Page 8 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – WEDnEsDAy, July 3, 2024 Mystic River Watershed Association Honors Community Leaders as Champions of the Mystic River A t the Mystic River Annual Champions breakfast along the Malden River, the Mystic River Watershed Association honored and acknowledged three leaders in our communities. Fidel Maltez, City Manager for the City of Chelsea, was awarded the Mystic Municipal Award, Kelleigh Harrington and Mary Chiappa accepted the Mystic Champion award on behalf of CharlesNewtown, an apartment near the Little Mystic Channel in Charlestown, and Thalia Patino Molano, a recent graduate of Everett High School and Wicked Cool Mystic Ambassador, was the featured speaker. Fidel Maltez is an engineer by training with a Master’s in Public Policy and Policy Analysis from Tufts University. He accepted the Mystic Municipal Award for his long partnership in MyRWA’s work, first as Commissioner of Public Works in Chelsea, then as Town Manager for the Town of Reading, and now as City Manager for the City of Chelsea. In these roles, he has centered the concerns of residents and implemented projects to improve environmental conditions and help communities in the Mystic River watershed become more resilient to climate change. Under his watch, the Town of Reading began work on the Maillet, Sommes, and Morgan Stormwater Wetland - the largest construction project catalyzed by MyRWA Mary Chiappa and Kelleigh Harrington accept their award from MyRWA Greenways Program Manager Karl Alexander. Fidel Maltez accepts his award from MyRWA Executive Director Patrick Herron. to date. Kelleigh Harrington and Mary Chiappa are residents and board members of the CharlesNewtown apartments, Mary serving as board president. They accepted the Mystic Champion Award on behalf of the CharlesNewtown board. Kelleigh and Mary are dedicated neighbors and community members who advocate for tenants and work hard to ensure a vibrant and welcoming housing environment. Kelleigh also serves as a member of a resident steering committee, convened by MyRWA, that has helped to guide the revitalization of 14 acres of open space next to her home in the Little Mystic Channel area of Charlestown. Both Kelleigh and Mary go out of their way each and every day to ensure CharlesNewJ& • Reliable Mowing Service • Spring & Fall Cleanups • Mulch & Edging • Sod or Seed Lawns • Shrub Planting & Trimming • Water & Sewer Repairs Joe Pierotti, Jr. town residents are informed of these improvement efforts, that space is made available for public meetings, and that issues in need of address are raised, such as ongoing structural issues with the harborwalk outside their front doors. The CharlesNewtown board and property management have also agreed to help maintain a revamped plaza next to the apartments that will break ground this summer. Thalia Patino Molano is a recent graduate of Everett High School bound for BU in the fall. For the past two years Thalia and fellow Everett Resident Juan Soler-Ramos have served as ambassadors for the Wicked Cool Mystic program, working in their community to learn about how their fellow residents experience and adapt to heat as our climate S LANDSCAPE & MASONRY CO. Masonry - Asphalt • Brick or Block Steps • Brick or Block Walls • Concrete or Brick Paver Patios & Walkways • Brick Re-Pointing • Asphalt Paving www.JandSlandscape-masonry.com • Senior Discount • Free Estimates • Licensed & Insured 617-389-1490 Designing and Constructing Ideas that are “Grounds for Success” Landscaping Thalia Patino Molano, center, of Everett, with MyRWA Community Organizer Marissa Zampino and Executive Director Patrick Herron. warms. As young organizers in Everett, Thalia and Juan have worked hard to build relationships within their community and have served as vital conduits for community voices. They have circulated surveys, attended many community events, and organized workshops about extreme heat, all of which serve to elevate stories and ideas directly from residents. CANDIDATES | FROM PAGE 2 ciety Church of God’s Save the Earth from A-to-Z college student volunteer group. “In simple terms, this resolution is a gesture to recognize our roles regarding marine and aquatic habitats, further raising awareness about Everett’s waterfront habitats along the Malden River and to helping protect public access. The City has already made strides in this area, helping protect public access, by planting trees, removing invasive plant species and hosting community clean-ups.” In Public Participation, Nas Thomas of the student group said its goals include having a local, regional, national or international Blue Carbon Week “to raise awareness and get people involved in protecting aquatic environments and having partnerships with communities to establish protected arThe work of the Mystic River Watershed Association would not be possible without the commitment and hard work of its partners - from state and federal agencies to elected officials and municipal staff to local residents and community leaders who all strive to create change and make the Mystic River watershed a safe, clean, and resilient place to live, work, and play. eas to reach carbon neutrality,” which the group describes as a point at which the amount of carbon produced is no more than that which the environment can absorb. “We want to impact the world with our activism,” group event coordinator Yerdaell Blanco added. “If we serve the world with the heart of a mother, we feel people will be moved to act. If we focus only on the negative, not much can be accomplished, and if we don’t come together, we can’t solve problems. We want to make Everett an example in Massachusetts.” The group – also known as ASEZ (A to Z with Save Earth interjected) – hopes action can be aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and can coincide with World Environment Day (June 5) and World Ocean Day (June 8). The matter was formally referred to the Administration.
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