Ring and Ride starts Oct. 30
Published in the October 12, 2017 edition By MAUREEN DOHERTY NORTH READING — The town’s senior citizens and disabled veterans of any age will have a ride sharing program to take them to medical appointments for a nominal fee by the end of this month. Called Ring and Ride, the transportation program is provided by the Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority (MVRTA), stated Selectmen Chairman Mike Prisco during his report updating Town Meeting attendees of the progress made by the town’s Economic Development Committee on this initiative. “We want to start slow and see how the program works and see how many people take advantage of the opportunity to use the service,” Prisco said, adding that workshops would be held at the Senior Center and possibly Town Hall, and information would also be posted on the town’s website. An informational brochure has also been created. (Note: after Town Meeting, the date of the first informational meeting was finalized for Monday, October 23 at 2 p.m. at the Edith O’Leary Senior Center located on the first floor of the Third Meeting House on the common.) Seniors are defined as anyone 60 years or older. If the program meets with success, it could be expanded for other transportation needs for this population. Prisco explained that rides are shared and fees are charged for a one-way trip. A door to door upon is available upon request during the reservation process. Rides are arranged through reservation only by calling the MVRTA’s Special Services office Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Reservations must be made a minimum of 24 hours in advance but can be requested up to two weeks in advance of the appointment, he said. The rides are available from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays (excluding holidays) and riders are given a 30-minute window for pick-up. MVRTA has created five service zones for the town, Zones A through E, with fees ranging from free for in-town rides (Zone A) to a maximum of $5 for one-way service to Boston, Bedford and Jamaica Plain (Zone E). The other towns accessible through Ring and Ride are: • Zone B – Andover, North Andover, Middleton, Lynnfield, Wilmington, Reading: $2. • Zone C – Woburn, Stoneham, Danvers, Peabody, Wakefield: $3. • Zone D – Burlington, Winchester, Melrose: $4. “We will have ticket books available. Where we will be selling those we will let you know at the workshops,” Prisco said, adding, “MVRTA has acquired new vans. They are making sure the staff that they are hiring to support the town of North Reading are fully trained and familiar with the town before we get it started.” “It’s a great opportunity for the town and I look forward to seeing it get started,” Prisco said. Judging by the applause he received by Town Meeting attendees, the voters agree it is a worthwhile service that will fill a void that currently exists in the town’s transportation options. Town Administrator Michael Gilleberto subsequently told the Transcript that development of the Ring and Ride program has been in the works for many months. A state Community Compact grant of $5,000 enabled the town to hire a consultant to assist the town in evaluating the town’s transportation needs. Another benefit of participating in this program is that...
read moreTown Meeting wraps up its business
Published in the October 12, 2017 edition By MAUREEN DOHERTY NORTH READING — After dispensing with five articles related to the future of the town’s water supply and backing a new social host general bylaw to curb access to alcohol and other drugs by those under age 21 by allowing the police to impose civil fines, the nearly 130 voters at October Town Meeting made short work of the remainder of the warrant last week. The following business was acted upon by the voters: APPROVED Article 2 to pay prior year’s bills totaling $9,973.06 by transferring funds from the FY2018 omnibus budget approved at June Town Meeting from: Water Enterprise expenses ($282.06); DPW Snow and Ice expenses ($216); DPW Road and Street expended ($6,945); and Pensions and Benefits ($2,530). APPROVED Article 3 to transfer $200,000 from Free Cash to the Capital Improvement Stabilization Fund, increasing the fund balance to $1,309,171. This fund is used to offset the cost of capital equipment purchases and debt financing. PASSED OVER Article 4 to appropriate money to Stabilization Fund, a.k.a.: the “rainy day fund.” PASSED OVER Article 5 to transfer funds to Other Post Employment Benefits (OPED) Liability Trust Fund. The fund balance is currently $892,546.83. Transfers are typically made in the spring, not fall and the article served simply as a placeholder in case the funding was deemed available after Free Cash was certified from the state DOR and other expenses determined. APPROVED Article 6 to amend the FY 2018 Operating Budget by transferring $4,700 from the salary pool to DPW salaries, building and grounds division, to pay wages owed to the assistant building superintendent. APPROVED Article 7 to fund repairs to town buildings: A $50,000 sum from Free Cash was approved to fund miscellaneous repairs to town buildings, including Senior Center entrance (prime and paint $8,000); security camera upgrade and repairs at the Police Station ($15,000); an upgrade to the fire protection and security alarms at the DPW complex ($10,000) as well as roof repairs ($2,983); and replacing the elevator floor ($2,800) and upgrading HVAC controls ($5,828) at the library. APPROVED Article 8 to fund the Town Facilities Master Plan with $200,000 from Free Cash to create a master plan that addresses current and future town facility needs. Selectmen Chairman Michael Prisco explained that this evaluation, combined with the recently completed Town Master Plan, will provide the town with a complete picture of its needs at all facilities for proper planning. PASSED OVER Article 9 to appropriate supplemental funds for the J.T. Berry/Lowell Road property as Town Administrator Michael Gilleberto stated there is no need for additional funds at this time. Prisco explained that the town is very close to meeting its target date of closing on the property, a future site of 450 age-restricted condominiums, on November 29. PASSED OVER Article 16 to amend the town’s General By-Laws concerning betterment assessments. APPROVED Article 17 to appropriate money for Special Counsel Legal Expenses amounting to $150,000 from Free Cash. Funds will be used to fund continued legal action related to the Secondary School Building Project. To date, the town has spent $497,000 on legal expenses and about $147,000 remained in the fund prior to this additional appropriation. APPROVED Article 18 to authorize the sale of land at 8 Devens Road (Map 42, Parcel 71), which the town...
read moreTown Hall, library early closure
Published in the October 12, 2017 edition NORTH READING —The town’s municipal employees will be recognized during the annual Employee Appreciation Luncheon on Friday, October 13 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Hillview Country Club. In order to enable all municipal employees to attend and enjoy this event, Town Administrator Michael Gilleberto reminds residents that Town Hall will close one hour early on Friday, at noon rather than at 1 p.m. Additionally, the Flint Memorial Library will be closed during the luncheon but will reopen after 1:30...
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