Contests for Select Board; Library Board of Trustees
By Reading Post Staff
With the deadline for potential candidates to return nomination papers at 5 pm Tuesday, February 14, Town Clerk Laura Gemme released the final list of certified candidates for the April 4 election.
Town Wide Offices
Moderator (One-Year Term)
  • Alan E. Foulds 9 Ide Street (Incumbent)*

Board of Library Trustees (Three-Year Term)
  • Monette Dugas Verrier 30 Kurchian Lane (incumbent)*
  • Brian M. Curry 74 Haverhill Street*
  • Christian Cappy Popp 11 Pine Ridge Road*
  • Michael Task Terry 48 Sherwood Road*

School Committee (Three-Year Term)
  • Carla J. Nazzaro 64 Lawrence Road (incumbent)*
  • Erin E. Gaffen 15 Hemlock Road (incumbent)*

Select Board (Three-Year Term)
  • Carlo Bacci 494 Main Street (incumbent)*
  • Karen Gately Herrick 9 Dividence Road (incumbent)*
  • Melissa Murphy 7 Van Norden Road*

Municipal Light Board (Three-Year Term)
  • Robert Coulter 91 Arcadia Avenue (incumbent)*

*Certified Signatures by Clerk’s Office
By Kevin Vendt
The Community Planning and Development Commission (CPDC) voted 4-0 to approve the minor site plan review for phase one of the Birch Meadow master plan on Monday. Phase one of the Birch Meadow master plan includes plans to construct a parking lot with fifty-five striped spaces at the site of the former Imagination Station, build a restroom facility and lacrosse wall in the center of the park, and an improved walkway in the “spine” of the park which will connect Birch Meadow Drive with Reading Memorial High School.

Phase one construction will be funded using an allocation from the American Rescue Plan Act.

Previously, CPDC had expressed concern regarding the proximity of the parking lot curb cut to the crosswalk at Coolidge Middle School. Activitas Project Manager Stephen Crisafulli explained that the curb cut will be posted as an exit only and will include a gate that will be closed during school drop-off and pick-up operations. This option was developed after Crisafulli met with staff members from both Coolidge and Birch Meadow Elementary School. CPDC member John Weston continued to express concerns over how the gate will be managed as well as how the area for game day bus drop-off will be regulated, though Weston acknowledged that these issues were beyond the scope of the minor site plan review. CPDC chair Heather Clish also asked Crisafulli to confirm that the proposed lighting for the project is “dark skies” compliant. [Read More]
“Shepardson Hall” located in the Walter S. Parker Junior High School, was named for former School Committee chairman Albert R. Shepardson. Shepardson died in August 1927, shortly before the school opened in October – Photo from the Digital Archives of Reading Public Library
We are looking back at the happenings of Reading using the Digital Archives of the Reading Public Library. The following news items were published in the Reading Chronicle.
50 Years Ago – 1973
  • Reading Jaycees has named Nancy Anderson “Outstanding Citizen” of the year. Anderson is the chair of the town’s conservation commission and a precinct 1 town meeting member. She will be honored at a testimonial dinner in March. 2/15/1973
  • A Waltham company has agreed to treat Parker Tavern for termite control free of charge. The 279-year-old tavern had been severely damaged by termites in recent years. The tavern is owned and operated by the Reading Antiquarian Society. 2/15/1973
  • The combined job of Town Accountant and Selectmen Executive Secretary will be split up. Richard E. Gould will continue as Town Accountant, and the Executive Secretary job will remain empty until the Selectmen find the right man (and salary) for the job. 2/15/1973
  • Reading Symphony Orchestra will officially celebrate its 40th anniversary on March 4 with a special concert at RMHS. 2/15/1973
  • The US Supreme Court has announced that Attorney O. Bradley Latham of Reading was admitted as attorney and counselor of the Court. Attorney Latham is a graduate of Tufts University and Boston University Law School and is associated with the law offices of Latham and Latham. 2/15/1973
Drew Anderson (L) and Bryan Coombes (R) of Anderson Handyman Services
By Isabella Pastore, Photos by Kenan Cooper
Drew Anderson of Anderson Handyman Services began his small business in September 2020, not long after graduating from Reading Memorial High School. Anderson Handyman Services offers its services to towns throughout Middlesex County but stays close to its roots in Reading.

Going into his freshman year of college, Anderson originally attended Norwich University, a Senior Military College in Vermont, on a full scholarship. Intending to follow through with the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Program, Anderson would have been commissioned as an officer in the US Army upon graduation.
This is an incredibly vigorous program, so Norwich has a two-week adjustment period, known informally to its students as “Hell Week.” Anderson describes these two weeks as a make-or-break moment for people that go there, and for him, it did. After being advised by a Colonel at Norwich during Hell Week that if he is not loving what he’s doing every day, it’s simply not worth doing; and with that Anderson underwent a perspective shift and withdrew from the university.

