Airman deployed for nine months surprises wife at work...

Jul 9, 2020 by

Published July 9, 2020 By MAUREEN DOHERTY NORTH READING — There is nothing more sweet than a surprise homecoming between newlyweds, especially when they’ve been separated by a deployment that had taken one spouse half way around world for nine months. Enter U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Anthony Arroyo who wanted to make his homecoming special for his wife, Taylor. She works as a hair stylist at Salon 77 on Main Street. After having his homecoming delayed several times over the past few months during the coronavirus pandemic, Anthony reached out to his wife’s friends and salon owner Leah McCann. He knew that Leah and her close-knit staff would be up for the challenge of helping to plan a fun homecoming while keeping this secret from Taylor. Together, they came up with a plan that...

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Three distinct web pages help Bd. of Health educate public on COVID-19...

Jul 9, 2020 by

Published July 9, 2020 By ALLIE HASTINGS NORTH READING — The Board of Health (BOH) and the Health Department in North Reading has had to face an array of difficult tasks, administrative changes, and public health issues within the last nine months, specifically in the wake of the novel coronavirus outbreak. Comprised of three volunteer members appointed by the Select Board – Chairman Gary Hunt, Pamela Vath and Karen Martin – the BOH is given the authority under state law to oversee the town’s Health Department and Director of Public Health, and to make “reasonable rules and regulations to educate, promote and protect the public health and well-being” of North Reading’s citizens. In practice, the board works in conjunction with the town’s Health Director, Bob Bracey, and his Administrative Assistant, Stephanie Connolly, to accomplish...

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Seven Acres Special Town Meeting likely to be held outdoors on a Saturday...

Jul 9, 2020 by

Published July 9, 2020 By MAUREEN DOHERTY NORTH READING — The Select Board discussed at length Monday night, in a virtual meeting, how to go about holding the Special Town Meeting on the potential purchase of the Seven Acres Poultry Farm at 4, 12 and 14 Concord St. The rules are different for Special Town Meetings, which in North Reading requires a quorum of 150. However, under the COVID-19 State of Emergency rules in place, the town has the option to reduce that number by as much as just 10 percent of the quorum requirement, which would be 15 registered voters. Considering there were 49 registered voters at last week’s annual Town Meeting held in the gymnasium, which operates with an open format and no quorum requirement, it was recommended by Select Board member Stephen...

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School add-ons pegged at $12M-$16M...

Jul 8, 2020 by

Published July 8, 2020 By DAN TOMASELLO LYNNFIELD — A vote on the elementary school additions project is tentatively being eyed for October Town Meeting and at the ballot box later in the fall. The School Building Study Committee (SBSC) recently held its second meeting to discuss the project. The Board of Selectmen formed the SBSC in early March after the School Enrollment Capacity and Exploration Committee (SECEC) determined both elementary schools were running at capacity due to increasing enrollment. “We are running at historical rates,” said SBSC Chairman John Scenna. Superintendent Jane Tremblay said the elementary schools’ enrollment projections have not changed since the start of the COVID-19 virus pandemic. She said both elementary schools will be running five kindergarten classes next year. “I can’t stress enough that both of our elementary schools will be...

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‘Spreading Sunshine’ to seniors...

Jul 8, 2020 by

Published July 8, 2020 By GAIL LOWE LYNNFIELD — A group of Lynnfield Middle School students recently came together to lift the spirits of the town’s senior citizens. No one has been more vulnerable to the COVID-19 virus than senior citizens. Not only are they more likely to contract the virus, they might be living in social isolation and have no one to turn to in this time of social distancing. The town recognized that it takes a village to tackle this serious problem and developed a unique approach to bring cheer to those who live alone or are residents of nursing and rehabilitation centers or assisted living facilities. According to last year’s census, 18.8 percent of Lynnfield’s population is 65-years-old or older for a total of 2,444 senior citizens. A Healthy Lynnfield (AHL)...

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Reid’s Ride goes virtual in 2020...

Jul 8, 2020 by

Published July 8, 2020 By DAN TOMASELLO LYNNFIELD — Due to the ongoing COVID-19 virus pandemic, the 16th annual Reid’s Ride will be virtual this year. The Reid’s Ride bike-a-thon has been a popular North Shore tradition for the past 15 years. The annual bike trek raises funds for the Reid R. Sacco Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Cancer Alliance and serves as a tribute to the life and legacy of Reid Sacco. Reid was a Lynnfield High School graduate who passed away in April 2005 after a courageous two-year fight with sarcoma. Funds raised from Reid’s Ride are used to support new treatments for adolescents and young adults fighting cancer in hopes of finding a cure. The 15th annual Reid’s Ride raised $205,000. Instead of the usual bike-a-thon that departs from Lynnfield High...

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