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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-11-13 Subsequent Town Meeting Warrant ReportReading Massachusetts OF I?` �-- b3b"i INC OR Report on the Warrant Subsequent Town Meeting November 13, 2007 ?j;�- SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING NOVEMBER 13, 2007 TABLE OF CONTENTS Title Sponsor Page # Article 1 Reports Board of Selectmen 2 2 Instructions Board of Selectmen 2,3 3 Amend Capital Improvements Program FY 2008 - FY 2012 Board of Selectmen 3,4 4 Amend the FY 2008 Budget Finance Committee 4 -8 5 Payment of Prior Years Bills Board of Selectmen 8 6 Establish a Stabilization Fund Board of Selectmen 8,9 7 Street Acceptances — Timothy Place Board of Selectmen 9 8 Rescinding Debt Board of Selectmen 9 -11 9 Additional Debt Authorization — Tennis Court Improvements Board of Selectmen 11 10 Debt Authorization — Fire Department Ladder Truck Board of Selectmen 12,13 11 Debt Authorization — Curbs, Sidewalks and Pedestrian Improvements Board of Selectmen 13 -15 12 Accepting the Community Preservation Act Board of Selectmen 16,17 13 Zoning By -Law Amendment —Accessory Structures and Lot Coverage CPDC 17 -19 14 Release Conservation Restriction — Peter Sanborn Place Board of Selectmen 19 -21 APPENDIX FY07 -FY18 Capital Improvements Program Blue Pages 23 -35 A Reading Municipal Light Department Report 36 B Community Preservation Act Report 37 C Conduct of Town Meeting 38 -44 COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS Middlesex, ss. Officer's Return, Reading: By virtue of this VVa[�|Ot |. on October 2. 2007 notified and warned the inhabitants of the Town of Re@diDg, qualified to, vote on Town affairs, b3 meet Ed the place and at the time specified by posting attested copies of this Town Meeting Warrant jD the -following public places within the Town of Reading: Precinct J. Warren K3||gmO School, 333Charles Street Precinct 2 Registry of Motor Vehicles, 275 Salem Street Precinct Reading Police Station, 15 Union Street Precinct Joshua Eaton School, 365 Summer Avenue Precinct 5 Town Hall, 1O Lowell Street Precinct /\Uotn Preparatory School, 1U1 Willow Street Precinct Reading Library, Local History Room, 84 Middlesex Avenue Precinct 8 Mobil on the Run, 1330 Main Street The date. of posting being not less than fourteen /14\ days prior to November 13.2O07. the date set for the Subsequent Town Meeting in this Warrant. | also caused an attested Copy of this VV8[Gard to be published in the Reading Chronicle in the issue of October 24, 2007. A true copy. Attest: _o-*'Cherylo�. Johnso/, Town Clerk SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING (Seal) COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS Middlesex, ss. To any of the Constables of the Town of Reading, Greetings: In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby required to notify and warn the inhabitants of the Town of Reading, qualified to vote in elections and Town affairs, to meet at the Reading Memorial High School Auditorium, 62 Oakland Road, in said Reading, on Tuesday, November 13, 2007, at seven-thirty o'clock in the evening, at which time and place the following articles are to be acted upon and determined exclusively by Town Meeting Members in accordance with the provisions of the Reading Home Rule Charter. ARTICLE 1 To hear and act on the reports of the Board of Selectmen, Town Accountant, Treasurer - Collector, Board of Assessors, Director of Public Works, Town Clerk, Tree Warden, Board of Health, School Committee, Contributory Retirement Board, Library Trustees, Municipal Light Board, Finance Committee, Cemetery Trustees, Community Planning & Development Commission, Conservation Commission, Town Manager and any other Board or Special Committee. Board of Selectmen Background: The following reports are expected to be given under this Article: • RIVILD Annual Report • State of the Schools To the extent possible, the reports are included in the back of this report so that only a summary report will be given verbally at Town Meeting. Finance Committee Report: No report. Bylaw Committee Report: No report. ARTICLE 2 To choose all other necessary Town Officers and Special Committees and determine what instructions shall be given Town Officers and Special Committees, and to see what sum the Town will raise by borrowing or transfer from available funds, or otherwise, and appropriate for the purpose of funding Town Officers and Special Committees to carry out the instructions given to them, or take any other action with respect thereto. Board of Selectmen Background: There are no known Instructional Motions at this time. As a general rule, Instructional Motions are reserved for the last evening of Town Meeting, and the Moderator requests that any Town Meeting Member who intends to offer an Instructional Motion let him know at least one session in advance so that he can let Town Meeting Members know that in advance. Finance Commiftee Report: No report. Bylaw Commiffee Report: No report. ARTICLE 3 To see if the Town will vote to amend the FY 2008—Ff2012. Capital Improvements Program as provided for |O Section 7-7 of the Reading Home Rule Charter, or take any other action with respect thereto. Board ofSelectmen The following amendments are proposed to the FY 2008 — FY 2017 Capital Improvements P[ogmgOD /C|P\ These amendments need tobe included in the C|P in order for Town Meeting to consider funding them under the various Articles at Town Meeting. The hJ|| revised C|P is included in the blue pages in the back of this report. The following are proposed modifications to the C|}z approved at the ADOUa| Town Meeting: snow removal equipment at RK8HS (Line Cl) + $50.000 for roof repairs at PQUono (Line [2\ + $2O.00O for generator at Parker (Line C2\ + $2O.00O for handicap access atRK8HS (Line C2) - $163,000 remove all other previous items for Fall 'O7 (Line C2) ($11.000 AOA oonnp|ionoa. $20.000 ceiling, $10,000 electrical, $10.000 plumbing, $45.000 carpet/flooring, $8.000 security system, $10,000 technology infrastructure, $24'O0Oxvindowm/doora.$25'O0O parking lot) + $25,000 in additional floor/carpet, total now $60,000 for Town Hall, Main Fins Stobon, Senior Center, Library (Line C3) - $O5.000 remove all other items for Fall 'O7 (Line C3\ ($10.000 ceiling, $15.000 plumbing, 820,000 windows/doors, $20'000 cUS[Odi@| vehicle) - $15.00O remove G|G for Fall 'O7 (Line C5) + $95.000 for full G|8 flyover and mapping, previously listed as $150.000 in debt in for FYOS(Line [J5) - $10.000 remove Library public equipment (now classified as operating expense) (Line C7\ + $21.00OiO additional DVR Video Technology (Line CB) + $4'3OD additional tO previously approved $82.00O Dump Truck (Line [|1D\ + $18.100 8ddiUOO8| to pFgViOUS\y approved $130'000 Rack Spray Truck (Line C10) + $7.OUO additional to Fall 'O7 Sedan (Line C1O\ + $1O.00O additional b3 Fall 'O7 Lawnmowers (Line [|1O) + $2O.DOO for paving materials (Line C12) + $115,00O additional for Franklin Sidewalks (Line C12) + $8.00O additional to Fall 'O7 Dump Truck (Line Y5—StonmmmtgrEnL) FY 2009-FY 2018: Staff from the municipal government and School Departments conducted an extensive review of the Capital Improvements Program during the Summer and early Fall of 2007 as part of continuing improvements to the budget process. The enclosed CIP now covers the ten-year period from FY 2009 through FY 2018, in addition to the revised changes for FY 2008 mentioned above, and a review of approved items from FY 2007. Approval of this Warrant Article will cover all items presented from FY 2008 through FY 2018. This new CIP (blue pages in this Warrant) will be reviewed again by staff prior to the Annual Town Meeting, as part of the new twice/year capital budgeting process. When the Capital Improvements Program was approved by Town Meeting at the Annual Town Meeting, the amount of funding included in the Budget for capital was 5% of the budget which was significantly less than the funding required for projects in the CIP. As we did last year, the recommendation was to see how Free Cash and other cash reserves stood in the Fall 2007, and consider funding further FY 2008 capital projects in November. Cash reserves now stand at an adequate amount to approve additional capital projects this Fall. In addition, there is over $500,000 in excess revenues versus the budgeted amount for FY 2008. The staff recommendation is to use approximately $1,100,000 for additional one-time capital projects in FY 2008, to use approximately $500,000 to balance the FY 2008 Budget, and to place $500,000 into the Stabilization Fund. Finance Committee Report: The Finance Committee, by a vote of 7-0-0 on October 10, 2007, recommends that Town Meeting approve Article 3. Routine updates to the Capital Improvements Plan represent sound fiscal and operational practice. Bylaw Committee Report: No report. ARTICLE 4 To see if the Town will vote to amend one or more of the votes taken under Article 13 of the April 23, 2007 Annual Town Meeting relating to the Fiscal Year 2008 Municipal Budget, and 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. Finance Committee Background: The following FY 2008 Budget transfers are proposed for consideration at the 2007 Subsequent Town Meeting: 4 General Fund —Wages and Expenses Account Line Description Decrease Increase B9 Benefits $265,000 • $140,000 per April '07 