🏛️ Select Board 9-16-25 AI Recap

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.

🗓️ Reading Select Board Meeting Summary

Date: September 16, 2025
Duration: ~3 hours 30 minutes
Format: Hybrid (in-person + Zoom)
Co-Chair: Chris Haley
Board Members Present: Carlo Bacci, Karen Herrick, Karen Rose Gillis
Main Topics: Trash/recycling contract update, RCTV license extension, liquor license votes, charter amendments, opioid settlement, ReCAL/Burbank lease discussion, valet parking proposal, liaison reports

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🔹 Opening & Public Comment

🕒 0:15–7:42
Angela Binda:

• Opposed parking trade-off between ReCAL and Burbank Ice Arena for pickleball courts 
• Advocated for Karen Herrick or Karen Rose Gillis to represent the board in lease negotiations 
• Criticized perceived conflicts of interest among other board members

Joseph White:

• Urged board to renew RCTV contract due to its community value

Nancy Docktor:

• Requested consistency in board oversight of RCTV and Burbank executive directors

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🔹 Town Manager Report

🕒 10:11–14:12
Matt Kraunelis:

• Promoted Reading Coalition’s “A Time To Gather” event on Sept 17 
• MBTA turnback track update: public meetings held, notice of intent pending 
• Snow shoveling bylaw forums scheduled for Sept 16 (Zoom) and Sept 24 (Library) 
• Finance Committee’s financial forum set for Oct 8 
• Welcomed new police officer Zachary Castiglione (Reading High alum) 
• Recognized Laura Gemme’s birthday

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🔹 Community Spotlight

🕒 14:28–15:26 

• Honored Randolph “Biff” Kazazzian, known as “Biff the Lampman,” for repairing 500+ lamps for seniors at Pleasant Street Center

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🔹 Override Budget Review & Valet Parking Proposal

🕒 15:33–33:58 

• Proposal to allow valet parking in downtown Reading 
• Police memo opposed the idea due to enforcement challenges and fairness concerns 
• Board discussed limiting valet to weekends and requiring private lot agreements 
• No vote taken; topic to be revisited

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🔹 Trash & Recycling Contract Update

🕒 36:51–1:07:08
Presenter: Chris Cole, Waste Management rep 

• Recommended Waste Management as new vendor 
• Switch to bi-weekly recycling to save ~$400K annually 
• Contract includes app-based service tracking, camera monitoring, and blended value recycling audit 
• Estimated 25% increase over current budget 
• Bulk item pickup to be resident-paid (e.g., $35 for a chair) 
• Yard waste and rigid plastic events remain included 
• Contract spans 5 years with 5% annual increase 
• Final vote scheduled for October 7

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🔹 RCTV License Agreement Extension

🕒 1:07:16–1:44:11 

• Negotiation team requested extension to finalize contract 
• Extensive public comment in support of RCTV 
• Board debated 1-month vs. 3-month extension 
• Motion passed to extend contract until December 31, 2025 (3–1 vote)

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🔹 Liquor License Votes

🕒 1:44:05–2:11:03
Champions Indoor Golf (One General Way):

• Approved new annual all-alcohol restaurant license (4–0 vote) 
• Facility includes golf simulators, bar pizza, and air fryer menu

Oye’s Restaurant & Bar (26 Walkers Brook Drive):

• Approved transfer of annual all-alcohol restaurant license (4–0 vote) 
• Entertainment license includes TVs and touch-tune machine

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🔹 Charter Review & Amendments

🕒 2:11:08–2:27:09 

• Reviewed proposed charter changes 
• Voted to amend Sections 5.1 and 5.5.2:
  • Removed “legal” from residency language 
  • Removed clause on town manager termination pay 
• Charter Committee to reconvene before Town Meeting

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🔹 Rule of Necessity & Warrant Closure

🕒 2:27:09–2:44:34 

• Three board members recused due to conflict of interest on snow removal bylaw 
• Karen Herrick invoked Rule of Necessity 
• Jesse Arnold (Bylaw Committee Chair) summarized proposed snow removal bylaw 
• Warrant closed with 11 articles for November 10 Town Meeting (4–0 vote)

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🔹 National Opioid Settlement

🕒 2:44:40–2:49:20 

• Board authorized town manager to execute participation forms 
• Reading to receive ~$98K over 15 years from Purdue and secondary manufacturers (4–0 vote)

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🔹 ReCAL & Burbank Lease Amendment Discussion

🕒 2:49:25–3:18:26 

• CPDC requires shared parking agreement for ReCAL and pickleball courts 
• Board debated designate for lease negotiations 
• Motion to appoint Karen Rose Gillis failed (2–2) 
• Motion to appoint Carlo Bacci failed (2–2) 
• No designate selected; topic to be revisited

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🔹 Mulberry School Update

🕒 3:18:57–3:30:27 

• Co-Chair raised concerns about misleading website language 
• Town Manager confirmed school is no longer pursuing Mattera Cabin site 
• Website updated hours before the meeting to reflect new location at Camp Rice Moody

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🔹 Future Agendas

🕒 3:30:27–3:42:25
Upcoming Topics:

• Italian Heritage Month proclamation 
• Disabilities Committee formation 
• MBTA turnback track update 
• Water rate advisory discussion 
• Social media policy proposal 
• Trash contract vote (Oct 7)

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🔹 Approval of Meeting Minutes

🕒 3:42:25–3:46:50 

• September 9, 2025 minutes debated 
• Multiple motions failed (2–2 votes) 
• Minutes not approved; tabled to next meeting

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✅ Key Outcomes

• Approved new trash contract recommendation (vote pending) 
• Extended RCTV license through December 31 
• Approved liquor licenses for Champions Indoor Golf and Oye’s Restaurant 
• Amended charter sections 5.1 and 5.5.2 
• Closed November Town Meeting warrant 
• Authorized opioid settlement participation 
• No designate selected for Burbank lease negotiations

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