Town Meeting Approves $60.3 Million Budget

Town Meeting was held Monday night at North Reading High School. The meeting had a small turnout of only seventy-five people.

A budget of $60.3 million was passed at Town Meeting for fiscal 2014, which starts this coming July 1, according to Town Administrator Greg Balukonis. The new budget amount increased slightly over the current fiscal year budget of $59,783,635.

Here is a breakdown of the FY14 budget:

In other action, voters at Town Meeting passed an article that will fix flooding issues at Martin's Pond. The town will discontinue the Route 62 culvert replacement project and transfer the remaining $199,389.50 for flood mitigation improvements in the Martin's Pond area.

Summit Road fire hydrant installation

Summit Road resident Christine McGinnis petitioned to have a fire hydrant installed on her street. The closest fire hydrant to her home is 600 feet away, and would be unsafe in the case of an emergency, she said.

To install a water line and hydrant it would cost the town $33,355. 

The selectmen did not recommend the article. 

Selectman Bob Mauceri suggested an amendment to the motion to install just a fire hydrant on Central Street at the intersection of Summit Road. That would only cost $4,000 and the funds would have been taken from the Water Infrastructure Stabilization Fund.

Mauceri proposed the amendment because the board originally thought the existing fire hydrant was within 500 feet of the home. However, it is 600 feet away.

"This is a safety issue," Mauceri said.

The selectmen supported the amendment three to two. Thirty-two people voted for the amendment and 28 voted against it. However, Selectman Steve O'Leary suggested that the town postpone consideration of the article indefinitely. The board wanted more time to look into the issue. Residents ended up voting to postpone the article.