“Interview Focuses on Budgets, Building Projects, and Community Engagement“
Jayne Wellman, Reading’s acting town manager, formally presented her case to become the town’s permanent chief executive during a Select Board interview held last night, emphasizing continuity, fiscal discipline, and experienced leadership during what she described as a pivotal period for the community.
Wellman, who has worked for the Town of Reading for the past decade, opened the interview by highlighting her progression through several senior roles, including business administrator, director of operations, assistant town manager, and most recently acting town manager. She told the board that her long tenure has given her firsthand knowledge of Reading’s operations, finances, and staff.
Reading doesn’t need to endure a costly and disruptive search process,” Wellman said. “It needs steady, tested leadership.”
Experience and Background
Before joining Reading’s municipal staff, Wellman served in elected and appointed roles in another community, including time on a select board, school committee, and as town moderator. She holds a master’s degree in public administration from the University of New Hampshire’s Carsey School of Public Policy.
During the interview, she stressed that having served both as an elected official and a professional administrator has given her a “360-degree perspective” on local government, allowing her to understand both policy-making and day-to-day operations.
She also noted her involvement in major town initiatives over the past decade, including pandemic response, municipal communications, capital planning, and financial management that has helped maintain Reading’s AAA bond rating.
Budget Pressures and Fiscal Planning
A significant portion of the interview focused on Reading’s financial challenges, particularly looking ahead to fiscal year 2028. Wellman acknowledged that the town faces structural budget pressures driven largely by staffing costs, rising insurance expenses, and the operational impacts of new facilities.
She outlined several strategies to manage costs, including aggressive pursuit of grant funding, strategic use of attrition rather than layoffs, restructuring roles where possible, and continued scrutiny of insurance and benefit costs. Wellman emphasized that while grants are helpful, they are not a long-term solution.
If we cannot fund our budget, layoffs may have to be a factor,” she said candidly, adding that her preference would be to minimize service impacts through careful planning and attrition.
Wellman also referenced her past experience navigating budget challenges during the Great Recession, noting that long-term planning and data-driven decisions are critical to financial stability.
Major Projects and Infrastructure
The Select Board questioned Wellman extensively about the town’s ongoing and upcoming construction projects, including the Reading Recreation and Activity Center (ReCal), Killam school building, and other capital investments.
Wellman said her priority is to keep projects on schedule and under budget, noting that several projects are currently tracking below projected costs. She stressed the importance of maintaining contingencies and avoiding the use of one-time funds for recurring expenses.
Regarding ReCal, she explained that while part-time staffing costs are expected to be covered by program revenue, long-term operational expenses such as facilities staffing and utilities will require careful budgeting in future fiscal years.
Staffing and Leadership Approach
Asked about transitioning from assistant town manager to town manager, Wellman said the primary change is shifting from advising a single manager to advising the Select Board and coordinating across all departments.
She described her leadership style as collaborative, data-driven, and people-focused, with an emphasis on supporting department heads, mentoring staff, and maintaining open communication.
Wellman also discussed her approach to hiring a future assistant town manager if appointed, saying she would conduct a competitive search and look for complementary skills rather than duplicating her own expertise.
Community Engagement and Economic Development
Wellman addressed questions about making Reading more of a destination community rather than a pass-through town. She pointed to successful events such as the Fall Street Fair, downtown business occupancy, and upcoming retail additions as opportunities to draw visitors and increase local spending.
She said the town has already begun streamlining permitting processes and improving coordination between departments to make it easier for businesses to open and operate in Reading.
Handling Public Conflict and Misinformation
The board also asked how she would handle emotionally charged meetings and misinformation. Wellman said transparency, preparation, and clear communication are essential, adding that she is willing to correct the record when necessary while also working to de-escalate tensions.
I don’t like surprises,” she said, emphasizing proactive communication with board members ahead of difficult agenda items.
Next Steps
Following the interview, the Select Board deliberated on a potential appointment and discussed the next steps in the town manager hiring process. Tonight’s (3/24) regularly scheduled Select Board meeting has Discuss and Vote on Appointment of Jayne Wellman as Town Manager taking place around 7:20pm.
If appointed, Wellman would become Reading’s permanent town manager at a time when the community faces major financial decisions, large-scale construction projects, and long-term planning challenges.
The complete interview can be seen below on RCTV:
