🏛️ Select Board 2-10-26 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.

📅 February 10, 2026 Reading Select Board Meeting

🕒 Meeting Start: 00:04:48
⏰ Meeting End: 03:14:45
💻 Format: Hybrid (in‑person with broadcast via RCTV, Zoom, and YouTube)
👤 Chair: Melissa Murphy (Chair varied by segment)
👥 Attendees: All five Select Board members; Town Manager; staff; committee members; residents

📋 Meeting Overview
The Select Board convened for a lengthy meeting covering governance issues, capital and financial updates, licensing actions, and extended deliberation on the proposed adoption of the Community Preservation Act (CPA).

Key actions included approval of a liquor license alteration, acceptance of a Town Manager ethics disclosure, approval of a revised letter to the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA), and tabling of a proposed censure resolution. The meeting also featured extensive public comment, recognition of retiring firefighters, a detailed CPA Study Committee presentation, Town Manager performance review discussion, liaison reports, and entry into executive session.

📑 Agenda Overview

⏰ Start Time	Topic
00:04:48	Call to Order, Broadcast Notice, Pledge of Allegiance
00:05:38	Agenda Review
00:08:10	Public Comment
00:15:26	Town Manager Report
00:20:01	Community Spotlight – Fire Department Retirements
00:21:45	Town Manager Ethics Disclosure & Vote
00:24:01	Public Hearing – Post 1917 Liquor License Alteration
00:31:06	CPA Study Committee Presentation
00:38:56	CPA Financial Analysis & Recommendations
00:55:19	CPA, Overrides, and Fiscal Timing Discussion
01:14:18	Extended Public Comment on CPA
01:29:48	MMA Resolution Vote & Draft Letter Discussion
02:04:55	Vote on MMA Letter
02:15:11	Motion to Table Censure Resolution
02:20:16	Town Manager Performance Review
02:48:10	Liaison Reports
03:04:11	Future Agenda Items
03:13:38	Motion to Enter Executive Session

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🗣️ Public Comment (General)

⏰ [00:08:10 – 00:15:26]
👤 Speakers: Nancy Doctor; Jeff Dietz; Angela Binda; Vanessa Alvarado

Themes Raised:

• Requests to adopt Robert’s Rules of Order to improve meeting governance.
• Debate over Select Board agenda‑setting authority and Chair powers.
• Support for and opposition to actions taken at the MMA business meeting.
• Concerns about politicization of agendas and overall board conduct.

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🏢 Town Manager Report

⏰ [00:15:26 – 00:20:01]
👤 Presenters: Town Manager Matthew Kraunelis; Jayne Wellman

🏗 Transportation / Infrastructure

• Killam School project at 90% design, submitted to MSBA; on schedule and under budget.
• Recal project construction bids approximately $3 million under budget and on time.

🏛 State / Legislative Matters

• Home rule petitions for charter changes and senior tax exemptions submitted to the Legislature.
• Continued coordination with legislative delegation.

💼 Financial / Administrative Updates

• Regional financial policy workshop held with Division of Local Services.
• Review of financial policy templates underway.
• MWRA entrance fee reimbursement request denied; further steps planned with Town Counsel.

📊 Community Engagement (Wellman)

• Ongoing outreach to boards and committees.
• Launch of a public survey to gather broader resident input.

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🌟 Community Spotlight – Fire Department Retirements

⏰ [00:20:01 – 00:21:31]

Recognitions:

• Lt. David Robidoux: ~31 years with Reading Fire Department; retiring March 2026.
• FF/Paramedic Tom McCarthy: 22 years of service; founding member of ALS paramedic program.

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🗳 Town Manager Ethics Disclosure & Vote

⏰ [00:21:45 – 00:24:01]

• Disclosure filed regarding FY2027 budget participation due to unsettled contract terms.
• Filed as a precaution on advice of Town Counsel.

