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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-06-09 Select Board MinutesIV ED ra c Town of Reading TOWNECLERK Meeting Minutes RrAP!N'G, MA. 2026 Ju � 4 AM 10: 28 Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Select Board Date: 2026-06-09 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: Melissa Murphy, Karen Rose -Gillis, Karen Gately Herrick, Sal Bramante, Chris Haley Members - Not Present: Others Present: Town Manager Jayne Wellman, Director of Public Works Chris Cole, Conservation Administrator Chuck Tirone, Brian Bowe, Sam Couture, Derek Puff, Taylor Gregory, Nancy Docktor, Lynne Ostrowsky, Vipm Khera, CFO Sharon Angstrom (Remote), Town Clerk Laura Gemme (Remote), Director of Equity and Social Justice Albert Pless (Remote), Senior Computer Technician Tim Johnson (Remote), RCN Studios (Remote), Matt Abrahams (Remote), Jeff Lamson (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. Melissa Murphy called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm and provided a brief overview of the evening's agenda. Public Comment Nancy Docktor of Pearl Street encouraged the Board to revise their Public Comment Policy, that was discussed at the last meeting, to be more consistent. Town Manager Repoli Town Manager Jayne Wellman noted the art installations at the Depot done by John Sachs and that they were part of a grant secured in 2025 and encouraged the public to check them out. She also noted that the Verizon contract negotiations team will be meeting tomorrow, as the contract expires July 19' and Ms. Wellman plans to bring the new contract to the Board for their approval soon. Ms. Wellman signed a letter of support for a grant that the MBTA applied for that will allow for planning and design elimination of up to five at grade crossings including Woburn Street, Washington Street, Main Street, Ash Street, and Newcrossing Road. She noted that elimination of these crossings would allow for improved safety and public safety response times. Ms. Wellman stated that for the Killam School project, the prequalified sub bidders came in more than $2 million under budget and general contractor bids will be coming in on June 11. She noted for the Board that the overall budget of the project, before MSBA reimbursement, is $130 million with hard costs at $92.7 million. She stated that the Town recently had a fleet electrification assessment completed in partnership with Mass Fleet Advisors. She noted that of Page I 1 the Town's 209 insured vehicles, the study evaluated 68 eligible vehicles for electrification. She noted that this is an assessment only and this will involve long term planning to introduce support for future capital planning and sustainability initiatives with a fleet replacement strategy. Ms. Wellman also noted that she asked for an earmark for a potential electric handicap accessible van. She concluded her Town Manager Report by noting that the new trash contract will take effect on July 6" , 2026, and reviewed some notable changes. All updates and a guide on these changes can be found on the Town's website in the weekly trash update or on the Department of Public Works's page. Community Spotlight Town Manager Jayne Wellman highlighted the Killam School 2nd graders who visited Town Hall, the Fire Department, the Police Department, and the Reading Public Library yesterday. Ms. Wellman noted that the kids were awesome and she got to meet with four 2"d grade classes. She thanked the teachers and parent chaperones. She concluded by highlighting the DPW Highway Division for saving seven baby ducklings who fell in a catch basin and Ms. Wellman thanked them for all their work. Juneteenth Resolution Karen Gately Herrick read the Juneteenth Resolution. Karen Gately Herrick moved that June 19' , 2026, be recognized as Juneteenth in the Town of Reading. The motion was seconded by Karen Rose -Gillis and approved by a vote of 5-0. Sal Bramante moved to dispense with the reading of the Public Hearing notice. The motion was seconded by Karen Gately Herrick and approved by a vote of 5-0. Dunkin Donuts Representatives, Lynne Ostrowsky and Vipin Khera, informed the Board that they have addressed concerns from the previous meeting regarding early deliveries and trash collection times. They noted that they are working with their distributors to ensure deliveries are being made at authorized times. The Board thanked Ms. Ostrowsky and Mr. Khera for following up on their concerns and for coming back to attend this evening's meeting. Karen Gately Herrick moved to close the Public Hearing regarding the early opening request for 273 Salem Street. The motion was seconded by Sal Bramante and approved by a vote of 5.0. Karen Gately Herrick moved to approve a license to operate a retail business between the hours of midnight and 6:00 a.m. pursuant to Section 7.7 of the Reading General Bylaws and further pursuant to Section 3.8 of the Select Board Policies to Dunkin Donuts, 273 Salem Street. This license is for approval to open for business, lobby service only, not earlier than 5:00 a.m. In granting this license the board finds: • In accordance with Section 7.7.4.1 of the General Bylaws that the operation of the establishment will not cause unreasonable disruption or disturbance to, or