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Dear neighbors,
I write to you not only as Chair of Vote Yes for Reading but as a Town Meeting Member, a local parent, a town volunteer, and your neighbor. I grew up in Reading and am a product of its superb public schools, I taught at RMHS, and I am proud to be raising my family in the town that has given me so much. Recently, after hearing about a potential return of tuition for full-day kindergarten, I contacted a town leader and offered to help with a Yes campaign for the override. I was put in touch with another like-minded parent and we formed our municipal ballot committee, Vote Yes for Reading. Our committee grew quickly and we have been working hard to learn and share as much information about the override as possible. I am grateful to have met so many caring, intelligent, dedicated, hardworking Reading staff members and resident volunteers, many of whom I did not know before this process.
I have reflected on the meaning of community countless times over the past two months. The English word community has roots in the Latin communitas, composed of com (together) and munus (obligation or gift). At its core, community means “sharing together” or “joint responsibility.” If we value Reading and all it has to offer, it is indeed our shared responsibility to support the programs and people that make this community so special.
As a Town Meeting Member for Precinct 4 since 2022 I have witnessed the layered and transparent nature of Reading’s budgeting process. In the past two months our committee members have attended or watched almost every single override-related meeting, forum, or event that the Town of Reading has offered its residents. We have met with town leaders, first responders, school leaders, teachers, parents, and neighbors to share information and answer questions. While a tax increase in uncertain economic times is a burden I do not take lightly, the theme that has emerged repeatedly is that this override is necessary and a function of our municipal government, not a failure thereof. Our 2018 override was meant to last 3-5 years, but due to our town’s fiscal conservatism it lasted almost 9 years. Our community deserves a YES vote.
Vote YES to support our fire department, which provides Advanced Life Support emergency medical services through its fleet and staff, because every member of our community deserves top-tier services in an emergency situation. An appropriately-staffed fire department could mean the difference between life and death. I think of my neighbors whose son had a severe asthma attack, the friend whose daughter went into anaphylaxis after eating peanut butter, or my elderly neighbor who had trouble breathing — all of whom relied on the highly-trained Reading Fire Department. Let’s support those who support us!
Vote YES to support our police department, which is currently facing a potential loss of 4-5 positions (including sworn officers), cuts to overtime that would limit training hours and jeopardize accreditation, and deferred replacement of an unmarked cruiser should the override not pass. The Reading Police Department does so much more than respond to emergency calls, including mental health treatment, substance use prevention programs, car seat installation help, women’s self-defense classes, and programs for our children. We are fortunate to have these programs and the highly trained, hardworking, and experienced RPD who keep Reading safe and healthy. Let’s support those who support us!
Vote YES to support our library, which is at risk of Sunday closure, reduced weekly hours, decertification, and reduced staffing. We could lose access to interlibrary loan borrowing opportunities through the NOBLE Consortium, or lose access to digital media like ebooks and audiobooks through the Libby app. Our library is a town treasure. When my husband needed a peaceful space to study, he spent many days in the Quiet Room at RPL. When we parents seek a safe and stimulating place to take our children on a rainy summer day or a cold winter day, we meet at the Children’s Room. When my mother wanted a space to meet people and discuss books, she joined book groups at RPL. And when we sought a fun evening out, we attended 90s Trivia Night. Our library is so much more than a building full of books — it is the starting point of a “Choose Your Own Adventure,” be it a book, a meeting place, a children’s program, or one of so many opportunities to connect with members of our community. Let’s support this vital town resource.
Vote YES to support our town services, as cuts to our DPW would have a ripple effect across the town. I don’t want to cut back on road resurfacing, tree plantings, fence repairs, or delay traffic signal repairs. I don’t want to reduce rodent mitigation or take away trash barrels from our parks and ball fields. Let’s keep Reading clean, beautiful, and well maintained.
Vote YES to support our schools, as the children of Reading deserve the best education possible. As a middle and high school educator, I know student needs have changed over time. RPS educators have adapted their instruction accordingly. Our teachers work tirelessly to plan and deliver targeted instruction to meet students’ individual needs. Class sizes of 28 would impact our students’ capacity for growth and learning. I am dismayed at the thought of eliminating the middle school model, as that provides our students a support system during a time of intense academic, developmental, and social growth. I have witnessed the myriad ways in which specialized courses and extracurriculars help students realize their potential and nurture their passions, whether through an elective, sports, the arts, or a club. Public education is about people, and with a $4M shortfall and 81% of our school budget being personnel, there is no way to make drastic cuts without eliminating roles that affect our students daily at every level.
The potential cuts outlined by our town leaders are not scare tactics; they are what we will face should the override not pass. It is our shared responsibility to invest in our community and protect the services we all rely on. Please visit www.readingma.gov/FY28Override or www.VoteYESforReading.org to learn more, and join me in voting YES on Question 10.
Respectfully,
Mary Christine Kwiatek Paxton
Chair, Vote Yes for Reading
Town Meeting Member, Precinct 4
