EVT EVE ER T Vol. 34, No.10 -FREET www.advocatenews.net Your Local News & Sports Online! Scan & Subscribe! ADDOCCO TEAT Free Every Friday 617-387-2200 Friday, March 7, 2025 Mayor’s attorneys call Inspector General’s report “fl awed” and “one-sided” Councillors pass resolutions after fl ip-fl opping on longevity pay By Neil Zolot T he City Council passed four items in reaction to a recent state Inspector General’s report that Mayor Carlo DeMaria received $180,000 in undue longevity pay and should pay the City of Everett back, in a Special Meeting on Tuesday, March 4. The City Council passed resolutions demanding the money be returned; eliminate longevity pay for elected offi cials; the decoupling of the positions of Auditor and Chief Financial; and requested an appropriation of $150,000 from the Administration to conduct an audit and hire legal counsel. “The report is disturbing on a number of levels,” Ward 5 Councillor Robert Van Campen said. “Regardless of intention, things were not done properly and we are duty bound to implement the recommendations of the Inspector General,” a reference to the February 27 report of Inspector General Jeff rey Shapiro calling for the recovery of longevity payments improperly paid to DeMaria. Van Campen described the Inspector General’s Offi ce as “an independent, non-political organization.” Their investigation alleges DeMaria asked the City Council for longevity pay when he found out other city employees were making more than him in July 2016, was paid $30,000 in retroactive payments that September and the item was in a human resources line item used to pay employees for used sick and vacation time. The plan to eliminate longevity pay for elected offi cials was referred to the Subcommittee on Legislative Affairs & Elections for study. “There is never a situation when an elected offi cial should receive longevity pay,” Van Campen feels. “Reelection is longevity pay.” The request for funds to conduct an audit and hire legal counsel was made because appropriation requests have to originate in the Mayor’s Offi ce. ”It’s the opposite of the federal system and common in many cities,” Van Campen explained. The City Council approved his request to appropriate $15,000 to proceed in the meantime. Van Campen also called for a roll call vote on each item. All four passed unanimously among the Councillors present, with Councillor-at-Large Stephanie Smith and Ward 1 Councillor Wayne Matewsky absent, and Councillor-at-Large John Hanlon voting against the appropriation of $15,000. Ward 3 Councillor Anthony DiPierro recused himself from the proceedings because he is a relative of DeMaria, but called for all the facts to become known before decisions are made. Mayor DeMaria is currently out of town with his wife, Stacy, celebrating their 28th wedding anniversary. His attorneys have responded, however, in statements released this week. “The Administration strenuously disagrees with the findings and conclusions of the Massachusetts Inspector General,” read a February 27 letter sent to the City Council. “The City has worked with the Inspector General for nearly three years since learning of the investigation, producing documents and making City offi cials – including the Mayor – available for interviews with investigators. The release of a 16-page report by the Inspector General only two days after Mayor DeMaria voluntarily met with investigators suggests a pre-determined result. In 2016, during a public meeting, the City Council passed the longevity ordinance in the ordinary course of business, and the City made annual payments to the Mayor consistent with its language. Contrary to the Inspector General’s report, the Mayor did not propose the ordinance, draft the ordinance, or vote to approve the ordinance. Neither the Mayor nor any member of his Administration engaged in concealment. The City Council reREPORT | SEE PAGE 10 F. J. LaRovere Insurance Agency, Inc. 492 Broadway Everett, MA 02149 617-387-9700 phone 617-387-9702 fax INSURANCE FOR AUTO, HOME, AND BUSINESS We offer very competitive rates, and by representing many different companies we can shop for the best price for our customers. Call us today! Open Monday – Friday 9am-5pm and Saturdays 9am-12pm Messinger Insurance Agency 475 Broadway Everett, MA 02149 617-387-2700 phone 617-387-7753 fax Future of former high school building discussed at community meeting By Neil Zolot R esidents living near the old Everett High School at 548 Broadway, and many City Councillors, feel current occupants of the building should not be there if and when it is renovated to house 7th and 8th grade classes. “I understand the Mayor Carlo DeMaria speaks during the recent community meeting. DISCUSSED | SEE PAGE 8 It’s Time to Spring Ahead 1 Hour Saturday!
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