MassVoter.com← Reading Select BoardReading Select Board · 2026–2027 Board · Regular meeting
April 14, 2026
14 recorded votes, 6 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Agenda
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
Attendance
Present: Melissa Murphy, Karen Rose-Gillis, Karen Gately Herrick, Sal Bramante, Chris Haley
Absent: None
During the meeting:
- Karen Gately Herrick took part remotely.
Every vote, in order
Close nominations for Chair (Melissa Murphy and Karen Rose-Gillis nominated)
Karen Rose -Gillis moved to close nominations for Chair, which was seconded by Melissa Murphy. Roll Call Vote to Close Nominations for Chair: Karen Rose -Gillis - Yes, Melissa Murphy - Yes, Chris Haley -Yes, Sal Bramante -Yes, Karen Gately Herrick -Yes
Roll Call Vote to Close Nominations for Chair: all five members yes.
From the minutes
“Karen Rose -Gillis moved to close nominations for Chair, which was seconded by Melissa Murphy. Roll Call Vote to Close Nominations for Chair: Karen Rose -Gillis - Yes, Melissa Murphy - Yes, Chris Haley -Yes, Sal Bramante -Yes, Karen Gately Herrick -Yes.” (Motion: Rose-Gillis, second: Murphy)
Choose the Chair: Melissa Murphy (3 votes) or Karen Rose-Gillis (2 votes)
Roll Call Vote for Chair: Karen Gately Herrick- Karen Rose -Gillis, Sal Bramante - Melissa Murphy, Chris Haley - Melissa Murphy, Melissa Murphy -Melissa Murphy, Karen Rose -Gillis - Karen Rose -Gillis By a vote of 3- 2, Melissa Murphy was voted the new Chair.
Choice between two members, by roll call: Karen Gately Herrick and Karen Rose-Gillis voted for Karen Rose-Gillis; Sal Bramante, Chris Haley and Melissa Murphy voted for Melissa Murphy. “By a vote of 3- 2, Melissa Murphy was voted the new Chair.” Showing the result only.
From the minutes
“Roll Call Vote for Chair: Karen Gately Herrick- Karen Rose -Gillis, Sal Bramante - Melissa Murphy, Chris Haley - Melissa Murphy, Melissa Murphy -Melissa Murphy, Karen Rose -Gillis - Karen Rose -Gillis By a vote of 3- 2, Melissa Murphy was voted the new Chair..” (Motion: Haley, second: Bramante)
Acclamation vote for Melissa Murphy as Chair
Chris Haley moved for an acclimation vote for Melissa Murphy as chair. The motion was seconded by Karen Rose -Gillis and approved by a 5- 0. Roll Call Vote: Karen Rose -Gillis -Yes, Chris Haley -Yes, Sal Bramante -Yes, Karen Gately Herrick -Yes, Melissa Murphy -Yes
From the minutes
“Chris Haley moved for an acclimation vote for Melissa Murphy as chair. The motion was seconded by Karen Rose -Gillis and approved by a 5- 0. Roll Call Vote: Karen Rose -Gillis -Yes, Chris Haley -Yes, Sal Bramante -Yes, Karen Gately Herrick -Yes, Melissa Murphy -Yes.” (Motion: Haley, second: Rose-Gillis)
Choose Karen Rose-Gillis as Vice Chair
Sal Bramante nominated Karen Rose -Gillis for Vice Chair, which was seconded by Melissa Murphy. There were no further nominations. Roll Call Vote for Karen Rose -Gillis as Vice Chair: Karen Gately Herrick -Yes, Sal Bramante- Yes, Chris Haley - Yes, Karen Rose -Gillis - Yes, Melissa Murphy - Yes By a vote of 5- 0, Karen Rose -Gillis was voted the new Vice Chair.
From the minutes
“Sal Bramante nominated Karen Rose -Gillis for Vice Chair, which was seconded by Melissa Murphy. There were no further nominations. Roll Call Vote for Karen Rose -Gillis as Vice Chair: Karen Gately Herrick -Yes, Sal Bramante- Yes, Chris Haley - Yes, Karen Rose -Gillis - Yes, Melissa Murphy - Yes By a vote of 5- 0, Karen Rose -Gillis was voted the new Vice Chair..” (Motion: Bramante, second: Murphy)
Choose Karen Gately Herrick as Secretary
Karen Rose -Gillis nominated Sal Bramante for Secretary, which was seconded by Melissa Murphy. Sal Bramante declined the nomination for Secretary. Roll Call Vote for Karen Gately Herrick as Secretary: Karen Rose -Gillis - Yes, Chris Haley - Yes, Sal Bramante - Yes, Karen Gately Herrick - Yes, Melissa Murphy - Yes By a vote of 5- 0, Karen Gately Herrick was voted the new Secretary.
Chris Haley nominated Karen Gately Herrick (seconded by Sal Bramante); Karen Rose-Gillis nominated Sal Bramante, who declined. Roll Call Vote for Karen Gately Herrick as Secretary: all five members yes.
