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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-06-24 Volunteer Appointment Committee Minutesarxe„ Town of Reading �: Meeting Minutes rep`•• �rro ��• Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Date: 2025-06-24 Building: Virtual Address: Purpose: General Business Volunteer Appointment Committee Time: 3:00 PM Location: Zoom Kit. GEIVmy TOWN CLERK f� _I tt 10 35 Session: Open Session Version: Final Attendees: Members - Present: Melissa Murphy, Karen Rose -Gillis Members - Not Present: Others Present: Executive Assistant Jacquelyn LaVerde, Executive Assistant Joshua Delaune, Thomas Armstrong, Garrett Alpha -Cobb, David Williams, Rick Keogh, Virginia Adams, Jonathan Barnes, Travis Estes, Raymond Boyd, Jayne Stafford, Nick Pesaturo, David Fodera, Joan Coco, Tim Kirwan, Jeff Lamson Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jacquelyn LaVerde Topics of Discussion: The Volunteer Appointment Subcommittee was called to order at 3:00 pm. Interview Incumbents and New Applicants for Volunteer Boards and Committees, Thomas Armstrong is a current associate member of the Community Planning and Development Commission (CPDC) seeking to fill a full member vacancy. He shared that currently the Select Board and CPDC are looking to modify the 20-year Master Plan and he is interested in serving on the Master Plan Committee. Garrett Alpha -Cobb is a new applicant for the Trails Committee. He stated that he has been active by attending the Trails Committee meetings as a non-member, and has been volunteering for their work, including as a trail adopter volunteer, by walking the trails and picking up trash and fallen limbs. He would prefer a voting member position if available. David Williams is an incumbent member who has served on the Trails Committee since its inception. He admires and respects the other members of the Committee, and the work the Committee has done to help link neighborhoods via Trails. He appreciates the financial support provided by the Select Board and hopes it will continue, which will help to purchase building materials and tools to maintain the trails. Rick Keogh is a new applicant for the Conservation Committee (CONSCOM). He has only lived in Reading since February, but has been attending CONSCOM meetings since he moved here. He would like to make sure that the environment is protected, while ensuring that residents are not burdened by the wetland regulations. Virginia Adams is an incumbent associate member of the Historic District Commission (HDC), on which she has served since 2009. She was a member of the committee that established the West Street Historic District Commission, but did not join the newly formed commission, until 2009, when membership dwindled. She has also served on the Reading Historical Committee (RHC) since 1978 and was a significant contributor to At Wood End: A Pictorial History of Reading, Massachusetts. Page 1 1 Jonathan Barnes is an incumbent member of the Historical Commission. He has an extensive history volunteering in town, including as a member of the CPDC for 17 years, Town Meeting member since 1995, and would love to continue serving on the Historical Commission. Travis Estes is an incumbent member of the Climate Advisory Committee. He feels that the Committee members have diverse experience and expertise. The Committee is good at collaborating with other boards and committees, and hopes the Select Board will use the Committee for guidance and as a resource more often. Raymond Boyd is the incumbent Custodian of Soldier and Sailor Graves. The past couple of weeks leading up to Memorial Day have been busy with preparations at the cemeteries. He works with Town GIS staff to keep the maps of the cemeteries anent with veterans listed. He works to coordinate volunteers for Memorial Day and Veterans Day events, as well as maintains veterans markers throughout the year. Jayne Stafford is an incumbent member of the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Commission, and the Cultural Council. She looks forward to the first meeting of the Affordable Housing Trust. She enjoys the work and members of the Cultural Council and is happy to continue serving on the Council. Nick Pesaturo is a new applicant interested in the Recreation Committee. He states that his interests involve sports, and grass/open space. He is excited to volunteer for the town and would like to start somewhere. If space is not available on the Recreation Committee, other suggested boards or committees of interest include the Town Forest Committee and Cultural Council. Though he would like to remain on the list should a vacancy occur on Recreation. David Fodera is a new applicant interested in the Audit Committee. He was born and raised in Reading and wants to be involved in the community. His interests are in the financial space, as he works as a financial advisor. While there are currently no Select Board appointed seats expiring on the Audit Committee, other suggested finance related boards and committees include the Board of Assessors, Commissioners of Trust Funds, and Finance Committee. Staff will reach out to David with further information about the Finance Committee appointment process. Joan Coco is an incumbent member of the Council on Aging (COA), and a very active user of the Pleasant Street Center. She is excited to see what comes next with the new Senior Center and would like to stay involved with the COA. Tim Kirwan is an incumbent member of the Town Forest Committee. Town Forest Committee Chair Jeff Lamson joined the meeting to express his appreciation for Tim and his work on the Committee, including by helping spearhead the creation of a "dog log' to help track dog related incidents. Tim has worked extensively with Trails Committee and CONSCOM to help manage the trails. Melissa Murphy moved to adjourn at 5:31 pm. The motion was seconded by Karen Rose -Gillis and approved by unanimous roll call vote of 2-0.