All right. >> 7 p.m. We are going to call the January 6 selective meeting to order. Um, this meeting is being broadcast via RCTV on Xfinity Channel 9 and FiOS channel 31.
It's also Zoom and live on RCTV's uh YouTube channel. Pledge of Allegiance, please. To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nationisible and justice for all.
>> Carla, you got to mute. You're on your speaker. >> You have to mute. >> Okay. Thank you. Um this evening we have three members here in person and two online. Um just as a note um for everyone here, the running police department will be present in our meetings for the
foreseeable future and we appreciate RPD's support in that. Um also just another note before we begin begin tonight's meeting. I wanted to remind everyone that under Mass open meeting law, any person who wishes to make a recording, audio, or video of town meetings must notify the chair in
advance of any meeting. And this just allows the chair to inform those in attendance. Let's review the agenda for tonight. Um 70:05 will have public comment for items. Um we'll allow residents to speak
on uh each agenda each agenda item only once. Um 7:15 we'll discuss the incident following the select board meeting on Thursday, December 18th, 2025. 7:25 we'll have town manager report. 7:30
community spotlight 7:35 vote to remove associate member Tony Lionetta from the Council of Aging as voted by the Council on Aging at their meeting on December 8th, 2025. 7:45 um oh actually we're skipping the
park. So 7:45 will be the public hearing to discuss and vote on annual all alcohol package store liquor license for PLM Beverages LLC DBA Dion's fine wines and spirits located at 36 Walker Brook
Drive 805 vote on submitt of senior citizens property tax exemption whole brew petition article two of the special town meeting November 10th 2025 to the legislation 8:15 discuss impossible vote Vote on charge for commission on
disabilities. 8:30 less on reports. 8:35 future agenda items. 8:40 approve prior meeting minutes from our December 9th and December 18th, 2025 meetings. And 8:45 will be entering executive session for purpose 7 approve and review for
release the minutes of December 2nd, 2025 executive session meeting compliance with GLC 30A section 22. Okay. Okay. Um, public comment. Anyone here in the room? Do we have anyone online for public
comment? >> I don't see any hands raised online. >> Okay. >> Now, we're going to go to uh discuss the incident following the select board meeting on Thursday, December 18th, 2025. If it's okay with my fellow select
board members, I'd like to read a statement um prior to asking board members for any um input. >> That's fine. Okay. >> I'd like to address an incident that occurred after the select board meeting on Thursday, December 18th. The select
board has continued to allow hybrid meetings after the pandemic because they increase public participation and strengthen local governance. However, there is a technical limitation to the board's current setup. Namely, select board members and in-person attendees cannot see who is participating online
or whether someone has raised their hand to speak. During the December 18th meeting, a resident who had raised their hand was not recognized for public comment due to this limitation. By the time the issue was brought to the chair's attention, the board had already moved on to the next agenda item. This
was an unintentional oversight by a chair who has worked diligently during his term to improve opportunities for public comment and has allowed more public comment during select board meetings than ever before. We all value resident participation and welcome diverse perspectives and I'm confident
the board can implement practices to prevent this from happening again. After the meeting ended around 10 p.m., that same resident came to town hall and verbally accosted town staff and volunteers, berating them over this inadvertent mistake. Such behavior does
not promote open dialogue or good governance. It also creates an uncomfortable work environment for town staff who serve as an essential role in our community. In my opinion, this behavior is completely inappropriate and unacceptable. While I understand the
puppet has a right to disagree with the board and town staff, hostility, intimidation, and verbal abuse of staff or volunteers are never justified and are not the proper ways to seek change. As a member of the select board, I will not tolerate town staff or volunteers being treated this way. Our board has
adopted proclamations and resolutions affirming our commitment to human rights and opposing violence. We must be equally clear and united in condemning any conduct that undermines these values by targeting those who serve our community. Public engagement is vital to our local government. I hope all
residents can conduct themselves in a civil, orderly manner with dignity and respect, especially towards our staff and volunteers who serve us all. And now I'm happy to open it up to any other members that might have any comments.
first. >> Um, Kyle or Karen, would you like to go first or do you have any input? >> Karen's hand is up. >> Okay. Sorry, Karen. Go ahead. >> Um, yeah. Um, so there's nothing in the
packet letting us know what this was about. And um I'm concerned with agenda items being on our agenda that have nothing to do with our responsibility as select board members. So I hope that we're not going to repeat this going forward. But uh I think some
of the comments that Melissa made in her statement were were ones that we all could take to heart and that includes select board members. um because it's not easy serving in this role and frequently
um community members can get quite heated and it is up to us as select board members to set a good example and um so I think that um I think that was well spoken Melissa and I want to make sure that we take your comments and we
apply them to select board members because things got a bit heated after our meeting not as in our role as select board members. The meeting had concluded, but the reality is that um we all have
to show that we are are leaders in this community by treating others as we would like to be treated. And um I would like to say that I I from the moment this public comment policy was put in place
without discussion and without the approval of the full board, my major concern was something like this would happen. Having been a chair, I know how difficult it is in the moment to be able to let all community members have their
say, especially when tensions run high. And that's why for at least a decade this reading select board has allowed public comment with a strict time limit at the beginning of the meeting only. And so I would really like at some point to return to that. And the reason why is
because it it is a clear uh boundary for people to participate in our meetings to provide us with the feedback which is valuable and it is it is sufficient and in a good way to avoid incidents like this from happening in the future.
It eliminates the technological glitches and frankly it's going to make our meeting shorter. So so that would be my input on this discussion item. Thank you. Thank you. Carlo, did you have anything you'd like to add?
>> Yeah, thank you. Can you guys hear me? Okay. >> Yep. >> Yeah. Sorry I couldn't be there. I'm in Florida um in the middle of uh clearing out my house. We sold it, so I apologize for not being there in person. I do have some comments, but I want to read a letter first uh that was addressed to
me. And I I appreciate if I'm not interrupted. Anything I say in this letter is written down. I am not uh changing any words in this letter. I received there's no date on the letter but I received at the end of November certified mail uh and the the subject is
demand for written apology and verbal public apology and retraction. Dear Mr. Bachi, this is a demand for written and verbal apology and retraction for defam defamatory comments made about me on September 16th, 2025
and October 21st, 2025 during select board meetings. Specific comments include on 9:16, "I don't know what BS Miss Binda was spewing. I'm sick of this I'm getting accused of. I'm sick of this from Angela Binda who keeps on
attacking me. I'm sick of it. She's a horrible person." And those were in quotes. Sorry. On 10:21, >> one second. >> Angela Binda lying about me twice. We have to go back to her public comments that are twice that she lied. We We need to give context. >> Carlo,
>> during public comment, what? Marlo, do we want to stay on topic for what we're talking about the incident on the 18th or is this related to that incident? >> This is it's it's it's related to this whole subject. Yes. >> Okay. Continue. >> All right. 10:21.