TM • $ 25,000 Substance Abuse Program Coordinator • $ 70,000 RMLID adjustment • $ 15,000 Water Fund credit • $ 10,000 Sewer Fund credit • $ 5,000 Life Insurance H1 Vocational School Education $ 77,500 Mi Accounting Salaries — Sick-leave and $ 6,500 vacation buyback N16 Finance Salaries — Staffing for $ 25,000 Financial Technology project (overtime) N17 Finance Expenses — Pay & Class $ 25,000 Study for Town and School non-union positions P2 Library Expenses — Public technology $ 13,500 Q23 Community Services Expenses $ 9,000 • $4,000 Substance Abuse team training • $5,000 Flexible Account 15 Public Works Expenses — Highway $ 50,000 Maintenance U10 Town Building Maintenance — Library $ 30,000 elevator repairs Subtotals $501,500 Net from tax levy, state aid & local receipts: $501,500 • State Aid net increase versus budgeted amount is $566,628 for FY08 • State Assessments and Charges versus budgeted amount are $49,460 in excess • This totals $517,168; the remaining $15,668 to be used for capital below General Fund — Capital Account Line Description Decrease Increase C1 School Equipment $ 20,000 $20,000 Snow Plow Equipment @RMHS C2 School Building Improvements $ 90,000 0 $50,000 Killam Roof Repairs * $20,000 Parker Generator 0 $20,000 RMHS Handicap Access C3 Town Building Improvements $ 70,000 0 $60,000 carpeting/flooring for Town Hall, Main Fire Station, Senior Center and Library 0 $10,000 HVAC Repairs in Town Hall & Main Fire Station C5 Town Technology $ 117,000 * $95,000 GIS flyover and mapping layers 0 $22,000 upgrade voting machines C7 Library - Roving reference $ 10,000 C9 Public Safety — Video Technology $ 35,000 C10 Public Works — Equipment $445,400 $ 16,100 previous Rack Spray Truck — fed. emissions $ 4,300 previous Dump Truck —fed. emissions $135,000 Backhoe $ 90,000 Dump Truck $ 75,000 New Sidewalk Plow $ 65,000 Pickup Utility 0 $ 30,000 Car (hybrid sedan) 0 $ 30,000 Lawnmowers (2) C12 Pubfic Works — Roadway $165,000 $115,000 Franklin Street $ 30,000 general sidewalks $ 20,000 paving materials C14 Public Works — Parks and Recreation $150,000 $150,000 Bancroft Avenue Tennis Courts Subtotals $1,102,400 Net from Free Cash $1,086,732 Net from tax levy, State aid and $ 15,668 local receipts `\ Enterprise Funds Account Line Description Decrease Increase W5 Water Fund $250,000 • $200,000 (expenses) — To offset rates charged • $65,000 (expenses) — Decommission Water Treatment Plant • ($15,000) (expenses) credit for Health Insurance X5 Sewer Fund $190,000 • $200,000 (expenses) — To offset rates charged • ($10,000) (expenses) credit for Health Insurance X5* Sewer Fund $300,000 • $300,000 (capital) inflow and infiltration from Developer Mitigation* Y5 Storm Water Fund $ 8,000 • $8,000 previous Dump Truck — fed. emissions Subtotals $748,000 Net from: • Water Reserves (for W5) $250,000 • Sewer Reserves (for X5) $190,000 • Developer Mitigation (for X5 *) $300,000 • Storm Water Reserves for Y5 $ 8,000 Finance Committee Report: General Fund Wages and Expenses The Finance Committee, by a vote of 7 -0 -0 on October 10, 2007, recommends that Town Meeting approve this subject matter. Increased enrollment for health insurance was the largest contributor to the added costs. The source of funding will be the higher than budgeted State Aid. General Fund Capital The Finance Committee, by a vote of 7 -0 -0 on October 10, 2007, recommends that Town Meeting approve this subject matter. The source of funding will be from Free Cash, State Aid and other revenues. Even with this one time capital spending, Reading will have $4.8 million dollars in reserves, exceeding the 5% net revenue Reserves Policy set by the Finance Committee. Enterprise Funds The Finance Committee, by a vote of 7 -0 -0 on October 10, 2007, recommends that Town Meeting approve this subject matter. i Bylaw Committee Report: No report. ARTICLE 5 To see if the Town will vote to authorize the payment during Fiscal Year 2008 of bills remaining unpaid for previous fiscal years for goods and services actually rendered to the Town, or take any other action with respect thereto. Board of Selectmen Background: There are no known prior years bills to be paid and, therefore, this Article may be Indefinitely Postponed. Finance Committee Report: No report. Bylaw Committee Report: No report. ARTICLE 6 To see if the Town will vote to establish a stabilization fund, or take any other action with respect thereto. Board of Selectmen Background: The Town received more than $500,000 of interest income that will not recur in future fiscal years. Those funds have increased our Free Cash position. The funds could be used to fund additional one time expenses, additional capital, to reduce the tax rate or fund the Stabilization account. Balance at June 30, 2007 Used for Capital at this town meeting Transfer to Stabilization Balance Free Cash Stabilization Fund 4,862,881 895,895 (1,086,732) 0 (500,000) 500,000 3,276,149 1,395,895 A Stabilization Fund is basically a Town savings account. By appropriating money into the unrestricted Stabilization Fund, the Town reserves money from which Town Meeting can appropriate at a future date. The Stabilization Fund could be used to fund crisis situations that have occurred from time to time in the budget process. Examples would be a significant reduction in State Aid, unexpected changes in health insurance costs or unfunded pension liability, unusually high Special Education costs, energy costs or trash removal or unexpected environmental issues. Stabilizations funds are viewed favorably by rating agencies. Favorable rating agency reviews can result in lower interest rates on future borrowings. Funding the Stabilization Fund takes a 2/3 vote of Town Meeting, and appropriating money from the Stabilization Fund also takes a 2/3 vote. Finance Committee Report: The Finance Committee, by a vote of 6-0-0 on October 17, 2007, supports the transfer of $500,000 from Free Cash reserves to the Stabilization Fund for future contingencies and recommends that Town Meeting approve this Article. Bylaw Committee Report: No report. ARTICLE 7 To see if the Town will vote to accept the report of the Board of Selectmen upon the laying out as a public way the following described private way under the provision of law authorizing the assessment of betterments, such ways being laid out in accordance with plans duly approved by the Board of Selectmen; and to authorize the Board of Selectmen to take such ways under the provision of law authorizing the assessment of betterments, in fee or rights of easement therein by eminent domain, under the provisions of Chapter 79 of the General Laws, as amended, or acquire said lands in fee or rights of easement therein by purchase, gift or otherwise and to assess betterments therefore, the plans and descriptions for such way being filed in the Office of the Town Clerk in accordance with the statutory requirements; and to see what sum the Town will vote to appropriate by borrowing, or from the tax levy, or transfer from available funds, or otherwise, for the acquisition of said lands or easements therein or for payment of any eminent domain damages and for the construction of said ways, or take any other action with respect thereto. • Timothy Place Board of Selectmen Background: The final as-built plans for the subdivision have not been completed by the developer. Given the time restrictions for Town Meeting, hearings, completion of plans etc., the acceptance this Fall at the Subsequent Town Meeting is not likely, and will be held off until the Spring Town Meeting. This Article will be indefinitely postponed. Finance Committee Report: The Finance Committee, by a vote of 7-0-0 on October 10, 2007, recommends that Town Meeting approve this subject matter. Bylaw Committee Report: No report. ARTICLE 8 To see if the Town will vote to rescind authorized but unused debt for: • The Barrows School project as authorized by Article 5 voted 12/10/98 and amended by Article 12 voted 4/24/00, and further amended by Article 13 voted 5/6104; • The Birch Meadow Tennis Courts as authorized by Article 21 of the 2007 Annual Town Meeting. or take any other action with respect thereto. Board of Selectmen Background: There are two previously authorized items of debt whose remaining debt could be rescinded under this Article: On December 10, 1998, under Article 5, Town Meeting authorized the issuance of $6,585,000 in debt to renovate and add to the Barrows Elementary School. Subsequently, the Town issued $2,415,000 in permanent bonds, and the Massachusetts School Building Authority funded $4,169,750. This Article allows the Town to rescind the $250 difference between the authorized debt and the actual amounts of the loans and reimbursements. Birch Meadow (Bancroft Avenue) Tennis Courts Debt was authorized for the reconstruction of the Birch Meadow (Bancroft Avenue) Tennis Courts in the amount of $350,000 at the April 2007 Town Meeting. The original estimate of $350,000 for the Bancroft Avenue Tennis Courts was based on a conceptual plan and was not based on an actual design. When the detailed estimate was completed based on full design, the total estimate cost of the project eclipsed the initial estimated cost by approximately $175,000. This was largely due to need for extensive drainage work for the project in order to protect the Town investment in the courts. In April 2007, the Town authorized the full estimated cost of the project in debt to ensure that we could move forward on the project, and be reimbursed a portion of the cost through grant reimbursements and donations. To supplement the funds that are already available, the Town has applied for two grants (Urban Self-Help and United States Tennis Association). On October 30, 2007 the Town heard from MADEP that the Urban Self Help Grant was not approved. The Town of Reading is eligible for approximately up to $40,000 through the USTA Grant. Notice of grant award would not be made until mid December 2007. The Friends of Reading Tennis have been very active and aggressive in securing private funding, and in doing the major part of the work in developing the grant applications which have been filed by the Town. Prior to the start of Town Meeting, the Town will have actual bid prices on the project (rather than estimates). We will not have heard on the USTA application. If the total anticipated amount of grant funding is not reached, and the Town net cost would exceed $150,000, then the Town could consider awarding the bid without the lights. Lights can be installed at a later date if necessary. 