Page 4 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, MARCH 13, 2026 COUNCIL | FROM PAGE 1 allowing other qualifi ed members of the community to serve and contribute their perspectives and experience.” The request appeared on the City Council agenda for its regular meeting. City Council President Stephanie Smith introduced an order asking the council to take “necessary action” for Colameta’s removal. Colameta has served on the EHA Board for years (including as Vice Chair in past records) and was unanimously reappointed by the City Council to a fi ve-year term in January 2024 after addressing a residency question in person. As of recent EHA documents, Colameta remains listed as a state-appointed member with a term through 2029. “I question whether the Mayor has the authority to do such,” DiPierro reacted. “Under the Administrative Code, the Mayor may request a resignation. If refused, the Mayor may petition the City Council for removal. Outside of that this doesn’t apply.” He elaborated that Housing Authorities are governed by Mass. General Laws Chapter 121B, Section 6, which supersede the Administrative Code, and removal is justifi ed only by ineffi ciency, neglect of duty or misconduct. “The Mayor can do this; he can select who he wants,” City Solicitor Jaclyn Munson said when called to testify, citing the use of the word “may” in MGLs as granting permission. “He doesn’t need a reason.” “This is a horrible way to do business,” DiPierro responded. “This person should be allowed to be heard.” He also dispelled a rumor that former Mayor Carlo DeMaria wants to be director of the Housing Authority. “Nothing could be further from the truth,” he said. DiPierro’s request the matter be referred to the Subcommittee on Legislative Affairs for further discussion and study was voted down 6-5, with Councillor-at-Large and Council president Stephanie Smith and Councillors-at-Large Guerline Alcy Jabouin and Michael Marchese and Ward 1 Councillor Michele Capone, Ward 2 Councillor Stephanie Martins and Ward 6 Councillor Peter Pietrantonio voting no and DiPierro, Rogers and Councillor-at-Large Wayne Matewsky, Ward 3 Councillor Vivian Nguyen and Ward 4 Councillor Holly Garcia voting yes. “There’s no reason to send it to the Subcommittee,” Martins argued. “We have the full Council here.” In ensuing action, the members approved the appointment of Christopher Snook as Labor Representative on the Housing Authority Board and Margaret Lever to be the Tenant Representative. Other business In items discussed at a meeting held on Thursday, February 26, due to snow forcing cancellation of the meeting on Monday, February 23, the members approved borrowing $1,234,108 for the Fuller Street Park renovation project. “It’s currently in deplorable shape just due to age and wear and tear. It’s a constant recurring topic when I’m knocking on doors in North Everett,” DiPierro said. “I want to thank the prior administration and the current administration for bringing this to this level. Children and families in North Everett have been waiting for one of the last playgrounds to be completed in this community.” “I know the residents of Fuller Street will be very excited,” Smith added. The Council also accepted a $50,000 grant from the state Clean Energy Center to support preliminary design work for the Connolly Center reconstruction project. A proposal to borrow $1,326,928 for the Ward 1 Chelsea Street Park renovation project was tabled. “It seems like there is a lot of money, but my question is, are we waiting for an evaluation from the DPW?” Pietrantonio asked in discussion. “I mean, was that required? Have we got that? I thought the plan from DPW of the overall parks was to see if this is really what we want to put there — that we had a plan for the overall parks…” “No,” City Clerk Sergio Cornelio answered. “There was no recommendation pending receipt and review of design. I don’t believe I received anything. I don’t believe that’s been presented yet, so you might postpone this to the next meeting.” “This project was submitted last year and we have quite a bit of information on what they plan to do there,” Matewsky said. “This is a new type of park. It’s not a tot lot anymore. This is for people of any age, really, even tots, baby carriages and so forth. There’s a bocce court. I think there’s even a fountain to this. Right now, it is a mess. It’s been used as a dog park for the last few years, but from what I saw it’s got beautiful landscaping. It’s going to be nice. As a longtime Councilman from Ward 1, I support this project. It’s been on hold for at least six or seven months and I think it’s going to really enhance that neighborhood. If Councillor Pietrantonio needs more information, I have no problem with that, but my intention is to vote in favor of this project.” “I’m in a unique position because I actually used to take my children to that park,” Capone added. “I’m probably the only person in the group who was able to take their children to that park. A long time ago — it was beautiful a long time ago and it was clean. It was a beautiful location for a park because it overlooked the stadium, and I’m a big supporter of keeping the stadium where it is. Over the years, it has declined, and has been a dog park, and it hasn’t been maintained. I’m glad we still have it as a park. I was afraid the land was going to developers. “I know the numbers seem expensive and I know that we would be borrowing money, but as a parent and someone who lives in that neighborhood, parents in that neighborhood don’t have many options of where their children can play. I know it can be a beautiful spot because at one time it really was. I know from experience looking at the cost of park equipment how expensive everything is — the safety padding that goes underneath the equipment. It is very expensive even though it seems like a very small park. This is probably a small amount compared to some of the other bigger parks renovated, so I’m supportive of it.” “I believe we can get the park design as well as all parks in the plan,” Smith said as discussion wound down. “We will work with the new administration to get those.” YOUR LOCAL NEWS & SPORTS IN SIX LANGUAGES. SUBSCRIBE TO THE ADVOCATE ONLINE BY SCANNING HERE!
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