By Kevin Vendt
Three finalists for the role of Reading Municipal Light Department (RMLD) general manager were interviewed by the Board of Commissioners on Wednesday. Each candidate was asked the same five broad questions over the course of a fifty-minute time span. Candidates had ten minutes to expound on each question.

The first finalist was Jonathan Blair, currently the General Manager of the Ipswich Electric Light Department. Blair stressed his experience as a manager when dealing with a crisis, indicating his relationships with regional and national partners as well as the legislative delegation. In an emergency, he shared a desire to limit distractions so that the experts in the field could do their jobs. To help “shred the peak,” Blair suggested a program to incentivize wall battery packs in homes and businesses to help increase local generation capacity. He also suggested designing rates to drive behavior on peak days. Blair would try to build on work already being done at RMLD to meet the expectations of the new climate law, seeking named carbon-free sources of power. “I’m not intimidated by leading the biggest municipal light department in the commonwealth,” Blair concluded. [Read More]
Appointment by Town Manager Fidel Maltez Effective Nov. 7, 2022

Town Manager Fidel Maltez is happy to announce that Matt Kraunelis, current Director of Administrative Services, will be appointed to Assistant Town Manager effective November 7, 2022. Jean Delios, current Assistant Town Manager, will be retiring after a long and successful municipal career effective February 1, 2023. During this transition, Kraunelis will continue to lead Administrative Services and Delios will continue to lead Public Services. Upon Jean’s retirement, Kraunelis will lead a consolidated Administrative/Public Services Department.

Jean Delios is retiring after 40 years in public service; 34 in municipal government and six at the MBTA. Ms. Delios has been with the Town of Reading for 13 years, nine as Assistant Town Manager, working under three town managers: Peter Hechenbleikner, Bob LeLacheur, and Fidel Maltez. Other municipalities Delios has worked for include the cities of Everett, Lynn, Somerville, Peabody, and the town of Saugus.  [Read More]
By Isabella Pastore
Dublin-native Eilish Havey has owned and operated Reading’s Bunratty Tavern for seven years, and is one of the only authentic Irish pubs in the area. The Main Street staple has become a focal point of the local community, and even the #1 seller of Guinness on the North Shore.

Havey immigrated to the United States in 1998, living first in Quincy, MA. She originally worked at a place called Limmerick’s in the financial district of Boston, and subsequently worked for various restaurants and taverns in the Boston area with restaurant owners as they expanded their own businesses.
She has extensive knowledge of the restaurant industry, as she has worn many hats after having worked as a cook, a waitress, at the bar, a manager, all the way up to controller of the various restaurants and pubs she has worked. 

Havey was approached in 2013 about opening a restaurant in Bunratty Tavern’s current location, and found it quite challenging to actually get the business open. She recalls feeling as if town officials were making the opening process as difficult as they could, but ultimately the town couldn’t say no.

Within six months to a year of opening, Bunratty Tavern demonstrated that it was beneficial to the Reading community and enhanced the downtown scene. Havey has seen recognizable change in town government since, as turnover within has produced greater involvement in small businesses and easier communication between business owners and the local government. [Read More]
By Isabella Pastore
Friday Nov. 4 at Whitelam Books
Monica Acker is launching her first published children’s book, “Brave Like Mom,” at Whitelam Books on November 4. The book is a touching story about a girl whose mom has chronic illness and how she is brave, just like her mom. 

Originally from Westchester County, New York, Acker attended Siena College. She studied creative arts, which is a combination of theater and visual arts. Acker had always loved theater, and a childhood background in theater translated well into the classroom. She moved on to get her masters for elementary education, having known she always wanted to teach.

Acker moved to Reading in 2014 with her husband, and she is currently working as a school tutor at Wood End Elementary School. Acker provides Tier Two support for reading and math, giving the extra boost a student might need to excel.

“I love books, I always have, and teaching really brought picture books back into my life,” said Acker, “I always turn to picture books to teach a new topic.”  [Read More]
Reading Senior Citizens are invited to attend the annual Thanksgiving Dinner at the Hillview Country Club in North Reading on Saturday, November 19 at 1 p.m.  Doors will open at 12:15 p.m. 

