HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004 Annual Report
FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT
Accounting
The Accounting Department is responsible for ensuring that all financial transactions of
the Town are in compliance with legal requirements, and are properly recorded on a timely basis.
Additionally, the Accounting Department maintains all financial records of the Town in order to
develop all of the financial reports and schedules that are required to provide meaningful and
accurate information for decision making.
The Town used the auditing firm of Melanson & Heath for its FY 2004 audit.
Management letter recommendations for more internal auditing and attention to regulations for
processing receipts have been followed.
Assessment
Assessment of property is the first step in the process of tax revenue collection for the
Town of Reading. The Assessment Division's function is to provide for the fair and equitable
assessment of all taxable real and personal property. FY 2005 was the triennial revaluation year
when values must be certified by the State Department of Revenue. Informal hearings were held
to answer the questions of property owners’ regarding their values. There were 87 applications
for abatement filed. This is a small percentage given that there are 8500+ parcels of real estate in
Reading.
The tax rate for Fiscal 2005 was set at $12.57 per thousand, an increase of $.34 per
thousand over the Fiscal 2004 rate of $12.23 per thousand. The total assessed value of all of the
8,500+ properties for Fiscal 2005 is $3,362,233,820. The tax rate went up largely because of
Wood End and High School debt exclusions from Proposition 2½ which were approved by the
voters on February 25, 2003. The average single family house in Reading is now valued at
$419,900, an increase of $28,500 over the FY 2004 average single family house. This increase
in value reflects calendar 2003 sales.
The breakdown of Reading property values is as follows:
Residential $3,139,161,400 93.365%
Commercial 186,339,900 5.542%
Industrial 23,298,000 .693%
Personal 13,434,520 .399%
Since the Town's residential property is over 93% of the value, the Board of Assessors
again recommended and the Board of Selectmen concurred that it is wise to keep the tax rate the
same for all classes of property. Shifting of the tax burden to commercial properties would be a
large burden to the businesses, with little tax relief for individual property owners. At the
classification hearing, the Board of Selectmen also decided not to shift the tax burden within the
residential class to non-residential owners, or to adopt a small commercial property exemption.
Finance and Accounting Department
Collection of Taxes
In Fiscal 2004, the Town Collection Office reduced the total of deferred, liened and
delinquent taxes by $122,000 to $561,000. Deferred taxes accounted for 19% of the total and
will be collected upon the sale of the property. Only 1.47% of the tax levy was outstanding
which is a drop from 2.09% in Fiscal 2003.
Lien Certificate activity slowed in Fiscal 2004 as interest rates began to increase.
Approximately 1,700 certificates were processed which netted $43,856 to the general fund, down
from 3,100 certificates and $78,000 in receipts in FY 2003. Excise tax collections were
$2,823,284, an increase of $153,318 over Fiscal Year 2003. The non- renewal of licenses and
registrations at the State Registry of Motor Vehicles when excise taxes are delinquent is a very
effective tool in excise collections.
Technology
The Technology Division serves all Town Departments including those at Town Hall,
School, Library, Fire, Police and the Senior Center. The Town’s web page has been updated
with current information such as the values of Town properties. The address for those who
would like to access it is: http://www.ci.reading.ma.us
Human Resources
The Finance Department includes the Human Resources Division for the Town under the
direction of the Town Manager, and for the School Department under the direction of the School
Superintendent. Retiree and Light Department issues are also handled.
Employee benefits administered through the division consist of health insurance, deferred
compensation, cafeteria benefits, disability insurance, sick leave bank, workers' compensation,
employee assistance program and personal leave. Workers' Compensation and Health Insurance
are premium based programs through the Massachusetts Inter-Local Insurance Association. Blue
Cross/Blue Shield products offered to Town employees and retirees experienced a 7.2% increase
in rates on March 1, 2004 and an 18.5 % increase on March 1, 2005. The Health Insurance
Advisory Committee and Finance Department staff are researching the reasons for the large
increase.
Treasurer
Interest earnings rates for general fund accounts ranged from .35% to 2.5% for FY 2004.
Total investment income on the general fund was $476,745, an increase of $203,270 over FY
2003 interest earnings.
In January 2005, the Town borrowed $8,686,000 in temporary borrowing in the form of
one year Bond Anticipation Notes (BANS). The rate was 3.25% with a premium of $84,909.03.
School Building Assistance in the amount of $6,180,000 was paid in cash up front for the two
elementary schools, eliminating the need to borrow those amounts. Wood End School BANS
were issued in the amount $3,338,019, and Barrows School BANS in the amount of $3,700,981.
High School BANS were rolled over in the amount of $650,000 as were BANS for water mains
at Birch Meadow ($487,000) and BANS for water mains on Summer Avenue ($510,000).
Finance and Accounting Department
The Town also sold $6,480,000 in twenty year bonds for the Wood End School
($3,065,000), Barrows School ($2,415,000) and the Water Treatment Plant ($1,000,000). The
interest rate was 3.89% with a premium of $50,335. This debt is for the Town’s share of funding
the school building projects. Except for a small part of the Wood End debt, it will be funded
through the tax rate. (It is not excluded from Prop 2½.)
Trust Funds
The Town's Trust Fund Commissioners continued to administer the Reading Response
Program which provides health services to needy citizens of Reading. At the suggestion of the
Commissioners, the Selectmen appointed a committee to determine whether a facility could be
built with the approximately $4,000,000 in the Trust as seed money. This action would carry out
the original purpose of the hospital trusts. A total of $146,529 was dispersed from the Hospital
Trust Funds in FY 2004 to aid Reading's citizens. The investment income earned on the hospital
trusts was $183,628.
Disbursements from the Library Trust Funds amounted to $271 in FY 2004 for items
voted by the Library Trustees for library purposes. Scholarships and awards to students from the
income of Scholarship Trusts were in the amount of $10,127. Cemetery bequests were $69,260
in FY 2004 with $105,000 transferred to the Town for cemetery upkeep. The Cemetery Trust
Funds earned $134,800 in investment income.
The Trust Fund Commissioners, by law, may invest trust funds in stocks and bonds as
well as money market funds. Through the Commissioners' expertise and good judgment, the
total portfolio earned $354,262, or an average of approximately 5% on a cash basis.
Respectfully submitted,
Beth Klepeis, Finance Director
Richard Foley, Town Accountant
TOWN OF READING
REPORT OF THE COLLECTOR
12 MONTHS ENDING JUNE 30, 2004
2004REAL ESTATE
Committed 2003 38,180,936.98
Refunds 182,507.59
Interest and Costs Collected 45,029.19
Abatements and Exemptions 155,848.27
Paid to Treasurer 37,956,244.93
Subsequent Tax Title 74,655.60
Deferred Taxes 16,206.54
Uncollected June 30, 2004 _______________ _____205,518.42
38,408,473.76 38,408,473.76
2003REAL ESTATE
Balance June 30, 2003 241,435.77
Refunds 82,649.72
Interest and Costs Collected 31,164.97
Abatements 320.57
Paid to Treasurer 328,252.70
Uncollected June 30, 2004 _______________ _____26,677.19
355,250.46 355,250.46
2004 PERSONAL PROPERTY
Committed 2003 214,714.00
Refunds 57.31
Interest and Costs Collected 310.51
Abatements 24.46
Paid to Treasurer 211,782.84
Uncollected June 30, 2004 ______________ _____3,274.52
215,081.82 215,081.82
2003 PERSONAL PROPERTY
Balance June 30, 2003 5,153.18
Refunds 221.03
Interest and Costs Collected 132.2
Abatements
Paid to Treasurer 1166.6
Uncollected June 30, 2004 4,339.81
5,506.41 5,506.41
2004 MOTOR VEHICLE EXCISE
Committed 2004 2,560,278.14
Refunds 23,123.15
Interest and Costs Collected 9,738.95
Abatements 112,197.01
Paid to Treasurer 2,386,315.84
Uncollected June 30, 2004 94,627.39
2,593,140.24 2,593,140.24
2003 MOTOR VEHICLE EXCISE
Balance June 30, 2003 106,370.23
Committed 2003-2004 428,751.70
Refunds 41,135.85
Interest and Costs Collected 9,607.55
Abatements 62,688.04
Paid to Treasurer 488,782.53
Uncollected June 30, 2004 34,394.76
585,865.33 585,865.33
2002 MOTOR VEHICLE EXCISE
Balance June 30, 2003 36,401.76
Committed 2003-2004 4,825.64
Refunds 2,888.42
Interest and Costs Collected 7,691.67
Abatements 3,931.86
Paid to Treasurer 33,160.17
Uncollected June 30, 2004 ________________ ______14,715.46
51,807.49 51,807.49
2001 MOTOR VEHICLE EXCISE
Balance June 30, 2003 17,342.30
Committed 2003-2004 159.17
Refunds 137.38
Interest and Costs Collected 3,411.05
Abatements 58.75
Paid to Treasurer 10,045.05
Uncollected June 30, 2002 ________________ ______10,946.10
21,049.90 21,049.90
OLD EXCISE PRIOR TO 2001
Balance June 30, 2003 125,600.51
Interest and Costs Collected 3,093.32
Paid to Treasurer 6004.68
Uncollected June 30, 2004 122,689.15
128,693.83 128,693.83
WATER CHARGES
Balance June 30, 2003 566,917.96
Committed 2003-2004 3,170,987.63
Charges 150.00
Refunds 1,079.62
Abatements 3,137.43
Paid to Treasurer 2,789,173.69
Discount for Timely Payments 262,877.01
Added to 2004 Taxes 84,609.13
Uncollected June 30, 2004 599,337.95
3,739,135.21 3,739,135.21
SEWER CHARGES
Balance June 30, 2003 774,760.76
Committed 2003-2004 3,832,085.86
Refunds 999.66
Abatements 7,821.26
Paid to Treasurer 3,437,211.73
Discount for Timely Payments 323,071.43
Added to 2004 Taxes 112,282.76
Uncollected June 30, 2004 727,459.10
4,607,846.28 4,607,846.28
ADDITIONAL WATER CHARGES
(SPMS, SPCS-SPRINKLERS)
Balance June 30, 2003 348.52
Committed 2003-2004 29,164.23
Refunds
Paid to Treasurer 26,446.76
Added to 2004 Taxes 35.50
Uncollected June 30, 2004 3,030.49
29,512.75 29,512.75
PERMITS
Permits Issued
Building 380,410.35
Electric 67,845.00
Gas 8,149.00
Plumbing 16,885.00
School 117,659.63
Paid to Treasurer 590,948.98
590,948.98 590,948.98
CERTIFICATES OF MUNICIPAL LIENS
Certificates Issued 43,856.00
Paid to Treasurer 43,856.00
43,856.00 43,856.00
BETTERMENTS ADDED TO TAXES
Committed 2004 8,852.73
Paid to Treasurer 8,852.73
8,852.73 8,852.73
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY SERVICES
Board of Selectmen
Selectmen Richard W. Schubert and Joseph Duffy each ran for re-election and were re-
elected to three year terms. Richard Schubert was elected by the Board of Selectmen to serve as
Chairman.
Personnel and Volunteers
In area of personnel, Town Accountant Richard Foley was re-appointed by the Board of
Selectmen as Town Accountant.
In the area of Boards, Committees and Commissions, the Board of Selectmen:
♦
Established an Ad Hoc Memorial Park Committee to get a consensus of what activities
should be permitted at Memorial Park before filing a cy pres agreement with the court.
Selectman Gail Wood, Recreation Committee Member Rick Schaffer, Frank Driscoll,
Preston Lucas, Davina Shuman and Margaret O’Sullivan were appointed to the Ad Hoc
Memorial Park Committee.
♦
Extended the term of the Master Plan Advisory Committee to December 31, 2005.
♦
The ad hoc Charter Review Committee submitted its final report on June 29, 2004.
♦
At the request of the Trust Fund Commissioners to explore the possibility of an urgent
care facility in Reading, the Board of Selectmen established an ad hoc Hospital
Development Committee to determine if this is feasible.
The following individuals were either newly appointed or re-appointed by the Board of
Selectmen to the following Boards, Committees and Commissions:
♦
Karyn Storti, Corey Porter and Matt Edson to the Advisory Council Against the Misuse
and Abuse of Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs;
♦
John Jarema and Michael Conway to the Board of Appeals;
♦
Ronald Stortz to the Board of Cemetery Trustees;
♦
David Singer to the Board of Health;
♦
Robert Cusolito to the Board of Registrars;
♦
John Daly to the Commissioners of Trust Funds;
♦
Jonathan Barnes, Richard Howard and John Sasso to the Community Planning and
Development Commission;
♦
Mark Wetzel and Rebecca Longley to the Conservation Commission;
♦
Alan Ulrich and Robert Prince as Constables;
♦
Elizabeth Cronin, Sally Hoyt and Carole Scrima to the Council on Aging;
♦
Alison Sloan DaSilva, Harold Bond and Janet Grace Hatherly to the Cultural Council;
♦
Mark Cardono and Sharlene Reynolds Santo to the Historical Commission;
♦
Mary Connors to the Housing Authority;
♦
Elaine Webb, Bob Silva and Nancy Najmi to the Human Relations Advisory Committee;
♦
George B. Perry II to the Land Bank Committee;
♦
Francis Driscoll, Frederick Shaffer and Michael DiPetro to the Recreation Committee;
♦
Lois Macelhiney and David Williams to the Solid Waste Advisory Committee;
♦
James Kiegley, John Greichen and Benjamin Ream (Associate) to the
Telecommunications and Technology Advisory Committee;
Community Services Department
♦
Benjamin Nichols and Alice Grau (Associate) to the Town Forest Committee;
♦
John Wood and Steve Oston to the Water, Sewer and Storm Water Management
Advisory Committee.
Community Development
The Route 128/93 Interchange Project plans remained suspended. Mass Highway
worked with the State Route 128/I-93 Task Force to hire a consultant.
The Town of Reading approved a land swap of property on Pleasant Street to the Reading
Housing Authority to allow them to create six units of affordable housing.
The Board of Selectmen approved a LIP application by Habitat for Humanity Greater
Lowell for portions of Plat 93, Lot 33 on Governors Drive for two units of affordable housing.
The remainder of the site will be transferred to the Conservation Commission.
After complaints from residents regarding the over-use of Memorial Park, the Board of
Selectmen created an ad hoc Committee. The purpose of the Committee is to develop an
agreement for future uses of Memorial Park. The outcome of the Committee was to request
Town Meeting support for Town Counsel to file a petition of cy pres with the probate court
relative to the uses of Memorial Park.
In January 2004, the Board of Selectmen approved the alternate uses for Lot 2 of the
former landfill property consisting of approximately 8,519 acres of land for retail uses. This
portion of the site will be used for additional retail uses since there is no current or projected
market for office and hotel use.
In May 2005, the Board of Selectmen approved the improvements within the public way
of George Street and Curtis Street, the connection of the sewer line into the public way, and the
looping of the waterline for the George Street 40B project.
Infrastructure
In February 2004, the Board of Selectmen approved the West Street at South Street
intersection improvements and signalization for the Archstone project.
In March 2004, the Board of Selectmen directed the Town Engineer to proceed with the
20 mph design for Willow Street.
The Board of Selectmen approved a concept plan for improvements to the intersection of
General Way and Walkers Brook Drive.
In June 2004, the Board of Selectmen approved the recommendation for a new Water
Treatment Plant as opposed to the rehab of the existing facility.
The process of applying to buy water from the MWRA continued.
Financial
Balancing the Town’s finances is always a challenge. The FY 2005 Budget, adopted in
May 2004, was completed while using minimal reserves. The community was able to:
♦
Add $100,000 to the Stabilization Fund;
♦
Add a one-time increase to the pension budget to address prior poor stock market
performance;
Community Services Department
♦
Tripled the amount of money spent on capital improvements from the prior year;
♦
Maintained cash reserves that were a minimum of 5% of the operating budget;
♦
Increased operating budgets slightly as needed, particularly in the School Department to
account for busing of students from the Barrows School area to the new Wood End School.
TOWN CLERK
Elections
On March 2, 2004, we combined our Local Election with the Presidential Primary. The
Local Election ballot contained two questions. The first question was a Charter amendment
regarding the Reading Municipal Light Board that passed. The second question was to assess an
additional $483,000 for sidewalks on Franklin Street which did not pass.
We began provisional balloting. Persons claiming the right to vote but whose names do
not appear on the voting list, have two options. The first option is to go to the office of the local
election official for a search of records, and the second option is to simply vote on a provisional
ballot.
A provisional ballot allows residents who believe that they are registered to cast a
provisional ballot. The individual must sign both a provisional ballot affirmation and a
provisional ballot precinct signature roster. The Precinct Election Officer shall mark the number
of the provisional ballot envelope on the provisional ballot affirmation and the roster. The
Precinct Election Officer shall check the appropriate box on the roster and on the Provisional
Ballot Affirmation next to the circumstance for issuing the provisional ballot. The Official
Ballot is used; however, the Precinct Officer writes the word “Provisional” on the ballot before
handing it to the individual to place in a provisional ballot envelope. After a thorough search
through Central Voter Registry, Registry of Motor Vehicles and Town they believe to have
registered with, it is determined whether the alleged voter ballot will be counted.
The Help America Vote Act (HAVA) was put in place that required voters who have
never voted in Massachusetts before January 1, 2003 and registered by mail to provide
identification at the polls.
Turnout
:
Local Election – 34% (5505 ballots)
Presidential Primary – 33% (5252 ballots)
State Primary – 11.8% (1909 ballots)
State Election – 78% (12911 ballots)
Polling location was changed for Primary and State Election to One Jacob Way
(Addison-Wesley/Longman, Building E) due to the construction at the High School. This
location worked well for the Primary. There were long lines and traffic delays during the State
Election but this was a consistent problem throughout the State.
Community Services Department
Board of Registrars
Robert Cusolito, Sarah (Sally) List Hilgendorff, Gloria Hulse and Town Clerk Cheryl A.
Johnson certified over 1756 voter and household changes to the community for 2004, certified
petitions and nomination papers, and offered assistance to voters on election day.
Census
The Annual Town Census was conducted in January, entirely by mail, with a total of
9200 forms mailed to residences.
The local census assists Town Clerks in putting together the Street List (resident book)
and the Jury List. Major functions served by an annual local census are:
♦
Information collected for municipal purposes
•
School needs
•
Growth and planning needs
•
Resident identification for police and fire
•
Collection of dog information
•
Veteran Information
♦
Information for the Jury Commissioners
♦
Determining inactive voter status for voter purge as required by the National Voter
Registration
Act.
Town Meeting
The Annual Town Meeting in April was completed in four sessions, approving a budget
for Fiscal Year 2005 in the amount of $68,085,056. At this Town Meeting, we also voted for
changes to the General Bylaw regarding the storing and handling of crude petroleum. The Town
also voted to remove the Chief of Police position from Civil Service effective after the next Civil
Service Chief.
The Subsequent Town Meeting in November was completed in three sessions. Town
Meeting voted to amend parts of the Home Rule Charter. Charter changes will be voted on at the
April 8, 2005 local election. Town Meeting also voted to establish a Local Historic District.
Vital Statistics and Licensing
During the calendar year 2004, the following Vital Statistics were recorded in the Town
Clerk's Office:
Births – 268 Marriages – 99 Deaths – 322
Massachusetts went down in history as being the first State in the union to offer same-sex
marriages starting May 17th. There were a couple of interpretations on the impediment dealing
with out of state couples. On the one hand, the impediment implies if it is illegal for you to
marry in your jurisdiction, it is illegal for you to marry in Massachusetts. Same sex couples are
not allowed to marry in any State except Massachusetts. But there are other constitutional issues
and another interpretation has the legality hooked around the Defense of Marriage Acts, which
Community Services Department
guarantees that no State will be forced to recognize marriages performed in another State. This
caused quite a stir with the press and newspapers requesting copies of same sex marriage
intentions. There were eight same sex marriages where couples completed their intent to marry
and received their licenses in Reading in 2004.
Since the opening of the hospice house in Reading, our deaths increased by 36% this
year. The number of births dropped slightly in 2004.
Also issued were 1904 dog licenses, 146 business certificates, 22 renewals for
underground storage tanks and 38 cemetery deeds.
A total of 480 Fish and Wildlife Licenses and stamps were issued during the year for a
total of $9365.35. The Town of Reading issued 61 licenses free of charges to those citizens over
70 years of age. The Town retained $459.85 in fees from the sale of licenses. Sales increased
over 50% due to Wakefield and Melrose no longer selling these licenses.
Total receipts collected in the Clerk's Office for the calendar year 2004 amounted to
$85,040.34.
Respectfully submitted,
Cheryl A. Johnson, Town Clerk
TOWN COUNSEL’S REPORT
During 2004, Brackett & Lucas as Town Counsel addressed many diverse issues.
Attorneys Joan Langsam, Gary Brackett, Yvonne Gonzalez, Ellen Callahan Doucette and Donna
Gorshel Cohen all provided services to most boards and departments of the Town. The legal
services provided concentrated in the areas of land use, School Department issues relating to
public records, open meeting law, school construction, contract review and various litigation
matters. We are pleased to state that at this juncture, the Town of Reading has very little
ongoing litigation.
As Town Counsel, the firm of Brackett & Lucas also provided legal advice and assistance
to both the Board of Selectmen and School Committee relative to property issues and State
funding application procedures concerning the renovation of the Reading Memorial High School.
In general, legal assistance in the way of rendering opinions and giving advice was
provided to most departments.
A significant portion of the legal services provided to Reading involved permitting of
various residential developments in the Town, and the continuing development of the Reading
landfill. Some of the development projects included the Old Spense Farm Development, 45
Beacon Street and the Maplewood Village Development, a Local Initiative Project (LIP).
Litigation concerning the new Walkers Brook Development was initiated by an abutter but was
quickly settled between the private parties.
One of the major projects involving Town Counsel undertaken during 2004 was the
revamping of the Reading Town Charter. Numerous meetings were attended by Counsel and a
much clearer more consistent charter was adopted at Town Meeting. Other legal services
Community Services Department
provided to the Town included representation to the Board of Assessors on appeals to the
Appellate Tax Board, and review and drafting of Warrant Articles for Town Meetings during the
year.
Another major project was updating and preparing documents for street acceptances in
Reading to be filed in the Registry of Deeds.
Litigation initiated by the Town did commence in 2004. The Town of Reading filed suit
against the Agfa Corporation and the Massachusetts Highway Department for the contamination
of the Town’s Revay municipal water supply well. The Town is continuing to work with DEP to
address the contamination issue while this lawsuit is pending.
There were still a few items of ongoing litigation carried over from previous years. One
such matter was Fulgoni vs. Zoning Board of Appeals. The Town prevailed on its summary
judgment motion and as of this date, Mr. Fulgoni is still not permitted to build on his property.
The Appeals Court in the Eaton litigation refused to reinstate Ms. Eaton to the Conservation
Commission.
During the Spring of 2004, the Reading Conservation Commission denied permission to
Angela Tabbi to construct a residence on a lot adjacent to Longfellow Road. Such decision was
appealed. The matter is pending in the Superior Court but DEP upheld the Conservation
Commission’s order.
During 2004, Town Counsel assisted the Town Manager and an ad hoc committee in
developing a bylaw concerning the “Storing and Handling of Crude Petroleum or any Crude
Petroleum Products.” Such bylaw was adopted at Town Meeting.
In 2004, Town Counsel continued to monitor the progress of the closing of the landfill
and construction activities. The escrow account, with the approval of DEP, was reduced by
$750,000 for work satisfactorily completed. The Administrative Consent Order and the Escrow
Agreement was amended to reflect the necessary changes in construction sequence. Town
Counsel and the Town Manager continue to monitor construction progress, and to work with the
DEP for the reduction in the escrow account.
A significant amount of hours were spent in reviewing, developing and negotiating
contracts for the construction of the Reading High School, and monitoring issues relating to the
construction of the two new elementary schools.
Town Counsel assisted the Town Manager in developing a new contract and agreement
with RCTV. This involved attending joint meetings among the Board of Selectmen, RCTV and
the Technology and Telecommunications Advisory Committee.
It is has been a pleasure continuing to serve the Town of Reading and addressing its legal
concerns. We look forward to another active and fruitful year in 2005.
Respectfully submitted,
Joan E. Langsam
Community Services Department
CONSERVATION DIVISION
The Conservation Commission was established in 1960 under Section 8C of Chapter 40
of the Massachusetts General Laws for the promotion and the development of the natural
resources and for the protection of watershed resources in Reading. The Commission has
worked since that time to acquire and maintain hundreds of acres of conservation land within the
Town for public enjoyment and resource protection.
In 1972, the Conservation Commission was given regulatory authority to administer the
new Wetlands Protection Act, Section 40 of Chapter 131 of the Massachusetts General Laws.
Over the years, the Commission’s role in the administration of the Wetlands Protection Act has
been further defined through regulations and policies issued by the Massachusetts Department of
Environmental Protection.
In 1980, the Town adopted Section 5.7 of the Reading General Bylaws, the Wetlands
Protection Bylaw. The Commission subsequently promulgated the Reading Wetlands Protection
Regulations under the Bylaw. From time to time, Town Meeting has amended the Bylaw and the
Commission has amended the Regulations, most recently in January of 2002. The amendments
serve to clarify the language, to make it consistent with recent changes in the State law and
regulations, and to assure revenues from filing fees.
