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Home My WebLink About2025-03-05 Select Board Minutes� a �_ Town of Reading �q� Meeting Minutes � JJp1 4 RECEIVED TOWN CLERK READING, MA. 2025 M{ifi 19 AM 1� 31 Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Select Board Date: 2025-03-05 Building: Reading Town Hall Address: 16 Lowell Street Purpose: General Business Attendees: Members - Present: Time: 7:00 PM Location: Select Board Meeting Room Session: Open Session Version: Final Carlo Bacci, Mark Dockser, Chris Haley, Karen Gately Herrick (remote), Melissa Murphy Members - Not Present: Others Present: Town Manager Matt Kraunelis, Assistant Town Manager Jayne Wellman, Assistant CFO Diane Morabito (remote), CFO Sharon Angstrom (remote), DPW Director Christopher Cole, Town Engineer Ryan Percival (remote), Recreation Administrator Jim Sullivan (remote), Joel Bargmann - BH+A, Mark Novak - Activitas (remote), Steve Crisafulli - Activitas (remote), Brian Hromadka - Turner & Townsend (remote), Karen Rose -Gillis (remote), Nancy Twomey (remote), Jack (remote), Pat Tompkins, Karen Janowski, Michael Coltman, Joseph White, Marilyn Shapleigh, Jean Prato, Nancy Ziemlak Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jacquelyn WVerde Topics of Discussion: This meeting was held in -person in the Town Hall Select Board Meeting Room and remotely via Zoom. Chair Carlo Bacci called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Roll call attendance: Karen Gately Herrick (remote), Chris Haley, Melissa Murphy, Mark Dockser, Cado Bacci. Public Comment Manlyn Shapleigh, 11 Carver Road, encouraged the Select Board to visit Wilmington's new Senior Center, and stated that it should be the role model for a new Senior Center in Reading. Joseph White of Prescott Street spoke in favor of increased MBTA commuter rail service in Reading, and noted that if the MBTA does not add a turnback track, then Reading will lose service. Jean Prato, 25 Orchard Park Drive, urged the Board to consider the needs of the 60+ population in Reading and support the new Senior Center. Liaison and Town Manager Reports Melissa Murphy shared that the School Committee presented a unified sports program and approved the School Year 2026 calendar. The CPDC is contemplating a guide for developers and applicants to understand expectations. Mark Dockser reviewed the Black History Trivia event at the Library, and an event last night where Holocaust Survivor Helga Maimed shared her story. A video and other updates have been added to the ReCAL webpage. Page 1 1 Chris Haley mentioned attending the MBTA Tumback Track public forum. He also shared that the Charter Committee voted last night to finalize changes to the Charter, and Town Counsel and the Town Clerk will work to submit it to the state. The Select Board will need to decide how to proceed with public hearings on the Charter changes. Karen Gately Herrick expressed her appreciation to the MBTA for the public forum and urged those in favor of the track to speak up. She also reminded parents of college age students that the Reading Scholarship Foundation application deadline is March 7-. Also, the Mass Municipal Fiscal Policy Committee will be taking up the initiative of making hybrid and remote meetings permanent at their meeting next week. Carlo Bacci noted that he also attended the MBTA Turnback Track public forum remotely. The Community Preservation Act (CPA) Study Committee heard from other communities that have adopted CPA and the benefits of it. The pickleball fundraiser at the RMHS Field House is scheduled for March 16-. Town Manager Mail Kraunelis shared updates on upcoming events, scheduled audio-visual upgrades to the Select Board Meeting Room, an update on the second water meter program, the upcoming assessment center for a new Fire Chief, upcoming FINCOM Meetings, and upcoming public forams for the Killam and ReCAL projects. Assistant Town Manager Jayne Wellman shared that she has been working with the Community Development Director on MBTA Communities, Green Communities, and the Master Plan. She also met with the community compost group. Assistant CFO/Town Treasurer Diane Morabito reviewed the borrowing approved by Town Meeting in May 2023 for phase 14 of Town sewer system rehabilitation. MWRA will provide the Town with financial assistance totaling $1,040,000, which includes a $780,000 grant, and a $260,000 interest -free 10-year loan. Karen Gately Herrick moved to dispense with the full reading of the motion. The motion was seconded by Carlo Bacci and passed 5-0 by unanimous roll call vote. Roll call vote: Karen Gately Herrick —Yes, Chris Haley — Yes, Melissa Murphy — Yes, Mark Dockser— Yes, Carlo Bacci —Yes. Chris Haley moved to approve the MWRA Sewer Bond as presented. The motion was seconded by Mark Dockser and approved 5-0 by unanimous roll call vote. Roll call vote: Karen Gately Herrick — Yes, Chris Haley — Yes, Melissa Murphy — Yes, Mark Dockser— Yes, Carlo Bacci — Yes. Pickleball Desion and Cost Update/ Discussion Joel Bergmann of BH+A presented