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Home My WebLink About1991-09-26 Special Town MeetingSPECIAL TOWN MEETING (Seal) COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS September 26, 1991 Middlesex, ss. . To either of the constables of the Town of Reading, Greetings: .In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts you are hereby required to notify and warn the inhabitants of the Town of Reading, qualified to vote in elections and Town affairs, to meet at the Reading Memorial High School Auditorium, 62 Oakland Road in said Reading, on Thursday, September 26, 1991, at seven-thirty o'clock in the evening, at which time and place the following ar- ticles 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 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 2 To hear and act on the reports of the Board of Selectmen, Town 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 and Development Commission, Town Manager and any other Boards or Special Committees. Board of Selectmen ARTICLE 3 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 4 To see if the Town will vote to reject the provi- si.ons of Section 231 of Chapter 138 of the Acts of 1991 and the fifth sentence of Section 40 of Chapter 71 of the General Laws as amended by said Chapter 138.-of the Acts of 1991 relating to changing the allocation between fiscal years of expenditures of teachers' salaries, or take any other action with respect thereto. Board of Selectmen 1 ARTICLE 5 To see what sum the Town will vote to appropriate from the tax levy to create a stabilization fund as authorized under G.L. Ch. 40, Section 5B, or take any other action with respect thereto. School Committee ARTICLE 6 To see if the Town will vote to amend the Bylaws of the Town by adding the following to Section 5.2 "Streets, Highways and Public Property", or take any other action with respect thereto: 115.2.4.1 Removal of Snow and Ice. 5.2.4.1.1 Definitions. For the purposes of this bylaw, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given herein. When not inconsistent with the context, words used in the present tense include the future; words in the plural include the singular; and words in the singular include the plural: 5.2.4.1.1.1 Person: Any individual, group of individuals, as- sociation, partnership, corporation, company, business organiza- tion, trust, estate or any other legal entity or its legal repre- sentatives, agents or assigns. 5.2.4.1.1.2 Roadway: That portion of a public or private street or highway improved, designed or ordinarily used for vehicular travel, including the curb or shoulder. 5.2.4.1.1.3 Sidewalk: That portion of a public or private street between the curblines or the lateral lines of a roadway and the adjacent property lines intended for the use of pedestrians. 5.2.4.1.2 Every person in charge or in control of any build- ing or lot of land within the Town fronting or abutting on a paved sidewalk, whether as owner, tenant, occupant, lessee, or otherwise, shall remove and clear away, or cause to be removed and cleared away, snow and ice from a path of at least twelve (12) inches in width from so much of said sidewalk as is in front of or abuts on said building or lot of land. 5.2.4.1.3 Except as provided herein, snow and ice shall be so removed from sidewalks within the Town on the same day of ces- sation of any fall of snow, sleet, or freezing rain, or within the first three (3) hours of daylight after the cessation of any such fall, whichever period is longer. However, in the event snow and ice on a sidewalk has become so hard that it cannot be removed without likelihood of damage to the sidewalk, the person charged with its. removal shall, within the aforementioned time, cause enough sand, sawdust, ashes or other abrasive to be placed on the sidewalk to make travel thereon reasonably safe; and shall then, as soon thereafter as weather permits, cause a path in said sidewalk of at least twelve-(12) inches in width to be thoroughly cleaned. (continued) 2 Article 6 (continued) 5.2.4.1.4 Any person violating any of the provisions of this bylaw shall be punished by a fine of Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) for each offense, and in the case of continuing violation, every calendar day upon which such snow or ice remains upon the sidewalk shall be considered a separate offense. The provisions of this bylaw may be enforced by any police officer of the Town pursuant to Section 5.11 of these bylaws." Board of Selectmen ARTICLE 7 To see if the Town will vote to amend Section 2.0 "DEFINITIONS" of the Zoning By-Laws of the Town of Reading by ad- ding the following as Section 2.2.5.1., or take any other action with respect thereto: 112.2.5.1. BUILDING INSPECTOR: The Inspector of Buildings or Building Commissioner and local inspectors appointed pursuant to. Section 3 of Chapter 143 of the General Laws, or any other ena- bling authority, including such as may be appointed in combina- tion with other cities or towns." Board of Selectmen ARTICLE 8 To see if the Town will vote to amend the General Bylaws of the Town to change the dates and time for Annual Town Meeting by deleting the phrase "third Monday preceding the second Monday" in Section 2.1.1 thereof and substituting therefor the phrase "third Tuesday preceding the second Monday" and by delet- ing the words 117:00 a.m." in Section 2.1.2 and substituting therefor the words 1112:00 p.m. (noon)" so that said Articles 2.1.1 and 2.1.2 shall read as follows, or take any other action with respect thereto: 112.1.1 The Annual Town Meeting shall be held on the third Tuesday preceding the second Monday in April of each year for the election of Town Officers and for such other matters as required by law to be determined by ballot. 