Wetlands Protection Activities
During 2004, the Conservation Commission reviewed 42 permit applications for
proposed work and wetlands delineation. The Commission held 108 public hearings and public
meetings and performed over 120 site inspections regarding these permit applications. The
Commission also issued 79 decisions including permits, resource area delineations, extensions
and amendments. The Commission made final site inspections and closed 47 project files in a
concerted effort to update records. The Commission identified and resolved 23 violations.
The Administrator reviewed and signed off on 835 building permits and 44 minor
projects and performed 446 site inspections. The Commission collected $4,778.50 in filing fees
under the Wetlands Protection Act, and $21,760.88 under the Wetlands Protection Bylaw. The
Commonwealth doubled filing fees under the Wetlands Protection Act in October.
The major projects under permitting review and/or construction oversight by the
Commission in 2004 included: Three multi-family developments that include affordable housing,
two preliminary subdivisions and two under construction; major renovations at Barrows
Elementary and RMHS; construction of Wood End Elementary; capping and redevelopment of
the landfill and associated roadway improvements for Walkers Brook Crossing; mitigation and
wetlands restoration work to correct impacts of the hazardous materials spills at several sites;
water main and gas main improvements; improvements in commercial properties on South Main
Street and General Avenue and preliminary plans for work on Camp Curtis Guild and a new
Water Treatment Plant.
The Commission and Administrator worked with: The Recreation Department on play-
ground improvements; Mass. Highway on drainage improvements, paving and vegetation
management; North Reading officials to resolve a flooding problem caused by beavers at Mill
Community Services Department
Street; Ipswich River Stream Team on promotion of rain barrels and improvements at Lob’s Mill
Conservation Area and Town staff on a petroleum storage bylaw, master plan, storm water
management plan and access off Longwood Road.
Natural Resources Conservation Activities
The Commission is grateful for the completion of a Conservation restriction granted by
the YMCA, and for a new picnic area and canoe launch at Lob’s Mill installed by Boy Scouts
and the Ipswich River Stream Team. Plans have also been approved for Boy Scout service
projects in Kurchiam Woods, Bare Meadow and Pinevale Conservation Areas. Maps of trails in
Town Conservation Areas and regulations for use of these areas are available at Town Hall.
During 2004, Kelley Meier left the Commission. Doug Greene, Will Finch, Becky
Longley, Bill Hecht and Jamie Maughan continued in service along with Harold Hulse and Leo
Kenney, our consultants.
Bill Hecht assumed the role of Chairman and Will Finch continued as Vice Chairman.
Fran Fink continued in service as Conservation Administrator. Members of the Conservation
Commission and the Conservation Administrator attended various workshops and courses during
the year to stay current with open space protection and wetland regulation practices.
The Commission’s Office is located in the Community Services Department on the first
floor of Town Hall. The phone number is (781) 942-9016.
Respectfully submitted,
Frances Fink, Conservation Administrator
HEALTH DIVISION
Public Health continues to employ the varying sciences of its discipline to improve and
protect the well being of Reading citizens, and to protect the environment from pollution and
damage. Epidemiology and infection control, food science, toxicology, vector control,
immunization and medical screening, emergency preparedness, and the legal responsibilities of
enforcement through regulations are some of the many fields of study used each day by the
Health Division to meet the goals created by the mission of the Board of Health. The Health
Division, under the direction of the Board, develops programs and services to respond to
emerging health issues. The accomplishment of these programs is done in collaboration with the
Massachusetts Department of Public Health, the Department of Homeland Security, the
Department of Environmental Protection and local agencies, and other Town Departments.
The Board of Health (BOH) continued with a stable membership operating under the
leadership of Colleen Seferian as Chairman, Barbara Meade as BoardSecretary and Dr. David
Mitchell Singer. The Board of Health’s work was wide and varied this year. The members
actively reviewed the progress of building plans and the opening of Walkers Brook Crossing,
Phase 1. As a governing board, they reviewed housing issues and met with landlords and tenants
to assist in the enforcement of housing orders (105 CMR 410.000) issued by the Health
Administrator. They toured the Water Treatment Plant to better understand the Town’s safe
Community Services Department
water distribution system. Members of the Board stayed knowledgeable of the responsibilities of
Reading’s public health emergency response program as a dynamic document to enable response
to any public health emergency.
The Health Division continues its role as liaison to the Substance Abuse Prevention
Advisory Council. Chairman Karyn Storti and the 11 member Council worked throughout the
year with the School and Police Departments to educate the general population of the Town
around the issues of addiction. Substance abuse is a major public health issue which affects the
Nation, State and community.
The mission of this Council is to use prevention as a major tool in an effort to prevent
addiction due to the lack of knowledge. As members of Project Alliance,the Council met their
annual education goal by presenting in cooperation with the School Department expert programs
on positive parenting methods and the consequences of alcohol and drug use. Project Alliance is
a coalition organized by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office. The Town has been a member
of this organization through the Drug Free Schools and Communities Grant for over 17 years.
The presentations were well received by their audience.
Emergency Preparedness and the response to bio-terrorism has become a national state and
local focus to prepare for any man-made or natural disaster. The preparation for the Reading
Health Division has been extensive and continues to be a plan in motion. Reading belongs to
Region #3 of the public health sections -- the Division is a part of the Local Emergency Planning
Council. The preparedness for Reading’s Health Division is a part of The Greater Lawrence
Coalition with North Reading, Lynnfield, Andover, North Andover, Methuen, Lawrence.
The Health Director meets bi-monthly preparing for regional and local emergencies. All
communities would respond for an infectious disease outbreak such as Hepatitis-A. Anthrax
exposure, smallpox, large-scale food contamination or a large chemical spill to lend staff and
public health expertise to be used for purposes of triage, medicine dispensing and other
operations. The coalition has received CDC grant funds to plan and to purchase for each
community response and technology equipment. These grant funds have paid for extensive
trainings that the Health Administrator has completed from CDC, FBI and Health Alert Net
Emergency Response Communication System. The Health Administrator in training and
planning for emergency preparedness has spent many weeks and months. This is and will
continue to be a major role for public health.
Tobacco Control Program called Healthy Communities remains a grant funded program
which Reading continues its membership along with Andover, North Andover, Middleton,
Lynnfield, North Reading, Methuen, Haverhill, Dracut and Stoneham. The Tobacco Control
Program operates within the guidelines of a Massachusetts Department of Public Health grant.
Andover is the fiscal lead for the project. The coalition pays through these funds a Tobacco
Control Coordinator. It is this staff person’s responsibility to carry out quarterly compliance
checks regarding smoke free work places and sale of tobacco products to youth. The results of
all checks are reported to the Health Division for action, if necessary. 2004 tobacco vendors did
well in complying with Reading’s Board of Health Regulations. This year, the Board also made
the Reading Memorial High administration their agents to allow them to assist in upholding the
prevention and enforcement of the smoking regulations on school grounds.
Community Services Department
The Public Health Nursing Service has been limited this year. The position has been
vacantfor half the calendar year. Many of the communities expectation of services were limited.
Multiple screening programs were canceled and wait to be reinstituted when the position is
filled, such as the cholesterol screening program, the tuberculosis screening, glucose screening,
immunization program, and the blood pressure screening clinics. The pneumonia and tetanus
immunization clinics were canceled.
The Health Administrator has investigated all food borne illness complaints,
communicable disease reports, and has continued the vaccine distribution program to all medical
providers in the community. The review of over 1200 immunization records was completed by
the Health Administrator to meet the licensing requirement of the community’s Summer camps.
Licensing Summer camps is an extensive procedure involving administration for policy review,
inspectional services and nursing services. The Health Administrator has done both positions
for the second half of the year. This has limited operation of the Division to full capacity.
In May 2004, the Division immunized 40 High School seniors against bacterial
meningitis as part of the recommended immunization program for entering college freshmen.
This was only one of 12 programs in the State completed by a BOH. Influenza clinics were
planned and carried out the year under the most difficult of distribution circumstances. The
Division immunized over 1700 adults and 142 homebound individuals were immunized.
Experientially, the Reading Health Division immunized fewer individuals thisyear. With the
Reading Rotary Club, a flu prevention packet was distributed to help the community cope with
the early lack of vaccine.
The Inspectional Services has completed 959 inspections. These were responses to
housing, food establishments, noise, trash complaints, rodents, unique complaint issues. Food
inspections continue to be within the State requirement at 2-3 x per year a total of (406). Besides
the routine food establishment inspections this year, the Health Administrator reviewed plans for
nine (9) new restaurants, met with the owner/managers, and then the Inspector completed pre-
opening inspections on these new establishments. Also, the extensive inspection of the new
Wood End Elementary School building and cafeteria were completed.
Camp and pool inspections in Reading are no longer only seasonal. The Inspector as a
certified pool operator inspects two indoor pools (monthly) andthree Winter camps. Massage
therapy establishments(5) and tanning establishment (6), all churches, nursing homes and
private clubs are inspected.
Twelve animal inspections have been completed and the appropriate reports forwarded
to the State Department of Agriculture. The local and State regulations dealing with inspectional
issues keep the community healthy through this diligent effort.
The Health Administrator as a Title 5 Inspector has the authority to inspect individual
subsurface waste (septic) systems. Thirty-one systems were inspected for abandonment to be
connected to Town sewer or inspected for repair. Education, the real estate market and the law
have influenced this number of repairs or connections in Town.
Community Services Department
Indoor Air Quality complaints are on an increase -- responding to both public and private
entities. The Massachusetts Environmental Bureau has been very responsive to the Town
assisting in these very complex investigations.
Contractual Services: The largest contractual service is mosquito control. The Town is
part of the Eastern Middlesex Mosquito Control Project that provides mosquito wetland
surveillance, larval and adult mosquito control and public education.
Heavy rains in April and the late Summer caused considerable mosquito activity. The
risk of the mosquito borne transmission of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) increased in late
Summer. This was a public health concern due to reported deaths in Southeastern Massachusetts.
The project responded in Reading by collecting and identifying mosquito species that may cause
West Nile Virus or EEE in five different traps in Reading -- 30 times on nine different nights.
The mosquitoes were tested by the Massachusetts State Department of Public Health. The
information only indicated large quantities of mosquitoes, not disease. Also in early Summer,
the Division drops Vextolex WSP pouches in storm drains to reduce the mosquito larvae
formation in the standing water. In 2004, this was completed 2x in all 2700 storm drains.
The control of adult mosquitoes is through larvacide bacillus thuringiensis var. Israelensis
(Bto) which is classified by EPA as relatively non-toxic. An April helicopter application of Bti
over 1.5 acres wetland. To control adult mosquitoes, resmethrin was applied at night by truck
mounted sprayers at 2,379 acres only when traps were surveyed and the spraying was indicated.
Another contractual service offered through the Division to the community is Riverside
Mental Health. The agency offers mental health counseling and substance abuse care for
children, adolescents, adults and families who have limited financial resources. In FY 2005, the
agency offered $15,000 of free care to Reading residents. The agency has responded by request
of the Health Division to assist in managing difficult situational crises.
Eastern Middlesex Association of Retarded Citizens (EMARC) served clients. The
regional program offers training for the individuals to work at local businesses. The Health
Services Administrator participates in quarterly Board Meetings to assure Reading‘s needs are
met.
Dead Animal Disposal continues through contractual services. This contractual service
prevents the transfer of disease such as rabies. In 2004, a total of 328 animals were removed
from public ways and disposed of properly.
Environmental issues handled by the Division include the annual rabies immunization
programs with the support of the local veterinarian. Fifty-six (56) dogs and cats were immunized
on one Saturday afternoon. This rabies immunization clinic is the prevention offered for the 1600
registered dogs in the Town. The Clerk’s Office provided registration for the first time at 2004
clinic. The Health Department responded to two positive raccoons for rabies during the Summer
requiring dog quarantine and a person to be immunized against rabies. There were four bats that
tested positive for which the Division responded appropriately.
Community Services Department
Well Permits continue to be issued by the Division. 2004 issued 10 permits -- none in the
aquifer district. The total number of wells both types is 200. The BOH regulations were
amended this year to mandate every three years a certified laboratory report of the well water
quality.
Removing hazardous material from the environment include the use syringe sharps box
collections and mercury exchange program. Mercury fever thermometer exchange continues at
the Division. In 2004, 100 thermometers were collected. This is a program with Covanta Waste
Management and has been in operation for three years. The success of the program continues --
old household thermostats have been collected and disposed of properly to prevent the mercury
from entering the environment.
The Division issued 232 burial permits.
Sealer of Weights and Measures
The Sealer of Weights and Measures under a grant from the State Department of
Consumer Affairs for $40,000 checks accuracy in scanner pricing in Reading, Stoneham and
North Reading. The other functions are to respond to consumer complaints, to seal all scales for
accuracy used in physician’s offices, pharmacies and in retail food establishments, to check
accuracy of gasoline pumps, and all items weighed and measured a total of 302 devices. 247 of
these devices are gasoline pumps for accurate delivery of a gallon for a gallon and the proper
octane is delivered. Sealing fees total $8,057 plus $500 in citations. The Sealer spent many
hours preparing Home Depot to meet compliance before the home repair store opened.
Revenues for Calendar Year 2004
Programs and License Fees $132,000
Grants $ 53,126
TOTAL $185,130
Respectfully submitted,
Jane Fiore, Health Administrator
Community Services Department
INSPECTIONS DIVISION
The Inspections Division is responsible for carrying out inspectional services on
commercial and residential construction in the areas of building, gas, plumbing and wiring. In
addition, the Division is responsible for enforcing the Town’s Zoning By-laws and providing
staff to the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Statistics: Year End 2004
Building Building Permits issued 950
Inspections 1,742
$363,260.35*
Fees received
108
Cert. of Inspections
Fees received $2,800
Wiring Wiring Permits issued 697
Inspections 1,130
$59,189*
Fees received
Plumbing/Gas 265
Gas Permits issued
Gas Fees received $8,116
Plumbing Permits issued 489
$20,900*
Plumbing Fees received
925
Combined Inspections
Gas/Plumbing
TOTAL FEES $469,553.35*
* Totals do not include permit fees for Walkers Brook Crossing, Johnson Woods and
Archstone-Reading that were deposited in revolving building account.
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
The Zoning Board of Appeals met 24 times in 2004. The ZBA heard and decided on 33
petitions for Variances, Special Permits and appeals. ZBA Members are Chairman Susan Miller,
Full Members Robert Redfern and John Jarema, and Associate Members Paul Dustin, Mark
Gillis and Michael Conway. Town Planner Chris Reilly and Commissioner of Buildings Glen
Redmond provide primary support to the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Community Services Department
PLANNING DIVISION
The Planning Division currently contains the office of Town Planner Chris Reilly who is
the Town's chief planning and development review staff. Responsibilities include economic
development, advising the Planning Commission and ZBA, coordinating Town staff regarding
planning issues, Town planning and site plan review.
The Town Planner strives to:
♦
Support and inform the policies of the Selectmen
♦
Protect natural resources
♦
Address property-owner and resident concerns
♦
Address zoning issues
♦
Review proposed development
♦
Improve the quality of life in Reading
♦
Preserve and enhance the built environment
♦
Support the economic climate of the Town
Planning Division Activities
During 2004, the Planning Division reviewed 50 applications for which Community
Planning and Development Commission (CPDC) site plan review, subdivision, special permit or
Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) Chapter 40B decisions were rendered, including extensions and
modifications. Eight applications for Certificates of Appropriateness issued for approved
signage in the Downtown Business-B Zoning District were processed by the Town Planner, and
four Design Reviews were conducted for the Planned Unit Developments (PUD) located at
Walkers Brook Crossing and Johnson Woods.
As sole staff in the Planning Division, the Town Planner performed over 131 site
inspections regarding applications or compliance with previously approved projects and
conducted 21 Design Review Team meetings with staff and applicants, working a weekly
average of 49.6 hours.
As Clerk to the CPDC, the Town Planner attended 24 CPDC meetings consisting of 41
public hearings, four zoning workshops and 33 administrative reviews, and also attended 14
ZBA meetings regarding Chapter 40B and zoning cases. The Town Planner also served as staff
for the Master Plan Advisory Committee (MPAC), attending 20 meetings related to the ongoing
update of the 1991 Master Plan, and during five separate meetings gave various reports to the
Selectmen on the status of the master plan update and public hearing proceedings.
Financial
The Planning Division collected $1,822 in filing fees under Subdivision Applications,
$1,095 for Subdivision Approval Not Required (ANR) Applications and $49,496.25 in fees for
Site Plan Review and PUD filings. Additional funds of $126,000 were processed through the
Planning Division for public works mitigation associated with the Johnson Woods development.
Community Services Department
Below is an abbreviated list of project-specific responsibilities of the Town Planner in
2004, which were in addition to representing the Town as planning staff to outside organizations
and general staff and customer support:
Zoning Board of Appeals
CPDC Subdivisions
1375 Main Street Comprehensive Permit
Adams Way Administration/Construction
32 George Street Comprehensive Permit
Ashley Place (Pondview Lane)
468 West Street (Longwood Poultry Farm)
Administration/Construction/Extension
PUD Permit
Baldwin Lane Administration/Extension
42-70 West Street (Spence Farm)
Comprehensive Permit
CPDC Site Plan Permitting and Compliance
Salem St. Comprehensive Permit
36 Arthur B. Lord Drive (Burbank YMCA)
1 General Way (Danis Realty Trust)
Department Projects
16-18 Gould Street (Cain Oil)
Administrative/Record Keeping
10 Haven Street (Haven Junction)
Streamlining
320 Haverhill Street (VNA Hospice)
Building Inspector/Code Support
32 Lincoln Street (Century 21)
Community Services Webpage
110 Main Street (Shell)
CPDC Minutes
137 Main Street (Gilbert Insurance)
Department Heads Presentation
143 Main Street (Avellino Well) Modification
Department of Housing and Community
228 Main Street (Finagle-A-Bagel)
Development (DHCD) Tracking
Modification
Design Review Team Meetings
749 Main Street (Texaco) Modification
Downtown Streetscape Design
4 Minot Street (Ford) Administration
EO 418 Grant Administration
15-17 Pierce Street Court Case/Administration
GIS Zoning Map Review
36 Walkers Brook Drive (Exxon)
Governors Drive LIP
87 Walkers Brook Drive (Texaco)
Housing Certification
Modification
Master Plan Advisory Committee/Update
4 West Street (Mobil on the Run)
Parking, Traffic and Transportation Task
Administration/Modification
Force
Planning Webpage
CPDC Special Permits
Pre-Application Consultations
Longwood Poultry Farm PUD-R
Salem Street LIP
Walkers Brook Crossing Modifications
School Projects Review Coordination
CPDC Zoning Initiatives
Site Plan Review Regulations Review
80-100 Main Street-PUD Overlay
Downtown Signage Review Streamlining
Zoning By Laws Section Nonconforming
Skateboard Park Siting
Buildings
Technical Assistance Grants
Site Plan Review and Loading Zone
Van Norden Road LIP
Waivers
Working Group Sessions
Community Services Department
Planning-Related Boards, Committees, Commissions and Division Management
During 2004, CPDC Member Michael Flammia left the five-member Commission and
John Sasso was appointed and became Secretary. Along with Mr. Sasso, the CPDC continued to
receive experienced, dedicated and valued service from members Richard Howard, Jonathan
Barnes, Susan DeMatteo and Neil Sullivan, who assumed the Chair in 2004 after exemplary
service from Ms. DeMatteo. The Town Planner continued to serve as staff when needed for
ongoing Selectmen, ZBA and MPAC business.
Under supervision from Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Chris Reilly continued
service in his second year as Town Planner and Recording Secretary for the CPDC while located
in the Community Services Department on the first floor of Town Hall. Among major
accomplishments in 2004 designed to streamline services and expand information for Town
residents, the Town Planner continued to maintain and improve the Town Planner webpage
(www.ci.reading.ma.us/planning), which serves as a comprehensive reference for most activities
under the purview of Community Services. The Planning Division phone number is (781) 942-
9012 and the email is creilly@ci.reading.ma.us. Members of the CPDC and the Town Planner
attended various workshops and courses during the year to keep apprised on current land-use
regulations, established and innovative planning practices and existing and evolving trends and
policies.
Respectfully submitted,
Chris Reilly, Town Planner
VETERANS’ SERVICES DIVISION
Paul Farrell retired as the Veteran’s Agent for the Town of Reading after many years.
The new Veteran’s Agent is Louis Cimaglia. His office hours are Tuesday 1:00–5:00 p.m.,
Wednesday 1:00–5:00 p.m., Thursday 1:00–3:00 p.m. and Friday 1:00–5:00 p.m. He may be
reached at 781-942-9072.
Veterans’ Services is governed by Chapter 115 of the General Laws. Veterans and
his/her immediate family who are in need and qualify are eligible for benefits. Initial paperwork
is processed locally and final approval of benefits come from the Commissioner of Veterans’
Services in Boston, Mass.
DOWNTOWN STEERING COMMITTEE
The Downtown Steering Committee met one time in Fiscal 2004. The Town of Reading
has continued its quest for 75% project approval pertaining to the revitalization of Downtown
Reading and awaits financing from the Mass. Highway.
Community Services Department
The Committee has delivered all the pertinent information requested by the Town and the
architectural firm of Gates Leighton for this project. The Committee’s work is completed and
has temporarily suspended operations at this time but will resume full time when funding is
appropriated. The Committee’s annual meeting is in August.
Respectfully submitted,
Peter Simms, Downtown Steering Committee Chairman
HISTORICAL COMMISSION
The Historical Commission continues its mission to identify and protect the historic
assets of the community through varied activities during the 2004 calendar year.
The Town archives, maintained at Town Hall, was physically improved with a new work
area. Via a grant, our equipment was upgraded greatly benefiting the archive operation that is
maintained by Commission member volunteers.
The multi-year project of updating the Town’s Historical and Architectural Inventory was
completed and two copies were placed in the Library for public use.
A public presentation was held in May. The power-point show featured the remaining 23
of the 56 original houses that appeared on the Town’s first map of 1765. This program raised
awareness of the Town’s extant heritage of its built environment. Other community outreach
included mystery photo’s published in the local press and responses to questions from the public.
The Commission interacted on numerous matters that impact the Town’s character. In
housing, an understanding with the Reading Housing Authority should help protect the historic
75 Pleasant Street property during renovations. Meetings with Archstone Smith resulted in the
building of smaller scale units along West Street to maintain the residential streetscape.
Members did site visits to Camp Curtis Guild to assess impact of new road construction,
shadowed a preservation consultant through one of the Town’s oldest houses, and photo
documented several houses. The Commission supported efforts to write a bylaw for the
preservation and reuse of carriage houses-stables-barns. We participated in naming the new
elementary school Wood End. And we continue to monitor the probable development of the
Pierce Organ factory building and site which is considered a threatened historic property.
Chairman, Clayton Jones spearheaded the West Street Local Historic Study Committee
establishing the first local historic district in Reading. In addition, two other Historic
Commission members served on the study committee.
The membership of the Commission changed when Chairman Jones decided not to seek
reappointment. His expertise will be missed but his years of service are truly appreciated.
Associate member Sharlene Reynolds-Santo assumed full membership while another associate,
Pat Greichen, concluded her volunteer position.
Community Services Department
The Commission continues its lengthy tradition of assisting other town boards,
committees and commissions with information regarding Reading’s heritage, and serves the
public as a resource regarding the many aspects of historic preservation.
Respectfully submitted,
Virginia Adams, Historical Commission Chairman
LAND BANK COMMITTEE
During 2004, the Land Bank Committee provided assistance with identifying and
documenting Town-owned property. The Committee provided the historical documentation to
the Town manager, Board of Selectmen and the Town Planner.
Respectfully submitted,
Benjamin E. Nichols, Chairman
George B. Perry, Vice Chairman
Edward G. Smethurst, Secretary
METROPOLITAN AREA PLANNING COUNCIL
The Metropolitan Area Planning Council is the regional planning and economic
development district representing 101 cities and towns in Metropolitan Boston. In addition, the
Council shares oversight responsibility for the region’s federally funded transportation program
as one of 14 members of the Boston Metropolitan Planning Organization. The Council’s
legislative mandate is to provide technical and professional resources to improve the physical,
social and economic condition of its district, and to develop sound responses to issues of regional
significance.
The Council provides research, studies, publications, facilitation and technical assistance
in the areas of land use and the environment, housing, transportation, water resources
management, economic development, demographic and socioeconomic data, legislative policy
and interlocal partnerships that strengthen the operation of local governments.
The Council is governed by 101 Municipal Government representatives, 21 gubernatorial
appointees, and ten State and three City of Boston officials. An Executive Committee composed
of 25 members oversees agency operations and appoints an Executive Director. The agency
employs approximately 30 professional and administrative staff. Funding for Council activities
is derived from contracts with government agencies and private entities, foundation grants, and a
per-capita assessment charged to municipalities within the district.
Community Services Department
In the past year, the Council has focused on initiatives that respond to regional challenges,
some of which include:
♦ Municipal Planning: W
orking with more than 25 communities under the Executive Order
418 Program. EO 418 provides communities with up to $30,000 in State funding to under-
take overall visioning on local planning issues, including housing, economic development,
natural resources and transportation.
♦ Bringing Advanced Technology to Cities and Towns in the Region:
A contract with
Pictometry International will provide aerial photographic images that Municipal Depart-
ments, including police and fire, can utilize to improve service delivery.
