Thanks. >> All right, I will call the December 2nd selective meeting to order. >> First item on the agenda tonight is the pledge of allegiance. the email you sent me earlier this afternoon
of America stands nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all >> right tonight's meeting is being broadcast on RCTV as well as um on Zoom
uh at 7:05 5, we will have public comment for any items not on the agenda. 7:15, we will have the town manager report. 720, community spotlight. 7:25, RCT contract update and potential vote. 8:10 discussing vote on human rights
resolution. 8:15 update from the ad hoc commemorative establishing committee ACE. And my Mac is frozen, so I will steal Melissa's. After that, we will at 8:30 there be a
public hearing to discuss and vote on the change of manager or officers for the all alcohol liquor license for Reading Veterans Association DVA American Legion Post 62 located at 37 Ash Street. 8:40 vote to approve annual
liquor licenses. 850 vote on submittal to charter amendments home rule petition article 9 of the 2025 subsequent town meeting to the legislature 9:00 discuss and vote on procedure for town manager evaluation 910 discuss peer communities
9:25 review 2026 meeting schedule 9:35 select board leaison reports 9:45 future agendas 950 approve two sets of minutes 955 a potential executive session to discuss potentially joining city of
lacrosse first car corporation um for fire truck pricing and 105 executive session purpose 2 to conduct strategy in preparation for negotiations with non-union personnel town manager Matt Frenelis and that's it
so first up uh public comment anybody in the room Nancy you're My neck is still spinning. >> Nancy, Dr. Pearl Street, and precinct one meeting member. Um, I'd like to formally ask this board to adopt and put in writing in your select board
handbook. Um, the complete Robert rules of orders, Robert rules of order that this board will um follow. Um, I believe it will make your meetings more efficient and I believe this board could use those guardrails. So, I'm asking
that you um adopt that and put in writing in your handbook. Thank you. >> Anybody else in the room? See nobody. Anybody on Zoom? Maddie. Is it Maddie? >> Matty. Y. >> No hands on Zoom.
>> All righty. So, we will move on then to town manager report. Matt, take it away. >> Okay. Thank you, Mr. Chair. So, I attended the tree lighting event last Sunday in the common. It was a bit rainy. Snow would have been more festive, but oh well. Um, it was still very successful. Um, special thanks to
the Reading North Reading Chamber of Commerce again this year, the DPW, the facility staff, the volunteers, and all the local businesses that contributed and sponsored the event. And it was great to see so many children hanging around the fire toasting marshmallows. It was a really festive event. and Santa
made a special appearance. So, always a good event in Reading. Um, this Thursday we have our annual Shop the Block event in downtown Reading. Thursday, December 4th, uh, starting at 5 going to 9. Um, so please come downtown, support the local businesses. It's a great place to
do some early holiday shopping. Um, it really does help our downtown businesses quite a bit and it's just a festive event again right downtown. Reading will have its Monura lighting again this year. This year it'll be on Sunday, December 14th at 5:00 PM in the Common. And I hope everybody could come
to this yearly event. I think this is the fourth year that we've put it on that it's been put on in the in the Common. Uh so again, that's December 14th at 5:00 p.m. And just a couple business items. I recently met with Brian Kaine, who's the executive
director of the MBTA Advisory Board, and his staff. They actually came to Reading Town Hall. It was a very productive meeting. Um we are establishing a great relationship with them and reading is going to be very active in that board uh in the coming future. Um this meeting
actually came at the same time when we got the news about the the MBTA retracting the NOI for the turnback track. So it was quite an eventful NBTA day that day. And another business item, Sharon, Victor, Diane, Jane and I have
recently met with our bonding rating company standard and pores global to discuss uh reading's overall financial management management in general because we have borrowing coming up as everybody knows the kill recal. Um we thought they may have a few concerns regarding the
different town managers that have been here over the last four years and the turnover there. Um, but we assured them that, you know, Sharon, Victor and I have worked together for well over 10 years um and that writing was in great hands. They seemed impressed with what
was going on here and the way we're handling things. As a result, we were informed um just late last week that we're going to maintain our AAA bond rating. Um that's great news as we go out to borrow for the killum and also the recal. It'll get us better rates in
the long run. Um, and we're doing this at a time where we're hearing other cities and towns are actually being downgraded uh from their AAA status, but Reading is not. It's actually maintaining that status and in great shape. Um, that's the top rating status as people know. And just a reminder that
tomorrow night we begin the select board budget meetings. Department heads will be here to present information on their departments and budget ideas and answer any questions. Um, and that'll be continuing next Tuesday night as well with the other half of the department
heads coming then. So hopefully those interested in the FY27 budget will be able to attend or at least tune in. And that's what I have tonight. >> All right. Thanks, Pat. Jane, do you have anything?
>> Nope, not this evening. Thank you. >> All righty. Any questions? Moving on to community spotlight. >> Okay. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. So, tonight I wanted to focus on a business spotlight and shine a light a spotlight
on one of Reading's oldest businesses and that's Harold's Chicken's Pie, Chicken Pies. Um, I recently saw that Harold celebrated its 10th anniversary of their Methuan store and I remember what a big deal it was when they came to Methuan and opened a store in Methuan
and people were elated and their history in Reading of course goes a lot back further than that, way back further to 1938 when Charles Harold started the business using his wife's chicken recipe. Um, the Arsenal family began
their relationship with Harolds in 1940 and still runs the business today. Uh, in Reading, Harolds has become a staple at community events. I've seen them at many events offering, you know, free samples, handing out free samples of pies, which are always delicious. Um,
currently they have six locations and boast that they still use no preservatives, only fresh vegetables, nonprocessed chicken, and homemade gravy and crust. So, if you're looking for some comfort food around the holiday seasons, please keep this reading business in mind. Um, and congrats to
them on their nearly 90 years of success in reading. That's quite a run. So, I just thought it was an appropriate time of year to mention to mention Harolds. Even though they're not right downtown, they're on Main Street. So, >> thank you. Thanks, Matt. Okay. >> All right. So, uh 7:25 we will move on
to the RCTV contract update and potential vote. Matt >> Y. >> Thank you. >> So, I just have a little brief thank tonight that we have the final draft which is version 20 of the RCTV grant
agreement. And this document reflects six months of intensive work by the town staff, RCTV negotiation team, RCTV staff, their board, and myself. Over this period, we held approximately 15 meetings, I believe. Um, from the outset, the primary object, my primary
objective was to repair and strengthen the relationship between RCTV and the town while establishing a grant agreement that's clear, accountable, and positioned for long-term sustainability for both the town and RCTV. While I cannot speak for RCTV's board, I believe they shared in this commitment. So given
the complexity of the agreement that most of us just received for the first time maybe a couple hours ago, um I'm going to recommend that tonight we go through it, you know, discuss questions. I have a bulleted list of some changes and then maybe vote after everyone has
opportunity to fully view it. Um I have to be honest, I haven't even read version 20 yet. Um, so I mean I think the the changes have gotten smaller and smaller over the last week or so, but I think that maybe if we just highlight the key changes and then give the board
an opportunity to review it, ask questions, and then if there's any, you know, questions, um, proposed adjustments or anything, they can go through Matt and Jane and then we can vote in a week's time or so if that's agreeable to everyone. Um,
so do you want me to go through some of the changes that we made? Um, >> I think that would be >> okay. >> Beneficial. >> Can I ask a quick question? >> Yeah, absolutely. >> The changes you're going over, these changes you're going to mention are already agreed upon. >> Um, yes. >> Okay. >> Yep.
>> Yep. I I will say that um I believe I'd say 95 to 98% of the changes and if I'm wrong board members I know you're all here um were agreed upon with between the negotiation group. I don't think there's and maybe one or two
things that were fully agreed upon or in the um new agreement but most things were talked out and agreed upon to work together in coming up what we have today. Um, so I have bullets of just kind of some of the major changes and I know most of the board is here. So if if I go through these and I'm missing
anything, I think you can have the opportunity to, you know, point them out as well if I' if I've missed them. Um, so we've come up with um an agreement to do an 18month period with the optional of a two-year um renewal. 18 months is
mainly because I think that it would be great for RCQB to get back on their fiscal year. Their fiscal year ends in June. So, I think we'll give them the 18 months and then the optional two-year renewal which can be agreed upon by both parties.
>> 18 months and then an additional two years. >> Yep. if that um so that was one of the things we discussed a lot about in the um effective duties and grant period section >> and the bullets you're going over are pretty much in the revised packet on the
website that we just received. Okay. >> So this is nothing that's omitted from >> Oh yeah. Yeah. No, everything that I'm going to say is was is in version 20. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Um some additional commitments in section
4. Um the town has committed to um seeking $100,000 annually from the PEG when we come up for negotiation on capital funding with Verizon and Comcast and the Verizon negotiation will start in January. Um the town has noted in
here that we would consider leasing municipal space to RCTV. Um but that will become subject to any laws that we have to follow as well. Um we put in there that RCTV must also pres um pursue
fundraising and grants um themselves. Uh RCTV does have to amend their articles of organiz uh articles of organization which is part of exhibit B. Um then when we move on to section five
um expanded restrictions and clarifications um full description no detailed we um detailed what PEG funds or what are PEG eligible operations in here to just
clarify that um we did prohibit um an auxiliary media operations outside of the PEG mission. Um, new initiatives must be reviewed with the town manager or select board liaison if PEG money is being used. Um, then we've moved on to
section 10. In section 10, it is the annual annual review and budget audit. Um, in this section, um, RCTV must provide the town with
their annual review, their annual attorney general report, any fundraising or grant activity report, a budget for the upcoming fiscal year, and throughout the year, they will be submitting quarterly financials to the town uh, manager.
uh section 11 which is the board of directors which I don't this section was only really wording I don't think anything changed it's still the same size board um they clarified that the two select board seats and the one
school committee seats which we've called town appointed directors that may be a legal that I think council did that I don't think we actually did that but those three seats can only be appointed and removed by those boards So the two seats for select board can be appointed
and removed by the select board and the one seat for the school committee can be appointed and removed by the school committee. Um let's see Judy we um put clear definitions of core meetings and non-core meetings. Um under our non-core
meetings we did add council aging um which was not on the old agreement. We also added if we could um the requirement to televise maybe not necessarily live but Kllum school building committee and reading center
for active living committee while those projects are going on. Um expanded conditions of remote and hybrid meeting changes. Um, so we added some wording in there that helped RCTV
in if there was an instance that Zoom meetings went away because that helps them be able to broadcast more meetings. So if if the state were to take away that option from towns, then we've put some wording in there to cover them on
that. Um, there is a new section about equipment and cyber security. um which was worked on with the town's IT director, I think the school's IT director as well and um RCTV.
There is exhibit C, which I actually haven't even seen to be honest, a new one. So, that's in this version tonight. And that's why I would like everyone to be able to look at this and review it. Um section 14,
we just asked for more clarification um for them to keep PEG funds, not necessarily in separate bank accounts, but separate bookkeeping just to keep things a little more clear um because they do camps and fundraising and you know if they had sponsorships or anything like that, we just want to have
those books separate. Um um there was we also as added a new section on town recordings um which just you know formalized rules of ownership, retention, transfer, destruction
notices. Um the town um has a right to all of the recordings for any town meetings um or of boards and committees. We've asked that they keep them for a minimum of six years. And even if they were to destroy them at that time, we
just asked for notification before that. Um, their insurance requirement um has changed. >> It didn't change. I didn't think so. Okay, that's the same. Um section 18 was a new section that we added which
details um a material breach and it is pretty specific of misuse of funds, false information, failure of meeting programming standards. Um we've added some wording in there for a 20 day 21day cure period. Um,
section 18 was the section that both lawyers were going back and forth on for some time, but I think we've come to an agreement on what's in the current um version. Um, section updated address. Yeah, there
was an update on the address in one in uh section 19 in in the exhibits we only had in the old agreement. I apologize. In the old agreement, we only had exhibit A and B. Now we have I think four AB and oh five
ABCD. Um exhibit A is just a lot. It outlines um where the PEG funds can be expended. Um it includes more detail about the high school teacher uh the high school
instructor that um RCTV provides um writing high school. Um it kind of lays out what uh I don't want to say the requirements if PEG funds um are available what they will do with those funds for the instructor at the high
school. Uh it expands the we expanded the list of um annual community events that you know we hope that they will be able to cover um and they will make most reasonable effort to do so. Um and if they are not able to do so, they will
contact the town or whoever the um person is that is running the event. Um exhibit B we talked about was there articles of uh organization which need to be updated. Exhibit C is new and that was the technical and security
procedures list that was I mentioned earlier and that was worked on with town IT, school IT and RCTV and exhibit D was always there. That's the insurance requirements.
So, I think that's a quick summary of some of the highlevel changes um that we've made to it the um agreement, but I don't know
if anyone has questions or have a couple, but I guess I'll go to other board members if they have anything briefly on what Melissa mentioned before we open it up RCTV themselves. >> I just wanted to ask about the time
frame um the 18 months and then adding the two years. Why would it not have been for instance five years? >> Five years is actually not the norm in the industry. It's really three years. Um so we came to 18 months. Um because
for me it was this was kind of a sticking point for me when we were in discussions because of some historical issues. I felt this gave everyone a little bit of a um you know make sure everything is moving
in the right direction with the opportunity at 18 months to get back to the table if we needed to. And I didn't want to make it six months because that doesn't help RCTV in a lot of ways because if they go to hire or you know
fund raise or sponsorship six months to tell people they only have a six-month contract really isn't helpful. Um, so 18 months in my mind was a way to make sure all the kinks have been worked out and then that's why we added the
optional two-year renewal because if there are no issues, I feel like it could be a quick vote of the select board and we move on and they have additional two years. >> Okay. All right. Thanks, >> Karen. >> Yeah. Um I'm fine with um I did not have
a chance to reread the um stuff that came in today either. So um >> that was last minute. But um to the point about the 18month renewal >> to your extension um does that align with the lease of the property where RCT
operates >> or how does it align? feel like they >> I believe it's exactly >> well I thought >> I believe our lease is a three year >> yeah so we're a second year into a
threeyear lease >> yeah did I say that right >> but it's June right the >> it's June >> it ends in June so we only have six months left on it or do we have >> No I think you have 18 months on it >> I think I think in July Yes. Okay. >> Okay.
>> So, it does um having an 18month renewal >> it was a long process last time when you guys moved. It's mayor. Is it a fair assumption that it's not easy to move? >> Okay. So, that's a just a concern with having that short because
>> But wait, clarifying, you have 18 months left on the lease, >> right? >> Yes. So, it actually lines up perfectly. No, you have to. Um, they were looking for the new location at least a year in advance. >> Oh, I Yes, I understand. But >> the whole Yeah, it's um So, so what we
don't since we're a government entity and we our government depends on these folks, we want to make sure that we don't um we would have to decide long before 18 months is up whether we're going to do the two-year renewal.
>> Yeah. And I I think it's fair to say that we'd come back a couple I think we started how many months before did we start early? >> Yeah, I think it was you probably have start having >> May May or June of this year is when >> so
>> well we we started the negotiation we started in May. However, the contract expired the end of June and then we extended it to six months. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. And so you were locked in a lease. Um I I don't know if you know now, but maybe for the next meeting we could know
what is their landlord expecting, how much notice in advance. >> Um and to see whether 18 months makes sense for that perspective. Um and I like the idea of a a checkin, even if it's not um an extension, a a check-in
and then a two-year extension is is fine to be more standard with what their other terms are doing. Um, and then, uh, I have some other little comments on what I've already seen, but I can wait if we want to just stop stick on this topic. >> You want to throw them out now? That's
fine. >> Sure. Um, quickly, um, I feeling like there's a disconnect of us going to advocate for $100,000 PEG funds. Your budget's far more than $100,000.
>> What are the PEG fun? It's capital funding. It's not >> That's just the capital funding. Additional >> peg is only paying for capital. I >> do you want to just come up just for the people at home. >> This doesn't count as my comment. >> Oh no.
>> I got you. Thanks. Now it does. >> I just want to make sure between the $100,000 I was >> Yeah. So there's more than that to run this operation. >> The PEG funds which is uh typically what we use to run our uh annual budget on.
