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
- 📅 Agenda Overview
- 🗣️ Public Comment
- 🧑 Town Manager Report
- 🌟 Community Spotlight
- 🧾 FY26 Tax Classification Hearing & Vote
- 📜 Proclamations
- 🍷 Liquor License Transfer – Bangkok Spice
- 🏛️ Pleasant Street Center Reuse Planning
- 🍽️ Alcohol Sales Policy Discussion
- ✉️ MBTA Turnback Track Letter
- 🧭 Select Board Retreat Debrief
- 🧑🤝🧑 Liaison Reports
- 🗓️ Future Agendas
- ✅ Meeting Minutes Approved
- ✅ Key Summary
November 4, 2025 Select Board Meeting
🕒 Start Time: 7:00 PM
💻 Format: Hybrid (In-person Select Board meeting room & Zoom)
👨⚖️ Chair: Chris Haley
👥 Attendees: Melissa Murphy, Karen Herrick, Carlo Bacci, Karen Rose-Gillis
📋 Summary: The Select Board focused on the FY26 tax classification hearing and vote, proclamations for SEPAC and emergency planning, a liquor license transfer, Pleasant Street Center reuse planning, and a letter to the MBTA regarding the proposed turnback track.
📅 Agenda Overview
| Timestamp | Topic |
|---|---|
00:04:40 | Meeting Called to Order & Pledge of Allegiance |
00:06:21 | Public Comment |
00:16:28 | Town Manager Report |
00:20:30 | Community Spotlight |
00:23:00 | Public Hearing: FY26 Tax Classification |
01:30:55 | Proclamation: Mystic Regional Emergency Planning Committee |
01:37:24 | Proclamation: SEPAC Awareness Month |
01:48:17 | Public Hearing: Liquor License Transfer – Bangkok Spice |
01:54:13 | Pleasant Street Center Procurement Options |
02:14:09 | Alcohol Sales Policy Discussion |
02:25:27 | MBTA Turnback Track Letter Review & Vote |
02:38:03 | Select Board Retreat Debrief |
02:45:04 | Liaison Reports |
02:57:03 | Future Agendas |
03:02:10 | Approval of Meeting Minutes |
03:05:06 | Meeting Adjourned |
🗣️ Public Comment
⏰ 00:06:21
- RTC Member Aaron Perry thanked the board for opposing the MBTA turnback track and requested legal support for an appeal.
- Reading Food Pantry expressed gratitude for community support and interest in future use of the Pleasant Street Center.
- Residents commented on board conduct, the recent retreat, and concerns about tax impacts on small businesses.
🧑 Town Manager Report
⏰ 00:16:28
- Connected Reading Event: Successful community open house.
- Veterans Day Ceremony: Scheduled for November 11 at Memorial Park.
- Shop the Block: December 4 in downtown Reading.
- Inspector General Visit: Positive feedback on town operations.
- $100K State Grant: Awarded for new pickleball courts.
🌟 Community Spotlight
⏰ 00:20:30
- Officer Amr Hassan received AAA Safety Hero Award for traffic enforcement and public education.
- Tin Bucket celebrated 10 years in downtown Reading with a new live music initiative.
🧾 FY26 Tax Classification Hearing & Vote
⏰ 00:23:00
- Discussion Highlights:
- Debate over fairness between residential and commercial tax burdens.
- Concerns about impacts on small businesses vs. need for equity for residents.
- Proposal to gradually increase the split tax rate over time.
- Public Comment: Mixed views from residents and business owners.
- Vote Outcome:
✅ Residential factor set at 0.990861, reflecting a 1.14 split rate.
📜 Proclamations
Mystic Regional Emergency Planning Committee
⏰ 01:30:55
- Approved proclamation reaffirming Reading’s participation in regional hazardous materials planning.
SEPAC Awareness Month
⏰ 01:37:24
- Approved proclamation recognizing November as SEPAC Awareness Month.
- Advocates emphasized collaboration between parents and school leaders.
🍷 Liquor License Transfer – Bangkok Spice
⏰ 01:48:17
- Approved: Transfer of annual wine & malt license to Bangkok Spice LLC.
- Owner: Wakanda Odjack, longtime employee of the restaurant.
- Discussion: Request for fee waiver due to timing of license renewal; referred to Town Manager for review.
🏛️ Pleasant Street Center Reuse Planning
⏰ 01:54:13
- Options: Lease vs. sale of the historic property.
- Next Steps:
- Needs assessment with departments and community.
- Outreach to boards and commissions.
- Community survey and public input.
- Board Sentiment: Favor leasing with potential hybrid use (e.g., food pantry + commercial tenant).
🍽️ Alcohol Sales Policy Discussion
⏰ 02:14:09
- Issue: Sunday alcohol sales currently restricted to noon start.
- Proposal: Move start time to 10:00 AM.
- Action: Town Meeting vote required to adopt 2010 state law change.
- Board Consensus: Supportive; will pursue warrant article for April Town Meeting.
✉️ MBTA Turnback Track Letter
⏰ 02:25:27
- Letter Reviewed & Amended:
- Changed “hundreds” to “thousands” of residents.
- Removed specific alternative location references.
- Requested MBTA withdraw current NOI and engage collaboratively.
- Vote:
✅ Unanimous approval to send amended letter with attached petition.
🧭 Select Board Retreat Debrief
⏰ 02:38:03
- Facilitator: Jeff Nutting
- Feedback: Positive experience, productive discussion, support for annual retreat.
- Future Goal: Use retreat for strategic planning and goal setting.
🧑🤝🧑 Liaison Reports
⏰ 02:45:04
- Eastern Gateway Forum: Well-attended, creative ideas shared.
- MBTA Turnback Track Meeting: Strong community turnout and engagement.
- Conservation Commission: Trail design grant discussed.
- School Committee: RMHS band placed 3rd in NESBA finals.
- RCTV: Fundraiser held; contract negotiations ongoing.
- Upcoming Events: Veterans Day, Tree Lighting (Nov 30), Menorah Lighting (Dec 14)
🗓️ Future Agendas
⏰ 02:57:03
- December 2 Meeting:
- RCTV Contract
- Burbank Ice Arena Financials & Lease Amendment
- SEPAC & MBTA Letters for Signature
- Universal Human Rights Month Proclamation
- Pickleball & Austin Prep Construction Updates
✅ Meeting Minutes Approved
⏰ 03:02:10
- Dates: October 16 & October 21, 2025
- Amendment: Minor wording change on October 21 minutes
✅ Key Summary
- The board voted to increase the split tax rate to 1.14, aiming for greater equity between residential and commercial taxpayers.
- SEPAC Awareness Month and Mystic Emergency Planning proclamations were approved.
- A liquor license transfer for Bangkok Spice was approved, with a request for fee relief under review.
- The board began planning for the reuse of the Pleasant Street Center, leaning toward a lease model with potential community and commercial uses.
- Members supported a future Town Meeting vote to allow Sunday alcohol sales starting at 10 AM.
- A formal letter opposing the MBTA Turnback Track location was approved and will be sent with over 2,000 petition signatures.
- The board reflected positively on its November retreat, with plans to make it an annual event.
- Upcoming agenda items include RCTV contract, Burbank Ice Arena updates, pickleball progress, and Austin Prep construction.