♦ Adoption of Smart Growth Principles:
MAPC developed and adopted principles of good
planning practice that will encourage sustainable patterns of growth to benefit people living
throughout the Metro Boston Region. MAPC is also a founding member of the
Massachusetts Smart Growth Alliance.
♦ Metro Data Center:
The Center is an official U.S. Census affiliate, helping to distribute
demo-graphic data throughout the region, including demographic, economic and housing
profiles for all 101 communities in Metro Boston.
♦ Transportation Planning:
As Vice Chair of the Boston Metropolitan Planning
Organization, MAPC worked to develop the 25-year Regional Transportation Plan as well as
the annual Transportation Improvement Program, including transportation spending priorities
for the region. We also spearheaded development of transportation spending criteria, taking
into account environ-mental, economic and equity considerations.
♦ Metropolitan Highway System Advisory Board:
MAPC staffs this Board, established in
1997 by the Commonwealth to advise the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority on issues
relative to land use, air rights, zoning, and environmental impacts associated with develop-
ment of land owned by the Authority.
♦ Regional Services Consortiums:
The four regional consortiums established by MAPC
collectively purchased $18 million in office supplies and highway maintenance services for
its 31 member municipalities. The project also facilitates collegial forums among members'
Chief Administrative Officers focused on collaborative problem solving and resource
sharing. MAPC recently became the purchasing and administrative agent for the Greater
Boston Police Council who assists over 300 units of local government in the purchase of
police vehicles and other public safety supplies.
♦ Metro Mayors Coalition:
Working with the Mayors and City Managers of ten
municipalities in the urban core on issues such as group purchasing, employee health
insurance, security and emergency coordination and municipal relief legislation.
Community Services Department
♦ Homeland Security:
Addressing homeland security issues by facilitating cross-municipal
partnerships between Police, Fire and Emergency Management Departments to acquire and
share equipment, and more generally to plan for emergencies involving multiple
municipalities, fiduciary agent for State/Federal grant funding through the Massachusetts
Executive Office of Public Safety.
♦ Hazard Mitigation:
Initiating a federally-funded partnership to produce a hazard mitigation
plan to protect nine coastal communities in the event of natural disasters including flood,
winter storm, wind, fire and geologic hazards.
Please visit our website, www.mapc.org, for more details about these and other activities.
Metrofuture: Making a Greater Boston Region
MAPC has launched a new civic process called MetroFuture to create an updated
regional vision and growth strategy for Metropolitan Boston. MetroFuture engages City and
Town Governments, State agencies, non-profits, business, labor and academic groups in this
planning process. The outcome will be a vision and growth strategy that puts the region on a
sustainable path in terms of land use, economic, environmental and social issues. MAPC will
need the support of a broad range of organizations in the region to help plan, fund and implement
this new framework for addressing the challenges facing Metropolitan Boston.
The effort to create this new strategy was launched on October 29, 2003 at a Boston
College Citizens Seminar. More than 400 citizens from a wide range of local and regional
groups attended the event, and expressed their opinions on the region’s resources and challenges
as well as their own visions for the future. This input will be critical as we move to the next
phase of this exciting multi-year project.
Please visit the project web site, www.metrofuture.org, for more information.
North Suburban Planning Council (Burlington, Lynnfield, North Reading, Reading,
Stoneham, Wakefield, Wilmington, Winchester, Woburn)
In 2004, the North Suburban Planning Council (NSPC) was involved in a wide range of
activities from community development planning to transportation issues. MAPC completed
Community Development Plans under Executive Order 418 for Burlington, Reading and
Woburn.
As a follow-up to Executive Order 418, MAPC presented information on three State
initiatives: The Commonwealth Capital Fund, the Priority Development Fund and the 40R Smart
Growth Zoning initiative. MAPC also assisted Burlington, Reading, Stoneham, Wakefield,
Wilmington, Winchester and Woburn with completing the Commonwealth Capital Fund
applications.
Community Services Department
The subregion was briefed periodically on the MetroFuture project. The results of the
survey taken at Burlington Truck Day and the November 19th visioning event were tabulated
and presented to the subregion at its January meeting.
The major areas of concern in transportation planning were the annual review of the TIP
and the UPWP, and the start of Phase II of the North Suburban Transit Opportunities Study.
The subregion was also kept apprised of the on-going review of the subregions that is
taking place in conjunction with the MAPC strategic planning process. MAPC also made
presentations to the subregion and to individual communities concerning the opportunity to apply
for a Multi-Hazard Mitigation Planning grant.
Respectfully submitted,
Marc D. Draisen, Executive Director
Metropolitan Area Planning Council.
READING HOUSING AUTHORITY
“Equal Housing Authority”
22 Frank D. Tanner Drive
Reading, MA 01867
(781) 944-6755
From the Chair:
It is with great pleasure that I share with you the activities and accomplishments of the
Reading Housing Authority over the past year.
The start of the new year has seen a continued growth in our economy and somewhat
stabilized but nonetheless high values in real estate. The pressure on the real estate market has
continued to create a critical challenge for poor and lower income families to find, keep and
maintain their housing. As the real estate values escalated over the past few years, it was
certainly felt most dramatically at the low-income levels. Rental units had been at a greater
premium in this area; however, only recently, we have begun to see a slight increase in
availability. Landlords have been able to ask for and receive high rents which historically prices
the poor and lower income families out of the rental market. Again, we are beginning to see a
slight change in the rental market area.
The Reading Housing Authority (Authority) strives to assist these families to seek and
obtain housing that is decent, safe and sanitary. In an effort to ameliorate this impact, the
Authority has attempted to develop and purchase several new units. The Authority continues
with its efforts to expand affordable housing by renovating a two family structure and building a
four-unit structure on a present site. That process is a slow one. We continue to support private
developers and the Town in their efforts to set aside units for low/moderate income families in
their proposed developments. We reach out to owners of multi-family units who would like to
work with us to serve our clients.
As always, the Authority goes beyond the bricks and mortar and provides assistance to
families, elderly and handicapped persons to obtain the services they need. We work closely
with Mystic Valley Elder Services and our home care agency to meet the needs of the elderly
residents as they strive to remain independent and age in place. With budget cuts affecting all of
us, we strive to maintain our programs, work with other supportive agencies and still offer a safe
and decent place for our seniors, disabled and families in need. On behalf of the Board, we want
to thank Executive Director Lyn Whyte and her staff for their continued dedication, commitment
and service to the Reading Housing Authority. We look forward to working with them as we
meet the new challenges that lie ahead.
Respectfully submitted,
John Coote, Chair
Reading Housing Authority
Organization:
Organized in 1963 to address the housing needs of the Town’s low and moderate income
residents, the Reading Housing Authority (Authority) is “a public body politic and corporate”
duly organized and authorized by Massachusetts General Laws (MGL), Chapter 121B, s.3. The
Authority receives its funds from the State and Federal government to assist our clients with their
housing needs. Although the Authority does not receive any local funding, five unpaid Reading
residents compose the Board of Commissioners.
Four of these board members are appointed by the Board of Selectmen and one is the
Governor’s appointee. Each member serves for a five year term. The Board is responsible for
the overall operation of the Authority. The day to day responsibility is delegated to the
Executive Director.
The Board meets regularly and has scheduled their monthly meetings for the first
Monday of each month. The Annual Meeting of the Board is currently scheduled for the month
after the Selectmen make their annual appointment of a Board member. Currently, the Board
members and their term of office are as follows:
John A. Coote Chair and Tenant Representative
332 Summer Avenue Term expires 6/30/2008
Karen L. Flammia Vice-Chair
19 Vista Avenue Term expires 6/30/2005
Diane Cohen Treasurer and State Appointment
51 Redgate Lane Term expires 5/03/2006
Timothy J. Kelley Assistant Treasurer
84 Woburn Street Term expires 6/30/2009
Mary Connors Member
52 Sanborn Street Term expires 6/30/2007
Lyn E. Whyte Secretary and Executive Director
41 Shore Road
Saugus, MA
Reading Housing Authority
Administrative Staff:
The Board contracts an Executive Director who manages the day-to-day operations of
the Authority. Within State and Federal guidelines and other budgetary limits, the Executive
Director hires the supporting staff necessary to achieve the goals and responsibilities of the
Authority’s programs. The Executive Director Lyn Whyte is at the end of a three-year contract
that expires August 29, 2005.
:
Administration
Lyn E. Whyte Secretary and Executive Director
Catherine Sutherland Office Manager
Kathleen Rolli Federal Program Coordinator and Assistant
Executive Director
Michelle Hudzik State Program Coordinator
Karin Keyser Family Resource Coordinator for Section 8 FSS
Community Parish Resident Service Coordinator for State Nursing
Programs
Maintenance:
Thomas Stapleton Maintenance Supervisor
Frank Veglia Maintenance Staff
Robert Howe Maintenance Staff
Supportive Services Affiliations:
Home Care:
Jacqueline Carson Sanborn Home Care Director
Sandra Trainor Community Parish Nursing
Daniel J. O’Leary Director, Mystic Valley Elder Services
Pamela Brown Town of Reading, Elder Services Administrator
Financial Institutions:
Bank of America
Reading Cooperative Bank
Massbank
BankNorth
Mass. Municipal Deposit and Trust – State Street Bank
Affiliations:
National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO)
Massachusetts Chapter of National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials
(MassNAHRO)
New England Regional Council of National Association of Housing and Redevelopment
Officials (NERC/NAHRO)
Section 8 Administrators Association
North Shore Housing Executive Directors’ Association (NSHEDA)
Adult Literacy Committee of Reading/Wakefield YMCA
Reading Housing Authority
Consultants:
Accountants: Fenton, Ewald & Associates
Legal: John L. Greco, Esq. and DHCD Legal Counsel Lori McBride
Contractors:
Hiltz Waste Disposal Woodbury Electrical
Wilwerth Plumbing John’s Sewer & Pipe Cleaning
Viking Oil Company Powers Plowing Service
Roberto Bros. Landscaping Atlas Alarm
Automatic Laundry Home Depot
Maintenance:
We do it all – from the beautiful paint job to the new appointments before you move
into your new apartment. The maintenance staff meets the challenges on every occasion and has
done an excellent job.
With the four seasons here in New England, maintenance has to be ready to take it all in
stride. They do the Spring clean-up and plantings, the Summer mowing, watering, weeding and
trimming, the Fall leaf pick-up, and Winter’s snow and ice removal. The maintenance staff
works tirelessly to keep our developments looking beautiful. We have been lucky enough to
have the assistance of the Work Release Program from the Middlesex Sheriff’s Department.
They have been exceptional in the work that they have done with our landscaping and painting
projects. These programs are cost effective and have become a critical component to maintaining
our properties. During the course of this past year, this program enabled us to paint exterior
porches on an RHA owned property, a project which had not been done in approximately nine
years. Additional plans are already scheduled for Spring 2005 for exterior painting of family
units in Town.
The Authority is responsible for 108 individual units located on 10 different sites. It is
no easy task to keep each one looking in its top form. The maintenance staff is also responsible
for the daily work orders and any emergency work that has to be done. The Authority has an
extensive preventative maintenance program for all major components, and has a cyclical paint
.
schedule for all units
2004 Grants Received:
Each year, the Authority applies for several grants to improve our properties and better
serve our residents and the community. Included in this year’s awards were:
Modernization of State Housing
No funding available.
Entering final phase of Energy Conservation Program at all State owned units ($17,996). That
contract is due to expire 07/04.
Reading Housing Authority
Supportive Services Grant – HUD
Funding of Family Self-Sufficiency Program Coordinator ($30,0340.00). This amount was a
7.25% increase over last year’s award, and will unfortunately expire on March 31, 2005 with no
additional funding presently available.
Supportive Services Grant – State
Funding of Resident Service Coordinator to address elderly/non-elderly needs at Frank D.
Tanner Drive Complex.
Audits:
The Authority has a Single Audit of all programs by an independent auditor each year.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Office of the State Auditor was engaged to perform the
latest review of the Authority’s programs for fiscal year end June 2004. The audit is in its final
stages and final submissions are expected to be completed by the end of February 2005.
At this time, the Authority has no indication of any known findings or additional
recommendations as a result of this latest audit. The Authority’s financial position is adequate to
meet the needs of the operation and development of the programs, and we are fortunate to
maintain a retained revenue agency status.
Management Review:
The Authority has had a current Management Review done of all State programs. The
Asset Managers from the State’s Department of Housing and Community Development
reviewed all the operations of the State programs to insure compliance in the daily operation of
the Authority’s budget, occupancy, administration, maintenance, services and tenant
participation. The Authority received an excellent review with minor comments.
In regard to our federal program, the Authority submitted its annual Section 8
Management Assessment Program (SEMAP) reports for fiscal year end June 2003 to HUD for
review and subsequent scoring. The purpose of SEMAP is to measure public housing authority
performance in key areas of the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program management. It is
a tool used by HUD to effectively monitor and assist PHA’s.
It is our pleasure to report that the Reading Housing Authority received an overall score
of 100 percent for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2003. As a result of this score, the Authority is
designated by HUD as a “high performer” with credit going to Section 8 Program Coordinator
Kathy Rolli for her continued efforts in administering an ever-changing federal program. We
will not submit additional SEMAP reports until fiscal year June 2005. These assessments are
now performed every two years for an agency of our size per latest HUD changes.
Reading Housing Authority
State Programs:
The Authority currently manages the three programs under the State’s Department of
Housing and Community Development: 667 Housing (elderly/handicapped housing); 705
Housing (Family housing); 689 Housing (Special Needs Housing).
We encourage applicants to apply for our elderly/handicapped (667) housing.
Housing for Elderly/Handicapped Persons (667)
80 units Frank D. Tanner Drive Complex
Eligibility: 60 years of age or disabled
Income: 1 person - $46,300
2 persons - $52,950
Housing for Families (705)
6 units Waverly and Oakland Road (six 3BR units)
4 units Pleasant and Parker Street
(two 2BR units, one 3BR unit, one 4BR unit)
Eligibility: Family of two or more depending on bedroom size
Income: 2 persons - $52,950
3 persons - $59,550
4 persons - $66,150
5 persons - $71,450
6 persons - $76,750
7 persons - $82,050
8 persons - $87,350
Federal Programs:
The Authority manages 125 subsidies for persons of very low income under the
Federal Section 8 Program. Currently, our list is closed. The income limits are:
Section 8 Rental Assistance
Income limits: 1 person – $28,950 2 persons - $33,100
3 persons - $37,200 4 persons - $41,350
5 persons - $44,650 6 persons - $47,950
7 persons - $51,250 8 persons - $54,600
RHA-Owned Properties:
The Authority presently owns and manages 18 family units located in various locations
throughout the Town of Reading. We continue to pursue opportunities to expand low income
housing units within the Town whenever possible. Plans are in design stages to add four three-
bedroom units to our present housing stock.
Reading Housing Authority
Applications:
Elderly/Handicapped Housing (667)
The Authority manages 80 one-bedroom units of housing for elderly/handicapped
persons at our Frank D. Tanner Drive complex in Reading. To qualify for this housing, a single
person or couple must meet the eligibility guidelines and be 60 years of age or older or
handicapped. The Authority sets aside 13.5% of these units for non-elderly handicapped
persons.
The wait list is currently open for all seniors 60 years of age and older.
We
encourage Reading residents to apply and are making special outreach efforts to elderly of
minority representation. The 13.5% non-elderly handicapped requirement has been fulfilled but
applications are still being accepted for our wait list. Non-elderly applicants will be served after
You
the Authority has placed all qualified applicants if the 13.5% requirement has been met.
may obtain an application at the office of the Authority, 22 Frank D. Tanner Drive,
Reading, MA 01867.
Family Housing – State (705)
The Authority operates the State’s Family Housing Program with two different
developments. The first family housing development that was built by the Authority is located at
Oakland and Waverly Roads and is called Waverly Oaks. There are six three-bedroom units.
This wait list is currently closed. If we do reopen the wait list, this opening would be advertised
in the local paper, and we would notify area churches, human service agencies and any local
veterans’ agencies.
Section 8 Federal Housing Assistance Program
Currently, the wait list for our Section 8 Program is open. We now participate in the
centralized wait list program initiated in December 2002 and administered by Mass NAHRO.
Applications are available at our administrative office or online at www.mnahro.org. An
application can be downloaded from that site and submitted to any agency participating in the
centralized wait list program. There are currently about 55 member agencies.
The State maintains a wait list for its programs through the Metropolitan Boston
Housing Program (MBHP). Anyone seeking an emergency application should contact MBHP at
(800) 272-0990 to obtain an application. The local area service agency for emergency applicants
is Community Service Network. You may contact them at (781) 438-1977.
Summit Village First Time Homebuyers Program:
The Authority continues to oversee the maintenance of the wait list for qualified and
eligible applicants for the affordable units at Summit Village through the First Time Homebuyers
Program. We presently have nine potential buyers on our wait list, two of which were added in
October and November of 2003. During the past year, one affordable unit was made available
and subsequently sold at an affordable price to a family on our wait list. The “affordable”
owners must have a fair market appraisal done, the Authority reviews the appraisal and if
Reading Housing Authority
accepted, provides the owner with the maximum resale price for the affordable unit. If the owner
has a friend who would be eligible and income-qualified, then the Authority reviews their
qualifications and provides them with an “Eligible Purchaser Certificate.” If the owner wishes to
select an applicant from the wait list, the Authority would send the next available and eligible
buyer’s name to the owner to negotiate the sale.
Interested applicants may pick up applications packets at the Town Clerk’s Office in
Town Hall, at the Reference Desk at the Reading Public Library, or at the office of the Reading
Housing Authority, 22 Frank D. Tanner Drive. When making an application, a $10.00 fee made
payable to the “Reading Housing Authority” must be included along with all pertinent
documentation.
If the family applying for the affordable unit is headed by two-persons, both parties
must execute the application as applicant and co-applicant. Income from all family members age
18+ is included in family income for eligibility. However, if the income of one of these persons
is from a dependent (not spouse) who is a full-time student, then a deduction for out of pocket
expenses for books, tuition, fees and/or travel is allowed. Documentation from the school must
be provided and verification for employment and expenses must be provided with the
application. All persons must sign a “Release of Information” to have their documentation
verified by the Authority. Highlights of the program are:
First Time Homebuyer
Cannot have owned a home within the last three years;
divorced persons cannot currently own home but three year
restriction is excused.
Maximum Family Income
Currently, the maximum family income is $82,600 (effective
1/28/04) for all persons in the family from all sources (wages,
interest, dividends, etc.)
Family Housing
The two bedroom units must have a minimum family size of
two persons. The maximum number of persons that can
qualify for a two bedroom unit would be four persons.
The three bedroom units must have a minimum of three
persons with two being minor children living in the household.
The maximum number of persons that would qualify for a three
bedroom unit would be six persons.
Affordable Price
The affordable price is based on a 20% discount from the
current fair market appraisal of the unit, which must be verified
by the Authority.
Reading Housing Authority
Deed Restriction Anyone wishing to purchase an “affordable” unit should be
aware that a permanent deed restriction would be recorded with
their deed. This restriction states that the unit must be sold to a
qualified and eligible purchaser at a 20% discount from the fair
market value as approved by the Reading Housing Authority.
Single Persons
Applications are accepted from single family households but
persons on the single person wait list will be chosen only after
all the eligible family applicants have been served.
Local Preference Applicants from the Town of Reading are given preference
over other applicants if their application is made on the same
day. This local preference is given if a person is employed in
the Town of Reading, has a business or enterprise in Reading
which has been established for one or more years, if they are
parents of a school child in Reading, persons who were
residents of Reading for five or more years.
Conclusion:
The Reading Housing Authority is proud to provide this information to you. Anyone
interested in obtaining an application for elderly/handicapped housing should contact the
authority at 22 Frank D. Tanner Drive or by calling the office at (781) 944-6755.
Please look in the local papers for the opening of our family wait list for the State 705
Program and the Federal Section 8 Rental Assistance Program.
READING PUBLIC LIBRARY
"The Reading Public Library is at the heart of an involved, articulate and literate community."
Reading Public Library Strategic Plan 2000-2005
Statistics:
Patrons borrowed 349,181 items in 2004.
21,837 Reading residents have a library card.
14,316 people attended children's programs.
3,086 people attended teen and adult programs.
There were 204,051 visits to the Library in 2004.
The Library borrowed 19,417 items from other libraries for our patrons.
There were 430 reservations for the Library Meeting Rooms.
January, 2004
A new Reader Advisory Page was added to the Library's website.
http://www.readingpl.org/readersadvisory.html. This page provides book club information and
resources, book reviews, lists of newly added materials and great suggestions for reading.
The Library values the privacy of our users by keeping their transactions confidential to the
fullest extent allowed by law. In January, a new reserved policy was implemented which
guarantees that only authorized persons may pick up a patron’s reserved books. Head of
Circulation Michelle Filleul provided workshops for all staff on the implementation of the new
policy.
What You Said:
"Patron service is really stressed in Reading. It is more than lip service, there is a genuine effort
made to get what is needed in the right hands with a smile."
February, 2004
The Library’s Annual Staff Day was held on February 13th. The theme for the day was
“ Everyone Can Be a Leader.” Nationally known Facilitator Maureen Sullivan led the staff
through a series of tests, exercises and discussions on the subject of leadership. This in-service
training which is funded by the Friends of the Library is critical in keeping library staff up to
date, energized and inspired.
The Children’ Department assembled SmartStart Baby Bags to give out to families with children
up to two years old. The bags contain board books, booklists and a library card application.
These bags provide a great introduction to the Library for our youngest users. This project was
funded by a State literacy grant and the Friends of the Library.
What You Said:
"I love the services the Library offers youth. The children's librarians are tremendously creative
and inspire not only the children but the parents as well. This is important because it is the
parents who get children to the Library during the crucial early years."
March, 2004
New media shelving was installed to house the Library’s ever-growing collection of CDs, Books
.
on Tape, Videos and DVDs
Our Anniversary
On Saturday, March 13th, Reading residents and others came together to celebrate the Library’s
th
20 Anniversary in its current location at 64 Middlesex Avenue. The highlight of the celebration
was the Library’s reenactment of the "human chain" which originally moved books from the old
Library to the Library’s new home in the renovated Highland School.
Over 2000 people lined the sidewalks of Reading as a symbolic book was passed from person to
person from Town Hall to the Library. There was something very special in the coming together
of townspeople of all ages to share this experience. It was a demonstration of community and
civic spirit that was totally "awesome," as well as a commemoration of the "human chain" that
moved the Library 20 years ago!
What You Said:
"It was simply G-R-E-A-T!!."
April, 2004
Janet Taylor Lisle, nationally know author of historical novels for young adults, visited the
Library and the Middle Schools for two days.
Senior Library Technician Allison DaSilva won the Massachusetts Library Association’s Award
for Outstanding Advocacy for Paralibrarians. Allison earned this special honor because of her
many efforts to gain recognition for the crucial contribution made by Library support staff.
Head of Technical Services Jamie Penney was named the incoming Chair of the Massachusetts
Library Association’s Technical Services Division.
What You Said:
"Service with a smile!! The Librarians are always very happy people and that’s what I like best
about the Library!The staff is extremely pleasant, knowledgeable and efficient."
May, 2004
A reception was held to honor over 100 very giving people who donated 2,267 hours of
volunteer time to the Library. The Library is very grateful for the dedication of our outstanding
volunteers.
Residents enjoyed the annual Friends of the Reading Library House Tour which has become a
beloved Spring tradition. It is the Library’s major fundraiser for the year.
What You Said:
Our nation's information is constantly changing. We need to have immediate access and remain
"
current. Also, we need the relaxation which reading provides, and we need to share a love of
reading with all generations."
June, 2004
The Library was awarded a $20,000 Community Languages Grant from the Massachusetts Board
of Library Commissioners. The grant provides funding to purchase books, periodicals and audio-
visual materials in Chinese Hindi and Spanish. According to the 2000 United States Census, the
number of Reading residents who speak and read these languages is growing significantly.
433 children signed up on the first day of “Splash!” this year's Summer Reading Program. Over
1,000 participants had signed up by the end of June. In all, 1277 children participated in the
Summer Reading Program, reading almost 19,000 hours.
More than 150 teens signed up for the Young Adult Summer Reading Program, "Surf's Up!"
What You Said:
"READING LIBRARY ROCKS!"
July, 2004
Summer reading was in full swing with lots of programs from chess to poetry to pajama
storytimes. Finding Reado, the Library Parrot, was a highlight of the Summer program.
Children, their parents, and even some Library staff members had lots of fun "finding Reado."
Reado's temporary homes included the window at the Hot Spot, Daniel’s House Nursing Home,
CB Designs and several other Downtown business locations. Children who "found" Reado were
eligible for a weekly prize drawing.
Library Director Kimberly Lynn resigned in order to spend more time with her family. Assistant
Director Elizabeth Dickinson was named Acting Director, and a search committee was formed to
hire a new Director.
What you Said:
"As books become more expensive, I prefer to use the Library."
August, 2004
The Children's Department had another great Summer! In August, there were loads of programs,
including Bubblemania, Vehicle Day, a special storytime at Parker Tavern, as well as the regular
sing-along, pajama storytimes, films, puppet shows and chess.
177 participants in the Teen Summer Reading Program read over 650 books! The Teen Summer
Auction and Ice Cream Bash was held in August to celebrate the end of the program.
Splash/Bash, our end of Summer reading celebration was held outside on a beautiful Summer
evening. Events included a local celebrity dunk tank, a live jazz band, picnicson the lawn, food
vendors, games, and art activities for the children.
