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By a vote of 5-0, the Select Board approved in-person early voting for the April 4 town-wide election. This option will be available in Town Hall during normal business hours from March 27-30. There will also be a vote-by-mail option available to residents. By a vote of 0-5, the board rejected a proposal to open for in-person early voting on Saturday, March 25, citing the extra cost involved. Town Clerk Laure Gemme noted that residents wishing to cast absentee ballots may do so on March 25, though they must affirm in writing that they will not be in town on April 4.
The last day to register to vote is March 25. The Hawkes Field House at Reading Memorial High School will be open for election day voting on April 4 from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm.
| After a presentation from police Lieutenant Christopher Jones, the board approved increases to the fees for parking violations in town. Jones shared that the increases align with what other communities charge for similar violations. Group A violations, including parking in a no-parking zone, blocking a driveway, or overtime parking, will increase from $20 to $25. Group B violations, such as blocking a fire hydrant, will increase from $50 to $100. Group C violations, including parking in a handicapped spot, will increase from $100 to $300. Jones reported that the department issued 1,700 tickets for violations last year. [Read More] | |
Contests for Select Board; Library Board of Trustees | |
With the deadline for potential candidates to return nomination papers at 5 pm Tuesday, February 14, Town Clerk Laura Gemme released the final list of certified candidates for the April 4 election. | |
Town Wide Offices
Moderator (One-Year Term)
- Alan E. Foulds 9 Ide Street (Incumbent)*
Board of Library Trustees (Three-Year Term)
- Monette Dugas Verrier 30 Kurchian Lane (incumbent)*
- Brian M. Curry 74 Haverhill Street*
- Christian Cappy Popp 11 Pine Ridge Road*
- Michael Task Terry 48 Sherwood Road*
School Committee (Three-Year Term)
- Carla J. Nazzaro 64 Lawrence Road (incumbent)*
- Erin E. Gaffen 15 Hemlock Road (incumbent)*
Select Board (Three-Year Term)
- Carlo Bacci 494 Main Street (incumbent)*
- Karen Gately Herrick 9 Dividence Road (incumbent)*
- Melissa Murphy 7 Van Norden Road*
Municipal Light Board (Three-Year Term)
- Robert Coulter 91 Arcadia Avenue (incumbent)*
*Certified Signatures by Clerk’s Office
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The School Committee voted 6-0 on Tuesday to recommend to the Select Board that a warrant article creating a Special Education Stabilization Fund be placed on the warrant for April Town Meeting. Director of Finance Susan Bottan explained that the fund would only be available for unforeseen special education needs and would not be available for annual budget adjustments. Expenditures from the fund would be available for circuit breaker reimbursement.
Bottan continued to explain that the fund would be created by using unexpended funds from the school department budget at the end of each fiscal year. Bottan shared that it could take several years to grow the fund to the limit of 2% of annual spending, a cap placed on such stabilization funds by Massachusetts General Law. Unexpended funds from the school department budget are often “returned” to the town’s free cash reserves at the end of the fiscal year. Expenditures would only be allowed through a joint vote of the School Committee and the Select Board. School Committee member Thomas Wise pointed out that the fund could be used for out-of-district expenditures and any unforeseen special education needs. [Read More]
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Chief David J. Clark and the Reading Police Department announce the department’s new K-9 has made its first successful “track.”
Reading’s K-9 Unit was first deployed on Monday, Feb. 13 when a nearby community responded to a report of a missing juvenile who was suicidal. K-9 Tango and K-9 Handler Officer Chris Briere, acting as the Northeast Metropolitan Law Enforcement Council’s (NEMLEC) K-9 Unit, were called to the scene. [Read More]
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Outreach CoordinatorKrystal Mellonakos-Garay and Public Health Nurse Malorie MacDonald at the RCPS Narcan Training – Photo by Kenan Cooper | |
A free Narcan administration training session was held Tuesday, February 21, at the Reading Public Library, conducted by Reading Coalition for Prevention and Support (RCPS) staff, including Outreach Coordinator Krystal Mellonakos-Garay and Public Health Nurse Malorie MacDonald. Participants learned how to administer the potentially life-saving medication that reverses the effects of an opioid overdose. Anyone interested in future training events should visit HERE to learn more. [Read More] | |
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Meadow Brook is pleased to share that we have hired Kevin Franey, PGA, as our next great Head Golf Professional. Kevin is a PGA Golf Professional with 14 years of experience working at private golf clubs and will be joining Meadow Brook full-time on March 1st.