2.1.2 The polls for the Annual Town Meeting shall be opened at 12:00 p.m. (noon) and shall remain open until 8:00 P.m." Board of Selectmen ARTICLE 9 To see if the Town Meeting will vote to reinstate the School Crossing Guard at the intersection of Redgate Lane and Walnut Street for Fiscal Year 1992 and to see if the Town will vote to raise from the tax levy or transfer from available funds or otherwise, and appropriate for such purposes the sum of Two Thousand Four Hundred Dollars ($2,400.00), or take any other ac- tion with respect thereto. By Petition 3 ARTICLE 10 To see if the Town will vote to amend one or more of the votes taken under Article 9 of the Warrant of the An- nual Town Meeting of April 8, 1991, and as ratified under Ar- ticle 4 of the Warrant of the Special Town Meeting of June 18, 1991 relating to the Fiscal Year 1992 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 11 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 4 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 September 26, 1991, 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 Meet- ing Member at least fourteen (14) days prior to the time of hold- ing 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 10th day of September, 1991. Euge a R. Nigro, airman Dani A. Ensminger, Vice Chairman Sammy M. Hoyt, /S--e-Vretary Russ 1 T. Grafiam George r. Hines SELECTMEN OF READING TRUE COPY.fATTET , Catherine A. Quimby Town Clerk Signature of Constable: f 5 COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS Middlesex, ss. Officer's Return, Reading: By virtue of this Warrant, I, on notified and warned the inhabitants of 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 warrant in the following public places within the Town of Reading: Precinct 1. Video Arena, 1349 Main Street J. Warren Killam School, 333 Charles-Street St. Athanasius Church, 300 Haverhill Street Precinct 2. Cumberland Farms, 305 Salem Street Registry of Motor Vehicles, 275 Salem Street JoAnn's Variety, 143 Salem Street Precinct 3. Friendly 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 Spence Farm Market Gardens, 40 West Street Precinct 5. Reading Library, Local History Room, 64 Middlesex Ave. B & M Railroad Station, High Street Town Hall, 16 Lowell Street Precinct 6. Fire Station, 267 Woburn Street Housing for•the Elderly, 1 Frank D. Tanner Drive Alice M. Barrows School, 16 Edgemont Avenue Precinct 7. Meadowbrook Golf Club, 292 Grove Street P & S Convenient Store, 287 Lowell Street Memorial High School, 62 Oakland Road 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 September 26, 1991 the date set for the Special Town Meeting in this Warrant. I also caused an attested copy of this warrant to be pub- lished in the.Reading Chronicle in the issue of nstab e of Readi g SPECIAL TOWN MEETING - 9/26/91 SPECIAL TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School September 26, 1991 The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Paul C. Dustin, at 7:36 P.M., there being a quorum present. The Invocation was given by Reverend James Cann, Old South United Methodist 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 Eugene R. Nigro, it was voted to dis- pense with further reading of the warrant, except for the officer's return, which was then read by the Town Clerk. The Moderator welcomed Town Meeting members elected this evening by their Precinct to fill unexpired terms: Precinct 2 - Marlene W. Cohen Precinct 4 - Glen M. Hartzler ARTICLE 1 On motion of Eugene R. Nigro, it was voted to lay Article 1 on the table. ARTICLE 2 On motion of Eugene R. Nigro, it was voted to lay Article 2 on the table. ARTICLE 3 On motion of Eugene R. Nigro, it was voted to lay Article 3 on the table. ARTICLE 4 On motion of Daniel A. Ensminger, it was voted to indefinitely postpone Article 4. ARTICLE 5 On motion of Barbara B. Philbrick, it was voted to indefinitely postpone Article 5. Willard J. Burditt, Finance Committee Chairman, presented the at- tached "Finance Committee Message" to Town Meeting. (see attached report) Article 6 was moved by George V. Hines. Following which, Town Meeting allowed Leslie McGonagle, President of the Reading Cham- ber of Commerce to address the body on the subject matter of Ar- ticle 6. Two amendments were offered to this article, both of which failed as did the main motion. 1 SPECIAL TOWN MEETING - 9/26/91 ARTICLE 6 George V. Hines moved that the Town vote to amend the Bylaws of the Town by adding the following to Section 5.2 "Streets, Highways and Public Property": 115.2.4.1 Removal of Snow and Ice. 5.2.4.1.1 Definitions. For the purposes of this bylaw, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given herein. When not inconsistent with the context, words used in the present tense include the future; words in the plural include the sin- gular; and words in the singular include'the plural: 5.2.4.1.1.1 Person: Any individual, group of individuals, as- sociation, partnership, corporation, company, business organiza- tion, trust, estate or any other legal entity or its legal repre- sentatives, agents or assigns. 