otherwise adversely affect, the customary character of any adjacent or nearby residential neighborhood; and • In accordance with Section 7.7.4.2 of the General Bylaws that the operation of the establishment is reasonably necessary to serve the public health, safety and welfare, serves a public need and provides a public convenience which outweighs any increase in the impacts on the adjacent or nearby residential. The motion was seconded by Sal Bramante and approved by a vote of 5-0. Page 12 Public Hearing: Discuss and Vote on FY27 Water. Sewer. and Storm Water Rates Karen Gately Herrick began reading the Public Hearing notice, and Sal Bramante moved to dispense with the reading of the Public Hearing notice. The motion was seconded by Karen Rose -Gillis and approved by a vote of 5-0. Town Manager Jayne Wellman noted that the recommendation of the water rate subcommittee was to do a 2% increase for FY27 water rates and a 5% decrease for FY27 sewer rates. Consultant Matt Abrahams reviewed the rate plan options for the FY27 Water and Sewer rates. Board Members expressed their preference to gradually increase rates as opposed to a large jump in rates and as to be cognizant of bills to the residents. Mr. Abrahams reviewed what a 1 % increase for water would be for FY27 at the Board's request. CFO Sharon Angstrom provided a memo in this evening's packet. She recommended that the annual fee for storm water be increased from $60 to $80. Ms. Angstrom noted that if the Board decided to increase the fee at a lesser amount than the recommended $20, or kept it the same, there are enough retained earnings to cover the costs in FY27. She concluded by noting that if the Board increased the fee to $80, it would allow the FY28 storm water costs to be covered without the use of retained earnings. Karen Gately Herrick moved to close the Public Hearing regarding the FY27 Water, Sewer, and Storm Water Rates. The motion was seconded by Sal Bramante and approved by a vote of 5-0. The Board discussed and voted on their recommendations. Karen Gately Herrick moved to set the FY27 Water Rate at the following rates: • $11.26 per 100 cubic feet with usage between 0 and 1,000 cubic feet • $12.26 per 100 cubic feet with usage between 1,001 to 2,601 cubic feet • $12.57 per 100 cubic feet with usage between 2,501 to 4,000 cubic feet • $13.10 per 100 cubic feet with usage between 4,001 and above cubic feet • minimum quarterly bill of $22.52 effective with the December, 2026 billing The motion was seconded by Karen Rose -Gillis and approved by a vote of 5-0. Karen Gately Herrick moved to set the FY27 Sewer Rate at the following rates: • $9.88 per 100 cubic feet with usage between 0 and 1,000 cubic feet • $10.80 per 100 cubic feet with usage between 1,001 to 2,501 cubic feet • $11.14 per 100 cubic feet with usage between 2,501 to 4,000 cubic feet • $11.63 per 100 cubic feet with usage between 4,001 and above cubic feet • minimum quarterly bill of $19.76 effective with the December, 2026 billing. The motion was seconded by Sal Bramante and approved by a vote of 5-0. Karen Gately Herrick moved to set the FY27 storm water rate at $70 per unit (3210 square feet) per year to be billed quarterly effective with the December 2026 billing. The motion was seconded by Sal Bramante and approved by a vote of 5-0. Melissa Murphy recused herself from the vote on second water meter rates as she has a second water meter. Karen Gately Herrick moved to set the FY27 second water meter rate at $12.30. The motion was seconded by Sal Bramante and approved by a vote of 4-0. Discuss Well Fields Maintenance Director of Public Works Chris Cole noted of the Town's nine wells, the annual maintenance costs to maintain three wells, classified as emergency operational, are $20,000. He provided the Board with a memo and noted that at some point the wells will become non -maintainable and to be in compliance with the Town's Administrative Consent Order (ACO) agreement with Mass 3 Page 1 3 DEP, they would need to be replaced. The total replacement cost is estimated at several hundred thousand dollars. Mr. Cole further noted that if this well water was being used and introduced into the system, It would cause problems due to the water quality. Town Manager Jayne Wellman reviewed the history of the Town moving from the Ipswich River to the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) and noted that if the Town divested from their current agreement, they lose all future access to the emergency water and water rights. The Board expressed concerns with the significant costs of maintenance, investment, and potential replacement of the wells and not being able to use the water due to the quality. The Board discussed and weighed the options of potentially releasing the Town from this agreement or preserving water rights for future generations and emergency scenarios. Board Members agreed to further investigate and continue discussion on this topic and allow the community to have input sooner as opposed to later with the healthy state of the current water enterprise fund. Discuss and Vote on Board and Commifee FY27 Budget Reguests The Board reviewed the FY27 funding requests with a $20,000 budget for various boards and committees including the Climate Advisory Committee, Conservation Commission, Historical