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Page 8 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, September 15, 2023 ROUNDUP | FROM PAGE 5 the Mayor’s salary. According to an ordinance change proposed by longtime Malden Ward 5 Councillor and present City Council President Barbara Murphy, the salaries of all Malden legislative employees, including the Mayor, City Council and also School Committee, could be on the rise. Councillor Murphy’s resolution calling for a salary increase ordinance change would mean a raise of $45,000 for the Mayor’s post – up to $150,000 from $105,000 (47.5%); an annual increase of $7,500 for each of the 11 City Councillors – up to $25,000 from $17,500 (42%); and a raise of $4,500 annually for the seven members of the Malden School Committee – up to $12,000 from $7,500 (60%). “It’s time to have this discussion, especially when you look at these salaries in comparison to other surrounding communities,” said Ward 3 Councillor Amanda Linehan. “We should be where other communities are, when we are considering future persons in those offices,” Council President Murphy said. “We have to be comparable to encourage qualified candidates to seek HEROINE | FROM PAGE 1 sion on the Status of Women and recognizes extraordinary women who make unsung contributions to improve their communities. Karen’s first involvement with urban waters began in 1987 with New York’s Hudson River, where she volunteered with the Hudson River Sloop Clear Water Initiative. When she moved those positions.” By a unanimous 11-0 vote, the Councillors voted to send the paper on proposed pay raises for legislative posts to a Joint Committee on Finance and Ordinance, on the motion of Finance Committee chair and Councillor-at-Large Carey McDonald. Voting in favor of the proposal to raise the pay of the Mayor, Councillors and School Committee members were Councillors Peg Crowe (Ward 1), Paul Condon (Ward 2), Linehan (Ward 3), Ryan O’Malley (Ward 4), Murphy (Council President), Stephen Winslow (Ward 6), Chris Simonelli (Ward 7), Jadeane Sica (Ward 8), Craig Spadafora (at large), McDonald (at large) and Karen Colón Hayes (at large). **** Vote not unanimous on Council support of state Ethics Commission A vote stating the Malden City Council supports the work and decisions of the Massachusetts State Ethics Commission, which was proposed as a resolution sponsored by Ward 8 Councillor Jadeane Sica, Ward 7 Councillor Chris Simonelli and Councillor-at-Large Craig Spadafora, passed on a majority vote of the Council at its last meeting to Malden in 2004, she continued her environmental work by volunteering for the Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) and teaching in Malden Public Schools’ afterschool clubs and programs, where she mixed in environmental education, gardening and team projects. In 2012, MyRWA and TriCity Community Action Program formed FoMR, of which Karen was an early and active J& • Reliable Mowing Service • Spring & Fall Cleanups • Mulch & Edging • Sod or Seed Lawns • Shrub Planting & Trimming • Water & Sewer Repairs Joe Pierotti, Jr. on September 6. But the vote supporting the Ethics Commission was not unanimous, as had been expressly urged by both of the Councillors in speaking on its behalf. The resolution read: “Resolve: That it is the sense of the Malden City Council that we support the work done by the Mass State Ethics Commission to educate our employees and enforce Mass State Ethics Laws, and that we will respect and stand behind the bipartisan work done by this and all state agencies in carrying out their mission. Be it further resolved, that the Malden City Council will support all employees participating in providing testimony to any state agency and discourages the public criticism of any employee who has provided such testimony. “ After some discussion, the second part of the resolution was omitted when some Councillors expressed concern over a possible free speech infringement, so the final resolve read: “Resolve: That it is the sense of the Malden City Council that we support the work done by the Mass State Ethics Commission to educate our employees and enforce Mass State Ethics Laws, and that we will respect and stand behind the bipartimember. Karen currently serves as the FoMR president. In her time volunteering with MyRWA, Karen participated in invasive species removal, monthly water quality sampling, seasonal herring and American eel counting, and community outreach. Under her leadership, FoMR has organized the “Trash Free Malden River Initiative,” countless community cleanups, river events and other enviS LANDSCAPE & MASONRY CO. Masonry - Asphalt • Brick or Block Steps • Brick or Block Walls • Concrete or Brick Paver