Town Announces Timeline To Another Potential Override Vote

Residents knew it was coming and Wednesday morning the town made it official.

Reading has begun the process that will lead to a potential April 3, 2018 override vote. But this one will be different if the Board of Selectmen have their way. After the failed override attempt last October, officials have made it clear that transparency will be the key word in any discussion going forward. Reading residents may again vote down the override, but they'll go to the voting booth knowing where every additional dollar will be spent if it passes.

You don't have to ponder the override just yet. But starting September prepare to listen and learn. Following is the schedule released by the town at 9:29 a.m. Wednesday.

September 2017
20 -- Financial Forum, general financial review

26 -- Board of Selectmen (BOS) Close Warrant for November Town Meeting

26 -- BOS informal discussion with Town departments
October 2017
10 -- BOS informal discussion with Town departments

11 -- Financial Forum - budget guidance
Late October & November 2017

Town and School staff create default FY19 budget balanced without Override, and lists of items funded by Override, details TBA.

December 2017

8 -- Draft Town Manager Budget available

12 -- Selectmen Budget Meeting #1 (Tuesday)

13 -- Selectmen Budget Meeting #2 (Wednesday)

18 -- School Committee Public Hearing (Monday)

19 -- Selectmen Budget Meeting #3 (Tuesday)

20 -- Selectmen Budget Meeting #4 (Tuesday)
January 2018
8 -- School Committee Budget Meeting #2 (Monday)

11 -- School Committee Budget Meeting #3 (Thursday)

16 -- School Committee Budget Meeting #4 (Monday)

18 -- School Committee Budget Meeting #5 (Thursday)

19 -- SC Budget submitted to Town Manager (Charter February 1st)
February 2018

** The dates below need to be verified by FINCOM on June 28th **

5 -- Town Manager Budget submitted to FINCOM (Charter March 1st)

12 -- **FINCOM budget meeting (Schools)

19 -- **FINCOM budget meeting (Town) note: School vacation week

26 -- **FINCOM budget meeting (Town)

28 -- BOS Close Warrant for April Town Meeting (includes local election)
March 2018
7 -- **FINCOM budget meeting (vote Budget & Warrant Articles)

12 -- Electronic version of FINCOM budget available to the public

26 -- Town Meeting Warrant available for Town Meeting members
April 2018
3 -- Local Elections (Override request?)

23 -- Annual Town Meeting begins