HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989-09-14 Special Town Meeting Minutes38'3
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING
Reading Memorial High School September 14, 1989
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 the Reverend Robert K. Sweet,
Jr. of the Old South United Methodist Church, followed by the
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
The warrant was partially read by the Town Clerk, Doris M.
Fantasia, 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.
ARTICLE 1. On motion of Russell T. Graham, it was
voted to take Article 1 from the table.
ARTICLE 1. The following "State of the Town" report
by Russell T. Graham, was accepted as a report of progress:
STATE OF THE TOWN
Mr. Moderator:
For some number of years, many of you here have been sub-
jected to a long litany of various and sundry characters who have
subjected you to their ominous projections of doom and gloom.
For any of you who did not become true believers, welcome to the
Special Town Meeting of September 14, 1989.
For this evening, Mr. Moderator, we witness the beginning
and I do stress the word beginning of contemplating a series of
cuts to town service mandated by a shortfall of revenue at-
tributable to the reduction of state aid instituted by the Gover-
nor. This being part of the Governor's response to the fiscal
chaos and uncertainty which has accompanied the inglorious un-
raveling of what had been so long touted as the Miracle of Mas-
sachusetts..
This evening you will be asked to increase a series of fees
to our revenue and to approve a series of cuts in our expenses.
When and if you approve this revised budget, the Town of Reading
will see some adverse effects on what they expect in services
from their government. Public Works salaries have been sig-
nificantly reduced saving large sums of money, but you will
begin to see deterioration in upkeep and maintenance of Town as-
sets.
Fire overtime will be reduced perhaps at times affecting our
ability to provide superior service.
The Library will close on Friday evenings.
The Hazardous Waste collection will be exhausted.
The Recreation Director's time will be cut back.
The Health Inspector's time will be cut back.
Cemetery seasonal workers have been cut back.
The Elder Services van driver will not work on evenings.
Consultants available to the CPDC have been greatly reduced
thus affecting that boards ability to procure data and informa-
tion it needs to make sound judgments on planning and zoning.
ME
Special Town Meeting September 14, 1989
On the school side, there will be charges for sports' user
fees, charge for buses. Rent will be raised on their facility
and summer school will be charged for. Substitute teachers fees
have been reduced. Some custodial help and aides at the High
School have been exhausted. Intramural activities and salaries
have been exhausted and elementary school field trips have been
done away with.
Throughout the long discussions and meetings between the
Board of Selectmen, the School Committee, the Finance Committee,
the Town Manager, the Superintendent of Schools, and the Town
Treasurer and Accountant, one prevailing theme was evident on all
sides. Not once during the debate did a discordant note sound
pitching one area of Town !'government against another as to the
cuts or lack thereof.
The only question addressed by all, including Department
Heads and staff was "How can we effect this reduction in costs
with the least impact on the services provided to the people of
Reading ?"
That is a remarkable '' :comment on the character of Reading
government. How proud we should be of it, and how sad that we
begin tonight to dismember it.
For the truth is that, "We ain't seen nothing yet. " Every
indication from all informed sources is that next year, FY 1991
will,in fact, be far worse.
The specifics of a very early but necessary look at FY1991
will be given to you by the Chairman of the Finance Committee,
Bill Burditt, for the official mantle of doom and gloom now lies
on his shoulders. But I have seen a_ preview and I can assure you
it will not bring smiles to your face..
In approaching the reduction necessary to respond to this
financial predicament, management on both sides of Town govern-
ment broke down potential cuts into groups ranging from those
having little or no impact on services to those having very
serious impact on services. On the Municipal side, the cuts you
will be asked to approve go to those described as having "some
adverse, but not serious adverse effect on Town services ". On
the school side, if I may be so brazen as to speak for them, the
cuts represent those perceived to have the least effect on the
quality of education available to the students of the Reading
school system.
Two scenarios were available to the Boards. One anticipated
introducing a trash fee for 1/2 of the present fiscal year FY90.
The other anticipates introducing such a fee in FY91 for the full
year. Our first and very unsophisticated look at such a fee
shows it as $100.00 (one hundred dollars) per year per household
on approximately 7500 households in Reading that would be
$750,000.00 (seven hundred fifty thousand dollars) per year or
$375,000.00 (three hundred seventy five thousand dollars) for
the half year.
Whether a per household method is the best and least cumber-
some or whether it should be by use, or person, or some other
method, are all subject, in our opinion, to further scrutiny and
debate.
It should be made clear, to avoid confusion, that Town Meet-
ing is not being asked to approve or disapprove a trash fee for
the Town. The implementation of a trash fee comes under the
jurisdiction of the Board of Selectmen, who presently have full
authority to levy fines against those who might choose to ignore
the fees.
Articles 10 and 11 of this Special, would allow a lien
against property to be applied under Article 10, in general, and
q0
Special Town Meeting
under Article 11, would apply that
trash fee specifically. Neither,
prove a trash collection fee.
September 14, 1989
right to apply a lien for the
however, authorize nor disap-
The Board of Selectmen will move for indefinite postponement
of both Articles. We will, at that time explain, our reasons,
and will have open for debate the question to those who might
like to discuss the issue further. Let there be no question
however , that the Board of Selectmen have every intention of
pursuing a method to impose a trash fee in FY91, when it will be
sorely needed, as you will soon see from Mr. Burditt's presenta-
tion.
