🏛️ Select Board 3-4-25 AI Recap

Below is a summarized version of the Select Board meeting, organized by timestamps and speakers, focusing on key points raised during the discussion in Reading, Massachusetts. This summary condenses the discussion into major themes, speaker contributions, and decisions, avoiding excessive detail while retaining the essence of the conversation. Timestamps correspond to the video linked at the bottom.

Start Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Select Board meeting room, Town Hall
Key Participants:

• Chairperson: Carlo Bacci
• Board Members: Includes Melissa Murphy, Mark Dockser, Chris Haley, Karen Herrick (remote)
• Matt Kraunelis, Town Manager and Jayne Wellman, Assistant Town Manager offering guidance.

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Public Comment

(3:19 – 13:00)

• Process: Chair invites public comments, limited to two minutes each.

1. Speaker: Marilyn Shapleigh
   • Timestamp: 3:41 – 6:01
   • Content: Resident and COA member (speaking individually) praises Wilmington’s new 18,000 sq ft Senior Center as a model for Reading’s proposed senior hub. Urges Select Board to visit and learn from it, noting Reading’s larger 60+ population (25% larger than Wilmington’s).
   • Key Point: Advocates for a robust senior center to support healthy aging.
2. Speaker: Joseph White
   • Timestamp: 6:10 – 10:01
   • Content: Reading commuter supports MBTA turnaround track project after attending a meeting with significant opposition. Highlights current train service (17/43 trains serve Reading, ~40%) and warns that without the turnaround, service could shift to Wakefield, reducing Reading’s access. Submits a letter to the board.
   • Key Point: Urges support for the project to maintain train service, unsure of the board’s authority.
3. Speaker: Jean Prato
   • Timestamp: 10:21 – 12:40
   • Content: 53-year resident and COA board member (speaking as a resident) emphasizes the need for a senior community center for the active 60+ population. Notes seniors’ past contributions (taxes, schools) and current roles (caregivers).
   • Key Point: Calls for a facility with all-day and evening programs for seniors.

• Outcome: No immediate decisions; comments inform ongoing discussions on senior facilities and MBTA infrastructure.

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Select Board Reports

(13:00 – 27:23)

• Speakers: Melissa, Mark, Chris, Karen, Carlo, Matt (Town Manager), Jayne (Assistant Town Manager)
• Key Updates:
  • Melissa (13:00): Unified Sports program expanded to middle school; FY26 school calendar approved; CPDC discussed a pattern book for developers.
  • Mark (14:13): Black History Month event, Holocaust survivor talk (300 attendees), Recal website updates with videos.
  • Chris (15:55): Attended MBTA forum; Charter Committee finalized changes for state submission by May 23.
  • Karen (19:07): Encourages commuter input on MBTA; notes Reading Scholarship deadline (March 7) and upcoming fiscal policy meeting.
  • Matt (22:40): Winterfest on March 7, AV upgrades scheduled for April 1, water meter program update (48 applications), fire chief assessment on March 8, Recal/Killam forum planned for April 2 (live) and April 16 (Zoom).
  • Jayne (26:16): Updates on MBTA 3A, Green Communities, composting program ($120/year via Black Earth).
• Outcome: Informational updates; no votes taken.

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Authorized Debt Discussion

And Vote (27:29 – 31:36)

• Speaker: Diane Morabito (Treasurer, via Zoom)
• Timestamp: 27:50 – 29:47
• Content: Requests approval for $1.04M sewer system rehab funding (Phase 14) via MWRA: $780K grant, $260K interest-free 10-year loan (payments start Feb 15, 2026). Approved by town meeting (May 1, 2023) and bond counsel.
• Outcome:
  • Motion (Chris, 30:15): Dispense with full reading, seconded, passed unanimously (Karen, Chris, Melissa, Mark, Carlo).
  • Motion (Chris, 31:08): Approve sewer bond, seconded, passed unanimously (5-0 roll call).
  • Paperwork signed.

