Monthly Top 10: Medical Marijuana Moratorium, School Building Project News and More

In case you missed some news this past month, here are the top 10 stories from March:

1. . Over 600 residents attended Special Town Meeting at North Reading High School Monday night to vote to appropriate $15.5 million in additional funds for the school building project. The auditorium filled quickly and the overflow space in the gymnasium was utilized. Residents used a paper ballot to vote, and the motion passed by more than the required two-thirds, 525 to 120.

2. $15.5 Million Override Passes at Special Election. Residents voted 1,964 to 1,090 Friday to finalize the $15.5 million addition to the budget for theschool building project. The appropriation was first approved at Special Town Meeting Monday and is now final. 

3. School Building Project Estimated to Cost $13 to $16 Million More. The Secondary School Building Committee (SSBC) held its second public forum in late February to explain why the school building project is over budget and how much more the town will need to complete the school the way it was originally designed. The range of additional funds will be $13 to $16 million.

4. Boys Basketball Upended by Wayland in Semifinals. It was a dream season for the North Reading High School boys basketball team. But a nightmare second half put an end to the Hornets' season in the North Division 3 semifinals.

5. North Reading Woman Summonsed on Assault and Battery Charges. This a look at some of the calls handled by the North Reading Police Department. The information is open to the public.

6. Moratorium Proposed For Medical Marijuana Dispensaries in North Reading. On Election Day last year, Massachusetts voters approved a ballot proposal that allows medical marijuana sales in the state, which left cities and towns to set regulations for medical marijuana dispensaries. The Community Planning Commission (CPC) held a workshop Monday night regarding such dispensaries in North Reading. According to Town Planner Danielle McKnight, the CPC discussed proposing a moratorium to residents at Town Meeting in June. 

7. Thomson Country Club Pool Will Open for Memorial Day. The pools and tennis courts at Thomson Country Club will be open for Memorial Day, Owner Nick Yebba, Sr. said.

8. Break-in Reported on Pomeroy Road. This a look at some of the calls handled by the North Reading Police Department. The information is open to the public.

9. How Much Money Does it Take to Raise a Family in North Reading? A family of four in Massachusetts needs to earn nearly $74,000 to make ends meet without public or private assistance, according to a study released Thursday by the Crittenton Women's Union. In North Reading, that number is slightly higher—$74,664. 

10. . Embody MedSpa is now open on Main Street in town. The spa offers a combination of advanced skincare, cosmetic dentistry and more.