Reading Businesses Rally for Pause on Parking Kiosks, Urge Tax System Overhaul
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Meeting Type:
City Council
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Meeting Date:
10/15/2024
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Recording Published:
10/15/2024
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Duration:
214 Minutes
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State:
Massachusetts
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County:
Middlesex County
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Towns:
Reading
- Meeting Overview:
The Reading Select Board meeting was dominated by discussions on the recently installed parking kiosks, which business owners claim have hampered customer traffic, and on disparities in tax rates between residential and commercial properties. The board also tackled issues related to major community projects and the processes for committee appointments.
A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to public comments from local business owners who implored the board to reconsider the parking kiosk program. Rachel O’Neal, owner of a flower shop, reported a 65% drop in walk-in customers compared to the previous year, attributing the decline to the new parking system. She suggested that the board implement a short-term free parking option to boost downtown foot traffic. Amy Collins and Lori Hy, representing other local businesses, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the dual challenges of parking and ongoing construction that limits accessible spaces for patrons. They proposed that the Select Board pause the kiosk program to reassess its effectiveness and consider alternative solutions that could accommodate both businesses and customers, especially during the impending holiday season.
Another notable testimony came from a nurse case manager who highlighted the kiosks’ negative impact on senior citizens, particularly those accessing medications at local pharmacies. The case manager underscored that the technological barrier posed by the kiosks could deter seniors from filling essential prescriptions, potentially leading to adverse health outcomes. The call for a reevaluation of the parking system was unanimous among speakers, who argued that the kiosks’ rollout lacked sufficient consultation and consideration of current business and community needs.
In a related motion, the Select Board agreed to temporarily suspend parking fees in the Upper Haven Street Municipal parking lot from October 16, 2024, to January 15, 2025, acknowledging the need to reassess and address community concerns. However, a similar motion for the Brandy Court Municipal parking lot did not pass, reflecting ongoing deliberations on the matter.
Parallel to the parking discussions, the board addressed calls for a more equitable tax system. John Lipet, a homeowner, highlighted the stark disparity between residential and commercial tax increases over the past 14 years, with residential taxes rising by 67% compared to a 15% increase for commercial properties. Lipet proposed adjusting the Commercial Property Tax Classification (CPI) shift to 1.2 to balance the tax burden and generate additional revenue from the largest commercial property owners. The board reviewed detailed data on tax rates and shifts, considering the implications of potential changes for fiscal year 2025 and beyond.
Further complicating the tax discussion was the introduction of a residential exemption, which could raise the residential tax rate if adopted, benefiting higher-valued single-family properties at the expense of others. The exemption’s potential to incite “class warfare” was noted, as it is only adopted by a small number of communities. The board also explored the small commercial exemption, though its strict criteria limit applicability in Reading.
In addition to these matters, the meeting included a detailed presentation on the Fieldhouse floor project, which aims to replace the current flooring with a more durable hardwood option. This initiative, funded at $1.7 million, seeks to improve safety and accessibility for the facility’s extensive daily users. The proposal involves significant structural changes, including the installation of ADA-compliant bleachers, to enhance the overall quality and longevity of the Fieldhouse’s infrastructure.
The Select Board also grappled with the Volunteer Appointment Selection and Qualification (VASQ) process, contemplating the efficiency of current appointment procedures for filling vacancies on committees. There was debate over the role of VASQ in handling interviews for new ad hoc committees, with differing opinions on whether a more in-depth interview process should be conducted by the subcommittee or handled directly by the board.
Matt Kraunelis
City Council Officials:
Mark L Dockser, Karen Gately Herrick, Carlo Bacci, Christopher Haley, Matt Kraunelis (Town Manager)
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Meeting Type:
City Council
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Meeting Date:
10/15/2024
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Recording Published:
10/15/2024
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Duration:
214 Minutes
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Notability Score:
Routine
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State:
Massachusetts
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County:
Middlesex County
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Towns:
Reading
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