Select Board Recap: August 26, 2025

Sep 3

(5-6 minute read)

For residents looking to stay up to date on key town matters, this recap highlights major takeaways from the Select Board meeting held on Tuesday, August 26, 2025.

Watch the full meeting here on RCTV’s Youtube page.

Review the full Select Board packet.

Key Takeaways

Overdose Awareness Proclamation approved - Director of the Reading Coalition for Prevention and Support (RCPS) Erica Maillet presented a proclamation to recognize Overdose Awareness Month. The proclamation will launch the upcoming A Time to Gather event on September 17 at the Town Common, where the community will remember lives lost, celebrate those in recovery, and support families. The Board approved unanimously, 4-0.
Update on Burbank Ice Arena - Select Board liaison Carl McFadden provided an overview of the arena’s current status, ongoing contract discussions with the North Shore Skating Club, and concerns about equipment, staffing, and financial reporting. With arena renewal talks approaching, Select Board members stressed the importance of transparency and reliability in future agreements.
Review of Fire Department fees - Fire Chief Rick Nelson presented proposed updates to permit and ambulance fees. These fees, last updated in 2010, lag behind neighboring towns. The new recommendations aim to align Reading with regional rates, increase revenue collection, and simplify billing for ambulance services.

Public Comment [0:02:13]

Austin Prep construction concerns - Several residents of Selfridge Road voiced frustration over dust, noise, and light issues from Austin Preparatory School’s ongoing construction. They asked for stronger measures to reduce impacts on neighboring homes. Town Manager Matt Kraunelis confirmed he would bring concerns directly to Austin Prep’s leadership.
Transparency in projects - One resident questions the Town’s transparency on past capital projects, noting approved initiatives, while other projects, like the RMHS fieldhouse, exceeded initial approvals.
- Related coverage: Finance Committee Recap: August 13, 2025.
Community thanks - Another resident thanks the Town for achieving the Green Community Designation and recognized RCPS for its contributions to public health and safety.

Overdose Awareness Proclamation [0:23:18]

RCPS Director Erica Maillet reflected on her 17 years with the Town and described how the Coalition was founded to address substance misuse and mental health challenges. She emphasized the importance of the upcoming A Time to Gather event on September 17, where community members will honor the 105 lives lost in Reading over the past 15 years to suicide (24) and substance misuse (79). The event will also celebrate those in recovery and support families who continue to be impacted. The proclamation underscores the town’s ongoing commitment to awareness, prevention, and community support. Learn more about RCPS here.

Update from the Reading Ice Authority [0:31:10]

Select Board liaison Carl McFadden provided an update on the Burbank Ice Arena, noting that the rink, donated by Nelson Burank 30 years ago, would cost $35-40 million to construct today. Demand for ice time remains high, with a few Reading Youth Hockey players having to find ice outside of town. McFadden shared that the arena is negotiating a long-term lease with the North Shore Skating Club, which praised the facility as one of the best they compete in nationally. Select Board member raised questions about the arena’s financial transparency, including inconsistent rent payments, high staff salaries compared to other towns, and contingency plans for the nearly 30-year-old ice machine. Residents also asked for clarity on how Burbank funds are allocated, especially in connection with the pickleball project on Symonds Way.

Fire Department fee update [1:16:48]

Fire Chief Rick Nelson presented proposed changes to both ambulance and permit fees, which have not been updated since 2010. He recommended moving ambulance rates to the middle range of surrounding communities and adopting a bundled billing system to simplify claims and improve collection rates. Currently, Reading collected about $969,819 of $2.02 million in billed services (48% collection rate), but with the new system, the Fire Department projects collections could increase to $1.21 million of $2.52 million billed (48% collection rate). Chief Nelson also recommended raising most building permit fees to $50, the maximum allowed by Massachusetts General Law (MGL), increasing multifamily dwelling permits to $100, and adding reinspection fees for properties that previously failed an inspection. Select Board members expressed general agreement with the proposed changes, and Chief Nelson will return with a finalized fee schedule for a formal vote.