Published October 1, 2020
By MAUREEN DOHERTY
NORTH READING — While the COVID crisis forced the cancellation of such venerated outdoor fall traditions as the Historical Society’s Apple Festival and the high school fall football season, townspeople will have a reason to spend a few hours outdoors this Saturday without a rake in their hands — attend October Town Meeting!
The gavel will fall at 11 a.m. on October 3 at the Arthur J. Kenney Athletic Field, 189 Park St. Currently, the weather looks good, but if that changes, Town Moderator John Murphy has the authority to change the venue, which would be the NRHS gym. Any change would be publicized through Reverse 911, signage on site, and social media. If it’s cool but not wet, be prepared by wearing layers and bring water; the restrooms will be open.
Murphy consulted with the Select Board and the Board of Health in opting for the outdoor venue as the preferred site. However, given that the schools are open and a cleaning protocol in place and following the town successfully holding both a regular town meeting indoors in late June and two large outdoor events on the turf field this summer — high school graduation and Special Town Meeting — without incident, the Board of Health also signed off on the gym as a back-up location.
Saturday’s meeting is technically a recess of what would have been an evening meeting on Monday, Oct. 5 originally scheduled back in January in the pre-pandemic days as required under the charter. The governor’s emergency order and subsequent state laws passed by the legislature has enabled the date and venue of such meetings to be changed by town boards to accommodate such necessary municipal functions as passing budgets.
Registered voters can park on either side of Kenney field and enter through the gates to the check-in tables set up at both entry points. Scanning your driver’s license will enable a contact-less entry with the clerk and speed up the process, but is not required. Plexiglas shields will be set up between the clerk and the voter. Try to arrive about a half hour early to enable the meeting to start on time. Masks are required; a separate area will be maintained for those who cannot wear them.
Unlike the Special Town Meeting held in August there is no quorum requirement. The warrant is short with just 16 articles, which bodes well for finishing the town’s business in a relatively short time frame.
The Select Board will meet prior to Town Meeting at 10:30 a.m. to weigh in on any last minute details. The meeting will be posted. Other town boards may also opt to do the same; agendas would be posted on the town website, www.northreadingma.gov, at least 48 hours in advance.
According to Town Administrator Michael Gilleberto, as of the Select Board’s Sept. 21 informational hearing that the town’s Free Cash is awaiting certification by the Mass. Department of Revenue, but he does not foresee a problem with getting the most up to date figure available before Town Meeting.
Other available fund balances as of Sept. 21 were (rounded numbers): Stabilization Fund: $3,618,882; Cell Tower Fund: $284,405; Ambulance Fund: $1,322,101; Debt Capital Stabilization: $794,983; Water Infrastructure Stabilization: $2,785,369; Water Retained Earnings: also awaiting DOR certification; Solid Waste Stabilization: $201,699; and OPEB Trust: $2,193,479; PFA Stabilization Fund: $716,909.
The most pertinent warrant articles include the following:
Article 3 — The Select Board recommends a transfer of $200,000 into the Capital Improvement Stabilization Fund from certified Free Cash which would increase the fund to $994,983. The FinCom will make its recommendation at Town Meeting.
Articles 4 — Voters will be requested to pass over this article as no fund transfers are being recommended by the board into the Stabilization Fund, also known as the “rainy day fund,” which has a current balance of $3,618,882.
Article 5 — Transfer funds into Other Post Employment Liability Trust Fund (OPEB) to fund health insurance for retired employees in future years. Transfers are typically made at the June Town Meeting. It has a balance of $2,193,479.
Article 6 — Appropriate money to Participating Funding Arrangement: A sum of $389,096 will be requested from Free Cash reflecting the town’s portion of remaining funds from the FY2020 employee health insurance program. This is a reserve account that pays the town’s portion of future health insurance costs for employees and helps stabilize year to year increases in the cost of insuring employees.
Article 7 — No amendments to the FY21 Operating Budget were being recommended as of Sept. 21.
Article 8 — No authorizations to borrow funds needed to be rescinded as of Sept. 21.
Article 9 — Amend FY 2021 Capital Budget: Projects were recommended by the Capital Improvement Planning Committee (CIPC) to be passed over in June due to limited bond market and overall financial unknowns, with intent to review in advance of October.
The CIPC reviewed requests on Friday, September 18 ad
• School: Hood School Lift: $35,000 (Debt Stab)
• School: Little School: HVAC $65,000 (Debt Stab)
• DPW: Upper Elm St. Drainage: $550,000 (bond)
• DPW: Library Exterior: $130,000 (bond)
• DPW: Police HVAC: $50,000 (Debt Stab)
• DPW: Police Locker Room updates, including female locker facilities: $25,000 (Debt Stab)
Gilleberto told the board these projects total $175,000 from Debt Stabilization Fund and $680,000 to be bonded. The Select Board recommended.
Article 10 — Appropriate money for Special Counsel Legal Expenses related to the Secondary School Building Project is recommended to be passed over.
Article 11 — The Select Board is recommended that $25,000 be appropriated to fund an invasive weed treatment program at Martin’s Pond using Free Cash. The treatment would commence in the spring of 2021 and has a guarantee of three years of effectiveness.
Article 12 — Fund town building repairs totaling $50,000 from free cash. The DPW is evaluating three potential projects: improvements to the Third Meetinghouse and Town Hall plus asbestos abatement at the Fire Station.
Article 13 — Appropriate $10,000 from Free Cash as seed money to help assist in funding future repairs, maintenance and improvements to the historical buildings on the grounds of the Rev. Daniel Putnam House, 27 Bow St. A corresponding gift account would be established by the Select Board into which donations could be received. The Select Board agreed to establish the fund and recommend the Free Cash be used as seed money.
Through an agreement with theHistorical and Antiquarian Society authorized by the town administrator in 1989 and renewed 25 years later, the Minit and Militia has maintained and added buildings to the site through its own fund raising efforts and sweat equity. It insures the artifacts inside the buildings; the town insures the grounds.
In addition to the original 1720 Putnam House and the 1900s barn, the Minit and Militia have added to the site the 19th century one-room school house and privy, the Flint House, the First Meeting House, a Shoe and Tin shop and a Farm Museum.
Article 14 — A request for $25,000 from Free Cash to update the town’s Hazard Mitigation Plan, which will expire in 2021 and is required for the town to apply for federal grants, including disaster relief. It is recommended by the Select Board.
Article 15 — The Select Board recommends accepting a state law that would provide pay and benefits and maintain the seniority of town employees serving in the military when they are called up to serve or train. The law reflects a policy the town has followed in practice.
Article 16 — Fund with $90,000 from Free Cash a Route 28/Main Street Study and Redesign plan for a traffic/corridor study. The Select Board recommends passage.