Published in the May 17, 2018 edition
By MAUREEN DOHERTY
NORTH READING — What’s in a name? Many will be asking that question on the floor of Town Meeting when they get to Article 28.
Among the 40 warrant articles being brought before the voters at the annual Town Meeting on Monday, June 4 will be a home rule petition seeking to amend the Town Charter by changing the title of the Board of Selectmen to “Select Board.”
It is included among a few other home rule petitions brought forth by Selectmen Chairman Mike Prisco to update the Town Charter and is reflective of a trend throughout the state by several other communities in recent years to change the names of the main governing boards in most towns to be more gender inclusive.
At its May 7 meeting, the Selectmen voted 3-2 to recommend the adoption of the name change. Prisco, Kathryn Manupelli and Andrew Schultz favor the change while Bob Mauceri and Steve O’Leary felt that it is unnecessary.
If Article 28 passes, voters will also be asked to adopt Article 29 as a housekeeping measure to amend the codes of the town’s general bylaws and zoning bylaws in order to change all references made to “Board of Selectmen” in the bylaws to “Select Board.”
Similarly, Prisco had also requested two other home rule petitions to amend the Town Charter. Article 30 seeks to update the name of “Town Administrator” to “Town Manager.” Doing so would be “more reflective of the existing authority and responsibility” of the position of Town Administrator, who is identified in the Town Charter as the town’s “chief administrative officer” the warrant article states.
The article also notes that this name change does not alter the “existing responsibility or authority” of the Town Administrator. If Article 30 passes, voters would also be asked to pass Article 31 to allow an amendment to be made in the town’s general bylaws to reflect the change.
The third charter amendment proposed by Prisco would be the dates the town is allowed to hold its annual Town Meetings in June and October, effective in 2019. Currently, the Town Charter language requires both the June and October Town Meetings to be held “on the first Monday of the respective month not in conflict with a religious holiday.”
Article 32, if passed, would change the Town Charter to allow both June and October Town Meetings to be held “on any day of the month not in conflict with a religious holiday” and would also authorize the Board of Selectmen to file a home rule petition to make this change possible.
The public is invite to discuss any of the 40 warrant articles on the docket for June 4 at the Selectmen’s informational hearings on Monday, May 21 at 8 p.m. in Room 14 at Town Hall.
Swan Pond Road betterment
This year’s slate of articles, in addition to the town’s $67.9M budget for FY19 also includes a citizens’ petition filed by residents of Swan Pond Road and Dogwood Lane under a street betterment proposal to pave 2,700 feet of the gravel portion of Swan Pond Road from its intersection at Adam Street.
There will be two opportunities to speak about Article 40, at the May 21 informational hearing as well as at an informational public hearing being held tonight exclusively on this topic, also in Room 14 at Town Hall at 7:30 p.m.
According to Town Administrator Mike Gilleberto, the purpose of this hearing is to discuss what needs to be considered by the impacted residents as well as the town if Article 40 passes. Gilleberto hopes that direct abutters and those who live in close proximity to this neighborhood will attend the meeting.
Those with question about the citizens’ petition or who wish to offer their feedback may also contact either Town Engineer John Klipfel (978-357-5226) or jklipfel@northreadingma.gov or Town Planner Danielle McKnight (978-357-5206) or dmcknight@northreadingma.gov.
Informational hearings
The public is invited to attend the May 21 Board of Selectmen’s informational public hearing to discuss any of the following warrant articles included in the June 4 Town Meeting warrant which is being mailed to all residents on Friday:
• FY2018 Budget Amendment
• Fund FY2018 Snow and Ice Deficit
• FY2018 Appropriate Funds to Capital Improvement Stabilization Fund
• FY2018 Transfer Funds to Water Stabilization Fund
• FY2018 Appropriate Money to Stabilization Fund
• FY2018 Transfer Funds to Other Post Employment Benefits Liability Trust Fund
• FY2018 Transfer Funds to Solid Waste Stabilization Fund
• Select Town Officers
• Hear and Act on Reports of Town Officers and Committees
• Authorize Director of Public Works to Accept Easements
• Authorize Treasurer to Enter into Compensating Balance Agreements
• Authorize Chapter 90 Highway Construction Funds
• Prior Year Bills
• FY2019 Operating Budget
• FY2019 Capital Expenditures
• Rescind Authorization to Borrow
• Reappropriate Previously Approved Funding for Water Distribution and Supply Infrastructure
• Appropriate Funds for Water Distribution and Supply Infrastructure
• Fund Retirement Obligations
• Transfer Funds to Other Post Employment Benefits Liability Trust Fund
• Fund Assessment Field Review
• Appropriate Money for Special Counsel Legal Expenses
• Modify Senior Tax Work-Off Program Rebate
• Establish Fund for Participating Funding Agreement
• Amend Code of North Reading and Act on 102-104 Lowell Road Regulatory • Inspections Revolving Fund
• Establish Revolving Fund Expenditure Limits
• Home Rule Petition – Charter Amendment – Change Title of Board of Selectmen
• Amend Code – General By-Laws – Change Title of Board of Selectmen
• Amend Code – Zoning By-Laws – Change Title of Board of Selectmen
• Home Rule Petition – Charter Amendment – Change Title of Town Administrator
• Amend Code – General By-Laws – Change Title of Town Administrator
• Home Rule Petition – Charter Amendment – Town Meeting Dates
• Amend Code – General By-Laws, Section 172-4 Admission; Quorum
• Amend Code – General By-Laws, Section 158-9 Snow Removal on Streets and Sidewalks
• Amend Code – General By-Laws – Add New Section – Kennels
• Application of Bond Premium
• Establish Regional School District Stabilization Fund
• Approval of Hillview Golf Course Management Contract for Term in Excess of Three Years
• Fund Feasibility Study for Pedestrian/Bicycle Pathway
• Citizens’ Petition: Street Betterments and Road Paving; Swan Pond Road.
