🌱 Patch AM: How could the FY28 override reshape Reading’s services and schools?

Cheers Reading! We're back, helping you stay up to date with what's happening. Let's take on the day together! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• How could the FY28 override reshape Reading's services and schools?
• What Reading's equity office has actually changed in three years
• How Austin Prep nearly toppled the nation's No. 1 team

Also on today's calendar: Coins, Stamps & Collectibles: Free Appraisal Day at the Spellman Museum and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: Why did the girl pig break up with the boy pig? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Friday: An afternoon shower or two, with a high of 84 and low of 53 degrees.
• Saturday: Mostly sunny and less humid, temps: high: 71, low: 46.
• Sunday: Periods of clouds and sun, with a high of 62 and low of 49 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• 💰 FY28 Override Forum 9-30-26 AI Recap (readingrecap.com) — Reading officials warn that a projected $9.8 million FY28 deficit could mean cuts to fire, police, library, and schools if a proposed $6.5 million override fails. The forum recap explains possible layoffs, reduced library hours and certification risks, larger class sizes, and how much free cash the town plans to use, plus dates for additional override information sessions.
   

• Pless outlines three years of equity and social justice work in Reading (homenewshere.com) — Reading's Office of Equity and Social Justice just briefed the Select Board on three years of work reshaping town culture, training staff, and expanding community events like Juneteenth and MLK Day. The director detailed new ADA initiatives, youth listening sessions, and partnerships with Reading schools, library, and local groups aimed at long-term, townwide inclusion.
   

• 7 standouts and takeaways from a 1-1 draw between No. 1 Miss Porter's and No. 6 Austin Prep (soccerjournal.com) — A tightly fought girls' soccer showdown in Reading ended in a 1-1 draw between top-ranked Miss Porter's and No. 6 Austin Prep, with a late Austin corner nearly stealing the win. The match, played at Austin Prep, showcased Class A's elite and keeps the home team firmly in the NEPSAC conversation.
   

📸 Around Reading

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Reading

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★ Featured events ★

Saturday October 3
• Coins, Stamps & Collectibles: Free Appraisal Day at the Spellman Museum →
  Spellman Museum of Stamps & Postal History, 241 Wellesley St, Weston
  10:00 am
Sunday October 18
• Austin Prep: Fall Open House →
  Austin Preparatory School, 101 Willow St, Reading
  10:00 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Friday October 2
• Reading Democratic Town Committee Annual Fundraising Dinner →
  Old South Church, 6 Salem Street, Reading
  6:00 pm
• The Pillowman →
  Colonial Chorus Players, 1249 Main Street, Reading
  7:30 pm
• The Pillowman at Colonial Chorus Players →
  1249 Main St, Reading
  7:30 pm
• Rumors →
  Quannapowitt Players, 55 Hopkins St, Reading
  8:00 pm
Saturday October 3
• Church-Wide Yard Sale →
  First Baptist Church, 45 Woburn St., Reading
  9:00 am
• Church-wide Yard Sale →
  45 Woburn St, Reading
  9:00 am
• Church-Wide Yard Sale Coming October 3 →
  First Baptist Church, 45 Woburn St., Reading
  9:00 am
• Whitelam Books to Host Book Launch with Children's Author Cynthia Platt →
  Whitelam Books, 610 Main St, Reading
  11:00 am
Sunday October 4
• Riverside Renaissance Swing Band Bows to America! →
  Historic Hale Farm, 39 Hale St, Beverly
  4:00 pm
Monday October 5
• Sing With Andover Choral Society →
  Christ Church, 33 Central St, Andover
  7:20 pm

📣 Reading Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Reading PatchAM possible:

• Burbank YMCA — (781) 944-9622
• VNA Senior Living — (617) 776-9800
• Austin Preparatory School — (781) 944-4900
• Partners In Rehabilitation LLC — (978) 447-1012
• Kidcreate Studio Wilmington — (781) 516-8496

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• There is road construction on River St reported at...
  There is road construction on River St reported at 7:31 AM. (Nextdoor )
• There is a lane closed on Massachusetts Ave...
  There is a lane closed on Massachusetts Ave reported at 7:28 AM. (Nextdoor )

• CareOne posted a job opening for Recreation Assistant in Wilmington. Apply here.
• Burger King posted a job opening for Crew Member - Overnight in Wilmington. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Reading here.

🗞 Nearby News

Wakefield

• 🎉 Reading Welcomes Its First Pop-Up Sukkah Today 3:30-5:30 (readingrecap.com)
• Morgan Donegan (uml.edu)
• Wakefield Town Council Notes - September 28, 2026 (patch.com)

North Reading

• 4 Cleek Ct #4, North Reading, MA 01864 (redfin.com)
• Teradyne (NASDAQ:TER) Cut to Hold at Zacks Research (defenseworld.net)

Melrose

• Melrose School Waiting To Open New Playground To Students Months After Tragedy (patch.com)

Ok Reading! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: "Why did the girl pig break up with the boy pig?" — Because he was such a boar! (Thank you Theresa H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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