Commission, Town Forest Committee, and the Trails Committee. The request from these boards and committees totaled $23,950. Representatives including Brian Bowe of the Conservation Commission, Samantha Couture of the Historical Commission, and Derek Puff and Jeff Lamson of the Town Forest Committee, discussed their funding requests. The Board expressed concerns with a $2,000 bench replacement request from the Conservation Commission, due to their recent installation. Conservation Administrator Chuck Tirone explained that the benches are failing apart with direct sunlight. The Board expressed wanting Mr. Tirone to investigate warranty options and possible alternative funding sources, such as a donation, to replace the benches. Board Members noted their understanding that these requests would contribute to critical projects for each of the boards and committees. The Board asked Ms. Wellman to investigate if there was a way to come up with the extra $1,950, over the $20,000 budget, to fund the total requests of the boards, excluding the cost of the bench replacements. Ms. Wellman noted that she asked the CFO Sharon Angstrom. The Board concluded with a decision to bring this back for a vote at their next meeting. Discuss Town Manager Goals Town Manager Jayne Wellman noted that as discussed at the retreat, she was tasked with bringing Town Manager goals to the Board. She presented eight overarching goals for the Board's review with topics focusing on financial sustainability, workforce and organizational effectiveness, delivery on major capital projects and infrastructure improvements, enhancement of transportation safety and parking management, supporting strategic planning for economic development and community growth, advancing environmental sustainability and regional advocacy, improving public engagement, and expanding technology in systems. The Board thanked Ms. Wellman for putting together detailed and thoughtful goals and noted that they will review them to adopt in July for FY27. Liaison Reports Karen Gately Herrick attended several meetings including a joint meeting of the Conservation Commission and Town Forest Committee, Council on Aging, Permanent Building Committee, and Reading Housing Authority. Ms. Herrick noted that the Housing Authority will be participating in Porchfest this year. Ms. Gately Herrick attended various events including the Cultural Council's annual celebration for grant recipients, the Pride Parade, the Reading Public Library Ribbon Cutting event, and DPW Garage tour. She reported that Director of Equity and Social Justice, Albert Pless, will be submitting for an ADA Improvement Grant. Ms. Gately Herrick concluded by thanking Town Clerk, Laura Gemme, for fulfilling Ms. Gately Herrick's public record request and providing a breakdown of numbers for the age groups of residents. Karen Rose -Gillis attended several meetings including a joint meeting of the Conservation Commission and Town Forest Committee, Commission on Disabilities, Permanent Building Committee, and Historical Commission. She participated in a tour of the Archive Room at Town Page 14 Hall with member of the Historical Commission, Amelia Freedman, Volunteer Appointment Subcommittee (VASC) interviews, and a tour of the Birch Meadow Compost Program with the Reading Compost Group. Ms. Rose -Gillis also attended the Pride Parade event and the lour of the DPW Garage. She will hold Office Hours at the Reading Housing Authority, Tannerville, on June 25° from 4:00 pm — 5:30 pm. Chris Haley attended the School Committee meeting and thanked resident Alicia Williams for the personalized gift she gave to Dr. Milachewski and his family. He also thanked Dr. Milachewski for his work in Reading. Mr. Haley noted that Next Step Ministries are back and have been doing work on the boardwalk for the Conservation Commission. Lastly, he attended the DPW Garage Tour with fellow Board Members. Sal Bramante participated in VASC interviews and noted his appreciation for all the volunteers and the opportunity to learn more about the Boards and Committees through the process. Melissa Murphy attended meetings of the School Committee, Bylaw Appointment Committee, Permanent Building Committee Appointment Committee, Finance Committee Appointment Committee, and the DPW Garage tour with fellow Board Members. Ms. Murphy noted that the Reading Education Foundation raised $40,000 and presented a check at the School Committee meeting. She thanked them for their work in bringing this money to the schools. She also thanked Dr. Milachewski for his work in Reading and expressed well wishes. Future Agendas Future Agendas include an Eagle Scout Recognition and a discussion on Mattera Cabin. Discuss and Vote on Prior Meeting Minutes Board Members did not have edits to the draft meeting minutes. Karen Gately Herrick moved to approve the meeting minutes of May 6, 2026, as presented. The motion was seconded by Karen Rose -Gillis and approved by a vote of 5- 0. Karen Gately Herrick moved to approve the meeting minutes of May 26, 2026, as presented. The motion was seconded by Sal Bramante and approved by a vote of 5-0. Karen Rose -Gillis moved to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Sal Bramante and approved by a vote of 5-0. The meeting adjourned at 10:14 pm Page 1 5