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Reading Select Board
How the Reading Select Board voted, from the Select Board’s official minutes. 5 Select Board members elected townwide for three-year terms. After the April 4, 2023 town election the same five members continued. On May 9, 2023 the board chose Jackie McCarthy as Chair (unanimous roll call), Mark Dockser as Vice Chair (3-2) and Karen Herrick as Secretary (unanimous). Jackie McCarthy announced her resignation at the February 6, 2024 meeting and left; Vice Chair Mark Dockser chaired the four-member board. Covers 18 meetings, May 9 to February 27, 2024.
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
What does the Select Board do? It is the town’s executive board. It prepares the Town Meeting warrant (the list of articles voters decide), appoints members of many town boards, hires the town’s top staff, signs warrants to pay town bills, and grants licenses and permits.
Town Meeting, not the Select Board, votes the town budget and town bylaws.
Sources: Massachusetts Select Board Handbook (MMA) · Mass. Division of Local Services: the town budgetBoard years
Coming up
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Members
Chris HaleyMember · At-large · at 18 of 18 meetings
Karen Gately HerrickSecretary · At-large · at 18 of 18 meetings"At X of Y meetings" counts the members the minutes list as present at the start of each meeting in this record. Members who step out are listed on each meeting page.
Meetings
About missing minutes
Loaded: Reading Select Board minutes from January 9, 2018 through September 8, 2026: 219 meetings and 1,536 votes. The board was called the Board of Selectmen until spring 2018, when Town Meeting approved the new name; the minutes use “Select Board” from June 19, 2018, and the Town Manager reported on July 10, 2018 that the change was official. The town’s archive holds the board’s minutes back to 1980; MassVoter has loaded 2018 on. The posted minutes are signed, stamped paper copies scanned with a computer-read text layer, so quoted words may keep small reading errors; the five newest sets (June 23 through September 8, 2026) were posted as images with no text layer, and MassVoter read them with text recognition. Joint meetings with other boards (Finance Committee, School Committee, Board of Health, Library Trustees, Charter Review Committee and others) are included, but only the Select Board members’ votes are shown; votes the other board took on its own are left out. Not here: executive-session minutes; thirteen early-2018 notes saying the board attended another body’s meeting; meetings whose open-session minutes are not posted, including February 19, 2020, March 30 and September 28, 2021, March 22 and August 30, 2022, December 12, 2023, September 10 and September 24, 2024, and February 20, 2026 (all approved at later meetings), and the open session of July 31, 2018 and the packet-only dates October 5, 2023, March 26 and November 19, 2024, and July 22, 2026; and meetings after September 8, 2026 (the September 22 and October 6, 2026 minutes are not posted yet). Reading’s minutes give the mover, the seconder and usually a count (“approved with a 5-0-0 vote”, “approved by a vote of 5-0”); a count that matches the members present with no one opposed is shown as every member present voting yes, and “approved with a unanimous roll call vote” the same way. When members voted no or abstained the minutes name them (“approved by a vote of 4-1, with Karen Gately Herrick opposed”), and remote meetings in 2020–2022 and many 2025–2026 votes have a roll call by name. When the count is short because a member recused, stepped out, did not vote, arrived late or left early, as the minutes say, the other members present are shown voting yes, with a note. Where the minutes give no count or the count cannot be read, we show the result only (20 votes); where a split count names no one, or a count does not match the members present, we show the count only, with a note (24 votes). Officer elections recorded by roll call are shown by name; choices made by a show of hands are shown as a result, with a note. Two members are named Karen (Karen Gately Herrick and Karen Rose-Gillis); the minutes use full names. We will ask the town to confirm any noted vote.
Votes where members disagreed
Most board votes are unanimous. These are the ones where at least one member voted no or abstained, newest first.
Feb 27Appoint Carlo Bacci and Karen Herrick to the Volunteer…Motion: Haley nominated Herrick. Dockser seconded the motion. Dockser nominated Bacci. Haley…Passed Unanimous, 4 present · see note
February 27, 2024: Appoint Carlo Bacci and Karen Herrick to the Volunteer Appointment Subcommittee
Haley nominated Herrick. Dockser seconded the motion. Dockser nominated Bacci. Haley seconded the motion. A roll call vote to appoint Bacci and Herrick to the VASC was approved unanimously.
