HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-11-08 Subsequent Town Meeting MinutesSUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING
FIRST BUSINESS SESSION
Reading Memorial High School November 8.1SB3,
Moderator Paul C. Dustin, in CoOfO0O8Doa with Reading General Bylaws, called the
Subsequent Town Meeting of November 8. 1S93to order od7:32p.rn. |nsu far as there was
OO qUunJ0 of Town Meeting members present he, acting as Moderator, declared the 08oUDg
adjourned until immediately after the Special Town Meeting called for November 15. 1993
sine-dies. In addition to the Town Clerk, Town Meeting 0enVba[a George Hines, Chairman of
the Board of Selectmen; Los and Irene York; Precinct 8 and Town Manager Peter |.
H8Chenb|8ikOe[ were present.
Meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
A true copy. Attest:
ADJOURNED SUBSEQUENT MEETING
SECOND BUSINESS SESSION
Reading Memorial High School
C.L'lm
Town Clerk
November 18, 1993
The meeting was called to order by Moderator, Paul C. Dustin, at1O:40pm, there being a
quorum present.
On motion of George V. Hines, at 10:41 p.m., it was voted that this Adiounned Subsequent
Town Meeting stand adjourned sine die.
148 Town Meeting members present.
A true copy. Attest:
`
1�2�Cath`=nn'e A. Quimby
Town Clerk
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING
FIRST BUSINESS SESSION
Reading Memorial High School November 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 Deacon Jack Fenton, Saint Agnes Church, followed by the
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
The warrant was partially read by the Town Clerk, Catherine A. Quimby, when on
motion of George V. Hines, 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.
ARTICLE 1 On motion of George V. Hines, Article 1 was moved and the
following report given:
I would like to report to Town Meeting on the active sale of Town -owned real estate
projects; Bear Hill, Pearl Street School and the Reading Business Park. First I would
like to offer some comments on sale of real estate in general. The commercial office
market is still very much in the doldrums. While the general economy is experiencing
slow recovery, the commercial real estate market, with a glut of existing office space
available at bargain rates, is much more resistant to new projects. It is important to
' remember that the parcels we are dealing with all have unique features which
complicate their sale. Furthermore in the current buyers' market negotiations are very
difficult. Getting the most dollars for your property requires creativity in negotiations
and the result can produce an agreement with elements that, taken alone and out of the
context of the agreement, may seem extraordinary but you have to create a winlwin
situation to achieve results. Having gone through the process I can tell you that despite
the challenges, we have negotiated very effectively, thanks in large measure to the
Town Manager. I ask that when evaluating the results of these negotiations and any
ancillary action requested of Town Meeting that you consider the elements of the
agreement within the context of the market and the whole agreement itself.
I can also assure Town Meeting that despite the drumbeat from certain quarters to sell,
we have not, nor will not let ourselves get stampeded into a bad deal. Nor will we let
the same drumbeat panic us into reneging on the best possible deal available. We
urge Town Meeting not to be stampeded or panicked by those who would attempt to
portray a distorted picture of a complete deal by isolating a single element.
Bear Hill
The previous agreement, which was negotiated at the height of the real estate boom,
fell apart when the proponent could not finance what had become an inflated price. As
a result of a new RFP a new creative proposal which addressed issues raised in the
' previous process and responding to the current market was proposed and negotiated
with Bear Hill Limited Partners. The result is a sale which provides an immediate
return, potential future return upon conversion to condominiums, and we still have the
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$50,000 from the previous failed transaction. The details of the sale are well
documented public record but the bottom line is a win /win situation for the Town where
the price increases if the developer does more for the Town.
Pearl Street School
Still under negotiations.
Current status
- few details to negotiate
- sides getting closer
- hope to finalize a deal shortly
PEARL STREET SCHOOL FACT SHEET
- April 1989, Town Meeting directed and authorized the sale of the Pearl
Street School building. Appraisal conducted.
- May 1989, Town Meeting asked that the building be sold for Senior
Citizen Housing.
- Constraints on the sale.
- limited market due to the drive for a specific use
- extraordinary costs associated with the building
- asbestos
Attempts to preserve some existing uses
- playfield
- dance school
- 1990, Town authorized RFP - no bidders
- Spring 1993, new RFP authorized. '
- Proposals received June 14, 1993. 2 proposals received, and 1 was
rejected as being non responsive to the RFP.
- Evaluation Committee formed 5- 11 -93. Met 4 times, and unanimously
recommended the proposal by Pearl Street Associates, a joint venture of
Longwood Management and World Development Corp.
- Currently negotiating P &S. Major features:
- Price offered of $487,500 is being negotiated;
- Town retains playfield;
- Current tenant (LaPierre School of Dance) will be able to stay at
least through lease of 6- 30 -97;
- Will try to provide some assistance to the Arts Association;
Use is 65 +/- units of elderly assisted housing, with 20% being
"affordable" units;
- Advantages to sale include:
Preservation of the building;
- Provision of affordable elderly housing;
- Low impact use in terms of traffice and services;
- Avoid $35,000 per year net operating costs of building;
- Avoid +/- $300,000 capital improvements needed for the building;
- Will realize cash from sale that can be spent in accordance with the
Town plan for capital improvements and funding unfunded pension '
liability;
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Will add to real estate tax levy capacity, putting this property back
on the tax rolls;
Will provide a community and neighborhood asset.
' Reading Business Park
This is the largest parcel in our inventory and the linchpin in the effort to broaden the
commercial lax base. The final divorce decree in the relationship with Homart
Development ended last spring closing another chapter in the continuing saga of this
parcel.
During the closing stages of that relationship the Board grappled with Homart's and
others' proposals to sell portions of the parcel for big box retail or other retail concepts.
Ultimately the Board decided that the retail concepts offered were not compatible with
the Town's long -term needs or goals. After substantial thought and dialogue it was the
Board's judgment that these land uses would detrimentally effect the downtown
business district, change in an undesirable way the character of the community, and be
counter productive to the goal of expanding the commercial tax base.
