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.
🏛️ Ad Hoc Community Preservation Act Study Committee Meeting Summary
📅 Date: August 18, 2025
🕖 Time: 7:30 PM
📍 Location: Town Hall Select Board room & Zoom
👥 Committee Members Present: Joseph Carnahan (Chair), Sanford Matathia, Margaret Donnelly Moran, Sarah Brukilacchio, Martha Moore
(Other members: Kathryn Gallant, Carlo Bacci, Eric Gaffen – not present or arrived later)
🔹Call to Order and Reorganization
🕒 7:32–12:33
- Meeting called to order by Chair Joseph Carnahan.
- Annual reorganization held:
- Chair: Joseph Carnahan re-elected unanimously.
- Vice Chair: Sarah Brukilacchio re-elected unanimously.
🔹Liaison Reports
🕒 12:33–15:41
- Historical Commission: Requested $6,000, received $1,500; archival work paused due to funding.
- Conservation Commission: Seeking more stable funding; CPA seen as a potential solution.
- Finance Committee: Financial Forum rescheduled to October 8.
🔹CPA Project Spotlight
🕒 15:41–19:28
- Featured Project: Concord’s 250 Trees for the 250th Anniversary – $125,000 CPA-funded open space project with historical significance.
- Egremont: Small town (pop. ~1,500) adopted 3% CPA surcharge to maximize state match.
- CPA Trust Fund: Match rate has rebounded, currently up 5%.
🔹Outreach Updates
🕒 19:28–59:00
✅ Completed Outreach:
- Town Forest Committee (Aug 11): Strong interest; discussed invasive species control and budget challenges.
- Reading Antiquarian Society (Aug 12): Interest in Parker Tavern eligibility; discussed nonprofit eligibility and public benefit criteria.
📅 Upcoming Committee Presentations:
| Date | Committee | Attendees Assigned |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 20 | Climate Advisory | Martha Moore, Sarah Brukilacchio |
| Aug 25 | Housing Authority | Margaret Donnelly Moran, Sanford Matathia |
| Sept 8 | CPDC | Sarah Brukilacchio, Sanford Matathia |
| Sept 8 | Bylaw Committee (tentative) | Martha Moore, Joseph Carnahan |
| Sept 10 | Trails Committee | Sanford Matathia, Sarah Brukilacchio |
| Sept 15 | School Committee | Martha Moore, Joseph Carnahan |
| Sept 24 | Conservation Commission | Martha Moore, Sanford Matathia |
| Oct 8 | Financial Forum | Joseph Carnahan, Sarah Brukilacchio, Sanford Matathia, Margaret Donnelly Moran |
📨 Pending Responses:
- Library Trustees, Cemetery Trustees, Celebration Trust, Trust Funds, Council on Aging, Cultural Council, Historical Commission, Killam School Building Committee, Recreation Committee
🔹Presentation Slide Deck Review
🕒 59:00–1:22:01
- Reviewed and edited the committee presentation slides.
- Key updates:
- Added “yet” to “Reading has not adopted CPA” slide.
- Clarified CPA timeline post-adoption (committee formation, first allocations).
- Added clearer language on cost impacts and surcharge options.
- Included potential exemptions for low-income and senior residents.
- Added emphasis on CPA’s role as a local match for grants.
🔹Reading Fall Street Faire Planning
🕒 1:22:01–2:08:54
📅 Date: Sunday, September 7, 2025
🕛 Time: 12:00–5:00 PM
🛠️ Logistics:
- Tent & Table: Provided by Joseph Carnahan
- Flyers: 100 copies to be printed by Jackie
- Map Display: Sarah Brukilacchio and Margaret Donnelly Moran to annotate a town map with CPA-eligible sites (historical, housing, recreation, conservation)
- Interactive Element: Martha Moore to create a “vote with marbles” display for preferred surcharge rate (0.5%, 1%, 1.5%)
- Cost Chart: Joe to print CPA cost comparison slides for display
🧾 Sign-Up:
- Joe to create a Signup Genius for staffing shifts and setup/teardown
🔹Report Composition & Town Meeting Planning
🕒 2:08:54–2:18:10
- Begin drafting CPA report in October.
- Presentation to Town Meeting planned for November (non-voting informational session).
- Joe to contact Town Moderator to request time on the agenda.
- Consider post-Town Meeting session to gather feedback from members.
🔹Meeting Minutes Approval
🕒 2:20:27–2:22:02
- July 2025 minutes approved unanimously (5–0)
🔹Adjournment
🕒 2:22:02–2:22:26
- Meeting adjourned by unanimous vote
✅ Key Outcomes
- Leadership Reaffirmed: Joseph Carnahan and Sarah Brukilacchio re-elected as Chair and Vice Chair
- Outreach Underway: 8 committee meetings scheduled; more pending
- Slide Deck Finalized: Updated with timeline, cost breakdowns, and clearer messaging
- Fall Street Faire Plan Set: Materials, staffing, and interactive elements assigned
- Next Meeting Scheduled: Monday, September 29, 2025 at 7:30 PM
