HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-06-30 Special Town Meeting Warrant Reportl
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SPECIAL TOWN MEETING
JUNE 30, 2008
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Article
Title
Sponso
Page #
1
Reports
Board of Selectmen
2
2
Instructions
Board of Selectmen
2
3
Amend Capital Improvements Program
Board of Selectmen
3
FY 2008 - FY 2017
4
Amend FY 2008 Budget
Finance Committee
3,4
5
Street Acceptance — Baldwin Lane
Board of Selectmen
4,5
6
Rescind Water Main Debt
Board of Selectmen
5
7
Correct Zoning By-Law
Board of Selectmen
6
8
Library Book Replacement Revolving Fund
Board of Selectmen
6
9
Authorize Additional Debt for Water Treatment
Board of Selectmen
7
Plant Demolition
10
Authorize Additional Funding for the Artificial
Board of Selectmen
8
Turf Field
11
Approval of Contract in excess of three
Board of Selectmen
9
years for Substance Abuse Prevention
Program Evaluator
APPENDIX
Conduct of Town Meeting
11-17
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Middlesex, ss. Officer's Return, Reading:
By virtue of this Warrant, I, on June 3, 2008 notified and warned the
inhabitants of the Town of Reading, qualified to vote on Town affairs, to meet at the
place and at the time specified by posting attested copies of this Town Meeting Warrant
in the following public places within the Town of Reading:
Precinct 1 J. Warren Killam School, 333 Charles Street
Precinct 2 Peter Sanborn Place, 50 Bay State Road
Precinct 3 Reading Police Station, 15 Union Street
Precinct 4 Joshua Eaton School, 365 Summer Avenue
Precinct 5 Town Hall, 16 Lowell Street
Precinct 6 Austin Preparatory School, 101 Willow Street
Precinct 7 Reading Library, Local History Room, 64 Middlesex Avenue
Precinct 8 Wood End School, 85 Sunset Rock Lane
The date of posting being not less than fourteen (14) days prior to June 30, 2008, the
date set for the Special Town Meeting in this Warrant.
I also caused an attested copy of this Warrant to be published in the Reading
Chronicle in the issue of June 4, 2008.
A true copy. Attest:
e--IIIX
,ej�, ,& )J/"z
Cheryl $. Johnson, T wn Clerk
11
Nap . Ulrich, Co st ble
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING
(Seal)
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Middlesex, ss.
To any of the [�>DGL8b|8G of the Town Of Ro@d|Dg' Greetings:
|O the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby required to
notify and warn the inhabitants of the Town of Reading, qualified tV vote in elections and
Town affairs, to meet at the Reading Memorial High School Audi0JhV0' 62 Oakland
Road in said Reading' on K8onday. June 30. 2008. at seven-thirty o'clock in the ev8DiOg,
at which time and place the following articles are to be acted upon and determined
8XC|USiV8ly by Town Meeting K88OObe[8 in 8CCOPd@nce 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 VVorka, Town
Clerk, T[8H Warden, Board Of Hea|th, School Committee, Contributory Retirement
Board, Library Trustees, Municipal Light Board, Finance Committee, Cemetery Trustees,
CO[DOluDi[y P|3DDiDg & C>eV8|OpDl8Dt [|oO0O0iSSiOO' Conservation COOOOAiGgiOD' Town
Manager and any other Board o[ Special Committee.
Board of Selectmen
This Article appears on the Warrant for all Town Meetings. A1 this Annual
Town Meeting, DOnBonrt(s) are anticipated. \
Finance Committee Report: No report.
Bylaw Commiftee Report: No report.
ARTICLE To Choose all other necessary TuvYO Officers and Special
Committees and determine what instructions shall be given Town Officers and Sp8[j8|
COOOOOitte8S. and t0 see what sum the Town will raise by bOrnJVViDg or transfer from
available fUDdS. or OtheRmi88. and appropriate for the purpose of funding Town Officers
and Special (]0[D[nitte8G to carry out the instructions given to 1herD' or take any other
action with respect thereto.
Board ofSelectmen
This Article appears OO the Warrant of all TOvvD Meetings. There are no
known Instructional Motions st this time. The Town Moderator requires that all proposed
|DS1TV{tinD8| Motions be submitted to the Town Clerk in advance SO that Town Meeting
Members may be "warned" as to the subject of an Instructional Motion in advance of the
0OLiOO being made. |DGt[UctioD8| Motions are normally held until the end Of all other
business 8t Town Meeting.
Finance Committee Report: No report.
