Maldden alld a A Vol. 30, No. 16 H den -FREETHE ADVOCATE – A HOUSEHOLD WORD IN MALDEN FOR 30 YEARS! AD O C TE AD CAT AT www.advocatenews.net Published Every Friday Two big decisions: A City Council veteran weighs in on major Malden Square moves Spadafora points to spirit of support, unity in Council on 9-story offi ce building permit, Rt. 60 traffi c changes By Steve Freker e is in the midst of his seventh consecutive term on the City Council, longevity uncommon at the local political level, here in Malden, or around the region. As a fourth-generation Maldonian with a family political lineage that extends back into the 1950s, Craig Spadafora knows plenty about the phrase “being around for a while.” Growing up Spadafora, who was fi rst elected to the City Council in November 2007, witnessed plenty of Malden history being made fi rsthand. Decades before he took offi ce as a freshman Councillor at large in ’07, charged with keeping his fi nger on the pulse of what was happening in all Malden’s eight wards, his family name was already one of the most wellknown in the community. Not much has changed these days, as Councillor Spadafora is the longest-serving member of the City Council in continuous terms and an outspoken proponent of what best serves the city’s economic future. With nearly a quarter century of highend experience in the business and fi nancial world, Spadafora often infuses real-world comparisons and references into re617-387-2200 M ayor Gary Christenson was joined by State Senator Jason Lewis, State Representatives Steven Ultrino and Kate Lipper-Garabedian and City Councillors Ryan O’Malley and Amanda Linehan to celebrate the recent improvements at the Washington/Winter/Glenwood Intersection near Oak Grove Train Station. The project was identifi ed as being a high-priority one for Malden. Uber/Lift money and 2020 Earmark funds were used in conA rendering of a new, nine-story offi ce building being built at the corner of Dartmouth and Pleasant Streets, according to a $90 million project proposal by Quaker Capital. The City Council backed the project with an 11-0 vote. al-time debates over Malden’s dollars...and sense. Two major City Council votes in two weeks Councillor Spadafora weighed in this week on two major City Council votes, in successive weeks, which will have a dramatic and transformational effect on the future of the city, particularly as they impact the downtown district and beyond. The veteran City Councillor has had a hand in virtually every major decision involving land use and development in the Malden community for over a dozen years, going toe-to-toe with potential developers, attorneys – and at times, fellow Councillors – as a key member, and often chairperson, of the Council’s Ordinance and Finance Committees. He played a key role in helping hammer out an ordiDECISIONS| SEE PAGE 9 junction with other City of Malden funds to complete the project, which addressed a variety of safety issues for all modes of transportation, including bike E Friday, April 23, 2021 Mayor, elected officials celebrate Oak Grove area intersection improvements and pedestrian. The project included installation of granite curb, placement of ADA-compliant concrete wheelchair ramps and sidewalks, replacement of traffic signals, installation of new pedestrian signals and push button assembly, milling and paving and new pavement markings at the intersection of Washington Street/Winter Street/Glenwood Street and Grove Street. “I could not be more pleased with the result of this improvement,” said Christenson. “I’m grateful to the state delegation who worked with us on this project to achieve a much safer intersection.” Shown from left to right are State Senator Jason Lewis, State Representative Kate Lipper-Garabedian, Mayor Gary Christenson, State Representative Steve Ultrino, Ward 3 Councillor Amanda Linehan and Ward 4 Councillor Ryan O’Malley. (Photo Courtesy of the City of Everett) Malden Public Schools will receive $15.8 million in emergency education funds from federal American Rescue Plan Over $3.1 billion being provided for school districts nationwide By Steve Freker M alden's public schools will be getting a hefty fi - nancial boost for the 2021-22 school year. The American Rescue Plan includes $15,785,000 for the Malden Public School district, a portion of the over $3.1 billion in emergency education funding to support Massachusetts SCHOOLS | SEE PAGE 8
2 Publizr Home