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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-05-22 Volunteer Appointment Committee Town of Reading 1R E C E I V E D F Meeting Minutes TOWN CLERK READING, MA. Board - committee - commission - council: 2619 JUN 19 PM 3: 19 Volunteer Appointment committee Date: 2019-05-22 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Berger Room Address: 16 Lowell Street Session: Open Session Purpose: General Business Version: Final Attendees: Members - Present: Vanessa Alvarado, Andy Friedmann Members - Not Present: Others Present: Administrative Assistant Jacquelyn LaVerde Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jacquelyn LaVerde Topics of Discussion: The VASC interviewed candidates for various volunteer positions. Jonathan Barnes is an incumbent, and current Chair, on the Historical Commission seeking reappointment. Mr. Barnes noted that the Commission is a smart group and operates without any administrative support staff. The last year has been relatively uneventful and current projects include Gould Street and the old Post Office. Ms. Alvarado asked Mr. Barnes how he feels about the six-month demolition delay versus the twelve-month demolition delay. Mr Barnes noted that the demolition delay period provides the Commission and the property owner to discuss alternatives to demolition, such as no demo, partial demo, or sell to someone else, in an effort to preserve a historical home. A six-month delay does not incentivize any discussion, whereas a twelve-month delay could have more significant financial implications and Incentivize discussions. However, the Commission is considerate of financial hardships on a homeowner. He hopes that the Select Board can help support a bylaw change with Town Meeting. Jonathan Barnes stated that the Historical commission would benefit from communication and collaboration with municipal staff and management. Kern Riley is an Incumbent on the Human Relations Advisory Committee (HRAC) seeking reappointment. Ms. Riley stated that she just finished her first year with the Committee and felt that her experience working In Human Resources for a pharmaceutical company would be useful on the Committee. She noted that she is surprised that more people are not interested in joining the committee and a lot of the action work is handled by herself and fellow members Heather McLean and Josh Goldlust. The Committee would benefit by having more people to help. Ms. Alvarado and Mr. Friedmann stated that they will invite HRAC members to the ad hoc Human Rights Committee meetings and will work to fill associate positions. Krissandra "Kris" Holmes Is an incumbent on the Board of Registrars seeking reappointment. She has been on the board for ten years, is currently the only republican, and says she enjoys her job, which mostly takes place during voting season. Ms. Alvarado suggested mentioning the need for another republican on the Board at the next Republican Town Committee meeting In June to try and recruit someone for the open associate positions. Page 1 1 Brian Boyle is a new applicant with a strong background in finance, housing, and working with non-profit organizations. He is relatively new to the community having moved to Reading three years ago from the city. He wants to become more involved in the community and is interested in serving on the Board of Cemetery Trustees, the Housing Authority, or the Finance Committee. His strongest Interest is the Board of Cemetery Trustees because he had been doing extensive research on this own family history and found cemeteries to be a great resource. He finds the research very interesting and feels that cemeteries are of critical Importance and need to be maintained and restored. Ms. Alvarado and Mr. Friedmann discussed his other boards of interest, but Mr. Boyle stated that the Board of Cemetery Trustees would be his first choice. Jeffrey Everson is an incumbent associate member of the Climate Advisory Committee seeking appointment as a full member. Mr. Everson is a career physicist who enjoys utilizing his research skills to help support the Committee and noted his Involvement with many projects including: the plastic bag ban, earth day fairs, bike recycling, and RMLD solar program. Thomas"Tom" Gardiner is an incumbent member of the Town Forest Committee seeking reappointment. Mr. Gardiner spoke about the upcoming thinning program and mentioned the Committee's plan to present the project to the Select Board at an upcoming meeting. He noted that the forest is not healthy at the moment. Most of the trees to be removed are red pines, which are not native to this part of the country, as it is a northern tree. And once they're removed, nature will allow native white pines and oak to grow. As part of the thinning project invasive species will need to be removed from the area and the Committee is thinking of hosting a Town-wide buckthorn pulling day. Ms. Alvarado loved the idea about involving the community and families and offered to announce the event at a Select Board meeting leading up to it. Timothy Kelley is an incumbent member of the Housing Authority seeking reappointment. He explained how the Authority acquires new properties when funds are available. However, they have not acquired new property recently and the Authority's mission Is to effectively manage the existing inventory, not expand it. The Authority is open to discussing with the Select Board changing the current Affordable Housing Trust Fund under the state statute. Mr. Friedmann asked if the Authority would be able to increase the ownership of affordable housing if the Town is able to develop a healthy housing trust. Mr. Kelley stated they could try, but it would take a significant amount of time. Greg Manganzini is an incumbent member of the Historic District Commission seeking reappointment. He became Interested in joining the Commission after seeing his home on the Historic District pamphlet at Town Hall and wanted to learn more about his house, the community, and what the Commission is trying to preserve. He spoke about his concerns with the developer of 186 Summer Street, and how the Commission could use some more people to help. Patricia "Patti" Cameron Is a new applicant interested in participating on the Climate Advisory Committee. She Is an employee of Reading Municipal Light Department in the Accounting department and was encouraged by her manager and the RMLD General Manager to apply. If appointed, she would be excited to share Ideas, foster collaboration, and coordinate presentations between RMLD and the Committee. Ms. Alvarado moved to approve the meeting minutes of May 6, 2019. The motion was seconded by Mr. Friedmann and approved with a 2-0 vote. Ms. Alvarado moved to approve the meeting minutes of May 1, 2019. The motion was seconded by Mr. Friedmann and approved with a 2-0 vote. Ms. Alvarado made a motion to adjourn at 8:56pm. The motion was seconded by Mr. Friedmann and approved with a 2-0 vote. Page 1 2