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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-01-06 Select Board Packet Town of Reading Meeting Posting with Agenda 2018-07-16LAG Board -Committee -Commission -Council: Select Board Date: 2026-01-06Time: 7:00PM Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Select Board Meeting Room Address: 16 Lowell StreetAgenda: Purpose:General Business Meeting Called By:Jacquelyn LaVerdeon behalf of Chair Chris Haley Notices and agendas are to be posted 48 hours in advance of the meetings excluding operation and make necessary arrangements to be sure your posting is made in an adequate amount of time. A listing of topics that the chair reasonably anticipates will be discussed at the meeting must be on the agenda. All Meeting Postings must be submitted in typed format; handwritten notices will notbe accepted. Topics of Discussion: *Public Comment is permitted after each Agenda Item limited to that Item* Zoom Option:PAGE # Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85615866800 Meeting γD: 856 1586 6800 Dial by your location 7:00 Pledge of Allegiance Overview of Meeting 7:05 Public Comment (For and items not included on the agenda) Discuss Incident following the Select Board Meeting of Thursday, December 7:15 18, 2025 7:25 Town Manager Report 7:30 Community Spotlight Vote to Remove Associate Member Tony Lionetta from the Council on 7:35 Aging, as voted by the Council on Aging at their meeting on December 8, 2025 7:45 Discuss and Vote to Endorse and Sign the Parkland Acquisitions and This Agenda has been prepared in advance and represents a listing of topics that the chair reasonably anticipates will be discussed at the meeting. However the agenda does not necessarily include all matters which may be taken up at this meeting. Page | 1 Town of Reading Meeting Posting with Agenda Renovations for Communities (PARC) Project Agreement (Pickleball Grant Agreement) Public Hearing:Discuss and Vote on Annual All-Alcohol Package Store 7:55 Liquor License for PLM Beverage, LLC d/b/a Dion's Fine Wine and Spirits, Located at 36 Walkers Brook Drive Vote on Submittal of Senior Citizen Property Tax Exemption Home Rule 8:05 Petition (Article 2 of the Special Town Meeting, November 10, 2025) to the Legislature 8:15 Discuss and Possible Vote on Charge for Commission on Disabilities 8:30 Liaison Reports 8:35 Future Agendas Approve Prior Meeting Minutes th 8:40 December 9, 2025 th December 18, 2025 Executive Session Purpose 7: Approve and review for release the minutes of 8:45 December 2, 2025 Executive Session meeting (Compliance withG.L. c. 30A, §22). This Agenda has been prepared in advance and represents a listing of topics that the chair reasonably anticipates will be discussed at the meeting. However the agenda does not necessarily include all matters which may be taken up at this meeting. Page | 2 3 4 From:Gemme, Laura To:Karen Janowski; Wood, Jenna; Kraunelis, Matthew; LaVerde, Jacquelyn Subject:RE: COA Associate Member position available Date:Monday, December 22, 2025 7:09:26 PM Hello Karen You will need to work with the Town Manager’s as I believe the Select Board needs to be involved with removal of Board and Committee members. Laura A Gemme, CMC /CMMC Town Clerk President Middlesex City and Town Clerks Association Board of Registrar - Retirement Board Chief Election Official - Justice of the Peace Commissioner to Qualify - Notary Burial Agent - Census Liaison Chief Records Access Officer Town of Reading 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867 (P) 781-942-6647 (C) 781-491-5215 (F) 781-942-9070 (W) http://www.readingma.gov Town Hall Hours: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday - 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM Tuesday - 7:30 AM to 7:00 PM Friday - CLOSED When writing or responding, please remember that the Secretary of State's Office has determined that email is a public record. This communication may contain privileged or other confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient, or believe that you have received this communication in error, please do not print, copy, retransmit, disseminate, or otherwise use the information. Also, please indicate to the sender that you have received this email in error, and delete the copy you received. From: Karen Janowski <karen.janowski@gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, December 10, 2025 10:53 AM To: Gemme, Laura <lgemme@readingma.gov>; Wood, Jenna <jwood@readingma.gov>; Kowaleski, Christopher <ckowaleski@readingma.gov> Subject: COA Associate Member position available CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the Town of Reading's email system. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender's email address and know the content is safe. Hi Laura, 5 The COA, by unanimous vote at our 12/8/2025 meeting, approved the removal of associate member Tony Lionetta, who is unable to attend any meetings. We have heard that other Reading residents are interested in being appointed to the COA. What are the next steps? Do I inform the SelectBoard? Thanks for your help with this. Karen -- Karen Janowski, MS Ed, President EdTech Solutions Inc Reading, MA 01867 781-983-1737 Order Inclusive 365: Edtech Strategies for Every Day of the Year and Tips to Activate Inclusive Learning: Quick Wins Strategy Cards! This message is confidential and privileged and intended for the addressee only. Y ou are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you should receive this message in error, please call 781-983-1737 and delete the message. 