MassVoter.com← Reading Select BoardReading Select Board · 2025–2026 Board · Regular meeting
October 7, 2025
8 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
Every vote, in order
Recognize October as Italian Heritage Month (as amended)
Karen Rose -Gillis moved that October 2025 be recognized as Italian Heritage Month in the Town of Reading. The motion was seconded by Melissa Murphy. Carlo Bacci offered an amendment to strike " 2025" from the motion. The motion was seconded by Mellisa Murphy. Karen Gately Herrick expressed concerns about the process of issuing month long proclamations and noted she would abstain from the vote. The Board approved the amendment by a vote of 4- 0- 1 with Karen Gately Herrick abstaining. The Board then voted to recognize October as Italian Heritage Month by a vote of 4- 0- 1 with Karen Gately Herrick abstaining.
Yes: Bacci, Haley, Murphy, Rose-GillisAbstained: Herrick“The Board then voted to recognize October as Italian Heritage Month by a vote of 4- 0- 1 with Karen Gately Herrick abstaining.”
From the minutes
“Karen Rose -Gillis moved that October 2025 be recognized as Italian Heritage Month in the Town of Reading. The motion was seconded by Melissa Murphy. Carlo Bacci offered an amendment to strike " 2025" from the motion. The motion was seconded by Mellisa Murphy. Karen Gately Herrick expressed concerns about the process of issuing month long proclamations and noted she would abstain from the vote. The Board approved the amendment by a vote of 4- 0- 1 with Karen Gately Herrick abstaining. The Board then voted to recognize October as Italian Heritage Month by a vote of 4- 0- 1 with Karen Gately Herrick abstaining..” (Motion: Rose-Gillis, second: Murphy)
Amend the Italian Heritage Month motion to strike “2025”
Carlo Bacci offered an amendment to strike " 2025" from the motion. The motion was seconded by Mellisa Murphy. Karen Gately Herrick expressed concerns about the process of issuing month long proclamations and noted she would abstain from the vote. The Board approved the amendment by a vote of 4- 0- 1 with Karen Gately Herrick abstaining.
Yes: Bacci, Haley, Murphy, Rose-GillisAbstained: Herrick
From the minutes
“Carlo Bacci offered an amendment to strike " 2025" from the motion. The motion was seconded by Mellisa Murphy. Karen Gately Herrick expressed concerns about the process of issuing month long proclamations and noted she would abstain from the vote. The Board approved the amendment by a vote of 4- 0- 1 with Karen Gately Herrick abstaining..” (Motion: Bacci, second: Murphy)
Approve the following employees' request for exemption pursuant to G. L. c. 268A, 5 20( f): David Ferreira, and to authorize the Town Manager to sign the associated Section 20( f) disclosure form
Karen -Rose Gillis moved that the Select Board approve the following employees' request for exemption pursuant to G. L. c. 268A, 5 20( f): David Ferreira, and to authorize the Town Manager to sign the associated Section 20( f) disclosure form. The motion was seconded by Melissa Murphy and approved by a vote of 5- 0.
From the minutes
“Karen -Rose Gillis moved that the Select Board approve the following employees' request for exemption pursuant to G. L. c. 268A, 5 20( f): David Ferreira, and to authorize the Town Manager to sign the associated Section 20( f) disclosure form. The motion was seconded by Melissa Murphy and approved by a vote of 5- 0..” (Motion: Rose-Gillis, second: Murphy)
Approve the amendments to the Fire Department Permit Fee Schedule as presented
Karen Rose -Gillis moved to approve the amendments to the Fire Department Permit Fee Schedule as presented. The motion was seconded by Matisse Murphy and approved by a vote of 5- 0.
The posted text names the seconder “Matisse Murphy”, read as Melissa Murphy (the only Murphy on the board).
From the minutes
“Karen Rose -Gillis moved to approve the amendments to the Fire Department Permit Fee Schedule as presented. The motion was seconded by Matisse Murphy and approved by a vote of 5- 0..” (Motion: Rose-Gillis, second: Murphy)
Close the hearing regarding the new Annual All -Alcohol Restaurant Liquor License for Toscana Forno
Karen Rose -Gillis moved to close the hearing regarding the new Annual All -Alcohol Restaurant Liquor License for Toscana Forno. The motion was seconded by Maltese Murphy and approved by a vote of 5- 0.
The posted text names the seconder “Maltese Murphy”, read as Melissa Murphy.
From the minutes
“Karen Rose -Gillis moved to close the hearing regarding the new Annual All -Alcohol Restaurant Liquor License for Toscana Forno. The motion was seconded by Maltese Murphy and approved by a vote of 5- 0..” (Motion: Rose-Gillis, second: Murphy)
Approve the Annual All -Alcohol Restaurant Liquor License for Reading Forno LLC, d/ b/ a Toscana Forno, located at 45 Walkers Brook Drive
Karen Rose -Gillis moved to approve the Annual All -Alcohol Restaurant Liquor License for Reading Forno LLC, d/ b/ a Toscana Forno, located at 45 Walkers Brook Drive. The motion was seconded by Melissa Murphy and approved by a vote of 5- 0.
From the minutes
“Karen Rose -Gillis moved to approve the Annual All -Alcohol Restaurant Liquor License for Reading Forno LLC, d/ b/ a Toscana Forno, located at 45 Walkers Brook Drive. The motion was seconded by Melissa Murphy and approved by a vote of 5- 0..” (Motion: Rose-Gillis, second: Murphy)
Approve the renovations to 32 Lincoln Street as presented
Karen Rose -Gillis moved to approve the renovations to 32 Lincoln Street as presented. The motion was seconded by Karen Gately Herrick and approved by a vote of 4- 0.
Yes: Bacci, Herrick, Murphy, Rose-GillisThe minutes say: “Discuss and Vote on 32 Lincoln Street Proposed Roof Repairs Chair Chris Haley recused himself from discussion and voting on this matter to avoid a conflict, as he owns a business on Haven Street.” Chris Haley is not shown voting; the count (4-0) matches the other members present, who are shown voting yes.
From the minutes
“Karen Rose -Gillis moved to approve the renovations to 32 Lincoln Street as presented. The motion was seconded by Karen Gately Herrick and approved by a vote of 4- 0..” (Motion: Rose-Gillis, second: Herrick)
Adjourn
Karen Gately Herrick moved to adjourn at 11: 25 PM. The motion was seconded by Melissa Murphy and approved by a vote of 5- 0.
From the minutes
“Karen Gately Herrick moved to adjourn at 11: 25 PM. The motion was seconded by Melissa Murphy and approved by a vote of 5- 0..” (Motion: Herrick, 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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