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Special Town Meeting
November 13, 2001
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING
NOVEMBER 13, 2001
Article
Title
Sponsor
Page #
1
Reports
Board of Selectmen
2
2
Instructions
Board of Selectmen
2
3
Amend FY 2002 - FY 2011 Capital
Improvements Program
Board of Selectmen
3
4
Amend FY 2002 Budget
Finance Committee
3
5
Release of Right of Way and
Acceptance of Land - Timothy Place
Conservation Commission
4
APPENDIX
4
Budget
7-23
5
Map
24
Conduct of Town Meeting
25 -31
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Middlesex, ss. Officer's Return, Reading:
By virtue of this Warrant, I, on notified and warned the
inhabitants of the Town of Reading, qualified to vote 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 Registry of Motor Vehicles, 275 Salem Street
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 Alice M. Barrows School, 16 Edgemont Avenue
Precinct 7 Reading Library, Local History Room, 64 Middlesex Avenue
Precinct 8 Arthur W. Coolidge, Middle School, 89 Birch Meadow Drive
i 1
The date of posting being not less than fourteen (14) days prior to November 13,
2001, the date set for the Special Town Meeting in this Warrant.
also caused an attested copy of this Warrant to be published in the Reading
Chronicle in the issue of
Daniel W. Halloran, Constable
A true copy. Attest:
Cheryl A. Johnson, Town Clerk
1
SPECIAL 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, on Tuesday, November 13, 2001, at eight 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, Town Manager and any other Board
or Special Committee.
Board of Selectmen
Background: No action is anticipated under this article.
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 to 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: No action is anticipated under this article.
Finance Committee Report: No report.
Bylaw Committee Report: No report.
2
" ARTICLE 3 To see if the Town will vote to amend the FY 2000-FY 2009
Capital Improvements.Program as provided for in Section 7-7 of the Reading Home Rule
Charter, or take any other action with respect thereto.
Board of Selectmen
Background: At Town Meeting's direction, this Article appears on the Warrant of all
Town Meetings in the event that there is business to be taken up that will affect the
approved Capital Improvements Program. The necessary amendments to the FY 2002
Capital Improvements Program, which are required to balance the FY 2002 Budget, are
likely to require reductions in the expenditure for Capital Improvements. This will,
however, not require the amendment to the Capital Improvements Program because the
program is merely a plan and does not authorize the expenditure of any Town funds.
Therefore, it is likely that this Article may be indefinitely postponed.
Finance Committee Report: No report.
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 11 of the Warrant of the Annual Town Meeting of April 23, 2001,
relating to the Fiscal Year 2002 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.
Board of Selectmen
Background: The FY 2002 Budget needs to be amended in order to come into balance
based on the State FY 2002 Budget. However, at press time, the State had not adopted
a FY 2002 Budget. Therefore the Town will have to use as a State aid number, the
Governor's proposed budget from almost a year ago.
In anticipation of reduced State revenues from the levels anticipated when the
Town's FY 2002 Budget was adopted in May 2001, the Board of Selectmen, School
Committee and FINCOM met in June and developed a scenario acceptable to all parties
to further reduce expenditures for FY 2002, subject to Town Meeting approval once a
State budget was adopted. The Town and the School Department have already set their
spending based upon this agreed upon scenario, since a delay in making the reductions
would be more disruptive to Town and School operations. In recognition of this process,
all Town Meeting Members received a letter from the Town Manager letting them know
of this process.
The attached yellow sheets give an update of revenue projections, a summary of
anticipated reductions, and revised budget summary sheets for Town Meeting's
consideration. They reflect a division of the necessary reductions of 1 /3 from the Town
government expenditures (including capital) and 2/3 from the School Department budget
(including capital). Additional expenditures required for insurance, the Joshua Eaton
roof, and the elevator at Town hall are included in the distribution.
3
Finance Committee Report: The Finance Committee recommends the subject matter
of Article 4 by a vote of 7-0-1 as proposed. The FINCOM reviewed proposed budget
reductions at its Financial Forum meeting in June, and the Town Manager and the
School Department have submitted modifications to the budget in accordance with the
available revenues. The Board of Selectmen and the School Committee have approved
these modifications.
Bylaw Committee Report: No report.
