Select Board recap: January 27, 2026
(6-8 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, January 27, 2026.
Watch the full meeting here on RCTV’s Youtube page.
Review the full Select Board packet.
Key takeaways
Storm response, MBTA rail planning, and business development updates.
The Town Manager thanked public safety and DPW crews for recent storm and fire response efforts, shared that the MBTA turnback track is not being pursued while a double-tracking grant is under review, and confirmed a Trader Joe’s location is coming to Reading.
Community and economic milestones.
The Select Board recognized The Last Corner Restaurant for 50 years in business and approved an all-alcohol liquor license for DiBlasi’s Food & Drink, a new family-style restaurant planned for High Street.
Liaison reports and forward planning.
Updates included the Reading Scholarship Foundation application deadline, lessons from the statewide municipal conference, and ongoing work to align Reading’s ADU bylaw with state law for possible Town Meeting action in November 2026.
Town Manager updates [0:06:29]
Town Manager Matt Kraunelis opened by thanking multiple departments for their work during recent winter storms, recognizing DPW crews for road and sidewalk clearing, Fire, Police, and Health Department staff, and mutual aid partners for their response to a recent fire on James Street. The remarks underscored the cross-department coordination required during back-to-back weather and emergency events.
Kraunelis also said there is currently no active MBTA plan to pursue the Reading turnback track project, adding that the agency is instead exploring a large grant opportunity, estimated at $80-100 million, to install double track between Reading and Haverhill, which could remove the operational need for a turnback track if funded.
He further confirmed that Trafer Joe’s plans to open a Reading location, noting the project had been progressing behind the scenes before recently becoming public.
Last Corner Restaurant recognized for 50 years [0:16:49]
The Board recognized longtime local business The Last Corner Restaurant and its owners, Paul and Valerie Pavlidis, for reaching their 50th anniversary in Reading. The recognition highlighted both the restaurant’s longevity and its role as a community gathering place.
Valerie Pavlidis spoke about her appreciation for the community’s support during a past illness and reaffirmed her commitment to remaining in Reading. She also shared the origin of the restaurant’s name, describing it as the last turn out of Reading on their way home, after the owners decided against an earlier name idea.
Several Town officials shared personal reflections. Fire Chief Rick Nelson noted that he grew up going to the restaurant and later brought his own family there, and thanked the owners for repeatedly providing food to staff during storms and emergencies. Board members presented the owners with a commemorative plaque.
Image of the January 27, 2026, Select Board meeting from the RCTV Youtube page. Owners of The Last Corner Restaurant pose with Town leadership and community members while being recognized for 50 years in Reading.
In-person early voting for April 7 election approved [0:33:34]
Town Clerk Laura Gemme presented the Select Board with details on vote-by-mail and early in-person voting options for the April 7 local election. She explained that vote-by-mail is available by right unless the Board opts out, whereas early in-person voting requires Select Board approval.
Gemme reported that the Board of Registrars could not formally vote on January 15 due to a lack of quorum, but Gemme separately polled members. That informal poll showed 2-1 support for early in-person voting and 3-0 support for vote-by-mail.
Early in-person voting is scheduled to begin Saturday, March 28, which is also the final day to register to vote in the election, and continue during normal Town Hall hours until Thursday, April 2. Opening Town Hall that Saturday for voter registration will be partially reimbursed by the state, and vote-by-mail postage costs will also be reimbursed.
The Select Board voted 4-0 to approve early in-person voting for the April 7 election.
All-Alcohol Restaurant License approved for DiBlasi’s Food & Drink [0:42:34]
The Board voted 3-0 to approve an all-alcohol restaurant liquor license for DiBlasi’s Food & Drink, planned for 42 High Street, the former site of The Green Tomato restaurant.
Chair Chris Haley recused himself from the discussion and vote because he owns a property near the applicant's location.
Owners Ryan Patterson and Gregory Maganzini described their vision for a family-friendly gathering place. They discussed their community-supported “Founders Club” fundraising model and emphasized local ties, with Maganzini noting he is a lifelong Reading resident who wanted to open a business in town.
Board members Kare Rose-Gillis, Karen Herrick, and Melissa Murphy stated they were not members of the Founders Club and wished the owners success before approving the license.
Liaison reports[0:49:30]
The Reading Scholarship Foundation (RSF) scholarship season is underway for residents. Applications are available online with a deadline of March 6, 2026. Since 1970, the Foundation has awarded more than $5.2 million to 6,080 Reading students, according to the RSF.
Members Karen Rose-Gillis and Karen Herrick shared takeaways from the recent Massachusetts Municipal Association conference, including workshops on working through disagreement, public works workforce recruitment, and succession planning as experienced staff retire or depart. They also cited the Dignity Index framework as a tool worth bringing into local meeting practice.
Chair Haley raised a concern about a non-binding conference fiscal resolution vote cast on behalf of the Town, stating that the matter would be discussed in greater detail at the February 10, 2026, Select Board meeting.
It was reported that the Community Planning and Development Commission (CPDC) met on January 12 and discussed updates to Reading’s Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) bylaw to align with state statute. CPDC is targeting a proposed update for Town Meeting consideration in November 2026.
Image of the January 27, 2026, Select Board meeting from the RCTV Youtube page. Pictured (left to right): Board members Karen Rose-Gillis, Karen Herrick, Melissa Murphy, Chris Haley, Assistant Town Manager Jayne Wellman, and Town Manager Matt Kraunelis.