6 COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS DIVISION OF CONSERVATION SERVICES PARKLAND ACQUISITIONS AND RENOVATIONS FOR COMMUNITIES PROGRAM PROJECT AGREEMENT Made this _____ day of ____________, 2025 between the Town of Reading, with an address of 16 Lowell Street, hereinafter referred to as the PARTICIPANT, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts acting by and through the Secretary of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, th hereinafter referred to as the COMMONWEALTH, with an address of 100 Cambridge Street, 10 Floor, Boston, MA 02114. Premises: Approximately 9.4 acres of land including any buildings thereon located off Symonds Way in the Town of Reading, Massachusetts. For Participant’s Title, see Book 73040, Page 267 in the Middlesex South Registry of Deeds, at 208 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA 02141. WHEREAS, the PARTICIPANT has established a Park, Recreation, or Conservation Commission under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 45, § 2 or Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40, § 8C, hereinafter referred to as the COMMISSION, and has made application to the COMMONWEALTH for assistance under the Massachusetts Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities (PARC) Program, pursuant to St. 1977, Chapter 933, as amended, for a project briefly described as follows: Reading Recreational Courts, PARC #3: The project includes the development of a series of six to seven pickleball courts in partnership with a future community recreational and senior center, hereinafter referred to as the PROJECT. WHEREAS, the COMMONWEALTH has received said application and found the application to be in conformance with the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, St. 1977, Chapter 933, as amended, and the PARC Program policies and regulation, 301 CMR 5.00. WHEREAS, the COMMONWEALTH has approved said application and has obligated certain funds in the amount of $100,000 (One hundred thousand dollars). WITNESSETH: 1.The COMMONWEALTH and the PARTICIPANT mutually agree to perform the terms and conditions of this Agreement in accordance with the Massachusetts PARC Program, its policies and regulation 301 CMR 5.00, Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 45, § 2, Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40, § 8C, and St. 1996, Chapter 15. 2.The PARTICIPANT agrees to perform the PROJECT described above by authorizing its COMMISSION to develop, manage, maintain, and operate the PROJECT in accordance with the terms, conditions and obligations contained in the PARTICIPANT'S application(s), as approved, including any promises, conditions, plans, specification estimates, procedures, project proposals, maps, and assurances made a part thereof, and furthermore, in accordance with any special terms and conditions attached to and incorporated in this Agreement. No significant deviations from the PROJECT shall be undertaken without advance approval by the COMMONWEALTH. 7 3. The PARTICIPANT agrees that the facilities of the PROJECT shall be open to the general public and shall not be limited to residents of the PARTICIPANT. The PARTICIPANT shall prominently display on the PROJECT a sign designated by the COMMONWEALTH, which sets forth public access and an indication that the PROJECT received PARC grant funds. 4. The PARTICIPANT acknowledges Article 97 of the Massachusetts Constitution which states, in part, that: "Lands or easements taken or acquired for such park, recreation or conservation purposes shall not be used for other purposes or otherwise disposed of except by laws enacted by a two-thirds vote, taken by yeas and nays, of each branch of the General Court." The PARTICIPANT hereby agrees that any property or facilities comprising the PROJECT will not be used for purposes other than those stipulated herein or otherwise disposed of unless the PARTICIPANT receives the appropriate authorization from the General Court, the approval of the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs, and any authorizations required by the provisions of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40, § 15A or St. 1996, Chapter 15. 5. The PARTICIPANT hereby covenants and agrees that the PROJECT, including the property and any and all associated facilities and improvements, shall be devoted to park, recreation and/or conservation purposes in perpetuity, within the meaning of Article 97 of the Commonwealth’s Declaration of Rights, and shall not be used for other purposes or otherwise disposed of except in accordance with the provisions of said Article 97. In the event that the property or facilities cease to be used for such purposes, all interest in the property or facilities shall revert to the Commonwealth pursuant to St. 1996, Chapter 15. The PARTICIPANT shall notify the Secretary in writing of any change in use or potential change in use of the property or facilities that is inconsistent with said park or outdoor recreation purposes. The PARTICIPANT shall have 90 days from the date written notice was received by the Secretary to present satisfactory evidence that the basis for reversion has been cured, in which case the property or facilities shall not revert. Upon receipt of written notice, the Secretary may review the circumstances of the property or facilities and determine that reversion of the property or facilities is not appropriate or essential to the protection of public open space in which case the provisions of paragraph 6 shall apply. 