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: November 3, 2025
🕖 Duration: 1hr43min
📍 Location: Town Hall conference room and Zoom
👥 Committee Members Present: Joseph Carnahan (Chair), Sarah Brukilacchio, Martha Moore, Sanford Matathia, Kate Kaminer
👥 Members on Zoom: Margaret Donnelly Moran, Katie Gallant (non-voting), Carlo Bacci (absent)
🔹Call to Order and Roll Call
🕒 7:30–8:08
- Meeting called to order with quorum present.
- Roll call conducted; no public comment.
🔹Liaison Reports
🕒 8:08–9:08
- Conservation Commission: Voted 3–2 against supporting CPA; concerns about politics and lack of clarity.
- Affordable Housing Trust Fund: Warm reception; limited attendance but positive discussion.
- Historical Commission: Voted in favor of CPA.
- Celebration Trust: Unanimous support; member Kurt Habel has worked on CPA-funded projects in other towns.
🔹CPA Project Spotlight
🕒 9:08–25:34
- Presented by Sandy Matathia: Tree planting initiatives in various towns (Boston, Concord, Medford, etc.).
- Highlighted Concord’s 250-tree project for the 250th anniversary.
- Discussed costs, maintenance, and leveraging CPA funds.
- Emphasized potential for similar projects in Reading’s parks, cemeteries, and public ways.
🔹Committee Outreach Updates
🕒 25:34–1:10:38
✅ Completed Presentations:
- CPDC, Historical Commission, Celebration Trust, Affordable Housing Trust Fund, Housing Authority
📅 Upcoming Presentations:
| Date | Committee | Assigned Members |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 6 | Finance Committee | Joe Carnahan, Sandy Matathia, Kate Kaminer (tentative) |
| Nov 12 | Reading Open Land Trust | Joe Carnahan, Sarah Brukilacchio |
| TBD | Recreation Committee | Kate Kaminer (coordinating) |
| TBD | Library Trustees | Sarah Brukilacchio (follow-up) |
| TBD | Cemetery Trustees | Sarah Brukilacchio (to reach out) |
| TBD | Council on Aging | Sandy Matathia (follow-up attempts ongoing) |
| TBD | Bylaw Committee | On hold until after Town Meeting |
🔹Connected Reading Event Recap
🕒 1:10:38–1:13:03
- Committee staffed a table with flyers and CPA map.
- Limited marble voting (5 for 1%, 3 for 1.5%, 1 for 0.5%).
- Valuable conversations; lower turnout than expected.
🔹Town Meeting Planning
🕒 1:13:03–1:26:36
📅 Dates: November 10 & 13, 2025
📍 Location: RMHS Performing Arts Center Lobby
- CPA table to be staffed before Town Meeting sessions.
- Materials: flyers, CPA map, cost charts (no marble jars).
- Staffing:
- Nov 10: Martha Moore & Kate Kaminer
- Nov 13: Sandy Matathia & Katie Gallant
- Logistics coordinated for setup, teardown, and material handoff.
🔹Report Preparation
🕒 1:26:36–1:39:05
- Goal: Present CPA report to Select Board in January 2026.
- Lead Designer: Margaret Donnelly Moran (using Adobe InDesign)
- Committee members to send:
- Photos of CPA-eligible projects (especially recreation)
- Charts and data (Joe)
- Past presentations and minutes for reference
- Reference reports: Natick and Winchester CPA study reports
🔹Next Steps and Future Meetings
🕒 1:39:05–1:40:55
- Next Meeting: Monday, December 1, 2025 at 7:30 PM
- Second December Meeting: Monday, December 15, 2025 at 7:30 PM
- Focus: Drafting and reviewing CPA report
✅ Key Outcomes
- Outreach Progress: Multiple presentations completed; more scheduled
- Town Meeting Plan Finalized: Table staffed with materials and volunteers
- Report Development Underway: Margaret to lead design; members to contribute content
- Next Meetings Scheduled: December 1 and December 15 to finalize report
