number of signs or aggregate sign size on a property. g. Any sign within a structure, not attached to any window or door, which is not visible from other properties or from any street right-of-way. 6.2.4. Signs in Business and Industrial Zoning Districts: All signs in a Business-A, Business-B, Business-C, or Industrial Zoning District shall comply with the following: a. No sign shall be erected, altered, or otherwise placed on any non-residential property in such business zoning districts unless a sign permit therefor has been properly issued by the Town of Reading, except as follows: (1) Signs for churches and other Federally tax-exempt institutions. (2) Public notices and warnings required by and erected by Town, State, or Federal Government agencies. (3) Holiday lights and decorations which contain no commercial messages and which are displayed during the appropriate season. - (4) Works of art which contain no commercial messages. (5) Any sign within a structure, not attached to any window or door, which is not visible from other properties or from any street right-of-way. b. No use which is not legally allowed to take place in the Zoning District shall be granted a sign permit. c. Signs in connection with legal non-conforming residential uses in these districts shall comply with the provisions, and be subject to the exemptions allowed, in Subsection 6.2.3. above. d. Awnings and canopies are permitted, provided that a minimum clearance of seven feet is maintained between the lowest point thereof and the ground or sidewalk height and provided that they are not illuminated in such a way that the light from such illumination is visible through the canopy or awning. Awnings.,or canopies may not contain any lettering or other graphic devise so as to constitute a sign unless such awning or canopy is retractable and made of opaque cloth and unless the lettering thereon does not exceed 4 inches in height and states only the name of the business; such awning or canopy signs are allowed in addtion to other allowed signs. e. Bulletin boards are allowed, provided that no free-standing or wall-mounted bulletin board may exceed twelve square feet in size. f. Temporary and permanent signs are allowed to be attached to the inside or outside of the glass surface of a window, subject to the following: (1) The aggregate total sign area of all permanent and temporary signs attached to a window shall not exceed 25 percent of the transparent area of the window; (2) Permanent signs shall be of a durable material, such as woad, metal, plastic, neon tubes, decals, or paint, and shall be displayed only on the interior side of the surface of a window and door, provided that no lettering or symbol contained in such sign shall exceed six inches in height and that only the name of the establishment and the type of goods or services it offers shall be displayed or may state "OPEN"; no such sign shall be internally illuminated except for those of neon tubes and these shall not be illuminated except during hours of operation of the business; (3) Temporary signs of one square foot or less may be displayed without permit on the interior surface of a window with no restriction on material, duration, or number, provided that any such sign is directly related to a product displayed in the immediate vicinity of the sign, or is a menu identifying food which may be consumed on the premises, and that the aggregate sign area of all such signs is included in the limitation specified in Paragraph 6.2.4.f (1) above; (4) Temporary signs of one square foot or less may be displayed without permit and without restriction on material or number in direct connection with goods offered on outside tables, bins, or racks during a sidewalk sale in the Business-B Zoning District; (5) Temporary signs placed on the exterior surface of a window are subject to the provisions of Paragraphs 6.2.4.f (1) above and 6.2.4.1 below. g. Fuel pump information signs, only as required by State law, are allowed and shall not affect the computation of allowable number of signs or aggregate sign size on a property. h. Directional, identification, and informational signs are allowed provided that such signs shall be limited to wall and free-standing signs with a maximum of four square feet of sign area. One such sign, not exceeding six feet in height, may be placed at each vehicular entrance or exit on a lot to identify such entrance or exit provided such sign does not constitute a traffic hazard; such signs shall not affect the computation of allowable number of signs or aggregate sign size on a property. One such sign, not exceeding six feet in height and four square feet of sign area, may be placed in conjunction with each drive-up bank teller window or machine provided that such sign shall not constitute a traffic hazard. L Marquee signs are prohibited except when used in conjunction with an indoor movie theatre and attached to the outside wall of the building, provided that the size of the marquee sign shall not exceed twenty-four square feet and the bottom of the marquee sign shall not be of a height of less than 8 feet above the grade directly below. j. Outdoor menu boards are prohibited except when used in conjunction with a restaurant having a drive-up window, provided that there be not more than three such signs with an aggregate total sign area not to exceed one hundred square feet, no one sign to exceed fifty square feet, and that any lettering thereon shall not legible from any other property or any street right-of-way, shall be allowed per restaurant. k. - Area identification signs are prohibited unless the size of the sign and the location of the wall or other structure upon which such sign is to be mounted are approved by the Building Inspector, or in the case of Site Plan Review (Section 4.3.3.) by the Community Planning and Development Commission, based on traffic and pedestrian safety considerations; unless the size of the sign does not exceed twenty-four square feet and the height of the sign does not exceed six feet; and unless the sign has been granted a Certificate of Appropriateness as specified in Subsection 6.2.6. below. 