Alvarado's Message To Selectmen On Override

Thirty-five members of the Reading Community spoke at Tuesday night's meeting of the Board of Selectmen. One of them was Finance Committee member Vanessa Alvarado. Alvarado is also running against current board chairman John Arena in the April election for a spot on the Board of Selectmen. Following is the statement she made to the board:

My name is Vanessa Alvarado and I'm a member of the Finance Committee and Town Meeting. Tonight I speak to you as a resident, a parent, a tax payer and most importantly, a concerned member of this community.

Over the course of the last two months, you and I have attended 12 meetings and over 40 hours of budget discussions. We have heard from our Town Manager, Superintendent, teachers and principals, police and fire chiefs, department heads, parents, seniors, and children. All with the same message. We need not just an override, but one that will address our dire financial situation.

I have heard two members of the Select Board advocate loudly for the need of an override that will address our financial shortfall. I have watched two members of the board remain all but silent on the subject. And I have heard one member say we need a number that will pass.

The consequences of an inadequate override number are sustained cuts to critical services and will lead us right back here with two years. We cannot pretend that good enough is good enough. What we need is for this board to take a stand for our community. To do right by Reading. To do right by our residents.

Because a passable override is not just a number. It's a philosophy and a commitment. It's what we want out community to be. It's you, our elected leaders, it's our community, coming together with one voice to say what is necessary and what is true.

What I expect tonight is for this Board to meet its moral obligation to the town. That means putting a $4.7 million override on the ballot. But your and our duty doesn't end tonight. I would say that's only the beginning.

Tonight, I'm looking forward to hearing what each and every one of you will be doing over the course of the next two months to inform and educate residents about the need for an override. Because as leaders of this community, I expect all of us to do everything in our power to make sure it passes at the level the town needs. That is what a passable override looks like. And that is what leadership looks like.

This isn't about me. And this isn't about you. This is about the very heart of Reading.

Gentlemen, you have a very special opportunity tonight. To be the leaders our town needs. To do something truly great for Reading. I hope you take it.

Photo by Bob Holmes