Page 4 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE – Friday, June 14, 2019 City Council approves new regs for storage containers R By Barbara Taormina esidents who pack away spare furniture, equipment and other stuff in backyard storage containers will now need a city permit. The City Council this week approved a new ordinance that requires anyone who keeps a storage unit, pod or portable container on their property for more than 30 days to pay a $50 fee for an annual permit issued by the building inspector. The ordinance also sets a limit of two storage containers on residential properties. Ordinance Committee Chairman Councillor-at-Large Craig Spadafora said the new rules were developed in response to an uptick in the number of storage containers throughout the city. According to a cursory survey by city staff, there are about 200 storage units in Malden, half of which are on residential properties. “There was no way for the building inspector or the compliance team to know what’s inside of them, and whether they are structurally sound,” said Spadafora, adding that the new rules will give the city some control. According to Spadafora, storage containers are becoming an increasingly common sight around the city. “Con505 Broadway Everett, MA 02149 Tel: 617-387-1120 www.gkdental.com • Family Dentistry • Crowns • Bridges • Veneers/Lumineers • Dental Implants • All on 4 Dental Implants • Emergency Dentist • Kid Friendly Dentist • Root Canals • Dentures • Invisalign Braces • Snap On Smile • Teeth Whitening We are the smile care experts for your entire family tainers have become the new standard of sheds,” he said. “They are temporary structures that, unlike actual sheds, don’t need a building permit.” Ward 1 Councillor Peg Crowe said the issue of storage containers was discussed during a meeting of the mayor’s problem properties unit, which focuses on neighborhood nuisances such as illegal rooming houses, vacant buildings and properties with public safety issues and code violations. Crowe said that without an ordinance there was no way for the city to tackle the issue. Both Crowe and Spadafora said the new ordinance is aimed at regulating the use of storage containers in residential areas of the city. “This is not Councillor-at-Large Craig Spadafora a way to say no to storage containers,” said Crowe. “It’s just a way to make sure they are in good condition and to limit the amount.” Legislature advances Fair Share Legislation led by Sen. Lewis B In House Dental Plan for $399 (Cleanings, X-Rays, Exams twice a year and 20% OFF Dental work) Schedule your FREE Consultations today Good Credit or Bad Credit 153 Ferry St., Everett 617-294-4064 We Finance Everyone! 30 Day Warranty on all Cars! * Buying at Eastern will help establish your credit * Two locations with over 60 cars to choose from OSTON – During a constitutional convention on June 12, the Massachusetts Legislature voted to amend the Massachusetts Constitution to place an additional four percent tax on annual taxable income in excess of $1 million to generate revenues for transportation and educational investments. The revenue generated – estimated by the Department of Revenue to be as much as $2.2 billion annually – would fund repair and maintenance projects for roads, bridges or public transportation as well as funding for public education. “The revenues from the Fair 2005 BMW 3 Series 330xi Price: $4,500 * 130K Miles MPG: 16 city/23 highway 2014 Chevrolet Sonic LS Price: $5,900 * 119K Miles MPG: 25 city/35 highway ~ 30 Day Warranty on all Cars ~ www.easternsaleseverett.com Share Amendment will go a long way to increase funding for public schools, make higher education more affordable for students and families, and fix our state’s crumbling roads, bridges and public transportation. Today, more than three quarters of legislators voted to advance the Fair Share Amendment, reflecting the overwhelming public support for this measure,” said State Senator Jason Lewis, the lead sponsor of the legislation in the Massachusetts Senate. “The Fair Share Amendment is the best way to make the investments in our Commonwealth that we desperately need in the fairest way possible.” The income level would be adjusted annually to reflect any increases in the cost of living by the same method used for federal income tax brackets. This would ensure that, over time, the additional four percent tax would continue to apply only to the highest earnState Senator Jason Lewis was proud to speak in support of the Fair Share Amendment at the June 12 Constitutional Convention, a joint session of the Massachusetts State Senate and House of Representatives. The Amendment received overwhelming support, with 75% of legislators voting in favor. The revenues that would be raised by the Fair Share Amendment are needed to increase funding for public schools, to make public higher education more affordable for students and families and to fix the state’s crumbling roads, bridges and public transit. (Courtesy Photo) ing individuals in the Commonwealth. The tax would apply to all tax years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2023. The legislature must approve a constitutional amendment in two consecutive joint sessions, which happen during each two-year legislative session, before the question appears on the ballot for voter approval. If approved, the amendment would go before voters in 2022.
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