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Dear Editor
I am deeply concerned about the following 8/20/24 Select Board agenda item :
Review and vote on request from Community Planning and
Development Commission member Guy Manganiello to
approve an exemption pursuant to GL c. 268A s. 19(b)(1)
thereby allowing him to participate in certain zoning
matters
Volunteers to all Reading boards, commissions, and committees have to undergo a State training on Conflict of Interest, Ethics, and Open Meeting Law and are bound to act within these guidelines and boundaries.
Why in the world would Mr. Manganiello need to be excused from these standards?
This is the beginning of a slippery slope. Rules and standards of practice seemingly can be broken, rewritten, or altered to serve the whim of the Select Board Chair, Carlo Bacci, and two other Select Board members, Chris Haley and Melissa Murphy.
Mr. Manganiello’s appointment to the Community Planning and Development Commission (CPDC ) was seen as highly questionable to begin with given his professional interests and involvement in so many of Reading’s projects and developments. The majority of the Select Board decided not to re-appoint two highly qualified and ethical residents who served on the CPDC to appoint two other residents, one including Mr. Manganiello, a real estate developer, who seemingly stands to benefit financially from his appointment on the CPDC. It is for this reason alone that Mr. Manganiello needs to held to the highest ethical standards without exceptions.
The reputation and integrity of Mr. Manganiello is not on the line here, but that of the Reading Select Board. There does not appear to be a reason to break a standard of practice or code of ethics here except for one that kinda looks like financial gain.
Nancy Docktor
Pearl St resident
Precinct One Town Meeting member
