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1994-11-14 Special Town Meeting Warrant Report
Town ®f Reading Massachusetts TABLE OF CONTENTS WARRANTS - SPECIAL AND SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETINGS NOVEMBER 14, 1994 SPECIAL TOWN MEETING - 8:00 PM Art. Title Sponsor Pale 1 Reports Board of Selectmen 1 2 Instructional Motions Board of Selectmen 1 3 Amend Capital Improvements Program Board of Selectmen 1 4 Amend Article 26 of the Annual Town Board of Selectmen 2 Meeting (FY95 Municipal Budget) Amend the Capital Improvements Program 5 Appropriate Funds to Purchase a Fire Board of Selectmen 2 Truck Acceptance of Gifts 6 Establish a Stabilization Fund Board of Selectmen 3 SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING -7:30 PM Art. Title Sponsor Page 1 Reports Board of Selectmen 5 2 Instructional Motions Board of Selectmen 5 3 Amend the Capital Improvements Program Board of Selectmen 6 4 Acceptance of Gifts Board of Selectmen 6 5 Amend Cemetery Rules and Regulations Board of Cemetery Trustees 7 6 Establish a Revolving Fund With Moneys Board of Selectmen 12 received from rental/lease of school build. 7 Posting of Town Meeting Warrants Board of Selectmen 12 8 Posting Notices of Reconsideration Board of Selectmen 13 of Town Meeting Actions 9 Amend the "Ticketing Bylaw" Board of Selectmen 13 10 Amend the "Ticketing Bylaw" Board of Selectmen 14 11 Amend the "Ticketing Bylaw" Board of Selectmen 14 12 Bonding for a new Parker Middle School School Building Committee .15 Project 13 Amendment to the Zoning Bylaws CPDC 16 '1 14 Amendment to the Zoning Bylaws CPDC 17 15 Amendment to the Zoning Bylaws CPDC 17 16 Amendment to the Zoning Bylaws CPDC 18 17 Amendment to the Zoning Bylaws CPDC 18 18 Amendment to the Zoning Bylaws CPDC 19 19 Amendment to the Zoning Bylaws CPDC 21 20 Amendment to the Zoning Bylaws CPDC 21 21 Amendment to the Zoning Bylaws CPDC 22 22 Amendment to the Zoning Bylaws CPDC 22 23 Amendment to the Zoning Bylaws CPDC 23 24 Amendment to the Zoning Bylaws CPDC - by Request of the 24 Sign Review Board 25 Amendment to the Zoning Bylaws CPDC - by Request of the 24 Reading Housing Authority 26 Amendment to the Zoning Bylaws CPDC 25 27 Amendment to the Zoning Bylaws CPDC 26 28 Approve a Home Rule Petition Board Of Selectmen 26 APPENDIX Article 12 - Parker Middle School 28 Map - Articles 13 & 14 34 Map - Articles 18 & 19 35 Article 18 36 Article 20 37 Article 21 38 Article 23 45 Article 25 47 THE CONDUCT OF TOWN MEETING Reading's Town Meeting is conducted in accordance with the rules set down in Article 2 of the Charter. 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 o Town Meeting consists of 192 elected members, of which 97 constitute a quorum. o 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. o Members who wish to speak shall rise, state their name and precinct, in order to be recognized. o A member may speak for ten minutes, but permission must be asked to exceed this limit. o (7) members can question a vote and call for a standing count and (20) can ask for a roll call vote; however, a roll call vote is seldom used because of the time it takes. o There are three main committees which PRINCIPAL MOTIONS ENCOUNTERED AT review certain articles and advise Town TOWN MEETING 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 discussing the motion. GENERAL RULES OF PROCEDURE o 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. 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. o Adjourn Ends the sessions, can be moved at any time. o Recess Stops business for a short time, generally to resolve a procedural question or to obtain information. o 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. o Move the Previous Question Upon acceptance by a two-thirds 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 Roberts Rules of Order is to allow for other amendments should they wish to be presented. o 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 Roberts 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. 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 o 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. o Indefinitely Postpone Disposes of the article without a yes or no vote. o o Take from the Table Brings back a motion which was previously laid on the table. o Main Motion The means by which a o subject is brought before the meeting. THE FOLLOWING MOTIONS MAY BE USED BY A MEMBER FOR THE PURPOSE NOTED o Question of Privilege Sometimes used to offer a resolution. Should not be used to "steal' the floor. o Point of Order To raise a question concerning the conduct of the meeting. o 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 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 Re: Town Meetings ARTICLE I Section 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 Officers and for such other matters as required by law to be determined by ballot. Section 2. All business of the Annual Town Meeting, except the election of such 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. A Subsequent Town Meeting shall be held on the second Monday in November to consider and act on all business as may properly come before it, except the adoption of the annual operating budget, except if this day shall fall on a legal holiday, in which case the meeting shall be held on the following day. Section 3. 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 4. Adjourned sessions of every Annual Town Meeting after the first such adjourned session provided for in Section 2 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 5. The Board of Selectmen shall give notice of the Annual and Subsequent Town Meeting by causing an attested copy of the Warrant calling the same to be posted in at least three (3) public places in each precinct of the Town not less than fourteen (14) days prior to each meeting and either by causing such attested copy to be published at least fourteen (14) days prior to the time of holding such meeting, 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. Section 6. The Board of Selectmen shall give notice of each Special Town Meeting by causing an attested copy of the Warrant calling for same to be posted in at least three (3) public places in each precinct of the Town not less than fourteen (14) days prior to each meeting, and either by causing such attested copy to be published at least fourteen (14) days prior to the time of holding such meeting, 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. Section 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 be submitted to the Board of Selectmen not later than 8:00 P.M. on the fourth Tuesday of September of the year for 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 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 & Development Commission and the By-Law Committee. Im Conduct of Town Meetings ARTICLE 11 Section 1. In the conduct of all Town Meetings the following rules shall be observed: Rule 1 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 2 Every person shall stand when speaking, shall respectfully address the Moderator, shall not speak until recognized by the Moderator, shall state his name, shall .confine himself to the question under debate and shall avoid all personalities. Rule 3 No person shall be privileged to speak or make a motion, until after he has been recognized by the Moderator. Rule No Town K8eedhg K8anlber or person shall speak on any question more than ten (10) minutes without first obtaining the permission of the meeting. Rule 5 No speaker ata Town Meeting shall be interrupted except by o Member making a point of order or privileged motion or by the Moderator. Rule The Moderator shall decide all questions of order subject to appeal to the [noabng, the question onwhich appeal shall be taken before any other. Rule 7 When a question is put, the vote oD all matters shall betaken byashow 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 haOds, or if his decision is immediately questioned by seven (7) or more rnernbers, 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 ofnot less than twenty (30) members o vote shall be taken by roll call. Rule 8 All original main OOot|VOo having to do with the expenditure of money shall be presented in writing and all other nloUoDo shall baiDwriting ifsodirected by the Moderator. Rule 9 No motion shall be received and put until it is seconded. No nloUoO made and seconded shall be withdrawn if any yNg0be[ objects. No amendment not na|evon1 to the subject of the original motion shall baentertained. Rule 10 When g question is under debate no motion shall be in order except (1) to Gdiou[D. (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, /7\ to fix a time for terminating debate and putting the queoUoO, and the aforesaid several motions oho|| have precedence in the order iOwhich they stand arranged inthis Rule. Rule 11 Motions to adjourn when balloting for offices, and when votes are being taken) shall okwoya be first in order. Moves to adjourn, to lay on the table and to take from the table shall be decided without debate. Rule 12 The previous question shall be put in the fo||ovviDQ form or in some other form having the aann$ meaning: "Shall the main question now beput?". and until this question is decided all debate on the main question shall besuspended. |f the previous question be adopted the sense of the meeting shall immediately be taken upon any pending omendmenba, in the order inverse to that in which they were nlVVed' except that the largest sum or the longest time nho|| be put first, and finally upon the main question. Rule 13 The duties of the Moderator and the conduct and method of proceeding at all Town MeatiDgs, not prescribed by |evv or by the Rules set forth in this Artide, shall be determined by the rules of practice set forth in Robert's Rules of Order Reviaed, so for as they may be adapted to Town Meetings. Rule 14 All committees aho|| be appointed by the Moderator unless otherwise ordered by a vote of the K8ambara present and voting. Rule 15 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 co00ittee, but shall not be equivalent to a vote to adopt it. Rule 16 A majority of the Town Meeting Members shall constitute a quorum for doing business. Rule 17 On each Article in a VVu[[ant, involving the expenditure of money, the Finance Committee shall advise the Town Meeting as to its recommendations and the reasons therefor. iv Section 2. It shall be the duty of every Town Officer, and the duty of every elected or appointed TOvvO Board Or Committee by a nnarnber theraof, to be in attendance at all Town Meetings for the information thereof while any subject matter is under consideration affecting such Officer, Board or Committee. Section 3. All Committees shall report as directed bv the Town Meeting. If no report is made within a year after the appointment, the Committee ShgU be discharged uO|ess, in the nleaDti0g. the Town Meeting grants an extension Oftime. Section 4. A motion to reconsider any vote must be made before the final adjournment of the meeting ad which the vote was poaaed, but such [notion to reconsider shall not be made at an adjourned meeting unless the mover has given notice of his intention to make such o modoO, either at the session of the meeting at which the vote was passed, orby written notice to the Town Clerk within twenty-four (24) hours after the adjournment ofsuch session. There can be no reconsideration of a vote Once recoOsideFed, or after g vote not to reconsider. No article in the warrant shall again betaken into consideration after ithas been disposed of unless ordered by vote of two-thirds (2/3)of the members present. The foregoing provisions ndaUOg to DlotiODS t0 reconsider shall not apply to any such motion made bythe Board ofSelectmen and authorized by the Town