10 Projected Funding Current Funding April 2007 "Best Case" Privately Raised $100,000 $90,000 Debt to be utilized from the $150,000 $345,000 to $385,6-00 debt authorization depending upon grants Legislative "earmark"- $50,000 $50,000 Grant Funding (Urban Self $50,000 $295,000 Help — grant submitted) Grant Funding (USTA grant $40,000 submitted) Total Potential Available I $350,000 $525,000 Funding In April 2007, the Town authorized the full estimated cost of the project in debt to ensure that we could move forward on the project, and be reimbursed a portion of the cost through grant reimbursements and donations. To supplement the funds that are already available, the Town has applied for two grants (Urban Self-Help and United States Tennis Association). On October 30, 2007 the Town heard from MADEP that the Urban Self Help Grant was not approved. The Town of Reading is eligible for approximately up to $40,000 through the USTA Grant. Notice of grant award would not be made until mid December 2007. The Friends of Reading Tennis have been very active and aggressive in securing private funding, and in doing the major part of the work in developing the grant applications which have been filed by the Town. Prior to the start of Town Meeting, the Town will have actual bid prices on the project (rather than estimates). We will not have heard on the USTA application. If the total anticipated amount of grant funding is not reached, and the Town net cost would exceed $150,000, then the Town could consider awarding the bid without the lights. Lights can be installed at a later date if necessary. 10 The Town currently finds itself in a good enough cash position that we could pay for up to $150,000 of the net cost of the project from cash reserves. This then enables the Town to take on additional capital projects in future years when the Town's cash position is not as favorable. There are therefore three parts of this Warrant that deal with the tennis courts, depending on final disposition of the grant application, and the final bid prices: • Under Article 4, Item C4 — the Town would pay $150,000 of the Town's net cost of the tennis courts as a budget amendment and therefore not sell as much debt. • If action were to proceed under Article 4, the Town would modify the debt authorized for this project under Article 8. • If the grant/bid results are not favorable and the Town wanted to go forward with the project, the Town could authorize additional debt under Article 9 of this Warrant. Finance Committee Report: The Finance Committee, by a vote of 7 -0 -0 on October 10, 2007, recommends that Town Meeting approve Article 8. The Barrows School project is complete and thus previously authorized but unused debt should be rescinded. Authorization for funding the repair or replacement of the Birch Meadows Tennis Courts is the subject of Article 9 and thus previously authorized but unused debt should be rescinded. Bylaw Committee Report: No report. ARTICLE 9 To see what sum the Town will raise by borrowing, or transfer from available funds, or otherwise, and appropriate for the purpose of making improvements to or replacing the Birch Meadow Tennis Courts, including the costs of engineering services, plans, documents, cost estimates, bidding services, construction management services, and all related expenses incidental thereto and necessary in connection therewith, said sum to be expended by and under the direction of the Town Manager; and to see if the Town will authorize the Board of Selectmen, the Town Manager, or any other agency of the Town, to apply for a grant or grants, to be used to defray the cost of all, or any part of, said improvements; and to authorize the Town Manager to enter into any and all contracts and agreements as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Article, or take any other action with respect thereto. Board of Selectmen Background: See background on this subject from Article 8. Finance Committee Report: The Finance Committee, by a vote of 7 -0 -0 on October 10, 2007, recommends that Town Meeting approve Article 9. The Birch Meadow Tennis Courts are a valuable and highly utilized recreational asset of the Town of Reading, and appropriate funding should be authorized, and grants sought to defray the cost of repair or replacement. Bylaw Committee Report: No report. 11 ARTICLE 10 To see what sum the Town will raise by borrowing, or transfer from available funds, or otherwise, and appropriate for the purpose of purchasing a fire ladder truck, including the costs of consulting services, plans, documents, cost \ estimates, bidding services and all related expenses incidental thereto and necessary in connection therewith, said sum to be expended by and under the direction of the Town Manager; and to see if the Town will authorize the Board of Selectmen, the Town Manager, or any other agency of the Town, to apply for a grant or grants, to be used to defray the cost of all, or any part of, said fire engine; and to authorize the Town Manager to enter into any and all contracts and agreements as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Article, or take any other action with respect thereto. Board of Selectmen Background: The Fire Department is in critical need of a replacement ladder truck. Our ladder truck was purchased in 1991 and is 16 years old. A ladder truck is a highly specialized vehicle intended to provide equipment, tools and access for Firefighters to a vast range of emergency scenes including, but not limited to, fires, motor vehicle accidents and structural collapse. The ladder truck is equipped with an aerial ladder, tools and equipment to enable Firefighters to rescue trapped victims, ventilate burning buildings, provide emergency scene lighting, and protect property from damage. Due to the age of the truck over the last two years, the frequency and severity of the repairs to Ladder 1 have increased significantly. Because of the extent of the repairs, the truck has been frequently out of service for a number of days at a time. The longest period has been two weeks. The repairs have been to the hydraulic systems that stabilize the truck and raise the aerial, cooling system, chassis and suspension systems. Whenever our ladder truck is out of service, we attempt to borrow a ladder truck from another community and at times we are successful in our efforts. However, far too often, we are not able to obtain a ladder truck on loan because very few communities have a spare ladder truck. When we are not able to borrow a ladder truck, the Wakefield Fire Department will provide their ladder truck if we have a fire. For example, on February 2, 2007, we had a two alarm structure fire at 15 Avon Street, and our ladder truck was out of service. The Wakefield Fire Department's ladder truck was used at the scene. Although we are grateful for the Wakefield Fire Department's ladder truck response, using a mutual aid community for a primary ladder truck response on a routine basis is not safe for the community or the Firefighters, and is a violation of our mutual aid agreements. The Chief has examined the needs of the community, and various options and configurations of ladder trucks manufactured today. Based upon that analysis, he recommends that we purchase a 100' heavy duty aerial ladder truck with a pre -piped waterway. A heavy duty aerial ladder truck is rated to support 500 pounds at the end of the ladder, and as a result provides a stronger aerial that is safer for the Firefighters and the community. In contrast, our current ladder truck is rated to support 250 pounds at the end of the ladder. The addition of a pre -piped waterway will significantly reduce the time it takes firefighters to place an elevated water stream in service. 