By Kevin Vendt
Photos by Kenan Cooper
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With his first annual Select Board review on the horizon, Town Manager Fidel Maltez has paused to assess the past year’s accomplishments and look ahead at his priorities for the coming year. Maltez highlighted three major accomplishments for 2022, starting with the process to distribute the $7.5 million the town received in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. He praised the community outreach performed by the ARPA Recommendation Committee as well as the thoughtfulness of the groups who applied for funding. Projects such as $2 million for a new literacy curriculum, $1.5 million in water and sewer improvements, pandemic premium pay for front-line staff, and the funding of the first stage of the Birch Meadow Master plan was a part of what was approved for the ARPA funds. “It was an excellent model that we should use in the future,” Maltez commented.
Maltez also noted the progress made during 2022 for the Maillet-Sommes-Morgan Conservation land updates. The town secured a combined $4.1 million in funding for the project from state and federal resources which will transform what Maltez referred to as “a diamond in the rough” into a park that will be able to be enjoyed by residents for many years into the future. Improvements will also help prevent flooding in the Willow Street area as well as regionally in the Mystic Valley Watershed. Additional funds, approved by Town Meeting, may also be used to repair a sediment-filled culvert on Willow Street and for additional shade and other passive recreational structures. When speaking about the process of obtaining the outside grants, Maltez promised that town staff will continue to “do everything in our power to keep chasing funds.” [Read More]
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“Peace comes intentionally and deliberately as we live in defiance of hate, ignorance, and exclusion,” declared Lynette Marshall, the guest speaker at Reading’s annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day service. Marshall shared parts of her story and related them to the celebration theme, “Peace and Justice.” Director of Equity and Social Justice Sudeshna Chatterjee noted that King defined peace “not as the absence of tension, but as the presence of justice.”
The Monday morning celebration began with the Reading Memorial High School (RMHS) Jazz band performing Dizzy Gillespie’s “Manteca” and Oliver Nelson’s “I Hope, in Time, Change Will Come.” This was followed by an invocation by Reverend Jamie Michaels and a selection of hymns by the Inter-Faith Choir.
The RMHS Mixed Choir then performed the African-American National Anthem, followed by a video composed of clips from King’s “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speech from April 3, 1963, the day before his assassination. RMHS Students of Color and Allies for Diversity, Justice, and Inclusion followed the video with a spoken performance called “Just Peace,” which featured voices from African-American History, including Rosa Parks, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, and Michelle Obama.
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TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2023
Nomination papers for the following elected positions are now available at the Town Clerk’s Office. Candidates for elected offices must obtain at least fifty (50) certified signatures to qualify for placement on the April 4th ballot. Town Meeting candidates must obtain at least ten (10) certified signatures within their own precinct. Nomination papers are available until 5:00 PM on Monday, February 13, 2023.
Nomination papers must be submitted to the Town Clerk for certification no later than Tuesday, February 14, 2023.
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On Saturday, January 21 at 1PM, Whitelam Books will welcome Author Lisa Stringfellow who will read from her middle-grade fantasy novel “A Comb of Wishes.” This event is ideal for kids aged 8 and up.
“A Comb of Wishes” follows Kela, a twelve-year-old girl, as she navigates the loss of her mother. Kela faces mermaids, monsters, and storms in this adventurous and poignant tale infused with Caribbean folklore. Young readers will find this spell-binding novel both engaging and inspiring.
Lisa will describe her novel, read an excerpt, and answer questions from readers about her book and her writing process. She will be available to sign copies as well. [Read More]
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On Wednesday, January 25 at 7 PM, Whitelam Books will welcome Meghan Joyce Tozer, who will discuss her debut novel, “Night, Forgotten,” a thrilling psychological thriller that follows Julie, whose happy life is turned upside down after a sexual assault results in pregnancy. This edge-of-your-seat story follows Julie’s quest to unravel the truth of what happened that night, with consequences that will change her life forever.
Meghan will read an excerpt from her novel, followed by a question-and-answer session moderated by Whitelam Book Seller Katie Gabriello. Meghan will discuss her book, her writing process, and her work as an advocate for survivors of sexual assault and abuse. She will be available to sign copies of her novel as well. [Read More]
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It’s 1950, and new colors are being added to the Red Scare. Inspired by the true story of the earliest stirrings of the American gay rights movement, Quannapowitt Players’ next production “Perfect Arrangement” – written by Topher Payne and directed by Nick Gould – begins with madcap classic sitcom-style laughs, giving way to provocative drama as two “All-American” couples are forced to stare down the closet door. Set during the release of the Hoey Report of 1950, “Perfect Arrangement” follows two U.S. State Department employees, Bob and Norma, who have been tasked with identifying ‘deviants’ within their ranks. There’s just one problem: Both Bob and Norma are gay, and have married each other’s partners as a carefully constructed cover.
The Hoey Report codified what is now known as the “Lavender Scare” – the purging of LQBTQ+ employees from the ranks of the government. The paranoia of the McCarthy era shifted the post-war public narrative around this perceived threat, and resulted in thousands of government employees being forced to resign because of their sexuality. It would be decades before LGBTQ+ people reached any level of visibility and equality in American society, with hard-won rights threatened to this day. [Read More]
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Before Rent woke up a generation, there was tick, tick… BOOM! the autobiographical musical from the late Jonathan Larson about his struggles to achieve his big break in theatre.
Containing fourteen songs, ten characters, four actors, and a band, Colonial Chorus Players’ production of tick, tick… BOOM! will run February 3–12, 2023, at the Old Hose House, 1249 Main Street, Reading. Directed by Caitlin Beckman with musical direction by Kristin Killian. Starring Jeff Mitchell (Jon), Sean Donnelly (Michael), Kara Chu Nelson (Susan), and Melissa Paz (Karessa).
General admission tickets $25/$22. In keeping with Larson’s wishes to make theatre accessible to everyone, the February 5 performance will have tickets available for Pay-What-You-Can at the door with cash, check, or Venmo. [Read More]
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KATE LEONE Class of ‘23
Favorite Book: “Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption” by Stephen King
Favorite Quote: “Everybody has a story. And there’s something to be learned from every experience.” Oprah Winfrey
Favorite Subject: Anatomy and Physiology
Athletics/Activities: RMHS Lacrosse, Reading Youth Lacrosse Coach, RMHS Football Manager, SNL Referee, RMHS Athletic Trainer Intern
Plans After Graduation: Kate plans to attend college in the fall to pursue a pre-medical educational track.
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Highlights from the Reading Police & Fire Logs
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