|
The three candidates for the two seats on the Select Board participated in a forum on Tuesday night, answering questions posed to them by Catie Robertson of the Reading Post and Robert Holmes of the Daily Times Chronicle. Each candidate was given an opportunity to answer each question.
The forum, moderated by Alan Foulds, began with opening statements. Melissa Murphy introduced herself as a fifteen-year resident of Reading who once worked as a paralegal, has been on the Wood End School Council, and has been a member of Town Meeting for two years. Murphy indicated that she has a strong aptitude for listening as well as for the research of difficult issues. Murphy seeks to ensure that the town is responsible in its spending, supports local businesses, and improves communication with its residents. Murphy stated that she wants to help “end the divide” in town. “The Select Board has the responsibility to unite the town, not divide it,” Murphy shared.
Incumbent Carlo Bacci has been a Town Meeting member since 2019 and has served on the Select Board for three years. He has been a small business owner for thirty years. “As a former ‘brick and mortar’ business owner, I bring a unique perspective to the board,” Bacci added. He stated that successful completion of the Killam Elementary School Project is the town’s “top priority” and that he hopes to present a new senior center project to the voters in a positive and economical way.
|  | Incumbent Karen Gately Herrick has served on the Select Board for three years and has been a member of Town Meeting since 2002. Prior to her service on the Select Board, she spent five years on the Finance Committee. Herrick currently also sits on the Killam School Building Committee. She stressed the accomplishments the board has worked on over the past three years, including weathering the pandemic, hiring a new town manager, and working towards making Reading more climate-friendly. [Read More] | |
The Reading/North Reading Chamber of Commerce held its second annual Winterfest celebration on Reading common Thursday, March 9, 2023.[More Photos] | |
|
Ben Cares is a recent hire in the town of Reading as Economic Development Director and is looking forward to working with business owners, developers, and residents alike to promote growth within the town.
Cares graduated from the University of Vermont with a degree in civil engineering and later went on to get his masters in urban affairs from Boston University. Shortly after earning his masters, Cares was hired by the City of Chelsea as the Senior Planner and Project Manager.
After holding this role for three and a half years, Cares briefly worked in the private sector in the climate resiliency and planning realm. However, while working for Chelsea, Cares developed a sense for local politics, as well as infrastructure and economic development improvement, falling in love with the public sector.
The Economic Development Director is “a position that endeavors to activate the public realm through placemaking, cultural and artistic interventions to bring foot traffic to busy economic districts, like our downtown, but we also attempt to guide redevelopment in other areas of a municipality,” according to Cares. [Read More]
| |
|
By Isabella Pastore
Photos by Kenan Cooper
| |
|
Self-proclaimed chocoholic Karin DiNapoli opened Cupcake City on Main Street 12 years ago and looks forward to continuing doing what they do best: cupcakes. DiNapoli and Cupcake City have become a staple in the Town of Reading, turning a hobby into a thriving business.
DiNapoli, a Reading native, is a graduate of the Reading Public School system. She later came to raise her children in the town of Reading, whom she baked for regularly, similar to her mother. After her youngest was off to kindergarten, DiNapoli attended a pastry program at Cambridge School of Culinary Arts to kickstart her baking career.
After attending culinary school, DiNapoli began a small at-home business to sell her product, and as she became busy, it was time to open a storefront. Cupcake City opened its doors 12 years ago.
“It’s nice to still be in the community I grew up in and have the shop right here,” said DiNapoli.
Despite being hard on many small businesses, the pandemic allowed for the evolution of Cupcake City because of the uptick in orders received during the lockdown periods. Cupcake City was allowed to remain open because it had no seating within the restaurant. DiNapoli and Cupcake City received many orders during the pandemic and, as a result, began to work especially hard to be more creative. [Read More]
| |
|
By Isabella Pastore
Photos by Kenan Cooper
| |
|
Roccos Salon is a new addition to the Reading community of small businesses after opening just two months ago on January 4. Nick Rocco, owner and stylist is eager to get involved in the Reading community and expand his clientele.
While growing up in Medford, Rocco spent Saturdays at Razors Barber Shop in Somerville sweeping floors, where he became fond of the craft. Rocco obtained his hairdressers license from Medford Vocational School in 2013, and shortly after obtained his barbers license.
During high school, Rocco participated in a co-op program where he would meet his future boss, who would later hire him as a stylist at Kenzo’s Salon in Stoneham, MA. Rocco was at Kenzo’s for ten years, growing a strong client base and accumulating high online ratings.
