The debate held at the Galvin Middle School in Wakefield, MA – Kenan Cooper |
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Wakefield Town Councilor Ed Dombroski and incumbent Senator Jason Lewis, candidates for election to the state senate seat in the 5th Middlesex District, clashed in a televised debate on Monday. The debate, which occurred at the Galvin Middle School in Wakefield, offered the candidates a chance to respond to questions submitted by local newspapers from all around the district. |
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Lewis leaned heavily on his record of achievements in answering questions. These achievements include the passage of bills involving tax relief, housing subsidies, paid family and medical leave, and the Student Opportunity Act. Dombroski repeatedly stated his conviction that Lewis has “failed” the district and is out of touch with the concerns of the district’s voters. [Read More]
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The Town of Reading has experienced incomplete, sporadic, and unpredictable rubbish and recycling services over the last several weeks from its hauling provider, Republic Services. In an effort to remain transparent to the community, Town Manager Fidel Maltez releases the following statement on the Town’s response.
Problems with Republic Services meeting the collection requirements for both rubbish and recycling in Reading began October 3, 2022. Public Works leadership immediately began twice daily conversations with Republic supervisory staff to ameliorate the unsatisfactory performance. Beginning last week, Town Manager Fidel Maltez also began twice daily calls with Republic leadership to compel the company to fulfill its contractual obligations.
While Republic Services has repeatedly promised to fix performance deficiencies, the company has continually underperformed with incomplete pick-ups, understaffed operations, not sending promised resources, and more, resulting in numerous neighborhoods suffering as many as three weeks without trash or recycling collection. [Read More]
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By a vote of 4-1, the Zoning Board of Appeals approved a special permit to raze a non-conforming four-unit building at 48-52 Village Street and to replace it with a new four-unit building. Property owner Kevin Emery said the building has been vacant for “some time.” Attorney David Traniello, speaking for Emery, shared that the current building is non-conforming to the S-15 bylaw because it is a four-unit building in a single-family district and encroaches on the required setbacks. The building was built in the 1890s before zoning bylaws were created in Reading.
Traniello continued, explaining that the new building will be placed on a new foundation with a smaller footprint and will conform to current setback bylaws on all sides. “It actually is an improvement,” Traniello noted. Traniello also reminded the board that if a special permit is granted and once the new building is conforming, it can never be returned to non-conforming status. Emery added that the plan is for the proposed building to be owner-occupied condominiums instead of rental units. Parking at the site will remain the same as it is now, with each unit deeded two off-street parking spots. [Read More]
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By a vote of 4-0, the CPDC approved a minor site plan to remove the balconies on the Main Street-facing facade of the General Washington Apartments on Monday. The building is located at 625 Main Street. Project architect Gregory Smith shared that repair of the existing balconies has been abandoned after the level of deterioration was determined to make the balconies not structurally sound. The submitted plan is to replace the balconies with “Juliet balconies” for safety, as it is planned for the sliding glass doors to remain. The existing entrance on Main Street will also be retained. Building owner Carl Valeri indicated that the landscaping on the Main Street side of the building would also be updated. [Read More]
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By a vote of 5-3, the Reading ARPA Advisory Committee recommended that the Select Board approve $900,000 in American Rescue Act Plan (ARPA) funds to provide premium pay to essential municipal employees who worked during the pandemic state of emergency. The amount of premium pay per employee will vary based on months worked in-person, level of interaction with the public, as well as a metric to provide a higher rate of premium pay for lower wage employees. Employees with stipends, such as coaches, who lost wages due to canceled or reduced seasons will also receive a sum of $500 for each lost stipend.
The three members who voted against the motion approved of the idea of premium pay but at a lower total amount. RAAC member Mark Dockser cautioned that the premium pay was intended as an indicator of gratitude for service and that the amount of $900,000 was “more than the ‘thank-you’ he envisioned.” “We are trying to figure out what we can offer that is thanking people,” Dockser urged, “but also is respectful for all citizens of the town.” [Read More]
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Reading Trophy and Shirt has been a staple Reading-based storefront since Tom O’Connor opened in 1979 on Harden Street and became wholly owned by the O’Connor family in 1994. Full ownership of the business has allowed the family to ensure a strong, centralized focus to the business.
Keeping its roots in Reading, the shop moved into its current location on Main Street in 1998. Its deep history and family ties to the town have made going into the store a “community affair,” according to Kevin O’Connor.
O’Connor took over Reading Trophy in 2017, after having worked there since 2002, to maintain the family business and has seen it flourish while retaining their old family values. [Read More]
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After eight decades of marriage, Don and Jean Bates are finding new ways to express their affection.
“Traveling, meeting refreshing people across the country, and experiencing unexplored opportunities glued our love together,” Mrs. Bates explained when describing her 79 years of marriage.
Their love began when Mr. Bates left Massachusetts for Florida to become a test pilot, but distance couldn’t stop their passion as Mrs. Bates received a letter with a marriage proposal waiting for her inside. After packing her belongings, Mrs. Bates boarded the train to Florida to meet her future husband. [Read More]
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Women’s League of Reading is set to host a Halloween Costume Party from 7 pm – 11 pm on October 28 at The Wakefield Elks Lodge. The annual costume party helps raise money for local charities and the surrounding community.
The community is welcome to attend this inspiring philanthropic event. Tickets are just $25 and include dancing, food, costume prizes, a 50/50 raffle, and a cash bar. Guests are encouraged to wear a costume. [Read More]
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The Reading Public Library is now mobile! After a full year of waiting, the library received the much anticipated, custom-built book bike crafted by Haley Tricycles in Philadelphia, PA. Designed with a cargo trike frame that opens up and turns inside out, the bike serves as a mobile library outpost and it is ready to greet residents around town. This project was generously funded by the Reading Public Library Foundation.
The RPL Book Bike, or RPL On Wheels, is an electric-assist trike with multiple levels of shelving and can be filled with up to 260 pounds of books, resources, and other library materials. People can sign up for a Reading Public Library card, browse, borrow and return books, learn about RPL programs and resources, and much more.
Why a book bike? Book bikes have the unique ability to bring library services outside of the building, meeting people where they are in an eye-catching, earth-friendly way. RPL On Wheels may pop up in neighborhoods, attend a community event, or connect with new people who may not use or can’t get to the library. Ultimately, the RPL Book Bike will help library staff grow connections in the community in a new and exciting way. RPL On Wheels is available for travel from approximately April to October, weather permitting. [Read More]
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Arts Reading, Inc. held its 4th annual cultural event, “Discover the Arts Day Cultural Festival,” on Saturday, October 15, 2022. This enjoyable, entertaining day focused on many of the arts and cultural organizations and individuals in Reading and surrounding communities. The following images were taken by Reading Post photographer Kenan Cooper. [More Photos]
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The Reading Fire Department held its annual open house on Saturday, October 15, 2022. Here are some images from the event from Reading Post photographer Kenan Cooper. [More Photos]
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SOPHIA ORTINS Class of ‘23
Favorite Book: “People Kill People” by Ellen Hopkins
Favorite Quote: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead
Favorite Subject: Mathematics
Clubs/Activities: Member of Students of Color and Allies for Equity, Justice, and Inclusion; Member of Partners and Allies for Inclusive Reading; Member of the RMHS Gender Sexuality Alliance; Employed at Mathnasium
Plans After Graduation: Sophia plans to pursue a 4-year college degree.
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October 22, 1-7pm
Featuring Beer from:
Live Music:
Local Food Vendors:
Games & Festivities:
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Highlights from the Reading Police & Fire Logs
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