Tonight we, the Town Meeting, begin to inflict pain on our
Community. (Just a beginning.)
We, of course, will do what must be done. Our budgeted ex-
penses for services will reflect the amount available to us for
revenue. The Town Manager is capable and responsible. He can
cut. Dr. Munnelly is extraordinarily competent. If he must
downsize the school system - he knows what steps he can take to
do it, and he will.
The question, however, is what kind of a Town will we have
when it is done! The trash fee - were it to be implemented - is
not enough to cover one year's increase in our payroll. An over-
ride of proposition 2 1/2 to allow another 2 1/2% is then needed
to cover a year's increase of our payroll. All of the taxes col-
lected from all the households and the businesses in Reading do
not now cover our total payroll .
As we leave this hall tonight, hopefully having completed
all of the business of this Special Town Meeting, we must do some
serious soul searching. Those of us here, who by our presence
have demonstrated an adherence to the apathy demonstrated by so
many of our fellow citizens, we now have an.added burden.
We must now convince them that-
If we as a community are committed to maintaining good
government in Reading;
If we are serious about our commitment to quality education
and to the preservation of an outstanding school system;
If we are serious about our commitment to keep substance
abuse out of Reading and committed to the safety of all of our
citizens;
If we are serious about our commitment to serving the needs
of our elderly, who by their prior sacrifice, have passed this
community on to us in such good condition;
If we are serious about maintaining sanity and balance in
our development and zoning;
In short, if we are truly serious about committing our-
selves to keeping this a very special place, to keep it "Reading"
with all the pride we so justly associate to that name when we
raise our heads and tell people what Town we're from;
If we are indeed serious, then let us make it clear to all
who will listen, that we must be willing to give a commitment of
deed, a commitment of heart, and yes , let us be crass, a commit-
ment of money.
Let us be clear about it. The cuts we make tonight will not
solve our problem. Justifying a trash collection fee will not
Special Town Meeting September 14, 1989
solve our problem. They will only help delay the effects of in-
sufficient funding for the services desired.
Only a realization that no increase or worse a decrease in
State Aid accompanied by a 2 1/2% increase in taxation is a to-
tally unrealistic guideline not capable of maintaining our
quality of personnel and service.
If they desire to destroy that quality, the blueprint for
that action lies before them. If they on the other hand desire
to maintain and build on that quality then they must take action
on the local level to turn away from those unrealistic restric-
tions on the State level. Demand, with all the vigor and power
at their command, that State government set their house in order,
clean up their unacceptable fiscal mismanagement, and return to
the people at the local level the funds we need to maintain our
communities.
I think we all hope that they do so before it is too late
for our community, our children, and ourselves!
Thank you.
. ARTICLE 1. The attached report was presented by Wil-
lard J. Burditt, Chairman of the Finance Committee and accepted
as a Report of Progress .
ARTICLE 1. The attached report was presented by Philip
B. Pacino, Chairman of the Reading Municipal Light and Leonard D.
Rucker, General Manager of the Reading Municipal Light and ac-
cepted as a Report of Progress.
ARTICLE 1. The following report of Peter I..
Hechenbleikner, Town Manager, was accepted as a Report of
Progress:
I think we're anxiously awaiting to get on with the busi-
ness of this evening, so I'll be very brief. The thing that I
wanted to stress beyond what Mr. Graham and Mr. Burditt had to
say is that as soon as we found out that there was going to be a
change in the reductions in the state -aid figures, we started
working towards meeting those changes. It's a very frustrating
process because when we thought we had figures , we were working
on them, and then the figures were changed. I must say in none
of those scenarios had we anticipated as.much of a change as we
wound up with.
The process that we've used has been one of consensus among
the Town Manager , Department Heads , Board of Selectmen, Super-
intendent of Schools, School Committee, and the FinCom. I think
we've all worked very hard on the package that you have before
you tonight. This package is really only dealing with the FY9O
Budget. The revisions you see before you tonight, the revenue
measures, and the expense cuts are very finely tuned , thoroughly
reviewed and balanced. Town Meeting may, of course, make any
modifications that it sees fit in any of this package, but I
think we all need to recognize that any changes will have an ef-
fect on other areas. There is no slack in this budget, there's
no room to maneuver.
I think the other thing that I want to stress is that in a
sense we may have made this look too easy. One of the comments
that I heard is,- You came up with $800,000.00, and wasn't it
simple. It wasn't simple at all. I think as we get into the
details, you'll see the difficulty in raising some of the fees,
making some of the cuts that we have had to do. But I think the
Town of Reading in the proposal before you, has acted very
responsibly.
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING _
SEPTEMBER 14, 1989
FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT
WILLARD J. BURDITT, CHAIRMAN
YOU ALL HAVE HEARD THE "GLOOM AND DOOM" SPEECHES BEFORE. GUESS
WHAT? IT'S THAT TIME AGAIN.
I WANT TO TAKE YOU THROUGH SOME CHARTS THAT SHOW WHY WE ARE HERE,
HOW WE HAVE SURVIVED, SO FAR, AND WHERE WE MAY BE GOING.
