MassVoter.com← Reading Select BoardReading Former Select Board member
Barry Berman
At-large · 2 terms in this record
A monthly email on how they voted, starting in November.
Board years
Record at a glance · 2018–2019 Board
On split votes, Berman voted the same way as…
- Vanessa Alvarado80% (8 of 10)
- Andrew Friedmann80% (8 of 10)
- Dan Ensminger50% (5 of 10)
- John Halsey30% (3 of 10)
How these numbers work
- Counted from the official minutes, for 2018–2019 Board only. Committee meetings and routine votes (adjourning, approving minutes) are not counted.
- Attendance counts the meetings where the minutes list Berman as present or absent at the start.
- Only votes the minutes record member by member are counted. Voice votes and votes given only as a count (for example 6-3 with no names) are not.
- Percentages are shown only when there are at least 10 meetings or votes to count.
- A split vote is one where at least one member voted yes and another voted no. “In the minority” means on the side with fewer votes; ties are not counted.
- “Whole board” combines every member’s record for the same term.
These numbers describe the record; they are not a grade. A no vote, an abstention or a minority vote is neither good nor bad. MassVoter never rates officials.
Attendance
At the start of 23 of 23 Select Board meetings in 2018–2019 Board.
Missed none.
Every meeting (23)
- Mar 26, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Mar 12, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Feb 26, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Feb 13, 2019 · Joint: Present
- Jan 22, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Jan 8, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Dec 11, 2018 · Joint: Present
- Dec 5, 2018 · Joint: Present
- Dec 4, 2018 · Joint: Present
- Nov 13, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Oct 30, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Oct 16, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Oct 2, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Sep 25, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Sep 11, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Aug 21, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Jul 10, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Jun 19, 2018 · Regular: Present
- May 29, 2018 · Regular: Present
- May 15, 2018 · Regular: Present
- May 1, 2018 · Joint: Present
- Apr 17, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Apr 12, 2018 · Regular: Present
Votes where members disagreed · 2018–2019 Board
Mar 26Approve the replacement and renaming of Section 1.3.3, Process…Motion: nsminger moved that the board approve the replacement and renaming of…Passed Unanimous, 5 present · Berman: Yes
March 26, 2019: Approve the replacement and renaming of Section 1.3.3, Process for Evaluating the Town Manager, in Article 1 of the Select Board Policies, as amended
Nsminger moved that the board approve the replacement and renaming of on 1. 3. 3, Process for Evaluating Town Manager, in Article 1 of the Select d Policies as amended. The motion was seconded by Mr. Friedmann. The F dly amendments were accepted and the motion carried 5- 0.
Voted: Yes
The scanned text cuts off the start of the mover’s name (“nsminger moved”); the page shows Mr. Ensminger.
From the minutes
“nsminger moved that the board approve the replacement and renaming of on 1. 3. 3, Process for Evaluating Town Manager, in Article 1 of the Select d Policies as amended. The motion was seconded by Mr. Friedmann. The F dly amendments were accepted and the motion carried 5- 0..” (Motion: Ensminger, second: Friedmann)
Mar 26The hearing regarding the new pole request at Franklin…Motion: Mr. Ensminger moved that the hearing regarding the new pole request…Passed 4–0 · Berman: Not recorded
March 26, 2019: The hearing regarding the new pole request at Franklin and Grove Street will be continued until May 7r^, at 8 PM
Mr. Ensminger moved that the hearing regarding the new pole request at Franklin and Grove Street will be continued until May 7r^, at 8 PM. The motion was seconded by Ms. Alvarado and approved with a 4- 0 vote.
The minutes give the count as 4-0, but 5 members were at the meeting (Andrew Friedmann, Vanessa Alvarado, Barry Berman, John Halsey and Dan Ensminger). Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“Mr. Ensminger moved that the hearing regarding the new pole request at Franklin and Grove Street will be continued until May 7r^, at 8 PM. The motion was seconded by Ms. Alvarado and approved with a 4- 0 vote..” (Motion: Ensminger, second: Alvarado)
Mar 12Set the FY2020 water rate at $ 10. 37…Motion: Ms. Alvarado moved to set the FY2020 water rate at $…Passed 3–2 · Berman: Not recorded
March 12, 2019: Set the FY2020 water rate at $ 10. 37 per 100 cubic feet with a minimum quarterly bill of $ 20. 74 effective with the December, 2019 billing; Moved to…
Ms. Alvarado moved to set the FY2020 water rate at $ 10. 37 per 100 cubic feet with a minimum quarterly bill of $ 20. 74 effective with the December, 2019 billing; Moved to set the FY2020 sewer rate at $ 11. 03 per 100 cubic feet with a minimum quarterly bill of$ 22. 06 effective with the December, 2019 billing; Moved to set the Storm Water Rate at $ 60 per unit ( 3210 square feet) per year to be billed quarterly effective with the December, 2019 billing. The motion was seconded by Mr. Ensminger. Mr. Halsey asked what the total of reserves is being used again and It was noted this motion on the table would use $ 1 million. Mr. Halsey wanted to make his feelings known that he fully believes that they should be using the full $ 1. 1 million that Mr. LeLacheur noted they could use without jeopardizing their capital. To not use it all and help the tax payers is not something he can vote for. The board voted 3- 2 to approve the motion on the floor.
