Tuesday’s Select Board covered a wide range of topics, including the signing of a new contract with the Town Manager, finalizing a traffic regulation change, hearing a proposal for a new rubbish/recycling program, and ending with a vote to enter into negotiations for a purchase of property.
Following the January 25th performance review of Town Manager Fidel Maltez, the Select Board voted unanimously to formalize a new three-year contract. Board Chair Dockser noted that there was a desire to bring his salary into line with equivalent towns. He acknowledged that last year Maltez was hired at a rate a little below average, given his level of managerial experience. All Select Board Members offered positive feedback on his first year in office. Because of the high praise from all members, the board felt it was important to increase his compensation to assure that he would remain here for the foreseeable future. [Read More]
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Select Board made a decision on accepting a response to an RFP for purchase of property. Two parcels were under consideration: one at 17 Harnden Street (the former Walgreens building) and the other at 25 Haven Street (the former Rite Aid building). Town Counsel informed the board that they could choose only one or neither. At 9:45, the board went into executive session to discuss the matter and came back into open session at 10:40 for further discussion and to take a vote. It was decided unanimously to choose the Harnden Street location and appointed board chair, Mark Dockser, to enter into negotiations with the owner. Chris Haley commented that he had financial concerns but trusts that Dockser will address them in negotiations. [Read More]
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A public forum regarding several options for the location of a new senior center was presented at the Pleasant Street Center last Tuesday. The Select Board, the Council on Aging, and the Reading Center for Active Living Committee (ReCALC) all attended the forum, and public members were allowed to offer feedback on the presented ideas.
Select Board chair Mark Dockser moderated the forum, which began with a brief presentation on the activities ReCALC has taken thus far, including an overview of the results of a survey offered to town residents this past summer. Dockser shared, “It is clear that the needs of the Reading senior community are not sufficiently being taken care of right now.” He also noted that 46% of the persons who took the survey indicated they would be willing to see an increase of $100 or more on their tax bill to pay for a new senior center.
Dockser also clarified his opinion that a senior center and a new elementary school are high priorities for the town and that he does not see the two projects competing with one another; the town needs both. [Read More]
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Town Clerk Laura Gemme has released an updated list of residents who have pulled papers for the town-wide office and Town Meeting. Nomination papers are available at Reading Town Hall until 5:00PM on Monday, February 13, 2023.
Candidates for elected offices must obtain at least fifty (50) certified signatures to qualify for placement on the ballot. Town Meeting candidates must obtain at least ten (10) certified signatures within their own precinct.
This list will be updated on our website after 5 pm on Tuesday, February 9, 2023.
Town Wide Offices
Moderator (One-Year Term)
- Alan E. Foulds 9 Ide Street (Incumbent) *
Board of Library Trustees (Three-Year Term)
- Monetee 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) *
Municipal Light Board (Three-Year Term)
- Robert Coulter 91 Arcadia Avenue (incumbent)
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The Blizzard of ’78 – Skiers in front of First Baptist Church with broken spire (Left)
Residents walking down Haven Street (Right) – Photos from “At Wood End”
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45 Years Ago – 1978 The Blizzard of ‘78
- Monday – shops and stores closed early. No School Tuesday. Reading Square “took on a ghostly appearance during the height of the storm on Tuesday”. 2/8/1978
- The spire of First Baptist Church broke off during the storm. Wind gusts peaked between 75 mph and 100 mph. 2/8/1978
- Reading had between 25” and 30” inches of snow in the 36-hour storm on February 6-7. 2/8/1978
- Selectmen declare a state of emergency on February 8th. On-street parking is banned indefinitely. School has closed for the rest of the week. Check on elderly neighbors, and please mark and clear fire hydrants. Any citizens with snowmobiles or 4-wheel drive vehicles are asked to volunteer. 2/8/1978
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Reading Antiquarian Society member Everett Blodgett
Photo from Reading Rotary Facebook Page
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Reading Rotary had a very spirited and informative presentation by Everett Blodgett at their lunch meeting this week. Everett spoke about the Parker Tavern and its history in Reading. The Parker Tavern was built only 50 years after the Town was incorporated. It is maintained and operated by the Reading Antiquarian Society. It is open for tours on Sundays, 2-5, from May-October. It’s website is friendsofparkertavern.com. [Read More]
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Reading Elder & Human Services presents:
Celebrating the Season Songs & Stories for Valentine
Monday, February 13
1:30pm to 2:30pm
Pleasant Street Senior Center
49 Pleasant St. Reading, MA
A Celebratory Participatory Valentine’s Program by DAVIS BATES Parents’ Choice Award-winning singer & storyteller
For information and to sign up, please call (781) 942-6796. Funded, in part, by a grant from the Reading Cultural Council, a local agency supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
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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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EAMON CENTRELLA Class of ‘23
Favorite Book: “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Favorite Quote: “The best time for goin’ is when the goin’ scare you.” Zach Bryan
Favorite Subject: AP Computer Science
Activities: RMHS Football, RMHS Lacrosse, JumpStart Youth Connection
Plans After Graduation: Eamon will be attending Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in the fall to major in business and continue his football career.
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Highlights from the Reading Police & Fire Logs
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