But with that there's uh typically when you renegotiate there's a capital fund as well. >> That number has been more like 10 15,000. >> Okay. Thank you. >> The 100,000 is not a requirement. >> It's in there only as a here's a number
that we think you we would like you to be asking for. >> Okay. >> Right. So and we don't know if Verizon or anyone will go for that, >> but we think that's the right number to be asking for. So that's how it's in the contract. It's not a requirement. There's no penalty if it's less or or
anything. It's just kind of a this is a goal that we would like to see. >> All right. I mean, I'll read the contract again. I'm not sure that was clear to me. It's like peg is peg is peg and versus peg normal and peg capital only. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> And maybe we need to clarify that in
there. Um Okay. >> Yeah. And the capital fund as you would imagine, new cameras, new equipment, right? So, >> sure. uh equipment frequently breaks, we have to get new, we have to get updated, we have to get additional uh and that's always a struggle when we have to do that saying,
>> well, where are we getting that money and how are we doing that? So, >> yeah, that makes sense. >> That's where the capital comes in and helps us. >> Okay. And then, um non-live meetings shall be recorded and made available to the public. Um, I didn't see any what
I'd like is a little more um spec specificity about, you know, when they'll be available. I would I would not like the public to need to go and uh do PRs to get access to a meeting if it's not live and and today I'm under the assumption everything goes up on
YouTube, but nothing like that is mentioned in here. So, >> what time frame do you think you're on? >> Oh, no. It's not even like the time frame, but it's right now all the contract says is non-live meetings shall be recorded and made available to the public. It doesn't say anything else. It
Yeah, there's no >> reasonable. He doesn't What do you think is reasonable to post >> a couple days? What whatever you do now? I mean, >> 30 seconds. No. No. I mean, I'm Let me just guess if you're staffed and it's
maybe it's a couple days anyway. So I guess I would like to have some pad in there. >> Yeah, sure. >> I would think within a week. >> I think I just like to avoid >> typically we do less than 48 hours. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Today,
but there's always those snafoos of Yeah, there's there was a snowstorm. We can't get the >> Yeah. No, my real point is that it just doesn't say in there >> made available to the public. doesn't say like and you don't have to go into a good point.
>> So, um by some mechanism >> to that point, Karen, I actually can expand on that because I was going to I was going to ask >> Sorry. >> Well, go ahead. >> And then um I do know that we have lots of meetings that aren't covered. I was thinking of the Eastern Gateway and the
MVTA community meeting and um so 30 days seems reasonable on paper and I don't know how much flexibility you have because sometimes I don't think we get 30 days notice but maybe we don't but think I I appreciate >> and by all means if something comes in sooner uh we will try
>> right but the more the the committal I think that's fair >> I appreciate that in the contract it does recognize that what we do now and we're just codifying it is that we're frequently coming to you and asking you, "Oh, this came up. Will you help us?" >> Right. >> Thank you.
>> Uh and if the meeting is a Zoom meeting that's easy for us to cover, >> right? It's the ones that we have to send a camera person to. >> Right. >> That makes it difficult to staff sometimes and >> Right. And that's why we need the advanced warning so we can uh I just
found out tonight you're looking at the camera man for the manure lighting. and um Zoom meetings. Are we agreeing as a town that So, because again, are we saying when if it's a Zoom meeting, you're not staffing it, but you're you're running it, you're
setting it, you're making it go. >> Uh >> staffing is always an issue. >> I don't think they're running it. >> Yeah, we don't run the meetings. uh but we uh will be monitoring them and
being able to get the Zoom access to to publish it. So >> I mean it's so it's still always going to be a staff issue if it's not if there's not enough time >> with Zoom it becomes more of a technical issue. How we can only cover um four
like live meetings a night just with the equipment that we have. >> Okay. Um, so once it goes beyond that, we just we don't have the actual equipment to cover more than four meetings at a time, but as far as a
Zoom, it's always being monitored. Someone's always watching it in case something were to go down that we can message someone that we can let somebody know your mics are turned on. We need, you know, things of that nature. >> So the model then is, let's say, Monday through Thursday.
Generally, it's your model is it's staffed and somebody can run somebody can supervise multiple Zoom meetings up to what the equipment can handle. That's the model. That's how that's what you have to staff for. Yes. So, one person
could be monitoring four meetings or six or whatever we get to >> for now. >> And also, we cover an awful lot of weekend events as well. >> You do? >> Yeah. >> So, staffing
Okay. Thank you. Thank you for >> I have a followup, Bob. >> Sorry, >> Bob. You can just stay. >> Um, speaking of weekend meetings, did the Christmas uh the tree lighting get covered? Do you know?
>> It did not. It did not. All right. So, I guess my next question would be to follow up on what Karen said and hopefully I can simplify um the live meeting, Zoom meeting scenario that's transpiring. Uh what I
would like to see in the contract is that every single meeting that the town records on Zoom that RCTV will upload that to YouTube within 72 hours. just upload the video that the town already
recorded, which means they already did the heavy lifting. Um, I'll give you an example. CPA last night was recorded. Um, typically you have to public record requested from Lara to get it. I'm sure we can finagle something around that to make exception for RCTV going forward.
So, it's not this long drawn out process. U, but every single Zoom meeting that's done by the town should be uploaded to RCTV's website. you don't have to monitor and you can do a couple extra meetings like they were mentioning, but every single meeting that the town still has the Zoom
capability of I'd like to see on there. They don't do all the meetings on Zoom either, just so you know. So, it's not like 52 meetings a week or something. Um, but whatever the town is actually covered gets uploaded within 72 hours. So this way here it's on RCTV's page on
YouTube and then you can run it through um the programming on the television whatever you know cycle some stuff out so things aren't repeating over and over again. I think that would be the easiest in all of this. It's a simple five minutes Laura I need CPA from the other
night. She doesn't give it to you for a week then it's on her. It's not on you. As long as you request it within 72 hours I would think that that's um manageable. The file size is like 300 megs. It takes two seconds to upload on YouTube. You name it and you're done.
Um, and I think that they could be done on Fridays when there's no meetings going on. Unless people take off Fridays, then I mean you guys run the way that you want to run. Um, so that's my kind of thought on the core meetings versus non-core like still obviously
doing select world and all that live how it is with Rob operating the camera and all that, but any meeting on Zoom, there's no reason why until Mora Healey or whomever gets rid of it, there's no reason why it shouldn't be uploaded.
>> I I think that's a good request. I think I'd probably prefer a uh you push instead of us pull. You made a comment of as long as we ask for it within 72 hours. >> I I would like to try to set up a structure that yeah, >> it's automatically sent to us.
>> Yeah, true. It's we have to hash out. However, >> I just know it's another opportunity for failure of us not knowing the meeting's going on and asking for it. So, >> yeah, >> yeah, just a clarifying question on that. Do we know how many boards and committees even do that? I don't even
think I know that. It's only a handful of board of committees actually still do Zoom stuff like not so last night was what five or six meetings Matt Jane something like that I think maybe one or two was on Zoom >> yeah some do some don't like the zoning
board is meeting next door they're generally not on Zoom um so they don't have a Zoom you know >> that's live Rob's doing both of them right now but Rob's doing it but you yeah >> so just mentioned that uh we should be able to just set it up so that Laura can
uh log it into our YouTube page, >> right? So, >> I could see >> I would figure out the details. >> We'll figure out the details. But so, but this is why, you know, it's good to look over the contract now, which is that I think that um we absolutely could
double the amount of videos that are up there with minimal lift because we have the remote participation. If it goes away, then all of this goes away essentially. Um so then uh in terms of sports as well um
I know we cover football, ice hockey. Um I would like the opportunity for either field hockey, lacrosse, whatever wherever RCTV's equipment already exists. So I'm not asking you to do a town hall or something. wherever
our CTD's equipment already exists. I'd like the opportunity for a parent or volunteer like that's how they do with football or whatever. Um for you know lacrosse to be covered you put it out there we will you know give you a
two-day course or two-day thing. Anybody this season want to do lacrosse. Nobody says anything you're done. But I I would like the opportunity for other sport uh events to be covered in town and you know we we can put the burden on those
those other um sports teams and it would be I wouldn't start going into the private organizations like SNL or anything like that any town um town owned or you know under the schools or something put some guard rails on it so it's not a free-for-all.
Do you think that sounds reasonable? I I think it sounds great and I would love to do it and we've potentially talked a handful of things around that that um so there's definitely willingness. It's a matter of the so many resources and and
getting that. Um so uh it's definite willingness to to investigate and try to figure out how to make that happen. >> All right. And then I I don't think I have any more questions for you, but I just have some
comments on the items in the packet. So page 29 is the list of postmeating steps and all of that. So I brought this up previously, but the way that it says the master power switch in the off position means the monitor's
off, hard drives off, cameras off, and the on air switch is off. But then the switcher is displaying the main menu which is displayed on the monitor which you can't see because the master switch is off and the monitor's off. So this is convoluted and doesn't actually make sense. So I think that number two in
theory would have to be struck completely. So it's up here on the screen now. It just doesn't make sense when the monitor would be displaying what you're asking for the switcher to be displaying and it can't because the monitor is technically off as the very first item
under a one a. So not a big issue. It's just one a conflicts with two. One a >> Yeah. No, I got it.
>> Um and then page 34 in the packet. Maddie. So, this goes over the locations where um
RCTV has, you know, fiber set up at the pack, the fieldhouse, and then we get to the press box. But I did not see any mention of the Burbank Ice Arena. Is there any permanent equipment over there? Phil or anybody else. There's no
permanent equipment. So for those ice hockey games, that is equipment that's brought in like the library scenario or >> Correct. >> Okay. Um do you think that that is one other location that should have, you
know, at least something mentioned in here? Because obviously if you're at Burbank, it's more likely than not kids. So, I think there should be some kind of checklist for for that location. >> And then at the same token, I don't
think that I saw the library or the um school either >> unless I say RHS library at the top. >> All right. So, it's the >> right. >> Oh, the library is there, too. >> Okay. >> RHS library. the public library.
>> So it's not the public library is omitted from this. >> Am I >> correct? Yes. >> All right. So I think that is another item that has to get added for checklist of of events. >> Would all these be able to be covered under uh other remote locations?
>> I mean I think that these ones are more prominent that have to be called out specific like definitely the library. I mean that's like a a branch of the town for the most part. I I wouldn't think that that counts as in other location. To me, I would think other locations is
you're doing the um green communities event out there covering something like that or Veterans Day or any one of these other kind of things, but not somewhere where cameras are going to be the library obviously all the time, but Burbank for four months of the year, however long it's there. So, I think
those need a specific car though. >> Clarify it as where a fiber drop is, where we where we can tap into the fiber. We will give you a procedural checklist. >> Yes, I like that idea. Thank you, Angela. >> Can I just get a clarifying question? I thought I thought there was a fixed
camera at Burbank. Am I incorrect? >> Remote camera. It's not correct. >> Okay. I thought there was a fixed camera and then there was one that was brought in for hockey season. Am I incorrect in understanding this?
>> And maybe it's not RCTV. >> RCTVs. >> Okay. And I could be completely wrong here, but I thought there was one fixed camera. No. >> Yeah. Typically, we brought in a remote camera and set it up. >> Okay. >> Just clarifying. Thank you. >> So, to that, how is the scoreboard
displayed for ice hockey games then without an additional camera? >> Is that using not using a camera or how is it being done? So up to this point, the staff that is currently employed at RCTV was not in charge of the ice hockey games. So that
is something that we are in the process of looking into to get ready for the upcoming um season. So we have had some staff changes. So we need to clarify a few of how things were done a year ago.
>> And when does hockey start? Because I saw they had like tryyouts or something is upcoming. Is is it like the middle of December or what are we talking? >> No one's reached out out to us yet to record the game. So, >> typically the athletic director reaches out to us with schedule. >> Okay. And you're confident you'll be
ready if they reach out with obviously notice, not come today, but something reasonable or not? >> Yes, we're currently working with um a new IT person to work on everything and to get everything up and going to where we needed to be. Okay. >> January. Oh,
>> so it's in January. Okay. All right, that's all that I had. Carla, did you have anything? >> Just a couple things. All right. All right. Thanks everyone for coming. Um, I don't want to go over too much stuff because we're not going to vote tonight.
But I guess on on the fundraising aspect, what what I thought I was going to see other than the material breach serious stuff um was some other mechanisms. Obviously, if you don't fund
raise, that's at your detriment. But we have it in here that, you know, you probably should fund raise, but there's been a lack of fundraising for the past several years. So, I guess, not that we can make anyone do anything, but you're a nonprofit, so
you should be fundraising at least quarterly, have some kind of event. So, there's there's no mechanism in here that, you know, if you don't fund raise, obviously that hurts you. But with PEG money that keeps on going down, I think fund
should be a requirement. That's just my opinion. Um I think I forget which uh board member said it as far as the meetings. I understand the core meetings. I like what Chris's idea was about the Zoom meetings. Uh that doesn't seem like a
heavy lift, but we we have a lot of annual events that have been traditionally um filmed or live. And and just like as far as the other night goes, my kids are much older now, so full disclosure, I don't go to the tree
lighting like I used to when my kids were younger. Have we not ever filmed the tree lighting or is this something new we're not doing? >> I think the last time we did the tree lighting was in 2015. We had and then when we recorded it, it was never live.
>> It was never live. Okay. And then >> we put it as a coupon to our membership to see if anyone record it. No one responded to sign up for that event. >> All right. So 2016 to present, it's never been found. >> And basically a staffing
uh a volunteer issue basically. >> Yes. >> Okay. I guess if I could interrupt Carla, did there was there a call out this year then for the tree lighting or whatever how you mentioned and no one was willing to record it for you?
>> Okay. >> All right. Well, that's disappointing, but you know that that like so I would like to see more more things more rigid as far as what RCTV is going to film for our town events,
our our town day, our our field day, all the big stuff. To me, the the the tree lighting is a big event, Veterans Day, like to me that should be required. And I know we can't put this in writing, but what I don't see in any of this, and I know we can't put it in here, but I
don't see I don't see any aspects of a vision. We're supposed to be a a leader of our peer communities, and our cable access station is not a leader by any means. So, I don't see anywhere in this contract how we're
going to go forward, how we're going to be more proactive, how we're going to do I know you can't put that in writing, but there's no language in here talking about podcast, talking about this is this is our commitment to do this, not oh, if we can't do it, you know, too bad. And there's an expectation of a
town um in the schools and residents of what they want to see. So, I'd like to see that more firmed up. I'm really not happy with. Okay, if we can do it, we do it. And if we can't do it, we can't do it. Um,
and that's there's a lot of other nitpicky stuff that I'm not going to get into, but I think, you know, covering more meetings, yes, especially the Zoom meetings. Um, Chris knows more about the technical technical side. I wouldn't even know where to begin with those slides that were just up there on all
that onoff stuff. But I I think This contract was coming up regardless of what has transpired in the past several years. But what I don't see is how are we going to do better? What are we going to do different? And
how are we going to be, you know, just make it like it used to be. I don't know if that's even the right word, but uh so I'm kind of disappointed um in a lot of aspects of this. Um, it did get tighter, but to me, if we sign this today,
nothing has changed. Pretty much nothing's changed, and that's not what we wanted or what we some of us mentioned. Um, so I I'll just leave it there. Thanks, Melissa. >> Um, Carlo, I don't know if this is what
you're talking about. under exhibit um A um if you go to 1 C I it has a list of the um annual community events that RCTV covers traditionally and will be in
there and it does um I'm not sure this covers exactly what you were talking about. So, it lists a lot of the things you mentioned and it also gives the opportunity for an event um coordinator to reach out to RCTV to get those additional ones covered if they have the
capacity to do so. >> But they're not required. >> They're not required. No, >> that that's my point. >> Yep. No, they're it. We did not say required and I think that was mainly because of staffing potentially being an issue. >> So, where in the packet is this called
out? is so I can't find it. I see I like your bullet points but >> exhibit >> exhibit a >> um one C I believe >> exhibit >> or A1 >> CI
I think >> CI >> it's definitely in here >> right so she has it up there >> so so I guess as a board why wasn't this tightened up why did we have to like wish Honestly, TV is going to do this and hope and hope they're going to do
it, not they will do it because they've been doing it for 15, 20 years since the Father Street Fair has been an inception. I mean, I don't know what, you know, I don't pay close enough attention to what's filmed live, what's what's recorded, but I know traditionally
this community comes to a lot of events. Here's a new one that may or may not have been filled. Maybe Phil Andrew class. Uh, what are we calling it? Winterfest. >> Winterfest. huge success the past couple years. Has RCTV been part of that? >> Yes. >> Yes. I don't think that's in here. >> No.
