Select Board recap: March 24, 2026

Apr 11

(9-10 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, March 24, 2026.

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

Review the full Select Board packet.

Key takeaways

Select Board appoints Jayne Wellman as Town Manager
Following a public interview the night prior, the Board moved quickly to appoint Wellman, citing her experience and readiness to step into the role.
Board debates police presence at meetings
Members discussed whether maintaining a police detail at Select Board meetings is necessary, balancing concerns about cost, safety, and the tone of public engagement.
Pleasant Street Center's future under review
A presentation highlighted community feedback, financial challenges, and potential strategies for the long-term use of the building.

Select Board appoints Wellman as Town Manager [0:12:05]

The Select Board voted 5-0 to appoint Jayne Wellman as Reading’s next Town Manager, marking a historic moment as she becomes the first woman to hold the position.

The vote followed a 90-minute public interview held the previous evening. During the March 24 meeting, Board members did not revisit the full discussion; instead, they referenced their comments and deliberation from the night before.

Read our coverage of the interview and discussion.

Following the vote, the Board entered executive session to discuss strategy for contract negotiations with Wellman and also approved prior executive session minutes. The relatively brief discussion underscored that the decision had largely been shaped during the prior evening’s interview and deliberation.

Discussion on police presence at Select Board meetings [1:27:03]

The Board discussed whether to continue using a police detail at Select Board meetings, an issue that has arisen following incidents in December.

One member raised concerns about the cost and necessity of the detail. The argument centered on the belief that the expense is significant compared to other town priorities, the Board should model de-escalation and leadership, and that past experiences of verbal confrontation did not rise to a level requiring a police presence.

Other members strongly supported continuing the detail, citing safety concerns and recent events. The discussion referenced an incident following the December 18 Select Board meeting, when two residents came to Town Hall to confront board members, as well as the broader emotional climate surrounding public meetings.

Wellman provided additional context, noting the resident involved in the prior incident has since apologized to town staff and that police coverage requires overtime staffing, meaning officers are called in outside regular shifts.

At times, the discussion shifted into details of the December incident before returning to the broader policy question. Ultimately, the Board voted 4-1 to revisit the issue at a future meeting after reorganizing following the election. The conversation reflected ongoing tension between ensuring safety, managing costs, and public perception.

Presentation and discussion regarding the future of the Pleasant Street Center [1:46:01]

Town staff presented the final installment of the “road show” exploring the future of the Pleasant Street Center (PSC), incorporating feedback from multiple boards, committees, and the public.

The presentation emphasized that community input has been consistent: residents largely want the building to remain under town ownership, while also expecting it to be financially sustainable.

Key challenges identified

The building faces significant issues:

A new heating system is needed, estimated at $400,000 or more
Additional weatherization and maintenance improvements are required
Major renovations were described as cost-prohibitive

These factors have made it difficult to define a clear long-term path without further analysis.

Community survey results

A survey with approximately 700 responses showed strong support for keeping the building:

Retain ownership: 467 responses
Retain and lease to a third party: 457
Sell to a nonprofit: 159
Sell for highest value: 101
Transfer to Housing Authority: 80

The results suggest a strong preference for maintaining public control while exploring revenue-generating options.

Proposed path forward

Staff introduced a Strategy 5 consulting proposal, which will include further evaluation of the building’s condition, exploration of potential uses, continued engagement with boards and committees, and analysis conducted over the spring and summer months.

Board members generally expressed alignment around:

Keeping the building
Identifying uses that could generate revenue to offset costs
Understanding the town’s long-term responsibilities for maintenance

There was also discussion of whether programs such as Green Communities could help defray some of the anticipated costs.

Presentation by the ReCAL Operations Subcommittee [2:14:47]

The ReCAL Operations Subcommittee provided an in-depth update on planning for the Reading Center for Active Living (ReCAL), focusing on operations, programming, and financial projections.

The subcommittee, which includes both town staff and residents, has been working to develop a comprehensive operational framework for the new facility.

Highlights

The group reported progress in several areas, including:

Drafting four major operating policies and procedures
Developing a broader operational plan
Conducting a projected budget assessment
Presenting to and receiving feedback from multiple boards and committees

Facility and operations

One notable change is the expansion of programming. Current PSC programming is 197.5 hours, while the projected ReCAL programming is approx. 650 hours.

The presentation also included:

A detailed overview of the building layout
Intended uses and prioritization for different spaces
Plans to relocate several town services to the facility, including Veterans Services, Recreation, and Elder & Human Services

Financial outlook

The subcommittee presented early projections for FY2028, including a cost increase of $471,382 and revenue of $211,600.

Revenue is expected to come from programming, rentals, and other usage, though it will not totally offset operational costs.

The presentation highlighted both the expanded opportunities the facility will offer and the financial considerations that will need to be addressed moving forward.