HAVE A SAFE & HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND HAVE A SAFE & HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND HAVE A SAFE & HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND Vol. 20, No. 21 -FREE- www.advocatenews.net Christenson presents an optimistic 2020 budget By Barbara Taormina M alden students may find themselves in smaller classes next year thanks to a plan to hire 10 new teachers included in the city’s 2020 budget proposal. Mayor Gary Christenson made his annual trip to the City Council this week to present the $179,528,533 budget, which is a 1 percent increase in spending over this year’s budget of nearly $178 million. And unlike past years and budgets that should still be vivid in municipal memory, Christenson had nothing but good news to share with councillors. “I ended last year’s budget presentation by stating that Malden’s fi nancial future is back on track,” Christenson told the council. “One year later, nothing has changed from me saying that again.” Christenson said the city has seen consistently strong performances in new growth, permitting and excise tax collection. “Malden has experienced four consecutive years of new growth of over $1 million each year,” he said. Christenson also suggested that the revenue projections included in this year’s proposal could be considered conservative since they do not take into account mitigation money expected from the Everett casino or revenue from any local marijuana businesses that may open for business during the upcoming year. The other big revenue boost for the city came from an expected increase of $1.9 million in Chapter 70 state aid to public schools. Christenson credited State Senator Jason Lewis and Malden’s teachers, parents and students for fi ghting to change the formula that determines how aid is distributed to cities and towns. He added that the increase in state aid and the savings from the ongoing project with Honeywell to upgrade public buildings with energyBUDGET | SEE PAGE 19 Published Every Friday 617-387-2200 Friday, May 24, 2019 ‘19 B‘19 Boston Woundedoston Wounde Vet Run rumbleset Run rumbles to Malden to Malden rida May 24, 2019 RIDING FOR THOSE WHO CANT: Motorcycle enthusiasts are shown turning onto Canal Street heading towards Anthony’s during the 2019 Boston Wounded Vet Run which began in Revere. See pages 14-15. City’s Cannabis Commission begins review of license applications By Barbara Taormina E ight companies have submitted applications for licenses to operate marijuana businesses in Malden. The Cannabis Licensing and Enforcement Commission met this week to look over the applications and chart the next step in the review process. “We did receive a total of 10 applications by the deadline on Monday at noontime,” said Commission Chairman Ron Hogan. “There were eight diff erent locations. One of the locations had applications for three diff erent licenses – a retailer, a wholesaler and manufacturer – at the same location.” Hogan gave a brief profi le of each of the following applicants to commission members Police Chief Kevin Molis, Building Commissioner Nelson Miller and state Finance Director Diana Jeong: Misty Mountain Shop has applied to operate a retail marijuana shop at 323 Commercial St. in what Hogan said Malden residents would know as the Mattucio Building. Misty Mountain would $2.55 GALLON lease the property and operate a 6,000-square-foot shop with 37 parking spaces. DMS Trinity LLC applied for a retail license for a 2,800-squarefoot shop at a building to be leased, 36 Charles St., which is across from the old bowling alley. Hogan estimated there are 15 parking spaces at the site. Center Harvest Corp. is pursuing a retailer license for 65 Commercial St., which is the Midas Store. The company has a letter of intent to lease or purchase the property for a 6,200-square-foot shop with roughly 36 parking spaces. Keltic Green has applied to LICENSE | SEE PAGE 17 Our 80th Year EDUCATION Next Classes DRIVER 2 Week Night Classes One Week Day Class CALL - ENROLL or Register Online 617-387-9121 HENRYSAUTOSCHOOL.COM AUTO SCHOOL E EVERETT A “Successful Key To Driving” Since 1938 Gift Certificates Available
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