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Home My WebLink About1990-09-13 Special Town MeetingSPECIAL TOWN MEETING (Seal) COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS September 13, 1990 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 13, 1990, at seven-thirty o'clock in the evening, at which time and place the following ar- ticles are to be actedupon and determined exclusively by Town Meeting Members in accordance with the provisions of the Reading Home Rule Charter. ARTICLE 1 To hear and act on the reports of the Board of Selectmen, Town Accountant, Treasurer-Collector, Board of Asses- sors, Director of Public Works, Town Clerk, Tree Warden, Board of Health, School Committee, Contributory Retirement Board, Library Trustees, Municipal Light Board, Finance Committee, Cemetery Trustees, Community Planning & Development Commission, Town Manager and any other Boards or Special Committees. Board of Selectmen ARTICLE 2 To choose all other necessary Town Officers and Special Committees and determine what instructions shall be given Town Officers and Special Committees, and to see what sum the Town will raise by borrowing or transfer from available funds, or otherwise, and appropriate for the purpose of funding Town 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 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 accept the provi- sions of General Laws Chapter 32B, Section 7A relating to sub- sidiary or additional rates for certain insurance payments and matters relating thereto, or take any other action with respect thereto. Board of Selectmen 1 ARTICLE 5 To see wnaL sum the Town will vote ro transfer from line item 118 of Article 10 of the Warrant for the April 9, 1990 Annual Town Meeting and appropriate the same to the claims trust fund to be established pursuant to the provisions of General Laws Chapter 32B, Section 3A for use in accordance with said Section 3A, or take any other action with respect thereto. Board of Selectmen 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 13, 1990, 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 handkthis 21st day /6-f-•August, 1990. R ss 11 raham, Chairman Daniel A. Ensminger, Vice hairman Georg Hines, Secretary T hSal~ly~Hoy Eugene R. Nigro SELECTMEN OF READING ASMME(OPY D ES 5 : ~.,4✓ To" CLERK i 2 COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS Middlesex, ss. Officer's Return, Reading: By virtue of this Warrant, I, on Ck,-~. notified and warned the inhabitants ofJ 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 warrant in the following public places within the Town of Reading: Precinct 1. Brown Bag, 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 13, 1990 the date set for the 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 A TRUE COPY. ATTES : ~-t/,- A4~, Constable of Rea i y7 TOWN cum SPECIAL TOWN MEETING Reading Memorial High School September 13, 1990 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 York, 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 Russell T. Graham, it was voted to dispense with further reading of the warrant, except for the officer's return, which was then read by the Town Clerk. The Moderator made the following remarks: It has come to our attention that tomorrow morning at 7:30 a.m., the 704th Transportation Detachment from Camp Curtis Guild, con- sisting of four persons, will be leaving Camp Curtis Guild for the mid-East as part of Operation Desert Shield. This