Corinne Fisher, Head of Children's Services, provided leadership throughout 2004 to librarians
in all six New England states as Chair of the New England Round Table of Children's Librarians.
What you Said:
“I love this Library so much, I could live there!
September, 2004
Close to 600 people attended the Reading Public Library Foundation's Program, "An Evening
with Barry and Elliot" (Jordan's Furniture). The Children's Department presented Barry and
Elliot with a "welcome book" which showcased children's drawings of Reading.
What You Said:
"The Library helps to level the playing field for the underprivileged. They are a formidable and
integral part of the community….often, it’s the resources of the Library that are the springboard
for people to be able to improve their lives personally or professionally."
October, 2004
Annual sixth grade "Cookie Tours" were held throughout October and November. These
librarian-led tours provide an opportunity for every sixth grade student to learn about the
Library's resources.
Lifelong Access Institute
Reading Public Library was one of 18 libraries selected to participate in " Lifelong Access
The Library
Institute" which is part of the Northeast Regional Library System's grant,
Experience, Older Citizens.
The Institute is designed to address the needs of older, active,
adult library users. Librarian Lorraine Barry is the Project Manager for this grant. She will be
working with the YMCA to plan an Older Adult Information Fair next Spring.
What You Said:
"Libraries have the ability to define unknown data as reliable, truthful. The Internet is wonderful
(and I do love and use it constantly), but users need to be careful when using the Internet.
Librarians can help you by making sure that the information you are getting is accurate and
trustworthy."
November, 2004
On November 5th, the Reading Public Library Foundation sponsored an " Evening with Anchee
Min." Ms. Min is the author of several best-selling books including her powerful memoir, Red
Azalea. The program, which was the first event in the Helen Nigro Speaker Series, was very
moving, and provided a unique view of recent Chinese history.
What You Said:
"In addition to providing books and computer services, the Library will become more and more a
community center and offer an increasing number of lectures, art exhibits, children's programs.”
December, 2004
The Library received a check of $7800 from the Reading Lions Club, representing the profits for
their "Legendary Voices" fundraiser. The Library will use these funds to purchase materials for
senior citizens and patrons with visual impairments.
What We Said:
"THANK YOU!" All contributions to the Library are an investment in the quality of life in
Reading.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
For the year 2004, we have seen the demand for service continue to rise. Development of
commercial and residential properties as well as new school construction has severely taxed this
Department in the area of fire prevention. World events have increased our emergency
responses, impacted our Emergency Management System, and the trend of increased requests for
routine Fire Department services has continued.
The Reading Fire Department is responsible for fire suppression, fire prevention, the
Emergency Medical System and Emergency Management. The Emergency Management
function identifies hazards to the community. Plans are then developed and tested to create a
coordinated response to any type of disaster in the community. This Department is also
responsible to coordinate and apply for all reimbursement for State and Federal disaster
declarations. This year, the Town of Reading received $135,373 reimbursement for snow
removal costs incurred during the snowstorm of December 6-8, 2003.
The Reading Fire Department provides an Advanced Life Support level (A.L.S.) of care
to sick and injured patients. This is the highest level of pre-hospital care available, and has
resulted in a significant increase in the quality of patient care that we provide.
Emergency Activity
In 2004, this Department responded to 4,666 requests for emergency assistance. A brief
overview of emergency activity reveals there were 52 reportable fires broken down as follows:
Seven structure fires, 31 outside fires and 14 vehicle fires. There were seven Hazardous
Materials incidents. The Department responded to 1,778 requests for emergency medical
treatment and transported 986 patients. Of the patients transported, 614 received Advanced Life
Support treatment.
A resident on Tennyson Road suffered a large loss residential fire on December 13, 2004.
At approximately 10:35 p.m., a two-alarm fire broke out on the first floor of a two-story home
located on Tennyson Road. A mother and two children occupied the house at the time of the fire
and were in bed on the second floor. The occupants were alerted to the fire by the activation of
smoke detectors and escaped without injury.
Emergency Medical Services
The Reading Fire Department has provided high quality Emergency Medical Services to
the community since 1971. November 24, 2004 marked the one-year anniversary of our upgrade
to the Advanced Life Support Level. The Advanced life Support Level is the highest level of
pre-hospital emergency medical care available to sick and injured patients. This level of care
provides for a wide variety of medications and more sophisticated treatment techniques, and is
essential to patients who are experiencing a medical emergency that is an immediate threat to
their lives.
Our A.L.S. Program has been performing far better than we anticipated -- this is due to
the hard work of Captain Paul Guarino and Firefighters Sean Devlin and Eric Blackman. Since
the advent of our program, the Reading Fire Department has responded to 2,157 medical
incidents and transported 1,520 patients. Of the patients transported, 766 (50%) required
Advanced Life
Fire Department
Support treatment. Our program is saving lives -- we have a resuscitation rate for
patients in cardiac arrest of 36% -- this is an impressive statistic when compared nationally. The
City of Boston’s resuscitation rate is 40%. The four highest categories of medical conditions
requiring A.L.S. treatment for the Town of Reading are: Cardiac events 24%, respiratory
emergencies 16%, neurological emergencies 16%, and injury by trauma 8%.
As a result of a State-wide grant, we received two new Lifepak 500 defibrillators. These
new units have improved features that increase patient survivability of a cardiac event. Over the
last two years, we have received a total of four of these units, and this has allowed all first line
fire apparatus to be equipped with the upgraded units.
Fire Prevention
Lieutenant Paul Jackson is assigned the position of Day Officer. The Day Officer is
responsible to ensure all life safety systems for new construction and renovations are designed
and installed properly. This requires pre-construction meetings, plan review, code research and
continual site visits to ensure proper installation. For existing buildings, the Day Officer is
responsible to ensure all life safety systems are maintained properly. Other areas of responsibility
include ensuring the safety and code compliance of flammable and combustible product storage,
overseeing the maintenance of Department facilities, vehicles and equipment, and tracking data
on Department activities.
The new school construction projects, development at the landfill and other large-scale
projects have been a very large undertaking. The Jordan’s Furniture/Home Depot building
contains several different occupancies such as a theater, retail and bulk merchandising. This is a
unique building that required considerable code research, the installation of special features, and
the development of testing methods to ensure the safety needs of the occupants were met.
To ensure that all school buildings provide a safe environment, all school buildings
received a safety inspection prior to opening for the new school year. All businesses received an
annual in-service fire prevention inspection.
SAFE and Community Education
Firefighter John Jenks coordinates the Reading Fire Department’s S.A.F.E. Program.
This fire safety education program is delivered in the Reading Public School System, and
continues to receive a high level of support from School Administrators and children. This
program is funded by a grant provided by the State. State funding for the 2004 program was
reduced by two thirds, current funding is $1,400 per year. This required a complete retooling of
the program to adapt to the budget reduction.
This program features an in-house developed age appropriate curriculum for each grade
level K through 5. Reading Firefighters trained as S.A.F.E educators visit each school classroom
of Kindergarten through Grade 5 to deliver the fire prevention and anti-smoking message.
Firefighters use a specially designed trailer provided by the Metrofire District to present a very
real fire scenario to the students. Using this training aid, the children are taught life saving skills
in a controlled setting that is not possible to duplicate in the classroom.
Fire Department
The S.A.F.E. trailer is available to the Reading Fire Department and 33 other
communities in the Greater Boston Area free of charge.
Fire Alarm
The municipal fire alarm system in Reading is in excellent condition. This is a direct
result of the planning, care and maintenance given to the system by our two dedicated Fire
Alarm Technicians, Michael Holmes and Peter Vincent. Whenever possible, we are connecting
new and remodeled buildings to the municipal fire alarm system to ensure a rapid response to an
incident.
Reading Emergency Management Agency
As a result of recent world events, Emergency Management has become more active than
ever before. Housed within Reading’s Emergency Management Agency are two separate
functions, Emergency Management and the Local Emergency Planning Committee.
The primary goal for Emergency Management is to identify threats to the community and
to prepare for all disasters whether natural or manmade, coordinate the response of a wide range
of agencies and assist in the recovery phase. A secondary goal is to ensure that the Town of
Reading is in compliance with all Federal and State requirements to enable the community to
remain eligible to receive reimbursement for Federal and State disaster declarations. The Town
of Reading is and has always been in full compliance with all Federal and State requirements.
For the Town of Reading, the Fire Chief is the Emergency Management Director.
Federal and State legislation requires every community in the country to have a Local
Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC). The LEPC identifies areas where the population is
most at risk from a hazardous materials release, facilities and transportation routes that contain
hazardous materials and resources that would be used to mitigate an incident. The Reading Fire
Department has developed a Hazardous Materials Emergency Plan to meet both Federal and
State statutory planning requirements. For the Town of Reading, the Fire Chief is the Local
Emergency Planning Committee Chairman.
The primary purpose of the plan is to provide a framework and methodology to
efficiently respond to a hazardous materials emergency. To pool resources, the Town of Reading
has joined with eleven other communities and formed the Mystic Regional Local Emergency
Planning Committee. This association permits each member community to share resources in
the event of an emergency.
Preparation for the Democratic National Convention that was held in Boston on Monday,
July 26, 2004 through Thursday, July 29, 2004 required a considerable amount of staff time for
planning activities to ensure the community was ready for projected traffic impacts due to the
road closures. During the event, the Reading Fire Department provided staffing to a regional
command center located in Wilmington. The purpose of the command center was to monitor
fire, police, EMS and traffic conditions in the Metro North Boston area and to coordinate a
response if necessary.
Fire Department
Significant Events
th
On May 1, 2004, the Reading Fire Department celebrated its 150 Anniversary. We
recognized this important occasion on Sunday, September 26, 2004, with an open house and
motorized parade. The parade featured all the Reading Fire Department’s fire apparatus, in-
service equipment from Wilmington and Wakefield and 13 pieces of antique fire apparatus.
Due to the efforts of Captain Philip Boisvert, we received a grant from Federal
Emergency Management Agency under the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program for the sum
of $159,550. This has allowed us to replace all our self-contained breathing apparatus with new
equipment that has many new firefighter safety features our current equipment does not have.
Secondly, a fire alarm system was installed at the West Side Fire Station to bring this facility in
compliance with the life safety code. Also, equipment was purchased for the connection of fire
hose for all pumping engines.
The Department had one promotion, three retirements and hired one new member.
Captain Stephen Ballou retired after performing 33 years of service, Firefighter Arthur Vars
retired in May after 35 years of service, and Firefighter Stephen Lewko retired after performing
19 years of service. Lieutenant Boisvert was promoted to Captain on May 20, 2004 to fill a
vacant Captain’s position caused by retirement.
Captain Gordon Sargent was selected as the Reading Fire Department’s outstanding
member of the year. He was selected by a majority vote of Department members due to his 31
years of outstanding service to the Town of Reading. This is a well-deserved honor.
Conclusion
Over the last year, we have made significant advancements in all areas of the
Department. This has been achieved through higher levels of training for our personnel, the
addition of new technology and equipment. Through the active pursuit of public safety grants,
we have been able to install a computer in Engine 4, replace all our breathing apparatus, and
improve the living conditions of our Firefighters. The Advanced Life Support Program has
exceeded our expectations on every level, and represents a significant upgrade in the quality of
emergency medical services provided to the community.
I would like to thank all Town Officers, Boards, Departments, members of the Reading
Fire Department, and especially the citizens of Reading for their continued support and
assistance.
Respectfully submitted,
Gregory J. Burns
Chief of Fire Department
Fire Department
Statistics for 2004
Permit Fees Collected $15,779
Ambulance Fees Collected $470,022
Bell Alarms 334
Still Alarms 2,614
Emergency Ambulance Calls 1,778
Inspections 880
FIRE DEPARTMENT ROSTER
CHIEF
:
Gregory J. Burns
FIRE PREVENTION:
Lieutenant Paul D. Jackson
CAPTAINS:
Kenneth N. Campbell Jr. Paul F. Guarino
Gordon E. Sargent Philip B. Boisvert~
LIEUTENANTS:
Peter L. Marchetti Richard A. Puopolo
David T. Ballou Richard L.S. Nelson~
FIREFIGHTERS:
McSheehy, Matthew Jenks, John
Cahoon, Daniel Blackman, Eric
Holmes, Michael Roy, Paul
Roy, David Loftus, Derek
McCarthy, Robert Ballou, Dana
Dwyer, Mark Polcari, Linda
Wallace, Patrick McCarthy, Tom
Ryan, Brian Devlin, Sean
Pelrine, Stephen Finnegan, Chris
Beck, Robert Myette, Scott
Murphy, Stephen Wade, Scott
Jutras, Robert Ayer, Bruce
Robidoux, David Richard, Tricia
DelSignore, Anthony Dalton, Paul
Gentile, David
Belmonte, Michael
VanHorn, William
Palermo, Lisa
Wood, Michael
Dole, Scott
Cynthia M. Keenan, Secretary
Peter Vincent, Fire Alarm
Retirements
Captain Stephen Ballou
Arthur Vars
Stephen Lewko ~ Promoted to fill vacancy
POLICE DEPARTMENT
The Reading Police Department is proud of its accomplishments in 2004. We were one of a
handful of Police Departments who met the Racial Profiling standards set by the Commonwealth. We
were also one of the few Police Departments that became State Certified.
The Department looks with great pride to the programs we were able to provide to the public that
goes beyond the basic police services. Examples are the Rape Aggression Defense (RAD), the Parenting
Program, the “Click it or Ticket it” Program, the Bicycle Helmet Program and the Citizen Police
Academy.
Through the hard work of Lieutenant Michael Cloonan, the Department’s Executive Officer, we
successfully received Federal and State Community Policing Grants. These grants funded several
important initiatives. Programs such as the “Click it or Ticket It” Program provided manpower to
enforce the car seat belt laws. During the Summer months, we augmented our regular police patrols with
additional pedal bike and motorcycle patrols. All of these programs provided greater public safety. As
important, these programs provided an opportunity to interact more closely with the community. This
interaction strengthens the support for the Department and its Officers. Lieutenant Michael Cloonan is
responsible for scheduling and the Department’s firearms training. As the Department’s second-in-
command, he is in charge during the Police Chief’s absence.
The Department is fortunate to have a very professionally run Detective Division. Commanded
by Lieutenant Detective Kevin Patterson, the Detective Division has been successful in solving most of
the crimes it has investigated. Their attention to detail has resulted in crimes being solved that otherwise
would not have been possible. The Detective Division works closely with the Reading School
Administrators and school staff in addressing the many criminal and non-criminal actions of the student
population. The Detective Division maintains a high level of respectability within the courts for the
professional way they prosecute criminal cases. The work done by the Detectives on the Sexual Registry
has been exemplary. Working with Detectives from other communities, we have investigated very
complex and sensitive crimes that have resulted in arrest and closure for the victims. Lieutenant
Detective Patterson holds a high level position with the Regional Detective Association. This position
brings credit to him and to the Department.
The current Night Commander is Lt. Richard W. Robbins who commands 18 of the 32 Officers in
the Uniform Division (four Sergeants and 14 Patrol Officers). Additionally, he is in charge of the Public
Safety Dispatchers consisting of the Head Dispatcher, seven full-time and two part-time civilian
dispatchers as well as the Communication Center.
The following are some of Lt. Robbins’ responsibilities:
♦
The Department’s Crime Prevention Officer assisted by Officer Larry Frederick.
♦
The Department’s liaison with the Fire Department. Issues or concerns between departments are
discussed with the goal of resolving those issues and concerns.
♦
The Department’s State mandated representative for the Criminal Justice Information System
(CJIS)/Criminal History Systems Board (CHSB) computer. This computer system allows the
Reading Police Department to check Registry of Motor Vehicle records, check for arrest warrants,
conduct criminal record checks locally and around the country as well as administrative functions.
Lt. Robbins is responsible for the training and certification of new hires in the use of the CJIS/CHSB
computer and the recertification of personnel every two years. Sergeant James Cormier is the back
up representative.
Police Department
♦
Responsible for the monthly validation procedure for confirming that a record in the CJIS/CHSB
computer is complete, accurate and still outstanding or active in the following files: Boats, Guns,
License Plates, Missing Persons, Securities, Vehicles, NCIC Warrants and LEAPS Warrants.
Validation is accomplished by reviewing the original entry and current supporting documents.
Consulting with the complainant, victim, prosecutor, court as well as any motor vehicle registry
file is required.
♦
Responsible for submitting monthly crime statistics to the State under the new National Incident-
Based Reporting System (NIBRS). NIBRS collects data on each single incident and arrest within
22 offense categories made up of 46 specific crimes called Group A offenses. For each of the
offenses, various facts about the crime are collected. In addition to Group A offenses, there are
11 Group B offense categories for which only arrest data are reported. Each reportable crime is
reviewed for accuracy in the reporting of the following: The crime, victim, suspect, witness and
property, including drugs. In order for this Department to participate in any Federal grant
program, it must agree to the more in depth crime reporting requirement of NIBRS.
♦
Coordinator for the Department’s Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT). Maintains the
records to ensure the EMTs obtain the required continuing education hours, refresher course
and CPR training every two years.
♦
Coordinates training and maintains the Departments cardiac defibrillator units. Defibrillators
are a key element in the Chain of Survival for a person who suffers a sudden cardiac arrest. By
quickly delivering an electrical shock to the heart, the chances of recovery increase. Each minute
of delay in returning the heart to its normal rhythm decreases the chance of survival by 10%.
♦
Responsible for yearly evaluations of the four night Sergeants and the Head Dispatcher.
♦
The four night Sergeants have many responsibilities that impact upon the Town’s public safety.
The Department’s Website which is currently on hold due to budgetary constraints is maintained
by Sergeant David Stamatis. Sergeant Francis Duclos assists with Department training. Sergeant
James Cormier is responsible for maintaining State Certification and maintains the Department’s
in-house computer system. Sergeant Patrick M. O’Brien maintains the Enhanced 9-1-1 System,
Department computer system, State Teletype system, Enhanced 911, and the National Crime
Reporting System.
The success of the Department’s efforts to deliver professional police services is dependent on a
Department wide team effort. All sworn and civilian members work together to provide the most
effective and efficient public safety services. This team effort has resulted in a successful Open House
held in May. In September, Department personnel were privileged to serve a Ham and Bean Supper to
our greatest supporters, our senior citizens. In December, we provided a tasty treat and a good time to
our youngest citizens at the Department’s Annual Town-wide Christmas Party.
PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHERS
The Reading Public Safety Dispatchers provide through communications a lifeline for the
community, Police Officers and Firefighters. Seven full-time and two part-time Dispatchers are under
the direct supervision of the Head Dispatcher and under the command of the night Police Commander.
Dispatchers receive request for information and request for service, they triage those request based on
available resources, and disseminate those request to the emergency personnel in the field.
Police Department
Dispatchers greet the public entering the Police Station and provide a valuable service to our
community. Dispatchers recorded 18,694 calls for service in 2004 and issued 3,899 Community Access
Stickers. We are grateful for the professional service provided by the Reading Public Safety Dispatchers.
CROSSING GUARDS
The school Crossing Guards are part-time civilian personnel. Currently, there are 18 permanent
Crossing Guards and five spares that fill in when a regular Crossing Guard is unable to cover their post.
They are under the direct supervision, coordination and control of Safety Officer Thomas B. Murphy.
Each Crossing Guard plays an essential role in ensuring the safe commute of children to and from
school. They also serve as an extra set of eyes and ears for the Police Department and the community as
well. These Crossing Guards have proven to be devoted to their duties and are a great asset to the Town
of Reading.
ANIMAL CONTROL
The Animal Control Officer is Ronald Burns who works 13 hours per week and is called on for
emergency situations.
There were more than 600 calls for service received by the Animal Control Officer. There were
eight dog bites over the year resulting in injuries to humans. There were nine bites over the year
resulting from animal to animal. Four tested positive for rabies and were quarantined for 45 days. Those
that tested negative for rabies were quarantined for 10 days.
Over 200 fines and citations were issued to residents for failure to keep their dog on a leash,
failure to license their dog and for biting. A majority of the calls were received for neighbors
complaining about other dogs. Two dogs were euthanized and two dogs were killed by motor vehicles.
Three hearings were held at the Woburn District Court for people protesting citations.
The Animal Control Officer is authorized to isolate and confine domestic animals suspected of
being exposed to rabies. Acting according to State regulations and guidelines, Animal Control Officers
must:
♦
Investigate reports of domestic animals exposed to rabies.
♦
Determine if the domestic animal has or may have been exposed to a rabid animal, and if the
domestic animal has been properly vaccinated.
♦
Make an evaluation of the exposure of the vaccinated animal and prescribe the appropriate
action according to State regulations.
♦
Obtain permission to euthanasia exposed, unvaccinated animals from their owners or from the
MDFA.
(a)Carry out euthanasia permitted by the owner of MDFA.
(b)Collect the head of the euthanized animal and deliver or send it to MDPH
State Laboratory Institute, if the animal has bitten or otherwise exposed a
human or domestic animal.
♦
Ensure that vaccinated domestic animals receive a booster vaccination if needed, and that the
animal remains under appropriate strict confinement or isolation.
♦
Contact local officials when exposed domestic animals have exposed humans.
Police Department
PARKING ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
The Parking Enforcement Officer is Ronald Burns. He works 18 hours per week, covering four
days in the work week.
The major responsibilities of the Parking Enforcement Officer are:
♦
Identify and cite motorists who violate Reading's parking regulations and reduce opportunities
for violations to be committed through preventive patrols of all parking areas.
♦
Tally and inventory tickets daily.
♦
Identify parking problem areas within the Town and forward this information to the Safety Officer.
♦
Perform related duties as required.
♦
Total Citations issued by PEO: 2,984
♦
Total income from parking citations: $55,985
The following is the Department Roster, a statistical analysis of our enforcement efforts and a
record of revenues generated by our department.
POLICE DEPARTMENT ROSTER
CHIEF:
Robert J. Silva
LIEUTENTANTS:
Lt.-Detective N. Kevin Patterson
Executive Officer Michael P. Cloonan
Night Commander Richard W. Robbins
SERGEANTS:
Bruce F. Russell David M. Stamatis
Mark J. O’Brien Peter C. Garchinsky
James W. Cormier Francis G. Duclos
Sgt.-Detective Patrick M. O’Brien
DETECTIVE DIVISION:
Patrol Officer Robert F. Flynn
Patrol Officer Michael D. Saunders
Patrol Officer John McKenna
SUPPORT SERVICES:
Community Service Officer Jack Kyle
Safety Officer Thomas Murphy
Armorer Christopher J. Voegelin
Police Department
PATROL OFFICERS:
David Savio Larry E. Frederick Peter O’Brien
Charles J. Lentini Salvi Lavita James P. Collins
Anthony F. Caturello Pasquale Iapicca Matthew C. Edson
David J. Clark Mark D. Segalla Derek Holmes
Christopher R. Picco Joseph Belmonte Michael Lee
Michelle Halloran Michael Nickerson Keith Hurley
Kevin Brown Michael Fitzgerald Leone Sullivan
Ancillary Personnel
ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER/PARKING ENFORCEMENT OFFICER:
Ronald Burns
CLERKS:
Administrative Assistant Victoria Cummings
Principal Clerk Joanne Power
DISPATCHERS:
Head Dispatcher Victoria Avery Regina Benoit-Saunders Ryan Mahoney
John Rawcliffe Matthew Vatcher Stephen Duke
Michelle Aldrich Susan Tapley
SCHOOL CROSSING GUARDS:
Cindy Ashi Mildred Barton Reggie Benoit
Tony Deantonis Fred Dyment Thomas Petelle
Ernie Gisetto Mary Hubbard Gerry Intonti
Lucy Intonti Joseph Lopiccola Tina Lantz
Marsha Leighton Jim Maloney Luann McKinnon
Edward Harradon Peter Mpontsikaris
Dick Stosez
Spare Crossing Guards:
Ronald Burns
John Rafferty
Arthur Dickinson
Thomas Esposito
Peggy Faulkner
Police Department
The following are the arrests and services performed:
2004
Arrests:150
Persons held in Protective Custody:25
Motor Vehicle Violations:5,862
Parking Violations:4,391
Juveniles Apprehended:5
Detective Criminal Cases:165
Auto Accidents Investigated:595
Fees Collected – FY 2004
License to Carry:$2,963.00
Firearms Identification Cards:$913.00
Police Reports Copied:$1,523.00
Parking Fines:$84,740.00
Court Fines:$6,485.00
Administrative Fees for Details:$30,959.00
Commuter Parking Permits:$13,780.00
Community Access Stickers:$80,466.00
Civil Infractions:$35,660.00
Rent for Community Room:$111.00
MV Lease or Surcharge:$1,938.00
The Reading Police Department’s mission is to protect and serve the public through police action.
With limited resources, we must act as a team to accomplish our mission. Providing the community with
the highest level of police services is a goal that will require dedication, hard work and a strong
commitment to our community from the Police Officers and the Department’s civilian support staff.
We look forward to the many challenges that 2005 will present to us. A new Police Chief will
lead our department to a very successful year. During this transition, the spirit and dedication of all
Police personnel will be tested. I am confident that they will rise to the occasion.
I want to thank the citizens of our community for their support and cooperation. Working with
the community, your Police Department will accomplish its mission.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert J. Silva, Chief of Police
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
Director’s Comments
Department personnel were actively involved as members or liaisons of many Boards and
Committees. We have also assisted other Departments throughout the year on many projects and
programs, and have been fortunate to have the cooperation and support of the Town Manager and other
Departments within the Town.