As the owner of Rocco Management, in addition to his career as a hairstylist, Rocco purchased a building at the corner of Haven St. and Gould St. with nine residential apartments and three commercial spaces in December 2020. [Read More]
| |
|
Reading Rotary will welcome back Dr. Philip Haydon as a speaker at its meeting on March 20 at 6 pm at RCTV. Philip Haydon is an internationally recognized neuroscientist and Professor and Chair of the Department of Neuroscience at Tufts University School of Medicine. He runs an active laboratory researching a multitude of neurological disorders, including epilepsy.
Dr. Haydon founded Sail 4 Epilepsy with a mission to use sailing to inspire people with epilepsy, their families, and their caregivers to take One More Step towards living a fuller life with the necessary safety measures in place. Dr. Haydon has had trauma-induced epilepsy since he was 15. Roughly ten years ago, he decided to start talking about his epilepsy to promote greater understanding of it.
Dr. Haydon is an impressive and inspirational speaker and who previously spoke to Reading Rotary in April 2022. [Read More]
| |
March 22 at 7 PM at Whitelam Books
On Wednesday, March 22, meet author Christopher Gorham at 7 PM at Whitelam Books. Mr. Gorham will read from his new biography: “The Confidante: The untold story of the woman who helped win WWII and shape modern America.” This incredible biography explores the life of Anna Rosenberg, a woman who was close with Presidents Roosevelt and Truman, and who went on to become the first woman to hold the post of Assistant Secretary of Defense in 1950. Anna Rosenberg, an immigrant and a Jewish woman, played a pivotal role in some of the most important moments in the 20th century: World War II, laying the groundwork for the civil rights movement, and the development of the GI Bill. Her story has never been widely told until now. [Read More]
| |
March 24-April 8
War photojournalist Sarah and foreign correspondent James share a partnership based on telling the toughest stories, and together, making a difference. But when their own story takes an unexpected turn, the adventurous couple grapples with the prospect of a more conventional life. A visit from their long-time friend Richard and his new girlfriend Mandy throws things in stark relief for the couple. The New York Times raved, “(the) dialogue crackles with bright wit and intelligence…the range of feeling it explores is wide and deep.” Pulitzer-winning playwright Donald Margulies’ “insightful writing (is) layered with an intriguing seriousness that inspires discussion after the curtain comes down,” (Associated Press).
Directed by J. Mark Baumhardt and featuring Sara Jones, Casey Preston, Chris Cardoni, and Sabrina Cylie, “Time Stands Still” will open on Friday March 24 and run through April 8. [Read More]
| |
|
Hoppy Easter craft fair will take place Saturday, March 25, 2023, at the Knights of Columbus building at 11 Sanborn Street.
Featuring 20 unique crafters, vendors, and artists to shop from. Photo opportunities with the Easter Bunny and free Easter baskets for the first 25 kids! Raffle table with all proceeds going to the National MS society. [Read More]
| |
|
Wednesday, March 29, 7 pm – 9 pm
RMHS Endslow Performing Arts Center
Join The United States Air Force Band on tour in Massachusetts. These concerts are FREE and open to the public. Tickets required.
The U.S. Air Force Concert Band is one of the six performing ensembles within The United States Air Force Band, the premier musical organization of the U.S. Air Force. Stationed at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, D.C., The U.S. Air Force Band honors those who have served, inspires American citizens to heightened patriotism and service, and positively impacts the global community on behalf of the U.S. Air Force and the United States of America.
These are free events; however, tickets are required. No reserved seats. Please print your tickets or be prepared to show them on your mobile device. Doors open 30 minutes prior to performance time for ticket holders. All unclaimed seats will be released to non-ticket holders 15 minutes prior to performance time. [Read More]
| |
|
The Reading PorchFest Committee announces that the fifth annual Reading PorchFest is scheduled – rain or shine – for Saturday, June 24th. Committee member Ace Foulds says that registrations for musical talent and for hosts will go live on or about March 15th on the website. She says that all past participants will be notified via email. She further says, “Our numbers have gone up every year, and we hope to continue that trend.”
Committee member, Alan Foulds, points out that the festival began in 2019 as part of the town’s 375th anniversary celebration and now has become a community tradition. [Read More]
| |
|
Highlights from the Reading Police & Fire Logs
| | | | |