✅ Vote: Approved unanimously (voice vote)

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📢 Public Hearing & Vote – Liquor License Alteration (Post 1917)

⏰ [00:24:01 – 00:30:00]

Applicant: Park Restaurant Group LLC (DBA Post 1917)
Proposal: Expand premises to adjacent unit for two private dining rooms (~56 seats).

• No additional bar proposed.
• Parking and future valet considerations discussed.
• No public comment.

✅ Vote: Approved unanimously (voice vote)

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🏛 Community Preservation Act (CPA) – Presentation & Deliberation

⏰ [00:31:06 – 01:29:19]
👤 Presenters: CPA Study Committee; Select Board; residents

🔍 Committee Findings & Recommendations

• Recommend adoption of CPA with a 1% surcharge.
• All allowable low‑income and senior exemptions included.
• Recommend commercial/industrial exemption.
• Estimated annual revenue ~$1 million, including variable state match.
• State match fluctuates (historically mid‑teens to ~40%; FY26 cited ~16.9%).

📊 Financial & Policy Discussion

• CPA revenues could offset operating budget pressures long‑term.
• Concerns raised about cumulative tax burden alongside debt exclusions and a potential override.
• Debate over timing and voter perception.
• Town Meeting authority emphasized to amend surcharge rates and exemptions.

🗣️ Public Comment on CPA

⏰ [01:14:18 – 01:29:19]

• Strong support for allowing Town Meeting to vote on CPA.
• Clarification that exemptions reduce total revenue slightly without shifting burden.
• Emphasis on quality‑of‑life benefits and long‑term fiscal flexibility.

🔄 Action: No vote taken; multiple members stated they could not support CPA at this time.

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🏛 MMA Resolution Vote & Letter to MMA

⏰ [01:29:48 – 02:14:56]

📝 Discussion

• Review of a January 2026 MMA resolution vote cast without prior Board discussion.
• Debate over authorization, MMA bylaws, and Select Board procedures.
• Consensus that future MMA resolutions should be reviewed in advance by the full Board.

🗳 Vote

✅ Amended letter to MMA approved unanimously (5–0)

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⚖️ Censure Resolution

⏰ [02:14:56 – 02:15:27]

✅ Motion to table censure resolution approved unanimously (5–0)

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🧑‍💼 Town Manager Performance Review

⏰ [02:20:16 – 02:44:46]

Board Feedback

• Praise for professionalism, collaboration, and stability.
• Desire expressed for increased forward‑looking visibility.

Public & Staff Comment

• Strong support from department heads and senior staff.
• Emphasis on delegation, morale, and organizational stability.
• Calls for longer‑term contract to support retention and planning.

🔄 No vote taken

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🔗 Liaison Reports – Highlights

⏰ [02:48:10 – 03:04:11]

• Conservation and trails grant applications underway.
• Pleasant Street Center broadly supported for retention and repurposing.
• ADA accessibility improvements identified as a priority.
• MWRA Advisory Board vote denied Reading relief (8–3).
• Community events, planning initiatives, and committee updates shared.

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🗓 Future Agenda Items Identified

⏰ [03:04:11 – 03:13:38]

• Governance updates (Robert’s Rules, policy manual amendments).
• Parking, safety, and naming policies.
• Nelson Burbank Way / Nelson Burbank Day proposal.
• Snow shoveling assistance, ICE policy discussion, water advisory board.

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🗳 Executive Session

⏰ [03:13:38 – 03:14:45]

Purpose:

• Strategy for negotiations with non‑union personnel (Town Manager).
• Review and release of prior executive session minutes.

✅ Vote: Approved (roll call)

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🔑 Key Takeaways

• Liquor license alteration for Post 1917 approved unanimously.
• Town Manager ethics disclosure approved unanimously.
• CPA extensively debated; no vote taken, with timing concerns noted.
• Amended MMA letter approved; censure resolution tabled.
• Strong public and staff support expressed for Town Manager leadership.
• Liaison reports highlighted infrastructure, accessibility, and regional issues.
• Board entered executive session to discuss personnel negotiations.

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