HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-01-21 Ad Hoc Commemoration Establishment Committeeor
`c. Town of Reading R�C;EIVEU
Q Meeting Minutes i? )WN CLERK
F �
�;. G, FYI A.
Board - committee - Commission - Council: ff25 JUL-? AM 1: 43
Ad Hoc Commemoration Establishment
Committee
Date: 2025-01-21 Time: 7:00 PM
Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Conference Room
Address: 16 Lowell Street Session: Open Session
Purpose: Version: Final
Attendees: Members - Present:
Eddie Dee, Select Board Appointee
Colm Eliet, CATO Appointee
Taylor Gregory, Board of Library Trustees Appointee
Ryan Johnstone, School Committee Appointee
David Monahan, Select Board Designee
Monique Pillow Gnanaratnam, Select Board Appointee
Greg Selvitelli, Associate Select Board Appointee
Pat Silva, Reading Police Department Appointee
London, Stith -Nichols School Committee Student Appointee
Aujanetta Stith, Office of Equity & Social Justice Appointee
Members - Not Present:
Others Present:
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Aujanetta Stith -Nichols
Topics of Discussion:
Agenda Items:
• Introductions
c The position for an appointee from the Council of Aging has not been filled.
o Two positions for Associate members have not been filled.
• Elect a Chair & Vice -Chair
o Taylor Gregory has been voted Chair
o Ryan Johnstone has been voted Vice -Chair
• Outline of the timeline & responsibilities for the Committee
o Committee will sunset in 12 months unless the Select Board votes to extend
the timeline.
o The meetings will occur the fourth Wednesday of every month 7:00 pm-
8:30pm or more frequently as needed.
o Location TBD
• Discuss Future Agenda Topics
o Eddie Dee and community member Reginald Nichols will present information
on research they have done and books read on Bill Russell.
o Discuss three "easy deliverables" - that could be successfully enacted upon
within a short time frame & will help promote the work of the committee.
Suggestions include:
• Celtic No. 6 Book Club
Page 1 1
• Reading Public Library seems like appropriate venue
considering requirements of access, etc.
o What will be format for meetings going forward? Public Comments?
o Define role of the designees
o How to Recognize a Legacy - see attachment
o Collect DEI assessments, surveys & statististics.
o Begin process of seeking input from Town residents.
Other Items Discussed:
• The charge was reviewed and discussed.
• When to reach out to the family and what to communicate? - we will re -visit this in
March once we've had a few meetings. Recognizing challenges, and wanting to
convey information in a way which is respectful and provides the opportunity for
input if they want to communicate with us.
• Meeting minutes/notes - who will take them? How will that be done? Rotate?
• Designees of boards or committees- learning preference of that body on frequency
of reporting, but also being guided by what this committee deems appropriate and
helpful. Can discuss consistency of approach. Recognize that we aim to keep them
informed but also to be aided by their input.
Action Items:
• All committee members should continue to learn about Bill Russell. Read suggested
books: "Go up for Glory", "Second Wind: The Memoirs of an Opinionated Man", &
"Red and Me: My Coach, My Lifelong Friend".
• Ryan will reach out to Select Board re: Associate Openings
• For this meeting Aujanetta will send meeting minutes to David who will add/edit and
send to Taylor.
• Aujanetta will get DEI survey results from Albert Pless
• Pat will look into retrieving statistical Information from Police Department
• Ryan will work with Taylor to draft categories & goals for the committee. Ryan will
do big ticket goals and Taylor the smaller items.
Pape 12