HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-03-23 ad Hoc - Reading ARPA Advisory Committee Minutes��� Town of Reading
�a Meeting Minutes
Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Date: 2022-03-23
Building: Reading Public Library
Address: 64 Middlesex Avenue
Purpose: General Business
Attendees: Members - Present:
TOWN NRK
RFapING, MA.
2022 MAR 30 AM 8:07
Reading Arpa Advisory Committee
Time: 7:00 PM
Location:
Community Room
Session:
Open Session
Version:
Final
Chair Marianne Downing, Vice Chair Mark Dockser, Shawn Brandt, Geoffrey
Comm, Andrew Grimes, Christopher Haley, Joe McDonagh, Tom Wise
Members - Not Present:
Others Present:
Town Manager Fidel Maltez, Town Accountant Sharon Angstrom (remote),
School Finance Director Susan Bottan (remote),
Finance Committee Members: Chair Ed Ross, Andrew Mclauchlan (remote)
Select Board Chair Karen Herrick
Public: Nancy and Michael (remote), Barbara's Ipad (remote)
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jacquelyn LaVerde
Topics of Discussion:
This meeting was held in-person at the Library Community Room and remotely via Zoom
Chair Marianne Downing call the meeting to order at 7:01 pm.
There was no comment from the public.
As five members were present, Finance Committee Chair Ed Ross called the
Finance Committee to order at 7:04 pm.
Mark Dockser explained that his vision for this Committee was to decide the list of priorities
as a community, determine which priorities can be funded with ARPA, and look at free cash
and other sources of funding to help decide how to spend the ARPA funds.
Tom Wise suggested thinking strategically and investing the funds in something that will
drive investment or additional income in the future, such as Investing in water to save on
water rates, or investing in school literacy to save on out -of -district placements.
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Marianne Downing shared a comparison of how other communities prioritized their ARPA
spending. Acton used some for the school district, as opposed to capital. Wilmington is
investing all of its funds into water projects. Brookline had a group that produced a report
of priorities, but did not provide a breakdown of how to divide the money.
Town Manager Fidel Maltez created a chart with suggested ARPA spending "buckets" that
allocated $1.25 million to Community Priorities, $2 million to Water & Sewer, $2 million for
School priorities, and $2 million for Athletics and Recreation. He noted that based on his
discussions in the community, athletics, sports and fields, reducing high water and sewer
rates, and investing in young children, were the top three priorities that came up. The
Town needs to find ways to provide short term benefits that provide long term savings.
Upon joining the meeting at 7:52 pm, Karen Herrick called the Select Board to
order.
The Committee continued to discuss different ways to allocate the money and incorporating
staff expertise and community input.
The group discussed ways to solicit input from the community including an online survey,
with hard copies available for those who may not have internet access, and hosting
community forums. The survey can be advertised at the upcoming Annual Town Meeting.
On a motion by Geoffrey Coram, and seconded by Ed Ross, the Finance Committee
adjourned at 8:39 pm, as members left the meeting, and the Finance Committee
no longer had a quorum.
Members were tasked with coming to the next meeting on March 29th with suggested survey
questions and creating a list of projects that could be considered by the Committee and
would fit into the "buckets".
Review and approve minutes of 3/8/2022 meetina:
On a motion by Tom Wise, and seconded by Mr. Brandt, the Reading ARPA
Advisory Committee voted 7-0-0 to approve the meeting minutes of March 8,
2022. Joe McDonagh had already left the meeting.
Discuss future aaenda items future meeting dates:
RAAC members discussed future meeting dates following Town Meeting and agreed on
Wednesday, May 111M1 and Tuesday, May 241h.
On a motion by Karen Herrick and seconded by Mark Dockser, the Select Board
voted 3-0 to adjourn at 8:54 pm.
Roll call vote: Mark Dockser-Yes, Chris Haley -Yes, Karen Herrick -Yes.
On a motion by Mark Dockser, and seconded by Tom Wise, the Reading ARPA
Advisory Committee voted 7-0 to adjourn at 8:55 pm.
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