Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: What did police and firefighters respond to across Reading last weekend?
And on the Reading Patch calendar - Electronics Recycling Event

Greetings Reading! Your go-to source for what's happening in town is here. Stay in the loop and read on. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- What did police and firefighters respond to across Reading last weekend?
- How will 281 Main Street and new ADU rules reshape Reading housing?
- Why Reading's Select Board says it broke no Open Meeting Law.
Also on today's calendar: Electronics Recycling Event and 13 more events.
Today's riddle: What day of the year is trucker's day? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Friday: Mostly sunny and less humid, with a high of 79 and low of 48 degrees.
- Saturday: Some sun, then clouds; cooler, temps: high: 65, low: 49.
- Sunday: Cloudy and cool; p.m. rain, with a high of 63 and low of 54 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Reading Police Log September 11-13, 2026 (thereadingpost.com) — Police and fire crews in Reading handled everything from noise complaints and traffic enforcement to a house fire on Rustic Lane and a water main break on Charles Street between September 11 and 13. The log also notes school-related calls, animal issues, and several alarms around town, giving residents a clear snapshot of recent public safety activity in their neighborhoods.
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2. 🌆 CPDC 9-14-26 AI Recap (readingrecap.com) — Reading's Planning and Development Commission approved a 24-unit mixed-use building at 281 Main Street, including three affordable apartments and ground-floor commercial space, along with detailed conditions on parking, drainage, and landscaping. Commissioners also advanced new accessory dwelling unit rules to comply with state law, continued that hearing to October 5, and discussed future Eastern Gateway zoning that could reshape density and commercial requirements along key corridors.
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3. Reading Select Board rejects two Open Meeting Law complaints (homenewshere.com) — Reading's Select Board has rejected two Open Meeting Law complaints against Chair Melissa Murphy, concluding there were no violations in her email to members or in inviting a staff member to speak at a meeting. Town counsel outlined the legal gray areas, emphasized members' First Amendment rights, and will notify the Attorney General's office of the board's findings and commitment to compliance.
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4. 🖌️ Kicking off Fall at Creative Arts, now in its 48th Year! (readingrecap.com) — Creative Arts in downtown Reading is launching fall art, music, and youth theatre programs, including a new Creative Arts Youth Theatre staging "Elf Jr." in November. The nonprofit is also inviting families to its 4th Annual PumpkinFest fundraiser on October 24, with games, live performances, vendors, and a Jack-o-Lantern Pumpkin Patch just behind Town Hall and along Sanborn Street.
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5. School Committee introduces new superintendent coach (homenewshere.com) — Reading's School Committee has brought on veteran educator Suzanne Charochak to coach new Superintendent Henry Turner through a three‑year state-supported induction program. Charochak will spend 60 hours this year observing classrooms and meetings, then gradually step back as Turner joins a regional peer group, aiming to strengthen leadership and instruction across Reading's schools.
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📸 Around Reading
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Reading
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Electronics Recycling Event →
Masonic Lodge Parking Lot, 283 Park St, North Reading
9:00 am - Open House →
Reading School of Guitar, 1312 Main St, Reading
1:00 pm - Sudbury PMC Kids Ride (all riders welcome!) →
Ephraim Curtis Middle School, 22 Pratts Mill Rd, Sudbury
10:00 am - 2026 Peabody Community Market →
Community Covenant Church, 33 Lake St, Peabody
3:00 pm - Plymouth Blitz Book Launch with Michael McLaughlin →
Whitelam Books, 610 Main St, Reading
3:00 pm - What is the Community Preservation Act? →
Reading Public Library, 64 Middlesex Ave, Reading
7:00 pm - Ballet Magnificat! Performs Anchored: The Pilgrim Story →
J. Everett Collins Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Shawsheen Rd, Andover
7:00 pm - Coins, Stamps & Collectibles: Free Appraisal Day at the Spellman Museum →
Spellman Museum of Stamps & Postal History, 241 Wellesley St, Weston
10:00 am
Saturday September 19
Sunday September 20
Tuesday September 22
Wednesday September 23
Saturday October 3
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Community Yard Sale →
Reading Woods Condominiums Community Yard Sale
9:00 am - Reading Woods Community Yard Sale & Craft Fair →
55 Jacob Way, Reading
9:30 am - Reading Woods Community Yard Sale →
55 Jacob Way, Reading
9:30 am - Yard Sale & Craft Fair →
55 Jacob Way, Reading
9:30 am - Whitelam Books to Host Book Launch with Children's Author Monica Acker →
Whitelam Books, 610 Main St, Reading
3:00 pm - Fall Equinox Meditation & Magick →
Presence & Co., 557 Main St, Reading
6:00 pm - North Reading Town Day →
Ipswich River Park, 15 Central St, North Reading
11:00 am - Whitelam Books to Host Double Author Story Time with Ellen Mayer & Sara Levine →
Whitelam Books, 610 Main St, Reading
11:30 am
Saturday September 19
Sunday September 20
📣 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:
- DiNapoli Painting Inc. — (781) 953-9680
- Austin Preparatory School — (781) 944-4900
- VNA Senior Living — (617) 776-9800
- Burbank YMCA — (781) 944-9622
- Kidcreate Studio Wilmington — (781) 516-8496
- Champion Soccer School
- Partners In Rehabilitation LLC — (978) 447-1012
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
🪧 Patch Classifieds
- Project Sales Associate Wanted
Position Summary:... (More info)
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- LongHorn Steakhouse posted a job opening for Line Cook in Reading. Apply here.
- Kelly posted a job opening for Shipper Clerk in Wilmington. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Reading here.
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: 10-4, good buddy! (Thank you Jean H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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