1. Temporary signs only for business openings and reopenings, open houses, and special sales and promotional events for an individual business, are allowed, provided that the individual business shall place no more than three such signs per year (except in conjunction with an organized Town-wide common special event as specified below), that no such sign shall exceed sixteen square feet in sign area, that any such sign shall be printed or legibly lettered on a rigid signboard or fabric banner, that no such sign shall be a portable sign, that no such sign shall be displayed for more than fourteen consecutive days, that no such sign shall be placed so as to constitute a hazard to motorists or pedestrians, that if placed upon a window any such sign shall be included in the aggregate window area specified in Paragraph 6.2.4.f above, and that any such sign shall have received a temporary sign permit from the Building Inspector. In the case only of common special events organized by a recognized association of businesses for which events a license has been granted by the Board of Selectmen, an individual participating business may display a temporary sign in conjunction with such an event, provided that such signs related to said events shall not exceed three per year and that all other provisions enumerated above in this Paragraph are complied with. M. Farm Stands -and Garden Stands which do not have permanent windows shall be allowed without permit and without limitation as to number or material to display temporary signs identifying goods offered for sale on the premises, provided that such signs are kept in good order and that the aggregate total sign area of all such signs on a lot shall not exceed one square-foot per lineal feet of frontage of such lot. n. Clocks, not to exceed eight square feet in surface area per side or twelve feet in height, are allowed, provided that they display no advertising or commercial material. Time and Temperature displays may be included in any free-standing or wall sign, and no more than twelve additional square feet of sign area may be added to the otherwise allowable sign area of such sign. 6.2.4.1. Signs in Business-A Zoning Districts: No signs are permitted in any Business-A Zoning District except as follows: a. Changeable Copy/Reader Board signs of any kind shall not be permitted. b. No roof signs of any kind shall be permitted. C. Free-Standing Signs: No free-standing sign shall be permitted which does not conform to the following: (1) Number: Not more than one free-standing sign shall be permitted for any lot; no free-standing sign shall have more than two sign faces. (2) Placement: No wall sign may be located such that any portion of the sign is closer to a street right-of-way or any other property than twenty feet. (3) Size: No free-standing sign shall have a sign area greater than forty-eight square feet if one business occupies the lot or sixty-four square feet if more than one business occupies the lot. (4) Height: No free-standing sign shall have a height of more than sixteen feet. d. Wall signs: No wall sign shall be permitted which does not conform to the following: (1) Number: Not more than one wall sign per business shall be permitted on any lot. (2) Placement: No wall sign shall project more than six inches beyond the vertical plane of the wall on which the sign is mounted. No wall sign shall be mounted in any angle but the vertical (that is, parallel to the plane of the wall). (3) Size: No wall sign for any non-residential establishment shall exceed in sign area the square footage established as follows: If the minimum distance from the building wall on which the sign is mounted is less than 100 feet from the centerline of the street which the sign faces, then the maximum size of any such wall sign shall be equal to two square feet per length of said wall occupied by the establishment to which such sign relates. If the minimum distance from the building wall on which the sign is mounted is more than 100 feet from the centerline of the street which the sign faces, then the maximum size of any such wall sign shall be equal to four square feet per length of said wall occupied by the establishment to which such sign relates. (4) Height: No portion of any wall sign shall extend higher than the bottom of the sills of the windows of the second floor of a building or higher than the lowest portion of the eaves of any building, or in-the case of a gabled one-story wall no higher than a line equal in height to the lowest portion of the lower eave of any adjacent wall perpendicular thereto, whichever of the above is lowest. e. Projecting Signs: No projecting sign shall be permitted which does not conform to the following: (1) Number: Not more than one projecting size per business shall be permitted on any lot. (2) Placement and Attachment: No portion of any projecting sign shall extend farther than four feet from the surface of the building wall to which the sign is attached; no projecting sign shall be placed at any angle to a building other than at 90 degrees; no exposed guy wires or turnbuckles shall be allowed. (3) Size: No projecting sign shall exceed eight square feet in sign area. (4) Height: No portion of any projecting sign shall be lower than 10 feet above the ground or pavement level immediately beneath it, and no portion of any projecting sign shall be located higher than the height limits specified for wall signs as specified in Paragraph 6.2.4.2.d.