Moulton Helps Kick off Conservation Project
Reading will construct the Maillet, Sommes, and Morgan Stormwater System to restore wetlands on town conservation land, which will provide significant new stormwater storage capacity, protect habitat for native species, and create walking trails
Congressman Seth Moulton – Photo by Kenan Cooper
By Kevin Vendt
“I love this project,” Congressman Seth Moulton stated as he helped kick off a proposed wastewater and wetland mitigation project at the Maillet, Sommers, Morgan Conservation land in Reading on Tuesday. Moulton has worked to include $1.5 million for the project as part of a $16 million earmark for projects in the region that has passed the House Appropriations Sub-Committee.
Congressman Seth Moulton, Alex Rozycki, Senior Civil Engineer, Select Board Chair Mark Dockser, Representative Brad Jones, Conservation Administrator Charles Tirone, Representative Richard Haggerty, and Climate Advisory Committee Chair David Zeek – Photo by Kenan Cooper
Town of Reading Senior Engineer Alex Rozycki shared that when completed, the project will “help solve inland flooding and regional stormwater quantity and quality.” Rozycki continued to describe how the project will take flows from the Aberjona River and Lowell Street and divert them into a series of stormwater treatment systems. The project will also construct stormwater wetlands using existing topography in the area. The project is expected to benefit Reading as well as other communities downstream in the Mystic Valley Watershed. 

“We are looking to solve a regional stormwater issue while also providing amenities for the Town of Reading,” Rozycki explained. The project will include ADA-compliant trails in the conservation land, benches, and other upgrades. It is expected that the project will begin in the spring of 2023. [Read More]
The Reading Rotary Club is proud to present the 14th Annual Reading Fall Street Faire on Sunday September 11. It’s back and better than ever! Drawing thousands every year to downtown Reading, it’s one of the most beloved Reading traditions.
This year’s Fall Street Faire will include:
  • A 9/11 remembrance prior to the Faire
  • Live entertainment on three stages
  • More than 150 local businesses, clubs, and non-profits
  • Antique car show
  • 3rd Annual Cornhole Classic Tournament
  • Dedicated children’s area with games and activities
  • Amusement zone with inflatables
  • Delicious food choices
  • Beer garden and tailgate area to watch the Patriots play on a big screen

If you want to be a part of it, now is the time. 

Sponsorship opportunities still available. Support this beloved community event. The Reading Fall Street Faire is offering corporate sponsorships at various contribution levels. See fallstreetfaire.com for details.

Booth registrations are open. Local businesses, non-profits, clubs, and organizations are invited to set up a booth and meet thousands of residents. Sign up at fallstreetfaire.com.

Volunteers needed. It takes more than 150 volunteers to make the Faire happen. There are many opportunities to volunteer for just an hour or two during the Faire. Have some fun, get outside, make new friends, and help make the Fall Street Faire a success. Sign up at fallstreetfaire.com. [Read More]
The following article is based on an Around Reading feature. Follow Around Reading on social media Facebook | Youtube | Instagram

DandiLyons has been a well-known ice cream destination in Reading for many years. Current owner, Mark Maselli, has operated the business for over twenty years, taking over from the Lyons family, who started the business as a flower shop. Maselli is proud that DandiLyons is known as Reading’s best spot for ice cream. “I think [the customers] love the prices and the portions,” Maselli commented.

Maselli shared that DandiLyons, which offers over 40 flavors of ice cream, receives the bulk of its product from Richardson’s though it also receives product from a farm in Maine. The soft serve is from Hood. “We make our own soft serve flavor using fresh purees,” Maselli further explained. Soft serve flavors offered at the shop include banana, coffee, coconut, and black raspberry. Maselli continued, stating that slush at the store is from Richies. [Read More]
From August 13 to October 8, the Reading Public Library is hosting a Community Read and you are invited to participate! Together, we will celebrate a dialogue and our perspectives around the themes of body autonomy, body positivity, and body neutrality.

