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Page 8 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, January 28, 2022 Malden’s share of new Northeast Metro Tech school funding will be $33 million City’s payments would increase gradually over three years, then settle in at $1.2 million annually for remainder of 30-year term Advocate Staff Report M alden voters on Tuesday joined with those in 10 other sending districts in approving a commitment to fund a new, $317.4 million state-of-the-art facility. Voters in one of the districts, Chelsea, voted against approving the funding, but the measure passed in overwhelming fashion, capturing 83.5% of the ballots overall. All that had been needed in the final balloting was a simple majority, but voters in the 12 districts combined for a large majority in favor. The exact question voted on Tuesday was to accept a $141 million grant from the MassaCONSTRUCTION | FROM PAGE 1 include The Advocate cities of Malden, Saugus and Revere, as well as Chelsea, Melrose, North Reading, Reading, Stoneham, Wakefield, Winchester, Winthrop and Woburn. The balloting did feature very low turnouts, with just 2.7% of Malden residents casting votes, pretty much par for the course with an overall turnout in the 12-district communities hovering around 3%. Malden’s voters were aligned with the overall favorable percentage, with 81.5% voting “yes” for the project. Unofficial results from Malden were similar to those around the district, with 668 voting in favor of the proposal and 151 voting against it. This result was expected, as Malden city officials, including a number of members of the Malden City Council, voiced public support of the project. In Saugus, 7% of registered chusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) to go toward construction of the new school. With that funding in place, the adjusted cost of the new school would be approximately $176 million. Following Tuesday’s affirmative vote, the 12 districts will now be responsible for funding the $176 million bill over a 30-year period. Malden has 152 students now enrolled at Northeast Metro Tech and at present pays $1.62 million annually as a sending district. With the new school on the way, enrollment capacity is expected to increase from 1,250 to 1,600 in all, which would mean Malden might be voters went to the polls on Tuesday with 921 votes cast for a new Northeast Metro Tech, with 547 votes opposed. This total represents 64% of Saugus voters in favor of local funding to support the Northeast Metro Tech School. Voters in Revere also supported the new Northeast Metro Tech facility. Unofficial results of that vote were not immediately available at press time. Factoring in a $141 million grant from the Massachusetts School Building Authority, the dozen cities and towns will pick up the remaining $176 million of the cost for the construction of a state-of-the-art Northeast Metro Tech adjacent to the existing school in Wakefield. Northeast Metro Tech Superintendent-Director David DiBarri said he is thrilled at the overwhelming support voters showed for the project on Tuesday. “We are deeply grateful to the voters in our 12 sendable to send more students in the future. As for Malden’s contribution to the funding for the new school, the local share would be a $220,000 assessment in FY 2023, according to reports. The payment would then be $221,000 in 2024, $667,000 in 2025 and then $1.2 million per year in 2026 and the same moving forward for the remaining 26 years of the remaining 30year period. Malden Mayor Gary Christenson has already acknowledged the annual payment that would be coming in public statements about upcoming municipal budgetary matters. ing districts for their participation in today’s vote,” DiBarri said. “Their collective support of a new school building, and for securing a vision for a 21st century career technical education that will position our students for success after graduation,” he added. The new Northeast Metro Tech will jump capacity from about 1,280 to 1,600 students and will address outdated building systems and realize code compliance upgrades while featuring 21st-century learning environments, improved Individualized Education Program (IEP) accommodations, state-of-theart shop space, expanded program offerings, a new primary access roadway from Farm Street to reduce traffic congestion, a full-size gym, a 750-seat auditorium, outdoor space for learning and a new cafeteria. New athletic fields adjacent to the new school are also part of the overall project. Meals on Wheels essential during winter months T he winter months are notoriously harder on older adults, especially during this pandemic, which is why Mystic Valley Elder Services (MVES) stresses the importance of virtual and phone assessments, proper heating, physical checkups by your doctor, social interactions – even if we cannot do it face-to-face – transportation assistance and nutritious meals. “Eating good, whole, nutritious foods in the winter months can go a long way in helping older adults regulate their body temperature and stay warm,” said MVES Registered Dietician Candace Quigley. “For those who may not want to or lack the ability to cook, the Meals on Wheels program provides regular nutritious food.” The Meals on Wheels program provides seniors with the necessary nutritional support to protect them against food insecurity, and to help them continue to live independent and fulfilling lives. MVES has provided home-delivered meals for more than 45 years. “Meals on Wheels is for vulnerable older adults who require nutritional support to safely continue living in the community,” said MVES Director of Nutrition Angie Fitzgerald. “Despite the challenges COVID-19 has brought, we have continued to serve home-delivered meals to consumers, and the number of those needing meals delivered has increased.” Since the pandemic started nearly two years ago, the program has served nearly 60,000 meals per month to homebound adults compared to 50,000 meals per month prior to the pandemic. The home-delivered meals service includes the following options as needed: chilled-tobe-heated noontime meals, cold-pack breakfast and supper, clinical diet meals, kosher meals, and frozen weekend meals. In some cases, MVES can provide cultural or ethnically preferred meals in certain communities. “MVES’ Meals on Wheels program ensures that a friendly face of the driver and healthy meal arrives during the cold months and all year round to those who need this essential service to remain healthy, well fed, and safe in their homes,” said Fitzgerald. When providing the meals to the individual, drivers also offer regular check-ins, at a safe distance, to make sure the older adult is doing well during the cold weather. This can be done by a warm smile and welcoming wave. If you are interested in knowing more about the Meals on Wheels program, please visit MVES at mves.org or call 781324-7705. MVES seeks donations of new blankets for Emergency Closet W ith winter upon us and plenty of cold weather still ahead, Mystic Valley Elder Services (MVES) is seeking donations of new blankets in all sizes for its Emergency Closet. The Emergency Closet provides MVES care managers who work with low-income older adults and people with disabilities a place to access not only new blankets but new towels, new sheets, toiletries and largeprint puzzle books for their consumers who need them. Having these items immediately available at MVES can make a huge difference in someone’s life, and they depend solely on donations. If you are interested in donating blankets to the Emergency Closet, please contact the MVES Elder Services Development office at 781-324-7705 or development@mves.org. Like us on Facebook advocate newspaper Facebook.com/Advocate.news.ma

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