Page 8 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, February 19, 2021 Northeast Metro Tech students help with renovation of historic Stoneham Fire Station W AKEFIELD – Stoneham Fire Chief Matthew Grafton and Superintendent David DiBarri of Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational High School (Northeast Metro Tech) recently announced a collaboration between the Stoneham Fire Department and Northeast Metro Tech. Approximately 30 students from the plumbing, electrical, carpentry and HVAC programs will be working at the 105-yearold fire station for the next few months in order to help renovate and update the space. Students will work in groups of five in order to comply with COVID-19 guidelines. The work will consist of renovating a second floor to accommodate the needs of the department, relocating the kitchen to the second floor and turning the former kitchen space into a gear storage room – and various other small projects, such as replacing the wheelchair ramp at the front of the building. These projects will help to upgrade the space, as well as increase health and safety conditions at the facility for members of the department. Currently, the kitchen is located right off the apparatus floor and gear is stored nearby as well. Creating this separation of the working and living areas will help to reduce this risk of exposing firefighters to carcinogens left on gear before it is washed and cleaned after being worn and used for a call. The bathroom renovation will help to fix plumbing leaks and repair the dilapidated bathroom to provide an upgraded space for firefighters to use. To ensure the work maintained the historic nature of the building, Grafton presented the ADDRESS | FROM PAGE 1 dress will be delivered virtually via Zoom webinar at 8:00 a.m. Tuesday, hosted by the Malden Chamber of Commerce. Mayor Christenson was elected to his first four-year term in 2011, reelected unopposed in 2015 and then reelected again to a third term in 2019, this time facing a challenger. One of the Malden Chamber’s largest annual fundraisers, there will be a customary registration fee to virtually attend what is expected to be an informative and enlightening look at what transpired in this city during 2020 as well as what lies ahead in 2021. Since his first address in 2012, the format has been a Chamber breakfast meeting held at a full-house affair at Anthony’s on Canal Street. This is the first year this is not the case, as the State of the City Address planners are in full adherence to the COVID-19 protocols. As has been the Mayor’s annual penchant for providing an entertaining theme to accompany the event, everyone is expecting another addition of some fun at Tuesday’s event, though no one at City Hall was revealing anything as of The Malden Advocate press deadline. All members of the Malden Northeast Metro Tech students repaired the ramp outside of the Stoneham Fire Department to allow for safer access to the building. (Photo Courtesy of the Stoneham Fire Department) plans to the Massachusetts Historical Commission, which approved the plans. “It’s a win-win for everyone,” Grafton said. “The students learn from their experience, the fire department has a healthier work environment and taxpayers are able to save a significant amount of money by not having to pay the cost of labor. We greatly appreciate Northeast Metro Tech for helping us and are happy to help them gain this experience. This work wouldn’t be possible without them.” The group initially began working on the project in early 2020, but had to pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Already, the group, which works over the course of a few hours four days a week, has made progress on the bathroom renovations and completed the new ramp. “We are thrilled to be able to partner with Stoneham Fire to help our students gain handson experience and show their support for our community partners,” DiBarri said. “Partnerships like this help to enrich the lives of our students and I know this is something that they really look forward to each week.” Malden Woman Pleads Guilty to Stealing Social Security Benefits and Bank Embezzlement B OSTON – A Malden woman pleaded guilty on Feb. 9, 2021 to stealing Social Security benefits and embezzling over $27,000 from a bank. Materesa Jose, 53, pleaded guilty to one count of theft of public funds and one count of bank embezzlement. U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin scheduled sentencing for June 9, 2021. Jose was indicted in August 2020. While an employee of Eastern Bank, Jose stole approximately $27,605 from the bank, some of which consisted of Social Security benefits, from September 2017 through July 2018.The account from which she stole the money belonged to an individual who had died in 2015. The charge of theft of public funds provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charge of bank embezzlement provides for a sentence of up to 30 years in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Tonya Perkins, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division; and William S. Walker, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston made the announcement today. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Burzycki of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case. Chamber of the Commerce as well as any members of the Malden community who wish to virtually attend the State of the City address must preregister for the CONSTRUCTION | FROM PAGE 2 as well, providing masks, sanitizing products, diapers, toiletries, supermarket gift cards, new and used clothing, winter gloves, hats and scarves. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Bread of Life expanded its programs, launching a grocery delivery service to hundreds of seniors and isolated families, increasing food pantry and motel outreach services and expanding its backpack nutrition program to proevent using the following link: conta.cc/2LbMxH0. Registration for the event may also be completed by going to the Malden Chamber of Commerce website at maldenchamber.org. Those registering to view the virtual State of the City address will be sent a Zoom link for the event via email prior to Tuesday. At Tuesday’s address, the event is expected to be dominated by the once-a-century COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and the city’s response and reaction since it was declared nearly a full year ago in mid-March 2020. The city, state, nation and world were turned upside down and its leaders and citizens, here in Malden and at every point on the globe, were forced to make many decisions, changes and sacrifices. Still, in Malden there were many accomplishments and points of progress made, including the official reopening of Pleasant Street on June 8, 2020, as well as opening of the new Malden City Hall at 215 Pleasant St., albeit on an appointment-only basis. Primary presenting sponsors of the 2021 event are Cantella & Co., Inc., J Malden Center and 11 Dartmouth Innovation Center. Gold Sponsors are Cataldo Ambulance Service, Inc., Foster, Walker & DiMarco, LLC, Minuteman Press of Malden, Shapiro & Hender and Three Circle Studios, LLC. Bronze Sponsors include Malden-based Bread of Life and the Malden YMCA. vide food to Everett middle and high school students. “There is still much to do as we enter the next phase of our campaign,” said Snyder Stelmack. “We look forward to meeting the challenges of decreasing our $1 million loan and securing all the equipment for our stateof-the-art kitchen and superette-style food pantry. We are thankful for our dedicated supporters who, like us, believe in our motto: Food for the Body... Nurture for the Soul.” 81 Main St., Everett, Available March 1, 2021 Commercial Property For Rent 600 Sq. Feet, 2 Parking Spots, 2 levels Private Bath, Prime location on Main Street at the top of Broadway Circle - $2K/Month Contact SHEILA: (310) 508-3119 SHEILAMBRUZZESE@GMAIL.COM
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