MassVoter.com← Reading Select BoardReading Select Board · 2025–2026 Board · Regular meeting
June 24, 2025
9 recorded votes, 3 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Agenda
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
Attendance
Present: Chris Haley, Melissa Murphy, Karen Rose-Gillis, Carlo Bacci, Karen Gately Herrick
Absent: None
During the meeting:
- Melissa Murphy took part remotely.
- Karen Gately Herrick took part remotely.
Every vote, in order
Go into Executive Session, including staff members Town Manager Matt Kraunelis, Human Resources Director Sean Donahue, Assistant Town Manager Jayne Wellman, and Executive Assistants Jackie LaVerde...
Karen Rose -Gillis moved that the Board go into Executive Session, including staff members Town Manager Matt Kraunelis, Human Resources Director Sean Donahue, Assistant Town Manager Jayne Wellman, and Executive Assistants Jackie LaVerde and Maddie Baptiste, under Purpose 2 and Purpose 3, to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining and approve the Public Employees Committee/ Health Insurance ( all unions); and further the Chair declares that an open meeting could have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the body; and to reconvene in open session at the conclusion of Executive Session. The motion was seconded by Carlo Bacci and approved by a vote OfRol5-0. l call vote: Melissa Murphy - Yes, Carlo Bacci - Yes, Karen Rose -Gillis - Yes, Chris Haley - Yes.
The posted text reads “approved by a vote OfRol5-0. l call vote: Melissa Murphy - Yes, Carlo Bacci - Yes, Karen Rose -Gillis - Yes, Chris Haley - Yes”: a 5-0 count with a roll call naming four members (Karen Gately Herrick, who took part remotely, is not listed). Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“Karen Rose -Gillis moved that the Board go into Executive Session, including staff members Town Manager Matt Kraunelis, Human Resources Director Sean Donahue, Assistant Town Manager Jayne Wellman, and Executive Assistants Jackie LaVerde and Maddie Baptiste, under Purpose 2 and Purpose 3, to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining and approve the Public Employees Committee/ Health Insurance ( all unions); and further the Chair declares that an open meeting could have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the body; and to reconvene in open session at the conclusion of Executive Session. The motion was seconded by Carlo Bacci and approved by a vote OfRol5-0. l call vote: Melissa Murphy - Yes, Carlo Bacci - Yes, Karen Rose -Gillis - Yes, Chris Haley - Yes..” (Motion: Rose-Gillis, second: Bacci)
Accept the gift of land at 0 Waverly Road Map 33 Lot 38
Karen Rose - Gillis moved that the Board accept the gift of land at 0 Waverly Road Map 33 Lot 38. The motion was seconded by Karen Gately Herrick and approved by a vote of 5- 0. Roll Call Vote: Melissa Murphy - Yes, Karen Gately Herrick - Yes, Karen Rose Gillis - Yes, Carlo Bacci - Yes, Chris Haley - Yes
From the minutes
“Karen Rose - Gillis moved that the Board accept the gift of land at 0 Waverly Road Map 33 Lot 38. The motion was seconded by Karen Gately Herrick and approved by a vote of 5- 0. Roll Call Vote: Melissa Murphy - Yes, Karen Gately Herrick - Yes, Karen Rose Gillis - Yes, Carlo Bacci - Yes, Chris Haley - Yes.” (Motion: Rose-Gillis, second: Herrick)
Name the Historical Archive Room of Town Hall the " Virginia Adams Historical Archive Room", in honor of her dedication to the preservation of Reading' s history, and to direct the Town Manager to...