The Town has engaged the services of consulting engineers in developing long-term plans for
water supply, water distribution improvements, fleet maintenance and sewer system improvements.
Capital plans have been developed to incorporate these improvements over a ten-year period and beyond.
The Department continues work with the consulting firm of Camp, Dresser & McKee in preparing
applications and documentation for the Town of Reading to connect into the Massachusetts Water
Resources Authority (MWRA) water system, with the ability to use up to 219,000,000 gallons of water
per year from the MWRA system. The buy-in cost is estimated to be $3.4 million. Water system
improvements continue with the replacement of older, unlined smaller diameter mains with larger
diameter mains in order to increase fire flows and improve water quality. A portion of the 20-inch
diameter main in the Birch Meadow Park area was replaced in kind, and the construction of a 12”
diameter water main from Walkers Brook Drive to Ash Street was completed. We have also been
working with Camp, Dresser & McKee to develop a program for the removal of inflow and infiltration
into the Town’s sanitary sewer system with concentration on TV inspection and sealing of distribution
mains and manholes. We are moving forward to perform house-to-house inspections with the purpose of
identifying illegal sump pumps and storm drain connections to the sanitary sewer system, and assist
homeowners with solutions and moderate financing to remove those connections.
We have been fortunate to welcome the following employees to the Department: Christopher
Cole, Civil Engineer, Anthony Sharaffa, Co-op student in the Engineering Division and Carol Quinn,
Clerk in the Recreation Division.
We continue to benefit following the community’s approval of a Proposition 2½ override which
allowed us to maintain staffing levels equal to the previous Fiscal Year. In addition we were able to
continue our 20-year roadway maintenance program in the amount of $300,000 which allowed us to
perform roadway crack sealing and pavement repair in many sections of the community. In accordance
with EPA regulations, we continue work on our Storm Water Management Plan. We look forward to
staffing increases, as funding allows, to meet ever-increasing demands for services and the need to
maintain the Town’s roadway and utility infrastructures.
There continues to be a good cooperative effort on planned and emergency projects by the
Divisions within the Department. Because of the efforts of the staff, we are able to provide good quality
service to other Town Departments and to the general public. It is a pleasure working with the dedicated
and devoted staff, and I thank them for their effort.
Respectfully submitted,
Edward D. McIntire, Jr., Director
Public Works Department
ADMINISTRATION DIVISION
The Administration Division supported the Department with procurement administration, water
and sewer billing, budget preparation and coordination, departmental personnel and payroll services,
accounts payable processing, cemetery administration services and responses to public inquiries, and
concerns over all Public Works areas of responsibility.
Significant projects included:
♦
Procurement and project support for various water and sewer main projects, including sewer system
rehabilitation and water main construction on West Street and Pleasant Street.
♦
Coordination of the application and acceptance process to the Massachusetts Water Resources
Authority as a supplemental source of Town water.
♦
Procurement and contract administration for the installation of water conserving plumbing fixtures in
several municipal buildings and three schools. Locations included the Town Hall, Library, Fire
Department, Senior Center, Public Works Facility, Reading Municipal Light Department, Birch
Meadow School, Eaton School and the Killam School.
♦
Coordination of cooperative Household Hazardous Waste Day collection events with the Town of
Wakefield.
♦
Facilitation of emergency response training for employees and supervisors from all Town
Departments in conjunction with the water system vulnerability assessment.
Emphasis continued on providing public information, responding to inquiries and concerns, and
improving all areas of public communications.
CEMETERY DIVISION
To the Board of Cemetery Trustees:
The following is from office records for calendar year 2004.
Interments – 120 Interments for all years – 13,496
Markers set – 62 Foundations – 28 Monuments re-set –7
Sale of Lots
Forest Glen
– 2 lots, 1 single grave – Total for all years – 2030 lots, 791 single graves.
Charles Lawn
– 8 lots, 3 single and veterans graves – Total for all years – 446 lots,
222 single and veterans’ graves.
Wood End
– 25 lots and 1 single grave – Total for all years – 217 lots, 21 single graves.
Public Works Department
Cooperation from other divisions of Public Works was outstanding and much appreciated. The
Board of Cemetery Trustees has been very supportive of all the numerous programs and goals of this
division. I thank them for all their assistance.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert L. Keating, Supervisor
CUSTODIAN OF VETERAN’S GRAVES
– Calendar year 2004
Interments:WWII – 20 Korea – 1 Vietnam – 1 Peacetime - 2
Total of all veteran’s interred – 1617
As has been the custom for many years, all veterans’ graves were decorated with a flag and a
potted flower for Memorial Day.
Respectfully submitted,
Frank Driscoll, Custodian of Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Graves.
ENGINEERING DIVISION
The Engineering Division provides engineering services to all Departments within the Town of
Reading. The Division is responsible for preparation of plans, specifications, estimates, survey layout,
inspection and supervision of Town construction projects, review of subdivision plans for accuracy and
conformance with the subdivision rules and regulations, inspection of subdivision construction,
administration of the Chapter 90 program, maintenance of all records concerning the subdivision of land,
roadway construction, water, sewer and drainage construction, and issuance of various permits.
Construction activity picked up considerably in 2004. Major construction projects that were
active during the year included the West Street water main replacement, the 20-inch water main
replacement through the Birch Meadow athletic complex, and the substantial completion of the Walkers
Brook Drive reconstruction project. 2004 was the second year of the pavement management system
implementation. This involved the repaving or reconstruction of 15 streets. These included Cedar Street,
Granger Avenue, Grove Street, Linnea Lane, Mineral Street, Sigsbee Avenue, Washington Street, Avon
Street, Chapin Avenue, Haven Street, John Carver Road, Prescott Street, Shackford Road, Fulton Street
and Pierce Street. The paving projects were done through a combination of contracted and Town forces.
Significant progress has been made on the planning and design of upcoming projects. The
Downtown Streetscape plans have been advanced to the 75% design level, and the project has been
reprogrammed on the Federal Transportation Improvement Program for FY 2006.
Public Works Department
Plans are being prepared for the Summer Avenue and Willow Street reconstruction projects
which will start in the Spring of 2005. Contracts are being prepared for the third year of the Pavement
Management Program with an additional 15 streets slated for repaving or reconstruction in 2005. The
water main replacement program continues with the design of two major projects. Preliminary plans
have been prepared for the West Street (County Road to Willow Street) and Franklin Street (Main Street
to Haverhill Street) water main replacements. These projects will be ready for construction in the Spring
of 2005. The house-to-house inspection program was restarted this year and will continue into 2005.
The purpose of this program is to locate sump pumps that are connected to the sewer system and identify
ways to remove them.
A consultant was selected to perform a study of the risks associated with hazardous cargoes using
I-93. The purpose of this study is to identify potential sources of contamination and solutions that will
help prevent the release of hazardous materials into our well field such as the gasoline spill that occurred
in 1992.
The first annual report was submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency demonstrating
compliance with the NPDES Phase II Storm Water permit issued to the Town in 2003. A staff level
Storm Water Committee was established to assist in the development of the necessary plans, bylaws and
other compliance related activities. Responsibilities for oversight of compliance activities was placed on
the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee (now the Water, Sewer, and Storm Water Management
Advisory Committee).
The Engineering Division issued permits and inspected construction of 32 new connections to the
Town sewer system and eight permits were issued for sewer repairs or reuse of existing connections.
Sixty-seven Street Opening Permits were issued to Keyspan Energy for repairs and new gas services.
Thirty-four Street Opening/Occupancy Permits were issued to other parties for underground utility work
and construction within Town right-of-ways. Nine Public Hearings were held for new utility installations
within Town owned rights-of-way.
Engineering reviews were performed for the Community Planning and Development
Commission, Conservation Commission and the Zoning Board of Appeals on several large development
projects. These included Phase II of the Walkers Brook Crossing project, redevelopment of the Danis
property on General Way, the Johnson Woods condominium project, the Archstone project at Spence
Farm, and the over 55 housing project on Salem Street. Numerous other reviews were performed on
lesser projects. Construction inspection was performed on the active developments within Town.
HIGHWAY DIVISION
The regular projects such as street sweeping, roadside cutting, sidewalk and street maintenance,
mixing and sifting compost and loam, tree lawn replacement, cleaning catch basins and maintaining
traffic signs were done by priority and need. Street sweeping was started on March 29, 2004 and finished
on May 21, 2004.
Public Works Department
Miscellaneous
Placed and filled planters for the Adopt-An-Island Program, and placed mosquito control tablets
in the catch basins and detention areas for the Health Department. Held Hazardous Waste Day, and had
Adopt-A-Family in November and December.
Vehicle Maintenance
Repaired and serviced the equipment from Police, Fire, School, Building Maintenance, Council
on Aging and Public Works Departments. They continued to take waste oil from the public during the
week and on Saturdays.
Snow and Ice
During the Winter season of 2003-2004, we plowed five storms and sanded 18 times.
Special Projects
Installed a backup generator and pad at the Senior Center, and paved Cedar Street, Mineral Street,
Sigsbee Avenue, Avon Street, Chapin Avenue, John Carver Road, Copeland Avenue and Shackford
Road. Skim coated a section of King Street, Howard Street from West Street to County Road, a section
of Bear Hill Road, a section of High Street, a section of Willow Street, a section of Washington Street,
Brook Street, and a leveling course on Granger Avenue. Installed a handicap ramp at Coolidge Middle
School, and repaired the main drain line at the Eaton School.
TOWN FOREST COMMITTEE
This year, the scout groups of Reading camped in the forest on 24 different occasions at which
time they cleaned up the areas they used.
With the help of the Public Works Department, some road and road side brush maintenance was
accomplished.
The Committee wishes to thank the Public Works Department, Fire Department, Police
Department, Conservation Commission, scout groups and citizens of Reading for their support.
Respectfully submitted,
George B. Perry II, Chairman
Louis E. Debrigard, Vice Chairman
Benjamin E. Nichols, Secretary
FORESTRY-TREE WARDEN’S REPORT
Eighty-five shade trees were removed. These trees were dead or in a dangerous condition as to be
a threat to public safety. One tree was braced for preservation and safety. One hundred and four
hazardous tree stumps were removed from the tree lawns, parks, schools and playgrounds for public
safety. Seventy-seven trees were trimmed. Dead wood and low branches were removed from the public
trees as requested or observed. Tree trimming has continued as aggressively as possible but a lack of
personnel has continued to hinder this program.
Public Works Department
Thirty-six trees and shrubs were planted on private and public property as replacements. The tree
nursery on Strout Avenue continues to be a resource for new planting of trees throughout the Town.
The Compost Center on Strout Avenue continues to accept brush and leaves from residents.
41,174 cars entered the Compost Center in 2004. Residents are required to purchase stickers for use of
the Compost Center.
The holiday lighting put up by the tree crew in the Town Square was once again very successful.
There were 15,500 colored bulbs installed on the Common.
The Town of Reading was awarded “Tree City USA” for the 19th consecutive year by the
National Arbor Day Foundation. Five hundred Balsam Fir trees were purchased and distributed to all the
fifth graders. Thanks to the Reading Rotary Club who have sponsored and assisted in this program to
make “Arbor Day 2004” a success in Reading.
A special thanks to all the Committees and Commissions working toward the preservation of
Reading’s public shade trees.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert L. Keating, Supervisor-Tree Warden
PARKS DIVISION
The Parks Division continues to maintain 64 acres of grassed area throughout the Town, and also
the facilities within the parks and schools. This includes the renovation as well as continued maintenance
of all the ball fields on school or parks grounds. The Division maintains 16 tennis and basketball courts,
the tot lots and the skating rinks, and maintains the grounds for all municipal as well as school buildings.
The Division also assists all Town Departments, Committees and Commissions with tree
maintenance, snow and ice removal and Election set-up.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert L. Keating, Supervisor
RECREATION DIVISION
The mission of the Recreation Division is to provide the community with year round recreational
activities. Recreation programs are broad based to meet the recreational needs of all segments of the
population. The Division must continually update and modify its programming to meet the current needs
of the community. As the community’s participation and awareness of local recreational programs
increase, so does their expectation of Recreation Division programs. The Division must be ready to
anticipate and adapt to these growing expectations and trends.
Public Works Department
The Recreation Division recognizes that sports, recreation and leisure activities are important for
the well being of the community. The use of leisure time for enjoyable sport and recreation provides
personal benefits to the individual and for society in terms of health, quality of life, and a range of related
economic outcomes. The Division’s objectives are to ensure that people throughout the Reading
community share in the benefits of participating in active sport and recreation.
The Division offers a variety of programs to residents of all ages. A direct programming emphasis
has been placed on Reading Middle School and Elementary School aged youth. The Recreation
Revolving Fund continues to fund all programs for 2004. The Recreation Committee, with nine
members and three Associate members, provides guidance and support to the Recreation Division.
Programming
Winter/Spring
Reading Recreation ran the following programs for the Winter Spring season:
Spring Soccer Doctor Clinic
Biddy Basketball 101
Big Sticks Golf Academy for Youths and Adults
Spring Basketball Clinic with H.S. Basketball Coach Kim Penny.
Reading Baseball School – Pitching and Hitting Sections
Spring Tennis Clinics for Youths and Adults
April Vacation All-Sports Camp with Coach Jeff Nelson
Challenger Basketball for Children with Special Needs
Tai Chi Class for Adults
Reading Recreation Egg Hunt
Piano Lessons
Baby Sitting Course
Video Class with RCTV
Crafts Programs for Adults
French and Spanish After School Program
Winter/Spring is generally the lightest season for new programming as it is the bridge between
very busy Fall season with the facilitation of Basketball scheduling and the planning of Summer
programs. The Division saw some success with the Vacation programs for 2004 and will continue to
again offer those in 2005. The Spring season saw many successful programs including the popular
Reading Baseball School which is run by Peter Moscariello.
The Recreation Division continues to broaden the scope of its programming. Offering classes
such as French and Spanish, Video Classes and piano lessons, the Division believes that Recreation is
more than just sports and can include enrichment type programs.
Summer
The Recreation Division had a very successful Summer 2004. Camp numbers averaged close to
90% capacity for the entire Summer. This was a nice rebound from a slower 2003. Summer Camp did
find a new home this past Summer due to the RMHS construction project at Coolidge Middle School.
Public Works Department
Once again, Greg Porter served as Director of Regular Camp and Lindsey Onorato served as
Assistant Director. Both did an excellent job managing a solid returning camp staff. This year’s camp
staff saw approximately 80% returning staff.
Other successful programs included:
RCTV workshops Super Sports Clinic
Challenger Little League Baseball Kids Crafts
Volleyball Clinics Ring Hockey
Tiny Tot Soccer Red Glare Wrestling
Basketball Clinics for Boys and Girls Tennis Clinics
Martial Arts Programs with Steve Nugent’s Reading Baseball School Clinics
Karate Institute
The Recreation Division also had some very successful trips in conjunction with Celebration
Tours. The trips for Summer 2004 included a Clambake on Cabbage Island, Red Sox at Baltimore
Orioles and the Rhode Island Light Cruise. The Division was also pleased to be one of the few to run a
successful Tall Ships tour.
The Division continued to run one of our other popular programs – the All Comers Track Meets.
This program is facilitated by the Recreation Coordinator Dan McGrath and RMHS Girls Track and
Field Coach Ken Fiet along with current and former members of the RMHS track teams. The meets are
every Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m. Each Wednesday night, there are four events in which participants
can register. There is also age brackets set up for a number of heats for each event. The cost for this
program is minimal and provides families of Reading a night of entertainment.
The Recreation Division also continued its tradition for our two concert series “Theater on the
Green” and “Touch of Class.” “Theater on the Green” had a successful turnout this Summer each
Wednesday, five concerts highlighted by Roger Ticknell, a children’s sing-a-long, and Dan Grady’s
Marvelous Marionettes. The “Touch of Class” concerts included Reading staple “Bob Bachelor’s Totem
Pole Orchestra,” “John Penny Band” and Reading’s own “Steven Savio” among the eight concerts.
Between donations that were collected during each of the concerts and sponsorships from local
businesses and organizations, the Division is able to run these concerts at zero cost.
th
Finally, the Recreation Division held its 14 Annual Reading Tennis Open. The Tournament was
again a success this year. Gregg Luongo once again served as the Recreation Tennis Pro. He did an
outstanding job working with kids and adults. Tennis enrollment was consistent with the numbers of the
year before. Many kids enjoyed the clinics so much that they signed up for more than one week. Gregg
also continued a Tennis Travel team in which Reading competed against other towns at the
developmental level. Private lessons were also offered and conducted by Gregg or Matt Williams.
Fall/Winter
The Fall/Winter programs were very successful. Reading Recreation continued to run programs
such as Karate for Children and Adults and Kickboxing for Adults and Junior Boxing. The classes are all
taught by the instructors of Steve Nugent’s Karate Institute. This is expected to be the last classes at the
Steve Nugent’s Karate Institute as they will be closing business in Reading. The Division will look into
continuing to offer classes of Martial Arts using Steve Nugent himself as the instructor. A location will
need to be determined.
Public Works Department
Recreation again offered Field Hockey in the Fall. Once again, this program was very successful
and was run by Christine Gallegher. Other successful programs included Challenger Soccer run by
Ralph D’Amico, Big Sticks Golf, Kids Crafts and Recreation sports and games.
The Recreation Division changed the Basketball program this year and set up a third program to
go along with two of the bigger programs, Travel Basketball and Sunday Basketball. This year due to
the fact that there was a new private program started for the Girls Basketball program, the Division had
to cut back on the number of teams that would travel. Instead of placing every player on a travel team, a
new program was created called Recreation Hoops. Recreation Hoops is a scaled back version of Travel
Basketball. It was designed for players who wanted to play basketball but were not able to make the
Travel Teams in town. Recreation Hoop teams play a 12 game schedule and only travel about three
times per season. A typical travel team will play close to 20 games and travel about 10 times. Currently,
there are 25 boys and 16 girls playing Recreation Hoops. Each week, the players meet at the Field House
and are divided into 2-3 teams and play teams from other communities such as Winchester, Bedford,
Rockport and Newburyport.
ththth
The Travel Basketball program features boys 6, 7 and 8 grade teams and the girls program has
thth
7 and 8 grade teams. These teams are selected by coaches with input from the Recreation staff after a
two-day competitive try-out. Teams are coached by volunteer parents and friends of the Recreation
Division.
rd
With the addition of the Recreation Hoops program, Sunday Basketball has been reduced to 3–
th
6 grade players. Former RMHS graduate and Varsity Captain Sean Broussard was hired to be the
Supervisor of Sunday Basketball. He has done an outstanding job showing the ability to run clinics,
work with kids and supervise the referees. Sunday Basketball numbers are up by about 20 kids as well
this year with close to 120 girls and 150+ boys participating from Grades 3-6. Sunday Basketball
continues to be the “bread and butter” program of the Department. Recreation Hoops is the first step to
giving Sunday Basketball a bit of a “face lift.”
The After School Learn to Ski Program will be running again this year. The elementary program
has 30+ kids. Coolidge and Parker Middle School continue to be successful with the Middle School
program. The Coolidge side of the program filled up to 50+ kids this year, and the Parker side filled to
50% capacity. The total of 59 kids for the middle school program is comparable to last year’s total.
Reading Recreation again in 2004 has sponsored Destination Imagination. This year, we have
ndrdthth
three teams competing -- one for the K–2, one in the 3- 5 grade level and one for the 6–8th grade
level. The program is run completely by volunteers and basically breaks even in the end. Each team will
participate in an end of the year DI Tournament in March.
Reading Recreation introduced Smart Cookies to the programming line-up in 2004. Smart
th
Cookies runs cooking classes for grades pre-school–5grade. The classes include sections for “Finicky
Eaters,” “Cooks and Books” and “All Stirred Up.” Classes are safe and are an introductory enrichment
class for those interested in cooking. The classes were very well received the first time though.
Public Works Department
Special Needs Programming
Special Needs programming this year was offered by EMARC Recreation in conjunction with the
Recreation Division. Programs such as Ring Hockey, social club and swimming classes were offered.
EMARC offered successful programs such as Special Olympic training, bowling, teen groups and social
clubs to name a few. The participants are asked at the end of each session to fill out an evaluation form
to give feedback. Margaret Veronelli ran the Challenger Little League Program this past Summer. The
program, as always, did very well with participation. Margaret also ran Challenger Bowling for the first
time through the Recreation Division. The program was very well received. The Division continues to
look for other programming areas to expand into.
Brochure
Reading Recreation continues its mailing of the Community Guide to every household in Reading
three times a year. Recreation is also continuing to include the following participating agencies in this
publication: Police Department, Fire Department, Library Services, Elder Services, YMCA, Creative
Arts and various in-town organizations.
The Recreation Division has been successful getting flyers called “Notes from the Reading
Recreation Division” out to the schools bi-monthly. These flyers have received a positive response from
the community. We will continue with this undertaking as well as continue to send Press Releases to our
local media outlets.
Personnel
Dan McGrath continues as the Program Coordinator. He has proved to be invaluable to the
Division as he has helped with the administration of Summer Camp, Sunday and Travel Basketball and
the Learn to Ski Program as well as the development of Biddy Basketball and Recreation Sports and
Games. Dan’s main responsibility of his position is to create, organize and supervise recreational
programs. With the assistance of the Program Coordinator, the Recreation Division was able to increase
the amount of programs for 2004 and looks to continue to create and look for new niche markets in 2005.
Carol Quinn joined the Recreation Division as Principal Clerk in early June. She has fit in very
well and has made an instant impact. Carol started during a very busy time for the Recreation Division
and has been able to learn things on the fly. She is responsible for most of the data input into the
Recreation Database Rec. Trac, and is also responsible for reconciling receipts at the end of the day.
Administration
John Feudo begins his third year as Recreation Administrator. John continues to look for new
areas in which the Recreation Division can improve.
John, under the direction of the Recreation Committee, continues to manage the scheduling of all
Town fields. Permits are issued for every field in town, including the football stadium -- just for the
Spring season for T-Ball. Reading Recreation will continue to work with the local Youth and Adult
sports organizations in maximizing field space. This past year was a difficult one with the loss of the
practice football field at Birch Meadow due to the construction project.
Public Works Department
The new synthetic turf fields are both expected to be finished by September 2005. The Town can
also expect to add the field at the Wood End Elementary School as a multi-purpose facility.
The addition of these three facilities should help the issue of the field crunch.
The Reading Recreation Committee continues to monitor the permitting policy of the Imagination
Station Playground. Imagination Station facility permits helps the Recreation Division control facility
usage.
Reading Recreation is continuously looking for available land for the development of new
recreational facilities. The Division acquired the baseball field owned by Addison-Wesley via a lease
and used it for Soccer, Lacrosse and Pop Warner Football. The Town currently has the lease until
September 2005.
The Recreation Division and the Recreation Committee continue to develop policies that will
increase the effectiveness and efficiency of each Reading Recreation program.
Reading Recreation has been glad to offer the public over 180 recreational programs throughout
the year, and hopes to meet the communities changing recreational needs while providing them with a
combination of safe, fun and educational programs.
Respectfully submitted,
John Feudo, Recreation Administrator
WATER DIVISION
The Water Division installed a total of 24 new water services, replaced 41 old water services,
repaired 21 water service leaks, repaired six broken water mains, replaced four old hydrants, repaired 10
broken hydrants, rebuilt 42 hydrants, replaced three broken gate valves, a total of approximately 9,500’
of new water mains and 14 new hydrants were added to the distribution system, replaced approximately
2,400' of old 6" and 8" water main with new 12" water main, replaced approximately 3,000’ of old 20”
water main with new 20” water main, disconnected 10 water services for house demolition, conducted
water main flushing in southern ½ of Town, inspected hydrants in northern ½ of Town, continued cross
connection control program, performed hydrant flow tests for Salem St. LIP project, Walkers Brook
Crossing project and the Spence Farm project, performed 13 hydrant flow tests for ISO water distribution
system evaluation, all drinking fountains and Town irrigation systems turned on in Spring and turned off
and winterized in Fall, replaced one old drinking fountain, two seasonal laborers painted and lubricated
hydrants over 1/4 of Town, completed annual water inventory, loam and seed on all water jobs, hot
topped water and sewer trenches, checked and maintained two water booster stations daily, cleaned and
maintained the grounds, cutting grass, etc. at the Auburn Street tank site, lowered and raised water gate
boxes for construction jobs, conducted a leak detection survey, assisted Highway Division during snow
plowing operations, removed snow from business district, churches and schools and shoveled snow from
hydrants.
Public Works Department
The Water Distribution Division has updated and increased the security of the distribution
system.
Meter Room
The regular quarterly water meter reading cycle was supported, 730 work orders were received
and completed, 340 bill to date readings were taken, four meters were removed, 23 outside receptacles
were repaired, six meters were reset, meters tested correct four, meters tested incorrect eight. The radio
reading system for the water meters is essentially complete. The Water Division personnel and the
contractor are working to resolve any remaining problems.
