MassVoter.com← Reading Select BoardReading Select Board · 2025–2026 Board · Regular meeting
November 4, 2025
15 recorded votes, 8 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
Open the Public Hearing
Karen Rose -Gillis moved to open the Public Hearing. The motion was seconded by Melissa Murphy and approved by a vote of 3- 0.
Yes: Herrick, Murphy, Rose-GillisThe minutes say: “Chris Haley and Carlo Bacci recused themselves due to the appearance of conflicts of interest.” Chris Haley and Carlo Bacci are not shown voting; the count (3-0) matches the other members present, who are shown voting yes.
From the minutes
“Karen Rose -Gillis moved to open the Public Hearing. The motion was seconded by Melissa Murphy and approved by a vote of 3- 0..” (Motion: Rose-Gillis, second: Murphy)
Close the public hearing on the FY26 tax classification
KRG moved to close the Public Hearing regarding the FY26 Tax Classification close public hearing. The motion was seconded by Melissa Murphy and approved by a vote of 3- 0.
Yes: Herrick, Murphy, Rose-GillisThe minutes write the mover as “KRG” (Karen Rose-Gillis). Melissa Murphy noted that Chris Haley and Carlo Bacci “left the room and will not be participating in the votes for this agenda item”; the count (3-0) matches the other three members, shown voting yes.
From the minutes
“KRG moved to close the Public Hearing regarding the FY26 Tax Classification close public hearing. The motion was seconded by Melissa Murphy and approved by a vote of 3- 0..” (Motion: Rose-Gillis, second: Murphy)
Not grant an open space discount for Fiscal Year 2026
Karen Rose -Gillis moved that the Select Board not grant an open space discount for Fiscal Year 2026. The motion was seconded by Karen Gately Herrick and approved by a vote of 3- 0.
Yes: Herrick, Murphy, Rose-GillisThe minutes say: “Melissa Murphy noted that Mr. Haley and Mr. Bacci left the room and will not be participating in the votes for this agenda item.” Chris Haley and Carlo Bacci are not shown voting; the count (3-0) matches the other members present, who are shown voting yes.
From the minutes
“Karen Rose -Gillis moved that the Select Board not grant an open space discount for Fiscal Year 2026. The motion was seconded by Karen Gately Herrick and approved by a vote of 3- 0..” (Motion: Rose-Gillis, second: Herrick)
Not adopt a residential exemption for Fiscal Year 2026
Karen Rose -Gillis moved that the Select Board not adopt a residential exemption for Fiscal Year 2026. The motion was seconded by Melissa Murphy and approved by a vote of 3- 0.
Yes: Herrick, Murphy, Rose-GillisThe minutes say: “Melissa Murphy noted that Mr. Haley and Mr. Bacci left the room and will not be participating in the votes for this agenda item.” Chris Haley and Carlo Bacci are not shown voting; the count (3-0) matches the other members present, who are shown voting yes.
From the minutes
“Karen Rose -Gillis moved that the Select Board not adopt a residential exemption for Fiscal Year 2026. The motion was seconded by Melissa Murphy and approved by a vote of 3- 0..” (Motion: Rose-Gillis, second: Murphy)
Not grant a small commercial exemption for Fiscal Year 2026
Karen Rose -Gillis moved that the Select Board not grant a small commercial exemption for Fiscal Year 2026. The motion was seconded by Melissa Murphy and approved by a vote of 3- 0.
Yes: Herrick, Murphy, Rose-GillisThe minutes say: “Melissa Murphy noted that Mr. Haley and Mr. Bacci left the room and will not be participating in the votes for this agenda item.” Chris Haley and Carlo Bacci are not shown voting; the count (3-0) matches the other members present, who are shown voting yes.
From the minutes
“Karen Rose -Gillis moved that the Select Board not grant a small commercial exemption for Fiscal Year 2026. The motion was seconded by Melissa Murphy and approved by a vote of 3- 0..” (Motion: Rose-Gillis, second: Murphy)
Adopt a residential factor of 0. 990861 for Fiscal Year 2026
Karen Rose - Gillis moved that the Select Board adopt a residential factor of 0. 990861 for Fiscal Year 2026. The motion was seconded by Melissa Murphy and approved by a vote of 3- 0.
Yes: Herrick, Murphy, Rose-GillisThe minutes say: “Melissa Murphy noted that Mr. Haley and Mr. Bacci left the room and will not be participating in the votes for this agenda item.” Chris Haley and Carlo Bacci are not shown voting; the count (3-0) matches the other members present, who are shown voting yes.
From the minutes
“Karen Rose - Gillis moved that the Select Board adopt a residential factor of 0. 990861 for Fiscal Year 2026. The motion was seconded by Melissa Murphy and approved by a vote of 3- 0..” (Motion: Rose-Gillis, second: Murphy)
Approve the Joint Proclamation for Mystic Regional Emergency Planning Committee as presented
Karen Rose -Gillis moved to approve the Joint Proclamation for Mystic Regional Emergency Planning Committee as presented. The motion was seconded by Melissa Murphy and approved by a vote of 5- o.
From the minutes
“Karen Rose -Gillis moved to approve the Joint Proclamation for Mystic Regional Emergency Planning Committee as presented. The motion was seconded by Melissa Murphy and approved by a vote of 5- o..” (Motion: Rose-Gillis, second: Murphy)
Amend the SEPAC Awareness Month motion to read “November” instead of “November 2025”
Chris Haley suggested to amend the language from " November 2025" in the Motion and just have November". The motion was seconded by Melissa Murphy and approved by a vote of 5- 0.
The minutes say “Chris Haley suggested to amend the language”; seconded by Melissa Murphy and approved 5-0.
From the minutes
“Chris Haley suggested to amend the language from " November 2025" in the Motion and just have November". The motion was seconded by Melissa Murphy and approved by a vote of 5- 0..” (Motion: Haley, second: Murphy)
November be recognized as Special Education Parent Advisory Council Awareness Month in the Town of Reading
Karen Rose - Gillis moved that November be recognized as Special Education Parent Advisory Council Awareness Month in the Town of Reading. The motion was seconded by Melissa Murphy and approved by a vote of 5- 0.
From the minutes
“Karen Rose - Gillis moved that November be recognized as Special Education Parent Advisory Council Awareness Month in the Town of Reading. The motion was seconded by Melissa Murphy and approved by a vote of 5- 0..” (Motion: Rose-Gillis, second: Murphy)
Close the Public Hearing regarding the Transfer of the Wine and Malt Liquor License for Bangkok Spice
Karen Rose -Gillis moved to close the Public Hearing regarding the Transfer of the Wine and Malt Liquor License for Bangkok Spice. The motion was seconded by Karen Gately Herrick and approved by a vote of 5- 0.
From the minutes
“Karen Rose -Gillis moved to close the Public Hearing regarding the Transfer of the Wine and Malt Liquor License for Bangkok Spice. The motion was seconded by Karen Gately Herrick and approved by a vote of 5- 0..” (Motion: Rose-Gillis, second: Herrick)
Approve the Annual Wine and Malt Restaurant Liquor License for Bangkok Spice LLC d/ b/ a Bangkok Spice, Located at 76 Haven Street
Karen Rose -Gillis moved to approve the Annual Wine and Malt Restaurant Liquor License for Bangkok Spice LLC d/ b/ a Bangkok Spice, Located at 76 Haven Street. 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 Wine and Malt Restaurant Liquor License for Bangkok Spice LLC d/ b/ a Bangkok Spice, Located at 76 Haven Street. The motion was seconded by Melissa Murphy and approved by a vote of 5. 0..” (Motion: Rose-Gillis, second: Murphy)
Approve the MBTA Letter as amended today
Karen Rose - Gillis moved to approve the MBTA Letter as amended today. The motion was seconded by Karen Gately Herrick and approved by a vote of 5- 0.
From the minutes
“Karen Rose - Gillis moved to approve the MBTA Letter as amended today. The motion was seconded by Karen Gately Herrick and approved by a vote of 5- 0..” (Motion: Rose-Gillis, second: Herrick)
Approve the meeting minutes of October 16, 2025 as presented
Karen Rose -Gillis moved to approve the meeting minutes of October 16, 2025 as presented. 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 meeting minutes of October 16, 2025 as presented. The motion was seconded by Melissa Murphy and approved by a vote of 5- 0..” (Motion: Rose-Gillis, second: Murphy)
Approve the meeting minutes of October 21, 2025 as amended
Karen Rose -Gillis moved to approve the meeting minutes of October 21, 2025 as amended. 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 meeting minutes of October 21, 2025 as amended. The motion was seconded by Melissa Murphy and approved by a vote of 5. 0..” (Motion: Rose-Gillis, second: Murphy)
Adjourn
Carlo Bari moved to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Melissa Murphy and approved by a vote Of 5- 0.
“Carlo Bari” is Carlo Bacci in the posted text.
From the minutes
“Carlo Bari moved to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Melissa Murphy and approved by a vote Of 5- 0..” (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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