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.
- 📋 Summary
- 📑 Agenda Overview
- 🗣️ Public Comment
- 🗳 Discussion & Vote – Appointment of Town Manager
- 🗳 Discussion & Vote – Enter Executive Session
- 🏢 Administrator / Manager Report
- 🌟 Community Spotlight
- 🗳 Discussion & Vote – Police Presence at Select Board Meetings
- 🗳 Discussion – Pleasant Street Center Status & Future Planning
- 🗳 Discussion & Vote – ReCAL Operational Budget & Facility Planning
- 🗳 Discussion – Valet Parking Regulations (First Reading)
- 🗳 Discussion & Vote – Reappointment of Town Accountant
- 🔗 Liaison Reports – Highlights
- 🗓 Future Agenda Items
- ✅ Meeting Minutes Approved
- 🔑 Key Summary
📅 March 24, 2026 Select Board Meeting
🕒 Meeting Start: 00:04:56
⏰ Meeting End: 03:41:36
💻 Format: Hybrid
👤 Co-Chair: Christopher Haley
👥 Attendees: Christopher Haley, Melissa Murphy, Karen Rose-Gillis, Carlo Bacci, Karen Gately Herrick, Jayne Wellman
📋 Summary
The Select Board’s March 24, 2026 meeting covered a wide range of governance, policy, and operational matters. Early in the meeting, the Chair issued an apology regarding a prior procedural error, followed by public comment on board conduct, Unified Sports funding, and police presence at meetings. The Board unanimously voted to appoint Jayne Wellman as Town Manager, contingent upon successful contract negotiations, and entered executive session to prepare for negotiations and review executive session minutes.
After reconvening, the Board received the Town Manager’s report, recognized local businesses and retiring Fire Department personnel, and held an extended discussion on police presence at Select Board meetings, approving continuation until Board reorganization by a 4–1 vote. The Board also received detailed presentations on the future of the Pleasant Street Center and on operational planning and budgeting for the Reading Center for Active Living (ReCAL). Later agenda items included a first reading of valet parking regulations, reappointment of the Town Accountant, liaison reports, future agenda planning, approval of prior meeting minutes, and adjournment.
📑 Agenda Overview
| ⏰ Start Time | Topic |
|---|---|
| 00:04:56 | Call to Order, Pledge & Chair Remarks |
| 00:08:08 | Public Comment |
| 00:12:07 | Appointment of Town Manager – Discussion & Vote |
| 00:15:29 | Executive Session Vote |
| 01:20:43 | Town Manager Report |
| 01:24:11 | Community Spotlight |
| 01:27:02 | Police Presence at Meetings – Discussion & Vote |
| 01:46:03 | Pleasant Street Center – Status & Future Planning |
| 02:14:49 | ReCAL Operations Subcommittee Presentation |
| 02:35:45 | ReCAL Operational Budget & Facilities Discussion |
| 02:55:20 | Public Comment (ReCAL) |
| 03:02:52 | Valet Parking Regulations – First Reading |
| 03:13:52 | Reappoint Town Accountant – Vote |
| 03:25:56 | Liaison Reports |
| 03:37:22 | Future Agenda Items |
| 03:40:41 | Approval of Minutes & Adjournment |
🗣️ Public Comment
⏰ 00:08:08 – 00:12:07
👤 Presenter(s): Nancy Docktor (Pearl Street), Angela Binda, Tony D’Arezzo
Themes Raised:
- Concerns regarding Select Board conduct, procedures, and absence of a formal code of conduct.
- Advocacy for stable, ongoing funding for Unified Sports.
- Requests that discussions about police presence focus on safety considerations rather than individuals.
🗳 Discussion & Vote – Appointment of Town Manager
⏰ 00:12:07 – 00:15:29
👤 Presenter(s): Christopher Haley, Melissa Murphy, Karen Rose-Gillis, Carlo Bacci, Karen Gately Herrick
Overview:
Discussion of appointing Jayne Wellman as Town Manager following prior interviews.
Key Discussion Points:
- Strong confidence in candidate qualifications and interview performance.
- Agreement that timely appointment served the Town’s interests.
Vote:
✅ Approved
Vote Count: 5–0
Motion: Appointment of Jayne Wellman as Town Manager, subject to successful contract negotiations.
🗳 Discussion & Vote – Enter Executive Session
⏰ 00:15:29 – 00:16:31
👤 Presenter(s): Christopher Haley, Karen Rose-Gillis
Purpose:
- Contract negotiation strategy with the incoming Town Manager.
