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Meeting Minutes
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Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Volunteer Appointment Committee
Date: 2026-06-01 Time: 5:00 PM
Building:
Reading Town Hall
Address:
16 Lowell Street
Purpose:
General Business
Attendees:
Members - Present:
Sal Bramante, Karen Rose -Gillis
Members - Not Present:
Others Present:
Location: Berger Room
Session: Open Session
Version: Final
Laura Noonan (remote), Melissa Talal (remote), Samantha Couture,
Salvatore Clemente (remote), Sarah Brukilacchlo (remote), Jerry Benenati
(remote), Ann Ward, Ad! Bengali (remote), Richard Hand, Brian Boyle
(remote), Pat Casaletto (remote), Andrew Grasberger
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jacquelyn LaVerde
Topics of Discussion:
This meeting was held in -person in the Town Hall Berger Conference Room and remotely via Zoom.
The Volunteer Appointment Subcommittee called to order at 5:00 pm.
Interview Incumbents and New Aoolicants for Volunteer Boards and Committees
Laura Noonan is an incumbent member of the Recreation Commission and would like to continue as a full
member. She had perfect meeting attendance until last week when she missed a meeting to attend her child's
concert. Having a disabled child, she is a strong advocate for adaptive recreational programming and says the
Committee has made great strides and gaining traction in adding such programs.
Melissa Talal is a new applicant interested in the Commission on Disabilities, as she has a lot of experience
having lived with a disability since the 1990s. As there are no vacancies available on the Commission on
Disabilities, Ms. Talal also stated her interest in the Council on Aging, as she is near that age bracket, and the
meeting schedule works better with her schedule.
Samantha Couture is an incumbent member of the Historical Commission. She stated that she would like to
swap the full seat with Associate member Sarah Brukilacchio. She shared that there is a lot for the Commission
to do to maintain the historical archive and make it accessible to people, however it is hard to get things done
with so little funding. The Catalog -It software the Commission uses is $500 per year, which consumes 1/3 of
the $1,500 budget. They could also use more space for their archive.
Sal Clemente is an incumbent member of the Animal Control Appeals Committee, and current Chair. The
Committee only meets as needed to address complaints that arise when someone receives a citation from the
Animal Control Officer, and chooses to appeal to the Committee. He has been on the Committee for a few
years, but they have only needed to meet once. He would like to continue on the Committee as a full member.
Sarah Brukilacchlo is an incumbent member of the Historical Committee. As Samantha Couture noted earlier,
she and Ms. Brukilacchio are seeking to switch associate and full seals. She stated that she loves being
involved with the Commission, as it keeps the identity of the Town, and loves doing research on old houses.
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Meeting Minutes
She echoed the Commission's need for more funding, and hopes that the Community Preservation Act passes,
to help lessen the burden to the Town.
Jerry Benenad is a new applicant interested in the Community Planning and Development Commission
(CPDC). He works in construction and is a member of Local 4, International Union of Operating Engineers. He
has been before Planning Boards in other communities and feels that his experience with civil engineering and
construction aligns with his interest in CPDC. Though he stated that he would be open to another board or
committee if needed somewhere else.
Ann Ward is an associate member of the Historic District Commission (HDC). She stated that HOC member
Greg Maganzini would like to step down as a full member so that Ann can fill his seat. She explained that HOC
is different than the Historical Commission in that it focuses solely on the West Street and Summer Street
Historic Districts, and deals with changes that homeowners want to make to the outside of their homes, such as
roofs, windows, or doors. The HOC could use more funds to pay for a website for the houses in the district. As
Mr. Maganzini's tern does not expire this year, staff will follow up with him on his intentions.
Adi Bengali is an associate member of the Board of Health seeking a full seat. His background is in chemical
engineering and he has worked in the pharmaceutical industry for 16 years. He now works in program and
project management for a vaccine company. He feels that he brings analytical skills to the Board.
Richard Hand is an incumbent member and the current Chair of the Recreation Committee, having served on
it for 15 years. He stated that he is impressed by the Recreation Department staff, as they are a small team
with an impressive list of things they are working on. He shared that he has noted how trends have changed
over the years and that it is a good thing that projects are not rushed. Serving on the Committee with people
who have children with special needs, he feels that he is a strong advocate for adaptive recreation. He is
encouraged that the passage of a recent Town Meeting article, which allocates portions of Burbank lease
payment revenue to accounts for recreation and school adaptive programs, is a nice start to develop more of
those programs.
Brian Boyle is an incumbent member of the Board of Cemetery Trustees. He explained the functions of the
Board, including managing a small revenue stream from the purchase of cemetery plots and a trust fund, and
working with families that have stipulations with their plots. He enjoys the historical aspect, and feels that the
Board is comprised of a nice group of people.
Pat Caseletto is a new applicant interested in the Council on Aging, Board of Health, and Recreation
Committee. He stated that he is passionate about community involvement. He has a professional background
in psychology and currently works in community, behavioral health to tackle substance abuse and mental health
problems. The Council on Aging is his first choice, as he really enjoys working with the elderly population, and
he can work his schedule around COA meetings. He also stated that he could lend his expertise to the Board of
Health.
Andrew Grasberger is an incumbent member of the Zoning Board of appeals. He would like to remain a full
member. He says that things are going smoothly with the Board and the support staff is great to work with.
Approve Prior Meeting Minutes
On a motion by Sal Bramante, seconded by Karen Rose -Gillis, the Volunteer Appointment
Subcommittee voted 2-0 to approve the meeting minutes of May 26, 2026, and May 28, 2026, as
presented.
On a motion by Karen Rose -Gillis, seconded by Sal Bramante, the Volunteer Appointment
Subcommittee voted 2-0 to adjourn at 7:00 pm.
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