The line-up for this year’s Reading PorchFest is now set. At ReadingPorchFest.com, you can find a detailed schedule laying out all 52 of the day’s musical acts by time and location. At the site’s Gallery 2022 are photos of the bands and solo acts with music samples. Participants are urged to check back often for the latest updates.

Reading PorchFest grew out of the town’s 375th-anniversary celebration in 2019 and has grown. This year’s event is the largest to date.

Later today, the interactive map will go online. Click on a venue to see the line-up at a particular site, including music genre.

Reading PorchFest 2022 is slated for the afternoon of Saturday, June 25th. [Read More]
State Representative Richard M. Haggerty (D-Woburn) and Erin Gaffen of Reading attend the Nineteenth Annual Commonwealth Heroines of Massachusetts Class of 2022 celebration
Reading’s Erin Gaffen was honored this week, at an in-person celebration, as a member of the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW) 2022 Class of Commonwealth Heroines. State Representative Richard M. Haggerty (D-Woburn) is proud to have nominated Erin for her continued contributions and dedication to the Reading community. 

“I was so pleased to nominate Erin for this honor and for being able to recognize her efforts to keep Reading moving forward,” said Representative Haggerty, “Her commitment to her community, the School Committee as an institution, and her family make her worthy of this award. I offer her my sincerest congratulations.” 

In 2018, Erin co-chaired the Yes For Reading campaign in town, which successfully advocated for additional financial resources for town services. The vote marked the first time since 2003 that Reading voters supported override funding. The added funds helped the town retain elementary, middle, and high school teachers; support athletic programs; add police officers and firefighters; increase library funding; and provide more support for elder services and the Department of Public Works. [Read More]
Bond authorization includes $599,388 in Chapter 90 funding for Reading 
House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading), Representative Richard Haggerty (D-Woburn), and Senator Jason Lewis (D-Winchester) are pleased to announce that Reading will receive $599,388 in state funding for road and bridge maintenance, after the House and Senate unanimously approved a $350 million bond bill to assist cities and towns with their local transportation infrastructure needs. 

House Bill 4638, An Act financing improvements to municipal roads and bridges, was enacted on June 16 by a vote of 155-0 in the House of Representatives and 38-0 in the Senate. The bill is now before Governor Charlie Baker for his review and signature. [Read More]
The Town of Reading’s Economic Development Division is excited to bring a new pop-up pocket park to downtown Reading at 52 Haven Street. The new pocket park is temporary for the 2022 summer season and includes new turquoise bistro tables, flowers in containers, rain barrels and professional public art. 

A pocket park is a small outdoor space, most often located in an urban area surrounded by commercial buildings or houses on small lots with few places for people to gather, relax, or to enjoy the outdoors.

This week, June 21-24 we invite the public to come and watch renowned professional murals Anna Dugan paint four original pieces of art on rain barrels at the pocket park. [Read More]
We’ve got a great lineup for our Summer Kickoff Picnic on June 24!
The lineup for our Summer Kickoff Picnic & Concert on June 24 is set! We’ve got 2 bands – It Takes Three, and especially for kids, Matt Heaton and the Outside Toys. There will be games, community groups, and The Friends of Reading Public Library will be selling everyone’s favorite sweet treat, cupcakes! Come on down to the library lawn and celebrate the start of summer and summer reading. Bring a picnic, blanket, friends, and family. See you on the library lawn from 500-700pm.

Our all ages summer reading program, Read Beyond the Beaten Path, begins on Tuesday, June 21 at 900 am. You can start participating at any point during the summer. Just be sure to log your final time by 500 pm on Saturday, August 13. Learn more about summer reading at the library or online at readingpl.org. [Read More]
Superintendent David DiBarri and Principal Carla Scuzzarella would like to congratulate the 341 members of Northeast Metro Tech’s Class of 2022 on their graduation earlier this month.

The graduation ceremony took place Friday, June 3, at Breakheart Stadium.
 
The ceremony kicked off with a welcome address from Class President Tess MacHugh, an Early Child Care student from Wakefield.

“We have held strong through the last four years. Although circumstances beyond our control made it challenging, it is these circumstances that have made it stellar and truly unforgettable,” MacHugh said. “The friendships we have forged, the success we have achieved and the future we behold is more than exciting. As this chapter comes to an end, we welcome with open arms the beginning of a new one.” [Read More]
Jane Shea has been a valued member of the RMHS staff since 2001 and has made many notable contributions to the community in her time here. First and foremost, she has taught math to a generation of Reading students at a variety of interest levels, and she has genuinely enjoyed getting to know her students and helping them to become more comfortable with math or to continue their love for the subject. Jane is a frequent cheerleader on the sidelines for all sports teams, and she enthusiastically attends theater productions and other RMHS events. Jane has been the faculty advisor for the Cradles to Crayons club for the past few years. In her final year at RMHS, Jane stepped up to lead the newly formed Ski Club, and she planned several well-attended outings on the slopes during the year. Jane has also coached field hockey over the years. [Read More]
Sharon Burke receives the High Five Award for twenty years of caring, thoughtful, passionate service to Reading Memorial High School. In 2002 she began her leadership of the library/media center, and her space was re-dedicated as the Patrick A. Schettini, Jr. Library Center during her tenure. Sharon knew that a library had to evolve in the 21st century, and her vision can be seen in everything from the student-designed murals on the walls, to the collaboration-friendly tables that became a key feature of the library in the last few years. Sharon wanted the library to be inclusive, and her actions engendered inclusion in our school community. She was energetically involved in planning and executing the freshman advisory program. [Read More]
State Representative Richard M. Haggerty (D-Woburn) has announced upcoming virtual office hours to be held this Friday.

The forum will be held via the Zoom video conference app, with the abilities to dial-in via the app and through phone. The virtual format of the community office hours will allow members of the community to speak with the Representative directly, where they can voice any questions or concerns they may have. [Read More]
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