5.2.4.1.1.2 Roadway: That portion of a public or private street or highway improved, designed or ordinarily used for vehicular travel, including the curb or shoulder. 5.2.4.1.1.3 Sidewalk: That portion of a public or private street between the curblines or the lateral lines of a roadway and the adjacent property lines intended for the use of pedestrians. 5.2.4.1.2 Every person in charge or in control of any build- ing or lot of land within the Town fronting or abutting on a paved sidewalk, whether as owner, tenant, occupant, lessee, or otherwise, shall remove and clear away, or cause to be removed and cleared away, snow and ice from a path of at least twelve (12) inches in width from so much of said sidewalk as is in front of or abuts on said building or lot of land. 5.2.4.1.3 Except as provided herein, snow and ice shall be so removed from sidewalks within the Town on the same day of ces- sation of any fall of snow, sleet, or freezing rain, or within the first three (3) hours of daylight after the cessation of any such fall, whichever period is longer. However, in the event snow and ice on a sidewalk has become so hard that it cannot be removed without likelihood of damage to.the sidewalk, the person charged with its removal shall, within the aforementioned time, cause enough sand, sawdust, ashes or other abrasive to be placed on the sidewalk to make travel thereon reasonably safe; and shall then, as soon thereafter as weather permits, cause a path in said sidewalk of at least twelve (12) inches in width to be thoroughly cleaned. 5.2.4.1.4 Any person violating any of the provisions of this bylaw shall be punished by a fine of Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) for each offense, and in the case of continuing violation, every calendar day upon which such snow or ice remains upon the 2 SPECIAL TOWN MEETING - 9/26/91 Article 6 (continued) sidewalk shall be considered a separate offense- The provisions of this bylaw may be enforced by any police officer of the Town pursuant to Section 5.11 of these bylaws." This motion was voted in the negative. ARTICLE 7 On motion of George V. Hines, it was voted to-lay the subject matter of Article 7 on the table. ARTICLE 8 On motion of Sally M. Hoyt, it was voted that the Town amend the General Bylaws of the Town to change the date for Annual Town Meeting by deleting the phrase "third Monday preced- ing the second Monday" in Section 2.1.1 thereof and substituting therefor the phrase "third Tuesday preceding the second Monday" so that said Article 2.1.1 shall read as follows: 112.1.1 The Annual Town Meeting shall be held on the third Tuesday preceding the second Monday in April of each year°for the election of Town Officers and for such other matters as required by law to be determined by ballot. ARTICLE 8 Sally Hoyt moved that the Town amend the General Bylaws of the Town to change the time for Annual Town Meeting by deleting the words 117:0.0 a.m." in Section 2.1.2 and substituting therefor the words 1112 o'clock noon" so that said Article 2.1.2 shall read as follows: 112.1.2 The polls for the Annual Town Meeting shall be opened at 12 o'clock noon and shall remain open until 8:00 p.m." This motion was voted in the negative. ARTICLE 9 On motion of Steven R. Hutcheson, it was voted to indefinitely postpone Article 9. ARTICLE 10 Willard J. Burditt moved that the'Town vote to amend one or more of the votes taken under Article 9 of the War- rant of the Annual Town Meeting of April 8, 1991, and as ratified under Article 4 of the Warrant of the Special Town Meet- ing of June 18, 1991 relating to the Fiscal Year 1992 Municipal Budget as follows: Lines 1 and 2 Line Item 1 - decrease $94,924 appropriation by $425 to $94,499 Source of Funding: Property taxes, State aid, and non-property tax local receipts. 3 SPECIAL TOWN MEETING - 9/26/91 Article 10 (continued) Lines 3 - 12 Line Item 7 - decrease $1,100 appropriation by $400 to $700 Line Item 9 - decrease $600 appropriation by $400 to $200 Line Item 10 - decrease $51,916 appropriation by $11,268 to $40,648 Line Item 11 - increase $1,800 appropriation by $639 to $2,439 Line Item 12 - increase $56,593 appropriation by $3,241 to $59,834 Line Item 13 - decrease $1,900 appropriation by $112 to $1,788 Source of Funding: Line 3: $3,000 from Wetland Fees, with the remainder from Property taxes, State aid, and non-property tax local receipts. Lines 4 - 13 Property taxes, State aid, and non-property tax local receipts. Lines 14 - 28 Line Item 14 - decrease $1,600 appropriation by $800 to $800 Line Item 17 - decrease $11,775 appropriation by $8,531 to $3,244 Line Item 19 - decrease $65,159 appropriation by $13,623 to $51,536 Line Item 20 - increase $3,100 appropriation by $1,500 to $4,600 Add Line Item 23 - Appraisal Services and appropriate $4,750 Line Item 25 - decrease $53,500 appropriation by $800 to $52,700 Line Item 27 - increase $241,319 appropriation by $1,010 to $242,329 Source of Funding: Property taxes, State aid, and non-property tax local receipts. Lines 29 - 44 Line Item 29 - decrease $3,850 appropriation by $700 t o.