(4) above. f. Signs for properties containing only one establishment: A lot which contains not more than one establishment shall be allowed one free-standing sign or one wall sign or one projecting sign only. The street address number of the property shall be prominently displayed on such sign, and the'sign shall in all respects conform to the above requirements. g. Signs for properties containing more than one establishment: A lot which contains more than one establishment shall be allowed a maximum of the following signs, all of which shall in every respect conform to the requirements of this Section: (1) One free-standing sign identifying the property, and (2) One wall or projecting sign per business occupying the ground floor and front wall of the building, provided that a lot may contain only wall or only projecting signs, and (3) One joint identification sign listing the names and logos of the establishments on the premises but containing no other advertising matter, mounted either on an appropriate building wall or on two posts, provided that such joint identification sign shall not exceed sixteen square feet in sign area, shall not exceed eight feet in height, and shall not be located within a front, side, or rear yard as required in Subsection 5.1.2. hereof. (4) Either the allowed free-standing sign or, if no free-standing sign is used, then at least one wall or projecting sign, shall prominently display the street address number of the property. 6.2.4.2. Signs in Business-B Zoning Districts: No signs are permitted in any Business-B Zoning District except as follows: a. A Certificate of Appropriateness for such sign is granted by proper Town authority prior to the issuance of a Sign Permit. b. Changeable Copy/Reader Board signs of any kind shall not be permitted. C. No roof signs of any kind shall be permitted. d. No free-standing signs of any kind shall be permitted. e. Wall signs: No wall sign shall be permitted which does not conform to the following: (1) Number: Not more than one wall sign per business shall be permitted on any lot. (2) Placement: No wall sign shall project more than six inches beyond the vertical plane of the wall on which the sign is mounted. No wall sign shall be mounted in any angle but the vertical (that is, parallel to the plane of the wall). (3) Size: No wall sign for any non-residential establishment shall exceed a sign area equal to two square feet per lineal footage of length of building front occupied by the establishment to which such sign relates. (4) Height: No portion of any wall sign shall extend higher than the bottom of the sills of the windows of the second floor of a building or higher than the lowest portion of the eaves of any building, or in the case of a gabled one-story wall no higher than a line equal in height to the lowest portion of the lower eave of any adjacent wall perpendicular thereto, whichever of the above is lowest. f. Projecting Signs: No projecting sign shall be permitted which does not - conform to the following: (1) Number: Not more than one projecting size per business shall be permitted on any lot. (2) Placement and Attachment: No portion of any projecting sign shall extend farther than four feet from the surface of the building wall to which the sign is attached; no projecting sign shall be placed at any angle to a building other than at 90 degrees; no exposed guy wires or turnbuckles shall be allowed. (3) Size: No projecting sign shall exceed eight square feet in sign area. (4) Height: No portion of any projecting sign shall be lower than 10 feet above the ground or pavement level immediately beneath it, and no portion of any projecting sign shall be located higher than the height limits specified for wall signs as specified in Paragraph 6.2.4.2.d.(4). above. g. Mixture of Sign Types: No lot may contain a mixture of wall signs and projecting signs, but shall contain either all wall signs or all projecting signs. h. Signs for properties containing more than one establishment: A lot which contains more than one establishment shall be allowed a maximum of the following signs, all of which shall in every respect conform to the requirements of this Section: (1) One wall or projecting sign per business occupying the ground floor and front wall of the building, and (2) One joint identification sign listing the names and logos of the establishments on the premises but containing no other advertising matter, mounted on the building wall immediately adjacent to the door leading to such establishments, provided that such joint identification sign shall not exceed foursquare feet in sign area, shall not exceed eight feet in height, and shall not be located so as to project beyond the property line. (3) In addition to the signs allowed above, a building may contain one additional wall sign not to exceed four square feet in sign area and subject to the height limits specified for wall signs, provided that such sign shall only display the street address number of the property. i. Signs on Buildings Abutting a Side Street or a Public Off-Street Parking Lot: The provisions of Subsection 6.2.2.6. to the contrary notwithstanding, wall signs or projecting signs may be placed on the wall of a building which directly faces a side street or a public off-street parking lot as if such wall were front wall of the building or a side wall directly facing the public street providing principal frontage for the lot as specified in said Subsection, provided that the.sign area of any such sign shall not exceed half the sign area allowed.for a sign located on the principal frontage of such building. 