THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, February 6, 2026 Page 9 Northeast Metro Tech highlights leadership of senior co-captains on Varsity Basketball Team Special to The Advocate N ortheast Metro Tech is highlighting the leadership of varsity basketball team senior co-captains Jeanahel Exilus and Esien Clarke, whose leadership has melded players from 12 communities into a team that is off to a stellar start this year. Exilus, of Malden, is a co-op student in the Electrical Program; Clarke, also of Malden, is a co-op student in the Plumbing Program. For four years both co-captains have been playing basketball at Northeast Metro Tech, consistently raising their level of play while maintaining top grades. The Northeast Metro Tech varsity basketball team is off to a great start this year and recently won the Cape Ann Savings Bank Rockport Holiday Basketball Tournament due PAY | FROM PAGE 5 sewer fund to potentially pay the Tufts Construction legal settlement. Speaking directly to City Solicitor McNeil, Councillor O’Malley asked, “So if a member of our water department took a copper water pipe and decided to murder someone on the job, would we be able to settle the murder case with Water Sewer Enterprise Funds?” “I’m not going to answer that hypothetical question because there’s a lot of things we would have to evaluate to answer that hypothetical,” Solicitor McNeil said, in reference to the situation Councillor O’Malley described. “I did consult with our city controller to determine that [Water Sewer Enterprise] was the fund involved with the contract,” Solicitor McNeil said. “For you to say I spoke with the controller to seek legal advice is not accurate. I seek advice with other attorneys in my [City Solicitor’s] office and did my own research to outstanding performances from Exilus and Clarke. Exilus, a forward, was named to the All-Tournament Team. Clarke, a point guard, was selected as the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. Varsity basketball coach Jay Seigal said both co-captains set an example by showing up on time, working hard in practice, and working to motivate other players via quiet leadership instead of showmanship. “Jeanahel and Esien exemplify what it means to be student-athletes at Northeast Metro Tech,” said Coach Seigal. “They are quiet, dependable leaders, who lead by example — they show up on time, work hard every day, and put the team first. Their leadership has united teammates from 12 communities into a bonded, cohesive team.” and then further research.” Councillor O’Malley also challenged, “the bulk of the claims was a defamation case.” “This does not pass the smell test.” Earlier in the meeting he referred to the settlement proposal as “a back-door deal.” “I am not sure where you are getting your information from, but the settlement is not [primarily] for defamation case; that is incorrect,” Solicitor McNeil said. Special Counsel Rumley then returned to the audience podium and reiterated that the settlement amount closely coincided with the amount of the disputed contract invoice payments Tufts Construction claimed were unpaid. “The settlement is with regards to the actions of Malden to terminate the contract,” Rumley said, “If this case returned to trial and the jury decided against the city, it could be multiple millions of dollars against the city. We would advise [for the city] not to take that risk [and fund the settlement].” “Looking back at our school record and what we’ve accomplished this year is surreal,” said Exilus. “We’ve been grinding, learning to trust each other, and I’m proud that the work we put in has translated into this success.” “I’m really honored to receive the MVP Award and proud that I was able to perform to the best of my ability,” said Clarke. “This wouldn’t have been possible without my teammates — I’m so proud of how we worked together to be successful. We knew what we were capable of as a team and used that to our advantage.” “Jeanahel and Esien aren’t just excellent athletes and excellent leaders, they have excelled in their vocational programs and showed leadership in the classroom and hallPictured from left to right: Principal Richard Barden, Jeanahel Exilus, Esien Clarke and Superintendent David DiBarri stand together with the victor’s trophy from the Cape Ann Savings Bank Rockport Holiday Basketball Tournament. (Photo Courtesy Northeast Metro Tech) ways,” said Superintendent David DiBarri. “We are proud of the example that these two City of Malden Massachusetts 215 Pleasant Street, Room 330 Malden, Massachusetts 02148 (781) 397-7000 ext. 2044 MALDEN HISTORICAL COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING The Malden Historical Commission will hold a public hearing in Conference Room 105, Malden City Hall, 215 Pleasant Street, Malden, MA at 6:00 P.M. on Monday, February 23, 2026, to receive public comment regarding the following: Application of Re Wu for a building permit (Permit Application CMID permit (Permit Application CMID-040128-2021) and Notice of Intent to Alter the building at the property known as and numbered 808 Salem Street and known by City Assessor’s Parcel ID 133 663 317, which has been determined to be a Significant Building, in accordance with Title 4.24, Code of City of Malden (MCC), the Demolition and Alteration Delay Ordinance, for the purpose of making a determination whether this Significant Building is a Preferably Preserved Building and the building permit should be delayed, in accordance with Title 4.24, MCC, the Demolition and Alteration Delay Ordinance. Permit application and plans are available for public review on the City website at https://maldenma-energovweb.tylerhost.net/apps/SelfService#/home By: Inna Babitskaya Vice Chair Malden Historical Commission February 06, 2026 set on a daily basis, and we are thrilled to see their hard work paying off.”
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