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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-02-24 Select Board MinutesNt orsGo Town of Reading I' _ .;' Meeting Minutes 0 Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Select Board Date: 2026-02-24 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Select Board Meeting Room Address: 16 Lowell Street Session: Open Session Purpose: General Business Version: Final Attendees: Members - Present: Chris Haley, Melissa Murphy, Karen Rose -Gillis, Carlo Bacci, Karen Gately Herrick Members - Not Present: Others Present: Assistant Town Manager Jayne Wellman, Town Clerk Laura Gemme, Conservation Administrator Chuck Tirone, Carolyn Johnson, Nancy Docktor, Angela Binda, Brian Bowe, Will Finch, Martha Moore, Jeff Lamson, RCN Studios (Remote), Senior Computer Technician Tim Johnson (Remote), CFO Sharon Angstrom (Remote), Assistant CFO/Treasurer Diane Morabito (Remote), Town Engineer Ryan Percival (Remote), Director of Operations Katie Gabriello (Remote), Town Counsel Ivria Fried (Remote), Taylor Gregory (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 aaenda) Carolyn Johnson of Thomdike St expressed disagreement for Board Members' responses to different incidents and consistency of discipline among Board Members. Nancy Doddor of Pead Street asked if comments were going to be allowed on the preview of the Town Meeting Warrant. Angela Binds of Orchard Park Drive expressed concern with Article 14 of the Town Meeting Warrant. Town Manager Report Assistant Town Manager Jayne Wellman stated that the Pleasant Street Center survey has launched to the public and is available on Town social media and emphasized the importance of feedback from the Public. Hard copies of the survey can also be found at Town Hall, the Reading Public Library, and the Pleasant Street Center. Ms. Wellman noted that the Reading Pickleball Players Association (RPPA) presented their donation of $225,000 at Town Hall and expressed immense gratitude for their generosity. Report and Discussion about Matters Cabin Improvements Assistant Town Manager Jayne Wellman opened the discussion by noting that she is looking to get the appetite of the Board for bringing Madera Cabin back to compliance and that there are different levels of funding depending on different types of use. She stated that to be open to the Public, as opposed to just Town Staff and volunteers, requires more extensive work to bring it back up to code. Members Brian Bowe of the Conservation Commission, Will Finch of the Trails Committee, and Conservation Administrator Chuck Tirone all spoke in support of moving in the direction of getting Matters Cabin back up to code for Public and Town Staff use. They all expressed their thoughts that it is a vital asset to the Town, and it has brought great value to the community, so they wish to see it open again. Jeff Lamson, Chair of Town Forest Committee, added that their committee has not been able to access their tools in the cabin, and he emphasized the importance of the facility. Page I r The Board expressed interest in opening the building and exploring options further. They had questions on costs and expressed hesitation with putting this before Town Meeting without an amount to be asking for money. Ms. Wellman noted that the scope and services cost will be figured out quickly. Nancy Docktor of Pead Street said she was on Town Meeting when this was originally brought up and expressed support of obtaining the property back then. Community SaodiaM Assistant Town Manager Jayne Wellman congratulated the Austin Prep Cheer Competition Team for winning the 2025 Fall State Championship. She emphasized the importance role that female athletes play in the community. Ms. Wellman also congratulated the Reading Memorial High School (RMHS) Boys Indoor Track Team for winning their 14" Division III track fide and highlighted this great moment for Reading. She also mentioned that both the RMHS Girls and Boys Hockey Teams will be playing in the opening round of the state tournament and wished them luck. She concluded the discussion by highlighting the Department of Public Works Water and Sewer division, led by Peter Isbell, for their work in snow removal, repairing water main breaks, and sewer backups. She thanked them for all their hard work. Assistant Town Manager Jayne Wellman explained that due to an oversight, this Public Hearing had to come before the Board again because the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission (ABCC) needed abutters to be notified before moving forward with this amendment and the abutters notification did not get sent out in the first Public Hearing process. Ms. Wellman thanked Jason Carron, owner of Post 1917, for his patience and understanding with this matter. Karen Rose -Gillis moved to close the Public Hearing regarding the Alteration of Premises Application for an Annual AII-Alcohol Restaurant Liquor License for PARC Restaurant Group, LLC d/b/a Post 1917. The motion was seconded by Melissa Murphy and approved by a vote of 5-0. Karen Rose -Gillis moved to