Read All About It: Selectmen Approve Preamble

Was it the recent presidential election that led to Tuesday night's action by the Board of Selectmen? Or did Reading citizens and their government get to this point on their own? Wherever you stand on that question, you saw the result in a packed Selectmen's Meeting Room at Town Hall. After a lengthy discussion, the Board of Selectmen voted to add a preamble to its mission and values statement.

It reads:

In 1624, Reading's first settlers arrived from distant lands after fleeing religious persecution and the lack of economic opportunity. Bouyed by hope, they risked their lives on long, dangerous journeys in search of freedom. These earliest immigrants brought with them a sense of vitality, a strong commitment to hard work, and a committed respect for unfamiliar cultures, faith traditions, and viewpoints.

We continue to this day to welcome new neighbors from both nearby communities and distant lands. We ask them to continue the tradition begun by the earliest settlers and to contribute their talents, skills and energy to Reading's future, while enjoying freedom to pursue their own version of the American dream.

Reading is a community that believes in equal opportunity, equal protection of the law and religious freedom. Reading citizens proudly answered the call to fight in wars to end tyranny and establish the republic, to end slavery and to destroy fascism. Today, Reading's sons and daughters serve in our nation's battle against present-day terrorism and in support of freedom.

As the Town's elected executive board, we recognize and accept our role as community leaders. We support the values of our democracy and especially the right to free speech and assembly. We welcome vigorous public discourse, even where disagreement may arise as a consequence. However, we also reserve the right to stand against those who would undermine our shared values or threaten our community's welcoming nature and sense of safety.

We accept our leadership role in support of the operating principles of tolerance, civility, dignity, and respect for all, so as to sustain our Town's cultural and religious diversity.

It is our enduring goal, in cooperation with other Town officials and staff, to continue to build trust in our community, and to implement and enforce applicable laws concerning discrimination, intimidation, illegal conduct and hate crimes.

Signed, the 2017 Reading Board of Selectmen

Following the preamble's adoption many in the room spoke, some calling it "toothless" and others asking "what changes in Reading." While the preamble's effect was debated, the reasons for it were clear. From a town group that collected 265 signatures in support of a resolution similar to the preamble, to the board sub-committee that included selectmen John Arena and Barry Berman, to the two swastikas that were found at the high school in recent weeks, residents were frustrated, even if they couldn't all agree on what was the cause.

In other action by the board, the meeting started with all in attendance applauding the combined efforts last week of the police and fire departments in dealing with the threat of a pipe bomb at a Rachel Road home. But there was no additional news surrounding the device with Police Chief Mark Segalla saying the investigation was still ongoing.

And when most of the room had cleared out after the preamble discussion, a potentially even more divisive issue was discussed, the next override vote. The discussion wasn't on if but rather how and when. Best bet is next April. Town Manager Bob LeLacheur talked strategy with the Selectmen. It will definitely be on many agendas in the coming months.