12 Chief Burns has completed an analysis of recent ladder truck purchases and the cost of needed replacement equipment in an effort to determine an appropriate number to request for the capital budget. Based upon the analysis, he has recommended an $850,000 capital request to purchase a replacement ladder truck and the required equipment. Finance Committee Report: The Finance Committee, by a vote of 7 -0 -0 on October 10, 2007, recommends that Town Meeting approve Article 10. The debt and capital funding plans will accommodate the earlier than previously scheduled purchase of a new ladder truck. This will reduce annual maintenance costs, and more importantly ensure ongoing fire safety for the community. Bylaw Committee Report: No report. ARTICLE 11 To see what sum the Town will raise by borrowing, or transfer from available funds, or otherwise, and appropriate for the purpose of constructing curbing, sidewalks, and pedestrian improvements, including the costs of consulting services, plans, documents, cost estimates, bidding services and all related expenses incidental thereto and necessary in connection therewith, said sum to be expended by and under the direction of the Town Manager; and to see if the Town will authorize the Board of Selectmen, the Town Manager, or any other agency of the Town, to apply for a grant or grants, to be used to defray the cost of all, or any part of, said curbing, sidewalk, and pedestrian improvements; and to authorize the Town Manager to enter into any and all contracts and agreements as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Article; provided however that any borrowing authorized by this article and any i appropriation subject to this article shall be contingent upon the passage of a debt exclusion referendum question under General Laws Chapter 159, section 21c within 90 days of the close of this Special Town Meeting, or take any other action with respect thereto. Board of Selectmen Background: The Board of Selectmen has decided to move to table or refer to committee the subject matter of this Article and Article 12 following a report on the financial projections and needs of the community. The intent is to make that report under Articles 3 or 4, move forward with the other business of Town Meeting, make a motion under Article 11, make a presentation under Article 11, and then move to table or refer to committee. The Board is supportive of significant additional sidewalk construction and re- construction. However, the Board feels that the community needs to review and prioritize those things that the community would be asked to fund through additional taxes, and that a broader community conversation needs to take place with regard to such matters. Therefore, the following information is offered for the community to begin that discussion. The Town has approximately 100 miles of streets. 13 w 5796 of the streets du not have aidexva|ha on both sides — 54 miles of sidewalk ` coDa[nxctkJn xvoU|d be required to address this d8fciency, at a cost of over $11 \ million. \` ~ 80% of the street frontage dogs not have curbing. 57 DlikeG of curbing VvoU|d be required to meet that deficiency 8ta cost of over $24million. w 1294 handicap ramps are required to make all intersections in Reading meet /\D1ehcaOs For Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements at an estimated cost Df$3.5 million. w The entire estimated cost Of placing curb and sidewalk OO every street in the Cm[OrDUO|1y, and addressing all of the handicapped ramps ie over $4O,0OO.00O. CJ|eGdy, the cost of doing all of this is pnJhibibVe, but the pRJgFaOD as outlined would make g significant start. * At our current rate of eXpendi1uFe, it will take 1333 years to meet all of these pedestrian safety requirements throughout the community. Streets in newer subdivisions have curb and sidewalk on one or both sides of the street. Older streets, and in many cases the more major roads, do not have curb and often have no sidewalks on either side. • Recently, the Town constructed sidewalks on one side of Franklin Street from Main to Grove. This project was funded in major port by a grant from the COmnnlOOxvea|th of Massachusetts, through the budgeting process kDVvvD as earmarks. The Town's Representatives and Senator were able to get this project funded. The total cost of this project VVaSover$5OD'OOO. The community seems to be very pleased with the new walks — they are very heavily used. But this project points out the many |ocatkJOs within the community where there are no curbs or sidewalks OD either side of the Gt[881 Some major locations include: Grove Street from Franklin to Forest, Washington Street from Prescott t0 K4iOo1 \ (accessing Washington Park); Forest Glen Road; Pleasant S1R38t and Eaton Street (in the area of Hunt Park); Pine Ridge Road (Sturges Park) and an ongoing long list. • During the current construction season, the Town spent $130,000 on curbing as part ofthe Road Reconstruction Program. The Town standard is that where a street has slopes of 596 or more, we install curbing to prevent erosion of the edge of pavement to prevent premature deterioration of the roadway. That $130.000 could be used to do more paving projects in the community if there were o separate funding source for curb and sidewalks. • |n years past, the Town installed curb and sidewalk osabetterment. As property owners wished to make these improvements to their street frontage, the Town xvou|U construct the improvements and charge the hnrDeVVVDerG a betterment to be repaid over upto10years. The result all over Town ie that there iGe hodge- podge ofpnJpertieovvithcurbandsidevva|knex1iopn3partiesthathaveneither. providing for discontinuous sidewalk system. • In some sections of the mJrDDlunity, curb and/or sidewalk were constructed years aQo, and no pnJgngrn of replacement has been funded. The n38u|t is in many |Vca1iona, the existence of curb and/or sidewalk that are in extremely poor condition, and they need replacement of major nneintenenna. |n order to begin to address this issue, Article 11 proposes tOauthorize a1Oyear debt issue subject to a vote of the Town 8Sa Proposition 21/2debt exclusion. The intent is 10 not sell the debt (technically it would have to be sold for one day), but authorize m set amount of expenditure per year over the next 10 years. This will allow the Town to ( 14 address the issue ono prioritized basis, and to be able to plan o program which will result ina significant i[np[OVenme[ttoUlecnnlDOuDhvoVe[1heOext1Oyears. The cost in 2007 dollars of curb and sidewalk is approximately $60 per linear foot. For example, Grove Street from Franklin to Forest Street is approximately 2000 foet, so the cost Of curb and sidewalk iD this area would be $120.000. Adding the coot of constructing necessary curbing on road reconstruction projects, and constructing one sizable section of new curb and sidewalk per year would cost an estimated $250.000 per year. To address these issues plus constructing iDfi|| curb and sidewalk, and replacing some amount of deteriorated sidewalk and curb (including the addition of handicapped FgrOpS), the cos[ of a comprehensive curb, sidewalk and pedestrian improvement program would reasonably be $45O.ODO per year. The cost for an average homeowner would be approximately $50 per hOUG8hV|d per year, and the authorization would expire |n1Oyears. VVhv undertake this program at this t|Dl8, and why not do it out of the existing tax base? • In an era of rising fuel prices and global VVa[OO|Og, nlaNnQ Reading a "Walkable ConnnluDit«" is one of the local actions that we as a community can take to address these issues. • Walking is good for physical fitness for all og8s, and would assist the community iD dealing with obesity. • Curbing and eidovvo|ke improve the appearance of proparties, and therefore property values, and helps to improve the sense of community iOneighborhoods. • Curbing protects the community investment in streets, oidevva|ho, and tree |ovvno by preventing erosion, and bv keeping vehicles where they belong —onthe street rather than on tree |ovvno or sidewalks. • Curb and sidewalks improve pedestrian safetv, particularly for school chi|dnen, and for older folks who need to walk to and from school and to other activities. • The Reading Police Department iSworking with the Reading School Department to develop "Suggested Routes to School" which vvoV|d assist in prioritizing some of the program costs. • The sooner we s1art, the sooner we can reap the benefits as a community in having curbs and sidewalks. • There is not enough tax dollars under Proposition 21/2to undertake a program like this. At beet, we are able to prioritize about $30.000 per year for this program within the existing tax cap. Report: Finance Commiftee The Finance C0rn[nitt88'S vote on Article 11 at their October 17. 2007 meeting did not support Article 11 by a vote of 2 in favor and 4 against. There was general support on the Committee for providing more funding for sidewalk and curb construction and maintenance. This ioon area which has traditionally received very little funding but which is increasingly recognized as providing numerous benefits to the community. The primary concerns voiced by those who spoke against the nnaaoume were that we GhVV|d have more background discussion regarding town- wide spending priorities, the level of funding and the best source of funding. Bylaw Committee Report: No report. 