ARTICLE 5 To see if the Town will authorize the Board of Selectmen and/or
Conservation Commission to acquire all or any parts of up to 5 acres of land of the
easterly portion of the property at 15 Timothy's Place, shown as Lot 9 on Assessor's
Map 167, and further shown as Lot 3 on Timothy's Place Definitive Subdivision Plan of
Land, Reading, Mass., dated March 3, 1999 by Benchmark Survey, which said land
abuts conservation land under the ownership or control of the Reading Conservation
Commission, in fee or rights of easement therein by gift, purchase, or otherwise, for
conservation purposes in accordance with the purposes set forth in Massachusetts
General Laws chapter 40, § 8C, and over which the Conservation Commission shall
have administrative control or care and custody; and to see what sum the Town will raise
by borrowing, or from tax levy or transfer from available funds, or otherwise, and
appropriate for the acquisition of said parcels of land or rights of easement therein, or to
be used for payment of land damages or other costs and expenses of such acquisition,
and to authorize the Board of Selectmen to enter into agreements with private parties or
public agencies for financial and other assistance in connection with such acquisition
and to do all other acts and things necessary and proper for carrying out the purposes of
this vote, or take any action with respect thereto.
To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to convey and/or
abandon a certain twelve (12) foot Right of Way in Reading, MA located on land situated
at 15 Timothy's Place, also shown as Lot 9 on Assessor's Map 167, and which Right of
Way easement is shown on a plan entitled: Timothy's Place, Definitive Subdivision Plan
of Land, Reading, Mass., dated March 3, 1999, by Benchmark Survey; to determine the
minimum amount to be paid or consideration to be received for such conveyance and/or
abandonment; and to authorize the Board of Selectmen to convey or abandon all or any
part of said rights and easements for such amount or a larger amount .or other
consideration, and upon such other terms and conditions as the Board of Selectmen
shall consider proper and to deliver a deed or deeds therefor if necessary; or take any
other action with respect thereto.
Conservation Commission
Background: This Article concerns Lot 3 of the Timothy's Place Subdivision, a
three-lot subdivision of the land at 379 Haverhill Street, southeast of the intersection of
Haverhill Street and Charles Street. At present, Lot 3 contains 6.763 acres of land and
has three easements, one for drainage, one for slope, and one an historical right of way
for access through the property to abutting property to the rear.. The eastern and
southern boundaries of the lot abut Town-owned land (Map 171, Parcel 1) off Symonds
Way. Much of the eastern side of Lot 3 is a wetland, including certified vernal pools, and
thus has conservation value.
4
The owner of Lot 3 has proposed to transfer up to 5 acres of the eastern side of the lot to
Town ownership in fee for Conservation purposes. The owner has also requested that
the Town abandon the right of way on the western portion of Lot 3, which would remain
under private ownership. The public would have access to the proposed Town-owned
parcel via Symonds Way and the abutting Town-owned land. The attached site plan
,shows an approximate version of the proposed division of the land. "Parcel A" on the
site plan would be transferred to the Town. "Lot 3B" on the site plan would remain
private. The "12' Wide Right of Way" would be abandoned. Article 5 would authorize
the Board of Selectmen to carry out both proposed actions. (The division of Lot 3 into
two separate parcels would also require approval by the Community Planning and
Development Commission under the relevant zoning and subdivision processes.)
Finance Committee Report: No report.
Bylaw Committee Report: No report.
Conservation Commission Report: The Conservation Commission recommends the
subject matter of this article by a vote of 4-0-0.
5
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, 2001, the date set for the meeting in said Warrant, and to publish this
Warrant in a newspaper published in the Town, or by mailing an attested copy of said
Warrant to each Town Meeting Member at least fourteen (14) days prior to the time of
holding said meeting.
Hereof fail not and make due return of this Warrant with your doings thereon to
the Town Clerk at or before the time appointed for said meeting.
Given under our hands this 16th day of October, 2001.
Geor rG. Hines, Chair
Camil e nth no y, Vice Chairman
Matthew Cummings, Secretary
R" 1W. 44
Richard W. Schubert
-7 V
Gail F. Wood
SELECTMEN OF READING
Daniel . Halloran, Constable
Town of Reading, Massachusetts
( Fiscal Year 2002 Budget
Revenues and Other Resources Use of Resources
General Fund
Property taxes:
Appropriations:
Total tax levy
31,465,428
Annual Town Meeting - Apr 2001 50,461,465
Less: Provision for abatements
and exemptions
400,000
State assessments:
31,065,428
Current assessments 602,327
Prior year underestimates 12,360
Local revenues from sources other
Prior year overestimates 7,807
than property taxes:
606,880
Motor vehicle excise
2,650,000
Penalties and interest on taxes
140,000
Payments in lieu of taxes
50,000
Payment in lieu of taxes - electric
165,000
Charges for services
1,004,500
Licenses and permits
45,000
Special assessments
5,000
Fines
100,000
Interest earnings
650,000
4,809,500
Intergovernmental revenue:.
