HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-12-13 Select Board Minutesora
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Town of Reading
Meeting Minutes RtCEIVED
READINGMA.
Board - Committee - Commission - Council: R6L
2023 FEB -8 AH 9:20
Select Board
Date: 2022-12-13 Time: 7:00 PM
Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Select Board Meeting Room
Address: 16 Lowell Street Session: Open Session
Purpose: General Business Version: Final
Attendees: Members - Present:
Mark Dockser, Carlo Bacci, Chris Haley, Jackie McCarthy, Karen Herrick
(@7:41PM)
Members - Not Present:
Others Present:
Town Manager Fidel Maltez, Executive Assistant Caitlin Nocella, Library
Director Amy Lannon, Facilities Director Joe Huggins, Assistant Facilities
Director Kevin Cabuzzi, Town Accountant Sharon Angstrom, Ivria Fried,
Jennie Merrill
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Executive Assistant Caitlin Nocella
Topics of Discussion:
This meeting was held in person and remote via Zoom.
Dockser called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
Budget Presentations
Amy Lannon gave the board a presentation about the requested FY24 budget for the Library. The
presentation can be found in the Select Board packet on the town website. She is requesting a 3.75%
increase stemming from increases in salaries and materials.
The board discussed library hours specifically on Sundays, security information, more details about
expenses and technology in the conference rooms.
Facilities Director Joe Huggins gave the board a presentation about the Facilities budget. Assistant
Director Kevin Cabuzzi was also present. This presentation can be found in the Select Board packet on
the town website. His budget request includes a 5.5% increase due to an increase in salaries for staff
and maintenance overtime.
Town Accountant Sharon Angstrom gave the board a presentation of the FY 24 requested budget for the
Finance Department. This budget request includes a 4.1% increase due to salary and expenses increases.
She also went through shared costs which are up 2.7% overall.
Town Manager Maltez gave the board an overall budget summary presentation which can be found in
the Select Board packet on the town website. He noted there needs to be $88K in reductions (^.26%) to
balance the budget which he will work on over the coming weeks.
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Minutes
The board edited previous meeting minutes.
Haley moved to approve the meeting minutes from November 15th, 2022, as amended. The motion
was seconded by Herrick and approved with a 5-0 vote.
Haley moved to approve the meting minutes from November 21`t, 2022, as amended. The motion was
seconded by Herrick and approved with a 5-0 vote.
Senior Center Discussion
It was noted a building in town just went on the market that may be worth looking into. It is on Haven
Street, the old Rite Aid building and it is on the market for $2.7 million which is significantly lower than
Harden Street. It is just under 8K sq feet.
Haley noted he doesn't believe the building is in good shape and there is not a lot of parking in the area.
While it is cheaper, it would most likely require a lot more work.
Herrick agreed noting the building was not upkept and the location is not great.
Bacci feels it is something to look into because of the price tag but is not sure it is the answer for a
senior center.
Herrick pointed out that the square footage is about the same as the current senior center which they
have outgrown; she doesn't believe this is worth pursuing.
The board discussed potentially issuing another RFP with Town Counsel Ivria Fried and Jennie Merrill.
Haley moved to authorize the town manager to work with Allison Jenkins to issue an RFP seeking the
acquisition of land or buildings within town for senior center and municipal uses on such terms and
conditions discussed during this meeting. Bacci seconded the motion and it was approved with a 5-0
vote.
Haley moved to go into Executive Session at 9:48 PM, including staff members Fidel Maltez, Caitlin
Nocella and Ivria Fried and Jennie Merrill from Town Counsel's office, under Executive Session
Purpose 6 to discuss the acquisition and value of 17 Hamden Street, as the Chair declares that an
open meeting could have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the body and that the
board will not reconvene in open session. The motion was seconded by McCarthy and approved with
a unanimous roll call vote.
Documents Used:
2022-12-13 Select Board Packet
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