Reading Coalition Hosts Recovery & Remembrance Event
By Kevin Vendt, Photos by Kenan Cooper
“We are here to honor those living in recovery and to honor those we have lost,” shared Town Manager Fidel Maltez as he opened the 2022 Recovery and Remembrance Event on the town common on Wednesday night. The event coincides with National Recovery Month and was co-sponsored by the Reading Coalition for Prevention and Support and the Mystic Valley Public Health Coalition. “We will pause to reflect on the importance of those navigating recovery and remember those we have lost to substance use and suicide,” Maltez continued.
Secretary Beth Card, State Senator Jason Lewis, Representative Brad Jones and Representative Richard Haggerty
State Senator Jason Lewis noted that the pandemic has made life more difficult for those in recovery. “Isolation has made it even more difficult to seek help and reach treatment,” Lewis stated. This point was echoed by Public Safety Clinician Taunya Jarzyniecki, who commented, “Addiction is an incredibly isolating disease.” 

Lewis continued, “We need to double our efforts to make sure we are reaching out to members of our community and that we are stepping up our prevention efforts both in our schools and with adults as well.” [Read More]
Town Manager Fidel Maltez
State Senator Jason Lewis
The evening ended with music provided by performers Cait+Pat
By Kevin Vendt
Last Wednesday, the Massachusetts Senior Deputy Commissioner of Local Services, Sean Cronin, shared insights into local municipal finances with the Finance Committee’s (FinCom) Financial Forum. Cronin explained that statewide, 65% of local revenues come from property taxes, whose growth cannot exceed 2.5% of total assessed property valuation plus new growth every year according to the state law known as Proposition 2 1/2. He also reported that total statewide revenue growth increased by $6.8 billion from Fiscal Year 2012 to Fiscal Year 2022, which is a 52% increase. Of that increase, $3.3 billion was new growth. The average single-family tax bill in the state increased by $2,000 in that same time period. Cronin also pointed out that 40% of that growth occurred in the state’s top fifteen municipalities, with Boston alone accounting for 22% of the growth.

Cronin continued, referring to state aid as a “critical part of municipal finance.” State aid for FY 2022 was budgeted for $7 billion. About 10% of municipal revenue comes from local receipts such as motor vehicle excise taxes, meals taxes, and lodging taxes.

Cronin also spoke regarding municipal unassigned funds, often known as “free cash.” These funds are accumulated through many years of saving, and Cronin indicated they should be preserved for one-time expenditures and not used for operating budgets. He recommended that a municipality’s free cash reserves be at least five to ten percent of its operating budget. He also indicated that the combination of free cash and stabilization reserves should be over ten percent of the operating budget to achieve the highest bond rating needed for borrowing. [Read More]
MIKAYLA CAIL Class of ‘23

Favorite Book: “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee

Favorite Quote: “Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.” Confucius

Favorite Subject: Anatomy and Physiology

Activities/Clubs/Athletics/Employment: RMHS Softball, Employed at Fat Larry’s Ice Cream & Sandwich Shop

Plans After Graduation: Mikayla plans to enroll in a nursing program to become a registered nurse.
The October 2022 Newsletter from the Pleasant Street Center. [Read More]
Unable to sleep, Elaine Wheeler sees (or believes she sees) the body of a dead man in the window across the way. The police are called but find nothing except an empty chair. Elaine’s terror grows as, shortly thereafter, she sees still another body — this time a woman’s — but by now, the police are skeptical and pay no heed to her frantic pleas. Audiences will be kept guessing by the deepening suspense and mystery of NIGHT WATCH as it draws towards its riveting and chilling climax.

Directed by Paul Murphy and featuring: Jennifer Shea, Iain Bason, Kris Reynolds, Christina Petrillo, David Dooks, Susan Austin, Lennie Chasse, John McGhee, and Mark Rolli.

The 2022-23 Season is a special one for the Quannapowitt Players as the company in “little red schoolhouse” celebrates 85 years of community theater in Reading! From their first production in 1938 – “The Bishop Misbehaves” – to this season’s line-up, QP has been a part of the Reading arts scene longer than most of its residents have been alive. [Read More]
We all seek meaningful relationships and opportunities for growth and progress in our lives. Adults with developmental disabilities, including ASD and I/DD, also benefit from the opportunity to express themselves and be heard and understood.

Come join us in this musical space designed to facilitate meaningful social experiences, encourage creative self-expression, and develop the essential self-advocacy and leadership skills that support a successful transition to adulthood. Participants’ potential is celebrated in this group setting through active music-making, songwriting, and musical exploration.

This series of programs is designed for adults ages 22+ with disabilities, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). The programs are not drop-off; all adult participants must be accompanied by a caregiver. [Read More]
Saturday, October 1, 2022
9:00 – 2:00 pm
The Unitarian Universalist Church of Reading
239 Woburn Street
The Unitarian Universalist Church of Reading will host their annual Kris Kringle Fair on Saturday, October 15, 2022, from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm. The Kris Kringle Fair will feature live music, a raffle, bake sale, snack bar, country store, kid’s books, toys, games, puzzles, sporting equipment, housewares, jewelry, holiday decor, furniture, hand-made items, silent auction, NEW items for re-gifting, you name it – all at great prices! This year’s beautiful raffle quilt features a large heart and is titled Coming Together in Love. [Read More]
 The Reading Lions are thrilled to present the second annual Scarecrow Contest for family-friendly fun! When you make a festive scarecrow for your home or business, you’ll help raise funds for local charities

A $20 donation is all that’s needed to enter the contest, and it includes a kit with scarecrow basics, if needed – you provide the flair! There are prizes for Scariest, Funniest, and Best Overall. This creative activity encourages all residents and businesses.

Pick up your kit at Harrow’s, 126 Main Street, Reading on Sunday, October 2 & 9, from 11:00am-1:00pm and on Monday, October 3 & 10, from 2:00-4:00pm. Can’t make it to Harrows? Contact us to arrange delivery by calling 781-944-8419. 

Submit your scarecrow photo by October 17 – winners will be selected by October 21. Photos may be emailed to: readinglions01867@gmail.com, and be sure to include a contact phone number or email address! [Read More]
 The Reading Lions are thrilled to present the second annual Scarecrow Contest for family-friendly fun! When you make a festive scarecrow for your home or business, you’ll help raise funds for local charities

A $20 donation is all that’s needed to enter the contest, and it includes a kit with scarecrow basics, if needed – you provide the flair! There are prizes for Scariest, Funniest, and Best Overall. This creative activity encourages all residents and businesses.

Pick up your kit at Harrow’s, 126 Main Street, Reading on Sunday, October 2 & 9, from 11:00am-1:00pm and on Monday, October 3 & 10, from 2:00-4:00pm. Can’t make it to Harrows? Contact us to arrange delivery by calling 781-944-8419. 

Submit your scarecrow photo by October 17 – winners will be selected by October 21. Photos may be emailed to: readinglions01867@gmail.com, and be sure to include a contact phone number or email address! [Read More]
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