Moderator as necessary for the FeCODside[2UoO of actions previously taken by Town K8egUDg by nsgaun of state or federal action or inaction or other circumstances not within the control of the 7-ovvO or Town Meeting. In the event such o motion to reconsider is made and authorized, said motion may be made at any time before the final adjournment ofthe meeting at which the vote was passed. said motion may be made even if the vote was already reconsidered o[ was the subject ofa vote not to roconsider, and reconsideration may be ordered by a vote of two-thirds of the Votes present. Section 5. Notice of every vote to be reconsidered at an adjourned town meeting shall be posted by the Town Clerk in two conspicuous public places in each precinct of the Town as SoOD as possible after odQournrnent, and he oho||, if practicable, at least one day bahJna the time of the next fO||oVviDg session of said adjourned nleeting, 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 tm reconsider any Town Meeting action is made publicly at Town N1eadOg before the adjournment of any session of any adjourned Town Meeting. v Section 6. Any inhabitant of the Town may Speak at a TOvVD K8eebDg, having first identified himself to the Moderator as an inhabitant Of the Town. NO inhabitant shall speak on any question more than five minutes without leave of the Town 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 consideration have first been given an opportunity to do so. Officers and Board and Committee Members who are not Town Meeting Members, oho|| have the same right to speak, but not to Vote. as Town Meeting K880bg[S on all matters relating to their Office, Board or Committee. Section 7. Any person having a monetary or equitable interest in any matter under diacueoioneda -[ovvnMeetikQond any person employed by another having such aOinterest, aho!| disclose the fact of hia iObemas1 or his employees interest before speaking thereon. Section 8. The Selectmen shall, at each Annual Town yWGe1ng. give to the Members information of the state of the Town. Section 9. The Town Meeting members and the Town Meeting members elect from each precinct ohoU hold an annual meeting after the annual Town elections but before the convening of the business sessions of the AODUa| Town Meeting. The purpose ofthe meeting shall be the election of g chairman and a clerk and to conduct whatever business may be appropriate. Chairmen shall serve no more than six consecutive years in that position. Additional precinct meetings may be called by the chairman orbya petition of six Town Meeting members of the precinct. LIVIII 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 in said Reading, on Monday, November 14, 1994, 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 I 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 Boards or Special Committees. Board of Selectmen Background There are no known reports to be given within the Special Town Meeting, other than the reports under each individual Article. BYLaw Committee Report No Report Finance 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 to be made within the Special Town Meeting. Bylaw Committee Report Finance Committee Report No Report No Report ARTICLE 3 To see if the Town will vote to amend the Capital Improvement Program as provided for in Section 7-7 of the Reading Home Rule Charter and as previously amended, or take any other action with respect thereto. Board of Selectmen Article 3(coDtnued) The Capital Improvements Program would have to be amended to accomplish the purposes of Article 5, in order to move the purchase of new fire engine truck from FY 1996 toFY1895. B.yfaw Committee Report No Report Finance Committee Repo The Finance Committee reCDmOl8DdS the modification to the FY 1995-FY2004 Capital Improvements Program to eliminate the FY 1995 project PS-F-7 "Refurbish Pumper" /D the amount Of$55,000, and bJ move the F}/Y9g0 p '8CfP8-F-7 'Rep/@C8 Pumper" in the amount of $185,000 forward to F}/ 1895, with the source of funding being from "property bgxeS' State /\ki and OVO_pmOpert« tax /OC8/ receipts" in order b7 accomplish the purpose OfArticle 5. ARTICLE To see if the Town will vote to amend one or more of the votes taken under Article 2Oof the Warrant of the Annual Town Meeting of April 11.1994.re|aUnghothe Fiscal Year 1995 Municipal Budget, and to see what sum the Town will raise by borrowing or transfer from available funds, orothe��ae and oppnophateag the result of any such amended votes for the opgra�oOof the To�Dand its government, o[ take any other action with respect thereto. Board of Selectmen Backgroun The following are additional budget needs for FY 1995, as determined to date: New budget FINCOM Line # B1 BS CS E1 E8 ES E10 G5 J1 J2 K1 Description Amount Amount �Vote� CoOoemadoDPers.Gem- Redoaaificobon $ 709 $ 33.586 7-0-0 Comm. Daws|. Expenses - Master Plan 250 1.800 7-0-0 FinanoaPara.Gerv. - SiokLeaveBuyboch 2.500 263.730 7-0-0 Health Pers. Serv. - Roduot. in Smoking Gr. 3.152 29.614 5-2-0 Recreation Pers. Ggrv.- Dir. Sal. 1.515 28.381 7-0-0 Recreation Exp. - travel neiOlU. HV[DaO SarV. Pers. Serv. - Di[ Sal Fire Pers. SerY.- labor settlement School Department Vocational School Assessment Debt Service (School BAN'o\ Total Additions to FY 1995 Budget 500 1.300 7-0-0 2.419 91.082 7-0-0 79.873 1.821,852 7-0-0 209.038 16.598.364 O-O-O 3.927 127,071 7-0-0 55,381 2.093.348 7-0-0 B.yLaw Committee Report No Report Finance Committee Repo The Finance Committee's report on this article is stated above in the column designated "FINCOM Vote". The source of funding will b from the tax levy, State Aid, and other non property tax local receots. ARTICLE 5 To see what sum the Town will raise by borrowing orfrom the tax levy or transfer from available funds or otherwise and appropriate for the purpose of purchasing o Fire Department truck; such appropriation to include all costs of aoquihng, prepahng, and originally equipping the fire truck as required to complete the purpose of this article, all moneys to be expended under the direction of the Board of Selectmen, or take any other action with respect thereto. Board ofSelectmen Article 5(ooDdnued) Background The Town appropriated the sum of $55.000 in FY 1995 to refurbish Flua Department Engine. truck #4. The cost was based upon the beat information available at the time that the budget was dgve|oped, and the purpose was to give this equipment an additional 10 years of useful life as a back-up engine. When bids were taken this faU. the total cost of the project had escalated to $07.000. largely because of additional work on the suspension and axles. The Chief has recommended instead of doing the work ata cost of almost 1/3ofthe cost ofanew truok, that we advance the purchase of o new engine truck novv, rather than in FY 1988 as outlined in the Capital |nnpnovarnenta PnJgngDl. The result will be a nevv, na|iob|e engine with the resultant guarantees, oto cost of$185.ODO. The $55.00D approved |n the FY1HH5 budget would be used as part ofthe coat' with the remainder of$13O.00D appropriated from the tax levy. Engine 4vviU be kept for abme and the Fire Department will cannibalize Engine 4 and Engine (the foam truck) to nloko 1 complete vehicle as o second reserve engine truck. BYfaw Committee Report No Report Finance Committee Repo The F7O8OCe Committee recommends the subject Oa tterOfArticle 5/Othe amount DfS 185,U0UhvG vote O/5-1-O. This will modify the FY 1995 budget, line K7, to add to the $55,000 already appropriated the 8DlUUOt Df$ 130.000. resulting in 8 new b}b]/ of $185,000. The Fln8OC8 COnnOn/tteB agrees with the Fire Chiefs assessment that spending a b]t8/ of $67,000 On the refurbishment of the Fire Truck would not be prudent, and that the replacement of the truck h; the most reasonable course 0faction. The Finance Committee recommends that the Town evaluate the possibility Df trading /n the engine truck and Rak/ more on rnub/a/ o/d for second back-up truck, rather than keep the truck and try to cannibalize it to create 1 CO/Dp/8te vehicle as @ second reserve ph9CH. ARTICLE To see what sum the Town will raise by borrowing, or from the tax levy, or transfer from available fuDda, or otherwise, and appropriate into the Stabilization Fund as authorized under Section 5B of Chapter 40 of the General Laws, or take any other action with respect thereto. Board of Selectmen Backgroun Article 6 would place into a Stabilization Fund for future use by Town Meeting whatever remaining amount exists in the FY 1895 tax levy limit after the other business under this Special Town Meeting (Articles 4 and 5) is completed. Of the $517.000 remaining in the levy limit as a result of the previously adopted FY 1995 Budget, the business under Articles 4 would use $ 361.395, and the business under Article 5 would use $130.000. This would leave approximately $25,000 to be placed in the stabilization fund and available to be used by future Town Meetings. Because this is a small sum of money for this purpose, it is not recommended that the Stabilization Fund be oatab|ished, and it is therefore recommended that this Article be indefinitely postponed. BYLaw Committee Report No Report Finance Committee Repo No Repo 3 /^ ^` and you are directed to serve this Warrant by posting an attested copy thereof in at least three (3) public places in each precinct of the Town not less than fourteen (14) days prior to November 14, 1994. the dote set for the meeting in said \8/arraOt, and to publish this Warrant in a newspaper published in the Town, or by mailing on attested copy of said Warrant to each Town Meeting K8ennbar 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 1 1th day of October, 1994. Constable Daniel A. EDsOli er Willard J. Burditt Sally K8.Hoyt Camille W. Anthony George V.Hines SELECTMEN DFREADING rd SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING 0]eoU COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS Middlesex, ss. To any of the constables of the Town of Reading, Greetings: |D the name ofthe Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby required bznotify and warn the inhabitants of the Town of ReadiVg, qualified to vote in elections and Town af- fairs, to meet at the Reading K8emoho| High School Audibzhum, 82 C)oNond Rood in said Reading, on K8oDday. November 14. 