15 ARTICLE 12 To see if the Town will vote to accept General Laws Chapter 44, Sections 3-7, inclusive, otherwise known as the Massachusetts Community Preservation Act, by approving a surcharge on real property for the purposes permitted by said Act including the acquisition, creation and preservation of open space, the acquisition, preservation, rehabilitation and restoration of historic resources, the acquisition, creation and preservation of land for recreational use, and the creation, acquisition, preservation and support of community housing; to determine the amount of such surcharge on real property as a percentage of the annual real estate tax levy against real property in an amount not to exceed 3%, such surcharge to be imposed on taxes assessed for fiscal years beginning on or after July 1, 2008; and to determine if the Town will accept one or more of the following exemptions from the surcharge as set forth in Section 3(e) of the Act : (1) Property owned and occupied as a domicile by a person who would qualify for low income housing or low or moderate income senior housing in the community; (2) Class 3 commercial, and Class 4 industrial property as defined by Section 2A of c. 59 in any year the Town adopts a classified tax rate; (3) The first $100,000 of the taxable value of each parcel of residential real property. or take any other action with respect thereto. Board of Selectmen Background: The Board of Selectmen has decided to move to table or refer to committee the subject matter of this Article following a report on the financial projections and needs of the community. The intent is to make that report under Articles 3 or 4, move forward with the other business of Town Meeting, make a motion under Article 12, make a presentation under Article 12, and then move to table or refer to committee. The Board is supportive of the improvements to the community that could be funded by the Community Preservation Act. The Board is also supportive of leveraging local tax dollars with matching funds from the State. However, the Board feels that the community needs to review and prioritize those things that the community would be asked to fund through additional taxes, and that a broader community conversation needs to take place with regard to such matters. Therefore, the information in Appendix B is offered for the community to begin that discussion. Finance Committee Report: The Finance Committee did not support Article 12, voting 4 in favor and 3 against at their meeting on October 17, 2007. Members voting in favor of the Article felt residents should have the opportunity to vote on this issue and make their own decision. Members opposed wanted to view the Article in a broader context, accounting for the full financial picture including the budget projections for the future and potential capital requests, which could require additional funding. Reasons for support included: • Savings vehicle to set aside money for affordable housing, recreation and historical preservation without impacting the operating budget. • State matching funds for the CPA, understanding there is no guarantee that matching will continue in the future. 16 ' * Exemption provisions for those with the greatest potential impact. * \---� ' �|s reviewed by committee to access projects that best meet community needs. 0 Town control with recommended projects voted bv Town Meeting. 0 Time limited commitment with vote to renew participation. Concerns included: • Tight environment with increased accommodated costs limiting funds for the remaining budget. • Timing of recommendation could impact future funding rmqUoato for more pressing needs. • Prioritization needed for voter requests to support responsible budgeting decisions. Bylaw Commiftee Report: The Bylaw Committee did not recommend this Article bva vote of 3-1. ARTICLE 13 To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning By-Laws ofthe Town of Reading as follows: 2.2.1.1.1 Ad81Bch8d 8iDg|8 story building the use of which is customarily incidental and subordinate to that of the phOCjpa| building \ / and which is located on the same lot 8s that occupied by the phO[jpa| building. An Accessory Building eheU not be used to house pgop|e, domestic animals or livestock. Nor shall it be Used as an independent commercial enterprise. An Accessory Building located xvdhiO 10 #3ed of the principal building shall be subject to the dimensional requirements applicable to the principal building. 2.2.13.1 Adetached single story accessory building Gen/Og as storage for personal vehicles or other henng belonging to the occupants of the premises that is used for residential purposes. Such building shall be fully enclosed. A detached garage located within 1Dfeet of the principal building ehoU be subject to the dimensional FeqUiFe08DtG applicable Uz the principal building. 2.2.21 The percentage of the total lot area covered by principal and accessory buildings Building, Detached Garage and/or Carriage House-Stable-Barn). 2.2.23.1 The percentage of the total lot area that consists Of undisturbed natural vegetation, grasses, landscaping or otherwise naturally permeable rOateha|G' and is completely devoid of any building, otructuna, road, dhv8vvgy, parking anaa, xva|kvvoy, potio, deck, poo|, tennis coUrt, basketball court, or other oinni|or pervious and/or impervious materials. 17 Add the following (un-shaded) rows to the end of 4.2.2 Table of Uses, Accessory Uses: ;11 grol I E1112 11911--jum Replace the existing Paragraph 5.2.3.5 with: 5.2.3.5 No building shall be located within the required side yard setback except for a detached garage or accessory building for a one or two family dwelling or any other permitted principal use in a Residence District. Such building shall conform to the dimensional requirements of Table 5.2.3.7. Replace the existing Paragraph 5.2.3.6 with: 5.2.3.6 No building shall be located within the required rear yard setback except for a detached garage or accessory building for a one or two family dwelling or any other permitted principal use in a Residence District. Such building shall not occupy more than 25% of the rear yard. Such building shall conform to the dimensional requirements of Table 5.2.3.7. Add the following Table: Table 5.2.3.7 Detached Garage Accessory and Accessory Building Dimensional Controls — S-15, S-20 and S-40 Districts Accessory Floor Area (square feet) Max. Building Height to Min. Side and Rear Ridgeline or Highest Point Yard (feet) on Roof (feet) 100 or less 10 3 101 to 300 14 10 301 to 650 16 15 651 or greater Not Allowed Replace the existing Paragraph 5.2.3.5 with: 5.2.3.5 No building shall be located within the required side yard setback except for a detached garage or accessory building for a one or two family dwelling or any other permitted principal use in a Residence District. Such building shall conform to the dimensional requirements of Table 5.2.3.7. Replace the existing Paragraph 5.2.3.6 with: 5.2.3.6 No building shall be located within the required rear yard setback except for a detached garage or accessory building for a one or two family dwelling or any other permitted principal use in a Residence District. Such building shall not occupy more than 25% of the rear yard. Such building shall conform to the dimensional requirements of Table 5.2.3.7. Add the following Table: Table 5.2.3.7 Detached Garage Accessory and Accessory Building Dimensional Controls — S-15, S-20 and S-40 Districts Accessory Floor Area (square feet) Max. Building Height to Min. Side and Rear Ridgeline or Highest Point Yard (feet) on Roof (feet) 100 or less 10 3 101 to 300 14 10 301 to 650 16 15 651 or greater Not Allowed or take any other action with respect thereto. Community Planning and Development Commission Background: This Article attempts to address concerns that arose at the 2007 Annual Town Meeting regarding the construction of large accessory buildings and/or garages that significantly occupy rear yards and encroach within the principal building setbacks, having the effect of crowding adjacent properties and consuming remaining open space on lots. The proposed bylaw maintains that no more that 25% of a rear yard in the S -15, S-20, and S-40 Districts to be covered by an accessory building and/or detached garage, and provides maximum dimensions for floor area and height of such buildings. The bylaw provides a scale of minimum side and rear yards that must be maintained based on the size of the associated detached garages and/or accessory buildings. The 18 proposed bylaw also provides definitions for "accessory building", "garage, detached", "lot coverage", and "open space". The bylaw adds "accessory building" and "detached garage" to the Table of Uses. Finance Committee Report: No report. Bylaw Committee Report: The Bylaw Committee recommended this Article by a vote of 4-0. ARTICLE 14 To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to file the following or similar legislation with the Great and General Court: AN ACT RELEASING CERTAIN LAND IN THE TOWN OF READING FROM THE OPERATION OF A CONSERVATION RESTRICTION Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of same, as follows: Section 1. Pursuant to Section 32 of Chapter 184 of the General Laws and notwithstanding any other general or special law to the contrary, the department of conservation and recreation may release a conservation restriction dated January 24, 1983, recorded in the Middlesex South Registry of Deeds at 14938, Book 486, being more particularly described as follows: The parcel of land labeled "Parcel B" (Developed) containing 2.85 acres more or less, as shown on the plan of land entitled "Plan for Conservation Restrictions, Bay State Road, Reading, Mass.", Scale 1" = 40' by R.E. Cameron & Associates, Inc. dated January 