Um during public comment, I said nothing. Uh she was trying to put me in my place and not being up to date, so I lost my cool. Yes, I've taken a lot from this particular resident. It's not good for the entire board. intimidating and defam defamatory comments made by you
personally attacking me and criticizing the content of my speech which I made during designated select board meetings meeting public comment diminish my right and ability to publicly criticize government action governmental action and officials protecting under mass declaration of rights articles 19 and 16
furthermore said comments harm reputation I am seeking a clear and unqualified apology and retraction for the defamatory comments made about be referenced above. I'm seeking a written apology and retraction within 10 business days of receipt of this letter
and a verbal apology and retraction to be made at a select board meeting before the end of 2025 calendar year. I'm seeking written assurance that you will not seek to hinder any residents exercise of their civil right to criticize a public official. This is an opportunity to resolve this matter
before any legal action is taken. I hope you will I hope you will avail yourself to it. Sincerely, Angela Binda. So, the reason I I read this letter that was sent to me, uh, certified mail, is I'm very disappointed
that this resident is not here apologizing to the town, to staff, and to the board. And to uh just give a little context, Angela had all the intention that our meeting wasn't over. She was very
disappointed that the meeting was over because that's the first thing she said when she barged into the room. Is the meeting over? And I actually thought she was coming for me to be honest. Um I said let's get out of here. Melissa said this is inappropriate. So I I am waiting
for an apology um for that incident to town staff to the board in the town. As for me, yes, you can say whatever you want about us. um per mass general law, but lying about us, any of us, not just
me, should not be condoned. I don't appreciate rumors being spread about me, uh lies, blatant lies over and over again by other residents as well. I know that's part of the job, but that shouldn't be, uh, you know, made in public. So, uh, thank you. And that's
all I have for now. I'm just very disappointed that it happened and I'm very disappointed that this resident is not here in person apologizing to us. Thank you. >> Thank you. Can I Chris? >> Yeah. Um I agree with some of the things you
said, Melissa. I would have I I think I would have liked to have written something down um as opposed to putting some notes on stickies. I agree with a lot what Karen said. I think my point of view of this is um
we all have no idea what's going on in someone's lives behind the scenes and that we don't know why she burst in here the way she did, what happened that day, what happened the day before. And I think as select board members, they elected us so we basically work for
them. And we need to be able to um show better leadership when someone is losing their mind. And I think that there's many reasons why it happens. And it's not for us to judge, but adding fuel to the fire doesn't help either. And so I think I thought that we might have
learned some things over the last few months and I know that um Angela's very passionate and I know that other board members are very passionate and we're not here to quash their passion. She's a very important part of the town politics whether you agree with her or not. And I
think um residents need to be listened to regardless of what their mood is at that moment. And I think it could have been I mean I feel like I owe an apology because I think that I should have appealed Chris's decision during the meeting to not let her speak. And I think that that would have alleviated
everything. And so I think I'm very hesitant to raise objections to things because you don't quite know sometimes how it's going to go and sometimes keeping a piece is easier. So, I feel that I'm kind of I need to get better at that because I think that that that
would have helped. I don't think there's three different sides to every story. You don't know why she came rushing in. I interpreted as she wanted to get in before the meeting ended and Carlos's interpretation is completely different than mine. And so, I think and hers is probably different than that. And so I think it's really important that people
have an opportunity to say what they have to say regardless of how loud or or or painful it may be and and be better leaders about it. And and that's all I'm going to say. >> Excuse me. Before we go on any further, can you guys turn on the mic so we can
hear you? >> Maybe it's just me. Sorry. >> Thank you. >> No worries. Um, thank you Melissa and and thank you Karen. I I agree with the majority of everything that you had just
said that the limitation uh ends with us though for this side of the table. It's a different story. Matt and Jane don't deserve any scenario either from us, anybody. Like they have to feel comfortable and safe uh where they work.
Um I mean It is what it is in that aspect. Um I did write something down myself um which is very rare. I just go off for 10 15 minutes and you know uh trail but I think my comments have to be uh narrowly
tailored in this in uh instance. Um but uh article 19 of the de of the Massachusetts declaration of rights provides robust protection for free speech including the right to offer fierce critic criticism of government
officials. That's happened more times than I can count in this room specifically to me as well as others and nothing like this has ever happened. However, this right is expressly conditioned on the public's conduct remaining peaceable and orderly.
Peaceable and orderly does not include abruptly leaving a Zoom meeting at 10 p.m. rushing into town that hall and then confronting, berating, and yelling at volunteers and staff members. Peaceable and orderly does not mean following in an individual out of the building to their vehicle, prompting
staff to call police for assistance. Peaceable and orderly does not mean continuing such behavior long after the targeted person had left to the point that arriving officers felt compelled to request backup. These protections for speech are vital, but they do not extend
to intimidation, harassment, or conduct that creates fear or disorder. True free expression thrives in the atmosphere of civility, not coercion. this kind of behavior has no place in our community and we can and must do better. Um,
beyond that, I mean, I agree with part of everything that's been said from everybody up here between you, Karen, you, Karen, Carlo, maybe not so much, but uh, Melissa, absolutely. Like, incidents like this can't come uh the
norm here. It it just can't. there there has to be a way to voice your dissatisfaction. And that's sort of kind of worked here in Reading more than really anywhere else that I've known um quite well for the last couple
years. Um and I I just think that you know we can always do better. Not like myself included obviously I always say this like I don't exclude myself from scenarios like this. Like obviously there's some things that I I could do better, but we're all human and it is
what it is. At the end of the day, we all want to go home and you know, just leave it at that and I will leave it at that. >> Thank you. I see Karen's hand raised online. >> Thank you. Um, you know what? I just
before we leave this topic, I think we need to be fair for the folks that weren't in the room when this happened. There was more than one person yelling. There were select board members yelling.
There were yelling on the front steps of town hall. There were yelling in the hallway of town hall. They were yelling in the select boardroom. If we're going to take responsibility for that action, then we're going to be mo be able to move on. Because what I don't want to
hear are that's being blamed on a single person. It takes two people to have an altercation. We all learned what the word altercation means. It means, you know, a disagreement. Um, and I'd also
just like to correct the story that there was backup called for RPD because I was here the entire time long after you left, Chris. And I can just assure you that um, and I take that back. A second car did
come. I guess that, you know, somebody who didn't make it. So, I guess if you want to call that backup, but the way you sort of said it, it it made it seem like things were escalating. And I want to be clear to the public that there were no there were no way, shape or form
things were escalating. If RPD chose to show out, send out two cars. I do believe it was a senior officer who came to um accompany um maybe the less experienced officers who by the way it it was it was a pleasure to watch them
um handle the situation. In my personal business, I have to deal with strong feelings and emotional people on a regular basis. And and from a purely uh educational perspective, um I have to say I've really admired the training
that our officers have. Um because the proper way to diffuse a situation is not to yell back. There are other alternatives. recognizing the concern, recognizing the passion, acknowledging the person. So, so that's just something
that um I too have to work on every day. And in the moment, you can seem things can seem a lot more heated than they need to be. But uh um in no way, shape, or form was anybody ever in danger. And I just want to make sure we characterize
this as what it was, a a heated discussion in town hall and later on the front steps of town hall. Thank you, >> Chris. >> Thanks, Melissa. Um, there is an audio recording of the incident, Karen, with
the police calling for backup. And as I explained during the uh tail end of of uh my comment here, I did not absolve myself from anything that was was said. I I'm not uh saying that I was
not um partially part of the scenario, but partially part doesn't mean leave your house at 10:00 at night, come down here and confront us. That that is a different story. So, I understand everybody can lose their cool and I can
tell somebody to pull papers 20 times if they're so passionate and they think they can do a better job than me. Um, but there is a clear and distinct difference. When I'm at McDonald's having a 10piece chicken nugget meal and the police end up getting called back to
town hall, that happened. That is a fact. And you cannot change that. >> Any other comments? >> No, I am going to open it up for public comment. >> Can I add something, Melissa? >> I apologize. Yeah, Carlo. Go ahead.
