Superintendent of Schools Thomas Milaschewski shared initial kindergarten enrollment numbers with the School Committee on Thursday. Milaschewski reported that there has been 262 students registered for kindergarten in the district thus far, only slightly behind the projected total of 276 students. Milaschewski pointed out that only five students have registered for half-day kindergarten, two at Joshua Eaton Elementary School and three at Killam Elementary School. Milaschewski stated that the families who have registered for half-day would be contacted to determine the reasons the families chose that option if the class sizes remain unsustainable. School Committee member Chuck Robinson agreed with the plan, referring to it as “appropriate.” | |
The superintendent indicated that the administration will also reach out to families with siblings who still need to enroll and families who have attended kindergarten planning meetings but have yet to enroll. School Committee chair Shawn Brant expressed concern over the initial projected class sizes at Wood End Elementary School as they are only two students shy of exceeding School Committee class size guidelines. Member Thomas Wise also questioned if additional staff will be required if more students register for the half-day option. Milaschewski plans to update the committee on kindergarten enrollment later in the month. [Read More]
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By a vote of 5-0, the Select Board approved goals for the upcoming year for Town Manager Fidel Maltez. Maltez presented his goals in four categories: execution, momentum, vision, and communication.
In execution, Maltez intends to guide the conclusion of Reading joining Green Communities; he will continue to work toward MBTA compliance, complete the Auburn Street water tank project with cell carrier antennas installed, begin phase one of the Birch Meadow improvement project, and work on the Maillet, Sommes, Morgan wetland project. He noted that he intends to pursue Verizon to ensure it installs a cell antenna on the water tower. [Read More]
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Preview of FY24 Water & Sewer Rates
Maltez gave the board a preview of possible water and sewer rates for Fiscal Year 2024. He noted that total expenditures for water should be 2% lower than in FY 2023 due to fewer capital expenditures. Maltez also expects a 2.5% increase in sewer expenditures in FY 2024. Maltez then floated the idea of using a tiered rate system with five tiers to bill customers. In a tiered system, residential customers using less water would pay a lower rate for water and sewer. Large residential and commercial users would pay a higher rate. This system could save those in the lowest tiers up to 10% on their water and sewer bills.
Dockser indicated enthusiasm for the plan as it could encourage conservation, which he believes is not encouraged under the current single-tier system. Bacci also stated approval of the concept of a tiered-rate system. During public comment, resident Melissa Murphy expressed concern for the tiered system and encouraged the board to consider allowing separate water meters for residents who use water for lawns and pools and other activities where the water does not end up in the sewer system. Haley suggested that both avenues could be explored simultaneously, arguing that it makes no sense to solve one issue with water rates and not solve another.
Maltez informed the board that a consultant would be coming to the March 21 meeting to help continue the discussion. [Read More]
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The increase to Reading Municipal Light Department’s (RMLD) 2023 customer bills is estimated to be 40 percent lower than originally forecasted. This is due to lower wholesale energy costs, which are passed through to customers. RMLD diligently manages its power supply portfolio to allow customers to benefit from downward pressure while ensuring reliability.
RMLD notified customers in January that average monthly bills were estimated to increase by an average of 9 percent across all rate classes, with the rate change effective March 1, 2023. However, lower Fuel, Capacity, and Transmission costs will help keep 2023 monthly bills only 5 percent above 2022 monthly bills, averaged across all rate classes. [Read More]
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Michaela Mann, owner of Biss Botanicals, located at 2 Haven Street, announced the business is relocating to Salem, Massachusetts.
“The shop has been a great refuge and revitalization for me personally. To hear that people find Biss to be a connection point to something new or a little escape is more than I could have imagined.” Mann said.
Mann opened Biss Botanicals Reading location in June 2021.
“We could not have gotten to this place without our Reading location and community…We are so grateful and honored to be part of Reading, even for a little while.” [Read More]
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The Outreach Team at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Lynnfield recently organized a coat drive to help families served by Mission of Deeds in Reading, MA.
Thirty-one new coats were donated. Paul Bowen, Director of Outreach and Formation at St. Paul’s, said, “Mission of Deeds has been supporting families here in our local area for more than 30 years, and our parish is grateful to support their winter coat drive. We hope that these coats provide warmth and encouragement to those who need them.”
Regarding St. Paul’s Coat Drive, Paula J. Goss, Office Manager at Mission of Deeds, said, “We are so very thankful for their generous support. Mission of Deeds provides new winter coats along with new beds and gently used furniture to those in need living in our local communities, all of which is provided free of charge.” She added, “Our clients have expressed overwhelming gratitude for the gift of warmth through our coat program. We are truly grateful that St. Paul’s Episcopal Church is part of our Mission of Deeds family.” [Read More]
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Just before 4 pm on March 5, a box alarm was transmitted for a dumpster fire in close proximity to a home on Linden Street. On arrival, crews had a large commercial dumpster with smoke and fire showing. Although the dumpster was located in close proximity to two structures, the fire was not extending to either home. Crews on scene quickly extinguished the fire. There were no damages to either home and no injuries. Photo courtesy of Reading Firefighters Local 1604 [Read More] | |
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The Mattera Conservation Area is home to Reading’s Community Garden. Opened in 2022, the Garden is located opposite the Cabin. Reading residents are eligible to rent plots to grow produce and flowers for their own use; they may also donate part or all of their crops to the Reading Food Pantry.
The Garden currently has 46 plots. All of the plots are framed and filled with planting soil. Forty-three are ground level, 4’ x 8’ with 17.5” high frames; three are slightly higher (29”) to provide easier access. When you complete your application, you will choose the option that meets your needs. [Read More]
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The Town purchases barrels from the Great American Rain Barrel Company at wholesale prices for $65 and offers residents an instant rebate of $25. You can purchase your rain barrel(s) for only $40 each by ordering here or at the DPW office at the Town Hall.
Reading residents only. Limit two per household. There is a limited supply. For more information call 781-942-9077. [Read More]
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Hoppy Easter craft fair will take place Saturday, March 25, 2023, at the Knights of Columbus building at 11 Sanborn Street.
Featuring 20 unique crafters, vendors, and artists to shop from. Photo opportunities with the Easter Bunny and free Easter baskets for the first 25 kids! Raffle table with all proceeds going to the National MS society. [Read More]
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Wednesday, March 29, 7 pm – 9 pm
RMHS Endslow Performing Arts Center
Join The United States Air Force Band on tour in Massachusetts. These concerts are FREE and open to the public. Tickets required.
The U.S. Air Force Concert Band is one of the six performing ensembles within The United States Air Force Band, the premier musical organization of the U.S. Air Force. Stationed at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, D.C., The U.S. Air Force Band honors those who have served, inspires American citizens to heightened patriotism and service, and positively impacts the global community on behalf of the U.S. Air Force and the United States of America.
These are free events; however, tickets are required. No reserved seats. Please print your tickets or be prepared to show them on your mobile device. Doors open 30 minutes prior to performance time for ticket holders. All unclaimed seats will be released to non-ticket holders 15 minutes prior to performance time. [Read More]
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The Reading PorchFest Committee announces that the fifth annual Reading PorchFest is scheduled – rain or shine – for Saturday, June 24th. Committee member Ace Foulds says that registrations for musical talent and for hosts will go live on or about March 15th on the website. She says that all past participants will be notified via email. She further says, “Our numbers have gone up every year, and we hope to continue that trend.”
Committee member, Alan Foulds, points out that the festival began in 2019 as part of the town’s 375th anniversary celebration and now has become a community tradition. [Read More]
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Highlights from the Reading Police & Fire Logs
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