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Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Appointment Committee -Bylaw Committee
Date: 2024-12-19 Time: 7:00 PM
Building: Virtual Location: Zoom
Address: Session: Open Session
Purpose: Interview Candidates for Bylaw Version: Final
Committee
Attendees: Members - Present:
Chair Alan Foulds, Jesse Arnold, Carlo Bacci
Members - Not Present:
Others Present:
Louise Saunders
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jacquelyn LaVerde
Topics of Discussion:
This meeting was held remotely via Zoom.
Chair Alan Foulds called the meeting to order at 7:01 pm.
Interview Applicant(s) for Bylaw Committee
Louise Saunders has been a Reading resident for five years. She Is a non -practicing
attorney, and works as a claims representative for Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance
Agency (MIIA) handling claims against municipalities, and is not unfamiliar with working
with Select Boards. In doing this work, she has developed a taste for town government,
and has a lot of Interest in seeing how Reading progresses as her children get older and
more Involved in the community.
Previously, in her work as an attorney, she was an Insurance defense attorney. She
enjoyed being in the courtroom and going to depositions, which she can continue to do as a
claims representative. Bylaw Committee Chair Jesse Arnold noted that the Bylaw
Committee is a great place for practicing and recovering attorneys, as they have helpful
knowledge and attention to detail.
Select Board Chair Carlo Bacci asked Ms. Saunders if she had volunteered an any previous
communities. Ms. Saunders stated that she did a lot of volunteer work growing up and in
college, including teaching debate to inner city kids in Holyoke. But Bylaw Committee would
be her first in town government.
Mr. Foulds asked about any potential conflicts she might have, and if she would consider a
future leadership role on the Committee. Ms. Saunders stated that in her role as a claims
representative, any Issues that might be brought before the Select Board would not conflict
with her duties on the Bylaw Committee. In advance of applying for the Committee, she
consulted with her manager, and It was determined that It would not be an issue. She also
stated that she would certainly consider a leadership role in the future.
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She is not a Town Meeting member, but Mr. Foulds encouraged her to run
Jesse Arnold noted that as a Committee, the Bylaw Committee keeps politics aside and sees
its role as neutral when creating policy. Ms. Saunders expressed her appreciation of that,
and noted that she understands how polarizing things can be.
Deliberate on Appointments
Jesse Arnold nominated Louise Saunders for appointment to the Bylaw Committee,
seconded by Carlo Bacci. The Bylaw Committee Appointment Committee voted
unanimously 3-0-0 in favor.
Roll call vote: Carlo Bacci - Yes, Jesse Arnold - Yes, Alan Foulds - Yes.
Approve Prior Meeting Minutes
On a motion by Jesse Arnold, seconded by Carlo Bacci, the Bylaw Committee
Appointment Committee voted 3-0-0 to approve the meeting minutes of June 11,
2024.
Roll call vote: Jesse Arnold - Yes, Carlo Bacci - Yes, Alan Foulds - Yes.
On a motion by Carlo Bacci, seconded by Jesse Arnold, the Bylaw Committee
Appointment Committee voted 3-0-0 to adjourn at 7:23 pm.
Roll call vote: Carlo Bacci - Yes, Jesse Arnold - Yes, Alan Foulds - Yes.
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