is a four-person unit, two of whom are residents of Reading. This is the first Army National Guard Unit.mobilized from Massachusetts since 1968. I am sure that the entire Town Meeting and all the residents of this community join me in wishing these Army Na- tional Guard Reservists Godspeed and a quick and safe return. Yellow ribbons were presented to the Town Clerk and other members of this body this evening by Arnold Berger. ARTICLE 1 On motion of Russell T. Graham, it was voted to take Article 1 from the table. Willard J. Burditt, Chairman of the Finance Committee presented the attached report. (see attached report) ARTICLE 1 On motion of Russell T. Graham, it was voted to lay Article 1 on the table. ARTICLE 2 On motion of Curt E. Nitzsche, it was voted that Town Meeting instruct the Board of Health to report back at the next Town Meeting on the recent mosquito Eastern Equine En- cephalitis health concern and what recommendations they feel would be a viable long-term solution as opposed to spraying after the fact. ARTICLE 2 On motion of Curt E. Nitzsche, as amended by William J. Hughes, Jr., it was voted that Town Meeting instruct the Board of Selectmen to investigate the activities at the Read- ing Police Shooting Range and the Reading Rifle Club and Camp Curtis Guild. We would appreciate knowing what consideration 1 TOWN MEETING SEPTEMBER 13,1990 FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT WILLARD J_ BURDITT, CHAIRMAN THIS IS A FISCAL UPDATE AND NOT INTENDED TO BE A GLOOM AND DOOM SPEECH STATE AID ON JULY 12, 1990 WE RECEIVED $819,309 WHICH WAS THE AMOUNT THAT THE COURT SAID THAT THE GOVERNOR ILLEGALLY WITHHELD +=ROM THE FY90 STATE AID. WITH THIS WE WERE ABLE TO HAVE A BALANCE OFI$1,166,000 IN FREE CASH AT THE END OF FY90. WE HAVE RECEIVED THE CHERRY SHEET FOR FY91. ALTHOUGH THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE CUT THE LEVEL FUNDING THAT WE WERE PROMISED, THIS DOES NOT HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE FY91 BUDGET FOR READING BECAUSE WE ANTICIPATED THAT THIS WAS A PROBABILITY. THE AMOUNT THAT WE WILL. RECEIVE IS $1,500 LESS THAN WE TARGETED. OTHER REVENUES OUR PROJECTIONS IN OTHER ITEMS, HOWEVER., DO NOT APPEAR TO BE AS GOOD. IN THE SPRING I SAID THAT I WAS CONCERNED WITH THE EXCISE TAX RECEIPTS. UNFORTUNATELY IT APPEARS THAT THAT WAS RIGHT. WE ARE NOW ANTICIPATING RECEIPTS FOR FY91 TO BE EQUAL TO THOSE RECEIVED FOR FY90 WHICH IS A REDUCTION OF $100 THOUSAND IN THE AMOUNT THAT WAS USED IN OUR BUDGET. ANOTHER AREA THAT APPEARS THAT WE WERE OVERLY OPTIMISTIC IS INTEREST EARNINGS. WE OVER ESTIMATED THIS BY $125 THOUSAND BASED ON CURRENT CONDITIONS. AFTER A CURRENT REVUE OF OTHER, REVENUE ITEMS SUCH AS CHARGES FOR SERVICES AND LICENSES AND PERMITS, AND COMPARING FY90 RECEIPTS, IT LOOKS LIKE WE PROJECTED ABOUT $50 THOUSAND TO MUCH. ACTION TO BE TAKEN FOR FY91 AT THE NOVEMBER TOWN MEETING WE MUST TAKE SOME ACTION TO BALANCE THE BUDGET. WE NEED TO REDUCE EXPENDITURES OR RAISE REVENUES BY AN UPDATED PROJECTION OR THE USE OF FREE CASH. TOWN MANAGEMENT IS REVIEWING THE EXPENDITURES. PROJECTIONS FOR FY92 I HAVE JUST TOLD YOU THAT WE DON'T HAVE A GOOD HANDLE ON THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR, HOWEVER, I THINK AN ASSESSMENT FOR FY92 IS NEEDED BEFORE WE SPEND OUR, FREE CASH FOR THE SHORTFALL IN FY91. REVENUE: PROPERTY TAXES - CURRENT ESTIMATE PLUS 2 1/2% PLUS SAME NEW CONSTRUCTION AND PROVISION FOR ABATEMENTS AND EXEMPTIONS FREE CASH - SAVE $500 THOUSAND OF CURRENT BALANCE FOR FALL AND SPRING TOWN MEETINGS AND FUTURE NEEDS (THIS IS OUR ONLY BANK ACCOUNT) SALE OF REAL ESTATE - THIS IS THE BALANCE OTHEF~l LOCAL REVENUE - (EXCISE TAX, CHARGES FOR SERVICES, INTEREST ERNINGS,ETC.) THERE MIGHT BE SOME MORE BUT I JUST TOLD YOU OF SOME SHORTFALLS IN THE CURRENT YEAR PROJECTIONS ABATEMENT SURPLUS - IT IS TOO EARLY FOR AN ESTIMATE FROM THE ASSESSORS MUNICIPAL LIGHT - I HOPE THAT WE WILL HAVE AN INCREASE BUT WE HOD HOPED FOR THE EXTRA $100K IN FY90 AND DID NOT RECEIVE IT STATE AID - I NAVE.-.LEVEL FUNDED THIS BUT WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN NOVEMBER WITH THE CLT PETITION OR THE REVENUE SHARING PETITION OTHER - THIS IS CEMETERY PERPETUAL CARE AND SALE OF LOTS AND I HAVE SAID SAME AS FY91 TOTAL - 0.23% ($71K) INCREASE OVER FY91 UPDATE OR. 0.61% ($190K) DECREASE FROM FY91 VOTED REVENUES ($000) FY92 VS FY90 FY91 FY91 FY92 FY91 ACTUAL VOTED UPDATE MAYBE VARIANCE PROPERTY TAXES $17,811 $18,809 $18,835 $19,541 3.75% FREE CASH ; $1,114 $497 $497 $666 34.00% SALE OF REAL ESTATE $1,192 $1,300 $1,300 $496 -61.85% OTHER LOCAL REVENUE $3,360 $3,546 $3,260 $3,260 0.00% ABATEMENT SURPLUS $610 $192 $192 $192 0.00% MUNICIPAL LIGHT $1,250 $1,350 $1,350 $1,350 0.00% STATE AID $6,658 $5,385 $5,384 $5,384 0.00% OTHER 174 117 117 117 0.00% TOTAL REVENUES $32,169 $31,196 $30,935 $31,006 0.23% EXPENSES... DEBT SERVICE - THIS IS BASED ON THE CURRENT BORROWING SCHEDULE PENSIONS,_GRO_UP INSURANCE, ,MEDICARE, AND WORKERS COMP - LEVEL FUNDED BECAUSE I DO NOT HAVE ANY BASIS FOR FORMING EVEN A GUESS, BUT I WOULD ASSUME THAT THERE WILL BE SOME INCREASES UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION - REDUCED TO FY90 LEVEL'BECAUSE I AM NOT PROJECTING ANY REDUCTION IN EMPLOYEES, ALTHOUGH WITH THE BOTTOM LINE IT IS A POSSIBILITY STATE AND COUNTY ASSESSMENTS - I LEVEL FUNDED STATE AID SO I LEVEL FUNDED THIS ITEM PERSONAL EXPENSES - ALL LABOR UNION CONTRACTS EXPIRE AT THE END OF THIS FISCAL YEAR AND NEGOTIATIONS WILL SO01'.! BEGIN SO FOR THE SAKE OF PLUGING IN A NUMBER IN THIS TIME OF PROPOSITION 2 1/2 I USED THIS 2 1/2% NONPERSONAL EXPENSES - AGAIN TO USE A NUMBER I USED 1% BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN WATCHING THIS VERY CLOSELY BUT THE TIME WILL COME WHEN WE MUST FIX OUR ROADS AND MAKE OTHER IMPROVEMENTS AND KEEP UP WITH OUR EDUCATIONAL NEEDS WASTE COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL - THIS IS THE NUMBER THAT WE HAVE IN OUR CURRENT CONTRACT (NOW YOU CAN SEE HOW IMPORTANT THE RECYCLING WILL BE) TOTAL EXPENSES - 3.39% ($1,OS7) INCREASE ON WHAT I CONSIDER. A VERY CONSERVATIVE PROJECTION GENERAL DEBT SERVICE EMPLOYEE BENEFITS: PENSIONS UNEMPLOYMENT COMP GROUP INSURANCE MEDICARE WORKERS COMP TOTAL BENEFITS STATE & COUNTY ASSESMENTS TOTAL GENERAL MUNICIPAL PERSONAL NONPERSONAL WASTE COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL TOTAL MUNICIPAL SCHOOL PERSONAL NONPERSONAL NORTHEAST REGIONAL TOTAL SCHOOL EXPENSES ($000) FY92 VS FY90 FY91 FY91 FY92 FY91 ACTUAL VOTED UPDATE MAYBE VARIANCE $1,542 $1,604 $1,604 $1,686 5.11% $1,858 $1,766 $1,766 $1,766 0.00% $30 $277 $277 $30 -89.18% $1,979 $2,111 $2,111 $2,111 0.00% $72 $75 $75 $75 0.00% 00 $220 220 $220 0.00% $4,138 $4,449 $4,449 $4,202 -5.56% 614 $634 $644 $644 0.00% $6,294 $6,687 $6,697 $6,532 -2.47% $6,606 $6,479 $6,479 $6,641 2.50% $2,726 $2,290 $2,290 $2,313 1.00% ,683 $925 925 $1.631 76.32% $10,015 $9,694 $9,694 $10,585 9.19% $12,256 $12,337 $12,337 $12,645 $2,758 $2,328 $2,328 $2,351 186 $150 $145 $145 $15,200 1$ 4.815 $14,810 $15,142 2.50% 1.00% 0.00% 2.24% TOTAL EXPENSES $31,509 $31,196 $31,201 $32,258 3.39% SUMMARY - FY91 $266K SHORTFALL AND FY92 ONE AND ONE QUARTER MILLION DOLLARS SHORT THIS IS AN ASSESSMENT OF WHAT COULD HAPPEN IN FY92. I THINK IT IS CONSERVATIVE IN BOTH REVENUE AND EXPENSES. HOWEVER IT POINTS OUT THE FACT THAT WE NEED ADDITIONAL REVENUES OF $700 THOUSAND FOR WASTE COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL ALONE AND I DON,T THINK `HAT REVENUES ARE THAT MUCH UNDERESTIMATED. FY92 WILL BE A VERY DIFFICULT YEAR FOR PREPARING, REVIEWING, AND PRESENTING A BUDGET THAT DOES NOT HAVE A SERIOUS IMPACT ON THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY THIS TOWN. WE SAW THATJN FY91 AND THIS WILL ONLY COMPOUND THE PROBLEM. SUMMARY TOTALREVENUES TOTAL EXPENSES ($000) FY92 VS FY90 FY91 FY91 FY92 FY91 ACTUAL VOTED UPDATE MAYBE VARIANCE $32,169 $31,196 $30,936 $31,006 0.23% $31,609 $31.196 $31,201 $32,268 3.39% REVENUE OVER!(UNDER) EXPENSES $660 ($0) ($266) ($1,252) Reading Memorial High School September 13, 1990 these two organizations have given to the concerns of their neighbors regarding gunshot noise. The Selectmen will report their findings to the next Town Meeting. ARTICLE 2 On motion of William C. Brown, it was moved that the Board of Selectmen be instructed to cease negotiations with Homart Development and seek a new developer for the landfill site, with priority being given to a recycling developer. This motion was voted in the negative. ARTICLE 2 On motion of William C. Brown, as amended by Gail F. Wood, it was voted that the Board of Selectmen be in- structed" on- or before -the- November- Town--Meeting -to -provide -Town - Meeting with the minimum manning requirements of the Fire Depart- ment and Police Department, to include the total number of per- sonnel on the force, the number of personnel per shift, the total number of weeks of vacati,J)ns due them, and contractual agreements if any as to the number of personnel that may be off on each shift. ARTICLE 2 On motion of Russell T. Graham, it was voted to lay Article 2 on the table. ARTICLE 3 On motion of Sally M. Hoyt, it was voted to indefinitely postpone the subject matter of Article 3. ARTICLE 4 The following Finance Committee Majority Report was presented by Frederick Van Magness: The Finance Committee voted September 12, 1990 not to recom- mend the subject matter of Article 4 by a vote of 3 Yes, 5 No, 0 Abstentions. It was the recommendation of the majority that any subsidy resulting from changes in 'the percentage split of in- surance costs impacting the self-insurance aspects of the Harvard/Hancock Plans creates a significant uncertainty as to the total future liabilities for the Town of Reading during FY1991. At the present time, there is no substantive data available to determine the appropriate reserves necessary to protect the Town's exposure. Health care costs have historically exceeded annual projections used in prior years budgets presented to Town Meeting and there is no data to suggest that this new program will dramatically change our ability to predict the future in the near term. A 50% split between Town and employee contributions is in accordance with previously accepted provisions of General Laws. While we recognize that this creates an additional finan- cial burden to some employees, to contemplate an increase in the percent