“Weighs Path to Permanent Appointment“

The Reading Select Board unanimously approved a contract appointing Jayne Wellman as Acting Town Manager Tuesday night while beginning a broader conversation about how the town should select its next permanent chief executive, a decision shaped by public comment urging both fairness and clarity in the process.

Following an executive session, Co- Chair Melissa Murphy led the board through the discussion of the negotiated contract naming Wellman as Acting Town Manager. With no additional board or public comment, the Select Board voted 5–0 to approve the agreement, with the appointment set to take effect March 4, 2026. Administrative steps for final signatures were outlined, including accommodations for remote participation.

The board then turned to a lengthier discussion about how to approach the permanent Town Manager appointment. Options reviewed included an internal appointment, a board-managed external search, or hiring an executive search consultant. Director of Operations Katie Gabriello provided background on prior consultant use, noting that Community Paradigm Associates conducted a 2023 search for $10,900, with current estimates ranging from $13,000 to $15,000 and a typical timeline of about three months.

Board members weighed the value of continuity against the benefits of a formal external process, while also considering confidentiality requirements under the Open Meeting Law and the town charter’s mandate to appoint a Town Manager within 180 days. No vote was taken on a specific path forward, as members agreed more information was needed before committing to an approach.

Before adjourning, the Select Board unanimously authorized Chair Christopher Haley to have a limited, exploratory conversation with Wellman to determine her interest in the permanent position. The authorization explicitly restricted the discussion to gauging interest only, with no negotiation of contract terms or compensation and any next steps to be brought back to the full board.

As Reading moves forward under interim leadership, the Select Board signaled that decisions on the permanent appointment will balance community input, procedural rigor, and the town’s operational needs, with further discussion expected at the boards March 10th regular scheduled meeting.