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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-06-09 Volunteer Appointment Committee Minutesa,. Town of Reading Meeting Minutes Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Date: 2025-06-09 Building: Virtual Address: K t V t l V` u f o: J N CCLE.RA\. it III!dC kM10:35 Volunteer Appointment Committee Purpose: General Business Attendees: Members - Present: Time: 11:30 AM Location: Zoom Session: Open Session Version: Final Melissa Murphy, Karen Rose -Gillis Members - Not Present: Others Present: Executive Assistant Jacquelyn LaVerde, Kate Harrington, Margaret Donnelly - Moran, Marc Ortins, Taylor Gregory, Eric Gaffen, Ron Stortz, Chris Cook, Anthony Fodera, Tim Michel, Joseph Fleury Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jacquelyn LaVerde Topics of Discussion: The Volunteer Appointment Subcommittee meeting was called to order at 11:32 am. Interview Incumbents and New Applicants for Volunteer Boards and Committees; Kathleen "Kate" Harrington is a new applicant for the Council on Aging (COA). She staled that over the last year or so, she had attended several of the Senior Center informational public forums, and spoke to COA members who suggested she join. She would like to get a better picture of who the seniors are in town and what can be done for them. She would also like to stay informed of how decisions are made for the new Senior Center. Margaret Donnel"oran is an incumbent member of the Reading Housing Authority (RHA). She has extensive experience working for the Cambridge Housing Authority. She is hopeful to continue with the RHA, as she has been on for three years and enjoys giving back to the community. She is also the RHA designee on the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Committee, and the Community Preservation Act (CPA) Study Committee. Marc Oran is an incumbent associate member of the Climate Advisory Committee. He noted that the Committee has struggled at times with getting a quorum and suggested having At assistance with their meeting minutes. The Committee is trying to engage with students at the High School and work with the Career Pathways program. He would like to keep his associate membership, as he states that the Committee does not take that many votes and feels there is no reason to change. Taylor Gregory is an incumbent associate member of the Animal Control Appeals Committee, and an incumbent associate member of the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA). They stated that they have enjoyed serving on ZBA and is learning a lot from the other members. The Animal Control Appeals Committee only meets when there is an animal incident reported by the dog officer, and there has only been one meeting since they have been appointed. They are happy to continue as an associate on both boards and ensuring that both can have quorum. Taylor also requested that Select Board members refrain from personal attacks against them at their meeting during the appointment deliberation. Eric Gaffen is an incumbent member of the Recreation Committee. He feels that the Committee has a positive relationship with the Select Board. He noted that the Committee tries to advise groups who will be going before the Select Board with advice and guidance on their requests. He noted that sometimes timing could be better because there is not always a Select Board member present at every Recreation meeting. Page I 1 Ron Stork is an incumbent member of the Board of Cemetery Trustees. He was experiencing technical difficulties connecting to the virtual meeting. Staff will contact him to try and reschedule. Chris Cook is a new applicant interested in several boards and committees including Finance Committee, Commissioners of Trust Funds, and Retirement Board. Finance Committee is his priority, and he will be meeting with the Finance Committee Appointment Committee later this week. If he is not appointed to Finance Committee, he is comfortable being appointed as either a full or an associate member to the Commissioners of Trust Funds. There is currently not a Select Board appointed vacancy on the Retirement Board, but he remains interested in future opportunities. Anthony Fodera is a lifelong resident of Reading and new applicant interested in the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA). He feels that the ZBA works hand -in -hand with his work in construction. He stated that he would not have any conflicts in Reading, as most of his work is typically done in Boston and Cambridge. Tim Michel is a current associate member of the Conservation Commission (CONSCOM) seeking to fill a full vacancy. He stated that he and the Commission thought he was a voting member since he was appointed, so he has been voting all along. However, the Commission has not had any quorum issues, or divided votes, so it would not impact any decisions. He feels that the Commission could do more to stick to topics and items under the CONSCOM purview, and it may help to shorten the meetings. Joseph Fleury is a new applicant interested in Conservation Commission, Trails Committee, Town Forest Committee, and Climate Advisory Committee. If appointed to any, he would prefer an associate position, as this would be his first appointment as a town volunteer. While he has many interests, he would prefer to be appointed to just one board/commigee due to the time commitment, and his first choice would be Conservation. The work he has been involved with to date has been mostly with Conservation and Trails. Melissa Murphy moved to adjourn at 1:24 pm. The motion was seconded by Karen Rose -Gillis and approved by unanimous roll call vote of 2-0.