Bylaw Commiftee Report: No report. \
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ARTICLE 3 To see if the Town will vote to amend the FY 2008 — FY 2017
( >
Capital Improvements PnJQ[8m as provided for in Section 7-7ofthe Reading Home Rule
Charter, or take any other action with respect thereto.
Board ofSelectmen
The following amendments one proposed to the FY 2008 — FY 2017
Capital Improvements Program (QP). These amendments need tob8included in the
QP in order for Town Meeting to consider funding them under the various Articles at
Town Meeting.
The following are proposed [DodUicgtoDG to the {}|P approved at the Special
Town Meeting:
FY 2008:
+ $450'000 for Water Treatment Plant demolition and related modifications to the
water system (previously water fund debt, suggest Line W5 additional water fund
UHUt — amounta|noadybudgetedshou|dbe adequate for this purpoae).
+ $86.350 for field iOOpnDV8OleOtG at Parker Middle SChO0| /pFeViOU8|y debt,
suggest using free cash and Line C1 0 Public Works Parks & Recreation).
Finance Committee Report: No report.
Bylaw Committee Report: No report.
1
-� ARTICLE To see U the Town will vote to amend one ormore of the votes
taken under Article 13Vf the Warrant Df the Annual Town Meeting Vf April 23.2OO7,8S
amended by Article 4 of the November 13, 2007 Subsequent Town K4geting, and as
8Dl8Dd8d by AdiC|8 5 of the April 28. 2008 ADDU8| l[0vVO Meeting; and to see what 8Wnl
the Town will vote to appropriate by borrowing or transfer from evoUGb\e fuDds, or
otherwise, 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
Town and onho0| personnel have performed much of the project
management for the W1UN|S implementation 3t8 sigDUOC8Dt cost G8ViDgG. The SUFp\US
funds saved are available for contingency iO both the K4UN|S and document storage
projects, which will F8qUiF8 another f8VV years to c0Dlp|8t9. M9GDVVhi\8. G t[8OSfe[ to
cover staff OT for this project is requested, and can be funded by sV[p\Va wages from
the Police Budget which [8SU|tG from some UOfi||8d positions for parts Of the year.
Typically, the Police [lepa[trn8ni has been turning over leftover clothing o||ovVmnce every
year tOfree cash. The Town Accountant has iOSt[VCLed them to instead encumber funds
for all clothing allowance liabilities. A transfer from surplus wages to this line item is also
requested.
Surplus funds in the Property & C@SU8h« Budget for the year are available to
fund a shortfall in the Town Building Maintenance Budget caused by a variety of factors
led by energy costs.
/ ,)
The following budget amendments are proposed for the FY 2008 Budget:
General Fund — Wages and Expenses
Account Line
Description
Decrease
Increase
mi
Accounting — Salaries and Wages (OT)
$2,500
N17
Finance — Salaries and Wages (OT)
$9,000
R7
Public Safety — Salaries and Wages
>Police Salaries and Wages
$23,500
$42,869
R8
Public Safety — Expenses
>Police and Dispatch Clothing Allowance
$12,000
Q23
Community Services — Expenses
> Casualty Insurance
$35,000
U10
Town Building Maintenance
$35,000
Subtotals
$58,500
$58,500
Net from Free Cash
$0
At Annual Town Meeting in April 2008. an $84.000 transfer was made
into the Water Fund from prior year's capital to help offset some MWRA valve expanses.
HOVvRve[. $42'869 of this prior SU[p|UG was from |eft0V8[ bond proceeds, and CaDOOt be
used 10 cover operating expenses. Town Meeting is requested to instead use $42.869
from Water R8SH[V8S to help Offs81 the Cost of the yWVVRA V8|vR expenses. Next V88[,
Town Meeting will b8 asked t0 move the $42,869 surplus into reserves.
The following budget amendments are proposed for the FY 2008 Budget:
Enterprise Funds — Wages and xpenses
Account Line
Description
Decrease
Increase
W5
Water Fund
$42,869
Subtotals
$42,869
Net from Water Reserves
$42,869
Finance Committee Report: Action pending.
Bylaw Commiftee Report: No report.
ARTICLE To see if the Town will vote to accept the report of the Board of
Selectmen upon the laying out 8G8 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
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Board of Selectmen to take such ways under the provision of law authorizing the
assessment of betterments in f88 or rights of easement therein by eminent domain
`—
under the provisions of Chapter 78 of the General Laws, as amended, or acquire said
lands in fee or rights of easement therein by pu[chase, gift or otherwise and to aae8Gs
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 w}t8 to appropriate by borrowing, or from the tax levy, or transfer from
available funds, or otherwise, for the acquisition of said lands o[ easements therein orfor
payment of any eminent domain damages and for the construction Of said ways, ortake
any other action with respect thereto.