Karen Rose -Gillis moved that the Board name the Historical Archive Room of Town Hall the " Virginia Adams Historical Archive Room", in honor of her dedication to the preservation of Reading' s history, and to direct the Town Manager to affix an appropriate plaque to the door of the room. The motion was seconded by Chris Haley and approved by a vote of 5- 0. Roll Call Vote: Karen Gately Herrick -Yes, Melissa Murphy - Yes, Carlo Bacci - Yes, Karen Rose Gills - Yes, Chris Haley -Yes
From the minutes
“Karen Rose -Gillis moved that the Board name the Historical Archive Room of Town Hall the " Virginia Adams Historical Archive Room", in honor of her dedication to the preservation of Reading' s history, and to direct the Town Manager to affix an appropriate plaque to the door of the room. The motion was seconded by Chris Haley and approved by a vote of 5- 0. Roll Call Vote: Karen Gately Herrick -Yes, Melissa Murphy - Yes, Carlo Bacci - Yes, Karen Rose Gills - Yes, Chris Haley -Yes.” (Motion: Rose-Gillis, second: Haley)
Appoint Chris Cridler to the RCN Board of Directors, term date effective July 1, 2025, and expiring June 30, 2028
Karen Rose -Gillis moved to appoint Chris Cridler to the RCN Board of Directors, term date effective July 1, 2025, and expiring June 30, 2028. The motion was seconded by Carlo Bacci and failed to pass by a vote of 3. 2, with Melissa Murphy, Carlo Bacci, and Chris Haley opposed. Roll Call Vote: Melissa Murphy -No, Karen Gately Herrick -Yes, Carlo Bacci - No, Karen Rose Gills - Yes, Chris Haley - No
Yes: Herrick, Rose-GillisNo: Bacci, Haley, MurphyThe minutes say the motion “failed to pass by a vote of 3. 2, with Melissa Murphy, Carlo Bacci, and Chris Haley opposed”; the roll call (Murphy No, Herrick Yes, Bacci No, Rose-Gillis Yes, Haley No) shows it failed 2-3.
From the minutes
“Karen Rose -Gillis moved to appoint Chris Cridler to the RCN Board of Directors, term date effective July 1, 2025, and expiring June 30, 2028. The motion was seconded by Carlo Bacci and failed to pass by a vote of 3. 2, with Melissa Murphy, Carlo Bacci, and Chris Haley opposed. Roll Call Vote: Melissa Murphy -No, Karen Gately Herrick -Yes, Carlo Bacci - No, Karen Rose Gills - Yes, Chris Haley - No.” (Motion: Rose-Gillis, second: Bacci)
Appoint Ron Powell to the RCTV Board of Directors, term date effective July 1, 2025, and expiring June 30, 2028
Karen Rose -Gillis moved to appoint Ron Powell to the RCTV Board of Directors, term date effective July 1, 2025, and expiring June 30, 2028. The motion was seconded by Carlo Bacci and approved by a vote of 5- 0. Roll Call Vote: Melissa Murphy -Yes, Karen Gately Herrick -Yes, Carlo Bacci -Yes, Karen Rose Gillis - Yes, Chris Haley - Yes
From the minutes
“Karen Rose -Gillis moved to appoint Ron Powell to the RCTV Board of Directors, term date effective July 1, 2025, and expiring June 30, 2028. The motion was seconded by Carlo Bacci and approved by a vote of 5- 0. Roll Call Vote: Melissa Murphy -Yes, Karen Gately Herrick -Yes, Carlo Bacci -Yes, Karen Rose Gillis - Yes, Chris Haley - Yes.” (Motion: Rose-Gillis, second: Bacci)
Appoint the remainder of the volunteers to the various boards and committees for the specific terms, as outlined in the meeting packet
Karen Rose Gillis moved to appoint the remainder of the volunteers to the various boards and committees for the specific terms, as outlined in the meeting packet. The motion was seconded by Carlo Bacci and approved by a vote of 5- 0. Roll Call Vote: Melissa Murphy - Yes, Karen Gately Herrick - Yes, Carlo Bacci - Yes, Karen Rose Gillis - Yes, Chris Haley - Yes
From the minutes
“Karen Rose Gillis moved to appoint the remainder of the volunteers to the various boards and committees for the specific terms, as outlined in the meeting packet. The motion was seconded by Carlo Bacci and approved by a vote of 5- 0. Roll Call Vote: Melissa Murphy - Yes, Karen Gately Herrick - Yes, Carlo Bacci - Yes, Karen Rose Gillis - Yes, Chris Haley - Yes.” (Motion: Rose-Gillis, second: Bacci)
Adopt and execute the form of Order of Taking authorized by Article 12 of the April 26, 2026 Annual Town Meeting, to take for general municipal purposes a portion of the property owned by 413 Main...