1994. at aavaO-Ulidv o'clock in the evening, at which time and p|oma 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 To hear and act on the reports of the Board of SeectmeD. Town )4c- ooVDtaOt. Treasurer-Collector, Board of Assessors, Director of Public \8/o[ks. Town [||erh. Tree VVaPdeO. Board of Health, School Committee, Contributory RaU[a0gnt Boord, Library Trustees, Municipal Light Board, Finance Committee, Cemetery Trustees, Community Planning 8, Devel- opment Commission, 350th Steering Committee, Town Manager and any other Boards o[ Spe- cial [}o00ittees. Board ofSelectmen Backgroun / It is anticipated that specific reports will be given by the 350th Anniversary Steering \ Committee related to /\rbc|o 4, and by the School Building Committee relative to Article 12 on the Parker Middle School project. BYLaw Committee Report No Report Finance Committee RePort No Repo ARTICLE 2 To choose all other necessary Town Officers and Special Committees and determine what instructions shall be given Town Officers and SpgCjG| Committees, and to sea what sum the Town will raise by borrowing or transfer from available funda, or otherwise, and appropriate for the purpose of funding Town Officers and Special Committees to carry out the |Do1[uctioDo given to 1henl' or take any other action with respect thereto. Board of Selectmen Backgroun There are no kDoxvD instructional motions at this Unne, but they may be given during Town Meeting by Town Meeting Members. Thiea[bdeiefroquentlybab|edatthebegiD- ning of Town Meeting, and taken off the table at the end of Town Meeting. BYLaw Committee Repo No Repo ARTICLE 3 To see if the Town will vote to amend the Capital Improvement Program as provided for in Section 7 -7 of the Reading Home Rule Charter and as previously amended, or take any other action with respect thereto: Board of Selectmen Background The Capital Improvement Plan will need to be amended in order to accelerate the Parker Middle School project from an FY 1997 start date to the requested FY 1995 approval. Additionally, the cost of the project will need to be updated to $13,917,000 from the pre- viously anticipated $13,000,000. It is likely that this article will be passed over and taken off the table immediately before Article 12 is to be considered, so that the discussion can be focused on the Parker Middle School project. There is no other business on the Subse- quent Town Meeting Warrant that would require action under this Article. Bylaw Committee Report No Report Finance Committee Report The Finance Committee voted to recommend Article 3 by a vote of 7 -0 -0. The effect of this vote is to accelerate the con- struction of the Parker Middle School project to begin construction in the summer of 1995, with completion in the late summer of 1997. This will allow the Town to avoid ex- tensive capital construction to renovate the existing facility, will have the new school available in time to handle the significant increases in Middle School enrollment that are projected, and will get the Town of Reading in line for state reimbursement of 213 of the cost of the project before the State has a chance to change the funding formulas. The Finance Committee has expressed some concern about the 5 year financial projections and the ability of the Town to pay operating costs, in addition to significant capital costs over the next 5 years, but is satisfied that the mechanisms are present and within the control of Town Meeting to address these concerns in a reasonable manner. The Finance Committee notes that the Town management and financial staff have done an outstanding job in developing financing alternatives that make this pro- ject feasible in the time frame recommended. It is noted that the funding mechanisms are not ideal, but that they are legally available and they are fiscally responsible. The Finance Committee further notes that the sale of real estate projects at Bear Hill and at. Pearl Street School must go forward and be completed in order for this financing pro- gram to be viable, and that other sacrifices during the next 5 years on the part of the Town and School Department will be required to make this a viable project. ARTICLE 4 To see if the Town will vote to accept one or more gifts to be adminis- tered by the Commissioners of Trust Funds, such gifts to be used for the purposes for which they are given to the Town, or take any other action with respect thereto. Board of Selectmen Background Three motions under this Article would accept gifts to be administered by the Commis- sioners of Trust Funds: *One from the 350th Inc. for purposes of future celebrations, with a "Celebrations Committee" established to determine over the next 50 years how moneys are to be expended; tel Article 4 (continued) /` *One from the 350th Inc. to be used for maintaining the recorded history of the community, and to be expended under tne direction of the "Celebrations Committee". *One to the Library in the name of Karen Zalubas, a former library employee who was tragically killed in 1986. Bylaw Committee Report No Report Finance Committee Report Action Pending ARTICLE 5 To see if the Town will vote to approve the following Rules and Regula- tions pertaining to the use and operation of the various cemeteries under the jurisdiction of its Board of Cemetery Trustees, which Rules and Regulations shall supersede the previous Rules and Regulations adopted by the Town on May 15, 1989, or amendments thereto or take any other action with respect thereto. The Charter for the Town of Reading that was adopted on March 24, 1986 provides that: "The Board of Cemetery Trustees shall be responsible for the preservation, care, improvement and embellishment of the Town's cemeteries and burial lots therein and such other powers and duties given to the Board of Cemetery Trustees by the charter, by bylaw or by town meet- ing vote." Working under the provisions of Reading's Charter and the laws enacted by the Common- wealth of Massachusetts, the Board of Cemetery Trustees strives not only to fulfill its legal re- sponsibilities regarding the Town's cemeteries, but also to preserve the aesthetic quality of our heritage. Keeping these green spaces neat and attractive as well as appropriate memo- rials is a major effort of the Trustees, the Director and the staff. This booklet is designed to inform the public as directly as possible of the rules and regula- tions that the Trustees have developed over the years. The Trustees encourage the public to Article 5 (continued) comment on its needs and suggestions for improvement. Regular public meetings are held to conduct business and the public is always welcome. TOWN OF READING CEMETERY RULES AND REGULATIONS The Board of Cemetery Trustees has set forth the following rules and regulations for the own- ership, use and care of burial sites in the Town's cemeteries. The authority to do this is found in Chapter 114 of the General Laws. OWNERSHIP OF LOTS 1. The owner of a lot or grave is limited to burying human dead in that site. The owner also has a limited right to build a temp -er temp-e monument. These limitations are outlined in other sections of these regulations. 7 / Article 5(�oO�Dued) 2. (continued) the rights to the use of that lot as set forth by the Trustees. The deed may contain certain spe- cific termeandoonditionofortheuoaofUliohzi Copies of lost deeds may be obtained by paying aO established fee. 3. The Trustees set the price of lots. Single lots must be paid for in full at the time of the sale. Lots which contain #Gufmnubip|e graves or more may be paid for in full at the time of sale or in four equal quarterly installments. One of this group of lots must be paid for in full at the time of sale. The buyer will not be issued a dead or certificate to the plot uOd| full payment has been made. The Trustees may not permit burials or improvements oO the lot until the deed or certificate has been issued. In any case burials will only be allowed in the portion of the lot that has been fully paid. No memorial nor any improvements to the lot may be made until full payment is made. 4. The owner of o lot or lots may transfer ownership of that property by deed if such transfer io approved by the Trustees. The owner does not have a right tolease any property. \f o burial has been made in any one of the lots in the plot no transfer ofdeed may be mode without the specific oppnoVo| of the Trustees. No transfer ofdeed will be permitted which would involve the removal of body. Before any burial has been made in the p|ot, transfers may be permitted if within six months after notice to the Trustees of the intended transfer, the Trustees shall not have dis- posed of the lot or grave in such a way as to cause the repayment to the owner of the amount originally paid. A fee will be charged for the recording of deed transfer. 5' Lot Buy Back Policy - Lots will be bought back at their original purchase price or 5QY6of the lot portion, whichever isgreater. 5.6. |D the event of the death of the owner of the lot or grave, title shall pass or descend as provided by the Statutes of Massachusetts in force ot that time. The Trustees will require proof of the rights of ownership to such lot or grave. CARE OF LOTS 6.7' One of the conditions of sale that the Trustees shall make is the | core' of said lot. The Trustees shall require certain deposits to be made at the time of sale for the care of the lot o[ grave without expense to the Town. "Perpetual care" means the cutting of grass Gf-on the grave or lot at reasonable inter- vals, raking and cleaning, reseeding and other work as may be necessary to keep the lot or lots in good condition. This "care" gho|| not mean the repairing or replacing of gravestones or other markers. MONUMENTS AND OTHER STRUCTURES 7.8' A tomb memorial may beconstructed oOo lot. The Trustees must approve the design, construction and plans for Came of that structure. Plans for any tGmb GF StFUGtUre memorial / ) must also conform to all specifications. Article 5 (continued) 8.9. Only one monument may be placed onmlot. The foundation for the monument will be \- done bx the Cemetery Department and a fee will be charged. |O Laurel Hill Cemetery a memo- rial may not ba erected unless the lot is endowed with an adequate perpetual care fund. Only one marker may be set oDa particular grave. Markers may not be set to embrace two ormore graves. All rDad<ars shall be set flush with the ground. Movveve[, on old lots matching markers may be used if existing markers exceed regulation size. If vertical headstones become broken Or excessively tipped, the right ia reserved to insert these into the sodas flush markers. No wooden crosses shall beallowed. -9.10. Neither the Trustees nor the Town shall be liable for damage hz 0oDV[DeDts or markers. K8a[he[s may be of granite or bronze, but the use of limestone, soapstone, 0arb|e, sandstone, oast or cement stone and metals for monuments shall not beallowed. 40.11. A stone cutter or other person who is to do work on o structure erected on o kd or grave must obtain ovv[itten permit from the DiFeGtOF oF Trustees Cemetery Director before be- ginning work. Work must be performed under the supervision of the Director; The xvod* area must be cleaned up and Oo tools may boleft at the g[aVeaite over night. #12. The Trustees are responsible for corner posts set at each lot. These posts will clearly define the number of the lot. 4-2`13. An owner of a lot or lots does not have the right to plant trees, shrubs nor plants on the lot(s) . Nor does the owner have the right to erect o fence, curbing, hedge or any other |and- nn ' ' without the approval of the Trustees. The Trustees have the right to remove any shrub. / hedQe, root or branch that they may deem detrimental to other cemetery lots. The Trustees also have the right to remove unsightly f|ovve[s, old vases and other containers that may be detrimental to the looks of the lot o[the cemetery in general. MEMORIAL REGULATIONS A special Town K8aatiOg has approved the foUnvvOQ regulations concerning [Ue[Doha|S. These limitations must befollowed or the memorial may not beerected. Article 5(ooDtiOued) On e two grave |ot, maximum size 3'0"x 1'O" base, 3' high. On a three grove |ot. DloXirOu[D size 4'0" x 1'3" bane. 3' high. On a four grave |ot, maximum oize4'6"n1'G" base, 4' high. On a five grave |ot. D1aXi[nunl size4'6"xl'O" base. 4' high. (]Oa six grave lot, OOax|0u0 size 5'0"x2'0" base, 4' high. {]Oa seven grave lot, maximum size 5'U"X2'O" base, 4' high. On an eight grave lot, maximum size 6'0"x2'0" base, 4' high. Markers 1'8"xO10"oO |ote, flush only. Single gn3maa. 1'6"x[Y1(]"flush only. Baby graves, 1'3"xO'8" flush only. � Article 5 (continued) SPECIAL REGULATIONS FOR CHARLES LAWN CEMETERY 4-3.14. No upright memorials will be eUovvod on k}ba within this cemetery. 4-4.15. K8orkeFa must be of granite o[ofbronze. 4-5.16. A central flush memorial will be allowed on lots that contain two or more burial spaces. |t cannot bg larger than 3'O"x1'O" |fomarker is granite it shall not ba less than 4" nor greater than 5" thick. The bottom of this marker must beflat. 4-6.17 On lots of less than two burial apamae. markers will be restricted to the individual grave spaces. The measurements on these aho|| be anoot|y 2'0"x1'0". Markers must be of granite or bronze only. The bottom of this marker must beflat. 