Reading Local Election - APRIL 5, 2022
Location: Hawkes Field House at RMHS 7am - 8pm
By Kevin Vendt
hree of the four candidates for the two three-year seats on the Reading Municipal Light Department (RMLD) Board of Commissioners met at the Reading Public Library on March 30 to meet the voters and answer questions regarding their views on the issues. Candidate Sal Bramante was unable to attend, but event host Sherri VandenAkker read an introductory statement on his behalf.

Bramante’s statement shared that he has been a Reading resident for thirty-three years and is an operations professional for a large company. Bramante cited his experience in hiring and mentoring thousands of employees and is committed to looking within the RMLD as well as within the greater community for a replacement for retiring RMLD General Manager Colleen O’Brien. Bramante stated that the new general manager must be a person of “exceptional capabilities, proven leadership, and ethical standards.” Bramante confirmed that he will be an advocate for negotiation with power suppliers for the best rates and that he will also advocate for more efficient equipment in the homes of customers to help reduce costs. [Read More]
Meet the Candidates: Select Board
By Kevin Vendt
The Democratic Town Committee hosted a “Meet the Candidates” night on March 16, featuring the three candidates for the two available seats on the Select Board. Each candidate made an opening statement and fielded questions from the gathered audience at the Reading Public Library.

Incumbent Mark Dockser is a 25-year resident of Reading who has served on the Select Board for three years after having served nine years on the Finance Committee. “I’m running for reelection because I believe I have made a positive difference in town,” Dockser shared. Dockser then highlighted some board accomplishments from the past three years, including navigating the pandemic, renewal of the RMLD payment agreement, and the hiring of a new town manager.
Dockser emphasized three themes he would like to focus on moving forward: acting as a compass leading the community, promoting financial stability, and advocating for the needs of senior citizens. When asked why he considers the building of a new senior center to be preferable over remodeling the current Pleasant Street Center, Dockser noted that seniors make up over 27 percent of the community and that many prefer to use senior centers in other towns due to the deficiencies of Reading’s current space, such as the lack of accessible bathrooms and limited rooms. In conclusion, Dockser shared a vision of a Reading that acts with “balance, civility, kindness, and pragmatism.” [Read More]
Meet the Candidates: School Committee
Despite it being an uncontested election, both candidates for the two seats on the School Committee participated in the “Meet the Candidates” night hosted by the Reading Democratic Town Committee on March 16.

The first candidate is fifteen-year School Committee veteran Chuck Robinson. Robinson shared his excitement over how the new central office staff is already transforming the district. He believes that his years on the School Committee and his nine prior years on the Finance Committee make him the “gray hair in the room,” suggesting that his experience can help guide the committee in its work. Robinson continued by sharing his years of coaching experience and his direct participation in four rounds of collective bargaining agreements. [Read More]
By Kevin Vendt
Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning Dr. Sarah Hardy shared her report to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) regarding the Fiscal Year 2022 use of chapter 70 funding to the School Committee on Thursday. Hardy explained that the report required focus on two to three groups of students and which plans for the current year are meeting the needs of those students. “[DESE wants us to] do a few things well as opposed to a comprehensive plan,” Hardy commented.

Hardy’s report focuses on three groups of students, English language learners, low-income or economically disadvantaged students, and African-American or black students. Commitments have been made to use evidence-based program selection to aid students, especially in tier one instruction. These include research-based literacy tools in early education settings, acceleration academies, the expansion of social and emotional learning, and a focus on mental health needs. Budget money has been committed to these pursuits, and metrics to measure success have been identified.

School Committee member Sarah McLaughlin questioned why there was a limited focus on just these three groups. Hardy responded that DESE limited the scope and that these groups were small enough to measure results efficiently. “[The choice] was not an exclusionary measure,” Hardy explained. [Read More]
Funding included in $350M transportation infrastructure bond authorization 

Reading will receive $599,388 in state funding to help maintain local roads and bridges under a proposed $350 million transportation infrastructure bond bill recently approved by House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading), Representative Richard Haggerty (D-Woburn) and their colleagues in the House of Representatives. 

House Bill 4638, An Act financing improvements to municipal roads and bridges, was engrossed by the House on a unanimous roll call vote of 156-0 on March 30. The bill provides for $200 million in state borrowing for the Chapter 90 program for Fiscal Year 2023, while also authorizing an additional $150 million in funding for five municipal grant programs to assist cities and towns with their local transportation needs.  [Read More]
Following a long career in public service and utility management, Reading Municipal Light Department (RMLD) General Manager Coleen O’Brien has announced her retirement effective June 30, 2022. Ms. O’Brien served as RMLD’s General Manager for close to nine years; her tenure at the RMLD is the culmination of over 40 years of experience in the utility industry.  

“Coleen has provided invaluable leadership during her time at the RMLD,” said Robert Coulter, Chair of RMLD’s Board of Commissioners. “On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Coleen for her dedication and service to this utility and the people of this community. We wish her all the best in this exciting next chapter of her life.” [Read More]
Chief David Clark is pleased to share that the Reading Police Department will soon welcome the second of two comfort dogs that will be paired with its School Resource Officers (SROs). 

The first of two lab puppies arrived earlier this month, and the second puppy — which is now five weeks old — will join the department in about three weeks. School Resource Officer Brian Lewis is partnered with the first puppy, a black lab named Cooper, and the second puppy will be partnered with School Resource Officer Matt Vatcher. 

The Reading Police Department is launching a comfort dog program in partnership with the town and Reading Public Schools. A naming contest is open until April 13, with students invited to submit names for the second of the two dogs (pictured above) that will be coming to town. (Courtesy Photo Reading Police Department/Boonefield Labs)
Reading Police have seen an uptick in mental health-related calls in both schools and in the community at large since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and were seeking new strategies for responding to those calls in a way that deescalates situations and fosters positive interactions with residents. Officers Vatcher and Lewis helped conduct research that led to the initiative to add two comfort dogs. [Read More]
Chief David Clark is pleased to announce that the Reading Police Department will be showing support for those living on the autism spectrum throughout the month of April. 

Each year, Reading Police participate in the Autism Police Patch Program as part of National Autism Awareness Month. The patch, which will be worn by many officers, will also be made available to members of the community who donate at least $10 to the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism. 
“The month of April is an opportunity for our department to show our support and raise awareness for those living with Autism Spectrum Disorder, as well as their loved ones,” Chief Clark said. “This special patch is a visible reminder of our support and a great way for our community to get involved as well.”

Donors who would like to receive a patch should send a self-addressed stamped envelope to Community Service Officer Kristen O’Shaughnessy at the police station, 15 Union St., Reading, MA 01867, along with a check for $10 or more made out to the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism, or documentation of a donation made directly to the foundation. [Read More]
ALICE LIN Class of ‘22

Favorite Book: “Conspiracy 365” by Gabrielle Lord

Favorite Quote: “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” Mahatma Gandhi Favorite Subject: Spanish (with Mr. Binaghi)

Clubs/Activities: Editor of The Orbit, President of RMHS Art Club, President of Psychology
Club, Study Buddies, Symphonic Band, National Honor Society, Cards 4 Kindness, Spread Kindness Club, Culture Club, Writer of RMHS Senior Profiles for the Daily Times Chronicle

Plans After Graduation: Alice plans to attend college in the fall to major in psychology.