2001-06-14 Human Relations Advisory Commitee Minutes

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-R HUMAN RELATIONS ADVISORY COMMITTEE 3, i` A S S. June 14, 2001 ~~rt~ READING POLICE STATION - COMMUNITY ROtyY~l i _ 01: O ~i 7:30 P.M. Present: Robin D'Antona, School Committee designee; Terry Jones; Paul Kelley; Phil Maher, Board of Selectmen designee; Emily Maughan; Carol Roberts, Town of Reading Personnel; Bob Silva, Chief of Police; Sumi Sinnatamby, Realtor; Margaret Soli; Edward Toland. Guest: David Stanars, Police Department. 1. Meeting called to order by M. Soli. 2. Minutes of preceding meeting amended and passed. 3. HRAC goals discussed in general terms. P. Maher commented that we can encourage and act as a catalyst, make recommendations to the Selectmen. T. Jones recommended that we report to Selectmen on what we have done once we have set and accomplished some goals. Also share our thoughts for the future. Written suggestions submitted by P. Kelley and P. Maher. Verbal suggestions made by T. Jones. Discussed proposed goal to cause the existence of the HRAC to become more visible to the citizens of the Town. C. Roberts will oversee the addition of the HRAC description and duties to the Town's website along with a button for committee members to receive emails from community members. No personal email addresses will be available. Generic response will be generated. Committee will review emails at meeting following receipt for response. Discussed having the Town sponsor additional dialogue sessions such as those held over a year ago. Dialogues helped town members come together in groups with facilitators for discussion of diversity. Dept. of Justice representatives served as a resource, offered training sessions for facilitators. Town sponsored. Discussed proposed goal to review existing law and prepare a brief pamphlet or publication of relevant laws (such as the Hate Crimes Law) and public agencies which deal with issues of civil rights and discrimination. P. Kelley will talk with L. Connor, Reading resident and Justice Dept. employee, about what resources are available on hate crimes and statistics on same on a national level. B. Silva will talk with Justice Department contacts about same if needed. Discussed having the general laws regarding hate crimes linked to the Town's website. D. Stanars will work on link. Discussed having Committee serve as a clearinghouse or information resource for the community. Discussed METCO Program. E. Maughan reported that the number of METCO students is 45 in Reading, down from the 91 in the agreement the town made with METCO. Suggested that School Committee member/s be invited to HRAC meeting to let committee know what the town's. commitment /plan is for the program. R. D'Antona explained that METCO buses and personnel costs are deducted from the budget before the per pupil money. The money left does not cover the per pupil cost. P. Kelley pointed out that many of the pupil costs are fixed costs so should not be part of pupil costs. Rather than go to the School Committee, Robin suggested we contact our state representatives about the level funding and push hard on a state level. i~ r'