6. The PARTICIPANT further agrees that despite any such authorization and approval, in the event the property or facilities comprising the PROJECT are used for purposes other than those described herein, the PARTICIPANT shall provide other property and facilities of equal value and utility and the proposed use of said other property and facilities is specifically agreed to by the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs. 7. Failure by the PARTICIPANT to comply with the terms and conditions of this Agreement or the policies or regulation of the PARC Program may, at the sole option of the COMMONWEALTH, suspend or terminate all obligations of the COMMONWEALTH hereunder. 8. PARTICIPANT and COMMONWEALTH acknowledge that the benefit desired by the COMMONWEALTH from the full compliance by the PARTICIPANT is the existence, protection, and the net increase of park and recreation facilities, and that such benefit exceeds to an immeasurable and unascertainable extent the dollar value of the funding provided by this Agreement. Consequently, the PARTICIPANT and the COMMONWEALTH agree that payment of money damages by the PARTICIPANT to the COMMONWEALTH would be an inadequate remedy for a breach of this Agreement by the PARTICIPANT, and, therefore, that the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall be enforceable by specific performance. 8 9.The PARTICIPANT agrees to record a copy of this Agreement at the Registry of Deeds and to provide proof of such recording to the COMMONWEALTH. In the case of a development project, this Agreement shall be recorded with and a marginal notation entered on the deed to the property to be improved by PROJECT. This project agreement shall also be recorded and marginally noted on any prior deed, restriction, conveyance, or other instrument affecting the PROJECT area. Failure to do so shall not impair the validity or enforcement of the agreement. The PARTICIPANT agrees to reference this project agreement in any deed, restriction, or conveyance or other instrument affecting the PROJECT area. COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS PARTICIPANT BY BY Secretary, Executive Office of ________________________________ Energy and Environmental Affairs Chief Executive Officer DATE: PARK, RECREATION, OR CONSERVATION COMMISSION BY DATE: Attached hereto evidence of authority to execute this agreement on behalf of the PARTICIPANT. In the case of a municipality, a certified copy of the vote or votes of the governing body authorizing the PROJECT, appropriating municipal funds therefore, and authorizing execution of this Agreement by the Officer, Board, or Commission whose signature(s) appears above. In addition, a park boundary map is attached that accurately reflects the property that is protected through the receipt of the PARC grant award. 9 Legal Notice Town of Reading To the Inhabitants of the Town of Reading: Please take notice that the Select Board of the Town of Reading will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, January 6, 2026 at 7:00 PM in the Select Board Meeting Room at Town Hall, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, MA or also available remotely on Zoom to act on a New License Application for an Annual All-Alcohol Package Store License located at 36 Walkers Brook Drive, Reading, MA for . A copy of the proposed documents regarding this topic will be in the Select Board packet on the website at www.readingma.gov All interested parties are invited to attend the hearing in person or remotely via Zoom; or may submit their comments in writing or by email prior to 6:00 p.m. on January 6, 2026 to townmanager@readingma.gov. By order of Matthew A. Kraunelis, Esq Town Manager 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 MOTION UNDER ARTICLE 2 2025 NOVEMBER SPECIAL TOWN MEETING Move that the Town authorize the Select Board, on behalf of the Town, to petition the General Court for passage of a special law, as set forth below; provided, however, that the General Court may make clerical or editorial changes in form only to the bill, unless the Select Board approves amendments to the bill before enactment by the General Court; and provided further that the Select Board is hereby authorized to approve amendments that shall be within the scope of the general public objectives of this petition. AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE TOWN OF READING TO ESTABLISH A MEANS TESTED SENIOR CITIZEN PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same as follows: SECTION 1. There shall be an exemption from the property tax for each qualifying parcel of real property classified as class 1 residential in the town of Reading in an amount to be set annually by the select board as provided in section 3. The exemption shall be applied only to the domicile real property as defined by the board of assessors under the deed for the property and shall include a condominium unit. The exemption provided for in this act shall be in addition to any and all other exemptions allowed by the General Laws. SECTION 2. The board of assessors in the town of Reading may deny an application if they find the applicant has excessive assets that place the applicant outside of the intended recipients of the exemption under this act. Real property shall qualify for the exemption under section 1 if: (i) the qualifying real property is owned and occupied by a person whose prior credit under subsection (k) of section 6 of chapter 62 of the General Laws; (ii) the qualifying real