Select Board Recap: August 5, 2025
Updated on August 11, 2025, after initial publication to include the passing of a Reading resident and a link to his obituary.
(3-4 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 5, 2025.
Watch the full meeting here on RCTV’s Youtube page.
Review the full Select Board packet.
Key Takeaways
$9.64M in temporary internal borrowing approved.
The Select Board voted to temporarily borrow from Free Cash to cover expenses for Birch Meadow Phase II, Killam School, and Reading Center for Active Living (ReCAL) until the Town takes on permanent debt in January 2026. This timing means the related tax impact will not be felt by residents until FY2027.
Three potential revenue streams explored.
The Select Board discussed allowing local businesses advertising on town-owned properties; increasing the short-term rental (STR) tax; and reviewing rules for Accessible Dwelling Units (ADUs) as possible ways to generate additional revenue.
Water & Sewer Advisory Committee proposed.
A new committee could help the Select Board and residents better understand and guide annual rate-setting decisions, with examples from other Massachusetts towns offered as models.
Scouts join the meeting [1:49:04]
Scouts from Troop 702 - Kevin, Tucker, Carolyn, and Margaret - attended the meeting to earn their Communication Merit Badge, observing the Board’s discussions and decision-making process firsthand.
Passing of a local resident [17:53]
Select Board member Carlo Bacci noted the sudden passing of Michael Coltman, an active town volunteer who served on the Recreation Committee and was a member of the Reading Pickleball Players Association, the group instrumental in organizing and passing the pickleball courts at Symonds Way at Town Meeting this past spring.
Mr. Coltman’s obituary can be read here.
Update on MBTA Turnback Track project [6:08]
Assistant Town Manager Jayne Wellman met with MBTA officials to review preliminary study results and public feedback from the community forum in February. The MBTA’s next steps include meeting with police and fire chiefs and hosting another public engagement session in September. Following that session, the MBTA will return to the Select Board to refine the project scope before filing a Notice of Intent (NOI) with the Conservation Commission. Ms. Wellman emphasized her focus on obtaining as much information as possible throughout the process.
Internal borrowing related to Birch Meadow Phase II, Killam School, and ReCAL [19:26]
Town Accountant Sharon Angstrom explained that the Town’s borrowing agent recommended internal borrowing to cover preliminary expenses for three major projects - Birch Meadow Phase II ($2.14M), Killam School ($6M), and ReCAL ($1.5M) - until permanent borrowing occurs in January 2026. By issuing bonds once annually instead of multiple times, the Town can save $40,000 - $50,000 in costs.
This temporary borrowing from free cash, totaling $9.64M, won’t affect the Town’s bond rating and will delay the tax impact for residents until FY2027. While the borrowing amount surprised some Finance Committee members, Ms. Angstrom noted it had been mentioned at Town Meeting and during previous borrowing discussions, although exact amounts were not discussed. The Select Board approved the measure unanimously, 5-0.
Potential new revenue sources [32:45]
Ms. Wellman outlined three potential ways to increase revenue:
Field advertisements: allowing local businesses to place ads on town-owned properties and fields, with restrictions to Reading-based companies and possible coordination with sports boosters or an “Adopt-A-Court” model.
Short Term Rental (STR) tax increase: raising the local room tax from 4% to 6%, and potentially adopting a 3% Community Impact Fee in specific circumstances, with 35% dedicated to Affordable Housing.
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs): reviewing current rules and regulations to see if adjustments could generate more housing options and related revenue.
Board members expressed mixed views on field advertisements, but generally supported exploring the STR tax increase and ADU regulation review.
Formation of a Water & Sewer Advisory Committee [57:08]
Select Board member Karen Rose-Gillis proposed creating a Water & Sewer Advisory Committee after finding the current review process difficult to navigate this past spring. The committee would meet a few times per year, work with the Department of Public Works Director and Town Accountant, and provide recommendations to the Select Board.
Ms. Wellman shared examples from Canton and Swampscott to show how other towns have structured similar committees. The goal would be to improve decision-making and public understanding of rate changes.
Image of the August 5, 2025 Select Board meeting from the RCTV Youtube page. Pictured (left to right): Board members Karen Rose-Gillis, Karen Herrick, Chris Haley, Carlo Bacci, Town Accountant Sharon Angstrom, Assistant Town Manager Jayne Wellman, and Town Manager Matt Kraunelis. Member Melissa Murphy attended via Zoom.