Karen Rose -Gillis moved that the Board vote to adopt and execute the form of Order of Taking authorized by Article 12 of the April 26, 2026 Annual Town Meeting, to take for general municipal purposes a portion of the property owned by 413 Main Street LLC located at 170 Ash Street in Reading, Mass., consisting of approximately 261 s. f., with such Order of Taking to be held in escrow by Town Counsel until the Town and Owner execute a Purchase and Sale Agreement whereby the Owner waives all damages from the taking; and to authorize the Town Manager and Town Counsel to take any actions necessary to effectuate the execution of said Purchase and Sale Agreement and after such execution to record the Order of Taking and issue such notices as required. The motion was seconded by Carlo Bacci and approved by a vote of 5- 0. Roll Call Vote: Melissa Murphy - Yes, Carlo Bacci - Yes, Karen Rose Gills - Yes, Chris Haley - Yes, Karen Gately Herrick - Yes
From the minutes
“Karen Rose -Gillis moved that the Board vote to adopt and execute the form of Order of Taking authorized by Article 12 of the April 26, 2026 Annual Town Meeting, to take for general municipal purposes a portion of the property owned by 413 Main Street LLC located at 170 Ash Street in Reading, Mass., consisting of approximately 261 s. f., with such Order of Taking to be held in escrow by Town Counsel until the Town and Owner execute a Purchase and Sale Agreement whereby the Owner waives all damages from the taking; and to authorize the Town Manager and Town Counsel to take any actions necessary to effectuate the execution of said Purchase and Sale Agreement and after such execution to record the Order of Taking and issue such notices as required. The motion was seconded by Carlo Bacci and approved by a vote of 5- 0. Roll Call Vote: Melissa Murphy - Yes, Carlo Bacci - Yes, Karen Rose Gills - Yes, Chris Haley - Yes, Karen Gately Herrick - Yes.” (Motion: Rose-Gillis, second: Bacci)
Approve the meeting minutes of May 27, 2025 and June 3, 2025, as presented
Karen Rose -Gillis moved to approve the meeting minutes of May 27, 2025 and June 3, 2025, as presented. The motion was seconded by Carlo Bacci and approved by a vote of 5- 0. Roll Call Vote: Karen Gately Herrick - Yes, Melissa Murphy - Yes, Carlo Bacci - Yes, Karen Rose Gills - Yes, Chris Haley - Yes
From the minutes
“Karen Rose -Gillis moved to approve the meeting minutes of May 27, 2025 and June 3, 2025, as presented. The motion was seconded by Carlo Bacci and approved by a vote of 5- 0. Roll Call Vote: Karen Gately Herrick - Yes, Melissa Murphy - Yes, Carlo Bacci - Yes, Karen Rose Gills - Yes, Chris Haley - Yes.” (Motion: Rose-Gillis, second: Bacci)
Adjourn
Carlo Bacci moved to adjourn at 8: 51 pm. The motion was seconded by Melissa Murphy and approved by a vote of M. Roll Call Vote: Karen Gately Herrick - Yes, Melissa Murphy - Yes, Carlo Bacci - Yes, Karen Rose Gills - Yes, Chris Haley - Yes
The posted text gives the count as “M” (unreadable); the roll call lists all five members yes.
From the minutes
“Carlo Bacci moved to adjourn at 8: 51 pm. The motion was seconded by Melissa Murphy and approved by a vote of M. Roll Call Vote: Karen Gately Herrick - Yes, Melissa Murphy - Yes, Carlo Bacci - Yes, Karen Rose Gills - Yes, Chris Haley - Yes.” (Motion: Bacci, 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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