>> So, that's an example. That's an example of there's one that I just caught now that has been filmed, but we're gonna say next year they didn't do it. Okay. The next year they didn't do it. Okay. Like, when does it stop?
>> Well, may I just want to come up? Can I be recognized next? The chair recognizing members. >> Yeah. Well, I recognized Melissa and then Carlo and now Bob is >> recogniz
uh this paragraph was discussed two three weeks along uh just this paragraph uh in great detail. There's So, we have talked about staffing. Uh, and Carla, you just mentioned the the winter fest.
Uh, yeah, you're right. We want to cover that and we did and whenever we can, we're gonna. However, there's an awful lot of resources. So, example, the the tree lighting, we weren't able to get a volunteer, right? We don't want to be
hung by that. We don't want to be found uh in breach of our agreement by that, right? So, we have to have some faith that we want to cover this and we're going to do what we can to cover it, but there's only so much instances we can put down. So we made a commitment of
what are your required meetings and what are the additional you would like to and we are committing to re to record and film and load all the required medians and we're going to do every best effort
we can uh and we're given any opportunity if a a new meeting pops up and says uh we'd like you to cover that. We set up the structure to to request that and we'll do what we can,
right? It's uh the how we're going to be doing better. There is an awful lot of better in this in this contract by contract. But as you're saying, the vision that's not contract type of material
that's that's come to our uh open house, the uh the membership meeting uh in two weeks and that's what you'll hear more about the vision, but that's not contract stuff. That's >> Yeah, you're not wrong. Right. That's
why I said you can't put vision in a contract. But if if I'm an employee and I go to work and I'll just like if I want to do it, I'll do it. If I don't want to do it, I won't do it, but I'm going to get paid either way.
That's what you just said to me. Basically, >> uh I I think what I'm trying to say is >> this is not directed at you, Bob. Personally, >> I understand. I understand. Uh that's
fine. Uh, however, we are committing to what you need us to do for our job, right? And we're doing that for our job. But then there's the additional that we're half of us are ready in town
members. We want to cover this also. And just as an employee, when you go out for a a social gathering afterwards, the employees not required to do that. but they want to be there, right? So, we
want to participate and we want to do this, but we don't want to get fired over it, right? We don't want to get fired for not going out to the social event. So, you know, we we asked we went through painstakingly what is required
and that's what we put down. And then we listed a whole bunch of," hey, here's an addition that have been historically covered that if you're not going to cover it, we would like you to to at least let us know. And you know, that was kind of felt to
be fair. We are struggling uh with finances and staff. We are struggling with volunteers. We are trying to increase that and as we increase that, we'll be able to cover more and more. But we don't want to be fired over uh we
didn't get a volunteer for the winter festival or for the tree lighting. >> It it it's not fired. It's is a set there should be a set of expectations with any contract with any contract. I wasn't involved in these negotiations.
Obviously I I read this for the first time the other day. Then I read it again today and and like I said I was disappointed. This is just me talking that this didn't get tighter. It's almost exactly the same
for the filming part of the meetings. Uh yes, there's more language in here, especially for the breach, all the protocols for the different locations. Um and I wasn't involved in this the previous contract negotiations
either. So again, this is just me talking that why are other towns doing so much better than us? Why the same amount of money? >> Statistically, they're not uh statistically we're the only one who's
providing a instructor in the class in the in the schools. Well, we're doing some pretty good stuff, right? So yeah, it's are they better? When do they have a teacher? When they when is the uh community uh table
station paying for an instructor in the classroom? This is five classrooms per semester that are sold out. They have to turn away students because they're so popular. Are they better than us? They have
different priorities. We've got our priorities and we think that they fit for writing. What's that? >> Yeah, >> Karen. >> Okay, one quick little thing that I forgot. Um um given our fiscal
environment, I noticed that it was an option for free rent for RCTV was in the contract. I'm not going to be able to keep behind that. Um we have a budget. We have a pick budget. We got to live within our budget. And so I would like us to strongly consider not putting that in there.
>> So where is that? That doesn't make sense to me either. a free rent or >> It says free rent or >> I'm just And it was um I believe no matter what Matt correct me it has to go through um >> procurement
>> procurement am I right Jane? >> Yeah. >> So it no matter what it would have to go through procurement. So we did put it in there but the reality is >> Okay. Can we just take it out? >> I can ask the negotiation committee. >> I have a list. >> All right. And thank you. And let me
just thank everyone for all of the time and energy that went into this. I know it's a lot. So just I want to thank that. And then um so um I am hearing Carlo that you you know you want um lots of I hear pride in the
community in your last comment about Winterfest. Um but as a as a separate select board member and and knowing we have to stay within our budget and also getting back to your point about fundraising. So, let me just take Winterfest specifically. That's not a
performanceoriented event. Um, unlike some other things that people would be likely to watch, but I do see for instance last year the Reading Post sent a photographer and they took some pictures and it looks like a fun time. So, I might, you know,
I might say we might want to if we want to put parameters. For instance, what's coming up is um colonial chorus players um the foundation festival of trees. We might you might not film a festival of trees or a local media outlet might send a photographer or videographer to do
that. Reading community concert band or performances like a Veterans Day. Those to me seem like something that we should offer as a a municipality. On the other hand, getting to your point about fundraising, if RCTV
had the option to put yourselves or students out for donations for hire for donations, the the Reading Chamber of Commerce puts on Winterfest if they want pictures and you guys have a way to say, "Oh, we would love one of your great
photographers or your videographers to come. We'll gladly pay the donate the hundred bucks, 50 bucks or whatever." And then you guys figure out the details. Like I don't I don't know if the kids Yeah, never mind. I don't know if your volunteers can can can have sandwiches
reimbured or anything something because they're dedicating their time and energy. They're all busy, too. But um that might be a way to help them do both things like become a menu of offerings that also potentially helps you fund raise and also allows other events to be
captured. All right, that's all I have to say. Thank you. >> Um, I guess I had a followup to the space scenario that Karen had mentioned. So, I don't like the free rent scenario either. Um, but I know it got brought up
six months agoish. Do we have any sort of lease how they have their equipment inside of town hall? Obviously, they are getting that for free, >> which is I don't want to say acceptable to me, but obviously we're not doing other things with that space. You can't
have a person in there. So, it's not like it's the Pleasant Street Center taking the whole basement up and giving that for free. But, doesn't there have to be something in there that their equipment is in that other room? There's got to be some sort of agreement on how
that's allowed. It's using electricity, air conditioning obviously in the in the um summertime, but like something's going to be hashed out with that. >> Yeah, currently that we don't have that, but it's something that, you know, I think I even flagged during the
negotiations and something we if we get a a grant agreement, we would move towards. It was never anything that was put into place, you know, since RCTV has been here. So, I think maybe to Karen's point in striking something from the lease, we can maybe put something in
that they're allowed 50 square feet inside town hall or some some scenario there where it's, you know, that's what we'll vote on to allow that to happen because currently it's it's been given away for >> free on the window up there. >> I mean, no, because we still have all
our IT stuff is in there. So, all Kevin's stuff is is in there. Did you have something? >> Um I think the clarifying um I don't think that I would want that in our grant agreement. I think she would want it separate. >> Yeah, exactly. A separate agreement, not in the grant.
>> So, as long as something is as long as something is done, though, because >> Yeah. No, for sure. I agree. You know, we should and that should be hashed out legally and so that there's no misunderstanding and and who has what. For sure. >> Okay. One quick thing.
>> Yes. One quick thing to Karen Herrick's point about the lease. You know, she mentioned it before me, which was good. I think we need to know by tomorrow what your notice that you have to give to renew is because that will help us decide how long your contract should be
with an extension because typically, and again, not yours, typically it's a six-month notice to a year to renew. Yours could be 30 days, could be 60 days, could be 180. We need to know that because the last thing I want to do is
have you pay for rent that someplace you're not going to be. So, I think we need to know that by tomorrow so we can continue on this contract that that'll be a clause in your lease when you have to give notice to renew. If there is no clause like that, call the landlord and
say, "Is a 30-day notice suffice? Is a 60-day notice suffice?" because we have to match up whatever contract if anything's agreed to to that timeline. So you guys know to look for other space if you want to renew that space. I
haven't seen that space. I don't know how big it is. I don't know if there's any equipment there. I don't know how much it is to move. Um obviously you went from a massive space to a much smaller space on Main Street. So again I think that's you need to know that. So
in the next 7 to 10 days it's easier to define because the contract you know 16 months or was it 18 months or was it it's in there now it's you know sounds like a whole number you know one and a half years but it could be 14 months it could be 13 months
whatever works to line up with your lease I think is the best. Karen, you want to say something? >> Do and I don't know what I want to say. >> My head's spinning. >> All good. All good points. >> All good points. All good points.
>> Why do we need to know >> because I because I feel like they we already talked about that it is already lined up. >> No, no. the expiration is lined up, but they so when you have a lease, not a residential, commercial lease, fiveyear
lease, threeyear lease, usually there's a clause if you have do you even have an option, guys? Is it is it a fixedterm lease? I guess I should ask that. Do you have an option to renew? >> All right. So, >> so why would we want to know that? We're actually trying to protect that. I think
Carla's trying to protect them. >> Yeah. I I don't Let's say we do a year contract, right? Just a year contract of renewal. Right now, we do it. We vote tonight uh December 31st, 2026.
>> The contract ends, they still have time on their lease that they'll have to pay rent because they signed a lease. >> Right. So, I >> Right. Right. So, I'm trying to find out when their notice if they have to give a notice to leave. Like Karen mentioned earlier, we need we need negotiating
time for that two-year extension. >> Okay. >> Right. It's one thing leads to another. So, the year and a half leads to a two potential two-year extension. So, they would need to know, are we staying where we are? Are we moving again?
That's what they need to know. and they need to from us because if we're not going to give them a two-year extension, why would they even renew the lease or sign another lease? That's all. >> He doesn't want them to be stuck on the hook paying rent for six months to a year when their contract didn't get
renewed. That's essentially what it's coming down to. >> Okay. But we should have some kind of an idea in the next six to eight months because that's a pretty other than the 18 months. I think that's a pretty good I time frame of knowing >> whether it's going great or it's it's
not going great. Do you know what I mean? Like I think everybody's really motivated in order to make it work and all these discussions of of fundraising and you know it's a great place to start. So you go in thinking positively that in eight months from now we're going to be things are going great and
everything like that. That's what I think. Do you know what I mean? >> Yeah. So, so to your point, I agree with you. So, I think we need to put in the contract that at the 12 month mark, we need to discuss what we're doing for the
extension. Like, we need to put a definitive timeline in. >> It may be >> a definitive timeline, not just open-ended. Oh, you know, and because we get caught up in our meetings. >> Yeah. >> Then summer comes and goes and all of a sudden, oh, there's only six months left. So, we need to put a definitive
timeline. I think that's the direction you're going in to say as of January 1st, 2027, start the conversation or sooner, are we going to kill a 2-year extension or not? Or six month extension or whatever, whatever the case is.
>> Okay? >> Because, right, because I said, I don't want anyone to pay rent for space, not use it. >> I think that's the point. They're not really voting tonight on this. So, they can add a couple tie up some loose ends on here that you know makes sense for for everybody.
So um not contract related um but when you state Carlo that other towns are doing better or other cable what is it that you think that they're doing better >> just just from their own websites like doing podcasts being more contemporary
being you know co changed everything for everybody including cable access but we're over five years out now and it's kind of been phoning it in basically the past several years in my opinion basically phoning it in.
>> I I think I think it's important to remember that it's um it's the public that will be doing the podcasts and it's kind of you can put the water out and the horse may not drink it. So you kind of somehow I'm sure there can be kinds
of open houses and lessons to teach people how to do a podcast and kind of start that kind of an energy of encouraging everybody to do that. I don't think that that's necessarily their lacking in what they're doing. I think it's a lack of town participation.
Do you know what I mean? Like they can give us all the services they can, but if I'm not willing to step up and say, "Oh my god, I'd love to do a podcast." You know what I mean? It's I think the publicity of this negotiations and all the hard work that went into it that it it can be very exciting and encouraging for people to
get more involved. So I think that we can all do that. We can do a podcast together. >> Ying and yang. Yes. >> Karen and Carlo, you know, >> my microphone. >> I can have a logo done by the end of the
meeting. Um okay. So rather than me spend 25 minutes answering Karen's question to Carlo, I will skip that. And I guess if there's Bob, >> could you come up to the mic? But people are complaining that they can't hear the audience unless they come up. Sorry.
>> This is public comment. Bob, >> no clarification. >> So new news. Uh Phil looked it up. uh our contract is until uh for the 18 months from now. So it goes end at the
same time. Then we have the option to uh renew monthly after that. >> Okay. >> So it's the the rate increases $50 a month and we uh can renew uh monthly to
the subsequent year. Does it say in there whatever paragraph you have how much notice you have to give for that >> 90 days >> 90 days notice to extend shall be forwarded to the lesser visa. >> Okay. Is that that's what I was looking for. 90 days. Yeah.
>> Okay. So three months. And if I can just comment about the podcast which uh I thought was a little humorous that uh the town's uh lawyer wholly accidental had some handful of words that would have made it not possible for us to do
uh podcasts that RCTV turned around and said wait a minute pointed out that podcasts are wanted. So, I just found that ironic for our negotiations that it's fixed in the contract you have so that we can do podcasts because we're hoping to do
podcasts. Uh it's a matter of as Karen said, uh people wanting to do them. So, uh we're ready to do it and if anyone uh wants to do a podcast, we'd love to set you up. >> Thanks, Bob.
>> Anybody else from the board? Any quick comments before I open up to the public? Any board members online or before I open it to the public, Patty? Or >> no, I don't believe so. >> Okay.
All right. Any public comment? Not Bob. Anybody online for public comment? No hands are raised. >> Kathy. Oh, Kathy. Go ahead.
>> Um Kathy Crook, 137 Pleasant Street and current president of the RCTV board. and adding negotiating to my resume. Um, I
as uh Melissa mentioned, we spent a lot of time doing this and a lot personally a lot of sleepless nights. I am very and as a board we are very committed to the
residents of Reading. The government processes that you know that we um I I told myself I was going to write it down and I never did. Um we
are very committed to this process to this organization and want every part of it to succeed. We've added lots of language into the
contract that was not there in the last one and I we it got I you just get blurry eyed and I'm like okay it's black and then you know you let the attorneys have it and you know it gets colored and
all this other stuff. I said, "Okay, what's black is what was original." And if you look at some of the lined stuff that we have, there's whole sections that are black and there are whole sections that are brand new. We took to
heart everything that has come before us in May and June and are trying to address that all and address that through the um
>> grant agreement. >> Yeah, the contract. And it it's just we are very committed to this as a board. We've had multiple conversations over the past six months as well. Um, not
just the negotiations. So, I just wanted to give that to you. >> Thank you, Kathy. >> Anybody else? Phil. >> Hello. Um, Phil Rushworth, Lwood Road,
executive director of RCTV. Um, I prepared a couple things that I wanted to mention. Um, >> I should, >> um, uh, I'd like to say that I I'm fully committed to RCTV and I look forward to addressing, uh, past issues and continuing to strength strengthen our
service to the community. Uh, RCTV will continue to provide residents with access to training equipment and opportunities to create local programming. And if anyone would like to find out more about RCTV, we are having an open house. Sorry for the shameless plug. On uh Tuesday, December
uh 16th from 2:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. And uh more information is available on our website. Thank you. >> Thanks. Anybody else? Bob? >> Sure. >> Public comment. Bob.
>> Yes. >> I've been up here so much my voice is finally not quivering. Um, it's name and address. Sorry. >> Bob Beckman, Sunset Rock Lane. Uh, we're not perfect. Uh, we've got a long
way to go. Uh, the board, the select board, uh, eight months ago pointed out some very good things. We've gone through and addressed every single one. uh
and I would say for the most of them we've turned around and we said we can accommodate we can accommodate we are working and trying to figure everything out. Uh I I do have to look at and say for over
20 years RCTV has served this town and is part of this town. Again, when we compare it to other people, we provide an instructor to the school. Is the select board ready to
drop all those classes? We're probably talking 200 students. Are you ready to to have 200 students without classes to go to in January, right? This gets a little tough. the school board
isn't able to I'm this Bob's assumption isn't able to accommodate an extra salary overnight. They certainly haven't planned for it. Uh there's probably no one more qualified than our instructor.
