MassVoter.com← Reading Select BoardReading Select Board · 2025–2026 Board · Regular meeting
March 10, 2026
13 recorded votes, 6 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
Table this agenda item
Chris Haley moved to table this agenda item. The motion was seconded by Carlo Bacci and approved by a vote of 5- 0.
From the minutes
“Chris Haley moved to table this agenda item. The motion was seconded by Carlo Bacci and approved by a vote of 5- 0..” (Motion: Haley, second: Bacci)
Change the percentages to a minimum of 500/6 and up to 100%
Carlo Bacci moved to change the percentages to a minimum of 500/6 and up to 100%. The motion was seconded by Chris Haley and approved by a vote of 3. 2, with Karen Rose - Gillis and Karen Gately Herrick opposed.
Yes: Bacci, Haley, MurphyNo: Herrick, Rose-Gillis
From the minutes
“Carlo Bacci moved to change the percentages to a minimum of 500/6 and up to 100%. The motion was seconded by Chris Haley and approved by a vote of 3. 2, with Karen Rose - Gillis and Karen Gately Herrick opposed..” (Motion: Bacci, second: Haley)
Approve the First Amendment to the Lease Agreement, and which Lease Agreement is entitled Lease Agreement - Operation and Management of the Nelson S. Burbank Ice Arena, as amended today
Karen Rose - Gillis moved to approve the First Amendment to the Lease Agreement, and which Lease Agreement is entitled Lease Agreement - Operation and Management of the Nelson S. Burbank Ice Arena, as amended today. 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 First Amendment to the Lease Agreement, and which Lease Agreement is entitled Lease Agreement - Operation and Management of the Nelson S. Burbank Ice Arena, as amended today. The motion was seconded by Melissa Murphy and approved by a vote of 5- 0..” (Motion: Rose-Gillis, second: Murphy)
Authorize the Acting Town Manager to execute a Master License Agreement between the Town of Reading and the Reading Ice Arena Authority, Inc., related to parking at the Burbank Ice Arena and other...
Karen Rose -Gillis moved to authorize the Acting Town Manager to execute a Master License Agreement between the Town of Reading and the Reading Ice Arena Authority, Inc., related to parking at the Burbank Ice Arena and other Town owned land off Range Road, as presented today. The motion was seconded by Melissa Murphy and approved by a vote of 6. 0.
The minutes give the count as 6-0, but the board has five members, so the count cannot be right. No roll call is given. Showing the result only.
From the minutes
“Karen Rose -Gillis moved to authorize the Acting Town Manager to execute a Master License Agreement between the Town of Reading and the Reading Ice Arena Authority, Inc., related to parking at the Burbank Ice Arena and other Town owned land off Range Road, as presented today. The motion was seconded by Melissa Murphy and approved by a vote of 6. 0..” (Motion: Rose-Gillis, second: Murphy)
Table the Vote to Close the Warrant for Annual Town Election and Town Meeting
Chris Haley moved to table the Vote to Close the Warrant for Annual Town Election and Town Meeting. The motion was seconded by Carlo Bacci and approved by a vote of 5- 0.
From the minutes
“Chris Haley moved to table the Vote to Close the Warrant for Annual Town Election and Town Meeting. The motion was seconded by Carlo Bacci and approved by a vote of 5- 0..” (Motion: Haley, second: Bacci)
Amend Article 14 of the Annual Town Meeting Warrant to allow at least 26 of funds and no more than 100%
Melissa Murphy moved to amend Article 14 of the Annual Town Meeting Warrant to allow at least 26 of funds and no more than 100%. The motion was seconded by Karen Rose - Gillis and approved by a vote of 5- 0.
From the minutes
“Melissa Murphy moved to amend Article 14 of the Annual Town Meeting Warrant to allow at least 26 of funds and no more than 100%. The motion was seconded by Karen Rose - Gillis and approved by a vote of 5- 0..” (Motion: Murphy, second: Rose-Gillis)
Close the Annual Town Meeting Warrant consisting of 18 articles to take place on April 27th, 2026, as amended
Karen Rose -Gillis moved to close the Annual Town Meeting Warrant consisting of 18 articles to take place on April 27th, 2026, 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 close the Annual Town Meeting Warrant consisting of 18 articles to take place on April 27th, 2026, as amended. The motion was seconded by Melissa Murphy and approved by a vote of 5- 0..” (Motion: Rose-Gillis, second: Murphy)
Approve the letter before the Board to the State Legislature in support of implementing the audit of the Massachusetts Legislature, as approved by a majority of the voters of the Commonwealth on...
