HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-11-08 Subsequent Town Meeting Warrant Report
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
WARRANT - SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING
November 8, 1993
Art.
Title
Sponsor
Page
1
Reports
Board of Selectmen
1
2
Instructional Motions
Board of Selectmen
1
3
Capital Improvement Program
Board of Selectmen
2
4
FY94 Budget Modification
Board of Selectmen
2
5
Rescind Portion of Debt Authorization
Board of Selectmen
3
6
Extension of Sewer Line
Board of Selectmen
3
.7
Quinn Bill
Board of Selectmen
4
8
Amendment to Town Bylaw
Board of Selectmen
5
9
Amendment to Town Bylaw
Board of Selectmen
6
10
Amendment to Town Bylaw
Board of Selectmen
7
11
350th Grand Ball
Board of Selectmen
7
12
Amendment to Zoning Bylaws
Board of Selectmen
8
13
Amendment to Reading Zoning Map
Board of Selectmen
8
14
Amendment to Reading Zoning Map
CPDC
9
15
Amendment to Zoning Bylaws
CPDC
9
16
Amendment to Sign Bylaw
CPDC
10
Appendix
'
Article 4 - Budget
32
Maps - Articles 6, 13, 14, 15
43
Article 6
44
Article 13
45
Article 14
46
Article 15
47
TOWN WARRANT
(Seal)
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Middlesex, ss.
I 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 on Town
affairs, to meet at the Reading Memorial High School Auditorium, 62 Oakland Road in
said Reading, on Monday, November 8, 1993, at seven-thirty o'clock in the evening, at
which time and place the following articles are to be acted upon and determined
exclusively by Town Meeting Members in accordance with the provisions of the
Reading Home Rule Charter.
ARTICLE 1 To hear and act on the reports of the Board of Selectmen, Town
Accountant, Treasurer-Collector, Board of Assessors, Director of Public Works, Town
Clerk, Tree Warden, Board of Health, School Committee, Contributory . Retirement
Board, Library Trustees, Municipal Light Board, Finance Committee, Cemetery
Trustees, Community Planning & Development Commission, Town Manager and any
other Boards or Special Committees.
Board of Selectmen
Background
REPORTS - It is anticipated that specific reports will be given on water
supply protection efforts, Parker Middle School renovations, economic development
efforts, the 305th Anniversary Committee, and Education reform.
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
1
Article 2 (continued)
Background ~INSTRUCTIONS - There are no known instructional motions at this time, but
they may be given during Town Meeting by Town Meeting Members. This article is
frequently tabled at the beginning of Town Meeting, and taken off the table at the
end of Town Meeting.
Bylaw Committee Report No Report
Finance Committee 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
Background
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM - There are no known amendments
required.to the Capital Improvement Program at this time.
Bylaw Committee Report No Report
Finance Committee Report No Report
ARTICLE 4 To see if the Town will vote to amend one or more of the votes
taken under Article 19 of the Warrant of the Annual Town Meeting of April 12, 1993,
relating to the Fiscal Year 1994 Municipal Budget, and to see what sum the Town will
raise by borrowing, or transfer from available funds, or otherwise and appropriate as
the result of any such amended votes for the operation of the Town and its government,
or take any other action with respect thereto:
Board of Selectmen
Background
The attached yellow sheets show proposed revisions to the FY94 Budget as
approved on May 3 1993, with FinCom's recommendations. The purpose of the
changes are as follows: In order to effectuate an across-the-board Town salary
increase of2 112%, Line item 11 Salary Adjustment Fund has been reduced and the
monies distributed to the various Personnel Services Budgets; Article C8 has been
increased to reflect the needed purchase of several items of computer equipment
because of breakdowns of existing equipment and needed replacement; Line item
D3 has been increased by $10,000 to provide for Town-related expenses for the
celebration of the 350th Birthday, including DPW, School Custodian, Police, and
Fire Expenses; Line D5 has been increased to reflect actual levels of Labor
Counsel expense to date; Line D9 and D10 have been increased to provide for two
special elections this winter - a Primary and General Election for the State Rep's
position; Line D 11 Casualty Insurance has been reduced by $50, 000 reflecting
2
Article 4 (continued)
actual bid prices; Line E2 has been increased by $2,500 to change the way we
dispose of dead animals because of a change in State policy; Line G1 has been
increased to reflect a 2 112% increase plus an additional $17,000 for needed police
overtime; Line G5 has been increased to reflect a 2 112% increase plus the cost of
a settlement of a legal case and needed additional overtime; Line G8 has been
increased to reflect the need to purchase uniforms for Dispatchers in accordance
with the Town's contract with them; Line H13 has been increased by $6,700 to
reflect the close out cost of the construction of the new Senior Center, Line H22 has
been increased by $4,100 to pay for flowers for veteran's graves, and to repurchase
cemetery lots (the funds for this come from the Sale of Cemetery Lots Fund); Line
J1 is increased to reflect $125,000 of restoration of operating expenses to the
schools, and to reflect the cost of the school roof improvement and the track
improvement, Line J2 has been increased to reflect the actual assessment for the
Vocational School; Line L4 has been increased by $45,000 to reflect the cost of the
Group Health and Life Insurance for the School Cafeteria Program which the
Cafeteria Program cannot financially support; State and County Assessments
reduced $32,000 reflecting the actual expense; Line N2 is reduced by $513,000
reflecting reductions in actual MWRA assessments from what was previously
anticipated (this will be reflected in a reduced sewer rate for the second half of this
year).
Finance Committee Report Report is shown by votes in the yellow gapes
at the end of this document.
ARTICLE 5 To see whether the Town will vote to rescind part or all of the
remaining bond authorizations made for the purpose of repairing or replacing sections
of the roof of Reading Memorial High School pursuant to votes taken under Article 15 of
the 1993 Annual Town Meeting Warrant and Article 5 of the 1992 Subsequent Town
Meeting Warrant, or take any other action with respect thereto.
Board of Selectmen
Background
RESCIND PORTION OF DEBT AUTHORIZATION - This article will rescind
$1,000 of the debt authorization under Article 5 of the 1992 Subsequent Town
Meeting, and $70,000 of the debt authorization under Article 15 of the 1993 Town
Meeting. The roof projects are completed, and rescission of the $70;000 reflects
inclusion of the monies for this project under Article 4 of this Town Meeting.
Finance Committee Report
ARTICLE 6 To see what sum the Town will raise by borrowing, or from the tax
levy or transfer from available funds or otherwise, and appropriate for the purpose of
Article 6 (continued) C
constructing a sanitary sewer system and sewer facilities on portions of Larch Lane;
such sum to be expended by and under the direction of the Board of Selectmen, or take
any other action with respect thereto.
Board of Selectmen
Background
EXTENSION OF SEWER LINE - The effected property owner has requested
the extension of the sewer line to this property on Larch Lane because of failure of
their current on-site disposal system. This will be done as a betterment with the
cost being funded from the sewer surplus and returned to sewer surplus when the
betterment is paid off.
Finance Committee Report No Report
ARTICLE 7 To see if the Town will vote to accept the provisions of
Massachusetts General.Laws Chapter 41, Section 108L relating to a career incentive
pay program for police officers (commonly known as the Quinn Bill), or take any other
action with respect thereto.
Board of Selectmen
Background
The so called "Quinn Bill" is a State Law (MGL Ch. 41 Sec. 108L) which may
be accepted by Cities and Towns, and whose purpose is to provide an incentive to
encourage municipalities to provide career education incentives to Police Officers.
The career incentive pay program rewards additional training in the field of criminal
justice and law enforcement.
QUESTION - How does the program work?
ANSWER - The state will provide a reimbursement to the Town for 112 the cost of
the career incentive pay plan. Each police officer of any rank will be reimbursed
annually for attainment of a degree as follows:
Associates - 10%
Bachelors - 20%
Masters - 25%
QUESTION - Why does the Town need to adopt this program?
ANSWER - The Town has an increasingly difficult time in recruiting police officers,
and especially in recruiting officers with a college degree. Experience shows that
with the increasingly complexity of law enforcement, it is advantageous to the Town
and the officers to have additional schooling beyond the basic police academy. In
reviewing the ranking of police salaries of 25 surrounding comparable communities
fora typical police officer with 15 years of experience and a Bachelors Degree,
Reading ranks 23. With the Quinn Bill as proposed, Reading's salaries would rank
11th.
4
Article 7 (continued)
QUESTION - If it's such a good idea,
program?
why don't more communities have this
ANSWER - As of this time, 152 law enforcement agencies offer the Quinn Bill to
their officers, covering almost 112 of all local law enforcement agencies. Around
REading, and in the Eastern part of the State, the vast majority of the communities
offer the Quinn Bill
QUESTION - What will this cost?
ANSWER - The Quinn Bill would not take effect until September, 1994 if adopted at
this Town Meeting. In FY 1995, there would be a cost savings of $7000 from
what the. Town is currently paying in the incentive program. The actual outlay in FY
1995 will be slightly higher than current, but the Police officers and the Town will
share in the cost of this transition year while the Town is waiting for reimbursement.
In FY 1996, the net cost to the Town will be virtually unchanged from current costs.
Beyond FY 1996, costs will increase slightly over time depending upon how many
officers get their college degrees.
QUESTION - Didn't Town Meeting previously consider the Quinn Bill and reject it?
ANSWER Yes. In 1986 the Quinn Bill was considered and rejected. A study
Committee was formed and recommended an increase in the local educational
incentive program, and this was done. The current proposal for acceptance of the
Quinn Bill deals with most of the previous concerns:
- If the State does not meet its obligation for reimbursement, then the Town is
obligated to reimburse only at current rates;
- The payment of the state reimbursement of the Quinn Bill does not effect
overtime, holiday pay, or other premiums;
- The police officers and the Town will equally share the initial cost of
implementing the Quinn Bill, prior to State reimbursement.
A full presentation of the Quinn Bill will be made at the Town Meeting when it
is discussed.
Bylaw Committee Report Action Pending
Finance Committee Report Recommends approval by a vote of
6-0-0
ARTICLE 8 To see if the Town will vote to delete Section 5.11 of the General
Bylaws of the Town in its entirety and substitute the following therefor, or take any other
action with respect thereto:
"5.11 Noncriminal Disposition of Certain Violations of Bylaws and Rules. and
Regulations.
Article 8 (continued) C
5.11.1 Pursuant to the authority of Section 21D of Chapter 40 of the General
Laws, the following matters may be disposed of by noncriminal disposition pursuant to
the civil infraction procedure in Chapter 90G of the General Laws to which reference is
Article 8 (continued)
made for all procedures to be followed in utilizing this bylaw. The applicable
procedures in Chapter 90G are incorporated herein by reference.
