The Board of Selectmen voted Tuesday to support the filing of a Statement of Interest, the first step for potential partial funding from the state School Building Authority, to replace the original, 40-plus-year-old single-pane non-insulated classroom windows at the Killam Elementary School.

Killam is also experiencing short-term enrollment growth, according to the statement. In addition, more students are enrolled in full-day kindergarten and require special education service. So, the school “has had to consolidate art and music into one classroom and consolidate special education program space to make classrooms available for core academic instruction.”  As a result, “At least one grade level will have sub-optimal class sizes due to the lack of additional space.”

The state agency has declined to accept the town’s statement of interest for more extensive work to the Killam, including handicapped access, administrative space and the gym floor, Hechenbleikner said.

Goldy and Schubert Recognition

Tuesday’s meeting began with recognition of Selectmen Stephen Goldy, board chairman and Rick Schubert, who stepped down from the board Tuesday night, the last meeting of their tenure. The town election is April 2.

Each received a street sign incorporating his name, a town tradition.

Both Goldy and Schubert thanked their families, voters and colleagues.

Schubert served on the board for 12 years; Goldy for six.

Other business

The selectmen took no action on a request by Fit By Catarina at 335 Main St. to open before 6 a.m., in violation of a town bylaw.  No one from the business attended Tuesday’s hearing on that request. The hearing was rescheduled to April 9 at 8 p.m. Three other fitness facilities have recently received a waiver from the bylaw after a hearing, spurred by a request by incoming Planet Fitness on Salem Street to open before 6 a.m.

Finally, Hechenbleikner clarified what kind of political activity is allowed in public buildings on ballot questions, particularly the question of funding for the Reading Public Library project on the April 2 town election ballot.  Material about the question, pro and con, is allowed, he said. Fundraising is not allowed there.