>> Thank you. And I don't know if anyone mentioned this. I I don't think anyone did. We were being recorded um when this altercation slash incident happened. And uh Miss Gregory probably has some video that will probably never
get released. So since the feed was cut because our meeting did adjourn and there is some video but there's no audio. Um, she was in the corner filming us and probably illegally because Chris pointed it out. So, if anybody's interested in
seeing the video of actually what actually happened, contact the running observer because they have it. And I I welcome that to uh make this more explainable and and what actually happened. Um, you know, as Chris said,
uh, this person had every intention to speak during our open meeting because the first question she asked is the meeting over and then the yelling started. And when I realized it wasn't about me, I slowly backed away and walked out with Bob Beckman and wasn't
there for the altercation at all. Um, I know there's a lot going on. I know emotions were high, but this has all been captured on video and audio, so I I welcome that. Uh, anytime. Thank you. >> Can I just say something? >> Sure.
>> Um, we we don't know that she came in with that intention. I mean, she was very passionate about the topic that we've been discussing. She contacted a lot of people about the topic and I think that because she wasn't getting an opportunity to speak during public comment.
I can see understand why she thought she could get down here and be here before the meeting ended. Like I interpret her coming in saying is the meeting over because that would have been a final opportunity for her to have her words. So you and I see it completely differently which is another instance of
there's many many different sides to it. That's what I'm gonna open it up to public comment. Two minutes. Who's timing? And I I am going to interrupt everyone right at two minutes and ask you to stop. And I'm asking everyone to keep it cordial. That's all. You can have your opinion.
Just keep it cordial, please. >> Just one more thing, Vaness. The one thing I will say that um one of the things that Karen said that I disagree with and that I was actually really excited about when Chris implemented this extra piece of public comment after agenda items. I think it's
really important for residents to be able to give feedback to the select board in time and I really don't want that have to have to go away but if the behavior doesn't stop I don't see how we can't just keep it to public comment in the beginning. So, I'm really hoping that the chair doesn't have to pull that
away from the OP because it's punishing the rest of the residents when people should be able to give input when we're discussing a topic and I think it's a good piece to keep so you know the select board and residents have more communication versus just having comments in the beginning.
Sorry. >> Point of order. Madam Chair, um I I I need to say that we cannot ask the public to be cordial that you need to we need to strike that. I I appreciate the sentiment and I'm hoping it will happen. >> I'm not striking what I said.
>> The state supreme court has determined that we cannot >> I'm going to ask you to stop and it we're going to public comment. Thank you. Go ahead, Vanessa. >> Um thank you, Madam Chair. Uh Vanessa, Mount Vernon Street. Um I'll start by saying mass state law just so you know
has indicated that you cannot control what people say asking people to be cordial um which I fully intend to be but just can get the town into some issues. just >> um so I am deeply disappointed in the narrative that has been put forward and
for those of you who are watching at home who may not be aware who may not watch the meetings um there are two members of the select board and now a third who have a very um long and uh controversial relationship with the
resident who has been discussed tonight who's also not here to defend herself. Um, I wasn't here. I don't know the exact details of the altercation, but I think um, it is so deeply disturbing to me that you are using your platform as
elected officials to berate, harass, disparage, insult. Mr. Botchi himself has sworn at this resident, has used profanity, has used um, vulgar language to describe her. Um, Mr. Haley has taken
to social media to also talk about the Reading Observer, which is a direct competitor to his blog when they chose to cover this incident. So the the narrative that you are putting forward here is attacking a private resident who, by the way, is also one of your
constituents and who you do represent. Mr. Haley, you had an opportunity to let this resident speak. You chose not to. You've acknowledged that. But I also wonder if this had been one of your supporters and not someone who repeatedly criticized you and your policy decisions if you would have let
them speak even after the topic had closed. And I believe the answer would be yes, you would let a supporter speak. But you chose not to allow Miss Binda to speak. You chose to oppress a resident's opportunity to speak, which Melissa has just, excuse me, Miss Murphy has just
stated is such an important aspect of this role that you take. So for those of you watching at home, please look a little bit deeper >> into what is happening here because the narrative Thank you. >> Is there any other public comment here
in the room? >> Nancy, Nancy, Dr. Pre and Precinct One meeting member. Um, I move to request again that this board adopts um, Robert's of order and put that in your handbook and follow
it. >> Thank you. Any other public comment? Is there anyone online? Jackie, >> I see nobody. >> Uh, nobody's hands are raised. >> I'm sorry, Maddie. I apologize. >> That's okay. >> Thank you. Okay, we're going to move on
to the town manager report. >> Okay. Thank you, Madam Chair. First, I wanted to start by wishing everybody a happy new year. We have a lot on our plates this year and we look forward to digging in. Um, a reminder that the annual MLK celebration day celebration
is Monday, uh, January 19th at the High School Performing Arts Center. It begins at 9:30 a.m. and ends at 10:30. Uh, no, 11:30 a.m. The keynote address this year will be by Dr. Robert Bellinger. Um, this is always a great morning and a
fitting tribute to MLK, so I hope the community can attend once again this year. You ting me? >> Yeah, we >> Okay. Um, and I I just wanted to go over we had a we had some a few new employees and some promotions over the last month
and I just want to recognize those people. So, if you see some new faces around or some um old faces with different titles, everybody is used to that. So, at the Reading Public Library, our public um library public services
division head is now Olivia Molane. That was a promotion. She was a long-standing employee there. We hired a new civil engineer that started in December, Meg Anderson, to compliment Ryan's department. We have a new health
inspector as well, um Zerahan Ayel. He started in December and hit the ground running. a lot of great experience from other town. Um Jamie Ulie who's a working foreman um at the was just promoted to working foreman at the DPW who's a longstanding
employee. I think people might know Carrie Valley over at the Buzzing Street Center. She is our interimm elder and human services administrator um filling the the vacancy from Chris Kowalsski who Kowleski who had just left. So that's a
promotion for her. Um, also Carrie uh Bradin from the library. She's our librarian too in the children's services division. Recent recently promoted. And coming in January later this month, we have two new employees starting. One is
um Brandon uh Vignnalt. He's going to be our new building commissioner. He starts next week. Has some good experience from another town. and also Aane O day who's going to be our new assistant town clerk. She's she's not new to reading.
She um she currently works in the school department, but she's going to be new to us in town government and I think a good fit. And I think it's important to note that none of these are new positions. Um they were hired or promoted to fill existing vacancies, important positions.
