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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 March 5, 2024 town election, the four members deadlocked 2-2 on every pairing for Chair and Vice Chair on March 12, 2024. Carlo Bacci chaired the board from April 9, 2024 (the minutes of a March 26, 2024 meeting, where the board may have chosen him, are not posted); a December 2024 attendance list names Karen Gately Herrick as Vice Chair and Chris Haley as Secretary. Melissa Murphy won the May 14, 2024 special election for Jackie McCarthy’s seat and joined the board on May 21, 2024. Covers 23 meetings, March 12 to April 1, 2025.
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
MassVoter can’t read Reading’s meeting calendar automatically yet. See upcoming meetings on the official site →
Members
Vice-ChairKaren Gately HerrickVice Chair · At-large · at 23 of 23 meetings
Chris HaleySecretary · At-large · at 23 of 23 meetings
Melissa MurphyMember · At-large · at 19 of 20 meetings · from May 2024"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.
Mar 5Close the Annual Town Meeting Warrant, with Article 13…Motion: Carlo Bacci moved to close the Annual Town Meeting Warrant, with…Passed 4–0 · see note
March 5, 2025: Close the Annual Town Meeting Warrant, with Article 13 included, to take place on April 28, 2025
Carlo Bacci moved to close the Annual Town Meeting Warrant, with Article 13 included, to take place on April 28, 2025. The motion was seconded by Melissa Murphy and passed 4-0 by roll call vote. Roll call vote: Karen Gately Herrick - Yes, Melissa Murphy - Yes, Mark Dockser- Yes, Carlo Bacot - Yes.
Yes: Bacci, Dockser, Herrick, MurphyThe roll call lists four members (Herrick, Murphy, Dockser, Bacci), all yes, and the minutes say it “passed 4-0”; Chris Haley, who was at the meeting, is not listed and is left out of this vote. The roll call does not list Chris Haley, who was at the meeting, so that member is left out of this vote.
From the minutes
“Carlo Bacci moved to close the Annual Town Meeting Warrant, with Article 13 included, to take place on April 28, 2025. The motion was seconded by Melissa Murphy and passed 4-0 by roll call vote. Roll call vote: Karen Gately Herrick - Yes, Melissa Murphy - Yes, Mark Dockser- Yes, Carlo Bacot - Yes..” (Motion: Bacci, second: Murphy)
Feb 4Direct the Town Manager to refrain from collecting parking…Motion: Haley moved to direct the Town Manager to refrain from collecting…Passed 3–2 · No: Dockser, Herrick
February 4, 2025: Direct the Town Manager to refrain from collecting parking fees pursuant to Article 5. 19 of the Traffic and Parking Regulations in the Upper Haven Street Municipal parking lot from…
Haley moved to direct the Town Manager to refrain from collecting parking fees pursuant to Article 5. 19 of the Traffic and Parking Regulations in the Upper Haven Street Municipal parking lot from February 4, 2025 - indefinitely. The motion was seconded by Murphy and approved with a 3- 2 vote with Herrick and Dockser against.
Yes: Bacci, Haley, MurphyNo: Dockser, Herrick
From the minutes
“Haley moved to direct the Town Manager to refrain from collecting parking fees pursuant to Article 5. 19 of the Traffic and Parking Regulations in the Upper Haven Street Municipal parking lot from February 4, 2025 - indefinitely. The motion was seconded by Murphy and approved with a 3- 2 vote with Herrick and Dockser against..” (Motion: Haley, second: Murphy)
Feb 4Direct the Town Manager refrain from collecting parking fees…Motion: Bacci moved to direct the Town Manager refrain from collecting parking…Failed 2–2 · No: Dockser, Herrick
February 4, 2025: Direct the Town Manager refrain from collecting parking fees pursuant to Article 5. 19 of the Traffic and Parking Regulations in the Brande Court Street Municipal parking lot from February…
Bacci moved to direct the Town Manager refrain from collecting parking fees pursuant to Article 5. 19 of the Traffic and Parking Regulations in the Brande Court Street Municipal parking lot from February 4, 2025 - indefinitely. The motion was seconded by Murphy and failed with a 2-2 vote with Herrick and Dockser against.
Yes: Bacci, MurphyNo: Dockser, HerrickThe minutes say “Haley left the room for the next discussion and vote” and the motion “failed with a 2-2 vote with Herrick and Dockser against”; the other two members present (Carlo Bacci, the mover, and Melissa Murphy, the seconder) are shown voting yes.
From the minutes
“Bacci moved to direct the Town Manager refrain from collecting parking fees pursuant to Article 5. 19 of the Traffic and Parking Regulations in the Brande Court Street Municipal parking lot from February 4, 2025 - indefinitely. The motion was seconded by Murphy and failed with a 2-2 vote with Herrick and Dockser against..” (Motion: Bacci, second: Murphy)
Jan 7Approve the amendments to the FY25 Classification PlanMotion: Haley moved to approve the amendments to the FY25 Classification Plan.…Passed 4–0 · see note
January 7, 2025: Approve the amendments to the FY25 Classification Plan
Haley moved to approve the amendments to the FY25 Classification Plan. The motion was seconded by Herrick and approved with a 4-0 vote. j gale Scout Awards Eagle Scout Master Ian Nelson presented the six scouts that recently achieved their Eagle Scout Awards.
Yes: Dockser, Haley, Herrick, MurphyCarlo Bacci (8:05pm) arrived late; the count (4-0) matches the 4 members present from the start, so they are shown voting yes.
