At the Select Board’s meeting yesterday, February 17th, Matt Kraunelis was voted 4-0 as the new Town Manager for the Town of Reading.
The board was originally deadlocked 2-2 during their prior meeting (February 6th), which resulted in their rare Saturday session. During this meeting, the board was close to heading down a similar path as Carlo Bacci voiced his support for Matt Kraunelis and Karen Herrick voicing her support for Matt Coogan. Board member Christopher Haley mentioned he spoke with Matt Kraunelis and asked if he would be open to accepting a shorter contract as a compromise. Acting Chair Mark Dockser, also had a similar conversation with Matt Kraunelis over a shorter contract and (Mark) provided a set of goals he’d like the board to agree to as outlined below:
Move to appoint Matt Kraunelis to the position of Town Manager subject to a successful negotiation of a 455 calendar days employment agreement that includes the following: 1.The Town Manager shall function as either the lead or a lead or otherwise actively assist in the following projects:
- Town side of the Killam School Project and the lead to MSBA
- Sr Center/Community Center—Town Lead (like role of School Superintendent in leading new school effort, in partnership with SB and community leaders)
- Community Preservation Act education process and presentation to community in time for Special Town Meeting and November ballot, upon board approval of committee
- Green Communities development of reapplication and subsequent grant application activities upon State approval
- Support for MBTA Communities program, approval and eventually implementation on approval
- Management of new and existing projects
- Strong selection of new leaders for community, considering both external and internal candidates
- and the Town Manager annual assessment shall include Community volunteer feedback
assessment from the School building project and Senior center project, to be further defined - and any further background checks as deemed necessary.
The board then voted 4-0 on the terms and selected Matt Kraunelis as Reading’s 4th Town Manager. The board then moved into Executive Session to work on the employment contract. The full video of the meeting can be seen below:
