Town Manager’s July Report: construction progress, state funding, and more
(3-minute read)
Reading’s Town Manager Jayne Wellman released a new report this month covering major construction milestones, state funding wins, budget planning, and community programming across town departments. Here’s a look at the highlights.
Major wins
The Killam School building project came in $14.8 million under budget after rebidding, with the contract now signed with Brait Builders and site work starting in early July
The state awarded Reading $244,971.67 in Winter Recovery Assistance Program funding, $75,000 in transportation earmarks, and $100,000 in educational earmarks
The Governor signed Reading’s senior property tax exemption extensions and Town Charter updates
The town’s HR team secured nearly $45,000 in MIIA grant-funded training, equipment, and wellness services at no cost to taxpayers
Roadway and infrastructure updates
High Street downtown improvements continue, with a proactively replaced water main on Chute Street completed overnight to prevent future breaks
The Salem/Main traffic signal relocation is underway
Pedestrian safety upgrades near Memorial Park were scheduled to begin the week of June 29
Annual pacing begins July 6 with Lazaro Paving
Additional accessible parking spaces are being added downtown and near the Depot
The ReCAL project and pickleball project are both on time and under budget, with the pickleball courts on track to open in September
Budget planning
The Select Board and Finance Committee are reviewing FY28 budget plans and weighing a possible operational override vote in November, ranging from $7.5 million to $12 million. The Finance Committee will review options at its next meeting on July 15.
Community programs and events
Town Manager office hours continue to grow, especially outdoor summer sessions on the Town Common
The “Reading Between the Lines” podcast released a new episode on Reading’s revolutionary history
Porchfest, Juneteenth, Friends and Family Day, and the Pride Parade all drew strong community turnout
Seven participants have been appointed to the Senior Property Tax Worker Program
Conservation Division: new trail connection underway
Volunteers from Nest Step Ministries, a youth service organization for ages 12 to 17, are working with the Conservation Division to build a new trail connection at Pinevale Conservation Area. The project includes a 100-ft boardwalk and 60 ft of bog bridging, linking Pinevale’s trail network to Warren Ave and Washington Park Path. Work is expected to wrap up next week.
Next Step Ministries volunteers construct a boardwalk frame using timber and culvert supports at Pinevale Conservation Area. Photo from the July Town Manager Minute newsletter.
A newly built boardwalk winds through the wetland area at Pinevale Conservation Area, part of the trail connection project. Photo from the July Town Manager Minute newsletter.
Looking ahead
The Town’s new trash and recycling contract with Republic Services begins Monday, July 6, and early planning is underway for the November “Pumpin Smash” composting event.
Read the full Town Manager’s Report on the town website for more in-depth coverage of these updates.