5.11.1.1 Any violation of an order of the board of health relating to
public health which is authorized by the general laws, any special law applicable to the
Town, the provisions of the state sanitary code or other state regulation, or any Town
bylaw, rule or regulation;
5.11.1.2 Any violation of an order of a Town official relating to public
safety which is authorized by the general laws, any special law applicable to the Town,
the provisions of the state sanitary code or other state regulation, or any Town bylaw,
rule or regulation;
5.11.1.3 Any violation of an order of a municipal fire official relating to
public safety which is authorized by the general laws, any special law applicable to the
Town, the provisions of the state fire prevention code or other state regulation, or any
Town bylaw, rule or regulation; or
5.11.1.4 Any violation of any other Town bylaw or any rule or
regulation of any Town officer, board or department.
5.11.2 The civil assessment for each such infraction shall be the lesser of the
maximum sum established by the Town or Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00) unless
some other amount is established by state statute. Any assessments collected under
the provisions of this bylaw shall be paid to the Town for such use as the Town may
direct.
Board of Selectmen
Background
AMENDMENT TO TOWN BYLAW - This article brings the Town Bylaw up to
date with current state law regarding the noncriminal disposition of certain
violations. The way the Bylaw is written, it also provides for incorporation of future
changes to the state law without the requirement that the Bylaw be amended.
Bylaw Committee Report Action Pending
ARTICLE 9 To see if the Town will vote to amend Sections 5.1.6.3. and 5.7.16
of the General Bylaws of the Town by deleting the phrase "enforcing person" in all
6
Article 9 (continued)
places where it appears in said sections and substituting therefor in each instance the
phrase "enforcing official", or take any other action with respect thereto.
Board of Selectmen
Background
v AMENDMENT TO TOWN BYLAW - This is also an adjustment to make the
Bylaws conform with state law.
Bylaw Committee Report Recommend 5 - 0. The Bylaw Committee
concurs with the article and feels that the articl does not substantively alter any
enforcement provisions of the Bylaws.
ARTICLE 10 To see if the Town will vote to amend the General Bylaws of the
Town of Reading, Section 5.5.4.1, by inserting the phrase "Town Meeting," after the
words "authorized by" so that Section 5.5.4.1 will read as follows, or take any other
action with respect thereto:
"5.5.4.1 No person shall gamble or keep, use or have in his possession
any spiritous or intoxicating liquor in any building or room owned or occupied by the
Town, except as otherwise authorized by Town Meeting, special statute or general
laws."
Board of Selectmen
Background
AMENDMENT TO BYLAW - This is an amendment that would provide that
Town Meeting may authorize the serving of liquor in a public building. This is
requested by the 350th Committee so that the Aniversary Ball to be held at the
Hawkes Field House on June 3, 1994, may serve beer and wine. The Town has
adequate liability coverage to protect itself from any incidents that may arise from
this event.
Bylaw Committee Report Recommend 5.0. The Bylaw Committee feels
an exemption to the prohibition of certain activities within town buildings is appropriate
providing a majority of Town Meeting members concur with the specific exemption.
ARTICLE 11 To see if the Town will vote pursuant to Reading General Bylaws,
Section 5.5.4.1., that the 350th Steering Committee is hereby authorized to serve beer
and wine at the Grand Ball scheduled to be held at Hawkes Field House, June 3, 1994,
or take any other action with respect thereto.
Board of Selectmen
7
Article 11 (continued)
Background
DATE FOR GRAND BALL - This would specifically designate June 3, 1994,
for the Grand Ball at Hawkes Field House for the serving of beer and wine.
Bylaw Committee Report Action Pending
ARTICLE 12 To see if the Town will vote to amend Section 4.10.1 of the Zoning
By-laws of the Town of Reading by adding the following sentence to the description of a
PRD-M district:
"There may be included in a PRD-M Zoning Overlay District privately owned
property which was not former municipally awned .property provided that any such
property can only be used for the purposes of providing access to, drainage control
from or open space recreational uses for a contiguous parcel or parcels of property
which otherwise complies in all respects for development as a PRD-M."
The description of a PRD-M in Section 4.10.1. shall then read as follows:
"PRD-M: Planned Residential Development on current or former municipally
owned properties. There may be included in a PRD-M Zoning Overlay District privately
owned property which was not former municipally owned property provided that any
such property can only be used for the purposes of providing access to, drainage
control from or open space recreational uses for a contiguous parcel or parcels of
property which otherwise complies in all respects for development as a PRD-M."
or take any other action with respect thereto.
Board of Selectmen
Background
AMENDMENT TO ZONING BYLAWS - This would extend the Planned
Residential Development-M which applies to the Bear Hill property to an adjacent
property so it can be used only for purposes of providing access, drainage control,
or open space related to the PRD-M. This is required in order to provide access to
this property directly from Hopkins Street, as opposed to the alternative of using
Cedar Street for the access.
Bylaw Committee Report Recommend 5-0
Finance Committee Report No Report
ARTICLE 13 To see if the Town will vote to amend the Reading Zoning Map to
include within the Planned Residential Development PRD-M overlay district established
under Article 13 of the Warrant for the 1989 Annual Town Meeting as the same was
renamed by vote under Article 30 of the Warrant for the November, 1992 Subsequent
Town Meeting, the,land known as 168 Hopkins Street and shown as Plot 50 on
Article 13 (continued)
Reading Board of Assessors' Map 13, Rev. Jan. 1, 1986, currently believed to be
owned by Summit Towers Company, or take any other action with respect thereto.
Board of Selectmen
Background
AMENDMENT TO READING ZONING MAP - This applies the provisions of
u Article 12 to the specific property on Hopkins Street as shown on the attached map.
Bylaw Committee Report Recommend 5-0
Finance Committee Report No Report
ARTICLE 14 To see if the Town will vote to amend the Reading Zoning
Map by applying a General Planned Residential Development (PRD-G) overlay zoning
district to the property known as 64 Bay State Road and shown as Plots 7, 8 and 9 on
Reading Board of Assessors' Map 95, Rev. Jan. 1, 1983, currently believed to be
owned by Robert Keegan, or take any other action with respect thereto.
Community Planning and Development Commission
Background
AMENDMENT TO READING ZONING MAP - This has been recommended
by the Community Planning and Development Commission to apply the PRD-G
overlay zoning district to property at 64 Baystate Road. This will allow the same
number of housing units to be built on this property, but in a different manner which
will provide protection for open space uses.
Bylaw Committee Report Recommend 5-0
ARTICLE 15 To see if the Town will vote to amend the Reading Zoning Map by
applying a General Planned Residential Development (PRD-G) overlay zoning district
to the property known as 59 Forest Street, and shown as Plot 15 on Reading Board of
Assessors' Map 156, Rev. Jan. 1, 1981, currently believed to be owned by Vincent
Bruzzese, or take any other action with respect thereto.
Community Planning and Development Commission
Background
AMENDMENT TO THE ZONING BYLAWS - This is recommended by the
Community Planning and Development Commission to apply the PRD-G district
regulations to the property at 59 Forest Street which would provide for the same
number of housing units as can be developed under current zoning, but with a more
flexible development pattern.
Bylaw Committee Report Recommend 5-0
9
ARTICLE 16 To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning Bylaws of the
Town of Reading by deleting Section 6.2., "Signs," thereof in its entirety and by
substituting in its place the following, or take any other action with respect thereto:
"6.2. SIGNS
6.2.1. General Provisions:
6.2.1.1. Purpose: The purpose of this section is:
a. To encourage the effective use of signs as a means of communication in
the Town,
b. To maintain and enhance the quality of the physical and visual
environment as essential components of the Town's character and identity and of the
Town's ability to attract and retain appropriate economic activity,
c. To improve traffic, pedestrian, and public safety,
d. To minimize possible adverse affects of signs on nearby public and
private properties,
e. To enable fair, consistent, and effective enforcement of the provisions of
Section 6.2.
6.2.1.2. Applicability: A sign may be erected, placed, established, painted,
created, or maintained only in conformity with the provisions of this Section.
6.2.1.3. Definitions: For the purposes of Section 6.2., the following terms shall
have the meanings hereby assigned to them:
a. Animated Sign: any sign that uses movement of change of lighting, either
natural or artificial, to depict action or to create a special effect or scene.
b. Area Identification Sign: a sign, located at the site entrance(s), identifying
a common area containing a group of structures, or a single structure containing
several uses, such as a residential subdivision, apartment complex, or any commercial
or residential complex developed under the provisions of the Municipal Building Reuse,
Planned Unit Development (PUD) or Planned Residential Development (PRD) Sections
(4.7., 4.9., or 4.10., respectively) of these By-Laws.
C. Banner: any sign of lightweight fabric or similar material that is mounted
or affixed at one or more edges, except that the Flags of the United States of America,
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the Town of Reading shall not be
considered to be banners.
d. Beacon: a stationary or revolving light which flashes or projects
illumination, single-color or multi-colored, in any manner which is intended to attract or
divert attention, except any such fixture which is required by the Federal Aviation
Administration or a similar agency and is installed and operated under the safety
regulations of such agency.
e. Building Marker: any sign, authorized by an agency of the Town of
Reading, indicating the name of a building and date and incidental information about its
10
Article 16 (continued)
construction, which is cut into a masonry surface or made of bronze or other permanent
material.
f. Building Sign: any sign attached to any part of a building (as contrasted
with a free-standing sign).
4 g. Bulletin Board: any sign erected by a charitable, educational, or religious
institution or a public body, which is erected on the same property as said institution, for
purposes of announcing events which are held on the premises, and contains no
commercial information.
h. Canopy (or Awning) Sign: any sign that is part of or attached to a
retractable cloth awning or canopy over a door, entrance, window, or outdoor service
area, but excluding a canopy or awning which is not retractable or made of any material
but cloth, and excluding any other structural protective cover or marquee.
L Changeable Copy Sign/Reader Board: a sign or portion thereof with
characters, letters, or illustrations that can be changed or rearranged without altering
the face or surface of the sign or signboard; a sign on which the message changes
more than eight times per day shall be considered an animated sign and not a
changeable copy sign; a sign on which the only copy that changes is an electronic or
mechanical indication of time or temperature shall be considered a "time and
temperature" portion of a sign and not a changeable copy sign.
j. Commercial Message: any sign wording, logo, or other representation
that directly or indirectly names, advertises, or calls attention to a business, product,
service, sale, or sales event or other commercial activity.
k. Directional Sign: a sign of a non-commercial nature which directs the
reader to the location of a public, educational, or religious institution, of an historical
structure or area, or of public parks or buildings.
1. Display Surface Area: The area contained in the smallest square, circle,
triangle, or rectangle which completely encloses the outer extremities of all graphics,
letters, characters, symbols, delineations, and any other graphic material of a sign, but
not including any signboard, structural supports, or other construction or lighting fixtures
of a sign.
