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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-06-30 Human Relations Adviosry Committee MinutesTown of Reading Meeting Minutes Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Aft Human Relations Advisory Committee 1!)ib JIUL U P 3: 41 Date: 2016-06-30 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Reading Police Station Location: Community Room Address: 15 Union Street Purpose: Meeting Session: Attendees: Members - Present: Lori Hodin, David Clark, Linda Snow-Dockser, Seema Lynch, Heather McLean, Kyung Yu (left at 8pm) Members - Not Present: Lynn Dornink Others Present: Bob Vincent, Mark Segolla, Barry Berman, Kevin Sexton, Ruthie Wilson, Bil Chetwynd, Christine Hansen, Mark Segalla Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Kate Sylvester on behalf of Lynn Dornink Topics of Discussion: Heather called the meeting to order at 7:06pm. She asked those present to introduce themselves and share what brings them to the committee/what they bring to the committee as well as to share any news. Heather discussed bringing her marketing skills to the committee as a form of community outreach and was drawn to the committee as a way to be involved in the Reading community. She discussed the recent shootings in Orlando and how they provided an opportunity for community outreach. Linda explained her various roles throughout the community and emphasized her background in education/child development, and how that included community outreach and service. She mentioned the Pillars of Character program as particularly inspiring. Linda also shared her experiences with anti-Semitism while growing up and how that drove her to becoming a part of the committee. She thanked Heather, Seema, and Lynn for their work on the subcommittee to create the presentation to the board of selectmen regarding committee structural changes. Kyung shared his background and experiences as a pastor and starting an ethnic church in Reading. He expressed that he was impressed with the committee's commitment to diversity, and encourages his congregants to get involved with their local communities. He felt frustration with some of the processes that were required to execute some of the committee's plansi He believes it is a good thing to have the committee, but that the committee could be more proactive. He shared his experiences dealing with vandalism at his church. Ruthie introduced herself as a World of Difference liaison. She shared her experiences of hearing anti-Semitic jokes at school. Lori introduced herself as a parent in the community. She shared that she felt like an outsider as a person of Jewish faith in Reading. She says she joined the committee because she is committed to fostering diversity and respect for all people. She mentioned bringing her experience as a mediator and of training young people as mediators to the committee. Christine mentioned bringing her background in education and human rights activism to the committee. She said that she was drawn to the committee after witnessing some disturbing events in town. Kevin introduced himself as a member of the Board of Selectman and liaison.. Barry also introduced himself as member of the Board of Selectman. He shared his experiences growing up in New York and the culture shock he experienced moving to Boston. He also shared that his brothe is gay and was threatened with a dishonorable discharge from the Air Force. He shared his wish that th committee would help to make Reading a safe place for all people and wants to help the committee to c o that while also adhering to the rules of the town. Seema mentioned bringing her legal background to the committee, as well as her background as a mediator. She shared her experiences growing up as a chit of immigrants. She joined the committee because she was disturbed by things happening around the country. Mark introduced himself as Reading chief of police, and David introduced himself as liaison to Page 1 1 the chiefs office and shared his experiences living around the world. Two guests from the Wakefield Human Rights Commission also introduced themselves (Bill Chetwynd and Bob Vincent) and explained that they recently put their commission together and wanted to observe the meeting to learn about its operation. Bob shared his experience as a military judge. He is now retired and fills his time by volunteering for various philanthropic organizations. After introductions, Heather turned the conversation to the meeting with the Board of Selectman. She emphasized that the goal of the committee is to do more in the community, but has been prevented from doing this by various communication issues. She expressed that the committee felt misunderstood or not taken seriously after the meeting, despite the amount of research the subcommittee had done. Kevin responded by agreeing that the board wants to work together with the committee. He believes th a problem at the meeting was that each side had a different expectation. Kevin says the board was not expecting a "sales pitch" from the committee, and more of a discussion about what a commission is. Barry agreed with Kevin and was expecting an array of information about different options for the committee, and also explained that the board was very tired the night of the meeting. Heather responded by explaining that the committee thought they were being told last November that they should determine what path the committee would like to take. She mentioned the sunset plan is a looming issue for the committee. She explained that the committee has repeatedly explained that they do not want to becom an independent non-profit organization, and that the committee does not feel like they are being heard on that issue by the Board of Selectman. Kevin responded again mentioning differing expectations at the meeting. He mentioned that being a private committee would make it easier to post press releases outside of the town. Heather responded by pointing out that the committee outlined several other municipal entities that remain town entities but are able to move faster on issues like press releases. Barry asked the committee to name the five or three things that they would like to do. Seema agreed w th Barry and Kevin that there were differing expectations at the meeting with the Board of Selectman. Sh also mentioned that she felt some of the questions asked of the committee at the meeting expressed al fear or unwillingness to consider a separate commission. She expressed frustration at the constant resistance to all of the points that the committee brought forward. She said she does not know how the' committee will move forward with the Board of Selectman if the board continues to resist all of the points. She says the question is, what the committee has to do to convince the rest of the board that there is 4 need for a commission. Lori responded to Barry's question by saying one of the things the committee would like to do is "to be a resource or assist the parties or mediate parties of conflicts within the town" (referring to the committee's mission