And when we do that, we generally bring people in at a lower step. So there's a cost savings to filling these positions and having these people work and work their way up the ladder as others have in the past. So just wanted to mention that when we see a few new faces around
um this this month. So thank you. I can go into community spotlight unless any >> please. That'd be great. Anyone has any questions for Y please. Thank you. >> Okay. So a couple things from community spotlight this month. I recently got a message from the fire department with a
recommendation for community spotlight. And what stands out about this is they were not recommending an employee of the fire department. They were recommending four employees from a different department. And that stood out to me and I think for good reason. Um, so I wanted
to recognize the critical work of our DPW mechanics, particularly Mike Pantone, Justin Barrett, Bob DeMarco, and Eric Mard who keep our emergency fleet up and running. And those were the
people that were recommended from the fire department to get a little spotlight tonight. Our fire apparatus and ambulances are pushed to the limits daily and mechanical failures often happen after hours on weekends. These
mechanics are always willing to work late, come in weekends to to fix the trucks, to fix the ambulances that are crucial to public safety and ensure that we can respond to emergencies without delay. So, they fill a very important role. They're very dependable. We don't
we rarely have to go outside to have a mechanic work on something. We have talented mechanics right in house. Um the team keeps our our fleet in prime condition. Their commitment to the safety of our our residents is truly commendable and we are grateful for
their experience and their service. So that's a little employee spotlight. And also I wanted to mention I think a lot of people know this because it's been all over the news. The Last Corner celebrated 50 years in business today. Um, we just found out about this recently and the board will mark the
occasion fully at a future meeting probably at the end of the month. But I wanted to say a heartfelt congratulations to Paul and Val. I I heard that they were in their 20s when they started their business here and it's still going strong 50 years later. That's quite an accomplishment and we
hope to 50 for 50 years more because they do make some great breakfastes there and some great roast beef sandwiches. So, congratulations to the last corner. >> Thank you, Karen. I apologize. I see your hands up now. I think I missed it before. >> Yep. It's okay. We're moving quickly. Um Matt, going back to uh your town manager
report. I was just wondering if I know you've been working um with DLS to schedule um the requested fiscal policy education. Uh did you want to have an update for the board tonight? >> Um yes, that has been scheduled. I believe it's the 29th of January. 29th
of January, >> I believe. It should be on my calendar. But what what it is is that when we met with DLS, they thought that they would just not come to reading but actually invite other people and they were wondering if Reading would be able to host. Um so we said yes, we're hosting
at the library. So there'll be folks from other towns as well. But that's going to be a I think almost a full day um down at the library where they'll go over financial policies. I think I had sent an invite to the >> 9 to one. >> Yep. from 9 to one on to I had the date
right in the head. Uh an invite to the uh the finance committee, the school committee and the select board and other officials that want to come and work on those policies. I think there'll be some town employees there as well. Um so that's that's the update on that on that feature.
>> Um quick um just is the is it the 22nd? I think MMA conference is the 29th. >> Um no the MMA conference is before that. Oh, so maybe I have those two dates reversed. >> Sorry. >> Okay. Nope. My fault. Thank you. >> It comes sort of on the heels of the MMA
conference and we knew that and they still thought that was a good time to host it. And when we met with them that they said it was funny that a few other towns were asking for the same thing and they were happy that we actually stepped up and agreed to host. So we'll have some people from other towns as well. >> Looking forward to it. Thanks for
sharing. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay. And that's the community spotlight. Uh we are going to move on to vote to remove Associate Member Tony Lionetta from the Council on Aging as voted by the Council on Aging at their meeting on December 8th. I think we have
something here in the packet. Matt, did you want to >> Yeah, I I could kick it off. So, this comes from the Council on Aging. Um apparently this gentleman has is not um interested in serving any longer. He hasn't attended a meeting in some time and unable to attend a meeting. Um I'm
not sure why exactly he wouldn't just file a resignation, but he hasn't. Um so the request comes from Council on Aging. We have Karen Jinowski here who's the chair who's made that request as well. Um just to free up the spot so we can get somebody a little more active on
there. So I think it's it's fair to to do this. We don't remove people often, but in this case it sounds like that's what he wants and that's what the Council on Aging wants. So, I figured we would bring it to the board. >> Okay, sounds good. Does anyone have any
questions on that? >> Did you want to >> No. Well, she gave her an email. Do you have anything else to add that you'd like to add? >> Okay. >> Karen and Carlo, do you have anything that you'd like to add? >> No, I'm good. Thank you.
>> Okay. So, do we have a motion and then we'll do a roll call? >> Oh, yes. Anyone like to say public comment on this topic? We're already going to get >> Nobody on. >> No. Perfect. Okay. Now, do we have a motion? >> We do. Move to remove Tony Leonetta as an associate member of the Council on
Aging as voted by the Council on Aging at their meeting on December 8th, 2025 pursuant to section 8.12.1 of the Home Rule Charter. >> Second. >> Thank you, Karen. Seconded by Karen. We have to do a roll call vote. So, Karen, >> yes.
>> Carlo, >> yes. Karen, yes. Chris, >> yes. >> And I'm Yes. >> Okay. >> And the vacancy is what, 14 days you have to advertise. Is that the deal for this? >> I believe so. >> I believe it's 14. And when we come up
to the next agenda or an agenda item later tonight about the um commission, I'm hoping that maybe we can get DASP on for like late January or something to get all those because there's some random spots that need to be filled as well as commission on disability and then um Council on Aging, which I know
they have a lot on their plate right now. Um we will move on to discuss and vote to Nope, we are not doing that one. I apologize. We are going to um public hearing. Do we have a motion to open the public hearing?
>> Should we just real quick just take a vote on the to move the discuss and vote scenario because it was on the agenda? >> Um if Yeah, if you think that's appropriate. Should we? So um >> that's to table it to the next meeting. >> Matt, yeah, Matt had asked that we move
um discuss and vote to endorse and sign the parkland acquisition and renovation for communities project agreement to another meeting. So, we can just take a vote that will um move that to a future agenda item. >> Yeah, that would be fine. We have to do it at some point before town meeting. It all depends. We're waiting for some
plans and when those are ready, we'll bring them back. There will be a cleaner vote for the select board once those are ready. So, after consulting with Andrew and Eri, they thought it best to put it off to a future meeting. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Move to table this agenda item to the
next meeting. Move to table the park agenda item to the next meeting. >> Second. >> Seconded by Chris. Roll call vote. Karen. >> Yes. >> Carlo. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Chris. >> Yes. >> Alisssa. Yes. 5.
Now we will move to our public hearing. >> We have a motion to open that. >> I believe >> I am supposed to read the hearing notice. >> Oh yes. The inhabitants of the town of Reading, please take notice that the select board of the town of Reading will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, January 6th,
2026 at 7 p.m. in the select board meeting room. We're in the town hall, 16 LOL Street, running mass are also available remotely on Zoom to act on a new license application for an annual all alcohol package store license located at 36 Walkers Brook Drive.
Running masks for PLM Beverage LLC, DBA, Dion's Fine Wine, and Spirits. A copy of the proposed documents regarding this topic will be in the select word packet on the website at www.reingma.gov. All interested parties are invited to attend the hearing in person or remotely via Zoom or may submit their comments in
writing or by email prior to 6 pm on January 6, 2026 to town manager at running ma.gov by order of Matthew A. Cornellis expired town manager. >> Okay, so we have the applicant and the applicant's attorney here to answer any questions. This is a new uh liquor store
going down to the Walker Brook Walker Brook Plaza. Um it's a long-standing business that has I think locations in five other towns. Um so we welcome them. So writing the application looks in order. It's been reviewed but any
questions um please feel to address feel free to address the applicant. >> Does anyone on the board have any questions? Did they just have anything to present or >> just Yeah, >> just real quickly. My name is Tom Miller
from Mcder Miller and Hanley in Boston. I'm here on behalf of Dion Fine Wine and Spirits. I'm joined by Joe Dion. He is the owner and proposed manager of record. Um just you know he is excited about being here and as such if the board would like he can introduce himself and tell you a little bit about
Gion and the the himself and the the store. >> Sure. Thank you. Appreciate it. >> Chairman, members, members of the board. My name is Joe Dion. Um I'm fourth generation retailer, liquor retailer. Uh we focus on I'm sorry I don't have my
voice. I don't know like that. Um we focus on wine um good giving good prices for the community. And um I'm fourth generation. My I'm a company with my father here. He's third generation. We my great-grandfather started 1933.