M. Erect: to build, construct, attach, hang, place, suspend, or affix, including
the painting of wall signs.
n. Externally Illuminated, Sign: any sign which has characters, letters,
figures, designs, symbols, logos, or outline lit by indirect illumination.
o. Flashing Sign: an illuminated sign on which artificial or reflected light is
not maintained stationary and constant in intensity and color at all times when in use.
p. Free-Standing Sign: a sign which is attached to or part of a completely
self-supporting structure; the supporting structure shall be set firmly in or below the
ground surface and shall not be attached to any building or any other structure whether
portable or stationary.
q. GarageNard Sale Sign: a sign identifying a private sale of personal
household goods with no commercial purposes.
11
Article 16 (continued)
r. Height (Sign): the distance from the base of the sign at normal grade to
the top of the highest attached component of the sign or sign structure; normal grade
shall be construed to be the lower of (1) existing grade prior to construction, or (2) the
newly established grade after construction, exclusive of any filling, berming, mounding,
or excavating solely for the purpose of locating the sign; in cases in which the normal
grade cannot be reasonably determined, sign height shall be computed on the
assumption that the elevation of the nearest point of the crown of the public street along
which the lot has frontage or the grade of the land at the principal entrance to the
principal structure on the lot, whichever is lower.
S. Identification and Informational Sign: a sign of an identification or
informational nature bearing no advertising.
t. Illuminated, Direct: illumination which is so arranged that the light is
directed from the light source into the eyes of the viewer.
U. Illuminated, Indirect: illumination which is so arranged that the light is
reflected from the sign to the eyes of the viewer.
V. Incidental Sign: a sign, generally informational, which containing no
commercial information and which has a purpose incidental to the use of the lot on
which it is located, such as "No Parking, "Entrance," "Loading Area," and other similar
directives.
W. Internally Illuminated Sign: any sign which has characters, letters, figures,
designs, symbols, logos, or outline illuminated from within the interior of the sign.
X. Joint Indentification Sign: a sign which serves as common or collective C
identification for a group of persons or businesses operating. on the same lot and which
contains no advertising or promotional information.
y. Mansard Roof: any roof which has an angle greater than forty-five
degrees and which derives part of its support from the building wall and is attached to,
but not necessarily part of, a low-slope roof, that is, a roof which has a pitch of less than
3" rise in 12" horizontal
Z. Marquee Sign: any sign attached to or made part of a marquee, that is,
any permanent structure projecting beyond a building or extending along and projecting
beyond the wall of a building, generally designed and constructed to shed water and to
provide protection from the weather.
aa. Non-Conforming Sign: any sign existing at the effective date of the
adoption of this Section and which could not be erected under the terms of this Section.
bb. Off-Premises Sign: any sign which directs attention to a business,
commodity, service, entertainment, attraction,' or other commercial activity which is
sold, offered, or existing elsewhere than upon the same lot on which such sign is
located, including any outdoor advertising sign ("billboard") on which space is leased or
rented for the purpose of conveying a commercial or noncommercial message.
CC. Outdoor Menu Board: an outdoor sign, generally associated with
restaurants with drive-through windows, which gives a detailed list of foods available.
dd. Pennant: any lightweight fabric, plastic, or othermaterial, whether
containing any message or not or whether single or in series, suspended from a rope,
wire, or string, designed to move in the wind. .
12
Article 16 (continued)
ee. Person: any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company,
or organization, singular or plural, of any kind.
ff. Political Sign: any sign of any type identifying the candidacy of a person
for an elected political office or matter subject to a ballot question or soliciting votes for
same.
gg. Portable Sign: any sign not permanently attached to the ground or any
permanent structure, or a sign designed to be transported in any way including:
-signs converted to "A" or "T" frames;
-menu and sandwich-board signs;
-balloons or blimps used as signs;
-movable poster or panel signs;
-umbrellas containing any commercial message; or
-signs attached to or painted on vehicles travelling or parked on, or
visible from, any public right-of-way, unless such vehicle is used in the normal
day-to-day operation of a business.
hh. Projecting Sign: any sign that is affixed perpendicularly or at any angle to
the wall of any building in such a manner as to read perpendicularly or at an angle to
the wall on which it is mounted.
ii. Public Event: any event that is authorized by the Board of Selectmen of
the Town of Reading, whether privately or publicly funded.
jj. Real Estate Sign: a temporary sign placed upon property for the purpose
of advertising to the public the sale, rental, or lease of such property.
kk. Residential Sign: any sign which is located in a residential zoning district
and which only identifies an occupant engaged in a non-residential use which is
allowed by these By-Laws.
Il. Roof Sign: any sign erected on or over the roof of a building, supported
by the wall or roof structure and extending above the ridge line of the roof.
mm. Setback: the distance from the property line to the nearest part of the
applicable building, structure, or sign, measured perpendicularly to said property line.
nn. Sign: any device, frame, letter, figure, character, mark, plane, point,
design, picture, logo, stroke, stripe, trademark, reading matter, or other structure,
fixture, or graphic, which is used or intended to be used to attract attention or to convey
information when placed in view of the general public.
oo. Sign Area: the area contained entirely within the signboard (see definition
pp. below) of a sign or if no signboard is present the area contained entirely within the
display surface area (see definition 1. above) of a sign.
pp. Signboard: a flat surface of durable material upon which letters,
characters, symbols, dilineations, or other graphic content of a sign is displayed.
qq. Spot Light Illumination: illumination which comes from lamps, lenses, or
devices designed to focus or concentrate the light rays of the source.
rr. Suspended Sign: a sign that is suspended from the underside of a
horizontal surface and is supported or carried by such surface.
ss. Temporary Sign: any sign which is used temporarily, relates to events of
a temporary nature, or is not permanently mounted.
13
Article 16 (continued)
ft. Wall Sign: any sign that is affixed parallel to a wall or printed or painted
on the wall of any building in such a manner as to read parallel to the wall on which it is
mounted, including any sign affixed vertically against or upon the sloping surface of a
roof, or any sign affixed to a marquee, awning, or canopy.
uu. Window Sign: any sign, pictures, symbol, or other graphic device, singly
or in combination, placed inside a window or upon a window.
6.2.2. General Provisions:
6.2.2.1. Signs Allowed on Private Property Without Permits:
No commercial messages are allowed on any sign for which a permit is not required.
An identification sign showing the name or address of a building is allowed, provided
Article 16 (continued)
that it shall not exceed one square foot in area and is attached to the referenced
building or placed on a post provided that the total height of such sign and post does
not exceed six feet. A sign showing a personal message, such as the announcement
of births, anniversaries, birthdays, yards-of-the-month, recycler-of-the-m o nth, are
allowed provided that it shall not exceed four square feet or be displayed for more than
14 days. Flags of the United States, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, or the
Town of Reading are allowed to be displayed in a non-commercial manner, provided
that they are displayed only in accordance with the protocol established by the
Congress of the United States for the Stars and Stripes, or by the State Legislature, or
by the Board of Selectmen; any flag otherwise displayed or any other flag displayed on
a non-residential lot shall be construed to be a banner.
6.2.2.2. Private Signs on Public Property:
Any private sign installed or placed on public property, except by express permission of
the Town, shall be confiscated by the Town, which in addition to other remedies, shall
have the right to recover from the sign owner or person placing the sign the full costs or
removal and disposal of the sign.
6.2.2.3. Removal of Defunct Signs:
In the event a business, other than a seasonal business, ceases operations far a period
of time in excess of thirty days, the sign owner or lessee, or the property owner, shall
immediately remove any identification or advertising of said business or any product or
service sold thereby. If the sign conforms to the provisions of this Section, and if a
permit has been requested within said thirty-day period for altering the same sign in
conformity with this Section to identify a new business in the same location, such
alteration shall be allowed.
Upon failure of the sign owner or lessee, or property owner to comply with this Section,
the Building Inspector shall issue a written notice to the property owner which shall
order such sign to be removed within 10 days. If the property owner fails to comply
with such notice, then the Building Inspector is hereby authorized to cause removal of
14
Article 16 (continued)
such sign, and any expense related to such removal shall be charged to the property
owner and shall constitute a lien on the property; for these purposes removal shall
mean that the sign face, along with posts, columns, supports, and supporting structures
shall be taken down and removed from the property.
6.2.2.4. Non-Conforming Signs:
All non-conforming signs not otherwise prohibited by the provisions of this Section shall
be removed or shall be altered so as to conform with said provisions as follows,
whichever occurs sooner:
a. When the nature of the business changes and the sign is changed or
modified in shape, size, or legend; or
b. When the name of the business changes and the sign is changed or
modified in shape, size, or legend; or
c. July 1, 2000 for any free-standing sign which is over 16 feet in height or
which has not been reduced to 16 feet in height or less; or
d. July 1, 2000 for any internally illuminated sign which does not have an
opaque background; or
e. July 1, 2000 for any sign which is in excess of the number of signs
allowed per business or per lot; or
f. July 1, 2005 for any-non-conforming sign which had an original installed
cost of $10,000 or less; or
g. July 1, 2010 for any other non-conforming sign.
A non-conforming sign may not be enlarged or altered in any way which would increase
its non-conformity. Should any non-conforming sign be damaged by any means to an
extent of more than fifty percent of its replacement cost at the time of damage, it shall
not be reconstructed except in conformity with the provisions of this Section.
6.2.2.5. Traffic Safety:
No sign or other advertising structure regulated by this Section shall be erected or
continued to be displayed at the intersection of any street or public right-of-way in such
a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision to motorists or pedestrians; or at any
location where by reason of position, shape, or color it may interfere with, obstruct the
view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal, or device; or which
makes use of the words "STOP", "LOOK", "DANGER", "DRIVE-IN", or any other word,
phrase, symbol, or character in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead, or confuse
motorists or pedestrians.
6.2.2.6. Signs in Any Zoning District:
No sign shall be placed or painted on any tree (other than street address), rock (other
than street address), utility pole (other than yard sale sign), traffic safety sign, or similar
fixture. No sign shall be painted on any building wall, bench, pavement, parking
bumper or curb (other than a "Reserved" marking), or other similar outdoor surface.
15
Article 16 (continued)
No sign or other advertising device shall be erected or continued in operation which
contains a beacon of any type; which contains a spot light providing direct illumination
to the public; which flashes, revolves, rotates, moves, blinks, or is animated; or
which fluctuates in light intensity. No neon or similar signs are allowed except as
displayed on the inside of windows subject to the provisions of Paragraph 6.2.4.f.
No animated signs, banners (except as a temporary sign as specified in Paragraph
6.2.4. 1 below), beacons, internally illuminated signs without opaque background,
flashing signs, off-premises signs, pennants, portable signs, political signs, roof signs
extending above the parapet or ridgeline of a structure, or strings of lights not
permanently mounted to a rigid background, of any type, shall be allowed in any
location in the Town of Reading.
No wall sign, free-standing sign, or projecting sign shall be located on any portion of a
lot except on a building wall directly facing a public street, or within that portion of a
zoning lot defined in Paragraph 2.2.34.1 hereof as a Front Yard, or within a that portion
defined in Paragraph 2.2.34.3. hereof as a Side Yard provided that such Side Yard
directly abuts a public street.
No sign shall be permitted or allowed to remain which does not meet and is not
maintained to meet the provisions of this Section and all applicable building, wiring,
health, and safety codes.
The following signs are exempt from the provisions of this Section and may be installed
without permit:
a. Authorized signs installed by the Town of Reading or the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts, or any agency thereof, or with the express written permission
thereof, for the purposes of traffic or pedestrian safety or convenience, identification of
public facilities or streets, or for direction to same.
b. Building markers.
C. Directional signs.
d. Political signs on private properties only, provided that no such sign shall
exceed six squarefeet in area, shall be placed in such location as to constitute a traffic
or pedestrian safety hazard, and shall be displayed for more than twenty-one days
prior to the appropriate election or more than two days following such election.
6.2.3. Signs in Residential Districts:
No signs are allowed in Residential Zoning Districts A-40, A-80, S-10, S-20, or S-40
except as follows and for only those uses which are legally allowed to take place in
these Zoning Districts. No sign in any Residential Zoning District, except idenification
signs showing street address or signs allowed in Paragraph 6.2.3.6., shall be
illuminated in any manner or placed closer than twenty feet to any other property.
Decorative non-commercial banners or flags displayed on residential lots shall not be
construed as signs for purposes of this By-Law. Except for signs in connection with any
legal non-conforming business or commercial operation in a Residential Zoning District,
16
Article 16 (continued)
the following signs are exempt from any requirement to obtain a sign permit therefor,
but this exemption shall not be construed as relieving any property owner of
responsibility for complying with the following provisions:
6.2.3.1. Identification Signs: One identification sign may be placed on a property
showing resident's name, street address and/or name of a lawful home occupation
taking place on the premises, provided that such sign shall not exceed one square foot
in area, and six feet in height if mounted on a post or not higher than the sill of the
second-floor windows if mounted on a building.
6.2.3.2. Construction Signs: On-site building construction signs, including home
improvement signs, are not restricted as to number but they shall not exceed a total,
Article 16 (continued)
combined, aggregate sign area of sixteen square feet per lot. All such signs shall be
free-standing, all on one post, neatly and legibly lettered. All such signs shall be
removed prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy for the building or
completion of construction.
6.2.3.3. Subdivision Signs: One temporary subdivision identification and sales
sign, not to exceed forty-eight square feet, may be erected at the principal entrance to a
subdivision but not in any street right-of-way or access easement, provided that such
sign be specified and included in the approval of the Definitive Plan for the subdivision
by the Community Planning and Development Commission under the Rules and
Regulations Governing the Subdivision of Land in Reading. Such sign shall be
removed prior to the issuance of the occupancy permit for the last house* to be
constructed in the subdivision.
One permanent subdivision sign may be.erected at the principal entrance to the
subdivision, provided that it be specified and included in the approval of the Definitive
Plan for the subdivision as outlined above, and that it shall be placed in an acceptable
easement, not within any street right-of-way or access easement, authorized for such
sign and that its sign area not exceed twenty-four square feet.
6.2.3.4. Real Estate Sales Signs: One sign advertising the sale of property may
be placed on that property, provided that it shall be mounted on a free-standing post,
that its height shall be not greater than six feet, that its size shall be not more than eight
square feet, and that it be removed within fourteen days following the transfer of the
property. Placards showing the words "Sold" or "Sale Pending" or similar may be
attached to such real estate sales sign provided that such placard shall not exceed
one-quarter the size of the sales sign.
Temporary Open House signs, not exceeding four square feet each, may be placed at
a rate of one per agency per intersection per property and one on the open house
property, for a period from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM on the day of the open house only,
17
Article 16 (continued)
provided that no more than four directional open house signs may be placed for any
one open house on any one day. Failure to remove such signs by the time prescribed
above will cause a fine to be levied upon the principal broker(s) conducting the open
house at the current rate levied for an initial zoning violation per day per sign left
remaining; chronic violation of these provisions, that is a minimum of four such
violations by the same agency over any six-month period, shall result in a suspension
of that agency's right to post any such open house signs for a period of one year;
violation of such suspension shall be a misdemeanor charged upon the principal
broker(s) of said agency punishable by a fine equal to the maximum fine currently in
effect for zoning violation per day per sign in violation, and shall result in such violation
being reported to the appropriate State agency regulating real estate brokerage.
6.2.3.5. GarageNard Sale Signs: Such signs shall not be of a size in excess of
four square feet, shall be placed on a single post, shall be limited to one sign located on
the property on which the garage/yard sale is taking place and one at each of no more
than two intersections of public streets, shall be located within street rights-of-way so as
not to obstruct clear traffic and pedestrian visibility or movement or to interfere with the
safety of traffic entering or leaving any private property, and shall be erected no earlier
than 6:00 PM on the day before the sale and shall be removed not later than one hour
after the end of the sale or by 6:00 PM on the day of the sale, whichever occurs earlier.
6.2.3.6. Business or Commercial Operations in Residential Zoning Districts: Legal
non-conforming business or commercial operations in any residential zoning district
shall be allowed such signs as are permitted, as specified below, within a Business-B
Zoning District, except that such signs shall be located not closer than twenty feet from
any other property and shall not be illuminated except during hours of operation only.
6.2.3.7. Planned Residential Developments: In connection with any Special
Permit to Construct a Planned Residential Development (PRD) granted in accordance
with Section 4.10. hereof, the Community Planning and Development Commission may
allow modifications to any provision of this Section which is not inconsistent with the
Purposes of this Section as specified in Subsection 6.2.1.1.
6.2.3.8. Exempt Signs in Residential Zoning Districts: The following signs in
Residential Zoning Districts are exempt from the provisions of this Section:
a. . Signs for churches and other Federally tax-exempt institutions.
b. Public notices and warnings required by and erected by Town, State, or
Federal Government agencies.
C. Holiday lights and decorations which contain no commercial messages
and which are displayed during the appropriate season.
d. Works of art which contain no commercial messages.
e. Traffic control signs on public or private property which meet Town or
Department of Highways standards and which contain no commercial messages.
18
Article 16 (continued)
f. Fuel pump information signs, only as required by State law, are allowed
and shall not affect the computation of allowable number of signs or aggregate sign
size on a property.
g. Any sign within a structure, not attached to any window or door, which is
not visible from other properties or from any street right-of-way.
6.2.4. Signs in Business and Industrial Zoning Districts:
All signs in a Business-A, Business-B, Business-C, or Industrial Zoning District shall
comply with the following:
a. No sign shall be erected, altered, or otherwise placed on any
non-residential property in such business zoning districts unless a sign permit therefor
has been properly issued by the Town of Reading, except as follows:
(1) Signs for churches and other Federally tax-exempt institutions.
(2) Public notices and warnings required by and erected by Town,
State, or Federal Government agencies.
(3) Holiday lights and decorations which contain no commercial
messages and which are displayed during the appropriate season.
(4) Works of art which contain no commercial messages.
(5) Any sign within a structure, not attached to any window or door,
which is not visible from other properties or from any street right-of-way.
b. No use which is not legally allowed to take place in the Zoning District
shall be granted a sign permit.
C. Signs in connection with legal non-conforming residential uses in these
districts shall comply with the provisions, and be subject to the exemptions allowed, in
Subsection 6.2.3. above.
d. Awnings and canopies are permitted, provided that a minimum clearance
of seven feet is maintained between the lowest point thereof and the ground or
sidewalk height and provided that they are not illuminated in
such a way that the light from such illumination is visible through the canopy or awning.
Awnings or canopies may not contain any lettering or other graphic devise so as to
constitute a sign unless such awning or canopy is retractable and made of opaque cloth
and unless the lettering thereon does not exceed 4 inches in height and states only the
name of the business; such awning or canopy signs are allowed in addtion to other
allowed signs.
e. Bulletin boards are allowed, provided that no , free-standing or
wall-mounted bulletin board may exceed twelve square feet in size.
f. Temporary and permanent signs are allowed to be attached to the inside .
or outside of the glass surface of a window, subject to the following:
(1) The aggregate total sign area of all permanent and temporary
signs attached to a window shall not exceed 25 percent of the transparent area of the
window;
(2) Permanent signs shall be of a durable material, such as wood, metal,
plastic, neon tubes, decals, or paint, and shall be displayed only on the interior side of
19
Article 16 (continued)
the surface of a window and door, provided that no lettering or symbol contained in
such sign shall exceed six inches in height and that only the name of the establishment
and the type of goods or services it offers shall be displayed or may state "OPEN"; no
such sign shall be internally illuminated except for those of neon tubes and these shall
not be illuminated except during hours of operation of the business;
(3) Temporary signs of one square foot or less may be displayed
without permit on the interior surface of a window. with no restriction on material,
duration, or number, provided that any such sign is directly related to a product
displayed in the immediate vicinity of the sign, or is a menu identifying food which may
be consumed on the premises, and that the aggregate sign area of all such signs is
included in the limitation specified in Paragraph 6.2.4.f (1) above;
(4) Temporary signs of one square foot or less may be displayed
without permit and without restriction on material or number in direct connection with
goods offered on outside tables, bins, or racks during a sidewalk sale in the Business-B
Zoning District;
(5) Temporary signs placed on the exterior surface of a window are
subject to the provisions of Paragraphs 6.2.4.f (1) above and 6.2.4.1 below.
g. Fuel pump information signs, only as required by State law, are allowed
and shall not affect the computation of allowable number of signs or aggregate sign
size on a property.
h. Directional, identification, and informational signs are allowed provided
that such signs shall be limited to wall and free-standing signs with a maximum of four
square feet of sign area. One such sign, not exceeding six feet in height, may be
placed at each vehicular entrance or exit on a lot to identify such entrance or exit
provided such sign does not constitute a traffic hazard; such signs shall not affect the
computation of allowable number of signs or aggregate sign size on a property. One
such sign, not exceeding six feet in height and four square feet of sign area, may be
placed in conjunction with each drive-up bank teller window or machine provided that
such sign shall not constitute a traffic hazard.