°Baldwin Lane Extension
Board of Selectmen
This Article will be indefinitely postponed. The Street Acceptance
Hearing has not been held and, therefore, nn action can b8 taken 8t this time.
Finance Committee Report: No report.
Bylaw Committee Report: No report.
ARTICLE T0 see dthe Town will vote 10 rescind authorized but unused debt
fo r:
* Water main repairs 8S authorized by Article 1UOO November 7.20O5.
or take any other action with respect thereto.
Board OfSelectmen
On November 7, 2005, Town Meeting under Article 10 authorized the
issuance of $2.0 OliUiDO in water fund debt to replace various VV8te[ mains. Cf that total,
$600.000 of repairs has been completed, and the associated debt is presently being
repaid through FY 2012. A b8|8O:8 of $1.4 Oli||iOD Of debt F8Dl8inS authorized but
unused.
8Ub58qU8Dt|y' because of the buy-in to the MVVRA8Dd related COStS, the capital
plan for the VV8t8[ Enterprise Fund was reorganized and sO0a||8[ projects that COU|d be
paid in C8Gh were OOOVed Up. and @feVV larger projects that may PBqUiF8 debt financing
were moved out tOFY2O18 and beyond.
This Article @)|VVVS the -TOVVO t0 PRG:iDd the $1.4 [Di||iVD in UOUSed debt as it will
no |ODgH[ need to be iGSU8d in the immediate future. Any fU\U[e |3rQH project requiring
debt financing will be brought forward to Town Meeting for authorization.
Finance Committee Report: Action pending.
Bylaw Committee Report: No report.
5
ARTICLE 7 To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning of the
Town of Reading aofollows: /
~
To renumber Section 2.2.2.28.1 thereof so that it reads Section 2.2.28.1,
TO renumber Section 4.5.2 of Section 4.5 thereof so that U reads 8eoUoO 4.5.1
and to renumber each successive paragraph accordingly,
Or take any other action with respect thereto.
Board of Selectmen
When this definition was added 1D the Business C for the Addison-
Wesley Zoning changes in December 2007, an extra number 2was included in ern}[
When the error was DOtiC8d. the 8>tF8 OUDlbe[ 2 was omitted when our current Zoning
By-Law was printed, but Town COVDGe| advises that we still need 8 TOVVD Meeting Vote
to authorize that minor correction.
Finance Committee Report: No report.
Bylaw Commiftee Report: The Bylaw Committee recommends the subject matter of
this Article by a vote of 5-0-0. This is a housekeeping matter.
ARTICLE 8 To see if the Town will vote to establish the following revolving
fund pursuant hJ Chapter 44. Section 53E\6:
Library K8ateh8)3 R8p|8CeO08Ot FUOd, the purpose of which shall be to acquire 8qU|V8\ent \-
Public Library rD8te[i8|S to F8p|8C8 iieDlS |O8t or damaged by 1hOG8 who bO[nJVV such
03t8[ia|S; provided hOVVHVe[, that receipts tO be deposited into said fund shall be 00DieS
paid by the bO[[OvverS of the lost O[damaged Dl803[i8|S and that such OOOOieS F8p[8S8nt
the replacement cost Ofthe rnoteFi8|n; provided further, that the Library Director, with the
8ppnDV8| of the Board Of Library Trustees, 8h8|| be authorized to expend from this fund
without appropriation; and to establish a limit on the total amount that may be expended
from such fund iD Fiscal Year 2OOg.
or take any other action with respect thereto.
Board of Selectmen
During the course ofa year, the Library recovers funds from patrons who
have lost or damaged books or other 08teh8|S. [|Urr8DUy' those funds go into the
Town's B8ne[8| Fund, and at the end of the year go into free cash. The adoption of this
Article will 8{|ovv those funds recovered from p3tnOD8 to be available directly to the
Library to purchase nBp|aCeO08Dt materials. This i8 8 P8VO|ViOg fund that will [8qUi[8
annual nanevva| ot the Annual Town Meeting.
Finance Committee Report: Action pending.
BVIaw Commiftee Report: No report.
561
�
ARTICLE 9 To see if the Town will vote to appropriate a eunn of monay, by
borrowing, transfer from available funds or otherwise, to pay costs of entrance fees,
-- costs of connection, d8nOO|iboO of the existing Water Treatment Plant and other
modifications to the water distribution system, and other expenses for the nome, which
amount aho|| be expended in addition to the $8'800,000 previously appropriated for this
purpose by the Town under Article 4ofthe Warrant atthe June 12, 2006 Annual Town
Meeting; and to Gee if the Town will mJie to authorize the Board of 8e|ectnneD, acting as
Water Commissioners, to take such actions necessary or required to apply for admission
to and to receive the entirety of the Town of Reading's public water supply from the
K8gSsgchVGettg Water Resources Authority VV8teF 8yGL8rO' including, without |inlii@tiOO.
filing legislation, payment of applicable fees and charges, and entering into on
agreement with the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority as may be required or
necessary to receive @ supply of water at prevailing [@t88 charged by the Massachusetts
Water Resources Authority to :ornrnuniUeo in its water supply syatam, or take any other
action with respect thereto.