Um, we look for towns um with great communities and I I think Reading gets that and we're really excited to come to the town and go through the whole process if you guys will have us. Um, the location is is really nice and um I
think you'll be a great fit for us and I hope we can do everything right by the community. It's a privilege not a right to have a store. So, uh, we've really stripped on IDs and um, you know, it's It's what we do every day and we make
sure that we can convey alcohol and sell it to the community in a proper manner. And um thank you. I'm sure Tom will fill me. >> Thank you. >> I am happy to go over, you know, everything about this application, but
um in in um consideration of the board's time, I I'm happy to uh address any questions you have and move forward from there. >> Great. I'll open it up to the board to any questions. Chris, >> thanks Melissa. Uh, and thank you both for for coming here. So, just for
clarification, this is the former Staples location. >> Yeah, this is >> you're only taking a portion of the building. >> A portion of that space, not not even the full former staple space, but that that is the storefront. >> Okay. So, just a portion of it.
>> Yes. The the space is approximately six 6,000 square feet. Uh, it's all on one floor. It'll include the retail space, sales space, coolers, uh, and something that that Joe and Peter Porum have promoted, which is a a wine tasting room
for education of uh, their customers so that they can expand their knowledge of uh, the what is available to them out there. >> So, your space is 6,000 and the remaining spaces, do you know what that is? How big? >> Not off the top of my head. >> Way more than 6,000.
>> Oh, sorry. >> Sorry. Excuse me. I believe it's around the whole spot was I want to say 26. So that's 20 extra thousand ft where this vehicles was. >> Perfect. Um no for me I I wish you both well not not you both but yes
>> uh generations that are here that showed up to the meeting. Um no as long as you do things the board here takes alcohol sales very seriously. A former member Mark Ducks are always hammered that home to everybody. um that you know just please make sure to not see us again
other than annual renewals and everything will be good but uh welcome to reading. Do you know when you'll plan to open six months earlier? >> Hopefully by the summer. >> Okay. Yeah. >> Perfect. Thank you both. >> Thank you. >> Karen, I see your hand raised.
>> Thank you. Um you know to the applicants, thank you u very much for investing and in reading and bringing your business to reading. We we certainly welcome you with open arms um providing you know we don't ever hear there are alcohol violations and we wish
you the best of success. And just a question technical question for Matt. Um I'm trying to remember um under statute do we now have unlimited all alcohol and liquor licenses or or where are we on
that? >> I don't think it's limited. Um this we we have something that would be available at the old pample moose but that would have to be at that location. Our population from what I understand grew and it enabled us to have this
extra one that we have tonight but after that I don't know in this type of license I don't think we have many more unless our population grows again. There's all some of the different categories and we can send you the information but yeah. >> Okay. No that's an interesting point. I was actually thinking that we lost
Pample Moose and this would be bringing us back up to sort of the total of these all alcohol types of licenses. Now I'm interested in your comment about why there could be one at Pample Moose. Is that still outstanding or >> Well, because of the way Pample Moose
was was zoned in I think the 40R district and I think Kevin's here tonight may be able to talk a little better than me. Um my understanding is that that license has to remain at that premises. So, it's available and I think there is um a bakery or something going
in there. I don't think they immediately plan to sell alcohol, but it could be an option in the future. Is that correct, Kevin? I just wanted to clarify. Kevin is our economic development planner and he knows a little bit more about the day-to-day on the ground down there.
Evening board. Um uh yeah Karen it's that license is is was a special license that was Einstein was awarded by especially by an act of the state house and it was it's tied to 26 Haven Street.
Um it would take another visit back to Beacon Hill to change that um or to get. So we have one for every one liquor license, one all sorry one um package store license for every 5,000 residents.
So uh if this license is awarded tonight will be all five will have been taken because we have 25,000 and 500 odd residents in reading. Does that answer your question? I'm happy also to um uh walk through the finer detail of it as I understand it within any time.
>> No, thank you. I um that's um you know I've lived in town a long time and it's hard to remember all these little quirky things. I had no idea there was a special alcohol license tied 226 Haven and not sure that it's not as flexible
as some of these other licenses. That's why I was just curious. So thank you both. >> You're welcome. >> Carlo, did you have anything to add? >> No, I just want to say uh thank you. Uh thank you for coming because it's we're always impressed when the applicants
show up and to have two generations there. Uh liquor industry is a tough business. Um you know I'm a business broker so I know you guys go through and uh is this the fourth or fifth location for you guys? >> Um excuse me between my sisters and my
myself this will be six. >> All right. Well well well good luck and welcome to Reading and uh that's a great location. So, I hope you guys knock it out of the park. Thanks. >> Did you have anything to add? >> Just welcome to the community and we look forward to having you.
>> Thank you. >> Yeah, I wish you guys the best of luck. Um, I'm really happy to have you here. So, I just have to open it up to public comment if anyone in the room >> close the first. >> Oh, I'm closing the hearing first. I apologize. >> Move to close the Yeah. Move to close
the public hearing regarding the annual all alcohol package store liquor license for PLM Beverage LLC. DBA Deinstein wine and spirits. >> Second. >> And roll call vote. Um Karen,
>> yes. >> Carlo, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Chris, >> yes. >> Also, yes. 5 Z. We're closing the hearing. And now I will welcome public comment for anyone here in the room. Is there anyone online with their hand
raised? >> Nobody online. And now do we have a motion? >> Move to approve the annual all alcohol package store liquor license for PLM Beverage LLC DBA Dons Fine Wine and Spirits located at 36 Walkers Brook
Drive. >> Second. >> Seconded by Chris. A roll call vote. Karen, >> yes. >> Carlo, >> yes. >> Karen, >> yes. Chris, >> yes. >> Also, yes. 5. Thank you, guys. >> Very much. Thank you. We're looking
forward to it. >> Best of luck. >> You good luck. >> Have a good one. >> You're welcome. >> Absolutely. >> Thank you. >> Oh. >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. Thank you. Thanks.
>> Okay, we are going to move on to 805. um vote on submittal of senior citizen property tax exemption whole room petition article two of the special town meeting November 10, 2025 to the legislation.
>> So this is um if you recall this was voted on at the last town meeting. Um similar to the the charter amendments, it then has to go to the legislature for approval. Uh the vehicle was called a home rule petition. So what you're essentially doing is voting to send this
to the legisl the legislature to act upon um and eventually the governor to to sign. Um this is something like I said at town meeting we've done for many years. We don't anticipate any um any problems but once you vote on it I
intend to talk to our state rep and senators to make sure it goes smoothly through the legislative process. So >> great. Any board members have any questions? I can't see Carlo if you have your hand raised the way the screen is here. >> I don't see it.