L Marquee signs are prohibited except when used in conjunction with an
indoor movie theatre and attached to the outside wall of the building, provided that the
size of the marquee sign shall not exceed twenty-four square feet and the bottom of the
marquee sign shall not be of a height of less than 8 feet above the grade directly below.
j. Outdoor menu boards are prohibited except when used in conjunction
with a restaurant having a drive-up window, provided that there be not more than three
such signs with an aggregate total sign area not to exceed one hundred square feet, no
one sign to exceed fifty square feet, and that any lettering thereon shall not legible from
any other property or any street right-of-way, shall be allowed per restaurant.
k. Area identification signs are prohibited unless the size of the sign and the
location of the wall or other structure upon which such sign is to be mounted are
approved by the Building Inspector, or in the case of Site Plan Review (Section 4.3.3.)
by the Community Planning and Development Commission, based on traffic and
pedestrian safety considerations; unless the size of the sign does not exceed
20
Article 16 (continued)
twenty-four square feet and the height of the sign does not exceed six feet; and unless
the sign has been granted a Certificate of Appropriateness as specified in Subsection
6.2.6. below.
1. Temporary signs only for business openings and reopenings, open
houses, and special sales and promotional events for an individual business, are
" allowed, provided that the individual business shall place no more than three such signs
per year (except in conjunction with an organized Town-wide common special event as
specified below), that no such sign shall exceed sixteen square feet in sign area, that
any.such sign shall be printed or legibly lettered on a rigid signboard or fabric banner,
that no such sign shall be a portable sign, that no such sign shall be displayed for more
than fourteen consecutive days, that no such sign shall be placed so as to constitute a
hazard to motorists or pedestrians, that if placed upon a window any such sign shall be
included in the aggregate window area specified in Paragraph 6.2.4.f above, and that
any such sign shall have received a temporary sign permit from the Building Inspector.
In the case only of common special events organized by a recognized association of
businesses for which events a license has been granted by the Board of Selectmen, an
individual participating business may display a temporary sign in conjunction with such
an event, provided that such signs related to said events shall not exceed three per
year and that all other provisions enumerated above in this Paragraph are complied
with.
M. Farm Stands and Garden Stands which do not have permanent windows
shall be allowed without permit and without limitation as to number or material to
display temporary signs identifying goods offered for sale on 'the premises, provided
that such signs are kept in good order and that the aggregate total sign area of all such
signs on a lot shall not exceed one square-foot per lineal feet of frontage of such lot.
n. Clocks, not to exceed eight square feet in surface area per side or twelve
feet in height, are allowed, provided that they display no advertising or commercial
material. Time and Temperature displays may be included in any free-standing or wall
sign, and no more than twelve additional square feet of sign area may be added to the
otherwise allowable sign area of such sign.
6.2.4.1. Signs in Business-A Zoning Districts:
No signs are permitted in any Business-A Zoning District except as follows:
a. Changeable Copy/Reader Board signs of any kind shall not be permitted.
b. No roof signs of any kind shall be permitted.
C. Free-Standing Signs: No free-standing sign shall be permitted which
does not conform to the following:
(1) Number: Not more than one free-standing sign shall be
permitted for any lot; no free-standing sign shall have more than two sign faces.
(2) Placement: No wall sign may be located such that any
portion of the sign is closer to a street right-of-way or any other property than twenty
feet.
21
Article 16 (continued)
(3) Size: No free-standing sign shall have a sign area greater
than forty-eight square feet if one business occupies the lot or sixty-four square feet if
more than one business occupies the lot.
(4) Height: No free-standing sign shall have a height of more
than sixteen feet.
d. Wall signs: No wall sign shall be permitted which does not conform to the
following:
(1) Number: Not more than one wall sign per business shall be
permitted on any lot.
(2) Placement: No wall sign shall project more than six inches
beyond the vertical plane of the wall on which the sign is mounted. No wall sign shall
be mounted in any angle but the vertical (that is, parallel to the plane of the wall).
(3) Size: No wall sign for any non-residential establishment
shall exceed in sign area the square footage established as follows:
If the minimum distance from the building wall on which the
sign is mounted is less than 100 feet from the centerline of the street which the sign
faces, then the maximum size of any such wall sign shall be equal to two square feet
per length of said wall occupied by the establishment to which such sign relates.
If the minimum distance from the building wall on.which the
sign is mounted is more than 100 feet from the centerline of the street which the sign
faces, then the maximum size of any such wall sign shall be equal to four square feet
per length of said wall occupied by the establishment to which such sign relates.
(4) . Height: No portion of any wall sign shall extend higher than
the bottom of the sills of the windows of the second floor of a building or higher than the
lowest portion of the eaves of any building, or in the case of a gabled one-story wall no
higher than a line equal in height to the lowest portion of the lower eave of any adjacent
wall perpendicular thereto, whichever of the above is lowest.
e. Projecting Signs: No projecting sign shall be permitted which does not
conform to the following:
(1) Number: Not more than one projecting size per business
shall be permitted on any lot.
(2) Placement and Attachment: No portion of any projecting
sign shall extend farther than four feet from the surface of the building wall to which the
sign is attached; no projecting sign shall be placed at any angle to a building other than
at 90 degrees; no exposed guy wires or turnbuckles shall be allowed.
(3) Size: No projecting sign shall exceed eight square feet in
sign area.
(4) Height: No portion of any projecting sign shall be lower than
10 feet above the ground or pavement level immediately beneath it, and no portion
of any projecting sign shall be located higher than the height limits specified for wall
signs as specified in Paragraph 6.2.4.2.d.(4) above.
f. Signs for properties containing only one establishment:
22
Article 16 (continued)
A lot which contains not more than one establishment shall be allowed
one free-standing sign or one wall sign or one projecting sign only. The street address
number of the property shall be prominently displayed on such sign, and the sign shall
in all respects conform to the above requirements.
g. Signs for properties containing more than one establishment: A lot which
contains more than one establishment shall be allowed a maximum of the following
signs, all of which shall in every respect conform to the requirements of this Section:
(1) One free-standing sign identifying the property, and
(2) One wall or projecting sign per business occupying the
ground floor and front wall of the building, provided that a lot may contain only wall or
only projecting signs, and
(3) One joint identification sign listing the names and logos of
the establishments on the premises but containing no other advertising matter,
mounted either on an appropriate building wall or on two posts, provided that such joint
identification sign shall not exceed sixteen square feet in sign area, shall not exceed
eight feet in height, and shall not be located within a front, side, or rear yard as required
in Subsection 5.1.2. hereof.
(4) Either the allowed free-standing sign or, if no free-standing
sign is used, then at least one wall or projecting sign, shall prominently display the
street address number of the property.
6.2.4.2. Signs in Business-B Zoning Districts:
- No signs are permitted in any Business-B Zoning District except as follows:
a. A Certificate of Appropriateness for such sign is granted by proper Town
authority prior to the issuance of a Sign Permit.
b. Changeable Copy/Reader Board signs of any kind shall not be permitted.
C. No roof signs of any kind shall be permitted.
d. No free-standing signs. of any kind shall be permitted.
e. Wall signs: No wall sign shall be permitted which does not conform to the
following:
(1) Number: Not more than one wall sign per business shall be
permitted on any lot.
(2) Placement: No wall sign shall project more than six inches
beyond the vertical plane of the wall on which the sign is mounted. No wall sign shall
be mounted in any angle but the vertical (that is, parallel to the plane of the wall).
(3) Size: No wall sign for any non-residential establishment
shall exceed a sign area equal to two square feet per lineal footage of length of building
front occupied by the establishment to which such sign relates.
(4) Height: No portion of any wall sign shall extend higher than
the bottom of the sills of the windows of the second floor of a building or higher than the
lowest portion of the eaves of any building, or in the case of a gabled one-story wall no
higher than a line equal in height to the lowest portion of the lower eave of any adjacent
wall perpendicular thereto, whichever of the above is lowest.
23
Article 16 (continued)
f. Projecting Signs: No projecting sign shall be permitted which does not
conform to the following:
(1) Number: Not more than one projecting size per business
shall be permitted on any lot.
(2) Placement and Attachment: No portion of any projecting
sign shall extend farther than four feet from the surface of the building wall to which the
sign is attached; no projecting sign shall be placed at any angle to a building other than
at 90 degrees; no exposed guy wires or turnbuckles shall be allowed.
(3) Size: No projecting sign shall exceed eight square feet in
sign area.
(4) Height: No portion of any projecting sign shall be lower than
10 feet above the ground or pavement level immediately beneath it, and no portion
of any projecting sign shall be located higher than the height limits specified for wall
signs as specified in Paragraph 6.2.4.2.d.(4) above.
g. Mixture of Sign Types: No lot may contain a mixture of wall signs and
projecting signs, but shall contain either all wall signs or all projecting signs.
h. Signs for properties containing more than one establishment: A lot which
contains more than one establishment shall be allowed a maximum of the following
signs, all of which shall in every respect conform to the requirements of this Section:
(1) One wall or projecting sign per business occupying the
ground floor and front wall of the building, and
(2) One joint identification sign listing the names and logos of
the establishments on the premises but containing no other advertising matter,
mounted on the building wall immediately adjacent to the door leading to such
establishments, provided that such joint identification sign shall not exceed four square
feet in sign area, shall not exceed eight feet in height, and shall not be located so as to
project beyond the property line.
(3) In addition to the signs allowed above, a building may
contain one additional wall sign not to exceed four square feet in sign area and subject
to the height limits specified for wall signs, provided that such sign shall only display
the street address number of the property.
i. Signs on Buildings Abutting a Side Street or a Public Off-Street Parking
Lot: The provisions of Subsection 6.2.2.6. to the contrary notwithstanding, wall signs or
projecting signs may be placed on the wall of a building which directly faces a side
street or a public off-street parking lot as if such wall were front wall of the building or a
side wall directly facing the public street providing principal frontage for the lot as
specified in said Subsection, provided that the sign area of any such sign shall not
exceed half the sign area allowed for a sign located on the principal frontage of such
building. r
6.2.4.3. Signs in Business-C Zoning Districts:
No signs are permitted in any Business-C Zoning District except in accordance with the
provisions of Subsection 6.2.4.1. hereof, provided, however, that in addition to those
signs allowed in said Subsection, a wall sign consisting only of the name and corporate
24
Article 16 (continued)
logo of the principal occupant of a building located within eighteen hundred feet of the
centerline of an Interstate Highway may be displayed between the top course of
windows and the parapet of such building provided that sign area not exceed fifty
percent of the surface area described by the tops of such windows, the parapet, and
the wall corners, that letters and logo contained in or constituting such sign shall not
exceed eight feet in height, that the lowest point of such sign shall not be closer than 48
feet above the ground immediately below, that such sign shall not be illuminated
n between the hours of 11:00 PM and sunrise, and that such sign shall be located on the
building wall most directly facing said highway.
