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.
Contents
- 🔹 Opening & Public Comment
- 🔹 Town Manager Report
- 🔹 Community Spotlight
- 🔹 Overdose Awareness Proclamation
- 🔹 Reading Ice Arena Authority Update
- 🔹 Budget Review & Fire Department Revenue Strategies
- 🔹 Charter Review Committee Update
- 🔹 Select Board Liaison Reports
- 🔹 Future Agendas
- 🔹 Approval of Meeting Minutes
- ✅ Key Outcomes
🗓️ Reading Select Board Meeting Summary
Date: August 26, 2025
Duration: ~2 hours 30 minutes
Format: Hybrid (in-person + Zoom)
Co-Chair: Chris Haley
Board Members Present: Carlo Bacci, Karen Herrick, Karen Rose-Gillis
Main Topics: Overdose awareness proclamation, Reading Ice Arena update, budget review, fire department revenue strategies, charter review, liaison reports
🔹 Opening & Public Comment
🕒 0:50–14:39
- Residents expressed concerns about:
- Lack of perimeter fencing and tree removal at Austin Prep’s new parking lot
- Dust and debris from construction affecting nearby homes and pools
- Transparency in town spending and use of town meeting-approved funds
- Support for RCTV and its community impact
🔹 Town Manager Report
🕒 14:48–21:47
- Celebrated Reading’s official designation as a Green Community
- Announced Fall Street Fair on September 7
- Welcomed new staff: Assistant Town Accountant and Town Collector
- MBTA meeting held with town officials; public forum planned for mid-September
- RCTV negotiations ongoing; 6 meetings held, progress reported
- Trash/recycling contract update: 5 proposals received, pricing opened, negotiations underway
- Reading’s recycling mix has high value (cardboard/paper), helping reduce costs
🔹 Community Spotlight
🕒 21:53–23:16
- Honored Lieutenant Detective Rich Abate and Sergeant Ian Nelson for 20 years of service
- Announced Marathon Sports 1-year anniversary celebration on August 30
🔹 Overdose Awareness Proclamation
🕒 23:22–31:03
Presenter: Erica Maillet (Reading Coalition for Prevention & Support)
- Shared statistics: 105 Reading residents lost in 15 years (24 to suicide)
- Announced Overdose Awareness Day event on September 17 at Town Hall
- Proclamation passed unanimously (4–0)
🔹 Reading Ice Arena Authority Update
🕒 31:09–1:16:28
Presenter: Carl McFadden (Burbank Representative)
- Rink is financially stable, debt-free, and fully booked
- Record revenue in FY25: over $1M
- Roof replacement completed; reserve fund being replenished
- Northshore Skating Club praised rink operations and staff
- Board discussed:
- Long-term capital planning
- Lease amendment for shared parking with ReCAL and Killam projects
- Need for operational meeting with full Ice Arena board
- Clarification on rent payments and use of funds
- Community support and recognition of rink manager Ed’s contributions
🔹 Budget Review & Fire Department Revenue Strategies
🕒 1:16:35–1:55:22
Presenter: Chief Rick Nelson
- Proposed switch to bundled ambulance billing (BLS, ALS1, ALS2)
- Estimated increase of ~$250K in annual collections
- Bundled billing reduces patient costs and improves insurance reimbursement
- Proposed updates to permit fees (last revised in 2010):
- Increase smoke detector inspection fees
- Add reinspection fee
- Add fees for battery storage systems and certificate of occupancy inspections
- Board supported fee increases and requested final proposal for vote
🔹 Charter Review Committee Update
🕒 1:55:57–2:00:45
- Town Counsel confirmed no public hearing required
- Charter review findings to be discussed at September 9 meeting
- Warrant closes September 23; second meeting planned for September 16
- Board agreed to host multiple discussions and invite charter committee members
🔹 Select Board Liaison Reports
🕒 2:01:05–2:15:10
- Karen Rose-Gillis:
- Attended Town Forest, COA, Housing Authority, and CPA meetings
- Highlighted invasive plant removal and ReCAL operations planning
- Participated in Green Communities event and Burbank tour
- Karen Herrick:
- Attended RMLD emergency meeting and school committee
- Discussed Malbury Forest School accreditation and fieldhouse spending concerns
- Participated in ReCAL building committee and Green Communities event
- Carlo Bacci:
- CPA Committee finalized flyer and planned Fall Street Fair booth
- Attended CPDC meeting on ReCAL and Killam permitting
- Participated in Green Communities event and Burbank tour
- Chris Haley:
- Attended Green Communities event and Burbank tour
- Attended memorial for Michael Coltman; praised his contributions to Reading
🔹 Future Agendas
🕒 2:15:15–2:26:27
- Add proclamation for Italian Heritage Month in October
- Discuss Burbank lease amendment and operational planning
- Review town meeting spending policies with Finance Committee
- Explore valet permitting system
- Schedule tax rate preview
- Confirm next meetings: September 9 and September 16 (due to holiday conflict)
🔹 Approval of Meeting Minutes
🕒 2:28:29–2:30:03
- August 5, 2025 minutes approved unanimously (5–0)
✅ Key Outcomes
- Proclaimed August 31 as Overdose Awareness Day
- Received detailed update from Reading Ice Arena Authority
- Supported ambulance billing and permit fee changes to increase revenue
- Scheduled charter review discussions for September
- Shared extensive liaison updates and future agenda planning
