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.
Contents
Start Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Select Board meeting room, Town Hall
Key Participants:
- Chairperson: Carlo Bacci
- Board Members: Melissa Murphy, Mark Dockser, Chris Haley, and Karen Herrick.
- Matt Kraunelis, Town Manager and Jayne Wellman, Assistant Town Manager offering guidance.
Opening and Public Comment
1. (0:00 – 3:13)
- Speaker: Carlo (Chair)
- Called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM and outlined the agenda, including public comment, liaison reports, votes, and discussions on various topics.
- Noted an upcoming local election in three weeks and discouraged political campaigning during public comment.
- Public Comment (2:15 – 3:13):
- Speakers: Vanessa Alvarado (Reading Democratic Town Committee) and Eric Bergstrom (Reading Republican Town Committee)
- Announced a joint candidate forum scheduled for Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at the library, with Select Board at 6:00 PM and School Committee at 7:30 PM, to be livestreamed on RCTV and YouTube.
- Outcome: No other public comments were made in person or via Zoom.
- Speakers: Vanessa Alvarado (Reading Democratic Town Committee) and Eric Bergstrom (Reading Republican Town Committee)
Liaison/Town Manager Reports
2. (3:21 – 24:07)
- Chris (3:28 – 6:42):
- Reported on an MWRA Advisory Board meeting regarding a $10.9M entrance fee paid by Reading, advocating for a refund due to rule changes in 2022. Expressed hope for a resolution.
- School Building Committee approved a $500,000 extension for BH+A design work for a May 13, 2025, special election on the Killam School project.
- Karen (6:48 – 9:27):
- Mass Municipal Fiscal Committee update: House and Senate agreed on a 27-month hybrid meeting extension, expected to be signed by the governor by Thursday, March 21, 2025.
- Discussed federal funding concerns and a proposed municipal safety building authority bill.
- Mark (9:27 – 11:04):
- Trust Fund Commissioners met, confirmed an April 1 presentation to the Select Board. Approved the David Savio Law Enforcement Scholarship Fund.
- Matt (11:10 – 12:16):
- Permit Building Committee update: On schedule, debating shelter and kitchen needs for a new building. Planned forums on March 25 and 27, 2025, and a tax calculator modeled after Nantucket’s.
- Jayne (12:22 – 14:37):
- Detailed the tax calculator project and clarified forum dates: March 25 (6:30 PM, Pleasant Street Center), March 27 (10-11 AM, Town Hall), April 2 (7:00 PM, high school), and April 16 (Zoom).
- Melissa (16:08 – 17:30):
- Confirmed the David Savio Scholarship approval and introduced a new school resource officer, Officer Mike Davis. Reiterated MWRA fee concerns.
- Carlo (17:30 – 18:19):
- Attended a FINCOM meeting; noted ongoing fire chief interviews with an announcement expected in April.
- Matt (18:19 – 20:53):
- Thanked the Chamber of Commerce for Winterfest and a legislative breakfast. Announced AV upgrades for the Select Boardroom (week of April 1, moving the meeting to the library).
- Water meter update: 83 applications, 7 installed. Fire chief hiring process ongoing, aiming for early/mid-April completion.
- Jayne (21:17 – 24:07):
- Trash/recycling cart rollout begins April 8, 2025, with 7,682 households receiving bins. Discussed bin disposal and a May 17 rigid plastic recycling event.
- Outcome: Updates provided; no formal decisions made, but ongoing projects (e.g., fire chief hiring, trash rollout) progressed.
In-Person Early Voting
3. Vote (28:43 – 29:35)
- Speaker: Lara (Town Clerk)
- Requested approval for in-person early voting on Saturday, March 29, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, coinciding with the last day to register to vote.
- Motion: Carlo moved to approve; seconded by an unnamed member.
- Outcome: Unanimous approval (5-0).
Waste Disposal Contract
4. Reworld Vote (30:00 – 38:02)
- Speaker: Matt
- Presented a 6-year extension to the Reworld (formerly Covanta) waste disposal contract, expiring June 30, 2025. New tipping fee starts at $98.35/ton (down from $101.30), with CPI-based increases not exceeding 4.5% annually until June 30, 2031.