47.18' On single grave spaces where two burials are permitted, a 2'x1' marker with two inscrip- tions will be allowed. 19. Floral decorations are limited to one pot of 8 inches in diameter per grave. 4-8.20. On veteran's graves, nlorke[o must be of bronze and Oleoau[e 2.x 1' (NOTE) At a Special Town K8aadng held on June 23. 1966 it was voted that: "the Cemetery Trustees be, and they hereby ana, authorized and empowered to provide on additional plot of ground in the Charles Street Cemetery as they may determine is suitable for burial of all persons who died while on active duty iO the Armed Forces ofthe United States and veterans who had served in active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States and have been honorably discharged, the custody of such plot to be in the Custodian of Soldiers' and Sailors' Gngveo, and that the con- trol of the plot set anide, and be transferred from Reading Post 62 of the American Legion to the Custodian of Soldiers' and Sailors' graves." URN GARDENS AT FOREST GLEN AND CHARLES LAWN 4-9.21. Two cremation urns may be interred in each grave. 2-0.22. W1ernnha|izabonviU be limited to 1-2'x1' bronze flush nnarhac Each marker may con- tain INTERMENTS AND REMOVALS 24.23. No interment may be made before: a) a permit is issued by the Board of Health to the Director; b) the owner of the lot gives an order to use the lot; and c) all fees have been paid. 2-2.24. The Director must be given reasonable advance notice VfaD interment ur removal. This notice must give the lot number, the grove number, name and age of deceased for buha|, size of box and name of the undertaker iOcharge. Neither the Director nor the trustees will be held responsible for any error in the given notice (including any order given byphone). Article 5(condnued) Fees for opening gnavos, making and recording intannents, re-interments, funerals after working hours o[ Saturday afternoons o[ holidays as well as other services will ba estab- lished by the Trustees and shall be paid |Oadvance. 2-3.25- Funerals will not be a|kJvved on Sundays, New Year's Day, Memorial Oav. Independ- ence O8y. Labor Day, Thanksgiving Oey, nor Christmas Day. 24.26. All burial cases must be sectional concrete or monolithic containers. 2-5.27. In each regular grave opoue, one regular interment plus one cremation urn or two cre- mation urns will be aUoxVod. except some lots in Charles Lawn where provisions have been made for two burials |n one grave space. 2-6.28' No vigil lights miUbe8UVvvedmnaOylotorg[gve. GENERAL REGULATIONS 2-7.29' All funeral processions in the cemetery are under the direction and control of the Director. 2-9.30. No firearms are allowed in any cemetery except for military and memorial exercises. 2-9.31. Vehicles, except for those in a funeral pruoeasion, may be excluded from any ceme- tery. Vehicles may not be turned around in any driveway, but must make the circuit of the sec- tion. Any vehicle meeting afuDe[oi procession must come to a atop uVd| the procession has passed. Maximum speed limit in any cemetery is fifteen miles per hour. 30.J2. All persons walking through cemetery must keep to the pathways and not trespass on lots except for gaining access to their own lots. Parents must take full responsibility for their children and not permit them to climb on headstones. Loitering, playing and exercising of dogs iSnot allowed. 34.33' Cemeteries are open from sunrise io one half hour after sunset 32.34. The soliciting uf business bv anyone within the cemetery isprohibited. 33.35. No employee shall receive any fee or gratuity from any person except the standard fees prescribed by the Trustees and to be paid to the Town. Any employee violating this rule will be subject to disciplinary action. 34.36. The Trustees shall have authority to grant to proprietors to depart in special instances from the provisions Of the foregoing nagu|adoDa iO, and oD|y, in cases where it clearly appears that the spirit and |nbaDt of the regulation will not thereby be violated. Board of Cemetery Trustees Backgroun - This Article amends the Cemetery Rules and Regulations. This was last done in 1888. \- and state law requires that such amendments be done by Town Meeting. The text I Article 5 (continued) above highlights additional text in bold, and text to be deleted is shown in a strike thrc pattern. Bylaw Committee Report Recommend 5 -0. The Bylaw Com- mittee concurs with this article which formally set forth several minor changes to Board of Cemetery Trustees' rules and regulations. Those minor changes formally put into writing several rules and practices are now currently in effect by the Board of Cemetery Trustees. Finance Committee Report No Reps ARTICLE 6 To see if the Town will vote to accept the proviso at the end of the third paragraph of Section 3 of Chapter 40 of the General Laws which provides that any balance re- maining in the account for moneys received from the rental or lease of school buildings at the close of a fiscal year shall remain in said account and may be expended for the upkeep and maintenance of any facility under the control of the School Committee, or take any other action with respect thereto. Board of Selectmen Background Adoption of this section of State law will enable the School Department to continue to deposit receipts from the rental of school facilities into a revolving fund, and not to turn year -end balances over to the General Fund. The funds may be spent only for pur- poses of building maintenance. If this section is not adopted, then any receipts could not be spent for building maintenance, balances on June 30 would be turned over to the General Fund, and these receipts would be available for expenditure only through appropriation by Town Meeting. Bylaw Committee Report Recommend 5 -0. The Bylaw Com- mittee feels that the adoption of this article should encourage rental of unused school space. Finance Committee Report The Finance Committee recom- mends the subject matter of Article 6 by a vote of 6 -0 -0. This Article is requested by the Town Accountant in order to bring the current operation of the fund for rental of school facilities into compliance with State law. Adoption of this section of State law will enable the School Department to continue to operate this fund as a revolving fund, and not to turn year -end balances over to the General Fund. If this section is not adopted, then any balances remaining after June 30 would be turned over to the General Fund, and would be available only through appropriation by Town Meeting. ARTICLE 7 To see if the Town will vote to amend Section 2.1.6 of the General By- laws of the Town by deleting the phrase "at least three (3) public places" and substituting therefor the phrase "one (1) or more public places" so that Section 2.1.6 shall read as follows, or take any other action with respect thereto: Article 7 (continued) "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 12 Article 7 (continued) / / 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 mailing an attested copy of said Warrant to each Town Meeting Member." Board of Selectmen Background The current Bylaw requires the Town Meeting Warrant to be posted in three public places in each precinct This article would amend the Bylaw to provide that Town Meet- ing Warrants be posted in one public place in each precinct rather than three. In some of the precincts of the Town, there are not three public places to post the Warrant. Bylaw Committee Reporf Recommend 5-0. The Bylaw Com- mittee feels that the posting of the public notice in eight places, one in each precinct, in town will provide sufficient notice to all interested parties in the Town. The Bylaw Com- mittee urges with respect to Articles 7 and 8 that the same posting place be utilized for all notices in the precinct and that such place be made known to all precinct residents. Finance Committee Report No Report ARTICLE 8 To see if the Town will vote to amend Section 2.2.4.3 of the General By- laws of the Town by deleting the phrase "two conspicuous" and substituting therefor the phrase "one (1) or more" so that the first sentence of Section 2.2.4.3 shall read as follows, or take any other action with respect thereto: "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 day before the time of the next following session of said adjourned meeting, publish such notice in some newspa- per published in the Town." Board of Selectmen Background This provides for language similar to Article 7 but for posting notices of reconsideration of Town Meeting actions. Bylaw Committee Report Recommend 5-0. See recommen- dation under Article 7. Finance Committee Report No Report ARTICLE 9 To see if the Town will vote to amend Section 5.11.1 of the General By- laws of the Town by deleting the phrase "the Board of Health" and substituting therefor the phrase "any Town officer, board or department" so that the first sentence of Section 5.11.1 shall read as follows, or take any other action with respect thereto: "Pursuant to the authority of Section 21 D of Chapter 40 of the General Laws to which reference is made for any procedural matters not specified herein, any enforcing person as defined herein taking cognizance of a violation of a specific Town bylaw, Zoning bylaw, or rule or regulation of any Town officer, board or department which he or she is empowered 13 Article 9 (continued) to enforce may, as an alternative to initiating criminal proceedings, give the offender a writ- ten notice to appear before the clerk of the district court having jurisdiction thereof at any time during office hours, not later then twenty-one (21) days after the date of such notice." Board of Selectmen Background Articles 9, 10 and 11 amend the "ticketing bylaw" which allows tickets to be written for violations of many local bylaws and rules and regulations. This Article will expand the uses of the "ticketing bylaw" to violations of most local laws and regulations, rather than for just Conservation, Zoning, and Board of Health violations. The use of the "ticketing bylaw" was first introduced in Reading on a trial basis for Health regulations several years ago. It has been expanded to cover zoning, building, and conservation enforce- ment, and it has worked very well. Issuing a ticket, as opposed to making a criminal or civil complaint for a violation of a local bylaw or regulation is simpler to administer, cre- ates less court backlog, and is simpler for the violator to deal with. The rights of -the violator to have his/her "day in court" is not taken away - the issuance of the ticket may be appealed to District Court. Bylaw Committee Report Recommend 5-0. The Bylaw Com- mittee concurs with the intent of the article to broaden the authority of ticketing powers in the Town. Finance Committee Report No Report ARTICLE 10 To see if the Town will vote to amend Section 5.11.5 of the General By- laws of the Town by inserting the phrase "the Animal Control Officer" after the word "Town" so that Section 5.11.5 shall read as follows, or take any other action with respect thereto: "For the purposes of this bylaw, "enforcing person" shall mean any member of the Board of Selectmen, any police officer of the Town, the Animal Control Officer, the Building Inspec- tor as defined in the Zoning By-Laws or his or her designee and the Health Director or his or her designee." Board of Selectmen Background Article 10 extends the use of the "ticketing" authority to the Animal Control Officer. Cur- rently the Animal Control Officer issues tickets under State Statute. The Clerk Magis- trate of the Woburn District Court has suggested that the ticketing bylaw be extended to include the Animal Control Officer. flaw Committee Report Recommend 5-0. The Bylaw Com- mittee agrees that the Animal Control Officer