A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the Reading Food Pantry’s urgent need for a more suitable location. Currently housed at the Old South Church, the pantry faces challenges due to its fragmented storage, accessibility issues, and insufficient space to meet growing demands. The Pleasant Street Center emerged as a potential new home, offering a more central location with better infrastructure and accessibility. Sean Toro, a representative from the pantry, outlined the benefits of relocating, including increased parking and the opportunity to expand services. The move would also allow the pantry to operate more efficiently, with dedicated space facilitating better control over distribution hours.

The pantry has grown substantially since its inception in 1979, now serving over 400 residents monthly. The rising cost of living and food has exacerbated food insecurity, with one in four residents in Middlesex County affected. The pantry reported distributing over 15,000 bags of food to more than 4,000 residents last year, highlighting its vital role in the community. Despite these efforts, the current location’s limitations, including its stairs and scattered refrigeration units, pose safety risks for volunteers and hinder energy efficiency.

The board discussed the financial implications of relocating, with considerations about rent agreements for the new space. The pantry’s financial planning includes a rent structure, acknowledging the shift from the church’s generous, cost-free accommodation. The conversation revealed a consensus on the need for further discussions about the financial feasibility and community support necessary for this transition.

Meanwhile, McDonald’s request to open its indoor dining area at 5 a.m. instead of 6 a.m. sparked a separate debate. The board weighed the proposal, considering potential noise disturbances from the drive-thru, which the police department had flagged as a concern. A compromise was suggested, allowing the restaurant to open early for inside customers while keeping the drive-thru closed until the usual opening time. This arrangement aimed to balance customer needs with residents’ peace.

Charter revisions also featured prominently in the meeting, with efforts to transition language from “selectman” to “select board,” reflecting a modern and inclusive terminology shift. These revisions, set to be included in the upcoming town meeting warrant articles, require both a ballot vote and a special act for implementation. The board discussed aligning these revisions with the April town election, avoiding a special election and streamlining the approval process.

Other proposed changes included handling vacancies in town meetings and adjustments to recall procedures. The board aimed to make recall processes more equitable, increasing the signature threshold from 250 to 4,000 and extending the time frame for gathering signatures. These measures are intended to ensure that recalls are reserved for issues, thus protecting the integrity of elected positions.

The meeting also touched on broader procedural matters, including extending notice periods for certain actions and clarifying address terminology in official communications. The board’s deliberations highlighted the intricate nature of charter revisions, emphasizing the need for clarity, fairness, and community engagement.

In addition to these discussions, the board reviewed other community matters, including the potential use of free cash for funding town forest projects. Questions arose about utilizing Burbank funds versus appropriations from previous years, with a decision pending further clarification on funding sources.

The meeting wrapped up with reminders about the upcoming tax rate vote and the necessity of appointing a negotiation committee for the Ice Arena lease amendment. These issues, along with ongoing discussions about RCTV’s license agreement extension, reflect the board’s ongoing efforts to address community needs and operational challenges comprehensively.