HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-01-29 Human Relations Advisory Committee Minutes rMF4
Town of Reading
3 Meeting Minutes RECEIVED
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Board - Committee - Commission - council: 2010 APR 16 PM 2: 25
Human Relations Advisory Board
Date: 2019-29-01 Time: 7pm
Building: Town Hall Location: Berger Room
Address: 16 Lowell Street Session:
Purpose: Monthly Meeting Version: Final
Attendees: Members - Present:
David Clark, Kyung Yu, Heather McLean, Josh Goldlust
Members - Not Present:
Elaine Webb, Kerri Riley, Susan Gaskell
Others Present: Andy Friedmann
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Heather McLean
Josh calls meeting to order at 7:10pm
1. Sharing Experiences
a. Kyung gives update that all refugees brought to Reading by the POWR group
have now left to be reunited with family and pursue job opportunities in other
parts of the state or country. Emphasized the commitment by this group of
volunteers and the positive impact they were able to make on these people's
lives.
b. Heather brought up article on the ADL's report of domestic terrorism's high
rate of linkage to right-wing extremism in 2018; will forward article to
committee members
c. Discussion of Reading's ranking as 19"' safest community in the country
d. Housing as a basic need was discussed as a topic that perhaps should be
brought up more at HRAC meetings. Andy provided Information that Reading
Is"close" to its 10% affordable housing goal, but was not sure what the
requirement was for disabled accessibility.
2. Student Liaison report
a. None
3. Police Readout:
a. No new incidents have been reported since last meeting
b. Finalizing ADL training with new representative; Will be mandatory for all
detectives, supervisors, and school resource officers. Will be open and
optional for officers and possibly surrounding communities' officers. Press
release to be put out once dates are final.
4. MLK 2019 event review -
a. Generally positive feedback!
!. Length of program was just right
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11. Multimedia/videos were a hit!
b. Heather moved to approve expenses for MLK Day breakfast and posters; Josh
2nds, 4 in favor. Motion passes.
5. Race in America Event with RED -
a. Heather moves to co-sponsor through marketing and outreach efforts the
Race in America: 2 Points of View event on 2/27; Kyung 2nds, 4 in favor.
Motion passes.
6. Spring Community Event discussion
a. Josh to reach out to the RPL to see if we can coordinate a food truck event
7. Kyung mentions March 2n' Community Meal at St. Agnes Church at 5:30pm arranged
by the Clergy Association, all are welcome.
8. Discussion of who is on the Adhoc Committee of the Select Board to discuss forming
a possible new Human Rights Organization structure that may absorb HRAC in the
future
9. Review and vote on past meeting minutes
a. Heather moves to approve 1/7 minutes, Josh seconds, 4 in favor. Motion
passes.
10.Next meeting confirmed as 3/7/19
11.Josh moved to adjourn at 8:00pm; Heather seconds, 4 in favor
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