The minutes give the count as 3-2 but do not say who voted no or abstained. Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“Ms. Alvarado moved to set the FY2020 water rate at $ 10. 37 per 100 cubic feet with a minimum quarterly bill of $ 20. 74 effective with the December, 2019 billing; Moved to set the FY2020 sewer rate at $ 11. 03 per 100 cubic feet with a minimum quarterly bill of$ 22. 06 effective with the December, 2019 billing; Moved to set the Storm Water Rate at $ 60 per unit ( 3210 square feet) per year to be billed quarterly effective with the December, 2019 billing. The motion was seconded by Mr. Ensminger. Mr. Halsey asked what the total of reserves is being used again and It was noted this motion on the table would use $ 1 million. Mr. Halsey wanted to make his feelings known that he fully believes that they should be using the full $ 1. 1 million that Mr. LeLacheur noted they could use without jeopardizing their capital. To not use it all and help the tax payers is not something he can vote for. The board voted 3- 2 to approve the motion on the floor..” (Motion: Alvarado, second: Ensminger)
Feb 26Approve the minutes of January 22nd, 2019 as amendedMotion: Ms. Alvarado made a motion to approve the minutes of January…Passed 4–0 · Berman: Yes
February 26, 2019: Approve the minutes of January 22nd, 2019 as amended
Ms. Alvarado made a motion to approve the minutes of January 22nd, 2019 as amended. The motion was seconded by Mr. Berman and approved with a 4- 0- 1 vote with Mr. Ensminger abstaining.
Voted: Yes
Yes: Alvarado, Berman, Friedmann, HalseyAbstained: Ensminger
From the minutes
“Ms. Alvarado made a motion to approve the minutes of January 22nd, 2019 as amended. The motion was seconded by Mr. Berman and approved with a 4- 0- 1 vote with Mr. Ensminger abstaining..” (Motion: Alvarado, second: Berman)
Feb 13Joint vote with the School Committee to appoint Mr.…Motion: The first candidate they will vote on is Mr. Coram. The…Passed 3–2 · Berman: Yes
February 13, 2019 (Joint meeting): Joint vote with the School Committee to appoint Mr. Coram to fill the School Committee vacancy
The first candidate they will vote on is Mr. Coram. The votes were as follows: Mr. Boivin - No Mr. Ensminger - No Mr. Robinson - No Ms. Alvarado -Yes Ms. Snow Dockser - Yes Mr. Friedmann - Yes Ms. Webb - Yes Mr. Berman - Yes Ms. Borawski - Yes Mr. Halsey - No Mr. Coram received 6 votes which was enough to be appointed.
Voted: Yes
Yes: Alvarado, Berman, FriedmannNo: Ensminger, HalseyJoint roll call of the Select Board and the School Committee: “Mr. Boivin - No Mr. Ensminger - No Mr. Robinson - No Ms. Alvarado -Yes Ms. Snow Dockser - Yes Mr. Friedmann - Yes Ms. Webb - Yes Mr. Berman - Yes Ms. Borawski - Yes Mr. Halsey - No.” Mr. Coram received 6 of 10 votes. Only the Select Board members’ votes are shown.
From the minutes
“The first candidate they will vote on is Mr. Coram. The votes were as follows: Mr. Boivin - No Mr. Ensminger - No Mr. Robinson - No Ms. Alvarado -Yes Ms. Snow Dockser - Yes Mr. Friedmann - Yes Ms. Webb - Yes Mr. Berman - Yes Ms. Borawski - Yes Mr. Halsey - No Mr. Coram received 6 votes which was enough to be appointed..”
Jan 8Create a two-member Select Board subcommittee to formalize the…Motion: Mr. Friedmann then put a motion on the floor to approve…Passed Unanimous, 5 present · Berman: Yes
January 8, 2019: Create a two-member Select Board subcommittee to formalize the Town Manager evaluation process
Mr. Friedmann then put a motion on the floor to approve Mr. Berman' s proposal: To create a subcommittee of the Select Board, ( 2 members) which will have the responsibility of formalizing the process of evaluating the yearly performance of the Town Manager, as stipulated in the contract signed between the Board and the Town Manager, and including this as a revision to Select Board Policy, Subsection titled " Town Manager Goals". The sub- committee will recommend to the full Board a yearly process and timeline ( with dates certain) for creating jointly agreed upon goals between the Board and the Town Manager. The subcommittee will also consider implementing multiyear goals. The subcommittee will recommend a suitable form for Board members to evaluate the town manager' s performance based on core competencies and those goals. Said form should allow members to highlight areas of needed improvement. If a majority of members agree remedial action is required, a separate plan will be developed by the Board and the Town Manager and incorporated into goals for the following year. . In carrying out this task, the sub- committee will work with town staff including the Head of Administrative Services, the Head of Human Resources and the Town Manager. The sub- committee will present its recommendation to the full Board no later than April 1, 2019. The board voted 5- 0 to approve the motion.
