Town May Hold World Cafe to Discuss Murders, Aftermath

The town of Reading may hold another community-wide conversation in late September to address the recent murders of Reading residents.

Charles Robinson, chairman of the Reading Public Schools Committee, said Monday that he planned to meet Tuesday with Camille Anthony, chairman of the Board of Selectmen, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Police Chief James Cormier, Superintendent John Doherty and Reading Coalition Against Substance Abuse Director Erica McNamara to discuss what to do next about the recent murders of and .

“We are getting behind this and figuring out what to do,” Robinson said. “Maybe we’re not doing anything wrong. I don’t know.”

Robinson said he, like the rest of the community, was saddened by the crimes—the circumstances of which suggest drug involvement.

Superintendent Doherty said that the district had already planned to focus on the behavioral health of students this academic year and was already considering a conversation before the twin murders rocked the town this month.

The district had commissioned a behavioral heath task force to operate this summer, Doherty said, and he spoke with the district’s staff Monday morning about the murders.

“This isn’t just school. This isn’t just town. This is a community issue,” Doherty said.

The last World Café included a heavy discussion about the town’s artistic presence.

Should another World Café occur next month, it won’t be the only venue for residents to discuss the recent events. Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner said last week that .