HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-05-21 Volunteer Appointment Committee Minuteso'yN r
Town of Reading
Meeting Minutes
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Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Volunteer Appointment Committee
Date: 2026-05-21 Time: 10:00 PM
Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Conference Room
Address: 16 Lowell Street Session: Open Session
Purpose: General Business Version: Final
Attendees: Members - Present:
Sal Bramante (remote), Karen Rose -Gillis (remote)
Members - Not Present:
Others Present:
John Parsons (remote), Nancy Ziemlak, James Rigney (remote), Jean Prato,
Virginia Adams, Brian Bowe (remote), Sherilla Lestrade (remote), Garrett
Alpha -Cobb (remote), Walter Talbot (remote)
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jacquelyn LaVerde
Topics of Discussion:
This meeting was held in -person in the Town Hall Conference Room and remotely via Zoom.
Interview Incumbents and New Applicants for Volunteer Boards and Committees
John Parsons is an incumbent member of the Council on Aging (COA), having served on it for twelve years.
He would like to continue and do one more three-year tens to see things get rolling at the new Reading Center
for Active Living (ReCAL). He also served on the ReCAL Committee as a designee of the Council on Aging. He
feels that there are new strong members on the COA and they have a good board right now.
Nancy Ziemlak is an incumbent associate member of the Recreation Committee. She stated that she would
love to be reappointed to the Recreation Committee to bring the viewpoint of the older community to the
Committee. She has previous experience serving on the Council on Aging and ReCAL Building Committee and
feels that her perspective could be of value especially with the new ReCAL building.
James "Jim" Rigney is an incumbent member of the Commissioners of Tmst Funds. The Commission
recently hired Bartholomew and Company, a company that specializes in government accounts, as its Financial
Advisor. This is due to the Town's previous investment management company, Wells Fargo, dropping all of its
municipal clients due to heightened scrutiny on regulations. Mr. Rigney would like to stay on the Commission
as a full member.
Jean Prato is an incumbent member of the Council on Aging. The Council is dealing with various issues,
especially with the new ReCAL building. She gave it a lot of thought about whether to seek reappointment and
decided that she wants to continue advocating for seniors. She would like the new ReCAL to have evening and
weekend programming and services for seniors who are still working into their 60s. She would also like to
partner with Tufts University, Salem State, and UMASS Boston to provide educational programs. She is still
interested in continuing as a full member of the COA.
Virginia Adams is an incumbent associate member of the Historical Commission and prefers to stay as an
associate. She was awarded by Mass Historical a Preservation Award about ten years ago. She stays current
by staying on the Massachusetts Historical Commission listserv. She has served on several committees over
the years, including the Downtown Steering Committee, which initiated the sidewalk markers with historical
facts, and the committees that converted historic municipal buildings. The Historical Archives Room is also
named for her, which makes her feel honored and appreciated.
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Town of Reading
Meeting Minutes
Brian Bowe is an incumbent member of the Conservation Commission, having served for six years. The
Commission handles a usual load of permit applications and has been working on updating regulations such as
the tree policy and fee schedule. He also noted the Commission has begun work with Mass Audubon to restore
Bare Meadow. He would prefer to continue as a full member of the Commission.
Sherilla Lestrade is an incumbent member of the Affordable Housing Trust Committee. She would like to
continue on the Committee and feels that there is a lot that can be done once they get things together,
especially in this climate of rising costs, but not increasing pay. She lives in an affordable unit and feels that
people who live in Reading should be able to stay in Reading and not leave due to a lack of affordability.
Garrett Alpha -Cobb is an associate member of the Trails Committee seeking a full member seat if one is
available. He feels that things are going well on the Committee and new trails projects are advancing. He lives
near Bare Meadow and helps maintain the trails there. He stated that he is fine with remaining an associate
member if a full seat is not available.
Walter Talbot is an incumbent member of the Conservation Commission. He has served on it for three years
and hopes to be reappointed, preferably staying a full member. He feels things are going well and expects
applications to increase as the weather gets warmer. He noted that the only frustration is when people are not
aware that their property is in wetlands jurisdiction.
Approve Prior Meeting Minutes:
On a motion by Karen Rose -Gillis, seconded by Sal Bramante, the Volunteer Appointment
Subcommittee voted 2-0 to approve the meeting minutes of February 19, 2026, as presented.
Roll call vote: Sal Bramante —Yes, Karen Rose -Gillis —Yes.
On a motion by Karen Rose -Gillis, seconded by Sal Bramante, the Volunteer Appointment
Subcommittee voted 2-0 to approve the meeting minutes of February 25, 2026, as presented.
Roll call vote: Sal Bramante — Yes, Karen Rose -Gillis — Yes.
On a motion by Karen Rose -Gillis, seconded by Sal Bramante, the Volunteer Appointment
Subcommittee voted 2-0 to approve the meeting minutes of February 26, 2026, as presented.
Roll call vote: Sal Bramante — Yes, Karen Rose -Gillis —Yes.
On a motion by Karen Rose -Gillis, seconded by Sal Bramante, the Volunteer Appointment
Subcommittee voted 2-0 to approve the meeting minutes of March 5, 2026, as presented.
Roll call vote: Sal Bramante — Yes, Karen Rose -Gillis — Yes.
On a motion by Sal Bramante, seconded by Karen Rose -Gillis, the Volunteer Appointment
Subcommittee adjourned at 11:43 am.
Roll call vote: Karen Rose -Gillis —Yes, Sal Bramante —Yes.
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