Chris Haley nominated Karen Herrick (seconded by Mark Dockser) and Mark Dockser nominated Carlo Bacci (seconded by Chris Haley); “A roll call vote to appoint Bacci and Herrick to the VASC was approved unanimously.”
From the minutes
“Haley nominated Herrick. Dockser seconded the motion. Dockser nominated Bacci. Haley seconded the motion. A roll call vote to appoint Bacci and Herrick to the VASC was approved unanimously..” (Motion: Haley, second: Dockser)
Feb 27Create a Community Preservation Act Ad Hoc Committee, comprised…Motion: Herrick Moved to create a Community Preservation Act Ad Hoc Committee,…Passed 3–0 · Abstained: Haley
February 27, 2024: Create a Community Preservation Act Ad Hoc Committee, comprised of 7 voting members and one non-voting member to be appointed by the Select Board, and is charged with facilitating communications...
Herrick Moved to create a Community Preservation Act Ad Hoc Committee, comprised of 7 voting members and one non-voting member to be appointed by the Select Board, and is charged with facilitating communications with community leaders, Town Administration, Town Meeting Members, the Select Board, local community groups, and the statewide Community Preservation Coalition to share information regarding the opportunities and challenges when adopting the CPA. The Committee will study the need for the CPA and the various methods for adoption and present its findings to the Select Board in time to achieve a town wide vote in the November election including preparation for a special town meeting vote that accommodates the November 5, 2024 election; said committee to sunset on December 31, 2024, unless extended. Members will be comprised of. 5 ex-officio voting members: Select board member Recreation member Historical Commission member Affordable housing trust member FINCOM member And 2 residents who will apply directly to the Select Board with preference given to current or past members of eithertrails committee, town forest committee or conservation commission. And 1 non- voting member who shall not count towards quorum who is the Director of Reading Housing Authority. The motion was seconded by Dockser and approved with the following roll call vote: Dockser- yes; Herrick - yes, Bacci- yes; Haley - abstain Close Warrant
Yes: Bacci, Dockser, HerrickAbstained: Haley
From the minutes
“Herrick Moved to create a Community Preservation Act Ad Hoc Committee, comprised of 7 voting members and one non-voting member to be appointed by the Select Board, and is charged with facilitating communications with community leaders, Town Administration, Town Meeting Members, the Select Board, local community groups, and the statewide Community Preservation Coalition to share information regarding the opportunities and challenges when adopting the CPA. The Committee will study the need for the CPA and the various methods for adoption and present its findings to the Select Board in time to achieve a town wide vote in the November election including preparation for a special town meeting vote that accommodates the November 5, 2024 election; said committee to sunset on December 31, 2024, unless extended. Members will be comprised of. 5 ex-officio voting members: Select board member Recreation member Historical Commission member Affordable housing trust member FINCOM member And 2 residents who will apply directly to the Select Board with preference given to current or past members of eithertrails committee, town forest committee or conservation commission. And 1 non- voting member who shall not count towards quorum who is the Director of Reading Housing Authority. The motion was seconded by Dockser and approved with the following roll call vote: Dockser- yes; Herrick - yes, Bacci- yes; Haley - abstain Close Warrant.” (Motion: Herrick, second: Dockser)
Feb 6Approve the Conservation Commission' s acceptance of a Public…Motion: Herrick moved to approve the Conservation Commission' s acceptance of a…Passed 4–0 · see note
February 6, 2024: Approve the Conservation Commission' s acceptance of a Public Trail Easement from the Meadow Brook Golf Club Corporation of Reading, Massachusetts, over a portion of land approximately 3, 482...
