What you missed at Town Meeting Night 2: Killam and ReCAL projects approved

May 5

Written By Taylor Gregory

(5-6 minute read)

Date: Thursday, May 1

Time: 7:30 pm

Location: Performing Arts Center at Reading Memorial High School (62 Oakland Road)

Watch the full meeting on RCTV’s Youtube page.

Continuing the conversation on key community projects

Annual Town Meeting resumed on Thursday, May 1, with a Special Town Meeting dedicated to two major capital projects that will soon be decided by the broader community: the Killam School Building project and Reading Center for Active Living (ReCAL).

Ahead of the vote, Town Meeting members heard detailed presentations outlining the needs, benefits, and financial considerations for each proposal. Both projects will appear on the May 13 ballot for voters to decide.

If you missed the background on these projects, check out our earlier recap: Understanding the Future of Reading’s Public Buildings.

Key Takeaways from the evening

Killam School Building project approved by overwhelming majority.
After more than an hour of debate, Town Meeting members voted 158-1 in favor of the Killam School Building project. There was widespread agreement that the current Killam school is outdated and undersized, and members emphasized the opportunity to invest in a school that will serve future generations of Reading students.
ReCAL project clears narrow path to approval.
The discussion on ReCAL stretched another 90 minutes, ultimately passing by a tight 101-43 vote - just meeting the required two-thirds majority by five votes. While many members recognized the need for an updated senior and community center, concerns remained about the proposed location, the building’s scope, and how daily operations would balance programming for different age groups.
Financial scrutiny across both projects.
Throughout the evening, Town Meeting members pressed for clarity on the financial details of both projects. Questions focused on how much funding would be covered by the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), whether contingencies and design alternatives had been accounted for, and how specific design choices might impact overall costs.

In-depth discussion: Killam School

Several members raised concerns about the projected cost of the new Killam School and how much of it would be reimbursed by the MSBA. Representatives from the Killam School Building Committee (KSBC) explained that while MSBA funding comes with limits on reimbursable square footage and programming, the committee was able to successfully negotiate additional costs - like including the RISE preschool program - within the total $44.1 million reimbursement package.

KSBC members also acknowledged that the new building size might feel large in comparison to the current school, but emphasized that the existing Killam is half the size it should be under modern educational standards. They argued that the design reflects the best return on investment for Reading.

During the discussion, parents, staff, and volunteers shared powerful firsthand stories about the challenges faced in the current building, reinforcing why a replacement is critical for both students and teachers.

In-depth discussion: ReCAL

The conversation around ReCAL highlighted both the shortcomings of the current Pleasant Street Center (PSC) and concerns about the proposed new facility. Town staff noted that the PSC currently operates 34.5 hours per week (Monday-Friday) with five program rooms and averages 37 weekly programs. In contrast, ReCAL would expand hours to 72 per week (Monday-Sunday), increase program rooms to 10, provide outdoor gathering spaces, and offer an estimated 109 weekly programs.

An adjacent pickleball court proposal also sparked questions, though staff clarified that its costs are not part of the ReCAL project budget.

Some Town Meeting members strongly supported ReCAL, pointing to the needs of Reading’s growing 60+ population and the limitations of the current PSC. Others raised questions about how the center would operate on a shared site with youth activities, particularly around scheduling and potential conflicts between seniors and younger groups. Town staff assured members that an operating agreement is being developed to prioritize senior use while still allowing space for other community programming.

Looking ahead

Both the Killam School and ReCAL projects are now in the hands of Reading voters, with a town-wide vote scheduled for Tuesday, May 13. As residents weigh the long-term investments these projects represent, the conversations at Town Meeting reflect both excitement for future opportunities and caution around cost and implementation.

Town Meeting continues tonight at 7:30 pm in the Performing Arts Center at Reading Memorial High School, where members will continue discussing the budget, pickleball, bylaw changes, and more.

Stay tuned for continued coverage from The Reading Observer.