Kevin graduated from Campbell University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in PGA Golf Management. His resume includes experience at several well-known courses, including Medinah Country Club, Boston Golf Club, CC of North Carolina, Essex County Club, and Rich Harvest Farms. At each club, Kevin worked in positions with progressive levels of responsibility and honed his trade working for top-notch PGA Professionals. [Read More]
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State Representative Richard M. Haggerty (D-Woburn) has announced his committee assignments for the current legislative session.
The Representative has been confirmed as the Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy during the 193rd General Court, along with serving on the following committees:
- Joint Committee and House Committee on Ways and Means
- House Committee on Human Resources and Employee Engagement
“I am very honored to have been chosen by Speaker Mariano, and confirmed by my colleagues, to serve as Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy,” said Representative Haggerty. “I look forward to working with Chair Roy and all parties to help build a green economy with high-paying jobs and continuing to advance clean energy policies in the Commonwealth.” [Read More]
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The Reading Municipal Light Department hired Bill Bullock as Director of Integrated Resources.
Bill brings over 25 years of experience in the energy industry working to drive growth, efficiency, and clean energy. Bill joins RMLD from the Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company (MMWEC), where he led the development of the NextZero decarbonization and energy efficiency program and developed a joint action program to deploy grid scale batteries at over a dozen municipal light plant sites across Massachusetts.
Prior to MMWEC, Bill managed the implementation of Eversource’s commercial and municipal energy efficiency programs in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Bill also worked for several project development companies, helping to develop innovative energy solutions for utilities and their customers to reduce energy costs and emissions.
“Bill’s decades of experience in the energy industry and impressive track record in developing initiatives to promote energy efficiency and accelerate decarbonization show that he is well equipped to drive RMLD’s programs amid aggressive decarbonization goals,” said Greg Phipps, General Manager of the RMLD. “RMLD ratepayers will benefit as we develop more innovative ways to encourage electrification among our customers while maintaining RMLD’s high standard of reliability and competitively priced electricity.” [Read More]
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Appications Due March 1, 2023
As we head into 2023, please remember to complete your online Reading Scholarship Foundation application. Applications must be submitted or postmarked by March 1, 2023. Any Reading, Massachusetts resident who is currently a high school senior may apply. The application and the full requirements to apply can be found at https://readingsf.org/scholarship-application/
Who Is Eligible To Apply?
Any Reading, MA resident who is either a high school senior OR is pursuing an undergraduate degree may apply. Any non-Reading, MA resident that attended Reading Memorial High School in Reading, MA, as a full-time student for a period of at least three years is also eligible. [Read More]
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The Reading-North Reading Chamber of Commerce will host Winterfest on Thursday, March 9 from 5 – 8 PM in Reading Square. Mark your calendar to enjoy fire tables and s’mores on the common, lit ice sculptures, Olaf, and music. To celebrate MA Beer week, the Beer Garden will include beer, seltzer, and alcohol-free offerings from Hopothecary Ales, Gentile Brewing Company, and Small Change Brewing. All attractions and s’mores are while supplies last, so plan to come early as last year’s event had a banner turnout. Bring cash and your ID to enjoy the beer garden and snacks from Swiss Bakers and Cupcake City.
“We are excited to host Winterfest this year in Reading Square,” commented Catherine Barton Rossetti, 2023 Chamber President and Owner of Barton Rossetti Law. Catherine continued, “we encourage everyone to get outside, see neighbors and friends, and enjoy downtown and our local businesses” [Read More]
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SOPHIA ISBELL Class of ‘23
Favorite Book: “It Ends with Us” by Colleen Hoover
Favorite Quote: “Everything happens for a reason.” -Unknown
Favorite Subject: Anatomy and Physiology
Athletics/Activities: RMHS Gymnastics Captain, Level 10 Gymnast and Coach at Reading Gymnastics Academy, Special Olympics Coach, 3-Time Boston Globe All-Scholastic in Gymnastics
Plans After Graduation: Sophia will be attending Texas Woman’s University to major in Kinesiology and continue her gymnastics career.
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Highlights from the Reading Police & Fire Logs
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