DeMaria cites bright future for Everett in midterm address By Christopher Roberson F ocusing on the ideals of pride, progress and possibilities, Mayor Carlo DeMaria recently shared his overall vision to keep Everett moving forward. “To me, this serves as a homage to who we are, a refl ection on what we’ve accomplished and a call to action for innovation and implementation,” he said during his midterm address on January 6. “Time after time, we prove that we are more than a city; we are a community.” Highlighting the city’s advancements and future opportunities, DeMaria spoke about how the building which formerly housed Everett High School was transformed into the city’s Health and Wellness Center. Looking ahead, he said the Center will off er space for the Girl Scouts, a community boxing gym and an Immigrant Community and Learning Center. “In the interests of serving the needs of all of our residents, to give a voice to those not always so easily heard, my administration is in the process of implementing the Offi ce of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion,” he said. “We hope that the creation of this offi ce will assist in continuing the progress we have already made to enhance the lives of all our residents.” The city has also garnered $70,000 to fund senior programming. “The Connolly Center has been recognized by the Vol. 29, No.2 Friday, January 10, 2020 Free Every Friday www.advocatenews.net State as one of the most successful centers in Massachusetts,” said DeMaria. He also announced plans to renovate the building later this year. “The renovated Center will include a bowling alley, exercise room, art room and other stateof-the-art features in the basement level of the Center, thus utilizing every inch of the building,” said DeMaria. The city’s real estate has also Fixed Rate Mortgages NO POINTS 15 YEAR L 30 YEAR For more rates visit our website at EVERETTBANK. COM Member FDIC Member SIF EVERETT’S FIRST FAMILY: Mayor Carlo DiMaria and family, wife Stacy, children , Carlo III, Caroline and Alexandra shown at the city’s Inauguration where the mayor delivered his midterm address before a packed council chamber on Monday night. continued to boom. “Just last year, the Pioneer Apartment building was opened, and the amenities that they offer are a first-of-its-kind in our city,” said DeMaria. “What was once a heavily polluted Monsanto Plant now serves as the home to a $2.6 billion resort and casino which currently employs 5,800 people and pays the City nearly $30 million in total taxes per year.” DeMaria said his administration and the School Department have been working with 617-387-2200 Mount Vernon Group Architects “to assess and address the long-term needs of our schools’ student population.” “They have determined that the best solution for the time is to utilize classroom space in the old high school,” he said. In addition, DeMaria said he plans to make City Hall the “true home and heart of our community.” He said free WiFi and community spaces will be available and also a Mobile City Hall service. “Select members of my administration will be coming to you to hear your concerns and to off er their assistance in any way that they can,” said DeMaria, adding that traffi c and code enforcement hearings will be conducted on FaceTime and Skype. He also said that during the past year the 311 Department received approximately 50,000 notifi cations between phone DEMARIA | SEE PAGE 15
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