SEWER DIVISION
Approximately 25,000’ of sewer mains were cleaned and T.V. inspected, 182 sewer manholes
were sealed and lined, approximately 12,000’ of sewer mains were joint tested and sealed, performed
root treatment on approximately 2,000’ of sewer mains, replaced 12 sewer manhole frames and covers,
cleaned wet wells at all sewer stations, checked and maintained 12 sewer stations daily, cleaned
approximately 1/4 of the sanitary sewer main system, cleaned and maintained the grounds, cutting grass,
trimmed bushes etc., around the sewer stations, completed work orders re: leaks, broken gates etc.,
exercised emergency generator weekly and completed the annual sewer inventory.
The Sewer Distribution Division has updated and increased the security of the collection system.
LOUANIS WATER TREATMENT PLANT
A total of 664,653,000 gallons of water was delivered to the distribution system in 2004.
The highest single days consumption was 2,571,000 gallons on February 2, 2004 due to a water
main break on Walkers Brook Drive. The next highest single days consumption was 2,498,000 gallons
on June 16, 2004. The highest weeks consumption was for the period June 26, 2004 to July 2, 2004 an
amount of 15,139,000 gallons, and the highest month was June with an amount of 63,234,000 gallons.
Average daily pumpage was 1,820,967 gallons.
The average daily per capita use (use by each individual) for the year was 53 gallons per day per
person.
The Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Drinking Water Program awarded the
Reading Water Department a 2004 Public Water System Award for outstanding performance and
achievement in 2003. DEP wrote “It is an achievement to have placed among the top six percent (6%)
scoring public water supply in the State”.
A complete vulnerability assessment of the water system was completed as required by the Public
Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act signed into law on June 12, 2002.
Public Works Department
CDM was hired and began design of a new state of the art 3.75 million gallon per day membrane
filtration water treatment facility. The new facility will be constructed on Strout Avenue across from the
existing 6 million gallon per day rapid sand filtration facility which will be demolished upon completion
of the new facility.
On March 1, 2004, the temporary ammonia system installed went into service, to convert the
secondary disinfection of the drinking water from chlorine to chloramines to meet the new
trihalomethanes regulations.
The application for the interbasin transfer to purchase 600,000 gallons of water per day
(annualized) from the MWRA to supplement our supply in the Summer to help protect the Ipswich River
was submitted to the Water Resources Commission (WRC) and was approved by the WRC at their
meeting on December 9, 2004.
The Water Department continued the Water Conservation Program, which incorporated emphasis
on the rebates for low flow washing machines and toilets and irrigation rain sensors. The program also
moved into the educational program phase designed for the schools system.
As required by the lead and copper rule regulations, the three-year cycle to sample 30 homes
throughout the Town and two schools for lead and copper was completed. All sample results were below
the lead action level of 0.015 parts per million and the copper action level of 1.3 mg/l.
Water quality monitoring at the production wells continued as a result of the September 30, 1992
gasoline tanker accident on Rte. 93 northbound, and resulting spill of approximately
10, 600 gallons of gasoline into the wetlands adjacent to the Town’s wells.
The operation of the residuals handling tank allowed the treatment plant to recycle 27.6 million
gallons of water.
The sixth annual Drinking Water Report was mailed to all customers in June.
Production Wells #82-20, #66-8 and Town Forest were cleaned and redeveloped.
Public Works Department
2004 Pumping Records
MonthPumpageDaysAverage Day
January 61,462,000 31 1,982,645
February 53,918,000 29 1,859,241
March 49,514,000 31 1,597,226
April 50,165,000 30 1,672,167
May 57,941,000 31 1,869,065
June 63,234,000 30 2,107,800
July 61,609,000 31 1,987,387
August 59,936,000 31 1,933,419
September 56,015,000 30 1,867,167
October 51,945,000 31 1,675,645
November 48,317,000 30 1,610,567
December 50,597,000 31 1,632,161
TOTAL664,653,000 366 1,815,992
2004 Rainfall Records
/
http://www.mass.gov/dcr/waterSupply/rainfall
RainfallAccumulatedNormal
Month
InchesTotal InchesInches
January 1.06 1.06 3.61
February 1.47 2.53 3.22
March 4.12 6.65 4.03
April 7.96 14.61 3.72
May 3.56 18.17 3.41
June 2.87 21.04 3.42
July 5.11 26.15 3.42
August 6.71 32.86 3.54
September 6.03 38.89 3.58
October 2.15 41.04 3.55
November 2.81 43.85 4.01
December - 03 4.71 48.56 3.83
TOTALS48.56 48.56 43.34
Total rainfall in 2004, as measured at the Louanis Water Treatment Plant was 48.56", which is 5.22"
above the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) composite normal for the northeast region
as posted on January 21, 2005. Monthly normal values computed by DEM are based on averages for the
entire period of record for northeast region stations having the longest period of record and are located in
Concord, Lawrence and Waltham.
READING PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Patrick A. Schettini, Jr. Dennis A. Richards
Superintendent Associate Superintendent
Mary DeLai
Director of Human Resources and Finance
____________________________________________________________________________________
School Department
This report represents the activities, accomplishments and events of note that occurred in the
Reading Public Schools during the 2004 calendar year.
Leadership Change
♦
Mary DeLai was appointed to a new position as Director of Human Resources and Finance.
♦
Carl McFadden was elected Chair of the Reading School Committee for the 2004-2005 school year.
♦
Robert Spadafora was elected Vice Chair of the Reading School Committee.
♦
Joe Finigan transferred to Principal of Reading Memorial High School from his position as
Associate Principal for Grades 11 and 12.
♦
Gary Hart transferred from his position as Assistant Principal at the Coolidge Middle School to
Assistant Principal for Grades 11 and 12 at the Reading Memorial High School.
♦
Craig Martin was appointed Assistant Principal at the Coolidge Middle School to replace Gary Hart.
♦
Linda Darisse was appointed Principal of the Parker Middle School to replace Bill Foye, the Interim
Principal.
♦
Douglas Lyons was appointed Assistant Principal of the Parker Middle School to replace Anne
Saurman who returned to the classroom.
♦
Patty de Garavilla transferred to the position of Interim Principal of the Joshua Eaton Elementary
School to replace Lisa Cormier for one year.
♦
Donald Johnson was appointed the Assistant Director of Facilities to replace William Hill who
was the Interim Assistant Director of Facilities.
♦
Bill Endslow was hired as Department Head for Practical and Performing Arts at the High School.
♦
Jean Kelley was hired as Department Head for Special Education at the High School.
Notable Events
♦
Approximately 70 district administrators and staff members are participating in two courses that are
being offered as part of a District Instructional Initiative: Investigating Obstacles to Achievement,
and The Skillful Teacher from Jon Saphier’s Research for Better Teaching.
School Department
♦
The Reading Memorial High School building project is well underway with the main construction
rising between the Science/Math Building and the Field House. Construction work is also taking
place in back of the Field House where physical education equipment rooms, locker rooms and
team rooms will be located. Many steps have already been taken for the Phase II work ahead.
Additionally, work is moving ahead on two new playing fields and the installation of new bleachers
and a new press box.
♦
The Class of 2004 experienced an extraordinary level of success in their efforts to matriculate into
our nation’s most academically challenging programs. The following is a report on their plans:
79.9% - Four Year Colleges
9.5% - Two Year Colleges
3.6% - Business/Technical/Prep Schools
4.7% - Work
.5% - Armed Services
1.8% - Other
♦
Once again, the Reading Memorial High School students have attained scores that place the school
within the top echelon of all high schools in the Commonwealth. Most notable, all of the seniors in
the Class of 2004 met the MCAS graduation requirement.
♦
Coolidge Middle School continues to help students succeed through the P.A.S.S. (Program to
Achieve Student Success) Program for those students who have below a C average in any academic
subject area.
♦
Coolidge has developed two new study groups, Literacy and Technology, which are working to
improve instruction in those areas and to give teachers additional tools in the classroom.
st
♦
Coolidge Middle School was awarded the Intel/Scholastic 21 Century School of Distinction Award
as one of the top 20 schools, K-12, public or private, in the country as the top winner in the category
of teamwork.
♦
A group of Coolidge teachers/administrators presented their best practices at the National School
Reform Conference in December.
♦
After a comprehensive leadership needs assessment process and search for a new administrative
team, Linda Darisse was hired as the new Principal of Parker and Doug Lyons as the Assistant
Principal.
♦
The Parker faculty is in their second year of focusing on Core Values with a two-fold goal: To
revise the Core Values that have been in place for some time (honest, integrity and critical thinking)
and practice the Core Values when we do collaborative work.
School Department
♦
Using a template called Understanding By Design, developed by Wiggins and McTighe, Parker and
Coolidge continue to work on a common curriculum to assure that all students at each school will
leave the middle schools having the same understandings and skills.
♦
Last year, the last major component of our Language Arts Curriculum Initiative was implemented
with the introduction of the Wilson Language “Fundations” phonics program in all of our
Kindergarten and first grade classrooms. It was expanded to the second grade level this Fall.
♦
The district’s Editing Checklist was introduced as a pilot program in conjunction with the John
Collins Writing Program.
♦
In August 2004, the Barrows’ staff and students entered the new Wood End Elementary School.
All furniture, books and supplies were moved to Wood End during the Summer and as we moved
into Wood End, the Alice M. Barrows School on Edgemont Avenue began to be renovated. A total
renovation of classrooms, floors, ceilings, electrical, plumbing and heating will be accomplished
during this year.
♦
The Language Arts Program enhanced teaching strategies this year by incorporating the LINKS
graphic organizers into student writing. A greater focus on non-fiction reading was also an emphasis
at all grade levels. Grades 4 and 5 began the first year of a Social Studies initiative through the use of
the Harcourt Horizons Social Studies Program.
♦
Birch Meadow is now in the fourth year of a very successful Bulling Prevention Program -- as they
continue with an emphasis on classroom meetings and role-playing. In addition, Our music and
physical education specialists have continued the “Radio Broadcast Shows” that also deliver the
important message about bullying and teasing.
♦
The Birch Meadow Publishing House is celebrating its 15th year of publishing books that are
written and illustrated by our students.
♦
The Joshua Eaton School Advisory Council was instrumental in implementing school-wide use
of e-mail as well as updating the school’s website to expand communication within the school
community and beyond. The use of e-mail has enabled teachers and parents to communicate
more efficiently as we work together to support student success.
♦
A team of Killam teachers attended a workshop on “Data Drive Decision Making” to obtain
additional information on how ongoing assessment can aid in instructional decisions.
♦
The ongoing Pillars of Character Program conducted six successful assemblies during the school
year. A grant received from the Southern Poverty Low Foundation afforded the Pillars Committee
an opportunity to purchase additional resources to help students learn lessons related to the Pillars
of Character.
School Department
♦
The Special Education Department continues to work, in conjunction with regular education, in the
creation of internal programs and supports to assist students access the curriculum and on their goal
of controlling out of district costs by developing new programs.
Reading School Committee
Carl D. McFadden, Chairman
Leadership
There were several changes in leadership of the Reading School Committee. Elaine Webb was
elected to a three-year term replacing John Russo who did not run for re-election. Lisa Gibbs was elected
to a one-year term to fill the seat held by Elaine Webb, created by the departure of Susan Cavicchi.
Harvey J. Dahl was re-elected for a three-year term.
At the committee’s annual reorganization in June, Carl McFadden was elected Chair and Rob
Spadafora, Vice Chair. Other members of the committee are Harvey J. (Pete) Dahl, Elaine Webb, John
Carpenter and Lisa Gibbs.
School Construction Projects
In 2004, the Reading School Committee continued to move forward on both elementary school
projects and the renovation and additions to the Reading Memorial High School (RMHS). The new
elementary school, formally named the Wood End Elementary School in July 2004, was completed in
August 2004. During the 2004-2005 school year, the Wood End School would be used to house the
Barrows School population during the renovations and additions to their school. The move of equipment
and furniture was completed in late August 2004 and school opened on time as Barrows School at Wood
End.
The renovation of the Barrows Elementary School began at the close of school in June with the
construction completion date expected by the Summer of 2005. At that time, the Barrows’ population
will return to start the 2005-2006 in their newly renovated building.
The Reading Memorial High School Groundbreaking Ceremony took place in May 2004.
Construction has been proceeding on schedule with the Math/Science wing and the locker room additions
to the Field House scheduled for completion in July 2005. At that point, the existing “C” building
furniture and equipment will be relocated to the new building as well as the Cafeteria and Guidance and
Special Education offices.
Budget
The School Committee engaged in a comprehensive process of establishing budget priorities for
FY 2005. One of the priorities funded in FY 2005 was a new administrative position, the Director of
Human Resources and Finance, to oversee the finances and personnel matters of the District. Another
major item that required funding was the bussing of students from Barrows to Wood End while the
Barrows School was being renovated. Reducing class size was another budget priority that was
addressed in the FY 2005 Budget through the addition of 3.5 elementary school teachers to address class
size. In addition, a new department chair position at the High School was created for the Fine
Performing and Practical Arts Department.
School Department
Because of town-wide revenue constraints, the School Committee found it necessary to raise
student activity fees as well as pre-school and kindergarten tuitions to fund the increases necessary to
address the School Committee’s priorities.
At the Annual Town Meeting that commenced on April 26, 2004, Town Meeting approved a
Budget for the Reading Public Schools of $30,777,198.
Reading
Public
Schools
Budget Summary
Fiscal Year 2005
Budget
Administration 870,564
Regular Day 18,650,263
Special Needs 7,521,883
Other School Services 859,206
Custodial/Maintenance 2,875,282
Total 30,777,198
Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS)
Reading’s Statewide prominence in the MCAS rankings continued in 2004 as Reading placed in
the top 20% of all Massachusetts districts in MCAS performance. This represents a significant
accomplishment for a system that continues to spend almost $1,400 below the State average on per pupil
spending. This achievement continues to define Reading as a school system that always gets more
performance for less money. We continue to be a frugal district that sets high expectation, and achieves
these goals through a collaborative effort of the administration, the teachers, the students and the parents.
This is certainly a model to be envied throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The School
Committee is very proud of our accomplishments in this regard and sees this as the standard for
accountability…high scores, low cost.
Student Enrollment
As students returned to school in September of 2004, it is apparent that while trending upward,
enrollment has begun leveling off. Student enrollment in the Fall of 2004 (FY 2005) stood at 4,237
students. See chart below.
Reading Public Schools
Student Enrollment FY 2005
Elementary Schools K-5 1,996
Middle Schools 6 – 8 998
High School 9 – 12 1,202
Special Education *41
Total 4,237
t
School Departmen
* This is the number of enrollees in our “substantially separate”
Special Education classrooms. Reading students who receive
full-time Special Education services outside of Reading are
not counted in this chart.
Achievements
Reading Memorial High School graduated 274 young men and women in 2004. While many of
our graduating seniors are attending some of the most prestigious universities in the country, all are
moving into the future with a solid portfolio of skills, which will help their success in any environment
they choose. While we naturally point to acceptances at schools like Dartmouth and Brown as an
indication of our system’s success, it is the goal of the School Committee and a better measure of success
that we find appropriate placements for all of our students to further prepare them to be productive,
contributing citizens of our country.
In addition to the success of our graduates, we can continue to take pride in the success of our
students at all levels. Our athletic programs continue to be one of the best in Massachusetts, with our
student athletes demonstrating athleticism, intelligence and above all sportsmanship. Our students take
part in a number of Statewide competitions including the Science Olympiad Program, National History
Day, Drama Fest and numerous Band competitions. Our success at all levels is almost too numerous to
repeat but continues to reflect on the efforts of the students, staff and parents. We are always indebted to
those in the community who provide the additional support when the School Department cannot. It is
this support from our PTO’s, the Boosters, the Band and Drama Parents support organizations, the
Technology Fund, just to name a few, that provide added support and encouragement that fosters a sense
community and promotes participation and success.
Reading Memorial High School
Principal Joseph L. Finigan
Many positive indicators suggest that the High School functions extremely well, that it is looked
upon favorably, and that the student body, faculty, staff and administration thoroughly enjoy the
educational experience in school-related involvements.
The students taking the MCAS and SAT tests are achieving scores well above the State average,
and the seniors are applying and being accepted to outstanding colleges and universities. With the
excellent reputation of the High School, the administration has been fortunate to draw from a talented
pool of professionals to fill teaching vacancies. With numerous opportunities for the faculty, staff and
administration to increase their learning potential through professional development, not only are they
continuing to be “good learners,” but these instructional endeavors have helped them to promote “good
teaching.”
Our athletic and extra curricular programs offer a large number of students productive, rewarding
and enriching experiences. Parent support is highly evident in all aspects of school life and plays an
integral role in the school’s success. In summation, RMHS received the top rating from the N.E.A.S.C.
Accreditation Committee, and continues to be an outstanding school of higher learning that meets the
goals and expectations of our mission.
School Department
Building Project
The new Reading Memorial High School, a three-year phase $54 million undertaking, is well
under way with the main construction rising between the Science/Math Building and the Field House.
More Phase I work is in high gear in the back of the Field House where physical education equipment
rooms, locker rooms and team rooms will be located. Many steps are laid for the Phase II work ahead,
including demolition of the south wing of the Main Building, the major reconstruction and refurbishing of
C-Building (the Math and Science areas) and B-Building (the Library and lecture hall areas) and more
work on the Field House. Additionally, work is moving ahead in two new playing fields and installing
new bleachers and a new press box.
Critical decisions with regard to the Technology budget and the Furniture, Fixtures and
Equipment budget are being made to ensure that all facets of the new High School support instruction and
the general education of all of our students. In addition, mobilization plans are being developed so that
the education of our students is not impacted as the project transitions from one phase to the next.
Staffing
This year marked a dramatic change in the RMHS staff due to retirements. Principal Frank
Orlando retired following eight years of exemplary leadership at the High School. Among Mr. Orlando’s
accomplishments as Principal at RMHS were the leadership he provided in the revamping of graduation
requirements, the development of the building project, and the completion of the New Association of
Schools and Colleges accreditation visit. In all, Mr. Orlando worked to ensure that RMHS is a student-
centered school focused on meeting the needs of the students.
Longtime Reading Educator Joe Finigan was appointed Principal in June. Mr. Finigan assumes
the principalship with the challenges of the instructional initiative, the building project, a transitioning
teaching staff and the follow-up to the NEASC accreditation report. Joining Mr. Finigan and Assistant
Principal Mr. Michael Scarpitto is Mr. Gary Hart, the new Assistant Principal, to form RMHS’s first all-
Reading administrative team.
Retirements in June of long serving and dedicated RMHS teachers reflect the national trend of a
transition in teaching staffs. Included in this list of retried teachers and staff who represented over 300
years of service to the Reading schools were: Everett Blodgett, Kevin Zenewicz, Leo Kenney, Martha
Grimaldi, Barbara Martin, Diane Jones, David Brett, Thomas Blaney, Joseph Terilli, Mary Piacentini,
Catherine Cook and Frank Connolly. It is no coincidence that the strength quality education at RMHS
coincides with the years of service of these fine educators.
Two new department chairs were added: Ms. Jean Kelly in the Special Education Department
and Mr. William Endslow in the Practical and Performing Arts Department. Mr. Endslow’s return to the
Reading teaching staff this year foreshadows the excitement and promise of the arts program at RMHS.
Mr. Endslow is renowned for his work with the RMHS Drama Club. Leadership in the Special Education
and the Arts areas were needed to develop a consistency in instructional endeavors and department-
specific concerns.
In addition, 13 other full-time faculty and staff members were hired to fill teaching positions that
were created because of a high number of retirements at the conclusion of the 2003-04 school year. We
also hired a new School Nurse.
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It should be noted that a veteran teacher has mentored each new teacher in order to help the
protégés make the transition to RMHS as smooth as possible.
Class of 2004
The Class of 2004 experienced a very successful year in their efforts to matriculate into some of
the most academically challenging programs. Our top students were accepted to institutions of higher
learning including Bates, Tufts, Holy Cross, Boston University, Bowdoin, Cornell, Dartmouth, Bucknell,
Colby, Harvard, Brown and Georgetown.
A complete breakdown of post-graduate plans include the following: (274 students in class)
Four-year colleges 79.9%
Two-year colleges 9.5%
Technical Prep (5) 1.8%
Business (5) 1.8%
Armed Services .5%
Work (13) 4.7%
Undecided 1.8%
NEASC Accreditation Progress Report
Reading Memorial High School received the coveted rating of “Continued Accreditation” with
many commendations for the students, parents, staff and administration. The visiting committee was
impressed with the pride and respect exhibited by everyone related to the school, the successful realization
of a $4.5 million budget override, and the planned construction of the new $54 million High School
facility
The school’s continued accreditation is based on satisfactory progress in following up on the
recommendations of the visiting committee. These directives included implementing and adequately
funding a comprehensive technology plan, providing communication technology, and ensuring funding to
maintain and clean the school. Several recommendations have already been met including the two new
department leadership positions.
MCAS Testing
The sophomore MCAS scores indicated that RMHS continues to prepare students well
academically as they performed exceptionally compared to that of students throughout the
Commonwealth. In addition, it is highly impressive that every member of the 2005 senior class has met
the State requirement of passing both the MCAS English Language Arts and Mathematics examinations
either during their sophomore year, or by means of the MCAS Retest format during their junior year.
Certainly, the commitment and dedication of the faculty and staff, the diligent, conscientious
effort on the part of the students, and the high quality of the academic program are all factors in helping
the students surpass the goals for improvement set by the Massachusetts Department of Education.
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~~ 2004 MCAS Grade 10 Results ~~
Math English
State RMHS State RMHS
Advanced 29% 46% 19% 30%
Proficient 28% 33% 44% 52%
Needs Improvement 28% 20% 27% 18%
Warning 15 % 1% 10% 0%
Academics
New drama and theatre courses have been offered in the Practical and Performing Arts
Department and have been well received by the students. In the Foreign Language Department, two Latin
teachers, Ms. Snyder and Mr. Harrison, have afforded students the opportunity to take Latin II during the
Summer enabling students to take advanced Latin courses during the school year. A number of Smart
Boards and LCD projectors have been purchased to allow teachers to experiment and train with this
instructional device that will serve as a supplementary teaching tool in the new High School.
District-wide Instructional Initiative
Reading Memorial High School is a major supporter of the district-wide initiative on classroom
instruction. In the first stage of this long-term emphasis on instruction, the school has 14 professionals
(all administrators and four teachers) participating in the Research for Better Teaching course,
Investigating Obstacles to Instruction. Several teachers have signed up for the next part of the initiative
which is another RBT course, The Skillful Teacher. A key part of the High School professional
development this year was to create an all-faculty study group program. Learning communities are
formed in each one of these 20 small groups, each one taking up a specific perspective on instruction to
research and utilize the findings. These steps are only the beginning of a long-term commitment to
classroom instruction which will support the achievement of our students.
Extra and Co-curricular Programs
Our extra and co-curricular programs include slightly over 80% of the student body who take
advantage of the opportunity to be involved with clubs, groups and athletic teams. Leadership roles are
available to students through Class and Student Council governmental positions, elected office
assignments, in groups, clubs, and in the capacity of captain in the diverse athletic teams.
The band continues to excel performing at football games, parades, Town celebratory functions,
jazz festivals and in local and State competitions. Especially noteworthy was the band finishing first in
the 2004 Billerica Marching Band Invitational, being in the top five of 33 bands at the University of New
Hampshire Jazz Festival, and representing the State of Massachusetts playing at the World War II
Memorial Dedication in Washington, D.C. Certainly, much of the credit for the success both individually
of the musicians, many of whom have won awards and the large number of students involved with the
band should be directed to Mr. Bunten, his staff, and the support of the band parents.
School Department
The Drama Program has demonstrated similar success providing over 150 students the
opportunity to showcase their theatrical talents and abilities. The two main performances, Les Miserables
and The Mystery of Edwin Drood, received rave reviews and were extremely well attended. Also, the
Drama Club’s original play entitled Seven Layers Deep was a State semi-finalist in the Massachusetts
High School Drama Guild’s annual one-act play competition. Under the outstanding direction of Mr.
Endslow and Ms. Killian and the Drama Parent Association, the Drama Program continues to flourish.
The athletic teams are a source of a great amount of student participation. Both boys and girls
lacrosse now have varsity recognition. The Athletic Department was the recipient of an unprecedented
third District B Sportsmanship Award from the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association
(M.I.A.A.). Three athletes received All Scholastic recognition, and on one of these additionally was
bestowed the Boston Globe Scholar Athlete Award and National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete
Award. Another student placed third in the M.I.A.A. Sportsmanship Essay Contest. Seven teams were
Middlesex League Champions and all the teams were blessed with athletes who performed with much
spirit, desire and pride. Mr. Philip Vaccaro, the Athletic Director, was honored with the President’s
Award of Merit from the Massachusetts Secondary School Athletic Directors Association.
The school’s activities and clubs provide approximately 35 different opportunities. New
organizations are encouraged, and several student-sponsored ones are offered each year. Two new
organizations this year from several suggested were The Leo Club and Future Business Leaders.
Arthur W. Coolidge Middle School
Principal John Doherty
Soaring to Succeed!
The Arthur W. Coolidge Middle School continues to work on improving all areas of its program
in its quest to become a school that addresses the social, physical, intellectual, emotional/psychological,
and moral needs of all its students. With the support of teachers, administration, support staff, parents
and students, Coolidge has been able to work on many of these areas during 2004. We look forward to
the challenge of continuous school improvement during the 2004-2005 school year.