6.2.4.4. Signs in Industrial Zoning Districts:
No signs are permitted in any Industrial Zoning District except in accordance with the
provisions of Subsection 6.2.4.1. hereof, except that in connection with any Special
Permit to Construct a Planned Unit Development (PUD) granted in accordance with
Section 4.9. hereof, the Community Planning and Development Commission may:
a. Allow modifications to any provision of this Section which is not
inconsistent with the Purposes of this Section as specified in Subsection 6.2.1.1., and
b. Allow one additional free-standing sign, not to exceed thirty-five feet in
height or 144 square feet in sign area, in that portion of the PUD parcel's landscaped
perimeter buffer area most closely adjacent to Route 128 but not closer than 500 feet
from any other public street existing at the time of submission of a relevant Preliminary
PUD Plan.
In addition to the foregoing, a wall sign consisting only of the name and corporate logo
of the principal occupant of a building located within eighteen hundred feet of the
centerline of an Interstate Highway may be displayed between the top course of
windows and the parapet of such building provided that sign area not exceed fifty
percent of the surface area described by the tops of
such windows, the parapet, and the wall corners, that letters and logo contained in or
constituting such sign shall not exceed eight feet in height, that the lowest point of such
sign shall not be closer than 48 feet above the ground immediately below, that such
sign shall not be illuminated between the hours of 11:00 PM and sunrise, and that such
sign shall be located on the building wall most directly facing said highway.
6.2.5. Review and Permit Procedures:
For any sign requiring a permit under the provisions of this Section, the property owner,
or authorized agent, tenant, or lessee thereof, shall obtain a sign permit prior to the
construction, placement, erection, alteration, or modification of such sign on the owner's
property.
No signs shall be erected in a public right-of-way except in accordance with the
provisions of this Section.
25
Article 16 (continued)
No sign permit of any kind shall be issued for an existing or proposed sign unless such
sign is consistent with all applicable provisions of this Section in every respect and with
an approved Master Sign Plan in effect for the property of which such sign is or is
proposed to be located.
All applications for sign permits of any kind shall be submitted to the Building Inspector
on an application form, or in accordance with application specifications, published by
the Department of Community Development, with the following minimum information:
a. Name, address, and telephone number of the applicant.
b. Location of building, structure, or lot to or upon which the sign is to be
placed.
C. Position of the sign in relation to nearby buildings or structures, including
dimensional data.
d. Two blueprints or ink drawings of the plans with color designation,
specifications, method of construction and attachment to the building or in the ground.
e. Name of the person, firm, corporation, or association erecting the sign
and/or sign structure.
f. Written consent of the owner of the property, structure, or land to or upon
which the sign is to be placed.
All applications are to be accompanied by payment of such applicable fee as may from
time to time be established by the Board of Selectmen.
If any illumination is to be provided in connection with the sign, the above shall be
accompanied by an application for a wiring permit. For temporary signs, only items a.
and b. above need be supplied.
For any proposed sign for which a Certificate of Appropriateness is required, or is in
connection with a development which is subject to Site Plan Review or a PUD or PRD
Special Permit, then the Building Inspector shall not accept an application for a sign
permit therefor which is not accompanied by the applicable Certificate of
Appropriateness or by the applicable notification of Site Plan, or Special Permit
approval.
No application shall be accepted by the Building Inspector which is not complete. If it is
incomplete, the applicant shall be notified in accordance with the procedure established
for such determinations relative to applications for building permits.
Within thirty days of the submission of a complete application for a sign permit,. the
Building Inspector shall issue a permit only if the proposed sign is fully in compliance
with the provisions of this Section.
The Building Inspector shall inspect each sign during and after the sign work for which
a permit has been issued. All signs shall be maintained by the owners in compliance
26
Article 16 (continued)
with the provisions of this Section and with the requirements of all applicable Town and
State Codes. If the Building Inspector shall find that any sign, its structure, or its
surroundings is unsafe, a hazard to the public, unsanitary, offensive, unpresentable,
abandoned, dilapidated, or otherwise in violation of this Section or any applicable code,
the Building Inspector shall take enforcement action in accordance with Section 7.2
hereof or as specified in applicable codes.
Upon failure of the sign owner or lessee, or property owner to comply with this Section,
the Building Inspector shall issue a written notice to the property owner which shall
order such sign to be removed within 10 days. If the property owner fails to comply
with such notice, then the Building Inspector is hereby authorized to. cause removal of
such sign, and any expense related to such removal shall be charged to the property
owner and shall constitute a lien on the property; for these purposes removal shall
mean that the sign face, along with posts, columns, supports, and supporting structures
shall be taken down and removed from the property.
Upon failure of the sign owner or lessee, or property owner to comply with this Section,
the Building Inspector shall issue a written notice to the property owner which shall
order such sign to be removed within 10 days. If the property owner fails to comply
with such notice, then the Building Inspector is hereby authorized to cause removal of
such sign, and any expense related to such removal shall be charged to the property
owner and shall constitute a lien on the property; for these purposes removal shall
mean that the sign face, along with posts, columns, supports, and supporting structures
shall be taken down and removed from the property.
6.2.6. Certificate of Appropriateness:
No individual permanent sign shall be permitted on any lot within a Business-13 Zoning
District unless it shall have been granted a Certificate of Appropriateness by the Sign
Review Board. For properties containing more than one business, a Certificate of
Appropriateness may be applied for and issued concerning more than one sign. The
five members of such board shall be appointed by the Board of Selectmen each for a
three-year term in such a manner that the regular terms of no more than two members
shall expire in the same year. At one of the members shall possess specific training or
have exhibited special interest each in architecture, one other member in graphic
design, and one other member in historic preservation; at least one member.shall be a
business owner or manager. The Board shall duly establish procedures for conducting
its business, for receiving and reviewing applications for Certificates of
Appropriateness, and for communicating issuance of same to the Building Inspector.
The Board shall, in reviewing such applications, consider the design, arrangement,
location, texture, materials, colors, lighting, and other visual characteristics of each
proposed sign and its compatibility with its general surroundings with regard to the
purposes outlined in Paragraph 6.2.1.1. If the Board shall refuse to issue a Certificate
of Appropriateness for any proposed sign, it shall state in writing the reasons therefor,
with suggestions as to how the proposed may be modified so as to be approved. If the
27
Article 16 (continued)
Board shall fail either to issue or to refuse to issue a Certificate of Appropriateness
within forty-five days of the date of application therefore, the Certificate shall be
deemed to have been issued. Appeal from any decision of this Board may be made to
the Community Planning and Development Commission within twenty days of such
decision. In those cases where proposed signs are included as part of plans for
approval under Site Plan Review (Section 4.3.3.) or PUD or PRD Special Permit review
(Section 4.9. or 4.10., respectively), a Certificate of Appropriateness separate from
such approval shall not be required.
6.2.7. Severability:
In the event that any provision of this Section shall be determined by a Court of
competent jurisdiction, the remaining portion of this Section not manifestly inseparable
from the invalid provisions shall continue in force.
Community Planning and Development Commission
Background
In developing this comprehensive revision and update of the Sign portion
(Section 6.2.) of the Zoning By-Laws, the Community Planning and Development
Commission has held eleven public hearings and meetings, attended by residents
and Chamber of Commerce and other business representatives and has also
attended a full-membership meeting of the Chamber of Commerce. It has
reviewed professional literature in this field and the Sign By-Laws of several other
towns, particularly including Melrose, Concord, Andover, and Lexington. Through
special opinion surveys it has obtained input from 114 Reading shoppers and 141
businesses in Reading.
This Article's scope is set forth in the Warrant, however, since the Article was
placed on the Warrant, the Commission has continued discussions with citizens and
businesses in order to fashion a motion which provides the best balance, within the
scope of the Article, between the variety of interests and opinions involved. It is
anticipated that the actual motion will be considerably shorter than the Article, and
that many of the details will be revised. A copy of the final motion will be provided
to all Town Meeting members before the Article is debated.
The essential purposes of the proposed Sign By-Law are to eliminate ambiguous
and technically out--of-date features that exist in the present by-law (which was
adopted in 1978), to apply more appropriate' standards to each of the several types
of Zoning Districts in Reading, to help to create a business environment more in
keeping with the character of the Town as identified in the Master Plan -and thereby
more conducive to business growth and prosperity. Meeting these goals has
resulted in a more lengthy but clearer and more comprehensive by-law than the one
we now have.
The proposed Sign By-Law has the following significant features which are either
inadequately addressed or not addressed at all in the existing Sign By-Law. ,
28
Article 16 (continued)
A set of specific sign definitions in order to avoid existing ambiguities, such as
when is an awning a sign or not a sign, what is a banner as opposed to a flag, what
are directory and bulletin board signs, what is a portable sign, how many signs can
be placed on multi-business properties, and how are sign heights and sign areas
calculated,
An amortization schedule based on type and cost for removing or remodeling
non-conforming signs, with generous time allowances.
-Provisions for dealing with defunct signs.
A list of prohibited signs which would not be allowed anywhere in Town for reasons
of traffic safety, esthetics and sightliness, elimination of adverse impacts on
neighboring properties.
A list of signs which are.exempt from regulation and may be displayed without any
permits, including political signs which the Supreme Court and the Attorney General
have mandated must be allowed.
-Specific allowances for different types, sizes, heights, and other factors according
to type of zoning district, as opposed to the current by-laws which apply the same
standards to all parts of Town.
-in addition to preserving the current allowance for residential identification and
real-estate sales signs, the proposal allows in residential zones for construction,
subdivision, open house, garage and yard sale signs, decorative banners and
personal message signs, and signs for legally non-conforming businesses, all of
which are currently prohibited.
-Different provisions for signs in different types of business districts appropriate to
the different economic functions and physical layouts of these districts.
-With some exceptions for multi-business properties, the proposal would limit the
number of signs to one sign per business.
-Continued allowance of internally illuminated signs but requiring them to have
opaque backgrounds so as to reduce intensity and glare.
-Defining and limiting the use of awnings and canopies as signs.
-Reducing the extent of window signs from 900% of a window to 25%, but allowing
small window display signs within that limit at a merchant's discretion without
permit.
-Controlling the use and extent of informational, directional, area-identification,
marquee, and outdoor menu-board signs which are currently not restricted.
Allow for appropriate holiday decorations, which are currently not provided for.
Allowing temporary signs for special sales and promotional events, with incentives
for cooperative multi-business events; all such signs are currently prohibited.
-Providing for the special sign needs of gas stations, farm stands, and garden
stands, none of which are currently addressed.
-Promoting the prominent display of street addresses for public safety and
way-finding purposes.
-in the Business -A zoning district (such as South Main Street), the proposal would
reduce the allowed height (now up to 25 feet) and number of free-standing signs,
29
Article 16 (continued)
and it would reduce the size and number of wall signs, but it would make provisions
for signs on multi-business properties.
-ln the Business-B zoning district (Downtown), free-standing signs would no longer
be allowed, wall signs would be reduced from up to four square feet per foot of
frontage to not more than two square feet per foot of frontage, projecting signs
would be allowed, and additional signs would be allowed for businesses facing
public parking lots and more than one street; temporary signs would now be
allowed for sidewalk sales events.
