HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-01-27 Select Board Minutesa
Meeting Minutes
Town of Reading
Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Select Board
Date: 2026-01-27
Building: Reading Town Hall
Address: 16 Lowell Street
Purpose: General Business
Attendees: Members - Present:
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Select Board Meeting Room
Session: Open Session
Version: Final
Chris Haley, Melissa Murphy, Karen Rose -Gillis, Karen Gately Herrick
(Remote)
Members - Not Present:
Carlo Bacci
Others Present:
Town Manager Matt Kraunelis, Assistant Town Manager Jayne Wellman,
Town Clerk Laura Gemme, Economic Development Senior Planner Kevin
McCarthy, Computer Technician Tim Johnson (Remote), RCN Studios
(Remote), Taylor Gregory (Remote), Karina Drees (Remote), Laura Stella
(Remote)
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Madeleine Baptiste
Topics of Discussion:
This meeting was held in the Town Hall Select Board Meeting Room and Remotely Via Zoom.
Chris Haley called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM and provided a brief overview of the
evening's agenda.
Public Comment (For any items not included on the agenda)
There were no comments from the public.
Town Manager Report
Town Manager Matt Kraunelis noted the MILK Day Celebration, held at the Reading Memorial
High School Performing Arts Center, was well attended and a great event. He thanked Director
of Equity and Social Justice, Albert Pless, and his team for making this event possible as well as
the Department of Public Works and Facilities department for their efforts in snow clearing. He
expressed his gratitude to the Reading Fire Department for their response to the fire on James
Road and thanked the Reading Police Department, Health and Public Services, as well as the
neighboring communities Fire Departments for their aid as well. Mr. Kraunelis attended the
Massachusetts Municipal Association's (MMA) Conference, Conned 351. He then gave an
update on the META and stated that from speaking with META officials, he learned that they do
not currently plan to bring back the turnback track but have not ruled out pursuing f. He
concluded the update by stating that the META noted their plans to pursue federal grant funding
of $80 - $100 million for the installation of double tracks on the Haverhill line and this is still in
the works with more specifics to be worked out. The Financial Policy workshop hosted by DOR
will take place Thursday, January 2V at the Reading Public Library which will include Reading
staff, Board Members, and attendees from other communities and will be opportunity to gain
knowledge and tools to update financial policies. He concluded his report by announcing that a
Trader Joes is coming to Reading, and he will share location information and more updates as
they come.
Page 1 1
Assistant Town Manager Jayne Wellman shared that she attended the MLK Day event as well
as the MMA Conference. She reminded the Board that she along with Director of Operations,
Katie Gabriello, will be doing a Pleasant Street Center Road Show. She stated that they will visit
the School Committee, Recreation Committee, Reading Housing Authority, Finance Committee,
Community Development and Planning Commission (CPDC), Historical Commission and the
Select Board to get ideas and feedback. Ms. Wellman said that she and Ms. Gabriello plan to
launch a community survey next week to get feedback from the Public, and she stated her hope
that all this feedback will help the Board make an informed decision.
Community Spodiaht
Town Manager Matt Kraunelis congratulated Reading Memorial High School Varsity Wrestler,
Will Markle, on his 100d' career win. He also spotlighted long time Reading resident Ron
Winslow for his celebrating his I00d' birthday on January 218r. He shared that Mr. Winslow was
very involved in Town government, opened a business downtown, and retired as the Assistant
Superintendent of schools. Mr. Kraunelis shared that he, Assistant Town Manager Jayne
Wellman, and Veterans Service Officer Will Valliere, were able to attend Mr. Wiinslow's birthday
party and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to meet Mr. Winslow.
Last Comer Restaurant W Anniversary Recognition
Fire Chief Rick Nelson spoke in honor of Last Comer Owners, Val and Paul Pavlidis, and
shared his experience growing up going to Last Corner. He thanked them greatly for all that
they do for the Town and everything they have done in the last 50 years.
Val and Paul Pavlidis shared stories about the restaurant's impact on their lives and the Town
for the last 50 years. They expressed their immense gratitude for the Reading community.
Board Members highlighted the significant accomplishment of 50 years in business and
emphasized that their business truly brings residents together. The Board thanked them for their
work and for everything they do for the Town. Town Manager Matt Kraunelis presented Val and
Paul with a plaque to commemorate their accomplishment.
Discuss and Vote for In -Person Early Voting and Vote by Mail for April 7. 2026, Election
Town Clerk Laura Gemme informed the Board that if they wish to have In -Person early voting
for the upcoming local election, then the Board must vote to opt in. Secondly, she shared that if
they want Vote by Mail for the April election, the Board does not need to take action for that
method of early voting. Ms. Gemme stated that in the past, early voting has always occurred the
week leading up to the election, during Town Hall hours, so this year, it would take place from
March 28d' to April 2nd, and she noted that the Clerk's Office must be open from the hours of 9
am — 5 pm on the 28d', as 0 is the last day of voter registration. She concluded by noting that
costs can be reimbursed for Vote by Mail postage and staffing for In -Person early voting and
that the consensus of the Board of Registrars is to recommend both early voting options. Board
Members agreed to both early voting methods taking place for the upcoming local election.
