Town of Reading, MA

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Town of Reading, MA

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Sign-up for Emergency and Community Alerts from Reading, MA - Click the Sign-up button above. Official page for the Town of Reading, Massachusetts.

Reading is known as a great place to live - just ask anyone who lives here! Noted for its award-winning schools and outstanding Town services, Reading is a community of excellence. Reading has a safe, small-town feel with welcoming neighborhoods where people know and care for each other, and the Town offers its residents many recreational and cultural opportunities, both within the community and as part of the greater Boston region. Reading is a stable and progressive community that thoughtfully plans for its future. The community values and preserves its history and open spaces while actively supporting smart growth, and a vibrant downtown. Reading has a strong sense of community and a long tradition of civic engagement and volunteerism. And as if that is not enough, Reading is located just 12 miles from the center of Boston with its many world renowned cultural, recreational, and educational opportunities. New England's beautiful beaches, mountains, and historic sites are a short drive from Reading. The center of Boston is a short 25 minute train ride from Reading's downtown, and Boston’s Logan International Airport is less than 15 miles away.

10/30/2026

The Town of Reading is sharing a frequently asked question each day to help residents better understand the proposed FY28 override.
Today, the question is: "What is a structural deficit?”

A structural deficit occurs when a town’s recurring expenses consistently exceed its recurring revenues. In Reading, costs such as health insurance, pensions, utilities, and waste disposal are growing faster than revenue. Proposition 2½ constrains property tax revenue growth, while state aid has not kept pace with inflation, placing greater pressure on local taxpayers.

Reading’s projected FY28 structural deficit is approximately $9.8 million. The proposed $6.5 million override, paired with $3 million in free cash reserves, would cover most of that gap; the remaining approximately $300,000 would still need to be addressed to balance the budget.

Follow along for more FAQs and helpful information leading up to Election Day. Please send your questions to [email protected].

To see the full list of frequently asked questions for the override, visit: https://www.readingma.gov/Faq.aspx?TID=63.

10/30/2026

Reminder: Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday! Don’t forget to set your clocks back one hour before bed.

You can also use this time to test, check and replace the batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.

10/30/2026

Good morning, alert citizens,

After much anticipation the intersection at High and Haven is open. While the project isn’t yet complete, the major portion of the work is done and the intersection is open. Next steps include completing sidewalks, streetlights and half wall will happen in the next couple of months, then plantings, bollards, and final paving next spring.

The project implements streetscape improvements that enhance the public realm, boosting walkability, accessibility, safety, and connectivity throughout downtown and the Depot Area. The redesign aims to activate public spaces through placemaking and transit-oriented development.

Kevin McCarthy, Economic Development Director, took this video this morning.

This streetscape project is funded by a 2023 $2.6 million MassWorks Infrastructure grant from the Commonwealth's One Stop for Growth program.

For more details on the project visit: https://ma-reading.civicplus.com/923/High-Street-Downtown-Streetscape-Project

10/29/2026

The Town of Reading is sharing a frequently asked question each day to help residents better understand the proposed FY28 override. Today, the question is: " Will fee-based kindergarten be reinstated in Reading? What will it cost?"

Currently, reinstating full-day kindergarten tuition is one option being considered by the school district, but no decision has been made at this time.

If we were to reinstate kindergarten tuition, full-day kindergarten would still be available to all age-eligible students in Reading. As was the case when tuition was charged in the past, we would also need to offer a part-time option for families. The School Committee would make the final decision on the tuition amount for the 2027-28 school year, as they have done in previous years when setting the kindergarten tuition rate. If tuition were reinstated, we would likely have more information about the specific tuition amount in the coming spring.

Follow along for more FAQs and helpful information leading up to Election Day. Please send your questions to [email protected]

To see the full list of frequently asked questions for the override, visit: https://www.readingma.gov/Faq.aspx?TID=63.

10/28/2026

The Town of Reading is sharing a frequently asked question each day to help residents better understand the proposed FY28 override. Today, the question is: "What are practical impacts to the Reading Massachusetts Police Department the Override doesn't pass?"

If the override doesn’t pass the police department will not fill two open police positions, as well as an open administrative position. Additional layoffs could come from civilian staff, crossing guards, parking officers, the Coalition for Prevention and Support and dispatch. Department staffing would fall below the level funded budget following the 2018 override.