should be added to the list of enforcing persons. Finance Committee Report No Report ARTICLE 11 To see if the Town will vote to amend Section 5.11.3 of the General By- laws of the Town by deleting the phrase "such clerk" and substituting therefor the phrase "the Reading Town Clerk" and by deleting the last sentence of such Section and substituting there- for the sentence "The payment to the Reading Town Clerk of such sum shall operate as a final 14 Article 11 (continued) disposition of the 000e in accordance with Section 21O of Chapter 4U of the General Lovvo.". \. so that Section 5.11.3 shall read aa follows, o[take any other action with respect thereto: "Any person notified to appear before the clerk of a district court as hereinbefore pro- vided may so appear and confess the offense cha[gad, either personally or through a duly authorized agent o[by mailing to the Reading Town Clerk with the notice such specific sum of money not exceeding Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00) as the Town shall fix as penalty for violation of the by|avv, rule or regulation. Such payment shaU, if mailed, be made only by postal note, money order orcheck. The payment to the Read- ing Town Clerk of such sum shall operate as a final disposition of the case in accor- dance with Section 21 D of Chapter 40 of the General Laws." Board ofSelectmen Backgroun Article 11 Conforms the Town's Bylaw to recent amendments to the State Statutes authorizing the "ticketing" bylaw. BYlaw Committee Report Recommend 5-0. The Bylaw Com- mittee feels that the payment Of fines directly b] the Town Clerk will benefit the Town. Finance Committee Repo No RePort ARTICLE 12 To see what sum the Town will raise by bo[nov/ng, or from the tax |avy, or transfer from available funds' or otherwise, and appropriate for the purpose of construction of o new school to replace the Walter S. Parker Middle School at 45 Temple Street and for the demolition of all or portions of the existing Parker Middle Schoo|, including the coat of original ( furnishings and equipnleOt, engineering and architectural fees, inspection fees, relocation ` costs. contingencies, and related facilities incidental thereto and necessary in connection thenevvith, said sum to be spent by and under the direction of the School Committee' and to see if the lFovvn will Vote to authorize the School Committee to file applications for grant or grants to be used to defray all or any part of the costs of said school construction and demoli- tion and related matters, and to see if the Town will vote to authorize the School Committee to enter into all contracts and agreements as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Adic|e, or take any other action with respect thereto. School Building Committee Backgroun Article 12 would authorize bonding for a new Parker Middle School Project in the amount of $13.928.000. The intent vv0u|d be that this project would be authorized by Town Meeting in the fall of 1994, and construction could begin in the summer of 1995. This would get this project into the "qua" for state funding at current 6696 reimburse- ment rataa, and would have the project completed prior to the major increase in middle school enrollment. |t would also avoid the expenditure of major fuOdshJ[thete0npon3ry repair to the existing building while vvoidDg for the building project to be constructed in The colored sheets ct the end of this report detail the project and its need. The Finance CoDl0h1eG, School Building Co00ittee, School Committee, the Capital Improvements Advisory Gubcornmittee.and the Board ofSe|eotn�gnhave all endorsed / project the \ 15 Article 12 (continued) In order to finance this project in the proposed time table, the Town through its man - agement and financial staff, have developed a funding program that, while not optimal, is appropriate given the current circumstances. Advancing the timetable for this project will require sacrifice and discipline by the entire community, and will require the use of significant amounts of Sale of Real Estate funds. Bylaw Committee Report No Resort Finance Committee Report The Finance Committee recom- mends this Article by a vote of 7 -0 -0. The Finance Committee has reviewed the project in detail, and is convinced that the prudent action is to approve this project now so that other costs of temporary student relocation, and short term capital projects on the exist- ing building can be avoided. Additionally, the Town is told that a change in State for- mula for reimbursement could be considered in June, but that if the Town has the project committed through Town Meeting authorization and design, then the project would be funded using the existing formula of 66% reimbursement. The Finance Committee has reviewed extensively the financial projections for the next 5 years, and has reviewed the projected financing plan for this project, and finds that the project is feasible with a recognition that all departments of the Town will have to make sacrifices in capital and operating area over the next 5 years. The alter- native is to delay the project two years, see the, cost of the project escalate, and ex- pend other scarce dollars for short term capital and operating solutions to increased enrollment and capital decay of the existing building. ARTICLE 13 To see if the Town will vote to amend the Reading Zoning By -Laws by substituting for Section 5.3.2.1. the following: 5.3.2.1. "Any portion of a lot lying within a delineated wetlands resource area as determined by the Reading Conservation Commission may be credited to the minimum lot area requirements if the portion outside such wetlands resource area is of at least the following size: Zoning District: Single Family 10 Single Family 20 Single Family 40 or take any other action with re: Minimum Area outside of a Wetlands Resource Area: 8,000 square feet 12,000 square feet 20,000 square feet" ;pect thereto. Community Planning and Development Commission Background At present the Zoning Bylaw specifies that the building lots must contain square foot- age's of land not contained within the Wetlands Protection or Floodplain Overlay Zon- ing District. These overlay districts were fashioned in 1970 and 1.975 and, while based on the best information available at the time, these overlay districts are not accurately reflective of the true extent of wetlands. In fact, there are many wetland resource areas 16 Article 13 (continued) which are not contained in these overlay zoning districts. This Article would more ap- proprately regulate Developement and development density by replacing the reference to the overlay districts with reference to the actual wetlands as delineated by the Con- servation Commission. Since such properties that this change would affect would lie within the jurisdiction of the Conservation Commission, this change would impose no additional burden upon a property owner. C CPDC Repo 6 Bylaw Committee Report Action Pending Finance Committee Reporf No Report ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ARTICLE 14 To see if the Town will vote to amend the Reading Zoning By-Laws by amending the "Net Parcel Area" definition in Section 4.10.2.1. thereof by substituting in the second sentence for the words "the Wetlands Protection Overlay Zoning District (W) or the Flood Plain Overlay Zoning District (F)" the words "a delineated wetlands resource area as de- termined by the Reading Conservation Commission" and by substituting for the words "Under- lying District" the words "Zoning District", so that said definition shall read in full: "Net Parcel Area: the area used for purposes of computing maximum develop- ment density of a PRD parcel. Net parcel area must contain the following minimum percentage of land outside a delineated wetlands resource area as determined by the Reading Conservation Commission: Zoning District: Minimum Percentage S-10 80% S-20 60% S-40 50%" or take any other action with respect thereto. Community Planning and Development Commission Background The rationale for and the effects of this Article would be the same as for Article 13 as would apply to the calculation of allowable densities for Planned Residential Developments. abc Pa_,& � I OLJ 0 Conservation Commission Report Recommend 6-0-0. This Article would result in more accurate delineation for planning purposes. Bylaw Committee Report Aeien-�Rerir�g roue Finance Committee Report No Report ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ARTICLE 15 To see if the Town will vote to amend adding a Section 2.2.33.1.: "2.2.33.1. WETLANDS RESOURCE AREA: tions adopted pursuant to Section 40 of Chapter 131 to Section 5.7. of the Reading General Bylaws." or take any other action with respect thereto. the Reading Zoning By-Laws by an area as defined in the regula- of the General Laws and pursuant Community Planning and Development Commission 17 Article 15 (continued) Background This is a companion to Articles 13 and 14 in order to define what is meant by a Wet- lands Resource Area. CPDC Report �(Z)LA,,J Conservation Commission Report Recommend 6-0-0 Bylaw Committee Report Action Pending Finance Committee Report No Repo ARTICLE 16 To see if the Town will vote to amend the Reading Zoning By-Laws by adding the following Section: "4.3.1.2.1. In any residence district, no common driveways shall be allowed except by Special Permit granted by the Board of Appeals." or take any other action with respect thereto. Community Planning and Development Commission Background As environmentally marginal land has been increasingly proposed for development; the use of common driveways has become a growing phenomenon. The use of common driveways generally results from the location of wetlands on a proposed lot sufficiently extensive that the frontage cannot be utilized for individual driveway access into the lot, and instead a common driveway is proposed crossing portions of an adjacent lot. This can result in the overuse of land which otherwise cannot support regular development. Because there may be occasions where a common driveway could be preferable, again because of environmental reasons, this Article would still allow them, but by a special permit to make sure that proper review is given to determine the specific merits in spe- cific cases. —0 CPDC Report Zoning Board of Appeals Reporf At its meeting of October 20, 1994, the members of the Zoning Board of Appeals present voted unanimously to op- pose the adoption of Article 16. The Zoning Board objects to the Article as written be- cause it sets no standards, criteria or guidelines for the issuance or denial of a special permit, and in consequence might lead to the suggestion that any decision made by the Board is arbitrary. flaw Committee Report Recommend 4-1. The Bylaw Com- mittee agrees with the intent of the bylaw to upgrade the use of undeveloped land. Finance Committee Report No Report ARTICLE 17 To see if the Town will vote to amend the Reading Zoning By-Laws by adding a Section 2.2.6.1.: "2.2.6.1. COMMON DRIVEWAY: a driveway located in whole or in part on one lot providing access to another lot, except that private roadways and drives contained in a Planned Unit Development or a Planned Residential Development shall not be con- strued as common driveways." or take any other action with respect thereto. Community Planning and Development Commission K. Article 17 (continued) This is a companion to Article 10 in order to determine what a uorDrnon driveway is. In order to avoid confusion or misconstruction, the private roadways which substitute for subdivision streets in PUD's and pR[)'s are specifically excluded from this definition. CPDC Repo rlA6t C- (�-- ()— C-) By-Law Committee Report Recommend 4-1. See recommen- dation underArticle 16. Finance Committee Repo No Report ARTICLE 18 To see � the TovvnviU vote to amend the Reading Zoning By-Laws to re- place the Single Fm[D` . Residence S-10 Zoning District with a Single Family Residence S-15 Zoning District byamending said bylaws as follows: 1 Amend Section 3. 