MassVoter.com← Reading Select BoardReading Select Board · 2023–2024 Board · Regular meeting
February 17, 2024
6 recorded votes, 2 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF)
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Attendance
Present: Mark Dockser, Karen Gately Herrick, Carlo Bacci, Chris Haley
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
Enter into executive session to discuss an open meeting law complaint filed by Bill Brown on Feb 7, 2024 under executive sessian purpose 7 and to invite Town Counsel Ivria Fried and Executive...
Herrick moved to enter into executive session to discuss an open meeting law complaint filed by Bill Brown on Feb 7, 2024 under executive sessian purpose 7 and to invite Town Counsel Ivria Fried and Executive Assistant Caitlin Nocella into the executive session and to return to open session to tontinue on with this meeting and a potential apen meeting discussion on this topic. The motion was seconded by Dockser. Haley noted that in the spirit of transparency, we should do this in open session and he will vote against going into executive session. It was noted that past practice has been to discuss this in ezecutive session first before talking publicly about it Town Counsel noted there is not legal reason this has to be done in executive session and it can be done in open session it the board wishes. The board voted on the motion to go into executive session with the following roll call vote: Herrick - yes; Haley- no; Bacci - no; Dockser; yes. The motion to go into executive session fails.
Yes: Dockser, HerrickNo: Bacci, HaleyRoll call: “Herrick - yes; Haley- no; Bacci - no; Dockser; yes. The motion to go into executive session fails.”
From the minutes
“Herrick moved to enter into executive session to discuss an open meeting law complaint filed by Bill Brown on Feb 7, 2024 under executive sessian purpose 7 and to invite Town Counsel Ivria Fried and Executive Assistant Caitlin Nocella into the executive session and to return to open session to tontinue on with this meeting and a potential apen meeting discussion on this topic. The motion was seconded by Dockser. Haley noted that in the spirit of transparency, we should do this in open session and he will vote against going into executive session. It was noted that past practice has been to discuss this in ezecutive session first before talking publicly about it Town Counsel noted there is not legal reason this has to be done in executive session and it can be done in open session it the board wishes. The board voted on the motion to go into executive session with the following roll call vote: Herrick - yes; Haley- no; Bacci - no; Dockser; yes. The motion to go into executive session fails..” (Motion: Herrick, second: Dockser)
Table the Open Meeting Law complaint discussion item
Nerritk moved to table the open meeting law complaint discussion item. The motion was seconded by Haley and approved with a 4-0 vote.
The scanned text reads “Nerritk moved”; the page shows Ms. Herrick.
From the minutes
“Nerritk moved to table the open meeting law complaint discussion item. The motion was seconded by Haley and approved with a 4-0 vote..” (Motion: Herrick, second: Haley)
Proceed with discussions in re9ards to the Town Manager finalists
Herrick motioned to proceed with discussions in re9ards to the Town Manager finalists. The motion was seconded by Haley and approved with a 4-0 vote.
From the minutes
“Herrick motioned to proceed with discussions in re9ards to the Town Manager finalists. The motion was seconded by Haley and approved with a 4-0 vote..” (Motion: Herrick, second: Haley)
Appoint Matt Kraunelis to the position of Town Manager subject to a successful negotiation of a 455 calendar days employment agreement that includes the following: I LThe Town Mana 9 er shall...
Herrick Moved to appoint Matt Kraunelis to the position of Town Manager subject to a successful negotiation of a 455 calendar days employment agreement that includes the following: I LThe Town Mana 9 er shall fundion as either the lead or a lead or otherwise activel Y assist in the following projects: a) 7own side of the Killam School Project and the lead to MSBA b) Sr Center/ Community Center- Town Lead ( like role of School Superintendent in leading new school effort, in partnership with SB and community leaders) c) Community Preservation Act education process and presentation to community in time for Special Town Meeting and November ballot, upon board approval of committee d) Green Communities development of reapplication and subsequent grant application activities upon State approval e) Supportfor MBTA Communities program, approval and eventually implementation on approval f) Management of new and existing projects g) Strong selection of new leaders for community, considering both external and internal candidates 2. and theTown Manager annual assessment shall include Community volunteer feedback assessment from the School building project and Senior center project, to be further defined 3. and any further background checks as deemed necessary. The motion was seconded by Haley and approved with a 4-0 vote.
From the minutes
“Herrick Moved to appoint Matt Kraunelis to the position of Town Manager subject to a successful negotiation of a 455 calendar days employment agreement that includes the following: I LThe Town Mana 9 er shall fundion as either the lead or a lead or otherwise activel Y assist in the following projects: a) 7own side of the Killam School Project and the lead to MSBA b) Sr Center/ Community Center- Town Lead ( like role of School Superintendent in leading new school effort, in partnership with SB and community leaders) c) Community Preservation Act education process and presentation to community in time for Special Town Meeting and November ballot, upon board approval of committee d) Green Communities development of reapplication and subsequent grant application activities upon State approval e) Supportfor MBTA Communities program, approval and eventually implementation on approval f) Management of new and existing projects g) Strong selection of new leaders for community, considering both external and internal candidates 2. and theTown Manager annual assessment shall include Community volunteer feedback assessment from the School building project and Senior center project, to be further defined 3. and any further background checks as deemed necessary. The motion was seconded by Haley and approved with a 4-0 vote..” (Motion: Herrick, second: Haley)
Authorize Town Counsel to respond to the Open Meeting Law complaint on behalf of the board. 7he motion was
Herrick moved to authorize Town Counsel to respond to the Open Meeting Law complaint on behalf of the board. 7he motion was seconded by eacci and approved with a 4-0 vote.
From the minutes
“Herrick moved to authorize Town Counsel to respond to the Open Meeting Law complaint on behalf of the board. 7he motion was seconded by eacci and approved with a 4-0 vote..” (Motion: Herrick, second: Bacci)
Enter into Executive Session pursuant to G. L. c. 30A, s. 21( a)( 2) to conduct a strategy session in preparation for contract negotiations or to conduct contract negotiations with Matthew...
Herrick moved to enter into Executive Session pursuant to G. L. c. 30A, s. 21( a)( 2) to conduct a strategy session in preparation for contract negotiations or to conduct contract negotiations with Matthew Kraunelis, the selected candidate for appointment to the position of Town Manager, to invite Ivria Glass Fried and Executive Assistant Caitlin Nocella and Bernie Lynch into the Executive Session, and not to return to open session. The motion was seconded by Naley and approved with a 4-0 vote.
From the minutes
“Herrick moved to enter into Executive Session pursuant to G. L. c. 30A, s. 21( a)( 2) to conduct a strategy session in preparation for contract negotiations or to conduct contract negotiations with Matthew Kraunelis, the selected candidate for appointment to the position of Town Manager, to invite Ivria Glass Fried and Executive Assistant Caitlin Nocella and Bernie Lynch into the Executive Session, and not to return to open session. The motion was seconded by Naley and approved with a 4-0 vote..” (Motion: Herrick, second: Haley)
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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