Reading Voters to Decide FY28 Override in November
READING — An operational override for the town's fiscal year 2028 budget will go before voters on the November 3 state election ballot, Reading officials announced this week, setting up an autumn campaign over spending for the fiscal year that begins July 1, 2027.
TOWN HALL
The override question, posted to the town's website under a new "Override Hub," is the most consequential item to come out of Town Hall this week. Officials also promoted the monthly "Town Manager Minute," a newsletter meant to summarize key meetings, community events and project updates from Town Hall.
Downtown, the town's Downtown Improvements Project is moving into its next construction phase, with crews building a new stamped concrete raised intersection at High Street and Haven Street. Separately, the town's contractor, AL Tree Service, closed the Maillet, Sommes & Morgan Conservation Area at 62 Willow Street on Saturday, September 19, to conduct tree work throughout the property.
The town is also seeking residents to serve on town boards, committees and commissions, with volunteer applications due September 30. And a new free, on-demand, all-electric regional shuttle called The Link is coming to Reading, offering door-to-door transportation within Reading and Wakefield and connections to Winchester Hospital and the Lahey Clinic in Burlington. Registration is also open for Reading Recreation's fall programs.
SCHOOLS
Reading Public Schools posted its own "Proposition 2½ Override Summary FY28" this week, tying the district's budget picture directly to the ballot question voters will decide November 3. Superintendent Dr. Turner continues to lead the district through the process. The Killam School Building Committee, which oversees the district's building project, meets Monday, September 21, at 7 p.m.
ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS
"🌱 Patch AM: What RMLD just decided about AI, meters, and your service hours." Reading Patch reports the Reading Municipal Light Department approved new policies touching artificial intelligence, meter technology and customer service hours, though the newsletter did not detail the specific changes (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/reading).
"🌱 Patch AM: How will RMLD's new policies and hours affect Reading customers?" A day earlier, Reading Patch previewed the same RMLD policy and hours changes and how they might affect utility customers across town (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/reading).
"2026 MA Elections: Question 9 Would Codify Stronger State Gun Laws." Per Patch, advocacy groups on both sides of the gun law debate rallied over the weekend ahead of the November 3 vote on Question 9, which shares the same statewide ballot as Reading's override question (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/reading).
COMING UP
Monday, September 21: Housing Authority meets at 5 p.m. Tuesday, September 22: Select Board and Finance Committee meet jointly at 7 p.m. Wednesday, September 23: Contributory Retirement Board meets at 9:30 a.m.; Conservation Commission meets at 7 p.m.
Compiled from official town feeds, community organizations, and local press. Outside reporting is attributed inline.