Add:
12,084,945
Less: State aid - offset items
466,122
11,618,823
Operating transfers / available funds:
Cemetery perpetual care
99,890
Cemetery sale of lots
55,000
Wetland protection filing fees
940
Sale of real estate funds
137,500
Reading Ice Arena Authority
130,000
Earnings distributions - electric
1,706,229
Overlay surplus
186,000
Certified "Free Cash"
468,623
2,784,182
50,277,933
51,068,345
* Needs Town Meeting Vote
I
Variance
(790,412)
24-Oct-01
7
FY 2002 Budget Reductions based on Governor's Budget
Reduction Cumulative Change from
I to balance $834,912 previous version
,oomonai expenses of proposed reductions
P & C Ibnsurance
$61,000
Eaton Roof
$20,000
T. Hail Elevator
$12,500
otai "shortfall"
$928,412
own share (1/3)
$309,471
chool Share (2/3)
$618,941
REDUCTIONS - TOWN
Reductions Ca ip tal
Eliminate Drainage
-$7,000
Reduce Fire to $21,000
-$14,000
Eliminate Dump Truck
-$70,000
Eliminate Library Circulation System
-$24,000
Reduce Library Technology to $8,000
-$5,000
Reduce Curb and Sidewalks to $25,000
-$45,000
Reduce Building Maintenance to $35,000
-$13,775
SUBTOTAL - CAPITAL
-$178.775
$302,471
$288,471
$218,471
$194,471
$189,471
$144,471
$130,696
Reductions - Accounting
Reduce Clerical time - 2.6 hours/week ($1800) $0
Reductions - Community Development
Eliminate Conservation recording Secretary $800
Recodring Secretary - CPDC $2,500
Reduce "fill in" inspector from $1500 to $ 1000
Reduce Historical Commission to $724 -$500
$133,996
$133,996
$133,496
$133,496
$132,571
$128,446
$127,796
$126,796
$124,171
$121,671
addition by Board of Selectmen
addition by Board of Selectmen
eliminate reduction
:yL,tsuu
Reduce Assessors expense - digital camera
-$925
Reduce Tech Expense - Consult., Train., maint.
-$4,125
Charge Enterprises & Rec, formed exams
-$650
Reduce Salaries - clerical turnover
-$1,000
Reduce Expenses - Banking; postage
-$2,625
Charge Retirement forpostage, banking, etc
-$2,500
1
8
10/23/2001
FY 2002 Budget Reductions based on Governor's Budget .
R
d
n C
cti
l
ti
Ch
f
e
u
o
umu
a
ve
ange
rom
Reductions - General Services
$121,671
Reduce Town Counsel to $105,000
-$10,000
$111,671
Eliminate Town Manager Pub. and Subscriptions
-$550
$111,121
Reduce Town Clerk Contract Services to'01 level
-$400
$110,721
Reduce Professional Development
-$2,800
$107,921
Increase sick leave buy-back - retire of prin. Clerk
$1,150
$109,071
Adjust salaries
-$950
$108,121
Reduce Temp. position
-$300
$107,821
-$13,850
Reductions - Human Services
$107,821
Van driver "turn-over funds (new driver)
-$1,500
$106,321
Increase fees for sealer of wt. and meas.