RPL’s 2022 Community Read, Unapologetically Positively You, features two signature titles, Fat Girls Hiking: An Inclusive Guide to Getting Outdoors at Any Size or Ability by Summer Michaud-Skog and Starfish by Lisa Fipps. And, especially for children and families the picture book Bodies Are Cool by Tyler Feder will serve as the Family Book Club pick throughout the Read.

Across the country, Community Reads include a range of events to encourage participants to further engage with the books and the ideas raised within. We’re fortunate to have the authors of Fat Girls Hiking and Starfish join us in virtual author events on August 11 and October 4, respectively. Additional programming such as book discussion groups and a youth-centric body appreciation workshop by Rachel Estapa from More To Love Yoga will round out the offerings of this 8-week Community Read. [Read More]
Governor Charlie Baker Signs Fiscal Year 2023 Budget
Governor Charlie Baker joins Lt. Governor Karyn Polito and Secretary of Administration and Finance Michael Heffernan to sign the Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) budget at the State House on July 28, 2022. The $52.7 billion spending plan, which supports the Commonwealth’s communities, families, businesses and workers, fully funds the continued implementation of the Student Opportunity Act while expanding proven programs and making record investments in early education and childcare, housing and homeownership, college financial aid, economic and workforce development, behavioral health care and local aid.
Governor Charlie Baker today signed the Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) budget, a $52.7 billion spending plan that supports the Commonwealth’s communities, families, businesses, and workers. The budget fully funds the continued implementation of the Student Opportunity Act, while expanding proven programs and making record investments in early education and childcare, housing and homeownership, college financial aid, economic and workforce development, behavioral health care and local aid.

“With the Commonwealth in a historically strong fiscal position, the FY23 budget supports tax relief for hundreds of thousands of taxpayers, while making record investments in education and local aid,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Since coming into office, our Administration has worked closely with the Legislature to ensure the budget is structurally sound and protected from unpredictable economic fluctuations, and I am pleased to sign another budget that maintains this commitment while making investments help Massachusetts’ families and communities grow and thrive.” [Read More]
State Senator Jason Lewis, State Representative Paul Donato, and members of the state legislature’s Middlesex Fells Caucus successfully advocated for a $60,000 earmark for the Friends of the Fells as part of the Fiscal Year 2023 state budget. This funding will support increased safety and responsible stewardship of the Middlesex Fells Reservation.

Senator Lewis and Representative Donato serve as the co-chairs of the Middlesex Fells Caucus. The other members of the caucus include: Senators Brendan Crighton and Pat Jehlen, and Representatives Christine Barber, Michael Day, Sean Garballey, Kate Lipper-Garabedian, and Steven Ultrino. The goal of the caucus is to advocate for funding and policies that promote conservation and provide sustainable recreational opportunities for all to enjoy the Middlesex Fells. The caucus works closely with the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) which manages the Fells, as well as the Friends of the Fells and other stakeholder groups. 

“The Middlesex Fells is a wonderful resource available to our communities, but it faces a variety of challenges, including balancing recreational opportunities for all with responsible stewardship,” said Senator Jason Lewis. “I’m excited that this state funding will help support the Sustainable Fells campaign being rolled out by the Friends of the Fells.” [Read More]
Massachusetts to join over 20 states where sports betting is legal 
Earlier this week, State Representative Richard M. Haggerty (D-Woburn) and the Massachusetts Legislature passed An Act regulating sports wagering, authorizing and regulating sports betting in the Commonwealth. The legislation authorizes the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to grant in-person licenses at gaming establishments, including casinos, racetracks, and simulcast facilities, as well as mobile licenses through mobile applications or digital platforms. This legislation will generate an estimated $60 million in annual tax revenue for Massachusetts, in addition to collecting up to $70 to $80 million in initial licensing fees, which must be renewed every five years. The revenue collected will be distributed to municipalities, and for economic, workforce, education, and public health priorities. 

“I was pleased to support a bill that allows sports betting in the Commonwealth,” said Representative Haggerty. “Our residents have been traveling to bordering states for years to place their sport wagers. This bill offers residents the opportunity to place sporting bets in our state rather than going to one of the other thirty states where it is legal, includes proper safeguards, helps get sports betting out of the shadows, and any revenue collected would benefit Massachusetts residents.”  [Read More]
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