25, 1982 recorded said deeds in Plan Book 1983, Page 259. Section 2. This act shall take effect upon its passage. or take any other action with respect thereto. Board of Selectmen Background: Peter Sanborn Place was constructed as an affordable senior citizen housing development under a Comprehensive Permit issued by the Zoning Board of Appeals in 1982 to a locally based non-profit corporation. The facility provides housing and other services for senior citizens and people with physical limitations. In issuing the Comprehensive Permit, the ZBA mandated that certain restrictions be placed on the site to limit future development. To carry out this mandate, the undeveloped portion of the site, called Parcel A, was placed under a Conservation Restriction that prohibits development and requires that it be maintained in its present condition as a forested area containing wetland and upland natural resource areas. This Restriction was approved by the Board of Selectmen and the Secretary of the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs (EOEA). The Comprehensive Permit mandated that the developed portion of the site containing the present three-story multi-unit housing facility and associated driveways, parking lots, utilities, landscaped areas, and other accessory uses, called Parcel B, be subject to a Conservation Restriction. The Conservation Restriction prohibits any additional roadway, driveway, paved walkway, building, sign, outdoor advertising 19 display, mobile home, utility pole, or other temporary of permanent structure and the construction of any road from the building to Haverhill Street, and limits the size of the building to no more than 74 dwelling units in one building of three stories. This Restriction was approved and signed by the Board of Selectmen, but was not approved or signed by EOEA. The absence of EOEA approval means that the restriction on Parcel B is not permanent and it will expire naturally in 30 years. However, release of the restriction on Parcel B prior to its expiration date in 2012 requires the approval of the State Legislature. Both Restrictions designate the Conservation Commission as the grantee to administer the Restrictions were signed by the then owner and are recorded at the Middlesex South Registry of Deeds. The present owners of Peter Sanborn Place have identified a need in the community for additional housing for the population served by the facility. The owners have presented preliminary plans to Town officials to add more residential units to the existing building and to modify the parking and landscaped areas. The owners will seek a modification of the Comprehensive Permit and any other required permits and approvals for the addition. The owners have asked the Town to release the Conservation Restriction on Parcel B to accommodate these changes. No changes are sought for the Restriction on Parcel A, and approval of Article 14 will have no effect on the Parcel A Restriction. The proposed legislation set forth in Article 14 of the Town Meeting Warrant is only one of the approvals that are necessary to release the Conservation Restriction. The Conservation Commission and the Board of Selectmen must also vote to release the restriction. 20 74 Acne 15 PA=L W nn 121%3 ar 10 Atm. CO a 4,D 20 Finance Committee Report: No report. Bylaw Committee Report: The Bylaw Committee recommended the form by a vote of 4-0. The Bylaw Committee takes no position on the substance of Article 14. The Article involves several issues that are beyond the preview of the Committee. The Bylaw Committee reviewed the form of the Article and has no problem with its form. Conservation Commission Report: The Conservation Commission voted during their meeting on October 10, 2007 to support Warrant Article 14, and to support the release of the Conservation Restriction on Parcel B of Peter Sanborn Place by a vote of 5-1-1. 21 and you are directed to serve this Warrant by posting an attested copy thereof in at least one (1 ) public place in each precinct of the Town not less than fourteen (14) days prior to November 13, 2007, the date set for the meeting in said Warrant, and to publish this Warrant in a newspaper published in the Town, or providing in a manner such as electronic submission, holding for pickup or mailing, an attested copy of said Warrant to each Town Meeting Member. ' Hereof fail not and make due return of this Warrant with your doings thereon to the Town Clerk at or before the time appointed for said meeting. Given under our hands this 25th day of September, 007. Jame E. Bonazol','C airman StepheA. 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O `t —im � 1O'o � � � � �£ p 0;8 "cc 41' m $jo U' l�!�tciJ Elc tn;� O c '- �'Q . o 3 c'� .� vJ .G .G .G .Q =is= 3 ' m c � �e � N n � � ' o cR E � 0 �I ;��aEi m O QM ('o I O D D O ��4)i 9 ��m'm�vit3Olm'o 'o I= G to m' I W p U iSn QM' A. iig(n O I U> m$ i _l '�, U LL d' (:� {1 mil Town of Reading Municipal Light Department 2007 Highlights • The kilowatt-hour sales for the period July, 2006 through June, 2007 were 709,201,028 which represents a .72% increase as compared to the 2006 fiscal year. • The RMLD registered a record peak demand of 173 megawatts in August, 2006 which is about 5 megawatts higher than the previous year's peak. • The RMLD's revenues for the July, 2006 through June, 2007 were $66.2 million which produced a Net Income of $1.9 million. • The RMLD fuel costs for the period July, 2006 through June, 2007 were $29.9 which is 23.3% lower than the 2006 fiscal year due to lower fuel costs. • The RMLD returned $2.2 million to the Town of Reading, which includes the Annual Return and the Voluntary Payment. The 2007 return is 3.8% higher than the 2006 return. • Over $5.0 million was spent in capital improvements during 2007, most of which focused on the electric substations, distribution system, and system controls. • The reliability of the electric system is at a very high level with an average customer not experiencing an electrical outage for more than 14 months, which is approximately one - half the industry average. • The RMLD started its Green Choice Program in August, 2006 which allows customers to support renewable energy projects throughout New England. 36 CPA for Reading Surcharge Overview • THE COST TO THE AVERAGE READING RESIDENT The cost will depend on what surcharge level the community decides on and which of the two exemptions are allowed. For the average home value in Reading of $461,656 the cost would be approximately: Exemptions 1% 2% 3% None $ 56 $ 112 $ 168 First $100K $ 44 $ 87 $ 131 The table below shows how the cost to the average household in Reading would be calculated using FY2007 values, a 2 percent surcharge, and the $100,000 exec Average Assessed Home Value $461,656 Minus $100,000 exemption $100,000 Equals Net House Value Surcharged = $361,656 Times Municipal Tax Rate (per dollar) x 0.01207 Equals Amount Subject to Surcharge = $4365 Times CPA Surcharge Rate x 2% Amount paid toward CPA Fund $ 87 • THE AMOUNT READING WOULD RAISE Again, this would depend on the surcharge level and which exemptions are adopted. The chart below shows several scenarios. Note that these amounts are just the amount raised locally. The total would be much more after the state match is received each year. Exemptions 1% 2% 3% None $ 454,731 $ 909,462 $ 1,364,193 First $100K $ 361,937 $ 723,873 $ 1,085,810 • EXEMPTIONS FROM THE CPA SURCHARGE Any portion of a taxpayer's real property taxes that are already exempt are also exempt from the new CPA surcharge. In addition, Town Meeting, as part of the vote to accept the provisions of CPA, may allow any or all of two additional exemptions to the CPA surcharge for: 1) Property owned and occupied by a person who would qualify for low income housing (any family of 4 making less than $65,920) or moderate income senior housing (a person 60 or over making less than $57,680 ($65,920 for a couple) 2) The first $100,000 of taxable value of residential real estate C 37 0 1 1 CONDUCT OF TOWN MEETING Reading's Town Meeting is conducted in accordance with the rules set down in Article 2 of the Charter and the General Bylaws. Although Town Meeting Time Third Edition is the basic source, a Town Meeting Member need only be familiar with what is contained in the Charter. These notes are intended to outline the major points all Town Meeting Members should know, and which by knowing, will make Town Meeting more understandable. ORGANIZATION • Town Meeting consists of 192 subject may be discussed together; elected members, of which 97 however, only one is formally on the constitute a quorum. floor, and each when moved is acted upon individually. Note that the vote • There are two required sessions: the on one may influence the others. Annual Meeting in Spring which is primarily for fiscal matters and • Members who wish to speak shall acceptance of the annual budget, rise, state their name and precinct in and the Subsequent Meeting in order to be recognized. November. Special Town Meetings may be called at any time that the • A Member may speak for ten (10) need arises. minutes but permission must be asked to exceed this limit. • There are three main committees which review certain Articles and • Seven (7) Members can question a advise Town Meeting of their vote and call for a standing count recommendations: and twenty (20) can ask for a roll