In July the Board and Town Manager formed a new Task Force to work on a revived
program to develop the site in a manner consistent with out long -term goals. The Task
Force is comprised of Selectmen, CPDC members, a representative of the Assessors,
the Town Manager, DPW Director, Community Development Director and other staff
members as needed. The Task Force also includes a couple of citizens with
experience in both town government and the commercial real estate market. Initially
the Task Force focused on compiling all available information on the parcel including all
engineering information compiled by Homart but not previously available to the Town.
We also engaged in dialogue on the best approach to developing the parcel including
keeping the parcel intact or dividing it up in sub parcels. While the feeling is that the
Board of Selectmen should make a policy decision on this question the Task Force is
forging ahead on marketing concepts, thus the development of the new name (Reading
Business Park) and the process of pre - permitting the parcel to streamline the process
for potential development. Staff and Task Force members are also continuing efforts at
networking with real estate contacts and various industry representatives. As part of
the process we will also be examining the need for further modification to the PRD
zoning bylaw.
The development horizons for this project are unpredictable but through the efforts of
the Task Force, with the support of the Board of Selectmen and Town Meeting, it will
eventually get done. I can assure you it will get done in a manner that is as thorough
and inclusive as the previous land sale projects.
ARTICLE 1 Peter I. Hechenbleikner, Town Manager, gave the following report
of progress on the Water Supply Protection Task Force.
The Water Supply Protection Task Force was formed May 6, 1993, by memo from the
' Town Manager, and includes the following: Community Development Director,
Conservation Administrator, Human Services Director, two Community Planning and
Development Commission members, two members of the Board of Health,
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Conservation Committee member, Fire Chief, Department of Public Works Director,
Water Treatment Plant Supervisor, member of the Board of Selectmen, Town Manager,
Water /Sewer Advisory Committee Member and two residents of the community who
came forward to assist.
The Task Force organized into 10 subcommittees: Public Land and Road '
Management; 1 -93 Containment; Underground Storage Tanks; Alternative Fuel Supply;
Land application of fertilizers', herbicides and pesticides; Hazardous materials; Earth
removal and filling; Land use; Septic Management; and Wellstwater supply.
Their findings to date are: (1) There are adequate regulatory provisions of UST's
without needing a local bylaw. (2) The Town has requested that Mass Highway design
and install some kind of containment system along 1 -93. (3) The Town will work with
our local gas supplier to extend gas supplies. (4) Appropriate application of lawn
herbicides, fertilizers and pesticides, public education, and perhaps regulation will be
needed. (5) We are identifying all households with septic systems, and are evaluating
the new state regulations related to septics. (6) We need to determine the feasibility of
extending sewer lines to areas that are unsewered. (7) The Zone 2 identification of the
wellfields needs to be identified. (8) We will map the location of all wells in Town.
ARTICLE 1 Richard H. Coco, Chairman of the Finance Committee, presented
the following report.
This evening I can report to Town Meeting that Reading is in good financial condition at
this mid -point through FY 1994 budget. The income and expenditure projections used
in preparing the FY 1994 budget have in general proved accurate and in some cases
,
conservative. Revenues from various sources continue to closely follow projections
and in some cases have even exceeded expectations by a small amount.
The approval of the 2 1/2 override at last year's annual town election has gone far in
providing Reading government with a very necessary and timely infusion of new
funding. Funding which has been carefully used to meet needs across all Town
Departments.
There have been no large budgetary surprises to date and while the burden of winter
snow removal and plowing remains a big unknown, at this mid -point in FY 1994, there
is some reason for optimism in describing the Town's financial health.
The budget process for Reading however is an evolutionary and continuous process.
Preparations for the FY 1995 budget have already begun. In early November the
budget committee made up of representatives from the Municipal and School
Administration, FINCOM and the Board of Selectmen held the first of several meetings
to begin the process of developing the FY 1995 budget. The major unknown that has
the potential for impacting the FY 1995 Budget and future budgets as well, is the
recently enacted Education Reform Bill. Both Reading's municipal and school
administrations are working closely with the state agencies empowered to administer
this legislation to better understand its long term implications for Reading.
'
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FINCOM continues to be actively involved in several committees formed to address
specific issues or concerns.
1 Two FINCOM members are assigned to the Audit Committee which was organized this
past July. The committee also includes in its membership the Town Treasurer, Town
Accountant, a member from the Board of Selectmen and a Reading citizen. The Audit
Committee's first action was to invite several firms to submit proposals for conducting
the annual financial audit of Reading.
After reviewing these proposals the committee recommended that Peat Marwick again
be retained as the Town's auditor for the next three years.
Peat Marwick recently completed their audit of FY 1993 and the Audit Committee will
meet with their representatives in late November to review their findings and
recommendations.
FINCOM was also asked to participate in the Tax Re- classification Committee created
by the Selectmen to study this issue. This committee held several meetings through
September and October gaining input from several sources before issuing a report to
the Selectmen.
Finally, the Capital Improvements Sub - committee of FINCOM working closely with the
Town Manager has completed the most extensive review and cataloging of Reading's
current capital equipment and facilities. The effort by this committee in visiting each
facility operated by Reading and reviewing present and future equipment needs has
been extensive and certainly more time consuming than originally envisioned when the
undertaking was started.
The committee is now in the process of preparing a long term capital improvement plan
for Reading which will be presented to FINCOM, the Selectmen and the School
Department early next year and ultimately to Town Meeting in the spring.
ARTICLE 1 Roger O. Sanstad, Chairman of the School Building Committee,
presented the following report of progress from the School Building Committee.
Birch Meadow
The fence is up, the construction trailers are in place, the trees are tagged. A Clerk of
the Works has been hired and is in place.
They should be digging for footings by the end of next week.
We are at present and should continue to be on schedule and we may be below
budget, thus a completion date of August 1994 looks good with a minimal disruption to
the educational process at the school.
