Select Board 10-20-2026

The Reading Select Board meeting held October 20, 2026, discussed municipal finances, infrastructure, and an upcoming $6.5 million override ballot question. No procurement awards, bids, or vendor contracts were approved. The Board voted 4–0 to approve parking amendments 2026-4 and 2026-5, changing restrictions on three Haven Street spaces to support customer turnover, and amendment 2026-6, establishing two 30-minute spaces near Town Hall’s entrance while staff and engineering review a broader lot redesign. Members also discussed adding accessible parking spaces downtown. The Town Manager reported that the High Street beautification work is expected to reopen the intersection before the holiday shopping season, with signals and lighting planned this year and remaining finish work next spring. If the override fails, potential DPW reductions include fewer paving and tree-planting funds, no annual capital funding for fields and playgrounds, and possible position cuts.

The Board voted 4–0 to approve and send a letter challenging the MWRA’s proposed combined sewer overflow plan and requesting clearer cost, affordability, and funding information. The discussion cited a roughly $1.3 billion regional project, a projected Reading obligation of about $28 million under the lower-cost scenario, and an estimated $68.4 million under the higher scenario; the letter was to go to the MWRA and other officials, including state leadership and Reading’s delegation. The Town Manager and CFO also reported projected new growth of $456,000, below the $830,000 budget assumption, and uncertainty about relying on investment income to support future budgets. RCTV described declining cable-franchise revenue and efforts to diversify funding, including a Reading Cooperative Bank sponsorship; no town purchase or funding commitment was made. The Board did not vote on endorsing the override during this meeting.