Board ofSelectmen
The initial cost estimate for the deconstruction of the Louanim VVe\er
Treatment Facility was $900'000 for which debt was authorized as part of the MVVRA
buy-in cost at the June 12, 2006 Special Town Meeting. This debt was sold in November
2007.
An additional $100.000 was needed t0 fund the cost of the K8VVRA buy-in which
left $800,000 8V8i|@b\e for this project. Th8ne is DVVY 8 balance available Of $739.700. It
ShOU}d be noted that the original estimate did not include the design and DDOGtnU[tinn of
( \ the disinfection SYGte0 (required by [}EP). OF the $91.400 CoG1 for the COO8tnJC1inD and
`-'
deconstruction inspection. There is also a substantial amount of asbestos throughout the
facility which has affected the total cost.
The Town received bids on June 12. 2008. The lowest responsible bidder
8VbrDiti8d @ bid in the @rOVW[t of $1.104.000. i]pOO the inclusion of contingencies for
unforeseen construction costs and the construction/deconstruction costs, the necessary
funding for the project will now be $1.389.700. The additional required funding will total
$450.000. The additional funding OOVV sought for this VVGt8[ system project should be
from debt authorization. The water budget for FY 2009 anticipated these costs and does
not need t0b8modified.
Total Project Cost (including contingency)
$1,389,700
Available funding
- Initial authorized debt (remaining balance)
$739,700
- State grant
$200,000
- Requested under this Article
$ 450,000
Finance Committee Report: Action pending.
Bylaw Committee Report: No report.
ARTICLE 10 To see if the Town will vote to appropriate a sum of money, by
borrowing, transfer from available funds or otherwise, to pay costs of making artificial turf
field improvements at the Parker Middle School, including the payment of costs of `-
engineering services, plans, documents, cost estimates, bidding services, construction
management services, and all related expenses incidental thereto and necessary in
connection therewith, which amount shall be expended in addition to the $650,000
previously appropriated for this purpose by the Town under Article 22 of the Warrant at
the April 23, 2007 Annual Town Meeting, 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 that
the Town authorizes the Town Manager to enter into any and all contracts and
agreements as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Article and authorize
the Treasurer - Collector, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, to borrow pursuant
to said authorization.
Board of Selectmen
Background: The initial cost estimate for installation of a synthetic turf field at Parker
Middle School was $650,000. The Town reviewed bids for the construction and it was
found that the lowest responsible bidder was in the amount of $669,409. Upon the
inclusion of a 10% contingency for unforeseen construction costs, the necessary funding
for the project will now be $736,350. The additional required funding will total $86,350.
Debt in the amount of $375,000 was issued for this project in October 2007 in
conjunction with the MWRA buy -in and several smaller capital projects. The additional
funding now sought for this Parker turf project should be from free cash as the amount is
too small to borrow.
Total Project Cost (including contingency)
$736,350
Available funding
- Initial authorized debt (sold)
$375,000
- State grant
$200,000
- Donations by users
$ 75,000
- Requested under this Article (from free cash)
$ 86,350
The Town was able to extend the deadline in which funding of a $200,000
matching grant from the State of Massachusetts could be spent for the purpose of
installing a synthetic turf field at Parker Middle School to June 30, 2009.
The local sports organizations have contributed $75,000 to date, and have
committed to working together to raise some additional level of funding. However, in
order to get this project awarded and in construction this summer, the additional funds
need to be appropriated now. If surplus funds are available (either through less use of
contingency and /or through additional fundraising), then any surplus would go back to
free cash.
Finance Committee Report: Action pending.
Bylaw Committee Report: No report.
ARTICLE 11 To see if the Town will vote.
/
Chapter 30B. Section 12, to authorize the Town
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including all extensions, PeOeVVg|s and options
k ]
Program Evaluator for o period greater than three
Up0D such terms and conditions determined by the
action with respect thereto. }
pursuant to Mass. General Lmvo
Manager to enter into a contract -
a Substance Abuse Prevention
/ears but not exceeding five years
Town Manager, or take any other
Board ofSelectmen
Under State statute, the Town may not enter into a contract for goods or
services for a period longer than three years without permission from the legislative body
(Town Meeting). Most [RC8Dtly. Town W18gtiOg g8VS app[OV@| t0 enter into 8 rubbish
collection and recycling contract for longer than three y8gFG.
