On Tuesday, March 1, by a vote of 5-0, the Select Board closed the warrant for the Annual Town Meeting, slated to begin April 25. Included in the 19 Town Meeting warrant articles are article 11, which would establish a community garden revolving fund; article 15, which is a 20-page set of zoning bylaw amendments related to the 40R smart growth district; and article 19, which is the Fiscal Year 2023 budget. According to Town Manager Fidel Maltez, town meeting will be held in person at the Reading Memorial High School (RMHS) Performing Arts Center for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic. Member Mark Dockser asked whether a hybrid option for town meeting had been considered. Maltez responded that the state legislature does not allow a hybrid format this year; in-person or remote models are the only choices.
Dockser also raised questions regarding article 15, specifically related to the parking provisions of 1.25 spaces per unit in the revised regulations. Dockser suggested that he had received community input that the number of spaces was too small and asked if the Community Planning and Development Commission (CPDC) was prepared to explain their thinking. Maltez answered that town meeting members are free to make amendments to the article but that the entire document was the product of over a year’s work by the CPDC, which held several public hearings on the changes, and that certain portions are subject to state regulations which seek to prohibit local regulations that are considered “burdensome” to growth. Maltez also indicated that town staff would be ready to address any questions posed on the issue.
Former Town Manager Severance Pay
After considerable discussion, the board also voted 4-1 to extend termination pay to former town manager Robert LeLacheur in the amount equivalent to one month’s salary, subject to town meeting’s appropriation. Select Board chair Karen Herrick, the one dissenting vote, shared that consultant Community Paradigm indicated that this is not generally done for outgoing town managers. She continued by stating that the provision for termination pay was placed in the charter to allow the Select Board to “buy” an amicable parting of the ways when there was a rift between a town manager and the board. Dockser agreed with Herrick, “We are not a company. We are a town government dealing with taxpayer money,” Dockser argued. “[We have a] responsibility to the town and a responsibility to equity.” Dockser continued, indicating discomfort with one employee receiving the benefit when others do not.
Member Anne Landry noted that LeLacheur gave a six-month notice, and LeLacheur gave the town time to do a complete search and create a smooth transition between town managers. [Read More]
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Town Manager, Fidel Maltez, and Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Thomas Milaschewski, are pleased to share with the Reading community that the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) Board of Directors today voted to invite the Statement of Interest for the J. Warren Killam Elementary School into the MSBA’s Eligibility Period.
“This is great news for the Town of Reading. We are grateful for the hard work completed on the Statement of Interest and the vote of the MSBA Board of Directors today,” said Maltez. “Our staff are excited to roll up their sleeves and get working on this crucial project for our community.”
“We are thrilled in the School Department today with the MSBA’s decision to accept the Killam School into the Eligibility Period,” said Milaschewski. “We will begin organizing for the next phase in partnership with Town staff as we go forward to bring our schools to the next level in Reading.” [Read More]
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By a vote of 5-0, the Community Planning and Development Commission (CPDC) approved major plan changes to the previously approved 40R development at 531 Main Street, the former site of the Reading Chronicle building. Speaking for the developer, Attorney Chris Latham explained that the Reading Municipal Light Department had determined that no transformer was needed for the proposed building, which freed up space in the northeast corner of the building. Additionally, according to Latham, the developer is determined to create a building that is fossil-fuel free, eliminating the need for gas meters and for a “tunnel” space at the rear of the building to house them.
Latham shared that these updates have allowed for some interior changes in the building, including moving the garage door six feet to the east and the addition of a parking space in the building’s garage. The two apartments on the northeast corner will now have slightly more space that will allow for larger balconies for those two apartments. Latham also indicated that there would be a reduction of illumination from the area where the gas meters were once located. [Read More]
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As part of his report to the School Committee on February 17, Superintendent of Schools Thomas Milaschewski updated the committee on the progress being made toward his fourth goal of supporting, coaching, and developing leaders, specifically the district’s principals. Milaschewski highlighted that this is “not a one-year goal” as he outlined the activities that have been taking place.
The purpose behind the goal, as shared by Milachewski, is that “Highly effective principals raise the achievement of typical students by between two to seven months of learning.” Milaschewski continued to share that a four-pronged approach is being used to advance this goal: one-on-one coaching, leadership meetings, which focus on operations, monthly curriculum meetings, and bi-weekly meetings focused on teaching and learning. The purpose of having an operations-focused meeting is so that operations do not “invade” the other meetings.
Milachewski shared a vision of a collaborative process with group problem solving that is focused on teaching and learning where individual support and in-the-moment coaching are expected and appreciated. “Good principal leadership really matters,” Milaschewski declared. [Read More]
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Reading residents are invited to Meet the Candidates on March 16 at 7 PM in the Reading Public Library community rooms. Candidates for Select Board and School Committee will introduce themselves and their goals and answer questions from the community.