$3,150 Line Item 30 - decrease $64,730 appropriation by $498 to $64,232 Line Item 36 - decrease $38,845 appropriation by $9,950 to $28,895 Line Item 37 - decrease $31,270 appropriation by $240 to $31,030 Line Item 40 - decrease $15,900 appropriation by $1,000 to $14,900 Line Item 41 - decrease $256,500 appropriation by $9,900 to $246,600 Line Item 43 - decrease $112,551 appropriation by $5,549 to $107,002 Source of Funding: Property taxes, State aid, and non-property tax local receipts. ARTICLE 10 On motion of Russell T. Graham, it was voted to amend Line Item 40 by restoring $1,000 and thereby leaving the $15,900 appropriation unchanged. 4 SPECIAL TOWN MEETING - 9/26/91 ARTICLE 10 Willard J. Burditt moved that the Town amend one or more of the votes taken under Article 9 of the Warrant of the Annual Town Meeting of April 8, 1991, and as ratified under Ar- ticle .4 of the Warrant of the Special Town Meeting of June 18, 1991 relating to the Fiscal Year 1992 Municipal Budget as fol- lows: Lines 45 - 57 Line Item 45 - decrease $30,669 appropriation by $4,731 to $25,938 Line Item 46 - decrease $36,660 appropriation by $1,000 to $35,600 Line Item 47 - decrease $70,498 appropriation by $5,109 to $65,389 Line Item 56 - decrease $86,027 appropriation by $2,770 to $83,257 Source of Funding: Property taxes, State aid, and'non-property tax local receipts. ARTICLE 10 On amendment by Anne P. Mark, Precinct 5, it was voted to decrease Line Item 47 by an additional $2,700 to $62,689. ARTICLE 10 Willard J. Burditt moved that the Town vote to amend one or more of the votes taken under Article 9 of the War- rant of the Annual Town Meeting of April 8, 1991, and as ratified under Article 4 of the Warrant of the Special Town Meet- ing of June 18, 1991 relating to the Fiscal Year 1992 Municipal Budget as follows: Lines 58 - 59 No amendments proposed Source of Funding: Property taxes, State aid, and non-property tax local receipts. A quorum count at 10:55 P.M., requested by Carroll E. McMillan, Precinct 5, recorded 107 Town Meeting Members present. . ARTICLE 10 Willard J.. Burditt moved that the Town vote to amend one or more of the votes taken under Article 9 of the War- rant of the Annual Town Meeting of April 8, 1991, and as ratified under Article 4 of the Warrant of the Special Town Meet- ing of June 18, 1991 relating to the Fiscal Year 1992 Municipal Budget as follows: Lines 60 - 71 Line Item 60 - decrease $1,785,834 appropriation by $9,767 to $1,776,067 Line Item 61 - decrease $156,311 appropriation by $31,000 to $125,311 5 SPECIAL TOWN MEETING - 9/26/91 ADJOURNED SPECIAL TOWN MEETING 9/30/91 Article 10 (continued) Line Item 64 - decrease $4,876 appropriation by $2,500 to $2,375 Line Item 65 - decrease $1,724,163 appropriation by $8,600 to $1,715,563 Source of Funding: Property taxes, State aid, and non-property tax local receipts. A lengthy discussion ensued on the necessity for an animal con- trol officer. Several amendments were offered to eliminate salary and expense line items for the animal control officer, but no amendments carried. On motion of Michael F. Slezak, Precinct 7, it was voted that this Special Town Meeting stand adjourned to meet on Monday, Sep- tember 30, 1991 at 7:30 P.M. at the Reading Memorial High School. Meeting adjourned at 11:00 P.M. 162 Town Meeting members present. A true copy. Attest: Catherine,A. Qui Town Clerk ADJOURNED SPECIAL TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School September 30, 1991 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 Town Meeting Member, Leslie H. York, Precinct 4, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. ARTICLE 10 Willard J. Burditt moved that the Town vote to amend one or more of the votes taken under Article 9 of the War- rant of the Annual Town Meeting of April 8; 1991, and as ratified under Article 4 of the Warrant of the Special Town Meet- ing of June 18, 1991 relating to the Fiscal Year 1992 Municipal Budget as follows: Lines 72 - 97 Line Item 72. - decrease $110,611 appropriation by $11,175 to $99,436 . 6 ADJOURNED SPECIAL TOWN MEETING - 9/30/91 Article 10 (continued) Line Item 73 - decrease $258,974 appropriation by $4,141 to $254,833 Line Item 74 decrease $14,000 appropriation by $3,000 to $11,000 Line Item 75 - decrease $129,748 appropriation by $2,000 to $127,748 Line Item 76 - decrease $5,500 appropriation by $504 to $4,996 Line Item 77 - decrease $91,506 appropriation by $800 to $90,706 Line Item 79 - decrease $399,073 appropriation by $5,397 to $393,676 Line Item 80 - decrease $117,086 appropriation by $4,989 to $112,097 Line Item 87 - decrease $1,358,304 appropriation by $137,500 to $1,220,804 Line Item 89 - decrease $223,450 appropriation by $600 to $222,850 Line Item 90 - decrease $24,245 appropriation by $2,495 to $21,750 Line Item 95 - decrease $76,772 appropriation by $600 to $76,172 Line Item 96 - decrease $101,643 appropriation by $1,712 to $99,931 Source of Funding: Property taxes, State aid, and non-property tax local receipts. Anne P. Mark, Precinct 5, and Chairman of the Solid Waste Com- mittee, moved to decrease Line Item 87 as appropriated by $67,000 to $1,291,304 in an attempt to retain a modified curbside recy- cling program. This motion was voted in the negative. The following comments by Anne P. Mark were accepted as a Report of Progress: I would like to urge that the curbside recycling program be retained, on an every-other-week basis. First I'd like to explain why the Solid Waste Advisory Committee thinks this plan is important, and then I'd like to sug- gest how this Town Meeting can implement it In October 1990, the State Department of Environmental Protection issued regulations under which landfills and incinerators in the