The Town seeks 8pprnV8| from Town K888tOg to contract with an evaluator for
our Substance Abuse PFRVeDtiOO Program for period ofVpto five years which is also
the term of the grant.
The following iS the write-up Of the scope Of the work:
Evaluation Consultant:
Following o bid p[ooaoa according to State statute, the Northeast Center for
Healthy CODl[OUOdieG was G8|8CtHd to provide CVOSV|t8toD services for the Reading
Co8|ibOO Against 8UbGt8OC8 Abuse with funds from the Federal Drug Free Communities
Grant under the White House Office Of National O[Vg CDDtPO| Policy and the United
/ )
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
Evaluation services will include:
1. Together, with the RCASA Director, the evaluator will train key personnel iDdata
COU8cbOD;
2. Gather data on how the program is 0pe[ating, and the extent to which program
objectives are being met;
3. Implement specific performance measures iO the evaluation;
4. Provide ongoing project information oDdfindings tOthe RCASA Board of Directors
for their review as part of the process GV8|uatOO;
5. Submit e final outcome evaluation report.
Proposed Term of Consultation:
FY2000-FY2012
Finance Committee Report: No report.
Bylaw Committee Report: No report.
N
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
June 30, 2008, 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 27th day of May, 2008.
n W. Ulrich, Constable
9
/�a fte B eZz o r C irman'
Steph n A. doKdy, Vice Chairman
gBen Tafova. e nret
M
Richard W. Schubert
SELECTMEN OF READING
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, 8TOVVD Meeting Member need only be familiar with what is
contained in the Charter. These notes are intended to outline the major points all Town
K4HRUDg Members should kOnVV, and which by knowing, will make Town Meeting more
understandable.
�
Town Meeting consists of 192
elected One0be[s, of which 87
constitute a quorum.
+ There are two required sessions: the
Annual Meeting in Spring which is
phrOGh|V for DSC8l [O8tt8nS and
acceptance of the annual budget,
and the SUbS8qUGOt Meeting in
November. Special 7-oVvn Meetings
may be c8||8d at any time that the
need arises.
There are three main cVnlnnU1ees
which [8VeVV c8d8iD Articles and
advise Town K4e9UDg Of their
Finance for all expenditures of funds;
Bylaw for all bylaw changes; and the
Community Planning and
Development Commission for all
zoning changes.
Their reports are given prior to
discussing the motion.
GENERAL RULES OF PROCEDURE
The Meeting is conducted Uln]Vgh
the VV8rr8[t Articles which are
presented (moved) as motions.
Only one motion may beOD the floor
8tetime; however, the motion may
be amended. Often two or more
Articles which address the same
11
subject may bediscussed
however, only one iG formally oOthe
floor, and each when moved iSacted
upon individually. Note that the vote
�
Members who wish to speak shall
rise, state their name and precinct in
order to be recognized.
� A M8[ObH[ may SD88k for ten M0\
minutes but permission must be
asked tV exceed this limit.
�
� Seven (7) Members can question u
VOL8 and call for a standing count
and twenty (2O)can ask for a PD|| Ca||
vote; hOVY8VH[' a FDl| C8|| VDt8 is
ee|dOnV used because of the time it
takes.
PRINCIPAL MOTION ENCOUNTERED
AT TOWN MEETING
The following motions are the principal
ones used in most cases by Town
Meeting to conduct its business.
Experience GhVVVS that the K88Dlb8[s
should be familiar with these.
� Ends the oeasiona, can be
moved at any time.
� Stops business for a short
U0e' 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:
12
♦ 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.
s 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 - There can only be one motion
on the floor at any one time. You
have the ability to offer amendments
to the motion that is on the floor. You
also have the ability to 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
on the third Tuesday preceding the
second Monday in April of each year for
the election of Town officers and for
other such matters as required by law
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
shall be opened at 7:00 a.m. and shall
remain open until 8:00 p.m.
Section 2.1.3
All business of the Annual Town
Meeting, except the election of such
Town officers and the determination of
such matters as required by law to be
elected or determined by ballot, shall be
considered at an adjournment of such
meeting to be held at 7:30 p.m. on the
second Monday in April, except if this
day shall fall on a legal holiday, in
which case the Meeting shall be held
on the following day or at a further
adjournment thereof.
Section 2.1.4
A Special Town Meeting called the Sub-
sequent Town Meeting shall be held on
the second Monday in November,
13
except if this day shall fall on a legal
holiday, in which case the Meeting shall
be held on the following day.
