After an hour-long executive session on Tuesday, the Select Board voted 5-0 to authorize the Town Manager to inform the property owner of 17 Harnden Street, the former Walgreens building, of its intent to negotiate a contract to purchase the property. The proposed use for the property is as a new senior center. Select Board chair Mark Dockser was selected to represent the board in the negotiations. The proposal presented by the property owner is for a purchase price of $7,000,000 with a $2,000,000 seller’s credit. |
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Town Manager Fidel Maltez shared ideas for a proposed building renovation that could cost an additional $7,000,000 to $9,000,000. These plans would more than double the usable space available for programming and other services than are available in the current Pleasant Street Center. Maltez also reported that the option to expand and renovate the Pleasant Street Center could cost $18,000,000 to $21,000,000 and that the option for a new building on a new site, such as the town-owned land on Symonds Way could cost over $36,000,000. [Read More]
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Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning Sarah Hardy shared the spring 2022 MCAS results with the School Committee on Thursday. She began by placing scores in context, reminding the committee that the 2022 test was the first full MCAS test given to students since 2019, before the pandemic. “Student experiences were deeply impacted by the pandemic,” Hardy stated. She continued, sharing that the data has been analyzed, looking for evidence where students are getting back “on track.”
Hardy reported that statewide, scores in English and language arts (ELA) dropped, while scores in math showed some levels of recovery. Statewide scores in science showed a small recovery rate [Read More]
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Reading Municipal Light Department held an open house that their headquarters on Ash Street on October 6, 2022. Here are some photos from the event from Post photographer Kenan Cooper. [View More Photos]
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The Town of Reading would like to apologize to all of its residents for the lack of attention this past week by Republic Services with rubbish and recycling collection.
This past week, Republic’s purchase of JRM fully took effect, and unbeknownst to the Town, operations were suddenly moved from Peabody to Tyngsboro, which caused several delays and issues with collection efforts for some neighborhoods. Republic was supposed to come back in to finish any collection on Saturday, but that never occurred.
Therefore, residents are advised to place out any rubbish and recycling that was not collected this past week with your rubbish and recycling for this week and we are hopeful that Republic will have resolved all of their issues in this week’s collection.
If the Town is informed by Republic of any scheduling changes, residents will be made aware as soon as the Town is notified. [Read More]
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Town Manager Fidel Maltez visited Mrs. Patti Beckman’s fourth-grade class at Birch Meadow Elementary School.
Maltez read a book to the class and answered some tough questions. One of the students asked if the town could amend the town bylaws to allow dogs on leashes in our cemeteries. “You make a fine Town Meeting Member one day,” Maltez told the student. Maltez thanked Birch Meadow Principal Stephen Burnham and Mrs. Beckman for setting up the visit. [Read More]
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October Events for the Whole Family
October at Whitelam Books is filled with fun and treats. Check out what is in store:
3rd Annual Whitelam Books Pumpkin Contest
From October 8 – 23, drop off your decorated or carved pumpkin that represents a favorite book or literary character. Pumpkins will be displayed in the front window for the whole town to see. The creator of the winning pumpkin will win a Whitelam tote bag and a $25 gift card.
Story and Movement Time Wednesdays
Join us every Wednesday at 10:30 for Story and Movement Time with Daisy. Your little ones will enjoy good books, movement, and fun.
Donut Story Time with Author Carrie Finison at the Reading Public Library
Join Whitelam Books at the Reading Public Library on Saturday, October 15, at 3:00 to meet children’s author Carrie Finison. This fun event will include a reading of her book “Dozens of Doughnuts,” crafts, a Q & A with the author, and, of course, donuts. Copies of Carrie Finison’s books will be available for purchase and the author will even sign them for you. [Read More]
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On Monday, October 17, Wakefield Community Access Television (WCAT) will host a debate between incumbent State Senator Jason Lewis (D-Winchester) and challenger Wakefield Town Councilor Edward Dombroski (R) to represent the 5th Middlesex District. The district includes the cities of Malden and Melrose and the towns of Reading, Stoneham, Wakefield, and parts of Winchester.
Senator Lewis was first elected to the Senate in 2014 following five years of service as a State Representative. Councilor Dombroski has served as a Town Councilor since 2017. Both candidates previously served as members of the Finance Committee in their respective towns.
The debate, scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., will be held in the Veterans Memorial Hall at the Galvin Middle School, 525 Main Street, Wakefield. Wakefield Town Moderator Bill Carroll will moderate the debate. Questions will be directed to the candidates by Bob Burgess, Editor of the Wakefield Daily Item, and Melrose Weekly News, and Dakota Antelman, Field Editor of The Patch. [Read More]
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October 22, 1-7pm
Featuring Beer from:
Live Music:
Local Food Vendors:
Games & Festivities:
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Role Presentations by Lt. Patrick Silva and Dr. Sudeshna Chatterjee, facilitated by Erica McNamara, from Reading Coalition of Prevention & Support
November 2, 2022 | 6:00-7:00pm RMHS Performing Arts Center
Did you know that Reading has a Civil Rights Officer and a Director of Equity & Social Justice? Join Lt. Silva and Dr. Chatterjee as they share information about themselves, their roles and the work that they are doing to keep Reading a safe, inclusive and accessible community. Questions/queries are invited!
All questions must be submitted ahead of time, by 5:00pm, October 19, 2022. Please scan the code on the left to submit questions. Your questions may also be submitted at the front desk of the Reading Public Library or at the Reading Police Department.
Co-hosted by OESJ, the Reading Police Dept., RCASA, and the Reading Public Library [Read More]
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Highlights from the Reading Police & Fire Logs
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