-$91500
$104,821
done
Reduce sub. van driver (new driver - less van)
-$600
$104,221
Reduce Senior Center supplies to $250
-$250
$103,971
Reduce travel reimburse Elder/Human Services
-$300
$103,671
Reduce van hours 2.5 hours per week
$103,671
eliminate reduction
-$4,150
Reduction - Library
$103,671
Reduce Library hours another 2.5 hours per week
$103,671
eliminate reduction
$0
Reduction - Fire
$103,671
Reduce salaries - fire alarm
-$2,000
$101,671
Increase Expenses - Fire Alarm
$2,000
$103,671
Increase ambulance billing to Medicare + 30%
-$30,000
$73,671
done
-$30,000
Reductions - Police / ACO / Dispatch
$73,671
Defer hiring of 2 new vacancies - 6 months each
-$30,000
$43,671
modified reduction
Reduce ACO expenses
-$2,000
$41,671
-$32,000
Reductions - DPW
$41,671
Reduce Line Painting from $27,000
-$12,000
$29,671
Eliminate School Pavement Repair
-$5,000
$24,671
Highway patch - emergency only
-$3,300
$21,371
Eliminate Building landscape mant. (mulch)
-$6,400
$14,971
Reduce Snow/ice
$14,971
eliminate reduction
Eliminate Bulk Waste Collection
$14,971
charge for service
Increased revenue Bulk Waste
-$93,000
$1,971
needs policy change by B.O.S.
Reduce Curbside leaf collection from 5 to 3 X/year
-$2,000
-$29
done
-$41,700
9
10/23/2001
READING PUBLIC SCHOOLS
ADMINISTRATION OFFICES
Harry K. Harutunian
Superintendent
, Ph.D. 82 Oakland Road, Post Office Box 180
n
i
D
Reading, Massachusetts 01867-0280
e
n
.
s Richards
Associate
Sup erintendent
Telephone 781-944-5800
Fax 781-942-9149
N
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TO:
Reading School Committee
cNn
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3rin
FROM:
Dr. Hairy K. Harutunian
~ X
N
DATE:
October 18, 2001
Uj
N
r
TOPIC:
FY02 Budget
This past week I was notified by the Town Manager that since the state budget '
has not been approved, and the town needs to move forward with its tax rate, the town
will be using the governor's cherry sheet budget for the Town of Reading. Since the
Governor's cherry sheet would require a minimum of $600,000 in additional cuts in the
school department budget, Monday night I will ask the School Committee to approve
$618,941 worth of cuts from the FY02 budget. It is important that the School Committee
approve a budget for FY02 prior to Town Meeting.
We will be meeting with Fincom on October 24`x' at 7:30 p.m. to discuss our FY02
budget. The Fincom will be review the following reductions to the FY02 budget:
• Governor's Budget $834,912
• Increased property and casualty insurance $61,000 (Town)
• Joshua Eaton Roof Repairs $20,000 (Schools)
• Town Hall Elevator Repair Costs $12,500 (Town)
Total Shortfall $928,412
Town must reduce $309,471 Schools must reduce $618,941
Please find attached to this memorandum recommended budget reductions for
FY02 totaling $618,941. I have listed below those areas where I reduced an amount from
the list, removed from the list or added to the list.
C.
10
r
Reduced from List
Original
New
MWEE~ m Initiative Science GradesK-5 (Materials) Reduction
Reduction
12640
m Initiative Shipping & Handlin
7,000
g
500
Curriculum Initiative ELA 3-5 (Instructional Material 5,
)
3,
000
2
2;,,4
425
6,000
Removed from List
Reg Day
Re
Da
Curriculum Initiative History/Social Studies 9-12 (Instructional Materials Reduction
C
i
9
) 15
g
y
urr
culum Initiative ELA K-2 (Instructional Materials)
35
,
Reg Day
Curriculum Initiative Shipping mQ & Handlin
1 1,625
g
2,000
Added to List
27 Admin Professional Development Reduction
28 Admin Labor Council
48,941
29 SPED Deaf Services
15,000
10,125
It is my belief that these reductions will have a major impact on the FY02 budget,
but I also believe that since we must
d
re
uce our budget by $618,941, these are the areas
where we should make those red
ti
n
uc
o
s. I will be asking the school c
g ommi
the ~ ttee to acce t
p
Superintendents recommended FY02 b
d
u
get reductions.
If you have any questions, please contact me.
11
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16
TOWN OF READING, MASSACHUSETTS - FISCAL YEAR 2002 BUDGET
Budget
Proposed
Budget
Approved
Modifications
As Modified
By Town
To Approved
By Proposed
No.