>> Okay. Um I just my only quick question is this. Do we do this yearly or every couple years or? >> Um no I I had thought I I you know in talking to Victor I was surprised that it had to be renewed. But it expires I think every it said it in the um the
home every like two or three years it has to be renewed. And I think that was at the suggestion of the legislature to do it that way. And there's always hope that this passes on a statewide basis at some point and wouldn't have to be renewed and it would be statewide, but
that hasn't happened yet. So, um, when it when it comes up again, we'll bring it back to town meeting, go through the same process. >> Got it. Okay. >> Does any public comment on this agenda item? Is there anyone online?
No one online. Thank you, Maddie. Do we have a motion? >> Move to authorize the town manager to submit a senior citizen property tax exemption home rural petition to the legis legislature as presented in article two of the November 10th, 2025 special town
meeting. >> Second. Seconded by Karen Her. Roll call vote. Karen, >> yes. >> Carlo, >> yes. >> Karen, yes. >> Yes. >> Melissa, yes. 50 vote. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you.
>> And now we're moving on to discuss and vote on uh charge for the commission on disabilities. >> In the packet, I believe there was um a draft charge that Albert did. Thank you, Albert.
>> Um does anyone Albert, did you want to add anything to what was in the packet? It was the draft that you sent us. Okay, >> it's free. >> Okay, that's great. Um, does anyone have any input and have you been able to
review this draft charge for this commission? Karen, if you have your hand raised, I can't see you. I apologize. >> She doesn't. >> Okay. Does anyone else have any input? I don't have any comments. >> I guess my only thing Thank you,
Melissa, is maybe the five member making it seven as a possibility. I think that's the only kind of Yeah, that was >> structure that I thought might be a little bit needed. Other than that, I I agree with Albert's assessment.
>> Same. I actually agreed the same. I would just say, can we do seven? Um, just I had looked around and it looked like most commissions had some had a minimum six, which seems odd to have a even number. >> Yeah, but agree. I when I looked at this, that was the only thing that jumped out to me. If you'd be amendable
to changing it to seven, I think I'd be good with that. >> We just on on the lower side. That's just >> I apologize. >> Yes. Nobody can hear him back. >> Oh, sorry. Sorry. >> Come up to the I apologize. >> It's the whole Zoom thing, you know. >> Right.
>> Yeah. And you actually have to make sure that green light's on. >> It is. >> Yeah. The number seven's fine. >> Right. Awesome. Um, anyone else have any input? Karen has her hand raised. >> Karen, >> thank you. Um, so
I am concerned with um being able to fill these forwards. May I suggest that if you want to make it seven, we make the additional two um um associate members and and that way we have an easier time getting quorum. Um,
and at the same time, because of our our policies, when one of those five can't make it, we can temporarily elevate an associate. And that seems to be working well in our other commissions. And my only other comment was being appointed by the select board,
would we um would we put it through the VAS process? >> I asked that question and the answer is yes. Yeah, I I intend I mean it's it's a cooperative effort between town manager and select board, but I think our process is the vast process, so I think
it would make sense to put it through pass. >> Yep, that's fine. Thank you, >> Laura. Sorry, >> I feel like my head's on a swivel tonight. Um,
I just wanted to point out that the general bylaw has a stipulation in there for associate members. So, if you have five members, you're automatically going to have three associates. >> Got it. >> Um, so I don't know if you want to, going back with what Karen said, I don't
know if you want to go with seven and >> just do two associates. >> So, you could, if you have seven, y >> you'll end up with four associates. >> H, that's interesting. It's part it's part of the general bylaw. >> So wouldn't that just make three full-time
>> members and associates don't >> the general that's correct. >> Yeah. >> So if you have five members you're going to have three associates automatically. >> Okay. >> No, that would be >> members, right? If you if you set up the
commission to be five member board, >> yeah, >> then the general bylaw will require that it will automatically add on three associate members >> to the five >> to the five. Okay, >> so now it's eight. >> Sorry. Okay, I >> just wanted to make sure you understood
that. I did not understand that. Okay, so then I'm fine with keeping it at five with the additional >> three >> three associate members. Yes, that makes sense. I didn't realize that that would automatically be added on because associates are non- voting but then can
step in if they need to make quum. >> Correct. >> Is that okay with you Karen? >> Yep. Thank you, Laura. >> Do we need to spell that out in the charge or is it because it's when our >> It's by operation of the bylaw but
>> Okay. >> So, it's fine. It should be fine. >> All right. Um, does board members any more questions on this? I I have a quick question. Hi. >> This is just looking down the road on the commission structure.
It says a majority of the members will be individuals with disabilities or family members caregivers. Totally agree with that. But as Karen Herrick said, sometimes we have trouble uh uh getting people to fill these
positions. So what happens to this board if item number three is not can't be fulfilled? I I guess my clarification on that it's a majority of members will be individuals with disabilities or family
caregivers. That's twofold. A we can't ask anybody a disability or or if they're a caregiver. So that goes out the window regardless. But what constitutes the majority in this case? Majority of members. So that would be five. >> Yeah, good point.
>> So that would be three even though we have the associate thing that we just tacked on the other three. >> So it still would be three. So we're looking at three, but we can't ask anybody any of those questions unless they offer it. >> Right. >> Yeah. And just to point out, and correct me if I'm wrong, Albert, that piece of
it is from the state law, right? That's pulled right from the state. >> Yeah. That's pulled right from the state law. So that's wording. I believe that would have to stay in the charge. >> Absolutely. >> Yeah. >> Does that suffice, Carlo? >> Yeah. I, you know, I'm I I have no
problems with this. I I just want to make sure we cover that cover our bases. That's all. >> That's fine. >> Okay. Thank you. Anyone else have any input, questions? Any members of the public have any um comment on this?
Anyone on the line? >> No one online. >> Thank you. All right. Do we have a motion? >> Move to accept the charge and establish a commission on disabilities as discussed. >> Second.
>> Seconded by Chris Haley. Roll call vote. Karen, >> yes. >> Carlo, >> yes. >> Karen, yes. Chris, >> yes. Also, yes 5. Thank you very much. >> Thank you, Albert, for your work on this. >> Thank you, Albert. >> Thanks, Albert.
>> Um, oh, liaison. >> Oh, >> we are, guys, we are ahead of schedule. This is amazing. >> Yeah, I might have jinxed it. Okay, hold on. Um, liaison reports. Who would like to start? >> Anyone? >> You're always looking at me.
>> Okay, because you're the one with the longest report. >> I'll talk quickly. >> Okay. Um, on 126 I attended the Friends of Reading Metco brunch at the library. It was awesome. Met with Albert, a whole bunch of great people. Um, we're really
lucky to have such a wonderful group of people. It was packed. It was great. Um, they then went to the Festival of Trees after the brunch. On December 8th, the town forest committee had a meeting. Um, they plan to have monthly community buckthorn pulling events in the spring
through the fall. Get ready. It's going to be a hell of a time. >> Those things are so much fun. I got to be honest with you. >> Oh, >> sounds like it. >> They are. >> Sorry. >> You seem way too happy. >> So exciting. >> I don't like to weed my own yard, but
I'll go to the town first. Um, so grab your friends and look for the schedule. Um, 128 Council on Aging. Um, elder and human services and trust reports were presented. Um they discussed the draft membership documents provided for recal
on December tw 10th. Um I attended a WEIMO mentorship lunch meeting. Um the topic was navigating the perfect fiscal storm. Um it was a great discussion. there were many towns there that were part of it and I got out of it that we're truly blessed to have such a great
staff who's always on top of things and thinking outside of the box because I think we're we're all in the same position but our our staff is really on top of it. um on December 10th attended an eastern gateway meeting where they went over the results of the forum held
at the library, discussed the outcomes of the small group discussions that they had um and then how the residents mostly seem to be in line with what the steering committee had been discussing all this time. But there were some great suggestions from the residents. On December 14th, attended the Manura lighting event which was really lovely.