1. by substituting the words "Single Family 15 District" for the words "G|Dg|a Family 10 Oist[icC'and the words "S-15" for the words ^S-1O" 2. Amend Section 4.2.2. Table of Uses by substituting all references to "S-10" with "S-15". 3. Amend Section 4.10.2.1., Planned Residential Development, Net Parcel Area, by substituting "S-1[Y' with "8-15". 4. Amend Section 4.10.4.3., Planned Residential Development, Intensity of Development, Mox[nunl Number of Dwelling Units per Net Parcel Area.... FzRD-G` by substituting "-S-1O: 3.25 units per acre" with "-S-15: 2.50 units per 5. Amend Section 5.1.2. Table cf Dimensional Controls osfollows: Under the heading "One or Two Family Dwelling" substitute: "in S-1DDistrict: Apea, sq. ft 10`000 Frontage, feet 80" with: "in S-18 Districts: Area, sq. ft. 15.000 Frontage, feet 1001, Under the heading "Apartment"substitute: "in S-10 Districts: Frontage, feet 80" with: "in S-15Districts: Frontage, feet 1001, Under the heading "Other Permitted Principal Use" substitute: "in S-10 Districts: ` Frontage, feet 8011 with: "in S-15 Districts: . Frontage, feet 1001, 19 Article 1O(conUnued) 6. Amend Section 5.3.2.1. by substituting for the line "Single Family 1O ..... 8.00O square feet" the line "Single Family 15 ..... 2.00O square feaC. 7. Amend Section 8.3.1.2. by adding ad the end thereof the following: "Nothing iD these bylaws shall be construed toprohibit o[ restrict the right, as specified iO Section 8of Chapter 4OAof the General Laws, of the owner ofany lot legally created as o building lot either before the adoption of these bylaws orasa result of the operation ofthese bylaws from rop|ocjng, rebui\ding, en|orging, or altering a structure on such |ot, provided that Oo non-conformity with respect to any provision of these bylaws io thereby created orincreosad." or take any other action with respect thereto. Community Planning and Development Commission Backgroun This Artic|e, and others which follow, stem from CPDC's increasing concern that the TovvD, and particularly the oeOtna|, more developed ports of the Town (the current S-10 zoning districU, are becoming overcrowded to the point where the character of the - [ovvDiabecVOOiDQerodod. The preservation and strengthening of Reading's character is the central theme nf our Master Plan. The |ivabi|ih/, the economic viability, and the levels of property values in the Town are dependent on the attractive character ofthe _ - Town. Ao developable land becomes more scarce even oathe residential market re- mains stFoDg.theFehoabeanaDiOcnaasiOgtendeDcytofindoFaativeVVays,toCan/eout additional building lots. Eventually, this tendency will destroy the attractiveness which has been the.basis of the livability and residential economic viability of the Town. Article 18 proposes to strengthen the zoning controls in such o way to curb such a ten- dency by making it more difficult to carve out such lots in the current G-10 zVOiOQ dis- thot, by the following measures: Part 1 VvoU|d replace the S-10 zoning district with an S-15 zoning district in the Section which establishes zoning districts. Part replaces the reference to S-10 in the Table of Permitted Uses with reference to S-15. All uses how permitted in S-10 would be permitted in S-15. Parts 3 and 4 replace the reference to S-10 with reference to S-15 as on underlying znDiOQ district with respect to Planned Residential Developments. Part 5 replaces reference to S-10 with references to S'15 and modifies lot frontage standards from OOto 1OO feet to be appropriate tothe larger lot sizes inG-15. Part replaces the reference to S-1Owith reference to G-15with respect tothe amount of lot area which must not be VYetlaOds, increasing this upland lot area from 8.000 square feet /BO96ofoO8-1O lot) to12.00O square feet (8OY6ofaD8-15|o8; these stan- dards would also be modified by Article 15. Part specifies the protections provided by State Law that all rights in established, re- corded legal building lots are preserved even when they become non-conforming by change iO the Zoning Bylaw such en this proposed change from S-1OtoS-15; all rights to axpand, rap|ooe, a|ter, or rebuild a house on such e lot are preserved as long as no additional non-conformity is created or increased, such as with respect bofront, side. and rear setbacks, which, by the way, have not been altered by the proposed --' change from S-10 toS-15. 20 Article 18 (continued) CPDC Repo Zoning Board of Appeals Report At its meeting of October 20, 1994, the members of the Zoning Board of Appeals present voted unanimously to oppose the adoption of Articles 18 and 19. The Zoning Board considers it unwise to change con- siderable numbers of existing properties in the Town from a conforming to a non- conforming status. More restrictive conditions apply to the issuance of permits and variances for non-conforming properties than for conforming properties. Bylaw Committee Report Recommend 5-0. The article re- stricts the growth in population density of presently undeveloped land in the S-10 dis- trict. The Bylaw Committee agrees with the intent of the article and feels that the restriction is needed for the present time. Finance Committee Report No Report ARTICLE 19 To see if the Town will vote to amend the Reading Zoning Map by replacing in all instances the designation "S -10" with the designation "S -15 ", or take any other action with respect thereto. Community Planning and Development Commission Background This Article would amend the Zoning Map to reflect the zoning change from S-10 to S-15 if Article 18 is adopted. CPDC Repo Zoning Board of Appeals Report At its meeting of October 20, 1994, the members of the Zoning Board of Appeals present voted unanimously to op- pose the adoption of Articles 18 and 19. The Zoning Board considers it unwise to change considerable numbers of existing properties in the Town from a conforming to a non-conforming status. More restrictive conditions apply to the issuance of permits and variances for non-conforming properties than for conforming properties Bylaw Committee Report Recommend 5-0. Finance Committee Report No Report ARTICLE 20 To see if the Town will vote to amend the Reading Zoning By-Laws by amending Section 5.1.2. Table of Dimensional Controls as follows: Under the heading "One or Two Family Dwelling" substitute in the column labeled "Lot Width Circle Diameter, feet": in S-20 Districts 60 in S-40 Districts 6011 with: "in 2 1 in S -20 Districts 80 in S-40 Districts 8011 or take any other action with respect thereto. Community Planning and Development Commission 21 Article 20 (continued) Background The frontage circle, adopted by Town Meeting in the Fall of 1992 in order to curb the creation of flag-pole or pork-chop lots by necking down the lot shape behind the front- age, would be increased in diameter from 60 to 80 feet reflecting the change in front- age from 80 (S-10) to 100 feet (S-15) if Article 18 is adopted. CPDC Repo j V--V 0 By-Law Committee Report Recommend 5-0. The Bylaw Com- mittee recommends this article on the basis that Article 18 'is approved for adoption. The article is consistent with the changes in Article 18. Finance Committee Report No Repo ARTICLE 21 To see if the Town will vote to amend the Reading Zoning By-Laws by substituting in Section 5.2.1. for the words "Lot Area-Reserved" the following: 5.2.1. "Lot Shape In all residence districts no lot may be construed to be a building lot unless the product of the area (in square feet) of such lot multiplied by 22 is greater than the square of the total length (in feet) of the perimeter of such lot, expressed as: 2 (Lot Size) x 22 > (Perimeter) or take any other action with respect thereto. Community Planning and Development Commission Background After the adoption in Fall 1992 of the amendments to lot frontage requirements, such as the frontage circle and the frontage parallelogram, new creative methods were de- vised by developers to carve out lots in the form of dumb-bell (or necked) lots, reverse pork-chop lots, and wider frontage strips. These creative devises create strips of land which are not functionally or visually part of their lot and which are not likely to be prop- erly maintained; the effective usable area of the lot is reduced by a size equal to the size of such a strip. Geometrically, these strips increase the length of the lot perimeter in relationship to the lot area, and this Article seizes on this geometric fact in a manner that by prescribing a maximum relationship (or ratio) between lot perimeter and lot size, the shapes of lots can be made more geometrically regular, eliminating the ability to create such strips and necks. CPDC Report -C) Bylaw Committee Report Recommend 5-0. The article sets forth reasonable restrictions on abusive lot shapes without unduly quelling odd lot shapes. Finance Committee Report No Report ARTICLE 22 To see if the Town will vote to amend the Reading Zoning By-Laws by adding at the end of Section 7.2.1. the following sentence: 22 Article 22(cODUOUed) "The Building Inspector may be appointed aa Zoning Administrator according to ` the provisions of Section 13 Of Chapter 4OA of the General Laws." or take any other action with respect thereto. Community Planning and Development Commission Backgroun Some recent court cases have resulted in more cases involving minor expansions to non-conforming structures to have to be decided by the Zoning Board of Appeals instead of by the Building Inspector in the course of permit application review an had been the traditional practice. This has caused an increase in minor cases for the Board and considerable expense and inconvenience for homeowners. At present, the Zoning By-Laws designate the Building Inspector as Zoning Enforcement C}fTiuer, charged with the enforcement ofthe bylaws. State Low, cited in the Adic|e, would al- low the Building Inspector to receive delegated authority from the Zoning Board ofAp- peo|s. for instance to deal administratively with such minor cases. This cannot bedone unless the Building Inspector is also designated with the title "Zoning Administrator". The actual delegation of authority to the Building Inspector as Zoning Administrator is solely at the discretion of the Zoning Board of Appea|s, only as the Board specifies, and only as long as the Board is satisfied that such delegation is being performed acceptably. CPDC Repo BYlaw Committee Report DO not recommend 5-0. The Bylaw Committee feels the SO/Wng of the pn}b/erD as Set forth in this article Sh0U/d be held un- til a future period, Bylaw Committee was told that the problem addressed bv this article \ does not currently exist. Finance Committee Repo zuo� Report �u� ARTICLE 23 To see if the Town will vote ho amend the Reading Zoning By-Laws bv adding in Section 4.8.3.1.6. the words "as of record on January 1. 1995" between the words "building lot" and "is rendered impervious", so that said Section shall read: ",4.8.3.1.6. Development as permitted in the underlying districts, provided that Oo more than 2O percent of a building lot as of record oO January 1.1885i$ rendered impervious." or take any other action with respect thereto. Community Planning and Development Commission Backgroun CPDC and the Conservation Commission have become concerned that the protection afforded by the Aquifer Protection provisions of Zoning By-Laws are eroded when land iO the Aquifer Protection {}Vedgy District is subdivided. These provisions were insti- tuted in order to allow water b) penetrate the soil and recharge the groundwater which feeds the Town's vve||fie|da. Impervious surface is limited to 2096 of pe[oa( area in order to provide sufficient groundwater recharge. HovVever, if a current parcel is sub- divided into building lots and public streets, the net impervious surface has been in- creased in many cases to well over the 2096 standard. This Article VVoU|d prevent the ' further subdivision of land from causing extension of impervious land surface. / 23 Article 23(conbOued ) CPDC Report Conservation Commission Repo Recommend 6-0-0. Bylaw Committee Repo ReCDn?