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Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Volunteer Appointment Committee
Date: 2025-06-03
Time: 4:30 PM
Building: Virtual
Location:
Zoom
Address:
Session:
Open Session
Purpose: Volunteer Interviews
Version:
Final
Attendees: Members - Present:
Melissa Murphy, Karen Rose
-Gillis
Members - Not Present:
Others Present:
Executive Assistant Jacquelyn LaVerde, Andrew Mclauchlan, Kathy Kelly, Jeff
Lamson, Rick Lopez, Karen Janowski, Joan Wetzel, Melissa Pucci, Dave
Flynn, Brandy Hopkins, Ron Powell, Frank Capone, Frank Marenghi, Brendan
Zarechian, Patrick Egan, Michael Coltman.
Minutes Respectfully submitted By: Jacquelyn LaVerde
Topics of Discussion:
Melissa Murphy called the Volunteer Appointment Subcommittee meeting to order a14:32 pm.
Interview Incumbents and New Applicants for Volunteer Boards and Committees:
Andrew Mclauchlan is a new applicant interested in the Community Planning and Development Commission
(CPDC). He stated that his line of work in the residential and commercial building industry aligns with the work
of the CPDC. He works exclusively in Boston with a larger firm and has no conflict in Reading. He would accept
either a full or associate role on the CPDC.
Kathy Kelly is a new applicant for the Town Forest Committee. Kathy has served for years on the Trails
Committee, but due to the physical nature of the work with Trails, she would like to transition to the Town
Forest Committee. She noted that she might be moving out of town in the next year or two, and felt that an
associate position might be more appropriate. Town Forest Committee Chair Jeff Lamson joined the meeting to
express his appreciation for Kathy and advocated for her to be appointed to the Committee.
Richard "Rick" Lopez is an incumbent and the current Chair of the Board of Health. He worked as a physician
for 38 years, and later in his career moved into a more managerial role in population health, while maintaining
his practice until he retired in 2018. He joined the Board of Health in 2020, first as an associate, then as a full
member later that year due to some member turnover. He was then elected Chair, and has served in the role
since. He shared an extensive list of achievements by the Board in his tenure, and future opportunities.
Karen Janowski is an incumbent and current Chair of the Council on Aging. She shared that this is a crucial
time for the Council with the recent passing of the Reading Center for Active Living Center (ReCAL), and
consistency will be key to ensure the needs of the 60+community are met. She would like to continue her
service on the Council on Aging and recommended John Saczynski, a current associate member, to be
appointed as a full member.
Joan Weizel is an incumbent member of the Board of Health. She expressed concern about public health
under the current administration and is looking forward to navigating any challenges with the Board. She retired
from her career in medical technology, has enjoyed serving on the Board of Health, and has learned how all
things in a community tie into being a healthy person.
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Melissa Pucci is an incumbent member of the Recreation Committee. She is passionate about bringing more
inclusive and specialized programs to meet the needs of the entire community, especially those with
disabilities. She continues to advocate for a therapeutic recreation specialist as part of the Recreation
Department staff to help build programs to meet the need and demand.
Dave Flynn is a new applicant for the Town Forest Committee. He stated that he is interested in joining the
Town Forest Committee because he enjoys being outdoors. He has recently retired and would like to volunteer
to preserve nature and conservation, and take accountability for the trails that have been blazed before him. He
would prefer a voting full member role if available.
Brandy Hopkins is a current associate member of the Trails Committee seeking to fill a full member vacancy.
She has served on both the Trails and Town Forest Committees for a year now, and is comfortable staying an
associate member of the Trails Committee if someone else is interested in the full seat. She noted that she
feels that it is helpful to have a member on both committees to bridge them together. She is also trying to
coordinate more interaction and collaboration between the Trails Committee and school programs.
Ron Powell is a new applicant interested in the Reading Community Television Board of Directors (RCN
BOD), and other boards including Commissioners of Trust Funds, Council on Aging, and Recreation
Committee. He stated that he would like to help wherever he can, could serve on up to two committees, and
would prefer to be a full member on both, if possible. He shared his IT and financial background and belief in
the power of community television. He also shared that he is passionate about caring for seniors, after being
caretaker for his elderly parents, and noted that it is difficult for seniors on fixed incomes to make ends meet.
Frank Capone is an incumbent member of the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA). He stated that he works as a
contractor and is accustomed to being on the appeals side. He feels that the ZBA is a great team composed of
three attorneys and two members who work in construction. He appreciates that the ZBA gives applicants the
opportunity to redesign projects in order to get a permit.
Frank Mansnghi is an incumbent Constable. He enjoys being a member of the Mass Bay Constable
Association. He became involved with Constable work through his work in IT security, and being a Constable
keeps his options open if opportunities anse in law enforcement.
Brendan Zanschfan is an incumbent member of the Board of Assessors. He volunteered for the Board eight
years ago and has learned a lot, as he stated that Assessor Victor Santaniello is a good teacher.
Patrick Egan is an incumbent member of the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Committee. The Committee is
faidy new, and has yet to have a meeting, but he is interested in continuing with the Committee. He became
interested in the committee as a means to educate himself after seeing people experience episodic financial
difficulties through his volunteer efforts with the Saint Vincent du Paul organization.
Michael Coltman is an incumbent member of the Recreation Committee. He enjoys working with the
Committee and Recreation staff. He would like it it the Select Board liaisons would provide the Recreation
Committee with some more direction, and inform the Committee if the Board has an opinion about something.
He is also glad that funding for pickleball courts was passed at Town Meeting.
Melissa Murphy moved to adjourn at 6:66pm, which was seconded by Karen Rose -Gillis and approved
by unanimous roll call vote of 2A