Appoints 53 Volunteers, Unanimous Votes on Most Appointments, Disagreements Over RCTV and ZBA
Reading, MA – The Select Board voted 5-0 to appoint fifty-three persons to various volunteer boards and committees on Tuesday night. All applicants had been interviewed and recommended to the board by the Volunteer Appointment Sub-Committee (VASC). The VASC, made up of Select Board members Melissa Murphy and Karen Rose Gillis, was in agreement on all of their recommendations except for the Select Board appointment to the RCTV Board of Directors, Rose Gillis preferring incumbent applicant Cris Cridler and Murphy, citing her belief in the need for a fresh voice on the board, preferring new applicant Ron Powell.
Select Board member Karen Herrick expressed concern about replacing Cridler, whom she referred to as “a hardworking, experienced, knowledgeable member,” for what she deemed as “personal reasons.” When put to a vote, both Rose-Gillis and Herrick voted in favor of Cridler, while the other three members of the board voted against the appointment. When Powell’s name was put forward for the position, he received all five votes from the members of the Select Board.
Herrick also expressed concern regarding the appointment of Anthony Fodera to the Zoning Board of Appeals, as she believes there is the possibility of a conflict of interest. She was assured that Fodera no longer works for his family company, which has done several development projects in town, and that he would recuse himself if such a conflict were to arise.
The board voted 5-0 to accept land on Waverly Road that is being given to the town as conservation land. Conservation Administrator Chuck Tirone shared that most of the property is wetlands, and that the town taking ownership of the land would help keep it preserved for the future. The board also voted 5-0 to conduct a “friendly taking” of land at 170 Ash Street, which is a sidewalk adjacent to the McDonald’s restaurant on Main Street. When the restaurant underwent renovations last year, a survey determined that the town did not own the entire sidewalk, but rather that 261 square feet was owned by the owners of the McDonald’s property. Town Meeting voted in May to authorize the taking.
By a 5-0 vote, the board approved the dedication of the archives room at Town Hall in honor of long-time resident Virginia Adams. Adams has been a mainstay in town for decades, including spending over thirty years on Town Meeting, and continues to serve on the Historical Commission, which she joined as a founding member. A plaque will be placed in the room to commemorate the dedication.
The board also received an update on the activities of the Ad-Hoc Commemoration Establishment Committee and discussed setting goals for the Town Manager. The Town Manager’s goals must be set by July 11, according to his current contract.
Approval of the minutes also generated discussion as Rose-Gillis noted that Chair Christopher Haley referred to Murphy as the co-chair in the minutes. Herrick continued, arguing that no such position exists and that the entire five-member board should have a discussion before changes are made. Haley argued that the minutes should reflect what he actually said in the meeting. Herrick then suggested the use of quotation marks around the term “co-chair.”
Member Carlo Bacci, while agreeing that there is no provision for a co-chair, also stated that the minutes should reflect what was actually said in the meeting. Herrick then suggested that several procedural changes at the meetings since Haley came aboard as chair should be discussed by the entire board. Haley and Herrick then spoke back and forth on the issue until Murphy pointed out that the discussion was off topic. Ultimately, the Select Board voted 5-0 to approve the minutes.
The board adjourned at 8:50 pm.
