THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, MARCH 28, 2025 Page 3 Sounds of Everett I t all has a familiar ring to it: the city council suddenly feigning fi ts over the mayor’s longevity pay, term limits and utilizing his right to outside legal representation – all legal – unless it’s pitifully orchestrated by a former pizza delivery boy masquerading as a City Clerk Sergio Cornelio and his boss, Councillor Michael “Escobar” Marchese. It’s a shame Cornelio doesn’t realize he works for the citizens of Everett – and not the Marchese family – but he owes Marchese for his recent fortunes as real estate mogul. Pathetic to say the least. It’s no secret that the Marchese cartel’s sad attempt at sandbagging the mayor during an election year by using the politically motivated Inspector General’s report is just another embarrassment to the city following the outcome of the mayor’s defamation lawsuit, which led to the demise of the Everett Leader Herald and the Philbin family name. The Inspector General never allowed the mayor a fair hearing – no due process – which is typical of a political agenda. Funny how certain city councillors forget – especially the ones, like Marchese, for example, who wasn’t on the council when the longevity pay was debated and passed. Back in September 2016, the City Council discussed the mayor’s salary and openly discussed his longevity pay as they compared the mayor’s salary to Malden, Medford, Revere, Quincy, Somerville and Boston. Mayor Carlo DeMaria’s salary in 2016 was $108,021. By 2018, the mayor’s salary was raised to $125,187 in comparison to the salaries of Revere and Malden mayors: $120,892 and $105,000, respectively. Somerville and Boston’s mayors’ salaries in 2018 were $180,693 and $175,481, respectively. During the September 26, 2016, meeting, the City Council voted to approve an increase in salaries “to reflect and equal other surrounding communities,” not just the individual serving as mayor. In retrospect, the mayor’s longevity bonus per year would have brought the mayor’s average salary in FY2016-2018 up to $116,603. If the purpose was solely to raise the mayor’s salary to that of other surrounding communities, the raise would have been higher than the supposed $2,500 per year. The Chelsea City Manager’s salary increased from 2010 $145,000 per year to $189,945 in 2019 (the fi nal year of a fi veyear contract). When all was said and done, the City Council voted 10-1 in favor of longevity pay. The ordinance read: “Any individual serving in the offi ce of Mayor shall receive a longevity payment of $10,000 for each completed full-term as mayor as defi ned in Article III, Section I, Subsection B of the City Charter. Any individual serving as Mayor at the time of passage of this ordinance shall receive a one-time payment of $10,000 for each previously-completed term as Mayor as defi ned in Section 25 of the previous Charter. This Ordinance shall take eff ect upon passage.” Again, the motion passed 10-1, with only Councillor Fred Capone voting against. It failed in reconsideration by a 8-1 vote. Do you think Capone, Marchese or even Martins would have voted down longevity pay if they were mayor? I highly doubt it. But let’s not forget where this SOUNDS | SEE PAGE 7 SABATINO/MASTROCOLA INSURANCE AGENCY 519 BROADWAY EVERETT, MA 02149 Auto * Home * Boat * Renter * Condo * Life * Multi-Policy Discounts * Commercial 10% Discounts * Registry Service Also Available Sabatino Insurance is proud to welcome the loyal customers of ALWAYS READY TO SERVE YOU: Our Staff are, Emma Davidson, Jeimy Sanchez, Josephine Leone, Marie D’Amore, Rocco Longo, Z’andre Lopez, Anthony DiPierro, Darius Goudreau, Laurette Murphy, Danielle Goudreau and Tina Davidson. PHONE: (617) 387-7466 FAX: (617) 381-9186 Visit us online at: WWW.SABATINO-INS.COM
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