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.
- π Summary
- π Agenda Overview
- π£οΈ Public Comment
- π’ Administrator / Manager Report
- π Community Spotlight
- π³ Discussion & Vote β Juneteenth Resolution
- π’ Public Hearing & Vote β Early Opening License (Dunkinβ Donuts, 273 Salem Street)
- π’ Public Hearing & Votes β FY27 Utility Rates
- π’ Administrator / Manager Report β Town Forest Wells
- π Discussion β FY27 Board & Committee Budget Requests
- π³ Discussion β Town Manager FY27 Goals
- π Liaison Reports β Highlights
- π Future Agenda Items
- β Meeting Minutes Approved
- π Key Summary
π June 9, 2026 Reading Select Board Meeting
π Meeting Start: 00:05:11
β° Meeting End: 03:18:46
π» Format: Hybrid (transitioned to in-person later in meeting)
π€ Chair: Melissa Murphy
π₯ Attendees: Melissa Murphy, Karen Rose-Gillis, Karen Gately Herrick, Sal Bramante, Christopher Haley, Jayne Wellman, Madeleine Baptiste
π Summary
The June 9, 2026 Reading Select Board meeting spanned public comment, formal recognitions, public hearings, rate-setting votes, strategic planning, and liaison updates. Early in the meeting, the Board heard public comment regarding public participation procedures, received a comprehensive Town Manager report on community art, infrastructure planning, capital projects, and sustainability initiatives, and formally recognized Juneteenth.
The Board conducted multiple public hearings, approving an early opening license for Dunkinβ Donuts and engaging in extensive discussion on FY27 water, sewer, stormwater, and second water meter rates, all of which were ultimately approved unanimously, with one recusal. The meeting continued with discussion of Town Forest emergency wells, FY27 board and committee funding requests (deferred due to limited funds), presentation of proposed FY27 Town Manager goals, liaison reports, future agenda planning, and approval of prior meeting minutes before adjournment.
π Agenda Overview
| β° Start Time | Topic |
|---|---|
| 00:05:11 | Call to Order & Pledge of Allegiance |
| 00:06:40 | Public Comment |
| 00:09:06 | Town Manager Report |
| 00:27:39 | Community Spotlight |
| 00:29:19 | Juneteenth Resolution |
| 00:32:26 | Public Hearing β Dunkinβ Donuts Early Opening |
| 00:39:42 | Public Hearing β FY27 Utility Rates |
| 01:15:00 | FY27 Utility Rate Votes |
| 01:26:02 | Town Forest Wells Discussion |
| 01:42:01 | FY27 Board & Committee Funding Requests |
| 02:30:01 | Town Manager FY27 Goals |
| 02:48:48 | Liaison Reports |
| 03:08:01 | Future Agenda Items |
| 03:17:56 | Meeting Minutes & Adjournment |
π£οΈ Public Comment
β° 00:06:40 β 00:09:06
π€ Presenter(s): Nancy Docktor
- Concerns raised regarding consistency and transparency in Select Board public comment policies.
- Requested clearly posted and uniformly applied procedures.
- Emphasized fairness and avoidance of ad hoc decision-making.
π’ Administrator / Manager Report
β° 00:09:06 β 00:27:39
π€ Presenter(s): Jayne Wellman, Town Manager
π Community Events
- Installation of public art near the depot: Spheres and Patches the Pig, funded through a 2025 grant.
π Transportation / Infrastructure
- Submission of MBTA grant support letter to plan elimination of up to five atβgrade rail crossings.
π Capital Projects
- Killam Elementary School project sub-bids came in over $2 million under budget; total project remains $130 million.
π¨ Operations & Sustainability
- Fleet electrification assessment completed for 209 Town vehicles.
- Automated trash and recycling rollout scheduled for July 6.
- Level 2 EV charging infrastructure recommended for Town Hall and DPW.
