Page 2 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, DECEmbER 1, 2023 City of Everett supports local businesses during holiday season City offers 2 hours of free meter parking from Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, through monday, January 1, 2024 M ayor Carlo DeMaria and the Office of the Parking Clerk are happy to announce two hours of free parking during the holiday season. From Friday, Dec. 1, through Monday, January 1, all parking meters in the city will allow up to two hours of free parking to give residents and customers the opportunity to shop and dine at local businesses. Motorists parked for more than two hours will be subject to a ticket. The Mayor encourages everyone to consider Everett’s businesses and restaurants first when choosing holiday destinations. “Small businesses help to drive our economy, and I hope that by providing free two-hour parking in our community, people will shop local,” said Mayor DeMaria. “We all know that each dollar you spend at a small independent business, returns three times more money to a local economy than one spent at a chain, or 50 times more than buying online. That generates a lasting impact in our local economy. I wish you all a Happy Holiday season and don’t forget to shop local!” Parking meter fees for two hours or less will be suspended in Everett from Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, to Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. City Council approves $531K in grants anddonations E ve r e t t By Neil Zolot is r e c e i v i ng $531,228 in grants and donations from various entities to cover things like electric car charging stations, services for the elderly, tree planting and maintenance and bilingual services and holiday decorations, among others. A sum of $270,000 is from the federal Dept. of Energy, Building Technologies Office to provide technical assistance to support the transformation of existing buildings into more energy efficient and clean energy ready homes, commercial spaces and communities. “This project leverages trusted community-based organizations as delivery venues to overcome linguistic and cultural barriers to electrification adoption in a frontline community,” Department of Planning and Development Executive Director Matt Lattanzi said, reading a statement prepared by Environmental & Conservation Policy Manager Katherine Jenkins-Sullivan. “This work will be done through the creation of a team that will work to promote electrification measures and utility bill assistance to create safe and healthy homes and community spaces. This partnership will assist Community Based Organizations not traditionally engaged in electrification and resilience programs, but are already working diligently on community service and organizing to recognize that extreme weather requires resilient and affordable housing and community buildings. “This funding will be aimed at upgrading census tract 3425, the Electrify Everett target area, which is home to people who have not historically benefited from energy saving programs and incentives: those who are language-isolated, low-income, renters, landlords with smaller 2–4-unit multi-family properties. Within the tract are our community partners, (Everett Community Growers’ and La Comunidad’s offices and community spaces), the Connolly Community Center (a focus of community action to build an electrified model resilience hub), Everett Haitian Community Center, three Title 1 schools, a concentration of minority-owned businesses, and the highest concentration of low-income families in Everett.” A sum of $110,894 is from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs for the Council on Aging to provide services, resources and support to older adults. Another $69,742 is from the state Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs, Department of Environmental Protection to acquire five electric vehicle charging stations under the state Electric Vehicle Incentive Program Public Access Charging Program. The location of the charging stations has yet to be determined, but a lot across the street from City Hall is being considered. Lattanzi said there was also talk of placing a facility at the Police Station, which was rejected by police for security reasons. A sum of $40,000 is from National Grid to hire a parttime bilingual outreach representative for utility support and energy efficiency programming. “It’s to overcome linguistic barriers to electrification, such as solar panel installation, white roofs and home assessments, as well as direct utility assistance,” Lattanzi said. “They’re trying to bridge a gap with English as a Learned Language individuals, a population of people who could receive incentives, but are isolated. They don’t realize there are incentives. I find it confusing to figure out myself. It’s tough to navigate. This will be coupled with the city’s Community First Partnership (CFP) program, a 2-year grant program, again awarded by National Grid, in the amount of $60,000 which subsidizes 50% of a full-time salary for an Energy Advocate, who will be in charge of connecting residents and small businesses to the incentives noted above. This part-time position will work in collaboration with the Energy Advocate to help bridge the gap in reaching English-isolated individuals in Everett.” A sum of $32,000 is from the Mystic River Watershed Association to purchase trees to help cool urban heat islands and assist with habitat restoration. They will be in areas in need as designated by local and state officials, with Everett eligible for grants because state authorities have designated large portions of the city as having impervious surfaces (i.e., pavement that doesn’t absorb water). “Trees will be planted by a state arborist, who will be responsible for maintenance for two years,” Lattanzi explained. “Before we accept more trees, are we up to date with the labor we need?” Ward 3 Councillor Darren Costa asked Lattanzi at the City Council meeting on Monday. “There is a tree trimming issue. There doesn’t seem to be regular maintenance of trees.” “The DPW covers day-today maintenance,” Lattanzi answered. “I don’t want to represent DPW’s needs. I genuinely don’t know, but this is not taking attention away from those trees.” Finally, $8,592 is from Encore Boston Harbor for decorated kissing balls to be placed throughout the city. Subscribe to the Advocate Online: www.advocatenews.net
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