Meeting
Budget
Changes
A
Accounting
Accounting
Al
Salaries and Wages
106,770
106,770
A2
Expenses
1,332
1,332
Total Accounting
108,102
0
108,102
B
Community Development
Conservation
61
Salaries and Wages
43,224
800
44,024
Zoning Board
B2
Salaries and Wages
1,075
1,075
Historical Commission
B3
Expenses
1,224
(500)
724
Inspection
B4
Salaries and Wages
91,000
91,000
Planning
B5
Salaries and Wages
54,611
54,611
General
B6
Salaries and Wages
49,239
2,500
51,739
B7
Expenses
8,675
8,675
Community Development
B8
Salaries and Wages
239,149
3,300
242,449
B9
Expenses
9,899
500
9,399
Total Community
Development
249,048
2,800
251,848
C
Finance
Finance Committee
C1
Salaries and Wages
900
900
C2
Expenses
35,911
35,911
C3
Reserve Fund
150,000
150,000
Source of
Funding
Modification
17
Assessment
C4
Salaries and Wages
94,752
94,752
C5
Expenses
16,585
(925)
15,660
Technology
C6
Salaries and Wages
78,376
78,376
C7
Expenses
109,893
(4,125)
105,768
Personnel
C8
Salaries and Wages
38,309
38,309
C9
Expenses
11,950
(650)
11,300
General
C10
Salaries and Wages
245,193
(1,000)
244,193
C11
Expenses
52,831
5,125
47,706
Finance
C12
Salaries and Wages
457,530
(1,000)
456,530
C13
Expenses
377,170
(10,825)
366,345
Total Finance
834,700
11,825
822,875
D
General Services
Selectmen
D1
Expenses
1,950
1,950
Town Manager
D2
Salaries and Wages
94,962
94,962
D3
Expenses
750
(550)
200
Law Division
D4
Town Counsel
115,000
(10,000)
105,000
D5
Labor Counsel
7,600
7,600
D6
Expenses
7,650
7,650
Town Clerk
D7
Salaries and Wages
49,455
49,455
D8
Expenses
1,750
(400)
1,350
Elections and Registrations
D9
Salaries and Wages
10,890
10,890
D10
Expenses
18,482
18,482
Casualty Insurance
D1T
Expenses
97,887
61,000
158,887
General
D12
Salaries and Wages
120,416
(100)
120,316
D13
Expenses
53,607
_ 2,800
50,807
18
General Services
D14
Salaries and Wages
275,723
(100)
275,623
D15
Expenses
304,676
47,250
351,926
Total General Services
580,399
47,150
627,549
E
Human Services
Health / Wts & Measures
E1
Salaries and Wages
101,575
101,575
E2
Expenses
45,579
45,579
Elder Services
E3
Salaries and Wages
132,425
(2,100)
130,325
E4
Expenses
3,900
(550)
3,350
Veterans
E5
Salaries and Wages
8,545
8,545
E6
Expenses
700
700
E7
Assistance
6,000
6,000
Recreation
E8
Salaries and Wages
46,224
46,224
E9
Expenses
2,040
2,040
General
E10
Salaries and Wages
37,325
37,325
Ell
Expenses
3,500
3,500
Human Services
E12
Salaries and Wages
326,094
(2,100)
323,994
E13
Expenses
61,719
(550
61,169
Total Human Services
387,813
(2,650)
385,163
F
Libra
Library
171
Salaries and Wages
633,970
633,970
F2
Expenses
175,039
175,039
Total Library
809,009
0
809,009
G
Public Safety
Police
G1
Salaries and Wages
2,671,985
(30,000)
2,641,985
G2
(
Expenses
215,827
215,827
Animal Control
19
G3
Salaries and Wages
10,175
10,175
G4
Expenses
5,485
(2,000)
3,485
Fire 1 Emergency Management
G5
Salaries and Wages
2,528,215
(2,000)
2,526,215
G6
Expenses
48,201
2,000
50,201
Dispatch
G7
Salaries and Wages
253,101
253,101
G8
Expenses
38,196
38,196
Public Safety
G9
Salaries and Wages
5,463,476
(32,000)
5,431,476
G10
Expenses
307,709
0
307,709
Total Public Safety
5,771,185
(32,000
5,739,185
H
Public Works
Administration
H1
Salaries and Wages
89,093
89,093
H2
Expenses
5,980
5,980
Engineering
H3
Salaries and Wages
220,036
220,036
H4
Expenses
15,950
15,950
Highway and Equip. Maint.
