Town Meeting Approves $130M for New Killam School; ReCal Project Also Advances

Voter approval needed May 13 for both major projects to move forward

Reading, MA — By a vote of 158-1, Town Meeting overwhelmingly approved debt issuance for $130,011,784 to complete the design for and construct a new Killam Elementary School. This vote came after more than two hours of discussion regarding the project by members of Town Meeting. The approval is contingent on Reading voters’ successful debt exclusion vote on May 13. If the voters approve the debt exclusion, the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) is expected to reimburse over $44,000,000 of the cost.

Chief Financial Officer Sharon Angstrom shared that if the funds were borrowed at the expected 3% rate for fifteen years, the cost to the Reading taxpayer would be $80 per $100,000 of assessed property value each year. She also noted that the debt for the high school, the Wood End Elementary School, and the library has been paid off and that the retirement of this debt amounts to a reduction of just over $42 per $100,000 of assessed value for taxpayers moving forward.

Superintendent of Schools Thomas Milaschewski, along with Director of Facilities Joe Huggins and Killam School Building Committee chair Carla Nazzaro, made the case for a new building by citing the deficiencies of the current building, including lack of ADA compliance, classroom concerns, water infiltration, the lack of a fire suppression system and more. Milaschewski also pointed out that the building has not had a significant renovation since it was built in 1969.

MIlaschewski continued, stating that the entire town will benefit from the proposed school building as the RISE preschool program is expected to move to the new building. This will free up Wood End Elementary School and Reading Memorial High School classroom space. It will also allow for additional RISE capacity, expected district enrollment expansion, and improve traffic flow around the school at pickup and drop-off times.

Nazzaro praised the school’s design, referring to it as, “A simple design, a clean design, with durable materials.”

When questioned what would occur if either Town Meeting or the voters do not approve of the project, Nazzaro noted that Reading would fall out of the MSBA process and stand to lose the $44,000,000 unless it was reconsidered successfully in a 120-day time frame. Huggins pointed out that the cost to bring the current building up to code could be as much as $61,000,000, which would not be reimbursed. This led Town Meeting member Carlo Bacci to note that for an additional $24 million, the town would get a brand new school.

Several members also questioned what would occur if there were cost overruns. Permanent Building Committee chair Pat Thompkins assured Town Meeting that they would not be coming back to ask for more money. Instead, changes could be made to the heating plant, the expected solar panels, and the amount of built-in furniture to reduce the cost further. This led member Mark Ventura to request that the various committees consider this type of value engineering. Nazzaro replied that the current planned geothermal system has the “best overall cost savings in terms of rebates” as well as future operation costs.

There was also concern expressed regarding the rate of MSBA reimbursement. School Committee Chair and Town Meeting member Thomas Wise pointed out that the MSBA formula for reimbursement for cost per square foot is significantly lower than the actual cost per square foot, a discrepancy that even the MSBA admits. Milaschewski also pointed out that the MSBA has agreed to reimbursement for the twelve RISE classrooms, something it typically does not consider.

Applause broke out in the Performing Arts Center after the final vote was tabulated.

ReCal Project: New Senior Center Proposal Advances

Town Meeting moved on to the next large debt exclusion project, the proposed 28,000 square foot Center for Active Living on Symonds Way as a replacement for the Pleasant Street Center. Town Meeting member Mark Docker shared that the current space is “ a smaller space that was not designed for this type of activity,” as it is a former fire station built in 1885. Huggins reported that the building was renovated for use as a senior center in 1993. Town Meeting member John O’Neil pointed out that even the architect of the 1993 project said that the Pleasant Street Center was unsuitable for use as a senior center.

Assistant Town Manager Jayne Wellman reported that over sixty public meetings, including twelve public forums on the project, occurred over the past two years. Community Services Director Jenna Wood stated, “I’m very confident that [the proposed project] is the best building for the town.”

Angstrom reported that the expected cost for the project is $27,000,000. This would result in an additional $29.78 per $100,000 of assessed value per property for the fifteen-year borrowing period. The combined impact of the two projects, subtracting the amount no longer being paid due to retired debt, would be $66.80 per $100,000 of assessed value.

Nancy Ziemlek, chair of the Council on Aging, reported that there is genuine excitement around the Pleasant Street Center regarding the new building. When Town Meeting members, including Kendra Cooper, questioned the use of the Symonds Way site, given its proximity to the nearby gun club and its distance from downtown, Ziemlek responded that the Council had unanimously supported the location. Both Dockser and Thompkins admitted that the site is “not ideal,” but both stressed that it was the best site available for the project.

Member Vanessa Alvarado also drew the attention of Town Meeting to the number of chances in public forums and meetings that those concerned with the location could have voiced their concerns.

Town Meeting member Alicia Williams spoke about “scope creep” as the project seemed too large, as the town is “driving full-speed the override bus.” Member John Arena also spoke of the “sticker shock” of the project, suggesting that he would support a downscaled proposal if one were made in the future.

Member Nancy Docktor expressed concerns over a multi-generational center that seemed to have little support amongst seniors. “We have a library, we have a YMCA, we have a field house,” Docktor noted.

Support came from members such as Barry Herman, who stated, “It’s [the seniors] turn for us to support.” Member Johnathan Barnes used the metaphor of a private home. “We need to make this home improvement,” Barnes argued. “We can’t have enough opportunities for my generation and older,” member Linda Snow Dockser concluded.

After the question was called, Town Meeting approved debt issuance by a vote of 101-43, contingent on approval by the voters on May 13.

The Special Town Meeting was adjourned sine die at 12:05 am. The Annual Town Meeting will continue on Monday night at 7:30 pm, where the Fiscal Year 2026 budget will be discussed.