Reading, MA — After being nominated by Select Board member Karen Herrick, Jackie McCarthy was elected as chair of the Select Board for the coming year by a vote of 5-0. Outgoing chair Mark Dockser stated, “I think that as we move forward, we need to set a tone and an expectation that we are looking for; I feel confident that Jackie can do that.”
McCarthy thanked the board for trusting her with the responsibility of being the chair, stating that she would seek to ensure the board is efficient and well run. “How the five of us show up and how we treat each other really sets the model for what we would want to see,” McCarthy concluded.
McCarthy, taking the gavel, then nominated Dockser to be vice-chair. Select Board member Christopher Haley also nominated himself for the role. Haley shared his belief that he would work well with McCarthy, as seen in their partnership on the Volunteer Appointments Sub-Committee. Addressing what he sees as a divide on the board, Haley encouraged the others to support his candidacy. “Even though the signs on our lawns may not overlap when we walk through that door, I’d like to think that everything is put aside for the benefit of the community,” Haley indicated.
Dockser agreed, stating his belief that the vice-chair has the role to help guide the chair, a role he would be well-suited for, having twice been chair of the board. “Most important is to work together as a group of five to do the right thing for the community,” Dockser added. The board voted 3-2 in favor of Dockser, with Haley and member Carlo Bacci as the dissenting votes.
McCarthy nominated Bacci as secretary, noting his skill at communicating with residents and other boards and committees in the community. Bacci then nominated Herrick for the role, noting that she had yet to have a chance to be secretary. Herrick was elected by a 5-0 vote.
During public comment, resident Vanessa Alvarado expressed concern over comments made at a previous Select Board meeting by Bacci regarding resident Angela Binda’s remarks about Bacci’s role on the Symonds Way Exploratory Committee. Binda’s concerns ranged from an open meeting law error to a possible conflict of interest.
Bacci had shared at the April 18 Select Board meeting his belief that he had been the victim of a lengthy personal attack at a recent Recreation Committee meeting after giving an update to that committee regarding the work of the Symonds Way Exploratory Committee. He stated that Binda took forty-five minutes to make accusations about his personal and professional life and offered criticism regarding an open meeting law violation, for which Bacci had since apologized.
Alvarado stated, “When mistakes happen, it is important to acknowledge those errors, correct them and take steps to prevent them from happening again, not to berate and criticize residents who are holding you accountable for votes you have taken as a Select Board member.” She then indicated her belief that Bacci owes Binda an apology for his comments.
Town Accountant Sharon Angstrom presented a plan which would take advantage of a bill signed by the governor in November, allowing a one-time additional two percent cost of living adjustment off the base for those receiving pensions from the Town of Reading. For most, this would amount to a $280 increase. Angstrom explained that approval of the measure would increase the town’s liability by $842,400, which would be spread over the next seven years. The board will vote on the plan on May 23.
The board voted 5-0 to sign a letter of support on an application for a $2 million grant request for infrastructure and streetscape improvements for lower Haven Street and the portion of High Street adjacent to the depot. Economic Development Director Ben Cares provided details that showed pedestrian safety features and climate resilience measures which would be added to the area. The project developer at 6-16 Chute Street, local businesses, and the legislative delegation have already provided their support for the grant. Cares shared that the goal is to be under construction in the spring of 2025 should the grant be received.
Conservation Administrator Chuck Tirone asked the board to accept the gift of a 1.7-acre parcel of land located at 0 Sanborn Lane. Tirone explained that the land, owned by Ralph James, increases connectivity to the Town Forest and could be part of a greater Ipswich River greenway path. The Conservation Commission already approved acceptance of the parcel. The board voted 5-0 to accept the gift.
Tirone also joined the board to discuss expanding the charge for the Symonds Way Exploratory Committee (SWEC). This committee is charged with assessing ways to use the fifteen-acre parcel purchased by the town in 2019, located off Symonds Way. Tirone explained that additional small parcels are under consideration in the area, including three acres on the other side of the Burbank Ice Arena, which could be part of a broader discussion. Bacci had reported that SWEC felt that the charge given by the board needed to be clearer as to its parameters and was seeking further guidance from the board. Dockser noted, “The mission here is to look more holistically at this space.” A vote to expand the charge will be considered at a future meeting when specific language is available.
The board continued a discussion regarding the adoption of tiered water and sewer rates in town. Town Manager Fidel Maltez explained that this system would charge households a higher rate as more water is used in a progressive manner, similar to income taxes. He also expressed his belief that a tiered system would encourage conservation.
Under the current proposal, those in the lowest water usage tier would see an eleven percent savings on their quarterly bill, the second tier would see a five percent savings, tier three would see a three percent increase, tier four a ten percent increase, and tier five a fourteen percent increase. Dockser pointed out that eighty-four percent of Reading’s residential users fall into the lowest three tiers. Herrick followed this expressing her appreciation that the use of tiered billing increases affordability for a large percentage of home users. She also stressed that the adoption of tiered billing would be in compliance with Massachusetts General Law. “We should have been doing this all along,” Herrick declared.
Haley indicated a concern that large commercial water users, such as nursing homes, would simply pass the costs on to their residents. He also indicated an openness to a trial program of fifty homes being allowed to install second water meters for outdoor usages, such as irrigation. The board plans a public forum on the issue for May 31, with a vote to come on June 6.
The Select Board voted 5-0 to appoint Tony D’Arezzo as a full member of the Community Planning and Development Commission (CPDC) for a term lasting until June 30, 2024. D’Arezzo is a long-standing associate member of the CPDC. The board also discussed issuance of a request for proposals for a feasibility study for a new senior center and the extension of the sunset date for the Reading Center for Active Living Committee.
The Select Board adjourned at 11:20 pm.