property is owned by a single applicant not less than 65 years old at the close of the previous year or jointly by persons either of whom is not less than 65 years old at the close of the previous year and the other joint applicant is not less than 60 years old; (iii) the qualifying real property is owned and occupied by the applicant or joint applicants as their domicile; (iv) the applicant or at least 1 of the joint applicants has been domiciled and owned a home in the town for not less than 10 consecutive years before filing an application for the exemption; (v) the maximum assessed value of the qualifying real property is no greater than income tax credit under subsection (k) of section 6 of chapter 62 of the General Laws as adjusted annually by the department of revenue; and (vi) the board of assessors has approved the application. SECTION 3. The select board of the town of Reading, shall annually set the exemption amount under section 1 between 100 per cent and 150 per cent of the amount of the circuit breaker 1 51 income tax credit under subsection (k) of section 6 of chapter 62 of the General Laws for which the applicant qualified in the previous year, set annually by the Board of Assessors. The total amount exempted by this act shall be allocated proportionally within the tax levy on all residential taxpayers. SECTION 4. A person who seeks to qualify for the exemption under section 1 shall, before the deadline established by the board of assessors of the town of Reading, file an application, on a income and assets as described in the application. The application shall be filed each year for which the applicant seeks the exemption. SECTION 5. No exemption shall be granted under this act until the department of revenue certifies a residential tax rate for the applicable tax year where the total exemption amount is raised by a burden shift within the residential tax levy. SECTION 6. This act shall expire 3 years after implementation of the exemption under this act. Select Board 2 52 53 54 Town of Reading 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867-2685 Matthew A. Kraunelis, Esq. Town Manager Office: (781) 942-9043 mkraunelis@readingma.gov To: Select Board From: Matt Kraunelis Date: March 26, 2025 RE: Creation of a Disability Commission The Select Board has asked me to explore the possibility of the creation of a Disability Commission in the Town of Reading. Reading currently has a municipal ADA coordinator but no established Disability Commission. Having such a Commission is a local option and not mandatory. In order to establish a Disability Commission, the town must vote to accept the provisions of MGL Chapter 40 section 8J. This vote must be at an annual or special town meeting. The duties of the Commission are outlined in the statute which I have attached. The Commission must hold meetings, keep records of its meetings and actions, and file an annual report. Commissions must consist of five to thirteen members and are appointed by the Select Board or Town Manager. The majority of the members must be disabled, and one must be an immediate family member of a disabled person. One member of the Commission must be an elected or appointed official of the town. Members are initially appointed in staggered one, two, and three year terms. The Commission may receive gifts of real and personal property in the name of the town, subject to the approval of the Select Board. The gifts are managed and controlled by the Commission. If it is decided that Reading would like to establish a Disability Commission, a warrant article will need to be prepared for subsequent town meeting, accepting the provisions of MGL Chapter 40 section 8J. 55 56 57 58 DRAFT - SELECT BOARD 2026AGENDAS January 27, 2026 Pledge of Allegiance Overview of Meeting Public Comment (for any items not included on the agenda) Town Manager Report Community Spotlight Public Hearing: Discuss and Vote on an Annual All-Alcohol Restaurant License for Trentino Enterprises, LLC d/b/a DiBlasi's Food & Drink, Located at 42 High Street Presentation and Discussion on Pleasant Street Center Status and Future Planning Liaison Reports Future Agendas Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes February 10, 2026 Pledge of Allegiance Overview of Meeting Public Comment (for any items not included on the agenda) Town Manager Report Community Spotlight Presentation by the Ad Hoc Community Preservation Act Study Committee Discuss Town Manager Review Results Liaison Reports Future Agendas Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes Executive Session Purpose 2: To conduct strategy session in preparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel (Town Manager Kraunelis) Executive Session February 24, 2026 Pledge of Allegiance Overview of Meeting Public Comment (for any items not included on the agenda) Town Manager Report Community Spotlight 59 DRAFT - SELECT BOARD 2026AGENDAS Vote for in-person early voting for April Election Preview Town Meeting Warrant Liaison Reports Future Agendas Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes March 10, 2026 Pledge of Allegiance Overview of Meeting Public Comment (for any items not included on the agenda) Town Manager Report Community Spotlight Vote to Close Warrant for Annual Town Election and Town Meeting Inter-Municipal Agreement regarding Animal Control Liaison Reports Future Agendas Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes March 24, 2026 Pledge of Allegiance Overview of Meeting Public Comment (for any items not included on the