Page 2 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2024 COUNCIL | FROM PAGE 1 a community meeting,” he said. “We want to hear from citizens before the City Council puts its stamp on any proposal.” “I think it’s a great idea to have neighborhood meetings,” DeMaria reacted. Given the upcoming holidays and the time needed to arrange and advertise community events, he feels they could be in January. Ward 4 Councillor Holly Garcia asked for the School Committee and School Department to be involved in community meetings, given the building will be used as a school. The Mayor agreed, as he did with her idea that residents should be able to participate virtually. Need a hall for your special event? The Schiavo Club, located at 71 Tileston Street, Everett is available for your Birthdays, Anniversaries, Sweet 16 parties and more? For more info, call (857) 249-7882 New St. Anthony’s Flea Market 250 Revere St., Revere, Lower Hall Indoor Flea Market Saturday, December 14, 2024 from 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM Admission .50 Cents PLENTY OF NEW VENDORS ONLY 3 SPOTS LEFT New Vendors Welcome! Free Coffee & Tea! To rent a table, call Lynda: (781) 910-8615 Van Campen also asked about the status of the roof, which DeMaria has said is crucial to repair to save the building and retain insurance coverage, regardless of what happens, and for which the Council appropriated $10 million in September. DeMaria told him the project is in the bidding stage and work is planned for the spring. Tedesco said the roof “is what you need to prevent deterioration.” He added, “The building has held up well despite the old roof.” Van Campen also asked for an update on the status of Pope John. “Where are we in terms of the timeframe for its use?” he asked. “People ask when.” DeMaria answered, “We want to solve the educational issue. I want to bring the matter before you. Once we resolve this, I’ll bring it back before you.” His letter indicates he is not planning on using the former Pope John XXIII High School for new uses because he believes it should be used to help meet needs for housing for older and veteran residents. “Unlike the former High School, Pope John would not allow the city to have expanded educational space and the current space we need for municipal functions,” it elaborates. “The former Pope John would be equally expensive and have far less value to the community.” Smith asked what would happen to the For Kids Only Afterschool (FKO) program now in Pope John. She also noted that the afterschool program AlphaBEST is in public schools. “I don’t want to make room for one program while displacing another,” she said. “FKO should be in the schools, where students go to school, not Pope John,” DeMaria answered. “They’d like to bid on the contract to provide services in school. We’ll see if they are the company that should have the afterschool program.” He feels that when 7th and 8th graders are moved to the old High Schools, there will be room for afterschool programs in the neighborhood schools. He added that that decision will be made by the School Committee, but City Councillors can have access to the process. “It’ll all be public,” he pointed out. Councillor-at-Large Michael Marchese brought up the idea of tearing down the old Everett High School and building a new one in its place. He feels it is a better, centralized location, rather than the Rivergreen Playground site in a corner of the city mentioned by DeMaria. Regardless, the current High School would be converted to a Middle School. “If we do, we won’t have space to relieve overcrowding in the neighborhood schools,” DeMaria answered. Van Campen interjected that estimates in 2018 put the cost of demolition at $10 million and “I’m sure it’s gone up since then.” DeMaria also stated that the Mass. School Building Authority (MSBA) has given its approval for Everett to build a new High School with a vocational element. How much it will cost is impossible to fi gure considering how much time will pass while a site is determined, plans are made and construction is undertaken. It will be higher, perhaps signifi cantly higher, than the current Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational High School project of $317 million, but DeMaria is hoping for 7078% in reimbursement aid. ~ Letter to the Editor ~ How Times (and Titles) Have Changed W hen I saw the photo of page 3 (November 22, 2024) of Joseph Hickey being sworn in as Everett’s Fire Chief along with Police Chief Paul Strong at his side, I had a feeling of Pride. Joe Hickey and Paul Strong were students at the Webster School when I served as Principal. In those days they referred to me as Mister. Now, I refer to Joe and Paul as CHIEF. As young boys, I observed leadership qualities in both of them. They were also very respectful as taught by their parents. Everett should be proud of Chief Hickey and Chief Strong. Respectfully Submitted, Edward F. Murray Webster School Principal, retired — Vinyl Siding — Carpentry Work — Decks — Roofing — Free Estimates — Replacement Windows — Fully Licensed — Fully Insured
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