- Discussion:
- Carlo: Asked for clarification on expiration and rates.
- Chris: Questioned recycling inclusion (it’s not; it’s under the collection contract).
- Karen: Asked Rich (Reworld representative) about trash processing (burned to generate electricity, metals recycled).
- Motion: Carlo moved to approve; seconded.
- Outcome: Unanimous approval (5-0).
Master Plan/Capital Projects
5. Discussion (38:10 – 1:28:16)
- Master Plan (38:10 – 1:09:44):
- Carlo: Introduced the 2005-2006 Master Plan, noting its breadth and state requirements. Suggested a committee of 11-13 members.
- Mark: Proposed adding a category for demographic shifts (e.g., aging population needs), linking it to capital priorities.
- Andrew (Town Planner): Suggested a typical committee size of about 12, with sub-groups for specific topics.
- Chris: Asked about grant funding; Jayne and Andrew noted potential technical assistance grants, with a June application deadline for a 2026 start.
- Outcome: Agreed to instruct staff to apply for grants and consult past committee members (e.g., John Sasso, CPDC) for scope input.
- Capital Projects (1:09:50 – 1:28:16):
- Mark: Advocated for a deliberate priority-setting process over a “whack-a-mole” approach, citing examples like Birch Meadow Phase 2 and downtown projects.
- Carlo: Supported prioritization, questioning the need for a new committee.
- Melissa: Suggested integrating capital planning into the master plan committee; others noted shorter-term capital needs require separate focus.
- Chris: Emphasized linking the master plan to capital priorities for town meeting clarity.
- Karen: Proposed a committee with representatives from all departments for broader input.
- Matt: Described the current rigorous process led by Sharon (Town Accountant), open to community input.
- Outcome: Consensus to explore a formal process or committee for capital planning, with further discussion planned.
Pleasant Street Center
6. Discussion (1:28:23 – 1:40:18)
- Speaker: Carlo
- Proposed an appraisal to inform sell, lease, or keep options ahead of town meeting. Leaned toward “keep” but open to data.
- Discussion:
- Mark: Highlighted new opportunities post-Recal build, suggesting appraisal and rental income estimates.
- Chris: Stressed recouping costs, favoring lease or sale over keeping it as a liability.
- Jayne: Reported contacting five companies for appraisal quotes, aiming to finalize by next week.
- Matt: Confirmed the Select Board’s authority over town property, with town meeting approval needed for sales.
- Outcome: Agreed to proceed with an appraisal; Jayne to finalize quotes. Further discussion planned for April 22.
Town Accountant
7. Vote to Appoint (1:40:47 – 1:43:44)
- Motion: Carlo moved to appoint Sharon Angstrom as Town Accountant for July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026; seconded.
- Discussion:
- Chris: Praised Sharon’s stellar performance.
- Mark: Noted her growth and value over 10-15 years.
- Carlo: Highlighted community benefit from her commitment.
- Outcome: Unanimous approval (5-0).
Future Agendas & Minutes
8. (1:43:50 – 1:55:01)
- Future Agendas (1:43:50 – 1:52:09):
- Carlo: April 1 agenda full; April 22 confirmed despite vacation conflicts. Added flag policy discussion and PSC update for April 22.
- Mark: Requested Trust Fund Commissioners early on April 1 (15-30 minutes).
- Minutes (1:52:17 – 1:55:01):
- February 18 minutes amended (commercial property clarification); March 4 minutes approved as written.
- Outcome: Both approved unanimously (5-0).
Key Outcomes
- Early Voting: Approved for March 29, 2025.
- Waste Contract: 6-year Reworld extension approved.
- Master Plan/Capital Projects: Staff instructed to pursue grants; capital planning process to be refined, possibly with a committee.
- Pleasant Street Center: Appraisal authorized, with further discussion set for April 22.
- Town Accountant: Sharon Angstrom reappointed for 2025-2026.
