HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-09-12 Board of Selectmen Minutes � Fq
Town of Reading
4Meeting Minutes
Fo
' Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Board of Selectmen
Date: 2016-09-12 Time: 7:15 PM
Building: School - Memorial High Location: Performing Arts Center
Address: 62 Oakland Road Session: Open Session
Purpose: General Business Version: -
Attendees: Members - Present:
Chairman John Halsey, Vice Chairman Kevin Sexton, Secretary Barry
Berman, John Arena, Daniel Ensminger '..
Members - Not Present:
Others Present:
Town Manager Bob LeLacheur and Jeff Pierce
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Secretary Barry Berman
Topics of Discussion:
Chair Halsey called the meeting to order and then recused himself, Vice Chair Sexton leads
the meeting.
Jeff Pierce hands out pictures of a Steve Sample plaque, proposed to be hung on a Morton
Field dugout. Steve played baseball for years in town, and his father Dave is a past
president of Babe Ruth. Steve passed away at a young age from the effects of substance
abuse.
John Arena notes there is a precedent in town as such a plaque exists on the Hunt Field.
Barry Berman says the tribute for Sample is most appropriate. Dan Ensminger stated that
he has wrestled with this idea and while he has great respect for the family, he cannot
support the plaque. Kevin Sexton notes that the plaque would serve as a teachable moment
for future youth involved in the sport. Berman notes that substance abuse is now viewed
more as a public health epidemic and no longer has a stigma.
Bob LeLacheur notes that Erica McNamara and Chief Mark Segalla do not object to the
plaque, as Steve Sample had no negative interactions with the Police or the community.
John Arena asks if Babe Ruth intends to use the plaque as a teachable moment, and Jeff
Pierce said that was a good suggestion that he will bring forward to the league.
Berman moves to accept the Steve Sample plague as Presented seconded by
Arena and approved with a 3-1-0 vote Ensminger in opposition
Arena moves to recess the Board at 7:25pm until such time as Town Meeting adjourns,
seconded by Ensminger and approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
At 9:56 PM Chair John Halsey called the Board of Selectmen back into session to present
information to Town Meeting Members of the Proposition 21/2 Override called by the Board of
Selectmen. After giving a few remarks John Halsey asked Alan Foulds the Town Moderator
Page 1 1
Board of Selectmen Minutes - September 12. 2016 - pace 2
to moderate the meeting. A Presentation was given by Robert LeLacheur and John Doherty.
There was some discussion among Town Meeting Members with.comments from the
following: '
Paul Sylvester, Precinct 3
Thomas O'Rourke, Precinct 2
Mark Dockser, Finance Committee
Erin K Calvo-Baccl, Precinct 5
Gary Phillips, Precinct 7
Kendra JG Cooper, Precinct 8
After closing comments by John Halsey a motion was made by John Arena to adjourn Board
of Selectmen at 11:20 PM
Arena moves to adiourn at 11.20 om seconded by Ensminaer and approved by a
vote of 5-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Secretary
Page 1 2