Karen Rose - Gillis moved to approve the letter before the Board to the State Legislature in support of implementing the audit of the Massachusetts Legislature, as approved by a majority of the voters of the Commonwealth on Question 1 of the November 2024 ballot, as amended. The motion was seconded by Chris Haley and approved by a vote of 5- 0.
From the minutes
“Karen Rose - Gillis moved to approve the letter before the Board to the State Legislature in support of implementing the audit of the Massachusetts Legislature, as approved by a majority of the voters of the Commonwealth on Question 1 of the November 2024 ballot, as amended. The motion was seconded by Chris Haley and approved by a vote of 5- 0..” (Motion: Rose-Gillis, second: Haley)
Appoint volunteers to the various boards and committees for the specific terms, as outlined in the VASC Recommendations: Appoint Marc Ortins to the Climate Advisory Committee, term date effective...
Karen Rose -Gillis moved to appoint volunteers to the various boards and committees for the specific terms, as outlined in the VASC Recommendations: Appoint Marc Ortins to the Climate Advisory Committee, term date effective immediately, and expiring June 30, 2027. ( Partial Term) Appoint Courtney Anderson as an associate member to the Climate Advisory Committee, term date effective immediately, and expiring June 30, 2027. ( Partial Term) Appoint Michael Moschella to the Commission on Disabilities, term date effective immediately, and expiring June 30, 2029. Appoint John Halsey to the Commission on Disabilities, term date effective immediately, and expiring June 30, 2029. Appoint Jeanne Cappuccio to the Commission on Disabilities, tens date effective immediately, and expiring June 30, 2028. Appoint Maura Drummey to the Commission on Disabilities, term date effective immediately, and expiring June 30, 2028. Appoint Michele Clapper to the Commission on Disabilities, term date effective immediately, and expiring June 30, 2027. Appoint Michelle Greenwalt as an associate member to the Commission on Disabilities, term date effective immediately, and expiring June 30, 2028. Appoint Nicole Hunt as an associate member to the Commission on Disabilities, term date effective immediately, and expiring June 30, 2028. Appoint Joe Benassi as an associate member to the Commission on Disabilities, term date effective immediately, and expiring June 30, 2027. Appoint Ron Powell to the Council on
From the minutes
“Karen Rose -Gillis moved to appoint volunteers to the various boards and committees for the specific terms, as outlined in the VASC Recommendations: Appoint Marc Ortins to the Climate Advisory Committee, term date effective immediately, and expiring June 30, 2027. ( Partial Term) Appoint Courtney Anderson as an associate member to the Climate Advisory Committee, term date effective immediately, and expiring June 30, 2027. ( Partial Term) Appoint Michael Moschella to the Commission on Disabilities, term date effective immediately, and expiring June 30, 2029. Appoint John Halsey to the Commission on Disabilities, term date effective immediately, and expiring June 30, 2029. Appoint Jeanne Cappuccio to the Commission on Disabilities, tens date effective immediately, and expiring June 30, 2028. Appoint Maura Drummey to the Commission on Disabilities, term date effective immediately, and expiring June 30, 2028. Appoint Michele Clapper to the Commission on Disabilities, term date effective immediately, and expiring June 30, 2027. Appoint Michelle Greenwalt as an associate member to the Commission on Disabilities, term date effective immediately, and expiring June 30, 2028. Appoint Nicole Hunt as an associate member to the Commission on Disabilities, term date effective immediately, and expiring June 30, 2028. Appoint Joe Benassi as an associate member to the Commission on Disabilities, term date effective immediately, and expiring June 30, 2027. Appoint Ron Powell to the Council on Aging, term date effective immediately, and expiring June 30, 2027. ( Partial Term) Appoint Kate Harrington to the Council on Aging, term date effective immediately, and expiring June 30, 2028. ( Partial Term) Appoint John O' Neill to the Council on Aging as an associate member, term date effective immediately, and expiring June 30, 2026. ( Partial Term) Appoint Alicia Williams to the Recreation Committee as an associate member, term date effective immediately, and expiring June 30, 2026. ( Partial Term) Appoint Nancy Ziemlak to the Recreation Committee as an associate member, term date effective immediately, and expiring June 30, 2026. ( Partial Term) Appoint Kenneth Grizzell to the Town Forest Committee as an associate member, term date effective immediately, and expiring June 30, 2026. ( Partial Term) Appoint Catherine Svirsky to the Town Forest Committee as an associate member, term date effective immediately, and expiring June 30, 2026. ( Partial Term) Appoint Kenneth Grizzell to the Trails Committee as an associate member, term date effective immediately, and expiring June 30, 2026. ( Partial Term) The motion was seconded by Chris Haley and approved by a vote of 5- 0..” (Motion: Rose-Gillis, second: Haley)
Authorize the Acting Town Manager to execute Downtown Phase II Improvements Project and Reading Center for Active Living ( ReCAL) Construction Projects
Karen Rose -Gillis moved to authorize the Acting Town Manager to execute Downtown Phase II Improvements Project and Reading Center for Active Living ( ReCAL) Construction Projects. The motion was seconded by Carlo Baccl and approved by a vote of 4- 0.