-In order to allow for flexibility in color, shape, placement, and graphic design, and
to promote harmony between signs of neighboring businesses and visual
distinctiveness in the Downtown, the proposal calls for a Sign Review Board to
grant Certificates of Appropriateness before sign permits can be issued for new
signs.
-In the Business-C (Addison-Wesley) and the Industrial (Walkers Brook Drive)
zoning districts, illuminated identification signs would be allowed near the tops of
the taller buildings for visibility from Route 128; also in connection with a Planned
Unit Development in the Industrial District, a tall free-standing identification sign
would be allowed.
Based on the business survey conducted by CPDC in September and by follow-up
examination by the Town Planner, it is estimated the following extent of existing
business signs would become nonconforming:
-the seven free-standing signs in Downtown would have to be removed by the year
2000.
-13 out of the 58 wall signs in Downtown would have to be reduced in size by 2005.
-approximately 30% percent of Downtown businesses would have to remove excess
permanent window signs (those occupying more than 25% of a window) by 2005.
-nine of the 13 awnings used as signs in Downtown would have to be removed or
modified by 2005.
-of the 45 free-standing signs on South Main Street, 9 would have to be reduced in
height by 2000, and 2 reduced in size by 2010.
-39 of the 41 internally illuminated free-standing and wall signs on South Main
Street would have to be modified to have opaque backgrounds by the year 2000.
-22% of the businesses on South Main Street and 13% of the businesses in
Downtown each have more than one sign and would have to remove excess signs
by 2000.
Bylaw Committee Report Recommend 5-0. The Bylaw Committee feels
the present sign bylaw situation needs improvement. The Bvlaw Committee feels this
article improves the existing sign bylaw situation by:
1. avoiding existing ambiguities
2. making the sign bylaw more enforceable
3. bringing the sign bylaw into compliance with State and Federal laws
30
Article 16 (continued)
4. recognizing the varying needs for the different zoning districts within the Town
5. grovidin_a for approgriate review and appeals processes of decisions made
under the sign bylaw.
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 8, 1993, 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 such meeting.
Given under our hands this 5th day of October, 1993.
George V. Hines
Eugene R. Nigro
Sally M. Hoyt
Willard J. Burditt
Daniel A. Ensminger
SELECTMEN OF READING
A TRUE COPY. ATTEST:
Catherine A. Quimby
Town Clerk
Signature of Constable
31
Town of Reading, Massachusetts
FY-1994 Budget .
Property taxes:
Total tax levy
Less: Provision for abatements
and exemptions
Local revenues from sources other
than property taxes:
Motor vehicle excise
Penalties and interest on taxes
Payments in lieu of taxes
Payment in lieu of taxes - electric
Urban redevelopment excise
Charges for services
Licenses and permits
Special assessments
Fines
Interest earnings
Intergovernmental revenue:
State aid
Less: State aid - offset items
General Fund
23,308,492 Appropriations (A.T.M. May'93):
General fund
(400,000)
22,908,492
1,400,000
175,000
75,000
c 75,000
80,000
550,000
60,000
15,000
125,000
325,000
2,880,000
5,342,222
(316,357)
5,025,865
Operating transfers / available funds:
Cemetery perpetual care
53,000
Cemetery sale of lots
36,0.00
Wetland protection filing fees
2,000
Earnings distributions - electric
1,400,000
Health Insurance trust
45,000
Abatement surplus
38,000
1,574,000
32,388,357
Appropriations (FY -1993):
General fund (snow and ice)
Intergovernmental assessments:
Current assessments
Underestimates
Overestimates
Appropriations (T.M. Nov'93):
General fund
31,283,272
135,739
650,558
1,180
(2,371)
649,367
319,979
32,388,357
32
THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS -i
DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE
FISCAL 1994 TAX LEVY LIMITATION FOR READING ~
FOR BUDGET PLANNING PURPOSES
1. TO
CALCULATE THE FY93 LEVY LIMIT
A.
FY92 Levy Limit $
2070701980
Al
ADD Amended FY92 Growth + $
B.
ADD ( IA + IA1 ) X 2.5% + $
501,775
C.
.ADD FY93 New Growth * + $
122,677
D.
ADD FY93 Override + $
E.
FY93 Subtotal $
20,6959432
F.
FY93 Levy Ceiling 1 i n
y 9 $
I '$`><>2Q'`:`695 43?_'
'34,390,965
FY 93 Levy Li m i t
(Lcsscr of LE and I.;'.)
II. TO
CALCULATE THE FY94 LEVY LIMIT
A. FY93 Levy Limit from I.
Al ADD Amended FY93 Growth +
B. ADD (IIA IIA1) x,2.5% +
C. ADD FY94 New Growth * +
D. ADD FY94 Override +
E. FY94 Subtotal =
F. FY94 Levy Ceiling
III. TO CALCULATE THE FY94
MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE LEVY
A. FY94 Levy Limit from II.
B. FY94 Debt Excl us.i on (s)
C. FY94 Capi al Expenditure
Exclusion s)
D. FY94 Other Adjustment
E. FY94 Maximum Allowable
Levy
$ 20,695,432
$ _ 517,386
$ 29y,~g1,
$ 2,.(+
$
I
I
FY94 Levy
(Lesscr of II.E. and
Must be certified by DOR
a* Indicates that increases other than by exclusions are contingent upon an increase in rY94 valuations
114
Town of Reading, Massachusetts
FY-1994 Budget
Water Fund
Revenues: Appropriations (A.T.M. May'93):
User charges -water 1,558,726 Water 1,776,606
Operating transfers / available funds: Appropriations (T.M. Nov'93):
Water fund surplus 229,184 Water 11,304
1,787,910 1,787,910
Sewer Fund
Revenues: Appropriations (A.T. M. May'93):
User charges - sewer 2,849,198 Sewer 3,406,424
Operating transfers / available funds: Appropriations (T.M. Nov'93):
Sewer fund surplus 47,433 ' Sewer (509,793)
2,896,631 2,896,631
34
I of 8 pages
TOWN OF READING,
MASSACHUSETTS - FISCAL
YEAR 1994 BUDGET
C
TOWN
TOWN
TOWN
MEETING
MANAGER
MANAGER
FINCOM
FINCOM
No.
APPROVED
PROPOSED
PROPOSED
RECOMMENDED
VOTE
MAY 3, 1993
NOV., 1993
REVISED
NOV., 1993
A ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT
Al Personal Serv.
$92,495
$2,312
$94,807
$2,312
6-0-0
A2 Non-Personal Exp.
$300
$300
DEPARTMENT TOTAL
$92,795
$2,312
-
$95,107
$2,312
B COMMUNITY DEVL. DEPT.
CONSERVATION DIVISION
81 Personal Serv.
$27,814
$695
$28,509
$695
6-0-0
62 Non-Personal Exp.
$200
$200
ZONING BOARD
B3 Personal Serv.
$700
$18
$718
$18
6-0-0
B4 Non-Personal Exp.
$0
$0
HISTORICAL COMMISSION
B5 Non-Personat Exp.
$200
$200
INSPECTION DIVISION
B6 Personal Serv.
$53,587
$1,340
$54,927
$1,340
6-0-0
B7 Non-Personal Exp.
$1,550
$1,550
GENERAL DEPARTMENT
88 Personal Serv.
$59,918
$1,498
$61,416
$1,498
6-0-0
B9 Non-Personal Exp
-
$1,500
$1,500
TOTAL
Personal Serv.
$142,019
$3,550
$145,569
$3,550
Non-Personal Exp.
-
$3,450
$0
$3,450
$0
DEPARTMENT TOTAL
$145,469
$3,550
$149,019
$3,550
All funds from Property Taxes, State Aid, and Non-Property Tax Local Receipts unless otherwise noted
21-Oct-93
35
2 of 8 pages
TOWN TOWN TOWN
MEETING MANAGER MANAGER FINCOM FINCOM
APPROVED PROPOSED PROPOSED RECOMMENDED VOTE
MAY 3, 1993 NOV., 1993 REVISED NOV., 1993
C FINANCE DEPT.
FINANCE COMMITTEE
E1 Personal Serv.
$1,050
$26
$1,076
$26
6-0-0
C2 Non-Personal Exp.
$32,190
$32,190
C3 Reserve Fund
$151,232
$151,232
ASSESSMENT DIVISION
C4 Pers.Serv.Other
$62,288
$1,557
$63,845
$1,557
6-0-0
C5 Non-Personal Exp.
$4,140
$4,140
C6 Appraisal Services
$3,000
$3,000
DATA PROCESSING
C7 Non-Personal Exp.
$52,900
$52,900
C8 Capital
$0
$7,390
$7,390
$7,390
6-0-0
PERSONNEL
C9 Non-Personal Serv.
$24,970
$24,970
GENERAL DEPARTMENT
C10 Personal Serv.
$247,768
$6,194
$253,962
$6,194
6-0-0
C11 Non-Personal Exp.
$40,982
-
$40,982
~TAL
Personal Serv.
$311,106
$7,778
$318,884
$7,778
Non-Personat Exp.
$309,414
$0
$309,414
$0
Capital
$0
$7,390
$7,390
$7,390
DEPARTMENT TOTAL
$620,520
$15,168
$635,688
$15,168
D GENERAL SERVICES DEPT.
SELECTMEN
D1
Non-Personal Exp.
$1,800
$1,800
TOWN MANAGER
D2
Personal Serv.
$64,730
$1,618
$66,348
$1,618
6-0-0
D3
Non-Personal Exp.
$3,750
$10,000
$13,750
$10,000
6-0-0
LAW
DIVISION
D4
Non-Pers.Exp.Twn.Couns.
$971500
$97,500
D5
Non-Pers.Exp.Lab.Couns.
$101000
$5,000
$15,000
$5,000
6-0-0
D6
Non-Pers.Exp.Other
$3,500
$3,500
TOWN CLERK
D7
Personal Serv.
$32,320
$808
$33,128
$808
6-0-0
D8
Non-Personal Exp.,
$1,450
$1,450
*inc.OST not exc. $425
A funds from Property Taxes, State Aid, and Non-Property Tax Local Receipts unless otherwise noted
21-Oct-93
36
3 of 8 pages
TOWN TOWN TOWN
MEETING MANAGER MANAGER FINCOM FINCOM
No. APPROVED PROPOSED PROPOSED RECOMMENDED VOTE
MAY 3, 1993 NOV., 1993 REVISED NOV., 1993
DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL SERVICES
(continued)
ELECTIONS/REGISTRATION
D9 Personal Serv.
$9,290
$7,202
$16,492
$7,202
6-0-0
D10 Non-Personal Exp.
$11,850
$5,450
$17,300
$5,450
6-0-0
Dll CASUALTY INS.
