Your guide to Reading’s Spring civic season: what to know about Town Meeting and the May 13 Special Election
(5-7 minute read)
This spring, Reading residents will have two significant opportunities to shape the future of their town: the Annual Town Meeting begins Monday, April 28, and the Special Election is scheduled for Tuesday, May 13. These events will help determine the fate of key capital projects and investments that affect residents across all ages.
I sat down with Town Clerk Laura Gemme to walk through what you need to know to be informed, involved, and ready to participate.
Town Meeting - begins Monday, April 28
Dates
Monday, April 28 - Performing Arts Center, Reading Memorial High School (62 Oakland Road)
Thursday, May 1 - PAC at RMHS
Monday, May 5 - PAC at RMHS
Thursday, May 8 (if needed) - at the Field House at RMHS due to a scheduling conflict
What’s on the agenda?
The Town Meeting Warrant (list of articles) and the Town Meeting Warrant Report (background information) are available on the Town website for review. Two major projects - Killam Elementary School and the Reading Center for Active Living (ReCAL) - are expected to be discussed during the Special Town Meeting session on May 1.
Who can participate?
Only elected Town Meeting members may vote
Residents can attend and speak, but must receive permission from the Moderator and wait until Town Meeting members have spoken
Quorum: A minimum of 96 members is required to conduct business, though meetings usually begin once at least 100 members are present
Where to review past meetings
Meetings dating back to 2014 are recorded and archived on the RCTV Youtube page, and minutes are available dating back to 1947 on the Town website.
Special Town Election
Voting location: Hawkes Fieldhouse at Reading Memorial High School (62 Oakland Road)
Polling hours: 7:00 am - 8:00 pm
Residents will vote on two debt exclusion questions:
Article 1 - Kilam School Building Project
Article 2 - Reading Center for Active Living (ReCAL)
Voting deadlines & early voting info
Voter deadlines
Last Day to register to vote: Saturday, May 3 by 5:00 pm
Deadline to request a vote-by-mail or absentee ballot by mail: Saturday, May 3 at 5:00 pm
Deadline to request an absentee ballot in person: Monday, May 12 at 12:00 pm
In-person early voting at Reading Town Hall (16 Lowell Street)
Saturday, May 3: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Monday, May 5: 7:30 am to 5:30 pm
Tuesday, May 6: 7:30 am to 7:00 pm
Wednesday, May 7: 7:30 am to 5:30 pm
Thursday, May 8: 7:30 am to 5:30 pm
“As long as you’re inside the fieldhouse by 8 pm, you will be allowed to vote.”
Estimate the tax impact
Residents can use the Tax Calculator on the Town website to see how each project might affect their property taxes.
Helpful resources
Sample ballot & absentee status
Visit the Secretary of State’s website to verify your registration and view the sample ballot on the Town website.
Vote by mail & absentee voting
No excuse vote-by-mail is available to all voters
Absentee voting requires a qualifying reason (e.g., being out of town, religious beliefs, or disability)
Applications must include a signature and mailing address and can be handwritten
Interested in being a poll worker?
Print and submit the application on the Elections page on the Town website to the Town Clerk’s office
Must be a registered voter in Massachusetts
Students aged 16+ can work in state elections; local elections require workers to be 18+
Learn more from local videos
To further support community awareness, Shaun Neville - a local content creator who runs “Around Reading MA”, which is focused on highlighting Reading’s businesses, history, and people - has produced two informative videos about these projects:
Killam School
ReCAL
Stay engaged & make your voice count
Town Clerk Laura Gemme encourages respectful participation and community feedback:
“I’ve made great changes based on resident and election staff feedback - people have good ideas when they bring them, respectfully.”
If you want to share feedback, speak at Town Meeting, or learn more about upcoming decisions, visit the Town website, reach out to your Town Meeting representatives, watch on RCTV’s Youtube page, or attend in person.
Mark your calendar
Town Meeting nights: April 28, May 1, May 5 and May 8
Special Election: May 13
Be informed, get involved, and help shape the future of Reading.
