EV Vol. 33, No.50 -FREEEVE ER TT www.advocatenews.net Your Local News & Sports Online–Subscribe Here! ADDOCCO TEAT Free Every Friday City lights Christmas tree in celebration of the holiday season Everett community gathered in Everett Square as Mayor DeMaria and family threw the switch to light the tree Special to Th e Advocate T he City of Everett hosted the annual Christmas Tree Lighting event on Friday, Dec. 6 at Everett Square in celebration of the holiday season. The City spread holiday cheer with many fun and free activities, including live performances, hay rides, train rides, holiday characters, face painting, balloon creations, food, giveaways and even a special visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus directly from the North Pole. The jolly couple paraded down Broadway, led by the Everett Police and HOLIDAY | SEE PAGE 9 617-387-2200 Friday, December 13, 2024 Mayor, City Council continue discussion on future of former Everett High School By Neil Zolot T he cost of renovating the former Everett High School to accommodate classrooms for 7th and 8th graders is now calculated at $79 million, rising from the $72 million fi gure previously proposed. Mayor Carlo DeMaria, Jr. and Mount Vernon Group Architects consultant Frank Tedesco told City Councillors on Monday it was due to costs increasing over time and additional space that will be renovated for classrooms. “We’re adding footage, so the cost goes up,” Tedesco said. “We found additional space that needs renovation, including space for the Eliot Family Resource Center.” There are also plans to expand Mayor Carlo and First Lady Stacy DeMaria alongside Girl Scout Troop 82482 and Troop leaders Ward 4 Councillor Holly Garcia and School Committee Vice Chairperson Samantha Hurley. (Photo courtesy of the City of Everett) 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 the original plans for a cafeteria and add HVAC for the Webster Extension preschool program. “My problem is the price going up,” Ward 6 Councillor Peter Pietrantonio reacted. “We’re at $79 million and haven’t put a shovel in the ground.” “Are you coming back here asking for more money?” asked the councillor. “We don’t plan to,” Tedesco answered. The meeting packet for the city councillors included plans for the building in addition to a letter from Mayor DeMaria. “The plans show how the former High School may be used for critical community needs, including additional classroom space without compromising student safety,” it reads. “I believe the facility has the capacity to continue to host important human and social service, municipal and educational purposes our residents rely on us to provide. Meeting those critical needs is why I asked Mount Vernon Group Architects to update the feasibility study for the proposed re-use of additional space in the former High School. Updated fl oor plans show how the space could be used for expanded space for 7th and 8th grade. The updated information also shows new, separate and secure space that could be used to continue to host Eliot in a new location secured from school use and would also feature a new separate entrance that would not impact residents on Maple Street. The updated information would also use a portion of the existing Health and Wellness Center for use by the Broadway Boxing Club, which it should be noted, does not operate during school hours. Even with the Council’s approval, I will continue to work with School Superintendent William Hart to fi nd options to relocate the Eliot Center and the boxing club to another location or locations. I believe the need for these services is too great not to fi nd a way to do more for our residents.” “A lot of people use the gym in the morning,” Councillor-at-Large Stephanie Smith pointed out. “So, you’ve decided the Eliot is going in the basement?” asked Council President Robert Van Campen. “This is a mixed-use building and has been for a long time,” Tedesco answered, adding, “We’ve worked on mixed-use buildings and there are always separate entrances.” He cautioned, however, that the building is “not designed. It’s conceptual at this point. Things will change.” In previous meetings, Van Campen has said the residents of the ward have expressed concern about how the building will be used and impacts on the neighborhood. He’s asked for community forums to disseminate information and hear concerns. “I want to make sure none of this is etched in stone before COUNCIL | SEE PAGE 2
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