Upon his departure from Norwich, Anderson took some time to consider what he was good at and what he enjoyed doing: which included small “fix-it” jobs that he did from time to time. He reached out to a few people and hit the ground running.  [Read More]
During rehearsal, director Caitlin Beckman (right) goes over blocking with Jeff Mitchell, who plays struggling composer Jon in tick, tick… BOOM! at Colonial Chorus Players. Photo courtesy of Colonial Chorus Players.
Whether participating in shows at Coolidge Middle School or earning All-State honors with the Reading Memorial High School choir, Caitlin Beckman was that kid who was always singing and dancing growing up. In senior year, Caitlin had the lead in her high school production of the musical Peter Pan—a role for which she is still being recognized around town more than a dozen years later.

In between school productions, Caitlin discovered Colonial Chorus Players, a community theatre company that was founded in Reading in 1961. At age 12, she auditioned for the musical Honk! and was cast as a green froglet in the ensemble, and she quickly became a frequent performer at CCP with parts in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella, Once on This Island, and other shows. [Read More]
A pilot program to compost food waste in the Reading schools started on January 11 at Birch Meadow Elementary School, running on Wednesdays at the 4th-5th grade lunch. Among the students leading the way are teacher Beth Slater’s 5th-grade class (pictured here with Ms. Slater, middle row, right). Cheering them on are Dr. Steve Burnham (Birch Meadow Principal; front left) and (L-R back row) Heather Leonard (STEM Curriculum Coordinator), Karen Herrick (Reading Select Board member), and Anne Mark and Susan Bowe (members of Reading Composts!) [Read More]
Appications Due March 1, 2023

As we head into 2023, please remember to complete your online Reading Scholarship Foundation application. Applications must be submitted or postmarked by March 1, 2023. Any Reading, Massachusetts resident who is currently a high school senior may apply. The application and the full requirements to apply can be found at https://readingsf.org/scholarship-application/

Who Is Eligible To Apply?

Any Reading, MA resident who is either a high school senior OR is pursuing an undergraduate degree may apply. Any non-Reading, MA resident that attended Reading Memorial High School in Reading, MA, as a full-time student for a period of at least three years is also eligible. [Read More]
The Reading-North Reading Chamber of Commerce will host Winterfest on Thursday, March 9 from 5 – 8 PM in Reading Square. Mark your calendar to enjoy fire tables and s’mores on the common, lit ice sculptures, Olaf, and music. To celebrate MA Beer week, the Beer Garden will include beer, seltzer, and alcohol-free offerings from Hopothecary Ales, Gentile Brewing Company, and Small Change Brewing. All attractions and s’mores are while supplies last, so plan to come early as last year’s event had a banner turnout. Bring cash and your ID to enjoy the beer garden and snacks from Swiss Bakers and Cupcake City. 

“We are excited to host Winterfest this year in Reading Square,” commented Catherine Barton Rossetti, 2023 Chamber President and Owner of Barton Rossetti Law. Catherine continued, “we encourage everyone to get outside, see neighbors and friends, and enjoy downtown and our local businesses”  [Read More]
Reading Cooperative (RCB) is pleased to announce the hiring of Marianela Vazquez as SVP, Chief Operating Officer. Marianela is accountable for ensuring quality and security in all the bank’s operating functions. She reports to Julieann Thurlow, President & CEO at RCB.

Prior to joining RCB, Marianela spent two decades delivering SaaS solutions in the financial services space. The last five years were dedicated to the delivery and service of Numerated Growth Technologies’ Digital Loan Origination system to community banks and credit unions. Before joining Numerated, Marianela spent time with Fidelity, State Street Wealth, and SunGard Wealth Management (prior to its acquisition by FIS), where she leveraged a combination of her strategic leadership skills and passion for driving cross functional execution to build relationships, processes, teams, and organizations. [Read More]

Favorite Book: “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” by J.K. Rowling

Favorite Quote: “We spend precious hours fearing the inevitable. It would be wise to use that time adoring our families, cherishing our friends, and living our lives.” – Maya Angelou

Favorite Subject: Honors Poetry

Athletics/Activities: RMHS Girls Varsity Tennis; Plays and coaches tennis at Bass River Tennis Club in Beverly

Plans After Graduation: Emma plans to attend Endicott College in the fall to pursue a degree in Business Management.
The Reading Post | thereadingpost.com