On the recommendation of the Reading ARPA Advisory Committee (RAAC) and by a vote of 5-0, the Select Board approved the appropriation of $1.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for the development of the first phase of the Birch Meadow Master Plan on Tuesday. The funding will be used to improve parking in the former “imagination station” area, and it will perform wetlands improvements. Additionally, a connecting “spine” pathway will be built to span the park, and a pavilion with bathrooms and a picnic area will be constructed in the center of the complex. The board’s decision was met with applause from the gathered audience, many of whom represented Recreation department staff and the Recreation Committee. |
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Noting how long it has taken to get the Birch Meadow project to this point, Select Board member Christopher Haley declared, “To see this [project] done is going to be a massive win for the town.”
The vote was one of five taken by the board to fund projects around town using ARPA funds. Other projects funded were $13,500 for the Historical Commission to do archival and preservation work, $22,500 for the Conservation Commission to do restoration at Bare Meadow and other projects, and $46,200 for the Reading Food Pantry to be used to fund a year’s worth of gift cards, two new industrial refrigerators, space needs study and $96,100 to assist the Burbank YMCA in reestablishing adaptive programs, including swimming. All the votes were by a 5-0 margin, except for the YMCA funding. Select Board member Jackie McCarthy recused herself from that vote due to a possible conflict of interest. [Read More]
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Photos from the 14th Annual Reading Fall Street Faire from Post Photographer Kenan Cooper |
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Superintendent Thomas Milaschewski |
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Town Manager Fidel Maltez |
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By a vote of 1-3, the Community Planning and Development Commission (CPDC) denied the requested density waiver of fifty-one units per acre for the proposed 40R mixed-use development project at 459 Main Street on Monday. The project is proposed as a four-story building with twelve residential units and one commercial space at the site of the current 128 Tire and abuts the Rise 475 building on Main Street.
CPDC members and abutters had raised concerns since the beginning of the public hearing, which opened on February 7, about traffic and other impacts on the intersection of Washington Street and Main Street that the project could create. CPDC member John Weston, who had missed two meetings on the project and was unable to vote, noted that concerns regarding building residents exiting the garage of the proposed building on to Washington Street had been met only with a commitment to posting a sign that says “No left turn,” yet offers no practical way to prevent people from ignoring the sign and turning whichever way they please. [Read More]
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Following up on its discussion last week, the School Committee hosted a public hearing seeking input on the proposed Killam Elementary School building project on Thursday. The hearing was also attended by the Permanent Building Committee, the Killam School Building Committee, the Reading ARPA Advisory Committee, and the Select Board.
Superintendent of Schools Thomas Milaschewski described the project as one with “tremendous need, but also tremendous opportunity” as he provided insight into why the project is needed. Milaschewski split Killam’s needs into two sections, facilities needs, and program needs.
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While you shop and stroll around the downtown or visit the Reading Library, enjoy this year’s Art Walk with more than 50 artists and over 70 works of art on display. It’s not to be missed!
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Poetry returns to the Reading Public Library on September 26 at 7:00pm. We’re thrilled to host Moira Linehan, who will share poems from her recently published collections & Company and Towards.
Moira Linehan has published four books of poetry and her work has appeared in numerous publications, including AGNI, The Georgia Review, Image, Nimrod, Notre Dame Review, Poet Lore, Poetry, Poetry East, and Prairie Schooner. [Read More]
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Havurah Haverim will once again conduct Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services at the Unitarian Church of Reading, located at 239 Woburn Street, Reading, MA
All services are to be held at the Unitarian Church of Reading. Even though we have all been vaccinated, there will still be hand cleaner available.
If you know of anyone or have friends who are looking for services, please invite them to join us.
Rosh Hashanah
Sunday Evening, September 25, 2022
Sanctuary Service (7:30 – 9:30 pm) and Social Hall for coffee and dessert following service.
Monday Morning, September 26, 2022
Sanctuary Service 9:30 am – 12:00 noon
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23 residents from Reading will participate in the Boston Marathon® Jimmy Fund Walk presented by Hyundai on Sunday, October 2.
Ayla Pertler, Rosanne DeFreitas, Crystal Hodson, Jessica Kaufman, Kimberly Salley, Kate Ronan, Ryan Belcher, Kelli Pertler, Kristin Foristall, Lisa Lam, and 13 Reading residents, along with thousands of other walkers, will participate in the iconic annual event that will unite the community to raise funds to support all forms of adult and pediatric care and cancer research at the nation’s premier cancer center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The Jimmy Fund Walk has raised more than $155 million for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in its 33-year history. [Read More]
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WALK/RUN/RUCK 5K TO RAISE FUNDS FOR HOME BASE
2022 — Fitness Within’s Operation Run to Heal 5k Fitness Within’s Operation Run to Heal 5k. Walk/Run/Ruck 5k to Raise Funds for Home Base. On this day, no one fights alone! Mark your calendars. Fitness Within’s 2022 Operation Run To Heal 5K will be IN-PERSON on Saturday, October 22, at Memorial Park, with an epic after-party beer garden celebration at the Reading Common! raceroster.com
Fitness Within’s 2022 Operation Run To Heal 5K will be IN-PERSON on Saturday, October 22, at Memorial Park, with an epic after-party at the beer garden that will be at the Reading Common! We are thrilled to partner with Home Base and the Town of Reading to create an event that will have a massive impact on our Veterans and their Families. Join our incredible community in this year’s Operation Run To Heal 5K, and together we will be part of something much bigger than ourselves!
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The Town of Reading Downtown Trick or Treat will be taking place on Wednesday, October 26, 2022, from 4:00 pm-5:30 pm. A list of participating businesses will be published closer to the event date. [Read More]
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Highlights from the Reading Police & Fire Logs
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