Representative Richard Haggerty, House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr., and Senator Jason Lewis
Changes will assist town in achieving key environmental designation
House Bill 4351, An Act relative to municipal light plant participation in Green Communities, was enacted by the House and Senate on September 22. Signed into law by Governor Charlie Baker on September 29 as Chapter 230 of the Acts of 2022, the bill revises the 2008 Green Communities Act to the benefit of communities like Reading who will now be able to tap into critical funding resources through the program. 
Designated Green Communities are able to access grant funding to help reduce their energy usage and costs by implementing clean energy measures in their municipal and school buildings. Established in 2010 with 35 municipalities designated as participants, the Green Communities program has since grown to include 286 cities and towns, but communities like Reading that are serviced by municipal light plants have faced significant barriers in joining the program.  [Read More]
Arts Reading, Inc. is pleased to announce that its 4th annual cultural event, “Discover the Arts Day Cultural Festival,” will take place on Saturday, October 15, from 10 AM to 2 PM on the Reading Town Common in Reading, MA. The rain date is Sunday, October 16, from 1 to 5 pm.

This enjoyable, entertaining day will focus on many of the arts and cultural organizations and individuals in Reading and surrounding communities. All are welcome to stop by to visit and find out more about each organization and individual and what upcoming events they have planned.  [Read More]
Erica McNamara, Director of the Reading Coalition for Prevention and Support, was named as the recipient of the Rev. Peter J. Gomes Service Award by Congressman Seth Moulton on Friday. Each year, this award is given to one individual from the 6th Congressional District who exemplifies the qualities of integrity, compassion, and commitment to community, which were the foundational principles of Reverend Gomes, who was mentor for Moulton.

Moulton shared, “Reverend Gomes used to say, ‘the very definition of service is to love our neighbors as ourselves, work for peace and not for war, and remember that the only hands on earth to do the work of service are our own.’” [Read More]
Officer Robert Hutchins was sworn in by Town Clerk Laura Gemme – Photo Courtesy Reading Police Department Facebook
Officer Andrew Schmitz was sworn in by Town Clerk Laura Gemme – Photo Courtesy Reading Police Department Facebook
Reading Police Department posted the following message and photos to their Facebook page today.

“We welcome Reading’s newest Police Officers. This morning, Officer Andrew Schmitz and Officer Robert Hutchins were sworn in at Town Hall. Officer Schmitz transferred over from the Boston Police Department and Officer Hutchins came over from the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office. Welcome aboard!” [Read More]
The Reading Antiquarian Society/Friends of Parker Tavern invites the public to its Bi-Annual Meeting on Tuesday, October 11, 2022, at 7 PM at the Pleasant Street Center 49 Pleasant Street Reading.

After a short business meeting for the election of officers, there will be a discussion about the Indigenous People of the Reading area and a display of artifacts that have been found in Reading. Some of the artifacts are part of the collection of the Antiquarian Society, and others are held in a private collection. Admission is free, and refreshments will be served. [Read More]
Connor and Nolan Ireland set up a cider stand Friday, September 30, at their home on Summer Avenue. The boys offered hot and cold cider, and fifty percent of the proceeds will be donated to the Reading Food Pantry. The boys plan on setting up the stand again on Friday, October 7.

Reading Police Officer Cody Costa and College Intern Derryn were one of the first happy customers to visit the stand. Reading Police Department shared this photo on their Facebook page. [Read More]
House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) continued to maintain a perfect voting record during the 2021-2022 legislative session, participating in all 286 roll calls taken in the Massachusetts House of Representatives between January 28, 2021, and August 1, 2022. 

Representative Jones has never missed a roll call while serving as a member of the House. His current unbroken streak of consecutive roll calls now stands at 7,835. 

“It is truly an honor to represent the residents of North Reading, Lynnfield, Reading and Middleton, and to advocate for their interests on Beacon Hill,” said Jones. “My voting record reflects my ongoing commitment to be a strong and effective voice for all four communities that comprise the 20th Middlesex District.” 