WHY WE ARE HERE
THE COMMONWEALTH DID NOT DISTRIBUTE THE STATE AID THAT WE
ANTICIPATED THEY WOULD WHEN WE VOTED FOR THE FY90 BUDGET LAST
SPRING. WE WERE NOTIFIED IN JULY THAT WE WERE SHORT $963,000 IN
DISTRIBUTION, HOWEVER WE HAD OVER ESTIMATED THE AMOUNT THAT WE
WOULD BE ASSESSED FOR EXPENSES BY $70,000 FOR A STATE AID
REDUCTION OF $893,000. A REVIEW OF OTHER LOCAL REVENUE, SUCH AS
INTEREST EARNINGS, DETERMINED THAT $96,000 INCREASE IS AVAILABLE.
THIS COMPUTES TO A SHORTFALL OF $797,000 THAT HAS TO BE
RECONSIDERED.
REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN, SCHOOL COMMITTEE,
AND FINANCE COMMITTEE, THE TOWN MANAGER, AND THE SUPERINTENDENT
OF SCHOOLS HAD MEETINGS, ONCE WITH STATE REPRESENTATIVE GEOF
BECKWITH, TO FIND WAYS TO MEET THIS SHORTFALL.
ALTHOUGH THE SCHOOL BUDGET IS LARGER THAN THE MUNICIPAL BUDGET FOR
THE ITEMS THAT COULD BE LOOKED AT (ITEMS SUCH AS WATER AND SEWER
THAT ARE ON AN ENTERPRISE ACCOUNTING SYSTEM AND CAPITAL ITEMS THAT
ARE BONDED WOULD NOT HAVE AN EFFECT ON THE BUDGET) IT WAS DECIDED
THAT IT WAS VERY LATE FOR THE SCHOOLS TO MAKE THE MAJOR CUTS
BECAUSE TEACHERS WERE HIRED AND SUPPLIES WERE PURCHASED, THE
SCHOOL PERCENTAGE OF THE REVISIONS IS 40% AND THE MUNICIPAL
PERCENTAGE IS 60 %. THIS ALLOWS THE SCHOOLS TIME FOR ANY MAJOR
REVISIONS THAT MAY BE REQUIRED FOR FUTURE YEARS. THESE REVISIONS
WERE TO BE MADE AFTER ALL AREAS WERE LOOKED AT FOR ANY RELIEF THAT
MAY BE AVAILABLE FOR THIS MAJOR ADJUSTMENT.
THE PENDING RESOLUTION OF THE MUNICIPAL LIGHT BOARDS DISPUTE WITH
WILMINGTON WILL PAY READING $100,000 IN CALENDAR YEAR 1990. WE ARE
PROJECTING THIS PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BEFORE JUNE ALLOWING US TO
USE THIS MONEY FOR FY90. HOWEVER THE RECEIPT OF THIS MONEY IS
DEPENDENT ON THE CASH FLOW OF THE LIGHT DEPARTMENT AND WE MAY NOT
RECEIVE ALL THIS MONEY FOR FY90.
$95,000 OF FREE CASH IS USED IN THE PROPOSED PLAN. THIS IS MONEY
WE HAD THOUGHT WE WOULD USE FOR FY91 BUT NOW THINK MUST BE USED TO
EASE THE CUTS THIS YEAR.
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ANOTHER AREA THAT WAS REVIEWED WAS A POSSIBLE TRASH COLLECTION AND
DISPOSAL FEE.
A PRIORITY LIST OF REVISIONS WAS PREPARED BY BOTH THE MUNICIPAL
AND SCHOOL SIDES WHICH WOULD ALLOW THE FINANCE COMMITTEE TO MAKE
IT'S RECOMMENDATIONS WITH THE FUNDING FROM THE LIGHT BOARD AND THE
FREE CASH OR WITH FUNDING INCLUDING A HALF YEAR OF THE TRASH FEE
BUT NOT USING THE FREE CASH.
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE VOTED NOT TO RECOMMEND THE PROJECTION USING
THE TRASH COLLECTION FEE. THIS ISSUE WILL BE ADDRESSED LATER.
THE BUDGET REVISIONS TO BE PRESENTED TONIGHT, WHICH WILL RESULT IN
A BALANCED BUDGET, ARE MADE UP OF A COMBINATION OF SPENDING
AVAILABLE AND PROJECTED FUNDS, NEW AND INCREASED FEES, AS WELL AS
REDUCED PERSONAL AND NONPERSONAL EXPENSES.
SUMMARY OF SHARED SHORTFALL
THE TOTAL ADJUSTMENT TO THE BUDGET THAT WAS APPROVED AT THE SPRING
TOWN MEETING IS $602,000. THIS IS A SUMMARY OF HOW THE MUNICIPAL
AND SCHOOLS HAVE PLANNED TO MEET THE SHORTFALL OF AVAILABLE FUNDS.
THE PERSONAL REDUCTIONS DO NOT REQUIRE ANY LAYOFFS BUT DO INCLUDE
NOT HIRING FOR CURRENT VACANT POSITIONS AND FOR POSITIONS THAT
BECOME VACANT DUE TO RETIREMENTS. IT ALSO INCLUDES REDUCED HOURS,
REORGANIZATION, AND PART TIME REDUCTIONS.
