On Monday, April 18, 2022, Reading Town Manager Fidel Maltez participated in the Boston Marathon. Maltez completed the marathon with a time of 5:03:28.
Reading Runners Time
29309 Kevin Bednarzyk 4:33:36
26164 Christine Cerretani 5:51:46
25371 Katelynn Conlon 5:26:20
28120 Keith Cruickshank 4:00:25
25769 Bridget Donovan 4:44:32
25559 Erin Engelson 4:34:27
25850 Robert Hackett 3:57:14
27468 Adam Halley 3:51:34
26748 David Parziale 4:00:21
25788 Kathleen Pinette 6:15:50
26106 Jamie Santos 3:51:25
27193 John Simpson 4:58:18
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At its annual reorganization meeting, as the Select Board welcomed new member Jackie McCarthy to the board, it also voted 5-0 to appoint newly reelected Mark Dockser as chair of the Select Board for the coming year. Dockser thanked the board for their confidence in him and noted that he takes the responsibility of the role very seriously. The board also voted 3-2 to appoint Karen Herrick as vice chair. Select Board member Chris Haley was also nominated for vice-chair. Haley stated that he believed that having him as vice-chair could show a divided town that the board could work together for the common good. Select Board member Carlo Bacci also voted for Haley as vice-chair. Haley was appointed as board secretary by a vote of 5-0.
PARC Presentation
The Parking Advisory and Recommendation Committee (PARC) presented a series of recommendations regarding downtown parking to the board. The Select Board established PARC to be a group of town officials, residents, and business owners charged with studying issues related to parking in the downtown and proposing possible solutions to the challenges faced with parking in the area.
PARC chair Bernard Horn related PARC’s methodology, which included reviewing past parking studies, a town-wide parking survey, ten open meetings, and a February 10 public forum. Horn described that the bulk of PARC’s time was spent talking about the two municipal parking lots: the Upper Haven (CVS) lot and the Brande Court lot. Horn continued, sharing that approval of the recommendations could create additional parking turnover downtown, increase the total number of spaces, including an increase in the number of unrestricted spaces, and create more designated employee spaces. Horn also related that the recommendations would lead to fewer spaces for commuters. [Read More]
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Residents were given the opportunity at two different sessions on April 6 to express their opinions and ideas regarding a new senior center. The first session was in the afternoon at the Pleasant Street Center. The evening session was at the Reading Public Library. The Reading Center for Active Learning Committee (ReCALC) enlisted the services of the UMass Boston Gerontology Institute to perform community outreach and aid the committee in gathering information.
Dr. Caitlyn Coyle from UMass opened each session with questions regarding what makes Reading a great place to live as well as what are some challenges to living in Reading. Residents in both sessions highlighted the family atmosphere of the community, the proximity to Boston and New Hampshire, and a walkable downtown as highlights of living in Reading. Other residents pointed out quality organizations in town, including the YMCA, RCTV, and the Police and Fire departments. “It feels safe to live here,” one resident proclaimed.
The noted challenges to living in Reading included taxes, difficulty connecting if one does not have children, and downtown parking. Lack of affordable housing was also listed as a concern. Coyle shifted the conversation to what a center for active living could look like, both physically and programmatically. A place for social interaction and a drop-in space was mentioned in both sessions. The concept of a multi-generational facility and programs was also a concern of several residents. Other ideas included evening and weekend events for seniors, arts and cultural programs, and continuing education classes. [Read More]
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In a change of direction from the past and by a 6-0 vote, the School Committee voted to approve participation in the state’s school choice program for the 2022-2023 school year. This would allow students who live in other school districts to enter a lottery to attend Reading Public Schools. The administration will determine how many spaces are available at each grade level and which schools. Director of Finance Susan Bottan shared that expected enrollment for the 2022-2023 school year currently is seventy-one students below what was originally anticipated, with most of those seats available in the secondary levels. Bottan shared that the state will grant $5,000 per student from outside the district enrolled in Reading Public Schools, which can be used in any way the School Committee sees fit. Additionally, the district would be reimbursed 100% for any direct, special education services incurred by the new students and between 49% and 100% for indirect special education services needed by the new students. The committee can opt-out of school choice on an annual basis, though any students admitted remain through graduation.
Bottan recommended the change for the financial benefits as well as the opportunity to “smooth out” bubble classes which create shifts in staffing from year to year, thereby creating more staff consistency. Children of Reading Public Schools staff could also enter the lottery, possibly allowing them to attend the schools in which their parents work. The decision will cause the School Committee to reevaluate its policy on the issue in regards to sibling policies and other matters.
The school choice decision came on the heels of Bottan sharing that, to date, 230 students are enrolled for next year’s kindergarten classes, twenty students below projections. Two hundred eighteen of these are enrolled in the full-day program. Of the twelve students enrolled in the half day program town-wide, only three of those students are enrolled at the Joshua Eaton Elementary School. The administration intends to close the half-day program at Joshua Eaton and work with those three families on alternatives. Superintendent of Schools Thomas Milaschewski was quick to point out that there will be no reduction in staffing and that the staff previously assigned to that class will be reassigned as needed. [Read More]
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in a statement posted to their Facebook page, Hago Harrington’s Miniature Golf announced that they would close at the end of the 2022 season.
“Hago Harrington’s has been an icon fixture in the North Shore since 1952 and regrettably, this will be our final season! The property was recently sold and the new owners graciously allowed us to complete Hago’s 70th season in business. Ten years ago we purchased Hago’s and enjoyed every moment operating this little piece of Paradise on route 28 in Stoneham and wish to thank everyone for their kindness and support.” [Read More]
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Reading Town Manager Fidel Maltez launched a monthly newsletter for the community today. Filled with news and notes from town departments, the Town Manager Minute chronicles key dates, events, and projects impacting residents and businesses across Reading.
