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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-05-27 Select Board Minutesall Board - Committee Town of Reading Meeting Minutes Commission - Council: Select Board Date: 2025-05-27 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Reading Town Hall Address: 16 Lowell Street Purpose: General Business Attendees: Members - Present: KEGLIVED ` VN I.CLERK Location: Select Board Meeting Room Session: Open Session Version: Final Chris Haley, Melissa Murphy, Karen Rose -Gillis, Carlo Baccl (7:35pm), Karen Gately Herrick Members - Not Present: Others Present: Town Manager Matt Kraunelis, Assistant Town Manager Jayne Wellman, CFO Sharon Angstrom (remote), Treasurer/Assistant CFO Diane Morabito (remote), DPW Director Chris Cole, Assistant DPW Director Mike Kessman, Technology Director Kevin Funlla (remote), Town Clerk Laura Gemme (remote), Matthew Abrahams (remote), Angela Binda, Bob Holmes, Kathi Crook, Geoffrey Coram, Nancy Docktor, Taylor Gregory, Linda Snow Dockser, Richard Keogh, Kathi Crook, Stephen Crook, Everett Blodgett, Virginia Blodgett, Ace Foulds, Alan Foulds, Kendra Cooper, Bruce Cooper, Bob Beckman, Rita Robertson, Matt Sullivan, Laura Stella (remote), A. Stith (remote), Margaret Donnelly Moran (remote), Christopher R. Cook (remote), Johnathan Barnes (remote), Balram (remote), Sarah B (remote). 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. Chair Chris Haley called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Procedural Update from the Chair Chris Haley shared updates to how he and Co -Chair Melissa Murphy will run meetings including beginning meetings with the Pledge of Allegiance, including motions in the packet, allowing comments from the public on all agenda items, discussing and voting on agenda items at the same meeting, adding email communications to the packet, adding Community Spotlight, limiting presentations to ten minutes or less, and running of the meetings will alternate between Mr. Haley and Ms. Murphy. Public Comment Ifor any items not included on the agenda) Angela Birds of 10 Orchard Park Drive shared details of the Pride Parade event scheduled for June 7 ". Nancy Docktor of 371 Pearl Street thanked those who attended the tree planting on the 261h, and the Tree Warden and DPW crew for planting 300 trees. She also noted that she renewed her RCN membership and advocated for Chair involvement in VASC interviews. Bob Holmes stated that this will be his last meeting covering the Select Board for the Daily Times Chronicle. Linda Snow Dockser of Beaver Road thanked Mr. Holmes for his articles over the years, and expressed her appreciation for RCN and their services. Taylor Gregory of Pleasant Street spoke in support of RCN and their services. Town Manaaer Report Page I 1 Town Manager Matt Kraunelis highlighted the Memorial Day ceremony this past weekend, and the upcoming Police Department Open House. He thanked artist Rob Surrette for the new portrait of Harriet Tubman, which has been added to the Hero Art Series in the Select Board Room. The Green Communities process is almost complete. He apologized for the inconveniences at the recent rigid plastic collection event, which saw an overwhelming response, and space ran out. He noted additional pickup and collection events scheduled. Assistant Town Manager Jayne Wellman shared that the Town received its designation that it is compliant with the MBTA Communities law. The Request for Proposals (RFP) for the next trash and recycling contract has been issued, and the contract is expected to be awarded in August or September. Following the passage of the debt exclusion votes, the Permanent Building Committee and Killam School Building Committee are continuing with their meetings. Community Spotlight Town Manager Matt Kraunelis highlighted that this week is both National EMS Week and National Public Works Week. He shared letters written to each department thanking them for their incredible work all year- round. Mr. Kraunelis also welcomed new business, Presence and Company at 557 Main Street, which will be holding their ribbon cutting and open house on June W. Discuss and Vote to Authorize Short-Temr Debt Related to the Hiah School Field House Improvements Assistant CFO Diane Morabito and CFO Sharon Angstrom presented the request for short-term borrowing for $3 million for improvements to the High School Field House Floor and bleachers. This is a short-term bond anticipation note (BAN), so the project can begin in June, with permanent borrowing to pay back the BAN coinciding with the borrowing in January for the Killam and Reading Center for Active Living (ReCAL) projects. Karen Gately Herrick moved to dispense with the reading of the motion. The motion was seconded by Melissa Murphy and approved by a vote of 5-0. Karen Rose -Gillis moved to approve the authorizing of short-term debt related to the High School Field House improvements. The motion was seconded by Melissa Murphy and approved by a vote of 5-0. Preview FY26 Water and Sewer Rates Matthew Abrahams from the Abrahams Group presented an update on the water and sewer enterprise funds and discussed potential rate changes for FY2026. The Select Board reviewed the water and sewer rate studies, which included to -year projections, with options for rate increases ranging from 0%to 3.25% annually. The Board discussed how retained earnings could cover deficits through FY29 but not beyond, prompting the need for rate action to ensure long -tern sustainability. The Board requested an additional scenario showing a 1 % rate increase for the public hearing at the next