Patios & Walkways • Brick Re-Pointing • Asphalt Paving www.JandSlandscape-masonry.com • Senior Discount • Free Estimates • Licensed & Insured 617-389-1490 Designing and Constructing Ideas that are “Grounds for Success” Landscaping san work done by this and all state agencies in carrying out their mission.” “This resolution should pass 11-0 as is,” Councillor Spadafora said. “The State Ethics Commission is bipartisan and investigates independently. “I have seen some innuendos and claims against the State Ethics Commission rulings and also statements where our own city employees have been chastised for their testimony to the Ethics Commission,” Spadafora said. “That is a dangerous lie. We cannot allow any city official to publicly chastise our employees. It is unacceptable.” Spadafora said the references made both online and in a letter published in this newspaper by first-term Councillor Karen Colón Hayes regarding a ruling made against her by the Ethics Commission and announced recently. The Mass. State Ethics Commission had ruled Councillor Colón Hayes was found to be in violation of conflict of interest laws regarding the hiring and subsequent payment of family members and others during her former position of supervising the Malden Mayor’s Youth Summer Employment Program (MYSEP). She signed a statement agreeing to the violaronmental advocacy. Karen has also been instrumental in pursuing the Malden River Trash Trap, which prevents street litter from entering the Malden and Mystic Rivers, and the exciting Malden River Works project to increase equitable public access to the Malden River and improve climate resilience. “Malden River Works Equitable Resilient Waterfront Park Project is a brilliant example of a collaborative project for the health of a community and its urban river, in addition to climate resiliency for a municipality,” said Buck. “Since the seeding of Malden River Works in 2019 by the MIT Leventhal Advanced Urbanism Prize, our mission has been to reach out to residents in an engaging way. To accomplish the equitable piece of this project, the Massachusetts Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Program has been essential for this work and the state has recognized our efforts. Now, the MVP program will invest in the construction of our city's dream of an Equitable and Resilient Waterfront Park behind a newly engineered Malden City Yard. Malden River Works will be tions and also agreeing to pay a $7,500 fine, which had been reduced from $15,000 on her appeal. “Councillor Colón Hayes has strongly criticized the Ethics Commission and also our own city employees,” Councillor Sica said. “It is troubling. “Councillor Colón Hayes should acknowledge it and we should expect better,” Councillor Sica added. Shortly after discussion began on the resolution, Councillor Colón Hayes left the City Council Chambers and did not return until after the vote was taken. Ward 4 Councillor Ryan O’Malley left the City Council Chambers shortly after Colón Hayes left and also did not return until after the vote was taken. The final vote on supporting the State Ethics Commission was 8-1. Councillors Peg Crowe (Ward 1), Paul Condon (Ward 2), Barbara Murphy (Council President), Stephen Winslow (Ward 6), Chris Simonelli (Ward 7), Jadeane Sica (Ward 8), Craig Spadafora (at large) and Carey McDonald (at large) all voted in favor. Ward 3 Councillor Amanda Linehan voted against the resolution, which passed, 8-1. Councillors Ryan O’Malley and Karen Colón Hayes were absent and did not vote. an example of how green infrastructure projects can convert wasteland into productive and inviting climate resiliency spaces that will be enjoyed by all members of the community. I am honored to join a cadre of women who make a difference in Massachusetts through grassroots efforts. This heartfelt work stems from the love of community and the need for preservation and restoration of our localities. These women are incredible role models for our youth. I thank Senator Lewis for recognizing my piece of environmental work for our community. Recognition of efforts empowers people to continue their work and inspires others to follow their passions.” “I was thrilled to nominate Karen for this special recognition and to lift up the incredible work of the Friends of the Malden River and the Malden River Works project,” said Sen. Lewis. “Karen is the quintessential unsung heroine, from inspiring and leading others to engage in environmental activism to spending a Saturday morning quietly picking up trash from the banks of the Malden River.” For Advertising with Results, call The Advocate Newspapers at 617-387-2200 or Info@advocatenews.net

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