The School Building Advisory Board has sanctioned as an approved site project
' Joshua Eaton .-
We should be ready for bid by January 1994 and a plan for design details is at present
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being worked on.
Parker Middle School Proms
We have so far looked at eight options. The School Building Committee is not satisfied ,
with the cost proposals as presently submitted and we continue to work with the
architect, school administration and staff of Parker to see if we can reduce the costs
without significant impairing the hoped for educational benefits of renovating Parker
Middle School.
ARTICLE 1 Robert J. Munnelly, Superintendent of Schools, presented the
following report on the Massachusetts Education Reform Act of 1993.
The new Massachusetts Education reform legislation which passed last June 18 is
grounded in the belief that substantive and important change will occur in schools
across the Commonwealth once the law takes place.
The new law calls for many things:
A definition of a Common Core of Learning, or a definition of what all students
should know by the time they graduate;
Increased funding for schools and the definition of a foundation budget which is
designed to bring about equity among school districts;
A redefinition of roles and responsbilities for school committees,
superintendents, and principals in order to allow schools to have more say in the '
programs that are developed;
Mandated site -based management for schools:
Increased teacher, parent, and community involvement through school councils;
The development of professional development plans for all principals, teachers,
and other professional staff;
Different hiring and firing procedures for teachers and principals presumably to
allow for greater ease in maintaining quality staffs;
The anticipated benefits include setting standards for students and schools; providing
more equity among schools; increasing school funding; providing avenues for more
involvement of teachers, parents, and community members with their individual
schools; requiring more control and accountability of schools; and developing
coordinated and consistent vision statements, missions, and goals for school districts
and their individual schools.
ARTICLE 1 Alan Foulds, Precinct 2 and Chairman of Reading's 350th
Anniversary Steering Committee, presented the following report. '
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With only 47 days until the start of our Town's anniversary year, I want to report that
things are going well.
We have written a pictorial history of the Town, which will be going to the publishers in
a matter of days. A very nice hardbound edition containing more than 400 photographs
and appropriate text, will be produced. Response has been tremendous. More than
500 copies have been sold, even before the presses roll.
We have commissioned a piece of symphonic music by internationally -known
composer, William Thomas McKinley. The music has been completed and the
"Reading Festival Overture" will be debuted by our symphony orchestra in the spring.
We have planned a two -week celebration to take place from May 29th to June 10th. As
I stated last spring, this will include opening ceremonies, illumination of the common, a
grand ball, Readingquest, parade, Jubileve, field day and fireworks.
A recent addition to our schedule is a patriotic music concert to be performed by the
"350th Anniversary Chorus."
Our fund raising events to date have been successful. Major businesses and
organizations in town such as M. F. Charles, the Antiquarian Society, Reading
Co-operative Bank, and the Rotary have come forward with generous donations. In
addition, recent fund raising activities such as our Walk -a -thon by Sandy Trainor, and
the Country Dance, organized by Ponny Wood and Fire Chief Don Wood, have added
thousands of dollars to the treasury. With the total cost of the celebration estimated at
' approximately $75 thousand, we will continue these efforts up until the opening
ceremonies.
In the past, the celebration committees have come to Town Meeting for funding. 100
years ago for the 250th, $4,000 was allocated. 50 years later only $1,000 was spent,
but that was during the darkest part of the Second World War - only a week before
D -Day, and consideration was given to cancelling the affair.
Tonight in Article 4 we will be asking for some funding. But we would like to keep our
request limited to public safety expenses. If you look favorably on our request, the
money that we raise can be used to offset the costs of staging events like the parade,
fireworks and Jubileve.
We want the observance to be appropriate, and to honor our community. It is hoped
that the souvenirs and memories generated by this celebration will stay with you, and
your children, forever.
ARTICLE 1 Philip B. Pacino, Chairman of the Reading Municipal Light
Commission, presented the following report.
This report is the State of the Reading Municipal Light Department or as nicknamed
'The World According to Your Local Utility."
With me tonight is Leonard Rucker, the General Manager of the Light Department, who
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is available to answer any technical questions any member of Town Meeting or the
public may have.
The good news that I continue to bring to Town Meeting is that the Reading Municipal
Light Department continues to be an outstanding utility for service to its ratepayers
while maintaining rates that are among the lowest of all municipally and privately owned
,
utilities in Massachusetts.
As the Commission and the Department look back over the last year and ahead to the
coming year we see accomplishments but we also see challenges.
Financially - The RMLD felt the effects of the recession in 1991 and 1992. We
prepared our 1993 budget on the assumption that electricity sales would remain flat
and that the effects of the recession would continue through 1993. We are pleased to
report that electric sales in 1993 to date have increased by approximately 3 %. This
increase plus the revamping of a majority of the power supply contracts means that
1993 will likely be the year that the RMLD will achieve certain financial performance
levels. These financial levels mean that more of the Department's reserve funds can be
reserved for the future and not be used currently.
DPU 85 -121 - The RMLD has moved forward to reverse this ruling which restricts the
RMLD's rate of return. The reversing of the ruling will decrease the department's need
for future bonding and to ensure sufficient capital funds to maintain system reliability.
The department has met with the 4 towns in the district to discuss this issue. From that
meeting came the Citizens Advisory Board use of an independent consultant to confirm
the department's analysis and position. In 1994 the Commission feels a resolution of
'
this issue will be forthcoming.
New Transmission Substation - The RMLD plans a new transmission substation to be
located in North Reading.. The new substation will allow the department to connect to
an alternative supplier and thus use competitive forces to obtain favorable prices for our
ratepayers. At present the department owns a parcel of land in North Reading.
Construction will not likely start until 1995 -1996. 1994 will see the completion of
preliminary engineering and environmental analysis and some regulatory approvals.
New RMLD Facilities on Ash St. - Construction of the new facility is well under way and
progressing on schedule and within budget. Construction should be completed in June
1994. An Open House will be held when the construction is complete and all are
invited.