meeting. Public Hearing, Discuss and Vote on FY26 Non -Union Classification iL Compensation Plan Chair Chris Haley opened the Public Hearing and Karen Rose -Gillis read the Hearing Notice. Town Manager Matt Kraunelis noted the changes to the classification plan including the addition of the Volunteer Coordinator and the reclassification of the GIS Administrator to the GIS and Database Administrator. Karen Rose -Gillis moved to close the Public Hearing regarding the FY26 Non -union Classification and Compensation Schedule. The motion was seconded by Karen Gately Herrick and approved by a vote of 5-0. Karen Rose -Gillis moved to approve the FY26 Non -union Classification and Compensation Schedules as presented. The motion was seconded by Melissa Murphy and approved by a vote of 5-0. Arbor Day Proclamation. April 25th. to Maintain Tree City USA Designation Town Manager Matt Kraunelis noted that although Arbor Day has passed, in order to maintain the Tree City USA designation, a proclamation from the Select Board is required. Karen Rose -Gillis read the Arbor Day Proclamation. Karen Rose -Gillis moved to proclaim April 26, 2025 as Arbor Day in the Town of Reading. The motion was seconded by Karen Gately Herrick and approved by a vote of 5-0. Discuss Liaison Assionments The Select Board reviewed the list of liaison assignments to volunteer Boards and Committees and made several updates to the list. They clarified that while attending all committee meetings in person is ideal, Board members should focus on making meetings when time permits, and Chairs can reach out directly to the Board if needed. Discuss Charge for Master Plan Commitlae The Select Board discussed the creation of a Master Plan Committee. The Chair of the Community Planning and Development Commission (CPDC) suggested not all five CPDC members may want to serve due to the workload. The Board is waiting for CPDC's June meeting to get more input before finalizing the committee composition and charge. They are also exploring funding options, including potentially combining aspects with the facilities master plan to save money. The Board agreed to revisit this topic after CPDC's meeting to determine next steps. Discuss RCTV Contract Renewal Town Manager Matt Kraunelis explained that the contract with Reading Community Television (RCTV) expires at the end of June. The Town can either renew the contract, or put out a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a new provider of local cable access services. Several Board members expressed concern about RCN's performance and leadership, and disappointment with RCN's lack of innovation, limited outreach, and failure to cover important events, like the recent election. The Board decided not to renew RCN's contract immediately but will continue discussions and explore options for providing community television services. Several members from the public, including Kathi Crook, Geoffrey Coram, Ace Foulds, Bob Beckman, Everett Blodgett, Rita Robertson, Matt Sullivan, Bruce Cooper, Linda Snow-Dockser, Kendra Cooper, and Stephen Crook, spoke in favor and support of RCN. Discuss Pleasant Street Center Appraisal The Select Board reviewed the recent property appraisal of the Pleasant Street Center for $965,000, and expressed concerns about the valuation, which was lower than anticipated. They briefly discussed options such as selling, leasing, or repurposing the property. They agreed to get a second opinion on the appraisal. Discuss and Vote on Select Board Policy Article 1. Section 1.4 Communication Due to an error with the version of the Policy included in the packet, the Board agreed to address this item at their next meeting. Discuss Select Board Retreat Staff will research possible dates and send a Doodle Poll to schedule a Select Board retreat to come up with shared goals. Select Board Liaison Reports Karen Rose -Gillis shared that she attended the Korean Ambassador Peace Medal Ceremony, planted trees in the Town Forest, attended Town Meeting, and attended the Memorial Day ceremony at all four cemeteries. Karen Gately Herrick praised the Veterans Services Officer for planning the Memorial Day ceremony, noted the upcoming event honoring the anniversary of Lafayette's visit to Reading, spoke with the Climate Advisory Committee about coming up with a tree bylaw, and attended the unveiling of a 15-megawatt power battery center in North Reading. Melissa Murphy stated that she attended the CPDC meeting where they discussed elements of phase II of the Birch Meadow project, and attended the Police and Fire promotion ceremony. She also expressed her excitement that both the Killam School and ReCAL projects both at Town Meeting and on the ballot, and noted the importance of keeping a close eye on the budget of both projects. Chris Haley staled that he attended the Maillet Sommes & Morgan clean-up event and the Memorial Day celebration. He also noted that the Police Department is assisting with the planning of the event to honor the anniversary of General Lafayette's visit to Reading. Future Agendas Future agendas will include a discussion on Airbnb status, discussion on the bylaw for fences for sports, a discussion on the Town budget, a proclamation for Pride Month, and a continuation on the discussion on RCN. Discuss and Vote to Approve Prior Meeting Minutes Karen Rose -Gillis moved to approve the April 14, 2025 and April 28, 2025 meeting minutes as presented. The motion was seconded by Karen Gately Herrick and approved by a vote of 5.0. Carlo Bacci moved to adjourn at 11:00 pm. The motion was seconded by Melissa Murphy and approved by a vote of 5-0.