Commonwealth will be prohibited from accepting certain materials. These regulations are known as "waste bans," and they take effect on a par- ticular schedule. As of December 31, 1990, landfills and incinerators could no longer accept lead acid bat- teries. Leaves, tires, and white goods--that's basi- cally large appliances like refrigerators--will be prohibited starting December 31 of this year. Par- ticularly important for this discussion are the bans that take effect at the end of next year, 1992, when glass, aluminum, and other metal containers will no 7 ADJOURNED SPECIAL TOWN MEETING - 9/30/91 longer be accepted for disposal. Bans on tipping plas- tics and recyclable paper at these facilities will fol- low in 1994. When the ban on accepting lead acid batteries was about to go into effect last year, the Town of Reading received a letter from the management of RESCO, stating that the incinerator would no longer accept those bat- teries as part of the Town's trash. It's expected that a similar letter will arrive this year,. notifying us that, in order for RESCO to comply with the ban, the facility will no longer accept leaves, tires, and white goods as of December 31. You'll notice that our Town government has planned ahead for these 1991 bans: for example, Reading sponsors a twice-yearly tire collec- tion, and it runs the leaf composting site and a curbside leaf pick-up in the fall. To the best of the Solid Waste Advisory Committee's knowledge, the Department of Environmental protection expects to continue with its schedule of waste bans. We know that there are people who question this, who feel that DEP will relax the waste bans either of their own accord or under pressure from cities and towns. However, it is our understanding that DEP intends to proceed, as scheduled. Therefore, it is our best judcg- ment that the citizens of Reading will need some way, as of December 31, 1992, to dispose of glass, aluminum, and metal containers other than throwing them in the trash that is delivered to RESCO. If there is not sufficient money to continue weekly curbside recycling, what are the alternatives? The Solid Waste Advisory Committee and its Town staff liaisons considered four alternatives. First, a change from weekly to biweekly curbside pickup. Second, if there were no Town-sponsored curbside recycling at all, householders might pay individually for that service. Third, Reading might negotiate with another town to use that town's already existing drop-off facility. Fourth, Reading might choose to build its own drop-off facility. After researching and evaluating several alternatives, the committee concluded that modifying the existing curbside recycling contract from weekly to biweekly service is clearly the best alternative. Reading's trash hauler, Hiltz, is willing to do this at a reduced cost. We found the other three alternatives to be less attractive--and in some cases far less attractive--in terms of participation rates, start-up time, Town employee administrative time, long-term viability, and/or liability to the Town for losses on the marketing of recyclables. First, biweekly curbside recycling is the.best alternative in terms of participation rate, 8 ADJOURNED SPECIAL TOWN MEETING - 9/30/91 which is important when we think ahead to upcoming bans on incineration of glass and metal. Seventy-five per- cent of Reading households already recycle at curbside. With this program in place, even if it is biweekly in- stead of weekly, we are well on our way to being ready when those bans "kick in." And remember that December 1992 is only 14 months from now. Chelmsford residents now contract privately for curbside recycling. Only fifty-five percent of them have signed up, 20% less than under Reading's town-sponsored program. At a municipal drop-off center, participation is generally between 5% and 20%. Common sense suggests that if Reading resi- dents had to drive to another town to use their recy- cling center, participation would be even lower. Second, continuing the curbside program is the best al- ternative in terms of start-up time. As I understand it, the curbside program could immediately be shifted from weekly to biweekly service. Other alternatives would entail weeks or months of interruption in recy- cling service and confusion on the part of townspeople as they are asked to shift from one system to another. Third, it has the lowest impact on Town finances with respect'to marketing of recyclables. Under the curbside contract, it is the contractor's responsibility to market the recyclables. Identifying markets for the recyclables takes up the contractor's time, not a Town employee's, and the financial liability when recycling markets are soft rests with the contractor, not with the Town. Fourth, it requires the least administrative time on the part of Town employees. For instance, if Reading were to open its own drop-off center, Town staff time would have to be allocated at the very least for preparing a site, staffing the center, and marketing the recycl- ables. Fifth, the committee judged the continuation of curbside recycling to be superior to the other alternatives as an appropriate, viable, long-term strategy for recycling in Reading. On every criterion except impact on the Town budget, then, the biweekly curbside option is superior to the others the committee considered, and it was the most highly valued overall. The point is that when we looked widely, at a broad spectrum of criteria for a recycling program, and when we looked ahead, at what we foresee the Town's needs to be in the future, the biweekly curbside plan rose to the top as the best option. 