approve the Alteration of Premises Application for an Annual All -Alcohol Restaurant Liquor License for PARC Restaurant Group, LLC d/b/a Post 1917. The motion was seconded by Karen Gately Herrick and approved by a vote of 5-0. Town Engineer Ryan Percival said this project is a 25% grant and 75 % loan with a zero percent interest over a 10-year borrowing period. Ryan said that there is an EPA mandate to remove all lead services out of the Town within the next 10 years and this was factored into the capital plan for FY26. Karen Rose -Gillis moved to authorize the borrowing of $1,125,000 as authorized under Article 15 of the May 8, 2025, Town Meeting, for Phase 2 of the MWRA Lead Service Replacements Project, on the terms and conditions presented today, and to direct the Treasurer and Town Manager to execute any and all agreements necessary to secure said funds. The motion was seconded by Karen Gately Herrick and aooroved by a vote of 5-0. Karen Rose -Gillis moved, pursuant to G.L. c. 64, s. 42C, to direct the Town Manager to send written notice to the Town Clerk that a Ballot Question shall be added to the 2026 Annual Town Election to consider the Charter Amendments approved at the Special Town Meeting in November 2025, as prepared and before the Board today. The motion was seconded by Melissa Murphy and approved by a vote of 5-0. Discuss and Vote on Distribution of Proaosed Charter Changes to the Voters Town Clerk Laura Gemme said this mailing will go out to any household with a registered voter and will include a copy of the Town Charter and a letter highlighting the ballot question with an explanation of major changes. The estimated cost for this mailing is $30,000 in house and is required to be mailed per Massachusetts General Law. Karen Rose -Gillis moved, pursuant to G.L. c. 438, § 11, to direct the Town Clerk to distribute to each residence of one or more registered voters a copy of the Charter Amendments approved at the Special Town Meeting in November 2025, and which are the subject of the 2026 Annual Town Election Ballot Question. The motion was seconded by Melissa Murphy and approved by a vote of 5-0. Preview Town Meetina Warrant Assistant Town Manager Jayne Wellman reviewed the 18 warrant articles for the 2026 Annual Town Meeting. Board Members discussed Article 11, which is for the PARC Gram Program and the Town to dedicate a parcel of land to recreational purposes. Ms. Wellman explained that if the Town accepts the grant money of $100,000 that the land and parking section would only be able to be used for recreation forever. Some Board Members expressed concern with this being binding and has questions regarding if they could change this if money was returned in the future. They also discussed Article 13, regarding the Community Preservation Act, and expressed wanting to have the Select Board removed from the sponsor of this article. It will now be solely sponsored by the Community Preservation Act Study Committee. Lastly, the Board discussed Article 14, regarding the establishment of a stabilization fund for unified sports, at length. Some Board Members expressed hesitation on the timing of this article and suggested it could put it on the November Town Meeting warrant. Board Members also noted that they want to we a final agreement with Burbank on parking before closing the warrant. There was also discussion on exploring additional funding sources for the stabilization fund. Town Clerk Laura Gemme explained that 011ie's Law, in Article 17, would be changing the kennel regulation laws to match state regulations, currently the Town is more restrictive than state regulations. Nancy Docktor of Pead Street expressed concern with Article 14 on the Warrant. Discuss the Usace of Roberts Rules of Order as Select Board Guidance Karen Gately Herrick stated that she wished to vote on this matter and has been requested by members of the Public. Chris Haley said if the Board wishes to take a position on this topic, it will go back on the agenda at another time, and that Board Members discussed this at their previous retreat in November. Karen Gately Herrick moved to table this agenda item. The motion was seconded by Karen Rose -Gillis and failed by a vote of 3-2, with Chris Haley, Melissa Murphy, and Carlo Bacot opposed. Some Board Members fell that Board policies and procedures should be discussed and changed during times such as the retreat as opposed to at general meetings. Nancy Docktor of Pearl Street said she had come before this Board requesting this topic in previous meetings. Discuss Snow Shoveling Program Assistant Town Manager Jayne Wellman discussed findings from what other communities do for their snow shoveling programs. She noted key aspects of the programs established in Wakefield and Somerville and discussed things including who is involved, the possible drawbacks, and the specifics of these communities' programs. The Board discussed the possibility of involving the Towns sports teams, National Honor Society members, or anyone who wishes to volunteer to participate in a program like this to help anyone