NONPERSONAL EXPENSES INCLUDE REDUCTION OF MAINTENANCE AND
EQUIPMENT, TRAVEL, AND OTHER MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES. IT ALSO,
INCLUDES THE ELIMINATION OF THE HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION.
THESE ARE VERY DIFFICULT CUTS TO MAKE BUT CUTS HAVE TO BE MADE AND
THESE ARE THE RECOMMENDED ONES.
THE OTHER AREA THAT IS BEING RECOMMENDED IS TO INCREASE AND CREATE
NEW FEES AND USE EXISTING REVOLVING FUNDS. BY INCREASING FEES WE
WILL HAVE REVENUE FOR FUTURE YEARS. THE USE OF THE REVOLVING FUNDS
WILL HAVE A NEGATIVE EFFECT IN THE FUTURE BECAUSE THE MONEY WILL
NOT BE AVAILABLE BUT IS NECESSARY TO USE NOW.
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BECAUSE OF CONCERNS OF WHAT THE FY91 OUTLOOK MAY BE, MYSELF,
RICHARD FOLEY THE TOWN ACCOUNTANT, AND BETH KLEPIES THE TOWN
TREASURER, PREPARED A MOCK OR DESKTOP PROJECTION OF WHAT THE
FY91 BUDGET MAY BE. THIS PROJECTION WAS DONE WITHOUT INPUT
FROM THE DEPARTMENTS BUT WAS BASED ON WHAT WE THOUGHT WERE
REASONABLE ASSUMPTIONS. THIS IS A PLANNING ESTIMATE.
REVENUE COMPARISONS
THE TAX LEVY IS 2 1/2 % MORE THAN FY90 PLUS A GUESSTIMATE FOR
NEW CONSTRUCTION. THE PROVISION FOR ABATEMENT IS THE SAME AS
THIS YEAR.
STATE AID IS ABOUT THE SAME AS THIS YEAR AS REVISED IN JULY.
OTHER LOCAL REVENUE IS ABOUT THE SAME AS THIS YEAR.
THE FREE CASH AND ABATEMENT SURPLUS IS ALL THAT WE WILL HAVE.
THE SALE OF REAL ESTATE FUNDS ARE PROBABLY ALL THAT WE CAN
SPEND.
THE MUNICIPAL LIGHT IS ESTIMATED AT THE SAME AMOUNT AS THIS
YEAR. THE EARNINGS DISTRIBUTION HAS NOT INCREASED IN FOUR
YEARS.
OTHER INCLUDES THE FEES THAT WILL BE VOTED TONIGHT. THE
IMPACT IN FY91 ASSUMES ALL WILL PASS.
AND FINALLY THE TRASH COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL FEE. THE
FINANCE COMMITTEE IS RECOMMENDING, BY A 6 -2 VOTE, THAT TOWN
MEETING VOTE IN THE AFFIRMATIVE FOR ARTICLES 10 AND 11. THIS
WILL ALLOW THE FINCOM AND ALL BOARDS TO MAKE PLANS FOR
INCLUDING THIS ITEM WHEN PREPARING THE FY91 BUDGET. THE
SELECTMEN SHOULD BEGIN TO EXAMINE A FAIR METHOD OF ASSESSING
A FEE NOW AND HOLD HEARINGS, IF REQUIRED. THE FINANCE
COMMITTEE ALSO THINKS THAT THIS FEE SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED AS
SOON AS POSSIBLE AND IF SOME FUNDS COULD BE RAISED IN FY90
THAT THIS MONEY SHOULD BE USED IN FY91 AND NOT TO REDUCE THE
CUTS THAT WILL BE RECOMMENDED TONIGHT.
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EXPENSE COMPARISONS
THE PERSONAL SERVICE LINES INCLUDE THE CURRENT UNION
INCREASES OF APPROXIMATELY 5 1/2 % FOR THE MUNICIPAL
EMPLOYEES AND 7 % FOR THE SCHOOL EMPLOYEES. THE NONPERSONEL
EXPENSES WERE INCREASED BY i % AND THE NORTHEAST REGIONAL
VOKE SCHOOL WAS LEVEL FUNDED.
DEBT SERVICE IS INCREASED TO INCLUDE THE SHORT TERM BORROWING
PRIOR TO LONG TERM BONDS THAT ARE ISSUED EVERY TWO YEARS.
THE PENSIONS WERE INCREASED IN AN AMOUNT APPROXIMATELY THE
SAME AS THE INCREASE LAST YEAR.
UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION IS INCREASED TO ALLOW FOR ANY
REDUCTIONS THAT MAY HAPPEN NEXT YEAR.
ffC,9LTh4 INSURANCE IS PROJECTED TO HAVE A 30 % INCREASE.
MEDICARE AND WORKERS COMPENSATION ARE EXPECTED TO INCREASE AS
THEY HAVE IN THE PAST.
STATE AND COUNTY ASSESSMENTS WERE CALCULATED AT THE SAME 4'%
INCREASE AS LAST YEAR.