So I I guess does the select board really want to do that to our town? Uh if you care for reading, you got to say no, these are our kids and we need to to take care of them. Uh
the RCTD board is very committed to continue improvement. We feel we have come an awful long way uh since those six months. We still have a way to scale, right? We are listening and we are conversing and
trying to take care of everything we can for you. Thank you. >> Thanks, Bob. >> Uh, Linda in the back. >> Linda Snowden Road. Um, I really wasn't going to say anything, but I really feel like it's important that a member of the
public and a member, a past member of the school committee stand up to say thank you to the RCTV team, the board. I found they go above and beyond as a volunteer in town. They have covered
events so that not only those who can attend can participate and learn from them. They've enabled parents who can't fit into schools to see the assemblies and learn and be a part of the vibrance
of our town. I really felt like I needed to stand up and say that you've heard from others of the public. You've heard from students. You've heard from the schools about RCTV and the way they have facilitated what
PEG requires, which is the collaboration and the communication and the uplifting of programs in town. So, I appreciate Melissa. I appreciate all the effort that's gone into negotiating. I know
there was a big gap um when you started. I also read the contract and I see a lot more change. I don't know where this the um observations of no change are coming from truly except maybe there were
things that were expected and wanted that through the negotiations aren't necessarily in writing there. Um, I have really appreciated RCTV bending over backwards and their volunteers
bending over backwards to be there and get things ready in a timely fashion. And things have been added over the years and the beginning Martin Luther King Day event wasn't broadcast but RCTV has lifted that up and enabled it to
reach so many more people than the five to 600 that fit in that auditorium and those people can read closed captions. So it's also approaching the accessibility issues that we have. I liked I agreed with Karen. I read in the
reports that people weren't asking to do podcasts. They were asking to do cooking shows and then those people were no longer asking for that. So, um I just needed to say thank you for all the work and all the negotiations
and I really truly hope that the vote is yes to keep RCTV such a vital part of our community. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Yes. two minutes name and address please. >> Kate Goldust uh Spruce Road and I just
wanted to say RCT has been a pretty integral part for our family personally and it just kind of full circle after listening to tonight. Um, my son started with the RCPD camps when he was in, I
don't know, fifth or sixth grade and got so much out of it that he he asked to be an intern. He wanted in eighth grade and for a whole year volunteered his time and since then throughout his high school years, he's a senior now at
the high school. um has has been one of those volunteers that when this call out goes up for somebody to film uh an event, if if he can fit it in his crazy busy schedule, he is there and he is committed to RCTV
and he is um you know like four of the four of the upcoming events that you just saw named you know that aren't on that must do list. He he's he's there. Commun colonial players, community singers, um all those will be filmed
because he's a volunteer that stood up to say yes. And so I really think we need to continue to support RCPV to give our community members the chance to to volunteer when they can. And um he is
actually taking the course with the instructor, the film production course right this semester and his is getting like an amazing skill set. he is going into film production for his major in college because of all the experience
he's had um and you know exposure he's had um and just I can see you know where that's always been his interest for many years but he's getting to work with students who are getting to see what film and a TV studio and a you know any
kind of studio setup is like for the very first time because our school has that capability right now and I think it's priceless And um and it is a unique opportunity if you know um as Bob Beckman said you know that that is a highlight for our town
and for for RCPD to be providing providing that and it would be an incredible shame for that to go away. So thank you RCPD and thank you. >> Thank you. Anybody else on the road?
Anybody online? Maddie, >> no hands raised on Zoom. >> Okie dokie. So, we have a potential December 16th placeholder meeting. I don't think Melissa can do it. Um, so we
will see about piggybacking on maybe a budget meeting or holding a different meeting um to uh bring this to a final vote. And um if anyone has any additional concerns regarding the contract because
like like I said, we just got a new one today. It's very hard to read. It's like looking at the charter thing again with the green, the blue, the reds. I don't want to say it's ridiculous, but I mean it's the only ones who win are the lawyers. So, um I take everyone's time.
I I think that nobody on this board wants to see RCTV go away, but at the same token like we want to see something not different, but uh perhaps like Carlo had mentioned uh the way that
it used to be, but the I reference a wire quote, but I will probably date myself with that. Um great. I'll just get those changes or some >> else between the negotiation team, Jane, Matt, and then we'll finalize.
>> So, if anyone else has any any board members or obviously the RCTV board themselves has anything they want to see added, clarified, you're going to do it in the next like 48 hours or something like we can't let this go on any longer. So, >> thank you.
>> All right. Thank you everyone for your time. We will then move on to the A10 discuss and vote on the human rights resolution page 35 in the packet. And Karen, did you want to go over this? >> Sure. Karen, Eric,
>> I don't think your mic's on. >> Okay. So, um I'm happy to give just a little intro and then I would hand it over to our secretary. >> No, no, no. Thank you. You've done a fabulous job. Just wait one sec for everyone. >> I'm so tall. Okay. So, okay. December is
universal human rights month time to promote fundamental rights and freedoms inherent to all people and it culminates in human rights day on December 10th which is the uh marks the 1948 adoption of the universal declaration of human
rights by the UN General Assembly. Um and looking at that declaration um it was powerful but far too long for this format. So, um, luckily, thanks to long-term volunteers, um, we actually
have a resolution developed by Reading Residents and and thank you, Linda Doxer, for for pulling it out of your voluminous files of important things and and bringing it to us. And um we we did need to run it by town council
again and we did that and and we reached out to our um our director Albert and um with their full support. We have a resolution which I would be pleased to have the board join me in adopting for um December 2025
as universal human rights month and December 10th as human rights day. Human Rights Resolution. Whereas the strength of our nation is derived from its history of diversity and has enriched our communities with a variety of cultures, faith, traditions, and
viewpoints. And whereas Reading residents are committed to upholding human rights that ensure the well-being of all people in our community. And whereas our community believes in this nation's founding principle of religious freedom. And whereas our town was founded by immigrants and our own
histories are shaped by the immigrant experience, we will continue to welcome new neighbors here wherever they may come from, then be it. Whereas the town of Reading welcomes and embraces all who live here, work here, are educated here, worship here, and visit here regardless
of gender, race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. and be it further resolved that the Reading Select Board will continue to build trust with everyone in our community and will continue to work to ensure the
safety and well-being of every person within our community and be it further resolved that we are committed as a select board to advocating for all engaging in partnerships and relationships that embody the principles of dignity and respect and creating a
culture of responsibility. and be it further resolved that we believe in the basic tenants of our political process. We argue, we campaign, we debate vigorously within reading, but on the fundamental human rights protections discussed herein. We are entirely and
enthusiastically united. We will fight discrimination and intolerance in all its forms. We are one town and we will move forward together. >> Thank you, Karen. Board members, any questions?
Melissa? >> Um, thank you. I want to say that I strongly uh support this and thank you for bringing it forward. I just hope our entire board remembers this when um Italian Heritage Month comes up again next year in October.
>> All right, sounds good to me. I guess my only question on this would be that um I was up up until 30 seconds ago on the understanding that this was um
uh a day proclamation, not a month. At least that's what I heard from Jane. You had some conversations where um that that was brought up or am I off the mark on this? I only bring it up because there's not a date, there's not a month, there's not a anything in here,
unlike previous ones that we've done. So, is there a clarification on what this is and why it's omitted? >> It can be either. I don't think it's I think it's the, you know, our general commitment. I don't think we need to get hung up on
>> things like that. >> So, as is fine with you. >> Yep. >> Okay. And if we in between now and next year we develop a policy on these proclamations and we could always update any of these proclamations that we've been doing the last three months to
conform to whatever policy that is. >> Melissa >> um this is a resolution not a proclamation. They are different. >> Anybody from the public? >> Anybody online? Maggie. >> Not seeing any hands on Zoom.
>> Okie dokie. Is there a motion? Karen. >> Move that the select board approve the human rights resolution as presented. Second. >> Seconded by Melissa. Any discussion? Seeing none. All those in favor? 5.
Thank you. All right. Moving on to 8:15 update from ad hoc commemoration establishment committee uh ACE page 39 in the packet.
David is presenting. Do you have a um do you have a presentation or I was excuse me I was planning to give you an update on our work let you know about the enthusiastic supporters we
have here. tonight and also to ask you if um the select board would extend our charge for another year and um so that's what my presentation will be about this evening. Um Yep. Yeah, that's fine. I don't think
that it wasn't on the agenda and that was going to be one of my questions as well about the charge. I thought we had done it 24 which meant no matter what we're missing the cut off but it's not on the agenda so we can't go over that but I hear what you're saying.
>> Okay I appreciate it. So I'm David Monahan um road the board's moving me um to the ad hoc commemoration establishment committee also known as the ACE committee or the Russell committee and um we're really pleased to
report on the progress that we've made. Um, we've continued to meet members of the public, tell them about our work, hear from them about how they're impacted and how they feel personally about our work. We've been making plans um for programs at town that I'll share
with you tonight. And as I said, we'll also be asking um if this board would extend our committee, it's our understanding that our charge is to work through January of 2026. And as I'll explain, um, we feel like it would make
sense to, um, extend our work for another year. Um, as I mentioned, we have several folks here tonight. We actually have, I believe, seven people in the room who are not members of the committee, but who often attend and speak with us at at public events who
just care about the work that we're doing. And we also have a majority of the members of our committee here tonight. In addition to myself, we have Taylor Gregory, Ryan Johnstone, Eddie D, Cole Elliot, Monique Rottenham, Arjunetta Nichols, and Lind London Smith
Nichols. I don't think I missed anybody, did I? Um, so, um, just to remind you quickly about our charge, um, honor Bill Russell's legacy by striving to create the vision of an inclusive, equitable, and welcoming community. acknowledge and express accountability for the
mistreatment of Bill Russell and his family in our town and launch an annual commemoration of Mr. Russell that educates about and builds on the understanding of his vision and nurtures nurtures his legacy of improved civil rights. When I last reported to you on
June 24th, I told you we had been at a few public events that we were excited about. Since then, we have attended um the um fall street fair, connected reading event um and other events where
we've had an opportunity to let the public know about our work and we've had some really good conversations. People have shared their personal stories about how the issue of addressing Bill Russell's experience in our town um is important to them as an opportunity to
raise awareness about the inspiring leadership qualities Mr. for us has stood for and how that resonates with them and their ideas for how we can meet our mission. Um, next up we are working with Albert Ples and the office of
equity and social justice to participate in the MLK day event at the high school on January 19th. And then we plan to announce two programs that we're excited about. There's a library event, a series
that I'll share a little bit more in a few minutes about um that's going to begin on January 22nd. It involves um actually four events and then there's an award in Mr. Russell's honor that we're planning and the purpose would be to recognize an individual in the town. or
it could be a resident, it could be a student, it could be um a business owner or an employee of the town in the town who has made a significant impact on the community and exemplifies six pillars. Jersey number six, Paul Russell of Mr.
Russell's leadership which include social justice, activism, education, leadership, community pulling, and mentorship. And then we also have recommendations coming forward about a scholarship in honor of Mr. Russell with
a reading scholarship foundation art opportunities in town where we might have different installations. They might be kind of grand or they might be as simple as painting a transformer box. Um and then an archive like a permanent space featuring Bill Russell in the
library. >> Great. I'm excited to tell you that we've had contact with the Russell family. Um, thank you to Albert um and his office for acting as our main point of contact. Um, he's had encouraging
communications with a member of the family who has appreciated our reaching out and who does want the opportunity to have some input with the committee on the plans that town is developing. this family member is juggling other commitments at the moment as so many of
us are and so has asked if they can speak with us in in more detail in February. Um let me get to that request to extend the committee. Um let me just give you kind of a rough timeline of things that we're planning. Um I
mentioned this series at the library. So um we have this um nice logo that we have worked up game changers med media series of basketball legend and human rights icon Bill Russell investigated through discussions and film. So what
we're planning is the first event January um called Go Up for for Glory. Um it's about a book where we would have a book discussion. The next event would be in March and it would be um watching
a documentary film called Bill Russell, My Life, My Way. And then in May we would have another book discussion, a book by Mr. Russell called Red and Me about his relationship with Red Hour. Um
we're hoping to do additional sessions that would be in September and November related to the work of Bill Russell. And what we envision is that I I say that there are folks that are excited about our work. But we think that when we go to the library, we'll meet some new
people who didn't know a darn thing about the work we were doing will say, "How can I sign up? How can I come to the meetings?" So, we're excited about that. I mentioned we'll be at the MLK Day event. We also would love to be at Junth again as we were last year. And
we're also talking about several mechanisms to fund and manage the suggestions that we're talking about. Um, and you know, we respectfully requested this board an extension so that we can oversee these activities in
the coming year and so that when we do sunset, we can kind of put a nice bow around a package that lets whomever um have ownership and involvement in these activities going forward, which is what we envision, you know, our mission
to be, that something would be ongoing, but our committee won't be ongoing. Um, I'm happy to answer any questions and really appreciate your attention. >> Thank you, David. Board members, any questions, >> Karen?
>> Okay, I'm really excited. Thank you so much for all this hard work. I'm so excited about a permanent archive so that this doesn't have to be dug up when people say, "Oh, I didn't know about this. Educate me." And I'm looking forward to the events. And I would I would um Yeah, I would support the
extension. Thank you. Thank you all. >> Thank you, >> Karen. >> I want to say thank you for letting me attend your meetings. I've learned a ton and they're all a great group of people and they put in a lot of hard work and it's really great effort. >> We appreciate that you come to the
meetings. >> Melissa, >> yes, thank you so much. I met with Linda and Tara uh some time ago um about this before or when it was coming to vote at the select board and you know you guys have done a lot in that time so I
appreciate that. Um and I love the library series. I think that's a fabulous way to you know get started. Um, the only question I have, and it sounds like Albert has talked to a family member, and so maybe a misunderstanding, but is it okay to use
his name in the library series before you have more conversations with the family member? I see that starting in January and it's just, you know, I just want to protect the committee and the town. >> So, I thank you for the question. we have started to scratch the surface of
questions like that and some of the answers are kind of legal answers um as far as like if we were selling something or you know announcing something on television with his name. Others are just like tactful questions like if we
were sitting in if the member of the family were here would they appreciate that we have done something you know without checking with them. Um, we are definitely letting that family member know about these kind of events. Um,
[Music] excuse me. Um, we felt like it fell on the right side of the line where we were announcing that folks could come to the library and talk about a book of, you know, about Mr. Russell and we've
checked with the library about how they feel about it. So, um, at the moment, we feel like we're on firm ground. We're I, again, thank you for raising it. Any, you know, permanent plans that we have. We intend to be respectful of kind of like the legal aspects of using his name
and also how the family feels about the fact that we're using it and how we're using it, what the intention is. >> Okay, great. Fantastic. Thank you guys so much. I appreciate it. >> Thank you, Carlo. >> Yeah. Thanks. Uh thanks uh seems like
you guys are doing a lot. I guess on your last point has the committee discussed yet. When you said ownership like what does the committee envision you know when have you seen set six months from now a
year from now what is the the vision of would it be just volunteers putting on all these events or what did you guys have the discussion yet or not yet? We've started to have discussions about it. We don't have anything firm. We
envision that there would be volunteers. Um it's conceivable that some people might be interested in some kind of like a public private partnership if there are aspects of it that will require funding going forward. We haven't really discussed the specifics at all. But we
we definitely don't want to leave it as an afterthought. We don't want to say, "Oh, we have these great ideas and you know, somebody else figure will figure out all those things." So, um, I'd say that's a big part of what we would like to be thinking about in the months ahead
because it it is very important. >> Well said. Um, thank you, David. Uh, I think that it's good to see that um Albert or whomever has reached out to the Russell family because
I don't want to equate it to what happened at town meeting with the snow shoveling bylaw that we spent three years working on something only to find out the enforcement person on it isn't actually going to enforce it. So, I would hate for, you know, you guys to spend, you know,
now going to be two years only to find out that Bill Russell's family wants nothing to do with us. It doesn't seem that that's the case. But I don't want to say I I I would hate for that to happen, but it's always an opportunity. It's always a possibility that it is because I you did mention the
scholarship and obviously that's a semi- bigish thing, you know what I mean, to be able to use his name for something like that. I think legally with the family that's probably something you can get away with without lawyers being involved because they're not giving you
the money. I mean they could but like you know but you would be raising funds in his name and I understand like you need to have some permission but what I'm getting at I I think that we need a heavy focus like you mentioned in February like to find out what what
the guard rails on this are how comfortable they are moving forward with you know you bring up three top things that you want to do and lay the three things out and if they're knowing all three like you know you go back to the
committee the deal is and refine. Um, but I I think you definitely have to heavily focus in in that February conversation just to see where we're going to end up at the end. >> Um, I really appreciate that. Maybe this is inherent in what you're saying. Think
of how much um more important it is for our work. You know, snow shovels and snow plows don't have feelings and aren't known for a mission. And you know, the work that we're talking about is not just about like doing the right thing and approaching um approaching it
tactfully, but we'd really be defeating our purpose if we went ahead and did something at the risk of a family member or anyone else who feels deeply coming coming out and saying, "I don't feel like you were sensitive to to my input on it." Right? So that's why we're like
triply focused on on things like that. I appreciate it. So, February is kind of confirmed for this or like how how did you end up where that's the date you're gonna I know you said they have multiple balls in the air in you know I can
literally have multiple balls in the air on this but >> so like how did we arrive at February? Is it just coinciding with something or >> so so let me clarify I'm not sure if we're um I want to make sure the board understands we're hoping you would extend us for a year. >> Yes.