6.2.4.3. Signs in Business-C Zoning Districts: No signs are permitted in any Business-C Zoning District except in accordance with the provisions of Subsection 6.2.4.1. hereof, provided, however, that in addition to those signs allowed in said Subsection, a wall sign consisting only of the name and corporate logo of the principal occupant of a building located within eighteen hundred feet of the centerline of an Interstate Highway may be displayed between the top course of windows and the parapet of such building provided that sign area not exceed fifty percent of the surface area described by the tops of such windows, the parapet, and the wall corners, that letters and logo contained in or constituting such sign shall not exceed eight feet in height,•that the lowest point of such sign shall not be closer than 48 feet above the ground immediately below, that such sign shall not be illuminated between the hours of 11:00 PM and sunrise, and that such sign shall be located on the building wall most directly facing said highway. 6.2.4.4. Signs in Industrial Zoning Districts: No signs are permitted in any Industrial Zoning District except in accordance with the provisions of Subsection 6.2.4.1. hereof, except that in connection with any Special Permit to Construct a Planned Unit Development (PUD) granted in accordance with Section 4.9. hereof, the Community Planning and Development Commission may: a. Allow modifications to any provision of this Section which is not inconsistent with the Purposes of this Section as specified in Subsection 6.2.1.1., and b. Allow one additional free-standing sign, not to exceed thirty-five feet in height or 144 square feet in sign area, in that portion of the PUD parcel's landscaped perimeter buffer area most closely adjacent to Route 128 but not closer than 500 feet from any other public street existing at the time of submission of a relevant Preliminary PUD Plan. In addition to the foregoing, a wall sign consisting only of the name and corporate logo of the principal occupant of a building located within eighteen hundred feet of the centerline of an Interstate Highway* may be displayed between the top course of windows and the parapet of such building provided that sign area not exceed fifty percent of the surface area described by the tops of such windows, the parapet, and the wall corners, that letters and logo contained in or constituting such sign shall not exceed eight feet in height, that the lowest point of such sign shall not be closer than 48 feet above the ground immediately below, that such sign shall not, be illuminated between the hours of 11:00 PM and sunrise, and that such sign shall be located on the building wall most directly facing said highway. 6.2.5. Review and Permit Procedures: For any sign requiring a permit under the provisions of this Section, the property owner, or authorized agent, tenant, or lessee thereof, shall obtain a sign permit prior to the construction, placement, erection, alteration, or modification of such sign on the owner's property. No signs shall be erected in a public right-of-way except in accordance with the provisions of this Section. No sign permit of any kind shall be issued for an existing or proposed sign unless such sign is consistent with all applicable provisions of this Section in every respect and with an approved Master Sign Plan in effect for the property of which such sign is or is proposed to be located. All applications for sign permits of any kind shall be submitted to the Building Inspector on an application form, or in accordance with application specifications, published by the Department of Community Development, with the following minimum information: a. Name, address, and telephone number of the applicant. b. Location of building, structure, or lot to or upon which the sign is to be placed. C. Position of the sign in relation to nearby buildings or structures, including dimensional data. d. Two blueprints or ink drawings of the plans with color designation, specifications, method of construction and attachment to the building or in the ground. e. Name of the person, firm, corporation, or association erecting the sign and/or sign structure. f. Written consent of the owner of the property, structure, or land to or upon which the sign is to be placed. All applications are to be accompanied by payment of such applicable fee as may from time to time be established by the Board of Selectmen. If any illumination is to be provided in connection with the sign, the above shall be accompanied by an application for a wiring permit. For temporary signs, only items a. and b. above need be supplied. For any proposed sign for which a Certificate of Appropriateness is required; or is in connection with a development which is subject to Site Plan Review or a PUD or PRD Special Permit, then the Building Inspector shall not accept an application for a sign permit therefor which is not accompanied by the applicable Certificate of Appropriateness or by the applicable notification of Site Plan; or Special Permit approval. No application shall be accepted by the Building Inspector which is not complete. If it is incomplete, the applicant shall be notified in accordance with the procedure established for such determinations relative to applications for building permits. Within thirty days of the submission of a complete application for a sign permit, the Building Inspector shall issue a permit only if the proposed sign is fully in compliance with the provisions of this Section. The Building Inspector shall inspect each sign during and after the sign work for which a permit has been issued. All signs shall be maintained by the owners in compliance with the provisions of this Section and with the requirements of all applicable Town and State Codes. If the Building Inspector shall find that any sign, its structure, or its surroundings is unsafe, a hazard to the public, unsanitary, offensive, unpresentable, abandoned, dilapidated, or otherwise in violation of this Section or any applicable code, the Building Inspector shall take