9 ADJOURNED SPECIAL TOWN MEETING - 9/30/91 You may have noticed that the committee did not include environmental criteria. Had we done so, the biweekly curbside option would have been superior in this category as well, as this is the option that derives the highest recycling benefits and requires the fewest motor vehicles for collection. As citizens of a Town under budget constraints, we need to think about recycling in terms of employee time, financial liabilities, and fis- cal prudence, and the committee therefore stayed with those types of criteria. However, as individuals, I hope we can also hold to the vision of recycling in terms of environmental prudence. As we vote on this program, let us keep our eyes open about the possible consequences of eliminating it: When the waste bans on glass, aluminum, and other metal con- tainers are imposed in 14 months, the Town could well find, itself spending energy, time, and money to start curbside recycling over again. It could well find itself having exchanged a short-term financial advantage for longer-term financial and operational disadvantage. I urge that we take the far-sighted course of retaining-- on a biweekly basis--this stable, beneficial service that is already used by three-quarters of Reading households. ARTICLE 10 On motion of Stephen W. Thomases, Precinct 8, it was voted to decrease Line Item 87 as appropriated by $94,500 to $1,263,804, which would allow for biweekly curbside recycling for a six-month period until 3/30/92. ARTICLE 10 Willard J. Burditt moved that the Town amend one or more of the votes taken under Article 9 of the Warrant of the Annual Town Meeting of April 8, 1991, and as ratified under Ar- ticle 4 of the Warrant of the Special Town Meeting of June 18, 1991 relating to the Fiscal Year 1992 Municipal Budget as.fol- lows: Lines 101-104 Line Item 101 - decrease $150,000 appropriation by $40,000 to $110,000 Line Item 103 - decrease $31,250 appropriation by $1,394 to $29,856 Source of Funding: Line 102 $77,000 Bequest Income and $14,414 Sale of Lots Line 103 $29,856 Sale of Lots Line 104 $9,000 Sale of Lots with the remainder of Lines 101 - 104 Property taxes, State aid, and non-property tax local receipts. 10 ADJOURNED SPECIAL TOWN MEETING - 9/30/91 ARTICLE 10 Frederick Van Magness moved that the Town vote to amend one or more of. the votes taken under Article 9 of the War- rant of the Annual Town Meeting of April 8, 1991, and as ratified under Article 4 of the Warrant of the Special Town Meet- ing of June 18, 1991 relating to the Fiscal Year 1992 Municipal Budget as follows: Line 109 Line Item 109 - decrease $14,586,828 appropriation by $191,401 to $14,395;427 Source of Funding: Property taxes, State aid, and non-property tax local receipts. ARTICLE 10 On motion of Frederick Van Magness, it was voted that the Town appropriate for the Proposed FY 1992 Budget, as presented for Line Item 110 (Northeast Regional Vocational School), the sum of One Hundred Thirty-Eight Thousand Four Hundred Eighty-Three Dollars ($138,483.00). Line 110 Line Item 110 - decrease $145,999 appropriation by $7,516 to $138,483.) Funds are to be provided as follows: Property Taxes, State Aid, and Non-Property Tax Local Receipts. ARTICLE 10 On motion of Frederick Van Magness, it was voted that the Town amend one or more of the votes taken under Article 9 of the Warrant of the Annual Town Meeting of April 8, 1991, and as ratified under Article 4 of the Warrant of the Special Town Meeting of June 18, 1991 relating to the Fiscal Year 1992 Municipal Budget as follows: Line 114 Line Item 114 - decrease $1,637,825 appropriation by $2,800 to $1,635,025 Source of Funding: $82,000 from Special Real Estate and $484,000 from Sale of Real Estate, and $110,000 from Cedar Street (Article 20, 1989 Annual Town Meeting), with the remainder from Property taxes, State aid, and non-property tax local receipts. 135 voted in the affirmative 0 voted in the negative 2/3 vote required 11 ADJOURNED SPECIAL TOWN MEETING - 9/30/91 ARTICLE 10 Frederick Van Magness moved that the Town vote to amend one or more of the votes taken under Article 9 of the War- rant of the Annual Town Meeting of April 8, 1991, and as ratified under Article 4 of the Warrant of the Special Town Meet- ing of June 18, 1991 relating to the Fiscal Year 1992 Municipal Budget as follows: Lines 115 - 120 Line Item 118 - decrease $1,975,721 appropriation by $7,631 to $1,968,090 Source of Funding: Line 115 $65,000 from Abatement Surplus Line 118 $761,473 from Free Cash with the remainder of Lines 115 - 120 Property taxes, State aid, and non-property tax local receipts. ARTICLE 10 Frederick Van Magness moved that the Town vote to amend one or more of the votes taken under Article 9 of the War- rant of the Annual Town Meeting of April 8, 1991, and as ratified under Article 4 of the Warrant of the Special Town Meet- ing of June 18, 1991 relating to the Fiscal Year 1992 Municipal Budget as follows: Lines 121 - 124 Line Item 121 - decrease $447,826 appropriation by $300 to $447,526 Line Item 122 - decrease $930,693 appropriation by $5,421 to $925,272 Source of Funding: Property taxes, State aid, and non-property tax local receipts. ARTICLE 10 Willard J. Burditt moved that the Town vote to amend one or more of the votes taken under Article 9 of the War- rant of the Annual Town Meeting of April 8, 1991, and as ratified under Article 4 of the Warrant of the Special Town Meet- ing of June 18, 1991 relating to the Fiscal Year 1992 Municipal Budget as follows: Lines 125 - 129 Line Item 125 - decrease $144,114 appropriation by $300 to $143,814 Line Item 126 - decrease $274,372 appropriation by $1,871 to $272,501 Source of Funding: Line 127 $200,000 from Sewer Surplus with the remainder.of Lines 125 - 129 Property taxes, State aid, and non-property tax local receipts. 