A separate but related issue to the construction is what to do with the present RMLD
building on Haven Street. The Commission and the Department will be meeting with
the Selectmen to begin discussion on the sale of the Haven Street property. The
Commission intends to fulfill its past commitment to Town Meeting and use the
proceeds to offset the bonding obtained for construction of the new facility.
Electric Car - The RMLD, using a grant from the American Public Power Association,
converted a new GEO Tracker to an all electric vehicle. It is already on the -road and
'
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has proven to date to be effective. The vehicle is available for viewing to any group
that is interested.
MMWEC - As of April 1993 the Department is not longer a member of the Mass
Municipal Wholesale Electric Corporation. A system is in place to perform the services
at a lower cost than MMWEC previously provided to us. Additionally an audit is
underway to insure that power contract cost on existing MMWEC contracts with the
Department are being billed properly.
100th Anniversary - The RMLD will celebrate its 100th anniversary in May 1994. We
have coordinated our celebration with the 350th celebration planned by the Town of
Reading. We additionally plan a series of 1994 activities throughout the 4 Towns in the
district
Oroanizational Changes - The RMLD has created an Information Systems Group to
efficiently handle the complexity of the newly modernized computer system. A Human
Resources Group was also created to implement the new complex federal laws on
personnel issues and to assist in improving our overall employee productivity and
flexibility.
Science Olympiad - The RMLD contributed $2,000 to the Coolidge Middle School's
participation in the competition.
The final area is an area that could transcend all other accomplishments and
challenges that face the Department. The electric utility will be deregulated in the near
future. Deregulation will foster an em of competition. Within a few years, it is possible
that large industrial and commercial customers will be able to seek alternative suppliers
of electricity. Loss of such customers would mean increased electric rates for the
remaining small commercial, residential and municipal customers. In some cases
certain electric entities could cease to exist.
To ensure that the Department is prepared for a new competitive environment, the
Commission and the Department held a 2 day planning meeting in May 1993. This
meeting developed a basic plan of short-term actions to ensure we maintain high
customer service standards and efficient business and reliability processes.
Additionally, it identified a series of long -term actions that will reshape the RMLD to
meet the demands of the 21 st century.
The needed short-term actions have already been started. In late 1993 or early 1994
the RMLD will begin concentrating on the long -term action phase. This plan represents
a commitment of the Commissioners, the RMLD Management and the RMLD
employees.
ARTICLE 1
the table.
ARTICLE 2
the table.
On motion of Daniel A. Ensminger, it was voted to lay Article 1 on
On motion of Daniel A. Ensminger, it was voted to lay Article 2 on
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ARTICLE 3 On motion of Daniel A. Ensminger, it was voted to indefinitely
postpone Article 3.
ARTICLE 4A On motion of Richard H. Coco, Chairman of the Finance
Committee, it was voted to ammend the following line items by $136,705.
Town Manager Peter I. Hechenbleikner spoke to each proposal, outlining the reasons
tor me amenamem . me notea mat all salary lines reflect an increase of 2 1/2% as
voted under Proprosition 2 1/2 in March 1993. He advised that $10,000 under
D2 -Town Manager Expense would be earmarked to cover the Town's expenses for the
350th Celebration in May /June 1994.
ARTICLE 4B On motion of Richard H. Coco it was voted to appropriate from
available funds (pursuant to Chapter 33 of the Ads of 1991) the sum of Two Hundred
32
TOWN
OF READING BUDGET
ADJUSTMENT
Al
Acct Pen. Services
52,312
E8
Recreation Pers. Serv.
5447
BI
Conserv. Pen. Serv.
$695
EIO
Hum.Ser.Gen.Pen.Serv.
$2,058
B3
Zoning Bd.Pen.Serv.
$18
FI
Library Pen. Serv.
$9,901
B6
Inspect. Pers. Serv.
51,340
GI
Police Pen. Serv.
561,270
B8
C.D. Gen. Pen. Scrv.
S1,498
03
Art Cont. Pen. Scrv.
$4,984
CI
Fincom Pen. Serv.
$26
G5
Fire Pen. Scrv.
$84,725
C4
Assess. Pen. Scrv.
51,557
G7
P.S. Gen. Pers. Serv.
$4,278
C8
Data Processing
$7390
68
P.S. Gen. Expenses
51,800
C10
Fin. Gen. Pers. Serv.
$6,194
1115
DPW Pen. Scrv.
$23,417
D2
Two. Mgr. Pen. Serv.
51,618
1116
DPW Expenses
$6,700
D3
Two. Mgr. Expenses
510,000
1121
Cem. Pen. Serv.
$4,239
D5
Labor Counsel
55,000
H22
Cemetery Expenses
$4,100($2,000
from sale of lots)
D7
Two. Clerk Pen. Scrv.
$808
II
Salary Adj. Fund
(5156,975)
D9
Elect. Pen. Serv.
$7,202
I
School Department
$213,314
D10
Elect. Expenses
S5,450
J2
Voke School Assess.
52,225
DI I
Casualty lnsvrame
(550,000)
IA
Group Health/Life
$45,000 from Ins
Trust
D12
Gen. Serv. Pen. Serv.
52,296
MI
Water Pets. Serv.
$11,304 ($193,261
from water res•)
El
Health Pen. Serv.
5677
NI
Sewer Pen. Serv.
$3,603 (552,000
from sewer res.)
E2
Health Expenses
$2500
N2
Sewer Expenses
(5471,589)
E3
Eld. Serv. Pen. Serv.
$1,724
E5
Veterans Pen. Serv.
SI89
Total
(5136,705)
-To be used against prior votes
Town Manager Peter I. Hechenbleikner spoke to each proposal, outlining the reasons
tor me amenamem . me notea mat all salary lines reflect an increase of 2 1/2% as
voted under Proprosition 2 1/2 in March 1993. He advised that $10,000 under
D2 -Town Manager Expense would be earmarked to cover the Town's expenses for the
350th Celebration in May /June 1994.