>> Yeah. Um I understand that um the family member said to Albert looking at my calendar and I think I can get back to him in February. >> Okay. >> Through multiple conversations that >> that was the date that was the month that they said they >> but we're we're going to try to finalize
a date >> and and the outreach was wasn't just like a sentence or two like we talk to you. There was some substantive um communication. They're aware of all they're aware of what we're doing. It's very detailed what we're doing. So the
response and conversation was not just oh well what' you see with you guys? They know exactly what we're working on. So I think they've already perfect. All right. Anyone from the public?
Anybody online? Maddie? >> No hands raised. All righty, David. Thank you. We will add you to a future agenda, maybe piggyback on a budget meeting because we may or may not have a December 16th meeting. >> Okay.
>> Um, but we'll get you squared away. >> Thank you so much. We appreciate it. >> Thank you. >> All right, moving on to 8:30. So, a little behind, but a public hearing on discuss and vote on change of
manager and change of officers for an all alcohol nicer license for the reading veterans association. >> So, do we have someone here for that, man? >> Yeah, somebody's here from the American Legion. >> So, I guess if you just want to go up
the podium and introduce yourself. >> Oh, sorry. Yes. Real name. >> Not yet. Not yet. Sorry. So, Karen's uh read the public hearing notice. here be invited. >> You can still stand up there. >> You can stand up. >> They're just they've heard from me too
much today. >> Yes. And we will continue. There's Wait till we get to the look of this. >> Legal notice town of Reading to 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, December
22nd, 2025 at 7 PM in the select board meeting room at Town Hall 16 LOL Street Reading Mass or also available remotely on Zoom to act on a change of manager and change of officers application for an annual all alcohol club license
located at 37 Ash Street, Reading, Mass from Reading Veterans Association, DBA, American Legion Post 62. Two, a copy of the proposed documents regarding this topic will be in the selected packet on the website at www.reingmma.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 December 2nd, 2025 to town manager at readingm.gov by order of Matthew A. Cornales, Esquire, town manager.
>> Thank you, Karen. And now you can once again stand up and proceed to the podium. This time for real. No tape. >> I'm Brian McCormack, Main Street Reading. I'm the commander at the American Legion.
What else can I tell you? >> I guess so. We are just um uh changing the uh manager of the American Legion. That's essentially it. >> Our last manager passed.
>> Oh, >> unfortunately there for 30 40 years. >> But uh yeah, we have to move on. He won't be here anymore. >> Yes. >> I hear you. Um perfect. So, are you going to be the
one taking over or somebody else? >> Actually, uh, Brendan Hoy will be taking over. >> Brendan can't be here tonight, so he asked me to be here in his absence, but he's the applicant. >> Okay. And everything checked out in the
packet, Pat? >> Yes. Yeah. Everything looks fine, you know, just an accommodation to them. So, >> yeah. >> Okie dokie. >> His mother's been here for 100 years. >> Yeah, we understand. >> What? You just turned 2 or something.
>> Still got all her pep, too. God bless him. >> She's 103, I think. >> Yeah, >> I lose track. I'm old. >> God bless him. >> Definitely. >> All right. Um, anybody from the public
have anything? Anybody online? Maddie? >> No hands raised. >> All right. Do you want to make a motion to close the hearing, Karen? Move to close the public hearing regarding the change of manager and change of officers for the all alcohol club liquor license for American Legion 62.
>> Second. >> Second by Melissa. Any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor? 40. Um and then next motion >> move to approve the change of manager and change of officers for the annual all alcohol club liquor license for
reading Veterans Association DBA American Legion 62 located at 37 Ash Street. >> Second >> second by Melissa. Any discussion? All those in favor? >> 4.
>> Thank you. We appreciate it and thank you for waiting. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you for coming out. Thank you. >> All right. Uh 8:40 vote to approve annual liquor licenses. Page 64 in the packet.
So this is the list that we have to do every single year. We do it every year. We've gone out and done the inspections. It's the police department. Kevin McCarthy from economic development has joined on many of them. Um they all went fine. the list of approvals and it's up
to you how you take them. I think we've taken them one by one in the motions in the past, but it's sometimes you can >> Yeah, you can move things. >> I said Karen is going to be speaking a lot because I remember reading all of this. >> Yeah,
>> unfortunately that's how we do it. >> Back to the days was a dry town. >> It was still everywhere. Before that, anybody from the public have any questions? Anyone on Zoom? Maddie. >> No hands are raised.
>> All right, Karen, good luck. >> So, just to clarify, I'm moving before each and everyone or am I list reading it exactly as it is on my >> So, the way that it would be, so package doors, move at the select board and then read all of those. And then for the
club, same scenario. Y >> move that the select board renew the all alcohol package store liquor licenses for Milcont 350 Inc. DBA City Wines and Smoke Shop 345 Main Street Rosha Inc.
DBA Square Liquors 13 High Street J and Ricky Inc. DBA Reading Liquors 214 Main Street Anastasia Bookwine Inc. DBA Reading Fine Wine and Spirits, 25 Wersburg Drive.
Kajal and Kevin LLC DBA Liquor Junction, one general way for a term expiring December 31st, 2026, subject to the following conditions. All bylaws, rules, and regulations of the town of Reading and of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts shall be followed and subject to a
satisfactory inspection of the establishment by the town manager or his designate. >> Second. Second by Melissa. Any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor. Next.
Move that the select board renew the all alcohol club liquor licenses for Metobrook Golf Club Corp. of Reading, Mass. TBA Metobrook Golf Club at 292 Grove Street. Home Building Corp. TBA 19 Columbus at 11 San Street for a term
expiring December 31st, 2026. subject to the following conditions. All bylaws, rules, and regulations of the town of Reading and of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts shall be followed and subject to a satisfactory inspection of the establishment by the town manager or his designate.
>> Second. >> Seconded by Melissa. Any discussion? Seeing none. >> Did you see the veterans you said? >> No, they're under a veterans club. They're next. >> Oh, okay. Sorry. No discussion. >> All those in favor?
5 Z. Next >> move that selected renew the all alcohol veteran club liquor license for Ring Veterans Association Inc. TBA American Legion Post 62 at 37 Ash Street for a term expiring December 31st, 2026
subject to the following conditions. All bylaws, rules, and regulations of the town of Reading and of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts shall be followed and subject to a satisfactory inspection of the establishment by the town manager on his design. >> Second.
>> Seconded by Melissa. Is there some confusion or >> No, no. In the in the packet, it's veterans under all alcohol club. That's why I asked the question. So, >> I I believe there is a specific veterans club one. So that's fine. I just if not
we can undo it and redo it at a subsequent one. But I I believe when we've done it in the past I've made the same cloud as well. >> So seconded by Melissa. Any discussion on that one? Seeing none. All those in
favor? 5. Next. move that the select board renew the all alcohol restaurant liquor licenses for Florida Coldfired Pizza LLC, TBA Anony's Coldfire Pizza at 48 Walkers Group Drive, Nikcom Inc., DBA
Cafe Capri at 355 Main Street, CAC Foods Inc., DBA Venetian Moon Restaurant at 680 Main Street, Pepperini Inc., CBA Chili's Grill and Bar at 70 Walkers Brook Drive. HKB Restaurant Company LLC.
TBA Front Rickers at 50 50 Walkers Brook Drive. Rare Hospitality International Inc. DBA Longhorn Steakhouse at 39 Walkers Brook Drive. Boston Foods Inc. DBA Zuka Italian Restaurant and Bar at
601 Main Street. The V1 Incorp DBA public kitchen at 530 Main Street. K Inc. TBAs at 26 Walkersburg Drive. Beastro Concepts Inc. DBA Facilities Cooina at 107 Main
Street. RKR Corporation DBAR Tavern at 620-622 Main Street. Mandarin Reading Inc. DBA Mandarin Reading Restaurant at 296 Salem Street. Red Includes LLC, DBA half and
half at 607 Main Street. Park LLC, DBA Post 1917 at 136 Haven Street. Champions Indoor Golf V Inc. DBA Champions Indoor Golf at 1 General Way, Unit 90. Reading
Forno LLC, DPA Tuscana Forno at 45 Walkers Brook Drive for ter expiring December 31, 2026. Subject to the following conditions. All bylaws, rules and regulations of the town of Reading and of the Kamoth of Massachusetts shall be followed and subject to a satisfy
satisfactory inspection of the establishment by the town manager or his designate. >> Second. >> Seconded by Melissa. Any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor? 5 Z >> move that the select board renew the
wine and walt restaurant liquor license for Palletat Pet Swan TBA Hank Spice Thai Restaurant and 76 Haven Street for a term expiring December 31 2026 subject to the following conditions all bylaws
rules and regulations of the town of Reading and of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts shall be followed and subject to a satisfactory inspection of the establishment by the town manager or his designate. Second. >> Seconded by Melissa. Any discussion? All
those in favor? 5 Z. >> Move that the select board renew the Farmer Distillery Pouring Liquor License for New England Barrel Company LLC DBA New England Barrel Company at one general way unit 40 for a term expiring
December 31, 2026. Subject to the following conditions. All bylaws, rules, and regulations of the town of Reading and of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts shall be followed and subject to a satisfactory inspection of the establishment by the town manager or his designate. >> Second.
>> Seconded by Melissa. Any discussion? >> I have a question. Matt, a good question. Um, so one general way liquor junction, I'm a frequent flyer there. Um, but I don't understand. I don't see that there's a different company actually operating there. It hasn't
opened yet. >> It's not Looker Junction. >> It's not Looker Junction. They came to us like a year ago, >> right? >> It's not open yet. >> I think they are operating down there. They >> I don't see anything operating. That's why. >> Yeah, they they are in there. Um they haven't had much tasting to the public
though. No, they do other things here and they have another facility somewhere as well. So, because I did I did ask when the owner was in here recently, they are near. So, and they did come in >> and we did go down there and inspect it. So, >> thank you for asking. Thank you for the
followup. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I don't know if the public's really seeing anything changing. So, thank you. >> Sure. I didn't think that they were open either. >> Yeah, they say they are. >> I guess people do store. >> Yeah. >> Really? >> Yeah. It's mostly like a back room
operation and I don't know that they've done any real tastings down there, but they are in there. So, >> it was supposed to take like 6,000 square feet or something like that. Maybe it's more events. >> Whatever. I I walk to market all the time. There's no storefront at all. >> Correct.
>> All right. Well, he's paying the money, so it >> Yep. >> Any other discussion? That was seconded by Melissa. All those in favor? 5. And is that it?
>> Yep. You're it. >> Good job, Taran. Appreciate it. >> Excellent. >> All right. So, moving on to 8:50 vote on submitt of charter amendment home rule petition article 9
of sub subsequent time meeting page 65 in the packet. So, we were all there essentially. That's that I guess that we have to send this over. Um, and that's pretty much it. Yeah. Yeah.
Once it's voted on, I'll send it to the legislature and they'll act on it as a home petition and hopefully get to it soon. So, >> perfect. Any discussion? Anyone from the public?
Anyone online? Maddie >> see any hands online? >> Right. Karen, do we have a motion? Move to authorize the town manager to submit a charter amendment home rule petition to the legislature as presented in article 9 of the 2025 sub subsequent
town meeting provided that no referendum on said article 9 is filed pursuant to section 2.15 of the town's charter prior to December 5th. >> Second >> second by Melissa. Any discussion? Seeing none. All those in favor
zero. All right, moving on to nine o'clock discuss and vote on procedure for town manager evaluation page 68 of the packet. As a followup to that, obviously Matt is here. Um, I received an update from IRA
today that Matt is willing to extend the deadlines of his contract pertaining to the review and the renewal notice by one month. Uh, Matt noted obviously it's a busy time for the department heads and just things to um happen over the after
the holidays. So Matt has um suggested that the review be completed and discussed in open session by February 9th, 2026. and the renewal notice must be provided by February 16, 2026.
So that's where we're at on this scenario. Did you have any other followup, Matt, or this is amendable to you? >> Yeah. No, that that's fine with me. I I did mention that to Eria. It's just um it's tough timing over the holidays. I know people go away. Also, department heads um as you'll see, you'll have to
appoint some of them to be part of this. Um, and it's a busy time of year for them with budgets and whatnot and the holidays. So, extending it for another month is fine with me. Um, I think it makes it easier for everybody. So, >> thank you, Matt. So, put that if the
board was willing to, we could vote tonight to authorize the chair to negotiate and execute a one-month extension. Um, because any extension should be in writing. I do not see that quasi on the agenda, but I don't think
would let me do it if it was not permissible. >> I don't that's an email. >> Oh, that did get sent. Oh, all right. So, that did get sent to the full board. What I just the whole thing I just read.
>> Um, we have to take a vote on that. Well, it says vote on procedure. >> I think we just have to vote on the extension. >> Yeah. So, this is discussion vote on the procedure for the town manager evaluation. We are voting on the procedure to hunt it to February.
>> This actually does say vote on extend the town negotiate and vote on the extension of the town manager's contract. I think that's something different. We did get an email from Abria, >> but it's not posted on a public agenda. >> I don't think that she would
>> I believe I saw I saw it, but it's not posted on a public agenda, and that is not what this line item is. >> Um, but we have a meeting tomorrow night, which Oh, no. We can't post it for 40 hours. When's our next one? >> I don't have any objections to it. I just It is not on >> I think it's fine to vote on, but I
mean, and I I I haven't been involved in all the conversations between you and Eva, obviously. Um she'll be on later tonight for the executive session that you're having and maybe that's about this. I'm not sure. But um but I think it's if you'd like again, >> you know, I'm fine with extending it.
It's it's not extending the whole contract. It's just extending the days. So >> Okay. >> Yeah. It's not a contract >> because that's not what you just said. So if we're not because I definitely think vote to to extend to authorize you to negotiate a one-month extension of a
contract is very different than vote to as part of the process to delay the evaluation by one month. >> So I only say that not because I'm a lawyer, but if put it in the email to us. I don't think she would allow
>> I didn't ask her to review the agenda. I I know what a >> she's >> she's hopping onto Zoom in a moment. So do you have to let her in Matt or >> um Maddie can let ifra is on or in the moment? Maddie, please let her into the
the meeting. So, we'll give her a moment. >> Yeah, >> I just admitted her. >> Thanks. >> Hi, everyone. >> Hey, Abra. So, so we're hung up on the
um authorizing the chair to negotiate that little blurb that you put in there about Matt's deadline thing. Karen's concerned that it wasn't on the agenda as written, but what is your take on this? I think it's part of the isn't it drafted on the agenda that it's
something about process for uh performance review? >> It's discussing vote on procedure for town manager evaluation is how it's specifically >> vote to authorize the chair to negotiate a contract.
