Veteran firefighter and Assistant Chief Richard Nelson to succeed Chief Burns on May 1
Listen to this articleReading, MA — By a vote of 5-0, the Select Board ratified Town Manager Matt Kraunelis’s appointment of Richard Nelson as Reading’s next fire chief. Kraunelis explained the search process to the board, which included screening by a committee, multiple interviews, and an assessment by a consultant. Kraunelis noted that Nelson had achieved the highest score from the assessment center. Nelson, who has been with the Reading Fire Department for twenty-eight years, is the current Assistant Fire Chief, a position he has held for a little over a year.
Current Fire Chief Greg Burns described Nelson as “the natural choice” for the position, stating that Nelson is a “fantastic leader” who will move the department forward. He also mentioned that Nelson has shown his leadership in several areas, including with the Essex County Technical Rescue Program.
Nelson thanked his family, many supporters, and the board for their confidence in him. “I am absolutely honored and humbled by the trust and support,” Nelson commented.
Nelson will take his new post after Burns retires on May 1.
By a 3-2 vote, the Select Board also chose member Christopher Haley as its chair for the coming year. He was nominated for the role by member Melissa Murphy. Members Karen Herrick and the newly elected Karen Rose-Gillis were the dissenting votes. Herrick had nominated Murphy for the role, a nomination which failed by a vote of 2-3, with Herrick and Rose-Gillis voting in the affirmative. Haley thanked the board for the vote, stating, “I love this town and am committed to everything I have done.” He also reflected on his experience thus far on the board, sharing, “ I would not trade anything for how it is right now.”
After he was elected chair, Haley presided over Murphy’s election as Vice-Chair by a 5-0 vote and Rose-Gillis’s election as secretary by a 5-0 vote.
The Select Board voted 5-0 to approve new regulations for the Town Forest based on the new bylaws approved by Town Meeting last November. Town Forest Committee member Jeff Lamson explained that the new regulations improve the definition of voice control of dogs, require that one person may have no more than two dogs off leash in the forest, clarify group reservation requirements, and expand the description of how plant control can occur.
Herrick questioned how the regulations will be communicated to residents, suggesting updated signage, while Murphy asked about enforcement of the new regulations. New signs will be posted, and the committee will consider questions about police and animal control officer involvement.
The board voted 5-0 to approve early voting for the May 13 Special Election. Times for early voting will be Saturday, May 3, and from Monday, May 5, through Thursday, May 8, at Town Hall. The Select Board called the Special Election to see if voters will approve two debt exclusion projects, the Killam Elementary School and a new senior/community center.
The board gave approval for the remodeling of the Schoolhouse Condominiums at 52 Sanborn Street. The Historic Commission has approved the remodeling, but requires Select Board approval as the property is deed-restricted. Approval was also given for the Town Manager to move forward with the Renewable Energy Trust Agreement, which is the final step needed for Reading to join “Green Communities.” The agreement was approved in concept by Town Meeting in November. Both votes by the board were unanimous, with a 5-0 result.
The board concluded by discussing the makeup and charge of a new master plan committee before adjourning at 8:50 p.m.
