City Government – Page 23 – Everett Leader Herald

The July 4 state of the city

On this Fourth of July the city is in the midst of the most ambitious building and development phases in its long history. Nothing that has come before, and very likely nothing that

will follow, can outdo the building boom ongoing right now. As Fourth of July fireworks explode above the city this week, Everett’s building boom is apparent everywhere, throughout the crowded city.

Thousands of new apartment house units are going up, following many thousands already built and occupied.

In addition, in all the corners of the city and on many streets, smaller houses are being converted in multi-unit properties, giving new value and meaning to the local property marketplace.

Freedom implies that not everyone is satisfied with this incredible mass of new development.

Many people living in the city’s various neighborhoods are concerned about traffic, about parking, about a new population that takes absolutely no interest in the city.

On the other hand, it is hard to deny that all the new development signals a new time for the city.

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Council races shaping up reveal a great deal about the city’s political climate

By Josh Resnek

There are right now 12 candidates seeking an at-large position for the 5 seats that available.

Only 2 candidates so far have had their signatures certified. They are Councilor at Large Michael Marchese and first timer Katie Rogers.

There are 5 at-large seats available. However, 4 incumbents holding at-large seats are not likely to be bumped out of their seats by this slate of newcomers.

In fact, only the 5th seat is open and available – although anything can happen, and often does in local politics.

Councilor at Large Richard Del Isolla has announced he will not be seeking re-election. This opens up his seat.

It is hard to imagine, and history proves this thought, that Councilors at Large John Hanlon, Mike Marchese, Stephanie Smith and Irene Cardillo will lose their seats in the upcoming election.

Incumbency in Everett has shown itself to be quite powerful when election time rolls around. At large candidate Guerline Alcy, who just missed last time out, is perceived at having a better chance of winning the open seat than many of the others seeking an at-large seat. Alcy has been a very public candidate, tends to campaign long and hard and she has the apparent backing of the city’s large Haitian community.

The former longtime city hall employee has friends and supporters throughout the city.

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City Council Public Speaking at June 26th meeting

The public speaking portions of public meetings have become some of the most important moments in the ongoing public debate about how Everett is run or should be run and by whom.

The public speakers have become almost as important as the public meetings themselves.

JR, Editor

Ms. Serino

Complained about the Devens School being sold for $950,000 many years back and then the owner got a $500,000 a year triple net lease.

Now, she said, the city wants to take back the Devens for $10 million.

The purchase of the Devens School won’t help with overcrowding, she said.

She said the Devens School deal is inexplicable.

Paula Sterite

Complained that the former high school and Pope John gives free space to organizations and the city must pay the utilities which cost about $500,000 a year for both facilities.

She detailed how the Devens School sold in 2009 for $950,000. She insisted the only sensible thing to do would be to renovate Pope John and move 1,000 kids there and reduce overcrowding.

“This council started out strong. After that, priorities and decisions have been misplaced.

“Then came the meetings on Pope John. When push came to shove you folded. You have the power but you don’t want to use it,” she told the city council.

She said residents want protection from developers. Shew said residents want a place to park.

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Devens School debate precedes vote to buy school for $10M

Devens School taken by eminent domain

By Josh Resnek

The Devens School on Church Street was taken by eminent domain by a unanimous vote of the city council at Monday evening’s meeting at city hall.

The duel measure passed, 10-0.

This included the eminent domain approval and the subsequent approval of the $9.9 million from ARPA funds to pay for the taking.

The city awarded the owner of the property $9.9 million in the eminent domain taking – an amount consistent with several appraisals done of the property now used as a teaching facility for special needs students.

The owner of the property, the prominent Chelsea developer Anthony Cassano, can either accept the $9.9 million or appeal the taking in Superior Court.

The taking is being funded with ARPA funding given to the city by the federal government.

The ten year lease the city had with Cassano was expiring. The owner was seeking a renewal of the lease but at a higher rental cost, according to the city’s financial chief, Eric Demas.

Demas said the new lease the owner was looking for “did not make sense.”

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Picking and choosing who is running and what that potentially means

By Josh Resnek

The Ward 1 race is coming to be one of the more complicated races that will take place.

The longest serving Everett councilor, Wayne Matewsky, is running for sure.

The head of the Everett DPW Jerry Navarra is also running.

A third candidate, Ken Gianelli has also announced.

In general, no one runs against Matewsky.

He has proven to be as durable as a piece of granite, and as impossible to unseat in Ward 1 as it would be to move a mountain.

So what’s up with two candidates running presumably for Matewsky’s seat against him?

First off, Matewsky cannot be beaten – not by Navarra or Gianelli.

The real battle is likely for second place. Matewsky keeps things close to his vest.

There is but the belief he will get re-elected, and sooner, rather than later, he will finally retire to care for himself and his mother. In such a scenario, the candidate who finishes second will step into the seat.

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