MHS Swim Star Ochoa Crowned Div. 1 State Champ See Page 5 Vol. 20, No. 8 -FREE- www.advocatenews.net Published Every Friday City Council approves local Cannabis Control Commission By Barbara Taormina A five-member Cannabis Control Commission will grant and oversee local licenses for marijuana-related businesses that open in Malden. The City Council this week approved the creation of the commission that will include the police chief, the building commissioner and a third member of city government with financial experience. The two remaining seats will be fi lled by appointments: one from Mayor Gary Christenson, the other by the City Council. The Ordinance Committee originally intended the city’s Licensing Board, which grants licenses for the sale of alcohol in Malden, to be responsible for local licenses for recreational marijuana shops and other cannabis-related businesses. But Licensing Board members said they couldn’t be involved because state law limits their authority to businesses selling alcohol. A local license requirement will be part of the city’s marijuana ordinance, which is still being crafted by the Ordinance Committee. But Ordinance Committee Chairperson Craig Spadafora said members decided to break out this piece of ordinance to allow time for appointments to be made and approved, and to give the commission itself time to get off the 617-387-2200 Friday, February 22, 2019 rida ebruary 22, 2019 ground. “This is to fast-track the process,” said Spadafora, adding that creating the commission now would avoid delays in granting local licenses once the city’s ordinance is complete. Before applying for a license from the Cannabis Control Commission, marijuana businesses must fi rst fi nd a location within the areas where zoning rules allow them to operate. Businesses must hold an informational meeting with the neighborhood and then apply for a special permit which will be reviewed by the Planning Board and approved or disapproved by the City Council. CANNABIS | SEE PAGE 8 New snow removal rules put on hold By Barbara Taormina A proposal to expand snow removal rules for property owners has been put on hold until next winter. Ward 4 Councillor Ryan O’Malley and Councillor-at-Large Steve Winslow proposed making property owners responsible for clearing the sidewalk ramps on corners in addition to the sidewalks surrounding their property. They also proposed cutting the time allowed to shovel from 24 hours after a snowfall to 12 hours for businesses and multifamily homes with fi ve or more units. The current ordinance requires property owners and occupants to clear a 36-inch wide path along all sidewalks abutting their property. Those who fail to shovel in time are in line for a written warning from the city for their fi rst violation. After that, the fi nes kick in. For residential properties the $2.54 GALLON actual fi nes will start with $50 for the second violation, $100 for the third time snow is left on the sidewalk and $150 for subsequent violations. Commercial property owners will receive a written warning for the fi rst offence and graduated fines of $100, $200 and $300 for subsequent violations. O’Malley said leaving the sidewalk ramps covered with snow creates a problem for pedestrians and particularly people with disabilities. And there are other issues. “A lot of people end up walking around, and leaving sidewalks un-shoveled impedes business,” said O’Malley, who wanted the new rules in place before the next snowstorm. Public Works Director Bob Knox agreed and wrote in a brief letter to the council that the changes would improve “safety, walkability and accountability.” But other councilors questioned the added burden the new rules would place on some residents, particularly seniors, and they opposed the timing of introducing new snow regulations. “There’s another month of winter left and for us to just throw this in … it’s tough enough for people who live on corners,” said Ward 2 Councillor Paul Condon, who added that snowbanks on corners can reach as high as six feet. Condon proposed tabling the proposal and giving it a fuller review in the spring. “I don’t agree with changing the rules of the game halfway through winter,” said Ward 3 Councillor John Matheson, adding that at some point, the council might want to consider if the city should be responsible for clearing sidewalks. Winslow conceded it really wouldn’t be fair to throw out new rules for this year. However, he stressed the need to make some changes to increase safety for the 40 percent of the city’s population that doesn’t drive and noted that Boston requires property owners to clear sidewalk ramps. “Also, if businesses aren’t aggressive about clearing sidewalks, the snow gets trampled and turns to ice that creates a long-term hazard,” he said. “It’s a big issue for our residents with disabilities.” MHS Student meets with U.S. House Speaker Pelosi at State of the Union alden High School senior and West Point nominee Angela "Angie" Tejada-Soliz, at right, got the chance of a lifetime when she recently attended the Presidential State of the Union Address in Washington, D.C. as the guest of Malden U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark, D-5th Middlesex, at left. Tejada-Soliz got another thrill when she was introduced to U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., center, who graciously posed for pictures along with our local Congresswoman. It was the fi rst time a Malden High School student had attended this event, a nice cap to a historic evening. (Courtesy Photo) M • HELP WANTED • HELP WANTED • HELP WANTED Earn $15/HR paycheck 7D Licensed School Bus Driver Malden Trans is looking for reliable 7D Drivers. Applicant preferable lives local (Malden, Everett, Revere). Part time positions available and based on AM & PM school hours...15-20 hours per week with potential for more. Good driver history from registry a MUST! If interested, please call 781-322-9400
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