- Review of February 24, 2026 and March 3, 2026 executive session minutes.
Vote:
✅ Approved
Vote Count: 5–0
🏢 Administrator / Manager Report
⏰ 01:20:43 – 01:24:03
👤 Presenter(s): Jayne Wellman, Town Manager
🎉 Community & Communications
- Launch of FY27 budget explainer videos produced at no cost to the Town.
- Participation in an MMA panel on budget communication.
🚨 Public Safety
- Announcement of a $1,000 donation for smoke and carbon monoxide detectors for seniors.
🗳 Elections
- Clarification on informational charter mailing.
- Charter election scheduled for April 7, with early voting beginning March 29.
🌟 Community Spotlight
⏰ 01:24:11 – 01:27:01
👤 Presenter(s): Jayne Wellman
- Recognition of Professor’s Market (10 years) and Dandelions (25 years).
- Acknowledgment of retiring Fire Department members:
- Lieutenant Dave Robo (31 years)
- Firefighter Thomas McCarthy (22 years)
🗳 Discussion & Vote – Police Presence at Select Board Meetings
⏰ 01:27:02 – 01:46:00
👤 Presenter(s): Select Board Members, Jayne Wellman
Overview:
Debate regarding safety, cost, and necessity of police presence at meetings.
Key Discussion Points:
- Overtime costs approaching $3,000.
- Balancing safety needs with fiscal responsibility.
- Agreement to revisit the issue after Board reorganization.
Vote:
✅ Approved
Vote Count: 4–1 (Herrick dissented)
Motion: Continue police presence until Board reorganization.
🗳 Discussion – Pleasant Street Center Status & Future Planning
⏰ 01:46:03 – 02:14:48
👤 Presenter(s): Jayne Wellman, Katie Gabriella
Overview:
Presentation of survey results and outreach feedback on future uses of the Pleasant Street Center.
Key Themes:
- Preference for Town ownership and nonprofit/community use.
- Estimated operating costs of approximately $70,000 annually.
- Significant capital needs, including HVAC replacement.
Outcome:
Informational only; no vote taken.
🗳 Discussion & Vote – ReCAL Operational Budget & Facility Planning
⏰ 02:35:45 – 03:02:52
👤 Presenter(s): Jenna Wood, Kerry Valle, Jayne Wellman
Overview:
Detailed review of ReCAL staffing, facilities, emergency shelter features, and conservative revenue projections.
Vote:
No vote taken.
🗳 Discussion – Valet Parking Regulations (First Reading)
⏰ 03:02:52 – 03:13:52
👤 Presenter(s): Jayne Wellman
Outcome:
🔄 Continued – Working group to refine draft regulations with Police Department input.
🗳 Discussion & Vote – Reappointment of Town Accountant
⏰ 03:13:52 – 03:15:23
👤 Presenter(s): Jayne Wellman
Vote:
✅ Approved
Vote Count: 5–0
Appointment:
Sharon Angstrom, Town Accountant (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027)
🔗 Liaison Reports – Highlights
⏰ 03:25:56 – 03:37:22
👤 Presenter(s): Select Board Members
- Finance Committee updates, including Unified Sports funding.
- Climate Advisory and composting initiatives.
- School Committee and community event updates.
🗓 Future Agenda Items
⏰ 03:37:22 – 03:40:41
👤 Presenter(s): Select Board Members
- Eagle Scout recognitions.
- Continued review of valet parking regulations.
- Scheduling of Select Board retreat.
✅ Meeting Minutes Approved
⏰ 03:40:41 – 03:41:28
👤 Presenter(s): Karen Rose-Gillis
- November 1, 2025: Approved as presented
- February 24, 2026: Approved as presented
- March 3, 2026: Approved as presented
Vote Count: 5–0
🔑 Key Summary
- The Select Board unanimously appointed Jayne Wellman as Town Manager, subject to contract negotiations.
- Police presence at Select Board meetings was approved to continue until Board reorganization by a 4–1 vote.
- FY27 budget explainer videos were launched to improve public understanding of municipal finances.
- Community preferences favored retaining the Pleasant Street Center for nonprofit and community use; no decision was made.
- Extensive operational and budget planning for the Reading Center for Active Living was reviewed without a vote.
- Draft valet parking regulations received a first reading and were referred to a working group.
- Sharon Angstrom was unanimously reappointed as Town Accountant, and multiple prior meeting minutes were approved.
