THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, July 31, 2020 Page 13 ~ Editorial ~ New recovery center in Malden will be a “Bridge” to better days for many I t is a brighter day in Malden today and what will become one of the most important additions to this city in its history will ensure a lot more to follow. This week it was officially announced to the citizens of Malden that the Bridge Recovery Center will open its doors to provide much-needed, invaluable services and resources to those who are among the most vulnerable in our society: those battling the disease of substance addiction and their families. A more than five-year crusade by founders and members of Malden Overcoming Addiction (MOA) to site a peer-to-peer recovery center in Malden has become a true “dream to reality” story, and the numbers of those who will directly benefit are virtually limitless. As with most complex and detailed projects, it certainly “took a village” for the Bridge Recovery Center to reach fruition. The seed was planted by MOA President and Board of DiMALDEN: TODAY | FROM PAGE 10 nights. It was his working-class upbringing that taught Ed the value of hard work and inspired him to spend his (whole) life seeking to provide the same opportunities he had, for every child, no matter their race, socioeconomic background or zip code. Last Sunday morning as I visited the old homestead rectors Chair Paul Hammersley, who has been talking about his dream since Day One of MOA's founding in 2014. Through endless hours, days, months and years of toil, including research, lobbying, information gathering and sharing, the dream of Hammersley, his late friend and fellow MOA founder Domenic DiSario and untold others has been realized. In addition to MOA, key elected officials have been integral in furthering the recovery center project to completion. Malden Mayor Gary Christenson, long a champion of local residents battling addiction, has been behind the project since the start, along with members of the Malden City Council. Malden Police Chief Kevin Molis is another constant voice for MOA's mission. Bridge Recovery Center would not exist had it not been for the driving forces behind it at the state level. This is a 100% state-funded recovery center (by the state Department of on Charles Street, I noticed Ed’s tour bus parked in front of the (former) Busby’s house on Charles Street. Later in the day I sat and watched political analyst boss man Chuck Todd on “Meet the Press” interview Ed. From the very same bus! I felt an overwhelming sense of pride in Malden and for Ed as he continues to fight the Public Health) and will be operated at zero cost to the city of Malden. Champions at the state level include State Senator Jason Lewis (D-Winchester, Malden) and State Representatives Paul Donato (D-Malden, Medford) and Steve Ultrino (D-Malden). Senator Lewis has called it “one of the most important” projects he has been involved with in public service. The Gavin Foundation has been taken on as a partner to run operations as the center gets on its feet, and the always-generous Bayrd Foundation has once again assisted a worthy project by granting funds to complete the initial renovations at the site. Located at 239 Commercial St., the Malden-based Bridge Recovery Center’s doors are expected to open sometime after Labor Day in early September and they will be open to all. No one will ever be turned away. Indeed a bright day for all, with many more to come. good fight some 45 years in the trenches. I love that about our very own Senator from Townsend Street (Senator for life!?), D-Ed Markey! Oh yeah, and if you’re reading this, Ed, my brother Joe and I are ready to take you and your brothers on again two on two. Your house? Masks required! Insert smiley face. T Malden awarded grant to complete ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan hrough the advocacy of Malden’s Disability Commission, the city recently received a $40,000 grant from Governor Charlie Baker’s Community Compact Program to complete an American with Disabilities Act (ADA) Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan. The grant will allow the city to conduct a comprehensive review of all programs and services as well as an audit of municipal buildings, schools and recreational spaces for conformance with ADA standards. A Transition Plan to address any gaps or deficiencies will be included as part of the evaluation. Following a bid process, the city has retained the services of the UMass Donahue Institute, which has an extensive background in this area on both a municipal and state level. In addition to the awarded grant, the Malden Redevelopment Authority has agreed to contribute toward the cost. The Disability Commission will be working closely with the Institute and will be seeking the community’s input as part of the process. Board of Hearing decision supporting date of deed being the date of transfer fore, shall, subject to the limitations of section four, be sufficient, without any other act or ceremony, to convey land.” In Graves v. Hutchinson, T A Board of Hearing decision rendered on June 17, 2020, confirmed that the date that the deed was executed is to be considered the date of transfer and not the date the deed was actually recorded. MassHealth had denied benefits to the applicant based upon its view that since the deed was actually recorded within five years of submitting the application for MassHealth benefits, a disqualifying transfer occurred. Based upon the value of the transferred asset, the applicant would have a penalty period of 317 days. During that penalty period, no MassHealth benefits would be paid. The applicant transferred her home to an irrevocable trust and reserved a life estate. MassHealth valued the remainder interest transferred into the trust at $116,344. Chapter 183, Section 1 of the Massachusetts General Laws states that “A deed executed and delivered by the person, or by the attorney for the person, having authority there39 Mass. App. Ct. 634,659 N.E. 2nd 2012, 2016, “Delivery occurs where the grantor intends the deed to effect a present transfer of the property conveyed, and the grantee assents to the conveyance.” The hearing officer held that since more than five years had elapsed since the applicant had executed the deed, the transfer of the home into the trust was not a disqualifying transfer and not subject to the five year look back period. He went on to say that the applicant’s signature on the deed was evidence that she intended “the deed to affect a present transfer of the property conveyed.” Her son was the trustee of the Trust and by executing the trustee certificate as well as the trust instrument itself, acknowledged his assent to the conveyance. This is an important hearing as well as important case law to remember. Oftentimes, deeds are not recorded right after they are executed. Nonetheless, the transfer, as a matter of law, has occurred as of the date of execution of the deed. This is key when determining whether or not you have satisfied the five year look back period. Joseph D. Cataldo is an Estate Planning/Elder Law Attorney, Certified Public Accountant, Certified Financial Planner, AICPA Personal Financial Specialist and holds a Master’s Degree in Taxation.
14 Publizr Home