call vote; however, a roll call vote is Finance for all expenditures of funds; seldom used because of the time it Bylaw for all bylaw changes; and the takes. Community Planning and Development Commission for all PRINCIPAL MOTION ENCOUNTERED zoning changes. AT TOWN MEETING Their reports are given prior to The following motions are the principal discussing the motion. ones used in most cases by Town Meeting to conduct its business. GENERAL RULES OF PROCEDURE Experience shows that the Members should be familiar with these. The Meeting is conducted through the Warrant Articles which are presented (moved) as motions. Only one motion may be on the floor at a time; however, the motion may be amended. Often two or more Articles which address the same W-* • Adjourn: Ends the sessions, can be moved at any time. • Recess: Stops business for a short time, generally to resolve a procedural question or to obtain information. ♦ Lay on the Table: ' Stops debate with the intention generally of bringing the subject up again later. May also be used to defer action on an Article for which procedurally a negative vote is undesirable. Note that tabled motions die with adjournment. ♦ Move the Previous Question: Upon acceptance by a two-thirds (2/3) vote, stops all debate and brings the subject to a vote. This is generally the main motion, or ♦ The most recent amendment, unless qualified by the mover. The reason for this as provided in Robert's Rules of Order is to allow for other amendments should they wish to be presented. ♦ Amend: Offers changes to the main motion. Must be in accordance with the motion and may not substantially alter the intent of the motion. In accordance with Robert's Rules of Order, only one primary and one secondary motion will be allowed on the floor at one time, unless specifically accepted by the Moderator. ♦ Indefinitely Postpone: Disposes of the Article without a yes or no vote. Take from the Table: Brings back a motion which was previously laid on the table. ♦ Main Motion: The means by which a subject is brought before the Meeting. THE FOLLOWING MOTIONS MAY BE USED BY A MEMBER FOR THE PURPOSE NOTED: 39 ♦ Question of Privilege: Sometimes used to offer a resolution. Should not be used to "steal" the floor. ♦ Point of Order: To raise a question concerning the conduct of the Meeting. ♦ Point of Information: To ask for information relevant to the business at hand. MULTIPLE MOTIONS SUBSEQUENT (MULTIPLE) MOTIONS If the subsequent motion to be offered, as distinct from an amendment made during debate, includes material which has previously been put to a vote and defeated, it will be viewed by the Moderator as reconsideration and will not be accepted. If the subsequent motion contains distinctly new material which is within the scope of the Warrant Article, then it will be accepted. An example of this latter situation is successive line items of an omnibus budget moved as a block. SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING CONSIDERATIONS ♦ The maker of any proposed multiple motion shall make their intent known, and the content of the motion to be offered shall be conveyed to the Moderator - prior to the initial calling of the Warrant Article. ♦ Once an affirmative vote has been taken on the motion then on the floor - no further subsequent alternative motions will be accepted. (Obviously does not apply to the budget, for example.) + Also - Therecanonk/beonemoUon on the floor at any one time. You have the ability to offer amendments to the motion that isVnthe floor. You also have the ability t0 move for reconsideration. TOWN OF READING BYLAWS ARTICLE 2: TOWN MEETINGS 2.1 General Section 2.1.1 The Annual Town Meeting shall be held DD the third Tuesday preceding the second Monday in 4oh| of each year for the e|eC1iOD of Town officers and for other such matters as required by |ovv to be determined by ballot. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in any year in which presidential electors are to be elected, the Board of Selectmen may schedule the commencement of the Annual Town Meeting for the same date designated as the date to hold the Presidential Primary. Section 2.1.2 The polls for the Annual Town Meeting Sh8U be opened at7:OOG.[n. and shall remain open UDb| 8:00 p.m. Section 2.1.3 All business of the Annual Town yNeeUng, except the election of such Town officers and the determination of such matters as required by law 10 be elected or determined by ballot, Gh@U be considered at on adjournment of such meeting to be held at 7:30 p.m. OD the second Monday in April, except if this day shall t8U OO 8 legal holiday, in vvh)oh case the Meeting shall be held on the following day or at a further adjournment thereof. Section 2.1.4 A Special ToxvnK8eeting called the Sub- sequent Town Meeting shall be held on the second Monday in November, OR except if this day shall fall on a kaoo| in which case the Meeting shall be held on the following day. The Subsequent Town Meeting shall consider and act oD all business asmay properly come before it except the adoption ofthe annual operating budget. Section 2.1.5 Adjourned sessions of every Annual TnVvD Meeting after the first such adjourned session provided for in Section 2.1.3 of this Article and all sessions of every Subsequent Town yWeeting, eho|| be held on the following Thursday at7:3O p.0. and then on the following Monday at 7:30 p.m. and on consecutive Mondays and Thungdoyo, unless resolution to adjourn to another time is adopted by majority vote of the Town Meeting Members present and VVbOg. Section 2.1.6 The Board Of Q8|9CUnen SheU give notice of the Annual, Subsequent or any Special TOvvD Meeting at least fourteen /14\ days prior to the time Of holding said Meeting by causing an attested copy of the Warrant calling the same to be posted in one (1) or more public places in each precinct of the Town, and either causing such attested copy to be published in a local newspaper or providing in a manner such as electronic submission, holding for pickup, or mailing, an attested copy of said Warrant to each Town Meeting Member. Section 2.1.7 All Articles for the Annual Town Meeting shall be submitted to the Board of Selectmen not later than 8:00 p.m. on the fifth Tuesday preceding the date of election of Town officers unless this day is 8 holiday in which case the fo||OVViOg day shall besubstituted. All Articles for the Subsequent Town Meeting shall be submitted to the Board of Selectmen not later than 8:00 p.m. on the fifth Tuesday preceding the Subsequent Town Meeting in which action is to be taken, unless this day is a holiday, in which case the following day shall be substituted. Section 2.1.8 The Board of Selectmen, after drawing a Warrant for a Town Meeting, shall immediately deliver a copy of such Warrant to each Member of the Finance Committee, the Community Planning and Development Commission, the Bylaw Committee and the Moderator. 2.2 Conduct of Town Meetings Section 2.2.1 In the conduct of all Town Meetings, the following rules shall be observed: Rule 1: A majority of the Town Meeting Members shall constitute a quorum for doing business. Rule 2: All Articles on the Warrant shall be taken up in the order of their arrangement in the Warrant, unless otherwise decided by a majority vote of the Members present and voting. Rule 3: Prior to debate on each Article in a Warrant involving the expenditure of money, the Finance Committee shall advise the Town Meeting as to its recommendations and the reasons therefore. Rule 4: Prior to a debate on each Article in a Warrant involving changes in the Bylaw or Charter, petitions for a special act, or local acceptance by Town Meeting of a State statute, the Bylaw Committee shall advise the Town Meeting as to its recommendations and reasons therefore. 41 Rule 5: Every person shall stand when speaking, shall respectfully address the Moderator, shall not speak until recognized by the Moderator, shall state his name and precinct, shall confine himself to the question under debate and shall avoid all personalities. Rule 6: No person shall be privileged to speak or make a motion until after he has been recognized by the Moderator. Rule 7: No Town Meeting Member or other person shall speak on any question more than ten (10) minutes without first obtaining the permission of the Meeting. Rule 8: Any non-Town Meeting Member may speak at a Town Meeting having first identified himself to the Moderator. A proponent of an Article may speak on such Article only after first identifying himself to the Moderator and obtaining permission of Town Meeting to speak. No non-Town Meeting Member shall speak on any question more than five (5) minutes without first obtaining the permission of the Meeting. Non- Town Meeting Members shall be given the privilege of speaking at Town Meetings only after all Town Meeting Members who desire to speak upon the question under consideration have first been given an opportunity to do so. Rule 9: Members of official bodies who are not Town Meeting Members shall have the same right to speak, but not to vote, as Town Meeting Members on all matters relating to their official bodies. Rule 10: No speaker at a Town Meeting shall be interrupted except by a Member making a point of order or privileged motion or by the Moderator. Rule 11: Any person having a monetary or equitable iOt8[eG1 in any matter under discussion at a Town Meeting and any