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Home My WebLink About2026-05-12 Select Board MinutesaTown of Reading l Meeting Minutes Y`- Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Select Board Date: 2025-05-12 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 Melissa Murphy (Remote), Karen Rose -Gillis, Karen Gately Herrick (Remote), Sal Bramante, Chris Haley Members - Not Present: Others Present: Town Manager Jayne Wellman, Human Resources Director Sean Donahue, DPW Director Christopher Cole, Lieutenant Christopher Jones, RCN Executive Director Deirdre Morales, Ron Powell, Kendra Cooper, Stephen Crook, CFO Sharon Angstrom (Remote), Senior Computer Technician Tim Johnson (Remote), RCN Studios (Remote), Nick Rocco (Remote), Kate Harrington (Remote) Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Madeleine Baptiste Topics of Discussion: This meeting was held in the Town Hall Select Board Meeting Room and remotely As Zoom. Karen Rose -Gillis called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm and provided a brief overview of the evening's agenda and noted that Ms. Gately Herrick would be attending the meeting later via Zoom. Public Comment Kendra Cooper of Covey Hill Road expressed concerns with members of the public's access to things if they are not online. She urged the Board to find a way to get more information out to the residents through non - digital methods. Ron Powell of South Street, as the Select Board's designee to the RCN Board of Directors, introduced RCN's new Executive Director Deirdre Morales and welcomed her to the role. Deirdre Morales introduced herself to the Board and provided a brief background of RCN and its role in the community. She noted that she is very grateful to be in this role and to make RCTV s services accessible to the community. Nick Rocco of Haven Street expressed concern with the overnight parking ban enforcement and urged the Police Department to look further into the ban. Town Manaaer Report Town Manager Jayne Wellman provided an overview of the health benefit plan changes. She noted that through working with the Public Employee Committee (PEC) on negotiations, the Town and the PEC reached an agreement that was unanimously approved by the Select Board. This agreement was negotiated in three negotiation sessions between the Town and PEC. Ms. Wellman noted that major changes include moving to a deductible plan, an increase in the relativity between the PPO and HMO plans, and a second more affordable HMO plan is now going to be offered. The increase in relativity between the PPO and HMO will make the HMO, through the three-year term of the agreement, 20 % less expensive than the PPO, so with more people choosing the HMO, the Town's premiums will decrease. She noted another change includes the split rate being reduced each year and will reach a split of 73 % and 27 % by the last year of the term. Lastly, she noted that a subsidy will be added to the dental plan and the Town plans to offer vision insurance which would be entirely paid by the employee. With the increase in relativity between the PPO and HMO, the addition of a small deductible to employees, and the split rate reduced, both the Town and Employees will share in the savings of Page 1 1 this new agreement. Ms. Wellman stated that there is an estimated savings of $3.9 million over the tens of this agreement and these changes will help the Town financially and continue to provide employees and retirees with great benefits. Town Manager Jayne Wellman noted that the MBTA will be doing work to replace two culverts, one by Mattel Sommes Morgan and one at Willow Street between Plymouth Road and Dustin Road. She further stated that this was work that the Town requested to be done in the past and it is not related to the Turnback Track project. Ms. Wellman noted that the Conservation Commission is taking the lead in coordination with the MBTA on this and the MBTA will be at the May 27^ Conservation Commission meeting. There will be a site visit on May 25r at 8:30 am. Board Members asked Ms. Wellman to work with the MBTA to ensure that residents are notified with information regarding when this culvert replacement work will be taking place. Community SoodfaM Town Manager Jayne Wellman highlighted Lieutenant Kevin Brown and Patrol Officer Keith Hurley for 25 years of service to the Reading Police Department this April. She also recognized Deputy Chief Christine Amendola and Sergeant Corey Santasky for 20 years of service to the Reading Police Department this April. Ms. Wellman thanked the Police Department for their exceptional service. Ms. Wellman also wished resident Shirley Shicker a happy 100' birthday on May 7 ", 2026. She provided a brief background on Ms. Shicker and wished her a great day on behalf of the Town. Karen Gately Herrick joined the meeting at 7:25 pm. Public Nearing, Discuss and Vote on Woburn Street Parking Amendments Chris Haley recused himself from this vote as an abutter. Karen Gately Hertick read the Public Hearing Notice. Lieutenant Christopher Jones noted that these amendments would eliminate four parking spots on Woburn Street to improve safety and traffic concerns. Lieutenant Jones noted in the past five years there have been 11 car accidents at the area, and this amendment would allow improved safety. Karen Rose -Gillis moved to close the hearing regarding Traffic Amendments 2026-1 and 2026-2. The motion was seconded by Karen Gately Herrick and approved by a vote of 4-0. Roll Call Vote: Melissa Murphy — Yes, Karen Gately Herrick — Yes, Sal Bramante — Yes, Karen Rose -Gillis — Yes Karen Rose -Gillis moved to approve Amendment 2026-1 to the Traffic and Parking Regulations as presented. The motion was seconded by Sal Bramante and approved by a vote of 4-0. Roll Call Vote: Melissa Murphy — Yes, Karen Gately Herrick — Yes, Sal Bramante — Yes, Karen Rose -Gillis — Yes Karen Rose -Gillis moved to approve Amendment 2026-2 to the Traffic and Parking Regulations as presented. The motion was seconded by Sal Bramante and approved by a vote of 4.0. Roll Call Vote: Melissa Murphy — Yes, Karen Gately Herrick —Yes, Sal Bramante —Yes, Karen Rose -Gillis — Yes Discuss and Vote on Liaison Assionmenta Board Members reviewed the