agenda) Town Manager Report Community Spotlight Vote to Reappoint Town Accountant Liaison Reports Future Agendas Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes April 7, 2026 TOWN ELECTION April 14, 2026 Pledge of Allegiance Overview of Meeting Public Comment (for any items not included on the agenda) Select Board Vote to Reorganize Town Manager Report Community Spotlight Liaison Reports Future Agendas Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes 60 DRAFT - SELECT BOARD 2026AGENDAS April 21, 2026 Pledge of Allegiance Overview of Meeting Public Comment (for any items not included on the agenda) Town Manager Report Community Spotlight Discuss and Vote on Arbor Day Proclamation, April 24, 2026 Liaison Reports Future Agendas Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes April 27, 2026 TOWN MEETING April 30, 2026 TOWN MEETING May 4, 2026 TOWN MEETING May 7, 2026 TOWN MEETING May 12, 2026 Pledge of Allegiance Overview of Meeting Public Comment (for any items not included on the agenda) Town Manager Report Community Spotlight Preview FY26 Water and Sewer Rates Public Hearing: Discuss and Vote on FY26 Non-Union Classification & HEARING Compensation Plan Liaison Reports Future Agendas Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes May 26, 2026 Pledge of Allegiance Overview of Meeting Public Comment (for any items not included on the agenda) Town Manager Report Community Spotlight Pride Month Resolution Juneteenth Resolution Discuss and Vote on FY26 Water, Public Hearing Sewer, and Storm Water Rates Select Board Liaison Reports Future Agendas Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes 61 DRAFT - SELECT BOARD 2026AGENDAS June 9, 2026 Pledge of Allegiance Overview of Meeting Public Comment (For any items not included on the agenda) Town Manager Report Community Spotlight Discuss and Vote on Board & Committee FY26 Budget Requests Discuss Town Manager Goals Select Board Liaison Reports Future Agendas Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes June 23, 2026 Pledge of Allegiance Overview of Meeting Public Comment (for any items not included on the agenda) Town Manager Report Community Spotlight Discuss and Vote on Appointments of Boards & Committees Select Board Liaison Reports Future Agendas Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes July 14, 2026 Pledge of Allegiance Overview of Meeting Public Comment (for any items not included on the agenda) Town Manager Report Community Spotlight Select Board Liaison Reports Future Agendas Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes August 4, 2026 Pledge of Allegiance Overview of Meeting Public Comment (for any items not included on the agenda) Town Manager Report Community Spotlight Discuss and Vote on Overdose Awareness Proclamation 62 DRAFT - SELECT BOARD 2026AGENDAS Vote to Close Warrant for September 1, 2026 State Primary Election Select Board Liaison Reports Future Agendas Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes September 1, 2026State Primary Election September 8, 2026 Pledge of Allegiance Overview of Meeting Public Comment (for any items not included on the agenda) Town Manager Report Community Spotlight Select Board Liaison Reports Future Agendas Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes September 22, 2026 Pledge of Allegiance Overview of Meeting Public Comment (for any items not included on the agenda) Town Manager Report Community Spotlight Proclamation for Italian Heritage Month Preview Subsequent Town Meeting Warrant Select Board Liaison Reports Future Agendas Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes October 6, 2026 Pledge of Allegiance Overview of Meeting Public Comment (for any items not included on the agenda) Town Manager Report Community Spotlight Vote to Close November 9, 2026 Subsequent Town Meeting Warrant Select Board Liaison Reports Future Agendas Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes October 20, 2026 63 DRAFT - SELECT BOARD 2026AGENDAS Pledge of Allegiance Overview of Meeting Public Comment (for any items not included on the agenda) Town Manager Report Community Spotlight Public Hearing: Fiscal Year 2027 Tax Public Hearing Classification Vote to Close Warrant for November 3, 2026 State Election Review 2027 Meeting Schedule Select Board Liaison Reports Future Agendas Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes November 3, 2026State Election November 9, 2026Town Meeting November 12, 2026Town Meeting November 16, 2026Town Meeting November 17, 2026 Pledge of Allegiance Overview of Meeting Public Comment (for any items not included on the agenda) Town Manager Report Community Spotlight Select Board Liaison Reports Future Agendas Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes November 19, 2026Town Meeting December 1, 2026 Pledge of Allegiance Overview of Meeting Public Comment (for any items not included on the agenda) Town Manager Report Community Spotlight Approve Annual Liquor Licenses Select Board Liaison Reports Future Agendas Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes December 2, 2026Budget Presentations 64 DRAFT - SELECT BOARD 2026AGENDAS Department Budget Presentations Night One Police Department Fire Department Health Department Technology Public Works & Enterprise Funds December 8, 2026Budget Presentations Department Budget Presentations Night Two Library Facilities Public Services/Administrative Services Finance Shared Costs Budget Summary Possible Regular Business Meeting (If needed) December 15, 2026 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73