The Town Manager Minute
October 2022
HERE'S WHAT'S HAPPENIN'!
October 6th @ 3:00 PM - Public Power Week Open house at RMLD

October 6th @ 7:00 PM - Economic Development Forum

October 15th @ 10:00 AM - Fire Department Annual Open House

October 18th @ 5:30 PM - New Residents Open House at the Library

October 20th @ 10:00 AM - Coffee with a Cop at Cafe Nero

October 22nd - the start of early voting

October 22nd @ 1:00 PM - Beer Garden on the Common

October 26th @ 4:00 PM - Downtown Trick or Treat

October 26th @ 7:00 PM - Financial Forum

Keep reading for more details on these events plus more!
HOLIDAYS
Town Hall will be closed for the following recognized Holidays:

  • Monday, October 10th - Columbus Day/ Indigenous Peoples Day


P.S. This means trash pick-up will be delayed by one day this week!
SELECT BOARD OFFICE HOURS
October 11th - Haley
Select Board Member Chris Haley will hold office hours on October 11th at the Pleasant Street Center from 11:00 AM - 12 noon.

If you can't make the office hour but wish to speak with a Select Board member, you can email the board at any time.
GET INVOLVED!
hands_together_sand.jpg
Have some free time on your hands? Ever considered volunteering? The Town of Reading relies on many volunteers to collaborate with staff to help achieve community goals. We have over 20 boards and committees with varying interests, responsibilities and commitment levels.

Current Vacancies include but not limited to:
  • Finance Committee
  • CPDC
  • Conservation Commission
  • Zoning Board of Appeals
Olde Redding Faire
Since 1957 First Congregational Church of Reading United Church of Christ (25 Woburn St, Reading) has hosted its fall faire with games, bargain sales, silent auction, and delicious food. Come on down for community, baked goods, books, puzzles, music from the Reading Community Concert Band, silent auction, jewelry, kids activities, and farm stand. Come be a part of this 65-year town tradition! Funds raised from this year's event benefit Reading Food Pantry, Mission of Deeds, as well as First Congregational Church and its community partners providing assistance to those in our community and beyond.
FOOD DRIVE!
RMLD Open House
National Public Power Week
In recognition of National Public Power Week (October 3-9), Reading Municipal Light Department (RMLD) invites customers to attend an Open House on Thursday, October 6th from 3:00pm to 6:00pm at RMLD’s Garage located at 218 Ash Street, Reading. This fun and educational event will feature a touch-a-truck event, face painting, balloon art, a caricaturist, kid’s games and prizes, pumpkin decorating, a lineman dress-up activity, an electric vehicle showcase, and more. RMLD staff will offer education on electricity, electrical safety, energy conservation, and information about rebate and efficiency programs.

Public Power Week is an annual national event to celebrate the more than 2,000 community owned, not-for-profit utilities that provide electricity to 49 million Americans.
Economic Development Public Forum
The Economic Development Division will be hosting its annual Economic Development Public Forum on October 6, 2022 from 7:00PM to 9:00PM. This year, Gamble Associates will be returning to help facilitate a public forum to generate neighborhood feedback on design concepts for “The Yard” (between MBTA tracks and Ash Street). In 2019, Gamble Associates presented a conceptual plan and the Town would like to reengage with the public to learn more about community preferences on this vision. Topics include access/circulation/connectivity, potential future property uses, and natural resource restoration. This community planning initiative is to help the Town continue to proactively be ready for any future economic development opportunities in this area per the Town’s Economic Development Action Plan.

Fire Department Open House
Fire Prevention Week
The Reading Fire Department will be observing Fire Prevention Week October 9-15!

The week will be capped off with an Open House at the Fire Headquarters at 757 Main Street on Saturday, Oct 15, from 10AM - 2PM with Demonstrations and Activities for all ages.

Pizza and snacks will be served!