During the 2021-2022 legislative session, Jones cast votes on many key policy issues, including proposed reforms to the governance and leadership structure of the Holyoke and Chelsea Soldiers’ Homes. Signed into law as Chapter 144 of the Acts of 2022, this bill will help ensure the delivery of quality services to the state’s veterans and prevent another tragedy like the one that claimed the lives of dozens of veterans at both facilities at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. [Read More]
LIAM CAMUSO Class of ‘23

Favorite Book: “Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck

Favorite Quote: “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink.”

Favorite Subject: History

Athletics/Employment: RMHS Lacrosse, Employed at East Coast Office Installations

Plans After Graduation: Liam plans to attend college next fall to pursue a degree in business.
From left, Massachusetts School Building Authority Executive Director Jack McCarthy, School Building Committee Chairman Theodore Nickole, School Committee Chair Deborah P. Davis, former Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo and Northeast Metro Tech Superintendent Dave DiBarri toss the first shovels full of dirt at a groundbreaking for a new school building. (Courtesy Northeast Metro Tech
Superintendant David DiBarri, the Northeast Metro Tech School Committee and School Building Committee are pleased to share that they were joined by local and state officials Wednesday as they broke ground on a new school building that will expand and modernize facilities and serve students from a dozen member communities for over 50 years. 

“This new school will solidify the existence of career technical education for the next 50 plus years, changing the lives of thousands of local residents for generations to come,” said School Building Committee Chairman Theodore Nickole. “That’s something special that we’ve all done together. Just think of it: For the next 50 years, kids and their kids and grandchildren being here. That’s really exciting to me.” [Read More]
What would you do for a shot at success? In Colonial Chorus Players’ production of the comedic thriller Deathtrap by Ira Levin, a washed-up playwright finds his chance to rise to the top once more—and he might be willing to kill for it! Simultaneously both hilarious and horrifying, Deathtrap is full of twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the very end. [Read More]
Reading Art Association is pleased to have Arnie Casavant demonstrate on Wednesday, October 12, at 7:30 PM. The demonstration will take place at the First Congregational Church in Guild Hall on Sanborn Street. The entrance is on the middle side door on Sanborn Street.

Chasing the light best describes Arnie’s plein air paintings. “The natural elements and my paints combine to reward me with lasting memories.”

Arnie attended U Mass, Dartmouth, on the GI bill. Before retiring, he served as an art instructor at Oliver Ames High School in Easton, Massachusetts. for 27 years and was the chairperson of the art department for the last few years he was there. [Read More]
Role Presentations by Lt. Patrick Silva and Dr. Sudeshna Chatterjee, facilitated by Erica McNamara, from Reading Coalition of Prevention & Support

November 2, 2022 | 6:00-7:00pm RMHS Performing Arts Center

Did you know that Reading has a Civil Rights Officer and a Director of Equity & Social Justice? Join Lt. Silva and Dr. Chatterjee as they share information about themselves, their roles and the work that they are doing to keep Reading a safe, inclusive and accessible community. Questions/queries are invited!

All questions must be submitted ahead of time, by 5:00pm, October 19, 2022. Please scan the code on the left to submit questions. Your questions may also be submitted at the front desk of the Reading Public Library or at the Reading Police Department.

Co-hosted by OESJ, the Reading Police Dept., RCASA, and the Reading Public Library [Read More]
Proposed Bylaw to prohibit the use and distribution of rigid or foam polystyrene materials in local food establishments. 

The Climate Advisory Committee is sponsoring a Polystyrene Bylaw at the 2022 Subsequent Town Meeting this November. The Bylaw would prohibit food establishments in Reading from using or distributing disposable food service containers, cutlery, or other single-use disposable products made from rigid or foam polystyrene. This restriction would apply to food establishments which includes restaurants, mobile food vendors, caterers, public and private schools, farmers’ markets, civic or religious centers or facilities, any building owned by the Town of Reading, and any establishment requiring a permit to operate in accordance with the State Food Code. If adopted, the Bylaw would go into effect as early as summer 2023. [Read More]
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