MassVoter.com← Reading Select BoardReading Select Board · 2026–2027 Board · Regular meeting
May 26, 2026
15 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
Every vote, in order
June 2026 be recognized as Pride Month in the Town of Reading
Karen Gately Herrick moved that June 2026 be recognized as Pride Month in the Town of Reading. The motion was seconded by Karen Rose -Gillis and approved by a vote of 5-0.
From the minutes
“Karen Gately Herrick moved that June 2026 be recognized as Pride Month in the Town of Reading. The motion was seconded by Karen Rose -Gillis and approved by a vote of 5-0..” (Motion: Herrick, second: Rose-Gillis)
Open the public hearing on the early opening requests (Dunkin Donuts)
Karen Gately Herrick read the Hearing Notice to open the hearing. This was seconded by Karen Rose -Gillis and approved by a vote of 5- 0.
The minutes say Karen Gately Herrick read the hearing notice to open the hearing; “This was seconded by Karen Rose -Gillis and approved by a vote of 5- 0.”
From the minutes
“Karen Gately Herrick read the Hearing Notice to open the hearing. This was seconded by Karen Rose -Gillis and approved by a vote of 5- 0..” (Motion: Herrick, second: Rose-Gillis)
Close the Public Hearing regarding the early opening request for 273 Salem Street and 110 Main Street
Karen Gately Herrick moved to close the Public Hearing regarding the early opening request for 273 Salem Street and 110 Main Street. The motion was seconded by Sal Bramante and approved by a vote of 5. 0.
From the minutes
“Karen Gately Herrick moved to close the Public Hearing regarding the early opening request for 273 Salem Street and 110 Main Street. The motion was seconded by Sal Bramante and approved by a vote of 5. 0..” (Motion: Herrick, second: Bramante)
Approve a license to operate a retail business between the hours of midnight and 6:00 am pursuant to Section 7.7 of the Reading General Bylaws and further pursuant to Section 3.8 of the Select...
Karen Gately Herrick moved to approve a license to operate a retail business between the hours of midnight and 6:00 am pursuant to Section 7.7 of the Reading General Bylaws and further pursuant to Section 3.8 of the Select Board Policies to Dunkin Donuts at 110 Main Street. This license is for approval to open for business, lobby service only, not earlier than 5: 00 am. 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 Chris Haley 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 Gately Herrick moved to approve a license to operate a retail business between the hours of midnight and 6:00 am pursuant to Section 7.7 of the Reading General Bylaws and further pursuant to Section 3.8 of the Select Board Policies to Dunkin Donuts at 110 Main Street. This license is for approval to open for business, lobby service only, not earlier than 5: 00 am. 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 Chris Haley and approved by a vote of 6. 0..” (Motion: Herrick, second: Haley)
Continue the Public Hearing for 273 Salem Street to be taken up at their June 9v' meeting
Karen Gately Herrick moved that the Board continue the Public Hearing for 273 Salem Street to be taken up at their June 9v' meeting. The motion was seconded by Chris Haley and approved by a vote of 5-0.
From the minutes
“Karen Gately Herrick moved that the Board continue the Public Hearing for 273 Salem Street to be taken up at their June 9v' meeting. The motion was seconded by Chris Haley and approved by a vote of 5-0..” (Motion: Herrick, second: Haley)
Close the hearing regarding the Annual All -Alcohol Restaurant Liquor License for Bean & Barrel LLC, d/b/a Bean & Bar el
Karen Gately Herrick moved to close the hearing regarding the Annual All -Alcohol Restaurant Liquor License for Bean & Barrel LLC, d/b/a Bean & Bar el. The motion was seconded by Sal Bramante and approved by a vote of 4-0.
Yes: Bramante, Herrick, Murphy, Rose-GillisThe minutes say: “Chris Haley recused himself from this vote as an abutter.” Chris Haley is not shown voting; the count (4-0) matches the other members present, who are shown voting yes.
From the minutes
“Karen Gately Herrick moved to close the hearing regarding the Annual All -Alcohol Restaurant Liquor License for Bean & Barrel LLC, d/b/a Bean & Bar el. The motion was seconded by Sal Bramante and approved by a vote of 4-0..” (Motion: Herrick, second: Bramante)
Approve the Annual All A- lcohol Restaurant Liquor License for Bean Bar&rel LLC, d/ b/a Bean & Bar el, located at 45 High Street
Karen Gately Herrick moved to approve the Annual All A- lcohol Restaurant Liquor License for Bean Bar&rel LLC, d/ b/a Bean & Bar el, located at 45 High Street. The motion was seconded by Karen Rose -Gillis and approved by a vote of 4-0.Public learitagiL, Qiscuss and Vote on FY27 Non -Union Clas if cation and Compensation Plan Karen Gately Herrick read the Hearing Notice to open the Public Hearing.
Yes: Bramante, Herrick, Murphy, Rose-GillisThe minutes say: “Chris Haley recused himself from this vote as an abutter.” Chris Haley is not shown voting; the count (4-0) matches the other members present, who are shown voting yes.
