HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-10-21 ad Hoc - Human Rights Committee Minutes Town of Reading
Meeting Minutes
Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Ad-Hoc Human RightAWWtt-A A" 10: 00
Date: 2019-10-21 Time: 7:00 PM
Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Conference Room
Address: 16 Lowell Street Session: Open Session
Purpose: General Business Version: Final
Attendees: Members - Present:
Andy Friedmann, Anne Landry, Linda Snow Dockser, Andrew Grimes
Members - Not Present:
Others Present:
Chris Kelly, David Clark, Josh Goldlust, Gina McCormick, Sherilla Lestrade
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Caitlin Saunders
Topics of Discussion:
Mr. Friedmann called the meeting to order.
The group first discussed whether or not they wanted to put their stories they shared in the
minutes anonymously or not. They decided as long as the stories were on file somewhere
they didn't need to be in the minutes.
A few members shared new stories with the room.
The board discussed the mission statement with some questions as to whether or not this
was the latest version. Some thought it may be a little wordy while some noted they feel
the first paragraph is powerful.
Gina McCormick then explained the research she has done regarding the three different
structures the future committee could be. Option B needs more work after the next RCASA
meeting. That is the option that the committee would be structured like RCASA.
The problem with option A is there are no non-residents allowed to sit on the board.
Mr. Friedmann feels option A sends a strong message. He thinks going through Town
Meeting to set up this future committee makes a more powerful statement.
The board discussed changing the town charter so that non-residents can sit on boards.
Chris Kelley feels it would be very hard to change the change the charter as the feeling of
non-residents sitting on our local boards has never had a lot of support. Her only thought
was it could maybe be done if it was specifically for this committee only, then it may pass.
The board then discussed the idea of this future committee sitting under the library. The
board consensus seemed to like that idea given the library runs a lot of programs mesh well
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with this. They also discussed having one staff person that is solely dedicated to this
committee.
Linda Snow Dockser noted she would have some concern if it sat only under one director or
person. She also mentioned looking into grants specific to this topic.
Mr. Friedmann moved to approve the meeting minutes of September 17, 2019. The
motion was seconded by Ms. Landry and approved with a 4-0 vote.
Motion to adjourn at 9:07 was approved 4-0 vote.
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