Please note: there is NO parking available at the fire station. Please park at Town Hall and in surrounding downtown areas.
SCARECROW CONTEST!
Lions Club Annual Contest
The second annual Scarecrow Contest is back! This is a family-friendly & fun way to celebrate fall while raising money for local charities. $20 donation includes a Scarecrow Basics Kit (if needed) - and there are prizes for Scariest, Funniest, and Best Overall! You provide the creative flair. We'll be at Harrow's, 126 Main Street, Reading with kits on Sunday Oct 3 & 9, 11am-1pm and Monday Oct 4 & 10 from 2-4pm. You can email for delivery and more details: readinglions01867@gmail.com.
YMCA Programs
Laurel Kluge Ribbon Run
Our annual Laurel Kluge 5k race will be on Sunday, October 16th at 9:00 AM. All proceeds from this race go to our amazing Pink program. This program is a FREE workout program for breast cancer survivors that's specific to their needs and abilities. It meets 2x/week and allows women to feel a sense of community, as well as feel empowered, strong and energetic. It truly is a wonderful program offered to the community to which I have seen the positive effects on the women who participate - many of whom will be at the event!

New Resident Open House
Attention new Reading residents! If you have moved to Reading after the last open house in Spring of 2019, you are invited to attend the New Resident Open House event on Tuesday, October 18th from 5:30PM to 7:30PM at the Reading Public Library. Meet representatives from Town government, schools, youth groups, community & religious organizations; learn about services, programs, and events in Reading; enjoy refreshments while you mingle with other new residents. The first 50 new residents to register will receive a welcome bag filled with information and swag from local businesses (one welcome bag per household). This event is hosted in partnership by the Town of Reading, Reading Public Library, and Reading-North Reading Chamber.
Please register at https://libcal.readingpl.org/event/9405881 or by calling (781) 944 - 0840. Register by October 14th
BEER GARDEN ON THE COMMON
SKATOBERFEST
Come down to the Town Common on October 22nd from 1:00 pm - 7:00 pm for our last Beer Garden on The Common of the season.

This event, being titled Skatoberfest, will feature local brews from Wondering Soul Beer Co., Hopothecary Ales, and Small Change Brewing Company!

Bring the kids, listen to some music, taste some good beer, eat some good food and play some games!
POLICE DEPARTMENT NEWS
R.A.D.
R.A.D. is a Rape Aggression Defense class for women hosted by the Police Department.

The next round of R.A.D. classes will start November 7th and is a 4-night course.

The class is free of charge.

For more information or to sign up, please reach out to Community Service Officer Kristen O'Shaughnessy at 781-942-6761 or KOshaughnessy@ci.reading.ma.us
RECREATION
Downtown Trick or Treat
Reading Rec presents their annual downtown trick or treat night. Dress up and go trick or treating at the downtown businesses including Town Hall!

Ski and Snowboard
Reading Recreation is pleased to offer the Nashoba Valley Ski and Snowboard Program in 2023!  This program will run for five consecutive weeks starting the first week in January. If the program is forced to run into late March, cancelled sessions cannot be made up and refunds/credits will not be granted by either the Reading Recreation Division or Nashoba Valley Ski Area.

Registration will open on Tuesday, October 18th at 8:00AM and will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. Transportation will take place at the lot across from Coolidge Middle School. Children must arrive no later than 3:15pm and parents must be at the pick-up no later than 6:45pm. The program begins Tuesday, January 3, 2023.

DPW Fall Events
Hazardous Materials Collection
Saturday, October 1st, 2022
8:30 AM - 12:30 PM
@ Wakefield High School
60 Farm St, Wakefield, MA

Questions?
Call 781-942-9077
New Water/Sewer Rates
*Effective for Usage as of September 6, 2022

  • Water: $11.41
  • Sewer: $10.86
  • Storm Water: $15.00

These rates are effective with the December 2022 Water billing cycle.

All usage and readings are in 100 cubic feet.
100 cubic feet equals 748 gallons.
Mattress Disposal Notice
Mass DEP has made amendments to its waste ban regulations which includes the banning of mattresses from the trash stream and requiring them to be recycled.

Beginning on Monday, October 31st, Republic Services will no longer be picking up mattresses or box springs. The Town is actively seeking vendors for this service.