H5
Salaries and Wages
659,473
659,473
H6
Expenses
280,749
(20,300)
260,449
Parks and Forestry
H7
Salaries and Wages
313,718
313,718
H8
Expenses
58,380
8( 400)
49,980
Public Works (Sub-Total)
H9
Salaries and Wages
1,282,320
0
1,282,320
H10
Expenses
361,059
(28,700)
332,359
H11
Street Lighting
206,900
206,900
H12
Rubbish Collection I Dispos
1,113,900
1,113,900
H13
Snow and Ice Control
251,100
251,100
Cemetery
H14
Salaries and Wages
183,272
183,272
H15
Expenses
29,870
29,870
H16
Puplic Way Acceptance
Public Works
20
H17
Salaries and Wages
1,465,592
0
1,465,592
H18
Expenses
1,962,829
28,700
1,934,129
Total Public Works
3,428,421
(28,700)
3,399,721
I
Building Maintenance
School Buildings
11
Salaries and Wages
1,070,769
1,070,769
12
Expenses
1,396,055
0
1,396,055
Town Buildings
13
Salaries and Wages
118,600
118,600
14
Expenses
346,472
12,500
358,972
Total Building Maintenan
2,931,896
12,500
2,944,396
J - K
Schools
J
School
24,959,781
(443,941)
24,515,840
K
Northeast Regional Voc. As
155,636
155,636
Total Schools
25,115,417
443,941
24,671,476
L Debt Service and Capital
L1 Debt Service 3,540,770 3,540,770
L2 Capital Projects
L4
Town Bldg
48,775
(13,775)
35,000
L6
Fire Equipment
35,000
(14,000)
21,000
L8
Drainage Improv
7,000
(7,000)
0
L9
Hwy Equipment
70,000
(70,000)
0
L10
Sidewalk / Curb
70,000
(45,000)
25,000
L12
Library Computers
13,000
(5,000)
8,000
L13
Library Circulation Sys
24,000
(24,000)
0
L14
School Technology
115,000
(115,000)
0
L15
Drama Equipment
20,000
(20,000)
0
L16
Musical Instruments
20,000
(20,000)
0
L19
Total Capital Projects
422,775
333,775
89,000
Total Debt and Capital
3,963,545
(333,775)
3,629,770
M Employee Benefits
M1 Contributory Retirement 2,216,900 2,216,900
21
M2
Non-Contrib. Retirement
97,891
97,891
M3
Unemployment Benefits
35,000
35,000
M4
Group Health I Life Ins.
3,318,803
3,318,803
M5
Medicare 1 Social Security
423,586
423,586
M6
Workers Compensation
159,750
159,750
M7
Police I Fire Indemnification
30,000
30,000
$ $
$
M8
Total Employee Benefits
6,281,930
0 6,281,930
Enterprise Funds
N Water Fund
N1 Salaries and Wages
697,000
697,000
N2. Expenses
1,235,977
1,235,977
N3 Capital Outlay
764,500
764,500
Total Water Fund
2,697,477
0 2,697,477
0 Sewer Fund
01
Salaries and Wages
188,562
188,562
02
Expenses
3,229,021
3,229,021
03
Debt Service
132,190
132,190
04
Capital Outlay
210,000
210,000
Total Sewer Fund
3,759,773
0
3,759,773
Budget Summary
General Fund
A
Accounting
108,102
0
108,102
B
Community Development
249,048
2,800
251,848
C
Finance
834,700
(11,825)
822,875
D
General Services
580,399
47,150
627,549
E
Human Services
387,813
(2,650)
385,163
F
Library
809,009
0
809,009
G
Public Safety
5,771,185
(32,000)
5,739,185
H
Public Works
3,428,421
(28,700)
3,399,721
Town Totals
12,168,677
25,225
12,143,452
1
Building Maintenance
2,931,896
12,500
2,944,396
22
ARTICLE 5
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24
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 Robert's Rules of Order 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
elected members, of which 97
constitute a quorum.
♦ There are two required sessions: the
Annual Meeting. in Spring which is
primarily for fiscal matters and
acceptance of the annual budget,
and the Subsequent Meeting in
November. Special Town Meetings
may be called at any time that the
need arises.
♦ There are three main committees
which review certain Articles and
advise Town Meeting of their
recommendations:
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 dis-
cussing the motion.
GENERAL RULES OF PROCEDURE
♦ 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
subject may be discussed together;
however, only one is formally on the
floor, and each when moved is acted
upon individually. Note that the vote
on one may influence the others.
♦ Members who wish to speak shall
rise, state their name and precinct in
order to be recognized.
