Page 2 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, November 20, 2020 Mayor proposes $6M road improvement project for city By Steve Freker A n extensive, $6 million street and roadwork improvement project has been proposed by Malden Mayor Gary Christenson. The proposal is intended to focus on neighborhood streets across the city and expand on the work that has already been occurring. The Malden City Council at its November 10 meeting referred the proposal to its Finance ComGerry D’Ambrosio Attorney-at-Law Is Your Estate in Order? Do you have an update Will, Health Care Proxy or Power of Attorney? If Not, Please Call for a Free Consultation. 14 Proctor Avenue, Revere (781) 284-5657 T mittee for further discussion. The Mayor has proposed the project be funded with a $3 million bond issue coupled with a $3 million expenditure from the city’s savings account, which is known as the municipal “free cash” fund. “As our residents know all too well, over the past eight years we have been laser focused on replacing aged and crumbling water mains and service,” Mayor Christenson said. “We have made tremendous progress, and as part of these projects, we have also repaved streets and fi xed sidewalks.” “We also recognize that we have a lot of neighborhood streets that need less extensive work focused on paving. This initiative addresses some of these streets while continuing with our water main work,” he added. The Mayor said his approach to funding the project represented a balance between the future and present with half of the project to be paid for in borrowing and the other half paid with existing funds. “Bonding is an effective and perfectly acceptable way to pay for these types of projects,” said Mayor Christenson. “I’m mindful, however, of the burden that places on our future. We have been working hard over the past several years to position ourselves to pay for some of this work out of savings, and some from bonding.” The Mayor said he would Gary Christenson Mayor consider using this funding approach in the future. “I am hopeful we can use this model on other projects as well. We have brought our bond rating up to the highest it has been in city history. Responsible approaches like this is what will keep it there,” Mayor Christenson said. City working to open COVID-19 test site he City of Malden is actively monitoring the evolving health issues caused by COVID-19 and is working closely with public health offi cials. The surge in cases statewide has also been seen in Malden and surrounding communities. The city’s latest number of confi rmed cases is 2,062 with, unfortunately, 91 reported deaths to date. The state Department of PubA BUSINESS CHECKING ACCOUNT THAT CHECKS ALL THE BOXES. LOW MONTHLY FEES - ONLINE BANKING & BILL PAY REMOTE DEPOSIT CAPTURE - COIN SERVICES TALK TO US TODAY ABOUT OUR DIFFERENT BUSINESS CHECKING ACCOUNTS. WE’LL HELP YOU FIND THE RIGHT OPTION. EVERETT – 419 BROADWAY LYNNFIELD – 7 7 1 SALEM STREET 61 7-38 7 - 1 1 10 Visit our website to learn more at: EVERETTBANK . COM Member FDIC Member DIF lic Health (DPH) issues a weekly report on positive cases, and, in accordance with a color-coded metric, designates cities as either a “red,” high-risk; “yellow,” moderate risk; or “green,” low-risk community. A designation considers the size of the community, positive COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents and the percentage of tests conducted in the community that result positive. Although Malden remains among the communities in the yellow – or moderate risk – category, the average daily rate of cases has increased to 22.7. Despite this uptick, because Malden is not considered a red – high-risk – community it does not qualify to be a testing site as part of the Commonwealth’s “Stop the Spread” campaign. Stop the Spread is a targeted testing program that is based entirely on data and not something that a municipality can simply request. The communities that have these testing sites have been those identifi ed as being consistently at high risk, such as Everett, Chelsea and Revere. The City of Malden is looking into what other avenues and resources exist as far as a Malden test site. The increased numbers are an important reminder that we have signifi cant levels of community transmission taking place. With the holiday season upon us, please remember to limit social gatherings, wear a mask, social distance and wash your hands or sanitize whenever possible. ANGELO’S FULL SERVICE "42 Years of Excellence!" 1978-2020 Regular Unleaded $1.899 MidUnleaded $2.399 Super $2.459 Diesel Fuel $2.219 RIGHT BY YOU KERO $4.159 Diesel $1.959 HEATING OI 24-Hour Burner Service Call for Current Price! (125—gallon minimum) DEF Available by Pump! Open an account and order online at: www.angelosoil.com (781) 231-3500 (781) 231-3003 367 LINCOLN AVE • SAUGUS • OPEN 7 DAYS Prices subject to change HAPPY FALL! Y FLEET
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