Our Vision Statement Has Become Our Direction
Since the approval of our Vision Statement in 2001 by our School Council, we have used this
document as the basis for all of our decisions in moving forward as a developmentally responsive middle
school that addresses the needs of all children. Every decision that is made by our staff and
administration takes into consideration where we would like to be in the next few years. It is this process
which has allowed us to have thoughtful discussions about program, curriculum and new initiatives. An
excerpt of the vision is described below:
“...Philosophically, Coolidge will be a developmentally responsive middle school. In each of the three
years, students will connect with adults who understand the developmental stages of an adolescent and
who will create a stimulating environment that is so supportive that no student will fall through the
cracks, emotionally or academically…Our teams will be small communities of learners, made up of
adults and students in a close and mutually respectful relationship. Staff will strive to create connections
School Department
so that students feel comfortable discussing problems and issues with at least one adult in every grade
level…We will welcome families, keep them informed, help the develop expectations and skills to support
learning, and ensure their participation in decision-making. As a result of this partnership, we will be
deeply rooted in our community.
We are in the process of rewriting our Vision Statement for the 2005-2006 school year. This
statement will build on our current vision with a greater emphasis on emotional/social support for
students.
School Improvement Plan and “Blueprint for Success” Assessment Tool
The Coolidge Middle School Council, with input from the PTO, staff and community, has
emphasized the following areas to focus on for the 2003-2004 school year:
Creating a Blueprint for Success-Focus on Learning
To create a school that continually reflects upon and assesses all of the programs and practices
that affect student learning. This includes promoting the concept of a school within a school (team),
using a variety of instructional strategies, while maintaining a relevant and challenging curriculum in
correlation with the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks to collaborate with all stakeholders in the
school community to design programs and policies to improve student learning.
These goals are consistent with the Reading School Committee Strategic Plan Goals as well as the
goals stated by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.
The above goal will focus on using the “Blueprint for Success” Assessment tool that looks at all
of the criteria that make a developmentally responsive middle school. The criteria include focusing on
the areas of student support, school organization and climate, challenging standards and curriculum,
active teaching and learning, professional community, leadership and educational vitality, school, family,
and community partnerships and indicators of academic success. Our goal is to continue to improve as a
middle school and make the changes necessary to help all students succeed. If we do not continue to
move forward and improve and instead stand still, we in essence are moving backwards.
As part of this process, we continue to assess our school in each area and gather data. We have
used the data from MCAS testing, Stanford-9 Testing, and local assessments to identify obstacles to
student achievement. Using the data generated has helped us improve in several key areas.
How We Help Students Succeed
One of the major focal points of the school is to design ways to help students succeed. Coolidge
has established the P.A.S.S. (Program to Achieve Student Success) Program for those students who have
below a C-average in academic subject areas. This program, which is held before/after school and on
Saturdays, emphasizes reinforcing student skills and supporting current curriculum material that they are
working on. In essence, P.A.S.S. is designed to help struggling students succeed so they do not have to
attend Summer School. The program is now entering its fourth year and our standardized test data and
anecdotal data are beginning to show conclusive results that this program is effective for student
learning.
School Department
Other ways that we help struggling students gain knowledge and skills include before/after school
assistance by classroom teachers, higher expectations for homework completion with accountability,
frequent home communication with parents, an in-school tutorial program, an after school homework
completion program, peer tutoring by our peer leaders, a remedial reading program and after school
library hours (funded by the PTO).
School Accomplishments Which Emphasize the Middle School Philosophy
This past year included major accomplishments for Coolidge as it continues to strive to become
an exemplary developmentally responsive middle school. These accomplishments included continued
refinement of our advisor/advisee program to include academic advocacy and goal setting, an expansion
of our teacher induction program, increasing display of student work throughout the corridors, and
greater student involvement in the day to day running of the school. In addition, we expanded our staff-
based committees from seven to eight areas including committees on Professional Development, School
Climate, School Safety, Grades 8 to 9 transition, Student Performance, Advisor/Advisee, Communication
and Grant Writing.
We developed two additional study groups, Literacy and Technology, which are working to
improve instruction in those areas and to give teachers additional tools in the classroom. We continued
to improve the transition for our sixth grade students by expanding our “Welcome to Coolidge Program,”
which is traditionally held in August before school begins. Over 70% of our incoming sixth grade
students participated in this program. Our goal is to improve on the above areas and develop new ideas
as we prepare our students both academically and emotionally during some of the most difficult
developmental stages of their life.
Communication and Parental Involvement
“The Coolidge Comet,” a weekly newsletter published by the school, highlights the
accomplishments and informs the community of upcoming events. The Homework Hotline phone
number (942-9157) is available every day after 3:00 p.m. for parents to check their son/daughter’s
homework assignments for the evening. Progress reports, report cards and team meetings are other
avenues for parents to stay current on their child’s progress. The Principal holds neighborhood coffees
on a regular basis to discuss school issues. Our web page (reading.k12.ma.us) is updated regularly and
contains information regarding the day to day running of our school.
This year, we have fully implemented an online communication program called Edline which can
be accessed through the Coolidge Web Page. This tool displays current school news, daily homework
assignments, as well as quarterly progress reports for each student. Parents are assigned an activation
code that allows them access to their child’s progress report. Teachers use edline for individual web
pages which contain their lessons. Parents have given Edline very positive reviews.
Parents are involved at Coolidge in a variety of ways. Volunteers help in the Library-Media
Center, in the main office, as team parents, on field trips, doing various PTO activities, helping out in the
school wide Science Olympiad, the annual school play and other school activities. We have a very active
Coolidge Gardens Committee that keeps our courtyards and front of the school looking exceptional. Our
PTO meetings (first Tuesday of every month) are well attended and our school council (second Thursday
of every month) is very involved in the vision and direction of the school.
School Department
Enrichment Opportunities for Teachers and Students
Students are given the right to take risks and explore avenues of learning. All of our students are
involved in the Geography Bee, Spelling Bee, Continental Math League and School Wide Science
Olympiad Day activities. Tryouts are held for the Science Olympiad team, both Math teams and the
school show. Students may elect to participate in the band, chorus or National History Day Competition.
In addition, we have an after-school program that offers opportunities to be involved in Peer Leaders,
Student Council, Yearbook, Homework Hangout, Coolidge Newspaper, Select Chorus, Bell Choir and
Intramural Gym.
Students participate in several out of school learning experiences such as the Prindle Pond
Environmental Camp, Washington, D.C., Montreal and Quebec, Museum of Science, Museum of Fine
Arts, Sturbridge Village, Boston Reperatory Theatre, Boston Symphony Orchestra, University of
Massachusetts at Lowell College of Music and other educational trips. On several occasions, students
have performed community service for the elderly, the less fortunate and elementary students.
We traditionally collect donations of food or money for UNICEF, Children’s International Fund,
Friends of Boston Homeless, Veteran’s Flowers, Adopt-A-Family, American Red Cross, Reading Food
Pantry, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Tuesday’s Child, Doctors without Borders and the Council on Aging.
Our teachers are involved in several professional organizations. We are affiliated with Juniata
College, Seton Hall University, UMass Lowell, Northeastern University, Salem State College,
Assumption College, NOVA Southeastern University, Endicott College and Harvard University for
specific projects and staff initiatives. This past year, 70% of our staff attended a State, National or
Regional Conference. Seventeen staff members presented their best practices at several conferences
during the school year. Over 50 educators from around the country came on site visits to Coolidge last
year to view the school and their best practices.
Awards and Recognitions
Listed below are some of the awards and recognitions that our school community have received
throughout this calendar year.
♦ The Coolidge Middle School Science Olympiad Team
won the 2004 Massachusetts State Science
Olympiad Competition and finished eighth place out of 54 teams at the National Science Olympiad
Competition in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. Special recognition goes to the Science Olympiad Parent
Support Group who raised over $30,000 to send the students on the trip.
♦ Our music program
continues to grow and develop as they received four silver medals, one gold
medal and one bronze medal in the 2004 Massachusetts Instrumental Conductor Choral Association
(MICA) Festival. In addition, the Parker/Coolidge Middle School Combined Jazz Bandwon a gold
medal at the International Association of Jazz Educators Festival.
♦ A group of Coolidge Teachers/Administrators
presented their best practices at the National School
Reform Conference in Lake Buena Vista, Florida last December, and will be presenting three
workshops at the National Blue Ribbon Conference in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina this December.
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♦ In June, Century School of
Coolidge Middle School was awarded the Intel/Scholastic 21
Distinction Award as one of the top 20 schools, K-12, public or private in the country. We were
recognized as the top winner in the category of Teamwork. As a result of the award, Coolidge
received over $120,000 in goods and services from educational companies. These services include
technology hardware/software, professional development opportunities, literacy programs,
assessment tools and Math programs.
Final Thoughts and Thanks
♦
We are pleased to welcome to the Coolidge administrative team, Craig Martin, who started as the
st
new Assistant Principal at Coolidge on July 1. Craig has taught Language Arts at Coolidge for the
past seven years and has been a major contributor to the success of our school.
♦
We welcome to the Coolidge staff several new teachers including Chris Friberg (Math), Jackie
Seaburg (Math), Andrea Miller (English), Leah Duggan (Spanish), Christine Steinhauser (Library
Media Specialist) and Zachary Sisisky (Special Education). Each bring special talents and
experiences that help make our school stronger.
♦
As a final note, we would like to recognize Coolidge Library Media Specialist Mary Hichborn who
retired this year. Mary has spent her entire career (32 years) in the Reading Public Schools, making
major contributions as an educator. Her talents touched the lives of several generations of students
and she will be missed.
W.S. Parker Middle School
Principal Linda Darisse
Introduction
The W. S. Parker Middle School has begun a renewal process which addresses three areas of
need: Curriculum, instruction and assessment, school climate and shared leadership. Staff, parents,
students and community members are working together to build a school community which focuses on
the needs of pre-adolescents and adolescents, educationally, socially and emotionally. Part of the
renewal process will be to reach out to the Reading community and beyond as we continue the Parker
tradition of being a school that values life-long learning and service to the community.
New Administrative Team
The staff and parents at Parker, along with central administrators, worked together in the 2003-
2004 school year to do a needs assessment in the area of leadership at Parker. The results, including the
desire to have administrators who had a great deal of experience with Middle School philosophy, were
used in the search for a new Principal and Assistant Principal for the 2004-2005 school year. The search
committee included staff from Parker as well as other stakeholders. Linda Darisse, Principal and
Douglas Lyons, Assistant Principal, were hired in the Spring and began work on July 1, 2004. They
spent the Summer meeting with staff individually and in teams, reading curriculum documents and
school/district policies, scheduling classes and students, and planning the up-coming school year with
Parker and district staff. The PTO sponsored two evening socials for parents to meet the new Principals,
one informally in July at the home of the President, the other formally in the Auditorium at Parker in
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September. Teachers and other staff met with the new administration on September 1 in order to hear
about their plans to work collaboratively as a community to move the school forward. Students had an
opportunity to meet the new Principals and hear about their backgrounds during an all-school assembly
on the second day of school.
School Improvement Plan
The School Improvement Plan consists of four goals, purposely written in an open-ended manner
to provide for the new administration’s ideas. In general, the goals are to provide leadership, improve
instructional practices, define the culture and climate of Parker Middle school using a set of core values,
and enhance home/school communication. The School Council, comprised of five parents, three teachers
and the Principal, meet regularly to provide the structure and direction for the accomplishment of the
goals outlined in the School Improvement Plan.
Turning Points
Turning Points 2000 (TP) is a report from the Carnegie Foundation that is a result of over ten
years of research done in middle schools on how pre-adolescents and adolescents learn best. The report
has a list of principles that middle schools should adhere to if they are to address the needs, educational,
social and emotional, of students who are “in the middle” between elementary school and high school.
In July, the Principals contacted the National Turning Points Network located at the Center for
Collaborative Education in Boston, and met twice with the Co-Director of the TP Network. As a result
of these meetings, we were able to access funds from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to have a
TP coach to help plan and execute the work done to address the TP Principles. The coach, Frank DeVito,
advised that we form a leadership team made up of staff representatives of all grades and departments to
learn more about TP, collect data from our students and school, and make key decisions on how the
school should change to address the recommendations in TP. As a school community, we have
committed to addressing these recommendations at Parker.
Core Values
We are in our second year of focusing on Core Values. The goal is twofold -- to revise the Core
Values that have been in place for quite some time (honesty, integrity and critical thinking) and practice
our Core Values when we do collaborative work together. The staff met regularly throughout the 2003-
2004 school year with help from a consultant, and learned the skills needed to talk honestly together
about controversial issues in the school such as fairness, equity, school climate, home/school
communication, and what attributes are valued and practiced by the school community.
This year started with a review of the core value work and several meetings where we practiced
the skills learned last year to look critically and honestly at our school in three areas:
Curriculum/instruction/assessment, school climate and shared leadership. This type of open discussion,
planning for change, and following through on improvements will continue throughout the year during
release days and faculty meetings. In addition, staff, students and parents will be provided with
opportunities to review and revise the three existing Core Values for implementation in the 2005-2006
school year.
School Department
Research for Better Teaching
Ten staff members are taking advantage of two courses offered by the district, Investigating
Obstacles to Achievement, and The Skillful Teacher, from Jon Saphier’s Research for Better Teaching.
Three teachers and the two Principals are taking Investigating Obstacles to Achievement during the first
semester. What is learned during these sessions is brought back to the entire faculty and shared, either
though data collection, or sessions where all staff focus on the data. We look for trends, identify
obstacles, make hypotheses, and look for strategies to use in the classroom to overcome the obstacles. So
far, as a whole staff, we have looked at two obstacles, clarity and school climate. This work will continue
throughout the year. During the second semester, five teachers will take The Skillful Teacher course and
develop teaching and management strategies to use in their own classrooms and with their teams.
Middle School Curriculum Development (Coolidge and Parker)
Meetings began this Summer between the two middle school administrations to review the
curriculum documents created collaboratively during the 2003-2004 school year, and plan for curriculum
work for the 2004-2005 school year. It was agreed that we needed to continue to work to create written
curriculum to assure that all students, no matter the school or the team, leave the middle schools having
the same understandings and skills. We decided to do this work together on release days using ASCD’s
backward design process and template called Understanding by Design, developed by Wiggins and
McTighe. Both schools were given an overview of this design in September as well as research to read,
and will continue to learn more about the process as they develop units together as departments. The end
results of this work will be well thought out units of instruction that include themes, essential questions
and alternative assessments.
Leadership Team
The Parker Leadership Team was formed in September after the staff read research on what
makes a good leader in a school. Teams, departments and other stakeholders met and came to consensus
on who would represent them on the team. Seventeen staff members, including the coach, both
Principals, teachers and paraprofessionals, are on the team which meets monthly to deepen their
knowledge of the TP Principles, plan staff development, and come to consensus on school change. They
have raised questions about current situations or practice, reviewed data to clarify situations and re-frame
questions, and identified problem areas or questions to be investigated. They are currently developing
hypotheses to address problem areas or questions, and will create and implement an action plan by the
end of December. This will mean that in January, we can begin to do the hard work of networking with
other schools, having difficult conversations with each other about change, and doing analytical work in
the areas of budget, schedules and teaming.
Review of Special Education Procedures and Services
Working closely with the Director and Assistant Director of Special Education and Anne
Saurman, Interim Assistant Principal at Parker, we have gathered data within the school in order to
assure that Federal, State and District procedures are being followed. Documents were examined,
stakeholders were interviewed, and final recommendations will be made in order to improve the delivery
of services and make the department more efficient.
School Department
Technology Plan
In the 2003-2004 school year, a technology team was formed to oversee the growth and use of
technology at Parker. A prioritized list of needs was developed with the most important being the
purchase of state-of-the-art computers for the Library Media Center. The PTO planned a fundraiser and
raised thousands of dollars to purchase a classroom set of computers and install them in the Library,
connected to the LAN and the world wide web. These computers are used daily by students and staff for
instructional purposes.
The Technology Team has continued to meet together, and with the PTO President, to formulate a
plan to integrate the use of the new computers into the curriculum, create a curriculum document that
will outline sequential skill development in Grades 6-8, provide staff development in the use of new
technologies, upgrade teacher computers so that they are all on the same platform and will be able to
communicate effectively with parents and each other, plan family and community fundraising activities
with the PTO, and purchase more hardware and software with district and PTO funds.
Improved Home/School Communication
Plans have begun with the help of the School Council and the PTO to increase opportunities for
parents and teachers to communicate more effectively. Work had begun to revise the Parent Handbook
to make it more accurate and include suggestions from parents and staff. This should be completed
during the first semester and distributed to all parents but particularly incoming sixth grade parents,
before the start of the 2005-2006 school year. We will expand our parent information sessions at the
school to include an open house in the Fall months where parents will be invited to the school during
regular school hours to visit their child’s classes. Parent coffees, a chance for teachers to talk informally
with parents, have been expanded from sixth grade to all grades. Student schedules were mailed to all
homes during August, instead of students having to wait until the first day of school. The PTO and
School Council have worked together to communicate safety issues to parents, particularly in the areas of
pick-up, drop-off and speed limits. We have expanded our listserv to more than two thirds of our parents
who receive the school newsletter by email, and now offer a link to the NELMS (New England League
of Middle Schools) Parent Newsletter. And finally, due to the upgrading of all teacher computers, we
now have access to Edline, a piece of software that provides opportunities to communicate with parents
in such areas as homework and progress reports. Staff will be trained on Edline this year for
implementation in the 2005-2006 school year.
Increased Educational and Enrichment Activities
Two new Summer programs were held at Parker this Summer, created and implemented by
Parker staff. One was Pragmatics Camp where students learned social skills for classroom use. The
second was Math Camp, an activity based program where students gathered data off campus on field
trips and brought the information back to the classroom to solve problems. Also, staff and parents have
been meeting regularly to provide enrichment and health assemblies for students. In addition, this group
has begun to plan an overnight, science-based field trip for the Spring of 2005. The after-school
enrichment program has expanded this year as well and includes Art Studio, Basketball, Board Games,
Clay Club, Color Guard, Crocheting Basics, Field Hockey, Flag Football, Floor Hockey, French Club,
Gymnastics, Hip Hop Jazz Club, Homework Club, Science Creativity Club, Scholastic Art Preparation,
Spanish Club, Stamping & Scrapbooking, Talent Show Preparation and Whiffleball.
School Department
New Staff
We would like to welcome Brienne Martinson, a former Parker student, as our new eighth grade
English and Social Studies teacher and team leader. Tony Natale comes to us from a middle school in
New York and will be a Grades 7 and 8 Social Studies teacher. Elizabeth Achorn, Grade 8 Spanish
teacher, comes to us from the business world with a great deal of bilingual experience in different
Spanish-speaking countries. Tammy Jones, our new Title I Reading teacher, has many years experience
teaching Reading in both private and public schools. Laura Cummings, a Special Education teacher, has
transferred to Parker from the elementary level and is working in Grade 7. We also have some new
Educational Assistants. Theresa Galasso, a Reading resident and parent, is working in the main office,
and Gail Caiazza and Mark Jellison, both Reading residents, are working as classroom educational
assistants.
Alice M. Barrows Elementary School
Principal Karen Callan
Each month of the 2004 calendar year was met with anticipation, excitement and challenges at the
Alice M. Barrows Elementary School. The school community was involved in many academic, social
and building successes.
Moving
In August 2004, the Barrows’ staff and students entered the new Wood End Elementary School.
All the furniture, books and supplies were moved into the school during the Summer months. The
gymnasium became a temporary storage facility until the remainder of the building was finished.
Through the help of countless volunteers and endless hours of work by the staff, the school was ready to
open on September 7th with everything in its place. Students adjusted quickly to their new routines, new
layout, new classrooms and the bus rides to school.
Renovation
As we moved into Wood End, the Alice M. Barrows School on Edgemont Avenue began to be
renovated. Demolition of heating, plumbing and electrical systems took place as soon as the furniture
had been moved. New drainage in the back of the building, across the field and out onto Edgemont
Avenue took place early on in the project. The main stairwell was removed as was the old gym. The
foundation of the new gymnasium and media center became the focal points during the Fall months. A
total renovation of classrooms, floors, ceilings, electrical, plumbing and heating will be accomplished
during this year. The staff, students and parents are eagerly awaiting the return to Edgemont Avenue in
the Fall of 2005.
Staffing
In June, Mrs. Judith Upham, Grade 4 teacher, retired after many years of teaching in the Reading
community. We want to thank her for all her contributions. Throughout the year, new staff joined
Barrows in the Developmental Learning Center Program at Grade 4 and Kindergarten. New Educational
Assistants also joined us in September. We would like to welcome the new staff to Reading and
Barrows.
School Department
Curriculum
The school experienced continued success using the various elements of our Language Arts
program. This year, we enhanced teaching strategies by incorporating the LINKS graphic organizers into
student writing. A greater focus on non-fiction reading was also an emphasis at all grade levels. Grades
4 and 5 began the first year of a Social Studies initiative through the use of the Harcourt Horizons Social
Studies Program. The program is aligned with the Social Studies frameworks released in August 2003,
which concentrates on Regions of the United States for Grade 4 and Exploration through Constitution for
Grade 5. The added emphasis on technology will allow our students to meet the challenges of the years
to come.
Technology
st
Barrows has moved into the 21 Century! At Wood End, the classrooms are connected to the
internet. This access provides our students the ability to research and obtain information from their own
classroom. The use of the infocus machines, laptops and power point presentations has added to the
presentation skills of our staff and students.
Community Outreach
Once again, Barrows has stepped to the plate to help those less fortunate than ourselves. Through
the year long efforts of the Student Council, many organizations were helped. An ‘Adopt-A-Family’
drive was held at holiday time. Each grade level was assigned a family to provide toys, clothing, food
etc. in December. Nursing homes were visited and the Reading Food Pantry was assisted during the
year. The Grades 4 and 5 students participated in the St. Jude’s Hospital Math-A-Thon, raising a
sizeable amount of money. The children continue to learn that it is good to help those in need.
Parent Teacher Organization and School Council
The PTO and the School Council were instrumental in helping move the Barrows School to
Wood End. The PTO parents packed, lugged and labeled boxes and boxes and boxes. The School
Council provided advice throughout the year as we moved through the process. School Council
representatives helped in the area of bus routes and bus monitors. Both groups were also involved in
helping us to ‘close’ out the activities of the old Barrows and move towards the new Barrows @ Wood
End. Family activities, enrichment activities and fifth grade end of year activities added to the social side
of school. We are very grateful for all the leadership and help both of these valuable groups provide to
the school and community.
Birch Meadow Elementary School
Principal Richard E. Davidson
It is with pleasure that I take this opportunity to tell you, the Reading community, about the many
exciting and important learning experiences that are available to all children here at the Birch Meadow
School. I urge members of the community to feel free to visit our school and talk with parents, staff and
administration.
School Department
Curriculum
As a school and as a district, we are pleased about the districts’ continuing curriculum
enhancements. This year, at the K-2 level, we are entering our fifth year of the Language Arts Program.
Scholastic’s Literacy Place was implemented three years ago at the K-2 level, and this year marks the
third year of implementation at the third, fourth and fifth grade levels. In addition, the K-2 level has
continued its refinements of the John Collins Writing Program and the Junior Great Books Program.
These programs were also implemented at the upper grade levels two years ago. Last year, we
implemented a new phonics program called Fundations to supplement the Scholastic Program at the
Kindergarten and Grade 1 level. This year, the program is being implemented at the second grade level.
This year, the fourth and fifth grades are implementing a new Social Studies Program from
Harcourt School Publishers called Horizons. It is a text-based program for these grade levels and is rich
with resources and supplemental materials the increasingly expect the use of technology.
Unique to Birch Meadow, our Birch Meadow Publishing House is currently celebrating its 15th
year of publishing books that are written and illustrated by our students. The students over the years
have over 10,000 published books to their credit. Our annual celebration of student writing through our
Young Authors’ Days continues to be a favorite event of students, staff and parents at Birch Meadow.
Bullying Prevention Program Grant
Two years ago, Birch Meadow applied for and received a second $50,000 Bullying Prevention
Grant from the Mass. Department of Public Safety. The grant provided funding for the training of staff
and school community members in recognizing and prevention of teasing and bullying. The emphasis
was on classroom meetings, involving by-standers, role-playing and providing strategies to students and
staff as we establish a culture of acceptance and tolerance. In our first year of the grant, we established a
Birch Meadow Code of Behavior, student contracts, and reflection sheets that respond to situations where
bullying occurs.
During our second year, we focused on parent communication through the use of monthly
newsletters about the program, training for support staff, and involving bystanders in support of victims.
Now in our fourth year of the program, we have continued the emphasis on classroom meetings and role-
playing. We have continued our very successful lunchtime volunteer program as well as the booster
activities. This Fall’s booster activity involved Mr. Tony Vacca, a very talented percussionist and song-
writer, who met with all students and worked closely with our Music teacher, Mr. Al Mosier, to create a
musical program that focused on respect and the concept of bullying prevention. It was performed for all
students and parents last October. Our very talented Music and P.E. Specialists have continued the
“Radio Broadcast Shows” that also deliver the important message about bullying and teasing.
Technology
As a school, we continue to be excited about the use of technology as a tool for learning and
instruction. Three years ago, our PTO funded the purchase of 10 new Dell desktop systems that are
being used to support the Language Arts Program. This year, they agreed to purchase two more desktop
systems that now allow a full classroom of student’s simultaneous access to the Internet for research and
instruction. I am very pleased to report that the mini-lab and its daily use have been well established
through the direction and support of our Library Media Specialist.