plans for a pickleball facility adjacent to the proposed ReCAL. The project includes seven courts, one fully accessible, with posttensioned concrete slabs to address unconsolidated soil conditions. The total cost is estimated at $1.894 million, which includes costs for various elements such as infrastructure, design fees, soil testing, and maintenance. Board members expressed concern over the cost estimate that was significantly higher than anticipated, and discussed possible ways to lower costs, and potential fundraising for some expenses. ReCal Discussion and Vote of Support Melissa Murphy expressed concern about voting to support the ReCAL project, but not voting to support the Killam project. Mark Dockser noted that a vote to support means that the Board is the advocate for the project by bringing it to the Permanent Building Committee, where the School Committee would have brought the Killam project forward. Members agreed that both projects are priorities for the Town, and following discussion, they agreed to wait until April 191, when the Special Town Meeting Warrant that includes both projects will be closed, to discuss supporting both projects. Vote to Clone the Town Meeting Warrant Town Manager Matt Kraunelis noted the addition of an article for an easement modification. Due to Mr. Haley's business being located on Haven Street, he recused himself from voting on Article 13 for improvements to Haven Street. Carlo Bacci moved to close the Annual Town Meeting Warrant consisting of 18 Articles to take place on April 28, 2025, and exclude Article 13. The motion was seconded by Karen Gately Herrick and passed 5-0 with a unanimous roll call vote. Roll call vote: Karen Gately Herrick —Yes, Chris Haley — Yes, Melissa Murphy —Yes, Mark Dockser— Yes, Carlo Bacci —Yes. Page 1 2 After Chris Haley excused himself, Carlo Bacci moved to close the Annual Town Meeting Warrant, with Article 13 included, to take place on April 28, 2025. The motion was seconded by Melissa Murphy and passed 4-0 by roll call vote. Roll call vote: Karen Gately Herrick - Yes, Melissa Murphy -Yes, Mark Dockser- Yes, Carlo Bacot - Yes. Retreat Discussion The Board briefly discussed whether to have a retreat and agreed that it should be after the April election. Vote on Inter -Municipal Aareement for Animal Control Chair Bacci stated that the Inter -Municipal Agreement for shared Animal Control services with Wakefield is voted on every year. The Board briefly discussed enforcement for off -leash dogs and the need for mechanisms for follow-up. Chris Haley moved to approve the Inter -Municipal Agreement between the Town of Reading and the Town of Wakefield for Animal Control Services as presented. The motion was seconded by Mark Dockser and approved" by unanimous roll call vote. Roll call vote: Karen Gately Herrick- Yes, Chris Haley - Yes, Melissa Murphy - Yes, Mark Dockser- Yes, Carlo Bacci - Yes. Master Plan Pre-Discussionl Looisdcs The Board discussed updating the Town's Master Plan that was last done in 2025. Mr. Dockser suggested a guiding document from the Board, then a committee structure, and potential involvement from CPDC. Assistant Town Manager Jayne Wellman stated that the Community Development Director has a detailed memo prepared regarding the Master Plan, which will be distributed in the next packet along with the previous Master Plan, for discussion at the next meeting. Future Agendas The Board discussed future agenda topics including: a discussion on the Pleasant Street Center, a discussion on capital projects and Master Plan, update on Burbank and other funds, a discussion on a disabilities council, Charter Review public forums, closing the Special Town Meeting Warrant and voting to support building projects. Approve Meetina Minutes Minutes of February 18, 2025 were reviewed, but not approved as Mr. Bacci questioned the summary of a public comment. Staff will review the recording for accuracy and minutes will be considered at the next meeting. Executive Session Chris Haley moved to enter Executive Session under Purpose 3 to discuss litigation strategy with respect to Davenport V. Town of Reading and Milley v. Town of Reading, as the Chair declares that discussion in open session may have a detrimental effect on the town's litigating position in these cases, to invite Town Manager Matt Kraunelis, Assistant Town Manager Jayne Wellman, Executive Assistant Jackie LeVerde,antl Town Counsel Ivria Fried and Ethan Dively into the Executive Session, and under Purpose 7 for the purposes of complying with Section 22 of the OM L, to approve prior executive session meeting minutes of the following meetings: January 7, 2025 and January 21, 2025, with only Board Members and Town Counsel present, and then to adjourn from Executive Session and not to return to Open Session. The motion was seconded by Mark Dockser and passed 5.0 by unanimous roil call vote. Roll call vote: Karen Gately Herrick -Yes, Chris Haley -Yes, Melissa Murphy -Yes, Mark Dockser-Yes, Carlo Bacci-Yes. Open Session concluded at 9:37 pm. Page 1 3