THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, March 28, 2025 Page 9 COUNCIL | FROM PAGE 1 “The Charter Committee did a terrific job, along with the support of the Ordinance Committee, to come up with these proposals,” praised Ward 2 Councillor Paul Condon, who has served more years than any Councillor in Malden history. “I attended a few of the meetings and a lot of work went into [this procedure].” Councillor Condon also noted the collaborative efforts of top city staff in the process, particularly Malden’s Chief Strategy Officer, Ron Hogan, and Building Commissioner Nelson Miller. At Tuesday’s meeting, several unanimous City Council votes resulted in advancing plans for: – The reestablishment of a Parks Commission in Malden to be known as “The Parks and Recreation Commission” and establishing it as a city ordinance, removing it from the City Charter document – The restructuring of the Department of Public Works (DPW), Inspectional, Engineering, Health and Veterans Affairs Departments, among other proposed changes As City Council President O’Malley explained it, all of the proposed changes related to the City Charter would ultimately have to be submitted as part of a home rule petition from the City Council and Mayor Gary Christenson to the Massachusetts state legislature for its approval. Tuesday’s votes were the first step, O’Malley said, with some of the language removed from the City Charter into the form of new ordinances, which the City Council enrolled with its votes. The next step, which is encouraged by the state legislature before the submission of the formal home rule petition, according to City Council President O’Malley and other Councillors – including Ward 7’s Steve Winslow, who heads up the Charter Revision Committee – is more public engagement. This public engagement could be “up to and including” a public hearing on the proposed charter changes. At Tuesday’s meeting, a number of Councillors, including all three Councillors-at-Large – Craig Spadafora, Carey McDonald and Karen Colón Hayes – expressed support for more public comment and engagement on the numerous and varied changes and additions being proposed. The last steps, City Council President O’Malley explained, would be finalizing the home rule petition document, using the resources of the city’s legal department, after hearing from the public, then submitting it to the legislature. “The big thing here is getting the [language] out of the charter to the ordinances. We can always tweak the ordinances if need be,” O’Malley said. Another final step would be another vote of the City Council to ordain the new ordinances, which would make them formally part of city regulations. City Council enrolls new ordinance establishing new Parks and Recreation Commission Proposed Updated Ordinance Section 2.16.140: Parks and Recreation Commission (Renamed: Formerly Stadium Commission) A. Established There shall be a Parks & Recreation Commission consisting of 5 members, appointed by the Mayor to serve for a term of three years and subject to confirmation by the City Council. The Recreation Director and staff shall provide professional support to the Body, provide communication to the Ward Councillors, and issuance of compliance and permits. B. Authorities and Responsibilities 1. The Parks & Recreation Commission manages all city parks, stadiums, playing fields and playgrounds, and reviews and approves the design and location of playing fields, athletic courts and playground equipment provided for use by residents. 2. The Parks & Recreation Commission establishes fees for permits for use of its fields and promulgates regulations for the use of fields, parks, stadiums and other recreational facilities under its control. 3. The Commission coordinates with the Department of Public Works to provide for the maintenance of parks and playgrounds, the preparation of fields for scheduled activities and equipping of playgrounds. 4. The Commission advises the Recreation Coordinator on development of a comprehensive plan to make recreational activities, programs, events and facilities available to residents. For Advertising with Results, call The Advocate Newspapers at 617-387-2200 or Info@advocatenews.net MEETING | FROM PAGE 1 the grass to germinate and establish a strong root system. The work is being paid for with funds currently approved by HUD for this use through a Section 108 loan, with an estimated cost of $850,000. When this work is completed, the entire Roosevelt Park will be open to the public for unrestricted use and fully compliant with all current MassDEP regulations. NCA will finalize the soil remediation plan once the public meeting is held, responses are made to comments during the required 20-day public comment period and an Order of Conditions has been issued by the Malden Conservation Commission. The draft plan and other project information can be found on www.cityofmalden. org/roosevelt. 425r Broadway, Saugus Located adjacent to Kohls Plaza Route 1 South in Saugus at the intersection of Walnut Street We are on MBTA Bus Route 429 781-231-1111 We are a Skating Rink with Bowling Alleys, Arcade and two TV’s where the ball games are always on! PUBLIC SKATING SCHEDULE 12-7 p.m. Sunday Monday Tuesday $10.00 Price includes Roller Skates Rollerblades/inline skates $3.00 additional cost Private Parties 7:30-11 p.m. Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday $11.00 Price includes Roller Skates 18+ Adults Only After 7 PM - ID Required Private Parties Private Parties 4-8 p.m. $10.00 8:30-11 p.m. $11. 18+ Adults Only After 7 PM - ID Required 12-9 p.m. $10.00 Everyone must pay admission after 6 p.m. Sorry No Checks - ATM on site Roller skate rentals included in all prices Inline Skate Rentals $3.00 additional BIRTHDAY & PRIVATE PARTIES AVAILABLE www.roller-world.com
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