“One thing I hear from residents every day is that they want know what’s going on in town hall, so this newsletter is a fun way to get the inside scoop on a variety of items going on across the community,” said Maltez. “This newsletter arrives as an email and will keep folks up-to-date on the goings on in Town government and play a companion role to the town website and departmental communications.”
Reading’s communication goals include working to meet every stakeholder in every place that we can at all the times that we can. The newly redesigned town website, readingma.gov, social media channels, RCTV videos on YouTube, departmental emailed and printed newsletters, CodeRED, SeeClickFix, and now the comprehensive Town Manager Minute all work together to provide constituents with 24/7 access to critical news, tips, meetings, events, policies, and more so that residents can get their town business done at the most convenient times for them. [Read More]
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It’s said that Love Makes The World Go ‘Round, and The Reading Community Singers are setting out to prove it with a program of songs to make their case.
Come join us on Saturday, May 21 at 7:30 p.m. at Reading Memorial High School when we will be performing The Beatles’ ‘I’m Happy Just To Dance With You,’ Simon & Garfunkel’s ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water,’ Adele’s ‘To Make You Feel My Love.’ and much, much more.
The concert will also feature a medley of songs by the great 70’s rock band Chicago starring our fantastic pit band and ‘Disney Dazzle’ will fill the hearts of children and adults alike.
Tickets are going fast and space is limited. You can buy yours at the door, but we recommend an online purchase at our website ReadingCommunitySingers.org. Prices are as follows: adult tickets cost $25, Seniors and students pay $20, and kids under five get in free. To keep our audience and singers safe, please check our website for covid protocols. [Read More]
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Eileen Barrett, our wonderful Reference & Local History Librarian, is retiring! Help us thank Eileen for 17 years of dedicated, knowledgeable, and creative service while wishing her a happy retirement at this Open House.
During her tenure, Eileen has been passionate about bringing local art to the library by organizing art installations in the library and programming art workshops, from painting to collage and more, for patrons. Just a few of Eileen’s many other contributions include directing the ever-popular Foreign Affairs series, educating the community on energy efficiency and native plants, and bringing the local history collection up to the latest preservation standards. Eileen is also instrumental in Reading’s Art Walk, which establishes a community-wide art exhibit at downtown businesses.
Join us in the Studio for this celebration on Thursday, April 28, from 1:00 pm– 3:00 pm. [Read More]
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The Reading Lions Club’s 17th Annual Reading Friends and Family Day is back! This start of summer community event – also called Town Day – will take place on Saturday, June 11, 2022, from 10:30 am-3:00 pm.
Since 2004, The Reading Lions Club has hosted and organized Reading Friends and Family Day (RFFD) as a celebration of Reading. As the last RFFD was in 2019 we are excited to see all our neighbors and friends again. At RFFD, community members come for the food, crafts, games, giveaways, entertainment, and to learn about local organizations and businesses. Attendance has grown steadily over the years, and we know there are many new people in town who would enjoy all the activities of the day.
If you own a local business or belong to a local organization, don’t miss this fun and promotional opportunity. This community fair is a great opportunity to share your mission and advertise your services. Registration forms are available online at readinglionsclub.org. For more information, contact Lorraine Barry at 781-354-6822 or readinglions01867@gmail.com [Read More]
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We are thrilled to announce this year’s version of the annual Bike Recycling and Give-Away. Used bikes (in good condition) can be donated at RMLD, 230 Ash Street, on Friday, April 29 from 11 am to 12:30 pm and on Saturday, April 30, from 9 am to 11 am.
The bikes will be cleaned and inspected, the tires will be pumped and minor repairs will be made. The bikes will then be offered for adoption at no charge to donors at 12noon and to the general public around 12:30 pm. Come by and pick out a free bike!
The event is co-sponsored by ReadingCares and the Climate Advisory Committee with support from RMLD and the Town of Reading. The Reading Police Department will be on hand to promote bike safety. [Read More]
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Celebrate Independent Bookstore Day with Best-Selling Author David A. Morales
The American Dream is possible for anyone if you’re willing to work for it. Nobody knows this better than healthcare executive turned author David A. Morales. In American Familia: A Memoir of Perseverance (River Grove Books, Feb. 22, 2022), Morales explores how the tenets of faith, family, and grit can serve as a compass for young readers in search of a better future.
Morales’s message has resonated with media and readers, as his book has achieved Amazon Best Seller status in several categories, including Faith, Fatherhood, Hispanic & Latin Biographies, and Christian Men’s Issues. The book also attained the #1 New Release distinction in Religious Leadership and Psychology & Christianity.
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Deputy Chief Christine Amendola announces that the Reading Police Department arrested a man on Tuesday in connection with multiple vehicle break-ins since late March.
NEBUCHODONOZ SALOMON, AGE 25, OF WOBURN was arrested and charged with:
- Breaking and Entering for a Misdemeanor
- Breaking and Entering for a Misdemeanor (12 counts) (Preexisting Warrant)
- Receiving Stolen Property
- Credit Card Fraud Under $1,200
- Malicious Destruction of Property
Additionally, SALOMON was wanted on an unrelated warrant for charges out of Woburn.
At about 12:20 a.m. today, Reading Police were dispatched to a Summer Avenue residence after a resident discovered their vehicle’s front passenger door was open. Upon arrival, officers determined that the suspect had entered the vehicle and gone through the glove compartment.
Officers were aware of several previous break-ins in the area, for which Reading Police had already obtained an arrest warrant for SALOMON as part of that ongoing investigation. Officers subsequently located a man on Kelch Road, who was later identified as SALOMON, and attempted to make contact with him before he fled on foot into a wooded area behind Longwood Road. [Read More]
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Highlights from the Reading Police & Fire Logs
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