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THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, October 9, 2020 Page 3 City Council approves pair of financial initiatives for new trash pickup program, park rehab project By Steve Freker T wo fi nancial initiatives were approved by Malden City Council votes at Tuesday night’s meeting that are linked to a pair of municipal projects. By a unanimous, 11-0 vote, the Council gave a nod to a key part of an ambitious, newly designed trash and recycling program forwarded by Mayor Gary Christenson. Mayor Christenson had requested approval of a $1.2 million expenditure from the city’s free cash reserves to pay for the purchase of about 30,000 hard plastic tote barrels, which would signal a dramatic change in the city’s trash and recycling pickup format. Approximately $730,000 would cover the cost of the barrels, to start up the new project. Trash, recycling paper had been tabled previously That vote came near the end of the meeting when the City Council voted to take up a tabled paper from the previous meeting, where the vote had originally been planned. City Council Finance Committee Chairman David Camell (Ward 6) explained that at the previous full City Council meeting of September 22 the city’s free cash reserve account balance had not been certifi ed by state regulators. That action had been fi nalized since the Sept. 22 meeting, according to City Council President Jadeane Sica (Ward 8), clearing the way for Tuesday’s vote. Councillor Sica also confirmed the free cash account balance was $18.6 million at this time, after that fi gure was offered up by Councillor-at-Large Craig Spadafora. After the barrels are purchased, the plan is to distribute two to every household in Malden opting to participate. One of the 35-gallon barrels would be used for regular trash and the other would be used for recyclable items. Gary Christenson Mayor Residents will have option of an annual fee, or continuing “blue bags” PAYT An annual fee, not yet determined, would be charged for use of the trash pickup barrel by the residents. Residents who choose to continue disposing of their trash through use of the “blue bags” would be allowed to do so as well. The individual bags, through a system known as Pay As You Throw (PAYT), in place since 2008, are purchased in local stores. It is $2.00 for a large bag and $1.00 for a smaller bag. “The city has been in search of a solution for years that would balance the needs of those who fi nd the current program to be eff ective while providing an option for those who do not want it,” City Council President Sica said in an online report. “I believe this approach truly has something for every constituent in the city.” City Council approves request for park rehab loan application In a vote held earlier in the meeting, the City Council voted 8-3 in favor of a request to allow the Malden Redevelopment Authority (MRA) to apply for a $1.2 million Section 108 loan from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to complete the funding for the Roosevelt Park Improvement Project. City Council Finance Committee Chairman Camell told the members the request was favorably approved by a 4-2 vote of the committee at its September 26 meeting. Only two Councillors spoke about the report at Tuesday’s meeting. Councillor Camell recapped the previous week’s Finance Committee meeting. “We had a healthy conversation about the project, with most of the Councillors in attendance,” Camell said. “Most of the discussion was on the fi nances of the project and debt service on this loan, which would be a small impact on city fi nances, at $90,000 annually beginning in 2022.” Ward 4 Councillor Ryan O’Malley, who voted against the loan request, said, “I think there would be a better way to remediate the site. I will vote in opposition, but it’s not for or against the kids.” “I appreciate all the hard work which has been done on both sides of this issue,” Councillor O’Malley added. Park rehabilitation is main issue, Councillor says “The main driver of this issue is the much-needed remediation of this fi eld, and this project is the most plausible, feasible solution,” said Camell, referring to the plan which includes the installation of an artifi cial turf surface fi eld Roosevelt Park, in addition to a list of improvements and actions which address drainage and soil contamination issues. Camell also cited letters that were read by City Clerk Greg Lucey during the public comment portion of the meeting. A total of 15 letters were read and all 15 expressed support for the Roosevelt Park Improvement Project, urging Councillors to continue TRASH | SEE PAGE 10 AUTOTECH 1989 SINCE CA$H FOR YOUR CAR! DRIVE IT - PUSH IT - TOW IT! Cold Hard Cash For Your Car, Truck or SUV! 2012 KIA SOUL One Owner, Most Power Options, 101K Miles, Warranty, Runs & Looks Great! FUN IN THE SUN $6,500 Easy Financing Available! 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