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
- 📅 Agenda Overview
- 🗣️ Public Comment
- 🧑💼 Town Manager Report
- 🌟 Community Spotlight
- 📺 RCTV Contract Update
- 📜 Human Rights Resolution
- 🏛️ Ad Hoc Commemoration Committee Update
- 🍷 Liquor License Hearing – American Legion
- 🍸 Annual Liquor License Renewals
- 📜 Charter Amendment Submission
- 🧑💼 Town Manager Evaluation Procedure
- 🏘️ Peer Communities Discussion
- 🚒 Fire Truck Pricing Litigation
- 📅 2026 Meeting Schedule Review
- 🧭 Liaison Reports
- 🗓️ Future Agendas
- ✅ Meeting Minutes Approved
- ✅ Key Summary
December 4, 2025 Select Board Meeting
🕒 Meeting Start: 00:00:06
⏰ Meeting End: 03:13:05
💻 Format: Hybrid (In-person Select Board meeting room & Zoom)
👨⚖️ Chair: Chris Haley
👥 Attendees: Melissa Murphy, Karen Herrick, Carlo Bacci, Karen Rose-Gillis
📋 Summary: The Select Board reviewed the RCTV grant agreement, adopted a Human Rights Resolution, received an update from the Ad Hoc Commemoration Committee, held a liquor license hearing, approved annual liquor licenses, discussed charter amendment submission, evaluation procedures for the Town Manager, peer community updates, and the 2026 meeting schedule.
📅 Agenda Overview
| Timestamp | Topic |
|---|---|
00:00:06 | Meeting Called to Order & Pledge of Allegiance |
00:02:46 | Public Comment |
00:03:36 | Town Manager Report |
00:07:12 | Community Spotlight |
00:08:42 | RCTV Contract Update & Discussion |
01:23:10 | Human Rights Resolution – Vote |
01:29:15 | Ad Hoc Commemoration Committee Update |
01:45:18 | Public Hearing: Liquor License Change – American Legion |
01:48:20 | Vote to Approve Annual Liquor Licenses |
01:59:06 | Charter Amendment Submission – Vote |
02:00:22 | Town Manager Evaluation Procedure Discussion |
02:10:12 | Peer Communities Discussion |
02:51:16 | Fire Truck Pricing Litigation Discussion (taken out of order) |
02:57:26 | Review 2026 Meeting Schedule |
02:55:15 | Liaison Reports |
03:04:25 | Future Agendas |
03:08:04 | Approval of Meeting Minutes |
03:11:19 | Executive Session |
🗣️ Public Comment
⏰ 00:02:46
- Nancy (Precinct 1) requested the board adopt Robert’s Rules of Order formally in the Select Board handbook for meeting efficiency.
🧑💼 Town Manager Report
⏰ 00:03:36
- Tree Lighting Event: Successful despite rain; thanks to Chamber of Commerce, DPW, and volunteers.
- Shop the Block: Scheduled for December 4, 5–9 PM.
- Menorah Lighting: December 14 at 5 PM on the Common.
- MBTA Advisory Board: Productive meeting; Reading will be active in future discussions.
- MBTA Turnback Track: NOI officially withdrawn.
- AAA Bond Rating Maintained: Despite leadership changes, Reading retains top rating for upcoming borrowing.
- Budget Meetings: Begin December 3 and continue December 9.
🌟 Community Spotlight
⏰ 00:07:12
- Highlighted Harrow’s Chicken Pies, a Reading staple since 1938, celebrating nearly 90 years of success.
📺 RCTV Contract Update
⏰ 00:08:42
- Version 20 of Grant Agreement presented after six months of negotiations and 15 meetings.
- Key Changes:
- Term: 18-month agreement with optional 2-year renewal.
- PEG Funding: Town to seek $100K annually for capital needs during Verizon/Comcast negotiations.
- Financial Oversight: Quarterly financials, annual audits, and Attorney General reports required.
- Restrictions: PEG funds limited to eligible operations; auxiliary media prohibited without review.
- Board Governance: Clarified appointment/removal authority for Select Board and School Committee seats.
