EV Vol. 33, No.8 -FREEEVE ER TT Your Local News & Sports Online in 6 Languages! Scan & Subscribe Now! ADDOCCO TEAT www.advocatenews.net Free Every Friday Everett hosts fi rst-ever Lunar New Year Celebration Residents gathered at the Connolly Center to celebrate the year of the Dragon 617-387-2200 Friday, February 23, 2024 Negotiations continue for new Host Community Agreement with Encore City Council seeks public safety facility to service casino By Neil Zolot T he City will be pursuing the establishment of a pubPictured from left to right: Simone Holyfi eld, Hung Goon (dressed as an emperor) and Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Cathy Draine. See pages 12-13 for photo highlights. (Advocate photo by Tara Vocino) Special to Th e Advocate T he City of Everett hosted a Lunar New Year Celebration on Friday, Feb. 16, at the Connolly Center. Residents gathered to celebrate the Year of the Dragon at the City’s first-ever Lunar New Year celebration. Attendees rang in the year with a celebration featuring entertainment like musical performances, dancing and singing throughout the evening along with delicious food served to all. Following the performances, the event culminated with the Red Envelope ceremony where gifts were handed out to all who attended. This event marked the fi rst time the City has hosted a Lunar New Year event CELEBRATION | SEE PAGE 12 E SINCE 1921 Messinger Insurance Agency 475 Broadway Everett, MA 02149 Phone: 617-387-2700 Fax: 617-387-7753 NEW COMPETITIVE AUTO RATES AND BENEFITS AVAILABLE ACCIDENT FORGIVENESS DISAPPEARING COLLISION DEDUCTIBLE 11% DISCOUNT WITH SUPPORTING POLICY 10% COMBINED PAY IN FULL DISCOUNT AND GREEN DISCOUNT 10% GOOD STUDENT DISCOUNT Celebrating 100 years of excellence! Monday thru Friday: 8am to 6pm Saturdays 9am to 1pm! Check out our NEW website! www.messingerinsurance.com lic safety building in the Lower Broadway area paid for by Encore Boston Harbor as part of its renegotiation of the Host Community Agreement with Encore owners Realty Income Corp. The idea was brought up by Ward 1 Councillor Wayne Matewsky, who lives 1.3 miles from Encore, at the City Council meeting on Monday, February 12. “Fire engines and ambulances are going to the site almost 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” he said. “It gets on your nerves after a while and it’s only going to get worse,” a reference to expansion of casino property across Lower Broadway. “We have expressed the importance of having a public safety building to Wynn, but we have not come to an agreement,” Mayor Carlo DeMaria’s Chief of Staff , Erin Deveney, told the Councillors. “The City and representatives for Wynn have met on several occasions and have exchanged information, and negotiations continue.” Councillor-at-Large Katy Rogers asked if it’s possible to make Encore funding a public safety building a legal requirement for expansion. Deveney answered that the matter would require research. The expansion is the impetus behind renegotiation. “Development across the street, with the exception of a few parcels, is owned by Wynn,” Deveney said.” We’re able to renegotiate because development across ENCORE | SEE PAGE 5 Hiring process for new fi re chief begins; decision expected in May By Neil Zolot verett is starting its search for a new Fire Chief. “It’s nice the process is moving forward after seven years,” Councillor-at-Large Stephanie Smith said at the City Council meeting on Monday, February 12, a reference to inconsistent methods used to pick chiefs and acting chiefs since the retirement of David Butler in 2016 – leading to variously designated appointments of Anthony Cerli that year, Scott Dalrymple in 2021 and current acting chief Sabato LoRusso last year. Based on a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between City Hall and Local Firefi ghters Union 143, the standard Civil Service test process will be augmented with the Assessment Center evaluation. “We have secured the Assessment Center in partnership with Civil Service,” Human Resources Director Terri Ronco explained. “In May we should have a resolution to the hiring process.” Parow Consulting has been hired to help manage the process. “This company has done similar assessments in the past,” union head John Rossi explained. “They’re a vendor of Civil Service and will work with Civil Service to come up with a list for the job. Civil Service will also get information from the candidates, which is common with their exams. The fi nal candidates will be a combination of the Assessment Center and Civil Service rankings. They’ll put it together to come up with a certifi ed list.” Only Fire Department employees at the Deputy Chief level will be eligible to apply. Erin Deveney, Chief of Staff for Mayor Carlo DeMaria, reported that several in Everett are interested. Traditionally, the person scoring highest on the Civil Service test is chosen by the Mayor. “I hope he picks the top guy on the list,” Ward 6 Councillor Peter Pietrantonio said. “If the Mayor picks someone HIRING PROCESS | SEE PAGE 4
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