Letter to the Editor: Would Have Voted Yes For $125M Last Year

I grew up in North Reading and graduated from NRHS class of ’83. I moved away from town when I got married for 13 years but moved back to town seven years ago. My parents still live in North Reading in the house I grew up in on Pleasant Street. I love being back in town and enjoy raising my two children here and feel lucky to have my kids benefit from such a great school system.

Like my wife and parents I am concerned and a little pissed that the school building cost structure got so out of hand. My parents are worried about the cost to the senior community many of which I know and that are parents of my class mates and my four brothers and sisters classmates from high school. However this was a concern last year when the project first came up for vote and passed easily, many of the seniors voted yes.

My opinion and the opinion of my wife and parents is that if the town had asked for $125 million last year it still would have passed with flying colors. What I hear around town is that people are upset, like my family, which is totally understood and warranted. Let’s not make a second financial mistake with an emotional decision and not take this advantage of getting two state of the art schools built that will benefit the children and the community of North Reading for the next 50 years. I would have voted YES last year for $125 Million like I assume most YES voters would have. Vote YES Monday and Friday, it’s still a good deal. 

Thanks,

John Meaney