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Pickleball Design and Cost

Update (31:47 – 58:15)

• Speakers: Joel Bargmann (BH+A), Mark Novak (Activitas), Select Board members
• Timestamp: 33:05 – 58:15
• Content:
  • Joel (33:05): Presents pickleball site near Burbank Arena (7 courts, 1 accessible) on unconsolidated soil requiring a post-tension concrete slab ($1.894M total cost). Highlights noise mitigation (triple-pane windows at Recal) and separation from Recal for cost ($200-300K savings) and schedule benefits. Options to reduce costs: remove lights ($200K), cut 1 court ($190K), adjust furniture/landscaping ($100K).
  • Mark Novak (48:54): Advocates post-tension concrete (25-50 year lifespan) over asphalt (prone to cracking, 1-year warranty), citing market trends.
  • Board Discussion: Mark (Select Board) questions high cost ($1.9M vs. expected $1M); Joel explains inclusions (design fees, contingency, furniture). Value engineering options discussed (e.g., deferring lights).
• Outcome: No vote; cost concerns raised, to be refined for town meeting.

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Recal Discussion

And Vote of Support (1:28:38 – 1:41:29)

• Content: Board debates support for Recal and Killam projects. Suggests a joint vote of support on April 1 after warrant closure.
• Outcome: Deferred to April 1 agenda; no vote taken.

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Warrant Closure

(1:50:20 – 2:01:15)

• Speaker: Matt, Select Board
• Content:
  • Matt adds Article 19 (drainage easement modification) to the 18-article warrant for April 28 town meeting, benefiting a developer and wetlands.
  • Board votes separately on 17 articles (excl. 13) and Article 13 (Haven Street, Chris recuses).
• Outcome:
  • Motion (Carlo, 1:57:56): Close warrant (excl. 13), seconded, passed 5-0.
  • Motion (Carlo, 1:58:50): Close warrant with Article 13, seconded, passed 4-0 (Chris recused).
  • Warrant posted below.

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Retreat Discussion

(2:01:22 – 2:02:51)

• Speaker: Chair, Karen, Mark
• Content: Chair suggests a retreat post-election (after reorganization). Karen and Mark agree timing is better later.
• Outcome: Deferred to post-election, no date set.

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Inter-municipal Agreement for Animal Control

(2:02:51 – 2:13:40)

• Speaker: Matt, Select Board
• Content: Annual renewal with Wakefield for shared animal control. Matt notes it works well; Carlo questions enforcement scope (e.g., off-leash dogs). Board suggests future contract updates for clarity.
• Outcome:
  • Motion (Carlo, 2:13:18): Approve agreement, seconded, passed 5-0.

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Master Plan Pre-Discussion

(2:13:56 – 2:26:41)

• Speakers: Mark, Matt, Carlo
• Content: Mark pushes for a new master plan (last in 2005) to guide priorities (e.g., MBTA, capital projects). Suggests a citizen committee with CPDC input. Matt cites $200K cost, $145K available from 3A funds, and existing plans (e.g., 2015 economic development).
• Outcome: Memo and 2005 plan to be included in March 18 packet; discussion to continue.

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Future Agendas

(2:26:47 – 2:35:44)

• Content:
  • March 18: Pleasant Street Center (PSC), master plan, capital projects.
  • April 1: PSC appraisal, vote of support for Recal/Killam, disabilities council discussion, fund updates.
• Outcome: Agenda items assigned.

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Minutes Approval

(2:35:54 – 2:38:29)

• Content: Carlo requests a minor correction to public comment attribution; deferred for review.
• Outcome: Minutes approval postponed to next meeting.

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Executive Session

(2:38:29 – End)

• Motion (Chris): Enter executive session for litigation strategy (Davenport/Miley cases) and approve prior minutes (Jan 7 & 21, 2025). Passed 5-0.
• Outcome: Meeting adjourned, no return to open session.

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Key Outcomes

1. Public Input: Senior center and MBTA turnaround track prioritized by residents.
2. Sewer Bond: $1.04M approved (75% grant, 25% loan).
3. Pickleball: $1.894M cost presented; refining needed before town meeting.
4. Warrant: Closed with 19 articles for April 28, including easement modification.
5. Animal Control: Agreement renewed; enforcement scope to be reviewed.
6. Master Plan: Planning initiated, to be detailed on March 18.
7. Future Agendas: PSC, capital priorities, and support votes scheduled.