>> Yeah, I'm comfortable that that's within the scope. I mean, this is all part of the process and the procedure around this and Matt just shared this information and we were informed of it recently. So, I think it's all within the scope. Um, if there's a significant
concern, we can definitely hold off on on the vote tonight. I I understand you have a select board meeting. Is it the 12th? Sorry. >> 9th. >> The 9th. It would take five minutes. You could just add it to that. So, um you
know that that's fine to put it on for the 9th. >> How does every >> I think we should do that. I think we to be safe. That's very safe. >> Yeah, that's fine. If we're concerned that we may get a challenge just to hold
off on that, we can definitely push push it to the ninth. >> Melissa, >> I don't think it's necessary. It says procedure. This is just part of the procedure of the evaluation of the town manager. Um I'm comfortable voting tonight. Um it's we're just pushing it a
month, one month. We have the agreement of the town manager. I don't think it's that big of a deal. Um, I'm not voting to authorize the chair to negotiate a contract, but if we make it very specific that we
>> So, so what we could do is, and this may appease everyone, is we could have Matt put the offer in writing that he would and he could sign it and then the board could just vote to endorse it at the next meeting. >> Okay. >> It's very clean.
>> Yeah, that's fine as well. I wouldn't be extending contracts with Matt unilaterally. I it's obviously nothing I would ever do. So, but if >> I think the goal, as Matt explained it to me, was to just give everyone a little breathing room. It's a busy holiday season and there's a lot going
on. Um, so, you know, I don't want to put us in a compromised position. So, if we can just kick it, it's easy enough. >> Yep. >> Great. Thanks for referring. >> Okay. So, I'll if it if that's the case, I'll put it the request in writing to
you and and you can vote on it next meeting. Is that the >> the 9th? Yeah. Fine. Yeah. Happy to do that. >> Yep. >> Yep. >> Perfect. Uh, any comment from in the room? Anyone online? Maddie?
>> Yes. Angela Binda. >> Go ahead, Angela. Two minutes. Name and address. >> Thank you, Angela Binda. 10 Orchard Park Drive. Um, I agree with that it should go into discussion for the December 9th
meeting. It is not on the agenda for this evening and I don't want it uh voted on at this time. Thank you. >> Anybody else? Maddie? >> No.
>> All right. So, we don't >> Yes. But but is that the only thing you want to talk about for the procedure for the evaluation because it was or there's some other items you want to talk about? >> No, this was the only one relevant to that. This is just getting bumped until >> the thing about the 360 was in there.
>> No, this was the only thing that we were going to >> Okay. Anything else? >> This just came in today though. That doesn't even make any sense. What came into the letter? >> The agenda was already set. We were going to have a discussion. Then Matt
made his offer. Then we got that today. So what were we going to talk about before we got the letter? >> The specifics of the 360. >> Right. So that's what I just said. Do we want to talk about that? >> Well, we have to then the timing of that and then we have to designate um heads
of departments. And what Matt is saying and what I think we're all agreeing to is that >> December isn't the right time to do that. So let's do it in January. >> Oh well. Okay. We can. >> That's my take. That's my understand. >> I think the easy part is us picking the department heads. That's why I I said,
"Do you want to talk about it now?" Them not having to complete it. I understand that's the work. >> But I'm just That's why I thought we were going to do that. >> Yeah. I I think that it's it's best served at a subsequent >> meeting given that, you know, we can
bump this out how it was mentioned. >> All right. Thanks. >> Okay. All right. So, we don't have to vote on that. So 910 discuss peer communities page 71 in the packet. Um so this came up.
>> Sorry chair. Sorry to interrupt. Um should I log off until 10 or did you want me to stay on? >> Let's see. >> We got to save the text. I hope we let her go have dinner or whatever. >> So we have peer communities. That's probably meeting schedule leazison. All
right. You probably got at least a half hour in. >> Okay, great. I will see you guys later. Thank you. >> I'll send you a text. >> Read a big time story. >> All right. So, discuss peer communities page 71 in the packet. So, um I know
pure communities has come up multiple times in the past. I've always criticized the fact that we cite peer communities whenever we want to site peer communities that would best serve our agenda for whatever we were doing. even if you know uh there was converse
ones that would not do it and I just think that so I didn't know the finance committee actually adopted this in 2013 so obviously we can't you know vote for finance committee thing um but I think that we need to have um this list
updated and perhaps work in unison with the finance committee obviously on this to update and modernize these the list of care communities. There's 23 listed in here. Perhaps it should be less. Perhaps there should be more. There
definitely should be some taken off. That's not just for us to decide, but I think lots of things play into this. Um, and then this way here for any board or committee going forward, if they want to site, you know, a peer community or use
something, they have to kind of go over this list first and see um, are they a peer community? And if so, all right. And you know, we can kind of um go over things with this. So, it's more of a a board of committee thing. I know things
got brought up at town meeting citing scenarios. That can still happen because that isn't under our kind of purview. You know what I mean? Town meeting can do whatever they want for for their communities and they can continue to do so. But for any boards or committees under us, um I'd like to to kind of
modernize this list where, you know, it'll make sense for anybody going forward, whether it's do we have people on here because of water rates or are they just because they're a neighbor to us, similar size and scope, you know what I mean? Like I don't even know why
Mansfield would be listed here ever. Maybe there was a reason back in 2013, but I got nothing. Don't they have concerts out there? I don't even know what else Mansfield is known for. Um, so that's kind of like why we need to, you know, give this a refresher. I know the
master plan committee, whatever, does their refreshers, but like I think since this is 2013, clearly we got to update and modernize this. So, that's kind of where we're at with this. Does anybody have any
Karen? >> Yep. No, I think this is a great idea. Um, and I agree it's been over 10 years. So, I'm not sure it's um I think it was something that the finance committee did and I'm trying to think if I was on the finance committee at that time. Um, but
I don't think it's their exclusive purview and I think collaborating with them is a is a good idea. >> That's it. Um it's a little busy right now with budgets and stuff, but um
have you reached out to anybody in the finance community to see if they have time to start thinking about it or >> No. So I just wanted to see how this board >> kind of felt and then we can kind of collab with um Yep. >> you know when we would ever have a joint meeting with them in the future. Maybe
we have a premeating hash things out what what we believe are >> financial forum. This could be a financial forum topic. Okay, I'm on board. Yep, it's time. >> Thank you. >> Anybody else?
>> No, I think it's a good idea. >> Yeah, agreed. All right. So, for a um forward object on this, Matt, if we can kind of um set up a a future judge item and then reach out to the finance committee and
see how they feel about collaborating >> on this in the future and when we can kind of hash things out. >> So, they would attend that future meeting. Is that what you >> Yeah. Or like they mentioned the financial form. Do we have any of those
before like June? Like I think >> No, not really. They're getting into their budget schedule, so it's going to be mostly budget meetings, but >> No, not during the budget time obviously, but >> after the budget time. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Traditionally, yeah, I don't remember the probably after town meeting. Traditionally, there would be a spring
and fall and it doesn't have to be very long meeting, but we used to call it a forum. >> Okay. Yeah, I think it's a great idea. So I see that they put in here that Stone Consulting in December of 2008 update. I don't think that we need like
consultants and everything. I think that >> the first time they did it. I think so. You know, >> I think that we can kind of hash this out, cross off a couple, add a couple on there, and then kind of, you know, universally agree that we want to pull from these whenever we're citing water
rates or some historical stuff or >> just that's pretty much it. >> Yeah. Let me So, it's funny because once you start getting into this, then you're like, well, how are we going to define like water rates? things you started
mentioning, you start getting into that, you start actually getting a list. Um, Matt, I was going to ask you, do you think our prior report that we probably paid for and recommendation
might be somewhere? >> Um, was it 2008? >> Uh, probably. I can we can certainly look for it. Yeah. >> Where'd you get 2008? >> You said December 2008. It's in the middle of the share community guidelines >> stone consulting.
>> I can certainly check major folders to do >> that's really old. Okay. I was thinking something was 2013. >> Yeah. I mean it's quite dated now but um I can also check with the MMA and do and see if they have any guidelines regarding peer communities. >> That would be great because I think what
once we start talking about it we're going to find out there's like there were a whole bunch of metrics, >> right? >> Yeah. Okay, I brought up water rates because um only because we have second meters. Stonem has second meters. Stonem is a neighbor.
>> Um so now we're checking off additional boxes of why they should be a peer community because they're they're crossing all these kind of benchmarks. >> Do they get their water from the MW? >> Correct. But that's not the only thing, but >> definitely not. But if they that's why we have our discussion finance committee
and if we end up on 17 peer communities then that's what we end up on. >> So that's kind of >> so I was going to add which is similar to what Karen was saying is that there's a lot of different layers here. So when I don't think we could compare ourselves to NATIC but NATIC has MBTA so and and
Creole you know what I mean? So, I think it might go a little deeper than we think it's going to go because we may be a peer community with NATIC and and um uh Mansfield has a train station. Well, do you know what I mean? Like there could be other places that we're going
to be pure communities and have similar things to other than just financial. >> Correct. Yeah. Population, >> proximity, you know, MBTA is a good one. Do they have >> these kind of things? Um, >> I think once we start getting into it, it's going to get very granular.
>> Yeah, that's why I think that >> isn't a bad thing. Just >> that's why I think that having at least this initial conversation, seeing where's, you know, spitballing all these kind of ideas, I think that, you know, it's it's going to really refine down on why you because I can point out like
obviously North Reading should be, but should they be? Obviously, they're like right next to us. So, like um they share the chamber. Nobody else is going to share the chamber with us. But like we start coming down this road of of of why and you know is Northriting a good care
community partner? We might share the animal control officer with them. Like you know all the the knowledge that the five of us has not on the finance committee, you know. >> Yeah. >> Just come together on something. >> Yeah. So good. >> Yeah. Okay.
>> Interesting. Mel Rose isn't even in there. Interesting. >> Correct. So should they be possibly? >> My guess is it's because Aren't they a city? Not are they a city or a town? >> Andover is a city because >> Andover is not though. It's by how their government is. I don't think Andover has
a mayor. They have a town manager. >> Andover town. >> Andover is a town. >> It's a big difference in how their government runs. >> That's obviously another reason for the pair community. They have open town meeting. like we can go over all this stuff,
>> but um to that point, they might not have been a city or a town back then in 2008 when this was done. Maybe now they are. So maybe there's some credence to that. So that's essentially it.
>> Works for me. >> All right. Anyone from the public? >> Yes. Two minutes. Name and address. >> Hey, good evening. Uh Ryan Johnstone, L Street and Precinct 7 uh meeting member. Um I I agree. I think pair community
should be updated. I just hesitate on two things I think for the board to consider as you're going over this. I would hesitate to move away from not using a consultant. I think a lot of things have already been brought up about having to how do we determine what's a pair community and I think unless the board or the finance
committee has expertise in that exact area and coming up with those type of comparisons and if we do great if not I would really encourage the use of a consultant the consultant was used and took them five years to come up with a list for a reason potentially be curious to see what Matt finds out and dig into
those records. Um, I'd also hesitate, I think, to the idea, I'd say it's very difficult for the idea there's going to be a static list of pure communities for every aspect of town. I think, like you said, the idea of water rates versus historical communities. It's going to be
hard to for members who are trying to talk about water rates and people trying to talk about historical communities, look at the same list, grab one, and then start talking about what they're two doing because those are two very different things. It's one thing for FinCom to come up with a list of peer communities for what their specific
directed mission is. I think it's hard to say these are our peer communities and every ad hoc and standing committee under the town has to use this static list um with unless that list is very wellcraftrafted to find. I think that could be hard. I I think maybe the idea
of a list of pure communities that should be considered could be out there, but I I'd be hesitant and hope hope the board be open to the idea of to be considered not mandated. thinking. >> Thank you. I would agree with obviously
that that it's not a mandate. Anybody can still site however they have been doing things in the past and there's always going to be niche scenarios but I think that there's going to be a general at least a general guideline that that we should be following and finance
committee and everybody else under us to kind of just kind of be on board and and with the understanding that it's not going to be perfect and not everyone's going to be on there and we can say why isn't Melrose on here and maybe they should like I don't know if we want to pay a consultant in this kind at the
time, but Matt can kind of get the formula that they used way back in 2008, and then we can make the judgment call and see if it like kind of holds up today, how they used it. Um, that's kind of my mindset. I I I agree. Other things
in in town we definitely want consultants on, but I think that like I said between the five of us, nine members on FinCom, we're going to be able to really like hash some stuff down to, you know, and it I I don't see drastic changes happening. Maybe a
couple off and a couple on, but in the grand scheme of things, I I think that at least we need an update. >> Okay. >> So, y >> anybody else from the public? Anyone online? Maddie, >> nobody online. >> Thank you.
All right, Matt. So, you have a Go ahead. >> Oh, go ahead. >> No, I was going to say so we have a a task item on this just to kind of >> Oh, sure. Yep. >> Yeah. >> And I was before you move on to the next or are you moving on to the next agenda item? I just >> I would be after that. >> Okay. I just want to speak on that
before you do that. >> On the peer communities or >> Well, no, no, the peer communities. I'm fine. I was just going to suggest that the we found out after that the item regarding the fire truck pricing does not need to be an executive session. It should be an open session. And I have here right now Chief Nelson and Kevin
Mulvy. So I thought maybe you could take that out of order while they're here. And then the other business items is just board business and get to those pleasure the board. But I just >> I just think that we booted every off for a half hour and she might is she not part of this? It wasn't going to be in
the executive session on this. I mean I mean even if we had it in open session so >> um I don't know how does everybody feel >> taking it out of order >> uh taking it out of order and not having every for this portion >> going into executive session
>> I don't think so I don't know if you were on that email either that matches reference but I don't think that we should do it in executive session I would have voted against it given some um updated language from downtown >> be not reasonably anticipated 48 hours in advance.
>> No, it's just that litigation is is a reason to go into executive session if litigation is going to be compromised or whatever. This is a class action suit and it's just the beginning. So, she felt and I can send you her her opinion on it. She had felt that it wouldn't it wouldn't be appropriate for executive
session could be dealt with session which is fine. You know, I think they put it I was out last week. You think they put it in executive session because you know litigation you think executive session but uh you have to really look at the law. >> No, again I'm not arguing with any of that. This is more like open meeting
law. So but it sounds like this was something >> that wasn't the fact that we're not going into executive session. Doesn't harm the public and it doesn't and it was something we were not advised of more than 48 hours in advance. So I'm thinking it falls under >> Oh yes, sure. Yeah, you can do it. We
check. Yeah, we can do it. So, it's up to you. I'm just saying that we have people here. That's it. >> Clarifying question. So, if we were to go into executive session on this, I was not going to be there. >> No, she wasn't going to be there. No, because she doesn't know >> really anything about it. It's an outside case. It would be outside
attorneys handling it. >> I'm okay. >> So, we'll have Kevin represents one of the law firms. So, I guess if we could have a motion to just take this out of order um to um take the discuss potential for
joining city of Lacrosse, you know, that motion out of order. >> So, moved. >> Okay. >> Second if I need to. >> Okay. Any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor? I'll take a roll call just in case quasi
executive stuff. Uh Karen Rose Gillis, >> yes. >> Karen Herrick, >> yes. Melissa Murphy. >> Yes. >> Carlo Bachi. Yes. >> And Chris Haley. Yes. >> All right. So, we will go to that portion of the meeting um to discuss the
potential who was going to end up presenting. >> So, so I do have Kevin Maui here who's going to come up and explain things. I you know that's how I found out about this um class action suit. I didn't really know anything about it, but Kevin uh who's a writing resident and who I I
had met before through other um prior careers in Boston had brought it to my attention, the chief's attention. Uh they had a a Zoom meeting on it with uh with Jane as well. And it it could be that Reading is suited to be involved in this case. Um it wouldn't cost anything
to be part of the case and we could get money out of it in the long run. So, I thought it was worth pursuing and bringing to the board. Kevin and we could talk about globally what the case is about as he's he's a lawyer and works with the plaintiff's council. So, if I'm
stating that right, Kevin. Um, yeah. And Chief Nelson is here and he's in full agreement as well. Um, as you know, we did buy a fire truck a couple years ago and it was delayed and price pretty high. So, >> yeah. >> All right, Kevin, go ahead. >> Uh, for the record, my name is Kevin
Malvy. I live in Wy Road. Uh my wife and I have lived here since April of 2000. Raised our four boys here. Uh all of which are graduates of the public school system, including the youngest this past uh June. >> Uh thank you. >> Is the green thing on just >> It is. >> Okay, perfect. Thank you. >> Thank you for taking me out of order. Um
here to talk tonight about um as Matt had said, uh potential antitrust litigation where we think Reading could have standing to be a plaintiff in the action. Um, specifically, three of the largest manufacturers of firet trucks are accused accused only right now of
colluding together to artificially increase the price of fire trucks across the country. Every fire chief in the United States is aware of this. They're concerned about it. Um, and again, allegations have been filed uh against the three largest manufacturers. Um the
allegations center on the increased costs and the delay in which Reading, for example, was to receive their trucks. Specifically, >> we had to pay for it. >> For it uh specifically, well, with the last 10 years, costs have gone up at least twice as much as what they were
prior to that, some cases more. And the delays, which the delays for the trucks, which normally were 12 to 18 months standard, are now upwards of four and sometimes five years longer. Um it it goes without saying the impacts are obviously cost of the taxpayers significant the sweeps across the
country. So we are talking about billions of dollars here. But more importantly Chief Nelson and his colleagues not only in Reading but across the Commonwealth across the country are forced to utilize trucks that are 20 25 30 years old. Uh I
unfortunately have been educated on the number of horrific accidents that firefighters had to deal with. they deal with enough on a regular basis and to deal with ladder trucks that don't work, breaks that don't work, accidents, you name it. Um, like I said, I've had an unfortunate education on all of that.