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REVENUE AND EXPENSE SUMMARY
YOU HAVE SEEN THE PROJECTED REVENUES AND EXPENSES AND HERE IS
THE RESULT. IN FY89 WE HAD A SURPLUS OF $891,000. IN THE
SPRING WE APPROVED A BALANCED BUDGET FOR FY90 AND TONIGHT WE
HAVE A PROPOSAL FOR A BALANCED BUDGET. AS YOU CAN SEE WE HAVE
A MAJOR PROBLEM FACING US IN FY91, AND THIS DEFICIT OF
$1,463,000 ASSUMES A TRASH FEE THAT WILL GENERATE $750,000.
THIS BUDGET IS ONLY AN ATTEMPT TO SHOW THAT WE COULD HAVE A
PROBLEM.
ARE WE CRYING WOLF AGAIN? I WOULD LIKE TO SHOW HOW THE TOWN
HAS SURVIVED SINCE THE START OF PROPOSITION 2 1/2.
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HOW HAVE WE SURVIVED IN PAST YEARS
I'D LIKE TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE HISTORY, CONCERNING HOW
READING HAS COPED WITH THE RESTRAINTS ON THE BUDGET SINCE THE
PASSAGE OF PROPOSITION 2 1/2 IN NOVEMBER OF 1980.
READING HAS ALWAYS
MANAGEMENT, BUT WE HAVE ALSO
BUDGETS BALANCED. INFLATION
IN THOSE EARLY YEARS. 2 1/2
COVER WAGE INCREASES, LET
EXPENSE ITEMS.
PRIDED ITSELF ON GOOD FINANCIAL
NEEDED ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO KEEP OUR
WAS GALLOPING ALONG AT DOUBLE DIGITS
INCREASE IN PROPERTY TAXES DIDN'T
ALONE THE INFLATION IN THE COST OF
THE STATE WAS EXPERIENCING GOOD TIMES. IN THE SUMMER OF
1981, WE RECEIVED A LONG OVERDUE CHERRY SHEET WITH GOOD NEWS. WE
WERE GETTING $700,000 MORE IN STATE AID THAN ESTIMATED AT THE
SPRING TOWN MEETING. AT A TOWN MEETING HELD IN OCTOBER, 1981, WE
VOTED TO APPROPRIATE THE FULL 7000,000 INTO A STABILIZATION FUND
FOR FUTURE NEEDS. WITH INTEREST RATES HIGH, WE EARNED ABOUT
$300,000 MORE FOR THE STABILIZATION FUND BEFORE IT WAS FINALLY
USED UP IN THE FUNDING OF CAPITAL PROJECTS. THE FINAL $407,000
WAS APPROPRIATED IN THE SPRING OF 1985 FOR FISCAL 1986.
UNTIL RECENTLY, THE TOWN WAS HELPED BY CONTINUED LARGE
YEARLY INCREASES IN STATE AID AND BY THE FACT THAT DECLINING
ENROLLMENT ALLOWED US TO REAP BUDGETARY SAVINGS BY CLOSING
SCHOOLS. NINE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS SHRANK IN NUMBER TO THE PRESENT
FOUR.
IT WAS FORTUNATE THAT WE HAD THESE OPPORTUNITIES FOR BUDGET
BALANCING BECAUSE THE $500,000 OR MORE IN FEDERAL REVENUE
SHARING WHICH WE HAD BEEN USING TO OFFSET FIRE AND POLICE
SALARIES DRIED UP IN 1986.
IN 1984, THE TOWN BEGAN WHAT WAS TERMED A "FINANCIAL
RENAISSANCE" BY SELLING 15.2 ACRES.ON JOHN STREET TO TASC. THE
POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE INDUSTRIALLY ZONED AREA INTO A HIGH
CLASS INDUSTRIAL PARK WAS FORESEEN. THE SALES OF THE READING
DEPOT AND THE COMMUNITY CENTER HAVE ADDED TO THE SALE OF REAL
ES'T'ATE FUND. PLANS FOR SALES OF THE LAND FILL SITE, BEAR HILL,
AND THE PEARL STREET SCHOOL SHOULD REACH FRUITITION IN THE NEAR
FUTURE. IT CANNOT.COME T00. SOON AS ONLY $1,700,000 REMAINS IN
THE FUND.
AT A SPECIAL TOWN MEETING HELD IN SEPTEMBER OF 1985, THE
FINANCE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN HAD THE UNEVIABLE TASK OF ANNOUNCING A
NEGATIVE FREE CASH FIGURE. OUR FREE CASH WAS AT A DEFICIT OF
$210,000. WE WERE ABLE TO OVERCOME THIS PROBLEM BY SOUND
ACCOUNTING PRACTICES AND THE CONSERVATIVE ESTIMATE OF RECEIPTS ON
THE RECAP SHEET, SO THAT IN FISCAL 1990, WE ARE ABLE TO USE
$920,000 IN FREE CASH TOWARD THE BUDGET AND STILL HAVE $1,000,000 I
LEFT FOR THE REMAINDER OF FY '90 AND FY 1991.
ANOTHER REASON FOR OUR IMPROVED CASH POSITION IS THE J:_
ADOPTION OF AN ENTERPRISE FUND FOR WATER AND SEWER. A PORTION OF
THE WATER /SEWER SERVICES USED TO BE FUNDED BY THE TAX LEVY.