enforcement action in accordance with Section 7.2 hereof or as specified in applicable codes. Upon failure of the sign owner or lessee, or property owner to comply with this Section, the.. Building Inspector shall issue a written notice to the property owner which shall order such sign to be removed within 10 days. If the property owner fails to comply with such notice, then the Building Inspector is hereby authorized to cause removal of such sign, and any expense related to such removal shall be charged to the property owner and shall constitute a lien on the property; for these purposes removal shall mean that the sign face, along with posts, columns, supports, and supporting structures shall be taken down and removed from the property. Upon failure of the sign owner or lessee, or property owner to comply with this Section, the Building Inspector shall issue a written notice to the property owner which shall order such sign to be removed within 10 days. If the property owner fails to comply with such notice, then the Building Inspector is hereby authorized to cause removal of such sign, and any expense related to such removal shall be charged to the property owner and shall constitute a lien on the property; for these purposes removal shall mean that the sign face, along with posts, columns, supports, and supporting structures shall be taken down and removed from the property. 6.2.6. Certificate of Appropriateness: No individual permanent sign shall be permitted on any lot within a Business-B Zoning District unless it shall have been granted a Certificate of Appropriateness by the Sign Review Board. For properties containing more than one business, a Certificate of Appropriateness may be applied for and issued concerning more than one sign. The five members of such board shall be appointed by the Board of Selectmen each for a three-year term in such a manner that the regular terms of no more than two members shall expire in the same year. At one of the members shall possess specific training or have exhibited special interest each in architecture, one other member in graphic design, and one other member in historic preservation; at least one member shall be a business owner or manager. The Board shall duly establish procedures for conducting its business, for receiving and reviewing applications for Certificates of Appropriateness, and for communicating issuance of same to the Building Inspector. The Board shall, in reviewing such applications, consider the design, arrangement, location, texture, materials, colors, lighting, and other visual characteristics of each proposed sign and its compatibility with its general surroundings with regard to the purposes outlined in Paragraph 6.2.1.1. If the Board shall refuse to issue a Certificate of Appropriateness for any proposed sign, it shall state in writing the reasons therefor, with suggestions as to how the proposed may be modified so as to be approved. If the Board shall fail either to issue or to refuse to issue a Certificate of Appropriateness within forty-five days of the date of application therefore, the Certificate shall be deemed to have been issued. Appeal from any decision of this Board may be made to the Community Planning and Development Commission within twenty days of such decision. In those cases where proposed signs are included as part of plans for approval under Site Plan Review (Section 4.3.3.) or PUD or PRD Special Permit review (Section 4.9. or 4.10., respectively), a Certificate of. Appropriateness separate from such approval shall not be required. 6.2.7. Severability: In the event that any provision of this Section shall be determined by a Court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining portion of this Section not manifestly inseparable from the invalid provisions shall continue in force. and you are directed to serve this Warrant by posting an attested copy thereof in at least three (3) public places in each precinct of the Town not less than fourteen (14) days prior to November 8, 1993, the date set for the meeting in said Warrant, and to publish this Warrant in a newspaper published in the Town, or by mailing an attested copy of said Warrant to each Town Meeting Member at least fourteen (14) days prior to the time of holding said meeting. Hereof fail not and make due return of this Warrant with your doings thereon to the Town Clerk at or before the time appointed for such meeting. Given under our hands this 5th day of October, 1993. A PYa ATTEST: Geor rell. Hin Eugene R. Nigro ~It_4i.. Sally M. noyt Willard J. Burditt Daniel A. Ensminger. d SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING FIRST BUSINESS SESSION Reading Memorial High School November 8, 1993 Moderator Paul C. Dustin, in conformance with Reading General Bylaws, called the Subsequent Town Meeting of November 8, 1993 to order at 7:32 p.m. In so far as there was no quorum of Town Meeting members present he, acting as Moderator, declared the meeting adjourned until immediately after the Special Town Meeting called for November 15, 1993 sine-dies. In addition to the Town Clerk, Town Meeting members George Hines, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen; Les and Irene York; Precinct 6 and Town Manager Peter I. Hechenbleikner were present. Meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m. A true copy. Attest: c . ~ ,t,,,sr,, 'J G~herine A. Quimby Town Clerk ADJOURNED SUBSEQUENT MEETING SECOND BUSINESS SESSION Reading Memorial High School November 18, 1993 The meeting was called to order by Moderator, Paul C. Dustin, at 10:40 p.m., there being a quorum present. On motion of George V. Hines, at 10:41 p.m., it was voted that this Adiourned Subsequent Town Meeting stand adjourned sine die. 148 Town Meeting members present. A true copy.,,' Attest: 1''Catherine A. Quimby Town Clerk