The Subsequent Town Meeting shall
consider and act on all business as may
properly come before it except the
adoption of the annual operating budget.
Section 2.1.5
Adjourned sessions of every Annual
Town Meeting after the first such
adjourned session provided for in
Section 2.1.3 of this Article and all
sessions of every Subsequent Town
Meeting, shall be held on the following
Thursday at 7:30 p.m. and then on the
following Monday at 7:30 p.m. and on
consecutive Mondays and Thursdays,
unless a resolution to adjourn to another
time is adopted by a majority vote of the
Town Meeting Members present and
voting.
Section 2.1.6
The Board of Selectmen shall give
notice of the Annual, Subsequent or any
Special Town 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 a holiday in which case the following
day shall be substituted.
All Articles for the Subsequent Town
Meeting shall b8 submitted U] the Board
of Selectmen not later than 8:00 p.m.
on the fifth Tuesday preceding the
Subsequent TOYVO Meeting in which
3C1iOD iGtob8taken, unless this day is
a holiday, in VVh|Ch C8Ge the fD||oYV|Dg
day shall besubstituted.
Section 2.1.8
The Board of Selectmen, after drawing
a Warrant for 8 T0YVO Meeting, shall
immediately deliver 8 copy Of such
Warrant to each Member of the Finance
Committee, the C0[DDlUDity Planning
and Development Commission, the
Bylaw Committee and the Moderator.
2.2 Conduct of Town Meetings
Section 2.2.1
|n the conduct o1 all Town Meetings, the
following rules shall be observed:
Rule 1: A majority of the TOVvO Meeting
yW8nlb8[G shall DDOGUiUt8 8 qUO[UDl 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 bya majority VOteOf
the Members present and voting.
Rule 3: Prior to debate on each Article
iD8 Warrant involving the expenditure of
0OOey. the Finance [|O00itt88 Gh8U
8dViG8 the Town Meeting as to its
F8nODl[neDdatiOOS and the reasons
Rule 4: Prior to o debate on each
Article iO8 Warrant involving changes iD
the Bylaw or Charter, petitions for a
special act, O[ local acceptance byTown
Meeting of @ State statute' the Bylaw
CODlDlitt88 Sh8|| 3dViSB the Town
K8H8UDg as to its recommendations and
reasons therefore.
14
Rule 5: Every person shall stand when
speaking, shall respectfully address the
K8ode[8tO[. 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 ba privileged
bJ speak 0[ make 8 motion until after he
has been recognized by the Moderator.
Rule 7: No Town Meeting Member O[
other person shall speak on any
question more than ten (10) D1iOUteS
without first obtaining the permission of
the Meeting.
Rule 8: Any non-Town Meeting
Member may speak ot8 Town Meeting
having first identified himself UD the
Moderator. A proponent of an Article
may speak On such Article only after first
identifying hiDlS8|f to the N1Ode[8tO[ and
obtaining p8[0\G8iOD of Town Meeting to
speak. NO non-Town Meeting Member
shall speak on any question more than
five (5) minutes without first obtaining
the p8rDliRGiDO Of the Meeting. NVO-
TOVVD Meeting W18nlberS Gh8|| be given
the privilege of speaking at TOVVO
K888iiDgS only after all Town Meeting
Members who desire to speak upon the
question under consideration have first
been given 2D opportunity todoso.
Rule 9: Members of official bodies who
are not TOvVD Meeting PW8OOb8[s Gh@U
have the 8aOl8 right to Sp88k' but not to
Vote. as Town Meeting Members on all
Dl@ttenS relating tO their official hOU|8s.
Rule 10:, No speaker at a Town
Meeting shall be interrupted except hy8
Member DlGk\Dg 8 point Of order Or
privileged motion orby the Moderator.
Rule 11: Any person having o
DlOD8t8[y or equitable interest in any
matter under discussion at o Town
Meeting and any pe[SVO employed by
QDOth8[ h8V|Og such an interest, 8h8U
di8c|DS8 the f3C1 of his interest or his
employer's interest before epe@NDQ
thereon.
Rule 12: The Moderator shall decide all
questions of order subject to appeal to
the OO8gtiDg, the question OD which
appeal shall be taken before any other.
Rule 13: When 8 question is pit' the
vote on all nlgtberG shall be toh8D by
show Ofhands, and the Moderator shall
dedmn* the vote as it appears to him. If
the Moderator is UDab|8 to decide the
VOt8 by the show Of hands, or if his
decision is immediately questioned by
SeV8D (7) or more OOeOnbe[G' he Sh8||
determine the qUHGtinO by ordering 8
standing vOL8 and he shall appoint
i9||8[8 to Dl8k8 and n3tuFD the count
di[8Ct|Y to him. On request Of not |eGG
than twenty (20) Dl8OOb8rG. 8 vote shall
b8 taken by roll call.