I PUTTING THE ENTIRE COST OF WATER /SEWER SERVICES IN THE
WATER /SEWER RATES FREED UP TAX DOLLARS TO BE SPENT IN OTHER
AREAS.
THE STATE HEEDED THE CRIES OF CITIES AND TOWNS WHICH WERE
EXPERIENCING GROWTH, BUT COULD NOT FUND SERVICES SUCH AS
PLANNING, ROADS, SCHOOLS, AND FIRE AND POLICE FOR NEW DEVELOPMENT
BECAUSE OF THE CONSTRAINTS OF PROPOSITION 2 1/2, THE LEGISLATURE
ALLOWED A PERCENTAGE OF TOTALLY NEW GROWTH OR THE INCREASE BY
MORE THAN 50% OF THE IMPROVEMENTS TO AN EXISTING PROPERTY TO BE
ADDED TO THE TAX LEVY, THEREBY INCEASING IT MORE THAN 2,1/2%.
READING HAS BENEFITTED BY THIS PROVISION. aPARTMENTS HAVE BEEN
CONVERTED TO CONDOMINIUMS; NEW RESIDENTIAL STREETS HAVE BEEN
ADDED: THE UPGRADING OF COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL AREAS HAS
OCCUREO; MAJOR PROJECTS SUCH AS GREENHOUSE ACRES AND THE
SCHOOLHOUSE ARE IN PROGRESS. $215,000 WAS USED AS AN ESTIMATE
FOR NEW GROWTH IN FY 1990,
IN PAST YEARS, THE ASSESSORS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO RELEASE FUNDS
FROM THE OVERLAY SURPLUS TO HELP WITH EXPENSES. THIS FUND IS THE
FUND RESERVED FOR ABATEMENTS EACH YEAR. IF NOT USED, THE
ASSESSORS CAN RELEASE IT. WE USED OVER $600,000 FROM THE OVERLAY
OF SEVERAL PREVIOUS YEARS FOR FY 1990, THEREBY VIRTUALLY
EXHAUSTING IT.
DISTRIBUTIONS OF EARNINGS FROM THE READING MUNICIPAL LIGHT
DEPARTMENT HAVE HELPED US OVER THE YEARS. AT PRESENT, WE ARE
RECEIVING $1,250,000 A FIGURE WHICH HAS NOT CHANGED FOR FOUR
YEARS.
EACH YEAR, WE NEED TO HAVE NEW SOURCES OF REVENUE TO REPLACE
OLD SOURCES THAT HAVE DRIED UP AND TO FUND THE ADDITIONAL
BUDGETARY NEEDS OVER AND ABOVE THOSE FUNDED BY THE TAX LEVY
INCREASE ALLOWED UNDER PROPOSITION 2 1/2.
OF FISCAL REMEDIES JUST DISCUSSED, A NUMBER ARE NOT
PRESENTLY AVAILABLE TO US:
* STABILIZATION FUND (WE COULD APPROPRIATE MONEY TO CREATE ONE,
BUT DON'T HAVE A SURPLUS TO DO SO)
4' SCHOOL CLOSINGS (ENROLLMENT IS 1.10 LONGER DECLING)
* STATE AID INCREASES (IF WE'RE FORTUNATE: LEVEL FUNDING)
* FEDERAL REVENUE SHARING (THERE IS NO INDICATION OF REVIVAL)
* USE OF SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNTS OF OVERLAY RESERVE (NOT THERE)
WE MUST BE CREATIVE WITH WHAT WE HAVE LEFT TO WORK WITH.
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Fl WHAT CAN WE DO IN FISCAL 19915
' SINCE AN ENTERPRISE FUND WORKED -- WE /LL WITH WATER AND
SEWER, WE COULD TRY ANOTHER FEE FQR- SERVICE IN THE AREA OF TRASH
COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL. RIGHT W, THE FY 91 MOCK BUDGET CALLS
FOR $750,000 FROM THE 0 COLLECT AND DISPOSE OF TRASH.
WE COULD CHARGE EACH OF OUR APPROXIMATELY 7500 HOUSEHOLDS A FEE
OF $100 FOR THIS SERVICE, AND THEREBY FREE UP TAX DOLLARS FOR
OTHER EXPENSES.
WE COULD TRY FOR A PROPOSITION
EXCLUSION, OR A CAPITAL EXPENDITURE
INCREASE REAL ESTATE TAXES TO COVER
CANNON' INITIATE SUCH ACTION UNDER
SELECTMEN MUST PLACE QUESTIONS ON THE
CITIZENS VOTING MUST APPROVE.
2 1/2 OVERRIDE, A DEBT
EXCLUSION TO ALLOW US TO
EXPENSES. TOWN MEETING
PROPOSITION 2 1/2. THE
BALLOT AND 50% OF THE
AN OVERRIDE IS A REQUEST TO PERMANENTLY INCREASE THE TAX
LEVY FOR OPERATING EXPENSE, A DEBT OR CAPITAL EXCLUSION IS THE
REQUEST TO EXCLUDE THE COST OF DEBT SERVICE OR FUNDING FOR A
CAPITAL PROJECT FROM THE TAX LEVY FOR THE LIFE OF A PARTICULAR
DEBT SERVICE OR THE FUNDING OF A SPECIFIC PROJECT, EXCLUSIONS,
THEN ARE ONE TIME RELIEF. THE BAD NEWS IS THAT VOTERS IN THE
STATE HAVE NOT BEEN SUPPORTING THESE OVERRIDES AND EXCLUSIONS
WITH MUCH ENTHUSIASM. ONLY 40% OF THE COMMUNITIES ATTEMPTING
OVERRIDES THIS YEAR WERE SUCCESSFUL.
