THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – Friday, January 3, 2020 Page 13 TIME FLIES | FROM PAGE 8 sion is for buildings to be built without cars,” said DeMaria. “We cannot build more parking – it’s too congested.” At that time, State Representative Joseph McGonagle said the Bond Bill was funded at $18 billion. “It’s bigger than all of us; we’ve been fighting for this,” he said, adding that the Bond Bill will be voted on during the current legislative session, and “It’s a historic day in the city of Everett; it’s going to transform the whole area.” McGonagle also said the station will bring in new residents who will need a place to live. “It’s a wraparound effect – we need to build more housing,” he said. Everett Transportation Planner Jay Monty said the wave of the future is in public transportation. “Urban areas that have tried to remain car-dependent are simply not competitive,” he said. DeMaria also spoke about plans to have a Bus Rapid Transit line running the length of Broadway. He said he is working with Boston Mayor Martin Walsh to connect with the bus lanes on Rutherford Avenue in Charlestown. In addition, DeMaria said he has been in contact with the MBTA to extend the Silver Line from Chelsea to Everett and Sullivan Square. “We need to embrace that we’re a city,” he said, adding that Everett’s population is now at approximately 70,000 residents. Student Opportunity Act By the end of November, Governor Charlie Baker had signed the Student Opportunity Act into law. This groundbreaking legislation will generate a $1.5 billion increase in Chapter 70 funding for schools across Massachusetts. Within that figure, Everett can expect to receive at least $19 million, which will be doled out incrementally during the next seven fiscal years. State Senator Sal DiDomenico said that for years the number of low-income students in Everett was not reported correctly, which prevented the district from receiving sufficient Chapter 70 funding. “We’ve lost what should’ve been double-digit increases,” he said, adding that inflation was never taken into account when the Education Reform Act was passed 26 years ago. “We’re fixing a wrong that the state created.” New Superintendent of Schools December ushered in another monumental change as the School Committee hired a new superintendent of schools for the first time in 30 years. Following an exhaustive 10-month search process, the School Committee voted unanimously on December 19 to appoint Priya Tahiliani as the new superintendent. During the meeting, Chairman Thomas Abruzzese said TIME FLIES | SEE PAGE 17 ~ UPCOMING EVENTS AT THE PARLIN MEMORIAL LIBRARY ~ Fun Friday: DIY Buttons Friday, January 3 from 3:00-4:30 p.m. Come to the Parlin Library Children’s Room for an afternoon with the button maker. Bring images to make into one-inch buttons or choose from the library’s collections of tiny pictures! For ages five-plus. Sensory Stations Wednesday, January 8 Drop by the Parlin Library at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday morning for some guided play. Stations might include playdough, painting, sand tables, blocks and more! Suggested for ages two to four, siblings welcome! No registration required. Fun Friday: Beads! Friday, January 10 Come by the Parlin Memorial Library after school on Friday, January 10 for some fun with beads. Make a name bracelet, string a keychain, make patterns and more! For ages fiveplus –no registration required. Family Storytime Monday, January 13 Come to the Parlin Library at 11:00 a.m. on Monday morning to read books, sing songs, explore movements and more. For toddlers and preschoolers (and their grown-ups) – no registration required. Art Afternoon: Zentangles Thursday, January 16 Stop by the Parlin Library Children’s Room anytime from 3:00-6:00 p.m. to relax with some zentangle art. Zentangles are a relaxing, pattern-based method of doodling and art-making. For ages five-plus – no registration required.
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