π Community Spotlight
β° 00:27:39 β 00:29:19
π€ Presenter(s): Jayne Wellman
- Recognition of Killam School second graders for civic engagement visits.
- Commendation of DPW Highway Division for rescuing ducklings from a catch basin.
π³ Discussion & Vote β Juneteenth Resolution
β° 00:29:19 β 00:32:26
π€ Presenter(s): Karen Gately Herrick
β
Approved
Vote Count: 5β0
π’ Public Hearing & Vote β Early Opening License (Dunkinβ Donuts, 273 Salem Street)
β° 00:32:26 β 00:39:42
π€ Presenter(s): Regional Manager Vipin Khera and District Manager Lynne Ostrowsky
- Approved 5:00 a.m. lobby opening with noise, delivery, and trash safeguards.
β Approved
Vote Count: 5β0
π’ Public Hearing & Votes β FY27 Utility Rates
β° 00:39:42 β 01:26:02
π€ Presenter(s): Jayne Wellman, Matt Abrahams, Sharon (CFO), Chris Cole
- Water Rates: 1% increase; minimum quarterly bill remains two units. β 5β0
- Sewer Rates: 5% decrease reflecting retained earnings. β 5β0
- Stormwater Fee: Annual $10 increase to support sustainability. β 5β0
- Second Water Meter Rate: Average of tiered rates.
- Recusal: Melissa Murphy
- β Approved 4β0
π’ Administrator / Manager Report β Town Forest Wells
β° 01:26:02 β 01:42:01
π€ Presenter(s): Jayne Wellman
- Three emergency wells maintained annually at ~$20,000.
- Wells not usable for potable water without treatment.
- Long-term implications tied to MWRA agreements and water rights.
- No immediate action; further strategic analysis required.
π Discussion β FY27 Board & Committee Budget Requests
β° 01:42:01 β 02:29:22
π€ Presenter(s): Brian Bowe, Chuck Tirone, Samantha Couture, Derek Puff, Jeff Lamson
- Requests exceeded available $20,000 allocation.
- Bench replacement deferred pending warranty review.
- Staff directed to explore additional funds.
- Final vote deferred.
π³ Discussion β Town Manager FY27 Goals
β° 02:30:01 β 02:48:48
π€ Presenter(s): Jayne Wellman
- Eight proposed goals covering finance, workforce, capital projects, transportation, sustainability, public engagement, and technology.
- Board supported goals with suggestions for stronger evaluation alignment and enhanced communication tools.
π Liaison Reports β Highlights
β° 02:48:48 β 03:08:01
π€ Presenter(s): Karen Rose-Gillis, Sal Bramante, Christopher Haley
- Housing Authority upgrades, cultural programming, capital project refinements.
- Community events including Pride Day and Porchfest.
- School Committee updates and recognition of Superintendent Thomas Milaschewski.
- Environmental and DPW updates.
π Future Agenda Items
β° 03:08:01 β 03:17:56
π€ Presenter(s): Melissa Murphy, Jayne Wellman
- Mattera Cabin study.
- Board and committee funding decisions.
- Public comment and Select Board policy review.
- Major building project updates.
β Meeting Minutes Approved
β° 03:17:56 β 03:18:46
π€ Presenter(s): Melissa Murphy
- May 6, 2026 Minutes: Approved as presented.
- May 26, 2026 Minutes: Approved as presented.
- Adjournment approved unanimously.
π Key Summary
- Public comment raised concerns about transparency and consistency in participation policies.
- Juneteenth formally recognized by unanimous vote.
- Early opening license for Dunkinβ Donuts approved with safeguards.
- FY27 water, sewer, stormwater, and second meter rates approved, with one recusal.
- Town Forest emergency wells require ongoing maintenance and long-term policy decisions.
- FY27 committee funding requests deferred due to limited funds.
- Town Manager presented comprehensive FY27 goals with Board feedback.
- Meeting concluded with liaison updates, future agenda planning, and approval of prior minutes.