/neOd 5-0. Finance.Committee Repo No Re o ARTICLE 24 7-o see if the Town will vote tm amend the Reading Zoning By-Laws by adding in Section 6.2.3.2.b. the words "unless otherwise approved by the Sign Review Board" between the words "...for retractable and" and the words "ten feet for..." so that this Section shall read aafollows: "Without sign permnit, retractable opaque cloth awnings may contain letters up to four inches in height stating only the name of the business; such lettering shall not count toward allowed sign area. All other awnings or canopies with lettering or graphics shall require a sign permit and count aspart of allowed sign area, ' provided that such has a rnininlurO clearance of seven feet for retractable and. unless otherwise approved by the Sign Review Board, ten feet for fixed awnings or canopies between the lowest point thereof and the ground or sidewalk, and provided that they are not illuminated in such a way that the light from such illumination is visible through the canopy O[8YVOiOg." or take any other action with respect thereto. Community Planning and Development Commission Review byrgquaotoftheGignFlaviovvBoard- Background . The Sign Review Board is charged with reviewing the appropriateness ofa|gn� pro- posed to be placed in the Business-B Zoning District (D with regard toseveral factors, including sign location and placement on the building front. In some recent cases, the Board has discovered that more appropriate location of canopy and fixed awning signs would be lower than the ten-foot clearance now mandated in the Zoning By-Laws. This Article would a||ovv the Sign F7evigvv Board to permit a reduced clear- ance of such signs if it finds that this reduction would result in more appropriate and at- tractive location o[ placement of these signs. CPDC Report BYlaw Committee Report the Bylaw Committee feels that the Sign to grant variances for canopy clearances. Finance Committee Repo < � n_� Yv'*"^^~� }' - Recommend �2. The majority Of Review Board should be given the discretion ARTICLE 25 To see if the Town will vote hm amend the Reading Zoning as hd\ovvs: a. By deleting two coOnmas, bv adding the vvonds Ocorne."and by replacing the word "or" with the words "and/or" in Section 4.7.2.1.h. so that this Section shall read asfollows: "Required Low- and Moderate-Income Housing: There shall be provided on-site or off-site in a OnoDne[ acceptable to the Reading Housing Authority a DliDiOlU[O � ) of ten percent of its total units (both on-site and off-site) affordable to 24 Article 25 (continued) very-low-income, low-income, nmodarote-inoonne, and/or elderly households in \ b. By replacing Paragraph 4.9.4.5.Q. with the fo|kzvvhno wording: "Provision |namanner acceptable to the Reading Housing Authority, ofhousinQ units on-site, in conformity with this PUO Bv@Vv. or off-site, which VOd3 are affordable to very-low-income, |ow-iOcome. OOuderate+inoo0a, and/or elderly households iDperpetuib/." C. Bv modifying Paragraph (1) of the |DcJusioDa[yHousing portion of Section 4.102.1. so that said paragraph shall read: "(1) Affordable Housing: Housing units available for very-low-income, low- income, moderate-income, and/or elderly households as determined by the most recent calculations of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the Boston Metropolitan Area." or take any other action with respect thereto. Community Planning and Development Commission by request ofthe Reading Housing Authority Backgroun In the course of reviewing some recent special permit cases under the Planned Resi- dential Development--Municipal /PRD-K8\ and the Municipal Building Reuse Bylaw, the current affordable housing ("linkage") requirements spelled out in the Zoning By-Laws are ambiguous in the degree to which review by the Housing Authority is R||ovved and / insufficient to conform with State and Federal affordable housing standards. Confusion has existed with respect tothe ability of the Housing Authority tO review proposed on- site linkage units. Also, developers have seized upon the literal wording currently inthe Bylaws to attempt 1orefuse to provide linkage units for the vary-|om+iOco0e and for the |oVVe[ portion of the moderate-income category, which could result in linkage units not being provided to Reading residents who need such housing. J-A�tfF q /) y\ R8CO00End 4-1. The Bylaw Com- mittee feels that the category of very-low-income should be appropriately included in the Municipal Building Reuse District, PUD and pRD. Finance Committee Repo ^~~�~~�~~� ARTICLE 26 To see if the Town will vote to amend the Reading Zoning By-Laws b« substituting the following for Section 2.2.17.: 2.2.17. "HOME OCCUPATION: the use of any part ofa dwelling as an Office, studio, or working room only by persons resident in the dwelling, provided that no goods are pub- licly displayed for sale oO the premises, that nogoods are offered for sale on the p[e0- ioes'1hatOopensoOisaOOp|oyedoOthapna0iseavvhoisDot a resident of the dwelling, that the public is not generally solicited or invited to enter the premises in order to con- duct business, and that the location of the premises isnot' advertised to the general / pub|io."or take any other action with respect thereto. ( Community Planning and Development Commission ' 25 / Article 26 (continued) Backgroun The purpose of this Article is to better distinguish between what is a home occupation and what isabusiness. This definition would greatly assist enforcement efforts against illegal businesses being conducted iO residential neighborhoods. CPDC Repo Kv � 0 � Bylaw Committee Repo Action Pending Pm*�^ Finance Committee Repo No Repo ARTICLE 27 To see if the Town will vote to amend the Reading Zoning By-Laws by adding the following Section 2.2.8.3: "2.2.9.3. DWELLING UNIT: A structure or portion of structure containing in o self-sufficient and exclusive manner facilities for s|aepiOg, bathinQ, and cooking, including one full kitchen and full bathroom facilities as defined bythe Massachusetts State Building Code." o[ take any other action with respect thereto. � Community P|oODiOg and Development Commission Backgroun The purpose of this Article is to provide a definition of what constitutes a dwelling unit. Just as the creation of building lots is of financial benefit to some property owners, the creation of apartments ia also of benefit to some property owners. Despite the fact that the Zoning By-Laws already provide several vveya in which apartments can be legally estab|iahed, there are OOoOy cases of illegal apartments. Enforcement against these has been severely hampered both administratively and in prosecutions by the current lack ofdefinition astowhat does constitute a dwelling unit. CPDC /\ ��^ � � ° --u o BYlaw Committee Report ReCOVlD/8Dd 5-0 Finance Committee Repo No Report ARTICLE 28 To see if the Town will vote ho file a petition and/or approve the filing ofo petition to the General Court for a special act providing essentially as follows, or take any other action with respect thereto: "Section 1. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 20 of Chapter 268A of the General LaVvs, or any other General or Special law to the coDtna[y, full and part-time employees of the Reading School Department may simultaneously hold the position of board member of the Reading Board of Library Trustees." Board ofSelectmen Background This article would approve ahoroo rule petition eliminating oteohuimal conflict of interest in having School Department employees hold the position of member of the Library Board OfTrustees. While the legislature iScurrcot\yrcviovvngthoentire Ethics Laws, this process will take some time, and the need to eliminate this technical conflict of interest is ' immediate. ( ) Article 28 (continued) BYlaw Committee Report Do not recommend 5 -0. The Bylaw Committee does not recommend the article for the following reasons: 1. The article would weaken the intent and the purpose of the conflict in interest law. 2. The present system of granting special municipal employee status can be handled on a case by case basis. The Committee feels this is the best way to han- dle the situation. 3. The article as presently written only applies to certain employees of the Town. The Bylaw Committee feels that the article should have been worded to extend to all Town employees except library employees. Finance Committee Report No Reps and you are directed to serve this Warrant by posting an attested copy thereof in at least three (3) public places in each precinct of the Town not less than fourteen (14) days prior to Novem- ber 14, 1994, 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 11th day of October, 1994. \l Daniel A. Ensminger Constable Willard J. Burditt Sally M. Hoyt Camille W. Anthony George V. Hines SELECTMEN OF READING FIN MW t .o.oUo OV s.. � o o t I` ., o w3 28 � H a• Z- U � O 1 sq ®TWA r i � API ca R "..4 0 . ed ecr W F�1 bi d 0 v G R A R Fa �4 a w �CC •RC M G+ •gyp a R W O bornw u�H bbo bbo .QA oo o •� C: En bo SAc N a M 0 -Z: y w p O 0 eo a G Y3 0 � a ca a R a 'CJ y' > •' n b:b •l7O -� to 3 � to s R � �AwIda0 S 0 0 tiM+ r. .a� A•, R p a � n. 7 � � .6 C-4 o, - , o — $ ":B,Q . a 0.40 TA 1 9 nt! a C a � F4N O n.r O'j N �x $ 8 w �A� C �Ro «� u'G .EO 4 0. G a'8 b ta 3.S c• $••3 m o� wo 8� 3 � 0� .� El 8O o W •cam ��� v Ra $0o c 8'a R S3y� N RA 3• t,t,iy W= aR00- 3 cog .ate ,Q a •� ai d �Cy ° M R Auy R� AID R o W-08 H • ®wONa�US Rlv�� 29 • • • M p.j all boC boo 0+ 0 j" �E a ,�ppa�pG yy ^I 8z 84ffia U eo.w �cy�t oa o >. a. ....' � o •N. H obi 0.0 y d�ga a.r� �rn R a 'CJ y' > •' n b:b •l7O -� to 3 � to s R � �AwIda0 S 0 0 tiM+ r. .a� A•, R p a � n. 7 � � .6 C-4 o, - , o — $ ":B,Q . a 0.40 TA 1 9 nt! a C a � F4N O n.r O'j N �x $ 8 w �A� C �Ro «� u'G .EO 4 0. G a'8 b ta 3.S c• $••3 m o� wo 8� 3 � 0� .� El 8O o W •cam ��� v Ra $0o c 8'a R S3y� N RA 3• t,t,iy W= aR00- 3 cog .ate ,Q a •� ai d �Cy ° M R Auy R� AID R o W-08 H • ®wONa�US Rlv�� 29 • • • Voter • Annual 1 Meeting November 114 NEW SCHOOL ENTRANCE AT TEMPLE STREET !' ' "M N ' At its annual Town Meeting in November 1992, Reading directed its School Building Committee to examine solutions to the impending space needs at the middle school level. Working with its architect, the School Building Committee examined a wide range of options for solving the middle school space needs problem. The School Building Committee has concluded that the most efficient and cost - effective solution to the problem of Middle School overcrowding is the construction of a new middle school at the site of the existing Parker Middle School. This approach solves the overcrowd- ing problems at the two middle schools with a single construction project and also resolves the increasingly expensive repair and maintenance problems now plaguing the 67 year old Parker School. The total cost of the new middle school project is $13.9 million dollars, projected to a 1997 completion date. By designing the school to conform to state regulations with regard to room size and handicapped accessibility, the project is eligible for state reimbursement of 66% of all capital costs and interest costs. T WHY MORE MIDDLE SCHOOL SPACE IS NEEDED The growth which has made expansion necessary at two of the elementary schools is now catching up with the middle schools. The combined enrollments at the Parker and Coolidge Schools, which was �( at 780 pupils in ",' has climbed to 839 in 1994 and is projected to climb to 1026 by the year_ 1998. The two middle schools are currently operating over capacity and will have completely outstripped their ability to absorb increased enrollments by the 1997 -98 school year. WHY A NEW PARKER MIDDLE SCHOOL IS THE BEST SOLUTION Since Reading intends to maintain two middle schools, it is apparent (and study has confirmed) that the most cost - effective way to achieve additional space is to expand at one middle school site and leave the other at its current capacity. Because of the limited site area at the Coolidge School and the substantial modernization needs of the existing Parker building, the better solution is clearly to provide an ex- panded school building at the Parker site. In its initial stages, the project was defined as the renovation and expansion of the Parker School. This definition of the project changed only when it became clear, through detailed cost studies, that the cost to renovate and expand the Parker School would be very nearly the same as the cost to build a new school and that, because of this, the state would not fund the renovation and expansion of the existing school. 