Um, music by running community thinkers, great food. Um, 12:15 there was a programming space policy presentation by Wreck to the Council on Aging. Um, I watched it online and I've had some meetings with some people from Council on Aging on it
and there's a lot of information given, a lot of good feedback between Wreck and Council on Aging. um December 17th, the mass DOT live virtual design public hearing for the Oakland Road project. Um it was very informative. There was lots of diagrams
and figures presented on the proposed plan for the area. There was a lot of good questions from um residents in the area. Summer 17th, there was an ACE meeting finalizing plans for the um introduction of the game changer series which is in the paper the other day and plans for
MLK. Um I could not attend the housing authority meeting last night. Um writing food pantry would like to send a huge thank you to everyone who supported them over the holidays November and December. Um it was truly an outpouring in so many different ways between food money businesses running raffles and
fundraisers, new volunteers, etc. Um they're currently waiting for a sign off the town health department on the kitchen so they can start cooking prepared meals and baking goods um etc. and I will be adding office hours later in the month. >> Awesome. Thank you.
>> There you go, >> Karen Park. >> Sure. Thank you. Uh thank you, Karen. I I I've forgotten some of those things. So So yes, the Eastern Gateway um meeting was terrific. Um great
attendance, great activity. Um I I thought the consultants did a nice job of organiz organizing us and um pretty excited about our opportunities in that area of town and thank you Karen for for being the select board liaison to that project and keeping it going. There's a
lot of potential there. Um Monura lighting was fabulous. I think this was our third manura lighting and um just it's always a pleasure. Matt, thank you for attending and um Albert was there as well and and other select board members. Um
um yes and uh also attended uh with most of the select board members the joint council on aging wreck meeting to discuss a recal update. So um we were not posted so we did a good job of listening and um the project is
definitely moving along. Um tomorrow night, tomorrow night I hope to attend the uh permanent building committee where um and we'll get an update from the building construction itself. Um also attended the Oakland um Oakland
Road safety presentation and where so so this was interesting. So the folks from the state came in to let the community know what was going on with this which was in stark contrast to learning about it at the last minute um in terms of the
turnback track. So, it was nice to see state agency proactively getting information out to the public and um this project, you know, there were these state government works very slowly, but this was a grant that staff under Fidel
um worked very hard to get in response to a commit community meeting that we had. I believe it was in the summer of 2022. We were discussing what to do with that Oakland Road property. It's under the control of the select board. And at that time the select board took away
that people had major major major um traffic and safety concerns. And having been a parent of a a high school and middle school student, you know, I could I could only agree. So So I just want to make sure that we understand that we're
lucky to get uh believe it's a half a million dollars for this project for this narrowly defined project. the state doesn't give away money to everything, but this was in direct response. So, this is our local government at work in direct response to the neighbors in the
area expressing their concerns about safety. So, so you know, I appreciate all the work that staff did to get this and it's amazing. It's 2026 and we're finally going to get it done and there will be an additional community meeting. Um, so that I appreciate that the state
is trying to keep us updated and and keep us out of trouble and and keep the neighbors a breast of these forthcoming safety improvements. Looking forward, um, I am look very much looking forward to the MLK day. A lot of work goes into
that every year. I believe it is January 19th and it'll start at 9:00 a.m. Maybe a little bit earlier with breakfast. And I'm sure we'll have terrific speakers. Um, I've signed up to be a greeter and so I look forward to seeing everyone there. Um, I also have office hours
planned for this week at the Pleasant Street Center. I believe it's Thursday 12 to 1 and um, I look forward to hearing from constituents at that time at the Pleasant Street Center. So, thank you. >> Carlo, did you have anything?
>> Yeah, not much uh during the holidays. Uh but I uh I also attended uh in person the recreation COA meeting and uh as Karen said, it was a listening session for board members and um it was very uh good to be there
because I got a lot of insight to what uh the future plans are and how the space uh is going to be used and um you know there's a lot of back and forth between recreation and COA. So, it was very informative and um and then the
holidays happened, so I have uh nothing else to report. Thank you. >> Thank you, Chris. >> Thanks, Melissa. Um I also attended the uh tree lighting. Um the weather was horrible, but you wouldn't know it.
There was still a ton of people there. Unfortunately, the band and everything was cancelled, but I mean, the front of town hall over here was packed. Um and then the same thing, the weather affected um the Monora lighting. Um I attended that that was indoors. Um they
did a great job in there. The reading community singers probably one of the better performances that I've seen. Um and there's been quite a bit uh in reading by them. So it's good to see them always uh volunteering and offering this to the community. And then the last
thing is obviously I attended Oakland Road and all that that everyone else mentioned and same thing with the recal um but I spoke with the uh chair of CPDC Heather Kush regarding the master plan committee thing that keeps coming up um
and unfortunately we did not get awarded the grant for um uh the master plan and it's going to cost something like 175 or 200,000 or something like that. So Heather and I were both uh in
somewhat agreement that it's probably best to hold on uh hold off on on doing that now and seeing if we can um go towards the the grant next time around. So Andrew is going to be working on it once again. Um but we both felt
that this wasn't the right time. Um so that's where we're at. >> Great. Thank you. I didn't have a ton either. um earlier in the month um was working with RCTV uh their board and
town staff Matt and Jane to finalize that um new agreement and I'm happy to say we got a five zero vote on that after six long months. Um and I did attend um the Oakland Road meeting and also the uh Council on Aging Rec
Committee meeting and then you know kind of quieted down for the uh rest of the holiday season. But um just one quick question, Chris, the grant for that um build uh the master plan, is that a
yearly thing that we can >> Yep. Yes. So, it's going to come around again in Andrew, I think, is going to be working, you know, in June or something like that. And >> because I mean, it's it's fairly significant and we didn't we didn't get it. So, we have to come up with, you know, close to $200,000. It just goes
up. >> Yeah. No, I think that's a good plan. Okay, great. All right. Um, we can move on to approve prior meeting minutes for December 9th and December 18th. Did U. Maddie, did you get any changes
from anyone? >> Yes, I got changes for the 1218 minutes, but no changes for the 129 minutes. So, would you just want me to pull up 1218? >> Um, let me just double check. Does anyone have any changes for 129? >> No.
