THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – Friday, April 26, 2019 Page 3 City Council approves changes to Administrative Code Vote has direct impact on library trustees By Christopher Roberson T he City Council recently voted 6-4 to pass the proposed amendments to Everett’s Administrative Code, which included controversial changes to the Everett Public LIbraries Board of Trustees. Under the revised Administrative Code, all personnel matters will be handled by the city’s Human Resources Department rather than by the board. The city will also assume responsibility for governing Everett’s library system. Although the board will still manage the trust that was established by library founder Frederick Parlin, City Treasurer/Collector Domenico D’Angelo will now serve as the board’s treasurer. Prior to the April 22 vote, Everett Public Libraries Director Stacy DeBole said one of the board’s primary responsibilities is to shield the library from censorship. Therefore, she said, the board’s authority would be “severely curtailed” under the revised Administrative Code. Ward 1 Councillor Fred Capone said there is no useful purpose in changing how the board operates. “The Board of Trustees has been in place for 139 years; this didn’t just happen last week,” he said. “There’s absolutely no reason to change this, they’re doing a stellar job.” In contrast, Ward 5 Councillor Rosa DiFlorio urged her colleagues to focus on the entire Administrative Code rather than just the section pertaining to the library. “This has a lot of good changes in it,” she said. “You don’t throw away 80 percent just because of 20 percent.” With tension in the Council Chambers, Ward 3 Councillor Anthony DiPierro said the city council would not take any drastic measures. “No one’s trying to eliminate the Board of Trustees; no one’s trying to close the libraries,” he said. Mayor Carlo DeMaria said the board has been operating “in the dark” and that meeting agendas are never posted. “They couldn’t even get an executive session,” he said. Assistant City Solicitor Keith Slattery urged the councillors to focus on that particular point. “The lack of an executive session should alarm this council,” he said. DeMaria also said that of the city’s 10 current job openings seven of them are for library positions. In response, DeBole said she did not appreciate DeMaria’s comments. “Personally, I resent some of that stuff,” she said. “There is an agenda; the agenda is published every month.” Regarding the staffing issues, DeBole said many employees are high school students who leave for college and college students who have taken another job elsewhere. “We are perpetually shortstaffed,” she said. DeBole also said the trustees have a sincere interest in the daily operation of the libraries. “Many of the trustees are in, keeping tabs on everything, literally down to the furnishings,” she said. 505 Broadway Everett, MA 02149 Tel: 617-387-1120 www.gkdental.com • Family Dentistry • Crowns • Bridges • Veneers/Lumineers • Dental Implants • All on 4 Dental Implants • Emergency Dentist • Kid Friendly Dentist • Root Canals • Dentures • Invisalign Braces • Snap On Smile • Teeth Whitening We are the smile care experts for your entire family In House Dental Plan for $399 (Cleanings, X-Rays, Exams twice a year and 20% OFF Dental work) Schedule your FREE Consultations today Visit our walk-in center, walk away with a new career. Encore Boston Harbor is hiring. Apply in person at our walk-in center while there’s still time. Medford Career Office | 101 Station Landing, Medford Monday – Friday, 9:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Saturday – Sunday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. In accordance with our host and surrounding community agreements, hiring preference is given to properly qualified residents of the cities of (1) Everett, (2) Malden, and (3) Boston, Cambridge, Chelsea, Medford, and Somerville.
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