♦ A Member may speak for ten (10)
minutes but permission must be
asked to exceed this limit.
♦ Seven (7). Members can question a
vote and call for a standing count
and twenty (20) can ask for a roll call
vote; however, a roll call vote is
seldom 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 shows that the Members
should be familiar with these.
♦ 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.
25
o Lay on the Table: Stops debate
♦ Question of Privilege: Sometimes
f
with the intention generally of
used to offer a resolution. Should ~
bringing the subject up again later.
not be used to "steal" the floor.
May also be used to defer action on
an Article for which procedurally a
♦ Point of Order: To raise a question
negative vote is undesirable.
concerning the conduct of the
Note that tabled motions die with
Meeting.
adjournment.
♦ Point of Information: To ask for
♦ Move the Previous Question: Upon
information relevant to the business
acceptance by a two-thirds (2/3)
at hand.
vote, stops all debate and brings the
subject to a vote. This is generally
MULTIPLE MOTIONS
the main motion, or
SUBSEQUENT (MULTIPLE) MOTIONS
o The most recent amendment, unless
qualified by the mover. The reason
If the subsequent motion to be offered,
for this as provided in Robert's Rules
as distinct from an amendment made
of Order is to allow for other amend-
during debate, includes material which
ments should they wish to be
has previously been put to a vote and
presented.
defeated, it will be viewed by the
Moderator as reconsideration and will
♦ Amend: Offers changes to the main
not be accepted. If the subsequent
motion. Must be in accordance with
motion contains distinctly new material
the motion and may not substantially
which is within the scope of the Warrant
alter the intent of the motion. In
Article, then it will be accepted. An
accordance with Robert's Rules of
example of this latter situation is
Order, only one primary and one
successive line items of an omnibus
secondary motion will be allowed on
budget moved as a block.
the floor at one time, unless specif-
ically accepted by the Moderator.
SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING
CONSIDERATIONS
♦ Indefinitely Postpone: Disposes
of the Article without a yes or no
♦ The maker of any proposed multiple
vote.
motion shall make their intent
known, and the content of the
♦ Take from the Table: Brings back a
motion to be offered shall be
motion which was previously laid on
conveyed to the Moderator - prior to
the table.
the initial calling of the Warrant
Article.
o Main Motion: The means by which
a subject is brought before the
♦ Once an affirmative vote has been
Meeting.
taken on the motion then on the floor
- no further subsequent alternative'
THE FOLLOWING MOTIONS MAY BE
motions will be accepted. (Obviously
USED BY A MEMBER FOR THE
does not apply to the budget, for
PURPOSE NOTED:
example.)
26
♦ Also - There can only be one motion
except if this day shall fall on a legal
( on the floor at any one time. You
holiday, in which case the Meeting
have the ability to offer amendments
shall be held on the following day.
to the motion that is on the floor. You
The Subsequent Town Meeting shall
also have the ability to move for
consider and act on all business as
reconsideration.
may properly come before it except the
adoption of the annual operating budget.
TOWN OF READING BY
ARTICLE 2: TOWN MEETINGS
Section 2.1.5
Adjourned sessions of every Annual
2.1 General
Town Meeting after the first such
adjourned session provided for in
Section 2.1.1
Section 2.1.3 of this Article and all
The Annual Town Meeting shall be held
sessions of every Subsequent Town
on the third Tuesday preceding the
Meeting, shall be held on the follow-
second Monday in April of each year
ing Thursday at 7:30 p.m. and then
for the election of Town officers and
on the following Monday at 7:30 p.m.
for other such matters as required by
and on consecutive Mondays and
law to be determined by ballot.
Thursdays, unless a resolution to
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in any
adjourn to another time is adopted by
year in which presidential electors are
a majority vote of the Town Meeting
to be elected, the Board of Selectmen
Members present and voting.
may schedule the commencement of
the Annual Town Meeting for the same
Section 2.1.6
( ) date designated as the date to hold the
The Board of Selectmen shall give
Presidential Primary.
notice of the Annual Subsequent or
any Special Town Meeting at least
Section 2.1.2
fourteen (14) days prior to the time
The polls for the Annual Town Meeting
of holding said Meeting by causing
shall be opened at 7:00 a.m. and shall
an attested copy of the Warrant
remain open until 8:00 p.m.
