HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-10-22 ad Hoc - Community Preservation Act Study Committee Minutes� Orq
Town of Reading
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Board -Committee -Commission -Council:
Ad Hoc Community Preservation Act Study
Committee
Date: 2024-10-22 Time: 7:30
Building:
Reading Town Hall
Location: Select Board Meeting Room
Address:
16 Lowell Street
Session: Open Session
Purpose:
General Business
Version: Final
Attendees:
Members - Present:
Chair Joe Carnahan, Vice Chair Sarah Brukilacchio, Carlo Bacci (remote),
Margaret Donnelly -Moran (remote), Sandy Matathia, Martha Moore;
Associate Member Katie Gallant
Members - Not Present:
Eric Gaffen
Others Present:
Laura Stella (remote), Jack (remote 8:10 pm)
Minutes Respectfully submitted By: Jacquelyn LaVerde
Topics of Discussion:
This meeting was held in-person In the Town Hall Select Board Meeting Room and remotely
via Zoom.
Call to order and welcome
Chair Joe Carnahan called the meeting to order at 7:31 pm.
Roll call attendance: Margaret Donnelly -Moran, Carlo Bacci, Katie Gallant, Sandy Matathia,
Martha Moore, Sarah Brukilacchio, Joe Carnahan.
Not present: Eric Gaffen.
Mr. Carnahan thanked Carlo Baccl and the Select Board for extending the charge of the
Study Committee and reviewed the evening's agenda.
Reflect on Select Board Presentation
Martha Moore stated that she was glad that the Select Board extended the charge.
Sandy Matathia expressed concern about a Select Board member's reservation about CPA
amid other Initiatives that would require a debt exclusion, and asked how it could be
addressed. Ms. Moore noted that some things looking for funding in the future might be
partially funded through CPA, for example pickleball courts and certain parts of the Senior
Center.
The Committee also broadly discussed other matters Including a potential future operating
override, impacts on taxpayers, concerns about overall Increased costs, getting people to
understand the benefits of CPA to help fund projects, and whether adopting CPA and
receiving state match could help postpone or pass a lower override.
Review previous consideration of CPA in Readina
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Sarah Brukilacchio shared that Virginia Adams prepared a binder filled with notes,
newspaper clippings, and emails from the previous CPA vote in 2002, which was close, but
did not pass. Another attempt in 2006 and 2007 did not make it to the ballot. The
Committee reviewed the process from the 2001 vote, and citing a letter to the editor from a
member of the "No Way CPA Committee", noted that it likely did not pass as it was on the
same ballot as an override for the High School. The Committee agreed that their job is to
educate the community on the projects that could be funded or partially funded using CPA
funds, and ensure it is not on the same ballot with another funding request.
Discuss future meetinas and agendas
The Committee will plan to host a public forum. The next meetings are scheduled for
January 14th and 28°M1, 2025. The Committee will decide which election cycle to get CPA on
the ballot at their next meeting. The Committee would also like to hear from Natick and
Winchester. At future meetings, the Committee will hear from other communities on their
CPA experience, and dedicate a meeting to discussing each CPA pillar and finance.
Following the January meetings, the Committee will meet monthly.
Discuss and approve meeting minutes from September 17, 2024
On a motion by Martha Moore, seconded by Sandy Matathia, the Ad Hoc
Community Preservation Act Study Committee voted 6-0-0 to approve the meeting
minutes of September 17, 2024.
Roll call vote: Margaret Donnelly -Moran - Yes, Carlo Bacci - Yes, Sandy Matathia -
Yes, Martha Moore - Yes, Sarah Brukilacchio - Yes, Joe Carnahan - Yes.
On a motion by Sandy Matathia, seconded by Martha Moore, the Ad Hoc
Community Preservation Act Study Committee voted 6-0-0 to adjourn at 9:01 pm.
Roll call vote: Margaret Donnelly -Moran - Yes, Carlo Bacci - Yes, Sandy Matathia -
Yes, Martha Moore - Yes, Sarah Brukilacchio - Yes, Joe Carnahan - Yes.
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