allocation of costs now will create a potentially sig- nificant risk to the Town during a period of severe financial 2 Reading Memorial High School September 13, 1990 revenue shortfalls. Because the risks are so unknown, the Finance Committee strongly recommends that Town Meeting carefully consider the future budget implications that any change in the percentage allocations might bring. Therefore, the Finance Com- mittee recommends that the provisions of General Laws, Chapter 32B, Section 7A not be accepted at this time. Town of Reading Finance Committee Willard J. Burditt, Chairman September 12, 1990 The Finance Committee Minority Report was presented by Nathan C. White: Current estimates of costs to be incurred by the Town for the self-insurance portion of the new health insurance plan are con- servative. These estimates are conservative relative to number of employees who will participate%and dollar value of claims per participant. The estimates areli.ntentionally conservative be- cause we have no established measures of performance. Even with these conservative estimates it appears that the Town's current 1990 fiscal year appropriation is adequate to support a 60% share of health insurance costs for its employees and retirees and also set aside an additional $400,000 reserve for health insurance costs. The majority of employees are going to be hit with a substantial increase in their health insurance costs whether or not this mo- tion is passed. For some lower-paid employees, this increase can be as much as 10% of their gross salary. This is 10% of gross salary, not 10% of their insurance costs. It is the minority opinion of the Finance Committee that it is clearly unreasonable to require employees to absorb this whole shocker, particularly in view of the fact that there appears to be adequate funding in the already adopted 1990 budget to cover 60% of the insurance costs. Approval of Town Meeting of an increase up to a maximum 60% of health insurance costs of.our employees certainly won't take the sting out of this increase in costs to employees; however, it will somewhat alleviate the bite, and at least let employees know that they do get some consideration by their Town Meeting. In view of the foregoing the three Finance Committee members who voted to recommend approval of this motion again recommend ap- proval of the motion. Willard Burditt George McWilliams Nathan White 3 Reading Memorial High School September 13, 1990 The Bylaw Committee reported in favor of the motion by a vote of 4-0-0. ARTICLE 4 On motion of Daniel A. Ensminger, it was voted that the Town accept the provisions of General Laws Chapter 32B, Section 7A. 67 Voted in the Affirmative 54 Voted in the Negative ARTICLE 5 The Finance Committee reported favorably on Article 5 by a vote of 8-0-0. ARTICLE 5 On motion of Daniel A. Ensminger, it was voted that the Town authorize the Treasurer of the Town to trans- fer from time to time from the appropriation for Group Health In- surance to the Claims Trust Fund to be established pursuant to General Laws Chapter 32B, Section 3A such sums as may be neces- sary to assure a sufficient balance at all times in said Claims Trust Fund for use in accordance with said Chapter 32B, Section 3A. On motion of Russell T. Graham, it was voted that this Spe- cial Town Meeting stand adjourned sine die. Meeting adjourned 9:35 P.M. 132 Town Meeting members present. A true copy. Attest: J Catherine A. Quim Town Clerk 4