$193,170
($50,000)
$143,170
($50,000)
6-0-0
GENERAL DEPARTMENT
D12 Personal Serv.
$91,854
$2,296
$94,150
$2,296
6-0-0
D13 Non-Personal Exp.
$88,694
-
$88,694
TOTAL
Personal Serv.
$198,194
$11,925
$210,119
$11,925
Non-Personal Exp.
$411,714
($29,550)
$382,164
($29,550)
DEPARTMENT TOTAL $609,908 ($17,625) $592,283 ($17,625)
E HUMAN SERVICES DEPT.
HEALTH DIV./WTS. & MEAS.
E1 Personal Serv.
$27,079
$677
$27,756
$677
6-0-0
E2 Non-Personal Exp.
$37,074
$2,500
$39,574
$2,500
6-0-0
ELDER SERVICES DIVISION
E3 Personal Serv.
$68,975
$1,724
$70,699
$1,724
6-0-0
E4 Non-Personal Exp.
$4,526
$4,526
VETERANS DIVISION
E5 Personal Serv.
$7,571
$189
$7,760
$189
6-0-0
E6 Non-Pers.Exp.-Aid
$22,000
$22,000
E7 Non-Pers.Exp.-Other
$400
$400
RECREATION DIVISION
E8 Personal Serv.
$17,885
$447
$18,332
$447
6-0-0
E9 Non-Personal Exp.
$800
$800
GENERAL DEPARTMENT
E10 Personal Serv.
$82,334
$2,058
$84,392
$2,058
6-0-0
Ell Non-Personal Exp.
$1,770
-
$1,770
-
TOTAL
Personal Serv.
$203,844
$5,096
$208,940
$5,096
Non-Personal Exp.
$66,570
-
$2,500
$69,070
-
$2,500
DEPARTMENT TOTAL
$270,414
$7,596
$278,010
$7,596
All funds from Property Taxes, State Aid, and Non-Property Tax Local Receipts unless otherwise noted
21-Oct-93
37
4 of 8 pages
TOWN TOWN TOWN
MEETING MANAGER MANAGER FINCOM FINCOM
No. APPROVED PROPOSED PROPOSED RECOMMENDED VOTE
MAY 3, 1993 NOV.; 1993 REVISED NOV., 1993
,F LIBRARY DEPARTMENT
LIBRARY
`F1 Personal Serv. $396,055 $9,901 $405,956 $9,901 6-0-0
F2 Non-Personal Exp. $93,808 $93,808
DEPARTMENT TOTAL $489,863 $9,901 $499,764 $9,901
G PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT
POLICE
G1 Personal Serv.
$1,753,804
$61,270
$1,815,074
$61,270
5-1-0
G2 Non-Personal Exp.
$161,986
$161,986
ANIMAL CONTROL
G3 Personal Serv.
$9,357
$4,984
$14,341
$4,984
6-0-0
G4 Non-Personal Exp.
$2,400
$2,400
"-•RE/EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Personal Serv.
$1,708,991
$84,725
$1,793,716
$84,725
6-0-0
G6 Non-Personal Exp.
$104,305
$104,305
GENERAL
G7 Personal Serv.
$171,113
$4,278
$175,391
$4,278
6-0-0
G8 Non-Personal Exp.
$15,241
-
$1,800
$17,041
-
$1,800
4-2-0
TOTAL
Personal Serv.
$3,643,265
$155,257
$3,798,522
$155,257
Non-Personal Exp.
$283,932
-
$1,800
$285,732
-
$1,800
DEPARTMENT TOTAL
$3,927,197
$157,057
$4,084,254
$157,057
All funds from Property Taxes, State Aid, and Non-Property Tax Local Receipts unless otherwise noted
21-Oct-93
38
5 of 8 pages
No.
TOWN
MEETING
APPROVED
MAY 3, 1993
TOWN
MANAGER
PROPOSED
NOV., 1993
TOWN
MANAGER
PROPOSED
REVISED
FINCOM
RECOMMENDED
NOV., 1993
FINCOM
VOTE
H PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
ADMINISTRATION
H1 Personal Serv.
$63,383
$1,585
$64,968
$1,585
H2 Non-Personal Exp.
$3,000
$3,000
ENGINEERING
H3 Personal Serv.
$118,219
$2,955
$121,174
$2,955
H4 Non-Personal Exp.
$4,100
$4,100
H5 Spec.Art.-Betterments
$1,080
$1,080
HIGHWAY & EQUIP.MAINT.
H6 Personal Services
$463,251
$11,581
$474,832
$11,581
H7 Non-Personal Exp.
$229,024
$229,024
H8 Capital
$118,000
$118,000
PARKS/FORESTRY
H9 Personal Serv.
$228,279
$5,707
$233,986
$5,707
H10 Non-Personal Exp.
$20,410
$20,410
H11 Capital
$5,000
$5,000
BUILDING MAINTENANCE
H12 Personal Serv.
$63,530
$1,588
$65,118
$1,588
H13 Non-Personal Exp.
$262,166
$6,700
$268,866
$6,700
H14 Capital
$21,000
$21,000
SUB-TOTAL FOR DEPARTMENT
H15 Personal Serv.
$936,662
$23,417
$960,079
$23,417
6-0-0
H16 Non-Personal Exp.
$519,780
$6,700
$526,480
$6,700
6-0-0
H17 Capital
$144,000
$0
$144,000
$0
ST.LIGHTING
H18 Non-Personal Exp.
$176,572
$176,572
RUBBISH COLL./DISPOSAL
H19 Non-Personal Exp.
$1,059,774
$1,059,774
H20SNOW & ICE CONTROL
$110,000
$110,000
CEMETERY DIVISION
H21 Personal Serv.
$169,573
$4,239
$173,812
$4,239 6-0-0
H22 Non-Personal Exp.
$27,625
$4,100
$31,725
$4,100 6-0-0 $2100 from
H23 Capital
$42,800
$42,800
Sale of
-
Lots Fund
TOTAL FOR DEPARTMENT
Personal Serv.
$1,106,235
$27,656
$1,133,891
$27,656
Non-Personal Exp.
$1,893,751
$10,800
$1,904,551
$10,800
Capital
$186,800
$0
$186,800
$0
DEPARTMENT TOTAL $3,186,786 $38,456 $3,225,242 $38,456
ALL funds from Property Taxes, State Aid, and Non-Property Tax Local Receipts unless otherwise noted
l
21-Oct-93
39
6 of 8 pages
TOWN TOWN TOWN
MEETING MANAGER MANAGER FINCOM FINCOM
No. APPROVED PROPOSED PROPOSED RECOMMENDED VOTE
MAY 3, 1993 NOV., 1993 REVISED NOV., 1993
SALARY ADJUSTMENT FUND
11 SALARY ADJUSTMENT FUND
$167,923
($156,975)
$10,948
($156,975) 6-0-0
TOWN TOTALS
TOTAL TOWN PERS. SERV.
$6,261,136
$66,500
$6,327,636
$66,500
TOTAL TOWN NON-PERS. EXP.
$3,062,939
($14,450)
$3,048,489
($14,450)
TOTAL TOWN CAPITAL
$186,800
$7,390
$194,190
$7,390
TOTAL TOWN EXPENSES
$9,510,875
$59,440
$9,570,315
$59,440
J SCHOOL DEPT.
personal Serv.
n-Personal Exp.
Athletics
Special Educ.
Other
J1 TOTAL
$15,580,970
$213,314
$15,794,284
$213,314 6-0-0
Spec.Art.-SCh.Bld.COmn.
$0
Northeast Regional
Vocational School District
J2 Assessment
$117,915
$2,225
$120,140
$2,225 3-2-1
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT TOTAL
$15,698,885
$215,539
$15,914,424
$215,539
A!t funds from Property Taxes, State Aid, and Non-Property Tax Local Receipts unless otherwise noted
21-Oct-93
40
7 of 8 pages
TOWN TOWN TOWN
MEETING MANAGER MANAGER FINCOM FINCOM
No. APPROVED PROPOSED PROPOSED RECOMMENDED VOTE
MAY 3, 1993 NOV., 1993 REVISED NOV., 1993
K DEBT SERVICE
Retirement of Debt
Interest on Debt
Capital Improvements
K1 DEBT AND CAPITAL $1,563,522 $0 $1,563,522 $0
L EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
L1 Contributory Retirement $1,737,035 $1,737,035
L2 Non-Contrib. Retirement $118,663 $118,663
L3 Unemplymnt Benefits $20,000 $20,000
L4 Group Health/Life Insur $2,151,439 $45,000 $2,196,439 $45,000 3-1-2 $45,000 from
L5 Medicare/Social Sec. $158,888 $158,888 Ins. Trust
L6 Workers Comp $300,000 $300,000 Fund
L7 Police/Fire Indem. $20,000 $20,000
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS TOTAL $4,506,025 $45,000 $4,551,025 $45,000
STATE AND COUNTY ASSESSMENT $681,732 ($32,365) $649,367 ($32,365)
PREVIOUS YEARS SNOW/ICE $135,739 $0 $135,739 $0
RECAP TOTALS $32,096,778 $287,614 $32,384,391 $287,614
All funds from Property Taxes, State Aid, and Non-Property Tax Local Receipts unless otherwise noted
21-Oct-93 41
8 of 8 pages
TOWN TOWN TOWN
MEETING MANAGER MANAGER FINCOM FINCOM
No. APPROVED PROPOSED PROPOSED RECOMMENDED VOTE
MAY 3, 1993 NOV., 1993 REVISED NOV., 1993
M WATER
M1 Personal Services
$452,167
$11,304 $463,471 Action Pending
Non-Personal Exp.
Personnel Benefits
$200,142
$200,142
Other
$748,596
$748,596
M2 Total Non-Personal Exp.
$948,738
$0 $948,738 $0
M3 Debt Service
$57,901
$57,901
M4 Capital
$317,800
$317,800
DIVISION TOTAL
$1,776,606
$11,304 $1,787,910 $0
N SEWER
N1
Personal Services
$144,114
$3,603
$147,717 Action Pending
Non-Personal Expense
Personnel Benefits
$22,705
$22,705
Other
$3,200,057
($513,396)
$2,686,661
N2
Total Non-Personal Exp.
$3,222,762
($513,396)
$2,709,366 $0 Action Pending
N3'
MWRA (in other)
$0
N4
Debt Service
$39,548
$39,548
N5
Capital
$0
$0
D
IVISION TOTAL
$3,406,424
($509,793)
$2,896,631 $0
RECAP TOTALS
$37,279,808 ($210,875) $37,068,933 $287,614
All funds from Property Taxes, State Aid, and Non-Property Tax Local Receipts unless otherwise noted
21-Oct-93 42
/ :I
/ l ARTICLE 15
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ARTICLE 15
47