Another impact would be community policing. This helps build trust between police officers and residents through outreach, education, partnerships, and community events. If staffing is reduced, officers and staff may need to prioritize emergency calls and essential coverage, leaving less time for community outreach and engagement.

Programs such as the Citizens Police Academy, Youth Academy, RAD Women”s Self-Defense Course, Cops vs. Kids at the YMCA, Police Open House, and Special Olympics participation could be reduced or become more difficult to maintain.

Speaking of Community Policing, our latest episode of "Reading Between the Lines" is all about policing in Reading! On this episode Deputy Chief Christine Amendola and community police Officer DaLonn Pearson join Town Manager Jayne Wellman. Watch the podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ctq32J1Q4Y

Please send your questions to [email protected].

To see the full list of frequently asked questions for the override, visit: https://www.readingma.gov/Faq.aspx?TID=63

10/28/2026

Attention Reading residents! Massachusetts has announced a new Middle-Income Heating Oil Relief program to help households that may not qualify for traditional fuel assistance. Please share this information with friends, family, and neighbors who may benefit from this program.

Who may qualify? Households earning between 60% and 100% of the State Median Income, with income limits based on household size.

Applications are expected to open in December 2026 and remain open through April 30, 2027, or until funding runs out.

Residents can find out more information by going to https://www.mass.gov/info-details/middle-income-heating-oil-relief

Residents can complete the interest form and learn more directly from the state https://www.mass.gov/forms/expanded-heating-assistance-interest-form

10/27/2026

The Town of Reading is sharing a frequently asked question each day to help residents better understand the proposed FY28 override. Today, the question is: "What has the Town done so far to control costs?"

The Town has taken several steps to manage expenses and identify savings, including renegotiating health insurance saving $3.9 million, negotiating over $100K in savings for property and casualty insurance agreements, leaving some positions unfilled, increasing fees for services, reducing office supply expenses, and lowering the FY27 capital budget allocation from 5% to 4.5%.

These measures are part of the Town’s broader effort to manage costs while addressing its long-term structural budget deficit.

Follow along for more FAQs and helpful information leading up to Election Day. Please send your questions to [email protected].

To see the full list of frequently asked questions for the override, visit: https://www.readingma.gov/Faq.aspx?TID=63

10/27/2026

Early voting for the November 3 State Election ends Friday October 30. If you haven't voted yet, there is still time to cast your ballot in person at Reading Town Hall, 16 Lowell St.

If you plan to vote on Election Day, polls will be open 7:00 AM–8:00 PM on Tuesday, November 3 at the Reading Memorial High School Field House, 62 Oakland Road.

For additional election information, visit the Town Clerk’s election webpage. https://www.readingma.gov/254/Elections

10/26/2026

The Town of Reading is sharing a frequently asked question each day to help residents better understand the proposed FY28 override.

Today, the question is: "Is it true that recycling in Reading is changing to bi-weekly (every other week) at the start on FY28 (July 2027)?"

Yes. Regardless of the outcome of the override, recycling is switching from every week to every other week on July 1, 2027. This switch saves approximately $437,000 in FY28. This current contract increased our overall trash and recycling fee by more than 39%, making this a financially sound change.

Follow along for more FAQs and helpful information leading up to Election Day.
Please send your questions to [email protected].

To see the full list of frequently asked questions for the override, visit: https://www.readingma.gov/Faq.aspx?TID=63

10/26/2026

Join Town of Reading and Reading Public Schools officials this Wednesday, October 28, starting at 6:00 PM for the final opportunity to ask your questions about Reading’s financial outlook and the proposed FY28 override.

Town Manager Jayne Wellman and Superintendent Dr. Henry Turner are setting aside this time for resident questions and to provide information on the upcoming override.

Virtual via Zoom Webinar: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85024213786

Visit the FY28 Tax Override webpage for more information and FAQs: https://www.readingma.gov/FY28Override

Send in your questions to [email protected]. We hope to see you there.

Address

16 Lowell Street
Reading, MA
01867

Website

http://readingma.gov/, https://www.readingma.gov/145/Stay-Connected

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