Daily Times Chronicle

Melissa For ReadingCampaignLeave a Comment

Here is an article by Patrick Blais at the Daily Times Chronicle about my nomination papers: https://homenewshere.com/daily_times_chronicle/news/reading/article_c55cf3d0-ae17-11ed-8584-5f09bb4e5d27.html

Priority – Open Communication

Melissa For ReadingCommunicationLeave a Comment

Select Board members are elected officials intended to be the voice of our town. My goal is to bring people together. I have seen a growing divide in our town over the past several years.  I believe that the Select Board has a responsibility to unite the town, not further divide it. I am certain that there will be issues … Read More

Priority – Improved Services & Support

Melissa For ReadingSeniorsLeave a Comment

We need to find ways to communicate better about town project details and changes that could significantly impact the ability of residents to do business downtown. For example, the downtown is replete with multiple water main projects, 40R developments, and other construction that limits access to streets, parking lots, and businesses.  This is to be expected in any community, but … Read More

Priority – Supporting Residents & Small Business Owners

Melissa For ReadingSmall BusinessLeave a Comment

Our downtown needs small businesses to thrive.  Our hard-working small businesses can only be successful with community support.  Over the past few years, these businesses have been hindered by increased taxes and rising supply costs, which have caused several businesses to go under. This has left our town with underutilized buildings and extended real estate vacancies.  One glaring example is … Read More

Priority – Responsible Spending

Melissa For ReadingBudgetLeave a Comment

Reading residents will be faced with financing two large, essential projects in the next couple of years:  renovating or replacing the Killam Elementary School and renovating or replacing our current senior center with a Senior/multi-generational center.  Both projects will require large debt exclusion overrides, likely totaling $150 million or more in new debt.  Even with possible state support and two … Read More