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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-02-06 Select Board MinutesOy1t� Or Rte r Town of Reading r G I y L U Meeting Minutes C`NtJ CLERK 2024 MAR -4 Board -Committee -Commission -Council: PH 1:36 Select Board Date: 2024-02-06 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: Jackie McCarthy, Carlo Bacci, Mark Dockser, Chris Haley, Karen Herrick Members - Not Present: Others Present: Executive Assistant Caitlin Nocella, Matt Kraunelis, Jason Caron Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Executive Assistant Caitlin Nocella Topics of Discussion: This meeting was held in person and remote via Zoom. Chair McCarthy called the meeting to order at 7:07 PM and reviewed the agenda. She then took a moment to explain that she had spoken with two members on the board regarding the town manager search, and by doing so, violated the Open Meeting Law. She apologized for her actions and noted she would be recusing herself from this discussion and vote. She then went on to say that for personal reasons separate from the Open Meeting Law violation, she is going to resign from the Select Board. McCarthy then left the meeting. The board took a five-minute recess. Liaison Reports Herrick gave an update on Green Communities. The Killam School Building Committee sustainability working group met. The architect and designers will be presenting to the School Committee on Thursday. Bacci noted CPDC will not be putting MBTA communities on April Town Meeting. Haley took a moment to thank Jackie for her service to the town. The Charter Review Committee met with Town Counsel. They are also asking board and committee members to weigh in with their feedback. Dockser noted ReCaLC is meeting again tomorrow night. The architect is exploring 3 locations: the current Pleasant Street location, Symonds Way, and Oakland Road. They will be having community sessions for feedback coming up. Page 1 1 s and Vote on Town Manaaer Candidate Dockser started off by thanking everyone involved in the process. He then noted his top two candidates are Coogan and Main with Coogan being his top choice. Herrick agreed with Dockser. Haley and Bacci both explained their top choice would be Kraunelis. With the fifth member absent, the board was deadlocked in a 2-2 vote. They felt they were not going to come to a decision tonight and decided to think more about their reasons for picking the candidates they did. They will hold a special meeting on the 131h to discuss just this topic. Meadow Brook Easement Dockser explained the town has been working with Meadow Brook to create an easement from the towns' newly developed parking lot to the town forest. The easement would go across a small section of Meadow Brooks land that people already use to cut through to the forest. Herrick moved to approve the Conservation Commission's acceptance of a Public Trail Easement from the Meadow Brook Golf Club Corporation of Reading, Massachusetts, over a portion of land approximately 3,482 square feet and shown on a plan of land entitled "Easement Plan of Land, Weston & Sampson, 0 Grove Street, Lot 24, Map 44, Town of Reading, Middlesex County, Commonwealth of Massachusetts," dated January 5, 2023, and as provided in the easement document presented to the Conservation Commission on January 10, 2023; and authorize Town Counsel to record all necessary documents to effectuate the acquisition. The motion was seconded by Haley and approved with a 4-0 vote. POST1917 Liquor License Jason Caron, the applicant was present to answer any questions. Kraunelis explained that the board approved this new liquor license last month but after submitting it to the ABCC, the ABCC requested some more documentation from the applicant. The ABCC wanted the board to see the new documents before sending it back for approval. The new documents include updated financial statements and investors' information that was filled out incorrectly last time. The applicant is not making any changes to the application. Herrick moved to approve the Amended Annual All Alcohol Liquor License for Parc Restaurant Group, LLC d/b/a Post 1917 at 136 Haven Street, Reading, MA. The motion was seconded by Haley and approved with a 4-0 vote. Town Manager Report Acting Town Manager Matt Kraunelis noted Jane Kinsella, DPW Director is retiring in February. He thanks her for her many years here with the Town. He noted Assistant DPW Director Chris Cole will be taking her place and has been working alongside her for months now to assure a smooth transition. Preview Town Meeting Warrant Kraunelis went through the Town Meeting warrant for April with the board. Then Town Accountant Sharon Angstrom gave the board a look into the capital plan. Page 1 2 Close Warrants for Local Election & Presidential Primary Herrick moved to close the warrant for the Local Election and State Primary to be held on March 5, 2024. The motion was seconded by Haley and approved with a 4-0 vote. Future Agendas The board discussed future agenda items. Minutes Herrick moved to approve the meeting minutes of January 23, 2024 as written. The motion was seconded by Haley and approved with a 4-0 vote. Herrick moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:23 PM. The motion was seconded by Haley and approved with a 4-0 vote. Pagc 1 3