>> No. Okay, we can just um pull up the changes for 1218 and then see if we can vote on the poll together. So, I have two changes, this one, and there's a little one further down. Um, I really appreciate and I and I put it in my note when I sent these in. really
appreciate the format of both of these sets of minutes or is in the proper summary form and um this item should not be in our meeting minutes. We don't you normally include we literally
have public comment like 17 times a meeting now and so we don't include this kind of stuff in there. So I think this is this needs to go and that's the reason I exed it and everything else is fine. And um the second one
the second one this was the um Burbank discussion we talked about this for 25 minutes. I had substantial comments that I made. This is an excellent summary of what we discussed. We don't need one little
comment from one select board member in here and it it's inappropriate and doesn't fit. So that's why I crossed it off. >> Anyone else have any feedback? Chris, >> thanks Melissa. Um I I of course uh respectfully disagree with changing both
of those. I don't work on the minutes. I don't create them. I've never had any input in them. They are what they are. And the reason for I did say that I strongly recommend allocating 50% of the funds. If your comment was in there, you should have added it. And the first one
where it was struck out that I allowed a member of the public to speak because they wanted to leave absolutely goes to the overall impact of the entire meeting because I made an exception for somebody to be able to speak when I'm simultaneously being told that I don't
allow people to speak. So, the fact that it's in there goes to the overall theme of the the meeting. And once again, I didn't ask to put it in there, but since it's in there, I want it kept in there. >> It sure does seem like perhaps, and I guess I was mistaken because it seemed
like you specifically requested it for go in there to go in there. >> I have never on my children ever, ever communicated to Maddie, Jackie, Caitlyn ever about the minutes ever. Not to Matt.
>> I mean beyond the request for changes after they're published is fine. >> Nobody I have never cartailed the minutes ever. >> That's great. I still don't think this is appropriate. >> But it it you can see how it doesn't match the summary format which is required for our meeting minutes.
>> Nothing's required. It's our minutes. >> No, that's that's not accurate. >> On December 9th meeting minutes and then we'll go back to December 18th. So do we have a motion for December 9th's minutes? Move to approve the meeting minutes of December 9, 2025 as presented.
>> Second. Seconded by Karen. Roll call vote. Carlo, >> yes. >> Karen, >> yes. >> Karen, >> yes. >> Chris, >> yes. >> Melissa, yes. 5-0 on the December 9th minutes. Now, we'll go back to the December 18th minutes and we can
discuss. Um, so Karen's wants it out. Chris wants it in. Karen, Carlo, do you have any input on this? I can go I guess. >> Go ahead, caller. I >> I we haven't been unfortunately we haven't
been consistent. Uh this is a good format, but we as select board members individually get to amend the minutes. Um, and and and you know, I I appreciate Chris's comment that he didn't do these minutes
and we all know that these minutes are not done by us. We're there to read them, make sure they're accurate, and then amend them as needed. So, if they're written a certain way and us individually want them to remain because
they give context or they make sense, then that's up to us individually. Uh, these are all short paragraphs. Some of these are just one or two sentences. So to me, it's up to Chris. It's not up to Karen. It's not up to me. It's not up to Melissa. It's up to
Chris. So, and I'll I'll leave it there. We've gone over this numerous times, and I rarely edit and change minutes myself. That's not because I don't read them. I don't uh approve of them. It's because I I I have faith in our staff to take good
minutes. And yes, there's typos. we have to make corrections and things weren't spelled out correctly and acronyms, but it's up to the individuals. So that that's where I stand for this and for always. Thank you. >> Thank you, Carlo. Do you have any input,
Karen? >> I have faith in the people taking the minutes. So I I don't think it's disparaging if Chris didn't add it. I think that just having the minutes is fine. I understand where Karen's coming from, but if we don't have an input
other than what we're doing now, I just leave them the way they are. >> Yeah, I agree with Karen and uh Karen Rose Gillis and Carlo on this. I just think that we should leave them the way they are. Um we can vote on it, Karen, if you'd like, Karen Herrick, or are you
going to stick with your changes? So my concern is that the fastest way to make this correct, the slowest way would for me would be go back, re-watch the meeting, take the substantive comments that I made regarding this, and I wasn't
the only one. Karen made substantive comments as well >> and put them in here. The reason, especially the second one, the first one is inconsistent. Carlo agreed with me. It is not consistent. And we literally have public comment like every single
item now. So it's just makes the job of doing the minutes that much harder. But, you know, this is not to point the finger at our staff who's taking minutes other than to say, you know, going forward, we shouldn't have individual if
you either have lots of input and substantive comments from all select board members or you have none because this is not okay. This is this is slanted. This is not this is I had requests for a capital
plan. I am still asked I had asked for the AR um the Burbank board financials which I still haven't seen and none of that are in these meetings. So again it's not to and we're we're recording these things right. So you
know it wouldn't be good for staff for picking and choosing like individual select board members. It's either it's supposed to be summary and the end in in the times when it should when we might have individual comments or when we have a vote and and it's not unanimous, it would be
customary following Robert's rules of orders to note um the dissenting parties and why they dissented from the decision. So, you know, I I understood that we've been encouraged to do follow Robert's rules with our policies and generally
accepted meeting minutes policies. So, I'm really disappointed that you all aren't okay with with removing things that obviously don't fit with the plan. Karen both. >> So I guess I do see now what Karen's
talking about because it does put it into perspective of why if the the bolded mind says discuss for bank by sering a memo of understanding and then all of a sudden it goes into then it would just go to Nancy doctor of Pearl Street. You know it is out of order of what we're talking about and then after
that goes town council. So in support of the Chris Haley allowed public comment I do feel like it should go there as do you know what I mean because it puts into context >> because otherwise why what Nancy spoke first otherwise why is Nancy speaking
first >> right that's what I mean so now I understand exactly what Karen's talking about as far as there was so much more detail and other things in there but I don't think we want to get bogged down to have the minutes be 20 pages long >> agreed >> so I think in this particular instance I
would say to leave Chris's statement in there because then because if you're just reading it, NY's NY's the one starting the discussion, that's out of place. So, >> I agree, >> Karen. I do hear what you're talking about. But for this particular paragraph, I think that we do need to keep that there. >> Yeah. And I think that in in what back
to what Carlo said, we just haven't been consistent really ever since I've been on the board. So, I just think we're just going to vote on the minutes as they are. And um we can note that Karen if Karen votes against how they are written we can note that in the minutes
for tonight's reading >> if I Chris go ahead. >> Yes. Sorry just real quick. Carlos said that it's up to Chris. The reason why it's up to me is because it's my comments that are being removed. It's not because I have any special privilege over anyone else here. If Karen wanted
to add items in here that she said she could have sent them and 99% of the time I would have said nothing. >> That's not You know what? Let's just stop. Just vote. This is >> People areing me and you like Robert's rules. >> I just can't listen. >> Okay. We're not doing this. We're
absolutely not doing this tonight. So, we're going to take a motion to vote on the minutes of December 18th >> as presented or amended. >> As presented. >> Uh, >> yes. Yes, as presented. >> Move to approve the meeting minutes of
December 18th, 2025 as presented. >> Second. >> Seconded by Chris Haley. Roll call vote. Karen, >> no. >> Carlo, >> yes. >> Karen, >> yes. >> Chris, >> yes. >> Melissa, yes. 41.
>> All right, we are moving into executive session to approve those minutes. Do we have >> Yes, she's joined and she would take it over from here. Jane and I have to excuse ourselves from the executive session. >> Okay. >> A motion to go into >> We'll take a two-minute reset. >> She has
>> Oh, Karen has a motion for that. >> Okay, let's do the motion for executive session. I apologize. uh move to enter into executive session under executive session purpose 7 GLC 30B section 21A7 for purposes of approving and reviewing
for release minutes of the board of the board's December 2nd 2025 executive session in compliance with GLC 38A section 22 to invite town council into the executive session and to adjourn from the executive session and not return to open session.
>> Second. >> Seconded by Chris Haley. Roll call vote. Karen, >> yes. >> Carlo, >> yes. >> Karen, >> yes. >> Chris, >> yes. >> Melissa, 5