ARTICLE 4B On motion of Richard H. Coco it was voted to appropriate from
available funds (pursuant to Chapter 33 of the Ads of 1991) the sum of Two Hundred
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Sixty-Six Thousand Six Hundred and Or , Dollars ($266,601.00) for highway projects in
accordance with Chapter 90, Massachusetts General Laws.
' ARTICLE 5 On motion of Daniel A. Ensminger it was voted to rescind all of the
$70,000 bond authorization made for the purpose of repairing or replacing sections of
the roof of Reading Memorial High School pursuant to the vote taken under Article 15
of the 1993 Annual Town Meeting Warrant and that the Town vote to rescind $1,000 of
the remaining bond authorization voted for the purpose of repairing or replacing
sections of the roof of Reading Memorial High School pursuant to the vote taken under
Article 5 of the 1992 Subsequent Town Meeting Warrant.
ARTICLE 6 On motion of Daniel A. Ensminger, it was voted that the Town
transfer from Sewer Surplus and appropriate $8000 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.
ARTICLE 7 On motion of Willard J. Burditt, it was voted to accept the
provisions of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 41, Section 108L (Quinn Bill).
ARTICLE 8 On motion of George V. Hines, it was voted to indefinitely postponc
Article 8.
ARTICLE 9 On motion of George V. Hines, it was voted to indefinitely postpone
Article 9.
Mr. Hines noted that Articles 8 and 9 were indefinitely postponed as proposed Bylaw
changes would be in conflict with recently amended State Statutes.
ARTICLE 10 On motion of Sally M. Hoyt, it was voted 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:
"5.5.4.1 No person shelf 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."
ARTICLE 11 On motion of Sally M. Hoyt, it was voted pursuant to Reading
General Bylaws, Section 5.5.4.1., as amended by vote taken under Article 10 of this
Town Meeting, 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.
ARTICLE 12 On motion of Daniel A. Ensminger it was voted 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
33
property can only be used for the purposes of providing access to, drainage control
from or open space recreational uses for 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."
2/3 vote required
81 voted in the affirmative
40 voted in the negative
ARTICLE 13 On motion of Daniel A. Ensminger, it was voted 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.
2/3 vote required ,
86 voted in the affirmative
35 voted in the negative
On motion of Michael F. Slezak, Precinct 5, meeting was adjourned at 10:55 p.m.
174 Town Meeting members present
A true copy. Attest:
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING
NOVEMBER 18, 1993
Reading Memorial High School
Catherine A. Quimby
Town Clerk
November 18, 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 Alan Bond, First Congregational Church, '
followed by the Pledge of Alliegance to the Flag.
34
The Moderator reminded members that the Subsequent Town Meeting needed to be
adjourned at the conclusion of the Special Town Meeting. He also emphasized that
Town Meeting members sitting in back of tellers would not be counted if they were
' standing in the aisle. All members must be seated forward when the vote is called to
be included in the vote.
ARTICLE 14 On motion of Thomas C. Baillie, Precinct 7, it was voted to amend
the Reading Zoning Map by applying a General Planned Residential Development
9PRD -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.
2 \3 vote required
127 voted in the affirmative
1 voted in the negative
ARTICLE 15 On motion of Thomas C. Baillie, Precinct 7, it was voted 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.
2/3 vote required
126 voted in the affirmative
' 0 voted in the negative
ARTICLE 16 On motion of Thomas C. Baillie, Precinct 7, it was voted 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:
"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.
35
6.2.1.3. Definitions: For the purposes of Section 6.2., the following terms shall
have the meanings hereby assigned to them:
a. 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.
b. Banner or Pennant: 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, the Town of Reading, and any other
Federally tax- exempt organization shall not be considered to be banners if displayed in
a noncommercial manner; any flag otherwise displayed or any :other flag displayed on a
nonresidential lot shall be construed to be a banner.
C. Beacon: a stationary or revolving light, not primarily illuminating a sign, 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 required by the
Federal Aviation Administration or a similar agency and is installed and operated under
the safety regulations of such agency.
d. Bulletin Board: any sign erected by a charitable, educational, or religious
institution or a public body on its property for purposes of announcing events which are
held on the premises, and contains no commercial information.
e. 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.
,
f. 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.
g. Joint Identification 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.
h. Marquee Sign: any sign attached to or made part of a marquee, that is, any
permanent canopy or structure projecting beyond and extending along a building wall.
I. 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.
j. 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.
36
k. Sign Area: the area contained entirely within the signboard (the flat surface of
durable material upon which letters or other graphic content of a sign is displayed) or if
no signboard is present the area contained entirely within the smallest square, circle,
' triangle, or rectangle which completely encloses the outer extremities of all graphic
material of a sign.
I. Sign Height: 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.
M. Temporary Sign: any sign which is used temporarily, relates to events of a
temporary nature, or is not permanently mounted.
6.2.2. Signs in Any Zoning District:
6.2.2.1. Signs Allowed Without Permits:
Signs for which no permit is required are identified in Table 6.2.3 and Section 6.2.2.5.
No private sign shall be installed or placed on public property, except by express
permission of the Town or as otherwise allowed herein.
6.2.2.2. 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. Changes in legend on any directory sign shall be exempt
from the provisions of this paragraph.
6.2.2.3. Nonconforming Signs:
All nonconforming signs shall be removed or shall be altered so as to conform with the
following provisions, 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, 1994 for any temporary sign or nonconforming temporary or permanent
window sign; 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 nonconforming permanent sign which had an original
installed cost of $10,000 or less; or
37
g. July 1, 2010 for any nonconforming permanent sign which had an original
installed cost of more than $10,000.
6.2.2.4. Prohibited Signs: ,
The following signs are prohibited in any zoning district:
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.
a. Signs which interfere with traffic or pedestrian safety, including any which may
obstruct or interfere with traffic or pedestrian visibility or movement at any intersection
or into or out of any property, or which by reason of position, shape, or color may
interfere with, may 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 ", or
any other word, phrase, symbol, or character in such a manner as to interfere with,
mislead, or confuse motorists or pedestrians.
b. Signs 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; painted on any building wall, bench, pavement, parking bumper or curb (other
than a 'Reserved" marking), or other similar outdoor surface.
