High Street Reopens After Days-Long Roadwork Closure
READING — High Street's roadwork closure was set to lift Friday, while state budget news brought a $50,000 boost for a Council on Aging van and a Beacon Hill crackdown on social media features aimed at kids drew local attention this week.
TOWN HALL
High Street was closed to through traffic from July 14 through July 17 for roadwork, according to the town's News Flash update, though local businesses along the corridor remained open and accessible throughout the closure.
Town officials also highlighted upcoming changes to trash and recycling services, part of a broader shift toward automated collection. Town Manager Jayne Wellman discussed the changes in a new episode of "Reading Between the Lines," the town's podcast produced with RCTV. Separately, the East Middlesex Mosquito Control Project continues truck-mounted aerosol spraying around town this summer, with a published schedule available through the town's site, and the town is soliciting resident photo submissions for a refresh of its website and social media presence.
Several town boards and committees have meetings on the calendar for the coming week, including the Town Forest Committee, Housing Authority, Killam School Building Committee, Eastern Gateway Steering Committee, Contributory Retirement Board, and Conservation Commission.
COMMUNITY & ARTS
The Let Grow Summer Independence Challenge, a free community program encouraging kids' independence, has launched in Reading this summer, according to the town's homepage announcement. Reading also marks Disability Pride Month throughout July, with Nelson Mandela International Day observed Saturday, July 18, and the anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act coming up July 26.
ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS
"Fiscal Year 2027 State Budget Includes $50K for Reading Council on Aging Van" — the state budget signed this cycle includes $50,000 earmarked for a Reading Council on Aging van, along with increases in Chapter 70 education aid and unrestricted local aid for the town, according to a release from the office of House Minority Leader Brad Jones, via Reading Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/reading).
"Senator Lewis and Mass. Senate Crack Down on Big Social Media Companies that Target Youth" — state lawmakers passed a bill restricting autoplay, "infinite scroll," and other algorithm-driven features on youth social media accounts, per a release from Sen. Jason Lewis's office carried by Reading Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/reading).
"🌱 Patch AM: What zoning changes could reshape Reading's Eastern Gateway and ADU rules?" — Reading Patch's morning roundup flagged pending zoning discussions touching the Eastern Gateway area and accessory dwelling unit rules as a story to watch, according to Patch AM (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/reading).
"What Sold: Reading's 10 Most Recent Closings" — Patch published its regular rundown of the most recent home sales in Reading based on Zillow data, according to Reading Patch reporter Chris Rhatigan (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/reading).
"Breathing Wildfire Smoke In MA Equal To Smoking 9 Cigarettes: Doctor" — a doctor quoted in the story compared recent wildfire-smoke exposure across Massachusetts, including Reading, to the health impact of smoking multiple cigarettes, according to Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/reading).
COMING UP
The Town Forest Committee, Housing Authority, and Killam School Building Committee all meet Monday, July 20. The Eastern Gateway Steering Committee meets Tuesday, July 21. The Contributory Retirement Board and Conservation Commission both meet Wednesday, July 22. Nelson Mandela International Day is Saturday, July 18, and the ADA anniversary falls on Sunday, July 26.