Draft 2026 Liaison Assignments sheet, which was compiled based on their discussion of preferences at their last meeting. Ms. Gately Herrick and Mr. Haley agreed to swap liaison roles for the Reading Ice Arena Authority and Audit Committee. Karen Gately Herrick moved that the Board approve the Liaison Assignments as amended. The motion was seconded by Melissa Murphy and approved by a vote of 5-0. Roll Call Vote: Melissa Murphy — Yes, Karen Gately Herick — Yes, Sal Bramante — Yes, Chris Haley— Yes, Karen Rose -Gillis — Yes Town Manager Jayne Wellman noted that Town Manager's Office Staff will send out this new 2026 Liaison Assignments lists to the Boards, Committees, and Commissions chairs as well as Town Staff and will ask that the Select Board members receive meeting agendas and packets sent to them for their respective committees in advance of meetings. Melissa Murphy left the meeting at 7:43 pm. Discuss and Vote on National Public Works Week Resolution DPW Director Chris Cole thanked the Board for doing this and noted that National Public Works Week is next week. He expressed appreciation to the Board for their support and expressed gratitude to his staff at the Department of Public Works (DPW) for their hard work. Ms. Wellman suggested that the Board do a tour of the DPW Garage and the Board agreed. Chris Haley read the Resolution. Chris Haley moved that the Board issue the resolution in honor of National Public Works Week in the Town of Reading. The motion was seconded by Sal Bramante and approved by a vote of 4.0. Roll Call Vote: Karen Gately Herrick — Yes, Sal Bramante — Yes, Chris Haley — Yes, Karen Rose -Gillis — Yes Discuss and Vote on Letter to the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission XCCI Regarding Cannabis Reform Law Town Manager Jayne Wellman stated that in 2017, Section 5.6.4 of the Town's Zoning Bylaw was adopted following a spring Town Meeting vote. This bylaw banned marijuana retail establishments in Reading. Ms. Wellman noted that a recent change was signed into Massachusetts law in April by Governor Maura Healey Page 1 2 which requires all municipalities to allow cannabis delivery, unless a municipality prohibited marijuana operations and opted out of delivery. Ms. Wellman stated that if the Board did not want to participate in cannabis delivery, we would have to opt out. The opt out letter in this evening's packet would waive the Town's participation for a 2-year period and would need to be renewed in 2-year increments. Ms. Wellman noted that there would be no taxes collected locally from delivery and that it is the Board's decision on what they wish to do. She concluded by nothing there is not currently a deadline to opt out by, so the Board has time to discuss this and does not need to come to a decision at this meeting. Board Members expressed cencems with the lack of revenue to Reading if they choose to allow delivery. They expressed thoughts that there could be a potential re -vote on a ballot regarding the sale of marijuana in Reading, as times are different now than in 2017 and it could potentially help the Town financially. The Board decided not to vote on this at this evening's meeting and expressed wanting an opportunity for community feedback and will revisit the topic from a financial point of view. The Board agreed to place this as a future agenda item to gather more information. Liaison Reports Karen Gately Herrick attended various meetings and events including the Permanent Building Committee (PBC) meeting, Council on Aging meeting, served strawberry shortcake at State Representative Rich Haggery's event at the Pleasant Street Center, and held office hours at the Pleasant Street Center. She also noted that the Reading Historical Commission is working with church owners next to Town Hall and assisted them in connecting with Massachusetts Historical, who gave the church funds for a partial restoration. Chris Haley attended the Killam School Building Committee meeting and noted that the HVAC had to be re -bid, but it will not delay the project. He attended the Select Board's retreat and Shirley Shicker's 100' birthday celebration held at Peter Sanborn, Karen Rose -Gillis attended various meetings including Affordable Housing Trust Committee, Housing Authority, Commission on Disabilities, Ad Hoc Commemoration Establishment Committee (ACE), the Select Board retreat, and Town Meeting. She noted that the ACE Game Changer Series next event will be May 140 at 7:00 pm at the Reading Public Library. She participated in several community events including the Reading Center for Active Living (ReCAL) Groundbreaking, AphiFest, the Pleasant Street Center's Tax Abatement Worker presentation, Grand Opening of Oasis Breakfast & Coffee, and the Arbor Day Tree Planting event. Ms. Rose - Gillis attended a webinar hosted by the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) on Top Ten Wshlist of the Internal Customer and noted she would like to discuss this further at a Select Board meeting to come up with ideas to show appreciation to Town Staff and other boards, committees, and commissions. She will be attending another MMA webinar tomorrow discussing overrides. Future Awndes Future Agendas include a Pride Month Resolution and a Public Hearing on FY27 Non -Union Classification and Compensation Plan. Discuss and Vote on Prior Meeting Minutes The Board had no edits to the sets of draft minutes. Chris Haley moved to approve the meeting minutes of April 6, 2026, and April 14, 2026, as presented. The motion was seconded by Karen Gately Herrick and approved by a vote of 4-0. Roll Call Vote: Karen Gately Herrick — Yes, Chris Haley — Yes, Sal Bremante — Yes, Karen Rose -Gillis — Yes Chris Haley moved to enter Executive Session under General Law Chapter 30A Section 21(a)(7) to comply with Section 22 of the Open Meeting Law for the purpose of reviewing and approving release for minutes of the March 24 and April 6, 2026, Executive Session minutes, and to adjourn from executive session. The motion was seconded by Karen Gately Herrick and approved by a vote of 4-0. Roll Call Vote: Karen Gately Henick — Yes, Sal Bramante — Yes, Chris Haley — Yes, Karen Rose -Gillis — Yes The Board entered Executive Session at 8:35 pm. Page 1 3