Yes: Bacci, Herrick, Murphy, Rose-GillisThe minutes say: “Chris Haley recused himself from discussion and voting on this agenda item.” 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 authorize the Acting Town Manager to execute Downtown Phase II Improvements Project and Reading Center for Active Living ( ReCAL) Construction Projects. The motion was seconded by Carlo Baccl and approved by a vote of 4- 0..” (Motion: Rose-Gillis, second: Bacci)
Approve the amendment to the Acting Town Manager' s Contract as shown on the screen
Carlo Bacci moved to approve the amendment to the Acting Town Manager' s Contract as shown on the screen. The motion was seconded by Melissa Murphy and approved by a vote of 4- 1, with Karen Gately Herrick opposed. Roll Call Vote: Karen Rose -Gillis - Yes. Karen Gately Herrick - No, Melissa Murphy - Yes, Carlo Bacot - Yes, Chris Haley -Yes
Yes: Bacci, Haley, Murphy, Rose-GillisNo: Herrick“approved by a vote of 4- 1, with Karen Gately Herrick opposed. Roll Call Vote: Karen Rose -Gillis - Yes. Karen Gately Herrick - No, Melissa Murphy - Yes, Carlo Bacot - Yes, Chris Haley -Yes” (Bacot is Carlo Bacci).
From the minutes
“Carlo Bacci moved to approve the amendment to the Acting Town Manager' s Contract as shown on the screen. The motion was seconded by Melissa Murphy and approved by a vote of 4- 1, with Karen Gately Herrick opposed. Roll Call Vote: Karen Rose -Gillis - Yes. Karen Gately Herrick - No, Melissa Murphy - Yes, Carlo Bacot - Yes, Chris Haley -Yes.” (Motion: Bacci, second: Murphy)
Schedule an interview with Jayne Wellman for the position of Town Manager at a time convenient for at least a majority of the Select Board and Ms. Wellman
Karen Rose -Gillis moved to schedule an interview with Jayne Wellman for the position of Town Manager at a time convenient for at least a majority of the Select Board and Ms. Wellman. The motion was seconded by Melissa Murphy and approved by a vote of 4- 1, with Karen Gately Herrick opposed.
Yes: Bacci, Haley, Murphy, Rose-GillisNo: Herrick
From the minutes
“Karen Rose -Gillis moved to schedule an interview with Jayne Wellman for the position of Town Manager at a time convenient for at least a majority of the Select Board and Ms. Wellman. The motion was seconded by Melissa Murphy and approved by a vote of 4- 1, with Karen Gately Herrick opposed..” (Motion: Rose-Gillis, second: Murphy)
Adjourn
Carlo Bacci moved to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Melissa Murphy and approved by a vote of 3- 2, with Chris Haley and Karen Rose -Gillis opposed.
Yes: Bacci, Herrick, MurphyNo: Haley, Rose-Gillis
From the minutes
“Carlo Bacci moved to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Melissa Murphy and approved by a vote of 3- 2, with Chris Haley and Karen Rose -Gillis opposed..” (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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