statement). Mark said that the committee sounded like it was asking for legal power in investigations into hates crimes or issues of discrimination. Lori clarified that the committee's involvement would be outreach to victims. Mark said he would be very open to coming up with a system like that. Lori expressed that this may pave the way to alleviate fears. She gave an example of the police handing out the committee's phone number to a victim of graffiti, etc. Mark specified that the police would have to give the committee's number to the victim, not the other way around. Linda mentioned an example of the rainbow flag recently being cut down and that that would have been a good instance for the committee to get involved. Mark agreed that this would be a system that could easily be put into place. Mark mentioned printing the brochures for the committee. Linda asked Bill and Bob if they submit complaints through the police department in Wakefield. They explained that they work closely with the police department and intend for complaints to go through the police department, however at the current time they are submitted through the town manager. Barry asked Bill and Bob what precipitated the formation of the commission in Wakefield. They mentioned several instances of swastika graffiti around town, as well as complaints about an international dinner at the local school and complaints about an Indian family that included racial slurs. They also mentioned that the commission works proactively rat er than reactively in the community. Kevin asked Bill and Bob what the commission formation process wa like. They explained that they are focusing on education in 2016, as well as forming a policy and procedures document which defines what the commission sees themselves as. Kevin asked if that document would be approved at the town meeting. Bill and Bob explained that boards and commissions are formed several ways in Wakefield — the commission is formed jointly between the board of selection, police department, and school committee. The policies and procedures will be forwarded to the town manager and then to the board of selectman and the school committee to be voted on for approval. They mentioned that there was only one other town that they knew of that had to go through the town meeting process, and that town was Arlington in 1992. Heather expressed frustration with the issues trying to post a press release about the swastika graffiti. Kevin asked Bill and Bob if they would be able to post press] releases without any checks and balances. They explained that the commission would run a press release by the members of the commission from the Board of Selectman and education committee. Linda explained that Arlington and Melrose are able to publish press releases easily because there are set expectations. Seema mentioned that having one of the liaisons review the committee's press releases would be a good compromise between the concerns on both sides. Kevin and Barry agreed. Barry brought up the Bear Hill swastikas and asked what the committee would have said in a press release. Page 1 2 Heather explained what the press release the committee wrote said. Kevin explained that this could be viewed as a judgment against Stoneham. Linda explained that reacting to different instances with counter events to raise awareness is something the board does. Mark asked why the committee can't do events like that now. Linda explained that the committee needs permission to do that. She also explained that,_ the committee was not allowed to proceed with the Waking up White event or the immigration law workshop by the Board of Selectman. Mark asked if the committee had to get permission to co -sponsor - the vigil for the Orlando shooting on Father's Day in Reading. Linda explained that they did, and at first were denied. Barry expressed concern over the committee's involvement in an event that could be perceived as a statement from the town on gun control. Christine and Kevin discussed what the committee's involvement would be in instances of discrimination. Kevin explained that the difficulty comes in when the committee's passion meets the town's structure. Kevin explained that coming up with a structure of how the commission would react to an instance would help to win the board over. Seema asked if the committee would be able to have a conversation with the town council and town manager to discuss this structure. The committee asked Bill and Bob to explain the process of their commission formation again. They explained that the commission being formed by the Board of Selectman rather than through Town Meeting exempted them from by-law creation. Barry expressed concern that a future Board of Selectman may disempower the commission. Seema asked how the commission in Wakefield is different from the Board of Selectman forming an advisory committee. Bill and Bob explained that the commission is formed from the Board of Selectman, school commission, and chief of police. The commission could then work towards creating a by-law once they have already been formed as a protection against being dissolved. Bill and Bob both expressed concern over the documentation for Reading' current advisory committee as it does not empower the committee to do anything but provide advice to the Board of Selectman. Lori explained that anti-Semitism is on the raise in schools, and that the Waking up White event would have been a great opportunity to educate and raise awareness. Lind expressed the need for the committee to be proactive in terms of education, connecting, and being a safe haven where people can come should they experience a challenge, and that the committee would be directly connected to the police. Kevin reiterated that the main goal to move forward will be to clearly outline a structure that will make everyone comfortable. Barry recommended clearly laying out the goals and structure the committee proposes to use to meet those goals. Kevin pledged to assist the subcommittee in coming up with a structure for moving forward, and expressed an importance to keepi g the chief of police involved in the subcommittee. Kevin also volunteered Barry to be involved with the subcommittee. Linda also clarified that the committee is not asking for paid staff. Heather summarized he discussion by saying that the subcommittee would be in touch with Barry and Kevin. Lori moved to approve the 5/31 minutes as -is. Heather seconded. The committee voted to approve 5-0. Heather moved to distribute the community outreach survey indefinitely, Lori seconded. The committee approved the motion 5-0. Heather moved to participate in the 2016 Fall Street Faire, Lori seconded, the committee voted to participate 5-0. Linda mentioned that the next meeting is next Thursday — she asked the members to come with ideas for the MLK day event (speakers, entertainment). David and Lori will not attend the next meetinga Linda, Seema, Heather, Kyung, and Lynn will make a quorum. Heather moved to adjourn the meeting, Lori seconded, the committee voted to adjourn 5-0. Meeting adjourned at 8:59pm. Page 1 3