Board clears razing of 1792 Porter house

From Reading News

• Zoning board allows razing of 1792 Porter house. Reading's Zoning Board of Appeals took up developer Giuseppe Rovita's request to demolish the Salem Street house as preservationists and neighbors argued the circa-1792 murals attributed to Rufus Porter deserved more time to be saved.Reading News
• Select Board tables $600,000 field lighting plan. Reading's Select Board weighed whether to fund a $600,000 Driscoll Field lighting project this fall or push it to spring Town Meeting, as the board wrestled with budget strain ahead of a $6.5 million property tax override vote.Reading News
• Board of Health seeks full kratom ban. Reading's Board of Health moved toward a full ban on kratom sales after a consultant warned of a rising statewide death toll, while members also debated mandatory penalties for tobacco violations and a license transfer for a Main Street store.Reading News

Reading on Fri, Oct 9

• New podcast episode tackles FY28 override. Town Manager Jayne Wellman released a new episode of her Reading Between the Lines podcast on October 9, focused on the fiscal 2028 override question headed to voters November 3.Town of Reading
• Reading Recreation launches Snow Patrol volunteer program. Reading Recreation and Reading Elder Services launched Snow Patrol on October 9, a new volunteer program pairing residents willing to shovel snow with neighbors who need help after storms.Town of Reading
• ReCAL senior center construction hits milestones. The Reading Center for Active Living project advanced in October with roof trusses installed and framing underway, plus completed stone dust walking paths behind the new pickleball courts, the town said.Town of Reading
• Voters to decide Community Preservation Act Nov. 3. Reading Patch reports voters will decide in November whether to adopt the Community Preservation Act, a surcharge-funded program for open space, historic preservation and affordable housing.Reading Patch

Coming up

• Tue, Oct 13, 5:00 p.m.: Library hosts Connected Reading community open house. Reading Public Library hosts a Connected Reading open house October 13 from 5 to 7 p.m. at 64 Middlesex Avenue, inviting residents to learn about community programs and services.Reading Public Library
• Tue, Oct 13, 11:30 a.m.: Conservation Commission holds regular meeting. Reading's Conservation Commission holds a regular meeting October 13 at 11:30 a.m., open to the public.Town of Reading
• Wed, Oct 14, 9:00 a.m.: Select Board, Finance Committee attend override forum. Members of Reading's Select Board and Finance Committee plan to attend a public forum on the fiscal 2028 override October 14 at 9 a.m., ahead of the November 3 ballot question.Town of Reading
• Wed, Oct 14, 3:15 p.m.: Birch Meadow school council meets Wednesday. Birch Meadow Elementary's School Council holds its regular meeting October 14 at 3:15 p.m.Town of Reading
• Wed, Oct 14, 6:30 p.m.: Historical Commission meets Wednesday night. Reading's Historical Commission meets October 14 at 6:30 p.m., its first session since the Zoning Board's vote on the 1792 Salem Street house.Town of Reading
• Wed, Oct 14, 7:00 p.m.: Finance Committee meets Wednesday evening. Reading's Finance Committee holds a regular meeting October 14 at 7 p.m., with the fiscal 2028 override vote approaching November 3.Town of Reading
• Thu, Oct 15: Reading schools mark Spirit Day Thursday. Reading Public Schools recognizes Spirit Day on October 15, as listed on the town's event calendar.Town of Reading

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Compiled from official town feeds, community organizations, and local press. Outside reporting is attributed inline.