HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-06-12 Ad Hoc Commemoration Establishment CommitteeTown of Reading RECEIVED
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Ad Hoc Commemoration Establishment
Committee
Date: 2025-06-12 Time: 7:00 PM
Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Conference Room
Address: 16 Lowell Street Session: Open Session
Purpose: Version: Final
Attendees: Members - Present:
Taylor Gregory, Chair, Board of Library Trustees Appointee
Ryan Johnstone, Vice Chair, School Committee Appointee
David Monahan, Select Board Designee
Aujanetta Stith, Office of Equity & Social Justice Appointee
Monique Pillow Gnanaratnam, Reading Resident appointed by Select Board
Eddie Dee, Reading Resident appointed by Select Board
Greg Selvitelli, Associate Select Board Appointee (non -voting)
Members - Not Present:
Colm Eliet, CATO Appointee
London Stith -Nichols School Committee Student Appointee
Pat Silva, Reading Police Department Appointee
Others Present:
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Ryan Johnstone
Topics of Discussion:
1. Bill Russell tree activity
Since the last meeting, Eddie Dee was able to research the Bill Russell celebration dinner in
1963 including part of the speech made by Bill Russell that included being called a friend is
the greatest accomplishment "One of the greatest achievements a man can attain is to be
called a friend. You said that to me tonight. I appreciate it. I really do." - Bill Russell,
Reading Dinner, May 16, 1963
From here the committee discussed what question we could ask at Friends and Family Day
(F+F)/Juneteenth for the tree. David offered up a question for kids "when you have a new
classmate what Is something you can do to make them feel welcome?" The Committee
generally approved of the question and instead of a whole different question for adults, we
just modified to "classmate or neighbor" and can use it for both kids and adults,
understanding kids would predominantly do the leaves anyway.
The Committee then discussed the logistics of creating, gathering, packaging, and delivering
the content for the tree and for distribution. Taylor offered to print and laminate material
for the table. The Idea of a QR code pointing to the Committee's website was discussed and
generally approved, with the Committee researching in real time how to create one and
discovered there are free QR generators.
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The Committee then began creating the material in real time, with Taylor creating the
content on their computer for the Committee. The idea of a picture of Bill Russell on the
material was discussed, but then intellectual property concerns were raised as we are not
sure what photos are in the public domain and which are copyright protected. Greg then
offered his own picture that he took of the Bill Russell statute. The Committee approved
and it was incorporated.
The Committee approved the general content and layout of the material and Taylor offered
to clean it up and print, which the Committee approved.
2. Statement for ]uneteenth
Having already significantly discussed the overall content and presentation of statement in
prior meetings, the Committee only needed to make word-smithing and grammatical edits
at this stage which was performed collectively in real time as Taylor read the statement.
The final product is in the Committee's files.
It was confirmed that Talor would read the statement on behalf of the Committee as it's
Chair.
3. F+F/Juneteenth Staffing/Final Details
Taylor opened the staffing sheet for these events and the Committee filled out the last of
the responsibilities. The final staffing sign-ups are included in the Committee's files.
The Committee then generally discussed the last of the logistics about setting up, breaking
down, and manning these events to transition between the assignments.
4. Future agenda Items
Agenda Items for next meeting were identified: Debrief F+F/Juneteenth events; Discuss
timeline and goals for next 6 months; review easy lifts and begin identifying tasks
S. Approve meeting minutes
Committee needed to approve two meetings' minutes, which were attended by different
members of the Committee.
Motion to approve May 21 minutes made by Aujanetta, seconded by Monique. Passed 5-0
by Aujanetta, Monique, Taylor, David, and Eddie.
Motion to approve May 29 minutes made by Gregory, seconded by Ryan. Passed 4-0 by
Gregory, Ryan, Taylor, and Aujanetta
Motion to adjourn made by Gregory, seconded by Ryan. Passed 6-0.
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