From the minutes
“Karen Gately Herrick moved to approve the Annual All A- lcohol Restaurant Liquor License for Bean Bar&rel LLC, d/ b/a Bean & Bar el, located at 45 High Street. The motion was seconded by Karen Rose -Gillis and approved by a vote of 4-0.Public learitagiL, Qiscuss and Vote on FY27 Non -Union Clas if cation and Compensation Plan Karen Gately Herrick read the Hearing Notice to open the Public Hearing..” (Motion: Herrick, second: Rose-Gillis)
Close the Public Hearing regarding the FY27 Non -Union Clas if cation and Compensation Schedule
Karen Gately Herrick moved to close the Public Hearing regarding the FY27 Non -Union Clas if cation and Compensation Schedule. The motion was seconded by Karen Rose - Gillis and approved by a vote of 5- 0.Page 13
From the minutes
“Karen Gately Herrick moved to close the Public Hearing regarding the FY27 Non -Union Clas if cation and Compensation Schedule. The motion was seconded by Karen Rose - Gillis and approved by a vote of 5- 0.Page 13.” (Motion: Herrick, second: Rose-Gillis)
Approve the FY27 Non -Union Classification and Compensation Schedule as presented
Karen Gately Herrick moved to approve the FY27 Non -Union Classification and Compensation Schedule as presented. The motion was seconded by Sal Bramante and approved by a vote of 5-0.
From the minutes
“Karen Gately Herrick moved to approve the FY27 Non -Union Classification and Compensation Schedule as presented. The motion was seconded by Sal Bramante and approved by a vote of 5-0..” (Motion: Herrick, second: Bramante)
Appoint Select Board Member Chris Haley to the Scho l Commit ee Naming Policy Committee
Karen Gately Herrick moved that the Board appoint Select Board Member Chris Haley to the Scho l Commit ee Naming Policy Committee. The motion was seconded by Karen Rose - Gillis and approved by a vote of 5- 0.Discus and Vote on Public Comment Practices Melissa Murphy noted that she wanted the input of the full Board on this as public comment practices have differed from being offered at the begin ing of the meeting to at the begin ing and after each agenda item on that Rem.
From the minutes
“Karen Gately Herrick moved that the Board appoint Select Board Member Chris Haley to the Scho l Commit ee Naming Policy Committee. The motion was seconded by Karen Rose - Gillis and approved by a vote of 5- 0.Discus and Vote on Public Comment Practices Melissa Murphy noted that she wanted the input of the full Board on this as public comment practices have differed from being offered at the begin ing of the meeting to at the begin ing and after each agenda item on that Rem..” (Motion: Herrick, second: Rose-Gillis)
Continue Public Comment with the 2-minute limit at the begin ing of the meeting and allow the Chair, Vice Chair, and Town Manager to add Public Comment to other agenda Items as needed
Karen Gately Herrick moved to continue Public Comment with the 2-minute limit at the begin ing of the meeting and allow the Chair, Vice Chair, and Town Manager to add Public Comment to other agenda Items as needed. The motion was seconded by Karen Rose -Gillis and approved by a vote of 5- 0.Page 1 Discuss and Vote on Police Presence at Select Board Meetinas Melissa Murphy noted that a police detail has been present at recent meetings and this is a topic that the Board is revisiting.
From the minutes
“Karen Gately Herrick moved to continue Public Comment with the 2-minute limit at the begin ing of the meeting and allow the Chair, Vice Chair, and Town Manager to add Public Comment to other agenda Items as needed. The motion was seconded by Karen Rose -Gillis and approved by a vote of 5- 0.Page 1 Discuss and Vote on Police Presence at Select Board Meetinas Melissa Murphy noted that a police detail has been present at recent meetings and this is a topic that the Board is revisiting..” (Motion: Herrick, second: Rose-Gillis)
Not continue to have Police presence at Select Board meetings
Karen Gately Herrick moved that the Board not continue to have Police presence at Select Board meetings. The motion was seconded by Karen Rose -Gillis and approved by a vote of 5- 0.
From the minutes
“Karen Gately Herrick moved that the Board not continue to have Police presence at Select Board meetings. The motion was seconded by Karen Rose -Gillis and approved by a vote of 5- 0..” (Motion: Herrick, second: Rose-Gillis)
Implement consent agendas as discussed (the posted text of the motion is garbled)
Karen Gately Herrick moved to was seconded by Karen Rose -Gillis and approved by a vote of 5
The posted text is garbled here (“I ement consent agendas as i0cussed. The motion … Karen Gately Herrick moved to was seconded by Karen Rose -Gillis and approved by a vote of 5”); the count cannot be read in full. Showing the result only. The minutes record the result but no count or names.
From the minutes
“Karen Gately Herrick moved to was seconded by Karen Rose -Gillis and approved by a vote of 5.” (Motion: Herrick, second: Rose-Gillis)
Approve the meeting minutes of May 2, 2026, and May 12, 2026, as presented
Karen Gately Herrick moved that the Board approve the meeting minutes of May 2, 2026, and May 12, 2026, as presented. The motion was seconded by Sal Bramante and approved by a vote of 5-0.
From the minutes
“Karen Gately Herrick moved that the Board approve the meeting minutes of May 2, 2026, and May 12, 2026, as presented. The motion was seconded by Sal Bramante and approved by a vote of 5-0..” (Motion: Herrick, second: Bramante)
Adjourn
Karen Rose -Gillis moved to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Karen Gately Herrick and approved by a vote of 6- 0- The meeting adjourned at 10: 03 pm.
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 adjourn. The motion was seconded by Karen Gately Herrick and approved by a vote of 6- 0- The meeting adjourned at 10: 03 pm..” (Motion: Rose-Gillis, second: Herrick)
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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