31 SECOND FLOOR PLAN EDUCATIONAL SPACE NEEDS The new middle school has been designed to meet an educational space program approved by the School Committee which provides the minimum amount of space necessary to satisfy the educational needs of 620 pupils and meet state requirements for a fundable school project. The major spaces provided include: 22 regular classrooms (7 per grade, 8 for 6th grade) 6 science rooms (2 per grade) library / media center & computer lab gymnasium & locker rooms cafeteria & full service kitchen industrial arts shop & computer lab home economics room art room music room & band room remedial and special education space administration, health, guidance & teacher's areas Although a new auditorium is highly desirable for both school and community programs, it is clear that this would add substantially to the cost of the project. It was determined during the course of planning that it would be possible to renovate and incorporate the existing auditorium as part of the new school at a fraction of the cost of a new auditorium, and so the project includes retaining and renovating the existing auditorium as part of the new building. 32 SHORTCOMINGS OF THE EXISTING PARKER BUILDING The cost to renovate and expand the Parker School to meet current requirements is prohibitive because of a combination of major shortcomings in educational space, functional deficiencies and systems failures. Educational and related space deficiencies include seriously undersized classrooms, undersized and poorly equipped science labs, antiquated locker rooms and an undersized gym with inadequate over- head clearance, an undersized library, inadequate music room, antiquated industrial arts shop space, inadequate computer labs and a poorly located and difficult to serve kitchen and cafeteria. Serious functional deficiencies include an obsolete heating and ventilating system, much of which is not functioning properly, an inadequate electrical service, antiquated plumbing, major violations of handi- capped access requirements, and a building envelope which is neither energy efficient nor water - tight. There have been significant recent failures in the roof, boilers and electrical systems which have been both inconvenient and costly, and there is a great likelihood that problems of this sort will increase in frequency and magnitude. PROJECT COST Total Construction Cost Furnishings & Equipment Indirect Costs Bonding Fees TOTAL PROJECT COST SBAB REIMBURSEMENT (AT 66 %) Q1 i iV ;7I1tlZ iZi� y PROJECTS FACTS & FIGURES Old building area: New building area (with auditorium) New construction cost: Renovation construction cost (auditorium): $ 12,262,327. $ 451,000. $ 1,134,000. $ 81,000. $13,928,327. $ 9.192.696. $ 4,735,631. 67,088 SF 93,284 SF $93.47/SF $ 75.89 / SF (1994 trade costs) READING SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE Russell Graham, Chair Margaret Cowell Roberta C. D'Antona Robert Grasso Joseph Lupi Paula O'Leary Barbara Poock Roger Sanstad David Williams 33 ARTICLES 13 & 14 (' area of lot: 364,029 sq. ft. current zoning: area outside of Wetland Zoning Overlay District: 294,029 sq. ft. allows up to 12 subdivision lots or dwelling units proposed zoning: area outside of delineated wetlands: 184,029 sq. ft. would allow up to 8 subdivision lots or dwelling units T � t ~� i r 3 � � © le PS � rP �J A --�Nov QV-lo•.j -so J�.N a ��SiYiCt 34 r-,! x D � V „nr � rr� M"m Sk e 91 S-10 to S-15 C�;� `� f TOWN OF RnAULNU MIDDLESEX COUNTY MASSACHUSETTS Will' r 1) J%j H "'1 35 Articles 1 8 & 1 Sol C)OO -sq kl4rTke-L-E. 18 13 *Z/ Si3Q r 0-+iC ?T01POSQ-4 S-Is 2Y .3 "." -- — --" "I, kR-T t C-L.P_ so 36 Article • L4'R"f �G1_E 20 1119+ ARTt CA-Fr 2:5.1 / l t lustra-t iar�, � 4- a/ LOT d /o .g v� ®O s f rae-k- t i,n e STR EE.T L. o'r W 1 D'rK CIRCLE FROtITAGE PARALt_ELOGj. RAM: F= Sri ontacge ten9k4, 1001 in 5 -15 Mal in S -20 Zoo' In S -40 to ord.e.c- -('or- o, bca<<dinS lob �o be. C_-..cLJL -.d t . L+ to ust- r-Aee*- L-0-r) tzcA rn�vtiiv,r� um �or 3onir�c� �QiS tin cam, Z. Lot- W 1 DTK GtRGtr r,nus-k- - 'Lt- c"*jrely Vali-Ehivj + \e to+. 3 . FR o NTAC�E PARA<_LE LO CRAM t'nu.SE- ��� Qnti re�� � i-� its 37 Article 2C Town of'Reading 16 Lowell Street Reading, NU 01867-2683 19: Mr RQ0 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FAX: (617) 942-9070 (617) 942-9010 MEMORANDUM To: Community Planning and Development Commission From: Jonathan Edwards Subj: Application of Proposed Rule 22 Date: September 20, 1994 The following analysis shows how the Proposed Rule 22 would have applied to lots recently created by Definitive Subdivision Plans and Approval-Not-Required Plans, copies of which are attached. Rule 22 is: the area of a lot multiplied by a factor of 22 must be greater than the square of the total length of the perimeter of the lot; e.g. any lot with a ratio between the square of the perimeter and the area of the lot, of 22:1 or more would violate Rule 22. *Indicates lots which violate the Rule. For the most regular possible lots meeting minimum frontage re- quirements in each zoning district, the following ratios obtain: 2 Zone Area Area x 22 Perimeter Perimeter Ratio S-10 10,000 220,000 410 168,100 16.8 801x1251 S-15 15,000 330,000 500 250,000 16.7 1001X1501 S-20 20,000 440,000 574 329,476 16.5 1201x1671 S-40 40,000 880,000 800 640,000 16.0 2001x2001 The following shows the excess perimeter length available to min- imum sized lots between minimums and those allowed under Rule 22: 38 Article 21 Min. Possible Max. Allowable Excess Zone Perimeter Perimeter -Perimeter S-10 410 469 59 S-15 500 574 74 S-20 574 663 89 S-40 800 938 138 38 Article 21 Town of ReAding 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867-2683 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FAX: (617) 942-9070 (617) 942-9010 MU * V a 111 . 01 To: Community Planning and Development Commission From: Jonathan Edwards Subj: Application of Proposed Rule 22 Date: September 20, 1994 The following analysis shows how the Proposed Rule 22 would have applied to lots recently created by Definitive Subdivision Plans and Approval-Not-Required Plans, copies of which are attached. Rule 22 is: the area of a lot multiplied by a factor of 22 must be greater than the square of the total length of the perimeter of the lot; e.g. any lot with a ratio between the square of the perimeter and the area of the lot, of 22:1 or more would violate Rule 22. *Indicates lots which violate the Rule. For the most regular possible lots meeting minimum frontage re- quirements in each zoning district, the following ratios obtain: 2 Zone Area Area x 22 Perimeter Perimeter Ratio S-10 10,000 220,000 410 168,100 16.8 801x1251 S-15 15,000 330,000 500 250,000 16.7 1001x1501 S-20 20,000 440,000 574 329,476 16.5 1201x1671 S-40 40,000 880,000 800 640,000 16.0 2001x2001 The following shows the excess perimeter length available to min- imum sized lots between minimums and those allowed under Rule 22: Min. Possible Zone Perimeter S-10 410 S-15 500 S-20 574 S-40 800 Max. Allowable Perimeter 469 574 663 938 39 Excess Perimeter 59 74 89 138 N N d '0 N J) P 0 G 0 r 1D P N I 40 P�g-tk C. L.E 21 � 2 11Y0, 44S ORIp . Article 21 N .J V a d 0 0 N a a R Imo' 41 W �J C - t.71WV9 07 00 ivc/ As vi , [sk, ma 41 q Tj fu lu Ice L- Ai 411 As ml is 41 Article 2 ~ 7-O W IV S /.3' Oa' 00 "Z 0 2/B. :SO' READ //V G C d2. 7S Q) a se A .5 JL& O UI LOT /7A 18,07717 SA o \1 i CA 6,+IZ5 Q) a se A .5 JL& O 80.00, a.c.s.f3" * - ,,, n d. 5 U A4 M F R - )0.. - O O 00' OO,W AVENUE Z-Or /7.dS -9L 6, a 6 / 10 AoQs- Lxa-v \jj�ka-*q- A -r-ficte -,L t 1-4 0 ti PL W -4 IK 43 Article 21 \1 i CA 6,+IZ5 Ar-ki C-(4- :z RI rte.. -tio C) . 80.00, a.c.s.f3" * - ,,, n d. 5 U A4 M F R - )0.. - O O 00' OO,W AVENUE Z-Or /7.dS -9L 6, a 6 / 10 AoQs- Lxa-v \jj�ka-*q- A -r-ficte -,L t 1-4 0 ti PL W -4 IK 43 Article 21 a� d N C4 0` Ad W 4- 0 ��(tT and �i 2 W� �i G� ;�ii•�Z '9N IN I t:l-` YAC TERR E - H � Aq 1 Sgl'f0'40'�' FOR r /ytCE -h SEW i am 4i r4 ls k 1 �gS M�1 C tU 1Zed 44 Article 21 in a -4 j8j-jo'4LrW m -- -r-' ,E AND uram• 645DAW R t,i gag 14: � a, v , 1Zed 44 Article 21 ARTICLE 23 example Prior to subdividing: Area of parcel: 230,868 sq. ft. x 0.20 percent impervious surface allowed 46,173 After subdividing: lot u urea % % street right-of-way total impervious area max. impervious surface allowed max. impervious surface allowed 4,020 sq. ft. - 4*U2U 4,502 9,355 9,511 4,020 4,020 23,562 sq. ft. 63,010 sq. ft~ original =27 �% o� ri �oaI . 45 , ) \ � \ Article 2*- P, R k C- L-c 2 3 =Y-C %,kf te.. 1 1.11 2.� 46 Article 22 z o0 00 00 00 00 00 00 try O 00 tip u� 00 O ttf oo to O 00 00 O O /1 V O In to Ln to m w O O m In Ln mm in O OI to Ln Qro min v m 0 I CO N CO i V1 I 00 om M N Om rQ ^ MN IC1— rM rQ lD— CIdQ MQ I W MQ M Ln MC NQ Mtn Min NQ NQ NQ NQ la w I CO 00 00 0000 Ooo O00 ooiinn O° t000 00 J z O o, 0 0 0 00 00 Ln Ln J t/f In m Ilf mM —m tA-- 00 Om Qm ^m M O IC mN t!'f^ N m l0�- vM Qm r Cl) mt0 I tY mto —m M Q mW N Q N Q Cl) Q M Q N M N Q N Q N M N Q N Q i W I N Q lam' Ir Q' IZ 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 100 O 00 m0 0 L 0 L too 00 Otn m0 —(D Ln LO MLn m^ I N Ntn r M —M in— Om QM mm m Nm cm Ln C14 Qm CD r- Nto U) mM I = I W r- C13 N Q m(D N Q 1, CI) N Q Qm N M mQ N Q N Q N M N M N M N M N Q N Q I CL N to ~z 00 00 00 00 00 Co 00 00 00 00 00 00 0 to 00 0 to -0 to O 00 O to o an to O CO 0 to C14 Ln to v to to CO Ln v m N N Mtn O r^ r M NM tn0 CD 04w —m t0 Q— r- C13 —M Ntn CV to —Q M CO 00 ECG W to N C N Q N Q N M N Q N Q N M N M N M N M N M N Q .+ a J to z 00 00 00 00 00 Co 00 00 00 00 O O 00 to m CO to 0 W O to O to O to to O to O O to O Mm o to CD O O mM to `•'m mr q 04 yi m to Mr tom tnm MM Mr —r ^M Nr cm inm CP OM M m N W N M Mr N M - W N M N M N Cr) N M N M N M M N M N M M oiL U Q z 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 —0 0 L Oo 00 00 0 L 00 00 rM 00 rm Ln Ln OQ mtn m m Cr Ln (� —r —M m M to Om —M OQ m0 mm —Q mm Ntn r- CO mm m 0 rm m m N0 I CY I W NM NM NM ^M NM NM —N N —M r•N 0• i Cl) z 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 0 Co to O 00 O to 00 to to 00 U to 00 O an O to O 00 LO 00 r 00 m0 to O MO 00 Mm to r— CD (D m0 m rM CDr i Ln i LY r0 CO 0 0— CO m tD r Cr — 0— to to tD m CD r to to N r m m i W CO M NM N NM N N m N t Z 00 00 00 00 00 00 to 00 O o CO to o 00 O O 00 O 00 O O o to O o to CN to to mm to m M^ to to rm O O m to rm r0 LO mr mCV m tnm MO mN i t/'1 CY m m r r to tD CM ID r- rr MN ^N cM —N QM —N M N -• N <n N 1 w N —N —N —N .-N _N .a W _ W W W W W W W W W W W E O O 0 0 O G O o O O o U U U U U U U U M Z «+ W W ? 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