C. Internally illuminated signs in a Business -B Zoning District, internally illuminated
signs without opaque background or signboard in any other zoning district; signs which
contain a beacon of any type; which contain a spot light providing direct illumination to
the public; which flash, revolve, rotate, move, or blink, or which fluctuate in light
intensity; animated signs, that is, which use lighting to depict action or to create an
illusion of movement or a special effect or scene; neon or similar signs except as
displayed on the inside of windows subject to the provisions of Paragraph 6.2.3.2.d. '
d. Banners (except as a temporary sign as specified in Paragraph 6.2.3.2.1 below),
pennants, off - premises signs, portable 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, except as provided in Subsection 6.2.2.5.e.
e. Signs located on any portion of a lot except a Front Yard or a Side Yard directly
abutting a public street.
f. Signs which do not meet and are not maintained to meet the provisions of this
Section and all applicable building, wiring, health, and safety codes; or which are not
neatly and legibly lettered.
6.2.2.5. Exempt Signs:
The following signs are exempt from this Section 6.2 and may be installed without
permit, provided that the following is complied with:
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 control or traffic or pedestrian safety or convenience,
identification of public facilities or streets, or for direction to same; public notices and
warnings required by and erected by Town, State, or Federal Government agencies.
b. Directional signs; building markers.
C. Political signs on private properties or vehicles only, provided that such sign shall
not exceed six square feet in sign area, shall not be placed in such location as to '
constitute a traffic or pedestrian safety hazard, and shall not be displayed for more
than forty -two days prior to the appropriate election or more than two days following
38
such election.
d. Signs for churches and other Federally tax- exempt institutions.
e. Holiday lights and decorations which contain no commercial messages and
' which are displayed during the appropriate season.
f. Works of art which contain no commercial messages.
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. 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.
I. Identification Signs, showing resident's name, street address and /or name of a
lawful home occupation taking place on the premises.
j. Construction Signs, identifying contractors while doing construction work on a
property.
k. Temporary Subdivision Sales Signs and permanent Subdivision Identification
Signs as approved in connection with the Definitive Plans for such subdivision and
located at the principal entrance to the subdivision in an acceptable easement, not
within any street right -of -way or access easement.
I. Real Estate Sales Signs, including placards showing the words "Sold" or "Sale
Pending" or similar not exceeding one -third the size of the sales sign.
M. 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.
n. GarageNard Sale Signs, 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.
39
Business -B Zonine Districts
12. Wall Y 2(F) (A) 0 0 11business
13. Projecting Y 8 (A) -4 0 I/business
NOTES'
(A) No portion of such 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 or, in the case of a gabled wall, no higher than a line equal in height to the
lowest portion of the lower cave of any adjoining building wall, whichever of the
above is lowest.
(B) Aggregate sign area of all applicable signs.
(C) Only as shown in Definitive Subdivision Plans as approved by the Community
Planning and Development Commission consistent with Paragraph 6.2.1.1.
(D) May not be larger than 75 square feet if more than one business occupies the
lot.
40
Table 6.2.3. Signs Permitted According to Zoning District
Max.
Max.
Sign
Sign
Setbacks:
'
Permit
Area
Height
Front
Side
Maximum
Type
Required
(so 111111
(Ot
(ft)
(ft]
Numb
All
Zoning Districts
1,
Personal Message
N
4
6
n/a
20
1 /lot
2.
Identification
N
I
6(A)
n/a
n/a
1 /lot
3.
Construction
N
16(B)
n/a
n/a
20
n/a
4.
Subdivision Sales
(C)
48
n/a
n/a
n/a
I /subdiv.
5.
Subdivision
(C)
24
n/a
n/a
n/a
1 /subdiv.
6.
Real Estate Sales
N
8
6
n/a
20
1/lot
7.
Temp. Open House
N
4
n/a
n/a
20
I /agency per lot
8.
Garage/Yard Sale
N
4
n/a
n/a
20
1 /lot
Business -A. Business -C.
and Industrial Zoning Districts:
9.
Free - Standing
Y
50(D)
20
0
20
Mot
10. Wall
Y
2/41:
(A)
49
10
1/business
11.
Projecting
Y
8
(A)
46
10
1 /business
'
Business -B Zonine Districts
12. Wall Y 2(F) (A) 0 0 11business
13. Projecting Y 8 (A) -4 0 I/business
NOTES'
(A) No portion of such 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 or, in the case of a gabled wall, no higher than a line equal in height to the
lowest portion of the lower cave of any adjoining building wall, whichever of the
above is lowest.
(B) Aggregate sign area of all applicable signs.
(C) Only as shown in Definitive Subdivision Plans as approved by the Community
Planning and Development Commission consistent with Paragraph 6.2.1.1.
(D) May not be larger than 75 square feet if more than one business occupies the
lot.
40
Table 6.2.3. continued
additional requirements by type listed in Table 6.2.3
1 2. May display resident's name, address, name of home occupation
3, Free - standing only; to be removed prior to Occupancy Permit
4. Free - standing only; to be removed prior to Occupancy Permit for the last house in
the subdivision.
5. Free - standing only; at principal entrance to subdivision
6. Free - standing only; to be removed by 14th day after transfer of property
7. Plus 4 total directional /agency /event, one per intersection;
8. Plus up to two directional signs /event; displayed only from 6:OOPM on day before
event to 6:00 on day of event
9. Not more than two sign faces; 0' setback on corner lots
10. Parallel mounting on building wall only; no portion may project more than twelve
inches from building wall; lesser front setback permitted for legally nonconforming
' buildings
11. Perpendicular to building wall; no portion may project more than 4 feet from
building; 10 feet minimum clearance above ground; no exposed guy -wires or
turnbuckles
12. Parallel mounting on building wall only; no portion may project more than six inches
from building wall
13. Perpendicular to building wall; no portion may project more than 4 feet from
building; 10 feet minimum clearance above ground; no exposed guy -wires or
tumbuckles
(E) 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, the maximum sign
area shall be equal to 2 square feet per linear foot of said wall occupied by the
establishment to which the sign relates; if such distance is more than 100 feet,
maximum sign area shall be equal to 4 square feet per linear foot of said wall so
occupied.