in need of shoveling assistance. Board Members expressed the importance of a reliable and consistent registration for this program. Ms. Wellman said Town Staff will continue to explore this matter. Liaison Resorts Karen Rose -Gillis attended RPPA photo opportunity event at Town Hall, and she participated in Volunteer Appointment Committee (VASC) interviews. Karen Gately Herrick noted the Climate Advisory Committee will be hosting a composting seminar at the Reading Public Library on March 19' . She visited the Newton Center for Active Living building and shared some of its features. She congratulated Director of Equity and Social Justice, Albert Pless, on being honored by State Representatives Richard Haggerty and Brad Jones for the Black Excellence on the Hill Award. She attended the RPPA event and concluded by stating that the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) appointed her to serve on their energy and environmental policy committee. Melissa Murphy listened to the School Committee meeting from February 12'. She participated in VASC interviews and attended the RPPA event and thanked them for their donation. Carlo Bacci attended the RPPA event and was thankful and impressed with the donation. He congratulated all the Olympians who just competed at the Winter Olympics. Lastly, he stated that Writerfest will take place next week weather permitting. Chris Haley attended the RPPA event and thanked them. He said that he was informed that the Last Comer Restaurant stayed open through the blizzard and he thanked them for doing that and serving the community. Future Agendas Future Agenda items include a presentation and discussion on the Pleasant Street Center and Closing of the Warrant for the Annual Town Meeting. Discuss and Vote Prior Mewing Minutes The Board stated they had no suggested edits to the draft meeting minutes of January 27- and February 10". Karen Rose -Gillis moved to approve the meeting minutes of January 27, 2026, as presented. The motion was seconded by Karen Gately Herrick and approved by a vote of ". Karen Rose -Gillis moved to approve the meeting minutes of February 10, 2026, as presented. The motion was seconded by Melissa Murphy and approved by a vote of ". Karen -Rose Gillis moved to enter into executive session under Purpose 2 to conduct a strategy session in preparation for contract negotiations with nonunion personnel, Town Manager Kraunelis, to invite Ivria Fried, Town Counsel, into the executive session, and to return to open session after the executive session to continue on with the meeting. The motion was seconded by Melissa Murphy and approved by a vote of 5-0. Roll Call Vote: Karen Rose -Gillis — Yes, Karen Gately Herrick — Yes, Melissa Murphy —Yes, Carlo Bacci — Yes, Chns Halev—Yes Filing the Town Manager Position Chris Haley called the meeting back to order at 9:43 pm. Karen Rose -Gillis moved to execute the separation agreement with Matthew Kraunelis. The motion was seconded by Melissa Murphy and approved by a vote of 5-0. Chris Haley read a joint statement from the Board and Mr. Kraunelis (See Appendix). Town Counsel Ivria Fred noted next steps for the Board in appointing an Acting Town Manager. The charter requires this full-time appointment happen in the next 180 days. She noted that the Board has options for filling the Town Manager Position including a search using a consultant or forming a subcommittee to do the search. Board Members expressed the desire to gel an Acting Town Manager appointed as quickly as possible. Ms. Fried stated that Jayne Wellman will serve as the Interim Town Manager until an Acting Town Manager is appointed. The Board expressed their wishes to have Town Counsel start negotiations with Ms. Wellman to execute a contract with her to be Acting Town Manager. Karen Gately Herrick moved that the Board direct Ms. Fried to work with Jayne Wellman to negotiate an Acting Town Manager contract and bring it back to the Board for a vote. The motion was seconded by Melissa Murphy and approved 5-0. Ms. Fried suggested that a meeting be scheduled for Tuesday, March V, 2026, to vote on a contract and the Board agreed. Karen Rose -Gillis moved to enter into executive session under Purpose 3 to discuss strategy with respect to potential litigation against the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, because an open session would have a detrimental effect on the litigating position of the Board, as the Chair declares, to invite Ivria Fried, Town Counsel, and Jayne Wellman, into the executive session; and under Purpose 7 to enter executive session to comply with G.L. c. 30A, § 22 by approving and reviewing for release the February 10 and 17, 2026 executive session minutes, to invite only Ms. Fried to attend this portion of the executive session, and to adjourn from executive session and not to return to open session. The motion was seconded by Carlo Bacci and approved by a vote of 5-0. Roll Call Vote: Karen Rose -Gillis — Yes, Karen Gately Herrick — Yes, Melissa Murphy — Yes, Carlo Bacci — Yes, Chris Haley — Yes Open Session adjourned at 9:56 pm.