The Town of Reading will host a brief press conference and ribbon cutting ceremony at the Maillet, Sommes & Morgan Conservation Land (62 Willow Street) on Tuesday, October 1 at 3:45pm. The event will showcase this special stormwater and conservation project that is now complete. The State Delegation of Senator Jason Lewis, and Representatives Bradley Jones and Rich Haggerty, as well as Congressman Seth Moulton and EEOA Undersecretary Katherine Antos will be in attendance. The public is encouraged to attend.

Parking is available at Austin Preparatory School at 101 Willow Street in Reading beginning at 3:30pm, with the press conference at 3:45PM followed by opportunities for trail exploration and discussion with project staff.

This improved conservation area, which has been several years in the making, is fully complete: it now boasts a fully accessible walking trail system from entrances on Willow Street and Lowell Street with additional access located off Hunt Street. Intertwined amongst the thousands of native plants, shrubs and trees are a series of newly created stormwater ponds, designed to improve the quality of stormwater and its runoff by filtering sediments and pollutants through the treatment train and series of wetlands and marshes now present in the area.

 Educational signage and information on native trees, plants and wetland systems throughout the area detail the experience and importance of the project.

 Funded by a multi-year Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Action Grant, as well as a Congressional Earmark, and local funding, the site reopens after a year of construction and many years in planning. In addition to the improvements to stormwater, the constructed wetlands reduce flooding, enhance open space, expand the existing path and trail system, and improve wildlife habitat.