OUR FREE CASH PICTURE FOR FISCAL 1991 REMAINS THE SAME AT
BEST. NO NEW FUNDS THERE AND THE MOCK BUDGET USED IT ALL.
OUR HOME RULE PETITION FOR SETTING UP A SALE OF REAL ESTATE
FUND HAS BEEN REPORTED OUT OF COMMITTEE FAVORABLY, ONCE THE
LEGISLATURE VOTES IT. WE CAN PLACE NEW SALE OF REAL ESTATE FUNDS
IN A SPECIAL FUND, WHICH WILL HAVE INTEREST ACCRUING TO IT, THIS
FUND WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR CAPITAL PROFECTS, DEBT SERVICE, OR THE
UNFUNDED PENSION LIABILITY. OUR PROBLEM NOW IS TO GET THE REAL
ESTATE SALES CULMINATED SO THAT THIS FUND CAN MATERIALIZE.
OUR OTHER HOME RULE PETITION FOR HELP IN THE AREA OF HEALTH
INSURANCE IS SUFFERING MORE OPPOSITION ON BEACON HILL. IT IS IN
THE HANDS OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMITTEE, AND WILL MOST PROBABLY
BE CHANGED CONSIDERABLY. THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT THE TOWN OF
READING HAS BEEN ASKED TO BE A PART OF THAT WORKING GROUP.
WHETHER LEGISLATIVE HELP WILL COME FOR FISCAL 1990, 1991, OR IF
AT ALL IS ANYONE'S GUESS,
AS LARGE PROJECTS ARE COMPLETED, AND HOPEFULLY NEW ONES
BEGIN, NEW GROWTH SHOULD AT LEAST BE A CONSTANT IN OUR FINANCIAL
PICTURE.
WHAT OTHER OPTIONS ARE LEFT? REDUCE COSTS THROUGH
EFFICIENCIES BY CONSOLIDATION OF SOME TOWN DUPLICATED FUNCTIONS
SUCH AS PAYROLL, BUILDING MAINTENANCE, GROUNDS MAINTENANCE
PURCHASING AND REDUCTIONS IN SERVICE. THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN
PRAYER MIGHT CHOOSE THAT ROUTE.
Mr. Moderator:
The Reading Municipal Light Board and the Selectmen of the Town
of Wilmington over 10 -1/2 months engaged in ngotiations to resolve several
issues.
Each side appointed a negotiation team to discuss and negotiate
these issues. From the RMLD was myself and the general manager Len Rucker.
From Wilmington were two members from the Board of Selectmen Jim Steward
and Bob Cain.
The results of these negotiations sessions is in agreement that
the RMLD believes will serve the entire RMLDistrict well,
Len Rucker will present the details of this agreement,
(L.D.Rucker Presentation)
As Len indicated in his presentation all the outside towns must
agree to and sign the contracts. At present the outside towns are in the
process of studing the contracts and going before their town meetings for
approval of the contracts. Thus the RMLD cannot say at this time that the
agreement is a "Done Deal ". However, I can say that the process of
approval appears to be proceeding nicely.
The payments to all four towns will start, assuming all the
contracts are in place, during the calendar year 1990. The timing and
amount of payments will depend on the RMLD cash flow.
It is the intent of the RMLD to return to the November town
meeting. At that time the RMLD will ask for town meetings final approval
for signing the contracts.
Thank you Mr. Moderator.
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38
Special Town Meeting
September 14, 1989
We haven't used all our free cash as other communities have
seen fit to do in a very expedient manner. We haven't gnashed
our teeth, and wailed, and moaned about what we have to do.
We've gone out and done it. And that is the package that's
before you in Articles, primarily 4 through 12. We haven't just
sat back completely ideal, we joined in the suit against the
Governor, requesting that the changes and modifications be done
in a more equi -table manner.
Thank you.
ARTICLE 2. On motion of Russell T. Graham, it was voted
to table Article 2.
ARTICLE 3. On motion of Mary S. Ziegler, it was voted to
table Article 3.
ARTICLE 4. On motion of Russell T. Graham, it was voted
to amend the vote taken under Article 4 of the Warrant for the
Subsequent Town Meeting of November 14, 1988, which vote
authorized the Town to raise by borrowing the sum of $2,500,000
(Two Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars) for the purpose of
constructing and originally furnishing and equipping a new fire
station and access thereto on land located primarily on the eas-
terly side of Main Street and known as Parcels 21, 24 and 25 on
Board of Assessors' Plat 87 so as to include as an additional
purpose the acquisition and installation of an emergency response
system and /or other emergency response or fire department equip-
ment at a location or locations in the Town other than that
specified in said Article 4.