From the minutes
“Karen Rose -Gillis nominated Sal Bramante for Secretary, which was seconded by Melissa Murphy. Sal Bramante declined the nomination for Secretary. Roll Call Vote for Karen Gately Herrick as Secretary: Karen Rose -Gillis - Yes, Chris Haley - Yes, Sal Bramante - Yes, Karen Gately Herrick - Yes, Melissa Murphy - Yes By a vote of 5- 0, Karen Gately Herrick was voted the new Secretary..” (Motion: Haley, second: Bramante)
Approve the Volunteer Appointment Subcommittee Application Deadline Schedule, as presented
Karen Gately Herrick moved that the Board approve the Volunteer Appointment Subcommittee Application Deadline Schedule, as presented. The motion was seconded by Karen Rose -Gillis and approved by a vote of 6- 0. Roll Call Vote: Karen Gately Herrick -Yes, Karen Rose -Gillis - Yes, Sal Bramante -Yes, Chris Haley -Yes, Melissa Murphy -Yes
The minutes give the count as 6-0, but the board has five members, so the count cannot be right.
From the minutes
“Karen Gately Herrick moved that the Board approve the Volunteer Appointment Subcommittee Application Deadline Schedule, as presented. The motion was seconded by Karen Rose -Gillis and approved by a vote of 6- 0. Roll Call Vote: Karen Gately Herrick -Yes, Karen Rose -Gillis - Yes, Sal Bramante -Yes, Chris Haley -Yes, Melissa Murphy -Yes.” (Motion: Herrick, second: Rose-Gillis)
Proclaim April 24, 2026, as Arbor Day in the Town of Reading
Karen Gately Herrick moved that the Board proclaim April 24, 2026, as Arbor Day in the Town of Reading. The motion was seconded by Chris Haley and approved by a vote of 6- 0. Roll Call Vote: Karen Gately Herrick - Yes, Sal Bramante - Yes, Chris Haley - Yes, Karen Rose -Gillis - Yes, Melissa Murphy - Yes
The minutes give the count as 6-0, but the board has five members, so the count cannot be right.
From the minutes
“Karen Gately Herrick moved that the Board proclaim April 24, 2026, as Arbor Day in the Town of Reading. The motion was seconded by Chris Haley and approved by a vote of 6- 0. Roll Call Vote: Karen Gately Herrick - Yes, Sal Bramante - Yes, Chris Haley - Yes, Karen Rose -Gillis - Yes, Melissa Murphy - Yes.” (Motion: Herrick, second: Haley)
Find that an approximately 1. 1acre portion of 0 E of Haverhill Street, as shown on the Definitive Subdivision Plotting Plan dated March 20, 2026, is surplus to general municipal purposes and...
Karen Gately Herrick moved to find that an approximately 1. 1acre portion of 0 E of Haverhill Street, as shown on the Definitive Subdivision Plotting Plan dated March 20, 2026, is surplus to general municipal purposes and available for dedication by Town Meeting as recreational land; and further to authorize the Town Manager to execute a grant agreement with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts under the Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities ( PARC) Grant Program relative to such parcel. The motion was seconded by Chris Haley and approved by a vote of S. D. Roll Call Vote: Karen Gately Herrick -Yes, Karen Rose -Gillis -Yes, Chris Haley -Yes, Sal Bramante - Yes, Melissa Murphy - Yes
From the minutes
“Karen Gately Herrick moved to find that an approximately 1. 1acre portion of 0 E of Haverhill Street, as shown on the Definitive Subdivision Plotting Plan dated March 20, 2026, is surplus to general municipal purposes and available for dedication by Town Meeting as recreational land; and further to authorize the Town Manager to execute a grant agreement with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts under the Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities ( PARC) Grant Program relative to such parcel. The motion was seconded by Chris Haley and approved by a vote of S. D. Roll Call Vote: Karen Gately Herrick -Yes, Karen Rose -Gillis -Yes, Chris Haley -Yes, Sal Bramante - Yes, Melissa Murphy - Yes.” (Motion: Herrick, second: Haley)
Acknowledge and sign the Select Board Ethics and Protocols, as presented
Karen Gately Herrick moved that the Board acknowledge and sign the Select Board Ethics and Protocols, as presented. The motion was seconded by Chris Haley and approved by a vote of 5-0. Roll Call Vote: Karen Gately Herrick -Yes, Karen Rose -Gillis - Yes, Chris Haley -Yes, Sal Bramante -Yes, Melissa Murphy - Yes
From the minutes
“Karen Gately Herrick moved that the Board acknowledge and sign the Select Board Ethics and Protocols, as presented. The motion was seconded by Chris Haley and approved by a vote of 5-0. Roll Call Vote: Karen Gately Herrick -Yes, Karen Rose -Gillis - Yes, Chris Haley -Yes, Sal Bramante -Yes, Melissa Murphy - Yes.” (Motion: Herrick, second: Haley)
Approve the meeting minutes of March 10. 2026, as presented