12 ADJOURNED SPECIAL TOWN MEETING - 9/30/91 The Moderator declared a recess at 9:40 p.m. to allow the Finance - Committee time to prepare appropriate motions to balance the budget as amended ($41,300 net difference). Town Meeting was reconvened at 10:00 p.m. ARTICLE 10 Willard J. Burditt moved to decrease Line Item 95 by $8,700 to $68,072 and to increase the amount of Free Cash funding for Line Item 118 to $800,200. The Moderator then called for a vote on the main budget motion. ARTICLE 10 On motion of Willard J. Burditt, it was voted that the Town amend one or more of the votes taken under Article 9 of the Warrant of the Annual Town Meeting of April 8, 1991, and as ratified under Article 4 of the Warrant of the Special Town Meet- ing of June 18, 1991 relating to the Fiscal Year 1992 Municipal Budget, and that the Town appropriate the sum of Thirty-Four Mil- lion Seven Hundred Ninety-Nine Thousand Two Hundred Sixty-One Dollars ($34,799,261.00) as the result of any such amended votes for the operation of the Town and its government. ARTICLE 11 On motion of Eugene R. Nigro, it was voted that the Town authorize the Board of Selectmen to sell, or exchange, or dispose of, upon such terms and conditions as they may deter- mine, the following item of Town tangible property: 1965 American LaFrance.85' aerial ladder mounted on an 1982 Duplex 6-wheel chassis tractor. The Moderator then proceeded with any unfinished business of this Special Town Meeting, calling for disposition in reverse order of any remaining articles: Article 7 was not taken from the table; Article 3 was not taken from the table; and Article 2 was not taken from the table. ARTICLE 1 On motion of Stephen W. Thomases, Precinct 8, it was voted that the Board of Selectmen, Town Manager and Com- mittees dealing with the proposed Ice Skating Arena make avail- able to each Town Meeting Member, at least four weeks prior to any Town Meeting at which the Arena project will be discussed or presented, reports, exhibits and other supporting documentation of the Ice Skating Arena Feasibility Study Committee and/or its subcommittees including, at the least, (1) a written financial plan/pro forma demonstrating the reliability of the costs as- signed to the planning, construction and operation of the project, including any documentation and descriptive material regarding the confidence Town government might have that the 13 ADJOURNED SPECIAL TOWN MEETING - 9/30/91 Article 1 (continued) promise of a fully self-sustaining project will be fulfilled, and, (2) written documentation regarding the selection or recom- mendation of a site or sites for the potential location of the rink. During discussion of his motion, Mr. Thomases advised Town Meet- ing that he would provide the estimated cost of $350.00 to reproduce this material. ARTICLE 1 On motion of Frederick Van Magness, Precinct 8, it was voted that the Board of Selectmen not commit, expend, or utilize any extraordinary Town resources, including personnel, for the purpose of site selection, feasibility, technical evalua- tion or other studies relative to establishing an Ice Skating Rink, until such time as Town Meeting endorses such expenditure or approves said project. ARTICLE 1 On motion of Margaret W. Russell, Precinct 8, it was voted that the Town Manager and the Department of Public Works be instructed to make every effort to continue the policy of sidewalk plowing along school routes, so long as Snow & Ice Control Funds are available. ARTICLE 1 William C. Brown, Precinct 8 moved that the Board of Selectmen be and hereby are instructed that in the event that Town fails to gain a grant to renovate the old fire station, said building shall be sold as soon as possible at the highest price, in spite of the present market. This motion was voted in the negative.- ARTICLE 1 William C. Brown, Precinct 8 moved that the Bylaw Committee and or the Rules Committee review Article 2, Section 2.2.1 Rule 13 to consider on a vote that is questioned by seven (7) or more members or on a roll call vote that abstention should be recorded, and Rule 8 with regards to inhabitants privilege to speak only after all Town Meeting Members have been first been given the opportunity to do so. This motion was voted in the negative. On motion of Eugene R. Nigro, it was voted that this Special Town Meeting stand adjourned sine die. Meeting adjourned 10:45 P.M. 119 Town Meeting members present. A true copy. Attest: uvvt. atherine'A. Qui Town Clerk 14 Finance Committee Message Willard J. Burditt, Chairman Town Meeting September 26, 1991 Here we are again, unfortunately. We must approve a new budget for FY92 because we do not have the revenues available to support the budget that we voted for last spring. I did not like that budget because I thought it