- Meeting Coverage: Expanded list of core/non-core meetings; added Council on Aging and major project committees.
- Technical & Cybersecurity Standards: New Exhibit C added.
- Material Breach Clause: Misuse of funds or failure to meet programming standards triggers 21-day cure period.
- Board Feedback:
- Desire for clear posting timelines for non-live meetings (suggested 72 hours).
- Discussion on sports coverage expansion and volunteer opportunities.
- Concerns about lack of vision and need for proactive programming (e.g., podcasts).
- Free rent clause flagged for removal; separate space agreement recommended.
- Next Steps: Final review and vote planned for mid-December.
📜 Human Rights Resolution
⏰ 01:23:10
- Adopted: December recognized as Universal Human Rights Month; December 10 as Human Rights Day.
- Commitment: Town pledges to uphold dignity, respect, and equality for all residents.
🏛️ Ad Hoc Commemoration Committee Update
⏰ 01:29:15
- Presented by: David Monahan
- Highlights:
- MLK Day participation planned for January.
- Library Series: “Game Changers” events starting January 22.
- Proposed Bill Russell Award and scholarship.
- Permanent archive and art installations under consideration.
- Russell family engagement expected in February.
- Request: Extend committee charge for another year.
🍷 Liquor License Hearing – American Legion
⏰ 01:45:18
- Approved: Change of manager and officers for annual all-alcohol club license at 37 Ash Street.
🍸 Annual Liquor License Renewals
⏰ 01:48:20
- Approved: All alcohol package stores, restaurants, clubs, veterans’ club, wine & malt licenses, and farmer distillery license.
📜 Charter Amendment Submission
⏰ 01:59:06
- Vote: Authorized Town Manager to submit Home Rule Petition for charter amendments to the legislature.
🧑💼 Town Manager Evaluation Procedure
⏰ 02:00:22
- Deadline Extended: Evaluation completion by February 10; renewal notice by February 16.
- Action: Formal vote on extension deferred to December 9 meeting.
🏘️ Peer Communities Discussion
⏰ 02:10:12
- Goal: Update 2013 list of 23 peer communities.
- Factors: Population, MBTA access, water rates, governance structure.
- Next Steps: Collaborate with Finance Committee; consider MMA guidelines.
🚒 Fire Truck Pricing Litigation
⏰ 02:51:16 (taken out of order)
- Overview: National antitrust lawsuit against major fire truck manufacturers for price-fixing and delivery delays.
- Reading Impact: Paid $178K surcharge on ladder truck; delivery delayed by 188 days.
- Proposal: Join class action lawsuit on contingency basis; no upfront cost.
- Board Consensus: Support joining; formal vote scheduled for mid-December.
📅 2026 Meeting Schedule Review
⏰ 02:57:26
- Approved with Edits: Removed August 18 meeting; summer schedule reduced to one meeting per month.
🧭 Liaison Reports
⏰ 02:55:15
- Highlights:
- Town Meeting recap.
- Veterans Day and Thanksgiving senior events.
- CPA Committee voted on 1% surcharge and exemptions; planning April warrant article and November ballot question.
- Housing Authority secured $440K grant for heat pump replacement.
🗓️ Future Agendas
⏰ 03:04:25
- RCTV contract vote
- ACE committee extension
- Fire truck litigation vote
- Disabilities Commission creation discussion
✅ Meeting Minutes Approved
⏰ 03:08:04
- Dates: October 27 & November 4, 2025 (with minor edits)
✅ Key Summary
- RCTV contract nearing finalization after extensive negotiations; vote expected mid-December.
- Human Rights Resolution adopted, affirming Reading’s commitment to equality and dignity.
- ACE Committee update: Library series, Russell Award, and family engagement planned; extension requested.
- Liquor licenses renewed for all establishments; American Legion manager change approved.
- Charter amendment submission authorized; Town Manager evaluation timeline extended.
- Peer community list to be modernized in collaboration with Finance Committee.
- Board supports joining national fire truck pricing lawsuit; formal vote pending.
- 2026 meeting schedule approved with reduced summer meetings.
- CPA Committee advancing surcharge proposal for April Town Meeting and November ballot.
