EV Vol. 33, No.26 -FREEEVE ER TT Your Local News & Sports Online – Scan & Subscribe Now! ADDOCCO TEAT www.advocatenews.net Free Every Friday Everett Water Dept. receives Public Water System Compliance Award Award recognizes Everett’s compliance with drinking water regulations 617-387-2200 Friday, June 28, 2024 Fiscal Year 2025 Budget approved by City Council; scholarships awarded Assistant Water Superintendent Ralph Renzulli (left) and Water Superintendent Ernest Lariviere hold the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ 2024 Public Water System Compliance award from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and a Governor’s citation. (Photo courtesy of the City of Everett) Special to Th e Advocate T he City of Everett Water Department recently received the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ 2024 Public Water System Compliance Award. The award, which is given by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), recognizes the City of Everett’s compliance with drinking water regulations in 2023 and the previous fi ve years. To meet the requirements to receive the award, the City of Everett demonstrated excellent water service to the public, no violations or compliance issues, and eff orts that support overall public water supply service. “Maintaining a public drinking supply is a critical city function,” said Mayor Carlo DeMaria. “I think our residents can take comfort in knowing that our Water Department has received this recognition of our work to conAWARD | SEE PAGE 9 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 Everett 1975 Scholarship winners Adoni Santos and Neeysa Denning were presented with their awards on Monday night. (Advocate photo) By Neil Zolot he City Council approved a Fiscal 2025 budget of $281,761,273 at their meeting on Monday, June 24. “We reduced it by $500,000,” Council President Robert Van Campen noted in reference to deliberations that reduced the number from its original total of $281,892,702. The Fiscal 2024 budget is $265.2 million. Nevertheless, he cautioned about reliance on Free Cash to fund the budget, likening it to using a tax return to pay a mortgage. “We need to start weaning ourselves off Free Cash,” he said. “Eventually, your tax refund won’t support the mortgage payment. At some point the numbers will be too low.” Councillor At-Large Guerline T Alcy Jabouin was the lone vote against. The Council also approved a Water and Sewer Enterprise Fund budget of $22,492,927, up from $21,610,128 in Fiscal 2024. Within that, Mass. Water Resources Authority (MWRA) assessments are rising from $16,414,339 to $17,333,203 and the salary of Superintendent Ernie Lariviere from $118,459 to $122,012. Debt Interest is down, however, from $78,585 to $63,713. The Council also unanimously approved the Water and Sewer Enterprise Capital Improvement Plan of $7,229,800 and General Capital Improvement Plan Fund of $55,033,741, 8-2, with Councillor At-Large Stephanie Smith and Ward 4 Councillor Holly Garcia dissenting. “The CIP is incomplete,” BUDGET | SEE PAGE 6
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