person employed by another h8V1DQ such an iOtenest. Gh@U disclose the fact of his interest or his employer's iDtenGGi before speaking thereon. Rule 12: The Moderator shall decide all questions of order subject toappeal to the rneetiDQ, the question on which appeal shall be taken before any other. Rule 13: When @ question is put, the vote on all nnothera ehoU be taken by show ofhands, and the Moderator shall declare the vote aait appears tohim. If the Moderator is unable to decide the vote by the show of hands, or if his decision is immediately questioned by seven (7) or more [De[nbers, he shall d8terminetheqUeotiDO by ordering a standing vote and he shall appoint tellers to make and return the count directly 10 him. On request of not |eea than twenty /2O\ 0eFObers, a vote shall be taken by roll call. Rule 14: All original rnoiD OODtiOD8 having to do with the expenditure of money shall be presented in vvrUing, and all other motions shall be in writing if so directed by the Moderator. Rule 15: No motion shall be received and pikunU| it is seconded. No motion made and seconded shall be withdrawn if any Member objects. No amendment not PB|8V8[t to the SUbi8[t of the original motion shall be entertained. Rule 16: When e question is under debabs, no motion shall be in order except (1) to 8diOUrD' (2) t0 lay on the table or pass over, (3) to postpone for e certain UDl8. (4) to CO[O[Dit. /b\ to amend, /6> to postpone indefinitely or (7) to fix a time for terminating debate and putting the question, and the afore- 42 said several motions ahoU have precedence in the order in which they stand arranged in this Rule. Rule 17: Motions t0 adjourn when balloting for offices and when votes are being taken) shall always be first in order Motions to adjourn, to 0nVe the question, to |8y on the table and to take from the table shall be decided without debate. Rule 18: The previous question shall be put in the following form or in some other form having the same meaning: "Shall the main question now bg put?," and UDb| this question is decided all debate on the main question shall be suspended. |f the previous question be adopted, the sense 0f the meeting shall immediately betaken upon any pending amendments iDthe order inverse tothat in which they were moved except that the largest sum or the longest time shall be put first, and finally upon the main question. Rule 19: The duties of the Moderator and the conduct and method of proceeding at all Town Meetings, not prescribed by law V[by [V|gs set forth in this Article, Sh8|| be determined by rules of practice set forth in Town Meeting Time Third Edition except that to lay on the table shall require a majority vote. Section 2.2.2 |t shall be the duty of every official body, by a Member thereof, to be in attendance at all Town Meetings for the information thereof vVhi|8 any subject matter is under consideration affecting such official body. Section 2.2.3 All committees authorized by Town Meeting shall be appointed by the Moderator unless otherwise ordered by avote of the Members present and voting. All committees shall report as directed by the Town Meeting. If no report is made within a year after the appointment, the committee shall be discharged unless, in the meantime, the Town Meeting grants an extension of time. When the final report of a committee is placed in the hands of the Moderator, it shall be deemed to be received, and a vote to accept the same shall discharge the committee but shall not be equivalent to a vote to adopt it. Section 2.2.4 Motion to Reconsider 2.2.4.1 A motion to reconsider any vote must be made before the final adjournment of the Meeting at which the vote was passed but such motion to reconsider shall not be made at an adjourned meeting unless the mover has given notice of his intention to make such a motion, either at the session of the meeting at which the vote was passed or by written notice to the Town Clerk within twenty-four (24) hours after the adjournment of such session. When such motion is made at the session of the meeting at which the vote was passed, said motion shall be accepted by the Moderator but consideration thereof shall be postponed to become the first item to be considered at the next session unless all remaining Articles have been disposed of, in which case reconsideration shall be considered before final adjournment. There can be no reconsideration of a vote once reconsidered or after a vote not to reconsider. Reconsideration may be ordered by a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the votes present. Arguments for or against reconsideration may include discussion of the motion being reconsidered providing such discussion consists only of relevant facts or arguments not previously presented by any speaker. 43 2.2.4.2 The foregoing provisions relating to motions to reconsider shall not apply to any such motion made by the Board of Selectmen and authorized by the Moderator as necessary for the reconsideration of actions previously taken by Town Meeting by reason of State or Federal action or inaction or other circumstances not within the control of the Town or Town Meeting. In the event such a motion to reconsider is made and authorized, said motion may be made at any time before the final adjournment of the Meeting at which the vote was passed, said motion may be made even if the vote was already reconsidered, or was the subject of a vote not to reconsider and reconsideration may be ordered by a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the votes present. 2.2.4.3 Notice of every vote to be reconsidered at an adjourned Town Meeting shall be posted by the Town Clerk in one (1) or more public places in each precinct of the Town as soon as possible after adjournment, and he shall, if practicable, at least one (1) day before the time of the next following session of said Adjourned Meeting, publish such notice in some newspaper published in the Town. Said notice shall include the vote to be reconsidered and the place and time of the next following session of said Adjourned Meeting. The foregoing notice provisions shall not apply when a motion to reconsider any Town Meeting action is made publicly at Town Meeting before the adjournment of any session of any Adjourned Town Meeting. Section 2.2.5 The Selectmen shall, at each Annual Town Meeting, give to the Members information of the State of the Town. Section 2.2.6 The Town Meeting Members and Town Meeting Members-Elect from each precinct shall hold an annual precinct meeting after the Annual Town Election but before the convening of the business sessions of the Annual Town Meeting. The purpose of the meeting shall be the election of a Chairman and a Clerk and to conduct whatever business may be appropriate. Chairman shall serve no more than six (6) consecutive years in that position. Additional precinct meetings may be called by the Chairman or by a petition of six (6) Town Meeting Members of the precinct. Section 2.2.7 Removal of Town Meeting Members 2.2.7.1 The Town Clerk shall mail, within thirty (30) days after the adjournment sine die of a Town Meeting, to every Town Meeting Member who has attended less than one half (1/2) of the Town Meeting sessions since the most recent Annual Town Election, a record of his attendance and a copy of Section 2-6 of the Charter. 2.2.7.2 Town Meeting Members of each precinct shall consider at a precinct meeting to be conducted in accordance with Section 2.2.6 of these Bylaws and Section 2-6 of the Charter, preceding the consideration of the Article placed upon the Annual Town Meeting Warrant in accordance with Section 2-6 of the Charter, the names of Town Meeting Members in that precinct appearing on said Warrant Article and adopt recommendations to Town Meeting as to what action should be taken regarding each such Member. The Chairman of each precinct or his designee shall make such recommendations along with supporting evidence and rationale to Town Meeting. 44 2.2.7.3 The names of the Members subject to removal in accordance with Section 2-6 of the Charter shall be grouped by precinct in the Warrant Article required by said Section. Section 2.2.8 Meetings Durinq Town Meeting No appointed or elected board, commission, committee or other entity of Town Government shall schedule or conduct any hearing, meeting or other function during any hours in which an Annual, Subsequent or Special Town Meeting is in session or is scheduled to be in session. Any such board, commission or committee which schedules or holds a meeting or hearing on the same calendar day but at a time prior to a session of Town Meeting shall adjourn or recess not less than five (5) minutes prior to the scheduled session of Town Meeting. Any Board, Commission or Committee may, at the opening of any session of Town Meeting, present to that Town Meeting an instructional motion requesting an exemption from this Bylaw and asking that Town Meeting permit it to meet at a date and hour at which a future session of Town Meeting is scheduled and may present reasons for Town Meeting to give such permission. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any board, commission or committee which meets the requirements of Section 23B of Chapter 39 of the General Laws concerning emergency meetings may, upon meeting such requirements, conduct such a meeting or hearing at a time scheduled for a Town Meeting.