Finance Committee Sends Override Options to Select Board
Town Hall is overhauling how Reading collects trash and recycling, a shift Town Manager Jayne Wellman detailed this week on "Reading Between the Lines," the town's podcast with RCTV, as crews wrapped a roadwork closure on High Street ahead of its Friday reopening.
TOWN HALL Town officials used this week's News Flash bulletin to promote a move toward automated trash and recycling collection, describing it as a significant change to Department of Public Works service. Wellman walked through the new program in the latest podcast episode, with further details posted on the town's website.
High Street has been partially closed for roadwork since July 14 and is set to reopen Friday, July 17; the town says businesses along the corridor have remained open throughout. Separately, the East Middlesex Mosquito Control Project is running truck-mounted aerosol spraying across Reading through the summer, and Town Hall is promoting two lower-key civic initiatives: the "Let Grow" independence challenge, a free program encouraging kids' unsupervised outdoor time, and an open call for resident photos of Reading to refresh the town's website and social media.
ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS "What override choices and budget impacts Reading's Select Board will debate tonight" — Reading's Patch newsletter flagged a Select Board session taking up potential budget override choices and their impact on town finances. Per Reading Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/reading).
"What zoning changes could reshape Reading's Eastern Gateway and ADU rules?" — Patch's newsletter previewed upcoming zoning discussion covering the town's Eastern Gateway district and accessory dwelling unit rules; the town's own public calendar lists an Eastern Gateway Steering Committee meeting for July 21. Per Reading Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/reading).
"Fiscal Year 2027 State Budget Includes $50K for Reading Council on Aging Van" — The state's fiscal 2027 budget sets aside $50,000 for a Reading Council on Aging van and increases the town's Chapter 70 school aid and unrestricted local aid, according to a post 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 Senator Jason Lewis's office said the Massachusetts Senate passed a bill limiting autoplay, "infinite scroll" and other design features aimed at youth social media accounts. Via Reading Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/reading).
"30+ MA Beaches Closed As Smoky Haze Makes Comeback: See Latest Forecast" — Patch reported that wildfire smoke drifting down from Ontario returned to darken Massachusetts skies this week after briefly clearing Thursday morning, prompting beach closures statewide. Per Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/reading).
COMING UP Reading's public meeting calendar has a busy week ahead: 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; and the Contributory Retirement Board and Conservation Commission both meet Wednesday, July 22.