118 voted in the affirmative
7 voted in the negative
2/3 vote required
ARTICLE 5. On motion of Daniel A. Ensminger, it was
voted to amend Article XXVI of the By -Laws of the Town relating
to the "Building Code" by inserting the following:
"Section 1. Pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Common-
wealth of Massachusetts State Building Code, the fees for permits
to begin work for new construction, alteration, removal, demoli-
tion or other building operation shall be computed as follows:
Schedule of Permit Fees
Building Permits
New Construction (including Additions, Alterations, and Repairs)
Residential -
Commercial -
Demolition -
Permit Renewal -
Certificate of
Inspection -
$8.00 per $1,000 of valuation
(Minimum $25.00 Fee)
$8.00 per $1,000 of valuation
(Minimum $50.00 Fee)
$8.00 per $1.,000 of valuation
(Minimum $25.00 Fee)
$25.00 /yr. Residential
$50.00 /yr. Commercial
$50.00 /yr.
Signs - $5.00 per $1,000 of valuation
(Minimum $25.00 Fee)
Electrical Permits
Residential:
New House $100.00
Additions /Renovations:
M
Special Town Meeting September 14, 1989
First 1 -10 outlets $10.00
Each additional outlet 1.00
Fixed appliances 5.00
Service Change or Alterations 20.00
Sub Panels, Each 10.00
Commercial:
Condominiums or Apartments per unit $100.00
Additions /Renovations:
First 1 -10 outlets $10.00
Each add. outlet 1.001
Fixed appliances 5.00
Service Change or Alterations:
1 Phase $25.00
3 Phase 50.00
Sub Panels 15.00
Miscellaneous:
Alarms $25.00
Central AC- Residential 25.00
Central AC- Commercial 50.00
Swimming Pools 50.00
Temporary Service 25.00
Special Equip. Commercial 10.00
Pre - Securing Service 10.00
General Fees:
Re- Inspection Fee: $25.00
Late Filing Fee (per five (5) working days): $25.00
Lost Permit: $25.00
Section 2.
Rules Recrardina Permit Fees:
a. Permit fees are payable at the time of application and are
non - refundable.
b. Valuation shall be the estimated cost of construction as
determined by the Inspector of Buildings, with the method of
estimating costs to be approved by the Board of Selectmen.
C. Town, County, State, or Federal buildings are exempt from
fees.
d. For any activity commenced without a permit, fees shall be
double those scheduled.
e. If re- inspection is necessary because of violations, or work
is not ready on a requested inspection, permit holder shall
pay an additional re- inspection fee in advance, per occur-
rence.
ARTICLE 6 On motion of Eugene R. Nigro, it was voted to
amend Article XVII of the By -Laws of the Town relating to
"Licenses" by adding the following thereto as Section 8:
"Section 8. Pursuant to General Laws Chapter 148 , Section 13 the
fees for the licenses, registrations or certificates required by
said statute for certain explosive or inflammable materials are
established as follows:
Gasoline:
Tank Removal License - $25.00 per tank
Tank Installation License - $25.00 per tank
Annual Registration Fee - $12.50 per tank per year"
Special Town Meeting September 14, 1989
ARTICLE 7. On motion of Mary S. Ziegler, it was voted
to amend Article XXII of the By -Laws of the Town relating to "Dog
Leash Law" by deleting, in its entirety, Section 5 thereof relat-
ing to fees for licensing dogs and substituting therefor the fol-
lowing:
"Section 5. The fees for licensing dogs under General Laws Chap-
ter 140, Section 139 shall be the amount set forth in Section 2
of Chapter 57 of the Acts of 1985, or such other annual fees as
may be established from time to time by vote of the Town at an
Annual or Special Town Meeting.
Licensing eligibility, dogs not required to be licensed, or
refunding of license fees, shall be determined as provided in
General Laws Chapter 140, Section 139."
ARTICLE 8. On motion of Mary S. Ziegler, it was voted to
establish the annual fees to be charged by the Town for the is-
suances of licenses for dogs in accordance with the following fee
schedule. Such fees shall go into effect on January 1, 1990 and
shall remain in effect until superseded by further vote of Town
Meeting.
Dog License Fees
The fee" -for every dog license shall be:
Five Dollars ($5.00) for every altered male or spayed female dog.
Ten Dollars ($10.00) for every unaltered male or unspayed female
dog.
All fees for a dog not duly licensed as required by law shall be
increased by Five Dollars ($5.00) on the first day of June, and
by an additional One Dollar ($1.00) on the first day of each suc-
ceeding month.
In addition to all other sums due and owing for any license fee
hereunder, a person who applies for license for a dog shall be
obligated to pay all prior amount of license fees determined by
the Town Clerk to be due and owing pursuant to this schedule ,
for past periods in which said person was obligated to obtain a
license for said dog.
ARTICLE 9. John H. Russell read Motion under Article 9.
Quorum Count was requested by William C. Brown, Precinct #8,
Town Meeting member.
Moderator, Paul C. Dustin, announced that this meeting stand
adjourned to meet at 7:30 P.M. on Monday, September 18, 1989 in
the Reading Memorial High School Auditorium.
Meeting adjourned at 10:40 P.M.
100 Town Meeting members were present.
A true copy. Attest:
Doris M. Fantasia
Town Clerk