calling the same to be posted in one
(1) or more public places in each
Section 2.1.3
precinct of the Town, and either
All business of the Annual Town
causing such attested copy to be
Meeting, except the election of such
published in a local newspaper or
Town officers and the determination of
mailing an attested copy of said
such matters as required by law to be
Warrant to each Town Meeting
elected or determined by ballot, shall be
Member.
considered at an adjournment of such
meeting to be held at 7:30 p.m. on the
Section 2.1.7
second Monday in April, except if this
All Articles for the Annual Town Meeting
day shall fall on a legal holiday, in
shall be submitted to the Board of
which case the Meeting shall be held
Selectmen not later than 8:00 p.m. on
on the following day or at a further
the fifth Tuesday preceding the date of
adjournment thereof.
election of Town officers unless this day
is a holiday in which case the following
Section 2.1.4
day shall be substituted.
A Special Town Meeting called the Sub-
sequent Town Meeting shall be held on
All Articles for the Subsequent Town
the second Monday in November,
Meeting shall be submitted to the Board
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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
therefor.
Rule 4: Prior to debate on each Article
in a Warrant involving changes in the
Bylaws, the Bylaw Committee shall
advise the Town Meeting as to its
recommendations and the reasons
therefor.
Rule 5: Every person shall stand when
speaking, shall respectfully address the
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Moderator, shall not speak until recog-
nized 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 ques-
tion more than ten (10) minutes without
first obtaining the permission of the
Meeting.
Rule 8: Any inhabitant of the Town may
speak at a Town Meeting having first
identified himself to the Moderator as an
inhabitant of the Town. No inhabitant
shall speak on any question more than
five (5) minutes without first obtaining
the permission of the Meeting.
Inhabitants shall be given the privilege
of speaking at Town Meetings only after
all Town Meeting Members who desire
to speak upon the question under con-
sideration 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 Meet-
ing 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 mon-
etary or equitable interest in any matter
under discussion at a Town Meeting and
any person employed by another having
such an interest, shall disclose the fact
of his interest or his employer's interest
before speaking thereon.
Rule 12: The Moderator shall decide all
questions of order subject to appeal to
the meeting, the question on which
appeal shall be taken before any other.
Rule 13: When a question is put, the
vote on all matters shall be taken by a
show of hands, and the Moderator shall
declare the vote as it appears to him.
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 Members, he shall
determine the question by ordering a
standing vote and he shall appoint
tellers to make and return the count
directly to him. On request of not less
than twenty (20) Members, a vote shall
be taken by roll call.
Rule 14: All original main motions
having to do with the expenditure of
money shall be presented in writing,
and all other motions shall be in
writing if so directed by the Moderator
Rule 15: No motion shall be received
and put until it is seconded. No motion
made and seconded shall be withdrawn
if any Member objects. No amendment
not relevant to the subject of the original
motion shall be entertained.
Rule 16: When a question is under
debate, no motion shall be in order
except (1) to adjourn, (2) to lay on the
table or pass over, (3) to postpone for a
certain time, (4) to commit, (5) to
amend, (6) to postpone indefinitely or
(7) to fix a time for terminating debate
and putting the question, and the afore-
said several motions shall have
precedence in the order in which they
stand arranged in this Rule.
Rule 17: Motions to adjourn (except
when balloting for offices and when
votes are being taken) shall always
be first in order. Motions to adjourn, 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 in the following form or in some
other form having the same meaning:
"Shall the main question now be put?,"
and until this question is decided all
debate on the main question shall be
suspended. If the previous question
be adopted, the sense of the meeting
shall immediately be taken upon any
pending amendments in the order
inverse to that 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 pro-
ceeding at all Town Meetings, not
prescribed by law or by the Rules set
forth in this. Article, shall be determined
by the rules of practice set forth in
Robert's Rules of Order Revised so far
as they may be adapted to Town
Meetings.
Section 2.2.2
It shall be the duty of every official body,
by a Member thereof, to be in attend-
ance at all Town Meetings for the
information thereof while 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
a vote 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
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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 consid-
eration 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 consid-
ered 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-third (2/3) of
the votes present.
Arguments for or against reconsider-
ation may include discussion of the
motion being reconsidered providing
such discussion consists only of
relevant facts or arguments not pre-
viously presented by any speaker.
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
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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 meet-
ings 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 attend-
ance 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 recommend-
ations along with supporting evidence
and rationale to Town Meeting.
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 During
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 request-
ing 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.
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