Herrick moved to approve the Conservation Commission' s acceptance of a Public Trail Easement from the Meadow Brook Golf Club Corporation of Reading, Massachusetts, over a portion of land approximately 3, 482 square feet and shown on a plan of land entitled " Easement Plan of Land, Weston & Sampson, 0 Grove Street, Lot 24, Map 44, Town of Reading, Middlesex County, Commonwealth of Massachusetts," dated January 5, 2023, and as provided in the easement document presented to the Conservation Commission on January 10, 2023; and authorize Town Counsel to record all necessary documents to effectuate the acquisition. The motion was seconded by Haley and approved with a 4- 0 vote.
Yes: Bacci, Dockser, Haley, HerrickJackie McCarthy left, before this vote, so Jackie McCarthy is not shown voting.
From the minutes
“Herrick moved to approve the Conservation Commission' s acceptance of a Public Trail Easement from the Meadow Brook Golf Club Corporation of Reading, Massachusetts, over a portion of land approximately 3, 482 square feet and shown on a plan of land entitled " Easement Plan of Land, Weston & Sampson, 0 Grove Street, Lot 24, Map 44, Town of Reading, Middlesex County, Commonwealth of Massachusetts," dated January 5, 2023, and as provided in the easement document presented to the Conservation Commission on January 10, 2023; and authorize Town Counsel to record all necessary documents to effectuate the acquisition. The motion was seconded by Haley and approved with a 4- 0 vote..” (Motion: Herrick, second: Haley)
Feb 6Approve the Amended Annual All Alcohol Liquor License for…Motion: Herrick moved to approve the Amended Annual All Alcohol Liquor License…Passed 4–0 · see note
February 6, 2024: Approve the Amended Annual All Alcohol Liquor License for Parc Restaurant Group, LLC d/ b/ a Post 1917 at 136 Haven Street, Reading, MA
Herrick moved to approve the Amended Annual All Alcohol Liquor License for Parc Restaurant Group, LLC d/ b/ a Post 1917 at 136 Haven Street, Reading, MA. The motion was seconded by Haley and approved with a 4- 0 vote.
Yes: Bacci, Dockser, Haley, HerrickJackie McCarthy left, before this vote, so Jackie McCarthy is not shown voting.
From the minutes
“Herrick moved to approve the Amended Annual All Alcohol Liquor License for Parc Restaurant Group, LLC d/ b/ a Post 1917 at 136 Haven Street, Reading, MA. The motion was seconded by Haley and approved with a 4- 0 vote..” (Motion: Herrick, second: Haley)
Feb 6Close the warrant for the Local Election and State…Motion: Herrick moved to close the warrant for the Local Election and…Passed 4–0 · see note
February 6, 2024: Close the warrant for the Local Election and State Primary to be held on March 5, 2024
Herrick moved to close the warrant for the Local Election and State Primary to be held on March 5, 2024. The motion was seconded by Haley and approved with a 4-0 vote.
Yes: Bacci, Dockser, Haley, HerrickJackie McCarthy left, before this vote, so Jackie McCarthy is not shown voting.
From the minutes
“Herrick moved to close the warrant for the Local Election and State Primary to be held on March 5, 2024. The motion was seconded by Haley and approved with a 4-0 vote..” (Motion: Herrick, second: Haley)
Feb 6Approve the meeting minutes of January 23, 2024 as…Motion: Herrick moved to approve the meeting minutes of January 23, 2024…Passed 4–0 · see note
February 6, 2024: Approve the meeting minutes of January 23, 2024 as written
Herrick moved to approve the meeting minutes of January 23, 2024 as written. The motion was seconded by Haley and approved with a 4- 0 vote.
Yes: Bacci, Dockser, Haley, HerrickJackie McCarthy left, before this vote, so Jackie McCarthy is not shown voting.
From the minutes
“Herrick moved to approve the meeting minutes of January 23, 2024 as written. The motion was seconded by Haley and approved with a 4- 0 vote..” (Motion: Herrick, second: Haley)
Jan 9Approve the meeting minutes from December 12' h, 2023…Motion: Herrick moved to approve the meeting minutes from December 12' h,…Passed · see note
January 9, 2024: Approve the meeting minutes from December 12' h, 2023 as written
Herrick moved to approve the meeting minutes from December 12' h, 2023 as written. The motion was seconded by Dockser and approved with a roll call vote.
