Below is a summarized version of the Community Preservation Act (CPA) Study Committee 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.
Contents
- 🔹Call to Order and Roll Call
- 🔹Agenda Overview
- 🔹Outreach Planning
- 🔹Slide Deck and Report Preparation
- 🔹Discussion on CPA Surcharge Rate
- 🔹Timeline Planning
- 🔹Community Preservation Committee Formation
- 🔹One-Page Flyer Review and Edits
- 🔹Fall Street Faire Planning
- 🔹Future Meetings and Next Steps
- 🔹Meeting Minutes Approval
- 🔹Adjournment
- ✅ Key Outcomes
💰 Ad Hoc Community Preservation Act Study Committee Meeting Summary
📅 Date: June 7, 2025
🕖 Time: 7:00 PM
📍 Location: Zoom + Select Board Meeting Room Reading, Massachusetts
👥 Committee Members Present: Kathryn Gallant, Sanford Matathia, Margaret Donnelly Moran, Sarah Brukilacchio, Joseph Carnahan (Chair), Martha Moore, Carlo Bacci
🔹Call to Order and Roll Call
🕒 4:50–5:08
- The meeting was called to order with a roll call confirming attendance of all members: Kathryn Gallant, Sanford Matathia, Margaret Donnelly Moran, Sarah Brukilacchio, and Joseph Carnahan.
🔹Agenda Overview
🕒 5:08–5:57
- The committee reviewed the agenda, which included:
- Outreach planning
- Presentation preparation for the Financial Forum
- Discussion on forming a Community Preservation Committee (CPC)
- Report drafting
- Future agendas and meeting minutes
🔹Outreach Planning
🕒 5:57–45:05
- Current Outreach Efforts:
- Participation in the Fall Street Faire
- November Town Meeting
- Proposed Outreach Expansion:
- Visit all relevant town committees (approx. 20 identified)
- Create a flyer and slide deck for presentations
- Develop a standard outreach email and support materials
- Prioritize outreach to committees with input on CPA surcharge rates
- Committees Identified for Outreach:
- Affordable Housing, Cemetery, Library Trustees, Bylaw, Celebration Trust, Climate Advisory, Conservation, Council on Aging, Finance, Historic, Housing Authority, Permanent Building Committee, Recreation, Trails, School Committee, Select Board, and others
- Community Groups for Potential Outreach:
- PTOs, sports organizations, Friends of Parker Tavern, Walkable Reading, Colonial Chorus, Quannapowitt Players
- Political and Business Outreach:
- Republican and Democratic Town Committees (for ballot committee)
- Business groups (if commercial properties are included in the surcharge)
🔹Slide Deck and Report Preparation
🕒 32:02–34:44
- A comprehensive slide deck will be created to:
- Explain CPA basics
- Present financial scenarios
- Tailor presentations to different audiences
- The slide deck will align closely with the final CPA report
🔹Discussion on CPA Surcharge Rate
🕒 45:05–1:14:26
- Key Points:
- Tentative surcharge rate options: 1%, 1.25%, 1.5%, 2%
- Match funding from the state is variable and currently lower due to real estate market conditions
- Outreach will include gathering feedback on preferred surcharge rates
- A QR code survey may be used at Town Meeting to collect feedback
- Final recommendation to be made after outreach and Town Meeting input
🔹Timeline Planning
🕒 1:14:26–1:22:12
- Proposed Timeline:
- Summer: Finalize flyer and slide deck
- September–October: Outreach to committees
- November: Present report to Town Meeting (informational only)
- December: Finalize report and vote on surcharge recommendation
- January 2026: Present final report to Select Board
- April 2026: Town Meeting vote on CPA adoption
- November 2026: Ballot vote
🔹Community Preservation Committee Formation
🕒 1:23:07–1:28:37
- Discussion on whether to propose forming a CPC concurrently with CPA adoption
- General consensus: wait until after CPA is adopted to form the CPC
🔹One-Page Flyer Review and Edits
🕒 1:28:46–1:57:02
- Reviewed and edited the CPA outreach flyer (screengrab below)
- Key changes:
- Clarified language around surcharge and matching funds
- Improved formatting and grammar
- Added examples of eligible projects under CPA
- Updated contact and URL information
🔹Fall Street Faire Planning
🕒 1:57:02–2:00:04
- Sarah Brukilacchio volunteered to sign up for a table
- Committee will use the flyer and possibly a canopy/table provided by the town
🔹Future Meetings and Next Steps
🕒 2:00:04–2:01:10
- Next meeting scheduled for August 18
- Goals:
- Finalize slide deck
- Review committee outreach responses
- Assign committee presentation responsibilities
🔹Meeting Minutes Approval
🕒 2:01:10–2:04:03
- Minutes from the previous meeting were reviewed and approved with minor edits
🔹Adjournment
🕒 2:04:03–2:04:20
- The meeting was adjourned by unanimous vote
✅ Key Outcomes
- Outreach Plan Finalized: Targeted outreach to ~20 town committees and community groups
- Flyer Updated: Finalized one-pager for public distribution
- Slide Deck in Progress: Will be used for committee presentations and Town Meeting
- Timeline Established: Clear roadmap through January 2026
- Surcharge Discussion Ongoing: Tentative rates discussed; final decision deferred
- Next Meeting Scheduled: August 18 to finalize materials and assign outreach roles