Karen Rose -Gillis motioned to opt into In -Person Early Voting to be conducted 3128/2026
through 4/212026 during Town Hall hours excluding Sunday. The motion was seconded
by Melissa Murphy and approved by a vote of 4-0.
Chris Haley stated that he is a direct abutter to the proposed location and for that reason,
recused himself from voting on this matter.
Karen Rose -Gillis read the Public Hearing Notice.
Attorney John Masciarelli, representative of DiBlasi's Food & Drink, explained that DiBlasi's
owners, Ryan Patterson and Greg Maganzini, are Reading residents and Mr. Maganzini has
over 30 years of experience in the food industry. Mr. Patterson stated that they take alcohol
regulations seriously and all staff will be TIPS certified. He noted their plan to do safe and
responsible service in the community and to always have a manager on duty. Mr. Patterson
informed the Board about their Founders Club financing method, which is similar to a Go Fund
Me, where people contributed to the start up of the business, and he stated that once the
restaurant is profitable, founding members will be repaid for their start up contributions. Board
Members disclosed that they are not founding members. Mr. Patterson concluded by noting
their plans to be open sometime in the spring.
Page 1 2
Karen Rose -Gillis moved to close the Public Hearing regarding the Annual All -Alcohol
Restaurant Liquor License for Trentino enterprises, LLC d/bla DiBlasi's Food & Drink.
Karen Rose -Gillis moved to approve the Annual All -Alcohol Restaurant Liquor License
for Trentino Enterprises, LLC dlb/a DIBlasl's Food & Drink, located at 42 High Street. The
motion was seconded by Karen Gately Herrick and approved by a vote of 3-0.
Liaison Reports
Karen Rose -Gillis attended several meetings including the Walkers Brook Redesign Project,
Council on Aging, and the Affordable Housing Trust Committee. She also attended the MMA
conference, and mentioned she participated in the presentation from keynote speaker Timothy
Shdver, who discussed building skills for dignified disagreements, and she distributed the
Dignity Index to her fellow Board Members (See Appendix). Lastly, Ms. Rose -Gillis mentioned
that the Reading Food Pantry had a volunteer appreciation brunch, and they recently were able
to share overstock with the Lazarus House.
Karen Gately Herrick noted that she held Office Hours on January 8' at the Pleasant Street
Center. She also attended various meetings including the Walker's Brook Redesign Project,
Permanent Building Committee (PBC) and Council on Aging (COA). She noted that both the
PBC and COA meetings focused on the ReCAL project. Ms. Gately Herrick attended and
volunteered at the MLK Day event and applauded Albert Pless and his team. She also attended
a book discussion oo-sponsored by the Reading Neighbors Network and one of the Library
groups. She participated in the MMA conference and a Women Elected Municipal Officials
(WEMO) luncheon where they discussed the Dignity Index. At the MMA conference, she
attended the Annual Business meeting where they discussed a fiscal resolution, and she shared
that the resolution was passed unanimously. Ms. Gately Herrick concluded by sharing that the
Massachusetts Senior Circuit Tax Credit Bill, sponsored by Senator Lewis and Chief Assessor
Victor Santaniello, will be moving on to the House of Representatives.
Melissa Murphy attended several meetings including Board of Health, where new Public Health
Inspector Zerihun Ayele was recognized, CPDC, and Conservation Commission. She was able
to attend some of the School Committee meetings, the Walkers Brook Drive Redesign meeting,
and the COA and PBC meetings where they discussed feedback on the ReCAL project. Lastly,
Ms. Murphy noted that she attended the Reading Community Television (RCTV) meeting. She
shared that they are currently in the process of hiring an Executive Director.
Chris Haley attended the MILK day celebration and noted it was a great event and expressed
appreciation for Albert Pless and his team for putting on the event. He shared that he also
attended the Walker's Brook Drive Redesign Project Meeting.
Future Agendas
Future agenda items include a discussion of the Town Manager Review results and a
presentation by the Ad Hoc Community Preservation Act Study Committee.
Discuss and Vote on Prior Meeting Minutes
The Board reviewed and discussed suggested amendments to the draft minutes of the January
6r' meeting.
Karen Rose -Gillis moved to approve the meeting minutes of January 6, 2026, as
amended. The motion was seconded by Karen Gately Herrick and approved by a vote of
4-0.
Karen Rose -Gillis moved to adjourn at 8:32 pm. The motion was seconded by Melissa
Murphy and approved by a vote of 4-0.
Page 1 3