Voted: Yes
The minutes do not name a seconder.
From the minutes
“Mr. Friedmann then put a motion on the floor to approve Mr. Berman' s proposal: To create a subcommittee of the Select Board, ( 2 members) which will have the responsibility of formalizing the process of evaluating the yearly performance of the Town Manager, as stipulated in the contract signed between the Board and the Town Manager, and including this as a revision to Select Board Policy, Subsection titled " Town Manager Goals". The sub- committee will recommend to the full Board a yearly process and timeline ( with dates certain) for creating jointly agreed upon goals between the Board and the Town Manager. The subcommittee will also consider implementing multiyear goals. The subcommittee will recommend a suitable form for Board members to evaluate the town manager' s performance based on core competencies and those goals. Said form should allow members to highlight areas of needed improvement. If a majority of members agree remedial action is required, a separate plan will be developed by the Board and the Town Manager and incorporated into goals for the following year. . In carrying out this task, the sub- committee will work with town staff including the Head of Administrative Services, the Head of Human Resources and the Town Manager. The sub- committee will present its recommendation to the full Board no later than April 1, 2019. The board voted 5- 0 to approve the motion..” (Motion: Friedmann)
Jan 8Approve the meeting minutes of December 5, 2018 as…Motion: Ms. Alvaradr, mnved that the Select Board approve the meetino minutes…Passed Unanimous, 5 present · Berman: Yes
January 8, 2019: Approve the meeting minutes of December 5, 2018 as amended
Ms. Alvaradr, mnved that the Select Board approve the meetino minutes of December 5th, 2018 as amended. The motion was seconded by Mr. Ensminger and approved with a 5- 0 vote.
Voted: Yes
The scanned text reads “Ms. Alvaradr, mnved” (Ms. Alvarado moved).
From the minutes
“Ms. Alvaradr, mnved that the Select Board approve the meetino minutes of December 5th, 2018 as amended. The motion was seconded by Mr. Ensminger and approved with a 5- 0 vote..” (Motion: Alvarado, second: Ensminger)
Dec 11Postpone this discussion until January SthMotion: Mr. Friedmann made a motion to postpone this discussion until January…Passed 3–2 · Berman: Yes
December 11, 2018 (Joint meeting): Postpone this discussion until January Sth
Mr. Friedmann made a motion to postpone this discussion until January Sth. Ms. Alvarado seconded the motion and the board voted 3- 2 with Ensminger and Halsey opposing.
Voted: Yes
Yes: Alvarado, Berman, FriedmannNo: Ensminger, Halsey
From the minutes
“Mr. Friedmann made a motion to postpone this discussion until January Sth. Ms. Alvarado seconded the motion and the board voted 3- 2 with Ensminger and Halsey opposing..” (Motion: Friedmann, second: Alvarado)
Dec 4Amend the motion to add customer service training for…Motion: Mr. Friedmann made a motion to amend the motion to add…Passed 4–1 · Berman: Yes
December 4, 2018 (Joint meeting): Amend the motion to add customer service training for all staff
Mr. Friedmann made a motion to amend the motion to add customer service training for all staff. The motion was seconded by Ms. Alvarado and approved with a 4- 1 vote with Halsey opposing.
Voted: Yes
Yes: Alvarado, Berman, Ensminger, FriedmannNo: Halsey
From the minutes
“Mr. Friedmann made a motion to amend the motion to add customer service training for all staff. The motion was seconded by Ms. Alvarado and approved with a 4- 1 vote with Halsey opposing..” (Motion: Friedmann, second: Alvarado)
Dec 4Approve the 21 Town Manager goals for FY19 as…Motion: Mr. Berman again moved that the board approve the 21 Town…Passed 4–1 · Berman: Yes
December 4, 2018 (Joint meeting): Approve the 21 Town Manager goals for FY19 as presented and amended, accomplished as prioritized as time allows
Mr. Berman again moved that the board approve the 21 Town Manager goals for FY19 as presented and amended, accomplished as prioritized as time allows. The motion was approved with a 4- 1 vote with Halsey opposing.
Voted: Yes
Yes: Alvarado, Berman, Ensminger, FriedmannNo: Halsey
From the minutes
“Mr. Berman again moved that the board approve the 21 Town Manager goals for FY19 as presented and amended, accomplished as prioritized as time allows. The motion was approved with a 4- 1 vote with Halsey opposing..” (Motion: Berman)
Votes with no disagreement (87)
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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