Karen Gately Herrick moved to approve the meeting minutes of March 10. 2026, as presented. The motion was seconded by Karen Rose -Gillis and approved by a vote of 5- 0. Roll Call Vote: Karen Gately Herrick - Yes, Karen Rose - Gillis - Yes, Sal Bramante - Yes, Chris Haley - Yes, Melissa Murphy -Yes
From the minutes
“Karen Gately Herrick moved to approve the meeting minutes of March 10. 2026, as presented. The motion was seconded by Karen Rose -Gillis and approved by a vote of 5- 0. Roll Call Vote: Karen Gately Herrick - Yes, Karen Rose - Gillis - Yes, Sal Bramante - Yes, Chris Haley - Yes, Melissa Murphy -Yes.” (Motion: Herrick, second: Rose-Gillis)
Approve the meeting minutes of March 23, 2026, as presented
Karen Gately Herrick moved to approve the meeting minutes of March 23, 2026, as presented. The motion was seconded by Karen Rose -Gillis and approved by a vote of 5- 0. Roll Call Vote: Karen Gately Herrick - Yes, Karen Rose -Gillis - Yes, Chris Haley - Yes, Sal BramaMe -Yes, Melissa Murphy - Yes
From the minutes
“Karen Gately Herrick moved to approve the meeting minutes of March 23, 2026, as presented. The motion was seconded by Karen Rose -Gillis and approved by a vote of 5- 0. Roll Call Vote: Karen Gately Herrick - Yes, Karen Rose -Gillis - Yes, Chris Haley - Yes, Sal BramaMe -Yes, Melissa Murphy - Yes.” (Motion: Herrick, second: Rose-Gillis)
Approve the meeting minutes of March 24, 2026, as presented
Karen Gately Herrick moved to approve the meeting minutes of March 24, 2026, as presented. The motion was seconded by Karen Rose -Gillis and approved by a vote of 5- 0. Roll Call Vote: Karen Gately Herrick - Yes, Karen Rose -Gillis - Yes, Chris Haley - Yes, Sal Bramante -Yes, Melissa Murphy -Yes
From the minutes
“Karen Gately Herrick moved to approve the meeting minutes of March 24, 2026, as presented. The motion was seconded by Karen Rose -Gillis and approved by a vote of 5- 0. Roll Call Vote: Karen Gately Herrick - Yes, Karen Rose -Gillis - Yes, Chris Haley - Yes, Sal Bramante -Yes, Melissa Murphy -Yes.” (Motion: Herrick, second: Rose-Gillis)
Enter into executive session under General Law Chapter 30A, Section 21( a)( 3) for the purpose of discussing strategy with respect to collective bargaining with all bargaining units pursuant to...
Karen Gately Herrick moved to enter into executive session under General Law Chapter 30A, Section 21( a)( 3) for the purpose of discussing strategy with respect to collective bargaining with all bargaining units pursuant to the Public Employee Committee agreement, because an open session would have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the Board, as declared by the Chair, to invite the Town Manager, the Finance Director, the Human Resources Director, and the Executive Assistant to the Town Manager and Select Board into the meeting, and to return to open session to continue on with this topic. The motion was seconded by Chris Haley and approved by a vote of 6. 0. Roll Call Vote: Karen Gately Herrick -Yes, Karen Rose -Gillis- Yes, Chris Haley -Yes, Sal Bramante -Yes, Melissa Murphy -Yes
The minutes give the count as 6-0, but the board has five members, so the count cannot be right.
From the minutes
“Karen Gately Herrick moved to enter into executive session under General Law Chapter 30A, Section 21( a)( 3) for the purpose of discussing strategy with respect to collective bargaining with all bargaining units pursuant to the Public Employee Committee agreement, because an open session would have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the Board, as declared by the Chair, to invite the Town Manager, the Finance Director, the Human Resources Director, and the Executive Assistant to the Town Manager and Select Board into the meeting, and to return to open session to continue on with this topic. The motion was seconded by Chris Haley and approved by a vote of 6. 0. Roll Call Vote: Karen Gately Herrick -Yes, Karen Rose -Gillis- Yes, Chris Haley -Yes, Sal Bramante -Yes, Melissa Murphy -Yes.” (Motion: Herrick, second: Haley)
Adjourn
Chris Haley moved to adjourn at 9: 03 PM. The motion was seconded by Karen Rose -Gillis and approved by a vote of 5- 0. Roll Call Vote: Karen Gately Herrick -Yes, Karen Rose -Gillis - Yes, Chris Haley -Yes, Sal Bramante - Yes, Melissa Murphy - Yes
From the minutes
“Chris Haley moved to adjourn at 9: 03 PM. The motion was seconded by Karen Rose -Gillis and approved by a vote of 5- 0. Roll Call Vote: Karen Gately Herrick -Yes, Karen Rose -Gillis - Yes, Chris Haley -Yes, Sal Bramante - Yes, Melissa Murphy - Yes.” (Motion: Haley, second: Rose-Gillis)
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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