In the meantime, if you have any questions, please call the DPW Administration Office at 781-942-9077
Library Content
NEW!
This month, we’re pleased to launch The Healing Library, containing books, resources, and activities to help navigate grief or trauma. Patrons may choose from 10 kits, available to browse at the library or to check out. The Healing Library was designed by Ashley Waring, RPL Children's Librarian, in partnership with the Reading Coalition for Prevention & Support and the Reading Public School Behavioral Health Team. Each kit contains books, resources, and activities to help steer through topics such as depression, divorce and family change, gender identity, and various forms of grief. 
Community Read
The Community Read continues through October 8! On October 4 don’t miss our virtual visit with Lisa Fipps, author of Starfish. If you’ve read a book, attended an event, or contributed to a virtual discussion, please fill out our participation form & thank you!
Trick or Treat Storytime
What would Octoboo be without RPL’s Trick or Treat Storytime? Wear your favorite costume to the library for songs, stories, and rhymes and then follow the librarians on a haunted trip through the library for treats! This story hour is open to the whole family but best for young friends aged 6 or younger.
MAGIC!
Curious kids will love What is Magic? On October 13 Ed Popielarczyk presents a behind-the-scenes look at magic tricks and what magicians do. This is the first event in a new series called Who? What? Where? funded by the MEFA Youth Literacy Initiative and is part of the UFUND Start U Reading series.
Thanks to the Friends of the Reading Public Library for their generous support of many of our programs! 
Superintendent's Corner
Update from the Reading Public Schools Office of Learning and Teaching
Dear Reading Community,

As we enter October, Reading Public Schools (RPS) is excited to see many of our learning and teaching goals and priorities taking off and gaining traction. Our leadership team, working with teachers and staff, has planned a number of important initiatives aimed at supporting student growth and achievement during the 2022-2023 school year. Below we are pleased to share information about a few.

A priority in RPS is increasing student access to high-quality, research-based instructional practices and curricular resources. To this end, we have adopted two new programs, Illustrative Math and ARC Core. We started implementing Illustrative Math in grades 3 to 6 last school year, and this school year we continue implementation with kindergarten to grade 2. Illustrative Math is a program that supports conceptual development in math through problem solving and critical thinking. In grades three to five, we are launching the ARC Core literacy program, which teaches students reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. ARC Core is grounded in research about how students learn to read and develop literacy skills. Next school year, we will continue ARC Core implementation with kindergarten to grade 2. High-quality programs, like Illustrative Math and ARC Core, provide our teachers with the resources necessary to ensure all students meet with success and achieve at high levels.

At the secondary level, we are also focused on increasing student access to high-quality, research-based instructional practices and curricular resources. At our middle schools, we are launching a literacy leadership team to review our current curriculum and instructional practices in reading and writing instruction. This team will recommend next steps for middle school literacy programming and professional development for staff. At Reading Memorial High School, we have expanded the role of our talented department heads to provide high-quality coaching and feedback to teachers. This year we are providing feedback related to rigorous instructional practices and tasks that support critical thinking. This focus on high-quality, research-based curricular materials and instructional practices is foundational to strong outcomes for all of our students.

Another priority in RPS is ensuring all students have access to interesting and challenging coursework that will prepare them for college and career. One initiative focused on this priority is establishing Innovation Pathways at Reading Memorial High School. Innovation Pathways are a series of courses and internship experiences aligned with high-demand industries, such as computer science and engineering, allowing students to graduate from high school with unique college and career skills, knowledge-base and aptitudes. As we work to establish Innovation Pathways at RMHS, we will partner with local businesses who will advise regarding industry needs and may also support student internships. RMHS also plans to launch an academic support center, aimed at providing all of our students with access to targeted support and tutoring across all academic areas. Students will benefit tremendously from these increased opportunities for real-world learning and ongoing academic support.  

These are just a few of the exciting initiatives underway in learning and teaching. During this school year, we encourage the community to stay connected with our district through our new website (www.reading.k12.ma.us), our Facebook page (Reading Public Schools), our Twitter page (@Reading_Schools), our Instagram page (@readingcentral22), or through signing up for our weekly district videos by emailing Susan.Brown@reading.k12.ma.us. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with your ideas, questions, or feedback. We look forward to the year ahead and as always, go Rockets!

Sincerely,
Dr. Sarah Hardy, RPS Assistant Superintendent for Learning and Teaching
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