Rule 14: All original main nnntkoDs
having to do with the expenditure of
money shall bR presented iD writing, and
all other motions ohmU be in writing if so
directed by the Moderator.
Rule 15: NO OooboO ShgU be received
and put until it is seconded. No motion
nO8d0 and 88CODd8d Sh8U be withdrawn
}f any Member objects. No amendment
not F8)9V8Oi to the SUN8Ct of the original
motion shall be entertained.
Rule 16: When a question is under
deboha, no motion shall be in Ond8[
eXC8[t (1) to adiOUOl. (2) to lay on the
table nr pass over, (3) to postpone for o
certain bOl8. (4) to cODlO0it. (5) to
onnand. (0) to postpone indefinitely or
(y) to fix 8 time for terminating debate
and putting the question, and the afore-
15
said several rno1kzna shall have
precedence in the order in which they
stand arranged in this Rule.
Rule 17: Motions to odioUDl (except
when balloting for offices and when
votes are being taken) shall always be
first in order. Motions to 8diOU[n, to
move the question, to lay on the table
and to take from the table shall be
decided without debate.
Rule 18: The previous question shall
be put iD the following form orinsome
other form having the same meaning:
"Shall the main qU8GUoD now bg put?,"
and until this question is decided all
debate VO the rn@iD question ehoU be
suspended. |f the previous question be
adopted, the sense of the meeting shall
immediately be taken upon any pending
amendments iOthe order inverse k}that
in which they were moved except that
the largest sum or the longest time Sh8||
be put first, and finally upon the main
question.
Rule 19: The duties of the Moderator
and the COOdV[t and method of
proceeding at all Town W188tiDgS, not
pF8Gchb8U by |8VV or by RJ|eS set forth in
this Article, shall be determined by rules
of practice set forth in Town Meeting
Time Third Edition except that to lay on
the table sk8|| [8qUinB @ majority vote.
Section 2.2.2
K shall bg the duty of every official body,
by 8 K88Dlbe[ thHreOf, to be in
attendance at all Town Meetings for the
information thereof while any GVN8d
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
a vote 0f the Members present and
voting. All committees oheU report as
directed by the TOVVO Meeting. K no
report is made within a year after the
appointment, the co00iN3G Sh3U be
discharged UD|eSS. iD the meantime, the
Town Meeting g[BDtS an extension of
time. When the final report Of G
COrD[Ditte8 is placed in the hands of the
yWodenatDF, it shall be deemed to be
received, and 8 vote to accept the ea0H
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
VOt8 must be made b8fOF8 the final
adjournment of the Meeting at which the
VOt8 was p8Sg8d but such OlOtiOO to
reconsider shall not be made at an
adjourned meeting UOleSS the 0VV8r
has given notice Vfhis |Dt8Ot|On to 08k8
such 8 [DOtiOO' either atthe s8SGiVO Of
the Ol88tiOg at which the VOt8 was
p8SS8d O[bywritten notice tO the Town
Clerk within tm8DiV-foW[ (24) hOU[S 8ft8[
the adjournment Of such session.
When such motion is made 81 the
session Of the meeting Et which the vote
was peesSd. Said nloUoO oh8U be
accepted by the K8Dde[8tD[ but
consideration thereof shall be
postponed tO become the first item tOb8
considered et the next session unless all
rBDl8iDiOg Articles have been disposed
Of. in VVh|Ch Case reconsideration shall
be considered before final 8dioU[DOOHDL
There can be no nBcODS|de[8UOD Of 8
vote OOCe reconsidered O[ after 8 vote
not to [8CDOsidH[. Reconsideration may
be ordered by @ VOt8 of two-thirds (2/3)
of the votes present.
Arguments for OF against
reconsideration may include dieoUSS(OD
Of the DlOtiOD being F8Q]OGide[8d
providing such discussion consists only
of n3|8V8nt facts or 8[gU0gOtS not
previously presented by any speaker.
16
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 K88gUOg by reason of
State or Federal action or inaction or
other circumstances not VVUhiD the
control of the Town or Town Meeting.
In the event such a motion tOreconsider
is made and authorized' said rnoboD
may be made at any time before the
final adiOU[On18nL of the Meeting at
which the vote was pesGed, said nlOUOn
may be made even if the VOtR was
already reconsidered, or was the subject
of g vote not to reconsider and
reconsideration may be ordered by a
Vote Of two-thirds (2/3) Of the votes
present.