The minutes say only “approved with a roll call vote,” with no count or names. Showing the result only. The minutes record the result but no count or names.
From the minutes
“Herrick moved to approve the meeting minutes from December 12' h, 2023 as written. The motion was seconded by Dockser and approved with a roll call vote..” (Motion: Herrick, second: Dockser)
Nov 7Make the Chair and Vice Chair the Select Board…Motion: Herrick nominated the Chair and Vice Chair to be the Select…Passed 3–2 · No: Bacci, Haley
November 7, 2023: Make the Chair and Vice Chair the Select Board representatives on the Town Manager Screening Committee
Herrick nominated the Chair and Vice Chair to be the Select Board representatives on the Screening Committee. The motion was seconded by Dockser. Haley nominated Bacci and McCarthy to be the Select Board representatives on the Screening Committee. The motion was seconded by Herrick. The board voted on the first motion for Chair and Vice Chair to be the representatives. The motion passed with a 3- 2 vote with Bacci and Haley against.
Yes: Dockser, Herrick, McCarthyNo: Bacci, HaleyTwo competing nominations (Karen Herrick: the Chair and Vice Chair; Chris Haley: Carlo Bacci and Jackie McCarthy). “The board voted on the first motion for Chair and Vice Chair to be the representatives. The motion passed with a 3- 2 vote with Bacci and Haley against.”
From the minutes
“Herrick nominated the Chair and Vice Chair to be the Select Board representatives on the Screening Committee. The motion was seconded by Dockser. Haley nominated Bacci and McCarthy to be the Select Board representatives on the Screening Committee. The motion was seconded by Herrick. The board voted on the first motion for Chair and Vice Chair to be the representatives. The motion passed with a 3- 2 vote with Bacci and Haley against..” (Motion: Herrick, second: Dockser)
Oct 24Adopt a residential factor of . 989925 ( 1.…Motion: Herrick moved to adopt a residential factor of . 989925 (…Failed 2–3 · No: Bacci, Haley, McCarthy
October 24, 2023: Adopt a residential factor of . 989925 ( 1. 15) for Fiscal Year 2024
Herrick moved to adopt a residential factor of . 989925 ( 1. 15) for Fiscal Year 2024. The motion was seconded by Dockser and failed with the following roll call vote: Bacci- no; Haley -no; McCarthy -no; Dockser - yes; Herrick -yes.
Yes: Dockser, HerrickNo: Bacci, Haley, McCarthy
From the minutes
“Herrick moved to adopt a residential factor of . 989925 ( 1. 15) for Fiscal Year 2024. The motion was seconded by Dockser and failed with the following roll call vote: Bacci- no; Haley -no; McCarthy -no; Dockser - yes; Herrick -yes..” (Motion: Herrick, second: Dockser)
Oct 24Adopt a residential factor of .993284 ( 1. 1)…Motion: Herrick moved to adopt a residential factor of .993284 ( 1.…Passed 3–2 · No: Dockser, Herrick
October 24, 2023: Adopt a residential factor of .993284 ( 1. 1) for Fiscal Year 2024
Herrick moved to adopt a residential factor of .993284 ( 1. 1) for Fiscal Year 2024. The motion was seconded by McCarthy and passed with the following roll call vote: Bacci- yes; Haley -yes; McCarthy -yes; Dockser - no; Herrick -no.
Yes: Bacci, Haley, McCarthyNo: Dockser, Herrick
From the minutes
“Herrick moved to adopt a residential factor of .993284 ( 1. 1) for Fiscal Year 2024. The motion was seconded by McCarthy and passed with the following roll call vote: Bacci- yes; Haley -yes; McCarthy -yes; Dockser - no; Herrick -no..” (Motion: Herrick, second: McCarthy)
From the Reading Select Board’s official minutes, posted in the town’s Public Records Archive (Minutes > Select Board). We check every vote against the Select Board members present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Photos: Reading Patch candidate profiles, courtesy of the candidates (Melissa Murphy, Karen Gately Herrick, Chris Haley), and The Reading Post candidacy announcements (Karen Rose-Gillis, Sal Bramante). The town’s website has no member photos.
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