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Town of Reading
Meeting Minutes
Board - Committee - Commission - Council: 020 JGit - Pi° 12: 34
Human RelationsAdvisory Committee
Date: 2020-03-05 Time: 7pm
Building: Town Hall Location: Berger Room
Address: 16 Lowell Street Session:
Purpose: Monthly Meeting Version: Final
Attendees: Members - Present:
Kyung Yu, Kern Perry, Josh Goldlust, David Clark
Members- Not Present:
Anne Landry
Others Present: Linda Philips
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Josh Goldlust
Josh calls meeting to order at 7:05 pm
1. Sharing Experiences
a. Chief Clark gave personal thanks to Kyung for his letter to the board in
support of his nomination to chief.
b. RAD personal defense program is still happening through its grant funding.
Event dates are March 24th, 26th, 31n and April 2nd
c. Linda- questions about references to RCASA and Coalition as stated in ad hoc
meeting notes and how it pertains to HRAC. And where this potential new
group would report
2. Police Readout:
a. No new incidents. Past events are still 'open' pending new information that
comes forth and can be pursued
b. Comment about police officer that was in front of polling place with clip board.
This was to investigate an automobile crash. The officer was documenting the
incident and taking statements. Their presence had nothing to do with the
polls or voting.
3. MILK '20 event (recap)
a. Kerri- Feedback the event when well. Great performances &turn out.
b. Kyung- Glad Metco director was able to speak at the event. Having residents
speak as part of the program was well received.
c. Chief Clark- Sentiment was it that the program ran smoothly. Flowed well
between agenda items.
d. Josh- Received feedback from the larger community members that they really
appreciate the event each year and look forward to it. This year's content was
particularly moving & meaningful. Great content and delivery by all. Kyung
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added he was glad event was able to come together in short order. Josh
commented that it shouldn't have been through the commitment of 1-2
people but through a full committee participation over 3-4 months. Lesson
learned for next year.
e. Kyung confirmed clergy assoc reached out to have an event debrief in March
or April to see where they can assist with future planning.
4. Ad Hoc meeting (update)
a. Recap that Ad hoc's role was to make a recommendation to Select Board on
both mission and structure. Recommendation was presented to Board on Feb
11th meeting to have a discussion with Library Board of Trustees. Please read
ad hoc meeting meetings or Select Board minutes for more details on those
meetings.
b. Re-iterated that Ad Hoc is open to all to attend. No one from HRAC is a voting
member on ad hoc, just participants in the meeting.
c. Kerri asked who can be part of advisory group that was part of ad hoc
recommended structure? Josh commented that ad hoc recommendation
included a suggestion to including anyone that has been participating on the
ad hoc committee or anyone on HRAC.
d. Kerri asked if the recommended position under the Library Board of Trustees
would need to have some expertise. Kyung responded saying `yes' usually
some sort of social work or advanced education degrees are typical.
e. Public question (from Linda Philips)- Would this new group be under the
Select Board. Josh commented that this group would not as the
recommendation was to have it under the Library Board instead. He also
pointed Linda back to the minutes of the Ad Hoc and Select boards for more
details
5. Motion to approve Jan minutes: Kerri moves, Kyung 2nds, passes 3-0 (Kyung, Kerri,
Josh) Dave abstained as he was not at the Jan meeting
6. General Comments:
a. Kyung asked if there was an official sunset date for HRAC. Josh confirmed
there wasn't though it is tied to when new ad hoc committee recommended
group is approved by the Select Board. It will replace HRAC.
b. Josh gave quick update on Feb 27th RED meeting on METCO and formal
introduction to Grant Hightower as the Program Director.
7. Establish date for next meeting
a. Confirmed it will be 4/2 @7 PM in the Berger Room
8. Motion to adjourn at 7:50 PM: Josh moves, Kyung 2nds, motion passes with all in
favor 4-0
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