The first lawsuit was filed in April, I'm sorry, August of this year in Wisconsin. To date, there are four plaintiffs that have filed actions there. There are two plaintiffs that have filed here in Massachusetts, River Mass and as of today, Chelsea Mass. Um,
bringing it back to back to reading. Um, as Matt said, I brought this to his attention a few weeks ago. I had the great opportunity to talk to Jane a few weeks or about a week after. And then last Tuesday, I met with Chief and Jane along with one of the lead attorneys to go over the facts of the case and
particularly the facts as they relate to Reading. Um, came away not only impressed with the chief Jane and Matt, but also with a firm belief that Reading does in fact have standing to proceed forward if you all decided you wanted to do it. Um, what's to gain? uh certainly
uh a recoup to some degree of the money that the town had paid. I am not in a position today to tell you what that could be. I'm not going to guess because that's wrong. We are very early in this matter and there's an economist probably more than one that would have to be hired to do an analysis. It's not a
simple back of the envelope calculation where we can argue that you know we paid this we should have paid that. there are trouble damages, you know, punitive damages involved and there's a whole series of calculations that would have to go through because we are in fact talking about several thousand districts
across the country. Several, you know, and so it's it's a significant undertaking. More importantly, the complaint or what reading would have in its complaints like it like it would mirror the other complaints is a request for injunctive relief where we demand that the trucks get built and delivered
in a more timely manner. So the chief and his colleagues aren't asked or forced to deal with products that are really unsafe. Not every one of them, but as I said, the stories are horrific and there's no sense in putting the chief and his colleagues at further risk. Um, of note, this is all on a
contingent basis. Any agreement that you'd have would basically state that you pay nothing, no attorney's fees or upfront cost until there's either a settlement or a successful verdict at trial. I do not believe any of this will go to trial. Um, what's a risk? Uh, it's
been asked of me with everybody that I've talked to, uh, are we not cutting our nose off in spite of our phase where we have to go back to a manufacturer to try to purchase another vehicle because as the chief knows better than anybody else in the room, there's a shelf life to these vehicles. And his if history is
a guide, that's really not it's a very legitimate question, but it hasn't been proved to be an actual factual problem. Um, we happen to live in a state where attorney general probably would not look to take too kindly to on a defendant to double down on their bad behavior to take a retaliatory action against uh a
plaintiff for seeking damages that said they were, you know, rightly wrong. Um, we also not aware of any other action in the country where some defendants taking the retaliatory action as well. Judges won't look highly on this. So, um, those
are the highlights. Um, like I said, the the lead attorney came away very impressed with not only the leadership in Reading, the fact that um you you're clearly qualified. You town has standing. So, it's just a matter of leadership in the town deciding what it should do. Uh, happy to answer any
questions if you have any >> board members. Karen, >> I think your hand went up first. >> I saw Karen first, you know. >> Thank you very much. Um, just for a brief history because I know nothing about firet trucks. Um,
>> you said there's only three companies that manufacture the fire trucks. >> Uh, no. There are several manufacturers that manufacture firet trucks in the country. These three defendants are the main are the biggest manufacturers. They make up at least 80% of the market. >> Okay.
>> There are others and each of these main defendants have uh they manufacture and sell products by other names. So, so Crrave I believe is is what Reading buys, but there are a whole host of products that with different names, but the majority of them are owned and
operated by these three companies. I would I'm also remissed if I didn't mention either the complaints in Massachusetts also name equity firms, private equity firms that own and operate um these partic. Uh if you were to read the Chelsea River
complaints, you would see direct quotes from CEOs stating that um money is the priority. >> So let that resonate. >> So if you read the you know read things online and the equity companies own
them, what are the chances of, you know, all these litigations moving forward in those companies filing for bankruptcy and everybody being and and just wiping everything out and then you have to start from scratch or you go to some of the other companies. Do you know what I mean? Like there's that whole
tactic of >> Yeah. No, it's a fairy fair question. I don't have a crystal ball. Uh I don't, you know, probably need a lawyer with fun with skill and I bankruptcy and what that could mean and uh the likelihood of that happening. Again, I'm a fan of history. history is a guide that in
matters like these, you don't see many of these defendants of this size and and back like these companies are to file for bankruptcy and disappear. They may come back in a different form of fashion, but it's a great question. I don't have a real solid answer for you. I cannot tell you with certainty that
we'd win or the settlement or these folks >> thinking that the equity firms are going to do everything they can to try and you know minimize their losses. So, as far as in the complaints filed so far, is it all three manufacturers that are being sued or just? >> No, all three. >> All three. >> Yeah, they're on every complaint
together. Yeah. And there may be additional PL uh defendants added as well, >> so they can enjoin anybody as they go. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Okay, that's all. >> Carla, I guess my question was piggy back on Karen was in the packet there's
one company mentioned, correct? Uh I I didn't see the P uh I'm just >> says at all. So there >> Okay, that's what >> Yeah. So that's the agenda and that's just the the caption for the case. Okay. >> Yes.
The the question earlier everybody's all of the defendants are named in every complaint here. Okay. Thank you. >> Anyone else? Karen. >> Yeah. Um yeah, there's a bit to unpack here. Um especially after our discussion of not having um involved in this
conversation. Um it has not escaped my notice that it took us so long to get the last firet truck in that you can't even plan. You you literally need to take delivery of a new fire truck and order the next one. It it's insane. And and we're very
close. We have another fire truck on the capital plan, right? And I'm and I'm just shocked because most of co we were like getting updates on the fire truck. not being delivered and now we have to order another one. Like literally it's so that part's nuts and and and and
I feel like we've been already hearing that even with the new fire truck, there's still a lot of out of service stuff which isn't good. Um but um part of my unpacking is is understanding
like you seem very familiar with this and you are an attorney. So your firm is involved with these other two cities and >> so uh yes I am an attorney. I'm not a litigator. My firm is not part of the team that we represent for example writing Chelsea. No, my role is actually
tonight. Exactly. To utilize my contacts uh to seek out uh entities that might find this interest. Okay. >> See if that's standing. >> Okay. >> Together with the attorney and see if there's an opportunity to work together. >> Okay. And are we so I have um
there are more than one municipal attorney firms in the state of Massachusetts. So um and on other issues I've I've suggested that maybe we go bring in for instance a real estate expert for certain real estate matters. So is this from your perspective as a
town manager um an opportunity to consider that we um as a select board if we would like to do this we would seek out a specialized firm to assist us with this. This is already a filed class action lawsuit. So it's it's joining
their suit is what it would be. So if Go ahead. >> Yeah. No, just one thing on the uh the law firms. Um these are folks these are entities that have been existing for 20 or 30 years. This is their specialty. They have in fact and still represent hundreds of municipalities across the country including here in the
Commonwealth. So if you're looking for expert municipal law firms, the the five the four, I'm sorry, the four that are leading this effort are in fact that >> Yeah. What I'm trying to unpack is um
we've never done this before. So I'm So you mentioned um um contingent basis, but you also mentioned we might have to hire an economist to measure material um financial damage, whatever. That makes sense. Do we do that at the
beginning of the process or we do that when like the class action is settled when you get the little postcard in the mail that says you know go find your iPhone receipts and figure out how much to spend on iPhones when h what you know how much time and energy and money does
would reading need to I'm asking the question again how much time and money effort would reading need to put forth >> um time and well time is time is minimal because I think Ren's produced all the information that's needed to date.
Thanks for the chief Jane and Matt. Um everything's on a continued basis. So if the economist is being hired, that cost being worn by the by the uh by the law firms and if there's no settlement or no verdict, Reading will never see a bill for any of it. Now, if there is a settlement or a verdict, then now those
fees and it's all clearly stated in the fee agreement come out of the settlement. >> And again, I think there will be a settlement sometime down the road. So the fees that And this will all be you know documented on a monthly or you know what whatever the whatever whatever the plaintiff would want the client would
want but the uh the fees would be paid out of that selling so you're not out of pocket anything >> so the effort you would be anticipating for staff >> thank you for explaining that >> right >> what would be the effort >> I don't I mean again we're just at the beginning I don't see a lot of effort we
you know we have all the documentation you know so it's not like we have a big request to put together this cover. We have everything regarding this this last fire truck. Um the chief has been very cooperative and on board and I don't think he spent a lot of time on this so
far. Um so I mean there be some you know effort which is dealing with the law firm getting updates seeing where we are. I mean we are we were part of that opioid settlement as well you know which is similar not not exactly the same. >> We had to do something take proactive action part of that.
>> Yeah. Yeah. And we've gotten settlements from there. So again, you know, the way it was presented to me is that if it's not going to cost the town any money and we can get some money in the long run, and I know the frustration we went through with this last firet truck purchase because I was part of it with
Fidel and I know Fidel was very frustrated. Um that you know, why should this happen again? So there's a little bit of a moral implication here as well. So that's why I figured bring it to the board. I did check with Iria on all this. It's the board's decision. It's not my decision. So you would have to decide probably at a later meeting
whether you wanted to to join this case or not. But I felt incumbent on me to bring it to the board having this information. >> Okay. And just um just to confirm one more thing I think I heard from you. So we are in the process of needing to buy another fire truck and there will be no
um no punishment or no impact on that process. >> Um again mystery is a guide. We haven't seen it in this case or in other cases like this like this meaning other antitrust litigation matters. Uh it is always possible that someone wants to
take a action against Fredding and not do business but like I said this these three defendants dominate about 80% of the market. There are other manufacturers out there. Uh I would be surprised if I was an attorney representing the defendants. I would be
advising do not take retalatory action. it is only going to double down and make our situation much much much worse. We live in a state where we've got a pretty aggressive attorney general. We have statute on the books called 93A. >> Um it could only make matters worse for the defendants. All that taken together.
I cannot sit here and will not sit here and tell you that nothing bad could happen if you decided to join. >> I'm just being honest. >> I think if I was a betting individual, I would say you'd not have to worry about that. But I can't guarantee.
>> Okay. Thank you. That's it. >> Melissa, >> thank you so much for clarifying this. Um I my only concern would be the retaliation knowing that, you know, we need one sooner rather than later and probably another one following that. So otherwise, I fully support going forward
with this. To me, it makes complete sense. To be honest, it's a question that has come up in every community I've talked to and I've talked to maybe 20 in the last couple of months and it's it's it's really the first question. >> Yeah. >> What do we face? What's the risk question? >> Yeah. No, especially if they own that much of the market like Yeah.
>> And I'm not trying to be cavalier and dismiss it. I just we I'm relying on the experience of these law firms that have done this many many many times over. And um it makes sense why there wouldn't be, but I also understand the question of the risk we have to buy new trucks and
you know there's only so many out there, but there are others out there that are not part of this. >> Yeah, >> I always support us trying. >> So I guess Chief Nelson, when uh when when do we have to get another truck or
do we already have a signed contract where then we're good for five or 10 years? like where do we stand with our process? >> Okay, so the the model that we use is it's a 20-year model per truck for our
engines. So, we have four engines, two that run daily and two that are backup pieces. So, if one breaks down or like tonight, our our engine went over storm just to help with the fire just a little while ago, we have another truck that put in service. Um, so the last engine
that we ordered was in 2020 and we took delivery of that in 20 at the end of 2021. So just in November 14th, check my notes. November 14th, I signed a contract for a new crave pump. So every five years, so 2020
we ordered. Now 2025 we're ordering. So 2030 would be the next scheduled um purchase of a vehicle. Um, unfortunately this time it's a 1500 day delivery. It's 4.1 years until we see the truck. So
what I struggle with is are we ordering the second one now so that it's now on time. Uh that you know this this is a this is a real this is a real problem. Um and whether you change manufacturers time doesn't get that much better. You might save a little bit of money but not
a lot of money. The Seagar product that we use is a superior product. And if these trucks have to last 20 years and now potentially 25 years because this this potent if we don't order another one soon, they're all going to get pushed off five years if this continues. Now they're 25 year trucks. And that's a
long time in these trucks. They get they get run really hard. You know, the diesels, they don't like to they don't like to sit and then go 100 miles an hour. And that's what they do every day. They sit and they go 100 miles an hour. DPW does an excellent job keeping them running, but it is a problem. So to answer your question, we just ordered a
truck now with anticipated delivery of 4.1 years. The next truck in the in the cycle will be 2030, fiscal year 2030. >> I thought we just got a fire truck that got into an accident and all that. Didn't that just happen? Or maybe >> you talking about a ladder truck?
>> Oh, so there's a difference. >> Yeah. Okay. So I was talking about engines. Now we have a ladder truck. That's a 15-year vehicle. It's a single resource. no backup truck. So that we just ordered. So what happened? There a little bit of story behind that one. Maybe I'll just give you a quick summary. I did some little bit of
history on this kind of catch up. So we signed that contract in February 2022. 2022 for $1.36 million and it had a 550day delivery. So about a year and a half, which was about average. So that's 2022.
um in August of 2023, 555 days after we signed the contract. So, we're supposed to have the truck 5 days after supposed to have it, they reached out and said, "Oh, by the way, there's a material increase cost of $178,000." So, that's what you that's kind that's
what you're thinking about. So, we had that request for $178 million. Um there was an agreement that was signed um September 21st of 2023. Um there was some negotiations that went on. The Fidel did uh did a great job that got us got us an extended warranty
and a parts voucher and things, but part of that was that they had to deliver the truck by May 31st, 2024. That's when they had to deliver it with a $100 day penalty after that. So the plan the plan was then uh we would have the truck 846
days from the original contract. Well, May 31st came and went. Our delivery didn't actually come until December 5th. >> So, we took delivery of that ladder truck 13,034 days into the contract. So, more than double, which is about double what they
promised. And it was uh 180 days 188 days less. And we paid an extra $180,000 that truck. >> Did we ding them the $100 a day penalty? >> 100%. >> So, we did. >> They didn't blink. They paid it. They didn't fight us on it.
>> So, we did. I I like this. >> Yep, we did. That was that was taken off the top. >> Okay, perfect. >> Where are they made? >> So, the seag grays are made for the most part in Wisconsin. Um, all the manufacturers make in Ohio.
Most of it's out in the Midwest. >> It's not like they're coming on the boat, >> but some Pennsylvania. Say again. >> They're not coming on a boat from somewhere. It's they're made in the US. >> No, these are US. These these are these are made in the US. I mean there are there are European trucks but they're not getting made and shipped over the cost of the astronomically to ship.
