HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-03-02 ad Hoc - Community Preservation Act Study Committee Minutes,�N r rq
Town of Reading
3`el Meeting Minutes
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Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Ad Hoc Community Preservation Act Study
Committee
Date: 2026-03-02 Time: 7:30 PM
Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Conference Room
Address: 16 Lowell Street Session: Open Session
Purpose: General Business Version: Final
Attendees: Members - Present:
Chair Joe Carnahan, Vice Chair Sarah Bmkllacchlo, Carlo Bacci, Margaret
Donnelly Moran, Kate Kaminer, Sandy Matathia, Martha Moore (remote)
Members - Not Present:
Advisory Member Katie Gallant
Others Present:
Karen Rose -Gillis
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jacquelyn L.aVerde
Topics of Discussion:
This meeting was held in -person in the Conference Room of Town Hall and remotely via
Zoom.
Call to order and welcome
Chair Joe Carnahan called the meeting to order at 7:33 pm.
Roll call: Martha Moore (remote), Sandy Matathia, Margaret Donnelly Moran, Sarah
Brukilacchio, Joe Carnahan, Kate Kaminer.
Public comment
There was no comment from the public.
Liaison reports
There were no liaison reports.
The Committee discussed Section 3(b) and 3(b)1/2 of the CPA legislation, which allows for a
blended funding approach using both CPA surcharges and municipal funds. The Committee
learned that this provision was not previously mentioned in their research or discussions
with the Community Preservation Coalition, and the Coalition advised against its adoption
due to potential complications and confusion. The committee agreed to move forward
without adopting Sectlon 3(b)V2, as it would not require any Immediate town funding and
could complicate discussions at Town Meeting.
On a motion by Margaret Donnelly Moran, seconded by Sarah Brukilacchio, the Ad
Hoc Community Preservation Act Study Committee voted 6-0 to recommend the
adoption of Section 3(b), not 3(11bYz) to Town Meeting.
Roll call vote: Martha Moore - Yes, Sandy Matathia - Yes, Kate Kaminer - Yes,
Margaret Donnelly Moran - Yes, Sarah Brukilacchio - yes, Joe Carnahan - Yes.
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Carlo Bacci arrived at 7:45 pm. The Study Committee reviewed the discussion on whether
to adopt Section 3(b) or 3(bl/2) and Mr. Bacci concurred with the vote.
Retrospective on presentation to Select Board on February 10
The Study Committee reviewed their recent presentation to and discussion with the Select
Board. Topics that arose during the discussion included the Select Board's request for input
from other Boards and Committees, such as Finance Committee and the Community
Planning & Development Commission, the process of closing the Town Meeting Warrant, and
concerns about the timing of an override.
They discussed presenting CPA to Town Meeting by emphasizing how it can offset costs for
capital projects, highlighting the low-income, senior, and commercial exemptions, and
explaining that voting in favor of the article does not automatically adopt the CPA, rather
puts it on the ballot for the voters to decide in November. They agreed that their role was to
present information about CPA's benefits and costs, rather than advocate for a specific vote.
Discussion and potential vote on minor corrections to CPA Study Committee
written report, including feedback from Community Preservation Coalition
The Study Committee reviewed and agreed to minor edits of their report including
corrections to eligible projects as noted by the Community Preservation Coalition (CPC), and
adding a CPC chart of Allowable Spending Purposes as Appendix D.
On a motion by Sarah Brukilacchio, seconded by Kate Kaminer, the Ad Hoc
Community Preservation Act Study Committee voted 7-0 to accept the edits to the
report as discussed.
Roll call vote: Martha Moore - Yes, Sandy Matathia - Yes, Kate Kaminer - Yes,
Carlo Bacci - Yes, Margaret Donnelly Moran - Yes, Sarah Brukilacchio - yes, Joe
Carnahan - Yes.
Planning for presentation to Annual Town Meeting in April
Joe Carnahan will draft a presentation for the Committee to review at the next meeting. All
members of the Study Committee plan to attend Town Meeting to answer specific questions
regarding their respective pillars.
Future meeting agendas and scheduling
The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 30'h at 7:30 pm, at which the Study
Committee will discuss the details of the presentation to Town Meeting.
Mr. Carnahan will reach out to the Bylaw Committee and request to be on their agenda
ahead of Town Meeting to discuss the CPA.
Review and approve prior meeting minutes
On a motion by Sarah Brukilacchio, seconded by Sandy Matathia, the Ad Hoc
Community Preservation Act Study Committee voted 7-0 to approve the meeting
minutes of February 3, 2026.
Roll call vote: Martha Moore - Yes, Sandy Matathia - Yes, Kate Kaminer - Yes,
Carlo Bacci - Yes, Margaret Donnelly Moran - Yes, Sarah Brukilacchio - yes, Joe
Carnahan - Yes.
On a motion by Margaret Donnelly Moran, seconded by Carlo Bacci, the Ad Hoc
Community Preservation Act Study Committee voted 7-0 to adjourn at 9:15 pm.
Roll call vote: Martha Moore - Yes, Sandy Matathia - Yes, Kate Kaminer - Yes,
Carlo Bacci - Yes, Margaret Donnelly Moran - Yes, Sarah Brukilacchio - Yes, Joe
Carnahan - Yes.
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