Page 2 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, NOVEmbER 11, 2022 School Committee approves settlement agreement between the schools and custodian union By Tara Vocino T he School Committee voted 7-1 to approve a settlement agreement between the Everett Public Schools and the SEIU, a custodian union, during Monday’s School Committee meeting at Everett High School. Ward 2 School Committee member Jason Marcus suggested that a two percent raise over a three-year term wasn’t enough to live on. “They gave social security an eight and a half percent increase,” Marcus said. “A lot of people get more than a two percent increase.” School Committee Chairwoman Jeanne Cristiano, who represents Ward 3, suggested that Marcus was out-of-line since negotiations are closed. “The city doesn’t control in73 4.25 4.55 5.78 By Container Only 5.54 DEF SALE! $13.99/ 2.5 gals VICTORY | FROM PAGE 1 ic Governor Maura Healey and Kim Driscoll – 5,363 – to 2,446 votes for Geoff Diehl and Leah Allen, who are Republican. Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley won her quest for reelection, with 4,985 votes, against political newcomer Donnie Palmer Jr., who garnered 2,565 votes. Democratic nominee Diana DiZoglio won the Auditor seat, garnering 4,554 votes, to Republican challenger Anthony Amore’s 2,488 votes. District Attorney Marian Ryan and Sheriff Peter Koutoujian won unopposed. Residents voted yes 4,452 on Question 1 to 3,293 no’s. According to the state website (sec.state. ma.us), Question 1 would establish an additional 4 percent state income tax on that portion of annual taxable income totaling more than $1 million. A yes vote would amend the state Constitution to impose an additional 4 percent tax on that portion of incomes more than $1 million to be used, subject to appropriation by the state Legislature, on education and transportation. Everett voted 5,559 in the affi rmative to Question 2, with 1,939 no’s. Question 2 would direct the Commissioner of the Massachusetts Division of Insurance to approve or disapprove the rates of dental benefi t plans and would require that a dental insurance carrier meet an annual aggregate medical loss ratio for its covered dental benefi t plans of 83 percent. A yes vote would regulate dental insurance rates, including by requiring companies to spend at least 83 percent of premiums on member dental expenses and quality improvements instead of administrative expenses, and by making other changes to dental insurance regulations. The city voted 3,259 yes on Question 3 to 4,572 no’s. Question 3 would increase the statewide limits on the combined number of licenses for the sale of alcoholic beverages for off -premises consumption (including licenses for “all alcoholic beverages” and for “wines and malt beverages”) that any one retailer could own or control: from 9 to 12 licenses in 2023; to 15 licenses in 2027; and to 18 licenses in 2031. A yes vote would increase the number of licenses a retailer could have for the sale of alcoholic beverages to be consumed off premises, limit the number of “all-alcoholic beverages” licenses that a retailer could acquire, restrict use of self-checkout and require retailers to accept customers’ out-of-state identifi cation. Everett voted 4,335 yes to Question 4 with 3,227 votes. Question 4 would allow Massachusetts residents who cannot provide proof of lawful presence in the United States to obtain a standard driver’s license or learner’s permit if they meet all the other qualifi cations for a standard license or learner’s permit, including a road test and insurance, and provide proof of their identity, date of birth and residency. A yes vote would keep in place the law, which would allow Massachusetts residents who cannot provide proof of lawful presence in the United States to obtain a driver’s license or permit if they meet the other requirements for doing so. fl ation rates for the country or the world,” Cristiano said. “While there are other unions who may have received more, this was an agreed upon negotiation.” Superintendent of Schools Priya Tahiliani said there have been some inappropriate dealings with the union that Marcus may have been highlighting. “You’re highlighting some greater issues during this negotiation season,” Priya said to Marcus. “This may be an item for a future meeting.” Marcus asked why they (school board) don’t care about those employees. “You are welcome to vote it down,” Priya said. “To make a statement that anyone on this committee doesn’t care about certain staff members is inappropriate.” Cristiano cautioned Marcus to refrain from those types of comments. Vice Chair Michael McLaughlin, who represents Ward 6, said they worked in good faith and diligently to get support on both sides to start further discussion. “It’s a pleasure that we have the opportunity to work collaboratively together,” McLaughlin said. “I believe that we’ve done it openly and fairly.” School Committee member At Large Joseph LaMonica abstained due to a confl ict-of-interest. His family member is a union member. OUR OFFICE HAS MOVED TO 519 BROADWAY, EVERETT SABATINO INSURANCE AGENCY 519 BROADWAY EVERETT, MA 02149 PHONE: (617) 387-7466 FAX: (617) 381-9186 Visit us online at: Rocco Longo, Owner WWW.SABATINO-INS.COM
3 Publizr Home