was unfair to the employees of our Town not to receive any pay increases. Some positions also were eliminated. I also thought it unwiser to defer the purchase of replacement vehicles for the DPW. But we needed to make these decisions because we used all of the revenues that we had projected at that time. This new proposed budget is more of the same things that I did not like in the original budget. In addition to the original reductions we now have employees taking furloughs, employees not receiving longevity pay, we are deferring replacing Police cars, we are eliminating curbside recycling, and many other reductions. What has happened since the spring. (Chart ° FY92 Funding) We had estimated revenue of $31,146,000 and based the original budget for FY92 on that estimate. We received $671,000 less in State Aid than was anticipated, however we can make up $80,000 of that by Taxing locally for this Urban Redevelopment Excise. (Net reduction of $591,000) . After taking another look at local revenues with later information we have also reduced this projection by $62,000. Town Meeting had previously appropriated $110,000 for an extension of Cedar Street so that we would have access to Bear Hill for a pending sale of that land. That sale did not happen, we did not extend Cedar Street, and we can use this money now. When the real estate market improves we may have to appropriate this again at that time. This leaves us-with $30,603,000 available to use. This is a shortfall of $543,000. We could use Free Cash as a partial solution. However, I_.am reluctant to do so. I have made a couple of charts from the information prepared by Richard Foley, the Town Accountant, and included in the Warrant Report. (Chart-Other Revenue Sources) This is what I have been calling our Bank Account. It is Sale of Real Estate Funds and Free Cash. At the end of FY88 we had a balance of more than $4 million and now at! the and of FY91 it is down to $400 thousand.' This is the reason that I will not recommend the use of any additional Free Cash for FY92. There are no sales of real estate pending that I know of and with a budget as tight as this one is I don't think that we expect any underruns to give us additional Free Cash, so the Bank Account could be empty after FY93. As you know we couldn't accurately project this year's Revenues three months ago but let me project what next year could be as an additional reason not to use more Free Cash now. (Chart-Possible FY93) Starting with what I think is currently available for FY92 - $30,603,000. We can add 2 1/2% for property taxes -$685K. We only have the $410,000 Free Cash and if we don't use any now or at the Fall Town Meeting we still have $351K less than we are using for FY92. We have used all of the Sale of Real Estate Funds so another reduction of $566K. If I can be so presumptuous to assume all other Revenues in our current projections are level for next year then I will leave that alone. I don't know if there is any.other encumbered funds available so this also has to be reduced. The Schools are using some of the Revolving Fund balances and money left in a roof account (you will be asked to deobligate this at the Subsequent Town Meeting) to offset some proposed recommendations that are not currently being made. I don't know if there will be anything next year so I reduced this. This leaves us with $487K less for next year than is available this year. This may not be accurate but is only an attempt to show that next year does not appear any better than this year. r Maybe the State will help us out, (Chart-State Aid) but after an increase in FY89 we have had a decrease each year since. Times are tough for all of us. (Chart-Delinquent Property Taxes) This is evident by the increase in Delinquent Property Taxes. Maybe the economy will improve and we can collect these. That would help. I do not see anything of any magnitude improving the financial situation of this Town in the near future unless the economy significantly improves. When that does happen then maybe we will be able to sell the Landfill, Bear Hill, the Pearl Street School, and who knows what else. This would allow us to reestablish our Sale of Real Estate Fund and add taxable property to the rolls. Until that time we must continue to be conservative. If anyone makes an amendment to increase a line item then I will need that member to state what line or lines to reduce because, from what I have tried to present, I don't think any more revenues are available. FY92 FUNDING ($000) CURRENT BUDGET REVENUE $31,146 . LESS NET STATE AID ($671) ADD URBAN REDEVELOPMENT EXCISE $80 LESS OTHER LOCAL REVENUES ($62,) AVAILABLE REVENUE $30,493 ADD CEDAR STREET 110 TOTAL AVAILABLE $30,603 FUNDING REDUCTION ($543) w U O z w o ~ U Z Q ~ W ~ Y W Q ~ m V ~ W 2 H O N 41 T Q O T 1 0 , T ffRn v) V ui U- 0 c) W H r v/ W W W ( ) U) „ M cc z U- Q 0 J W M W J cc v1 Q OD co M 04 T Cl) POSSIBLE FY93 ($000) FY92 AVAILABLE $30,603 ADD PROPERTY TAXES $685 LESS FREE CASH ($351) LESS SALE OF REAL ESTATE ($566) OTHER REVENUES - LEVEL $0 LESS CEDAR STREET ($110) LESS SCHOOL REVOLVING FUNDS ($136) LESS SCHOOL ROOF (x.) 9 FY93 AVAILABLE $30,116 FY93 VS FY92 ($487) r 0) Yr w 0 J U O) CO r CV 0) r co co 0 O O 0 O 0 0 0 o m 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 co ~ CO to d' M N c m O H • .a IV 4P6 t~ 00 O O O O O O o o O O O O OD OD to -n r m ® tip O O tQ m r CL ~ Z C m z 0 m D X m