From the minutes
“Haley moved to approve the amendments to the FY25 Classification Plan. The motion was seconded by Herrick and approved with a 4-0 vote. j gale Scout Awards Eagle Scout Master Ian Nelson presented the six scouts that recently achieved their Eagle Scout Awards..” (Motion: Haley, second: Herrick)
Dec 3Approve the second water meter pilot program as presentedMotion: Haley moved to approve the second water meter pilot program as…Passed 3–2 · No: Dockser, Herrick
December 3, 2024: Approve the second water meter pilot program as presented
Haley moved to approve the second water meter pilot program as presented. The motion was seconded by Murphy and approved with the following roll call vote: Murphy - yes; Herrick - no; Haley - yes; Dockser - no; Bacci - yes.
Yes: Bacci, Haley, MurphyNo: Dockser, Herrick
From the minutes
“Haley moved to approve the second water meter pilot program as presented. The motion was seconded by Murphy and approved with the following roll call vote: Murphy - yes; Herrick - no; Haley - yes; Dockser - no; Bacci - yes..” (Motion: Haley, second: Murphy)
Oct 29Adopt a residential factor of 0. 992605 for Fiscal…Motion: Haley moved that the Select Board adopt a residential factor of…Passed 3–2 · No: Dockser, Herrick
October 29, 2024: Adopt a residential factor of 0. 992605 for Fiscal Year 2025
Haley moved that the Select Board adopt a residential factor of 0. 992605 for Fiscal Year 2025. The motion was seconded by Dockser and approved with a 3- 2 vote with Herrick and Dockser opposing.
Yes: Bacci, Haley, MurphyNo: Dockser, Herrick
From the minutes
“Haley moved that the Select Board adopt a residential factor of 0. 992605 for Fiscal Year 2025. The motion was seconded by Dockser and approved with a 3- 2 vote with Herrick and Dockser opposing..” (Motion: Haley, second: Dockser)
Oct 29Approve Safety Amendment 2024 - 8 to the Traffic…Motion: Dockser moved to approve Safety Amendment 2024 - 8 to the…Passed 4–0 · see note
October 29, 2024: Approve Safety Amendment 2024 - 8 to the Traffic and Parking Regulations as presented
Dockser moved to approve Safety Amendment 2024 - 8 to the Traffic and Parking Regulations as presented. The motion was seconded by Murphy and approved with a 4- 0 vote.
The minutes give the count as 4-0, but 5 members were at the meeting (Carlo Bacci, Karen Gately Herrick, Mark Dockser, Chris Haley and Melissa Murphy). Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“Dockser moved to approve Safety Amendment 2024 - 8 to the Traffic and Parking Regulations as presented. The motion was seconded by Murphy and approved with a 4- 0 vote..” (Motion: Dockser, second: Murphy)
Oct 29Approve Safety Amendment 2024 - 9 to the Traffic…Motion: Dockser moved to approve Safety Amendment 2024 - 9 to the…Passed 4–0 · see note
October 29, 2024: Approve Safety Amendment 2024 - 9 to the Traffic and Parking Regulations as presented
Dockser moved to approve Safety Amendment 2024 - 9 to the Traffic and Parking Regulations as presented. The motion was seconded by Herrick and approved with a 4- 0 vote.
The minutes give the count as 4-0, but 5 members were at the meeting (Carlo Bacci, Karen Gately Herrick, Mark Dockser, Chris Haley and Melissa Murphy). Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“Dockser moved to approve Safety Amendment 2024 - 9 to the Traffic and Parking Regulations as presented. The motion was seconded by Herrick and approved with a 4- 0 vote..” (Motion: Dockser, second: Herrick)
Oct 29Reallocate $ 87, 348. 34 from various line items…Motion: Haley moved to reallocate $ 87, 348. 34 from various line…Passed 4–1 · No: Herrick
October 29, 2024: Reallocate $ 87, 348. 34 from various line items with surplus to pickleball court design
Haley moved to reallocate $ 87, 348. 34 from various line items with surplus to pickleball court design. The motion was seconded by Dockser and approved with a 4- 1 vote with Herrick against.
Yes: Bacci, Dockser, Haley, MurphyNo: Herrick
From the minutes
“Haley moved to reallocate $ 87, 348. 34 from various line items with surplus to pickleball court design. The motion was seconded by Dockser and approved with a 4- 1 vote with Herrick against..” (Motion: Haley, second: Dockser)
Oct 15Direct the Town Manager refrain from collecting parking fees…Motion: Dockser moved to direct the Town Manager refrain from collecting parking…Passed 4–0 · see note
October 15, 2024: Direct the Town Manager refrain from collecting parking fees pursuant to Article 5. 19 of the Traffic and Parking Regulations in the Brande Court Street Municipal parking lot from October…
Dockser moved to direct the Town Manager refrain from collecting parking fees pursuant to Article 5. 19 of the Traffic and Parking Regulations in the Brande Court Street Municipal parking lot from October 16, 2024 to January 15, 2025. The motion was seconded by Murphy and approved with a 4-0 vote.
Yes: Bacci, Dockser, Herrick, MurphyThe minutes say: “Haley did not participate in the discussion on Brande Court.” Chris Haley is not shown voting; the count (4-0) matches the other members present, who are shown voting yes.
From the minutes
“Dockser moved to direct the Town Manager refrain from collecting parking fees pursuant to Article 5. 19 of the Traffic and Parking Regulations in the Brande Court Street Municipal parking lot from October 16, 2024 to January 15, 2025. The motion was seconded by Murphy and approved with a 4-0 vote..” (Motion: Dockser, second: Murphy)
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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