During the meeting, residents voiced their frustration with the board’s handling of water rates. Several speakers pointed out that the current billing practices disproportionately impacted those living in multi-family homes. Paul Silva from Autumn Lane argued for the complete elimination of the irrigation moratorium, stating that the town’s water supply no longer relied on wells and that the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) had not imposed restrictions. Silva criticized the board for maintaining outdated policies that led to financial burdens on residents.

David Zeke from Sandborn Street echoed these sentiments, urging the board to address the inequities in water and sewer rates for multi-family housing. He recalled that an instructional motion had previously been passed at a town meeting, asking for a plan to rectify these inequities. Zeke expressed frustration that despite a consensus, no tangible action had been taken.

John Sullivan from 1 Street shared his experiences with mixed-use properties, describing how his restaurant’s high water usage pushed their billing into the highest tier, causing costs to be unfairly distributed among tenants. He emphasized that tiered billing was not functioning as intended, leading to excessive charges for residents who should qualify for lower rates.

The issue of road conditions was also a concern. Joseph White from Prescott Street expressed concerns over potholes and the dangers they posed to cyclists. He stated that the poor state of the roads had caused accidents and increased risks for cyclists, emphasizing that basic services like road maintenance were not being adequately addressed.

The discussion around second water meters was another contentious topic. Residents like John Gotwald and Linda Wils supported the idea of separate billing for irrigation to avoid sewer usage charges. Gotwald shared his surprise at receiving a water bill of approximately $1,560 for the quarter, attributing it to the two meters in his home. Wils highlighted a dramatic increase in her water bill from $170 the previous year to $825 this year for the same period, raising concerns about the rising costs.

The board discussed the potential implementation of a pilot program for second water meters, with suggestions to limit the initial number to around 300 meters. There were also discussions about establishing a tiered rate system for water usage, particularly for those utilizing second meters, to prevent high usage.

In addition to public comments, the board covered various administrative and procedural matters. Reports from board members included updates on the Community Planning and Development Commission (CPDC) and the recent return of $80,000 to free cash by the School Committee. The search for a Director of Finance and an Meco director was also noted.

Further discussion highlighted the Trout Review Committee’s recent follow-up meeting, with insights shared about public feedback and legal questions concerning the Reading Municipal Light Department (RMLD). The committee is preparing to present findings in April, with some decisions potentially requiring state review or ballot initiatives.

The board acknowledged the Reading Police Department’s response to a recent incident that warranted a reverse 911 call, with some members expressing their approval of the decision to alert residents. Comments suggested that this was one of the few instances that justified such a measure.

Upcoming events discussed included the sixth Annual Arts and Cultural Festival on October 5th and the Fire Department’s open house. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was scheduled for the MLETSS Morgan conservation land, now open to the public, with details regarding parking and a community coffee event with the Chief of Police also shared.

Personnel updates included the hiring of a new health inspector and an executive assistant. The board recognized the promotion of Officer Cody Costa to Sergeant, noting that the town is nearing full staffing across departments, with only one civil engineer position remaining to be filled.

The meeting proceeded to the appointment of Carl Sone to an associate position on the Conservation Commission. The board then moved to address traffic amendments, specifically a public hearing regarding proposed changes to traffic and parking regulations aimed at improving safety at the intersection of Emerson Street and Dividends Road. The details of the proposed amendments were outlined, inviting community participation in the discussion either in person or via Zoom.

The Reading Select Board also discussed the Community Preservation Act (CPA) study committee’s progress. The committee had been organized to explore the potential adoption of the CPA, which allows towns to raise funds for various purposes, including open space and historical preservation, as well as affordable housing. The committee acknowledged that it was not feasible to present a CPA proposal by the upcoming November election and suggested the next possible opportunity would be in November 2026.

The meeting concluded with the board transitioning to executive session to discuss strategic matters pertaining to potential litigation involving unpaid police detail invoices and other legal matters concerning the town. The chair called for a motion to enter executive session, inviting specific individuals, including town council and the town manager, to join in the discussion.