🏛️ Select Board 1-6-26 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.

January 6, 2026 Select Board Meeting
🕒 Meeting Start: 00:04:10
⏰ Meeting End: 01:26:30
💻 Format: Hybrid (In-person Select Board meeting room & Zoom)
🧑‍💼Co-Chair: Melissa Murphy
👥 Attendees: Chris Haley, Karen Herrick, Carlo Bacci, Karen Rose-Gillis

📋 Summary: The Select Board addressed an incident following the December 18 meeting, reviewed the Town Manager’s report and community spotlight, voted on the removal of a Council on Aging associate member, held a public hearing for a new liquor license, approved the submission of a senior tax exemption petition, and established the Commission on Disabilities.

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📅 Agenda Overview

Time	Topic
7:05 PM	Public Comment
7:15 PM	Discussion: Incident after Dec. 18 Meeting
7:25 PM	Town Manager Report
7:30 PM	Community Spotlight
7:35 PM	Vote: Remove Associate Member from Council on Aging
7:45 PM	Public Hearing: Liquor License – Dion’s Fine Wine & Spirits
8:05 PM	Vote: Submit Senior Tax Exemption Petition to Legislature
8:15 PM	Discuss & Vote: Charge for Commission on Disabilities
8:30 PM	Liaison Reports
8:35 PM	Future Agenda Items
8:40 PM	Approval of Meeting Minutes (Dec. 9 & Dec. 18)
8:45 PM	Executive Session: Review Dec. 2 Executive Session Minutes

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🗣️ Public Comment

⏰ 00:07:22

• Nancy Docktor (Precinct 1) requested the board adopt Robert’s Rules of Order for meeting consistency.

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⚠️ Incident Discussion – Dec. 18 Meeting

⏰ 00:08:01

• Chair’s Statement: Explained oversight during hybrid meeting where a resident was not recognized for public comment; condemned subsequent residents verbal confrontation with staff, volunteers and police after leaving the Zoom meeting and confronting them at Town Hall.
• Board Comments:
  • Emphasized need for civility and leadership during tense situations.
  • Debate on public comment policy: Some members suggested returning to a single comment period at the start of meetings; others supported maintaining comment after agenda items.
• Public Input:
  • Vanessa Alvarado criticized board members for using their platform to disparage the residents directly involved in the incident whom were not currently present.
  • Concerns raised about fairness, transparency, and tone.

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👨‍⚖️ Town Manager Report

⏰ 00:33:06

• MLK Day Celebration: Jan. 19 at RMHS Performing Arts Center, keynote by Dr. Robert Bellinger.
• Staff Updates:
  • Promotions: Olivia Molane (Library), Jamie Ulie (DPW), Kerry Valle (Elder Services), Carrie Bradin (Library).
  • New hires: Civil Engineer Meg Anderson, Health Inspector Zerahan Ayel, Building Commissioner Brandon Vignnalt, Assistant Town Clerk Etain O’Dea
• Fiscal Policy Workshop: Scheduled for Jan. 29 at Reading Public Library, hosted by DLS.

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🌟 Community Spotlight

⏰ 00:36:11

• DPW Mechanics Recognized: Mike Pantone, Justin Barrett, Bob DeMarco, and Eric Mard for maintaining emergency fleet reliability.
• Business Milestone: The Last Corner celebrated 50 years in business.

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✅ Vote: Remove Associate Member from Council on Aging

⏰ 00:40:09

• Action: Removed Tony Lionetta due to inactivity, freeing the seat for an active participant.
• Vote: Unanimous approval (5-0).

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🍷 Public Hearing – Liquor License

⏰ 00:43:52

• Applicant: PLM Beverages LLC, DBA Dion’s Fine Wine & Spirits, 36 Walkers Brook Drive.
• Details:
  • Fourth-generation family business; plans include wine education/tasting room.
  • Space: ~6,000 sq. ft. in former Staples location.
  • Expected opening: Summer 2026.
• Vote: Approved annual all-alcohol package store license (5-0).

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🏠 Senior Tax Exemption Petition

⏰ 00:54:33

• Action: Authorized Town Manager to submit home rule petition for senior property tax exemption renewal.
• Vote: Unanimous approval (5-0).

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♿ Commission on Disabilities

⏰ 00:57:07

• Charge Approved:
  • 5 voting members + 3 associate members (per bylaw).
  • Majority of members to be individuals with disabilities or caregivers (per state law).
  • Appointments via VASC process.
• Vote: Unanimous approval (5-0).

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🧭 Liaison Reports – Highlights

⏰ 01:04:11

• Eastern Gateway Forum: Positive feedback; alignment with steering committee goals.
• Oakland Road Safety Project: $500K grant secured; MassDOT public hearing held.
• Community Events: Tree Lighting, Menorah Lighting, Friends of Reading METCO brunch.
• ReCAL Update: Joint meeting with COA and Recreation Committee; space planning discussed.
• Master Plan Grant: Grant application unsuccessful; reconsideration planned for next cycle.

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✅ Meeting Minutes Approved

⏰ 01:14:47

• Dec. 9: Approved unanimously.
• Dec. 18: Approved 4-1 (Herrick opposed due to format concerns).

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🔒 Executive Session

⏰ 01:25:02

• Purpose: Approve and review Dec. 2 executive session minutes; adjourn without returning to open session.

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🔑 Key Summary

• Liquor License Approved: Dion’s Fine Wine & Spirits coming to Walkers Brook Drive.
• Senior Tax Exemption Renewal: Petition to legislature authorized.
• Commission on Disabilities Established: Structure finalized; appointments via VASC.
• Council on Aging Vacancy: Associate member removed for inactivity.
• Town Manager Report: MLK event announced; staff promotions and hires noted.
• Community Spotlight: DPW mechanics honored; The Last Corner celebrates 50 years.
• Board Discussion: Incident after Dec. 18 meeting sparked debate on public comment policy, safety and civility.
• Next Steps: Prepare for fiscal policy workshop, Burbank lease review, and parkland agreement.

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