Reading Planning Commission OKs New Water Tower

READING, MA — The Reading Community Planning and Development Commission voted to approve the site plan review for a new water tower on Auburn Street Monday night. The vote was 4-0, with one abstention.

The tower will be about the same height as the current structure, but its exact location at the site has yet to be determined. As part of the site development, a temporary monopole will be installed to hold cell equipment while the tower is built. The monopole will be torn down once the equipment is transferred to the new tower.

The project also moves in the tower's fence line, which leaves the eastern part of the property open to park space, Town Engineer Ryan Percival said. The site will be completely remediated for lead, necessitating the teardown of several trees in the area, though many already pose potential hazards.

"At the end of the day this will lead to a better open campus for planting on the easterly side of the property," Percival said. He added that the plan is to replant some trees.

The plan review was approved as amended by the Community Planning and Development Commission.