>> Are the law firms doing the litigations local or are they all from Wisconsin? >> No, they are from uh scattered about the country. New York, New Jersey, Florida, Philadelphia, and San Francisco. >> Okay. >> Offices scanned. I'll if you want to learn a little bit more, I recommend
maybe if you get about, you know, 65 minutes of time during the day, look up the September 10th this year, September 10th Senate hearing on it. There's a Senate hearing where they questioned um some of the manufacturers have brought a lot of things to light and um it's
pretty it's pretty bothersome when I read it and it's all about money according to that Senate hearing. >> Yeah, there's an article um in the International Fire and Safety Journal where Elizabeth Warren is
saying we need to conduct a study um of the FT under the FTC act to review business practices in the fire truck industry. So, yep, it's out there. Okay. >> Yeah, this makes sense for me. I I do remember the discussions with Fidel back
then and um the former chief as well and uh it didn't sit right with me back then that all of these things would happen and they use some loophole clause to be like now you got to pay otherwise like then we're screwed. So it didn't sit
well with me and um I'm glad that we would be able to hold some people accountable. It seems as if this is a brilliant business venture to get into if you can provide trucks with, you know, with three-year dates like everyone would get from you. I don't know what prevents anyone from doing
that. Probably money and connections, I guess. Um, so no, I'm on board with this. I know we're not voting tonight, but you know, we'll have it on a subsequent >> selected meeting. Kevin, do you know how
in terms of the time frame with the law firms, how soon they need an answer from us just so we can gauge future meetings? >> The class hasn't been certified yet. >> Um, like I said, here there are four plaintiffs in Wisconsin. There are two
here, including Fidel Chelsea Chelsea who was filed today. >> Um, I think the objective is to get a few more in Massachusetts. coming up later, I think it's in January, there will be meetings about, you know, where the actual case is going to be litigated. Wisconsin, Massachusetts, there's a panel, a
judicial panel that will determine, it could go anywhere in the country. Okay. >> Um, you know, we're trying to get as many communities signed on as possible. I'll say this sooner later, but I also understanding and everybody else has to do their due diligence to determine if
this is the right thing to do, and if so, you know, going through the proper procedures to do it. Carlo to piggy back on that. Thanks. Is there a hard deadline? No, there is. No. No, there is not. Okay.
So, I guess what's the sentiment of the board? Are we all in agreement with this where I can have this on a future agenda item that's going to take two seconds so we can get it done this month or how does everyone feel? >> I think we should move forward with that. >> Yeah, I agree. >> I'm fine with that. >> All right. So on whatever RCTV follow-up
agenda item that we're going to do, just piggyback this one on that >> for a vote. >> Okay. >> All right. Anybody from the public have any questions for anybody? Anybody online? Manny,
>> I don't see any hands raised. >> All right. Thank you, gentlemen. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> We'll get this wrapped up by the end of the month. >> Thank you. Appreciate it. >> Thank you. >> Thanks. >> Thanks. >> Thanks, Chief. >> Thanks, Kevin. Good to see you. >> All right. So, we took that out of order. So, now we are back to review the
meeting 2026 meeting schedule, page 72 in the packet. >> We have a meeting schedule. Does anyone want to cut half the meetings off the meeting schedule? >> Sorry. do that.
>> Make the packet smaller. >> Looks normal to me. >> I mean, everything seems pretty straightforward how we've always done things. >> Added any special stuff, Matt? >> No, we just took what we had from prior years just to give an outline. It's not
all set in stone. A lot of them just regular agenda items anyway. Um, and tried to plug in, you know, if there were things that we knew that were recurring. But um it's more the dates that we were looking if there are real problems with the date or a couple dates that would have to move. It's better to
know that upfront. Um not so much the uh the agenda items. So >> I would just like to confirm we've checked these dates are not holidays in any sort. >> I believe so. Maddie, are you on? >> I don't have my phone or I would do it
now. >> Yep. Jackie and I confirmed that these are not holidays. >> Okay, great. >> Okay. So, they did do that. >> That would be my only comment. Thank you. >> Anyone else? Karen, >> we talked earlier tonight about because we're um uh the procedure for the town
manager evaluation is getting pushed out a month. I thought we said two meetings, maybe it was the 10th and the other was 18th in February. So, do we need to add one here? So, we need to we need to complete and discuss
an open session >> by February 9th >> and then we must provide a a notice if we're going to renew by February 16th. >> With the month extension, >> yes, those are the the dates with the extension. So, the 9th and 16th. So, we
have a board meeting on the 10th. Obviously, that would not work in those scenarios. Um, well, the night scenario would work. >> You could say the 10th instead of the 9th is only a day. I mean, if it meets the meeting schedule, doesn't matter. I can put that in the email.
>> So, now we'll adjust the date from the 9th to the 10th. >> Yeah. >> Well, we solve that. >> Okay. Karen, did you have anything then? >> I don't know what I'm doing tomorrow. So, I mean, all these things look great to me until they're not >> election.
Um are there any other elections in this year? >> There is a state one in >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Carla, we cut half the meetings off in 26. >> Yes.
>> No summer meetings. Sarah Rose seconded it. Oh, you were gone. So we put a town election on. Okay. So we don't put state elections on this. We just put a town ele. >> Yeah. >> Okay. But um I think we are talking about and
good Carlos back. Um we're talking about CPA next November >> so far. Yes. >> So does that mean we're having a town election? >> I think it would fall on the state election. >> It'd be the state election. >> Okay. Okay. So, I think I'm going to put something on the on April town meeting
regarding the CPA going to the voters. >> Yeah, I'll be giving you these on report. Yeah, >> I'm just thinking about the uh the schedule. We were there's elections identified on the schedule. I mean, sorry, not elections. Um, >> sorry, I guess I'm getting tired. Okay, thanks.
>> 955. >> All right. Anyone in the public have an issue with our meeting schedule? Anyone online, Maddie? >> No hands raised online. >> Perfect. So, we're not adding stuff to this right now. We're just reviewing it. >> Correct.
>> Go ahead and like knock one off of August right now. >> I move to >> Yeah, we can do it in August. Two in August. >> See, move to strike August 18th because it's really busy.
>> Yeah, we can just take it off. Yeah, >> just take it off. You can always add it back in. >> Yeah. >> When are we knocking off? >> August 18th, she said. >> I agree. One a month of the summer. July and August. >> Just fold it in. >> Fold it in. >> Fold it. >> All right. August 18th coming off.
>> Yep. So, Maddie will make it out of >> July. Let's get rid of that one, too. >> All right. Well, we knocked one off. >> There we go. We've already opened it up. >> I got to make sure one's on my birthday. Hold on.
I don't think it matters. No, we're good. >> September. >> Yeah, >> so our meeting is the fourth. So, all right. Thank you. >> Yeah, that doesn't matter. >> Okay. >> All right. So, we knocked off the one August one.
>> We'll make that adjustment. >> All right. Uh Moving on to select more layers on reports. Uh, who wants to go first? >> Go. You have a short one. >> Let's say go ahead. >> I have a very short list. Um, we had three nights or I attended three nights
of Tommy Day. I could not attend the fourth night of town meeting. Um, when they were all fairly long nights. Um, I was able to attend the Veterans Day celebration and read the proclamation which was a great event as always. and I attended the Brad Jones annual
Thanksgiving um dinner that he puts on for the seniors um at Teresa's North Reading this year. It was a fabulous event. Um I was glad I was able to attend. Um and I have been in the trenches of RCTV contracts otherwise.
So that's really all I have for reports this meeting. >> Perfect. >> Trenches. Yeah. >> Karen, did you have one? It's very brief. >> Very. I like brief, especially at 9:58. >> Um, >> mostly town meeting. >> Yes.
>> And um I attended the Council on Aging uh meeting on the 19th and my line is blank and I I had to leave early because I had another meeting which was the ACE meeting which they discussed stuff they presented here. Um affordable housing
trust meeting on the same night which was a quick meeting. We voted to endorse the CPA And um I had a housing authority meeting today, but I'll have I'll let Karen go over it. >> They discussed several projects in
process. ARPA funding, tree trimming contracts, water tank replacement, heat pumps. They got a $440,000 award to replace the heating pump in one of their facilities. That's really good. Y >> that's it.
>> Karen, did you want to go next? Yeah. Um, sure. And um, yeah. So, well, that's fresh in my mind. So, um I believe there might be some opportunities for them in green communities as well because one of their
members is is a very experienced housing authority person and I reminded them and I as soon as I saw heat pump I said oh you know >> anyway so they may be reaching out to Jane or you >> and what was as well also I'm not sure
if they're plugged into the federal heat pump credits and they have a heat pump that's project that's just about done. I don't know if there's an opportunity for them to get it, but I think we have you've mentioned that we've hired a consultant to help us do the tax stuff.
>> So, they might reach out about that. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Yep. >> Great. Yeah. So, it's good to see anyway our our housing um our our renting housing authoring converting over and making things more energy efficient and yay. Okay. So yeah, so Thanksgiving
dinner sponsored by um Brad Jones and Rich Integrity was awesome and um yeah, that was great. Um so nice to do all that embarrassing dancing and um but everyone had a wonderful time and and um Mrs. Jones, Linda Jones does an amazing
job organizing every year and um was telling her that we are working on recal and and so that we could potentially have it there in a year or so, maybe next year. Mhm. >> Um yes, town meeting three nights as well. And what else did you do?
Something else that you were >> Veterans. >> Yes, Veterans Day. Thank you. Um our uh Will Valier, fabulous job. It was really really cold and um yes, that was a very very nice event for Veterans Day. >> Thank you,
>> Carlo. All right. Mine's pretty similar. Um, I attended the Veterans Day event as well. Um, was well attended despite the cold, surprisingly. And also thank you to Brad Jones and Rich Hagerty. State reps on another
successful event for our running seniors. I think it was 175 or so attendees there with a good MC. A lot of dancing and uh last night of course town meeting
that was tons of fun. and CPA. So CPA update is we met last night and we're meeting again in a couple weeks and basically a lot of presentations have been made to boards and committees. Uh they'll be
coming in front of us in early 26 uh to get on the warrant for a town meeting and then sub subsequently election in November. And I kind of you know on my personal notes I just raised some
concerns of you know unfortunately bad timing with the override coming but uh this is a leazison report. So yeah, CPAs were working really hard and then with um there's a nice flyer out there and we went over the whole I forget how many
pages of the report that's very lengthy that we kind of adapted from NATIC um and just inserted the word writing and made our changes that are for us specifically. So that's still in progress. said we're going to try to
finalize that at the next meeting and um you know they were at town meeting there was a table at town meeting for CPA they were at the street fair um a lot of outreach and oh and then we voted on 1%
last night as well which I love with that so we voted on 1% we voted on the exemptions and uh so that was good we finally formalized that that was a long time coming and and then we're going to finalize uh our report over the last
couple meetings. So when they come in early winter, it will be as brief and concise and to the point as possible so less questions. >> Thank you. Um for me, same thing. Thank you to Brad Jones and uh Rich Hagerty
for putting on the Thanksgiving event for the seniors. Um it's the third or fourth year that I've taken my youngest daughter Savannah to. um she's more of a hit than I am. Um which is, you know, good for all of them to be, you know, dancing and energizing with her instead
of me because I don't do many of that. Um the Veterans Day event obviously with Will put on it was extremely cold. I it like colder than today. I don't know how that's possible, but um everybody toughed it out and really appreciate for
everything that the you know, our veterans do as well as Will and everyone else that came out that day. Um I attended the treelighting event the other day. Um even with the rain and everything that happened, there was a
ton of people. I mean, I when I first got there, just seeing kind of mishmash of just a half dozen people in front of the town common area, but right at like 4:15 or whatever, it just was packed.
Um, so a lot of people still uh enjoyed the event even with with the rain. Um, and then I think Matt might have mentioned this earlier, but shop the block is is this Thursday. Um, so make sure you know everybody gets downtown
between 5 and 9 or something. Yep. Um, so yeah, lots going on and shop local for sure. And that's all I got. So moving on to 950 approved, two sets of meeting
minutes, page 81 in the packet. I will lead off. I had zero changes. >> I also had no changes. >> What about future agendas? I skipped that because I somehow skipped that. So, we'll go to future agendas
real quick. Um I think that we did um so the ACE committee extension truck scenario, >> right? >> And >> RCTV and I didn't have anything else to
add. >> Do do you want me to do a doodle pull for so that date you can't make the 16th? I'm not sure how we're going to have to handle it. We got to see with RCTV scenario what other meetings are available. >> She can't do the 12th, right?
>> Or 16th. You can't do the 16th. So, >> we're not doing the 9th. It's too soon. >> I think so, right? That's next week. >> We have budget meetings that night. I mean, you could meet before that if you wanted to. >> That might be risky. >> Yeah. What um my only
um slight hesitation is um how I think the edits or changes that we have for the agreement are pretty minor but >> um you know I feel like we have to talk as a negotiation committee and then get it off to the lawyers. So,
>> okay. >> I do think we might want to go past the 9th. >> It's whatever. We're all aware of the deadines. So, >> as long as it's not New Year's Eve. >> So, um Okay, we'll sort of we'll play it
by ear. >> Any other future agenda items? >> Yeah, Karen. >> Uh yes. um discuss creating the disabilities commission >> or create it or create.
>> Yeah, it'll get past time meeting so talk about creating it. Sure. Y >> did it get posted? I talked to Lara about it. I already had two. >> I know there people that are interested already. Yeah. >> She just said that she had to wait I think seven days after town meeting.
>> You did have to wait a little bit. So I'll double check you. I believe as my understanding it will come to Vasque. So Karen and I maybe could schedule Basque meetings for January. >> Yeah, >> I think we should put it to Vasque. >> Carla, I don't know if it's a future
agenda future agenda or just an update, but master plan committee is falling by the wayside. >> Yeah. So that was with uh CPDC. Obviously we had crazy stuff going on um and that town meeting just got over. So, I'll revisit that with Heather and and
see what we can do about getting this uh hammered out for the future. Okay. Yeah. >> Anyone else? Moving on to meeting minutes. I still have no changes. Page 81 of the packet.
I'm good. >> Good. Um, I sent in something earlier, Maddie. >> Yep. I have the 10:27 minutes up now with the one edit that you had sent for
this one. >> Perfect. >> And that's it. >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> Okie dokie. Um, do you have a motion then, Karen?
October 27th, right? >> Uh 27th and then November 4th. Oh, did you have another change on the other one? >> I did. >> Do you want to just bring that up then, Maddie, real quick? >> Yep. >> This is just tricky. It would be so much
easier if we just summarize, but Those weren't my words, so it didn't feel right. >> I'm sorry, Maddie. Can you just go up one more second? I didn't finish. >> Yes, sorry. >> No, no, no worries. My slow reading
I guess my only question on that is uh obviously I didn't have time to look but Karen you were saying that you did say what's in the red now the edits >> I yeah the part that's crossed out I was like it is it I mean the sentiment is
there but I if this was just summarized none of that paragraph would be there um But I I was like, if we're going to get into like details, then it needs to sort of look like what I said. >> I guess I'm fine with it. Even sort of looking like what you said. It doesn't
seem any >> I agree. It doesn't really seem any different, but I'm good with it. >> I'm fine with it. >> All right, Maddie, do you want to move down? You said it was another one. And now I might have sent you a little typo with an extra space between comm
and promise. >> Oh, that's okay. I just copied and pasted. So, sorry. >> Probably me. Sorry. >> I don't have a problem with it. Anything else, Maddie? >> No, I believe that's the last one.
>> All right, Karen, could I get a motion for both amended? >> Move to approve the meeting minutes of October 27th, 2025 as amended. >> Second. Seconded by Karen Heric. Any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor. 5 Z. Next.
>> Move to approve the meeting minutes November 4th, 2025 as amended. >> Second. >> Seconded by Karen Heric. Any discussion? Seeing none. All those in favor 50. All right. Moving on to
1005 executive session. Um Karen, did you have a motion for that? >> Motion to enter into executive session pursuit to GL chapter 30A section 21
parentheses A and parenthesis parenthesis 2 strategy session in preparation for negotiations with non-UN personnel. town manager Cornelis to invite town council and executive assistant Mattie Baptist into the executive session and to
adjourn from the executive session and not return to open session. >> So friendly amendment to that we would remove Maddie from it is going to take um minutes for it. So Mar
>> just >> move to remove Maddie Baptist from the executive session and add >> she's just she's already there. It's just striking that out. >> Oh, okay. Second.
>> I think it's a friendly amendment, so I think it's okay. And maybe we just say move to accept it as amendment. Yeah. >> Move to accept it as amended. >> Second. >> Second. >> All right. Uh, roll call vote. Karen
Rose Gillis. >> Yes. >> Karen Herrick. >> Yes. >> Melissa Murphy. >> Yes. >> Kabachi. >> Yes. >> And Chris Hay. Yes.