If you’d like to suggest a question for the candidates, please email it to ReadingMeetTheCandidates@gmail.com. Be sure to note whether the question is for Select Board or School Committee candidates.
Although sponsored by the Reading Democratic Town Committee, this is a non-partisan event that is open to all candidates for these boards and is offered as a community service. [Read More]
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The Reading PorchFest Committee announces the return of the popular music festival, this year slated for Saturday, June 25.
PorchFest is just as the name implies. It is an afternoon of music literally on porches or, maybe, driveways or front lawns all over town. As in past years, the organizers are looking for as much diversity in the types of music as possible: anything from jazz to pop to rock, country, rap, and anything in between.
The website, ReadingPorchFest.com, is up and running with information, and within two weeks, the registration site for both musical acts and host venues will go live. News and announcements also can be found on the Reading PorchFest 2022 Facebook page.
The PorchFest tradition in Reading sprang from the town’s 375th anniversary in 2019. It was so popular that it was decided to make it a permanent part of the local cultural scene. That first edition was held in June during the anniversary festivities. The pandemic caused the second year’s festival to go virtual in a special presentation on RCTV, Facebook, and Youtube over the Fourth of July weekend. In 2021, the pandemic again caused problems, delaying PorchFest until the fall, but this year it springs back to its roots in June.
In keeping with the tradition of PorchFests everywhere, the Reading event is an all-volunteer affair: from the bands and the host porches to the organizers. [Read More]
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Video Production for Ages 9-13
In this 8-week course, students will get hands-on experience with video cameras and editing software while producing PSA’s, commercials, and/or short scenes.
Instructor: Angela Merrill
Tuesdays, 4:00-5:30pm March 29th-May 24th (No class 4/19: Make-Up if needed, 5/31) 8 weeks.
Cost: $190
Screen Acting for Ages 7-11
In this 8-week course, students will work together to learn improvisational skills, as well as acting on camera through commercials and small scenes.
Instructor: Angela Merrill
Wednesdays, 4:00-5:30pm March 30th- May 25th (No class 4/20: Make-Up if needed, 6/1) 8 weeks
Cost: $190
Intermediate Video Production for Ages 10-14
In this 8-week course, students will add on to the skills they learned in Video Production and learn what it takes to create a full episode or short film. Instructor: Angela Merrill
Thursdays, 4:00-5:30pm March 31st – May 26th (No class 4/21: Make-Up if needed, 6/2) 8 weeks
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5th Middlesex District Includes Malden, Melrose, Reading, Stoneham, Wakefield, and part of Winchester
Ed Dombroski, a Wakefield attorney, small business owner, and town councilor today announced his campaign for the Massachusetts State Senate, representing the 5th Middlesex District communities of Malden, Melrose, Reading, Stoneham, Wakefield, and part of Winchester.
Councilor Dombroski, a registered Republican, aims to bring a commonsense approach to legislating in the Massachusetts Senate.
“I am running to focus on the issues that matter most to the residents of these communities,” said Dombroski. “I am proud of my record of accomplishment on the Wakefield Finance Committee and the Town Council and know that there is so much more we can do on Beacon Hill. I’ve watched Republican leaders like Governor Charlie Baker demonstrate how we can work together beyond party lines to get things done, and that is how I will lead if elected.” [Read More]
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Did you miss the Tree Lighting Celebration last year? The Chamber did, too! So much that we are hosting a new outdoor festival, Winterfest, on Thursday, March 10 from 5 – 7 PM in Reading Square. Mark your calendar to join us for fire tables and s’mores on the common, lit ice sculptures, and hot chocolate, all compliments of our local business sponsors. The kids will enjoy selfies with Olaf, and music and interviews will be hosted by North Shore 104.9FM, which will be broadcasting live from the event. Bring cash and your ID and enjoy the beer garden and snacks from food trucks. Local businesses will be open late and many will offer special promotions for March madness as well!
“The Chamber of Commerce is excited to host a new, outdoor event for the community,” commented Jenniffer Rogers, 2022 Chamber President and Loan Officer at Leader Bank. Jenniffer continued “we encourage everyone to get outside, see neighbors and friends and enjoy downtown and our local businesses”
Come stroll the downtown, enjoy the festivities, pop into stores and restaurants, and make memories in Reading Square. The ice sculptures will be lit all weekend long. More information may be found at the chamber website at readingnreadingchamber.com. [Read More]
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WESTON LEWIN Class of ‘22
Favorite Book: The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway
Favorite Quote: “And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music.” (Author Unknown)
Favorite Subjects: English
Clubs and Activities: RMHS Jazz Band, Jazz Combo, Marching Band, Symphonic Band, RMHS Boys Swim Team Captain, National Honor Society, RMHS Century Club, Lifeguard, Private Saxophone Instructor
Plans After Graduation: Weston will be attending Harvard University and plans to major in the Arts and Humanities.
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Highlights from the Reading Police & Fire Logs
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