Held annually since 2008, the Reading Thanksgiving Dinner is hosted by Representative Brad Jones, his wife Linda, Representative Richard Haggerty, and Senator Jason Lewis.  As in years past, hundreds of local residents are expected to attend this year’s event and enjoy a traditional turkey dinner with all the fixings served buffet style. Guests will enjoy a DJ and dancing at the event. 

“We are excited to be able to return to a sit-down dinner this year to help celebrate the start of the holiday season with Reading’s seniors,” said Representative Jones. “Thanks to the support of my legislative colleagues, Representative Haggerty and Senator Lewis, as well as the generosity of the many local businesses and individuals who have partnered with us over the years, we are able to carry on this wonderful annual tradition for the community, and we look forward to seeing everyone on the 19th.” [Read More]
Day-long Birthday Party Planned for Saturday November 5
On Saturday, November 5, Whitelam Books will celebrate five years since opening in November 2017. A day-long event is planned to delight customers and celebrate the growth of the beloved independent bookstore at 610 Main St. in Reading. 

The store opens at 10:00am on Saturday, November 5. Be on the sidewalk right at 10 to see owner Liz Whitelam ring a large bell to announce the anniversary. A fun, old-fashioned treat for the whole family. Or pop by at noon for a giant happy birthday sing-along. [Read More]
After more than two years of a COVID hiatus, the Reading Symphony Orchestra is extending a joyous welcome back to the community with a “Celebrating Beethoven” concert experience Sunday November 6 at 3:30 pm at the Reading Memorial High School Performing Arts Center. 

George Ogata, the group’s conductor, said that the program was originally planned for 2020 to celebrate Beethoven’s 250th birthday. Although the birthday celebration may have been delayed, the 50-member Reading Symphony Orchestra is delighted to return to the stage. To thank the community for its support, the concert is complimentary, with donations accepted.  [Read More]
Chief David Clark and the members of the Reading Police Department wish to congratulate Officer Josh Griffith, who has been promoted to the rank of captain in the Massachusetts Army National Guard.

Officer Griffith joined the Army National Guard in 2016, rising through the ranks and taking on a variety of responsibilities in the time since. Griffith became a second lieutenant in the spring of 2017 and was assigned as a platoon leader for the 972nd Military Police Company.

He was subsequently promoted to the rank of first lieutenant serving as the company’s executive officer, and was activated with the National Guard to support the state’s response to COVID-19, as well as to provide security during widespread civil unrest in the summer of 2020.

Griffith was then named commander of the 747th Military Police Company, overseeing members’ training and wellbeing, and has contributed to a variety of National Guard activations in support of events like the Boston Marathon, the 4th of July Spectacular on Boston’s Esplanade and other state emergency events. [Read More]
Chief David J. Clark is pleased to announce the promotion of Scott Craven to the rank of Sergeant beginning at the start of the new year.

Craven’s promotion will take effect Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. In his new role, Craven will supervise the night shift.
Craven joined the Reading Police Department in 2016 and quickly excelled in his role as a patrol officer, becoming certified in Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training in 2017, and a Field Training Officer in 2018. Most recently, Craven held the position of Armorer.

Craven served two-and-a-half years as a corporal in the Federal Reserve Bank’s law enforcement unit part of the Executive Protection/Advance Security Team for high-profile visitors to the Boston branch of the Federal Reserve.

Additionally, Craven is certified as an active shooter response, ballistic shield, firearms, less lethal firearms, and Taser instructor. Craven holds a master’s degree in cybersecurity from Southern New Hampshire University, a master’s degree in criminal justice from UMass Lowell and a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, with a concentration in homeland security from UMass Lowell. [Read More]
AVERY ABATE Class of ‘23

Favorite Book: “Everything, Everything” by Nicola Yoon

Favorite Quote: “Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher.” Oprah Winfrey

Favorite Subject: Anatomy and Physiology

Athletics/Activities: RMHS Gymnastics Team, Reading Gymnastics Academy, Reading Gymnastics
Academy Coach, Special Olympics Coach

Plans After Graduation: Avery plans to attend college in the fall to pursue a degree in Exercise Science.
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