Malden HAPPY FATHER'S DAY! ADVOCATE Vol. 28, No. 24 -FREEwww.advocatenews.net Published Every Friday MHS All Sports Awards 617-387-2200 Friday, June 14 , 2019 City Council appoints DeVits to city’s cannabis commission By Barbara Taormina C ity councillors voted unanimously to appoint Jenelle DeVits to the city’s Cannabis Licensing and Enforcement Commission. DeVits, a Boston-based corporate attorney who specializes in debt financing and transactions, will join City Planner Ron Hogan, Police Chief Kevin Molis, State Finance Director Diana Jeong and Building Commissioner Nelson Miller as the City Council’s appointment to the commission. “Each applicant brought an inTORNADO TEAMWORK: MHS Athletic Director Charles Conefrey congratulates Northeastern Conference All Star swimmers, shown from left to right, Chloe Acombi, 100 Backstroke; Tony Giech, 200 Medley Relay; David Lombardi, 200 Medley Relay; and Kevin Ochoa, 200 Medley at the MHS All Sports Awards Night at the MHS Fieldhouse recently. (Haoxi Wang is not pictured.) See photo highlights on page 9. (Advocate photo by Tara Vocino) All options remain open for Roosevelt Park rehab By Barbara Taormina C ity Councillors approved a $1.45 million bond to rehabilitate Roosevelt Park but stressed that no decisions have been made about the artificial turf field. The city has already approved spending $250,000 of Community Preservation Committee (CPC) funding for design and permitting work. The bond will cover construction costs and will be paid back over the next decade with CPC money. The artificial turf field, which cannot be covered by CPC funds, will be paid for with a private donation. City Councillors considered stipulating that the artificial turf field must be built with organic fill, such as coconut or other plant-based fibers, rather than the typical crumb rubber fill made from recycled tires. Ultimately, they agreed to let the design process move forward and to let engineers and consultants explore all available types of fill. However, the City Council did vote to give themselves final approval on the complete park design. Although some residents, particularly families with children who attend the Salemwood School, have been calling for a natural grass at the park, councillors seem convinced that artificial turf is the best way to ensure that the multi-use athletic field will be continually available for students and the city’s many field-hungry sports teams and organizations. But councillors also favor using an alternative infill that would avoid the elevated temperatures and health concerns associated with crumb rubber. “There’s been a lot talk about crumb rubber, and I think people feel that’s the way we’re going,” said Ward 5 Councillor Barbara Murphy, adding that no decisions have been made and from the start the city has discussing different options. “There are always new products coming on the market,” said Murphy. “We’re looking at what will provide the best playing surface for everyone involved.” Councillor-at-Large Debbie DeMaria proposed requiring the project to use organic fill as a compromise. Councillor-at-Large Stephen Winslow agreed and added that organic fill would mitigate health concerns. But Stephen O’Neill, an engineering consultant for the city, said it could be a mistake to limit the choice for infill to organic materials. He said that designers should be free to consider all the possibilities, including new synthetic fills, such as plastic pellets, acrylic-coated sand and different types of recycled rubber. “It may be advisable for the city to consider the spectrum of available infills,” said O’Neill, adding that alternative fills come with cost and performance advantages and disadvantages. O’Neill also advised the City Council against adopting Ward 6 Councillor David Camell’s suggestion that park designers rule out crumb rubber as an option. “That may push the city to a decision that may not be the best decision considering all the factors,” he said. O’Neill acknowledged the community’s concerns about crumb rubber but added that no studies have linked that fill to health problems. The results of a multiyear study on crumb rubber conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are expected to be released soon, and O’Neill seemed optimistic about the conclusions. “The EPA report could allay those concerns and bring crumb rubber back to the table,” he said. The design phase of the project is expected to take nine months to a year. Councillors believe that will give the planners and city officials enough time to weigh all the options for the field at Roosevelt Park. credible amount of knowledge, expertise, passion and perspective,” said Personnel Committee Chair/Ward 1 Councillor Peg Crowe. “The committee was really impressed with all the people who stepped up and want to serve on this commission.” Crowe said that after reviewing all the applicants, the Personnel Committee voted to recommend DeVits to the full council. “She is an accomplished attorney who brings a unique skill set not currently represented on the commission,” said Crowe. Other councillors also praised DeVits and her resume and agreed she is the right choice. “It’s not too often that we get a native Maldonian with credentials as impressive as Ms. Devits,” said Ward 3 Councillor John Matheson. “This is really an excellent appointment.” The Cannabis Licensing and Enforcement Commission will assess the experience, financial strength, proposed location and general background of applications for the city’s five licenses currently available for marijuana-related businesses. The strongest candidates will be allowed to continue the lengthy review process, which includes holding a neighborhood meeting, obAttorney Jenelle DeVits taining a special permit from the City Council, negotiating a host community agreement with the mayor and obtaining a state license and a city license which is granted by the Cannabis Licensing and Enforcement Commission. The commission will also review annual applications for license renewal to ensure that marijuana businesses are complying with all aspects of the host community agreement and any conditions that are attached to city permits. The commission will also have the authority to place additional requirements on license renewals that will address any operational issues that arise after a license is granted. $3.39 $2.55 GALLON GALLON We accept: MasterCard * Visa * & Discover Price Subject to Change without notice 100 Gal. Min. 24 Hr. Service 781-286-2602
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