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Meeting Minutes T07JN CLERK
A.
Board - Committee - Commission - Council: - 1: I, 3
Ad Hoc Commemoration Establishment
Committee
Date: 2025-05-29
Building: Reading Town Hall
Address 16 Lowell Street
Purpose:
Attendees: Members - Present:
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Select Board Meeting Room
Session: Open Session
Version: Final
Taylor Gregory, Chair, Board of Library Trustees Appointee
Ryan Johnstone, Vice Chair, School Committee Appointee
Colm Eliet, CATO Appointee
Greg Selvitelli, Associate Select Board Appointee (non -voting)
Aujanetta Stith, Office of Equity & Social Justice Appointee
Members - Not Present:
London Stith -Nichols School Committee Student Appointee
Pat Silva, Reading Police Department Appointee
David Monahan, Select Board Designee
Monique Pillow Gnanaretnam, Select Board Appointee
Eddie Dee, Select Board Appointee
Others Present:
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Taylor Gregory
Topics of Discussion:
LIAISON REPORTS
• Committee members did not have updates from the committees they represent.
• Taylor noted that the Town Manager's office reached out to confirm the Council on
Aging designee, responding that there wasn't one. Taylor stated that they would
reach out to the Council on Aging to keep them apprised of the ACE Committee.
FINALIZE STATEMENT OF INTENT
Taylor used the original statement that the group worked on during the previous
meeting and reworked It to include more information about Bill Russell and reworked
language.
Aujanetta/Ryan suggested that the committee remove any language speaking on
behalf of the Town (i.e., taking responsibility, acknowledging, etc.). The statement is
meant to demonstrate the intent of the Committee and the work it seeks to do, while
the acknowledgement Is meant to happen at a later date and come from the Town.
The group agreed that it must be expressed that if the Town wants to celebrate Bill
Russell as an athlete, it also needs to acknowledge the harms he endured while living
in Reading.
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Ryan noted the second paragraph of the statement felt repetitive, with the following
paragraph repeating information about Bill Russell (BR being an African American
athlete and civil rights leader when introducing the focus of the committee.
Aujanetta noted the statement references submitting suggestions through the
resource page on the Town website and asked if the Committee has that option
available and how those suggestions would be communicated.
• Taylor navigated to the ACE Committee page on the Town website and noted
that the option Is not there, but they would inquire with Town staff about the
option or how community members can contact the committee.
The group Initially read through the statement and made changes before timing how
long it took to read the statement fully. The statement was approximately 4.5
minutes.
FINALIZE FRIENDS & FAMILY DAY AND JUNETEENTH STAFFING, ASSIGN TASKS
FOR EASY LIFTS
Taylor shared the document they had started to organize volunteers and supplies for
the Friends & Family Day, as well as the luneteenth events.
• Taylor noted that they will be at Friends & Family Day at their booth for The
Reading Observer, but requested to be adjacent to the ACE table to assist
with the Reading Lions Club.
• Aujanetta noted that the Library staff requested someone go to the library
and check the tree before the staff need to bring it down. She noted that the
Library staff would prefer not to have to store the tree moving forward.
Taylor created a third tab that included the "easy lifts" noted in previous meetings
for the potential Bill Russell display at Reading Public Library, as well as the
Book/Mixed Media Club.
• Colm noted he could engage with the Library staff regarding what is needed
to create a display at the library
• Aujanetta/Ryan noted that Eddie Dee and Reggie Nichols were willing to
create a list of Bill Russell books for potential use in displays and in the
book/mixed media club.
• The group agreed that the remaining "easy lift" assignments can wait until
after the events
FINALIZE BANNER DESIGN
• Taylor worked on a sample banner design that included the following:
• 24 inch (W) by 60 Inch (L), approx $45
• Green banner with a thin black border with white text
• Large text that says "Ad Hoc Commemoration Establishment Committee"
Smaller text that says "Come learn more about the committee formed to
honor Boston Celtic Bill Russell as an athlete and civil rights icon."
• The group noted that the banner looked good
• Greg stated "Town of Reading" should be included on the banner
• Colm noted that we should remove the reference to the "Boston Celtics", and the
group agreed
• Aujanetta suggested changing to "former resident" to bring the focus back to
Reading
• Ryan noted he had the certificate and instructions from the Town to order the
banner. Taylor stated they will order the banner, and Ryan will send the instructions
via email to Taylor.
DISCUSS ROLE OF ACE IN THE HARRIET TUBMAN PORTRAIT UNVEILING AT
JUNETEENTH
• Aujanetta reached out to the artist who completed the Harriet Tubman portrait, Rob
Surrette. She noted that Mr. Surette was not interested in an unveiling ceremony,
stating strained ties with the Town.
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• Aujanetta noted that Mr. Surette has one more portrait contracted with the Town
due at the end of the year.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
• Taylor noted the next meeting is planned for June 11 to finalize staffing for Friends &
Family Day, as well as Juneteenth events.
• Aujanetta inquired about meeting In the Community Room at the Library, suggesting
it worked well to meet after the PAIR meeting.
• Taylor noted that a separate person scheduled the rooms at the Library, but
could inquire with Town Staff.
Motion to adjourn made by Ryan, seconded by Aujanetta. Approved by a vote of S-
o.
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