2.2.4.5 Notice of every vote to be
reconsidered at an adiOV[O6d Town
Meeting Gh8U be posted by the TOVVD
{}|8[k in one (1) or more public p|8CeS in
each pnB[iOCt of the Town as 8oOD as
possible 8ft8[ 8dioUO1018Ot. and he
Gh8U. if practicable, at least one (1) day
before the time of the next following
G8SSiOD Of said Adjourned M88ƒiOg,
publish such notice in some O8VVsp8p8[
published iO the Town.
Said notice shall include the vote k] be
reconsidered and the place and time of
the next following S88siOD Of said
Adjourned Meeting. The foregoing
notice provisions shall not apply when a
DlDdOn to reconsider any Town Meeting
action is made publicly @tTown Meeting
before the adjournment of any session
Of any Adjourned Town Meeting.
Section 2.2.5
The Selectmen shaU, at each Annual
Town Meeting, give to the K4e0b8[s
information of the State of the Town.
[/
/
`
Section 2.2.6
The Town K8H8UOQ Members and Town
yNeeUDQ Members-Elect from each
precinct shall hold an 8OOU8| precinct
Dl8HUDg after the Annual Town B8CtiOD
but before the cVDV8DiOg of the
bUGiO8sS 8eSGiODS of the AODU8| Town
Meeting.
The purpose of the meeting GhgU be the
election of Chairman and @ Clerk and
t0 conduct whatever business may be
appropriate. Chairman ehGU serve no
more than Six /8\ consecutive yC8[G in
that position. Additional p[eC|D[t
meetings may be called by the
Chairman or by G petition Of six (0)
TVVVO Meeting K8e[Db8[S of the precinct.
Section 2.2.7 Removal of Town
i�eetinq Members
2.2.7.1 The Town Clerk shall
Dl8i[ YVUhiD thirty /30\ days Gftg[ the
8dk]U[DmeDi Sine die of 3 Town
Meeting, 10 every Town K8e8UOg
Member who has attended less than
one half (1/2) of the Town Meeting
GeSSiOnS since the most recent Annual
Town E|eobon, a record Of his
attendance and 8 copy Of Section 2-00f
the Charter.
2.27.2 Town Meeting Members
Of each p[8CiD[t shall consider at B
precinct meeting to be conducted in
8CCoPd8Dc8 with Section 2.2.0 of these
Bylaws and Section 2-6 of the Charter,
preceding the CODSid8[@tioO of the
Article placed upon the Annual Town
Meeting VV@r[aOt in aCCO[daDC8 with
Section 2-0Vf the Charter, the names Of
TOvVD Meeting Members in that precinct
appearing OO said VVa[n8Oi Article and
adopt nBCO0OneDd8iiODs to TOVVO
K488Ung as to what 8CU0D should be
taken regarding each such Member.
The Chairman Of each pngCiOCt or his
designee Sh8|| Fngk9 such
[eCO0OleDd8tiOOS along with supporting
evidence and rationale 0J TOVVO
0188Ung.
MA
2.2.7.3 The names of the
NeOlbenS subject to removal in
accordance with Section 2-6 of the
Charter shall be grouped by precinct in
the Warrant /\rtiC|R required by said
Section.
Section 2.2.8 Meetings During
Town Meeting
No appointed or elected boan1,
co[D0iSGioO, committee o[ other entity Of
Town Government GhgU schedule or
DODdU[t any hearing, meeting or other
function during any hours in which an
Annual, Subsequent or Special Town
Meeting isiO session D[i8 scheduled to
beinsession.
Any such bV8nd, cODlDliGsiOD or
committee which schedules or holds 8
meeting or hearing on the s8DlH
Q3|eOd8[ day but at 8 time prior to 8
session of Town Meeting shall adjourn
or recess not, less than five (5) [OiOWt8G
prior to the scheduled session of Town
Meeting.
Any Board, Commission V[Committee
rOay, at the opening of any Session of
Town MeetiOg, pnS8gn{ to that Town
Nl88UDg an instructional motion
nBqU8GtiDg an eXRnVptiOO from this
By|8vV and asking that Town Meeting
permit it to meet at @ date and h0V[ at
which afuture s8SSi0D of Town Meeting
is scheduled and may present P8a5OOG
for l'OVVD Meeting to give such
p9[DliSsi0O.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
board, CO0miSGiOO Or committee which
meets the requirements of Section 23B
Of Chapter 39 Of the General Laws
concerning emergency meetings rnoy.
upon meeting such [8qUirRDl8DtS,
conduct such @ meeting or hearing ote
time scheduled for 8 Town Meeting.