What's Tall, Wet, and Cobalt Blue

READING -- The Reading Select Board was updated Monday night on the town's efforts to replace the aging Auburn Street water tank.

With Town Engineer Ryan Percival at the control of the presentation, the board was told it's time for the current water tank, constructed in 1953, to go. The 750,000 gallon tank is rusting and painting it over and over would eventually be more costly than replacing it with a new one.

The solution is a glass fused steel tank atop a concrete column. At 110 feet tall, it will be the same height as the old tank and take up roughly the same footprint. The tank will never have to be painted and thanks to the new design it will have the ability to hold four cell providers instead of the current three. The cobalt blue tower will have storage at the base and a much safer work space for cell providers. When installed the new tower will provide slightly better cell service to residents.

An old idea to have both a new water tank along with a cell tower was squashed after concerns were raised by area residents, some of whom were in attendance at Monday's board meeting. Work on the new tower will begin as soon as possible according to Percival.

The board also heard an update from Reading Rotary on the 10th annual Fall Street Faire, scheduled this year for Sept. 9. The board approved $4,000 from the Town Manager's revolving fund to pay for the electric safety setup. The board also discussed other ways they could help with the event, which drew approximately 15,000 people last fall. Event chairman Sheila Clarke called "managing growth" one of the biggest challenges her group is facing. The Rotary is looking for volunteers for the Street Faire. For more information or to volunteer click here.

Though not part of the agenda, the board said the Reading Police Department swore in three new officers Monday, the positive results from the town's successful April override vote. The three newest Reading Police Officers are Joshua Graciale, Brendan MacEachern, and Cody Costa. You can see photos of the three on the department Facebook page.

Photo by Bob Holmes