(F) No wall sign for any non - residential establishment shall exceed a sign area equal
' to 2 square feet per linear footage of length of the front wall of the building occupied by
the establishment to which the sign relates.
6.2.3. Signs by Zoning District:
41
Signs are allowed or permitted in each Zoning District only as specified in Table 6.2.3.
and as follows:
6.2.3.1. Signs in Residential Districts:
Except for identification signs (6.2.2.5.i.) or signs allowed in Subsection 6.2.3.1.1., no '
sign in any Residential Zoning District shall be shall be illuminated in any manner.
Decorative non - commercial banners or flags displayed on residential lots shall not be
construed as signs for purposes of this By -Law. 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.
6.2.3.1.1. Business or Commercial Signs:
Legal nonconforming business or commercial operations in any residential zoning
district shall be permitted only such signs as are permitted in a Business -B Zoning
District, as specified in Subsection 6.2.3.2.2., except that such signs shall be set back a
minimum of twenty feet from any other lot and shall not be illuminated except during
hours of operation.
6.2.3.2. Signs in Business and Industrial Zoning Districts:
In addition to the requirements of Table 6.2.3., the following signs are allowed in all
Business and Industrial Zoning Districts:
a. Signs in connection with legal nonconforming residential uses in these districts
shall comply with the provisions, and be subject to the exemptions allowed, in '
Subsection 6.2.3.1. above.
b. Without sign permit, retractable opaque cloth awnings may contain letters up to
four inches in height stating only the name of the business; such lettering shall not
count toward allowed sign area. All other awnings or canopies with lettering or graphics
shall require a sign permit and count as part of allowed sign area, provided that such
has a minimum clearance of seven feet for retractable and ten feet for fixed awnings or
canopies between the lowest point thereof and the ground or sidewalk and provided
that they are not illuminated in such a way that the light from such illumination is visible
through the canopy or awning.
C. Bulletin boards are allowed, provided that no free - standing or wall- mounted
bulletin board may exceed twelve square feet in size.
d. Temporary and permanent signs are allowed to be attached to the inside or
outside of the glass surface of a window, subject to the following:
(1) The aggregate total sign area of all permanent and temporary signs
attached to a window shall not exceed one -half of the transparent area of the window,
(2) Permanent signs shall be of a durable material, such as wood, 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 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; no such sign shall require
a permit;
42
(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; the aggregate sign area of all such signs is included in the limitation specified
' in Paragraph 6.2.3.2.d(1) above.
e. 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.
f. 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.
g. 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 be legible from
any other property or any street right -of -way, shall be allowed per restaurant.
h. 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 consistent with Subsection 6.2.1.1., 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 safely 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 -6.2.4. if located in a Business -B Zoning District.
I. 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 6.2.3.2.d. 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.
j. Farm Stands and Garden Stands which do not have permanent windows shall
be allowed, without permit or limitation as to number or material, to display temporary
43
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. Decorative
noncommercial flags may be displayed for sale. ,
k. 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. .
6.2.3.2.1. Signs in Business -A Zoning Districts:
Free - Standing, wall, and projecting signs permitted in any Business -A Zoning District
are specified in Table 6.2.3. and as follows:
All internally illuminated signs shall have an opaque background or signboard such that
illumination shows through only the lettering or graphics. 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.
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:
a. One free - standing sign identifying the property, and
b. 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
C. 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 feel 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.
d. 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.
6.2.12.2. Signs in Business -B Zoning Districts:
No sign permit shall be issued for any permanent sign in the Business -B Zoning District
without the sign having been granted a Certificate of Appropriateness (Subsection
6.2.4.). Wall and projecting signs permitted in any Business -B Zoning District are
specified in Table 6.2.3. No lot may contain a mixture of wall signs and projecting
signs, but shall contain either all wall signs or all projecting signs. No free - standing or
Changeable Copy /Reader Board signs shall be permitted.
Signs for properties containing more than one establishment: '
For a lot which contains more than one business, a Certificate of Appropriateness may
be be granted for more than one sign, and a maximum of the following signs are
allowed, all of which shall in every respect conform to the requirements of this Section:
44
a. One wall or projecting sign per business occupying the ground floor and front
wall of the building, and
b. 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 four square feet in sign area, shall not exceed
eight feet in height, and shall not be located so as to project beyond the property line.
C. 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.
The provisions of Subsection 6.2.2.4. 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.
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.
6.2.3.2.3. Signs in Business -C Zoning Districts:
No signs are permitted in any Business -C Zoning District except in accordance with the
provisions of Paragraph 6.2.3.2.1., provided, however, that in addition to those signs
allowed in said paragraph, 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.
6.2.3.2.4. Signs in Industrial Zoning Districts:
No signs are permitted in any Industrial Zoning District except in accordance with the
provisions of Subsection 6.2.3.2.3. 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,
consistent with Subsection 6.2.1.1., allow modifications to any provision of this Section,
and may 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.
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6.2.4. Certificate of Appropriateness /Sign Review Board:
The Sign Review Board shall consist of five members 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 least three of the members '
shall possess speck training or have exhibited special interest in architecture, graphic
design, or historic preservation; at least one member shall be a Reading 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 proposal 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.
An appeal from any decision of this Board may be made within twenty days of such
decision to the Community Planning and Development Commission, which may uphold
or modify the action of the Board or overturn it and grant the Certificate of
Appropriateness. In those cases where proposed signs are included as part of plans
for approval under Site Plan Review (Section 4.3.3.) or PRD Special Permit review
(Section 4.10.), a Certificate of Appropriateness separate from such approval shall not
be required.
