MassVoter.com← Reading Select BoardReading Select Board · 2025–2026 Board · Joint meeting
September 9, 2025
5 recorded votes, 5 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:
- Karen Gately Herrick arrived after the meeting began (8:30pm).
Every vote, in order
Close the Public Hearing regarding the early opening request for 413 Main Street
Karen Rose -Gillis moved to close the Public Hearing regarding the early opening request for 413 Main Street The motion was seconded by Carlo Bacct and approved by a vote of 4-0.
Yes: Bacci, Haley, Murphy, Rose-GillisKaren Gately Herrick arrived, after this vote, so Karen Gately Herrick is not shown voting.
From the minutes
“Karen Rose -Gillis moved to close the Public Hearing regarding the early opening request for 413 Main Street The motion was seconded by Carlo Bacct and approved by a vote of 4-0..” (Motion: Rose-Gillis, second: Bacci)
Approve a license to operate a retail business between the hours of midnight and 6: 00 a. m. pursuant to Section 7.7 of the Reading General Bylaws and further pursuant to Section 3.8 of the Select...
Karen Rose Gillis moved to approve a license to operate a retail business between the hours of midnight and 6: 00 a. m. pursuant to Section 7.7 of the Reading General Bylaws and further pursuant to Section 3.8 of the Select Board Policies to McDonald' s, 413 Main Street This license is for approval to open for business not earlier than 5: 00 a. m. indoors only, and 6: 00 a. m. for the drive thru. In granting this license the board finds: 1. In accordance with Section 7. 7. 4. 1 of the General Bylaws that the operation of the establishment will not cause unreasonable disruption or disturbance to, or otherwise adversely affect, the customary character of any adjacent or nearby residential neighborhood; and 2. In accordance with Section 7. 7. 4. 2 of the General Bylaws that the operation of the establishment is reasonably necessary to serve the public health, safety and welfare, serves a public need and provides a public convenience which outweighs any increase in the impacts on the adjacent or nearby residential. The motion was seconded by Melissa Murphy and approved by a vote of 4-0.
Yes: Bacci, Haley, Murphy, Rose-GillisKaren Gately Herrick arrived, after this vote, so Karen Gately Herrick is not shown voting.
From the minutes
“Karen Rose Gillis moved to approve a license to operate a retail business between the hours of midnight and 6: 00 a. m. pursuant to Section 7.7 of the Reading General Bylaws and further pursuant to Section 3.8 of the Select Board Policies to McDonald' s, 413 Main Street This license is for approval to open for business not earlier than 5: 00 a. m. indoors only, and 6: 00 a. m. for the drive thru. In granting this license the board finds: 1. In accordance with Section 7. 7. 4. 1 of the General Bylaws that the operation of the establishment will not cause unreasonable disruption or disturbance to, or otherwise adversely affect, the customary character of any adjacent or nearby residential neighborhood; and 2. In accordance with Section 7. 7. 4. 2 of the General Bylaws that the operation of the establishment is reasonably necessary to serve the public health, safety and welfare, serves a public need and provides a public convenience which outweighs any increase in the impacts on the adjacent or nearby residential. The motion was seconded by Melissa Murphy and approved by a vote of 4-0..” (Motion: Rose-Gillis, second: Murphy)
Approve the meeting minutes of August 26, 2025, as presented
Karen Rose -Gillis moved to approve the meeting minutes of August 26, 2025, as presented. The motion was seconded by Carlo Bacci and approved by a vote of 4-0.
Yes: Bacci, Haley, Murphy, Rose-GillisKaren Gately Herrick arrived, after this vote, so Karen Gately Herrick is not shown voting.
From the minutes
“Karen Rose -Gillis moved to approve the meeting minutes of August 26, 2025, as presented. The motion was seconded by Carlo Bacci and approved by a vote of 4-0..” (Motion: Rose-Gillis, second: Bacci)
Adopt the updated Fire Department Permit Fee Schedule as presented
Karen Rose -Gillis moved that the Board adopt the updated Fire Department Permit Fee Schedule as presented. The motion was seconded by Melissa Murphy and approved by a vote of 4- 0.
Yes: Bacci, Haley, Murphy, Rose-GillisKaren Gately Herrick arrived, after this vote, so Karen Gately Herrick is not shown voting.
From the minutes
“Karen Rose -Gillis moved that the Board adopt the updated Fire Department Permit Fee Schedule as presented. The motion was seconded by Melissa Murphy and approved by a vote of 4- 0..” (Motion: Rose-Gillis, second: Murphy)
Adjourn
Carlo Bacci moved to adjourn at 10: 01 pm. The motion was seconded by Melissa Murphy and approved by a vote of ".
The count in the posted text is unreadable (“approved by a vote of” followed by a stray mark). Showing the result only. The minutes record the result but no count or names.
From the minutes
“Carlo Bacci moved to adjourn at 10: 01 pm. The motion was seconded by Melissa Murphy and approved by a vote of "..” (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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