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Home My WebLink About2021-01-05 Select Board Minutes 4, L'., CiVLI: Town of Reading P F IN N CLERK Meeting Minutes - MA. ' (Lc. 292i to 16 PM 3 20 Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Select Board Date: 2021-01-05 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Location: Address: Session: Open Session Purpose: General Business Version: Final Attendees: Members - Present: Mark Dockser, Karen Herrick, Vanessa Alvarado, Carlo Bacci, Anne Landry Members - Not Present: Others Present: Town Manager Bob LeLacheur, Executive Assistant Caitlin Saunders Nocella, Dr. Lopez, Mike Lacey, Jackie McCarthy, Larry Hayes, Mark Delaney Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Topics of Discussion: This meeting was held remotely on Zoom. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM. Carlo Bacci moved to go into Executive Session including Counsel Greg Pagnini (BHPK Law) and Ivria Fried (Miyares & Harrington); Jody Mills (MIIA); and staff members Bob LeLacheur and Caitlin Saunders Nocella, in order to discuss strategy with respect to litigation and pending actions involving 59 Middlesex Road and that the Select Board Chair declare that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the body, and to reconvene in Open Session at approximately 7:25 PM. The motion was seconded by Vanessa Alvarado and approved with the following roll call vote: Herrick - yes; Landry - yes; Bacci - yes; Alvarado - yes; Dockser - yes. The board returned to open session at 8:04 PM. Board of Health Chair Dr. Lopez started the meeting off by giving a COVID update. There are 290 active cases in town which has stayed about the same over the last two weeks. There are 37 cases in the school system, a cluster of cases from Reading Gymnastics and Ards Senior Living Home has 9 cases. They are working on their vaccination plan for first responders which should be happening next week. Phase II of the vaccine which will probably be in February or March will be for the seniors. Karen Herrick asked why the Burbank Ice Arena is closed. It was noted they must have decided to shut down on their own because it was not ordered by BOH. Dr. Lopez did note there was a bunch of complaints from parents about captain's hockey practices happening and them having too many people on the ice for their liking. Page 1 1 Anne Landry asked if there was any more information about possible testing centers here in town. It seems that has not been a huge topic of discussion lately now that a vaccine is here. Town Manager noted the surge in cases seems to correlate with the holidays as they expected. Liaison Reports Mark Dockser noted he would like to send a letter to our legislators about our April Election. We need to press them to extend the absentee voting options for 2021. Town Clerk Laura Gemme does believe they will extend it; it's just a matter or when. She agrees they should send a letter as Reading has one of the earlier local election dates in the state. Anne Landry asked if we could move our election to a week earlier when the absentee voting is still in effect. The Town Clerk noted they cannot move the election at this time. Anne Landry noted the police investigation regarding election day is still pending and she will have more information at the next meeting. HRAC is looking for video submissions from the Select Board about what'beloved community' means to them. Karen Herrick noted Senator Lewis is working on new environmental legislation. She also mentioned RMLD seems to have some dealings with a Biomass company which isn't very green so that is concerning to her. She then asked if members could attend the MMA annual event. Anne Landry noted Amy Lannon reached out about the community conversation tomorrow night about race. Karen Herrick and Mark Dockser will attend. Town Manager's Report Bob LeLacheur noted the final figures are in for the mortgage program and it went very well. He thanked the police department and residents for helping yesterday to find a missing resident noting she was found safe. Public Comment Mike Lacey wants an update on the progress of the water tower. He is worried it is going to be pushed off again and wants a better timeline. Larry Hayes wanted to check on the status of the water tank as well because he is concerned. Jackie McCarthy doesn't like the timeline for the water tower project and wants it done quicker. Her husband Mark Delaney agreed and wants more updates. Robert Connor noted he spoke with a company about temporary towers and said he would send the information along. Preview Annual Town Meeting Warrant Town Manager Bob LeLacheur showed the board the warrant for annual town meeting at the moment. He noted they have to close the warrant on March 2nd. The warrant can be seen in the board packet on the website under the meeting date. FY22 Budgets Town Manager Bob LeLacheur explained that the budgets they saw the last couple weeks presented by department heads are about $500K over budget. He listed the nine asks or items on the list and would like feedback or guidance from the board on how to proceed. He believes we can afford one of these things, maybe 2 or 3 but he doesn't know right now. The board went thru and each ranked the list as to what they think the priorities are. Most of the members agreed the top priorities in their minds are a full-time health director, social worker/mental health position and a civil rights officer. Page 1 2 Communication Poli Anne Landry presented the board her draft Communication policy she has been working on. Vanessa Alvarado noted she had no edits and that it looks great. Mark Dockser echoed Vanessa's thoughts. Karen Herrick noted she has gotten a lot of push back from town staff about having use of the town seal but she wants that in the policy. She wants full access to electronic and hard copy stationary with the town seal. She thinks everything else looks great. Carlo Bacci thought it looked good as well and had no edits. Anne Landry noted Town Counsel will still need to look over any changes from this evening. Minutes The board put forth their edits to the two sets of minutes before them. Carlo Bacci moved to approve the meeting minutes of December a'h and December g'h, 2020 as amended. The motion was seconded by Karen Herrick and approved with the following roll call vote: Herrick - yes; Bacci - yes; Alvarado - yes; Landry - yes; Dockser - yes. The board discussed future agenda items. Carlo Bacci moved to adjourn at 10:21 PM. The motion was seconded by Karen Herrick and approved with the following roll call vote: Herrick - yes; Bacci - yes; Alvarado - yes; Landry - yes; Dockser - yes. Page 13 Fy'22 Priority(A,B,C)by person Item Anne Carlo Karen Mark Vanessa Public Health Director A A A A A Public Health Nurse hours A A A Code Enforcement position C B Rec Program Coordiantor hours C e Public Service clerical support hours C C Civil Rights Officer/Sargeant B A A A A Police Training B A A Social Work/Mental Health Position B A A B A Equity/Social Justice position A A A Other: