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.
- 📋 Summary
- 📑 Agenda Overview
- 🗣️ Public Comment
- 🏢 Administrator / Manager Report
- 🗳 Discussion – Mattera Cabin Improvements
- 🌟 Community Spotlight
- 📢 Public Hearing & Vote – Alcohol License Alteration
- 🗳 Discussion & Vote – MWRA Borrowing (Lead Service Replacement)
- 🗳 Discussion & Vote – Charter Amendments
- 🗳 Discussion – Town Meeting Warrant Articles 13–18
- 🗣️ Public Comment (Warrant)
- 🗳 Discussion – Robert’s Rules of Order
- 🏢 Discussion – Snow Shoveling Program
- 🔗 Liaison Reports – Highlights
- ✅ Meeting Minutes Approved
- 🗳 Discussion & Vote – Separation Agreement with Town Manager
- 🗳 Discussion & Vote – Acting Town Manager Authorization
- 🗳 Discussion & Vote – Enter Executive Session
- 🔑 Key Summary
📅 February 24, 2026 Reading Select Board Meeting
🕒 Meeting Start: 00:01:09
⏰ Meeting End: 02:57:58
💻 Format: Hybrid – In person and Zoom
👤 Chair: Christopher Haley
👥 Attendees: Christopher Haley, Melissa Murphy, Karen Rose-Gillis, Carlo Bacci, Karen Gately Herrick
👤 Staff Present: Jayne Wellman, Assistant Town Manager
📋 Summary
The Reading Select Board’s February 24, 2026 meeting spanned administrative updates, public comment, recognitions, multiple warrant-related discussions, and several formal votes. Early actions included approval of an all-alcohol license alteration, authorization of MWRA borrowing for lead service replacement, and advancement of charter amendments to the 2026 Annual Town Election ballot. The Board also signaled strong support for addressing long-standing code compliance issues at the Matera Cabin through a proposed Town Meeting funding article.
A substantial portion of the meeting focused on previewing the Annual Town Meeting warrant, including capital projects, infrastructure borrowing, kennel safety bylaws, and administrative cleanup items. Article 14, proposing a Unified Sports Stabilization Fund tied to Burbank Ice Arena lease revenue, generated extensive discussion and public comment, with consensus that a finalized lease agreement must precede warrant approval. Later in the meeting, the Board approved prior meeting minutes, discussed governance procedures and community service initiatives, and reconvened in open session to approve a separation agreement with the Town Manager and initiate the Acting Town Manager appointment process before entering executive session.
📑 Agenda Overview
| ⏰ Start Time | Topic |
|---|---|
| 00:01:09 | Call to Order & Pledge of Allegiance |
| 00:01:40 | Agenda Review |
| 00:03:56 | Public Comment |
| 00:09:19 | Town Manager Report |
| 00:10:56 | Mattera Cabin Improvements – Discussion |
| 00:40:21 | Community Spotlight |
| 00:43:08 | Public Hearing – Alcohol License Alteration |
| 00:46:14 | MWRA Borrowing – Lead Service Replacement |
| 00:53:17 | Charter Amendments – Ballot Question |
| 00:55:23 | Charter Amendments – Distribution |
| 00:58:36 | Town Meeting Warrant Preview |
| 01:15:01 | Warrant Review – Articles 13–18 |
| 01:47:08 | Public Comment (Warrant) |
| 01:51:07 | Robert’s Rules of Order Discussion |
| 01:58:36 | Snow Shoveling Program Discussion |
| 02:10:00 | Liaison Reports |
| 02:16:56 | Future Agenda Items |
| 02:24:32 | Approval of Meeting Minutes |
| 02:25:42 | Executive Session Vote |
| 02:43:03 | Reopen Open Session |
| 02:44:17 | Separation Agreement – Town Manager |
| 02:46:17 | Acting Town Manager Process |
| 02:56:50 | Executive Session Motion |
🗣️ Public Comment
⏰ 00:03:56 – 00:09:15
👤 Presenter(s): Carolyn Johnson; Nancy Docktor (Pearl Street); Angela Binda
Themes Raised
- Concerns about consistency and transparency in Select Board decision-making.
- Questions regarding public participation during warrant review.
- Criticism of proposed stabilization funding tied to Unified Sports and Burbank Ice Arena.
- Issues related to pickleball agreements, parking, and timing of contracts and warrant articles.
🏢 Administrator / Manager Report
⏰ 00:09:19 – 00:10:54
👤 Presenter(s): Jayne Wellman, Assistant Town Manager
🎉 Community Events
- Launch of the Pleasant Street Center public survey, with results expected March 17.
💼 Economic Development
- Acknowledgment of a $225,000 donation from the Reading Pickle Ball Players Association.
- Confirmation that bids for seven lighted pickleball courts totaled $1.15 million, under budget.
🗳 Discussion – Mattera Cabin Improvements
⏰ 00:10:56 – 00:40:19
👤 Presenter(s): Jayne Wellman; Brian Bowe; committee representatives
Overview
Review of occupancy history and building code compliance issues at the Mattera Cabin.
Key Discussion Points
- Public use classification would require higher accessibility standards.
- Preliminary cost estimates discussed, pending architectural review.
- Broad support expressed for reopening the facility.
- Consensus to pursue an April Town Meeting article for planning and code review funding.
Outcome
🔄 Discussion only; no vote taken.
🌟 Community Spotlight
⏰ 00:40:21 – 00:43:02
👤 Presenter(s): Jayne Wellman
- Recognition of Austin Preparatory School cheerleading state champions.
- Recognition of RMHS boys’ indoor track state championship.
- Acknowledgment of RMHS hockey teams’ tournament advancement.
- Commendation of DPW Water & Sewer Division for emergency response efforts.
📢 Public Hearing & Vote – Alcohol License Alteration
⏰ 00:43:08 – 00:46:06
👤 Presenter(s): Karen Rose-Gillis; Jayne Wellman
Applicant
Park Restaurant Group LLC, d/b/a Post 1917
Vote
✅ Approved
Vote Count: 5–0
🗳 Discussion & Vote – MWRA Borrowing (Lead Service Replacement)
⏰ 00:46:14 – 00:53:07
👤 Presenter(s): Jayne Wellman; Diane Morbido;
✅ Approved
Vote Count: 5–0
Authorized Amount: $1,125,000
🗳 Discussion & Vote – Charter Amendments
⏰ 00:53:17 – 00:58:12
👤 Presenter(s): Jayne Wellman
✅ Approved placement on 2026 ballot and town-wide distribution
Vote Count: 5–0
🗳 Discussion – Town Meeting Warrant Articles 13–18
⏰ 01:15:01 – 01:47:00
👤 Presenter(s): Jayne Wellman; Select Board
Highlights
- Article 14 (Unified Sports Stabilization Fund) debated extensively; consensus that final Burbank agreement must precede approval.
- Capital, infrastructure, kennel safety, and administrative articles previewed.
- No votes taken.
🗣️ Public Comment (Warrant)
⏰ 01:47:08 – 01:50:50
👤 Presenter(s): Nancy (Pearl Street)
- Objection to Article 14’s inclusion on the warrant.
- Concerns regarding transparency and negotiation process.
🗳 Discussion – Robert’s Rules of Order
⏰ 01:51:07 – 01:58:31
👤 Presenter(s): Christopher Haley; Melissa Murphy; Karen Gately Herrick
- Mixed views on formal adoption.
- No vote taken.
🏢 Discussion – Snow Shoveling Program
⏰ 01:58:36 – 02:09:49
👤 Presenter(s): Jayne Wellman
- Exploration of a volunteer program for seniors and residents with disabilities.
- Direction given to staff to continue evaluation.
🔗 Liaison Reports – Highlights
⏰ 02:10:00 – 02:16:55
👤 Presenter(s): Select Board Members
- Climate Advisory Committee composting seminar.
- Reading Center for Active Living planning updates.
- School Committee and community event updates.
✅ Meeting Minutes Approved
⏰ 02:24:32 – 02:25:38
👤 Presenter(s): Christopher Haley
- January 27, 2026 Minutes: Approved as presented
- February 10, 2026 Minutes: Approved as presented
Vote Count: 5–0
🗳 Discussion & Vote – Separation Agreement with Town Manager
⏰ 02:44:17 – 02:45:44
👤 Presenter(s): Karen Rose-Gillis; Christopher Haley
✅ Approved
Vote Count: 5–0
🗳 Discussion & Vote – Acting Town Manager Authorization
⏰ 02:46:17 – 02:54:39
👤 Presenter(s): Karen Rose-Gillis; Christopher Haley
✅ Approved – Authorization to negotiate with Jayne Wellman
Vote Count: 5–0
🗳 Discussion & Vote – Enter Executive Session
⏰ 02:56:50 – 02:57:58
👤 Presenter(s): Karen Rose-Gillis; Christopher Haley
✅ Approved
Vote Count: 5–0
No return to open session.
🔑 Key Summary
- Approved an all-alcohol license alteration and $1.125 million MWRA borrowing, both unanimously.
- Advanced charter amendments to the 2026 Annual Town Election ballot and authorized required distribution.
- Reached consensus to pursue Town Meeting funding to address Mattera Cabin code compliance issues.
- Conducted extensive Town Meeting warrant review, with particular focus on Article 14 and Unified Sports funding.
- Approved prior meeting minutes and explored governance and community service initiatives.
- Unanimously approved a separation agreement with the Town Manager.
- Authorized negotiations with Jayne Wellman for Acting Town Manager and scheduled next steps before entering executive session.