School Department
After School Activities Program (ASAP)
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At Birch Meadow, our school is now in its 10 year of offering after school enrichment programs
for students. Courses are offered in six-week periods and range from computers, to drama, to science, to
karate, to chess, to several experiences in the arts.
Parent Involvement
One of the major strengths of Birch Meadow continues to be its extremely high level of parent
involvement and support. The PTO is an outstanding organization which contributes to the quality of life
in so many ways here at Birch Meadow. While they do raise significant funds for enrichment programs,
field trips, library enhancement, to name a few, they also enhance our instructional program by their
involvement in their children’s classrooms and by volunteering to be a part of our School Council. They
readily help on committees and offer support to teachers whenever the need arises. This year in
conjunction with our PTO, our staff is presenting a “Learning Series” to enhance and improve parent
understanding the changing curriculum.
Student Council
The Grades 4 and 5 Student Council organized their 14th Annual Senior Citizen Luncheon in
January to the delight and enjoyment of over 50 guests. Mrs. Mosier, our Music Specialist, and over 200
students also enjoyed a sing-a-long after the usual delicious turkey fricassee lunch. Desserts prepared by
our many parent volunteers added to the festive holiday atmosphere. Our civic-minded council also
sponsored a coat drive for the more needy residents of the Greater Boston Area.
Open Invitation
Again, I would like to extend an open invitation to members of the Reading community to visit
our/your school. Our Library Media Center continues to be a great place to volunteer and work with
children. Please feel free to call Principal Richard E. Davidson at 781-944-2335 with any questions,
comments or to arrange a visit. Thank you for your continued support.
Joshua Eaton Elementary School
Principal Lisa M. Cormier (2003-2004)
Interim Principal Patricia A. de Garavilla (2004-2005)
The Joshua Eaton School continued to be an active learning community with great commitment
from students, parents, teachers and staff alike. There were several accomplishments that are highlighted
here of which the school community is most proud.
Curriculum and Instruction
The last major component of our Language Arts Curriculum Initiative was implemented with the
introduction of the Wilson Language “Fundations” phonics program in our Kindergarten and first grade
classrooms last year. It has been expanded to the second grade level this Fall. Teachers met frequently
in grade level teams as well as during in-service time as part of on-going training with all aspects of the
Language Arts Program. Teachers also participated in training for other areas of the curriculum as well
throughout the year.
School Department
Joshua Eaton teachers developed writing prompts that address the MA State Curriculum
Framework and coordinated a whole school prompt. The district’s Elementary Editing Checklist was
also introduced as a pilot program in conjunction with the John Collins Writing Program.
The Eaton School received federal funding through the Title I program and was able to offer
additional Reading support with a Title I teacher in the building. This program will continue next year
but on a smaller scale.
Community Outreach
As it is each year, our sixth Annual Veterans’ Day Assembly was a wonderful tribute to the many
veterans in attendance. Over 75 veterans enjoyed the performances of the Joshua Eaton students and
State Trooper Sgt. Dan Clark. This program truly brought this holiday to life for all our students.
The Senior Tea was another opportunity to welcome guests to our school. The senior citizens in
attendance enjoyed their interaction with the Eaton students.
Our students actively supported food drives to help the less fortunate in our community.
Parental Involvement
Parents were welcomed back to school at the annual Curriculum Nights to meet their children’s
teachers and hear firsthand of the grade level curriculum and expectations. Families also enjoyed
attending the Annual Open House in the Spring where student work was showcased.
The School Advisory Council (Principal, Parent and Teacher Representatives) focused on
improving communication at Joshua Eaton. Members were instrumental in implementing the school-
wide use of e-mail as well as updating the school’s website to expand communication within the school
community and beyond. The use of e-mail has enabled teachers and parents to communicate more
efficiently as we work together to support student success. The School Advisory Council also played a
key role in identifying the school’s safety plan and recommending changes as necessary.
Our dedicated P.T.O. board and members supported the Joshua Eaton School through their
offerings of many activities, enrichment programs, field trips and materials and supplies. They were able
to supplement the technology equipment at school with the purchase of new computers, printers and a
Smart Board for the next school year through their fundraising efforts. They also coordinated the
monthly school newspaper, The Eaton Express, to keep all families apprised of classroom news and
family events.
Faculty and Staff
We welcomed several new staff members to Eaton who worked closely with their assigned
mentors as part of their induction into the Reading Public Schools.
Our school suffered a tremendous loss with the passing of our beloved Secretary Pat Donnelly.
She will always be remembered for her caring ways, her sense of humor and dedication to students and
staff alike.
School Department
We wish veteran teachers Anne Coneeney, Pauline Harootian and Mike DeLong all the best as
they begin their retirements. A special thank you is extended to each of them for the difference they
made in so many children’s lives.
J. W. Killam Elementary School
Principal Paul Guerrette
The 2003-2004 school year added a new dimension to the Killam School with the addition of one
all day Kindergarten class. This pilot program was implemented town wide and was a fee based program
that attracted much interest within the Killam community. Thirty-six parents signed up for the 24 slots
available and a lottery was held to determine who would attend. The program was taught by Lynne
Kasparian, a highly respected and experienced Kindergarten teacher at Killam.
At the conclusion of the school year, it was decided to continue to offer the all day Kindergarten
program within the Reading Public Schools as a voluntary fee based program.
Instructionally, at Kindergarten and Grades 1 and 2, we added a phonics based program entitled
Fundations to supplement our current Reading program. Teachers at these grade levels participated in
ongoing training conducted by the Reading Specialist.
The entire faculty continued to be engaged in ongoing professional development activities. A
team of teachers attended a workshop on “Data Drive Decision Making” to obtain added information on
how ongoing assessment can aid in instructional decisions. Social studies, Mathematics and Special
Education were other topics that the faculty participated in learning more about.
Parent education continued to be a focus of Killam’s P.T.O. As part of the school’s goal to
communicate with parents, School Psychologist Vivian Su spoke about “Understanding Your Child’s and
Spouse’s Personality,” and Reading Specialist Jean Maloney-Stewart and Patricia deGaravilla spoke
about Reading and Writing instruction.
The ongoing Pillars of Character Program conducted six successful assemblies during the school
year. A grant received from the Southern Poverty Low Foundation afforded the Pillars Committee an
opportunity to purchase additional resources to help students learn lessons related to the Pillars of
Character.
Our School Council continued its work addressing safety issues related to traffic before and after
school. Improvements were realized with additional signage designating no parking zones, improved
snow removal, and ongoing parent education through notices. The Council worked on making the
Killam web page an improved vehicle for communication about school issues and events.
School Department
Special Education
Director Stephen D. Gannon
The Special Education Department of the Reading Public School has been mandated by the
School Committee to operate an efficient and cost effective department. To accomplish this goal, the
department has worked in conjunction with regular education in the creation of internal programs and
supports to assist students access the curriculum.
Department resources have been focused on four areas:
1. Monitor and control the budget and legal processes in the Special Education Department.
2. Research cost effective ways to deliver quality “state of the art” programming for Special
Education students.
3. Lead the Special Education Department in a manner that would build trust and consistency
to the department’s processes and programs.
4. Setting and living up to the same high standard of excellence as regular education in Reading.
In addition to these goals, we have been strengthening our networks with other Special Education
Departments which has led to an exchange of cost effective programming ideas and referrals to our under
utilized In-District programs.
Accomplishments 2003-2004 School Year
1. Circuit Breaker work resulted in substantially higher than expected reimbursement from the State.
2. Medicaid money received for first time.
3. Continued a trend of reducing the need for Out-of-District placements.
4. Continued trend of program development resulting in substantial savings to district.
5. High School vocational program in conjunction with EMARC of Reading.
6. Integrated Learning Program at Birch Meadow for Grades 1 and 2.
7. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) classroom at RISE.
8. Planned extended year program that is integrated on the elementary level.
9. Developed a system of professional development for specialized programs.
10. Piloted Special Education Department reorganization by establishing school and program
based liaisons.
11. Worked with North Shore Educational Collaborative to begin short-term evaluation and
stabilization program.
12. Developed and piloted an emergency threat assessment process.
2004-2005 School Year to Date Accomplishments
1. Integrated Extended year tuition based program, piloted successfully.
2. Piloted Extended year pragmatic middle school program successfully.
3. Autistic program established at Coolidge for middle school students.
4. Expanded Integrated Learning Program into Grade 3 at Birch Meadow.
5. Began process of internal program audits of Special Education services.
School Department
6. Established professional development theme of “Show Me the Data” to support district
professional development initiative.
7. Put into practice new WEB based Individualized Education Plan program.
8. Developed process of internal program audit to be piloted on the secondary level.
Future Challenges
1. Increase MCAS scores of special education students.
2. Professional Development on changes in Special Education as a result of passage of
IDEA 2004.
3. Improve technology.
School Entrance Requirements
To be eligible for admission to the Reading Public Schools, a child must have reached the age of
five on or before August 31st of the entering year. Under no circumstances will children younger than
five be admitted.
No child shall be admitted to school except upon presentation of a physical exam and evidence of
immunization as required by the State Immunization Law and in accordance with the schedule
established by the Department of Public Health. Effective March 1, 1990, children are required to
present documented evidence of lead screening prior to entrance into preschool and kindergarten.
Under the Laws of the Commonwealth, each child shall attend school beginning in September of
the calendar year in which he attains the age of six.
Upon entering school each child is required to present a birth certificate.
“No School” Signals
“No School” will be announced over radio stations WBZ, WRKO, WEZE, WHDH, WBUR, on
Television Stations 4, 5, 7 and Channel 9 on Cable TV between 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 a.m.
It is the policy in Reading to have school on all scheduled days and for parents to decide when
conditions are such that it would be unwise for their child to attend. However, when roads cannot be
opened or other extraordinary conditions exist, school may be cancelled for all schools or for the
elementary grades only. This decision will be made by the Superintendent of Schools.
Enrollment
The enrollment of the Reading Public Schools as of October 1, 2004 was 4,227. In addition, there
are 64 out of district Special Education placements, 69 students at the RISE preschool program, 66
students from Reading enrolled in Grades 6 through 12 at Austin Preparatory School and 26 enrolled in
Grades 9 through 12 at the Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational School making the total school
population in Reading as of October 1, 2004 -- 4,452.
ENROLLMENT STATISTICS
Eight-year Summary of Public School Enrollment*
GRADE 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
K 318 279 269 333 301 316 294 337
1 359 361 310 304 366 331 358 331
2 376 363 354 307 307 354 342 341
3 319 374 358 354 306 310 351 345
4 348 322 362 359 346 307 312 350
5 368 348 327 366 346 357 309 307
6 334 366 342 327 367 341 342 315
7 344 332 360 339 328 361 332 350
8 295 345 328 357 337 319 357 340
9 258 291 330 308 328 303 277 327
10 276 259 286 321 305 325 298 272
11 259 268 253 272 298 291 329 308
12 241 253 256 243 269 296 275 304
SPED 24 23 59 22 33 23 25 _*_
TOTAL 4,119 4,184 4,194 4,212 4,237 4,234 4,201 4,227
*SPED numbers included in enrollment.
01/05
NORTHEAST METROPOLITAN REGIONAL VOCATIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
100 Hemlock Road - Wakefield, Massachusetts 01880-3597
Outstanding Student Award
Melissa Poste from Chelsea, a senior in the Drafting & Design Program, was chosen as
Northeast's nominee at the State Awards Dinner for Outstanding Vocational Technical Students. The
event is co-sponsored by the Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators and the
Massachusetts Vocational Association.
National Technical Honor Society
The Northeast Chapter of the National Technical Honor Society held its annual Induction
Ceremony in May. At the ceremony, six seniors and 20 juniors were inducted. These students joined the
previously inducted members to bring the Technical Honor Society Chapter to 59 members for the 2003-
2004 school year.
National Honor Society
The Annual Induction Ceremony to the Northeast Chapter of the National Honor Society
"Artisans" was held in May. Five seniors, eight juniors and three sophomores were inducted for the
2003-2004 school year bringing the total membership to 35.
Skills USA VICA Awards
nd
At State VICA Competition, Northeast winners were Seng Ung of Revere who finished 2 in
nd
Computer Maintenance, Kim McGah of Woburn who finished 2 in Dental Assisting, Leo Carbone of
ndnd
Malden who finished 2 in Plumbing, and Adam Zwicker of Stoneham who came in 2 in Residential
Wiring. Attending Skills/USA VICA Summer Conference in Kansas City were Chris Allender of
Woburn, Billy Parsons of Malden and Alian DiBiasie of Saugus. Alian DiBiasie also attended the
Washington Leadership Conference in September.
Student Advisory Representative to the School Committee
Justin Esquilin, a senior from Woburn, was elected as the Student Representative to the School
Committee for the 2002-2003 school year.
Scholarship Committee
The Northeast Scholarship Committee awarded individual scholarships to 120 deserving students
at the Fourth Annual Senior Recognition Night. The total of $516,500 was given in scholarships.
Northeast students beginning work in their vocational field or entering trade apprenticeship
programs were included in the above awards. This money will enable the students to purchase tools and
equipment as well as entry level expenses toward trade education programs.
SCORE Peer Mediation Program
In September, Northeast began its ninth year affiliated with SCORE, a Peer Mediation Program.
The SCORE Program was developed by the Office of the Attorney General of Massachusetts to help
reduce the violence in schools. The Mediation process is successful in resolving conflicts of all types.
School Department
Northeast has a full-time Coordinator, 31 trained students and six trained staff members. A
trained mediator is a neutral person not involved in the dispute and through the mediation process, helps
people come to their own agreement about how they want to resolve their conflict.
Professional Development
Professional Development in 2003-2004 focused on improving student achievement. To this
end, the following activities were conducted:
Bert Simmons facilitated a workshop on “Improving Student Achievement Through the Effective Use of
Class Time.” This program resulted in the development of Individual Classroom Plans for each teacher.
The School Improvement team participated in the High Schools That Work Leadership Series on
Improving Student Achievement. Their efforts were presented at a school-wide professional learning
day in April. This learning day produced Departmental Improvement Plans for each academic and
career/technical component of the school. Lastly, the Lynch School of Education at Boston College
facilitated a learning experience on Effective methods of Co-Teaching Mathematics and English
Language Arts. This seminar involved 50 staff members in an attempt to increase the infusion of high
standards content into our targeted population classrooms.
Summer Enrichment Program
Two hundred twenty students participated in the Summer 2004 support program. Three
categories were involved:
Summer Transition
One hundred fifty incoming ninth graders were introduced to the school in a three-week support
orientation program. This experience involved:
♦
Project-based mathematics approach utilizing graphing calculators
♦
Integration of literacy skills in English Language Arts
♦
Hands-on experiences in the career/tech rotations of
Culinary/Baking
Cosmetology/Plumbing
Graphics/Drafting
All academic classes in this program were co-taught utilizing two teachers per class.
Upper class students engaged in team-building activities through Physical Education, discrete
mathematics through Social Studies exploration, and Language Arts through literary applications. These
students also visited the Lowell Mills, the Battlefields at Concord and Fenway Park.
th
English language learners participated in an English Support Program. The 9th and 10 graders
in this program collaborated with their peers in the career/technical activities and the field trips and, at
the same time, concentrated on English, reading and writing skills.
School Department
Support Services
The Northeast Guidance Department staff offers support counseling through individual and
group counseling and specialized workshops and presentations. All faculty guidance counselors are
certified as school adjustment counselors and have either social work or school psychology backgrounds
to equip them to handle the wide range of student issues that come forth. One school adjustment
counselor is bilingual (Spanish-speaking). A school psychologist supports the counseling staff, provides
psychological testing, supports the special education program, and maintains a small individual and
group caseload. In addition, a career counselor and a non-traditional counselor round out the support
staff with their focus on career awareness and vocational development.
Support groups are established each year based on student needs. A teen issues group is
established in each grade to support students who have difficulties with peer issues. An anger
management group that is linked to the discipline system is offered after school in an effort to provide
students with an understanding of their own anger, and an opportunity to develop new tools to use to
manage anger more appropriately.
An after school substance abuse intervention group provides students with a second chance
when they have entered the discipline system with a substance abuse offense. A psycho-educational
curriculum and dynamic group approach are employed. Students participate for a minimum of ten
weeks and must participate in a drug screening program throughout and after participation. The goal of
the program is to prevent loss of learning by providing students with the necessary interventions and
supports to address their substance issues while enabling them to remain in school during and beyond
this intervention phase.
Support groups for pregnant and parenting teens, grieving students, Latino students, Asian
students, gay students and others have all been offered at different times depending on need and student
interest. Individual counseling with students requires that counselors coordinate with doctors,
psychiatrists, outside therapists, social workers and counselors, court personnel, police and others.
The Peer Mentoring Program provides educational assistance to students having difficulty with
one or more academic subjects. Students who have been successful in specific subject areas and who
have participated in training volunteer their time to assist others in the Library two afternoons per week.
The mentoring program is designed to supplement after school assistance provided by the academic and
vocational teachers. The program benefits go beyond the student achievement as the relationships
formed by the mentors and students help to break down barriers between different grade and age groups,
and develop friendships that would not have had a chance to form. The mentoring program is
coordinated by a counselor and a Math teacher with other teachers offering support and assistance.
Career counseling and the college application process are a large part of all of the counselors’
roles but specialized support is provided by a career counselor and a part-time non-traditional support
counselor. The career counselor manages a Career Awareness Program for all students that involves
monthly small group career advisement group meetings and large group presentations. The curriculum
focuses on career assessment, career information and requirements, interviewing skills, portfolios and
resume preparation. By providing assessments to evaluate skills, interests and work values, the career
counselor assists freshmen in their vocational selection process and upper class students with linkages to
post-secondary education and employment opportunities.
School Department
The non-traditional support counselor provides specialized support to those students who are
enrolled in career areas that are considered non-traditional for their gender. By providing support
groups, specialized presentations and field trips, students are prepared to understand the benefits of non-
traditional choices and to appropriately handle any difficulties that they might confront.
Special workshops and presentations are offered through the year for different groups of
students. Each year, all freshmen participate in-group workshops focusing on harassment, bullying and
gender equity issues. Large group assemblies and presentations have been offered focusing on
substance abuse, drunk driving, teen dating violence, tolerance, character building and others.
Grants
Title I – Economically Disadvantaged Districts – Funding from this grant provided for six Grade 9 and
six Grade 10 English Language Arts classes for 180 students who exhibited reading comprehension
difficulty based on their Stanford 9 diagnostic testing and Algebra/Geometry classes designed to address
the needs of 180 students identified as “at risk” or not passing the State assessment test.
Instruction in both the English Language Arts and Mathematics curricula in Title I were
enhanced by the use of Technology in the Title I rooms, as well as by support provided by the teaching
assistants in these classes.
Title 2A – Teacher Quality – This grant provided for the hiring of an MCAS Preparation instructor, the
implementation of a teacher mentoring program whereby experienced teachers were assigned to work
with non-professional status teacher as advisors, and the funding for the two workshops that the district
provides as part of the two whole-staff professional development days in accordance with the teacher
contract.
Title 3 – English Language Learner Support – This grant is used to institute a Summer English
Immersion Program for our English Language Learning students. Approximately 55 students are
engaged in this four–week program.
Title 5 – New and Innovative Programs – Funds from this grant were used to hire two support staff
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members for the Summer Transition Program. These individuals worked with the incoming 9 graders
to develop a publication that represented the efforts of the Summer Program. The 72 page document is
available upon request at the school.
Comprehensive School Reform Grant – The third and final year of this grant allowed us to participate in
our third year of affiliation with the Southern Regional Education Board’s High Schools That Work
initiative. Funds from this grant allowed for 23 staff members to participate on HSTW training programs
in Atlanta. Funds from this grant also supported the consultants used in the two school-wide
professional learning activities.
School Department
Perkins Occupational Education Grant – Funds from this federal source provided for:
HVAC teacher Career Counselor
MCAS Remediation teacher Staffing for the Summer Transition Program
Computers for Drafting and Design 2 MCAS tutors for remediation
Non-traditional support counselor
Smart Board Technology for Physics,
Drafting, Automotive Technology and
Metal Fabrication
Summer Programs
Northeast Metro Tech Summer Programs enjoyed one of its most successful campaigns since
their inception in 1988. Over the years, both the Summer School and Computer Camp have
experienced remarkable growth. This year, the Summer programs serviced nearly 500 students
combined.
This year, under new direction, the Summer School serviced high school students in seven
different academic subject areas, and also expanded into the vocational enrichment and certification
programs. The goals of promoting a positive learning atmosphere, retention and promotion, as well as
providing skills to assist each student at the next grade level, are paramount objectives behind the
philosophical makeup of our Summer school.
The popular Computer Camp took on a whole new look in 2004 including the staff and
programs. It was the 16th year for this ever-expanding program. Its objective of making learning fun
had the counselors teach campers skills that they can use during their school year while enjoying doing
it. These programs can help strengthen Reading and Math skills, and expand their general knowledge of
the computer. An introduction to Power Point presentations, along with swimming and diving
instruction, became an exciting part of the camps program this year with students having a chance to
display their work at the session ending pizza party to the amazement of their parents and families. The
Computer Camp schedule consisted of a three-hour rotating schedule of computer lab, swimming and
sports and games.
Adult Education
Our goal is to provide as many educational services as possible to the 350,000 residents of the
Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational School District. In pursuing this goal, the Adult Education
staff maximizes utilization of the Northeast facilities, offering an extensive selection of stimulating and
practical programs Monday through Saturday during the school year, and Monday through Friday during
the Summer months.
Northeast offers a State Approved Auto Damage Appraisal Program, as well as Journeyman’s
and Masters Programs in Electrical, Plumbing, Sheet Metal, Carpentry and Gas Fitting. As the Number
One apprentice training center in New England, we guide hundreds of young men and women annually
as they prepare for their journeyman or masters license in their trade. For the many senior citizens
enrolled, we offer a wide variety of programs designed to satisfy their interest in crafts, hobbies,
physical fitness, etc.
School Department
During the 2004 school year, the Adult Education agenda is the focus on the health care and
related fields that project high employment possibilities. Courses such as Computer Technology,
Anatomy and Physiology, Algebra (pre-nursing), Chemistry (pre-nursing) and Certified Nurse Aide, as
well as Medical Terminology and Medical Transcription and Human Biology (Anatomy), all mirror this
trend.
2004 Graduates
The 2003-04 school year represents the 34th class to matriculate at Northeast
Metropolitan Regional Vocational School. Northeast graduated 249 students in the Class of
2004.
The breakdown of graduates’ status after graduation is as follows:
Employed 126
Attending 4 year college 27 *
Attending 2 year college 56 *
Apprentice school 14 *
Entering Military Service 13
Status unknown 5
Other 8
* It should be noted that 39% of the graduating class went on to further their education
either in a two or four year college or in an apprentice program. 236 members of the
graduating class either entered military service, are employed or are seeking further
education -- that figure represents 95% of the Class of 2004.
Special Needs Enrollment
Special Needs enrollment for the 2003-04 school year continued to represent a fair share
of the total school enrollment with students. The 287 Special Needs students represent 24% of
the school population.
Athletic Records
The Northeast Girls’ Softball team won the Lower Division Commonwealth Athletic
League Championship and advanced to the M.I.A.A. State Tournament.
The Northeast co-ed Swim team won the State Vocational Tournament.
The Northeast Boys’ Soccer team qualified for the M.I.A.A. State Tournament.
The Northeast Hockey team qualified for the M.I.A.A. State Tournament.
The Northeast Girls’ Volleyball team was the Commonwealth Athletic Conference
Champion and qualified for the M.I.A.A. State Tournament.
School Department
District School Committee Election of Officers
At the Annual Organizational Meeting of the District School Committee on January 13,
2004, the following members were elected Officers of the District School Committee:
Chairman Michael T. Wall of Chelsea
Vice Chairman Deborah P. Davis of Woburn
Secretary Peter A. Rossetti, Jr. of Saugus
Treasurer Paul L. Sweeney of North Reading
Assistant Treasurer Anthony E. DeTeso of Stoneham
Conclusion
As Northeast celebrates its 34th year of Vocational/Technical Excellence to its 12
member communities, its aim is to continue to offer the latest in vocational/technical and
academic education by maintaining a high level of performance. This high level of performance
also encompasses continued improvement in academic achievement with regard to MCAS. The
Northeast Class of 2004 had a 99% pass rate with the MCAS Test at graduation.
Northeast is continually updating curriculum and has instituted MCAS Enrichment
Classes, along with Summer MCAS Academies. The school continues to offer students the
finest education with which to build a successful career through the latest in equipment, software
and technology offered in all vocational programs no matter which career path they have chosen.
Evidence of our past success is reflected in the students that have graduated from
Northeast Metro Tech. The Alumnus stories of success and their readiness and willingness to
help school officials by speaking at recruiting sessions at the local schools as well as recruiting
graduates for employment is proof of their dedication to Northeast. Northeast currently has 18
alumni employed at the school. Testimonials as to the success of our graduates continue to be
received, which makes us proud to have contributed in some small way to their
accomplishments.
Once again, I am proud to have represented Reading as a member of the Northeast
Metropolitan Regional Vocational District School Committee, not only to serve as the guardian
of funds allocated from the community to this educational institution, but also to assist in and
provide counsel to the school in maintaining the highest standards of educational excellence
possible.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert S. McCarthy
Northeast School Committee
Reading Representative