6.2.5. Severability: '
In the event that any provision of this Section 6.2. shall be determined to be invalid by a
Court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions of this Section 6.2. not
manifestly inseparable from the invalid provisions shall continue in force."
2/3 vote required
124 voted in the affirmative
7 voted in the negative
Five amendments were moved during the one and one -half hour debate, but all failed
to carry. Some 22 Town Meeting members sought clarification of some sort, with the
section on political signs generating the greatest discussion.
ARTICLE 16 Leslie McGonagle, President of the Reading Chamber of
Commerce, presented the following position statement.
I represent 170 business members of the Reading Chamber of Commerce as their
President.
The Reading Chamber of Commerce would like to publically thank the members of
Reading's Community Planning & Development Commission for their time, effort, and '
hard work put into revising this proposed new sign by -law. Many hours were also put in
by members of the business community as well. I would like to especially thank
Richard Batten of Batten Brothers Sign Company.
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Since a sign bylaw can drastically effect a business, especially with its ability to open
its doors and stay open, a lot of work regarding wordage in this by -law and the needs of
the various types of businesses has been given a great deal of consideration by all the
e aforementioned, along with many concerned citizens.
Thus, the Reading Chamber of Commerce has agreed to support the proposed new
sign by -law in its entirety as proposed before you tonight. There are issues that we
disagree with, but we are willing to give it a try. III, we want to reserve the right to
come before Town Meeting again and make amendments to this by -law if the need
arises in the future (of course this is after working with the CPDC).
If too many changes begin to take place from what was agreed to, then the Reading
Chamber of Commerce asks that this matter then be tabled until a future Town
Meeting.
ARTICLE 2 On motion of George V. Hines, Article 2 was removed from the
table.
ARTICLE 2A Edwin E. Cowart, Precinct 2, moved that: Whereas the Reading
Town Meeting voted affirmatively to designate South Street a Scenic Road;
Further, where Reading Town Meeting voted overwhelmingly to petition the
Massachusetts State Legislature to enact a Home Rule exempting South Street from
reconstruction at standard minimum road widths to maintain the current footprint of
South Street, and such legislation is pending in the Legislature;
through the enactment of this motion the Selectmen of the Town of Reading are hereby
instructed to pursue the reconstruction of South Street within the present footprint
using such means as are at their disposal.
Francis P. Driscoll, Princint 3, asked permission of the Meeting for two citizens to
speak. Walter Begonis, 289 South Street, and William Weimar, 286 South Street,
addressed the Meeting.
Town Council H Theodore Cohen reviewed the status of the suit brought by the South
Street abuttors against the Town.
This motion was voted in the negative.
ARTICLE 2B On motion of Thomas J. Stohlman, Precinct 5, it was voted that the
Board of Selectmen establish a task force to advise them and Town Meeting on the
future status of the Mineral Street Bridge and furthermore, that the Board of Selectmen
seek the endorsement of Town Meeting for their proposed action on the issue.
Membership in the task force shall include representatives from: the Board of
' Selectmen, the Police Department, the Fire Department, the Town Engineer, the
Community Planning and Development Commission, two representatives of the
neighborhood, and any other group or persons the Selectmen deem appropriate.
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ARTICLE 2C On motion of Thomas J. Stohlman, Precinct 5, it was voted that the
Board of Selectmen appoint a task force to determine the potential of developing the
public property on Haven Street currently being used for offices of the Reading
Municipal Light Department into a community arts center.
Among other things, said task force shall examine the impact of such development on
the Town of Reading and the downtown business district.
Membership in the task force shall include representatives from: the Board of
Selectmen, Town Meeting, the Community Planning and Development Commission,
the Chamber of Commerce, the Reading Association for the Fine and Performing Arts,
the Reading Municipal Light Board and any other groups the Selectmen deem
appropriate.
ARTICLE 2 On motion of George V. Hines, Article 2 was placed on the table.
ARTICLE 1 On motion of George V. Hines, Article 1 was removed from the
table.
ARTICLE 1 Peter I. Hechenbleikner, Town Manager, presented the following
reports.
RESCO
The Town of Reading joined RESCO in the early 1980s to handle its solid waste
disposal. In 1990, RESCO notified the communities that work needed to be done as
required by the State to retrofit their facility in Saugus. Options offered were to pay
$101 per ton (up from $23 per ton) for the remainder of the contract, or accept a new
contract at $79.50 per ton for 15 years.
In May 1990, 13 municipalities notified RESCO that they rejected the costs. The issue
went to arbitration. As a result of the arbitration that was just completed, the total
amount submitted by RESCO to be paid by the communities was $105,955,000. The
arbitration awarded $57,758,000. Thus the Town of Reading saved $1.1 million during
the remainder of the contract. The total disbursements for the suit in arbitration was
$2.9 million, $149,000 of which was paid by the Town of Reading.
The Town is evaluating options for rubbish disposal for the time period after the
RESCO contract expires on June 30, 1995.
QUINN BILL
The Town Manager has received a number of calls regarding the Quinn Bill as a result
of a newspaper article and presents this as an explanation that there is no "double
dipping" - that Police employees who get the Quinn Bill will not get an additional
educational incentive paid by the Town. As an example, an employee whose current
base salary is $40,000 currently receives $3,500 under the educational incentive for a
Bachelors Degree. The total is $43,500. Under the Quinn Bill, the base salary will be ..
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$40,000 and the Quinn Bill incentive will be 20% of base salary or $8,000. The total
salary paid will be $48,000. Of that, $4,000 is the Town share.
e ARTICLE 1 On motion of George V. Hines, Article 1 was placed on the table.
On motion of George V. Hines, at 10:40 p.m., it was voted that this Special Town
Meeting stand adjourned sine die.
148 Town Meeting members present.
A true copy. Attest:
H
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Catherine A. Quimby \
Town Clerk V